Few things can spell out winter birding as poetically as the sighting of a rare northern owl that has more or less unexpectedly found its way to southern, more balmy environs. That, at least, is the case for most birders in North America, unless they reside in Florida and have no clue as to what a winter is anyway. A winter owl however has little meaning to German birders for two simple reasons (and male smew arent one of them). First, most of Europes owl species are breeding in Germany anyway and are better found at other times of the year. Second, the few that dont  Northern Hawk Owls, Snowy Owls and Great Grey Owls  are so exceptionally rare even in severe winters that using them to define winter birding would impact our climate statistics even worse than global warming. I am not aware of a single twitchable Snowy Owl in Germany in the 21st century, and Great Grey Owl isnt even on the German list. Northern Hawk Owls however are a slightly different matter  as the posts title plainly suggests  as they have shown up increasingly often in recent years. Well, very recent years. I cant recall any observations in the 1980s and 1990s, although that might be an effect of there having been no Internet back in the days. The first bird in Germany during my lifetime  that I know of  was in 2006, a long-staying and well-twitched bird in Brandenburg. The next one to show up chose the state of Hessen as its wintering residence in 2011  not bad after only 5 years. Then however, the winter of 2013/14 brought a major eruption and rained down at least 15 Northern Hawk Owls upon us. Coupled with an unprecedented influx of Arctic (Hoary) Redpolls, Parrot and White-winged Crossbills, the owls turned the winter of 2013/14 into a belated Octoberfest for all German birders, and I was thankfully able to join the party and twitch one of the Hawk Owls in the Harz mountains in March 2014. The following winters didnt quite live up to the new standard, but there has been at least one Hawk Owl in Germany both in 14/15 and now in 15/16, slowly turning this once exceptional vagrant into a very rare but regular winter guest. Heres hoping that it stays that way, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that one of these fine winter days a Great Grey joins its hawkish cousins down here. But for now, Ill just leave you with a handful (a plentiful handful, to be honest) of my Hawk Owl pictures, taken in Germany nearly two years ago
Suzanne Tenner/FX NetworksWhen the Golden Globe nominations were announced last month, it was surprising that the song Lady Gaga co-wrote and recorded for the documentary The Hunting Ground, "Til It Happens to You," wasn't nominated for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture. But what was even more surprising was that the thing Gaga was nominated for was her acting.

Tonight at the Golden Globes, Gaga is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, for her role as the bloodthirsty Countess in American Horror Story: Hotel. Her competition in that category includes another musician-turned-actress: Queen Latifah, nominated for her lead role in the TV movie Bessie.

When she received her nomination, Gaga, who is so into her role on American Horror Story that she changed her Twitter name to "The Countess," tweeted, "I apologize to my neighbors I'm still screaming in my apt in NY! I'm nominated as an actress for a Golden Globe what a dream is this real!"

Gaga will be a presenter tonight night when the Golden Globes air on NBC, so if she wins, she'll be available to run up on stage and make what we assume will be a memorable speech. Her presence tonight may be an indication that she's actually going to win -- the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hands out the Golden Globes, does have a history of rewarding huge international stars.

Ricky Gervais returns as host for the Golden Globes, which start at 8 p.m. ET.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Thomas Rockroads Jr. served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971. He served in the Airborne Infantry. This is part of his Vietnam story. For the full interview, go to billingsgazette.com/Vietnam.

Gazette: Most of the time, we start these interviews at the beginning of your entry into the service, but today, we're starting with a different event. You received medals today from Sen. Jon Tester. Can you explain that?

Combat veterans honored decades after service in Billings ceremony A pair of U.S. Army veterans received more than a dozen medals Thursday in a long-overdue ce

Rockroads: "A lot of the Vietnam veterans, especially the combat veterans, when we ordered to do our tour in Vietnam, we flew in  some came by boats. ... When we did come out of Vietnam, there weren't any awards or medals ceremony or anything of that nature.

"With that in mind, after 46 years, I started wondering if the medals that I wore were legitimate and authorized, so I went to the veterans center and they gave me a form and I filled it out. I went to VA coordinator in Lame Deer, Joe Brady. ... When I got a letter from St. Louis and the person in charge of the research and the medals that I should be getting, they sent a letter to me and Sen. Jon Tester, and that's how this ceremony came about  the ceremony that happened this morning."

Gazette: What's it like to get your medals, 46 years later?

Rockroads: "It's very emotional, seeing what I've seen and getting those medals. First of all, this is what I was thinking: They were just going to ship the medals to me. I never expected Jon Tester to do this or for them to have this awards ceremony.

"When I got that letter about this ceremony, right then and there, I was very emotional. When the contacts were made and then Tester's office to ask me to bring my family, it was very emotional, and at the same time I was very happy about what they could do for a Vietnam veteran after 46 years."

Gazette: Where were you in 1968, and how did you wind up in the Army?

Rockroads: "I live on the Northern Cheyenne reservation, and I grew up Rockroads allotment on the Rosebud Creek, about two miles east of Busby. My great-grandfather was a scout for Gen. (Nelson) Miles under Lt. Casey. So he served in the military as a scout, after everything was quieted down (after the Battle of the Little Bighorn).

"In 1884, when our reservation was established, that was their area of operation, so to speak. So, they came  my great-grandparents  and they built a log house there. He was paid $25 a month. He built that log house, and that's where I grew up. My great-grandfather, my grandfather, my dad, myself and then my son and daughters and grandchildren. I have five grandchildren, four boys and one granddaughter.

"Times were pretty tough, but the skills that were taught to me by my parents and other relatives  you know, uncles and aunts and the older Cheyenne people, the skills that I learned that very much came in handy in Vietnam because I was a booney rat  I was a grunt, in the infantry. If it was tracking or whatever the case may be. I went to school at the old Tongue River Boarding School, the old BIA school.

"I decided to go into the military. I have two birthdays, one is 49, the other is 48. ... I was 17 when I left the rez, and so I hitchhiked to Hardin. Right in the Main Street of Hardin there used to be an old Ben Franklin store. Right on top of that, there was a selective service office, and I signed up for the airborne infantry and Army and then they sent me to Butte, and from there ... I took my oath and went to Fort Lewis, Washington, to start my basic training.

Gazette: Why did you sign up?

Rockroads: "I know a lot of history about our Cheyenne people, defending their way of life, family, elderly people, the young ones. The stories that were told to me were very fascinating growing up. With that, I think that's where the majority of influence came from. I had uncles who served in World War II, one was a paratrooper who jumped in Normandy. Then, in Korea. I was just fascinated with my uncles who were in Airborne, the way they dressed  you know? The jump boots. I had an uncle who jumped in Korea twice.

"... In this police action in the 60s in Vietnam, if you do not answer the call of duty, honor or courage, then you're going to spend some time being in a place you don't want to be. Or, be fined. With those things in mind, this is what I thought. I educated myself with Vietnam, and some of my friends and relatives that were there and came back. I didn't want to be drafted because if I was, they'd put me wherever they wanted. I volunteered to be infantry, U.S. Army. I had the type of training in Airborne Infantry so that I was trained to fight in the battles I read about."

Rockroads went to jump school at Fort Benning, Ga. After that, he went to Fort Bragg, N.C. After training, he requested to go to Vietnam, for combat duty. He then went to Puerto Rico for guerrilla war training. He left for Vietnam in October 1969.

Gazette: What was guerrilla warfare training like?

Rockroads: "From the stories I have heard, it was almost like the way my forefathers fought. They all were all on the ground with certain tomahawks or bow and arrow, things of that nature. How they ambushed the enemy  stories that I knew, that were told to me at my great-grandfather's old cabin. So, all of those things that were told to me, all of that came into play.

"In the fall of 69, when I was shipping out for Vietnam, I came home for a short leave. My dad and my grandfather and great-grandfather were Northern Cheyenne ceremonial people and they knew a lot of things about the past. So when I was going to leave that morning to come to Billings to jump on that 747 to go Nam, my dad woke me up at 5 in the morning, but shook my hand  never broke down.

"He said, 'Son,' when he called me son in our dialect, he would say to me, 'Na,' referring to me as a son. So he said, 'When things get tough, the only thing that you need to do is growl like a bear. Where you're going is going to be tough  just like our ancestors. In this contemporary time, you will have all the necessary things that you need and you're already trained in being a grunt.'

"As a Cheyenne, I knew I was going to be walking point, maybe a slackman, or a volunteer for ambush. He told me, "You got to watch for this butterfly. The color of that butterfly is going to be yellow and black. When you see that butterfly in the battlezone in Vietnam, be extra cautious and careful because something is going to happen.'

"I got to my first platoon ... after a week's refresher course. I told the platoon sergeant and the buddies that I was with that I am going to volunteer for point man (walking in the front) so the old-timers could start training me as a point man. So that's what I did. That next morning, we were going to go out on a patrol. 'Sure, we'll train you since you're a Native American and you look similar to a Vietnamese person.'

"So we did that. We come out of the perimeter and it's still dark and I had a slackman walking in back of me, training me and the rest of the patrol. We were walking, looking for Charlie. We came to this river and there was an old rice paddy dike and there was a river coming through and there was trails and tangles going through. So, when I started walking and there was a village on my right, over maybe 200 feet or so. So, I was walking toward that river and out of the clear blue sky, there was that butterfly. Like that, I picked it up. ... The patrol stopped, and I didn't say anything yet. ... I was already with my M16, full automatic and a clip that I tied back-to-back that I could just flip up. My buddies didn't know what was going on."

Gazette: This was your first time on patrol in Vietnam?

Rockroads: "Yes. ... When I saw my butterfly, I thought about my dad. I turned around ... silently moving. I was motioning the patrol to get back. I started walking on a hedge row of the old rice paddy where they used to farm, but it wasn't being used anymore, the grass was pretty high. I was about ready to step over to go over the paddy and the elephant grass was pretty high.

"There was a trail and tangle coming out of that rice paddy, the old dike. There was a guy coming out of there, he had black pajamas on and a rucksack on and he had his rifle. He didn't have any headgear, but his hair was long and it was pretty windy too. The first thing I thought was when we were in training, even in the States. They called these 'Vietnamese Popular Forces'  they were the ones that would guard the villages from what the (Viet Cong) and the North Vietnamese Army did to terrorize them. I kind of thought it was one of those. But, he was alone.

"I just stooped down and when he got about half way, I stood up and he took off, and I knew it had to be a Viet Cong  black pajamas. He took off, and I sprayed him, sprayed him with two magazines. He came and dashed back into the bush. That was my first personal kill. We checked it out. You have to check out if they have any orders or whatever. He was laying there on his back and his rucksack.
This appeared in Saturdays Washington Post.

New York has joined several other states in promising to scale back solitary confinement, the institutionalized torture to which prisons across the country subject thousands of inmates every day. The excuse for extreme prisoner isolation is that it maintains order. The reality is that the punishment is wildly overused, and the conditions are often of the sort youd expect to read about in a human rights report on a Third World dictatorship, a system seemingly designed to break people down, encourage mental illness and inflict deep misery and emotional desperation.

New York has some 4,000 prisoners in solitary confinement, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union, which has been pressing a lawsuit against the state. Under a settlement the NYCLU struck with the state, about a quarter of those prisoners will move out of traditional solitary confinement. This group will include people who were isolated as punishment for minor offenses, prisoners who require intensive behavioral therapy, inmates who need drug treatment, people who are developmentally disabled, minors and prisoners who are set to be released directly from isolation back into their communities. Those who violate prison drug restrictions one time and those who break minor rules will also be ineligible for isolation. Solitary confinement is obviously inappropriate for all of these groups.

New York will also reduce solitary confinement terms. The NYCLU says that the average stay in isolation is roughly five months. Now, the maximum term will be three months, except in a few circumstances. The most stringent term for most inmates in solitary for their first time will be 30 days. Officers will also have to explain in writing why they put a prisoner in solitary.

These changes do not mean that inmates who pose special challenges, such as the mentally ill or the drug-addicted, should simply be thrown back into the general prison population. Programs need to addresses their needs, including various types of treatment to help inmates recover from their time in solitary confinement before they reenter the general prison population or hit the streets. They should have access to reading materials, group recreation time and other programming thats likely to help them rather than incite or exacerbate mental illness, as the current solitary system can do. These steps wont just be good for the prisoners themselves; they also could contribute to good order inside and outside New Yorks prisons.

Some prisoners inevitably will be too dangerous to keep around others. When prison violence is the alternative, these inmates can and should be set apart. But they shouldnt be mistreated. The settlement, therefore, seeks to not just reduce the number of people relegated to solitary confinement but also improve conditions inside. Prisoners who must now spend 23 hours in a 6-by-10-foot concrete cell will have more opportunities for longer periods of out-of-cell recreation and, if its feasible, group interaction. They will be guaranteed access to radios and more reading material. They will be offered mental-health counseling. Isolated prisoners also will no longer have to choke down the loafa disgusting melange of bread, root vegetables and potatoes.

New Yorks move wont put it in the top class of states reforming solitary confinement. But its a massive move simply because of the number of prisoners in the statealmost 60,000. Others should follow, whether or not they are facing a lawsuit.
This appeared in Saturday's Washington Post.

One of the most troubling developments in the debate over educational testing has been the push to get parents to opt their children out of tests. This undermines the collection of needed data while sending students a message that it's okay to sit out if something seems too hard. Credit to Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D),then, for standing up for accountability in vetoing a bill that would encourage parents to exempt their children from state tests.

The story isn't over in Delaware. The state's parent-teacher association and teachers unions are urging legislators to override the governor's veto when they convene next week. Legislation protecting parents who won't let their children take Delaware's Smarter Balanced Assessment passed overwhelmingly in both houses last year, framed as an issue of parental rights. In fact, parents can already prevent their children from taking these tests. But the legislation would give an imprimatur of state approval that would lead more parents to think it's OK, even desirable, for children to duck these tests.

That, as Markell told us, would be bad policy. "Assessments are an important tool for teachers and families to have," he said. Backing his decision are civil rights groups that fear minority and other at-risk students will slip through the cracks if there is no objective measure of performance and business groups that believe results should be measured when billions of dollars are spent on schools. Lawmakers also should take note that federal law mandates annual tests and that states that do not meet certain participation levels could lose federal funds.

No doubt there is frustration with what some see as excessive testing, but the solution is not a knee-jerk boycott. Instead, there needs to be, as is being done in Delaware, a thoughtful inventory of tests to eliminate those that are redundant or otherwise unnecessary. Officials in Delaware were pleased with being able to boast last year that the state led the nation in gains in high school graduation rates. If they want to continue to have bragging rights in improving education, they need to preserve accountability and not give in to interest groups that oppose a clear view of how their schools are performing.
The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a 187,757-acre haven for greater sandhill cranes and other native birds in eastern Oregon, is usually a pretty peaceful place. But its calm was shattered Jan. 2 when Ammon Bundy and a group of armed men broke into and occupied a number of federal buildings on the refuge, vowing to fight should the government try to arrest them.

Their insurrectionary goal appears to be, simply put, to destroy the national system of public landsour forests, parks and refugesthat was developed in the late 19th century to conserve these special landscapes and the critical natural resources they contain for all Americans. The best possible outcome, trumpeted Bundy, son of Cliven Bundy, who began an armed standoff with law enforcement in Nevada in April 2014 over his continued failure to pay $1 million in fees for grazing on public lands, is that ranchers that have been kicked out of the area ... will come back and reclaim their land, and the wildlife refuge will be shut down forever and the federal government will relinquish such control.

Theirs was not a rebellion, Bundy declared. What were doing is in accordance with the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.

He could not be more wrong. To understand why requires a basic understanding of the regions complex and troubling history and the legal authority under which the federal land management agencies operate.

  

The first people to live off this land, after all, were the Paiute. For millennia, and thus long before settler-colonists arrived in the region, the Paiute hunted, fished and gathered in this fertile, albeit arid, terrain. Their remarkable ecological adaptability, observes historian Nancy Langston in Where the Land and Water Meet, the definitive study of the Malheur Basin, helped the colonists rationalize their post-Civil War eviction:

Whites looked at the Paiutes and believed they saw a people who had no fixed habitation, no material culture, no cultivation, no livestock, no homes, and no real claim to humanness.

Battered into submission, crowded into a reservation and prohibited from acting on their treaty rights to hunt and fish off-reservation, in 1878, the Paiute fought back. Their brief uprising was crushed and the consequences were grim: Their local reservation was shut down and its lands returned to the public domain. Under armed guard, the Paiute were marched through the snow 350 miles to the Yakama Reservation in southeastern Washington state. Having inhabited the Malheur for 13 centuries, they knew full well the meaning of the French word applied to their homelandmisfortune, adversity.

The land suffered, too. As Langston points out, it is no coincidence that dispossessing the Paiute allowed large livestock operations to take over, resulting in the rapid deterioration of grazing lands in the upper reaches of the Silvies and Blitzen rivers that flow into Malheur Lake.

Further diminishing the lakes capacity to sustain migratory and local bird populations were the irrigation and drainage projects that the Bureau of Reclamation, founded in 1902 to manage water to boost economic development in the arid West, built upstream.

Add to this environmental degradation the reckless hunt for bird plumage: late-19th-century fashionistas coveted the white herons graceful feathers to adorn their hats. With gold rush-like avarice, local hunters blazed away, and within a few years, the Malheur heron population was decimated.

It was their extirpationnot the brutal mistreatment of the Paiutesthat caught the attention of the Oregon Audubon Society. The societys activists pleaded with former rancher and conservationist-in-chief, President Theodore Roosevelt, to protect those lands still in federal ownership. On Aug. 18 1908, he complied, signing an executive order establishing the 81,786-acre Malheur Lake Refuge, which also encompassed nearby Haney and Mud Lakes, as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.

Since then, the refuge has expanded by 100,000 acres. In 1935, the Swift Meatpacking Corp. sold 65,000 acres to the federal government, funding for which came from duck stamp sales and New Deal monies; over the years, willing sellers added the remaining acres to the refuges expanse. Ammon Bundys protestations to the contrary, no ranchers were ever evicted from the refuge.

  

Bundys militant bluster about restoring the Constitution by tossing the federal government off the Malheur and other public lands because this land belongs to settler descendants is just as disingenuous.

Indeed, in 1911 in a pair of landmark decisionsLight vs. U.S. and U.S. vs. Grimaudthe Supreme Court asserted that the public lands were, in fact, public; that federal ownership of them was indisputable; and that Congress through a series of legislative acts had granted the Executive Branch, and by extension the federal land management agencies, administrative authority to manage these acres in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations.

Both cases emerged out of the first Sagebrush Rebellion of the early 20th century. Western livestock, mineral and timber interests had exploded in anger at the re-designation of portions of the public domain into the national forests and the regulations that the newly created Forest Service enacted on grazing, mining and logging. What changed was that ranchers, miners and loggers were required to pay a small fee to access the relevant resources that once they simply harvested for free.

As these special interests and their political minions lashed out, harassing rangers and threatening to rebel against the nation-state, they sought test cases to undercut the federal agencys regulatory authority; the Forest Service also had its day in court in hopes of establishing precedent for its managerial actions. They found them when Colorado cattleman Fred Light and California shepherd Pierre Grimaud were caught illegally grazing their herds on national forest land. The Colorado legislature even paid all Lights legal expenses in hopes of proving its point that states, not the federal government, had sovereignty over the public lands within their borders. In May 1911, a highly conservative Supreme Court disagreed, ruling unanimously in the Forest Services favor.

This precedent should have put an end to such challenges, but subsequent generations of would-be Sagebrushers have adopted the same hostile anti-federal rhetoric and oft-violent tactics.

There were outbreaks in the 1920s, 40s and 50s. During the Reagan and Bush administrations, fueled by vitriolic talk-show disdain for Washington, Nevada county commissioners crashed bulldozers through Forest Service fences to claim ownership. Elsewhere, ranger offices were firebombed and agency equipment vandalized.

More recently, in 2010, the Utah legislature asserted that it would use eminent domain to take over national monuments, grasslands and forests, believing, as did the Colorado legislature a century ago, that its sovereignty superseded the federal governments. Four years later, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy declared federal sovereignty null and void, refused to pay his grassland-leasing fees, and took up arms to face down the feds. His sons occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is but the latest in a long line of such confrontations.

Yet none of these persistent attacks has succeeded in dismantling the federal land management agencies or the Supreme Court precedents that sanction their actions, a critical lesson from this contested past that Ammon Bundy and his co-conspirators willfully ignore.
The Times-News recently ran an article on the severely reduced subsistence payments for families and group homes for developmentally disabled persons by Idaho Medicaid.

It is not just Idaho that is suffering from short funding, it is the whole country. The handicapped community is under assault by the federal government. Medicaid funding for all purposes has been drastically cut. Funding of needed rehab equipment has been cut to the point where most equipment is no longer available.

I began building customizable brace chairs for DD (developmentally disabled) children in 1971 in California. Seeking funding and to explain to MediCal what I was building, I went to Sacramento to the MediCal offices. I met with three docs, who were gatekeepers. They lead me to an elevator that took up down to about the third level below the ground floor. When the car stopped they said, Why do you want to extend the lives of these people? They are going to die young no matter what you do. I came away from that interview thanking that I really wanted to make these kids lives better, not end them.

I think that the administration through CMS (Centers of Medicare and Medicaid) is of the same mind as those MediCal Docs so long ago.

Subsequently I developed and manufactured a line of rehab equipment that included: positioning components, standers, and gait trainers for all ages. The regulatory climate in California became too oppressive so I moved my shop to Idaho in 2006, where we still operate.

From the very start of the Obama administration the allowables for equipment began to diminish. Slowly at first to a rush currently. Rehab technology is not simplistic, it is function oriented. Simplistic solutions do not work. The Medicaid allowable for a gait trainer of any size for a severely handicapped child or adult is $207.00. Some of the components for these devices cost more than that. It is the same story for other types of equipment as well.

The American market for DME (Durable Medical Equipment) is essentially DEAD. The largest US manufacturer has operated at a loss for the last 3 years, and the smaller companies are selling out to foreign companies that have stable home markets because they dont think that they can survive another year at current reimbursement rates.

The future welfare of our handicapped community (US citizens) is in jeopardy.
The feds own vast amounts of land in the West. Who are "the feds?"

You and me--the public--every citizen of the USA. Yes, we the public are the owners. These lands are for all of us to use. We can hike on them, bike on them, hunt, fish, cut Christmas trees, ride horseback, camp on them, watch birds on them--in our home state of Idaho or in Arizona or Oregon or Nevada. These federal lands are also huge reservoirs of pure water and air for the benefit of us all.

For 97 percent of our population, federal (public) land ownership is the best arrangement possible. For 97 percent of us, we'd be the losers with any other system of land ownership and management.

Don't let the Bundys or Hammonds or your legislators deceive you into thinking that you are the 3 percent who would benefit from giving up your ownership of this precious heritage.

Jeff Ruprecht

Twin Falls
Every time that the news media reports events about the Middle East, I become more surprised by our lack of common knowledge of the countries in that region of the world.

Yet, we are very involved and spending tremendous amounts of resources there. Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Libya are the specific countries that we are heavily involved with. I am amazed by the lack of common knowledge of our elected officials in Congress regarding that region of the world. Some Congressmen are on intelligence related committees and get their briefings from intelligence agencies such as NSA, CIA, and HLS.

However, I note that they are not aware or informed of basic common facts. When I told one of the Idaho senators that Kurds are Sunni Muslim, he was surprised! WOW. I thought Congress was being paid to know the facts.

In the Middle East there are few good governments. Most are either bad or worse. There are two major powers: religious and military. Please support the lesser of two evils, military. Also please remember do not trust a bunch of Western educated young opposition groups in that part of the world. The regular people in those countries are good people who need to be led. They will appreciate fair-minded military leaders.

A good example is Egypt which is currently led by a courageous general (El-Sisi), who ousted the elected but corrupt and criminal President Morsi. Morsi was elected by the Muslim Brotherhood. I wish Middle Eastern countries had more of leaders such as General El-Sisi. The same goes for keeping President Assad of Syria. Don't repeat another Iraq fiasco. In closing, please educate yourself instead taking the time to fight along party lines. Do your job and represent the people.

Saiid Dabestani

Twin Falls
Outdoor recreation on mostly public lands in America contributes two-thirds of trillion dollars annually to the economy, 6.5 million jobs, $289 billion retail sales--in Idaho 77,000 jobs, $1.8 billion wages and $461 billion local tax revenues.

Rules should require the U.S. Forest Service to first poll the people most affected by any proposed public land trade before spending the peoples money. A majority against any trade stops it in its tracks!

Forest Service officials who try to skirt around the interests of the people on public land trades and propose to elected officials to legislate public lands away behind closed doors, should be fired and lose their retirement benefits.

Any future legislation as the Murkowski Bill S108 enabling the doing away of most federal public forest lands owned by the people, must first scientifically poll all the American people who own these lands for their votes to permit such a bill to be legal to dispose of their lands.

Clear cutting of national forests is to be considered only a last resort in the management process and must be justified by forest land experts outside the US Forest Service to be considered. Using wording to cover up and justify clear cutting should be illegal. A forgotten method of logging by most current Forest Service officials previously referred to as selective logging (marking trees to cut) should become the most used method to log public forest lands when logging is warranted.

It should be considered illegal for county officials i.e., Idaho county commissioners, to propose public land trades in their county without first polling their constituents. George Washington wrote, "The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments."

Harvey Neese

Clarkston, Wash.
BURLEY | The Idaho Attorney Generals Office on Thursday launched an investigation into a joint law enforcement committee in Cassia County over allegations it violated state open-government laws. A Cassia County district judge ordered two special state prosecutors to be appointed in the case.

The law enforcement committee was a panel of citizens appointed by the city and county to study the police services contract after negotiations between the two government entities broke down. The committee also developed a cost model for the controversial contract between Burley and the county.

The Times-News called for the investigation after obtaining the committee members emails through a public records request. The newspaper found evidence the committee violated the states open meeting laws, which require public bodies to operate with transparency.

Cassia County District Judge Michael Crabtree signed an order Thursday morning appointing deputy attorneys general Steven Olsen and Carl Withroe to investigate allegations brought by the Times-News.

The order was based on a request Cassia County Prosecutor Doug Abenroth made asking that special prosecutors be appointed because of a conflict of interest.

We cant comment or provide any timeline for the investigation, Attorney Generals office spokesman Todd Dvorak said in an email to the Times-News. And from this point forward, the office will more than likely decline to comment on the case, citing office policy not to comment on pending litigation.

Dvorak said the case was initially referred to the Attorney Generals criminal division, even though open meeting law cases are civil in nature. The criminal division lacked the resources to take the matter on, so the case was referred back to Abenroth. Attorney General staff later decided to have the Civil Litigation Division take the case.

Emails obtained by the newspaper show the committee colluded to keep information from the public if media was present at the committee meetings.

Committee chairman Bill Parsons said he was trying to keep the report out of the hands of Jay Lenkersdorfer, co-owner of the Weekly Mailer who was also a candidate for Burley City Council. His email said: Linkensdorf (referring to Lenkersdorfer) is moving around and I do not want him to have any information until we present to both bodies. We will not turn on computer until we see who is there.

Emails received in the public records request showed a pattern of similar behavior by Parsons.

The emails also revealed that the committee may have held an illegal meeting in February at Parsons office, which was never publicized.

At least one member of the committee, Robert Squire, questioned whether the group was violating the law. Squire sent an email to Parsons asking, Does that comply with open meeting requirements? Are we able to hold executive sessions?

The Times-News filed records requests with each committee member on Oct. 24 after Parsons accidentally sent the email advising committee members to lie about their progress on the contract if the media showed up. In a Times-News story about the incident, Parsons took responsibility for sending the email but fell short of apologizing.

The paper reviewed hundreds of pages of emails, which included typical items like plans on what the committee would have for lunch and who would present information to the committee. But the review also turned up emails detailing how information would be withheld from the public if media were present.

While we applaud the work of the committee, weve reviewed the groups emails and found evidence it broke the law, Times-News editor Matt Christensen said. It was our obligation to share that evidence with prosecutors, and were confident an investigation will serve as a warning to other governments that public business must always be done in the open.

On Nov. 18, Times-News attorney Benjamin Cluff formally asked Abenroth to investigate and alerted the Attorney Generals Office. The letter asked Abenroth to seek the appointment of a special prosecutor because he serves as the countys attorney and the joint committee was formed by the county and the city.

I am currently seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Times-News allegations that the joint law enforcement committee violated Idahos open meeting laws, Abenroth said in a prepared statement in December. After receiving the Times-News letter, I requested the Idaho Attorney General to agree to the appointment as special prosecutor, but the Attorney Generals office declined the appointment.

Thursday, Abenroth emailed the Times-News saying the Attorney Generals office reversed their initial decision declining the request.

No hearings have been set in the case.
BURLEY | A Burley man accused of fracturing a 3-month-old girls eye socket causing her brain to bleed has made a plea deal with the Cassia County prosecutor.

Clayton Craig Garro, 37, was charged with felony injury to a child in March. He was released from jail in May after his $75,000 bond was reduced to $1,500.

Under the plea agreement, Garro will enter an Alford plea, which means he does not admit to all the elements of the charge but the state may have enough evidence to convict him.

A sentencing hearing is set in the case for 10 a.m., March 1 in Cassia County District Court.

Prosecutor Doug Abenroth will recommend Garro enter a therapeutic and educational program directed by the Idaho Department of Correction with an underlying sentence of three to eight years in prison. That means if Garro does well in the program, he could be released on probation rather than face prison time.

Garros defense attorney may argue for a suspended sentence and probation or withheld judgment.

The maximum penalty for the crime is 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Under the agreement, the state may also ask for restitution for the childs medical costs within 60 days of sentencing.

I am guilty, Garro wrote in the plea advisory form. I caused the injuries to the baby and failed to report in a timely manner.

A doctor at St. Lukes Medical Center in Twin Falls said the baby had a bi-lateral brain bleed and an orbital fracture above her left eye. Court records said the baby had large bruises under both of her eyes, her left ear was extremely purple and bruised substantially and there were bruises on her forehead and the right side of her face.

The mother of the child told detectives that Garro was sleeping on her couch in exchange for watching the baby while she worked.

Garro had been at her home for about 13 days when the baby was injured.

Garro admitted to using drugs at the home, including meth, marijuana and and prescription pain pills. He told police he was carrying the baby out to change her clothes when he saw someone sitting on the couch. He said he yelled at the man and tripped over a vacuum cleaner cord, causing him to fall on the baby.

He said the baby cried until noon and was very red. Garro later recanted the story and told police the babys face looked lopsided when he changed her that morning. He said he did not call for help because he didnt want police to see the drug needles in the home.

He changed his story again, telling the police that he saw the babys mother shaking her.

The doctor said the babys injuries were inconsistent with him falling on her and they were not caused by someone shaking the baby.
What if President Obama had signed the Affordable Care Act repeal that Republican lawmakers sent to his desk last week?

The 54,517 Montanans who enrolled to purchase Marketplace coverage as of last month would have to navigate next years market on their own and without government subsidies. They would be, once again, at the mercy of the high-priced individual market.

The 20,000 very low income Montanans who already signed up for Medicaid under the new HELP Act would become uninsured. Also, Montana would lose the millions of dollars in federal support that will pay 100 percent of Medicaid costs this year, and at least 90 percent in future years.

There would no longer be a requirement for all who can afford it to share the cost of health care. Insurance companies would no longer be able to cover everyone who applied because many folks would opt out till they were already sick.

The ACA ended the insurance industry practices of denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. Reading the jubilant repeal press releases from Montanas Rep. Ryan Zinke and Sen. Steve Daines makes us wonder what state they are talking about.

Daines says hes fighting to protect hardworking families from rising health care costs, senseless fines and substandard care.

In fact, the Montanans who have coverage because of the ACA are getting the same high-quality care as those of us who have traditional insurance. The same hospitals and health care professionals are taking care of all Montanans.

The new Medicaid network set up by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Montana (in the amazingly short time of three months) includes 100 percent of the states hospitals and 5,000 health care professionals, according to company spokesman John Doran. Most of the providers in the BCBS private insurance network also agreed to be in the new Medicaid network.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 71 percent of Montana enrollees can find plans with premiums of $75 or less per month after tax credits. Despite double-digit increases in premiums, the individuals cost remains affordable.

Zinkes news release crowed that his vote dismantles Obamacare by repealing the coverage subsidies, tax credits, and the Medicaid expansion provisions effective in 2018, paving the way for patient-centered health care solutions.

Back in Montana, Gov. Steve Bullock, Sen. Ed Buttrey and a bipartisan majority of lawmakers already found solutions using the ACA.

Zinke should know that the Montana HELP Act already encourages patient-centered care. For example, all of the Medicaid enrollees referred to BCBS will receive a health risk assessment, Doran said. That will help determine the type of education and outreach the benefit administrator provides to each enrollee. Part of that outreach will be helping to connect individuals with primary care providers to keep them well, rather than waiting till they are ill.

It seems like Groundhog Day already. The ACA repeal votes keep repeating. Beyond the partisan combat, tens of thousands of Montanans and millions of Americans will have comprehensive health coverage this year that they could not have afforded without the ACA.

Since the beginning of the law, the ACA has lowered Montanas uninsured rate from over 20 percent to less than 15 percent, according to a statement from Sen. Jon Testers office. Tester has been a staunch defender of Montanas access to health care.

The laws not perfect, but its not a failure. It has effectively reduced the health insurance gap in the only developed nation without universal coverage.
About Me Mohd. Kamal bin Abdullah I am Mohd. Kamal bin Abdullah, who resides in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. I hold a post-graduate law degree from the United Kingdom. I blog to tell MALAYSIANS THE TRUTH. View my complete profile

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As a registered nurse for the past 30 years, I have walked a lot of miles in my work shoes. A comfortable pair of white Nikes complements my uniform. My shoes have walked with a fresh post-operative patient needing to get up and move, paced with an inconsolable child, and answered the call light at the end of the hall for the 100th time that shift. They have bolted down the hall answering the overhead page code 99 as well as taken me into a room with a patient delirious in alcohol withdrawal  angry, frustrated, hurting and hopeless.

I move toward my patients to provide professional care, compassion and comfort. It is not in a nurses nature to move away or leave their patients in times they are most vulnerable, even if it means taking a personal risk.

If someone had told me 30 years ago that I would be at risk for violence in my workplace, I would have replied with, maybe in a big city like New York, but not in rural Montana. I am disturbed to say that the number of Montana nurses that have experienced assault in their workplaces makes me wonder if I will be next. Health care workers face 16 times the risk of violence from patients or clients than other service workers face.

The Montana Nurses Association has launched a campaign called Your Nurse Wears Combat Boots: Improving workplace safety for health care workers. One of our goals is to pass legislation in 2017 to make it a felony to assault a nurse or health care worker while on duty. In Montana a police dog is afforded legislative protection against assault in the workplace; a nurse does not have this protection while on duty.

Our task force quickly realized that this alone does not address the entire problem. The solution encompasses a much broader approach. We plan to conduct an extensive survey to gather statistics showing the prevalence and extent of violence Montana nurses are faced with in the workplace. We intend to raise public awareness as well as educate that violence is not part of a nurses job. We seek to educate nurses and provide tools to reduce their risk at work, and help nurses to be proactive in their workplace by being the agent of collaborative change with their employer to ensure functional safety plans and safe work places.

You may be wondering why your nurse wears combat boots. It goes back to the shoes. Combat boots are heavy duty and probably not very comfortable. They are intended to keep the occupant safe and protected. The visual of a nurse in combat boots versus shoes that are comfortable and familiar invokes a response that something is terribly wrong.

Why are nurses  the most trusted professional  forced to change their practice from offensive to defensive?

I mentally put on my combat boots to walk into work each day. I am forced to survey my surroundings for objects like my stethoscope that could be used to strangle me, the temporal thermometer that could be used as a projectile weapon.

Do I have an exit plan if either my patient or visitor becomes violent? I do now. All health care workers need to be educated and proactive in addressing workplace safety. They also need the support of their communities to ensure violence is not part of the job of those who care for them. Please join MNA in taking a stand against violence in the workplace.
Presenting matters of personal interest defying categorization. Award winning writer, Nancy Snipper (as of July 2016 see http://sntravelandartswithoutborders.blogspot.ca/) also contributes. Presentation de sujets d'interet personnel, defiant la categorisation. L'ecrivain gagnant de prix, Nancy Snipper (des Juillet 2016 voir http://sntravelandartswithoutborders.blogspot.ca/) contribue egalement.
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As a Republican state representative, I am in a unique position in Montana politics since I am one of the few elected officials who openly admit that I am not affiliated with any religion or would be considered "religious." I am a Republican because I believe in limited government, free market principles and civil liberties, ideals that both people of faith and those of no particular faith can rally around.

Because I believe strongly in these principles, I am enthusiastic about a potential gubernatorial candidacy for Greg Gianforte. Now, imagine my surprise when I opened The Gazette last Sunday only to see Darrell Ehrlick's column in which he inappropriately demanded that Gianforte be more open about his religious beliefs.

Article VI of the Constitution states: "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." Ehrlick's piece sets up a false dichotomy where people of deep religious faith cannot possibly support ideas of religious tolerance simply because they have strong faith convictions. I see this as flying in the face of the very important, and very American, belief that we can all be true to our deeply held beliefs, while still treating others with mutual respect.

Gianforte is running for governor because of his track-record of creating high-wage jobs in a state that currently sits 49th in the nation in wages. He understands what it takes to create a robust economy in Montana, where people my age and younger don't have to move out-of-state to find a good career. These are ideas that all Montanans, including those who are non-religious, can rally around.

Daniel Zolnikov

House District 45

Billings
Fresh off a year spent snared in gridlock over redistricting and the state budget, the Florida Legislature returns Tuesday for its annual 60-day session with fresh optimism that it will restore harmony to the process and put a halt to taxpayer-funded overtime.

The session, set two months earlier than normal, is expected to open with the passage of the top priorities of House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando: a sweeping rewrite of state water policy and package of bills encouraging the advancement of students with disabilities.

Both proposals died when the House abruptly adjourned three days early last April, in violation of the state Constitution, leaving the budget unfinished.

The early passage of priority bills is designed to provide a cordial coda to a tumultuous year that saw two special sessions on redistricting end in impasse, another special session convened to complete the budget, and a prolonged Senate leadership fight that paralyzed any progress.

Each of those flare-ups became the tinder to an explosive year that has left emotions raw, spawned distrust of Gov. Rick Scott, and left the ruling Republican Party in disarray.

But while Gardiner and Crisafulli say they have mended their rift, many flashpoints remain  from gambling and taxes to guns and healthcare.

While some people think the place is falling apart, the reality is its just part of the process, said Gardiner, now in his 16th and last year as a legislator. Theres not much that surprises me. I think whats more surprising to me is that people are surprised.

Crisafulli called it an interesting and extraordinary year for all of us and is confident the worst is behind them. My hope is the 2016 session will get back to normalcy  as we call normal around here.

More here.
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KALISPELL  Lower Valley Processing Co. sits in a sea of farmland south of Kalispell, nestled in an island of trees, its 40 acres bordered on the south by Lower Valley Road and to the north by the calm, easy waters of Church Slough, fed by the Flathead River.

At the entrance, a massive pig statue named Betty Lou greets visitors with happy eyes. To the east, low clouds obstruct the view on a cold winter day, but the wall of mountains hemming in the valley loom large.

It's idyllic, this farmland - a piece of a time capsule from simpler times, back when Chuck and Sylvia Plummer were raising their family. If you can make him stand still long enough in between mucking out the livestock stalls or whatever other chore he may be doing, Chuck, now 89, will tell you about how high the waters rose during the historic 1964 flood, about how the kids - now middle-aged adults - sat in a boat floating near the mailbox.

"They were beautiful kids," Chuck said, remembering.

Lower Valley Processing Co. is one of the premier meat processing plants in northwest Montana, with more than 40 years of history and know-how going into their products. But the more some things change, like technological efficiencies that make the back-breaking work just a bit easier, the more they stay the same.

There are now four generations of Plummers working at the plant, which has seen some expansion, pushing into the apple orchard and the barn. When Chuck and Sylvia first launched the business in 1974, they ran it out of their three-car garage.

Now there's a slaughterhouse and a full sausage kitchen, along with daily visits from Department of Livestock inspectors. But coffee is always brewing in the office, and there are usually a couple of Plummer kids there to say hello.

"It's like a family farm," said Jeremy Plummer. "It's a good way of life."

Life at the plant follows a certain rhythm. Wednesdays are typically slaughter days, when Jeremy and his crew can make their way through dozens of cattle carcasses in less than an hour, the saw whining and steaks flying.

Ranchers bring their livestock for slaughter and processing, and hunters also bring in their fresh kills to be butchered and turned into sausages, straight from Chuck's 50-year-old recipes. Lower Valley also sells locally grown beef and pork in wholesale and retail.

"Our summer sausage has been the same for 50 years," Jeremy said. "The basic bread and butter of the company is custom cutting of domestic animals and wild game."

Lower Valley established itself early with a reputation for quality meat processing and consistent, good sausages and cured and smoked products. It is also home to the state's second oldest apprenticeship, which Chuck completed in 1952.

The first wholesale account Chuck secured was with Moose Miller, whose bar and pizza kitchen Moose's is one of the cornerstone businesses in Kalispell.

Wes Plummer, Chuck's son, estimated that Lower Valley has slaughtered and delivered well over 6,000 pigs to Moose's, a number at which Nancy Moser, who runs the administrative finance department for Moose's, laughed and said was probably on the low end.

Moser has worked at Moose's for 31 years, and said the food served there has used Lower Valley pork as long as she can remember.

"Our working relationship has just been the best, and it's been consistently that way, the product and the service," Moser said. "We just wouldn't think of going anywhere else. Their cure is just so good. It's just right on."

Chuck and Sylvia also added Jim and Babette Johnson as their first non-wholesale customers; the Johnsons ran a cow-calf operation just east of Swan River School.

Now, the Johnsons' grandson, Tyler Johnson, said he and his dad still go to Lower Valley with their livestock. The Plummers said they pride themselves on establishing old-fashioned handshake relationships with farmers and ranchers, keeping the business at a personal level.

Johnson said this type of service is becoming increasingly rare, and the Plummers have kept their promises.

"It's been very good, super good people to work with," Tyler Johnson said. "They're very friendly and always very accommodating. Once in a while you run into a pickle where you've got to get something slaughtered and they'll fit you in."

Johnson said he remembers feeling lucky to go along on the ride to Lower Valley because whoever went would receive an apple from Chuck. It was a different time, when there were more farms and small, family-owned processing plants.

"In this valley  I've been here my whole life  there used to be a lot of small family farms. A lot of them have gone by the wayside. Kids grow up and they're not interested and they want something else, and that's OK, but I guess I always liked the cattle," Johnson said.

Ever since Chuck retired 28 years ago - if one could say a man who still works whenever he's at the plant is retired - his son and daughter-in-law Wes and Sue Plummer have been at the helm, growing an established small business into a larger economic force, collecting 140 wholesale accounts and seeing increased demand, now at a pace of about 10 percent a year.

Wes said it's a fine line to maintain the type of family-based, small business feel they've cultivated here while also trying to keep expanding.

"It's really a balancing act," Wes said.

The future is a constant topic at Lower Valley; just look around and it will inevitably meet your eye. When one Plummer starts aging out, there's another generation to fill in. In 2012, Jeremy Plummer and long-time employee Jason Mahlen became co-owners along with Jeremy's parents, Wes and Sue.

And Jeremy's 9-year-old son, Sam, is learning the ropes. He's helped skin carcasses for a few years now, and he raises pigs through 4-H.

"It's a lot of work," Sam said. "It's fun."

Jeremy's two daughters also help, wrapping meat and greeting customers, and sometimes adding original drawings to packaged products. His sister lives close by, and his parents live on the farm acreage. Most everyone is just a stone's throw away from the nucleus of the plant.

"There's family everywhere," Jeremy said. "That's what (my grandparents) live for."

Jeremy didn't necessarily start out thinking he'd take over the family business, but after following his interest in fisheries biology and realizing it wasn't what he wanted, Jeremy came back to the hard work he loved at the plant, and stayed.

Most of the employees have been there for decades, Jeremy said, and they're full of institutional knowledge and good stories. The main struggle, he said, is keeping up with demand. To help keep the process efficient, Lower Valley is investing in better infrastructure, like new freezers and a new smoker with a smartphone application that not only smokes in half the time, but is also controlled from a phone.

Jeremy said Lower Valley crews slaughter thousands of livestock animals each year, and the volume is only increasing. With small plants like Lower Valley's disappearing, Jeremy said they're getting a lot of business from east of the divide as well.

Gary Hamel, chief of the meat and poultry inspection bureau at the state Department of Livestock, said there are 38 fully inspected plants in Montana, a number that has stayed more or less the same in the last four years.

In the 1980s, the state took on a host of new regulations and rules for meat processing plants, including the federal Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, the Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Inspection Act.

These rules add requirements for checking the animals' health before slaughter, and inspection afterward, including their organs and lymph nodes. It's about safety, Hamel said, and an inspector now visits the Lower Valley plant daily.

"They are very popular," Hamel said. "They do a nice job."

And with farm-to-table and eat-local food movements continuing to gain popularity, the Plummers figure they're going to have to contend with growth while maintaining their traditions.

"People just want to know where their meat's coming from," Wes said. "Everybody wants natural. We sell a lot of local beef here, and even raise some of our own."

Winter has left the farm snow-covered and gray, but the pulse of life is strong here. Looking at it in a more philosophical light, Lower Valley is a port on the river running the border between life and death, where creatures meet their ends in humane but efficient ways, only to become a source of life again for the company's many customers, as well as the Plummers themselves.

It's a necessary part of the circle of life, and the Plummers hope to continue their traditions of quality, hard work, consistency, and taking care of their customers.

Because while it's technically about processing meat, Wes Plummer said the reality of Lower Valley reaches to a more personal level for him and his family.

"It makes us proud to feed all these other families and watch them grow," he said.
A prototype of the latest version of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle will be headed to Europe soon for a series of demonstrations, according to the ...
A team of local entrepreneurs that developed a smartphone app to fight skin cancer has won the University of Montana's annual Fall Startup Pitch Competition, a program designed to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship as a viable career path.

Ryan Duarte of Victor founded Montana Root Applications with Evin Ozer, a computer science graduate student at the University of Montana. They enlisted a group of other people to develop the SolarScreen Android app.

The app detects the sun's intensity based on the user's location  different strengths of solar radiation hit our skin depending on the time of day, latitude and altitude. The app sends the user an alert when UV intensity is above the user's preset limit, and also when it's time to put on more sunscreen.

Ozer competed against nine other contestants at the pitch competition and was selected as the overall winner. He received $1,500 and automatic entry in the larger statewide John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge held each spring at UM.

Duarte said the issue of skin cancer prevention hits close to home for him.

"My dad got skin cancer on his face pretty bad," he explained. "There's no warning system for it if you're in danger. I set out early this year to create a team to solve this problem, to reduce skin cancer on a global scale."

Since Ozer won the competition, Duarte said investors have come calling. The company has been speaking with cancer foundation representatives and physicians at the Mayo Clinic. The company is working on setting up office space in Missoula as well.

"Our team is nine people and we have eight people on our board of advisers, which includes three professional athletes," Duarte said.

He said the concept of the application is simple, but it has the ability to save countless lives.

"We did it by attacking the problem of skin cancer," he said. "As soon as you are at risk, your phone gives you a reminder. When the intensity of the sun has increased past a preset threshold, it sends you a reminder. So, on a scale of 1 to 11, I set my threshold to 4. A little update, a push reminder, on my phone tells me to put on sunscreen and tells me when to reapply."

Duarte said that skin cancer is a massive problem.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers estimate that 5.4 million cases of skin cancer were diagnosed in 3.3 million people in the U.S. in 2012, the last year for which data is available. Other studies have shown that skin cancer rates are increasing for men and women younger than age 40.

"One out of every five people are going to get it," Duarte said. "Half of people age 65 and older will get it. If our phone can tell us when to change behavior or avoid it, I need to commit all my resources to solving it."

He believes in the cause so much, in fact, that he has maxed out his credit cards starting the app.

Ozer said that the app provides an avenue for parents to better protect their children, because they may not be paying attention to how much sun they're getting.

"Ryan has been on this inspiring mission since spring of last year to make some impact, any impact, on skin cancer with this pie-in-the-sky ambitious goal of eventually eliminating skin cancer," he said. "As a technical person, I'm very much ingrained in what's possible now. So the first time I heard Ryan say that, I wasn't quite convinced. But because he's put so much energy and his own finances into it, we've gained a lot of traction. That further validates what we're doing."

The pitch competition was hosted by Blackstone LaunchPad and the Montana Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs.

"I was impressed with the diversity of business ideas and the caliber of student presentations," said Dori Gilels, MADE member and competition judge. "I was also excited to see students representing a wide range of disciplines and departments across campus."

For more information visit solarscreen.co.
With temperatures dropping and winter in full swing, what better way is there to relax than with a good book or two? That said, if reading is your favorite winter pastime, you can make it even more enjoyable by participating in MPLs Adult Winter Reading Program, which runs from Wednesday through March 25.

To participate, pick up a Winter Reading log anytime on or after Wednesday at MPLs Reference Desk. Once you have your reading log, you can challenge yourself by selecting titles in categories that you havent read before. Examples of these categories include A book by a person whose gender is different from your own and A book that takes place in Asia.

After youve read a book in one of our selected categories, all you need to do is write the title, author and a brief review on your reading log  a line or two is fine  and readers who complete the most categories are eligible for prizes.

Adult Winter Reading Program logs are available at the Reference desk beginning Jan. 13 and reading continues through March 25. For more information, call MPLs Reference Desk at 721-2665.

Movies galore this week at your local library

Movie hounds will rejoice as the library is offering several movie screenings on tap this week.

The first is a classic matinee with a screenplay written by Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett that is scheduled to screen at 2 p.m. Wednesday in MPLs Large Meeting Room.

Later that afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., the Big Sky Branch will be hosting a screening of a popular film based on a book by author James Dashner.

Finally, on Friday, MPL offers its monthly installment of Cheap Date Night with a stylish action-adventure set in the early Cold War 1960s with a screening at 7 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room.

To find out the titles of the films screening at MPL, call 721-2665. To find out the title of the movie showing at the Big Sky Branch, call 728-2400, ext. 8605.

We Have It: Staff Reviews

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Harper, 2012) Call number J APPLEGATE

I was leery of reading this novel, despite the Newbery Award it won, because getting into the mind of an animal  seriously, without making it fantasy  seems fraught with anthropomorphic dangers. You could easily become too sentimental, too artificially fierce, too rational, or simply too human. But author Katherine Applegate pulls off something impressive with The One and Only Ivan.

Based on a true story, Ivan is a mountain gorilla captured as an infant who eventually spends 27 years of his life alone in a cage at a circus-themed mall. The chapters are short journal-like entries told by Ivan, and the author composes them with a combination of simplicity and subtlety that makes them credible but also very moving. With only a slight suspension of disbelief, you can imagine that these might be the actual thoughts and feelings of a captive gorilla.

At the same time, Ivans gradual awakening is sincerely heart-stirring. The cast of characters is straightforward and effective: Ivans nemesis, the mall owner (a representative of flawed humanity), and Ivans friends  a stray dog, two caged elephants, and a young girl  all play a role in Ivans eventual triumph. Readers of all ages who appreciate animals and underdogs will enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Dana McMurray

Hot Happenings

Heres a sampling of some of the great free programs coming up at the Missoula Public Library. Check the full events calendar at missoulapubliclibrary.org.

MakerSpace special offerings

Be Up-Cycled Class features Body Warmers, noon Wednesday

Januarys Be Up-Cycled class will sew and "upcycle" hand towels into body warmers. Participants should bring one old hand towel not quite fit for the rag-bin (no holes). Other supplies are free. Class size is limited to 6-8 people so register online at tinyurl.com/beup-cycledJan13.

For a complete list of weekly MakerSpace offerings, visit tinyurl.com/mplmakers.

Computer classes

Beginning Word: 6-7 p.m. Monday.

This class offers the chance to learn the basic features of Microsoft Word 2010, a word processing program you can use to create documents. Topics include entering and editing text, saving files, and formatting. Participants should have a general knowledge of using a keyboard and mouse.

Discovering MPL Databases: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Discovering MPL Databases explores a featured database available for use through the librarys website. This months featured database is National Geographic & National Geographic Kids.

Registration is required to attend MPLs computer classes. Call 721-2665 to secure your spot.
In June, the city of Missoula won the right to buy Mountain Water Co. from The Carlyle Group.

Six months have gone by, and the city isn't in possession of the water system.

At a news conference last week, Mayor John Engen said the city was ready to make the purchase.

"We're ready to own and operate a water company on behalf of the citizens of Missoula," Engen said.

However, he and some other parties also talked about issues that need to be resolved. Here are some of the matters that are still in play.

Montana Supreme Court

First, the water company and its owner appealed the condemnation verdict to the Montana Supreme Court, and the outcome remains pending. Last week, Mayor Engen had no plans to make a move to take possession of the water company until the high court had given the city a green light.

If the city loses, it won't be able to make an offer.

The Montana Supreme Court does not have a deadline by which to make a decision. However, lawyer Natasha Prinzing Jones of Boone Karlberg said eminent domain cases must move through the courts "expeditiously."

Value appeal

This matter was pending up until Saturday.

After Judge Karen Townsend ruled the city had the right to buy the water company, three water commissioners determined its fair value.

The commissioners, who arrived at a unanimous decision, set $88.6 million as the price the city should pay.

The eminent domain process allows either party to appeal the value to a jury. The city appealed the value, but the defendants did not.

Originally, the city wanted to pay $45 million and Carlyle wanted $142 million.

Jury selection was slated to begin Monday.

However, late last week the city filed a notice it was withdrawing its appeal.

"We believe that we're ready to move forward based on commissioners' value," Engen said.

On Saturday, the judge accepted the city's notice of withdrawal and vacated the jury trial.

The defendants, who had not filed to appeal, argued against the court allowing the city to withdraw, but the judge disagreed with their rationale. She said the city had not tried to trick them by filing its own appeal, and the defendants did not justify their request to have another chance to appeal themselves.

"As defendants did not file for an appeal within 30 days, they do not have a vested right in the appeal timely filed by the city," the judge said.

Sale to Liberty Utilities

After the city went to court to try to buy the water company, another private company made a move to buy Mountain Water. The Montana Public Service Commission regulates sales of utilities, and the proposed transfer has been pending before the state agency.

The city asked a Missoula County District Court judge to stay the sale proceedings before the Public Service Commission. In December, Judge Leslie Halligan issued a stay, but only a temporary one.

On Friday, Public Service Commission communications director Eric Sell said he anticipates the judge will decide by the end of the month on whether to issue a permanent stay on the proceedings.

He said the agency believes the proposed sale remains within its jurisdiction, and commissioners do not want to see the judge stay the PSC's process simply to keep one party from moving forward.

"That would set an extreme  and awful  precedent in the state of Montana," Sell said. "It would create chaos in administrative procedures if a party could request to stay a proceeding because they didn't like (another) party moving forward."

If the judge disagrees and issues a permanent stay, the PSC could appeal, but it has not made a decision to do so, he said.

On the other hand, the agency regulates only private utilities, Sell said. If the water system becomes a municipal one, he said, the Public Service Commission would no longer have authority over it.

"If the city has ownership, then it would no longer be within our jurisdiction," Sell said.

So far, he said, the city hasn't written a check to pay for the company, the company remains private, and the PSC retains its authority.

Money owed to developers

A group of developers has estimated Mountain Water Co. owes them more than $22 million for advances they made to the utility.

But it isn't yet clear which owner will pay  Carlyle, the current owner, or the city, with the right to be the future owner.

The city argued the judge should assign it the obligation, and then deduct the amount from the $88.6 million price tag. The judge disagreed.

Carlyle declined comment Friday on whether it planned to pay.

The developers tried to intervene in the jury trial, but the judge denied their request, ruling the group had no legal interest in the proceeding and saying it was not timely. However, the judge said the group could resolve the payment issue  without intervening  in a separate case it filed.

"The Court recognizes the seriousness of Funders' concerns and their rightfully keen interest in who will pay the millions of dollars owed by Mountain Water under the DEAs and when they will be paid," the order said of developer extension agreements.

The order doesn't directly state which party should pay, but it notes the developers can be paid from the condemnation award.

Case law supports the developers' arguments "that lienholder claims may be satisfied from Mountain Water's condemnation award," the judge wrote.

However, the judge also referenced the group's fear it would not be paid if the city does take over Mountain Water.

"Funders have not alleged Mountain Water has breached its contracts or has threatened to breach its contracts, although they worry Mountain Water is likely to breach its contracts if the city prevails," the order said.

The judge noted the developers are seeking judicial interpretation of the agreements in a separate case. It is pending.
Charlie Ann Wyrick didnt spend Christmas with her family.

While two of her brothers stayed in Missoula, her youngest brother Rex, stepfather Trampis and mother Crystal Wyrick were at home in Helena during the holiday, the day after she was reported missing to the Missoula Police Department.

We cooked a dinner and just stayed up and hoped, Crystal said. We were wishing and hoping and wondering where the hell she was.

Law enforcement, as well as Missoula Search and Rescue, found 26-year-old Wyricks body on Dec. 27 in the Deer Creek drainage near Pattee Canyon during a search of the area. Emmanuel F. Gomez, 30, has been charged with deliberate homicide, accused of killing Wyrick, his girlfriend.

Her mother said Wyrick was an outgoing girl who had moved to Missoula about two years ago.

She was very easy to get along with. She was headstrong, but she just had a great personality, Crystal said.

Another family member who had been in touch with law enforcement called her the day Wyricks body was found. Crystal immediately called the police detective on the case.

She called me right back and told me Its Charlie. I hung up the phone on her. I just, you know, couldnt do it, Crystal said.

The last time she spoke with her daughter was in late October, the day after Wyricks birthday, Crystal said. She had tried to return a phone message her daughter left in November, but never reached her again.

I found out from one of the boys that she said (Gomez) would always take her phone away and delete her messages, Crystal said.

Crystal said she wanted to thank all of the members of law enforcement who worked during the holiday to look for her daughter.

They werent stopping until they found her. They knew something wasn't right so they stayed on it, Crystal said.

She also said shes grateful for all of the support from the community, Wyricks co-workers at Pattee Creek Market, and the staff of the Econo Lodge hotel who helped make special arrangements for them after the family drove to Missoula hours after Wyricks body was found.

She just touched so many hearts. She was a beautiful woman  she would always go out on a limb for someone, Crystal said.

The center of Wyricks world, her mother said, was her 5-year-old son, Harley, who lives in Helena with his father. Wyrick had named him after one of her brothers who had died as an infant more than two decades ago.

When she could, she would call him and come and visit him, Crystal said. Her and her son, they would do arts and crafts, go swimming together, go to the park and have a picnic.

The last time Crystal saw her daughter was in late summer, when Wyrick showed up at their home in Helena. Crystal said her daughter was trying to leave Gomez.

She just felt so broken. She wanted to get back to herself, and she knows she had a lot of support here, her mother said.

In the end, Wyrick had returned to Missoula.

***

According to the court affidavit filed in Gomezs case, Wyrick was reported missing on Dec. 24 by a co-worker at Pattee Creek Market after she didnt show up to work for four days in a row. The week before, her manager had taken her to the hospital when she came to work with bruised ribs. Wyrick allegedly told a fellow employee Gomez had assaulted her, and said to another that her boyfriend had threatened to kill her if she pissed him off any more.

Crystal said she met Gomez a single time last April, shortly after Charlie started dating him.

After Wyrick was reported missing, Missoula police spoke to her brothers who live in town. One of them, Max, said she had come to his house on Dec. 20 with a bag of her belongings, telling him she was leaving Gomez but needed to return to the house they lived in on the 200 block of Whitaker Drive to collect the rest of her possessions, according to the affidavit.

The next morning, when her brother woke up, Wyrick was already gone, having left her cell phone behind.

A lot of it doesn't make sense  she wouldnt leave without her phone, Crystal said. I just think there must have been something else going on.

Crystal called her daughter, the oldest of four siblings, a mother hen to her brothers, especially the two who also live in Missoula.

Shed yell at them if they did something wrong. Dont forget so and sos birthday and dont forget to call on the holidays,  Crystal said. If they didnt listen to me, she was my backup.

***

Roommates of Wyrick and Gomez told police they had heard screaming in the house the morning of Dec. 21, and had watched Gomezs car being driven away while it appeared as though he was holding someone down in the back seat, according to the affidavit. The report also said fresh blood was found in front of the house and around where the vehicle had been.

After police located Gomez, he said Wyrick had left after an argument. He was taken into custody Dec. 24 on a misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault. According to the affidavit, Wyrick had told her friends in the past that she was terrified of Gomez, and that he would take her into the Pattee Canyon area, where he would allegedly beat her and threaten to kill her.

When law enforcement found Wyricks body Dec. 27, she appeared to have been pushed from about 50 feet off the edge of the road, according to the affidavit.

At his initial appearance in Missoula County Justice Court on the felony murder charge, Gomez was given $1 million bail. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing in court on Tuesday.
MISSOULA  Lois Elaine Blevins of Missoula passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016.

Lois was born on Jan. 22, 1925, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Henry and Doris Manteufel. As a young person, she loved singing and theater, paying her way through college by singing with a swing band and enjoying a brief career as a model. Lois also loved to learn about the world around her and had a talent for foreign languages, which led to her job as a translator at an advertising firm where she met her husband, Ken Blevins from Billings.

Lois and Ken went on to work as teachers for the government in post-World War II France and England. Throughout their life together, Lois and Ken traveled the world from Europe to the Middle East to Japan. Their travels were interrupted with the birth of their first son Brian in 1958, followed by the birth of their second son Randy in 1960. Brian and Randy went on to start families of their own, giving Lois four adoring grandchildren.

The defining feature of Loiss life was her faith in God and her lifelong search to know Him. As a young girl she attended a Lutheran church in St. Paul, where the pastor gave her a verse that she lived out her whole life, Psalm 27:4: One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. Lois was an active member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Missoula for over 50 years, and her love of God flowed out naturally in all her conversations and interactions.

Lois is survived by her brother Herbert Manteufel and his wife Gene; her sons, Brian and Randy; her daughter-in-law Wendy and her grandchildren, Jane and Kyle Rasmussen, Wyatt and Stephanie Blevins, Murphy Blevins and Griffin Blevins. The family is planning a private service.

The Blevins family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff of St. Patrick Hospital for their capable and loving care.
The woman authorities say was involved in the December murder of one woman and an assault on another has been transferred to the Missoula County jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Sarah Rae McKnight, 32, was booked into the jail just after 4 p.m. Saturday on $1 million bail. She is being charged in relation to the killing of Lonette Keehner at the Super 8 motel on Brooks Street on Dec. 21, as well as the assault of another woman in the parking lot of a nearby grocery store on the same day.

McKnight is charged with deliberate homicide and conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, as well as accountability for deliberate homicide, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and theft, all felonies.

Scott Austin Price, who also has been charged in the case, had his initial appearance in Missoula County Justice Court at the end of December. He is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing in his case on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Price is charged with felonies including deliberate homicide, attempted deliberate homicide, conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and solicitation to commit a theft in relation to the killing and assault.

Price and McKnight were arrested in Idaho the day after the Missoula attacks. After their arrest, McKnight was originally transferred to Spokane, where she is charged with felony theft in an unrelated case, the current state of which is unclear.

McKnight also is accused of federal counterfeiting charges in Montana. She allegedly met Price after a court hearing in Great Falls, and the two then drove McKnight's car to Missoula. Federal prosecutors have said they intend to let all state proceedings against her conclude before continuing their prosecution of McKnight.
Innovative. Individualized. Humane. These are the words I use when characterizing the University of Montana to global partners. Certainly this is a time of challenge. But what doesnt change is the fact that the people I am proud to call my colleagues create an environment where students learn and thrive. The Fellows of the Womens Leadership Initiative exemplify such innovation.

WLI was created by UM President Royce Engstrom in August 2015 to support campus-wide diversity efforts to build a culture of supportacross genderfor women's recruitment, retention and advancement. WLI uses the cohort model and focuses on intentional career advancement and leadership training to systematically transform the culture of UM. The inaugural cohort of 11 women was chosen for their proven leadership in areas ranging from brain development to student success. Their stories illustrate UMs vitality.

Lisa Blank is a science education professor in the College of Education and Human Sciences. She supports communities across Montana by securing nearly $5 million in grant funding, facilitating science and math teacher development and student access to innovative STEM curriculum.

As director of Disability Services for Students, Amy Capolupo works to create an accessible and integrated learning environment. As a result, UM is becoming a regional institution of choice for students with disabilities, who now make up 10 percent of the student body.

Claudine Cellier oversees administrative operations in the Office of the Provost and serves as a resource on personnel for UMs largest sector, Academic Affairs. Cellier was instrumental in creating a new internal communications strategy in order to increase employee engagement with UMs strategic goals.

As an assistant professor and neuroscientist in the Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience, Sarah Certels laboratory enables students to examine how aggression gets wired into the brain. Certel goes beyond campus to communicate neuroscience concepts to all ages through BrainZone exhibits at spectrUM Discovery Area.

Katie Dalessio is the director of Fiscal and Personnel Services for Missoula College, balancing fiscal acuity and compassion to support students and faculty during a period of evolving needs in curriculum assessment and infrastructure development.

Academic Advisor Maria Mangold is critical to recruiting and retaining students, demonstrating an individualized approach with parents, students and alumni to support student success. Her guidance on issues from study abroad to internships ensures that students feel confident on their path to graduation.

Kirsten Murray is the chair of the Department of Counselor Education. She is leading the implementation and accreditation of a new Ph.D. program in Counselor Education and Counseling and focuses her scholarship on therapeutic practices benefitting couples and families during times of transition.

Wilena Old Person (Yakama/Blackfeet) coordinates the Native American Center of Excellence-Skaggs School of Pharmacy and oversees Diversity Programs within the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences. She is critical to student success through her work with the American Indian Alumni Group, Kyiyo Native American Student Association and the American Indian Support and Development Council.

Nicky Phear was instrumental in developing UMs Climate Change Studies minor, the first undergraduate degree program of its kind in the nation. She engages students through multi-disciplinary coursework, field studies, and service learning. In five years, the program has produced several Truman and Udall Scholars and a Rhodes Scholar finalist.

Holly Truitt, founding director of spectrUM and the recently launched Broader Impacts Group, works to inspire the next generation about their potential and the transformational power of higher education. Under her leadership, spectrUMs annual budget is $2 million, fueling engagement with over 50,000 Montanans annually through in-museum, and award-winning mobile, science programming.

Kelly Webster directs the UM Writing Center where she coordinates writing-across-the-curriculum initiatives to help create effective writers. Under her leadership, student and faculty use of the center has more than doubled. The center has earned a reputation in the Rocky Mountain region for implementing high-impact student retention practices.

These leaders will spend this year together developing their leadership abilities and strengthening a collaborative network at UM and in the community. They demonstrate why UM continues to be vital ground for innovation  both for students we serve, as well as for broader western Montana and statewide communities.
CASPER, Wyo.  A Natrona County man who sexually abused a 9-year-old girl last year has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

Ryan Ogden, 21, pleaded guilty in September to one count of third-degree sexual abuse of a child. Ogden is also required to register as a sex offender.

I can hardly imagine anyone more vulnerable than a 9-year-old little girl, prosecutor Dan Itzen said Friday at Ogdens sentencing hearing in Natrona County District Court. That innocence we all enjoy as children is gone for her.

District Judge Thomas Sullins recommended Ogden participate in a boot camp program aimed at rehabilitating young offenders. If Ogden completes that program, his sentence could be re-evaluated, the judge said.

Sullins said he considered giving Ogden probation because the man does not have a criminal history. However, he said the victim impact in the case is significant and that a message must be sent to Ogden and others to deter them from committing such a crime.

The judge said he received more than a dozen letters from Ogdens friends and family, many of whom tried to minimize the crime.

Quite honestly, that did not sit well with me, Sullins said. I dont see any excuse for the inappropriate touching of a 9-year-old girl.

Ogdens defense attorney, Tom Smith, said his client is a young man who made a horrible mistake.

Before the judge handed down the sentence, Ogden asked that Sullins consider his lack of criminal history. Ogden said he screwed up and was sorry about what had happened.

He also told the judge he had been pursuing a career in elementary education and that the charges put a hiccup in that.

According to Smith, Ogden had been a teachers aide at Cottonwood Elementary but resigned after the charges were filed.

The sheriffs office began investigating the sexual abuse on June 29, according to court documents. The victim was interviewed at the Childrens Advocacy Project. She told authorities she had been alone in a camper with Ogden two nights before and that he had touched her inappropriately.

Ogden had been released on bond up until his sentencing hearing. Bailiffs took him into custody after Sullins handed down his sentence.
On Oct. 3, 2015, I was inducted into an elite club, the Sunday Mountain club, of which I am honored to be a member. Reaching the top of Sunday Mountain in the Swan Range led by Lee Boman with the Montana Wilderness Association gave incredible views of the Missions, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Swan Range itself.

I would have little chance for this back in my home state, Virginia. Coming to college in Montana, I have realized how grateful I am for this opportunity and I love to support legislature and programs that would open up more places like this.

The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and we want the Montana delegation to know we support it. Its a wonderful collaborative between diverse stakeholders to protect some of the Montana landscape that we all hold dear.

The BCSPs main outcomes are restoration, recreation and conservation. This is accomplished by funding for stewardship and restoration practices in Seeley Lake, supporting a biomass cogeneration facility, and expanding snowmobile areas in the Seeley Lake area. These outcomes will also bring an increase in jobs and the local economy. Best of all, it will designate 87,000 acres of the Lolo National Forest as wilderness!

This project has been a phenomenal collaborative effort for years between many agencies and interest groups for a great cause of expanding wilderness. Please join me in supporting this by letting our congressional delegation know of your support.

Sarah Gaulke,

Missoula
HAMILTON  The quest to build a destination skatepark in Hamilton took a big step forward last week with tentative approval for a land exchange between Ravalli County and the city of Hamilton.

The Ravalli County Commission unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement contingent on a legal review. The agreement calls for the county to donate about a half-acre of land at the fairgrounds to the city for the skatepark.

The parcel is located on the southeast corner of the county fairgrounds.

Representatives from the nonprofit Circle 13 group met with the commission Thursday morning with hopes of finalizing the agreement, but attorneys from the county and city said it wasnt quite complete.

The agreement would include a caveat that if the skatepark isnt built, the land would revert back to the county.

The city will be required to pay the costs of obtaining a certificate of survey, completing an environmental assessment and a title report, as well as any costs associated with subdivision review.

A lot of thought and a lot of process went into this decision by the county to give up their property, said Cryss Anderson, a Circle 13 board member. I appreciate the due diligence of the attorney on a project thats going to benefit our community for generations.

Once the county signs the agreement, the nonprofit group can go to work raising the estimated $500,000 needed to build the 13,000-square-foot skatepark.

The idea of building a skatepark in Hamilton has been around for decades, Anderson said. The major hurdle has been securing the right site.

The fairgrounds site has a number of positive attributes.

The location is prominent and near a brand-new sidewalk built as part of a program to create safe routes to school for students, Anderson said. Law enforcement likes it because of its visibility.

We really wanted the park to be in a place where it could be seen, she said. Its going to be beautiful. There will be people there all the time. We want it to be a dynamic park for our community.

Plans call for the park to include restrooms, lighting, landscaping and a paved parking area.

At this point, the actual features of the skatepark havent been designed.

Thats very expensive to do, Anderson said, adding the group wanted to ensure that the property was available before starting that process.

The fact that the location is now owned by the county and located inside city limits created some time-consuming challenges for the nonprofit organization.

There were numerous boards that had to sign off on the idea before it could be brought before the city council and county commission. Many of those boards meet once a month.

I really think, at this point, the hard part is over, Anderson said. The site is really going to happen. At this point, were just crossing the ts and dotting the is.

Anderson said she feels confident that the group will be able to raise the money needed to build the skatepark.

The group just has to look a little ways north to see whats possible.

A group in Stevensville raised about $200,000 to build a new skatepark last year.

Stevensville has been very inspirational, Anderson said. It was good to see how fast they could do it.

Anderson said the Hamilton skatepark is expected to be about twice the size of Stevensvilles and not quite as large as Missoulas.
Rooted in age-old West African traditions, Festima (Feb. 27 to March 5), held every other year in Dedougou, Burkina Faso, is a different kind of cacophony, mixing drumming with dance and, most important, mask-making. Musicians with hand drums, whistles and balafons, xylophone-like instruments made with gourds, pound out rhythms while dancers, masked to look like animals and bush spirits, perform and interact with spectators. Storytelling competitions and presentations on the history of regional mask-making and culture are also part of the festivities, which began in 1996 with a group of students hoping to preserve these traditions. Arrive well rested, as impromptu dance sessions often keep visitors up till the wee hours.

In March, two freshman fests, the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival (March 4 to 6) in Florida and Paradise Lost (March 10 to 12), Jamaicas first electronic dance music festival, make their debuts with impressive lineups.

Mumford & Sons, Robert Plant, Ween, Big Boi and others are to headline Okeechobees five stages, which share the vast grounds, nicknamed Sunshine Grove, with camping facilities, a yoga center and an art studio. In Ocho Rios, Paradise Lost is to have Bassnectar and Tiesto leading a pack of rising E.D.M. artists on a beachfront stage, including King Jammy, a Jamaican-born music maker who organizers said will help keep the fest tethered to its roots.

Nestled between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, the Ojai Valleys luxury spas and inns can be a respite for city dwellers. The Ojai Music Festival (June 9 to 12) assists, providing music to soothe  and inspire  the soul for the last 69 summers.
ALGIERS  The air was festive on a recent morning as families moved into their new apartments, courtesy of the Algerian government. Womens shrieks of joy sounded from the balconies as children tried out the swings beneath a large banner that declared, Our aim, Algiers, a capital without slums.

But the celebrations were quickly followed by disappointment, even anger. The construction was shoddy. Water coursed down the walls of the main hallway. And the apartments, at Cite Kourifa, were too small for families that had grown in the many years since they had applied for government housing.

Last night, I had to spend the night in the car, said Ali Mehdad, 60, a retired taxi driver who had moved in the previous day with his family of eight, including a grandson. One son is 35 and cannot get married, because how can you add more people here?

The government program, one of the most ambitious in the region, is Algerias answer to galloping population growth, rapid urbanization and a housing crisis that, many argue, lies at the base of much of the countrys despair.
DENVER  Ken Ivory, a Republican state representative from Utah, has been roaming the West with an alluring pitch to cattle ranchers, farmers and conservatives upset with how Washington controls the wide-open public spaces out here: This land is your land, he says, and not the federal governments.

Mr. Ivory, a business lawyer from suburban Salt Lake City, does not fit the profile of a sun-scoured sagebrush rebel. But he is part of a growing Republican-led movement pushing the federal government to hand over to the states millions of acres of Western public lands  as well as their rich stores of coal, timber and grazing grass.

Its like having your hands on the lever of a modern-day Louisiana Purchase, said Mr. Ivory, who founded the American Lands Council and until recently was its president. The Utah-based group is funded mostly by donations from county governments, but has received support from Americans for Prosperity, the group backed by the billionaire Koch brothers.




Christmas is about love.

Weddings are about love.

Kate and Tim's wedding just 2 weeks before Christmas

focused my thoughts on the extent love will go to be expressed.

Let me introduce you to them and share part of their story.





Kate. Crazy Kate to her friends, came into my life while she was a student at KCU. She was part of a group of friends Andrew brought to the house on a regular basis to study and hang out. She was also part of a small group of girls I was able to share the Bible with once a week.





Tim. Quiet. Seems opposite to Kate. I was drawn to him. He was "real". I don't remember him ever being in my home, but I spent time with him at Andrew and Bre's apartment where he studied and hung out.





I was intrigued by the bits and pieces of their story I heard and wanted to know more so I sent Kate the following message:





"How did your relationship "evolve?" I have gathered from snippets I have heard you were not interested, but it appears Tim was. Did you know he was coming? (to Thailand) How long had you been there? If you were not interested, did his pursuing you to Thailand sway you? Share anything you want to that will shed light on the extent love is willing to go and how it changes our lives."





Kate's response:

Our relationship really evolved over e-mails, once I was in Thailand. We met my last semester at KCU in spring of 2013. I was really impressed with him, and could tell he liked me, but since he was younger I thought there wasnt a chance of anything developing between us.





I went to Mozambique for three months the September after I graduated, and Tim wrote me a letter while I was there, but it never arrived. From there I moved to Thailand that December, and once I arrived there Tim started Facebooking me. We talked quite a bit, and our friendship really blossomed.





I came back to Kentucky for a visit that summer (2014) and one day while I was on campus Tim shared how he felt about me. What stuck out most was he said, Im incredibly attracted to you because I see so much of Christ in you. It was literally the most flattering thing he could have said to me, but I still thought he was too young so I rejected him. I was too stubborn to see he was perfect for me. As I was pulling my car away, I remember it hitting me how long it would be before I saw him again, feeling this huge sadness, and all of a sudden realizing how deeply I really did care about him. I thought about telling him, but decided to give it time to make sure I wasnt just flattered by all the sweet things he had said.





Even after that, though, Tim just kept trying to be my friend. And I think that was when I started to fully realize how much he cared about me. I saw that he would still be my friend even if I led him to believe nothing would develop between us. He really started to win me over through that.





That September, he asked if he could come visit me in Thailand the coming December. I was shocked and didnt know what to say. I didnt write back for a week, because I didnt want him to come that far when I still wasnt sure how I felt, but eventually I told him I would be happy to see him.





We kept e-mailing, and over the next couple months, I fell hard and fast. He was just exceptionally genuine and sincere, and I was really drawn to that. I had never met anyone like him. By the time he came in December, I was crazy about him. We started officially dating the week he came for a visit, and I moved back to America the following April. We got engaged the following August, and were married December 12  precisely one year after he boarded a plane to come see me in Thailand. smile emoticon





We had been friends for two years when we started dating, and dated for a year before we were married. When we first started dating, we had only seen each other 5 days in the past 20 months!





I asked Tim to share a little of his side, and he said,





To me, the waiting for you for two years speaks more than going on a plane ride. That was harder for me. When I came to Thailand I was looking forward to spending money to go see you  I wanted to do that. The hardest part was waiting.





When you came back from Thailand the first time, I was nervous because I knew it was my chance to tell you how I felt. So I was excited to see you, but also nervous because I knew it was my only chance. Even when you didnt express the same feelings, I didnt give up.

Then you left. And then I was just looking forward to talking to you. To being your friend still.





I didnt mind waiting because I knew I was going to see you again. Instead of suffering, thinking, 'Woes me, Kates gone again,' I was looking forward to when I would see you again. Picturing what it would be like. For some reason, 8,000 miles away, I felt closer to you than anyone 8 feet away from me in America. Its really funny for me how many times a day I would check to see if I got an email from you. I felt like you were right next door, not 8,000 miles away.





I asked why he waited and he said,





"A big part of it was I just wanted to stay your friend. You were the coolest friend Id ever had, and I wanted to hear all the stories of what you did. I was just really intrigued by you.





I waited because I loved you. I didnt see anyone else. I adored you. You were the first person I wanted to talk to when something cool happened in my life, and no one else came close.





I thought that coming to see you was the way to let you see that I loved you. If it took me coming to see you to show you that I didnt just have a crush on you, it was worth it.





There was never a single moment where I thought maybe I should be with a different girl instead.





Seeing both of them seeking hard after God first,

then building their relationship with each other

is a beautiful thing to watch.





"Love is patient and kind;

love does not envy or boast;

it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful;

it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,

but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things."
What do you know about your credit score? PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert with NerdWallet, to learn why it's important to understand some of the "myths" surrounding your credit score.

Kimberly takes us through a new survey showing most of us admit to not knowing enough, including confusion about the top three credit score myths. We talk about those and get you the right answers, too.

Past Pennywise episodes with Kimberly as the guest:

More from Kimberly on NerdWallet:

Support the show: https://omny.fm/shows/pennywise

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
JACKSON, Wyo.  A Jackson lawmaker is planning to introduce a bill that would allow Snow King Resort to create a resort district and give it the ability to tax sales and property within its boundaries.

A similar bill didn't make it out of last year's legislative session.

The odds may not be good this year either because the upcoming session will focus on the state budget, but Democratic Rep. Andy Schwartz said he will try.

Schwartz says that the idea is to strike the current requirement that resort districts can only be formed in unincorporated parts of counties.

Under the existing law, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort have formed such districts. Snow King has not been able to because it is within the town of Jackson, a municipality.

"My motivation is to provide the same mechanism to Snow King that Teton Village has taken such good advantage of," Schwartz said. "It's inappropriate in my mind to give that advantage to one place and not another."

Officials from the Snow King ski area said they supported the idea.

"I'm not sure exactly how we'd use it," said Ryan Stanley, general manager of the ski area, "But it has the potential to help out the resort in various ways, from future parking to fireworks to events."
The senior-living facility formerly called Marquis Vintage Suites at 300 Mount Highland Drive in Butte is operating under new ownership.

In an agreement finalized Dec. 1, The Springs Living purchased the senior-living facility from the Marquis Companies, along with Marquis Grand Park in Billings.

Marquis Vintage Suites is now The Springs at Butte and Marquis Grand Park is newly dubbed The Springs at Grand Park.

Although Marquis Vintage Suites has a freshly minted name, its new owners insist the senior-living facility will offer the same quality of service as before.

Youll notice a new sign out front, but the residents will continue to see the same friendly faces they know and trust, said Brenda Connelly, the community operations director for The Springs Living.

The purchase of the Butte and Billings facilities marks The Springs Livings fourth acquisition in Montana. The Oregon-based company purchased The Springs in Missoula in 2004 and The Springs at Whitefish in 2007.

When asked about the reasoning behind the purchase, Fee Stubblefield  the founder and president of The Springs Living  said Marquis Vintage Suites experienced staff and culture of compassionate care made the senior-living facility an attractive buy for him.

They care very deeply about their residents and employees, said Stubblefield.

The purchase is also consistent with Stubblefields overall vision of acquiring properties along Montanas Interstate 90 corridor. He believes purchasing facilities localized along this corridor will allow for greater collaboration and synergy among employees. He pointed out that when one facility has a staff shortage, employees from another can easily travel to meet the other facilitys needs.

The former owner and manager of Marquis Vintage Suites, Phil Fogg Sr., said several buyers demonstrated interest in Marquis Vintage Suites in the past, but he didnt want to sell the property until he found a buyer who he thought would take good care of his employees.

If employees are well taken care of, they will take good care of residents, said Fogg.

Joyce Richter, the director of marketing at The Springs Living, said no immediate plans exist for a change in staff and that all staff members had the opportunity to reapply for their positions. She also said residents can expect to see the same services and amenities that were available before.

However, what might change is the decor.

Stubblefield plans to spend approximately $1 million at both the Butte and Billings properties updating the interiors and exteriors. He also plans to supply the facilities with improvements and technology upgrades involving electronic medical records and emergency call systems.

Marquis Vintage Suites has 33 independent living cottages, 44 assisted-living apartments and 16 memory-care units and employs about 50 staff members.

Fogg said he will miss traveling to Butte and working with the staff at the Marquis Vintage Suites.

It will be the staff, of course, that I will miss the most, but I will also miss Butte, said Fogg.

As for Stubblefield, hes looking forward to working with the experienced employees at the Marquis Vintage Suites and embarking on a mutually beneficial relationship.

Theyre just great people, he said. Well do our best to make them better, and theyll make us better too.
Leslies Hallmark is leaving the Capital Hill Mall for a spot across the street, and with a few other businesses on the way out, the number of mall storefronts continue to dwindle.

Hallmark owner Dave Simkins said he stuck it out as long as possible. Leslies has been in the mall for 35 years, but with the buildings future tenuous, Simkins decided it was time for a change.

Weve been trying to hang in there and see if they were going to do anything with the mall or if it would go to somebody who would revitalize the mall and get some additional tenants, but it doesnt look like thats going to happen, Simkins said.

The new Leslies Hallmark will be located at 1609 11th Ave., in the space Pier 1 Imports used to occupy. The more than 10,000 square-foot space is about a 1,500 square-foot upgrade from Simkins' two stores in the mall: Leslie's Hallmark and the Montana store across the hall.

The extra room will allow him to design the flower department how he wants and give him the ability to combine the Montana store in with the other products.

Were pretty excited about all the potential, he said.

Womens clothing store Christopher and Banks is also headed for new waters, set to move to a store in the Skyway Center sometime this fall. An assistant manager at the store directed questions about the move to the corporate office.

An owner at Cliffs Jewelry said they recently decided to remain in the mall for now.

After Hallmark and Christopher and Banks close their mall locations, the stark shopping center will have just five tenants: Lucky Lils Casino, GNC, American Eye Care, JCPenney and Cliffs Jewelry.

The mall has been owned by Los Angeles-based City National Bank since they bought it for $2.5 million in August 2013.

The bank listed the property for sale in June 2014 at a price of $2.9 million and reportedly received several offers. Nonewere finalized, and real estate broker Mark Macek with Macek Companies is no longer the broker working with the bank.

We are still planning to sell the property, said City National Bank spokeswoman Debora Vrana in an email.

Simkins said the bank has been quiet about its dealings.

I dont know that theyre really engaged as far as getting something to happen here, he said.

Each year, Leslies has to purchase its Christmas merchandise in January. Each spring and fall when he tried to follow up with CNB, Simkins said the bank didnt have anything firm to say and would not discuss leads about the sale.

He said he tried to work out a lease to give his store some stability, but the bank wasnt interested.

Every January it was a leap of faith we would still be there in December, Simkins said.

The bank declined to comment about Simkins' statements.

The Hallmark store owner said the upside is that he was able to find a spot to move in the Capitol district, which he considers one of the best shopping areas in Helena. The mall location was Leslies flagship store, continually putting up numbers just more than the North Montana location and substantially more than the Great Falls and Billings locations.

Simkins said he hopes to be open for business in the new location on Aug. 24. The Hallmark store in the mall will remain open until about five days before then, when merchandise will be moved to the new location.

Im just hoping everybody knows, all they have to do is turn around and well be on the other side of the street, he said.
Mule deer hunting regulations may change in Southwest Montana.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing a change to harvesting mule deer in 10 hunting districts in this corner of the state.

Craig Fager, wildlife biologist for FWP, said all 10 hunting districts in southwest Montana (see box) will go to an A license if the FWP commission passes the proposed regulation when it meets in Helena on February 14. The A license would allow hunters to shoot either a buck or a doe. The current regulation allows hunters to take only a buck in those districts.

The plan is designed to support the population of mule deer bucks.

"What we're looking to do is give the hunter a choice," Fager said.

While mule deer numbers are currently stable, the population of mule deer is half what it was in the 1980s in areas throughout the southern and western parts of the state.

Fager said that in the early 1980s in the East Pioneer Mountains, southwest of Butte, FWP saw about 1,000 to 1,100 mule deer. Now in the same area, the agency sees around 500.

Harold Johns, president of Skyline Sportsmen, said, There was a time when there was just mule deer everywhere in this country.

The reasons behind the mule deer's smaller numbers in southwest Montana include habitat loss, predation and competition from elk, said Vanna Boccadori, wildlife biologist for FWP.

FWP is especially concerned about mule deer bucks, Fager said.

Bucks are languishing due to high harvest rates, Fager said. That hunter with a license in his pocket, if 10 percent are taking a doe, that leaves more bucks on the landscape. It does have implications for buck management.

While the number of mule deer has declined, the number of elk has significantly increased since the early 1980s. Elk and mule deer compete for the same vegetation.

Fager said elk are surviving better than mule deer because they are habitat generalists, meaning they eat a wider variety of plants. Elk also travel further for food resources than mule deer.

In southwest Montana, were not in the heyday of mule deer; were in the heyday of elk, Fager said.

The reason for the habitat loss  there just arent enough shrubs and flowers to go around  is largely due to conifer encroachment, Boccadori said.

Fager said that though the mule deer's numbers are steady now, theres been a steady erosion over time, since the early 1980s of mule deer in the southern and western portions of the state. He said mule deer decline is part of a wider phenomenon in the west, but that doesnt mean mule deer numbers have dropped everywhere in the west. Fager said they are a lot more abundant in the eastern part of the state.

Fager cited a variety of problems for mule deer in southwest Montana. Fire suppression is just one issue. Suppressing fires leads to conifers encroaching on the landscape, making flowers and shrubs  the stuff mule deer eat  a lot less plentiful.

Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist Scot Franklin said the BLM has made an effort to reduce conifers in the Pipestone area, 20 miles east of Butte, and in the Big Hole area southwest of Butte. In the last two years, the BLM has burned close to 1,500 acres through prescribed burns in both Pipestone and the Big Hole. The BLM has also cut trees.

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has not had a prescribed burn within the last three years, district ranger Dave Sabo said. But the Forest Service is cutting about 10 acres of Douglas fir just off Lime Kiln Road in the Highland Mountains, about 15 miles south of Butte. The cut is part of the Blacktail headwaters project, which involves multiple conservation groups. The Forest Service is looking for more opportunities of this kind, Sabo said, but the agency has no other project like this planned for the future.

Fager said other causes for the decline in mule deer numbers include things such as off-road motorized vehicles; crop conversion; a lack of moisture in the soil; and, in general, humans on the landscape.

Its very complex, Fager said.

In addition, Fager said the amount of snow were seeing this winter could have a negative impact on the mule deer. He did a flyover on Dec. 27 to check on the mule deer population in the East Pioneers, the Tendoys and Lima peaks, all south of Butte. He said he saw mule deer concentrated much lower on the mountains than last year, when there was a lot less snow.

Theres no question we could see mule deer mortality (this year), Fager said.
HELENA  Though the buzz in Colstrip last week was over the uncertainty facing the towns coal-fired power plant posed to it by a federal mandate that Montana cut its carbon dioxide emissions almost in half by 2030, other forces that could shutter two of the plants units loom much larger in the near future.

An interim legislative committee meets this week to talk about the Clean Power Plan and meet the governors new council that will by July make recommendations on how Montana can comply with the new federal rules.

Some 630 miles away in Olympia, Washington, on Monday, that states Legislature kicks off a 60-day session  during which a bill is expected to be introduced that could allow a utility in that state to close Colstrips older Units 1 and 2, possibly before 2030.

The two situations involving Colstrip and the 350 jobs of the men and women who work in Units 1 and 2 are both complicated in their own right, and they are intertwined.

Washington Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, is chair of that states Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee. He said theres draft legislation that would allow Puget Sound Energy to purchase a bigger stake in Colstrips newer units, 3 and 4, something the utility is prohibited to do by Washington law.

If the utility wants to shut down Units 1 and 2  it owns 50 percent of each  it would need power from somewhere else, like Unit 3, to meet the demand of its 500,000 customers. Thats one scenario of the draft legislation passing, though Ericksen said there are other possible results like the utility continuing to run the older units and selling that electricity on the open market.

There are a lot of different options out there, he said. Its difficult to say right now. There are a lot of moving pieces.

Montana legislators have been invited to a hearing of his energy committee this session, he said.

Plans also are being made to set up a weekly conference call with Montana lawmakers and people who live in Colstrip.

There are a lot of moving pieces on down to the state level, so we are going to be looking for solutions that can protect the long-term energy future for Montana and Washington and protect jobs in both states.

Ericksen said his concern is to protect Washington ratepayers by making sure utilities have access to a reliable, cost-effective energy grid. He isnt sure what sort of outcome to expect if the legislation is heard in his committee.

In this hyper-politically charged atmosphere of 2016, I have great concerns about this, he said.

Back in Colstrip

Last week Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced his Clean Power Plan Advisory Council from Colstrip City Hall.

The meaning of that location, just blocks from the stacks of the the coal-fired power plant that cast a long shadow over town, wasnt lost on state Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip.

Ankney praised Bullock for announcing the council, which has been criticized as not having enough clean-energy advocates, in the house that coal built.

Well, someday, is Ankneys response to the question of whether the older Colstrip units will be phased out. But I dont think thats in the near future.

Ankney has been in contact with Washington lawmakers to stay on top of their plans. Montana lawmakers brought four of their counterparts in Washington to tour the older units in Colstrip the week before Thanksgiving.

The information they were given out there in Washington is these plants were ready to fall apart, Ankney said. They were astounded at the condition of these plants, how clean they were.

One Washington staffer was worried about her asthma but didnt have any trouble during the tour.

She did that whole thing, and it never affected her a bit, Ankney said. For her to go back to Washington and say These things are clean.  We had a very good meeting with them, we have a very good rapport.

Ankney is on Bullocks council. He wants to see that group work to keep the plant open in both the near and more distant future.

My goal is to pursue different avenues that will keep these plants moving, he said. If theres technology, is there a way that we can get some type of help to put measures on these plants  whether its additives in the coal, whatever it is  to get them cleaner-burning?

Utility regulators investigate

In June, Washington states Utilities and Transportation Commission, which is similar to Montanas Public Service Commission, opened an investigation into the costs of retiring Units 1 and 2, which were built in 1975 and 1976.

That commission said it was essential to understand how consumers electricity rates might change if Puget Sound Energy shuts down the older units after three bills that that would allow the utility to do so failed in the 2015 Washington Legislature.

That report is expected to come out in the next few weeks. The commission said at this point its an open investigation and what happens next will depend on whats in the report.

Anne Hedges, deputy director and lead lobbyist for the Montana Environmental Information Center, said she thinks economic forces will help shut down the older units at Colstrip.

In 2013, Talen Energy, which owns half of Units 1 and 2, cut the market value of its stake in Colstrip by 87 percent. Talen, unlike Puget Sound and the other three utilities with ownership in Colstrip, sells its power on the open market and cant pass along costs to consumers. Low natural gas prices have also delivered a hit to coal-fired power plants.

A representative for Talen Energy, a spinoff of PPL Montana, said Friday that the company cant yet speculate on what would happen with its ownership in Units 1 and 2 if Puget Sound ever moves to shut them down.

It would either need to be enacted or not enacted, and at that time we would have a basis to make a business decision, said Todd Martin, Talen media relations manager.

Martin said that Talen employees are working on the other force that could change operations at Colstrip, the Clean Power Plan Advisory Council, which includes Talen environmental and engineering compliance director Gordon Criswell.

We expect to be productive participants in the plan, Martin said. When recommendations are made, when the state of Montana comes up with an implementation plan, that is the time we would be able to make a business decision.

Bullock would not speculate on how Washington legislation could affect any work by his council or if a move by Puget Sound Energy to close the older Colstrip units would help Montana meet its emission reduction goals.

"Given the nature and complexity of the CPP, there are too many moving parts to speculate on what impact hypothetical legislation would have on Montanas plan at this point," he said through spokeswoman Ronja Abel.

The council will meet for the first time in early February, and the recommendations are due in July.

"The council does have a lot of work to do, and we envision several multi-day meetings with numerous opportunities for public input as we work towards providing Montanas initial submittal to the EPA by September 2016," Abel said.
Robert Reid Gannon, 34, died suddenly at his home in Bend, Oregon, on Jan. 4, 2016.

Reid was born May 23, 1981 in Butte to Robert and Barbara Gannon. He grew up in Butte and at Flathead Lake and attended school in Butte and before graduating from Polson High School in 2000. After high school he went on to earn an Associate Degree in business from Colorado Mountain College and to graduate from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Portland. In his adult life he lived in Oregon and Montana while working in a number of restaurants, grocery stores and as a business owner and is remembered very fondly by many customers for his exceptional efforts on their behalves. At the time of his death he was the proud and passionate proprietor of A Pieceful Place smoke shop in Madras, Oregon.

Those who knew and loved Reid will remember his mischievous, sly and infectious smile and laugh and his tremendous generosity to those close to him as well as to many strangers and customers. From the time he was a little kid he had an entrepreneurial spirit and independent streak that led to many misadventures but also success in his businesses, including a hot dog cart in Bend and Polson and his smoke shops in Polson and Madras. As a youth Reid was a talented athlete and snowboarder, generally fearless and full of charisma. He loved blown glass pieces and had an impressive knowledge and collection of blown glass art gained through working with many artists around the country. Reid was loved and respected by many friends, colleagues and customers in the marijuana, glass shop and glass artist community.

Reid did not have an easy hand in this life. From the age of two he dealt with serious kidney illnesses and Type 1 diabetes that eventually necessitated a kidney and pancreas transplant and taxed his body and spirit with many complications. He also struggled with the consequences of a serious auto accident in 2002 that claimed the life of a friend and left him badly injured. After his transplant operation in 2012 he was passionate about trying to help others through the tough times leading up to and after transplant surgery, especially those affected by Type 1 diabetes. He was a strong advocate of the benefits of medical marijuana for those suffering from diabetes and transplant rejection.

Reid is survived by his parents; his sister, Tysen Gannon; his aunts and uncles, John and Kate Gannon, Bruce and Sue Purdy, and Brian and Sonny Purdy; a number of cousins in Kentucky, Minnesota and Oregon; his faithful canine companions, Oscar and Armani; and a number of dear friends in Oregon and Montana.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

A memorial vigil was held on Jan. 6, in Madras, Oregon and a memorial service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Red Lion in Polson. Those wishing to honor Reid are encouraged to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com.
WASHINGTON -- When you dance with the devil, the choreography can get awkward.

Ted Cruz last week made his latest appeal to America's nativist fringe by naming Rep. Steve King of Iowa as a national co-chairman of his presidential campaign. King, called a "courageous conservative" and "incredible leader" by Cruz, is the anti-immigrant hard-liner who spoke of Mexican immigrants having "calves the size of cantaloupes" and who was a prominent birther.

King raised questions about President Obama's birth certificate, voiced doubts that Obama had been born in America, floated the idea that Obama's birth announcement in Hawaiian newspapers may have been placed "by telegram from Kenya," and alleged that Obama "was not raised with an American experience."

So we're entitled to savor some schadenfreude now as Cruz himself gets caught in the birther web. Donald Trump's questioning of Cruz's status as a natural-born American, and therefore his eligibility to be president, is rough justice. Cruz, like Trump, has stoked the fires of resentment and xenophobia, so it's entirely fitting that he gets burned.

But however tempting it is, I'm not joining in the Cruz birtherism; it was wrong when done to Obama, and it's wrong now done to Cruz. Cruz, I am convinced, would make a truly awful president, but he is perfectly eligible to serve.

Rep. Alan Grayson, a Democratic gadfly running for the Senate in Florida, vows to file a lawsuit challenging Cruz's eligibility if he wins the nomination. Grayson would try to argue that both parents of Cruz, who was born in Canada to an American mother and a Cuban father, had to be American citizens for Cruz to be considered a "natural born" citizen under the Constitution. Grayson also has questions about the U.S. birth of Cruz's mother. "The Obama birthers are loons," Grayson told U.S. News this week. But "there's a very good legal argument that Ted Cruz is not qualified to be president."

Like Cruz foe John McCain (the 2008 Republican presidential nominee said Cruz's eligibility is a "legitimate question"), Democratic leaders have been happy to see Cruz twist in the wind. "I do think there is a distinction between John McCain being born to a family serving our country in Panama than someone born in another country," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday.

But that's not really so. My friend Neal Katyal, who was Obama's acting solicitor general, joined Paul Clement, a George W. Bush solicitor general, in a Harvard Law Review piece last year arguing that it's not even a close call: The constitutional evidence back to the founding makes clear that "an individual born to a U.S. citizen parent -- whether in California or Canada or the Canal Zone -- is a U.S. citizen from birth and is fully eligible to serve as president."

More broadly: Do Democrats and liberals and all those who howled about the injustice and the outrage of Obama's birtherism really want to join the cause of Cruz birtherism, simply because he's a Republican, or a conservative? No doubt it would be satisfying to give conservatives a taste of their own medicine, but that would mean embracing the nativism that is turning the Republican Party into a fraternity of old white men from rural areas. The right is uniquely ill-behaved these days. Why join them?

It wasn't always this way; in the early days of the Obama presidency I argued that the left was more ill-tempered. But now there's nothing equivalent to the right's rage -- despite attempts to draw some phony parallels.

When I wrote about the overt racism injected into the campaign by Trump, the 2016 front-runner, conservative critics countered by citing the history of race-baiting by the Rev. Al Sharpton, a minor Democratic candidate in the 2004 race. When I wrote last week about Republican officeholders' support for the armed men who took over a U.S. government facility in Oregon, conservatives argued that this was no different from Obama's tolerance of Sanctuary Cities -- though sanctuary policies have existed for decades without successful legal challenges.

Then there's the birther movement, led by Trump, which sought to portray the first African-American president as a foreigner. Now Trump is, with his characteristic disregard for truth, attempting to turn the same nativist forces against his nearest competitor in the Republican primary.

There is no equivalent on the left these days to such nasty stuff. Democrats should keep it that way.

Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @Milbank.

(c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has announced a change of policy promising to open hundreds of thousands of acres adjacent to Yellowstone National Park to bison wandering beyond park boundaries. This is an important step toward more enlightened and effective wildlife management and part of addressing the unfinished business between Americans and our countrys most-abused native animal.

With its creation as the first national park in 1872, Yellowstone quickly became the last bastion of wild bison, sanctuary for survivors of a population that had numbered in the millions before 19th century Americans shot them nearly to extinction. The effort to save bison as a species launched the modern American wildlife-conservation movement more than a century ago, and Yellowstones role as refuge proved essential to that cause.

But we just sort of saved bison. Most of the nearly 400,000 bison in the United States today are privately owned and managed as domestic livestock, many carrying cattle genes thanks to past attempts to improve bison through crossbreeding. Other bison endure as captives, confined in parks and refuges within high, stout fences. Relatively few bison qualify as wild and free-roaming. Those in Yellowstone approach true wildness.

State and federal agencies have for decades practiced a heavy-handed management of Yellowstones bison  harassing, corralling and shooting them as they attempt to migrate out of the park during the regions long, hard winters. Cattle ranchers regard Yellowstone bison as a threat. Ranchers fear that Yellowstone bison might one day  improbably, unprecedentedly  transmit disease to cattle. Some Yellowstone bison and elk carry brucellosis, a disease the cattle industry has effectively eradicated from livestock. Although bison have never been shown to transmit the disease to cattle in the wild, longstanding government policies aimed to keep bison within park boundaries.

Conservation groups and public agencies have worked constructively to ease real and perceived conflicts between wildlife  including bison  around Yellowstone. The National Wildlife Federation negotiated agreements with ranchers who held grazing rights to certain public-land tracts adjacent to the park, paying fair-market value to change or eliminate livestock grazing where conflicts with bison could be an issue. A similar agreement resolved wildlife conflicts on a private ranch immediately north of the park, creating a conflict-free zone linking the park to other public lands.

Such agreements, negotiated on a willing-seller, willing-buyer basis, have helped establish 400,000 acres outside park boundaries where bison could roam with virtually no possibility of interaction with cattle  essentially eliminating the disease threat that ranchers fear.

Gov. Bullocks decision effectively adapts Montanas bison management to reflect the changing reality on the ground  a reality that argues for treating bison as wildlife in need of management, not as a menace to livestock that must be repelled.

Changes afoot for Yellowstone bison come as part of Montanans and Americans evolving relationship with bison, a species the U.S. Senate voted last month to name our National Mammal. Last year, Montana issued an environmental impact statement analyzing opportunities to restore herds of wild bison to an appropriate landscape, such as public lands in and around north-central Montanas million-acre Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge  an analysis that lays down a compelling foundation for pursuing bison-restoration opportunities. Meanwhile, several Montana tribes also are making progress in establishing bison herds on tribal lands.

We cant restore bison to their historic numbers and distribution  most of the landscape is too changed, developed and filled with people. But Montana does have places still suitable for wild bison to roam in meaningful numbers  around Yellowstone and elsewhere.

In reconsidering Montanas relationship with bison around Yellowstone, Gov. Bullock is embracing a growing  and long-overdue  movement to fully welcome bison back from the brink of extinction, not just as livestock, captives or mere icons of the Old West but as valued wildlife.

-- Tom France is the Missoula-based regional executive director of The National Wildlife Federation.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Julie Reifert has been promoted to credit analyst at Kent Corporation. She joined the company in 2012 as a credit administrator and holds a BBA degree in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University. Prior work experience included accounting positions with Allsteel, HNI Corporation, and the HON Company.
WEST LIBERTY, Iowa  A Muscatine woman was killed after losing control of her vehicle and colliding with a semi tractor trailer Saturday morning.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, Scharell N. Shavers, 23, was westbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 259 when she swerved to avoid a disabled vehicle in the roadway. As she attempted to get back into her lane, she lost control on the icy surface and collided with the semi. She was driving a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix.

The driver of the semi, Steven L. Johnson, Atalissa, attempted to avoid the collision by swerving onto the shoulder but Shavers crossed into the path of the semi. Both vehicles entered the north ditch.

Johnson was not injured in the accident.

Shavers wasn't wearing a seatbelt, according to the State Patrol.

The accident was reported at 5:40 a.m. Saturday.

Peggy Senzarino, Muscatine Journal
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Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
Glas selected

Jeff Glas has been named business banking manager for Wells Fargo in Bismarck and Minot. Glas is based at the downtown location in Bismarck.

Glas began his Wells Fargo career in 2010 as a business banking trainee in Des Moines, Iowa, and most recently was senior business relationship manager for Bismarck.

A Grand Forks native, Glas has a bachelors degree in business management and a masters degree in business administration, both from the University of North Dakota.

Nagel promoted

Nicole Nagel was recently promoted to assistant manager of Ground Round in Bismarck.

Nagel has 10 years of hospitality experience and joined Ground Round in 2009, working as a server, cocktail server, trainer and bartender.

Recognized

Lisa Bjergaard, director of juvenile services at the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, received the Models for Change 2015 Champion for Change in State Leadership from the MacArthur Foundation on Dec. 14 in Washington, D.C.

The award recognizes an advocate, official, system personnel or other local leader for promoting progress in a state juvenile justice system. Champions are nominated by their Models for Change peers.

Bjergaard joined the juvenile services division as a case manager in 1989 and was promoted to director in 2006. She also is treasurer of the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators.

Botsford trains

Shelly Botsford, a nurse practitioner at Pure Skin, recently trained in the injection of Kybella, which is used to improve the appearance of moderate to severe double chin.

Promoted at BND

Four student loan services employees at the Bank of North Dakota have been promoted.

Shirley Glass has become the education market manager position. She is a 30-year employee.

Tom Ternes is now the student loan manager. Ternes started as a new student loans manager in 2012.

Lucas Winterberg, with BND since 2009, was promoted to new loans supervisor.

Courtney Heiser is the DEAL programs coordinator. She joined the bank in 2014.

Wilson in sales

Matt Wilson has been hired as a sales associate at United Printing.

A Washington native, he graduated from the University of Jamestown and has lived in the Bismarck-Mandan area for two years.

Gets registration

Aaron Schmidt, a civil engineer in Houston Engineering Inc.s Bismarck office since 2010, has earned his professional engineering registration for North Dakota.

Requirements include an exam and at least four years of acceptable work experience.

Schmidt holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University.

Hawkinson chosen

Don Hawkinson of CCU Financial Services has been named adviser of the month for December by Securian Financial Advisors of N.D. Inc. Hawkinson has been with Securian since 2014 and is located at 204 W. Thayer Ave., Bismarck.

Now director

Bruce Hilzendeger has been named director of imaging services at CHI St. Alexius Health.

Hilzendeger began his career there in 1988 and has worked in MRI, CT, nuclear medicine and ultrasound. Early last year, he was promoted to manager of radiology services.

Hilzendeger earned a bachelor's degree in radiologic technology from University of Mary and is certified with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and registered with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography in physics/instrumentation and abdominal sonography.

Advancement

Rachel Ripplinger has been promoted to the position of division coordinator at KLJ and will be involved with its private division, including oilfield services, power and telecommunication.

She joined the company in 2001 and most recently worked in the human resources group.
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50 laptops set to be used by the countrys spies have been stolen from the Department of Defences intelligence headquarters in Pretoria.

According to a report by the City Press, the theft was originally kept secret, with the department not initially reporting it to the State Security Agency or The Hawks.

This is a serious embarrassment to the country, an intelligence insider told the newspaper.

Luckily, many of the computers were brand new and did not have much information stored on them.

Security risk

Another source stated that some of the laptops did have sensitive information on them, though, which could lead to national security information being exposed.

The information on some of those laptops is highly sensitive, and would expose our strengths and weaknesses.

Department of Defence spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the laptops were all new, with no information on them, and were stolen just after they were delivered.

The theft is said to have taken place on the same Christmas weekend the State Security Agency was robbed of R17 million in foreign currency.

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We can together make the world a better and safe place to live in

We need to be honest with our souls' conscience and strive hard to always do the right things. Make good laws and respect them!!
Realtors say the Bismarck-Mandan commercial real estate market is on a return to normal following years of fast-paced development.

Business is not bad; its just not a breakneck pace, said Matt Reichert, a commercial Realtor with Aspen Group. We had such rapid growth from 2010 to 2015. You see people still do deals, but we have to finish what we started.

Reichert said, through 2016, residents will see the finishing touches going up on major developments, including Hay Creek Shops and Sunrise Town Centre. There was a big push to build in 2012-13. New restaurants and retail are still going to be coming to town, but there wont be the large rush of the past several years.

I think generally some of the construction we see going on now is finishing up, said Reichert, adding he does not expect any new large retail projects in the near future. I think some of that needs to be absorbed first.

Solid market conditions

Kyle Holwagner of Daniel Companies commercial real estate firm agrees that the area still is in a good market condition with opportunities for build-to-suit spaces.

New construction is still out there. . You still see construction going on around town, he said. Maybe were off peak demand, but its still consistent.

And as projects, such as development around the Kirkwood Mall, are completed, he expects other companies' interest will be perked by those areas.

Seeing other businesses open tends to attract other user groups to come with them, he said.

Those who are coming are taking more time to evaluate, rather than making the quick decisions of past years to get in when and where they could.

It feels like we might be slowing down, but were still at quick pace, said Holwagner, adding that, if the market does shift, it would likely happen gradually over the next 24 months.

Jeff Hintz, owner of Kirkwood Ace Hardware, who is building a second store in north Bismarck, expressed confidence in the local market.

There is never a recession in Bismarck; it's stable growth controlled at the right level, he said. Bismarck has always had a reasonable approach to development.

The new Ace Hardware store is 30,000 square feet, compared to 20,000 at the south location, and is scheduled to open early this year. He also has a basement to hold more freight and 10,000 square feet of space to rent to tenants. The new store will carry gourmet kitchen wares, as well as the name brands.

Hintz said he drove around a lot before deciding on a location and couldnt be happier with his choice. He expects 43rd Avenue to be the next major east/west street in town and his new store, being at the corner where it intersects with Highway 83, will get a lot of traffic as a result.

Hintz said he was able to succeed in a high-traffic area at his south store and he hopes to do it again in the northern location. Having tenants will help pay the cost of the more expensive building and theyll help draw traffic as Party America does at the south store, according to Hintz, who said he is hopeful he will be able to develop the same good working relationship with his north-side tenants as he has with the owners of Party City.

Hintz said he has wanted to open a second store for a long time.

Somebody else would do it, if we didnt, said Hintz, comparing it to the five Dans Supermarkets needed to serve the different neighborhoods in the area.

A supply of offices

In addition to retail, office space is in good supply, as are warehouses of various sizes.

Office space in the 1,500- to 8,000-square-foot range is readily available, though it may be more difficult to find a larger space. For warehouses, there is plenty of 10,000-square-foot spaces, as well as space in the 20,000- to 50,000-square-foot range. Again, finding a larger space is more difficult.

Large industrial and warehouse developments, like the spaces for G & K Supply laundry company and Northern Improvement construction company, are nearing completion, leaving Northern Improvement's old space open to be backfilled.

There are still large tracts of land available in the Northern Plains Commerce Centre, Midwest Motor Express industrial park and Northern Improvements at 52nd Street and Divide Avenue that need to be sold before new parks are developed.

Before the Bakken boom, properties were typically on the market for three to 18 months, depending upon the project. At the height of the boom, in 2012-13, Reichert said most things were sold or leased in 90 days or less.

Youre not going to be doing that anymore, said Reichert, adding that a booming market cant go on forever.

Its not good for market long term, said Reichert, estimating that, if it had gone longer, Bismarck would have seen similar circumstances to what happened in places such as California and Arizona, where prices inflated fast resulting in a market that crashed.

The downside would not have been good," he said. We didnt overbuild.

Even when it appeared a lot of apartments were going up, Bismarck-Mandan did not double in size as did smaller towns in the oil patch.

Reichert said there had been a need for more apartments in the area prior to the boom so present building did enough to fill the gap.

If another 3,000 units had been built, we'd be having problems, he said.
As owner of this blog, I bear no responsibility to what other contributors/bloggers may post. I encourage all to speak freely without indulging in libel or defamatory content. Anyone who feels offended by any posting can email me and I will remove the offending article if appropriate. Contact me at redbeansg@yahoo.com redbean
Boy Scouts came together on Saturday for one of their biggest fundraisers of the year: Christmas tree pick-up.

This is the 41st year Napa Boy Scout troops, eight in total, have gotten together to collect and dispose of the trees, according to Paul Bartelt, the advancement chairman for the Boy Scouts of AmericaSilverado District.

The tree pick-up not only provides a way for Napa residents to dispose of their trees in an environmentally sound way, but also raises money for the scouts so they can attend things like Scout Camp.

Matthew Vandenburg, 15, Troop 25, has been helping with the event for as long as he can remember, he said. Even as a Cub Scout, he tagged along to help. Vandenburg said that the event teaches him and other scouts the importance of hard work and dedication. The evidence of his hard work was on his face, which was covered in dirt from collecting the trees.

He and Austin Michie, 13, also with Troop 25, were delivering trees to Skyline Park, which served as the drop-off and chipping location for trees collected from the southern half of Napa. Michie said that he thinks people are thankful for the service.

Many of the boys have participated in the event for years, but Scout Master Mike Madsen, Troop 159, said it was his first time.

I think this is probably our biggest fundraiser of the year, he said. Since they began collecting at 9 a.m., Madsen said that a steady stream of trees continued to be brought into the location at the park. More trees keep getting put out to the curb even after they go through the neighborhood, he said, so they make sure to hit each neighborhood a few times.

Each trip, theres more and more trees that we find out there, he said. Some people may have either forgotten to put their trees out or didnt realize the event was today and only remember after the Scouts pick-up a neighbors tree, Madsen added.

The amount that people have donated has been phenomenal, he said. Although the donations havent been calculated yet, he thought it would be a decent amount of money.

At the north Napa location at St. Johns Lutheran Church, John Adams, Troop 2, said he expected fewer donations than previous years.

Adams has participated in the tree collection and disposal event for the past nine years, and he noticed fewer trees being collected this year compared to other years.

I think this is going to be a light year, he said, adding that some people may have already disposed of trees themselves if they didnt want to wait until Jan. 9.

Adams also suspects that more people are using artificial trees. Even so, its a full-day affair, he said.

The day may not be over for the Scouts until 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., he said. And thats a good thing. It teaches them hard work, gives them a sense of community involvement and gets them out of the house and away from video games, Adams said.

Its a win-win, Adams said, explaining that there is less waste that needs to be collected in the city, its a convenience for Napans and that the tree chippings are turned into compost.

His son, Dylan, 15, said that he enjoys getting together with the other Scouts, collecting the trees and the satisfaction that comes with doing a good deed.

In addition to the experience, Dylan Adams said that the event is a good way to earn community service hours and to earn money for Scout Camp. The money may also be used for supplies like tents, sleeping bags and cooking stoves, he said, adding that its important because some Scouts may not be able to buy these items themselves.

Some scouts cant afford it, so this helps lower-income families pay for that, he said. Going camping with the Scouts is his favorite part of being a Boy Scout, he said. He said he enjoys seeing nature and getting away from the city.

Trent Mooers, 16, Troop 83, said that camping out was one of his favorite things as well and that he never did it before becoming a Scout. The Scouts have taught him how to be prepared as well as care for the environment. Mooers is one rank away from being an Eagle Scout.

Mooers, who was wearing a neon yellow vest, helps move Christmas trees off the trucks and hitched trailers every year. We usually have a pretty good turnout, he said. Its a great way to help the community.

It was drizzling for part of the day, but the Scouts continued on; the event went on rain or shine, Bartelt said.

Theyre working pretty hard for very little money, he said of the Scouts. There are usually between 4,000 and 5,000 trees collected and recycled, he said. For the first time in 40 years, though, the suggested donation amount was raised from $5 to $10. Bartelt said that, with all the expenses involved, the money wasnt going very far.

In addition to the Scouts, leaders and parents who help out, Pacific Tree Care provides chippers and operators for the event.

Its a big operation, Bartelt said, but its more about doing a community service project, getting together with all your friends and just having a good time.
Strep throat can occur at any age, but its most commonly seen in school-age children and adolescents. Symptoms may include a severe sore throat, painful swallowing, bad breath, fever, tender and swollen glands in the neck, headache, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Is it necessary to get medical treatment?

Untreated, strep throat can lead to ear infections, sinus infections or abscesses around the tonsils or in lymph nodes in the back of the throat or neck. It also can lead to rheumatic fever, a serious condition that affects the joints and heart.

How long should I wait before calling my primary health care provider?

Early treatment, within 24 to 48 hours of developing symptoms, may help a child feel better sooner and will stop the spread of the disease faster. Strep throat must be treated with an appropriate antibiotic to prevent rheumatic fever.

What will a primary health care provider do for a child?

A primary health care provider will check a child's temperature and look at the throat with a light. A child with strep throat may have red, swollen tonsils, a red, bumpy tongue that looks like the outside of a strawberry and white or yellowish spots in the back of the throat. The primary health care provider will seek confirmation of strep throat by touching the back of the throat lightly with a culture swab, which will be sent to a laboratory to get results. If the test is positive, the primary health care provider will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic.

What can be done at home?

Make sure a child takes the antibiotic as directed and finishes all of it, even if he or she starts feeling better. To relieve pain and fever, try acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Have the child drink lots of liquids to soothe the throat and prevent dehydration. Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your child's room.

When can a child return to school or day care?

Strep throat is contagious and is spread from person to person. Most often, children with strep throat can return to school or day care after they have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours and no longer have a fever.

(Ayesha Mughal, a board-certified family medicine physician, sees patients at Sanford Seventh & Thayer Clinic. Mughal completed her medical degree at Mayo Hospital in Pakistan and her residency at the University of North Dakota Center for Family Medicine in Bismarck.)
AMERICAN CANYON  Napa Valleys animal rescue operation is looking for a permanent home, and American Canyon may have the perfect spot.

Last month, the city was approached by the Wildlife Rescue Center of Napa County about a parcel of undeveloped land near the wetlands known as Clarke Ranch.

The nonprofit organization, which has been around for 25 years, has never had a permanent place of its own to hold, rehabilitate, and release back into the wild wounded, sick or orphaned animals and birds.

Instead, it has had to rely on a Napa veterinary and the homes of numerous volunteers to care for the hundreds of creatures it takes in each year.

So the rescue centers vice president, John Comisky, made a pitch to the City Council just before the holiday break about building a facility at Clarke Ranch.

Were hoping Clarke Ranch is a possibility, said Comisky, that there would be a spot out there (for us).

Comisky said the new facility, which would include an animal hospital and visitor center to conduct education and outreach, would require 3-5 acres of space.

Clarke Ranch is approximately 20-25 acres in size, but cannot be developed for private use and must be reserved for public benefit, according to the terms the city agreed to when it bought the land back in the 1990s.

City leaders reacted favorably to the rescue centers proposal, and said they would include the organization in discussions expected to take place this year to create a master plan for Clarke Ranch.

I think that would be a great match, said City Manager Dana Shigley. Its exactly the kind of thing that would be good out there.

Councilman Mark Joseph agreed, saying: Conceptually, its an exciting idea, and seems consistent with the role weve talked about for Clarke Ranch.

Comisky said his organization was still in the early stages of launching a capital campaign to raise money for building the new center.

He added that his group is talking to other communities in addition to American Canyon about locating the facility somewhere once they have the funds to break ground.

The rescue center helped nearly 1,200 birds and animals last year, according to Comisky.

That work was largely done out of peoples homes functioning as satellite care centers where everything from squirrels and skunks to foxes and turkey vultures were nursed, fed, exercised and prepared for returning back to their natural habitats.

We handle all animal life but are prohibited from handling big game animals, said Comisky about his organization, which is licensed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and permitted through the U.S. Department of the Interiors Fish and Wildlife Division to rehabilitate migratory birds.

We cant handle wild cats or bears, he added. We can handle fawns but not adult deer.

The center gets help from Silverado Veterinary Hospital in Napa, which performs intake services on birds and wild animals brought in by residents.

But it is the only operation of its kind in the area to carry out its mission without a real base of operation.

At this time, Napa County is the only North Bay county that does not have a physical wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, according to the groups website.
In the place I grew up, farms have given way to suburbs. Even in the relatively old and settled part of the county where I lived, it was still possible to see fields and silos and barns when I was a boy. But while I was in high school, the last farm in the Fairfax County was plowed under for a subdivision, and the relentless pressure of urban sprawl moved across the county line to devour more acres of Virginia farmland.

The nearby cities, meanwhile, were in a slump. Except for a small historic and tourist district along the Potomac River, Alexandria was a fairly gritty place, with an old army logistics station and an aging stock of post-World War II housing developments and shopping centers.

Washington, D.C. was worse off, practically on its knees. Outside the gleaming marble confines of the federal government, much of the District of Columbia looked like a bombed-out mess. The once-glorious Willard Hotel was shuttered and plastered in posters and graffiti, providing a grotesque gateway to 14th Street, which had once been a fashionable shopping district, but was by the 1970s lined with pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, and decay.

Large swaths of D.C. remained literally burned out, a formerly vibrant urban black community left unrepaired since the riots in 1968 after the assassination of Martin Luther King. Even Capitol Hill was a bedraggled place, a collection of aging townhouses, build in the post-Civil War boom times but lately occupied by poor Southern white families who had come north during and after World War II looking for work, giving the area an incongruous touch of country in the shadow of the Capitol building.

That was the geography of my youth. For all the glory of the monuments and federal intuitions, the D.C. area felt and functioned like a rural backwater, devoid of the culture, hustle, and excitement that characterized bigger urban centers of the North and the West Coast.

Now when I return to the area, I find myself lost. I can usually still navigate Northern Virginia and downtown D.C. by following street signs. But there are many times when I look up and, although I know where I am on the map, I have no visual reference point, no mental geography to explain where I am.

It is extremely disorienting, and becomes more so every time I visit the area.

By most measures, the changes have made it a more interesting metro area. The old black-white racial complexion of the region has exploded into a wild tapestry of communities  Afghan, Ethiopian, Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Vietnamese, Filipino, and on and on.

The restaurant culture has boomed. No longer is D.C. a city of bland cafeterias and coffee houses, but rather a mecca for great chefs, interesting ethnic cuisine, and adventurous eaters and drinkers.

The formerly blasted urban landscapes of the city and its inner suburbs are revived  the Willard is restored to its former glory and 14th Street is again a vibrant shopping district. The battle scars of the 1968 riots are gone, replaced by restaurants, shops, and renovated theaters that once featured the royalty of black performers. Capitol Hill is a bustling center of young professionals and families, the townhouses and shopping streets returned to their 19th century vigor.

And yet with this surge of growth and renewal has come vast change. The inner-city working class, both black and white, has been pushed to the outer suburbs. Housing costs have soared  there is next to no chance I could afford to buy back the Capitol Hill townhouse I sold in 2001. D.C.s small Chinatown is now merely a facade on a bland, overdeveloped district of chain stores around the new downtown convention center, devoid of Chinese people and the stores and restaurants they once patronized.

Some other great historic institutions have been chased out of business  any longtime resident of the area will lament the loss of places like Blackies House of Beef, the Dixie Pig, and the Hot Shoppes diner chain.

So is the metro area better or worse? I dont have any particular desire to return there. I remember what it was, and the new D.C. has nothing to do with me or the place I grew up anymore. But for many residents and newcomers, the excitement and prosperity make it a far more desirable place to live than it was decades ago. Where once it was a place outsiders came to work for the military or federal government for a few years and then returned home, now it is a place where people come and gladly stay.

The other day, I was talking with a reader whose family has lived here in Napa for five generations. She grew up in Napa and watched her neighborhood change from an isolated rural outlier on the eastern fringe into a densely packed residential neighborhood. She doesnt like what she sees, and shes not alone.

From one end of the county to the other, I encounter people who have watched with a mix of amazement and dismay the way the landscape and towns of Napa Valley have changed  they know where they are on the map, but they often dont recognize the scenery before them.

On the other hand, I find this a wonderful place to live as it is now. Its a refreshing change from the big city grit of D.C., Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, where I had lived previously.

But at the same time, I understand the long-timers disorientation in the face of change. Although we didnt necessarily cause the change, those of us who are relative newcomers to the valley need to remember that we are part of that change, and honor the fact that there are those who mourn for the places in which they grew up.
At Indian Springs, the birthplace of Calistoga, on the morning of Jan. 6, residents, dignitaries and history lovers gathered to mark the citys 130th anniversary of incorporation.

Sam Brannan, as played by Dean Enderlin, shared some of Brannans history as the founder of the city.

He read a letter written Oct. 9, 1869, to the editor of The Elevator, an African-American newspaper, about the writer following his or her doctors instructions to visit Calistoga for health improvement. The letter was signed JPD.

Its a little mystery. We dont know who he is, Enderlin (as Brannan) said.

Mayor Chris Canning opened up a question-and-answer period for audience members to ask Brannan questions, including one Canning threw out himself. He asked Brannan, who is sometimes reflected in history as a bit of a scoundrel, what led to Brannans divorce.

Brannan didnt go into details but did say that his wife wanted cash in the divorce settlement, and though he was a landowner of a great deal of property, the nation was in what is now called the Long Depression and he was unable to sell property to satisfy the settlements demands.

Some of Brannans property was taken by the Sacramento Savings Bank, and Brannan told the gathered group that if some of them, as property owners, looked back at their deeds they might see the banks name on there.

Other speakers included Alan Rogers of Sharpsteen Museum, who asked through a series of calls for people to stand if they had been involved as a volunteer, docent, or member of the museum. By the time he was done, most of the room was standing.

Supervisor Diane Dillon shared her love of history, and she has been studying the history of the Board of Supervisors. Early on supervisors represented three districts, she said, that were divided into townships. Calistoga was originally known as the Hot Springs Township, she said.

Mike Kirn, interim city manager and public works director, said he did a little math and determined that the council, once called trustees, held about 3,900 council meetings since the incorporation and at an average of two hours per meeting, there have been 7,800 hours of government service provided.

In the early 1880s Calistogas city leaders  following the lead of St. Helena  recognized that for the city to grow, a formal cityhood was necessary. Calistogans put the matter on the ballot Dec. 23, 1885, and it passed almost unanimously. Prior to Calistogas incorporation on Jan. 6, 1886, the first Anglo settlers arrived in 1840; the Hot Springs Resort was created in 1862; and the Napa Valley Railroad Co. was established in 1868.

Calistoga held an all-day party when it turned 125 that included music, food and games during an extended farmers market that stretched across the Napa River into Pioneer Park.

Carl Sherrill performed a song, 125 Years Ago, that he wrote about Calistoga history for the event that was performed by local singing group Vocal Color.

The post office marked the event with a special cancellation stamp, and the community pool offered a special discounted admission of $1.25, a symbolic nod.

For the 130th celebration, a brochure highlighting the history of some of the citys buildings  information compiled by Kent Domogalla  is available at the Visitors Center, 1133 Washington St. When a brochure holder visits the stores and restaurants marked with an asterisk, those merchants will stamp the brochure (no purchase is necessary). Collect five stamps between now and Jan. 10 and earn a chance to win a swag bag with gift certificates from participating merchants such as Calistoga Roastery, which will include a coffee mug with a gift certificate. Wine, of course, is also on the list for the swag bag.

Participating merchants include Lincoln Avenue Spa, Blackbird of Calistoga, Boskos Restaurant, Huge Bear Wine, All Seasons Bistro, Hydro Grill, Funkes, CalMart, and Calistoga Inn Restaurant and Brewery.
Micro and macro economics are the two sides of the same coin.There is close interdependence between the two.We cannot analyse the in...
<img class="wp-image-591269 size-large" style="border:2px solid #000000;" src="https://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/gettyimages-503932600.jpg?quality=80&w=635" alt="Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton gestures while speaking with her supporters and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected officials on January 7, 2016 in San Gabriel, California, to discuss what's at stake for the AAPI community. AFP PHOTO/FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)" width="635" height="384" title="Hillarys EmailGate Goes Nuclear" />



Back in October I told you that Hillary Clintons email troubles were anything but over, and that the scandal over her misuse of communications while she was Secretary of State was sure to get worse. Sure enough, EmailGate continues to be a thorn in the side of Hillarys presidential campaign and may have just entered a new, potentially explosive phase with grave ramifications, both political and legal.

The latest court-ordered dump of her email, just placed online by the State Department, brings more troubles for Team Hillary. This release of over 3,000 pages includes 66 Unclassified messages that the State Department subsequently determined actually were classified; however, all but one of those 66 were deemed Confidential, the lowest classification level, while one was found to be Secret, bringing the total of Secret messages discovered so far to seven.

In all, 1,340 Hillary emails at State have been reassessed as classified.

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There are gems here. Its hard to miss the irony of Hillary expressing surprise about a State Department staffer using personal email for work, which the Secretary of State noted in her own personal email. More consequential was Hillarys ordering a staffer to send classified talking points for a coming meeting via a non-secure fax machine, stripped of their classification markings.

This appears to be a clear violation of Federal law and the sort of thing that is a career-ender, or worse, for normals. The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee termed that July 2011 incident disturbing, and so it is to anyone acquainted with U.S. Government laws and regulations regarding the handling of classified material.

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But the biggest problem may be in a just-released email that has gotten little attention here, but plenty on the other side of the world. An email to Hillary from a close Clinton confidant late on June 8, 2011 about Sudan turns out to have explosive material in it.

This message includes a detailed intelligence report from Sid Blumenthal, Hillarys close friend, confidant, and factotum, who regularly supplied her with information from his private intelligence service.

His usual source was Tyler Drumheller, a former CIA senior official and veteran spy-gadfly, who conveniently died just before EmailGate became a serious problem for Hillarys campaign.

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However, the uncredited June 8 memo, which Mr. Blumenthal labeled as Confidential  his personal classification system, apparently  but which the State Department has labeled Unclassified, doesnt appear to be from Drumheller, whose assessments were written just like CIA intelligence reports. This is not.

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Remarkably, the report emailed to Hillary by sbwhoeop, which was Mr. Blumenthals email handle, explains how Sudans government devised a clandestine plan, in coordination with two rebel generals, to secure control of oil reserves in the disputed region of Abyei. This is juicy, front-page stuff, straight out of an action movie, about a region of Africa thats of high interest to the American and many other governments, and the report is astonishingly detailed.

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Its information comes from a high-ranking source with direct access to Sudans top military and intelligence officials, and Mr. Blumenthals write-up repeatedly states the sources  there turn out to be more than one  are well-placed and credible, with excellent access. Its the usual spytalk boilerplate when you want the reader to understand this is golden information, not just gossip or rumors circulating on the street, what professionals dismiss as RUMINT.

Needless to add, this is generating a lot of talk in Sudan, where the media is asking about this shady affair  and how Sid Blumenthal, whos not exactly an old Africa hand, knew all about it.

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But the most interesting part is that the report describes a conversation in confidence that happened on the evening of June 7, just one day before Mr. Blumenthal sent the report to Secretary Clinton. It begs the imagination to think that Sids private Intelligence operation, which was just a handful of people, had operators who were well placed in Sudan with top-level spy accessable to get this secret information, place it in a decently written assessment with proper espionage verbiage, and pass it all back to Washington, DC, inside 24 hours. That would be a feat even for the CIA, which has stations and officers all over Africa.

In fact, the June 8, 2011 Blumenthal report doesnt read like CIA material at all. In other words human intelligence or HUMINT, but very much like signals intelligence or SIGINT. (For the differences see here). I know what SIGINT reports look like, because I used to write them for the National Security Agency, Americas biggest source of intelligence. SIGINT reports, which Ive read thousands of, have a very distinct style and flavor to them and Blumenthals write-up matches it, right down to the Source Comments, which smack very much of NSA reporting and its house rules.

But is this an NSA assessment? If so, it would have to be classified at least Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information, a handling caveat that applies to most SIGINT, and quite possibly Top Secret/SCI, the highest normal classification we have. In that case, it was about as far from Unclassified as its possible for an email to be.

No surprise NSA is aflutter this weekend over this strange matter. One Agency official expressed to me at least 90 percent confidence that Mr. Blumenthals June 8 report was derived from NSA reports, and the Agency ought to be investigating the matter right now.

There are many questions here. How did Sid Blumenthal, who had no position in the U.S. Government in 2011, and hasnt since Bill Clinton left the White House fifteen years ago, possibly get his hands on such highly classified NSA reporting? Why did he place it an open, non-secure email to Hillary who, after all, had plenty of legitimate access as Secretary of State to intelligence assessments from all our spy agencies? Moreover, how did the State Department think this was Unclassified and why did it release it to the public?

Its possible this Blumenthal report did not come from NSA, but perhaps from another, non-American intelligence agency  but whose? If Sid was really able to get top-level intelligence like this for Hillary, using just his shoestring operation, and get it into her hands a day later, with precise information about the high-level conspiracy that was just discussed over in Sudan, the Intelligence Community needs to get him on our payroll stat. Hes a pro at the spy business.
*" ...But we have crossed millions of miles of nothingness. We have visited another world. And our Locar had said `Why bother? What is the wo...

4 years ago
Opinions and analyses on US and global security presented by H. Ross Kawamura: a foreign policy commentator; an advocate for liberal interventionism and robust defense policy; a watchful guardian of a world order led by the USA, Europe, and Japan.
U.S. is considering plan to co-produce weapons with Taiwan

Poland to buy K239 Chunmoo from South Korea

Air defense system repels several missile attacks by Ukrainian troops at Kakhovskaya HPP

Baku court does not definitively terminate criminal prosecution of Yunus spouses

Liz Truss has no plans to resign

CSTO countries agree on draft agreement on standardization of military equipment

EU countries agree to sanction eight people and organizations over Iranian drones

Congressman David Price meets with rector of Yerevan State University

Chairman of Amsterdam City Court visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan

ASPU supports process of unification of universities

Deputy Chief of Police on new draft law: 'Citizen of Azerbaijan' is extremely relative notion

Benny Gantz: Israel will not supply weapons to Ukraine

Saudi Arabia lifts ban on Turkish soap operas

Armenia lawyer arrested

Remains discovered during renovation of Ministry of Culture building in Tbilisi are transferred to Armenian Pantheon

Dollar goes up, euro falls in Armenia

IRGC special forces conduct helicopter operations on third day of exercises on border with Azerbaijan

MFA: France position on achieving Armenia-Azerbaijan peace is unchanged

Foreign Minister: Iran will not allow blocking its communications with Armenia

Kremlin: Russia does not intend to close borders amid introduction of martial law in four regions

EU mission delegation visits some border communities of Armenias Gegharkunik Province (PHOTOS)

Armenias Papikyan attends defense ministers assembly in India

Brusov university rector: Armenia education minister offered me a high position in new university, I declined

Putin imposes martial law in new territories of Russia

Yerevan to host Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting

Putin holds meeting of Security Council

Armenia MOD spox: Azerbaijan still preventing search operations

Iran announces retaliatory sanctions against EU

Russian Defense Ministry reports on strike on military facilities in Ukraine

Artsakh Foreign Minister receives Ruben Vardanyan

Israel calls Australia's refusal to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel 'pathetic decision'

Armenia to tighten penalties for overloading of trucks

Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey army elite units conduct demonstration military drills

Luxembourg parliament speaker: Azerbaijan aggression is direct attack on Armenia sovereignty

Russia Investigative Committee chief confirms theory of Crimean Bridge explosion accomplices

Uruguay vice president: We express our solidarity with Armenian people

GeoProMining's ZCMC has tripled tax payments to the state budget of Armenia

Yerevan judge to be arrested

Paul Krekorian unanimously elected as LA City Council President

ThePrint: Armenia eyes procuring Akash missiles, loitering munitions from India

Armenia MP to international colleagues: Azerbaijan intends to carry out new aggression

Ukraine military hits Energodar city hall

Armenia PM: We hope Azerbaijan will cooperate in clarifying destiny of our compatriots

Newspaper: Where is 1991 declaration by which Armenia, Azerbaijan once recognized each other's territorial integrity?

Azerbaijan fires at Armenia positions at midnight

PACE lawmakers call for Azerbaijan militarys immediate withdrawal from Armenia

Australia reverses decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel capital

Armenia MPs meet with European Parliament colleagues, reflect on recent Azerbaijan attack

Nouriel Roubini: In some sense, World War III has already started

EU considers paying Elon Musk to provide Starlink Internet to Ukraine

U.S. will continue to take practical, aggressive steps to make it difficult for Iran to sell drones to Russia

German Prosecutor's Office searches Deutsche Bank headquarters

Head of Germany's national cybersecurity agency fired amid reports of ties to Russia

Uruguayan Chamber of Deputies condemns Azerbaijan's invasion of Armenian territory

Spanish minister: EU is far from solution to energy crisis

Fake Azerbaijani names of Syunik province communities removed from Google Maps and Google Earth apps

Artsakh President presents details of meetings held in Yerevan to MPs

Lavrov: Russia sees no point in maintaining its previous presence in Western countries

UAE: OPEC+ decision has no political motive

Opposition to David Price: Right to self-determination is the right of people of Artsakh to survive

Iran is ready to negotiate with Ukraine to resolve ambiguities

Deputy Speaker of Armenian National Assembly: 47 PACE deputies made written statement condemning Baku's aggression

Lapid will discuss Kiev request for Israeli systems with Kuleba

Morawiecki: Poland is not afraid of losing EU funds

Armenian President meets with Sofia Mayor

Speaker of Armenian National Assembly to Norway FM: Withdrawal of Azerbaijani Armed Forces from Armenia is a priority

Nikol Pashinyan receives delegation headed by Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt

Iran responds to Borrell's garden and jungle statement: EU needs to accept realities or it will continue to wither

Pashinyan: No one can accuse Armenia of evading its obligations

Congressman: U.S. was not active in terms of security in Armenia, but now situation is changing

Indian defense company Solar group says it has received orders from Armenia for 'Pinaka' missiles

Price: U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan will not be used for offensive purposes against Armenia

Military expert assesses possibility of new hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Russian Embassy: Armenians' attitude towards Russians who moved to Armenia remains very friendly

Clarification by Price: What Could Armenian-American military cooperation look like?

Armenian Defense Minister visits DEFEXPO exhibition in India

President of Artsakh talks about results of discussions held in Armenia

Borrell angers UAE with his comparison of world outside Europe to 'jungle'

Public Council formed in Artsakh

China Daily: Party's anti-graft efforts generate fruitful outcomes

Price: We demand that Azerbaijan return to its initial positions

Aghajanyan: This visit should be seen as another stage in dynamic development of Armenian-American relations

Ukraine will officially ask Israel for transfer of air defense systems

Head of National Assembly Commission: 2023 state budget turned out to be biggest in Armenia's history

Turkey conducts test launch of its own ballistic missile over Black Sea

Students of Brusov State University hold protest outside building of Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia

Armenia MFA: Yerevan has always openly and publicly stated its position on dialogue with Turkey

Military exercises of IRGC Ground Forces on border with Azerbaijan continue for second day in Iran

Blinken accuses China of violating status quo on Taiwan

Armenian Foreign Minister: We see Azerbaijan's unconstructive behavior

Izvestia: European banks stop accepting SWIFT-transfers from Russia

Mirzoyan calls on Cavusoglu to speak for himself

Norwegian FM visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and pays tribute to victims of Genocide

Mirzoyan: We need to understand to what extent CSTO recognizes this aggression against Armenia

MFA: Armenian authorities apply to OSCE to send observers to border with Azerbaijan

NYT: Conflict between Turkey and Greece may cause split of NATO

Ararat Mirzoyan Details of peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan were presented to Norwegian FM

Price of gas in Europe drops to almost $1,200 per 1,000 cubic meters for first time since June

Armenian Defense Minister meets with his Indian counterpart

First images of damage to Nord Stream are published
As the Bismarck City Commission looks for $228 million to upkeep roads as well as build new ones, Mayor Mike Seminary has proposed placing a second penny sales tax question on the June 14 ballot.

Some opponents of the proposal have expressed concern that scare tactics are being used to influence the public into supporting such a move.

The debate will be moving to the next level as the Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce will be holding forums to educate the public about road needs, funding options and the bleak outlook for the existing city sales tax. A Feb. 11 meeting has been scheduled at the National Energy Center of Excellence at Bismarck State College.

The 90-minute meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Basin Electric Auditorium, starting with a presentation and followed by an open floor to the public.

Controversial report

City staff, which released a report on predicted shortfalls and outlined funding options for addressing the issue, estimated in December that the sales tax deficit will reach $5.8 million in late 2017 and spike to $20 million by 2020.

Dwight Wrangham, a Burleigh County resident who owns property in Bismarck, counters the figures by saying the city doesn't have a revenue problem: It has a spending problem.

Cutting spending was not one of the alternative solutions presented by city staff, and their projections "are merely scare tactics,'" he said.

"If a new sales tax is necessary, it shouldn't be," Wrangham said. "Monies have been spent on other things not as much of a priority as roads and infrastructure."

Data provided by city staff favored a new 1 cent sales tax increase to raise an additional $17 million for roads over other funding methods, including new developer fees, steeper utility fees, higher property taxes and a local gas tax. Seminary said much of the existing sales tax revenue is being swallowed up by the buy-down of 25 mills in property taxes, the operation of snow gates, offsetting special assessments, road upkeep and matching federal funds for road projects.

If voters approved a new city sales tax, that revenue could be used in the 2017 budget planning process, said Seminary, who added that the road projects need to be addressed in the next 10 years and have been prioritized on the city's capital improvement plan and growth management plan.

"I have yet to hear anybody else come up with an idea on how we do this. How do we do the roads, and how do we pay for them?" asked Seminary, adding that delays will result in increased costs.

He said discussion is early about road infrastructure needs and the sales tax is just one of the funding options. He said delaying the road projects to trim the budget amounts to "kicking the can down the road, which is not a sustainable approach."

Involving the chamber in holding forums is not a conflict of interest, said Seminary, who wants to hear comment from area residents.

"The chamber has a long history of getting involved in important public decisions," said Seminary, adding that he is confident the chamber can make impartial presentations on road conditions and options. "They can be very objective."

"Our board has not taken a position," said Kelvin Hullet, president of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce. "We have assembled a group of financial experts to review the city's budget and recommendations from the city's growth management plan. We assembled that group and will provide information and look at alternatives to funding roads and streets."

The chamber holds an interest in city issues and infrastructure key to Bismarck's success, Hullet said.

Brad Ballweber, vice president and treasurer of Northern Improvement Co., a construction company located at 3320 E. Century Ave., said he is undecided about a second sales tax and needs to hear more information. "I have not heard all of the pluses and minuses. .... I know there is a great need, but I don't know what the funding mechanism should be," he said.

Commissioners sound off

Bismarck city commissioners come down on both sides of the issue.

A mix of methods should be used to pay for the road projects, said Commissioner Nancy Guy, who added that road funding should not rely solely on property taxes because non-property owners also use the street systems.

Guy said she sees two choices for residents: more sales tax revenue or more property tax revenue. The forums will tell the commission what residents are willing to take on, said Guy, adding that she trusts city staff's reports about funding and road needs.

"I am confident we are not spending road maintenance money frivolously," said Guy, adding that trimming the budget would not be enough. "There might be something to trim, but it would not cover our needs."

She said a delay might be worth looking at in some projects.

"It's not something I want to speculate at, but, in my experience, delaying things only makes them more expensive," Guy said.

Commissioner Josh Askvig said the funding of roads has been an ongoing problem for years and that he is open to hearing feedback from the public on how to deal with the sales tax shortfall.

"It's not a new issue; it's come up in the last couple of budgets," he said. "There is a need to make a decision, and that conversation needs to happen soon.

"Trimming the budget might be part of the equation, but that's why we need the public input meetings  should we trim the projects or how do we fund the projects if they feel the need is there?" Askvig said.

Commissioner Steve Marquardt said he opposes an additional penny road sales tax.

"I don't think the climate we are in  oil down, ag down and commodity prices (low)  that nobody wants to pay more taxes," Marquardt said.

Instead, road projects need to be prioritized, said Marquardt, who added that he is interested in hearing public feedback on the matter.

"We have to work through the budget better with a fine-tooth comb,'" Marquardt said.

While the recent staff reports on the health of the sales tax were not intended to be scare tactics, Commissioner Parrell Grossman said they could come off that way.

Grossman opposes raising the sales tax as the economy softens.

"I am strongly opposed to raising the sales tax at this time for any reason, including for roads. ... I am very concerned about the impact of a sales tax increase on our elderly citizens on fixed incomes," he said.

"I am not at this time endorsing any of the options without further exploration or consideration. ... The mentioned large fee increases for property taxes, lot development fees, fuel taxes, are very unrealistic. For instance, some of the suggestions, like a 90 percent property tax increase, are unnecessarily provocative and agitate Bismarck citizens," said Grossman, pointing out that at least one project could be delayed or avoided altogether  a controversial proposal to add an interchange at 66th Street.

Grossman said he expects any balloted tax question would be defeated.

"There has been almost no discussion about the possibility of eliminating, reducing or delaying projects," he said. "I do not believe the city absolutely requires all of the $228 million road improvements in the next five to 10 years. It is a wonderful wish list, and now we need to be realistic.

"It is a complicated problem that requires more solutions than simply suggesting more taxes or other fees. The discussion about eliminating or reducing projects should not be the last resort and needs to occur sooner rather than later," he said.

Dustin Gawrylow, managing director of the North Dakota Watchdog Network, stressed that something is awry with city spending.

"The policy put into place is now unsustainable. There has to be an evaluation of how we got here before the city asks for more. What is the guarantee that another 1 cent sales tax is enough? Will they need another 1 cent sales tax in 10 years?" asked Gawrylow, adding the rate of growth should pay for itself.

"I think we have to evaluate why current revenue is not keeping up with demand," he said.
Oil patch city officials say they have substantial debts to pay off due to rapid growth in recent years but are well positioned to avoid the mistakes of the 1980s as a period of belt-tightening amid low oil prices begins.

Leaders in Williston and Watford City say, by spreading their debt through various methods, they should be able to pay back large bonds, loans and other debts incurred from rapid infrastructure build out without substantial problems.

I think our plan is solid so long as we take a hard look going into 2016 as far as not taking on any additional debt unless absolutely necessary, Williston Mayor Howard Klug said.

Williston city commissioners have a budget meeting Jan. 19 and should have a plan by the end of the month to address potential cutbacks. Options include not filling some city staff positions and delaying some construction projects.

Were still in catch-up mode when you look at what weve been doing in the last five years, Klug said, adding that millions in surge funding provided by the Legislature has put the city in a better position for when oil prices recover.

Williston Auditor John Kautzman said, as of Dec. 31, the citys debt was at approximately $214.8 million.

Of this, about $85.6 million is in sales tax revenue tied to bond issues for major city projects. An additional $74.3 million is tied to the citys wastewater treatment plant expansion and sewer projects, while $14.9 million is for water improvements.

Another $38 million is tied to special assessments to landowners as a result of new or improved infrastructure being placed in front of homes and businesses. About $1.4 million is through general obligation bonding, which is spread among the citys entire tax base.

We have substantial debt on the books right now, Kautzman said.

One option to raise revenue, if needed, is to boost the citys water and landfill rates, which he said are lower than elsewhere in the state.

There would seem to be room for an adjustment, said Kautzman, who conceded the potential downside could be a backlash from residents.

Klug said a change from the 1980s is that the city requires developers to put in infrastructure rather than doing it themselves. In the 1980s after the city built infrastructure, oil activity vanished, leaving Williston a debt of about $27.5 million that took 15 years to repay.

We dont have any of that. I dont foresee us having to step in, Klug said.

Stanley Mayor Gary Weisenberger said he believes the city is in a safe position despite having about $8 million in bond debt and revenue collections having slowed down in recent months.

"Its probably about as high as its ever been, Weisenberger said of the citys debt. Im not going to say nothing can happen, but weve been pretty conservative.

Weisenberger said the city, like others in the oil patch, has been having developers put in their infrastructure in order to not be holding the bag in the event of a bust.

Our infrastructures in pretty good shape right now, Weisenberger said, adding that the city has three major developers still planning projects for this year.

Weisenberger was confident that oil, like agricultural prices, will rebound.

The slowdown is a slowdown. Things go up and go down. Its just that they both hit at the same time, Weisenberger said.

Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford said, despite low oil prices, activity has remained steady in the area. He said the city and countys gross production tax revenue has largely remained on track.

The city has increased its borrowing authority from a few million to about $150 million in order to build infrastructure. Watford City also has spread its debt out.

Im not concerned. I feel the plan is solid, Sanford said.

Four local building projects are expected to cost tens of millions apiece: a new high school, event center, hospital and law enforcement center. Dollars applied to projects so far have come through a combination of bonding, loans and use of a special improvement district near the site of multiple major projects.

About half of the $53 million high school project is to be financed through bonding, while an additional $27 million will be for a special improvement district in the area where the school and the event center will be.

The event center is to be paid for through sales tax dollars and backing through a Bank of North Dakota infrastructure loan program. Wastewater treatment plant expansions are being funded through the State Revolving Fund Program overseen by the North Dakota Public Finance Authority.

McKenzie County also is using a Bank of North Dakota loan for $57 million, theirs being for a new law enforcement center.

The city and county Bank of North Dakota loans are being repaid with oil tax revenue. The hospital project is being paid for by state and federal loans as well as sales tax and private dollars.

Weve really tapped all the (different) programs. There was a lot of creativity, Sanford said. We know this thing could turn around at some point."

North Dakota Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger agreed.

I think the cities have done quite well in what theyre doing. It will be up to these cities and counties to prioritize, Rauschenberger said.

The state also is set for potential belt-tightening, with a new budget revenue forecast due later this month. He said revenue could only climb so high and the decline is a sort of leveling off.

I would say were kind of in our new normalization, Rauschenberger said.

Klug said an important thing to remember is that oil prices will eventually rebound. Hundreds of wells in the region havent yet been completed by hydraulic fracturing due to low oil prices. He said, when activity picks up, cities such as Williston will benefit.

We know where the oil is. Theyll complete the wells eventually. Its money in the bank, Klug said.
11:52

Following the furore over former information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari admitting that the Raisina Hill incident was reported correctly by the Indian Express in 2012, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, the then Army chief general, dismissed the Congress leader's statement saying 'he has no work these days'.



"Manish Tewari ji has nothing to do these days. There is this book of mine, ask him to read it and everything will be clear to him," the retired Army general told reporters.



Singh was referring to his autobiographical book Courage and Conviction where he has criticised various situations in which he was involved, including alleged corruption in the Indian government and the role of Indira Gandhi in Operation Bluestar.



Earlier, Tewari brushed aside allegations that a news item concerning troops' movement published by the Indian Express was 'fake' and said that it was an 'unfortunate but true' story.



"At that time, I used to serve in the Standing Committee of Defence. And it's unfortunate, but the story was true. The story was correct. I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct," said Tewari.



Questing the timing of the admission made by Tewari, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday said his comments have become a 'suspect' and put the United Progressive Alliance regime under the scanner.



"Manish Tewari's comments raise the question about the timing of the statement. His comments become a suspect. I would only ask why was he quiet when his government had denied that there was anything like this happening when they were in power," BJP leader Siddharthnath Singh said.
DICKINSON  John J. Schmidt, 86, Dickinson, passed away on Jan. 8, 2016, at CHI St. Josephs Health, Dickinson. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. MST Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with the Rev. Shannon Lucht and Monsignor Patrick Schumacher con-celebrating. Burial will take place at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. MST Tuesday at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with a rosary and vigil service being held at 7 p.m. MST.

John J. Schmidt was born in Stark County on June 24, 1929, to John C. Schmidt and Pauline Miller. He was raised on the family farm southwest of South Heart and received his primary education from rural school.

In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving two years as a supply sergeant at Camp Polk, La., and received an honorable discharge. On Oct. 13, 1954, John married Eugenia Jean Wock at St. Josephs Catholic Church. To this union, seven children were born. They began their farm life together, north of Belfield, during which time John continued his education, received his GED and attended vocational agricultural classes at Dickinson State Teachers College. In 1958, they moved to their present farmstead north of South Heart in Dunn County.

John loved all aspects of living in the country. Farming and ranching were dear to his heart, along with the family dairy operation. In his early married years, many Sunday afternoons were spent riding his horse and checking cattle. He enjoyed his hours working in the fields. John was also a gifted mechanic and excellent welder, often helping his neighbors. The early years of farming were challenging, therefore, John supplemented the family income during one bitterly cold winter by helping weld the Cargill cone-shaped elevators that once were on the west side of Dickinson.

He enjoyed listening to old-time music, playing the accordion, guitar and harmonica. He was an avid reader. John was a man of strong faith, a man of many great traits. His greatest love was his wife, Jean, of 61 years. His family was important, and he was very proud of them all. He will truly be missed.

John served on the Dunn County Draft Board and the South Heart Fire Department board of directors for many years, as well as drove school bus for the South Heart District. He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Parish, Eagles Club, Knights of Columbus and American Legion Club.

John is survived by Jean; and his seven children, Noreen (Ken) Kudrna, Dickinson, JoLynn (Dean) Kostelecky, Anoka, Minn., Allan (Joselle), Dickinson, Connie (Mike) Kolling, Dickinson, Lynette (Jim) Buresh, Richmond, Texas, Gordie (Connie), Harvey, and Janell (Mark) Anderson, Bismarck. He was also blessed with 20 grandchildren, Kendra, Jordan, Jaden, Crystal, Jenna, Michaela, Dustin, Landon, Kara, Lance, Lexy, Elissa, Avery, Nolan, Austan, Walker, Cole, Jace, Grant and Nate; and seven great-grandchildren.

Surviving brothers are Edward (Pat), Dickinson, George (Gina), Belfield, Leo (Margaret), San Jose, Calif., and David (Kathy), Belfield. Surviving sisters are Ann (Leonard) Buresh, Fargo, Betty Brinster, Portland, Ore., Leona (Albert) Godlevsky, Manning, Rose (Tony) Wolf, Dickinson, Lena (Dean) Oberlander, Gillette, Wyo., and Edna (Bob) Privratsky, South Heart; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline; infant sister, Alice; one brother, Frank; and one brother-in-law, Eugene Brinster.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.
The United States has maintained that India-Pakistan should go ahead with their upcoming talks and see it through in the interest of regional stability.

According to the Dawn, US Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned Prime Minister Sharif and discussed the probe on the attack on the Air Force base.

The Prime Minister briefed Kerry that Pakistan was swiftly carrying out investigations into Pathankot incident and very soon will reach a conclusion.

He added that the world will see Pakistan's 'effectiveness and sincerity' in the Pathankot attack probe.

Sharif also assured that Pakistan won't allow its soil to be used for terrorism.

Kerry expressed his hoped that the talks between the two hostile nations 'would continue' despite the attack which was meant to thwart the peace process.

Earlier on Thursday, US State Department spokesman John Kirby had said it was up to the Pakistan to determine how long it would take to investigate the attack on the Pathankot air base following information provided by India.

Meanwhile, India is awaiting Pakistan's response on the information provided related to the Pathankot incident which is crucial to the upcoming bilateral talks scheduled for later this month.

India's foreign ministry has said that Islamabad has been given actionable intelligence that those responsible for the planning and execution of the attack had come from Pakistan. (ANI)
"After days of clashes with the Taliban, the rule of law has been maintained," Sanatullah Timor, provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua.

"The joint forces were working to find and defuse roadside bombs and landmines in the area," Timor said.

A total of 25 militants were killed and 20 others wounded during the cleanup operation that started on Friday night, the source said.

"At least 40 suspected Taliban militants have been captured. The cleanup raids will continue until the area is cleared of the militants," Timor added.

A Taliban local leader Kamal Haidari was among the killed, he said.

At least four security personnel sustained injuries during the operation and no civilian casualty was reported throughout the clashes, Timor said.

The Taliban is yet to make any comment.

--Indo-Asian News Service pgh/vt

( 157 Words)

2016-01-10-15:45:35 (IANS)
In wake of two major terror attacks in Punjab in about five months, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday urged the central government to treat the state frontier at par with Jammu and Kashmir for deployment of more BSF troopers to check infiltration from across the border. Badal said that he has asked the union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to deploy adequate number of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel along the international border with Pakistan in Punjab, keeping in view the growing threat of infiltration from the neighbouring country. "In wake of recent terror attacks at Dinanagar (July 27, 2015) and Pathankot (January 2, 2016), the need of the hour is to replicate the formula which was applicable in Jammu and Kashmir in Punjab also to intensify vigil on the border. "Punjab is a national frontier and concerted efforts must be made to beef its security for the sake of protecting unity and integrity of the nation," he said. Though the 553-km long international border in Punjab is barbed wire fenced, infiltration takes place through areas where it is damaged or missing. Infiltrators also take advantage of riverine areas in Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts where floods damage the fencing. The border is guarded by the BSF. Six terrorists from Pakistan, who had attacked the Pathankot air base on January 2, were killed by security forces. Seven security personnel were also killed in the counter offensive. In the July 27 terrorist attack on Dinanagar town in Gurdaspur district, seven people - a police officer, three home guards personnel and three civilians - were killed. Three terrorists were eliminated by security forces. --Indo-Asian News Service js/vd ( 287 Words) 2016-01-10-20:13:35 (IANS)
The biennial conference, which will begin on Monday, will be attended by Naval Chiefs of 32 countries, head of many international maritime organizations, experts and academics from the Indian Ocean countries, and also from America, Europe and East Asia.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Abdul Hamid will inaugurate the symposium, which will be held from January 10-14.

The event seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussing the maritime issues across the region, according to its website.

The previous editions of the symposium were held in India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, and Australia. (ANI)
He also assured the U.S. that Islamabad would not allow anyone to use its soil to conduct terror operations abroad.

"Pakistan is fighting against terrorism, and will not allow anyone to use its soil to conduct terror operations abroad," said the Prime Minister.

During a telephonic conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Prime Sharif said all state institutions are fully committed to eliminate terrorism.

Kerry said the U.S. applauds Prime Minister Sharif's leadership role in the Indo-Pak ties, and hoped that the talks between Islamabad and New Delhi would continue as dialogue is needed for regional stability.

Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, on Saturday said the schedule of talks between foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India is still intact.

Responding to questions by reporters in Lahore, he said the two countries had agreed to hold talks on January 15.

So far, he said, India has neither confirmed nor cancelled the scheduled meeting.

To another question, he said Pakistan wants reduction of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran as terrorists and other forces can exploit their differences.

He said Pakistan would play an active role for defusing the tension. "All the Muslim countries need to play positive roles in this regard." (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Gadkari will call on Mehbooba Mufti at the late chief minister's 'Fairview' residence on the Gupkar Road on Sunday.

"Gadkariji will also meet state party leaders to discuss the formation of new government in the state," BJP state spokesperson Khalid Jahangir told IANS.

A statement issued by the Congress party said Sonia Gandhi will visit Srinagar in the afternoon to offer her condolences to Mehbooba Mufti.

"Sonia Gandhi will fly back to New Delhi today (Sunday) itself. She will visit Gupkar Road residence of the late chief minister in the afternoon to offer condolences to Mehbooba Mufti," a Congress party functionary said.

The fourth day congregational prayers of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed will be offered on Sunday.

The first congregational prayer meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at the grave of the deceased in Dara Shikoh Park in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district.

At 1:30 p.m. another congregational prayer meeting will be held at the Gupkar Road residence of the Muftis in Srinagar.

After battling for his life for 14 days, Sayeed passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on January 7.

Following refusal of Mehbooba Mufti to be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state.

"After reaching concurrence from the president of India, Governor N.N. Vohra issued a notification today to impose Governor's Rule in the state," a Raj Bhavan spokesman said on Saturday.

The Governor's Rule has been imposed retrospectively with effect from January 8.

Last time the state was brought under the Governor's Rule was on December 23, 2014, after the state assembly election results threw up a hung verdict.

--Indo-Asian News Service sq/

( 335 Words)

2016-01-10-07:37:34 (IANS)
Minister of State for External Affairs and former Army chief Gen VK Singh today dismissed the claim of former UPA minister Manish Tewari that the Indian Express story about troops movement towards Delhi on the night of January 16 was true.''Mr Manish Tewari has no other work. Let him read my book. Every thing will be clear,'' Gen Singh told reporters when asked about the statement made by Mr Tewari here last night at a book release function."At that time, I used to serve in the Standing Committee of Defence. And it is unfortunate, but the story was true,'' Mr Tewari said at the function while replying to a question from audience.According to the Indian Express Report, late on the night of January 16, 2012 (the day when the then Army chief Gen VK Singh approached the Supreme Court on his date of birth issue), there was a report from central intelligence agencies about an unexpected and unnotified movement of key Army units from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar (Haryana) in the direction of Delhi, 150 km away.Answering a question from the guests about the Express story, Mr Tewari said,'' to the best of my knowledge the story was true.''The then UPA government had at that time said the story was absolutely baseless. UNI NAZ SV 1028 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-530693.Xml
Chinese personal computer giant Lenovo, which bought Motorola from Google for USD 2.9 billion in 2014, is all set to kill the Motorola smart-phones brand and call it 'Moto by Lenovo'. Motorola, which introduced cell-phones to people the world over in the early 2000s, is set to ride into the sunset, even as its new Chinese parent plans to keep the 'Moto' brand alive. Lenovo, including Motorola, enjoy the fourth position by volume at 9.5 percent and third position by value at 11 percent in India, as per IDC's September quarter findings. The company has often underlined the importance of the Indian market, which now ranks amongst the top five globally, by volume and revenue, and plans to double local production to 10 million units this year. The reports add that Motorola's 'Moto' brand will be used for high-end products, and may probably carry brand tag of 'Moto by Lenovo,' while Lenovo's own brand 'Vibe' will be dedicated to budget devices. It was also reported that phones like Moto X will feature the blue Lenovo logo while Motorola's iconic M "batwing" logo will continue to be used. "Motorola Mobility continues to exist as a Lenovo company and is the engineering and design engine for all of our mobile products. However, for our product branding we will utilize a dual brand strategy across smartphone and wearable's going forward using Moto and Vibe globally," the company said in a statement. It added that "Motorola" hasn't been used on its products since the launch of the original Moto X in 2013. (ANI)
In a daring act, unidentified gang hurled two crude bombs at the office of State Minister for Cooperation Sellur K.Raju at Sammattipuram and also hurled another crude bomb at the office of AIADMK office at Mathichiyam, here in the wee hours of today. Police said the motor-cycle borne assailants hurled two crude bombs at the Ministers office. Though no one was injured in the attack, the wooden door was slightly damaged. Minutes later, another crude bomb was hurled at the Madurai urban district unit of the AIADMK at Mathichiyam, but however it did not explode. Senior police officials along with forensic and personnel of Tamilnadu Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad visited the Ministers office and AIADMK office. Police recovered broken pieces of the bottle and a wick soaked in kerosene from the sites. Sellur Raju was representing Madurai West Assembly Constituency and the motive behind the attack is under investigation. Meanwhile, the minister after visiting his office and party office told newsmen the attack might have been carried out dueto political vengeance. UNI GSM VV RSS1143 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-530761.Xml
With the construction industry in Mysuru region accepting Manufactured Sand (M-sand) as an alternative to river sand, experts have emphasized the need to evolve a mechanism to check the quality of the M-sand used for construction of buildings. After initial hesitation, M-Sand, the fine aggregate produced by crushing granite stone, has now replaced sand for more than 80 per cent of the construction activity in Mysuru. But builders as well as structural engineers apprehend supply of substandard M-Sand by unscrupulous suppliers that would threaten the structure. There is a need for a quality control mechanism, said Syed Shakeeb Ur Rahman, a structural engineering expert and principal of Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE). An agency should be authorized to check the quality of M-sand that is supplied for construction activity, he said. The agency, appointed by the government, should preferably carry out the testing at the quarry site and certify its suitability for use before it is dispatched to the construction sites. Builders have come across M-sand that is adulterated with as much as 60 per cent of quarry dust, which is unsafe for the building. If the M-sand is of substandard quality, cracks will start appearing in the building, warned Chairman of Builders Association of India (BAI), Karnataka chapter Ravinder Bhat. As 75 per cent of construction work in Mysuru is not carried out under the supervision of a qualified civil engineer, Mr Bhat feared that sub-standard M-sand may go undetected even by the construction workers, who have little or no knowledge of the commodity. It is advisable for the owners to engage the services of consulting engineers to ensure that quality of M-Sand is maintained, he said. He said M-sand of different grades is preferred for different types of work in the construction of a building. A couple of private consultancies have come up in Mysuru for supply of M-sand, he pointed out. Mysuru requires about 2,000 tons of sand every day. Ever since extraction of sand from the river was banned, construction activity had taken a serious hit. But gradually, the contractors as well as the owners have begun using M-sand in Mysuru. Periyapatna may soon get one of the largest M-sand manufacturing units in Mysuru district as the district administration has identified 133 acres of land at Hasuvina Koppal in the taluk for the purpose. Deputy Commissioner C Shikha said in Mysuru on Saturday that e-tender will be invited from the interested parties to produce M-sand from the quarry unit. We are awaiting a formal approval from the government.Whoever bags the tender, will be allowed to manufacture M-sand which will act as an alternative to river sand, she said. Ms Shikha said permission had been sought from the government for the auction of sand seized in the district. Efforts are also being made to procure sand from three extraction points in Hassan district, she said.UNI BSP VV RSS1137 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-530720.Xml
President Barack Obama has taken the wrong approach in his latest attempt to restrict firearms sales. Any limits imposed, the Tribune believes, should come through compromise by the president and Congress. It shouldnt be done through questionable presidential powers.

While critics may think the presidents tearful presentation was hokey, the Tribune trusts his sincerity. Being sincere, however, doesnt make him right.

Obama wants to do several things using presidential powers without the approval of Congress. The key piece of his plan is an effort to narrow the loophole exempting gun sales from background checks if the seller isn't a federal registered dealer and sells just a few weapons at gun shows, flea markets or online. The president wants to require these dealers to get background checks on their prospective buyers.

He wants the FBI to hire 230 new examiners to process background checks in an effort to prevent delays that enabled the accused gunman in Charleston, S.C., to get a gun when the government took too long. Obama also is asking the government to research smart gun technology in hopes of reducing accidental shootings. Other provisions seek to better track lost or stolen guns and prevent trusts or corporations from buying weapons without background checks.

The president isnt ignoring Congress completely, as he plans to ask lawmakers for $500 million to improve mental health care.

To many people these may not seem like radical proposals, but their effectiveness appears limited. If the country wants gun control changes they need to come through Congress, otherwise they wont have credibility. They will be seen as rules imposed by one man and will heighten the fears that government intends to take guns away from the public.

The president concedes his executive order will face a legal challenge, something some Republicans have promised to do. Its also questionable whether the changes Obama has proposed would have had any impact on the previous mass shootings across the country. The presidents ability to accomplish something on gun control during his last year in office appears iffy at best. Trying to do it during an election year also turns it into a political issue.

If major gun control changes are to occur they will be driven by a public that makes their desires known, likely at the polls, and a president and Congress willing to compromise. What Obama is offering are weak solutions likely to face legal challenges.
Life remained paralysed in south Kashmir district of Pulwama for the 11th consecutive day today as people are adamant to build a Martyrs Memorial in Shahidee Park in the main town. People are also demanding release of all youths and separatist leaders arrested after eruption of massive protests following the killing of two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in an encounter with security forces at Gursoo, Pulwama on December 31 morning. However, to prevent any law and order problem, additional security force and state police personnel had been deployed in main town Pulwama and other tehsil . Business and other activities remained paralysed in the main Pulwama town and adjoining areas. Streets wore a deserted look with only security forces deployed on both sides as vehicles remained off the road. However, traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway was through as large number of security forces had been deployed at Pampore, Awantipora and other areas to prevent any stone pelting. Additional security forces were deployed since early this morning on the highway, particularly between Hyderpora-Pantha Chowk-Pampore-Awantipora and Bijbehara as VIPs and other senior politicians will be using the road to offer Fateha on 4th day Chaharum of late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at Bijbehara in Anantnag today. Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police killed two LeT militants in a night-long operation at Gursu, Pulwama . One of the slain militant was identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bhat while another was a foreign national. However, immediately after the burial of the militants, people clashed with security forces after they were refused permission to build a memorial there. They are demanding permission to build a memorial and release of all arrested youths and separatist leaders. UNI BAS SV RAI1300 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-530709.Xml
Peace prevailed in the Kurawali area of the district today after violence following the gruesome murder of the newly elected district panchayat member. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed has rushed two companies of PAC besides the zonal IG has been asked to camp there till the situation normalise. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) A Satish Ganesh, told UNI in Lucknow, that the situation is fast turning normal. He said that large contingent of police forces has been deployed there to counter any violence. Violence broke out yesterday after newly elected District Panchayat member Ravindra Singh Shakya alias Bhole was allegealy shot dead by one Savikant, son of a BSP leader Ganga Prasad Shakya, who was his political rival. Bhole won from ward no 13 in Kurawali area of the district. After the murder of Bhole, his supporters torched the house of Ganga Prasad Shakya,besides several shops and even a fire tender was ransacked. Couple of policemen were also injured in the violence. Police has arrested Ganga Prasad Shakya and one another person in connection with the murder so far.UNI MB SV RAI1307 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-530758.Xml
Taking strong exception to the comment of the former union minister Jairam Ramesh on Jallikkattu,AICC general secretary and former Union Minister V Narayanasamy today said his comments cannot be accepted . In a statement here today,Mr.Narayansamy said the union government had revoked the ban on Jallikkattu,the traditional and heroic sport of Tamilnadu,which is popular in Alanganallur and southern districts of Tamilnadu. After the supreme Courts ban on Jallikattu, political parties of Tamilnadu cutting across party lines raised voice for the conduct of the traditional sport during this Pongal festival season. He pointed out that ruling AIADMK, opposition DMK, and Congress supported and demanded the conduct of Jallikattu and union Minster Pon Radhakrishanan also played his part in the issue resulting in the revocation of the ban on Jallikkattu.Narayanasamy urged the State and central governments to take action before those who oppose the traditional sport approach the courts again to get a ban imposed on Jallikkattu.He said the former Union Minster Jairam Rameshs view on Jallikkattu , cannot be accepted, and commented without the knowledge of the Tamil People culture and tradtion.Stating that Jairam Rameshs view was his own and was not of the Congress party, Narayanasamy said party Tamil Nadu president EVKS Elangovan has already welcomed the lifting of the ban on the sport.He also charged that certain political parties were using the Jallikattu for making political gains in the future.Stressing that it was the duty of all political parties to protect Tamil Culture and tradition, Narayanasamy said Congress will extend full support to the holding of Jallikattu this festival season.UNI PAB VV RSS1404 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-530895.Xml
Security forces have been put on high alert in the Kashmir valley, particularly in summer capital, Srinagar and south Kashmir district of Anantnag, where Chaharum of late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, is being held at Dara Shikoh park, Bijbehara today. Sayeed, who breathed his last in AIIMS, New Delhi, on January 7 morning,was laid to rest at a grave yard at Dara Shikoh park, same evening after Nimaz Jinazah in Srinagar. As a number of national and state leaders are expected to participate in the Chaharum, large number of security forces and state police personnel had been deployed in and around the park. Meanwhile, in order to allow smooth movement of VIPs between Srinagar to Bijbehara, the traffic police has announced restrictions on traffic on Srinagar-Anantnag highway for today. Besides other VIPs, UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi is also expected to arrive here to express her condolence with Mehbooba Mufti, daughter of late Chief Minister. Sniffer dogs besides metal detectors were pressed into service to conduct thorough search in the area this morning. Sharp shooters remained deployed on high rise buildings around the Park, keeping a close watch with the help of binoculars, to foil any attempt to disrupt the Chaharum. Since a condolence meeting will be held at high security Fairview Gupkar, which was official residence of Sayeed, in the afternoon, security arrangements in the city have also been further tightened. For security reasons, the authorities have already closed the main road Gupkar road for any passenger vehicle and only vehicles with valid passes are being allowed.MORE UNI BAS ADG RAI1314 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-530712.Xml
Even as the country has registered increase in foreign tourist footfall during 2015 unfortunately, the one of the wonders of the world Taj Mahal witnessed a constant fall in the foreign tourists, for the third consecutive year. According to an official report here today, there had been a 4.4 per cent increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting India in 2015 as compared to the previous year but their visit to the Taj Mahal, has gone down by a substantial 8.4 per cent during the same period. While 7.9 lakh foreign tourists visited the Taj Mahal in 2012, that number came down to 7.4 lakh in 2013. It further tumbled to 6.9 lakh in 2014, registering a 6.2 per cent fall against the previous year's figures. In 2015, just 6.36 lakh foreigners visited the Taj Mahal, which is 58,158 less than the year before. Ironically, this is happening when, according to the Central government, the Taj Mahal is the "most visited" monument of the country. In 2014, Taj commanded 23 per cent share of foreign tourists visiting India. According to the latest report published by the Union ministry of tourism, 80.16 lakh foreign tourists came to India in 2015, registering a growth of 4.4 per cent over the previous year when the figure stood at 77.03 lakh. The slowdown in the inflow of tourists to the Taj Mahal is a major cause of worry for the tourism industry. But on the other hand there has been a surge in the number of domestic tourists visiting the world heritage building. As compared to 2014 when 53.7 lakh Indians bought Taj tickets, 59.15 lakh did so in 2015. Meanwhile tourism experts in the Taj city claimed that business has been badly hurt in the last few years. Several new hotels and emporiums, and other shops catering tourists, have come up in recent past. But, at the same time, tourist numbers have gone down. The profit margins are quite low. Two factors have been attributed to the decrease in the foreign tourists. Firstly the rising crime graph and secondly, the deteriorating infrastructure tourism experts claimed. UNI MB SV RK1415 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-530733.Xml
"His statement was a sarcastic comment on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other organisations who are trying to create communal disturbances in the name of Ram temple," Mr Khan told reporters here last night after returning from a foreign visit.

"Mr Nawab's statement was just a reply to the communal forces, who are eyeing the UP assembly polls by raking up the Ram temple issue," he claimed.

Commenting on the deployment of 17 union ministers by the BJP in UP for the coming assembly polls, Mr Khan said," these ministers should first learn the political tactics from us and should even join the gym so that they can build their body to fight against us."UNI XC-MB SV AN1452

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She was accompanied by J&K former chief minister and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir.

"She visited for the long association that Mufti Sahib had with the family and the Congress party. Her visit was just to offer condolence," Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters.

Mufti Sayeed passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi on January 7.

He was laid to rest with full state honour in his ancestral graveyard at Bijbehara town in Anantnag district. (ANI)
The Opposition Congresss is likely to take BJP-led government to task over the various issues concerning the state, including the Medium of Instruction and Regional Plan, during the five-day winter session of the Goa Assembly, which will commence tomorrow at Porvorim in North Goa. The winter session would begin with Governor Mridula Sinhas address to the House. The election of Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker will also be held during the session, as the post of Speaker is vacant since Rajendra Arlekar resigned from the post after his induction as Minister recently in the Laximikant Parsekar-led Cabinet. The election for the post of Speaker will be held on January 12 and Deputy Speaker Anant Shet is likely to be elected for the same. The election for the post of Deputy Speaker will be held on January 14. More than 700 questions have been received from MLAs, said Nilkanth Subhedar, Secretary, Goa Legislature Secretariat, here.UNI SRN SS RJ BD1607 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-530935.Xml
Incidents of criminals looting cash fromgold merchants from Kerala continued in the city after a case wasfiled by a person, who alleged that unknown persons had robbed him ofRs 1.25 crore in cash from a lodge in the city last night. Police said the Kerala gold trader identified just asLatif, has filed a complaint with Kalasipalyam police that he hadcome from North Kerala and stayed in a Lodge in the teeming locality. He alleged that he had brought 1.35 Crore cash to purchase goldornaments and stayed in the Lodge. While he was going to an area ina car, after taking Rs 85 lakh with him and leaving behind remainingcash in the Lodge, four intruders waylaid him and robbed him. The complaint said that they took away Rs 85 lakh cash from himand forcefully took him back to the Lodge and robbed the remainingRs 50 lakh, which he had kept there and fled the scene. Police said the cash the trader was carrying wasunaccounted and this was the reason such criminal activities takes place. Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Labhu Ram confirmed theincident and said Latif had brought the unaccounted cash and hadfiled a complaint midnight yesterday that he had been robbed. ''We are gathering information and teams are out to nab theculprits. We will arrest the criminals soon,'' Mr Ram added. The DCP visited the Lodge and special teams are in action to takeup investigation into the incident, sources said.UNI RS msp KVV AK 1550 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-531014.Xml
: Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) today demanded the release of all seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case on the occasion of the ensuing Pongal festival and wanted Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to adopt a resolution in the State Cabinet in this regard and recommend to the Governor for their release. A resolution to this effect was adopted at the party's district secretaries meet at Trichy today. The resolution said based on guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister under Article 161 of the Indian Constitution, should convene a meeting of the State Cabinet, adopt a resolution and recommend to the Governor for the release of Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan, who were languishing in jails for close to 25 years, along with Nalini, Robert Pyas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran in view of the Pongal festival. It said the Supreme Court had on February 18, 2014 commuted the death sentences of Murugan, Perarivalan and Santhan to life, following which the then Congress-led UPA regime filed an appeal, which was dismissed by the then Chief Justice Sadhasivam. On yet another review petition filed by the Congress regime, the Bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu had on July 29 last year upheld the commutation of the death sentences of the trio to life. The resolution said following a petition challenging the Tamil Nadu Cabinet resolution adopted by Ms Jayalalithaa in February 2014, recommending release of the seven convicts, the Constitutional Bench of the Apex Court had on December seven last year ruled that the state government could not release them without the consent of the Centre. Stating that same power under Article 72, allowing President to commute sentences or grant pardon, was also granted to the Governor under Article 161 of the Constitution, it said the Apex Court had held that the President and the Governor should act as per the recommendations of the State and the Central Governments on such issues. ''Taking this into account, the Chief Minister should adopt a resolution in the State Cabinet under Article 161 and recommend to the Governor to release all the seven convicts'', the resolution added. Considering the fact that these convicts were languishing in jails for close to quarter century, the state government should take steps for their release on the occasion of the Pongal festival, it said. The MDMK's resolution comes close on the heels of Perarivalan's mother Arputhammal filing a petition in the Chief Minister's cell a couple of days back, seeking his release in view of the Pongal festival.UNI GV KVV RSS 1615 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-531093.Xml
UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi this afternoon offered condolences to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on the demise of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. She arrived at Fairview Gupkar official residence of Mufti to meet Ms Mehbooba and other family members. She remained with the bereaved family for about half an hour before leaving for New Delhi. Earlier Ms Gandhi accompanied by Ambika Soni and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad arrived here from New Delhi. She was taken to a hotel on the bank of Dal Lake. Sayeed breathed his last as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister in AIIMS, New Delhi on January 7 morning and today is the fourth day Chaharum of the late leader. Though Sayeed has formed PDP in 1999 after leaving the Congress, he had remained associated with the national party for more than four decades.UNI BAS ADG AN1642 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-531079.Xml
President of the NGO Suman Agrawal told newspersons today that 200 families, who have been identified from Chennai, would be given cash assistance by the NGO during the fifth 'Rajasthan Mahostav', which will be held during this weekend here.

She further said that cash assistance will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through NEFT.

The assistance to the families was being given jointly by the Marvaris NGO and Supriya's Foundation, she said.

Also, around 20 families of farmers, who are in distress in the state would also be given assistance, Ms Agrawal added.UNI XR SS RJ CS1620

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Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today visited the Fairview residence at Gupkar here to convey condolences to Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on the demise of her father and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He was accompanied by BJP State President Sat Sharma and senior leaders, Dr Nirmal Singh and Sukhnandan Kumar. The Union Minister said the entire country stood in solidarity with the bereaved family in sharing grief on the demise of Sayeed.UNI BAS AE AN1746 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-531263.Xml
Led by the former Union minister Mukul Wasnik, the District Rural Congress recently demonstrated in the town demanding from the government Rs 8,000 as MSP for cotton.

The cotton growers joined the demonstration along with their produce which they later gifted to the officers of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Cotton Growers Marketing Federation Ltd in protest.

Addressing the agitationists, Mr Wasnik blamed the government for adopting casual approach towards the concerns of the farmers.

Besides Rs 8,000 price for the cotton, he also demanded bonus amount for the farmers who have already sold their produce in the market.

Former minister Rajendra Mulak and other senior leaders of the party alleged that the state government was totally insensitive towards the welfare of the farmers.

The demonstration was held in protest over the governments cold response to the demand made by the Congress for the cotton growers during the recently concluded winter session of Maharashtra Legislature, wherein thousands of farmers had participated in a protest rally under the leadership of Congress state president Ashok Chavan.UNI RS SS SA AE AN1727

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Keeping in mind the growth rate of pharma industry and the potential of the city for it, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Hansraj Ahir assured full support for developing the city as a hub for pharmaceuticals.

The Minister, while addressing an official function held here recently, said that NIPER would come up in the near future in the town.

He added that several pharmaceutical companies were exploring to setup their venture here at Nagpur.

He also called upon the private parties for opening up of Pharma Park cluster, medical equipment and research centres in Nagpur.

The Union Minister assured of full support to those who are keen on developing the second capital city as Pharma hub.

On the occasion, Union Shipping and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that some of the pharmaceutical companies were interested in coming to Nagpur, however, they want various concessions.

The logistics facility in Nagpur can be a great boon to these companies, he said and added many of the companies from the area were planning to come together to set up a 'Medical Equipment Hub' in the city.UNI RS SS AE AN1720

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Expressing grave concern over the menace of stray dogs and animals, the state executive of All India Sikh Students Federation today filed three petitions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Environmental Minister Parkash Javadekar and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, urging them to take immediate steps to check the menace, causing conceivable loss to the human beings. The state executive of the federation, which met here, urged them to enact a law or to take some concrete steps to eradicate the menace of stray dogs and animals. AISSF President Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed said that only two days back in Hardkhurd village (Ajnala), a three-year-old boy Angadbir Singh was mauled to death by a pack of dogs. This incident is just one of the many that has occurred in the recent years and the manace of stray dogs and stray animals should be eradicated sooner than later. It is well known and a common sight to see a pack of dogs chasing motorcycles or cars or other vehicles. The menace of stray dogs and animals has failed to get the attention of all the governments so far. The AISSF leader said that their sympathy towards stray animals is understandable, but negligence of danger towards human beings is not. He appealed to the Central and Punjab governments to take immediate steps to deal with such incidents. UNI XC DB RJ AE AN1716 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-531039.Xml
Congress leader Manish Tewari on Sunday defended his claim on a 2012 controversial troop movement towards Delhi, even after the Congress pulled him up and central minister V.K. Singh, the then army chief, came out with an emphatic denial. "Whatever I said yesterday (Saturday), I have nothing more to add or subtract to that," Tewari told reporters on Sunday, a day after commenting that the news report on the troop movement that had created a stir was true. Minister of State for External Affairs and former general V.K. Singh, who was the target of the 2012 report, on Sunday dismissed Tewari's statement, saying the Congress leader was "jobless". Tewari said at a book release function on Saturday that he was on parliament's Standing Committee on Defence when the reported incident took place. The report, he said, was "unfortunate but true". "...at that point in time I used to serve in the Standing Committee on Defence. It's unfortunate but the story was true, story was correct." This drew a sharp reaction from Singh. "Manish Tewari is jobless these days. I have written a book, tell him to read it," Singh told reporters in Ujjain. Contacted by IANS, Singh said he had "no comments" on the issue. Tewari responded on Twitter that he would love to read Singh's book "provided he promises to read mine - in offing!". The Congress not only distanced itself from Tewari's statement but - using strong words - advised him not to comment on the incident which was said to have taken place when the Congress-led UPA was in power. It added that Tewari was not an official spokesman of the party. "When this alleged incident regarding the army is supposed to have taken place, senior ministers had even then clarified, and I am now clarifying, that there is absolutely no truth in the allegation," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said here. "In fact, it was also clarified (then) that some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt and inevitable part of a defence mechanism. But to read into it all the other elements is completely wrong," he said. Singhvi pointed out that Tewari was never a member of any decision-making body on defence, nor was he a party spokesperson or spokesperson on issues pertaining to external affairs and defence. "He is neither the authorised spokesperson of the party, nor the spokesperson on foreign or defence affairs, nor privy to any of the committees or decision-making group," he said. According to a published report, late on the night of January 16, 2012, the day Singh approached the Supreme Court on the issue of his date of birth, intelligence agencies reported an unexpected and non-notified movement by a key military unit from Hisar in Haryana in the direction of New Delhi. Both the then Congress government and the army denied the report. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was also then a member of the Standing Committee on Defence, said on Sunday that there was no discussion ever in the panel on the issue. He said discussions in parliamentary panels cannot be brought out in the public domain. Satpal Maharaj, who was a Congress MP and headed the parliamentary panel on defence in 2012, also said that the troop movement was defined to them as "routine". "We were told the army movements keep happening," Maharaj, who joined the BJP in 2014, told reporters. The Janata Dal-United (JD-U), however, demanded Singh's resignation from the Narendra Modi government following Tewari's claim. JD-U spokesman K.C. Tyagi sought a probe into the entire affair. --Indo-Asian News Service ao/mr/vd ( 608 Words) 2016-01-10-19:13:36 (IANS)
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, After Start Up India, we are going to launch Stand Up India, while addressing the public at CII Partnership Summit 2016 in in the Port City . Mr Jaitley said India was not only going to be cooperative federalism but also a competitive federalism.Those who earlier believed in conventional model of economy, now believe in the virtue of reform, change, attracting investment, he said, adding, many of our competing economies were facing serious challenges. The minister said in an integrated economy, a large number of these challenges and difficulties have spilled over into our system as well, Therefore, because of the integration of global economy, whatever happens in China and to oil oil prices will reflect on our markets too, he reasoned.. He said after Start Up India, the government would launch Stand Up India.Stand Up India is available to only two sections of society women and the SC and ST entrepreneurs, he claimed. Mr Jaitley said 'every public and private sector bank has to fund one SC, ST and one woman entrepreneur''.He said, adding, the circumstances can be converted in India as an opportunity. Though many factors are adversely impacting the world, it may not necessarily affect us, and moreover, the low oil and commodity price regime substantially suits India, he added. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu urged the visiting industrialists from India and abroad to invest in Andhra Pradesh, as the State is Industrial-friendly and clear all licenses without bureaucratic bungling and red-tapism within three weeks. Mr Naidu said the state is having plenty of natural resources and excellent infrastructure, apart from skilled Manpower. There is no labour unrest and peaceful atmosphere is prevailing in the state. The Chief Minister also Urged the industrialists to ink at least one Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) with the government before taking time to set-up their units in the State. Chairman of the ADA Group Anil Ambani said his company has signed an MOU with state government to provide ship-building facilties in alternative naval-base at Rambbili in the district with an investment of Rs. 5,000 crore. P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology.Y.S.Chowdary, were among others, who participated in the three-day Summit.UNI BSR KVV KSR 1725 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-531368.Xml
Police said today the girl, a Class 11 student went to a local temple along with her 22-year-old boy friend, when the gang waylaid them, late last evening. The gang assaulted the youth accompanying the girl and abducted her to an isolated location, when they took turns to rape her. The gang warned her not to disclose it to anybody and fled.

On a complaint from her family, Nagamalai Pudukottai police have registered a case and are searching for the wrong-doers. UNI GSM KVV KSR 2002

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As many as 15,682 panches, 93 sarpanches and 46 Panchayat Samitis members were elected unanimously today during the first phase of elections to the panchayati raj institutions in Haryana, which were conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner, with the exception of isolated incidents. According to information received up to 2030 hrs, more than 79.5 per cent voters cast their ballots in 47 blocks of the state and the final voter turnout is expected to go up to more than 80 per cent. Giving this information here, State Election Commissioner Rajeev Sharma said that counting of votes for the posts of sarpanches and panches began immediately after closing of polls and results of 152 posts of sarpanch were declared up to 2030 hrs. He said according to the reports received so far, the highest turnout was recorded in Panchkula at 91.7 per cent. It has been informed that 100 per cent voter turnout was recorded at Booth Number 32 of Panchayat Girdan, block Pinjore in district Panchkula, whereas Booth Number 33 in the same Panchayat recorded 98.42 per cent turnout. Mr Sharma added that 90 per cent cast their votes in Yamunanagar, 88.1 per cent in Fatehabad, 87.4 per cent voters in district Kaithal, 86.5 per cent in Sirsa,85.1 per cent in Ambala, 84.1 per cent in Panipat, 82.4 per cent in Rohtak, 82 per cent in Hisar, 82 per cent in Jhajjar, 81.8 per cent in Gurgaon, 81.3 per cent in Mahendragarh, 79.7 per cent in Jind, 79.1 per cent in Karnal, 79 per cent in Mewat, 78.2 per cent in Kurukshetra, 76.7 per cent in Faridabad, 74.8 per cent in Sonipat, 72.7 per cent in Rewari, 66.3 per cent in Bhiwani and 63.1 per cent in Palwal. He said stray incidents were reported from districts Palwal, Mewat, Bhiwani, Rohtak and Fatehabad. He added that polling would be conducted again in Punhana, district Mewat, where two EVMs were damaged. Report was received of a scuffle outside a polling booth in district Palwal, but it was unrelated to the election, he said. He added that the situation would be assessed after the final reports of Returning Officers. Mr Sharma said voters were still waiting to cast their ballots till 1800 hrs at many polling booths. Polling was conducted for 416 wards of Zila Parishad, 1,221 wards of Panchayat Samitis, 2,583 posts of Sarpanch and 26,248 posts of Panch in 47 blocks of Haryana today. As many as 3,339 candidates, including 1,260 womenand 2,079 men, contested the election to Zila Parishad, 4,883, including 1,652 women and 3,231 men, to Panchayat Samiti, 11,296, including 4,139 women and7,157 men, to the post of Sarpanch and 24,143, including 9,364 women and 14,779 men, to the post of Panch.UNI DB RSA GC2122 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-531700.Xml
GRAND FORKS -- The dean of the University of North Dakotas aerospace school urged the university's administration to "take a stand in support" of the school last year over fears that a planned fertilizer plant would present a safety hazard to pilots in training, the results of a Grand Forks Herald open records request show.

But Bruce Smith, dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, said last week Northern Plains Nitrogen project leaders have since addressed his concerns.

In an Aug. 17 letter to UND President Robert Kelley, Smith detailed his concerns with the fertilizer plant to be built roughly 2.5 miles northeast of the airport's runway complex. He noted the facility's cooling towers will be almost directly under the flight program's approach corridor.

Smith ended the letter by requesting the university "insist that the plume and the turbulence be completely mitigated either by moving the plant outside the five-mile radius from the airport or completely eliminating the plume and the turbulence."

That letter came less than a month after a consultant report that showed technology could be used to reduce the the plumes' effect on traffic patterns. Smith did not cite that report specifically in his letter, but said the developer had deemed the "complete mitigation" of the plumes and turbulence to be too expensive.

NPN developers have agreed to incorporate technology that brings the visual plumes' effect to .62 percent of the time for pilots using visual flight rules into their final cooling tower design, which would cost an extra $9 million, not including other "operational penalties," said Calvin Coey, NPN project manager. A pilot checkpoint is also expected to be moved.

The project is expected to cost more than $2 billion in total, and NPN leaders are still raising funds.

Although he acknowledged it doesn't represent complete mitigation, Smith told the Herald the solution represents "more than a compromise."

"They've done everything they can to allay my concerns," he said. "Certainly that's a good thing, that we raised a concern and they addressed it."

An internal document that breaks down UND's position on the plant dated Aug. 31 states UND accepts the consultant report and it will "take no action to impede the development and construction of the NPN fertilizer plant."

"UND requests continued engagement in the partnering process to establish the protocols for plume-abated cooling technology that will be defined in a shared agreement between the city of Grand Forks and NPN," Kelley wrote to City Administrator Todd Feland in September. "Appropriate planning will reduce operational risks associated with the operations of the NPN facility."

Feland said Thursday the plume technology upgrade and other design and building requirements, as well as utility services and public safety requirements, will be part of the city's final agreement with NPN. He added he was "really impressed" with the work put in by the various stakeholders over the past year.

"It was really a positive, constructive thing," he said.

Discussions

Open records requests to the city and UND show the fertilizer plant's effect on the nearby airport has been a long-running source of discussion. Officials and university scientists held meetings and traded letters, technical data and federal aviation guidelines.

In a letter sent to consultants working on the project in January 2015, Smith said UND operates 500 to 600 training flights per day during periods of normal weather. It has 1,000 students on its flight schedule, 400 of whom are new to flying small aircraft, he wrote, and almost 300 international students with English as their second language.

"Because of the volume of flights concentrated around the Grand Forks airport, UND operates in a very complex air traffic environment with complicated arrival and departure procedures," Smith wrote to KLJ's Tom Schauer. "This is further complicated by the students learning to fly for the first time, and many in a new language."

Smith said any turbulence created by the plant creates safety concerns for the volume of student pilots flying at low altitudes. While he said the aerospace school "completely supports building a fertilizer plant in Grand Forks," the only drawback was the potential plumes it would emit.

In his letter to Kelley eight months later, Smith was more pointed. After listing off the school's economic impact on the community, he asked: "Why would we put that in jeopardy for the unknowns and vague promises of a fertilizer plant?" Later, he said even one accident caused by reduced visibility or turbulence from a plume "would be devastating to our program."

But last week, Smith called the .62 percent impact "such a small number."

"We're not even sure what kind of a day it would take to be able to generate that," Smith said. "That's workable for us."

Concerned alumnus

Records show Smith wasn't alone in raising concerns.

Doug Webster, deputy director of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, wrote a letter in October to Feland as a concerned UND alumnus and father of a current student. He said the July report conducted by RTP Environmental Associates and KLJ "leaves more questions unanswered than it addresses," including whether the plant would attract wildlife and if there are any other environmental issues beyond the plumes that could affect airport operations.

"One of the reasons for the success of ... UND's aerospace programs is the ideal environment that GFK provides for student flight training," Webster added. "While I appreciate the potential economic benefits of this project to the community, all of the associated impacts must be fully vetted and addressed."

In an interview, Webster, a member of the UND Aerospace Alumni Advisory Board, said the plant has come up in discussions among alumni.

"Ultimately, could the impacts of this be very benign? Sure," he said. "But at the same standpoint, the community invests a lot in an airport ... and you just want to be careful that you protect that asset."

Coey pointed out that the city plans to decommission several wastewater ponds as part of the project, which would reduce the amount of birds attracted there. He also noted the project has state regulatory approvals.

"We've gone through a very lengthy process of reviewing all the effluents, air emissions, water emissions, such that the state of North Dakota has approved it," Coey said.

'A good place'

Former Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority Executive Director Patrick Dame wrote to Feland almost a year ago to outline the organization's position on the plant. While noting its "overriding concern" is safety, he also noted the Airport Authority's federal grant agreements that require it to restrict land use near the airport through measures like zoning laws.

"It would be my further opinion that the Airport Authority also has an obligation to request that the city of Grand Forks enforce its zoning restrictions to ensure that the presence of smoke or steam near the airport does not create an airport hazard or become a hazard to air navigation," Dame wrote on Jan. 30.

Nine months later, Interim Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority Executive Director Mary Jo Crystal told Feland the authority's position on zoning remained unchanged, but "we recognize that the betterments proposed by NPN may potentially reduce the adverse impacts to the airport and the surrounding airspace."
Director, Ministry of Commerce, Department of Trade Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Aung Mgg, told this to ANI during an interview at the Classic Grand.

Meanwhile, Manipur Government has been working relentlessly to complete construction of the Integrated Check Post ( ICP ) at Moreh, to give impetus to trade between India and the South Asian Countries, including Myanmar by the end of this year.

The First Imphal-Mandalay service carrying 27 officials was flagged off by the Chief Minister of Manipur on the 10th of December 2015.

India's plans to remove travel bottlenecks with Myanmar, with a bus service from this Manipur capital to Mandalay appears to be faced with a major impediment - poor road conditions along the border areas.

During his visit to Myanmar last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had signed an agreement with its leaders to construct 71 bridges along the road where the Indian buses will ply.

The Myanmar government has started construction of two bridges. The Union cabinet has also sanctioned Rs.371.58 crore for constructing the remaining 69 bridges.

Recently, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, decided to do away with the barter system of trade at the Indo-Myanmar border and switch over completely to normal trade with effect from December 1, 2015.

The Governments of India and Myanmar signed Border Trade Agreement on January 21, 1994 and subsequently opened two border trade points/Land Customs Stations (LCS) at Moreh (Manipur) and Zokhawthar (Mizoram). (ANI)
The Anandiben Patel government in Gujarat on Sunday decided to bury the hatchet with leaders of the Patel community fighting for reservation for several months, and not press for legal proceedings against them. Twenty-three-old Hardik Patel, leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which has been agitating for reservation under the Other Backward Classes category, and his close associates, however, would continue to face sedition charges. The initiative to bridge the gap between the government and the Patels was taken by several leaders of religious trusts of the community. The religious trusts' leaders held a series of meetings with ministers and later the chief minister herself, following which the government decided not to oppose bail applications of the detained PAAS leaders in various courts. The government has directed principal secretary in the chief minister's office K. Kailashnathan to study the 287 cases filed against PAAS leaders and find a way to withdraw the cases wherever feasible, except those relating to sedition sharges. The government promised the Patel leaders that it would try to find ways to ensure that Hardik Patel and the other leaders were released on bail, official sources said. Hardik Patel and at least six PAAS leaders are in custody since October with the government opposing their every move in various courts, including the Supreme Court. Offering an olive branch to the agitating Patels, the government also agreed to meet the entire medical expenses of all those injured in police firings and baton charges during the reservation stir from the chief minister's relief fund. Compensation would also be paid to family members of those killed in the police firing following protests after Hardik Patel's arrest following the August 25 rally in Ahmedabad. The family members of Mayur Patel, who was hit by a bullet on August 25 and who succumbed to his injuries after 122 days in hospital, received a cheque of over Rs.24 lakh, as well as the more than Rs.14 lakh his family had spent towards his futile treatment. Meanwhile, Reshma Patel and Pankaj Patel, who were on an indefinite fast for the last three weeks demanding immediate release of Hardik Patel and other PAAS leaders, broke their fast on Sunday, following requests in this regard by the state government. The Patel leaders, however, decided to continue token relay fasts at various district headquarters till Hardik Patel and other leaders were actually released. --Indo-Asian News Service desai/pm/dg ( 413 Words) 2016-01-10-22:21:34 (IANS)
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister (Revenue) Md Mahmood Ali today lauded the services being rendered by the Tahsildars in the Revenue Department.After releasing Telangana Tahisldars Association (TGTA) diary 2016, the Deputy CM said because of a few corrupt officers, the whole department was being targeted. The Minister also emphasised on the role of the department, which every individual seeks services ''from womb to tomb'' and said every Tahsildar should lead an example of honesty and hard work.Responding to a few key demands put forth by the association, acknowledging the same, he reiterated the commitment of the government to provide all possible support for effective functioning of the department like provision of four wheelers to Tahsildars, special office allowance, on the lines of Police department which were discussed during the cabinet meeting recently for which the Chief Minister responded positively. The Deputy Chief Minister made special mention of Lachireddy, President TGTA and other office bearers of the association for bringing out the Diary 2016 which is very useful and informative for all.UNI VV SHS RSA 2253 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-531779.Xml
Local reports said the officer-in-charge of Borpathar police station, Binod Phangsu, and a constable Manoj Saikia signalled a vehicle to stop for checking at Sungajan area around 2000 hrs. The miscreants inside the car opened indiscriminate firing on the police team, killing Phangsu and injuring Saikia.

It is suspected that gang is involved in the incident though involvement of militants was also not ruled out. UNI SG SHS RSA 2324

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Former Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi today blamed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad for the rising crime graph in the state, saying he was 'sitting idle' despite his advise to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to check crimes. Mr Modi said here that Mr Prasad would have to take responsibility for the spurt in crime graph in Bihar during the last one and half months since the Grand Alliance took reins of the state, as he was head of the largest party of the ruling alliance. "Mr Prasad had recently advised the Chief Minister to give the responsibility of checking crimes to the upright police officers but his advice went unheeded," Modi said, adding that inefficient officers were still holding the key posts, proving to be a hurdle in curbing crimes. Mr Modi also took potshots at Mr Prasad for his declaration to make public his phone number for receiving information and complaints regarding crimes, saying the RJD supremo had not fulfilled, his promise so far. It was indicative of the fact that Mr Prasad was not sensitive towards the suffering of the people due to increased criminal activities in the state, he said.UNI KKS PL RSA PR2203 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-531723.Xml
The warplane targeted the prison compound and the courthouse of the town of Maret al-Numan with four rockets, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog said that civilians and inmates as well as rebels were among those killed in the air strike, adding that some of the wounded are in critical condition.

Other activists said the warplane that struck the prison of Maret al-Numan and the courthouse there was Russian, adding that the city is under the control of the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

The local coordination committees said the four Russian airstrikes targeted a popular marketplace and the vicinity of the courthouse in Maret al-Numan, killing 51 people. The opposition report cannot be independently verified.

Much of Idlib fell to the Jaish al-Fateh rebel group, which consists of several rebel factions, mainly the Nusra Front.

Russian warplanes have been pounding rebel positions in Syria since last September, which is by Syrian officials as effective.

--Indo-Asian News Service vr/

( 199 Words)

2016-01-10-08:13:34 (IANS)
A US Muslim woman who was ejected from a Donald Trump rally in South Carolina while engaging in a silent protest said she wanted to make the Republican presidential candidate's backers recognize they are supporting "hateful rhetoric."Rose Hamid, a 56-year-old flight attendant from North Carolina, stood up silently in the stands directly behind Trump during Friday night's rally when the billionaire businessman suggested that refugees fleeing violence in Syria were affiliated with Islamic State militants."I get why he's popular: he's an entertainer, he's engaging, there are certainly aspects that appeal to certain parts of society. He even has valid points in some cases," Hamid said in a telephone interview with Reuters from her home in Charlotte."But they have to recognize what they're supporting," Hamid said, referring to Trump's supporters. "His ramping up of his hateful rhetoric is just not what America is, and it's not who we are as a country."At the rally, Hamid was wearing a white head scarf and a blue T-shirt made by her son emblazoned with the words, "Salam, I come in peace."Hamid, who called herself a registered Democrat, said she came to the rally because she wanted some Trump supporters to meet a Muslim in real life. Hamid said she told herself she would stand up quietly if Trump said anything hateful about any group, not just Muslims.As she stood, people in the crowd around her at the rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina started yelling "Trump! Trump!" as organizers earlier had instructed them to do. Soon afterwards, security officers showed up at her seat and, with little explanation, told her and a friend they had to leave the premises, she said."They didn't even tell us we were causing a disturbance," she said. "They just said, 'Come with me, come with me.' I was asking, 'Why? Why?' and they just said, 'Come with me.'"Hamid said she was later told she was trespassing at a private event.APOLOGY DEMANDEDThe Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group, yesterday called on Trump to apologize after the incident, which ignited a firestorm on social media and prompted criticism by at least one fellow Republican."The image of a Muslim woman being abused and ejected from a political rally sends a chilling message to American Muslims and to all those who value our nation's traditions of religious diversity and civic participation," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).Ohio Governor John Kasich, another Republican presidential hopeful, said the crowd's response at Trump's rally was inappropriate."We don't need to be shouting and booing and scaring somebody who decided to stand up and have some sort of silent protest," Kasich told reporters on the sidelines of a poverty summit in South Carolina yesterday.The incident was the latest controversy involving Trump regarding Muslims. Trump last month advocated banning all foreign Muslims from entering the United States "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." In November, he said he saw thousands of Muslims in Jersey City, New Jersey, cheering the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York's World Trade Center. Fact-checkers have debunked this assertion.Hamid said some may not be looking past Trump's showy campaign to see the damage he is doing."His supporters really need to look at what it is that he's proposing, and the type of bully mentality that he has of disrespecting people to such a tremendous degree," Hamid said.She said she was leaning toward supporting Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in November's election.Hamid is president of a group called Muslim Women of the Carolinas, but she said it is a social organization, not a political one, and was not involved in her action on Friday.At a rally yesterday in Ottumwa, Iowa, Trump cited last month's San Bernardino, California massacre and the shooting of a Philadelphia police officer on Friday by a man who police said pledged allegiance to Islamic State as examples of Muslim anger toward Americans."The hatred is so incredible," Trump said. "And the danger, when we have people willing to fly airplanes into the World Trade Center and many other things, we've got to solve it."Trump's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the Hamid incident.REUTERS PS DS PR 0734 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-530618.Xml
A big Syrian rebel group said it was unacceptable to talk about a political solution to the war as people die of hunger and bombardment and the best way to force Damascus towards a settlement was to give insurgents anti-aircraft missiles.The statement from Islam Army (Jaysh al-Islam) underlines opposition concerns over a UN-led diplomatic effort to launch peace talks in Geneva on January 25. The opposition want goodwill measures including a ceasefire, a detainee release and the lifting of blockades on besieged areas before negotiations.UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is shuttling around the region to prepare for the talks, part of a plan endorsed by the Security Council last month to end the five-year-war that has killed 250,000 people and created millions of refugees.Islam Army, part of a newly formed council set up to oversee the negotiations on the opposition side, said the "best way to force the regime to accept the (political) solution and stick by it "was to allow states that back the opposition to supply rebels with anti-aircraft missiles.The statement, sent by the group's spokesman overnight, said it would guarantee the missiles would not reach groups that would use them "illegally".While foreign governments including the United States and Saudi Arabia have provided rebels with military support, they have resisted demands for such missiles for fear they would end up with hardline jihadist groups such as Islamic State.The Syrian government says Islam Army is a terrorist group, like all the groups that fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad, who has received crucial support from Russia and Iran. Both states have sent forces to help him fight the insurgency.The Syrian government told de Mistura yesterday it was ready to take part in Geneva talks but stressed the need to see the names of the Syrian opposition figures who will take part.Pointing to another potential complication, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem also stressed the need for the government to obtain a list of groups that would be classified as terrorists as part of the peace process.Islam Army said the success of the success of the political process "depended on the seriousness of the international community in putting pressure on the criminal regime to halt the killing".Opposition officials have already cast doubt on whether the talks will go ahead on schedule, citing the need to see the goodwill measures from the government side. REUTERS SA RK1531 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531027.Xml
Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States are set to begin talks on Monday aimed at restarting the Afghan peace process and eventually ending 14 years of bloodshed fighting the Taliban insurgents.Officials from the four countries will meet in Islamabad, Pakistan foreign office sources said, in what they hope will be a first step towards resuming stalled negotiations. The Taliban are not expected to attend the talks.The Islamist militants have stepped up their violent campaign in the last year to oust the government in Kabul that is struggling after most foreign troops left at the end of 2014.High-profile suicide attacks in the capital and major territorial losses in Helmand province have underlined how far the country remains from peace without major Taliban factions on board.A previous fledging peace process last year was stopped after the Taliban announced that its founder, Mullah Omar, had been dead for two years, throwing the militant group into disarray and factional infighting.Kabul has been trying to limit expectations of a breakthrough at Monday's talks, and has said the aim is to work out a road map for peace negotiations and a way of assessing if they remain on track.Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry will attend the talks on Monday, Pakistan foreign office sources told Reuters.Besides an official from China, the US Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson or the US ambassador would attend from the United States, a state department official said."It'll be an opportunity to further our partnership with Afghanistan, Pakistan and China in support of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation, which is what we've said all along we want to see," US state department spokesman John Kirby said."We're obviously looking forward to ... to trying to make some progress here on what has been a very difficult issue."Afghanistan last month turned to Pakistan, with which it shares a porous border from where the Taliban operate bases on both sides, for help in reviving the peace talks.The Taliban, who are fighting to restore strict Islamic rule in place before the group was ousted from power in 2001, are split on whether to participate in any future talks.Some elements within the group have signalled they may be willing to send negotiators at some point, but other factions remain opposed to any form of negotiation with Kabul.Afghanistan suffered one of its bloodiest years on record in 2015. More than 3,180 Afghan civilians were killed, a record high, the United Nations said, bringing the number killed since 2009 to more than 17,000.REUTERS SA RK1538 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531047.Xml
The US ambassador to Iraq has denied reports that the United States has been carrying out helicopter raids against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq. "There have recently been reports of US helicopter raids in Hawija and Kirkuk. As Defense Minister Obaidi and numerous other Iraqi officials have stated, reports of these raids are untrue," Stuart Jones said in a statement yesterday. Recent reports of more than half a dozen air raids led by US special forces have been decried by powerful Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias and other critics of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as violations of Iraqi sovereignty. "I want to stress what I have said many times before: Iraqi sovereignty is sacred and must be respected. All coalition activities conducted in Iraq are and will be in consultation with the Iraqi government," Jones said, referring to the US-led coalition bombing Islamic State targets and training Iraqi forces. Iraqi parliament speaker Salim al-Jabouri told Reuters on Thursday foreign special forces have been conducting raids behind Islamic State lines in Hawija ahead of an offensive planned later this year to retake Mosul, the largest city under Islamic State control. He said the raids were carried out "from time to time" and "supported by Iraqi forces" but did not specify whether the United States had played a role or how many had occurred. Dubai-based al-Hadath TV and Iraqi media have reported several air raids over the last month in and around Hawija, 210 km north of Baghdad. Washington said last month it was deploying a new force of around 100 special operations troops to Iraq to carry out strikes against Islamic State there and in neighbouring Syria. US officials gave no details. Both the US and Iraqi military have denied that US forces have carried out military operations on the ground in Hawija since October, when US special forces and Kurdish peshmerga commandos rescued 69 Iraqis in a raid in which one US commando was killed.REUTERS SA BD1556 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531080.Xml
This blog is mostly checking off things in a list: the movies I own, the games I'm running, character creation posts, and so on.
Turkish security forces killed 32 Kurdish militants in the mainly Kurdish southeast of the country this weekend, armed forces and security sources said today. Twenty of the militants were killed yesterday, mostly near the Syrian and Iraq borders, and a further 12 in fighting in the city of Van overnight. It was one of the bloodiest weekends since a two-year ceasefire between the Turkish state and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants ended in July.REUTERS SA CS16 45 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531172.Xml
The mass attacks on women in the German city of Cologne on New Year's Eve have prompted 379 criminal complaints, with investigations focused largely on asylum seekers or illegal migrants from north Africa, police have said. Around 40 per cent of the complaints included sexual offences, including two rapes, police said, as a 100-strong force of officers continued their investigations. The attacks, mostly targeting women and ranging from theft to sexual molestation, have prompted a highly-charged debate in Germany about its open-door policy to migrants and refugees, more than one million of whom came to the country last year. "There have been arrests and we will continue to make arrests," a spokeswoman for the Cologne police said today. She said police had increased the number of officers on patrol. "It is then to be determined whether or not these people were involved on New Year's Eve." In an earlier statement, the city's police had said the suspects in the focus of their investigation "come largely from north African countries" and the investigation "concerns largely asylum seekers and people who are staying in Germany illegally". Gathering evidence is difficult, given the chaotic and crowded scenes on the night, when police were overwhelmed by the mass assaults. The attacks triggered demonstrations in Cologne yesterday, one of which was organised by the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement. The far-right has seized on the alleged involvement of migrants in the Cologne attacks as proof that German chancellor Angela Merkel's welcoming stance to migrants is flawed. Some in that crowd threw bottles and fire crackers at officers, and riot police used water canon to disperse the protesters. While the New Year's Eve attacks happened mainly in Cologne, there were also similar assaults in other cities, including Frankfurt. Separately, police in North Rhine-Westphalia said that a man shot dead as he tried to enter a Paris police station last week wielding a meat cleaver and shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest) had lived in Germany. Police said he had an apartment in an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Recklinghausen, north of Cologne. The original information came from French security authorities. A German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported that the man had painted the symbol of Islamic State on the wall of his flat and had been registered multiple times in Germany under fake names and many nationalities from Syrian to Moroccan. REUTERS SA BD1736 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531302.Xml
An airport near Stockholm was evacuated today after staff found a suspicious powder in a bag that had been checked in for a flight, officials said. All departing flights were suspended said Joakim Lindholm, operations manager at Skavsta airport, Sweden's fifth largest which mainly handles low-cost airlines. A bomb squad had arrived at the airport about 100 km south of Stockholm, Lindholm told Reuters. Police spokesman Anette Wilhelmsson told Svenska Dagbladet newspaper that a suspicious power had been found. REUTERS SA CS1748 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531315.Xml
Christoph Blocher, the combative populist who helped make the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) the dominant force in the Alpine nation's politics, will relinquish his last political post this year, he told a newspaper.To his fans, Blocher is a heroic defender of traditional Swiss values who has developed a niche party of farmers and small businessmen into a Swiss political powerhouse. To critics he is a divisive figure whose anti-immigration policies have destabilised a once-safe haven for companies and investors.Under Blocher's influence, the SVP has shaken up the cosy, consensual system prevailing in Switzerland since the end of World War Two.The SVP was the driving force behind a 2014 referendum which has forced the government to introduce new limits on immigration, threatening Swiss ties with the EU."I will no longer be deputy chairman of the SVP from April," billionaire Blocher, 75, told SonntagsBlick in a report published today.The paper noted he needed emergency hospital treatment after injuring his shoulder in a recent fall. "I belong on the scrap heap," it quoted him as saying.His departure, and news that party leader Toni Brunner will not stand again, open a new chapter for the SVP, which cemented its role as a leading force in Swiss politics in elections last year that paved the way for it to take a second seat in the seven-member cabinet.Fighting what he saw as neutral Switzerland's drift towards the European Union became a mission for ex-justice minister Blocher, even if this jeopardised treaties that bind the landlocked republic to its neighbours.Ejected from the cabinet by parliament in 2007, Blocher resigned from the national assembly in 2014 to spend more time furthering his policies through popular initiatives or referendums, a particular feature of Swiss politics.In a "Save Our Swiss Gold" initiative, several prominent SVP politicians failed to force the Swiss National Bank to buy vast quantities of the precious metal despite warnings from the central bank that it would cripple its monetary policy.Such polarising moves have made it hard for the SVP to forge alliances in Berne, even though it is the largest party.The son of a pastor, Blocher was born in 1940 in a village on the Rhine river, the seventh of 11 children. He studied agriculture and law, later buying EMS Chemie, an export-reliant maker of adhesives and coatings.He was not immediately available by phone or email today.REUTERS SA GC1846 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531355.Xml
A man from the United Arab Emirates was sentenced to death in absentia today for joining Islamic State, local media reported. Local newspapers did not identify the man sentenced by the Abu Dhabi court. But the Arabic-language al-Bayan said he was 19-years old and said he and had been accused of joining the militant group abroad. Rich with oil and a hub for tourism, the UAE is a Western ally that opposes Islamist groups in the region and at home. It has suffered relatively few militant attacks, but security fears have risen since Islamic State suicide bombers launched attacks in its Gulf Arab neighbours over the summer. Al-Ittihad, another daily, said that the Federal Supreme Court, in separate cases, sentenced two other people to seven years in jail each for trying to join Islamic State. A fourth suspect received three years in jail, the newspaper said. The court also sentenced a Palestinian man to three years in jail and fined him 50,000 dirhams (13,613 dollars) after he was convicted of insulting the state and promoting "terroristic thought", the newspaper said. The UAE last year executed an Emirati woman after she was convicted of stabbing to death an American kindergarten teacher at a mall and trying to bomb an American-Egyptian doctor in militant-inspired attacks. Her husband was charged with plotting bombings and other attacks on targets including a US base and a UAE leader, according to local media.REUTERS SA BD1933 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-531515.Xml
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said today at an emergency Arab League meeting that if Iran continues to support "terrorism, sectarianism and violence", it would face opposition from all Arab countries. The meeting was held to discuss escalating tensions between Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite power Iran, which started when Saudi authorities executed Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on January 2, stirring Shi'ite outrage across the Middle East. Jubeir added that a subsequent attack on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Iran was the latest incident in three decades of aggression on the part of Iran, which he said needed to help fight terrorism rather than support it. REUTERS SHS GC2136 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-531738.Xml
As Barack Obama prepares to deliver his final State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the US president and his aides have insisted he will not be content simply to run out the clock on foreign policy and is acting decisively to tackle crises piling up around the globe. But former US officials and experts familiar with the White House's thinking say he appears locked into policies aimed more at containing such threats and avoiding deeper US military engagement in the last year of his presidency. This, they say, all but guarantees that the toughest geopolitical challenges will be inherited by Obama's successor. That will likely give fuel to Republican presidential candidates who are eager to use Obama's foreign policy woes to attack, by extension, Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton, who served as his first-term Secretary of State. Islamic State has extended its deadly reach across the Middle East and beyond, with recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, carried out or inspired by the jihadist group. North Korea stunned the world last week with its fourth rogue nuclear test. Taliban insurgents are gaining ground in Afghanistan. Beijing continues to flex its muscle with its neighbors. Russia remains undeterred in Ukraine's separatist conflict and has challenged US influence in the Middle East with its military intervention in Syria's civil war, a conflict that Obama's critics have seized on as evidence of a rudderless foreign policy. Most outside analysts agree with administration officials' insistence that much of the global tumult is driven by forces beyond Obama's control. But experts also give credence to criticism that Obama's crisis response has often been hesitant and that policy missteps have either fueled conflict - or done little to curb it - in places like Syria, Iraq and Ukraine. "This is a risk-averse president who sets red lines he doesn't enforce," said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to Republican and Democratic administrations. "There's not a lot of inclination for heroic initiatives in what's left." Obama took office in 2009 hailed by his supporters as a transformational leader and pledging to bring US troops home from the long, unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In his first inaugural speech, he promised to help usher in a "new era of peace," including outreach to Muslims alienated by the perceived excesses of his predecessor George W Bush's global "war on terror." After popular revolts began to convulse the Arab world, Obama used his 2011 State of the Union speech to trumpet support for the "democratic aspirations of all people." But the "Arab Spring" has since taken an ugly turn, leaving Obama facing a Middle East region that is more unstable yet no more democratic than before.FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES Recent polls show that more than half of Americans disapprove of the way Obama is handling foreign policy and two-thirds are displeased with his response to Islamic State and the terrorist threat. The Obama administration strongly denies that it has now resigned itself to merely containing the seemingly intractable conflicts. As evidence of success, it can point to its landmark nuclear deal with Iran, the historic diplomatic opening to Cuba and a sweeping international climate change deal - all of which a senior administration official said will likely be touted in Tuesday's speech. He has also forged a major Asia-Pacific trade pact but faces an uphill fight to get it through Congress. For the coming year, Obama has left the door open to using executive powers to fulfill his early pledge to close the Guantanamo military prison, and could also act on his own to further loosen the half-century-old economic embargo on Cuba. "The president will be focused on finishing strong on his foreign policy agenda," the senior administration official told Reuters. "In no lexicon I'm aware of is this a strategy of containment." Obama insists his aim is to destroy Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, but there are strong doubts that his combination of relying on US-armed local partners, targeted American special forces raids, coalition air strikes and financial sanctions will be enough. The quest for a diplomatic solution to Syria's civil war also faces formidable obstacles, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Obama said back in 2011 "must go," looks all but certain to outlast him in office. "This all adds up to attempted containment - getting through 2016 until it becomes someone else's problem," said Frederic Hof, a former State Department adviser on Syria during Obama's first term and now at the Atlantic Council think tank. Obama has recently reinserted about 3,500 US military personnel into Iraq, slowed the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and authorized small numbers of special operations forces in Syria - though he adamantly rejects any large-scale military deployment His reluctance to get pulled into new conflicts remains at the heart of his foreign policy, and critics say other world powers are taking advantage of that. China has shown growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, where it has defied US criticism of its island-building and felt no apparent consequences. US ally Saudi Arabia has shown its willingness to buck Obama by going ahead with the execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric, provoking a feud with Iran that Washington appears powerless to quell.North Korea's announcement last week that it had exploded its fourth nuclear device since 2006 raised new questions about the Obama administration's "strategic patience" doctrine that essentially has sought to contain Pyongyang without provoking it. "I doubt that the president will put in any political capital to this," said Bonnie Glaser, senior Asia adviser at the CSIS think tank in Washington. "What can the president do in his last year?"REUTERS SHS GC2139 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-531747.Xml
A fantasy musical set to poetry by Dubai's ruler seeks to explain the secret of one of the Arab world's most compelling success stories, promoting a style of government that creates wealth and ensures stability while avoiding political strife.Lebanese director Marwan Rahbani insists the play, Al Faris or "The Knight", which premiered this month, describes general ideals of leadership and is not about Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum himself."The city is not Dubai, and the knight is not his highness Sheikh Mohammed. Anyone can have these attributes," he said.But the government-sponsored production is certainly in keeping with the public devotion to the rulers of the stable though politically-closed Gulf, where little dissent is tolerated and Arab family dynasties keep a firm grip on power.From Abu Dhabi to Manama, Doha to Riyadh, the images of rulers and kings are emblazoned on buildings and giant billboards, and their deeds dominate the media.However the Dubai musical, which ran for four days at Sheikh Rashid Hall, adopts a more traditional form of celebrating family rule, showing an idealised Arab leader as a poet and horseman, both highly prized skills among Arabs.The main character, whose close-clipped beard and headdress give him a resemblance to Sheikh Mohammed, wends his way through a make-believe universe of clanging sword battles and Arab folk dances in pursuit of a sweetheart abducted by jealous villains.Soothsayers liken the poet-prince's quest to his desire to build his kingdom into a paragon of diversity and peace.Like Dubai over the last decades, the glowing projected backdrop gradually morphs from a few stone minarets and candle-lit windows to a tidy highrise cityscape.This is a homage to Dubai's transformation from desert backwater to a global financial hub, for which Emiratis still express gratitude to their ruling families, crediting them with putting an end to the harsh existence of their forebears."The play is a message of peace from Dubai to the world and reflects noble Arab values and tolerant Islamic culture," Mona al Marri, director of Dubai's media centre, said on state media."It presents a call to the entire world to revive such values that can help nations overcome the difficult challenges they are facing today," she added.Dubai's rise is largely credited to 66-year-old Sheikh Mohammed. During his 10-year reign, state funds were successfully used to jump-start the trading and banking industries, which turned the city into a tourist and business centre where expatriate workers outnumber locals almost 9 to 1."MADE CIVILISED"In this time, Dubai has also had its share of problems.The emirate was forced to announced a debt standstill accord with creditors for $25 billion dollars, and faced criticism by campaigners demanding the repeal of what they consider oppressive labour laws affecting guest workers from Asia.But the emirate prospered regardless, and the "Dubai model" became the envy of Arab states, especially as "Arab Spring" protests led to raging civil wars - something Gulf rulers were determined to avoid at home.In 2013, the United Arab Emirates convicted 56 of its citizens in a mass trial for plotting to overthrow the government. Apart from this there has been little political strife in the seven-member federation, and as the play seeks to show, expatriates from a patchwork of less fortunate lands continue to thrive there.Inspired by a visit to the market where the prince is serenaded by twirling foreign traders plying their wares - spices from India, fruits from Syria and fabric from Lebanon - Al Faris orders his chief merchant to welcome them."Sir knight, our people everywhere are full of sadness and worry, and collapse under the weight of hatred and strife!""Their troubles are our troubles, and what ails them ails us," the knight retorts, insisting that they together build "a city teeming with life and creativity, where there are no bandits, no monopolies, war or hate."The audience, a sea of hundreds of black and white robe-clad Emiratis daubed in woody Arabic perfume, applauded."I'm so happy that a play like this could be brought together in Dubai," said Ahmed Awad, a Dubai policeman."It showed how a city can be built and made civilised." REUTERS SHS AN2217 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-531763.Xml
President Barack Obama will make good on a promise to close the US naval prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, his chief of staff Denis McDonough said on "Fox News today." Obama will first present a long-awaited plan to Congress about how to close the facility, and seek its approval, McDonough said in an interview. If Congress fails to act, the White House will determine what steps to take, he said. "He feels an obligation to the next president. He will fix this so that they don't have to be confronted with the same set of challenges," McDonough said. Obama pledged during the 2008 presidential election campaign that he would close the military prison, which housed foreign terrorism suspects after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. That pledge, still unfilled, has been a feature of his annual State of the Union addresses to the nation ever since. Obama has said the facility has been used as a recruiting tool in propaganda from groups like al Qaeda, and also is far too costly to maintain. There are 104 detainees left at the prison. Where possible, his administration has transferred detainees to other countries. But there is a small number of detainees who the administration says it would like to detain in a US facility for national security reasons.Congress has explicitly banned the transfer of detainees to the United States. McDonough declined to say whether Obama would close the prison using his own executive powers if Congress rejects his plan. "I'm not an if-then guy," he said. REUTERS SHS PR2249 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-531772.Xml
President Barack Obama will paint an optimistic picture in his final State of the Union televised address tomorrow, drawing a contrast with Republicans running to replace him in the November 2016 presidential election, his top aide said today. White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said the address, which will air live at 9 p.m. EST tomorrow, will be less of a laundry list of legislative plans and more of a big-picture view of America's future. "You'll hear a big, optimistic, generous view of the future of America from the president on Tuesday," McDonough said in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," one of several he gave on Sunday. The speech will be part nostalgic nod to Obama's history-making 2008 "hope and change" campaign which made him the first African-American president and part victory lap. The 54-year-old president will focus on the turnaround in the economy during his time in office - and try to avoid being cast as a "lame duck" unable to advance priorities as Congress prepares for his successor, who will take office in January 2017. The president, speaking in the Capitol, will address members of the Senate and the US House of Representatives and other top officials in the government, including US Supreme Court justices and the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obama's outlook is "different than some of the doom and gloom that we hear from the Republican candidates out there every day," McDonough said on ABC News' "This Week." The State of the Union speech, which is required by the U.S. Constitution, is earlier than usual in the calendar, partly to avoid becoming overshadowed by the early primary campaign contests, which begin on February 1 in Iowa. Republicans on Sunday were quick to point to Obama's foreign policy shortcomings. "I think, right now, the state of our union is a mess," Donald Trump, the national front-runner in the Republican presidential race, said on NBC. Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said he expected Obama would "try to paint a rosy picture where one does not exist" and urged the president to focus on a plan to defeat Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. "The whole Middle East is in terrible shape," McConnell said.REUTERS SHS PR2344 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-531798.Xml
Slovakia will not be accepting any refugees, says Slovak Prime Minister. Czech Deputy PM agrees

8. 1. 2016

cas cteni 1 minuta





"Slovakia will refuse all refugee quotas and will not be accepting any refugees even voluntarily," said Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He added that he "will do nothing that would lead to the setting up of a muslim community in his country" because he does not want women to be sexually assaulted in Slovakia like in Germany. In his view, "it is not easy to integrate immigrants, who have different traditions and a different religion." Fico said that it was "his duty to protect Slovakia".

The Czech Deputy Prime Minister Andrej Babis said that he absolutely agrees with Fico. In his view, the Czech Republic should do the same.

The controversial Czech website Parlamentni listy has asked a number of politicians for their reaction to the Cologne New Year's Eve sexual assaults. The Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka refused to answer their question. Most other Czech politicians said that immigrants were a security risk. Parlamentni listy regularly gives considerable space to activists of anti-islamist and racist Czech political parties, and organisations, who have predictably made a number of outrageous racist comments in connection with the Cologne events. See the article entitled "Disgustingly obscene behaviour. Animals. This is only a beginning, arm you wives and daughters. Castrate those swine and monsters"

Another source in Czech HERE

0
Earlier, anti-terrorism police initiated simultaneous operations across five districts in Istanbul, apprehending 10 suspected IS members, Xinhua reported citing the Dogan News Agency.

Local reports denote those detained were in contact with IS militants in conflict zones, frequently travelling to the region.

Another 23 suspects were incarcerated in Adana, including 16 foreigners aspiring to join the IS and seven Turkish citizens recruiting militants for the IS.

According to reports, anti-terrorism police embarked upon the operation following a tip-off that seven IS recruiters were about to expedite the journey of foreign women and children into territories under IS control.

The seven Turkish citizens suspected of recruiting militants for IS were arrested as per the tip-off, including a Russian woman and 15 Egyptians.

After undergoing medical checks, 16 foreigners were sent to the Directorate of Migration Management in preparation for their deportation, added the Daily News.

--Indo-Asian News Service vr/

( 184 Words)

2016-01-11-00:33:36 (IANS)
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Philip Gunn

House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, thanks his family for their support upon getting elected by the body to a second term as speaker, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss.

(Rogelio V. Solis/The Associated Press)

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Ambitious new lawmakers who want to zip into the Mississippi Capitol and rapidly change public policy are getting their first tough lesson: nothing happens quickly at the beginning of a term.

The 2016 session started last week at a pace so leisurely that it's not even accurate to describe what's happening, so far, as "work" for most legislators.

House and Senate staffers have been busy. The start of a four-year term requires them to handle plenty of organizational matters, including helping legislators choose desks in each chamber and parking spaces on the Capitol grounds.

Staff attorneys are writing bills that legislators are requesting, but until committees are established, there's no place for those bills to go for the first round of debate.

Sometime in the next couple of weeks, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves will announce committee members and chairmen in the Senate, and Speaker Philip Gunn will announce them in the House.

These announcements are crucial because committees, and their chairmen, have the power to decide which bills will survive long enough for to be considered in each chamber. Committees are usually -- but not always -- the killing grounds for proposals that are goofy, hyperpartisan or wildly expensive.

Committee assignments are on hold, in part, because legislators are still working to resolve disputes about one House race and one Senate race from the November election.

Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton of Taylorsville was sworn in for a sixth term last week, but Mark Tullos of Raleigh, the Republican who ran against him, is asking the House to overturn the election. The District 79 race in Smith and Jasper counties ended in a tie, and Eaton won a drawing of straws as a tiebreaker. Tullos contends the race never should have been tied because he believes some votes were improperly counted.

In Senate District 37 in Adams, Amite, Franklin and Pike counties, Democratic former Sen. Bob Dearing defeated Republican Sen. Melanie Sojourner by 64 votes in November. Sojourner and Dearing are both from Natchez, and she defeated him in 2011 after he had served 32 years. She's asking the Senate to declare her the winner of the 2015 race, saying that voting irregularities should invalidate Dearing's victory. Because the Senate has different rules than the House, Dearing has not been inaugurated and the District 37 seat is vacant until the dispute is resolved.

Special committees will consider arguments in each election challenge, with final decisions to be made by each chamber.

Legislators will be in session four months this year, which is normal for the first year of a term. After this, each regular session lasts three months.

Extra weeks are built in at the beginning to help new members learn the legislative process. With little to do at the Capitol now, some legislators are driving back home to tend to their regular jobs. Others are using the down time to chat with colleagues or attend lobbyist-sponsored soirees.

During the first week of the session, legislators have had the chance to attend events hosted by Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Gov. Phil Bryant, bail agents, county supervisors and the Mississippi Association of Educators. The city of Jackson hosted a large reception the first night of the session under a big tent outside the Capitol, and the Gulf Coast hosted one on the second night in a building on the state fairgrounds in Jackson.

Over the next several weeks, legislators will have food and drink available from a long list of groups, including tourism promoters, circuit clerks, nurses, manufacturers, cattle ranchers and egg marketers.
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- An independent audit of Singing River Health System finances show the health system turned what had been a recent trend of $30 million in annual losses into a $689,205 profit during fiscal 2015.

SRHS Chief Executive Officer Kevin Holland said Friday the system had "stopped the financial bleeding."

"We've eliminated our financial losses by nearly $3 million per month and are profitable again," Holland said, "all while maintaining high quality, award winning care for our patients. There is still much work to do, but the Turnaround Plan our new leadership team launched over a year ago is working and we are recovering for the benefit of our patients, our employees and our community."

Singing River Health System includes both Jackson County hospitals -- Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula and Ocean Springs Hospital.

The audit, compiled by the Birmingham, Ala., firm of Dixon Hughes Goodman, notes that had a turnaround plan not been implemented, "the Health System certainly would have been bankrupt by this point in time."

The audit also shows a gross liability for the embattled employee pension plan of $441 million as of Sept. 30, 2015, when the fiscal year ended. After subtracting plan assets of $137, the health system has a net pension fund liability of $304 million.

Read the entire SRHS audit

It should be noted the SRHS profit for fiscal 2015 does not reflect the pension fund liability. The audit also indicates that the cash impact of the freeze on pension fund contributions by the system implemented in 2014 will continue over the next 35 years. Holland noted in his release a recent agreement which, if approved by the courts, will result in SRHS contributing roughly $149 million into the pension fund over the next 35 years.

In addition, the audit also states the health system, although its bonds are guaranteed by Jackson County, has not received financial support for the past 26 years. However, in December, supervisors agreed to pay $13.6 million to the health system for indigent care and to prevent bond default. The audit was completed before that agreement was reached.

The health system facilitated the financial turnaround by cutting salaries and wages by 8.2 percent. SRHS eliminated 124 full-time positions during the fiscal year.

Supplies and pharmaceutical costs also decreased, by 2.3 percent. The report notes that labor costs and supplies together represent over 59 percent of the health system's total operating costs.

The report discusses, and a release from the health system, the "lingering effects" of an $88 million accounts receivable overestimation from prior years. Other threats to the system's financial well-being are payment reductions from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance payers, high levels of uncompensated indigent care and the lack of Medicaid expansion in Mississippi.

Holland said the health system budget for fiscal 2016, which began Oct. 1, projects another year in the black.

"As a result of our team's efforts, we have made great strides forward to prepare Singing River Health System for the challenges our entire industry is facing," Holland said. "By exceeding our budgeted forecasts for fiscal year 2015, and budgeting another profitable year of operations for 2016, we are positioning our organization to continue providing the outstanding quality and service our community expects."
Ted Cruz

Republican Presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, campaigns at Penny's Diner in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Tea party flame-thrower Ted Cruz is showing voters his softer side during his presidential campaign in Iowa, whether through his joke-laced stump speech or one-on-one interactions.

(Nati Harnik/The Associated Press)

STORM LAKE, Iowa -- Lisa Naslund clutched a photo of her son Dillion in his military fatigues as she waited about an hour for a chance to meet Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz in this northwestern Iowa town.

The 25-year old soldier suffered from post-traumatic stress after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2012, it became too much to bear and he took his own life.

Cruz patiently met would-be voters -- lending an ear, asking questions, taking selfies. It was part of an effort to catapult his campaign going into the leadoff presidential caucuses on Feb. 1. Naslund was at the event to stress to the Texas senator the importance of getting help for service members with PTSD.

She had finally made it to the front of the line when the typically brash and brusque Cruz surprised even his closest observers by drawing her in for a long hug.

The tea party favorite is showing voters a softer side, whether through jokes in campaign speeches or personal interactions like the one with Naslund. Contrast that with the image his opponents like to emphasize -- an image Cruz himself pushes at GOP debates: uncompromising, sometimes abrasive, attacking Democrats and Republicans alike, calling them part of the "Washington cartel."

Naslund saw none of that.

"He was very easy to talk to," she said. "He was very heartfelt. You can definitely feel the passion in him. Very compassionate."

The approach seems to be working. Iowa polls show him with an edge over national front-runner Donald Trump, and Cruz is pulling his weight in other states.

In his travels across rural Iowa, the Princeton and Harvard graduate is looking to find common ground with the people who could make or break his presidential hopes. Crowds are responding with fervor.

"You sense more emotion, more compassion," said Rolf Carlson, a 72-year-old retired clinical psychologist from Spirit Lake. "Much more." He came to see Cruz at a pizza restaurant in his town, about 60 miles north of Storm Lake.

Cruz still makes sure to toss some bait to reel in his conservative base. He quotes Scripture, calls President Barack Obama and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton as "feckless and naive" and promises that any jihadi entering a military recruiting station will "encounter the business end of firearms wielded by a dozen Marines."

But he also weaves in references to his favorite films and television shows, like the comedic, fairy-tale adventure "The Princess Bride" and "The Simpsons" cartoon, along with impersonations of politicians, Obama and John F. Kennedy among them.

Cruz was a college debate champion and he can display a quick wit when reacting to the inevitable interruptions that come with any long campaign.

"That's the Obama NSA," Cruz joked with the lights went off briefly during a speech at a pizzeria in Spirit Lake. "They hear there's a gathering of Iowans seeking the peaceable overthrow of the government."

The bulk of Cruz's presentation is disciplined and well-rehearsed, varying little from stop to stop. At Harvard, he was an aspiring actor, and his stage techniques often are evident during campaign speeches.

His inflections rise for dramatic effect, like when promising to repeal Common Core education standards. They can drop to a hush, such as when he tells the story of how his father was imprisoned in Cuba and his teeth were "shattered out of his mouth" before fleeing to the United States in 1957.

The candidate also pauses for comedic effect at the same lines every time.

"I'm happy to answer," he says, then pauses, "or dodge any question you have."

Cruz tries to meet with everyone lining up for selfies or wanting campaign buttons, posters, hats and even homemade drawings of Cruz signed. He talks to children, shakes hands, slaps backs, gives hugs.

It's far off the image Cruz has cultivated from the presidential debates. He has criticized the media for orchestrating a "cage match," threatened to "carpet bomb" the Islamic State group and suggested building a wall to help secure the country.

Becca Bowers, a 26-year-old from Pomeroy, brought her three young children -- all under age 4 -- to hear Cruz speak in Pocahontas. She fought through the crowd after the event to meet him and see if he could persuade her to vote for him.

"I asked him if he would do what he said he would do," Bowers said. "He said he would. He looked me in the eyes. He was very trustworthy."
Academy Award-winning actor Sean Penn met in person with Joaquin Guzman Loera, the wanted Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo," while he was on the run from Mexican authorities.

The pair ate, drank and talked for seven hours at Guzman's secret jungle compound following the drug lord's second escape from jail.

Their conversation, according to Penn, touched on numerous subjects from Hollywood to Guzman's recent escape to Donald Trump.

Guzman was recaptured by Mexican authorities on Friday, thanks in part to his reaching out to actors and producers in an effort to make a movie about his life.

Here are the five of the most interesting parts of Penn's Rolling Stone piece.

Penn knew he was being watched by law enforcement

Penn wrote that his preparation for the meeting included using burner phones, one per contact, one per day, destroy, burn, buy, balancing levels of encryption, mirroring through Blackphones, anonymous email addresses, unsent messages accessed in draft form."

From the moment he landed in Mexico, Penn was "suspicious" of everything, he wrote. "I search the skies for helicopters. There is no question in my mind but that the DEA and the Mexican government are tracking our movements."

El Chapo wanted to know about Hollywood

Guzman, who was recaptured in part due to reaching out to moviemakers, asked Penn about the biz. "He is interested in the movie business and how it works," Penn wrote. "He's unimpressed with its financial yield. The P&L high side doesn't add up to the downside risk for him. He suggests to us that we consider switching our career paths to the oil business."

While not done in the same breath, Guzman also asked Penn whether people in the United States knew who he was. Penn assured the drug lord he was well known in America.

Read More: Sean Penn Reportedly "Under Investigation" for El Chapo Interview

El Chapo openly boasted about his drug empire

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Guzman did not mince words when talking about his business: drugs. "I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats," Guzman said, according to Penn's piece.

Guzman tells Penn he started his way of life at the age of 15. "The only way to have money to buy food, to survive, is to grow poppy, marijuana, and at that age, I began to grow it, to cultivate it and to sell it. That is what I can tell you," Guzman said, Penn wrote.

Guzman then spoke about the violence that comes with the drug trade. "Look, all I do is defend myself, nothing more. But do I start trouble? Never," he said, according to Penn.

El Chapo's most recent daring escape is better explained

The drug kingpin busted out of a maximum-security prison last year via a hole in his cell and a 1,600-yard tunnel that was equipped with lighting and oxygen tanks. Penn wrote that a lot of work went into that escape. "I will discover that his already accomplished engineers had been flown to Germany last year for three months of extensive additional training necessary to deal with the low-lying water table beneath the prison," Penn wrote. "A tunnel equipped with a pipe-track-guided motorcycle with an engine modified to function in the minimally oxygenized space, allowing El Chapo to drop through a hole in his cell's shower floor, into its saddle and ride to freedom."

Read More: Mexico Claims El Chapo's Interest in Biopic Led to His Arrest

Donald Trump was discussed

The GOP presidential candidate was talked about, which is a big deal since there was a rumor that the drug kingpin put a $100 million bounty on his head. "I mention Trump. El Chapo smiles, ironically saying, 'Ah! Mi amigo!'" Penn wrote. Trump reached out to the FBI in July to investigate a threat he received via Twitter following his comments about the escaped drug lord.
Washington (AFP) - In a cloak-and-dagger plot fit for a Hollywood movie, US actor Sean Penn met secretly in the Mexican jungle in October with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, conducting an explosive interview released a day after the drug kingpin's recapture.

The astonishing story of Penn's encounter with the world's most wanted criminal was published by Rolling Stone magazine on Saturday, the day after Guzman's arrest following a deadly military raid in Los Mochis, a coastal city in the drug lord's native northwestern state of Sinaloa.

After months of secret negotiations to establish contact and win the fugitive's trust, Penn was granted a "seven-hour sit-down" with the capo -- presented as his first-ever interview outside an interrogation room -- followed up in subsequent phone and video conversations.

"Not since Osama bin Laden has the pursuit of a fugitive so occupied the public imagination," Penn wrote in a Rolling Stone article recounting the extraordinary sequence of events.

A social activist and fierce critic of the US war on drugs, Penn -- who had help from Mexican actress Kate del Castillo in arranging the meeting -- said he felt compelled to seek El Chapo out of a sense of America's complicity in the drug violence plaguing its southern neighbors.

"As an American citizen, I'm drawn to explore what may be inconsistent with the portrayals our government and media brand upon their declared enemies," he said.

When they finally met in a Mexican jungle clearing, he said the 58-year-old Guzman -- on the run since escaping from the Altiplano maximum-security prison in July after just 17 months -- gave him a brotherly embrace before introducing him to his crew.

"He pulls me into a 'compadre' hug, looks me in the eyes and speaks a lengthy greeting in Spanish too fast for my ears," Penn said.

Rolling Stone published a picture showing the actor in a black shirt shaking hands with the cartel leader, dated October 2.

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During their meeting Guzman agreed to a filmed interview at a later time, but a face-to-face meeting proved impossible, so the drug lord provided responses via videotape to Penn's questions, without the Hollywood star present.

- No other way 'to survive' -

In a two-minute video clip posted online by Rolling Stone, a clean-shaven Guzman dressed in a blue collared shirt is shown in what appears to be a yard, as a rooster crows in the background.

"It's a reality that drugs destroy," Guzman says in Spanish.

"Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isn't a way to survive."

He responded to questioning about his responsiblity for massive drug addiction and the prevalence of narcotics, calling such accusations "false."

"The day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all," he said of the drug trade.

In a stunning admission of his criminal enterprise, Penn says Guzman told him over sips of tequila that "I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world."

"I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats," Guzman said.

Penn described him as "entirely unapologetic. Against the challenges of doing business in such a clandestine industry he has built an empire."

Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez had revealed Friday that Guzman met with unnamed actors and producers in the hope of making a biopic about himself.

Penn said he believed prior to the meeting his movements were likely being tracked by Mexican and US authorities, and a Mexican federal official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the meeting had helped lead to Guzman's recapture.

The actor also said he entered into the interview project fully aware of the dangers involved.

"The trust that El Chapo had extended to us was not to be fucked with," Penn wrote.

"I'd seen plenty of video and graphic photography of those beheaded, exploded, dismembered or bullet-riddled innocents, activists, courageous journalists and cartel enemies alike."

But he said he was emboldened to seek the meeting by El Chapo's "unique" reputation.

"Unlike many of his counterparts who engage in gratuitous kidnapping and murder, El Chapo is a businessman first, and only resorts to violence when he deems it advantageous to himself or his business interests," Penn wrote.

Mexican authorities have said they will begin the process of extraditing Guzman to the United States, a reversal from President Enrique Pena Nieto's refusal to send him across the border.

In the video interview, Guzman is asked about the notion Mexican authorities want to kill him instead of taking him alive.

He responds: "No, I think that if they find me they will arrest me. Of course."
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Unidentified aircraft attacked an Islamic State convoy on Sunday near the Libyan city of Sirte, a resident told Reuters. The coastal city has been controlled for months by the militant group, which has used it as a base from which to try to expand its presence in Libya. The witness account could not be verified, and the air force allied to one of Libya's competing governments, based in the east of the country, said it had not carried out any strikes. Also on Sunday, a spokesman for the Petroleum Facilities Guard said three boats had tried to attack the oil port of Zueitina. The guards repelled the attack before the boats reached the port, hitting one of the vessels and setting it on fire, Ali al-Hassi said. He said Islamic State militants were suspected of carrying out the attack. Earlier this week Islamic State launched an assault on the major Libyan oil terminals of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, which lie between Zueitina and Sirte. Clashes over three days left 18 guards dead and more than 50 injured, Hassi said on Sunday, giving an updated toll. They also triggered fires at seven oil storage tanks that were later extinguished. Zueitina oil port was closed in November in a move linked to the wider dispute between Libya's rival governments. The export terminals at Es Sider and Ras Lanuf have been closed since December 2014. The U.N. is currently trying to win support for a plan to form a national unity government, though it has faced resistance from factions on the ground. Islamist militants have taken advantage of a security vacuum that developed as numerous rival groups have competed for power and for Libya's oil wealth since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011. On Thursday a suicide truck bombing claimed by Islamic State killed dozens of police recruits in the Western city of Zliten, in one of the worst attacks of recent years. (Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to Iraq has denied reports that the United States has been carrying out helicopter raids against Islamic State militants in northern Iraq. "There have recently been reports of U.S. helicopter raids in Hawija and Kirkuk. As Defense Minister Obaidi and numerous other Iraqi officials have stated, reports of these raids are untrue," Stuart Jones said in a statement on Saturday. Recent reports of more than half a dozen air raids led by U.S. special forces have been decried by powerful Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias and other critics of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as violations of Iraqi sovereignty. "I want to stress what I have said many times before: Iraqi sovereignty is sacred and must be respected. All coalition activities conducted in Iraq are and will be in consultation with the Iraqi government," Jones said, referring to the U.S.-led coalition bombing Islamic State targets and training Iraqi forces. Iraqi parliament speaker Salim al-Jabouri told Reuters on Thursday foreign special forces have been conducting raids behind Islamic State lines in Hawija ahead of an offensive planned later this year to retake Mosul, the largest city under Islamic State control. He said the raids were carried out "from time to time" and "supported by Iraqi forces" but did not specify whether the United States had played a role or how many had occurred. Dubai-based al-Hadath TV and Iraqi media have reported several air raids over the last month in and around Hawija, 210 km (130 miles) north of Baghdad. Washington said last month it was deploying a new force of around 100 special operations troops to Iraq to carry out strikes against Islamic State there and in neighboring Syria. U.S. officials gave no details. Both the U.S. and Iraqi military have denied that U.S. forces have carried out military operations on the ground in Hawija since October, when U.S. special forces and Kurdish peshmerga commandos rescued 69 Iraqis in a raid in which one U.S. commando was killed. (This version of the story has been refiled to add dropped word "half" in third graph) (Reporting by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Oxford (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Oxford United manager Michael Appleton hailed his players for a "magnificent" achievement after the fourth-tier team knocked Premier League Swansea City out of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Jefferson Montero's opener for Swansea was cancelled out by Liam Sercombe before Kemar Roofe scored a brace and despite Bafetimbi Gomis reducing the arrears in the 66th minute, Oxford held on for a famous win.

"I thought the performance was magnificent," said Appleton, who began his playing career at Manchester United.

"To beat a Premier League team on your own patch is one thing, but the way we did it, the way we passed the ball and the chances we created at times was great.

"We had to dig deep when it was 3-2, but we showed a lot of composure in defence.

"We knew if we stuck to what we do best that we'd get opportunities. We pressed as high as we could and I think it unsettled them at times."

Roofe, 23, put Oxford ahead in the third-round tie with a curling effort from outside the box in the 49th minute and then finished off a slick counter-attack just before the hour.

"It's not every day you play against a Premier League side so you just want to do your best," said Roofe, who joined Oxford from West Bromwich Albion during the close season.

"It's not just me, it's the whole team. Everyone on that pitch put in a shift. We had no nerves as we were the underdogs."
By Samuel Elijah COTONOU (Reuters) - The national voodoo holiday in the West African country of Benin had a distinctively political accent this year as practitioners from Africa and the Americas gathered on Sunday to offer prayers and sacrifices for peace. Hundreds of followers of the traditional religion gathered in the Atlantic coast town of Ouidah, once an important port in the slave trade, to pray for calm during the tiny country's presidential election scheduled for February. Benin has no history of significant electoral violence. But David Kofi Aza, a well-known priest, said last month that an oracle named Fa had predicted dozens of deaths in post-electoral violence because the loser would refuse to cede to the winner. The oracle did not reveal how the crisis would be resolved, Aza said. At the ceremony in Ouidah, spiritual leader Daagbo Hounan Houna II appealed to the dead to help keep order during the vote. "The elections will pass in a peaceful manner in the name of the bounties of the ancestors," he said. Further inland in Savalou, the hometown of Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, priests and dignitaries set a chicken on fire at a ceremony before spreading its blood and palm oil on a fetish made out of cowrie shells and sand. The election campaign has been overshadowed by a controversy over the ruling party's choice of Zinsou as its candidate, a pick approved by outgoing president Thomas Boni Yayi. Last Tuesday, politicians from the opposition and dissidents from the ruling party met for discussions on the formation of a coalition to prevent Zinsou's run. Zinsou is both French and Beninese and spent a large part of his life in France. Critics claim he is an outsider without a true understanding of the realities of life in Benin. But he does enjoy local support. "Diversity must be a richness and exclusion is a source of war," Gbaguidi Tossoh, the king of Savalou, said at the ceremony there. Boni Yayi has been president since 2006, when he took over in a peaceful transition of power after 28 years under Marxist coup leader Mathieu Kerekou, who gradually came to embrace multiparty democracy. Aside from Zinsou, prominent businessman Sebastien Ajavon and Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, a former senior official at the International Monetary Fund and a 2011 presidential candidate, have officially declared their runs for the office. The celebrations of voodoo, a traditional African spirit religion that spread to the Americas with the slave trade, were declared a national holiday in 1992. This year they drew practitioners from nearby countries such as Togo, Ghana and Nigeria and locations as far away as Haiti, Brazil and the United States. "For nearly 15 years, I have not missed this celebration," said a man in his 60s from Brazil who gave his name only as Antonio. (Additional reporting by Allegresse Sasse; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
There's a pivotal moment in 'Straight Outta Compton,' a rousing and terrifically engaging bio-drama inspired by the rise and fall of the notorious hip-hop group N.W.A., when the plot's central theme comes into clear focus. About halfway into the film, Andre "Dr. Dre" Young, played by the talented Corey Hawkins, receives news of his younger brother's death at the hands of another youth, while Dre and fellow "reality" rappers are touring the country promoting their debut album. In an effort to comfort their friend, O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson (O'Shea Jackson, Jr. in an uncanny portrayal as a younger version of his father) and Eric "Eazy-E" Wright (Jason Mitchell in a poignant, standout performance) begin sharing stories of personal loss. It's a moving scene not only meant to reflect on the problematic violence plaguing inner-city life, but also one revealing that in spite of the hardened criminal personas created by the group's name and their brash, aggressively defiant music, the three remain young men deeply affected by the harsh, unforgiving reality of a city they call home.

The scene is doubly significant in making clear the three characters as the principal figures in this tale although other members MC Ren (Aldis Hodge), DJ Yella (Neil Brown, Jr.) and The D.O.C. (Marlon Yates Jr.) still play minor roles in the group's history. More importantly, the touching exchange between friends reveals what is ultimately at stake in telling the story of a musical group that instantly ignited controversy with their debut album and drew the attention of the U.S. government with their hit single "F**k tha Police." Their music and style were deemed offensive by the mainstream public because of the language and their seemingly hostile, antagonistic personalities. But this brief exchange lets slip their humanity. Their words and tears expose anxious boys hiding beneath those stage personas created as part of their performance  insecure, fearful, and vulnerable young men troubled by a reality that seems to haunt them, live with them and is a part of them even from thousands of miles away. It's the scene that perfectly encapsulates the plot's overall central theme and tells audiences this is more than a simple adaptation of real-life events.

The raw abrasiveness of their songs, which were largely produced by Dr. Dre, and explicit lyrics, many of which were written by Ice Cube, spoke to a loftier truth that director F. Gary Gray ('Friday,' 'The Italian Job') manages to powerfully communicate in this one scene. The angry, militant energy in their music articulated their frustration and rage against an apathetic society that treated them as lesser citizens and much less even bothered to acknowledge their plight. In many respects, their songs were passionate outcries speaking against not only the violence within their community but also against those meant to protect them from the violence. And it's a type of violence that follows them everywhere they go. Even when achieving success or the fabled "American Dream," such as when they are on tour, they are reminded of their "blackness," but one that is very narrow and limits much of what they are allowed to do, such as being granted the freedom to perform as they wish in a Detroit concert. Their music turned a spotlight on a terrible truth they saw as an unfortunate normal part of their lives, a type of violence they could never completely escape.

The violence depicted in 'Straight Outta Compton' does not come only from those using it as means to parade physical strength and power over another  the way Suge Knight (R. Marcos Taylor) blurs the line of record producer of Death Row Records and criminal organization and the treatment of African-Americans at the hands of police officers. But there is also the type that's more Machiavellian and takes advantage of a group of young men naive and ignorant of the music business  Paul Giamatti is excellent as the scrupulous Jerry Heller, doing an amazing job as a sympathetic father figure who hides his true intentions incredibly well. From a script by Andrea Berloff ('World Trade Center') and Jonathan Herman, the bio-drama tends to feel a bit bloated in a couple spots trying to cover several events, especially when clocking in at 167 minutes. But Gray successfully keeps the focus on how those events motivated the music and how the music of these young men, of speaking brazenly of a truth they lived, impacted and revolutionized hip hop forever.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Universal Studios Home Entertainment brings 'Straight Outta Compton' to Blu-ray as a two-disc combo pack with an UltraViolet Digital Copy code. Housed inside a blue, eco-elite keepcase with a glossy, lightly embossed slipcover, the Region Free, BD50 disc sits comfortably opposite a DVD-9 copy of the film. The Blu-ray includes the 167-minute theatrical version along with an unrated director's cut that clocks in at 187 minutes, adding 20 minutes of dialogue, character development and entirely new sequences not seen in theaters. At startup, viewers can skip various trailers before being greeted by the standard menu screen with the usual options, full-motion clips and music.
Paris (AFP) - Fallen FIFA chief Sepp Blatter will appeal against his eight-year ban, his lawyer said Sunday, joining fellow suspended official Michel Platini in a fight to clear his name.

"We will appeal it, of course," Blatter's US-based attorney Richard Cullen confirmed to AFP in an email.

The confirmation came after FIFA's ethics tribunal on Saturday revealed it had provided Blatter and UEFA president Platini with the reasons for imposing the ban, clearing the way for both men to appeal.

A lawyer for Platini, who has also been banned for eight years, had earlier confirmed an appeal would be launched.

In December, FIFA's ethics tribunal ruled both men had abused their positions over a 2 million Swiss francs ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) payment made to Platini in 2011 for work carried out between 1999 and 2002.

Blatter, who has headed FIFA since 1998, was also fined 50,000 Swiss francs while Platini, a FIFA vice-president, was fined 80,000 Swiss francs.

The court insisted there was "no legal basis" for the payment that Blatter authorised for Platini in 2011.

Platini's lawyer Thibaud d'Ales said Saturday that his 60-year-old client had indeed received the reasons behind the ban.

"We'll read them, analyse them and launch an appeal on Monday," D'Ales said.

The tribunal did not provide further details of the reasoning behind its decision.

Instead it stressed it had now "fulfilled its commitment to provide the grounds for the respective decisions to Mr Blatter and Mr Platini within the first half of January 2016."

"After receiving the grounds for the decisions, both officials may lodge an appeal with the FIFA Appeal Committee," the statement said.

If that appeal is rejected, the two men can appeal further to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the highest tribunal in sports.

At the time of the verdict, both men angrily vowed to fight the bans, which started immediately.

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The tribunal decision promises to end 79-year-old Blatters four decades with FIFA in disgrace.

It also dealt a devastating blow to Platini's hopes of taking over as head of FIFA in an election on February 26.

The UEFA president pulled out of the race earlier this week, saying the ban has made it impossible for him to put together a campaign to take on the sport's most powerful job.

He told French sports newspaper L'Equipe that he no longer had "the time nor the means to go to the voters, to meet people, to fight against the other candidates.

"In withdrawing, I am dedicating myself to my defence."

FIFA has since last May be rocked to its core by a cascade of corruption charges and arrests that culminated with the implication of the two long considered world football's most powerful men.

The US justice department has charged 39 individuals and two companies over graft within world football going back decades, in a sweeping prosecution that has sparked an unprecedented crisis at FIFA.

A total of nine FIFA officials were arrested during two raids at the five-star Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, on May 27 and December 3, by Swiss police acting on US warrants.
Barcelona (AFP) - Carles Puigdemont, who has been chosen to lead Catalonia to independence from Spain, called Sunday for the secession process to start in his first speech to local lawmakers as they were on the verge of voting him in as new regional leader.

"We need... to start the process to set up an independent state in Catalonia," he said in a speech to the wealthy region's parliament, which was followed by loud applause.

After months of in-fighting, Catalonia's pro-independence faction that won regional parliamentary elections in September finally came to an agreement this weekend over who should lead the new local government.

The focus of the squabble had been Artur Mas, the incumbent, separatist regional president whom the far-left CUP party -- part of the secessionist faction that won the polls -- rejected over his support for austerity and corruption scandals linked to his party.

With Mas stubbornly refusing to step aside as a weekend deadline to form a government loomed, Catalonia seemed to be heading for fresh elections, which would have been the fourth since 2010.

But at the last minute, Mas agreed to step aside on Saturday, naming the relatively unknown journalist and politician Puigdemont as his successor.

This is expected to open the door for the now-united separatist lawmakers, who form an absolute majority in Catalonia's parliament, to vote in Puigdemont as new president later on Sunday evening.

The 53-year-old Catalan-language journalist and mayor of Girona will then appoint his cabinet.

He told parliament that apart from launching the secession process, Catalonia would need to offer to negotiate "with the Spanish state, the European Union and the international community."

- 'Power vacuum in Madrid' -

The last-ditch agreement to form a Catalan government stands in stark contrast to the situation in Madrid, where the national government is in limbo following inconclusive December polls.

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Incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) came top in the December 20 elections but lost its absolute majority, leaving him struggling to form a coalition government.

"The (separatist) coalition is profiting from the power vacuum in Madrid," headlined online daily El Espanol on Sunday.

Faced with the prospect of secession by Spain's richest region, Rajoy insisted Saturday that the country's next national government should have "an ample parliamentary base with the stability and capacity to face the separatist challenge".

So far the PP's traditional Socialist rivals (PSOE), who came second in the elections, have refused to support him.

But ironically, the last-minute separatist deal may favour him as the PSOE stands united with the PP over its opposition to Catalonia breaking away from Spain.

"We reiterate our support for the caretaker government to enforce the law and defend the Constitution," Socialist lower house parliamentary group spokesman Antonio Hernando told reporters.

And Fernando Martinez-Maillo of the PP stressed that there was "no better way to confront secessionism than to see the Popular Party and the Socialist party join forces."

One of Spain's 17 semi-autonomous regions with its own language and customs, Catalonia already enjoys a large degree of freedom in education, health and policing.

But fed up after years of demands for greater autonomy on the taxation front -- complaining it pays more to Madrid than it gets back -- the region veered towards separatism.

Polls show most in the 7.5 million-strong region support staging a Scotland-style referendum on independence -- which Rajoy has categorically refused to allow -- but in fact are divided over whether to make the break from Spain.

- 'Alarm bells' ringing again -

Catalonia's secessionist drive has worried not just Madrid, but business leaders too.

In November, the separatist lawmakers passed a motion in parliament breaking from Spain and calling for complete independence in 18 months.

But as week after week passed with no government in view, outsiders began to doubt that the separatists would ever be able to implement their independence plan.

Mas on Sunday attempted to put these doubts to bed.

"In the past few weeks (in Madrid), they were saying enthusiastically that Catalonia was sinking, they were so enthusiastic that they had started to relax," he told members of his CDC party on Sunday.

"But from yesterday, all the alarm bells started ringing again."
Julie Plec wrote CWs Containment pilot after telling Warner Bros. execs of her enthusiasm for contagion. Well, maybe not so much contagion, but the world of contagion. Ebola, Plec said during the shows TCA panel today, wasnt a cultural conversation when I started writing, though by the time shed finished her first draft the outbreak happened, and it was exactly the conversation.

Based on a Belgian format, Containment, an upcoming midseason series, also appealed to Plecs preference for grounded but simple, honest stories with the deep theme of love and family and friendship within chaotic, terrifying environments.

Warner Bros. owns the Belgian format, and some changes were made in the adaptation. While the original series Patient Zero was from Afghanistan, I thought that with Syria bubbling in the news, and ISIS, it felt like a more topical show to reflect current events.

Asked if she was ready for controversy, Plec insisted, I dont think its controversial. Its a mystery, and more about how we, as Americans, are quick to jump to conclusions, and prey on fear, without having information.

The American series particular contagion is a 48-hour killer, and Season 1s 13 episodes encompass the storys 19 days. Containment chronicles the mysterious fatal outbreak in Atlanta, which prompts a large-scale quarantine while local and federal officials desperately search for a cure.

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By Thomas Escritt AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he would argue for a "yes" vote in an upcoming referendum on a treaty on closer ties between the European Union and Ukraine which threatens to overshadow his presidency of the 28-member bloc. Rutte's remarks came a day after European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned that a rejection of the treaty by Dutch voters could lead to a "continental crisis". While the vote, on establishing an association agreement between the EU and its troubled eastern neighbor, is not binding, most Dutch parties have said they would feel bound to take a "no" into account. It had not been previously clear whether the government would weigh in on the campaign or instead hope that the vote would be undermined by low turnout. "I will vote 'yes' in the referendum," Rutte said on public television's Buitenhof show. "And I and my colleagues will explain why we are doing so. It's about free trade ... not an accession treaty as its opponents say." Anti-European website GeenStijl collected 430,000 signatures to trigger the plebiscite, claiming an association agreement with Ukraine would lead eventually to full membership for the war-torn country of 45 million. The April referendum will be held during the current Dutch presidency of the European Union, putting pressure on Rutte as a "no" would be a blow to the bloc's attempts to bring the former Soviet republic further into the EU's orbit. Juncker warned that a Dutch rejection of the treaty would play into the hands of Russia, which is backing separatist rebels in a war in eastern Ukraine and annexed its Crimean peninsula in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin is an unpopular figure in the Netherlands, where he is widely blamed for the 2014 downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine, in which 298 died, two-thirds of them Dutch. While Rutte said Juncker's remarks were over-the-top, a "no" vote would also evoke memories of the Dutch rejection in a 2005 referendum of a proposed EU constitution, which threw the continental body into a year-long crisis. "It's the 2005 trauma. I have an incredible feeling of deja vu," said one government official who campaigned on the losing side of that vote. An enthusiastic founding member of the EU, Dutch attitudes to European integration have been cooling ever since the country became a net contributor to the bloc's budget in 1991. While most Dutch parties are pro-European, the anti-EU, anti-Muslim Freedom Party of right-wing populist Geert Wilders is leading in polls. A Maurice De Hond poll on Sunday showed the Freedom Party would win 41 seats in the 150-member parliament in elections now, more than the two coalition parties combined. (Reporting By Thomas Escritt; Editing by Ros Russell)
Quito (AFP) - Ecuador will make a $1 billion payment to American oil giant Occidental Petroleum by April, in keeping with a decision from a World Bank arbitration panel, President Rafael Correa said.

The International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) initially ordered Ecuador to pay the company, known as Oxy, $1.77 billion plus interest in the 2012 ruling.

Correa in his weekly media address said that his government had managed to negotiate the sum down significantly, first to $1.4 billion, then eventually even somewhat lower.

"The award was $1.4 billion. We will pay roughly $980 million. The reduction is 420 million," he said.

Occidental, also known as Oxy, says Ecuador violated a bilateral investment treaty with the United States.

The leftist Correa originally sought to have the ruling annulled, saying the government was within its rights to cancel the contract because Oxy sold a 40-percent stake in the company to Canadian firm Encana in 2000 without its authorization.

Correa said in his radio address that in "a good faith gesture" Ecuador made an initial payment last month of 100 million dollars, and set up a payment schedule to complete payment of the balance by April.

"We signed an agreement with Oxy yesterday and we have settled the matter in an amiable way," he said.

The oil company sued Ecuador for $3.37 billion in May 2006, the day after the South American country announced the cancellation of a contract granting it the right to extract 100,000 barrels of oil a day from the Amazon basin -- about 20 percent of Ecuador's output.

The billion dollar payout adds to the budgetary woes facing Ecuador, the smallest member of oil cartel OPEC, amid falling crude prices and a depreciating currency.
By Ahmed Aboulenein and Ali Abdelaty CAIRO (Reuters) - Meeting for the first time in more than three years, Egypt's new parliament on Sunday elected a constitutional expert as its speaker, a key position as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi looks to push through more than 200 laws issued by executive decree while the assembly was suspended. Ali Abdelaal, a French-educated lawyer who helped draft the constitution and election law, is a member of the "Support Egypt" coalition, an alliance of over 400 MPs loyal to Sisi. As speaker, Abdelaal is now first in the line of succession in case of the death or permanent incapacity of the president, until new elections are held. He quickly moved to impose his authority over the traditionally chaotic and unruly body. "I know the constitution by heart. I wrote this constitution, nobody holds it up to me," he barked at a lawmaker who spoke out of turn to insist parliament was constitutionally obliged to elect deputy speakers in its first session after Abdelaal moved to adjourn it. Egypt's last parliament was elected in 2011-12 in the country's first free vote since a popular January 2011 uprising that ended autocrat Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. The parliament was dominated by Islamists and a court dissolved it in mid-2012 after ruling that the election laws at the time were unconstitutional. A year later, Mubarak's elected successor, Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, was himself overthrown by the military led by Sisi after mass protests against his rule in June 2013. "I express my sincere thanks and appreciation toward the leader of the way, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi," Abdelaal said upon assuming office. "I will always be a defender of democracy and the principles of the Jan. 25 and June. 30 revolutions. I will also be a protector of the people's army and defender of its unity." The newly elected legislature has 15 days to approve hundreds of laws issued by executive decree during the period when it was suspended. Dominated by Sisi loyalists, it has 568 elected members plus another 28 appointed directly by him. It was chosen in elections that critics said were undermined by a security crackdown on Islamist and other opposition groups. Abdelaal helped author the election law on which the parliament was elected last October and November. He boasts a long history as a state insider, having started his career as a prosecutor and served as cultural attache in Paris, as well as teaching law at the police academy and a military college. (Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Genres : Drama

Starring : Lili Berky, Victor Varconi, Mari Jaszai

Director : Michael Curtiz

Plot Synopsis

The Undesirable, a silent film treasure thought to be lost forever, was recently discovered in the basement of the Hungarian House cultural center in New York and returned to Hungary for restoration. An eight-month restoration and digitization process was completed by the Hungarian Filmlab, with support from the Hungarian National Digital Archive and Film Institute and the Hungarian National Film Fun, and funded by the Hungarian National Film Foundation. Noted Hollywood producer Andrew Vajna (Terminator, Rambo, Nixon, Angel Heart) played a major role in overseeing the restoration process.The Undesirable features a newly commissioned score by Attila Pacsay (the renowned composer of cinematic pieces including the Academy Award nominated short The Maestro) performed by the Pannonia Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by Peter Illenyi.

Betty (Lili Berky, Duel For Nothing), a young woman living in the country, is told by her dying father that he is really her uncle and raised her as his own when her mother was sent to prison for killing her husband. Alone and not knowing her mothers fate, Betty travels to the city in search of work. There she finds employment as a maid in the house of a wealthy couple and their dashing son, Nick (Victor Varconi, For Whom The Bell Tolls), with whom she falls in love. When Betty is fired from her position after being unjustly accused of theft and escorted from the village, an ironic twist of fate propels the story forward with the sudden appearance of her mother Sarah (Mari Jaszai, Bank Ban)  presumed dead but recently released from prison  on a quest of her own to find her daughter.
By Roberta Rampton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and a Syrian refugee who now lives in Michigan will be among 23 special guests at President Barack Obama's final State of the Union speech, the White House said on Sunday. Inviting Americans whose stories bring to life the president's priorities has long been part of the annual State of the Union ritual. This year, one seat will be left empty, in symbolic memory of victims of gun violence. Obama has said he plans to make the need for tougher gun laws an issue ahead of the November 2016 presidential and congressional elections. Nadella and several other notable guests are below. For a full list of guests, see: http://1.usa.gov/1OkMiON MICROSOFT CEO The White House traditionally invites one CEO to the State of the Union address. Past CEO guests have included Larry Merlo of CVS Health Corp, Mary Barra of General Motors Co, Tim Cook of Apple Inc and Ursula Burns of Xerox Corp. This year, it is Nadella's turn. SYRIAN REFUGEE Refaai Hamo - a 55-year-old scientist who fled Syria for Turkey then was diagnosed with stomach cancer before moving to Troy, Michigan, with his family as refugees last month - will sit with first lady Michelle Obama during the speech. Obama plans to accept 10,000 refugees from Syria over the next year, and has fought Republican efforts to suspend the program. SAN BERNARDINO VICTIM'S PARTNER Ryan Reyes from San Bernardino, California, lost his partner, Daniel Kaufman, in the December shooting rampage, when a couple inspired by Islamic State killed 14 people. "I speak for both Daniel and myself when I say that this attack should not encourage people to treat Muslims any differently than they would anyone else," Reyes, 32, said after the attack. TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP) BENEFICIARY Ronna Rice, CEO of a Greeley, Colorado honey company that exports to Japan, South Korea and China, will represent the small businesses that stand to benefit from tariff reductions in the TPP trade deal. Obama wants to persuade Congress to approve the deal this year. CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATES Obama also hopes to work with Congress on prison sentencing reform legislation before leaving office, one of the few areas where he shares common ground with Republicans. His guests will include Sue Ellen Allen, a former inmate from Scottsdale, Arizona who now helps others re-enter society and Mark Luttrell Jr., mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee, who helped create special courts to focus on rehabilitation rather than incarceration. OPIOID ADDICTION REFORM ADVOCATE Presidential candidates have regularly addressed the national epidemic of addiction to heroin and prescription opioid drugs - and Obama also will focus on the issue in his final year at the White House. Cary Dixon of Huntington, West Virginia, attended a forum Obama held last year and spoke about her family's struggles - and will be present at Tuesday's speech. MARRIAGE EQUALITY PLAINTIFF Obama has said one of his best days in office was after the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage. The plaintiff in that case, Jim Obergefell, will join the Obamas for the speech. CAMPAIGN NOSTALGIA As Obama's historic turn in office as the nation's first African-American president pulls into the homestretch, the White House appears to be feeling a bit nostalgic. Another guest will be Edith Childs of Greenwood, South Carolina, who first shouted the "Fired up! Ready to go!" chant which became a feature at presidential campaign stops in 2008 and 2012. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Belgrade (AFP) - For 35 years since the death of communist Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, tens of thousands of the extravagant strongman's belongings have been the subject of legal wrangling.

This month a Serbian court is finally expected to rule on the inheritance of his huge and eclectic range of possessions, from hunting rifles and paintings to marshal uniforms and even rocks from the moon -- a gift from US president Richard Nixon.

During his time at the helm of socialist Yugoslavia from the end of the World War II until his death in 1980, Tito and his wife Jovanka enjoyed a lifestyle that impressed even Hollywood star Richard Burton, who visited the pair in 1971.

"They live in remarkable luxury unmatched by anything else I've seen and (I) can well believe Princess Margaret who says the whole business makes Buck House (Buckingham Palace) look pretty middle-class," Burton wrote in his diaries.

But today the extent of Tito's assets to be divided up by the court remains unclear, even to relatives who await news of their inheritance: his son Misha, the four children of his late son Zarko and two of the late Jovanka's sisters.

"There is no written document in which the court establishes what is to be inherited," Svetlana Broz, one of Zarko's daughters, told AFP.

"We do not know what that will be until we receive the ruling," she said.

When Tito died, precipitating the slow and bloody break-up of Yugoslavia, his possessions were estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars.

In 1985 a law declared all of his belongings state property -- a ruling that was later annulled after it was challenged by Jovanka, who died in 2013.

But a clear division between what Tito owned privately and what he used as the country's top official was never made.

Proceedings were slowed down by the 1990s Balkan wars, and some of Tito's property went to countries that emerged after Yugoslavia fell apart. His family also alleges widespread theft in the intervening years.

Story continues

"Fabulously expensive watches, cars, weapons and other treasure disappeared," Jovanka's lawyer Toma Fila wrote in his memoirs.

- Controversial figure -

Tito is admired for driving out Nazi German occupying forces in World War II with his partisan fighters, standing up to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and founding the Non-Aligned Movement.

He made Yugoslavia one of the most prosperous communist countries, but political dissidents were jailed under his regime and critics denounce his personality cult and lavish lifestyle.

Historian Predrag J. Markovic said the initial lack of decisions from the state over Tito's possessions stemmed from concern that they would damage his communist credentials.

"It was awkward as it was ideologically unacceptable that he and Jovanka had a lot of luxury things," Markovic said.

Some 70,000 belongings are now stored in depots at Belgrade's Museum of Yugoslav History, also home to Tito and Jovanka's mausoleum.

In one of the depots, Tito's suits and blue-and-white marshal uniforms hang from the ceiling and the shelves are full of model ships and planes, paintings, clocks and rifles -- Tito was a passionate hunter.

- Gifts from Stalin, royals -

Among the most striking objects are an abstract ceramic statue, a gift from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin before the two leaders split in 1948, and Nixon's stones from the moon, which were delivered to Tito by astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1969.

"We have no dilemma over what to do with the official gifts as they are state property in accordance with the law," said Momo Cvijovic, who has been working in the museum collecting Tito's belongings since 1978.

"The inheritance proceedings are about his personal things... but that is a very complex and delicate problem."

Cvijovic explained it was not clear-cut whether some gifts counted as personal or official, such as a golden cigarette case Tito regularly used which was given to him by Greek or Ethiopian royalty.

Even the late leader's clothes and 250 pairs of shoes are undefined as many of them were also presents, added Cvijovic.

Awaiting the court's ruling with low expectations after so many years, Tito's heirs said they hoped to receive at least small mementoes of their famous forebear.

Svetlana Broz said she would like one of his old identity cards "and the binoculars he used in World War II as commander of the army that defeated Hitler".

Her half-brother Joska said he and his sister Zlatica had earlier asked for a ceremonial uniform and copies of his awards and decorations.

But he said they would now be happy with "anything that will remind us of him".
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A fire broke out on Sunday in the Jerusalem offices of one of Israel's leading human rights groups and authorities were checking whether it was set deliberately, a police spokeswoman said. The fire at the offices of B'Tselem, an Israeli group that monitors human rights among Palestinians, took place at a time of heightened tensions. Scores of people have been killed in several months of violence in Israel and the occupied West Bank. Firefighters arrived at the offices, in a quiet Jerusalem neighborhood, and extinguished the blaze. There were no reports of casualties, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said. Now in its fourth month, the wave of bloodshed has raised fears of wider escalation, a decade after the last Palestinian uprising subsided. Palestinian stabbings, car-rammings and shooting attacks have killed 21 Israelis and a U.S. citizen. Since Oct. 1 Israeli forces or armed civilians have killed at least 139 Palestinians, 89 of whom authorities described as assailants. Most others have been killed in clashes with security forces. Vandalism attacks, including torchings, by suspected far-right Israeli groups have caused damage to Palestinian property and mosques and churches. Two Israelis were charged last week over the death of a Palestinian baby and his parents in the West Bank last year after their home was set on fire. Israel's right-wing government has proposed legislation to limit foreign donations from governments and private benefactors to B'Tselem and many other Israeli NGOs, something that could severely restrict their ability to operate. (Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
By Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As Barack Obama prepares to deliver his final State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the U.S. president and his aides have insisted he will not be content simply to run out the clock on foreign policy and is acting decisively to tackle crises piling up around the globe. But former U.S. officials and experts familiar with the White Houses thinking say he appears locked into policies aimed more at containing such threats and avoiding deeper U.S. military engagement in the last year of his presidency. This, they say, all but guarantees that the toughest geopolitical challenges will be inherited by Obamas successor. That will likely give fuel to Republican presidential candidates who are eager to use Obama's foreign policy woes to attack, by extension, Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton, who served as his first-term Secretary of State. Islamic State has extended its deadly reach across the Middle East and beyond, with recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, carried out or inspired by the jihadist group. North Korea stunned the world last week with its fourth rogue nuclear test. Taliban insurgents are gaining ground in Afghanistan. Beijing continues to flex its muscle with its neighbors. Russia remains undeterred in Ukraines separatist conflict and has challenged U.S. influence in the Middle East with its military intervention in Syrias civil war, a conflict that Obamas critics have seized on as evidence of a rudderless foreign policy. Most outside analysts agree with administration officials insistence that much of the global tumult is driven by forces beyond Obamas control. But experts also give credence to criticism that Obamas crisis response has often been hesitant and that policy missteps have either fueled conflict  or done little to curb it - in places like Syria, Iraq and Ukraine. This is a risk-averse president who sets red lines he doesnt enforce, said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to Republican and Democratic administrations. Theres not a lot of inclination for heroic initiatives in whats left. Obama took office in 2009 hailed by his supporters as a transformational leader and pledging to bring U.S. troops home from the long, unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In his first inaugural speech, he promised to help usher in a new era of peace, including outreach to Muslims alienated by the perceived excesses of his predecessor George W. Bushs global war on terror. After popular revolts began to convulse the Arab world, Obama used his 2011 State of the Union speech to trumpet support for the democratic aspirations of all people. But the Arab Spring has since taken an ugly turn, leaving Obama facing a Middle East region that is more unstable yet no more democratic than before. FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES Recent polls show that more than half of Americans disapprove of the way Obama is handling foreign policy and two-thirds are displeased with his response to Islamic State and the terrorist threat. The Obama administration strongly denies that it has now resigned itself to merely containing the seemingly intractable conflicts. As evidence of success, it can point to its landmark nuclear deal with Iran, the historic diplomatic opening to Cuba and a sweeping international climate change deal - all of which a senior administration official said will likely be touted in Tuesdays speech. He has also forged a major Asia-Pacific trade pact but faces an uphill fight to get it through Congress. For the coming year, Obama has left the door open to using executive powers to fulfill his early pledge to close the Guantanamo military prison, and could also act on his own to further loosen the half-century-old economic embargo on Cuba. The president will be focused on finishing strong on his foreign policy agenda, the senior administration official told Reuters. In no lexicon Im aware of is this a strategy of containment. Obama insists his aim is to destroy Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, but there are strong doubts that his combination of relying on U.S.-armed local partners, targeted American special forces raids, coalition air strikes and financial sanctions will be enough. The quest for a diplomatic solution to Syrias civil war also faces formidable obstacles, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Obama said back in 2011 must go, looks all but certain to outlast him in office. This all adds up to attempted containment - getting through 2016 until it becomes someone else's problem, said Frederic Hof, a former State Department adviser on Syria during Obamas first term and now at the Atlantic Council think tank. Obama has recently reinserted about 3,500 U.S. military personnel into Iraq, slowed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and authorized small numbers of special operations forces in Syria  though he adamantly rejects any large-scale military deployment His reluctance to get pulled into new conflicts remains at the heart of his foreign policy, and critics say other world powers are taking advantage of that. China has shown growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, where it has defied U.S. criticism of its island-building and felt no apparent consequences. U.S. ally Saudi Arabia has shown its willingness to buck Obama by going ahead with the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, provoking a feud with Iran that Washington appears powerless to quell. North Koreas announcement last week that it had exploded its fourth nuclear device since 2006 raised new questions about the Obama administrations strategic patience doctrine that essentially has sought to contain Pyongyang without provoking it. I doubt that the president will put in any political capital to this, said Bonnie Glaser, senior Asia adviser at the CSIS think tank in Washington. What can the president do in his last year? (Additional reporting by Warren Strobel and David Brunnstrom; editing by Stuart Grudgings)
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Nine fighters from a Shi'ite Muslim militia battling Islamic State were killed in northern Iraq when an Iraqi army aircraft fired at them in error, security and militia sources said on Sunday. The fighters were responding to an Islamic State attack west of Camp Speicher, a former U.S. base outside the city of Tikrit, said Ahmed al-Assadi, spokesman for the Hashid Shaabi, a coalition of mostly Shi'ite militias fighting the militants alongside Iraq's military. More than a dozen fighters were wounded, he said. Colonel Mohammed al-Assadi, spokesman for the joint police and military operations command in Salahuddin province, said that at 10:30 pm (1930 GMT) on Saturday, an Iraqi army aviation drone opened fire due to mistaken coordinates. Assadi said the drone was being fired at from the ground and "fired on the advancing Jund al-Imam forces, killing nine and wounding around 15," he added, referring to the militia. Spokesmen for Iraq's defense ministry and joint operations command were not immediately available for comment. Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a powerful Iranian-backed militia that is part of the Hashid, condemned the incident and blamed it on the U.S.-led coalition bombing Islamic State targets in Iraq and neighboring Syria. "The American coalition renewed its attacks on the Hashid Shaabi resistance factions when an American drone bombed the headquarters of Kataib Jund al-Islam at Camp Speicher," spokesman Naim al-Uboudi said in a statement. But the coalition said in a daily statement it had not bombed any targets in the area, and its Baghdad-based spokesman, U.S. Army Colonel Steve Warren, denied coalition aircraft were responsible. "It was Iraqi for sure," he said by phone. The fight against Islamic State is testing a thorny arrangement that puts the U.S.-led air campaign on the same side as Iranian-backed militias supporting Iraqi forces on the ground. Washington listed some of the armed groups as "terrorist" organizations after they battled U.S. forces following the 2003 invasion. The militias, in turn, perceive in continued American involvement in Iraq a plan to partition the country. Nine Iraqi soldiers were killed last month when coalition war planes, relying on information from Iraqi security forces, mistakenly struck at troops near the city of Falluja, 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of Baghdad. (Reporting by Saif Hameed; Writing by Stephen Kalin)
Dubai (AFP) - Human Rights Watch on Sunday accused Yemen's Huthi rebels of arbitrarily detaining dozens of opponents in the capital Sanaa, where they have ruled for more than 15 months.

The Iran-backed Shiite rebels detained 35 people between August 2014 and October 2015, the rights group said, adding that 27 remained in custody.

It said many of the detainees appeared to have links to the Islah Sunni Islamist party, a rival of the powerful rebels.

"Huthi arrests and forced disappearances of alleged Islah supporters have generated palpable fear in the capital," said Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director.

"Politicians, activists, lawyers, and journalists tell us they've never been more frightened of ending up 'disappeared,'" he said.

Aided by troops loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Huthis overran Sanaa unopposed in September 2014, and went on to expand their control over several regions.

A Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against the rebels in March after the insurgents advanced on the southern city of Aden, where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi took refuge before fleeing to Riyadh.

"At a time when the Huthis are fighting to remain key power brokers in Yemen, they should recognise that instilling fear in the population is no way to govern," Stork said.

"The Huthis should take the necessary steps to ensure that no one is held unlawfully and families have access to their loved ones," he said.

A fresh round of UN-sponsored talks to end the Yemen conflict is due later this month in Geneva.
By Jorge Otaola and Richard Lough BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - President Mauricio Macri was humiliated on Saturday after Argentina's federal police chief admitted a manhunt was still on for two of the South American country's most notorious criminals, hours after the government celebrated their capture. A massive search involving helicopters, police commandos and sharpshooters for three prison fugitives convicted of drug gang-related killings appeared to have ended when Macri congratulated the security forces on his official Twitter account. But as one of the three men, Martin Lanatta, was transferred under armed guard from a local police station in the farming province of Santa Fe to the capital Buenos Aires, confusion intensified over the whereabouts of the two others: Lanatta's brother Cristian and a third man, Victor Schillaci. "We're still looking for the other fugitives," acknowledged Roman Di Santo, head of the Argentine Federal Police force. The 13-day search operation for the men has gripped the Argentine nation and the revelation that two remain on the run will deliver an embarrassing blow to the new government. In a tough worded statement, Macri's security minister, Patricia Bullrich, said the government had been mislead, perhaps with the intention of buying the escapees time as the dragnet closed. "There will be a full investigation into this false information, which might have been meant to give the other two time to make good their escape," Bullrich said in a televised statement in Santa Fe. Earlier, local police in the town of Cayasta, 570 km (354 miles) north of the capital nabbed Martin Lanatta after one stolen vehicle they were in flipped over and another got bogged down in a muddy track. Hours later a statement from the prosecutors' office said all three had been detained. BLAME GAME Their daring escape came two weeks after Macri took office. It raised concerns of outside help and a blame game erupted between Macri and officials in the government of former President Cristina Fernandez. Security Minister Bullrich did not point the finger at any particular group. But her comments will deepen suspicions among Argentines that narco gangs and corrupt officials played a hand in the jail break and ensuing game of cat-and-mouse with hundreds of security agents hunting them down. The trio were convicted over the 2008 killing of three businessmen in the pharmaceutical industry allegedly linked to an ephedrine trafficking gang in a high-profile case dubbed "The triple murder." Ephedrine is used for the production of methamphetamine. The high-drama operation has focused attention on the growing muscle of drug gangs in Argentina and raised questions over their political connections. "Drug trafficking has grown in the last decade like never before in our country because of the inaction or complicity of the last government," Macri said this week, vowing to take on the traffickers. In August, two months before the presidential election, Martin Lanatta alleged Fernandez's cabinet chief, Anibal Fernandez, was involved in the ephedrine trade and had ordered the triple murder. Anibal Fernandez has rigorously denied the accusation and prosecutors have not investigated the claim. (Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Alistair Bell)
Like many notable figures in Hollywood, director John Huston joined the war effort in 1942. He was a captain in the United States Army and his skills were used to make films for the Army Signal Corps. In conjunction with the National Archives and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Olive Films has released four documentaries shot during his time in the service. Although they are not connected, when seen together they present an interesting story of a soldier's experience with war.

The disc begins with 'John Hustons Wartime Documentaries: An Introduction' (HD, 26 min), which may be considered an extra, but it serves as a great starting point for those who don't know the material. The narrator gives an overview of Hustons work and the reactions it garnered from his superiors. Archival audio of Huston allows him to give his perspective about what was going on at the time.

Dedicated to the Youth of America, 'Winning Your Wings' (HD, 18 min) stars Lieutenant Jimmy Stewart, who is on hand to sell them on the idea of choosing the U.S. Army Air Forces before getting drafted and ending up who knows where. The film helps with the sales job, showing off the impressive planes and playing the majestic music of what is now known as "Air Force Song." Actors ask questions that college and high school students would have and Stewart calms their concerns. Naturally, there's never a mention of anything negative.

'Report from the Aleutians' (HD, 45 min) tells of the men stationed on Adak Island and their battle with the Japanese who have control of the island Kiska. Narrated by Huston, the film has a much more accurate picture of military life than the previous one. After honoring the pilots who recently died in combat, the film shows the men working mundane tasks and struggling with the boredom, subpar food, and lack of information. Huston does too good of a job capturing the boredom as the film drags a bit. In addition to men getting killed it also reveals that some also end up sorely crippled. The jacket states it won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short but the Academy's website states it was only nominated.

'San Pietro' (HD, 32 min) also known as 'The Battle of San Pietro' is about U.S. and British military fighting against Axis forces in Italy. Artillery fires day and night as the Allies march. Men are killed during one assault and turned back, but other groups attack from different positions. The enemy is shown dead, as is U.S. soldiers, and as prisoners but never during combat. Turns out some of the scenes were shot before and after the actual battle. The most troubling footage shows the women, children, and elderly of San Pietro who suffered through the bombing.

Censored for 35 years, 'Let There Be Light' (HD, 58 min) looks at those who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. On-screen graphics reveal that about 20% of all battle casualties in the American Army during World War II were of a neuropsychiatric nature, and considering what stigma there is even now regarding mental illness, there was likely many more who suffered from it in silence. The film shows soldiers receiving treatment in the form of hypnosis and narcosynthesis. It's sad to these men suffering; one even needlessly apologizes for breaking into tears. Unfortunately, there's no explanation of what they experienced in the field, and one of therapy session reveals some had childhood issues, which seems to be trying to pass the buck.

The films in 'Let There Be Light' offer an intriguing look back, which WWII history buffs should enjoy. However, the films aren't the most engaging documentaries, so if the subject matter isn't of interest on its own, they might not make for compelling viewing.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Olive Films presents Let There Be Light on a 50 GB Region A Blu-ray disc in a standard keepcase. The disc boots up directly to the menu screen without any promotional advertisements and the films can be viewed indivdiually or all together with the "Play All" feature. p>
BANGUI (Reuters) - Hundreds of peacekeepers from Democratic Republic of Congo on a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic will withdraw, a spokesman said on Saturday, after they failed an internal assessment. The historically turbulent former French colony suffered an intensification of violence in 2013 when mostly Muslim rebels known as Seleka seized power in a coup. Since then, militias drawn from the Christian majority have launched reprisal attacks and thousands of people have been killed and around a million displaced despite efforts by U.N. and French peacekeepers to restore order. "It is confirmed that the Congolese unit will withdraw from MINUSCA," said Vladimir Monteiro, spokesman for the U.N. mission in Central African Republic. "The contingent will leave and not be replaced." Asked about whether the withdrawal could jeopardise security, Monteiro declined to give an immediate comment, saying a further announcement would be made next week. In August, three Congolese peacekeepers in Central African Republic were accused of raping three female civilians, including one minor. Congolese Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe said at the time the allegations would be investigated. It was not immediately clear whether such allegations were the main factor behind the decision to withdraw Congolese troops. A U.N. spokesperson in New York earlier said that the U.N. review of Congolese troops assessed the equipment, the vetting procedures and overall preparedness of the contingent. This month, the U.N. said it was investigating new allegations of sexual abuse of minors by peacekeepers. According to the U.N. peacekeeping website, there are 809 Congolese troops and 123 police deployed as part of the 11,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic, known as MINUSCA. Paris also plans to draw down its troops in the country, which originally numbered around 2,000, once a transition back to democracy is complete. A run-off presidential vote is due on January 31, with former prime minister Anicet Georges Dologuele placing first in the initial round without securing an outright majority. (Reporting by Crispin Dembassa-Kette; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
US News

In final State of Union, Obama aims to define his presidency

Out of time to push a new legislative agenda, President Obama will look past Congress and to the American people in his final State of the Union address, aiming to define his presidency and his legacy before others can do it for him. To the dismay of some in his party, Obama doesnt plan to use the address on Tuesday as an opening argument for Democratic candidates in the November election. In fact, he will not publicly endorse a candidate before the 2016 Democratic primary, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said.

He has a decision to makeis he going to run his last year of his presidency in a political manner or is he actually going to focus on getting stuff done? Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio

Despite his inevitable slide into lame-duck status and the partisan politics of the election year, Obama is emboldened by recent successes that formed one of the most productive stretches in his presidency. Obamas best prospects for achievements this year are on the few issues where he and Congress at least partially agree. Central to his speech will be a renewed call for a criminal justice overhaul and for approval of his Asia-Pacific trade agreement, which many Republicans support. The President will be accompanied by several special guests during his address including two people who inspired him during his first presidential campaign. The First Lady has also invited a Syrian scientist stricken with cancer to represent Syrian refugees and will leave one seat empty to honor gun violence victims.
DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iranian poet detained on Friday on arrival back in Tehran has been released on bail after being informed she had been convicted and sentenced in absentia on charges related to her cultural activities, a relative told Reuters on Sunday. Hila Sedighi was arrested at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport as she returned from the United Arab Emirates, where she has been living with her husband for the past three years. Her arrest was the latest in a series of arrests of artists, journalists and U.S. citizens as part of a crackdown on what authorities have called Western "infiltration". The clampdown follows a nuclear deal Iran signed with world powers in July, which hardliners fear may open Iranian society to what they see as corrupting Western influences. The relative, who asked not to be identified, said Hila visited Iran regularly and was shocked to hear she had been sentenced in absentia. She has lodged an appeal against the conviction. Iranian officials have not commented on Sedighi's case. She was sentenced by a court dealing with media and cultural issues, the relative said. Sedighi's passport was confiscated on her arrival. Sedighi was awarded the Hellman/Hammett prize for free expression by Human Rights Watch in 2012. Another Iranian recipient of that prize, journalist Isa Saharkhiz, was arrested in November. Dozens of journalists, activists and artists have been arrested on charges such as publishing "propaganda" since October in an apparent crackdown on free expression and dissent ahead of next month's election of a parliament and an assembly that will choose the Supreme Leader's successor. Hila Sedighi backed a reformist candidate in 2009's disputed presidential election and one of her poems was used as a campaign slogan by Mirhossein Mousavi, who is now under house arrest. After hardline incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was announced the winner of the election, demonstrators took to the streets claiming the election was fraudulent. Sedighi recited poetry at the protests. She was interrogated by the Intelligence Ministry a few times. In 2011 a Revolutionary Court convicted Sedighi to four months in prison, although the sentence was suspended for five years. In a note published on her Facebook page on Sunday, Sedighi complained about the way she has been "treated and transferred in a cage like criminals" and that she had spent one night "in Shapour detention center where dangerous prisoners are being held". She wrote she had been put in a small cell next to eight prisoners "who were showing the most shameless behavior". Hila Sedighi's Facebook page has more than 300,000 followers. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Eric Meijer and Digby Lidstone)
Cairo (AFP) - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday insisted his country supports efforts to resolve the Syria conflict, despite its diplomatic dispute with Iran.

"We have previously stated our support for the Syrian opposition and for efforts to find a peaceful solution in Syria," Jubeir said at a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo.

"This is still the case, we believe in this and we fully support (the peace process) despite our differences with Iran," he said, hours after his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif said Riyadh was using the row with Tehran to "negatively affect" peace talks on Syria.
Of Kings and Prophets won't be your average Sunday school story.

The biblical saga, which hails from the writers behind the 2014 Ridley Scott movie Exodus: Gods and Kings, Adam Cooper and Bill Collage, promises to push the envelope as far as religious series go.

An extended trailer previewed to press at the Television Critics Association winter press tour ahead of the show's panel revealed the kinds graphic sex scenes typically unwelcome on broadcast television. When asked about the sexually explicit material, showrunner Chris Brancato explained that there are ongoing discussions about where the line is.

"The minute we leave this stage we'll be fighting with broadcast standards and practices," he joked, continuing on a more serious note: "We're going to go as far as we can.  This story is an Old Testament [one that's] violent [and] sex-drenched. It's one of the world's first soap operas.  You will watch a show that is tasteful but that also tells the story you can read if you want to pick up the Bible."

Read More: ABC Tweaks Fall Schedule, Moves 'Quantico' and Delays 'Of Kings and Prophets'

Brancato - who left Golden Globe nominee Narcos last April for an ABC Studios deal that saw him join the ABC series - went on to add that some of the more adult material may not ever air on broadcast and may instead live online. "We have the wonderful ability to put a show on broadcast and then also have an online streaming version, which has less restrictions  on it, so it may be that what you saw in this sexual clip in this trailer would probably be in the online version and not on broadcast," he explained.

He also emphasized that none of the sex or violence displayed is gratuitous: "The love story is essential to this pilot story. We were seeking in that scene to suggest the pent-up passion and sexuality between these two characters.  There is no discussion about trying to add more sex or violence for the simple sake of doing so. We're trying to tell the story that is in 1 and 2 Samuel, which has plenty of sex and violence on its own." Exec producer Jason Reed added that they've actually had to scale back some of the violence as it's depicted in the biblical text in order to meet broadcast standards.

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Read More: 'Of Kings and Prophets' Gets ABC's Troubled Tuesday Hour in Midseason Schedule

Cooper and Collage penned the script and are also serving as executive producers alongside Reed, Reza Aslan and Mahyad Tousi. The series is described as a saga of faith, ambition and betrayal as told through the eyes of a battle-weary king, a powerful and resentful prophet and a resourceful young shepherd on a collision course with destiny.

An early favorite at the network, the religious drama received a straight-to-series 15-episode order last April but then in June was delayed until midseason. Brancato offered up an explanation for the schedule change: "There was a great deal of excitement to do an event series, to do something big and special and a little bit out of the box for the network [and] essentially this pilot was put into the traditional pilot-making mode [and] what wasn't fully calculated was the fact that this show is set 1000 B.C. and it needs special tender loving care. It can't be put on the traditional pilot track like a contemporary pilot that shoots in stages here in L.A. or anywhere else," he said, noting that the sets and the costumes in the original pilot weren't aged enough.

Read More: 'Narcos' Showrunner Chris Brancato Exits for ABC Studios Deal

"ABC and Paul Lee particularly was smart enough to see that if they want something special, you actually have to spend more time, more money, you have to search the world for the very best actors," said Brancato. Two and a half months ended up being the amount of time needed to prep the show that takes place 3,000 years ago. Brancato compared the reshoot to HBO tossing out Game of Thrones' original pilot and starting over again. "My guess would be for much of the same reason - they rushed it into production," he said.

The series continues the wave of biblical dramas across cable and broadcast networks, following the success of History's record-breaking 10-part miniseries The Bible. During his half hour in the hot seat, network head Lee said that the religious saga is a big swing for which he has high expectations, adding: "I think they're pulling it off."

Of Kings and Prophets premieres Tuesday, March 8 at 10 p.m. on ABC.
At least two Pakistani coastguards were killed and three others wounded on Saturday when their vehicle hit a landmine close to the Iranian border in southwestern Balochistan province, officials said.

The coastguards' vehicle hit the explosives in Koldan town, near the Iranian border and some 80 kilometres (47 miles) from Gwadar, a seaport managed by Beijing.

"The coastguards' vehicle was part of a convoy which brings drinking water for them from Koldan town to the port of Gwadar daily," said Muhammad Anwar, a senior administration official in the area.

"Five guards were injured when their vehicle hit the landmine and two of them succumbed to their injuries later," he said.

Another government official confirmed the incident and causalities.

Gwadar port is being developed under Beijing's ambitious $46 billion infrastructure plan called the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, to link China's western city of Kashgar to the Pakistani port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea.

The corridor plans have been strongly criticised by New Delhi, with India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj last year calling the project "unacceptable" for crossing through Indian-claimed territory -- Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region which is attached to the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Pakistan's Balochistan province, of which Gwadar is a part, is rife with separatist, Islamist extremist and sectarian violence.

The mineral-rich province has long been targeted by militants, and Islamabad accuses New Delhi of fuelling unrest in the region to hamper Pakistan's development.

A spokesman for the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) told AFP that they claimed responsibility for the blast.

"We claim responsibility for this attack in Koldan. We will continue targeting Pakistani forces," Meerak Baloch said.
Antananarivo (AFP) - The party of Madagascar's president has won an overwhelming victory in last month's senatorial elections, held six years after the upper house of parliament was dissolved because of a coup, the electoral commission said.

According to preliminary results published on Saturday, President Hery Rajaonarimampianina's HVM party won more than 60 percent of the vote in each of the country's seven provinces.

Nearly 13,000 "grand electors" -- the former French colony's mayors and city councillors -- cast ballots for 42 of the senators in the notoriously unstable island nation, while another 21 are to be appointed by the head of state.

Despite concerns raised by the opposition and observers, the electoral commission told the press Saturday it had accomplished its mission in holding a successful vote.

The results have been forwarded to the Constitutional Court to determine the number of seats awarded to each party.

The upper chamber was dissolved after Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina ousted President Marc Ravalomanana in the 2009 coup, which ushered in years of turmoil in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Rajoelina headed up a "transitional" regime until finally a presidential election was held in 2013, won by Hery Rajaonarimampianina and deemed free and fair.

With the Senate in place, the president will be able to dissolve the lower house national assembly and call snap polls.

The president and his government, currently with no support in the lower house, have weathered two attempts by the MPs to unseat him last year for alleged constitutional violations and general incompetence.

Madagascar remains one of the world's poorest countries, heavily dependent on foreign aid that was virtually cut off following the 2009 coup.
The first trailer for the Civil War drama Free State of Jones was released Saturday, featuring some pretty intense scenes.

Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey stars in the film written and directed by four-time Oscar nominee Gary Ross.

McConaughey plays Newt Knight, a farmer and one-time Confederate soldier who ultimately deserts and leads a rebellion consisting of other farmers and slaves against the Confederacy in Jones County, Miss.

The film is based on a true story.

The film also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keri Russell and Mahershala Ali.

Ross previously directed Seabiscuit and The Hunger Games.

Free State of Jones is scheduled for a May 13 release.

Read More: 'SNL': Matthew McConaughey-Hosted Episode Tackles Syrian Refugees, Adele and 'Star Wars'
nurses-protests

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

Thousands of students, nurses and their supporters took to the drizzly streets of London yesterday to protest against planned cuts to trainee nurses funding.



At the moment, student nurses receive a bursary while studying  a vital recourse that they dont have to pay back. Unlike other students, there are no tuition fees either, which means the profession is one of the most accessible in the UK. Its pretty obvious why: a lot of their time as a student is spent on placement in hospitals, where they work on the front lines of the NHS, but are not paid for their toil. That can mean up to 2,300 hours of unpaid labour, currently undertaken as part of the course. It also means these nurses often don't have time to work elsewhere to support themselves financially and that's where the bursaries come in.



nurses-protests2

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

However, under proposals announced in November, nurses will be saddled with over 50,000 of debt. The bursary will go, a maintenance loan to be taken out instead, and thatll have to be paid back when nurses start earning. 9,000 a year tuition fees are being pushed forward too. Unsurprisingly, nurses are worried and angry  so they are preparing to fight.



With junior doctors striking this Tuesday, and the battle for bursaries taking shape, it seems like a warning shot to the government that therell be no holding back. The NHS will grind to a halt, and these nurses argue its a sign of whats to come.



I headed to St Thomas Hospital the morning of Saturday 9th of January, where the crowds were beginning to meet. As the protest weaved through the streets of London, receiving support from tourists and locals alike, I talked to the nurses behind the dispute and gauged their opinion on what the cuts will mean for us and for them.



Dominique Turay



Dominique

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

When I was younger I was in hospital a lot, and I saw first-hand what the nurses did for me and my mum  thats why I wanted to do it. Without this bursary, I wouldnt have been able to come into nursing; my mum isnt able to support me. I do it alone, and rely on the bursary. Right now I can just about get by on the bursary and grant, but I still need extra help from my university. My 12-hour shifts dont leave time to find other work, and the bursary is barely enough to get by on.





Hani Abdulle



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Hani

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

Im in my first year of nursing, and I can tell you that, without the bursary, you just cant do this course. Its tough, the placements and the classes, and without the bursary I couldnt afford to travel or eat. Ill spend half my time as a student at work, on a placement, in a hospital, or somewhere else. I want to care for people, but Id end up priced out. Jeremy Hunt needs to stop and think about this, not just for the negative impact on us, but on the country.





Sophia Koumi



Sophia

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

At the moment we have a shortage of nurses in the NHS, a deficit of 10,000 in London alone. My training means I have to do 4,600 hours over three years, with half of that time spent on placements, working fulltime for the health service. The changes will see us having to pay to go to work! Whatever affects doctors affects nurses, and vice versa. Anything that affects the NHS will affect us all.





Kate Brown



Kate Brown

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

As a nursing lecturer, I tell my students that care must be evidence based, and that principle must apply to the health service as a whole. Jeremy Hunt has no idea what the consequences of these cuts will be. Theres no pilot, no model, no assessments.



"The proposal from the government is reckless, will endanger patients, and will adversely affect future students. If you undermine the flow of nurses, you destabilise the entirety of the system.



"The average student nurse is 29 on commencement of training; the idea of taking on 30k+ debt at that age is a deterrent. Were an extremely diverse society, and nurses right now, Im pleased to say, are able to reflect that."





Michaela McLachlan



Michaela(2)

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

Im a mature student nurse up in Bradford, and Ive come down to London today with everyone who could make it from my course. The majority of us are mature students; weve got children, responsibilities, mouths to feed and bills that have to get paid. The bursary has given us this chance.



"Theres a huge amount of diversity in nursing, which makes us such a warm and open profession. If this financial support goes, mature students like me will get cut out; as mothers with three or four kids, we cant take on 50,000 of debt to earn just over 20,000 a year, the numbers just wouldnt add up. "





Charlie Williamson



Charlie

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

The life of a student nurse is busy, its much more intense than your typical course. I have lectures solidly from 9-4 every day, and when were on placements, Im doing 12.5-hour shifts... including nights.



"These changes are, put bluntly, awful. I want to have good nurses alongside me when I work, and good nurses treat me when Im sick. It just wont happen if people cant afford to train. Its ridiculous."





Katie Page



Katie

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

Ive been a qualified nurse for, Christ, twelve years now, and Im here fighting on behalf of nurses present, future and past.



"Im also here as a patient, and a citizen  someone who one day will be reliant on the wonderful NHS. Its patient safety, at the end of the day, that is at risk, and thats ultimately why were here. You dont become a nurse for anything else!



"Were already at the tipping point, more people need us, and money is tight. Scrapping education for the nurses of the future? Thats it, enough is enough."





Foysia Arale



Foysia

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

Everyday Im at a placement or in university, and in the small gaps in my schedule Im sat in the library, studying hard for my course. If the bursary were to go, Id have to find a job alongside my studies, but the reality is there are just not enough hours in the day. It would be impossible. On placements, we keep the health service going, we shouldn't have to pay for the privilege.





Julie Williams



Julie

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

Im a Senior Officer in the Royal College of Nursing, the union and professional organisation that represents healthcare workers, nurses, and our students. I relied on a bursary as a student nurse; without it I wouldnt be here.



"We think its vital that this bursary is kept; student nurses just arent like other students in the UK. All of our student nurses spend half their time working in an NHS hospital, and they have to do this to qualify. Its the only way they can support themselves."





Carrie Kuok



Carrie(2)

Photographed by MICHAEL SEGALOV

Im doing a degree in midwifery at Kings College London, and Im here today to support students now and in the future. During placements I get up at 5am, and Im not getting home until often past 10pm. The next day, its exactly the same, and now the Government expects me to pay for this."



Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?



What You Need To Know About Sean Penn's Interview With El Chapo



Escaped Mexican Drug Boss "El Chapo" Back In Custody, President Says



Why Are Women Missing From These Crucial Talks?
Mexico City (AFP) - Sean Penn's interview with drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman caused a cross-border uproar, with Mexican authorities seeking to question him while US critics lashed out at the American actor.

A federal official told AFP that the attorney general's office wanted to talk with Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo about their secretive meeting with Guzman in October, three months before his capture.

"That is correct, of course, it's to determine responsibilities," the official said on condition of anonymity, declining to provide more details, including a possible date for an interview with the stars.

A second federal official said it was unclear whether Penn and del Castillo, who brokered the meeting, had violated any Mexican law.

While a reporter could interview a drug cartel suspect, "they're not journalists," the official said.

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough told CNN that Penn's meeting with Guzman "poses a lot of interesting questions for him and others involved in this so-called interview. We'll see what happens."

The US rock magazine Rolling Stone on Saturday published the interview that Guzman gave to the actors in an undisclosed jungle clearing in Mexico.

Despite Penn's cloak-and-dagger efforts to keep the gathering secret, a Mexican official told AFP that authorities found out about the meeting, which eventually helped them track down the Sinaloa drug cartel chief.

Guzman, 58, was arrested on Friday in a deadly military raid in the seaside city of Los Mochis, in his northwestern home state of Sinaloa.

Attorney General Arely Gomez said on Friday that Guzman had met with unnamed actors and producers to discuss making a biopic about himself and that it was part of a "new line of investigation."

Some legal experts, however, doubt that Penn could face charges in the United States or Mexico.

"I seriously doubt that charges will be brought against them even though Sean Penn took extraordinary steps to prevent authorities from using his phone to track the whereabouts of Chapo," said Mike Vigil, a former senior official at the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Floyd Abrams, a New York attorney known for his defense of journalists, said Penn did not violate any US laws.

- 'Grotesque' interview -

The meeting sparked criticism in the United States, with Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio told ABC television that the interview was "grotesque."

Journalists questioned the ethical merits of the interview.

Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron tweeted a link to a December story about the dangers and death faced by Mexican journalists, commenting: "Good moment to remember what happens to real journalists who cover Mexican drug traffickers."

Rolling Stone posted an October 2 picture showing the Oscar-winning actor shaking hands with the mustachioed drug cartel leader.

Penn writes that Guzman gave him a "compadre" hug when they met. He said they had a seven-hour sitdown followed by phone and video interviews.

"I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world," Guzman said over sips of tequila. "I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats."

The White House said Guzman's boast about his trafficking exploits "is maddening."

Rolling Stone also posted a video showing Guzman without a mustache, saying he decided to go into drug trafficking after the age of 15 because there were "no job opportunities" and "no other way to survive."

Asked if he felt some responsibility for the high level of addictions in the world, he said: "It's false. The day that I don't exist, it won't reduce drug trafficking."

In a text message exchange after their meeting, Guzman discussed a marine helicopter raid in which authorities almost captured him on October 6. He played down injuries to his face and leg reported by the authorities, saying: "Not like they said. I only hurt my leg a little bit."

Authorities said the marines did not shoot Guzman during the raid because he was accompanied by two women and a girl, but that he hurt himself in a fall.

- Extradition bid -

The Rolling Stone interview emerged after Mexican prosecutors announced that they would start proceedings to extradite Guzman to the United States, a reversal from President Enrique Pena Nieto's earlier refusal to send him across the border.

But Guzman lawyer Juan Pablo Badillo vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Guzman is now back in the same prison that he escaped from on July 11, when he snuck down a hole in his cell's shower that led to a 1.5-kilometer (one-mile) tunnel outside the prison.

The world's most wanted drug baron was arrested after a military raid on a house in Los Mochis in which five suspects died and one marine was wounded. Six people were detained in the operation.

Guzman and his security chief fled through the city's drainage system, but they were caught later after they stole a car.
Monaco (AFP) - Colombian striker Radamel Falcao will not return to parent club Monaco in the winter transfer window with the French Ligue 1 side telling him to stay at Chelsea to nurse his thigh injury.

Falcao, 29, has been on loan at the English champions but has not played since October 31. He had been expected to go back to Monaco in January.

"He has been injured for six to eight weeks. In these circumstances, we took the decision that he will not be returning," said Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev.

Falcao has scored just once in nine games at Chelsea having scored only four goals on loan at Manchester United last season.

He had joined Monaco in a 60 million euro ($65.5 million) deal from Atletico Madrid in 2013 after scoring 70 goals for the Spaniards.

Meanwhile, Vasilyev said that former CSKA Moscow striker Wagner Love will sign an 18-month deal later this week having scored 14 times to help Corinthians to the Brazilian title in December.

Italian striker Stephan El Shaarawy, on loan from AC Milan, is expected to leave Monaco, added Vasilyev.
floor

If there are any truisms when it comes to trading the only ones winning everyday are the robots. What used to be a simple game of knowing your charts has turned into an electronic arcade where algorithmic and HFT trading programs control the flow. Like last Fridays drop down to 1919 on Globex, then the rally all the way up 2064.75 after the jobs report, and then the selloff down to new low at 1910.00 late in the dayIs that normal? Or is that new normal?

As the markets move into 2016 I want to go back and talk about why I made MrTopStep, what I think it stands for, and what I believe it offers traders. Pre- 2007 credit crisis, or 9 years ago, our trading desk on the floor of the CME Group in the S&Ps had an instant message server with over 550 banks, hedge funds, and prop trading firms connected to the floor. What did they want? Trading flow! When we moved to a new firm the compliance department wanted the desk to cut out all the companies on the instant message that were not using the desk. Many of the firms and traders had been on the instant message for many years but we had to clean it up. We sent out warnings to the list saying that they were going to be cut off if they didnt use the desk. We hated doing it because many of the traders had used the desk when they were at other firms, but when they moved they had to use the desk the new firm used, or sign new paperwork to use our desk. We knew the IM, or instant message, was popular and while some customers did step up we were still left with the disconnection of over 350 IMs. Many people complained and gave us a hard time, so we decided to put it off a few months before pulling everyone, but the 2007 credit crisis solved that problem. Over the course of the next two to three years, the demise of Bear Sterns, Lehman Brothers and Bank of America (the desk largest account), who had been pushed into a deal by the government to move to Merrill Lynch, took care of the rest of the dirty work of pulling people off the IM. By 2010 the desk instant message was down to fewer than 130 from over 550 traders at the peak. Funny, we did all the AIG S&P futures and spreads for years.

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One by one traders we had known for 10+ or even 20+ years left, not just temporarily, many never returned. The head of trading at Bank of America, and a very good friend, was Raj Malhotra. After Raj was forced to shut down his profitable trading desk at B of A and turn it over to Merrill, he set up a new desk at Nomura. A year or two later called me and said Hey Danny, its Raj. You are the first one I have called; I just quit Nomura. Whenever I am making money they tell me to trade larger, when I am losing they tell me to trade smaller, and I am in and out of compliance meetings all day. Today Raj is one of the Big Apples best known stand up comedians. By the time Raj was doing his first show in NY, the desk IM was down to less than 100 firms, and today there are less than 40 firms left on it. Everything we used to do has been replaced by a computer, and that doesnt just go for the trading floors, that goes for Wall Street and all the services they used to offer clients.

While Raj made it as a comedian, I knew the end of the floor could not be that far off, but what was I going to do? Leave an occupation that I had been part of for over 38 years? I saw what was happening to many of the desk and floor traders on the CME/CBOT, and I knew I needed a plan, so not long after the beginning of the credit crisis I started MrTopStep.com. I learned a lot about how to handle customers and I understood market flow. I knew I did not have the technical background needed, but I knew from helping big and small customers alike, that there had to be something in there I could share that would help people. It was not about selling a magic potion or promising big returns, it was about applying some of the common sense trading rules we lived by on the trading floor and converting them into something that could be shared with the public. Understanding big order flow, how program and algorithmic trading and headline news affect the markets, and everything else in between. Years ago there were just a few moving parts, today there are hundreds.

I grew up in a middle-class Irish Catholic family of six girls and four boys. My dad ran a printing company. The upper half of the family got to go to college and travel, but the bottom half, including myself, didnt get that advantage. I had to choose, and one night, sitting in a bar Forest Park Illinois, a lady by the name of Mary Clare Kane offered me a job on the trading floor of the Board of Trade. I took my dad to work that day, parked the car in the parking lot, and started to walk across the lot in the other direction. My dad, who was an Irish Marine that went to Notre Dame, yelled across to me, hey son where you going? I yelled back, to the board of trade! I know many of you have heard this story before, but for those of you whove had to crawl your way up you know how hard it is, and I crawled my way up. From the grain room, to the bond bit, to the S&P 500 where I built the largest index operation in terms of volume according to the CME monthly statistics. From there I traveled around the world. In London visiting ABN Amro and GLG Partners, to Dubai doing work for Sheikh Mohammeds Dubai Holdings, to ADIA in Abu Dhabi (the worlds largest investment firm http://www.adia.ae/En/home.aspx, to Thailand, to Spain, and all throughout Europe. I pursued my dreams. I push myself to the limit, and I still do today. Trading clearly is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Ive seen it all. I have seen multi-million-dollar accounts turned into billion-dollar accounts, and Ive seen billion-dollar accounts turned in a multi million dollars accounts, and then into dust. I always looked at it one way, when I took an order on the floor I didnt care if it was a 100 lot, a 500 lot, or 1 lot, it was somebodys money and I was there to make sure that money was protected. I fought and I fought against a system that invited customers to play but didnt protect them. My partner Brian and I were the last people to leave the trading floor on the Friday night of the 1987 crash. It was a big mess, cards unmatched, buys and sells and prices not matching up, and then we had to be the on the trading floor at 5:00 am Saturday morning for a special outtrade session. The desk had been through so many big ups and big downs, so many big crashes and rallies, I cant even remember them all. All I know is that the system had to change, and while the floor locals and order fillers of that time may have cursed electronic trading, it leveled the playing field, or at least temporarily did.

While front running is a thing of the past on the trading floor, the algorithmic and HFT trading programs have picked up where the open outcry system left off, taking money out of traders accounts. Not only have these programs made it harder to trade they have helped to expand the daily moves of the S&P. What I used to do on the trading for those 550 banks, prop firms, and hedge funds got harder to do. I didnt have the big orders that I used to have, and I didnt have the UBS program trading business to back it up, but what I did have was over 38 years of experience dealing in the markets for customers. At one point I was going to go back into the printing business and work for my brother Bill. I even went so far as to try to strike a deal to leave the business, but when it came down to the money side of it, he reminded me that there was no way to make as much money as I could working on the trading floor. I took his advice, I stayed on the floor, and in the final years of being down there I created MrTopStep.com. The idea was to take some of that knowledge and roll it into a trading forum and informational trading and news website. To go back out to some of those traders that were still in the business but no longer on Wall Street, or prop traders in Chicago that still love to trade, or an x-floor trader, or some of the customers that used the desk back in the day. Today MrTopStep continues to be on the forefront of helping traders understand the ins and outs of trading. News, education and trading all rolled into one. With great traders like @FuturesTNT, or @ChicagoStock, or William Blount, or Rob from DTG, and a host of other traders, all providing flow, news, and trade ideas in real time on the MrTopStep trading platform.

Risk has gone up and with that so has the space that algorithmic and HFT trading makeup in the futures markets. Being a lone trader has become harder and harder to keep up with. That is why I created MrTopStep.com and its trading forum. As Ive said many times this is not a game of 21-year-olds anymore. This is a game of traders that have been around for a while. If you or any of your trading friends would like to be part of the MrTopStep trading forum the best way to see what we do is to join the upcoming boot camp. Its a very inexpensive way to get a five day look at what we do and how we do it, and its open for everyone to see. Is every trade a winner? No, not every trade is a winner, but if you took a sample from our trading room they would tell you that this is the best forum for keeping up with the daily swings of the S&P 500 futures, bonds, and crude oil.

My name is Danny Riley, I have been in the futures and options industry since I was 18 years old, over 38 years. If you do join our forum and it doesnt fit your trading style we have a 100% return on your money. Things have become much more complex and we believe that the minds of the many are far greater than the minds of the few. I have always said that if you are interested in joining MrTopStep, do it when the markets are moving

Hope to see you in the MrTopStep bootcamp, lots of new, good things are going to go on there.

Details on how to sign up for MrTopSteps Live Trading Bootcamp will be available this week!



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North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un on Sunday justified what he claimed was his country's first hydrogen bomb test as self-defence to prevent nuclear war with the US, in his first comments since the explosion.

Pyongyang on Wednesday carried out its fourth nuclear test, angering the international community and raising tensions with neighbouring South Korea.

The test was "a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists," Kim was quoted as saying.

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticise," he added, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The North regularly accuses the US and its ally South Korea of warmongering.

Kim's comments came during a visit to the Ministry of People's Armed Forces to congratulate them on the "successful" detonation, KCNA said, without giving the date of the visit.

They echo an official commentary published late Friday, which cited toppled leaders Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Moamer Kadhafi in Libya as examples of what happens when countries forsake their nuclear ambitions.

The test has angered world powers, including the North's key ally China, and the UN Security Council has said it will roll out new measures to punish the maverick state.

South Korea has resumed high-decibel propaganda broadcasts across the border in response, which the North said were driving the divided peninsula to "the brink of war".

North Korea claimed it used a miniaturised hydrogen bomb, which is far more powerful than other nuclear devices, although experts said seismic activity suggested it was not strong enough.

The test came just two days before Kim's 33rd birthday and ahead of a rare ruling party congress scheduled to take place in May -- the first such gathering for 35 years.

The North is expected to lay out a range of key policies during the congress, which Kim said will be a "historic turning point in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche (self-independence)".

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"Let us defend the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea by strengthening the political and military might of the People's Army in every way", Kim said, adding that strengthening the military is a priority.

The state Korean Central TV late on Friday released video footage of a purportedly new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test.

But South Korean media suggested the footage was an edited compilation of the North's third SLBM test, conducted last month in the Sea of Japan, and a different ballistic missile test from 2014.
Athens (AFP) - No-nonsense reformer Kyriakos Mitsotakis, son of a former prime minister, on Sunday beat the odds to become the new leader of Greece's conservative New Democracy party after winning a nationwide vote.

A scion of an influential political family from Crete, Mitsotakis, 47, defeated 62-year-old former parliament chief Vangelis Meimarakis who had been considered the favourite in the race after grabbing an 11.3-point lead in the first round of voting last month.

"We have one purpose. To express all the forces that stand against the populism of an incompetent government," said Mitsotakis, who was mobbed by supporters as he arrived as his political headquarters in Athens.

With 70 percent of results counted, Mitsotakis took 51 percent of the vote to 49 percent for Meimarakis, the party said. Final results are expected on Monday.

The Harvard-educated economist now faces the difficult challenge of taking on charismatic leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who beat New Democracy twice in elections last year.

Over 300,000 party members reportedly cast ballots at polling stations across the country on Sunday.

The son of former premier and one-time New Democracy chief Constantine Mitsotakis, the new party leader is an ardent reformer who says he champions "common sense against populism."

Local media posted a picture of a smiling Mitsotakis visiting his 97-year-old father immediately after clinching victory.

Mitsotakis has pledged to realign the party towards the political centre, but he has also promised to work with cadres of the party's nationalist right-wing faction who helped get him elected.

"I stand for meritocracy, transparency and equal opportunities," Mitsotakis told Kathimerini daily in an interview a day before the vote.

"I guarantee that we will soon create a great centre-right movement that will give Greece a reliable alternative solution in government."

New Democracy has been without an elected leader since July, when party head Antonis Samaras abruptly resigned, leaving Meimarakis in charge.

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Mitsotakis has shrugged off criticism that he got this far thanks to his family connections. His father headed the party from 1984 to 1993 while his older sister Dora Bakoyannis is a former Athens mayor and ex-foreign minister who unsuccessfully contested the party leadership in 2009.

"I am proud of both my name and surname," Mitsotakis said in a recent interview.

Mitsotakis has been accused of excessive job-cutting zeal during his term as administrative reform minister in 2013-2015, his first and only ministerial post to date.

"I found this policy in place, I applied it as best I could," he insisted this week.

Before turning to politics in 2004, the married father of three worked for a decade as an economic analyst and advisor, including a three-year stint as managing director of Athens-based NBG Venture Capital.
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country conducted a hydrogen bomb test as a self-defensive step against a U.S. threat of nuclear war and had a sovereign right to do so without being criticized, state news agency KCNA reported on Sunday. North Korea's fourth nuclear test on Wednesday angered both the United States and China, which was not given prior notice, although the U.S. government and weapons experts doubt the North's claim that the device it set off was a hydrogen bomb. "The DPRK's H-bomb test ... is a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the U.S.-led imperialists," KCNA quoted Kim as saying. "It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize," he said. Kim's comments were in line with the North's official rhetoric blaming the United States for deploying nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula to justify its nuclear program but were the first by its leader since Wednesday's blast. The United States has said it has no nuclear weapons stationed in South Korea. But it has been in discussion with the South about deploying strategic weapons on the Korean peninsula after the test. Media said these could include nuclear-capable B-2 and B-52 bombers, and a nuclear-powered submarine. Experts believe the test, which produced a seismic tremor of 5.1, too small to be a proper hydrogen bomb test, was designed to set the stage for a rare general meeting of its ruling Workers' Party, the first since 1980. Kim noted the significance of the timing of the test as being held in the year of the party congress, "which will be a historic turning point in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche," according to KCNA. Juche is the North's home-grown state ideology that combines Marxism and extreme nationalism established by the state founder and the current leader's grandfather, Kim Il Sung. KCNA said Kim made the comments on a visit to the country's Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. (Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by James Dalgleish)
An honest essay has numerous characteristics: original thinking, a good structure, balanced arguments, and plenty more.

But one aspect often overlooked is that an honest essay should be interesting. It should spark the readers curiosity, keep them absorbed, make them want to stay reading and learn more. An uneventful article risks losing the readers attention; whether or not the points you create are excellent, a flat style, or poor handling of a dry subject material can undermine the positive aspects of the essay. The matter is that a lot of students think that essays should be like this: they believe that a flat, dry style is suited to the needs of educational writing and dont even consider that the teacher reading their essay wants to search out the essay interesting. You might want to have online essay editor service to boost your confidence in writing with an error-free output. Academic writing doesnt need to be  and shouldnt be  bland. The excellent news is that there is much stuff you can do to create your essay more attractive, while youll be able only to do such a lot while remaining within the formal confines of educational writing. Lets study what theyre.

Have an interest in what youre writing about

Dont go overboard, but youll be able to let your passion for your subject show.

If theres one thing bound to inject interest into your writing, its being fascinated by what youre writing about. Passion for a subject matter comes across naturally in your essay, typically making it more lively and fascinating and infusing an infectious enthusiasm into your words  within the same way that its easy to talk knowledgeably to someone about something you discover fascinating.

Include fascinating details

Another factor that may make an essay boring maybe a dry material. Some topic areas are naturally dry, and it falls to you to form the article more interesting through your written style and by trying to seek out fascinating snippets of knowledge to incorporate, which will liven it up a small amount and make the data easier to relate to. A way of doing this with a dry subject is to create what youre talking about that seems relevant to the critical world, as this is often easier for the reader to relate to.

Emulate the fashion of writers you discover interesting

When you read lots, you subconsciously start emulating the fashion of the writers you have read. Reading benefits you a lot, as this exposes you to a spread of designs, and youll start to require the characteristics of these you discover interesting to read.

Borrow some creative writing techniques

Theres a limit to the quantity of actual story-telling youll do when youre writing an essay; in the end, essays should be objective, factual and balanced, which doesnt, initially glance, feel considerably like story-telling. However, youll apply a number of the principles of story-telling to create your writing more interesting.

consider your own opinion

Take the time to figure out what its that you think instead of regurgitating the opinions of others.

Cut the waffle

Rambling on and on is dull and almost bound to lose the interest of your reader. Youre in danger of waffling if youre not completely clear about what you wish to mention or havent thought carefully about how youre visiting structure your argument. Doing all your research correctly and writing an essay plan before you begin will help prevent this problem.

Editing is a vital part of the essay-writing process, so edit the waffle once youve done a primary draft. Read through your essay objectively and eliminate the bits that arent relevant to the argument or labor the purpose.

employing a thesaurus isnt always a decent thing

Avoid using unfamiliar words in an essay; theres too great a likelihood that youre misusing them.

You may think that employing a thesaurus to seek out more complicated words will make your writing more exciting or sound more academic, but using overly high-brow language can have the incorrect effect.

Avoid repetitive phrasing

Please avoid using the identical phrase structure again and again: its a recipe for dullness! Instead, use a variety of syntax that demonstrates your writing capabilities and makes your writing more interesting. Mix simple, compound, and complicated sentences to avoid your paper becoming predictable.

Use some figurative language

Using analogies with nature can often make concepts more accessible for readers to know.

As weve already seen, its easy to finish up rambling when youre explaining complex concepts  mainly after you dont know it yourself. One way of forcing yourself to think about a couple of pictures, present it more simply and engagingly is to form figurative language. This implies explaining something by comparing it with something else, as in an analogy.

Employ rhetorical questions

Anticipate the questions your reader might ask.

One of the ways ancient orators held the eye of their audiences and increased the dramatic effect of their speeches was by using the statement. A decent place to use a statement is at the top of a paragraph, to steer into the following one, or at the start of a replacement section to introduce a brand new area for exploration.

Proofread

Finally, you may write the top interesting essay an instructor has ever read. Still, youll undermine your good work if its plagued by errors, which distract the reader from the particular content and can probably annoy them.
By Heide Brandes OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - Earthquakes in Oklahoma in the past week, including one of the strongest ever recorded in the state, have led to calls for the governor to make changes to oil and gas drilling regulations and reduce seismic activity scientists link to the energy industry. Two large earthquakes were recorded in northwest Oklahoma on Wednesday, including a magnitude 4.8 quake. The quakes were part of a surge in seismic activity over the past several years. Scientists have tied a sharp increase in the intensity and frequency of quakes in Oklahoma to the disposal of saltwater, a byproduct of oil and gas extraction, into deep wells. Oil fields have boomed in Oklahoma over the past decade thanks to advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. State Representative Richard Morrissette, a Democrat who has said the state's Republican leaders are not doing enough to address the problem, will host a public forum at the Capitol on Friday to discuss the rash of earthquakes. He wants the state to halt operation of injection wells at quake sites and do more to prevent them from causing quakes. "No one in a position of authority is taking this seriously," said Morrissette, who accused the state's leadership of bowing to pressure from the energy industry. Morrissette is hoping to build grassroots support to take on the oil and gas drilling industry, a powerful player for decades in the state and a major source of employment. The industry is Oklahoma's largest source of private capital spending and tax revenue and accounts for about 10 percent of the state's annual economy, according to the Oklahoma State Chamber, which represents more than 1,000 Oklahoma businesses. Although the quakes last week caused no major reported damage or injuries, they left many Oklahomans shaken. Firms providing quake insurance saw a surge in calls inquiring about coverage. "We don't have overall data on how much injection is going on in this area, but we attribute most of the earthquakes these days to deep injection of produced oil wastewater," said Jerry Doak, director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey. State leaders have been instituting changes, but critics said they have not gone far enough. In response to the quakes, Governor Mary Fallin, a Republican, said last week that the state has been regulating disposal wells, taking some steps to limit their injection rate and depth of their injections. "Science is ever-evolving as to what actually causes earthquakes. We know that disposal wells can cause earthquakes, but not all earthquakes. There are fault lines that are just natural in Oklahoma," she told The Oklahoman newspaper. Energy companies have also been responding. Phillips 66 has overhauled how it plans for earthquakes, a sign U.S. energy companies are starting to react to rising seismicity around the world's largest crude storage hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, site of many disposal wells. The changes include new protocols for inspecting the health of crude tanks, potentially halting operations after temblors, and monitoring quake alerts. The strongest quake recorded in Oklahoma was a magnitude 5.5 that struck in April 1952, the U.S. Geological Survey said. (Reporting by Heide Brandes; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Four-way talks aimed at reviving dialogue between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban will be held in Islamabad on Monday, officials said, with Pakistani authorities set to unveil a list of insurgents willing to negotiate.

The meeting between representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States was announced in December. But Pakistani officials only confirmed the date on Sunday, having previously suggested they may take place later in the month.

The so-called "roadmap" talks are meant to lay the groundwork for direct dialogue between Kabul and the Islamist group, whose bloody insurgency shows no signs of abating more than 14 years after they were ousted from power by a US-led coalition.

But the Taliban themselves will not be present at Monday's meetings, according to officials.

"Based on the four-way agreement, Monday's meeting will discuss the mechanism for peace talks," Javed Faisal, spokesman for Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, told AFP.

"The Pakistani government will present the list of Taliban who are willing to talk and those who are not interested in talks," he added.

Pakistan has agreed to cut off financial support to the Taliban fighters, including in Quetta and Peshawar, he said.

Pakistan was among three countries that recognised the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime and Kabul has long accused Islamabad of continuing to covertly support the group in their insurgency.

A senior official in Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed the meeting, adding that Islamabad would be represented by its foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry while Afghanistan would be represented by deputy foreign minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai.

A first round of peace talks with the Taliban was held in July but collapsed after the Taliban belatedly confirmed the death of their founder Mullah Omar.

News of the death led to infighting between senior Taliban leaders and the group's new chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour, which in turn led to the creation of a new faction headed by Mohamed Rasool in November.

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In December Mansour himself was shot and wounded near the Pakistani town of Quetta, apparently by one of his own men.

But despite the internal rifts and the onset of winter, the group have continued to carry out brazen attacks. In September the Taliban briefly seized the northern provincial capital of Kunduz -- the first time they had gained control of a city since the fall of their regime in 2001.

In recent weeks they have seized large swathes of the key opium-rich district of Sangin in the southern province of Helmand, their traditional stronghold.

However, Afghan forces on Sunday wrested back control of a northern district bordering Tajikistan two months after its capture by the Taliban, a rare nugget of positive news for them as the insurgency spreads.

Observers say the intensifying fighting highlights a push by the militants to seize more territory to try to secure greater concessions during any direct talks.
London (AFP) - The Belgian jihadist suspected of planning the November terror attacks in Paris visited Britain last year despite being hunted by police, the Guardian newspaper reported on Sunday.

Abdelhamid Abaaoud's alleged trip to Britain could add to pressure on the interior ministry, which is struggling to tighten border controls amid high-profile reports of Britons going to Syria to join the Islamic State group.

The newspaper said photos of British landmarks were found on Abaaoud's phone after he was killed in a raid in Paris just days after the November 13 coordinated gun and bomb attacks in the French capital that killed 130 people.

The Guardian cited no sources and the interior ministry declined to comment.

Abaaoud entered Britain through a ferry port in England's southeast, the newspaper said, giving no dates.

The Guardian said he had met several jihadists in London and in Birmingham in central England, but that it was not clear whether the photos on his phone were part of plans for an attack.

He had been the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Belgium, where in July he was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison for recruiting jihadists to fight in Syria.

The 28-year-old of Moroccan origin had in the past boasted of evading police dragnets in Europe, and taunted European authorities from what was assumed to be an IS base in Syria.

He also bragged about escaping from Europe after Belgian police shot dead two of his fellow jihadists in the eastern town of Verviers as they broke up a cell planning attacks on security personnel last year.

Abaaoud had first popped up on the radar of Belgian security forces after featuring in an IS video released in 2014, laughing as he drove a car which dragged mutilated bodies behind it.
Berlin (AFP) - A man who was shot dead after trying to attack a Paris police station last week had been an asylum seeker since 2011 and had a criminal past, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Sunday.

The revelations are likely to fuel criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy for refugees, after a spate of sexual assaults blamed on migrants during New Year's Eve festivities in Cologne shocked the country.

The man in the thwarted Paris attack had "travelled across Europe and made (asylum) requests everywhere" and "had a criminal past", de Maiziere told ZDF television.

The attacker was killed by French police on Thursday after he tried to storm the police station in northern Paris, brandishing a meat cleaver and wearing a fake suicide vest. Police found a handwritten note on his body in which he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

The attempted police station assault took place exactly one year since the start of a series of jihadist attacks in Paris, beginning with the murder of 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine on January 7, 2015.

On Saturday, German investigators raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum seekers in the western city of Recklinghausen where they said the police station attacker had lived.

The search did not turn up any evidence of other possible attacks, their statement said, without giving further details.

But French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve cast doubt on the German investigators' claims.

"I cannot confirm this, quite simply because I am not at all sure that it is correct," Cazeneuve told France's iTele, speaking before the German interior minister's comments.

Cazeneuve called on the media to exercise the "greatest care" in reporting the man's identity.

- 'IS flag and symbol' -

German news site Spiegel Online reported that the man had already been classed by German police as potentially dangerous after he posed at the refugee centre with an IS flag, but he disappeared in December.

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The head of North Rhine-Westphalia's criminal police service, Uwe Jacob, said the suspect had travelled to Germany in 2013 for the first time from France, where he had lived illegally previously for five years.

He had gone under seven different identities and given at least three nationalities on separate occasions -- Syrian, Moroccan or Georgian, Jacob said, according to national news agency DPA.

"We are not sure who he really was," said Jacob, adding that the man had already been imprisoned on several occasions for offences relating to illegal arms possession, drug trafficking and assault.

The Welt am Sonntag newspaper said the man had drawn a symbol of the IS group on the shelter's wall in Recklinghausen and had filed for asylum using the name Walid Salihi.

But French investigators said Friday the suspect appeared to have been identified by his family and was said to be a Tunisian named Tarek Belgacem.

In Tunisia, a woman who claimed to be the man's mother confirmed that he had been living in Germany but denied he had any links to extremist groups.

She told a Tunisian radio station that her son had rung her to ask her "to send him his birth certificate. He was in Germany."

The link to the refugee shelter in Germany, and the apparent ease with which the subject was able to register with the authorities, risks inflaming a debate over the 1.1 million asylum-seekers that the country took in last year.

Mindful of the political sensitivity surrounding the issue, Recklinghausen's mayor Christoph Tesche said it remains "our humanitarian and legal duty to provide shelter for those who flee their homes".

But it was also important to work "intensively with relevant authorities to ensure that people with such intentions cannot hide in our institutions," he stressed.

Tensions are running high in Germany, where more than 500 cases of New Year's Eve violence against women in Cologne have been recorded, with police saying suspects of the crime spree were mostly asylum seekers and migrants.

With anger growing, Merkel has toughened her tone on migrant deportations, declaring that any asylum seekers handed a jail term -- even if it was a suspended sentence -- should be kicked out of the country.
Madrid (AFP) - Spain's incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Sunday he would fight for his country's unity as the parliament in Catalonia prepared to vote in a new regional secessionist leader.

"The government won't allow a single act that could harm the unity and sovereignty of Spain," he said in a live televised appearance in Madrid.

At the same time some 600 kilometres (380 miles) away in Barcelona, lawmakers in Catalonia were deep in debate ahead of a vote on whether to approve Carles Puigdemont as regional president.

Catalonia's pro-independence faction that won regional parliamentary elections in September appointed him candidate on Saturday in a surprise move after months of in-fighting and divisions over who should lead the new local government.

The last-ditch agreement stands in stark contrast to the situation in Madrid, where the national government is in limbo following inconclusive December polls.

Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) came top in the December 20 elections but lost its absolute majority, leaving him struggling to form a coalition government.

So far the PP's traditional Socialist rivals (PSOE), who came second in the elections, have refused to support him.

Rajoy said he would have the strength and determination "to continue to defend the unity of Spain."
By Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - It would not be the "right answer" for Britons to vote to leave the European Union, but the government will have to make it work if they do, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday. An opinion poll published on Thursday showed that a majority of Britons who have made up their mind would back leaving the EU in a referendum due by the end of 2017. Cameron said he hoped voters would back staying in the EU if he achieves his planned reforms to Britain's relationship with the bloc. "The British public will make their decision. We must obey that decision whatever it is," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. "I don't think that (exit) is the right answer ... Were that to be the answer, we would have to do everything necessary to make that work." Asked whether the government was making contingency plans for a possible exit, Cameron said it had plans for the renegotiation and referendum. "The civil service is working to help me deliver those things. Now, if we fail to deliver them and we have to take a different stance, then that is a new situation," he said. Arron Banks, co-founder of 'out' campaign group Leave.EU said Cameron would not be taken seriously in his renegotiation if he was not prepared to walk away from the bloc. "David Cameron's lack of a plan for withdrawal tells the EU, and voters, that he has no intention of leaving, guaranteeing that the deal he does finally produce won't be worth the paper it's written on," he said. MASSIVE PRIZE Cameron, who travelled to Germany and Hungary last week to hold talks on his proposed reforms, said he was confident a deal could be reached on what has proved the biggest sticking point - his plans to curb welfare payments to EU migrants. He said he believed the "massive prize" of reforming Britain's relationship with the 28-nation bloc and staying a member was closer than it had been and he was hopeful of striking a deal at a meeting of EU leaders next month. The Conservative Party leader, who has said he will not seek a third term at a national election due in 2020, also repeated a comment made earlier this week that he did not plan to stand down as prime minister if he loses the referendum. Eurosceptic Conservative lawmaker and former minister David Davis told the BBC he thought as many as two thirds of the party's lawmakers and five or six of Cameron's top team of ministers could vote to leave the bloc. A referendum could follow about four months after a deal. Cameron said that if an agreement were not reached in February, the vote could be held in September "or later". "The substance matters much more than the timing, so if I can't get the right deal in February, I will wait and I will keep going and keep plugging away," he said. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Digby Lidstone)
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's foreign minister on Sunday summoned the German ambassador to a meeting over what his department called "anti-Polish comments by German politicians," the conservative Warsaw government's latest broadside at Berlin. Foreign Ministry spokesman Artur Dmochowski said German envoy Rolf Nikel had received a "polite invitation" to a meeting with Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski at midday on Monday. "It's not about one concrete comment, there are quite a few of them," he told TVN24 news channel. Poland's relations with both Germany and the European Union (EU) have deteriorated since the Law and Justice (PiS) party won elections last October on a platform advocating conservative Catholic values and euroscepticism. The PiS has sought to put public media under direct government control and change the makeup of the constitutional court, prompting protests and accusations from rights activists that it is undermining democratic checks and balances. European Parliament President Martin Schulz compared the actions of the Polish government with those of Russian President Vladimir Putin in comments to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on Sunday. "The Polish government sees their election success as giving them a mandate to put the will of the successful party, whether on policy or personnel, above that of the interest of the state. That is a type of Putin-style managed democracy, a dangerous 'Putinisation' of European politics," he said. A week ago, Gunther Oettinger, the German EU commissioner responsible for the digital economy and society, said that Warsaw should be put under the EU's rule-of-law supervision. On Saturday, Poland's justice minister dismissed Oettinger's call as "silly" in a confrontational letter, questioning Berlin's own record on media freedoms and alluding to Nazi Germany's occupation of Poland in World War Two. The European Commission is to hold a "political debate" on the rule of law in Poland on Jan. 13, reflecting growing concern the PiS government is eroding democracy in the EU's largest eastern member state. Until recently, Poland was seen as a poster child for post-communist transformation. Last week, Poland invited the European Commission's Warsaw representative to the foreign ministry to discuss EU concerns, which the government says are groundless. (Reporting by Adrian Krajewski and Pawel Florkiewicz in Warsaw and John O'Donnell in Frankfurt; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
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ABC's Scandal isn't wasting any time in jumping back into the action when season five resumes Feb. 11. When the series returns from its holiday break, six months will have passed and the race for president will be in full swing.

To hear star Tony Goldwyn tell it, showrunner Shonda Rhimes is finding inspiration from the current election cycle and Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) is officially running for president amid a roster of "surprising" new faces.

The Hollywood Reporter caught up with the actor on Saturday night at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour party to discuss what his future with the Washington-set soap could be after Fitz (Goldwyn) is no longer in office. Plus, how is the president coping after his break-up with Olivia (Kerry Washington), who was last seen celebrating Christmas after aborting the president's baby?

Read More: 'Scandal's' Kerry Washington: Olivia Is a "Different Woman" Post-Abortion, Breakup

Will there be a time jump when season five resumes?

We've got a six-month time jump. It's very different. We find Fitz completely alone and struggling with life on his own and sort of viciously estranged from Mellie, although they're trying to co-parent. And Fitz and Olivia are not in contact. It's very difficult for him to be alone. He's leaning very heavily on Abby and really focusing on work. But he's been a bit of a monk for six months and has never been alone  he's not good at it. The show, overall, everybody is pushing in a new direction. Olivia is in a very strange and interesting place. And Mellie is running for president. What we're getting into now is the trajectory of the campaign is heating up.

Mellie is officially running for president?

Yes, and other candidates start to emerge. Susan Ross is someone Fitz is trying to look out for and we get into that and that ambition.

Is Susan running for president, too?

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She's thinking about it.

That's almost Trump-level.

We get into the machinery of that, which is really interesting.

Is Scandal taking on Donald Trump a bit?

We'll see. That's not really Susan Ross. Let's put it this way, Shonda is drawing some inspiration from the current campaign in a lot of different ways. I can't say anything else, but it's some really great stuff.

Will any of the other candidates surprise us?

You will be surprised by some fresh faces in the campaign. There are some cool faces.

Read More: 'Scandal's' Tony Goldwyn on Abortion Storyline, Fitz and Olivia's Future

Could Olivia be Mellie's campaign manager?

Well, they have this strange relationship and Olivia said to her at the end of the first half, "I'm going to make you president." And there's no one better at the job than Liv. Mellie will do what she can to try to get Olivia to work for her, but that's a complicated relationship.

How does Fitz feel about that?

The one solace in Fitz's life is the presidency right now  he's really enjoying the last year and a half of his presidency because, like Obama, he's like, "Screw it, I'm doing what needs to be done." And Fitz is done listening to handlers, which has messed him up so much in the past. He's very focused about work.

Personally, I can't imagine he'd be happy to see Olivia working with Mellie.

No, it's so upsetting. We haven't dealt with that one yet, but I feel like he would shut down with that and couldn't really deal with that.

Is Fitz aware of Olivia's abortion yet?

No, and I don't know if he ever will be. Shonda must have a plan for that because it was such a huge story point, but I don't know what that is yet. If Fitz ever finds out about it, it's going to be the worst thing that could have ever happened to him, second to the death of his son.

At this point, does he still want to be with her? Is he still pining for her?

Yes. As an audience, we don't know. But for me, he's in love with her. She's the love of his life and he's not over her in any way. And she really ended it. They fought and had mutual issues but she was the one saying, "It's over, I'm out." He's accepted that, but he's not over it.

As far as the future of the series, we're already looking at the new administration and given how fast Scandal burns through story, what would the show look like after Fitz is out of office?

I have no idea. That's the thing that puzzles me. I don't know what my function on the show will be if I'm not [playing] the president of the United States. I'm curious to see what Shonda is thinking about it. But it's one of the things that I think makes Scandal successful: Shonda is not afraid to go to new places. That's what they've done since season one: They get themselves into an impossible situation and then they're not scared of making the characters unlikable, of us doing horrible things or burning up plot  "That was supposed to be the finale and it's only episode four!"  so it will be really interesting. I may not have a job, but we'll see!

But you have a deal through season six, right?

They guarantee you a season at a time. I have committed to them, I think, for more than six [seasons], maybe seven or eight. But ABC or Shonda could decide, "We're done with that character," and Fitz would go away.

But given how you feel about this show, you'd be on it as long as they'd let you.

For me? Absolutely! It's a dream job  but I don't have that choice. I've signed on the dotted line and that's the way it works.

In terms of the longevity of Scandal, Rhimes has mentioned that it isn't a show that goes eight or 10 seasons 

I've heard her say six, but I don't know if that's true or not. It's at least to the end of next year because Fitz's administration will last that long. That's my guess. We're just starting, we're not even in the primary campaign yet [this season]. My assumption is that it won't be done this season, so I'm assuming through next season, there will be a new president of the United States on Scandal. Beyond that, I don't know. We'll see!

Scandal returns Feb. 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. What are you excited to see? Sound off in the comments below.
Actor Sean Penn secretly interviewed Joaquin El Chapo Guzman for a Rolling Stone article as the world's most notorious drug kingpin was on the run from Mexican authorities three months after escaping a maximum security prison. Penns 10,000-word piece was published online Saturday, a day after El Chapo was recaptured in Mexico following a six-month international manhunt.

Here are six things we learned from Penns visit with El Chapo.

 El Chapo is well-aware hes the worlds No. 1 supplier of drugs.

I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world, he told Penn. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.

 El Chapo doesnt think hes at all to blame for the global epidemic of drug addiction.

Because drug trafficking does not depend on just one person. It depends on a lot of people, he told Penn. If there was no consumption, there would be no sales. It is true that consumption, day after day, becomes bigger and bigger. So it sells and sells.

Penn tends to agree.

Are we, the American public, not indeed complicit in what we demonize? Penn writes. We are the consumers, and as such, we are complicit in every murder, and in every corruption of an institutions ability to protect the quality of life for citizens of Mexico and the United States that comes as a result of our insatiable appetite for illicit narcotics.

 El Chapo doesnt consider himself a violent person.

Look, all I do is defend myself, nothing more, he told Penn. But do I start trouble? Never.

Again, Penn tends to agree.

Unlike many of his counterparts who engage in gratuitous kidnapping and murder, El Chapo is a businessman first, Penn writes, and only resorts to violence when he deems it advantageous to himself or his business interests.

 El Chapo says he doesnt use drugs  and hasnt for decades.

Many years ago, yes, I did try them, he tells Penn. But an addict? No ... I havent done any drugs in the last 20 years.

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I dont usually drink, El Chapo told Penn at their initial meeting, but I want to drink with you.

The pair drank tequila together before Guzman agreed to Penns formal interview.

 Penn wasnt paid by Rolling Stone.

When I do journalism, Penn writes, I take no payment.

 El Chapo approved the article before it was published.

Penn pitched the idea to Rolling Stone. Kate del Castillo, a Mexican actress who had been intermittently receiving contact from Chapo even after the escape, brokered the meeting, which was conducted in an undisclosed location in the Mexican jungle on Oct. 2. And according to the editors note, the article had to be submitted for El Chapos approval before publication. According to the magazine, the drug lord did not ask for any changes.





Read Sean Penn's account of his secret visit with El Chapo, before the drug lord's recapture https://t.co/BIRwROeFdk pic.twitter.com/rnzt2DhCXe  Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 10, 2016



A Mexican law enforcement official told the Associated Press that Penns meeting helped lead them to Guzman. But according to Agence France-Presse, Mexican authorities still want to question Penn and del Castillo about their interview.

Back in the United States, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough called Guzmans boasts about global drug monopoly maddening but declined to comment on possible repercussions for Penn.

One thing I will tell you is that this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening, McDonough said on CNNs State of the Union.

On ABCs This Week With George Stephanopoulos, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said he found Penns interview grotesque but not a violation of law.







If one of these American actors who have benefited from the greatness of this country, who have made money from our free enterprise system, want to go fawn all over a criminal and a drug trafficker in their interviews, they have a constitutional right to do it, Rubio said. I find it grotesque.

Online, the reaction to Penns piece united often-partisan users in their mockery of the 55-year-old actor  and disdain for Rolling Stone's decision to publish it.





Today's cover: El Jerko! Sean Penn secretly met with fugitive drug lord El Chapo https://t.co/jKtudUxAvk pic.twitter.com/Rg43lFpXgT  New York Post (@nypost) January 10, 2016

I had a crazy dream last night. Hazy now but it involved Sean Penn interviewing an escaped drug lord for seven hours in the jungle.  Saeed Jones (@theferocity) January 10, 2016

If the CIA had just made Rolling Stone send Sean Penn to interview bin Laden in 2001 it would have saved us all a lot of time  Doug Saunders (@DougSaunders) January 10, 2016

NSA's file on Sean Penn must be quite a thing to behold.  southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) January 10, 2016

Sean Penn is the thinking man's Dennis Rodman.  Ben Schwartz (@benschwartzy) January 10, 2016

Can you imagine how scary it must be doing an interview across from a violent egotistical nut like Sean Penn?  Richard Blakeley (@blakeley) January 10, 2016

Unless the Golden Globes are being hosted by Sean Penn, El Chapo and Madonna they are irrelevant.  billy eichner (@billyeichner) January 10, 2016

I dont think it was worth @RollingStone giving up editorial control to a murderer for Sean Penns diary entry and a short Q&A at the end.  Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 10, 2016

The future of journalism is a celebrity working for free & the subject pre-approving the article they've written. pic.twitter.com/xcPiXVZ8Xj  Nick Bilton (@nickbilton) January 10, 2016

If Sean Penn doing PR for drug lords (and cluelessly selling them out) is the future of journalism, I think I need to find a new job.  Matt Nippert (@MattNippert) January 10, 2016
The Root

Its rare to find someone who hasnt had a battle or two with Covid, but some Covid dodgers are still among us. While the Centers for Disease Control has estimated that more than 80% of children under the age of 18 have had Covid-19, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco has discovered a phenomenon (after reviewing data from more than 1,400 people) that some people may never test positive for Covid or have symptoms due to a genetic mutation.
Mexico City (AFP) - The recapture of kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was a boost to the Mexican government, but his Sinaloa drug cartel lives on despite the loss of its "CEO," analysts say.

The gang, whose empire stretches around the world, will retain its supply of cocaine from South America, keep feeding addicts in the United States and fill its coffers full of cash.

"The capture won't have a significant impact other than a moral victory," Mike Vigil, a former international operations chief at the US Drug Enforcement Administration, told AFP.

"It's going to continue to function. It's not even going to skip a beat," Vigil said.

To make a real dent, the government should go after the cartel's assets, bank accounts and properties while cleaning up the corruption that has aided the criminal enterprise, the former law enforcement official said.

"The infrastructure has been developed through decades, and the fact of the matter is that just because they get rid of the CEO doesn't mean that it's going to collapse," he said.

While the 58-year-old Guzman now faces the prospect of being extradited to the United States, the cartel has another veteran leader ready to step in, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who is in his late 60s.

Guzman's sons are active in the cartel, but Zambada -- a man who never spent a night behind bars -- is seen as the natural successor who has the respect of his peers.

- Drug lord's view -

Guzman himself told US actor Sean Penn in an interview for Rolling Stone magazine that the business would go on without him.

"The day that I don't exist, it won't reduce drug trafficking," Guzman said in a video, answering questions that Penn sent to him months before his capture. The pair also met in a secretive, sitdown interview.

Raul Benitez Manaut, a security expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said the cartel continued to operate normally during the 17 months that Guzman was incarcerated until his escape on July 11.

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"It's not destroyed. It is weakened, but it can rebuild because it has 'Mayo' Zambada," Benitez said.

While he was in prison, Guzman told Penn, his business did not change. "Nothing has decreased. Nothing has increased," he said.

Benitez said some rivals could now seek to seize on Guzman's capture to gain terrain.

"The ones who must be happy are the Gulf cartel, because they are their main competitors," the expert said.

The Sinaloa cartel dominates Mexico's Pacific region while their rivals operate along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

The two gangs have fought bloody turf wars over control of the drug trade to the United States over the years, though the Gulf cartel has been weakened by the capture or deaths of its own leaders.

- 'More work to be done' -

Gustavo Fondevila, a security expert at the Center for Economic Research and Teaching, said the Sinaloa cartel will avoid the fragmentation or infighting seen in other groups whose leaders have been arrested or killed.

"It's not a cartel that has internal problems," Fondevila said.

"This doesn't diminish the work of the security agencies. Catching 'El Chapo' was very important because you can't let a character like that on the loose," he said.

A federal official, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, told AFP that Guzman's arrest was an "unprecedented success" for federal forces.

But, the official conceded, "there's always more work to be done against organized crime."
Slashed funding for state schools and skyrocketing tuition. Thanks to the Great Recession, that combo has become the norm on Americas college campuses. Public universities tend to pass costs on to students, who end up borrowing an average of $30,000 to cover the upward-spiraling price of a diploma.

But according to a report released this week from education advocacy group The Young Invincibles, budget cutsand how much financial burden is being shifted to studentsvary widely.

RELATED: This State Wants to Help Recent Grads Pay Back Their Student Loans

The organization analyzed data from 2008 to 2014 on per-student spending, average tuition, financial aid, and degree attainment equity for each state. It found that nationally, student spending fell by 21 percent during that time frame.

Digging into the per-state data reveals that between 2008 and 2014, Louisiana chopped its higher education budget by an astounding 41 percent. Alabama was the second worstit decimated funding by 39 percent, and Pennsylvania came in third place, with a 37 percent drop in funding. Meanwhile, according to the report, North Dakota and Alaska were the only places where lawmakers chose to invest as muchor morein public higher education as they did prior to the recession.

During the same time frame, tuition and fees at both four-year and two-year schools increased 28 percent nationally. However, tuition hikes at state schools in Arizona jumped 72 percent, while in Georgia they increased 68 percent, and in Louisiana, 66 percent.

Meanwhile, in California, the worlds eighth-largest economy and the nations most populous state, fees increased 56 percenta far cry from a generation ago, when the best public university in the nation, the University of California, Berkeley, was free for residents. In comparison, Missouri, Maine, Montana, Maryland, and Ohio all raised their tuition 10 percent or less.

The less funding a school gets from their state, the more students will have to pay in tuition to make up the difference, wrote the reports authors. And did they ever. Nationally in 2008, students and families coughed up roughly 36 percent of the cost of college but were responsible for half the cost by 2018. Again, the amount students and families were asked to pay varies widely by state. People living in Vermont were asked to pony up 82 percent of the cost of attending a state school, the higuest in the nation. Meanwhile, folks in Wyoming were asked to pay a comparatively reasonable 15 percent of the cost.

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With the majority of U.S. students attending state schools, the reports authors suggest that states enact policies that help all students access and complete affordable and quality higher education and focus on need-based aid, which is more successful in enrolling and graduating students.

The Young Invincibles also pointed out that its research indicates most millennials dont see college affordability as a partisan campaign issue. Student debt has become a hot topic in the presidential race, and a full 81 percent of young voters the organization surveyed said its a topic the next commander in chief should address. But given the differences between states, it seems those voters might want to put pressure on their local legislators too.

Related stories on TakePart:





 Meet the Ambitious Achievers Hurt by Americas Student Debt Crisis

 Turn Up for College: FLOTUS Raps About the Benefits of Higher Ed

 Students Strike to Protest College Costs, Lack of Opportunities for Grads

Original article from TakePart
(Reuters) - A man claiming allegiance to Islamic State militants was charged on Saturday with attempted murder in the shooting of a Philadelphia police officer this week, the prosecutor said. Edward Archer, of Philadelphia, is accused of ambushing an officer in his squad car shortly before midnight on Thursday. He is also charged with several other crimes and is being held without bond, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said on its Twitter account. Police released still images from surveillance video that showed the gunman dressed in a long white robe walking toward the car and firing, eventually getting close enough to shoot at point-blank range through the window. The city's police commissioner said on Friday that Archer told authorities he ambushed the patrol car "in the name of Islam." "He has confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam," Richard Ross told a news conference, adding that the 30-year-old assailant also referenced Islamic State militants. There was no evidence as yet that the shooter had worked with anyone else, Ross said, adding, "He was savvy enough to stop just short of implicating himself in a conspiracy." A top U.S. Muslim advocacy group said it had found no evidence that Archer was an observant Muslim. U.S. officials have been on high security alert following a series of Islamic State-linked attacks at home and abroad over the last few months. In November, gunman and suicide bombers affiliated with Islamic State killed 130 people in a series of attacks in Paris. Last month a married couple fatally shot 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in an attack inspired by Islamic State. Those concerns have led to calls by some Republican governors and presidential hopefuls to restrict the admission of Syrian refugees fleeing that country's long civil war. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat sworn in on Monday, said after the shooting he did not believe Archer's actions reflected Islamic thinking. "In no way, shape or form does anyone in this room believe that what was done represents Islam," Kenney said. "This was done by a criminal with a stolen gun." The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the leading U.S. Muslim advocacy group, on Friday said Archer "does not appear" to be an observant Muslim. At the Masjid Mujahideen mosque, which stands around the block from the home where Archer was believed to have lived, Imam Asim Abdur-Rashid said he did not know Archer and was not aware if he had ever prayed there. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien; Editing by Frank McGurty and Clarence Fernandez)
LONDON (Reuters) - Premier League Swansea City fell victims to the first major giant-killing of the FA Cup third round on Sunday when they lost 3-2 away to League Two (fourth tier) side Oxford United. There were more than 50 league positions between the clubs but Oxford came from behind to lead 3-1 after Ecuador international Jefferson Montero had put Swansea ahead. Liam Sercombe equalised from a penalty just before half-time and two goals in 10 minutes soon after the interval from Kemar Roofe put the home side in sight of victory. Bafetimbi Gomis pulled one back for the Welsh club, who had made 10 changes from their last Premier League game, but Oxford held on. (Reporting by Steve Tongue; editing by Clare Fallon)
Hurghada (Egypt) (AFP) - A Swedish tourist wounded in an attack on an Egyptian Red Sea resort hotel has been released from hospital, medical officials said Sunday.

Sammie Olovsson, 27, was among three foreigners injured in the Friday attack by men carrying knives on the Bella Vista hotel in Hurghada -- the latest blow to Egypt's struggling tourism industry.

"The Swedish patient left hospital late last night," hospital official Alaa Mohamed told AFP.

An elderly Austrian couple wounded in the attack were still being monitored, he added.

"They are stable and there is no cause for worry but they need more care," Alaa said.

Hospital director Reda al-Naggar said the couple could be discharged as early as Sunday.

Two men carrying knifes stormed the restaurant of the Bella Vista as tourists were having dinner on Friday night. Security forces shot the attackers, killing one and wounding another.

The incident further undermined efforts to repair the country's damaged tourism industry, coming a day after a Cairo hotel hosting Israeli tourists came under attack by men who hurled fireworks and fired birdshot.

The Islamic State group claimed that attack, which it said targeted "Jewish" tourists.

Police said they were Arab Israelis, and that the assailants had targeted policemen guarding the hotel and not them.

The jihadist group's Egyptian affiliate is waging an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula, and dealt a body blow to the country's tourism industry by claiming to have downed a Russian airliner in October, killing all those on board.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Iran said on Sunday that an escalating dispute between the two countries would not affect international efforts to end the war in Syria, even as a large Syrian rebel group cast doubt on the United Nations-led peace process. The U.N. envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said in a statement after meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Tehran that Iran had assured him that the row would not upset talks set for later this month. De Mistura is shuttling around the region to shore up support for the negotiations, which are due to start in Geneva on Jan. 25. They are part of a plan endorsed by the Security Council last month to end the five-year-war that has killed 250,000 people and created millions of refugees. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, attending an Arab League meeting on Sunday to discuss the spat between the two Gulf rivals, also said he did not expect the diplomatic row to affect peace efforts. Tensions between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Muslim Iran have escalated since Saudi authorities executed Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on Jan. 2, triggering outrage among Shi'ites across the Middle East. Iran backs the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Saudi Arabia has provided support to Sunni rebels. Syrian opposition officials have expressed misgivings about the peace talks, citing the need to see goodwill measures from the government side including a ceasefire, a detainee release and the end of blockades on besieged areas before starting negotiations. Islam Army (Jaysh al-Islam), part of a newly formed council to oversee the negotiations on the opposition side, said in a statement that it was unacceptable to talk about a political solution to the war while people died of hunger and bombardment. The group said the "best way to force the regime to accept the (political) solution and stick by it" was to allow states that back the opposition to supply rebels with anti-aircraft missiles. The statement, sent by the Islam Army's spokesman overnight, said it would guarantee the missiles would not reach groups that would use them "illegally". Foreign governments including the United States and Saudi Arabia have provided rebels with military support, but have resisted demands for missiles for fear they would end up with hardline jihadist groups such as Islamic State. The Syrian government says Islam Army is a terrorist group, like all the groups that are fighting to topple Assad, who has received crucial support from Russia and Iran. Both states have sent forces to help him fight the insurgency. The Syrian government told de Mistura on Saturday it was ready to take part in Geneva talks but stressed the need to see the names of the Syrian opposition figures who will take part. Pointing to another potential complication, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem also stressed the need for the government to obtain a list of groups that would be classified as terrorists as part of the peace process. Islam Army said the success of the political process "depended on the seriousness of the international community in putting pressure on the criminal regime to halt the killing". (Reporting by Tom Perry, Stephanie Nebehay and Lin Noueihed; Writing by Digby Lidstone; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Except for a single wooden crucifix hanging from a nail, the crime labs morgue looks antiseptic, with stark white walls and silver-railed beds. Ive been there for less than an hour when the medical examiner wheels in a body encased in wet garbage bags. With help, he hoists the mass onto a stainless steel body tray, and immediately, the crew goes to work, cutting the plastic away, one layer at a time, the way a child carefully pries the wrapping paper from a birthday present. It appears the victim, a late-20s male, was beaten, suffocated and then dumped in a canal. The cartels call these corpses regalos, or gifts.

A handful of plain-clothed investigators hover while the forensics workers dutifully collect evidence: snapping pictures, snipping hair samples, swiping under fingernails. The lead detective voices her displeasure that Im here, but the guys in the lab coats just smile. She can stomp her feet all she wants, but this forensics lab, in Guadalajara, isnt police turf. The son of God peers down from above; the badge has no jurisdiction here.

Elsewhere in Mexico and in all of the United States, forensics falls under the strong hand of law enforcement. On the never-ending reel of CSI shows, agents dust for fingerprints in one scene and pull out the handcuffs in the next. Here in the midwestern state of Jalisco, its different. Specially trained civilians do the DNA testing, while police must keep their distance. It might sound like little more than a bureaucratic nuance, but this small detail packs a decent amount of reform. And its a model that has found purchase north of the border, as crime labs continuously come under new scrutiny for their dysfunction and the toll of botched convictions notches ever higher.

Instituteforensicscience aw 331

The autopsy room at Instituto Jalisciense de Ciencias Forenses in Guadalajara can accommodate eight bodies at a time and is often full.

Source: Alex Washburn/OZY

In Jalisco, home to the cartel that last spring shot down a military helicopter with an RPG, venality runs deep and the violence is heinous: corpses cut to pieces, fingerprints burned away with acid, bodies stacked on top of bodies. Indeed, as the narco wars have reached new depths, its been hard to see any light through the blood and despair. But 18 years ago, amid recalcitrant corruption, officials decided to partition forensics from police and prosecutors, giving the Instituto Jalisciense de Ciencias Forenses complete autonomy. Independence, they believed, would prevent conflicts of interest, promote scientific integrity and restore public trust.

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Sure enough, since the reorganization, the institute has become a beacon of pride, doing what others in Washington, D.C., and around the world havent been able to. Less certain is whether America, in the age of criminal-justice reform, is finally ready to take a few cues from its southern neighbor.

***

Forensics corruption doesnt afflict only developing countries like Mexico, shot through with organized crime. The United States has its own litany of horror stories, many of them resulting from pressure to convict at any cost, even wrongfully. Last spring, the Feds admitted that over a two-decade period, one FBI forensics unit tainted every trial it testified in, including 32 cases that led to death sentences. Back in 2010, it came to light that North Carolina crime-scene investigators withheld or distorted evidence in more than 230 cases over 16 years  three resulted in lethal injection. An independent report cited widespread lying, corruption and pressure from prosecutors and other law-enforcement officials on crime-lab analysts to produce results that would help secure convictions. The list could go on. And on.

The problems run deep. For starters, there are no requirements  no degree, no special training  to become a forensic practitioner. American crime labs dont require accreditation either. As Victor Weedn, chair of the Department of Forensic Sciences at George Washington University, says, the practice of forensics began with a detective in a closet with a microscope and, in many ways, never evolved past that. The tradition is not necessarily scientific. At IJCF, in contrast, most employees have Ph.D.s, law degrees or some sort of forensics background  and the institute offers bachelors and masters degrees as well as ongoing training for all staff.

Then, of course, theres bias. When lab coats and badges work side by side, there can be gentle pressure to sacrifice methodology for expediency  or, more blatantly, to confirm a suspicion. Its not necessarily malicious. Its only natural for the two sides to become intertwined and for scientists to begin to see themselves as prosecution witnesses rather than objective outsiders. A 2009 National Academy of Sciences report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, went as far as to call for the removal of all public forensics services from the rule of law enforcement and prosecutors offices. The Department of Justice and National District Attorney Association (neither of which responded to requests for comment) oppose the recommendation, as autonomy can come with unintended consequences. Theres a lot of fear around this issue, says Sandra Thompson, a law and criminal justice professor at the University of Houston and author of the book Cops in Lab Coats.

***

Located in a charming neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, the IJCF is a beige, indiscreet complex that all the cab drivers know. Walking the paint-chipped halls turns out to be a four-hour excursion. One office after the next: explosives, polygraph, genetics, fingerprints, forensic psychology, financial fraud, cyber crime, chemistry, cartography, ballistics  the morgue, the den where they reconstruct skulls, the cove where they x-ray bodies, the wall-length freezers that store 72 corpses and are always full and for the past month have been guarded by two soldiers.

On a Friday night, well past happy hour, each of these departments still has workers hunched under fluorescent lights, staring at screens or pouring from beakers. But even at a time when most wouldnt want to be working, everyone is stoked to talk about what they do and quick to make a joke. Even the lonesome guy who has been deactivating explosives and disassembling grenades for the past 17 years has a mischievous grin. You have to laugh, they say, when up to 10 bodies a day are coming in. It seems to work, considering that, over 72 hours, I met only one staffer whod worked there less than 10 years.

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A member of the ballistics team shows off a variety of weapons confiscated at crime scenes.

Source: Alex Washburn/OZY

And then there are the peritos, civilian crime-scene investigators, witnesses to the worst of humanity. They work in teams of about seven. Twenty-four hours on, 48 hours off. During my visit, it just so happens to be one of the calmest weekends on the books. The first night, we sit in a bare room for 14 hours  a few desks with computers, a small TV, instant coffee  without a single call. They joke that Im good luck.

The next night, around 2 a.m., we hear about a shooting. A young woman with a delicate side-braid and military-style boots grabs her toolbox and we speed off, lights blazing, toward a destitute barrio notoriously ensnarled in the cartels tentacles. The dirt roads are so rutted our Jeep Wrangler can barely navigate the steep, inky alleys. Once on scene, though, its the opposite of law and order. To the thump of banda rhythms, children run through the crime scene while the investigators go to work. The perito rolls a pedometer to measure distances, a man from ballistics searches with a flashlight for meandering bullet holes and casings, while another woman pulls out vials for DNA evidence. Just feet away, several guys continue wrenching on a car like nothing has happened. Because to them nothing of notice has happened. A solo shooting, especially one without a corpse, is everyday fare.

Just before we got the shooting call, 24-year veteran Pablo Bernal Rodriguez pulled up photos on the computer, to a soundtrack of Enya playing in the background. The peritos can get nostalgic, in a way, revisiting past crime scenes, none more so than the day in 2012 when Rodriguezs team got a call at dawn about a truck near the highway holding several dead bodies. Turned out theyd find three trucks and 32 dismembered bodies, a regalo from a rival gang. It was overwhelming, Rodriguez recalls. All we could do was one thing at a time. It would take the entire team 72 hours straight to complete their analysis.

In the past, Rodriguez says, investigators might have pressured them not to look into certain cartel-related crimes, or their findings might disappear into the abyss. Today, every case comes with a paper trail, and prosecutors have little choice but to follow it. Since the institute was established, in 1988, the number of cases in which a suspect is identified has increased 500 percent. Five men are serving life sentences for the 2012 highway bodies.

***

The situation north of the border is nowhere near as dire, and yet the idea of independent forensics might be starting to catch on. Crime labs in six states are not under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2014, Senators John Cornyn, a Republican, and Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, introduced legislation that would create a federal forensic sciences office and establish a committee of scientists to determine best practices. It also would put into place a checks-and-balances system and tether funding to credentials. (The bill is now stalled.) Several years ago, the District of Columbia moved its forensics operations into a new building and put it under the purview of its public health department. And Houston recently became the first and only jurisdiction to create a public-private corporation that, while government funded, answers to an independent board of directors, similar to the arrangement in Guadalajara. If the Houston experiment succeeds in the way they hope it will succeed, it will be a shining example and maybe the catalyst weve needed, Thompson says.

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At the scene of a shooting around 2 a.m., forensic investigators collect evidence as kids play among the crime scene.

Source: Alex Washburn/OZY

Houstons troubles were long-standing: In 2002, the lab was temporarily shuttered because a decrepit roof had been leaking rainwater onto evidence for years. At one point, there was a backlog of almost 7,000 untested rape kits. Eventually, in 2014, the mayor ousted the Houston Police Department as overseer. Since then, the Houston Forensic Science Center and its director, Dan Garner, have collected a $1.26 million grant to purchase new DNA-analyzing equipment. Four of the offices disciplines were recently awarded an elite international accreditation, and the rape kit backlog has been erased. Several months ago, a neighboring county decided to outsource all its crime-scene needs to the Houston lab. The wake-up bell has been sounded, says Garner.

Of course, its not all rainbows and solved murders  and independence is not a panacea. In its three years of functioning, D.C.s state-of-the-art, $220 million lab has faced allegations of rampant errors, including poorly trained civilian technicians, out-of-date technology and bureaucratic dysfunction. (The labs representatives did not respond to requests for comment.) Law enforcement and labor unions have also protested the shifting of powers, in the States and around the world. Earlier this century, the U.K. established a government-owned, independent forensic company that some hailed as a global example. Yet, several years ago, police seized operations back under their control. Some argue that police-led labs are more efficient and better at getting resources. Others disagree with the idea that civilian investigators should have access to crime scenes.

In the end, though, most investigators say the bureaucratic logistics arent nearly as complicated as navigating the emotional complexity of the job. Back in Guadalajara, as the sun sets behind the western mountains, I head out with several investigators to get a bite. But as we pull out, theres a cluster of people outside the gate. Through the commotion I see an older man with his arms wrapped tightly around a younger woman, who is flailing in desperation. Its the family of the young man whose body appeared in the morgue earlier in the day, wrapped in wet garbage bags. Thats the hardest part of our job, says Pedro Guerrero Haro, an 18-year veteran of the institute.

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Last summer, the state of Massachusetts made a troubling discovery: in just one Boston suburbMedfordthere had been 249 natural gas leaks, the oldest dating back to 1990.

The states gas pipeline system is among the oldest in the country, with some segments 157 years old. Roughly one third of the 21,000 miles of natural gas pipes running under the states cities, suburbs and rolling hills is outdated, and considered leak-prone.

Related: Did a Bad Decision 40 Years Ago Lead to the California Gas Leak Disaster?

Audrey Schulman, president of Home Energy Efficiency Team, which mapped the leaks statewide, told The Boston Globe that the leaks posed a major health and environmental hazard. The leaks are potentially explosive, kill trees, harm human health, and release an extraordinarily destructive greenhouse gas, Schulman said.

Whats more, these long-festering gas-leak problems in the Bay State are only a fraction of a much larger nationwide crisis spawned by the breakdowns decrepit pipelines and other infrastructure.

In 2011, 69 billion cubic feet of natural gas was released into the atmosphere, which was equal to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of about six million automobiles, according to an August 2013 congressional study. Yet the companies responsible for those leaks replaced only three percent of their cast iron or steel distribution mains the following year.

Last Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown of California declared a state of emergency and ordered new regulations  including enhanced inspections and safety measures  in response to a two-month old massive methane gas leak near Los Angeles. The huge leak of pungent smelling gas has so far displaced thousands of Porter Ranch residents and closed two schools. It now threatens to become one of the worst environmental catastrophes in the states history.

Related: Why the Gas Leak in California No One Is Talking About Is Such a Disaster

An aging underground gas storage facility ruptured on Oct. 23, sending noxious clouds of gas into the atmosphere, with no easy way for Southern California Gas Company crews to staunch the flow. They have drill 8,500 feet underground to get to the source of the leak without disturbing other pipes. Then fill the leak with cement.

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The well is spewing about 30,000 kilograms of methane per hour, according to the state Air Resources Board, meaning that one of the worst forms of heat-trapping greenhouse gas is freely escaping into the atmosphere.

As of Dec. 22, the leaking well had released the equivalent of 1.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, according to the Los Angeles Times. That is more greenhouse gas emissions  a major cause of manmade global warming -- than 330,000 passenger vehicles generate in a year.

The Porter Ranch gas leak catastrophe may prove to be the worst U.S. environmental disaster since the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, as some environmentalists and scientists are warning. But there are many other gas leak crises waiting to happen, experts warn.

Crews work round the clock to try to stop the leak while angry residents have evacuated their homes and fear for their health.

The nation is rapidly switching from coal to natural gas to generate power. Cheap gas prices, the continuing decline of coal mining, and the expansion of fracking to tap into gas reserves are making natural gas the fuel of choice business and households alike.

Related: Obamas Climate Summit Missed a Big Chance to Reduce Global Warming

All of this means that more and more pressure is being placed on aging pipelines and storage facilities that are prone to leaks and ruptures.

Tim OConnor, director of the Environmental Defense Funds oil and gas program in California, said in an interview with MSNBC that while the Porter Ranch gas leak is a very significant problem, it is also symptomatic of the need to upgrade our infrastructure and regulations in California and across the United States to prevent these things from happening.

SoCal Gas has estimated it could take four months or longer to repair the Porter Ranch leak  which will involve the company building one or two relief wells to siphon off the gas. Even if the company manages to meet that deadline, the leak will put 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in the air, according to the EDF.

Last week, a SoCal Gas official acknowledged that the company nearly 40 years ago decided against replacing a defective cut-off valve that could have been used by crews in late October to staunch the flow of methane gas from the Porter Ranch underground containment facility. In short, a foolish cost cutting decision decades ago has exposed the company to potentially billions of dollars in damages and claims.

Related: Where The Top Six GOP Presidential Candidates Come Down on Climate Change

One of the reasons that SoCal and other gas companies have little incentive to replace leaky pipes and infrastructure  which span about 91,000 miles across 46 states  is because they are able to pass along the cost of lost gas to consumers.

Nationally, consumers paid at least $20 billion between 2000 and 2011 for gas that was unaccounted for and never used, according to a 2013 congressional study originally commissioned by Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) while he was still in the House of Representatives.

Natural gas has been touted as a cleaner alternative to coal for producing electricity, but its environmental benefits cannot be fully realized so long as distribution pipelines are leaking such enormous quantities of gas, which is primarily comprised of methane, a greenhouse gas that is at least 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide, the report stated. Americans also remain at risk from gas explosions and other safety hazards caused by leaky natural gas pipelines.

Indeed, from 2002 to 2012, almost 800 significant incidents on gas distribution pipelines -- including several hundred explosions -- killed 116 people, injured 465 others and caused more than $800 million in property damage, according to the report.

Last April, a Department of Energy Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) recommended replacing the nations aging, leaky and dangerous gas pipeline infrastructure to save consumers money, prevent explosions and accidents and reduce leaking methane pollution.

Markey, a member of the Senate Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees who has backed legislation along those lines, called the Energy Department report the Olympics of Americas energy analysis, giving us a vital view of where we are and where we need to go to have the most affordable, stable, and sustainable energy system in the world,.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
By Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Sunday hammered away at his closest challenger's eligibility to be U.S. president, while the party's Senate leader said the chamber will stay out of the fray involving Ted Cruz's citizenship. Under the Constitution, presidents must be "natural born citizens." Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, to an American mother, which he says makes him eligible to run. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told ABC's "This Week" the Senate would not act to counter Trump's claim that Cruz's Canadian birth makes him ineligible to be president. The father of the senator from Texas was born in Cuba. In 2008, the Senate passed a resolution declaring Senator John McCain, a Republican presidential candidate, a natural born citizen. McCain was born to American parents on a U.S. military base in the Panama Canal Zone. "I just don't think the Senate ought to get into the middle of this," McConnell said. "These guys are all slugging it out in Iowa and New Hampshire. We'll have a nominee, hopefully, by sometime in the spring." The winner will face the Democrats' nominee in the November general election. Trump, who leads Republican candidates in national opinion polls, is grappling with the rise of Cruz in Iowa, which holds the first presidential nominating contest next month. As Cruz took the lead in Iowa before its Feb. 1 caucuses, Trump's glare followed. The billionaire businessman highlighted the citizenship issue last week, warning that Democrats could challenge Cruz's eligibility in court. Cruz has refused to engage with Trump on the issue. On Sunday, he said the law was straightforward. "As a legal matter, the Constitution and federal law are clear that the child of U.S. citizens born abroad is a natural-born citizen," he told CNN's "State of the Union." Asked on "Fox News Sunday" whether he really doubted Cruz was a natural born citizen, Trump said, "I don't know. I really don't know. It depends. "Does natural born mean born to the land, meaning born on the land? In that case, he's not." Trump said the term has not been adjudicated, and advised Cruz to seek a judgment. "He has to solve this problem because the Democrats will sue him if he's the nominee," Trump said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Another Republican candidate, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, said on CBS' "Face the Nation" it was unclear if Cruz qualified as a natural born citizen and that Democrats will likely challenge that. Cruz said the attacks against him are telling. "Three weeks ago, almost every Republican candidate was attacking Donald Trump," Cruz said on CNN. "Today almost every Republican candidate is attacking me. And that kinda suggests something has changed in the race." (Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish authorities arrested three people over the death of a Syrian filmmaker who was assassinated in southern Turkey after producing anti-Islamic State documentaries, the state media said Sunday.

Naji Jerf, 37, was shot dead in broad daylight in Gaziantep province late December by assailants using a silencer outside a building that houses Syrian opposition news outlets.

A court in Gaziantep remanded in custody pending trial one suspect and his two accomplices, the official Anatolia news agency said. There were no other details on their identity.

Jerf was the editor-in-chief of a Syrian magazine, Hentah, and had recently directed and produced a documentary about the killing of Syrian activists by IS jihadists.

He was also an activist in Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), a group of citizen journalists who work to expose human rights abuses in Raqa, the northeastern city that IS uses as its de-facto capital in Syria.

This is not the first time a Syrian opposition figure has been murdered in Turkey.

At the end of October, IS claimed responsibility for killing of young activist Ibrahim Abdelkader and his friend Fares Hamadi.
Diyarbakir (Turkey) (AFP) - Turkish security forces killed 32 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants over the weekend in fighting between the authorities and rebels in the country's east and southeast regions, the army and media reports said.

The security sources raided a home in eastern Van province after receiving intelligence that the PKK militants were planning a large-scale attack on government buildings, killing 12 rebels, Dogan news agency reported.

One policeman was killed and two others were injured in the ensuing clashes, Dogan added.

"The terrorists came to Van to stage a big attack. Fortunately, we managed to prevent it," provincial governor Ibrahim Tasyapan told reporters, adding that dozens of hand granades and rifles had been seized in the raid.

The army said that a further 20 militants had been killed Saturday in southeastern towns of Cizre and Silopi in Sirnak province near the Iraqi border as well as the Sur district of Diyarbakir -- all subject to a blanket curfew.

A soldier and a police officer were also shot dead in Diyarbakir -- the largest city in the Kurdish-dominated southeast, security forces said.

The army says that that a total of 448 PKK members have been killed in the three towns since the current campaign started in mid-December.

Turkey wages an all-out offensive against the PKK, with military operations backed by curfews ongoing to flush out the rebels from several southeastern urban centres that have raised concerns of a humanitarian crisis.

The operations mark a new escalation in five months of fighting with the PKK, which initially fought for Kurdish independence but now presses more for greater autonomy and rights for the country's largest ethnic minority.

According to Haberturk daily's website, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a closed-door meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that the operations and curfews in the southeast would end within a week, but "there was no deadline."

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"We will pursue our fight against terrorism with great determination until these killers have been wiped out from our mountains, plains and towns," he told the meeting on Sunday in televised comments.

In Istanbul, a group of street artists, actors and musicians marched on Istiklal Avenue to call for an end to violence, carrying placards reading "Make noise for Peace!," an AFP photographer said.

Human Rights Foundation of Turkey said on Saturday that over 160 civilians, including 32 civilians, had so far been killed in curfew-hit towns.
Donetsk (Ukraine) (AFP) - Two Ukrainian soldiers and two rebels have been killed in eastern Ukraine, marking the first deaths this year in the war-torn region, Kiev and breakway officials said Sunday in separate tolls.

"Over the last day, two Ukrainian soldiers have been killed", military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk told reporters, despite a wobbly truce between the pro-Russian rebels and government forces still largely holding.

A Ukrainian police officer fighting in the Mirotvorets volunteer battalion was killed in shelling near the village of Zaitseve, some 55 kilometres (35 miles) northeast of the rebels' de facto capital Donetsk.

He died as he tried to stop a car carrying civilians and prevent it from coming under fire. A woman in the car was wounded.

The other victim was a soldier in the Ukrainian armed forces who received multiple shrapnel wounds as a result of grenade fire in the same area, Motuzyanyk said.

Meanwhile, separatist authorities said one of their military commanders was killed, possibly shot by a sniper.

"Colonel Yevgeny Kononov was killed at the front. I can't say yet whether it was a sniper bullet, but our front is everywhere now", military spokesman Eduard Basurin told AFP.

Rebel news website Russkaya Vesna, or Russian Spring, said Kononov had been active in key battles in the conflict that has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014, fighting at flashpoints such as Ilovaisk, Debaltseve and Donetsk airport.

A second rebel fighter was killed by a Ukrainian sniper while on combat duty in Zaitseve on Saturday evening, the separatist DAN news agency said.

Ukraine and pro-Russian insurgents agreed a vital New Year's truce that went into effect on December 23 in the hope of finally ending clashes in the war-scarred ex-Soviet state.

A series of truce agreements have helped to significantly reduce the fighting, although sporadic clashes continue on the frontline.
By Tony Munroe and Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States deployed a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over its ally South Korea on Sunday, a show of force following North Korea's nuclear test last week. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un maintained that Wednesday's test was of a hydrogen bomb and said it was a self-defensive step against a U.S. threat of nuclear war. North Korea's fourth nuclear test angered both China, its main ally, and the United States, although the U.S. government and weapons experts doubt the North's claim that the device was a hydrogen bomb. The massive B-52, based in Guam and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, could be seen in a low flight over Osan Air Base at around noon (0300 GMT). It was flanked by two fighter planes, a U.S. F-16 and a South Korean F-15, before returning to Guam, the U.S. military said in a statement. Osan is south of Seoul and 77 km (48 miles) from the Demilitarised Zone that separates the two Koreas. The flight was "in response to recent provocative action by North Korea", the U.S. military said. In Washington, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said on Sunday the flight underscored to South Korea "the deep and enduring alliance that we have with them." "Last night was a step toward reassurance in that regard and that was important," McDonough said on CNN's "State of the Union." He said the United States would continue to work with China and Russia, as well as allies Japan and South Korea, to isolate the North until it lives up to its commitments to get rid of its nuclear weapons. "Until they do it they'll remain where they are, which is an outcast unable to provide for their own people," McDonough said. China has publicly supported a denuclearised Korean Peninsula, and the United States will "make sure that they understand that a nuclear North Korea is not a stable scenario," he said. After the North's last test, in 2013, the United States sent a pair of nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea. At the time, the North responded by threatening a nuclear attack on the United States. The United States is also considering sending a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to waters off the Korean peninsula next month to join a naval exercise with Seoul, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported without identifying a source. However, U.S. Forces Korea officials said they had no knowledge of the plan. The two Koreas remain in a technical state of war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, and the United States has about 28,500 troops based in South Korea. An editorial in the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Sunday called for a peace treaty with the United States, which is the North's long-standing position. "Only when a peace treaty is concluded between the DPRK (North Korea) and the U.S. can genuine peace settle in the Korean Peninsula," state news agency KCNA quoted it as saying. The United States and China have both dangled the prospect of better relations, including the lifting of sanctions, if North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons. Earlier on Sunday, KCNA quoted Kim as saying no one had the right to criticize the North's nuclear tests. "The DPRK's H-bomb test ... is a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the U.S.-led imperialists," it quoted Kim as saying. The North's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize," he said. TIMING OF TEST Kim's comments were in line with the North's official rhetoric blaming the United States for deploying nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula to justify its nuclear program but were the first by its leader since Wednesday's blast. The United States has said it has no nuclear weapons stationed in South Korea. Kim noted the test was being held ahead of a rare congress of its ruling Workers' Party later this year, "which will be a historic turning point in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche," according to KCNA. Juche is the North's home-grown state ideology that combines Marxism and extreme nationalism established by the state founder and the current leader's grandfather, Kim Il Sung. KCNA said Kim made the comments on a visit to the country's Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. South Korea continued to conduct high-decibel propaganda broadcasts across the border into the North on Sunday. The broadcasts, which include "K-pop" music and statements critical of the Kim government, began on Friday and are considered an insult by Pyongyang. A top North Korean official told a rally on Friday that the broadcasts had pushed the rival Koreas to the "brink of war." Daily life was mostly as normal on the South Korean side of the border on Sunday. A popular ice fishing festival near the border attracted an estimated 121,300 people on Saturday and 100,000 on Sunday, Yonhap reported. (Additional reporting by James Pearson, Jee Heun Kahng, Ju-min Park and Do-gyun Kim and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Raissa Kasolowsky and Peter Cooney)
Osan Air Base (South Korea) (AFP) - The US sent a heavy bomber over South Korea on Sunday in a show of force as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un insisted his country's latest nuclear test was carried out in self-defence.

The test on Wednesday of what the North claimed was its first hydrogen bomb has sparked international alarm and raised tensions along the inter-Korean frontier, with Seoul reviving cross-border propaganda broadcasts.

Sunday's overflight saw a B52 Stratofortress, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, briefly roar over the Osan Air Base, some 70 kilometres (45 miles) south of the inter-Korean border, the US military and an eye-witness said.

It was escorted by a South Korean and an American jet.

The B52 conducted a low-level flight before heading back to Andersen Air Base in Guam, where it is stationed.

The mission was conducted "in response to recent provocative action by North Korea", US Forces Korea said in a statement.

The aircraft are known to have taken part in joint annual US-South Korea military exercises that have enraged Pyongyang, but their flights over South Korea are rarely publicised.

The last time such a flight was made public was in 2013, after North Korea carried out its third nuclear test.

At that time, the US dispatched both a B52 and the more sophisticated B2 stealth bomber to South Korea in a show of military muscle against the North.

On Sunday, Pyongyang state media called for the establishment of a peace accord to stabilise the Korean Peninsula and described the nation's nuclear arsenal as a "treasured sword" that defends the country's sovereignty.

The two Koreas remain in a technical state of war because the 1950-53 war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

"Gone are days never to return when the U.S. could threaten the DPRK with nuclear weapons," said ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun.

Wednesday's nuclear test was Pyongyang's fourth, though experts have questioned North Korea's claim of the explosion having been triggered by a hydrogen bomb.

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On Friday, the North's state broadcaster also released video footage of a submarine-launched ballistic missile test, though South Korean media have suggested the footage was an edited compilation of a previous test.

- 'Ironclad' commitment -

Lieutenant General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, commander of the US 7th Air Force and Deputy Commander of the US Forces Korea, said on Sunday that the United States maintained an "ironclad" commitment to the defence of South Korea.

This commitment includes "extended deterrence provided by our conventional forces and our nuclear umbrella", he said in a statement.

"B52 missions reinforce the US commitment to the security of our allies and partners, and demonstrate one of the many alliance capabilities available for the defence" of South Korea, he said.

"As demonstrated by today's mission, the combined US and Republic of Korea air forces work and train together closely every day, and we are totally prepared to meet any threat to our alliance."

The annual US-South Korea joint military exercises regularly spark angry reactions from North Korea, which brands them "nuclear war drills" against it.

Key Resolve/Foal Eagle, one of the annual joint exercises, is expected to take place in March.

South Korea hosts 28,000 US troops as the two Koreas technically remain at war because the Korean War of 1950-53 ended in an armistice instead of a peace treaty.

Sunday's show of force came as Kim Jong-Un claimed the nuclear test was carried out in self-defence, to prevent a nuclear war with the United States.

In his first public remarks since the explosion, Kim said the test was "a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists".

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticise," he added, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The North regularly accuses the US and its ally South Korea of warmongering.

An official commentary published by KCNA late Friday also cited toppled leaders Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Moamer Kadhafi of Libya as examples of what happens when countries forsake their nuclear ambitions.

The nuclear test has angered world powers, including the North's key ally China, and the UN Security Council has said it will roll out new measures to punish the maverick state.
Cologne (Germany) (AFP) - German authorities are on Monday set to release the first details of their probe into a rash of assaults on New Year's Eve blamed on migrants, as police revealed that the number of complaints filed has topped 500.

Ralf Jaeger, the interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia state, is expected to unveil the details when he faces a grilling by regional lawmakers over the crime spree against women that has piled pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel over her liberal stance towards refugees.

Even though no formal charges have been laid, Cologne police have said those suspected over the rampage near the city's railway station were mostly asylum seekers and illegal migrants from North Africa.

After far-right protests erupted in Cologne during the weekend, a sister group of the xenophobic PEGIDA movement is due to hold another rally later Monday in the eastern city of Leipzig.

In the face of outrage over the Cologne violence, Merkel has taken a tough line against convicted refugees.

She has signalled her backing for changes to the law to ease expulsion rules, with officials within her ruling coalition expected to swiftly negotiate the proposals this week.

Police said late Sunday that more than a week on from New Year's Eve, some 516 complaints had now been lodged, including 40 percent that are related to sexual assault.

Witnesses described terrifying scenes of hundreds of women running a gauntlet of groping hands, lewd insults and robberies in the mob violence.

The scale of the Cologne assaults has shocked Germany and put a spotlight on the 1.1 million asylum seekers who arrived in the country last year.

It has also fuelled fear, with a poll published by the Bild am Sonntag newspaper saying that 39 percent of those surveyed felt police did not provide sufficient protection, while 57 percent did.

And just under half (49 percent) believed the same sort of mob violence could hit their hometown, reported the newspaper which headlined its article with the question: "Is the New Year's Eve scandal the result of wrong policies?"

Story continues

A separate poll by broadcaster RTL found that 57 percent of Germans feared crime would rise along with the record influx of asylum seekers, while 40 percent disagreed.

Nevertheless a majority -- 60 percent -- said their opinion of foreigners has not changed, while 37 percent said they have become more critical and negative about newcomers.

- 'Assaults were planned' -

Justice Minister Heiko Maas has said he believed the violence in the western city of Cologne was organised.

"For such a horde of people to meet and commit such crimes, it has to have been planned somehow," he told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"No one can tell me that this was not coordinated or planned. The suspicion is that a specific date and an expected crowd was picked," he said.

Quoting confidential police reports, Bild am Sonntag said some North Africans had sent out calls using social networks for people to gather in Cologne on New Year's Eve.

Separately in Hamburg, police said they had received 133 criminal complaints for similar violence during the northern city's own New Year's Eve celebrations.

- Turning point? -

With thousands of asylum seekers still streaming into Germany every day, Merkel has come under fire from critics, even within her own conservative alliance, who want her to put a cap on the number of refugees in the country.

Critics have questioned Germany's ability to integrate the unprecedented number of newcomers, many of whom hail from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Merkel had until now not wavered from her stance but has adopted a firmer tone after Cologne, even pledging to change the law to make it easier to expel convicted asylum seekers.

"It's not premature to speak of a turning point (after Cologne), or at least the reinforcing of a trend that had already started to take shape lately," Andreas Roedder, contemporary history professor at Mainz University told AFP.
U.S. President Barack Obama attends a roundtable meeting at Rutgers University Law & Justice Center in Newark, New Jersey, November 2, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

US President Barack Obama will not publicly endorse a candidate before the 2016 Democratic primary has concluded, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said on Sunday.

"We'll do exactly what has been done in the past," McDonough said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

When asked specifically by host Chuck Todd if the president would endorse a candidate, McDonough shook his head.

"No, no," he said.

McDonough acknowledged that though the president had privately met several times with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who served as Secretary of State during Obama's first term, he had not met with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) since the senator jumped in the race eight months ago.

McDonough did say that Obama will be "out there" campaigning after the primary to help support the Democratic candidate.

The president's decision to stay above the fray in the primary has plenty of precedent.

In 2008, then-President George W. Bush did not endorse the Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) until the senator won several key primaries, making it apparent that he would likely be the nominee.

NOW WATCH: Watch President Obama break down during an emotional speech on gun violence





More From Business Insider


Washington (AFP) - Mexican drug boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's boast to actor Sean Penn of being the world's top supplier of illegal drugs is "maddening," a top White House official said Sunday.

Guzman, who was recaptured Friday, bragged about his exploits in an interview with Sean Penn in October while on the run.

"I will tell you this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening," White House chief of staff Denis McDonough said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union."

"We see a heroin epidemic, opioid addiction epidemic in this country. We are going to stay on top of this with our Mexican counterparts until we get that back in the box.

"But El Chapo is behind bars. That's where he should stay," he added.

Guzman, 58, escaped from a Mexican maximum security prison through a tunnel in July, eluding his pursuers until his capture in the seaside town of Los Mochis after a raid that left five people dead.

Penn's interview with the Sinaloa cartel chief was published Saturday by Rolling Stone magazine, and an official in Mexico City said Mexican authorities wanted to talk to him and actress Kate del Castillo, who helped arrange the meeting.

"It poses a lot of interesting questions for him and others involved in this so-called interview. We'll see what happens," McDonough said.
In his recent Atlantic piece on What to Do About ISIS, Jonathan Powell, a former senior British diplomat, posits that eventually, the West would have to negotiate with the so-called Islamic State. Its a comforting thought, in a waythe suggestion presupposes that ISIS, just like many other armed organizations throughout history, is the kind of group that can eventually be reasoned with, however distasteful its enemies may find the prospect. Noting numerous examples in which governments have talked their way to peace with terrorist organizations, Powell acknowledges, of course people argue that ISIS is completely different from anything we have seen before. But people have said that about each new armed group since the rise of the IRA in 1919.

Related Story

Negotiate With ISIS

If Powells historical analogies worked, the struggle against ISIS would be a lot simpler. Unfortunately, the analysis underappreciates how direly different ISIS actually is. The armed groups that Powell describes as having accepted negotiated settlements were fundamentally nationalist organizationseven where the group or nation on whose behalf they fought was sometimes defined partly in terms of religious identitywith fundamentally political and pragmatic aims. ISIS is instead a radical supra-nationalist group based on a deeply perverted interpretation of Sunni Islam, and it has hugely maximalist goals.

Powells key example is the Irish Republican Army, which was a Catholic organization insofar as it used Catholic identity for political ends, cultivating a sense of Irish Catholic nationalism to fight for the ejection of the British from Northern Ireland and for political union with their Catholic brethren to the south. But the IRA was not trying to conquer the whole of the British Isles for Catholicism, nor to hasten the return of the Christian messiah and the end of the world. Powell, who was the chief British negotiator in Northern Ireland when the Good Friday Accords helped bring an end to decades of violence in the country, notes that when we sat down with the Republicans ... we found that there were a series of legitimate subjects they wanted to discussfrom power-sharing between Catholics and Protestants to the protection of human rights.

Story continues

What to do about ISIS?

Exploring the hard choices facing the United States and the world

Read More

ISIS, by contrast, is not fundamentally nationalist in this way, as Powell implies in his emphasis on the groups appeals to Sunni identity, whether in Syria or Iraq. Rather, even while individual paths to joining ISIS may vary tremendously, and no doubt do in some cases rest on nationalist Sunni grievances, the leadership of the group has been quite clear about its genuinely held aims, which include the complete domination of Syria, Iraq, and locations far beyond.

Its not the presence of religious identity as such that makes ISIS different. As Powell points out, there have been a number of militant groups in history that have used religion for political goals and were still susceptible to negotiated peace. The Irish Republican Army was one such example, as were various Muslim groups, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Philippines, which Powell points to as proving that governments have made peace with Islamic [sic] guerrillas before ... so it is not impossible to do. Religion, or even strong ideology, as in the case of the FMLN in El Salvador, does not make negotiation impossible. Indeed, many, if not most, of the rebel groups currently fighting Bashar al-Assads repugnant and brutal regime in Syria are motivated by religious precepts, and instrumentalize religion for political ends. Those groups can and should be negotiated with, and in some cases empowered against Assad and ISIS, even while their interlocutors must continuously interrogate any faults, flaws, or failings they may have.

Recommended: What ISIS Really Wants

But these other groups, from Ireland to the Philippines to Syria, fought or are fighting for limited political goals, within a defined geographic spacewhether those goals were Catholic rights in Northern Ireland, Moro autonomy in the Philippines, or the reformation or end of the Assad regime in Syria. ISIS, however, is not primarily a Sunni Arab uprising aimed at protecting the civil or political rights of Sunni Muslims in Syria or Iraq. ISIS is an outgrowth of a broader uprising. But it is more than that.

This is evident, for example, in the context of the Syrian Civil War, where ISIS is one of the major combatants, but is correctly not invited to international negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. On that battlefield, and in contrast to other groups there, ISIS is not just an insurgency working for a specifically Syrian political cause. Its has regional and global ambitions that go far beyond defeating Assads army. And unlike the Kurds, whose own regional ambitions extend only to the lands Kurds have historically occupied, ISIS specifically rejects territorial limits to its power: Its very slogan is remaining and expanding.

The IRA was not trying to conquer the whole of the British Isles for Catholicism, nor to hasten the return of the Christian messiah and the end of the world.

An insurgency can end through negotiation and the satisfaction of certain, often predictable, political aims, such as the withdrawal of foreign military forces, or the granting of autonomy. But ISIS does not demand the withdrawal of foreign military forcesquite the contrary, it has expressed the wish to draw foreign armies into its territory, and to export its military force beyond Syria and Iraq. It does not call for the simple granting of autonomy to its members and supporters in Syria and Iraqit works to end the autonomy of others in both places, and far beyond, not least through ethnic cleansing and the worldwide export of wanton violence. If ISIS were willing to be satisfied by, say, a joint Sunni Arab zone in Syria and Iraq, governed under a perverted form of Islamic law, then one could talk about the possibility, if not the laudability, of negotiation. But the point of ISIS is precisely that it cannot be satisfied without forcibly changing the very contours of the current international order.

Powell suggests that even if some of the hardline leaders of ISIS ... want nothing less than their full demands (including ushering in the apocalypse), other more moderate leaders will, under military pressure, be prepared to settle for more modest gains. Negotiations should, in his view, strengthen those moderates positions in ISISs internal discussions. Indeed, it is possible to peel away ISIS members, as evidenced by the number of occasions on which ISIS recruits have defected after realizing that the group isnt all it is cracked up to be. But those moderate former members are essentially irrelevant to the group (unless of course theyre targeted for execution); they are not about to influence discussions within ISIS, much less take it over. These defections have in no way pushed the group toward being more palatable to international normsin fact ISISs continued ability to recruit depends in part on the leaderships very refusal to accept nothing less than their full demands. If ISIS remains true to its principles, thats also the reason the world can accept nothing less than the groups full defeat.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Madrid (AFP) - Gareth Bale struck a hat-trick as Zinedine Zidane enjoyed a winning start to his career as Real Madrid boss with a 5-0 rout of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.

Bale took his tally to 10 goals in his last seven games with two excellent headers either side of a composed left-footed finish after Karim Benzema had opened the scoring before the Frenchman also smashed home the fifth in stoppage time.

Victory moves Zidane's men back to within two points of leaders Barcelona, who were 4-0 winners over Granada earlier in the day.

Bale was rumoured to have been disappointed by Rafael Benitez's unceremonious sacking after just seven months in charge on Monday.

However, there were no signs of discontent from the former Spurs man as he continued arguably his best run of form since joining Madrid three years ago.

In stark contrast to Benitez's final days in charge, there was an air of optimism around a packed Bernabeu as the fans braved the freezing January temperatures.

Zidane's name was chanted before kick-off, whilst on the big screens a video recalled his most glorious moments as a Madrid player, including his sumptious volley to win the 2002 Champions League final.

Deportivo had only been beaten three times this season prior to their visit to the capital, and threatened to spoil the party early on as Keylor Navas was forced to produce a vital save to prevent the on-form Lucas Perez opening the scoring 11 minutes in.

Zidane insisted earlier in the week that he would stick loyally by the star front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale, and they once again provided the cutting edge in front of goal.

Madrid also got a break with the opening goal when Benzema flicked home his 17th goal in 18 games this season from Sergio Ramos's scuffed shot despite Deportivo cries for offside.

Once ahead, Madrid looked far more dominant and doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Bale stooped to head home Dani Carvajal's cross.

Story continues

Having seen his strike partners find the net, Ronaldo obsessively went in search of a goal of his own as he flashed a shot inches wide of German Lux's far post.

The World Player of the Year was then furious with himself as he headed against the post from Bale's inch-perfect cross just before the break.

The roles were reversed four minutes after the interval as this time it was Ronaldo who squared for Bale and he made no mistake with his side-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Having waited over two years for his second Madrid hat-trick when he hit four against Rayo Vallecano just before Christmas, Bale then completed his second hat-trick in four games with another towering header from Toni Kroos's corner.

Bale was given a standing ovation of his own when he was replaced by Jese Rodriguez moments later.

The only thing missing on a perfect night for Madrid was a Ronaldo goal. The Portuguese was left frustrated once more in stoppage time as he failed to take Jese's cross in stride, but the loose ball fell to Benzema who fired home off the underside of the bar.
Gosine: Anyone can buy swine flu vaccine

Thats the view of SWRHA chief executive officer, Anil Gosine, who, yesterday observed that while public health institutions depended on their allocation of vaccines for the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus from the Ministry of Health, private institutions could purchase their supplies from external suppliers.

We get our supplies from the Ministry of Health who gets them from PAHO and which would then be distributed to the various Regional Health Authorities, he told Sunday Newsday.

The issue arose following reports that Sureway Ltd is selling the H1N1 vaccine for $700, amid a supply shortage at public institutions which are awaiting delivery of more than 20,000 vaccines in the coming days.

Gosine noted medical supplies can be sourced on the open market by private institutions which are able to set any price to the product as there were no price controls governing medicines.

Its really up to the consumer whether they want to purchase the product or not, he said.

An online search for medicinal distributors revealed supplies could be sourced from distributors as far as India for medicines such as HIV drugs, antibiotics, antiviral agents, chicken pox and H1N1 vaccines.

Regarding its supply, Gosine said San Fernando General Hospital still had a H1N1 vaccines which were being administered to medical and nursing personnel as well as to those patients who had been deemed as high risk including pregnant mothers, the elderly and young children.

Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh last Friday disclosed deaths due to H1N1 now number five after the death of a 66-year-old male patient at Sangre Grande Regional Hospital that day, and the number of recorded cases is now 46.
There is still no commonly agreed method on quantifying and ranking national military power. Anatoly Karlin is a California based Russian analyst and blogger. He proposes the concept of comprehensive military power index (CMP index) as a rating for comparing military power. It seems to be well thought and reasonable analysis.

Other attempts at military power index ranking come up with absurd rankings. Other indices have not been applied across current and historical contexts. Other indices cannot be applied in a meaningful way to predict the actual outcome of military conflicts.

There is one index for economics. It is called GDP (gross domestic product). You can make somewhat different arguments on relative economic size or living standards based on various ways of measuring GDP  e.g., the eternal debates over whether nominal or PPP is best. However, GDP make discussions comparing economic strength factually grounded in a way that military discussions (at least as they are carried out in the popular press and comments sections) are not.

Anatoly tries to convert to apply GDP concepts to military power.

Nuclear war power is a totally different and is entirely excluded from the CMP index. The CMP index is exclusively for conventional military power.

* World Banks figures for total armed forces personnel go back to 1989. They include paramilitary forces, which rarely match up to the quality of the conventional forces. The figures are used in the absence of figures just for active duty personnel

* Military capital is the tools  tanks, artillery, airframes, etc.  that militaries use to deal out damage. Historical references were used for the pre-1989 estimates. Military capital stock figures for post-1990 were based off of assumptions of military spending.

25% of military spending everywhere is assumed to be devoted to procurement. This is acknowledged to be weak. However there are major uncertainties over the size of military budgets in countries as big as China  to say nothing of individual components of that budget  trying to individually estimate the share of procurement spending across many countries would have been an extremely time-consuming and utterly pointless. In any case, swings of 5% or even 10% points up or down would not have had absolutely cardinal effects, since the main factor here is total military spending, for which we have relatively reliable figures for the 1988-2014 period from SIPRI. This military spending data was adjusted to take into account yearly international price level differences. Military capital depreciates. A tank built in 2005 will be worth considerably less today. An assumption of 5% throughout is used. There are exception where military capital stays useful. The B52 bomber could be used for 100 years with updates to electronics. Combat Effectiveness is a multiple of three components: Technology; Troop Quality; and Cultural Modifier.

Military technology progress is estimated at 3% per year except for 1935-1975 where it is estimated at 7% and 5% during 1975-1985. Anatoly lists which countries could be on the military technology frontier (USA and its main allies). He notes that not all countries have top notch gear. This is because they chose not to buy or make it. It is not because they have a technological lag in being able to achieve it. Lag of 5 years  Small NATO countries, close NATO clients, and the USSR and modern Russia as well as Russias closest allies and small rich countries like Singapore that devote a lot of attention to their militaries. Russia could lag in ten years in some technology but it is at the leading edge in tanks, diesel subs and anti-aircraft missiles. Lag of 10 years  China, India, most middle income countries and buyers of Western and Russian monkey model equipment  China is fast closing the gap and will soon reduce its lag to 5 years. Lag of 15 years for the rest.



Troop Quality is estimated to be equal to per soldier spending times 4 in the last year, plus per soldier spending times 2 in the year before that, plus per soldier spending times 1 three years back. This loosely reflects the idea that it is the most recent spending that will have the most effect.

Anatoly then took the cube root of this figure to account for diminishing returns. After all, doubling spending on a soldier can hardly be expected to double his combat effectiveness. But a 25% increase is quite reasonable.

Analtoly looked WW2 history to start assessing cultural factors to modify the index.

In both the World Wars, as Trevor Dupuy recounts in his books such as A Genius for War, the Germans consistently had a 25% combat effectiveness advantage over the Allies  the French, the British, and the Americans  and in individual engagements, they inflicted 50% more casualties adjusted for personnel numbers, equipment, local geography, and offensive/defensive status. Over the Russians, their combat effectiveness advantage was more along the lines of 100%+. This was not the Hollywood myth of two soldiers per rifle. The high Soviet:German casualty ratios was because the Germans were better organized and better at fighting. WW2 war production statistics showed Russians outproduced Germany in virtually all weapons categories.

A 25% across the board advantage to a few other countries that have displayed unusually impressive military feats in their history, such as Finland (Winter War), Israel (the Arab Wars), Mongolia (that Ghengis guy), Switzerland (Swiss pikemen), etc.

25% is taken off countries that were deemed to be Southern (the Latin, African, Arab, and Indian subcontinent peoples) to account for the traditional stereotype of them being generally inferior soldiers to northerners. However, this penalty extend this to Turks, Greeks, and Armenians/Israelis, who have somewhat better military reputations. Another 25% off from countries that were perceived to have excessive levels of clannishness in their societies. Clannishness is antithetical to being a good soldier as part of the army of a nation-state.

Projecting power and applying CMP index to actual conflicts

Conventional modern combat follows the classic Lanchester model, in which the damage your army inflicts over time is a function of the size of your army.

China is still developing the ability to effectively project power. This limitation is handled with the index by dividing the index by the fraction of the forces that can be brought to a conflict. 25% of the US military power was brought the second Iraq war. This meant the 45 times USA advantage over Iraq was only about 15 times.

What if Russia confronts NATO in the Baltics ?

The conventional answer is that Putin gets smashed and the Russian hordes get sent back fleeing to Eurasia.

Anatoly applies his CMP concept. The CMP concept and mention Pentagon war games  suggest NATO wouldnt be able to do anything about it. Russias CMP is a third of that of the US, and a fifth of NATOs. However, a great percentage of it is already concentrated at its western borders. The Balts themselves collectively have less than 1 in CMP, compared to Russias 66. There is no way that NATO will be able to mass in sufficient force to have any shot at defending the Baltics. Should they attempt to do so anyway, they will merely be destroyed piecemeal with minimal damage on Russian forces. The only hope of reversal would be either fullscale mobilization across NATO (not going to happen no matter how shrill the neocons get), or draconian economic sanctions (which is what will happen).

SOURCES  Anatoly Karlin, UNZ.com, Wikipedia, Rand,
Hello everyone! I'm a writer of historical fiction next to being a pensioned teacher. I like to share my views on life and actuality, along with bringing you interviews with bestselling authors and guest blogs.
Welcome to the Website of the Nigerian National Committee on the Study of Juche Idea
" ... How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public... "

[From George Washington's farewell address.]

Other Quotes:

"Don't worry about genius and don't worry about not being clever. Trust rather to hard work, perseverance and determination. The best motto for a long march is ' Don't grumble. Plug on.'....Be honest. Be loyal. Be kind. Remember that the hardest thing to acquire is the faculty of being unselfish. As a quality it is one of the finest attributes of manliness." Sir Frederick Treves

"...To be clear, the Constitution of the United States of America is the United States of America. They are one and the same. Any individual or agency which seeks to subvert the Constitution and wage political and/or rhetorical war on it, are self-declared enemies of the United States of America, as they are subverting and waging war on the United States of America." - Pat Dollard

The truth to the matter is that Obama lies but he does it with such finess that the easily fooled are easily fooled. ~ Norman E. Hooben

"Going for the grandest illusion of all, [Obama] ... told the New York Times: 'We've actually been operating in a way that has been entirely consistent with free-market principles.' Excuse me while I pick my jaw off the ground. Everyone knows -- or should know -- that putting more and more of the government in charge of more and more of the economy is entirely inconsistent with free-market principles. This means that the president's statement to the contrary is what is known as a big lie." --columnist Diana West



When you trust a stranger more so than your friend, you become stranger than the stranger; Barrack Husein Obama is a stranger. - Norman E. Hooben

We the peopleWe the people now have a New World Order that we the people did not order. Norman E. Hooben

"We are now in a great civil war of words and you have the honor of participating as a true patriot. The battle has not been won but you will be there when we are victorious. The pen is mightier than the sword and you will inscribe your name in the book of freedomand that, my friend is an honor

"If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a small chance of survival. There may even be a worse case: you may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves ." -

Winston Churchill

It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.

-

Ronald Reagan

Thomas Sowell

For those who promote a race they are called, "racists". For those that promote American they are called "American". For 'American' is a 'concept' and no racial tones are tolerated either in shades or sounds. -Norman E. Hooben

(In reference to Lourdes Galvan of San Antonio, Texas racial bigotry regarding American military heroes.)

Note to NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA (

Hola! I know you are watching):

Will Rogers never met Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. -

N. E. Hooben, July 2008

Harvard University was once an all boys school...today they have no balls at all. - N. E. Hooben

I will stand with the Constitution For The United States of America should the political winds shift in an ugly direction

Politicians are like vampires...

Whether its blood or money they want to suck it out of you till you die. ~ N. E. Hooben

(Norman E. Hooben in response to a writer who complained of not having the honor of serving in the U.S. Military)Back in the days of "The Lone Ranger" program, someone would ask, "Who is that masked man?" People need to start asking that question about Barack Obama. -N.E. HoobenThe Police State of Massachusetts is now imposing laws against nature. Massachusetts is by far the most un-Constitutional government of the State, by the State, and for the State than any among the the fifty that hold a star on the banner of freedom. It is run by Socialists and hypocritical so-called Christiansthe worst among them are the Catholics who go to Church on Sunday and forget what they Prayed for on Monday. - Norman E. Hooben - "A proud Catholic proud of my Faith. A proud Catholic NOT so proud of my Church!" - July 16th 2008 N. E. Hooben

When a people are satisfied with receiving gifts paid with their own taxes as a way of life Anarchy is sure to follow. - Fred Boutin 2008

From the first time I heard about the boogey-man as a child to the first time I got shot at in Vietnam, nothing in my entire lifetime, THAT'S NOTHING! has put more fear into me than this man Obama. - Norman E. Hooben - July 2008

We are here for only a mini-second in the sands of time. Then we become the dust that makes the sand; and the Hand of God molds us anew. Take care my friend and may God Bless... - Norman E. Hooben on the death of our dearly beloved pet dog, Stirling

The evidence is overwhelming!

In order to save America we must destroy the Socialst Marxist Party... - N. E. Hooben

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within." -- Josef Stalin --

When it comes to lying, prudent people are guided by a Higher Authority driven by thou shall not written in stone. Whereas Bill Clinton has no Higher Authority to guide him, thou shall not has no conscious objections; for without a conscience there is no guilt. - Norman Hooben

The victor will never be asked if he told the truth. - Adolph Hitler

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. - James Madison, the Federalists Papers

There was a Chemistry professor in a large college that had some Exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Prof noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back And stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government.

In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked,'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?' The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. Suddenly, the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity. The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America.

The government keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc. while we continually lose our freedoms- just a little at a time.

One should always remember 'There is no such thing as a free Lunch!' Also, 'You can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.

You apparently don't share a sense of patriotism, Americanism, freedomism, or whatever kind of 'ism' that true Americans believe in... You do however, display a bit of socialism, communism, marxism or whatever kind of 'ism' that you make excuses for... ~ Norman E. Hooben (in response to an Obama supporter's views about the ACS census)

A nation that knows not from where it came, knows not where it is going! Today, Americans know too little about the foundations of our nation. The result is a nation now in chaos, its people unable to discern what is wrong with the transformation (paradigm shift) of our society and form of government that, if left unchecked, will destroy every facet of freedom, liberty and justice. The price of freedom is vigilance; the price of vigilance is knowledge. Many of America's founding documents are now available on the web. ~

Learn USA
Thats one way to make the front page. Photo: Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images

Following the revelation on Saturday night that actor Sean Penn had met and interviewed Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman Loera for Rolling Stone last fall, Mexican authorities have now indicated that yes, that meeting, which Penn set up with the help of popular Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, was what helped them locate Guzman. Months later, the cartel leader, known as El Chapo, was eventually apprehended following a deadly shootout on Friday. Reuters reports that two senior Mexican government sources said they were aware of the October meeting, and were able to monitor Guzmans movements afterwards. The meeting and interview were an indirect result of El Chapos wish to have a biopic made about his life, a project he started while still incarcerated and then sought to continue, with Ms. del Castillo in charge, following his escape from the maximum-security Altiplano Prison six months ago.

While the interview led law enforcement forces to El Chapo, they did not try to seize him right away, apparently because of a risk of collateral damage. Later, however, they launched an assault on Guzmans ranch using helicopter gunships. After a days-long battle, El Chapo eventually escaped from the location with just a minor injury to his leg. It seems that following this breakthrough in the manhunt, Mexican authorities were put on the path to eventually recapturing the two-time prison escapee, which they did on Friday morning in the Pacific Coast city of Los Mochis. Mexican authorities have since returned him to Altiplano prison, and have announced that the drug lord will face hearings for possible extradition to the U.S., though whether the extradition will be approved remains to be seen. Reuters also reports that the Mexican government may be considering an investigation of Penn and del Castillo as a result of their involvement with Guzman.

A gun-damaged truck on the ranch where Mexican authorities tried to capture El Chapo in October, after Penn and del Castillo had met with him. Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

Rolling Stone published the 11,000-word interview, which was conducted and written by Penn, on Saturday. In the piece, Penn acknowledges that he understood the meeting and his related communications and movements were likely being tracked by DEA and Mexican authorities, despite the painstaking precautions he was made to take by Guzmans representatives while pursuing and eventually traveling to Mexico for what became only one in-person meeting with El Chapo. Unable to meet the cartel leader again, Penn conducted the actual interview via recorded videos.

Kate del Castillo Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images

On Friday, Mexicos attorney general had reported that it was El Chapos desire to produce a biopic about his life that helped authorities recapture him, as they were able to find him by surveilling his associates as they worked on the film effort. Del Castillo  a popular Mexican soap opera star who once played the role of a drug kingpin herself  had tweeted complimentary statements about Guzman in the past, as well as expressed her distrust of the Mexican government  comments that caught the drug lords attention. He eventually reached out to her while he was in prison. According to Penns interview, El Chapo said that del Castillo was the only person in the world that he trusted to lead the biopic project, and he had originally sought her assistance after being overwhelmed with Hollywood offers the first time he was caught and re-imprisoned in 2014. While looking into the project, she partnered with one of Penns associates to produce the film, but the project became stalled until after Guzman escaped from prison in July.

It was also after El Chapos now-infamous escape that Penn, after hearing about del Castillo and her connection to the cartel leader, came up with the idea of doing an interview. After reaching out to del Castillo, she agreed to facilitate the request for a meeting, and Penn brought it to Rolling Stone. Then through a variety of clandestine tactics including burner phones, Blackberry messages, and anonymous email addresses, Penn, del Castillo, and El Chapos associates worked to set up the October meeting in Mexico, meant to gain El Chapos trust and approval for the interview. Regarding the risk that Guzman took in allowing this, Penn wrote the following somewhat prophetic passage:
Living the Orthodox Catholic Faith in the Anglican Tradition
they've stolen plenty of my posts lmao

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omg, that's a good strategy tho. People who make ONTD originals should start adding one made-up detail in each post in case another site steals it tbh.

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perez is such a hack i wonder if he really has industry connections he's always late on gossip

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LMAO, i fucking hate p*r*z



he stole stole my rachel platten tour post and posted on his own site

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ahaha

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lol omg I forgot about these

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LMAO

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which one is it lmao?

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that's fucked up tho

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Not nice

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lmaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o

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I want slash fic between storm troopers. Not Finn necessarily, but like 2 ones who find eachother in the middle of all that chaos.



lolz

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lol i want to know about their day to day now that they're not clones. do they get paid? are they allowed to date? can they take vacations? etc.

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In my mind, they live in small quarters and share rooms with 1 or 2 roommates and constantly have to train and stuff.

Probably have time off so they aren't always worked to death.



I want a stormtrooper movie!

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Have you seen any of Finn and the one that put the handprint on his helmet? Tumblr kept talking about wanting it, but IDK if anyone came through.

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I want more Finn stories of his days as a stormtrooper. I know there are books out there. But...I want slash dammit! I was hoping with this meme, but it is still lacking.

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Haven't read Lost Stars but isn't one of the characters an imperial? Brb reading it

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Storm troopers finding love in a hopeless place tbh.

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Dude. You could have tried this twenty years ago, maybe even ten. Stop thinking that social media won't bite you in the ass/no-one will notice.



No matter how quick the lie, the truth will catch it.

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Really? Don't know why I expected better of imdb.

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Some troll created an account with my name on IMDb with fake data. It took like 2 weeks with tons of private messaging with me and mods of the site for them to take the page down...

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like, how did he think no one would find out lol



I feel bad for the real stunt guy. that was an awesome fight scene oh sonlike, how did he think no one would find out lolI feel bad for the real stunt guy. that was an awesome fight scene

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lmao what a dumbass



And to answer the OP question, recently some rando stole a drawing of mine by posting it to her Facebook and claiming it as her own, even changing my signature to hers. (I couldn't see any of this because of privacy settings but a good samaritan reverse image searched her post and saw that it was obviously mine and told me.) I called her out and got her account deleted. >:)



Edited at 2016-01-10 03:31 am (UTC)

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Good for you! :) I hate people stealing others' hard work and having the nerve to pass it off as their own.

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Lmao @ that one person being extra. I mean it is unethical and morally wrong but idt it's illegal.

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He wasn't just lying about it on social media though. Doing interviews could be fraud.

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Oop that's what i get for not reading. I thought he was just tweeting about it.

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hollywood blacklists people who lie about their previous roles, right? lol good luck to him

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He's not a real actor though. Lol But yeah he'll never have a decent career. You can't lie about roles

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Lol I thought my joke was lame and OP already mentioned Anna Allen



I would have loved to see his PS's skills, or I guess in this case Gimp skills

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Did he really think he'd be able to get away with this?



Lmao

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The Spanish actress was someone else doing it though... I thought? Like I remember reading that this was a joke account.



This is embarrassing though lol, why do people lie about these things, they must know it's going to come back to bite them in the ass?

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Haha, but when will he start photoshopping pictures for his instagram account to tell us about all the other roles he has had?

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Who do you think will play El Chapo in Hollywood's inevitable upcoming biopic?



Someone white in brown face makeup.

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Then Jack Black then

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spot on

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nacho libre was on the other day too...it's unreal how a movie like that even got made, ugh.

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Sean Penn

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I came here to say this.

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lbr they would give benicio del toro a call out of courtesy before picking some gringo

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nah they won't even bother with the makeup they'll just make him white

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Jennifer Lawrence

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Justin Theroux

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Emma Stone, duh

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the guy from Narcos

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Meryl Streep or Cate Blanchett

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Dame Maggie Smith

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Well they are already going to have Charlie Hunnam play Edgar Villareal (La Barbie)..

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Sean Penn used 44 words to describe farting in front of El Chapo pic.twitter.com/95zk6a66Ii  Hunter Walker (@hunterw) January 10, 2016



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WHEN WALLS WERE WALLS

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I love this gif sfm.

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one of my favorite RP gifs

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literally mte

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Lmao mte

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MTE

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omg why

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so many men write like this it's incredible



example off the top of my head: like stephen king spends a lot of time in 11/22/63 describing in unnecessary detail how the main character has a bad case of the stomach flu.



Edited at 2016-01-10 05:38 am (UTC)

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the (sorry) is killing me for some reason

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I hate when I'm out shopping or walking around a museum and I get cropdusted by old people who just don't give a shit anymore.

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But...what is happening?...lol

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im dying at this



i hate it

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he has a career in fanfiction writing.

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Why would he even agree to this knowing how wrong this was?

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Sean Penn should be in FEDERAL PRISON for crimes against the state for this



Edited at 2016-01-10 05:31 am (UTC)

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Just read on Twitter that Sean Penn is now under investigation since he never alerted authorities on El Chapo's whereabouts.

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Aiding and abbetting a known murderous drug dealing thug

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Good 

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What fucking idiot

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lmao good pinche pendejo

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good, I hope his ass finally gets what he deserves

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oop

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good

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I would cackle with glee if this resulted in real consequences for him.



Edited at 2016-01-10 05:41 am (UTC)

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2016 better come and take him

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yaas, fuck him

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good

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GOOD. What a bola de pendejos he and Kate del Castillo are.

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I fucking loathe Kate del castillo sfm... Hate hate hate but mostly because I caught a flight back to the states from mexico city with her and I saw how she treated her fans on the plane. N to top it all off she got off the plane and put on a hat n sunglasses and acted all superior like don't notice me, I don't want to be bothered. N I was cackling thinking to myself bitch ur in lax no one gives a rats ass about u in the states. She's so full of herself.

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Seriously, like how fucking stupid can a person be? "Oh a friend of a friend knows where El Chapo is exactly? ...Can I get an interview?"

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good, he deserves it

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I was wondering this immediately. Like, it's definitely illegal to do this I think and not alert any authorities, right?

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good

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His ass should also be thrown into jail.

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come through, 2016

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that was the first thing i thought of. no way they could pull this out and it not be a huge legal issue.

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Kate del Castillo (she's on Jane the Virgin's new season) was also at the interview so I wonder if she's going to be investigated too. Very strange and suspicious. I can't stand Sean so good riddance.

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fantastic

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Pinche idiota jajajaja

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Good

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I hope this is true

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Oop

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When I first saw someone comment about this is another post, I was like ... "wouldn't that be considered harboring a fugitive and illegal?"

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Excellent

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LMAO

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lmaoo, look at gawd!!

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this is the single most amazing story to come out in days

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the same dried raisin that use to stan Chavez, so not suprised he would do something like this anyway hopefully his biopic flops

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The USA killed Chavez

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Anyone from the business who supports Chavez or Fidel or any of the Latin American authoritarian regimes is just plain shit. And on top of that, he's an abuser. Satan can't take him too soon.

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it was so hard to read.

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like what in earth, this is all so bizarre.

it doesn't surprise me that Penn would be involved, but wtf, Kate Del Castillo, wtf are you doing girl.

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but..why?



Edited at 2016-01-10 05:36 am (UTC)

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Fuck Kate deal Castillo for doing this shit too. She's been defending his ass for a while now.

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omg I just read that open letter or whatever she wrote on Twitter, I guess it's old, but I had never heard of it.

for the most part I agree with her about "fuck politicians, religion, prejudice, etc".

but then she goes on to say that people are hiding the cure of aids and cancer, and tells the chapo "to traffic for good" like, wtf girl.

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I was hoping it was some drug fueled rant but she seems serious about it. She's sheltered AF.

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but then she goes on to say that people are hiding the cure of aids and cancer



sounds like she's been on ontd

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You and her sound like huge useless cunts

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Yeah, I'm so disappointed in her. When you have the world's most powerful drug lord say you're the only person he trusts...girl, you gotta look at your life and choices right away.

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I had no idea she was that messy, smh

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She's really, really messy and crazy.

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ok wait a min...



can we hear from some ACTUAL Mexican natives, ACTUALLY living in Mexico?



Because it is common knowledge that Nieto is a flop: "he" can "capture" "El Chapo" but absolutely ZERO effort or information on the still missing 43 students? puta por favor.



And not just Nieto, the whole Mexican government is off the chain. It all goes back to the US's successful effort in dividingng and conquering Latin America. Chapo has done his fair share of philanthropy work for his own state and people. The citizens themselves seem to have more faith in him. As soon as he was "captured", the value of the peso went down and the dollar went up; having investors pull out of business prospects when they found out he wasn't charge, goes to show the depth of his influence.



I'm not downplaying the violence and illegal activity done by his cartel but there are other cartels and other factors. IMO, we cannot and should not trust our government in matters such as these. Especially when they fail to inform us that the DEA had an official federal agreement with another cartel to allow them to keep operating in the U.S. in exchange for information on other cartels. Not only that, but guns are illegal in MX and one of the leading causes of guns in MX is from U.S. military personnel trafficking them into Mexico! I mean shit! What do yall think the DEA does with seized drugs and money? They keep that shit and they put it right back on the streets so they can reap the profits! The demand for drugs comes from us in the U.S. If the U.S. REALLY cared about drugs in the states, they would cut the war on drugs bullshit of just saying no and handing out 10 year marijuana sentences, and focus on the mental health aspect of addiction. But of course the private prison system is way to lucrative.



tl;dr: it's all a bullshit conspiracy by our own government and here we are eating it up.

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I see his trend of liking criminals is still going strong. First the Venezuelan government and now this. He's everything I hate about privileged "socialists" from developed countries. He was trying hard to make the US the bigger enemy and the lone cause of evil when talking about a cartel leader, like...

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His views are so weird--being anti bush and anti iraq war to pro chavez and pro syrian gov..wtf

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Penn wants to be a modern day Ernest Hemingway sooooooo fucking bad.

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Nailed it

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i am dying.

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i eyeroll'd my eyes so bad when i found out about his friendship with Chavez.

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He desperately needs to feel like he has some insight thats above other people's heads. What a fucking dick.

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her instagram is like one crazy coke rant. so i'm not surprised by this



she is an awful, terrible person but idk, maybe she can get sober, work the 12 steps and become someone different. i know this post will be full with "there is NO HOPE for her!" but i dont think thats true. there is hope. as long as she is alive she still has a chance to get sober.

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I have relatives who were addicts for long periods, ranging from 25 to 40 years, who got sober. It is rare, but it's possible.

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Definitely not rare, I'm in AA and I see tonsssssss of people with 20, 30, 40, even 55 years of sobriety under their belt. It's never too late.

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I feel like there's got to be some serious brain damage done by the drugs at this point. And her instagram has seemed super word-salady for at least the past year so I wonder if there isn't also some serious mental illness stuff going on with her as well.



Edited at 2016-01-10 06:57 pm (UTC)

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Her being sober won't necessarily make her a non-shitty person. I mean she has given zero evidence of the contrary. She just doesn't seem to be a decent person, beyond whatever addiction issues she may have.

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I think she missed the window by far too many chances though, like I used to root for her so hard even in the prime of her mess, but after a certain amount of relapses it doesn't look all that possible to me.



esp. since she lives in an environment that gives her the exposure to drugs, booze etc. I think being addictive is a personality trait for some people, and she's sadly one of them.



as for her personality, .... i have nothing, yikes.

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Sadly, sobering her up won't make her less racist, just less vociferous about it.

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But what if she wasn't a good person prior to getting involved with drugs? And this is just amplifying it? Getting sober may not be the cure-all when she's had terrible environments and conditioning all her life.

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I honestly think that she is just an entitled and selfish asshole who happen to also be an addict.

She can get sober (I hope she will) but she will never be a nice person.

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It's possible, for sure.



Unfortunately I just feel like it's not likely.

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She still alive and kicking? What does she even do these days besides drugs

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escorting for rich men. she's always on exotic vacations

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I feel like rich men could do better. She must be good at what she does

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She goes on all those vacations because she still has very rich friends, like Courtenay Semel (she instagram'ed photos of them together on a boat)

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Isn't she back in London? Or did she move back to nyc?

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i think she said on her instagram she was filming in nyc. for what, idk

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she's been busy. the last time i checked up on her she was doing this concert thing (ideky) singing and dancing on stage and then she instagram that she's doing a movie so im guessing the movie is in nyc

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surprised dina wasnt with them tbh

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maybe she had stepped out to smoke, lol

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I can't imagine anyone hiring her at this point.

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i stopped believing that it would happen about two years ago i think

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i stopped believing around 2008. she was done by then.

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She and Tara were always such a mess. that's sad

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once i saw the reviews and clips of that liz taylor movie i knew it was over for her.

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I thought she might have been on the right track when she was in Speed the Plow. She turned up to every performance I think and got some decent reviews.

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she can't admit any fault with herself so who knows

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I stopped believing when msfirecrotch quit ontd.

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Well alright then. New Year, New You, huh Lindsay?

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aka just another day for LiLo

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I bet Oprah regrets every trying to help Lindsay

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maybe she'll realize that she can't help everyone like she thinks she can

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I think Oprah genuinely wanted to help Lindsay, but I also realize she was doing it for ratings because she could have easily privately tried to help like so many others have.

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oprah was dumb as fuck to think that she could randomly swoop in and save an addict

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You make it seem like addicts are unredeemable.

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Oh please, Oprah exploited her for ratings, she was never there to really help her.

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u guys I'm 30 today 

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HBD!!!!!!!!!!!!! im fast approaching 30. although i still feel like 21

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thanks doll!!! same. If I shave I still look 23 so that's good. And I already went to the gym this morning. Fighting that old!

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Congrats on making it to 30 ()

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Happy Birthdaaaayyy! <333

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happy birthday !

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happy birthday!

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Happy Birthday!

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happy bday!

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Happy birthday! welcome to the 30s :)



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Happy birthday! Welcome to the 30 club!

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Happy XXX!

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aww happy birthday :*

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Happy Birthday!

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Happy Birthday! Welcome to the 3rd floor :)

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omg girl we've been around here for so long. HBD!!! <3

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Happy birthday!!!! Welcome to your 30s!

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late af but happy birthday lanrek!

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happy birthday!

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its crazy how long she's been messed up. 10 years now? addiction is no joke.

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At least 10 years. I personally think her demons came when she was 16/17 and moved into Chateau Marmont.

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the tea is that she'd been doing powder since before she became a hollywood starlet.

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This is depressing.

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Once a racist coked out bitch, always a racist coked out bitch.

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best breakup song of our generation

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lets not reach

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OMFG THIS WAS MY ANTHEM!!!!!! i remember buying her CD, and seeing this MV on TRL all the time





omg the good times :'(

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I love this song.

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iconic

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One of my go-to karaoke songs

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I did love this song <3

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I prefer the iconic "Bossy"

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let's not forget the way the "blong rong" thieves tried to pass off the blame onto her and everyone believed it on account that she may or may not have already been a thief.

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source be damned i fucking believe it; never forget that "the black kid did it." her instagram shows just how much of a cokehead she is, and aside from that she's always been spoiled, entitled trash...ie "move that cone, i'm lindsay lohan."

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mhmm exactly

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Exactly. It's sad she's an addict (and with her parents and childhood, not at all surprising), but that doesn't excuse her racism and absurd sense of entitlement.

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she's a pathetic bitch that got what was coming to her.

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not surprising, she's typical Long Island trash. I know so many people from Long Island that are just as entitled, drug/alcohol addicted and racist. She's truly a hometown girl

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I agree!

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I had never enjoyed Chicken and Waffles or Poutine before this past summer, but now I'm hooked on both and couldn't resist fusing the two classic recipes into one incredible dish!

The #SundaySupper Tastemakers were challenged by the Idaho Potato Commission to develop unique poutine recipes using Idaho potatoes in a variety of ways for National Sunday Supper Day! That's right! Today is the first ever National Sunday Supper Day, and I'm very honored to be a part of it! Scroll down past my Chicken and Waffles Poutine recipe for links to all of today's deliciousness. If you're like me, you'll want to try them all!





Poutine is a Canadian dish traditionally made with French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy. It is delicious, and I've seen it made many different ways. Poutine seems to be the perfect dish to 'recreate' into something completely different, but still keeping the 'bones' of the dish. Although, I didn't use cheese curds in my recipe today, you certainly could top it with cheese curds and be blissfully happy!





Traditional Chicken and Waffles is a southern soul food delicacy made with fried chicken and waffles served with butter and syrup just like you would eat for breakfast.

I first heard about chicken and waffles on a cooking show and was shocked by this flavor combo! Don and I wouldn't have anything to do with it for several years, but my curiosity got the best of me at the Food Wine Conference last summer where

Idaho potatoes served a chicken and waffles poutine.





I decided to finally see what the fuss was all about and bravely give it a try. This was not your ordinary chicken and waffles. This was a poutine version, so the waffle was made out of

Idaho potatoes, but it was still served with fried chicken and syrup like the traditional soul food dish.

OH MY YUMMINESS!! The savory chicken and cheesy potato waffles combined with the sweetness of pure maple syrup is a match made in taste bud heaven, y'all!! I texted Don immediately to tell him how much I LOVE chicken and waffles! He couldn't believe it, but I went on and on about it and promised to make it for him at home. It took several months for me to get around to it, but now that he's had them, he loves them too!!





So, I guess the moral of the story is... Don't knock it 'til you try it! You might be missing out on some serious deliciousness!!

I'm entering this recipe into the Idaho potatoes recipe contest for a chance to win one of these great prizes:

1st Prize  $500 + Food Wine Conference ticket

2nd Prize  $200 + Food Wine Conference ticket

3rd Prize  $100 + Food Wine Conference ticket

By Life Tastes Good

Published 01/10/2016



Ingredients 24 ounce Premium Chicken Tenders, thawed

4 Idaho russet potatoes, cubed

3 cloves of garlic, peeled

1/2 tablespoon of kosher salt

1/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 large egg

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking spray

Freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Pure Maple Syrup, heated Instructions Prepare chicken tenders according to package directions or make your own homemade. While the tenders are cooking, put cubed potatoes into a stock pot and add enough water to cover. Add the garlic and the salt to the water and bring to a boil over mid-high heat. Reduce the heat just enough to maintain boil, but not boil over. Boil until potatoes are fork tender, about 10 minutes. This time will vary depending on the size of your potato cubes. Drain the potatoes. Place the potatoes into a mixing bowl with 1/4 cup unsalted butter and mash the potatoes with the beater or paddle attachment of your mixer until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 egg, and 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix to combine. Heat waffle iron to medium heat. I use a Belgian waffle iron for best results. Spray the waffle iron with cooking spray and spoon in enough potato mixture to fill the spaces without spilling over. Close the lid and cook about 10 minutes. Time will vary depending on your waffle iron and the heat level. Keep checking it until the waffle is done to your desired crispness. Carefully remove the waffle to a plate and keep warm. Continue making waffles until the potato mixture is gone. Top each waffle with chicken tenders and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with pure maple syrup and enjoy! Yield: 4 Servings

Prep Time: 15 mins. Published

Cook time: 10 mins.

Total time: 25 mins.





Tags: Baked , Chicken and Waffles , Fried Chicken , Idaho Potatoes , Potato Waffles , Poutine , Recipe , Soul Food , Southern , Syrup





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TIP: For best results, I always use For best results, I always use Idaho potatoes

Idaho's unique growing season of warm days and cool nights, water straight from the mountains, and rich volcanic soil give

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12 reasons why Cameron will lose on Brexit The pundits have got it wrong: The Brits will vote themselves out of Europe. By DENIS...
Cologne police are gearing up for a day of highly charged demonstrations, with 1000 far-right protesters expected to hit the streets in response to the mass sex assaults and thefts targeting women on New Year's Eve.

Hundred-strong teams of police were deployed on Saturday to locations across the western German city, totalling 1700 officers, a spokesman said.

The Islamophobic Pegida movement and the right-wing extremist Pro Cologne party were to stage a rally on the square in front of the main train station, where about 1000 intoxicated men are thought to have robbed, sexually assaulted and, in some cases, raped women during turn-of-the-year celebrations.

Of the 32 suspects identified by police in Cologne, 22 are asylum seekers, the German Interior Ministry said.

One suspect was carrying a document with Arabic-German translations of sexist phrases and threats, which mass-circulation tabloid Bild published on Saturday.

Several pro-migration counter-protests have also been planned for Saturday, underscoring the division in German society over the government's open-door migration policy, which allowed more than one million people to enter the country last year.



Migrants who commit crimes should lose their right to asylum, German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday, toughening her tone as crowds gathered in Cologne angered by mass assaults on women on New Year's Eve.

Nearly two dozen asylum seekers were among those suspected of carrying out the attacks, police said this week, heightening tensions over immigration and fuelling criticism of Merkel's refusal to place a limit on the numbers of migrants entering the country.

"The right to asylum can be lost if someone is convicted on probation or jailed," Merkel said after a meeting of the leadership of her Christian Democrats (CDU) party.

"Serial offenders who repeatedly rob or repeatedly affront women must feel the full force of the law," Merkel told journalists in Mainz, promising a reduction over the longer term in the flow of migrants to Germany.

Under German law, asylum seekers are typically only deported if they have been sentenced to at least three years in prison, and providing their lives are not at risk at home.

About 1,700 police officers were on the streets of Cologne as protesters, including members of the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement, waited for official permission to march through the city.

At a separate left-wing protest, more than 2,000 mostly women gathered close to the train station where many of the attacks, including muggings and sexual assaults, happened.



Police firing tear gas and water cannon at far-right PEGIDA rally in Cologne, @AFP reporting #germany

 Katy Lee (@kjalee) January 9, 2016

Pictures of police using water canons on Germans protesting against immigrant gangs raping & abusing German women pic.twitter.com/2N8P4ORXOH

 David Jones (@DavidJo52951945) January 9, 2016

Cologne police are gearing up for a day of highly charged demonstrations, with 1000 far-right protesters expected to hit the streets in response to the mass sex assaults and thefts targeting women on New Year's Eve.

Hundred-strong teams of police were deployed on Saturday to locations across the western German city, totalling 1700 officers, a spokesman said.

The Islamophobic Pegida movement and the right-wing extremist Pro Cologne party were to stage a rally on the square in front of the main train station, where about 1000 intoxicated men are thought to have robbed, sexually assaulted and, in some cases, raped women during turn-of-the-year celebrations.

Of the 32 suspects identified by police in Cologne, 22 are asylum seekers, the German Interior Ministry said.

One suspect was carrying a document with Arabic-German translations of sexist phrases and threats, which mass-circulation tabloid Bild published on Saturday.

Several pro-migration counter-protests have also been planned for Saturday, underscoring the division in German society over the government's open-door migration policy, which allowed more than one million people to enter the country last year.



Migrants who commit crimes should lose their right to asylum, German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday, toughening her tone as crowds gathered in Cologne angered by mass assaults on women on New Year's Eve.

Nearly two dozen asylum seekers were among those suspected of carrying out the attacks, police said this week, heightening tensions over immigration and fuelling criticism of Merkel's refusal to place a limit on the numbers of migrants entering the country.

"The right to asylum can be lost if someone is convicted on probation or jailed," Merkel said after a meeting of the leadership of her Christian Democrats (CDU) party.

"Serial offenders who repeatedly rob or repeatedly affront women must feel the full force of the law," Merkel told journalists in Mainz, promising a reduction over the longer term in the flow of migrants to Germany.

Under German law, asylum seekers are typically only deported if they have been sentenced to at least three years in prison, and providing their lives are not at risk at home.

About 1,700 police officers were on the streets of Cologne as protesters, including members of the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement, waited for official permission to march through the city.

At a separate left-wing protest, more than 2,000 mostly women gathered close to the train station where many of the attacks, including muggings and sexual assaults, happened.



Full story:Over the last several days, more information has come to light with regard to the wave of sexual assaults that occurred across Europe on New Years Eve.What some observers initially assumed was an set of isolated attacks in Colognes city center now appears to have been a bloc-wide phenomenon as women from Austria, to Switzerland, to Finland come forward to report being accosted by what some police say were gangs of drunken Mid-East asylum seekers.In Sweden, police said at least 15 young women reported being groped by groups of men on New Year's Eve in the city of Kalmar, AP reports , adding that in Finland, police said they received tipoffs on New Year's Eve that about 1,000 predominantly Iraqi asylum seekers were intending to gather near the main railway station in Helsinki and harass passing women.Women with or without accompaniment went through a literally 'gauntlet' by the heavily intoxicated men masses, as one can not describe it," a clumsy translation of a report by the German Federal Police reads. Some have suggested that the string of attacks was initially played down by the media and by German authorities in an effort to avoid triggering an anti-migrant backlash. Indeed, the mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, got herself in a bit of hot water for comments which seemed to suggest it is German womens responsibility to keep would-be attackers at arms length and to not send the wrong message to people from other cultures by acting too jolly and frisky.Meanwhile, Angela Merkel is attempting to salvage the yes we can narrative vis-a-vis Berlins refugee open-door policy while simultaneously condemning the attacks.On Friday, Colognes police chief Wolfgang Albers was dismissed in connection with his departments mishandling of the ordeal.According to a draft document seen by Reuters, Germany may now change its policy with regard to the deportation of refugees. "The paper says refugees and asylum seekers who have been sentenced to prison or probation should be barred from eligibility for asylum,' Reuters writes " Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel asked. "The threat of having to spend time behind bars in their home country is far more of a deterrent than a prison sentence in Germany."("Respect us! We are not fair game even when naked!" a sign held by Swiss artist Milo Moire reads)"Women's groups and many politicians have long been arguing that Germany's sexual assault law is archaic, with loopholes that mean groping and surprise attacks are not necessarily prosecutable unless the woman tries to fight off the attack - which police often advise against," Deutsche Welle notes . "There have been very many cases that you and I would probably unequivocally describe as rape or sexual assault that haven't come to a conviction, because the women allegedly didn't defend themselves enough," Elke Ferner of the Social Democratic Party's women's group told the broadcaster.That law is about to be changed thanks in part to the attention the New Year's attacks have brought to the issue.And speaking of drawing attention to the attacks,. "The protesters included the Islamophobic Pegida movement and the right-wing extremist Pro Cologne party" USA Today says More than 1,500 police officers were deployed across the city in anticipation of the rallies. Here's more from DPA And from Reuters So once again, we see a deeply divided society, with right-wing demonstrators staging a kind of "we told you so" rally and pro-refugee Germans staging counter protests even as they decry the wave of assaults.Meanwhile, the flow of asylum seekers continues unabated.," Ole Schroeder, the deputy German minister, told a briefing in Brussels. "Our problem at the moment in Europe is that we do not have a functioning border control system, especially at the Greece-Turkey border," he added.Where things from here is an open question but it appears many Germans are at their breaking point. How TIME's person of the year responds may ultimately determine how the world remembers one of the most indelible and revered politicians in European history.Full story:Over the last several days, more information has come to light with regard to the wave of sexual assaults that occurred across Europe on New Years Eve.What some observers initially assumed was an set of isolated attacks in Colognes city center now appears to have been a bloc-wide phenomenon as women from Austria, to Switzerland, to Finland come forward to report being accosted by what some police say were gangs of drunken Mid-East asylum seekers.In Sweden, police said at least 15 young women reported being groped by groups of men on New Year's Eve in the city of Kalmar, AP reports , adding that in Finland, police said they received tipoffs on New Year's Eve that about 1,000 predominantly Iraqi asylum seekers were intending to gather near the main railway station in Helsinki and harass passing women.Women with or without accompaniment went through a literally 'gauntlet' by the heavily intoxicated men masses, as one can not describe it," a clumsy translation of a report by the German Federal Police reads. Some have suggested that the string of attacks was initially played down by the media and by German authorities in an effort to avoid triggering an anti-migrant backlash. Indeed, the mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, got herself in a bit of hot water for comments which seemed to suggest it is German womens responsibility to keep would-be attackers at arms length and to not send the wrong message to people from other cultures by acting too jolly and frisky.Meanwhile, Angela Merkel is attempting to salvage the yes we can narrative vis-a-vis Berlins refugee open-door policy while simultaneously condemning the attacks.On Friday, Colognes police chief Wolfgang Albers was dismissed in connection with his departments mishandling of the ordeal.According to a draft document seen by Reuters, Germany may now change its policy with regard to the deportation of refugees. "The paper says refugees and asylum seekers who have been sentenced to prison or probation should be barred from eligibility for asylum,' Reuters writes " Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel asked. "The threat of having to spend time behind bars in their home country is far more of a deterrent than a prison sentence in Germany."("Respect us! We are not fair game even when naked!" a sign held by Swiss artist Milo Moire reads)"Women's groups and many politicians have long been arguing that Germany's sexual assault law is archaic, with loopholes that mean groping and surprise attacks are not necessarily prosecutable unless the woman tries to fight off the attack - which police often advise against," Deutsche Welle notes . "There have been very many cases that you and I would probably unequivocally describe as rape or sexual assault that haven't come to a conviction, because the women allegedly didn't defend themselves enough," Elke Ferner of the Social Democratic Party's women's group told the broadcaster.That law is about to be changed thanks in part to the attention the New Year's attacks have brought to the issue.And speaking of drawing attention to the attacks,. "The protesters included the Islamophobic Pegida movement and the right-wing extremist Pro Cologne party" USA Today says More than 1,500 police officers were deployed across the city in anticipation of the rallies. Here's more from DPA And from Reuters So once again, we see a deeply divided society, with right-wing demonstrators staging a kind of "we told you so" rally and pro-refugee Germans staging counter protests even as they decry the wave of assaults.Meanwhile, the flow of asylum seekers continues unabated.," Ole Schroeder, the deputy German minister, told a briefing in Brussels. "Our problem at the moment in Europe is that we do not have a functioning border control system, especially at the Greece-Turkey border," he added.Where things from here is an open question but it appears many Germans are at their breaking point. How TIME's person of the year responds may ultimately determine how the world remembers one of the most indelible and revered politicians in European history.Source: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-01-09/thousands-flood-streets-germany-fury-over-refugee-sex-assaults-reaches-boiling-point
China took notice of political divide over CPEC

ISLAMABAD: China on Saturday took notice of the recent political divide among local leaders over China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and urged the political parties to address their difference in order to create favourable conditions for the completion of CPEC project.



The Peoples Republic hoped that the relevant political parties in Pakistan could strengthen communication and coordination on CPEC to create favorable conditions for the development projects.



A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Islamabad expressed the hope that relevant parties should strengthen their communication and coordination on the matter.



"We are ready to work with Pakistanis, to actively promote construction of CPEC projects, and bring tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, the spokesman added.



The spokesman further said that the multi-million dollar CPEC project is the consensus reached between China and Pakistan, and has won popular support from the people of the two countries.



CPEC benefits Pakistan as a whole and will bring development and benefits to the people of the country, he maintained.



Earlier in the day, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the government has addressed the reservations of all parliamentary parties of Balochistan regarding CPECs western route.



Ahsan Iqbal said Balochistan government has also assured full support in completion of the project, Radio Pakistan reported.
India-Pakistan peace talks is in the best interest of the regional stability: John Kerry

ISLAMABAD: The United States on Saturday said that continuation of India-Pakistan peace talks is in the best interest of the regional stability, Radio Pakistan reported.



US Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and lauded his role in carefully tackling the prevailing situation in the wake of the recent gunmen attack on Indian air base.



Nawaz apprised Kerry that Pakistan is swiftly carrying out investigations into Pathankot incident and will soon unearth the truth.



World will see our effectiveness and sincerity in this regard, he added.



Kerry hoped that talks between Pakistan and India would continue despite efforts to thwart the process.



Pakistan was eliminating terrorism from its soil and would not allow anyone to use its soil to conduct terror operations abroad, Nawaz told the US Secretary of State.



US Secretary Kerry extended full support to the prime minister in finding out the actual perpetrators behind Pathankot incident.



Earlier on Thursday, a US State Department spokesman had said it was up to the Pakistan government to determine how long it would take to investigate the attack on the Pathankot air base following information provided by India.



The statement came after India said it was awaiting Pakistans response on the information provided on the Pathankot incident, following which it will decide on the resumption of bilateral talks scheduled for later this month.



India's foreign ministry said Islamabad has been given actionable intelligence that those who planned the assault came from Pakistan.



"As far as we are concerned, the ball is now in Pakistan's court," spokesman Vikas Swarup told reporters when asked if the talks were on. "The immediate issue in front of us is Pakistan's response to the terrorist attack."



The US State Department spokesman said Pakistan has condemned the attack and has made clear its commitment to investigate it.



Seven Indian security men and four suspected gunmen were killed during an assault, on Indian air base near the Pakistan border, which threatened to undermine the two countries' fragile peace process.
Pakistan will present list of Taliban willing to negotiate with Kabul: Afghan official

KABUL: An Afghan official says Pakistan will present a list of Taliban willing to negotiate with Kabul at a meeting this week aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process.



Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States will meet in Islamabad on Monday to discuss a road map for peace talks. The meeting will not include the Taliban.



Javid Faisal, deputy spokesman for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said Sunday that Pakistan's list will include Taliban who do and do not want talks with Kabul on ending the 15-year war.



Faisal says Pakistan has agreed to cut off financial support to Taliban fighters based in Pakistani cities. He says insurgents based in Pakistan would not be allowed to resettle in Afghanistan.



He says the agreement would also include "bilateral cooperation on eliminating terrorism".
Saudi Arabia defence minister arrived in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabias Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, who is also the deputy prime minister and minister for defence, arrived here on Sunday for a daylong trip for seeking Pakistans support as the kingdom mulls additional steps against Iran.



This is the second high-profile visitor from Riyadh in three days. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir visited Islamabad on Thursday for discussing Riyadhs tensions with Tehran and the counter-terrorism coalition that Saudi Arabia has announced.



Prince Muhammad would follow up on the discussions FM Jubeir had here. He would meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif.



Pakistan has indicated it could consider the Saudi invitation to join the 34-nation coalition (proposed by Riyadh before the Iran spat). However, no official announcement has been made so far.



Islamabad has criticised Iran for reacting to Saudi cleric Sheikh Nimrs execution and sees it as interference in internal matters of the kingdom.



FM Jubeir on Saturday, after an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that Saudi Arabia could take further steps against Iran if tensions were to escalate.



A source said that the Saudi defence minister is expected to conclude a military cooperation arrangement during the trip, which the two sides have been negotiating recently.



Saudi Assistant Defence Minister for Military Affairs Muhammad Bin Abdullah al-Ayish earlier visited GHQ and his trip was followed by discussions at other levels. Details of the cooperation agreement are being kept under wraps.



A military official described intensified contacts as part of Riyadhs heightened diplomatic outreach to allied countries amid aggravating tensions with Iran.



Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mahmood is also expected to visit Saudi Arabia later this month.
Note This look back on military responses to rebellions, insurrections, and protests is growing like Topsy. It is going to have to be a rare multi-entry series. This one looks back to the time between the Revolution and the Civil War.

In our last post we took a look at some of the questions and issues arising from the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon by armed self-proclaimed Patriotsor gun nut terrorists in the view of many. In particular the issues of how to respond to the seizure and whether the white gunmen were being treated differently than Black or other minority protesters whether armed or not. The Feds have opted for a strategy of first standing off and now isolating the protesters by degrees by cutting off road, electrical, and phone service.

While many view that policy a prudent, others continue to demand immediate armed action to end the occupation calling a seditious rebellion and act of terrorism.

As noted yesterday, Perhaps it would be useful to do a quick review of the history of the use of military force against protestors armed and otherwise in this country. For this purpose we will ignore actions by local police, sheriffs deputies, and state police which have been too numerous to list, especially against strikers and minorities who have often been labeled as rioters. We will limit our review to major deployments and use of state militia or National Guard or Federal Troops.

We will start at the beginning, just three years after the end of the American Revolution. The region west of and around Springfield was dominated by small subsistence farmers and the local merchants who supplied their needs in a generally barter economy. Following the War of Independence mercantile traders who imported almost all manufactured goods from England or Europe began demanding payment in speciehard currency almost exclusively in English, French, Spanish, and Dutch coinage that was seldom seen in the west. Lenders began to demand repayment of debt in coin instead of crops or livestock, and government began to demand the same for tax payments. As a result small farmers and merchants were defaulting on loans and losing their land and property to tax sales. Public officials were seen as corrupt and Boston merchants as vultures. To make matters worse many were war veterans who found sometimes years of back pay owed to them was difficult or impossible to get from either the Massachusetts General Court (Legislature) or Congress under the Articles of Confederation.

Under the leadership of veterans Captains Daniel Shays, John Shattuk, and others years of tensions boiled over in the fall of 1786 when armed men shut down courts processing tax forfeitures and claims on property from lenders in several towns. Governor James Bowdin and alarmed Boston merchants personally funded raising militia companies into a 3,000 man army to suppress the rebellion. On January 25, 1787 Shays and others led about 1,500 lightly armed rebels in an attempt to seize the Federal Armory in Springfield. They were met by a loyal militia force of about 1,400 who sent the rebels reeling with four rounds of grape shot which killed four outright and wounded more than 20. The rebels fled west and north and were pursued by the 3000 eastern militia under Revolutionary War hero General Benjamin Lincoln, the man who had accepted Cornwalliss surrender at Yorktown. 150 rebels were surprised and captured at Petersham on February 4. All of the officers escaped to New Hampshire and Vermont. The rebellion was crushed. Several hundred were indicted for rebellion but most were covered by a general amnesty. 18 were sentenced to hang and all but were pardoned and escaped the gallows. Over 4000 men were banned from holding elective or appointive office. Property seizures were resumed and many families were ruined and impoverished.

News of the Rebellion sent shockwaves throughout the States where either merchant elites or Tidewater aristocrats faced similar restiveness and simmering resentment in their own western portions and along the frontier. A Convention called to revise Articles of Confederation to improve trade and cooperation among the states instead exceeded its authority and drafted a new governing document. Shays rebellion had convinced the delegates of the need for a far stronger Federal Government. It is now viewed as that catalytic event leading to the Constitution.

Later concern grew that the new government would be too powerful, especially among western settlers, caused the agreement to add clarifying amendments delineating rights in exchange for ratification by reluctant states. The Second Amendment which famously guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms was explicitly linked to the need for well regulated militia, by which it meant the troops called out by Governor Bowdin and specifically not the irregular militia of the rebels. That legislative history to the amendment should be kept in mind when the NRA and arms industry insist that it means unlimited access to virtually all arms by individuals or even that it was intended to put arms in the hands of citizens to resist a tyrannical government.

President Washington, Virginia Governor and General Lighthorse Hairy Lee, and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton review the Army raised to squash the Whiskey Rebellion.

The next great confrontation occurred just a few years later and involved the infant Federal Government and the Father of Our Country, a not entirely disinterested party. The Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania was caused by many of the same issues and concerns as Shays Rebellion. Once again the issues were unfair taxation, the perceived arrogance of the Eastern elite, and the general feeling that needs of frontier farmers were being ignored by the new central government.

President Washingtons Secretary of the Treasury and closest advisor had a problem. His highest priority was securing the nations financial soundness and reputation by re-paying all of the new nations war debts, including the debts of the individual states which the Federal government assumed. The problem was that Congress, like the American people, was generally allergic to taxation. He had only two sources of revenueland sales and tariffs. He set the price of western land too high for most people on one hand and on the other had potential sales negated because Revolutionary War back pay and bonuses was taken care of in the form of land warrants to veterans. Some veterans used the warrants to stake western claims, others sold them at a discount for cash to land speculators many of whom then turned around and undersold government land. As for import duties, he balanced setting them high enough to protect and encourage emerging American industries but not too high to enrage the import-dependent agrarian planter class in the middle and southern states.

Hamilton needed to find a source of domestic tax revenue. An excise tax was the obvious choice because it was easiest to assess and to collect. The question was an excise tax on what. Back then the Dirksen rule was in full force in Congress, if unspokenDont tax me, dont tax thee. Tax the fellow behind the tree. Powerful forces in Congress among eastern merchants and manufacturers staunchly opposed taxes on anything they sold or bought. But westerners were underrepresented in Congress. They turned out to be the fellow behind the tree.

As in Massachusetts frontier farmers were cash poor. Moreover the Allegany and Appalachian Mountain ranges provided a nearly impenetrable barrier to getting their crops to Eastern markets where surpluses could be sold for money. In much of the west the principle crop was corn, which was bulky and had to be transported in heavy barrels by ox cart over barely passable mountain trails and then loaded on flat boats for Philadelphia. But the corn could be distilled into whiskey which could be transported by mules in much more compact jugs to a ready and thirsty eastern market. That market was the eastern yeomen farmers, mechanics, and common workmen. The elite drank imported wine and brandy, not raw whiskey and did not care a whit about the damage to the whiskey trade of a steep new excise tax or the grubby poor would pay it would have to pay it. Americas first Federal excise tax was born.

A protest convention of the southwestern counties of Pennsylvania did result in Congress making a 1% reduction to the tax, but that was not enough for many. Petition and protest began to give way to active resistance in September 1791 when a Federal tax collector was tarred and feathered in Washington County. The agent sent to serve arrest warrants on suspected attackers suffered the same quite painful humiliation. This and other acts of defiance and resistance spread beyond Pennsylvania to other frontier regions and states as far south as Georgia. In the brand new state of Kentucky no taxes could be collected at all because no one dared take the job of collecting them.

A second convention in Pittsburgh was in control of the most radical elements on the frontier. They raised Liberty Polls, established committees of correspondence, and assumed control of local militia in imitation of the Revolution. They established their own courts banned suits to collect debts or foreclose on property.

In the capital at Philadelphia Washington and Hamilton viewed the rising unrest as a direct affront to and assault on the Federal government. Washington signed an official proclamation drafted by Hamilton denouncing the brewing rebellion and demanding immediate compliance with the law. It had no effect. Resistance hardened and targets spread to include those who assisted tax agents and even those who paid the tax. Barns and stills were burned. One high ranking agent was forced at gunpoint to renounce his appointment during a nighttime raid on his home. Washington offered a reward for the arrest of the perpetrators. There were no takers.

In May of 1794 subpoenas were issued for 50 known distillers who had not paid the tax. As Congress amended the law to allow such tax delinquency charges to be held in state instead of Federal courtsa demand of the protestersa Federal Marshall was dispatched to serve the papers before the new law could take effectwidely seen as a deliberate provocation by Hamilton.

Intentional or not, it did provoke. On July 15 rebels surrounded the home of General John Neville, the chief Federal tax inspector for Western Pennsylvania. They demanded the surrender of Federal Marshal David Lennox, who was not present. After an exchange of gunfire in which Oliver Miller, a farmer/distiller who had earlier turned Neville and Lennox away from his home by shooting at them, was killed. The rebels retreated and gathered reinforcements thought to number about 600 men. Neville secured the aid of ten Army soldiers from Pittsburgh under the command of Major Abraham Kirkpatrick. The next day the rebels under Revolutionary veteran Major James McFarlane attacked the house. After an extended exchange of gunfire the house showed a white flag. When McFarlane emerged to parlay under the flag, he was killed by a single shot from the house. The battle resumed, the house was set afire, and Kirkpatrick forced to surrender. The troops were allowed to return unmolested to Pittsburg but McFarlane was arrested. He later escaped.

After Rebels intercepted the U.S. Mail and discovered evidence of support for the tax collectors and administration by several prominent Pittsburgh citizens, they called for a rally meeting at Braddocks Field, the site of the disastrous ambush and defeat of General Edward Braddock in 1755 by French and Indian forces in which young Virginia Col. George Washington had played a prominent part. At the field 8 miles from Pittsburgh and estimated 7,000 men with blood in their eyes under the leadership of David Bradford met. Most were landless laborers. The protest quickly got beyond control of the relatively wealthy farmer/distillers who began it. Demands for an independent nation were raised and the radical French Revolutionaries praised. The men were prepared to march on Pittsburg and burn it as a nest of wealthy traitors.

A message of support from Pittsburgh and the expulsion of some men who were identified in the stolen letters somewhat mollified the assembly. They agreed to make only a peaceful march though the city as a show of strength. By in large that march was peaceful except for the burning of Major Fitzpatricks barns.

A new convention at Whiskey Point was divided between Bradfords radicals and those like Albert Gallatin and Hugh Henry Brakenridge who urged reconciliation with the government. The convention agreed to authorize a delegation including Gallatin, Brakenridge, and some of the radicals to meet with peace commissioners sent by Washington. Those commissioners included Attorney General William Bradford, no known close relation to the rebel leader, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice and Pennsylvania Senator John Ross, an ardent Washington/Hamilton loyalist and long-time political foe of Gallatin.

Meanwhile Washington and Hamilton decided that an army needed to be raised to crush the rebellion in case negotiations failed. Some have long maintained that the negotiations were a ploy to delay things while the troops were raised, armed, and assembled and that especially Hamilton always intended to use force to crush the rebellion. After a U.S. Supreme Court Justice ruled that western Pennsylvania was in a state of insurrection, Washington was free to call state militias to Federal Service.

Militias from New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia were called out. The ranks could not be filled with volunteers so drafts were instituted in some areas resulting in more protests and even rioting. But a force of 12,950 men was assembledas big as the largest army in the field that Washington commanded in the Revolution.

The peace commissioners offered the rebel delegation stark termsthat the committee must unanimously agree to renounce violence and submit to U.S. laws, and that a popular referendum must be held to determine if the local people supported the decision. Those who agreed to these terms would be given amnesty from further prosecution.

The committee narrowly split in favor of accepting the terms. Referendums were held in the western counties with some areas overwhelmingly supporting the terms. But the poorest areas continued to reject them. Despite the deescalating tensions, Washington decided to move forward with his Army.

In early October Washington took to the field as the only sitting President to command an army in the field. After inspecting troops in Pennsylvania and Maryland and meeting with western representatives, Washington determined that there would be no meaningful armed opposition to the huge force he had assembled. He turned over field command to General Henry Lighthorse Harry Lee, the sitting Governor of Virginia. Hamilton, who always dreamed of military glory, remained with the army a civilian advisor with more than symbolic authority.

The Army marched west and the rebels scattered and went into hiding. That included David Bradford and most of the other prominent leaders. Twenty men were captured and brought in cages by to Philadelphia. A Federal Grand Jury eventually indicted 25 men for the capital offence of Treason. Only ten men stood trial on those charges and just two, Philip Wigle and John Mitchel were convicted and sentenced to hang. Satisfied that Federal authority had been upheld Washington commuted the sentences of both men, acting for once against the advice of Hamilton. State courts convicted several other men on charges ranging from assault to arson.

On one hand Federal authority was upheld. On the other resentment of the government festered on the Frontier for years and a permanent culture of defiance, including the moonshine tradition remains to this day.

Lurid illustrations like this of Nat Turner's slare rebellion helped spread panic throughout the slave holding states.

Slavery was at the root of much civil unrest. Slave rebellions were nothing new. During the Colonial era they had occurred and been crushed not only in the plantation South but in urban New York City. A large scale rebellion inspired by the Black revolution in Hatti had taken place in the recently acquired Orleans Territory along the Mississippi north of New Orleans. That had been violently put down, but the relative isolation from the rest of the country meant that it was not well known on the eastern seaboard. Freeman Denmark Vesey was alleged to be another revolt in 1822 in Charleston, South Carolina but he and others were arrested and hung before any revolt could take place

But in August 1831 Nat Turner, a slave in Southampton County, Virginia led a surprise uprising in which up to 70 whites, including planters, their wives and children, overseers, and travelers they encountered were killed. Militia from Virginia and North Carolina was called out, but it was in organizational disarray. The so-called militia turned out to be a barely organized and enraged white mob. They were eventually reinforced by three batteries of U.S. Army artillery and Navy sailors and Marines from the USS Natchez and USS Warren which were at moorage at Southampton.

As many as 200 Blacks were killed in the two days it took to crush the rebellion. Many, probably most, had nothing at all to do with the uprising. Eventually 56 were tried and hung. Violent rampages continued against blacks for days, not only in Virginia, but across the plantation south as far as South Carolina. Hundreds more were killed before the violence finally died out. Virginia and other states payed compensation to the owners of slaves murdered or executed for the loss of their property.

The rebellion struck terror across the South. Virginia was the first to enact new Slave codes which made it a crime to teach a black person to read and writeboth Denmark Vessey and Nat Turner were literate and were said to have been corrupted by reading about the Rights of Man and even The Bible. All slave gatherings were banned including religious services unless a white minister was present. Other states followed suit enacting even harsher regulations.

Another effect was overhauling and reviving the militia system across the South. Since the end of the War of 1812 and virtual all Indian warfare in the east north of Florida, militias had been neglected. Annual summer musters were little more than occasions for communal drinking. Now Governors took action to standardize training and armament. Aroused young men were encouraged to take an active part with young gentlemen of fine families often elected as officers. Wealthy citizens often stood the cost of fine uniforms and equipment. Regular drills and parades were held. This tradition continued through rising secular tensions right up the Civil War when the South was able to enter that conflict with surprising numbers of well trained and equipped units. By contrast Northern Federalized militia with few exceptions were a rag-tag bunch.

Marines under the command of Army Major Robert E. Lee use a battering ram to break down the heavy doors of the railroad engine house where John Brown and his men were holed up.

Which brings us to the most famous armed occupation of a Federal facility in historyJohn Browns Raid on the Federal Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in October of 1859, regarded by many as the spark that lit the fuse to the Civil War.

Brown, you will undoubtedly recall, was the obsessed abolitionist who had made a name for himself in Bloody Kansas as a Free Soil guerilla in a ruthless war with pro-slavery border ruffians. On May 24, 1856 in his most infamous act he and his sons kidnapped five pro-slavery settlers from their rural farm homes on Pottawatomie Creek and hacked them to death with artillery broadswords. That ignited the bloodiest month of the Kansas conflict in which at least 28 more men on both sides were killed in round after round of revenge slayings.

Brown and his sons became hunted men. Considered arch villains in the slave holding south, they were still regarded as heroes in the eastern abolitionist circles who had secretly been funding his activities.
. One of the moderators from the UKDN detecting Forum (one "Puffin") decided it would be a good idea for the benefit of any met...
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
My evil scheme to take over Australia... and the world!
American political analyst Randy Martin says: "What seems to be emerging now is the repercussion from Russia blowing the cover off the conflict in Syria. Russia's military operations against the terror networks have dramatically exposed the Wahhabi Saudi rulers for what they are."

In other words, what has emerged is Saudi Arabia's belligerent policy in the region and its collusion with terror groups. And it is Russia's decisive, devastating anti-terror military intervention in Syria that has uncovered these nefarious connections.

To varying degrees, the complicity of Washington, Britain and France in sponsoring an illegal insurgency against the elected government of President Bashar al-Assad has been uncovered through Russia's military intervention.So too exposed  even more so  in the criminal conspiracy are the West's regional client regimes. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey has been shown through Russian airstrikes to be up to its neck in running oil and weapons smuggling rackets to support the terrorist networks in Syria.And the other regime exposed by Russia is Saudi Arabia. This explains why the oil-rich autocratic monarchy is now trying to inflame the region with sectarian conflict, with the execution of the Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimir last weekend.Sheikh Nimr was revered among the region's Shiite Muslims for his courageous, peaceful protests against oppression under the fundamentalist rulers of Saudi Arabia  the House of Saud, who profess an extremist version of Islam known as Wahhabism.In the Wahhabi mentality, Shiites, Christians and others are considered "infidels" who should be put to death by the sword. It is no coincidence that many of the so-called jihadists fighting in Syria to overthrow the Assad government also subscribe to Wahhabism. There is clear evidence to show that the terror groups such as Daesh (Islamic State) and al Nusra Front are funded by the Wahhabi rulers of Saudi Arabia.The gratuitous killing of Sheikh Nimr came after months of appeals for clemency. The appeals were made not only by the government of Iran  the main Shiite power in the Middle East  but also from several international rights groups, owing to the dubious judicial process in Saudi Arabia and the abundant evidence attesting to Sheikh Nimr's innocence. That the House of Saud went ahead with his execution thus points to a deliberate act to provoke regional passions and in particular those of Iran.The torching of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran, the war of words, and the severance of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran strongly suggest that the explosive reaction was premeditated. Now Arab allies of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, among others, are following suite by cutting diplomatic channels with Tehran. Some commentators are even wondering if an all-out war will erupt in the region.Significantly, the mayhem unleashed by the Saudi execution of Sheikh Nimr appears to have irked Washington and other Western powers who patronize the Saudi rulers. Earlier this week, the New York Times reported that the Obama administration was "caught by surprise" and "expressed anger at the Saudis for negligent disregard for how it would inflame the region".So why did the Saudi rulers decide to plunge the region into turmoil? Because Russia's military intervention in Syria has seriously spoiled the foreign conspiracy for regime change in that country. Furthermore, Russia's defeats against the array of illegally armed groups, such as Daesh and Nusra and their various offshoots, has exposed the sponsor links of these terror groups to foreign governments, in particular those in Ankara and Riyadh.The analyst added: "Now that the House of Saud is exposed in its criminal machinations in Syria and its association with known terror groups, the Saudis have decided that their next best option is to incite a full-on war with Shiite Iran, and possibly even the Russians."Martin pointed to the Russian airstrike on December 25 that eliminated the leadership of the jihadist militia, Jaish al-Islam, also known as Army of Islam. The strike in the militia's stronghold of East Ghouta, near the Syrian capital Damascus, killed its leader Zahran Alloush and other commanders.Four days later, on December 29, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir publicly condemned the Russian air strike against Jaish al-Islam. Speaking in Riyadh, the Saudi minister said the killing would complicate the forthcoming peace talks on Syria due to take place later this month in Geneva. Al-Jubeir expressed dismay, telling reporters: "I don't know what the Russians have in mind."The official Saudi reaction to the killing of Zahran Alloush and other Jaish al-Islam members clearly illustrates the involvement of Saudi Arabia with known terror groups in Syria. The Jaish al-Islam militia is known to share fighters and weapons with the al Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra, which is an officially designated terrorist group, according to the US government and the European Union.Russia's military intervention in Syria has done two things. It has, firstly, put paid to the covert terror war that the West and its regional allies have been waging surreptitiously in Syria since March 2011 for the purpose of regime change. This result has thus made the political track the only feasible alternative by which the Western powers can hope to achieve their long-held objective of regime change in Syria. Hence Geneva.Saudi Arabia, the region's hardliner in the regime-change project, is opposed to the political option, which has been earnestly pursued by US Secretary of State John Kerry over the past three months, since Russia began its air operations in Syria. "Saudi officials have long said they think that Mr Kerry's effort is doomed to failure, and that was before Sunday's diplomatic breach with Iran," noted the New York Times.The second thing that Russia's military intervention has done, as analyst Randy Martin points out, is that the links of Saudi Arabia to terror groups have been laid bare for all to see.This week, the Saudi ambassador to the United Nations, Abdallah al-Mouallimi, claimed that the regional war of words with Iran will not deflect from his country's participation in the Geneva peace talks on Syria.However, that is a just a public-relations fig leaf. The Saudi rulers find political negotiations anathema because that would mean talking with their "infidel" enemy of Iran, thus giving the latter more political esteem in the region, and also because the House of Saud persists with the ultimatum that Syria's President Assad "has to go".It is for this reason that the Saudis last month said they retain the military option to invade Syria to oust Assad and why the oil-rich kingdom set up a 34-nation "anti-terror" military coalition with a license to invade any country where it deems a "terror threat" exists.That is why the Saudi rulers went ahead with the execution of the Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. The chaos and bloodletting they hope to unleash is intended to cover up their terror tracks in Syria.The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Sputnik.
The inferno has razed about 71,000 hectares in Western Australia and is the most recent in a series of bushfires this summer

Two people have died and more than a hundred homes have been destroyed in a huge bushfire, Australian authorities said Sunday, as firefighters battled to tame the out-of-control blaze.

The infernowhich has razed about 71,000 hectares (175,000 acres) in Western Australia stateis the most recent in a series of bushfires that have kicked off a hot summer season, with the latest deaths lifting the national toll to eight.

The two bodies were found in burnt-out houses in Yarloop, a historic mill town some 110 kilometres (70 miles) south of Perth that has been devastated by the bushfireone of the worst to hit the region in recent years.

The bodies are believed to be those of two missing men aged 73 and 77, Western Australia Police told AFP.

"It's just another day of catastrophe, isn't it?" Tania Jackson, the head of the regional council, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation after news of the men's deaths.

"Each day that has gone by seems to bring worse news. It's devastating."

The bushfirewhich is entering its fifth day after reportedly being started by a lightning strikehas destroyed 143 properties, including 128 homes in Yarloop, the state's Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) told AFP.

The fire has entered its fifth day and destroyed 143 properties, including 128 homes in the historic mill town of Yarloop, south of Perth

Some 250 firefighters are fighting the blaze, which has a perimeter of about 226 kilometres, and authorities said Sunday afternoon that it was "contained" within the fire zone, but not yet under control, amid cooler weather on Sunday.

"Overnight and today, favourable conditions came in and it's a lot cooler here today and that has allowed firefighters to gain more ground on the fire and to increase containment lines," a DFES spokeswoman told AFP.

DFES said several towns in the region remained under threat.

"Unless you are ready and prepared to actively defend your property, evacuate to the south via the South Western Highway if safe to do so," it said in an emergency warning.

'Difficult bushfire season'

Western Australia's state premier Colin Barnett said the event had been declared a natural disaster, a measure that gives residents access to greater financial support, adding that the "damage bill is going to be very significant".

Yarloop residents spoke of how the bushfire tore through their town in just seven minutes, as aerial footage showed blackened ground, burnt-out shells of vehicles and houses reduced to brick fireplaces.

"During the day, the hills were very dark and smoking," dairy farmer Joe Angi told the ABC on Saturday.

"But the wind picked up just on dark and she's just come down from the hills, straight down, flat out. It was tumbling over itself like a wave of fire."

Bushfires are common in Australia's hotter months, with four deaths in Western Australia in November. Another two people perished in neighbouring South Australia state in the same month.

DFES commissioner Wayne Gregson warned that the worst of the bushfire season was yet to come.

"There is still another 10 or more weeks to go in what is predicted to be a difficult bushfire season," Gregson told Perth's Sunday Times newspaper.

"Late January to early February is traditionally the most intense summer period, when we can experience hot weather with dry winds and seasonal lightning."

Australia's worst firestorm in recent years devastated parts of the southern state of Victoria in 2009, destroying thousands of homes and killing 173 people.

Explore further Losses mount from west Australian bushfire

 2016 AFP
An attendee walks by a video display at the Samsung booth at CES 2016 on January 6, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada

The battle to be at the center of your digital life has taken on a new dimension amid a proliferation of connected devices.

After smartphone wars, browser wars and platform wars, a fight is on to be the "hub" which connects the millions of connected objects from light bulbs to wearable to washing machines.

At the Consumer Electronics Show which concluded Saturday, the contenders included robots, televisions, speaker hubs and even wearable trackers powered by artificial intelligence. And the connected car raced into the mix.

Exhibitors ranging from startups to big consumer electronics giants are vying to be the control center for the vast array of Internet of things in your home, car, and elsewhere.

South Korea's LG unveiled its Smart ThinQ home hub, a speaker that lets a user communicate with and get alerts from connected appliances, security systems and even talk to cars.

This allows the smart home and connected car to communicate with each other. And it can connect with older appliances with attachable sensors.

LG calls this "the future of the smart home" and uses an open platform that can connect with devices using Google Nest, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and more.

A BMW Connected Mirror shows route warnings and reminders at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show on January 8, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Samsung announced its TVs will act as command centers in smart homes by incorporating technology from Silicon Valley start-up SmartThings, which Samsung bought in 2014, allowing them to control devices synched to the platform.

"You can have a smart home basically for free as a starting point; it is pretty amazing," SmartThings founder and chief Alexander Hawkinson told AFP.

Chinese electronics giant Haier unveiled its Ubot personal assistant robota near-humanoid gadget which can control home appliances.

"He's like a personal assistant who can turn on your TV and all your appliances, and when you're not home he helps with surveillance," said Haier's Kristen Smith.

Newly unveiled Haier Ubot household robots at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show on January 8, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada

"The ultimate goal is to simplify your life, to take care of the things you worry about."

Respond and entertain

Segway, which is owned by China's Ninebot, unveiled a personal transporter which morphs into a cute robotic personal assistant.

The robot, made in collaboration with Intel and China's Xiaomi, is open to developers which could add on applications for security, entertainment or other activities.

Alpha 2, a humanoid robot from China's UBTech, is shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 7, 2016

After riding it, the device sprouts arms and can navigate and interact with users with its sensors and artificial intelligence. It is expected to be commercialized later this year.

More whimsical, Chinese startup UBTech Robotics unveiled Alpha 2, a prototype personal assistant humanoid which can respond and entertain.

"You can talk to him and he will answer. He can give you the weather," said UBTech's Jessica Pan.

"And he is very lifelike. He has 20 joints and can move like humans, he can dance and show you a yoga pose."

Vivint smart home system products at CES 2016 on January 7, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada

These new contenders face a tough battle against entrenched companies like Google and Applenot part of the floor exhibitors at CESwhich each have their own artificial intelligence assistants as well as ecosystems for connected homes and wearables.

And Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg said ahead of the show that he wants to build a robot butler "like Jarvis in 'Iron Man'" which can manage household tasks.

While Zuckerberg and Facebook were not exhibiting at CES, his comments and the innovations at the show underscore the progress being made in computing and artificial intelligence which can unleash new innovations.

Attendees look at Volkswagen's BUDD-e, a long distance electric vehicle, displayed during a press event at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Wearable Siri

Israeli-based startup OrCam for example unveiled a wearable artificial intelligence clip-on camera which "acts like a personal assistant like Siri or Cortana, but with eyes and ears," says OrCam marketing chief Eliav Rodman.

The device "can provide a real-time profile of people as they walk up to you during a conference, displaying their details on your smartphone or watch; it can track your eating habits," says OrCam co-founder Amnon Shashua.

"It can even monitor the facial expressions of people you meet and topics of discussion and let you know in hindsight the quality of interaction you have with friends and family."

Attendee Wei Rongjie wears a working prototype of his HoloSeer AR/VR all-in-one agumented reality and virtual reality headseat on January 6, 2016 at the 2016 CES

Carmakers don't want to be left out either.

Ford for example unveiled an alliance at CES with US online giant Amazon aimed at allowing people to connect their cars into "smart home" networks.

The tie-up will enable drivers to communicate with the hub and, for example, ask if their garage door is open, or request an appointment with their mechanic.

Other carmakers including BMW and Volkswagen showed systems which connect not only to a smartphone but to home networks, enabling users to tap smart appliances or garage door openers, for example.

Wild West

These new systems offer new connecting options but could create confusion because of multiple technical standards.

"It almost forces you to get things within the same brand in order to match up," said Ron Montoya at the auto research firm Edmunds.com.

Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates, agreed, saying that There is no grand architecture, so everyone is making a land grab. Everyone wants to be the hub."

Kay said that until players such as Apple, Google and Microsoft agree on open standards, "it going to be difficult for this market to move forward."

Explore further Ford teams with Amazon to connect homes with cars

 2016 AFP
This image shows SDSS observations of one of the LIER galaxies used in this study. The underlying image is from the SDSS and includes a scale bar. The pink hexagon shows the size of the MaNGA fiber optic bundle. The region inside the hexagon shows the newly-derived map of interstellar gas from MaNGA. The presence of the gas throughout the galaxy eliminates the black hole explanation (pictured at the top left) and favors the white dwarf explanation (bottom right). Credit: Jennifer Johnson (The Ohio State University) and the SDSS Collaboration Black hole: NASA/Dana Berry/SkyWorks Animation White dwarf: NASA/JPL (Raghvendra Sahai)

You might think that astronomers could easily tell the difference between a black hole and a white dwarf  but nature can be deceptive.

Astronomers from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) this morning announced the results of a new study that reveals the true origin of puzzling light from nearby galaxies. Results were presented at the 227th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Kissimmee, Florida.

"We now know that white dwarfs, not central black holes, explain these observations," says Francesco Belfiore, the lead author of the study and a graduate student at the University of Cambridge. "Because we know that white dwarfs are to blame, we are much closer to understanding how galaxies retire from the star-formation business."

To solve the mystery, Belfiore's team looked at the thin interstellar gas that lies between stars in nearby galaxies. They used information from the emission lines of the spectra of that hot, glowing gas to decode what energy source lights it up. Understanding the origin of these emission lines is far from straightforward. In particular, astronomers have long been puzzled by the energy source for a particular state of gas in galaxies: The source must be hotter than newly formed stars but cooler than the radiation from a violently accreting black hole, like a quasar.

The leading theory used to be that this gas was lit by a wimpy active galactic nucleus, which is only accreting very small amounts of gas. This idea was supported by the fact that nuclear regions of many galaxies show such Low-Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Regions, which were therefore called LINERs.

"LINERs are a 35-year-old puzzle," says Belfiore. "In recent years, several astronomers have argued against the mainstream interpretation and presented evidence that not all LINERs are due to black holes. The new SDSS data gave us a chance to take a new look at this question and evaluate possible alternative theories.

Previous spectroscopic observations were insufficient because they generally covered only a small portion of a galaxy near its center. A new SDSS instrument, called MaNGA (MApping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory), is now capable of obtaining spectroscopic data for the whole galaxy at once.

"To get the data we need, we use a simple but innovative design," says Kevin Bundy from the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU), Principal Investigator for the MaNGA survey and co-author of the study. "We tie together a few dozen optical fibers into a large hexagonal bundle and point them at a galaxy. The bundle covers most of the galaxy and each fiber measures the spectrum at a different point."

Belfiore and his collaborators used the MaNGA data to map the state of gas and stars throughout more than 600 LINER galaxies. 'By taking advantage of the fact that MaNGA can get data for an entire galaxy at once, we have revealed that the sources lighting the gas up must be distributed throughout the galaxy, even tens of thousands of light years away from the central black hole. This proves that the emission lines we see cannot all be due to central black holes," says Belfiore.

Claudia Maraston of the University of Portsmouth, a co-author of the study, explains the most likely answer to the LINER puzzle. "White dwarfs are revealed as stars lose their outer gas envelopes and expose their hot cores, which still glows at millions of degrees. These newly-exposed white dwarfs are the ideal sources to light up the interstellar gas and produce the emission lines we see," says Maraston.

Although this mechanism was originally suggested to be important only in elliptical galaxies, the new MaNGA data reveals that it is in fact common in both elliptical and spiral galaxies. "In the spiral galaxies, the gas shining as LINERs is the dying gasp of star formation being quenched as gas reservoirs are depleted in inner regions and star formation moves to the outer suburbs. In the elliptical galaxies, where almost all star formation occurred rapidly in the early days of the Universe, this glowing gas represents a 'rejuvenation' of the dormant galaxy," says Belfiore. "Donated gas, from dying stars within the galaxy or from a merging galaxy, is now able to intercept the extreme radiation and make the galaxy shine again, albeit only as a LINER."

With the extensive mapping of low-ionization emission-line regions outside of the nuclei of galaxies, far removed from central supermassive black holes, but close to newly born white dwarfs, the 'N' for 'nuclear' in the LINER acronym must disappear.

The truth, then, is this: many galaxies are LIERs.

Explore further Chandra finds supermassive black hole burping nearby

Provided by SDSS
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Love the article on Gaddaf

i

Samosa Iyoha



Hello from Johannesburg

I was amazed to find a website for Africans in Hungary .

Looks like you have quite a community there. Here in SA we have some three million Zimbabweans living in exile and not much sign of going home ... but in Hungary??? Hope to meet you on one of my trips to Europe; was in Steirmark Austria near the Hungarian border earlier this month. Every good wish for 2011. Geoff in Jo'burg



I'm impressed by

ANH

work but...



Interesting interview...



My comment to the interview with his excellency Mr. Adedotun Adenrele Adepoju CDA a.i--

B.Ayo Adams

click to read editor's mail

We must rise above tribalism & divide & rule of the colonialist who stole & looted our treasure & planted their puppets to lord it over us..they alone can decide on whosoever is performing & the one that is corrupt..but the most corrupt nations are the western countries that plunder the resources of other nations & make them poorer & aid the rulers to steal & keep such ill gotten wealth in their country..yemen,syria etc have killed more than gadhafi but its not A good investment for the west(this is laughable)because oil is not in these countries..when obasanjo annihilated the odi people in rivers state, they looked away because its in their favour & interest..one day!I think from what have been said, the Nigerian embassy here seem to be more concern about its nationals than we are for ourselves. Our complete disregard for the laws of Hungary isn't going to help Nigeria's image or going to promote what the Embassy is trying to showcase. So if the journalists could zoom-in more focus on Nigerians living, working and studying here in Hungary than scrutinizing the embassy and its every move, i think it would be of tremendous help to the embassy serving its nationals better and create more awareness about where we live . Taking the issues of illicit drugs and forged documents as typical examples.. there are so many cases of Nigerians been involved. But i am yet to read of it in e.news. So i think if only you and your journalists could write more about it and follow up on the stories i think it will make our nationals more aware of what to expect. I wouldn't say i am not impressed with your work but you need to be more of a two way street rather than a one way street . Keep up the good work... SylviaHe is an intelligent man. He spoke well on the issues! Thanks to Mr Hakeem Babalola for the interview it contains some expedient information..
WHITEHALL | A woman who has a lengthy record of being involved in bizarre schemes around the country was arrested in Whitehall on Friday night after a dispute with a store owner, after which she told him she works for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and gave police a fake name, authorities said.

A computerized fingerprint check revealed the woman's name is Ayn Stern, though police are unsure whether that was just another alias that she was booked into jail under at some point during a criminal career that stretches back decades and involves the use of numerous aliases, officials said.

For now, she faces misdemeanor charges of false personation and obstructing governmental administration for using the fake name Danby Flatcher when Whitehall Police questioned her about the interaction with staff at Putorti's Market, police said.

But Whitehall Police Sgt. Richard LaChappelle said she will be charged with felony forgery by Whitehall Police for signing the false name on a fingerprint card, and could face an additional felony count for signing the false name when booked into Washington County Jail. She also told police that she had a connection with the Department of Homeland Security, but police found no evidence that was accurate, police said.

Police don't know why she was in Washington County, but she has apparently been staying with a registered sex offender, LaChappelle said.

She has a lengthy criminal record, and among her convictions is one for conspiracy to commit murder in New Jersey in the 1990s, according to prior media reports.

After being released from prison she relocated to New Mexico, where she was charged with numerous fraud-related crimes in the Santa Fe area that were still being prosecuted as of last February. The disposition of those charges was unclear Sunday.

In recent months she wound up in Whitehall, though it was unclear why. She has been living on North Williams Street with Level 2 sex offender Alfred Blanche, but police don't know how the two came to be connected, LaChappelle said.

Stern, 67, remained in Washington County Jail on Sunday, held for lack of bail under the name Flatcher.
JOHNSBURG  Johnsburg school officials are eyeing a future capital project that would involve replacing aging roofs and boilers and improving the security of the front entrance.

The district is in the very early stages of putting together a small project, according to Superintendent Michael Markwica.

We have debt service coming off the books. Were trying to keep the taxes stable, he said.

Some roofs date back to 1995 and leak during heavy storms, according to Marwicka. Portions of the exterior sidewalk are deteriorating. He said the boilers date back to the 1950s or 1960s. Replacing them was identified during the last construction initiative in 2005-06, but Markwica said the district was not able to fit in that project.

In addition, Marwicka said he wants to redo the front entrance to make it more secure. The main office is at the front entrance, but people have to walk through the school to access it.

He would like to change it so there would be an additional wall and door installed. People would have to walk up to the door, identify themselves at a window from the main office and then have school officials unlock the door to let them enter the main portion of the school.

School officials are trying to obtain cost estimates and how much state aid the project would receive. Markwica is hoping to get at least 60 percent or more of the cost reimbursed. In order to maintain a stable tax rate, he said the project would have to be in the range of $1.8 million.

He said he is not sure the district would have enough time to get something before voters in May. School officials are getting the architect to assess the roof.
Six Washington County villages will hold elections March 15, and the mayors office will be at stake in three of those elections.

Two villages, Fort Edward and Granville, do not have any positions open, and Salem will not have elections because the village is dissolving.

In Greenwich, Mayor David Doonan, one of the few elected Green Party representatives in the state, has already announced he will step down, opening up the position, which carries a two-year term. Trustee seats for Cathy Brown and Lyle Hayes are up, as is the term of Justice Barbara Roberts. All are four-year terms.

In Argyle, the seats held by Mayor Wes Clark and trustees Jonathan Mackenzie and Cher McCotter are up. All are two-year terms.

In Hudson Falls, Mayor John Bartons term will expire. Two trustee seats, those held by James Gallagher and Michael Horrigan, are also up. They are all four-year terms. The village justice position would have also been up for election, but it is being eliminated and village cases will be handled in Kingsbury Town Court.

Two trustees seats, those held by Michael LaChapelle and Walt Sandford, are up for election in Whitehall. The seats are for two years, but the Village Board is discussing extending the terms to four years.

In Cambridge, Stephen Robertsons and Scott Luceys trustee positions are also up for election. Luceys is a one-year position and Robertsons is for two years.

In Fort Ann, Roy Steves trustee seat is up for election.

Feb. 1 is the deadline to accept nominations from village caucuses. Independent petitions will be accepted from Feb. 2 to 9. The last day to register to vote in village elections is March 5.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS  Residents will have to wait a little longer for relief from discolored tap water.

Village officials had optimistically hoped to begin injecting a chemical into the water pipes this month. The chemical will slowly coat the pipes, preventing rust from breaking off and falling into the water.

But the process of putting together project specifications and going out to bid can be slow process.

The village board expects to award the bid at its next meeting, on Jan. 20.

Then village workers will install equipment needed to add the chemical to the water.

Now the goal is to start injecting the chemical in early February, said Trustee Bill Hayes.

Theres no definite date yet.

Its up in the air still, he said.

And once it begins, it could take awhile before the water clears up.

Probably they wont notice anything for a couple months after we start, Hayes said. Could be a little longer.

He has been trying to emphasize that, in hopes that people dont expect an instantaneous fix.

Its also not a guaranteed solution. The working theory is that rust is causing the yellowish-brown discoloration that is intermittently affecting residents homes. State officials have tested the water and determined that it is safe to drink, but it looks unappetizing.

The problem has gone on for years  so long that some people even plan their wardrobes around it, not buying light-colored clothes that will get stained when theyre washed.

In October, a group of residents officially complained to the village board about the problem. They also turned to Facebook, posting photos to show the severity of the problem.

Village officials believe the discoloration comes from sediment stirred up in the water pipes. During work on the water treatment plant over the past three years, the village turned to Moreau town water several times, which pushed higher-pressure water through the pipes, Orlow said.

But the last time was a year ago. Its not clear why the problem has persisted. Old pipes may be deteriorating and need to be replaced, but the state rejected the villages grant request this fall to fix the worst pipes.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS | As some residents focus on South Glens Falls finances, the practice of providing health insurance for the village board members is coming under question.

Resident Charles Granger has been filing Freedom of Information requests about health insurance in an effort to learn exactly how much the village is spending.

The benefits nearly double the villages cost for its mayor and four trustees, who are part-timers. While they contribute 15 percent of their health insurance, the village pays the rest: $46,000 this year.

In salary, the village pays them $49,000.

Its too much, Granger said. He particularly objects to the high cost of providing a family plan, which Trustee Tim Carota uses.

The village has taken several cost-saving measures regarding health insurance. Employees  and politicians  can choose between four plans: one for just themselves, one for a couple; the employee and children; or a family plan. Previously, employees who wanted to add even one additional person had to get the family plan, which costs the village much more than the smaller plans.

It is a huge cost savings to the village, said village Clerk Dannae Bock.

Elected officials receive health insurance in many municipalities. Whats unusual about South Glens Falls is that the trustees dont just talk to constituents and come to board meetings.

They also do work that other municipalities hire employees to do.

Deputy Mayor Ed LaFave does all contract negotiations, which would otherwise cost the village about $100,000 in attorney costs, Mayor Joe Orlow estimated.

Ed LaFave spent a whole year on the PBA contract, Orlow said. They came to an understanding with insurance and all of the above. It cost $500.

For at least two decades, the deputy mayor has traditionally taken on negotiations, Bock said.

On occasion, the negotiations have failed  forcing the mayor to hire an attorney. Thats where Orlows cost estimate comes from.

Of course, a skilled labor attorney might get the village a cheaper contract. Village trustees have to weigh that possibility when they decide whether to approve the proposal from LaFave.

On the police contract, in 2013 LaFave negotiated a four-year contract with raises of 3 percent for three years, and one 3.5 percent raise. Police did not have to contribute more to health insurance, but new hires would have to contribute 15 percent. Current officers contribute 10 percent, while the trustees contribute 15 percent.

LaFave also negotiated the CSEA contract, which trustees approved last summer. That contract has two years of 4 percent raises and two years of 3 percent raises, with no change in health insurance.

Meanwhile, Trustee Bill Hayes has been applying for grants and handling water and sewer projects, including the recent issue with discolored water.

Just the time Bill Hayes spent on the water, we could not afford him, Orlow said.

He has strongly defended the practice of giving elected officials insurance, reminding residents that trustees had a five-year pay freeze and then took a 10 percent pay cut, along with the mayor, in 2013. Their salary did not go up in the current budget.

Cutting benefits could also reduce the pool of prospective village officials, he said.

If you limit what the compensations going to be, youre only going to have people who are retired or can afford to volunteer their time, he said. Is it generous? Yes. And they deserve it.
WASHINGTON

If youre going to engage in a foreign policy capitulation, might as well do it when everyone is getting tanked and otherwise occupied. Say, New Years Eve.

Heres the story. In October, Iran test-fires a nuclear-capable ballistic missile in brazen violation of Security Council resolutions prohibiting such launches. President Barack Obama does nothing. One month later, Iran does it again. The administration makes a few gestures at the U.N. Then nothing. Then finally, on Dec. 30, the White House announces a few sanctions.

They are weak, aimed mostly at individuals and designed essentially for show. Amazingly, even that proves too much. By 10 p.m. that night, the administration caves. The White House sends out an email saying that sanctions are off  and the Iranian president orders the military to expedite the missile program.

Is there any red line left? First, the Syrian chemical weapons. Then the administration insistence that there would be no nuclear deal unless Iran accounted for its past nuclear activities. (It didnt.) And unless Iran permitted inspection of its Parchin nuclear testing facility. (It was allowed self-inspection and declared itself clean.) And now, illegal ballistic missiles.

The premise of the nuclear deal was that it would constrain Iranian actions. Its had precisely the opposite effect. It has deterred us from offering even the mildest pushback to any Iranian violations lest Iran walk away and leave Obama legacy-less.

Just two weeks ago, Irans Revolutionary Guards conducted live-fire exercises near the Strait of Hormuz. It gave nearby U.S. vessels exactly 23 seconds of warning. One rocket was launched 1,500 yards from the USS Harry S. Truman.

Obamas response? None.

The Gulf Arabs  rich, weak and, since FDR, dependent on America for security  are bewildered. Theyre still reeling from the nuclear deal, which Obama declared would be unaffected by Iranian misbehavior elsewhere. The result was to assure Tehran that it would pay no price for its aggression in Syria and Yemen, subversion in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and support for terrorism.

Obama seems not to understand that disconnecting the nuclear issue gave the mullahs license to hunt in the region. For the Saudis, however, its not just blundering but betrayal. From the very beginning, theyve seen Obama tilting toward Tehran as he fancies himself Nixon in China, turning Iran into a strategic partner in managing the Middle East.

This is even scarier because it is delusional. If anything, Obamas openhanded appeasement has encouraged Irans regional adventurism and intense anti-Americanism.

The Saudis, sensing abandonment, are near panic. Hence the reckless execution of the firebrand Shiite insurrectionist, Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, that has brought the region to a boil. Iranians torched the Saudi Embassy. The Saudis led other Sunni states in breaking relations with Tehran.

The Saudis feel surrounded, and its not paranoia. To their north, Iran dominates a Shiite crescent stretching from Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to the Mediterranean. To the Saudi south, Iran has been arming Yemens Houthi rebels since at least 2009.

The danger is rising. For years, Iran has been supporting anti-regime agitation among Saudi Arabias minority Shiites. The Persian Gulf is Irans ultimate prize. The fall of the House of Saud would make Iran the undisputed regional hegemon and an emerging global power.

For the United States, that would be the greatest geopolitical setback since China fell to communism in 1949. Yet Obama seems oblivious. Worse, he appears inert in the face of the three great challenges to the post-Cold War American order. Iran is only the most glaring. China is challenging the status quo in the South China Sea, just last week landing its first aircraft on an artificial island hundreds of miles beyond the Chinese coast. We deny Chinas claim and declare these to be international waters, yet last month we meekly apologized when a B-52 overflew one of the islands. We said it was inadvertent.

The world sees and takes note. As it does our response to the other great U.S. adversary  Russia. Whats happened to Obamas vaunted isolation of Russia for its annexation of Crimea and assault on the post-Cold War European settlement? Gone. Evaporated. Kerry plays lapdog to Sergei Lavrov. Obama meets openly with Vladimir Putin in Turkey, then in Paris. And is now practically begging him to join our side in Syria.

There is no price for defying Pax Americana  not even trivial sanctions on Iranian missile-enablers. Our enemies know it. Our allies see it  and sense theyre on their own, and may not survive.
The hurricane knocked out power across all of Cuba. Initially, there was loss of power in the western provinces, but later the entire grid c...
ANOTHER BLOG FROM NEVILLE STEPHENS ON BIBLICAL ESCHATOLOGY.
M WAQAR..... "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary.Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." --Albert Einstein !!! NEWS,ARTICLES,EDITORIALS,MUSIC... Ze chi pe mayeen yum da agha pukhtunistan de.....(Liberal,Progressive,Secular World.)''Secularism is not against religion; it is the message of humanity.''    
The EOBS, which is being organized by the Africa Business Media (ABM), would be held on 20th January 2016 to create a conducive forum where key policy and decision makers would address issues confronting the industrial sector.

Mr Kwadwo Asumaning, Chairman of ABM, said the forum would seek answers from decision makers on the inability of government to implement the initiatives in the industrial policy.

Through the forum, local manufacturers will get the opportunity to interact with visiting foreign investors and explore opportunities for investments and partnerships, he said.

Read more: President Mahama to open conference on industrialisation

Mr Asumaning said officials expected to attend the forum would include those from government, the business community and the diplomatic community.

In a speech read on his behalf, Dr Ekow Spio Gabrah, the Minister of Trade and Industry, commended the organisers of the conference for using such forums to help promote investment in the country.

He said government has started the implementation of the industrial policy, including the formulation of an export strategy to increase export earnings and sensitization of people to buy made in Ghana products.

Mr Moses Agyemang, a representative of the Private Enterprises Federation, urged organisers of the conference to use the forum to set the tone for what the politicians need to discuss regarding development of the industrial sector in their political campaigns.
Mr Milison Narh, First Deputy Governor of Bank of Ghana, said this on Friday at a media briefing in Accra after 70 microfinance institutions in the country had their licences revoked.

Read more: BoG revokes license of 70 microfinance companies

He said all regional and financial intelligence offices of the Bank are being resourced with staff to improve surveillance to intensify its intelligence network.

Mr Narh said collaboration with law enforcement agencies is also being improved to swiftly handle issues when they occur.

According to him, there are some 546 microfinance institutions operating in the country. Of the 546 institutions, 468 are microfinance companies, 67 money lending companies and 11 financial non-governmental organizations while 92 institutions are waiting the fulfillment of final approval requirements, he said.

He said the Bank has also increased the minimum paid up capital for microfinance companies and money lending companies from GHC 500, 000 and GHC 300,000 respectively to GHC 2,000,000.
The exercise, which was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the End Neglected Tropical Disease in Africa Project, was carried out in collaboration with the School Health and Education Programme (SHEP).

About 19,018 teachers, 274 health workers and 761 supervisors were trained on how to administer the pills (Albendazole and Praziquantel tablets) and an estimated 3,098,000 school children in 107 districts across the country were treated as part of the exercise.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mrs Getrude Oboshie Ananse-Baiden, Country Programmes Manager for PCD, said deworming of school children is a key component of PCDs nutrition project, being funded by Dubai Cares, a philanthropic organization working to improve children's access to quality primary education in developing countries.

She said if you give children all the nutritious food and you dont get rid of the worms in them, then you would be feeding the worms and not the kids. It is important to complement nutritious feeding with deworming.

Mrs Ananse-Baiden said worms have very negative impact on childrens health, and apart from causing anemia and even death, it can affect the total growth and development of children.

She said worms in children could also affect their cognition expectations resulting in poor academic outcomes, hence deworming is important.

The PCD Programme Manager called on other development partners to support the NTD Programme in carrying out this very important exercise of our children.

The Partnership for Child Development with funding from Dubai Cares is implementing a Comprehensive School Health and Nutrition Project that seeks to enhance the nutritional value of the meals provided by the Ghana School Feeding Programme.
The two ex-detainees: Mahmud Umar Muhammad Bin Atef and Khalid Muhammad Salih Al-Dhuby, arrived in Ghana on Thursday January 7, 2016 for a two-year stay as part of a deal reached between the United States of America and the Government of Ghana.

But, a statement dated January 10, and signed by General Secretary Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, CCG said it has observed with grave concern the lamentations and fears being expressed by most Ghanaians since news broke about the relocation of two Guantanamo Bay inmates with Al Qaeda ties to Ghana.

As a Council, we associate with the uncertainties and fears this issue has generated among our people, and requests that government should consider immediate recession of the decision and relocate the inmates outside the country.The non-engagement of civil society and other stakeholders on such sensitive security issue that affects the common good of the nation has put all of us at risk as the ordinary people dont know what is required of them in the current potential security threat. Infact the whole process lacks transparency," the statement said.

It will be recalled that, in 2007, the United States (US) government wanted to establish its African Command (AFRICOM) in Ghana and most Ghanaians and African countries kicked against it.The admission of the Guantanamo inmates into Ghana is no different from setting up an AFRICOM in Ghana.We are of the strongest view that, the inadequate public consultation and broader consensus building by government is exposing our nation and the entire sub-region to terrorist attack, and must be reversed, the statement said.According to FoxNews, one of the two prisoners brought from Guantanamo Bay to Ghana, in the person of Bin Atef is an admitted member of the Taliban and fought for Usama bin Laden, while [the other] Al-Dhuby trained with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.The website adds; the two inmates [who have spent close to 14 years in prison] are the first of a group of 17 detainees expected to be transferred out of Guantanamo Bay that includes multiple bad guys and Al Qaeda followers.
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The boldness exhibited by the taxi driver was truly heroic and patriotic. At the risk of his own life he confronted these armed men, damaged his taxi in the process and ensured they did not escape the law. We should all applaud his courage. The two men deserve national recognition for their bravery, the former President said.

Background

The robbers shot the sales girl on her way to deposit the previous days sales at the bank.A young lady believed to be in her twenties was on Saturday, January 9, 2016 shot by two suspected armed robbers at Cantonments, near the American Embassy in Accra.

The victim, a sales girl robbers from the Koala Supermarket at Osu was shot on her way to deposit the previous days sales at the bank.

The two armed men were knocked off their motorbike by a taxi cab as they fled after shooting the lady.

The victim was shot in the thigh and has been rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.

The suspected robbers have been taken to the Police Hospital.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested a supervisor at the Cantonments branch of Koala Shopping Mall in Accra for his alleged role in a foiled robbery attempt Saturday.
Researchers also noticed that the better off people were, the more they considered joblessness a pressing national issue.

"Wealthy people are much more likely than poor people to see unemployment as their country's number one problem -- about twice as likely as the very poorest," says Brian Howard, Afrobarometer's publications' manager.

"But even among the poor, unemployment outranks education," he adds.

Water before work

The organization found that just under of quarter of the continent's residents were out of work, but there were ample regional differences. Half of Lesotho's citizens said they were unemployed, whereas in Burundi the figure was only 6%.

Africa's poorest, however, are more worried about health and water supply than unemployment or education.

Howard says that this difference in mindset is shaped by circumstances -- the poorest in society focus on basic necessities for survival like having enough water, which was a top priority for four times as many poor people as wealthy ones.

Researchers found that almost half of all people they spoke to struggled, at least on occasion, to meet their most basic needs for food, clean water, and medical care, and more than one in 10 face these hardships frequently or all the time.

"In our surveys, when our local partners are actually sitting in people's homes or courtyards all across Africa and talking to them face to face in their own language, we try to get at their lived experience, the daily challenges they face," says Howard.

"We collect information on what kind of roof they have over their heads, whether they have access to basic infrastructure like toilets, water, and electricity, and other services such as police and cellphones."

Guiding the government

When it comes to what Africans think their governments should be spending more money on, education and health stand out. However, in nations where food shortage can be an issue, such as Malawi, Mali and Burundi, developing agriculture was seen as top priority.

Unsurprisingly, for people in Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia which have recently suffered terrorist attacks, security ranked higher.

Howard says that the purpose of Afrobarometer's research is to give people on the continent a voice, so that governments across the region can see clearly what challenges they face and address them.
Gital stated this while briefing newsmen in Bauchi on the outbreak of the disease.

He said that although the state had four suspected cases, three were diagnosed to be negative while laboratory result on one was pending.

``The fourth person accidentally came from Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau, but the result is being awaited," he said.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Health had supplied health personnel, protective equipment and Ribavirin tablets as well as injectable drugs for use when any case was confirmed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the disease is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus.
Though a report by Punch Newspaper revealed that Dikko is said to be in the United Arab Emirates for undisclosed reasons, he is reportedly on the list of individuals to be arrested once spotted at the Nigerian international airports in Lagos and Abuja.

It was further gathered that this is coming several hours after the men of EFCC had laid siege on Dikko's residence in Abuja.

Reports also revealed that the ex-boss of the Nigerian Customs would be arrested on his arrival back into the country as security agents at airports had been alerted to do so.

However, the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, is said to have denied the reports saying he has no information on the arrest order of Dikko.

In his words, I do not have any information on the issue.
Mr Duro Meseko, the Director of Media and Publicity of Audu/Faleke Campaign Organisation told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday evening that Faleke and Alhaji Mohammed Audu were released at about 5 p.m.

He said that the duo had reported to the headquarters of the DSS in Abuja on invitation at about 10 a.m. only to be taken into custody without any cogent reason till 5p.m. when they were released,

Meseko urged members of All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of the politicians to remain calm and not to resort to any action that could jeopardise the existing peace in the state.
Cdr. Shehu Tasiu, Base Operation Officer, Warri Naval Base handed over the suspects in Warri, Delta, on Sunday.

ACP. Shawulu Dan-Mamman of the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) received the suspects and inspected the MT CAMILLE vessel currently under the custody of the navy in Warri.

Tasiu told the newsmen that the naval personnel intercepted the vessels and its crew on Nov. 14, 2015 during routine patrol on Forcados Offshore, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

``The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OBULA on Nov. 14, 2015 while on routine patrol sighted MT CAMILLE fully loaded and position at Forcados offshore.

``The captain of the vessel was subsequently interrogated to ascertain if he had valid documents for the cargo but could not produce any.

``Consequently, the vessel was boarded and arrested with 11 crew members and towed to the Base for further investigation.

``However, investigation revealed that the vessel is carrying a Mongolian Flag registered at Port ULAANBAATA with IMO number 7323463, he said.

He said the previous names of the vessel were LAURENTUS (1988), MIRAGE (1988-2003), BARONES (2003-2006), MELVIN (2006) before its current name CAMILLE.``The registered owner of the vessel is Rocky Energy Limited while her operator is Nsutech Oil Services Limited.

``In view of the foregoing, I am directed to handover the 11 crew members of the vessel to the IGP for further investigation and possible prosecution.

``The Nigerian Navy request that the suspects be properly profiled for future reference and that you should furnish the Naval Headquarters with the outcome of your investigation, he said.

The commander restated the Nigerian Navys commitment to assist the police in curbing crime in the society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the suspects and the vessel were earlier paraded at the naval base on Nov. 27 before the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Adm. Apochi Suleiman.

Suleiman described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the war against oil theft and other criminal activities in the waterways.

The naval chief, therefore, warned perpetrators of oil theft to desist from it, saying ``it is an economic sabotage.

Dan-Mamman gave assurance that the Nigeria Police would continue to partner with the Navy in prosecuting vandals.
Madugu said this would encourage young writers to exhibit their works and called on the association to also focus attention on female writers at the secondary school level.

She added that the state government was ready to partner with any association that would bring change and development to the state.

She urged ANA to be more productive and proactive so as to serve as example for others to emulate.

Mrs Farida Mohammad, Chairman, Niger chapter of ANA, called for a forum where talented and upcoming writers would interact and `pool intellectual currency.

She said the association had published books by young, talented writers with support from the past administration, and urged the present administration for continuous support.

``We have a lot of books written by our members and up-coming writers, and students waiting to be published.

``Due to inadequate fund, we have not been able to publish these books, we need governments assistance through grants to publish our works.

She also called for a library ``that will attract and catch the attention of those with talent in creativity, and interest to write without distraction.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the House passed the states 2016 N662.58 billion Appropriation Bill on Dec. 31, 2015 and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode signed it into law on Jan. 4.

The Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Mr Yinka Ogundimu, told NAN that the budget performance required both the will of the Executive arm of Government and the cooperation of residents in tax payment.

Ogundimu said, ``It requires the government's will for the budget to have 100 per cent performance of the electoral promises made to the people.

``Since the money is not stored somewhere, it is just expected income. We need to do more on Internally General Revenue (IGR).

``If about 52 per cent of the 2016 budget will be financed by the IGR, so there is need for everybody to be able to work hard to re-orientate the people on the importance of paying taxes.

``Efforts should also be intensified to bring more people into the tax net. This will go a long way towards getting the expected income."

The lawmaker emphasised the need for his colleagues to discharge their oversight functions, without any compromise.

``We should do our own work and make sure that we ask corrective questions during the oversights, for the people to see the dividends of democracy, Ogundimu said.

Also, speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts(Local), Mr Bisi Yusuff, said that the flow of the expected income would determine the success of budget, in terms of implementation.

Yusuff, who commended Gov. Ambode and his predecessors for their prudence, told NAN that many eligible taxpayers should be made to pay their taxes.

``If you look at the budget, about N540 billion would be generated in the state. We should appeal to our people to pay their taxes.

``If all taxable adults in Lagos State pay their taxes, you could imagine what the state would be getting. We may not even have to depend on the Federal Government anymore," he said.

According to him, less than one per cent of the eligible taxpayers pay taxes in the state.

The lawmaker, however, expressed confidence in the governor to ensure the performance of the budget, while commending him for massive road repairs since his inauguration.

Yusuff noted that the expenditures of all other ministries will depend on the amount of revenue generated by the government during the fiscal year, saying that the lawmakers would review the books of the ministries quarterly.
This is contained in a statement signed by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Mr Victor Kwon in Abuja on Sunday.

The statement decried the release of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), retired Brig.-Gen. Jafaru Isa, eight hours after he was arrested by the EFCC.

The statement said these developments were unjustifiable.

``Such action had vindicated PDPs position that the Federal Government was not fighting corruption but on a clamp-down mission on PDP leaders.

It stated that Metuh, arrested without invitation by the anti-graft agency, had remained incarcerated since Tuesday while Isa was quickly released ``after the EFCC boss meeting at the Presidential villa.

``The action of EFCC in freeing Isa and still detaining Metuh is condemnable, as the two of them were being investigated over same allegation of receiving funds from the office of the National Security Adviser.

``This clearly shows that the APC government is not fighting corruption but using the much hyped crusade as a cover to persecute PDP leaders and decimate the opposition, a project the EFCC has clearly yielded itself as a willing tool.

``What happened to the illegal holding charge upon which it has detained the PDP spokesman beyond the limit stipulated by Section 35 (5a) of the Constitution and in violation of his guaranteed personal liberty under the law?

``While we reiterate our support for any effort aimed at eradicating corruption, we stand our ground in demanding that the fight must be holistic, credible, and within the limits provided by the laws irrespective of political affiliations.
Nwankpa made the call on Saturday while speaking with newsmen in Aba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, had removed Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of the state.

The court also declared Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner of the April govnership election in the state.

The chairman described the protests as ``mass display of irresponsibility by persons belonging to the two political parties contending for the state governorship seat, adding that it was needless.

Nwankpa urged supporters of PDP and APGA to obey the rule of law by allowing the law to take its course and to depend on the expertise of their legal teams to bring them justice.

On rumours making the rounds in the state that the APC and President Buhari infleunced the Appeal Courts judgment against the PDP, Nwankpa warned originators of such rumours to desist from dragging APC into the matter.

``APC has also expressed its unhappiness over an attempt by some misguided and disgruntled elements to drag the All Progressives Congress (APC) into this drama.

``It is on record that the APC, from the local government to the federal level, has no hand in the outcome or the presumed outcome of the legal process.

``Regarding the Abia Election Petition Tribunal, Court of Appeal Judgment and even the awaited Supreme Court verdict, we are not party to the suit to start with.

``And as such, we urge the parties, APGA and PDP, to concentrate and ask their legal teams to rise up to the challenge of the moment in order to meet the demands of the legal battle now before them at the Supreme Court, which is the highest Court in Nigeria.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of MSSN, Justice AbdulKadir Orire, gave the caution during a meeting of the board in llorin on Sunday.

Orire, pioneer Grand Khadi of Kwara states Sharia Court of Appeal, said MSSN will not accept the ban of anything that is part of Islamic doctrines as divinely ordained by Allah.

He, therefore, condemned calls by some people for the banning of hijab which he described as part of dress of Muslim women.

He maintained that wearing of hijab was a divine commandment from Allah and disagreed with those attributing spate of bombings to those wearing hijab as unfortunate.

``Wearing of hijab is part of life of Muslims. Certainly Muslims will not accept the banning of anything that is part of Islam, he said.

Orire was of the view that removing religions knowledge as a subject from schools curriculum would further compound moral decadence in the society.

He said one of the factors that aided Boko Haram was lack of adequate religious knowledge which he said would be worsened if religious teaching was removed from school curriculum.

``Anybody that is calling for the banning of faith teachings in schools curriculum is kidding. Muslims will not accept it, he said.

Member of the Board, Alhaji lsiaq Kunle-Sanni, called on the federal government to install screening machines at public places to curtail bombings and other security threats.
The Word for Today devotional by United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) says:

Jesus said: Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone elses property, who will give you property of your own? (vv. 10-12 NIV 2011 Edition).

As you walk with Him, Hell increase your faith by testing you in settings that require only a little faith. And if you pass, Hell expose you to circumstances that require more faith. Each time you prove your willingness to trust Him at a higher level, He will reveal a little more of Himself and entrust to you a greater measure of blessing.

Thats how it works, every small step of faith leads to a deeper, richer and more rewarding relationship with Him. When Michelangelo was painting the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel he spent endless hours lying on the scaffolding perfecting the details. It was a miserable job. A student, curious about why the renowned sculptor took such pains with details that could only be seen from a distance, asked, Who will know whether or not its perfect?.

The master artist replied, I will! and nd so will your Master  Jesus! What youre doing today matters. Its the determining factor in what God will call you to do tomorrow.

So be trustworthy in little things.
This is contained in his 150-page new book for Roman Catholic leaders, presented on Sunday in Vatican City.

Veteran Italian journalist, Andrea Tornielli, noted that the book, "The Name of God is Mercy," broke no new ground, rather it is a compelling restatement of the themes of Francis' papacy told in simple, breezy language.

He said Francis also repeated his often-quoted "Who am I to judge?, in the book.

He also made statement about homosexuals, saying that "people should not be defined only by their sexual identities.

Tornielli said the question-and-answer book coincides with the Jubilee Year of Mercy, during which the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics are called upon to seek forgiveness and forgive.

Francis stressed that the Church does not exist to condemn people, but to bring about an encounter with the visceral love of God's mercy.

He added that "humanity was wounded, deeply wounded".
Two Pahrump residents are in custody on preliminary attempted murder charges after an early morning shooting that sent one person to the hospital.

Lee Anthony Daniels, 46, and Desiree Lewis, 36, were arrested in Las Vegas and booked on multiple felony charges in connection with a 12:11 a.m. Saturday morning shooting at the Pahrump Nugget Hotel-Casino.

Daniels has been identified as the shooter, according to a release by the Nye County Sheriffs Office.

The victim, a female whose name has not been released, sustained a non-life threatening injury to a leg and was transported to University Medical Center in Las Vegas by helicopter.

Nye County Sheriffs deputies and detectives responded to a report that a black adult male fired one round at a female inside the casino cafe after a verbal altercation had ensued between them. According to police, the male was then observed fleeing with another white female adult in a red vehicle.

The incident was witnessed by several employees and customers, as well as captured on video surveillance.

One witness who was in the parking lot during the shooting told the Times the suspects vehicle headed north on Highway 160.

None of the other bystanders were injured.

Daniels and Lewis were located in Las Vegas and arrest warrants were obtained. Both were arrested with the assistance of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are currently being booked into the Nye County Detention Center.

Other preliminary charges listed for both include battery with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge a weapon in a casino and possession of firearm by prohibited person.

The Nye County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone with information regarding this case, and who has not yet been interviewed by detectives to contact the Sheriffs Office at 775-751-7000.




Bettendorf Police and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are investigating a recent incident that resulted in the killing of seven Canada geese near Middle Park Lagoon.

They were shot with what appears to be a pellet gun, Jeff Harrison, conservation officer for the Iowa DNR, said. We really need to find out who did that; somebody knows who did that.

Bettendorf Police responded to the scene, 2098 Parkway Drive, on the morning of Jan. 7. Preliminary evidence, however, indicates the incident might have occurred within a day or two of the initial report, according to the departments Jan. 8 Facebook post, which has been shared more than 430 times.

Harrison noted that several of the geeses wings also were broken.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Bettendorf Police Department at 563-344-4015, or Harrison at 563-349-9418.

 Jack Cullen
A Davenport attorney who is trying to get his name on the March primary ballot in Rock Island County to run for states attorney has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Rock Island County Democratic Party and its chairman.

Jack Schwartz is seeking at least $100,000 in compensatory and punitive damages in the suit filed Friday in Rock Island County Circuit Court against Douglas House and the party.

Schwartz claims that House made defamatory statements, including calling Schwartz unscrupulous, during interviews with a Quad-City television station covering the hearings that were to determine if Schwartz qualified to be on the ballot.

Schwartz has been trying to get his name placed on the primary ballot so that he can run for the post currently held by John McGehee.

While Schwartz lives in Davenport, he is eligible to run for office in Rock Island County because he is a U.S. citizen and is licensed to practice in Illinois.

However, during a hearing held Dec. 14, the Rock Island County Electoral Board ruled that Schwartzs name should be removed from the primary ballot after deciding some of his nomination petitions were not properly certified.

On Tuesday, Rock Island County Circuit Judge Jeffrey OConnor upheld the electoral boards decision. Schwartz said he will appeal to the Third District Appellate Court in Ottawa.

In the lawsuit filed by his attorney, Stephen Fieweger, Schwartz claims that defamatory statements were made by House to WQAD-TV reporter Chris Minor, who was covering the hearings.

According to the suit, on Dec. 14, House was speaking to Minor when he said that Schwartz is an unscrupulous attorney.

In the Dec. 14, story on WQAD's website titled, Heated hearing ends with Schwartz kicked off ballot, says he will appeal, House is quoted as saying after the hearing that, Jack is known as an unscrupulous attorney and he likes to even advertise; he operates in shades of gray and he tried to pull a fast one over on the voters of Rock Island County. Had he been a Rock Island County candidate and filed his petitions properly, there wouldn't have been an issue, but he wants to run down Rock Island County. We do our business properly and legally, and as an attorney, he should do the same.

Then on Jan. 5, according to the suit, House, while being interviewed again by Minor, said the Rock Island County Democratic Party supports only high-integrity candidates for inclusion on the Democratic primary ballot and that Schwartz is not qualified based on his lack of integrity.

In a news release issued Saturday, Schwartz said that, The political process in this country was designed to afford any man or woman who chooses to attempt to seek political office the right to put his or her name ballot for the political office they want to fill. That person has the right to have the voters in that district decide whether he or she is the best candidate for the job.

The voters of that district should decide the election. It should not be an individual, or a group of individuals of a political party that seeks to limit a candidate's ability to get on the ballot, he said.

House could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Pam Douglas watched as her son Payton, 7, checked out the police cars that were parked Saturday inside Keppy Hall at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport.

When he wasnt looking at the cars, Payton was talking with police or petting Gracie, a golden retriever comfort dog that was a hit with children and adults alike.

In a room decorated with cards and posters thanking police for their service, as well as homemade baked treats, about 300 people turned out for the second annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, or LEAD, hosted by the Davenport Police Department Family Support Group.

Im a teacher at Smart Intermediate School, Douglas said. I know a lot of cops. This is good for my son. He really likes the police and talking to them.

This is a good idea, she said of the event. How else can people in the community really meet the police and interact with them and know what theyre really like?

Sandra Sievert, an administrative assistant with the Davenport Police Department, said it is important that people understand that the men and women who police the streets are very special people with a tough job to do.

There have been three police officers shot over the past three days, Sievert, whose husband, Scott, is a retired Davenport police lieutenant, said of incidents across the country.

There was an officer shot in New York early Saturday, another shot in Boston on Friday, and a third shot Thursday in Philadelphia. All are alive.

These men and women dont know what theyre going to face during a shift from day to day, Sievert said. Every day there is something new.

LaMark Combs, who is a candidate for Scott County sheriff, said that it is striking how often a law enforcement officer is the only stable person in the lives of some people.

Pamela Maas, of Davenport, said she showed up at the event just to offer support.

The police are underappreciated, Maas said. People think its easy to do what they do. Its not. Its easy to talk the talk. Its another thing to walk the walk.
On a cold, gray January day, Figge Art Museum volunteer Jane Koski said the Figge Art Museum in Davenport was a great place to find some color.

She was right. Children of all ages crowded into rooms of the museum for Free Family Day on Saturday to do a variety of craft projects. It was one of several such events the Figge hosts each year to bring art to kids in a hands-on way.

"People are looking for some type of creative outlet in life. It is so gray outside today and this brings the color in, Koski, a retired teacher, said

The event, sponsored by the Quad-City Times, gave parents and children the opportunity to make chalk drawings, multi-media collages and frames, to take part in a blessing from the Native American Coalition of the Quad-Cities and to view the Big Picture Outreach Collection.

There also was a presentation called American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace, performed by Tom Milligan. He did a one-act play based on the award-winning book by Sen. John C. Culver and John Hyde about the Iowan who served as vice president, before Harry S. Truman, under Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Lynn Gingras-Taylor, creative arts coordinator at the Figge, said they have been hosting similar events since the museum opened a decade ago.

We do four or five free family days each year. We select certain exhibits to coordinate with and create free family days around it, she said. We've always had great response from the community. It plants a seed early in children and nurtures a love of art and inspires you to keep creating. Art is for everybody.

Laura Minnick of Hartford, Wis., brought her grandson, Tristin Knepel of Davenport.

We are celebrating his 14th birthday and Christmas, she said as they shared a snack in one of the rooms. We saw the blessing, the Native American blessing. We have walked around the first floor, looking at all the art.

Nearby, also enjoying snacks, was Hillary Willis of LeClaire, with her husband, Brian, and their children, Hadley, 4, and Jude, 2.

We've been here before but it is our first time with them, she said of her children.

Tables in each room were filled with children and adults participating in crafts. Carol Pressly of Taylor Ridge joined her two grandchildren to draw with chalk.

This is their favorite museum. They like to do art, she said.

Krystal Jones of Rock Island also was drawing with chalk with her daughter, Shermiya Thomas, 9.

My daughter is very into art, Jones said. We had never been here before and I thought it was something interesting to try in the Quad-Cities. I am very impressed. It is very creative and bigger than I thought.

Shermiya also was impressed.

I like it here, she said, not looking up from her drawing as she worked. I do a lot of projects like this at home.

"This is a safe environment to come to and mom and dad do not have to clean up, Koski said.
A dozen Davenport employee positions could be eliminated, along with a website, travel perks and other expenses, as officials look for ways to slash $900,000 from the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Public safety potentially could be hit hardest, with the police and fire departments each standing to lose three positions.

"It certainly is a loss," Interim Police Chief Paul Sikorski told Mayor Frank Klipsch and aldermen at Saturday's budget meeting at City Hall.

Sikorski was referring to the potential loss of a juvenile court liaison officer. His department also may have to eliminate a secretary and a police services generalist in order to cut $360,000 from its $17.8 million general fund budget.

Under the proposal, the fire department would demote a district chief and lieutenant and eliminate a management analyst as it tries to cut $255,000 from its $12 million general fund budget.

Chief Lynn Washburn and the union president disagreed on how the cuts would impact the city.

"It doesn't change our current ability to respond to the community," Washburn said, adding no sworn firefighters would be let go.

Ryan Hanghian, president of the Davenport Association of Professional Firefighters Local 17, accused Washburn of making reality of the cuts "sound nicer" than they are.

"The safety of the people of this community is being affected," Hanghian said. "I caution you to take time and spend due diligence before making this decision. We are at a very critical point."

Salaries and benefits make up 79 percent of the $47 million general fund. Police salaries are 41 percent of that slice and fire is 30 percent.

Interim City Administrator Corri Spiegel said each of the city's 11 departments was tasked with cutting 2 percent out of its portion of the general fund budget.

Spiegel is considering 9 percent in cuts from administration, or $73,000 out of its $800,000 general fund budget, including eliminating a business development manager position and a graphic/web designer.

The interim city administrator said she also wants to take multiple city websites and "create one great website" to streamline costs and improve efficiency and transparency. According to Spiegel, that means eliminating Davenport Today, a tax-funded public relations effort spearheaded by Spiegel's predecessor, Craig Malin, to post news releases, public records and Malin's own commentary.

Positions may also be cut from information technology, library, parks and recreation and public works.

Aldermen spent a portion of Saturday's meeting playing a guessing game of which positions ought to go and which could be retained, particularly when it came to public works losing a code enforcement officer.

Alderman Jason Gordon, at large, said code enforcement is already understaffed and cannot afford to lose an officer.

"Code enforcement is something we do not do very well," Gordon said as other aldermen voice support for keeping the position.

Alderman Mike Matson, 7th Ward, wondered if it was not "redundant" that the library has its own human resources director in addition to the city having an HR director.

Library Director Amy Groskopf said that what Matson refers to as an "HR director" for the library is really an "operations manager" who handles training, compliance and grant writing and "not purely dealing with staff."

The library board recommends eliminating a part-time clerk and leaving an assistant library director position vacant as a way to trim $53,000 from its $2 million general fund budget.

The general fund is the largest piece of the city's operating budget. While the total proposed operating budget amount had not yet been determined as of Saturday, Davenport Finance Director Brandon Wright said the overall tax base growth has increased .5 percent while labor costs have gone up 2 percent compared with last year.

Wright said revenue did not keep pace with negotiated salary increases, therefore, "We have to cut $900,000 to bring that back into line."

This also comes at a time when Davenport and other Iowa cities feel the pinch from recent state property tax reform that created relief for commercial properties. Apartments, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are now covered under a new multi-residential classification, which over eight years beginning with the upcoming fiscal year will gradually roll back the level of taxable property to match the residential rate.

Wright said Davenport stands to lose 4 percent of that property tax amount this year alone.

"The largest impact on this budget is the creation of the multi-residential property class," Wright said. "It means less and less of the amount is taxable. That is eroding our tax base."
DES MOINES  Gov. Terry Branstad says his 2016 education agenda calls for bold action in extending K-12 schools ability to meet their future building demands but the short-term prospects for funding education needs are much more constrained.

The reality is that were facing a challenging and difficult budget, but I believe we can be bold despite that and do some unique, innovative things, Branstad said in approaching his 22nd legislative session as governor that will gavel in at the Statehouse on Monday.

Branstad faces election-year heat from legislators displeased with his veto of $55.7 million in one-time money for K-12 schools last July. He said he plans to push the budgetary envelope by requesting 2.45 percent growth in state aid to public schools for fiscal 2017 and an innovative approach to extending a 1-cent sales tax earmarked for school infrastructure through 2049.

The caveat for extending the infrastructure funding for 20 more years would be that the revenue generated by the sales tax extension would be shared with water quality programs. Under Branstad's plan, which requires legislative approval, schools would get the first $10 million of the new revenue annually with the remaining proceeds going to water quality programs, which he calls a win-win for all parties without raising taxes.

The concept, which Branstad calls probably the biggest and boldest proposal I've put together in all my years as governor," has drawn mixed reviews initially. He expects it will take most of the scheduled 100-day 2016 legislative session to inform and educate lawmakers, education groups and Iowans on the merits of his proposal.

Educators such as Sioux City Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman have endorsed Branstads idea because the tax is scheduled to end in 13 years. That would take away key tool his school uses as collateral for bonds, which generally are repaid over a 20-year period, and the plan avoids the need for property taxes to finance school infrastructure needs.

At the same time, he acknowledges that the short-term budget needs of schools are of primary concern heading into a session where state resources are going to be stretched among competing interests.

Branstad said he is formulating a fiscal 2017 state budget that he hopes can provide a 2.45 percent boost to schools that he recommended last year, but he added, Its going to be extremely hard to get there, and I see no way that we can go over that.

Majority Republicans in the Iowa House point to a 2 percent growth rate they approved last session as a viable option, although House Speaker-select Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, said she has members who would like to reduce that and others who would do more. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said legislative Democrats think a 4 percent increase is an appropriate number.

Rep. Brian Moore, R-Bellevue, said he will push his GOP caucus to move closer to the governors level or even more, given that the governor voted $55.7 million in one-time money that the Legislature had agreed last session should go to Iowas 336 school districts. That number will drop to 333 districts for the 2016-17 school year.

I feel since we underfunded them from what the Legislature agreed upon, we kind of owe them a little bit this year, said Moore, who noted the governors veto amounted to about 1.4 percent that was earmarked for schools on top of the 1.25 percent across-the-board increase they received.

I would support 2.5 (percent) and then do some other policy that theyre wanting, such as the extension of the sales tax for school infrastructure. He said funding levels among the House GOP members range down to zero, while he said Democrats 4 percent boost isnt reasonable with the amount of the new dollars that are available.

Lisa Bartusek, executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards, said her members sought 6 percent growth in state aid last session because that is the annual level needed to get Iowa back to the national average . This session, the group is advocating absolutely for as much funding as is available to support public education.

I would say the state funding picture appears to be grim, she said.

Senate President Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, said schools have indicated they need 3 percent to 4 percent just to keep their head above water, while Gronstal noted that K-12 education has gone through its worst five years of state support in history.

The governor said he plans to seek $50 million as the next yearly installment for the teacher leadership and compensation program and increased funding for early-childhood reading initiatives along with the 2.45 percent boost in supplemental state aid, but he noted thats a big chunk of the state budget, and Medicaids the other big chunk, and Medicaid is competing with that for what we can do.

I want to make sure that we can deliver what we promise, he said.
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa  Donald Trump fervently struck up some familiar campaign themes Saturday, sometimes with expletives, as he spoke to about 1,700 enthusiasts packed into the Surf Ballroom.

As he usually does, he touted his poll numbers which show he is the clear national favorite for the Republican presidential nomination.

But he acknowledged he is running about even in Iowa and made a point of challenging the qualifications of his nearest GOP rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Trump has mentioned in the past that Cruz, who was born in Canada, might not be considered a natural-born American citizen  a constitutional requirement to serve as president.

Saturday, he hammered home the point. "If you're born in Canada, it's a little bit of a problem," he said. "It's not a settled matter. He needs to seek a declaratory judgment from a court."

Trump said legal experts have said there is a question as to whether Cruz can be considered a natural-born citizen.

"We can't have somebody who will be immediately sued by the Democrats," said Trump. "We can't have someone running for president with that kind of a cloud over his head."

Trump was highly critical of the Obama administration for its dealings with ISIS, what he called weakening of the military, handling of the Veterans Administration problems and with the nuclear deal with Iran.

Under Obama, Trump said, the U.S. has a weak military that is unprepared to deal with the risks in the world.

"When I'm president, our military will be bigger and better and stronger than ever before. No one's going to mess with us," he said.

Of the nuclear deal with Iran, Trump said, "Iran's getting $150 billion and we don't even get our prisoners back. We should have said at the beginning of negotiations we want our prisoners back. If they say no, we get up and leave. Then we double the sanctions against them."

He said in that scenario the U.S. would get the prisoners back and would return to the negotiations. "Then we tell them they're not getting the $150 billion because we don't have it," said Trump.

Spectators had mixed views on Trump's presentation.

"What about ethanol?," said Gary Zwiefel of Titonka, Iowa. "I drove all the way over here and didn't hear a word about the farm economy."

But Terry Reams of Mason City, who in the past has raised concerns about the Veterans Administration, said, "Trump has my full support  he has from the beginning."

Mary Jane Porter of Mason City represented another faction of the audience. "I'm here as a die-hard observer," she said.

The candidate defended his plan to build a wall along the southern border and his plan to temporarily ban immigrants from coming into this country.

Trump said in his administration, veterans will get better treatment than they are receiving now. "We have illegal immigrants who are being treated better than our vets," he said.

Trump was also highly critical of U.S. trade policies and said China's leaders are smarter than U.S. leaders and that "Mexico is going to be the next China."

He leveled his usual criticism of the media. Pointing to the press gallery in the back of the room, he said, "Those are some of the most seriously dishonest people in the world."

Regarding his campaign, Trump said, "If we win in Iowa, we get the ball rolling. What we have going is a movement. What we have used to be called a silent majority. I call it a noisy majority," he said, to which the crowd roared.

"Before this country goes to hell, we better get it away from the politicians," he said.
A man was injured in an early morning shooting Sunday on Davenports east side, according to Davenport Police.

Officers were called at 3:43 a.m. Sunday to Jersey Ridge and Kimberly roads, according to a media release from Davenport Police Capt. Brent Biggs. Police were notified that a man who had been shot was transported by personal vehicle to Trinity Bettendorf, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening injury.

Police found shell casings at the scene, Biggs said. No arrests have been made, and the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Davenport Police at 563-326-6125 or submit an anonymous tip via the departments mobile app, CityConnect Davenport, IA.

 Times staff
Its official: Cuba became the number one emerging travel destination of 2015. This small country has grabbed headlines in the last year, and with newly improved relations between Cuba and the United States, what opportunities may lie ahead for travel, tourism, and exchanges between the two countries? As the president and CEO of the US Tour Operators Association (USTOA), this is a question central to my work. And as a native Iowan, I think it is critical to consider how the people and industries of this state could benefit from these new opportunities.

In a survey of USTOAs members, Cuba beat out Myanmar as the top emerging destination for American travelers. There is pent-up demand by travelers to visit this culturally rich nation. The members of our organization carry serious clout: In 2014, USTOAs Active Members had an annual economic impact of over $12.5 billion, employed 12,350 people within the U.S., and paid total wages amounting to $917 million. In conjunction with USTOAs Associate Members, total employment stands at over 450,000. USTOA has been an active voice for expanding travel opportunities for Americans and urges our policymakers to continue their work toward breaking down barriers for US travelers.

Public opinion in Iowa highlights this heightened interest in lowering barriers to travel to Cuba. The Atlantic Councils Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center launched the findings of a new poll of American heartland voters on U.S.-Cuban relations. Iowan voters across political parties voiced support for the restoration of diplomatic relations and lifting the trade and travel ban. The results stress the need for politicians and policy-makers to reexamine our nations relationship to one of our nearest neighbors.

The highest levels of support were found for lifting of the travel ban. With 64 percent of voters in Iowa calling for an end to the travel ban, its clear that the time has come to end a policy of five decades. The poll shows a legitimate opportunity for the travel community to capitalize on recent positive negotiations between Washington and Havana.

The benefits of lifting the ban would be widespread. The travel industry shares a critical relationship with economic competitiveness and growth. Over 15 million American jobs are supported by the travel industrys footprint, and the industry provides an economic output of $2.1 trillion. Here in Iowa, over 67,000 jobs are supported by travel and tourism. Domestic and international travelers spend over $8 billion annually.

Those coming in contact with American travelers will have a chance to get to know what our culture and values really stand for. Our visitors can forge cultural and emotional bonds and bring fresh sources of information to Cubans. The influx of smartphones, the access to information, and demonstration of what life is like in the United States will serve as an important force in encouraging a freer and more open Cuba.

With the administrations recent reforms and the renewed interest in Cuba, opportunities for travel to the island are more promising now than ever before. We are at a critical moment to encourage our policymakers to end this antiquated policy and allow Americans to fully embrace their freedom of movement and travel to nearby Cuba.
You'd think President Barack Obama sent National Guard troops on a house-by-house gun confiscation sweep, by the bombast from Republican presidential candidates. Those would-be presidents show just how little they think of Iowans every time they play up their irrational, fear-driven rhetoric.

Obama last week rolled out 10 minor tweaks to existing law, about all a president can do without Congress. Obama narrowed the "gun show loophole," which Congress refuses to address. But he didn't close it. He even tossed Republicans a bone, by directing more funding toward mental health programs, the GOP's go-to boogeyman every time there is a mass shooting.

Seven out of 10 Americans support the slightly bolstered measures, according to a CNN/ORC poll released on Friday. That support includes majorities of Republicans, rural voters and gun owners, in the wake of several mass shootings.

And yet, this is what we got from the likes of GOP presidential frontrunners Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.

"Fight back against @BarackObama's unconstitutional" attack on the Second Amendment, Cruz tweeted shortly after the president's Tuesday announcement. The social media post linked to a page on Cruz's campaign website headlined, "Obama wants to take our guns."

Not to be outdone, Trump doubled-down Thursday night in Burlington, Vt., calling for the abolition of all gun-free school zones.

Ah, yes, the answer is always more guns, isn't it, Mr. Trump? Surely, the fact that the U.S. is the world's most armed first-world nation has nothing to do with the fact that it ranks alongside Somalia in gun death statistics. In fact, the now-ubiquitous high-capacity semi-automatic assault rifles may be eating away at American freedom. Cops are in an arms race with the American people. And they're stocking up to deal with it.

Again, the majority of Americans, from every major demographic cohort, support the measure. The results are consistent with previous polls. It's not Obama's half-measures that are at odds with the American public. It's conservative hatred of the president that's at issue, the polls show. Another recent poll concluded that attaching Obama's name to otherwise popular gun regulation drastically whittles support from conservatives.

We're not anti-gun. Let's address that right now. In fact, gun owners sit on the Quad-City Times editorial board. The deafening rhetoric piling up during an unusually rancorous campaign cycle is chock-full of intentionally misleading statements. Guns -- like motor vehicles and hand grenades -- have been regulated since their inception. And the National Rifle Association's push to totally deregulate firearms, particularly at the state-level, is based on nothing short of false history and bad constitutional law.

The rhetoric surrounding anything firearm-related has surpassed the absurd in America. Congress appropriates funding for research of car accidents, drug overdoses and basically anything else that could kill you. The Centers for Disease Control, however, has been banned for decades from studying gun mortality. It was just another placation of the NRA at the time. And it remains a stunning blind spot, particularity when a tool specifically designed to kill is involved. If guns aren't the issue, then there's no reason to fear the data.

There is a gun show loophole. Obama, aware that he couldn't legally close it, did what he could with existing law. We, too, have questions about the rampant use of executive orders. It's a concern regardless of who's in office. Republican and Democratic presidents alike have enjoyed the concerning Congressional end-run.

But reasonable people can have reasonable conversations. The Republicans touring Iowa right now offer only irrational, fear-fueled falsehoods. Attendees at the spate of upcoming town halls should demand better from GOP candidates. Every Iowan should be treated like an adult, not some impressionable child learning his or her ABCs.

No one is coming for your guns. Candidates who claim otherwise think you're stupid.
Discussion and analysis of international university rankings and topics related to the quality of higher education. Anyone wishing to contact Richard Holmes without worrying about ending up in comments can go to rjholmes2000@yahoo.com
The Friends of the Piedmont Valley Library will host their Huge Winter Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 12 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 13- 15. There will be thousands of titles of books, audiobooks, and DVDs for all ages for sale. The suggested donation is $5 per bag for the books and media $1 per disc not to exceed $3. Coffee table-type books have separate suggested prices. The library is located at 111 Second St., in Piedmont, next to the city park and is handicap accessible. For more information, call 718-3663.
It might be one of the few places you can find a copy of General Custers 1874 autobiography, a copy or the 1862 Dakota Territory laws, or an 1887 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology pamphlet.

And you can access all of them in the quiet haven of a climate-controlled historical collection room, recently opened at the Rapid City Public Library.

The Rapid City Historical Collections Room opened Dec. 1 and houses the historical books, magazine articles, genealogical information and photographs detailing the areas history, as well as oral histories library staff have recorded and archived to preserve the recent history of the area.

Theres a lot of excitement over this, said outreach services coordinator Laurinda Tapper. Weve created a permanent community resource for preserving our history.

The room, staff say, documents the history, development and identity of Rapid City, and the people of the community and surrounding communities.

It includes archives of local government, as well as collections from individuals, businesses and organizations. Funded by the Rapid City Library Foundation, the room will eventually include three stained-glass windows telling a small part of the story of the area.

The room includes a climate-controlled section for fragile items, like photographs, scrapbooks and slides. The public can access online digital copies of material, including streaming oral histories, digitized images from Black Hills history, and genealogical researching through one of the librarys many databases.

In an email to the Journal, Library Director Jim McShane said the room falls in line with the librarys goal to gather and preserve the telling material and artifacts of the communitys history.

Libraries are the memories of society and have a unique responsibility to collect in these areas, he said. People in Rapid City and the surrounding area are a unique resource in the history of the area. The library not only has the responsibility to collect books but also the oral histories of the current residents and preserve our present.

McShane said the response to the room has been overwhelmingly positive positive, and the library has received assistance from the Rapid City Genealogical Society, The Journey Museum and Historic Rapid City.

He hopes residents will take advantage of a room where valuable resources are taken care of, organized and valued. Residents could learn a great deal about their community, families and history by spending some time in the librarys new historic collection.

Our story can and should be a source of pride to all residents, as well as highlighting the things that need to be improved, McShane said. Each of us can have an impact on the history of Rapid City, something we hope to highlight with our oral history collection.

McShane hopes the room will arm people with knowledge.

'Know thyself' was a Delphic maxim in ancient Greece, McShane said, and what better way to get to know our place in the scheme of things but through history?
Ever wonder why the South Dakota Legislature operates as it does?

To answer some basic questions, Rapid City Journal capitol bureau correspondent Bob Mercer produced this primer about the 2016 legislative session that starts Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Why does the legislative session start Tuesday?

The South Dakota Constitution says the Legislature shall meet at the seat of government on the second Tuesday of January at 12 oclock m. (The m. refers to noon.)

Why does the session run 38 days?

The South Dakota Constitution says a regular session of the Legislature shall be held every year and shall not exceed forty days, excluding Sundays, holidays and legislative recess. Lawmakers have found they can get done in less than 40 working days. Last year they had 39 working days.

Why the 40-day limit?

Voters approved the 40-day limit through a constitutional amendment in 2008. Previously the constitution called for the Legislature to annually alternate between 40-day and 35-day sessions.

When does the 2016 session take place?

Lawmakers wrap up the main 37-day run on Friday, March 11. They return on Tuesday, March 29, to consider any vetoes issued by the governor while they were on recess and to handle any significant unfinished business. The week of March 7-11 is the only five-day week they will work this session.

Why do legislators work four-day weeks?

Of the nine weeks for work during the 2016 session, the first eight will be four-day weeks, with either Monday or Friday open. They dont work on Saturdays any more.

Why dont they work five-day weeks and finish sooner?

The four-day practice developed in the past decade. Legislators like to spend the three-day weekend breaks with their families and for working at their businesses, farms and ranches.

What was it like before?

In the past legislators sometimes worked four-day, five-day and six-day weeks in the same session, depending on federal Monday holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and Presidents Day in February.

What happens right away on the first day of session Tuesday?

The 70 members in the House of Representatives and the 35 members in the Senate organize. The senators then join the representatives in the House chamber to receive the State of the State address from Gov. Dennis Daugaard. The speech is scheduled to start at noon MT.

When do committee meetings start?

The House and Senate committees begin work either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on their schedules. Each chamber has a committee for a specific topic area and the committee meets twice per week in most cases.

Who is in charge?

In the Senate, there are 27 Republicans and eight Democrats. In the House, there are 58 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Toss in a Republican governor, and that provides the GOP with an iron-clad majority in state government.

Who runs the Senate?

The South Dakota Constitution requires the lieutenant governor  currently Republican Matt Michels, R-Yankton  to be the presiding officer who can vote in cases where the Senate vote is tied. The No. 2 presiding officer is the Senate president pro tem who is elected from the Senate ranks.

Who will be Senate president pro tem?

Sen. Gary Cammack, R-Union Center, will be serving. Cammack succeeds Corey Brown, R-Gettysburg, who is the new Senate Republican leader. Brown succeeds Tim Rave, R-Baltic, who resigned from the Senate after the 2015 session. The Senate Democratic leader is Billie Sutton of Burke.

Who runs the House of Representatives?

Rep. Dean Wink, R-Howes, returns for a second year as House speaker, the chambers presiding officer. Rep. Brian Gosch, R-Rapid City, returns for a second year as House Republican leader. The speaker pro tem is Rep. G. Mark Mickelson, R-Sioux Falls. The House Democratic leader is Rep. Spencer Hawley of Brookings.

Will term limits affect the 2016 session?

Term limits can affect the personal chemistry in any legislative session. Four senators are in their fourth consecutive terms and cant seek re-election to the Senate this year. Fourteen representatives are in their fourth consecutive terms and cant seek House re-election this year.

Who are the term-limited senators?

They are Jim Bradford, D-Pine Ridge; Corey Brown, R-Gettysburg; Craig Tieszen, R-Rapid City; and Mike Vehle, R-Mitchell.

Who are the term-limited representatives?

They are Jim Bolin, R-Canton; Fred Romkema, R-Spearfish; Justin Cronin, R-Gettysburg; Lance Russell, R-Hot Springs; Dennis Feickert, D-Aberdeen; Dean Schrempp, D-Lantry; Peggy Gibson, D-Huron; Jacqueline Sly, R-Rapid City; Brian Gosch, R-Rapid City; Roger Solum, R-Watertown; Kevin Killer, D-Pine Ridge; Mike Verchio, R-Hill City; Patrick Kirschman, D-Sioux Falls; and Dean Wink, R-Howes.

Does anything happen Monday before session officially starts?

The 18 senators and representatives who comprise the Joint Committee on Appropriations plan to meet Monday morning to review the governors budget recommendations. Theyll start at 7:30 a.m. MT.

Is there a way to easily follow whats happening?

As always, the Rapid City Journal will provide extensive news coverage of the annual legislative session in print and online, based on reporting by Bob Mercer, Journal staff writers and the Associated Press.

Also, the House and the Senate post all of their committee agendas and their daily calendar for floor action. The Legislative Research Council website is at legis.sd.gov. At the left side of the page is a menu listing each session. Youll want to click on 2016 and start nosing around from there.

Is there a way to listen in?

South Dakota Public Broadcasting live-casts via Internet the committee hearings and daily floor action. You can track those through sdpb.org or through the LRC site.
KADOKA  During prohibition, federal agents searched among the sawtooth spires and ragged ridgelines of western South Dakota for secret stills operated by the bad boys of the Badlands, moonshiners who purportedly sold their illegal liquor to the states governor and virtually every police chief between Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

Now, nearly a century later, the state of South Dakota is providing a low-interest loan to a descendant of one of those bootleggers to start a new distillery in Kadoka that will use locally grown grains and specialize in producing flavored moonshines, one of which relies on a favored family recipe.

The South Dakota Value Added Finance Authority voted 5-0 last week to make a $178,000 loan to Badlands Distillery. Terms are 3 percent interest for 10 years. The new companys owners are Mark and Sandy Eschenbacher and James Herber, all of Kadoka.

Cheri Rath, executive director for the South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Development Center in Pierre, said she had worked the past six to eight months with the partners on planning and starting the business.

It would be the sixth licensed distillery in South Dakota, according to Rath, and the only one that will use grain that the owners will have grown.

Mark Eschenbacher said the distillery received its federal license Dec. 4, and its state license becomes effective Jan. 1, 2016. The target for the plants first year of production is 9,672 bottles, he said.

It feels good, Eschenbacher said, noting he and Herber had been planning the distillery since 2011. Its been a long haul.

Eschenbacher said Herber, half-owner of the venture, traces his lineage to five brothers, great-uncle Joe Herber among them, who operated illegal stills in the early 1930s along Sears Creek in the Weta Basin near present-day Badlands National Park.

History buffs will recall the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbade the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating beverages. Prohibition lasted from 1919 through ratification of the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th amendment in late 1933.

As Sheriff Buff Solon led federal revenuers to the brothers illegal still in the early 30s, the moonshiners attempted to destroy evidence by throwing their kegs into the White River, according to family lore. But the feds acquired enough evidence to convict Joe Herber of bootlegging, and he eventually took the rap for his brothers and spent a year in prison, Eschenbacher said.

They were selling whiskey to the governor, to police chiefs statewide, and of course the feds didnt like that, he said. Their agents were the ones who busted them.

Today the Herber and the Solon families remain friendly neighbors in the Weta Basin about 23 miles southwest of Kadoka, where Eschenbacher plans to plant 15 acres in heirloom white corn, a variety they will use for their moonshine. The partners plan to get other South Dakota farmers to grow rye and barley for their products.

No one in the state is doing it, Eschenbacher said. Well begin using our own corn next fall, and were hopeful we can get farmers on board this spring, so that all the ingredients we use will originate in-state.

The Badlands Distillery eventually will produce several different flavors of moonshine, including Branding Iron, a hot cinnamon flavor; Weta Latte, coffee-flavored; Bee Sting, featuring hints of honey; Badlands Gumbo, chocolate-flavored; Firewater, an 80-proof moonshine; Venom, a 100-proof bourbon recipe; and Hoar Frost vodka. Another product, which awaits a name, will be based on a favored Herber family recipe, Eschenbacher said.

Initially, the distillery will employ three people, he said. But by next summer, the partners anticipate having five to six employees working in the production area as well as a tasting room in their 2,800-square-foot facility at 425 Highway 73 at Exit 150 of Interstate 90. To date, Eschenbacher said the partners had invested about $250,000 in the venture.

Were really looking forward to making a premier, craft product that we can be proud of, about which people will say, Hey, that tastes good, Eschenbacher said. We look forward to hiring employees. In year three, we expect an expansion with bigger stills, more support equipment, a larger bottling line, and more room for storage.
WILLISTON  Even the usually profitable soybeans are taking a hit next year, according to the 2016 crop report. But NDSU researchers have an idea that could help change the prognosis for the states soybean growers.

Hans Kandel, NDSU extension agronomist and project coordinator, says his team has noticed a substantial yield gap between what area farmers are getting from their soybean fields and what research plots are getting from theirs. That points to opportunities to improve soybean production statewide. And it could happen as early as 2016, if they can determine what factors are contributing to that gap before planting starts.

We realize that when we do those projections, they do use average yields, Kandel said. The prognosis that soybeans are negative is based on a kind of average. So its important to get above the average yield. If you had an increase in yield, you could still make a profit on soybeans in 2016.

The yield gap they have been noticing exists across the state, Kandel said, and is slightly higher in the east than in the west.

I have not looked at data for western North Dakota, but for the east, for some trial plots, our yields are in the 50-plus bushel range, Kandel says. Statewide, the average is more in that 34, 35 range, so there is quite a substantial difference. For western North Dakota, the yield difference is gonna be a little bit less, but its still enough to make the effort worthwhile.

Kandel is hoping to have enough data to present the short-term portion of the study before planting next year.

If we can figure out which are the most limiting factors, we can help farmers make better management decisions to obtain higher yields, Kandel says. If farmers can get me the data before the end of January, we can crank out the numbers in February and by the beginning of March have it available before planting starts.

Producers who are willing to provide data pertinent to the soybean study can contact at Kandel at hans.kandel@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8135.

All data requested from producers by the survey will be kept confidential. Only aggregated data will be presented in results.

We anticipate that producers may best remember yields and related agronomic data for the 2015 season because they just harvested those fields, Kandel said. However we would very much appreciate additional data from fields planted with soybeans in 2014.

Kandel believes some of the limiting factors may be related to variety selection and planting date. A third might be related to plant population.

Those are things that I observed vary quite a bit, and are probably going to show up as major factors, he said. Of course, I cannot know for sure how they all relate.

The study has a longer term portion, too. Researchers will visit fields during the 2016 season to conduct field observations. And the study will also take a look at soil and weather data, to examine soil types and their effects on yield.
RAPID CITY  Extremely dry conditions got South Dakotas Wildland Fire season started early in 2015, but it slowed as wetter conditions persevered. For the second year in a row, the largest amount of fire activity was not in the Black Hills.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture Wildland Fire Division says the states largest fire for the 2015 fire season was the 13,949 acre Sheep Draw fire in Harding County in late March. The second largest fire was the escaped Cold Brook prescribed fire in Wind Cave National Park, which involved 5,400 acres. The third largest fire was the 5,100 acre fire near Gettysburg in April. The largest forest fire in the Black Hills was the 58 acre North Pole fire in March, which was started by slash pile debris burning.

Also for the second year in row, most of the mid-size, 500 to 1,000 acre fires were in Central South Dakota. The majority were started by harvesting on hot, dry days.

The Black Hills stayed relatively wet and quiet for the second year in a row, allowing federal, state and local fire fighters across the state assist the western states with equipment and personnel on large fires.

South Dakota Wildland Fire firefighters assisted the Province of Saskatchewan in July with engine crew staffing during the record breaking fire season in Canada. Wildland Fire and volunteer firefighters sent incident management team personnel, hand crews, engine crews and aircraft to support fires activity in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, Alaska, Nebraska, Idaho and Montana. All returned without serious incident or injury. The State of South Dakota Single Engine Air Tanker flew on three fires in South Dakota and one fire in Nebraska.

Additionally, Wildland Fire engine crews were called on to provide a significant amount of support to various poultry operations during the spring Avian Influenza outbreak in the eastern part of the state.

Follow South Dakota Wildland Fire on Twitter @SDWildlandFire and on Facebook by searching SD Wildland Fire.
In mid-December, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard stopped by the offices of the Rapid City Journal to pitch his unique, complicated  and controversial  plan to expand Medicaid to provide medical coverage to tens of thousands more low-income residents.

Daugaard hopes to work with the federal government to rearrange funding for Native American health care in order to find new money to pay to expand coverage of Medicaid as part of President Obama's Affordable Care Act measures.

During that visit, Daugaard met with a Journal reporter and chatted on a number of topics. Here, in his own words, are his responses in the latest version of our Newsmaker Five Questions series (and since he is the governor, we tossed in a sixth bonus question.)

Your Blue Ribbon Task Force has suggested a 1-cent sales tax hike statewide could fund higher pay for teachers. Where do you stand on increasing the sales tax for education, and how do you see that playing out during the upcoming legislative session.

I intend to introduce a proposal that incorporates many of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force in January. I will speak to the specifics of that plan in January. As Ive said before, I think everything the task force has recommended is worthy of consideration, and Im not ruling anything out, including a sales tax increase.

Youve said you support expansion of Medicaid in South Dakota possibly with some conditions. After backing a gas tax last year, and now taking a more liberal approach to Medicaid, is it safe to say you have moved away somewhat from traditionally conservative, or GOP-backed stances in recent years?

I would say a responsible government meets the needs of its citizens, and looks for the resources necessary to meet those needs. In some cases, where we must cut expenses in other areas to increase spending in some areas, Ive done that in the past. Ive also been very conservative about projecting revenues and always keeping our expenditures within appropriations, and lower than appropriations, every year Ive been governor.

Im not departing from my conservative, frugal approach to budgeting in my Medicaid proposal. As I mentioned to the Legislature in my budget address, I will not support Medicaid expansion unless we can cover the cost of the expansion to the state with budget dollars that are already appropriated.

The federal government is open to consider relieving us of a burden I think they unfairly placed on our shoulders when they pushed Medicaid-eligible Native Americans to be covered for their health care by the state and the federal government, sharing about 50-50 those costs when federal treaty obligations would place that burden entirely on the shoulders of the federal government.

I think its important the federal government keep its treaty obligations and they are open to reconsidering how they cover health care for Native Americans. If they do so in a way that relieves us of that burden, Ive agreed that those dollars could then be used for the state to cover the cost to the state of Medicaid expansion, not just next years cost, not just in 18, 19 or 20, but costs all the way up to fiscal year 2021.

Youve told this newspaper that the recent ethical scandals that have rocked the state  EB-5, the Gear Up program, the mismanagement of the Secretary of States office  are due to individuals who did wrong and not any systemic problems. Many newspaper columnists, editorial writers and residents who comment on news articles appear to differ and worry over the ethical climate in the state. How do you respond to their concerns, and what can you, as governor, do to ensure that our state and its appointed and elected officials operate under a high standard of ethical behavior?

First of all, Id remind the detractors that the investigation into the EB-5 issues was revealed by my office, and then it was my office who asked the attorney general to investigate and consider criminal charges. As soon as that investigation was concluded and placed in my hands, I immediately made it public and those criminal charges were planned, before Richard Bendas suicide.

Likewise, in the Gear Up situation, it was our office, who after trying to assist Mid-Central Co-Op to improve their financial practices, ultimately found their inability to manage their finances to our satisfaction to be unacceptable and we terminated the contract. That is what caused Scott Westerhuis apparently to kill his wife and children and commit suicide.

Now, can we learn from those situations? Certainly, we can. Can we find ways to improve? Yes, we should find ways to improve. Thats why we introduced legislation to make conflict of interest disclosures a requirement of the law for employees that leave state government, or that are in state government. I think we should also look at the Gear Up situation, and say when we contract with another party to undertake the responsibilities for managing a grant, it does not absolve of us of the responsibility to oversee that party, even in a situation like this, where that party was a non-profit managed by school board members. Still, we need to find ways we can learn from these experiences and improve our oversight.

All that being said, I continue to believe that most state employees are hard-working, honest and trustworthy.

A medical marijuana measure appears headed to a statewide vote in 2016. Where do you stand on legalizing medical marijuana, and hypothetically, if you or a family member suffered a serious medical condition such as glaucoma, seizures, or cancer, would you support yourself or your family member using medical marijuana if it were legal?

I understand the wishes of those who have medical conditions to have medical marijuana as an option for their treatment. At the same time, I also believe that medical marijuana is also the first step toward recreational marijuana and that in some states, medical marijuana and access to medical marijuana has become more than it should be, and in fact, giving opportunities to those who want to use for recreational use, to mimic or falsify a physical condition to give them the privilege of recreational use when their medical condition doesnt really support it.

For those reasons, Ive not been supportive of liberalization of marijuana laws.

As a lifelong Republican, do you think its a positive thing that the entirety of state government and our Congressional delegation are under iron-clad rule by the Republican Party? Is single-party dominance, from either side of the aisle, good for government and good for residents?

I think if you look at any political party, you will find those at both ends of the political spectrum and in the middle, and I think the dominance of one label or another does not dictate the nature of the individuals who have that label.

So I disagree with those who say that the Republican occupancy of all the congressional and state constitutional offices is somehow bad. I compare South Dakotas financial condition, economy, quality of life to many other states where theres a balance of representation and I believe South Dakota would win in many, many of those comparisons.

Bonus question: Due to term limits, this will be your final term. For some politicians, this can become a time of legacy building. What do you see as your legacy as governor of South Dakota?

You can ask my staff. I dont like that term because I think that ones legacy can become something that is important for self-satisfaction. I believe that it is important for public servants to try and leave their place a little better than the way in which they found it.

I think South Dakota will be financially stronger when I leave government. I think our quality of life will be as good or better. I think the opportunities for our young people are getting better. I think educational opportunities are ever-growing with a focus on education that leads to job opportunities. So Im proud of a lot of things that have happened, not because Im governor, but while Ive been governor and if I have contributed a small part to some of those things, then Ill be satisfied with that.
Nomadic RVers had less effect than observers expected in the Jan. 5 Pennington County wheel-tax election, but a state senator said the situation still points to a need for a change in the law.

Voters registered at the address of Americas Mailbox, a mail-forwarding business catering largely to RVers who travel full-time, cast 387 ballots in the election, a turnout of only 11 percent of that address' registered voters. Those who voted accounted for 3.83 percent of the 10,113 ballots cast countywide.

The wheel tax was defeated by a margin of 1,936 votes, which means the Americas Mailbox bloc did not swing the election as some feared. No votes totaled 6,022, which equated to 60 percent, against 4,086 yes votes, or 40 percent.

The 11 percent turnout of Americas Mailbox voters was less than the countywide turnout of 15 percent.

The number of voters from Americas Mailbox is known because there is a precinct with its boundaries drawn around the business. The county Auditors Office received 387 absentee ballots from the precinct before the election, and nobody from the precinct voted on Election Day.

The number of voters from the precinct who voted yes and no is not known. In a move intended to save time and money, the vote-counting software purchased for the election was programmed to produce only a countywide result. All of the ballots were mixed together and, because of that, precinct-level results cannot now be obtained even if they are desired, according to Lori Severson, the countys elections supervisor in the Auditors Office. She did not have an immediate estimate of the amount of money saved by purchasing the non-precinct-sorted software.

We determined when we were preparing for the election that we did not want precinct results, Severson said. We wanted one countywide total, because it was one countywide ballot.

That came as a disappointment to state Sen. Craig Tieszen, R-Rapid City, who has long been bothered by the potential for nomadic RVers to swing an election in a state they rarely visit. He suspects many of the customers of Americas Mailbox are out-of-staters taking advantage of the low cost of residency in South Dakota, including the states lack of an income tax and low fees for vehicle licensing.

If the wheel tax had passed, it would have imposed a tax of $3, $4 or $5 per wheel on vehicles, depending on their weight, up to a maximum of $60 per vehicle.

Among the most vocal critics of the wheel tax while it was being considered by the Pennington County Commission was Barb Humes, co-owner of Americas Mailbox. The commission adopted the tax in October, but opponents petitioned it to the ballot.

Despite the lack of precinct-level results and the less-than-expected turnout from Americas Mailbox customers, Tieszen said the election was still an eye-opener. There are nearly 3,500 voters registered at Americas Mailbox, and Tieszen said thats a dangerously large bloc of what he considers out-of-state voters. He said they or a group like them could swing a future election.

They were not the deciding factor in this election, Tieszen said, but the problem still exists and the potential for abuse still exists.

Tieszen said he will meet soon with the South Dakota secretary of state and attorney general to discuss ideas for legislation that could prevent nomadic RVers and other nonresident voters from exerting undue influence on elections.

This years legislative session begins Tuesday and continues into March at the state Capitol in Pierre.
PIERRE | Those who planned the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline route carefully avoided crossing the four major Indian reservations in western South Dakota, but the route runs entirely through the territory promised to the Great Sioux Nation in the 1868 treaty. By statehood in 1889, most of that land didnt belong to tribal people.

That taking, accomplished in a single generation, is what has ailed South Dakota for more than 126 years and probably will forever undercut our ability to live together.

When the Public Utilities Commission agreed Tuesday that TransCanada had certified it could still meet the conditions of its 2010 permit to build Keystone XL, chairman Chris Nelson said he had been mystified for some time by tribal opponents. He said a letter from Debra White Plume of Manderson explained that she had a different worldview about the black snake proposed by TransCanada.

The commissioners decided early in the process they wouldnt consider who lived on the land prior to statehood and the 1868 treaty and who might claim rights to it. But what happened from 1868 to 1889 had everything to do with the tribal opposition to Keystone XL.

We spend so much energy and harbor so much resentment in South Dakota from those events seven and eight generations ago. Theres really no practical way to reconcile what was taken after 1868. We arent going to erase what's been built. We are what we are.

There are things we can do to get along better. We could require an environmental impact study when eminent domain is used to force a corridor through peoples lands.

In his budget recommendations, Gov. Dennis Daugaard is asking the Legislature for $2.2 million to pay for trying new ways to teach American Indian children at three schools. The state Board of Education on Thursday updated the schedule for revising school standards and added the Oceti Sakowin essential understandings and standards to the list.

Essentially, it is Indian education for all in the public schools of South Dakota. The required four public hearings would be held in 2017-2018. The state board would adopt the Oceti Sakowin standards in spring 2018.

The state Board of Regents and Black Hills State University now are managing the GEAR UP program. The goal of GEAR UP is to help low-income students and their families better understand what is needed to attend college or technical school.

The governors proposal to expand Medicaid eligibility in turn for the federal government paying full expenses for American Indian health care in South Dakota is potentially a big change. Indian Health Service would engage in new partnerships with off-reservation medical providers. Telehealth technology would link doctors from private hospitals with counterparts at rural clinics and IHS hospitals.

These arent small changes but generally happen outside the worldview of most South Dakotans.

We are what we are. We arent turning back to 1868. But if we want, we all can be better in 2016 and beyond.
The takeover of the federal Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon by armed anti-federal-government zealots might seem like a fresh crisis, but in fact we've been here before. The best option for the government is to practice patient resolve and have lots of handcuffs ready once the occupation comes to a peaceful end.

The gun toters holed up at Malheur haven't issued a political manifesto, but their rhetoric echoes that of movements such as the 1970s Sagebrush Rebellion, in which disaffected westerners argued that states or counties are the rightful owners of millions of acres of federal land, despite decades of court battles that say otherwise.

Three of the occupiers are sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who, with a contingent of armed supporters, faced down an effort by the Bureau of Land Management nearly two years ago to seize his cattle for nonpayment of grazing fees  a bill that remains unpaid.

The Bundy brigade decamped to Oregon recently to join protests over the re-sentencing of two local ranchers, Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven. Their crimes: burning more than 140 acres of federal land adjacent to their ranch in two separate incidents. The government appealed the Hammonds' initial sentence of a few months in prison, winning the argument that federal law mandates a five-year term. Although the Hammonds have acquiesced, the Bundys and their followers seized the opportunity, and federal property, to make a grand and unacceptable show of force and disregard for the law.

The good news is that the Malheur refuge is remote, and the occupiers pose no imminent public safety threat. Some critics have sought to contrast the government's measured response with the quick-trigger killing of Tamir Rice, an unarmed, black 12-year-old, by a Cleveland police officer, but it is difficult to compare a police encounter in a populated area with what's happening in Oregon. Malheur also differs from federal showdown in 1992 with anti-government activists at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, which involved disastrous violence.

A closer parallel would be the American Indian Movement's unarmed takeover of the federal landmark of Alcatraz Island, which began in November 1969 and ended, peacefully, 19 months later. Similar restraint leading to a bloodless surrender would be the best outcome here. Political protest is a welcome part of American life. Armed occupation of public lands by private citizens is another matter entirely.

 Los Angeles Times
SANTA ROSA, CALIF. | James Edward "Jim" Mann III, 55, passed away quietly from natural causes Dec. 29, 2015, at his home in Santa Rosa.

Jim was born Dec. 2, 1960, in Sturgis, SD, the oldest son of James E. Mann Jr. and Barbara (Assman) Mann. He graduated from Winner (SD) High School in 1979, then entered the Mechanical Engineering program at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, graduating in 1990 with highest honors. He would then earn his PE designation a short time later, and enjoy a long, successful career in the natural gas field working in South Dakota, Ohio, Wyoming and eventually California. Jim took tremendous pride in his work and was praised by many colleagues for his knowledge and expert craft in the industry.

In 1982, Jim married Monica Cornay of Hot Springs, SD, and they had two children, Stacie and Christopher.

Aside from work, Jim loved spending time with his family, watching silly movies, and of course, his two Boston Terriers, Harley and Max. As a former member of the Lions club, he also enjoyed giving back to his community.

Jim is survived by his children, Stacie (Caleb) Straub and Christopher Mann, both of Rapid City, SD; his mother, Barbara Mann of Lead, SD; a sister, Margie (Sonny) Wiley and his brother, Bill (Trudy) Mann, all of Winner.

He was preceded in death by his father, James; his grandparents; and an uncle.

A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. CST Friday, Jan. 15, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Winner, with visitation to precede at 6 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the church, with a cemetery procession immediately following.

A memorial has been created in Jims name at the School of Mines Foundation, where donations will go directly to the Mechanical Engineering program. Make checks payable to SDSM&T Foundation with a memo of Jim Mann Memorial or donate online at foundation.sdsmt.edu. Donation checks and condolences can be sent to 4012 Prairie View Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701.
Alfred Rsberg, Norway ( Scandinavia )

In the course of videotaping U.S. and international TV documentaries, reports and news reports  I have found (and video copied) a large number of anomalous flying objects in these TV broadcasts. In this UFO blogspot I will report on UFOs found in TV broadcasts (TV footage). I will also inform about any UFO evidence recorded or obtained by a media company or government source from around the world. In addition  I will report on the best Norwegian UFO cases.
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The Jack Wilkinson Competition for stories about children for an adult reader, is open for entries until 1st June. Stories should be emailed in the usual way to Georgina, making clear that it is a competition entry. Your entries can be in any genre of writing and should be no more than a maximum of 1,500words. Once all entries have been received, they will all be posted on the Repository. Members will have a week to read and choose their favourite three stories. Please do not vote for your own story. Your top three choices should be emailed to Georgina stating 1st, 2nd, 3rd and the corresponding story titles. Please dont make any comments below the stories until the outcome has been announced. All stories will be published anonymously, with only a story title and a corresponding letter of the alphabet. Once all votes are in (and scores have been double checked) the winning entries will be announced. As we are unable to present the trophy due to the existing situation, an e-certificate will be awarded to the winner. The more entries, the better, so get those scribbling sticks out! Please email all contributions to Georgina Dave
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Just after 7 a.m., my father is sitting in the dining room, already dressed in his blue-collared uniform shirt and navy pants. Hes bending over to lace his shoe. I ask him how it feels to get ready for work for the last time.
 "Keeping It REAL: Why Congress Must Act to Restore Pell Grant Funding for Prisoners" | Main | Noting criminal justice fallout when state judges and prosecutors behave badly 

January 10, 2016

Expecting (too?) much crime and punishment talk at Prez Obama's last State of the Union

Long-time readers know that I am always hopeful that the annual State of the Union events will address criminal justice issues, and also that Prez Obama has been consistently disappointing in this respect with his prior SOTUs. But this year, for lots of reasons, I am expecting crime and punishment to play a big role in the final SOTU to be delivered by Prez Obama. One reason is because of a notable guest who will be there as reported in this BuzzFeed News piece headlined "Meet The Ex-Convict President Obama Will Host At The State Of The Union." Here is how the article gets started (with links from original):

On Tuesday, President Obama may include a renewed promise to change the way the criminal justice system deals with suspects, offenders, and convicts in his final State of the Union address. In the audience will be woman who has seen all sides of the justice system  and all after her 57th birthday. Sue Ellen Allen, who spent nearly seven years as an Arizona inmate in the states womens prison near Goodyear will be among the presidents guests at the speech. Allen was raised middle class, lived wealthy, and lost it all on her way to being convicted in absentia of securities fraud while an international fugitive on the run with her husband who also served time for the crime. After she got out of prison, in 2009, Allen did everything she could to get back in and offer resources to women still behind bars that she believes will help them escape the recidivism cycle that traps many inmates in the justice system for years. Now she regularly returns to the prison that held her to run education and jobs programs for the women there. She says the experience of seeing another side of America was a blessing and that her new calling is part of making good on the lessons she learned behind bars. I was well educated, I was privileged because I have white skin  Im a white woman and thats a privilege, Allen told BuzzFeed News. If you had told me what I was going to see and experience in prison, I would have said, Not in my country. We dont treat people that way. I was wrong. When Obama delivers the State of the Union speech, Allen will be there, seated in the House chamber in the Capitol. Presidents regularly use their guest list to highlight issues and policy goals, and Obamas seventh address will be no different. (Obama is breaking the mold a little next week  one of his guests will be a seat intentionally left empty to highlight the Americans lost during his presidency to gun violence.) But White House aides say the focus of the speech is different than other State of the Union speeches. Instead of the standard list of policy ideas and applause lines, senior administration officials say this State of the Union will be about the broad changes Obama promised in his first campaign and how they play into his presidential legacy. Criminal justice is set to be a huge part of that legacy, and get a prominent place in the speech. The Obama administration has linked up with conservatives and liberals to push changes to the justice system aimed at reducing the number of people put in prison, the length of time nonviolent offenders spend there, and reducing the costs associated with a system that houses more inmates than any other country on earth. The Obama administration has attempted to address longstanding goals of criminal justice advocates at the highest levels  the administration has supported dramatic changes in the war on drugs and called for an end to many mandatory minimum prison sentences  and the lowest. Obama has taken interest in prison life, becoming the first president to visit a federal prison last July. Hes called for new anti-recidivism programs and more efforts to offer education and other assistance to people behind bars. Changing the way prisons work, the president has said, can reduce the number of people who go in, out and back into the system.

In addition to expecting Prez Obama to talk about criminal reform during his SOTU speech, perhaps we could hear mention of crime and punishment in the GOP response. At the very least, folks at FreedomWorks are suggested it should via this recent commentary headlined "Republicans Should Promote Justice Reform in State of the Union Response."

January 10, 2016 at 02:08 PM | Permalink

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A man was fatally shot on a BART train at the West Oakland Station Saturday night.

S.F. Gate reports the shooting occurred at 7:49 on the train bound for San Francisco. Witnesses told ABC 7 that just before the doors opened at West Oakland Station, a "disheveled looking man," who had got on the train at either the Rockridge or MacArthur stations, pulled out a gun and shot a passenger who was sitting next to the train door. The suspect then fled on foot outside the station.

One witness said he administered CPR to the victim, and noticed he was holding a knife.

25-year-old Brad Chapin, who was on the train at the time, told the Contra Costa Times, "Everyone just got down on the ground. People were screaming. It was chaos. We didn't know if there were terrorists there or what." BART spokesman Jim Allison confirmed this morning that the shooting was an isolated incident, and not related to a terrorist plot.

Here's a video shot on the train, following the sound of shots fired. It's quite scary:

#EXCLUSIVE: Video inside #BART car after fatal shooting in #Oakland, passengers thought it was terrorist attack pic.twitter.com/EeS3Tssfdz  Matthias Gafni (@mgafni) January 10, 2016

KRON reports that a man was detained by police Saturday night, but that it was not the shooting suspect, who remains at large. BART officials described the suspect as a bald, slim, 6-foot-3 Black man, wearing a green hooded jacket with tan military-style boots and a backpack.

According to Allison, the West Oakland Station, which was closed overnight, has reopened as of 8 a.m. this morning.
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November 2020: Shamal and her Crew have arrived safely back into Opua, Bay of Islands, New Zealand completing their circumnavigation a year ago. Due to Covid-19 and New Zealand's Boarders being closed, they will continue to spend their 2020/21 Summer exploring some of New Zealand's waters. Thanks to all of you for following our Adventures. There will be more.


My musings, reflections on life here in Shiloh, Israel. Original, personal, spiritual and political. Peace, security and Israeli sovereignty. While not a "group blog," Shiloh Musings includes the voices of other Jews in The Land of Israel. **Copyright(C)BatyaMedad ** For permission to use these in publications of any sort, please contact me directly. Private accredited distribution encouraged. Thank you.
This blog is about the political struggle I am engaging in Singapore. The title "Singapore Alternatives" is chosen because my only political dream is to build a true alternative in Singapore. Alternative to PAP government, of course. As the Alternative, the political party must be able to have the visions and policy insights to lead Singapore. I will write on various policy views and personal beliefs that I think is crucial in building up the Alternative. All constructive comments are welcome.
Having a job in social media means more than just posting cat pictures all day.

Usually.

Your resume is often the first impression you make with an employer. And if you want to work in social media, youll need to demonstrate that you are both creative and strategic. Here are the four most important things to include when you apply (cats optional):

Tools and software you are familiar with

Managing a companys social media presence or strategizing for a campaign will involve more than just rudimentary knowledge of Facebook and Twitter.

Prove you know the anatomy of each channel by mentioning the monitoring and engagement tools you utilize (Hootsuite, Buffer, Crimson Hexagon, etc.) as well as the analytics and reporting tools youve learned. Even if your future company doesnt use the same software, youre highlighting the breadth of your skillset and trainability.

Statements that show you play well with others

Working in social media doesnt mean youll necessarily be staring at a screen all day, every day. Like many other jobs, youll often collaborate with other departments on projects and campaigns.

Show that you are a team player by describing how you contributed to a larger goal with sales, legal, finance and other teams.

Most importantly, you need to demonstrate your value. It's not enough to show skills and list a bunch of social media platforms, shares Elaine Young (@ejyoung67), professor of digital and social media marketing at the Stiller School of Business at Champlain College. Write down results."

Links to your personal brand

The best way to show that you get it is to show it through your personal brand.

Point readers to your most professional channels (and clean up anything you dont want held against you that could be found with a Google search.) Use the same username for Tinder or Reddit as you do Twitter? Expect that to show up in a quick search.

Quantifiable results

As with most jobs, youll need to show youve been productive. Social media is no different, and in fact, due to all the data your work generates, it can be easier to point to your output.

Young recommends the following resume bullet points:

Managed Facebook account resulting in increased engagement and interactions with customer base by 15 percent.

Responsible for increasing engagement and sales conversion utilizing Pinterest. My strategy resulted in driving 10% more traffic from Pinterest to our ecommerce site, with an increased sales conversion of 2 percent.

New to the field? Try to pull examples from internships, volunteer opportunities, and class projects. When you start your placement be sure to screen shot everything and get a base on the metrics, Young notes. When you leave do the same thing. You then have a record of what you accomplished while there.

Brooke Zambroski is a social media specialist at Monster. When she isn't tweeting, you'll find her exploring the Boston area and searching for the perfect new puzzle. Follow her on Twitter @BrookeZam.
MONTPELIER, Vt. | With an explosion in growth in the craft beer industry over the last decade, it's not enough to simply have a passion for brewing and beer when it comes to starting a brewery or working for one as the industry gets more competitive.

Recognizing that, some universities are now offering programs on the business of craft beer.

In the last decade, the number of craft breweries has grown to more than 4,000 in the U.S. today, from more than 1,400 in 2005, according to the Brewers Association.

A lot of breweries started out five or 10 years ago with a focus on beer, said Gregory Dunkling, director of the University of Vermont's new online business of craft beer certificate program, which starts in February. Back then, a home brewer may have been able to create some great recipes but didn't have the business acumen so along the way hired staff to cover marketing, sales, the business operation, he said. It's harder to pull that off today.

As the industry has grown and become more competitive, the bar has been raised for those starting a brewery or working for one, said Bart Watson, chief economist with the Brewers Association.

"Certainly the demand for people with a high level of brewing knowledge has gone up and on the business side as well. So I think we're seeing a variety of different programs look for ways that they can capitalize on that," he said.

Portland State University in Oregon started an online business of craft brewing program in 2013, with the first cohort filling up in the first week with around 40 people. It's become one of the school's most successful professional certificate programs, drawing people from around the world, said Scott Gallagher, the university's director of communications.

"We discovered that there's a huge need for people who wanted to get a certificate. They didn't necessarily want to go to college or already had a college degree and wanted to open up a brew pub," Gallagher said. They needed some basic and more advanced knowledge, such as in marketing, he said.

The demand is so high that PSU is looking at how to develop and expand the program, Gallagher said.

"The truth is ... it's not all about brewing and drinking beer. There's a lot of business behind it as well and that's usually what they're lacking," he said.

University of Portland and San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies also have business of craft beer certificate programs. Classes for San Diego State's program are held at local breweries and at the university, but not online.

So far, the University of Vermont program, in a state that has made a name for itself for its craft beers, has drawn applicants from around the country  Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Oregon and Texas, and about half are from the Northeast, Dunkling said.

The program costs about $4,400 for the two courses: one on the fundamentals of craft beer and a second course of students' choosing focused on digital marketing, sales or business operations. Apprenticeships with a network of breweries and distributors are also available.

Industry officials agree there's a need for education and knowledge in the industry and different ways to get it, whether through experience, hiring talent or training, which some breweries provide.

As outside investors and larger breweries become increasingly involved with craft brewing, Harpoon Brewery, which will be offering apprenticeships to the UVM students, feels a need to maintain its independence.

"Hiring talented people is a critical part of that effort," Rich Ackerman, Harpoon's director of human resources, said by email. But the company cautions anyone against thinking of craft brewing purely as a business.

"It's a passion project, first and foremost," he said.
125 years ago

REMEMBERING HADDOCK: Mrs. George Haddock is visiting Sioux City friends this week, this being the first time she has been here since the trial of the men for murdering her husband. The Rev. George Haddock, the prohibitionist preacher, was gunned down in 1886. She has been living in Milwaukee, as well as visiting friends in Fort Dodge. Of her late husband, she said, "He was one of the most careful, accurate and conscientious man I have ever known. ...He realized perfectly the danger in which he had placed himself, but never faltered on that account."

CORN PALACE NEWS: The remains of the Corn Palace, composed of unmerchantable lumber and other debris, still covers the Palace site in Sioux City. No attempt is being made to remove the debris.

IN THE NEWS: The policemen of this city no longer enjoy the luxury of free transportation on the electric railway. They are now supposed to pay their fares just as other people do. ...The Salvation Army is holding nightly meetings at the hall on the corner of Fifth and Virginia streets and is making many conversions.

100 years ago

ICE HARVEST: Harvesting ice at Crystal lake, Riverside park and North Riverside will start this week by the Consumers Ice company. The ice harvesting will give employment to at least 500 men. The ice is now 11 inches thick.

CHEAP MEALS: Miss Mason of Scotland, S.D., prepared this $1 a Day Meal as a student at the University of South Dakota's Home Economics Department: Breakfast: Cornflakes, cream and sugar, cheese fondue on toast and coffee. Lunch: Tomato and cheese pudding, hot biscuits, apricot preserves and tea. Dinner: Pork Tenderloin, baked potatoes, gravy, scalloped potatoes and rice, bread and butter and Orange Surprise.

LAKE BREAK-INS: Two burglars ransacked 16 cottages at Crystal lake, taking loot valued at several hundred dollars. While at a junk shop, at Third and Pearl streets in Sioux City, the burglars thought they were being trailed and dropped their three bags of booty, and made their escape. The stolen items included wading boots, tire tubes, silver-plated lamps and several dozen silver spoons, knives and forks.

50 years ago

PORN VERDICT: A jury of Northwest Iowa housewives and farmers handed down a verdict in Sioux City, which, if upheld, could rock the erotic literature industry across the nation. The jury found 14 nudist magazines and six sex-filled paperback books to be obscene. The jury convicted the publisher, his wife and others based in Los Angeles, Calif., and the writers. This may be the first case in which writers and photographers were convicted. U.S. Attorney Donald O'Brien prosecuted the case. The defendants are expected to appeal.

ON EXIBIT: On exhibit at the Sioux City Public Museum, 2901 Jackson St.: The Gov. William Harding Collection. He was born in Sibley, Iowa, and served as Iowa governor from 1917 to 1921. See a number of calendars, including the most recent one featuring Sioux City's Trophy Mushrow, Miss Iowa of 1966. On display are vases from other countries that have historic interest.

MAKING NEWS: Dr. Robert Whiteside, Sioux City orthodontist, has been elected illustrious potentate of the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple. ...Harvey Sanford of the Sioux City Journal is the new president of the Sioux City Newspaper Guild, Local 123. ...Elmer Swensen was named chairman of the Cancer Crusade.

25 years ago

ALL-NIGHTER: The Sioux City Board of Education went into closed session at 7:10 p.m. Thursday to discuss the job evaluation of embattled Superintendent Sally Bell, emerging almost nine hours later at 4:08 a.m. Friday. After the meeting, the public knew no more about Bell's fate than before. No one was talking.

COMMUNITY NEWS: L & L Builders has been honored by the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce with its January "Pride of Sioux City" award, which was presented to owners Larry and Lonny Book. ...Diane Kay, director of communications at Marian Health Center, has accepted a graduate teaching assistanceship at the University of South Dakota. ...Spirit Lake, Iowa, builder Bill Eich has been appointed to a three-year term on the National Association of Home Builders Standing Committee on Energy.

WAR NEWS: Officials are making plans to step up security at Sioux Gateway Airport in the event of war in the Middle East, under a federal mandate. ...Col. Dennis Swanstrom reported security measures also are being beefed up at the headquarters for the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Tactical Fighter Group. ... A prayer service was held at First Presbyterian Church, hosted by 11 Siouxland churches, seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis in the Persian Gulf.

These items were published in The Journal Jan. 10-16, 1891, 1916, 1966 and 1991.
NEW YORK | Don't look for a small business boom in 2016.

Companies in some industries and in certain parts of the U.S. may have a strong year, but overall, small businesses can expect a continuation of the slow, uneven growth they experienced in 2015.

Surveys show owners generally have lowered expectations for their companies in 2016. A survey taken in November by Wells Fargo & Co. found 70 percent of owners expect their companies' financial situation to be good in 12 months, down from 74 percent in a survey during the summer. Forty-seven percent predicted their revenue would be higher, down from 51 percent.

Sluggish consumer spending, the slowdown in the gas and oil industries and the still-unpredictable housing market are expected to keep companies cautious. Uneasiness about possible terror attacks also is likely to add to the uncertainty.

David Ashen, co-owner of Dash Design, an interior design firm with offices in New York and Miami, feels that uncertainty. Ashen expects his clients' lenders to become more conservative as they await the outcome of the presidential election, making it harder for projects to be financed.

Ashen's 2016 outlook also is cautious because his company specializes in design for industries that are facing specific challenges. For instance, some of the retailers Dash Design works with are cutting back on their number of stores. And Dash Design works with the hotel industry, which is dependent on strong economic growth around the world  something economists say isn't in the cards for 2016 given slowdowns in China, Brazil and other countries.

"I believe that we are in a period of unrest on all fronts and that the economy in the U.S. will begin to reflect that in 2016," Ashen says.

Economist Scott Anderson expects companies in the Midwest to have a tougher time than those on the East and West coasts because the energy and mining industries are struggling. Anderson, chief economist with Bank of the West, counted 123,000 jobs lost in those industries from 2014 to 2015. And the plunge in commodities prices is hurting companies related to agriculture, he says.

Consumer spending has also been erratic in recent months, which has a direct effect on small businesses like retailers and restaurants. Spending rose 0.3 percent in November after stagnating in October, according to the Commerce Department. Consumers have put more money into savings  $748 billion in November and $757 billion in October, up from $723 billion in September.

Consumers are willing to buy cars but are otherwise more cautious, Anderson says.

"You need to see the consumer hitting on all cylinders for small businesses to feel the full effect," he says.

Norm Aamodt, whose company plans corporate conferences and events like trade shows, expects the economy and his business to continue the slow, steady growth he's seen since the recession.

"Businesses are beginning to figure out the new economy," says Aamodt, president of Event Strategy Group, based in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.

But Aamodt is wary because companies are continually looking for ways to cut costs, and travel to trade shows is often a casualty when budgets are cut. Technology like videoconferencing is also reducing the need for big corporate gatherings.

Corporate travel can also be vulnerable in the face of increasing concerns about terrorism.

"It is a crazy world in which we're living. It could all just implode at any time," Aamodt says.

Still, some companies are expecting a good year. Evan Mountain expects business at his dance studio in suburban Detroit to grow in 2016 along with the auto industry.

With auto sales extending their recovery from the recession, his customers can afford non-necessities like dance lessons. Sales of cars and light trucks are expected to reach a record 17.7 million vehicles this year, up from nearly 17.5 in 2015, according to the North American Dealers Association. Mountain is projecting his Fred Astaire Dance Studio will have a 20 percent revenue increase, following a better-than-expected 30 percent last year.

"We are on a great rebound I expect to continue through 2016," says Mountain, whose studio is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
SIOUX CITY | After three years downtown, Lori Stekl has decided to skip the storefront and sell online.

Funkalicious, at 409 Pearl St., will close on Jan. 28 and reopen as an online retailer the first week of March. All clothes, handbags, scarves and accessories are marked down 50 percent.

Online shopping is the way of the future. Thats what its coming to, she said. People are so busy that they would rather just shop from home.

Stekl had been toying with the idea of taking her boutique online-only for about six months. At first, she thought about doing both, keeping the store open and becoming an online retailer, but the split focus meant something would have to give, and she prides herself on keeping an organized, attractive sales floor.

The choice became clear after seeing statistics from Thanksgiving weekend.

Online sales grew 21.5 percent for Black Friday and 17.8 percent for Cyber Monday from 2014, according to IBM Watson Trend Hub. At the same time, ShopperTrak found that spending fell by 10 percent at brick-and-mortar stores over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend.

Funkalicious is the second boutique to vacate Pearl Street in the past year. Formerly located next door, alainn, owned by Kelli Engel, closed in March 2013, just a little over two years after opening. Now, the building at 411 Pearl St. is the second site for Evolve Yoga & Wellness.

The recent departures mean only two womens clothing boutiques remain in downtown Sioux City: What Women Want, at 521 Fourth St., and 6 South Designs, at 922 Fourth St.

While Stekl said Funkalicious was doing well on Pearl Street, closing the physical shop came with appealing perks.

Im going to save $2,000 a month, not having utilities and rent, she said. Thats cheap compared to a lot of places for rent, so you will be able to have cheaper prices online that way because you dont have the overhead.

Stekl never intended to open a brick-and-mortar store. When she moved to Sioux City, she planned to do wholesale and go online because she had just sold her boutique in Mitchell, South Dakota. But then she saw new windows being installed on a beautiful old building on Pearl Street, she couldnt resist.

If she was going to open another boutique, she wanted to be downtown. This was it. She opened Funkalicious the week before Thanksgiving 2012.

She was excited when Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opened up less than a block away on Aug. 1, 2014, and anticipated having more foot traffic and business coming through the door. And that was true to a point.

Stekl began getting new customers from out of town. She said that shoppers would come in and love what she had to offer, but often, it was a one-time transaction at the brick-and-mortar store. Shoppers would leave wishing they could order online.

Shes ended up shipping a lot of items to other cities based on what she posts on Facebook. Her customer base is largely made up of out-of-towners, many of them from Omaha, Nebraska.

Ultimately, having the store on Pearl Street helped her build a following, and while shell miss the social aspect of having a walk-in store, shes looking forward to the prospect of taking her merchandise to more vendor fairs and doing style shows.

Stekl is not going out of business, just changing how business is done.
SIOUX CITY | Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, insists he's the only presidential candidate that wants to bring change to the country.

Its not just about electing Bernie Sanders as president, Sanders told the Journal editorial board on Dec. 21. We are trying to bring forth a political revolution by bringing in millions of people who have given up on American democracy and have become cynical.

Sanders, 74, didn't hesitate to talk differences between himself and the Democratic presidential frontrunner, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats in the Senate, described himself as the anti-establishment candidate, While having known Clinton for years and having respect for her, he does not believe she will bring enough change if elected.

We cant do it the same old way with the number of issues facing the country, Sanders said. The difference between her and I is I am willing to take on the billionaire Super PACs.

Sanders railed against Citizens United, the U.S. Supreme Court decision which allows unlimited campaign contributions by corporations. He said the decision has not only corrupted campaign fianances, but undermined democracy itself.

Sanders also views Wall Street as too big, and vowed to limit, and eventually, break up the big banks.

Clinton does not believe in that, Sanders said. He also recalled that he voted against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, while Clinton, as a senator from New York, supported the resolution requested by then President George W. Bush.

Sanders said he has a history of fighting the establishment, starting as mayor of Burlington, Vermont, and then later as senator. In his presidential campaign, he has attracted a strong grassroots movement that has propelled him to within striking distance of Clinton in Iowa, site of the first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 1.

Congress, the House is significantly controlled by large campaign donors, Sanders said. People want fair taxes, my Republican colleagues want large tax breaks for the wealthy, as an example.

On issues like raising the minimum wage, Social Security and health care, Sanders said Congress is out of touch.

During his hourlong meeting with the Journal editorial board, Sanders also voiced his views on some key issues.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Sanders has pushed for investing $3 trillion in the nation's roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The huge investment, he said, would be paid for by closing the ability for large multi-national corporations to store profits in what he describes as off-shore tax havens.

COLLEGE COSTS

Public college tuition should be free, and interest on student debt should be lower, he said. Sanders estimated that would cost about $70 billion a year. He would finance it by taxing speculation on Wall Street.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Sanders also would boost Social Security benefits by lifting the cap on payroll taxes levied on incomes. The maximum taxable wage base for 2015 is $118,500. Incomes above that level are not subject to the 6.2 percent tax for individuals or 6.2 percent for employers, for a total of 12.4 percent.

HEALTH CARE

The priciest item on Sanders' to-do list is nationalized health care -- to the tune of $15 trillion over 10 years. The Vermont senator said the Affordable Health Care Act, which President Obama pushed through the Democratic-controlled Congress in 2010, doesn't go far enough.

I believe the U.S. should join every other major country on Earth to get Medicare for all through a single-payer program, and get private insurance companies out of health care, Sanders said.

FOREIGN POLICY

Sanders said the U.S. should remain the major military power in the world, but warned against the seeming simplicity of regime changes by overthrowing dictators.

Wars and regime change have unintended consequences, Sanders said. Saddam Hussein was a real butcher, but you have to think of the consequences, the vacuum of power in Iraq after he was killed.

The U.S. should not be the sole savior of the worlds problems, he said. Through working in national coalitions, America can still play a vital role in helping others without inflicting the pain of war on itself, he said.

Weve got to work globally. I went to too many funerals in my state, of our kids who we sent off, Sanders said.
SIOUX CITY | Election Day could become a holiday of sorts for students who attend Sioux City public schools.

Woodbury County Elections Commissioner Pat Gill said he no longer wants students in school buildings that are used as polling places in November general elections during even-numbered years.

Election Day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

School officials said they will try to grant his request in the interest of student safety.

Gill asked school district officials March 25 if they would consider holding teacher training rather than a regular day of instruction on Election Day every other year. Having only teachers on the premises when voters are in the buildings would cut down on parking and security concerns, he said.

The district usually holds professional development sessions for teachers on Monday afternoons rather than scheduling them for a full day, but district Superintendent Paul Gausman said he'll look into changing that.

"This will add a measure of security," Gausman said this week. "If we can make that happen, we will try to accommodate his request."

If it doesn't happen, Gill said, Sioux City schools will no longer be used as polling places at some point.

Gill said having members of the public mixing with students is a security concern. He said there is an accelerating national trend away from using schools as voting places, particularly after the December shooting spree in a Newtown, Conn., school that killed 26.

All city schools are locked during school days, but Gausman said certain doors are left unlocked during elections so voters can get to the ballot boxes.

"I appreciate his focus on student safety," Gausman said of Gill's efforts. "That has been something that we have discussed, especially in light of recent events in our nation. ... If we were to remove the students from the schools on the days of the election once every other year, certainly that would be the most safe alternative."

For the November 2012 general election, 13 city schools were used as voting places for 13 hours, much longer than the school day. Gill said the number of buildings has dropped significantly since the early 1990s, when schools that were not handicapped-accessible stopped being used for voting.

The only Woodbury County school outside Sioux City that hosted a voting site in 2012 was Kingsley-Pierson Middle School in Pierson. Voting at Sergeant Bluff-Luton district's school ended after a years-long push by the district.

Other Iowa counties, including Dubuque and Linn, are moving away from using schools for voting, Gill said.

Finding replacement sites isn't easy, though.

"We are looking for a few places. In fact, one of the churches turned me down ... I am looking for other options, but it is very difficult to do," said Gill.

At the same time, he's looking into reducing the number of city polling places from 28 during school board and city elections, when state law allows fewer precincts. The Sioux City Council earlier this year favored that plan but later backed away from it.

Gill said he has no intention of using schools as polling places for city or school board elections.

Journal reporter Nate Robson contributed to this story.
SIOUX CITY | Schools will be prominent among places where Woodbury County Republican and Democratic voters gather Feb. 1 to declare their preferences for president.

Private homes, meanwhile, are vanishing as sites for the state's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Schools have increasingly been removed as polling places for daylong general elections, primarily due to security concerns arising from a series of high-profile shootings. But school buildings will be prime venues for this year's caucuses, which begin at 7 p.m. statewide.

Eleven of the 13 Democratic Party caucus sites in Woodbury County will be in public schools, along with one church in Sioux City and a community center in Moville. Nine of the 21 Republican Party caucus sites in the county also will be in schools, along with several city halls and churches.

Woodbury County has 44 voting precincts for general elections, but county political party officials can hold caucuses in fewer sites. Of the nine schools that will be used by Republicans, six are in Sioux City and three are in smaller towns of Moville, Lawton and Bronson.

Just one county caucus site will be in a private home, at the rural Smithland residence of Adelene Bromander, for a Republican Party precinct event. The tradition of holding caucuses in homes is becoming an Iowa relic in recent years.

Woodbury County Democratic Party Chairwoman Penny Rosfjord said many people will open up their homes for candidate meet-and-greets in the run-up to the caucuses. But Rosfjord and Woodbury County Republican Party Secretary Tom Mitchell said most precincts for this year's competitive caucuses would have too many voters to fit in a private dwelling.

"The turnout is expected to be higher and not many people can accommodate the increased numbers in their homes," Mitchell said.

Just north of Woodbury County, Plymouth County Republican Party official Don Kass said there were problems the last time a homeowner hosted a caucus, back in 2008.

"So many people showed up that parking was almost dangerous and people were standing in the bathroom and master bedroom. The hosts were not amused. That was the last time we did that," Kass said.

Adelene Bromander's son, Charles, is the main organizer for the caucus in her home. Charles said members of the Bromander family have hosted a caucus dating to the 1970s, and they enjoy it. She has hosted a caucus every presidential cycle in her current home since moving there in 1997.

Bromander said the home can hold up to 50 people, more than enough space for the roughly 30 people who typically turn out for the caucus.

"It is a neighborhood deal. Everybody knows everybody. Occasionally, we will get a new neighbor in," he said.

Since 2013, having daylong voting at schools during instructional hours caused security problems, Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill said. But the caucuses take place for about an hour in the evening when students aren't in the classrooms so using a school is not a problem, Rosfjord said.

Rosfjord said the prime goal is to pick sites that are handicapped accessible and readily known by people living in nearby precincts.

"Everybody knows where (schools) are at. It is just easier," Rosfjord said.

A new president will succeed President Barack Obama in January 2017. The caucuses, which are the first contest in the 2016 presidential nominating season, have drawn hundreds of campaign events by presidential candidates throughout Iowa. In three weeks, Iowans will finally weigh in.

Doors open for the Democratic and Republican caucus sites at 6 p.m., with the event to begin at 7 p.m.

"My goal is to have the smoothest process possible, so that it is smooth and efficient for people that walk in," Rosfjord said.

Registered no party voters cannot take part in the caucuses unless they registered as a Democrat or Republican. Mitchell said there is a push this year for people to register early to participate in the caucuses. That's important, since he anticipates a large number of new participants, driven by high interest in the campaign of Republican candidate Donald Trump.

"To minimize the lines for same-day registration we are encouraging people to get registered in (early) January. If we have a large number, it could cause delays to the caucus start at 7 pm. With the amount of national attention the caucus will be receiving, we must make sure it goes smoothly," Mitchell said.
SIOUX CITY | A little-remembered portion of the U.S. Constitution says that if no presidential candidate gets the required 270 electoral votes in a November election, then members of the U.S. House of Representatives gather to pick the nation's next chief executive officer.

The 2016 presidential race has been highly intriguing as the Year of the Outsider. Perceived front-runners such as Jeb Bush and Scott Walker have fallen short of expectations, while political outsiders such as uber-businessman and reality TV star Donald Trump and retired surgeon Ben Carson have surged.

But political observers say they doubt we'll see any sort of Armageddon or Doomsday scenarios, in which candidates, like Trump, leave their parties and run as independents, resulting in a November outcome where no candidate wins 270 Electoral College votes.

That would trigger the need for a final decision in the U.S. House, and the last time that happened was in 1824.

"I don't think that is at all likely. Until proven otherwise, it is a two-party system," said Cody Hoefert, an Iowa Republican Party official from Rock Rapids, Iowa.

University of Iowa Political Science Professor Tim Hagle said a going-to-the-House scenario would also require that the other major party two candidates would be so evenly split that the votes going to the independent candidate caused the major party candidates to both get fewer than 270 electoral votes, which would also be unlikely.

"It's one of those things in the Constitution that hasn't been used in so long that most people don't even know it exists and would be very unhappy with how it operates," Hagle said. "On the whole, if something odd did happen in this election, there would likely be calls to change the process.

Still, some see varying likelihoods on the possibility that Trump could run as an independent, and a much lesser extent that Republican Carson and Democrats Bernie Sanders or Jim Webb could also mount campaigns as independents.

Buena Vista University political science professor Bradley Best said it is possible, but not likely, that a wide field of Republican candidates could result in the GOP national convention in July in Cleveland playing out without a clear winner having the needed 1,237 delegates after five months of primaries and caucuses. That could lead to a so-called brokered convention, where after a series of conventions votes to settle on a nominee, Republican officials might meet behind closed doors to pitch a completely new candidate.

Having more than the two major-party nominees in the field could change the campaign arc, South Dakota State University Political Science Professor David Wiltse said, perhaps sinking Republican hopes to deny the election of perceived Democratic nominee-in-waiting Hillary Clinton.

"I dont think the House will have to come in and settle the election. If there is a third-party candidate, hed likely effect only the Republican Party, act as a spoiler, and amplify the margin of victory at the state level for the Democratic nominee," Wiltse said.

Speaking Monday in New Hampshire, Republican candidate Chris Christie said a third-party candidacy would result in the election of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Hagle said the key pieces involved in running as an independent involve candidates being placed on state ballots, which can be a challenge, since there is no party structure to help them.

Hoefert said he can't see Republicans Trump and Carson running as independents, after statements that indicated they would not. Hoefert said the most likely third-party candidate is Sanders, who is officially an independent but caucuses with Democrats in the Senate. Hoefert said Sanders could be displeased with the "coronation" establishment Democrats are pursuing with Clinton and would launch an independent presidential bid out of a desire to enact highly progressive policies.

Hoefert said any independent would have to have substantial access to money and name identification to make a mark. But Hoefert predicted no independent would ever tap into enough voter dissatisfaction to win one of the 50 states.

Woodbury County Democratic Party Chairwoman Penny Rosfjord, of Sioux City, said Trump and Sanders are the two candidates most likely to launch independent runs, but she isn't sold that they will. Rosfjord said those decisions would hinge on how closely Trump would lose the GOP nomination down the stretch and if Democrats add progressive planks Sanders prizes into the party platform.

Rosfjord and Hagle said Trump would have one advantage that other independents would not, in his massive personal wealth, to compete in the race.

Rosfjord said she doesn't see any independent this year being able to win any state, but she said they could "end up being a spoiler," by taking away votes from the nominee in their original party, thereby delivering a victory to the other party's nominee. Rosfjord noted that was the factor in 1992, when former Republican candidate Ross Perot got enough votes to undercut Republican incumbent George H.W. Bush, helping hand the election to Democrat Bill Clinton.

Hagle said he sees Webb as the most likely independent candidate, at perhaps a 5 on a 10-scale, and Trump slightly below that. Late December, reports indicated Webb, who dropped out of the Democratic race, could return as an independent.

Hagle said Webb has certain appeal to people who are liberal on various social issues but who have greater concerns about foreign policy and national security than the current Democrats running.

"It's hard to say without knowing who the GOP nominee will be, but taking away votes from Clinton isn't quite the same as having them go to the Republican nominee. Still, given how low (Webb's) appeal was during his short presidential campaign effort, it seems unlikely he'll have much of an effect," Hagle said.

Best said the likelihood of Trump running as an independent is 50-50, since he "warns that any mistreatment at the hands of party elites will open the possibility."

"Frankly, I think Trump aspires to the role of an outsider spurned by the mechanisms of traditional party politics. The Trump campaign knows, I'm quite sure that a significant number of his supporters are Republicans first and Trump fans second," Best said.

Hagle said is Trump, Sanders, Webb or Carson mount independent campaigns, it is unlikely they would win any states.

Said Hagle,"Although it seems that Trump is bringing in a lot of independent voters to his campaign, an independent run would likely peel off enough Republicans to hurt the GOP candidate in several states. Unlike Perot, however, Trump is much better at working the media to his advantage. I'm not sure that he would actually win any states, but he could certainly keep the Republican nominee from doing so and thus affect the ultimate outcome."

Best said a brokered convention is an extreme long-shot, since "the winnowing effect of the caucus and primary schedule tends to generate a front-runner and momentum in a very real, meaningful force."
Editor's note: The Iowa Legislature opens a new session on Monday. Beginning today and continuing every other Sunday through the conclusion of this year's session, our local lawmakers will share their Statehouse views.

Sen. Bill Anderson, R-Pierson

Each year I attend several pre-legislative session meetings to discuss issues facing constituents and industries in our state. I depend on my constituents to tell me what they expect from their state government. When a constituent makes a request, I work to craft legislation to address the issue. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we are not. However, putting forward a bill begins the discussion. In some cases, an issue can be addressed by a department without legislative action.

As in past sessions, the budget will be the leading issue during this year's session. With a projected $153 million in new revenue and roughly $260 million in built-in expenses, it will be a challenging year.

This session I will work toward meaningful education reform through legislation that puts parents in the drivers seat of their childs education. Education savings accounts (ESAs) give families a choice in education. Whether they choose public, private or home schooling, these dollars will follow the child. ESAs are a step in the right direction when it comes to education reform.

I will continue to defend agriculture in our state. I believe in voluntary practices with incentives, not state or federal mandates. Iowa farmers are the best stewards of the land. They work every day to protect their investment.

I have many priorities, from income tax reform to defunding Planned Parenthood. I am realistic about our chances of moving an agenda from the minority. Those chances, however, will not deter me or my colleagues from continuing to work toward a better Iowa.

Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City

Happy New Year. This Monday marks the beginning of my sixth year in the Senate, and I am sincerely excited that Sioux City Republicans and Democrats can all agree that Sioux City and Northwest Iowa are on a roll. As I look down my original to do list from 2010 I humbly feel a sense of gratification as many of the goals I have set for our community have been achieved. Commercial property tax relief, education equity reform, Highway 20 funding, targeted jobs incentives and other housing economic triggers were great wins for Sioux City, but we have more to do.

My focus continues to be on breaking down barriers that inhibit businesses from investing in Iowa. I will continue in 2016 to lay the groundwork for meaningful income tax reform, which I believe is in reach. I will continue to support workforce development through our community college and public schools and will continue to set the stage for the implementation of education spending accounts that I believe will finally provide Iowa with modern school choice and reform.

I will once again lead the charge for the passage of essential Stand Your Ground legislation and with the rest of my Republican colleagues, I am committed to eliminating all public funding from the butchers at Planned Parenthood.

Overall, I continue to be very passionate about the economic success of our community and I am committed to making Northwest Iowa a great place to live, raise our families and do profitable business.

Rep. David Dawson, D-Sioux City

Raising wages for Iowans should be a top priority for the Legislature and governor in 2016. One of the first bills I co-sponsored in 2014 was a bill to raise the minimum wage. Low-wage workers in Iowa have not had a raise since July 1, 2009, after the Legislature took action in 2007 to raise wages over two years, from $5.15 to $7.25.

In February 2015, the Senate passed a bill with bipartisan support to raise the minimum wage, but the House majority refused to consider it before we adjourned in June 2015. The Senate bill proposed increasing the minimum wage to $8 on July 1, 2015, and to $8.75 on July 1, 2016, which would place Iowa directly between the current wages of our neighboring states.

In 2014, voters approved minimum wage increases in South Dakota and Nebraska. South Dakotas rate is now $8.55 and will be adjusted every year by cost-of-living increases. The rate in Nebraska is now $9.

The Iowa Policy Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, reported in 2015 that nearly 12 percent of Iowa workers would benefit from an $8.75 rate. Of those workers, 72 percent are over age 20, 44 percent work full time, 59 percent are women, 20 percent have children and, on average, they earn about 44 percent of their familys total income.

I hope the House majority will listen to their constituents, including businesses across the state, that support an increase so Iowa can remain competitive and not lose workers to our bordering states.

Rep. Chris Hall, D-Sioux City

Monday begins my sixth legislative session. Our community has seen great progress the past few years. Weve seen new companies locate here, expansion of existing business, gains in population, and growth in average household income. These things have not happened by accident. They have required partnership among our local legislators and with local government. Sioux City is a great place to live and work, and I am proud to represent you.

Much of my work will continue to be budget-focused. I serve on the Appropriations Committee where lawmakers discuss and debate critical public investments.

The outline of the state budget was set last month by a non-partisan panel. While Iowas economy has slowed slightly, state revenues are still expected to grow by 4 percent, which is an additional $281 million. The state will end the current fiscal year with a $180 million surplus. Our reserve accounts will be full at over $700 million.

Public education must be a priority. Both K-12 and community colleges suffered from the governors veto of $55 million last year, only to see him give those dollars away to corporations several weeks later. Without reasonable and timely funding, the states future workforce will have a difficult time competing with neighboring states.

My priorities also include: increasing the minimum wage to $8.75; investing in quality-of-life programs like parks and trails; reforming the criminal justice system to be more cost-effective and impartial; reducing college debt for young professionals; and supporting greater pay equity for women.

Rep. Ron Jorgensen, R-Sioux City

Im looking forward to the start of my sixth year in the Iowa House. Election years are normally light on policy-related issues with a focus more on the budget. With new revenues (over FY 16 spending) projected to be only $153 million and built-in spending increases of around $200 million, it will be another very tight budget year.

Medicaid, education reform and property tax reform-related costs will eat up most of the new revenue projections. Still to be decided and funded will be supplemental state aid for schools. Because the makeup of the Legislature is the same as it has been during the last five years, I would not expect much movement on major policy-related issues.

My priorities for this year include:

1) Continue to prudently manage the state budget, helping to assure that the state remains in a strong financial position.

2) As required by code, make school funding decisions in a timely manner, allowing districts time to plan.

3) Extend the sunset date on the school statewide sales tax used for infrastructure or property tax relief. This would help provide needed funds for districts to complete many school replacement or improvement projects. Without this, property taxes would need to be used to complete these projects.

4) Pass legislation which addresses the current school funding inequity situations. Because Sioux City is greatly affected by these inequities this could help bring millions of dollars back to the community to be used for property tax relief and/or additional education funding.
Next week will mark a significant personal milestone - the 25th anniversary of the start of Operation Desert Storm. While some perceive the ground phase of that campaign as consisting of collecting demoralized prisoners surrendering to drones, my experience was different.

Hopefully this column is adequate testimony to some of the sacrifices made by my comrades.

My unit consisted of approximately 500 men operating in a mix of infantry fighting vehicles, tanks and support vehicles. As an intelligence officer, my mission was to anticipate and help find the enemy in order to protect friendly forces.

We arrived at the Saudi port of Jubayl in early January, lodging in large warehouses for about two weeks. We were alerted to the start of the air campaign when awakened at 2 a.m. on Jan. 17 and donned chemical protective gear. Over the next few days, we needed to quickly put on the gear, not knowing if it was a drill or a real attack. One such occasion occurred during breakfast, causing people to drop their food and raising great concern among local, unprotected personnel delivering it.

A few vehicles among the over 100 in the unit were given a new technology: global positioning systems. Those without the devices navigated off of the equipped vehicles, or used compass and odometers.

Our initial mission was to create cuts in the berm separating Saudi Arabia from Iraq and to conduct counter-reconnaissance. We were restricted in how far north we could go, so as to not cause too much attention.

Being able to detect vehicles that were beyond our ability to engage with direct fire, the battalion commander sought Apache helicopters to destroy observed enemy vehicles. The helicopter pilot became disoriented and mistook friendly vehicles as enemy, firing one Hellfire missile, killing Corporal Jeff Middleton and Private Robert Talley. Soldiers in an adjacent vehicle exited to retrieve radar when a second missile hit their vehicle. Their lives were spared when the pilots machine gun jammed.

The next evening, our operations center moved and was quickly engaged by Iraqi artillery fire, wounding two soldiers, including one from my section. The following day, the unit was directed to withdraw back to Saudi Arabia. While doing so, Iraqi artillery fire disabled one tank and wounded two soldiers.

During the ground campaign, our unit conducted a passage of lines with the First UK Armored Division. On the night of Feb. 26, forward U.S. elements detected and engaged elements of the Iraqi Republican Guard. Our unit, being part of a much larger organization designed to bring decisive battle, passed through the other elements at night.

Immediately upon passing, our forces were engaged with RPGs. One of the company command vehicles was disabled, causing disorientation among the unit and having it move in an unplanned direction. Seeing vehicles move where they were not anticipated, a neighboring tank unit opened fire. Our Bravo Company suffered the deaths of Sgt. David Crumby, Specialist Manuel Davila, Private First Class David Kramer, and Specialist Anthony Kidd, along with the wounding of 24 others.

Confusion occurred elsewhere, with two of our units tanks being shot by another American unit. The result was the death of Staff Sgt. Tony Applegate, one of those wounded by the artillery round during our earlier withdrawal.

There is a chance the anniversary of the conflict will draw some public attention. I identified the names of those of my comrades who died not because I knew them well, but because they are more than numbers. They fought and died on your behalf, as do those who serve now. Their sacrifice deserves your attention.

Next week: Charese Yanney

A Sioux City resident, Steve Warnstadt is government affairs coordinator for Western Iowa Tech Community College and a former Democratic state senator. He and his wife, Mary, are the parents of one son and one daughter.
Got a couple of advance pdfs for Doctor Who RPG books while I wait for the hard copies to arrive: The 11th Doctor sourcebook and the adventure compendium All of Time and Space vol.1. Oh and unrelated, but sort of related, Continuum Season 3 on DVD.In theaters: Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight is bloody drawing room mystery of a western with a fun cast and plenty of good moments, but it really didn't need to be three hours long. The extremely talky script really could have used a trim, as we have characters telling the same stories to different people, and making the same points several times. Realistic, maybe, but this isn't a piece of realism. It's a raucous comedy, and a slapstick comedy at that. As with Django Unchained's slavery humor, it may take you a few moments before allowing yourself to laugh at Jennifer Jason Leigh's treatment in this movie, but taking it as violent slapstick helps. Regardless of its flaws, the time flies by pretty fast, the characters and locations are interesting, the film impeccably shot, and it's Ennio Morricone's first western score in decades. But it's one that needs to grow on me, because as it stands, it's perhaps Tarantino's weakest film in terms of theme and story.DVDs: Louis C.K.'s unglamorous take on the stand-up comic sitcom continues to intrigue with Louie Season 2, and I want to coin the term "observational drama" to describe it (if no one's thought of it already), because while there's comedy in the stand-ups, the way episodes play out, usually in paired vignettes, they evoke sadness more than laughs. And I'm perfectly fine with that, because they ARE so well observed. What's funny is that you recognize the stories as being truthful - even when they are flights of fancy - and recognize yourself or your world in them. It takes guts, I think, to put this kind of thing on television. The show's secret MVP is C.K.'s friend Pamela Adlon, who started contributing script material this season and is one heck of a character. I hope we haven't seen the last of her. The DVD includes audio commentary on the first few episodes and then dries up, which is too bad because Louis C.K. usually provides comments of interest, and a Fox Movie Channel featurette which about as okay as it sounds.Penguins of Madagascar, about a quartet of penguin secret agents under threat from an octopus supervillain whose human disguise seems based on Joss Whedon is so frenetically paced, I spent the first act wondering why the hell any of it was happening. I eventually eased into it, and enjoyed its relentless action and 25-jokes-a-minute rhythm, but I'm not gonna lie, it was tiring. At its best, it riffed on superspy stories without slavishly parodying them, coming off more like Thunderbirds than Bond, though there is a sequence more or less pulled from Moonraker (it takes a warped mind...). At its worst, it tacks on a cheesy "message" at the end that doesn't really work in light of what happens next, but it's clear the movie doesn't really care about that, just the jokes.
Usefulness Content Freshness "The Business of Family: How to Stay Rich for Generations" is a guide to maintaining your family's hard-earned assets. Author Linda Davis Taylor found that business owners invest more in their business than in the families that are supported by that business. It's time to change that and Linda Taylor's book, written by a fourth-generation investment consultant, shows us how.

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

The goal of The Business of Family: How to Stay Rich for Generations is to bring the much-needed conversation about money to the dinner table. Why? Our families need it.

As author Linda Davis Taylor shares in her book, more and more families are gaining assets that will be passed down to other family members one day. The problem is those hard-earned assets are often gone within the third generation.

What is The Business of Family About?

The Business of Family is not about how to make money as a family or where to put your money for a higher rate of return. Instead. but it is about keeping your hard-earned money (and other assets) within your family, generation after generation. You wont find a lot of advice on where to put your money for a higher rate of return or how to create wealth. Instead, author Linda Davis Taylor focuses on investment in two things, values and education. These two things, in Taylors opinion, are the key components missing from a family wealth transition or inheritance plan.

Taylor bemoans, in several places in the book, about how business owners put time into creating a succession plan and training for their businesses, but fail to do this for their families. As a result, even if the individual business owner handles money well, all of that effort could be destroyed by the efforts of family members. (Just check your local gossip column, history book, or tabloid.)

To solve that problem, Taylor suggests that families invest in themselves, like a business owner invests in their business. Like a business, families should consider their values and formalize them into a workable plan (family constitution), which serves as the familys strategy for increasing and passing down their wealth. This plan, updated on a regular basis through family councils, should include education in financial IQ (money management and finance), as well as financial EQ (values, mentoring, and behaviors, etc.).

The result, if followed through, is a family that is well-informed about money in general, about their familys money specifically, and has a written plan that guides everyone on board.

About the Author

Linda Davis Taylor is a former college advisor and CEO of Clifford Swan Investment Counsel, a fourth generation family business. She advises and speaks about issues regarding wealth planning and families.

What Was Best About The Business of Family

The best part about The Business of Family is the straightforward solution for a sticky family problem, money. Taylors answer invites readers to approach the issue in a collaborative but structured way designed to be passed down. In other words, instead of just passing down the money, families should also pass down the philosophy behind the money too. This is a rather forward-thinking approach, even in times where money seems to be moving faster than ever.

What Could Have Been Done Differently

The Business of Family leaves out one big issue that could derail the whole project, family obstacles. Families often encounter large obstacles, heightened when you have large amounts of money. The book does touch on this a little, but more attention to problem-solving strategies would be helpful.

Why Read The Business of Family

The Business of Family gives compelling support to the idea that families should have the money conversation on a regular basis, particularly when it comes to succession. It isnt enough to just do the paperwork for succession. Its also important to transmit the values and goals of succession to the person who will control the assets after it is passed down.

Although heavily geared toward families with large accounts, the book offers advice that should form part of every familys money conversation. Regardless of what assets we pass down, if we dont invest in the people who will manage those assets, then our assets can become liabilities faster than we think.

Get discounts and special offers on new and classic business books with an Audible Premium Plus membership. Learn more and sign up for an account today.
There are many fitness goals out there that we desire. Some of us want to be leaner and others wish to put on muscle mass. The thing is, for you to achieve your fitness goals, you need to
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
Gov. Hogan, with his hair clearly coming back, explains his budget proposal at a Thursday press conference. Left is Lt. Gov Boyd Rutherford, on the right is Budget Secretary David Brinkley and fiscal advisor Bob Neall. (Photo: MarylandReporter.com)

ANNAPOLIS

(Jan. 8, 2016)In an unusual preview of next year's budget not due for weeks, Gov. Larry Hogan drew the line for legislators already planning to spend more money than he wants.Hogan said he will spend every dollar the law forces him to do through legislative mandates and formulas, but he won't spend any more even if the legislature tries to force him by "fencing off" extra spending, much as they did on $68 million in school aid last year."Fencing off money will not work," Hogan assured legislators. "We'll be happy to hold onto the money and build up our reserves," since the unspent money goes to the bottom line.Hogan also said he will seek $400 million in "modest and reasonable tax cuts" that will improve the economy and provide relief to as many as a million Marylanders, especially "struggling Maryland families, retirees and small business owners."But he said he will not again attempt to roll back the gasoline tax hikes as he did last year when lawmakers shot down the proposal.He said he will propose a $17.1 billion general fund budget, with a rainy day fund of $1.1 billion, setting aside $250 million more than the 5% required, and a budget surplus of $440 million, much larger than what the legislature has typically provided in recent years.Because he is fully funding all mandates and offering a structurally balanced budget, Hogan will not be sponsoring what has become a standard tool of governors' budgetsan omnibus bill known as the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act, BRFA for short, that adjusts spending mandates and formulas to balance the budget.The House made 43 amendments to the BRFA proposed by Hogan, and the Senate made 23 changesBy not having a BRFA, the legislature will be restricted to cutting the governor's budget as the Maryland Constitution intends. Any additional spending must be passed as separate legislation with a separate source of funding.Hogan said he will propose legislation that automatically reduces spending mandates when "revenues don't keep pace."(For background on how spending mandates came to be and what can be done to fix them, this reporter did a 2009 research study for the Free State Foundation.)In one breath, Hogan decried "eight years of fiscal irresponsibility" by the Democratic governor and legislature that "cannot be solved in 12 months."But then he said his new budget "we hope will set the stage for bipartisanship, cooperation and fiscal restraint."Democrats mock plan, progressive think-tank skepticalHogan offered few specifics on most aspects of the fiscal 2017 budget. The lack of specifics was mocked by the Maryland Democratic Party and drew skepticism from a progressive oriented think tank.Patrick Murray, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said:Last year, Governor Hogan made deep cuts to public education, the state workforce, and services for the developmentally disabled, and raised college tuition. Mandate relief is Hogan-speak for larger class sizes or higher tuition bills. In the absence of a real plan that the public can consider, the Governor is just making noise."The governor's remarks today were short on details and left out key pieces of the puzzle," said Benjamin Orr, director of the CORRECTION: Maryland Center for Economic Policy. What Marylanders should be paying attention to is what services and programs they will lose under the governors proposals. Gov. Hogan promised a significant tax cut while also pledging to increase spending on roads and schools, but didnt say where the money will come from.According to Orr, the reported cost over five years of the tax cuts is equivalent to about $80 million a year, more than all state funding for local health departments."Because, as the governor pointed out, less than 20 percent of spending is discretionary, there is a very short list of options where those cuts can come from, including higher education, public safety, hospitals and other health services, and juvenile services," Orr said in a statement.He pointed out that the governors $17.1 billion budget proposal for fiscal would be about $484 million less than what the Spending Affordability Committee recommended and $236 million below what the Department of Legislative Services said is needed to maintain current service levels.No mention of employee raisesHogan made no mention of state employees and the $1,200 across-the-board pay raises they have been seeking, though a couple of his Facebook postings did. AFSCME Maryland, which has complained about the Hogan's administration failure to negotiate, gave its members a minimal update on Monday, saying "the Hogan Administration only offered a step increase if employees gave up sick leave & overtime rights when were forced to work overtime."In response to Hogan's Facebook postings about the press conference on the budget proposal, at least two correctional officers complained that Hogan was "screwing us" much as Gov. O'Malley did. Hogan or his social media surrogate responded: "Someone apparently lied to you. We are not proposing taking anything from you and we are giving you raises."
A MUST READ FOR ALL NEW INDIAN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE (IAS) OFFICER EXAMINATION CANDIDATES
This Week at NASA: AAS Meeting Highlights and More NASA

New NASA astrophysics findings were highlighted at the 227th American Astronomical Society meeting, Jan. 4-8 in Kissimmee, Florida.

The findings, which ranged from runaway stars to a burping galaxy, were made with the help of several NASA observation instruments, including the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array and others. Also, Next space station crew preparing for mission, Economical new era of aviation, A new level of coral reef studies and more.
Given the close proximity of the North Korean army, "with its thousands of missiles and artillery pieces, only 35 miles from Seoul, any invasion would have to be met almost immediately with US-fired atomic weapons. But with North Korea possessing a nuclear arsenal estimated at eight to 12 weapons and growing, a question arises: Why should the US engage in a nuclear exchange with North Korea, over South Korea?"

"Why should a treaty that dates back 60 years commit us, in perpetuity, to back South Korea in a war from the first shot with Pyongyang, when that war could swiftly escalate to nuclear? How does this comport with US national interests?"

In the case of North Korea and elsewhere around the globe, Washington, Buchanan argues, should "reconsider strategic commitments that date back to the 1950s."

"President Nixon, ahead of his time, understood this. As he began the drawdown of US forces in Vietnam in 1969, he declared in Guam that while America would meet her treaty obligations, henceforth, Asian nations should provide the ground troops to defend themselves."

Today, Buchanan notes, "now that we have entered a post-post-Cold War era, where many Asian nations possess the actual or potential military power to defend themselves, something like a new Nixon Doctrine is worth considering."

As far as the territorial disputes between China and its neighbors in the East and South China Seas are concerned, Buchanan notes, "in none of these quarrels and conflicts does there seem to be any vital US national interest so imperiled that we should risk a clash with a nuclear power like Beijing."
China has confirmed that it will construct an aircraft carrier domestically for the first time to accompany the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's sole existing carrier, the Liaoning, according to reports in the Chinese press last week.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported confirmation from China's Defense Ministry that the country's second aircraft carrier will be constructed at the Dalian shipyard, which is located on the Liaodong Peninsula in Northeast China.

China will construct the vessel according to the Soviet blueprint the Chinese navy obtained when it bought its Liaoning aircraft carrier from Ukraine's Black Sea Shipyard in 1998. Construction began on the Kuznetsov-class carrier for the Soviet fleet in 1985; it was first called the Riga, then the Varyag, and was launched to sea in 1988.
Zuwanderung: Regierung erwartet weiteren Fluchtlingsandrang nach Europa https://t.co/PS8sdev4kk pic.twitter.com/BDeBDStqKO  Der SPIEGEL (@DerSPIEGEL) 9  2016

'Migration: the government expects a further refugee influx into Europe,' reported Spiegel.

Schroder also roundly criticized the EU Commission for its handling of the crisis, according to Spiegel.

"The measures aren't working, the numbers haven't fallen, currently 4,000 people are coming daily from Turkey to Greece," the politician, a member of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, told the meeting.

Spiegel reported that Commission officials stressed the importance of drastically reducing the number of migrants and refugees entering Europe by the middle of this year. Though the number of people arriving in Greece has according to some reports recently fallen, officials attributed this to bad weather rather than the beginning of a longer-term tendency.

On Wednesday German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced the country's migration figures for the last year. In 2015, 1.1 million migrants and refugees registered in Germany, the largest influx of people since the country began keeping records of registration in 1950. Of those arrivals, 476,649 have so far made formal applications for asylum in Germany

Around 40 percent of the newcomers, 428,500, were from Syria. Around 11 percent, 150,000 were from Afghanistan. Another 11 percent were from Iraq, and the fourth and fifth largest groups of migrants into Germany were Albanians and Kosovans respectively.

De Maiziere also drew attention to a new development in December, when the number of migrants from the Balkans fell dramatically, but the number of migrants from Algeria and Morocco rose sharply, and were the fourth and fifth largest migrant groups.

"This is a particular cause for concern," and the authorities have to find the reason for the increased migration from North Africa, said De Maiziere.

On Friday Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner warned about the problems of integrating the vast numbers of migrants who have arrived in Germany. Aigner is a member of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria, which forms the Union faction in the Bundestag with the Christian Democrats.

"I was one of the first to warn about false euphoria, that only well-trained professionals would come to us," Aigner told the Rheinischer Post.

"Meanwhile, we know that 90 percent of the refugees don't bring with them sufficient qualifications to be directly integrated into the German labor market. Integration is only possible through work."
For his part, Herbert Reul, the chairman of the CDU/Christian Social Union in Bavaria group in the European Parliament, concurred with Kauder on the need to impose 'penalties' on Warsaw. "The economic sanctions are necessary if political dialogue does not lead to results," the politician told the magazine.

The lawmakers' commentary follow on the announcement made last week by EU media commissar Gunther Oettinger that the EU is preparing a series of 'special measures' against the Polish government, up to an including denying Warsaw voting rights in the EU if it continues to ignore Brussels' warnings.

"It says a lot that we are now activating the rule of law mechanism and putting Warsaw under supervision," Oettinger, the EU's Digital Economy and Society Commissioner, told Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung last Sunday.

The 'mechanism' in question is the EU's 'framework for addressing systemic threats to the rule of law', and as a last resort allows Brussels to withdraw member states' voting rights if attempts at persuasion fail. The tool could be activated following an EC summit on Wednesday, where EU leaders will discuss Poland's controversial reforms.
At the time of the deal in December 2013, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov explained that Russia was providing the loan, paid for from Russia's National Wealth Fund, under strict conditions, and that both sides had followed expert advice in order to protect their rights.

"These bonds have been issued according to British law on the Irish market. That was exactly what was recommended by a group of specialists together with the Finance Ministries of Russia and Ukraine. And we think that in such a form our rights will be protected well enough."

"From the point of view of how the funds will be used, we are sure that the state of the Ukrainian economy will recover significantly," continued Shuvalov.

The bonds contained a clause which allowed the holder to declare a default if Ukraines government debt to gross domestic product ratio exceeded 60 per cent. Russia did not invoke this clause, and instead waited until the bond's maturity in December 2015, when Ukraine failed to make the repayment.

In December Kiev announced a moratorium on payments of the $3 billion debt to Russia, as well as some other commercial debts. While the Ukrainian government claims its debt to Russia is commercial, Russia maintains it is sovereign debt, a position the IMF agreed with in December.
Kirill Vysokolov  Members of the al-Nusra Front shut down a radio station affiliated with the Free Syrian Army and kidnapped its two iconic spokesmen in the Syrian town of Kafr Nabl, according to social media accounts affiliated with the rebels.

The FSA and al-Nusra Front share control of large swaths of Syria's Idlib province. The Al-Nusra Front, internationally recognized as a terrorist organization affiliate with al-Qaeda, is not allowed to take part in upcoming peace talks, meaning that it would have to cede control of the areas for a ceasefire to take effect.

Station spokesman Hadi al-Abdallah was later released, according to some reports, while his partner Raed Fares was kept kidnapped in an unknown location. Fares was apparently pressured by al-Nusra in the past.


MOSCOW, January 10 (Sputnik)On Thursday, the UN said it was preparing to deliver humanitarian assistance in the coming days after Damascus had approved the organizations access to Madaya, Foah and Kafraya.

"An agreement was reached on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Madaya village in the suburbs of Damascus, along with Foah and Kafraya in the suburbs of Idlib. It will be carried out on Monday with the participation of the United Nations," the source said.

According to the source, the implementation of the deal was earlier prevented by the militant groups.
The outlet cites several facts as examples of its aforementioned conclusion. The first is Ankaras recent involvement in the Saudi-led 34-nation military alliance of Sunni nations, which is seen by many analysts as a Sunni coalition through which Saudi Arabia aims to check and reduce Irans regional influence.

By agreeing to be among the likes of Comoros, Mali and Niger and led by Saudi Arabia, Turkey forfeited its claim to being the historical Sunni counterweight to Iran, going back to the 16th-century rivalry between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavids. That is not a role suited to a country with an imperial legacy whose glory is revisited frequently by the current power holders in Turkey, it says.

The website therefore reasons that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule had already made Turkey a part of a subregional axis competing with Saudi influence over the Sunni world.
In October, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan pledged "to do what is necessary" to stop Kurds from declaring autonomy in the border town of Tel Abyad.

International community has long pressed Turkey over its alleged ties with terrorists in Daesh as long as Erdogan was known to pursue a policy that contributes to the prosperity of terrorists' in and out ease the territory held by the group.

Columbia University academic and researcher David Phillips echoed Russian president Vladimir Putin who said that Russia knows who benefits from oil smuggling in Turkey and who is recruiting new militants while claiming that Turkey allegedly "knows the movements of all persons and can control the flow across the border (between Syria and Turkey) if it chooses".

He added that "a steady stream of vehicles, individuals, weapons, financing, oil going back and forth."

"It's not like people are putting on their hiking boots and crossing over rough terrain," he said. "There's an extensive surface transport network which is highly regulated and controlled on both sides of the border."

The originality of the manifests has not been challenged, according to an expert on Daesh documents, academic researcher Aymenn al-Tamimi.

He said "The documents coincide with other documents illustrating daily bus routes within Islamic State territory. Though private companies provide the actual transportation, the Islamic State bureaucracy is responsible for authorising and overseeing the routes."

Following the revelations, a top Turkish government authority told the Guardian that Turkey considered any Tunisian entering Daesh-controlled territory as a "foreign fighter". However, he wondered whether the passengers registered in the revealed manifests used the legal road crossing.
Def Sec has announced the UK is working to hold a joint military exercise with Japan in 2016 https://t.co/tDV6pYInCV pic.twitter.com/uWOCV8rcPm  Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) January 8, 2016

The host nation praised the UK for its noticeable come-back to the region, on the side of Tokyo and Washington.

[T]he UK reaffirmed its commitment to its presence as a global power, said Nakatani. The SDSR (UKs Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015) highlighted Japan as the closest security partner in Asia, and I highly regard this statement.

Disputes around the South China Sea and concerns over the North Korean nuclear arsenal have brought the two nations together.

We have created a foundation with Britain, which upholds rules-based international order, to jointly raise our voices and cope, Japan Times quoted him as saying.

Fallon, for his part, welcomed an increased involvement of Japan into activities of the NATO alliance.

Reports suggesting Japan is considering taking part in a NATO missile consortium, that appeared this summer, seen by many as another step in Prime Minister Shinzo Abes policy of increasing defense cooperation. Since returning as PM in late 2012, Abe has overseen a number of research-and-development and production cooperation projects with countries such as the US, UK, France and Australia by lifting Japans decades-long self-imposed arms export ban.

The ban, based on three principles, previously prohibited Tokyo from exporting arms to communist states, states involved in conflict or those subject to UN embargoes.

As China rises, US deploys most advanced aircraft carrier to boost Japan https://t.co/pcvU9Uyy2P #military pic.twitter.com/PTIlZ5GJKp  Sputnik (@SputnikInt) October 1, 2015

If Japan does join the NATO consortium, it would increase the alliances influence beyond Western Europe and North America, with NATO recently bulking up its Eastern European military resources to combat the perceived threat of Russia.

The Japanese Cabinet approved a record high 5.05-trillion-yen ($42 billion) draft defense budget for 2016, local media reported late last year. Japans lower house of parliament last summer approved highly controversial legislation  tabled by Abe  that could see troops sent abroad to fight for the first time since World War Two.
Still, the idea of bringing guns into hospitals for patients with mental issues is raising eye brows among anti-gun activists and Second Amendment supporters alike.

Beth Mitchell of Disability Rights Texas, a federally-funded organization advocating for people suffering mental illness, says it makes no sense.

I dont know who concocted this idea, who thought this would be a rational policy for the state of Texas, Mitchell told The Statesman. Its only going to going to create fear among the patients themselves.

Terry Holcomb of Texas Carry says the new law was not intended to welcome guns at psychiatric hospitals.

Nobody would have asked for that, Holcomb said. Its not something we ever would have considered. Ever.

Despite the new freedoms, hospital officials are urging visitors to keep firearms out of the facilities.

While licensed visitors are legally permitted to carry on our hospital campuses, our patients are being actively treated for psychiatric conditions, and generally its best not to expose them to weapons of any kind, said Carrie Williams, spokeswoman for the Department of State Health Services.

Formerly existing law banned concealed guns at state-licensed general and specialty hospitals. However, that rule did not apply to the 10 psychiatric hospitals because they are not licensed by the state.
The official went further, noting that Russia's leadership in the fight against terrorism, a phenomenon "which today without exaggeration is a central issue for the international community," has "served as an example on how to solve the problem."

"We will hope," Dolgov noted, "that in 2016, the fight against terrorism will become even more effective, and that progress will be made in uniting the efforts of multiple nations in the creation of a broad coalition, something Russia has called for."

"We have many supporters in this area, and this is extremely important, because every day that the terrorists are active means new civilian casualties  the killing of women, children, old people, civilians, destroyed churches, shrines and mosques, casualties among the Kurds, Sunnis, the representatives of different ethnic and religious groups. This is all a colossal price to pay for the international community, by the world at large."

"Against this background," the official noted, "any move  any increase in the effectiveness of efforts to combat terrorism and extremism are of great importance. It is of huge importance that those approaches which Russia has formulated and expressed in this area have been met with growing support."

Double Standards on Human Rights

Asked by his interviewer what he believed was the 'main foreign policy failure' of 2015, Dolgov suggested that it was a global one  specifically, the contradictory positions taken by many Western countries on the issue of human rights.

"I believe that the main failure has been the double standards which continue to be displayed in the area of human rights and the rule of law  the double standards of Western nations  the United States, the European Union and other Western countries," the human rights ombudsman said.

"So far," the world "has not been able to get rid of these corrupted approaches. Among the leaders of Western countries there seems to be no political will to bring about a turning point. There are many examples, but one of the most vivid and negative is Ukraine" (a country whose rights situation Mr. Dolgov has been reporting on since shortly after the beginning of the political crisis there in 2014).
Orban himself, Stremidlovsky noted, "only added to the mystery," saying of his meeting with Kaczynski that "if one looks at our biographies, it's clear that the head of Poland's ruling party and I are fighters for freedom of a certain kind. Therefore, one could say that we are old friends, and I was very happy to visit my friend."

"The Hungarian prime minister," the journalist writes, "cannot but be complemented for his sarcasm. Both he and his Polish 'old friend' are now being targeted by 'democratic forces' in their own countries and in Europe."

"Orban, of course, for longer. For several years now he has been accused of authoritarianism, the suppression of freedom in Hungary, and for his lack of a critical attitude toward Russia, the latter causing outrage in Poland at the beginning of last year."

In February 2015, "on the eve of his visit to Warsaw, the Hungarian Prime Minister said that when it comes to the prospects of developing relations with Russia, the EU is strongly divided. On one side were Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria: 'We believe that without cooperation with Russia, we cannot achieve our goals,' Orban had said. On the other side were the Baltic states, Poland, and from across the ocean, Washington, arguing that it was necessary to 'push Russia away from cooperating with the European Union.' At the same time, Orban criticized European Council chairman Donald Tusk, Angela Merkel's protege."
"It was during this exchange," Blum noted, "that Stephanopoulos allowed the following to pass his lips: 'But what killing has the United States government done?' Do the American TV networks not give any kind of intellectual test to their newscasters? Something at a fourth-grade level might improve matters."

"Prominent MSNBC newscaster Joe Scarborough, interviewing Trump, was also baffled by Trumps embrace of Putin, who had praised Trump as being 'bright and talented.' Putin, said Scarborough, was 'also a person who kills journalists, political opponents, and invades countries. Obviously that would be a concern, would it not?'"

"Putin 'invades countries'Well, now there even I would have been at a loss on how to respond," Blum sarcastically retorted. "Try as I might I don't think I could have thought of any countries the United States has ever invaded."

"To his credit, Trump responded: 'I think our country does plenty of killing, also, Joe, so, you know. Theres a lot of stupidity going on in the world right now, Joe. A lot of killing going on. A lot of stupidity. And thats the way it is.'"
The Air Force Academy took the lead nearly doubling its numbers from the previous year.

"I think it's appropriate for people to feel frustrated about hearing this in the news, said Nate Galbreath, the senior executive adviser for the Pentagon's sexual assault prevention office, in an interview with the Associated Press. Bottom line is that if this were an easy problem, we would have solved it years ago. Unfortunately, this is a very hard problem to solve."

That problem accounted for a total of 91 sexual-assault cases throughout the three academies.
Yet on the evening of the same day, the US government relents and cancels these sanctions while Tehran decides to expedite its missile program. These actions merely fan the anti-American sentiment in Iran while at the same time Saudi Arabia may consider it a betrayal, the newspaper adds.

"For years, Iran has been supporting anti-regime agitation among Saudi Arabia's minority Shiites. The Persian Gulf is Iran's ultimate prize. The fall of the House of Saud would make Iran the undisputed regional hegemon and an emerging global power," Krauthammer writes.

But Barack Obama appears willing to ignore this possibility just as he ignores Chinas attempts to expand its influence in the South China Sea, the journalist adds.

Furthermore, despite previously declaring his intention to isolate Russia following the countrys reunification with Crimea in 2014, Obama now meets openly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on several occasions.

According to Krauthammer, Obamas actions effectively undermine Pax Americana. "Our enemies know it. Our allies see it  and sense they're on their own, and may not survive," the journalist claims.
Touching upon the negative stance on Russia, Giraldi acknowledged that "there are many older Americans entrenched in the media and government as well as in the plentitude of think tanks who will always regard Russia as the enemy."

"And then there are the more cunning types who always need the threat of an enemy to keep their well-paid jobs in the government itself and also within the punditry, both of which rely on the health and well-being of the military-industrial-congressional complex," he said.

He also wondered why those in the White House and the US media fail to realize the fact that "a good relationship with Russia is indispensable."

Giraldi touted Russia as a good partner in Syria and a driving force to hold current talks on resolving the Syrian gridlock. In addition, Russia "has consistently been a reliable ally against terrorism, in recognition of its own vulnerability to ISIS and other Islamic militants," according to him.

"One does not have to love Mother Russia or Vladimir Putin to appreciate that it is in America's interest to develop a cooperative relationship based on shared interests," Giraldi pointed out.
In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls a rather important milestone from 50 years ago when winter racing first came to Greenwood Raceway in Toronto.

The first winter racing program at Greenwood started on February 26, 1966 and went through to April 16. The inaugural winter session drew 254,956 fans who wagered $13,989,628. The Ontario Jockey Club termed it a "Spring" meeting, but it was the earliest start on the OJC Circuit ever. Jacob "Sonny" Geisel Jr. of Hanover Ont. won the UDRS title with a percentage of 0.458. A few of the horses he drove were Brother Noble, Rose Ovelmo, Jean First and Frisco Lou. Leading the way in dashes won was 41-year-old Dr. John Findley who made 24 trips to the winner's circle. A few of his string included George Volo, Palermo, Ann Barmin, Henrietta Sue, Chatham Chip, Sporty Tag, Dilly Bob, Even Glo, Royal Dominion and Horatius. The following year the first truly official winter meeting started on January 2, 1967.

The opening race winner of the then new "winter" schedule was Spencers Pride C with Clarence Hilliard driving. Other winning drivers on opening day included Wm. Wellwood, George Hawke, Allan Waddell, Ross Curran, Wes Coke, Yvon Demers and Jimmy Holmes. With the racing strip conditioned for winter racing, the best time on the opening card was 2:10.4 turned in by George Volo who won the $3,000 Invitational for Dr. John Findley. The balance of the field behind George Volo included J J Wann (2), Sonny Creed (3), Lochinver King (4) and Perennial (5). [The current value of a $3,000 purse would be about $22,000]

Most of the well-known drivers of the day were participants at this mid-winter gathering. In addition to those mentioned above were John Millman, Harold Walsh, Lloyd Gilmour, Ronnie Feagan, Wm. Stillar, Rejean Boily, Dave Dowson, Bev Kingston, Omar Knight, Bert Quinlan, Renald Filion, Harold McKinley, Bill Hicks, Clure Archdekin, Mickey Coliton, Wm. Stirton, Jack Bissonette, Laurence Geisel, Joe Carr, Allan Walker, Peter Thibaudeau, Wm. Troy, Bruce Clements, Ken & Barry Galbraith, Everett Norris, Gary Campbell, John Redpath, Pat Crowe, Doug Palmer, Carman Hie, John Hayes, Allan Pacey, Frank Alexander, John Graham, Guy Larush, and many more too numerous to list. To my knowledge the only female driver in the colony was Retta Herrington.

Absent from the list was Keith Waples, who was campaigning his large stable at the new Windsor Raceway along with a satellite training centre at the Young Bros. track. Also at this time Bill Wellwood at age 25 was just launching his career with operating his own public stable after spending many years with his Uncle Harold Wellwood.

One driver who scored just a pair of wins during the meeting captured the two races carrying the largest purses. One time clothing store owner Maurice Monroe of Ottawa won both the Willowdale Pace for a purse of $4,490 and the Swansea Pace for $4,520 as he piloted Baron Adios to victory in both early closing events. He co-owned this fine six-year-old son of Greentree Adios with his wife Connie. The chestnut speedster had quite a year in 1966 pacing in 2:01.3 and taking home just over $40,000. Mr. Monroe would have had to sell quite a few pairs of socks and ties to bring in that kind of "hay".

In 1965, as a prelude to winter racing at Greenwood, a five-eighths mile stone dust track was constructed inside the dirt track and the lights etc. were moved. At the same time, the main floor of the grandstand was glassed in and extended to the east. The paddock, the only original building remaining at Greenwood, was also glass enclosed. Soon both the racing personnel and the fans adjusted to the new kind of racing. Many people who had attended races only in more moderate weather conditions made the transition to cold winds, snow squalls and "white outs" on the track.

Soon after this inaugural winter race meeting everyone became accustomed to racing during even the coldest days and nights that the shores of Lake Ontario could provide. Gradually the facilities were improved and upgraded amenities were provided for the fans. A short passage from the O.J.C. publication "Track Times" summed up the changing times as follows:

"Although horsemen experience many crisp wintery nights on the track, patrons can enjoy the luxurious facilities of the Terrace Dining Lounge or stroll about the clubhouse and grandstand in shirt-sleeves. A guaranteed minimum of 60 degrees F. is maintained by huge warm air ducts which blend into the historic edifice."

I am not sure of the year it started but Greenwood came up with a novel idea to attract fans and better horses by instituting a series of races called "The Blizzard Series". It seemed almost uncanny that each year these races just naturally occurred on what seemed to be the absolute coldest days of any given winter.

With winter racing came new equipment and other attempts to deal with the inclement weather. Shown below are a couple of participants both human and equine, displaying their new ideas at coping with "Mother Nature".





Veteran horseman Jack Mehlenbacher, a very recent Rewind subject, is shown above with his horse sporting a plastic device he invented to shield the horse's nose and aid in its breathing in very cold temperatures.

Note: While this device was probably a worthwhile invention, it was not allowed by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency who were then in charge of the photo finishes. It was ruled that any piece of equipment that would hinder the judging of the finish of a race was not acceptable. I guess there was concern that a horse's nose might not hit the wire first but his "nose guard" might!





A horse named Daniel Boy owned by Raymond Moreau of Quebec City is shown wearing a special pair of earmuffs designed to protect his ears which were very sensitive to cold weather.





1) Dr. John Findley, leading driver from Greenwood's first winter meet.

2) The front cover of the once popular Star Weekly magazine dated March 13, 1965, profiled the popularity of harness racing in all types of weather with this shot taken at Greenwood Raceway. The lead horse is Beverly Dillard, a well-known performer of the day owned by the father son team of Earl and Bruce Shea of Bethany, Ont. I am guessing Silver Laird ("Red" Holmes) is the trailing horse.

3) Driver Don Brainard of Whitney Point, N.Y. shows off his woolen face mask designed to ward off the cold winter winds. At the time at least 125 drivers were wearing these at Greenwood

[My thanks to Bill Galvin's archives for a great deal of information and photos contained herein.]
Er is iets heel griezeligs aan de gang in Nederland. Dat wij geleidelijk aan in een totalitaire 'democratie' wegzinken wordt steeds ...
Heres your U.S. foreign policy quiz for the day:

Question 1 How many governments has the United States overthrown or tried to overthrow since the Second World War?

Question 2 How many of those governments had nuclear weapons?

Answer 0

Does that mean North Korea needs nuclear weapons to deter US aggression?

Yes and no. Yes, nuclear weapons are a credible deterrent but, no, thats not why North Korea set off a hydrogen bomb last Tuesday. The reason North Korea detonated the bomb was to force the Obama administration to sit up and take notice. Thats what this is all about. North Koreas supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, wants the US to realize that theyre going to pay a heavy price for avoiding direct negotiations. In other words, Kim is trying to pressure Obama back to the bargaining table.

Unfortunately, Washington isnt listening. They see the North as a threat to regional security and have decided that additional sanctions and isolation are the best remedies. The Obama administration thinks they have the whole matter under control and dont need to be flexible or compromise which is why they are opting for sticks over carrots. In fact, Obama has refused to conduct any bilateral talks with the North unless the North agrees beforehand to abandon its nuclear weapons programs altogether and allow weapons inspectors to examine all their nuclear facilities. This is a non-starter for the DPRK. They see their nuclear weapons program as their ace in the hole, their only chance to end persistent US hostility.

Now if we separate the hydrogen bomb incident from the longer historic narrative dating back to the Korean War, its possible to twist the facts in a way that makes the North look like the bad guy, but thats simply not the case. In fact, the reason the world is facing these problems today is because of US adventurism in the past. Just as ISIS emerged from he embers of the Iraq War, so too, nuclear proliferation on the Korean peninsula is a direct result of failed US foreign policy in the 50s.

US involvement in the Korean War precluded a final settlement, which means the war never really ended. An armistice agreement that was signed on July 27, 1953, ended the hostilities, but a final peaceful settlement was never achieved, so the nation remains divided today. The reason that matters is because the US still has 15 military bases in South Korea, 28,000 combat troops, and enough artillery and missiles to blow the entire country to smithereens. The US presence in South Korea effectively prevents the reunification of the country and a final conclusion to the war unless it is entirely on Washingtons terms. Bottom line: Even though the cannons have stopped firing, the war drags on, thanks in large part to the ongoing US occupation.

So how can the North normalize relations with the US if Washington wont talk to them and, at the same time, insists that the North abandon the weapons program that is their only source of leverage? Maybe they should do an about-face, meet Washingtons demands, and hope that by extending the olive branch relations will gradually improve. But how can that possibly work, after all, Washington wants regime change so it can install a US puppet that will help create another capitalist dystopia for its corporate friends. Isnt that the way US interventions usually turn out? Thats not compromise, its suicide.

And theres another thing too: The leadership in Pyongyang knows who theyre dealing with which is why theyve taken the hardline. They know the US doesnt respond to weakness, only strength. Thats why they cant cave in on the nukes project. Its their only hope. Either the US stands down and makes concessions or the stalemate continues. Those are the only two possible outcomes.

Its worth noting, that before Syria, Libya, Iraq, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Vietnam and the long catalogue of US bloodbaths across the decades, there was the Korean War. Americans have swept it under the rug, but every Korean, North and South, knows what happened and how it ended. Heres a short refresher that explains why the North is still wary of the US 63 years after the armistice was signed. The excerpt is from an article titled Americans have forgotten what we did to North Korea, at Vox World:

In the early 1950s, during the Korean War, the US dropped more bombs on North Korea than it had dropped in the entire Pacific theater during World War II. This carpet bombing, which included 32,000 tons of napalm, often deliberately targeted civilian as well as military targets, devastating the country far beyond what was necessary to fight the war. Whole cities were destroyed, with many thousands of innocent civilians killed and many more left homeless and hungry. According to US journalist Blaine Harden Over a period of three years or so, we killed off  what  20 percent of the population, Air Force Gen. Curtis LeMay, head of the Strategic Air Command during the Korean War, told the Office of Air Force History in 1984 . Dean Rusk, a supporter of the war and later secretary of state, said the United States bombed everything that moved in North Korea, every brick standing on top of another. After running low on urban targets, U.S. bombers destroyed hydroelectric and irrigation dams in the later stages of the war, flooding farmland and destroying crops You can glimpse both the humanitarian and political consequences in an alarmed diplomatic cable that North Koreas foreign minister sent to the United Nations in January 1951: On January 3 at 10:30 AM an armada of 82 flying fortresses loosed their death-dealing load on the city of Pyongyang Hundreds of tons of bombs and incendiary compound were simultaneously dropped throughout the city, causing annihilating fires, the transatlantic barbarians bombed the city with delayed-action high-explosive bombs which exploded at intervals for a whole day making it impossible for the people to come out onto the streets. The entire city has now been burning, enveloped in flames, for two days. By the second day, 7,812 civilians houses had been burnt down. The Americans were well aware that there were no military targets left in Pyongyang. The number of inhabitants of Pyongyang killed by bomb splinters, burnt alive and suffocated by smoke is incalculableSome 50,000 inhabitants remain in the city which before the war had a population of 500,000. ( Americans have forgotten what we did to North Korea , Vox World)

Get the picture? When it became clear that the US was not going to win the war, they decided to teach those rotten Commies a lesson theyd never forget. They reduced the entire North to smoldering rubble condemning the people to decades of starvation and poverty. Thats how Washington fights its wars: Kill em all and let God sort it out.

This is why the North is building nukes instead making concessions; its because Washington is bent on either victory or annihilation.

So what does North Korea want from the United States?

The North wants what its always wanted. It wants the US to stop its regime change operations, honor its obligations under the 1994 Agreed Framework, and sign a non aggression pact. Thats all they want, an end to the constant hectoring, lecturing and interference. Is that too much to ask? Heres how Jimmy Carter summed it up in a Washington Post op-ed (November 24, 2010):

Pyongyang has sent a consistent message that during direct talks with the United States, it is ready to conclude an agreement to end its nuclear programs, put them all under IAEA inspection and conclude a permanent peace treaty to replace the temporary cease-fire of 1953. We should consider responding to this offer. The unfortunate alternative is for North Koreans to take whatever actions they consider necessary to defend themselves from what they claim to fear most: a military attack supported by the United States, along with efforts to change the political regime. ( North Koreas consistent message to the U.S ., President Jimmy Carter, Washington Post)

There it is in black and white. The US can end the conflict today by just meeting its obligations under the terms of the Agreed Framework and by agreeing that it will not attack North Korea in the future. The path to nuclear disarmament has never been easier, but the chances of Obama taking that road are slim at best.
A BLOG ABOUT WEATHER FORECASTING AND OBSERVING AS IT RELATES TO STAR VALLEY, WYOMING IN PARTICULAR
In memory of Fatty Arbuckle, a good and innocent man whose movie career as a comedian was ruined by an opportunistic prosecution. The woman he was accused of murdering almost certainly died of natural causes. He was eventually cleared but the damage was done.

A thought

I love the Mae West story where some judge wearing a robe during the middle of the day, and seated in a high chair peered down and asked her, 'Are you showing contempt for my court?' To which she replied, 'Im doing my best not to show it, your honor.' Maybe we need to give up trying to not show it."
Japan is establishing a new intelligence operation to gather information on and monitor terrorist organizations worldwide. This will involve sharing information with foreign countries. Japan does not have much crime, or terrorism locally, Japan has so far avoided Islamic terrorist violence partly because Japan has virtually no Moslems. About one in 1,200 people in Japan are Moslem. Like other foreign populations Moslems (most of them foreign born) stand out and are watched carefully by police and Japanese, just like every other group of gaijin (non-Japanese) in residence. As a result there have been no problems with Islamic terrorism, or crime in general. Japan has some of the lowest crime rates in the world, although some of this is due to police reclassifying crimes (murders as suicides) when they can get away with it. Even with that, Japan is very safe compared to other countries.

Japans biggest fear is suicidal terrorists who are able to pose as foreign visitors (either tourists or on business). Japan has a rapidly increasing number of foreign visitors. Since 2005 this has gone from five million a year to over 11 million. This provides more opportunities for terrorists go get in and Japan wants to be better informed about who might be coming in with evil intent. At the same time there are a lot of Japanese overseas as tourists and business travelers. Thousands of those abroad on business are operating in dangerous areas. They have to be there to look after Japanese investments. These Japanese are increasingly subject to attack and Japan wants to keep such visitors better informed about the risks they will encounter.

This sort of intense information gathering is a Japanese characteristic that has served well in business as well as domestic crime control.
". . . Do you find it easy to get drunk on words?"

"So easy that, to tell you the truth, I am seldom perfectly sober." -- Gaudy Night
The Longview Thunder Bots recently competed in the FLL (FIRST Lego League) of Washington robotics qualifier tournament at Skyridge Middle School in Camas.

Teams were judged in four areas, Project, Robot Design, Core Values and Robot Performance. All work, interviews and presentations are done by the teams. Adults cannot participate.

Six teams advanced to the regionals, including the Thunder Bots, 11th place.

This is the fourth year the Thunder Bots have competed in the FLL. The team is associated with Longview Parks and Recreation and is made up of two experienced players, Noah Gaston and Natalie Gaston; and four rookies, Nathan Bloomfeldt, Sam Buck, Sawyer Horton and Matt Lokey. All members attend different schools.

For the competition, they built a robot that completed four missions in 2 1/2 minutes and completed a project where they recommended using edible paper in place of the paper wrapping used at fast food stores, states a press release. The team has been meeting twice a week for the last three months with mentors Linda Zandi, Martin darling, Carol Ylinen and Bob Koenig.

Jay Simmons of NORPAC explained to the team how paper is recycled and the challenges of separating the waste, according to the press release.

Team members decided to eliminate waste by developing the concept of edible paper to wrap up fast foods. They also decided the paper should be flavored.

The group will take a month break and then begin preparing for the 2016 challenge.
State Rep. Richard DeBolt, a Chehalis Republican, calls education funding the big gorilla in the room the Legislature will try to tame in this years session, which starts Monday. State Sen. Dean Takko, a Longview Democrat, uses the same metaphor for the same challenge. Yes, its the proven 800-pound gorilla in the room, Takko said.

Whatever kind of animal education funding is, Southwest Washington legislators from both parties agree that dealing with it will be the primary issue during the session. But they disagree on whether to raise taxes to pay for schools, and how urgent the matter really is.

Other issues local legislators will focus on range from state trooper pay to eliminating daylight savings.

I dont know that anything too controversial will make it through, said Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen. Thats just a function of divided government.

Democrats control the House, 50-48, and Republicans (and one Democrat who votes with them) control the Senate, 26-23.

The Legislature is under pressure from both the courts and state law to resolve the complicated budget issues at the heart of the Supreme Court ruling known as the McCleary decision. The 2012 ruling said the state wasnt spending enough on basic education, including teacher salaries, and depended too much on local property tax levies.

Reforming the states school levy system has support from both sides of the aisle. Smaller, rural school districts tend to levy much higher property tax rates than those in big cities, and locals legislators say school districts here would get more revenue if the rates are evened out.

If a levy swap is done right, it would be a benefit for Southwest Washington, said Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.

State Rep. JD Rossetti, a Longview Democrat appointed to the House in October, also supports levy reform. Though it would raise taxes in the Seattle area, Rossetti, a Democrat, said such urban areas usually support tax increases.

Last year, the Legislature boosted funding for education by $1.3 billion  though the state Supreme Court still levied a $100,000-a-day fine because it says the state needs up to an additional $1.5 billion.

We will try to appease the court, but we need to do it without tax increases and not take away tax incentives, Orcutt said.

But Takko said, I dont know how you can get past McCleary without some kind of new money. He said legislators will need to devise a plan for funding education in the upcoming session but may not act on it until 2017.

Thats what a bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed Friday. They suggested establishing a new task force to continue to work on school funding and made a one-sentence commitment toward figuring out a way to do something about levies next year.

The Legislature faces a 2018 deadline to finish paying for its previous commitments to improve education. About 23 percent of the budget goes to K-12 education.

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, said levy reform is only part of the school funding challenge. Its a very complex problem, Braun said. The longer it goes the harder it gets to solve.

Inslee proposes sales tax rebate change

In December, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee proposed a package of tax increases to pay for higher salaries for starting teachers. Inslee suggested eliminating the automatic exemption on paying Washington sales tax for Oregonians, who instead would have to apply for rebates.

Its great to give teaches raises, Rossetti said. Its something the voters have passed in initiatives. Its important to voters.

Rossetti is open to the Inslee sales tax change. We should make sure that Washington is making the sales tax because thats how we get our revenue, he said. Rossetti said when he was growing up in Rainier, he didnt mind paying Washington sales tax and said its unfair that Washington residents who work in Oregon have to pay Oregon income tax.

However, Orcutt said changing the sales tax payment plan for Oregonians would devastate retailers in this area. Ending the automatic sales tax exemption has come up several times before unsuccessfully in the Legislature, Orcutt pointed out. I will continue to oppose it, he said.

I dont see any landmark stuff happening this session, DeBolt said. I think if theres the word tax involved, its just not going to happen.

Orcutt said hell introduce a bill that would make it easier for school districts to hire substitute teachers by allowing retired teachers to work as subs without losing pension benefits. Local school districts are among those with a shortage of substitute teachers. He said the bill passed the House 97-1 last year but failed to make it through the Senate.

Last sessions $16 billion transportation package included $85 million for the Oregon Way-Industrial Way interchange and $25 million for the South Kelso rail crossing. After that complex package, legislators dont expect much action on transportation in this session.

Other issues local legislators hope to address include:

Orcutt said the Legislature needs to consider improvements to state trooper pay and management. A recent study found that the agency struggles with recruiting and retaining troopers due to low pay and dissatisfaction with management.

Rossetti, Blake and Orcutt have introduced a bill, HB2295, that would shift federal revenue from forest lands from the states general fund to rural schools. Those three have also introduced HB2296, which would extend the bond repayment schedule for public facility districts, such as the one that finances the Cowlitz Expo Center and Columbia Theatre renovation.

Blake will introduce a bill that would ease restrictions on medical marijuana users to grow their own at home. Orcutt would like to exempt medical users from paying the same taxes on weed that recreational users pay.

Blake wants to increase production at state fish hatcheries on Willapa Bay and has proposed a bill to clarify a law that passed in 2014 allowing possession of short-barreled rifles.

DeBolt has a bill that would eliminate daylight savings time in Washington. Id rather have it lighter when I get up, he said.

Braun wants the legislature to rewrite state laws so that charter schools are allowed, after the state Supreme Court ruled against a 2012 voter-approved initiative that would have allowed them.

How long will the session last?

Though last years session went into three special sessions, legislators are optimistic that this years session will end in the scheduled 60 days.

Its an election year, so theres more pressure to get done on time, Rossetti said.

Several legislators from other parts of the state are likely to run for higher office in the November election, and theyll want to focus on their campaigns.

So will Rossetti, who will face his first election in the fall and already has several announced opponents.

I start campaigning as soon as the sessions over, he said.
Longview residents are invited to several public meetings to learn about the Old West Side neighborhood potentially becoming a historic district.

The Old West Side is the area bound by Washington Way, Olympia Way and Kessler Boulevard.

The first meeting will occur 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Longview Public Library's downstairs auditorium. It will include a presentation about a survey of historic homes in the neighborhood.

Three other meetings will occur 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1, March 7 and March 17, also in the library auditorium.
WASHINGTON  Fragile is the word that journalist Karen Elliott House used to describe Saudi Arabia in her 2012 book about the country. Observing Saudi Arabia is like watching a gymnast dismount the balance beam in slow motion, she wrote. The world holds its breath wondering if the Saudis will nail the landing or crash to the mat.

This past week, the House of Saud seemed to have lost its footing. The kingdoms fear of a rising Iran led it to execute a dissident Shiite cleric, triggering riots in Iran, a break in diplomatic relations and a sharp escalation in the sectarian feud that is ravaging the Middle East.

What led Saudi Arabia to take these risky actions, and what U.S. policies might reduce the danger that the Middle East mess will get even worse? You cant answer these questions without examining the Saudis insecurity, which has led them to make bad choices.

Saudi Arabia is a frightened monarchy. Its beset by Sunni extremists from the Islamic State and Shiite extremists backed by Iran. Its bogged down in a costly and unsuccessful war in Yemen. And it mistrusts its superpower patron and protector, the United States, in part because of Americas role in brokering the nuclear deal that ended Irans isolation.

Countries that feel vulnerable sometimes do impulsive and counterproductive things, and that has been the case recently with the Saudis.

Compounding Saudi Arabias problem is its internal ferment. King Salmans ambitious son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 30, has devised a plan for modernization and economic growth, with input from McKinsey & Co. and other global consultants. The plan makes all the right recommendations: boost private enterprise; diversify the economy away from dependence on oil exports; reduce the stultifying role of the Saudi state. But these reforms would challenge powerful senior princes and disrupt a society that is resistant to change.

A defensive, anxious Saudi leadership tried to show its resolve with last weeks execution of 47 extremists. Though global attention was focused on the death of Shiite cleric Nimr Baqr al-Nimr and three other Shiites, the rest of the executed men were Sunni radicals who were allied with Islamic State, al-Qaeda and other jihadist groups. Some Saudi-watchers think that killing Nimr was partly a cover for the execution of the radical Sunnis. Regardless of the motivation, Nimrs execution was a mistake.

The Saudis compounded their error by rashly cutting diplomatic relations with Iran and pushing other Arab Gulf countries to do the same. The rationale was that the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran appeared to be government-condoned. Saudi pleas for help went unanswered for more than eight hours; the rioters scaled a 20-foot fence; their first target was the embassy computer system. The Saudi action was understandable, but an overreaction.

Saudi Arabias desire to resist Iranian hegemony had already gotten it in trouble in Yemen. The war is said to be costing the kingdom nearly $1 billion a month, with little to show but rubble on the ground. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have retaliated by attacking towns across the border in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis seemed eager for U.N.-sponsored peace talks on Yemen, until last weekends blowup.

Whats the best policy for the U.S. as the Saudi-Iranian sectarian battle deepens? The Obama administration has rightly tried to protect its Syria diplomacy, which just weeks ago had succeeded in bringing Saudis and Iranians together for negotiations in Vienna. The administration was reassured by a statement Tuesday from U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura, who said after meeting Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir: There is a clear determination on the Saudi side that the current regional tensions will not have any negative impact on the Vienna momentum.

The broader U.S. goal should be de-escalation of the ruinous confrontation between Tehran and Riyadh. This inferno has engulfed the region  from Beirut to Damascus, Baghdad to Sanaa  and last weekends events show how easily it could expand even further. The U.S. is talking to both sides, but it also must restrain them  in part by checking Irans meddling in other countries internal affairs.

Saudi Arabias insecurities have been a driver of conflict for 40 years. Fearful of domestic threats, they bankrolled PLO terrorism, jihadist madrassas, al-Qaedas founders and Syrian warlords. Riyadhs current enemy is Iran, but the anxiety goes much deeper.

The Saudis need reassurance that Washington has their back. Even more, they need to build a society thats self-confident enough to combat extremism, at home and abroad.
WASHINGTON  The issue of whether Ted Cruz is constitutionally eligible to be president could not be more bogus. He is. Case closed.

I say this as someone who could scarcely be more concerned about the prospect of President Cruz. So concerned, in fact, that I have concluded, after much angsting, that President Trump would be preferable, given that nightmare choice. But notwithstanding Trumps typically ill-informed and situational insinuations (he didnt see any problem with Cruz having been born in Canada before Cruz posed a real threat), the constitutional requirement that the president be a natural-born citizen does not disqualify Cruz.

Article II, Section One, Clause 5 of the Constitution, setting out minimum requirements for the presidency, does not define the meaning of natural-born citizen, a limitation intended, as John Jay wrote in a letter to George Washington, to provide a strong check to the admission of Foreigners into the administration of our national Government.

Taken in a vacuum, natural-born is arguably ambiguous. It could be interpreted to apply to all who are citizens at birth, rather than those required to go through a naturalization proceeding to attain citizenship.

Or  although this seems the more tortured analysis  it could be interpreted to exclude those born outside the physical jurisdiction of the United States to citizen parents. That would include Cruz, who was born in Canada to a U.S citizen mother, and, therefore, automatically a citizen himself.

But even the strictest of constructionists do not argue for such a blinders-on approach. There is scant evidence of debate among the framers about the meaning of the term. Jay used it, underlined the word born, and didnt clarify what he meant. Still, some of his own children were born abroad, and it makes little sense to assume he meant to exclude them from the presidency.

But previous interpretations from British jurisprudence and near contemporaneous legislation enacted by the new U.S. Congress all argue in favor of an interpretation that natural-born refers to anyone who is a U.S. citizen at birth, no matter where he or she was born. (Not that the framers were contemplating female presidents.)

The best analysis of this topic comes from two former U.S. solicitors general  Neal Katyal, who served President Obama, and Paul Clement, who worked for President George W. Bush  writing in the Harvard Law Review forum.

They conclude: All the sources routinely used to interpret the Constitution confirm that the phrase natural-born citizen has a specific meaning: namely, someone who was a U.S. citizen at birth with no need to go through a naturalization proceeding at some later time.

And Congress has made equally clear from the time of the framing of the Constitution to the current day that, subject to certain residency requirements on the parents, someone born to a U.S. citizen parent generally becomes a U.S. citizen without regard to whether the birth takes place in Canada, the [Panama] Canal Zone or the continental United States.

The first source of interpretation involves the use of the phrase natural-born in British common law, which recognized that children born to subjects outside the empire were themselves natural-born subjects.

Second, just three years after the Constitution was drafted, the First Congress weighed in. The Naturalization Act of 1790 provided that the children of citizens of the United States, that may be born beyond sea, or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born citizens.

As Katyal and Clement note, that evidence is particularly persuasive because so many of the framers of the Constitution were also members of the First Congress. That is particularly true in this instance, as eight of the 11 members of the committee that proposed the natural-born eligibility requirement to the Convention served in the First Congress and none objected to a definition of natural-born citizen that included persons born abroad to citizen parents.

The natural-born requirement was not an obstacle to the candidacy of Barry Goldwater, born in Arizona before it was a state. It was not an obstacle to George Romney, born in Mexico to U.S. citizen parents. It was not an obstacle to John McCain, born in the Canal Zone.

There are ample reasons to oppose a President Cruz. The place of his birth is not among them.
WASHINGTON  When you dance with the devil, the choreography can get awkward.

Ted Cruz last week made his latest appeal to Americas nativist fringe by naming Rep. Steve King of Iowa as a national co-chairman of his presidential campaign. King, called a courageous conservative and incredible leader by Cruz, is the anti-immigrant hard-liner who spoke of Mexican immigrants having calves the size of cantaloupes and who was a prominent birther.

King raised questions about President Obamas birth certificate, voiced doubts that Obama had been born in America, floated the idea that Obamas birth announcement in Hawaiian newspapers may have been placed by telegram from Kenya, and alleged that Obama was not raised with an American experience.

So were entitled to savor some schadenfreude now as Cruz himself gets caught in the birther web. Donald Trumps questioning of Cruzs status as a natural-born American, and therefore his eligibility to be president, is rough justice. Cruz, like Trump, has stoked the fires of resentment and xenophobia, so its entirely fitting that he gets burned.

But however tempting it is, Im not joining in the Cruz birtherism; it was wrong when done to Obama, and its wrong now done to Cruz. Cruz, I am convinced, would make a truly awful president, but he is perfectly eligible to serve.

Rep. Alan Grayson, a Democratic gadfly running for the Senate in Florida, vows to file a lawsuit challenging Cruzs eligibility if he wins the nomination. Grayson would try to argue that both parents of Cruz, who was born in Canada to an American mother and a Cuban father, had to be American citizens for Cruz to be considered a natural born citizen under the Constitution. Grayson also has questions about the U.S. birth of Cruzs mother. The Obama birthers are loons, Grayson told U.S. News this week. But theres a very good legal argument that Ted Cruz is not qualified to be president.

Like Cruz foe John McCain (the 2008 Republican presidential nominee said Cruzs eligibility is a legitimate question), Democratic leaders have been happy to see Cruz twist in the wind. I do think there is a distinction between John McCain being born to a family serving our country in Panama than someone born in another country, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday.

But thats not really so. My friend Neal Katyal, who was Obamas acting solicitor general, joined Paul Clement, a George W. Bush solicitor general, in a Harvard Law Review piece last year arguing that its not even a close call: The constitutional evidence back to the founding makes clear that an individual born to a U.S. citizen parent  whether in California or Canada or the Canal Zone  is a U.S. citizen from birth and is fully eligible to serve as president.

More broadly: Do Democrats and liberals and all those who howled about the injustice and the outrage of Obamas birtherism really want to join the cause of Cruz birtherism, simply because hes a Republican, or a conservative? No doubt it would be satisfying to give conservatives a taste of their own medicine, but that would mean embracing the nativism that is turning the Republican Party into a fraternity of old white men from rural areas. The right is uniquely ill-behaved these days. Why join them?

It wasnt always this way; in the early days of the Obama presidency I argued that the left was more ill-tempered. But now theres nothing equivalent to the rights rage  despite attempts to draw some phony parallels.

When I wrote about the overt racism injected into the campaign by Trump, the 2016 front-runner, conservative critics countered by citing the history of race-baiting by the Rev. Al Sharpton, a minor Democratic candidate in the 2004 race. When I wrote last week about Republican officeholders support for the armed men who took over a U.S. government facility in Oregon, conservatives argued that this was no different from Obamas tolerance of Sanctuary Cities  though sanctuary policies have existed for decades without successful legal challenges.

Then theres the birther movement, led by Trump, which sought to portray the first African-American president as a foreigner. Now Trump is, with his characteristic disregard for truth, attempting to turn the same nativist forces against his nearest competitor in the Republican primary.

There is no equivalent on the left these days to such nasty stuff. Democrats should keep it that way.
"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844
hidden

Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, which assembles the bulk of Apple Inc's latest smartphones, saw its December revenues slump by a fifth and full-year sales miss expectations.

The results, published on Friday, came amid growing concerns about slowing shipments of Apple's latest iPhone 6s models, which Hon Hai assembles.

Analysts said Hon Hai's results could be an indicator of demand for Apple's products in the first quarter of this year, but added that period was not normally a peak selling season and past iPhone cycles had followed a similar pattern, where an interim update on a model edition tends to see slower sales.

"The first quarter is an off season, a high base from last year and the global situation is not stable," said Leon Chu, investment manager at Franklin Templeton SinoAm Securities Investment Management in Taipei. "With all these factors, I'm going to be conservative."

Hon Hai, which goes by the trade name of Foxconn, reported December revenue of TWD 409.65 billion ($12.3 billion or roughly Rs. 82,274 crores), down just over 20 percent compared with both a year ago and November.

For 2015 as a whole, Hon Hai's revenue totalled TWD 4.48 trillion, up 6.42 percent, but below analysts' expectations for an annual gain of 7 percent, according to the average of forecasts of Thomson Reuters Starmine. Hon Hai's revenue in 2014 rose 6.53 percent. Hon Hai said in a statement that December sales were as expected.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Friday its fourth-quarter operating profit likely rose 15 percent from a year earlier, missing expectations and fuelling concerns the tech industry may be in for a year of slack gadget sales.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world's largest contract chipmaker, said on Friday its December sales fell both on the month and on the year. The annual growth in sales for 2015 more than halved from a rapid pace of 2014, when the new iPhone 6 models were first launched.

A person familiar with the matter told Reuters this week that Hon Hai planned to observe a normal Chinese New Year break for its factories on the mainland, in contrast to recent years when overtime prevailed to keep production lines cranking out goods through China's biggest holiday.

The mood for Taiwan's trade-reliant island economy is grim. Its exports plunged by more than expected in December for the 11th month in a row in data issued Friday, putting the full year 2015 decline at its worst annual rate since the global financial crisis.

Reuters
tech2 News Staff

Samsung and Microsoft's partnership in the tech world is nothing new indeed. But today, Samsung is clearly known more for its worldwide Android smartphone market share than anything else. So Microsoft renewing its partnership with Samsung seemed more like a give and take situation when it was announced at CES 2016, where Samsung benefits from Windows 10 IoT core services, while Microsoft benefits in the form of big brand coming under its fold, in the form of the just announced Surface-like Samsung Galaxy TabPro S tablet powered by Windows 10.

Microsoft recently celebrated Windows 10 running on more than 200 million computers worldwide. At CES this year there were a number of launches in terms of computing systems that came from Acer, Alcatel, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and many more. But there's another area to be explored and that is IoT or the Internet of Things.

This year's CES clearly focussed on two core areas, Virtual Reality (VR) and IoT and there were plenty of brands showcasing stuff made for the same that also included Samsung. So when Microsoft's Terry Myerson took to the stage, everyone expected Microsoft to jump onto the IoT bandwagon but that apparently did not happen. His announcement was more to do with the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S that anything else.

With Windows 10, both companies wanted to do something great together, and we showcased the new Samsung Galaxy TabPro S, along with our shared vision for future innovation together across the entire Internet of Things, said Myerson in a blog post. The same clarified that the focus with Samsung is on IoT, "Were excited about todays devices and were also inspired about the potential of tomorrow. Along with Samsung, we share a common vision for millions and millions of devices and Things all communicating together using open protocols and standards within inclusive ecosystems, inspiring the creativity of software developers, device manufacturers, and rising star Makers around the world."

Coming to the ultra thin Galaxy TabPro S (image shown above), which comes with a form factor similar to Microsoft's Surface Pro range that was just launched in India. Microsoft proudly stated that it is thinner and lighter than the Apple iPad Pro and that it also packs in an Intel chipset with active pen support and 10 hours of battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S packs in a 12-inch AMOLED display and also happens to be the first tablet, powered by Windows, to support LTE Cat 6. More importantly it also feature Fast Charge tech, that can charge the tablet in just 2.5 hours. In terms of connectivity, the 2-in-1 also features multi-port adapter (HDMI, USB Type A & C) and Bluetooth Pen are available for purchase separately. And you get all of the above in a construction that is just 6.3mm thin and weighs just 693 grams.
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Wise Kwai's film ratings 5/5 = Must see!

4/5 = Great!

3/5 = Just okay.

2/5 = Barely watchable.

1/5 = Waste of time.

Show me the reviews ...

Wise Kwai's Top 10 Thai films 1. Tears of the Black Tiger

2. Monrak Transistor

3. Citizen Dog

4. Last Life in the Universe

5. Syndromes and a Century

6. Puen Pang

7. 6ixtynine9

8. 13 Beloved

9. Ong-Bak

10. Ai-Fak Archive Visitors Amazon.com Widgets
AP, explaining the "halo effect".

"earned $75.6 million giving speeches to corporations and organizations around the world, according to the latest financial disclosure required of his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

Current (ex) Presidents, l-r:

George HW Bush, Obama, George Bush Jr, Clinton, Carter

It is commonly observed that President Obama never started governing because he never stopped campaigning. (source)

Al Jarida, an Arabic language Kuwaiti magazine, published an article on Friday claiming that US President Barack Obama has set his sights on becoming the next Secretary General of the United Nations when he leaves the Oval Office in one year.

If true, and if he succeeds in this endeavor, Obama would be replacing the present Secretary General, South Koreas Ban Ki-Moon, who is serving his second five-year term in the position. Bans term as Secretary General is set to end December 31, 2016, coincidentally 21 days before Obamas second term as President ends. Al-Jarida attributed the rumor to informed sources (source)

With just a year and change left of his final term in office, President Barack Obama is beginning to make plans for his post-presidency years. It's looking like his official presidential library will be in Chicago, close to the Hyde Park home that he and First Lady have lived in for years. But recently, the President has apparently expressed interest in moving to New York City after the First Family leaves the White House...

Netanyahu remembers well just how US President Barack Obama brushed aside Israeli objections and went ahead with the P5+1 nuclear agreement with Iran. Now, Netanyahu is reportedly planning some personal payback. According to the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, Netanyahu will make common cause with moderate Arab governments in order to sabotage Obamas plan to succeed Ban Ki-moon when the South Korean diplomat ends his term as United Nations secretary-general on December 31 of this year.

A source close to Netanyahu did not deny to Al-Jarida that the premier is aiming to torpedo the Obama project, noting that his presidency was characterized by [Washingtons] moving closer to the Muslim Brotherhood, toppling the regime of Hosni Mubarak, and attempts to ally itself with political Islam.

The president obviously agrees; his address to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Wednesday sounded much like the launch of a campaign for still-higher office: presiding over the hopelessly corrupt, tyrant-dominated United Nations.

Now the U.N., acting similarly, can make him "president of the world." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's term expires in early 2017. If Obama were his successor, the U.S., even under a Republican administration, might not veto an ex-U.S. president in the Security Council.

Who would the U.N. like better as secretary-general than an American who wants the world's lone superpower placed firmly under the rules made by the U.N. General Assembly, the vast majority of whose members are undemocratic and pine for redistributed U.S. wealth? A secretary-general who can get the U.S. to accept U.N. rule.

When a man is elected President of the United States of America, he has reached the pinnacle of his career in America. It is the top, the Everest, the highest and most visible point a man can reach. Where is there for him to go, afterward? What other fulfilling employment or charitable service can he then enjoy after the let-down of leaving office?Bill Clinton gives speeches, makes money.two years ago, ex-President Clinton--Washington and Jefferson retired to their plantations--John Quincy Adams ran for Congress in 1830, the year after he left the White House, and served in the House of Representatives until he died in 1848.--Benjamin Harrison returned to his law career.--William Howard Taft, left the White House to become a law professor at Yale and was later appointed to the Supreme Court.The question back then was "What was the young nation to do with these men who had held such immense power?"And there's the rub. Just because one descends from the highest office, it does not mean they give up their power. They have accumulated wisdom and experience that only 43 predecessors have ever accumulated, and given the fact that most ex-presidents are elected at a relatively aged point in their careers and die soon after, any ex-president living still has much to offer. He is a unique person.When life spans were shorter, ex-Presidents usually died within a decade of their post-presidency. Teddy Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson did. But now that life spans have lengthened we're giddy with ex-Presidents. In 1850 only 10% of men lived to age 70 and only 6% of men lived past age 80. Today we have five Presidents/ex-Presidents living. Jimmy Carter is 91 years old, as is George H.W. Bush. Bill Clinton is 69, as is George Bush Jr.When Obama leaves office, he will be only 55 years old. Given his youth, one may expect him to live a long time. So what will he do...Obama has never seemed to enjoy being out of the political limelight. He was elected to his first political office in 1996 at age 35. He has never left the political arena. One surmises he is not planning a quiet retirement, as George Bush Jr has done.Breaking Israel News published what is admittedly a rumor, that Obama is quietly campaigning for his next position: Secretary-General of the United Nations. Here is Breaking Israel News, reporting from the Arabic Kuwait News Al Jarida:But it's a rumor that makes sense, given a man who enjoys political power and the limelight as much as Obama does. Leading the United Nations is the one place that wields more power than leading the United States does. The UN is in NY, and though Obama is from Hawaii and has also lived in Chicago for many years, he has recently expressed interest in moving to NY City.Though the Kuwait News report is just a rumor, not a report, theon the notion that Obama is angling for the global position- AND that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly unhappy with the idea. Significantly, the Netanyahu Administration source did not deny the Prime Minister's intent to oppose such an appointment.That relations between an Obama-led America and a Netanyahu-led Israel are frayed is an understatement. That the United Nations is a bastion of Israel-hating politicos pumping out poisonously biased and damaging resolutions against Israel is also well-known. An Obama-led UN would be a nightmare for tiny Israel.The rumor has some credibility. Even back in 2014 the Investor's Business Daily Editorial noted that even at that point,The UN Secretary-General is the UN's top diplomat. Though the post's qualifications are loose and general, Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize, bestowing credibility to Obama in his apparent skill to negotiate between international parties. In 2008,that ". Obama already has experience at the UN, being theAnd of course his 8 years as leader of the free world is weighty experience the UN diplomats would consider.TheObama's past pattern of actions indicate anything from a bias against to a virulent hatred for Israel (depending on whom one consults). Certainly it is reasonable to say that Obama's decisions have not favored God's Country. Given the UN's past behavior, at the United Nations he can do even more damage to that tiny country. It is also true that he can accrue more power and influence, something he has been an expert at doing his entire adult life.What the future holds is something that Christians can read in the Bible, which is God's word. We know that at some point in the future, the rapture will occur and true Christians representing the Bride (AKA the Church) will be removed from the earth. The resulting chaos will give rise to ten global leaders, one of which will soon dominate the other nine, and emerge as the sole tyrant of earth. He will initially seem to befriend Israel by making a covenant with them, only to tear it up at the covenant's mid-point, sparking the Great Tribulation. There will be a one world power and one tyrant ruling the earth. This ruler is known as the Antichrist, the Man of Perdition, who will martyr the Tribulation Saints and cause a genocide for Israel. (Daniel 8, Daniel 11, Revelation 13)How the United Nations fits into the coming biblical promise of a one world government is anybody's guess. The fact that the UN is already a global governing body seems like it would fit in well to a coming prophesied larger global governing body. Did you know that the UN has a standing army of "" 97,000 strong?The United States has been in a status quo for the last 8 years. Wikipedia defines Status quo as a Latin phrase meaning the existing state of affairs, particularly with regards to social or political issues. Even though the Obama Presidency has not seemed to live up to the glowing expectations of the giddy campaign, even a gloomy and unhappy but relatively stable status quo is better than what many other nations have endured during the same time period. However, as James Michener famously wrote in his novel, "It is difficult to be king when the gods are changing."--------------------------Further ReadingI wrote in 2011:I wrote in 2009:
About The Classical Reviewer

The Classical Reviewer has been involved in music for many years, as a classical record distributor, as a newspaper concert reviewer and writer of articles relating to music as well as reviewing for Harpsichord and Fortepiano magazine.



He assisted in the cataloguing of the scores of the late British composer George Lloyd and has co-authored a memoir of his friendship with the composer.



Having a particular interest in British music, he regularly undertakes talks on Elgar.


Volleyball results from Thursday

Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, 8:34 a.m. -- LAPEER COUNTY -- The Almont varsity volleyball team beat Madison Heights Lamphere and New Lothrop in a triple header at Almont Thursday. Dryden beat Bay City All Saints...

Golf and tennis regional results

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, 5:41 p.m. -- LAPEER COUNTY -- Boys' high school tennis regionals and girls' golf regionals took place yesterday. Lapeer girls' golf placed 11th at the Div. 1 regional hosted by Oxford...

Friday night football scores

Friday, September 30, 2022 10:15 p.m.  LAPEER COUNTY  Lapeer beat Grand Blanc 39-17 at Lapeer to remain undefeated at 6-0. Almont upset Croswell-Lexington 37-26 North Branch routed Richmond 62-10 Imlay City/Dryden fell to Yale...

Summer sports camps/clinics

Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 4:40 p.m. -- LAPEER COUNTY -- Below is a list of the summer sports camps and clinics that will take place through early Aug. The regular sports update posting of high...
Twitter user Shari Lynn on Trump sycophant Rep. Jim Jordan's 7/31/20 attack on Dr. Anthony Fauci

Clippers coach Doc Rivers on ex-officer Derek Chauvin's killing of George Floyd

About Me culturegeist Hamilton, New Jersey, United States Culture: (noun) the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place or time. Geist: (noun) a German word translated as ghost, spirit or mind depending on its context. View my complete profile

NY Times columnist Frank Bruni in a 10/14/20 Times Op-Ed

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Republican Rep. Ted Yoho calling her a 'fucking bitch" in public


Russia blocks transit of Ukrainian goods: Kiev

AFP, Kiev :

Russia has blocked the transit of Ukrainian goods heading to other countries, Kiev officials said Saturday after the two neighbouring nations imposed food embargoes in their mutual trade war.

"The transit of Ukrainian goods has not yet begun", having been blocked since the start of the new year, the spokeswoman for Ukraine's infrastructure ministry, Kristina Nikolayeva, told AFP.

The ministry said that since January 1, under new Russian regulations, Ukrainian goods headed for Central Asia or China can only enter Russia via Belarus. They must also be sealed to prevent them from being unloaded in Russia.

A Russian embargo on Ukrainian food imports took effect on January 1, with Kiev issuing mirror sanctions in response.

Moscow has also barred Ukraine from a free trade zone linking numerous ex-Soviet countries.

Russia introduced the latest measures on transit of goods without explaining how they should be implemented, with officials absent during public holidays lasting until Monday, said Nikolayeva.

"They brought in these transit rules but didn't prepare a mechanism for how exactly this will work: what kind of seals are needed, what kind of control measures are needed. As a result Russia is not letting Ukrainian trucks across its border," she said.

At present, "we are recommending our carriers not to send anything in that direction," Nikolayeva added.

Ukraine's trade representative Natalia Mykolska has complained that the transit problem is holding up trade with partners such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Mongolia.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk on Wednesday discussed the problem with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Massimov, the government press service said.

Yatsenyuk said he would inform the World Trade Organisation of the "unlawful actions of the Russian Federation regarding the transit of Ukrainian goods" and would ask the global trade body to "respond to such actions."
GUB celebrates its 14th Founding Day

Campus Report :

Green University of Bangladesh (GUB) celebrated its 14th Founding Day on Saturday at its campus in the city.

The daylong Foundation Day event was entertained by a series of colorful activities. In the morning the program was started with hoisting of National and GUB Flag. There were also slicing of cake, flown of balloons and rally on the occasion of foundation day. The celebration also included a discussion meeting and a cultural program in the campus premises. Prof Dr Md. Golam Samdani Fakir presided over the discussion programs. In the discussion program, Md. Shahid Ullah, Treasurer and Director of Student Affairs has delivered welcome speech. Md. Mazharul Islam, Deputy Registrar of the University and Dr Jahannath Biswas, Associate Professor of the Department of Textile Engineering had reminisced their experienced in GUB.

Prof Dr Golam Ahmed Faruqui, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies and Prof Dr Md. Fayzur Rahman, Chairperson, EEE Department also delivered speech about their experience at GUB.


Need for freedom, security of journalists stressed

Prime Minister's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury yesterday said it is the responsibility of all governments to ensure justice for every incident of journalist killing.

"The government will have to ensure freedom and security of journalists," he said speaking at a function marking an arrangement of job in Singapore made by journalists for the son of killed journalist Nahor Ali of Dumuria in Khulna. Held at National Press club in the city, the function was presided over by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) former President and National Press Club Senior-Vice-President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul.

Secretary of Ministry for Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Khandaker M. Iftekhar Haider, Dainik Samokal Editor Golam Sarwar, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad, National Press Club General Secretary Quamrul Islam Chowdhury, BFUJ Secretary General Omar Faruq, former Secretary General Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) General Secretary Quddus Afrad, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) General Secretary Razu Ahmed,Merit Trade International Managing Director and journalist Hassan Ahmed Kiron and Nahor Ali's son Asaduzzaman Ripon, among others. Samokal Editor Golam Sarwar called for publishing more news about the deprived people in society.

Secretary Iftekhar Haider said the good recruiting agencies would be awarded in the next Migrants Day. The agencies which worked bad are being brought under punishment, he added. BSS Chief Editor Abdul Kalam Azad called upon all to work together to build a nice society in future. "No good and successful job is possible without combined initiatives," he said.

He thanked Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul for taking initiatives for an overseas job for the son of a killed journalist.

Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul said Asaduzzaman Ripon was forced to pull rickshaw in Dhaka and Khulna because of poverty after his journalist father Nahor Ali was killed by extremists.

After knowing this from a report published in the Samokal, he arranged a job for Ripon in Singapore through Merit Trade International free of cost, Bulbul said. Ripon was given his visa and air ticket in the function.
On Syed Mahbub Murshed

Dr. Syed Mansoob Murshed :

Syed Mahbub Murshed was born over a hundred years ago on 11th January 1911. He passed away on 3rd April 1979. He is best remembered as a jurist (in the context of judicial review of the Constitution or executive decisions, arguably the counterpart of the American jurist Marshall for Pakistan and Bangladesh), and later on as a public figure in the movement for the restoration of democracy in 1969. Yet he was a man of many parts, among which were his outstanding oratorical skills in diverse public fara in the late 1950s and 1960s. Apart from his years on the bench (1955-67), which has an independent role, he never held any public office nor formed any political party. 'What would best sum up his personality? Perhaps, his dislike for the convenient and conventional truth; his unswerving support for the downtrodden; his love of right, however inconvenient. As John Kenneth Galbraith once stated: "To the adherents of the institutional truth there is nothing more inconvenient, nothing that so contributes to discomfort, than open, persistent articulate assertion of what is real". Consider the following cynical statement about justice:

Thrasymachus: I declare that justice is nothing else than that which is advantageous to the stronger.

To Murshed justice was the very antithesis of this rhetorical statement towards the beginning of Plato's Republic which forms the basis of the subsequent dialectic on the nature of truth. Judges are meant to be independent, but do they always dare exercise this independence in the face of a powerful executive, and when their own personal advancement may be jeopardised by the exercise of strict independence and adherence to the right, however inconvenient.

The 16th of November 1967 marked the resignation of the late Justice Syed Mahbub Murshed, who had been Chief Justice of the East Pakistan High Court from 1964 to 1967. President Ayub's diary for 6th January 1967 says that "Justice Murshed has a brilliant, intelligent, literary bent of mind and aptitude for languages, but he is impulsive and unstable." Despite these aspersions, it is widely accepted that his resignation was over the issue of an independent judiciary, something for which Ayub's patience had diminished following his re-election in 1965. Murshed had just become too inconvenient to a ruler who was becoming increasingly autocratic. In 1963, one of his judgments in a case, which is described in brief as the Minister's case, ensured that the legislative and executive functions of the 'state would remain separate, Cabinet Minister's could not sit in the National Assembly. This judgement was upheld in the Supreme Court. Others were to follow, including a celebrated judgement concerning the relationship between the federal and provincial administrations of the country. Ayub had not wanted Murshed to become Chief Justice of the East Pakistan High Court in 1964, despite the fact that Murshed was the senior most Judge, and it was his turn to become Chief Justice. But at the time, he relented, and let precedent take its course. Ayub, of course, was a different man following his election victory over Miss Jinnah in 1965, and the war with India in the same year. Murshed decided to resign before resisting a regime that was becoming increasingly autocratic.

He was expected to run against Ayub in the 1970 Presidential elections. But a mass movement against Ayub gathered momentum in late 1968, to which Murshed added his voice. A contemporary report in TIME magazine states that: "The opposition cause was also boosted by widely respected Syed Mahbub Murshed, former Chief Justice of the East Pakistan High Court, who told the nation that "We are not destined to perish in ignominy if we put up a determined and united resistance to evi1."

These events are not merely mundane facts in the history of Bangladesh and Pakistan, but have a strong resonance for the present.

They concern the widely touted subject of good governance, where we often forget that good government in practice requires the separation of powers, which needs to be ultimately subject to judicial review and scrutiny to prevent the arbitrary exercise of power by either the executive or the legislature.

An historical example may be of interest in this regard. Frederick II of Prussia (1740-86) established an independent judiciary despite being in the position of an absolute monarch, and respected judgements of the judiciary, including in a case where a farmer successfully sued him, and he promptly paid up. Not only that, but when he wanted to buy land from a miller to extend his beautiful, but small, Sans Souci palace in Potsdam, the miller stubbornly refused to sell.

When directly confronted by the monarch, the miller told the King that what stood between him and arbitrary (executive) confiscation of his land was the court in Berlin. Frederick of Prussia accepted and respected this statement. We would do well to remember that even though he was an enlightened man, he possessed despotic powers in principle, which he chose not to exercise. Perhaps, that is why he is referred to as Frederick the Great (not just for his military achievements). The great German philosopher Immanuel Kant in an essay had advocated a republican Constitution, which would ensure peace.

According to him, the worst form of despotism, which ultimately leads to violence, occurs when there is no separation of powers; those who administer laws are one and the same as those who decree them.

Ensuring the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature requires an independent judiciary, and judges like Murshed to fearlessly exercise these principles. Let us not forget that despotism is not simply confined to absolute monarchies or dictatorships, but can also feature in flawed democracies, even when rulers happen to be elected.


Tanneries have to be shifted



THE government has asked tannery owners to shift their factories from Hazaribagh to Industrial Park in Savar within 72 hours and failing which it would close their factories forthwith, reports a national daily on Sunday. The Industry Minister has issued the instruction at a meeting with officials of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) at his office in the city. But as it appears it has come as a big surprise to the owners who believe relocation of industries can't work on clock bound timeline. Many also wonder whether any ultimatum is a sensible move to secure removal of so many factories when each and every factory owners has his problems and need short term to mid-term plan to shift their production facility from one place to another. It is not like house tenant who may be evicted on such short notice.

The Minister has however instructed BSCIC; which has set up the new tannery park at Savar to send legal notice to the owner of tanneries asking them to move to their new industrial zone within the stipulated time. Failure will not only bring shut down of their plants but also the cancellation of their industrial plot at Savar.

It is true that the tannery owners are using various dilatory tactics to delay the shift partly for financial reason and also to exploit the move to secure easy loans or grants to their benefits. But much of these things are not within the government power at a time when it is also under pressure from donors' community to achieve the shift as soon as possible to protect Dhaka's environment. Many buyers of Bangladesh leather goods particularly in Europe are also using threats to suspend favourable market access of leather goods if leather factories are not shifted forthwith.

The government has set up the new tannery park over 200 acres of land in the outskirt of the city at Savar to free Hazaribagh from tannery processing activities as it is polluting the city air and holding the area hostage to its dirty discharge of waste and stinky smell. The Savar Project is being developed over the past decade with developing land and other infrastructure including gas, electricity and water supply and affluent treatment plant. BSCIC has created 155 industrial plots for factory owners producing leather goods for domestic users and export markets.

But tannery owners have been quoted in the report as saying that they need at least Tk 6,000 crore to relocate the factories that include setting up new factory buildings and relocation of machinery to begin commercial production at the new sight. They have urged the government to give them long-term loan at lower interest to make such relocation possible.

It is a must that tannery factories have to be removed. This question was much in negotiation for many years. Yet, the government has to understand the difficulties of the tannery owners and see if a reasonable adjustment in the time schedule is possible. In the present condition the tannery industries, though very important for the economy, is a health hazard for many in the city.
Dr Mosharraf bail upheld

May be released today

Staff Reporter :The Supreme Court has upheld a High Court (HC) bail order for BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain in a money laundering case.A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha, passed the order on Sunday, resolving a plea filed by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) against the HC bail order. Now there are no more hurdles to release of the BNP leader from jail following the apex court's order, as no other case is pending against him, said Dr Mosharraf's counsel Khandaker Maruf Hossain.Dr Mosharraf's PA Shah Akhtaruzzaman told The New Nation that the BNP leader would be released from the Kashimpur Jail today (Monday). ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam said that the SC upheld the HC bail order, resolving their petition with some observations and conditions. The conditions include disposing of the case within next three months, Dr Mosharraf would not be able to withdraw money from the frozen bank account and he has to submit his passport to the authorities, as he would not leave the country.The 79-year-old former minister has been in jail for about two years in the case filed by the ACC, which accuses him of siphoning off around Tk 90 million. Dr Mosharraf was arrested from his Gulshan residence in the city on March 12 in 2014 in the case. He has been in jail since then. In October last year, a Dhaka court indicted Dr Mosharraf, taking the case forward. On August 19, the High Court granted bail to him in the case on condition that he would not leave the country. He will also not be able to draw money from the account at the UK-based bank concerned.The ACC challenged the HC order in the appeals court. The apex court stayed his bail and ordered the ACC to file a 'leave-to-appeal' plea, which was resolved on Sunday. The Appellate Division on August 27 stayed for two weeks the HC bail order after hearing on the ACC's plea. On February 6 in 2014, ACC director Nasim Anwar filed the case against Dr Mosharraf with Ramna Police Station in the city, accusing him of laundering money while he was the Health Minister between 2001 and 2006. The charges stated that he had laundered 804,142 to a joint account with his wife at the Lloyd's Bank in the UK.The BNP leader claims that the money in question was neither illegally earned nor laundered out of the country.
Nearly 400,000 Syrians go hungry in besieged areas

Al Jazeera News :As aid agencies prepare to deliver food to Madaya, on the outskirts of Damascus, and two other besieged towns in Idlib province, an estimated 400,000 people are living under siege in 15 areas across Syria, according to the UN.A deal struck on Saturday permits the delivery of food to Madaya, currently surrounded by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the villages of Foah and Kefraya in Idlib, both of which are hemmed in by rebel fighters.Inside Story - Syrians facing starvation: is there any hope left? Due to a siege imposed by the Syrian government and the Lebanese Hezbollah group, an estimated 42,000 people in Madaya have little to no access to food, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people by starvation so far, according to the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).Reports of widespread malnutrition have emerged, some of them suggesting that Madaya residents are resorting to eating grass and insects for survival.In Kefraya and Foah, about 12,500 people are cut off from access to aid supplies by rebel groups, including al-Nusra Front. On December 26, Syrian government forces set up a checkpoint and sealed off the final road to Moadamiyah, a rebel-controlled town on the outskirts of Damascus, demanding that opposition groups lay down their arms and surrender.The Moadamiyah Media Office, run by pro-opposition activists, estimates that 45,000 civilians are stuck in the area for more than two weeks.The organisation said on Saturday that a siege that started in April 2013 and lasted a year, resulted in the deaths of 16 local residents due to a lack of food and medicine.It said the current one has killed one local resident so far this year, with an eight-month-old boy dying from malnutrition on January 10.Sharif Nashashibi, a London-based analyst of Arab political affairs, says the government-imposed sieges in places like Moadamiyah and Madaya have put rebel fighters under "double pressure". "These sieges don't just wear down the fighters, it also causes them to see the population around them suffering and raises the concern that the population could turn against them," he told Al Jazeera. "These sieges are war crimes. The government is collectively punishing the population of that area because of the presence of 'enemy' fighters."The UN reported in December that the Syrian government and allied militias have also placed under siege more than 181,000 people in the Damascus outskirts, including Darayya and Ghouta, as well as in Zabadani, near the Lebanon border.Separately, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has imposed a siege on more than 200,000 in Deir Az Zor in Syria's east. "Besieging Syrian civilians is wrong, whoever the perpetrator," Nashashibi told Al Jazeera."One cannot be selective in one's outrage over the suffering of Syrian civilians and plausibly claim to have a moral compass."Inside Story - Starvation as a tool of war in SyriaJuliette Touma, a spokesperson for the UN children's agency UNICEF, says the lack of access has made it impossible to assess the humanitarian needs of the communities in question."These are areas that have been under siege by parties to the conflict," she told Al Jazeera."We can't point a finger to one party and not another because more than one party to the conflict is involved in besieging various communities."In addition to struggling to get food and medicine, Touma said, the affected areas also endure severe disruptions in, if not a total lack of, other basic services, including electricity and education.Furthermore, she said, communities classified as besieged are not the only ones in desperate need of humanitarian access."Due to raging battles and increasing violence, there are more than 4.5 million people living in areas classified by the UN as 'hard to reach'," Touma said, adding that more than half of those are children.
Addiction to Yaba on rise alarmingly

Teens of affluent families main consumers

Badrul Ahsan :The abuse of contraband drug-Yaba-is mounting in the country over the recent years, causing a serious concern among people of all walks of life in the society.The banned drug has sent a wave of shock and fear among the guardians in the city following its rapid spread among the people, particularly among the teens and youngsters.Yaba, a Thai word meaning 'crazy medicine', is an addictive and extremely harmful drug. The tablet flows into the country from Thailand via Myanmar through the Teknaf border, according to the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). Teens and youngsters of the affluent families are the main consumers of this drug, which makes its users excited and gives them instant euphoria but later on casts a deadly effect.Unknown to the users, Yaba has different side effects like tremors, hypertension, hallucination, psychotic episodes, paranoia, delusions, violent behaviour, hypothermia, convulsions, agitation, anxiety, nervousness, mental confusion and memory loss.It is said that Adolf Hitler, during the World War II, first used this tablet for German soldiers so that they could go without sleep for five to seven days to fight against their enemies. "Abuse of this drug has gone up in the country significantly over the recent years," Director (Operations) of DNC Pranab Kumar Neogi told The New Nation on Thursday. According to the statistics on the seizure of the tablets by the agencies concerned, around 25,51,352 pieces of yaba tablet were seized in 2015 against 8,12,716 pieces recorded in 2010."The consignments of the tablets entering the country are much higher than the amount recovered by the law enforcement agencies. We've stepped up our vigilance in and around the capital to curb trading of this deadly drug," Neogi said. Interestingly, Yaba traders have started producing the tablets locally because of growing market demand and the law enforcers' drive against entering the contraband drug, DNC sources said. Talking to The New Nation, an ASP of Crime Prevention Company of RAB-7 unit, not to be named, said they have information that some of the traders manufacture the tablet in the remote areas of Cox's Bazar district and some other hilly areas."We'll soon launch a drive to catch the culprits," he said, adding that there are two categories of the stimulating tablets-R-7 and WY (locally known as Champa), which are in high demand locally.He said R-7 is expensive as a piece of this drug costs in between Tk 700 and Tk 800 while each WY tablet can be purchased for around Tk 300. Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury, founder president of the Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (MANAS), expressed his deep concern over the growing use of drugs like yaba. "Time has come to open our eyes and be aware of the deadly effect of the drug as it is silently destroying our younger generation. There are now nearly 9.0 million people in the country, who are highly dependent on drugs which is nine times higher than the number estimated in the 1990s, he said. However, eminent criminologist Prof Dr ASM Amanullah of Dhaka University said that 10,000 drug dealers sell some 2.0 million yaba pieces a day across the country. "The statistics show how fast the drug market is expanding in Bangladesh. It is a grave sign for the society," he said, adding that youngsters from the well-off families are the main target of the traders.Professor Nasreen, Director of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies of Dhaka University, underscored the need for revising the academic syllabus and more integration of moral course contents in the curriculum. She also suggested increase of government monitoring over the course contents of the private academic institutions.
Biman`s MD quits

Staff Reporter :Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Kyle Haywood has resigned citing health reasons. General Manager (Public Relations) of the national flag carrier Khan Mosharraf Hossain said that Kyle Haywood, who is now on leave and staying abroad, sent his resignation letter to the Biman authorities on Sunday. In the letter, Haywood mentioned that he was resigning due to physical illness, the general manager said. Kyle Haywood, a South African-born British citizen, joined Biman as its CEO and MD on January 5 last year on contract for one-year provision of extension of his service. In a recent meeting of the Board of Directors of the state-owned airlines, the service of Haywood, who was the second foreigner to become the MD and CEO of Biman after Kevin John Steele, was extended for one more year. Wing Commander (retd) M Asaduzzaman is now performing as the acting MD of Biman. Earlier in October last year, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry suggested the government not to renew the job contract of Kyle Haywood because of his poor performance after taking the charge of CEO and MD of Biman Bangladesh Airlines in January 2015.
FBUTA observes indefinite work abstention from today

M M Jasim :

The leaders of Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association (FBUTA) will observe indefinite work abstention at all public universities from today (Monday) to meet their demands. The leaders of each university teachers' association will decide about taking examinations.

The leaders of FBUTA said that they would not refrain from their programmes if until the government assured them to press home their long standing demands.

They said this at a press release signed by President of FBUTA Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed and Secretary General Professor ASM Maksud Kamal on Sunday.

The teachers also said that they had nothing to do if the academic activities were hampered as they tried their best to resolve the crisis, but the government did not respond to their demands.

"We have been observing peaceful programmes for realisation of the teachers' demands across the country. We do not want any harm to the higher education sector. We have no way but indefinite work abstention as the government is yet to give any assurance of us in this regard," Professor ASM Maksud Kamal told The New Nation on Monday.

He said, "We are not demonstrating for salaries but for our dignity that we lost in the new pay scale."

He said, "We requested the government to give us proper dignity. We never told the government to increase our salary now. We do not want unexpected comments from anyone about the teachers."

Professor Maksud Kamal said, "We used to take classes and examinations and run the academic activities smoothly. We have been doing also that. But it will be very sad if the teachers are compelled to continue their movement for their dignity. We urge the government to take initiative to protect the teachers' dignity by January 11, otherwise the result will not be good."

He also alleged Finance Minister AMA Muhith on December 6 had assured them of retaining the selection grade and time scale for university teachers in the eighth national pay scale. But he did not keep his words.

"We have actually been deceived by him," he added.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students of the universities will also be victims of the teachers' movement as they will have to face session jam and other academic complexities.

"My third year final examination is on. I was hampered for taking preparation as there was an uncertain situation about holding the examination," Fardin Sohel, a student of Islamic Studies of Dhaka University (DU) told The New Nation yesterday.

"The 2nd year mid-term examination of International Relations Department of DU was scheduled to be held on January 14. But now it will not be held. As a result, the academic session will be delayed to end and we will face session jam," Ashraful Islam said.

On the other hand, the admission of 2015-16 session will be hampered due to the strike as no academic activities related to admission will be run.

University teachers have been observing their programme since September 8 demanding their four-point demand includes keeping senior professors and senior secretaries on the same pay scale and at an equal level of payment and benefits as enjoyed by the same grade of government officials, and proper place in the warrant of precedence for teachers.
Divine blessings for Muslims sought

Ijtema ends with Akheri Munajat

Devotees seeking divine blessings for Muslim Ummah at the Akheri Munajat after on the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema on Sunday.

Joynal Abedin Khan:The first phase of Biswa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation, concluded on Sunday with the Akheri Munajat (final prayers) seeking world peace and divine blessings for Muslim Ummah. The 35-minute long Munajat, started at 11:05am, was conducted by Indian eminent Islamic scholar Maulana Muhammad Saa'd.Some 30 to 35 lakh devotees, including 10,000 foreigners from over 100 countries, took part in the Akheri Munajat on the bank of the river Turag in Tongi, on the outskirts of the capital.The three-day Ijtema congregation was kicked off on Friday (January 8) after Fazr prayers with delivering special sermons (Aambayan) in the light of the Holy Quran and Hadith by veteran Islamic scholars from home and abroad. Their sermons were also available in several other languages for the participants. Islamic scholar of Tabligh Jamaat Abdul Matin interpreted the sermons into Bangla.President Abdul Hamid participated in the Munajat from his office at Bangabhaban in the city.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Awami League joint secretary Dr Dipu Moni and other family members joined the Munajat from her official residence Ganabhaban.BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia took part in the Munajat from her residence at Gulshan while Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad from Banani. Even members of different political parties, foreign dignitaries and government high-ups also took part in the Akheri Munajat.Meanwhile, three more devotees died on Sunday taking the toll to nine during the Ijtema. According to the civil surgeon office sources, nearly 5,000 devotees got treatment from 50 free medical camps. Most of them had been suffering from old-age problems. On the other hand, around 200 couples married without any dowry at the Ijtema venue. Such weddings are usually organised after the Asr prayers every year, said organizers.Besides, thousands of volunteers worked round the clock to make sure the event runs smoothly, they said.The organisers said that restrictions had been imposed on vehicular movement on some roads near the venue for easing the influx of devotees. Bangladesh Railways operated 28 special trains on different routes, including Akhaura, Comilla and Mymensingh so that people can go to the Ijtema venue to take part in the Akheri Munajat, Tongi Railway Station Master M Halimuzzaman said, "To make travelling easier for the Ijtema goers, special train services on different routes, including Akhaura, Comilla and Mymensingh were operated."Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) also plied special buses on the occasion.The Tabligh Jamaat leaders this year did not give permission to broadcast the Akheri Munajat live and also barred taking photographs, a television journalist said. The plying of traffic was restricted till Sunday evening, said Gazipur's Deputy Commissioner SM Alam."Loudspeakers were set up along roads and alleys from the Ijtema ground to as far as the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Tongi Railway Station and Tongi Station Road," the DC said. Additional security measures were ahead of the Akheri Munajat. Around 12,000 members uniformed and plainclothes police, RAB and intelligence agencies were deployed in and around the Ijtema ground to avert any untoward situation.Gazipur Police Super Mohammad Harun Or Rashid said vehicular movement from Chandana intersection of Gazipur on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to Airport, and from Savar-Bypile of Tongi-Ashulia road to Abdullahpur and Mirerbazar of Kaliganj-Tongi road was kept restricted RAB and police had also installed several observation towers and the whole Ijtema ground was monitored through CCTV cameras, the SP said. The second phase will start on 15 January and conclude on 17 January with the Akheri Munajat. For the first time, the Ijtema is being held in four phases in two years. People from 33 districts, including Dhaka, are taking part in the first two phases this year, while those from the remaining 31 districts and also Dhaka, will participate in the other two phases next year (2017).Tablighi Jamaat has been organising Bishwa Ijtema, also called the World Muslims' Congregation, every year since 1946. However, the New Delhi-based Tabligh-e-Jamaat has been organising the Ijtema since 1967.In 2011, the organisers had split the congregation into two phases to deal with overcrowding and ensure better management and security.


Print this page Rohan Dorsett denied bail on cocaine charges By TDN Wire Staff

January 09, 2016 5:10 P.M





Rohan Dorsett once filed suit against NJ Police. St Georges, Grenada (TDN) Thirty-eight year old Rohan Dorsett a Dominican held in Grenada on two drug related charges has been denied bail. On December 31, 2015 Police acting on an intelligence tip entered the home in an upscale neighbourhood in Grenada where Dorsett was residing. They are said to have recovered 6.7 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of EC$674,100.00. When Dorsett appeared before magistrate Tamera Gill last Tuesday she denied his lawyers plea for bail and placed him on remand at the State prison until his next court appearance on February 4, 2015. Police say Dorsett entered Grenada sometime during October 2015 and told them that he intended to leave over the Christmas holidays. He also denied any involvement in drugs. This is not Dorsetts first brush with the law. He served five years in a New Jersey, USA jail for the illegal possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. The arrest took place on February 15, 1998 and following a trial he was convicted and sentenced on November 30, 1998 to five years in jail. At the end of his jail term he was deported from the United States sometime in late 2003. Following his release Dorsett filed a civil rights suit against the New Jersey State Police on November 16, 2004 claiming that he was arrested in a racially profiled traffic stop along with two other occupants with whom he was travelling. At the time of his arrest Police say he was pulled over when they noticed that he was driving in an erratic manner. The defendants in the civil suit subsequently moved to have the motion dismissed. A judge in New Jersey would later rule that the 'motion to dismiss is granted in part and denied in part. If found guilty on both counts in the more recent case, Dorsett could face up to life in prison in Grenada.




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NEWS AND VIEWS THAT IMPACT LIMITED CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT



"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with

power to endanger the public liberty." - - - - John Adams


Covering the genealogy and family histories of the Hendersons of the Eastern Shore, and Onslow & Chatham Counties, NC; the Edward Corder family originally of London, thence to Greenway Court in Frederick County VA; the Brooks family originally of northern Virginia and thence to NC, SC and TN; and the Lau (Low) family of Germany and thence to central NC. Posts and research include information on known allied lines for all families.
If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs.
Monet rahapelien ystavat ovat viime vuosina loytaneet netticasinot ja olleet ihmeissaan. Verrattuna kotimaisen Veikkauksen kivijalkarahapeleihin puhutaan aivan eri tason palautusprosenteista ja lisaksi pelaaminen on aarimmaisen helppoa ja turvallista. Netticasinoiden maara on tana paivana todella suuri ja niita loytyy jokaiseen lahtoon, suurin ongelma aloittelevalla pelaajalla onkin tehda valinta siita, minka netticasinon valitsee. Kaikkien netticasinoiden mainospuheet naet lupaavat kauniita asioita ja niiden lapinakeminen on tietysti tarkeaa. Nyrkkisaantona voidaan kuitenkin jo kattelyssa todeta, etta jos valitsemasi netticasino on lisensoitu ETA-alueella, sen kanssa ei tule olemaan ongelmia, ellei niita itse jarjesta. Kay tutustumassa parhaisiin netticasinoihin osoitteessa www.ilmaiskierroksia.info!

Ensimmainen nyrkkisaanto on siis varmistaa, etta valitsemallasi netticasinolla on ETA-alueen lisenssi. Suurimmassa osassa tapauksista se on Maltan eli MGA:n lisenssi. Myos Viron, Englannin ja Gibraltarin lisensseja nakyy ja naissa valvonta on jopa Maltaa tiukempaa. Lopputulema on kuitenkin se, etta ETA-alueen lisenssi takaa suomalaisille verovapaat voitot seka sen, etta niita valvotaan kontrolloidusti. Maailmalla on iso nippu Curacaon lisenssilla toimivia netticasinoita ja niistakin suurin osa on laadukkaita. Ne eivat kuitenkaan ole suomalaisille asiakkaille verovapaita, joten emme suosittele niita.

Tana paivana markkinoille on ilmaantunut paljon ETA-alueella toimiva netticasinoita ilman rekisteroitymista. Jos tarkoitus on vain pelata yksittaisia pelikertoja, on varsin helppo suositella naita. Netticasinot ilman rekisteroitymista tarjoavat palvelun tunnistautumisen verkkopankin avainlukulistan avulla ja saman palvelun kautta tapahtuvat talletukset ja mahdolliset voittojen nostot silmanrapayksessa. Normaaleihin netticasinoihin pitaa asiakkaan rekisteroitya, tehda talletukset ja tunnistautua dokumenttien avulla. Tama on lisenssiehtojen mukainen kaytanto, eika kovinkaan monimutkainen, mutta silti monet asiakkaat haluavat yksinkertaista ja nopeaa palvelua. Toki normaalit netticasinot tarjoavat usein asiakkailleen laadukkaita talletusbonuksia ja erilaisia kampanjoita, joten kannattaa tarkkaan punnita, kumman ratkaisun valitsee. Kannattaa myos muistaa, etta tunnistautuminen tehdaan vain kerran, joten mikaan jatkuva riippakivi se ei ole.

Suomalaiset asiakkaat ovat netticasinoille tarkeita, joten kaikilla vahankin laadukkailla netticasinoilla on suomenkieliset sivut seka suomenkielinen asiakaspalvelu  suomenkielisyys kannattaakin ottaa netticasinoa valittaessa nyrkkisaannoksi. Vaikka tana paivana englanninkielisyys on harvoille ongelma, on suomenkielisten netticasinoiden maara niin valtava, etta suosittelemme niiden kayttoa. Rahansiirrot ovat tana paivana niin hyvassa mallissa, etta niiden kanssa tuskin tulee mitaan ongelmia. Kolme tarkeinta segmenttia: Suomalaiset verkkopankit, luottokortit (Visa, Mastercard) seka nettilompakot (Skrill, Neteller) loytyvat jokaisesta laadukkaasta netticasinosta. Viime vuosien trendiksi noussut verkkokauppa on kehittanyt rahansiirrot niin laadukkaiksi ja nopeiksi, etta niiden suhteen ei ole enaa vuosiin ollut ongelmia. Luonnollisesti netticasinot kayttavat naita samoja palveluita ja hyotyvat kehityksesta.

Naiden isojen linjojen jalkeen netticasinon valintaan vaikuttavat luonnollisesti tarjottavat tervetuliaisbonukset  uudet asiakkaat saavat tana paivana kovan kilpailun myota merkittavia etuja netticasinoilta ja niita kannattaa luonnollisesti vertailla. Erilaiset talletusbonukset, ilmaiskierrokset seka ilmaiset pelirahat tuovat suuriakin rahanarvoisia etuja ja niiden vertailu on ehdottomasti kannattavaa. Myoskaan useampien tilien avaaminen ja tervetuliaistarjousten kayttaminen ei missaan nimessa ole huono idea.

Kun edella mainitut asiat ovat mieleisia ja vaihtoehtoja on vielakin jaljella, mennaan jo nyansseihin. Toki pelivalikoima on yksi kriteeri, mutta taman paivan netticasinoissa tamakin asia on paasaantoisesti varsin samanlainen. Toki useamman samantasoisen netticasinon vertailussa kannattaa yleensa valita se, jossa on eniten peleja tarjolla. Vaikka omat suosikit loytyisivatkin useammasta, voi tulevaisuudessa mielenkiinto nousta joihinkin muihin peleihin ja silloin on tietysti mukavampaa, etta ne loytyvat valikoimista. Viimeisena voidaan nostaa esiin kaytettavyys  joidenkin netticasinoiden sivut ovat vilkkuvia, valkkyvia ja epakaytannollisia. Omaan silmaan ja kaytettavyyteen sopiva sivusto on luonnollisesti aina se paras valinta. Tarjonta netticasinoissa on tana paivana valtava ja jokaiselle loytyy varmasti se oma netticasino  onnea matkaan!
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By AM Sunday, January 10, 2016 Share Tweet Share Share Email

With freedom of speech comes the right to express the freedom to choose to listen. - my auld man!

Not long in to the New Year and the resolutions of parity of esteem and cultural respect, agreed by all political parties in the myriad of agreements since the Good Friday Agreement, have faded back to poignant and celestial ideas from the bad old days of the conflict. Borne out by Fosters and Nesbitts responses to media questions on the possible attendance of either at any event commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising.

Foster and Nesbitt have both ruled out any participation whatsoever in any of the events organised throughout Ireland to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising.

Foster, keen to stamp her new manly authority on the DUP and to allay the fears of the old DUP misogynist guard, has unabashedly stated that she will under no circumstances be participating in any commemoration event for 1916 as it was an attack against the UK to which she has bequeathed her political self too.(1)

In other words the lady-boy isnt for turning and she will endeavour to retain Unionisms business as usual agenda. An agenda made up of bigotry, sectarianism and racial hatred of all things Irish.

In the same report, Nesbitt, not as blunt as Foster as he - unlike her - has no longer the millstone of proving ones loyalty to all things bigoted hanging around his neck, but with the same level of disgust at such a thought, has intimated that he will also not be attending any commemorating event for the same reasons and his party will continue to lay wreaths at the graves of the dead British soldiers killed during the rising in Grange-Gorman military cemetery in Dublin.

Pastor James McConnell can now relax after winning his court case of being accused of grossly offensive remarks and in making such remarks by improper use of a public electronic communications network. A victory not just for McConnell but also for free speech and one which this avid raconteur is in full support off. The judge ruled that the remarks were offensive but not grossly offensive under the law.

Obviously, grossly offensive remarks, unlike offensive remarks, must meet some additional criteria in order to be declared as such. What that criteria is, was not expounded or clarified by the judge. So we can only surmise that perhaps, if Pastor McConnell had made the remarks at a graveside while one of his flock held the good book aloft from which he regularly reads from, or if he had stated that putting a bullet in the heads of Muslims was more acceptable than a prison sentence, if - since he is against their theology and what they believe in - he had burned the Koran or even if his remarks had been made against the Caliphate (replace with British State) and called for the right to bear arms against that State would his actions have been considered offensive or grossly offensive?

PUP Billy Hutchinson has joined in with Jim Rodgers and attacked the invite by Belfast City Council to the Republics qualifying team (supported by the norn iron managers family) and the norn iron qualifying team (unsupported by the norn iron managers family) to a reception at City Hall to congratulate them both on their success. Hutchinson displayed his bigoted narrow mindedness by singling out James McClean as a potential catalyst for trouble if he were to attend. McClean, who has made his political views very clear and run contrary to the cosmetic ideology of norn iron society, is persona non grata because of such views.

Rodgers, in his usual sectarian and racist form, amateurishly fumbled and stumbled around to try and put a halt to this invite by stating that the mainland teams of Wales and England should be invited and couldnt for the life of him understand why only the Republic and norn iron were. Very puzzling Jim indeed!

And so, will this be the year that sports people like James McClean be perceived on the same level as those Unionist rugby players who don the green jersey of Ireland and are not thrashed or determined to be trouble makers by the Irish media because of their political views?

Will this be the year that in November, when the British are given the freedom of expression to lay wreaths of poppies at the graves of their war dead in Ireland, will they complain if that freedom of expression is removed? Considering that it is the current political children of those same people who put those soldiers there in the first place that graciously grants them this expression! Would Cameron reciprocate the gesture if the shoe was on the other foot and will nationalist politicians give a second thought to laying a wreath at Belfast City Hall cenotaph or will Kenny, having his history slapped down in to the mud and so derisorily tread upon, be in attendance in Enniskillen this November?

Now, the English Monarchy can rest at ease knowing that their interests in Ireland are under newly elected High Sherriff of Belfast, Jim Rodgers, who for the next 12 months will no doubt fervently offer his own persona to shield and protect the Windsors ... a loyal duty which he has already stretched to their national football team!

In this year 2016, under British Unionisms asymmetrical politics of disrespect and, pompous arrogance, those who hold a difference of opinion to them can look forward to just as much grace as they have/had afforded on the Irish people 100 years ago. But I leave you with these words that come from a mouth that couldnt spell freedom of expression or even equality!

"Anyone who is engaged in public debate or speech ought to be happy at the result today. We live in a free society and in a free society, people should be free to express the beliefs that they hold."

DUP Sammy Wilson speaking on Talk Back on Pastor McConnells court case victory. Profound words that Wilson fails to put in to practice or respect....well, only if you are on his side!

(1) Belfast Telegraph 08/01/2016.

gives a flavour of what to expect in 2016.is a Tyrone republican.
One of the things that surprised me in this legal case, considering the issues at stake, was the amount of humor in the courtroom. Lawyers, witnesses and even the judge were very quick to crack a joke. At one point, when people were struggling to hear the prosecution lawyer, the judge said to him, Pretend youre a preacher! There was no jury in the trial, something that is quite common in Northern Irelands legal system.There was grim humor as well, when one of the BBC radio shows that had stoked the whole controversy was replayed in court. The man slated to be the chief prosecution witness (who never actually appeared in court) was asked repeatedly by the shows presenter whether he approved of stoning women to death for adultery. There was laughter in the public gallery as he he danced around the questions and avoided answering yes or no.Pastor McConnell, as the first to give testimony in his own defence, also proved to be a robust and humorous witness. The prosecution lawyer badgered him, asking the same questions over and over again. But the pastor repeatedly answered that his mistrust was not directed at all Muslims, and that he mistrusted the religion as a whole and those who were radical or violent. He repeatedly said that there were good and trustworthy Muslims, and that he was sorry if his words had offended any of them.He stood by the words that he had said in his sermon. This indeed was why he was in court. The police offered to give him a caution  but this would have involved him admitting guilt, something he refused to do. He was adamant that if he accepted the caution then he would, in effect, be muzzled and silenced, and as a preacher he wanted to remain free to preach the Gospel without hindrance.A young man who runs a mission in Kenya on behalf of Pastor McConnells church was next to testify. He said that the church supported the mission (and a similar one in Ethiopia) at a combined cost of over 10,000 British pounds a month. He testified that they ran a feeding programme that catered for all without asking anyone their faith, and that during a time of drought they had distributed large quantities of free food in predominantly Islamic tribal areas.The judge refused to allow the next witness, a Muslim imam who had flown in from England, to testify. While recognising the imam as an expert in his field, the judge ruled that his testimony would not add anything to his own knowledge and so was inadmissable. I found this curious. The pastor was on trial for saying that he didnt trust Muslims. Here was an imam who wanted to testify that, because of radical Islamists,even he was very cautious in trusting Muslims, yet the judge would not allow him to testify!Two character witnesses followed, who could not have been more diverse. One was a Catholic priest and the other was Sammy Wilson, Democratic Unionist MP for East Antrim. Both spoke of Pastor McConnell in glowing terms.I was scheduled as the last witness in the case, but, just as I was about to go to the witness box, there was a hold-up. My initial written witness statement had addressed the issues of freedom of religious speech, and the pastors use of the words satanic and heathen. But the prosecution had, at the last minute, announced that they had decided not to make a case against that terminology.I still wanted to testify. I felt that there were important issues at stake. By saying he didnt trust Muslims, Pastor McConnell had used language that is used every day in religious debate. Think about how many times you have read someone on Facebook posting that they dont like or dont trust Christians or atheists! If the pastor was convicted, and if the law is to be equally applied, then the police will have to make hundreds of arrests every week!I also wanted to point out that the pastors view was quite a common one within Christian circles. Many Christians feel that they are unable to know which Muslims are radical and which are not, due to the influence of Shariah law. Therefore they start from a default position of withholding trust until they get to know the individual better.I had experienced the same attitude when, as a young man, I had travelled to England during an IRA bombing campaign. Because other Northern Irish men were planting bombs in English cities, people treated me warily until they got to know me. That was not grossly offensive  it was understandable caution.However, given that the judge had excluded some expert testimony already, the defence lawyers felt it was better to rest their case without my testimony. I must admit that I was initially frustrated. I was all psyched up to say my piece! But, in the end, you have to trust the lawyers to know their job best, and the most important thing was to provide Pastor McConnell with the best possible defence. So the defence rested their case.After both the prosecution and the defence had made their final submissions, the judge announced that he would not deliver his verdict that day, but would take take time to consider all the arguments. He promised that a verdict will be delivered by January 5th.So Pastor McConnell and his family will spend Christmas in a state of uncertainty, aware that he could still potentially face a six months prison term. My own personal impression, having been in court throughout the proceedings, is that a guilty verdict would be an absolute travesty of justice.Please do pray for Pastor McConnell and his family. Pray also that the courts verdict will support, rather than infringe upon, freedom of religious expression for all faiths in the UK.
Prior to visiting Hawaii, I did not realize that they had palaces and royal residences there. (I was vaguely aware that they had a monarchy at one point, being forced to memorize that Queen Liluokalani was the last ruler of Hawaii for some sort of middle school history class.) Alas, many of the palaces and residences burned or were bought, then turned in to hotels or parking lots. Boooo.









But! At this point, over multiple trips, I've visited three of the (very few) remaining ones: The Iolani Palace, Queen Emma's Summer Palace, and Hulihe'e Palace. So, here's a super brief and abbreviated history of the Hawaiian monarchy and pictures of some of their palaces!





The Hawaiian monarchs were tight with the British Monarchy (heeeey Queen Victoria, hey girl!) so there's some entertaining connections. But let's start at the beginning. Kamehameha the Great "unites" the Hawaiian islands in the early 1800s. And by "unites" I actually mean kills and/or terrorizes lots of people until they all agree that unification is a good idea.





Any time you go on a tour and see a lovely cliff, or a river, or whatever, there's always a plaque to tell you "Here's where Kamehameha the Great pushed 10,000 people off a cliff!" or "Kamehameha the Great's warriors stabbed so many people and threw their bodies in this river that it turned bright red!"

He's a lover AND a fighter.

So of course there is a statue of him. And a highway. And a lot of other things. It's also fun to hear the Google Maps voice try to pronounce Kamehameha. "Turn left on to kah-may-ha-may-HA Highway!" It's like an inside joke that only Google Maps understands.

This statue is on Oahu, where we did not go this time, but have been three times before.

I know, I really shouldn't tell you these things when it's 30 degrees outside.

Fun fact though: just around the corner is the Bail Bondsman, Dog, the Bounty Hunter.

He is succeeded by Kamehameha II, whose big contribution to Hawaiian society (after being heavily influenced by Queen Haahmuanu) is that he breaks the taboo against men and women eating together, and decides it's okay for women to eat pork and bananas. As a woman who loves both pork chops and bananas, I appreciate that. He goes to London in the 1820s, and dies from measles, because that's what happens to ANYONE that goes to visit London in the 1820s.

Queen of pork and bananas.

So now we're on to Kamehameha III, who redistributes the land, which turns out to be a Bad Idea. I don't remember why, it was just bad. That's all he's known for--screwing it up.





Next is Kamehameha IV (these people are not original with the names) and Queen Emma, who are big on healthcare and education. Queen Emma had a Summer Palace, which oddly enough is a Greek Revival Mansion built and shipped from Boston. Of course. Queen Emma was totally BFFs with Queen Victoria. And, according to the customs of the times, they exchanged locks of hair. Because that's not totally creepy! "You're pretty cool, and we're both monarchs--here, take this HAIR."





You know what this tropical climate needs? More New England architecture.

Anyway, the house has lots of gorgeous artifacts, particularly items crafted in Germany out of native Hawaiian koa wood. But you can't take pictures of anything in the house. In fact, you are instructed not to touch, breathe on, or even think about the artifacts too hard or you will destroy them.





UNLESS!





If you can play the piano, they will actually let you play the queen's piano and take one picture of you doing so. So I played "Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore" because it is short and in the key of C. You guys, I played a piano that belonged to a Queen! (Not on this trip, but still. I'm gonna add it to my resume.) The piano was made by Ascherberg in Dresden between 1865-1870. Also, I really like this pink tank top from Banana Republic.









But back to our friends, the Kamehamehas and friends.

Here's Queen Emma, looking all fancy.

Queen Emma's husband, Kamehameha IV gives his son, Albert, a cold bath because he's misbehaving--I guess that's the Hawaiian equivalent of "go stand in the corner." Unfortunately, Albert dies within two weeks. Even though the cold bath wasn't the cause of his death, Kamehameha IV blames himself and drinks A LOT.





Like, a whole lot.





This is unfortunate, because alcoholism and asthma don't mix, and here's where Kamehameha ends up as a result:

The tomb of the Kamehamehas at the Royal Mausoleum.

I've been to the Royal Mausoleum, which is Not in America because it is sovereign land of the Kingdom of Hawaii. After a lecture about not being stupid American tourist jerks, we got to tour it. Seriously, the tour guide threatened to beat anyone who chewed gum, was loud, or took pictures of native Hawaiians at the graves of the Kamehamehas. Fortunately, we were a pretty compliant bunch, I guess because I was doing this particular tour one time when Chris was working, so he wasn't there to scream out "Jurassic Park rocks!!!" or anything of the sort.





And actually, there was a school group of Hawaiian kids there, so we got to see parts of the Mausoleum that we wouldn't normally see, like the crypt and a glimpse inside the Chapel. But under threat of death, I did not take pictures, so they are all in my mind. The crypt is white marble with gold. The interior of the chapel is surprisingly pink.

I don't think we're in America anymore!

You can see the stairwell to the crypt in the foreground.

The above ground tombs are to the left of the Chapel.

Queen Emma had a number of royal residences, and we got to see another one of her palaces on our most recent trip: the Hulihe'e Palace in Kona. Like her Summer Palace on Oahu, this one was saved by the Daughters of Hawaii. I want so bad to be a Daughter of Hawaii because they wear designer white mumus and do fancy things, but one must prove that she is a direct descendant. Alas, I doubt I will find any Hawaiians in my Scots-Irish lineage. Should you not be a Hawaiian descendant, but rather just a fan, you can join the Daughters by becoming a Calabash Cousin. The calabash is a specific type of bowl, also used for poi. Here's what one looks like. It's gorgeous, so if you ever need a gift idea for me, well, here you go.





Okay, so Hulihe'e Palace. We went to Kona for the day, so I tortured Chris and our friends with touring it. This one is SUPERCLOSE to the ocean, unlike the Iolani or Summer Palaces. And it, too, has some gorgeous artifacts that you can't take pictures of. And you know I am someone who doesn't like to violate the official rules, but I seriously thought of snapping some cell phone pictures of the hand-carved trunk used to travel to Queen Victoria's Jubilee in London. But Chris shamed me in to only taking pictures of the outside, so here they are:

You can see through the front door that the ocean is out back.

Seal of the Kingdom of Hawaii.





I love their historic markers!!

If you guessed that Kamehameha IV was succeeded by Kamehameha V, congratulations. His official residence was the Iolani Palace. At this point, I think I was getting really interested in the period furnishings, so I couldn't really tell you what Kamehameha V did. Or Lunalilo and then Kalakaua, who came next. But they had a nice palace, which had electricity before The White House or Buckingham Palace.





The interior is gorgeous in terms of the hand carved wood. In the entrance hall, you have to wear shoe protectors so you don't scratch or damage the floor.





And there's a throne room!





One of the kinda sorta sad things about the Iolani Palace is that when the monarchy was dissolved, many of the furnishings were sold off, so now they're in the process of trying to find them. They literally tell you on the tour "so if you know of any artifacts that are from the Iolani Palace, please tell us, because we'd like to buy them!" Fortunately, they've been able to recover quite a bit in recent years. But many of the pieces are other places--for example, from what I could tell, Hulihe'e Palace has WAY more of the Iolani Palace's china than the Iolani palace itself does.





Okay, back to the monarchy. Finally, there was Queen Liluokalani, who was unfortunately around when the Americans (aka The Committee of Public Safety) decide to be jerks and claim Hawaii--particularly one American named Sanford Dole--so think about that the next time you're having some canned pineapple. Also, his grandfather was named Wigglesworth (Seriously? Seriously!).

More like "The Committee of A-holes."

ANYWAY, Liluokalani temporarily abdicates (which turns out to not be so temporary) to prevent the bloodshed of her people.

Here's her statue. She was all about diplomacy.

They lock her in the Iolani Palace where she sews a quilt and writes some sad songs (in fact, she is the composer of Aloha Oe) and eventually is let out, but it is too late and the monarchy is dissolved. We got to see the quilt that Liluokalani sewed during her imprisonment, which made me feel like a stupid American tourist jerk.

And in the end, America finally gets around to apologizing for the whole thing in 1993.
The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now.

Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market.

In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender.

India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex.

Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted.

But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted?

Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner.

If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems.

I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now.

I want more variation in masturbation

I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own.

If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end.

What is sex toys for Indian?

Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation.

It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms.

They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable.

Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner.

The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner.

It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past.

In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping.

Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order.

In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing.

Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome.

Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own.

But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance.

More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around.

Sextoy situation in India

Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years.

In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India.

Mumbai

Kolkata

Bangalore

Delhi

Chennai

Hyderabad

These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India.

In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well.

If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too.

If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it.

What are Sextoys for beginner?

Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms.

Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy.

I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion.

I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy.

If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma.

Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it.

Advantages of using sextoy for Indians

There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians

You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways.

Can have stimulating sex

Can develop new sexual zones

If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern.

However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways.

You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation.

Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever.

There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure.

This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it.

When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems.

It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms).

For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles

[Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou...

Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India.

Sextoy for beginner men in India

So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners.

For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men!

The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men

Masturbator

Cock rings

Love Doll

Sex Lubricants

Toys for the prostate

Lets check each one in detail.

Masturbator

The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products.

It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands.

Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands.

They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.)

Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much.

Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! !

Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa   SEXToys India PR  (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018

Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood.

If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here

Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ...

[For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien...

Cock Ring

A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis.

It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow.

It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber.

In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection.

Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it.

Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function.

Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy.

You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect.

[Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat...

Love Doll

Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex.

There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women.

Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price.

The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true.

You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste.

There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice.

You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls.

If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here

Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to...

Sex lubricants

Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules.

It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution.

Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse.

There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent.

Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent.

If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here.

What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many...

Toys for the Prostate

Another sextoy for men is prostate toys.

The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line.

Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men.

Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm.

You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus.

By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms.

Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.)

The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation.

Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure.

sextoy for beinner women in India

The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy.

The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy.

Vibrator.

Dildo

Electric Masserger

Lets check out what each one is in detail.

If you want to check out womens toys, click here.

[BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm...

Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
JACKSON COUNTY  In September 2014, some 150 people gathered at the Southern Illinois Airport as then-Gov. Pat Quinn flew into town and promised $4.5 million to build an Emergency and Critical Response Center intended to encourage a consolidated regional effort to natural and manmade disasters.

But 16 months and a serious winter flood later, theres no response center under construction at the airport. The money never came through. The promise appears to have dried up  at least for now.

The grant was intended to go toward the building of a 50,000 square-foot hangar between the existing Public Works Building and National Guard armory at the airport. It would house various emergency response equipment and staff, and have available teaching labs and briefing rooms.

Airport Manager Gary Shafer said the promised state grant allowed him to secure an additional pledged $1 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to pay for associated infrastructure that would include ramps, taxiways, roadways and the like, but that money is contingent upon release of the state money.

Quinn makes the promise

When Gov. Pat Quinn arrived in town on Sept. 22, 2014, Quinn told the crowd that he was interested in funding a critical public safety project in the region, and listed a variety of natural disasters that had struck the region in recent years, including tornadoes, a 2009 derecho and flooding.

Weve got to be on our toes, whatever the case might be, Quinn said, offering that a quick and coordinated response to disasters saves lives and protects property.

The list of speakers that day was long, and included somewhat of a whos who list of elected leaders, SIU officials, law enforcement and others. Several other first responders in uniform also flanked the governor as he spoke.

Taking the podium, Sam Goldman, a former SIU chancellor who is chairman of the Jackson-Union Counties Regional Port District Board and who was instrumental in the project, called it a game changer that should help people sleep better knowing that were better prepared.

'Poof' it was gone

This past week, Goldman said he isnt giving up all hope on the project, but it doesnt appear to be going anywhere.

He came to the airport and he gave us the $4.5 million. And then  poof -- it disappeared, Goldman said. I think it went down the drain with the rest of money for infrastructure.

Quinn earmarked the money as part of his capital construction program called Illinois Jobs Now! that began in 2009 and was continued in the summer of 2014. In the run-up to the November election in which Quinn, a Democrat, faced Republican Bruce Rauner, the former governor traveled the state holding news conferences to announce grant funding for various projects.

Around the same time he promised money for the response center at the airport, Quinn also announced a $1.5 million grant for SIU to update its interior lights on campus. That promise also seems to have darkened.

Rauner freezes all grants

Less than two months after Quinns announcement at the airport, he lost his re-election bid to Rauner. During the transition of administrations, Shafer said Quinns staff informed him the airport would still receive the money for the center, because it had already been appropriated and approved.

But Rauner, citing a massive debt problem facing the state, took immediate action upon coming into office on Jan. 12, 2015, suspending nearly all contracts and grants until at least July 1, 2015, under Executive Order 15-08. Following a review, the state has let some contracts and grants since then, but many remain frozen, including those to fund the response center and SIUs lighting improvement project, said Allie Bovis, spokeswoman for the Capital Development Board. The freeze on those grants is indefinite as the state remains without a budget seven months into the fiscal year.

Quinn asked SIU for project

Kevin Bame, vice chancellor for administration and finance at SIU, said it is a project thats important to the school, but SIU officials never heard much more about it after Quinn left office.

The grant the school made to the Capital Development Board was to replace about 400 light fixtures along campus pathways, concentrating on areas in the center of campus, around the Neckers and Engineering buildings, the Old Main Quad and tentatively Thomson Woods. It would have followed a $1 million project funded through a facilities maintenance fee that saw replacement of lighting on the exterior of campus, around Lincoln Drive.

Bame said the grant came about from Quinn after his office asked school officials in September 2014 to submit to him a request for a capital project, specifically one that dealt with campus safety. SIU chose this project, as the plan to install LED lights should brighten up those interior parts of campus, Bame said.

Were very interested in it and wed welcome the release of those funds, Bame said. The university had a match on the money the state was going to provide. We were excited and think it would improve lighting conditions for students and for members of the campus community.

Plans for the Emergency Response Center were included in a strategic plan created for the Southern Illinois Airport Authority and partner Jackson Growth Alliance by Los Angeles-based Gruen Gruen & Associates, which was completed in August 2013. In addition to allowing for a better coordinated response effort, the new building also would allow relocation of equipment from existing hangars, thereby freeing up space for new business development, Shafer said.

Creating an economic hub

The relocation of emergency response equipment currently stored at the airport that belongs to Red Cross, Southern Illinois Healthcare, the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS organizes a coordinated response among regional fire departments) and others, would free up an additional 20,000 square feet of hangar space for new business, he said.

Thats also critical because the impetus of the strategic plan was to create an economic hub surrounding the airport, and available space is key to the recruitment of businesses that would benefit from locating near an airport. That area is pure gold, pure and unadulterated gold, Goldman said.

Some components of that strategic plan, which is aimed at increasing business development at the airport and in the surrounding area, have been implemented, or are in the works, Shafer said. Those things include extending fiber optics at the airport, relocating power lines, purchasing land and relating entrance roads to create better access to the property and open it up for future development.

As far as business development goes, a marijuana cultivation plant is now operating there, and Shafer said he will soon be announcing plans to bring an agriculture-based company to the complex that will employ about 10. Plans are also underway to build an apartment complex on the grounds for SIU automotive and technology students whose classes are at the airport.

But plans for the emergency response center, specifically, have been years in the making, predating the strategic plan. In fact, it notes that a 2008 federal grant application to FEMAs Emergency Operation Center Grant Program was declined. The plan called for a renewed effort among officials to pursue a combination of federal and state grants.

Officials hopeful funding not lost

Jeff Doherty, Jackson Growth Alliances executive director, said the loss of the promised grant is unfortunate. Obviously, it was included in a group of projects former Gov. Quinn announced prior to the election. Do I think the funding is lost? I hope not. Its a very credible project and a real need for our area because we do experience various types of disasters.

Of current flooding, he noted: Were experiencing one right now in the region.

Shafer said a dedicated group of people have been working on building this emergency response center for at least 10 years. With the previous governors announcement, we were thrilled to think it might finally happen, he said.
If you're going to engage in a foreign policy capitulation, might as well do it when everyone is getting tanked and otherwise occupied. Say, New Year's Eve.

Here's the story. In October, Iran test-fires a nuclear-capable ballistic missile in brazen violation of Security Council resolutions prohibiting such launches. President Obama does nothing. One month later, Iran does it again. The administration makes a few gestures at the U.N. Then nothing. Then finally, on Dec. 30, the White House announces a few sanctions.

They are weak, aimed mostly at individuals and designed essentially for show. Amazingly, even that proves too much. By 10 p.m. that night, the administration caves. The White House sends out an email saying that sanctions are off  and the Iranian president orders the military to expedite the missile program.

Is there any red line left? First, the Syrian chemical weapons. Then the administration insistence that there would be no nuclear deal unless Iran accounted for its past nuclear activities. (It didn't.) And unless Iran permitted inspection of its Parchin nuclear testing facility. (It was allowed self-inspection and declared itself clean.) And now, illegal ballistic missiles.

The premise of the nuclear deal was that it would constrain Iranian actions. It's had precisely the opposite effect. It has deterred us from offering even the mildest pushback to any Iranian violations lest Iran walk away and leave Obama legacy-less.

Just two weeks ago, Iran's Revolutionary Guards conducted live-fire exercises near the Strait of Hormuz. It gave nearby U.S. vessels exactly 23 seconds of warning. One rocket was launched 1,500 yards from the USS Harry S. Truman.

Obama's response? None.

The Gulf Arabs  rich, weak and, since FDR, dependent on America for security  are bewildered. They're still reeling from the nuclear deal, which Obama declared would be unaffected by Iranian misbehavior elsewhere. The result was to assure Tehran that it would pay no price for its aggression in Syria and Yemen, subversion in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and support for terrorism.

Obama seems not to understand that disconnecting the nuclear issue gave the mullahs license to hunt in the region. For the Saudis, however, it's not just blundering but betrayal. From the very beginning, they've seen Obama tilting toward Tehran as he fancies himself Nixon in China, turning Iran into a strategic partner in managing the Middle East.

This is even scarier because it is delusional. If anything, Obama's open-handed appeasement has encouraged Iran's regional adventurism and intense anti-Americanism.

The Saudis, sensing abandonment, are near panic. Hence the reckless execution of the firebrand Shiite insurrectionist, Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, that has brought the region to a boil. Iranians torched the Saudi Embassy. The Saudis led other Sunni states in breaking relations with Tehran.

The Saudis feel surrounded, and it's not paranoia. To their north, Iran dominates a Shiite crescent stretching from Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to the Mediterranean. To the Saudi south, Iran has been arming Yemen's Houthi rebels since at least 2009.

The danger is rising. For years, Iran has been supporting anti-regime agitation among Saudi Arabia's minority Shiites. The Persian Gulf is Iran's ultimate prize. The fall of the House of Saud would make Iran the undisputed regional hegemon and an emerging global power.

For the United States, that would be the greatest geopolitical setback since China fell to communism in 1949. Yet Obama seems oblivious. Worse, he appears inert in the face of the three great challenges to the post-Cold War American order. Iran is only the most glaring. China is challenging the status quo in the South China Sea, just last week landing its first aircraft on an artificial island hundreds of miles beyond the Chinese coast. We deny China's claim and declare these to be international waters, yet last month we meekly apologized when a B-52 overflew one of the islands. We said it was inadvertent.

The world sees and takes note. As it does our response to the other great U.S. adversary  Russia. What's happened to Obama's vaunted "isolation" of Russia for its annexation of Crimea and assault on the post-Cold War European settlement? Gone. Evaporated. Kerry plays lapdog to Sergei Lavrov. Obama meets openly with Vladimir Putin in Turkey, then in Paris. And is now practically begging him to join our side in Syria.

There is no price for defying Pax Americana  not even trivial sanctions on Iranian missile-enablers. Our enemies know it. Our allies see it  and sense they're on their own, and may not survive.
Its easy to be cynical about any executive action taken during the final year of a lame duck presidents term. This is the time when presidents try to secure their legacy. Most presidents do this.

And there is no question that Barack Obama has staked a claim on the gun violence issue. He probably has to, if he wants to secure a favorable place in history. His record is disappointing and his approval rating is understandably down. After he cashed so much political capital pushing the Affordable Care Act early in his presidency, hes been able to do little else. Yes, hes had an obstructionist and antagonistic Congress opposing his agenda, but until recently hes come across as weak and ineffectual.

But just as we were wondering what happened to all the Hope and Yes, We Can that he promised, Obama delivers what some consider his most emotional and forceful speech in years. And he issues an executive order directed at stemming the gun violence that plagues this country.

So why are we so cynical?

Perhaps we wouldnt be if he hadnt written a New York Times op-ed piece on Thursday that equated his call for action on gun violence with other historical struggles in the American story. He drew parallels to the womens movement and struggle for voting rights, to African-Americans fight for civil rights, and to the ongoing battle for equality by lesbians, gays and transgenders. He wrote that the nation must meet this moment with the same audacity that those causes required.

Perhaps it was that phrase  invoking the audacity of his campaign in 2008  that leads us to believe that Obama is taking this action on gun violence with his legacy in mind.

At the same time, however, its also easy to be cynical about the critics of his executive action.

They lined up across the board to claim Obama was trying to take guns away from every American, that this was a direct assault on the Second Amendment, and that he was violating the Constitution by circumventing Congress in this action. Republican presidential candidates were frothing about, saying all sorts of nonsense and resorting to name-calling. Chris Christie called Obama a petulant child because he couldnt get his way with Congress, as if name-calling is mature behavior.

Our local politicians  from both political parties  also were eager to blast the presidents action. Which makes us even more cynical. There was U.S. Rep. John Shimkus claiming Obamas intent was to scare the millions of law-abiding gun owners the Obama Administration despises. But we dont see this executive order as a threat to anyone. Its rhetoric like Shimkus' that scares people.

And theres U.S. Rep. Mike Bost claiming Obama sidestepped congressional authority and that his action was legally dubious. No. Thats not correct. The president indeed has the authority to take actions like this, just as every president in modern history has.

The Democrats in our region, state representatives Brandon Phelps and Gary Forby, didnt come to Obamas side on this issue, which would have surprised us. They know their constituency. But the issue need not be twisted. Forby paints this as a threat to responsible gun owners of this region. Were not sure how he got there, but at least he didnt lose any votes with that argument.

So, heres the thing. The presidents executive order likely will have no effect on the people of this region. It requires stricter rules for sellers and stronger background checks, intended to close loopholes Illinois has already closed. And at the heart of Obama's action, is a call for Congress to do something  expand access to mental health treatment and improve gun-safety technology. Get that? Hes asking Congress to do something. How likely is that?

The most positive thing to come out of this whole issue was the town hall gathering that Obama called to debate the issue. He made his case, and again illustrated the need to do something to address the tragic epidemic of gun violence in this country. It wasn't an entirely friendly audience. He had invited critics , including leaders of the NRA, to the table.

Leaders of the NRA were among those invited to the gathering, which was held just a few blocks away from the NRA's headquarters. He took the debate to them. But the NRA officials, for whatever reason, refused the invitation. Apparently they didnt want to engage the president in the open; they seem more content to take pot shots at him from behind the trees. And thats a shame. In our view they missed an opportunity. And it makes us very cynical about the leadership of that organization.

But perhaps, cynicism is not the response we need. Perhaps the real danger here is cynicism itself. Because no matter what the issue is, if we give in to cynicism, we give up. In this particular case, we not only give up, but we might as well hunker in the bunker and let the rest of the nation shoot it out.

We have to give President Obama some credit here. Perhaps his executive action will effectively change nothing. Perhaps he is motivated  at least partly  by a concern for his legacy. But at least he is pushing the debate. This is an extremely important matter, and he has placed this issue on our dinner plates. It is time for all of us to come to the table.
Bi-Lo launches Down Down

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  Bi-Lo says it is dropping the prices on hundreds of groceries.

The grocery chains newly launched Down Down pricing program is based on a commitment to lower prices by bringing prices down and keeping them down.

We know that almost one in five people in the Southeast are relying on food subsidies to feed their families every week. It is therefore not surprising that our customer surveys report that affordable prices was the most important requirement from a grocery store, said Ian McLeod, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers  home of Bi-Lo.

We are committed to build a deeper sense of trust with our customers, and unveiling the long-term Down Down pricing campaign is a demonstration of just how serious we are about giving our customers lower prices.

Down Down follows the companys recent launch of New Regular Pricing, which reduced the prices of favorite grocery items. The Down Down program will apply even deeper discounts on over 400 frequently purchased items. That will be on top of the more than 3,000 New Regular Prices already lowered.

Bi-Lo says it is dropping prices by up to 50 percent on more than 400 commonly purchased products, including bread, chicken, fresh produce, dairy, meat, dry, frozen and home goods.

Customers can pinpoint the discounted items by looking for the Big Red (helping) Hand throughout the store and be reassured this price will not change for at least six months.

McDonalds donates 38,659 Happy Meals

COLUMBIA -- McDonalds restaurants in the Columbia Co-Op donated 38,659 Happy Meals to local children in need through a program called Buy One, Give One Happy Meals that ran from April 2015 through December 2015.

In April 2015, local McDonalds owner/operators came together to launch a new program that empowers families to give a meal to a local child who does not know from where his or her next meal is coming, with local McDonalds owner/operators picking up the tab. In January, the U.S. Census Bureau released that 16 million  or one in five children  were on food stamps in 2014, the highest number since the nations economy tumbled in 2008.

McDonalds Buy One, Give One Happy Meal program inspired families to purchase a Happy Meal, and with that purchase, McDonalds donated a second Happy Meal to Harvest Hope Food Bank to give to a local child who is food insecure.

One in six South Carolina families will not have enough food to feed themselves each night.

We chose to partner with Harvest Hope because they are committed to putting food directly into the mouths of those who need it most, said Teruko Langley, McDonalds owner/operator. Through Buy One, Give One Happy Meals, we at McDonalds can do our part to provide these children in need with a meal, and also empower our customers to be part of the giving and understand the problem they are helping address.

No other product represents children and food quite like a Happy Meal, and now more than ever, Happy Meals provide wholesome choices such as apple slices, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat or fat-free milk, Langley said. We are committed to being a good neighbor and because of our breadth throughout the area, we are in a unique position to help address this need in our community during 2015.

McDonalds of Columbia, SC Co-Op serves Batesburg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter counties.

Clemson will lead review of National Lab

CLEMSON  Clemson University and the Savannah River National Laboratory signed an agreement to shape future scientific endeavors of the National Lab, a Department of Energy facility in Aiken that focuses on detecting, processing and disposing of nuclear waste; and remediating and reducing the risk of environmental exposure.

Clemson will create, manage and provide administrative support for an external review committee, comprising scientists from Clemson, the University of South Carolina and other organizations, charged with creating a strategy for SRNLs research and its development and deployment of technologies to clean up the environmental legacy of the nations nuclear programs, according to the committee charter.

As a land-grant university, Clemson is working toward a lot of the same goals as the Savannah River National Laboratory  to make South Carolina and our nation stronger, and to protect the environment for future generations, Clemson University President James P. Clements said.

Clemson and the University of South Carolina are identified in the contract as university charter members  both universities will approve members of the review committee. Clemsons responsibilities go further and include recruiting committee members, managing and providing administrative support for the committee, facilitating meetings and producing an annual report.

Clemson and SRNL have a history of collaboration on projects ranging from nuclear environmental engineering to developing alternative fuels. Many SRNL members are also Clemson adjunct faculty and scientists from each institution have served on the others scientific committees. This will be the first administrative collaboration between the two.
The High School for Health Professions is taking action to improve the overall health of elderly in the Orangeburg community.

The Health Occupations Students of America chapter and The Knights of the Sound Table band, under the direction of Dr. Donald Lee, collaborated with the Longwood Plantation Assisted Living Community to take music to residents there from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 16. Residents enjoyed listening to holiday music performed by the band.

HSHP strives to establish music therapy as an innovative approach to healthcare being practiced by students in the community. Music therapy is an established health profession in which music is used therapeutically to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals.

Carol Livingston, activity coordinator at Longwood Plantation, said this was not the first time music has been used to reach their residents.

Music is a very important part of our program. It is something that reaches every resident. It takes them back to fond memories that they may have experienced during different eras in their lives," Livingston said. "We received very positive feedback from residents after this event, and we look forward to working with the High School for Health Professions in the future.

Last fall, HSHP was invited to participate in the annual Rock to Remember fundraiser held by Longwood Plantation. The event involves residents rocking in chairs to raise awareness about Alzheimers and dementia for the South Carolina Alzheimers Association.
President Barack Obamas executive gun control plan is a misdirected overreach of power, 2nd District Congressman Joe Wilson said.

"Legislation should be made by Congress," the Republican said during an interview with The Times and Democrat.

"We have three branches of government and I think it is a very dangerous precedent. I think it is one that will have far-reaching, negative consequences, he said.

Wilson also said Obama's proposal, which includes expanding mandatory background checks for some private sales, is not going to stop gun violence. He said what is needed is mental health reform and a crackdown on terrorism.

"Mass shootings significantly were by people who had severe mental problems exacerbated by the use of antidepressant drugs they had abused, creating a circumstance where they had no feelings," said Wilson, who formerly served as president of the Mid-Carolina Mental Health Association and member of the state mental health association board.

Wilson said Obama's action is a diversion, as the shooting in San Bernardino, California was not caused by guns, but was due to terrorism.

"It took him five days to even identity the San Bernardino attack as a terrorist attack," Wilson said.

The centerpiece of Obama's plan is a more sweeping definition of gun dealers that the administration hopes will expand the number of gun sales subject to background checks. At gun shows, websites and flea markets, sellers often skirt that requirement by declining to register as licensed dealers, but officials said new federal guidance would clarify that it applies to anyone "in the business" of selling firearms.

Wilson says he fears as Obama nears the end of his presidency, more such executive orders will be forthcoming.

"He announced he would be ruling by pen and telephone," Wilson said. "That is wrong. That is really a description of not a constitutional democracy."

The issue of gun control was just one of a number of topics Wilson addressed during his annual tour of the district, which includes western portions of Orangeburg County. The annual tour provides the Republican with an opportunity to meet with constituents, discuss their concerns and share news of his work in Congress.

Wilson highlighted his priorities for 2016, including national defense and homeland security.

As a chairman of the U.S. Armed Services Subcommittee for Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Wilson has been able to introduce legislation which will help differentiate whether a cyber attack is a nuisance or an act of war.

"We need to know so the different agencies can respond properly," he said.

Homeland security needs to be strengthened, he said.

Wilson said he supports securing the U.S. borders as well as halting Syrian refugees from coming into the country until verification can be made of who is entering the country. He noted that ISIS has revealed plans to infiltrate.

"I think what will be more positive for Syria is that the people remain in that region," Wilson said. "We should be providing support for refugee camps where the people get full services, education and healthcare, where they regroup to go back to Syria and create a new society."

Wilson said he disagrees with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumps proposal to prevent all Muslims from entering the United States.

"I would disagree on a ban of all people of any faith," he said.

With regards to national defense, Wilson complained that the president has weakened America's military by cutting the defense budget brutally.

"Year after year, we fight back and we are able to provide for the funding of defense. But still, under this president, the Army is the smallest size it has been since 1939, Wilson said.

Wilson said he would seek to support T&D Region industries and job creation, and also ensure environmental laws are based on science and not politics

Wilson called the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, a job killer.

"I have seen it," Wilson said. "I go to stores and I talk to people at the cash registers and they will say ... that I have had my hours reduced where I work and that I have to work three different jobs."

Wilson said he would support a competitive insurance market where individuals can purchase insurance across state lines, and where those who can't afford health insurance would still have access to public health clinics.

With regards to the Republican presidential primary field, Wilson supported South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. The senator has since dropped out of the race.

Wilson says he has respect for a number of the candidates, including businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, surgeon Dr. Ben Carson and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

But Wilson says he is not endorsing any candidate  yet.

"I have such a high regard for all the candidates I just mentioned," Wilson said. On national security issues, he is pleased ... that Marco Rubio is significantly expressing my point of view."
On behalf of the Orangeburg Salvation Army Corps, its officers Captains Robert and Wanda Long, the advisory board and all the volunteers of The Salvation Army, we want to give a big heartfelt thank you to the Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun communities for the enormous generosity for the success of our recent Christmas holiday season efforts. Every year as Christmas approaches, we see the need for assistance becoming greater in our community.

We also want to thank you and The Times and Democrat, the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce and other media outlets for their coverage of The Salvation Army, recognizing the good work The Salvation Army does and keeping us visible to our citizens.

Recent articles highlighting The Salvation Army Christmas -- the Angel Tree efforts for the children, the Red Kettle Campaign and local Project Joy food drives -- demonstrate what The Salvation Army does every day of the year. Thanks to donors and supporters of The Salvation Army, we strive to Do the Most Good in our community for our neighbors.

Sincere thanks go to the Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell, Chief Kenny Kinsey and their officers for service and support, and especially to the employees of Zeus for all the help and support this season.

Thank you to the local civic groups from our area that teamed up to ring the bell, giving back to our community. As you hustled past our red kettles on your way to and from our neighborhood stores and heard the jingle of that little bell over the holiday season, you remembered the need to assist the less fortunate.

Its hard to believe that spare change from neighbors pockets is the primary fundraiser for The Salvation Army, but it is! This money stays local and, in keeping with The Salvation Army, does the most good. The Salvation Army is grateful for the outpouring support from the local community, especially in these difficult economic times.

Our neighbors collected more than 2,000 cans this year, and all of the food we collect stays in and supports our local community.

We are appreciative and thankful to everyone who made Christmas brighter for hundreds of families in our community. Because of you, The Salvation Army will continue its effort to help people at their point of need in Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties, offering food, character-building programs and overnight summer camp for youth, emergency services, disaster relief and seasonal assistance.

Remember, need has no season. The Salvation Army will continue to provide vital services to the community all year long. Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters. The impact of your donation will be invested in someone's life right here in our community. May God bless each of you into the new year of 2016.

 Capt. Wanda Long

Orangeburg Corps Officer

The Salvation Army

813 Nottingham St.

Orangeburg 29118
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is again on the national stage, selected by the Republican leadership to deliver the GOP response to President Barack Obamas State of the Union address. Its another reason here to be proud of the Bamberg County native.

Even Haleys critics, such as Orangeburg County native and Democratic Party Executive Director Jaime Harrison, say she will do well.

Next Tuesday, America will see a poised and confident speaker in South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. But what they wont see, and what they certainly wont hear about, is the despair that has plagued our state as a result of her leadership, Harrison said in response to the announcement by U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that Haley will deliver the address on Jan. 12.

On the national scene, and with most Republicans and a majority of South Carolinians, the criticism will not resonate. Haley is a rising star: young, female, daughter of immigrants and conservative. She can be hard line but is also willing to step outside the partys philosophical box.

Haley already had a national profile before 2015, having delivered a primetime speech during the 2012 GOP national convention, but nothing compares to the traction she gained in leading the calls for removal of the Confederate flag from official display after the racially motivated slayings of Sen. Clementa Pinckney and eight other African-Americans at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in June. The flag, long a divisive issue, was embraced in online photographs by the man charged in the killings Even longtime supporters of the banners Statehouse display agreed it was time to remove it.

Though many deserve credit for the decision, Haley is seen as the driving force. And polls show she hasnt even suffered politically at home, despite threats by hard-line flag advocates to undo the governor politically.

The State of the Union response  the governor says it will be an address about challenges and opportunities  will further raise the Haley profile and likely increase speculation about her as a choice for vice president on the national GOP ticket in 2016. Recent history indicates the person selected to deliver the speech moves to the national stage. Ryan gave the address a year before becoming Mitt Romneys running mate in 2012 and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is running for president now after delivering the speech in 2013.

In selecting Haley to respond to Obama, Ryan said, Nikki Haley has led an economic turnaround and set a bold agenda for her state, getting things done and becoming one of the most popular governors in America. In a year when the country is crying out for a positive vision and alternative to the status quo, Gov. Haley is the exact right choice to deliver the Republican address to the nation.

And McConnell said: Nikki Haley is a proven leader and committed reformer who believes deeply in the promise of the country we all share. Not only has Gov. Haley fought to bring opportunity and prosperity to the people of her state, but shes also demonstrated how bringing people together can bring real results.

Amid the ringing endorsements and beyond speculation about Haleys future, the most important political call she will make after the Jan. 12 speech involves the presidential campaign in South Carolina ahead of the first-in-the-South GOP primary on Feb. 20. With favorite son U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham out of the race, she and others in the GOP are now free to make a stand for one of the candidates.

Haley bucked the GOP establishment in getting elected in 2010 and has always been a tea party favorite, but it would be surprising if the governor with popular support among both conservatives and moderates went the way of backing presumed frontrunners such as Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz or Ben Carson. Support for Rubio or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush would seem more likely.

The way she goes (if she openly or even behind the scenes supports a candidate) could impact the chosen ones prospects greatly. A win in South Carolina could lift a Rubio or Bush into frontrunner status ahead of big primaries elsewhere in the South.

The Haley decision could also have impact on her future. Bet on the wrong horse and her rising star may not look so bright, at least for this election cycle.
Editor's note -- This is an updated version of a column originally published in The Times and Democrat on Dec. 30, 2012.

At the dawn of a new year, it may be challenging to envision the bright promise that previous new years have held.

We leave 2015 with hearts burdened by the tragic loss of innocent citizens killed and terrorized with unspeakable actions in Paris. We leave 2015 with coworkers turned enemies slaughtering those with whom they worked. We leave 2015 with the world still at war and with people struggling for freedom and peace. We leave 2015 with at least one and possibly more maniacal leaders massacring citizens.

We leave 2015 with the devastation of weather patterns that stun and overwhelm us. The floods that roared through towns and cities, destroying life, livelihood and possessions in their path will remain a piece of South Carolina history forever. Heat waves, flooding and droughts have brought their own forms of ruin to people and have affected the quality and cost of food everywhere.

We leave 2015 with our own personal grief. The loss of loved ones. The end of a marriage. The diagnosis of a disease. The heartbreak of disappointment. The disillusionment of dreams. The fear of loneliness.

Every morning the sun rises and it becomes day, yet the dark never goes away. The dark always remains with us. For a time, the light overcomes the dark, but the dark always returns.

Im not sure where I first encountered this image of darkness never going away, but I want to use it to focus our intentions for the New Year about to begin. Neither you nor I can turn off the darkness, but where we encounter it, we can, and I hope we will, turn on the light.

Instead of resolutions we will break in less time than it takes us to make them, consider establishing a personal purpose for 2016. Who could ask for a better purpose for the New Year than to be an agent of light in a world that experiences darkness every day? Each day, whether we realize it or not, we will encounter someone struggling in the darkness. Perhaps this person will irritate us in some way or confront us openly with unexpected anger or demands. Perhaps we will find this person crying in the corner, alone and confused. Perhaps we will meet this person in traffic, through which he is driving irresponsibly and endangering the lives of others.

They will be ordinary people, people who cross our paths while we are living out our lives. Without words, they will tell us they are living in darkness, and there we will have a choice.

Will we leave them to their darkness and place the blame for their situation squarely on their shoulders? Will we be offended? Will we hesitate to reach out? Will we retaliate? Will we gossip about them? Will we try to make ourselves feel better by rejoicing that were not like them?

Or will we turn on the light for them, even if for a brief moment?

Will we listen to the anger and demands patiently, waiting for the filibuster to stop before we acknowledge their situation and attempt to help? Will we move toward the person who is crying and ask if we can assist or even just sit with them? Will we quietly hand them a tissue and simply say, If you need me, Ill listen.

Will we rev up our engine when the hurried or rude driver crosses our path? Will we curse beneath our tongue or out loud? Or will we ourselves slow down, allow him to pass and say a prayer that he and those around him will be safe? Will we call law enforcement if the driver is truly endangering others?

We live in a world filled with darkness. For 2016, I want to be one who turns on the light. I hope you do, too.
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON  Fifty years ago, on Jan. 8, 1966, the 437th Airlift Wing began its presence in Charleston.

In the ensuing half-century, the United States would be involved all over the globe, and the airmen from the 437 AW often played a part -- a role that continues today.

In honor of the historic occasion for the airlift wing, its present commander, Col. Johnny Lamontagne, agreed to share some thoughts.

Q) How does it feel to command the 437th Airlift Wing during this important milestone in its history?

A) If I could only use one word it would be "Lucky." Commanding this wing is a very humbling experience each and every day. It's also a lot of fun to work with such a great military and civilian team in an amazing community.

Q) Throughout its history, the 437 AW has seen numerous people and airframes come and go. Are there any constants that unite the wing?

A) Three words: rapid global mobility. This means moving people and cargo where they're needed most, when they're needed most--from paratroopers to armored vehicles to medical supplies. We've done this from Vietnam to Grenada, Panama, Desert Shield/Storm, the Balkans, Somalia, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom or our current operations around the world. We've played a big part in the rapid global mobility enterprise since we arrived in Charleston in 1966, regardless of what airplane we were flying...C-124, C-130, C-141, C-5 or the C-17. I suspect that our leadership in the rapid global mobility enterprise will remain a constant over the next 50 years as well.

Q) You've commanded the 437 AW for the last 19 months. During that time, has there been a particular mission that personally convicted you about the importance of the wing's mobility mission to national defense?

A) It's tough to pick out one mission in particular, so I think I would highlight the diversity of what we do ... from the challenging air-land combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq; to the airdrop training we conduct with the 82d Airborne; to the occasional airdrop missions in Iraq and Syria; or the special ops community that we support. I'm also very proud of our ability to move from one challenging mission to another very quickly, whether that's training with the 82d Airborne Division at Pope or executing combat missions deep in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Q) If you could look into the future, where would you hope to see the 437 AW, operationally, in another 50 years?

A) Continue to move the rapid global mobility mission set forward. If you think about it, we are truly powered by Airmen and fueled by innovation. Our Air Force has come a long way, both in terms of the technology we use and the tactics, techniques, and procedures we refine over time to expand our capabilities. None of that greatness happens without our Airmen and civilians and their ability to develop and improve on our capabilities.

Q) Let's turn our focus from operations to the community. What is the significance of this milestone from our perspective as Lowcountry neighbors?

A) Since we arrived here in Charleston in 1966, we have received tremendous support from the community. If the next 50 years are half as successful as the past, then we will be in great shape. It's no surprise that many of our military members and Department of Defense civilians retire in this community when they finish their careers. That's been happening for 50 years and I suspect it will continue for another half-century as well.

Q) In light of that, would you like to say anything to the community?

A) This time I'll use two words..."Thank you" for your support of our military members, civilians, and their families. Just about everyone on our team absolutely loves it here, and many of us return a couple of times over during our careers. It is a very special place for a lot of us. Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for your tremendous support over the last 50 years!

Q) Finally, the 437th AW wouldn't exist without the airmen, civilians and contractors who comprise it. Do you have any parting words for them?

A) You are very good at what you do--the best I've ever seen. Thank you for the outstanding work you do every day, and please let us know how we can make the job easier or improve the quality of life in the 437th Airlift Wing. This wing's excellence preceded my arrival, and I am confident it will continue long after I'm gone. I am truly honored to serve in this wing alongside you.
Issues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship.
Wine has no borders, just appellations.
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Dubai, a first-class tourism destination and a world-leading financial services centre, is seen as a safe haven for wealthy high-net worth families and their investments from around the world, a report said.



The Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) was an early proponent of the concept of the Single Family Office (SFO), and the first jurisdiction in the Middle East to define a family office in legal terms, added the report entitled Introducing Dubai: A destination for private and corporate wealth from Deloitte, a leading provider of audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services.



Legislation relating to SFOs which recognizes the unique requirements of family offices and their limited public liability has been in place since 2008. Based in the DIFC means family offices can benefit from the robust legal and regulatory framework, and highly qualified and experienced professionals, the report said.



The DIFC rule of law has a common law framework; it also has its own courts as well as a Wills & Probate Registry for non-Muslims. The DIFC has strict anti-money laundering rules to ensure that it is a real contender on the international financial scene, said Walid Chiniara, partner and Deloitte private leader in the Middle East.



Efforts are being made in government to amend and update some of the other commercial and private legislation in the rest of the country, so as to attract more foreign investment into the UAE, which it is hoped will increase exponentially in the run-up to Dubais hosting of Expo in 2020, he added.



Highlights of the Deloitte report include:



 Dubai has several free zones and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which allow 100 per cent foreign ownership, making them of interest to internationally mobile families and their businesses.



 With oil prices impacting the regional economy, a successful and entrepreneurial cohort of next generation family business owners will be instrumental in the continued advancement of the Dubai economy



As host city of Expo 2020, Dubai anticipates it will attract 25 million visitors, the vast majority of whom will, unusually for this sort of event, be from overseas, said Chiniara.



This multicultural mega-event, which will be held under the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, is hoped to showcase Dubai as a springboard facilitating investment in Africa as well as Asia, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Aafaq Islamic Finance, a leading provider of Islamic finance products and services in the UAE, has introduced a new medical equipment financing product specifically tailored for the countrys small & medium enterprise (SME) market.



The fully Sharia-compliant product will be offered to doctors, dentists, diagnostic centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and other key health service providers. Aafaq will use all available Islamic finance tools, to fund the needs of the healthcare sectors experts.



Dr Mahmoud Abdalaal, CEO of Aafaq Islamic Finance, said: The UAE Vision 2021 development agenda calls for major investments into world-class healthcare infrastructure, expertise and service to meet the needs of citizens. Our new financing product is Aafaqs own contribution to expediting the growth of the healthcare sector and is especially geared towards small- and medium-sized and mid-corporate medical service practitioners and providers who want to enhance their capabilities further.



In order for Aafaq to contribute in making Dubai the capital of the Islamic economy and to support the UAE medical tourism; financing should not be an obstacle to those who are genuinely committed to building the best healthcare foundations for the UAE, Dr Abdalaal concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
Scores of women in the UAE have responded positively to a call from Zulekha Hospital to take responsibility for their breast cancer health in a new awareness campaign.



More than 1,800 women in the emirates have taken advantage of a free breast cancer consultation, while 763 x-ray mammograms have been undertaken at Zulekha Hospital in Dubai and Sharjah as part of the Pink It Now campaign which was launched in October during the Breast Cancer Awareness month.



The initiative was developed exclusively by Zulekha Hospital with the support of Ford Warriors in Pink, a Ford Motor Company breast cancer awareness initiative, and Dubai Islamic Bank.



From October 1 to December 31, the Zulekha hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah offered women the opportunity to take advantage of free specialist consultations by its oncologists and surgeons as well as receive free mammograms.



The Sharjah hospital held 1,116 free consultations and 445 x-ray mammograms, while in Dubai the hospital received 703 women for free consultations and a total of 318 for mammograms, out of which 13 cases were diagnosed positive.



The campaign forms part of a worldwide initiative to build awareness and educate women on breast cancer and the importance of regular check-ups and early detection. It also aims to empower women to beat the disease.



Taher Shams, the managing director of Zulekha Hospital, said: "We are very pleased with the success of this campaign and the number of women who have come forward to utilise the opportunity of our free consultations and mammograms."



"We believe the key to prevention of this disease is early detection and this is what our campaign strives to do, which is to encourage women to get regular check-ups," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
General Motors said on Monday it will invest $500 million in ride-sharing service Lyft and laid out plans to develop an on-demand network of self-driving cars with the ride-sharing service.



The biggest single Detroit-Silicon Valley crossover deal to date comes as automakers work out how to respond to the rush of technology companies such as Apple, Alphabet and Uber - Lyft's biggest rival - to control cars of the future and likely reshape the global auto industry.



The No. 1 US automaker's investment accounts for half of Lyft's latest $1 billion fundraising round. It is one of GM's biggest investments in another company and the largest single cash injection to date by a traditional automaker into a young technology firm.



The two companies said the partnership was based on the shared view that self-driving cars will first reach consumers as part of a ride-sharing service, rather than vehicles owned by drivers.



"We think our business and personal mobility will change more in the next five years than the last 50," GM President Dan Ammann said in an interview with Reuters.



The partnership will tap into GM's work on driverless cars and Lyft's software that matches drivers and passengers and calculates routes, to create a network of cars that would operate themselves and be available on demand.



The two companies did not set out a timeline to get the on-demand network up and running, but said they would immediately offer Lyft drivers short-term rentals of GM cars.



The announcement came as Toyota Motor Corp and Ford Motor Co said they would adopt the same software to link smartphone apps to vehicle dashboard screens.



Toyota and Ford, two of the world's biggest automakers, invited rival car companies to join them to counter the push by Apple, Alphabet, Tesla Motors Inc and others into self-driving cars, or what the industry calls autonomous vehicles.



Major automakers are trying to prevent Silicon Valley from dominating the future of self-driving cars and ride-sharing, and are also investing as a way to see whether Lyft and Uber are on the way to making money, said Matthew Stover, automotive analyst with Susquehanna Financial Group.



"The only way to understand the implications and viability of this business model (Lyft and Uber) is to become an investor," said Stover.



Last month, Ford Chief Executive Mark Fields said the No. 2 US automaker would explore the ride-hailing business with a fleet of specially designed Transit vans at its Dearborn, Michigan campus.



GM CEO Mary Barra last fall said that while Apple and Google - now called Alphabet - are pushing to dominate dashboard displays with their software, automakers still control "the platform" of the vehicle itself.



GM's Ammann, who will join Lyft's board as a part of the deal, said both companies had a "really common view of the future." Lyft President John Zimmer said the "culture and vision are very alike" in both GM and Lyft.



The deal heralds a wave of alliances of varying forms between automakers and Silicon Valley companies as both try to capture new business as transportation evolves, said Xavier Mosquet, the US auto practice leader at Boston Consulting Group in Detroit.



"In the next 10 to 20 years, (transportation) will be one of the biggest areas for electronic and software investments," Mosquet said. He expects ride-sharing driverless vehicles to develop first in big cities such as Singapore, London and New York, probably between 2022 and 2025.



Lyft said the latest $1 billion fundraising round included Kingdom Holding Co, the investment firm of Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, which put in $100 million.



Other investors included Janus Capital Management, Japanese online retailer Rakuten Inc, Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Kuaidi and Chinese Internet company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.



Kingdom and Alwaleed are major investors in US tech companies. Together they own more than 5 percent of Twitter Inc .



Lyft said the latest funding round valued it at $5.5 billion, cementing its status as one of Silicon Valley's much-prized 'unicorns,' or companies worth more than $1 billion without going public. Lyft does not publicly disclose its financial performance, but media reports have suggested it is not profitable, like many tech startups.



Lyft is locked in a fundraising race with rival ride-hailing app Uber Technologies Inc. Lyft said it has raised a total of $2 billion since August 2013. Uber is reportedly in the midst of a $2.1 billion funding round that would value it as high as $64.6 billion.- Reuters
Arab foreign ministers on Sunday accused Iran of interfering in the affairs of other Middle East states and undermining regional security, as officials met at an emergency Arab League session to discuss escalating tensions in the region.



The crisis between the Saudi Arabia and Iran, both major oil exporters, started when Saudi authorities executed Shi'ite cleric Nimr Al-Nimr on January 2.



In response, Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran, prompting Riyadh to sever relations. Tehran then cut all commercial ties with Riyadh, and banned pilgrims from travelling to Makkah.



Opening the emergency Arab League session in Cairo, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said the meeting "comes in light of a dangerous escalation".



Saudi Arabia said on Saturday after an extraordinary Gulf Cooperation Council meeting that it would take "additional measures" against Iran, but did not elaborate further.



"We strongly condemn the attacks on diplomatic missions by Iran and absolutely reject the Iranian policy of interference in the affairs of the kingdom and any other Arab state," Sheikh Abdullah said.



"Iran does not hesitate to exploit sectarianism as a way to gain control of the region," he added.



"These attacks clearly reflect the approach that the Iranian policy is taking in our Arab region specifically ... with its interference in the affairs of the (region's) states and instigation of sectarian strife and shaking its security and stability," said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir. - Reuters
A man from the United Arab Emirates was sentenced to death in absentia on Sunday for joining Islamic State, local media reported.



Local newspapers did not identify the man sentenced by the Abu Dhabi court. But the Arabic-language Al-Bayan said he was 19-years-old and said he and had been accused of joining the militant group abroad.



Al-Ittihad, another daily, said that the Federal Supreme Court, in separate cases, sentenced two other people to seven years in jail each for trying to join Islamic State. A fourth suspect received three years in jail, the newspaper said.



The court also sentenced a Palestinian man to three years in jail and fined him Dh50,000 ($13,613) after he was convicted of insulting the state and promoting "terroristic thought", the newspaper said.



The UAE last year executed an Emirati woman after she was convicted of stabbing to death an American kindergarten teacher at a mall and trying to bomb an American-Egyptian doctor in militant-inspired attacks.



Her husband was charged with plotting bombings and other attacks on targets including a US base and a UAE leader, according to local media. - Reuters
A new independent hotel group is set to emerge in the region with its first property scheduled to open in Turkey next month, said a report.

The new Cloud.7 will launch its first hotel in Istanbul on February 1, 2016, Incentive Travel & Corporate Meetings reported

A stylish and affordable new hotel brand, Cloud.7 is owned by Kerten, one of investor Michael O Sheas Investment Vehicles, which is also the majority shareholder behind Turkeys hugely successful The House Hotel Collection, it said.

Cloud.7 will offer its guests free wi-fi, online check-in and check-out, in-room handy mobiles, 24-hour access to the Cloud.7 hospitality team via social media, a focus on local creative collaborations and natural produce and Meet the Locals - where guests can get connected to and share experiences with like-minded locals in the city.

Furthermore, the group has set its sights on 15 more property deals for 2016 in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Caucasus.

The 15 new hotels will open in the next two years and will target the 227 million digitally savvy international travellers that generated nearly $250 billion in international tourism receipts for 2014 alone, it said.
Oman Air has collaborated with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs to raise the awareness of its customers on the necessity of protecting endangered wildlife and regulate international trade in species between countries.



The Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs is giving a special concern to this issue stemming from the faith that national resources need to be preserved. For this purpose, the sultanate has accessed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on 19 November 2007, by Royal Decree No. 117/2007.



Oman Air and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs will work together to raise awareness on the necessity of adhering to the articles of the Convention and acquiring the requested permits (CITES Permit) prior to import or export of wild species and all other animals and plants listed in the appendices of CITES. They shall be accompanied by a CITES certificate issued from the exported or imported country and in case of violation, legal procedures shall be taken in this regard.



Paul Gregorowitsch, Oman Air's chief executive officer, said: CITES is among the conventions voluntarily adopted by states, and the Sultanate of Oman is one of the pioneer countries in the field of native wildlife conservation and is paying special concern to this issue. Oman Air emphasises its high commitment to this Convention by raising awareness at all our stations regionally and internationally, in order to ensure that wildlife is not threatened by illegal and over-exploitation.



Government Relations & Sustainability Department in Oman Air is responsible for coordinating within the airlines stations around the world, as well as other concerned authorities in Oman, to ensure commitment to the articles of this Convention.  TradeArabia News Service
If youve lived in Wyoming for much time at all, chances are youve seen Independence Rock, soaked in a warm pool at Hot Springs State Park or wandered around Oregon Trail ruts.

But have you seen the 30-foot tall kilns at Peidmont, played on the sand dunes near Seminoe Reservoir or admired the 10,000-year-old petroglyphs at Medicine Lodge?

Peidmont, Seminoe and Medicine Lodge are all part of Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails, but theyre not as well-known as some of their counterparts.

This year, take a trip off the beaten path and explore four of Wyomings hidden treasures spanning the Cowboy States history.

Fort Fred Steele Historic Site

This south-central Wyoming army base might have been like many of the others scattered around Wyoming, except that the train traveled through the center.

That meant troops could be sent to support military efforts as far away as Chicago in the late 1800s, said Steve Horn, site superintendent. It also meant soldiers could easily desert from there.

It didnt take much to jump a train and get away, Horn said. This was an easy way to get here, and then they would be after gold or silver.

The fort opened in June 1868 near the North Platte River, 13 miles east of modern-day Rawlins. Soldiers occupied the fort, sent to protect construction of the transcontinental railroad until 1886, Horn said.

Five buildings are all that remain, but four have informational signs in them and allow visitors to walk through. Information signs offer military history and detail the historic sheep shearing operations.

You really get a sense of the place because it sits north of I-80, Horn said. So when youre standing in the middle of the prairie grounds it feels like youre standing in the middle of nowhere, which is how it would feel back then.

Where : Near exit 228 on Interstate 80

: Near exit 228 on Interstate 80 When to go : May 1 through Nov. 15

: May 1 through Nov. 15 For more information: 307-320-3013

Peidmont Charcoal Kilns State Historic Site

Down a long dirt road, over a hill and in a hole where even cell service falls off, are three massive, cone kilns built in 1869. They look like beehives in the prairie, only theyre 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

The kilns were built to supply charcoal for a growing iron smelting industry in Utah, said Linda Byers, the sites superintendent.

At one point, 40 kilns on the site could produce 100,000 bushels of charcoal, according to the Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails website.

Its one of the most intact type of charcoal kilns from that era in the country, Byers said.

The word Peidmont meant foot of the mountain in Italian, even though no mountains rest nearby, she said.

Visitors can wander in and out of the kilns and read about the charcoal-making industry for free. Just remember: It is isolated.

It is a dirt road and it does feel like youre driving forever to get there, Byers said. Dont give up. Its very pretty.

Where : Take exit 24 off of Interstate 80 and drive south about 10 miles for the park office.

: Take exit 24 off of Interstate 80 and drive south about 10 miles for the park office. When to go : Year round, weather permitting

: Year round, weather permitting For more information: 307-782-3842

Medicine Lodge State Archeological Site

Go back more than 10,000 years when you stand at Medicine Lodge in the Big Horn Mountains.

An 800-foot sandstone wall displays hundreds of examples of American Indian pictographs and petroglyphs from some of the areas earliest inhabitants, said Brooks Jordan, the sites superintendent.

The spot served as an oasis for early people by providing shelter, food and water. It was also a stopover point for two major migration routes from north to south and east to west. Early people used the site as a trading place for things like beads and pottery. Archeologists have since found stone tools and projectile points.

Pictures on the rock include shield figures representing warriors, elk, beaver, mountain lions and birds and abstract drawings.

A nearby campground lets visitors take their time exploring the site.

Its an oasis, and probably one of the highlights of the sites in our system, Jordan said. People can come and camp and recreate and be a part of where people have been for more than 10,000 years.

Where : Take Highway 16/20 to Manderson and turn onto State Route 31. Travel 21 miles to Cold Springs Road, then County Road 52.

: Take Highway 16/20 to Manderson and turn onto State Route 31. Travel 21 miles to Cold Springs Road, then County Road 52. When to go : Open year round weather permitting. Visitor center closed Sept. 30 through April 30.

: Open year round weather permitting. Visitor center closed Sept. 30 through April 30. For more information: 307-469-2234

Seminoe State Park

Nestled into the Seminoe Mountains, Seminoe Reservoir has more than 180 miles of shoreline and collects water from two rivers.

Much of the shoreline is private, which makes it ideal for anyone with a boat, said Steve Horn, the parks superintendent.

Nearby sand dunes on Bureau of Land Management land offer 4-Wheeling opportunities. Most of the dirt roads in the area are enrolled in the states off-road vehicle program, which means recreationists can use dirt bikes or other vehicles not registered for regular roads.

Fishing is usually great, Horn said. Everyone comes back with the same story, they catch maybe 30 fish in a day, and only keep the fish they have to keep.

Expect exceptional spring brown trout fishing and fat walleyes, camping and playgrounds.

Where : North of Interstate 80 on County Road 351.

: North of Interstate 80 on County Road 351. When to go : Ice fish in the winter, or go in the spring, summer or fall for open water fishing, hiking or playing on the sand dunes.

: Ice fish in the winter, or go in the spring, summer or fall for open water fishing, hiking or playing on the sand dunes. For more information: 307-320-3013
SHERIDAN  Local veterinarian Candice Carden spent the first two weeks of December at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, treating Kr Montana Shake Em and Rusty, two of her clients' horses. She did X-rays to find the reason for the animals' limping and prescribed pain meds to ease the discomfort. But in addition to the typical remedies, Carden brought acupuncture needles.

Acupuncture  a traditional Chinese practice  consists of sticking fine needles into the skin in various strategic places around the body to release pain or provide other treatment. Humans have done acupuncture on animals for thousands of years, according to the Chi Institute of Traditional Veterinary Medicine, a specialist school in Florida.

But Carden, owner of Powder River Veterinary Clinic, said what's changing now is how people who haven't heard of the idea respond.

"It's becoming more widely accepted," she said in a phone interview on a Wednesday in mid-December while working to remove a horse's fractured tooth. Her clients decided it was worth it to fly her to Nevada so she could help keep the animals healthy during the 10-day competition.

"There's a lot of money up for grabs there," Carden said.

Carden grew up in Afton and attended veterinary school at Colorado State University. While most of her practice focuses on general care for horses, the acupuncture she does is split about evenly between horses and dogs. She's also done bucking bulls and cows.

Most often, Carden uses acupuncture to ease pain, but she also tries it when an animal has nerve damage and cannot use a muscle properly. The needles she inserts stimulate "the tiny, tiny, tiny, electric currents" in the muscle to help the animal regain control.

"I've done a few things for people who were pretty skeptical, and to be honest I was pretty skeptical when I started it," she added.

But unlike with medical treatment of humans, Carden said, there is no placebo effect.

"You can't argue with results, I guess, is the bottom line," she said.

Caroline Arrott, associate veterinarian at Big Goose Veterinary Clinic and Wellness Center, agrees. Arrott, who has been practicing veterinary medicine for 19 years, said that while the theory behind acupuncture is the same for humans and animals, the practice is, as one would expect, quite different.

"Because you can't say, 'Lay down on this table, take a deep breath, lay still, shut your eyes, think calm thoughts, you know, enjoy your acupuncture session,'" she said.

Arrott said that beyond easing pain, animal acupuncture can boost nervous system, endocrine system, liver, kidney and reproductive health, among other benefits.

Arrott treats horses, too, and the few temperamental ones she has worked with force her to be light on her feet. With them she uses the "throwing needle technique"  literally aiming and throwing the needle into the horse from a few inches away, almost the way a person throws a dart.

Some animals Arrott treats relax under her care, seeming to remember how they feel better after the visit.

But others, like Chance, get nervous.

Chance is a 12-year-old miniature Dachshund. He had always had back problems, according to his owner, Valerie Schuman, perhaps in part due to the stress his breed's abnormally long back creates. But one day in June, Schuman said Chance could not move when she checked on him. Schuman thinks her other, larger dog might have knocked him over.

So Schuman brought Chance to the vets at Big Goose and over the course of a couple of weeks, he received two acupuncture sessions and one chiropractic session, another service Big Goose offers. Not just that  Chance took herbal supplements, and still does, to help strengthen the discs in his back.

Within a month Chance was back on his feet, walking.

"I didn't even know if he would recover," Schuman said, calling it a "miracle" that he had.

When Chance's session was over, Arrott pulled the needles out and Schuman fit a black hoodie around him, pinching the Velcro shut. A model patient, Chance will be back again in another 30 days for more acupuncture.
April 9: County caucuses and conventions

Registered Democrats in each county will nominate delegates to the state convention. The number of delegates each county receives is based on population and how many Democratic votes from the county went to the U.S. presidential and U.S. Senate races in 2012 and 2014.

Any registered Democrat can participate, but people must be registered by March 25.

Locations of county Democratic meeting places will be posted on the partys website.

The county conventions will start at 11 a.m. and end by 4 or 5 p.m. In addition to choosing delegates, Democrats will define their county partys platform.

The party will announce the results that day. The Casper Star-Tribune will publish them in print and online.

May 28: Wyoming Democratic Party State Convention, Cheyenne

The delegates chosen at the state convention will attend the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Wyoming gets 18 delegates. Wyoming and Alaska have the lowest number of delegates. Colorado, by comparison, has 240 delegates.

Delegates have to represent Wyoming: Nine will be men and nine will be women. They will represent diverse communities in Wyoming, including people who are youth, have disabilities, black, American Indian, Hispanic and Latino, Asian American, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Democrats at the state convention will also elect one member of the Wyoming Legislature to go to the national convention.

The delegates will reflect the outcomes and percentages of what emerged at the county conventions. For instance, if a presidential candidate received 60 percent of the delegates from the counties, then 60 percent of the national delegates will go to Philadelphia pledged to that candidate.

July 25-28: Democratic National Convention, Philadelphia

Democratic presidential nominee will be chosen.

Source: Aimee Van Cleave, executive director, Wyoming Democratic Party
In coming months, Wyomingites will help select the presidential nominees for the Republican and Democratic parties  and could play a crucial role, especially in the GOP.

Some political pundits say Republicans will have a brokered national convention, meaning the event will begin in Cleveland without a clear nominee.

Wyoming has a relatively large number of delegates  the people who select the candidate  in proportion to its small population, said Matt Micheli, chairman of the Wyoming GOP. That means Wyoming could factor in the election more than one might expect.

Wyoming has more delegates than 22 other states and territories, Micheli said. For example, we have more delegates than Connecticut, more delegates than Montana. We have the same as South Dakota, more delegates than New Hampshire, which is interesting. New Hampshire gets all this publicity. We have more than Maine, Hawaii, Delaware.

National party officials use a formula to determine how many delegates each state gets. Wyoming benefits from its all-Republican congressional delegation, GOP governor and Republican-dominated state Legislature, Micheli said. The state received a bonus when the majority of its residents voted for Mitt Romney in 2012.

Thats why Micheli wants Republicans to participate in the county caucuses, which will occur before or on March 1, depending on the county.

Especially this year, when there are so many viable candidates, our voice will make a big difference, he said. We need people to participate in that.

Aimee Van Cleave, executive director of the Wyoming Democratic Party, wants Democrats to attend caucuses as well. They will be on April 9.

If its a close primary, it could make a difference, she said. When Kennedy ran, we were the deciding delegates.

Wyoming has closed caucuses, which permit only registered members of each party to participate. Some states have open caucuses or primaries, which dont require party registration, said David Lublin, a professor at American Universitys School of Public Affairs in Washington.

Generally in the primary and caucus selection process, only the most politically active and ideological participate. They candidates they pick don't necessarily represent average voters, he said.

The Republican candidates (who emerge from caucuses) are ultraconservative, Lublin said. The Democrats are ultraliberal, which is why you see the Republican candidates moving to the right and Hillary Clinton moving to the left.

Micheli, the Republican, prefers closed caucuses because they give Republicans control over choosing their own nominee. General elections allow people who are not registered party members to select the president, he said.

Its a two-step process, he said. Republicans should be able to decide who their nominee is, and the general election is to try to get the majority of the people to vote for you. Thats why theres two separate elections.

Van Cleave, of the Wyoming Democrats, sees advantages and disadvantages to both closed and open caucuses.

People can vote in a caucus of a party to which they do not belong to purposely throw off the results of the presidential candidate, she said.

On the one hand, an open caucus might encourages more participation from people, she said. On the other hand, by having a closed caucus, it puts the onus on people to register to vote and espouse the same ideological principals.
Officials have decided that Wyomings K-12 schools, a source of state pride, will not be immediately affected by the states economic downturn. But, some say, future funding cuts are possible.

Lawmakers will soon gather in Cheyenne for the budget session of the Legislature, under the pall of dismal projections for Wyomings income from the energy industry. With the states generous school financing model closely tied to mineral revenue, the question of how to keep funding schools at their current level as the cache of cash dwindles remains unanswered.

There are a number of key topics that are likely to be discussed in the upcoming session, officials say, including whether to continue a yearly bonus payment for schools that ends next year, how to pay for school construction and maintenance and whether to use a large bundle of federal cash from the coal industry for education.

School funding and the external cost adjustment

A bonus payment for schools that has boosted district funding since 2014 will likely lose support from legislators due to the states budget crisis.

In 2015, a legislative committee that meets every five years to discuss K-12 funding met to discuss the future. Members deliberated on the perceived shortcomings with the current funding model in detail. But lawmakers voted for no change after a show of hands in a crowded room of education professionals supported the status quo.

Wyomings school districts are funded through a block grant. The state determines a districts need based on a number of factors, like enrollment, personnel and program costs. Districts that make more than enough money locally to meet their financial needs give the extra money to the state School Foundation Program fund. Districts that fall short of their financial obligations receive money from the foundation.

The model depends on revenue, both local and state. And Wyoming is no longer in a boom.

It concerning, said Sen. Hank Coe, R-Cody, a chairman on the Joint Education Committee. We might have to make some cuts in how we fund schools. When it comes right down to it, at the end of the day, thats an option for us to consider.

But cuts arent on the table for this session.

Locally assessed value runs a year behind, so lawmakers are less concerned about the coming year than the ones that follow.

If you start looking at school year 16-17, thats when I have serious concerns on cash flow, Coe said.

Also in that year, an extra payment for schools in addition to the model, called an external cost adjustment, disappears.

In the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years, the Legislature essentially took the total funding for schools and added a 2 percent raise, said Rep. David Northrup, R-Powell, co-chair of the education committee.

But there is no similar adjustment on the books for the 2016-17, and there may never be.

I think that will be the cut, Northrup said. I dont think the Legislature, in this period of time, is going to carry a 2 percent gain.

That adjustment represents about $20 million, distributed to districts according to enrollment, Northrup said. Smaller districts say it can make or break their budgets.

Locally, the one here in Cody is telling us they will be operating in the red if we dont put it back in, he said.

School facilities funding

One issue of grave concern that will likely not be resolved by the end of the session is funding the maintenance and construction of schools buildings.

Facilities funding has been dependent on coal money for 13 years. In that time, the state spent billions of dollars on new schools and maintenance. But by 2018, the money Wyoming is accustomed to receiving from coal leases will be gone.

With the last 6-7 years, uncertainty in that industry, theres been nobody willing to lease any more coal land, said Rep. Mike Madden, R-Buffalo, chairman of the Joint Revenue Committee.

There are seven leases currently paid to the state. Next year there will be two, the following year zero, according to the Star-Tribunes archives.

Maddens committee will make the issue its top priority when it meets after the budget session, he said.

If the committee decides that the answer to school facility funding is imposing a tax, there may be pushback from some lawmakers.

Its really hard to sell a tax adjustment in a budget year, Madden said.

The Abandoned Mine Land Program

There is also a chunk of federal dollars that Wyoming is eligible for that would give Wyoming a much needed $242 million next year and $350 million in the coming years.

The money is from a federal fund set up in the 1970s to pay for reclamation of abandoned coal mines. The federal government collected payments from coal mining companies, and half of that revenue was supposed to be redistributed to the state of origin. Over the years, the states have wrangled with Washington over the fund.

A transportation bill recently signed into law by President Barack Obama made the funds available again.

Northrup said there is a possibility the University of Wyoming will see some dollars, as the fund can be spent on research on coal mine reclamation.

The state appears to have tremendous leeway in how the money is spent, but some say education will not benefit.

Its nice that the feds are finally giving us back the money that is rightfully ours, Coe said. [But] I will not support one-time money on anything to do with future funding needs with schools.

Coes reasoning is that schools need an ongoing stream of revenue support, not a temporary fix.

Using Abandoned Mine Land dollars for schools is short-sighted, he said. The Legislature needs to find something more long term.
As representatives from 195 countries return home from the Paris Climate Conference (COP21), they carry in hand an agreement to fight climate change. The goal? To limit global warming between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius by completely abandoning the use of fossil fuels this century. Not only does this mean richer countries will be on the hook financially to accommodate the energy needs of more underdeveloped nations, but more than 80,000 Wyomingites employed by the oil and gas industry here in Wyoming would be out of work if that goal ever came to fruition.

When the conference wrapped, there were plenty of pats on the back to go around. President Obama praised the agreement, saying it could be a turning point for the world. But with questionable objectives at the outset leading to even murkier outcomes, we need to ask ourselves a very important question  what are we even celebrating? While COP21s resulting agreement certainly stands as an impressive symbolic gesture, it neither binds countries to meet their climate targets nor prescribes how they would achieve them.

Worst of all, this global gathering and feckless deal is built on a hastily-contrived narrative that fossil fuels are a problem to be excised. In other words, it paints fossil fuels as a necessary evil we must eradicate tomorrow  if only we had an affordable and abundant energy alternative to use today instead.

What too many overlook  including the almost two-hundred participants in Paris  is the importance of fossil fuels in providing for human development and the ultimate well-being of millions around the world. Affordable, reliable, and abundant, fossil fuels are the lifeblood of a modern society and currently provide 87% of our domestic energy supply.

While access to clean and affordable drinking water is an assumed facet of life in Wyoming, it is not so in many impoverished countries around the world. Similarly, our ease in flipping on a light switch is not translatable for many in Uganda who are forced to use diesel generators to power their communities. Any comprehensive global energy strategy must solely focus on improving lives. Preventing people from access to energy sources abundantly available today does just the opposite.

The private sector has a proven track record in energy innovation and currently invests hundreds of millions of dollars in alternative energy solutions. After all, its the private sector that is responsible for our nations reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in recent years through the harnessing of shale natural gas. This innovation did not come from government mandate, but still lowered emissions while reducing energy costs for consumers and creating well-paying jobs.

And while fossil fuel producers will continue to invest millions in researching alternatives, fossil fuels themselves must continue to serve as the primary energy source with the potential to lift billions globally out of poverty and provide life enhancing  and life-saving  capabilities, both safely and affordably.

While its one thing to long for a carbon-free future, this debate too often rests on hopes and dreams instead of facts and reality. Fossil fuels cannot be the enemy. They are too important for the workers of Wyoming and the well-being of humanity around the world. Any energy strategy must reflect that basic imperative.
In earlier years, Wyoming enjoyed some of the lowest residential electricity rates in the country. Indeed, in 2009, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that Wyoming enjoyed the lowest average electricity rate of all 50 states.

This has been thanks in part to Rocky Mountain Power, Black Hills Power, Cheyenne Power and Light, various co-ops around the state and the Public Service Commission and -- perhaps most importantly -- to the fact that Wyoming has world-class coal resources that historically furnished over 90 percent of Wyomings power generation and 40 percent of power generation for the U.S.

Electricity generated by coal is, has been and will be in the near and mid-term the cheapest form of electric generation. In 2009, coal-generated electricity accounted for 91.1 percent of Wyomings total electric generation, natural gas generated 1.1 percent, hydroelectricity generated 2.7 percent and wind generated 4.8 percent.

Now, Wyoming ranks 16th in lowest residential electricity rates. Fifteen states enjoyed lower rates.

Why the change? After all, during that period, the price of coal has remained essentially flat to lower, the cost of natural gas has dropped significantly and we have not built any additional coal or natural-gas-fueled power plants in Wyoming. We have lost three percentage points of electricity generated by coal from 91 percent to 88 percent, we have increased wind generated electricity from 4.8 percent to 8 percent and the cost of our residential electricity has increased according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, from 8.58 to 11.49 cents/kWh.

Other factors (transmission costs, regulation, etc.) may have contributed, but the answer is clear: In Wyoming, the replacement by wind generation of 3 percent of our coal-generated electricity has moved us out of the position of having the cheapest electricity in the U.S.

James Taylor, a columnist for Forbes Magazine, suggests that Wyoming is not alone. In October 2014, Taylor wrote that although U.S. electricity prices rose less than 3 percent for 2008-2013, the 10 states with the highest percentage of wind power generation experienced an average electricity price increase of more than 20 percent. Taylor uses U.S. Energy Information Administration data showing that although Wyoming had 8 percent of its electricity generated by wind during this time period, it suffered an average electricity price increase of 33 percent for 2008-2013.

So far, the ratepayer has been locked into this higher rate through Wyoming Public Service Commission requirements that utilities such as Rocky Mountain Power pay for federally mandated Qualified Facility purchases at a cost based on other wind facilities, not the utilities actual lowest cost pursuant to Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978.

There may be some good news: RMP has asked the Public Service Commission to decrease the term of those outrageous contracts to three years instead of 20. The utility also requested that the commission modify the cost it is required to pay the independent electrical producers to allow the rate payer to be indifferent as to whether the utility used more traditional sources of power generation or newly encouraged alternatives.

RMP says it does not need any additional power generation to its planned and committed generation until at least 2028, as outlined in its Integrated Resource Plan submitted to the commission in March 2015. RMP has petitioned the PSC to no longer be required to enter those long-term contracts. In its petition it notes that Although PURPAs federal mandate requires utilities to purchase QF power, PURPA also gives state commissions the authority to protect retail customers from any unintended negative consequences for the mandatory purchases.

If the commission fails to grant RMP's request in whole or in part, Wyoming ratepayers will pay more today and 20 years into the future for electricity that is not even needed until at least 2028. Remember, only one-third of the generated capacity is consumed in our state; in essence, the Wyoming ratepayer pays for guaranteed high-priced additional electric generation that we do not need for 13 more years and gets to ship two-thirds of that electricity out of the state.

The Office of Consumer Advocate, an independent division of the Public Service Commission, is studying this application. The salaries of the employees of the Office of Consumer Advocate are paid by Wyoming citizens. The Legislature continues to fund this office, with a budget for 2015 of over $8,000,000 of our money.

Please take 10 minutes and send a note to the Office of Consumer Advocate, 2515 Warren Ave., Suite 304, Cheyenne, WY 82002, and let them know that their job is not to decide if wind, solar, coal, nuclear and other forms of electric generation are best for Wyoming -- that is the job of Wyoming citizens and elected officials. Please remind the Office of Consumer Advocate that it was created by our legislators to protect your rates and service, and you expect them to do just that.
By ANNIE J. KELLEY

Battle Creek Enquirer

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP)  Many people in the community will recognize Leah Keene's face. She's lived in Battle Creek for more than 50 years, raising her kids, selling sewing machines at JoAnn Fabrics and perfume at Hudson's and working at Bank of America. Most recently, she's been a greeter at Meijer on Beckley Road, the first face you see as you walk into the store.

It's a smiling face, with bright eyes, minimal makeup and smooth skin.

And it's a face that has taken Keene to some unexpected places.

At 42, the mother of six children was still in the process of rediscovering herself after divorce. As a mentor in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, Keene was asked to walk the runway during a fundraiser for the nonprofit.

"An agent came down to the dressing room afterwards and she said, 'I would love to have you in my agency,'" Keene told the Battle Creek Enquirer (http://bcene.ws/1kJgTgC ). "And at that time I was a size 10, and I said well, I'm a little too fat. And she said 'No, you're very photogenic, and I want you to be in my agency.'"

Very quickly, Keene was put in front of a camera. Within two weeks, she had her first job for Herman Miller office equipment in Grand Rapids. She borrowed some suits from friends, and suddenly she was an executive businesswoman, promoting an executive business chair.

"I was just feeling wonderful," Keene remembered. "All I could think of is, 'I'm a professional model! I'm getting paid to do this! This is fun.'"

That was 40 years ago. She found steady gigs through the agency while working a full-time job, doing almost everything, from acting in commercials to voice-overs and walking runways and getting photos for print work.

"My son has seen me on a billboard in Lansing for one of the hospitals there ..." Keene said. "He said, 'Mom, I was driving along and I looked up and there you were on this billboard.'"

Her favorite memory is of an overnight job for a commercial. The cast stayed in a hotel and went down to breakfast together.

"One of the waitresses said, 'Are you one of the actresses?' And I thought, 'I am an actress.' I didn't think of myself as an actress, but I said, 'Yeah, I am.'"

At 67, Keene's agent moved out of Michigan, and it seemed she was destined to retire. Since 2000, she's lost three of her children to cancer and has greeted thousands of people who come through the doors at Meijer.

Now, she is "82-wonderful-years young."

"I've been at Meijer for 10-and-a-half years. And I always have thought, 'I wish somebody would come in and discover me again,'" she said.

When people told her she should get back into modeling, she'd think, "I should be doing something. I can do it, I know. I know I can do TV commercials; I've done them. I know I can do radio. I know I can do all these things; I'm wasting time."

But what she needed was an opportunity, which happened to walk through the doors of Meijer last month.

A man running an errand at the store told Keene to call his wife, Madeline Zackery, who is executive director of Madeline's Models.

Zackery has run her business since 1967, and she knows what to look for but said it's hard to put into words: "Having the 'it factor' is usually what you hear a lot of people say."

Keene had to audition and fill out a form with other young models just starting out. She hesitated over the age entry, she said, and asked if she needed to fill it out.

According to her, Zackery told her she didn't have to, but said, "Leah I know you're a senior and you're probably about my age.'

"And I said, 'How old are you?' And she said, 'I'm 66' ... Well, I said, 'I'm a little older than that. I'm 82.' And everybody's mouth fell open."

Keene laughed at the memory. She passed her tests and now she's ready to hire.

"I always feel that a big part of being a model and being marketable is having a good personality," Zackery said. "And she definitely has that. That's one of the reasons she's so popular when people come into Meijer, even, is because she draws people not only with her looks, but her personality. And that's what drew me to her, was that she just had such a super personality."

Zackery is always on the lookout for marketable looks, and right now the market is trending to the older set.

"Because people are living longer, I think it's great having models of all ages, and especially having senior-citizen models," she said.

When asked what makes someone beautiful, Keene had a similar answer.

"You have to have personality. That does it for you. If you don't have that, beauty's not going to get you anywhere. You can be beautiful, physically, but if you don't have any personality, that to me, isn't going to shine through."

Keene credits modeling with helping her blossom with confidence. Trying new things, "you just wake up," she said.

She wants that confidence to rub off on others, whether she's in front of a camera or not. She isn't ready to quit Meijer, even after being rediscovered.

"I love my job because when somebody comes in that can hardly walk, I'm blessed to be able to go get a cart for them and bring it to them so they can ride," she said. "And as I'm doing it, I'm thanking my heavenly father for letting me be as healthy as I am  I'm about to get teary-eyed here  as healthy as I am to do something for somebody else."

She mothers her co-workers and offers prayers for customers having tough times. She has had a full life, and it isn't over yet.

"People need to see that just because you may be in your 60s or 70s or whatever, there's still life ahead," Zackery said. "I really expect great things with her because of the fact that she's a senior citizen, but she has so much to offer. And I would really like to see more women get into modeling even at this age, after retirement."

___

Information from: Battle Creek Enquirer, http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com

An AP Member Exchange shared by the Battle Creek Enquirer
DeConcini McDonald elects

Stamps as shareholder

Attorney Sesaly O. Stamps has been elected to join the shareholders of DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, P.C.

Stamps joined the office in 2007. Her practice emphasizes litigation, employment law and education law. She also provides training to employers and schools on issues such as sexual harassment, discrimination in the workplace, and online bullying. She is a member of the Arizona Council of School Attorneys and a volunteer for Southern Arizona Legal Aid.

She previously worked as a judicial clerk for Judge Joseph W. Howard at the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two.

Stamps graduated magna cum laude from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. She was a recipient of the Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona award from the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education.

Rothschild is firms third generation shareholder

Isaac Rothschild

has been named a shareholder in Mesch Clark Rothschild.

A native of Tucson, he is the third generation of his family to be a shareholder in the firm: His grandfather Lowell Rothschild was a founding member and his father, Jonathan Rothschild, was a shareholder prior to becoming the citys mayor.

A graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of law, Isaac Rothschild had been an associate with the firm for six years, concentrating his practice in commercial bankruptcy and business reorganization.

He previously clerked for Chief Judge Raner Collins at Arizona District Court.

Isaac Rothschild serves as president of the Federal Bar Association for Southern Arizona and volunteers with Will for Heroes. He received the 2015 pro bono award of the Arizona Bar Bankruptcy Section. He is a founder of the Tucson Jazz Festival and Tucson Young Tax Professionals.

Rusing Lopez & Lizardi adds two attorneys

Attorneys Sivan R. Korn and Sarah E. Epperson have joined the Tucson law firm of Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, PLLC.

Korn, a commercial litigator, has practiced in New York, Israel and Tucson.

She holds law degrees from universities in Israel and the United States (Fordham Law School), graduating first in class in both. She began her legal career in Israel in 1999 at the Israel Ministry of Justice, and continued at the New York office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. She has been a litigator in Tucson since 2005 when she joined Lewis Roca Rothgerber, LLP.

Korn has published extensively and serves as a judge pro tempore on the civil bench of the Pima County Superior Court.

Epperson joins Rusing Lopez & Lizardi as an associate attorney in civil and commercial litigation.

She graduated from the University of Arizona summa cum laude with a degree in political science, and went on to earn her law degree from the UA College of Law in 2013.

While in law school, she interned with the Arizona Attorney Generals Civil Rights Division, served as senior research editor of the Arizona Law Review, acted as project manager for the American Law Institutes revision to the Concise Restatement of Torts, volunteered with the Volunteer Lawyers Program, served as an Ares Fellow in Civil Procedure, and was a member of the Arizona Law Womens Association and Business Law Society.

Epperson spent two years as a judicial law clerk for Judge Virginia C. Kelly in Division II of the Arizona Court of Appeals.
90, of Tucson, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 6, 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Caroline Oberfeld, her beloved husband, Clarence "Chick" Hawkins, son, Bruce Hawkins, brother, Lester Oberfeld and sister, Gertrude Royce. LaVerne is survived by children, Jerry (Paula), Julie (Mike Feerick), Brian (Grace), Trucynda; her grandchildren, Eric (Shelly), Sarah (Rob Keough), Amy, Chris (Brianne), Ryan (Anastasia), Tiffanie, Bryent, Michael and Nick, and great-grandchildren, Hailey and Jackson Keough. She is also survived by her nieces, Janice (Bud Doolen), Ann Butler and nephew, Gene (Susan) Royce. LaVerne also leaves behind special family friend, Jim Eppler. LaVerne was born at the Stork's Nest maternity home in 1925 and grew up on Alameda Street in the Menlo Park neighborhood. Her father was employed by Southern Pacific Railroad and LaVerne enjoyed a significant amount of her childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico. She graduated from Tucson High School and the University of Arizona. After graduation, LaVerne worked at the Downtown YMCA where she met her future husband, Chick Hawkins. They married on August 26, 1948. LaVerne taught Spanish at Blenman Elementary and later worked with bilingual children at TUSD. She taught second grade at Tully Elementary. LaVerne was also cook, nurse and "mom" to thousands of children at the Triangle Y Ranch camp alongside her husband, Chick, the camp's director. An avid U of A Wildcat fan, LaVerne always wore her red school shirt on game days. She was inducted into the YMCA's Hall of Fame when the organization celebrated its 100 years of service. LaVerne's parents were founding members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. The three most important things to LaVerne were her faith, her family and the University of Arizona Wildcats. The entire family wishes to extend their gratitude on behalf of LaVerne to the staff of Cascades of Tucson and more recently, the staff at the Villas on Houghton for the kindness, love and care she received there. The family would also like to recognize the caring staff at Casa de la Luz Hospice for helping to navigate this difficult journey. Donations may be made in Laverne's name to:
75, died after a courageous battle with squamous cell cancer on December 27, 2015. He was born in Durango, Colorado to Mary and Paul Shields, and while growing up with a dad in construction, lived in WA, UT, MN, AZ and NV, where as a 5th grader in Beatty, his class was taken to the Atomic Testing Site to watch an A-Bomb explosion. He graduated from Horace Mann H.S. in Biwabik, MN, from Mesa College in Grand Junction, CO, and earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering at NMSU in Las Cruces. He served in the National Guard and went through training at Ft. Ord, CA. Kin had a pioneering spirit, brilliant mind, artistic talent, and was able to fix or create just about anything. He held a patent on a wave energy device, and built a rammed earth home in Tubac (with family slave labor) that he designed. He had an insatiable love of the Bible, was a born again Christian and attended Calvary Chapel. After college, Kin moved his family to engineering jobs in NM, CO, VA, WY, TX and to both shores of Saudi Arabia. The family lived in Saudi for 12 yrs (Jeddah, Tabuk, Yanbu, Abqaiq), seven of them with Aramco, the rest with Parsons, made seven around the world trips visiting 25 countries. He was an outstanding prankster, his victims mainly being his immediate family, but anyone was vulnerable. He was preceded in death by his indomitable son, Joe, and is survived by his wife, Corky (Marcia), and daughters Jessica (Tate) Lofgreen, Rebecca (Pete) Basznianyn, and grandchildren Brayden, Bailey, Peter and Audrey. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and human being, and is deeply missed by his family. A private service will be held at a later date; contributions in his memory can be sent to the Community Food Bank. Thanks for everyone's prayers, and for the incredible support from Casa de la Luz Hospice. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Dodge Chapel.
Drivers on the citys south side can expect congestion, backups and headaches.

Its not the winter flu season, but rather the Arizona Department of Transportations plan to begin construction of a new interchange at Interstate 19 and West Ajo Way.

We would anticipate having the first phase completed by the end of next year, said ADOTs Dustin Krugel.

And while motorists can plan to experience all the ailments listed above at regular intervals over the next few years, this project is a badly needed improvement.

Traffic counts for the section of I-19 total almost 100,000 vehicles per day. Thats far more cars than the 50-year-old clover-leaf shaped interchange was ever intended to handle.

Obviously, its not designed to accommodate the significant traffic flows we see now, Krugel said.

The work for the first phase includes widening 500 feet of the southbound Irvington Road offramp for an additional turn lane, widening Ajo Way east of the interstate and upgrading the traffic signal at South 16th Avenue. It also adds noise walls on both sides of I-19 between Ajo Way and the West Michigan Avenue pedestrian bridge, drainage improvements, reconstruction of South Lamar Avenue west of the interstate and repaving of South Elizabeth Drive east of I-19.

The cost for the first phase is estimated at $40 million.

The second phase, which likely wont start until fiscal 2018, includes reconstruction and widening of southbound I-19 and construction of a braided ramp alignment, with the southbound Ajo Way on-ramp passing over the southbound Irvington offramp. It would also widen northbound I-19, complete I-19 noise walls south of Michigan Avenue, replace the Michigan Avenue pedestrian bridge, replace the Santa Cruz River Bridge on Ajo Way and widen Ajo Way from South Holiday Boulevard to I-19.

The cost of the second phase is estimated at $29 million.

In all, the more-than-three-year project will cost nearly $70 million.

When its all done, Krugel said the configuration of the new interchange will look similar to one at I-19 and Valencia.

Its a form of interchange called a Single Point Urban Interchange, or SPUI. A Spooey, in traffic engineer speak, controls traffic flows from a single set of signals at the center of an interchange.

They are designed to move large volumes of traffic more efficiently and safely, Krugel said.

Access to businesses in the project areas will be maintained.

Initial utility work could start this week, and major construction is likely to begin in April.

The interchange is one of numerous projects ADOT has on tap for the Tucson region.

Others include construction of a new interchange at Ina Road and I-10, widening of State Route 86 (Ajo Way) from Valencia to Kinney Road, and the continued resurfacing project on I-10 from the SR 83 junction near Vail to Benson.

The last project also includes replacement of the bridges over Davidson Canyon.

This project has caused a lot of delays for motorists, but unfortunately there are no great options to avoid the construction.

The detour ADOT officials have used includes driving the loop from SR 83 south to SR 82, then east to SR 90.

It adds a lot of miles to the trip, but at least youll be moving rather that sitting in a highway traffic jam.

Down the road

City crews resumed milling and paving work on North Campbell Avenue from East Fort Lowell Road to East Glenn Street over the weekend. The work is scheduled to be complete by about 11 p.m. Monday night.

On Monday and Tuesday, crews will lower manhole covers and water valve covers on East 22nd Street from South Tucson Boulevard to South Alvernon Way. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

On Wednesday, milling and paving on the same stretch of 22nd Street is scheduled to start. Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This work is scheduled to be complete by Friday, Jan. 29.
Democrats and Republicans say House Speaker David Gowan, a Sierra Vista Republican, treats them fairly and with respect.

So how come Gowan cant get no respect?

As we enter the first official week of the legislative session, one big open question is whether this rare creature, a House speaker from Southern Arizona, will be more than a figurehead in the states big decisions.

Gov. Doug Ducey and Senate President Andy Biggs are the real powers, Assistant. Minority Leader Bruce Wheeler told me Friday. He was echoing a broadly held opinion.

But it could be that Gowan is OK with that, content to go along for the ride while enjoying the perks of his powerful position.

A report in the Arizona Capitol Times on Friday gave some evidence of this. Hank Stephenson, who writes about the House for the Phoenix-based publication, analyzed a database of the use of the state vehicle fleet over the last few years.

He found that the rental of cars from that fleet by House members and staff skyrocketed when Gowan took over, going from 674 total miles driven in 2014 to more than 24,000 in 2015, his first year in the top job.

While these are formally rentals, its the House itself (funded by taxpayers, of course) that pays the Department of Administration for the rentals. As speaker, Gowan controls the House budget.

The vehicles are for official use only, as it says on the side of each car, but Stephenson showed that Gowan, who is running for the U.S. House in the First Congressional District, appeared to use a state vehicle for campaign events in Northern Arizona in October. He was driven by the House sergeant-at-arms, Gowans friend Billy Cloud.

Gowan also took out a state car, at House expense, to drive to the American Legislative Exchange Council conference in San Diego in July, Stephenson reported. ALEC is a conservative group funded largely by corporate interests that provides model laws to legislators around the country. Not exactly official.

Although the conference lasted three days, Gowan put 2,349 miles on the car over 12 days, the Times reported. Being generous, if Gowan had driven from Phoenix to Sierra Vista to San Diego and then back through both cities, that still would only account for about 1,400 miles.

Gowans spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, says the speaker has simply been fulfilling his pledge to be a speaker for the whole state and that each trip he took with a fleet car was for official purposes. After the ALEC trip, she told Stephenson, Gowan used the car for official purposes in Arizona. Even when he took a fleet car on trips that included campaign events, he at times used a separate car for these events, she said.

The (Times) story was filled with loosely drawn conclusions, she said.

Maybe there were some  Stephenson had to fight through heavily redacted calendars of the speaker and others to make sense of where these public officials were and what they were doing while renting the vehicles. But the problem is, its just the latest sign suggesting Gowan enjoys the perks of his position too much.

Last year, he ordered plans for a remodel of the House basement that would cost more than $1 million, a plan that was roundly protested in April by Republican members who thought it looked bad in a period of tight budgets.

A month later, in May, the speaker took not one, not two, but three of his own personal vehicles to be repaired  for free  by professionally supervised students at a car-repair program in the Vail School District. I wrote about it in June, noting that he did this after slashing the budget in the just-finished session. While anyone can take their cars in for such free repairs, Gowan saved between $700 and $1,000 by doing so.

Then theres the fact that Gowan hired Cloud, a longtime Sierra Vista friend, as sergeant-at-arms after assuming the speakership in November 2014. Gowan increased the duties of the position and paid him $80,000 per year, twice what the previous sergeant-at-arms made.

In addition, a November report by the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting supported a claim often made about Gowan  that he frequently accepts meals from lobbyists. The report found that in the first nine months of 2015, the speaker was taken out by lobbyists for food or drink at least 27 times.

The number could well be higher, but lobbyists did not report the individual member whom they spent money on 86 percent of the time.

As Stephenson noted, Gowan is also known for traveling with entourages. In March, when he traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch the U.S. Supreme Court hear arguments over Arizonas redistricting case, he brought along four House staffers. All five of them had their expenses covered by the state.

Biggs, on the other hand, traveled to D.C. alone and paid his own way. Oh, and by the way, no members of the Senate have taken cars from the state fleet over the last two years, the Times reported.

So here, too, it seems Biggs has outfoxed Gowan. Biggs infamously ended the Senates session early on the morning of Good Friday last year, without notifying Gowan, throwing the House into chaos until Gowan, too, recessed his chamber.

Personally, I was treated well by Gowan, said Wheeler, the Tucson Democrat. But institutionally, everyone saw the debacle of the last night of the legislative session. Thats something that was total chaos. Obviously there was animosity, at least on Biggs part against Gowan.

None of that would matter much  not the excessive perks, nor the previous political losses  if Gowan would do two things this session: Bring some benefits of his speakership back to Southern Arizona and manage the House in a way that allows its biggest decision, the budget, to be considered deliberately, not in a panicked rush.

Last year, Gowan, Biggs and Ducey announced they had a budget deal on March 4. With a lot of arm-twisting and late nights of floor discussion, it was passed March 7. That was no way to pass a budget.

In the chaos, a new funding mechanism for the JTED vocational program passed that unintentionally will lead to the demise of the program if its not changed. This year, Rep. Chris Ackerley, a Tucson Republican, has introduced a bill to reverse that mistake, which was made because of the hurried budget process.

I wish that wasnt the way the process worked, Ackerley told me Friday. The unintended consequences arent caught because there arent enough eyes on it.

But he said he expected it will go the same way this year.

A speaker interested in leaving his mark might use his power to put an end to that budget madness. But Im not sure that is Gowans primary interest.
The Cochise County Sheriffs Office has arrested two men and one woman on suspicion of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Hereford man in September 2014.

On Sept. 20, 2014, Andrew Gasson was found dead in his home by his mother when she went to check on him after not hearing from him for some time. Gasson died of a gunshot wound to the head, autopsy reports showed, said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Carol Capas. There are indications the crime was drug-related, she said.

"Months of investigation, to include hundreds of interviews in Arizona and in Idaho, positively identified the suspects" as Martin Wetstein, 31; Kelly Tarrant, 22; and Christopher Cruz, 30, Capas said in a news release Saturday night. All have been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder.

Greg Tarrant, 58, the father of Kelly Tarrant, is accused of being complicit in the crime by destroying and disposing of the homicide weapon, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, Capas said. He has been arrested on suspicion of destruction of evidence in the case.
The first sentence in Elaine Harmons handwritten will detailed her desire that her ashes be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, alongside the men and women she served with during World War II.

Harmon was a pioneer, among just more than 1,000 women who climbed into cockpits to test-pilot recently repaired fighters and bombers, train male pilots and fly planes towing targets for live target practice by pilots headed overseas.

It was dangerous, sometimes deadly work  38 women died during the two years the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program was active.

It took the Army 30 years to recognize the women for their service, retroactively granting active-duty status to WASP pilots in 1977. In 2002, Arlington National Cemetery began to allow active-duty designees, including WASP pilots, for military burials and inurnments.

But last year, then-Secretary of the Army John McHugh barred WASPs and other active-duty designees from being buried at Arlington. A few of the female pilots were buried there between 2002 and 2015, but military officials called that a mistake  they said there simply isnt enough space for Harmon and the estimated remaining 100 WASPs still alive.

That angered U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, who was an Air Force fighter pilot before she was elected to represent Southern Arizona in Congress.

McSally, a Republican, called on the secretary of the Army, Arlington and the president to immediately reverse the policy.

At a time when we are opening all positions to women, the Army is closing Arlington to the pioneers who paved the way for pilots like me and all women to serve in uniform, McSally said.

It doesnt make sense; we thought this was settled in 1977. The Army can give some bureaucratic answer, but theyre on the wrong side of this.

Unwilling to wait for the Army to get on what she sees as the right side, McSally has introduced legislation to rescind the decision.

When the call came to serve in World War II, the WASP answered that call like millions of other Americans, said Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Davis of California, a ranking member of the Military Personnel subcommittee who is co-leading the bill. They have inurnment rights in other national cemeteries throughout the country.

That right should include Arlington National Cemetery, which has always been considered a special place of honor.

She noted that the WASPs served in the Army in every way that matters.

These women fought, and died, in service to their country. They trained in the military style: sleeping on metal cots, marching and living under military discipline.

They deserve the full honors we give our war heroes, and Ill continue to fight until they get them, she said.

PIONEERS

Erin Miller describes her grandmother, Elaine Harmon, as a bit of a daredevil who jumped at the chance to join the WASPs in 1942.

Her duties included towing targets that male pilots shot at in midair and co-piloting bombers as male pilots learned to fly using instruments only.

She says Harmon wanted to be buried alongside the men and women she served with as well as alongside her family. Her great aunt Helen, Miller said, is already at Arlington for her service in World War I in the Navy.

But there is a more important reason: Harmon wants the generation of women who died and risked their lives in service to their country to be remembered.

The main reason is that my grandmother feels that Arlington is not only a cemetery but also a sort of a historic museum, and she would really like the WASPs as a historic group to have representation at that cemetery, Miller said.

Jay Helm, whose mother was a WASP, found the Armys decision perplexing.

He isnt sure what his mother, Ruth Helm, would have said about the Armys decision, as she often downplayed the years she spent flying fighters, bombers and cargo aircraft from Texas to one of the coasts.

My mom never talked about what she did as pioneering, he remembers. She said, We got to do what we loved to do to in a time of war.

After the war, Helm and three other WASPs moved to Tucson to open a fly-in guest ranch on the east side of town.

Helm died in 2015, but not before serving as a mentor to McSally.

After Helms passing, McSally took the House floor to honor Helm, crediting her for breaking down gender barriers.

They were my personal wingmen  or wingwomen  and I will be forever grateful to Ruth and all the WASP women for paving the way for me, for serving as my friends and mentors, and for proving that women could be exceptional pilots too, McSally said.

Support from wasps

McSally, a retired Air Force colonel and the first American woman to fly in combat, says Helm and several other local WASPs were in the first three rows during her promotion ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. They were a particularly impressive bunch because they withstood gender discrimination while learning to fly all sorts of aircraft, she said.

Ruth Helm actually got to fly a lot more than the male pilots, said her son. Most male pilots were trained to fly a specific type of aircraft.

But that doesnt make them eligible for inurnment or burial at Arlington, cemetery officials wrote in a blog post.

The service of Women Air Force Service Pilots during World War II is highly commendable and, while certainly worthy of recognition, it does not, in itself, reach the level of Active Duty service required for inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery, the post read.

The issue, officials contend, is that Arlington is on track to run out of space by the mid-2030s for active-duty service members and veterans.

As stewards of these hallowed grounds, we remain committed to maintaining Arlington as an active cemetery for as long as possible to continue to honor and serve our Nations military heroes, the blog post said.

McSally, who calls that decision appalling, said she is committed to reversing it.

In the meantime, Harmons remains sit in an urn in her granddaughters closet, waiting to complete her last act of service to her country.
Taking a stroll on the first night of the new year along the Malecon, Havanas famed seawall, a couple approached us and asked that we take their photo. My wife, Linda, obliged.

After snapping photos on their smartphone, my wife and I spent a few minutes talking to the Havana couple, two physicians. They were curious about us and we about them.

What did we think about their city, they asked. Noting our Mexican-accented Spanish, they wondered where were we from.

And what, we asked in return, were they hoping to see for themselves and Cuba, as their country and ours engage in a critical remake of binational diplomatic and trade relations?

We believe our country will benefit, they both agreed. And we hope that those benefits will reach down to all Cubans, they added.

That was what we heard during our six-day visit to Havana: guarded optimism and hope.

Cubas 11 million people are embarking on significant changes, big and small, since President Obama announced in December 2014 he was taking down the remnants of the Sugar Cane Curtain initiated by President Kennedy.

The U.S. has reopened its Havana embassy after it ended diplomatic ties 55 years ago. Negotiations are underway to allow commercial air travel between the two countries. Cuba has released more than 50 political prisoners and the U.S. has removed Cuba from its list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

And Cubans are anxiously waiting for the U.S. to lift its strangling trade embargo, which along with inefficiencies in the Cuban economy have left the island 90 miles from the U.S. coast struggling.

For now, however, more American tourists are visiting Havana, bringing with them much-needed dollars and leaving with an awareness of the need to dismantle the embargo.

Our family of eight toured with a group of 19 people from the U.S., part of the 64 percent increase of American visitors in 2015 from 2014. And tourists from Canada and Western Europe, who have long had the freedom to travel to Cuba, have also increased in the past year. Last week, two Tucson groups visited the country.

Americans are limited to traveling to Cuba on cultural, professional or educational programs or to visit family members. We were on a cultural program. However, as travel restrictions are eased, more Americans will pour into Cuba where Havana, a city of 2 million, is already feeling the strain.

Hotel rooms are at a premium. The small Jose Marti International Airport bulges with travelers. The aging infrastructure is weighed down.

Havana is in a time warp. Many of its buildings in the historic center and older parts are deteriorating or in ruins. Its cars are old American 50s classics, lovingly held together by Cuban ingenuity, and Russian Lada autos that resemble rolling tin cans. Importing cars is expensive.

There is an odd beauty to Havana. It is easy to imagine the former gracefulness of its Spanish colonial and pre-1959 Revolution structures, and admire those that have been restored with Cuban government support and international aid.

But one of Havanas most visible attractions is whats not there: crass commercialism. To wander the streets of Havana and not see McDonalds, Walmart, Starbucks or Motel 6 was a respite. But with a full opening, the face of Havana is surely to change.

Despite the U.S. trade blockade, change has already come to Cuba. Since at least 1992 the U.S. has exported goods to Cuba, chiefly agricultural products. In 2001, Cuba spent $7 million and the following year it spiked to $146 million, according to the U.S. government. Trade peaked at $464 million in 2012 and last year settled down to $175 million.

Its a one-way trade, however. The U.S. doesnt import Cuban goods, not counting those American visitors who return home laden with rum, cigars, and arts and crafts.

While the Cuban Communist government has limited access to the Internet, throughout the city clusters of Cubanos gather outside tourist hotels and other places to pick up an Internet signal. Its pricey but they text, send emails, Skype and laugh at videos on their smartphones and tablets. Incomes are very low by U.S. standards, but nearly half of Cubans have a cellphone.

The Havana I experienced last month was far different from the one I saw in the summer of 1989, when Cuba and its patron, the old Soviet Union, ruptured their ties. Cubans were unsettled as the country ventured into a period of economic crisis and scarcity. This time I felt Cubans were at ease and hopeful, even if food and products remain difficult to find.

The U.S. and Cuba share a long history, one that for the most part has been dominated by U.S. intervention and interests. The damaging embargo is a Cold War relic that should and will disappear.

Cubans, by and large, will welcome the opening, within and outside their country. But they dont want to lose their Cuban identity or independence, the two doctors told us as the sun set on Havanas Malecon.
The first sentence in Elaine Harmons hand-written detailed her desire that her ashes be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, alongside the men and women she served with during World War II.

Harmon was a pioneer, among just over 1,000 women who climbed into cockpits to test pilot recently repaired fighters and bombers, train male pilots and fly planes towing targets for live target practice by pilots headed overseas.

It was dangerous, sometimes deadly work  38 women died during the two years the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program was active.

It took the Army 30 years to recognize the women for their service, retroactively granting active duty status to WASP pilots in 1977. In 2002, Arlington National Cemetery began to allow active-duty designees, including WASP pilots, for military burials and inurnments.

But last year, then-Secretary of the Army John McHugh barred WASPs and other active-duty designees from being buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A few of the women pilots were buried there between 2002 and 2015, but military officials called that a mistake  they said there simply isnt enough space for Harmon and the estimated remaining 100 WASPs still alive.

That angered U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, who was an Air Force fighter pilot before she was elected to represent Southern Arizona in Congress. McSally, a Republican, called on the Secretary of the Army, Arlington National Cemetery, and the President to immediately reverse the policy.

At a time when we are opening all positions to women, the Army is closing Arlington to the pioneers who paved the way for pilots like me and all women to serve in uniform, McSally said.

It doesnt make sense; we thought this was settled in 1977. The Army can give some bureaucratic answer, but theyre on the wrong side of this.

Unwilling to wait for the Army to get on what she sees as the right side, McSally has introduced legislation to rescinded the decision.

When the call came to serve in World War II, the WASP answered that call like millions of other Americans, said Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Davis of Massachusetts, who is the ranking member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee and is co-leading the bill. They have inurnment rights in other national cemeteries throughout the country. That right should include Arlington National Cemetery, which has always been considered a special place of honor.

She noted that the WASPs served in the Army in every way that matters.

These women fought, and died, in service to their country. They trained in the military style: sleeping on metal cots, marching, and living under military discipline. They deserve the full honors we give our war heroes, and Ill continue to fight until they get them, she said.

PIONEERS

Erin Miller describes her grandmother, Elaine Harmon, as a bit of a daredevil who jumped at the chance to join the WASPs in 1942. Her duties while serving in the Air Force included towing targets that male pilots shot at midair and co-piloting bombers as male pilots learned to fly by instruments only.

She says Harmon wanted to buried alongside the men and women she served with as well as alongside her family. Great Aunt Helen, Miller said, is already at Arlington for her service in World War I in the U.S. Navy.

But there is a more important reason: Harmon wants the generation of women who died and risked their lives in service to their country to be remembered.

The main reason is that my grandmother feels that Arlington is not only a cemetery but also a sort of a historic museum and she would really like the WASPs as a historic group to have representation at that cemetery, Miller said.

Jay Helm, whose mother was a WASP, found the Armys decision perplexing.

He isnt sure what his mother, Ruth Helm, would have said about the Armys decision, as she often downplayed the years she spent flying fighters, bombers and cargo aircraft from Texas to one of the coasts.

My mom never talked about what she did as pioneering, he remembers. She said, We got to do what we loved to do to in a time of war.

After the war, Helm and three other WASPs moved to Tucson to open a fly-in guest ranch on the east side of town.

Helm died in 2015, but not before serving as a mentor to McSally.

After passing, McSally took the House floor to honor Helm, crediting her for breaking down gender barriers.

They were my personal wingmen-or wingwomen-and I will be forever grateful to Ruth and all the WASP women for paving the way for me, for serving as my friends and mentors, and for proving that women could be exceptional pilots too, McSally said.

WASPS were inspiration to McSally

McSally, a retired Air Force colonel and the first American woman to fly in combat, says Helm and several other local WASPs were in the first three rows during her promotion ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

They were a particularly impressive bunch because they withstood gender discrimination while learning to fly all sorts of aircraft.

Ruth Helm actually got to fly a lot more than the male pilots, said her son. Most male pilots were trained to fly a specific type of aircraft.

But that doesnt make them eligible for inurnment or burial at Arlington, cemetery officials wrote in a blog post.

The service of Women Air Force Service Pilots during World War II is highly commendable and, while certainly worthy of recognition, it does not, in itself, reach the level of Active Duty service required for inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery, the post read.

The issue, officials contend, is that Arlington is on track to run out of space by the mid-2030s for active-duty service members and veterans.

As stewards of these hallowed grounds, we remain committed to maintaining Arlington as an active cemetery for as long as possible to continue to honor and serve our Nations military heroes, the blog post said.

McSally, who calls that decision appalling, said she is committed to reversing it.

In the meantime, Harmons remain sit in an urn in her granddaughters closet, waiting to complete her last act of service to her country.
As the midterm elections come ever closer, it can feel as if were stewing in a cauldron of tribalism, of our side vs. their side with no middle ground and little agreement on much of anything. That makes it a good time to take a breath and realize the consensus weve reached on some issues that were incredibly contentious not long ago. It gives us hope in the angry days ahead.
Gabriel Renchers first two days in Arizona did not go well.

The 32-year-old native of Eugene, Oregon, moved to Tucson on Christmas Eve. A fan of the beautiful romanticism of the Southwest, Rencher decided to make a day trip to Sonoyta, Mexico, on Christmas Day.

After eating lunch, strolling around Sonoyta, and trying out his smattering of Spanish, Rencher crossed back into Arizona, where he picked up his car and headed back to Tucson.

As he drove north on Arizona 85 toward Ajo, he saw a man hitchhiking on the side of the road and decided to pick him up.

There was this dude hitchhiking in the desert, and it was Christmas, Rencher said. I was just trying to be a Good Samaritan.

Soon after, Rencher and the hitchhiker, a man named Jose who did not speak English, drove into a Border Patrol checkpoint on Arizona 85. The agents asked for identification and Rencher showed them his passport. But the agents grew suspicious that Jose was not in the country legally.

Thats when things started to go wrong.

They rip me out of the car, handcuff me, and throw me into solitary confinement for hours  six, seven, eight hours, Rencher said.

During the drive, Rencher and Jose had chatted about Jose walking across the border. Not knowing what to do, Rencher called his dad in Oregon. His dad checked online and told him there was a shelter in Phoenix where Rencher could take his passenger. So Rencher decided to head there.

I had no idea I was breaking any law at all. I picked him up in Arizona, not Mexico, Rencher said. It never crossed my mind.

Rencher said he and Jose were separated immediately after being detained and he does not know what happened to Jose.

Both men were taken to the Ajo Border Patrol Station, where Jose admitted he was a Honduran national, the Border Patrol said in response to an inquiry from the Star.

The U.S. Attorneys Office declined to prosecute Rencher due to the absence of evidence that Rencher was a human smuggler, the Border Patrol said. Subsequently, he was released from custody in the town of Ajo on his own recognizance.

In Renchers case, being released on his own recognizance meant the agents dumped me off at a Circle K parking lot around one in the morning, he said.

Rencher spent the night in the parking lot, still shaken up after his encounter with the Border Patrol. I kind of realized I got myself in a potentially bad situation, he said.

Worst of all, the Border Patrol confiscated his 2006 Kia Spectra sedan.

They didnt give me my car back, which I think is outrageous, Rencher said.

Rencher, who worked the past two years as a private investigator for a defense attorney in Oregon, said agents told him the car had become U.S. government property and he likely would not see it again.

The Border Patrol confirmed agents confiscated Renchers car and referred it to the agencys Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures office, which would send Rencher a notice of seizure.

As of Jan. 7, Rencher said he had not yet received any notice about his car.

The ACLU, which has sued U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Border Patrols parent agency, for incidents at checkpoints, received Renchers complaint and is reviewing the case, an ACLU spokesman said.

Federal law prohibits anyone from knowingly transporting a person who is in the country illegally. Two volunteers with No More Deaths faced federal charges in 2005 after Border Patrol agents stopped them near Arivaca with three people who fell ill while crossing the border illegally. The volunteers said they were driving them to get medical care.
PHOENIX  Gov. Doug Ducey is going to ask lawmakers to do something that generally sends most Republicans scurrying for cover: consider whether everyone the state is sending to prison actually belongs there.

In an interview with Capitol Media Services ahead of Mondays State of the State address, the governor said that many of the states mandatory sentencing laws were put in place at a time when crime was a top priority.

Now, he said, crime rates are down. Yet the states inmate population is burgeoning, to the point where Arizona does not have the cash to build the prisons quickly enough to house all the new inmates. So the state has entered into contracts with private firms to construct and operate the facilities.

Consider: At the end of the 2006 fiscal year, there were 34,797 inmates behind bars. As of this past Friday  halfway through this fiscal year  that figure is 42,566, including more than 6,400 housed in private prisons at state expense.

Looking at it another way, the states prison population in the same period has increased more than twice the rate of the 10.5 percent increase in Arizonas overall population.

Ducey suggested that trend is not sustainable.

I think if youre serious about reversing the direction in terms of prison population, you need to look at how were handling some of these issues, he said.

Other issues the governor is likely to address when he gives his speech include:

Fulfilling the commitment he made during the 2014 campaign to submit legislation to reduce taxes every year, with the goal of pushing income tax rates as close to zero as possible. He said that will help make Arizona more attractive for people and businesses fleeing failing states.

Adding more dollars to the state university system. Ducey acknowledged a series of budget cuts, including a $99 million hit he approved last year, saying, Youll see the trend change.

Finding ways to reduce the more than 200 boards and commissions that regulate everything from contractors and doctors to barbers and cosmetologists. Ducey said he believes some state regulations were put into place by special interests who want to keep others out.

Pushing for more accountability in education to ensure state dollars are going where they are needed and are effective. But it remains unclear whether the governor will propose additional dollars beyond those he hopes voters will approve when they vote on Proposition 123 later this year.

Ducey said he has been weighing the issue of prison reform for some time.

The governor said when people were questioned in the 1970s about what they considered to be the top issues, crime would usually wind up at or near the top.

So, in an effort to be tough on crime, there were a lot of decisions made, Ducey said. That included adoption of a new criminal code in 1978. And in 1994, lawmakers approved truth-in-sentencing laws designed to both limit the discretion of judges in sentencing as well as ensure that inmates were serving at least some percentage of the terms to which they were sentenced.

Now, said Ducey, murder, assault and grand larceny rates are at all-time lows.

These are good things that provide a high-quality life for us here in Arizona, the governor said. At the same time, our prisons are expensive.

Ducey said hes thought a lot about the question of who the state locks up  and who belongs behind bars.

There are people that we are scared of that belong in prison, he said. There are also people we are mad at that may not belong in prison.

And that, Ducey said, requires a close look at differentiating between the two groups.

Something we want to look at is not only how we get the bad guys in terms of drug cartels and human trafficking, but then how we deal with people that have been affected by addiction and how that affects our prison population, he said.

Ducey said the question of whether addicts belong behind bars goes beyond who is sentenced to prison in the first place.

What Im talking about there is, after someone is released from prison and they go on parole, oftentimes they can find themselves back in prison due to technical violations, he said. So how do we deal with those people, especially if its a result of addiction, so that were not taking someone were mad at and turning them into someone were scared of?

Ducey said hes thought a lot about the whole issue of criminal justice.

For example, the governor said when hes interviewing people who want to be judges, he often asks them what they think is the most important part of the Constitution.

Theres no really right answer, Ducey said. I just want to know if someone thought about it.

One answer that surprised him was an applicant citing the Sixth Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights that guarantees the right to trial by jury. That left an impression.

Heres the power of the state to arrest someone, to prosecute someone, to imprison someone, to take away their liberty, and in some cases, their life, Ducey said. And yet we bring 12 citizens and we let them make the decision if theyre guilty or not.

Duceys foray into the area of prison reform has political risks.

As far back as 2003, Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford, worked for years to revisit the sentencing structure, saying the state could not afford the burgeoning costs of its prison system. That included reclassifying some crimes now considered felonies to be misdemeanors to a total rewrite of the sentencing code.

That incurred the wrath of fellow Republicans, to the point where then-Sen. Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, used his position as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee to ensure that such measures did not even get a hearing.

Rep. Cecil Ash, R-Mesa, had no better luck with his own special legislative committee, which also looked at sentencing reform.
The number of Central American families crossing the U.S.-Mexico border is spiking again  just as the federal government is going after the first wave.

Immigration officials are targeting migrants who arrived in 2014 and havent left despite a final deportation order. On the first weekend of January, Immigration and Customs Enforcement rounded up 121 adults and children in Texas, North Carolina and Georgia who the government said had exhausted all legal recourse.

So far, thats not stemming the tide of Central American families  mostly women and their children fleeing violence and extreme poverty in their home countries  crossing into Arizona on their way to join family members in other states. More than 1,800 unaccompanied minors and 1,500 single parents and their children have been apprehended the first two months of the fiscal year in Arizona.

The Yuma Sector in particular has seen significant increases. Nearly 900 families came through in October and November  up from just 59 this time last year  surpassing the 679 families apprehended in the Tucson Sector, Customs and Border Protection data show.

Before this recent uptick, the numbers had been dropping. Fiscal year 2015 saw nearly half of the people apprehended in 2014 in part due to increased enforcement efforts in the United States and Mexico. Over the last year, Mexico deported more than 100,000 Central Americans.

Last summer, a Catholic Community Services shelter in Tucson received an average of two families a week. But Casa Alitas took in 45 families in November and more than 100 in December  a total of about 330 people, said Jamie Flynn, AmeriCorps VISTA in-house volunteer.

Casa Alitas provides a bed, shower and food for families released by the Department of Homeland Security with a notice to appear before an immigration officer at their final destination to continue processing their cases. Volunteers help them get in touch with family members and help them navigate how to buy their bus ticket to get there.

The recent migrant roundups drew outrage from immigration attorneys and advocates who say the government is trying to use these deportations to deter others from coming.

They fundamentally misunderstand the problem, said Laura Lichter, former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association who volunteered to defend women and their children held in detention centers in New Mexico and Texas. Because they dont have an accurate understanding of the issue, they continually choose solutions that wont solve anything.

No need to think twice

Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have some of the highest murder rates in the world.

Killings in El Salvador spiked 70 percent last year according to news reports, and the tiny country is likely to take the title as the murder capital of the world from Honduras. Gender-based violence is also rampant in this region, experts say.

All of this is coupled with systemic poverty, limited employment opportunities and political instability that continue to push people out, the Migration Policy Institute reported.

Because the United States is already home to a large number of Central Americans, this is a likely destination. But Central American refugees have also sought asylum in Mexico, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

A Honduran woman who arrived at Casa Alitas in November and is still in Tucson said she fled gang violence.

The woman, who asked not to be identified because she fears for her safety and is a victim of sexual assault, said she was earning a living in her native Honduras as a single mother of a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, selling hojuelas, a Honduran dish made of fried dough, on the streets.

It never crossed my mind to come here, she said.

Last year, she saved enough money to open a small food stand.

Everything was going well, she said, until one day a man dropped off a note saying she had to start paying the equivalent of $90 a week, a cooperation fee for protection. She refused and weeks later  on her birthday  her business was burned to the ground.

She said she went to the police, but they told her nothing could be done because there were no witnesses. So she started selling on the streets again.

One day in May, she said, gang leaders sent three men to beat her and rape her.

They left me there for dead, she said choking back tears. But a woman walked by and took her to the hospital.

After that, she said, they threatened to take her son.

At that moment I didnt think twice about it, said the 31-year-old. I knew of mothers who had lost their sons because they use them to rob, to kill. There are 12-year-old boys who kill.

As soon as she saw an opportunity to escape, she fled with her son, leaving her daughter behind with her mother.

I didnt have money to take both of them, she says.

It took her more than two months to reach Nogales, where she presented herself at the port of entry.

The pain of poverty

When Mike Wilson, a local volunteer with Casa Alitas, sees these families, he sees a sense of despair and hopelessness, he said.

Together with his partner Susan Ruff, Wilson provides housing when Casa Alitas runs out of space.

I grew up very poor here in Tucson and I understand the pain of poverty, he said.

Normally they dont ask people why they came, he said, but recently a Guatemalan woman told him she earned the equivalent of about $2.50 a day washing clothes and couldnt feed her family. She saw no way out.

Another woman, also from Guatemala, told them how gang members cut off the top of her 9-year-old sons finger because she wouldnt pay.

This speaks to the violence and it speaks to the government not being able to protect its own citizens, he said.

Last fiscal year, more than 80 percent of Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Honduran women screened by asylum officers were found to have a credible fear of persecution if they returned to their home countries, the Migration Policy Institute reported. Thats the first step for applying for asylum in the United States.

After the news of the targeted operations broke, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson issued a statement explaining the governments position.

Our borders are not open to illegal immigration, he said. If you come here illegally, we will send you back consistent with our laws and values.

In 2014, Johnson said the government would focus its limited resources on deporting people who pose a threat to national security and public safety and recent border crossers. The families arrested last weekend were those who came in after May 1, 2014, and were given final removal orders and had exhausted legal remedies, Johnson said.

The governments operations should come as no surprise, he said. I have said publicly for months that individuals who constitute enforcement priorities, including families and unaccompanied children, will be removed.

Whether the families targeted for deportation had exhausted all legal options is something the lawyers and advocates debate. A group of pro bono lawyers and government officials from El Salvador have said theyve temporarily stopped the deportations of several families detained over the weekend.

Asylum cases are to immigration law what brain surgery is to medicine, said Lichter, the immigration attorney. It is probably some of the hardest legal work there is out there and if you dont have a lawyer, you dont win your case.

As of Dec. 29, 2015, out of nearly 987 completed cases of detained parents who crossed the border with their children, 788 were ordered to leave, the Executive Office for Immigration Review reported, and 68 percent were done in absentia, meaning the person didnt show up to the hearing.

The odds of being allowed to remain increase more than fourteenfold if women and children had representation, the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University found. Only 14 percent of the women and children whose cases were closed as of June had representation.
The American Urological Association (AUA) changed their Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening guidelines in 2013 to not recommend testing in men under 55 years of age without significant risk factors (such as a family history of prostate cancer or African ethnicity).

The AUA argues that the rates of 'insignificant' prostate cancer (PC) in men under 55 are so high that the potential harms of PSA-testing in this population (over diagnosis and overtreatment) outweigh the benefits (early detection and treatment). Our study aims to identify and compare the rates of insignificant and high-risk PC in men diagnosed with PC 55 years and >55 years in two centres in Sydney, Australia.

Men with an abnormal screening PSA or DRE and diagnosed with PC by prostate biopsy were included in this study. A consecutive series of men were accrued from two major urology centres between the years 2006 and 2014. The analysis was divided into two parts, the first compared PC biopsy characteristics between men aged 55 years and those >55 years. The second analysis compared the prostatectomy pathological characteristics between the two groups. Differences were analysed by Chi squared and significance set at p < 0. 05.

A total of 598 prostate biopsies and 723 prostatectomy matched subjects were included. On prostate biopsies, 14. 0 % of men 55 years and 11. 9 % of men >55 years had insignificant PC (X(2) = 0. 32, df = 1, p = 0. 57), whilst 24. 7 % of men 55 years and 25. 1 % of men >55 years had high-risk PC (X(2) = 0. 007, df = 1, p = 0. 93). On prostatectomy specimens, 9. 1 % of men 55 years and 6. 5 % of men >55 years had insignificant PC (X(2) = 1. 25, df = 1, p = 0. 26), whilst 20. 0 % of men 55 years and 24. 0 % of men >55 years had high-risk PC (X(2) = 0. 83, df = 1, p = 0. 36).

We found no significant difference in the rates of insignificant and high-risk PC between men 55 years and >55 years, in either the prostate biopsies or prostatectomy specimens. Further trials need to be performed with comparable sample sizes and controlling of risk factors to assess the utility of PSA screening in younger men.

BMC urology. 2015 Dec 30*** epublish ***

Nandu D Dantanarayana, Tania Hossack, Paul Cozzi, Andrew Brooks, Howard Lau, Warick Delprado, Manish I Patel

University of Sydney, Discipline of Surgery, Sydney, Australia. , Department of Urology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. , St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia. , University of Sydney, Discipline of Surgery, Sydney, Australia. , Department of Urology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. , Douglass Hanley Moir Pathology, Sydney, Australia. , University of Sydney, Discipline of Surgery, Sydney, Australia.

PubMed
Heading into the 2016 election cycle, nearly 20 different candidates from both the Democratic party and Republican party filled the debate stages. Though only a few have been seen as legit candidates, it appears theshort list has a chance to get even shorter.

Throughout his time in the White House, President Obama has had to deal with conspiracies from the far right that he wasn't born in the United States, and, in turn, shouldn't be eligible to be the President of the United States. Despite overwhelming evidence, a large group of conservatives still believe that Obama is an illegitimate president.

One of Obama's critics has been Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who as Mediaite detailed on Jan. 7, has a major issue of his own in regard to his own eligibility.

Natural born citizenship

The three main requirements to become U.S. president include being at least 35-years-old, being a resident for a minimum of 14 years, and to be a "natural born citizen." The term natural born citizen is not defined by the Constitution, but was designed to protect the country from a negative foreign influence.Different legal options have been offered in an attempt to define the term, but the general consensus has been that a natural born citizen is an individual born within the jurisdiction of the United States. The opposition (including Cruz) believes otherwise.

Cruz's citizenship a major debate

Cruz argues that while he was born in Canada, he is the son of a parent who is a U.S. citizen, which, in turn, would make him eligible to become president. The Texas senator's definition of a natural born citizen does have merit, with the Supreme Court having recognized British common law and the First Congress, that elaborated the definition of a natural born citizen to include "persons born abroad who are citizens from birth based on the citizenship of a parent."

Others, however, disagree, and define a natural born citizen as someone who is born within the borders or jurisdiction of the United States.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump has attacked Cruz on this issue, calling it"very precarious." Republican Sen. John McCain has also raised concerns about Cruz's citizenship, as conservatives scramble to come to a consistent narrative.

Conclusion is inconclusive

If Cruz took his case to federal court, there's not a clear definition in the U.S.

Constitution that defines the term natural born citizen. If the court ruled that it excluded being born outside the U.S., Cruz would be forced to drop out of the race and add another blow to the GOP in 2016.
Wynne leads $2.5billion mission Updated: 2016-01-10 23:13 By NA LI(China Daily Canada)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne (centre back) joins deputy director general of Shanghai Foreign Affairs office Zhou Yanjun (to Wynne's right) after an MOU signing ceremony between Ontario and Shanghai on Nov 9 in Shanghai. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Deals, MOUs signed on full range of sectors

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne began her second trade mission to China in Nanjing on Nov 6 by announcing $1.2 billion in new agreements.

Menergy Corporation, based in Markham, Ontario, signed four agreements with Chinese companies valued at an estimated $1.1 billion and that will create 80 new jobs in Ontario.

The new contracts include commitments to develop a large data platform with the Jiangsu Branch of China Telecom valued at $10 million, a $300 million regional centralized energy station in China with China Energy Conservation & Environmental Protection Group, the design and installation of a $200 million geothermal project in China with Gome Group and cooperation with Shenzhen Das Intellitech to invest $600 million in a regional energy station.

"My second mission to China is already yielding impressive results for the people and businesses of Ontario," said Wynne. "Today's estimated $1.2 billion in agreements will generate jobs and investments in our province, and the new MOUs in postsecondary education between Ontario and Jiangsu will help our educational institutions share information and work together on new discoveries."

Wynne also joined the Jiangsu-Ontario University Presidents' Alliance in announcing multiple new MOUs that will help Ontario and Jiangsu postsecondary institutions work together.

While in Nanjing, Premier Wynne and the Ontario science and technology delegation participated in the 4th Global R&D Summit to showcase Ontario's strong culture of innovation and discuss how the regions can collaborate on future science and technology projects.

"This strong start to the China mission is testament to the strength and diversity of Ontario's economy," said Brad Duguid, Ontario's minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure. "We have a broad range of companies that are both experts in their field and adept at building international partnerships."

Wynne and members of Ontario's delegation met with Chinese companies and research organizations in Shanghai on Nov 9 to sign new agreements valued at more than $500 million.

There Wing On New Group Canada Inc and Heysroad Technology, ZTE Corp signed a $210 million agreement to import food and Canadian nutritional products into China. Shanghai Zhengda Investment Development Co also signed a $50 million agreement with Wing On New Group Canada to establish an exhibition centre in China and import Canadian produce.

"China is Ontario's second-largest trading partner and the agreements reached in Shanghai are a testament to the strength of our partnership," said Michael Chan, minister of citizenship, immigration and international trade. "This business mission is an excellent opportunity to continue building mutually beneficial government and business relationships that lead to new jobs and investment for our province."

Wynne also met with the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region CY Leung on Nov 10 in Hong Kong, Ontario's third-largest export market.

On Nov 13, Premier Kathleen Wynne concluded her second mission to China in Beijing, where 38 new agreements valued at $750 million were signed by delegates. This brings the estimated total value of agreements from the mission to $2.5 billion. The agreements are expected to create 1,700 jobs in Ontario.
Air Canada caters to Chinese travellers Updated: 2016-01-10 23:13 By EDDY LOK and NA LI(China Daily Canada)

Air Canadaos first 787 Dreamliner parks at Torontos Pearson Airport.

In the worlds bumpy but robust civil aviation industry, Asia remains a vital part of Air Canadas international route network, with the airline continuously evaluating new route possibilities that include the vast network of air travel in China.

For the Asian market, China  with the number of outbound Chinese travellers projected to balloon to more than 400 million within the next few years  is conspicuously on the radar of Air Canada, one of the 20 leading airlines in the world.

We believe China will continue to be one of the most important aviation markets in the years to come, said Rocky Lo, Air Canadas director of business development for Asia.

Lo said that Air Canada is continuously exploring new destinations as it expands its international air services, but he declined to reveal the routes, due to competition.

Air Canada operates daily flights from Toronto and Vancouver to Shanghai and Beijing, using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner and flagship Boeing 777 aircraft. In addition, Air Canada is into code-sharing flights with Air China, which operates between Montreal and Beijing.

According to Lo, all of these flights are scheduled to connect the major Canadian cities of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal with other destinations in the US and Latin America.

In further updating Air Canadas operations to China, he said the airline operates daily flights between Vancouver-Beijing, Vancouver-Shanghai, Toronto-Beijing and Toronto-Shanghai as well as code shares with Star Alliance partner Air China on its Montreal-Beijing flights.

We have several code-share arrangements for flights which offer customers a multitude of conveniences like thru-ticketing, thru-check-in, baggage transfers, frequent flyer program reciprocation, including mileage accumulation and redemption and status recognition, he said.

This is amid the growing number of Chinese tourists, investors, businessmen and even immigrants heading to Canada, and more and more Canadians travelling to China as well.

Lo said Air Canadas international route network is an integral part of its business, and for this year alone, it had launched new services on the Montreal-Venice, Montreal-Mexico City, Toronto-Dubai, Toronto-Delhi and Vancouver-Osaka routes.

By next summer, Air Canada will be launching new international flights on the Montreal-Casablanca, Montreal-Lyon, Toronto-Prague, Toronto-Budapest, Toronto-Glasgow, Toronto-London Gatwick, Toronto-Warsaw, Toronto-Seoul, Vancouver-Brisbane and Vancouver-Dublin routes.

Lo touched on the incentives for Chinese travellers to choose Air Canada coming to North America, pointing out that the airline offers a transit program that allows Chinese passport holders to travel from China to US cities via Canada (with same-day connections) without requiring transit visas.

We also offer US pre-clearance facilities in both Vancouver and Toronto that make the connection seamless, convenient and efficient, he said.

In many cases, customers do not even need to pick up their checked-in luggage in Canada during the customs clearing process.

As of today, Air Canada is the only carrier between Canada and Beijing and Shanghai to offer premium economy service on its 787 Dreamliner aircraft, said Lo.

This product is of great interest to customers looking for a more luxurious travel experience from economy class if international business class is out of reach for them, Lo said.

By June next year, all of our flights to and from China will feature premium economy, which offers premium services, and more spacious seats and leg room as we are in the process of reconfiguring all our Boeing 777 aircraft to feature this new and highly desirable service.
Zhu Mingxuan, president and CEO at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada), discusses the internationalization of RMB, Na Li reports

Q: With a new Liberal government in Canada, what is the outlook for Canada and China in terms of further opportunities and challenges? What should both countries be focusing on?

A: Historically, the Liberal government has been more open to the world and has rich experience in economic development. From the family perspective, Trudeau the elder established the relations with China ahead of many Western countries, as Chinese President Xi mentioned in his meeting with PM Trudeau in the APEC, China respects that relationship and Trudeau the elder. I believe PM Justin Trudeaus government has a better understanding about China and is more willing to develop the relationship with China than the previous government, which was stated in his mandate letter to the minister of international trade.

The US is the largest trading partner of Canada, but NAFTA is no longer the NAFTA 20 years ago since the US economy is changing, Mexico is changing, so is Canada and the world. Canada should diversify its economy and pay more attention to the Asian market, especially China, to which Canada should focus more on the trade and investment than the differences. China should do the same thing. There are irreconcilable issues between China and the US, but not between China and Canada. I am very optimistic about the relationship between China and Canada since our two economies are very complementary; Canadian products and services in the agri-food, energy, minerals and high-technology sectors are needed by Chinese customers; and the transportation shouldnt be an issue since the two countries are connected by many direct flights and ocean routes. The Canadian market should be the top tier overseas market for Chinese companies, not to mention the talents available from the Chinese immigrants in Canada, and North American market can be developed through Canada.

The current trade between China and Australia is about US $200 billion, and the number should be bigger between China and Canada, which, of course, needs the joint efforts between the public and private sectors from both countries.

Q: China is strongly pushing to increase the use of renminbi on a global scale. The internationalization of its currency is picking up pace with the latest RMB hub to open in one of the worlds largest financial centres in Toronto recently, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada) has launched the first clearing bank in North America in March. What is your view on this?

A: The Canadian dollar is one of the major currencies, but not the strongest. One of the main reasons is the Canadian dollars dependency on the oil and minerals, so it is sometimes called oil dollar. In order to make the Canadian dollar stronger, Canada needs to diversify its economy, which is the challenge for the new Liberal government. In addition, the Canadian economy is having difficulties since both the oil and mineral/metal price is low, and the potential risk of volatility in the real estate market is increasing. The financial sector is one of the strongest in Canada, but sometimes overregulation damages its competitiveness, not to mention the profitability of the banking sector in the world is decreasing.

RMB internalization is picking up pace in the world, including the Americas. The first center in the Americas, the North American RMB Trading Center, was opened on Nov 9 in 2014. Two centers were rolled out in Latin America this year, including Chile and Argentina. Recently, an influential group was formed in the US to push for its RMB trading center. So now Canada has competitors in this continent. However, Canada still has the first-mover advantage, and its stable and well-regulated financial sector is an additional asset, even better if its economy is more diversified, and takes advantages of the RMB trading center. Canada can be an effective bridge between Asia and North America or even the Americas, Toronto may become one of the worlds leading financial centers. The federal government in Canada is small in many ways, but needs to drive the economic agenda more aggressively as a country, and private sectors need to move more quickly so to enjoy the benefits of the RMB trading center, otherwise it may not be able to stand out from the competition in the Americas.

Q: Can you enlighten us on the advantages for Chinese investors and investments in Canada, and Canadian businesses and investments in China. How is it doing business in Canada and how is it for Canadian investors interested in China? Your advice and suggestions to succeed.

A: Chinese investors are enthusiastic about investing in Canada, however, I havent seen much success over the past few years, and the reasons are: First, many Chinese investors lack overseas investment experience, and lack knowledge of the culture and legal system in Canada, which they may learn from Japanese and Korean investors. Second, lack of talent on the ground; however, this may be solved if Chinese investors tap into the talent pool of Chinese immigrants here. Third, Chinese investors tend to do things by themselves, but since they lack experience and knowledge in this country, as I mentioned, they need local partners.

The biggest barrier for Canadian companies investing in China is the misunderstanding of China, and some issues are exaggerated, including the IP issue and fake products.
China Poly Group expands reach in North America Updated: 2016-01-11 00:27 By Grace Hu(China Daily Canada)

BC Premier Christy Clark (left) meets with Xu Niansha (right), chairman of Poly Culture Group, for the signing of an MOU to establish its North America head office in Vancouver, on Nov 2.

Established on the foundation of Poly Technologies, Inc, in February 1992, China Poly Group Corporation was born, under the management of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). It is a well-established business with multiple major business projects in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and many more. As an important enterprise to the country of China, it focuses mainly on trade, real estate, and culture. Its trade is highly ranked amongst many of the top import and export firms in China, as published by the Ministry of Commerce in 2014.

Recently, China Poly collaborated with China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) to invest in the new China International Exhibition Centre. As the market for real estate skyrockets, Poly Real Estate Group Company Ltd creates a multitude of opportunities for individuals and companies. It is one of the top five property developers in China, engaged in the design, development, construction, and sale of residential and commercial properties. An overseas platform for real estate lies with Poly (Hong Kong) Investments Ltd, as it is also a very profitable enterprise. Poly Culture & Arts Co, Ltd invests into a variety of art forms including theatrical performances, theatre management, as well as film and TV production. This successful company reached assets up to 382.9 billion RMB as of 2014.

Poly Culture Group signed the MOU, Memorandum of Understanding with the objective of establishing their second headquarters in Vancouver, the first headquartered in Beijing, China. The second international head office is well on its way, as 2017 will mark the establishment of this enterprise. Premier Christy Clark witnessed the signing of the MOU during her third trade mission to Beijing, China, as joined by the Minister of International Trade, Teresa Wat. The MOU not only permits the expansion of the China Poly Group Corporation, but also the expansion of at least three other business lines in the North American market. In order to establish a North American performance base in Vancouver, Clark, along with Wat and representatives from HQ Vancouver met with Beijing Performance and Arts Group (BPAG) to build on the letter of intent. This was executed in hopes to reinforce the partnership with HQ Vancouver.

Poly Culture Groups main focus is aimed toward performance and theatre management, art business, as well as auction and cinema investment. It wishes to expand its culture and influence into North America as China and Canada further establish business exchanges. As Vancouver represents the economic hub of the Pacific, it offers convenience for China as well as other major economic ports to create bilateral co-operations. Furthermore, Canada is well known for its hospitality, welcoming many new businesses into its heart of economics.

While it focuses on numerous aspects of culture, Poly Culture is key to providing a market for international exchanges in art. Not only does it include artwork collections but also auctioning. This top transaction platform is offered by Poly Auction, achieving 82.2 billion yuan transactions in 2014. Poly Auction became known worldwide after its museum in Beijing housed the historic bronze sculptures stolen from the Old Summer Palace in Beijing. The representative of Poly Culture stated her wishes to expand their cultural influence not just to Canada but also on a greater global scale.

Furthermore, this Chinese auction house began raising international profile after engaging in increasing competitions with other global players. This company manages over more than 40 theatres as well as producing around 4,500 performances in the past year. It encourages the establishment of global purchase and networks, expanding Asian Culture to the international market. Poly Culture Group Co, Ltd. was listed sixth in 2014 in the Top 30 Cultural Enterprises in China. This corporation has been re-elected for six consecutive years since the launch of this award in 2008, awarded jointly by the Guangming Daily and Economic Daily.

Poly Culture fosters a strong backbone for cultural enterprises; it promotes the healthy and rapid development of the cultural industry as well as providing an important platform to demonstrate Chinas cultural reform and developmental achievements. Recent updates show that over 1.3 million Canadian residents are of Chinese origin, thus cultural exchange is highly valued by Poly Culture. The company wishes to better understand their bilateral cwwo-operation, infusing both Canadian culture and traditional Chinese culture into their projects. This cultural exchange promotes diversity within the Chinese cultural industry in North America, also perhaps serving as an example of cultural integration as this major Chinese enterprise infuses with North American identity.
Canada's 1st MP from mainland Updated: 2016-01-10 23:03 By Na Li(China Daily Canada)

Political newcomer Geng Tan acknowledges supporters after being elected a member of Canada's Parliament on Oct 19. Tan is the first immigrant from the Chinese mainland to be elected to the Canadian Parliament. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Liberal Party member Geng Tan represents Don Valley North in Toronto, Na Li reports from Toronto

With 51.4 percent of the vote, Liberal Party member Geng Tan defeated Conservative MP Joe Daniel to win a seat in parliament to represent Don Valley North in Toronto on Oct 19.

Hailed by Chinese Mandarin community members as their "true voice", the political newcomer's win was not only a victory for Liberals, but was also seen as a milestone in the Chinese-Canadian community's efforts to better participate in government and politics.

"I was so excited to be elected," Tan said recalling the win. "It is not easy for immigrants to get their foot in the door of Canadian politics, and I am proud of the best team that made it happen."

As a first-generation immigrant originally from the Chinese mainland, Tan has made Canada home for nearly two decades. Born in 1963 in Hunan, Tan came to Canada on a student visa in 1998. After completing his PhD in chemical engineering and applied chemistry at the University of Toronto, he worked as a scientist at Ontario Power Generation.

Tan's involvement with the community is closely tied to his Hunan associations. He was chairman of the Toronto University Chinese Students Association. After he graduated, he became the founder, first-term executive president and current co-chair of the Council of Newcomer Organizations and vice-chairman of the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations.

Tan said not enough Chinese immigrants are interested in Canadian politics. He thinks they lack a voice and need to participate more.

"Sometimes people just lack the confidence to represent themselves," said Tan. "I had an advantage running for election  I study and work with both the Chinese and Canadian communities, so I know what the actual needs of the Chinese community are and how to put them into practice in Canada."

According to Tan, in a democratic society, citizens are granted rights, and chief among them is being able to participate in elections. "Every citizen has the right to compete for it, but if you don't make an effort, then the loss is your own, and you can't complain about the country or the society," he said.

"If you want to integrate into Canada, just investing in local projects is not enough. With its unique voice, our Chinese community should have a say."

For Chinese immigrants, many of whom want to stay here, the new Liberal MP is an inspiration and an example of how to better integrate into Canadian society.

"I'm just a pioneer," Tan said. "I believe in the future there will be more and more new immigrants participating in politics. Because of my success today, future election candidates will take a lot fewer detours. For sure, I will do my best to share my experiences and I am willing to help them succeed.

"The fact that I reached such a level today is evidence of this. I greatly thank Canada for making my dreams come true. I'll do my best to serve Canada, for a better tomorrow.

As a newly elected parliamentarian, Tan plans to follow the leadership of newly elected Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"I would like to provide leadership to take care of the quality of life, the education and the work of thousands of constituents, listen to their voices, and make them part of the country's future development through the Parliament. At the same time, I will convey government policies and related information to voters, in a timely and effective manner, bridging the two sides," he said.

Tan said that he is not only the delegate of the voters to the Parliament, but also a representative of the Parliament to his constituency.

He said he hopes his professional background and community service experience, as well as the voices of various ethnic communities, will combine to take part in the decision-making of Canada's future, especially playing a unique role in the development and deepening of the Canada-China relationship.

"Throughout history, the Liberal governments of Canada have always maintained a proactive cooperation with the Chinese government, which is reflected not only in the economy and trade, but also in cultural and artistic interchanges," he said.

According to Tan, the importance of Canada-China relations is self-evident and especially true under the leadership of the Liberal government. Throughout the campaign, Liberal Party candidates repeatedly stressed that Canada-China relations should maintain a consistent and in-depth proactive relationship, that Canada should proactively join AIIB and that Canada should negotiate deeply with China, so as to promote the realization of bilateral free trade as soon as possible.

"We believe Justin Trudeau will open a new chapter in Canada-China relations and the win-win cooperation between the two countries will continue," said Tan.

"There are millions of Chinese Canadians living in Canada, and we look forward to proactive cooperation and sound progress between the two countries. Just like the Chinese traditional saying: Visits from far away bring people closer and closer."

Tan said some were surprised that the Liberal Party achieved such big victories in the election, perhaps because they do not understand the general public. From the first day of the campaign, the Liberals stressed "Real Change" as their party platform.

"We talked about this, and now we are doing this," Tan said.
To close, we sing Ivdu et Hashem b'simcha -- serve God with joy -- and there is a snaking spiral dance around the room. The spiral dance breaks into circles: one tight group of men kicking and whirling, other pairs and trios and circles interweaving as we sing. My dear friend Simcha and her husband Shawn pull me into their circle dance for a minute or two. We dance and sing and rejoice.

And then we musmachim stand and are each met by the one student we asked to bless us. My blessing comes from David, who I have known since I was seventeen. First there is an embrace, and when we step back and look at one another, his gaze says volumes. Then he places a pair of rabbit ears on my head and over the singing and drumming and the sound of the nine other private blessings taking place I can hear the room bursting into laughter. I am laughing so hard I'm almost crying. Then David gives me his blessing -- the story of a young rabbi who yearned to become real, the reality that becoming real can hurt, the Voice which says "You were Real to Me because I loved you. Now you will be Real to everyone." -- and I am crying so hard I don't know how to stop. Laughter and tears, tears and laughter.

The new students step forward and stand facing the musmachim, in pairs and trios, and as the community sings we give them blessings for the journey they are beginning which we are about to complete. I bless a dear friend from my DLTI family. I tell her that the smicha program is like DLTI, only bigger and more. I bless her that her journey be as sweet and surprising as mine has been, and that she always have friends with whom to share the path.

Then the new students are sung in, and after they circle the room they take their seats in the outer circle with the rest of the students and the faculty. One by one, their buddies stand and introduce those who are new to the ALEPH ordination programs. After each introduction we chorus baruch ha-ba (or brucha ha-ba'ah) b'shem Adonai, "welcome is the one who comes in God's name." There are a string of new Davids entering the program, and as we move around the circle with the introductions, our beloved Reb Elliot rises and pretends to introduce the two teachers on his left and right as "David and David." Laughter washes the room.

The student community lines up outside of two doors, the soon-to-be musmachim (those who will receive smicha, who will soon be ordained) in one line and the incoming students (accompanied by current-student "buddies") in another. To the sound of drumming and singing, the musmachim enter the room. Our fellow students are sitting in a grand circle, with members of the va'ad interspersed, and we orbit the inside of that circle, dancing, pausing to hug our teachers as we go. There is a smaller circle of ten chairs inside the big circle, and we ten take our seats in those chairs, facing outward as the bigger circle faces in.

Part two: document-signing and blessings.

My smicha certificate - English edition.

2.

The ten musmachim congregate downstairs in a private room along with the members of the va'ad and other teachers we've asked to join us. We are presented with our smicha certificates. Reb Daniel had asked each of us to name a middah (quality) which we felt exemplified us, and I said "wonder," so my smicha document mentions wonder as one of the qualities I bring to my rabbinate. The certificates are beautiful. Each of us receives two pages: one in Hebrew, one in English. All of them have been signed by Reb Zalman, Reb Marcia, and Reb Daniel.

Other beloved teachers sign for me. One jokes that signing legibly is a symbol that she's willing to stake her reputation on us. My document is filling up with the names of some of the teachers who have been most important in my learning -- not all of them, but many of them. I am incredibly moved to see their names accruing.

And then the ten of us sit in a circle facing outwards, with another ring of chairs facing us, and one by one, our teachers take turns sitting in the chairs which face us and they give us blessings. My teachers bless me with savlanut (patience), with the ability to balance the rabbinate and motherhood, with the awareness that it's always okay to put my family first. My teachers bless my ability to write, and also bless me that I might be aware that sometimes the writing is a safety net because words come so easily to me. They say extraordinary things about who they understand me to be and who they understand me to be becoming. I am blown away. Again and again my cup overflows. One teacher blesses me with words about the smicha of Moshe and the rabbis of the great assembly, placing hands on my shoulders, and I weep.

We move into mincha (afternoon prayer). Reb Daniel asks us to remember the first moment we felt called to become rabbis -- called by God, called by Yiddishkeit -- and I remember the Friday morning of my first week at Elat Chayyim, walking in the fields wrapped in my tallit speaking to God in the manner of Reb Nachman of Bratzlav. I remember saying to God that I was so glad we were on speaking terms again, and that I was sorry I would have to leave God behind when I went home. And I remember realizing that of course I didn't have to leave God behind -- that God was with me -- that God had always been with me, even when I had felt exiled from the Presence.

Stitch together that moment of the call and this moment, Reb Daniel says. But don't elide what came between; remember every step along the journey, the sweet moments and the annoying ones, what was good and what was hard. For your teachers, too, this has been a journey. Sweet and frustrating and wonderful, just as it's been for you. And now you will be our colleagues. We walk this road together.

After mincha our teachers leave the room and the ten of us sit in a tight circle and create a mikvah of sound to purify and prepare ourselves for what's coming. Our eyes are closed; we are each singing our own sounds and words and verses. Our voices weave into one song.

Part three: the smicha.

Smicha.

3.

The va'ad enters the ballroom to the tune of Mah Nora HaMakom Hazeh ("How wondrous is this place"), a tune which links me back to that first Elat Chayyim Shabbat, the culmination of the first week I spent with Jewish Renewal, from which I returned home saying that I'd found my teachers and wanted someday to be a rabbi like they are rabbis. Some of those very teachers -- Reb Arthur, Reb Phyllis -- are holding the poles of the chuppah beneath which we enter the room.

As we enter, the song changes to va-anachnu lo neda mah na'avod et-Adonai ad boenu shamah, "And we will not know with what we are to serve Adonai until we get there." It's a text from last week's Torah portion, set to a tune written by one of my smicha classmates. The room is packed with our fellow students and our loved ones. It is amazing to see my family standing alongside my classmates and teachers. The ceremony is standing-room-only.

Reb Marcia offers an invocation. Three of us read a scripted "who we are" piece which introduces the ALEPH smicha class of 2011 in the aggregate -- between us we've been in the program for a total of 73 years; we've written somewhere between 350 and 700 papers; in order to attend classes, we've both woken up early, and stayed up as late as 2am, in a variety of time zones around the world; as animal companions, we used to have ten snakes and an alligator, but not anymore -- now we just have six cats and one dog... The room laughs in the right places and sighs in the right places.

The ten of us give our divrei Torah, in prose and song and niggun and poetry. We touch on ten moments in the journey from constriction to freedom, ten moments in our Torah story, and interweave them with our own stories of becoming. Shoshana sings the Hakhanah ("preparatory") niggun to introduce Reb Zalman, who begins his remarks by saying that this niggun is meant to preface the rebbe transmitting a powerful teaching and that the teaching and legacy he wants to give over is the ten of us. He talks about how when his son Shalom was ordained it was amazing to think that he had a son who was becoming a rabbi, and now he has all of us, too. It's amazing to be counted, alongside his children and his other musmachim, as part of his legacy.

Reb Daniel reads the piece about lineage: charting first the smicha of Moshe (as it is traditionally understood, handed down from Moshe to Joshua to the elders to the prophets to the men of the Great Assembly and so on) and then pairing it with the piece about the smicha of Miriam which is unique to Jewish Renewal. He gets choked up, as he does every year, and so do I, as I do every year.

And then the candidate for hazzan is called forth beneath the chuppah to stand in front of her teachers, who lay hands on her and recite the words of the smicha and she is changed. And the two rabbinic pastor candidates are called forth beneath the chuppah to stand in front of their teachers, who lay hands on them and recite the words of the smicha and they are changed. And then the seven rabbinic candidates are called forth beneath the chuppah to stand in front of our teachers.

Someone murmurs "lean back," and I do. I can feel Reb Laura's hands on me, and Reb Sami's, and the weight of the va'ad and the other teachers standing with them all clustered together holding us up. Are they leaning on us, or are we leaning on them? I close my eyes; the world feels too luminous. It's like the period when I was birthing Drew; the doctor invited me to look in the mirror and see him emerging, but all I could do was close my eyes and go inside to be present to what was unfolding.

I can hear the voices of so many people who I love, teachers who have shaped my understanding and my spirit and my heart. From whom I have learned so much, who have inspired me so wholly. Who have blessed me today with their words and with their eyes and who are blessing me now with the pressure of their hands as they together recite the words which make me different than I was before. The room is imbued with energy. All I can feel is love.

When Ethan and I studied Isshin-Ryu, we learned with a Sensei who taught us that karate was about the perfection of one's character. I've used the karate metaphor often to describe this course of study. Like our old dojo, ALEPH doesn't promise a black belt in any given amount of time. It takes as long as it takes for us to master the learning and for them to be ready to put their imprimateur on our work in the world.

I only made it to brown belt, so I don't know whether this is what the conferral of a black belt felt like, but in this moment that metaphor feels inadequate. This feels like a black-belt ceremony combined with a wedding combined with a birth. And just as there's a difference between attending a wedding as a community member (I always cry at weddings, unless I'm officiating, but it's a kind of empathy from a distance) and being the bride, there is a diference between attending a smicha ceremony as a community member and being one of the people beneath the chuppah over whom the transformative words are being said.

Standing now beneath the chuppah, holding hands with one of my classmates, feeling the pressure of my teachers' hands as they transmit blessing, I am shaking. Something ineffable is happening, something I cannot verbalize or explain. Is it the emotional impact of hearing the words of the smicha formula recited for me? Is it the culmination of years of study and even longer years of yearning? Something is changing.

My beloved teachers ordain us to serve as rabbis in Israel, to publicly teach Torah and to clarify and pronounce truth in ways which make a tikkun for the Shekhinah. They ordain us. They bless us that our hands be like their hands, our decrees like their decrees, our rabbinic acts valid like theirs, our adjudication like their ajudication, our blessings like their blessings. They ordain us and call us rabbi. I lean back on my teachers' warm hands and let the change come.
On January 10, 2016, ALEPH ordains nine new Jewish clergy  five rabbis, two cantors, and two rabbinic pastors  after having welcomed 24 new students, the largest incoming class in ALEPH history. This poetic charge is dedicated to our newest clergy, and their students, and the students of their students, as they take their place in the ancient flow of transmission.

Your Turn

You made a choice and took a turn

Long before you saw the flame

Was God's own angel dressed in drag,

Concealed within a bush so low

The last place one would think to look

To find an upward homing beacon.

You turned to face that glow: you couldn't see

The path ahead. For all you knew

You too might be consumed. God

Becomes What God Becomes, and so do you

Who in the end discovered that

Refiner's fire would yield not ash but gold.

At first they might not see or hear.

Some never will: it's less a risk

To keep the One they surely know,

The certain One they don't believe,

Than peel the habit from the feet

That seems most safe though shackling,

As you have done despite yourself

Because you dared to turn aside

And be rewritten from within, a scroll

Emblazoned on your skin for all to read.

They might read it wrong: we see things

Not as they are but as we are.

As you will know, and may your knowing

Light your way, as for your teachers

Behind you now, sending you

To prime the pump of heaven's flow.

God's own angel dressed in drag: Exodus 3:2. Refiner's fire: Malachi 3:3. At first they might not see or hear: Exodus 6:9. The certain One they don't believe: From Reb Zalman z"l, after Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Peel the habit from the feet: Reb Zalman & Netanel Miles-Yepez, A Heart Afire 47, following Besht on Exodus 3:5. You dared to turn aside: Exodus 3:3. A scroll emblazoned on your skin: Psalm 40:8. Not as they are but as we are: B.T. Berakhot 55b. Your teachers behind you now: M. Avot 1:1.



14 stanzas  , the hand of smicha.

Written by Rabbi David Evan Markus and Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, ALEPH co-chairs, for this year's class of ALEPH musmachim (ordinands). Cross-posted from Kol ALEPH.

Co-writing poems has turned out to be one of the unexpected joys of co-chairing ALEPH with David. We've written a few of these so far during our tenure, including The Angels of San Bernardino. I've written poems for ALEPH musmachim (ordinands) before -- including Becoming, 2009 -- but this is the first time I've co-written one.

This year marks five years since my own ordination. I offer my deepest congratulations to those who are becoming rabbis, hazzanim, and rabbinic pastors today.
El Camino de Santiago isn't one route but a network of routes stretching across every part of Europe. When the paths converge in Spain they make their way to Santiago de Compostela in a variety of ways:I have walked all of the Camino Frances, all of the Camino Primitivo and part of The Camino del Norte. As well, I have driven parts of the Camino Ingles and the Camino Portugues. All of the routes are well maintained, clearly marked and have an infrastructure for pilgrimage that will sustain pilgrims on a daily basis: there are pilgrim hostels or other accommodation options at regular intervals, fountains providing drinkable water, shops and cafes and bars. All have a plentiful supply of interesting things to see and do and on each of the routes there are fellow travellers who will provide congenial company. No matter which route is chosen, the experience of pilgrimage will be constant: you will walk a long way and find yourself profoundly changed by the daily encounter with a sacred route travelled in company with an ever changing but astonishingly deeply connected community. But of course each of the routes will impart a very different flavour to your pilgrimage.The overwhelming majority of people walk the Camino Frances. This is the route popularised in countless books and in a couple of recent movies. Beginning in the French town of St. Jean Pied de Port, the Camino Frances covers 800 km to Santiago through three distinct stages, each representing about a third of the distance. From France until Burgos the route is across gently rolling farmland. Then there is an abrupt change, as from Burgos to Astorga the way lies across a flat, straight, dry plain called the Meseta. Lastly, from Astorga onwards, the path climbs up and down over hills and through valleys where there is farmland and forest and many charming little towns. I think the Camino Frances is the most pleasant and varied and interesting of the routes, but its main problem is the abundance of people. This is not a problem most of the time as they are all going the same way, and although there is usually another pilgrim in sight of you, they are well spaced out along the track, meaning, that by speeding up a bit or slowing down a bit, you can have as much or as little company as you want. The problem arises in towns where the competition for beds and for space in the cafes can become intense. Paradoxically, the great benefit of the Camino Frances is the abundance of people. As the numbers of have increased over recent years, so have the facilities to cater to them. No matter how early you start walking or how late you stop you'll generally find an open shop of cafe on the Camino Frances.The Northern Caminos, the Norte and the Primitivo, are quite different in character.The Norte follows follows the Bay of Biscao through affluent coastal Spain where the villages have been gentrified and where there are housing developments all over the place. The beaches are beautiful but they are sometimes crowded and the prices charged are tourist prices, not pilgrim prices (both of which are higher than local prices by the way). The track often uses roads and formed footpaths, so much of the Norte is paved which can be a big problem unless you have very good boots. There are many more large towns on the Norte and although there are some very pretty little villages they are nowhere near as common as on the Frances. Because there are far fewer pilgrims, the facilities are not as developed. Most days you wont find a cafe open much before 11 am for instance, and the alberges are far fewer, although, as the Spanish government is trying to promote the Norte to take some pressure off the Frances, some are very new and very comfortable.The Primitivo, which branches off the Norte, is sometimes rugged, and, as the name suggests, ancient. It follows a mountainous path from Oviedo through to Lugo, and is, in places, very beautiful. While there are comparatively very few pilgrims, the infrastructure is still very good.In a little over a year we will return to Spain and walk the Camino one more time. I'd like to hope that this won't be the last time, but realistically there are limits placed on us by finances and by our ageing bodies. Possibly, in later life one of the short caminos - the Ingles at 125 km or the Potugues at 200 km - might be a possibility and both are comparatively flat and very scenic. Clemency is keen to walk the Camino Frances again, but I would like to take a route not familiar to me. The Via De La Plata or the Camino Mozarabe are options but both would involve about 1100 km of walking, much of which would be through the hot, arid heart of Spain, and Clemency is not keen. So our compromise solution might be to walk one of the French Caminos, probably starting in Le Puy-en-Velay and then following the Frances once we got to Spain. We have been told that this route through Central France is spectacularly beautiful, and that while there aren't as many dedicated pilgrim hostels there is abundant accommodation. And it's France, so there is nothing to complain about when it comes to food and wine. To avoid crowds and the summer heat we would want to be in Spain as early in April or as late in September as we could manage, but we'll see how the year turns out.And if I was advising someone new to the Camino? The best first camino, in my opinion, for the completeness of the experience and the range of facilities available, would be the Camino Frances in early Spring or late autumn.
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Grown diamonds are expected to meet nearly 1.9 per cent of the global polished diamond sales revenue by 2018, according to Frost & Sullivan's research estimates.

Grown diamonds are cultivated from small diamonds in a greenhouse in carbon-rich environment maintained for 12-14 weeks. By the end of this period, the diamond seed, which has undergone a natural crystallisation process, results in a Type IIa rough diamond.

A recent report, Grown diamonds, a sunrise industry in India: prospects for economic growth, by the PHD Chamber of Commerce says the grown diamonds industry has the potential to employ over 1 million people considering production could touch around 150 million carats. It currently employs 2,000 people only across the globe for an estimated 360,000 carats.

Grown diamond polishing could be an answer to India's diamond industry blues, which is facing sluggish demand in international . Surat, the diamond capital of India that polishes eight out of ten rough diamonds in the world, has seen 20,000 people rendered jobless in the past few months. The Rs 90,000 crore industry is reeling from debt and default.

Vishal Mehta, chief executive officer of IIa Technologies, which grew 300,000 carats of Type IIa grade diamond last year, said, "India has invested heavily in diamond cutting and polishing and grown diamonds can offer a diamond source for the 21st-century consumer. Our largest jewellery export market is still the US and having an eco-friendly, conflict-free and origin-guaranteed source of diamonds is what Americans are looking for."





However, Dinesh Navadia, president of the Surat Diamond Association, does not buy this argument. "People do not understand the difference between synthetic diamonds and grown diamonds. The fact that grown diamonds are not artificial is known only to traders and industry insiders. As of now, no one would want to buy a grown diamond, even if the prices are 30-40 per cent less," he said.

Rough mined diamond supply is projected to decline from 125 million carats to 14 million carats in 2050, according to the PHD Chamber report. However, demand for rough diamonds is poised to rise to 292 million carats.

An estimated $13 billion worth of rough diamonds are mined every year. Only 15 new mines are expected to become operational in the next 40 years. Navadia, however, said the crisis in rough diamonds was likely to ease in the coming years as more mines were discovered.

"Brands like Pure Grown Diamonds have taken steps in the right direction by starting to work with retailers that sell both grown and mined diamonds. This is happening in the US and has been very successful. It will continue to other parts of the world as the grown diamond supply expands," Mehta pointed out.

Exports of cut and polished diamonds constitute 47 per cent of the gems and jewellery exports from India. The EU, the UAE, Botswana, Russia and India are the major exporters of diamonds worldwide, constituting 73 per cent of global exports (307 million carats).

India, the EU, the UAE, China and Israel are also the major import destinations, which comprise 376.76 million carats, or 90 per cent of global imports of diamonds from the rest of the world.

Prices of rough diamonds have increased by 70 per cent, while polished diamond prices have increased by only 30 per cent, resulting in profit margins of diamond manufacturers shrinking to 0.3-2.3 per cent.

KPMG, an international tax and accounting firm headquartered in the Netherlands, forecasts that by 2015, the global share of China's diamond processing industry will reach 21.3 per cent, while India's share will decline from 57 per cent to 49 per cent.
Terrorist group praises Australias Israel position The Albanese Governments decision to no longer recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has been welcomed by listed terrorist organisation Hamas.

Major announcement on Marinus Link Anthony Albanese was with Jeremy Rockliff in Tasmania on Wednesday to make a major announcement on new under-sea transmission cables to connect the Apple Isle with Victoria.

Loud bang: Earthquake rattles town in Victorias north An earthquake has shaken a small Victorian town and is the latest blow for residents facing the threat of further flash flooding in the state's north.

Coatsworth slams AMAs response to Medicare scandal Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth says the survival of Medicare depends on "us cleaning up our own act" following allegations of the public system wasting billions of dollars.
WATERLOO  Supplies of liquid propane gas are leading to some of the lowest prices in years.

Suppliers and industry experts say thats good news for consumers who rely on LP gas to heat their homes and businesses who need a ready stock of the fuel to power manufacturing.

New drilling technologies over the past few years that have allowed the U.S .to rapidly expand oil production also have yielded more natural gas production.

Rising production and stagnant demand caused inventories of natural gas and crude oil to expand to record high levels, experts say. These huge inventories drove natural gas to a 16-year low in December, less than $1.70 per million BTUs.

Crude oil, meanwhile, reached a six-year low at less than $35 per barrel.

Phil Flynn, energy analyst with Chicago-based Price Futures Group, said LP prices over the coming winter months will be among the cheapest in decades.

The weather is a contributing factor, he said.

Mainly because of El Nino and the warm winter we had in November and December, some people didnt even turn on their heat, Flynn said.

Now that temperatures have plunged to more seasonable levels, consumers will notice a break on their gas bills, Flynn said.

We can expect some price spikes along the way, but overall prices will be the cheapest in 10 years, he said.

He also noted that prices on the Henry Hub Natural Gas Price Futures Index had reached a 17-year low.

Supplies are high, and that has maintained a downward pressure on prices, Flynn said.

So, its the best of times to heat your home, Flynn said.

Gas has gotten about as low as it can go and maintain a profit for suppliers, said Scott Halverson, energy division manager with the East Central Iowa Cooperative, an LP supplier at 1467 W. Airline Highway in Waterloo.

We havent seen these prices in a long, long time, he said.

He noted that it was difficult to predict how long prices would stay at their current level, in a range of 95 cents to $1.15 per gallon, depending on what customers have booked and contract terms.

Ive got farmers with drier gas that do 70,000-100,000 gallons that get volume pricing, he said.

Prices have remained flat for several months, although world events can intervene and cause price spikes at any time, Halverson said.

Anything that can happen at any time, he said. Back here in early October, when the Russian plane was shot down, gas pricing and crude oil prices went up 37 cents in one day, so you have something like that happens on the global market, and everybodys expecting something else to fall.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries also will have a say in natural gas pricing for 2016, Halverson said.

All indications are theyre really going to cut back (production), he said. OPEC is shooting themselves in the foot. China is struggling with prices. If they cut back, pricing will go up. If they dont cutback and everything stays the norm, theyre going to put storage fees on the propane contracts.

That could be 15-30 cents a gallon, compared to an industry average storage price of 2-5 cents, Halverson said.

Domestic production is the key to lower LP prices, as motorists are finding out when they fill up their vehicles with gasoline or diesel fuel, Flynn said.

They figured out ways to be more efficient, he said. When they started with the Bakken (shale development), they said the price of a barrel needed to be $50 a barrel to break even; now, they say efficiencies have come down so much that they can do it for about $38.

Halverson said his co-op sells about 2.5 million gallons of LP gas per year.

Farmers didnt need as much fuel for driers this year as in other seasons, and that pushed demand down a bit, Halverson said.

But, he said, lower usage one year shouldnt be a guide on which one would contract fuel for the next year.

What I tell everybody is book your average, dont worry about what happened last year or the year before. If you use 600,000 gallons a year, book 600,000 a year. In the long run, if thats your average, thats what you do.

Jaime Johnson with Allison Propane Gas, which serves contract and non-contract customers in Allison, Parkersburg, Cedar Falls, Shell Rock, Waverly, Ackley and Wellsburg, said she noticed some upward pressure on prices of late, but the demand hasnt justified any price hikes.

Prices were 99.9 cents per gallon  or 92.9 cents for customers who pay for their purchase within 30 days, Johnson said.

There could be price changes in the future but I dont foresee that anytime soon, Johnson said.

That means, customers are looking at paying less than $500 to fill a standard 500-gallont tank, Johnson noted.

Its definitely lower from last year, she said.
Having been graded without a curve, Iowas economic environment probably rates a C.

Could be better, could be worse.

Make that should be better. Remember, this is a state that sometimes swaggers about its business climate.

But the sixth annual Iowa Competitiveness Index (ICI) from the Iowa Business Council seems to take at least some air out of business-haven claims heard around the state.

Call it grade deflation, if you will.

The IBC describes the ICI as an annual report card that identifies vital trends within data deemed significant when gauging Iowas competitiveness in five issue areas.

The new report embraces numerous areas beyond business, including healthcare policy, population trends and education, to name several broad categories. For our purposes, well limit ourselves to economic issues.

The report said Iowas economy sustained a moderate growth trend in 2015.

Median household income increased from $52,229 in 2013 to $53,712 in 2014  maintaining its ranking of 21st among the 50 states. The IBC notes median household income has grown since 2000, when MHI was $42,993, but the state has held a middling position throughout the period.

Gross state product has grown from $93 billion, and a No. 29 ranking, in 2000, to $166 billion in 2013 to $170 billion in 2014, ranking 30th in both the latter years.

Manufacturing value as a percentage of gross state product was 23.4 percent in 2001, for a No. 8 ranking, to 17.1 percent in 2013 (11th) to 18.2 percent in 2014 (No. 8 again). Of course, the sluggish farm economys full impact on this metric remains to be seen, the ICI said. But, the report also says another common and important production data point is Average Weekly Manufacturing Hours, for which Iowa also saw strong improvement  moving from 41.1 hours and 18th position in 2013 to 42 hours and a rank of 12th in 2014.

A 70.4 percent Labor Participation Rate shows that seven in 10 Iowans who can work, do. That ranks Iowa third in the U.S. Its just below the 71.2 percent participation rate Iowa had in 2000 but far higher than its No. 10 ranking then. In 2013, Iowa had a 69.6 percent Labor Participation rate, which ranked it No. 4.

The last category  Knowledge Jobs  is a biennial measure of the states employment progress in information technology and related fields. This metric will not have new data until September, so it remains unchanged. The latest information, from 2014, had Iowa with a score of 9, slightly below the U.S. average of 10 and a state ranking of 31. That low number was a stunner, since Iowa often proclaims itself as an IT haven.

If you look at our base year, 2007, we were 18th back then  not great, not awful, IBC executive director Elliott Smith said. Unfortunately, its been going the wrong direction every year, and thats concerning. Those knowledge jobs, generally you need more than a high school diploma.

That leads to another concern  the age-old brain-drain problem, particularly among graduates of four-year colleges, who often seek their fortunes elsewhere, Smith noted.

Community college graduates tend to stay, but keeping four-years students is probably the biggest challenge, he said.

Theres a bit of a chicken-and-egg conundrum in trying to address that problem, Smith said.

Do you have training first and then attract jobs, or do you have jobs and hope to fill them with trained people? he said.

There are a lot of moving parts in play, where these types of progress reports go, and they complicate any long-term economic forecasts. Certainly, how long the ag drag continues will be a major factor.

On the positive side, nobody is standing still, and never has, when it comes to building and diversifying Iowas business foundation. Startup activity is accelerating, and there are public and private funding incentives for new businesses looking to launch and existing ones, to grow.

Government and business leaders are working to address a growing need for a skilled workforce. The ICI projects more than 612,000 new and replacement job openings in Iowa between 2010 and 2025, with 68 percent of all jobs requiring post-secondary education and training beyond high school. Retirements alone could account for nearly 100,000 jobs by 2021, the ICI said.

Reports like this offer no solutions, but they do provide businesses and policymakers in Des Moines with at least a glimpse of the states vulnerabilities.

Theres no arguing the many strengths of Iowas business climate, but this scorecard injects a sobering dose of reality that implies theres still plenty of work to be done.

Jim Offner is The Couriers business editor. Contact him at jim.offner@wcfcourier.com.
SETH ENGELBRECHT has joined First National Bank as business banker in the Cedar Falls office. He has two years experience in commercial lending and business banking. Engelbrecht, of Waverly, has a business administration degree from Wartburg College.

Four new associates have joined VGM Group Inc. WILL COUSIN is a new account manager for the marketing division. He comes to VGM from Alkali Scientific Inc. and is a graduate of the University of Iowa. ALY GARWOOD is an intake/triage PCC for the Homelink Division. She is a graduate of Central College. HUSE HADZALIC and DOBSON DOUGLASS both join the Fulfillment Division. Douglass is a graduate of Union High School and is currently attending Hawkeye Community College.

JOE LICHTY has been promoted at Veridian Credit Union to manager of consumer lending. Lichty, of Waterloo, has been employed at Veridian for 12 years, most recently as manager of account resolution. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelors degree in agriculture systems and technology.

JERRY FISHER has joined the Brenda Holzer Agency of American Family Insurance in Cedar Falls as an agency sales specialist. Fisher has eight years of experience as an insurance agent with American Family.

MORRIS MIKKELSEN, local architect, was elected secretary of the board of trustees for the new American University of Myanmar in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma). Mikkelsen retired as the university architect at the University of Northern Iowa in 2014.

KELLY RICHARDS has been named chief nursing officer for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa (Wheaton Iowa). Richards, of Fairbank, has served the Wheaton Iowa system for the past 20 years, most recently as patient care director. She has a masters degree in nursing from the University of Iowa, where she also earned a bachelors degree in nursing, and is currently pursuing a doctorate of nursing practice. She received her associates degree in nursing from Hawkeye Community College.
Magazine: El Chapo met Sean Penn

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Rolling Stone magazine reports Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman met with U.S. Sean Penn in his hideout in Mexico months before his recapture by Mexican marines in his home state of Sinaloa.

In an article published late Saturday by the magazine and authored by Penn, the actor describes the complicated measures he took to meet the drug lord. The article follows reports Guzman had reached out to Hollywood about filming a biopic of his life.

Assad regime says peace talks a go

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  The Syrian government announced Saturday it is ready to attend peace talks later this month with the opposition in Geneva as a new airstrike in northern Syria killed and wounded scores of people, including many militants.

But Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Damascus also wants to see lists of the opposition groups who will attend and ensure terrorist groups will not be represented.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike killed 39 people, including many fighters from al-Qaidas affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, as well as detainees in the northwestern town of Maaret al-Numan.

Californian found fingertip in salad

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (AP)  A pregnant California woman filed a claim saying she found a bloody fingertip in a salad at an Applebees restaurant in Paso Robles.

Cathleen Martin of Atascadero said she was with her husband and child at the restaurant in December and everyone ate from her Chinese chicken salad.

Attorney Eric Traut of Santa Ana said the manager confirmed the fingertip belonged to a cook.

The claim is the precursor to a lawsuit. It seeks unspecified damages, medical expenses and lost income.

Protests in Cologne after sex assaults

COLOGNE, Germany (AP)  Womens rights activists, far-right demonstrators and left-wing counter-protesters took to the streets of Cologne on Saturday to voice their opinions in the debate that has followed a string of New Years Eve sexual assaults and robberies blamed largely on foreigners.

Amid the heightened public pressure, Chancellor Angela Merkels party proposed stricter laws regulating asylum-seekers in the country  some 1.1 million of whom arrived last year.

Specifics of the New Years Eve assaults and who were behind them are still being investigated. The attackers were among about 1,000 men gathered at Colognes central train station, some of whom broke off into small groups and surrounded women, groping them and stealing their purses, cell phones and other belongings, according to authorities. There are two allegations of rape.

L.A. gas leak drives people from homes

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Laura Gideon and her family endured the sickening stench from an out-of-control natural gas leak for about a month before they could no longer tolerate the nausea, headaches and nosebleeds.

After she went to the emergency room in November vomiting and with a severe migraine, Gideon, her husband and their two children abandoned the only home theyd ever known together in the upscale Los Angeles suburb of Porter Ranch.

They moved in with her parents about 10 miles away to await a fix that could still be months away.

Thousands of her neighbors have voluntarily followed suit.
Q. When is the caucus?

A. The caucuses will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1. Registration will begin at 6 p.m.

Q. What is a caucus?

A. It is not a primary where polls are open throughout the day. It is a meeting among members of a political party. The respective parties every four years begin the process of selecting their partys presidential nominee. It also selects the local party leaders and helps begin to determine the partys platform.

Q. Where is my caucus location?

A. For Black Hawk County residents, caucus sites are tied to peoples precinct locations though not necessarily where they typically vote. The list of Black Hawk County locations are included below.

Other area residents may find their caucus location online at www.iowagop.org/2015/12/03/iowa-gop-precinct-locations/ for Republicans and at iowademocrats.org/2016-democratic-caucus-locations/ for Democrats.

Q. Who is eligible to caucus?

A. People who are registered to vote and are affiliated with the Democratic Party or Republican Party may participate in their respective partys caucus. This includes first-time voters who will be 18 by Election Day, Nov. 8, 2016.

Q. What if Im not registered to vote?

A. There are multiple ways to register. People can contact their county auditor to register, or people with Iowa drivers licenses can now register online at https://mymvd.iowadot.gov. People also can register at the caucuses by having proof of identity, such as a valid drivers license, and proof of residence, like a bank statement or lease agreement. A full list of accepted documents is available at http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edr.html.

Q. What if I dont have a party affiliation or want to change my party affiliation?

A. You can do that at the caucus as well, or you also can update registration using the above methods.

Q. How do the parties differ in their selection of candidates?

A. Both parties give time for supporters to make a case for their preferred candidate. The Republican Party holds a straw poll to determine the support for each candidate. The Democratic Party will have its attendees separate into distinct groups based on their preference, and each candidate must reach a certain threshold to be viable.
WATERLOO | Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will receive her fourth endorsement from a member of President Barack Obamas cabinet when she comes to Waterloo on Monday.

Anthony Foxx, Obama administration Transportation Secretary and former mayor of Charlotte, N.C., will officially endorse Clinton when she holds an organizing event at noon on Monday at Electric Park Ballroom, 310 W. Conger St., in Waterloo.

Calling Clinton a champion of American families, Foxx said in a statement that Clinton has the platform to move the country forward.

Hillary Clinton is my candidate for President of the United States. She is best positioned to continue the progress made by President Obama on a range of issues -- from strengthening our economy to making the right investments in our infrastructure to common-sense gun safety laws to ensuring a fair criminal justice system, Foxx said in a statement.

Foxx joins fellow Obama Administration cabinet officials Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Labor Secretary Tom Perez and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro in supporting Clinton, herself a former secretary of State.

Foxx has been serving as Transportation secretary since 2013. He served as Charlottes mayor from 2009 to 2013, and has previously served on the Charlotte City Council where he chaired the Transportation Committee.

Clinton will make her fourth stop in the region on Monday. She last visited Waterloo in December to hold a town hall and tour TechWorks.
OELWEIN  Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz is currently the Iowa front-runner, but the bus tour that brought him to Luigis Restaurant here proved hes taking nothing for granted as the campaign stretches into its final three weeks before the caucus.

Cruz, a senator from Texas, brought an entourage to the Oelwein business to help make his case to a packed audience as the most conservative and most viable candidate to win the nomination and take on Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton.

This is right for me so much, that I still, there are some components of this speech that Ive heard before  I still get misty-eyed when I hear that, because I know theres a deep, deep conviction in the soul of Ted Cruz, said Rep. Steve King, R-4th District. My consistent prayer has been now for more than a year that God will raise up a leader whom he will use to restore the soul of America. I believe that leader is Ted Cruz.

King, who serves as a national co-chair for Cruzs campaign, told the crowd of more than 200 people he selected Cruz after a brain, gut and heart check.

Bob Vander Plaats, of the Family Leader and another national co-chair for Cruz, described the candidate as one who has a titanium spine.

Cruzs wife, Heidi, described Cruz as principled, articulate, courageous and thoughtful. She said those reasons helped her fall in love with him and she hopes Iowans will do the same.

If you left here today having fallen in love with Ted Cruz, we will have been successful, Heidi Cruz said.

Cruz himself, meanwhile, didnt directly focus on convincing Iowans he was the right man for the job, instead telling the audience what he would do if he wins the White House.

Listen, if you think things are going great in Washington, that we need to keep heading in the same basic direction, just kind of fiddle around the edges, then I aint your guy, Cruz said. If you think Washington is fundamentally broken, that there is a bipartisan corruption of career politicians in both parties ... and we need to take power out of Washington and back to We the People, that is what this campaign is all about.

He earned applause for his day-one plans that include rescinding Democratic President Barack Obamas executive orders, tearing up the nuclear deal with Iran, directing the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into Planned Parenthood and directing every agency that the persecution of religious liberty ends today.

But he earned a standing ovation from several members of the audience when he got to one particular proposal that would come in the days that followed the first day, and that was to work with Congress to repeal the federal health care reform law known as Obamacare. He also got hearty applause for his desire to work with Congress to pass a flat tax and abolish the Internal Revenue Service.

Cruz said he would abandon the feckless and naive foreign policies of Obama and work to utterly and completely destroy the Islamic State.

Three of the seven questions Cruz took at his event focused on his foreign policy. Though he was asked about his stance on the the Renewable Fuel Standard, after literature has been mailed to many voters criticizing Cruzs record, Oelweins John Hofmeyer said he asked the question to give Cruz a chance to explain his stance.

Hofmeyer, who described himself as a Cruz supporter, said he sees Cruz as a candidate who will be a strong advocate of traditional values and a strong candidate to take on Clinton in the general election.
Second in a series of periodic stories this month looking at the upcoming Iowa caucuses.

DES MOINES  Iowas political parties and technological partner Microsoft say they are prepared to report accurate and timely caucus results Feb. 1.

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, however, cautions the former is more important than the latter.

The state party leaders and Microsoft spoke with reporters Thursday to discuss their collaboration on reporting results the night of the Iowa caucuses.

Microsoft has developed a reporting program precinct leaders in both parties will use to tabulate and report caucus results. Those statewide results will be collected and published on caucus night.

It has been interesting, educational and enjoyable all at the same time, and were looking forward to a great caucus night on Feb. 1, said Stan Freck, Microsofts senior director for campaign technology services.

Freck said while election-reporting programs are common, he believes this caucus-reporting program is the first of its kind.

Thats one of the reasons why were approaching this with a lot of enthusiasm and, quite frankly, with a little bit of nervousness, Kaufmann said. But being partnered with Microsoft certainly makes a lot of that nervousness go away.

The Republican Party of Iowa on caucus night 2012 reported Mitt Romney was the winner, but days later declared Rick Santorum the winner after a recount.

The partnership with Microsoft and the new reporting program  which the company is offering at no cost to the parties  is designed to avoid a repeat of 2012.

Kaufmann said if the results are that close again this year, he may withhold the final count until it can be confirmed after a couple of days.

If we have a razor-thin situation like we had last time, I am not going to be announcing the results that night. Its that simple, Kaufmann said.
CLEAR LAKE  Donald Trump fervently struck up some familiar campaign themes Saturday, sometimes with expletives, as he spoke to about 1,700 enthusiasts packed into the Surf Ballroom.

As he usually does, he touted his poll numbers, which show he is the clear national favorite for the Republican presidential nomination.

But he acknowledged he is running about even in Iowa and made a point of challenging the qualifications of his nearest GOP rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Trump has mentioned in the past that Cruz, who was born in Canada, might not be considered a natural-born American citizen  a constitutional requirement to serve as president.

Saturday, he hammered home the point. If youre born in Canada, its a little bit of a problem, he said. Its not a settled matter. He needs to seek a declaratory judgment from a court.

Trump said legal experts have said there is a question as to whether Cruz can be considered a natural-born citizen.

We cant have somebody who will be immediately sued by the Democrats, said Trump. We cant have someone running for president with that kind of a cloud over his head.

Trump was highly critical of the Obama administration in its dealings with ISIS, what he called weakening of the military, handling of the Veterans Administration problems and with the nuclear deal with Iran.

Were going to knock the s*** out of ISIS, he said.

Under Obama, Trump said, the U.S. has a weak military that is unprepared to deal with the risks in the world.

When Im president, our military will be bigger and better and stronger than ever before. No ones going to mess with us, he said.

Of the nuclear deal with Iran, Trump said, Irans getting $150 billion and we dont even get our prisoners back. We should have said at the beginning of negotiations we want our prisoners back. If they say no, we get up and leave. Then we double the sanctions against them.

He said in that scenario the U.S. would get the prisoners back and would return to the negotiations. Then we tell them theyre not getting the $150 billion because we dont have it, said Trump.

He defended his plan to build a wall along the southern border and his plan to temporarily ban immigrants from coming into this country. Trump said the idea terrorists families are not aware of the terrorist activities is bulls***.

On domestic matters, Trump said, as a businessman he donated thousands of dollars to many politicians of both parties over the years. I give to everybody, he said, and when I call, they kiss my ass.

Trump said in his administration, veterans will get better treatment than they are receiving now. We have illegal immigrants who are being treated better than our vets, he said.

Trump also was highly critical of U.S. trade policies and said Chinas leaders are smarter than U.S. leaders and Mexico is going to be the next China.

He leveled his usual criticism of the media. Pointing to the press gallery in the back of the room, he said, Those are some of the most seriously dishonest people in the world.

Regarding his campaign, Trump said, If we win in Iowa, we get the ball rolling. What we have going is a movement. What we have used to be called a silent majority. I call it a noisy majority, he said, to which the crowd roared.

Before this country goes to hell, we better get it away from the politicians, he said.

Spectators had mixed views on Trumps presentation.

What about ethanol?, said Gary Zwiefel of Titonka. I drove all the way over here and didnt hear a word about the farm economy.

But Terry Reams of Mason City, who in the past has raised concerns about the Veterans Administration, said, Trump has my full support  he has from the beginning.

Mary Jane Porter of Mason City represented another faction of the audience. Im here as a die-hard observer, she said.
CEDAR FALLS | Cedar Valley Patriots for Christ announced it is backing Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

The local Christian conservative organization held a vote Tuesday with more than 50 people in attendance in an attempt to see if there was majority support for a particular candidate. Cruz, a senator from Texas, came out ahead with 70 percent support from the members.

Judd Saul, founder of the Cedar Valley Patriots for Christ, said he was shocked to see the overwhelming support for Cruz, having voted a few weeks ago and found no candidate with a strong majority.

This time around, its like, boom, landslide. I couldnt believe it, Saul said.

The second-place candidate, Ben Carson, earned about 12 percent support.

Saul said if it hadnt been a strong majority, the group would not have endorsed anybody.

He credited an event held in Waterloo on Oct. 24, the Iowa Grassroots Coalition Honest Candidate Assessment Summit the Cedar Valley Patriots for Christ co-sponsored, as helping tip the balance toward Cruz. Cruz was one of three presidential candidates to speak at that event, including hopefuls Bobby Jindal and Mike Huckabee.

Saul said the Patriots for Christ members liked all the candidates they heard that day but believed Cruz would be more likely to gain traction in Iowa.

Cruz made a similar case for himself when he spoke at the Waterloo event.

What were seeing is conservatives uniting behind our campaign. Its the single most encouraging development, and in particular, what were also seeing is the (President Ronald) Reagan coalition coming back together, Cruz said then.

Saul said in a statement announcing the groups support that its important to coalesce behind a candidate early in the caucus process, to begin the behind-the-scenes work that supporters do to try to find success on the Feb. 1 caucus night.

Conservatives cannot afford to split the vote, allowing the establishment candidate to win. We will be putting forth our best efforts to help Sen. Cruz win the Iowa caucuses, Saul said.
WATERLOO  All eyes will be on Iowa on Feb. 1.

Iowans from 1,681 precincts will caucus on what likely will be a blustery, cold Monday night; 62 of those precincts are in Black Hawk County.

Voters will meet at schools, community centers and fire halls to winnow the 2016 presidential field and set party platform. Black Hawk County Republicans will meet at 10 locations, Black Hawk County Democrats at 31.

If you do not know your ward, precinct or township you can find the information on your voter registration card, through your county auditor or at the Iowa Secretary of States website at sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx.

The locations for the respective partys precinct caucuses are as follows:

Black Hawk County Democratic Caucus

Monday, February 1st, 2016

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at your Ward & Precinct

You must be signed-in or in line by 7:00 p.m. to participate.

All caucus attendees must sign in and be registered Democrats in the precinct in order to participate in the caucus.

Waterloo

Ward 1, Precinct 1 Waterloo Center for Arts, Schoitz Room, 225 Commercial St

Ward 1-2 Wloo Ctr for Arts, Schoitz Room, 225 Commercial St

Ward 1-3 Irving Elementary, Gym, 1115 W Fifth St

Ward 1-4 Becker Elementary, Gym, 1239 Shelton St

Ward 1-5 UAW 838, 2615 Washington St

Ward 1-6 UAW 838, 2615 Washington St

Waterloo Ward 2-1 West High, Commons, 425 E. Ridgeway Ave.

Ward 2-2 West High, Auditorium, 425 E. Ridgeway Ave.

Ward 2-3 Kittrell Elementary, Gym/Lunch, 1304 Oregon St

Ward 2-4 Kittrell Elementary, Gym/Lunch, 1304 Oregon St

Ward 2-5 Hawkeye Community College,105 Tama Hall,1501 E. Orange

Ward 2-6 Lou Henry Elementary, Lunchroom, 312 Rachel St

Waterloo Ward 3-1 Lincoln Elementary, Lunchroom, 302 Cedar Bend St

Ward 3-2 Highland Elementary, Lunchroom, 812 Idaho St

Ward 3-3 Highland Elementary, Gym, 812 Idaho St

Ward 3-4 Lincoln Elementary, Gym, 302 Cedar Bend St.

Ward 3-5 Becker Elementary, Lunchroom, 1239 Shelton

Ward 3-6 Irving Elementary, Lunchroom, 1115 W 5th St Waterloo

Ward 4-1 Cunningham Elementary, Lunchroom, 1224 Mobile St

Ward 4-2 Wloo Center for Arts, Townhall Room, 225 Commercial

Ward 4-3 Wloo Ctr for Arts, Townhall Room, 225 Commercial

Ward 4-4 Expo High, Gym, 1410 Independence Ave

Ward 4-5 Cunningham Elementary, Gym, 1224 Mobile St

Ward 4-6 Expo High, Lunchroom, 1410 Independence Ave Waterloo

Ward 5-1 Lowell Elementary, Gym, 1628 Washington St

Ward 5-2 Lowell Elementary, Lunchroom, 1628 Washington St

Ward 5-3 Irving Elementary, Gym, 1115 W 5th St

Ward 5-4 West High, Auditorium, 425 E Ridgeway Ave

Ward 5-5 Kingsley Elementary, Gym/Lunch, 201 Sunset Rd

Ward 5-6 Lou Henry Elementary, Gym, 312 Rachael St

Evansdale Ward 1 Poyner Elementary, Lunchroom, 1138 Central Ave, Evansdale

Evansdale Ward 2 Poyner Elementary, Lunchroom, 1138 Central Ave, Evansdale

Evansdale Ward 3 Poyner Elementary, Lunchroom, 1138 Central Ave, Evansdale

Evansdale Ward 4 Poyner Elementary, Lunchroom, 1138 Central Ave,

Elk Run, Raymond Twps, Elk Run Pre-school, Gym, 316 McCoy Rd, Elk Run Heights

Poyner 1, E Wloo Twps, Poyner Elementary School, 1138 Central Ave, Evansdale

Poyner 2,Fox, Jesup, Gilbertville Twps, Poyner Elementary, Gym, 1138 Central Ave, Evansdale

Cedar, Orange Twps, Orange School, Gym, 5805 Kimball Ave, Waterloo

Mount Vernon Twp, Waterloo Library, Meeting Room, 415 Commercial St

Eagle Twp, Orange School, Lunchroom, 5743 Kimball Ave

Barclay,Lester,Dunkerton Twps, Old Dunkerton School, 509 South Canfield

Bennington Township, Old Dunkerton School,Mtg Rm N., 509 South Canfield

Big Creek,LaPorte City,LaPorte City Elementary, 515 Fillmore St

Spring Creek, LaPorte City Elememtary, Library, 515 Fillmore St

Union, Rotary Reserve, 5932 N Union Road

Washington, Janesville, Rotary Reserve, 5932 N Union Rd

Blackhawk,Lincoln,Hudson, Hudson Comm Center,525 Jefferson Hudson

Cedar Falls Ward 1-1 North Cedar Elementary, Gym, 2419 Fern Ave

Ward 1-2 Lincoln Elementary, Gym, 321 West 8th St

Ward 1-3 Lincoln Elementary, Lunch, 321 West 8th St

Cedar Falls Ward 2-1 Maucker Union, Northside, UNI Campus

& Cf Twp Ward 2-2 Cf Public Works Bldg, Meeting Rm, 2200 Technology

Ward 2-3 Southdale Elementary, Gym/Lunch, 627 Orchard Cedar Falls

Ward 3-1 Hansen Elementary, Gym, 616 Holmes Dr

Ward 3-2 Hansen Elementary, Lunch, 616 Holmes Dr

Ward 3-3 UNI West Gym, Bleachers, Minnesota St Cedar Falls

Ward 4-1 Cedar Heights School, Gym, 2417 Rainbow Dr

Ward 4-2 UNI West Gym, Bleachers, Minnesota St

Ward 4-3 Maucker Union, Northside, UNI Campus Cedar Falls

Ward 5-1 Cedar Heights School, Lunchroom, 2417 Rainbow Dr

Ward 5-2 Orchard Hill Elem, Gym/Lunch, 3909 Rownd St

Ward 5-3 Southdale Elementary, Gym, 627 Orchard Dr

The purpose of a presidential year caucus is to:

1. Declare presidential preference

2. Elect Delegates and Alternates to the County Convention.

3. Elect Precinct Committee Persons to the County Central Committee.

4. Discuss and adopt proposed resolutions to be added to the county platform.

All Black Hawk County Democrats are encouraged to attend the caucus that is designated for their precinct. All must be registered as a Democrat to participate and anyone can register or change voter registration at the caucus. Young people must be 18 by November 8, 2016 to register to vote and participate. Driver's License number or Social Security number is always needed for voter registration.

Democrats have provisions for Youth Caucus Attendees and Youth Delegates for young people not old enough to register to vote and participate.

Our Black Hawk County Democrat Convention is March 12th at Waterloo Central Middle School at 1350 Katoski Drive,Waterloo. Door open for Registration at 8:30 a.m.

Please call Black Hawk County Chair Pat Sass at 236-2992 or 231-9786 if you have any questions.

Black Hawk County Republicans

Waterloo Wards 1 and 5, all precincts: Central Middle School, 1350 Katoski Drive.

Waterloo Ward 2, all precincts: Hoover Middle School, 630 Hillcrest Road.

Waterloo Ward 3, all precincts: George Washington Carver Academy, 1505 Logan Ave.

Waterloo Ward 4, all precincts; Elk Run Heights/Raymond; and Evansdale Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4: Bunger Middle School, 157 S. Roosevelt Road., Evansdale.

Cedar Falls Wards 1 and 3, all precincts: Holmes Junior High, 505 Holmes Drive.

Cedar Falls Wards 2, 4 and 5, all precincts; and Cedar Falls Township: Peet Junior High, 525 E. Seerley Blvd.

Mount Vernon Township; Union Township; Washington Township; and Janesville: Janesville School, 505 Barrick Road.

Barclay/Lester Townships; City of Dunkerton; Bennington Township; and Poyner 1/East Waterloo Townships: Dunkerton Community Hall, 115 W. Main St.

Big Creek Township; La Porte City; Poyner 2/Fox/Jesup/Gilbertville; Spring Creek Township; Eagle Township: Union La Porte City Grade School, 515 Fillmore St., La Porte City.

Black Hawk Township/Hudson/Lincoln Township; and Cedar/Orange Townships: Hudson High School, 245 S. Washington St.
Gordon Mackenzie Harrington (90) of Waterloo died of natural causes on December 31, 2015. He was born on April 12, 1925 in Knoxville, TN, son of Gordon and Margaret Shaw Harrington. He spent his childhood and teen years living in Tennessee, Canada, and Georgia. An early marriage resulted in his three fine sons. Gordon married Judith Ellen Finkel in March 1966. Although their marriage ended in 1988, they remained good friends until his death. Gordons final marriage was to Dorothy Dottie Canty Forsberg in 2002. Completely devoted to each other, they traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North and South Americas. Dottie died in 2014. He was a long-time member of the Cedar Valley Unitarian Universalist congregation.

Survived by: two sons Dana (Fridley, MN), and Marc (Eagle Harbor, MI; and Cedar Falls, IA), one grandson, Joshua; a brother: Donald, and sister, Nancy (both of Canada); extended family: Bill and Becky Forsberg (Austin, TX), their children and grandchildren; and Ted and Pam Forsberg (Tucson, AZ).

Preceded in death by: his parents and one son (Bruce).

While serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, Gordon had a profound shift in his thinking about racism, which became the foundation for the rest of his personal and professional life. Once discharged from the Navy, he returned to Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT), where he earned a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering. While teaching mathematics at GIT in 1946 following his graduation, his search for enlightenment brought him to a friendship with a young African American professor at Morehouse University, Atlanta. Gordon attended the professors seminar on race relations; and as the friendship grew, he and the professor, and their wives attended an event in Atlanta, then rode a bus together back to the Harringtons for dinner: not in the back of the bus but together in the front. Gordon had his first glimpse of what it was like to be discriminated against; his memory of the bus drivers reaction remained clear to the end of his life. As Gordons passion to address racism became better known to that professor, he dissuaded Gordon from considering a graduate degree in mathematics. Rather, he was persuaded to study ministry at Yale, as the friend believed that the great hope for changing southern white views of racism lay in the church. By that time, Gordon had been attending an historic Unitarian Universalist (UU) church in Atlanta, although nationally there were few such faith-merged churches. When applying to Yale Divinity School and told to designate whether he was Unitarian or Universalist, he was unable to select one or the other, as he had known only the combined faith.

While a student at Yale, he was asked to become minister at the New London (Connecticut) UU church. Continuing as a student at the Divinity School while serving as the New London minister, he became a licensed Universalist minister in 1948. His major professor at Yale then encouraged Gordon to shift from religion to Child Development in the departments of Education, Psychology, and Child Psychiatry, where he earned a Ph.D. in Child Development. His career path began as research consultant for the State of Connecticut Board of Regents for 5 years, then into academia first in Ohio, then Coe College (Cedar Rapids), and eventually in 1963 to the State College of Iowa (which became UNI) as professor of research, child development, and statistics in the Department of Psychology for the rest of his career, retiring in the early 1990s. With Gordons total professional commitment remaining on race relations, he pondered how racial views and religious views develop, and what the individual differences are in such development. He came to the view that race could not be defined genetically; rather, it was a social phenomenon. This was cutting edge thinking at the time; and the importance of his research findings was recognized by an article in the distinguished international journal Nature in December 1975.

Gordon continued research in areas of intelligence and genetic interactions throughout the rest of his career. At the time UNI found it necessary to close his laboratory in the 1980s, he was in the process of studying the possibilities of electrical high power line fields on human behavior; a study with Occupational Safety and Health Administration on possible genetic interactions with employee shifts; and studies of genetic interactions with psychiatric drugs. Throughout his career he published many research articles and presented at national and international conferences.

Gordons volunteer activities included being elected chair of the first Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission in 1974, remaining in that role to 1983. At the time of his departure, he received a Distinguished Service Award from the city of Cedar Falls, and an Exemplary Service Award from the Regional Council of Civil Rights Agencies. In addition to local contributions, he joined the national and State of Iowa Civil Rights Unions and was Treasurer of the State organization for the maximum term of 6 years. During those years, he was involved in the establishment of the Iowa Civil Liberties Foundation. As an active member of the local UU congregation (now Cedar Valley UU), he became an early Chair of the Board of Trustees and remained active on many committees for decades. His extraordinary service to Unitarian Universalism was recognized by the Prairie Star UU Region Unsung UU Award in 2010.

He was known for his love of chatting with others and telling stories about his life. His colleague and special friend was January Harrison, and he was grateful for care provided by Adrian Miller.

Memorials:

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cedar Valley Unitarian Universalists, 3912 Cedar Heights Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, for a social action cause; the Cedar Bend Humane Society; or to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will occur at a later time.

Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
WATERLOO  The House of Hope may get a new home thanks to a generous donation from the family of the late Dr. Ross Christensen.

The transitional program for homeless single mothers currently operating from two older homes on Walnut Street is planning to consolidate and expand its housing and offices into Christensens former dentistry office at 845 W. Fourth St.

Christensens children donated the building to House of Hope after a chance connection through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

Sometimes the stars align, said Kaye Englin, CFNEIA president and CEO.

Christensen and his wife, Patricia, who died in 2011 and 2014, respectively, donated $4 million to create a family charitable fund at CFNEIA that is managed by their children Greg and Lisa.

Greg Christensen had talked with Englin about donating the building  located on the corner of West Fourth and Grant Avenue, in the Eveland Plaza block  to be used as CFNEIA offices.

While CFNEIA chose to build new offices near the intersection of Greenhill Road and Cedar Heights Drive, Englin had been working with House of Hope on its need for a new facility. The connection was made.

Greg was well aware of House of Hopes work and had supported them in the past, Englin said. He just really wants to bless the community through his philanthropic work.

Greg and his family were extremely generous, she added. This is going to be a great thing for House of Hope and for our community.

House of Hope, a nonprofit organization created in 1995, currently has 10 living units and offices combined in buildings at 222 Walnut St. and 306 Walnut St. Single mothers and their kids live there and receive support services while gaining education and skills to help them become self-sufficient.

Board president Jared Mason said the House of Hope wanted to move into a single location, which would be more efficient, while adding more housing units.

The (current buildings) are outdated, Mason said. We want to provide better living arrangements and to be able to have a better variety of rooms.  We currently always have a waiting list.

The new building, once renovated, appears to have room for up to 15 residents and their children, he said. The location in the Church Row Historic Neighborhood also is within walking distance of a Hawkeye Community College site, Lutheran Social Services, Irving Elementary School, churches and retail outlets.

A lot of work remains before any move can take place, including zoning approval by the City Council.

There was no opposition Tuesday when the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission unanimously endorsed a request to rezone the former Christensen building for use as a group home.

Commission member Carole Gustafson cast her vote enthusiastically.

We have a number of clients at our school that have utilized House of Hope, she said. Its given them a tremendous opportunity to get their feet underneath them and get some skills.

Pending zoning approval, the House of Hope would need to undergo a significant fundraising campaign to pay for the interior renovations. No decision has been made on what would become of the existing Walnut Street properties, Mason said.

I can say it would be a smooth transition, he said. We wouldnt displace anybody in the (moving) process.
WATERLOO  A change in the way the state collects delinquent court debt is threatening to create a shortfall in the Black Hawk County Attorneys Office budget.

Newly appointed County Attorney Brian Williams and the Board of Supervisors are working on contingency plans to cover a potential $500,000 loss.

The Iowa State Association of Counties and Iowa County Attorneys Association have both made it a top priority this year to ask lawmakers to undo the change adopted in the waning hours of the 2015 legislative session.

If they dont make any changes in it theres going to be a dramatic impact on the county attorneys budget, warned County Supervisor Frank Magsamen.

At issue is the method used to collect unpaid court fines, traffic tickets, public defender costs, victim restitution and other court-ordered penalties. More than $680 million in unpaid court debt existed statewide at the end of the last fiscal year.

Before the new law took effect July 1, the states Central Collection Unit in the Department of Revenue was assigned to collect court debt that was more than 30 days old.

But county attorneys who set up collection programs were allowed to go after debt that was at least 90 days old and not current under a payment plan with the CCU.

County attorneys can keep between 40 and 52 percent of the debt to offset the expense of the program.

But a bill approved on the final day of the last legislative session and signed by Gov. Terry Branstad took the CCU out of the court debt collection process and replaced it with a third-party collection agency.

The firm of Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, of Kansas City, Mo., is now assigned under state contract to collect court debt when its a month delinquent. It covers its costs by adding 25 percent to what people owe.

But county attorneys contend the law now does not include a provision for the debt to be recalled and reassigned to their offices for collection when debtors fail to pay the Linebarger firm.

If a private collector says they have a plan of payment, collection of that case remains with them indefinitely, said Williams, who became Black Hawk County Attorney in December. This has the potential to place all new court debt with the private collector and to cut county attorneys out of the collection picture going forward.

That has financial implications for Black Hawk County, which has operated a collection program since 1995, and roughly 50 other counties with similar programs statewide.

Williams said his office has five full-time employees who collect roughly $3 million annually in delinquent court debt. That includes money the county splits with the state general fund along with victim restitution, which goes entirely to crime victims.

For two decades, court debt collections staff have not cost the taxpayers one penny, as the program has paid for itself, paid into the state, county and city coffers, and brought in thousands of additional dollars for crime victims, Williams said.

County Finance Director James Bronner said the current budget projects the county will receive $950,000 from its share of the collections and has program expenses of $450,000. That $500,000 difference helps offset property tax askings in the overall county budget.

Bronner is working with Williams and his staff to project how much of the older court debt can still be collected going forward even if the new debt all goes through Linebarger. The issue is expected to be discussed during a county budget work session Tuesday.

County officials expect it will be a tough battle to change the new state program, however, as it was adopted with the promise of increased revenue to the states general fund.

State Court Administrator David Boyd said the new program, adopted primarily to streamline a very convoluted process, should not have the dire financial effects county officials are predicting.

Collections by county attorneys statewide are actually up 4 percent from July through November compared to the same period in 2014, he said.

It hasnt happened yet, Boyd said. And we respectfully disagree with the claims made earlier in the year by our friends in the Iowa County Attorneys Association.

But former Black Hawk County Attorney Tom Ferguson, who started the collection program locally and now serves as executive director of the Iowa County Attorneys Association, said its just a matter of time.

Some of the larger counties that have been efficient and built capacity probably will only see a small reduction in revenue this year, Ferguson said. As time goes on well see, but this first year we didnt believe it would be a dramatic decrease.

Meanwhile, Ferguson said the issue isnt just a matter of dividing revenues.

Its more than just the money, he said. More importantly, it was to assist victims and hopefully instill public confidence in the criminal justice system by holding defendants accountable for what they owe.

Ferguson believes county attorneys can do a better job of collecting debt because they are in the communities being served, have more tools at their disposal, are more concerned with collecting victim restitution and have a vested interest in keeping debtors paying and employed.

We were local, we were in the courthouse and we had multiple people that could work with these debtors, he said.

Individuals owing fines, court costs and other expenses for multiple cases could work with county attorneys to consolidate those debts, get licenses back and take other steps to keep them on track.

The goal was to keep people making payments, he said. A collections agency is not going to do that. Theyre not concerned about the individual or whether theyre going to keep that job.

Ferguson also said the attorneys also are troubled by the 25 percent upcharge applied by the private agency. A person owing $1,000 immediately owes $1,250 when the debt goes to Linebarger.

A lot of these people are struggling, he said. They are not affluent by any stretch of the imagination.  That is a substantial hardship.
DES MOINES  Under pressure from pro-life conservatives, Gov. Terry Branstad says he will pursue policy language as part of his 2016 legislative agenda stipulating that taxpayer funds go only to womens health care providers that do not include abortion procedures as part of their service options.

The new provision effectively would end state funding of Planned Parenthood clinics, something that GOP legislators, pro-life groups and social conservatives have sought since a series of videos were released by an anti-abortion organization that purportedly show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the sale of organs from aborted fetuses.

What were looking at is trying to provide for the services without providing the funding to groups that provide abortions, Branstad said in an interview. We are working with the Legislature and weve had several meetings with the legislators on that and are working on language that is very similar to language that Sen. Joni Ernst proposed at the national level.

On Friday, President Barack Obama vetoed Republican-inspired legislation to repeal his health care law as well as cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood. The bill sought to end roughly $450 million in yearly federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

At the state level, Branstad said he is looking to redirect funds for family planning, pregnancy prevention, abstinence and other services to state and county health departments, community health centers, hospitals and physicians officers to provide important womens health services. The language  which Branstad said is similar to provisions adopted in other states  would not name Planned Parenthood but the effect would be to defund any abortion-services provider.

A governor cannot unilaterally say were going to terminate this contract with Planned Parenthood. Every governor that has tried has lost in court, so Ive said Im not going to do that, Branstad said. But Im very willing to work with the Legislature and come up with a better way to fund programs to help needy women that need family planning or pregnancy prevention, but that can be done through groups that dont provide abortions.

Iowa officials say no state money goes for abortion services. But GOP lawmakers want to halt any government money going even indirectly to Planned Parenthood organizations in Iowa  something Branstad has said he supports but would not break the law or invite legal action by arbitrarily denying the private provider government grant money without a legal cause of action.

Iowa Democrats in the House and Senate have opposed GOP defunding efforts, with Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, noting that Planned Parenthood provides important family planning, cancer screening and health services for women  some that help avoid pregnancies  and halting those services really ends up with more abortions, not less.
WATERLOO  The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls is prepared to help the Cedar Valley handle the predicted extreme cold in the coming week.

The organizations main facility at 89 Franklin St. will be open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for all those in need. A free hot lunch is served each weekday between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 pm.

The Salvation Armys emergency shelters are ready to accept additional overnight residents as well, with 48 beds ready for those in need of a safe place to pass the cold nights.

In the event conditions require additional beds, the Salvation Army, in partnership with the Black Hawk County Emergency Management Agency, is equipped to open an additional temporary overnight shelter at 89 Franklin St. if need exceeds the capacity of established shelter operations.

Major Harold Poff, commanding officer, said, The Salvation Army is dedicated to the safety and health of our Cedar Valley friends and neighbors. Through our Emergency Disaster Services and local partnerships, we are ready to respond to all needs no matter the time of year.

The Salvation Army of Waterloo/Cedar Falls also is continuing its annual fundraising campaign. The funds raised now make up 40 percent of The Salvation Armys annual budget, providing funding for both ongoing programs and emergent services. Currently, the Salvation Army has raised $566,550 toward its goal of $730,000. Contributions made throughout January will help close the gap.

Donations can be made at www.sawaterloo.org or 89 Franklin St. or sent to P.O. Box 867, Waterloo 50704.
This month, Dave Nagle is looking at the historical signifcance of the Iowa caucuses.

How did Iowa get to be first in the nation?

It was an accident.

Iowa actually started organizing using the caucus method in 1968. The system is designed not to express a preference for a presidential candidate, but as way to build party strength. It starts by organizational efforts first at the precinct, then the county and on to congressional districts and then a state convention. Party members are involved at all levels.

In 1968 few people paid attention to the Eugene McCarthy/Bobby Kennedy contest in Iowa. In fact, Theodore White doesnt even mention it in his classic book, The Making of the President of 1968. But then the 1968 Democratic Convention happened, and the rebellion against smoke-filled rooms, where a handful of party elders picked Hubert Humphrey as the nominee, was unleashed. Regular party members wanted to select the delegates to the national convention. Reforms were granted, and regular party members were given far greater say.

To meet the new rules, Iowa simply kept doing what it did in 1968, and again no one paid any attention except one legendary New York Times reporter named Johnny Apple. He got the Iowa results and discovered the perceived front-runner, Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine, actually had little support. Iowa Democrats were much more attracted to a fellow named George McGovern.

By 1976, when a somewhat obscure Georgia governor showed up at the Des Moines airport to be greeted by only two supporters, the press wasnt there to follow. They all came, and in a crowded field Carter did well and finished first. Well, actually he finished second to undecided, but it was enough to propel him to the nomination and then the presidency.

Forever thereafter every would-be, long-shot candidate realized Iowa was the place to start. But we need to remember, Iowa only starts early because the process, from the precinct to the state convention, takes four months to complete.

So Iowa, with no intention to do so, ended up in the cat birds seat of presidential politics.

Its not only an accident we are first, it is ironic.

The chant of the protesters to the 1968 convention, demonstrating in a park outside the convention center while being tear gassed and beaten by the batons of Mayor Richard Dalys Chicago Police Department, was the whole world is watching.

I can assure, on the evening of the first day of February this year, the whole world will be watching Iowa.
This blog is intended to go along with Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues , by, published by Cengage Learning. The latest edition is the 13th (it will be out in January 2020), but this blog is meant to complement any edition of the book by showing the way in which demographic issues are regularly in the news.


In late December, the Irish Film Board, or Bord Scannan na hEireann (IFB/BSE), announced its six-point Gender Equality Plan (Information; Funding; Training and Mentorship; Education; Enterprise; and Partnership). The plan includes a target of achieving 50/50 gender parity in funding over the next three years.



The IFB/BSE is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, the Irish version of Screen Australia and the New Zealand Film Commission, although there are some differences. For instance, IFB/BSE is responsible for



For those of you not familiar with how these agencies work, the respective Acts of Parliament that established each organisation also established their boards, equivalent to boards of directors, appointed by their respective Ministers. These boards are responsible for policies and strategy. The organisation's staff are the public servants who implement the policies and are responsible to the board, which in turn is responsible to its Minister. IFB/BSE's board is half women and half men, with a higher proportion of them practitioners than among those on the Australian and New Zealand boards. Screen Australia's board is also half women and half men (with two women's terms about to expire). The New Zealand Film Commission's board has three women (including the Chair) and five men.



When I gathered together all the information about the IFB/BSE Gender Equality Plan,



Goldfish Memory) is a writer, director and producer. 32A I also loved) is an actor, writer and director. And Dr Susan Liddy is an academic. I asked her some questions. Many thanks for responding so fully, Susan!



Susan Liddy & Marian Quinn photo: Demotix.com WW After the IFB/BSE announced its policy, the Writers Guild of Ireland (WGI) and the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) issued

We have been pressing the Board on this important issue for a number of years. But from here, it seems that the board hadn't listened to the writers and the screen directors, until the extraordinary, powerful Waking The Nation ten-play programme, with just one by a woman. The campaign began with a huge public meeting, in November. The size of the meeting and the reach of the campaign, for a country of 4.8m people (vs 4.6m in Aotearoa New Zealand, 23.9m Australia, almost 5m in Sydney) was really impressive. And the level of support that came in from around the world was, I think unprecedented.



Onstage at the November meeting photo: Fiona Morgan

The audience photo: Fiona Morgan

Outside the Abbey Theatre photo: Fiona Morgan



SL No, it didn't happen quite that quickly. It was quick alright but it had been boiling away for a year and a half Id say. The pressure was building. The issues were being discussed at the IFB's board level after my interviews especially (see below). The previous Chair Bill O Herlihy died and Annie Doona took over as Acting Chair which was very significant.



Annie Doona Around this time  November  I had also issued James Hickey, CEO of the IFB, with an invitation to attend a colloquium I've organised in my university on March 4, 2016. Entitled Women in the Irish film industry: from the margins to the centre it promises to be an invigorating day of reflection on Irish women's position in the industry and, importantly, a day in which we discuss solutions and ways forward. Our keynote speaker is



WW Do you think it helped that there are equal numbers of women and men on



SL While I think that equal representation of women and men on boards is important, in this case women were not always and inevitably interested in, or aware of, gender issues. In contrast some men, like documentary filmmaker Maurice Sweeney, were concerned and quite supportive. What seems to be important was that two women, Annie Doona and Katie Holly, were both informed and actively wanted change.



Katie Holly Together, they were willing and able to argue the case and carried others along. Im sure it was helpful that Annie Doona had a lot of credibility among her colleagues and later became Acting Chair.



Regarding the IFB having a high proportion of practitioners I think its desirable that it should be comprised of professionals from a range of disciplines. Annie Doona is not a practitioner but an academic, yet we feel it was her insight and awareness of gender politics, particularly, that facilitated the dialogue and thrust for change.



WW Did representatives of your producers guild also participate in the policy formation?



SL No the producers have not been vocal on this here as yet. That said a number of women on the WFT committee are producers themselves.



WW How did you become involved?



SL My involvement has roots in in my day job! I am a lecturer in the Department of Media and Communications in Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. Gender has been central to my teaching and researching so I have always been interested in and aware of gender issues.



My involvement in recent events began with research I undertook in 2014/15. This work set out to understand how the Irish Film Board makes sense of the low numbers of women writers and directors in the Irish film industry, something which was, and is, of great concern to me. I interviewed James Hickey; Mary Callery one of three project managers (effectively the commissioners who make the day-to-day decisions about funding); the then Chair Bill O Herlihy; board members Katie Holly, John Rice, Maurice Sweeney and Annie Doona who was at that time a board member and not Acting Chair as she is today.



Those interviews uncovered whether whether there was a problem at all. The findings are soon to be published by Feminist Media Studies in an article entitled "Open to all and everybody? The Irish Film Board: Accounting for the scarcity of women screenwriters". I am currently awaiting the proofs and that piece should be available online in about 6 weeks. Its a fascinating glimpse into how the IFB assess the situation and it includes illuminating dialogue direct from the interviewees.



What did I want? In a nutshell, to raise awareness of a problem that didnt seem to be widely viewed as a problem; to start a debate; to press for statistical information to be gathered and publicized as a matter of course  so crucial in order to adequately monitor the gender landscape. I was also pushing for the IFB to take a leadership role and to implement some strategies that would facilitate the inclusion of greater number of women writers and writer/directors.



I travelled from Limerick to Dublin to conduct the face-to-face interviews ranging from about an hour to an hour and 40 minutes each. Two IFB members wouldnt engage with me. One Board member initially agreed to answer some of my questions by email because a face-to-face interview wasnt possible. The responses to those questions suggested very little understanding or concern about the problems facing women writer/directors. This particular interviewee eventually decided that they didnt want to go on record at all and withdrew from the process. The other just evaded contact after initially saying yes. James Hickey made only one project manager available to me even though I wanted to speak with all three. He said they would all be saying the same thing anyway  the IFB didnt have a gender policy!



During the interviews it became clear that very different views on womens underrepresentation existed among those who create policies and make decisions that affect so many creative lives. There were individuals who literally had no gender analysis at all and others who were aware and concerned about the situation. Even at that stage I was struck by Dr. Annie Doonas analysis and her awareness of the problem not only in the film industry but at a broader societal level. She has a background in gender research herself and was familiar with many of the underlying issues. Ironically I remember being told by someone not to pin any hopes on her as she was (only) an academic! Katie Holly, too, had a keen interest in these matters and wanted to do something about it though her position was perhaps a little less proactive at that stage.



I know that the questions I posed were prompting discussion at board level because a journalist contacted me later on asking why my name was coming up in a number of documents he had managed to access from the IFB! Because of the inevitable delay in preparing a paper for publication and a publication date, I decided to write In late December, the Irish Film Board, or Bord Scannan na hEireann (IFB/BSE), announced its six-point Gender Equality Plan (Information; Funding; Training and Mentorship; Education; Enterprise; and Partnership). The plan includes a target of achieving 50/50 gender parity in funding over the next three years.The IFB/BSE is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, the Irish version of Screen Australia and the New Zealand Film Commission, although there are some differences. For instance, IFB/BSE is responsible for Screen Training Ireland , the national screen training and development resource and the New Zealand Film Commission isn't involved in television  that's New Zealand on Air's responsibility.For those of you not familiar with how these agencies work, the respective Acts of Parliament that established each organisation also established their boards, equivalent to boards of directors, appointed by their respective Ministers. These boards are responsible for policies and strategy. The organisation's staff are the public servants who implement the policies and are responsible to the board, which in turn is responsible to its Minister. IFB/BSE's board is half women and half men, with a higher proportion of them practitioners than among those on the Australian and New Zealand boards. Screen Australia's board is also half women and half men (with two women's terms about to expire). The New Zealand Film Commission's board has three women (including the Chair) and five men.When I gathered together all the information about the IFB/BSE Gender Equality Plan, to post , I was especially intrigued by the role of the Equality Action Committee (EAC), four women (Lauren MacKenzie, Liz Gill, Marian Quinn and Susan Liddy) who represented the Writers Guild of Ireland and the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland in discussions with the IFB/BSE. Lauren MacKenzie is a widely produced screen writer, producer and script consultant, whose work I haven't seen  one of the sadnesses of discrimination against women filmmakers is that we don't see enough of one another's work, though that's changing a little. Liz Gill (I loved her) is a writer, director and producer. Marian Quinn (whoseI also loved) is an actor, writer and director. And Dr Susan Liddy is an academic. I asked her some questions. Many thanks for responding so fully, Susan!After the IFB/BSE announced its policy, the Writers Guild of Ireland (WGI) and the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) issued a press release to welcome it . It congratulated the IFB/BSE on its commitment to achieving 50/50 gender parity for writers and directors in feature film production within three years and addedBut from here, it seems that the board hadn't listened to the writers and the screen directors, until the extraordinary, powerful #wakingthefeminists campaign that followed Dublin's Abbey Theatre's announcement of its 2016ten-play programme, with just one by a woman. The campaign began with a huge public meeting, in November. The size of the meeting and the reach of the campaign, for a country of 4.8m people (vs 4.6m in Aotearoa New Zealand, 23.9m Australia, almost 5m in Sydney) was really impressive. And the level of support that came in from around the world was, I think unprecedented. This seemed to become the immediate catalyst for the policy. You wrote a letter to the paper, Annie Doona made her statement as Acting Chair of the IFB/BSE board and then the IFB/BSE worked very hard to provide statistics and create a policy (all here ). Just six weeks or so from beginning to announcement. Is that really what happened?No, it didn't happen quite that quickly. It was quick alright but it had been boiling away for a year and a half Id say. The pressure was building. The issues were being discussed at the IFB's board level after my interviews especially (see below). The previous Chair Bill O Herlihy died and Annie Doona took over as Acting Chair which was very significant. Women in Film & Television Ireland (WFT) had been making representations to the IFB around this time too. Then The Abbey struck and my letter hit the paper. There was a flurry to react quickly before the tide turned in their direction maybe? Obviously I can only surmise about the impact of these things. But I do believe that building and maintaining momentum is key to keeping these issues to the fore.Around this time  November  I had also issued James Hickey, CEO of the IFB, with an invitation to attend a colloquium I've organised in my university on March 4, 2016. Entitled Women in the Irish film industry: from the margins to the centre it promises to be an invigorating day of reflection on Irish women's position in the industry and, importantly, a day in which we discuss solutions and ways forward. Our keynote speaker is Anna Serner of the Swedish Film Institute. James Hickey will also present. Others include Holly Aylett, head of research for the European Women's Audiovisual Network ; WGI and SDGI; Screen Training Ireland Screen Producers Ireland ; Annie Doona in her capacity as President of IADT, a third level educational institution which houses the National Film School; and an IFB project manager yet to be named. Plus there are others who are soon to confirm. Perhaps it was a case of an assault on all fronts?Do you think it helped that there are equal numbers of women and men on the IFB board ? And/or that there's a high proportion of film practitioners on the board?While I think that equal representation of women and men on boards is important, in this case women were not always and inevitably interested in, or aware of, gender issues. In contrast some men, like documentary filmmaker Maurice Sweeney, were concerned and quite supportive. What seems to be important was that two women, Annie Doona and Katie Holly, were both informed and actively wanted change.Together, they were willing and able to argue the case and carried others along. Im sure it was helpful that Annie Doona had a lot of credibility among her colleagues and later became Acting Chair.Regarding the IFB having a high proportion of practitioners I think its desirable that it should be comprised of professionals from a range of disciplines. Annie Doona is not a practitioner but an academic, yet we feel it was her insight and awareness of gender politics, particularly, that facilitated the dialogue and thrust for change.Did representatives of your producers guild also participate in the policy formation?No the producers have not been vocal on this here as yet. That said a number of women on the WFT committee are producers themselves.How did you become involved?My involvement has roots in in my day job! I am a lecturer in the Department of Media and Communications in Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. Gender has been central to my teaching and researching so I have always been interested in and aware of gender issues.My involvement in recent events began with research I undertook in 2014/15. This work set out to understand how the Irish Film Board makes sense of the low numbers of women writers and directors in the Irish film industry, something which was, and is, of great concern to me. I interviewed James Hickey; Mary Callery one of three project managers (effectively the commissioners who make the day-to-day decisions about funding); the then Chair Bill O Herlihy; board members Katie Holly, John Rice, Maurice Sweeney and Annie Doona who was at that time a board member and not Acting Chair as she is today.Those interviews uncovered whether whether there was a problem at all. The findings are soon to be published byin an article entitled "Open to all and everybody? The Irish Film Board: Accounting for the scarcity of women screenwriters". I am currently awaiting the proofs and that piece should be available online in about 6 weeks. Its a fascinating glimpse into how the IFB assess the situation and it includes illuminating dialogue direct from the interviewees.What did I want? In a nutshell, to raise awareness of a problem that didnt seem to be widely viewed as a problem; to start a debate; to press for statistical information to be gathered and publicized as a matter of course  so crucial in order to adequately monitor the gender landscape. I was also pushing for the IFB to take a leadership role and to implement some strategies that would facilitate the inclusion of greater number of women writers and writer/directors.I travelled from Limerick to Dublin to conduct the face-to-face interviews ranging from about an hour to an hour and 40 minutes each. Two IFB members wouldnt engage with me. One Board member initially agreed to answer some of my questions by email because a face-to-face interview wasnt possible. The responses to those questions suggested very little understanding or concern about the problems facing women writer/directors. This particular interviewee eventually decided that they didnt want to go on record at all and withdrew from the process. The other just evaded contact after initially saying yes. James Hickey made only one project manager available to me even though I wanted to speak with all three. He said they would all be saying the same thing anyway  the IFB didnt have a gender policy!During the interviews it became clear that very different views on womens underrepresentation existed among those who create policies and make decisions that affect so many creative lives. There were individuals who literally had no gender analysis at all and others who were aware and concerned about the situation. Even at that stage I was struck by Dr. Annie Doonas analysis and her awareness of the problem not only in the film industry but at a broader societal level. She has a background in gender research herself and was familiar with many of the underlying issues. Ironically I remember being told by someone not to pin any hopes on her as she was (only) an academic! Katie Holly, too, had a keen interest in these matters and wanted to do something about it though her position was perhaps a little less proactive at that stage.I know that the questions I posed were prompting discussion at board level because a journalist contacted me later on asking why my name was coming up in a number of documents he had managed to access from the IFB! Because of the inevitable delay in preparing a paper for publication and a publication date, I decided to write a piece for the magazine Film Ireland , now an online publication, and during the Abbey debates that piece was circulated quite a bit on social media.

Susan Liddy speaking from the floor at the WFT panel discussion at the 2015 Galway Film Fleadh

Lauren MacKenzie

Liz Gill

Birch Hamilton

David Kavanagh

Gender policy effective immediately;

Commitment to achieve 50/50 gender parity within 3 years;

Continuous assessment of the statistics, reported monthly;

Commitment to consciously promote women in the industry; and

Resources to take the lead and educate the industry about unconscious bias.

playwright Janet Moran at the November #wakingthefeminists meeting photo: Fiona Morgan

The aim is to stimulate applications for development and production funding with female creative talent attached. The target is to achieve 50/50 gender parity in funding over the next three years.





In early July 2014 I sat on a pop up panel at the Galway Film Fleadh, initiated by some women who would later emerge as the organizing committee of WFT Ireland. At the Galway Film Fleadh this year July 2015 a second panel discussion on took place. Members of the IFB including James Hickey were in the audience and from the floor I challenged two notions that seemed to be emerging in some remarks made by members of that panel. First, I felt that womens lack of confidence was being given undue weight as a central problem and secondly I was concerned about the implicit suggestion that things were gradually improving although they could be better.My position was that while womens underrepresentation in the Irish film industry is as a result of many factors and while it is true that for long-lasting change to occur attention must be directed to the film schools, to training and so on, that is not the only problem nor can it be the primary solution. Power lies at the heart of much of it. There are those who have the money, those who are getting the money and those who are trying to get a look-in  women, for instance! Deputy CEO Teresa McGrane was on the panel that day and had gathered a few statistics which she shared with those present and there was a sense of something akin to gratitude that she had done so! The point I made and have been making for the last number of years is we are taxpayers and this is public money. We have a right to statistical information. Hence I am very happy to see a commitment to the collating and publication of statistics in the recent IFB statement. The IFB is charged with creating a distinctive Irish cinematic voice. It is more than a funder. It is a development agency with a wider remit and responsibility.It can be uncomfortable to challenge the IFB especially when Ireland is such a small country with a small industry and when some IFB individuals are sitting in the room listening! But it has to happen. I feel that a softly softly approach is still a fall-back position for some people and perhaps there is a wariness at challenging the IFB with too heavy a hand when it is also the hand that feeds  I dont know! That said, I do feel that the anger unleashed by the women of the Abbey Theatre has empowered women in the film industry to stand up and be counted.Having completed my research on the IFB I directed attention to the experiences and narrative interests of Irish women screenwriters; work that is ongoing. In November events at the Abbey andcatapulted these issues onto social media, print, journalism, radio and television news. Same old story; different stage. I wrote a letter to thein which I laid out the reality for women in the film industry and two days later I cut my college lectures short and headed for the Abbey Theatre in Dublin! An invigorating morning.One question I raised from the floor that is preoccupying me of late is this idea of quality and how it is measured. Who decides what is good? And how does that process fit into a gender hierarchy? This issue of womens work not being up to the mark raises its head often and also did during these debates. The point was made that if womens projects arent selected it is simply because they arent good enough to be selected. A big, big discussion but a crucial one that we must have. This isnt to say that there can be no measure of quality but the criteria need to be rigorously debated and monitored.Im especially interested in the Equality Action Committee of the two guilds, which 'has been involved in fruitful discussions with the Film Board'. When was the Equality Action Committee formed? Were you all part of that guild work over a number of years, or just in those last six weeks? Is this paid work?Marian Quinn had set up informal Womens Open Coffee gatherings around film festivals a few years ago. They eventually fizzled out. I had attended one or two sessions but was only on nodding terms with her. We came together on the back of the 2015 Galway Film Fleadh debate. After the panel discussion in the Fleadh, we spoke on the phone, emailed and met again at the Abbey in November. We reflected on the Marriage Equality Referendum result here last year and believed that Ireland could take another leap for equality by taking a lead in the gender debate within the Irish film industry. On paper it looks as if the IFB has done that but it will be the practice of the expression of equality that will reveal the extent of their commitment.We are all guild members.Lauren is Deputy Chair of the WGI and Liz is a board member of the SDGI. Mix into the equation the fact that I was actively researching and challenging womens underrepresentation and the funding decisions made at the Irish Film Board (and subsequently the experiences of women writers /directors).Add the fact that Marian had a history of being proactive with the Open Coffee initiative  you had four people who were active, informed and primed to act. Marian spearheaded the EAC. She contacted the CEO of both guilds and it was at her suggestion that the EAC was formed. The four of us came together and, with the support of the two guilds, set out to actively pursue an equality agenda.Id like to pay tribute here to David Kavanagh (WGI) and Birch Hamilton (SDGI) the CEOs of both guilds. They have encouraged and supported us in the EAC and, most importantly, have trusted us to represent the interests of both guilds at policy and negotiation stages.I would characterize the EAC approach as quite a forthright one and it is heartening that both guilds endorse that position wholeheartedly. Both are committed to supporting lasting and tangible equality for Irish women writers and directors.EAC's 5-Point Plan actually accords with the values and objectives of Screen New South Wales and the Swedish Film Institute. As you know these bodies call for an unequivocal public endorsement of 50/ 50 gender equality and that is our position. For us nothing less than a strong message from the Irish Film Board of a clear and unwavering intent to do likewise would have articulated a support for the core values of equality; the cornerstone of any lasting structural change.Measures such as those suggested by Screen Australia, for instance, may well be useful in addition to a monitored 50/50 policy. But we dont think they are far-reaching enough. They are short-term and not grounded in a shift in core values. We feel they will create little more than a transitory impact. For us, our 5-Point Plan is the most effective way forward in the longer termIt is true that you will hear whispers in some quarters that careers could be damaged if people speak out and so on. I think the four of us feel the issue is bigger than our individual selves and we havent discussed those fears to any great extent. It is true that with the support of two guilds we are in a stronger position than if we were a group of concerned women who were independently challenging the system. Also, given the high profile nature of the issues now I would be confident that those who have been engaged in challenging the IFB and the system at large will be assessed by the same criteria as anybody else. However, those criteria must be transparent and gender must be factored into the equation. For instance, are the criteria for good stories too narrow? This is a crucial area. I think that being an academic means these issues are central to my research and I can write about them in academic articles and in the popular press if need be. I have a broad gender analysis and can at times make links between inequalities in many areas even if there doesnt appear to be any connection. The EAC will continue as a group and will monitor the implementation of the equality measures. We are also concerned about opportunities for women writers/directors in television and will be exploring that in time.There is also some reassurance in knowing that Annie Doona is Acting Chair for the present and that there are supportive voices within the IFB. Of course it is early days and we are as yet unsure how these 50/50 aspirations will materialize. For instance, it is important that project managers are fully on board with the new system. These are the individuals who will be assessing the projects. How will they operationalize the decisions of the Board?In Sweden, Anna Serner ultimately oversees the implementation of the 50/50 targets. She will be in place until her retirement! The situation in Ireland is quite different. Board members serve for a four year term. It is conceivable that, for instance, Annie Doonas term of office will not be extended if a new minister is appointed. In such a scenario who will see to it that these new measures are bedded in?And no, this is not paid work!!!!As a group, what information and models did you work from when you formulated arguments to present to the IFB, especially as it seems from here that during the policy formation the only statistics available were your own and maybe David Kavanagh's?When interviewing the IFB members in 2014/15 I discussed the work of Anna Serner. I also interviewed Anna a few months ago in relation to the research I am currently undertaking so Im familiar with the Swedish model. My colleagues on the EAC are also aware of Serners work and we leaned heavily towards her 50/50 approach. She is an inspirational leader and has had, I think, a big impact on those interested in an equality agenda in the film industry in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. I have also interviewed and met with Francine Raveney of the European Women's Audiovisual Network who is another important voice in Europe. I do think that a strong community has developed across Europe.Are there aspects of the policy youre particularly proud of?For the EAC 50/50 over three years is the jewel in the crown. It is a bold, clear statement of intent. Training, mentoring etc are useful and valuable in a different way but you will meet women writers/directors who say  enough with the training! were trained quite enough already! Some feel they dont have the time or inclination to go through another process to make them better. Indeed, many would argue that they are ready and able now and have been for a long time.Saying all this is not to deny the usefulness of training and mentoring. There is a place for training, for mentoring and allied support for young women who might not otherwise consider that the film industry is for them, especially as there are so few female voices on the horizon. I think we undoubtedly need to target education and training at a much earlier stage. The danger is that when those initiatives become the major focus it can justify inaction now. Arguably training initiatives can sometimes be more palatable to the powers that be because such initiatives dont rock the boat too much.The 50/50 ensures that the equality agenda isnt put on the long finger and diluted by an imbalanced focus on training programmes but is current and dynamic. Remember there are women filmmakers who have waited a decade and more to have a second film made. Some feel they dont have the time or inclination to go through another process to make them better; they are ready and able now and have been for a long time.What about intersectionality?Our focus in on women because of the serious imbalance in the Irish film industry and in funding allocations. This is not to deny that there are other inequalities at work; we are the Equality Action Committee and, to take just one example, we are aware that there are problems around representations of sexuality, race, ethnicity in IFB funded films and in the television output of our national station, RTE. But the gender divide is staggering and must therefore take priority at this time.Because of the new focus on parental issues (e.g. Raising Films ) and after seeing this image from the Abbey Theatre meeting, I wonder whether you discussed the role of parenthood in filmmaking and whether to refer to parenthood in the policy.This did not arise as an issue for us. Our aim was to identify a 5-point plan that would cut to the core of what we identified as key issues for women writers and writer/directors in the Irish film industry today; issues that the IFB could take action on immediately. This is not to discount the importance of parenting issues in the culture at large but for the EAC parity of funding in the key to moving forward; to introduce childcare into the equation potentially dilutes that focus.How much of the policy is affected by the economic realities of women-as-audiences; the value of engaging with all of the talent rather than a small mostly male section (perhaps the writers and directors guilds' foremost concern?); or the now-established economic value of features with a female protagonist?I dont know. I know that many on the board are aware of the economic realities. But that said the Irish film industry is a small one. We produce a small number of films each year and I dont think that this decision is about an economic reality. I think its about the realization that the IFB is funded by the State and must be accountable. It isnt acceptable to overwhelmingly fund male-driven projects. Neither is it acceptable to be the national film agency and not attempt to increase the numbers of women writers and directors.Yes, the guilds are most interested in the writers and directors.Did the EAC and the IFB consider a dedicated womens fund? If so, what were the issues discussed and decided?The EAC have discussed a dedicated womens fund but disregarded it. We fear it will lead to women being sidelined in a different way. A couple of years ago it may have seemed like a good step in the right direction in as much as it was better than an outright denial of gender-related problems! However, the EAC believes that the time has passed for such initiatives.WFT is very new. Why did it start up at almost the same time as the policy? How did it fit into the preparation of the policy?The WFT only formally launched in late September but a core group has been working away behind the scenes to set up the organisation even before that. Teresa McGrane, Annie Doona and Katie Holly, all on the IFB, are WFT members  as I am myself, in a gesture of support and solidarity. Members of the WFT committee have also been meeting with Annie Doona in her capacity as Acting Chair of the IFB. The EAC and the WFT share a number of aims  the need for statistical information and education on unconscious bias. But their focus is perhaps directed more towards training initiatives than ours is. Of course the WFT represents many different sectors and to that extent is a broad church. The EAC is concerned with equality for women writers and directors; the storytellers, the artists, who are of central importance in facilitating a nation to tell stories about itself.I love the clarity and simplicity of the IFB policy and, especially, its statement that 'There needs to be a holistic and integrated approach to achieve real change. But I wanted more detail when I readIn Ireland, are producers creative talent? How will the 50/50 be measured? (I read the Writers Guild note of '50/50 gender parity for writers and directors in feature film production within three years but am checking because I was a little surprised that in announcing their 50/50 by 2018 target, Screen Australia included female protagonists alongside writers, directors and producers, in effect underpinning male privilege  imagine all those male writers/directors breaking out their scripts with female protagonists and grabbing women producers, just to get the 50/50.)The detail will have to be teased out. I would think that the term creative talent does not usually relate to producers here. I take the point that it is potentially quite a minefield. When we discussed all this with Annie Doona she did acknowledge that there was much to be worked out especially in relation to production. This is a process that we in the EAC have already started. We have also contacted Annie Doona to arrange a further meeting and are awaiting confirmation of a date. Going forward, we think this will have to be monitored very carefully.The hope is that the 50/50 over three years has sent out a strong signal to female writers  send in your work! There is a place for you in Irish cinema and we are interested in hearing your stories. Perhaps women writers will emerge in greater numbers than before without any further inducement. Or it may take time and require a more proactive approach initially. Time will tell.I love the emphasis on partnerships and on training re gender bias. What do you see as the challenges and benefits inherent in these elements of the policy?We believe its important for everyone to recognise that we can all harbour bias and be unaware of it. Yet it can have a profound impact on the world around us. This isnt about pointing the finger at any group of people or scapegoating individuals. Its about all of us acknowledging a reality and re-learning where necessary.Theres no budget announced for all this work. And it will be expensive to implement such a comprehensive programme. Do you have any idea of the costs involved and how they will be managed?No, this is pretty much hot off the presses especially as Christmas has intervened. There is still much to talk about. How will all this be operationalized? At the moment we just dont know! Certainly 50/50 development funding can more quickly and relatively easily be put in place. Production funding is more complicated and undoubtedly will be the subject of a lot more debate. I see the announcement as hugely important because it acknowledges the problem and sees the IFB publically commit to gender parity over three years. I know from the extensive interviews with IFB personnel what a leap that has been for many concerned. But the devil is in the detail as they say. Watch this space!How will the policy affect project assessment practices? Will there be new assessment criteria, as in Australia?Dont know yet.all to be worked through I would say.Ive heard of American-based women with Irish connections hoping they can access Irish funding now. What role(s) do you see for these women and for women from other parts of the world who are interested in co-productions? (A shameless plug here, an example in case there are Irish women looking for a novel to adapt: New Zealand multi-award-winning YA writer Mandy Hager's, set partly in Ireland, is a co-production just waiting to happen, as a feature or an animation.)To be honest we havent really had an opportunity to reflect on this or other ramifications of the IFB announcement because it came so close to the Christmas break. Many people didnt even return to work until January 4th! The EAC meeting next week is the first of the new year and doubtless all these issues will be the subject of much scrutiny and debate.Inevitably, as women writers and directors come to the fore, some men will lose out. Its great to see the support from the David Kavanagh and Maurice Sweeney. Are other men in film likely to be as supportive? How will the eventual, inevitable, disappointment of some of them be managed?Yes there is only so much funding and as women step up to claim their share, some men may well lose out. As Anna Serner found in Sweden there may be a period of time in which the stories that women bring to the table feel fresh and new  because so many of them havent been heard before. Im not sure what to say about managing male disappointment though. Women have had to manage theirs for years!The film industry is a tough business for men and women. But women need a fighting chance to gain a foothold. These initiatives will hopefully provide that.It is true that many men support what they perceive as a reasonable and fair argument. But its early days and many more may not yet have digested the changes that are afoot and the implication of those changes.What is your personal dream in relation to the implementation of the policy?A film industry that is rich in texture. New stories, different and varied voices. I hope it will bring a new vibrancy to the Irish film industry. Stories about all of us, for all of us.
Whew! After a couple of weeks of holiday festivities and whatnot, I am feeling a bit introspective. I always get a little serious about assessing my life and where I am at during the new year.



2015 was a year of constant change. It was a great year, but a non-steady-Freddy boat-ride of twists and turns. I switched jobs (twice!) this year, am changing my religion, and had a lot of "firsts." One thing I am learning about myself is that I must continue to embrace change, and that I should never say "never." In fact, the older I get, the more I realize that I need to keep my mouth shut and listen more. My opinions and perspectives evolve, and I end-up eating my words too often.



So, for the positive side of this year, I really noticed that for me a successful year includes my spirituality, family, friends, and firsts. It also includes being grateful, for every little good thing that happens to me.



Luckily, as of this writing, my family is healthy. With this gift, I have nothing to complain about. I also know that I should never take this for granted. Believe me, I have seen how things in life can change on a dime.



My friends continue to feed my soul, and for that, I am forever grateful. Like my dear husband and family, I know that my friends see my multitude of flaws, and decide to quietly put those aside and focus on what is "bright and shiny". I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.



Anyway, on to acknowledging my firsts this year. I feel the need to pay attention to the magic and newness that happens in a year, and be grateful.



Firsts for me this year: (in no particular order)

1. Seeing Train

2. Going to a concert at the Fillmore

3. Visiting Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, and seeing sights that I will probably remember on my death-bed, provided I don't develop any sort of memory loss.

4. Visiting Hollywood and West Hollywood

5. Visiting Beverly Hills

6. Visiting Etna, Ca

7. Seeing Chicago, and Earth,Wind and Fire

8. Staying in a historic Inn in New Hampshire

9. Visiting Newton, Mass (outside of Boston--a cool place in its' own right)

10. Seeing Norway (briefly)

11. touring Black Chasm caverns

12. Attending the Pirate Festival in Vallejo

13. Checking-out the fun at the Treasure Island Flea market

14. watching a volleyball tournament

15. visiting some of the historical spots in Tahoe, (not just the slopes) as well as Eagle Creek Falls

16. Attending a 1920's party in a speakeasy

17. Visiting Palm Springs

18. Finding out my DNA and digging more into my ancestry



Anyway, I am looking forward to the adventures of 2016, and wishing you all a year of new adventures.










Illinois man arrested for trafficking in meth after trying to flee police
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Once again, we are approaching the yearly remembrance of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. If people know anything about MLK, they know about his "I Have a Dream" speech given from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963, to a crowd of over 250,000 civil rights supporters. That speech was, in many ways, the focal point of a rallying process for the civil rights movement. People young and old today know bits and pieces of that speech whether they were alive in 1963 or not. If nothing else, that one speech demonstrates the amazing power of good rhetoric, passionately spoken, by a person sold out to a good cause.





One thing I like about "The Purpose Driven Church" by Rick Warren is shared in chapter one, "The Saddleback Story". In that chapter, Warren tells us that in his first sermon in his newly planted church in Orange County California in March of 1980, he shared his dreams for the future of the church. It required boldness and faith for Rick Warren to stand up in front of a fledgling group and tell them that one day he hoped to welcome 20,000 people into their church family. The amazing thing is not only that Rick Warren said that all those years ago, but by God's grace he has accomplished what he dreamed of doing.





One thing I want to do, as I begin a new pastorate in a new place (Stowe, Vermont) is that I want to share my dreams for the future with this congregation. Not only that, but I want to hear the dreams of the members of this congregation, their hopes for Stowe Community Church as those desires relate to the five New Testament purposes of the church outlined in Acts 2:42-47.....

Teaching Fellowship Worship Service Outreach

To that end, my wife Becky and I, plan to host something we are calling "Dreams & Desserts". We are going to open our home to the members of our congregation on at least five consecutive Sunday nights beginning January 31. We invite all to come and share with us some delicious dessert, but even more, their delightful dreams for the future of Stowe Community Church.




Youve got a decent hand. Youre sure of it, but you dont want to bet everything on it because you know the game and know that youll lose. What do you do? That depends in part upon how strong your hand is (or isnt). For example, if you have an ace low flush, you might be tempted to fold, knowing you probably wont make money betting with it. On the other hand, if you hold a pocket pair, you may have enough confidence in the strength of your hand to bet all-in, hoping for a full house or better. In order to get the most from your hand, you need to understand what the odds are against each possible outcome. Heres how you can figure out whether or not you should push your luck with a particular hand.

The decision of the player to do the okbet login will provide him good return in the future. This is the platform that is considered as the reliable option. It provides the players with the high stake of the winning. Even a representative is there who will work to serve the people.

The Value of A Pair

Lets assume weve just dealt two cards and one player has three suited cards and another has four. If the first player bets, then hes going to win about half the time (assuming everyone else folds), so his expected return is 50 percent. The second player has a much tougher time. Hell have a good chance of winning only when he gets three of a kind, which happens 1/4th of the time. So he has a 25 percent chance of winning. When he makes the call, the third player has a 55 percent chance of winning. His expected return is 45 percent. Of course, if the first player loses, then the chances of the third player winning go way up  about 80 percent. All of these percentages are based on the assumption that all players will fold.

The value of the hand is calculated by taking the probability of winning times the amount you would win if you did win. This gives us a number between zero and 100. Well use $5 as our basic unit for calculating the value of the hands. If you had 10 chips and could choose any five, what would you pick? Well, wed obviously take the top hand, which is worth $50. The second best hand is a little bit worse  $45  since youre giving up some equity for the opportunity to win more. So now lets calculate the value of the remaining hands.

If the second player chooses a third card, his expected gain is $25, which represents the difference between the two hands. A fourth card increases the expectation to $30, while adding a fifth card drops it back down to $20. Since there are no sixth cards, the value of the hand is equal to the average of the five cards, which is $24.60.

The value of a suit

We can also figure out the value of a suit by looking at the value of each individual card within that suit. Lets say were dealing a standard deck of 52 cards. One person holds a KQ; the next person has a 7D; and the third has a 2S. Each person has a 20% chance of winning. What is the expected return of having this group of cards? Well, the KQ has a 5% chance of winning, the 7D has a 4% chance, and the 2S has a 3% chance. So the total expected return is 25%. The same logic applies to the other suits, where the probability of winning goes up as the value of the card decreases. For instance, the Aces have a 9% chance of winning, Kings have 8%, Queens have 7%, Jacks have 6%, and Tens have 5%. So the expected returns add up to 36%.

Now lets add all of these numbers together to get an estimate of the value of a hand. Assuming that each hand was equally likely to come up, our total would be 60 percent. But we know thats wrong! Not every hand is created equal. It turns out that a royal flush beats the rest of the pack pretty consistently. So were going to adjust our calculations to reflect this fact.

Royal Flushes

So far, weve assumed that all of the cards were equally likely to come up. Actually, most poker players believe that Royal Flushes are extremely unlikely. In fact, many experts estimate their frequency at less than 0.1 percent. To account for this, lets increase the probability of winning for each card in a Royal Flush by 10 percent. Now when we calculate the value of a Royal Flush, well find that its actually worth 62.5 percent of what it used to be. The value of the cards in each rank will still add up to 100, but theyre now weighted differently.

So what does this mean for you? Well, if you hold a Royal Flush, youre probably going to win about 75 percent of the time. And if you hold a hand like QJT, youll win about 75 percent of the time too. And if you hold a straight, youll win nearly 70 percent of the time. In short, the bigger your hand, the more likely you are to win. Of course, even though youre getting a higher hit rate, youll also tend to lose more often. So if you hold a straight, youre almost guaranteed to lose. But if you hold a Royal Flush, youre going to win about one-quarter of the time, and youll win about twice as much money. So youre almost certain to profit from such a hand, but youll also take a lot of losses.

Now, I mentioned that youll lose money on any hand. In fact, youll lose money roughly half the time. So if you hold a straight, youll lose about 25 percent of the time. If you hold a flush, youll lose about 40 percent of the time. And if you hold a pair, youll lose 35 percent of the time. In addition, if you hold a set  one of the two highest ranks  youll lose 35 percent of the time. Finally, if you hold a high card in the lowest rank, youll lose 30 percent of the time.

But the interesting thing is that youll lose less money on those losing hands than you do on winning hands. Why is that? Well, suppose you hold a straight. Theres a 65 percent chance youll win. But suppose you hold a pair instead. Theres a 65 percent chance youll win. But you lost on your last hand. So theres now a 75 percent chance that youll lose again. On the other hand, if you hold a straight and lose, theres still a 65 percent chance youll win again. So youre only losing about 15 percent of the time.

This means that you can minimize your losses by playing only hands that are reasonably likely to win. So if you hold a straight, youll probably lose around 25 percent of the time. But if you hold a flush, youll probably lose around 40 percent of the time. And if you hold a pair, youll probably lose around 35 percent of the time. And if you hold a set, youll probably lose around 35 percent of the time. But if you hold a high card in the lowest rank, youll probably lose around 30 percent of the time.

In summary, the higher the probability that youll win, the lower your loss percentage will be. And the lower the probability youll win, the higher your loss percentage will be. So the optimal strategy is to play only hands whose probability of winning exceeds your expected return. If you hold a straight, theres a 65 percent chance of winning, so youll lose around 25 percent of the time. If you hold a flush, theres a 65 percent chance of winning, so youll lose around 40 percent of the time. And if you hold a pair, theres a 65 percent chance of winning, so youll lose around 35 percent of the time. But if you hold a set, theres a 65 percent chance of winning, so youll lose around 35 percent of the time. And if you hold a high card in the lowest rank, theres a 65 percent chance of winning, so youll lose around 30 percent of the time.

Of course, you shouldnt ignore your opponents actions entirely. You should always give them credit for being smart, making decisions, and doing whatever it takes to beat you. But just remember that youre being punished for having a decent hand.
Jan 10, 2016 | By Benedict

Biochemistry professor Dr. Alan Drummond has been creating highly detailed 3D printed trilobites, using both a Formlabs Form 1 3D printer and metal 3D printing services provided by Shapeways.

3D printing technology may represent the future of manufacturing, but it still comes in pretty handy when exploring the past. Dr. Drummond, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Chicago, has a passion for trilobitesa group of extinct marine arthropods which roamed the oceans for over 270 million years. Wanting to get closer to the extinct creatures than pictures, books and fossils would allow, he decided to collect a huge amount of visual data on trilobite anatomy, which could then be collated and turned into lifelike 3D printed replicas. I always wanted to hold a trilobite, to pick one up out of the rock, turn it over, run my fingers along the spines, the professor explained on The Fossil Forum.

3D printing a trilobite may sound like a fun project, but Dr. Drummond soon realized the challenges he would face. A quick glance at a trilobite fossil, diagram or illustration will set the alarm bells ringing for many 3D printing enthusiasts: a large number of slender limbs combined with long, protruding antennae seems like the perfect recipe for a broken 3D print. With this and other factors in mind, the biochemistry professor decided to amalgamate a number of different species within the trilobite genus, forsaking the frilly details which would not survive post-processing, in order to create the most 3D print-friendly trilobite in history.

Pencil sketches turned into more advanced Inkscape projects, which then made their way into the Blender open-source creation suite. The resultant design was a robust, 3D printable model, mostly inspired by the Ceraurus trilobite, a genus that roamed the Earth 470-445 million years ago, and which possessed enough detail to warrant 3D printing [but] enough structural solidity to survive it. Various other specimens were used as inspiration for the design, while the 3D printable trilobite also possessed a few imaginary features, added to improve its 3D printability.

The first step in this project was to look at as many trilobites as possible and choose one, said Drummond. I've always loved these fossils, but the moment they turned from fossils into living organisms for me was when I saw the new generation of preparations displayed at Chicago's Field Museum. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. In my mind, trilobites were flat, if beautiful, primitive creatures. Seeing those preparations made it clear how not-flat and not-primitive they were.

Having access to a Formlabs Form 1 3D printer at his university, Dr. Drummond was able to 3D print the initial model immediately, with the first attempt printed in clear resin at a resolution of 0.05mm. This translucent trilobite was followed by an improved model printed in black resin, which Drummond rinsed in isopropanol straight after removing it from the Form 1 build platform. The trilobite enthusiast was, however, still not satisfied with his creation, deeming the legs too crustacean. Amendments were made, before the model was sent off to Shapeways for a completely new look and feel.

Having used Shapeways for other 3D printing projects in the past, Dr. Drummond had faith that the company could deliver a metal 3D printed trilobite of the highest quality. He was not disappointed: a series of direct-metal printed versions of the Ceraurus model, despite some flaws, offered a massive improvement on the resin-printed models. Drummond also used Shapeways Frosted Ultra Detail resin printing process, which permits layers with a 29-micron step size, for an ultra-detailed plastic print of a different trilobite design.

The piece de resistance of Dr. Drummonds series is a stunning bronze-printed model, also 3D printed by Shapeways, but finished using a technique of Drummonds own. Using liver of sulfur, a poorly understood quasi-alchemic brew, I oxidized these pieces, creating a patina, then polished the patina off of the raised parts, the professor explained. What a difference! The details leap out. The bling recedes.

With the bronze 3D printed trilobite infinitely more impressive than the initial resin prints, Dr. Drummond is understandably pleased with his final creations. Underneath, she may be the most accurate life-size reconstruction of a trilobite out there, he explained. The endopods (legs) closely follow Stormer's 1939 and 1951 reconstruction studies, down to the segmental architecture of each limb.

To complete the project, Dr. Drummond had a similar model printed in solid silver, which perfectly complements the bronze model.

All images: Dr. Alan Drummond

You can imagine her exploring her world, questing with her cephalic appendages and antennae, seeking prey and potential mates, Drummond enthused.

With creations like these, we can only hope that the professor continues to explore the world we inhabit daily: the world of 3D printing.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Claire Chambers in Dawn:

Shakespeares 1603 tragedy Othello has long been ripe for adaptation and postcolonial rewritings. As the Pakistani novelist Zulfikar Ghose observes in his book This Mortal Knowledge, Othello is a truly noble man, in contrast to the calumny of lascivious Moor with which Iago taints him. In fact, if Othello has a fault, Ghose suggests that it is his sexual frugality, which leads him to make too great a distinction between body and spirit. This enables Iago to work on both Othellos jealousy about his wife and on the base racial instinct Iago shares with his fellow white Venetians. The consequence is that a beast with two backs is created  not through sexual union but the conjoining of Desdemona and Othello in death. With its Molotov cocktail of false friendship, racism, military careers, and extreme sexual possessiveness, Othello proves irresistible to many artists from postcolonial backgrounds.

In 1966, the Sudanese author Tayeb Salih published an Arabic-language novel Mawsim al-Hijra ila al-Shamal. It was translated into the English title Season of Migration to the North in 1969 and is now a Penguin Modern Classic. In this cornerstone text for postcolonialism, Salih depicts the cultural conflict that ensues when two rural Sudanese Muslims move to Britain and then return to Africa.

More here.
Caren Chesler in Aeon:

29-year-old man named Juan Carlos Castillo Ponce was renting a basement apartment in the New Jersey city of Elizabeth when he befriended his landlords daughters, who were aged three, six and 10. While he lived there between 2000 to 2008, he would take the girls out to dinner, and became a trusted friend of the family. He would also sexually assault them while their parents werent home, record them in their rooms through a pinhole video camera, and threaten that, if they told anyone about the assaults, no one would believe them and they would be taken away. When one of the girls finally did tell her parents, investigators recovered hundreds of DVD recordings they say Ponce made of the assaults, not just of the landlords daughters but of other girls as well.

Ponce was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, among other things. As the judge sentenced him to 27 years in prison, calling the crime a shock to his conscience, Ponce buried his head in his arms and, through a Spanish interpreter, asked for forgiveness. But to those privy to his psychological report, his contrition might not have rung true: Ponce had admitted that when he was around children  and around these four in particular  he knew that what he was doing was wrong but simply could not stop himself.

Those admissions dont come as a surprise to experts who view not paedophilia but, rather, paedophilic behaviour as the truly dangerous thing. The distinction is critical: paedophiles are individuals with an attraction to children. Paedophilic behaviour is what happens when one acts on the urge; it is an attraction to children that one fails to control.

Now theres a growing body of evidence suggesting that paedophilia might not be a learned desire but rather an in-born biological trait, like a cleft palate or a hook nose. And lack of emotional control, a separate trait, might be biologically-based as well.

More here.
Frank Bruni in The New York Times:

Making light of so much bloodshed, Cruz told Iowans the story of a Texas woman who was pulled over by a police officer. She supposedly informed the officer that she had a Glock affixed to her hip, a .38 revolver in one boot, a single-shot derringer in the other and a double-barrel shotgun under the seat. Goodness gracious, the officer said. What on earth are you afraid of? Not a dang thing, the woman responded. Cruz is unsettling enough in isolation, but its the combination of him and Trump that really galls. And it galls not just Democrats but other Republicans. At some point, we have to deal with the fact that there are at least two candidates who could utterly destroy the Republican bench for a generation if they became the nominee, Josh Holmes, a former chief of staff to the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, told Politicos Alex Isenstadt recently. In the current issue of Time magazine, David Von Drehle put it this way: The G.O.P. has awakened less than a month from the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary to find itself in bed between a bombshell and a kamikaze. Its a king-size bed, and theyre all under an eiderdown of obnoxiousness. From the moment Trump announced his candidacy, he chose a potty mouth over a silver tongue, and a shocking number of Americans thrilled to that, regarding crudeness as the greatest form of candor. From the moment Cruz arrived in the United States Senate, he chose tirades over teamwork, becoming so unpopular that at one point not a single Republican senator would support his demand for a roll-call vote, The Timess Jennifer Steinhauer wrote last month, adding that he was left standing on the Senate floor like a man with bird flu, everyone scattering to avoid him.

But what repelled Republican senators is somehow beckoning Republican voters: In a Gallup survey released on Friday, 61 percent of them said that they had a favorable impression of him, while only 16 percent said that they had an unfavorable one, giving him a net favorable rating of plus 45, the best in the Republican field. I guess bird flu is the new catnip. Many analysts explain all of this in terms of a potent anger among Americans. They say Trump and Cruz lend voice to it. But thats not exactly right. Anger can have a noble dimension  as a response to injustice, as the grist for change  and neither Trump nor Cruz projects much nobility or tries to, for that matter. Theyre not so much angry as petulant, impudent. When Trump tells rivals on the debate stage that theyre ugly or unpopular and when he ridicules a journalists disability, hes not being angry. Hes just being a jerk. And when he crows incessantly about his deal-making genius, his billions and his poll numbers, hes not stoking constructive passions. Hes just stroking himself.

More here.
Mehrsa Baradaran in The Nation:

According to Federal Reserve statistics, about half of the US population would need to borrow money if they had a shortfall of $400 due to an unexpected expense. And as for basic financial services, over 30 million are either unbanked or under-bankedmeaning that they rely on alternative financial services. The unbanked pay a significant portion of their paychecksaround 10 percentto use and move their money. This is more than the average low-income family spends on food. And this doesnt take into account the time and stress of having to take time off from work to go to the water office to pay your bill.

How did we get here? There was a transformation of the banking sector between the 1970s and the 1990s that was a result of both market changes and policy decisions, specifically a strong tide of deregulation. This caused a merger wave and a homogenization and conglomeration of banks that squeezed the community banks. During this time, the credit union and the savings and loans and other cooperative, public-serving, and limited-profit financial institutions were forced to merge and abandon their missions in order to find more lucrative markets and survive deregulation. They left low-income neighborhoods en masse and instituted fees on smaller, less profitable accounts. Many low-income Americans lost their bank accounts during this time.

The merger wave and deregulation eventually created a banking industry that is the largest and most powerful its ever beenand it is completely uninterested in banking the poor. In fact, these banks have even used their political muscle to fight New York legislatures efforts to make it just a little easier for the poor to get bank accounts.

Once the community banks and the savings and loans left these communities, payday lenders, check cashers, and title lenders filled the void. These fringe lenders thrive in areas with the fewest banksand the rise of these lenders was a direct result of the decline of community banks.

How do we fix this problem?

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Advertising in Indonesia - When thinking about advertising in Indonesia, Jakarta is often considered as the first and priority key market of the country. With the growing domestic demand, advertisers are also focused on the locals in the last few years. The IE Singapore published a report on the Indonesia Consumer Insights and here are some of the overview of informationTPM worked with several clients for other second tier cities for Indonesia inc. key cities such as Bali, Medan, Surabaya, Batam, Bintan. Smaller cities that ignited interest included Balikpapan and Semarang for billboard and outdoor advertising in the city as well we airports.China UnionPay in Bali, Indonesia We are honoured to work with our client, China UnionPay to reach the tourists using China Union Pay cards in Bali Airport. The airport advertising was on a huge wall signage and trolleys located in the Bali International Arrival reminding the target audience to swipe more in the island of wonders! Here show some photos of completed installations.Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. It reaches out to a youth and family crowd. Many travellers from oversea come to Bali for a holiday, honeymoon, family or couple trip. Advertising at these prime locations bring high impact and high outreach for the brand.Borsch in Surabaya, Indonesia We are honoured to work with our client, Borsch to reach the business decision makers that frequent this city as they fly between Jakarta and Surabaya or Surabaya to the rest of the world via Jakarta or Singapore! Surabaya has one of the busiest ports in the Indonesia. There are many offices and business centres in Surabya and thanks to the availability of land and labour there are many manufacturing factories located here too. Thus enriched by its facilities, and geography advantages, Surabaya has great economic potential.Contact us today to plan your media campaign. Call 6273 0556 or reach us at ask@tpmoutdoor.com
(This feature is part of the " Through Airmen's Eyes " series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.)"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back." -- MaximusThis quote from the movie Gladiator rings powerful and true to Tech. Sgt. LaPaul Williams, who said, "I don't believe death is to be feared."Williams, a 5th Air Support Operations Squadron fighter duty technician stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans affects the lower back and is typically seen in people under the age of 18 and over the age of 45. Williams was 29.Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans looks like a bump on the back, then is grows and starts to get taller and pink at the top, Williams explained."I thought it was nothing," he said. "I thought it was just a bump."Williams returned from a TDY to Hawaii and went to the doctor to check on the growing bump. The doctor informed him there was nothing he could do and sent him to a dermatologist. The dermatologist decided that surgery to remove the bump would be best.On Oct. 17, 2014, Williams headed in for surgery. His wife, Chineka, was with him the entire time. Everything was going as planned. He was making light of the situation, joking with the intern who was learning how to cut a persons back open, commenting on the giant needle they used to numb his back.Williams said once they cut most of it out, the doctor stopped and made a statement that there was something wrong."Its tumors," the doctor said. "I don't know what kind, but there are tumors deeper in your back."They had to have the tumors X-rayed and looked at, so they sewed Williams up and went from there.Once they confirmed the dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Williams told his family."The afternoon I told my parents, as most mothers would be, she was freaked out," Williams said. "We're a very close-knit Christian family. They asked if I was alright, if I needed them here."Williams wife was there supporting him every step of the way."I don't sit down," Williams said. "She would tell me to rest, but I was a pain in the butt."Williams said he wasn't scared with his diagnosis. He was a little shocked, but he wanted to know what he did to cause it and how he could fix it. The doctor told Williams there was nothing he could have done to prevent it. Williams was extremely hopeful during the entire ordeal.In November, Williams said they needed to remove more of the tumors. They cut a diamond shape out of his back to remove them.For six weeks, he had a tube from his back to his chest as his back was healing from the fluid that was being drained. He healed quicker than normal.Because of the nature of William's job, he was immediately moved off duty and sent to see if he was allowed to stay in the Air Force. But, Williams said he had an extremely supportive Air Force family.His supervisor, peers and commander were all hopeful for him, offering their support through it all. They let him know if there was anything he needed, he just had to ask."They didn't bother me or limit me," Williams said of his chain of command. "They watched my back and let me take care of myself."During his diagnosis, Williams said his family helped him most. They never looked at Williams with sad eyes, or blamed anything or anyone for what happened. They told him they would help him get through it, if he needed anything to call and they would stop and make time for him."There are a lot of things you can buy and replace," Williams said. "But time spent with a person is something you can't. When people decide to use some of their time for you, it's humbling."Williams also said a positive attitude was key to facing this type of diagnosis."Positive thoughts have absolute results when it comes to healing," Williams said. "Those who are hopeful and have positive thoughts regardless of the situation, they turn out the best."In December, Williams was in remission.He said there is always a chance for the cancer to come back, and if it does, it will be worse and more aggressive. He still goes to the doctor every six months to make sure it hasn't returned, and that will continue for the rest of his life."I understand I am playing on borrowed time," Williams said. "I'm still able to serve, and I'm thankful for that. I'm still ranking up and making friends. Anything that's worth it is worth the effort."Williams' advice to those who are still battling is to do whatever it takes to get positive, because it can change your reality."I have your back," he said. "If you need to call me, call me. We'll talk about life. Even if that means talking at 1, 2 or 3 in the morning, I'll be up. I'll make some tea and we'll sit down and talk about it."Williams said to those who are supporting someone fighting this battle, encourage them. Encouragement will make the difference."The most important thing is it's not about the condition, it's about the people around you," he said.
Mobility Airmen assist first responders after Kabul airport attack

Four Airmen deployed with the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at Bagram Airfield sprang into action following a Jan. 4 terrorist attack on a compound in Kabul, Afghanistan.



The Airmen were in Kabul as part of U.S. Central Command's materiel recovery element, inspecting equipment for air transport out of Afghanistan. While eating dinner at an eatery on the military side of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, they heard and felt a blast.



"We were done eating and sitting there then we heard (the blast) and we felt it," said Master Sgt. Matthew Longshaw, deployed from the Utah Air National Guard at Salt Lake City International Airport. "The building shook, and then (Tech. Sgt. Chad Huggins) came in after that; he was pretty visibly upset."



Huggins, deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, was outside talking on the phone when he saw and felt the blast.



"You heard it, and saw the flash and the next thing it was like a movie," he said. "I got pushed into the wall and my phone went flying. I don't even know how to explain it."



Huggins said he picked up his phone and ran back into the restaurant to find his comrades. About a quarter-mile away, a 15-foot-deep crater sat where the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated.



"I was staring at these guys," Huggins said about the situation, "and they were staring back. Then they started speaking and I couldn't understand them; my ears were ringing. They asked, 'Are you OK,' and I said, 'Yeah, we need to go.'"



The team left the restaurant and went back to their temporary billeting, still reeling over what they had just experienced. Then came the call for help.



"One of the civilians came in from (readiness management support) and asked for our help," Longshaw explained. "So we got up and started to help; did what we could and whatever we were asked to do."



Staff Sgt. Tobi Wagner, deployed from Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, had just lied down in his bunk. "(Airman 1st Class John Michael Aradanas) grabbed my ankle and said, 'Hey, we need to help those contractors. C'mon, let's go.' So I got up, put on some shorts and went to go help. I was still a little out of it so I wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew I wanted to help."



Aradanas, deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord , Washington, is serving on his first deployment. He said his adrenaline was "through the roof" at that moment.



"I was just trying to help," he said. "It went by quick, just watching all of these people come in and doing what I could to comfort them."



The four Airmen all pitched in to help set up a temporary area, where nurses constantly checked on the civilians, mostly contractors, who were injured in the attack. Then they stuck around for the next eight hours, sitting with patients and comforting them; doing whatever was needed of them.



"It brought you back down to reality real quick," Wagner said. "They came in and were covered in debris and they were hurt. You'd see fresh cuts and blood. Everyone was kind of disheveled because they couldn't get any of their stuff."



The team commented how one man was knocked from his bed when the blast occurred near his living quarters. He walked his hallway in bare feet on broken glass until someone was able to find him some boots to wear. Another man was saved by a treadmill, which created a pocket in the rubble where he was buried for three hours until a crane was brought in to sift through the debris.



While scenes like this aren't necessarily the norm for most Airmen deployed to Afghanistan, it's something which the Airmen felt prepared to support.



"When I was here two years ago they (terrorists) were much more active," said Wagner, on his second deployment. "It felt as if we were getting attacked constantly. So I was expecting a little bit of the same. Then I got (to Bagram Airfield) and there wasn't much of anything."



That was the case for them until Jan. 4, when the attack occurred and their reflexes and training kicked in.



"It's human instinct that if you see someone worse off than you, that you're going to help them," Huggins said. "But the Air Force did help with the training to understand how to deal with it and what to do in certain situations."



The team said they set up lodging for the victims of the blast, consisting of about 70 beds, then comforted the victims and assisted the medical staff with anything else that was needed.



"I think we did everything that we could've possibly done," Wagner said. "You sit and you listen, which is really what we did. I think that helped a lot of people."



Although the attack, which claimed one life and injured more than two dozen others, occurred just a few days ago, each of the Airmen has had a chance to reflect on the incident.



"I figure that the guys getting hurt are the ones kicking in doors or doing convoys and stuff like that," said Longshaw, who has previously deployed with the Air National Guard and Marine Corps. "I didn't really think about our contractors getting blown up on the civilian side of an airport. I didn't expect that to happen."



For Huggins, serving on his seventh deployment, he figured incidents like this happened to other people, not to him.



"I've been deployed a lot," he said. "You know the dangers and reality, but you don't expect to be put in that situation. 'Oh, that ain't going to happen to me.' Now that it has, it's a reality check. You look at things differently."
Voices of dissent against a seminar on Ram Janmabhoomi Temple issue being organised at the Delhi University, grew louder when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that the construction of temple is mandatory. BJP and right wingers extended their focus from Ayodhyas Ram Temple to Kashi and Mathura. Subramanian Swamy who has his hands deep in the Ram Temple construction issue, courted controversy and offered the Lord Krishna package to the Muslim community where in return for three temples they get to keep 39,997 mosques in return.

Meanwhile, describing Congress president Sonia Gandhi a good wife, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad too urged her to come forward for Ram Temples construction which her late husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi once wished. After three decades, BJP and VHP are remembering and reminding that late Rajiv Gandhi was in favour of the construction of the Ram Temple. Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister of the country then with Buta Singh as the Home Minister. ND Tiwari was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently, Rajiv Gandhi launched his campaign from Ayodhya promising Ram Rajya across the country. Today, VHP and BJP are missing him and asking Sonia Gandhi to be a good wife to allow Ram Temple construction and fulfill her husbands dream but they are not seeking help of PM Modi for that, strange really strange!

If the Congress had not lost the north Indian Muslim vote to the Janata Dal, in 1989, it could have remained strong enough to cobble together a coalition rather than leave the initiative to the unwholesome and unstable Janata Dal-BJP-Communist combine. So, at the level of party politics, Rajivs decision may have made a big difference. Rajiv in his regime as the prime minister then ordered to unlock the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Until then, a priest had been permitted to perform puja once a year for the idols installed there in 1949. Now, all Hindus were given access to what they consider the birthplace of Lord Rama, the prince posthumously deified as an incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. On the other hand, the locks or unlocks have made no difference to the Karsevaks who brought the structure down in 1992. Whatever happened in the past was very painful, post Babri Masjid demolition riots claimed many innocent lives. Still, after 23 years of destruction we are confused whom to blame for that.

At present, whatever the leader promises, but the fact is that the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya is possible only through a law passed by the parliament. For that, all the political parties should reconsider their stand on the issue. The ultimate aim of the BJP government is to build the temple and they will use the seminar as an excuse of giving legitimacy to their agenda by saying that it has been approved by historians. You cannot call it an academic exercise when it is purely a political agenda. We saw it in the inaugural address when Subramanian Swamy said that it is mandatory to construct the temple for reviving the culture. Let it be Baba Ramdev speaking on Vedanta or Swamy speaking on Ram Temple in college campus, both are baking their agenda through academic stage. Present day students are not ready to buy such claims and talks. They immediately protest against the agenda if they get political smell in that.

Once again, ahead of UP elections, BJP is raking up the Ram Mandir issue and is busy venting righteous resentment over its construction. Previously Subramanian Swamy had said: Construction of Ram Temple is mandatory for revival of our culture. We have started and we will not give up until it is made but nothing will be done forcibly and against the law.

The Ram Janmabhoomi is the name given to the site that many Hindus believe to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, the 7th avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The Ramayana states that the location of Ramas birthplace is on the banks of the river Sarayu in the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. There is historical evidence for the claim regarding the precise location. Hindu tradition maintains that a temple existed at the site in historical times. In 1528, a Mosque was built at the site by the Mughal general Mir Baqi, and named the Babri Masjid in honour of the Mughal Emperor Babur. From 1528 to 1853 the Mosque remained a place of worship for Muslims. Following communal disputes in 1853, a separate area near the mosque was earmarked for Hindus to perform religious ceremonies.

In 1949, an idol of Rama was surreptitiously placed inside the mosque. Following Muslim outrage and a legal dispute, the gates to the mosque were locked. In the 1980s the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Party launched a campaign to build a temple at the site. In 1992, a rally for this movement developed into a riot involving 150,000 people that led to the demolition of the Mosque. Since then, the future of the site has been debated in court. The debate around the history of the site is colloquially known as the Ayodhya dispute.

On 30th September 2010, Allahabad High Court ruled that the disputed site, with an area of 2,400 square feet (220 m2), on which the Babri Masjid had stood prior to its demolition on 6th December, 1992, should be divided into three parts. The ruling stated that the third of the site on which the idol of Lord Rama was placed would be granted to the party stating that it represented Rama. Another third of the site would be granted to the Sunni Wakf Board, and the remaining third to the Hindu sect Nirmohi Akhara. The verdict was appealed in the Supreme Court of India. In an order dated 27 Jan 2013, the court stated that the status quo should be maintained at the disputed site, while the appeals were dealt with.
The FA Cup holders Arsenal came from one goal down to beat Sunderland 3-1 in their third round encounter at the Emirates Stadium.

They were joined by both Manchester clubs for the next round. United looked destined for an unwanted replay until Wayne Rooney struck in the 93rd minute after a foul on substitute Memphis Depay.

It was only the second shot on target that United had mustered in the whole game, against a team 47 places below them in the English league system. Louis van Gaal must have breathed a huge sigh of relief but will no doubt face a lot of criticism. Credit must be given to Sheffield United in the way they defended at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney took to Twitter to post a photo of his celebration of the winning goal.

Manchester City, meanwhile, thrashed Norwich City 3-0 to progress further.

Earlier, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fielded a relatively weaker XI with Nigerian Alex Iwobi getting a start in London. The 19-year-old forward partnered Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell in a three man midfield just behind Olivier Giroud, thus giving Mesut Ozil a much needed rest.

Calum Chambers and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also got a start, as also for Kieran Gibbs. Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel and Hector Bellerin complete the outfield line-up with Petr Cech keeping his place under the bar.

After a nervy start to the match, Sam Allardyces side took the lead with Dutch forward Jeremain Lens scoring from an opportunistic position to send the packed Emirates Stadium to silence. But the Black Cats found themselves conceding within eight minutes as Costa Rican Campbell scored from a Walcott delivery.

The second half started with the Gunners taking the initiative, but it was the double substitute in the midfield with Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta coming on for Iwobi and Chambers, which changed the course of the match.

Ramsey took just five minutes from the change to score the second goal for his side, from a Ballerin run, in the 72nd minute. Then, the Spaniard workhorse set-up Giroud to score the third goal, second in a space of five minutes.

Elsewhere, fellow Premier League clubs Stoke City, Bournemouth, Everton and Watford register their respective wins, even as Aston Villa continued their poor form with a 1-1 draw with Wycombe earlier.

In an all Premier League club clash, Crystal Palace beat Southampton 2-1 in London.
Joining the governments Digital India campaign, Joister Infomedia has launched free wi-fi facility with a speed of up to 2 mbps in four cities of Maharashtra.

The broadband and gaming service provider has launched the service at 436 locations catering free Internet to 1.18 lakh registered users across Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Navi Mumbai, its Chairman and Managing Director Nikunj Kampani said.

The company is planning to expand its service in 30 more cities, including Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Chiplun, Nashik and Nagpur in next six months, he said.

Its all about empowering digital platform. No contracts, no hidden fees, and no fine print. We keep everything as simple and transparent as possible, said Kampani.

The users can register their numbers with the service and enjoy Internet. Joister has also launched a mobile app that helps users to locate the nearest Joispot wi-fi location.

The service has been made available in public places like schools, colleges, malls, cafeterias, restaurants, market areas etc, so that those who cannot afford 3G or 4G Internet data plans can enjoy uninterrupted and unlimited facility, he said explaining the purpose for the initiative.

Explaining the objective of such a charitable move, Kampani said with free wi-fi service they intend to connect more and more people on the Internet, he said.

It is very important to eliminate the digital divide in the country, as total population of India is 126 crore out of which only 36 crore people are able to take advantage of Internet, but balance 90 crore people have never used Internet, he said.

When asked how long will his company invest in such sort of charity, Kampani said, Yes, for this we have launched a portal onerupeeworks.Com that appeals people to donate one rupee each day, which we are sure to click.

Through this simple act of contributing one rupee each day, we can bring free wi-fi internet to most remote communities and strengthen our nations social and economic development, he added.
In India, policemen misuse their powers and take the law into their own hands just because they are supported by thugs and corrupt politicians.

Bandra boy, Arun Ferreira too suffered at the hands of the police for several years (from 2007 to 2013). He was arrested as the police thought he was the leader of a terror group. In prison, he was stripped naked and beaten very badly on several occasions. The food given to him to eat was also stale (The dal was watery and the rice full of stones). Sometimes, he was even denied food for days together.

Jubel DCruz

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Russian airstrikes on a prison complex run by Al-Qaedas Syrian affiliate killed at least 57 people and wounded 30 others, many critically, a monitor said, giving a revised toll.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sundays air raids on an Al-Nusra Front building prison near a popular market in northwestern Idlib province killed 21 civilians, 29 militants and seven detainees.

The building in Maarat al-Numan housed the groups religious court and a jail.

The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a large network of sources inside Syria, said a child and two women were among the civilians killed in the strikes.

A statement said that among the militants killed were 23 Nusra fighters.

The toll from the Russian raids on the Al-Qaeda-run prison has risen to at least 57 killed and 30 wounded, many in critical condition, said the Observatory which had earlier given a toll of 39 dead.

Russian warplanes have been conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State organisation and other terrorist groups in Syria since September 30.

Although Al-Nusra and IS are both jihadist organisations, they are fierce rivals and regularly clash in Syria.

Al-Nusra also has tense relationships with non-jihadist rebel groups that oppose its extreme interpretation of Islamic law.

In Idlib, it has formed an alliance with rebel groups, including hardline faction Ahrar al-Sham.

The Army of Conquest coalition has expelled regime forces from Idlib province.

Syrias conflict first erupted with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011 but expanded into a war that has left more than 260,000 people dead.
January 7, 2016

Alarm bells went off in several European capitals when the Israeli Cabinet adopted the proposed transparency bill, tagging those Israeli associations that are mainly receiving their funding from foreign sources, to warn their Israeli interlocutors.

Almost every European Union government and a multitude of European foundations are contributing to Israeli human rights, nongovernmental organizations and peace organizations that conform to European values (Peace Now is an example).

A senior source in the Israeli Foreign Ministry in charge of EU relations told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Israeli ambassadors in many EU capitals have sent alarming reports to the ministry about growing concern by senior European officials over what they perceive as deterioration in the strength of Israeli democracy.

The EU is Israels main trading partner. Israels special status agreements with Brussels are of strategic value to its economy, academia and scientific research. Europes political affinity for Israel is based on historic support as well as the kinship to Israels Western democracy. Relationships with some European countries, such as the Scandinavian countries, are strained by fundamental disagreements on the Palestinian issue and sharp criticism of Israels occupation and settlement policies. Yet the fundamental political-economic alliance with Israel has been sustained, despite the crisis in the Middle Eastern peace process and wars in which Israel has engaged.

This current questioning of Israels democratic fiber risks shaking the foundations of EU-Israel relations.

A senior source in the EUs Brussels headquarters who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity sounded worried in regard to the state of Israeli democracy. While attempting to downplay a possible imminent crisis in the relationship, she listed very concerning recent developments that cast a shadow on Israels democratic character. She said, We always criticized the nondemocratic occupation in the West Bank, but were confident that Israel is European when it comes to standards of democracy and freedom of speech. This confidence is shaken today, and privately we are raising the issue with Israeli officials. According to the official, the EU has warned Jerusalem that if the association law passes, it would make funding of all Israeli institutions more difficult: [The fate of] Israels human rights and peace policies are up to it to decide. We happen to be in favor of human rights and peace and will not allow the Israeli government to criticize us on the issue.

The European concern over flaws in Israeli democracy is based on much more than the recent legislation concerning Israeli associations. It results also from criticism over Israeli official expressions of racism toward the Arab minority. The prime ministers wish to pass a nationality law, emphasizing the Jewish nature of Israel more than its democratic one, is perceived as belonging to that context.

Additionally, governmental economic policies (mainly in the field of infrastructure development and education funding) that discriminate against the Israeli Arab population are severely criticized in Europe. The same goes for economically discriminating against Arab young people for not having served in the Israeli army. A related issue of grave concern to European officials is the greater role of religion in Israeli politics and legislation. The religious criticism of the Israeli High Court of Justice and the discrimination against women by all the religious parties are seen as a dangerous mix between state and religion. The racist rhetoric of religious zealots in the West Bank (such as chants ''Death to Arabs'' in demonstrations following terror attacks) adds to a disturbing picture with theocratic and nationalistic shadows.

The gruesome murder of the Palestinian Dawabsha family by a settler on July 31 and the positive and encouraging reactions to the accused killers  the West Bank hilltop youth, extreme right-wing young settlers  is viewed in Europe as a dangerous symptom of Jewish fundamentalism, not unlike extremist Muslim fundamentalism. These settler youths indeed have a messianic theocratic view of Israel and are highly motivated to bring about this vision through violence and chaos. They view anyone (Jewish or not) who does not accept their ideology of a religious state in greater Israel as an infidel, against whom the use of violence is legitimate. This is especially true for Arabs. The aim of these youngsters is to destroy Israels democracy; they are fervently opposed by HaBayit HaYehudi, the national religious party of Naftali Bennett, out of concern for his image.

Yet, Bennett does not have any love lost for Jews interconnecting with Arabs either. The ban imposed by the Ministry of Education on the high school study of the novel Borderlife by Dorit Rabinyan (about a love affair between a Jewish woman and a Palestinian man), over concerns that it would encourage intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews, was perceived by Europeans as a racist expression of the Israeli government.

The EU official told Al-Monitor that Brussels is monitoring these events and positions with greater concern over Israels democracy than in the past. Europe hopes that unlike flawed democracies in Eastern Europe or Turkey, the situation in Israel will not at this point impact the EU-Israel relationship.
January 9, 2016

President Barack Obama will tout his nuclear deal with Iran as a key foreign policy accomplishment that will keep the nation safe during his last State of the Union the evening of Jan. 12.

Hours later, House Republicans will vote to dismantle it.

The Jan. 13 vote on legislation that would prohibit the president from delivering on sanctions relief called for under the deal is an early sign that Republicans may hold multiple such votes in the runup to the 2016 presidential elections. Democrats are already warning against making the deal a partisan issue, urging Republicans to avoid a series of doomed show votes that will only prevent both parties from working together to keep Iran under pressure.

Viewers watching the president's final address should also listen for any hint at a change of strategy for defeating the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The new House speaker, Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has instructed his committee chairmen to see whether there is support among lawmakers for a war authorization in Syria and Iraq.

And the president may flesh out his plans for closing the terrorist prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as he promised to do when he took office seven years ago. Last week, Kuwait saw the last of its detainees released after a decadelong, multimillion dollar lobbying campaign.

Other than that, Congress will have a light schedule, with Republicans decamping to Baltimore for their annual retreat the afternoon of Jan. 13.

The House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing Jan. 12 with Michael Morell, a former acting CIA director, and Robert Ford, a former ambassador to Syria on Outside Views on the US Strategy for Iraq and Syria and the Evolution of Islamic Extremism. Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, will lay out his 2016 plans for the panel during a luncheon the next day at the National Press Club in Washington.

Also on Jan. 12, the House Judiciary Committee marks up legislation to review the federal government's no-fly list in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world.
January 10, 2016

SALALAH, Oman  The Sultanate of Oman has always been the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member on best terms with Iran. Muscats alliance with Tehran must be understood within the context of Omans independent approach to foreign affairs under Sultan Qaboos leadership.

Since seizing power in 1970, Qaboos has wisely and strategically balanced the conflicting interests of Omans larger and more powerful neighbors against one another without making enemies. A key pillar of Omans foreign policy has been to maintain alliances with both Riyadh and Tehran, rather than siding with Saudi Arabia to counter the Islamic Republic.

The Middle Easts escalating geopolitical crisis of early 2016  stemming from Saudi Arabias execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on Jan. 2, followed by Irans livid response  is testing Omans ability to maintain such strategic neutrality at a time when Riyadh is determined to unite its allies against Tehran.

At this pivotal juncture in Middle Eastern history, during which sectarian tensions have reached their highest level since the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), there is no indication that Oman is on the verge of abandoning this conciliatory approach. On the contrary, Omani officials have responded to the escalation of Saudi Arabia and Irans geopolitical rivalry in their traditionally calm manner.

Omani leaders did indeed condemn the violent attacks on Saudi Arabias diplomatic presence in two Iranian cities following Nimrs execution, calling the actions unacceptable. However, unlike the other GCC members, Muscat did not sever and/or downgrade diplomatic relations with Tehran. In fact, Omans foreign minister, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, and Oman's ambassador to Iran, Saud bin Ahmad al-Barwani, traveled to Tehran to meet with Iranian officials and to discuss the crisis.

From Muscats vantage point, this escalation of geopolitical tension and sectarian strife is unfortunate, and may severely undermine Omans own national interests across the region. Last year, Muscat spent considerable effort advancing dialogues between Syria and Yemens warring factions. Yet, now that Saudi Arabia and nine of its allies and partners (Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates) have severed and/or downgraded diplomatic ties with Iran  with leaders in Egypt and Turkey expressing pro-Saudi positions  such a diplomatic crisis truly jeopardizes fragile peace initiatives in Syria and Yemen.

Omani national interests

Oman shares ownership of the strategically prized Strait of Hormuz with Iran, and therefore has its own deep national interests at heart in cooling tensions between fellow GCC members and the Islamic Republic. The issue of the sultanates long-term energy demands is at the fore. Although the project has not moved as quickly as Muscat would have preferred, Oman and Iran are in the process of developing an underwater natural gas pipeline between the two nations. Oman, which is less oil rich than other GCC members and faces grave economic problems as a result of low oil prices, views the importation of Iranian natural gas as a critical geopolitical and economic objective. Surely Muscat will be careful to avoid moves that could compromise this growing energy relationship with Iran, which, by extension, opens up Oman to the gas-rich nations of Central Asia.

Not lost in the equation is sectarianism. Oman, with an Ibadi majority, views the escalation of sectarian strife between the Middle Easts Shiite and Sunni Muslims as a tragedy for the greater Islamic world. Rather than joining Saudi Arabia in arming Sunni fundamentalists across the region to counter Irans extended influence, Oman has avoided taking sides in such conflicts, valuing instead a peaceful resolution. Oman has leveraged its neutrality to develop trustworthy relationships with all sides in the Syrian and Yemeni crises, enabling the sultanate to serve as a legitimate and impartial mediator in ways that no other GCC member could.

Oman: Irans only loyal friend in the GCC

Historical bonds between Iran and Oman (made especially strong by the shahs deployment of forces to the Dhofar governorate to help the sultanate crush a foreign-backed Marxist insurgency in the 1970s) shape Muscats unique understanding of Iran and its role in the Gulfs geopolitical order. Oman does not view Iran as a Persian empire, a monarchy or as an Islamic republic, but rather as a neighbor that will always exist regardless of whichever political structure holds power.

That said, no two states have all interests in common, and Oman and Irans relationship is not entirely free of issues. Ever since the Iranian revolution, officials in Muscat and Iran have had fundamentally different outlooks on the American military role in the Gulf. Oman, a close ally of the West, has always relied on the worlds strongest naval power of the day  once Britain, now the United States  to safeguard its national security. Since 1979, however, Irans leadership has viewed the US militarys presence in the Middle East as a root cause of insecurity and instability.

Despite Muscat and Tehrans conflicting understandings of Americas military presence in the region, Omani officials have always believed that it is best to address problems in Arab-Iranian relations using dialogue, not belligerency. Undoubtedly, the severing and/or downgrading of relations between 10 Sunni African and Arab governments in the region and Iran mark a setback to Muscats efforts to advance such a meaningful dialogue.

The unfortunate events that heralded in the new year underscore how Oman is truly the GCCs outlier. In breaking with the Saudi-led councils framework, Muscat did not permit Irans angry response to Nimrs execution to justify cutting off diplomatic ties with Tehran.

The full implications of this dangerous escalation of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran have yet to be realized. However, as the one GCC state that has maintained official relations at the highest level with Iran, Oman is likely Riyadhs only ally in a strong enough position to cool Saudi Arabia and Irans recently exacerbated tensions through mediation. It would be wise for leaders on both sides of the Gulf to tone down their inflammatory rhetoric, to put an end to recklessly impulsive behavior and to follow Omans mature lead by engaging in dialogue rather than issuing threats.
January 10, 2016

Washington Post columnist David Ignatius described Saudi Arabia on Jan. 5 as a frightened monarchy and warned that countries that feel vulnerable sometimes do impulsive and counterproductive things.

The execution on Jan. 2 of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, along with 46 others accused of extremism and terrorism, provoked a predictable wave of outrage and demonstrations among Shiite populations across the Middle East, and worsened already terrible relations between Riyadh and Tehran. Saudi Arabia could not have expected anything less. The kingdom broke ties with Iran after demonstrators ransacked the annex to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, although, as an Iranian diplomat told Ali Hashem this week, in practice, we had no real diplomatic relations in recent years.

Of the 47 executed on Jan. 2, 43 were linked to al-Qaeda. The US State Department released a statement that said it was particularly concerned that the execution of prominent [Shiite] cleric and political activist Nimr al-Nimr risks exacerbating sectarian tensions at a time when they urgently need to be reduced. The killing of Nimr and three other Shiite citizens for inciting violence in the Saudi Eastern Province suggested that the kingdom was also using the death penalty in the name of counter-terror to settle scores and crush dissidents, said Philip Luther of Amnesty International, which characterized Nimrs trial as political and grossly unfair.

Mohammed al-Nimr, the brother of the executed cleric, told Jean Aziz, Sheikh Nimrs defense lawyer, Sadeq al-Jibran, skillfully represented my brother. But, I contend that the trial was political, and its outcome was predetermined. Mohammed al-Nimr offered his explanation for the execution, and said, "When news leaked about the death sentence, we thought that because al-Qaeda and Islamic State members were to be executed, Sheikh Nimrs name was included to placate some members of the Sunni community and create a sort of sectarian balance. But, we later determined that the opposite was true. The whole intent was to get rid of Sheikh Nimr, with the names of terrorists added to cover that up. This was proven by the fact that 42 of the 47 people who were executed had been on death row for 10 to 13 years, while Sheikh Nimr had been convicted only a little over a year ago.

The execution of the al-Qaeda figures carries its own risks. This column reported last week that Saudi Arabia could become the next target of the Islamic State. The executions will likely encourage IS, al-Qaeda and their fellow terrorist travelers to seek retribution and expand their operations in Saudi Arabia.

The already fragile Syrian peace process is now on life support. Again, this should have been no surprise. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura met in Riyadh on Jan. 5 with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and Syrian opposition representatives to try to salvage the talks. While Jubeir reaffirmed Riyadhs commitment to the Vienna process, it is almost impossible to imagine that Saudi Arabia and Iran will be burying the hatchet anytime soon to bring relief to the besieged Syrian people. The expectations for the next meeting of the International Syria Support Group on Jan. 25 in Geneva, regrettably, could not be lower.

The executions coincided with an intensification of airstrikes and fighting on the ground by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Jan. 8 that he was deeply concerned about the expanded military operations, especially in residential areas, and reports of the use of cluster munitions by the Saudi-led coalition. A chamber of commerce, wedding hall and center for the blind have been the target of recent airstrikes in Yemen, according to the United Nations. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a letter to Ban about the Saudi strategy to derail the nuclear agreement and maintain and even exacerbate tension in the region, claimed that Saudi airstrikes hit Irans embassy in Yemen on Jan. 7. There have been 2,800 civilian deaths in Yemen so far as a result of the war.

Bruce Riedel describes Saudi Arabia as now facing a potentially perfect storm of low oil income, open-ended war in Yemen, terrorist threats from multiple directions and an intensifying regional rivalry with its nemesis Iran. Riedel writes that the most dangerous threat is economic. An International Monetary Fund report in October 2015 concluded, While the substantial fiscal buffers meant there is no need for a knee-jerk reduction in fiscal spending, a medium-term fiscal consolidation plan needs to be established and a gradual adjustment started. Riedel continues, The Saudi welfare state  which provides subsidies for health and housing, cheap gasoline and free education  is already being cut back because of the large deficit between oil revenues and government spending. Last years' deficit totaled $98 billion and foreign reserves dropped from $728 billion to less than $640 billion. With Iranian oil returning to the market, Saudi revenues could be depleted even faster than anticipated in the 2016 budget.

This week, the kingdom announced that it is considering listing shares in Saudi Aramco, the worlds largest oil producer, which is widely viewed as a means to address the growing budget imbalance. The son of King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  who also serves as minister of defense and head of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs  told The Economist that the kingdom is considering an ambitious economic agenda of subsidy reductions, reform and privatization. While in principle the Saudi economy could, and should, over time benefit from reducing its bloated welfare state, reform and change are not without social and political consequence, especially given the free fall in oil prices and the kingdoms precarious security predicament.
Myron Lumpkin slowly ran his hand over the rounded plaster walls that surround the opera boxes in downtown Birmingham's Lyric Theatre.

Relishing every curve and detail, he described to a friend what the theatre first looked like when he and master builders first started to restore it to its present day glory.

"It's something to stand back and look at you know? All the nights and long hours and sweat -- now it's 'may the work you do speak for you,' and it does it very well," he said as he stood for a moment to take in the completion of the renovated venue.

Donors, laborers and Birmingham Landmarks board and staff gathered with other visitors in the theatre Saturday evening for a dedication ceremony that included a preview of what is to come when the doors officially open.

Everything old is new again.

Exactly 102 years after it made its debut, the theatre will reopen on January 14, 2016.

The theatre will return to its roots with three vaudeville shows followed by a concert series. The "Live at the Lyric" series will feature artists Sam Bush, Mavis Staples, Randy Newman, Taj Mahal, the Drive-By Truckers and more. Artists Dr. John, Aaron Neville, Taylor Hicks and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, were recently added to the lineup.

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A Birmingham man has been sentenced to six years in prison for his guilty plea to corpse abuse in connection with a Pinson woman whose body was found burning behind an abandoned Fairfield home last year.

Kenneth Lamar Childers, 28, was sentenced Thursday by Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff Circuit Judge David Hobdy.

Childers had entered a blind plea - meaning no plea deal in place - on Dec. 7, the day his trial was to begin.

Childers has no prior felony convictions, court records show.

Childers' co-defendant in the case, Nathaniel Fortune, 32, pleaded guilty in November and was sentenced to 10 years in prison to run concurrent with other unrelated convictions. Court records show he had been sentenced to five years in prison for two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Childers and Fortune were indicted for corpse abuse in January in connection with the body of 22-year-old Megan Elizabeth Monroe, which was found burning April 19, 2014 behind an empty house in the 500 block of 40th Street in Fairfield.

Monroe was already dead from an alleged drug overdose when the two men put Monroe's body behind the house and set it on fire, according to the indictments against Childers and Fortune, according to the indictments in the case. Childers came to police nine days later and confessed what he had done and identified Fortune as the second suspect. Police also obtained video of the two men buying gas.

Assistant Cutoff District Attorney LeAnna Huddleston said that several members of Megan Monroe's family made statements to Hobdy concerning the impact her loss and Mr Childers' actions have had on them.

"They also spoke directly to Mr Childers expressing their hope that he will find peace through God and expressing their own forgiveness of him," Huddleston said. "Ms Monroe's family is very close to each other and have a strong faith in God. Both of these bonds will continue to help them as they hold onto ms monroes memory and continue to deal with their loss."

Updated at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2016 with comments from assistant district attorney
The cold weather didn't stop a few dozen residents from standing along Alabama 150 Sunday afternoon and saluting the family of a Lake Cyrus father, Iraq veteran gunned down last week in his driveway.

Hoover police escorted the family of Mike Gilotti, a husband, father of two sons and Iraq veteran to funeral services at Riverchase United Methodist Church.

Many of those in attendance waved American flags and said they came to pay their respects to Gilotti's family.

"Mike was a veteran," Grady Stone, of Hoover, said. "I, too, am a veteran. I wanted to pay respect. It was a horrible crime."

Stone said he didn't know Gilotti personally, but they went to the same church.

Amy Calvert, of Lake Crest, brought her two children, ages 9 and 3.

"I want to teach my kids they should have respect for military veterans and have pride for where they live," she said. "We all need to stand together."

Joan Sheppard, of Hoover, said she wanted to support the family because her son is a Navy veteran and is now home safe.

"I can't imagine fighting for your country, and then coming home and getting killed," she said.

Hoover Police Capt. Gregg Rector said the Gilotti family reached out to them about an escort to the funeral services.

"It is kind of a symbol of honor and respect for Mike and who he was, a combat veteran," he said. "He is very much a part of the community."

Hoover police haven't made any arrests in the Jan. 5 slaying, but they are seeking to identify two possible suspects seen on on surveillance video in Tuscaloosa.
A 3-year-old boy was spotted taking a dangerous ride on his Power Wheels on Wednesday.

The toddler, who was wearing a diaper, ended up in the median of a busy highway in Crystal River, Fla., WFLA reported.

Several witnesses stopped to help the boy and called police.

"I was shocked," Danny Collins told the news station. "That's why I took the pictures. I was like nobody's going to believe. Could have ended a lot differently if not for the people who stopped."

The boy's father arrived at the scene about 10 minutes later, explaining the boy unlocked the front door and left the house while he was in the bathroom.

The Florida Department of Children and Families is investigating.
MEXICO CITY -- Mexico is willing to extradite drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday. It's a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.



"Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S.," said the official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment.



But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman, the most-wanted trafficker who was recaptured Friday after six months on the run: "You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too."



Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzman's embarrassing escape from Mexico's top maximum security prison on July 11.



"He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if it's necessary, he can pay them in other places," said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party.



But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzman's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.



"They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure," said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. "That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way."

Guzman, a legendary figure in Mexico who went from a farmer's son to the world's top drug lord, was apprehended after a shootout between gunmen and Mexican marines at the home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzman's home state of Sinaloa.

The operation resulted from six months of investigation by Mexican forces, who located Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October but decided not to shoot because he was with two women and a child, said Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez.

After that he took a lower profile and limited his communication until he decided to move to Los Mochis in December.

Following his capture, the head of the powerful, international Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico City's airport, frog-marched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison he'd fled.

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman, who faces drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states. At the time, Mexico's government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

Then Guzman escaped a second time on July 11 under the noses of guards and prison officials at Mexico's most secure lock-up, slipping out an elaborate tunnel that showed the country's depth of corruption while thoroughly embarrassing the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto.

In celebrating Guzman's latest capture, Mexican officials showed none of their bravado of two years ago, though they made clear that the intelligence building and investigation were carried out entirely by Mexican forces. They did not mention extradition.

"They have to extradite him," said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico. "It's almost a forced move."

Gomez said that one of Guzman's key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis, where authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the house Wednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday morning. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in. Five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was injured.

"You could hear intense gunfire and a helicopter; it was fierce," said a neighbor, adding that the battle raged for three hours, starting at 4 a.m. She refused to be quoted by name in fear for her own safety.

Gomez said Guzman and his security chief, "El Cholo" Ivan Gastelum, were able to flee via storm drains and escape through a manhole cover to the street, where they commandeered getaway cars. Marines climbed into the drains in pursuit. They closed in on the two men based on reports of stolen vehicles and they were arrested on the highway.

In 2014, Guzman evaded capture by fleeing through a network of interconnected tunnels in the drainage system under Culiacan, the Sinaloa state capital.

"The arrest of today is very important for the government of Mexico. It shows that the public can have confidence in its institutions," Pena Nieto said in a public address. "Mexicans can count on a government decided and determined to build a better country."

What happens now is more crucial for Guzman, whose cartel smuggles multi-ton shipments of cocaine and marijuana as well as manufacturing and transporting methamphetamines and heroin, mostly to the U.S.

The United States filed requests for Guzman's extradition last June 25, just days before he escaped from prison. In September, a judge issued a second provisional arrest warrant on U.S. charges of organized crime, money laundering, drug trafficking and homicide, among others. But Guzman's lawyers already had filed appeals and received injunctions that could delay the extradition process for months or even years.

"The arrest is a significant achievement in our shared fight against transnational organized crime, violence, and drug trafficking," the Drug Enforcement Administration said in a statement.

After his first capture in Guatemala in June 1993, Guzman was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He reportedly made his 2001 escape from the maximum security prison in a laundry cart, though some have discounted that version.

His second escape last year was even more audacious. He fled down a hole in his shower stall in plain view of guards into a mile-long tunnel dug from a property outside the prison. The tunnel had ventilation, lights and a motorbike on rails. Construction noise as a digger broke through from the tunnel to his cell was obvious inside the prison, according a video of Guzman in his cell just before he escaped.

Mexican officials say dreams of Hollywood helped them track down and capture the world's most notorious drug trafficker.

Apparently Guzman, while on the run, thought his story was worthy of a movie. Part of the reason authorities tracked him down was because he wanted to film a biopic, Gomez told the press at the airport ceremony where the prisoner was shown off to the press.

"For that he established communication with actresses and producers, which became a new line of investigation," she said.
Florida couple abuse charge.jpg

Eugenio Erquiaga and Victoria Erquiaga (SCSO)

A Florida couple, a doctor and attorney, admitted to regularly tying up their adopted 12-year-old daughter and locking her in a playhouse.

Dr. Eugenio Erquiaga and his attorney wife, Victoria, were arrested and charged with child abuse, WTSP reported.

The couple told police they locked the girl in a 5-by-7 foot playhouse for hours. They said the girl had violent outbursts, and they restrained her for her own safety and for the safety of her six siblings.

"She wasn't allowed to leave the playhouse to use the restroom. She'd have to do all that inside the house the playhouse," Lt. Joe Giasone, of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, told the news station.

The girl escaped from her home on Dec. 27 and ran two doors down for help. Neighbors told reporters the girl was bruised and was tied at the ankles and wrists.

Erquiaga had reported his daughter missing.

Police say none of the other children complained of abuse, but they children are currently in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
A strange mountain lion killed last week in Idaho has hunters and state conservation officials buzzing.

The young male mountain lion was killed by a hunter after it was involved in an attack on a dog. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game later released a photo of the cat, which shows a fully formed set of teeth and whiskers growing out of the top of the left side of its head. Wildlife officials said it's the first time they've seen a deformity like this in a mountain lion.

The photos quickly spread online and Friday, the department released more information on what could have caused the strange-looking growths.

While saying it cannot "definitively explain" why the abnormality occurred, conservation officials said it's possible the teeth are the remnants of a conjoined twin. Or, it's possible the deformity was a rare teratoma tumor, which is composed of tissue from which teeth, hair, and even fingers and toes can develop.

While this animal was unusual, Idaho officials said mountain lions are common in Idaho, where they can be legally hunted.
A Nashville area residence which was home to several domestic and exotic animals, including monkeys, was destroyed in an early morning fire.

Nashville Fire Department spokesman Brian Haas told the Tennessean that not all of the animals have been found.

Besides several monkeys its unclear what other animal lived inside in the home located in western Davidson County, Tenn.

"They are distraught, they are beyond consolable," friend of the family, Anne Cerasoli told the newspaper. "They lost animals they would consider their children."

Alpacas, birds, dogs and llamas also lived on the property. The outdoor animals are OK.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
As the residents of the Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus, struggle to piece their lives back together amid ongoing air strikes by both the Russian and Syrian air forces, they have been subject to a psychological warfare as regime warplanes continue to drop thousands of leaflets upon their war-torn villages most recently during the last week of 2015.

Return to the arms of your nation, one crumpled paper read. Another note invited the rebels to lay down your weapons  and lets begin buidling the homeland.

Other notes were more intimidating with the familiar threats of the regime: You are surrounded. The army is coming. The Ghouta will return to the arms of the nation. They were signed at the bottom: The General Commander of the Armed Forces.

Another asked people to search for a green-coloured note among the dropped leaflets that would offer amnesty and safe passage through any of the army-controlled checkpoints surrounding the Ghouta.

Its all deceit and lies, says Salim al-Shami, a humanitarian and development coordinator in the Eastern Ghouta who spoke exclusively with Al Jazeera. Al-Shami says that these leaflets may have had some effect early on in the war, and several people had defected and surrendered early on; but now, after countless civilian deaths and unimaginable devastation, its not the case. Those who witnessed the destruction and raised their weapons to fight against the injustice and bring down the oppressive regime are completely unfazed by these empty words.

READ MORE: Letter from Douma: Our children are being killed

This form of psychological warfare is not a new tactic of the regime, and there have been numerous attempts to reach into the rebel-held areas in the vicinities of the Ghouta, and such notes have reached as far as Aleppo and Idlib, as well as Rastan and Talbiseh in the province of Homs.

Other areas, including Daraya and Moadamieh located southwest of Damascus, also witnessed similar leaflets being dropped by regime helicopters, some addressing the dear young people of these villages early on in the war, prior to the bloody massacresthat took place in 2012.

The notes were very frequent in the early days of the war, al-Shami said. The army would send them when some major event happens.

Also when emotions run high and people are in a state of panic and uncertainty. This particular set of leaflets followed the death of rebel leader Zahran Alloush, the leader of the Jaysh al-Islam group who was killed December 25 in an air strike claimed by Syrian government forces.

Ammar Waqqaf, director of Gnosos, an organisation that reflects stakeholder opinion in Syria and the Middle East, said that the dropping of these leaflets are likely not intended to to be a tactic to gain advantage of the instability that would naturally follow the death of someone of Alloushs calibre.

They are part of a continuous operation the government hopes might secure both a softer resistance and a faster reintegration of people who have been living outside government control, Waqqaf said. Such leaflets, he added, are a part of the standard psychological warfare doctrine of the Syrian army.

These tactics are more likely to work in areas where internal divisions are present. The Eastern Ghouta is a relatively large area in which such divisions are indeed present.

READ MORE: Survival in Madaya: We are living on water and salt

However, al-Shami says that people know that if they were to take the notes to regime-controlled areas, theyd be detained or even killed. Today, everyone in the area knows that the leaflets [offering amnesty] are complete lies, he says, adding that he believes these safe passage notes are only a new way for the regime to identify those on the inside who could potentially be tortured for information or killed if theyre deemed to have no useful information.

According to al-Shami, many of the people who attempted to leave the besieged Eastern Ghouta with these cards were arrested and are either still imprisoned or their whereabouts are unknown.

These groups of people consisted primarily of widows and children and elderly, with few young men. None, according to al-Shami, had any links to the rebels or posed a threat to the regime.

The siege has been harsh on all of us. Many people couldnt be patient any longer and would think to themselves: We dont carry weapons, we have nothing to do with this war. We dont want to suffer under this siege any longer. They thought theyd found a way out. But they didnt realise that death was waiting for them at the other side, al-Shami says.

Such tactics always work in a besieged and tired area, but their success rate is relative to many factors, Waqqaf says. In this case, these factors are likely dependent on the history of the besieged group and their overall trust that the goverment will uphold the promise of security upon surrendering.

Layla Saleh, assistant professor at the department of international affairs and a researcher on Syria at Qatar University, says the very act of dropping the leaflets suggests the regime knows the degree of resistence coming from these areas. The construction and dropping of these messages is an implicit recognition [by the regime] of local resilience, despite years of siege and continued aerial bombardment.

Saleh noted the striking combination of threats with almost cajoling appeals to reason and patriotic sentiment as well as religious overtures to sinners against the nation. She added that these same citizens are also called terrorists in some of the leaflets, likely increasing scepticism of those who may not know what their standing will be and whether or not theyd be welcomed or punished upon surrendering.

So, [theyre told to] repent, act in your own self-interest, lay down your weapons, come back to the national fold  or your life is in danger, Saleh told Al Jazeera. The regime narrative has been consistent in this regard since the early days of the revolution.

But, the scepticism runs deep and the people in Ghouta know their worth to Assads army, al-Shami says. The army is willing to kill 100 civilians in order to target three known rebel fighters.

Some people who made it to the other side [with the green-coloured notes] were given an ultimatum: Theyd have to join forces with Assads army either as fighters or spies. Theyd be told to fight against their families still in the rebel-held areas, he added.

There were times when dozens of people would go to the checkpoints and they would be killed on the spot.

Thats what made these leaflets completely ineffective in the end. People know better than to trust anything that the regime says  not after what weve seen from them.
United Nations, New York  The worlds governments used to agree on tackling the use of cocaine, cannabis and other narcotics. Policies, such as locking up dealers, traffickers and even users, were underpinned by global treaties from the 1960s onwards as the US led a war on drugs.

That system is crumbling as ever-more Western nations, from Portugal to the United States, rewrite rules on whether cannabis and other drugs should be available to sufferers of multiple sclerosis and other maladies, decriminalised or even legalised, so that people can use them for recreation.

Experts warn of a polarised world in which reformers, such as Switzerland and some Latin American countries that have borne the brunt of narco-gang violence, clash with Russia, China and many Asian and Middle Eastern states that hold tougher lines against drugs.

James Cockayne, a scholar at United Nations University, the world bodys think-tank, warned that the consensus on drugs is fragmenting, creating headaches for policymakers and a vacuum of leadership that could be exploited by drug cartels.

Were concerned about policy fragmentation and worsening coordination between states, making it harder to safeguard global public health and throwing up a range of unexpected trans-border spillover effects, Cockayne told Al Jazeera.

Countries that wish to legalise cannabis and trade it with others will run into treaties designed with prohibition in mind, undermining a system that helps governments collectively combat criminal networks and other bad actors.

Drug facts

Modern global drugs policy was agreed upon through three treaties from 1961 onwards aimed at stopping drug use that was not for medicine or science. This involved fighting the production, possession, trafficking, use and trade of drugs, as well as gangsters and money launderers.

Those caught possessing drugs faced jail. Dealers, traffickers and those higher up the pyramid got stiffer sentences still. In 33 countries, drugs offences can carry the death penalty, according to Harm Reduction International, a research group.

Military-style operations have seen swaths of poppy and coca leaf fields destroyed from Afghanistan to Colombia. Globally, enforcement costs upwards of $100bn a year, according to Count the Costs, a campaign group.

Anti-drug policies

Despite this, there is scant evidence showing that anti-drugs policies work, and plenty to suggest the reverse  not least of which is the relative ease of buying drugs on the backstreets of Bangkok, Boston or Budapest despite police efforts.

Critics point to the lucrative drugs trade and often-vicious gangs that gain from prohibition. Torching plantations hurts local farmers and only pushes production elsewhere. Most of those behind bars are non-violent users and dealers, not cartel kingpins.

Efforts to create a drug-free world have clearly failed, Cleia Noia, an analyst at the Social Science Research Council, a think-tank, told Al Jazeera.

A blanket prohibition policy has been hugely negative, criminalising people for low-level activities and drug use, often women and ethnic minorities. And has any of it made it harder for teenagers to buy drugs?

Growing incarceration rates

In the US, ever-harsher drugs sentences saw the prison population quadruple to 2.3 million people from 1980 to 2008, with blacks behind bars at six times the rate of whites, according to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, a social equality campaign group.

In Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and Ecuador, more than 60 percent of women prisoners were jailed for drug offences  often poverty-racked mothers who became drug mules for quick cash, according to the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC).

Its time to change the metrics by which we measure success, Heather Haase, an IDPC expert, told Al Jazeera.

Instead of how many hectares of plantation are eradicated, how many arrests are made, or how much property is seized, we should look at the rate of HIV being spread by people who use drugs and share needles and other indicators of public health.

Decriminalisation of drugs

But reform is gathering pace.

Canadas new government is taking steps to legalise cannabis, and the plant will go on sale in pharmacies in Uruguay in 2016. In the US, it is legal in Colorado and Washington. Voters in California are set to vote on legalisation in November 2016.

Criminal penalties have been softened or lifted for those caught possessing drugs across parts of Latin America and Europe. In Portugal, everything from cannabis to heroin was decriminalised in 2001. Addicts are increasingly offered help and treatment.

But China and many Asian and Middle Eastern governments are sticking with tried and tested methods of enforcement and stiff penalties. At least 549 drug offenders were executed in 2013, most in China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

READ MORE: Australia moves to legalise medical marijuana

The Russian approach

Soon after it annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, Russia halted drug treatment schemes there that gave heroin addicts alternatives, such as methadone, leading to some 100 overdose deaths, the UN said.

Oleg Gavrilova, a Russian diplomat to UN drugs agencies in Vienna, warned against demonising conservative governments. Selling hard drugs in stores or pharmacies could be as dangerous as alcohol, which is widely available yet potentially deadly, he said.

There were 87,000 overdoses last year. Not because of drug control but because of direct consumption of drugs, Gavrilova said. Even against that background, we have a figure of three million who died from alcohol, a non-controlled substance under the conventions.

Globally, some 246 million people  or about five percent of adults  used an illicit drug in 2013, according to the latest data from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) . Some 27 million of those are drug abusers, half of whom inject drugs.

Against this backdrop, envoys from reform-minded nations will meet with hard-liners at a UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs in April 2016, ahead of the deadline for renewing global drug policies in 2019.

The US, which shifted gears on drugs after state-level cannabis legalisation, now says countries should be able to interpret global treaties flexibly. Haase said this is a cop-out, that global laws should be rewritten rather than sidestepped.

The treaties say that regulating cannabis for nonmedical purposes is not permitted; the US says it should be tolerated under a flexible approach. Its the same as saying black is white, which sets a bad precedent for international law, Haase said.

Cockayne warns that the problems could be more than academic. Although cannabis may be legalised in much of the Americas, global rules mean that cannabis growers in Mexico could not sell to retailers in Colorado or Canada. A similar problem exists between Morocco and Spain.

Growers and sellers may like to trade, but they cannot under the existing regime, even if trading would benefit the sellers, the government through tax revenues and the consumers, who gain from a regulated, safer trade, Cockayne said.

READ MORE: Mexico says Sean Penn interview helped catch El Chapo

Drugs hardliners and reformers

As the gulf between reformer and hardline governments widens and treaties are undermined, a chaotic and dangerous situation emerges that plays into the hands of the criminal networks behind the $435bn a year trade, he said.

Analysts expect few breakthroughs at UNGASS as most countries stand firm. It will be an opportunity to evaluate how legalisation or decriminalisation has worked in Portugal and Colorado before conservative countries even consider policy u-turns, added Cockayne.

Prohibition has been in place for more than 50 years, these policy changes are fairly new, said Noia. We have to give them time to evolve and be measured so that we can know exactly what effects experimentation will have.

Follow James Reinl on Twitter: @jamesreinl
Many inmates are imprisoned in their home countries after being released, while others start new lives.

US President Barack Obama is years overdue on his promise to shutter the notorious prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In all, some 780 men have been held at the US facility.

Many prisoners left Guantanamo in the same manner they arrived: on military transport planes. Some of the men were even hooded and shackled.

Former prisoners are now living their lives in more than 56 countries, with the most being sent to Afghanistan, followed by Saudi Arabia, which has a rehabilitation centre. A great many were sent to Pakistan.

The Yemenis

Dozens of Yemenis remain in the prison  many whove been long cleared to leave. Due to the conflict in their country, some released Yemenis were forced to resettle elsewhere  in Spain, Georgia, Oman and more recently, the United Arab Emirates and Ghana.

A Yemeni transferred to Kazakhstan, Asim Thabit Abdullah al-Khalaqi, died from kidney failure not too long after he left prison. His maltreatment in detention and poor healthcare post-release were blamed for his death.

The Yemenis who did return to their home country have experienced mixed fates. Some 10 or so of the men tried to reclaim their lives and are now married and working. However, the security situation imposed on them has made that difficult at times, according to Ahmed Arman, a Yemeni lawyer and human rights activist.

READ MORE: US releases five Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo

Two of the men spent some time in detention  held for political security reasons without charges. Two other Yemenis are in Saudi Arabia seeking medical care.

Still others have joined the fight with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula  and a handful of them have been killed in conflict or by drone strikes, Arman said.

Detained at home

Former Guantanamo prisoner Younous Chekkouri, repatriated to Morocco in September 2015, remains in jail there despite US diplomatic assurances that he would not be prosecuted or imprisoned. Chekkouri, along with almost all of the men released under Obama, were cleared for transfer from the US prison by six federal agencies.

Seven Russian prisoners were victims of flimsy diplomatic assurances, Human Rights Watch noted in a report detailing torture, ill-treatment, unfair trials and harassment upon their repatriation.

All the men had asked not to be sent home. One of them  Rasul Kudaev, said to be wrongly detained when he returned to Russia  was beaten while in a pre-trial detention facility there.

On the right side of his face, there was a large haematoma. His eye was full of blood, his head was a strange shape and size, his right leg was broken and he had open wounds on his hands, according to Human Rights Watch.

Djamel Ameziane of the minority Berber ethnicity fled Algeria in the 1990s. He worked legally as a chef in Austria and then sought asylum in Canada  a request that was denied.

Ameziane then travelled on to Afghanistan, where after the 9/11 attacks he was rounded up and sold to US forces for a bounty, according to his lawyers. He was released from Guantanamo in 2013 and was forcibly transferred to his home country, despite his fears of persecution.

Like his predecessor, President Obama has given short shrift to Amezianes concerns about his fear of persecution and shown callous disregard for his human rights, his lawyer Wells Dixon said at the time of his release.

An Algerian who left Guantanamo before him, amputee Abdul Aziz Naji, was sentenced to a three-year jail term on terror charges following what his lawyers called a show trial.

Surviving alone after Guantanamo Bay

Years after they were released from Guantanamo, a Syrian father and his son remain separated. Abdul Nasser Khantumani and his teenage son Muhammed could not be sent back to Syria for fear of repercussions under the Assad regime and possible torture.

The bureaucracy of becoming a legal citizen again can also make things difficult  as can the stigma of being a former prisoner.

They saw each other briefly at the prison before they would go their separate ways. We got them an hour together, with one embrace at the beginning, one at the end, and no touching in between, their lawyer Pardiss Kebriaei wrote.

Muhammed was sent to Portugal and was released before his father, who would be sent to Cape Verde.

Many men were forced to make their lives in unknown lands  often the only former Guantanamo prisoner in a foreign nation, like Syrian Maasoum Abdah Mouhammad in Bulgaria or Ahmed Abdul Qader in Estonia.

Recidivists

Of the men released under the Obama administration, some six percent are said to have re-engaged in terror-related activities, according to a report by the Director of National Intelligence.

The percentage under the Bush presidency was higher, but many of those men are believed to have been recaptured or killed. For example, Said Ali al-Shiri, a deputy commander of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, died in Yemen in 2013 as a result of injuries from a US drone strike.

READ MORE: Obamas limited options for closing Guantanamo prison

More recently, former Guantanamo prisoner Ibrahim al Qosi, who was released to Sudan, after pleading guilty in a war court, is reported to hold a key position in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Readjusting

After years of being told he was cleared for transfer, Shaker Aamer, the last British resident, returned to his family in 2015. Fifteen men in total were sent to the UK.

Also recently, Ahmed Ould Abdel Aziz was repatriated to Mauritania; and in 2014, Abu Wael Dhiab was among those flown to Uruguay to start a new life. Cori Crider represented the three.

Family support over and above anything else makes a huge difference in reintegration for these men, she said. For Aamer to be back at home with his wife and family is huge, and it goes a long way in helping him readjust, Crider added.

Imagine being taken out of the world for 14 years, tortured, given no compensation, sent somewhere with no ties, no family and someone says, just dust yourself off', Crider told Al Jazeera. The idea that it would be an overwhelming success is comical.

The bureaucracy of becoming a legal citizen again can also make things difficult, as can the stigma of being a former prisoner. Finding their identities again can be a challenge. One released client told Crider, We are out, but Guantanamo is in our mind.

Wells Dixon, a senior staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, has represented more than a few men.

These men lost so many years of their lives at Guantanamo that they are now really focused on the future  They worry about the same things we do: finding good jobs, taking care of their families, raising their children  and most go on to live quiet and unremarkable lives around the world, Dixon told Al Jazeera.

The process of rebuilding their lives is slow and frequently painful, but these men are survivors.
Four months in, the Labour leader still seems to be loved and loathed in equal measures, but how will it play out?

Glasgow, United Kingdom  He may have secured nearly 60 percent of the vote in the UK Labour leadership race four months ago, but the fortunes of Jeremy Corbyn continue to dominate the domestic British political scene.

Late last week, the veteran left-winger, whose party sits in opposition to Prime Minister David Camerons ruling Conservatives, finalised a reshuffle of his shadow cabinet.

Yet, far from being a formality, Corbyns maiden reshuffle not only took several days to complete, but also saw bitter internal feuds as three shadow ministers resigned in protest at the dismissal of shadow cabinet members who were at odds with the Labour leader.

The whole thing has been a bit of a mess, but I think its inevitable given the position that the leadership, the parliamentary party and the membership at large are in, said Mark Thompson, a UK political blogger and commentator.

You have this bizarre unprecedented situation where you have a leader who 90 percent of the parliamentary Labour Party MPs didnt vote for  and yet, he is the leader and hes backed by the [overwhelming majority] of the membership, Thompson said.

Corbyn, 66, was the rank outsider who, following the Labours disastrous showing in last Mays UK general election  which led to the departure of its then leader Ed Miliband  assumed the Labour leadership after defeating his three younger and more polished rivals in a bitterly fought three-month contest.

A backbench London MP for more than 30 years, Corbyn forged a reputation as a firebrand left-wing, anti-war and anti-nuclear politician, who, now occupying one of the top jobs in British politics, has suddenly found his every move and utterance subject to intense public scrutiny.

The Corbyn leadership is a leadership of transition and a kind of interregnum, Gerry Hassan, a political commentator and writer, told Al Jazeera.

At the moment, and because he has a limited amount of power  with his constraints within the parliamentary party  it looks like the [reshuffle] is not serious politics on any level in terms of his own politics or the politics that opposes him from the Conservatives. So, in that sense, its just a treading of water.

Corbyns (ultimately modest) changes to his team included anti-Trident nuclear MP Emily Thornberry replacing shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle, an unambiguous advocate of Britains Trident nuclear programme, who was moved to the culture brief to replace one sacked member.

Yet the shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, a Labour big hitter who found himself publicly at odds with his leader after voting for British military action in Syria in last months Commons vote endorsing air strikes, survived. Further resignations had reportedly been threatened if Benn had been forced to leave his role.

A vacuum in British politics

For the many thousands of Corbyn supporters across the UK, his rise from an obscure backbench MP to the leader of the Labour Party has brought about a true and much sought-after left-wing opposition to what many see as an austerity-driven, right-wing Conservative government.

Yet Corbyns unique style of political leadership, which has included a reiteration of his anti-nuclear principles and a publicly expressed discomfort over a shoot-to-kill policy in the event of an attack in Britain, has exposed the Labour leader to savage media criticism.

Whatever the merits and demerits of Corbyn, [his position as the Labour leader] tells you so much about the problems and vacuums in British politics, said Hassan.

And what it shows you is that when the existing mainstream consensus is questioned, the mainstream politics and the mainstream press and public discourse has a real problem in trying to understand this.

For the vast majority of Corbyn supporters, the Labour leaders treatment by the British press has been unreasonable.

One Corbyn supporter, Tom London, told Al Jazeera that most aspects of Corbyns actions as leader have been unduly attacked, not least his recent reshuffle, which, said London, had been distorted by a media which doesnt want to do Corbyn any favours.

I think that his political programme threatens powerful vested interests, and those powerful vested interests are using every weapon at their disposal, which includes the national media, to try and undermine him, said London.

Is Labour heading for another defeat in Scotland?

Scotland was one part of the UK where many Labour Party members hoped a Corbyn-inspired leadership would lead to a revival of their fortunes.

Although the pro-Scottish independence Scottish National Party (SNP) has ruled the devolved Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh since 2007 and it took 56 of the 59 Scottish constituencies in last Mays UK general election, purging 40 Scottish Labour MPs in the process, Corbyns unabashed brand of left-wing politics appeared to enthuse many left-leaning Scottish voters during his leadership election campaign.

Yet, the Corbyn factor has so far failed to dent the SNPs popularity in a Scottish nation that saw 45 percent of Scots vote for independence in September 2014s independence referendum.

Indeed, polling has suggested that the SNP is on course to decimate the Labour Party once again in this Mays Scottish Parliament election, leading to speculation over the prospect of a second independence referendum.

Publicly, Corbyn really doesnt have anything to say to Scotland, said Hassan, also emphasising the notion that the SNP has appeared to have successfully occupied the left-wing ground once held so solidly by Labour in Scotland.

Thompson also told Al Jazeera that a poor showing for Labour in the Scottish Parliament election, while an unwelcome prospect for Corbyn, would probably leave him relatively unscathed, given his short time spent at the UK Labour helm.

The vast majority of the damage that has been done to the Labour vote in Scotland has happened over decades  not in the last few months, Thompson explained.

Corbyn for prime minister?

But, as far as Britain itself is concerned, can Corbyn lead Labour to victory in the 2020 general election and become prime minister?

Buffeted by internal and external strife, Labours prospects have been written off by many commentators  and by many Labour MPs. Yet the likes of Tom London see hope for Labour under Corbyn.

READ MORE: UK MPs approve air strikes against ISIL in Syria

The idea that after four months, the guy has failed for me is just nonsense, said the Corbyn backer.

If you look at political history, a lot of people started off shakily. [Former UK Prime Minister] Margaret Thatcher was seen as unelectable when she was [elected as Conservative leader] in 1975  And Corbyn is no further away from the centre of British politics now than she was [then].

Follow Alasdair Soussi on Twitter: @AlasdairSoussi
Bethlehem, occupied West Bank  Each year, tens of thousands of Christians make their way to the historic city of Bethlehem for Christmas.

Believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehems Church of the Nativity is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the citys Christmas mass is broadcast around the world. Tourists, diplomats and journalists flock to the church annually to see the nativity scene.

But Bethlehem has not been immune to the tensions between Palestinians and Israelis that have escalated over the past few months. Clashes on the streets of Bethlehem often last for hours, well into the night, as Palestinians hurl rocks and Israelis respond with tear gas and bullets.

On Christmas Eve, celebrations took place around Manger Square, but with a much smaller crowd. Although the Christmas mass was packed, the traditional fireworks celebration was cancelled as a sign of respect for the Palestinians who have died since the latest round of violence flared up in October.

On Christmas Day, young Palestinians again gathered to confront the Israeli army. Instead of fireworks and music, the dominant sounds were of tear gas canisters and bullets being fired  a grim start to the new year.
If the talks are to lead to anywhere, meetings must include representatives who can deliver results on the ground.

In the latest attempt to find a solution to the nearly 38-year-old war in Afghanistan, diplomats from Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States, and China will meet in Islamabad on January 11. This format, called the two plus two or the quad, evolved from an effort started by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani soon after his inauguration in September 2014.

Ghani seems to have based his effort on the following hypotheses:

Fighters have joined the insurgency in Afghanistan for many reasons, such as anger over the US-led intervention, civilian casualties, detentions and torture, abuse by local power holders, or to protect lucrative criminal activities, but the main driver of the conflict is Pakistans use of these groups to pressure Afghanistan.





Pakistan, specifically the military, intends to keep pressuring Afghanistan to counter Kabuls perceived alignment with India and the longstanding bilateral issues between the two countries. These mainly concern the status of the boundary between the two countries, which Afghanistan calls the Durand Line and has never officially recognised.

Disputes over the border are linked to Afghan and Pashtun nationalist movements in both countries that have challenged the legitimacy of the incorporation of Pashtun territories into Pakistan.

Political solution

Pakistan supports the Taliban by providing a secure safe haven for their leadership, logistics, training, recruitment, and fundraising. Pakistans nuclear and conventional forces have deterred kinetic action against these safe havens. The countrys strategic importance to China, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, precludes international sanctions against Pakistan. Therefore only a political solution is possible.

ALSO READ: ISIL wont get very far in Afghanistan  for now

At a press conference on December 31, 2015, Ghani said, It is obvious that there are groups of Taliban, not a unified movement. If so, direct engagement with the Pakistan-based so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, formerly led by the late Mullah Muhammad Omar and now by Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansur, will only magnify the importance of that group.

If the Taliban are a collection of groups, then the Taliban political office in Doha with which the US has engaged in talks, could not be an effective interlocutor. by

Since the announcement of the death of Mullah Omar, at least one group has split from the Taliban, but Pakistan, sometimes to the dismay of Kabul, has supported Mansurs efforts to consolidate power. If the Taliban are a collection of groups, then the Taliban political office in Doha with which the US has engaged in talks, could not be an effective interlocutor.

Therefore as a first step Afghanistan must offer to build trust with Pakistan, as Ghani tried to do starting with his November 2014 visit to Pakistan. Economic cooperation such as the Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India (TAPI) pipeline will reinforce such confidence building measures and provide incentives to reach agreement.

The rise of Chinas economy and its leaderships decision to look west has led China to break with its passivity in this region. In order to complete the hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure that China intends to build across Central and South Asia, it requires a predictable environment, including peace and security in Afghanistan.

Chinas interests

This trend has moved Chinas interests in the region toward closer alignment with those of Afghanistan and the US. At least some of Pakistans use of Islamist militants now threatens Chinas interests, while Chinas investments offer Pakistan a significant payoff if it modifies its policy of protecting the Taliban safe haven. Hence inclusion of China in the process is essential to move Pakistan in the right direction and keep it on board.

The US remains the dominant foreign power for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the increasing alignment of US and Chinas interests and the development of US-China cooperation on Afghan issues reduces Pakistans ability to play one against the other. US-China cooperation may also turn into a durable partnership that will be needed to monitor and implement any agreement.

Therefore these four powers must reach agreement on the framework for negotiation. Whether or not various Taliban groups accept that internationally agreed framework will constitute the working definition of those who choose peace or terrorism, in Ghanis words.

Those who refuse this framework should be dealt with militarily in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. That would include international extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIL.

ALSO READ: Is an Afghan Awakening the solution?

Especially after the bloody summer and fall of 2015, Afghan public opinion will not accept negotiations as long as this level of violence continues. While Pakistan has argued that a ceasefire or the equivalent must emerge from the talks, Ghani insists that some confidence building measures must lead very quickly to a reduction in violence. For that he is relying more on Pakistans leverage over the Taliban than on agreement with them.

If Pakistan's ability or willingness either to deliver or suppress the Taliban is less than the Afghan government believes or hopes, Afghanistan may have to engage more with the Taliban rather than with Pakistan. by

Talks with Taliban

Who would represent the Taliban in such talks? The Taliban leadership has stated for years that the Doha office is the address for talks. The Taliban sought an office in a Gulf country so it could operate more independently of Pakistan and represent the real positions of what they portray as a politically centralised, though operationally decentralised, movement.

At the July 5 meeting in Murree, however, the Taliban side consisted of two representatives of mujahidin networks from Eastern Afghanistan dating back to the 1980s that joined the Taliban later (the Haqqanis and Harakat-Mansur) and one individual working more or less directly for the ISI (Mullah Abbas).

If negotiations are to lead to an actual settlement with most of the insurgents, future meetings will have to include representatives who can deliver results on the ground.

If the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does speak for a significant portion of the fighters, it may be necessary to include the political office, which has so far rejected the framework proposed by the Afghan government and demanded more talks with the US and the lifting of sanctions before negotiating with the Afghan government.

If Pakistans ability or willingness either to deliver or suppress the Taliban is less than the Afghan government believes or hopes, Afghanistan may have to engage more with the Taliban rather than with Pakistan, and Pakistan will have to agree to loosen its control of the process.

Thus far it has insisted that all meetings, including both Murree and this Mondays diplomatic meeting, take place in Pakistan.

And if Pakistan will not or cannot take the necessary measures to disarm the Taliban as part of the implementation of an agreement, not only Afghanistan, but also the US and China will have to reconsider how to gain its compliance.

The main subject of discussion in Islamabad is likely to be where and when to hold the next meeting, who should be invited, and how to place the chairs around the table. That is necessary.

But a clearer consensus within the quad on the issues discussed here will be needed to actually attain the objective.

Barnett Rubin is a leading expert on Afghanistan and South Asia.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The solution is to reconnect the government with marginalised communities that provide social base for El Chapo et al.

Sreeram Chaulia is a professor and dean at the Jindal School of International Affairs in Sonipat, India.

The re-recapture of Mexicos dreaded drug kingpin, Joaquin Guzman Loera or El Chapo, after an epic manhunt by security forces is a significant event in the history of countering organised crime. But hauling him back into prison is not in itself a solution to chronic lawlessness and insecurity.

Rather, the fact that it took so long and so many sensational jailbreaks and near-misses before he was yet again pinned down means that he is more a symbol of what is sorely amiss in Mexicos corroded legal and political systems.





A man who topped charts as the most-wanted fugitive in the world, El Chapo was no ordinary thug.

His legendary status as the merciless and wily head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, his Robin Hood cult as a billionaire messiah of the poor, and the ease with which he would give chasers a slip made him a parallel authority who mocked at the flawed Mexican state that has struggled under the weight of multiple institutional flaws.

Larger than life

For his faithful, he was the de facto state and the law  a demigod who killed at will, built vast transnational linkages to siphon cocaine, marijuana and heroine, and commanded a private air force, navy and army to spread his empire. Where a smuggler could become so larger-than-life and unstoppable for decades, it exposes misguided policies and relationships involving the formal state structure.

ALSO READ: El Chapo Guzman in context

Now that El Chapo is back behind bars (hopefully for good at least this time), it is worth recalling that he was the byproduct of a proverbial weak state riven by a culture of clientelismo or patronage networks wherein federal and provincial governments were integrated with local warlords to sustain themselves in power.

El Chapo and his ilk ravaged Mexico but they have been paradoxically worshipped by many laypersons... by

From cabinet ministers to local mayors, judges and lawers to beat cops, the entire body politic was compromised and conducive for a superhuman criminal to exploit the chinks and ride his way to glory.

The lure of the market for contraband in the United States, the nefarious connections with US banks, and the easy availability of weapons across both sides of the US-Mexico border were the perfect backdrops for drug syndicates to flourish and exercise brutal control over millions of Mexican people.

The state and its arms were so enmeshed in graft and nepotism that they abdicated in delivering social services, justice and clean government, allowing the cartels to step in as a substitute. El Chapo and his ilk ravaged Mexico but they have been paradoxically worshipped by many laypersons because they addressed the needs of the poor better than the legal institutions.

There are fascinating parallels between El Chapo and Matteo Messina Denaro, the still-at-large Italian mafia boss who goes by the nickname Diabolik. The chief of the Cosa Nostra gang, Diabolik has operated with impunity across several continents and has the blood of countless victims on his hands.

As in the case of Mexico, the mafia is deeply entrenched in the fabric of Italys dysfunctional state, with connections in the highest corridors of power and a share in every pie from construction and food services to drugs and industry.

The worlds number six most-wanted fugitive according to Forbes, Diabolik has evaded arrest endlessly due to criminalisation of the police force and turf battles among politicians.

Like El Chapo, Diabolik is lionised as a hero among his vast multitude of beneficiaries in Sicily even though he openly crows about committing so much mass murder that I filled a cemetery all by myself.

The sandalwood bandit

Similar figures have vexed other countries and brought to light the agonising failure of the formal governance and justice systems. In southern India, the notorious sandalwood bandit Veerappan cocked a snook at the law and ran a kingdom of his own spread over 6,000 square kilometres for three decades until he was killed in 2004 by a special police force.

ALSO READ: A drug war made in Mexico?

The extortion rackets and assassinations he conducted with impunity exposed close ties with top politicians, who shielded him for years in pursuit of their own ethnic polarisation agendas as well as a share of the illicit profits from smuggling sandal, which has a huge demand in the cosmetics sector.

Then there is the saga of Naw Kham, alias Godfather, the Myanmarese drug smuggler and kidnapper who amassed a fortune and ran a private militia to evade justice in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia.

Until superior Chinese military intervention did him in in 2012, Godfather dominated the Mekong River jungles with a mixture of El Chapo-style humanitarian aid and systematic bribing of security forces in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

In the process, he exposed weak states which can be penetrated and patrons within their establishments who are on the take from the drug business.

Since the common thread to all these scofflaws is a defective state, the solution lies in what Vanda Felbab-Brown of the Brookings Institution terms as multifaceted state-building efforts to reconnect the government with marginalised communities that provide the social base for El Chapo-like folk heroes.

The tagline of a popular Bollywood mob movie, Sarkar, says: When the system fails, a power will rise. But the world cannot afford more ruthless and arbitrary power centres like El Chapo. The hard but only way out is to gradually fix the system and improve its integrity and accountability.

Sreeram Chaulia is a professor and dean at the Jindal School of International Affairs in Sonipat, India.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Deaths from malnutrition reported as three towns wait desperately for promised food aid to arrive from Damascus.

As aid agencies prepare to deliver food to Madaya, on the outskirts of Damascus and two other besieged towns in Idlib province, an estimated 400,000 people are living under siege in 15 areas across Syria, according to the UN.

A deal struck in recent days permits the delivery of food to Madaya, currently surrounded by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the villages of Fouaa and Kefraya in Idlib, both of which are hemmed in by rebel fighters.



Inside Story  Syrians facing starvation: is there any hope left?

Due to a siege imposed by the Syrian government and the Lebanese Hezbollah group, an estimated 42,000 people in Madaya have little to no access to food, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people by starvation so far, according to the charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Reports of widespread malnutrition have emerged, some of them suggesting that Madaya residents are resorting to eating grass and insects for survival.

In Kefraya and Fouaa, about 12,500 people are cut off from access to aid supplies by rebel groups, including al-Nusra Front.

On December 26, Syrian government forces set up a checkpoint and sealed off the final road to Moadamiyah, a rebel-controlled town on the outskirts of Damascus, demanding that opposition groups lay down their arms and surrender.

The Moadamiyah Media Office, run by pro-opposition activists, estimates that 45,000 civilians have been stuck in the area for more than two weeks.

READ MORE: The forgotten pocket of Syrias refugee crisis

The organisation said on Saturday that a siege that started in April 2013 and lasted a year, resulted in the deaths of 16 local residents due to a lack of food and medicine.

It said the current conditions had killed one local resident so far this year: an eight-month-old boy who died from malnutrition on January 10.

Update #Madaya: 5 starvation-deaths confirmed in besieged town today, Sunday 10 Jan. One 9-year-old boy and four over 45-years men #Syria  MSF International (@MSF) January 10, 2016 Dani Qabbani, a Moadamiyah-based media activist, said the child died because of the crippling siege being imposed by Assads militias.

They couldnt help him here in the only field hospital in the city, he told Al Jazeera. Assads checkpoints prevented his family from hospitalising him in Damascus.

If the situation continues for another week, we are expecting a disaster for the 45,000 civilians [in Moadamiyah].

WATCH: Who is responsible for Syrias malnourished children?

Describing the local population as worn down and scared, Qabbani said: They dont want to go through what they did in 2013 again.

Sharif Nashashibi, a London-based analyst of Arab political affairs, says the government-imposed sieges in places such as Moadamiyah and Madaya have put rebel fighters under double pressure.

These sieges dont just wear down the fighters, they also causes them to see the population around them suffering and raises the concern that the population could turn against them, he told Al Jazeera.

These sieges are war crimes. The government is collectively punishing the population of that area because of the presence of enemy fighters.

The UN reported in December that the Syrian government and allied militias have also placed under siege more than 181,000 people in the Damascus outskirts, including Darayya and Ghouta, as well as in Zabadani, near the Lebanon border.

READ MORE: Syria starvation: Is there any hope left?

Separately, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has imposed a siege on more than 200,000 in Deir Az-Zor in Syrias east.

Besieging Syrian civilians is wrong, whoever the perpetrator, Nashashibi told Al Jazeera.

One cannot be selective in ones outrage over the suffering of Syrian civilians and plausibly claim to have a moral compass.

The ongoing Syrian conflict started as a largely unarmed uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011, but morphed into a full-blown civil war that has killed more than 250,000 people and turned more than 4.3 million others into refugees, according to statistics by the UN.



Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for the UN childrens agency UNICEF, says that the lack of access has made it impossible to assess the humanitarian needs of the communities in question.

These are areas that have been under siege by parties to the conflict, she told Al Jazeera.

We cant point a finger to one party and not another because more than one party to the conflict is involved in besieging various communities.

In addition to struggling to get food and medicine, Touma said, the affected areas also endure severe disruptions in, if not a total lack of, other basic services, including electricity and education.

Furthermore, she said, communities classified as besieged are not the only ones in desperate need of humanitarian access.

Due to raging battles and increasing violence, there are more than 4.5 million people living in areas classified by the UN as hard to reach, Touma said, adding that more than half of those are children.

Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_








Arab foreign ministers rally behind Riyadh in dispute with Tehran over attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions.

Top Arab diplomats have condemned attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran and warned that the Islamic Republic would face wider opposition if it continued its interference in the internal affairs of Arab states.

After meeting on Sunday in Cairo for emergency talks requested by Riyadh, Arab League foreign ministers issued a joint statement denouncing the hostile acts and provocations of Iran in the dispute.





All members of the Arab League voted in favour of the statement, with the exception of Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah is a powerful political force.

Speaking after the meeting, Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabias foreign minister, said relations between Riyadh and Tehran could only be repaired if Iran stopped interfering in its affairs.

Iran can live in the region as a neighbour if it stops these approaches, but if Iran continues the violent approach, it will face opposition from the Arab world  this is the message weve got from the meeting, Jubeir said.

Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of interfering in its affairs and allowing the protesters to ransack its diplomatic missions.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE foreign minister who chaired the meeting, said Iran had to determine what kind of neighbour it wants to be, further accusing it of supporting extremist groups.

Analysis: Fears grow over Saudi-Iran row

Iran doesnt have qualms and doesnt hesitate to use the sectarian card as a way to dominate the region and interfere in the internal affairs of Arab countries, he said.

On Saturday, at a meeting of GCC foreign ministers, Jubeir warned of further measures against Iran if it continued with its current policies without clarifying what form such action would take.

The episode is the latest flare-up between the Middle East powers.

Saudi Arabia and Iran find themselves on opposing sides of the wars in Syria and Yemen.
Rights monitors charges, which caused row between government and UN, dismissed as very weak report without evidence.

The Arab coalition in Yemen has denied accusations of dropping cluster bombs in the country after UN chief Ban Ki-moon said their use may be a war crime.

The coalition denies using cluster bombs in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, spokesman Brigadier-General Ahmed al-Asseri told AFP news agency on Sunday.

He was specifically responding to a report issued on Thursday by the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), which quoted residents describing a January 6 attack in a manner consistent with cluster-bomb use.





I think its a very weak report, Asseri said. They didnt show any evidence.

He said HRW mentioned a type of cluster munition that doesnt exist in our stock, adding that 90 percent of coalition operations in Sanaa are directed against Scud missile launchers.

You cannot use a cluster bomb against Scud launchers, Asiri said.

His comments came a day after Yemens government apparently reversed a decision to expel the head of the country office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) after an appeal from Ban.

An AFP report identified the official as George Abu al-Zulof and said Yemen had accused him of lacking impartiality in his assessments of the human rights situation in the Arabian Peninsula country.

Because of the fuss created around the matter and caused by media reports  the Yemeni government has decided to give more time to review the relationship with the OHCHR, in order to uphold the values of human rights, said a letter from Yemens UN mission to Ban, seen by Reuters on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, the OHCHR office in Yemen said it had received allegations that coalition forces used cluster bombs in attacks.

Air strikes by the Arab coalition, assembled by Saudi Arabia, have intensified since the humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen ended on January 2.

For its part, the coalition has accused the Iran-allied Houthi fighters and their allies of firing ballistic missiles towards Saudi cities and border posts, as well as hampering aid operations in Yemen.

READ MORE: UN criticises Yemens expulsion of rights official

Separately, HRW said in a new report on Sunday that Houthis have arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared dozens of people in Sanaa, because of their links to the Islah political party, which is opposed to the rebels.

The Houthi authorities should safeguard the rights of everyone in detention, immediately release all those held arbitrarily, and grant family members, lawyers, and independent monitors immediate access to detention sites to reduce the risk of abuse, an HRW statement said.

There has been widespread international concern about the high numbers of civilian casualties in Yemen.

The Arab coalition has been supporting Yemeni forces since March against the Houthis and their allies, who seized territory from the internationally recognised government.
Aid agencies say food and medicine set to reach Madaya and two other Idlib villages, where thousands are starving.

Aid agencies say a deal has been reached to send food and medicine into beseiged towns in Syria, where tens of thousands of people are in danger of starving to death.

The aid deal agreed on Saturday will result in humanitarian supplies being sent to the opposition-held town of Madaya at the Lebanese border, and to two villages in the northwestern province of Idlib that are blockaded by rebels.





Aid agencies have warned of widespread starvation in Madaya, where some 40,000 people are at risk.

The UN said on Thursday that Damascus had agreed to allow access to all three areas, but did not say when the delivery would take place.

Both date and time have been set. Aid will go to three towns on Monday morning, all at the same time, said a source familiar with the matter. A second, pro-Syrian government source confirmed the details.

Images of emaciated bodies and hungry children have led to an international outcry over the use of siege tactics by all sides in the war.

News of the agreement came on Saturday as scores of people were killed and more than 100 others injured in Russian air strikes in Syrias Idlib province.

The volunteer-run Syria Civil Defence told Al Jazeera that Saturdays Russian air strikes targeted the town of Maarat al-Numaan, 290km north of the capital, killing at least 43 people and injuring at least 150 others.

Our volunteers are still in the area that was targeted by the air strikes. They are still trying to help those injured and affected by the attack, the coordinator for the Idlib Syria Civil Defence told Al Jazeera.

Voices from Syria: The safest place is the frontline

Many of those injured are in very serious conditions, the death toll is expected to rise, he added.

In another attack in Idlib province, the Syria Civil Defence said at least three people were killed and four others were injured in air strikes that targeted a school and a fire department in Ariha.

Known also as the White Helmets, the Syria Civil Defence is a group of volunteer rescuers formed in 2013 that now numbers more than 2,700 volunteers.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at 39, adding that the air strikes targeted a court and a prison in Maarat al-Numaan.

Anas Maarawi, a media activist in Idlib, told Al Jazeera that the attacks targeted a court and a prison controlled by al-Nusra Front in Maarat al-Numaan.

The first floor of the court was targeted in addition to a prison. We are getting reports that at least 53 have been killed in these air strikes, Maarawi said.

Syria ready to attend Geneva

In another development, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid alMuallem told the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, on Saturday that Syrian regime was ready to attend the talks in Geneva expected on January 25.

SANA, Syrias state news agency, said that Muallem stressed the necessity of having a list of the opposition groups who are going to attend the talks.

Syrian opposition: No ceasefire unless Assad goes

Muallem said that efforts for a political solution and the UN Security Councils latest, relevant resolutions are linked to the credibility of the efforts of fighting terrorism, including forcing the countries which support terrorism to stop backing it, SANA reported on its website.

The conflict in Syria, which has killed over 250,000 people according to the UN, will mark its fifth year in March.

The Syrian Observatory said last week that more than 55,000 people, including almost 30,000 civilians, have been killed in Syria during the year 2015 alone.

Additional reporting by Diana Al Rifai. Follow her on Twitter @D_R_23
The US has deployed a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over its ally South Korea in a show of force following North Koreas nuclear test last week.

North Koreas fourth nuclear test angered both the United States and China, although the US government and weapons experts doubt the Norths claim that the device was a hydrogen bomb.

The B-52, based in Guam and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, was flanked by two fighter planes, a US F-16 and a South Korean F-15, in a low flight over Osan Air Base on Sunday, before returning to Guam, the US military said in a statement.





Osan is south of Seoul and roughly 100 km from the North Korean border. The flight was in response to recent provocative action by North Korea, the US military said.

B-52 missions reinforce the US commitment to the security of our allies and partners, and demonstrate one of the many alliance capabilities available for the defence of the Republic of Korea, the US military said.

The US maintains an ironclad commitment to the defence of our partner nation, and this combined mission demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un maintains that Wednesdays test was of a hydrogen bomb and said it was a self-defensive step against a US threat of nuclear war.

Any hint of the US nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the US to topple its government.

Bomb test

The B-52 flight follows a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim to celebrate the countrys widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test. Kim is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world and to boost his domestic political goals.

There was no immediate reaction from North Koreas state media to the B-52 fly-over, which also happened after North Koreas third nuclear test in 2013.

Since Friday, South Korea has been blasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda from huge speakers along the border, and the North is reportedly using speakers of its own in an attempt to keep its soldiers from hearing the South Korean messages.
Critics say parliaments role will be similar to that under Hosni Mubarak, giving the president even wider powers.

Egypts parliament has convened for the first time in almost four years since the chamber was dissolved.

Sundays session in expected to be the first of many to focus on ratifying dozens of laws put in place by Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the military general who deposed Mohamed Morsi as president on July 3, 2013.

Egypts last parliament was dissolved in 2012 by the top court in the country less than a year after it was elected in what was seen as the countrys first democratically elected chamber.

Morsi attempted to reinstate the parliament following his election that year, but was shot down by the courts in a move seen to strengthen the military that deposed him a year later.

Sisis government has waged a crackdown on opposition forces, resulting in the imprisonment of over 40,000 people across the country, as well as laws restricting street protests and press freedoms, and giving the police vast powers.

Sisi and his supporters have defended these moves, undertaken without a parliament in place, as necessary to combat terrorism.

Nevertheless, his rule has come under much scrutiny from human rights groups, and critics expect his powers to expand under the shadow of a parliament.

They say parliaments role will be similar to that under Hosni Mubarak, the former leader, giving the president even wider powers.

Sisis takeover has also been marked by a string of deadly attacks in the Sinai Peninsula as well as in the capital Cairo.
Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God: Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
Rights groups say 140 people killed in recent weeks as government moves forward with controversial development plans.

Wolonkomi, Ethiopia  Security forces have killed at least 140 people during a crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in Ethiopia in recent weeks, activists and rights groups say.



The protests  by members of the countrys largest ethnic group, Oromo  have been prompted by fears that farmers will be displaced by government development plans.

The government has admitted to killing dozens of protesters, and has promised to launch an investigation.

However, the protesters and families of those shot say they have little hope that an investigation will lead anywhere, or that their political demands will be met.

One injured woman, whose family spoke to Al Jazeera, will receive medical assistance from authorities, the government said on Sunday.

According to the government, 13 security forces have also been killed in the violence and an investigation is under way.

The government is cautiously trying to avoid recognising real problems in the society, Merera Gudina, an opposition leader, told Al Jazeera.

In fact, Ethiopian society is simply fed up with the regime, especially the youth. The young people have lost hope.

The protests have largely calmed down, but security forces remain in affected areas.
The war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia has escalated, with the two Middle East rivals swapping accusations about endangering regional security and targeting their respective embassies.

The feud first erupted last week after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in response to the execution of Nimr al-Nimr, a Shia religious leader in Riyadh. The incident set off a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic and economic reprisals.

Speaking from Cairo on Sunday, Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabias foreign minister, renewed the Saudi accusation that Iran was interfering in Arab affairs and instigating sectarian strife in the region.

Iran responded by accusing Saudi warplanes of bombing its embassy in Yemen and that Riyadh was using the row to hurt peace talks in Syria.

READ MORE: Saudi Arabia vs Iran  Beyond the Sunni-Shia narrative

The gap between Iran and Saudi Arabia is only getting wider by the day, Saeid Golkar, an Iranian expert at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, told Al Jazeera.

Golkar said the worsening situation makes it more difficult for the two nations to establish rapprochement in the short term. It is unlikely that the two countries would engage in a direct armed conflict. Instead, they may resort to proxy wars in the region including in Yemen and Syria.

In an interview with Al Jazeeras Barbara Serra, Fawaz Gerges, head of the Middle East Studies at the London School of Economics, said that given the current diplomatic condition, he fears that conflict will continue in Syria and nothing will come out of the upcoming talks, where Saudi and Iran are also at odds.

Iranian public opinion

The execution of Nimr fired up public opinion in Iran, despite the fact that he was only known to a few people in seminary schools before his execution.

The Iranian people dont like this challenge, Masoud Lavasani, a journalist who fled Iran and is now based in Turkey, told Al Jazeera, referring to Nimrs execution.

Nimr was executed in Saudi Arabia last week alongside 46 other people on terrorism charges. The Shia religious leader was accused and convicted of inciting violence in Saudis eastern province in 2011. He did not deny the political charges, but said he never carried weapons or called for violence.

The peaceful protests that followed Nimrs execution reflected the anger among Iranians, but it was hijacked by hardliners, said Ellie Geranmayeh, a London-based Iran expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Geranmayeh said, the incident exposed to a global audience the existence of factions from the hardline camp that support these orchestrated mob attacks in the country.

In Riyadh, Ahmed Alibrahim, Saudi affairs specialist and security analyst, told Al Jazeeras Inside Story that if it were not for the attack on its embassy, Saudi would not have cut its diplomatic relationship with Iran.

Diplomatic route

Despite the tense political atmosphere, Geranmayeh said it is important for the two countries to pursue diplomacy.

She said Western powers play the very important role of trying to press both Saudi Arabia and Iran to cool their escalation that may lead to major repercussions in the already unstable region.





I think mostly its going to be very important for Western actors to recognise the need to strike a balanced approach in this escalation, Geranmayeh said.

Weeks before the latest diplomatic tussle, Iran and Saudi were, in fact, making significant progress that would have paved the way for the arrival of Riyadhs new ambassador to Tehran, said Adnan Tabatabai, an Iran political analyst and founder of the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient in Bonn, Germany.

So this incident is not necessarily within a chain of constantly deteriorating climate between Iran and Saudi, Tabatabai said, referring to Nimrs execution and the subsequent sacking of the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

There have already been steps in the right direction, and this incident may just make it a bit more difficult. Indeed, it is difficult right now to improve the situation.
Non-Muslims visit mosques across the country to foster integration as France marks anniversary of Charlie Hebdo attacks.

A weekend that saw mosques across France fling open their doors in a bid to foster integration and overturn negative stereotypes about Muslims has been hailed as a successful first step. However, fears remain over the well-being of a community which has suffered retaliatory violence and increased racism over the past year.

On Saturday morning, visitors of all religious backgrounds walked into some of the approximately 2,400 mosques throughout France during an open-house event for tours, talks, and discussions with Muslims over tea and snacks.

The weekend was organised by the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), which is supported by the government.

It came as France marks the one-year anniversary of attacks on the Paris-based office of the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket, in which 17 people were killed.

READ MORE: Paris, a year after Charlie Hebdo attacks

The open-house weekend also fell nearly two months after the November 13 attacks in the French capital that left 130 people dead.

The November attack was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, triggering a backlash against Frances Muslim minority.

I think at a time when Muslims are the target of the government, but also of the extreme right wing, anti-Muslim sentiment is constantly growing, Rim-Sarah Alouane, a religious freedom, civil liberties and human rights researcher at the Toulouse 1 University Capitole, told Al Jazeera.

Its a very good thing to see that Muslims are willing to reach out and show people theyre part of this country, they are French, they stand for peace and also show that they shouldnt be afraid.

This initiative is a first step towards something bigger.

OPINION: Frances anti-terror measures are unconstitutional

There are between 5.5 million and 6.2 million Muslims in France, or roughly 7.6 percent of total population.

Alouane continued: 2016 is going to be a tough year. We should not forget the presidential election is coming soon [in April 2017], and everybody is playing the fear-mongering card.

The best way to get the votes of the extreme right is to play with those fears.

She recommended that the government make Muslims part of the solution, not the problem.

I am afraid that Muslims will give up and stay in their own little worlds instead of fighting for their rights. They should show they are here and part of this society, said the doctorate candidate.

My only hope is that they will reach out to more associations and reach out to the government even more to fight for their rights.

Many Muslims, she added, increasingly feel like second-class citizens because under the current state of emergency, launched after the November 13 attacks, Muslim homes and businesses have been raided and mosques have been closed.

This kind of [open-house] initiative  is a good beginning, but its not enough, said Alouane, explaining that members of the government should do more to encourage unity.

READ MORE: Activists decry plans to revoke citizenship in France

In December, when the event was announced, Anouar Kbibech, the CFCM president, said that the aim was to address the current climate of suspicion and distrust towards Muslims.

Kbibech added that he hoped that in 2016 , all fellow citizens of all faiths  believers and non-believers  will work together towards unity.

Yasser Louati, spokesman for the Collective Against Islamophobia (CCIF) in France, said: I think [the open-house event is a] great initiative and should take place more often in order to break down barriers between people.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, he added: In French media, we hear about Muslims, but we dont hear from Muslims themselves. Its been a success  its a good thing.

I hope these events can be organised on a regular basis so local mosques can connect with local communities.

France is witnessing, he said, a growing polarisation of society.

Looking ahead, CCIF is working to form a lobby group to protest a constitutional amendment proposal, supported by French President Francois Hollande that would give the government the right to declare a state of emergency and strip citizenship from those with dual nationality who are convicted of severe crimes against the nation.

According to Le Monde, some 3.3 million people have dual citizenship in France.

Follow Anealla Safdar on Twitter: @anealla
As the number of complaints rise, justice minister says assaults on women seem to have been coordinated or prepared.

The German justice minister has told a German newspaper that he assumes the crimes that took place in Cologne during New Year celebrations were coordinated or prepared, as police say the number of sexual assaults and robberies reported has risen significantly.

In a statement released on Sunday, Cologne police said that they were investigating 516 criminal complaints and that about 40 percent of those allegations were of sexual offenses.

If such a horde gathers in order to commit crimes, that appears in some form to be planned, Justice Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild newspaper. Nobody can tell me that this was not coordinated or prepared.





All connections must be carefully checked, Maas said. There is a suspicion that a particular date was chosen with expected crowds. That would then be a new dimension.

Maas said he wanted to quickly determine whether the New Years assaults in Cologne could be linked to similar offenses in other cities such as Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Hamburg, where women also claimed to have been harassed.

Dozens of women were assaulted or robbed during the New Years night in Cologne, the police announced last Monday. In the days that followed, many more cases were reported.

Police confirmed on Sunday that the number of reported assaults in Cologne are still rising.

The rising numbers also have a geographic reason: Some women were in Cologne for New Years Eve but dont actually live here, Dirk Weber, a Cologne police officer, told Al Jazeera.

Further investigations

Authorities and witnesses said the attackers were among about 1,000 men who gathered at Colognes central train station, some of whom broke off into small groups that groped and robbed women.

The attacks are still being investigated, but police have said that their focus was on suspects of primarily North African origin, which has put pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkels government and its open-door policy to asylum seekers.

READ MORE: Berlins refugee youth

The reported assaults have triggered protests by anti-immigration groups and counter-rallies.

Nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees arrived in Germany in 2015 alone.

Merkel announced a proposal on Saturday that would make it easier to deport asylum seekers who commit crimes, but the proposal still needs parliamentary approval.

Police in Hamburg are investigating similar sexual assaults and thefts in the St Pauli district, which occurred on a smaller scale in the northern city on New Years Eve.

Authorities in Sweden and Finland are also investigating similar incidents in their countries.

Additional reporting by Fleur Launspach
Rolling Stone magazine publishes interview conducted late last year as Mexico weighs drug kingpins extradition to US.

A secret interview given by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the recaptured Mexican drug kingpin, to American actor Sean Penn helped authorities locate his whereabouts, according to a Mexican law-enforcement official.

The interview between Guzman and Penn, purportedly held in late 2015 in a hideout in Mexico, appeared on Saturday on the website of Rolling Stone magazine.

https://twitter.com/rgay/status/686039040391548928

An anonymous Mexican official said it was the Penn interview that led authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October.

News of Penns secret meeting came as Mexican officials weighed the possibility of extraditing Guzman to the US, something they had ruled out earlier.

#SeanPenn should have interviewed the families of people whose lives had been destroyed, or ended, by #ElChapo's greed and cruelty.  James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) January 10, 2016

Authorities aborted an earlier raid because Guzman was with two women and a child. But they were able to track him to Los Mochis, Sinaloa, where he was captured on Friday.

He was arrested after a shootout in Los Mochis, six months after he escaped Mexicos most secure prison. Five people were killed during the operation that caught Guzman, who has twice escaped from prison.

Arely Gomez, Mexico attorney general, said on Friday that Guzmans contact with actors and producers for a possible biopic helped give law enforcement a new lead.

https://twitter.com/rembert/status/686009997298274305

In the Rolling Stones interview, when Penn asks Guzman about whether he is responsible for the high level of drug addiction in the world, he responds: No, that is false, because the day I dont exist, its not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? Thats false.





Rolling Stone says the meeting was brokered by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo.

Asked about who is to blame for drug trafficking, Guzman says: If there was no consumption, there would be no sales. It is true that consumption, day after day, becomes bigger and bigger. So it sells and sells.

Earlier on Saturday, a federal law-enforcement official said that Mexico was willing to extradite Guzman to the US  a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the US, said the Mexican official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he was not authorised to comment.

It's hilarious watching the entire media class hating on Sean Penn for scoring an interview any of them would have killed their mothers for.  Zack Stentz (@MuseZack) January 10, 2016

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition.

He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if its necessary, he can pay them in other places, said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nietos Institutional Revolutionary Party.
Theatre groups from West Bank and India come together to share the idea of resistance to Israeli occupation.

Palestinian ideas of freedom and liberation are taking the stage in India.

A Palestinian theatre group from the Jenin refugee camp is on tour along with an Indian street theatre group.

The plan is to share Palestinian ideas of freedom and liberation with Indian audiences.

Palestinian director Nabil al-Raee, said the history between India and Palestine has shown the shared values between the two peoples, and also the differences they can use to learn from one another.

Sama Mahmood Yousef, a Palestinian actress, said theatre school was like a journey to self-discovery.

And for me, as a woman in a conservative society, this is a form of cultural resistance. In Jenin, its hard to find places or people who support this kind of art. Everyone has their own job in the freedom theatre, she said.

WATCH: Syria underground theatre tells stories of hope

Sudhanva Deshpande, a member of the Jana Natya Manch (JANAM) or Peoples Theatre, said stage performance gives new life to the causes they care about, such as identity and discrimination.

All of these ideas are under tremendous threat. And thats the reason why we need to bring artistic collaborations of this kind into the public sphere in India, he said.

Art has the capacity to create or imagine, an alternative future. Art has the capacity to cross borders with ease. So all of these ideas are also, we feel, global ideas. Theyre not limited only to India or Palestine.
Death toll soars to 96 as several dozen die from wounds after Saturdays air strikes on the town of Maarat al-Numaan.

The death toll of Russian air strikes in Syrias Idlib province has nearly reached 100, as several dozen of those who were critically injured in the attacks on Saturday have died, a volunteer rescue group reports.

After 32 hours of our rescue operation, and following the deaths of those who were critically injured, the total death toll of the strikes has risen to 96, the Syria Civil Defence said in a press release on Sunday.

The attacks in Idlib targeted a court and a prison operated by al-Nusra Front in the rebel-held town of Maarat al-Numaan, Anas Maarawi, a media activist in Idlib, told Al Jazeera.

The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at 81.

In Douma, located in Damascus suburbs, Russian air strikes killed at least eight people on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory reported, adding that the death toll was expected to rise.

READ MORE: Russia denies air strikes targeted Syria civilians

Idlib province is mostly controlled by the Fatah Army coalition  which includes al-Nusra Front, Jund al-Aqsa, Jaish al-Sunna, Liwa al-Haqq, Ajnad al-Sham, and several other factions.

More than 250,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict, which began with popular protests in March 2011 and ultimately turned into a civil war following a brutal military crackdown.

Over 1,700 civilians killed

The main opposition bloc, the Syrian National Coalition, said in a report released on Saturday that it had documented the deaths of 1,730 civilians due to Russian air strikes since their launch in September 2015.

At least 135 children were among those killed, the coalition said, adding that over 29 hospitals were destroyed in the strikes, in addition to schools, homes and places of worship.

In a statement, the coalition called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities towards Russians continued violation of international and humanitarian laws.





The statement also said that Russias claim of fighting terrorism is a pretext to justify its aggression on Syria, which was clear from day one when its air force committed massacres against civilians.

Nearly 94 percent of the 12,000 sorties the Russian air force has so far flown in Syria targeted civilians and the Free Syrian Army.

Russias defence ministry denied in December 2015 that it targets civilians in its air strikes after an Amnesty International report accused it of doing so.

Russia says its target is the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and other terrorists, adding that the report was biased and contained ungrounded claims.

Speaking to journalists, ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the report contained trite cliches and fake information.

Additional reporting by Diana Al Rifai. Follow her on Twitter @D_R_23
Protesters demand answers over disappearance of five employees of company specialising in books banned by China.

Thousands of protesters in Hong Kong have taken to the streets to demand answers over the disappearance of a book editor and four of his colleagues.

Sundays march was the largest since the publishers, linked to a shop selling political books critical of Chinas communist party leaders, began to go missing two months ago.

The last of the five men, Lee Bo, was last seen in Hong Kong on December 30. At the time of his disappearance, Lee was the chief editor of Mighty Current, which sells books banned in the mainland.





Mighty Current and its Causeway Bay Bookstore are known for titles about Chinese political scandals and other sensitive issues popular with visiting tourists from the mainland.

Beijing has yet to officially confirm that the five men are being held.

But Lee has reportedly called his wife to tell her that he is assisting Chinese authorities with an investigation  and that they should not make a scene about his disappearance.

The case has raised fears that China is undermining Hong Kongs press freedom.

Al Jazeeras Rob McBride, reporting from the protest scene in Hong Kong, said that several thousands had taken part in Sundays event, with organisers estimating that up to 6,000 demonstrators were in attendance.

Many here regard this [case] as the latest evidence on [Hong Kongs] semi-autonomous status being undermined, McBride said.

In addition to the threats they feel the case poses to press freedoms, protesters also consider this case an attack on judicial independence, he added.

The possibility of Lee being abducted from Hong Kong and smuggled across the border really scares people here, he said.
Mauritanian journalist Cheikh Ould Salek was temporarily detained when he boarded a flight from Senegalese capital Dakar to Dubai on January 3 after he was mistakenly accused of being a terrorist mastermind.

Ould Salek, who works for Sky News Arabia in Dubai, told Al Jazeera that he boarded a flight from Dakar and was planning to get some sleep on the 10-hour flight to Dubai when he realised he was in a lot of trouble.

On board the Emirates airline, Ould Salek heard his name called and had three Senegalese police officers come to his seat to escort him off the plane.

I knew then that something had gone wrong, he said. When I looked outside the plane, I saw more than 30 police cars flashing their lights and tens of police and army officers were awaiting me, he added.

Once on the ground, Ould Salek was handcuffed and placed in a police car which sped off to a police station.

At that point, I could hear the counterterrorism agents congratulating themselves for apprehending the very dangerous terrorist Cheikh Ould Salek.

Once at the police station, I told the ranking officer that I was not the man they thought I was.

I told him, I am not the terrorist they think I am, and that I am a journalist.

Shocked but not amused, the police officer started flipping through Ould Saleks passport only to find out that the man in their custody had travelled wide and far with several European visas and an active US one.

At that point, the ranking officer told another officer to take the handcuffs off Ould Salek and they began to treat him more courteously.

But still, they would not release him just yet. They interrogated him for long hours, asking him how and why he had come to Senegal.

He told them that he was visiting a sick aunt and that if they checked their airport computer systems, they would find that he had come to Senegal directly from Dubai, not through Mauritania where the terrorist suspect would have travelled from.

Ould Saleks ordeal was not over just yet: The counterterrorism officials told him that he would spend the night in police custody until counterterrorism officials from Mauritania arrived in Senegal to validate his true identity.

In police custody, Ould Salek claims that he endured an all-night attack by bugs and insects that deprived him of sleep. In the morning, two Mauritanian officials came to see him and asked him several questions about his identity and his whereabouts on the previous days.

Luckily for me, one of the officers knew my family back home and validated my true identity. I was ordered to be released from police custody 24 hours after I was arrested.

The journalists ordeal coincided with the flight of the real al-Qaeda terrorist mastermind, Cheikh Ould Salek, from his prison cell in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott, where he was facing a death sentence for a 2011 failed assassination attempt on the countrys President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

The whole time I was being interrogated and jailed  only because my name was identical to the name of a dangerous terrorist  my mind was thinking about the many innocent people who got entangled in the mistaken identity quagmire but were not as lucky and ended up either in jail or even getting killed.

Al-Qaeda terrorist Cheikh Ould Salek is still at large.

Follow Ali Younes on Twitter @ali_reports
Riyadh seeks strong backing from Arab countries in its standoff with Tehran.

When the Arab League met in an emergency session on Sunday, tensions with Iran topped the agenda. Saudi officials accused Iran of interfering in Arab affairs and undermining regional security.

A day earlier, the Gulf countries had expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condemned the attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. The Gulf leaders also said that antagonistic rhetoric from the Iranian government had directly caused those attacks.

Riyadh warned that Gulf countries could take additional measures in response to Iranian moves in the region.

Is this support enough? And how far is Saudi Arabia able to go in its row with Iran?

Presenter: Peter Dobbie

Guests:

Ahmed Alibrahim  Saudi affairs specialist and security analyst.

Saeed Khan  Lecturer at the Department of Near East and Asian Studies, Wayne State University.

Mohammad Marandi  Professor at the University of Tehran.
The case against Assange is as political as it is legal; where does it go from here? Plus, Kenyas election influencers.
We travel to the Peruvian rainforest to find out whats being done to protect one of the regions most iconic creatures.

The Peruvian Amazon is home to one of the regions most breathtaking and iconic creatures, the macaw.

Since the 1960s, the number of the brightly coloured rainforest birds has severely declined. There are 16 macaw species, down from 20, left in the wild today and all the remaining species populations are in decline because of deforestation and a booming illegal pet trade.

TechKnows Phil Torres heads to Perus Tambopata National Reserve to meet a group of scientists studying macaws in the wild, who hope their research will help save these creatures from extinction.

The team is unlocking the mysteries of how these birds live in the wild  how they mate, reproduce and raise their young  information vital to conserving them.

Part of the researchers field work involves climbing the tall, old-growth trees where macaws like to build their nests. But these trees are in decline, so the scientists are using man-made nests to help macaws to raise their young. We see how the scientists collect the chicks, weigh, photograph and examine them  including taking food samples so they know what theyre eating  to monitor their health before they fledge and develop strength in their wings to take flight.

Macaws are known as umbrella species, explains Torres, and making the correct decisions in protecting them means protecting other species in the rainforest as well as their habitat.

Torres, an entomologist, also checks on a spider which builds a fake decoy spider suit, the wandering spider, the deadliest in South America, and makes some initial discoveries. He observes the interaction between ants and a type of butterfly on young bamboo plants. The catapillar feeds the ants and in turn is protected by them, but unlike any other species, when it becomes a butterfly it looks like the ants and tricks them out of their food.










Informations Worldwide condemnation of Saudi executions, beheadings & crucifixions

Alwihda Info | Par Bahrain Freedom Movement - 10 Janvier 2016





Saudis have been widely condemned for carrying out one of the largest mass executions in modern history, second only to ISIS massacres. On 3rd January they killed 47 people including Sheikh Nimr AlNimr, the prominent cleric who had called for reforming the hereditary tribal dictatorships of AlSaud and Alkhalifa. Some of those executed were beheaded; others crucified. This barbaric crime has shocked the world. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said he was "deeply dismayed" about the executions. Human rights groups strongly criticized Saudi Arabia's judicial process and protesters gathered outside Saudi embassies. Amnesty International accused the Saudis of settling political accounts. The international human rights group Reprieve said the UK "must not turn a blind eye to such atrocities and must urgently appeal to the kingdom to change course". The leading human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the UK Government's stance on Saudi Arabia wa s "completely immoral". "Thats the kind of regime were fawning to, were treating as a friend an ally, were bending over backwards and the governments response to this has been totally inadequate  it is very disturbing." On the execution of Sheikh Nimr AlNimr, Green party leader Natalie Bennett said: "This is a peaceful democracy campaigner who has just been executed. Among the victims were four Shia Muslim young men who had participated in anti-regime protests in the past four years.



There were furious reactions to the Saudi crime. Protesters stormed their embassy in Tehran, causing an immediate reaction from Riyadh which announced severing the ties with Iran. The Saudis apparently failed to convince other members of the GCC to follow suit. Only the Alkhalifa dictators of Bahrain announced a similar step which was ridiculed by observers who saw it as further evidence of enslavement of Alkhalifa by the Saudis who had rescued them from the pro-democracy protests almost five years ago. Many analysts agree that Riyadh wanted to shift the attention away from its disastrous adventure in Yemen which has led to humiliating defeat. Bahrainis poured into the streets to condemn the Saudi crime and called for action by the international community to force Saudi Arabia to stop its barbaric beheadings and executions.



There is widespread discontent among Saudi nationals following the decision to increase the cost of basic necessities. Petrol pumps increased the prices of the fuel by up to 67 percent, while electricity went up by up to 50 percent. The prices of water, gas and other consumer commodities such as meat jumped by up to 100 percent in the past two years. Meat increased from 650 to 1700 SR per whole lamb over four years.



Meanwhile in Bahrain the regimes aggression against native citizens has intensified as the people challenged the tribal rule and insisted on gaining their natural rights of freedom, political participation and self-determination. The people called for preserving the dwindling economy and stopping the dictators hopeless childish adventures. These calls followed the severe downturn of the regimes military achievements in Yemen. In the past week alone at least three members of the Alkhalifa aggressors were killed in Yemen. One day later a Bahraini F16 was shot down by the Yemeni armed forces, sending shock waves to the hearts of Saudi and Alkhalifa dictators. Protesters called for an immediate withdrawal of Bahraini troops from the Yemen conflict. Saudis and Alkhalifa are engaged in flagrant aggression that has now backfired against them, but people pay the price.



On 30th December Alkhalifa courts sentenced 29 native Bahrainis to jail sentences ranging between 5 and 25 years for taking part in anti-regime protests. Two of the victims also had their nationality revoked. Political prisoners have been subjected to more ill-treatment. Abd Ali Al Singace (brother of Dr Abdul Jalil AlSingace, one of the Bahrain 13) has been transferred to solitary confinement for calling to improve the dismal jail conditions. He was reported to have carried a placard informing the Alkhalifa dictator: There is no just judiciary. It is now known that Jaw prison where AlSingace is being held is infested with serious illnesses. Inmates at Building No 10 of the prison have also protested against the inhumane conditions in which they are held. Jordanian troops have repeatedly attacked native Bahraini prisoners in revenge for the successive moral, political and military defeats of the Alkhalifa tribal rule.



The prominent Bahraini volleyball player, Ahmad Abbas, from Duraz Town has received additional term jail to the 10 years he had received earlier. He has now been given life sentence and has had his citizenship revoked for challenging Alkhalifa tribal rule. He has played for regional and local clubs for the past five years.



Bahrain Freedom Movement

6th January 2016





Dans la meme rubrique : < > India should enter into military-treaty to get US-boots on ground for retrieving Indian territory from China & Pakistan and for independence of Tibet Tchad : 17 membres du bureau executif de lUDT, allie a la majorite presidentielle, jettent leponge Tchad : un mort et plusieurs blesses dans un accident routier a l'Est Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Vision boards help so many of us find the inspiration and motivation that we need to focus on and accomplish our annual goals. As I have ...
Like millions of other Americans, I suffer from a life-threatening illness. My disease is incurable, but its progression is slow. I have lived with it for years while hoping for the breakthrough drug that will cure or further slow it. I just wish all those running for president were as concerned about new drug development as I am.

As one of the 15 million Americans suffering from cancer  not to mention hundreds of other life-threatening diseases  I would expect presidential candidates to support research into new life-saving drugs. Most of this research is funded by drug companies, whose motive, in large part, is profit. Hillary Clinton seems to think that the profit motive is somehow immoral, except in the case of her own and her husband's lucrative speechmaking and book sales. She thinks the profits of drug companies are "obscene," even as she enjoys a family net worth of $111 million.

A special target of Hillary's attacks during the presidential campaign is the pharmaceutical industry. A plan she released in September would limit drug prices by allowing Medicare negotiated prices, capping out-of-pocket expenses, cutting the period of patent exclusivity from 12 to 7 years, and allowing importations from Canada. That plan would prove a windfall to insurance companies (major contributors to the Clinton Foundation), but inevitably it would reduce spending for new therapies. And, most important, it would do nothing to remove obstacles that government itself puts in the way of new drug research.

As Chris Ford wrote in Fortune magazine, Hillary's plan would seriously undermine the business model of biotech start-ups  those same companies that are responsible for half of breakthrough medicines. Huge investments over decades are required to bring new drugs to market. Hillary would limit the profitability of these drugs and so reduce new investment and reinvestment of profits in new drug development. As Ford points out, "the idea of systemic, extensive profitability in the pharma industry is an accounting illusion." U.S. accounting rules do not allow companies to reflect the enormous costs ($2 billion on average) of new drug development.

Again and again, Clinton has singled out pharmaceutical companies for what she terms "profiteering." Yet during 2014, the last year for which records are available, drug prices rose only 5.5%  not an unreasonable premium considering the innovative treatments that have come to market. Many of those drugs are saving consumers money by avoiding more costly hospital stays or long-term care, not to speak of extending lives and preventing suffering.

In her rush to demagogue the issue, Hillary appears not to care. Drug companies, she roars, are making too much money. Her view seems to be that money earned in the private sector is money that properly belongs to government. In the world she envisions, government would force companies to operate more or less as state-run enterprises along the lines of the state-run oil company Petrobras in Brazil. Those who have followed the recent scandal rocking the leftist regime of Dilma Rousseff know how that turned out. Hillary is not at all different from Rousseff or any other leftist who seeks centralized control of the economy.

I don't expect Hillary Clinton to put the interests of those who are suffering ahead of her own political ambitions. Has she ever? Not in her "wronged woman" charade following the Lewinsky affair, nor in her "blame the video" cover-up following Benghazi. Not in her dodging over approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which shut 100,000 workers out of high-paying jobs. Nor in her apparent disdain for the rules in regard to protecting and preserving government documents.

If Hillary were a statesmanlike leader instead of a ruthless pol, she would support pharmaceutical companies in the work they are doing by finding ways to cut development costs for new drugs. She would be pointing the finger at government with its costly regulations and inordinate delays, not at private corporations.

At the very least, she would be a cheerleader for the 21st Century Cures Act, passed in the House in July. The bill would reform FDA approval processes for new drugs and increase spending on research by $1.75 billion. Most important, by streamlining FDA approval of new treatments and medical devices, the bill would help to bring life-saving therapies to market more quickly.

While the Cures Act passed the House with bipartisan support, it faces opposition from Democrats in the Senate. According to one report, Democrats are crafting a "weak" version that would not include FDA reforms included in the Cures Act.

Where is Hillary on the Cures Act? I can find no evidence that she has taken a position on this life-saving bill. That might have something to do with the fact that it is opposed by a number of well-funded progressive groups such as Public Citizen, not to mention benefit managers and the American Hospital Association. Those same insurance companies that oppose the Cures Act have been major contributors to the Clinton Foundation.

No Democrat has ever supported legislation that would diminish government power, and the 21st Century Cures Act would do just that, by mandating alternatives to lengthy FDA clinical trials and funding innovative research outside conventional government control. Pressure from Hillary Clinton would make passage of the Cures Act more likely, but Hillary is the same Artful Dodger on this bill as she has been on every other issue.

One would hope that Hillary might depart from her obscene profits script and make an exception in this case, but she seems just as hostile toward Big Pharma as she is toward Big Oil (which has never been a source of obscene profits, either  not over the full course of the commodities cycle). Don't the lives of those who pray every night for a miracle cure deserve some consideration?

Apparently not if you see a short-term advantage in attacking pharmaceutical companies. There are some politicians who will do anything, throw anyone under the bus, speak any untruth, to gain what they desire. Based on her statements on the issue of drug pricing, I believe that Hillary is one of these.

Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture, including Heartland of the Imagination (2011).
On January 10-12, 2016, Carlos Moedas, the European Union Commissioner for Research, Science, and Innovation, visited Jerusalem and Ramallah. His visit is intended to strengthen the cooperation between the EU and local research organizations in science and technology. In Ramallah discussed a possible research and innovation program for Palestinians. But his main conversations will be at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, and a number of Israeli technological enterprises.

Moedas is responsible for EUs Horizon 2020, the worlds largest public research program with which Israel has been associated since June 2014. This has meant both Israeli cooperation with European researchers and support for individual Israeli researchers.

This relationship is a testimony to the common language of science and intellectual interchange. It is a devastating commentary on the state of universities and professional organizations today, not only in the U.S. but also elsewhere, that so many, even if a minority, of the faculties and members reject this basic academic principle of free exchange of ideas. It is shameful and disgraceful that groups, such as the American Studies Association in 2013, the American Anthropological Association in 2014, and the American Historical Association in 2016, have passed or have taken seriously resolutions calling for boycott of academic institutions in Israel or making false allegations about the Israeli mistreatment of Palestinians in the field of education.

Those who call for these boycotts should be called by their right name, reactionaries who are preventing intellectual interchange and hindering progress. One wonders what is the real motive of these prejudiced individuals since most of them know little of the reality of Israeli affairs, and have little love for Palestinians.

One also wonders if the ideological views of these individuals and groups about Israel would be changed by information of some pertinent facts. Do they know that amid the turmoil in the Muslim world in the Middle East, Israels economy, according to Bloomberg News, continues to grow and is expected to be one of the fastest growing among developed countries? Certainly the EU is aware that Israel is prominent in the high tech field with innovative companies involved in cybersecurity, medical technology, information, and defense technology. More than 1,500 new startups were established in Israel in 2015.

It will come as unwelcome surprise to the boycotters of Israel that 3,000 overseas Israeli researchers are concerned with employment in Israeli academic institutions and businesses. They will also be unhappy by some rapid developments: Chinese businessmen are not only investing heavily in Israeli technological companies, but also every year rapidly increasing that investment. Major companies such as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing and Bosch are establishing research and development centers in Israel.

Israeli development is taking an unusual turn. The proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish a new Druze town in the north of Israel near the city of Tiberius was accepted in January 2016 by Israels building and planning authorities and approved by Druze political and religious authorities. Druze, who amount to about 130,000 people in Israel, play an increasingly significant role in the life of the country, especially in the military.

This is the first new Druze town to be built by Israel since 1948, and in fact the first time in 130 years that a new Druze unit has been established in what is now the area of Israel. The new town will join the 18 other Druze towns, 4 in the Golan, and 14 in the Galilee, which are mostly on mountainsides and thus not available for planning. It will be a community settlement, consisting of 400 housing units.

In contrast to this positive Israeli attitude to the Druze population is the continually unfavorable treatment of Christians by Israeli, as well as Palestinian, Muslims. It is sad that the number of Christians in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, has declined from 60 per cent of the population when Israel in 1995 handed control of the city to the Palestinian Authority to 20 per cent. This decline is partly due to the redrawing of the boundaries of the city by the PA, and partly to the harassment of Christians by Islamists.

It is even sadder that Bethlehem for a number of years has been the venue for conferences called Christ at the Checkpoint, that are occasions for expressions of Palestinian nationalism and condemnations of the State of Israel. Some of the attendees call for a Christian jihad and support the terrorist organization Hamas.

Scientific progress and intellectual advancement depend on truth. They are hindered by the lies and deceptions perpetrated by Palestinian organizations and supporters. The supposedly moderate Palestinian group Fatah disseminates the information that Israel steals and harvests the body parts and organs of dead Palestinian terrorists and sells them before giving the bodies to the Palestinian Authority.

The tragedy is that absurdities of this kind are not uttered by ignorant Palestinians and their friends but by officials such as Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN, in a letter to UN President Ben Ki-moon on November 5, 2015. Even more disgraceful is the fact these utterances constitute a new version of the historic accusations of blood libel against Jews. Could the basis of the animosity against Israel by Palestinians and the boycotters of Israel be anti-Semitism?
While Democrats always say that every vote must count and that there must be no interference with voter access, recent developments in the state of Hawaii prove President Obama is working to take advantage of limited access, race-based voting in that State.

This all began in Hawaii in 2011 when Act 195 was passed. It called for an election to take place in Hawaii but specified that only indigenous Native Hawaiians could vote. The purpose of the election was to enable Native Hawaiians to exercise their right to self-determination and discuss Tribal Nation self-governance. The election would choose 40 delegates to an aha, or constitutional convention.

To administer this restricted election a Native Hawaiian Roll Commission was established, funded by Hawaiian taxpayer dollars. This Roll Commission created a list of Native Hawaiians who would be eligible to vote. Additionally, the Commission restricted the registration roll to only those who agreed to these Declarations: 1) I affirm the unrelinquished sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people, and my intent to participate in the process of self-governance. 2) I have a significant cultural, social or civic connection to the Native Hawaiian community, and 3) I am a Native Hawaiian: a lineal descendant of the people who lived and exercised sovereignty in the Hawaiian islands prior to 1778, or a person who is eligible for the programs of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, or a direct lineal descendant of that person.

So even if people could prove Native Hawaiian lineage, they could not vote unless they agreed to these three Declarations. In short, the results of the election were guaranteed before ballots were cast.

Yet some Hawaiians were placed on the vote registration list without their permission. And this list is kept on a private computer (server?) maintained by a private company in the state of New York.

Furthermore, Act 195 would enable this race-based minority to establish a form of government that might require all other Hawaiian residents to follow its laws. Voting was held from November 1 through November 30, 2015. However, Judicial Watch, representing disenfranchised indigenous plaintiffs in Hawaii, filed a Federal Lawsuit to stop the election. When the local court and 9th Circuit declined, Judicial Watch obtained an injunction from SCOTUS. Judicial Watch argued that mandating a minority of people to determine election results violates the First, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and the Voting Rights Act.

The Dept. of Interior (DOI) filed an amicus brief in the Appeal, arguing that over 500 Tribal Nations have already been allowed self-rule. But Michael Lilly, who once served as Attorney General of Hawaii, notes that Native Hawaiians were never a Tribe, and that neither the DOI nor the White House has the authority to designate Native Hawaiians as a Tribal Nation. Only Congress has that authority. However, seizing Congressional authority has become a trademark of the Obama Administration.

What is more dangerous is that this process, if allowed to proceed, would enable a race-based minority to establish a government-to-government relationship between Native Hawaiians and the U.S. Government. The Department of Interior actually argued that the native Hawaiian community itself should determine whether and how to organize a government. But since Native Hawaiians do not live on a federally designated reservation, the boundaries of the area governed are not clear. Michael Lilly has stated that this is not just an unconstitutional overreach of tribal self-governance but could provide an argument for part of Hawaii seceding from the Union. The language that implements Act 195 is very murky, perhaps intentionally so, with regard to whether any part of Hawaii would be governed by a new Native Hawaiian tribal constitution.

The Obama Administration used the DOI to file an amicus brief in the case. Apparently, he and his party, the Democrats now want to create a nexus between a geographical area and an ethnic group with the unique right to vote on that areas, and perhaps the states, constitution.

But in a startling and historic act of defiance, on December 15, 2015 the organization conducting the election defied the Supreme Court Injunction and announced that not just the top 40, but all 196 persons who ran as candidates would be seated as delegates at the February 2, 2016 constitutional convention. Judicial Watch and other parties filed a Motion at SCOTUS to find the parties in contempt of the Supreme Courts Temporary Injunction.

If Hawaiians can usurp governing authority in the state of Hawaii, this could be a precedent for other race-based groups to do the same. For example, New Mexico is now half Hispanic. They could argue that they should be able to vote for their own government since the land was formerly occupied by their ancestors.

This strategy to empower a minority of Hawaiians to write a new constitution employs old tactics of the Democratic Party. These tactics include a focus on voter qualifications, minority rights, and identity politics. Democrats have already stretched voter qualifications by enabling foreign nationals to use matricula consular cards and drivers licenses to vote.

This startling development has Obamas fingerprints all over it. He was raised in Hawaii, likes to use Federal agencies to write policy -- in this case its the DOI -- and his Party has worked for one hundred years to establish race-based, segregated neighborhoods in the nations largest cities.

It is highly unlikely that SCOTUS will go along with this. But since they created a new civil right for same sex marriage they may see indigenous peoples control of state constitutions as a new civil right. A right that is now being fine-tuned through an application of identity politics.
As easily as he slid into office with no qualifications for the post, Obama is falling from grace with fate and the voters. His dishonesty and incompetence are too patent. This week, no sooner had his relatively sparsely viewed presser ended and his clearly manufactured tears about gun violence dried, than his central argument -- that gun control, not fighting Islamic terrorism, should be our priority -- was exposed as nonsense. A thug, who had stolen a gun from a cop, used it in Philadelphia to try to assassinate a law enforcement officer. Echoing Obama Philadelphias Democratic Mayor declared Jim Kenney wasted no time in declaring There are just too many guns on the streets and I think our national government needs to do something about that.

Its hard to argue persuasively that only law enforcement officers should be armed when the gun used in the assassination attempt was stolen from one of the mayor's own law enforcement officers. Kenney dug himself in even deeper in Obama vaporous swill, contending that the crime had nothing to do with Moslems or Islam, In no way, shape or form does anyone in this room believe that Islam or the teaching of Islam has anything to do with what you have seen on that screen. Then he turned the presser over to Police Commissioner Richard Ross who directly contradicted the mayors fantastical account: He said the shooter confessed that he committed the act in the name of Islam and had pledged allegiance to ISIS.

At the same time the disastrous-to-Obama Kenney presser unfolded, two Iraqi-born refugees to the U.S. were arrested on terrorism charges. We also learned that More than 75 U.S. residents have been arrested after alleged radicalization since 2014.

The president said nothing about this crime nor has he shed a single tear for the many others raped, murdered, or shot by aliens illegally streaming into the country without consequence or admitted as refugees on his watch. As Obama works to disarm lawful citizens he deliberately welcomes in thousands of South American border crossers and Middle Eastern refugees none of whom -- contrary to any claims of his -- are well vetted.

In Europe the consequences of allowing in over a million asylum seekers from North Africa and the Middle East last year was made apparent on New Years Eve when in Cologne scores of women were sexually assaulted in the center of the city with police unable to stop the mayhem.

German police, stunned at the turn of events that developed with increased frequency over a number of hours, called the unprovoked attacks a completely new dimension of crime. A prominent German police chief was shortly fired thereafter for his perceived mishandling of the threat. But it would seem that Germany is far from the only European nation to see a severe and horrifying spike in sexual assault violence in recent weeks. The Daily Mail is now reporting that assaults have been carried out in Sweden, Finland, Austria, and Switzerland as well; in the city of Kalmar, Sweden alone, 15 women have reported sexual misconduct to local authorities. The police spokesman for Kalmar, Johan Bruun, told the Daily Mail, We are aware of what happened in Germany but we are focusing our investigation on what happened in Kalmar. The effort on the ground in Germany by law enforcement has been significantly ramped up since news of the New Years attacks made front pages of the international media. 31 suspects have been detained by federal officers; many of the individuals across all of these countries have been identified by authorities as asylum seekers or migrants from places like Iraq and Northern Africa.

The chief of police was in short order forced to walk the plank:

The police chief in Cologne was forced out of his job on Friday amid the growing uproar over the episode, which has ignited calls across the political spectrum for expelling convicted criminals, even if they are seeking asylum from war and persecution at home. The 31 people linked to the violence in a police report have been identified by name and include nine Algerians, eight Moroccans, five Iranians and four Syrians, said an Interior Ministry spokesman, Tobias Plate. Two German citizens, an Iraqi, a Serb and a United States citizen were also among those linked to crimes that night, Mr. Plate said.

Europeans whose postwar prosperity in the face of demographic suicide was made possible by U.S. defense spending and young immigrant workers covering the costs of these welfare states, were caught in a mess of their own doing. It looks as though an increasingly angry population too long silenced by PC-inspired speech restrictions and irrational multiculturalism imperils Angela Merkels open arms strategy and the European Union itself.

And they should be angry. The New Years Eve savagery brought home for all to see the absurdity of allowing in hordes of young men from a culture which is antithetical to modern Western civilization.

On Facebook, poster Stuart Browning lays it out clearly:

You know that youre being politically incorrect when you voice an opinion based on obvious and abundant evidence that everyone with eyes can see, and yet by doing so, you have violated certain social protocols and exposed yourself as a racist. Example: It should be glaringly obvious that Third World Muslim men do not know how to treat women. Men from the Middle East and North Africa see women as occupying a social position just slightly above that of livestock -- and, they see Western females as prostitutes. No one should be surprised by the Muslim male rampages on New Years Eve in Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe. These outrages didnt just start with the arrival of refugees from Syria; theyve been going on for awhile in European countries with large Muslim populations. Sweden is now known as the rape capital of Europe where nearly 100% of rapes there are committed by Muslims. Yet, the media there has gone out of its way to cover up these crimes. In England, there have been numerous outrages where both the police and the media conspired to prevent publication of any news that might disturb the notion of multicultural bliss. The British press will even use the code word Asian when describing crimes committed by Muslims, a word they cant bring themselves to use because, as everyone knows, Islam has nothing to do with it. Yet all the education and rehabilitation of Muslim immigrants is not going to work. Culture is destiny. And the bone-deep culture of Third World Islam that these immigrants import into the heart of Europe will manifest itself in ways that go far beyond the sexual assault, rape and murder of western women. They will bring their 15-year-old brides from Pakistan and Syria. As their numbers grow they will insist on polygamy, the veil, child marriage, genital mutilation, honor killings and a government-provided Islamic education system. And then their numbers will explode at an even faster rate. The influx of Third World migrants carrying the virus of Islam is an invasion not fundamentally different from that of Mohamed in the 8th century or the Ottomans in the Middle Ages. Will Europe wake up? Lets hope that the attention to what happened in Cologne on New Year's Eve will prod a sleeping Europe to action before its too late.

For a culture so devoid of actual aggression against women that soi-disant feminists have taken to inventing invisible-to-the-naked-eye microaggressions, real aggressions like these seem incompatible, though we dont hear any bleats from them about that.

And then, theres the fact that cultural differences aside, the new immigrants are unsuited for the kind of jobs that are available in the West.

In 2015, as more than a million refugees and migrants streamed into Germany, many pundits and industry leaders initially praised Chancellor Angela Merkels welcome policy as not only being humane but also economically savvy. But now, as Politico reports, a new reality appears to be setting in as the German analysts have a closer look at just who the migrants are. The official government line continues to be that migrants could take some of the unoccupied jobs caused by Germanys declining labor force (there are as many as one million such jobs). But the director of the Munich-based Ifo Center for the Economics of Education is quoted in the story that [f]rom everything we know so far, it seems that the majority of refugees would first need extensive training and even then its far from certain that it would work out. The Politico story also notes that, according to the OECD, on average, an eighth-grader in pre-war Syria had a similar level of education to a third-grade student in Germany. And an official from the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce is quoted as saying, [s]omeone who comes from Eritrea and says he was an electrician might have repaired a radio or laid a cable there, but he might have never seen a fuse box, as we use it in Germany.

It does not appear that most of the South American illegals are better equipped than these.

And yet, this misbegotten series of European policies is what the president is enamored of, welcoming in thousands of Syrian refugees on top of the throngs from South America hes letting in. Having wreaked havoc in the Middle East with his foolish moves in Iran, Egypt, Libya, and Syria, he set off a refugee crisis, which is swamping Europe, and hes determined to repeat that catastrophe here

For unskilled workers in the U.S. out of work and prospects, a big influx of more unskilled and uneducated workers is the last thing that will help them. And theres more:

Just as we begin to bail out of the last government generated subprime mortgage crashes, the administration is about to do it again, offering easy mortgage terms to high-risk immigrants.

Beginning in 2007 Obama got a pass from the press as Noemie Emery so deftly observes.

This time the press, which can no longer deny that the world has been going to hell since Barack Obama started unleashing his peacemaking powers, is doing its best to insulate him completely from any possible blame for it all. Where Bush was asked every day if he regretted invading Iraq, Obama is never asked if he thinks leaving Iraq had something to do with the chaos engulfing the region, or the vulnerability of citizens here and in Europe to Islamic State-inspired attacks. [snip] When Bush ducked a shoe thrown at him by an Iraqi during a press conference in 2008, Eleanor Clift said that he might have deserved it for what he had done to that country by starting the war. By those standards, by letting the war start again after Bush ended it, what Obama deserves from Iraq (and from most of the rest of that suffering region) is a volley of combat boots. But none will be flung by the press of his country, in whose eyes he can do nothing wrong.

At Legal Insurrection David Gerstman argues much the same point -- the media made Obama:

Obama has failed in foreign policy, spectacularly. This failure wouldnt have been possible without a complicit media, creating a myth instead of a candidate. Will the editors of The Washington Post take a critical look at their 2008 endorsement and learn from their mistake before 2016? I wouldnt count on it.

Theres no doubt in my mind that the public is scared and beginning to see through the media scrim that blurred out his many shortcomings and failures just as the curtain hid the humbug Wizard from the denizens of Oz until Toto pulled it back. It deserves to fall from grace with him for its part in foisting him on us.
The Two State solution is dead but rather than bury it, the US and the EU want to embalm it, in the off chance that it can be brought to life in a decade or two. In the meantime they are doing their utmost to prevent Israel from building Jewish homes east of the armistice lines, including in Jerusalem. They do this in knowing violation of Israels rights.

Moshe Arens, a former Israel Ambassador to the US, Israel Defense Minister and Minister of Defense, noted in Haaretz, Israels version of the New York Times:

These critics (of settlement construction) should be required to reread Article 6 of the League of Nations Mandate for Palestine, which states: the Administration of Palestine ... shall encourage  close settlement by Jews on the land, including State lands and waste lands not required for public purposes. The Palestine referred to here is the entire area west of the Jordan River, including Judea and Samaria. Those who prefer to believe that this provision has lost relevance since the establishment of the United Nations and the termination of the League of Nations Palestine Mandate should refer to Article 80 of Chapter XII of the UN Charter. It states that the rights shall not be altered of any states or any peoples or the terms of existing international instruments to which Members of the United Nations may respectively be parties. The United States chose not to join the League of Nations, but the U.S. Senate ratified the Palestine Mandate in 1925.

The EU and the US justify these actions on the alleged basis that settlements are illegal or illegitimate, respectively, pursuant to the Fourth Geneva Convention (FGC), which prohibits forced transfers of populations.

Israel on the other hand argues that the FGC doesnt apply and that even if it did, it doesnt prevent Jews from building east of the armistice lines and in this case the movement is entirely voluntary. Recently, the Israel Foreign Ministry, published a document which affirmed the legality of settlements. This document was sent to all of her embassies informing all personnel to make the case, publically, for their legality.

The legal niceties of Israels position are set out in The Truth About 'The Occupation' and 'The Settlements'.

The US and the EU are not content to just strong-arm Israel to prevent Jewish construction. They are also backing illegal Arab construction in Area C contrary to the Oslo Accords to which both were witnesses. Regevim, an Israel NGO recently reported that in one area alone between Maaleh Adumin, an Israeli town of 37,000 inhabitants, and Jerusalem that over 1000 such structures have been illegally built by the Arabs and encouraged and funded by the EU.

Aside from this clearly illegal activity on the part of the EU, the EU is demanding that all products built by Jews in Judea and Samaria be so labelled so that their West Bank origin is fully noted. Israel considers this to be a boycott move and discriminatory, and argues that the EU does not require such labeling in any other place it considers to be in occupation.

The US, under the radar, has also boycotted the territories acquired by Israel in a defensive war in 1967.

Indeed, in 1985, the late Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina questioned the Second Reagan Administration about its allocation of funds for Israel: It is my understanding that when foreign assistance funds are disbursed to Israel, the U.S. Government requires Israel to sign a stipulation that none of the funds will be used for settlements on the West Bank. Is that correct?

The State Department answered bluntly:

The stipulation requiring that foreign assistance funds provided to Israel only to be used in the geographic areas which were subject to the Government of Israels administration prior to June 5, 1967, has been the policy of every Administration since 1967.

In effect the EU and the US are doing exactly what they are preventing Israel from doing, namely putting facts on the ground. In supporting illegal Arab building in Area C they are violating the terms of the Oslo Accords. In preventing Israel from building they are preventing Israel from exercising her rights.

Israels official position is that she is ready to negotiate the Two State Solution without preconditions. The Palestinian Authority (PA) will have none of it as they do not wish to make any concessions to Israel. Instead that are working on the international community to recognize Palestine with 67 lines as their western border.

Lately, Abbas has threatened to disband the PA and hand the keys to Israel. Others have suggested that the PA is on its last legs. In response Prime Minister Netanyahu held a cabinet meeting to discuss the potential fall of the PA. It was decided to support the PA so it wouldnt fall. In addition they discussed what actions Israel should take if it did fall.

Abbas was quick to say that the PA is here to stay and will be followed by a Palestinian state. Nevertheless, Uri Savir a left wing Israel journalist, explained what the PA had in mind when it talked about dismantling the PA.

A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Fatah Central Committee told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Abbas may be forced to make good on the warning given in his speech to the UN General Assembly Sept. 30 and pass responsibility over the West Bank to Israel as the occupying power. This new approach/possibility of handing over the responsibility for West Bank security and civilian affairs to Israel means first and foremost moving the Fatah leadership headquarters from Ramallah to Cairo or to Amman. It also means the dismantlement of the West Banks separation into Areas A, B and C, as Israel would regain full civil and security control. The source detailed other key elements: Palestinian security cooperation with Israel would come to an end, and instead of assisting the PA directly, international aid would be channeled to Palestinian nongovernmental organizations and refugee camps in coordination with the Palestinian leadership abroad. In parallel, he said, the UN General Assembly would pass a resolution by September 2016 declaring the West Bank a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines under Israeli occupation. Such a drastic change would have grave repercussions on the region. There is little doubt that within such a scenario, a violent full-fledged intifada would break out.

At the moment the Oslo Accords benefits Israel, not the PA, as it gives Israel full control over Area C. Thus it legitimizes the occupation. With the abrogation of the Accords, it will become necessary to replace it with another blueprint.

Netanyahu has consistently said that he is interested in a two-state solution with a demilitarized Palestinian state, conditioned on the recognition of the Jewish State of Israel and with stringent security measures throughout the West Bank. He also wants to keep the settlement blocs.

Netanyahu also believes that now is the wrong time to move in that direction, as the entire region faces the threat of fundamentalist terror groups such as the Islamic State (IS), al-Qaeda, Hezballah and Hamas. The Israeli public agrees with him.

Meanwhile there is a growing movement in Israel calling for Israeli sovereignty over all or at least part of Judea and Samaria (West Bank). The debate is over what Israel should do with the Arabs living there: either offer them a path to citizenship (Caroline Glick and Michael Wise), offer them generous compensation to emigrate (Martin Sherman and Moshe Feiglin) or give them autonomy of an enlarged Area A where they live much like what they have now (Naftali Bennett).

President Obama made a big mistake trying to force a Palestinian state based on the 67 lines subject to swaps. From Israels point of view such a solution denies her the legal rights she has and requires her to expel hundreds of thousands of Jews who have lived in Judea and Samaria for decades.

UNSC Res 242, passed just after the 67 War, provided for:

Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;

In effect it did not require Israel to withdraw from all territories and gave her the right to insist on secure and recognized boundaries. The 67 lines are anything but.

In summary, the negotiations are over but the fight continues. The US, EU and the UN are backing the murderous PA. Israel stands alone.
In response to mass rape perpetuated by Muslim men against German women over New Years eve, PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of Europe) organized a demonstration. It was held in a multi-cultural district of west Germany that has been supportive of Merkels open door immigration policy. Even so, 3,000 people turned out on short notice for the rally.

Breitbart reports that the demonstration began with speeches, including announcements that alcohol, glass bottles, and face-coverings were banned. Despite PEGIDAs attempts to ensure a peaceful event, a small number of attendees (from outside of Cologne) began to cause trouble by throwing fireworks. This prompted the police to stop the march in order to deal with the perpetrators, which they did by employing a number of tactics including containment, use of a water cannon, and pepper spray.

But it also appears that some, if not all, of those stirring up trouble may have been undercover police plants who try to entice people to engage in bad behavior. Despite that, PEGIDA had only praise, empathy, and appreciation for the police, while also finding it amusing that an extremely large number of officers were on site for the demonstration in comparison to the minimal force of 143 officers expected to maintain order in Cologne on New Years eve.

PEGIDA thanked members of law enforcement for protecting them from violent left-wing agitators who often disrupt their demonstrations. They also expressed empathy for the position the police were put in on New Years eve when their request for back up was denied by the minister for the interior who made a politically-motivated decision. They further stated that they reject politicians who are scape-goating the police, saying what unfolded on New Years eve was not their fault.

The police risk their lives every day for this stupid government, and are deployed to the borders to welcome refugees rather than being sent to real crime scenes.

The police have been warning the politicians and the press for months they are understaffed and cannot guarantee public safety. And now we are supposed to believe this is their fault? This is madness.

As happens at most rallies, they also called on Angela Merkel to resign.

What an impressive group of individuals! I hope their numbers continue to swell and that they can find additional ways above and beyond demonstrations to have their voices heard and to impact German policy.

After reading Breitbarts report, it was like entering the twilight zone when I listened to the CNN coverage of this same event  coverage that was truly Goebbels-esque. (I recommended watching the video to get a feel for the reporters attitude.)

Theres a lot of anger and that is what this is. Theres a lot of anger and what these assaults have done, is theyve fed into the fears of people and its given them an excuse, an opportunity, to come out onto the streets like this and vent their frustrations, their fears, and their angers, using beer bottles that are being thrown, using fireworks, using slogans and big signs that say refugees not welcome. One of them said rapeugees not welcome. So there is that boiling anger thats now surfacing. This, I should point out, is a small segment of German society, but it is a very vocal one. On the other side of the station we see 1,700 protestors in support of those victims of the assaults, in support of continuing to open the doors to refugees. But what this kind of tension shows is that deep divide in society.

This dimwit CNN lemming framed the fears of some Germans as unfounded. Seriously? Id like to have seen her report live from the area around the Cologne cathedral on New Years Eve.

Her notion that the violence that erupted last week-end has given Germans an excuse to protest would be laughable if it wasnt so damned disgusting and ignorant, as Germans are sitting around waiting for an excuse to take to the streets. Was she kidding? (Sadly, not.) But she was surely eager to make sure everyone knew this was just a small segment of German society. Whew! I wouldnt want to think too many Germans were waking up and speaking out against their own demise. Thats a relief.

When a colleague in the studio asked her about the scope of the protest, she said this. With a straight face. Apparently unfazed by the fact that the German government was shooting water cannons at people protesting organized mass rape of German women by Muslim colonizers invading their once civilized country:

Its actually fairly contained  contained to just a few hundred. You can see the water cannon now in use. Theyre sort of spraying quite a number of the protestors. Theres the water. This is their way of saying, you know, move out of the way. Stop this protest. We will disperse. This behavior is continuing. You can see the water cannon spraying directly into the crowd there to get them to move, to get them to disperse as soon as possible.

Listening to this CNN mouthpiece spout utter nonsense with an air of authority and simmering smugness was appalling. Her willingness to report with such bias against Germans protesting to save their nation was egregious. And thats putting it mildly.

And then there was the protest with an estimated 1,700 people who support the women who were raped and, apparently, the people who raped them, revealing quintessential leftist non-thinking. As if you can have it both ways.

If they want to support the rape victims, they need to stand against immigration from Islamic countries. Otherwise, the support is a meaningless sentiment on a sign that assuages their guilt and makes them feel like theyve done something good.

Sickening all the way around.

Hat tip: The Right Scoop
Among the lies about himself Obama consistently repeats is that he was a constitutional law professor.

Lie one: Obama was never a professor; he was a lecturer. He did not have the qualifications to be a professor. Obama never published a single law paper. He was hired by the University of Chicago when they learned he had been given a book contract on race and law directly after graduating from Harvard. There was no book  just the contract, which he later reneged on. This is not the normal level of accomplishment for a University of Chicago professor or even lecturer.

Obama was not capable of writing, and eventually, after failing to deliver, he changed it to a memoir, which he also struggled with. Finally, he asked Bill Ayers to write his memoir for him, using tapes that Michelle dropped off at the Ayerses'.

Lie two: Obama did not specialize in the Constitution. Obama cared about and taught only one subject: race. One course was about race in the Constitution. It is on this flimsy basis that he attempts to pawn himself off as a constitutional scholar.

As the New York Times explains, Obama the lecturer taught three subjects only: "race, rights and gender."

His most traditional course was in the due process and equal protection areas of constitutional law. His voting rights class traced the evolution of election law, from the disenfranchisement of blacks to contemporary debates over districting and campaign finance. His most original course, a historical and political seminar as much as a legal one, was on racism and law [In] one class on race, he imitated the way clueless white people talked. "Why are your friends at the housing projects shooting each other?" he asked in a mock-innocent voice. ... Mr. Obama was especially eager for his charges to understand the horrors of the past, students say. He assigned a 1919 catalog of lynching victims, including some who were first raped or stripped of their ears and fingers, others who were pregnant or lynched with their children, and some whose charred bodies were sold off, bone fragment by bone fragment, to gawkers.  "Are there legal remedies that alleviate not just existing racism, but racism from the past?" Adam Gross, now a public interest lawyer in Chicago, wrote in his class notes in April 1994. In what even some fans saw as self-absorption, Mr. Obama's hypothetical cases occasionally featured himself. "Take Barack Obama, there's a good-looking guy," he would introduce a twisty legal case. Liberals flocked to his classes[.]  After all, the professor was a progressive politician[.]

Lie three: Obama calls himself a constitutional law prof to imply that he loves the Constitution. Obama gives the lie to this himself. He is on record  literally, a radio interview done when he was a lecturer  slamming the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution because they never tried to invent a right to "redistribute wealth"  a failing he describes as a "tragedy of the civil rights movement." Obama laments the constraints on government power (what we would call liberty) imposed by our Constitution. Obama himself contrasts following the Constitution with being a community organizer, creating "coalitions of power," which could "redistribute wealth" and create "economic justice."
While most of the attention on Hillary Clinton's emails dealt with a document that included instructions from Clinton to tamper with the headings of a possibly classified subject, another, even more explosive email is big news in Sudan and could potentially lead to criminal charges.

The email in question is from Sid Blumenthal, close Clinton friend and ally, who was in Libya trying to drum up business with the Libyan government for some business associates. To ingratiate himself with Secretary Clinton and get the State Department to intercede with the Libyan government on his behalf, he sent her "intelligence" briefs on what was happening on the ground in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East.

One of them is explosive. It involves a conspiracy in the Sudanese government to ally themselves with some rebels in order to get their hands on some oil fields. The problems for Blumenthal and Clinton:

1. The email contains what appears to be information gleaned from National Security Agency intercepts.

2. For some reason, the State Department did not mark the email "classified" or "Secret" as they should have.

3. Even if it wasn't marked "Classified," Clinton should have seen the incredible sensitivity of the information.

New York Observer security reporter John Schindler is a former NSA officer and says he knows what agency intercepts look like:

This message includes a detailed intelligence report from Sid Blumenthal, Hillarys close friend, confidant, and factotum, who regularly supplied her with information from his private intelligence service. His usual source was Tyler Drumheller, a former CIA senior official and veteran spy-gadfly, who conveniently died just before EmailGate became a serious problem for Hillarys campaign. However, the uncredited June 8 memo, which Mr. Blumenthal labeled as Confidential  his personal classification system, apparently  but which the State Department has labeled Unclassified, doesnt appear to be from Drumheller, whose assessments were written just like CIA intelligence reports. This is not. Remarkably, the report emailed to Hillary by sbwhoeop, which was Mr. Blumenthals email handle, explains how Sudans government devised a clandestine plan, in coordination with two rebel generals, to secure control of oil reserves in the disputed region of Abyei. This is juicy, front-page stuff, straight out of an action movie, about a region of Africa thats of high interest to the American and many other governments, and the report is astonishingly detailed. But the most interesting part is that the report describes a conversation in confidence that happened on the evening of June 7, just one day before Mr. Blumenthal sent the report to Secretary Clinton. It beggars the imagination to think that Sids private intelligence operation, which was just a handful of people, had operators who were well placed in Sudan, with top-level spy access, able to get this secret information, place it in a decently written assessment with proper espionage verbiage, and pass it all back to Washington, DC, inside 24 hours. That would be a feat even for the CIA, which has stations and officers all over Africa. In fact, the June 8, 2011 Blumenthal report doesnt read like CIA material at all, in other words human intelligence or HUMINT, but very much like signals intelligence or SIGINT. (For the differences see here). I know what SIGINT reports look like, because I used to write them for the National Security Agency, Americas biggest source of intelligence. SIGINT reports, which Ive read thousands of, have a very distinct style and flavor to them and Blumenthals write-up matches it, right down to the Source Comments, which smack very much of NSA reporting and its house rules.

The implications here are staggering. If Blumenthal had somehow gotten his hands on NSA intercepts and sent them to Clinton using unsecured and non-classified means, he should get his affairs in order and measure himself for an orange jumpsuit. He is going to jail. The NSA will make sure it's hard time too.

Clinton is hardly off the hook, even though there was no classification on the email. A novice would have read about the Sudanese plot and realized how explosive the information was. A responsible secretary of state would have immediately classified the document and broken off all communication with Blumenthal.

At the very least, this makes Hillary Clinton vulnerable to criminal charges. Negligent handling of classified material is a felony and I don't think a prosecutor would have much trouble proving negligence.

Another mystery: Why did the State Department release this email in the first place? Someone fell asleep on the job because this is the sort of intelligence that brings down governments. We'll have to see what happens in Sudan over the next few days as the fallout continues.

Schindler concludes:

Its possible this Blumenthal report did not come from NSA, but perhaps from another, non-American intelligence agency  but whose? If Sid was really able to get top-level intelligence like this for Hillary, using just his shoestring operation, and get it into her hands a day later, with precise information about the high-level conspiracy that was just discussed over in Sudan, the Intelligence Community needs to get him on our payroll stat. Hes a pro at the spy business.

Or perhaps Blumenthal's CIA source, Tyler Drumhell, made up the whole thing. Drumhell publicly accused the Bush administration of fabricating WMD intel in order to justify the invasion of Iraq, so he's not the most credible or balanced of sources. Still, Schindler believes at the very least that some SIGINT agency - NSA or foreign - has a serious leak.

More than the other email where Clinton ordered an aide to tamper with a classified document, this could be the dagger that finally fells Hillary Clinton.
In the ongoing horror of the bloodletting in the Muslim dominated countries, a non Muslim country added to the slaughter, killing nearly 30 innocent civilians including women and children, hampering aid to the starving, besieged remaining civilians. And the UN Human Rights commission, the UN General Assembly sprang into action, condemning the country, banning it from the community of nations.

Oh wait...because the country wasn't Israel and/or the US but Russia the UN continued along, sopping up money, doing nothing.

Russian air strikes Saturday on an Al-Qaeda run prison in Syria killed nearly 60 people, a monitor said, as aid needed in three besieged towns where people are reportedly starving was delayed. (snip)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the air raids that hit a building near a popular market in the northwestern Idlib town of Maarat al-Numan killed 21 civilians, 29 militants and seven detainees.

Thirty people were wounded, with many in critical condition.

The building houses a jail and a religious court run by Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, said the Britain-based Observatory which relies on a network of sources in the ground.

A child and two women were among the civilians who died, while 23 Nusra fighters were among the militants killed. (snip)

Russian warplanes have been conducting strikes against the Islamic State organisation and other "terrorist" groups in Syria since September 30. (snip)

Madaya, home to 42,000 people, has become notorious in recent days because of people starving in the town.

It has been surrounded by regime troops for six months. (snip)

According to Doctors Without Borders, at least 23 people have starved to death since December 1 in Madaya.

The UN Security Council is to discuss the matter behind closed doors on Monday, although no decision is expected.

More than 260,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict erupted in March 2011 and millions have been forced from their homes but a solution to end the bloodshed has been hard to nail.

The UN envoy has been on a regional tour to shore up support for peace talks due to take place in Geneva on January 25 between the Syrian government and its opponents.
A provocative story in the Daily Beast about the death last November in Washington of Russian media mogul and Putin crony Mikhail Lesin speculates that he was murdered because he was about to snitch to the FBI.

Two months after Lesin's death in a hotel room at DuPont Circle, the coroner has yet to report his findings. Lesin, who started the Russian propaganda TV network Russia Today, had apparently been under investigation by the FBI for money laundering and other crimes.

But there's no explanation for what he was doing in Washington.

Lesin amassed a fortune the old fashioned Russian way - he stole it. The owner of the largest independent TV network in Russia, NTV's Vladimir Gusinsky, was arrested on trumped up charges following several reports critical of Putin. Lesin said the charges would go away if he sold his company to the energy giant Gazprom. When Gusinsky refused, Lesin took over the company anyway.

Putin's propagandist bought $30 million in LA real estate with his ill gotten gains, and the FBI is investigating where that money came from, considering that Lesin purchased that property while earning a civil servant's salary.

But if Lesin was being turned by the FBI, what was he going to tell them?

The conspiracy theories are arguably well-founded, because it wouldnt be the first time someone who posed a political threat to Putin wound up dead under unusual circumstances, including poisoning. Lesin was also being squeezed by the U.S. government. Two years ago hed been nominated by human rights groups for the so-called Magnitsky list of Russian human rights violators, which would have allowed Washington to deny him a visa and seize his assets in this country. Lesin was not placed on the public list, which consists mainly of mid-level officials not as influential as the former propaganda chief. But U.S. officials maintain a classified annex which reportedly includes more senior Russians, including those closer to Putin. Its not known whether Magnitsky was on that list, but activists lobbied hard to put him there. He would have been an ideal candidate. Not only was he one of RTs founding fathers, credited with conceiving of the network while working for Putin in order to counter what he saw as anti-Russia journalism in the West. (Its been a long time since I was scared by the word propaganda, Lesin said in 2007, according to RT. We need to promote Russia internationally. Otherwise, wed just look like roaring bears on the prowl.)

To save his own skin - and perhaps his fortune - Lesin may have been ready to deal with the FBI and name names. Now, we'll probably never know what he was going to tell investigators as another one of Putin's enemies dies under mysterious circumstances.
(ANSA) - Nuoro, November 8 - A retired road inspector was killed with three gunshots at close range near the Sardinian city of Nuoro on Friday, police said. Antonio Longu, 71, was killed midmorning in the yard of his home in the village of Lula.

Carabinieri police investigators would not confirm or deny the victim's neighbor is a suspect, because he allegedly fled.

The last murder in Lula took place a year ago, when animal breeder Angelo Maria Piras, 40, was shot dead with a rifle on his farm. His brother and his brother's wife were arrested for the crime in November.


Right on cue, the rain poured down in torrents as my husband and I parked the car in Testaccio. We were not prepared for it as the morning had been sunny and beautiful. Looking up, there was a big mass of an angry black cloud looming on top of us. This will take a while so I settled comfortably in the car and prepared to speak about the rione or district of Testaccio known as the old slaughterhouse of Rome. Interestingly, the Testaccio Hill is also known as Monte dei Cocci because it is artificially made with a mountainous pile of broken clay vessels or amphorae because during the Roman times, it was an important venue of trading in the Tiber River. Whereas in modern age, it was a working class neighborhood that gave in to gentrification and became the hip and dynamic area for mushrooming chic restaurants and bars. In summer, you live it outdoors and enjoy the vibrant music scene while sipping on drinks.





We headed towards the far end of Testaccio to Stazione di Posta Restaurant. It was practically away from the main hub of the area and it is located in the 19th-century building of the Citta dell'Altra Economia. There is a big open space in front of the restaurant where tables and chairs are available for outside seating on warm days. Then around the glass and steel restaurant itself there are bar stools too. The rain finally gave in to the sun and we stepped out on the cobblestone road.There is a big open space in front of the restaurant where tables and chairs are available for outside seating on warm days. Then around the glass and steel restaurant itself there are bar stools too. Stazione di Posta is also a known place for cocktails.





Inside, the contemporary decors complement the steel and glass structure of the restaurant. where strategically placed old items give accent to its modern look. It was interesting enough to go around the main dining area and look at the curious mixture of armchairs and stools.

Photos above from Stazione di Posta

We were walked to our table and we browsed the menu. It was minimalist. There are just a few entries for all courses without so much words to describe them. Trusting that Chef Marco Martini has just earned his first Michelin star (the youngest in Italy) and is one of Italy's emerging chefs, I trust that his choice of little words would make it big on my plates. And my journey begins.

There were a few amuse-bouche that were little creations of art like the ones in the eggshells and served in a nest, test tubes that you need to drink from and little cones supported in wire nets. I observed how every single item arriving to the other tables brought smiles to the other diners just like us. The food is not only delicious but so much fun too with the quirky presentations and just the right quantity. You see, when the chef is good, I like to eat my way through from the appetizer to the dessert without feeling excessively full.





When my spuntature (spareribs) with pillow-soft potato croquettes and barbecue sauce arrived, I was advised by the waiter to eat them with my hands which I did. Delicious. For the primo, I ordered the ravioli al vapore (steamed) with chicken and potato broth. I was curious and I was also yearning for something Asian. The waiter arrived with the hot broth in a teapot that he poured in the bowl of the waiting steamed ravioli. It was exquisite and with an embarrassing speed, I finished everything before my husband even arrived to half of his rigatone mari e monti (sea and mountain).

The maialino (young pork) with creamed apples and potatoes and some mustard on the side was exceptionally tender. It was baked for ten hours in low temperature then cooked again in a saucepan to get the right crunchiness of the outside part. Big work on the chef's side with simple and incredible result.









When you start well, you also end it well. I ordered the smoked dark chocolate with cream of extra virgin olive oil. It was lightly bitter just like how I wanted it to be with the surprising touch of smoky flavor. The cream of extra virgin olive oil had a very delicate flavor. My husband's ricotta, pear and chocolate was a beautiful presentation of the three ingredients scattered about on the plate.

The dessert was not enough because out came a bonsai tree with meringue candies dangling from it along with a vase of jelly bean candies with marshmallows and chocolate pop skewers placed in between them. Didn't I tell you that it was fun? Even the elderly man next table couldn't resist a smile and taking a photo with his phone when his bonsai tree and jelly bean vase arrived. The kids in all of us were amused.

Chef Marco Martini has an evocative kitchen, creating strong images and powerful flavors with his dishes using high-quality ingredients and innovative style of cooking. His representation of Italian cuisine has contemporary twists that makes dining a beautiful kind of experience.





Largo Dino Frisullo (Testaccio), Roma

Tel: +39 065743548

Opening hours:

Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (open for lunch and dinner)

Tuesdays (lunch only)

Mondays (closed)




You are not allowed to know about this secret international Financial Reset Agreement. That's why VT is covering it. It is just one more reason why the Western Nations created ISIS.

















ISIS wounded have been taken to Israel for treatment and some picked up by American Military helicopters.The current head of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, Senator John McCain has been deeply involved in the creation of ISIS and has worked closely with a retired American general who is now in a Mideast nation functioning as the Commander of ISIS.Senator McCain was propelled into the power vacuum of our current Administration marked by a President nearing the end of his term who has lost most of his military command. And most VT readers know the foreign power that Senator McCain really works for along with almost every other Member of the US Congress because of their Oath to AIPAC. with massive immigration. But also to protect the business interests in Israel related to new massive Golan Heights oil finds and a new planned pipeline to supply oil and gas to Europe.We also know that another reason for the hiring and deployment of the mercenaries to make up ISIS is to assist NATO in isolate and weaken the Russian Republic in order to protect Big Oils interests.But ISIS has also been created and deployed to help maintain the economic hegemony of the West which has been dwindling under Russian Federation growth and increasing economic and military might. It turns out that All these Mideast wars and terrorism are always linked to Big Oil and manipulating its pricing for profits The RKM has hoped against hope it could provoke the Russian Federation and America into a full scale nuclear WWW3 which could then put them back on top again. So far this seems it will not work.The USS Donald Cook incident in March of 2104 was an eye-opener.The ships Aegis system was shut off temporarily during a flyby by two specially equipped Su-24s.And Putins recent complete checkmate of ISIS in Syria by deployment of advanced Russian Federation air defense systems.But there is another even more important reason for ISIS. That is to create temporary financing for the Western US Petro dollar sinking ship.This is based on the stolen Iraq and Syrian crude which ISIS has been trucking through Turkey and shipping a substantial amount to Israel at a big discount.These revenues along with the Afghani opium revenues have kept the large Western Banks afloat.The main reasons for all the Mideast wars starting with GHWB and proceeding to the present have been to prop up the Wests failing economic system as a stop gap effort.Wars and the illegal narcotics trade is so lucrative and so important that without these dollars, the largest Wall Street Banks and the whole Western private central Banking System would collapse and so would the behemoth, the American Defense Industry.Yes, war and drugs are all about propping up the RKM Banksters system and capturing as much wealth as possible.The RKM and the large Western Bank shareholder families know their system is now doomed. They want to capture as much wealth as they can when the new World Financial System is rolled out whatever it will be, electronic or a new basket of world currencies or both.These Select Few leaders who sit at the top of the RKM Pyramid of World Power instructed the Saudis to lower their price of oil. This was planned to sanction Putin for supporting the Russian Federations good long term allies Syria and Iran and bring the Russian federation to its knees.The Select Few believed that this would quickly disable the Russian Federation economically especially when added on top of the US Led staged coup dEtat in the Ukraine. The USG used 5 Billions US taxpayer dollars to pay for this act of war against the Ukrainians.This payment and the coup itself on the RKMs behalf was backed by the USG and run by Assistant Secretary of State Dual Citizen Zio traitor, the treasonous Victoria Nuland. Not only had he prepared the Russian Federation for this move on the international chessboard, he actually prepared for for it in advance as if he knew it might be coming.How interesting that soon after VTs own Financial Editor Mike Harris went public that the Russian Federation should respond to this lowering of the Saudi crude Oil price and beat the West at their own game, the Russian federation did exactly that.And the result of this chess move by Putin has been as effective as his unexpected decision to honor Assads request for help fight the ISIS terrorists army, a proxy army of the Western Economic Forces.Add to this the very advanced defensive electronic warfare weapons systems which the Russian Federation is now manufacturing and one begins to wonder just who or what is now assisting the Russian Federation. That subject will be explored in a future article and it will take any reader pretty far down the Rabbit Hole because some of the facts we now know about it are actually very, very strange and really quite hard to fathom.No matter how how the West has tried to provoke Putin and the Russian Federation into a major war with the West, so far he has craftily sidestepped it and responded wisely to the core issues one by one without being unduly provoked.During the year 2013, G20 met three times, once in Moscow (February) and twice in DC (April and October).The second meeting in DC in April was part of a meeting with the IMF and World Bank. During these meetings it is strongly suspected that an apparent secret agreement was made based on a recognition that the private Rothschild Khazarian central Fiat Banking System was unsustainable.Apparently these new understandings by the G20 were based on the presence of a new and increasingly powerful group which is keeping a low profile. The exact date this secret agreement was made is believe to be in late 2013, but we do not have confirmation. A good guess is that this was discussed in these private meeting a number of times in introductory fashion before it was finally entered into.This new group that emerged and appeared on the scene at G20 with a significant presence and apparent power is different than the Rothschild Khazarian Mafia (RKM) which has held the World captive for at least the last 300 years.This new group appears to be aligned with the Russian Federation and a sector hidden deep inside some unacknowledged special-access deep-black US Defense contractor programs.But it appears that this new group instructed the G20 members that the current RKM World financial system was unsustainable and the World would no longer accept it anymore or even allow it. During these meetings a plan was apparently proposed and approved to decouple oil from the US Dollar and create a basket of adjusted currencies in place of the US Petro Dollar as the Worlds Reserve Currency.A schedule was allegedly set up for rolling out this new World financial system and displacing the RKM system piece by piece.This should be no surprise since these bloodline family principals have always been remarkably two-faced Resistance to this new secret agreement is showing up with ISIS, the Ukraine as the western RKM large banks attempt to prop themselves up as long as they can. The longer they resist the farther they will fall and take much of the West especially Europe and America down with them.We dont yet have the answer to that question, but it appears that this new group has substantial defensive military might which they have shared with the Russian Federation, might which surpasses American military capability even when NATO and Israel are added to it.Some with extensive knowledge of the Russian federations new defensive technologies believe that they have a new electronic warfare based Defensive Shield which is impenetrable and would provide a victory over any nuclear attacks by the West.As this Secret Reset is rolled out the first thing we are likely to see is imported goods rising significantly the first month (maybe even 20%) and another 20% soon after. The sky could be the limit. The standard of living in America (unless free energy is rolled out) is likely to drop to the level of Mexico over a year or two, maybe faster.As the standard of living in America then drops, the Mexican nightmare will become even more intolerable without the recycled drug dollars provided by the CIA after they get their cut and the reduced jobs for illegal immigrants.Some have predicted extreme social unrest in the urban centers of Europe and America, even perhaps the whole World and there is an RKM effort to lock down all the major cities of the World under the anti-terror, anti-extremism plan Strong Cities which is related to Agenda 21 and the Free Trade Agreements. You are not supposed to find out about this secret Strong Cities program so naturally it will be covered for you by VT.And now you know why the RKM has pushed so hard to militarize the American police and consolidate all Law Enforcement and Intel under their master Police State organization, Homeland Security (DHS). Now you know why the USG has been buying millions of rounds of ammo, AR-16s, 9mm pistols, grenade launchers, body armor and armed barriers for all of its previously unarmed groups like the Department of Education, EPA, etc.The RKM Cutouts who manage things in America for the RKM are expected try desperately to cling to power even after the RKM has been deconstructed and they believe if they can hold onto power during and after the RESET they will be home free and still in control of America. This conclusion is likely very wishful thinking as most Americans will want serious payback once the Reset occurs.The reason there has been so many illegal and legal immigrants allowed in America and now Europe is because of the side agreements that accompany this new Secret Reset Agreement. It was agreed that new reduced borders and relaxed immigration policies would be written into all the new Free Trade Agreements in secret clauses and that is what has occurred. NAFTA was the first and is the reason the southern US border has not been closed despite all the USGs harping about World Terrorism. In fact we know it has deeply involved in all of it with the RKM, the UK and Israel.Certainly we can now conclude that the RKM has been the Worlds biggest anti-human parasite. It is a very deceptive crime syndicate, the Worlds largest merchant of drugs, war, death, poverty and misery. It is remarkably two-faced and has lived by the Big Lie on all fronts It is unlikely to go down with out pulling as many tricks as possible.It never keeps it agreements and must be forced to comply.This could produce a hard landing for all of us here in America as the RKM is dislodged and eliminated from power, which itself is a monumental task because of their depth of infiltration and hijacking of America the last 100 years since they hijacked our money creation and distribution system in 1913.The question of why such a powerful new group would allow the creation of ISIS. The apparent best answer at this time is that it fits with their overall plan to break down the existing order and eliminate the RKM so that they can rebuild a whole new World economic system from the ground up.We can only hope this new power control group that is now asserting itself through the Russian Federation plans to develop zero point, Helium3, or some type of new free energy system for all, and create an end to the Worlds dependence on crude oil, internal combustion engines and nuclear power.
Francis baptizes 26 newborns. "You have asked for the faith. When the Church hands you the lighted candle, she is telling you to keep alight the faith in these children. And, always remember that the greatest legacy that you can give your children is faith; do you best to make sure that it is not lost, nurture it and make it your legacy to them".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The greatest legacy that parents can give their children is faith. The cries of newborns filled the Sistine chapel on the day that Pope Francis administered baptism to 26 babies, 13 boys and 13 girls, emphasizing, in a brief homily that was completely unscripted the centrality of the gift of faith.

"Forty days after the birth - he said - Jesus was brought to the Temple. Mary and Joseph took him to present him to God. Today, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, you parents bring your children to be baptized, to receive what you asked for in the beginning, when I have asked the first question: the faith. 'I want my child to have the faith'. And so faith is transmitted from generation to generation, a great bond through time".

"With the passing of years, the place of these children will be occupied with others  your grandchildren  and they will ask the same: faith; the faith that Baptism gives us; the faith that allows the Holy Spirit today into the heart, the soul, the life of these children, yours. You asked for the faith. When the Church hands you the lighted candle, she is telling you to keep the faith in these children. And always remember that the greatest legacy that you can give your children is faith; try to never lose it, nurture it and make it your legacy to them".

"I hope that today is a joyful day for you: I wish you to be able to raise these children in the faith, and that the greatest legacy that they receive from you is their faith. And just a little note, I always say to mothers, when a baby cries because he is hungry,:' If your child is hungry, feed him here in complete freedom '. Brothers and sisters, let us lift up to the Father, origin and source of life, our prayer for these children, called to filial adoption in Christ Jesus, for their parents, godfathers and godmothers and for all the baptized ".
"The Holy Spirit, received for the first time on the day of our Baptism, opens our hearts to the truth, the whole truth. The Spirit leads our life on the difficult but joyful path in charity and solidarity with our brothers and sisters. The Spirit gives us the tenderness of God's forgiveness and pervades us with the invincible power of the Father's mercy".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Baptism is received only once, but it must be witnessed every day, because it is new life to share and light to communicate, especially to those living in conditions unworthy of man and walking on dark paths". On the day when the Church celebrates the Baptism of Our Lord, Pope Francis, who this morning has baptized 26 children, again spoke of the meaning and responsibilities related to the first sacrament ahead of the Angelus prayer.



Speaking to 20 thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square for the recitation of the Marian prayer, the Pope said that "in this feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, according to tradition I baptized several children. Now I would like to convey a special blessing to all children who have been baptized recently, but also young people and adults who have just received the sacraments of Christian initiation, or who are preparing them. May the grace of Christ always be with you!".

Before the recitation of the prayer, the Pope recalled that today "the Gospel presents Jesus in the waters of the Jordan River, in the middle of a wonderful divine revelation. St Luke writes: " Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased'"(Lk 3,21-22). In this way Jesus is consecrated and manifest by the Father as the Messiah liberator and savior. In this event - witnessed by all four Gospels  we see the transition from the baptism of John the Baptist, based on the symbol of water, to the baptism of Jesus in the Holy Spirit and with fire "(Lk 3:16)."

"The Holy Spirit is the principal architect in Christian Baptism, He is the one that burns and destroys original sin, restoring the beauty of divine grace. He is the One who delivers us from the dominion of darkness, that is, of sin, and transports us into the realm of light, that is love, truth and peace. This is the light. Think of what dignity Baptism lifts us to! "See what love the Father has given us that should be called children of God, and so we are!" (1 Jn 3,1), says the Apostle John. This stupendous reality of being children of God involves a responsibility to follow Jesus, the obedient Servant, and reproduce in ourselves his features, those of meekness, humility, tenderness. And this is not easy, especially when all around us there is so much intolerance, arrogance, harshness. But with the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit it is possible! "

"The Holy Spirit, received for the first time on the day of our Baptism, opens our hearts to the truth, the whole truth. The Spirit leads our life on the difficult but joyful path of charity and solidarity with our brothers. The Spirit gives us the tenderness of God's forgiveness and pervades us with the invincible power of the Father's mercy. Do not forget that the Holy Spirit is a living and life-giving presence for those who accept Him, and prays in us and fills us with spiritual joy ".

"Today, on the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, we think of the day of our Baptism; we have all been baptized, and give thanks for this gift. And so let me ask a question of you: Do you know the date of your baptism? Not everybody".

Once again the Pope called on people to look up the date of their baptism, asking their parents, or in the parish. This is my homework for you, he added, find out the date of your baptism. "It is a date to celebrate to reaffirm our adherence to Jesus, with the commitment to live as Christians, members of the Church and of a new humanity, in which all are brothers. Baptism is received only once, but it must be witnessed every day, because it is new life to share and light to communicate, especially to those living in conditions unworthy of man and walking on paths of darkness. May the Virgin Mary, the first disciple of her Son Jesus, help us to live our baptism with joy and apostolic zeal, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, who makes us children of God every day. "
Dealing With The Loss Of A Father

The 7 Life Lessons I Learned After My Father Passed Away

It was Sunday morning, January 11th, 2015. While I was minding my two-year-old son as my wife attended church, I received a phone call from a family member in Australia who broke the news: my dad had suffered a heart attack and the paramedics were working on him.

He was quickly rushed to hospital and I nervously sat by the phone, frantically trying to call my wife who, predictably, had her cell phone switched off. I had even sent my father-in-law in search for her, desperately seeking shelter from the storm.

Waiting for the news, any news, as my dad received medical attention was the longest wait of my life.

His life was hanging in the balance and all the while guilt consumed me. I hadnt been home to see my family for some time and couldnt recall the last time my dad and I really spoke.

As my wife returned, unaware of the events that had transpired, the phone rang. My mother was crying on the other end of the phone: Hes gone, I think hes gone. As I listened to the flutter of sounds as the phone was passed around, I was greeted by a nurse at the hospital who told me that they were unable to revive my dad.

The next day, I booked a flight home to Australia, struggling with the notion of how to console my mother, sister and grandmother as we buried a man, my father, who died at just 57.

I have thought a lot about that moment over the past year. It will at times keep me up at night, hanging like a dark shadow over my psyche. The weeks leading to my father being put to rest were tumultuous and taught me a lot about who I thought were my family and friends, and even showed me a side of myself I had never seen before. One year on, I thought I would share what the death taught me:

1. People deal with death differently. It is okay if that is different to how you are processing your feelings  emotions will sway on a knifes edge, and at times even tip to anger. Breathe, stay calm and try to take one day at a time.

2. People will want to pay their respects, even if you have no idea who they are  it is a testament to your loved ones character.

3. The ones who you thought would be your rock and come through for you, wont! Whereas, the person(s) you least expected to make you feel better, will.

4. Organizing a funeral, especially one that is emotionally charged, sucks! Decisions have to be made about what your loved one would have wanted and at times you will have no idea and will resort to just simply guessing.

5. The aftermath of laying one to rest can be just as tough as the funeral itself  there is never an easy answer when it comes to what to do with the stuff one accumulates in their lifetime. Be kind, donate what you can and keep those things that will remind you of the person they were.

6. Those closest to the one that passed need your love. It can be hard to know what to say or do when someone that loved this person so dearly is uncontrollably upset or angry or both. Sometimes just being there, even if it is in silence, does help.

7. Life eventually must go on, and while those persons closest to them may not be able to understand what their life will be like when the person they cared about more than anything in the world is gone, always have faith that they will find their feet again.
We are getting things prepared for my USC daughter's dual citizenship (United States + Australian citizenship). The uncertainties we've faced is that I have not registered my "change of name" with Australia (with the RBDM NSW). I was married in the US to my USC husband, and am a LPR of the US, but we are looking into eventual migration to Australia. My Australian passport is still in my maiden name. So, effectively, I'm known as Snag Smith in Australia, but Snag Jones in the US. Will this complicate the process of obtaining my daughter's Australian citizenship? Should I go ahead and try to register my married name in Australia, then change my passport beforehand? Many thanks in advance.
10 January 2016 11:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Orujova

The Italian Senate will host a high level preparatory meeting for the fourth Global Baku Forum on January 26-28, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan reported.

The 4th forum entitled Towards a multipolar world will be held in the Azerbaijani capital on March 10-11. The first Global Baku Forum was held in 2013 bringing together number of influential political leaders and statesmen.

The event organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in partnership with the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, will bring together about 300 representatives, including a number of influential political and public figures.

The preparatory meeting in Rome is scheduled to be addressed by President of the Italian Senate Pietro Grasso, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, director of the Library of Alexandria Ismail Serageldin and former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

Former presidents of Italy, Poland, Croatia, Andorra, Latvia, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, Albania, Serbia and Bulgaria will also join the event.

Moreover, ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri is also expected to attend the meeting.

The event will focus on topical issues of the modern era, the role of interfaith dialogue in the prevention of radicalization, the womens role in the establishment of interfaith dialogue and the factor of religion in the comprehension of common values of different nations and cultures.

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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews staff journalist. Follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar

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10 January 2016 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

Another special operation was held by law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan in Bakus Nardaran settlement.

Three people were arrested as a result of the special operation. The residents of the township Muradpur Heydar (1963), Mursal Gasimov (1959) and Rahib Guliyev (1983) were detained as suspects.

Heydar was searched and 1,120 grams of marijuana were found during the search.

During the operation, a hunting rifle was seized from Gasimov, who had no permit for it, while F-1 (hand) grenade was seized from Guliyev.

In accordance with the decision of Baku Sabunchi district court, a preventive measure in the form of arrest was chosen against Heydar and Guliyev, while administrative arrest was chosen against Gasimov.

On Nov. 26, five members of a criminal group, operating under the guise of religion, were killed during a police operation in the township of Nardaran, some 25 km northeast of Baku. Two police officers were also killed in the standoff.

Fourteen members of the criminal group were arrested along with the groups ringleader Taleh Baghirov.

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10 January 2016 16:07 (UTC+04:00)

The year 2016 was declared the Year of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on January 10.

He made the remarks at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in 2015 and objectives for the future.

This decision was made taking into account the fact that Azerbaijan brings an important contribution to the traditions of tolerance and intercultural, as well as intercivilization dialogue.

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10 January 2016 15:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Orujova

Over 250 trucks have been transported by sea via Baku-Aktau route since the beginning of 2015, the Caspian Shipping Company told local media.

The route has transported 566 trucks in last December, said the company.

The Caspian Shipping Company said 60 trucks were transported by Baku-Aktau route on monthly average in January-November 2015, which is an increase of 10 times.

Extra sea voyages are organized and ships in reserve were put into operation in order to reduce the density of vehicles in the Azerbaijani port of Alat, the company added.

"Three more ferry boats  Academician Topchubashov, Garabagh, and Professor Gul  were involved in freight transportations in mid-December," the company said.

At present, 11 ferry boats and two Ro-Ro vessels are operating from Baku to Aktau and Turkmenbashi ports, the CSC reported.

Measures were also taken to reduce the density of vehicles in the port of Aktau, said the company.

Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea Shipping Company is among the major ship owning companies in the Caspian basin and its main activity is cargo transportation predominantly in oil and oil products in the Caspian, Black, Mediterranean, and Marmara Seas.

The company carries freight traffic through the Europe-Caucasus-Asia transport corridor from Baku. The goods are sent to the Kazakh port of Aktau in 24-26 hours and Turkmen port of Turkmenbashi in 14-16 hours, and vice versa.

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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews staff journalist. Follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar

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10 January 2016 11:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Sadigova

Azerbaijani virtuoso violinist Anar Yusifov is an owner of a unique violin, which was produced in 1862 by the famous Italian violin maker Giovanni Gusetto.

Jazz, latino, pop lyrics, electronic music  this bright and many-sided person is engaged in many sides of art. The last time he made a performance in Baku in March 2012 on the stage of the State Russian Drama Theater named after Samad Vurgun.

More than twenty years ago, Anar Yusifov left his native Baku for Moscow. Over the past period he played a huge number of concerts and his repertoire of works is impressive -- from world classics to jazz and contemporary pop music.

He thinks that it is possible to train an absolute musical ear. Yusifov was transferred from simple music school to a special Conservatory named after Bulbul. When parents asked him about his wish to become a violinist, he said that he is ready.

I do not want to offend musicians playing other instruments, but the violin is indeed unique. In shape it resembles a woman's body and its voice sounds similar to the females range soprano and mezzo-soprano, the musician said.

In his Golden Violin project he tried to show the audience different styles of the music, trends and ages.

In his second original project titled "Seasons of the year - Jazz Times" he prepared a series of works by Antonio Vivaldi "Four Seasons" and invited well-known jazz quartet The Moscow jazz passengers.

Classical music in its purest form is designed for the prepared listener. But music went through revolution and changed over the past 20 years. Now we can listen to classical music in pop style, in any accessible format.

When your motherland is next door, the wings grow by themselves, but when you are alone, then, figuratively speaking, these wings attach themselves, Anar says.

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Follow Laman Sadigova on Twitter: @s_laman93

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10 January 2016 10:30 (UTC+04:00)

Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic has so far exercised patience with regard to negative measures adopted by Saudi Arabia as Riyadh steps up its hostile policies against Tehran, Press TV reported.



We have so far responded to negative Saudi measures with patience because there is a distance between Iranian wisdom and Saudi officials misguided and immature approaches, Zarif said in a meeting with Chinas Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming in Tehran on Saturday.



We are not after tension in the region, the Iranian minister added.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been strained in recent days following the Saudi execution of top opposition cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, which was announced on January 2.



Nimrs execution was widely censured by Muslims and human rights activists around the globe as well as different governments.



Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran on January 3 following demonstrations held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad by angry protesters censuring the Al Saud family for the killing of Nimr. Some people mounted the walls of the consulate in Mashhad while incendiary devices were hurled at the embassy in Tehran. Some 50 people were detained over the transgression.



In a Friday letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Zarif said Saudi Arabia has to make "a crucial choice" to either promote sectarian hate-mongering" by its continued support for extremist groups or promote regional stability.



He added that Tehran has "no desire or interest in escalation of tension in our neighborhood" and hopes Riyadh will "heed the cause of reason.



Meanwhile, speaking in a press conference after an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh on Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir repeated the kingdom's anti-Iran rhetoric and said Riyadh is considering additional measures against Tehran if it continues with its current policies.



Iran continues to expand China relations: Zarif



During his meeting with the Chinese diplomat, Zarif also said that Iran and China have numerous commonalties on different issues.



He added that Tehran will continue to expand relations with Beijing following the implementation of a nuclear agreement reached between the Islamic Republic and six world powers in July 2015.



The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Iran and the P5+1  the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany  in the Austrian capital of Vienna on July 14, 2015, puts limits on Irans nuclear activities in exchange for the removal of all economic and financial nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic.



The Iranian minister expressed hope that a planned visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tehran in the near future will bring about positive outcomes for the two countries.



He also hoped that Iranian and Chinese officials would open up prospects for comprehensive cooperation during Xis visit to Tehran.



Iran pursues wise foreign policy: Zhang



The Chinese official, for his part, said Iran and Saudi Arabia play an important role in regional developments.



Iran pursues wise foreign policies, the Chinese official said, adding that his country would spare no effort to contribute to promotion of peace and security.



He also expressed Beijings full readiness to bolster relations with Tehran and said the Chinese president plans to visit Iran in the near future for the first time after 14 years.

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10 January 2016 16:50 (UTC+04:00)

Turkey should mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia, said the former head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, currently MP from the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Turkish Turkyurduhaber online newspaper reported.

Ihsanoglu went on to add that the crisis in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran may lead to bloody consequences, and Turkey can greatly suffer from them as well.

Ihsanoglu said that the Turkish parliament should immediately establish a special commission to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran soured after execution of Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric, by the Kingdom along with other 46 people, which was followed by a strong protest from Iran.

Mass protests took place in Iran following the said execution. In particular, the Saudi embassy in the capital Tehran and the consulate in the city of Mashhad were attacked, after which Riyadh broke off diplomatic ties with Tehran on Jan. 3.

Earlier, Saudi Arabias permanent representative to the United Nations, Abdullah al-Moallem said that relations with Iran will be restored only when Tehran stops interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, including that of Saudi Arabias.

Meanwhile, Turkeys Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on the embassy of Saudi Arabia, and urged Tehran and Riyadh to resolve the crisis in relations diplomatically.

The Iranian government has recently banned the import of products from Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabias goods from other countries.

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Manatee County deputies located a missing and endangered child Sunday but are still looking for his father.



The Manatee County Sheriffs Office said Harlan Laroche Jr. was involved in a domestic incident Saturday night with his mother in the 4500 block 26th Street West in Bradenton

The Sheriffs Office said when deputies arrived; Laroche had already left with his son, Nathaniel.

The boy returned home safe Sunday evening.



Investigators are still looking for Laroche who is wanted in connection with the domestic incident.



Laroche may be driving a black Kia SUV with unknown Indiana tag. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the MCSO at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch tracked a sea turtle tracked for the first time last year.

Researchers and animal lovers around the world had a chance to watch Amie the sea turtle's journey for 175 days. That is, until a few weeks ago, when Amie disappeared.

Amie nested on Coquina Beach last summer, one of 356 turtles to nest on Anna Maria Island last summer. However, Amie was different. She is the first Anna Maria Island turtle to ever be monitored with a tracking device.

Its amazing how many people are watching her all the time. said Suzi Fox, the director of the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch.

Fox says the tracking device was placed on Amies back as a way to study her movement, eating and nesting patterns.

For 175 days people around the world watched her journey on Facebook. Amie traveled from Anna Maria Island to the Florida Keys, then stayed 150 days around the Ten Thousand Islands.

However, on Dec. 15, Amie disappeared. Fox says she is not fearful for Amies safety. She just believes that the tracker stopped working.

It could have fallen off," Fox said. "It could have gotten crustacean on it.

Even though researchers can no longer monitor Amie, the turtle watch says they learned a lot from her journey. For instance, they thought most female sea turtles nested about eight times a year. Amie only did it once. Also, when Amie left Anna Maria, she never came on shore again.

It is invaluable to the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch program and to the state of Florida and Manatee County, Fox said.

The tracking device cost around $5,000. The Anna Maria Island Turtle watch purchased it through a grant from advertising on the islands trollies.

The turtle watch hopes to track another turtle in 2017. Over the next several months they will be taking a closer look at Amies travels and data to gather more information on sea turtles.
Saturday, Michael Piper stood on a Gulfport sidewalk where he almost lost his life.

Last week, Piper traveled from Missouri to run in the Jim West Prostate Foundation 8k with his wife and son.

Just about a mile from the finish line, Piper suffered a heart attack and collapsed. He didnt have a pulse for 90 seconds.

Other runners flagged down Gulfport firefighters and paramedics who were about 50 yards away in a special rescue vehicle.

We went up there and the man was clinically dead, Firefighter and paramedic Matt Steindl said. We went up and did CPR, defibrillated him and got his heart back to a normal rhythm.

Piper only spent three days in the hospital. A week after his heart attack, he visited the fire station to thank his heroes and go back out to the spot on the race course where he collapsed.

"A week later, we dont normally get that kind of recovery, a meaningful recovery where you are walking around, Steindl said.

Your response time was so quick and that quickness made the difference, absolutely, Piper told the first responders.

Doctors say the quick response time and Pipers overall good health played major roles in his recovery.

Piper said the only thing he remembers about the race is taking a group photograph before he started running, but he said he will never forget everything the first responders did to save his life.



For more information on the Jim West Prostate Foundation Run, click here.


Just when it looks like the Republican Party is determined to hand the presidency to Hillary Clinton on a silver platter, the grownups have intervened. They selected South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to deliver the GOP response to President Obama's state of the union speech on Tuesday night.

Haley is that rarity among Republican leaders - a fresh face who appeals to more than just old white guys. She's conservative, of course, but she also had the guts and the smarts to lead the effort in South Carolina to take down the Confederate flag from the capitol grounds after the ghastly murders in a black church. The symbolism was powerful, and undeniable: A young Indian-American woman retiring the emblem of the lost cause.

It's no secret that Haley is on the short list of GOP vice-presidential nominees. If Republicans want to assemble 270 electoral votes next November, they have to reach out to women, minorities and others who traditionally don't vote for their party. It's simple math; you can't win a national election anymore with angry white men. And it goes without saying, you shouldn't want to either.

So far, however, the three leaders of the Republican presidential primaries have been Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Ben Carson. They have some differences, of course, but they share one thing in common: They couldn't win a general election if Mayor Richard Daley's ghost were counting the votes. Trump has alienated one group after another, Cruz comes off as an angry extremist and Carson has been exposed as woefully ignorant on basic issues.

Democrats understand these demographic realities. That's why Hillary will choose HUD Secretary and former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro as her running mate. He's young, telegenic and Hispanic - the perfect complement to an older white woman. He will attract boatloads of millennials, women and Latinos.

And right now, before a single vote is case, Democrats are heavily favored in 20 states and the District of Columbia for 253 electoral votes. They need only 17 more to win the presidency, just two or three swing states. Republicans can count on only 23 states with 191 electoral votes. They almost have to run the table on every swing state to prevail.

Karl Rove, the last man to run a successful GOP presidential campaign, laid it out last week in blunt terms. "If (Donald) Trump is its standard-bearer, the GOP will lose the White House and the Senate, and its majority in the House will fall dramatically," he wrote in an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal. "If the nominee is Ted Cruz the situation is still dicey."

Of course Trumpers and tea partiers dismiss Rove as an "establishment" Republican, which is what they also call contenders who have actually won governorships or Senate seats. But nerds like Rove know what it takes to win a national election, and that means offering swing voters and independents a ticket they can identify with.

So if the Republicans match up someone like Nikki Haley with a candidate with broader appeal like Marco Rubio or Chris Christie, we might have a horse race next fall after all. If not, Hillary cruises, the Supreme Court lurches left and Castro is set up as the next Democratic president. Soon we'll see if Republican voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are playing a short game or long ball.

----------------------------

Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom
We sympathize with Hardin County commissioners. Thanks to a politically conceived and poorly written state law, they and other public officials face a difficult task in 2016. They have to allow the open carry of handguns in some public buildings where civilian guns previously were absent or face state penalties and fines.

In many cases, they have to find a way to keep guns out of places where they are still banned - like courtrooms or public meeting spaces - but still allow them in the rest of a building. Good luck with that.
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Carl Barat, left, said Pete Doherty was a dear friend, but he was not sure what the future of The Libertines was

The Libertines co-frontman Carl Barat has said he is unsure whether the indie rock band has a future.

Formed in 1997, the London quartet - made up of co-lead singer Pete Doherty, bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell - are due to play a series of dates in the UK and Europe.

Kicking off at Glasgow's SSE Hydro Arena on January 21, and taking in cities including Cardiff, Birmingham and London, the gigs are in support of their most recent album, Anthems For Doomed Youth.

The band are also touring countries including France, Germany and Austria.

During an interview with The Mirror, Barat said: "Today, for me, Pete Doherty is a dear friend and a brother, but as for the future of The Libertines, I do not know what will happen."

In September, The Libertines were forced to cancel a gig in London because frontman Doherty suffered "a serious anxiety attack", according to a post on his Albion Rooms website.

The 36-year-old has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, and has undergone years of treatment in rehab.

Doherty has been imprisoned three times, with one stint as a result of burgling Barat's home in 2003.

He has also appeared in court for a number of drug-related offences and his criminal record includes assault and possession of a flick-knife.

Media interest in Doherty soared during the two-year period he was dating model Kate Moss. The couple split in 2007.

"I can't say I don't have my own foibles," Barat told The Independent when asked how he had dealt with all the problems.

"But we just stick with it really. We went through so much together and shared our perceptions of the world through our writing. I don't suppose we can find anyone else to perform that role," the 37-year-old said.

"We always end up meandering back to one another. Even if there are various prisons and other organisations along the way.

"There's just a bond there that's very deep. I never thought I was being patient. It's just, what was the choice?"

Anthems For Doomed Youth is only the third studio album from The Libertines following Up The Bracket in 2002 and their self-titled second in 2004.

Released on September 11 and peaking at number three on the Official UK Album Chart, reviews were generally positive for their third long-player.

After breaking up in 2004, The Libertines spent years embroiled in various troubles, but they reunited in 2010 for a number of shows, including Reading and Leeds Festivals.

Four years later, they were back together again for a gig in London's Hyde Park.

In 2015, The Libertines were the surprise special guests on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury.

"I tried to convince myself I was done with it to protect myself. But I think it's a lifelong thing," Barat told The Independent.

"I have the name of the band tattooed on my arm, which is a constant reminder. I'm not going to tattoo 'Debbie' over it or anything. Pete went at his with a knife, but that didn't work."

::Visit www.thelibertines.com for more information about The Libertines tour.
Lemmy will be the toast of many pubgoers on the day of his funeral

Motorhead fans across Britain are flocking to pubs to raise a glass to Lemmy and watch the legendary frontman's funeral tonight.

Eulogies from friends and family of the late rock star will be given at a special memorial night being put on at The Wig And Gown pub in Holloway, north London.

The boozer said it had been overwhelmed by the number of fans wanting to pay their respects at the event tonight, where Lemmy's funeral will be livestreamed from America.

Akin Arrowsmith, 31, a barman from north London, was among those who got to the bar early for tonight's event.

He said: "I have been listening to Motorhead since I was about seven or eight.

"I was gutted when I heard Lemmy had died. My mum phoned me up and asked me if I was OK. I was lying in bed and had tears in my eye.

"We are going to give him a proper Motorhead send off - loud, messy and full of random chaos."

Suzanne Baker-Downes, a friend of Lemmy's who has organised tonight's memorial at the pub, said she had been "completely inundated" by thousands of people who want to attend.

She said: "Lemmy was a very popular guy."

Several other pubs in Holloway are hosting events to cater for the sheer number of fans who want to pay tribute to the rocker.

Around 150 Lemmy fans, many wearing black Motorhead t-shirts and leather jackets, descended on the Holloway pub to pay their respects to the 70-year-old who died over Christmas.

Motorhead classics including The Ace Of Spades blared out over the speakers before friends of Lemmy regaled the crowd with anecdotes about the star.

Ms Baker-Downes said: "I first met Lemmy at the Hippodrome rock night in January 1989.

"Upon being introduced Lemmy asked me 'Do you want to do some speed and come back to mine to look at my spiral staircase?'

"Bearing in mind I was 21 and straight off the Canadian banana boat I was scared stiff.

"I said 'No! And by the way we do have stairs in Canada you know.'

"Lemmy laughed himself silly and asked for my phone number and the rest is history.

"Let's just say that eventually I did indeed go to see that staircase."

A roadie who introduced himself just as Dave and worked for the band for seven years said: "You will hear a lot of things about Lemmy - icon, legend. All that is true.

"He was the best boss I ever had or will have, and more importantly he was a friend."

The crowd cheered and raised "a glass or six" to the late rock star.
Noel Gallagher has dismissed Jeremy Corbyn's brand of politics as "communism" - but insisted he would never vote Tory.

The Oasis star, who famously endorsed New Labour as they swept to power in 1997, says Tony Blair's years in opposition were "amazing" but admitted he was left disappointed by their record in office.

Asked in the Sunday Times Style Magazine what he thinks of Mr Corbyn, he said: "I don't like communism."

But he added: "I could never vote Tory because some invisible force field would stop me from putting my vote in the ballot box.

"Speaking as somebody from the left, I thought the New Labour years, coming up to 1997, were amazing. It was so exciting to be in England at the time, because there were so many things going on.

"But then, the Labour Party proved themselves to be 'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss', and until that changes, I'm not having it. The Tories don't care about the vulnerable, and the communists don't care about the aspirational."

Gallagher, 48, grew up in the working-class suburb of Burnage in Manchester the son of a builder and a dinner lady.

He and his younger brother Liam were known as the bad boys of Brit Pop and had a well publicised rivalry with Blur, whose southern accents and arty backgrounds were in contrast to the Mancunians.

Gallagher, who has patched things up with his one time foe Damon Albarn of Blur, warned that "working class kids are being priced out of music now" as the disused warehouses that once served as cheap rehearsal space are turned into pricey flats and businesses.

And the self proclaimed left-winger revealed that he thinks the royal family should "take a great deal more interest" in their subjects.

A documentary about Oasis by the team behind the acclaimed films Amy and Senna will come out later this year. It will coincide with the 20th anniversary of their two Knebworth concerts in August 1996, when the band played to 250,000 people over two nights.
Michelle McIlveen said it would be welcome news for the local construction industry

Work on nearly nine miles of dual carriageway upgrading the Belfast to Londonderry road will begin this year, Transport Minister Michelle McIlveen said.

The scheme will improve the road between the end of the M22 at Randalstown and the Castledawson Roundabout and ease congestion on an arterial route. The project is expected to cost 130 million.

Ms McIlveen said: "This is a major investment for the North West and will be very welcome news for the local construction industry.

"The A6 dualling scheme is a significant project that will help to remove a major bottleneck and so improve safety and journey times on this strategically important route."

In May last year, Graham/Farrans Joint Venture was awarded the contract for the development of the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson Dualling Project.

Ms McIlveen continued: "That detailed design work is progressing and now that the Executive has confirmed funding for this section of the A6, the scheme can move ahead with work on site expected to start by the end of the summer."
Thirty one suspected trafficked women sought help last year, according to the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

Potential victims were from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

Catherine Cosgrave, legal services manager with the Immigrant Council, said: "Of the 31 women who sought the protection and support of our frontline services and independent law centre, 11 were new cases - making the year the second busiest since we started work in this area a decade ago.

"Clients need assistance in terms of being officially recognised as a victim of trafficking, immigration and visa issues, asylum applications as well as access to supports to restart their shattered lives.

"Above all we must ensure that women and girls removed from the clutches of criminal gangs are not themselves treated as criminals.

"With women from four continents seeking our services it is clear that Ireland is a destination country for criminal networks with a global reach and we need laws and procedures in place which will jail the guilty while at the same time ensure that their victims are protected and supported."

Brian Killoran, chief executive of the Council said sex trafficking is a reality in Ireland which cannot be ignored.

"A key moment has arrived in ensuring we have best practice in terms of responding to this crime.

"In the coming week the Oireachtas will resume its debate on sex-buyer laws which will smash the business model allowing organised crime to pocket millions.

"Together with every frontline agency working with victims of sex trafficking in Ireland we fully support the laws and again call on the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, to make them a reality before the general election."

Press Association
A boy aged 16 died after he was stabbed at Ashton playing fields in east London

A 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in an east London park after leaving a friend's birthday party was described as an "extrovert" who was "fun to be around".

The teenager, named locally as Charlie Kutuyampo, had been celebrating a girl's 16th birthday on Saturday with around 100 other young people at a social club on the Ashton playing fields in Woodford.

He got into a confrontation with four male youths outside the club before one stabbed him, police said. They then fled towards nearby Chigwell Road.

Friends at the party tried to save him before police and paramedics arrived at around 9.40pm, but he died just over an hour later at Whipps Cross University Hospital.

It is the first murder of a teenager in the capital this year. Nineteen were murdered in 2015, of whom 15 were stabbed.

Forensics officers recovered two knives from near the scene today, one a silver kitchen knife and the other a black-handled knife, but it is not yet clear whether either was involved in the stabbing.

The boy has not been formally identified but next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will take place on Monday.

No arrests have been made and the murder is being investigated by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command.

DCI Ken Hughes, leading the investigation, said: "There were around 100 young people at this party and we are appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses to come forward as soon as possible.

"The victim's family are naturally devastated and in shock by what has happened and we need the help of those at the party that night to progress our investigation."

Charlie is reported to have attended or recently left King Solomon High School on Forest Road in Ilford, Essex.

Grieving friends of the murdered teenager this afternoon brought flowers to the social club and tonight gathered to remember him in a vigil.

A former pupil at King Solomon school, Jodeci Joseph, who was a few years older than Charlie, told Sky News: "I built up quite a good relationship with him, like when I would see him I would always say, 'Hello, how are you?', see how he is, always catch up with him, sometimes spend a lunch time or break time with him just walking around with him.

"He was a very nice boy, very good intentions, very very good intentions. He was very extroverted, very loud, but that is normal for a child to be quite loud.

"Very loud, very energetic, a lot of energy, very happy as well. He was just a very fun guy to be around."
David Cameron made clear that his preference was to hold an in-out referendum on reformed membership terms this summer

David Cameron has insisted a British exit from the EU is not "the right answer" as he said he was "close" to securing a renegotiation deal.

The Prime Minister made clear that his preference was to hold an in-out referendum on reformed membership terms this summer - but hinted he could delay it until next year if a new package is not finalised in the coming weeks.

He also refused to rule out applying restrictions on in-work benefits to young Britons in a bid to stop the "almost unnatural draw" of the UK's welfare system for European migrants.

In an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Cameron was asked whether the Government was preparing contingency plans for a so-called Brexit.

"I don't think that is the right answer for the reasons I have given. Were that to be the answer we would need to do everything necessary to make that work," he said.

"The civil service are working round the clock to support my negotiation."

Mr Cameron said he was "confident we can get a good outcome" from the haggling with EU counterparts, and he still "hoped" a package could be finalised by the next Brussels summit on February 18.

If that timetable slipped the referendum may be delayed from summer and could take place "later" than September, he indicated.

Mr Cameron said his proposal of a four-year ban on in-work benefits for migrants - viewed as the toughest element to secure - was "still on the table", but he was open to any alternative that would be "equally powerful".

Asked if there could be a compromise where Britons were also subject to the restriction and then compensated with a "social" payment, Mr Cameron replied: "I am in the middle of a negotiation. I have got hard work to do and when I have an announcement to make I will make it."

The Prime Minister also said he would not resign if the country voted for the UK to leave the EU.

Mr Cameron said it had "always been my intention" to allow Eurosceptic ministers to campaign for Brexit in a "personal" capacity.

Stressing that he had not ruled out supporting an "out" vote if his renegotiation goals were not achieved, he said: "Obviously I want to have as many people supporting the side that I am on, whatever side that is when the time comes.

"The Government is not going to be neutral on this issue, with people on one side or the other. My intention is that at the conclusion of the negotiation the Cabinet has a discussion and reaches a clear recommendation to the British people of what we should do. I hope that will be staying in a reformed EU."

Mr Cameron said he was aiming to change the things about the EU that drove the public "up the wall".

"At the moment our welfare system acts as an extra additional, almost unnatural draw for people to come to Britain and we need to be able to address that," he said. "We have a welfare system, unlike many in Europe, that you have immediate access to and it is that that creates many of the difficulties."

He added: " I think the best answer for Britain is to stay in a reformed EU if we can get those changes."

Mr Cameron said the "prize" of an improved membership package was "closer than it was".

"I am hopeful of a deal in February and if we do that we can go ahead and hold the referendum," he said.

Asked if that meant the referendum could take place in the summer, Mr Cameron said: "That is what I would like to see, a deal in February and then a referendum that would follow."

Responding to the suggestion that failure to get a deal at the next EU summit would mean the referendum being delayed until September, Mr Cameron said: "Or later. I have to have this referendum by the end of 2017. To me the substance matters much more than the timing, so if I can't get the right deal in February I will wait and I will keep going."

Mr Cameron said the Government had already made clear that parliament was sovereign, and that would be the case whether or not the UK remained in the EU.

"If we need to reaffirm that even more, if we need to put that up in lights - absolutely happy to do so," he said.

Tory backbencher David Davis told the BBC's Sunday Politics he expected up to half the parliamentary party and "five or six" Cabinet ministers to campaign for Brexit.

He also called the lack of planning for the UK leaving the EU "disgraceful".

"This is actually disgraceful. Because you know, you've got two moderately likely outcomes, we don't know which it will be," he said.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of Vote Leave, said: " Cameron has never asked for serious changes from the EU, he gave up before he started. He's asked for trivia and he'll get everything he's asked for.

"It's spin and nobody should believe him. If you want British laws to be made by people you can vote out, the only way is to Vote Leave and take back control."
Former presenter and DJ Ed "Stewpot" Stewart has died at the age of 74

Tributes have been paid to former DJ and Crackerjack presenter Ed "Stewpot" Stewart, who has died aged 74.

Presenter David Hamilton hailed his BBC colleague for his versatility.

"Like all of us, radio was his first love," he told BBC News. "But also, he did very well on television. He was one of the hosts of Crackerjack for a long time, he did Top Of The Pops and he had his own programme."

Hamilton added: "He was one of those radio people who did also work well on television."

The DJ, also known by the nickname "Diddy", said he spoke to his old friend just a few days ago.

"He was one of my best friends from those days. He was always good company, always a good laugh," recalled Hamilton, who had joined BBC Radio 1 in 1973.

During a speech at his friend's 70th birthday party, he joked that he had never seen Stewart's wallet during their 50-year friendship.

"He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and it was on a chain," he said.

Hamilton ended on a personal note: "He was a really good guy and I really will miss him."

Stewart was one of the first presenters on Radio 1 when it was launched in 1967.

The following year, he began presenting children's show Junior Choice, which became his trademark radio show.

On television, Devon-born Stewart was best known for children's favourite Crackerjack. He hosted the show from 1973 to 1979.

Stewart presented a Christmas edition of Junior Choice for BBC Radio 2 in 2015.

Noel Edmonds also tweeted heartfelt messages about the man he called his "mentor".

Edmonds joined Radio 1 in 1969, taking over from the sacked Kenny Everett in 1970. At 21, he was the station's youngest DJ at the time.

"In '67 Ed Stewart heard a DJ audition tape, liked it, passed it to Kenny Everett and my career was born. Stewpot I owe you everything xN," he tweeted.

Minutes later, he added: "Sorry Twitter chums, just going to take a break to reflect on the very very sad news that my mentor Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart has died."

Johnnie Walker, who joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969, tweeted to say Stewart had left "in style".

"Very shocked and so saddened at the death of Ed Stewart. So many pirate radio memories of Red Lion, Curzon Street. He was such a great guy," his first tweet read.

He added: "Ed Stewart sounded fantastic on BBCRadio2 at Christmas. What a great last show and one that will always be remembered.You left in style Ed".

Rocky Taylor, a friend of 40 years, said Stewart died in hospital in Bournemouth.

Mr Taylor said he had been informed of his death by the star's ex-wife, Chiara Mainwaring.

Former brother-in-law Adriano Henney posted the news on Twitter, calling it a "huge loss".

"Sad to report sudden passing of my former brother in law #EdStewart #StewpotEd after short illness. Fun guy. Huge loss," he said.

Celebrity astrologer Russell Grant tweeted: "So sad to hear an old DJ colleague of mine Ed Stewart 'Stewpot' has passed over.

"I last worked with him on Radio Mercury. Happy memories."

Former BBC presenter Phillip Schofield tweeted:. "As a kid the Radio 1 DJ's were my idols.

"They say never meet your idols ... Ed Stewart didn't let me down, terrific broadcaster & lovely man."

David Walliams said: " Sad to hear the news about the passing of Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart. When I was a child he played a record for me on the radio for my birthday. x"

Coronation Street star Les Dennis posted: " Sad to hear Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart has died. A great broadcaster and a nice man. "

Bob Shennan, director of BBC Music, said in a statement: "Everyone at Radio 2 is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart.

"Ed has been a stalwart of popular music broadcasting for many years and over the past few Christmases, he brought back Junior Choice to the delight of millions of loyal listeners.

"We are thinking of Ed's friends and family at this difficult time."

Stewart is survived by his two children and grandchildren.
Jeremy Hunt accused some on the union's council of viewing the dispute over weekend working hours as a "political opportunity to bash a Tory government that they hate"

Factions in the British Medical Association (BMA) risk putting lives on the line by peddling "misinformation" in a politicised bid to fuel his row with junior doctors, Jeremy Hunt has claimed.

The Health Secretary accused some on the union's council of viewing the dispute over weekend working hours as a "political opportunity to bash a Tory government that they hate" and said looming strikes would be "the worst possible thing for the NHS".

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Hunt said patients must be put before politics. The Department of Health is hoping to reduce weekend mortality rates which, according to some figures, mean 11,000 extra patients die each year after being admitted to hospital over the weekend.

However some junior doctors argue that the proposed change to work patterns will amount to a 30% pay cut and result in doctors working dangerously long shifts.

Talks between the DoH and the BMA broke down after just one hour when doctors walked out, claimed Mr Hunt, who has been accused of spin in the debate.

A series of three strikes is due to start on Tuesday, when junior doctors will only provide emergency care for 24 hours, potentially causing delays to elective surgeries.

If negotiations fail they will stop providing all care, including emergency procedures, in a walkout on February 10 from 8am to 5pm.

Mr Hunt told the newspaper junior doctors were the "backbone" of an NHS already under strain from seasonal increases in admissions, that have seen many declare they are struggling with demand.

He said: "I think it's really important that the BMA leadership rein in any elements who are looking at this strike in that way because that would be the worst possible thing for the NHS."

He added: "It is unprecedented for doctors to say that they will be withdrawing emergency care. That is basically saying that you won't be there for your patients even in life-threatening situations."

It was in the long-term interest of doctors to accept the plans in order to protect patients, he explained.

There were "too many" studies that highlight soaring fatality rates over weekends, including a 29% hike in cancer surgery deaths, a 20% increase in stroke mortality, an 11% rise in general surgery deaths and a 7% increase in mortality rates for newborn babies, Mr Hunt said.

Under the new contract 99% of doctors would have their pay protected, he claimed, adding: "One of the most disappointing things about this dispute has been the amount of misinformation that has gone around about what the Government is trying to do."

The BMA has insisted it is "apolitical" and the strikes "demonstrated the strength of feeling amongst the profession".

The government's chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, urged the BMA to suspend strikes.

"As a doctor, I can understand the anger and frustration felt by many junior doctors at this time," she said.

"In part, this dispute is a symptom of frustration and low morale that has been building for decades and the strain that a career in medicine can place on your work-life balance.

"Junior doctors are the backbone of the NHS, working long and anti-social hours. Training now is very different from when I went through it. It is vital that, as senior medical leaders, we ask ourselves whether we are doing everything we can to ensure our junior colleagues feel valued.

"But it is clear that the only way to resolve this is by negotiation, so I ask the BMA to suspend action while talks are ongoing. Industrial action will lead to patients suffering, and no doctor wants to see that happen."
Ricky Gervais usually pokes fun at the Hollywood elite when presenting the Golden Globes

Former Titanic co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were reunited as they were both honoured with big prizes at the Golden Globes.

The pair, who were spotted embracing in the ballroom at the glamorous Los Angeles ceremony, first starred together in James Cameron's Oscar-winning film in 1997 and later teamed up again for Revolutionary Road.

Winslet was the first winner of the night and looked visibly shocked as she was named best supporting actress in a film for her portrayal of Joanna Hoffman in Steve Jobs.

She said: "I am extremely surprised and overwhelmed. I just want to start by saying what an incredible year for women in film. These categories are so crowded and crammed with incredible integrity and skill and I feel prouder than ever to be included."

DiCaprio was the penultimate winner when he was named best actor in a motion picture drama for his portrayal of fur trapper Hugh Glass in revenge epic The Revenant.

The win puts him one step closer to the coveted Oscar that has so far eluded him.

Arriving at the stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel after a standing ovation, DiCaprio said: "This film was about survival, adaptation and the triumph of the human spirit and more importantly it was about trust.

"There is nobody more deserving of that trust than our director Alejandro Inarritu. I've never had an experience like this in my entire life. The depths he went to are unfathomable."

The Revenant was later named best drama, and Alejandro G Inarritu best director, while Ridley Scott's The Martian won in the musical or comedy category.

Scott collected the gong saying "comedy?" before adding: "But anyway I'm very grateful for this."

He paid tribute to his late brother and fellow director Tony, saying: "I love you and miss you."

BBC drama Wolf Hall was named best limited series or TV movie and producer Colin Callender was joined by stars Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance as he accepted the award and made a plea to protect BBC funding.

He said: "Without the BBC, quality programmes like this wouldn't happen and I urge David Cameron and the British Government to do everything they can to protect the BBC and ensure its future."

Sam Smith and his songwriting partner Jimmy Napes slapped each other on the back as they were announced as the winners of best original song for Writing's On The Wall for the James Bond film Spectre.

Smith said: "Honestly, on a real level I genuinely didn't think we were going to get this. This has been the most interesting night of my life, this is amazing. I hope you're having a good time because we are."

The show opened with a monologue from host Ricky Gervais, who addressed the crowd of famous faces as "disgusting, pill-popping, sexual deviant scum".

He added: "I'm going to do this monologue and then go into hiding. Not even Sean Penn will find me."

The best actress in a drama award was presented to Brie Larson for Room, as her young co-star Jacob Tremblay stood on a chair to give her a standing ovation, while Jennifer Lawrence embraced her friend and fellow nominee Amy Schumer as she was named best actress in a comedy or musical for Joy.

Matt Damon was honoured with the best actor in a music or comedy gong for The Martian.

Sylvester Stallone also received a standing ovation as he was named best supporting actor in a motion picture for his reprisal of the role of Rocky Balboa in Creed.

Collecting his trophy, he reeled off a list of thanks and concluded: "Last of all, I want to thank my imaginary friend Rocky Balboa for being the best friend I ever had."

Lady Gaga kissed American Horror Story: Hotel creator Ryan Murphy and her fiancee Taylor Kinney as she was named best lead actress in a limited series or TV movie for her role in the horror anthology.

Accepting the award and fighting back tears, she said: "I feel like Cher in Moonstruck right now, it's like one of the greatest moments of my life."

Hacker thriller Mr Robot scored the Globe for best TV drama while Amazon show Mozart In The Jungle, set in the world of a classical orchestra, was named best TV musical or comedy.

Jon Hamm embraced fellow nominees Bob Odenkirk and Liev Schreiber as he was named best actor in a TV series drama for Mad Men.

Accepting his award, he thanked the show's creator Matthew Weiner, saying: "Thank you to Mr Weiner for writing this horrible person all the way through to the end of this incredible ride and picking me to play him. And thank you for not taking my suggestion and ending the entire series on Chumbawamba, you picked the right song."

Taraji P Henson handed cookies to audience members including Gaga, Angela Bassett and DiCaprio as she was named best actress in a TV drama for the role of Cookie Lyon in hip hop saga Empire.

Other winners included Christian Slater for best supporting actor in a series, limited series or TV movie for Mr Robot, Gael Garcia Bernal for best actor in a musical or comedy TV series for his role as conductor Rodrigo in Mozart In The Jungle, Maura Tierney for best supporting actress in a limited series or TV movie category for The Affair and Oscar Isaac for best actor in a limited series or TV movie for HBO drama Show Me A Hero.

Inside Out was named best animated feature film while the best screenplay award was given to Aaron Sorkin for Steve Jobs.
Two members of Labour's shadow cabinet have hinted they will quit if the party changes its policy to scrapping Trident.

Owen Smith, the shadow work and pensions secretary, and Lord Falconer, the shadow justice secretary, have both faced questions on whether they would walk away from the front bench over the issue.

The renewal of the UK's nuclear deterrent is looming as the next major point of contention for the party after Jeremy Corbyn shifted pro-Trident Maria Eagle from shadow defence secretary and replaced her with Emily Thornberry, who supports his call for Britain to disarm unilaterally.

Mr Smith was asked on Pienaar's Politics on BBC Radio 5 Live if a shift to a position of unilateral disarmament would prompt his resignation.

He said: "Well that would be difficult for me but I think the key thing that I would do is stick in, in the run-up to that decision, and make the case.

"We have got to have, I think, a very adult argument in the Labour Party about this - not in public I hope, not in the way in which we have occasionally argued publicly recently - but it is an enormously serious, technical, strategic question for Britain as to what the nature of our nuclear weapons are and whether we have a nuclear deterrent.

"My view is that unfortunately we do need one."

Meanwhile, Lord Falconer was asked a similar question on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

He said: "Let's see what happens in relation to that but I am clear that I support Trident remaining."

Meanwhile, shadow education secretary Lucy Powell, has also faced a grilling on Trident.

Asked on the BBC's Sunday Politics programme about the prospect of Labour opposing Trident renewal, the MP said: "I am not a unilateralist, I think that we should maintain an independent ongoing nuclear deterrent.

"But I am prepared to have a discussion about the capabilities we might need."

Ms Powell said she would be "very surprised" if Labour ended up opposing Trident despite Mr Corbyn's views.

"Let's see how this process goes forward," she said.

"In my experience of these things it never actually turns out to be as binary as everybody wants it to be.

"You come to compromise, your position changes and then you get a position that everyone can get behind."

When asked directly if she would resign if the party did officially back scrapping Trident she said: "I would be very surprised if we get to a position where the Labour Party policy is one of unilateral disarmament.

"We will see when we get there, because I don't think we will get there."

Elsewhere, on BBC Scotland's Sunday Politics Scotland programme, shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray called on Labour's shadow cabinet to unite the party.

His comments came after three MPs who resigned from the Labour front bench were dismissed by the Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, as coming from a "narrow right-wing clique" based around the organisation Progress.

The MPs quit in protest over Jeremy Corbyn's reshuffle.

Mr Murray, a member of Progress, said: "I think some people in the shadow cabinet, including the Shadow Chancellor, should really ramp down the rhetoric a little bit.

"We are all one part of the Labour Party, we are all fighting to oppose the Conservative government at Westminster, and we are all fighting to win elections in Scotland in May. We are all part of the same team.

"I think that some of the words that he perhaps chose in that particular interview were unnecessary, indeed he should be trying to unite the party instead of ramping up rhetoric against parts of the party who are very loyal servants to the Labour Party, their constituents, and indeed great opponents of this austerity government."
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will honour the doomed Gallipoli campaign

Prince George thoroughly enjoyed his first day at nursery the Duchess of Cambridge has told well-wishers as she made a surprise appearance at a Gallipoli anniversary ceremony.

Kate and William joined the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a wreath laying service held at a war memorial on the monarch's Sandringham estate.

The Cambridges were not scheduled to attend the ceremony which marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the disastrous First World War campaign on the Gallipoli peninsula.

But after attending a traditional Sunday service at Sandringham's St Mary Magdalene Church with the Queen and Philip, they walked behind the monarch to the nearby war memorial cross.

Hundreds of local residents turned out for religious event where prayers were said and a minute's silence observed, and afterwards the royal party chatted to members of the Gallipoli Association.

The Cambridges have had a busy week releasing pictures, taken by Kate, of son Prince George to mark his first day at nursery and celebrating the Duchess' 34th birthday yesterday.

Kate, who wore a black polo-neck jumper and tweed blazer and skirt by Michael Kors, was joined at church by her parents Michael and Carole Middleton and siblings sister Pippa and brother James, but they did not accompany the royal to the Gallipoli service.

Among the group were two of Princess Charlotte's godparents James Meade and Sophie Carter.

The Middletons are likely to have helped William in throwing birthday celebrations for the Duchess at the Cambridges' Norfolk home of Anmer Hall.

After the ceremony the Duke and Duchess spoke to Arthur Coxon, 88, a retired Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander whose father fought in Gallipoli and spent much of the First World War in a Turkish prisoner of war camp after being wounded and captured.

Mr Coxon, originally from the Norfolk village of Dersingham but now living in Cardiff, said: "They asked what my connection with the Association was and I congratulated Kate on the lovely photos of Prince George.

"She said he went off to school bravely as anything and thoroughly enjoyed it."

During the ceremony the Queen and Philip, who is patron of the Gallipoli Association, stood still as the Last Post was played by a bugler and a minute's silence was observed.

Then, with solemnity and quiet dignity, they each placed a wreath at the war memorial dedicated to local men who fought in the Great War and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The monarch's flora tribute read "In memory of the glorious dead" while Philip's simply said "In Remembrance".

The Gallipoli land campaign against Turkey was one of the major engagements of the First World War, involving more than 400,000 British and around 140,000 Commonwealth and Irish servicemen.

At dawn on April 25 1915, waves of Allied troops launched an amphibious attack on the strategically important peninsula, which was key to controlling the Dardanelles straits, the crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.

But the plan backed by Winston Churchill, then first lord of the admiralty, was flawed and the campaign, which faced a heroic defence by the Turks, led to stalemate and withdrawal eight months later.

Around 58,000 Allied troops died, including 29,500 from Britain and Ireland, over 12,000 from France, 11,000 from Australia and New Zealand and 1,500 from India.

Conditions were hellish as more than half a million Allies faced heat, flies, dysentery and eventually, extreme cold. The Turks suffered 300,000 casualties, with an estimated 87,000 killed.

The last Allied troops were withdrawn on January 9 1916.

The Sandringham war memorial was erected by the monarch's grandparents King George V and Queen Mary, and among the men from the 5th Battalion Norfolk regiment it honours are some who died in the Gallipoli campaign.
Rochdale's Lower Falinge Estate could be one of the targeted areas

Around a hundred of the UK's worst sink estates could be bulldozed to make way for better homes as part of a blitz on poverty unveiled by David Cameron.

The Prime Minister pledged that "brutal high-rise towers" and "bleak" housing will be "torn down" in an effort to tackle drug abuse and gang culture.

Making a bid for the political centre ground Tories believe has been abandoned by Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Cameron said decades of neglect of estates were behind the riots that swept Britain in 2011.

The 140 million redevelopment programme is to be overseen by Lord Heseltine, who helped to transform the Liverpool and London docks in the 1980s.

His estate regeneration advisory panel has been told to produce a full blueprint by the time of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

Details of the scheme will be set out in a keynote speech being delivered by the premier on Monday, in which he is also due to outline plans to double government funding for relationship counselling for troubled families and relaunch a coalition proposal to issue vouchers for parenting classes.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Cameron said: "Within these so-called sink estates, behind front doors, families build warm and welcoming homes.

"But step outside in the worst estates and you're confronted by concrete slabs dropped from on high, brutal high-rise towers and dark alleyways that are a gift to criminals and drug dealers.

"Decades of neglect have led to gangs and antisocial behaviour. Poverty has become entrenched, because those who could afford to move have understandably done so."

Promising to transform the worst estates, Mr Cameron added: "For some, this will simply mean knocking them down and starting again. For others, it might mean changes to layout, upgrading facilities and improving local road and transport links."

The Government will inject 140m to rehouse occupants and tear up planning rules to speed up the process.

Tenants and homeowners will be given "binding guarantees" that their right to a home is protected.

Mr Cameron said three out of four rioters in 2011 came from sink estates.

"The riots of 2011 didn't emerge from within terraced streets or low-rise apartment buildings. The rioters came overwhelmingly from these postwar estates. That's not a coincidence," he wrote.

The housing developments being targeted reportedly include the Winstanley estate in Wandsworth, south London.

Others could include the Lower Falinge estate in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and Broadwater Farm in Tottenham, north London.

Shadow housing minister John Healey said: "Any extra to help councils build new homes is welcome but Conservative ministers have halved housing investment since 2010 and are doing too little to deal with the country's housing pressures.

"Another week, another housing announcement. If press statements built new homes the Government would have the housing crisis sorted. People simply won't see this small-scale scheme stretched over 100 estates making much difference to the housing problems in their area."
President Mauricio Macri was embarrassed by false claims that all three fugitives had been recaptured (AP)

Two notorious convicts are still on the run in Argentina, police admitted just hours after the authorities celebrated capturing them.

It is an embarrassment for President Mauricio Macri's new administration, Argentina's senior police chief said only one of three fugitives was in custody, not all of them.

Victor Schialli and brothers Martin and Cristian Lanatta escaped from the General Alvear prison in Buenos Aires province the day after Christmas.

They were convicted in 2008 of killing three men allegedly connected to an ephedrine trafficking ring.

A huge manhunt appeared to have finally come to an end when police and politicians said the authorities had apprehended all three.

Mr Macri, vice president Gabriela Michetti, cabinet chief Marcos Pena and Maria Eugenia Vidal, governor of the Buenos Aires province, tweeted congratulations to security forces and promised to continue the fight against drug trafficking.

But a few hours later, the head of the South American nation's police force said that in fact only Martin Lanatta had been captured.

"We continue to intensely search for the two (other) fugitives," said Roman di Santo.

Security minister Patricia Bullrich said the authorities had received "false information".

She blamed a "network of accomplices" for throwing authorities off the trail, and claimed the focus should be on how one of the men was caught, not on the bungled information.

"Argentines can sleep a little easier tonight," she said.

Local television channels showed Martin Lanatta being transported in a rural area of the Santa Fe province north of Buenos Aires.

The search, which has often been broadcast live on national television channels, has focused attention on Argentina's drug problems, which Mr Macri vowed to tackle throughout his election campaign.

The three had been on the run since the escape, at times apparently engaging in shoot-outs with police, in footage captured by news helicopters following the authorities.

The prison break has also had political reverberations - one of the three convicts last year claimed former presidential cabinet chief Anibal Fernandez was the mastermind of the killings.

Mr Fernandez has repeatedly denied the allegation.

Mr Macri's administration initially treated the escape as a local issue to be dealt with by authorities in the province.

But early this week, as the search dragged on, he jumped into the fray and went on the offensive.

He cast the situation as an example of how drug trafficking had run amok, to the point that drug bosses could pull the strings to spring convicts from jail.

"The fight against drugs is a labour we are all committed to," he tweeted, right before congratulating security forces for bringing all three men in.

"There is still much work ahead."
French president Francois Hollande and other dignitaries held a special ceremony on Sunday to honour all those killed in Islamic extremist violence around Paris in 2015 - a year when the European way of life was targeted time and again with deadly consequences.

At least one attacker is at large, and France's top security official acknowledged Sunday that authorities do not know his whereabouts. The country is under a state of emergency after attacks in Paris on November 13.

Paris was again jolted on Thursday when a man wearing a fake explosives vest and wielding a butcher's knife ran up to a police station and was shot to death by officers standing guard.

Mr Hollande and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled a plaque on Sunday in memory of victims targeted at satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a kosher market, a rock concert, cafes, a stadium and elsewhere. The violence left some 150 victims dead, and several attackers were also killed.

The ceremony took place at Place de la Republique, a plaza that has become a symbol of Parisians' solidarity since the attacks, which began on January 7, 2015 with the Charlie Hebdo attack.

French rocker and national icon Johnny Hallyday joined the army choir in a special, sombre musical performance.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for national unity and insisted the government is doing all it can to protect France.

Many questions remain about the November 13 attacks, including how many people were involved and may still be at large.

Mr Cazeneuve said on i-Tele television Sunday that "We don't know where Salah Abdeslam is", referring to a fugitive gunman.

Mr Abdeslam crossed into Belgium on November 14 and Belgian authorities believe he hid out in a Brussels area apartment used to make bombs for the Paris attacks before moving on.

Meanwhile, acting on "concrete evidence" from French security authorities, German police on Saturday raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum-seekers in the western German city of Recklinghausen that they say had been occupied by the man who was killed by French police in Thursday's incident outside a Paris police station.

Mr Cazeneuve said in remarks on Sunday that the man was also believed to have lived in Luxembourg and Switzerland. French investigators were still trying to determine the man's identity.

The incident occurred on the anniversary of the attack by two Islamic extremists on Charlie Hebdo in which 12 people were killed at the satirical newspaper's office.
Adolf Hitlers Mein Kampf has sold out in just a week - despite a new annotated German edition costing 59 (44) a copy.

The 1,948 word version of the dictators political manifesto - which was first published in 1924 - was written by four Munich academics was published in Germany on 1 January after the books copyright expired.

The new edition of the book - which has been condemned by some Jewish groups - comes with 3,500 notes exploring the Nazi leader's anti-semitic rantings.

However, some Jewish leaders are railed against the new edition of the book coming out.

Despite the high price, more than 15,000 advance orders were made - nearly four times the initial print run of 4,000 copies, the Times reports.

One Berlin bookshop is reported to have sold out by noon on its first day of sale.

Hitler wrote Mein Kampf in 1924 while he was in prison for his role in the Munich Beer Hall Putsch (revolt) in 1923.

It laid out his hatred for the Jews and the Slavs and is is widely regarded as the blueprint for his genocidal regime.

The book was considered a failure when it was first released but went on to sell 5.2m copies between the Nazis rise to power in 1933 and the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

After the Second World War, the Allied forces gave the copyright over to the state of Bavaria, which banned the reproduction of the book.

But as German law states copyright only stays in force for 70 years after the owners death, anyone will now be able to print new copies.

Dr Christian Hartmann - who led the team of academics who created the new edition - said if anyone was to reproduce it, it was better to have an edition that can challenge the lies within.

He told the Times: It was important to us to reach many people so we have tried to create a very reader friendly edition.

We firmly connect Hitlers text with our comments, so that both are always on the same double page. I could describe it in martial terms as a battle of annihilation  we are encircling Hitler with our annotations."

But some Jewish leaders remain unconvinced.

Levi Salomon, spokesman for the Berlin-based Jewish Forum for Democracy and Against Anti-Semitism said in February: I am absolutely against the publication of Mein Kampf, even with annotations. Can you annotate the Devil? Can you annotate a person like Hitler?

This book is outside of human logic.

Source: The Independent
Rolling Stone has published an interview that Sean Penn apparently had with a notorious Mexican drug lord (AP)

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican soldiers and marines (AP)

The recapture of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman took a surprise Hollywood twist it emerged security forces located the whereabouts of the world's most-wanted trafficker thanks to a secret interview with US actor Sean Penn.

Penn's interview with Guzman, who has twice escaped from Mexican maximum security prisons, appeared on the website of Rolling Stone magazine.

It was purportedly held at an undisclosed hideout in Mexico in late 2015, several months before Guzman's recapture on Friday in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, after six months on the run.

In the interview, Guzman defends his work at the head of the world's biggest drug trafficking organisation.

When asked if he is to blame for high addiction rates, he responds: "No, that is false, because the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? That's false."

In the article, Penn describes the elaborate security measures he took ahead of the clandestine meeting. But apparently they were not enough.

A Mexican law enforcement official told the Associated Press it was the Penn interview that led the authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October.

They decided not to open fire on Guzman at the time because he was with two women and child. He was able to escape, but they were able to later track him to a house in Los Mochis where Mexican marines captured him after a shoot-out that left five people dead.

The official said the meeting between Penn and Guzman was held in Tamazula, a community in Durango state that neighbours Sinaloa, home of Guzman's drug cartel.

On Friday, Mexican attorney general Arely Gomez said that Guzman's contact with actors and producers for a possible biopic helped give law enforcement a new lead on tracking and capturing the world's most notorious drug kingpin.

In the Rolling Stone article, Penn wrote that Guzman was interested in having a film made about his life. He said Guzman wanted Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the meeting between the men, involved in the project.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," wrote Penn, who appears in a photo posted with the interview shaking hands with Guzman whose face is uncovered

Meanwhile a senior law enforcement officer said Mexico is willing to extradite Guzman to the US, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

"Mexico is ready. There are plans to co-operate with the US," said the official.

But he warned there could be a lengthy wait before US prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman: "You have to go through the judicial process, and the defence has its elements too."

G uzman faces drug-trafficking charges in several US states.
The Syrian government announced Saturday it is ready to attend peace talks later this month with the opposition in Geneva as a new air strike in northern Syria killed and wounded scores of people, including many militants.

But foreign minister Walid al-Moallem said Damascus also wants to see lists of the opposition groups who will attend and ensure that "terrorist" groups will not be represented.

State news agency Sana said al-Moallem made his comments Saturday while meeting in Damascus with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura. Mr al-Moallem's comments came shortly before opposition activists said an air strike had killed at least 39 and wounded dozens of others.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 39 people were killed, including many fighters from al Qaida's affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, as well as detainees in the north western town of Maaret al-Numan. It said the targeted area included a jail and a courthouse run by Nusra Front.

The Nusra Front is one of the country's most powerful factions and is opposed to peace talks with the government, saying its aim is to step up an Islamic state in Syria. The group is fighting against government forces, the Islamic State group as well as some US-backed rebel factions. Much like its rival, the Islamic State group, the Nusra Front imposes its own vision of Islamic Shariah law in territories it controls - including Islamic courts and prisons.

The Syrian government has been carrying out air strikes for years, which activists say have killed thousands of people. Russia began its own air campaign on September 30 saying its air strikes are meant to weaken the Islamic State group and other "terrorists" in Syria.

The Local Coordination Committees, another activist group, said the airstrike killed 51. The group posted a photo on its Facebook page showing several bodies covered with blankets and lined on a pavement. Another showed two dead bearded young men being loaded into an ambulance.

Syria-based activist Hadi Abdallah wrote on his Twitter account that the air raid killed 43 and wounded more than 100, claiming it was carried out by Russian aircraft.

The "terrifying massacres was carried out by Russian warplanes", Mr Abdallah wrote, without saying why he believed they were Russian.

Conflicting casualty figures are common in the aftermath of air strikes in Syria.

The Observatory said the war planes fired four missiles that hit the Islamic court, which includes a jail, as well as a nearby road linking the court with a market.

Mr De Mistura arrived in Beirut later Saturday and boarded a plane heading to Qatar, airport officials said in Beirut on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. He arrived in Syria on Friday and earlier this week, he met Syrian opposition officials in Saudi Arabia - a main backer of some of the rebel groups trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power.

A statement Saturday from Mr De Mistura's office described his meeting with Mr al-Moallem as "useful" and said the UN envoy is "looking forward to the active participation of all relevant parties" in the upcoming talks.

The Syrian government refers to all those battling to overthrow Assad as terrorists and has said the talks should focus on battling terrorism.

The opposition wants Assad to step down as part of any peace deal.

The UN is urging the two sides to meet Jan. 25 in an effort to end the conflict, which has killed more than 250,000 people and caused a massive refugee crisis.

Conferences in Geneva in 2014 failed to bring about a settlement, though this round is seen as particularly urgent after the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution last month endorsing a transitional plan for Syria.

The Syrian opposition is demanding some gestures by the government ahead of the talks including lifting sieges imposed on rebel-held areas, releasing some detainees and ending airstrikes.

Also Saturday, International Committee of the Red Cross spokesman Pawel Krzysiek said that aid convoys could reach the rebel-held border town of Madaya on Monday. The town has been under siege since July and the government said it will allow aid to flow inside.

Mr Krzysiek added that aid won't be able to reach Madaya and the two besieged northern Shiite village of Foua and Kfarya before Monday "for logistical reasons."

"Right now, preparations are under way. We are loading the trucks and sending the movement notifications," Mr Krzysiek said.
Syria's extremist Nusra Front group seized two prominent media activists in the country's north on Sunday, shutting down their radio station and burning rebel flags in the process.

The opposition radio station, Radio Fresh, said on its social media pages that Raed Fares and Hadi Abdullah were abducted by Nusra, al-Qaida's Syrian affiliate, in an early morning raid in the town of Kafranbel.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that tracks the country's civil war, says Mr Fares, who runs the station, was taken because he had criticised the group.

In January 2014, Islamic State militants sprayed his car with 40 bullets, putting him in hospital for three months, and in December of that year, Nusra detained and beat him for three days.

Also Sunday, the UN special envoy to Syria met with Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran, describing the appointment as "useful" ahead of upcoming peace talks in late January.

"Like he had done when he visited Saudi Arabia on January 5, he asked and obtained the assurance of his interlocutors that current tensions in the region would not affect the engagement of their government in supporting the Vienna process and facilitating the holding of the Geneva talks," Staffan de Mistura's office said in a statement.

Last week, Mr de Mistura met with Syrian opposition officials in Saudi Arabia, which supports Assad's opponents, and on Saturday he met officials in Damascus, which announced it was ready to attend the talks but wants to make sure that no "terrorist" groups will be represented.

A spat erupted between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier this month after the Sunni kingdom executed a convicted Shiite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, who criticised the Saudi monarchy.

His execution enflamed regional tensions with Shiite powerhouse Iran, where angry protesters ransacked Saudi diplomatic missions, prompting the kingdom to sever ties with Tehran. Several Saudi allies have followed suit and cut or reduced ties with Tehran, the main backer of Syrian president Bashar Assad.
The B-52 returned to its base in Guam after the flight, the US military said

A powerful B-52 bomber flew low over South Korea in a clear show of force from the US as tensions increased between its ally Seoul and North Korea following Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will read the fly-over of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons as a threat.

Any hint of America's nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the US to topple its authoritarian government.

The B-52 was joined by South Korean F-15 and US F-16 fighters and returned to its base in Guam after the flight.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defence of the American homeland," said Admiral Harry Harris, commander US Pacific Command.

"North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations."

The B-52 flight follows a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to celebrate the country's widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test.

He is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world and to boost his domestic political goals.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea's state media to the B-52 fly-over, which also happened after North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013.
More than ever, the monarchical government of Saudi Arabia is portraying itself as the saviour of the Sunni world (the Sunnis being the largest denomination of Muslims, for readers unfamiliar with this topic).

Dont buy into the idea that a narrow, unrepresentative monarchy can possibly represent such a vast community. The regime in Saudi Arabia is deeply unpopular with the people, more so than many of the regimes that have been overthrown or rejected as illegitimate by much of the world during the so-called Arab Spring. This only goes to show how outdated and outbound the Saudi monarchy surely is.

Such as it is, I only live in a country that is a friend and ally of Saudi Arabia and sells massive quantities of weapons and tear gas for it to suppress its own peoples aspirations and dictate the interests of the Sunni world at the barrel of a gun. Of these interests, there is Saudi Arabias commitment to oppose Iran  a country that did it no harm  apparently on the grounds of demagoguery towards another denomination, the Shia. Demagoguery that comes out of Riyadh and has no adherents anywhere else. Saudi Arabia loves the idea of causing a sectarian war or regression to the medieval era, because it doesnt really have much else to do other than rot in the ground with other dead monarchies.

The Saudi monarchy is in fact not opposed to Iran because it is Shia, but because Saudi Arabia knows it is a rotten, corrupt monarchy whereas Iran is a sovereign republic. The Saudi monarchs have always been desperately afraid of the Islamic Revolution that took place in Iran, because they know it is the best thing that could happen to their own country and the most likely type of regime-change that will come to their country. Why does the Kingdom that claims to defend the Sunni world not believe in the right of Sunnis to govern themselves in Saudi Arabia?

Of course, by saying the Islamic Revolution will happen in the Arabian Peninsula, I am not saying Saudi Arabia will somehow be conquered by Iran, Shia, or Iranians. Quite the opposite. Saudi Arabia needs to be conquered by its own cherished Sunni world, whose destiny is in fact to establish their own republics  perhaps also on an Islamic basis because this appeals to the sensibilities of the vast majority of its population. Interestingly, Iran has actually reached out to groups like the Muslim Brotherhood that genuinely do have great influence over the Sunni community. The Iranians showed no opposition to the Morsi government when it came to power in Egypt, and Iranian media were not not at all happy with the coup that installed the Sisi government in power or the subsequent mistreatment of political prisoners. Maybe the Iranians were reminded of the dark days under the Shah, which is what they see every time they look at Saudi Arabias unjust monarchy.

Saudi Arabias portrayal of Iran as plotting against Sunnis is completely absurd. Look at the facts. It was Saudi Arabia itself that plotted to undermine and politically impoverish Sunnis in most cases. Remember, it was Saudi Arabia that conspired to overthrow the representative Sunni government of Egypt, not Iran. By all accounts, Iran was in fact overjoyed by the rise of an Islamic revolutionary party to power in Egypt, seeing a potential ally. This was despite obvious differences in the background over one issue, Syria, concerning the future of the Assad government (the Muslim Brotherhood had grievances against Hafez al-Assad and his government for decades before the 2011 violence began). Iran might have completely backed down from supporting Assad, and accepted some kind of Egyptian-led axis with respect to Syria, if it had believed the uprising there was anything other than a cynical scheme to install a pro-US dictator and encircle resistance movements opposed to Israel in Lebanon. Unfortunately for Iran, the Morsi government had been betrayed and overthrown by another pro-US dictator too quickly for Iran to come to any alliance with the now powerless and evicted Brotherhood. Now, Irans interest in the Muslim Brotherhood has evaporated because Saudi Arabia destroyed it, along with the political hopes of many Sunnis.

Iran or Saudi Arabia? Tally up which country has done more to suppress the political aspirations of the Sunni world, and you will find that Saudi Arabia is far guiltier than Iran. Saudi Arabias guilt in this area extends far beyond a single country like Syria but to a whole host of countries including Egypt and Libya, where Iran displayed no influence. There is no example of Saudi Arabia actually giving power to the Sunni community anywhere, and only examples of it taking this power away, because Saudi Arabia is fundamentally opposed to republics and opposed to revolutionary parties in all cases, including Islamist parties.

It is high time that the remaining monarchies in the world reform or are replaced. The world has seen enough dynasties, enough self-obsessed kings aspiring to gain more power for their own families rather handing over governance of their country to the people. If Saudi Arabia is too inflexible to stop talking about bringing democracy to Syria and instead talk about bringing democracy to their own country, their hypocrisy will bring an even worse pattern of escalating violence, executions, revulsion and eventual uprisings inside Saudi Arabia. Barack Obama has even alluded to the Saudi regime possibly coming to an end through a new armed uprising in the region, and ultimately everyone gets tired of a regime as ridiculous and embarrassing as this one  even its allies.

There are, of course, dedicated defenders of the Saudi regime as there are of any regime. They portray the Kingdom as being the object of their apparent patriotism, and portray opponents as interfering when they comment on its illegitimacy. The wars Saudi Arabia is prosecuting against innocent Sunnis in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere are based on groundless accusations that they are working for Iran, and in fact demonstrate how Saudi Arabia fails to stand up for the Sunni world and consistently stands against it and undermines it.

Nothing Saudi Arabia has said about Iran has much to do with genuine religious allegiances or decency, and everything it has said is about waging cowardly wars for the benefit of a few moldy rulers, whose families should have been thrown out of power decades if not centuries ago. While it is correct to oppose regime-change against republics and developing countries, Saudi Arabia is neither. It is a corrupt monarchy devoted to subverting justice and development in other countries, and it is not just my wish but the will of history that it should be thrown out. It is also a fact that republics are sovereign, according to modern requirements of statehood, whereas kingdoms are not.
Two Czech antisemites have been charged for saying that "the Jewish question has not been solved yet"

10. 1. 2016

cas cteni < 1 minuta





Adam Bartos, chair of the Czech extreme right wing organisation National Democracy and his colleague Ladislav Zemanek have been charged for a grossly anti-semitic statement. In April 2015, Bartos and Zemanek visited the grave of a Czech girl Anezka Hruzova, who was murdered in 1899. At the time a Jewish man, Leopold Hilsner, was falsely accused and sentenced for her "ritual Jewish murder". The case gave rise to a wave of shrill anti-semitism. Tomas G. Masaryk, the future Czechoslovak president, stood up in defence of Hilsner.

Bartos and Zemanek placed a picture of Hruzova on her grave with a statment in which they said "Her death brought the Czech nation together and showed that it is urgent to tackle the Jewish question. To this day, the Jewish question has not yet been solved satisfactorily."

The term "the solution of the Jewish question" is a Nazi euphemism for the holocaust and the mass murder of Jews during the Second World War.

Source in Czech HERE

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The Renua Ireland leader Lucinda Creighton has called for the screening of refugees coming into Ireland, after a poll showed that 60% of people think terrorists could be coming with them.

The Millward Brown/Sunday Independent poll also showed that only about 1 in 10 of us thinks that Ireland could deal with a Paris-style attack.
The Norths Executive is to meet on Monday to discuss floods which have devastated businesses and homeowners across the North.

Low-lying areas around sections of Lough Erne and Lough Neagh have been worst hit.

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly represents the Upper Bann area which has been badly affected.

Tomorrow the onus is on the Executive to make a difference by delivering on flood relief and at the very least agree to Minister (Mark H) Durkans proposal to extend the Emergency Financial Assistance Scheme to businesses and community facilities.

After speaking with business owners last week I have seen first-hand the devastation the flooding has caused and how in the long term it will collapse many local business unless financial aid is given.

It is disheartening that Minister Durkans previous call for the scheme to be extended to businesses, submitted to the Executive in a paper last December, had not been heeded by other ministers.

It is absolutely vital therefore that all flood relief resources are now deployed as quickly and effectively as possible while at the same time serious questions be asked about the delay in the Executives response to the flooding.

If Minister Durkan had not called for the 1.3mi from the UK Government to be ring fenced for flood prevention and assistance, who knows where this money might have ended up.

Agriculture Minister Michelle ONeill has said she will announce details of a new grant scheme to help people protect their homes.

The home of 72-year-old Jimmy Quinn, who lives alone in the townland of Derrytresk near Coalisland, Co Tyrone, has been surrounded by water for 11 days. Rivers Agency staff having been manning water pumps outside his property 24/7 ever since.
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Sandringham: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made a surprise appearance at a poignant ceremony marking 100 years since the end of the disastrous Gallipoli campaign.

William and Kate on Sunday joined the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at a wreath-laying service held at a war memorial on the monarch's Sandringham estate.

The Cambridges were not scheduled to attend the ceremony, which marked the 100th anniversary of the final withdrawal of allied troops from the Gallipoli peninsula in the First World War.
Community groups have called on the ACT government to recommit to reducing domestic violence by increasing funding to meet an increasing demand for services.

Budget consultation papers reveal numerous organisations are struggling to provide assistance to women and families affected by domestic violence, despite previous funding commitments by the government.

The ACT government has been urged to continue funding domestic violence services.

Last year, after highlighting several deaths allegedly linked to domestic violence, Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr provided an additional $250,000 to the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, the Rape Crisis Centre and the Canberra Men's Centre to meet demand.

Although the extra money was welcomed by crisis services workers and ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner John Hinchey, many have warned it is not enough to ensure appropriate long-term support for victims.
In May, Sydney-based DirectMoney became the only listed player. However, it calls itself a hybrid of marketplace and traditional balance sheet lender. Melbourne-based MoneyPlace started lending in early December and New Zealand outfit Harmoney was launched about 18 months ago. It is is due to start matching loans in Australia in January. To varying degrees, all replace banks with individual or, increasingly, with other institutional lenders. All offer rates of return well above cash deposits but they should because they are riskier. I What's the risk?

Some of the new loan platforms like to compare themselves to bank term deposit rates. RateSetter, which is one of only two so far that can accept retail investments, calls its lenders "savers". However, it is not that simple. SocietyOne co-founder Matt Symons stresses that becoming a P2P lender should not be equated to putting money in the bank. "This is an interesting alternative fixed income category that should have a small allocation," he says. That is why most have started out only accepting investments from "sophisticated investors".

That doesn't disqualify self-managed super funds, if they fit the sophisticated definition: net assets of $2.5 million or gross income for each of the past two financial years of at least $250,000. In fact, SMSFs make up a large proportion of investors on the new platforms. SocietyOne and Harmoney also plan to go through the onerous process of getting a retail licence in future. A risk mitigant peculiar to P2P lending is that each loan is "fractionalised", or split, sometimes among hundreds of borrowers, similar to the way equity crowdfunding only requires small amounts from many investors. However, RateSetter Australia chief executive Daniel Foggo expects the present returns will be as high as they get because their novelty makes investors demand a premium.

Returns on RateSetter in Britain are reaching 5.9 per cent compared with 9.9 per cent in Australia. Comparison to other investments Assessing the risk and likely return in company shares and property is more complex than a headline fixed rate on a loan. The gross returns available are, therefore, better than P2P on the riskier of those asset classes. Research house Chant West figures show average gross three-year returns are about 18.4 per cent in public and private equity and 14 per cent for listed and unlisted property, but just 4.8 per cent on the more comparable investment of a three-year bond. However, the yields, including the costs in each investment class, don't look so rosy.

In a recent note, AMP economist Shane Oliver said yields from a three-year bank term deposit get 2.7 per cent, gross residential property yields about 3 per cent and dividend yields were about 6 per cent for Australian shares (with franking credits) and 2.5 per cent for global shares. However, a major in-built cost for most of the P2P platforms is that the investor is lending to an individual, not a government or big corporation, so the risk of default must be higher in the long run. However, RateSetter underwrites this with a provision fund. This is fed by a levy on borrowers which varies according to an assessment of the risk they will default. There is just under $1 million, or about 5.5 per cent of outstanding loans, in RateSetter Australia's provision fund. It doesn't guarantee it can cover big losses, but in five years its British parent has not had to draw on its fund, which is close to 1 billion. However, rivals argue this means the returns to lenders will be lower and it, obviously, adds borrowers' costs.

Cost cuts shared The removal of people and bricks and mortar appears to be a major reason P2P lenders can offer high net returns. To earn the present one-month annualised rate of about 3.8 per cent at RateSetter, cash in a term deposit would have to be locked up for at least five years and the best rates would struggle to reach 3.5 per cent. Although, as long as you deposit your salary every month, some online savings accounts are offering comparable interest rates. But banks have not matched the P2P lenders longer term rates. The ever-falling cost of software and internet bandwidth, allied with the exponential growth of publicly available personal information, means it is possible for machines to automate much of the bank risk assessment processes at much lower costs.

More importantly, P2P lenders are not using their own balance sheet. Not only do they remove all the broker and fund manager costs, which reduce returns and add to borrowing rates, they don't earn a margin on the loan. Instead, they charge fees, which vary from flat, one-off fees, to a few per cent of the amount. However, these can mount up. Harmoney, for example, charges borrowers $NZ375 and another $NZ375 for each "top up" of a loan. It also charges 1.5 per cent to lenders and a combined 35 per cent sales commission and management fee on "payment protection" insurance it sells to borrowers. So far, O'Brien has lent up to $450,000 via SocietyOne, including $150,000 to agribusinesses, and believes it compares favourably with property as an investment. "I have managed funds, including property, and I have obviously done OK out of property. But you don't get the same yield because there are lots of risks and costs in property."

Like all the new lenders, Foggo makes much of RateSetter's transparency. Its website shows data such as average returns, loan rates, total amount lent compared to applications, average loan sizes, default rates and what loans are used for. "We have just released our full loan book. For all the large platforms in the UK and the US, you can see the lending returns since inception," he says SocietyOne started doing the same in December. It is said time is money and one important cost of marketplace lenders is that it can take some time for borrowers to be matched with lenders.

O'Brien says it took about three months to get his money invested via SocietyOne, although that can now take a matter of hours. However, on average, it still can be a few days. Lending to business ThinCats is one of the few P2P lenders serving business, although several lenders that have started with personal loans now offer business loans as well. ThinCats Australian chief Sunil Aranha, says the business doesn't claim to be quick.

It takes up to five weeks for investments, but this is quicker than many banks. ThinCats targets investments of between $50,000 and $2 million and requires security via a "fixed and floating charge" over company assets and personal guarantees by directors. It doesn't need borrowers to put up their family home as security, as all banks do in Australia, but it will accept a second mortgage. "We are lending for two to five years for growth finance for small to medium-sized businesses," Aranha says. "We are quite different to the new SME balance sheet lenders. We don't earn a spread [interest margin], we charge a fee and we are the only guys not looking to provide money tomorrow." 'Hybrid' claims to be the future The only listed marketplace lender in Australia, DirectMoney, which was floated in July, says it has chosen to be a "hybrid" of the established and the new to avoid what it sees as a big P2P flaw: uncertainty over matching borrowers and lenders and, just as happens in sharemarkets, the "crowding out "of retail investors.

Chief executive Peter Beaumont, a former banker who has worked at Citi, UBS and ABN Amro, argues the big P2P lenders in the US  LendingClub, Prosper and Avant  have moved to DirectMoney's model because it guarantees quick loans and sets up separate funds for institutional and retail investors to buy into those loans. "The pure P2P model of retail lends to retail; the problem is you never know when that deal will occur," he says. "The way DirectMoney got around that was to create a loan warehouse." The main difference is the speed of the warehouse turnover. A small number of loans are built up to about $10 million and sold to one of two investment funds. Investors can then buy into those funds, with interest payable to the investor. The warehouse is on the DirectMoney balance sheet for a short period, during which it gets the interest being paid.

However, competitors don't agree. "DirectMoney haven't been clear around what they are; as a balance sheet lender you are very different to a marketplace lender," MoneyPlace founder Stuart Stoyan says. "They have been holding loans on balance sheet for more than a month. The risk is, at some point you are competing with your investors." He agrees institutional investors, like high-frequency traders in a sharemarket, have been "jumping over" retail investors on some of the more established P2P loan markets in the US because of their greater ability to price risk and offer better rates. To fix this, the biggest P2P lender, LendingClub, which has matched more than $US11 billion so far, has set up two markets. One allows investment in whole loans, which institutions favour, and another fractionalises loans. Loans are randomly selected to be sent to each platform based on the social security number of the borrower. MoneyPlace does it by simply banning queue jumping.

"The first money in is the first money out and we allow an equal access for retail and institution investors." However, the big question that needs to be in the back of every investor's mind is: will the P2P lender you put money on exist when your loan expires? Foggo is convinced there are too many marketplace lenders in Australia. Like a sharemarket, most need high volumes to get the best speed and pricing. In Britain, there are only two P2P personal lenders of significant size  RateSetter and its predecessor, Zopa. In the US, Morgan Stanley has counted 100. But there are only three of note: LendingClub, Prosper and Avant.
Wild Oates XI won the iconic Sydney-to-Hobart race for the eighth time in 10 years in 2014, but tragically had to pull out of the Boxing Day race due to damage to the mainsail caused by bad weather.

Mr Oatley was the owner of Wild Oats XI and died on Sunday morning, according to sources close to the family.

Forbes magazine last year estimated his net worth to be $910 million, while he was listed at number 49 on last year's BRW Rich List, with an estimated wealth of $1 billion.

Multiple Sydney-to-Hobart winning owner Bob Oatley. Credit:Getty Images

While yachting is where he made his name, it was in wine that Oatley made his fortune, via the Rosemount Estates wine company. The multi-millionaire entrepreneur founded Rosemount Estate winery in 1969 and expanded it as a private company over three decades.

Rosemount went global, becoming the second-biggest selling Australian wine brand in the US and Australia's largest family owned winery. From its meagre Hunter Valley beginnings, the estate fetched an extraordinary $1.4 billion in 2001 when Oatley sold it to Treasury Wine Estates.

Two years later the Oatley family bought Hamilton Island for $200 million, pouring large amounts of money into re-developing the Whitsunday resort into a world-renowned luxury island destination.
Governments need to advertise. Quite apart from obvious things such as jobs and tenders which the public has to know about, governments may also campaign quite legitimately, using advertising based on market research, against, say, domestic violence or drink driving.

At this point, we should probably pause to let the howls of outrage die down. That is the reaction Labor is hoping for in criticising the Turnbull government's $28 million campaign to sell its innovation policies. But should Australians be outraged at that campaign  or more generally at the large amounts governments spend on advertising?

Two billion dollars  it's a lot of money. Even spread over a decade, it's $200 million a year. That would buy you almost an Anzac Bridge each year, or perhaps half a kilometre of urban motorway, or hundreds of kilometres of bike paths, a good chunk of a hospital, and heaven knows how many schools or police stations. This particular $2 billion however is not spent on any of those worthy things. It is the amount Canberra spends on advertising.

The Herald has an obvious interest here. Like all other commercial media, this newspaper benefits when a government spends money to get a message across. Others will judge as they see fit, but we do not believe that that interest undermines the fundamental point: the public needs to know what its government is doing on a wide range of issues, and governments are justified in spending taxpayers' money to keep it informed, or to urge it to behave within the law. Advertising for the innovation strategy is relevant here. Certainly it chimes in with the new Turnbull administration's desire to paint itself as forward-looking, in contrast to its predecessor. But the package is far more than spin. If it is to work, the public  investors, entrepreneurs, businesses  has to know what the programs offer, and under what conditions.

As we have reported, Labor's Kim Carr concedes that governments have to advertise, but argues that too much money has been spent on market research, "opinion-poll research" in his words, which he says is using public money to do the Coalition's research for it.

Senator Carr distinguishes between legitimate and illegitimate advertising campaigns, implying the present government is doing far more of the latter than Labor  which when in government spent more on advertising than the Coalition  ever did. Like a lot of the debate here, this depends on the circumstances of each case. The present government can also argue, rightly, that communications strategies in 2016 are devised in an unpredictable media landscape which the rise of social media is transforming rapidly. To spend millions on a campaign without researching what the intended audience knows, and how it finds things out, would be simply foolhardy.

That is not to say that all government spending on advertising and image management is always, without exception, well spent. Sometimes governments just decide to skite. The $18 million spent telling us about infrastructure spending looks like political advertising plain and simple. Even when a hint of a pretext exists for a campaign, failure follows predictable paths. A government can use taxpayers' money not to inform the public but to push a party line  to persuade a doubting electorate that a policy is worthwhile. The Howard government's Work Choices campaign is a well-known example. Labor's campaign to warn off would-be boat people (but really to convince Australians Labor was tough on asylum seekers) is another. A strategy, though carefully planned, can backfire. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki famously torpedoed the Abbott government's fatuous attempt to spin the latest Intergenerational Report, objecting strenuously to the government's campaign which he had been paid to star in.

These examples demonstrate the caveat hanging over all government campaigns: they work best when they are designed to inform, not persuade. Persuasion is the job of politicians. If our political leaders cannot frame and articulate the arguments to convince us a policy is worth pursuing, no amount of taxpayers' money will do their work for them.
Except why do American colleges now report that nearly 30 per cent of female college seniors experience unwanted sexual contact? Why, across the 28 member states of the European Union, do one-third of women encounter physical and/or sexual violence from the age of 15?

We tell ourselves it is worse elsewhere  that female genital mutilation in Africa, sex trafficking in Asia, acid burning in Pakistan, widow burning in India, mob attacks in Algeria, female infanticide in China, honour killings throughout South Asia and Middle East, that all these atrocities constitute far worse depredations against women than anything we see in so-called "civilised" society.

But how else to understand male violence against women and children, a crime that former US President Jimmy Carter describes as "the most pervasive and unaddressed human rights violation on earth".

I was leaping forward a generation to Germaine Greer's The Female Eunuch, where she wrote that "most men hate women at least some of the time." I'd rejected that notion at the time because there were too many good men I knew who didn't feel that way.

Why is domestic violence the leading cause of death for women under the age of 45 in Australia, one woman killed on average every week? How is it that one in four children are exposed to domestic violence and that "familicide", the murder-suicide of children and a parent in the context of custody or access disputes, is so common?

Is it because  and here's something to chew over guys  a brutal misogyny actually permeates every culture and society in the world? That burning witches during medieval time and ditching witches (or calling a female journalist a "mad witch") in modern times, are simply opposite points on the same spectrum? A form of misogyny as old as Genesis: Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.

Many years ago I spoke to Peter O'Connor, a Jungian therapist and best-selling author about the rage and sorrow of men. He talked about men being at the mercy of their logic and reason; how they operated almost always in the external world where occupation remained the cornerstone of their identity. Men were compelled to know, to be right, to be in control, especially of their emotions.

Women, on the other hand, were generally more at home with their intuitive, feeling sides; with life's ambiguities and uncertainties.

That's why so many men felt threatened by women. Women symbolised a world over which men had little control, so that in a crisis, they couldn't rely upon their powers of reasoning and logic to provide answers. The enemy, as they say, was within.
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten has issued a rebuke to his NSW counterpart Luke Foley, saying it would be "wrong" to hike the GST and slug every family in Australia to raise money for education and health.

Mr Foley, the NSW Labor opposition leader, said he would consider supporting an increase in the GST from 10 to 15 per cent as long as the funds were used solely for health and education and to compensate low-income earners.

Luke Foley, left, and Bill Shorten during the 2015 NSW election campaign. Credit:Ben Rushton

The position is at direct odds with that of federal Labor, which vehemently opposes a GST increase.

In a statement to Fairfax Media, Mr Shorten said a GST increase was "wrong" and he was "worried about ... the millions [of] families who are already struggling to keep their heads above water who will have to pay for an increased GST on every single thing they buy".
Australian voters want choices beyond the old political binary of "blue team" and "red team", Senator Nick Xenophon said, promoting the woman he hopes can defeat former prime minister Tony Abbott in the seat of Warringah.

With Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's political honeymoon recently interrupted by two ministerial resignations and Labor leader Bill Shorten's popularity languishing, Senator Xenophon on Sunday said voters "want an alternative".

"I think people want to go to the political centre. It's very much about grassroots community concerns, it's about health, it's about education, it's about the environment," he said at a press conference on Queenscliff beach in Sydney.

"The fact that Warringah hasn't had a woman representative since [the seat was established in] 1922, well I think the 51 per cent of voters who happen to be women will have something to say."
Warsaw, Poland: Opposition groups have massed in demonstrations across Poland, enraged by the new government's efforts to exert its influence on the nation's media supervisors and top courts.

The protests, which were organised by the Committee for the Defence of Democracy, drew about 20,000 people in Warsaw on Saturday, while other gatherings were reported nationwide.

A demonstrator seals his mouth during a protest over media freedom at the Polish TVP News headquarters in Warsaw. Credit:AP

"If journalists cannot keep an eye on the powerful, then people will not know what the government is up to," committee leader Mateusz Kijowski said at a rally in the central Polish city of Lodz.

The conservative government, which took power in November, has angered many with the new measures. The changes give newly installed conservative judges a greater say on the nation's highest court and let the government install a political appointee to head public broadcasters.
Payton Muth stars on the field now, but plans to be on the sidelines later
Welcome to the Pinelands: Wondrous, weird and wild New Jersey treasure

The Pinelands are more than a unique ecosystem. They're also a cultural touchstone, a place that inspires art, oddities and a peek into our past.
One of the worlds most iconic railway locomotives wont be roaring through the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area in May as hoped.

The Flying Scotsman is running again following a 10-year restoration project that has cost 4.2m.

It was due to travel through Highbridge and Burnham Railway Station on Saturday May 28th during a special trip from Bristol to Taunton.

However, due to engineering work that day the trip has been been cancelled with a different route chosen instead.

The Scotsman, owned by Yorks National Railway Museum, was relaunched in January, having been refurbished during a painstaking refurburishment project.

Painted in its wartime black livery, the locomotive has been brought back to life after the National Railway Museum bought it for 2.3 million in 2004 before work got under way in 2006.

Last year, the Scotsman topped a poll of the worlds best-known trains and locomotives following a worldwide survey.

It was built in 1923 for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and set two world records for steam traction, becoming the first steam locomotive to be officially authenticated at reaching 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) on 30th November 1934, and then setting a record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive when it ran 422 miles (679 km) on 8th August 1989 while in Australia.
Heavy rain failed to dampen spirits at the official unveiling of a new wartime plaque on Burnham-On-Sea seafront on Saturday (January 9th).

The ceremony, led by former Mayor Neville Jones, and attended by MP James Heappey and current Mayor Michael Clarke, was held to mark the unveiling of comments from the Prime Minister.

It comes after a pair of plaques were initially unveiled on the sea wall opposite the Royal Clarence Hotel last autumn to mark 75 years since America gave Britain 50 destroyers to fight Hitlers German navy  one of which was named HMS Burnham.

David Cameron sent a letter giving his support to the memorial and on Saturday a section of his letter was added alongside the plaques and formally unveiled.

Petty Officer Cadet Jacob Hatziogiannakis from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Sea Cadets had the job of formally unveiling the new plaque, as pictured here, alongside Lt (SCC) Scott Fulcher, RNR Officer In Charge.

Neville told Burnham-On-Sea.com: Under the two plaques that already exist, weve added a couple of sentences which the Prime Minister sent in his letter, recording the fact that what we have done here in Burnham-On-Sea is part of a national monument to the Battle of the Atlantic.

Its very important that although Burnham saw nothing of the Battle of the Atlantic to any great degree, it did have a destroyer named after the town, HMS Burnham, which was one of the so-called gift horses which Mr Churchill acquired from President Roosevelt. These ships had a vital role and the plaque in Burnham-On-Sea recalls the names of those which were lost at sea.

He added: I read out the letter from the Prime Minister to those who attended the reception after the plaques unveiling last autumn, but it has not been readily available to the general public, so a couple of straplines have been taken from it and added to the sea wall. The letter itself has been given to the Town Council to hang in their chambers.

Prime Minister David Cameron wrote: I want to extend my admiration in honour of the personnel and the 50 First World War destroyers acquired by Sir Winston Churchill form our close American Allies during the Second World War. I join you in paying respect to those who have given their lives in defence of the freedoms which we hold dear today.

Also see:

Seafront plaques unveiled in Burnham-On-Sea to mark wartime link
Firefighters from Burnham-On-Sea were among crews from across Somerset who battled a huge fire in Wedmore last night (Saturday) that left two properties damaged.

Crews from Cheddar, Wells, Glastonbury, Burnham-On-Sea, Street, Shepton Mallet, Bridgwater and Weston were sent to the scene after a caller reported at 6.20pm that a roof was on fire at The Old Post Office in Cocklake, Wedmore.

Firefighters battled the blaze over the course of several hours as it quickly spread, and it was extinguished using ten breathing apparatus wearers, 2 hose reel jets and 2 covering jets.

The crews removed part of the roof to tackle the blaze and inspect it while also weather-proofing the property.

A spokesman said: It is believed that the fire started in the first floor of the Old Post Office. There was fire damage to the bedroom, on the first floor was 50% and 80% smoke damage while 20% fire damage occured in the roof space.

A Fire and Emergency Support Vehicle, manned by the Red Cross, was in attendance to offer welfare and support to the occupiers, who were unharmed.

The fire is believed to have started accidentally. A re-inspection was set to be carried out by local fire crews early today, Sunday.
Premium pub chain Peach Pub Company has been acquired by Revolution Bars Group in a deal worth 16.5 million. The deal represents a multiple of around 11.2x Peachs 1.47 million gross profits for the year ending January 2 2022. In that period, the company generated turnover of 4.2 million and made a post-tax profit of 385,432. Peach Pub Company has 21 leasehold p...continue reading
US e-commerce giant Amazon's office leasing spree is likely to continue in 2016, too. In one of the most high-profile deals in the Mumbai office market, Amazon has taken 30,000 square feet of office space for its corporate headquarters at One BKC building in Bandra Kurla Complex area of Mumbai on lease, a source familiar with the development said.

Amazon will pay monthly rent of Rs 265 a sq ft, entailing Rs 9.5 crore a year.

The US firm has the option to take another 10,000 sq ft in the same building, which it might exercise this year, sources said. The company's sales & marketing, and regional seller services teams will be based out of the office.

A spokesperson for Radius Developers, which owns the property, confirmed the development. When contacted, an Amazon India spokesperson said: "We don't comment on anything we may or may not do in the future."





IN EXPANSION SPREE Amazon will pay rent of Rs 265 a sq ft per month or Rs 9.5 crore a year for space at One BKC



Its sales and maketing team and regional seller services team would be based out of the Mumbai office



US-based consultancy firm JLL advised Amazon on the lease transaction



Cisco, another US giant, has also taken 50,000 sq ft of space in One BKC at Rs 250 a sq ft

"The Mumbai office is expected to facilitate seller services in the region," the source said, adding that Bengaluru would continue to be its back-end hub.

US-based consultancy firm JLL advised Amazon on the lease transaction.

Amazon is also looking for warehousing spaces in the region, sources added.

Last year, Amazon did a 1.3-million sq ft office lease deal in Bengaluru with IT park developer Bagmane at the developers' business park along the city's IT corridor of Outer Ring Road.

It was structured in three parts. Amazon absorbed around 300,000 sq ft of space. The remaining demand for one million sq ft of office space was being split into two equal parts, with the company planning to absorb one part over the next financial year.

In 2014, homegrown e-commerce giant Flipkart had taken three million square feet of prime office space in Bengaluru from realty firm Embassy group at an annual rent of Rs 300 crore, which was touted to be the largest office deal in the country so far.

Besides Bengaluru, Mumbai has also seen large office property deals recently.

In one of the largest office space deals last year, Godrej Properties sold 435,000 sq ft office space in Godrej BKC to pharma major Abbott for about Rs 1,480 crore.

Cisco, another US giant, has also taken 50,000 sq ft of space in One BKC for a rent of Rs 250 a sq ft, sources said.

Cisco's country head and sales and marketing heads are expected to be based out of the Mumbai office, sources said. "They are investing in front end and coming closer to their banking customers."



An email sent to Cisco did not elicit any response. According to Ashok Kumar, CEO of Cresa Partners, a commercial realty services firm, Rs 250-260 per sq ft is a good deal given that BKC commands rents of Rs 220 to Rs 260 per sq ft, barring a few complexes such as Maker Maxity, which command rents in excess of Rs 300 per sq ft.

A recent report by CBRE said the top seven cities in the country absorbed 38 million sq ft of prime office space in 2015, the highest in the past five years. The demand was led by Bengaluru at 32 per cent and Delhi national capital region at 23 per cent, it said.
The fall in global copper prices is set to dent domestic copper smelting companies' profitability, because treatment and refining charges (TC/RC) for 2016 will get locked at much lower rates than last year.

According to Metal Bulletin, China's largest copper smelter Jiangxi Copper and Chilean copper miner Antofagasta have agreed on 2016 TC/RCs of $97.35 a tonne and 9.735 cents per lb (pound). The processing fees for this year are nine per cent lower than the $107 per tonne and 10.7 cents per lb level agreed between Jiangxi Copper and US-based Freeport McMoRan in 2015, it said.

"Even if smelters and miners are still negotiating, it is very clear the tone is bearish in the market. For Indian smelters, we see the TC/RC contracts locking at about 10 per cent lower rates from last year," a senior official with Hindustan Copper told Business Standard.

GROWING CONCERN 10 per cent fall in TC/RCs to hurt profitability of by 7-8 per cent



Further fall by 5-7 per cent in TC/RC likely during 2016



may see production cuts, slashing of manpower

Indian copper smelting follow the Japanese-Korean benchmark for TC/RC rates and usually arrive at a settlement by end-January to early-February. Copper TC/RCs are paid by miners to smelters to refine concentrate into metal and are a key part of the copper sector's earnings. A downward revision in TC/RC indicates a negative impulse for the company's performance in the coming quarters.

Aditya Birla Group's flagship company Hindalco Industries; state-owned Hindustan Copper; and Sterlite Industries, part of Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta are the three top copper smelting in the domestic market. Of these, Kolkata-based Hindustan Copper is the only entity engaged in mining apart from smelting activity.

A slowdown in the Chinese economy, the largest consumer of most metals in the world, has led to the continuous fall in global copper prices since May 2015. Prices of the industrial metal tumbled to seven-year low this week to $4,486 per tonne from $6,500 in May last year.

Spot TC/RC charges have been witnessing a downward trend since mid-2015, in line with copper prices, but domestic smelting companies have largely remained insulated all through mainly because of their long-term contracts with miners, said brokerages.

"The profitability of copper smelting companies has been one of the highest for the past two years. Now with a 10 per cent fall in TC/RC rates, profitability of these companies could take a hit of seven-eight per cent year-on-year basis," said Giriraj Daga, portfolio manager at SKS Capital & Research. "It is for the first time the profitability of these companies is going to take a hit since the metal started to come off from $6,500 a tonne in May."



Hindalco Industries, India's largest aluminium producer, has been banking on its earnings from the red metal for the past several quarters as its aluminium business has already been in trouble amid falling trend in global aluminium prices. In the quarter ended September, the company's earnings from the copper segment was 91 per cent higher than that from aluminium. In the year ended March, earnings before interest and tax from the copper segment stood at Rs 1,516 crore against Rs 1,349 crore from the aluminium business.

officials also see further correction in TC/RCs during the year apart from the 10 per cent fall in rates and cost cutting would be the only option for most companies. However, with most of Hindalco and Sterlite Industries' contracts being long-term in nature, these companies will remain insulated from a deeper fall in profitability during the year, said brokerages.

An email questionnaire sent to Hindalo Industries went unanswered.

"This kind of business situation in copper may lead to severe cost cutting measures such as slashing of manpower, production cuts and cancellation of expansion plans," said the Hindustan Copper official without stating whether the company would go for staff cuts.

Hindustan Copper is unlikely to shelve its mining expansion plan at Malanjkhand in Madhya Pradesh despite adverse business conditions.

Hindalco Industries, which already has expansion plans in place for its aluminium business, is not much into copper expansion mode as yet.

The Aditya Birla Group company has its integrated copper facility in Gujarat, comprising copper smelters and captive power plants along with a captive jetty, while its other competitor Vedanta has one copper plant in Tamil Nadu.

In terms of domestic copper consumption, which could see some uptick given the sharp fall in prices over the past few months, traders said demand for copper would not fall beyond a point. "Copper is the lifeline in construction and auto sectors. Demand may fall for a while, which it did when prices started moving down from $6,500 per tonne, but we do not see any fall in consumption this year as copper has some compulsory demand in certain segments," said Mumbai-based trader Hiten Mehta of Miraj Metals, who is also a director of Bombay Metal Exchange.
Aditya Rao's first professional tryst with Bengaluru was in 2009. When he had come for his first job at Mercedes-Benz as a mechanical engineer. Fresh from BITS Pilani, little did he know that six years down the line, he would be part of a digital wave that would sweep India.

Rao now heads LocalOye, a mobile marketplace for hiring local service professionals. It offers a gamut of services, from plumbers to electricians to mehendi artists and yoga instructors. The online platform, which went 'mobile-only' in July 2015 and later resumed some of its services on the desktop in September, helps users book and pay for services provided by its partners.

The journey

Rao founded LocalOye in October 2013 in Mumbai. It was during a usual brainstorming session after a couple of start-up stints that the idea of LocalOye struck him. "These days, anything and everything can be bought online but not services. Back then, we had nothing similar in the segment," he recollects. The firm was started as a platform to book banquet halls and catering services. He soon realised the problem was true for most other services - from health to beauty to home services and hobby classes. Sensing the potential, it began offering more services. LocalOye takes a cut for every successful service request. The service partners sign up with a prepaid wallet. Every time a service is delivered, the company deducts its commission. An average prepaid wallet of a service partner would be around Rs 500.

The firm relocated to Bengaluru in June 2015. "Bengaluru was a natural choice because it is easier, with a perfect ecosystem and people with the right mentors," Rao explains. The relocation worked well. From just one city (Mumbai) in June, the company expanded to two more metros - Bengaluru and Delhi/National Capital Region - by August. In July, LocalOye was doing about 50 service requests a day, which has gone up to 3,000.

There are about 140 employees, with 25 powering the technology back-end. The firm claims it generates 70 per cent of service requests from the mobile and has 60 per cent repeat customers on its app, and 30 per cent overall. Its biggest city is Mumbai, closely followed by Bengaluru and Delhi. Rao is not shy to admit LocalOye journey's had been one with a lot of learning. In June 2015, the company had plans of rapid geographic expansion. However, the Delhi launch was an eye-opener and it realised categorical expansion makes more sense than adding more cities. "A local game is won city by city.

We had a lot of experiments," he says. "By September, we decided we would be in just three cities. I think the learning was that we don't want to be the Number Five player in 20 cities. Rather, we want to be the Number One player in two or three cities." Now, LocalOye offers services across 91 categories. By 2016, Rao plans to take this to 300.

The company recently joined the suite of other start-ups in the laying-off scene. About 60 employees were asked to quit. "On the technology front, things are more automated now. Earlier, our recommendations were mostly manual. We used to actually match our services with the requests on an excel sheet," Rao clarifies . It had also experimented by shutting down its website for a brief period, to solely concentrate on its app. "We don't lose out customers even if we're just on iOS. We will still be acquiring customers. It was an interesting learning to have the web platform because it doesn't harm. But, growth is still explosive on the app," says Rao.

The financials

LocalOye started operations by raising funds in seed rounds from angel investors like Sidharth Rao, founder of Webchutney, Haresh Chawla, former Network18 chief executive officer and an investor in Housing.com, Burrp.com, Askme.com, Bookmyshow.com, and Sachin Bhatia, co-founder of MakeMyTrip.com. The company has received $5 million in a Series-A round from Tiger Global Management and Lightspeed.

"LocalOye has used data and mobile technology to deliver top-notch local services with high-quality, on-time and on-budget to a multitude of customers. We believe this end-to-end automation will enable the company to scale out to several million customers soon," says Dev Khare, managing director of Lightspeed Venture Partners.

While the company claims to be cash-positive in certain categories, break-even is not on the cards any time soon since it is focused on categorical expansion. LocalOye says it monetises 85 per cent of service requests with a healthy gross margin. "We will keep expanding to more categories and increase our repeat rates. And, category by category, get to positive margins, which we already do in some of our top categories," says Rao. The company, however, did not disclose its revenue targets.

Even as investors are looking a lot more into an appropriate model, Rao says they are still excited about the services space.

"What has changed is that they are thinking more into areas such as technology, automation and monetisation, too," he adds. The company is expected to raise the next round of funding only after the current quarter.

"We are very comfortable with our current burn rate; especially the way we are growing our business." The hyperlocal market in India witnessed a lot of disruption in 2015 with various startups emerging with multiple models, including food and grocery deliveries and intra-city delivery of services. While the segment has attracted a considerable amount of funding in 2015, it also witnessed a few startups shutting shop or merging with other similar players.

"The interesting time in the hyperlocal space is about to begin. We are in the early situation where the market for taxi services and e-commerce was three-four years ago. This year will be interesting. By 2017, the top three players will emerge and fight it out for the market share in terms of the number of customers. Consolidations are likely to happen in during 2016-17," Rao predicts.The market is getting more hyper, he says. "Local services market is at a nascent stage where it is growth from here. More competition is a good sign."



FACT BOX

Inception: October 2013

Founders: Aditya Rao

Area of business: Online and mobile marketplace for hyperlocal household and personal services

Funds raised: Raise $5 million in Series-A from Tiger Global and Lightspeed Venture Partners




German carmaker Volkswagen's India unit has seen its domestic sales decline for the fourth consecutive year in 2015, with its market share slipping to 1.5 per cent. The company has had a steady start to the year and clocked a 17 per cent jump in sales in the eight months ended August 2015. The growth trend, however, reversed from September as the global emission scandal came to light.

Volkswagen admitted it had installed software that cheated emission tests in 11 million diesel cars worldwide.

Volkswagen saw four consecutive monthly declines beginning September and its September-December 2015 domestic sales slipped by a steep 34 per cent, while most of its peers continued to grow volumes. The company's calendar year 2015 sales declined 2.4 per cent to 43,152 units, the lowest in the past five years. The sector's sales, however, grew by eight per cent in 2015.

"The negative flow related to Volkswagen globally and within the country is fresh in the minds of the people. There is a visible decline in demand for the company's products across the world," said an automobile analyst. Globally, Volkswagen had sold a record 10.1 million units in 2014. In the first half of 2015, it also overtook Toyota as the world's largest player by volumes. However, that changed in the later quarters of 2015. Volkswagen's 2015 global volumes declined two per cent in 2015. Other than the emission issue, slowing demand from markets such as China also impacted volumes. Toyota is yet to declare 2015 numbers at a global level.

In India, the firm has decided to recall 323,700 vehicles but stated these cars were not fitted with a 'defeat device' and the 'voluntary recall' of cars has been done to "be in line with the latest technical updates". Earlier, a sample test of Volkswagen's on road vehicles by Automotive Research Association of India found them to emit five to nine times more NOx (mono-nitrogen oxides) compared to the emission during laboratory testing.

Volkswagen has a vehicle manufacturing plant in Chakan near Pune. It had invested Rs 3,800 crore in this plant, which became operational in 2009. The plant currently has an annual capacity to produce 130,000 vehicles. Apart from catering to domestic demand, Volkswagen also exports a large number of vehicles to markets such as Mexico. Exports are more than domestic sales and volume is estimated to have grown in 2015.
Chennai-based cloud services firm Zoho Corporation is planning to increase focus in domestic market at a time when various overseas markets are slowing down.The company, as part of its strategy, is expected to intensify its marketing and sales in India and expects to increase the contribution of domestic business to its revenue from the current less than 10% to around 25-30% over a period of 4-5 years, said a top official from the company.

The international market, including China and Europe are already going through a slowdown in economy and the situation is not that good in US also. Countries like Australia are also experiencing slowdown. While in short term the global economic issues would have an impact on the Indian economy, it is an attractive one in a long term.

"I am bullish about the Indian market on a long term. We expect India will grow in te next 10-15 years and we are focusing on the domestic market," said Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation. "While the domestic market is currently contributing to around 10% of our revenue, we are expecting this to go up to 25-30% in the next four to five years," he added. However, he refused to reveal the revenue of the company.

It is also planning to set up a data centre in India, in the next few months, along with increasing its marketing exposure within the country. It would require around $3-4 million and would be completed in next three to four months.

This would include in the Rs 3,000 crore investment the company committed to the Government of Tamil Nadu during the state's Global Investors Meet 2015, in September, last year. The rest of the investment would be into expanding its facilities in Chennai and Tenkasi, in Tamil Nadu and strengthening the domestic marketing operations.

Last year, the company has recruited around 400-500 people and currently has around 3,000 employees. This year also it is expected to recruite almost the same number of people, he added.

The cloud service industry, which has been experiencing a growth in the past and has been fragmented, is expected to mature and see consolidation in the next two years. With consolidation more would start offering end-to-end services to customers, which would bring down the overall cost for the customer. The company claims it is already offering an end-to-end services and is well positioned with attractive price point and services.

During the period of consolidation, the company is also open to acquire small firms, with the size of 5-10 people and could bring in value to the company. The ticket size would be a few million dollar, he added.
Tamil Nadu is in The New York Times global list of 52 places to visit in 2016, the only such place from India. The southern state is at 24th place. The first three are Mexico City, Bordeaux in France and the Mediterranean island of Malta.

The description of Tamil Nadu, mentioned as new gateways to India's cultural core, reads: North India, with its famous Moghul era palaces and forts, might be the countrys most popular tourist destination but Tamil Nadu in the south has an equally rich and undiscovered history. The state is where Indias major temple cultural complexes are, and some are so large that theyre considered minicities. Theres the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, a sprawling complex dedicated to a powerful female deity, the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, built by the ancient Cholas, one of Indias greatest dynasties, and several hundred other temples dotting the countryside and brimming with art carvings dating back as far as the 9th century.





It also details on the 50 villages of Chettinad, filled with 18th century mansions of carved Burma teak and the spiciest and most aromatic cuisine often served on banana leaves. Limited infrastructure in Tamil Nadu made accessibility a challenge for travellers but the recent burst of boutique hotels is changing that.Over a dozen properties recently opened or on their way to debuting include Chidambara Vilas and the Bangala in Chettinad, Heritage Madurai in Madurai and Ideal River Vira Resort in Thanjavur, it added.

Among neighbouring countries listed are the east coast of Sri Lanka at 41st place.
The Delhi government has proposed to start a Premium Bus Service for the elite class with higher fares, a step aimed at encouraging them to use public transport.

According to the plan, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) may run air-conditioned premium buses for those who can afford higher fares.

Delhi government will launch Premium Bus Service for elite class, most of whom use their cars to go to their offices as of now. The fares of this service will be higher in comparison to normal bus service. These buses will ply only on selected routes where elite class is residing and working.They can also book their seats in these buses online, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said.

Drop in pollution levels

Air quality in Delhi improved considerably on Saturday, mainly due to strong winds and sunny conditions, with level of particulate matter settling 50 per cent less than the average readings since the enforcement of the odd-even car rationing measures, the Delhi government today said.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), which collected samples from 18 locations across the city, said PM 2.5 and PM 10, respirable particulate matters that cause harm to the respiratory system, saw an average reduction of 50 and 30 per cent respectively.

"PM 2.5 air pollution levels on Saturday at these 18 locations showed recordings of less than 100 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) at nine locations, which is more than 50 per cent less than average recordings since the odd-even regulations were put in place for four-wheeled vehicles since January 1," an official statement said.

Persistently high levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 and smog largely owing to hostile weather conditions over the past one week had put questions marks over the efficacy of the odd-even scheme.

The safe limits of PM 2.5 and PM 10, a product of vehicular emissions and dust among others, are 60 and 100 each. Anything beyond that is harmful as the particles get embedded deep into the lungs and, subsequently, enter the bloodstream.

Of these total 18 locations, the lowest measurement was at 59 (Jhilmil Colony, Shahdara) and the highest at 301 (Kazipur, Najafgarh).

DPCC's mobile vans have so far collected samples from around 150 locations.

In 18 locations measured on Saturday, even the PM 10 air pollution levels have shown a "marked decline", the government said adding that it have been recorded between 135-475.

"Scientists have been consistently predicting that the moment weather conditions improve, the results of odd/even formula for four-wheeled vehicles will show immediate results," the statement said.
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal, who is attending the CII Partnership Summit at Visakhapatnam, on Sunday said MoUs worth close to Rs 1.5 lakh crore would be signed in the energy sector alone during the course of the three-day event.

The Andhra Pradesh government has lined up big bang investment intents in energy and infrastructure sectors totaling about Rs 1,73,000 crore.

Despite being a surplus state, AP has received new investment proposals worth of Rs 1,37,816 crore with a total additional capacity of close to 21,000 Mw in both renewable and conventional energy sectors.This is in addition to the 4,000 Mw thermal power project being proposed to set be up by NTPC in Visakhapatnam district.

These MoUs include a couple of large investment proposals by foreign companies.

About 21 MoUs in the energy sector -- 12 in wind capacity (7,175 Mw), five in solar power (2,201 Mw), two in thermal (8,060 Mw) and a thermal-hybrid project (2000Mw+1,500 Mw) are expected to be signed. Over 80 per cent investments proposed are in wind and coal fired power projects.

In the renewable energy space, Suzlon Energy Limited is expected to sign an MoU with the AP government to set up a 3,000-Mw wind capacity and a 1,000-Mw capacity solar power project at an investment of Rs 28,000 crore.

Among the other major investment proposals in wind energy, Gamesa Wind Turbines Private Limited and Greenco Energy Private Limited have proposed to set up projects each with a capacity of 500 Mw in the state.

In the solar sector, the Solar Energy Corporation of India is signing an MoU to set up a 1,250Mw solar power project while Sun Edison Energy India Privagte Limited, SB Energy and Azure Power, which had won 950 Mw projects in the NTPC solar power park under the National Solar Mission, are also signing the MoUs, according to the official information.

In the thermal power sector, Brisbane, Australia-based Queensland Coal Corporation has proposed to set up a 5,280Mw coal-fired thermal power project at an investment of Rs 31,680 crore in the state.

Similarly, China's Sany Group is signing an MoU to establish a 3,500Mw coal-fired thermal power project at an investment of Rs 23,500 crore. The third MoU in this space will be signed by Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited (KPCL) for a 2,780Mw thermal power project at an investment of Rs 16,650 crore near the port.

Elevated express way project

In a major boost to the development of coastal corridor in the state, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is signing an MoU with the AP government to build a large elevated express way project between Ichapuram in the northern most coastal district of Srikakulam to Sriharikota in Nellore district covering more than 900 km along the seacoast. The project is estimated to cost Rs 15,300 crore.

Among other MoUs, Petrogas Private Limited, a consortium of Isomeric Holdings Sdn Berhad and Vijayawada-based LEPL Ventures Privagte Limited, has proposed to set up a floating storage and regacification (FSRU) terminal at an investment of Rs 3,000 crore at Krishnapatnam port. Public sector Container Corporation of India, Dredging Corporation of India and HPCL are also expected to sign MoUs.

Meanwhile, World Trade Center Services, Noida, is signing an MoU to build a World Trade Centre with an investment of Rs 800 crore at the new capital city of Amaravati.
Political uncertainties, security concerns and worries about the economic slowdown in China and the rest of the world have dominated headlines this week. The World Bank also predicted India would outpace the Chinese dragon in the next three years



The first week of this year has not started very well for the global economy or India. Political uncertainties, security concerns and worries about the economic slowdown in China and the rest of the world have dominated headlines.

The stock market crash in China reverberated through all other equity markets. China suspended trading on Monday and pumped in a lot of money to contain the damage and reworked some rules. However, after a brief respite, the prices again fell sharply and trading had to be suspended on Thursday. China's manufacturing sector growth is weak, which means its economy might not surge enough to boost global commodity prices.

On Thursday, its currency depreciated by 0.6 per cent in the onshore markets but in the offshore ones, the yuan fell 8.5 per cent. Further, the depreciation can push India and other developing economies to act likewise. In any case, the countries dependent on export of commodities or intermediates to China seem headed for a year of low growth.

Saudi Arabia executed a well-known cleric and 46 others on charges of terrorism. Iran reacted strongly and, in turn, Saudi Arabia and a few other countries snapped diplomatic ties with it. The Saudi-Iran conflict sets the stage for a deeper Shia-Sunni divide in a region already torn by civil wars and terrorism. Unless the tensions are contained, the destabilised region can have wider impact on oil prices, growth prospects and security concerns. North Korea conducted a nuclear test, sparking a global sell-off in equity markets. It is difficult to gauge the economic impact of that country's enhanced nuclear capabilities but it heightened nuclear proliferation worries, partly reflected in Wednesday's panic in global equity markets. The World Bank cut its global economic growth forecast for the year.

At home, the terrorist attack on military targets in Pathankot cast a shadow on the Indo-Pak talks scheduled in mid-January. The government initially appeared to stay the course but later veered toward putting the talks on hold. Even if these resume, the expectation of any quick breakthrough on critical issues has significantly receded and any further liberalisation of trade or economic cooperation with Pakistan may not happen soon. On Thursday morning, the benchmark Sensex slipped below 25,000 and the rupee inched closer to 67 a dollar. To add to the gloom, an earthquake of fair intensity hit parts of our country in the northeast and the chief minister of the most sensitive border state passed away.

Looking for silver linings, the World Bank projected that India would grow by 7.8 per cent in 2016 and 7.9 per cent annually in the next two years. The Bank also predicted that India would be the fastest-growing economy in the world in the next three years, outpacing China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi set up eight groups of secretaries to come up with ideas to drive growth. Crude oil prices fell below $33 a barrel.

Overall, exporters and domestic producers can expect one more difficult year. Hopes rest on better performance in developed countries, increased spending by the government in infrastructure projects that can boost productivity, further reform of tax laws and better agriculture output this year. The circumstances warrant a growth-oriented Budget.

tncrajagopalan@gmail.com
Indias book market is the sixth largest in the world and second among the English language ones.

This explains some of the interest from publishers for the ongoing annual World Book Fair here, inaugurated on Saturday. It will be on for 10 days. China is the official guest of honour country.

The statistics cited earlier came from an India Book Market Report, by Nielsen, with the Association of Publishers in India and the Federation of Indian Publishers. It values the print book market in India, including imports, at $3.9 billion (Rs 26,000 crore). Its compounded annual growth was 20.4 per cent between 201112 and 201415.

Some noteworthy mergers and acquisitions have taken place in recent years. Among these were Penguin with Random House and HarperCollins acquisition of Harlequin, all companies with substantial presence in this country. Also in educational publishing, such as S Chands acquisition of Madhuban, Vikas and Saraswati Book House, and Laxmi Publications acquisition of Macmillan Higher Education.

Jonathan Stolper, global managing director of Nielsen Book, said after their report was issued: Some of the facts that came to light are very impressive  there are 9,000 publishers, over 21,000 retailers and 22 official languages, and if you include regional dialects, the total is 1,600. Literacy in India is rising rapidly, from 65 per cent in 2001 to 74 per cent in 2011, and it is predicted to reach 90 per cent in 2020.



However, the Indian book publishing sector gets no direct investment from government, "a serious roadblock", the report says. Other challenges include the fragmented nature of publishing and bookselling, a tortuous distribution system, long credit cycles that make it difficult to manage cash flows, and increases in direct costs. Piracy is widespread, with every other street in the country being home to stalls selling pirated texts.

The Indian e-book market has also seen a major overhauling, with internet expansion and spread of mobile phones, specially smartphones. Many gaps are present and a look at Indias neighbours is interesting. According to a 2014 survey from the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication, 58.1 per cent of China's reading population read digitally, an eight per cent increase from 2013, and higher than the paper reading population for the first time.

Rohit Kumar, co-chair of the publishing committee at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry says despite Indias surge in internet users, this is still the lowest in leading economies at 19 per cent. Chinas is 46 per cent. Digital revenue is between three and four per cent of the total, at considerable seeming variance with the Nielsen survey numbers. Consumer data survey shows, on average, people read books 2.1 times a week, while nearly two-thirds read a book occasionally. Interestingly, 56 per cent of the respondents bought at least one e-book a year and nearly half of these bought at least three or four, indicating a growing demand here.

Fifty-five per cent of trade sales are of books in English. Books in Hindi are 35 per cent of Indian language sales but the largest share of these is taken by Others, despite what the report identifies as a "highly disorganised" local publishing sector.

Foreseeing a rosy outlook for the publishing sector, Kumar states, "2016-2018 will see a dramatic change in the way it is going to function. But, India should learn from China because not only are they four-five years ahead of us in terms of the internet revolution but also because their publishing sector has seen a steep growth as compared to others."
The Union government's ambitious crop insurance scheme for farmers will be named 'Bhartiya Krishi Bima Yojana' and will aim to cover about 50 per cent of farmers in the next two-three years.

At present, around 23 per cent of total cropped area of 194 million hectares is under insurance.

Officials said, according to the final draft of the Cabinet note on the scheme, banks have to play a big role in ensuring its success.

Banks, according to the Cabinet note prepared by the ministry of agriculture, have to mandatorily credit the claim received by insurance companies into famers' bank accounts within 14 days. That apart, banks have also to ensure that all farmers who have taken crop loans against notified crops are compulsorily insured. At the same time, those who have not taken crop loans, but want to avail the benefit of a crop insurance get the same. Banks have also to ensure that crop loans are disbursed to farmers according to the guidelines laid down and ensure that funds so allocated are properly used by farmers.

The average premium rate for farmers under the new scheme will be a maximum of 2.5 per cent of the sum insured - it can be even lower - while the Centre's subsidy would go up to 90 per cent the premium.

In the new scheme, assessment of farms for calamities such as hailstorm and unseasonal rains would be done to ensure that each individual farmer gets an insurance, even if the damage is highly localised.

That apart, in the scheme, claims have to be mandatorily settled within 30-45 days of damage assessment and pictures taken through smart-phones, mobiles and tabs of the crop cutting data would be considered as valid proof of loss.

"This would help in reducing the time for settlement of claims," the official said.

"I feel government should differentiate between insurance and compensation, and insurance should just not be a risk mitigating strategy, but should also give some incentive. Also, crop assessment has to be accurate, or else, those who don't deserve get all the claims," Ajay Jakhar, chairman of Bharat Krishak Samaj (Indian Farmers Forum) told Business Standard. He said, apart from accurate assessment, crop insurance should be linked to Aadhar to check duplicity.

Sudhir Panwar, president of Kisan Jagriti Manch and member of the Uttar Pradesh Planning Commission said that the unit of measurement of claim should be the individual farmer and not a village, as is the practice now, and claims regarding yield loss due to pest attack should also be included in the scheme.

"As of now, claim settlement in agriculture is less than that of health, which needs to be improved. However, too low a premium might act as a deterrent for companies to participate," Panwar said.
Hours after assuming office for his third term on December 12, 2013, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh summoned senior officials and instructed them to shoot off a letter to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The letter was drafted the same day, addressed to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to raise the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to Rs 2,100 a quintal. Before the state polls in 2013, Singh had promised each farmer Rs 2,100 for every quintal of paddy procured, besides a bonus of Rs 300 per quintal.

In two years, neither of the promises has been fulfilled. Farmers' resentment has started spilling out in the open and has caused fear in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government that it could become an issue in the 2018 Assembly polls. No political party can ignore the 3.4 million farmer families in Chhattisgarh. BJP members of Parliament from the state have urged the Centre to intervene.

To add to the government's worries, the state has been affected by its worst drought since inception, with 117 of 150 tehsils declared famine-hit. Though the state government had sought the Centre's help, it was quick to make a Budgetary provision of Rs 1,350 crore in the second supplementary Budget for 2015-16 to deal with the situation.

The financial health of the state has deteriorated in the past two years, forcing the government to take stringent measures that have gone against farmers. The quantity of paddy procured has been limited to 15 quintals an acre in spite of Singh's earlier commitment of purchasing the entire crop. The bonus issue was also put on hold as the state needed Rs 2,200 crore to pay it.

"The state is already carrying a debt of Rs 34,000 crore. Where will it get money to please farmers?" said Virendra Pandey, Chhattisgarh's former finance commission chairman. The state government's receipts are estimated at Rs 64,935 crore for 2015-16 and expenditure is pegged at Rs 65,013 crore.

The chief minister, however, believes he can put the things on the right track. "In 2016-17, we expect Rs 1,200 crore revenue from auctioned coal mines and by 2020 we will receive Rs 2,200 crore annually," he had said in an interview to Business Standard earlier. The government has planned to develop a 2,000-km road network through the annuity model and the coal auction revenue will be used to pay the annuity.

For the next three years, the state government has prioritised three areas. For farmers, the state government had designed model on crop diversion, Singh said. Industrial entrepreneur memoranda (IEMs) worth about Rs 53,000 crore have been signed in 2015-16. Since 2012-13, around 65 per cent of the IEMs filed in the state are for core sectors like iron and steel, coal, power, cement, oil and gas, and chemicals and fertilisers.

The government has set up 93 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), residential schools for girls. In 2015-16 9,257 girls enrolled in these KGBVs. The 74 special hostels for girls studying in high schools had 5,312 inmates in 2015-16. In the Naxal affected Bastar region, 28 porta-cabins (special schools) had been set up in which 12,000 students were enrolled in 2015-16.

In November 2014, 13 women died following sterilisation surgeries in Bilaspur district. The judicial commission that probed the incident said in its report that "serious negligence" and use of "sub-standard" and "poison-laced" medicines were the cause.
Click on graphic

As Table 1 shows, patent applications in India have increased significantly in recent years, and are now equal to about half of those in Russia, a scientific powerhouse. However, when compared to the US and China's patent applications, shown in Table 2, the numbers are minuscule. China, in particular, has seen a steep rise in the number of applications of late, an indication of its role as the centre of world manufacturing. However, only a fraction of those patents are granted - but even here, as Table 3 shows, China has overtaken the US. For patent grants in India, however, shown in Table 4, the story is worrying: Not only is it a tiny fraction of those applied for but the number of those granted has actually decreased - a sign both of institutional incapacity and poor research.

As Table 5 demonstrates, organic chemistry and pharmaceuticals account for most Indian patents, although computer technology has begun to catch up. The major problem is that Indian companies do not spend much on research and development. As Table 6 shows, the top 500 listed companies spend a small and stagnant fraction of revenue on R&D when compared to their US equivalents. The gap is most noticeable in pharmaceuticals, an R&D-heavy activity globally - but not in India, as Table 7 reveals. In IT services, Table 8, it looks like the proportion of R&D spend, already small, is actually decreasing. And, even automobile companies, a vibrant and competitive sector, spend less than a fourth, proportionally, of what their American counterparts do on R&D, according to Table 9.
Alerting telecom service providers about stricter action by the government on call drop issues, Union Minister for Communication & Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Sunday that companies should not ignore a market as big as India.

We are a country of one billion mobile and 400 million internet connections. It is a very big market for companies. While I appreciate their effort in providing mobile connectivity in remote places, they should also take care of infra upgradation and address the issue of call drops, Prasad said at a press conference here, after assessing the performance of government undertakings India Post and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam.

He said the government would act strictly against any company, private or state-owned, that fails to address network congestion, which often lead to call drops.

According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) regulation on call drops, telcos were to pay customers Rs 1 per drop up to a maximum of three calls a day from January 1 this year. The companies had moved the Delhi High Court via the Cellular Operators Association of India against the regulation.

The court has asked the regulator not to take any coercive action against telecom firms until further orders.

The telcos have been protesting the call drop compensation decision of Trai saying in mobile voice transmission, call disruption cannot be completely ruled out. The government has been saying the telcos were not doing enough to upgrade infrastructure, unlike they were doing for customer acquisition.

Telecom firms have installed 25,000 towers across India (and 2,000 in Delhi alone) in the past three-four months, after we talked about stricter actions and penalties. They should have done it earlier. Why were they waiting for the government to intervene? asked Prasad, indicating lack of effort by the telecom companies to improve their infrastructure.
Indian Navy to present a guideline document on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) during Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in Bangladesh . .

Admiral RK Dhowan, the Chief of the Naval Staff is on an official visit to Bangladesh from 10 to 14 Jan 16 to attend the 5th Edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). During the Symposium, Indian Navy would be presenting a guideline document on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). The aim of the document is to provide guidelines for developing a speedy, responsive, coordinated and effective HADR for IONS members, as and when required. During the visit, the CNS would also be calling on political and military counterparts from Bangladesh and IONS members/observers to further cement bilateral relations. .

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IONS was launched in Feb 08 to captilise upon regional strengths of IOR littorals and was 21st Centurys first significant international maritime-security initiative. 35 littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have been grouped into four sub-regions (South Asian, West Asian, East African and South East Asian littorals including Australia). IONS seeks to provide a regional forum through which the Chiefs-of-Navy (or equivalent maritime agency) of all the littoral states of the IOR periodically meet to constructively engage each other through the creation and promotion of regionally relevant mechanisms, events, and activities. IONS Chairmanship is rotated sequentially through each of the four sub-regions. This is to ensure that challenges of each region receive due emphasis. The IONS Chair was held by India from 2008 to 2010, UAE from 2010 to 2012 and South Africa from 2012 to 2014. The current Chair is Australia. Bangladesh Navy is conducting the IONS-2016 from 10-14 Jan 2016 at Dhaka and would be taking over the Chair of IONS from Australia for the term 2016 -2018. The theme of the Seminar this year is Fostering Partnership in IOR: Charting course for Maritime Cooperative Engagement. .

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DKS/CKP
Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella is among 23 guests invited to join First Lady Michelle Obama to watch President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address, a case study in the complex considerations surrounding the annual rite. Assembling the list for the First Lady's viewing box in the House of Representatives is an exercise in political signaling for every administration. The mix typically includes men and women of different races and ethnic backgrounds who have overcome tragedy, risen as national symbols, or would benefit from a policy initiative; veterans; ...
Online retailing disempowers consumers and retailers as the same or similar products are sold at different prices with consumers losing confidence in brands, Hari Om Rai tells Sangeeta Tanwar



Lava has been the second-largest homegrown handset player in the Indian smartphone market for some time now. What does Lava need to do to be able to occupy the top spot?



We believe that culture is all encompassing and the most important factor determining the course of an organisation. Next is strategy. So since the beginning we have been preparing the company for long-term success. We are the only home-grown company with full, end-to-end control on the product. We are well poised to seize the opportunities offered by a growing Indian handset market with strong design, research and development teams. We have put in place an effective single layered distribution system. And we are doing 100 per cent cash sales even when the large brands are going for credit sales. With a close and tighter supply chain, we can boast of genuine sales.

How important is the online channel for Lava International? How has your marketing strategy changed with e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Snapdeal taking centrestage?



With a single-layered distribution system, we are very close to the customer and hence have full control on the product. We are better positioned to communicate product benefits to retailers who in turn pass on the right product information to the customers. Our single distribution layer is tangible compared to the multiple layered distribution model adopted by competitors.

Having said that, we are also present on e-commerce platforms. However our presence or sales volume on these platforms is not as large as some of the competing brands. This is largely owing to our company culture which believes in empowering our customers, shareholders and commercial partners, so that people can do more and be more. But I believe that today the way online functions, it is disempowering consumers and retailers as the same or similar product is being sold at different prices with consumers losing confidence in brands.

Discounted sales on online platforms are a short-term phenomenon. We must remember that online is just a channel for selling and nothing more than that. Currently, because of the 'subsidy' given by online channels for running their businesses and GST difference - the online selling model appears cost effective. Over a period of two years or so, however, the difference between online and offline prices will go away.

As a company we support same price for similar products. Branding and consumer marketing is all about choices. You choose some and you leave some. As we are building a company for the long term, we do not want to resort to short-term practices of offering our products at lower prices online because in the long term, such practices give the wrong results. A number of competitors are already feeling the heat after following such practices. Most importantly, retailers are not favouring such brands as they end up facing the brunt of the problem because of discounted online price policy by a number of brands. Lava International is selling on brand strengths, product and service quality. Those buying our products are doing so consistently - and that speaks volumes about our product quality and pricing.

How difficult it is to build a strong and differentiated brand image in a highly segmented and technology-led category? What are the key brand attributes that differentiate Lava from the others?



Fundamentally each one of us in the smartphone market is selling a Google product. Therefore the software is the same for each of us. Having said that, there are key differentiators that make Lava International stand apart from competing brands. Let me illustrate this with an example. We all know that every airline flies but Indigo flies differently. Similarly, in the smartphone business, be it software or hardware, we are very focused on aspects such as quality, reliability and delivering the right user experience to customers. We make valuable technology available and accessible to buyers with the novelty in product design within a price band. Our devices come with a better camera or sound experience for similarly priced models in the market.

The company plans to invest over Rs 2,600 crore over the next seven years to set up two manufacturing units in the country, in line with the government's Make in India initiative. What advantages do you see in local manufacturing?



As the economy has grown in China, the country has lost the momentum and edge in low-cost manufacturing and as a result it is moving out of China. Meanwhile, India stands a great chance to support and promote low-cost manufacturing owing to its demographic dividend with the availability of a young workforce. This, coupled with a growing market and government initiatives, means that the country is a competitive market for companies to not only build products for local consumers but for the rest of the world as well. India offers great cost and quality advantage to companies looking forward to investing in local manufacturing. Lava International is relying upon these two advantages to take the brand to a global level. We are already the leading brand in markets such as Thailand, ahead of Samsung.

Where will the next phase of growth come from in India?



The next phase of growth for the Indian smartphone market will come from the growing penetration of data particularly in rural markets led by the launch and expansion of 4G networks. The market growth will also be driven by the launch of lower priced smartphones ensuring that more consumers are able to afford smartphones. As a company, we are focused on these two sets of consumers.
As the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) usher in radical reforms to clean the capital's air, marquee luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz India, BMW, Audi and Jaguar Land Rover are being forced to rethink their strategies on product portfolios and affordability. Of these, Mercedes appears to be the worst hit as nearly half of its brands in India come under the ambit of the ban on registration of diesel vehicles with engines sizes more than 2000 cc. All eyes are now on the luxe car maker and what it will do to keep its top spot in the Indian market.

Mercedes was the first among the three German luxury car makers to establish base in India in 1994. In 2009 BMW India dislodged Mercedes from the No.1 position, and by 2012, Audi had claimed the No.1 spot. Mercedes went into an overdrive and launched 15 cars in 2015, reclaiming the top slot for itself.

However, around 10 of the 24 Mercedes models currently on offer fall under the ban. Together these models account for nearly 70-75 per cent of total Mercedes's sales in Delhi, while the rest comes from petrol models. The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) market accounts for nearly 20-25 per cent of total India sales.

For Mercedes it has been an uphill climb to number one and it has done so primarily on the back of its diesel-powered vehicles. In 2015, when the Stuttgart-based company clocked the best ever January-September sales of 10,079 units, its SUV portfolio grew by 70 per cent beating its sedan segment growth of around 39 per cent. Encouraged, Mercedes brought its highest selling SUV globally, the GLE, to India in October 2015; little did it anticipate the ban and the Court's directive.

Roland Folger, managing director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, "Our product initiatives remain unchanged for 2016 and we don't envisage any major alteration." He further claimed that Mercedes has been the only German luxury car maker to post consecutive double digit growth figures for the last three years. "We have almost doubled our sales volumes from 2012 to 2015 and also almost equaled the entire 2014 CY's volume, in the Jan-Sep 2015 period, itself," Folger said.

The ban will also hit Audi and BMW. BMW, in fact, draws most of its sales from its diesel cars, with the M Series petrol cars being very expensive (Rs 1.2 crore and above). However, as a BMW dealer pointed out, only 3-4 models are impacted as most of its popular cars are below 2000 cc. Audi India too might have some respite as its top-selling models sport sub-2000 cc engines.

Abdul Majeed, partner, PwC India felt, that in the long run, Mercedes will have to revisit its India strategy. "There could be a blanket ban on diesel vehicles, and this means that Mercedes has to be ready with a petrol portfolio. In the short-term, however, they could focus on the smaller cities and other major metros that have not been affected by the ban. Another option is to look at India as an export hub," he explained. Mercedes has already opened dealerships in Dehradun, Raipur, Bhopal, Indore etc.

Majeed further cautioned, while the current ban is till March 31, what's more significant for all luxury car brands is the Union Budget. "If it raises taxation, these brands would have to rework their entire strategy of making the cars affordable," he said. A leading Mercedes dealer said that as of now there has been no move to initiate feedback from the dealers on the upcoming portfolio. "One immediate thing for the company would be to focus more on the Mumbai market, which actually sees nearly 50 per cent of its sales come from the petrol variants," he added.

Mercedes feels that it can switch between petrol and diesel engines as its partner Force Motors (that assembles Mercedes engines) has a flexible line. The ban, however, may impact future investment plans.

Is it time that Mercedes brings in its electric and hybrid cars? Folger thought otherwise; "We still think the Indian market is not completely ready for any hybrid models or electric cars." He added that the company has a host of vehicles running on alternate fuel and could be brought in any time. "Whenever we think the market is ready for such vehicles, we will be ready for an India debut," Folger said. Analysts feel that with diesel's growing disrepute, the time may arrive sooner rather than later.
The combined net profit of India's biggest non-financial companies has been virtually stagnant after the Lehman crisis.

Companies, excluding the financial sector, reported a combined net profit of Rs 2.71 lakh crore in 2014-15, growing at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 1.7 per cent since 2007-08. In the past five years, the pace of growth is even slower, with net profit growing at 0.8 per cent each year.

The analysis is based on a sample of 654 non-financial companies belonging to the BSE 500, BSE Midcap and BSE Smallcap indices.

The downward trend in the corporate profitability continues in 2015-16 year as well. The combined net profit of around 2,300 non-financial companies was down five per cent year-on-year during the second quarter, and the sample companies reported a decline in profit in four of the past five quarters. The result is a sharp deceleration in corporate profits from the highs witnessed during 2003-2008.

For the Sensex, the earnings per share (EPS) trajectory has shifted downwards in the past eight years, first, during the Lehman crisis, and once again last year. The Sensex earnings include financial companies.

The underlying EPS of the Sensex companies grew at a compound annual rate of 24 per cent from around Rs 275 per unit of the Index in early 2003 to Rs 800 in early 2008. The pace of growth declined to a nine per cent CAGR during 2008-2015 and the index companies' earnings were down six per cent in the trailing 12 months.

Experts attribute the slower earnings growth to a sharp drop in profitability of companies in sectors such as capital goods, infrastructure, metals and mining, energy and real estate. A poor showing by these companies took away the positive earnings growth of companies in sectors such as information technology services, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), pharmaceuticals, consumer durables and automobiles.

"Nearly two-thirds of the incremental profit growth for the companies that form the Nifty is now accounted for by a handful of companies in infotech, pharmaceuticals and FMCG. This has created a dichotomy in the market," says Dhananjay Sinha, head of institutional equity at Emkay Global Financial Services.

Most of the corporate earnings and cash flows are being generated by companies and sectors that account for only a small share of corporate assets and underlying debt.

In 2014-15 companies accounting for 90 per cent of all corporate fixed assets (gross block) contributed only 40 per cent to the sample's combined net profit and 69 per cent of the combined operating profit. This has led to fears of a vicious cycle of lower corporate investment, poor growth, declining profitability and bad loans.
Navy Chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan arrived here on Sunday to take part in the 5th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

The biennial conference, which will begin on Monday, will be attended by Naval Chiefs of 32 countries, head of many international maritime organizations, experts and academics from the Indian Ocean countries, and also from America, Europe and East Asia.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Abdul Hamid will inaugurate the symposium, which will be held from January 10-14.

The event seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussing the maritime issues across the region, according to its website.

The previous editions of the symposium were held in India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, and Australia.
Status changed this weekend for American Idol alum Colton Dixon as he is celebrating life as a married man.

The 24-year-old Murfreesboro, Tennessee native and Christian music artist, who was a Top 10 finalist on the FOX show's 11th season in 2012, wed his girlfriend Annie Coggeshall in Nashville on Friday, reports E! Online.

Dixon posted a sweet wedding photo of the two on his Instagram page on Saturday captioning it, "Married my best friend last night.
Chinese ambassador to India condemned the attack on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, saying that China shares the feeling and anger of the people of India.

"China is also a victim of terrorist act. We share the feeling and anger of Indian people," Chinese ambassador to India Le Yucheng said.

He also said that the important task for the international community is to strengthen cooperation, meet challenges and confront terrorism.

Six terrorists were neutralised in the terror attack at the Pathankot air base that began in the wee hours on January 1. Seven security personnel were martyred in the terror attack.

The conspiracy behind the terrorist attack in Pathankot was hatched in Markaj, Pakistan, as per high-level official sources.

Sources said the intelligence agencies have identified the mastermind who was controlling Asfaq Ahmed, Hafiz Abdul Shakur, Kashim Jan and Masood Azhar, the perpetrators of the Pathankot attack.
The Congress Party on Sunday looked a divided house over former information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari's assertion that Indian Express story on troop movement was 'unfortunate but true'.

Trashing the claim made by his party colleague Tewari, Congress leader P C Chacko said it is unfortunate that such statements are coming to create unnecessary controversies.

"This report, which has appeared in the Indian Express in the past, has been denied officially by authenticated sources. The fact that some private information passed on to Mr Tewari by some officials is what was quoted. If this newspaper report is an indication then I think there is no reason for even Mr Tewari to believe that it was true," Chacko told ANI here.

"And we on behalf of the Congress Party very clearly and categorically deny this report. There was no such troop moment without information of the government," he added.

Chacko further said there is nothing to substantiate this report.

"Private sources or any officers personal opinion privately leaked to somebody cannot be verified or cannot be taken as true. So, this is denied by the government sources. So, I do not believe that this report is at all true," he added.

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, however, backed Tewari's troop movement claim.

"It appears, something did happen that night which was against the Constitution and democracy," he said.

Tewari had yesterday brushed aside allegations that the news item published on April 4, 2012 was fake.

"At that time, I used to serve in the standing committee of defence. And it is unfortunate, but the story was true. The story was correct," he said at an event in Delhi.

The Indian Express had on April 4, 2012, reported that late on the night of January 16, 2012 (the day then Army Chief General V K Singh approached the Supreme Court on his date of birth issue), central intelligence agencies reported an unexpected (and non-notified) movement by a key military unit from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar (Haryana) as a part of the 33rd Armoured Division (which is a part of 1 Corps, a strike formation based in Mathura and commanded by Lt Gen. A K Singh) in the direction of the capital, 150 km away.
Oscar winning Eddie Redmayne, who is one of the few Hollywood leading men equipped to play remarkable characters, had a life-changing experience with his portrayal of Lili Elbe in 'The Danish Girl'.

Recently nominated for BAFTA for the second consecutive year, 'The Danish Girl' actor feels the film made him feel how privileged one is to be born with the same gender as you are assigned to be, reports News.com.au.

Nearly a century before Caitlin Jenner became a household name for transitioning into a woman, Danish artist; Einar Wegener aka Lili Elbe did the same and became one of the earliest recorded recipients of gender reassignment surgery.

As well-suited as he had already proved himself, Redmayne's casting was not without controversy, with some in the LGBT community complaining that the role should have been played by a transgender actor.
Swiss Master Roger Federer, who has now heard Bernard Tomic speaking about his top ten goals for quite some time, will believe the latter making it to the A-listers once he sees it.

The world number three insisted that Tomic has been good in the recent past but top 10 was another story, news.com.au reported.

The top-seed at the Brisbane International offered the Australian a reality check after his strong showing at the tournament.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion said that before speaking so highly, it was good to take it to the next level and then all the people would be able to see that.

Tomic suffered a heart wrenching defeat at the hands of Milos Raonic in the semi-finals of the Brisbane event on Saturday.

Defeating Tomic 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5), Raonic will now meet Federer in a rematch of last year's decider on Sunday night at Pat Rafter Arena.

According to Federer, Tomic, who notched his seventh career win over a top 10 player by beating Japanese star Kei Nishikori, will take huge positives away from the Brisbane International.
Scores of fans gathered for Motorhead frontman Lemmy's memorial service yesterday at Forest Lawn in Hollywood.

A live-stream was done with almost 2,50,000 viewers broadcast of the event for the rock star's fans around the world, reports TMZ.com.

The British rock star's son, friends, Triple H, band mate Mikkey Dee and producer Bob Kulick spoke about some of their favorite memories with Lemmy.

Lemmy, born as Ian Fraser Kilmister in Burslem, died on December 28 at the age of 70, just two days after discovering he had an "extremely aggressive cancer".

A photograph of the deceased rock-star was on display at the service chapel, together with a bank of speakers; a custom made urn replicating his signature hat was even there made by Foreverence.
Republican front-runner Donald Trump told a rally on Friday that refugees fleeing war in Syria were affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

According to CNN, a 56-year-old Muslim woman, who was seated right behind Trump, stoop up in silent protest after the presidential candidate's remark and was immediately led out of the rally during his speech.

Trump supporters around Rose Hamid began chanting Trump's name, as per the instructions given by the campaign staff before the event in case of protests.

They pointed at the woman and the man alongside who also stood up along with Hamid.

As they were escorted out, Trump supporters roared, booing the pair and shouting at them to "get out."

Hamid said that one person had been shouting, 'you have a bomb.
In a shocking incident, a family of three have been found dead in their house under mysterious circumstances in old Rajendra Nagar on Sunday.

The husband was found dead in a cupboard in his house and the police are investigating if it was murder or he committed suicide. Nothing is, however, clear as of now.

"Their house was also found ransacked," Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) SK Gautam told the media.

The wife and their son were also found dead in the house with strangulation marks around their neck.

According to reports, the bodies of the three were found when their maid arrived this morning.

No arrests have been made so far and the police have launched a thorough probe.
At least 39 people were killed on Saturday when an airstrike targeted a prison in a rebel-held area in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, a monitor group reported.

The warplane targeted the prison compound and the courthouse of the town of Maret al-Numan with four rockets, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog said that civilians and inmates as well as rebels were among those killed in the air strike, adding that some of the wounded are in critical condition.

Other activists said the warplane that struck the prison of Maret al-Numan and the courthouse there was Russian, adding that the city is under the control of the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

The local coordination committees said the four Russian airstrikes targeted a popular marketplace and the vicinity of the courthouse in Maret al-Numan, killing 51 people. The opposition report cannot be independently verified.

Much of Idlib fell to the Jaish al-Fateh rebel group, which consists of several rebel factions, mainly the Nusra Front.

Russian warplanes have been pounding rebel positions in Syria since last September, which is by Syrian officials as effective.
Afghanistan security forces took control of Darqad district bordering Tajikistan on Sunday, an official said.

"After days of clashes with the Taliban, the rule of law has been maintained," Sanatullah Timor, provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua.

"The joint forces were working to find and defuse roadside bombs and landmines in the area," Timor said.

A total of 25 militants were killed and 20 others wounded during the cleanup operation that started on Friday night, the source said.

"At least 40 suspected Taliban militants have been captured. The cleanup raids will continue until the area is cleared of the militants," Timor added.

A Taliban local leader Kamal Haidari was among the killed, he said.

At least four security personnel sustained injuries during the operation and no civilian casualty was reported throughout the clashes, Timor said.

The Taliban is yet to make any comment.
Stakeholders in the Agra's tourism sector on Sunday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over the issue of construction of an international airport here.

The Samajwadi Party government's reported move to upgrade the airport at Mulayam Singh Yadav's ancestral village Sefai, around 100 km from Agra, by sidelining Agra's claim was "illogical", Rajiv Tiwari, associated with tourism industry here, said.

"The airport demand has become a political issue. Politicians want to satisfy their vote banks, ignoring the just claims of Agra that has two world heritage monuments and half a dozen historical structures that attract millions of tourists from around the world all year round," said Rakesh Chauhan, president of Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association.

"Only around 55 acres of land needs to be acquired in Dhanauli village for a new terminal building at Kheria that the Airports Authority of India wants to construct," said hotelier Surendra Sharma.

"Those planning to visit Taj Mahal should normally land directly at the Kheria airport here, but lobbies of travel agents and hoteliers are scuttling the plans for an international airport at Agra," said tourist guide Ved Gautam.
Bharat Forge Ltd on Sunday announced that it will set up an integrated auto component park in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of Rs.1,200 crore.

The Pune-based multinational has signed two MoUs with the state government, announced chairman Baba Kalyani at the inaugural session of the 22nd CII Partnership Summit here.

The company will set up the auto component plant in Nellore district. The second MoU is for for a defence, aerospace manufacturing park which it proposes to develop in Anantapur district.

"We plan to set up a fairly large integrated automotive component manufacturing hub in Nellore district with an investment of about Rs.1,200 crore and will employ 3,000-odd people directly and almost similar amount indirectly and hopefully create a substantial ancillary economic structure," he said.

"We also propose to make a multi-modal manufacturing facility for industrial components, defence and aerospace components including a supply chain and this will be located in Anantapur district," he said.

The company has finalised the land for both the projects. Kalyani was confident that in the next few weeks, it will get physical possession of the land and start the work.

Bharat Forge, a part of $2.5 billion diversifies Kalyani Group, is the world's largest forging company with manufacturing facilities spread across India, Germany, Sweden and France.
In a first, two linguists from a Canadian university, through a study of millions of tweets, found that Canadians are polite while Americans are rude on social media.

Two doctoral candidates -- Daniel Schmidtke and Bryor Snefjella -- from McMaster University in Canadian province of Ontario studied millions of tweets on social media website Twitter and found that Canadians on the website are more polite and pleasant than their American counterparts, who tend to use more coarse language.

The study said that terms like "great", "amazing" and "favourite" disproportionately appeared in Canadian posts while Americans' tweets had words like "hate", "hell", "annoying" and they include a host of curse words, off-colour slang and even a racial slur.

"We could see the difference between the two countries' tweets as soon as we created a word cloud of the findings," says Schmidtke, who conducted the research in McMaster's Sherman Centre.

The pair also compared tweets from England and Scotland and discovered Scots were enthusiastic embracers of social media vocabulary. For example, Britons tended to use the word "small", while the Scots used the word "wee", the study said.

The researchers also found that the "lexical border", where language is the most similar, has crept north of the actual border between England and Scotland.

"It suggests that the English way of writing and saying things is spreading into Scotland," Schmidtke said.

Many words favoured by Americans on Twitter were deemed not fit for publication by the study's authors.

The study was published in McMaster University journal Daily News.
The CPI-M on Sunday lashed out at central ministers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, for criticising the erstwhile Left Front government and singing paens to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the Bengal Global Business Summit.

An editorial in the Communist Party of India-Marxist's Bengali mouthpiece Ganashakti claimed that the bonhomie was a precursor to an understanding between Banerjee's ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the assembly polls.

"A significant aspect is that during the past one and half years, central ministers and BJP leaders have flayed the Trinamool Congress government side by side praising it. But this is the first time that all such criticism has vanished. One saw only praise and praise.

"A clear-cut message has gone out from the official podium of the investment summit about a Trinamool-BJP understanding in the coming assembly elections," the editorial said.

The two-day BGBS ended on Saturday. Apart from Jaitley, union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu and Piyush Goyal attended the event.

Jaitley attacked the earlier Left Front regime that ruled the state for 34 years till 2011, saying its policies were responsible for investment drying up in Bengal.

Goyal praised Banerjee and the Trinamool government, and all the ministers promised to stand by its development initiatives.

Surmising that the BJP wanted the Trinamool to emerge victorious in the assembly polls, the CPI-M felt the Centre's ruling party was looking to win some seats in the state by tying up with Banerjee's outfit.

"But under no circumstances does the BJP want the Leftists to return to power. That's the reason the BJP ministers have promised to stand by the Trinamool with all their might," the editorial said.

Refering to the presence of a large number of leading industrialists at the summit, the mouthpiece saw the BJP's hand in their attendance.

"There is no reason to believe that the industrialists have suddenly become enamoured of Mamata Banerjee. The fact is union ministers and BJP leaders had played an active role in ensuring the business magnates' presence in the summit."

It said the BJP needed the Trinamool to serve its own interest.

"The BJP knows it has no chance to come to power in West Bengal. On the contrary, people's faith in the Leftists is on the rise. So if the Leftists win, then their strength in the Rajya Sabha will go up and it will be detrimental to the interests of the BJP-led government at the centre as it cannot pass any anti-people bill in the Rajya Sabha."

On the other hand, if the Trinamool has a sizeable number of Rajya Sabha members, then the BJP government will get their support in passing "harmful" bills, it said.
Union Minister Prakash Javedkar has said the Centre will extend all help to protect the brow antlered deer whose numbers in the entire world is just 204, according to a 2013 census.

Wildlife enthusiasts feel there is an encouraging ray of hope for the survival of the rare deer on the brink of imminent extinction.

The union minister for forest, environment and climate change made the announcement as he visited the 40 sq. km Keibul Lamjao National Park, the natural habitat of the brow antlered deer, locally known as Sangai, on Saturday shortly before leaving for Mizoram after a two-day visit to Manipur.

Javedkar said: "As per official information, there are now 90 stags, 86 hinds and 28 fawns. All assistance will be extended for the protection of this endangered species."

There is a slight increase in the deer numbers. There were 180 deer in 2000.

Asked if the Centre is thinking in terms of a project on the lines of Project Elephant or Project Rhino, Javedkar said: "Once we get a concrete proposal from the forest department in Manipur, we will chalk out the plan."

Referring to the Manipur government proposal to have the Loktak lake, the largest fresh water lake in eastern India, declared as the world heritage site, he said: "We welcome the plan. However, specific proposal should first come to the Centre."

Obliquely referring to localised objections from some sections of the fringe villages, Javedkar said: "The govenment plans are not against any village. We seek cooperation from all sections of people."

For generations, the Loktak lake has been the source of livelihood for the people of the fringe villages who catch fish, pluck edible plants, as also for other living beings.

From time to time budding politicians instigate the villagers to demand closure of the national park so that it could be converted to paddy fields.

In view of snatchings of firearms from officials in this insurgency afflicted state, the forest guards, deployed in the lake and the national park area, are not issued firearms.

There have been occasions when the frenzied villagers incinerated the personal effects of the skeleton staff of forest department in the national park. They were also manhandled and taunted.

Later, the government stemmed the tide by deploying some Manipur Rifles troopers there. However, the troopers were later recalled as the wildlife wing of the forest department could not pay for the troopers' deployment.

"As there is a shoe-string budget, we cannot erect a barbed wire fence, with the result that domesticated cattle enter the national park. In the process, they spead killer diseases among the deer," an official said.

"As fishing cannot be checked, hundreds of fishermen are daily entering the national park areas, which are part of the Loktak lake, in their country canoes. Some hardcore poachers get lost as they masquerade as fishermen," said wildlife lover Devika L.

"After slaughtering the deer, they come out with gunny sacks filled with venison. Tribal markets in Chandel and Churachandpur districts openly sell deer carcasses."

"The poachers had severed and secreted the heads with the tell-tale antlers and in Manipur the authority looks the other way despite frequent exposes in the local media," Devika L. added.

Minister Javadekar said the onerous task should not be left to the forest department of Manipur alone and the need is to associate all sections with the project.

"The Centre is shortly coming out with an action plan on the protection of the lake, the endangered deer and development of the national park. Since these will help develop eco-tourism we seek cooperation from all sections of the people," he said.
Congress leader Manish Tewari on Sunday defended his statement on a 2012 troop movement towards Delhi, saying there was "nothing to add or subtract" to it, while his own party contradicted his claim.

Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh (retired), the then army chief, on Sunday dismissed the statement, calling Tewari "jobless".

"Whatever I said yesterday (Saturday), I have nothing more to add or subtract to that," Tewari told reporters on Sunday, a day after his comments on Saturday evening that a news report on a 2012 troop movement towards Delhi was true.

Tewari, who said at a book release function that he was on parliament's Standing Committee on Defence when the reported incident took place, called the report "unfortunate but true".

"...at that point in time I used to serve in the Standing Committee on Defence. It's unfortunate but the story was true, story was correct," Tewari said.

This drew a sharp reaction from Singh.

"Manish Tewari is jobless these days. I have written a book, tell him to read it," Singh told reporters in Ujjain.

Contacted by IANS, Singh said he had "no comments" on the issue.

Tewari responded on Twitter that he would love to read Singh's book "provided he promises to read mine - in offing!".

The Congress, meanwhile, not only distanced itself from Tewari's statement, but advised the party leader not to make comments on the issue.

"When this alleged incident regarding the army is supposed to have taken place, senior ministers had even then clarified, and I am now clarifying, that there is absolutely no truth in the allegation," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said here.

"In fact, it was also clarified (then) that some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt and inevitable part of a defence mechanism. But to read into it all the other elements is completely wrong," he said.

Singhvi pointed out that Tewari was never a member of any decision-making body on defence, nor was he a party spokesperson or spokesperson on issues pertaining to external affairs and defence.

"He is neither the authorised spokesperson of the party, nor the spokesperson on foreign or defence affairs, nor privy to any of the committees or decision-making group," Singhvi said.

According to a published report, late on the night of January 16, 2012, the day Singh approached the Supreme Court on the issue of his date of birth, intelligence agencies reported an unexpected and non-notified movement by a key military unit from Hisar in Haryana in the direction of New Delhi.

Both the then Congress government and the army denied the report.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was also then a member of the Standing Committee on Defence, said on Sunday that there was no discussion ever in the panel on the issue.

He said discussions in parliamentary panels cannot be brought out in the public domain.

Satpal Maharaj, who was a Congress MP and headed the parliamentary panel on defence in 2012, also said that the troop movement was defined to them as "routine".

"We were told the army movements keep happening," Maharaj, who joined the BJP in 2014, told reporters.
The Congress on Sunday distanced itself from party leader Manish Tewari, who claimed that a news report on a controversial 2012 troop movement towards Delhi was true.

"When this alleged incident regarding the army is supposed to have taken place, senior ministers had even then clarified, and I am now clarifying, that there is absolutely no truth in the allegation," Congress spokesman Abikshek Singhvi said here.

"In fact, it was also clarified (then) that some troop movements are necessary inbuilt and inevitable part of a defence mechanism. But to read into it all the other elements is completely wrong," he added.



When the alleged incident took place, the Congress-led UPA government ruled India. The then army chief, V.K. Singh, who denied ordering any illegal troop movement, is now the minister of state for external affairs in the Narendra Modi government.

On Sunday, the former general, Singh, hit out at Tewari.

"Manish Tewari has no work these days. I have written a book, tell him to read it," Singh told reporters in Ujjain.

Tewari, a former union minister, said he would love to read Singh's book "provided he promises to read mine - in offing!".

Tewari said at a book release function on Saturday night that he was on the Standing Committee on Defence when the reported incident took place.

"It's unfortunate but the story was true, story was correct. To the best of my knowledge the story is correct."

According to published report, late on the night of January 16, 2012, the day Singh approached the Supreme Court on the issue of his date of birth, intelligence agencies reported an unexpected and non-notified movement by a key military unit from Hisar in Haryana in the direction of New Delhi.

Both the Congress government and the army denied the report.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was also then a member of the Standing Committee on Defence, said on Sunday that there was no such discussion ever in the panel on the issue.

He said discussions in parliamentary panels cannot be brought out in the public domain.
The family of British social worker Denyse Sweeney, who was found dead in mysterious circumstances five years ago in a Goa nightclub, has welcomed the central government's decision to get the death investigated by the CBI.

Speaking to IANS on Sunday from Britain, Denyse's sister Maureen, who has been running a campaign for justice, said that after years of perseverance, there was a sense of hope that the person they suspect would finally be on the investigators' radar.

"I feel a mixture of emotions. I am glad that the CBI has taken the case but we have been told this several times before only to find out it was not. I feel a glimmer of hope that the man we want to speak to is finally on the police's radar, although we have no faith in the police in Goa," Maureen said.

Media reports on Sunday quoted CBI spokesperson R.K. Gaur as saying that the central agency had taken over the probe from Goa Police.

Denyse, a 34-year-old resident of Derby in Britain, was found near the toilet of a nightclub in the beach village of Vagator in north Goa, 20 km from Panaji. She was taken to a medical clinic and died while undergoing treatment on April 16, 2010.

A first information report filed at the Anjuna police station said Denyse died an unnatural death, but there was not much headway in the police investigation.

While police claimed Denyse died of a drug overdose, pathological tests conducted on the remains showed otherwise and also revealed 20 unexplained marks on the body.

Over the last five years, Maureen has been running an international campaign for justice for her dead sister, petitioning the media and governments both in India and Britain with dogged perseverance in a bid to ensure a sincere investigation into her sister's unnatural death, while also pointing to flaws in the police investigation.

"We have no faith in the politicians or police but we are grateful for the support we have had from the media and the people of Goa," Maureen said.
Congress leader Manish Tewari on Sunday defended his claim on a 2012 controversial troop movement towards Delhi, even after the Congress pulled him up and central minister V.K. Singh, the then army chief, came out with an emphatic denial.

"Whatever I said yesterday (Saturday), I have nothing more to add or subtract to that," Tewari told reporters on Sunday, a day after commenting that the news report on the troop movement that had created a stir was true.

Minister of State for External Affairs and former general V.K. Singh, who was the target of the 2012 report, on Sunday dismissed Tewari's statement, saying the Congress leader was "jobless".

Tewari said at a book release function on Saturday that he was on parliament's Standing Committee on Defence when the reported incident took place. The report, he said, was "unfortunate but true".

"...at that point in time I used to serve in the Standing Committee on Defence. It's unfortunate but the story was true, story was correct."

This drew a sharp reaction from Singh.

"Manish Tewari is jobless these days. I have written a book, tell him to read it," Singh told reporters in Ujjain.

Contacted by IANS, Singh said he had "no comments" on the issue.

Tewari responded on Twitter that he would love to read Singh's book "provided he promises to read mine - in offing!".

The Congress not only distanced itself from Tewari's statement but - using strong words - advised him not to comment on the incident which was said to have taken place when the Congress-led UPA was in power. It added that Tewari was not an official spokesman of the party.

"When this alleged incident regarding the army is supposed to have taken place, senior ministers had even then clarified, and I am now clarifying, that there is absolutely no truth in the allegation," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said here.

"In fact, it was also clarified (then) that some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt and inevitable part of a defence mechanism. But to read into it all the other elements is completely wrong," he said.

Singhvi pointed out that Tewari was never a member of any decision-making body on defence, nor was he a party spokesperson or spokesperson on issues pertaining to external affairs and defence.

"He is neither the authorised spokesperson of the party, nor the spokesperson on foreign or defence affairs, nor privy to any of the committees or decision-making group," he said.

According to a published report, late on the night of January 16, 2012, the day Singh approached the Supreme Court on the issue of his date of birth, intelligence agencies reported an unexpected and non-notified movement by a key military unit from Hisar in Haryana in the direction of New Delhi.

Both the then Congress government and the army denied the report.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was also then a member of the Standing Committee on Defence, said on Sunday that there was no discussion ever in the panel on the issue.

He said discussions in parliamentary panels cannot be brought out in the public domain.

Satpal Maharaj, who was a Congress MP and headed the parliamentary panel on defence in 2012, also said that the troop movement was defined to them as "routine".

"We were told the army movements keep happening," Maharaj, who joined the BJP in 2014, told reporters.

The Janata Dal-United (JD-U), however, demanded Singh's resignation from the Narendra Modi government following Tewari's claim. JD-U spokesman K.C. Tyagi sought a probe into the entire affair.
Einstein's mass-energy equation (E=mc2) is inadequate as it has not been completely studied and is only valid under special conditions, an Indian researcher has claimed in an international paper.

Einstein considered just two light waves of equal energy emitted in opposite directions with uniform relative velocity, Ajay Sharma, a Shimla-based researcher who challenged Albert Einstein's derivation mass-energy equation, said on Sunday.

The equation was given by Einstein in 1905.

His technical paper -- "The mathematical derivation or speculation of E=mc2, in Einstein's September 1905 paper, and some peculiar experiments" -- was published by Bauman Moscow State Technical University in Moscow last month.

E=mc2 means energy is equal to mass multiplied by the speed of light squared.

Sharma, an assistant director for education with the Himachal Pradesh government, told IANS that Einstein's theory has not been studied completely.

"It's only valid under special conditions of the parameters involved, e.g. number of light waves, magnitude of light energy, angles at which waves are emitted and relative velocity," he said.

Einstein considered just two light waves of equal energy, emitted in opposite directions and the relative velocity uniform. There are numerous possibilities for the parameters which were not considered in Einstein's 1905 derivation, said Sharma's paper.

This equation expresses the fact that mass and energy are the same physical entity and can be changed into each other, the paper said.

It said E=mc2 is obtained from Lmc2 by simply replacing L by E (all energy) without derivation by Einstein. "It's illogical," he said.

The paper said Fadner correctly pointed out that Einstein did not mention E in the derivation.

Sharma's book, 'Beyond Einstein and E=mc2' published by the Cambridge International Science Publishers, says Einstein was not the original propounder of the theory of relativity -- rather he took work from existing literature and published it in 1905 in German journal 'Annalen de Physik'.

"Many people will be surprised that Einstein's work was not peer reviewed before publication. The first postulate of relativity was given by Galileo in 1632 in his book 'Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems'," the 51-year-old Sharma said.

According to him, Einstein took this opportunity to publish the work of Galileo (1632, Principle of Relativity), Poincare (1898, Constancy of Velocity of Light), Lorentz (1892, Variation of Mass etc), Larmer (1897, Time Dilation), and Fitzegerald (1889, Length Contraction) in his own name.

Although Einstein's theory is well established, it has to be critically analysed and the new results would definitely emerge, a beaming Sharma added.
Dozens of flights were delayed at the Athens international airport on Sunday following a security alert, authorities said.

The disruption came as police deemed it necessary to further search a woman passenger, Xinhua reported, citing an airport announcement.

However, when investigators located the passenger, she had already embarked on an Aegean Airlines flight to Madrid.

The flight was diverted to the Palma de Mallorca airport where a thorough search was conducted on all passengers and luggage, without anything suspicious emerging. The aircraft was finally allowed continue its journey to the Spanish capital, the Greek airliner said in a press release.

Aegean Airlines and the airport did not reveal the nationality of the passenger and the cause of the alarm.
Under a cloudy sky and windy conditions, hundreds gathered at the Republic Square in Paris on Sunday to take part in a national tribute to the 147 people killed in terror attacks in January and November 2015.

According to Xinhua, President Francois Hollande presided over the official ceremony during which he unveiled a memorial plaque whose text said: "In memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks in January and November 2015, in Paris, Montrouge and St. Denis. Here, the people of France pay tribute."

A 10-metre-tall commemorative oak tree was planted at Place de La Republique.

At the official ceremony attended by members of the government and victims' families, rock star Johnny Hallyday performed his song "A Sunday in January" referring to the millions of people who took to the country's streets following the attacks at a satirical magazine and Jewish shop.

The French army choir sang "The names of Paris" of Jacques Brel before reading a Victor Hugo address marking his return from exile on September 5, 1870.

Hugo, one of the greatest and best-known French writers said "I only ask one thing, the union!"

With a wreath laid at the Republic statue and one minute of silence, Hollande ended the public ceremony, the last in a series of memorial events that began this week.

Speaking to state-run TV channel France 2, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said honouring the victims at the first anniversary of the fatal attacks was a message of "the strength to say that we are here, we are alive".

In November, a group of French nationals with alleged links with the Islamic State stormed a concert hall and targeted restaurants and a national stadium in the capital, where 130 people lost their lives.

Eleven months before, armed men killed 17 people in separate attacks targeting Charlie Hebdo, a magazine known for mocking politicians and religious leaders, and a kosher supermarket.
The Indian and Japan coast guards would recreate the freeing in 1999 of a hijacked Japanese ship by Indian personnel, on the day of the Pongal festival on January 15, officials said on Sunday.

Though the vessel that was hijacked was different from the one that will be participating in the exercise named "Sahyog-Kaijin-XV", it will be a sort of recreation of what happened in 1999, an official told IANS.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Coast Guard, the association between the coastal security forces of the two nations dates back to 1999, when for the first time in maritime history a pirated ship was freed.

Japanese flagged ship MV Alondra Rainbow was hijacked by pirates off Indonesia and was repainted and renamed MV Mega Rama.

The vessel was sighted off Kochi, and freed by the Indian Coast Guard in the Arabian Sea after a hot chase.

The Indian Coast Guard said the joint exercise will be held in the Bay of Bengal off Chennai which would help in strengthening the working-level relationship between the two coastal security forces and refine joint operating procedures.

Japan coast guard ship Echigo will be visiting here during January 11-16.

According to the Indian Coast Guard, the highlight of the exercise would be the scenario of hijacking of a merchant vessel and its subsequent rescue in a combined operation.

Helicopters of the Indian Coast Guard will be operated from the Japanese ship and vice versa, while there will also be cross-deck landing, interdiction of the pirate vessel, cross-boarding, steam-past and external firefighting.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Sunday met PDP president Mehbooba Mufti here and condoled the death of her father and Jammu and chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Gadkari, however, dismissed speculation that political issues were discussed during his meeting with Mehbooba Mufti a day after Governor's rule was imposed in the state, which is without a government after Sayeed's death in New Delhi's AIIMS hospital on January 7.

Sayeed had led an alliance government of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"I have come to offer my condolences to the family on behalf of the government of India and no political issues were discussed during my visit to the bereaved family," Gadkari said.

A Congress spokesman said Sonia Gandhi also visited the family to offer her condolences and no political issues came up when she met Mehbooba Mufti.

Gandhi was accompanied by party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Jammu and chief minister and now a parliamentarian, and Ambika Soni.

Both Gadkari and Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to return to New Delhi on Sunday.

Mehbooba Mufti has invited PDP leaders and party legislators to dinner on Sunday at her family residence on Gupkar Road in Srinagar to express gratitude for the support during their bereavement, a PDP leader.

The PDP leader said no political issues would be discussed during the dinner.

Speculations were rife that Mehbooba Mufti had proposed some conditions to Gadkari for heading the likely future PDP-BJP coalition government.

"There is no truth in those rumours. Bereavement is not the time to discuss politics or future coalition for Mehbooba ji," the PDP leader said.

Earlier on Sunday, congregational prayers were held at Sayeed's grave in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district.

Mehbooba Mufti also visited her father's grave on Sunday, where she was seen breaking down.
Veteran actor Harrison Ford has been named as the highest grossing actor in the history of Hollywood.

According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, the 73-year-old actor's 41 movies, including "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom", have grossed a total of $4.7 billion, with Ford's latest movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" minting $770 million, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Ford has ousted actor Samuel L. Jackson from the top spot, with the 67-year-old actor falling to second place, followed by actors Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman and Eddie Murphy.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday asked elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the village-level third tier of governance, to work towards development with innovative and energetic zeal.

"The panchayats are the strongest grass-root units in a democratic setup and the development of the state could be ensured through them," he said.

Addressing the newly elected representatives here, the chief minister said women and youth got maximum representation which would help in accelerating the pace of development.

He said the villages were the base of development and any scheme and programme could be implemented through PRIs.

He laid stress on the need to work untiringly for development, keepi8ng aside all political considerations, so that development could be ensured in true spirit.

The chief minister said the state government was committed to equal and balanced development of all regions and worked for this during the past three years. As a result, people have shown their faith to the candidates affiliated with Congress ideology.

A spokesman for the state government said the chief minister would jointly administer the oath of office to the newly-elected 'pradhans' and 'up-pradhans' of the gram panchayats of Shimla, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, Solan and Kaza block of Lahaul-Spiti districts on January 13 in Shimla.

The oath-taking of the gram panchayat representatives of Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts would be held on January 15 in Mandi town, while for the representatives of Kangra, Una and Chamba district on January 17 in Kangra town.
Overwhelmed by all the love showered on him on his 42nd birthday on Sunday, actor Hrithik Roshan said he cherishes all the affection. He also came up with a way to return some of the joy through a "birthday happy selfie".

The actor took the digital route to express his happiness after being inundated with wishes from his friends, colleagues and followers.

"Thank you all for making my day so special! My first birthday happy selfie is for all of you who have warmed my heart."

"I cherish all the affection come my way, I honour it by spreading more joy. Laugh more for all this shall pass into oblivion. Thank you and love you all," Hrithik tweeted.

Hrithik's first tryst with the Bollywood world was as a child artiste in "Bhagwaan Dada", the actor then stormed into showbiz in 2000 with his lover-boy look and flexible dance moves in "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai".

The son of actor-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan has showcased his versatility by taking up different roles from an emperor, physically challenged man, superhero to an action hero.

After making a successful debut, Hrithik's career hit a low phase with a string of flops like "Fiza", "Mission Kashmir", "Yaadein..." and "Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage".

The actor bounced back in 2003 with "Koi... Mil Gaya", and since then there was no looking back. He went on to do "Dhoom 2", "Jodhaa Akbar", "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara", "Agneepath" and "Bang Bang!".

The actor will be stepping into the past with Ashutosh Gowariker's movie "Mohenjo Daro", which will narrate a love story set in the age on the silver screen. He is busy shooting the film.
As Pakistan Army joins Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in condemning the Pathankot attack, former Pakistan's foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri claims Pakistan Army is on board with Sharif in the new peace effort and a serious dialogue must commence between both the countries.

He suggests a give and take between the two resolve outstanding issues. Excerpts from an email interview with IANS:

Q. What do you make of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Pakistan?

A. I wholeheartedly welcome the resumption of the dialogue between Pakistan and India. For those trying to understand the immediate motives of the Indian PM's visit to wish PM Nawaz Sharif on his happy birthday, it would be instructive to refer to the recent speech of Indian Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj that war with Pakistan was not an option. It is not an option for Pakistan either. Her statement is all the more significant because she had developed the reputation of a hardliner on Pakistan.

Another lesson is that simply flexing your military muscles doesn't always win elections. The recent defeat in Bihar elections could be one reason, among many, for PM Modi's sudden and surprising visit.

Q. Can it lead to a dramatic breakthrough in ties?

A. I do expect a serious and a sincere dialogue because Modi has put a lot at stake by his surprising visit to Lahore. I believe that even a dramatic breakthrough cannot be ruled out because the Kashmir framework that Pakistan and India evolved during 2004 to 2007, after detailed negotiations on the back-channels, provides a ready road map for those in charge now.

Q. People in India are asking whether this would lead to less firing across the Line of Control and less cross-border terror attacks on India?

A. I do expect lessening of tensions. I will be surprised if it didn't happen. The efforts during our tenure helped to usher in a period of ceasefire on the LOC in 2003 which lasted for almost 10 years. This is in great contrast to the state of hostilities on the LOC in more recent years. As far as, acts of terrorism in India are concerned, I sympathize with India, particularly, after the recent attack at Pathankot. In fact, we had agreed to an anti-terrorism mechanism in 2006 at Havana. Both countries have now agreed to discuss terrorism at the level of National Security Advisors.

Q. Will any talk between the two without discussing Kashmir bear any positive result?

A. Why should be one scared of dealing with the real issues between India and Pakistan. India has for a long time felt that terrorism needs to be discussed, Pakistan has for a much longer period (almost since independence) felt that Kashmir needs to be resolved. There is no doubt that a large part of the Kashmiri population is unhappy with the current situation. Even leaders like late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP and President of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah have emphasised that the status of Jammu and Kashmir needed to be resolved by Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris. It would deprive the terrorists of a major propaganda weapon.

Q. Do you think the Modi government's efforts to keep Hurriyat away from talks is a positive thing?

A. I think it is counter-productive. Prime Ministers Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh must have obviously considered it worthwhile when they decided to talk to the APHC (All Parties Hurriyat Conference). We feared that unless we kept them broadly aware of the framework, they could well reject it outright. This would affect Pakistani public opinion very negatively. I have repeatedly indicated in my book 'Neither a Hawk, nor a Dove' that we wanted the Kashmiris to be sitting at the negotiating table. India would not just accept it. Our whole purpose in interacting with Kashmiris was to sound them out regarding the slowly evolving framework in the back channel on Kashmir so that they would not reject the proposals on the grounds that they had not been consulted.

Q. India and Pakistan foreign secretaries are starting talks on January 15th. Do you think without track II initiative, any progress is possible?

A. I strongly believe that civil society and people-to-people contact can play a positive role. If by track II you mean efforts by eminent and experienced citizens of the two countries who have had experience in the past (political, military or administrative spheres), I would wholeheartedly welcome it.

Q. Do you think the Pakistan army is on board with Sharif in the new peace effort, especially in view of the history of Kargil after Vajpayee's initiative?

A. I was not Foreign Minister at the time of Kargil. I recently met somebody who ought to know and who told me that Kargil had actually started before and not after PM Vajpayee's visit, the famous bus yatra, to Lahore. Either PM Nawaz Sharif did not know or if he did, he did not think it was serious enough at the initial stages and may have felt such activities has been going on routinely between Pakistan and India for a long time. Later on ,the scale of Kargil operations surprised the Indian establishment and it may have surprised PM Nawaz Sharif as well.

I would like to say that the time has moved on and Kargil may well have taught both sides some important lessons. The NSA, Lieutenant General (retd) Naseer Khan Janjua, is considered to be very close to current COAS Gen. Raheel Sharif. His appointment is significant and should also remove any doubts that Pakistan Army is, per se, opposed to a serious peace process with India. I have heard reports (from very credible sources) that the meeting in Bangkok was a success and that the two NSAs got along very well indeed.

Q. Do you think it is US pressure was behind Modi's Lahore visit?

A. Pressure may be the wrong word. Persuasion or facilitation may be better words. Both India and Pakistan are very large countries to be pressurised by anybody. Even when Pakistan was a very close ally with US in the 'war on terror' , it defied American pressure on the Iran-India-Pakistan gas pipeline. I have no doubt if Pakistan can withstand US pressure so can India. The US, along with other Western countries, has a strong interest in the stability of Afghanistan. The last thing it would want is a proxy war between Pakistan and India in Afghanistan. The US thus serves its own interests as well in facilitating talks between two countries.

Q. What would be your advice be on the next steps needed to enhance India-Pakistan ties?

A. Unfortunately, in Pakistan and India mature political culture has not been developed yet. Political parties say and do different things when they are in power or in the opposition. I urge both to approach the coming talks not just tactically but strategically. From my experience I can predict that if India gives nothing, Pakistan will give nothing either and the current dialogue process may be short-lived.But if India moves a yard, Pakistan will move even more. There is a lot of low-hanging fruit that could be harvested. The improvement in their relationship can be quite speedy and very dramatic.

(Preetha Nair can be reached at preetha.n@ians.in)
India is a tolerant country with a few intolerant people and it is time to focus not just on Hindu fundamentalists but on Muslim fundamentalists as well, Bangladeshi author Tasleem Nasreen said.

"I think India is a tolerant country, but some people are intolerant. In every society, there are some people who are intolerant," the self-exiled author said at an event here, while referring to the recent violence in Malda in West Bengal.

She said while there was talk about Hindu fundamentalists, one has to talk of Muslim fundamentalists as well.

Nasreen said absolute freedom of speech was necessary even if it offended some people.

"I think we should have freedom of expression even if that offends some people. If we do not open our mouths, society will not evolve. Of course, we should fight against misogyny, religious fundamentalism and all kinds of evil forces only to make the society a better one."

The writer was participating in a discussion on 'Coming of the Age of Intolerance' at the ongoing Delhi Literature Festival at Dilli Haat here on Saturday evening.

The author had drawn the ire of fundamentalists in Bangladesh for her controversial books like 'Dwikhandito' and was forced to leave Bangladesh in 1994 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with her novel 'Lajja'.

On the other hand, BJP ideologue and writer Sudheendra Kulkarni said absolute freedom could only be exercised with responsibility.

"There is no freedom whatsoever to show any religion in bad light, knowing that it will hurt sentiments and insult others. I completely disagree that writers should have absolute freedom. Freedom must be exercised with responsibility," he said.

Kulkarni said India as a country was "essentially tolerant" and that the debate must not be politicised.

"We should neither exaggerate nor belittle the incidents of intolerance. We should never politicise this debate, making it out as if it is between political parties. It is not that intolerance has begun in May 2014 (when the Narendra Modi government came to power)," Kulkarni said.

In September last year, a debate over what many writers said was a "growing climate of intolerance" saw over 40 writers and filmmakers returning their awards to protest the killings of rationalists and writers like Narendra Dabholkar and M.M. Kalburgi and the lynching on a Muslim man in Dadri over suspicion that ate beef.

He also said a certain kind of marginal intolerance has always been present in Indian society and so it was not right to blame "this party or that party" for it.
Modern office features such as hot-desking or desk-sharing and open-plan floors appeal mainly to extrovert workers but others find them uncomfortable, a new research has found.

The findings highlighted that extroverts are significantly happier at work and have higher levels of job satisfaction and also pointed out that personality differences are behind areas of conflict in the office.

"Understanding how personality interacts with the office environment is key to improving job satisfaction and productivity," said researcher John Hackston, head of research at OPP, a Britain-based company providing business psychology solutions.

The findings are based on an online survey of over 300 people about their current office environments.

The participants had previously completed a personality test to ascertain their personality type.

"These results support previous research into the unpopularity of open-plan offices and hot-desking and the positive effects of personalisation. However, there are some simple changes that can be made to improve staff satisfaction and increase productivity," Hackston said.

"These include allowing staff more storage for personal items when hot-desking; creating smaller neighbourhoods within open-plan offices; not overdoing clear desk policies as clearing away all personal items can be demotivating to some people and providing quiet zones for people to work in when needed," Hackston noted.

The study was presented at the British Psychological Society Division of Occupational Psychology's annual conference in Nottingham recently.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday invited investors to invest in sunrise Andhra Pradesh, assuring them that they will not make any losses.

Addressing the CII Partnership Summit in this coastal city, he urged the captains of industry and businessmen not to return without signing at least one MoU with the state.

Noting that Andhra Pradesh recorded double-digit growth rate of 11.77 percent during the first half of 2015-16 as against national average of 7.2 percent, Naidu said the state had all the advantages to reach 14-15 percent growth rate.

He told the industrialists that the government has brought a new policy under which all industrial clearances will be given in 21 days.

Stating that the World Bank has ranked Andhra as number two in ease of doing business, Naidu said the state would like to become number one.

He cited the 974-km long coastline, minerals, abundant water resources, availability of vast land and good governance as the strengths of the state. He said development of new state capital Amaravti offer huge opportunities to investors.

Comparing the growth in Andhra Pradesh with China, he explained how the manufacturing wing has been catering to the requirements of not only the domestic market, but also serve the international markets.

Referring to the problems faced by the state after bifurcation, he urged the central government to do the hand-holding through tax incentives and financing the revenue deficit.

The inaugural session saw announcement of some MoUs. Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani told the gathering that his company has signed a MoU to set up a naval shipbuilding facility in Visakhapatnam with an initial investment of Rs.5,000 crore.

Bharat Forge Ltd announced that it will set up an integrated auto component park in the state with an investment of Rs.1,200 crore. Bharat Forge chairman Baba Kalyani they signed another MoU for defence, aerospace manufacturing park.

Top industrialists including Ambani heaped praise on Naidu, describing him as a visionary leader. They recalled the role played by him in developing Hyderabad as IT hub when he was chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

They lauded his efforts in organising the partnership summit with makeshift arrangements in the absence of any major convention centre here.

Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lauded Naidu for conducting the summit in Visakhapatnam.

"Though rich in endowments and resources, Andhra Pradesh is in dire straits. But it did not prevent the CM to host such international event in Visakhapatnam. This is what the dynamic leadership means," she said.

Amitabh Kant, secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said Andhra Pradesh has the potential to grow at 12-13 percent annually, which will enable India to grow at 9-10 percent.
Jadavpur University students continued their siege of Vice Chancellor Suranjan Das and other top officials on Sunday to press their demand for students union elections even as he said he was not well.

"I am a diabetic. For the past 48 hours, I have been sitting in my chamber. My blood pressure is fluctuating," Das told IANS over phone. A doctor was called in to examine him earlier in the day.

The students have been demonstrating and have held Das and other officisials virtually captive since Friday afternoon following an advisory by the West Bengal higher department that the state-run university hold students union elections after the assembly polls.

Das appealed to the students to sit across the table for discussions.

"University authorities and the students council are not warring. We have conveyed their stand to the highest authorities. We appeal to students to participate in discussions," the vice chancellor said.

The vice chancellor, pro vice chancellor and registrar along with executive council members have spent two nights inside the administrative building Aurobindo Bhawan as protesting students demanded that Das notify the elections.

The students have sought a tripartite meeting of executive council members, students' representatives and Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi, who is also the university's ex-officio chancellor.

"The honourable chancellor is not in the city. We are awaiting his return. But I have no idea when he will be back," said Das.

The university executive council on Saturday held an emergency meeting and assured the students that they would inform Tripathi of a looming crisis if the union polls are not held by January 31 when the terms of all three student councils end.

However, the students remained adamant.

"The university is an autonomous institution. It should have asserted its autonomy and held the elections. Neither the VC nor the chancellor has made it clear or explained why they failed to hold the elections," said a student leader.

"We demand the chancellor's intervention. The election circular must be issued before January 31. We want the chancellor to talk to us on Monday (January 11). We have also asked for a tripartite meeting. The university authorities are yet to respond with concrete proposals," he added.
Giant-killers Leicester City are enjoying a dream run in the English Premier League (EPL) this season and manager Claudio Ranieri wants the players to maintain the intensity till the end of the current campaign.

Having led the table for several rounds, Leicester are now at the second spot with 40 points from 20 matches, two behind former EPL champions Arsenal and a point ahead of formidable Manchester City. They ensured safety from relegation by picking up a point with a goalless draw against Bournemouth in their last EPL match on Saturday and the whole squad celebrated with a trip to a London casino.

But Ranieri warned the Leicester players not to relax too much.

"We are doing something nobody could have expected. But if they lose impetus, I will be furious, desperate. If someone loses his focus, he will be out of the team. We want to win," the Italian was quoted as saying by the English media on Sunday.

"I saw the players after Manchester City and after Manchester United also. After Bournemouth, too, they were very sad. One point could be good against City, United and Bournemouth. But they were very sad. And that is good," he added.

Star striker Jamie Vardy is out with a groin injury and is undergoing rehabilitation after a surgery. The 28-year-old has been in tremendous form, scoring 15 times in the first 16 matches and his absence may hit the team hard.

Ranieri now faces a difficult task as he tries to marshall Leicester's limited bench strength but does not want his team to put a limit on their ambitions.

"When we started we wanted to build a very good team over two, three, four years," the 64-year-old said. "I am trying to build something here with 22-23 players."

"At the moment, maybe we make the steps two at a time rather than one. Sometimes this happens and you can run until the end. But sometimes you make something and have to stay calm for one month and then start again and grow.

"For me it's important not just to build this season but next year, the next year, the year after that. I want to build the future with this team. That is my vision. It is also the philosophy of the owner. The owner had the vision of the top four," he added.
A huge fire which broke out at Mingalazay Market in Myanmar's Yangon has engulfed three floors of the building and destroyed 1,638 shops, according to an official estimation published here on Sunday.

The loss caused by Saturday's fire totals over 3.6 billion Kyats ($2.7 million), Xinhua cited the police as saying.

With the help of 65 fire engines and 600 fire fighters, the fire was put out after more than four hours fight.

The fourth floor, destroyed by the fire, had cosmetic and medicine stores, while the third floor housed textiles and clothing and the fifth floor food stalls.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Brazilian stopper Luciano Sabrosa arrived in the city on Sunday to play for defending champions Mohun Bagan in the current edition of the I-League.

The 36-year-old Luciano, who recently turned out for FC Goa in the Indian Super League, set foot at the NSC Bose International airport accompanied by his wife and daughter.

The 6ft2in-tall defender expressed happiness at his new team starting their I-League campaign with a 3-1 win over Aizawl FC on Saturday.

"It will be my aim to do a very good job. Mohun Bagan is a great team and I will do my best. I am very happy that the team won the first match so well. Winning 3-1 is a good start," Luciano said.

The Brazilian has been plying his trade for different Indian clubs since 2007-8. He has in the past turned out for Vasco, Sporting Clube de Goa, Salgaocar, Pune FC.

His only stint in Kolkata was in 2013-14 when he played for Mohammedan Sporting.
Even at 77, he's dancing away and mentoring dancers. India's famed Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj says he does not understand the government policy of retirement at 60, as he feels he has worked even more since he retired as head of the state-run Kathak Kendra classical dance school. And he is happy that more and more foreigners are appreciating and learning India's classical dance forms and 'want to learn our Indian culture".

Birju Maharaj retired in 1998. But his craft and skills have been passed on to dance enthusiasts for years even via his own Kalashram dance school.

"When gurus get enough experience, the government says we have retired... But in fact, since then (my retirement), I have worked even more. I don't understand this policy. While we are well and functioning, why should retirement come in?

"Until I faced retirement, I had not realised that the school wasn't really mine," Birju Maharaj, who started teaching dance at another institute when he was all of 13, told IANS in an interview at his residence here.

Birju Maharaj has the legacy of seven generations of Kathak dancers in a small village near Varanasi which produced stalwarts like Thakur Prasad, Durga Prasad, Bhairon Prasad, Maharaj Bindadin, Achchan Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj.

With his uncle Shambhu Maharaj, he taught at Bharatiya Kala Kendra, later known as Kathak Kendra.

He says that in the past few years, classical Indian dance had taken a backseat with a sudden boom of western dance styles gushing into India's film industry. The result was the emergence of a barrage of schools teaching contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and more forms of western dances.

The love for Indian classical dance is however making a comeback. And that too, globally.

"What makes one happy is that people in foreign countries are now getting tired of their dance styles... more and more people are enrolling for classical Indian dances. Be it Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak... the respect for our dance styles is coming back," he said, adding: "It makes one feel very happy that people want to learn our Indian culture."

Despite believing strongly in the one-to-one guru-shishya tradition, Birju Maharaj has been open to the idea of evolution, especially with online training in dance. In fact, he even collaborated with Bollywood's dancing diva Madhuri Dixit - a trained Kathak dancer herself - for her online dance school in 2013.

He feels that the online medium is good for someone to learn the basics of classical dance.

"The people who want to learn can very easily learn from there... and whenever you feel you want to learn more nuances, you can join the live classes. There are dance schools across the globe," said the Padma Vibhushan awardee, whose talent and expertise have also been lauded with honours like Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalidas Samman, and honorary doctorate degrees from the Banaras Hindu University.

Sitting with the grace that his dance form commands, Birju Maharaj explained how in a live dance class, the sound of the guru is "crucial".

"A guru correcting you, teaching you, refining you and your mudras (hand gestures)...it is very important. You cannot compare the two (online and live classes). Online is good for an idea of the dance, but to learn it actually, a classroom and your guru are important," he said.

Having performed innumerable times on various stages across the world, the National Award winning Birju Maharaj has also lent his skill to choreographing for films like Satyajit Ray's "Shatranj ke Khilari", Madhuri Dixit-starrer "Dedh Ishqiya" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas".

Birju Maharaj's latest work in Bollywood was for "Mohe rang do laal" from "Bajirao Mastani", for which he taught nuances of Kathak to actress Deepika Padukone.

(Kishori Sud can be contacted at kishori.s@ians.in)
Indian Navy chief, Admiral R.K. Dhowan, on Sunday reached Bangladesh to attend the 5th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), an official statement said.

During his visit which will be till January 14, Admiral Dhowan will also meet political and military figures to strengthen bilateral relations.

In the symposium, the Indian Navy would be presenting a guideline document on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

"The aim of the document is to provide guidelines for developing a speedy, responsive, coordinated and effective HADR for IONS members, as and when required," the statement said.

IONS was launched in February 2008 to captilise upon regional strengths of Indian Ocean Region littorals and was the 21st century's first significant international maritime-security initiative.

Alltogether 35 littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have been grouped into four sub-regions - South Asian, West Asian, East African and South East Asian including Australia.

IONS seeks to provide a regional forum through which the chiefs of navies or equivalent maritime agency of all the littoral states periodically meet to constructively engage each other through the creation and promotion of regionally relevant mechanisms, events, and activities.

The chairmanship of the symposium is rotated sequentially through each of the four sub-regions.

The chair was held by India from 2008 to 2010, UAE from 2010 to 2012 and South Africa from 2012 to 2014. The current chair is Australia and Bangladesh would be taking over the chair for the term 2016 -2018.

The theme of the seminar this year is "Fostering Partnership in IOR: Charting course for Maritime Cooperative Engagement".
Ahead of his visit to India next month, Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Sunday invited Indian businessmen to invest in the Himalayan nation, saying it had lost a lot due to the agitation in the Terai region and that all steps will be taken to create an investor-friendly environment.

Interacting with a group of visiting Indian journalists here, Oli said Nepal had lost revenue and income due to the more than four-month-old Madhesi agitation in the southern Terai plains of the country.

"I request the business community of India to come here. Of course, due to the unrest in the Terai, we lost a lot... not billions but trillions of rupees. We lost income, revenue... No industry is earning now but we will immediately create an investment-friendly situation," Oli promised.

The southern plains have been simmering with protests against the new Constitution for more than four months now. Over 55 people, including agitators and police personnel, have been killed during the agitation by the Madhesi community.

The Madhesi protestors are demanding, among other things, a redrawing of the boundaries of the provinces as proposed in the new Constitution and representation in parliament on the basis of population.

Nepal's Left government has held more than a score of rounds of talks with leaders of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation, but without any breakthrough so far.

Oli said Nepal and India can work together for shared prosperity for entire South Asia.

"We want to work together with India not only for Nepal but for South Asia. We want to make a developed south Asia because this is a very rich and beautiful part of the world. We can develop it. In this 21st century, we can reach the height of modernisation," he said.

Oli said South Asia had a "huge population" and there were no apprehensions about existence of market for business ventures.

"But we have to develop our feeling in that way... So that we can work together and enjoy better future together. I will like to invite the business community to work together for better future of Nepal, India and South Asia," he said.

"Nepal is committed and honestly wants to create an investment-friendly atmosphere," he said.

According to data from the Indian embassy here, Indian firms are the biggest investors in Nepal, accounting for about 38.3 percent of Nepal's total approved foreign direct investment.

There are about 150 operating Indian ventures in Nepal engaged in manufacturing and services that include banking, insurance, education and telecom besides power and tourism sectors.

Bilateral trade, which was 29.8 percent of Nepal's total external trade in 1995-96, reached 66 percent in 2013-14. Exports from Nepal to India were worth $605 million in 2013-14 and India's exports to Nepal were $4.81 billion-worth during the same fiscal.

Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister -- and Foreign Minister -- Kamal Thapa had earlier this month announced that Oli will in February embark on his first foreign visit post-assumption of office to India.

(Prashant Sood can be contacted at prashant.s@ians.in)
Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress president Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to visit Srinagar on Sunday to offer condolences to the family of late chief minister of Jammu and Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Gadkari will call on Mehbooba Mufti at the late chief minister's 'Fairview' residence on the Gupkar Road on Sunday.

"Gadkariji will also meet state party leaders to discuss the formation of new government in the state," BJP state spokesperson Khalid Jahangir told IANS.

A statement issued by the Congress party said Sonia Gandhi will visit Srinagar in the afternoon to offer her condolences to Mehbooba Mufti.

"Sonia Gandhi will fly back to New Delhi today (Sunday) itself. She will visit Gupkar Road residence of the late chief minister in the afternoon to offer condolences to Mehbooba Mufti," a Congress party functionary said.

The fourth day congregational prayers of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed will be offered on Sunday.

The first congregational prayer meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at the grave of the deceased in Dara Shikoh Park in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district.

At 1:30 p.m. another congregational prayer meeting will be held at the Gupkar Road residence of the Muftis in Srinagar.

After battling for his life for 14 days, Sayeed passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on January 7.

Following refusal of Mehbooba Mufti to be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state.

"After reaching concurrence from the president of India, Governor N.N. Vohra issued a notification today to impose Governor's Rule in the state," a Raj Bhavan spokesman said on Saturday.

The Governor's Rule has been imposed retrospectively with effect from January 8.

Last time the state was brought under the Governor's Rule was on December 23, 2014, after the state assembly election results threw up a hung verdict.
A man was arrested on Sunday in Bihar's West Champaran district for allegedly possessing fake Indian currency notes with a face value totalling Rs.4 lakh, police said.

A Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) team arrested the man from Bakhriya village in the district, which is some 230 km from Patna.

"The man, from Balua village in the district, was arrested while on his way to deliver the counterfeit notes to someone," district police official Harishchander Thakur said.

Police refused to disclose the identity of the arrested man immediately. DRI officials were questioning the accused for information about others involved in the fake currency racket.

The fake currency notes had come from either Nepal or Bangladesh, the police official said.
Industrialist Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group signed a pact with the Andhra Pradesh government here on Sunday to set up a naval shipbuilding facility in this strategic port city with an initial investment of Rs.5,000 crore.

The pact was signed at the state's ongoing Partnership Summit 2016 in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani.

"It is estimated that the Indian Navy will spend over Rs.300,000 crore on acquisitions and fleet modernisation of submarines and aircraft carriers over the next 15 years, creating a huge pipeline of opportunity for the proposed world class naval facility," Ambani said.

"Our Vizag naval facility will aim to better the best in the world in technology and resources. It will complement our existing facility at Pipavav in Gujarat, with a clear focus on building strategic assets for the Indian navy," he said, terming it a futuristic venture.

"At an initial investment outlay of Rs.5,000 crore, it will represent the single largest investment at one location anywhere in Andhra Pradesh," he said, adding that it will not just generate thousands of skilled jobs but also create the potential for several defence ancillary units.

These, he added, can fetch the state another Rs.10,000 crore in investments.

"The world class naval facility will also help translate 'Make in India' into 'Make in Andhra Pradesh' and leapfrog the state to the top of the manufacturing revolution in India's defence sector," he said.

Ambani said given its location on India's east coast and its proximity to the country's naval establishment, Visakhapatnam was ideally suited for the manufacture of strategic assets such as nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers where there was a need to catch up with the world.

"India can become a regional superpower only its our maritime capabilities are strengthened through vigorous build-up of our surface and sub-surface fleet," he said.

"The US today has 10 aircraft-carrier groups operating around the world to project its power and protect its interests and on course to add another three, while we have barely one. The US has 72 submarines and China 69, India has a small fleet of 17 submarines," Ambani said.

"It is the same story other key areas of naval preparedness. The Indian Navy has today just one nuclear submarine on lease compared to China's dozen. Nearly 90 percent of conventional fleet in the Indian Navy is over 20 years old and due for urgent upgrade and re-fitment," he said.

"There is a projected requirement of an additional 23 submarines."
Reliance Industries has faulted the constitution of the Justice Ajit Prakash Shah panel by the government to decide the company's KG Basin gas dispute with state-run ONGC, saying this was without legal basis and that arbitration alone can decide on the matter.

"The dispute raised by ONGC cannot be resolved in this manner," the company said in a letter to the government, written last month, a copy of which was accessed by IANS.

"Furthermore it is RIL's respectful submission that the office memorandum is apparently not rooted in any statutory power and is also contrary to the substantive as well as the dispute resolution provisions of the PSC (production sharing contract)."

The office memorandum pertains the formal setting up the Justice Shah panel. The letter said Reliance Industries does not accept the premise that the government can appoint a committee, or can deal with any issues on the dispute by constituting a panel.

Official sources here said the Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) wants the committee to fix some compensation and penalty for the natural gas that flowed from its own blocks in the Krishna Godavari (KG) basin in Bay of Bengal to the neighbouring KG-D6 fields of Reliance.

But Reliance Industries has all along being rejecting such assertions. "The claims of ONGC have been, and are, vigorously disputed by RIL on merits, both in fact and law," the company said, adding these also has to be done in accordance with law.

"If ONGC wants to lay a claim on the ground that gas migrated from areas in their block to the RIL block, it would have to identify a legal basis to lay such a claim," said that letter while finding it odd that the office memorandum at the outset assumed that a claim was sustainable.

In this regard it said the report of November 15 submitted by consultants DeGolyer and MacNaughton cannot form the basis of an executive order of the government -- and much less provide for the government to appoint such a committee with such terms of reference.

It said all disputes on the subject concerning the conduct of petroleum operations by Reliance Industries must be submitted to final and binding arbitration as provided in the production sharing contract, and asked the government to adhere to the same.

Anything otherwise, would tantamount to a breach of contract, it added.

The US consultants, who had submitted their report earlier last month, had purportedly said gas worth over Rs.11,000 crore had migrated from ONGC's idling KG fields to RIL's adjoining KG-D6 block.

But Reliance Industries said nothing in the report points towards any wrongdoing by it.

A source in the oil ministry said the report from the consultants will be examined to ascertain the quantum of compensation payable to ONGC by Reliance Industries, and that that process will be concluded within six months of receipt of the report, as desired by the Supreme Court.

The consultants have suggested that of the 58.68 billion units of gas produced from the KG-D6 block since April 1, 2009, nearly 50 billion units belonged to Reliance Industries and that the remaining could have come from the state-run company's allocated blocks.

At $4.2 per million units, this disputed gas is worth $1.7 billion (Rs.11,055 crore).
A Russian girl recited a Hindi poem by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Vishwa Hindi Diwas on Sunday to earn applause from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Evgeniya, a student of Hindi at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, recited the poem "Pehchan" by Vajpayee flawlessly, after learning the language for just five months.

Asked why did she choose Vajpayee and not any other Hindi poet, Evgeniya said: "It was recommended to me by my teacher at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan."

Impressed with her recitation, Sushma Swaraj said: "The girl from Russia, Evgeniya, in just five months of her learning Hindi, has recited Atal ji's poem immaculately. Not just the pronunciation, the diction, the throw of words and the pitch was also perfect."

Hailing from Siberia in Russia, she got influenced by spiritual guru Ravi Shankar to learn Hindi.

"I have been influenced by my gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. I was introduced to Art of Living in 2010 and then became its teacher in Russia," said Evgeniya.

"Now, I can speak and write Hindi. It is only because of my guru. Currently, I am in the second level of my course at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan. Each level is for one year, but since I was ahead of others in the Hindi language, I completed two levels in one year. I am not sure now whether I'll pursue the third level. Probably, I'll look for a job here in India. I love being here," she said.
South Korea and the US on Sunday deployed the B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range strategic bomber, over the Korean Peninsula, three days after North Korea said it has tested a hydrogen bomb.

Seoul and Washington said the B-52 bomber left the US Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Sunday and arrived in the skies above Osan, Gyeonggi province, at noon, Xinhua reported.

The bomber flew past Osan surrounded by an entourage of two South Korean F-15Ks and two US F-16s, the two sides' militaries said.

The deployment is the second countermeasure employed by the South since North Korea announced its H-bomb test on Wednesday.

The first was loudspeaker broadcasts condemning the North, which were resumed along the inter-Korean border about four months after they had been stopped.
A spectator was killed when he was hit by a Mitsubishi driven by Frenchman Lionel Baud during the seventh stage of the tough Dakar Rally.

The 63-year-old man was struck at the 82-km mark of the stage from Uyuni in Bolivia to Salta in Argentina on Saturday, reports Xinhua.

It was the 64th death in the history of the annual off-road race and the sixth since it was moved to South America from Africa in 2009.

Saturday's incident came six days after a crash in the prologue stage left eight spectators injured, including three children and a pregnant woman.

Spain's Carlos Sainz won the seventh stage by finishing 38 seconds ahead of overall leader Sebastien Loeb of France.

Portugal's Paulo Goncalves led the standings in the motorcycle category, more than three minutes ahead of Toby Price of Australia.
As Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan turned 42 on Sunday, members of the film fraternity including Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Subhash Ghai took to Twitter to wish the "super-human" many more hits, health and happiness.

After giving a glimpse of his talent as a child artiste in films like "Bhagwaan Dada", Hrithik won many hearts later with his romantic role in "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai", which released on January 14, 2000.

Since then the actor, who is credited for films like "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" and "Krrish", has been entertaining his loyal fans, sometimes by playing a superhero and sometimes as an army officer.

The son of actor and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, who once battled with stammering, has carved a special place for himself in the cinema space. His personal life was also hit with turbulence when he split from wife Sussanne Khan in 2014.

Undeterred by setbacks in his personal life, the actor delivered a blockbuster hit "Bang Bang!" the same year.

Anil also notes that Hrithik has redefined the 'Indian hero' image with his impressive body of work. He is currently prepping for another love story, "Mohenjo Daro".

Here's what the stars tweeted on the birthday of the actor with Greek god looks and swift dance moves:

Anil Kapoor: From assisting us in 'Khel' and 'Kala Baazar' to redefining the 'Indian hero', your journey has been impressive @iHrithik! Happy B'day!

Subhash Ghai: Happy birthday to dear Hritik Roshan @iamhritik and thank you for love and super party.

Kabir Bedi: Happy Birthday, @iHrithik! Working with you in @FilmMohenjodaro has been a real treat. Wishing you ever greater glory

Akshay Kumar: Happy birthday @iHrithik! Wishing you a kick*** year at the movies this year superhero

Preity Zinta: Happy Birthday to one of my first friends in Mumbai @ihrithik After all these years I still love you the mostest. What a way to start the New Year

Abhishek Bachchan: To my friend. To my brother. To my BRAZ! Happy Birthday @iHrithik thank you for being you. Big love Bro Braz.

Farhan Akhtar: Happy birthday my friend @iHrithik...I wish all the children feed you poori (unleavened deep-fried Indian bread) with their own hands. Love you man.

Riteish Deshmukh: Happy Birthday my friend @iHrithik - thank you for the love, warmth and positivity. Stay blessed - big hug

Anupam Kher: Happy Birthday to one of the bestest @iHrithik. We may not meet very often but I always pray for your peace, happiness and success.

Madhur Bhandarkar: @iHrithik May god bless you with love, care, success. Enjoy every moment, every day of your life. Happy birthday.

Vivek Oberoi: Happy Birthday to my brother @iHrithik love you man! Krrish on screen, super-brother and super-human in real life!

Dia Mirza: I love this man. And I only wish him happiness. Today and everyday #HappyBirthdayHrithik @iHrithik

Twinkle Khanna: Happy birthday @iHrithik it's nice to have a superhero in the neighborhood - big hug

Sooraj Pancholi: Happy birthday to the man who inspired me the most! Happy birthday @iHrithik sir! have an amazing day!
In wake of two major terror attacks in Punjab in about five months, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday urged the central government to treat the state frontier at par with Jammu and Kashmir for deployment of more BSF troopers to check infiltration from across the border.

Badal said that he has asked the union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to deploy adequate number of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel along the international border with Pakistan in Punjab, keeping in view the growing threat of infiltration from the neighbouring country.

"In wake of recent terror attacks at Dinanagar (July 27, 2015) and Pathankot (January 2, 2016), the need of the hour is to replicate the formula which was applicable in Jammu and Kashmir in Punjab also to intensify vigil on the border.

"Punjab is a national frontier and concerted efforts must be made to beef its security for the sake of protecting unity and integrity of the nation," he said.

Though the 553-km long international border in Punjab is barbed wire fenced, infiltration takes place through areas where it is damaged or missing. Infiltrators also take advantage of riverine areas in Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts where floods damage the fencing.

The border is guarded by the BSF.

Six terrorists from Pakistan, who had attacked the Pathankot air base on January 2, were killed by security forces. Seven security personnel were also killed in the counter offensive.

In the July 27 terrorist attack on Dinanagar town in Gurdaspur district, seven people - a police officer, three home guards personnel and three civilians - were killed. Three terrorists were eliminated by security forces.
Turkish police have detained 33 suspects believed to be members of the Islamic State (IS) in Istanbul and the southern province of Adana, media reports said on Sunday.

Earlier, anti-terrorism police initiated simultaneous operations across five districts in Istanbul, apprehending 10 suspected IS members, Xinhua reported citing the Dogan News Agency.

Local reports denote those detained were in contact with IS militants in conflict zones, frequently travelling to the region.

Another 23 suspects were incarcerated in Adana, including 16 foreigners aspiring to join the IS and seven Turkish citizens recruiting militants for the IS.

According to reports, anti-terrorism police embarked upon the operation following a tip-off that seven IS recruiters were about to expedite the journey of foreign women and children into territories under IS control.

The seven Turkish citizens suspected of recruiting militants for IS were arrested as per the tip-off, including a Russian woman and 15 Egyptians.

After undergoing medical checks, 16 foreigners were sent to the Directorate of Migration Management in preparation for their deportation, added the Daily News.
Al Qaeda's wing in Yemen has vowed to avenge the Sunni clerics executed recently by the Saudi government, according to an audio tape posted on the internet on Sunday.

"That execution of Sunni clerics was part of the US-led war on terror, and for this we tell America and its ally that you have tested our warfare since 1990s... wait for us... we will come after you again and again," said Ibrahim al-Esiri, the military leader of Yemen-based Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), in a seven-minute tape posted by AQAP Al-Malahim media.

Al-Esiri named several prominent Sunni clerics who were among the executed and vowed to avenge them, according to Xinhua.

On January 2, Saudi Arabia announced the execution of 47 people on terrorist charges, including the prominent Shia Muslim cleric, Nimr al-Nimrits.

Most of the executed were Saudis and involved in a series of attacks carried out by Al Qaeda from 2003-06, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Yemen, an impoverished Arab country, has been gripped by one of the most active regional Al Qaeda insurgencies in the Middle East and the affiliate of the Islamic State.

Security situation in the country has deteriorated since March 2015 when war broke out between the Shia Houthi group, supported by former president Ali Abdullash Saleh, and the government, backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. More than 6,000 people have died during the civil war.

AQAP fighters have been taking advantage of the ongoing security vacuum in the south and the east, seizing large swaths of the oil-rich southeastern province of Hadramout in April last year.
The 75 per cent jump in spending on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in 2014-15, the year declaration of such spending became mandatory for firms above a certain financial threshold, should be viewed with caution. For one, although the increase looks healthy, Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS), the corporate governance consultancy that has compiled these numbers, points out that the figure, at Rs 5,240 crore, was actually 26 per cent lower than the amount indicated in the law. This underlines the largely pro forma approach to CSR spending, and its limited utility as a means of promoting awareness of social responsibility in the corporate world.

The inclusion of CSR spending in the Companies Act suggests a basic misunderstanding of the role of corporate activity in an economy. Corporate activity cannot be a substitute or proxy for the government in enhancing human development indicators. One obvious reason is scale: No company, no matter how large and open-handed, can match the spread or penetration of a government - particularly in India. Had this been the case, the Gates Foundation, for example, with its awesome financial outlays and admirable programmes, could well have transformed Bihar, its focus area for many years, into a model of health, hygiene and sanitation. That apart, few corporate groups, oriented by their nature to profit, are interested in social spending as an end in itself. For the most part, large manufacturing companies tend to confine their CSR activities to the ambit of their operations. Many others tend to view them from an amoral image-building perspective and shape their CSR programmes to a specific corporate message. There is nothing inherently wrong with that - but it limits CSR's power as an agent of transformation. It is also telling that many of India's largest corporate philanthropists have spent appreciably less on CSR in this year of slowdown, with the honourable exception of Azim Premji. By contrast, governments, especially democratically elected ones, cannot have the luxury of cutting development spending when the economy slows.

Mandating CSR spending is an inadequate answer to what are deeper structural problems concerning policy choices. In the long run, shaping constructive regulation, durable institutions and sensible policy frameworks are a far better way of improving India's social indicators than any amount of corporate spending.
In the mid-1980s, a gentleman called Partha Ghosh used to make frequent trips from Tokyo to India, mainly West Bengal. He carried with him many proposals to usher in Japanese investments in the state. He was a Bengali, a hometown boy who had made it big, a partner in the Tokyo office of global consulting firm, McKinsey.

Mr Ghosh exuded hauteur, thanks to his stellar academic record and his professional accomplishments. He could walk into the offices of Writer's Building, the state secretariat, at any time. And yet, his meetings with a bunch of dhoti-clad comrades went nowhere. In one such trip to Calcutta, possibly in 1986, I interviewed Mr Ghosh over breakfast in the only decent hotel in the communist citadel at that time - The Oberoi Grand. Mr Ghosh rattled off the numerous projects he offered West Bengal and how they could transform the state. I mentally totted up the project costs and asked him tentatively: "But where is the money for all this?"



I have never forgotten his reply partly because it opened my eyes to the huge difference in perspective between a frugal, middle class person like me and a five-star dealmaker like him. His brusque and dramatic answer: "Money is never the problem. There is too much money in the world."



This statement is, of course, true in the circumscribed world that he inhabited: stitching together deals between investment banks, foreign multinationals, multilateral institutions and governments. If the governments were on board, money was never the problem. It was the politicians who could not use it, trapped in the anti-business positions of the 1970s and 1980s. Mr Ghosh left McKinsey, started his own boutique firm Partha S Ghosh & Associates, wrote a column for a business magazine - but his visits to India reduced.

What went wrong? To use tech marketing lingo, there was no product-market fit. Mr Ghosh's product was a complete misfit for the market he was addressing. The comrades were slowly getting converted to the good things of life but had no sense of how the economy worked. They had no intention to stop exploiting the "hopes and dreams of the downtrodden and the proletariat." This meant they remained hardcore statists, determined to keep out foreign capital and even Indian capital no matter that it is businessmen who create productive jobs.

How times have changed. The world has even more money now. And far from having to be wooed, the government is putting on a mega show on the 16th of this month, for which the poster boys of the tech world - like Uber founder Travis Kalanick and SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son - will be in Delhi. India is now a great startup nation is the message, and so bring in your capital and get going. But notice the irony. Instead of the government being the market, it is global capital and talent that is the market on 16th January. Instead of business ideas being the product, it is the wonderful government initiatives and the great startup ecosystem that is the product. Once, again, it will work, if we have a good product-market fit. Do we?



What has really changed in the business climate, forget "startup ecosystem", over the years? Are businessmen admired as job creators in a country where 300 million people are still below the poverty line? Have politicians started to see businessmen as their most important constituency and started helping them in every way they need to run clean and competitive businesses? Have the number of laws to set up, run and close down businesses, reduced drastically? In lawless states like West Bengal and UP, have the top local leaders even taken the first step to keep daily political thuggery from the daily work of government and business? Is the law about Uber unambiguous and identical in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai? If a business paper has quoted him correctly, DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant said "the idea is to see how government will keep itself away (from startups)". This is a rather convoluted pitch for anything. If the government seriously keeps out of business, the business world will know about it at a lightning speed; there would be no need for rock show-like events.

Tech-marketing experts say if you are not sure that you have a clear product-market fit, don't go all out to publicise it. Do a soft launch and eagerly court every scrap of feedback that will help you refine your product and take it closer to the market. The founders and funders invited next week are living proofs of this "lean startup" strategy. None of them blew up money in self-promotion before their products became refined, because they know that unrefined products launched with blasts of mega publicity usually crash and burn. Therefore, the irony of their presence in the government mega show of the 16th cannot be missed. Three decades ago, the government was aloof. Now, it is hyperactive. Will we have to wait for another 30 years for it to simply get off our backs so that genuine businesses thrive, which alone can attract startups?
While much of the Opposition continues to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his surprise visit to Lahore last month - citing the terrorist attack on the Pathankot air force base as a direct fallout - Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar broke away from the chorus by supporting Modi's Christmas Day meet with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

"Pradhan mantri ki Pakistan yatra sahi thi (the Prime Minister was right in visiting Pakistan)," Kumar told journalists on the sidelines of a workshop on disaster management in Patna last week. "I fully support the PM reaching out to the democratically elected government in Pakistan, which, unlike India, has other forces having a stake in the affairs of the state," he said. "It will help in resolving the disputes."
The muzzle on Viacom shareholders is loosening up. Owners of Sumner Redstone's media conglomerate will get to vote on whether Viacom should extend all shareholders a voice in its affairs, Reuters reported on Friday. Since Redstone controls 80 per cent of the $16-billion media conglomerate's ballot, the measure has a snow cone's chance in Hades. But the results could embolden minority shareholders, and send an uncomfortable rebuke to the 92-year-old mogul and Viacom management.

Viacom wants shareholders to vote against the proxy measure brought by Missionary Oblates, a Roman Catholic congregation in Washington. Viacom argues the super-votes accorded to Redstone and other Class A owners allow for long-term planning. Class B holders have no vote.

But the fundamentals don't help Redstone's case. The operator of cable networks including MTV and the Paramount Pictures film studio has seen fractured viewership, a decline in advertising revenue and fears over the dwindling fees cable operators pay Viacom. These factors have helped clobber the stock 45 per cent over the past year.

In that respect, voiceless shareholders have voted with their feet. Viacom stock trades at just 6.6 times forecast earnings - well below peers struggling with similar industry challenges. Rupert Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox fetches 12.7 times earnings, while Walt Disney is at 17.1 times and Discovery is at 13.2 times, according to Eikon data.

Complicating governance matters are questions surrounding Redstone's health. He is ailing, though to what extent is unclear. Chief Executive and Director Philippe Dauman has been appointed Redstone's health proxy once he is unable to make decisions. A trust kicks in upon Redstone's death. Dauman is but one of seven trustees, so factions among the group could well materialise.

Murdoch, a long-time Redstone rival, knows firsthand how stakeholders can rattle seemingly secure cages. Murdoch controls Twenty-First Century Fox and News Corp through a family trust that maintains about 38 per cent of the vote. In 2014 he narrowly defeated a proposal put forth by activists who pushed to change the share structure at News Corp, which publishes the Wall Street Journal. That's a stark reminder that restive shareholders can send a message that ownership is not eternal.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Life Insurance Corporation cannot object to transfer or assignment of policies, which is a global practice. It upheld the judgment of the Bombay High Court which had stated that the insurance policies are transferable and assignable in accordance with the provisions of the Insurance Act and in terms of the contract of life insurance.

In this case, LIC vs Insure Policy Plus Services Ltd, the latter firm is engaged, among other things, in the business of accepting and dealing in assignment of LIC policies. It acquired policies from policy-holders by paying them consideration. The assigned policy is registered with LIC, and is then further assigned to third parties for consideration. LIC objected to this practice and issued circulars asking its branches not to register such assignments.

According to LIC, these firms are acquiring lapsed policies from the original policy-holders by paying them an attractive sum over and above the surrender value. The firm, then, becomes the assignee and is entitled to all the rights of the policy. If this practice becomes prevalent, it would not only undermine the real purpose of life insurance but also allow third parties to make windfall gains by such wagering contracts.



The firm asserted that it has the right to trade in the policies according to the Insurance Act. The high court allowed the petition of the firm, stating that the policies are the personal, movable property of the policy-holder, and can be said to be an actionable claim. This view was upheld by the Supreme Court after analysing the insurance law, including last years amendment.

Technicalities not to stall compensation



The Supreme Court last week criticised the Calcutta High Court for adopting a hyper-technical approach in a road accident compensation case and denying the insurance amount to the victim. The motor accident claims tribunal had awarded Rs 16 lakh for the death of a 26-year-old unmarried school teacher hit by a truck driven rashly. However, the insurance company appealed to the high court arguing that the accident took place in Hoogly and therefore the tribunal in Kolkota had no jurisdiction to award compensation.

The high court accepted the contention and set aside theKolkata tribunals award. The mother of the youth appealed to the Supreme Court. In this case, Malati Sardar vs National Insurance Company, the Supreme Court ruled that since the company had business in Kolkata, the tribunal there had jurisdiction, though the accident happened in Hoogly.

The judgment, while setting aside the high court judgment and reviving order of the tribunal, underlined that the approach of the court must be consistent with the object of facilitating remedies for the victims of accidents. The provision for compensation in the Motor Vehicles Act is a beneficial one and it must be applied according to that objective.

Directors relieved after 35 years



After 35 years of litigation, three directors were absolved from liabilities incurred by their company, apparently because of bad drafting of documents by the public sector bank. In this case, Central Bank of India vs Virudhunagar Steel Rolling Mills, the company took loans from the bank in the early 1970s.

In 1974, the directors secured the debt facilities with promissory notes, letters of guarantee, letters of hypothecation and other documents. When the company defaulted, the bank filed a suit in 1980 not only against the company but also the directors who stood guarantee. The trial court and the Madras high court let off the directors because their guarantees were given in 1974, after the release of the loan.

The bank appealed to the Supreme Court unsuccessfully. The judgment stated that the documents did not show that the directors gave securities for debts prior to 1974. Woefully for the bank, there is no acknowledgment or assumption of liabilityIt is the bank which drafted the guarantee deed, and in case of doubt, the document would be read against it.



SC settles difference over Sarfaesi



The difference in views between the Delhi High Court and the Punjab & Haryana High Court on the question of the role of the company court or its liquidator in the sale of assets by the secured creditor has been settled by the Supreme Court in a batch of appeals led by Pegasus Assets Reconstruction Ltd vs Haryana Concast Ltd.

The Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (SARFAESI) is a complete code and the company court cannot interfere while exercising power under the Act.

The earlier judgments rendered in the context of State Financial Corporations Act or the Recovery of Debts due to Banks Act vis-a-vis the Companies Act, cannot be held applicable fully to the SARFAESI Act, the judgment pointed out, adding that there is nothing lacking in the SARFAESI Act so as to borrow anything from the Companies Act.



Trustees not obliged to ban book on guru



Members of a trust cannot be held guilty for not exercising their wide discretionary powers in a particular way. There might be passionate disagreement about the trustees decision, but it does not necessarily lead to the conclusion of maladministration of the trust, the Supreme Court stated while allowing the appeal in the case, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust vs R Ramanathan.

Some residents of the Ashram in Puducherry were agitating against a book published by a foreign resident, Lives of Sri Aurobindo and published by Columbia University Press in 2008. They moved the court for removal of the trustees because they did not prevent the publication of the book allegedly disparaging the guru. The trust merely expressed its displeasure at the book, which was not enough.

The Supreme Court stated that the trust had the discretion to ban the book or take other proactive steps. Failure to take steps to ban a book that is critical of the philosophical and spiritual guru of a trust would not fall within the compass of administration of the trust. It might be an omission of the exercise of proper discretion on the part of the trustees, but certainly not an omission touching upon the administration of the trust, the judgment said.

SC highlights landlords plight



It took 40 years for a landlord to evict his tenant who built a business complex on a vacant plot. The Supreme Court last week criticised the Rajasthan High Court for its perverse judgment favouring the tenant. Three courts below had found the tenant had made permanent changes on the leased land. But the high court, in its judgment, Damodar Lal vs Sohan Devi, ruled against the landlord. This was the saddest part of the story, the judgment said while ordering eviction.
Important sections, relating to corporate governance, of the Companies Act 2013 (hereafter Companies Act) came into force on April 1, 2014. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) introduced the new corporate governance code in 2014 and India ushered in a new era of corporate governance. However, after companies found it difficult to implement the provisions of the Companies Act and Sebi code, the government amended some of the provisions of the Companies Act. It has formed a committee that will suggest necessary amendments to ease implementation of the provisions of the Companies Act. I wish the committee to take an objective view and not dilute the corporate governance norms while addressing the concerns of the industry.

The soft law (spend or explain) on corporate social responsibilities (CSR) was introduced as a part of the Companies Act. It requires companies above certain financial threshold to spend 2 per cent of the average pre-tax profit of the previous three years on the CSR. If a company fails to spend the amount it needs to explain the reasons for the same. Companies need more clarity on the CSR law. Some of the requirements are in conflict with the spirit of the law. For example, the dictum that 'CSR activities should exclude activities undertaken in pursuance of normal course of business' deprives society of the benefits from the use of the capabilities of companies in community development. For example, a hospital is best in providing healthcare services, but it is not allowed to provide the same under the CSR. I wish the government to bring clarity on the CSR law and review the rules.

Many companies and politicians could not appreciate the spirit of the CSR. Many politicians see it as an additional source of fund for the development of their respective constituencies. Therefore, they directly and indirectly decide the CSR spending by companies. Some controlling shareholders use the fund to enhance the social stature of their family members. It should be kept in mind that the CSR spending comes out of resources that belong to the company (shareholders). CSR projects should benefit the company. While the focus should be on community development and protection of natural resources, the CSR strategy should flow from the business strategy.

I hope that CSR committees will be much more effective in coming years. It should consult all stakeholders (including politicians and local administration) in deciding the CSR policy and approving CSR projects, but should not be guided by politicians.

The Companies Act has made board evaluation mandatory effective 2014-15. The law is little confusing. It requires the Nomination and Remuneration Committee to carry out evaluation of every director's performance. It also requires independent directors to meet separately to review the performance of non-independent directors, board and the chairperson. The law needs simplification. It should not prescribe the process, as one process does not fit all. The board of directors (here after board) of many companies could not appreciate that board evaluation is a serious business and it is in the nature of self-evaluation by a group of knowledge workers for self-improvement.

I hope that in future many more boards will implement the process seriously.

It is too much to expect that the institution of independent directors would significantly improve in one year. But what worries is the apathy of companies and directors to enhance board capabilities. Directors are not motivated to attend training and chairpersons neither facilitate nor encourage them. Many independent directors do not fully understand the business model, and the strategy of the company and its risk exposure. It is the responsibility of the management to train independent directors in various aspects of business. Directors should also be encouraged to hone their business management skills by attending training programmes of different institutions.

Although events in 2015 signal increase in shareholder activism, it is not at the level at which it will impact the quality of corporate governance. E-voting has reduced the cost of exercising voting right in general meetings. But that has not enthused institutional and retail investors to exercise their voting rights. The apathy of institutional investors in exercising voting right is disturbing. I wish institutional investors and proxy advisory services to be more enthusiastic in improving corporate governance in India.

The Companies Act has created the ecosystem that supports corporate governance. During 2015, the quality of corporate disclosure has improved significantly and CSR spending has gone up. But it is a long way to go.
Ravindra Joshi, an employee with a telecommunication company, realised the importance of sending timely tax-saving documents in February 2014, when he received a fifth of his stated monthly salary.

Shocked, he called the accounts' head, who rattled off the mistakes - not given the registered contract for the house rent allowance (HRA), much of his Section 80C declaration and the medical insurance premium documents were not submitted. Worse, he had taken the leave and travel allowance as advance but not given the bills. And, he was informed, the same was to happen the next month, as the shortfall in tax payment was being adjusted in two equal instalments.

Joshi had to take a two-day leave to organise all the papers. "Now, I have dedicated a corner of my desk to keep all these documents," Joshi says.

Most employees get this shock because they're unaware of the process or are simply lazy. Amarpal Chadha, tax partner, Ernst & Young, says, "If the employee fails to submit investment proofs to the employer, the latter will be forced to deduct higher taxes in the last two months of the financial year."



Gaurav Mashruwala, financial planner, says he advises his clients to give photocopies of necessary documents to the company as soon as they get it. "I insist that they meet the December 31 deadline, because otherwise there will be a problem later."



Section 80C: With an enhanced limit of Rs 1.5 lakh, employees will have to make sure they file documents for the additional Rs 50,000. For many, this limit gets exhausted by their employee provident fund that is deducted by the company. But, if it hasn't happened, ensure you have put money in intruments allowed under Section 80C. And, present the necessary policy papers or mutual fund investment document to the department.

HRA: If in a rented flat, it is important to provide a properly registered tenancy agreement. This would have your and the owner's permanent account number (PAN), registered with the municipality. Till a couple of years ago, taxpayers did not have to provide their house owner's PAN unless the rent was at least Rs 1.8 lakh a year or Rs 15,000 a month. The income tax (I-T) department has since lowered the limit to declare the owner's PAN to Rs 1 lakh a year or Rs 8,333 a month.

However, employees who get an HRA up to Rs 3,000 a month are not required to give receipts for proof of the rent paid. This might not benefit a huge number of taxpayers, especially in big cities, unless they are sharing a flat.

If the owner does not have a PAN, the employee needs to give a declaration stating this, with the owner's details. The documents need to reach the I-T department within February. If not, the HRA exemption given will be reversed and the entire HRA amount clubbed with the salary and taxed according to the relevant tax slab.

Leave travel allowance: A lot of employees take the leave travel allowance (LTA) during the year. Now is the time to give the details; some organisations even seek flight tickets to be sure. If you've taken the LTA advance, it is time to give the documents. Else, there will be a serious hit on the salary. For example, if your LTA is Rs 50,000 annually, not presenting the document could hit you by Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000 depending on the I-T bracket.

Rs 50,000 in National Pension System? A lot of investors would have been enthused by the finance minister's decision to allow another Rs 50,000 tax benefit for investing in the National Pension System from this year. If you had declared it, move quickly. Else, the benefits that have accrued to you during the year will be reversed increasing your tax outgo.

Medical, conveyance, other: A lot of employees feel the yearly medical allowance of Rs 15,000 is tax-free and be paid to them even if they do not produce any bills. But, if you do not produce adequate bills, this amount will be taxed by the personnel department. Similarly, petrol, diesel and other bills need to be given to ensure you are not taxed on these amounts.

"Also, remember you only give xeroxes in the initial part of the year because if you shift jobs during the year and the earlier company has misplaced any of the originals, you will be in deep trouble,"adds Mashruwala.

Yes, it is all a lot of paperwork. However, if you have been lazy on this during the year, it is time to get active and quickly do all the pending work. Otherwise, you are staring at two bankrupt months.
An old question frequently aimed at bearish market watchers is, "Would you rather be right or rich?" Whenever I make a bearish prediction, somebody will cut/paste this and send it to me.

Though the repetition gets tedious, this is an interesting question from behavioural angles. First, anybody who makes a bearish prediction is sticking his or her neck out. For some deep psychological reasons, a bull who gets things wrong doesn't get much criticism. A bear who gets things right is usually accused of manipulating the market. And, a bear who gets things wrong is simply ridiculed.

Regulatory authorities, especially the Chinese in recent times, have often come down heavily on bears. All around the world, whenever there is a fall in prices, regulators indict short-sellers. Bulls are rarely indicted for the far more common 'pump-and-dump' strategy, where a stock is hyped to generate inflated prices.

There is also an either/or assumption embedded in the question. Strange, as a trader can be bearish and make money at the same time. Some of the most famous trades ever have been on the short side. In the currency market, a trader is automatically bullish and bearish at the same time, by definition - he must be short on currency B if he is long on currency A. The assumption underlying the question seems to be that only a bull can make money, and only when he or she is correct (presumably by buying stocks). Actually, somebody makes money on every single trade, as it is a zero-sum game. When the bull (or buyer) in a given trade is wrong, the bear (or seller) makes money.

There are a few arguments in favour of being always bullish. First, the mathematics is skewed in favour of bulls. It is possible to make many multiples of return on an unleveraged buy. The price of a stock can double or go up 10 times or even more. Whereas, it is not possible to make over 100 per cent on an unleveraged sale. The price of a stock can, at best, slide till zero. Though, of course, leverage and the use of derivatives makes it possible to generate a return of over 100 per cent on the short side as well.

It is also true stock markets display an upward bias. Entrepreneurs raise money to invest in businesses. If those are successful and the investments give reasonable returns, the stocks must rise. However, that upward bias might be interrupted by long periods of bearishness or periods when prices meander without trend. Two-year and three-year bear markets are common and so are sharp corrections in the middle of bull markets.

The psychological dimensions of being bullish or bearish are intriguing. It is possible an optimist is psychologically better equipped to handle either investing or trading. Any stock investor or trader must endure periods of uncertainty and drawdown. The optimist who believes in his positions probably suffers less mental stress and maintains better blood pressure. A pessimist is more likely to gnaw his nails or to simply lack the confidence to let a winning position accumulate.

Yet, there is no particular reason why a bear would be a pessimist, temperamentally. In fact, a bear could have a solidly optimistic personality. Someone who has faith in his judgement and logic will not be bothered by the thought that the market might go south.

One insight into this mindset comes from Warren Buffett. Over 60 years, the 'Sage of Omaha' has repeatedly said he welcomes price corrections as an opportunity. He has often put money where his mouth is. Then, there's Marc Faber, alias Dr Doom, highly successful as an investor, despite often making gloomy projections.

Pure traders don't care if they are long or short. That willingness to go in either direction is probably the best way to differentiate a trader from an investor. The trader might think objectively that the market will fall but this would not necessarily make him pessimistic. He would look for ways to make a profit from this.

A sharp, deep correction allows valuations to fall to levels where investors will get interested in bargain hunting. At present, the Nifty looks over-valued and needs quite a deep correction from here.

The index has dipped five per cent in 2016 but is still trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.5. Far too high, given that earnings growth has been flat for two years. As an optimist, I hope the market corrects some more.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh is too disciplined to show what he is feeling. But, he must be writhing with embarrassment and rage. The Pathankot operation should have been his moment of glory. Instead, not only did the thermal imaging systems provided to the Border Security Force (BSF) at enormous cost prove useless in preventing infiltration but he also had to face the unedifying task of deleting his own congratulatory tweet of victory - as ops to contain the Pathankot damage continued almost four days after he had declared victory.

Worse, his own Cabinet colleague, Manohar Parrikar, conceded lapses had taken place in the operation but refused to speak for agencies other than the defence services, basically throwing the home minister to the wolves. Then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dispatched him to the northeast with the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) to address earthquake problems, rather than have him blundering about in Delhi.

Singh is not as inept as he is made out to be. If he were, he would not have been elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly as well as the Legislative Council twice, served as the education minister and the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, twice been co-opted in the Union Cabinet and become president of the Bharatiya Janata Party twice.

As Uttar Pradesh education minister, Singh is best remembered for his draconian law against copying in examinations. Remember the time exams used to take place with many candidates writing them while a knife was placed conspicuously on the desk? One of his first moves as minister was to bring, through an ordinance, an anti-copying law, making copying a non-bailable offence: Which meant the onus of proving oneself innocent was on the accused. This means that children aged 14 and 15 were sent to jail on charges of copying in examinations. The pass percentage in Class X in 1991 was 58.03; in 1992, after the anti-copying law was put in place, it slipped to 14.7.

Singh defends till today the law that not only cost him his job but also the election. He had to move to Delhi and though he became agriculture minister in the first tenure of Atal Behari Vajpayee, and roads and highways minister in the later part of Vajpyee's government, his tenure was unremarkable.

Later, as president of the BJP, he agreed to do the organisational dirty work such as informing Jaswant Singh that he had been expelled from the party because he'd written a book no one in the BJP had read; and telling L K Advani that he was no longer part of the campaign committee, but ultimately he had to cede ground to Narendra Modi and put up with his hectoring.

But Singh is not given to temperamental moodiness. Even if his efficiency quotient is not quite what it should be, he is the ultimate BJP politician. This may be one of the lowest points in his career. But what has been going down can only go up.
Assembly elections are due in the summer of 2016 in five places: Assam & West Bengal in the east and Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry in the south. These account for 116 Lok Sabha seats. The ruling BJP has little or no political capital here. How will the outcome of these elections influence national politics? Business Standard presents the facts ( Click here for detailed report )



ASSAM



FIGHTING FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE?



Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is hoping for an unprecedented fourth term in power. Will he be able to pull it off?



The Congress in Assam has faced recent haemorrhage because the man Tarun Gogoi considered his right hand, Himanta Biswa Sarma, walked out and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with nine colleagues. This is both a blessing and a curse for the BJP - Biswa Sarma is a man with a chequered past and he and his MLAs will seek their due from the party. The BJP has announced Union minister Sarabanand Sonowal would be chief minister if the party comes to power. Badruddin Ajmal, leader of the minorities front, has not indicated whether he will reach an understanding with the Congress. Assam could throw up a surprise, especially for the BJP.

WEST BENGAL



ROOTS STRENGTHENING THE LEAVES?



The Trinamool Congress (TMC) stormed to power in 2011 and has grown from strength to strength



Defections have marked the five years of the TMC government - sitting MLAs have opted to leave cadre-based parties like the CPI (M) to join it by way of future political insurance. But, danger is lurking - if the Congress and Left parties join hands, could Mamata Banerjee's party be pushed back? Will corruption in the countryside finally catch up? Will the BJP be able to exploit the new alignments? These are questions this poll will answer.

TAMIL NADU



KEEPING THE OPPOSITION DIVIDED



The recent floods will be an important factor in this poll, with the opposition united against the government's handling of the calamity



The recent overtures by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to the Congress were not only pro forma. The opposition knows if it continues to fight against each other, the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK will sweep the polls, for a record third time though there is a lot of chatter about Jayalalithaa seeking out alliance partners, she has made it clear that her party will contest alone. This is par for the course. The BJP is weak in the state and actor Vijayakanth appears to be losing ground. The question is: Will the DMK pull off a surprise?



PUDUCHERRY



POLITICS OF ANOTHER KIND



An original offshoot of the Congress, the AINRC has to prove its spurs



Politics in Puducherry mimics the politics of Tamil Nadu. So, Jayalalithaa's All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) fought in alliance with N Rangasamy's All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) in 2011. But, when the leader (and current the chief minister) Rangasamy found he was in a position to form a government, he snapped ties with AIADMK almost immediately after the results came out. The question is, does AINRC's popularity still reign? Or will Jayalalithaa ask her party to seize the challenge, go it alone and show she can win without help? The theme of the election is likely to be politics of defection versus the record of governance.

KERALA



THE BATTLE OF THE FRONTS



With the BJP advancing , who stands to lose the most? This election will decide.

It is not about who will win by what margin but the collective strength of the United Democratic Front (UDF), currently in power and led by the Congress; and the LDF which lost in the 2011 elections by a wafer-thin margin. Both fronts are riven by struggles for leadership, factional fights and groupism. There is a new disruptive factor - the Bharatiya Janata Party. This could be the biggest surprise of 2016.
The ordeal of 16 students from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who had gone to the US seeking admission in educational institutions there but were sent back from New York, continued despite landing back home as they alleged that they had been kept waiting for around six hours at the international airport here over some ticket issue.

The students, who landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport last night, claimed they were stranded for around six hours at the airport due to some issue about the return ticket fares with the airline they travelled in.

They also said that some authorities at the airport took longer time for checking their documents.

The parents of these students approached Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali, who had landed at the airport at that time from Srinagar, and sought his intervention in the matter.

"I asked the airline officials and also authorities to first allow the students to leave the airport. I told them they have already faced problems in the US. After I took up the matter, the students were allowed to leave the airport," Mahmood Ali told PTI.

He said that some parents complained to him about the authorities taking a long time in checking the documents of the students.

"Despite having all the necessary documents in order, we have been sent back... We are trying to know the exact reasons," one of the students told a TV channel.

"US officials (at New York Airport) interrogated the Indian students," he alleged.

Another student said, "We have already spent Rs 3-4 lakh and now after being sent back it is financial loss for us".

On December 21 last year, Air India had stopped 19 students from boarding its flight to San Francisco at the international airport here on the grounds that the two universities to which they had been admitted were under "scrutiny".

The AI also cited the plight of 14 students who had travelled to San Francisco after enrolling in two universities and were deported.

However, the universities namely Silicon Valley in San Jose, California and North Western Polytechnic College in Fremont, California had denied reports of them being "blacklisted" by the US government.

On January 2, over 20 students, who had returned from the US to Hyderabad, had alleged that they were "ill-treated" and some of them were even handcuffed at the New York airport by the US authorities.

The Minister said recognising the aspirations of parents



on educating their children in English medium, the state government commenced English medium sections in elementary education from 2012-13.

"This initiative witnessed a great response from the parents and enrolment in English medium classes has increased considerably. So far, 3,32,590 children have been enrolled in English medium sections," he said, adding primary school teachers are trained every year in teaching through English language."



"The improvement in enrolment and performance in English in State Level Achievement Survey prove that English medium in government schools is not just a pretentious claim but really a paramount achievement due to the efforts of the Tamil Nadu Government," he said.

He said at primary level, the Net Enrolment Rate has increased to an all time high of 99.85 per cent during 2015-16 and at upper primary level, NER improved to 99.11 per cent during 2015-16.
A missile hit a health centre operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in northern Yemen today, killing three people and wounding 10 others, the aid agency's spokeswoman said.

The missile struck the medical facility in the Razeh district of Saada province, according to communications officer Malak Shaher.

She said MSF could not specify whether the centre was hit in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition or by a rocket fired from the ground.

Saada is the heartland of the Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels that the coalition has been bombing since March in support of Yemen's beleaguered government.

MSF last month accused the coalition of bombing its clinic in Taez, southwest Yemen, where nine people were wounded including two agency staff.

The coalition said at the time that it would investigate MSF's claim.

The UN envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed arrived today in Sanaa in a bid to convince the rebels and their allies to attend fresh peace talks slated for next week.

But Foreign Minister Abdel Malak al-Mekhlafi told AFP yesterday that the talks will not take place until January 20 at the earliest.

The government met the rebels and their allies in Switzerland last month for six days of talks that ended with no major breakthrough.

In Yemen's second city of Aden Sunday, intelligence colonel Ali Saleh al-Nakhibi was shot dead by unknown gunmen, a security official said.

More than 5,800 people have been killed in Yemen since March, about half of them civilians, according to the United Nations.
Inspired by the Centre's flagship 'Digital India' initiative, four IT professionals from Madhya Pradesh have enabled 3 villages in the state's Rajgarh district to have access to 'free wi-fi'.

"Taking a cue from Digital India theme, we have turned Bavadikeda Jagir, Shivnathpura and Devria villages into free wi-fi hamlets to provide the fruits of IT revolution to the villagers," one of the four youths, Shakeel Anjum told PTI over phone today.

"We have decided to do it on our own to set an example and spent nearly Rs two lakh from our resources to achieve the target," he claimed.

"Its results are for everyone to see as nearly 100 mobile users are now using wi-fi facility in these villages which is running uninterrupted. We have also installed a 200 Ampere power inverter to ensure round-the-clock facility in the event of a power cut there," he said.

Four youths in these villages were also using laptops and even a Bank of India kiosk is running its affairs smoothly with the help of this facility, Anjum claimed.

Lauding them for their efforts made without any government support, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said they have set an example for others to follow.

"Heartening to note our four talented youth have turned three remote villages of Rajgarh Dist (district) into first free wi-fi hamlets in India," Chouhan said in series of tweets after coming to know about the initiative.

"Initiative of Shakeel Anjum, Tushar, Bhanu, and Abhishek in taking power of e-governance to remote villages is highly laudable," he said.

"This team of technical experts not only displayed immense potential of our youth but also set an exemplary example for others to follow," Chouhan added.

The Chief Minister said that his government "highly appreciates the initiative and directed the officials to look into their plans and take necessary decision on funding at the earliest possible."



The free wi-fi service was formally launched in these villages by District Collector Tarun Kumar Pithode on January 1.
Five persons, including a suspected Bangladeshi national, have been arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police and fake currency notes having face value of Rs 35 lakh seized from them, a senior police official said here today.

Acting on a tip off, the STF team conducted a raid late last night at a businessman's house in Posta Police Station area limits and nabbed the five - Trinath Mandal, Sanjay Mandal, Prabas Mandal, Pradip Mandal and Sanjay Singh and recovered the Fake Indian Currency Nnotes (FICN) stashed in five bags, a senior STF official said.

According to a top STF source, Trinath is supposed to be a Bangladeshi who entered India through Malda district, which howvere is is yet to be confirmed,.

The other four of the group were residents of Baishnabnagar of Malda, the senior STF official said.

"We had a that five persons were travelling from Malda to Howrah with FICN and were scheduled to visit a Posta-based businessman. We were present at the Howrah station and trailed them to Posta and rounded them up and seized the bags containing the fake currencies," he said.

All the FICN were in the face value of Rs 1,000 rupees notes and were of very high quality, he said.

"We are ascertaining whether these persons have links to any terrorist groups. We have already started a probe into the incident," he added.

When produced at a local court, the five were remanded to ten-day police custody.

Elsewhere in Gaya and West Champaran districts of Bihar, seven smugglers with a consignment of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a total face value of of Rs 9.5 lakh were recovered today.
Six persons were killed and 45 others injured when a state transport bus they were travelling in overturned on National Highway 12 this evening in Tonk district of Rajasthan.

The bus en route to Jaipur from Kota was near Deoli area around 4 pm when the driver allegedly lost control over the vehicle and it overturned, leaving six persons dead, a police official present at the spot said.

District collector, Tonk, Rekha Gupta said of the total persons injured in the mishap, 10 were undergoing treatment in Jaipur, where the condition of eight of them was stated to be critical.

10 persons injured in the incident were being treated locally in Tonk, while the remaining five were discharged after primary treatment, she said.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has condoled the demise of the six persons.

Raje has directed officials to ensure proper treatment arrangement for those injured in the accident, a statement issued tonight said.

Congress has also expressed condolence on the mishap and demanded compensation for the victims.

PCC chief Sachin Pilot has demanded that the state government provide compensation to those injured and to next of the kin of the deceased in the accident, a statement said.

(Reopens DES76)



Later, Tonk's District Collector Gupta announced a financial compensation of Rs 50,000 each for the family members of the deceased and Rs 10,000 for those injured, from the Chief Minister's Relief fund.

The state roadways also announced relief of Rs 10,000 for the deceased's family and Rs 5,000 for the injured, a release said tonight.
Six persons were killed and 45 others injured today when a bus in which they were travelling overturned on National Highway 12 in Tonk district of Rajasthan, police said.

The state roadways bus en route to Jaipur from Kota was near Deoli area when the driver allegedly lost control over the vehicle and it overturned, leaving six persons dead, a police official present at the spot said.

Tonk collector Rekha Gupta said of the total persons injured in the mishap, 10 were undergoing treatment in Jaipur, where the condition of eight of them was stated to be critical.

10 persons injured in the incident were being treated locally in Tonk, while the remaining five were discharged after primary treatment, she said.

(REOPENS DES53)



Meanwhile, Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot has condoled the demise of the bus passengers.

Pilot has also demanded that the state government provide compensation to those injured and to next of the kin of the deceased in the accident, a statement said.
Over 7,800 schools and colleges are waiting to be enrolled with the National Cadet Corps which has planned to expand its footprint in coastal and border areas and push its authorised strength to 15 lakh by 2018 in a phased manner.

"We have a five-phase expansion plan of which two phases have already been implemented And the third phase is under implementation now. Every year we would be adding 40,000 cadets and 12-13 units. This should meet the aspirations of the youths wishing to join the Corps," NCC's Director General, Lt Gen Aniruddha Chakravarty said.

Tracing its origin as 'University Corps' during the British era, NCC's current strength is over 13 lakh with composition of girls being 28 per cent.

Headquartered in the national capital, NCC engages in grooming the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens with a "sense of adventure".

The Corps is open to school and college students on a voluntary basis, and the Director General said at present there is a huge waiting list of institutes wishing to incorporate NCC on their campuses.

"7,859 institutes are in the waiting list, i.E., schools and colleges at present....Our authorised strength currently is 13.8 lakh and, by the end of the fifth phase, we will have 15 lakh cadets by 2018 roughly," Gen Chakravarty told PTI in an interview.

"Since each year 40,000 cadets are added, and 12-13 units and one group headquarter is also being added, we believe this will help meet the aspirations and also address the long waiting list that we have," he said.

Gen Chakravarty said in the five-phase expansion plan the focus would be on taking the NCC's footprints to far-flung areas of the country and to increase the strength of girl cadets to 33 per cent.

"As part of our expansion plans, we intend to bring in new regions on our map, including coastal areas, border areas, Left Wing Extremism-affected areas and tribal areas. These are the priorities of the government and we are focused on this," he said.

"The plan also envisages pushing the strength of girl cadets from current 28 per cent to 33 per cent...In fact, there are exclusive girl battalions being thought out in expansion plan," he added.

The NCC's current avatar came into existence in 1948 and is considered a successor to the University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) which was created in 1941 during World War II.

"In 1948, we had 12 directorates which covered various



states and union territories and at present we have 17 directorates," Gen Chakravarty said.

A senior defence official talking about the Corps's history said the NCC has its origins in the 'University Corps' which was created under the Indian Defence Act 1917 with the objective of making up for the shortage of officers in Army.

With the passage of the Indian Territorial Act in 1920, the 'University Corps' was replaced by the University Training Corps (UTC). The UTC cadets had no commitment for war services and the scheme was voluntary."



"During Second World War, the UTC took the form of University Officers Training Corps (UOTC) and eventually after Independence it became rechristened as the National Cadet Corps," the official said.

"The NCC thus under various avatars has been attracting youth for several decades and being a cadet gives them a window to the life in Armed Forces," he added.

2,069 cadets, including 695 girls, drawn from several states and Union Territories across the country are currently participating in the Republic Day NCC Camp in Delhi Cantonment which was formally launched by Vice President Hamid Ansari on January 6.

Ansari, himself an ex-cadet, on the occasion encouraged more youth to join the NCC, saying it facilitates growth of young boys and girls into "robust, resilient and responsible adults", besides building their character.

One all-male contingent and one all-female contingent with a strength of 148 each will participate in the Republic Day Parade. Besides, one all-male band of 90 cadets and all-female band of 45 cadets will also take part in it.

Elaborating on the activities undertaken by its cadets, the Director General said, our aim eventually is to build healthy and wise leaders for tomorrow.

"The aim the government has given us is to develop character, comradeship, leadership, discipline, secular outlook, a spirit of adventure and ideals of selfless service among the youth. So the whole programme of NCC is based on this premise," he said.

The Corps, which had earlier sent an expedition to Mt Everest, has now planned to send an all-female team to conquer the highest mountain peak this year.

Among the activities undertaken by the cadets are scuba diving, mountaineering, camping. NCC's sea cadets also train in seamanship and sailing, while the air cadets receive training in flying and aeromodelling, besides glider courses.

"Yoga has been recently introduced as one of the activities and, on the International Yoga Day last year, NCC set a world record in the Limca Book as over 9.5 lakh cadets simultaneously performed yoga at 1,767 venues across the country," Gen Chakravarty said.

Besides Ansari and legendary Subhash Chandra Bose, actress-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan, Union minister Sushma Swaraj and all the three services chiefs have been NCC cadets.
Hundreds of artisans in Bengal involved in weaving exquisite hand-crafted Baluchari sarees are "losing out" to modern women's wear designs as there seems to be "little effort" to introduce them to present day style and market their products, ace fashion designer Agnimitra Paul said today.

"I had been to one of the Baluchari hubs, Bisnupur. I have interacted with their associations. But what struck me is while their hand-crafted unique art on silk is not done in any other part of world, they are not conversant with the change in fashion pattern and are still stuck in the centuries-old style of depicting epic tales on the body.

On my part I am trying to change the situation, but my individual effort is too little, too less," Agnimitra, the Chief Designer of Muslin of West Bengal government, told PTI here.

"If there is sustained effort from different quarters, to beautifully convert Baluchari into modern garments, bringing it out from the atrocious bright color combinations and wearable ones, Baluchari can be more popularised among the modern women," the fashion designer said.

"Modern women want to stand out in a crowd of thousands and want to look different but with subtle designs in sync with modern fashion. And how Baluchari can click can be understood by the recent example of a Gujarati woman client of mine who lapped up a Baluchari gown stitched by me, a deviation from saree. She heard about the name for first time but the design bowled her," Agnimitra said.

Whatever is beautiful, wearable and modern is lapped up by the present day generation and Baluchari can be used to cater to this demand, she said.

While asserting she would continue to take up the cause of the artisans living in Nadia and Bankura's Bisnupur besides pockets of Murshidabad, Agnimitra said her next show will be themed on Baluchari where different sarees will portray different characters from the epics.

"It will be in Feburary even as I will host another fashion show where there will be a shift from typical mytholgical figures to modern designs without tinkering with the look and feel of a Baluchari. There will be a showstopper who will fit in well with the cause and message," she said at a show of Baluchari promotion by an NGO Freed working for the development of Bishnupur through rural handicrafts.
The Andhra Pradesh government today said it has signed 32 MoUs with various companies involving an investment of Rs 1.95 lakh crore on the inaugural day of the three-day long partnership summit here.

"We have signed 32 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would attract investments to the tune of Rs 1.95 lakh crore in the state. Out of 32, 22 MoUs are in energy sector," Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters.

He further said the total investment would create job opportunities for nearly 95,000 people.

One of the examples which Naidu gave was of Anil Ambani led Reliance announcing setting up of a new ship building facility with an initial investment of Rs 5,000 crore in the state.

Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said as many as 49 MoUs in the IT sector will be signed tomorrow.
Arab foreign ministers met today to rally behind Saudi Arabia a week after it cut ties with Iran in a diplomatic crisis that has threatened to worsen Middle East conflicts.

Iran meanwhile accused Saudi Arabia of hurting efforts to resolve the Syrian civil war with the dispute, which has seen tensions between the Sunni and Shiite regional rivals reach new heights.

Opening a meeting of Arab League diplomatic chiefs in Cairo, the group's head Nabil al-Arabi accused Tehran of "provocative acts" and called for Arab unity.

He urged the foreign ministers, who gathered for emergency talks under a Saudi request, to "adopt a strong and clear common position calling on Iran to stop all forms of interference in the affairs of Arab nations".

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir denounced Iranian statements "hostile to Saudi Arabia" that he said had "directly driven the attacks" on Saudi diplomatic missions that led Riyadh to cut ties.

The row erupted following Saudi Arabia's execution on January 2 of a prominent Shiite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, along with 46 others on terrorism charges.

The execution touched off anti-Saudi demonstrations in many Shiite countries including in Iran where demonstrators sacked and set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in second city Mashhad.

Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran the next day and was followed by a number of its Sunni Arab allies including Bahrain and Sudan. Other Arab countries downgraded ties or recalled their envoys to Tehran.

The dispute escalated, with Tehran on Thursday saying Saudi warplanes had bombed its embassy in Yemen, wounding staff, and vowing to protest to the UN Security Council.

Riyadh, which is leading an Arab military intervention against Iran-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen, denied the accusation, saying no operations were carried out near the mission.

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have also cut air links with Iran, while Tehran has banned Saudi goods from import.

Today's talks in Cairo come after foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which groups Sunni Arab monarchies, expressed their "total support" for Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The dispute has raised fears of increased sectarian unrest across the Middle East and concerns it could derail efforts to resolve a range of conflicts, including in Yemen and Syria, where Saudi Arabia and Iran support opposing sides.

Iran, which denounced the attacks on the embassies and vowed to punish the perpetrators, has accused Saudi Arabia of using the crisis to distract attention from the execution and as a cover for anti-Iranian diplomatic efforts.
A senior Arab official has called on Arab states to take a "clear stance" against Iran's alleged meddling in Arab affairs.

Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, speaking today at an emergency Arab League session, accused the Islamic Republic of intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts.

The session was requested by Saudi Arabia to discuss the attacks, which were a response to the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric earlier this month.

The crisis has seen Saudi Arabia and several Arab states cut or reduce diplomatic ties with Iran.

Al Nahyan, who heads the Arab ambassadors' council, said the attack "took place under the nose and within the earshot of security forces.
Carved out of the Indian Field Artillery, the youngest arm of the army, the corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) today celebrated its 23rd raising day at the headquarters Northern Command.

"The youngest arm of Indian Army, Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) celebrated its 23rdraising day today at headquarters Northern Command. AAD was carved out of Indian Filed Artillery on January 10, 1994," a defence spokesman said.

He said that the Army Air Defence in India traces its origins to 1939 in pre-independence India when Anti-aircraft units were raised to counter Japanese air threat.

Post independence, it remained a part of the Regiment of Artillery and later bifurcated as separate arm, he said.

"Today, the Corps is at a critical juncture of transforming into a modern and technologically enabled force," he said.

Army commander, Northern Command, Lt DS Hooda exhorted the air defence gunners to strive for excellence on the occasion.

"AAD has been dedicated to keep the country's skies free of enemy intrusions. AAD units have also been active in nation building and disaster management activities," he said.

The glorious history of the Corps is adorned by four Battle Honours, two Ashok Chakras, four Kirti Chakras, 21 Vir Chakras, 9 Shaurya Chakras and 106 Sena Medals, he said.
Countering the claim of Congress leader Manish Tewari that news report on the controversial 2012 troop movement was "true", Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said the Army had already denied the report when the UPA was in power.

"The Army denied (the media report) in 2012 itself when the UPA government was in power," the senior BJP leader told reporters here.

"It is an unwritten rule of parliamentary etiquette that you don't disclose what is talked about inside the parliamentary committee," the Telecom Minister said.

Replying to a question at a book release function in New Delhi yesterday, Tewari had said, "At that point of time I used to serve in the Standing Committee on Defence. And it's unfortunate, but the story was true. Story was correct."





Tewari, who was Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in the UPA government between October 2012 and May 2014, said, "I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct".

When the alleged incident took place, the Congress-led UPA government was in power and the then Army Chief V K Singh, who denied ordering any illegal troop movement, is now the Minister of State for External Affairs in the Narendra Modi government.

According to the report, central intelligence agencies had reported that on the night of January 16, 2012 there was an unexpected - and non-notified - movement by a key military unit from mechanised infantry based in Hisar in the direction of the capital.

On the same night, another unit - identified as a large element of the 50th Para Brigade based at Agra - had also been moved towards Delhi, according to the newspaper report.

To a query on Ram temple at Ayodhya, Prasad said, "It is part of our manifesto. The matter is in Supreme Court. Let's await its decision."



"There has to be a consensus in the society and matter can be resolved through dialogue," the minister said.
ArthVeda Fund Management, a DHFL group company, plans to raise up to Rs 3,000 crore under its affordable housing fund focused at low-income group projects, over the next three years.

The fund will participate with multiple developers across India, mainly in the tier 2 and 3 cities, for creating housing stock for low income households.

"It is our aim to raise Rs 3,000 crore over the next three years under the Asha Fund. There are many firms that provide funds for 'affordable' housing projects, but we are the pioneers in creating a fund dedicated only for low income group projects," ArthVeda Fund Management Chief Executive Bikram Sen told PTI here.

The fund will invest in projects of 1.5-2.5 lakh sqft each. "It is just a three year fund and so we want to deploy them in large number of small-size projects which will be in the remote areas. Our aim is to assist Modi government in achieving 'housing for all by 2022' target," he said.

The company hopes to invest Rs 10 crore on an average in each project and as such aims to do around 300 projects.

"If I invest in projects of 5 lakh sqft and if we cannot sell them, then my investors' money is stuck. I want to therefore invest in small projects where I can exit in three years with good returns to my investors. Thus on a flip side, if I invest in small projects I can do as many as 300 projects," he said.

ArthVeda will raise funds in different tranches with the first being of Rs 250 crore, Sen informed.

"We launched the fund last year in July and have raised Rs 11 crore. We will soon complete raising another Rs 150 crore," Sen said.

The company plans to invest in projects in some 60-70 locations which it has already identifed. The company has identified locations in states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved two bills to provide hassle-free public services and redressal of grievances in a time-bound manner, and to monitor the mushrooming of private educational institutes in the state.

The Arunachal Pradesh Right to Public Service Bill, approved by the Cabinet yesterday, will be tabled in coming Assembly session starting from January 14, government spokesman Bamang Felix said in a statement today.

Concerned over the prevailing scenario in which officials at various levels delay and deny services to common people, the Cabinet viewed that the process of governance, particularly on public services delivery system, has to be overhauled and improved, the statement said.

For this reason, it said, state government has brought the bill which intends to guarantee time-bound delivery of services by government to citizens and to initiate a mechanism for punishing errant public servants.

This legislation would reduce corruption and increase transparency and accountability while ensuring timely delivery of public services.

Another major decision that the Cabinet took was to frame regulations for effective and proper monitoring of functioning of private higher educational institutions in the state.

The Cabinet took serious note on mushrooming of private universities in the state and the lack of effective mechanism to monitor their activities, the release said.

In this backdrop, the Cabinet approved Arunachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions (Regulatory Commission) Bill 2016, which will also be tabled in coming Assembly session.
Breakfast cereal maker Bagrry's is eyeing Rs 400 crore turnover in five years as it plans to expand into a multi-product and multi brand company.

"We are looking at Rs 400 crore turnover in five years. We are focusing to become a multi-brand, multi product company in the food space, with health and wellness at the core of the products we offer," Bagrry's India Director Aditya Bagri told PTI.

"Going forward, we will launch more brands and enter new product categories. At present we have two brands -- Bagrry's and Lawrence Mills," he said.

The company expects to clock Rs 100 crore turnover in the current fiscal year.

Elaborating on the plans, he said: "The company is looking at adding more products under Lawrence Mills brand. We are also aiming at doubling at distribution network to 1 lakh outlets in two years as against 50,000 at present across the country."



On whether the privately held company is looking at raising funds through an initial public offer (IPO), Bagri said: "We are looking at sustainable growth... We are exploring different capital structures. But there is no primary need for capital in the near future. We will only need it to grow faster. These things like listing (on stock exchanges) will be on cards as we scale up."



Bagrry's India, which currently, exports its products to countries such as US, Canada, Nepal and Bhutan, is also talks to enter more overseas market.

"We are in talks to explore opportunities in other countries. However, our focus will also always be on domestic market," Bagri added.
Gareth Bale struck a hat-trick as Zinedine Zidane enjoyed a winning start to his career as Real Madrid boss with a 5-0 rout of Deportivo la Coruna.

Bale took his tally to 10 goals in his last seven games with two excellent headers either side of a composed left-footed finish after Karim Benzema had opened the scoring before the Frenchman also smashed home the fifth in stoppage time.

Victory moves Zidane's men back to within two points of leaders Barcelona, who were 4-0 winners over Granada earlier in the day.

Bale was rumoured to have been disappointed by Rafael Benitez's unceremonious sacking after just seven months in charge on Monday.

However, there were no signs of discontent from the former Spurs man as he continued arguably his best run of form since joining Madrid three years ago.

In stark contrast to Benitez's final days in charge, there was an air of optimism around a packed Bernabeu as the fans braved the freezing January temperatures.

Zidane's name was chanted before kick-off, whilst on the big screens a video recalled his most glorious moments as a Madrid player, including his sumptious volley to win the 2002 Champions League final.

Deportivo had only been beaten three times this season prior to their visit to the capital, and threatened to spoil the party early on as Keylor Navas was forced to produce a vital save to prevent the on-form Lucas Perez opening the scoring 11 minutes in.

Zidane insisted earlier in the week that he would stick loyally by the star front three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale, and they once again provided the cutting edge in front of goal.

Madrid also got a break with the opening goal when Benzema flicked home his 17th goal in 18 games this season from Sergio Ramos's scuffed shot despite Deportivo cries for offside.

Once ahead, Madrid looked far more dominant and doubled



their advantage seven minutes later when Bale stooped to head home Dani Carvajal's cross.

Having seen his strike partners find the net, Ronaldo obsessively went in search of a goal of his own as he flashed a shot inches wide of German Lux's far post.

The World Player of the Year was then furious with himself as he headed against the post from Bale's inch-perfect cross just before the break.

The roles were reversed four minutes after the interval as this time it was Ronaldo who squared for Bale and he made no mistake with his side-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Having waited over two years for his second Madrid hat-trick when he hit four against Rayo Vallecano just before Christmas, Bale then completed his second hat-trick in four games with another towering header from Toni Kroos's corner.

Bale was given a standing ovation of his own when he was replaced by Jese Rodriguez moments later.

The only thing missing on a perfect night for Madrid was a Ronaldo goal. The Portuguese was left frustrated once more in stoppage time as he failed to take Jese's cross in stride, but the loose ball fell to Benzema who fired home off the underside of the bar.
Bangladesh today issued a 72-hour deadline to over 150 tanneries in the capital's Hazaribagh area, one of the world's most polluted places, to either relocate or face closure.

"The government will close down the (tannery) units on expiry of the 72-hour deadline unless they shift to their designated plots at the leather park at (suburban) Savar," an industry ministry spokesman told PTI.

He said an urgent order was issued asking the tannery owners to relocate their units to Savar where the government previously allocated them plots on a 200-acre leather estate, warning their allocation would be scrapped if they failed to comply with the directive.

The spokesman said the order was issued following a meeting with Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu and it was issued to the owners in the form of a "legal notice".

The tannery industry leaders earlier said they would have to invest around USD 77 crore (Tk 6,000 crore) to relocate the factories, set up new plants and begin commercial production.

Following a 2001 High Court verdict, the government had taken a tannery relocation project to shift the tanneries to a new and eco-friendly estate at Harinbari in Savar at a cost of USD 22 crore (Tk 175.75 crore), an amount which subsequently was enhanced to Tk 545.36 crore.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding with the government, the tannery owners were supposed to shift their units to Savar's Leather Industrial City from within December in 2014 while the deadline was extended until December 31, 2015.

Zurich-based Green Cross Switzerland and New York-based Blacksmith Institute earlier listed Hazaribagh area as one of the top 10 polluted places on earth.

Hazaribagh came fifth on the list of top 10 polluted places.

Previous reports suggested at least the toxic chemicals like chromium used by the industry exposed to sickness at least 160,000 people.

The reports estimate that the sites put more than 200 million people at risk in low and medium-income countries as a range of pollution sources and contaminants, according to a statement.

"Once the lifeline of Dhaka, the Buriganga is now one of the most polluted rivers in Bangladesh," the UK-based 'The Guardian' said recently as it ran a photo feature on Hazaribagh under the caption "The river runs black: pollution from Bangladesh's tanneries".
Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), a forum advocating regional languages as the medium of instruction (MoI) for elementary education in Goa, has warned that they would continue their stir following delay in passage of MoI Bill by the Legislative Assembly.

BBSM leaders yesterday said, their agitation for regional languages as the medium of instruction would continue and demanded that grants given to English medium schools should be withdrawn and only schools with regional languages as the MoI should be given financial help.

A Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly has failed to finalise the draft MoI Bill despite Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar's assurance earlier this month that it would be tabled during the upcoming Winter Session starting January 11.

The Committee members in a meeting on Friday sought some data from the Education department, making the introduction of the Bill in the coming session seem difficult.

"Just postponing the tabling of the Bill does not solve the problem. We are monitoring the working of the state government," BBSM leader Subhash Velingkar said.

The Opposition has taken a guarded stand on the issue. A group of Independent legislators and a Congress MLA in a press conference yesterday refused to spell out their stand on the issue.

"Let the Select Committee introduce the Bill in the Assembly. It has to be discussed and debated," Independent MLA Vijay Sardessai said.

Other Legislators including Rohan Khaunte, Naresh Sawal (both Independents) and Congress MLA Aleixo Lourenco Reginaldo did not comment on the issue.

While BBSM advocates regional languages, another body called Forum for Rights of Children's Education has demanded English as the medium of instruction.
Leading forging major Bharat Forge today announced plans to set up an integrated auto component hub in Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and said it will invest Rs 1,200 crore and create 3,000 jobs.

Announcing the plans, Bharat Forge Chairman Baba Kalyani said here at the Andhra Partnership Summit that an MoU has been signed with the state government to set up a multi-modal facility in the state.

He said "Bharat Forge plans to set up an integrated auto components hub in Nellore".

"The investment planned is Rs 1,200 crore and about 3,000 people would get employment," Kalyani said while adding that land possession would happen soon for the project.

Pune-based Bharat Forge is the world's largest forging company with manufacturing facilities spread across India, Germany, Sweden and France. It manufactures a wide range of components for the automotive and non-automotive sectors.

It is part of USD 2.5 billion conglomerate Kalyani Group which has about 10,000-strong global work force.
Private equity firm Big Fish Ventures, which owns and operates brands such as Junkyard Cafe and Garam Dharam, is planning to invest over Rs 200 crore for opening more than 20 restaurants in India and overseas this year.

The company has eight restaurants in operation under its various brands.

"We plan to invest over Rs 200 crore during the year to open around 15 to 16 new restaurants across the country and up to seven overseas, under our various concept based brands," Big Fish Ventures Chairman Umang Tewari told PTI.

The new restaurants will be under the company's brands such as Junkyard Cafe, Garam Dharam, Vault Cafe, Oh My god (OMG) and 3 Pegs Down, he added.

When asked about the locations of the new restaurants in India, Tewari said: "They will be in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Chandigarh."



Outside India, the company is looking at the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the UK, he added.

When asked how the company plans to raise funds for the expansion, Tewari said: "We have around Rs 80 crore with us, the rest of the finances will be raised through private equity funding."



On the business model that the company follows, he said the company owns the concept, brand holding and also runs the operations and development, he added.

"The venture will centrally manage key business processes like design, supply chain, logistics and quality control to optimise costs," Tewari said.

Big Fish Ventures owns brands such as Out of the Box (OTB) Cafe, Vault Cafe, Garam Dharam, Public Connection, Oh My God (OMG), Junkyard Cafe, Bandstand, Three Peg Down and Raas.
A Bihar government website has said that Indira Gandhi's rule was worse than that of the British, angering Congress which is a constituent of the ruling coalition.

The mention about "autocratic rule" of Indira Gandhi and "oppression" perpetrated during the Emergency has been made in a write up on Bihar's history.

The write-up, while mentioning about contribution of Jay Prakash Narayan or JP to modern Indian history, says, "It was he who steadfastly and staunchly opposed the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi and her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi.

"Fearing people's reaction to his (JP's) opposition, Indira Gandhi had him arrested on the eve of declaring National Emergency beginning June 26, 1975. He was put in the Tihar Jail, located near Delhi, where notorious criminals are jailed.

"Thus, in Free India, this septuagenarian (JP), who had fought for India's freedom alongside Indira Gandhi's father, Jawahar Lal Nehru, received a treatment that was worse than what the British had meted out to Gandhiji in Champaran in 1917, for his speaking out against oppression."



Angered over this, state Congress leader Chandan Yadav said the references are "totally unacceptable" and that his party will raise the issue with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

A senior official said it will be got checked.
Expressing confidence that BJP's alliance with PDP will continue in Jammu and Kashmir, its leader Nirmal Singh today said the party has written to Governor N N Vohra saying it will have a discussion on whatever decision the PDP takes.

"Till now we all were in mourning. We will see. There have been no discussions on that (government formation), (but) it is expected that the way things were going earlier, that (alliance) would continue. I am praying that we soon have a system in place," Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister, told PTI here.

"The party has said we want (discussion) and we have written a letter to the Governor yesterday and told him that we will have a discussion on whatever decision the PDP takes," he said.

Singh said no discussions on government formation in the state have taken place between PDP and BJP so far because of the customary four-day mourning period following the demise former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The mourning period ended today.

"Everyone is sad and mourning. After this, we will start discussions," he said when asked if BJP had any differences with its alliance partner over the succession of Sayeed's daughter and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti as the next Chief Minister.

The state was yesterday put under Governor's rule as BJP.

Paying tributes to Mufti, Singh said Sayeed's endeavour was to provide good governance to Jammu and Kashmir.

"There is a huge responsibility now to provide good governance to people in his absence and to carry forward what he achieved in the last 10 months.

"A huge void has been created by his demise. Though he is not physically present now, his work and memories are before the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that needs to be carried forward," he said.
In two separate incidents, crude bombs were today hurled at the offices of Tamil Nadu minister Sellur K Raju and the ruling AIADMK here but no one was injured, police said.

Unidentified persons hurled the bombs at the office of the Cooperation Minister and at AIADMK's Madurai district office, police said.

They said no one was injured, adding, four persons have been detained and were being questioned.

Raju later alleged that the attack was carried out by "political rivals who could not bear the that about 25,000 students are joining the AIADMK".
British Prime Minister David Cameron is planning to announce a new system of vouchers for parents to take lessons in child rearing.

According to the 'Observer', Cameron will make a speech tomorrow in which hewill emphasise that it should be the norm for parents to receive instruction on how to behave around their offspring.

"In the end, getting parenting and the early years right isn't just about the hardest-to-reach families; it's about everyone," Cameron is expected to say, the 'Observer' report said.

"We all have to work at it. And if you don't have a strong support network - if you don't know other mums or dads - having your first child can be enormously isolating.

"Of course they don't come with a manual, but is it right that all of us get so little guidance? We've made progress. We've dramatically expanded the number of health visitors, and that is crucial," he will say.

As part of the UK government's Life Chances Strategy - an initiative to target tackle child poverty - the move is aimed at "significantly expanding parenting provision".

It will also recommend ways to incentivise all parents to take up the offer of classes.

A Downing Street source told the newspaper the idea is for parenting sessions to have the same popularity among the middle classes as National Childbirth Trust antenatal classes.

She added, "This will be separate to the previous CanParent pilots, but that work and what we learned from it will inform how we can reach more parents".

The 5-million-pound CanParent pilot, which Cameron set up in three underprivileged areas following the 2011 riots, attracted just 2,956 parents, a fraction of the 20,000 expected.

However, a study of the trial found high degrees of satisfaction among those who took part.

The new initiative hopes to place the family at the heart of the government's agenda for the next five years.

Cameron will say, "Families are the best anti-poverty measure ever invented. They are a welfare, education and counselling system all wrapped up into one. Children in families that break apart are more than twice as likely to experience poverty as those whose families stay together. That's why strengthening families is at the heart of our agenda".
Vehicular emission may come down by up to 51 per cent with the introduction of BS VI fuel norms, electric and hybrid vehicles and retro-fitment in diesel exhausts, an IIT Kanpur study has said.

The observations have been made in a presentation to Home Minister Satyender Jain and Environment Minister Imran Hussain by the scientists involved in the study from 2013 to 2015.

The report, that was submitted to Delhi government in November last year, has observed that during winter, on average vehicles contribute 25 per cent to PM 2.5, which are respirable particulate matters, and at certain locations this contribution could be above 35 per cent.

Vehicular emissions are the second largest source of harmful particulate matters in Delhi's air during winter.

It said that if diesel vehicles are equipped with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which have a PM emission reduction efficiency of 60-90 per cent, there would be a reduction of up to 40 per cent. "This reduction in emission will reduce the ambient air concentration by 10 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3)," it said.

It also recommends a switch to Bharat VI emission compliant petrol and diesel by the end of 2017.

The Centre recently announced its decision to leapfrog directly from BharatIV emission norms for petrol and diesel to Bharat VI standards (equivalent to Euro VI norms followed globally).

Bharat IV fuels, currently in force in major cities, contain 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, while Bharat VI stipulates 10 ppm sulphur. "This ultra-low sulphur fuel will reduce PM10 and PM2.5 emissions from vehicles by about 6 per cent," it said.

If electric and hybrid vehicles are introduced, the percentage reduction in emission is estimated to be 2.3per cent, the 'Source Apportionment Study' says.

"If the suggestion are implemented as scheduled, then there is an effective reduction of 51 percent of total vehicular emissions."



Vehicular pollution in Delhi has grown from 64 to 72 per cent from 1990 to 2000, whereas petrol and diesel consumption have grown by 400 per cent and 300 per cent respectively, the report says.

The draft report has also found the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), that are extremely toxic chemicals and a product of emissions from diesel-run vehicles among others.

Apart from PAH, the draft report, that has been submitted to the Supreme Court, identifies the sources of suspended particulate matter PM 2.5, namely road dust (38 per cent), vehicles (20 per cent), domestic fuel burning (12 per cent) and industrial point sources (11 per cent).

It underscores that secondary particles, which add to PM 2.5 called nitrates, formed by NOx and sulphate formed by SO2 are about 30 per cent in the winter months and 15 per cent during summer.
Armed robbers today looted Rs. Two lakh from a cattle trader at gun point at a village in Bihar's Madhepura district, a police officer said.

The incident took place at Kathotiya village when some armed robbers intercepted a cattle trader Md. Kalam while he was riding on a bike on way to a cattle market and looted the cash contained in a bag from him at gun point, Bihariganj police station in-charge Rajesh Kumar said.

A case has been registered in this connection and raids were being carried out to nab the culprits, he said.
Five years after British charity worker Denyse Carol Sweeney was found dead at a club in Goa, CBI has taken over investigations in the alleged murder which was turning to be a blind case for police.

CBI sources said the takeover was according to rules and the agency has re-registered the FIR of the Goa Police which had said it was case of unnatural death.

When asked about the development, CBI Press Information Officer R K Gaur said the agency has taken over investigation in the case and the probe is on.

According to the rules, CBI takes over same FIR which was registered by local police but after investigation, its final report may add charges or discard allegations mentioned in the police report.

Denyse (35), while on a vacation in Goa had gone to Primrose nightclub at Vagator village and allegedly fell on the ground near the toilet, the local police had claimed in its FIR.

She was shifted to St Anthony's Hospital in Anjuna beach where she died on April 16, 2010 during treatment, it claimed.

The autopsy had claimed that she had died because of 'cerebral pulmonary oedema' (accumulation of fluid in brain and lungs) with multiple injuries on her body but could not determine the causes of the medical condition, the sources said.

The police had initially cited "drug overdose" as the cause of death, but following protests from her sister and pressure from the British authorities, it changed the course of probe to that of murder.

"The chemical analysis report indicates neither drugs nor



poison is detected in the contents of exhibits sent for analysis. It was further alleged that other causes contributing to cerebral pulmonary oedema could not be detected during the post-mortem examination," Goa police had claimed.

The local police has apparently botched up the probe with the viscera being sent to the laboratory 20 months after the incident whereas it should have been sent within six months of the autopsy.

Senior officials of Goa Police had admitted the botch-up in sending the viscera for examination saying it was sent to Regional Forensic Science Laboratory at Surat in November 2011 which yielded in inconclusive results.

They had claimed that police tried to get it examined as early as possible but could not get an "appointment" from various forensic laboratories.

The sources said role of a foreign national who was present at the site is also under scanner.

After the post-mortem at Goa Medical College and Hospital, forensic experts had reserved opinion on the cause of death, waiting for viscera analysis.

Denyse's body was sent to her native place, Derbyshire, after the autopsy here. Her sister Maureen had started a campaign suspecting foul play as there were multiple wounds.

She had got a second autopsy done in Britain which reportedly had ruled out presence of any trace of alcohol or drugs in the body.

Denyse is survived by a son and a daughter. When the incident took place in April 2010, she was on a vacation to Goa.
The Centre has cleared a proposal from the Jharkhand government for a $210 million assistance from the World Bank for urban infrastructure projects.

The proposed World Bank funding, with a state government commitment of $90 million, will address to some extent the huge investment requirements of the state in developing urban infrastructure and strengthening relevant state-level urban sector institutions.

"The Union Finance Ministry has recommended state's proposal for $210 million (Rs 1,365 crore) World Bank assistance for Jharkhand Sustainable Urban Development Project. We are working out detailed project reports as the assistance is likely soon," Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, Jharkhand, Arun Kumar Singh told PTI.

Singh said the state government has already committed $90 million (Rs 585 crore) for the project.

"The projects under Jharkhand Sustainable Urban Development Project pertain to strengthening state's transportation system, augmenting its road infrastructure besides projects pertaining to Subarnrekha river," Singh said.

He said Jharkhand's total urban investment requirement was pegged at Rs 13,281 crore and after expected grants etc from various sources its net investment gap was assessed at Rs 9,996 crore.

"Given the backlog in investments, the requirements of urban infrastructure in the state are substantial. Since the amount of funding from the World Bank is limited to $210 million, the Project will be able to address a sub-set of infrastructure sub-projects across the state," Singh said.

He said the Project is well aligned with the new national urban agenda of the country as outlined through various national urban missions of the Government of India, such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swach Bharat Mission and the Smart Cities Mission.
Major General Shashank Shekhar Mishra today took over the reins of the Red Shield Division in Manipur.

At a ceremony held at Leimakhong, Major General P Nagesh Rao relinquished the command of Red Shield Division with a successful and eventful tenure, an official statement said.

Maj Gen Mishra is a decorated soldier with varied staff and instructional appointments in the Army. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Army, he was awarded the prestigious 'Vishisht Seva Medal' in 2009, it said.
Local officials in a central Chinese province violated rules in forcibly demolishing part of a hospital, sending medical staff fleeing and burying under rubble six bodies being processed at a morgue, a state broadcaster said today.

Xiong Zhiliang, a district official overseeing demolition work in the city of Zhengzhou, was fired, while local police were further investigating the incident that took place on Thursday, China Central Television said.

Forced demolitions are common in Chinese cities, where local authorities turn to real estate development to fuel economic growth. Clashes over land are frequent, and some turn deadly.

The No. 4 Hospital of Zhengzhou University has accused the local government of ordering the demolition after failing to get the hospital to agree to a road expansion project.

The hospital management also complained to state media that it was extremely disrespectful for the demolition crew to bury the dead in the rubble.

The Huiji district government in Zhengzhou said Thursday that it sent in the bulldozer only after the hospital turned a deaf ear to requests that its CT room and morgue must be demolished to make way for the road project.

The district defended itself by saying that the workers checked that no one was inside before they torn down the buildings.
As many as 200 families hit by the Chennai deluge will receive financial assistance from two city-based NGOs run by the Marwari community.

NGO Marwaris in Thane Welfare president Summan Agrawal told reporters here today that her and another NGO Supriya Foundation, both run by Marwaris, will give financial aid to 200 families affected by the unprecedented rainfall in Chennai recently.

She said the aid will be transferred online directly into the bank account of the beneficiaries during the 5th Rajasthan Mahostav to be held this weekend here.

The total amount of the aid was, however, not disclosed.

Besides, around 20 families of drought-affected farmers from the state would also be given assistance, she said.
Congress loyalists have formed a new group in Chhattisgarh to help the party regain its golden days in the state by "exposing" alleged corruption and wrong doings of the BJP government.

Named 'Indira Vahini' and comprising Congressmen whose families have been associated with the party for generations, the new group will identify and approach other families wedded to Congress ideology to work for the party's victory in the next Assembly polls.

"We will form crack teams in all the 90 Assembly constituencies of the state. These teams will establish contact with traditional Congress supporters and look for deficiencies in the BJP government in the state and expose it.

"These findings will then be shared with the Congress high command in Delhi before making them public. The aim is to bring back golden days for Congress in the state," said Bhujit Doshi, coordinator and brain behind Indira Vahini.

Congress has lost three successive Assembly polls in the state in 2003, 2008 and 2013 to BJP.

Recently, Amit Jogi, son of Congress' former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, was suspended by the party for his alleged involvement in fixing Antagarh assembly bypoll in 2014 which was won by the BJP nominee. Amit Jogi is a Congress MLA from Marwahi constituency.

"We intend to dissuade the embattled party leaders from sabotaging its poll prospects in 2018 Assembly elections. We are not after party ticket but for party's victory in all the elections including Assembly polls due in November 2018," said Doshi, who is also incharge of social media cell of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee.

In the last Assembly polls, the difference in vote share between BJP and Congress was less than one lakh.

"In all 90 seats, the difference of votes share between BJP and Congress was less than one lakh. This situation can change in future elections provided Congress supporters are united in the state. Our effort is aimed at this," said Doshi, son of renowned journalist from naxal-hit Bastar region Late Kirit Doshi.

BJP had polled 53,65,272 votes and Congress 52,67,698 in the 2013 Assembly election.

Bhujit, who has been in Congress for the past 25 years, said the party can easily form its government with two thirds majority as people are fed up with the present BJP dispensation.

Nilmani Choubey, another senior Congressman, said 'Indira Vahini' under no circumstances will work as a B team of any heavyweight. This group will serve as a helping hand for the Congress, he said.
Altogether 499 persons, including six juveniles, were arrested by District Executive Force (DEF) Kohima in connection with 352 criminal cases registered in 2015, top police official said today.

The DEF Kohima registered a total 352 cognizable cases, of which 161 are reported cases while 191 were of self detected (suo-moto) cases by the district police, Senior SP Joseph Hesso said in a release here.

Of the 352 cases, 290 chargesheets have been filed, 31 final report submitted while another 31 are pending investigation, he said.

The total number of cases registered against women is 50 of which 24 are crime against women and 26 are crimes committed by women.

A total of 252 Inner Line Permit defaulters were arrested during the year and booked under section 3 and 4 of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, Act of 1873.

The Senior SP acknowledged the support and guidance provided by the citizens and also conveyed his gratitude to the citizens particularly those who have helped the police in prevention and detection of crimes and criminals in the township.

Hesso also requested the public to come forward and correct the police so as to improve their working system.
Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI), a body of Dalit entrepreneurs, has asked the West Bengal government to frame a policy for SC/ST-run small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

There are a number of SMEs in the state which are being run by SCs and STs, DICCI chairman Milind Kamble said.

He was speaking at the two-day Bengal Global Business Summit that concluded yesterday.

"There are several states which have a separate policy for such enterprises which offer certain benefits", the DICCI chairman informed in a meet at the summit, which was also attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Kamble suggested that West Bengal should also come forward in drawing up a similar policy for the Dalits-run units.

He said such a policy would help the Dalits to run their units in a better manner.

Headquartered in Pune, the organisation has grown with the help of 18 state chapters and seven international chapters.
The parents of a 20-year-old Dalit nurse, who was found murdered, today cremated her body six days after the incident only when police managed to arrest the accused.

The body of the nurse was found on Tuesday lying in a field in Jewar area. She was suspected to have been raped and murdered. However, in post-mortem report rape was not confirmed.

Her family members accused Mahindra Singh, a driver, of murdering her and had said that they would not cremate the body till the accused was arrested.

"The accused was arrested from Haryana today. The woman's body was cremated by her family members today evening," Jewar police station SHO Surinder Yadav said.

Various Dalit organisations held protest today and demanded Rs 2 crore compensation and job to one family member.

The district administration had earlier recommended Rs 10 lakh compensation.

"On humanitarian ground, job to one of the family members will be arranged at private factory here," said additional district magistrate Chandra Shekar.
DCW chief Swati Maliwal today visited a slum cluster in northeast Delhi's New Usmanpur area, where three children of a family died in a fire last night, and said she will take up the matter with Delhi State Legal Services Authority to seek compensation for the victims' kin.

"Though nothing can compensate such a huge loss (of lives), we will write to the DLSA seeking compensation for the family of the victims," Maliwal said.

She said it is the "saddest" thing that could ever happen to a family.

"The family is very poor, they had a tarpaulin sheet on their head. So when it burnt, the mother managed to escape but it fell on the children. The mother was inconsolable," she said.

Maliwal said a doctor was called to the spot during her visit and the mother was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The fire broke out around 11.30 pm last night, following which eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Police said a short circuit could have lead to explosions from three cooking gas cylinders.

The deceased have been identified as Reena (10), Meena (7) and six-month-old Mubarak.

Their neighbour's son Shakhuddin also got trapped inside a burning shanty and he is now admitted in a hospital with 60 per cent burn injuries, said police.
Delhi Police last year arrested 216 proclaimed offenders, including 12 involved in heinous crimes, an increase of 490 per cent from 2014.

Police said that the result was achieved through the "concerted efforts" made throughout the year by special teams of various police stations of north-west district.

The team of Subhash Place police station bagged the most proclaimed offenders by nabbing 51, police said in a statement.

If a person, against whom a warrant of arrest has been issued, is absconding and does not appear despite a proclamation issued by court to appear at a specific place and at a specific time, he is declared as a proclaimed offender.

"The performance during the year 2015 showed the improvement of about 490.90 per cent in comparison with the corresponding figures of 2014," the statement said.
Scientists have proposed a revolutionary device which they say could create detectable gravitational field, an advance that may transform physics and shake up Einstein's theory of general relativity.

Until now, a scientific advance like this was a dream of science fiction, but it could open up many new applications such as telecommunications with gravitational waves that would allow calling the other side of the world without going through satellite or terrestrial relays, researchers said.

At present, scientists study gravitational fields passively. They observe and try to understand existing gravitational fields produced by large inertial masses, such as stars or Earth, without being able to change them as is done, for example, with magnetic fields.

This led Andre Fuzfa from Namur University in Belgium to attempt a revolutionary approach - creating gravitational fields at will from well-controlled magnetic fields and observing how these magnetic fields could bend space-time.

In his study, Fuzfa has proposed, with supporting mathematical proof, a device with which to create detectable gravitational fields.

The device is based on superconducting electromagnets and therefore relies on technologies routinely used, for example, at CERN.

Although this experiment would require major resources, it could be used to test Einstein's theory of general relativity.

If successful, it would be a major step forward in physics - the ability to produce, detect and, ultimately, control gravitational fields, researchers said.

People could then produce gravitational interaction in the same way as the other three fundamental interactions (eg electromagnetic and strong and weak nuclear forces), ushering gravitation into a new experimental and industrial era.

The research was published in the journal Physical Review D.
A disciplinary committee of the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today declined to revoke or stay the suspension of 10 lawyers, saying it had no jurisdiction to decider the issue.

"If any order has been passed by the Bar council, the remedy for the aggrieved person is very much available before the Bar Council of India, and not before this committee," ruled the committee, comprising chairman R Arunachalam and members K K S Ramachandran and R Ajay Kumar.

"The duty cast on the disciplinary committee is to inquire and dispose of only the suo motu complaint initiated as per the resolutions passed by the Bar council, they said, adding arguments for stay of the order could not be accepted."



Tamil Nadu as on date has at least 44 lawyers serving suspension for alleged professional misconduct.

The first batch of 14 was suspended by the Bar Council of India for taking out anti-helmet rallies and allegedly abusing judges.Their cases and that of another batch of eight, suspended for a tiff with CISF personnel, are being heard by a disciplinary committee of Karnataka Bar Council, at Bengaluru.

In their present petition, this batch of suspended lawyers submitted that the September 16 agitation happened after lawyers were prevented from entering the court hall where the contempt cases were being heard.Their continued suspension had been adversely affecting their practice, they said, requesting stay of prohibitory orders.

Prohibitory orders were slapped on these lawyers on November 16, on charges of creating ruckus near a court hall hearing contempt cases against two Madurai-based Bar leaders, on September 16.
Despite a search operation for the second day today, police failed to locate the bodies of the college girl and youth, who were feared drowned in the sea at Bandra in the city yesterday.

The girl Tarannum Ansari (18), who had gone to Bandra with her two female friends, had slipped into the sea yesterday morning while taking a selfie. Hearing their screams, a local youth named Ramesh Walanju had jumped into the sea to rescue the girl.

"The duo is believed to have been swept away in the high tide," police said, adding, fire brigade officials, professional divers, two rescue boats of Mumbai Police and a helicopter of Indian Coast Guard had carried out a search operation till last night but could not locate their bodies.

"Even today, till evening the authorities concerned, including the city police, tried to locate the bodies, but could not find them," a police officer said.

In order to carry out the search operation, police had barred people from going to the spot near Bandra fort where the incident had occurred.

According to police, the incident had taken place at the time of high tide. A huge wave of water came above the rock near the sea on which the victim and her two friends were standing. Ansari slipped as the rock got slippery. Anjum and Masturi too lost their balance. Anjum was slipping but Masturi held her hand and started screaming for help.

Ramesh, who was on his way to work rushed towards them and jumped into the water, police said.

As per Masturi's statement to police, Ramesh saved her and Anjum from drowing. But when he learnt that another girl has fallen, he kept his tiffin and belongings on the rock and took a plunge.

Ramesh, a resident of Jaffer Baba colony a slum pocket behind Bandra fort, had went in deep sea, but had failed to locate Tarannum. Thereafter, he tried to swim back to the rock, but drowned in the process, police said.
Egypt's first legislature in more than three years, a 596-seat chamber packed with supporters of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has convened.

The assembly, elected in November and December, is also the first elected chamber since el-Sissi, as military chief, led the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013 following massive protests against the Islamist leader and his Muslim Brotherhood.

Today's session is mostly a procedural one, with lawmakers taking the oath in turn. The chamber is also expected to elect a speaker and two deputies.

The last parliament was dominated by Islamists and dissolved by a court ruling in 2012.

The new chamber's first task will be to ratify some 300 presidential decrees issued by el-Sissi since taking office in June 2014 and interim president Adly Mansour before him.
Congress today said engagement with Pakistan need not be disrupted despite the "grave provocation" of the Pathankot attack.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it is up to the government to decide what the level, nature and intensity of the engagement should be.

"We have said that despite this grave provocation, engagement with Pakistan need not be disrupted," he told reporters here.

He said that the government has not shared any information with the opposition regarding the Pathankot attack, security situation and the talks with Pakistan.

"And therefore, we call upon the government to ensure that on the basis of the very special domain expertise which they alone have, they must, while continuing with the engagement, ensure that there is no breach of India's security," he said, taking a dig at the BJP government.

He also made it clear that the the party does not stand by the remarks and observations, made by individuals who are not the spokespersons or in the decision making process, that foreign secretary talks should be suspended or cancelled.

He said that the Congress condemns in the strongest and unequivocal terms the slightest lapse in the Indian national security.

"After all, Indian national security is of paramount importance and any inefficiency, looseness or lapse in that regard is inexcusable and therefore we have called on the Prime Minister and the government to ensure highest possible and unbreachable standards on this subject," he said.
Seventeen suspected members or recruiters of the Islamic State, including an engineer and an IT professional, have been arrested here under an anti- terrorism operation to wipe out the threat posed by the terror group in the country.

"The 17 suspected IS members, including an engineer and an IT professional, have been arrested from different parts of Lahore during the last couple of days," a police source said today.

IT professional Ahmad Rizwan and engineer Talha were arrested from Awan Town on the information of their accomplice Usman Malik.

Malik and two others werearrested from Lahore's Sham Nagar area last week, during a series of raids by counter-terrorism officials to nab the alleged supporters and activists of the dreaded terrorist group in Pakistan.

Anotherarrested suspect has been identified as Kamran Gujjar who is an IS recruiter, he said.

"Kamran, his wife and a sister-in-law was running an NGO and recruiting women in their group," he said.

The suspects have been shifted to undisclosed location for interrogation.

Deputy Inspector General Lahore Police Haider Ashraf said the operation against suspected members of the IS would continue.

Earlier, 42 people, including women, allegedly linked to Islamic State group were arrested from different parts of Punjab Province during raids by counter-terrorism officials.

Senior IS operatives were among those arrested, including Islamabad chief Amir Mansoor, his deputy Abdullah Mansoori and chief for Sindh province Umer Kathio, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah had said.

According to the minister, about 100 Pakistanis have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State since the rise of the dreaded terror group in the Middle East.

He said the government is doing its best to stop the recruitment for the IS and the terror group would not be allowed to have their foothold in Pakistan.

Pakistan has officially denied the presence of ISIS in the country, but secretly it has been neutralising militants who have either shifted their allegiance from the Taliban to the ISIS or have shown inclination to support the group.
Betting on the fast-growing air purifier segment in the backdrop of alarming pollution levels in metros, Shapoorji Pallonji Group firm Eureka Forbes is looking at a four-fold jump in sales to around Rs 250 crore in the next four years.

Air purifiers has a niche market in India but most of the major like Philips, LG, Blueair, Panasonic have forayed into the segment.

"In another three to four years, it (air purifier) would be at least Rs 500 crore market. It is developing gradually. The present domestic market is of around Rs 100-120 crore," Shashank Sinha, Senior General Manager Eureka Forbes told PTI.

Commenting on the company's position in the segment, he said: "Eureka Forbes has over 50 per cent market share and because of the expertise and strength, which we have, I anticipate that we would retain the market leadership."



He further said that the company, which has been in air purification business for close to 20 years, would retain its top position for the next 4 years.

"We have been measuring the daily pollution of 18 cities from last 17 years... We used this data for the filters required for our range of air purifiers," he said.

In order to be ahead of the competition, he said, Eureka Forbes is also working to fully Indianise the manufacturing process of air-purifiers.

"In maximum two years from now, you would see our products completely made in India including the components," he said, adding that presently it imports 50 per cent of the components.

Eureka Forbes is selling its air purifier at a price ranging between Rs 4,000 for cars and up to Rs 40,000 for larger rooms and houses.

The company sells purifier under Aeroguard brand through physical stores and e-commerce route. Apart from that, it has also launched a specialised service brand Dr Aeroguard, under which it provides customised air purification services.

It is also exporting air purifiers to some European nations through its Swiss subsidiary, Lux International.
Goa Police have initiated an inquiry after nearly 35 families of a particular community left their ancestral village to 'relocate' into the state forests adjoining Karnataka border.

The sudden migration, which spurted since November last year, has baffled the police who have begun a detailed investigation into the matter.

"We have sent a team today to take their statement. Earlier we had sent a team and met them. They had said that they relocated for peace of mind," Superintendent of Police (South) Shekhar Prabhudesai told PTI.

The families, belonging to a tribal faith, have been living since ancestral times at Xeldem village of Quepem taluka in South Goa.

"Suddenly one after another they started deserting the village with homes locked. We found things suspicious and brought it to the notice of local police too," a Xeldem villager said on condition of anonymity.

Prabhudesai said the families who have shifted to the forest claim that they have gone there for peace of mind.

"They have not disappeared from the village. They have relocated. They say we have gone there for peace of mind," the SP said.

Police would be preparing a detailed report on the incident to be submitted to the authorities.

Xeldem locals claim that these families have shifted to forests near north eastern region of Mollem bordering Karnataka, while few are at Sucorna in Quepem itself.

The locals also claimed that the families who left have withdrawn admission of their children from schools.

Quepem police inspector Pravin Gawas, who is probing the case, refused to comment on the issue.
The Finance Ministry will exempt payments to Iran from hefty withholding tax if the Persian Gulf nation were to receive full payment for oil it sells to India in rupees.

With sanctions against Tehran blocking payment channels, 45% of the oil India imports from Iran are settled in rupees since January 2012. The remaining gets accumulated and cleared as and when easing of sanctions opens payment window.

In June last year, Iran agreed to receiving all of the payment in rupees but wanted waiver of 40% withholding tax.

Finance Ministry is agreeable to such waiver, a senior government official said.

"The Budget for 2012-13 had exempted Indian refiners from paying withholding tax when paying 45% of dues in rupees to Iran. The same benefit will be extended to 100% payments made in rupees," he said.

As of now, Indian refiners owe Iran $5.8 billion.

Cabinet approval for exempting payments to National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC) would be sought, he said.

But Iran may no longer be keen on taking payments in rupee when the option of getting payment in hard tradable currencies like US dollar and Euro is on the verge of opening.

Oil and banking sanctions against Iran may be lifted as early as this month following a historic deal the Persian Gulf nation reached with the US and other western powers in July last year.

Sanctions are to be lifted on Iran agreeing to limit its nuclear programme.

Sources said Iran was using the rupee payment it received since January 2012 to pay for imports from India. It had planned to use the full payment received in rupee for the same purpose.

Rupee is not freely traded on international markets.

In March 2012, the Finance Ministry had issued a notification exempting 45% of payments made to Iran in rupee from any local tax.

The notification, under Section 10 (48) of the Income Tax Act, related with tax exemptions in regard to foreign oil companies selling crude oil in India has notified the National Iranian Oil Company has as a "foreign company".

This followed fears that the money paid to NIOC may be considered as income generated by Iranian firm in the country and liable to be taxed.

Iran is India's 5th largest crude oil supplier, selling 6.53 million tons of oil in the first half of 2015-16. Iranian supplies made up for 6.6% of the 99.36 million tons of oil India imported during April-September.

Iran was India's second biggest supplier of crude oil after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 and made up for 12% of India's oil needs. But sanctions relegated it to 7th spot last fiscal with supplies of 10.95 million tons. This year it has regained some lost ground.
In a tragic incident, three siblings including a six-month-old boy were killed and another child was injured when a fire broke out in a slum cluster in the city's New Usmanpur area.

Police suspected the fire, which broke out at around 11.30 PM last night and gutted over a dozen shanties, was caused by a short circuit and three gas cylinders explosions. Eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot that took around three hours to douse the flames, fire department officials said.

The three killed have been identified as Reena (10), Meena (7) and six months old boy Mubarak. Another child in their neighbourhood, Shakhuddin, also got trapped inside a burning shanty. He is now hospitalised with 60 per cent burn injuries, police said.

Shakhuddin's father Allah Rakha suffered burn injuries while trying to save the children. Also, two buffaloes were killed in the fire, they said.

Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal, who visited the slum cluster to take stock of the situation, said she will take up the matter with Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to seek compensation for the victims' kin.

"Though nothing can compensate such a huge loss (of lives), we will write to the DLSA seeking compensation for the family of the victims," Maliwal said.

She said it is the "saddest" thing that could ever happen to a family.

"The family is very poor, they had a tarpaulin sheet on their head. So when it burnt, the mother managed to escape but it fell on the children. The mother was inconsolable," she said.

Maliwal said a doctor was called to the spot during her visit and the mother was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Overseas investors continued to show good appetite for Indian bonds and pumped in a little over Rs 3,700 crore in such in the New Year.

The latest inflow comes following a net investment of Rs 45,856 crore ($7.4 billion) by them in the debt in 2015.

According to data available with depositories, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) infused a net amount of Rs 3,706 crore ($554 million) into the debt during January 1-8.

However, FPIs pulled out Rs 493 crore from equity markets, still leaving behind an investment of Rs 3,214 crore during the period.

Capital poured in by the FPIs is often referred to as 'hot money' because of its unpredictability, although they continue to remain among the most important drivers of Indian stock markets.

Market experts attributed inflows in the debt markets to relative stability of the rupee compared with other currencies.

In addition, price of crude oil is expected to stay below $50 a barrel and the current account deficit is in control, the outlook for the currency is also positive, they added.

While, overseas investors withdrew money from the equity markets on concerns over the health of Chinese economy.
Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today visited the residence of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti to offer condolences on the demise of her father and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

"It is no time to talk politics. I have come here to convey condolences on behalf of the central government," Gadkari told reporters outside the Fairview residence of Mehbooba at Gupkar here.

Recalling his meeting with the former Chief Minister in Delhi, the Union Minister said Sayeed had a dream for Jammu and Kashmir which included tourism, development and infrastructure among other things.

"We will try to fulfill all the assurances given to him on Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Sayeed breathed his last on Thursday at AIIMS in New Delhi after undergoing treatment there since December 24.
Reaching out to Dalits, Union minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot has demanded renaming of Mhow railway station after B R Ambedkar.

Gehlot, in a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, has demanded that the name of Mhow railway station be changed to Dr Ambedkar Nagar Railway station.

The move comes at a time when both Congress and BJP are making serious efforts to woo Dalits ahead of elections in key states later this year and the next.

Congress has repeatedly accused BJP of trying to appropriate national icons connected with it.

Mhow in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh is the birth place of Ambedkar, who was the champion of the civil rights of Dalits and is often described as the architect of Indian Constitution.

Mhow was renamed Dr Ambedkar Nagar in 2003 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

"As you are aware, city Mhow in Indore, Madhya Pradesh was renamed as Dr Ambedkar Nagar in the year 2003, and notification to this effect was also issued.

"It is pertinent to mention here that as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, any proposal for renaming of railway stations should come from the concerned state administration. In this context, the state government has presented the desired proposal upon my request," said Gehlot in his letter.

"As is known to you, this year is being celebrated as the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkarji all over the country. In view of this, I once again request to kindly take necessary measures for renaming the Mhow railway station as Dr Ambedkar Nagar Railway Station," the letter said.

Gehlot also referred to an earlier letter he had written to Singh and Prabhu on the same issue on December 9, saying "action in this regard is still awaited".
Authorities in Ghana say they intend to extradite a suspect in the slayings of a British actress and her two young sons in London.

Senior police official Prosper Agblor said Sunday that Ghanaian authorities had received a request to arrest Arthur Simpson-Kent.

Simpson-Kent had disappeared after speaking to detectives on December 16 following the slayings of Sian Blake, 8-year-old Zachary and 4-year-old Amon, who had last been seen three days earlier.

Authorities then believe he made his way to Ghana, where he ultimately was arrested early Saturday by police who said he was armed with a knife.

The 43-year-old Blake had appeared in the long-running soap opera "EastEnders" in 1996-1997.
Girls are the preferred choice for people opting for adoption in comparison to the boys in the country, even as the government struggles to improve the skewed sex-ratio.

7,439 girls were taken up for adoption in the last three years as compared to 5,167 boys.

Ministry of Women and Child Development has also received positive feedback from adoption agencies and other stakeholders regarding the new adoption guidelines.

According to the year-wise figure of in-country adoption of girl child provided by the ministry, 2,846 girls were adopted in 2012-13 against 1,848 boys. In 2013-14, it was 2,293 girls against 1,631 boys. 2,300 girls were adopted in 2014-15 in comparison to 1,688 boys.

"There has been an increase in the demand for girl child for adoptions. It is very encouraging to know that more and more people are coming to adopt girls," a senior official of Central Adoption Resource Authority said.

While the number of children with disabilities or special needs placed in inter-country adoption are 170, 242 and 214 during 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 respectively.

"Ministry had received positive feedback from adoption agencies and other stakeholders regarding the new adoption guidelines mainly on adoption procedure, roles and responsibilities of various agencies and authorities, timelines involved in the process of adoption," the official said.

According to the revised adoption guidelines that came into effect from August 1, 2015, the process was brought under the new IT-enabled integrated system called 'CARINGS', bringing all child-care institutions of the country into the new system.

The Ministry also recently relaxed rules for adoption for certain categories of parents including those who have lost their child to sickness or accident and those want to adopt children with special needs.

The total number of in-country and inter-country adoptions were 5,002 for the period 2012-13, 4,354 for 2013-14 and 4,362 in 2014-15.

However, the child sex ratio, which shows the number of girls per 1000 boys between the ages 0-6, is 918 according to 2011 census.

The government has started initiatives like 'Beti Bacho Beti Padhao' in 100 worst districts to encourage girl child, which according to the officials have shown significant improvement.

"The programme is showing good results and there has been improvement in the sex-ratio in districts like Haryana," the official said.
The week-long winter session of Goa Legislative Assembly will begin tomorrow during which bills pertaining to regularisation of unauthorised houses, land acquisition and common staff selection commission are likely to be tabled.

On the first day tomorrow, Governor Mridula Sinha will address the session.

During the session, elections will be held for the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, present Deputy Speaker Anant Shet told PTI today.

The election for the post of Speaker would be held on January 12, as per the decision taken by Business Advisory Committee.

BJP, which is the largest group in the House, will field Shet as its candidate for the post of Speaker.

Shet will have to resign from the deputy speaker's before filing nomination for top legislative post (Speaker).

The Speaker's post fell vacant after Rajendra Arlekar was inducted into the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar-led Cabinet.

The BJP has also announced their legislator Vishnu Surya Wagh as the candidate for the deputy speaker's post, which will fall vacant after resignation of Shet.

The election for deputy speaker's post would be held on January 14.

The session will conclude on Friday.
The nomad communities of Gujjar and Bakerwal have urged the state government toinitiate new educationalschemes fortheir tribes keeping in view their difficult lifestyle and migratory way of life.

"Given the dismal literacy rate amongst the community, the state government must initiate new educational schemes for the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities," Secretary, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) Javaid Rahi said.

Rahi saidthat only education can change the fate of Gujjars and Bakerwals asboth the tribal groups are facing extremely low literacy rates incomparisonto other tribes of Jammu and Kashmir.

The data of Government census 2011 says that seven out of ten Gujjars and Bakerwals of the state are illiterate, he said.

"The data is quite alarming rather distressing. The literacy rate amongst Gujjar-Bakerwal women is worst with 82.2 per cent illiteracy as per the data released by Registrar General of India," he said.

Rahi said that the state Government should initiate new educational schemes to tackle this serious problem of illiteracy amongst the members of the two communities.
The Gujarat government today extended financial help to the kin of two Patel youths who had died last year in the violence which erupted here following the quota stir by the community members.

As a goodwill gesture, state Health Minister and government spokesperson Nitin Patel today handed over a cheque of Rs 14.6 lakhs to Mayur Patel's mother at Collector office here.

He also presented a cheque of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of another youth - Nishith Patel.

Apart from them, Patel also assured the family members of one Pratik Patel, who is paralyzed after being shot at during violence, of bearing all the expenses-related to his ongoing treatment.

"This assistance is given from Chief Minister's Relief Fund in special case. Today, we gave Rs 14.6 lakhs to Mayur's relatives. Since they were given Rs 9 lakhs earlier, we gave a total of Rs 23.6 lakh to his family in order to ease their financial burden," Patel said.

"In the case of Nishith Patel, who died earlier, we gave Rs 4 lakh to his family members. Apart from them, one Pratik Patel is still undergoing treatment. We have assured his family members that the government will bear all his medical expenses," he added.

After battling for life for four months, 22-year-old Mayur, who was shot at during violence in Mehsana on August 26, died on December 25 last year at an Ahmedabad-based hospital.

Mayur, Nishith and Pratik were part of a mob of around 10,000 persons who were accused of pelting stones on police on August 26 at Modhera cross roads here, forcing para-military forces to open fire on them.

While Nishith died within few days of treatment, Pratik who was shot in his back, is undergoing treatment at his residence.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today inaugurated the 28th edition of International Kite Festival here where kite enthusiasts from across the world converged to take part in the event.

Patel on the occasion thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for undertaking the initiative to hold such festivals in the state during his tenure as the chief minister.

She also claimed that the Festival has boosted the kite making industry in Gujarat as well as attracted tourists in the state over the years.

"Just like this kite festival, our Prime Minister started many such festivals to make the people of Gujarat prosperous. Thanks to this festival, the kite making business in Gujarat has grown from Rs 100 crore to Rs 700 crore within last 10 years. It has helped all those who are in the business of making kites and other related products," she said.

The inaugural function, held at Sabarmati Riverfront here, was attended by several dignitaries, including Governor O P Kohli and Minister of State for Tourism Jayesh Radadiya.

In his address, Radadiya said professional kite flyers from 29 countries are taking part in the four-day event, which is simultaneously celebrated in several other parts of state.

"As many as 98 kite flyers and enthusiasts from 29 different countries have come here to take part in this festival. Apart from them, 55 participants from eight different states and 28 from Gujarat will also showcase their talent here," Radadiya said.

Participants from countries like USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Netherlands, Singapore, Turkey, Vietnam, Poland, Argentina and Brazil are taking part in this event, said Radadiya.

"Gujarat is fast becoming a favourable tourist destination due to such festivals. In 2013-14, the state had attracted 2.87 crore tourists. The next year, more than 3.26 crore tourist visited. Thanks to such festivals," he added.

Besides the main kite festival, state tourism department has also simultaneously organised the festival in other cities including Botad, Porbandar, Mandvi, Surendranagar, Khambhat and Modhera.

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Meanwhile, Vadodara also served a perfect destination for kite enthusiasts from all over the world who travelled miles to take part in the one-day jamboree, yesterday.

A bunch of kite flyers from aboard, Abdullah Kug, Dona Taylor, Silvia, Tom xin Bo, on the occasion said they eagerly wait for kite festivals in Gujarat because of its grand celebrations.

Kite enthusiasts from 15 countries like China, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Italy, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Cambodia, Malasiya, Turkey arrived in the city to participate in the event.

A kite flyer from New Zealand, Peter Lynn, said, she is a member of New Zealand Kitefliers Association and was happy to attend the festival here.

Tom xin Bo, who has travelled all the way from China, said, "I have been visiting Gujarat for kite festivals for the last five years and have not seen such a colourful festival celebrated at such a large scale.
CPI(M) Politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra today said the party has talked to the Congress about a possible electoral tie-up in poll bound West Bengal to fight the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

"Terror, non-development and unemployment are prevailing during the rule of the Trinamool Congress. As the leader of the opposition in the Assembly, I have talked to the Congress to stop these," Mishra told a public rally at Dhulagarh in Howrah district.

"Now, the Congress has to decide what it will do. They have to talk to their high command. It may take time. (But) the sooner they take the decision, the better," he said.

The former minister said CPI(M) has two slogans: "Trinamool hatao Bengal bachao" and "BJP hatao desh bachao".

On Trinamool president and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assurance to industrialists that the party will not harass them, Mishra said it was she herself who had driven away industry from Singur and from Nandigram.

"Now will industry come when your are driven away," Mishra said.

During her speech at the Bengal Global Business Summit yesterday, Banerjee had said, "We do not want to harass the industrialists. It is not good to harass them. Let them be in peace."



Mishra claimed that no development has taken place during the TMC rule.

CPI(M)'s state committee member agreed that the line



adopted in West Bengal may have violated the official party line, but the state unit was left with no other choice.

"We will continue our fight against TMC and BJP along with Congress. There will be united fight with Congress...The next big election is in 2019...So for the time being the question of alliance with Congress in elections doesn't arise. But our fight to create the broadest possible unity will continue," the state committee member said.

"Several leaders referred to how the Central Committee had ignored the sentiments of state unit, be it expulsion of Somnath Chatterjee or not allowing Jyoti Basu to become the Prime Minister in 1996," another state committee member said.
Police in the northern German city of Hamburg said today they have recorded 133 cases of offences including sexual assaults allegedly committed against women during New Year's celebrations.

Investigators have not identified any suspects for the assaults that allegedly took place at the port city's party avenue Reeperbahn.

But victims have described the perpetrators as having "African, Arab, or south European appearance", a police spokesman told AFP.

"It can of course be possible that the perpetrators belong to one group, but at the moment, the descriptions are different," said the spokesman, when asked if a parallel could be drawn to the assaults reported in Cologne, on a far larger scale, where assailants are allegedly of North African origin.

Germany was stunned this week by a rash of assaults during New Year's festivities, with Cologne police recording almost 400 cases that ranged from groping to theft to two reported rapes.

Police have said North African asylum seekers and illegal migrants are the main suspects in the Cologne rampage, inflaming a debate in Germany over whether it could integrate 1.1 million asylum seekers who arrived last year.

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday took a firm line against convicted asylum seekers, saying she backed changes to the law to allow the deportation of all those handed jail time, even if it is only a suspended sentence.
Amid a raging political crisis in Nepal over its new Constitution, the country's last monarch Gyanendra Shah today said he may have abandoned the palace but not the nation or his responsibility towards the people.

Gyanendra, in a statement, hinted that he may have some role in Nepalese politics, nearly eight years after his rule came to an end following a popular revolt that forced him to abdicate.

The 68-year-old former King's remarks came on the eve of 293th birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan Shah, Gyanendra's forefather who unified Nepal in 18th century AD, when the king of small state Gorkha conquered Kathmandu and expanded his empire.

Gyanendra's statement comes at a time when Nepal is facing a crisis with the border blockade following promulgation of the Constitution last year.

Madhesi, people residing in Terai region bordering India, have rejected the statute and are protesting for the last five months. The protests have resulted in clashes with police that have claimed 50 lives.

"I handed over the property of the people to them and left the palace for the sake of national interest, happiness, prosperity and satisfaction of the people," he said.

"But all should remember that I have not left my Nepali home and have not given up my responsibility towards Nepal and its people," he asserted.

Gyanendra was removed from the Narayanhiti Palace, from where the Shah dynasty resided, in May 2008 after Nepal's newly first Constituent Assembly abolished monarchy and converted the country into a republic.

The erstwhile Hindu state was also converted into a secular one at the same time.

"It is the need of the hour that what kind of responsibility, role and support Nepali people want, from whom, (should) be revealed," he said.

The former monarch has expressed concern over the severe crisis of essential goods the people in Nepal are facing due to the blockade of key border points with India as a result of the agitation by the Madhesi groups in southern Nepal.

"Nepali people are struggling hard to manage two times meals a day and live a normal life. It is a matter of serious concern," he said and asked the people from all corners of the country to maintain communal harmony.

His remarks came a day after the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front announced it would launch a fresh protest campaign from next week.

Their major demands include re-drawing of provincial boundaries, proportionate representation and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population.
The Bombay High Court has taken up for final hearing an appeal filed by Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja against his conviction in a rape case.

The appeal came up for hearing on January 8 before Justice Abhay Thipsay, who heard briefly the arguments of Shiney's lawyers Ashok Mundargi and Manoj Mohite.

The lawyers said that the trial court had wrongly pronounced the actor guilty.

Shiney was convicted in March 2011 by a Mumbai fast track court, which sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years term in jail for allegedly raping his maid at his home in 2009.

The actor had filed the appeal in 2012 when his lawyer sought expeditious hearing. However, the appeal came for final hearing only last week.

In his appeal, Shiney claimed that though the alleged victim had retracted her statement and denied the allegation of rape in the court during trial, the trial judge had wrongly convicted him in the case.

The defence lawyers argued that prosecution had relied on DNA and forensic tests which were full of infirmities. Mundergi said he would go into the details of the infirmities at a later stage of arguments.

The actor pleaded that the police had failed to seek the phone call data record of the maid, which, he said, would prove that the allegations against him were "wrong". Also, the police did not rely on CCTV footage that supported his defence, Shiney claimed.

In his appeal, the actor argued that the extent of bias against him was evident in the cross-examination of the investigating officer, who had deposed saying he "did not feel it necessary to investigate the CDR" or the footage.

The actor's appeal said the chain of custody of swabs, which is vital to a DNA test report in a criminal trial, was not followed. Moreover, a witness had stated that "there was no record of taking or giving seal" for the swab vial and the report on a swab in which no DNA was found had "disappeared".

Shiney's lawyers argued that the findings of the trial court were "contradictory and inconclusive". They said the chemical analyst had said in his deposition that "the DNA of the victim was not matched with the mixed sample as there was not enough sample to do the matching", while a doctor said "there was enough sample".

The actor was not present in the court during the arguments on January 8.
The Madras High Court has ordered CBI inquiry into the public auction and demolition of a woman's house that was carried out even though she had not taken loan from any financial institution.

Suspecting conspiracy and collusion among various government agencies, the court has ordered CBI probe into the whole transaction involving Debts Recovery Tribunal-I (DRT-I)_ in Delhi, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA), and a Delhi-based private detective agency.

The petitioner S Indira sought CBI probe in 2006 after police refused to register FIR saying it was a civil dispute.

Indira had bought the house at Kasturba Nagar in Adyar in 1974, and rented it to one V S Krishnan about 30 years ago.

After seeing an auction notice pasted on the house wall, Indira sent a legal notice to the recovery officer of DRT-I in Delhi, explaining that she was the owner and the proposed auction could not go on. Despite this, the auction was held in 2003 and the property sold.

It was submitted that it was Krishnan's Maha Krishna Financial Services Ltd which had financial transaction with IREDA. Acting on the basis of an incorrect report by a Delhi-based private detective agency -- Eagle Hunter Solutions Limited -- which misreported that the tenant was owner of the building, IREDA brought the property for auction through Debts Recovery Tribunal, sold it and the new buyer razed it too.

Lambasting everyone involved in the exercise, Justice A Selvam said the main contention of Indira is that with active conspiracy of persons concerned, the property has been attached, sold in public auction and subsequently demolished.

"Simply because DRT is having statutory protection, the court cannot close its eyes in a case like this without directing CBI to conduct investigation.In fact, it is pathetic to note that the petitioner has lost her property (dwelling house) for no mistake of her."



The judge said "M/s. Eagle Hunter Solutions Limited has not annexed any document with regard to alleged ownership of Krishnan.Therefore, the report is nothing but a waste paper."



"... To put it in short, both DRT and IREDA have acted on the basis of a waste paper submitted by M/s.Eagle Hunter Solutions Limited for the reasons best known to them."



Centre argued that action against DRT was statutorily barred and said IREDA was a public financial institution and, hence, no complaint could be registered against it without the consent of central or state government.

The judge rejected the submissions and directed CBI to conduct preliminary probe on allegations levelled in Indira's complaint and proceed against people concerned if sufficient materials are available.
Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani today announced that higher education course material will soon be made available free to students through mobile app and other sources.

"NCERT books have been made available free to students through e-pathshala and mobile apps. From next month, similar efforts will be made in higher education," Irani said on the 20th Foundation Day of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University here.

She said that 1,200 additional educational modules would be prepared and efforts would be made to provide free access to all books through a mobile app.

The Minister suggested that the university should take steps to adopt 10 villages under 'Unnat Bharat campaign' by next year.

The university has as of now adopted five villages.

She urged the students to pursue education not just for a career, but also ponder over their contribution towards the country.

Lok Sabha MP Anju Bala, former BJP MP Lalji Tandon and Vice-Chancellor R C Sobti were present on the occasion.
Comparatively higher temperatures during the ongoing winters have become a cause of concern for the wheat-growers in Punjab and Haryana with experts fearing productivity loss if mercury continues to remain this way.

Besides, experts also fear fast spread of yellow rust - a fungal disease on wheat crop due to warmer winter conditions - which turns crop's leaves' yellowish and stops photosynthesis.

"Temperatures at the moment are high. If they continue to remain high then there can be productivity loss in wheat crop," Karnal-based Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research, Director, Indu Sharma told PTI today.

Minimum temperatures in the most parts of Punjab and Haryana are hovering around 5-6 degrees above normal.

"The minimum temperatures should remain lower (than what is now) at this stage for better yield of wheat," she said.

She also expressed concern the higher temperatures would also increase the chances of the attack of yellow rust.

"There are very high chances of the spread of yellow rust at this moment as multiplication rate of fungus go up due to higher temperatures," she warned.

The disease appears as yellow-coloured, powdery linear stripes on the leaves. When touched with fingers the yellow-coloured spore mass sticks to the fingers, which is a conspicuous criteria for disease identification.

If not checked in time yellow rust can cause tremendous losses in yield, experts said.

Yellow rust has already been spotted at Anandpur Sahib, Nanbal in Punjab, Kangra, Una in Himachal Pradesh and Yamunanagar in Haryana.

Indu advised wheat-growers to be alert, regularly inspect crop and spray recommended fungicides to prevent damage due to this disease.

"Rust has hit HD 2967 and HD 3086 wheat varieties," she said adding advisories are being issued to growers to remain cautious of yellow rust.

Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Head, Department of Plant Pathology, P S Sekhon advised farmers in the sub-mountainous areas to constantly monitor their wheat crop.

Scientists have suggested farmers to apply fungicides such as Tilt 25 EC or Shine 25 EC or Bumper 25 EC or Compas 25 EC or Stilt 25 EC in 200 litre of water per acre.

Punjab and Haryana, two agrarian states, grow wheat over an area of 35 lakh hectares and 25 lakh hectares respectively.
Stating that the automotive industry in India is "highly taxed" with levies accounting for up to 77 per cent on cost, SIAM has asked the government to merge multiple taxes into a single excise duty.

The automotive industry body, in its pre-Budget presentation to the Finance Ministry, also said that Road Tax must be subsumed in GST in order to prevent state governments "tweaking it to raise further revenue as is being done today".

Besides, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said the 1 per cent NCCD (National Calamity Contingent Duty) on vehicles should be withdrawn saying "including motor vehicles, which provide mobility, in the discouraged category with tobacco is not fair and equitable".

Stressing on the need to give the sector a relief from tax burden, SIAM said: "Automotive industry in India is a highly taxed sector, taxation accounts for up to 77 per cent on cost...(it has) one of the highest taxed manufactured products in India."



On the issue of multiple taxation, SIAM said currently levies applicable on vehicles included basic excise duty -- 12.5 per cent, 24 per cent, 27 per cent and 30 per cent; automobile cess of 0.125 per cent and NCCD of 1 per cent.

These multiple levies should be merged into a single head under excise duty, it said.

The industry body is also of the view that there must only be two rates for excise duties on motor vehicles.

"Small cars/vehicles, two-wheeler, three wheeler, goods vehicle, chassis for motor vehicles, passenger vehicle designed for carrying 10 or more persons should attract lower duty (of) 12.5 per cent as is the present rate," SIAM said, adding all other passenger vehicles be levied excise duty of 20 per cent.

Looking forward to introduction of GST, SIAM said: "All kinds of domestic indirect taxes, including Road Tax, R&D Cess and Octroi should be subsumed in the proposed GST, as suggested by the Kelkar Committee."



For the vehicle industry the most important is 'Road Tax', which could undermine the entire benefit of GST unless it is subsumed in the overall GST rate, it said.

"Unless Road Tax is subsumed in GST, state governments will continue tweaking with the Road Tax rates to raise further revenue as is being done today. Today there are states which are charging Road Tax as high as 14 per cent, 18 per cent, 20 per cent, etc," SIAM said in its pre-Budget presentation.

The industry body also sought a clarity in the provisions of GST on second-hand vehicles saying "there is a huge opportunity for the government to earn revenue as a judicious tax structure under the GST can help organised trade of the second-hand vehicle business".

SIAM further said that after introduction of GST, no



additional tax should be introduced or levied.

"A provision should be made in the law that no new levy or tax can be introduced," it said.

Resenting the NCCD imposed on the auto sector, SIAM said: "In 2001-02, NCCD was imposed on tobacco products on health ground. In 2003-04, (it was) extended to motor vehicles for one year and later extended without time limit...1 per cent NCCD on vehicles should be withdrawn."



Seeking a support for promoting hybrid and electric vehicles, SIAM said excise and custom duty concession on select hybrid/electric vehicles parts should be available for a longer period instead of till March 2016.

"Budget allocation needs to be made for supporting development of hybrid and electric vehicles," it added.

The industry body also sought Centre's intervention to solve problems related to state government incentives regarding excise duty on sales tax/VAT.

"The amount of sales tax collected and retained by the manufacturer, as allowed under an incentive scheme launched by the state government, be considered as equivalent to sales tax actually paid under the excise law and thus should not be added to the assessable value of goods for excise duty calculation. This should be made effective from the date of amendment," it said.

Highlighting the need for fleet modernisation, SIAM suggested "a limited-time incentive scheme for retirement of old vehicles and replacing them with modern, safe and fuel efficient vehicles".

"Old vehicles of age 10-15 years could be retired through a single window fleet modernisation programme," it said, adding replacement incentives ranging from Rs 4,400 for two wheelers to Rs 90,000 for commercial vehicles may be considered.

SIAM said the total incentive required for scrapping 15-year-old vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, could be around Rs 56,665 crore and each new vehicle purchased against a scrapped vehicle will generate more tax revenue.
Hindi should be promoted in Nepal and the language should not be considered as a rival to Nepali, former Prime Minister and noted litterateur Lokendra Bahadur Chand said today.

"Hindi language is in practice in Nepal since a long time. There is a need to promote both Hindi and Nepali language simultaneously," he said at a function organised by Embassy of India here to mark the World Hindi Day.

Chand, who had published his first collection of stories in Hindi and authored some 4-5 books in Hindi, said Nepal's Constitution has given the status of national language to various languages spoken across the country including Hindi, though Nepali is considered as the official language.

"Hindi should not be considered as a rival to Nepali language, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India, Binaya Kumar said that Hindi is being used as a link between Nepal and India and there is a need to keep the language out of politics.

Former minister Dambar Narayan Yadav and chair of Hindi Department at Tribhuvan University of Kathmandu Sweta Dipti spoke about the importance of Hindi in cementing ties between Nepal and India.

To mark the day, Hindi poetry symposium was also organised in which around 15 poets recited poems written in Hindi.

World Hindi Day is observed to make people aware about the importance of Hindi language and to promote the language globally.

The day marks the anniversary of first World Hindi Conference which was held in 1975.
French President Francois Hollande made an unannounced visit to the main mosque in Paris today, a year after jihadist attacks in the French capital.

"The president had a short conversation and a moment of friendship and fraternity over a cup of tea," a French presidency official said.

Earlier, Hollande attended a low-key event to mark a year since 1.5 million people thronged Paris in a show of unity following the shootings at Charlie Hebdo newspaper and a Jewish supermarket.

Mosques across France opened their doors to the public this weekend in a bid by the Muslim community to build bridges following a series of jihadist attacks that rocked France in 2015.
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump today said that if China does not play a fair game, the US should start taxing the Chinese products coming into the US.

"As far as trade is concerned, if China doesn't play fairly, which they're not playing, and they haven't for many years because they beat us with devaluation, with nothing else. If China doesn't play fairly, we should tax their product -- coming in," Trump was quoted as saying by the Fox .

Trump, 69, said this tax on Chinese product could be as high as 45 per cent.

"Now, they're going for more. I don't know if you know it, but they have the largest devaluation in their history about three months ago. And, by the way, that devaluation, largest in two decades. Now, I hear they want to devalue again. And, all it means is businesses are going to be unable to compete with China," the New York based real estate tycoon said.

"I don't think you'd ever have to impose it because when this happened, China would start behaving very rapidly, so, I don't think it would ever happen," he said.

"If it did happen, our country would take in a lot, and it wouldn't necessarily be 45 per cent, it could be a lot less than that, but, our country would take a lot of money in. If you look at our trade deficit with China, have you taken a look at that lately? We're talking about USD 400 to USD500 billion dollars a year," he said.

Trump said that they are losing USD 400 to USD 500 billion dollars, in terms of a trade deficit with China.

"So, we have to shake it up. We have to get our great business people to negotiate for us because we have people negotiating our deals with China, with Japan, with Mexico, with all of these countries that our eating our lunch," he said.

Asserting that China has full control over North Korea, Trump said Beijing should solve the problem of Pyongyang.

"China should be solving North Korea, they have total power. They say they we don't have as much. They're doing that to taunt us. They have total power over North Korea," he said.

"I say we can beat them so badly, we have such power over China with trade because we have rebuilt China. They have taken so much out of our economy in terms of money that we have a lot power over China. They should solve the North Korea problem," Trump said.

Trump said he would be the greatest jobs president.
State-owned India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) is planning to raise about Rs 2,000 crore from taxable bonds this quarter for project lending.

"Our board has given approval for raising Rs 10,000 crore over the next few months in tranches. In the first tranche we will do Rs 1,500-2,000 crore through bonds issuance," IIFCL Deputy Managing Director Sanjeev Kaushik told PTI.

This fund raising could be done either by March or April, he said.

Besides, infrastructure debt fund (IDF), promoted by IIFCL, is in the process of raising Rs 1,000 crore from the second tranche to finance renewal energy projects.

The IDF has raised Rs 500 crore and remaining Rs 500 crore is expected to be tied up in the next few months, he said.

Asked about the investors who are willing to make investment in the IDF, he said, general insurance companies and few foreign investors including Kfw have shown interest.

The entire fund raised will be utilised for funding environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects like renewable energy.

It had raised its maiden scheme of Rs 300 crore in February 2014 and was the first IDF scheme of the country with units listed on BSE.

IIFCL, a wholly-owned Government of India company, was set up in 2006 to provide long-term finance to viable infrastructure projects through the Scheme for Financing Viable Infrastructure Projects through a Special Purpose Vehicle - IIFCL.

The authorised and paid up capital of the company as on September 30, 2015 stood at Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 3,900 crore respectively.
Indian Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan today arrived here on a five-day visit to attend the 5th Edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium during which he will present a guideline document on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The aim of the document is to provide guidelines for developing a speedy, responsive, coordinated and effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mechanism for Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) members, as and when required.

During the visit, he will also be calling on political and military counterparts from Bangladesh and IONS members/observers to further cement bilateral relations.

IONS was launched in February 2008 to captilise upon regional strengths of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) littorals and was 21st century's first significant international maritime- security initiative.

As many as 35 littoral states in the IOR have been grouped into four sub-regions (South Asian, West Asian, East African and South East Asian littorals including Australia).

IONS seeks to provide a regional forum through which the Chiefs-of-Navy (or equivalent maritime agency) of all the littoral states of the IOR periodically meet to constructively engage each other through the creation and promotion of regionally relevant mechanisms, events, and activities.

Its Chairmanship is rotated sequentially through each of the four sub-regions. This is to ensure that challenges of each region receive due emphasis.

The IONS Chair was held by India from 2008 to 2010, UAE from 2010 to 2012 and South Africa from 2012 to 2014. The current Chair is Australia.

The theme of the seminar this year is 'Fostering Partnership in IOR: Charting course for Maritime Cooperative Engagement'.
An Indian was today sentenced to five years in prison by a top UAE court for spying, according to a media report.

Manar Abbas was convicted by the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi of "spying for the Indian intelligence services," Gulf reported.

Abbas was found guilty of "passing on sensitive information about movement of military vessels at Abu Dhabi ports to officers at the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi", the report said.

It gave no further details. The UAE is home to many India workers.
A nine-year-old Indian-origin girl in Singapore has won the first prize for writing a story in Hindi in a literary competition at the inaugural "Hindi Prerna Awards".

Saamiya Khan, won the competition in the children group of age 8-12, is taking Hindi as a second language, which is compulsory in Singapore school curriculum for students of north Indian origins.

The competition was held for three groups, pupils of 8-12-year-old in children group, students of 13-16 in youth group and those above 16 in the higher learning classes in the open group.

Saamiya, a primary four pupil, says she was inspired by her parents, Mohammed Shariq Khan and Sheba Khan, to learn Hindi and now speaks more confidently on telephone with her grandparents in Mumbai.

India's High Commissioner Vijay Thakur Singh handed over the prize to Saamiya.

Anshul Tukol won the story writing in the youth group and Anjali Tripathi for the open group.

Sanjay Kumar topped the competition winning all three categories of the awards - poetry, public speaking and writing for the open group.

More than 100 pupils and students from Singapore schools took part in the three-month long competition.

Forty-five of them were short-listed and went through the day-long final competition yesterday.

"We aim to be connected with the Hindi language and culture through these awards," said Mamta Mandal, founder of the Hindi Prerna Awards and Global Hindi Organisation.

"We are encouraging our younger generation to be linked to their roots in India through the language and culture," she said.

Mandal aims to make the awards a global platform for the Indian diaspora's younger generation learning Hindi across the world.
A joint sea exercise between Indian and Japanese Coast Guards will be held on January 15 here, aimed at strengthening relationship and refine the joint operating procedures between the coast guards of the two nations.

"A joint exercise between Indian and Japan Coast Guard named Sahyog-Kaijin-XV is scheduled to be held in the Bay of Bengal off Chennai on 15 January," a Coast Guard release said here today.

Japan Coast Guard ship 'Echigo' will be visiting Chennai between January 11-16 and a highlight of the exercise includes a "scenario of hijacking of a merchant vessel and subsequent rescue in a combined coast guard operation of both countries," the release said.

The exercise would be jointly witnessed by the Director General, Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Bisht, and Vice Amdiral Hideyo Hanamizu, Vice commandant of the Japanese Coast Guard besides other top officials.

The Japanese delegation would be calling on dignitaries of Tamil Nadu during its stay here, the release said.
All states have been asked to involve general people going about their daily chores unmindful of the solemnity of Martyrs' Day in remembering those who laid down their lives for the country.

In a directive, the Home Ministry has asked the states and union territories to issue instructions to all educational institutes and public sector enterprises under their jurisdiction for observance of the Martyrs' Day with full solemnity and in a befitting manner.

It also asked them to ensure that silence is observed, work and movement stopped for two minutes throughout the country at 11 AM on January 30, which is observed as Martyrs Day. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1948.

"In the past it has been observed that while two minutes' silence is observed in some offices, the general public goes about its occupation in the ordinary course, unmindful of the solemnity of the occasion.

"The state governments and union territories are therefore requested to take necessary steps to ensure that the Martyrs' Day is observed with due solemnity and with better public participation," the Home Ministry communique reads.

Speeches and talks connected with the significance of the day, particularly mentioning the role of freedom fighters, may be made, it said.

"The theme of talks and speeches could also deal with the duty and the moral obligation of every citizen to preserve, protect and enrich the hard-earned freedom and to promote a sense of national integration and commitment to common goals and ideals," the order said.

Field publicity units of states and union territories may hold programmes and films with the basic themes of Indian freedom movement, the role of martyrs in the freedom struggle and national integration.

Various chambers of commerce and industry may also be requested to ensure proper observance of the Martyrs' Day by their members and affiliated associations and organisations, it said.
Iran's parliament speaker said today that new US visa regulations amounted to "harassment" and reciprocal steps would be taken if the plans are implemented.

The rules, approved by Congress last month, would bar people from 38 mainly European countries from travelling to the United States without a visa if they have visited Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan since 2011.

Dual nationals of those countries would also be banned from using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

"Recently some US representatives have put some plans together which can only be referred to as harassment," parliament speaker Ali Larijani told lawmakers.

"If they don't amend it, there will be reciprocation from the Iranian side."



He did not specify what reciprocal measures might be taken. Iran recently simplified its visa entry rules, seeking to boost tourism, but the United States, Britain and Canada are among 11 countries whose citizens cannot obtain a visa on arrival.

The US plan came after calls from lawmakers and authorities to reduce security vulnerabilities after November's deadly jihadist attacks in Paris.

Some of the attackers were French and Belgians who could have travelled unrestricted to the United States.

Iran recently consulted with European countries and said the visa plan went against the spirit of the July 14 deal struck with world powers led by the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme.

The objective of the measures "is to harm the resolution of Iran's atomic dossier accomplished by Iran and the P5+1," Larijani said, referring to the countries that negotiated the deal - the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany.

European diplomats have also warned of potential retaliation for the measures, arguing that the visa programme is based on reciprocity.

The president of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher, criticised the US plans on a visit to Tehran last month, saying they sent the "wrong signal" and undermined efforts to build confidence with Iran.

Those affected would not be barred from the United States but would be required to obtain a visa through standard means, which includes a face-to-face interview at a US consulate.
Iraqi forces evacuated 635 civilians from Ramadi today as they continued to clear the city two weeks after declaring victory against the Islamic State group, security officials said.

Federal forces retook the strategic government compound in the centre of the capital of Anbar province late last month but they have yet to assert full control over the city.

"Forces from the counter-terrorism service and the Anbar police evacuated 635 civilians," said Major General Sami Kadhem al-Aredhi, a commander of elite troops in Ramadi.

He told AFP they had been trapped in areas where IS fighters are still present in Sichariyah and Sufiya, on the eastern outskirts of Ramadi.

They were taken to a camp in Habbaniyah, east of Ramadi, to join hundreds of other families displaced from Ramadi by the fighting.

Aredhi said his forces and the Anbar police also detained 12 suspected IS members who tried to slip out of Ramadi by blending in with evacuated civilians.

"The suspects were moved to a facility to be investigated as we attempt to identify all the people of Ramadi who got involved with those gangs (IS)," Anbar police chief Hadi Irzayij said.

One of the areas of Ramadi which Iraqi forces most recently cleared is the sprawling southeastern neighbourhoods of Malaab.

"Bomb disposal teams there have already defused more than 250 IEDs (improvised explosive devices," a bomb specialist in the police said.

Dozens more were defused or remote-detonated in the Albu Faraj district in northern Ramadi, a colonel in Anbar operations command said.

IS fighters had planted thousands of roadside bombs and booby traps across the city, slowing the advance of ground forces vastly outnumbering them and supported by air strikes from the Iraqi air forces and US-led coalition.
Jammu and Kashmir has been put under Governor's Rule for the seventh time since Independence and, ironically, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was an important player on all the occasions which led to the imposition of Central rule in the state.

Sayeed's death was the cause for the latest promulgation of the Governor Rule, which was imposed seventh time yesterday after allies-- PDP and BJP-- deferred the government formation process till the end of the four-day mourning period.

The PDP parton died at AIIMS hospital in Delhi on Thursday.

Invoking Section 92 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor N N Vohra yesterday promulgated Governor's Rule in the state with effect from January 8 after approval by President Pranab Mukherjee.

It was also the seventh time Governor's Rule has been promulgated in the state since Independence, the first being in March 1977.

Ironically, Sayeed was an important player in the political developments of the state on all seven occasions.

Governor's Rule was imposed in the state on March 26, 1977 after state Congress -- then headed by Sayeed -- withdrew support to the minority government of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah of National Conference.

Sheikh has come to the power following an accord with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.

The Governor's Rule lasted for 105 days and ended as the National Conference founder returned to power with a thumping majority in the Assembly polls.

Governor's Rule was imposed second time in March 1986 after state Congress -- again headed by Sayeed -- withdrew support to the minority Government of Ghulam Mohammad Shah.

Shah became the Chief Minister after he led a rebellion with National Conference against his brother-in-law and then incumbent Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in 1984.

This 246-day spell ended after Abdullah entered into an accord of his own with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The third time Governor's Rule was imposed in January 1990 when Farooq Abdullah resigned as the Chief Minister over the appointment of Jagmohan Malhotra as the state Governor following eruption of militancy in the state.

Sayeed was the Union Home Minister at that time and had brushed aside Abdullah's opposition to Mahotra's appointment.

This was the longest spell of Governor's Rule -- six



years and 264 days -- which ended in October 1996 after National Conference returned to power in Assembly elections held after a gap of nine and half years.

Six years later, Governor's Rule was again imposed in the state as the 2002 Assembly polls threw up a hung assembly with no party in a position to form a government on its own.

Sayeed, whose regional PDP had won 16 seats, negotiated an alliance with the Congress and dozen-odd independents to form the government, ending the 15-day Governor's Rule.

In 2008, Governor's Rule was again imposed after Sayeed's PDP pulled out of the Congress-led coalition government led by Ghulam Nabi Azad in June following massive protests across the state for and against the allotment of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

The Assembly elections were held later that year and National Conference and Congress formed a coalition government in January 2009, ending 178 days of Governor's Rule.

As the 2014 Assembly elections again threw up a hung verdict, Sayeed -- whose PDP emerged as the single largest party -- took over two months to stitch an alliance, this time with BJP, necessitating Governor's RUle again.

The 51-day direct Central rule ended on March 1, when Sayeed was sworn in as the Chief Minister.

This is the third time that Governor's Rule has been imposed in the state for various reasons since Vohra entered the state Rajbhawan in 2008.

Commenting on the development, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said imposition of Governor's Rule during Vohra's tenure "must be a record".

"For the 3rd time Gov(ernor) Vohra takes over the reigns of J&K. This must be a record in itself," Omar wrote on Twitter last night.
Jadavpur University Vice Chancellor Suranjan Das and other officials remained under gherao in the campus for the third day today by a section of the students demanding holding of union elections next month.

Das and other officials spent two consecutive nights under gherao. The agitators said they would not allow the VC, Registrar Pradip Ghosh and other officials to leave the office building till the authorities announced a date for the election.

"The VC has passed the ball to the Chancellor saying it depends on him. Now we will meet the Chancellor with Professor Bimal Roy. Till the time the matter is resolved our gherao will continue," the protesters said.

The higher education department had recently issued an advisory to the state-run university asking it not to hold elections to students' union in February to avoid any disturbance during exams of different boards.

Protesting this decision, a group of students of the university gheraoed Das and other officials and have been sitting outside the office since Friday evening and shouting slogans and raising placards to press for their demands.

The students said they wanted the VC to notify on their behalf that elections would be held on time.

The VC said that a letter has already been sent to the office of Governor K N Tripathi, who is also the Chancellor of state universities.

"I think he is not in the town now. After he comes we will meet him. A letter has already been sent to his Secretary on the demands of the students. I hope to resolve the situation through negotiations," Das said.

State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee had said that the students were not concentrating on their upcoming exams and raising protests which the government does not support.

In 2014, Das's predecessor Abhijit Chakrabarti was gheraoed demanding a fresh probe panel in the alleged sexual harassment of a girl student. Fearing threat to life, he called police inside the campus which created a huge furore and Chakrabarti was forced to resign.
Japan pressed Singapore to ease its ban on Fukushima food imports, following the European Union's move to relax restrictions on imports from the area, according to media reports today.

Japanese agriculture minister Hiroshi Moriyama said the Asian financial hub would take "proactive" steps to meet Tokyo's request, after holding talks with Singapore's minister for national development, reported Jiji Press.

Yesterday the EU began easing restrictions on Japanese food imports imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Under the previous rule, the EU required all food products, excluding alcohol, from Fukushima prefecture to come with radiation inspection certification.

The EU continues to restrict the importation of items such as rice, mushrooms and some fishery products, however.

Singapore has banned imports of certain Fukushima products since 2011.

"I explained the EU's step to ease" its restriction, Moriyama told Japanese journalists in Singapore.

"I asked for easing of the restriction based on scientific evidence," Moriyama said, according to Jiji.

During the talks, Wong said Singapore "would take proactive steps by studying cases such as the EU's latest step," Moriyama told reporters.

Fukushima was a key agricultural area before the 2011 disaster, when a huge tsunami swamped reactors and sparked meltdowns, sending out plumes of radioactive material.

Thousands of people were evacuated and huge tracts of land were rendered unfarmable. The accident has left the Fukushima brand contaminated both domestically and internationally.

Tokyo has been encouraging countries across the globe to ease trade restriction on Japanese food products established after the Fukushima crisis.

At least 14 countries such as Australia and Thailand have abolished their restrictions on Japanese food imports, while dozens of nations continue to maintain select regulations, according to Kyodo .
The Supreme Court has quashed the perjury proceedings initiated against a ballistic expert in the Jessica Lall murder case by the Delhi High Court in 2013 saying it was "unjust" to attribute any motive to him for changing his original stand.

A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur, while clearing P S Manocha of the charge under section 193 of the IPC, said he has been consistent that a definite opinion in the case could be given only if the suspected firearm is available for examination.

"We fail to understand how the stand taken by appellant (Manocha) attracts the offence of perjury. The appellant has all through been consistent that as an expert, a definite opinion in the case could be given only if the suspected firearm is available for examination.

"It is nobody's case that scientifically an expert can give a definite opinion by only examining cartridges as to whether they have been fired from the same firearm. It was the trial court which insisted for an opinion without the presence of the firearm, and in that context only, the appellant gave the non-specific and indefinite opinion," the bench also comprising Justice Kurian Joseph said.

It observed that an expert, in such a situation, could not have given a different opinion and said, "It was unjust to attribute any motive to Manocha that he changed his original stand in the written opinion."



"As a matter of fact, even in written opinion, appellant has clearly stated that a definite opinion in such a situation could be formed only with the examination of the suspected firearm, which we have already extracted in the beginning.

"Thus and therefore, there is no somersault or shift in the stand taken by the appellant in the oral examination before court," it said.

Manocha, in his capacity as an expert in the murder case, had to give his opinion before a trial court on whether the bullets fired at Jessica were from the same firearm.

In his written statement, he had said that a conclusive opinion on the question was not possible in the absence of the firearm for testing in the laboratory while in his oral deposition before the trial court he said that the bullets appear to have been filed from different firearms.

In his appeal, Manocha had contended that being an expert



and a professional, he only tendered his opinion in response to a specific question by court and "that does not amount to even a borderline case of perjury".

The High Court, while delivering its verdict in Jessica murder case in December 2006, had taken suo motu cognisance of witnesses turning hostile in the matter.

On May 22, 2013, the court had ordered initiation of perjury proceedings against Manocha for going back on his statement during the trial.

Lall was shot dead in April 1999 by Manu Sharma, son of Haryana Congress leader Venod Sharma after she refused to serve a drink to him at a late night party at socialite Bina Ramani's Tamarind Court restaurant in south Delhi.

The High Court, which reversed the trial court's verdict acquitting the accused on December 18, 2006, awarded life imprisonment to Manu Sharma.

In April 2010, the apex court had upheld the high court's ruling in the case.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has called up Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and extended him full support to find out the truth in the terror attack on the IAF base in Pathankot.

Sharif, during the telephonic conversation, told Kerry that Pakistan is "swiftly" carrying out investigations in a "transparent" manner into the terror attack on the air base.

"Kerry extended full support to the Prime Minister to find out the truth in the Pathankot terror incident," a statement issued by the Pakistan PMO said.

The two leaders also discussed the need to stay focused on the pressing challenge of terrorism in the region.

"We can confirm Secretary Kerry spoke today Prime Minister Sharif. They discussed a range of bilateral issues of importance to our relationship and the need to stay focused on the pressing challenge of terrorism in the region," State Department spokesman John Kirby told PTI.

"The Secretary also reiterated our belief that it remains vital for India and Pakistan to continue working together for a more secure and prosperous region," Kirby said.

The Pakistan PMO statement said Sharif "told Secretary Kerry that we are swiftly carrying out investigations in a transparent manner and will bring out the truth."



"The world will see our effectiveness and sincerity in this regard, the Prime Minister added," the statement said.

Kerry's call to Sharif came amid Indian intelligence reports suggesting that groups and people in Pakistan planned and executed the strike on the Pathankot airbase.

Kerry said the US hopes that talks between India and Pakistan will continue despite the fact that terrorists have tried to thwart it because "continuation of India-Pakistan talks is needed in the interest of regional stability and the leadership role by both the Prime Ministers is required to ensure continuous dialogue," said the statement.

Sharif said Pakistan would not allow anyone to use its soil to carry out terror operations abroad, it added.

The statement said Kerry "lauded the Prime Minister's leadership role in such difficult environment, which was the exact the leadership needed in this situation.
Lebanese police today arrested the suspected mastermind behind blasts in southern district of the capital that killed dozens of people in November, a security source said.

The man, identified as Abu Talha, was accused of being the chief "coordinator" of a "cell that prepared a string of explosions in Lebanon" including in Beirut's Burj al-Barajneh district, the security source said.

He was seized in a special operation carried out by an elite unit of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) in the northern port city of Tripoli, the source told AFP.

The explosions in the densely populated neighbourhood of Burj al-Barajneh on November 12 killed 44 people. They were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.

According to the security source, Abu Talha "was in communication with IS in Raqa," the de facto Syrian capital of the jihadist group's self-styled "caliphate".

Security forces had been monitoring Abu Talha for "a long period," including when he went into hiding after the December arrest of Bilal al-Baqqar, another prominent planner, the source added.

In an emailed statement, the ISF confirmed it had arrested Abu Talha in a dawn raid on a residential building in Tripoli.

It said he was being interrogated.

A security source in northern Lebanon said Abu Talha, born in 1986, was also known as Khaled Seifeddine Zeineddine.

On November 15, Lebanese Interior Minister Nuhad Mashnuq said security forces had arrested 11 people, mostly Syrians, over the bombings.

At the time, he said "the whole suicide bombing network" behind the Burj al-Barajneh blasts had been arrested.

Tripoli is one of Lebanon's most volatile cities, and fighting has broken out there between its majority-Sunni population and minority of Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.
The party of Madagascar's president has won an overwhelming victory in last month's senatorial elections, held six years after the upper house of parliament was dissolved because of a coup, the electoral commission said.

According to preliminary results published yesterday, President Hery Rajaonarimampianina's HVM party won more than 60 per cent of the vote in each of the country's seven provinces.

Nearly 13,000 "grand electors" - the former French colony's mayors and city councillors - cast ballots for 42 of the senators in the notoriously unstable island nation, while another 21 are to be appointed by the head of state.

Despite concerns raised by the opposition and observers, the electoral commission told the press yesterday it had accomplished its mission in holding a successful vote.

The results have been forwarded to the Constitutional Court to determine the number of seats awarded to each party.

The upper chamber was dissolved after Antananarivo mayor Andry Rajoelina ousted President Marc Ravalomanana in the 2009 coup, which ushered in years of turmoil in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Rajoelina headed up a "transitional" regime until finally a presidential election was held in 2013, won by Hery Rajaonarimampianina and deemed free and fair.

With the Senate in place, the president will be able to dissolve the lower house national assembly and call snap polls.

The president and his government, currently with no support in the lower house, have weathered two attempts by the MPs to unseat him last year for alleged constitutional violations and general incompetence.

Madagascar remains one of the world's poorest countries, heavily dependent on foreign aid that was virtually cut off following the 2009 coup.
Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai today called upon education institutions giving engineering training to focus on skill development.

"Today's employers want to employ persons who will be of utility to their industry. They won't take anybody in simply because they have a degree. Therefore, we need to adopt the path of skill development," Desai said here at the 45th annual national convention and international conference of Indian Society for Technical Education.

He said that Maharashtra government was concerned about the state of the affairs and concentrated its efforts on skill development.

"Around 10 lakh graduates pass out every year and look for jobs. They apply, apply but get no reply. Only 20 per cent of them find jobs. The others keep struggling. This is happening because we haven't revamped even the basic courses taught at our ITIs over a period of last 50 years," he added.

Desai observed and called for reshaping the type of education that is being imparted at these institutions.

On Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), he said the state bagged 35 per cent of the total FDI in the country.

"Having bagged this is not enough. They (industries) are demanding skilled manpower. They can't recruit mere degree holders. And here, everything makes a difference," he added.

To overcome this problem the state invited industry captains from the world to impart skill training to the ITI students and signed an MoU with Bosch so that the workforce became employable.

Meanwhile, on textile industry he said that the state government is introducing a new policy as textile is an important sector.

"Earlier, the textile industry was focused in non-cotton growing regions, but now we have decided to set up this industry in only cotton growing regions and 10 textile parks are coming up in Vidarbha, Marathwada and north Maharashtra regions.

He said the first of the proposed ten textile parks was coming up in Nandgaonpeth near Amravati, which was being developed as a model township for textile.

According to the Minister, nine big textile houses like NTC, Siyaram, Shyam Indofab and Raymonds were setting huge units here with a collective investment of over Rs 15,000 crore, thus creating job opportunities for more than 10,000 locals.
A man who investigators say claimed he shot and wounded a Philadelphia police officer in the name of Islam has been charged with attempted murder.

Edward Archer also was charged with aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer and several firearms crimes yesterday. He is being held without bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan 25. The Defender Association of Philadelphia, listed in court documents as representing him, couldn't be reached yesterday for comment.

Authorities say Archer, 30, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, fired at least 13 shots toward the officer as he patrolled his usual west Philadelphia beat shortly before midnight on Thursday.

They say Archer fired repeatedly as he raced toward the officer's car, then reached into the driver's side, still firing, hitting the officer three times.

Officer Jesse Hartnett, although seriously wounded, was able to get out of his car, chase the man and return fire, wounding him in the buttocks, police said. Other officers chased Archer and apprehended him about a block away.

Investigators said Archer told them he was "following Allah" and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, and he believed the police department defends laws that are contrary to Islam.

Investigators believe Archer traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2011 and to Egypt in 2012. They are investigating the purpose of those trips, FBI special agent Eric Ruona said.

"It's definitely an area of great investigative interest to us, and we are working with our (Joint Terrorism Task Force) partners in trying to sort out what he was doing there," Ruona said yesterday.

Archer's mother told The Philadelphia Inquirer that her son had been hearing voices recently and had felt targeted by police. She said the family had asked him to get help.

An attorney who briefly represented Archer in a 2012 case told WCAU-TV on Friday that his client was "always looking over his shoulder."



"He was very impulsive, he was very paranoid," said Doug Dolfman, who represented Archer for three weeks after being hired by his mother, the station reported.

Hartnett, 33, was shot three times in the arm and will require multiple surgeries, but was listed in stable condition at a hospital. Archer was treated and released into police custody.
A man dressed up in a GRP sub-inspector's uniform strolling at a popular mall has been arrested in sector 39 area here, police said today.

The accused, identified as Uttam Singh Rajput, was dressed up in a sub-inspector's uniform and roaming inside the mall last night. Suspicious of his movements, security personnel there informed an officer attached with a local police station, who happened to be in the mall at that time, police said.

On being enquired by D K Sharma, the local police official, the accused said he was posted with the government railway police (GRP) at Lucknow.

The accused, when further questioned by Sharma, showed an identity card which the police official recognised as fake and thereby informed authorities, they said, adding the man was then arrested.

On detailed interrogation, the accused admitted that he worked as security gaurd at construction site behind the mall. He had purchased the uniform from nearby sector 18 market, police said.
The Senate won't take up President Barack Obama's request for new war powers to fight the Islamic State group, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said today, to avoid tying the hands of the next president.

The Obama administration last February proposed a three-year authorisation that would take the fight beyond national borders and expand it to any "closely related successor entity" to IS. The plan did not authorise large-scale ground operations. It has languished in Congress as Republicans and Democrats have failed to coalesce around a new authorisation.

McConnell's resistance to a fresh authorisation for the use of military force puts him at odds with House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said this past week that he had asked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce to conduct "listening sessions" with lawmakers on a new plan.

Obama has relied on congressional authorisations given to President George W. Bush for the fight against al-Qaida after the September 11, 2001, attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Many lawmakers are reluctant to commit, given the political fallout from the 2002 vote for the invasion of Iraq, even though the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, have resulted in a bipartisan push for new war powers.

Others are loath to grant the president new authority, seeing that step as approval for Obama's strategy in the fight against Islamic State militants.

McConnell said he could not imagine voting for Obama's draft of an authorisation for the use of military force because it "restricted his activities, what he could do based upon conditions on the ground. But I don't want to tie the hands of the next president ... Who's going to have to clean up this mess, created by all of this passivity over the last eight years," he told ABC's "This Week."



To critics, the White House's use of post-Sept. 11 congressional authorisations is a legal stretch, and they note that the fight has expanded greatly.

In a statement this past week, Royce said that if Congress can get a new authorisation done "that ensures our commanders have the flexibility they need to defeat ISIS, I want to move it. But ultimately, it is going to be up to President Obama to lead. Containment has failed. The administration already has the authority it needs to take the fight to these radical islamist terrorists, and it needs to step up.
Fast food chain McDonald's is focusing on delivery business, brand extension and innovation this year to give a boost to its revenues in the country.

In its 20th year of operations in India, McDonald's India will sharpen focus on innovation, delivery business, and brand extensions like McCafe in 2016, that have "significantly boosted" the company's revenues in the past year, Smita Jatia, MD of Hardcastle Restaurants, the master franchisee of McDonald's India (West and South) told PTI.

"We are emphasising on innovation, and our brand extensions like McCafes and our delivery business, which have significantly added to our revenues," she added.

The fast-food chain is also betting on alternative, healthy offerings in the face of competition. "We have a slew of innovations in our menu that we will unveil this year," Jatia said.

McDonald's is facing competition from other international chain of restaurants, most recently Burger King, besides Dominos, PizzaHut and Dunkin Donuts among others, and food-on-demand delivery services.

However, Jatia says that the entire category is still nascent, and needs to mature. "The more the category grows, the better for our business," she said.

The burger category is growing at a healthy clip along the western fast food category, which is growing at 13-15 per cent every year, based on industry estimates.

McDonald's, the first quick service restaurant format to start operations in the country 20 years ago, says that its home-deliveries have tripled in last seven years riding the wave of food technology.

"Our overall deliveries have tripled in the past seven years, and it's a good time to focus on building it," Smita Jatia, MD of Hardcastle Restaurants, the master franchisee of McDonalds India (West and South) told PTI here.

"Nearly 40 per cent of revenues from the McDelivery Service comes from online ordering, and it up from single digits in just three years," she added.

McDonald's India had said last year that it is stepping up its operations in the western and southern markets by doubling its outlets by 2020 from the present 216 with an investment of Rs 750 crore.

McCafes were introduced in 2014, and there are about 62 so far, which is expected to go up to 140 by 2017, the company had said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today focused on fighting malnutrition and relief measures for drought-affected farmers during his radio-address to the citizens.

Singh delivered the fifth address on his programme 'Raman Ke Goth' and on special request of listeners, he chose to speak initial part of his message in Halbi and Sargujiha- tribal dialects along with Chhattisgarhi.

"Building a new generation is as important as, in fact more important than development of infrastructure like roads, railway, bridges, school, college and hospitals," he said expressing his concern over children and pregnant ladies suffering from malnutrition.

"A new generation can be build with education and health facilities. Several steps are being taken by the government for malnutrition eradication," he added.

Appealing to people of the state to participate in the ongoing state-wide Anganwadi quality campaign, Singh said anganwadi centres have been playing a vital role in fighting malnutrition.

"Anganwadi centres have been increased from 21,000 to 50,000 in over past a decade. The number of women and children beneficiaries availing daily nutritious supplement meal in these centres has also increased from 13 lakh to 25 lakh.

"As a result, malnutrition rate in state has reduced from 52 per cent to 32 per cent, whereas target to reduce it further to 25 per cent has been set," he added.

The Chief Minster also boosted the morale of the farmers bearing the brunt of drought.

"The road of life sometimes goes rough and the journey seems difficult but one should not give up hope; we should move ahead with faith and patience," Singh said assuring that his government is standing with the farmers in this difficult time.

"The financial aid of Rs 15,000, which was being provided under Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana to farmers for wedding of their daughters, has now been doubled to Rs 30,000.

"As many as 117 tehsils in the state have been declared drought-affected where additional 50 days, other than the 150-day employment under MNREGA will be provided to needy people," he said.

Presently, employment-oriented works under MNREGA have



been started in over eight thousand Gram Panchayats, in which more than 10 lakh villagers have been employed, he added.

Singh briefed about the several other initiatives launched to ensure relief to drought-affected farmers.

He also mentioned about the National Youth Festival 2016 to be organised in the upcoming new capital Naya Raipur from January 12 till 16.

"We feel extremely proud to host the National Youth Festival, in which nearly 6,000 youth will participate from across the country and exhibit art of their respective states in 18 different disciplines," he added.

The event has been named as 'Yuva Kriti' and mascot for the same is state animal of Chhattisgarh - Wild Buffalo, in famous dancing pose of Bastar, he added.

Singh has given his radio address to public in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi language in past four editions.
Mexican authorities announced that drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman will face hearings to be extradited to the United States, as his lawyer vowed a tough legal battle.

President Enrique Pena Nieto's government had balked at extraditing Guzman prior to his prison break in July but the administration has apparently changed tack after recapturing him on Friday.

The attorney general's office said yesterday it received two US extradition requests last year on a slew of charges, including drug trafficking and murder, and that it later obtained arrest warrants to ship him across the border.

"With Guzman Loera's recapture, the respective extradition proceedings will have to start," the office said in a statement, though it did not indicate when the hearings would start.

Lawyers for Guzman will have three days to file objections and 20 more days to prove them, though that timeframe can be extended, prosecutors said.

Once a judge rules on the extradition, the decision is sent to the foreign ministry, which will have 20 days to validate it. Guzman would have another chance after that to legally challenge the extradition.

One of Guzman's attorneys, Juan Pablo Badillo, vowed to take the case up to the Supreme Court if necessary.

"A legal battle has begun in the constitutional framework that will be very serious, very tough," Badillo told reporters outside the Altiplano prison near Mexico City, where Guzman was sent following his arrest on Friday.

"He shouldn't be extradited because Mexico has a fair Constitution," he said.

US President Barack Obama's administration congratulated Mexico following the arrest but did not publicly indicate whether it would press Pena Nieto to extradite Guzman.

US politicians called for his immediate extradition as he faces charges in a half-dozen states.

Some questioned Mexico's ability to hold on to Guzman, who previously escaped from another maximum-security prison in 2001 by hiding in a laundry cart with inside help.

"Given that 'El Chapo' has already escaped from Mexican prison twice, this third opportunity to bring him to justice cannot be squandered," said US senator and Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio.
Britain's intelligence services had tried to recruit Indian-origin IS terror suspect Siddhartha Dhar as a double agent before he managed to flee to Syria, a media report here claimed today.

Dhar, who was dubbed the "new Jihadi John" after he emerged as the key suspect as the masked terrorist seen in a recent Islamic State (IS) video threatening an attack on Britain, was allegedly contacted twice by MI5 officers before he was arrested for terrorist offences, the 'Sunday Times' reported.

Quoting a security source the paper said that Dhar, who goes by the name of Abu Rumaysah, had earlier been tracked and stopped in the street by MI5 officers in what is known as a "bump" operation.

The 32-year-old Dhar was warned he was on MI5's "radar" and his activities were being monitored.

ALSO READ: Another top ISIS commander killed in Iraqi airstrike

Dhar was contacted by MI5 for a second time and was offered the chance to work for the agency. It is not known how he responded, the newspaper claims.

Dhar, a Hindu-born Muslim convert and former bouncy castle salesman from London, was allegedly warned that he was likely to end up in jail or dead unless he agreed to become a double agent gathering intelligence on terrorist suspects for the security service.

A few days after the second contact was made, in September 2014, Dhar was arrested alongside extremist preacher Anjem Choudary on suspicion of links to the banned Al Muhajiroun.

The security source told the newspaper, "MI5 had a lot of intelligence on Dhar. He was regarded as a militant Islamist and although he was a potential threat, he was also a potential asset to MI5".

"It is a tried and tested tactic to try to recruit those who may pose a threat to the security of the state...Dhar was bumped and told he was on MI5's radar. They basically said: 'We know who you are, what you are up to, who you have been meeting with and what you are planning'.

"They are basically saying: 'We've got you. For the person on the end of that, it's quite terrifying. They think they are part of some covert conspiracy, and then someone comes up to you in the street and says we know all about you.

"Dhar was told that his life in the UK as a would-be jihadist was over. If he went to Syria, MI5 warned, he would in all likelihood be killed in battle or in a drone strike. His only option was to become an agent," the source said.

Last week, it had emerged that Scotland Yard wrote to Dhar asking him to surrender his passport, weeks after he had already fled to Syria.

The latest revelations will raise new questions about the UK authorities' failure to prevent his escape with Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham saying "something has clearly gone very seriously wrong".
Indian-American Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was today invited by US First Lady Michelle Obama for the last State of the Union Address of President Barack Obama this week.

The White House today released names of two dozen individuals who have been invited by the First Lady as her guest to watch Obama delivering State of the Union Address to the Congress on Tuesday night.

One of the seats, would however remain vacant for the Victims of Gun Violence.

"We leave one seat empty in the First Lady's State of the Union Guest Box for the victims of gun violence who no longer have a voice - because they need the rest of us to speak for them," the White House said.

"To tell their stories. To honour their memory. To support the Americans whose lives have been forever changed by the terrible ripple effect of gun violence - survivors who've had to learn to live with a disability, or without the love of their life. To remind every single one of our representatives that it's their responsibility to do something about this," the White House said.

The White House said 48-year-old Nadella's Microsoft, has been a leader in expanding access to computer science in K-12 classrooms, and in Teach.Org, a private public partnership to increase awareness of and support for the teaching profession.

In September, the company announced a new USD 75 million effort to expand computer science education, including opportunities for engineers from Microsoft and other companies with teachers to team-teach computer science.

"In October 2015, under Satya's leadership, Microsoft increased its paid leave benefits by eight weeks and now includes 20 weeks of paid leave for new mothers and 12 weeks for non-birth parents," the White House said.

Originally from Hyderabad, India, Nadella received a Master's in computer science and a Master's in business administration from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and University of Chicago, respectively.

Among others invited by the First Lady is US Army Veteran Naveed Shah of Pakistani origin.

Naveed, originally from Saudi Arabia, grew up in the Washington, D.C. After immigrating to the United States with his Pakistani parents.

"Like many immigrants who arrive here as children, Naveed noted that his birth country felt foreign while America is home. The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 marked the ultimate distortion of Naveed's faith - something he set out to combat, enlisting in the US Army in 2006," the White House said.

"He served our country for four years and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom," it said.
Even as the debate on accuracies in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film "Bajirao Mastani" continues to rage, nonagenarian historian and veteran of studies of the Marathas Babasaheb Purandare says millions of records of the 'Peshwas' here still await to be read and researched.

Only around 5,000 pages of the over tens of thousands documents belonging to the Peshwa period are lying in records rooms in Pune and will throw light on life during the Peshwa rule if studied and researched, Purandare told PTI.

The BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra had recently conferred the state's highest award 'Maharashtra Bhushan' on Purandare.

The decision had turned into a major political controversy in the state with some groups opposing the government move. Purandare has written several books on Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji. Over five lakh copies of his book in Marathi on Shivaji have been sold.

"At least somebody has thought of and come out with a movie in Hindi on Bajirao Peshwa," the scholar said and added that most of the literature on the Maratha rule was in Marathi and non-Marathi speaking population in the country and the world was by and large unaware of the rich history of Maharashtra.

Purandare rues that very little of the Maratha history has been translated into English or other languages. There have not been films or plays written about the achievements of warriors like Bajirao in languages other than Marathi.

He says the British wanted history of Marathas especially in North India to remain confined to record rooms.

"No systematic research was encouraged. This has led to little knowledge about the Maratha empire. Very little has reached the people through acts or films in languages other than Marathi. Questions are often raised about the Maratha army reaching Attock (now in Pakistan). There are documents that prove conquests by the Maratha army but little research and precious little has found its way in theatre," he says.

Purandare's forefathers worked with the Peshwas and his collection includes letters written by the Peswhwa kings- at least one these- to his ancestor who was in the service of the Marathas.

The scholar stresses the need for a national effort to document and preserve the history so that future generations are informed of their rich history.

Purandare has a personal collection of documents and swords, shields. From his collection, he has gifted generously to the famous Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune.
A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour in the Subhash colony here today, police said.

After the registration of a case in this connection, police has sent the victim to civil hospital for medical check up, they said.

Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Balwinder Singh said that the accused has been identified as Joginder Singh alias Happy of Hoshiarpur.

26-year-old Happy was working here at a factory as a labourer, he said.

The victim's father also works in the same factory and belongs to Uttar Pradesh, he said, adding efforts are underway to nab the accused.
The Narendra Modi government is responsible for every crime that takes place in the national capital as Delhi Police comes under the Centre, AAP leader Alka Lamba said today as she asserted that the crime rate will drop if the AAP dispensation gets control of the force.

Citing statistics by the National Crime Records Bureau, Lamba while addressing a rally here said Madhya Pradesh tops the list of states in crime against women and that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was responsible for this.

"Similarly, for every crime in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is responsible as Delhi Police works directly under the Centre... If AAP government gets control of Delhi Police, then the situation will totally change in the national capital," the AAP MLA in Delhi Assembly said.

She also blamed Chouhan government for the deaths of people linked to Vyapam scam.

Stating that the motto of the AAP government was to change the system, Lamba said Chouhan should emulate some of the good schemes implemented by Delhi government.

"Chouhan government should learn from the Arvind Kejriwal government about schemes like Mohalla Clinic as well as the education-related ones and try to implement them in Madhya Pradesh," Lamba said.

Referring to a media report that Chouhan government was planning to implement carpooling formula for its ministers and other officials, she said, "Its good... It reflects that Kejriwal government's schemes has its effect in MP as well."



The AAP leader said that since people of Madhya Pradesh are fed up with BJP and Congress, they will give a chance to AAP in the 2018 state assembly elections.

Referring to the alleged CBI raids "against Delhi government", she said it was done at the behest of Centre.

AAP leader Somdatt Sharma, who was also present at the rally, said BJP's graph has been declining in the country since the Lok Sabha polls and the same was visible in Delhi, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
As the four-day mourning period for Mufti Mohammad Sayeed came to an end, special prayers were held today by PDP in his memory at a function where party leaders expressed their support to Mehbooba Mufti who is tipped to succeed her father as Chief Minister.

Several party leaders spoke briefly at the function, said one of the participating leaders.

"The speakers expressed their support for the PDP president saying they will stand by whatever decision she takes on the future political course of action," he said.

The PDP leader, however, insisted that no meeting of the Legislature party had taken place.

"There has been no meeting of the Legislature party yet. So the question of electing the Legislature party leader does not arise," he added.

With the mourning period over, political activity for government formation is expected to gather pace now.

The state was brought under Governor's Rule with effect from January 8 -- a day after Sayeed's death -- as allies PDP and BJP failed to stake claim for government formation in view of the four-day mourning for the departed leader.

At the end of the mourning period for Mufti, who passed away on Thursday last, Mehbooba thanked the personal staff of the former Chief Minister for the services rendered to him especially in his last days while he was hospitalised.

She asked people to remain cautious and help the



government establish peace in the state.

"Now, they are saying that some sheds will be constructed. The labour laws state that a labourer has to be given some shelter to save him from rains if he is working for a longer time. It's not necessary the labourers are from outside. We've not done anything yet, but they created noise," she said.

"I feel that you have to remain cautious, especially those associated with tourism sector because strikes or other things everyday does not affect us because we get salaries even if we sit home. Our children study in colleges and universities outside, but it is you who have to take care of Kashmir. If you help us, we will establish peace here and that too not by holding white flag, but with honour," Mehbooba said.

She appealed the youth of Kashmir to become "real torch-bearers" of Islam.

"Friday is a very blessed day for us. But if you see today any dignified person will think ten times whether to go for prayers. We have to see where we have taken Islam to," she said, referring to stone-pelting protests which take place usually on Friday in downtown Srinagar.

"I appeal the youth to become real torch-bearers of Islam whose image is being distorted. Cooperate with us. The ideology is a separate thing, if we do not agree with someone. But we should not defame ourselves by having that ideology in such a way that people call us bad," she said.

"We should create such an atmosphere that the world talks about us in a good way. But when we pelt stones, tourist or yatri or even our own people can be injured, bullets would be fired. Then who will come here," she said.

She added the youths of Kashmir are not bad. "If 10 pelt stones, thousands go to colleges and universities.

Mehbooba said that ever since PDP was formed, its aim was



to make Jammu and Kashmir a bridge of friendship and peace between India and Pakistan but it has become a battleground.

Peace is possible only when the relations of both the countries are good, the Chief Minister added.

She said that despite several provocations, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had gone ahead with his peace initiatives. She was apparently referring to Kargil aggression by Pakistan and attack on Parliament by Pakistan-based terror groups.

"Modi ji told me that he wishes his Pakistani counterpart on his birthday and even wished him speedy recovery during his surgery, but it was followed by Pathankot and Uri (terror attacks)", she said.

She said in a democracy, political parties question how these attacks happen but "I feel that the situation could not remain the same and slowly the situation would become normal".

Both the countries have no other option but to hold dialogue, Mehbooba underscored and added that solution to all the problems is there in the Agenda of Alliance.

She complimented BJP ministers for thwarting the designs of those elements who wanted to spoil the atmosphere in Jammu region.

BJP and PDP have different ideologies but in Agenda of Alliance, both have agreed to maintain status quo on the issue of Article 370, Mehbooba said.

The Sagir Committee and the working groups have also said that unless the people of Jammu and Kashmir don't want, there should be status quo on Article 370, she said.

"Agenda of Alliance would facilitate dialogue, transfer of power projects, and revocation of AFSFA at some point in time," she said.

"Whatever you call it, holy or unholy alliance, but this alliance has a holy document which is Agenda of Alliance. It is a golden opportunity for all the political parties to help us implement this Agenda of Alliance," she said.

She said she hopes to take Kashmir out of the mess.

She also said that some people say that since the alliance was formed, people in Jammu feel insecure. "But I am proud that people of Jammu as when the schools in Kashmir were closed, thousands of students from Kashmir came to Jammu and took admission here. They feel more secure here as compared to the unrest in Kashmir," she said.

The Chief Minister also questioned why the issues related to rehabilitation of Pakistan Refugees or Kashmiri Pandits were being raked up.

She said the government of India was serious in providing livelihood to the West Pakistan refugees by absorbing them in central forces.
AICC General Secretary V Narayanasamy today took strong exception to the reported comments made by former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh against bull taming sport 'jallikattu'.

He said in a statement here that Ramesh's comments "are not acceptable and Ramesh had made the comments without knowing the Tamil tradition and his comments might be his personal views on the sport of Tamils."



Narayanasamy, a former Union Minister, said all the political parties in the state had extended unanimous support for the revival of the traditional sport of Tamils in keeping with their culture.

"But Jairam Ramesh had without knowing the Tamil tradition expressed certain views against the revival of the sport and these comments are not at all acceptable," he said,adding, what Ramesh had said "is not the stand of the Congress party."



Talking to reporters in Bhubaneswar yesterday, Ramesh had reportedly described jallikattu as a 'barbaric practice.'



Narayanasamy objected to the move of some political parties to derive political mileage on jallikattu issue, saying "there should be no room for any politicisation of the revival of the sport which is an ancient art and which should be supported without reservation by all."



On January 8, the Centre had lifted the ban on Jallikattu, a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal festival celebrations on Mattu Pongal day.

The decision to allow Jallikattu days before the traditional harvest festival begins, and also bullock cart races in other parts of the country came through a government notification despite strong objections by animal rights groups.
Putting sustained and intensified pressure on Pakistan is the only viable option for America to make it act against terror networks and co-operate on the fragile Afghan peace process, former US diplomats have said.

"At this juncture, sustained and intensified pressure on Pakistan offers the only viable path to advancing the reconciliation process in a way that does not turn Afghanistan into a launching pad for terrorism and extremism," former diplomats Zalmay Khalilzad and James Dobbins said in a joint op-ed in the Newsweek.

Khalilzad was the US Ambassadors to the UN, Afghanistan and Iran during the Bush Administration, while Dobbins was the Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan under the current Obama Administration.

The op-ed has been written in the context of the upcoming meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan, US and China to revive the Afghan peace process with the Taliban, the article by the two former American diplomats assumes significance for India in the aftermath of Pathankot terrorist attack.

"Continued US pressure is needed to induce Pakistani cooperation in reducing the violence," they wrote.

"Congress withheld nearly a third of the military assistance allocated to Pakistan for 2015 due to Islamabad's failure to take meaningful action against the Haqqani network. An even larger proportion of the assistance should be conditioned in the coming year on Islamabad closing down the Haqqani network and Taliban military in the country," Khalilzad and Dobbins said.

Another step that would steer Pakistan in a more cooperative direction is for the US to move urgently in addressing the gaps in Afghan capabilities, they wrote.

They added that Washington should not rule out deploying some additional forces and easing rules of engagement for targeting the Taliban and ISIS targets.

They argued that US and Afghanistan should focus less on fostering talks and more on persuading Pakistan to take action against those engaged in terrorism and violence.

"While opening peace talks could be a positive step, it will only yield fruit if Pakistani authorities also begin to close down Afghan Taliban military operations," they asserted.

They said Pakistan's interest in a negotiated settlement to the Afghan war seems real enough, but its army has never been willing to take the very steps most likely to advance the process, which are to close down Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network operations in Pakistan and imprison any of their leaders not actively negotiating peace with Afghanistan.
Nepali bureaucrat Pradip Raj Kandel today clinched the title of Integrity Idol, a television talent show-styled initiative that awards honest civil servants.

The contest, in its second year, saw over 50,000 people cast their votes via text message and social media in a bid to encourage honesty in the corruption-ridden Himalayan nation, where many citizens are forced to pay bribes for essential services.

The chief district officer of Gulmi in mid-eastern Nepal, Kandel won votes for his people-centric approach to bring positive changes in the district



"I feel proud today and feel that I am representing many hard-working civil servants of Nepal," Kandel said after winning the title, which does not come with any prizes.

"Initiatives such as this inspire us to be responsible and accountable."



Kandel has run several successful campaigns in Gulmi to improve literacy, promote hygiene and cleanliness and ensure the efficiency of his office.

He beat four other finalists -- a women rights worker, a conservation officer, and two educators -- who were shortlisted after non-profit group Accountability Lab Nepal launched a nationwide campaign last April.

As the nominations were underway, a devastating earthquake hit the country, killing nearly 8,900 people and leaving thousands homeless.

"A lot of money has been directed towards earthquake response, and we hope to see officials who have used those funds correctly to benefit the quake victims among the next finalists," the charity's Nepal representative Narayan Adhikari told AFP.

Gyan Mani Nepal, an education official in eastern Panchthar district, was crowned the first Integrity Idol last year.

"We want to organise this every year. This initiative aims to reward honest individuals and inspire others to join the civil service," Adhikari added.

Nepal is ranked 126th out of 175 countries in anti-graft watchdog Transparency International's global corruption perception index.

Liberia also held the contest this year, with Jugbeh Tarpleh Kekula, a government nurse, taking home the title.
Police said today the number of cases filed over violence during New Year festivities in Cologne had reached 516, including 40 percent relating to sexual assault.

Nineteen suspects were under investigation, police said, adding that a 19-year-old Moroccan man had been arrested on suspicion of theft.

The caseload marks a sharp rise from the 379 figure given by police yesterday.

Police had said that asylum seekers and illegal migrants from North Africa make up the majority of suspects.

The allegations have stoked criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel's liberal open-door policy -- which brought 1.1 million asylum seekers to German last year.
The Sino-Indian border issue is a complex problem which cannot be solved overnight as both the countries have to reach a strategic understanding of the situation, says former diplomat Ranjit Singh Kalha.

"This is a complex issue and cannot be solved overnight. Unless and until there is a strategic understanding it will be very difficult for a settlement. Solution is only that we keep putting our case continuously and work on it slow and steady there is no magic wand for resolving such a dispute," Kalha said.

Kalha along with former ambassador Ronen Sen and Srikanth Kondapalli, professor in Chinese studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University were discussing the issue at a session - Negotiating the China-India Boundary: Why no Settlement so Far? organised by Ananta Aspen Centre.

A former secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Ministry, Kalha had led India's negotiating team in the Boundary Sub-Group from 1985 to 1988.

Kalha's book 'India-China Boundary Issues: Quest for Settlement' published in 2014 includes researches from the declassified Chinese, Russian and US records on the matter.

"I have basically discussed in this book the reasons on why we don't have a settlement both from the Indian side and the Chinese side. I have also given them a little bit of the background on the negotiations which took place from the last 50 to 60 years," Kalha said.

According to the former diplomat until and unless there is an understanding between China and India on the larger strategic issues it will become rather difficult to have a settlement.

"A boundary settlement is not a simple drawing of lines on a map or on the ground, it's a political act and since it is a political act the two countries in turn have to be sure that what they are getting is better than what you have at the present moment," Kalha said while discussing the issue.

Citing an example, he goes on to state that India is in possession of Arunachal Pradesh and China is in occupation of Aksai Chin and if a settlement has to be achieved, it means give and take of territories which would be the natural consequence of a compromise.

"The question arises here that new situation that comes about if such a deal is struck between the two nations will it be better than the present situation or not? So that's a political determination which one has to make. And as far as I can see right now that situation does not prevail," Kalha said.

Recounting the visit of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi



in 1988, former ambassador Ronen Sen says that the reasons for the unsettled dispute may have changed over the years as compared to the present situation but the goals remain the same.

"This issue is purely not just a technical issue. Secondly, its is not the only problem India had with China at that particular point in time and its linked to the overall relationship between the two countries and with the regional and global perceptions and goals of the two nations and these goals are not necessarily the same today as compared to that time," Sen said.

Observing that relations between the present Narendra Modi led government and the Chinese government are on good terms, Kalha said "In most such cases emotion plays a very small part its hard facts and hard facts pertaining to strategic interests. And strategic interest of countries doesn't change with change of governments they remain the same.

"Because after all the geography, economy and country is the same, governments may change but your strategic interests don't change. So, you may have good relations which makes things easier to negotiate and talk but those hard facts cannot be ignored," Kalha said.

India and China have so far held 18 rounds of talks at the level of special representatives on the boundary problem but many sticky issues still need to be sorted out.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has rejected the eco tourism plan of Kanha tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, a decision which may prove a setback to the state government's effort to boost tourism.

The state government had submitted a revised eco tourism plan for Kanha tiger reserve to the NTCA seeking its mandatory approval for increasing tourism-related activities there.

"The committee decided that the tiger conservation plan of the Kanha tiger reserve, which inter alia includes an eco tourism plan, has already been approved and as such the need for a revised tourism plan was not felt, especially when there is a proposed apparent rise in tourism activity which is in contravention of the normative guidelines issued by the NTCA," according to the minutes of the meeting of authority's technical committee.

Kanha tiger reserve, which is about 350 kms from state capital Bhopal, is one of the most popular destinations for wildlife enthusiasts.

The NTCA cited a Supreme Court verdict in support of its decision of "not recommending" the eco tourism plan for Kanha.

"It is a good step by NTCA. We have been warning all state governments to strictly follow Supreme Court guidelines for all tiger reserves under them," said Ajay Dubey, wildlife activist. Dubey was also the petitioner in a case that led to historic verdict of the apex court that restricted tourism in tiger reserves.

As per latest tiger census report, there are about 2,226 big cats in various reserves of the country, up from 1,706 in 2010 and 1,411 in 2006.

Of these, about 308 tigers are in Madhya Pradesh, the third highest in the country after Karnataka's 406 and Uttarakhand's 340.
Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia against any threat to its integrity and sovereignty, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said as the two countries agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relations in various fields, including defence security and trade.

Sharif made the remarks in a statement after meeting Saudi deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammad bin Salman.

Sharif welcoming the deputy Crown Prince said, "Saudi Arabia was held in high esteem by the people of Pakistan."



"The people of Pakistan would always stand with the people of Saudi Arabia, against any threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom," Sharif said.

The Prime Minister affirmed that people of Pakistan have bonds with the people of Saudi Arabia through historical, cultural and Islamic ties of brotherhood.

He welcomed the Saudi initiative to establish a coalition of like-minded Islamic countries to counter terrorism and militancy and informed the Deputy Crown Prince that Pakistan supports efforts to counter terrorism and extremism.

The two leaders agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and deepen the cooperation in various fields, including defence security, fight against terrorism, trade and investment and manpower requirements of the Kingdom.

The Deputy Crown Prince appreciated the valiant efforts waged by the security and law enforcement authorities to root out terrorism from Pakistan, particularly through the military campaign Zarb-e-Azb.

He was briefed on the progress in implementing National Action Plan to eliminate extremism and terrorism.

It was agreed that the two countries would cooperate in developing an effective counter narrative to defeat the extremist mindset.

The Deputy Crown Prince also met army chief General Raheel Sharif who told that Pakistan would react strongly if there was direct threat to the integrity of Saudi Arabia.

The army chief also said that Pakistan enjoys close relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and attaches great importance to their security.

Salman arrived on a day-long trip for seeking Pakistan's support as the Kingdom mulls additional steps against Iran.

It was second high-profile trip from Saudi Arabia visitor this week after Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir visited on Thursday to seek support of Pakistan against Iran in the current tension and asked it to join 34-national alliance against terrorism.
Pakistan should use its extensive intelligence network to find out who were the Pakistani handlers of the attack on the IAF base in Pathankot and "keep India in the loop", a leading daily here said today.

In an editorial, the Nation newspaper said, while India believes that it had put the ball on "this side of the court following the submission of 'actionable intelligence' to Pakistani authorities after the Pathankot attack, it seems that the Pakistani government does not deem the leads sufficient enough to act at this moment."



"But for now, at the very least, Pakistan can use its extensive intelligence network to find out who made the calls that were reportedly made from the handlers from this side of the border. It can crackdown on areas where the calls were made from to flush out any terrorist cells," the daily said.

It asserted that the Pakistani government is justified in saying that it needs "substantial evidence" and in the case of an arrest, there has to be reasonable doubt and for the arrest to hold up in court, more hard evidence will be required.

In a pre-dawn attack on January 2, a group of heavily- armed Pakistani terrorists, suspected to be belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, struck at the Air Force base in Punjab, killing seven security personnel.

"Obviously, the nature of the information provided has not been made clear, but it seems that the two governments are already on different pages regarding the attack, because India waits for direct action -- arrests made, weapons found and links discovered -- and Pakistan wants more evidence in order to do those things," the daily said.

"The Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz claimed that the Foreign Secretary-level talks are still on, but the leadership of India has so far not given credence to this statement. However, the fact that this has not been opposed either is possibly a silver lining," it noted.

The editorial also claimed that the Pakistani government and even the establishment "do seem earnest about making the Pak-India relationship a more constructive one, given the two top-level meetings held regarding the issue."



"The government has to keep India in the loop as well, because a commitment has been made from one Head of Government to another, one that can be a potential game-changer in this relationship," it said.

It also stated that India on the other hand, should also be more forthcoming with information found following the attack.

It claimed that reportedly there are demands from Pakistan for further evidence, including DNA samples of the attackers.
Four-way talks aimed at reviving dialogue between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban will be held in Islamabad tomorrow, officials said, with Pakistani authorities set to unveil a list of insurgents willing to negotiate.

The meeting between representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States was announced in December. But Pakistani officials only confirmed the date on Sunday, having previously suggested they may take place later in the month.

The so-called "roadmap" talks are meant to lay the groundwork for direct dialogue between Kabul and the Islamist group, whose bloody insurgency shows no signs of abating more than 14 years after they were ousted from power by a US-led coalition.

But the Taliban themselves will not be present at Monday's meetings, according to officials.

"Based on the four-way agreement, Monday's meeting will discuss the mechanism for peace talks," Javed Faisal, spokesman for Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, told AFP.

"The Pakistani government will present the list of Taliban who are willing to talk and those who are not interested in talks," he added.

Pakistan has agreed to cut off financial support to the Taliban fighters, including in Quetta and Peshawar, he said.

Pakistan was among three countries that recognised the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime and Kabul has long accused Islamabad of continuing to covertly support the group in their insurgency.

A senior official in Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed the meeting, adding that Islamabad would be represented by its foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry while Afghanistan would be represented by deputy foreign minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai.

A first round of peace talks with the Taliban was held in July but collapsed after the Taliban belatedly confirmed the death of their founder Mullah Omar.

of the death led to infighting between senior Taliban leaders and the group's new chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour, which in turn led to the creation of a new faction headed by Mohamed Rasool in November.

In December Mansour himself was shot and wounded near the Pakistani town of Quetta, apparently by one of his own men.

But despite the internal rifts and the onset of winter, the group have continued to carry out brazen attacks. In September the Taliban briefly seized the northern provincial capital of Kunduz -- the first time they had gained control of a city since the fall of their regime in 2001.

In recent weeks they have seized large swathes of the key opium-rich district of Sangin in the southern province of Helmand, their traditional stronghold.
A four-nation conference on Afghan reconciliation process will be held here tomorrow to explore ways to create a consensus for talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

The Foreign Office announced that the first meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Committee will be held her tomorrow.

"Representatives of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US will participate in the preparatory talks," an official said yesterday.

Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will address the opening session, it said.

The group was set up last year to facilitate the reconciliation in the war-torn country.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan hoped that Pakistan will present a list of Taliban willing to negotiate with Kabul at a meeting this week aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process, Dawn reported.

Javid Faisal, deputy spokesman for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said today that Pakistan's list will include Taliban who do and do not want talks with Kabul.

Faisal said Pakistan has agreed to cut off financial support to Taliban fighters based in Pakistani cities.

He said insurgents based in Pakistan would not be allowed to resettle in Afghanistan.

The Express Tribune reported that Taliban were not ready for talks with Kabul government as they believe that it was useless to hold peace parleys with "powerless" administration.

Officials said that insurgents were just playing to the gallery as they publically do not endorse talks with the government.
Pakistan will present a list of Taliban willing to negotiate with Kabul at a meeting this week aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process, an Afghan official said today.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States are scheduled to meet in Islamabad tomorrow to discuss a road map for peace talks. The meeting will not include the Taliban.

Javid Faisal, deputy spokesman for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said that Pakistan's list will include Taliban who do and do not want talks with Kabul on ending the 15-year war.

Pakistan had agreed to cut off financial support to Taliban fighters based in Pakistani cities, including Quetta and Peshawar, Faisal said. Insurgents based in Pakistan would not be allowed to resettle in Afghanistan, he added.

The agreement would also include "bilateral cooperation on eliminating terrorism," Faisal said.

Pakistani officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Pakistan has consistently denied US and Afghan allegations that it gives financial or material support to Afghanistan's Taliban. The CIA has publicly accused Pakistan of supporting the Haqqani group, a Taliban affiliate and US-declared terrorist group.

Tomorrow's meeting in Islamabad could revive a process that collapsed last summer after Afghanistan announced that Mullah Mohammad Omar, founder and leader of the Taliban, had died in a Pakistani hospital more than two years ago.

The announcement led the Taliban to pull out of the talks after just one meeting hosted by Islamabad. A subsequent power struggle within the Taliban has raised questions about who would represent the insurgents if and when the talks with Kabul are restarted.

Analysts have cautioned that despite the rapprochement between Kabul and Islamabad, any substantive peace talks are still months off.

Pakistan's relations with Kabul have been tense in recent months. The two countries have long accused each other of backing the Taliban and other insurgents operating along their porous border.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani took part in a regional conference last month in Islamabad, which called for the resumption of the Afghan-Taliban peace negotiations. Ghani was given a warm welcome at the meeting, which was also attended by US and Chinese representatives.
The Belgian jihadist suspected of planning the November terror attacks in Paris visited Britain last year despite being hunted by police, the Guardian newspaper reported today.

Abdelhamid Abaaoud's alleged trip to Britain could add to pressure on the interior ministry, which is struggling to tighten border controls amid high-profile reports of Britons going to Syria to join the Islamic State group.

The newspaper said photos of British landmarks were found on Abaaoud's phone after he was killed in a raid in Paris just days after the November 13 coordinated gun and bomb attacks in the French capital that killed 130 people.

The Guardian cited no sources and the interior ministry declined to comment.

Abaaoud entered Britain through a ferry port in England's southeast, the newspaper said, giving no dates.

The Guardian said he had met several jihadists in London and in Birmingham in central England, but that it was not clear whether the photos on his phone were part of plans for an attack.

He had been the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Belgium, where in July he was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison for recruiting jihadists to fight in Syria.

The 28-year-old of Moroccan origin had in the past boasted of evading police dragnets in Europe, and taunted European authorities from what was assumed to be an IS base in Syria.

He also bragged about escaping from Europe after Belgian police shot dead two of his fellow jihadists in the eastern town of Verviers as they broke up a cell planning attacks on security personnel last year.

Abaaoud had first popped up on the radar of Belgian security forces after featuring in an IS video released in 2014, laughing as he drove a car which dragged mutilated bodies behind it.
A man who tried to attack a Paris police station last week had lived in a centre for asylum seekers in Germany, German investigators said, a finding likely to fuel criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel's liberal stance towards war refugees.

The man was shot dead by French police on Thursday after he tried to storm the police station in northern Paris, brandishing a meat cleaver and wearing a fake suicide vest.

The assault took place exactly one year since the start of a series of jihadist attacks in France, beginning with the murder of 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine on January 7 2015.

Yesterday, German investigators assisting the probe into the attempted police station attack raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum-seekers in Recklinghausen, in the west of the country.

Their statement said the man had lived at the shelter but gave no further details. No other attacks appeared to have been planned, it added.

A source close to the matter told AFP that the suspect had been registered as an asylum seeker.

But French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve cast doubt on the German claim.

"I cannot confirm this, quite simply because I am not at all sure that it is correct," Cazeneuve told France's iTele, and called on the media to exercise the "greatest care" in reporting the man's identity.

The site Spiegel Online reported, meanwhile, that the man had already been classed by German police as a possible suspect after he posed at the refugee centre with an IS flag, but he disappeared in December.

The head of North Rhine-Westphalia's criminal police service, Uwe Jacob said the suspect had travelled to Germany in 2013 for the first time from France, where he had lived illegally previously for five years.

He had gone under seven different identities and given at least three nationalities on separate occasions - Syrian, Moroccan or Georgian, Jacob said, according to national agency DPA.

"We are not sure who he really was," said Jacob, adding that the man had already been imprisoned on several occasions for offences relating to illegal arms possession, drug trafficking and assault.

Welt am Sonntag said the man had drawn a symbol of the Islamic State organisation on the shelter's wall and had filed for asylum using the name Walid Salihi.

But French investigators said Friday the suspect appeared to have been identified by his family and was said to be a Tunisian named Tarek Belgacem.
German police raided an asylum seeker shelter where they said the man who sought to attack a Paris police station on Thursday had lived.

Police found no indications that other attacks had been planned, they said in a statement following the search at the shelter yesterday in western Germany's Recklinghausen.

The police statement did not specify that he was an asylum seeker but a source close to the matter told AFP the man was indeed registered as one.

The man was shot dead by police after trying to storm a police station in northern Paris on Thursday, brandishing a meat cleaver and wearing a fake suicide vest. The attempted attack took place exactly one year since the Charlie Hebdo terror attacks that shook Paris.

Investigations are ongoing in close cooperation with French authorities, said police from the state of North Rhine Westphalia, declining to give further information for fear of compromising the probe.

French investigators said Friday the suspect appeared to have been identified by his family and was said to be a Tunisian named Tarek Belgacem.

His link to an asylum seeker shelter in Germany risks further inflaming a debate over the 1.1 million asylum seekers that the country took in last year.

Tensions were already running high after a spate of sexual assaults and thefts during New Year's Eve festivities in the western city of Cologne, with police saying suspects of the crime spree were mostly asylum seekers and migrants.

Cologne police had said earlier yesterday that they have recorded 379 cases of violence during the rampage that night.
The man who tried to attack a police station on the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper killings had no accomplices "to my knowledge", French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said today.

"What we know today is that he is definitely of Tunisian origin, that his name could be Tarek Belgacem and that he had travelled to several countries in the European Union, including Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany," Cazeneuve told France's iTele.

The minister cast doubt on a statement from the German police yesterday that the man had lived in a centre for asylum seekers in Germany.

"I cannot confirm this, quite simply because I am not at all sure that it is correct," Cazeneuve said, and called on the media to exercise the "greatest care" in reporting on the man's identity.

Yesterday, German investigators assisting the probe into the police-station attack raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum seekers in Recklinghausen, western Germany.

The man was shot dead by police on Thursday as he tried to storm a police station in the Goutte d'Or district of northern Paris, brandishing a meat cleaver and wearing a fake suicide vest.

French prosecutors said he was carrying a handwritten claim to be acting in the name of the Islamic State (IS) group.

The assault took place exactly one year to the day after the killing of 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly on January 7, 2015.

Welt am Sonntag newspaper said the man had drawn a symbol of IS on the Recklinghausen shelter's wall.

The same newspaper reported that he had used different names in separate registrations with German authorities, but filed for asylum using the name Walid Salihi.

But French investigators said Friday the suspect appeared to be a Tunisian named Tarek Belgacem.
Seven drug smugglers and intruders, including three Pakistani nationals, have been shot dead in separate encounters by BSF personnel guarding the International Border along Pakistan in Punjab last year and 344 kg heroin worth Rs 1,720 cr was seized during the period.

According to data provided by BSF Punjab Frontier headquarters, seven cross-border smugglers and intruders was gunned down by BSF personnel along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab last year of which three were Pakistani national while one was Indian.

It also stated that in 2015, 91 persons were arrested for drug smuggling and illegally crossing the border, while fake Indian currency notes with face value of more that Rs 11 lakh was seized.

Of the 91 persons arrested five were Indian smugglers while the others included 58 Indian, 20 Pakistani, four Bangladeshi, two Nigerians, one Chinese and one Nepali, who were held for crossing the border illegally, the BSF data stated.

The other items seized last year include 17 weapons, 24 magazines and 286 cartridges. Also 15 Pakistani mobile phones, 2 Indian, 2 Bangladeshi mobile phones and 28 Pakistani SIM cards 11 Indian SIM cards and two Bangladeshi SIM cards were seized in the last year.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said Punjab government will soon examine the feasibility of banning Chinese kite string, in light of incidents related to its use.

The state government would explore the possibility of prohibiting use of Chinese kite strings, Badal said on sidelines of a cultural event organised by Chief Khalsa Diwan here.

The Chief Minister said his government was sensitive to the issue of utmost public importance and will soon take a suitable decision in this regard.

To a query on government interference in SGPC, the CM categorically stated that the state government "hardly interferes" in the affairs of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee as it had a separate entity and was an autonomous body, free to take decisions with respect to Sikh religious affairs.

He also dismissed as "baseless, irrelevant and misleading", the canards regarding his interference in the affairs of SGPC.

Responding to a question on 'Sangat Darshan', Badal said it was a flagship programme of the SAD-BJP alliance, which was very helpful in ensuring on the spot redressal of people's grievances.

Such programmes, he said, were also helpful to the state government in judging the performance of the officials of the state government.

"The sole aim of organising such programs was to give impetus to the development in the state," he added.

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering at the event, the CM underscored the need for imparting quality education to the weaker sections of the society.

He also urged Chief Khalsa Diwan to make concerted efforts to spread the light of knowledge amongst the poor students so they could compete with the students from across the globe.

Badal also laid thrust on providing education to the students of border areas so that they could benefit from it.

"The state government is already making efforts in this regard, but fulsome support of organisations like Chief Khalsa Diwan can do wonders in it," he added.
Power sector does not need any "crutches" in form of tax incentives as it is no longer facing any stress and can stand on its own, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal has said.

The statement assumes significance in the run-up to the Union as various sectors are seeking tax breaks and other incentives from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley..

Read our full coverage on Union Budget



"I believe that now we don't have to have the crutches of tax incentives. We can stand on our own," Goyal told PTI.

He was replying to a query on whether the Power Ministry will seek any tax incentives for the sector from Jaitley.

"Now the approach has been that my power sector can stand on its own. You have seen that with all transparency we have brought all costs down. Now the stress that is faced by the sector is by and large over," Goyal said.

The Minister further said that the UDAY scheme will itself help save Rs 1.8 lakh crore annually within next three years and the savings will go to the people of India.

The government in November launched Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) for revival of debt stressed power distribution companies.

The accumulated debt of these companies is over Rs 4 lakh crore and they suffer losses to the tune of over Rs 60,000 crore every year.

Under the scheme, 75 per cent of the debt of these firms will be taken over by the states which would issue bonds to repay the loans. The remaining debt will be repaid by discoms by issuing bonds guaranteed by states.

According to energy expert C P Krishnan, the power generating companies have been getting better tax incentives, but the issue is with discoms' debt.

The cash strapped discoms are not able to buy power which is the main reason for generators running their plants at lower plant load factor as electricity cannot be stored, he said.

He was of the view that states have been giving subsidised or free power to certain category of consumers like farmer but they did not pay the discoms which resulted in mounting debt year after year.

However, he expressed hope that Centre may bring out some models of innovative financing for clean energy or other power projects to further boost the sector.
Ram temple will come up in Ayodhya once members of all communities are taken into confidence on the matter, RSS' Muslim outreach wing Muslim Rashtriya Manch has said.

Describing Lord Rama as "symbol of Indian-ness", the Manch, patronised by senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, said it is making efforts to make Muslims aware of the "truth" that God is at the centre of faith for Hindus, while Mughal Emperor Babur does not claim similar space for them.

It is believed that Babri Masjid was named after Mughal Emperor Babur and built during his reign.

"Ram temple will come up, but only when we take each other into confidence. There is a need to speak to Muslims, members of other communities over this," Mohammed Afzal, national convener of the Manch, said here recently on the sidelines of an event.

Afzal said Lord Rama is at the centre of faith of majority Hindus, but Babur is "not at the core of belief of Muslims" and added that the Manch is engaged in activities aimed at conveying this "truth" to members of the minority.

"Lord Rama is at the centre of belief of Hindus. But Babur is not at the centre of belief of Muslims. He was an invader. We are conveying the truth to our Muslim brothers," he added.

Afzal also claimed that majority of the Ulemas associated with the Manch were of the view that the temple must be built in Ayodhya.

"When the UP High Court decision had come (in the Ayodhya case), we had called a meeting of members of our organisation. Around 70-80 ulemas had spoken then. Of these, around 65 people had said the temple should be constructed there as it is the symbol of our Indian-ness. The discussion had taken place without any pressure on anyone," he said.

Afzal dismissed the view that "atmosphere of intolerance" prevails in the country.

Referring to the makeshift temple at the disputed site, he said, "It is the biggest example of how tolerant India is".
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir today insisted his country supports efforts to resolve the Syria conflict, despite its diplomatic dispute with Iran.

"We have previously stated our support for the Syrian opposition and for efforts to find a peaceful solution in Syria," Jubeir said at a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo.

"This is still the case, we believe in this and we fully support (the peace process) despite our differences with Iran," he said, hours after his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif said Riyadh was using the row with Tehran to "negatively affect" peace talks on Syria.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif today accused Saudi Arabia of using its row with Tehran to "negatively affect" peace talks on the Syrian conflict.

"Saudi Arabia's approach is to create tension intended to negatively affect the Syrian crisis," Zarif said in a foreign ministry statement.

"We will not allow Saudi actions to have a negative impact," he said.

The statement coincided with a visit to Tehran for talks by Staffan de Mistura, the UN peace envoy on Syria, one week after Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in a row that began with the Sunni kingdom's execution of a Shiite cleric.

The UN Security Council is backing an 18-month plan to end Syria's nearly five-year war and the roadmap was the result of recently launched international talks aimed at ending the conflict.

Saudi Arabia and Iran joined world powers at those discussions but there are concerns their split over the execution of cleric and activist Nimr al-Nimr could damage the talks.

Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran and its mission in Mashhad, Iran's second city, were attacked by mobs and set on fire after the killing. Diplomatic ties were cut 24 hours later.

Since then Saudi Arabia has "intensified its actions" against Iran, Zarif said, citing an alleged Saudi air strike said to have caused damage at Iran's embassy in Yemen's capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposite sides in the Yemen conflict.

"They hide their negative approach by attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran's embassy in Sanaa and injuring the personnel of the embassy," Zarif said.
Saudi authorities today executed an Ethiopian woman convicted of murdering a Saudi female with an axe, the 50th death sentence carried out in the kingdom this year, the interior ministry said.

Jinat Farid was found guilty of killing Ghalia Eida al-Harithi by striking her repeatedly with an axe as the victim knelt to perform Muslim prayers, the ministry said in a statement carried by state agency SPA.

After killing Harithi, the Farid stole two gold rings and an unspecified amount of money, the ministry said.

She was executed in the western city of Taif.

The ministry did not specify any connection between the culprit and the victim, but the kingdom hosts large numbers of domestic workers that come from African and South Asian countries.

On January 2, the kingdom executed 47 men convicted of "terrorism", including Al-Qaeda-linked militants and Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, whose death has prompted a diplomatic row with Iran.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia executed 153 people convicted of various crimes, including drug trafficking, up from 87 in 2014, according to AFP tallies.

Amnesty International says the number of executions in Saudi Arabia last year was the highest for two decades.

However, the number is way behind that of Iran and China.

Under the kingdom's strict Islamic legal code, murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all punishable by death.

Most executions in the kingdom are carried out by beheading with a sword.
The Saudi-led coalition bombing rebels in Yemen denied today renewed accusations of dropping cluster bombs in the country after UN chief Ban Ki-moon said their use may be a "war crime".

The coalition "denies using cluster bombs in Sanaa", the Yemeni capital, spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri told AFP.

He was specifically responding to a report issued Thursday by the US-based Human Rights Watch, which quoted residents describing a January 6 attack consistent with airdropped cluster bomb use.

A day later Ban said he had received "troubling reports" of cluster bomb attacks in the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

"I think it's a very weak report," Assiri said of HRW's study. "They didn't show any evidence."



He said the watchdog mentioned a type of cluster munition "that doesn't exist in our stock," adding that 90 percent of coalition operations in Sanaa are directed against Scud missile launchers.

"You cannot use a cluster bomb against Scud launchers," Assiri said.

There has been widespread international concern about the high numbers of civilian casualties in Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition has been supporting Yemeni forces since March against the rebels and their allies, who seized territory from the internationally-recognised government.
Sebi is mulling urgent steps to safeguard investors' interest against any over-exposure of to riskier corporate bonds, while measures are also underway to allow sale of funds on e-commerce platforms to provide an easy and cost-effective channel.

The proposed move to allow the fund houses and their distributors to sell mutual fund schemes through e-commerce platforms is expected to benefit all stakeholders including the investors.

At the same time, Sebi is considering reducing the sector exposure limits for debt schemes to address concerns over the risks associated with their investments in distressed corporate bonds, which recently came to fore after Amtek Auto crisis. Currently, the exposure limit is 30 per cent.

Sebi's board is likely to deliberate upon these proposals in its meeting scheduled for tomorrow, sources said.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is also looking into additional guidelines for credit rating agencies with respect to rating procedures on such corporate bonds.

The issue of reducing the MF exposure limit for debt schemes caught Sebi's attention after JP Morgan Mutual Fund got into troubles due to its exposure to debt securities of Amtek Auto, while a few other fund houses have also faced similar problems with regard to corporate bonds of a few other distressed firms.

Earlier, JP Morgan Mutual Fund had restricted redemptions from two of its debt schemes -- Short Term Income Fund and India Treasury Fund.

The move came in the wake of a decline in NAVs (net assets value) of the schemes due to fund house's exposure to Amtek Auto's debt papers. These schemes had a collective exposure of about Rs 200 crore in Amtek Auto.

Also, the regulator might reduce the limit invested by a scheme's corpus in debt securities of a single company.

Regarding the sale of allowing mutual fund products on e-commerce platforms, Sebi's board will consider the matter as the move is expected to deepen the market.

The regulator has already set up a committee under Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to deliberate ways in which electronic means can be used better for sale of MFs.

The mutual fund industry has been growing considerably over the last few years and currently has assets under management of over Rs 13 lakh crore, but it has been felt that a huge growth opportunity remains untapped especially among the retail investors.

In late December, Sebi Chairman U K Sinha had said sale of mutual fund products on e-commerce platforms could become effective in a month.

The Sebi board will also be apprised of the progress on new regulatory frameworks being readied for commodity including for developing more efficient price discovery and risk management mechanisms. Sebi began regulating this market in September last year after the erstwhile Forward Commission (FMC) was merged with it.

Further, the board may also discuss about norms to help entrepreneurs raise funds through 'crowd funding'.
Security has been tightened around Indian Air Force station at Chabua in Assam's Dibrugarh district following intelligence inputs about threats to the air base, a police official said.

Following the Pathankot terror attack, police has received certain inputs which need to be corroborated and confirmed in consultation with various agencies and security forces but security has been tightened around the airbase, Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police Bir Bikram Gogoi said today.

"Security measures are being taken accordingly by the police, Army and IAF so that any unwarranted situation may be avoided," he said.

"After receiving the input, the IAF has restricted entry of casual workers in the base. The identity of these workers who are engaged for various works by contractors are cross checked and verified," sources at Chabua airbase said.

Chabua is a key base of the IAF and it has the latest airplanes including the Sukhoi-30 MKi and Chetak helicopters.

Chabua is also known as the 'eastern bastion' of the IAF which was built in 1939 and used through the war by allied forces in support of the Chinese against the invading Japanese forces.

The station has served as a major supply point for the troops deployed in Arunachal Pradesh with various transport aircraft and helicopters operating from the base.

It then took on a training role as MIG-21 were based here training young fighter pilots and providing air defence to the region.

In 2009, however, the last squadron of Mig-21 moved out from Chabua and after undergoing major renovation and expansion, the Sukhoi-30 MKI multi-role fighters were indicted in the base since Feb 2011.
Delhi police arrested seven persons who had allegedly robbed courier companies transporting jewellery from Gujarat to Delhi and seized two pistols, huge amount of cash and jewellery from their possession.

Police arrested Mahender, based on a tip-off, and on his disclosure the others, Manish Sharma, Arun Nagar, Roshan Gupta, Jashpal, Mohd. Arif Khan and Saraju, were also nabbed.

Two pistols along with seven live cartridges, a knife, Rs 12.5 lakh in cash, a motorcycle and jewellery - 18 diamond studded gold rings, 2 pairs of diamond ear rings, and one diamond pendant - was also recovered from their possession, police said today.

They were arrested by a joint team of Operation Cell of North district and Sadar Bazar police which was constituted after two employees of a courier company carrying a jewellery parcel from Ahmedabad to Delhi were robbed at gun point at Qutub Road, in the area of Sadar Bazar police station, on January 2.

Police said that the accused had given some jewellery to one Kishan to sell it in the market, but that person was still at large.

According to the cops, the accused got information about the movements of the courier company's employees through a tea seller, Sarju Pandit, who used to supply tea to the company's employees.

They had befriended Sarju while carrying out recce of the company and the tea seller allegedly provided them minutest details of movement of employees of the company, police said.

With the arrest of the seven, police also claimed to have solved two other cases of dacoity, one in the area of Kamla Market police station and another in the area of DBG Road police station.

In the Kamla Market case, the accused had allegedly looted a bag containing gold worth Rs 32 lakh in September last year.

In the DBG Road case, they had allegedly looted gold jewellery worth Rs 2.5 lakh in July 2015, police said.
Police and Anti-Terrorist Squad officials today arrested seven smugglers and seized from them Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 9.5 lakh from Bihar's Gaya and West Champaran district.

The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested six smugglers with FICN of the face value of Rs 5.5 lakh from Dobhi police station area in Bihar's Gaya district, ATS Inspector Arjun Lal said.

Acting on a tip-off, the ATS team arrested the smugglers - Zaheer Abbas, Uday Kumar, Kedar Paswan, Santu Singh, Ajay Kumar and Madan Paswan from Hunterganj-Dobhi canal and seized a consignment of fake currency notes of the denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 that Abbas had brought from Malda in West Bengal, Lal said.

Eight mobile phones and three motorcycles were also seized from the smugglers, he said.

Another smuggler was today arrested with a consignment of FICN of the face value of Rs four lakh from a locality near Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's West Champaran district, Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinay Kumar said.

Acting on an input by the NIA, a joint police team of East and West Champaran district intercepted a biker Dinesh Kumar Sah near Bhakaria chowk on NH-28 and seized counterfeit currency notes with face value of Rs four lakh.

The smuggler was carrying the consignment of fake currency notes in denomination of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 for delivery to a client in Bettiah town, he said.

The smuggler had brought the fake currency notes from Malda in West Bengal, Kumar said, adding Sah was being interrogated.
Shillong Lajong FC and Mumbai FC shared one point each as they played out a goal-less draw in their campaign opener of I-League at the JN Stadium here today.

Both sides got off to an exciting start and strikers at both ends were on an attacking spree but failed to score the all important goal.

The home team's Nigerian striker Penn Orji almost scored in the opening minute but missed it by a few inches. Within 10 minutes, Mumbai's Eric Brown returned an attack that also went wide.

Upping their ante, Lajong nearly scored again in the 22nd minute when their Brazilian recruit Uilliams Bomfin's shot narrowly missed the target.

The following minute, Izumi, Sushil and Minchol worked together to put pressure on the hosts defence but were thwarted by the likes of Robin Gurung and his colleagues at the back.

Resuming after the break, Lajong continued with their raids at the Mumbai goal but failed to convert the chances that came their way.

Mumbai players, it appeared, were affected by the cold weather conditions and the high altitude of Shillong.
Srinivas Murthy, senior vice-president of marketing at e-commerce major Snapdeal, has put in his papers to start his own venture.

The entrepreneurial drive has rubbed off on to me. Im now moving on to become an entrepreneur myself, said Murthy. He, however, did not disclose details of his venture. Murthy added he would announce his venture in the next few months.

Srini has decided to begin an exciting new journey as an entrepreneur, and while he will surely be missed, I am delighted to see that he is carrying forward the Snapdeal spirit of entrepreneurship, Snapdeal co-founder and chief executive Kunal Bahl said. This is the second major exit at Snapdeal, after its head of strategy, Ranjan Kant, quit to join online apparel retailer Jabong as chief marketplace officer.

The e-commerce space in the country has been witnessing significant churn at the executive level, with players often bringing professionals on board with varied experience levels.

Snapdeal has roped in many from across the globe.

Anand Chandrasekaran, ex-CPO Bharti Airtel, Gaurav Gupta, formerly the India Head of Bay area startup Scalearc and Bhuvan Gupta, ex-CTO of BSB Portal (JV between BSB and Yahoo Japan) have joined Snapdeal as core members of its technology team in the past one year.

Its rival Flipkart has hired Dan Rawson (from US operations of global rival Amazon) for customer logistics and supply chain ecosystems and Ravi Byakod (a senior Google engineer) as director of engineering-accounting platform.

Many of the top executives have also started their own ventures to cash in on the booming e-commerce industry in the country.
In a meeting that is being seen as politically significant, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today visited PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti here to offer condolences on the demise of her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Gandhi, who arrived from Delhi, drove straight from the airport to the Fairview residence of Mehbooba in Gupkar here at 3 pm. She stayed with the PDP president for about 20 minutes.

The Congress president was accompanied by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress general secretary Ambika Soni, state Congress chief G A Mir and party leader Saifuddin Soz.

Mufti breathed his last on Thursday at AIIMS in New Delhi after undergoing treatment there since December 24.

The meeting is seen as politically significant as BJP, an ally of PDP, has yet not officially extended support to Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership after Mufti's demise.

Congress has earlier shared power with PDP between 2002 and 2008, with both parties having their Chief Minister on rotational basis after three years. They later had a bitter split in 2008.

Gandhi's flying into here to meet Mehbooba assumes significance as there are reports that PDP and BJP are bargaining afresh over the formation of a new government.

PDP has already given a letter to Governor N N Vohra, saying that all its 28 MLAs support Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership. But Mehbooba has reportedly said that she will not take oath till the end of mourning period for her father, which is the fourth day that falls today.

Vohra on Friday had asked both PDP and BJP to convey their position on the government formation. Since BJP did not convey its position, the Governor yesterday imposed the President's Rule in the state.
India's steel industry, which is facing a crisis due to cheap imports and subdued prices, has sought a government support package on the lines of the ones extended to textiles and sugar sectors.

After lobbying for imposition of import duty, safeguard duty and anti-dumping duty on imports from China, South Korea and Japan, the over $100 billion has now approached the government for a comprehensive Steel Package..

Read our full coverage on Union Budget



The demand includes a year-long moratorium on payment of interest and principle amount as well as segregation of debt into two categories - Sustainable and Balance.

According to analysts, domestic steel companies are sitting on a debt burden of Rs 3 lakh crore and falling prices have led to steeply lower realisation making it difficult to service the debt burden.

Besides, cheap imports from China, South Korea and Japan among others have further exacerbated the situation leading to a decline in the share of the firms in the domestic market.

As per industry, the sector's share in gross non- performing assets as well as restructured standard advances of scheduled commercial banks is 10-11 per cent. Besides, an estimated 26 per cent of the total advances to the iron and steel sector are under stress.

In a presentation made to the Steel Ministry last week, companies said cheap imports and fall in prices of steel products are eating into their working capital funds and is impacting their debt servicing capacity.

That apart, investments to expand capacity has led to large borrowings and huge financial charges.

Appreciating the efforts taken by the government to help the sector, the firms in their presentation said that there is an "urgent need for a far more comprehensive relief (Steel Package) involving participation from all stakeholders, including the Banking sector".

The government has provided similar support to industries such as textiles and sugar, the presentation said.

Under the package, the one-year moratorium will be a short term measure to ensure continued operations, while various remedial measures are put into place.

Besides, segregating debt into Sustainable and Balance will help the in managing its financial burden.

While, Sustainable Debt will include long-term debt and working capital loans that are required to run the business as well as maintain cash flows to pay debt obligations.

The remaining -- termed as Balance Debt -- will be repaid over an extended period of time by converting it into Redeemable Preference Shares with a nominal rate of about 0.01 per cent.

"Considering the financial position of the companies due to various factors beyond their control, the would require a comprehensive package for its survival," the presentation explained.
As suspense over formation of new government in Jammu and Kashmir continued, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was today visited by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for mourning but the meetings were seen with political significance.

The meetings took place even as BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh expressed confidence that the alliance with PDP will continue as he said the party has written to Governor N N Vohra saying it will have a discussion on whatever decision the the ally takes.

Gandhi, who arrived from Delhi, drove straight from the airport to the Fairview residence of Mehbooba in Gupkar here at 3 pm. She stayed with the PDP president for about 20 minutes and paid rich tributes to her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who passed away last Thursday.

Gandhi, whose party ran a coalition government with PDP between 2002 and 2008, described Mufti as a "fine administrator committed to the welfare of the people" of the state and one who reflected the best of Indian values rooted in respect for diversity and anchored in tolerance.

Noting that in 2002 he had committed to provide a 'healing touch' as Chief Minister, she said, "Mufti Saheb cut across party boundaries. He was beyond party affiliations. He belonged to everybody."



Gandhi was accompanied by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, party general secretary Ambika Soni, state Congress chief G A Mir and party leader Saifuddin Soz.

Azad later said "there is no politics in this and no politics should be understood of this (meeting). We have come here only for condoling and there is no other motive."



Gandhi had come here as Mehbooba has had long association with her and Congress, he told reporters.

Mehbooba and her father were in Congress before floating PDP in 1999. She represented Congress once in Lok Sabha also.

Soon after Gandhi's meeting, Gadkari, Union Surface Transport Minister and senior BJP leader, visited Mehbooba to offer condolences on the demise of her father.

"It is no time to talk politics. I have come here to convey condolences on behalf of the central government," he told reporters later.

Recalling his meeting with Mufti in Delhi, Gadkari said the late PDP leader had a dream for the state which included tourism, development and infrastructure among other things.

"We will try to fulfill all the assurances given to him on Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said.

The meetings are seen as politically significant as BJP, an ally of PDP, has yet not officially extended support to Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership after Mufti's demise.

Congress earlier shared power with PDP before having a bitter split in 2008.

Gandhi's flying into here to meet Mehbooba assumes



significance as there are reports that PDP and BJP are bargaining afresh over the formation of a new government.

PDP has already given a letter to Governor N N Vohra, saying that all its 27 MLAs support Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership. But Mehbooba has reportedly said that she will not take oath till the end of mourning period for her father, which is the fourth day that falls today.

Vohra on Friday had asked both PDP and BJP to convey their position on the government formation. Since BJP did not convey its position, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state.

BJP has 25 MLAs in the 87-member Assembly while Congress has 12 and National Conference has 15.

Meanwhile, Nirmal Singh expressed confidence that the alliance will continue.

"Till now we all were in mourning. We will see. There have been no discussions on that (government formation), (but) it is expected that the way things were going earlier, that (alliance) would continue. I am praying that we soon have a system in place," he said in Bijbehara, Muftis' home town.

"The party has said we want and we have written a letter to the Governor yesterday and told him that we will have a discussion on whatever decision the PDP takes," he said.

Singh said no discussions on government formation in the state have taken place between PDP and BJP so far because of the customary four-day mourning period following the demise former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The mourning period ended today.

"Everyone is sad and mourning. After this, we will start discussions," he said when asked if BJP had any differences with its alliance partner over the succession of Sayeed's daughter and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti as the next Chief Minister.

Paying tributes to Mufti, Singh said Sayeed's endeavour was to provide good governance to Jammu and Kashmir.

"There is a huge responsibility now to provide good governance to people in his absence and to carry forward what he achieved in the last 10 months.

"A huge void has been created by his demise. Though he is not physically present now, his work and memories are before the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that needs to be carried forward," he said.
Sweden is eyeing 22 per cent growth in Indian travellers visiting the Scandinavian country in 2016, and is mainly focusing on experienced travellers, who have taken or take at least two trips abroad every year, a Swedish official said.

"Both business and leisure travel has increased in the last few years. In 2014, we had 1,55,203 bed nights spent by Indian travellers, which was an increase of 22 per cent from the preceding year. We are expecting a continued growth from Indian market in 2016," Swedish Regional Director, Growth and Development, Lotta Thiringer, said here.

She said Indian travellers contributed to 1,57,444 commercial bed nights from January 2015-October 2015, and 2016 is likely to follow the same pattern.

"We have a partnership with VisitNorway and VisitDenmark for our marketing efforts in India to create better impact, as we know that the Indian traveller like to do round-trips and the three Scandinavian countries are a perfect combination," she said.

Sweden is mainly targeting experienced or matured travellers, who frequently travel abroad or take at least two trips abroad every year.

"We are also looking at those travellers, who are curious to discover new places, cultures and cities. Our focus lies on the leisure traveller, mainly from the metros. This year, we went to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, and 2016 will also be the same," she said.

The combination of authentic nature experiences, world-class progressive cities and a friendly, modern, sustainable lifestyle sets Sweden aside as a unique destination, she said.

"As we are still finalising the strategy, the same is yet to be determined for India. Sweden has a lot to offer - we are blessed with a lot of natural beauty with a long and fascinating coastline, dramatic mountains and romantic rolling landscapes, along with the strikingly beautiful and vibrant capital of Stockholm," she said.

In Asia, India is ranked as Sweden's second source market after China.

"India is an important and growing market for us. Given the rapid growth of the market, it might be a bigger market in the future. In long-haul markets such as the US, China and India, our strategy is to work out a Scandinavian platform, a partnership that brings forward the unique combination of Sweden, Norway and Denmark in one trip, as we know that these visitors love to travel around and get more destinations into their vacation," she added.
Reigniting the 2012 troop movement row, Congress leader Manish Tewari has termed as "unfortunate but true" a media report suggesting a coup attempt by General V K Singh, provoking a strong rebuttal by his own party and derisive denial by the former army chief.

Ruling BJP questioned the timing of the former Union minister's claim, but the latter stood firm on what he had said.

Replying to a question at a book release function here yesterday, Tewari virtually dug out the nearly four-year-old controversy from its grave, saying, "At that point of time I used to serve in the Standing Committee on Defence. And it's unfortunate but the story was true. Story was correct."



Tewari, who was Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in the UPA government between October 2012 and May 2014, said, "I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct".

The Congress leader was asked about media coverage of issues pertaining to defence forces as in the case of the Indian Express report on April 4, 2012, titled "The January night Raisina Hill was spooked: Two key Army units moved towards Delhi without notifying Govt."



V K Singh, now Minister of State for External Affairs, dismissed Tewari's allegation saying it has come from a "person who has no work these days".

"He has no work these days. He should be asked to read my book which reveals everything (on the issue)," Singh said.

An embarrassed Congress, which had rejected the report when the controversy had erupted for the first time, dismissed Tewari's claim.

"I am again clarifying there is absolutely no truth in it (claims about troop movement in 2012). My colleague was neither a member of the Cabinet Committee on Security, nor any relevant decision making body," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, adding some troop movements are necessary, "inbuilt and inevitable part of the defence mechanism".

"It was inappropriate, unnecessary and completely wrong to suggest that there was any truth in those allegations when made," he said.

"We on behalf of Congress very clearly and categorically want to deny this report," another party spokesperson P C Chacko said.

Isolated in his own party over his claim, Tewari said,"Whatever I said yesterday, I have nothing more to add or subtract."



According to The Indian Express report, central intelligence agencies had reported that on the night of January 16, 2012 there was an unexpected - and non-notified - movement by a key military unit from mechanised infantry based in Hisar in the direction of the capital.
Former Union Minister Manish Tewari has raked up the 2012 troop movement controversy, saying a media report about army units moving towards Delhi without notifying the then UPA government was "unfortunate but true" even as his own party distanced itself from his claims while former Army Chief V K Singh rubbished the remarks.

As Tewari's remarks opened a can of worms, Singh dismissed the claims and called the Congress leader jobless even as the BJP questioned the timing of the remarks and demanded a statement from former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the matter.

Replying to a question at a book release function here yesterday, Tewari had said, "At that point of time I used to serve in the Standing Committee on Defence. And it's unfortunate but the story was true. Story was correct."



Tewari, who was Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in UPA government between October 2012 and May 2014, said, "I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct".

The Congress leader was asked about media coverage of issues pertaining to defence forces as in the case of the Indian Express report on April 4, 2012, titled "The January night Raisina Hill was spooked: Two key Army units moved towards Delhi without notifying Govt."



Reacting to his remark, former Army chief and Union Minister Singh said, Tewari should be told to read his book which talks about the issue.

"He should be told to read my book, which reveals all (about the issue)," he said.

Singh, who had in 2012 dismissed the report, said, "He (Tewari) has no work these days."



The Congress on its part distanced itself fom Tewari's claims.

"We on behalf of Congress very clearly and categorically want to deny this report," party spokesperson P C Chacko said.

Another party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there is no truth in the report. "I am again clarifying there is absolutely no truth in it (claims about troop movement in 2012), he said.

"My colleague was neither a member of the Cabinet Committee on Security, nor any relevant decision making body," Singhvi said, adding some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt and inevitable part of the defence mechanism.

"It was inappropriate, unnecessary and completely wrong to suggest that there was any truth in those allegations when made," he said.

According to The Indian Express report, central intelligence agencies had reported that on the night of January 16, 2012 there was an unexpected - and non-notified - movement by a key military unit from mechanised infantry based in Hisar in the direction of the capital.

On the same night, another unit - identified as a large



element of the 50th Para Brigade based at Agra - had also been moved towards Delhi, according to the newspaper report.

The alleged movement took place at a time when Singh was locked in a confrontation with the government in a row over his age.

Questioning the timing of the remarks, the BJP demanded a statement from former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Defence Minister A K Antony on the issue.

"Manish Tewari is raking up an issue wherein their own government had denied that there was any coup movement. His now raising this issue throws many questions which must be answered by the Congress," party National General Secretary Siiddhartha Nath Singh said.

The timing is certainly politically "suspect", he said adding, "We have seen in past that Congress has tried to demoralise the armed forces by raising questions on national security."



"Therefore, it is time for Congress to come clean and BJP demands a statement from no one less than former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Defence Minister A K Antony," he said.

Senior JD (U)leader K C Tyagi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take cognisance of the issue and demanded that Singh be sacked.

"The issue (of troops' movement) is detrimental for democracy. I will urge Prime Minister Modi to take cognisance of this report and remove Singh from the Cabinet. He should also set up a high powered committee to probe this issue..," he said.

(REOPENS DEL18)



Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was part of the committee then, stated he "doesn't remember" if the panel had discussed any such issue.

Insisting discussion at the panel-level should not be brought in public domain, Naqvi said the army has "already clarified" the matter and the same was over three years ago itself.

"I don't know from where he got this dream. The army had already clarified about it and the matter was over at that time itself," he said.

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat said the matter has to be looked into "if there is any truth in it." She also questioned if there was any truth in the troop movement claim, why it was denied by the UPA Government then?



"Now I don't know why after three years Mr Manish Tewari is making this comment. But if there is any truth at all in it, obviously, it is a very serious matter which has to be looked into enquired into.

"The question remains, that the then government had at that time totally denied it. So, if there was a truth in it, why it was denied then? So, they are also answerable to the country," Karat said.
With the arrest of eight persons, Thane Police claimed to have busted a gang allegedly involved in thefts by cooking up stories of robbery.

The police got the first lead into the case by apprehending a truck driver and its cleaner last week when they tried to mislead the cops by saying that their steel-laden vehicle was robbed on highway in Thane, DCP-Zone I Sachin Patil told reporters here last night.

He said that on January 1, a truck carrying steel pipes weighing about 5.50 tonnes valued at around Rs 13.34 lakhs was dispatched from a godown of a company at Bhiwandi in Thane for Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai.

However, the truck did not reach the destination.

Instead, the next day, truck driver Ramdayal Chowdhari and cleaner Mohammad Rafique lodged a complaint of robbery with Shil-Daighar police station.

They informed the police that there was a highway robbery wherein some miscreants waylaid the truck, pulled out both of them, tied them up and then fled with the truck containing the steel pipes, the police official said.

The probe team, lead by senior police inspector Krishna Katkar, sensing something amiss took Chowdhari and Rafique into custody. During interrogation, they revealed that infact they had "cooked" up the story of robbery and that the truck was never waylaid and looted, he said.

It was ascertained that the duo had taken the truck to a godown at Kalamboli and unloaded the consignment there to be shifted elsewhere and disposed, police said.

Subsequently, the police arrested the duo and six of their other gang members on Friday, who were allegedly involved in an inter-state robbery racket, and recovered the full stock from the godown at Kalamboli, police said.

Among those arrested, are the gang leader Mustaq Abdul Khan and godown owner Kewaram Patel, police added.
Thousands of South Sudanese have fled fighting and extreme hunger in recent weeks, the United Nations says in a report, as leaders struggle to honour a peace deal on the ground.

Almost 10,000 civilians have arrived since late December at an already hugely overcrowded UN peacekeeping base in the town of Bentiu in the battleground northern Unity region, according to the report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"People from southern Unity continued to arrive... bringing the total number of people at the site to nearly 115,000," the report, seen Sunday, part of some 193,000 civilians inside UN bases across the country.

UN aid chief in South Sudan, Eugene Owusu, warned the crisis in Unity "is extremely worrying" adding that levels of "malnutrition are extremely high."



The Unity region has been the scene of some of the heaviest fighting, including the mass abduction and rape of women and children.

In October, UN-backed experts warned of a "concrete risk of famine" in parts of Unity if fighting continues with tens of thousands of people feared to be starving to death outside areas aid workers can reach.

Some aid has been delivered, but civilians report dire conditions.

"Civilians said they had survived for about seven months hiding in swampy areas and eating wild fruits," OCHA said, after aid workers visited the badly affected Leer region in southern Unity this week.

Thousands more civilians have fled fighting in southern Equatoria regions, areas bordering Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

"New displacement was also reported in Western Equatoria state, where ongoing insecurity has forced thousands to flee their homes, including some 6,100 who have fled across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo since November 2015," OCHA added.

Despite an August agreement fighting continues, and the conflict now involves multiple militia forces who pay little heed to paper peace deals, driven by local agendas or revenge attacks.

The conflict has triggered a humanitarian crisis with 2.3 million people forced from their homes and 4.6 million in need of emergency food aid. Tens of thousands have died and the economy is in ruins.

Civil war began in December 2013 when Kiir accused sacked deputy Riek Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that have split the poverty-stricken country along ethnic lines.
Several thousand people gathered in Paris today in a low-key ceremony to mark a year since a million and half citizens thronged the French capital in a show of unity following jihadist attacks on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket.

People attending the event in the Place de la Republique were searched by armed police before standing around a simple stage and a monument covered in the red, white and blue French flag.

President Francois Hollande unveiled a plaque next to an oak tree planted in the square in memory of the victims of the jihadist outrages that rocked France in 2015, beginning with the shootings at Charlie Hebdo.

Veteran rocker Johnny Hallyday performed a short song and the army's choir gave a rousing rendition of the Marseillaise.

The understated event was a far cry from January 11, 2015, when four million citizens rallied across France, in the biggest mass demonstrations since the end of World War II.

The outpouring of support for freedom of expression was crowned by a huge march in Paris that included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.

Twelve people were killed in the January 7, 2015 assault on Charlie Hebdo, which had been in the jihadists' sights since publishing cartoons blasphemous to Islam.

The next day, another extremist, Amedy Coulibaly, shot dead a policewoman before killing four people in a siege at a Jewish supermarket.

France's year of jihadist bloodshed culminated in the coordinated shootings and suicide bombings in Paris on November 13 that killed 130 people and were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

Today's event was dedicated to all the victims from the attacks last year, which left the country in shock and under stringent security measures, including a state of emergency.

One of those who attended the commemoration, Jacques Clayeux, a 54-year-old museum technician, had known one of the murdered cartoonists, Tignous.

"Everyone grew up with those guys," he said. "But I have mixed feelings today. It is terrible to attack journalists, but it's scary to live under a state of emergency."



The one-year anniversary on Thursday of the Charlie Hebdo shootings was overshadowed when a man was shot dead by police as he approached a police station in northern Paris wielding a meat cleaver and wearing what turned out to be a fake explosives vest.
At least 81 people, including 23 Al-Qaeda fighters, were killed in Russian strikes on a prison complex run by the jihadist group in Syria's northwest, a monitor said today in a new toll.

The strikes on Saturday targeted an Al-Nusra Front building near a popular market in northwestern Idlib province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The complex in Maarat Al-Numan housed the group's religious court and a jail.

The dead included 23 Al-Nusra fighters and six non-jihadist rebels who were in the building.

Another 52 people -- including civilians and prisoners in the complex -- were also killed.

At least one child and two women were among the civilians killed in the strikes.

Russian warplanes have been conducting air strikes against the Islamic State organisation and "other terrorist groups" in Syria since September 30.

Although Al-Nusra and IS are both jihadist organisations, they are fierce rivals and regularly clash in Syria.

Al-Nusra also has tense relationships with non-jihadist rebel groups that oppose its extreme interpretation of Islamic law.

In Idlib, it heads a coalition of Islamist and rebel groups known as the Army of Conquest which has expelled regime forces from the province.

Syria's conflict first erupted with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011 but expanded into a war that has left more than 260,000 people dead.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Centre to treat the Punjab frontier at par with Jammu-Kashmir as regards deployment of Border Security force (BSF) for checking infiltration.

Badal said he has asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to deploy adequate number of BSF personnel keeping in view the long border that the state shares with Pakistan.

In the wake of recent terror attacks at Dinanagar and Pathankot, he said, the need of the hour is to replicate the formula in Punjab as applicable to J-K and also to intensify vigil along the border.

"Punjab is a national frontier and concerted efforts must be made to beef its security for the sake of protecting the unity and integrity of the nation," he added.

Meanwhile, taking a jibe at Captain Amarinder Singh, Badal said that the state Congress chief was a "fair weather politician" who was available to people only during election season.

Besides that, he said, "the scion of Patiala Royal family is busy with his aristocratic lifestyle".

Asserting that he has visited every village and met people while discharging his duties as the CM of the state, Badal said Amarinder, however, had remained "inaccessible" to them during his stint as CM from 2002-2007.

He noted that "it was on record that not only common people but Amarinder Singh also remained inaccessible to the ministers of his own Cabinet".

Further speaking to the gathering here, Badal said Amarinder, the local MP, did not visit his constituency ever since his election to the Lok Sabha in 2014.

"It is strange that Captain is dreaming to become the Chief Minister of the state by remaining aloof within four walls of his palace," he added.

Lashing out at Amarinder and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sucha Singh Chottepur for "spitting venom" against Akali Dal, Badal said both the leaders were once sworn Akalis but later changed sides for the sake of power.

He further said people will not rely on them as they changed party for personal motives.

Asked about some SAD leaders including a few sitting



MLAs switching loyalties just before the assembly polls, Badal said it was some disgruntled and over ambitious people who failed to get ticket for the elections or the positions desired by them because of which they deserted the party.

Earlier, addressing the gatherings during 'Sangat Darshan' in villages Sudhar, Halwara, Barhundi and Raikot, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said Congress and AAP were just raising "hollow slogans and false promises" with a single aim of assuming power in the state.

He said both the parties were trying to "mislead the people by unleashing malicious propaganda."



The Punjab CM said both Congress and AAP were least bothered about the interests of the state and its people.
As Congress leader Manish Tewari raked up the 2012 'troop movement' row, Union Minister Birender Singh today claimed that "some" Haryana Congress leaders had spread similar rumours earlier in 2009 also while pitching for Chief Ministership for Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

"...When a decision was to be taken on appointing Chief Minister in Haryana...It was in 2009. Some Congress leaders had spread rumours then that army has made a move and that there will be conflicts if a particular leader is not appointed to the post (of the Chief Minister). You can check this report," Singh, who was then in Congress, told reporters here.

The Rural Development Minister made the remark while responding to queries over Tewari's comments during a press briefing ahead of his visit to Dhaka to take part in sixth South Asia Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN).

Singh, who hails from Haryana and was considered a rival of former Haryana Chief Minister Hooda, refused to name the "particular" leader, saying, "That you know who it is."



With regard to Tewari's statement, Singh said, "I don't know much about this, but yes, rumours were doing rounds in this regard then. I can't give authentic statement that I know about it. Such reports do surface."



Reviving the 2012 troop movement controversy, Tewari has said that a media report about two key army units moving towards Delhi without notifying the then UPA government was "unfortunate but true".

On the recent reports of shortage of funds in implementing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Singh said he has requested Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to release Rs 5000 crore as promised in 2015-16 budget.

He refuted claims that there is delay in payments to states under the scheme.

"It is a demand driven programme. We will give money to states if they demand so. Until states give audit report on money provided to them, the second or third installment will not get released," he added.

On his Dhaka visit, the Minister said a delegation of 80 people led by him will take part in SACOSAN between January 11 and January 13, when the Government will share measures taken by it in implementation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan with other SAARC member countries.

He claimed the SAARC countries have "come a long way" in bringing down number of people doing open defecation.

"People from these countries constituted 66 per cent of the world populace which would defecate in open as on 1990. In 2015, the number has come down by 30 per cent in these countries, while at world-level there is a drop of 14 per cent. This shows that SAARC countries have done better," he said, reiterating India will be open defecation-free by 2019.

The SACOSAN is a government-led biennial conference on sanitation in South Asia held on rotation basis in each of the SAARC country. It aims to develop a regional agenda on sanitation, share best practices and set actions for the future to promote hygiene in the region.
Republican Presidential front-runner Donald Trump's Massachusetts campaign headquarters has been vandalised with obscene graffiti and the word "Nazi" spray-painted on it.

Trump's Massachusetts campaign headquarters in Littleton was discovered vandalised with graffiti and obscenities yesterday.

A Littleton police officer in a marked cruiser near the town common was approached by a woman who reported the vandalism, according to a police statement.

The graffiti, scrawled in red and orange paint across the wall and windows of the campaign headquarters on King Street, included a phrase with an expletive and the word "Nazi", the Boston Globe reported.

"These types of acts are surprising and certainly not representative of the kind of town that Littleton is and the kind of people who live in this community," Littleton Police Chief Matthew King said in the statement.

"People have a right to express their views and disagreements, but the line is drawn at criminal behaviour and vandalism," King said.

Police plan to review surveillance footage in the area, including a nearby gas station, according to the statement.

The Republican presidential candidate's headquarters opened in December in Littleton, said Dean Cavaretta, director for Trump's Massachusetts campaign.

"We've had some outstanding volunteers come by and clean (the graffiti) up since," Cavaretta was quoted as saying.

The campaign headquarters is located inside the historic Conant Building, a large commercial building which also houses other businesses.

The report about the vandalising of Trump's Massachusetts campaign headquarters came a day after a Muslim woman was kicked out of Trump's presidential campaign rally in South Carolina on Friday after staging a silent protest against the Republican front-runner, who has called for a ban on Muslims entering the US.

Trump's campaign has been marked by a number of controversies from his comments on Muslims to the alleged mocking of a journalist's physical disability during a campaign rally.
Turkish security forces killed 32 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants over the weekend in fighting between the authorities and rebels in the country's east and southeast regions, the army and media reports said.

The security sources raided a home in eastern Van province after receiving intelligence that the PKK militants were planning a large-scale attack on government buildings, killing 12 rebels, Dogan agency reported.

One policeman was killed and two others were injured in the ensuing clashes, Dogan added.

"The terrorists came to Van to stage a big attack. Fortunately, we managed to prevent it," provincial governor Ibrahim Tasyapan told reporters, adding that dozens of hand granades and rifles had been seized in the raid.

The army said that a further 20 militants had been killed Saturday in southeastern towns of Cizre and Silopi in Sirnak province near the Iraqi border as well as the Sur district of Diyarbakir -- all subject to a blanket curfew.

A soldier and a police officer were also shot dead in Diyarbakir -- the largest city in the Kurdish-dominated southeast, security forces said.

The army says that that a total of 448 PKK members have been killed in the three towns since the current campaign started in mid-December.

Turkey wages an all-out offensive against the PKK, with military operations backed by curfews ongoing to flush out the rebels from several southeastern urban centres that have raised concerns of a humanitarian crisis.

The operations mark a new escalation in five months of fighting with the PKK, which initially fought for Kurdish independence but now presses more for greater autonomy and rights for the country's largest ethnic minority.

According to Haberturk daily's website, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a closed-door meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that the operations and curfews in the southeast would end within a week, but "there was no deadline."



"We will pursue our fight against terrorism with great determination until these killers have been wiped out from our mountains, plains and towns," he told the meeting on Sunday in televised comments.

In Istanbul, a group of street artists, actors and musicians marched on Istiklal Avenue to call for an end to violence, carrying placards reading "Make noise for Peace!," an AFP photographer said.

Human Rights Foundation of Turkey said on Saturday that over 160 civilians, including 32 civilians, had so far been killed in curfew-hit towns.
Two persons were arrested today while allegedly carrying counterfeit Indian currency with a face value of Rs 1.30 lakh at Ramchandrapur in Medak district of Telangana, police said.

The accused, identified as Kishan Naik and Lalitha, were arrested on a tip-off a day after their attempt to use fake currency notes at a local exhibition was foiled by organisers, said Ram Reddy, Circle Inspector at Ramchandrapur police station.

Police today raided their rented house and find them in possession of the fake currency notes in denominations of Rs 100 and Rs 500.

Reddy said that four other members of their gang managed to flee.

Police said the accused were handed over the counterfeit currency for circulation by a man in Kolkata.
The NDA government is concentrating on improving rural economy and the overall condition of poor people, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today as he termed 'gram swarajya', or village self-rule, as the ultimate goal of the Narendra Modi-led dispensation.

"Empowerment of villages as well as the poor in the country is the primary objective of the NDA government.

"Seventy-five per cent of our population is still residing in villages and unless we strengthen these people economically, the overall growth of the national economy cannot be achieved as expected. The ultimate goal of the NDA government is to achieve 'gram swarajya'," Singh said addressing a function at Atkur village near here.

Singh inaugurated the Vijayawada chapter of 'Swarna Bharat Trust' (SBT) which is run by Deepa Venkat, daughter of Union minister and senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu.

The first chapter of SBT is at Venkatachalam in Nellore district.

On the occasion, Singh listed out various welfare schemes launched by the Modi government for the development of villages and upliftment of the poor.

"Though many developed countries faced recession (in 2008), India withstood it only due to strong economic base of our villages," he said.

Like now, the NDA government in its previous rule had underscored the importance of rural economy and had introduced many schemes, the minister said.

He said the best scheme launched by the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was the 'Pradhana Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana', which envisaged to connect villages by all-weather roads. "Widening of national highways into four lanes has improved the connectivity to rural areas," he added.

Singh said the PM's ambitious 'Jan Dhan Yojana' has allowed the poor to open bank accounts with zero balance and with an overdraft facility.

"Deposits to the tune of Rs 26,891 crore came into the banking system due to 'Jan Dhan Yojana'. The account-holders now directly receive their subsidies which eliminates the middlemen," Singh said.

He said the poor are getting their LPG subsidy through banks thanks to the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.
Voicing deep concern over Nepal's current humanitarian and political situation, a top UN official has encouraged the country's leaders to resolve differences on the new Constitution through inclusive dialogue and parliamentary process.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman made this call for dialogue as he concluded a two-day visit to Nepal yesterday aiming to encourage maximum flexibility to resolve the current political situation in the Himalayan nation, that also witnessed two powerful earthquakes last year.

He met with a number of the country's political and civil society leaders, including President Bidya Devi Bandari and Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli.

Nepal has been at the scene of a violent agitation led by Madhesis, who are largely Indian-origin, for months over the new Constitution that divides their ancestral homeland and are demanding more representation in Parliament. They have also imposed a blockade of key border trade points with India as part of their protest that has claimed over 50 lives.

According to a statement from his office, Feltman expressed "deep concern about current developments that are adversely affecting Nepal's humanitarian situation, economic performance and reconstruction efforts".

"Commending Nepalis on their resolve to address these issues with a spirit of flexibility and compromise, Feltman encouraged political leaders to overcome urgently current differences on constitutional arrangements through inclusive dialogue and parliamentary process," the statement said.

He also underscored the importance of rebuilding trust amongst different groups, including through agreement on the modalities of the process to delineate internal borders.

Feltman, on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, conveyed the United Nations' appreciation for Nepal's unwavering commitment and contribution to the Organisation's work in its 60 years of membership, citing in particular Nepal's role in UN peacekeeping operations and in representing the concerns of landlocked developing countries.

"In turn, Feltman assured Nepal of the UN's unwavering partnership in its recovery following the devastating earthquakes of 2015 as well as in addressing broader humanitarian and development needs," the statement said.

Feldman expressed the sincere hope and conviction that an understanding on these immediate matters will allow all stakeholders in Nepal to meet their aspirations of economic development, accountability and the full implementation of constitutional provisions.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today advocated building consensus in the society to resolve the Ram temple issue, a day after Subramanian Swamy went ahead with a seminar in Delhi university on the matter and asserted that nothing will be done forcibly or against the law.

"It is part of our manifesto. The matter is in Supreme Court. Let's await its decision," the Communications and IT minister told reporters here.

"There has to be a consensus in the society and the matter can be resolved through dialogue," the minister said.

Swamy held a seminar in DU yesterday on the issue.

"Construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is 'mandatory' for revival of our culture. We have started and we will not give up until it is made but nothing will be done forcibly and against the law. We have full faith that we will win in the court," he said in his inaugural address at the two-day seminar.

Claiming that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had promised him of support for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Swamy appealed to Congress to come forward and support the cause.

RSS' Muslim outreach wing Muslim Rashtriya Manch has also said that Ram temple will come up in Ayodhya once members of all communities are taken into confidence on the matter.

Describing Lord Rama as "symbol of Indian-ness", the Manch, patronised by senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, said it is making efforts to make Muslims aware of the "truth" that God is at the centre of faith for Hindus, while Mughal Emperor Babur does not claim similar space for them.
In a display of military might, the US today flew a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber along with F-16s and South Korean F-15s close to a defiant North Korea, days after Pyongyang claimed it had successfully tested its first hydrogen bomb and ratcheted up regional tensions.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," said Admiral Harry B Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command.

"North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. US joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security," he said after the flyover.

The bilateral flight mission over Osan Air Base, some 100-km from the North Korean border, demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and South Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula, PACOM said in a statement.

The display of military might came as North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un today justified his country's first hydrogen bomb test as self-defence to prevent nuclear war with the US, in his first comments since the explosion.

The test was "a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists," Kim was quoted as saying.

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticise," he added, according to the official Korean Central Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying during a visit to the Ministry of People's Armed Forces to congratulate them on the "successful" detonation.

The B-52, capable of carrying nuclear weapons and part of the US Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, was flanked by a US F-16 and a South Korean F-15. Upon completion of the flight, it returned to Guam.

"The flight demonstrates the strength and capabilities of the Alliance," said Gen Curtis M Scaparrotti, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, US Forces Korea commander.

"The close military cooperation between the US and the Republic of Korea ensures we are ready to respond at any time to those who would threaten stability and security," he said.
In a show of force, a US B-52 bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons along with its F-16 and South Korean F-15 fighters conducted a low-level flight close to North Korea in response to Pyongyang's recent nuclear test that heightened the tension in the region.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," said Admiral Harry B Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command.

"North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. US joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security," he said after the flyover.

The bilateral flight mission over Osan Air Base, some 100-km from the North Korean border, demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and South Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula, PACOM said in a statement.

Headquartered in Hawaii, US Pacific Command is responsible for all US Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps forces over half the earth's surface, stretching from the waters off the West coast of North America to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole.

The B-52, capable of carrying nuclear weapons and part of the US Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, was flanked by a US F-16 and a South Korean F-15. Upon completion of the flight, it returned to Guam.

"The flight demonstrates the strength and capabilities of the Alliance," said Gen Curtis M Scaparrotti, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, US Forces Korea commander.

"The close military cooperation between the US and the Republic of Korea ensures we are ready to respond at any time to those who would threaten stability and security," he said.

In a statement to reporters gathered at Osan Air Base prior to the flight, United Nations Command, US Forces Korea deputy commander and US Seventh Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy highlighted the capabilities and readiness of the South Korea-US Alliance.

"B-52 missions reinforce the US commitment to the security of our allies and partners, and demonstrate one of the many alliance capabilities available for the defense of the Republic of Korea," Lt Gen O'Shaughnessy said.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea to the B-52 fly-over, which also took place after Pyongyang's third nuclear test in 2013.

Pyongyang last week carried out its fourth nuclear test, angering the international community and raising tensions in the region.
Vice-President Hamid Ansari will arrive in Kerala tomorrow on a three-day visit to attend a series of functions.

Ansari, who will arrive in Kochi in the afternoon, would proceed to Kottayam to attend a function at the K R Narayanan Instituteof Visual Science and Arts.

He would then attend a function organised in connection with Toc H International Centenary celebrations at Kochi in the evening and later proceed to Kozhikode, an official release said.

On January 12, the Vice President will inaugurate the Inter Health Annual Conference at Malappuram.

Later, he would proceed to the state capital where he would present the Sree Chitra Tirunal award to former diplomat T P Sreenivasan.

He would also release a book titled ' Jawaharlal Nehru and Indian politics in perspective'.

On January 13, the Vice-president would declare Kerala as the first state in the country to achieve 'total primary education' at a function at the senate hall here, the release said.

The declaration will mark the culmination of the second phase of the 'Athulyam' Class 4 equivalency programme - for persons aged between 15 and 50 - run by the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority.

It is a programme launched by the Literacy Mission after the success of the total literacy campaign in the state.

Ansari would also visit Sivagiri Mutt at Varkala,the release said.

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The Vice President observed that the role of education plays a critical role in developing scientific temper, but over the years, the quantum of scientific information in the country has increased but has not brought about science- mindedness in sufficient measure.

He noted that the Constitution itself has stated that it is the duty of every individual to develop scientific temper.

"Public acceptance of scientific temper and development of a critical and inquisitive attitude is a pre-condition for fostering and sustaining the cultivation of innovations and scientific research.

"We need to create the right ambiance and structures to encourage science research and innovation. A pre-requisite is the need to develop an enquiring attitude and an analytical approach that leads to rational thinking and the pursuit of truth without prejudice," Ansari said.


Living up to his top billing, Stan



Wawrinka annexed his third Chennai Open singles title in a row, demolishing the challenge of Borna Coric in the final, here today.

The World number four defending champion strolled to a 6 -3 7-5 win over world number 44 Coric in one hour and 26 minutes.

Wawrinka



asserted his supremacy over Coric, winning the third clash against him and extended his Chennai winning streak to 12 matches and 24 sets.

Wawrinka was clearly playing at a different level and the onus to make it a contest was on the young Croat. While the Swiss hardly conceded points on his serve, Coric's serve was under tremendous pressure from the start.

It was evident in the second game of the match when Coric just survived the Wawrinka onslaught. The Swiss hit a deep return, inches before the baseline, which Coric failed to return, his forehand dying at the net. It was deuce.

Wawrinka's backhand was too hot as he opened the court with single-handed



shots, landing very wide. Another Coric forehand landed at the net and it was the second deuce.

The Swiss almost repeated the strategy but could not execute the final shot in the open court and Coric finally managed to hold.

The Swiss was great with his soft drop shots, using those very effectively. Wawrinka broke Coric in the sixth game, hitting a backhand to the body which the Croat failed to return across the court.

Wawrinka made it 5-2 but not before defusing five breakpoints in the nine-minute game, which was the first in which the Swiss was made to work hard for points.

Wawrinka never looked under pressure and wriggled out of the tight situation with his forehand winners and very a powerful serve. To Coric's credit, he made his presence felt on the court.

Coric was now serving to stay in the opening set, which he managed but could not stop the world number four from pocketing the set in the next.

The Croat succeeded in delaying the inevitable with better serve games and did not concede a game till the 11th game, saving a break chance in the third game, in between.

In that game, Wawrinka won the battle of picking drop volleys to earn a break point and converted that with his trademark backhand winner.

Wawrinka conceded only three points in the entire second set as he served four games at love, moving leisurely in a park. He served out the match when Coric failed to pick up another superb drop shot by Wawrinka.

(REOPENS DEL 36)



The doubles trophy was lifted by third seeds Fabrice Martin and Oliver Marach, who got the better of Austin Krajicek and Benoit Paire 6-3 7-5 in the final.

In the 68-minute contest, the third seeds broke their rivals one time in the opening set and saved two breakpoints.

In the second set Martin and Marach surrendered serve one time but broke the opponents twice to seal the win.
A 24-year-old woman has been arrested by the FBI in Georgia for allegedly stealing millions of dollars worth of watches and diamonds at gun point in a string of jewelry store robberies across five US states.

Abigail Lee Kemp was taken into custody in Smyrna in Atlanta on Friday without incident, the FBI's Jacksonville, Florida, office announced.

Authorities said she is a suspect in six armed robberies that began in April. The latest heist was at a store in Mebane, North Carolina, five days ago.

The FBI thanked others in law enforcement and the public.

"We ... Thank the many callers who provided us with information to assist in the investigation. You are one of the most valuable resources law enforcement has in fighting crime and we appreciate your efforts," a release said.

The Atlanta office of the FBI assisted in the arrest of Kemp and a second person, whom the FBI didn't identify.

So it is unclear whether the other person detained is a second suspect, a large man in his late 30s or early 40s, who has been seen in surveillance video in four robberies, CNN reported.

The robberies -- in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee -- shared similarities. A woman walks into a jewelry store, pulls out a gun and forces employees into the back before fleeing with the valuables.

One store in Florida reported losing USD 400,000 worth of jewelry.

The woman is suspected in six jewelry store robberies, FBI says.
A 45-year-old divorcee from Dombivli in the district was allegedly duped of Rs 66.33 lakh by a 53-year-old man she came in contact with through a popular matrimonial portal, police said today.

The man, identified as Yagnesh Philipps alias Yagnesh Mohanbai Panchal, contacted the woman, who has been staying alone with her son since 1997, after she posted her profile on the website, a police official said.

Panchal had won the woman's confidence promising her that he would take care of her and her son, said inspector S A Medhe of Dombivli police station.

The woman, however, never met Panchal in person but used to be in touch with him via phone, e-mail as well as a messaging service.

Panchal, who claimed himself to be a businessman having a factory in Malaysia, told the woman that he needed loan as he has suffered financial loss.

"Believing him, the woman transferred Rs 66.33 lakh in various bank accounts on instructions of Panchal in a total of 15 transactions till July last year," Medhe said.

However, she grew suspicious after Panchal stopped answering her calls, following which she approached local police where a case was registered last night in this connection.

Police have booked a total of 15 persons, including Panchal, under various sections of IPC including cheating, and under appropriate sections of IT Act, Medhe added.

During investigation, police traced Panchal's address to Ahmedabad and is in the process of dispatching a team there to nab him.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today claimed that work on the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya could start before the end of this year.

He expressed confidence that the final verdict by the Supreme Court will pave the way for cosntruction of a temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

Swamy was speaking on the second and concluding day of a seminar titled "Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple: Emerging Scenario" organised amid tight security at Delhi University's Arts Faculty by Arundhati Vashishtha Anusandhan Peeth (AVAP), a research organisation founded by late VHP leader Ashok Singhal.

"After there is victory in court on the Ram Temple case, then in Krishna mandir in Mathura and Kashi Vishwanath, we will win easily because the evidence is clearcut. This is the more difficult case," Swamy said.

He said in Ayodhya, another mosque can be built near the Sarayu river but added that it should not be named after Babur.

Separately, in a tweet, Swamy said, "We Hindus offer Lord Krishna's package to Muslims--give us 3 temples and keep 39,997 masjids. I hope Muslim leaders don't become Duryodhans."



In the Mahabharat, for the sake of peace, and to avert a disastrous war, Lord Krishna had proposed that if Hastinapura agrees to give the Pandavas only five villages, they would be satisfied and would make no more demands.

Kaurava prince Duryodhana vehemently refused, commenting that he shall not part even with land as much as the point of a needle.

Additional Solicitor Generals Ashok Mehta and G Rajagopalan spoke about the legal issues and evidence in the matter.

Rajagopalan claimed that there was strong evidence in favour of building a temple.

Some of the speakers also expressed concern over the pace of judicial proceedings in the matter.

A Press Conference, which was scheduled today, was however postponed to Tuesday.

VHP General secretary Champat Rai spoke on the importance of symbols and said that is the reason names of cities like Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai were changed from colonial names.

Earlier, there was strong opposition from the student groups to DU's decision for allowing such a seminar alleging it would "communalise" the campus and push "saffron agenda".

The protesters including those from left-affiliated student wings AISA, DSF, SFI and Congress-affiliate NSUI, staged demonstrations outside the protest venue and were detained later.
The world's highest altitude swimming race held at an elevation of 2,200 meters in Tibetan plateau today started in China's Yellow River in northwest Qinghai Province.

The race has attracted 74 swimmers from home and abroad and is being held in Guide county at an altitude of 2,200 meters in Tibetan plateau, the worldhighest altitude swimming race.

"Swimming in this cold water is a big challenge to me, but it's so exciting, I will try my best to finish it," said Jiang Wei, a swimmer from China's Shanxi Province.

Low water temperature, high altitude, thin oxygen all blended well, making Guide an ideal place to host international winter swimming race.

Winter swimming is the activity of swimming during the winter season, typically in outdoor locations or in unheated pools.

In colder countries it may be synonymous with ice swimming, when the water is frozen over. This requires either breaking the ice or entering where a spring prevents the formation of ice.
Tourism Ministry is coming out with a new scheme - Prayatak Mitra - under which young volunteers, primarily from NCC and NSS, would be deployed in 13 cities with pilgrimage connections to help the tourists.

The scheme will be launched on January 12, which is celebrated as National Youth Day to mark the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, a Tourism Ministry source said.

The volunteers, primarily from National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS), will be in the age group of 18-28 years, he added.

"They will be deployed at PRASAD cities to help the tourists for eight hours daily for 10 days. In return, they would be given certificates for their service," he said.

Tourism Ministry will provide one-week training to the volunteers prior to their assignments, according to the source.

As many as 13 cities-- namely Ajmer, Amritsar, Amravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kamakhaya, Kanchipuram, Kedarnath, Mathura, Patna, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni -- have been identified for development under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) by the Ministry of Tourism..

The service of the "educated" and the "English speaking" volunteers would help in promoting tourism sector, which is one of the focus areas of the government, according to the source.
By Philip Blenkinsop and Robin Emmott

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will take the first step on Wednesday towards refashioning its trade ties with Beijing, torn over how to lower its defences to avert Chinese retaliation while protecting key industries against a damaging flood of cheap imports.

Commissioners from the bloc's 28 members will debate for the first time the politically sensitive issue of granting China "market economy status" from December, which Beijing says is its right 15 years after it joined the World Trade Organisation.

The coveted status would make it much harder for Europe to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese goods sold at knock-down prices, changing the criteria for determining a fair price.

A study by a group of 25 European manufacturing federations estimates the European Union could lose up to 3.5 million jobs if it removes its trade defences against China.

The bloc's final decision, taken together with EU governments and the European Parliament, will set it on a collision course either with Beijing or with its own manufacturers and with Washington, which sees no obligation to treat China's heavily state-shaped economy as a market economy.

"My opinion is that China is not a market economy. But it is a major trade player and we have to take that into account," said one senior EU official.

The Commission must take the initiative and all signs point to it accepting China as a market economy while seeking to keep trade defence measures for a transition period, which could appeal to sectors such as steel, chemicals or textile makers.

This could take the form of maintaining existing duties until their natural expiry - typically five years - and potentially raising duties imposed for illegal subsidies.

Chinese officials have said they could show flexibility in allowing a transition period for particular European industries. A 2013 deal to end an EU investigation into Chinese dumping of solar panels showed Beijing and Brussels can find agreement.

The Commission's legal experts have advised it to grant China market economy status. A report prepared with two outside economists is expected to conclude this can be done, together with certain extra measures, without harming the EU economy.

The Commission has indicated no final decision should be expected before the summer, but an exchange of views with EU governments could come as early as Feb. 2 when EU trade ministers meet in Amsterdam.

They seem divided, with free-traders like Britain, Nordic countries and the Netherlands likely to be in favour but with nations such as Italy, which compete with Chinese goods, and France being against granting market economy status.

Germany's position could sway the decision, which diplomats say is likely to need the support of all governments and not just a qualified majority. It is the EU's biggest exporter to China, but there is friction as China seeks to produce the kind of sophisticated products that compete directly with Germany.

Free trade advocates say Europeans gain from cheaper Chinese imports and that companies such as Alstom or Siemens will gain easier access to China's vast market in return. Rebuffing Beijing also risks retaliation.

The EU is China's largest trading partner, while China ranks second after the United States for the EU and was the source of some 302 billion euros ($330 billion) of imports in 2014, more than triple their level at the start of the century.

MARKET ECONOMY STATUS

Market economy status is important because it determines the way in which dumping - selling at unfairly low prices - is assessed. With market economies, the test of dumping is to see if the export price of a product is below the domestic price.

In China's case, as a non-market economy, domestic prices are not considered a suitable benchmark. So its exports prices are compared with domestic prices of another country - in a recent stainless steel case, the United States was chosen.

Critics of such a system say it is unfairly stacked against China, with labour costs clearly higher in the United States and U.S. producers, also facing Chinese competitors, are inclined to inflate price estimates.

The European Commission had 28 anti-dumping investigations underway at the start of January, 16 of them involving China, albeit some together with other countries.

Of 69 anti-dumping duties in force, only 17 are not targeted against China. Duties of up to 65 percent have been imposed on a range of products from steel to solar panels.

Swedish centre-right lawmaker Christofer Fjellner, a member of the European Parliament's influential trade committee, said there was concern among members about yielding to Beijing's demand, but also fear of retaliation if Europe did not.

"The Commission is between a rock and a hard place... I expect the Commission to be creative," he said, adding he expected a proposal for parliament in February or March.

RISK TO U.S. FREE-TRADE DEAL

Those opposed to opening up to China say Europe's decision will have knock-on effects on trade with other major partners.

United Steelworkers, North America's largest industrial union, warned Washington last year that if the EU granted China preferential status, EU companies using imported Chinese goods would have an unfair advantage over U.S. counterparts.

This, it said, should be considered as the EU and U.S. negotiate for a third year a transatlantic free-trade deal.

Those who feel the time is right to relax trade defences against China say Russia's status as a market economy since 2001 has not harmed the EU's ability to impose dumping duties, such as a 29 percent levy on electrical steel from Russia last year.

They also say the change would not inhibit the European Union's right to impose duties if illegal subsidies are found.

"I don't agree with this alarmist view. You can still apply safeguards against dumping and it's not true that you can't fight dumping," said one EU trade source.

($1 = 0.9150 euros)

(Additional reporting by Paul Taylor in Brussels and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Ros Russell)
By Jeremy Gaunt

LONDON (Reuters) - Moribund. Decrepit. Sclerotic. Popular words to describe the economy shared by the 19 countries of the euro zone - but perhaps no longer apt.

Very slowly - and primarily because of massive stimulus from the European Central Bank - the euro zone is showing signs of recovery. It is a dawn that policymakers are struggling to nurture into broad daylight.

It also may not be felt equally across the board, viz Spain and Greece's unemployed versus Germany's busy builders.

But putting aside for the moment that the euro zone's nascent recovery is happening just as China is wobbling and financial markets are unhinged, the numbers look generally positive.

Economic growth was running at an annual rate of 1.6 percent in the third quarter. While this may not seem robust, it is roughly twice the average annual growth rate between 2003 and 2014 (itself dragged down by the sharp contraction of 2009), and the equal highest rate since 2010.

So, for the euro zone, reasonably good. ECB forecasters and economists polled by expect it to grow at a slightly faster pace this year at around 1.7 percent.

Other data - though sometimes mixed - also points to a stronger-than-advertised economic performance.

Unemployment has been falling fairly steadily. It was at 10.5 percent in November, which is high, but the lowest in more than four years and well below the 12 percent of 2013.

Consumer confidence is on the rise and economic sentiment is at a more than four-year high. Manufacturing, as measured by purchasing managers' indexes, rose firmly into expansion in 2015, albeit still shy of its 2013 peak.

RELATIVELY SPEAKING

Finding positives in such data risks comparison with a polite visitor complimenting a dreary industrial city on its surprisingly good orchestra.

But given where the euro zone has been - and the many prophets of its political and economic doom - its relative improvement is being noticed.

"The world's third largest economic bloc is actually doing rather well," said Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life Investments, which is favouring European equities, bonds and property in its portfolios as a result.

"A number of drivers are supportive," he said, listing "monetary and fiscal policy, a somewhat healthier banking system, better real wages growth helped by lower energy costs, and pent up demand as consumer confidence improves in those countries that have had a hard few years."

The danger is that it could all be knocked down in a second by what the finance minister of non-euro zone Britain, George Osborne, has dubbed a "dangerous cocktail" of threats to the world economy.

Chief of these is the economic slowdown in China, which is the broader European Union's second-biggest trading partner behind the United States. China and the EU trade around 1 billion euros between them a day, according to the European Commission.

UBS calculates that a one percentage point slowdown in Chinese growth would slice 0.1 to 0.3 percentage points off EU growth, which it says "should be manageable".

A similar slowdown in emerging markets would lop 0.2 to 0.4 percentage points off growth.

A case can be made, however, that in Europe - and the euro zone in particular - the economy has been growing even while China and emerging markets have slowed.

In the first half of 2015, for example, big gun Germany's export growth to China fell to just 0.8 percent and engineering exports shrank by 4.9 percent. Yet German gross domestic product (GDP) growth was running at 1.8 percent at last count even with the slide.

The overriding issue, though, is that the ECB's 60 billion euro ($66 billion) a month stimulus package is in no danger of ending and can offset much of the impact of trouble overseas.

Lower commodity prices will help too, whatever the concerns about deflation.

Of course, were the United States and the world economy as a whole to have a serious wobble, the euro zone would too.

But for now, the negative adjectives about the euro zone may be overdone.

($1 = 0.9150 euros)

(Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
MUMBAI (Reuters) - Reliance Defence Ltd has signed an accord with a provincial government to set up a naval facility along the country's eastern coast with an initial investment of 50 billion rupees ($748 million), the company said on Sunday.

Reliance Defence, a unit of billionaire Anil Ambani's Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, plans to build submarines and aircraft carriers as well as to provide services including maintenance and refitting of ships at the facility.

It will be located 70 km south of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Reliance Chairman Ambani cited estimates saying the Indian navy could spend nearly 200 billion rupees annually over the next 15 years on acquisitions and fleet modernisation of submarines and aircraft carriers.

This would generate a "huge pipeline of opportunity", according to a copy of his speech at an industry event released by the company.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wants a greater role for Indian state and defence firms as the government is forecast to spend $250 billion over the next decade to upgrade its military.

The government has, however, yet to move forward on its plans to build up the submarine fleet, meaning any order for companies including Reliance Defence may be years away.

($1 = 66.8372 rupees)

(Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy and Sanjeev Miglani; Editing by Keith Weir)
Punjab has witnessed 34 terrorist attacks in 27 years, the highest nationwide, according to government data. The majority of the attacks occurred during the 1990s, with the latest attacks reinforcing a view that India's security forces cannot cope with small bands of terrorists. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Delhi have witnessed 27 and 18 attacks, respectively, during the same period, according to data from the ministry of home affairs.

India has witnessed 136 terrorist attacks in the past 27 years, including the one at Pathankot, the data show. About 2,000 people died in these attacks, and more than 6,000 were injured, according to the latest home ministry data. Of the 135 attacks, 121 attacks were on civilians and 14 attacks on very important persons.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his team are believed to be considering steps to attract big names in investment banks and global brokerage and trading firms to the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, known as GIFT City. On the banks of Sabarmati in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the city has been positioned as a "global financial centre".

Conceived in 2007 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then Gujarat's chief minister, the city has had a slow start. The coming Budget could offer substantial tax breaks and possibly a 10-year tax holiday, sources familiar with the developments said, adding exemptions from securities transaction tax (STT) and commodity transaction tax were among the incentives being considered for the GIFT City. However, a decision has not been taken, an official said..

Read our full coverage on Union Budget

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The finance minister is also likely to announce a number of capital market-related reform measures, including removal of STT and stamp duties on trading futures and options, clarification on tax treatment in the exchange-traded currency derivative markets and regulatory positions on participatory notes. Removing regulatory constraints on banks and mutual funds to participate in commodity futures, among others, were also being discussed, a senior government official said.

Classified as a special economic zone (SEZ), GIFT city is being set up on the lines of global financial and information technology services hubs like Shinjuku (Tokyo), Lujiazui (Shanghai), La Defense (Paris) and the London Dockyards. It is aimed at attracting firms to open offshore banking as well as insurance and capital market intermediaries. According to existing provisions in the Act, SEZs are already allowed duty-free imports and are exempt from indirect taxes, besides 100 per cent income-tax exemption on export income for units for the first five years, 50 per cent for the next five years and 50 per cent of the ploughed back export profit for another five years.

The developers and co-developers are given an income-tax holiday for 10 years under section 80IAB.

"The government will definitely have to provide tax incentives to attract units in GIFT. Dubai International Financial Centre, for instance, provides zero tax rates. I am not sure if that will be possible, but that is the global benchmark for international financial centres," said Rakesh Nangia, managing partner, Nangia and Co. The DIFC offers zero per cent tax rate on income and profits (guaranteed for a period of 50 years), free capital convertibility and wide network of double taxation treaties for UAE incorporated entities.

The GIFT City comes at a time when the government has announced phasing out of corporate tax exemptions. It has said that after March 31, 2017, sunset clauses with regards to tax exemptions will not be renewed. After that, no weighed deduction will be applicable for operation, maintenance and development of export units in SEZs. "It is yet to be decided whether they can exclusively incentivise GIFT," said the official quoted above.

Apart from GIFT City, the budget-planners are said to be looking at measures to make India's equity, commodity and currency futures more competitive and liberalising them further. Some other measures could include lifting specific bans on any market segment, participant or product, making trading and clearing rules nationality-neutral and participant-neutral, allowing access to all foreign participants, as long as they meet financial action task force requirements, and over a longer-term period, getting in uniform know-your-customer norms, internationalising the rupee, and moving to a residence-based taxation regime.

The genesis of these suggestions is a report by the standing council on international competitiveness of the Indian financial sector. The council was set up in 2013 and its report was made public only in September. The finance ministry had requested various financial regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Securities and Exchange Board of India, to examine the report. "The regulators are coming back to the finance ministry with suggestions on which recommendations can or should be implemented. The suggestions on which there is agreement among all stakeholders could be part of the Budget," said another official.

Regarding STT and stamp duty, the report had said that since the two levies add to transaction costs in equity derivatives, "STT should be removed. Stamp duty should not be applicable to cash-settled products such as index derivatives, as there is no delivery of the underling (product) taking place."



STT, announced by then finance minister P Chidambaram in the first Budget of the earlier government, is now levied on all sale transactions on futures and options. It is 0.01 per cent of the traded price of futures and 0.017 per cent on options premiums. A 0.125 per cent STT is payable on the settlement price by the buyer of an option that is exercised. If STT is paid, there is no long-term capital gains tax. But, if it is not paid, the latter is levied at 10 per cent.

The panel's report had divided its recommendations into three categories - short, medium and long-term - based on the nature of the reforms and the time that may be required to implement them. Longer term measures included internationalising the rupee.

Internationalisation refers to a state where exporters from other countries agree to take payment in rupees and where the currency risks in international borrowings are borne by lenders rather than borrowers in India. According to RBI, countries that can borrow in their own currency are less susceptible to international crises. "Consider a time-bound plan for internationalisation of the rupee, in line with the plans of the Chinese government for internationalisation of the renminbi," the report had stated.

MARKET BOOSTERS
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TUESDAY

Two-hour sales tax seminar offered

A sales tax seminar will be from 6-8 p.m. at the Center for Economic Development, 3209 S. Staples St., CED 110, The seminar will offer help from the Texas Comptroller's office about which products and services require business owners to collect, report and remit sales tax. Free. Information: www.seminarscc.com

THURSDAY

Learn social media marketing skills

A seminar on email and social media marketing is offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Center for Economic Development, 3209 S. Staples St., CED 141. The seminar will focus on how to help business owners grow and get more costumers through email marketing and social media. Free. Information: www.seminarscc.com

Sunrise Rotary Club to have meeting

The Corpus Christi Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 7 a.m. at Shoreline Sandwich Company, 500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Suite. 108. Information: 361-884-2775

Compiled by Natalia Contreras
When is hurricane season? Here's what you need to know in South Texas
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By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times

A state tax code amendment has allowed companies to save millions of dollars in property tax statewide through lawsuits that many appraisal districts, including Nueces County's, say they can't afford to fight.

Valero filed two lawsuit against the Nueces County Appraisal District disputing property valuations for 2013, 2014 and 2015 tax years. The district and Valero settled out of court in November, costing five public entities in the county about $18 million in back taxes, including $11.4 million from Corpus Christi ISD.

The appraisal district is sued by commercial properties every year, its attorney Tom Wheat said, of about 44 pending lawsuits, but Valero's is so far the biggest.

"No doubt, no question," he said. "Our entire (litigation) budget at the (appraisal district) would cover maybe a third of the legal fees in one Valero case. Valero is the leader, but they are not in it by themselves."

A 1997 amendment to the property tax code allows property owners to successfully file litigation to reduce the taxable value of their property to a median of a list of comparable properties. The amendment is called the equity statute, also referred to as the "equal and uniform" clause.

The clause also allows property owners to withhold expenses and income information, Wheat said. Refineries are bought and sold based in a large part on their potential generated income, yet income disclosure has been blocked from every lawsuit that's been filed.

"It's confidential," he said. "In the discovery process, when asked to hand over their income, they don't, citing proprietary reasons. (Valero has) been very successful in doing that because of the change in the law."

When reached by email, Valero declined to comment beyond what can be found in court filings.

Arguably a loophole, the tax code amendment was a "fair settlement for taxpayers and entities," Wheat stressed.

School districts, which are largely funded by property taxes, have been among those hardest hit. With a $1.24 per $100 property valuation tax rate, the Corpus Christi Independent School District took the biggest hit in the Valero lawsuit against the Nueces County Appraisal District.

The Bill Greehey refineries complex in Corpus Christi, Valero's two plants, rank the company among Nueces County's largest property owners by valuation. After the settlement, the properties were valued at $600 million for 2013 and 2014 and $400 million in 2015.

The plants' net taxable values averaged $833 million before the suits' settlements.

"Valero has made a business model of doing this," Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Kevin Kieschnick said of fighting its property valuations, and it's possible other industry leaders will follow suit.

"That's what's worrisome. The opportunity is there," he said.

Corpus Christi ISD Chief Financial Office Xavier Gonzalez said there will be no layoffs or cutting of programs because of the money owed to Valero. He said "that's part of (the district) being in a healthy financial position."

The payment agreement with Valero is pending, he said Thursday. The CCISD Board of Trustees plans to discuss how to pay back Valero during executive session of its meeting Monday.

Valero has filed suits seeking to lower the taxable value of pipelines, convenience stores and refineries in Sunray, Port Arthur, Texas City and Houston, among others.

In Jefferson County, Port Arthur ISD still owes for lawsuits dating back to tax year 2006. Three suits against the Jefferson County Appraisal District were settled out of court in 2011, 2014 and 2015 respectively. The school district is responsible for close to $40 million in back taxes to Valero.

Port Arthur, southeast of Beaumont, serves about 9,000 students and its annual budget is about $75 million.

Port Arthur ISD's chief financial officer Phyllis Geans said the lawsuits against Jefferson County have crippled their budgets.

Port Arthur had set aside a budget specific to maintenance, which they had to do away with when the first court ordered adjustment was finalized, Geans said. A $195 million bond approved by voters in November 2014 helped with much needed renovations, repairs, infrastructure improvements and maintenance, she said.

"It will take care of most of our issues," she said of the funds replacing 30 aged buses and eliminating 53 portable classrooms.

"We tried everything we could to cut costs," she said. "When you start cutting materials and supplies, like paper, you start hearing complaints."

In December, Gonzalez said because of the changes in tax base revenue, CCISD will qualify for more state funding per student.

In Jefferson County, Port Arthur ISD was refunded about $12 million after the district reported the loss of tax revenue base, according to documents provided by Port Arthur ISD.

In a notice Geans wrote to Port Arthur residents in 2014, she states "It is expected that Valero will file similar lawsuits in future years, which may result in future refunds of taxes levied against the Valero property in the district going forward."

"It has held true," she said. "At the time that was written we didn't have the 2014-15 lawsuit results."

Wheat said Texas is among a handful of states that does not require real estate sales prices to be disclosed, which makes appraising difficult to appraise values.

"If you ever get that fixed you can go a long way in leveling the playing field for appraisal districts," he said.

Twitter: @CallerBetty

VALERO VALUE CHANGES

2013

Net taxable value:$799 million

After settlement: $600 milllion

2014

Net taxable value: $851 million

After settlement: $600 million

2015

Net taxable value: $851 million

After settlement: $400 million

Source: Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector

TAXES

Five local public entities owe taxes back to Valero for 2013, 2014 and 2015

Nueces County: $2,982,731.99

Farm-to-Market Roads: $37,605.72

Nueces County Hospital District: $1,246,616.91

Corpus Christi ISD: $11,454,597.11

Del Mar College: $2,300,102.68

Source: Nueces County Appraisal District
By Julie Garcia of the Caller-Times

The holidays were a little brighter for more than 3,200 families in the Coastal Bend who were helped through the annual Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal campaign this year.

In the past two weeks and right before the Christmas Eve deadline, there was a large increase in donations by area businesses and readers, said Steve Arnold, vice president of marketing and sales for the Caller-Times.

"It was not only the bigger donations, but the donations we were expecting from our readers, the $25-$50 donations. A lot of those came in," Arnold said. "People were so willing to help. Many of them brought checks down to the (Caller-Times building) or drove to the United Way."

Raising thousands in the last few weeks of the year, the 2015 campaign exceeded 2014's donations by $20,000 for a total of $143,876. Every cent donated to the campaign benefits the children because the campaign's overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and participating agencies.

Participating agencies include Boys & Girls Club of Alice, Duval County Christmas Committee, the Kleberg County Welfare Department, Nueces County Department of Social Services, the Odyssey After School Enrichment Program in Rockport, Sinton for Youth Inc. and the Women's Shelter of South Texas.

Since the program began in 1973, $3.4 million has been donated by readers, Arnold said.

But this year, the major boost was made by a local group of philanthropists and businesspeople. More than $35,000 was donated by the group to encourage the community to match its pledge or go beyond.

"That generosity caught on with readers, businesses and everyone who donated throughout the Coastal Bend," Arnold said.

Twitter: @Caller_Jules
SHARE Curtis Rock

By Matt Woolbright of the Caller-Times

It didn't take long for Curtis Rock, a local businessman who wasn't born here but considers the city his hometown, to devise a plan for the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority once he was named the agency's board chairman.

Rock had thought of some ideas he'd like to pursue if he won the seat by a vote of his fellow board members, but that was a big "if"  so those plans weren't concrete. After all, it wasn't until the night before he was named chairman that Rock knew the promotion was coming.

Rock had been vying with small cities appointee Mike Reeves for board members' support for months, but Reeves decided to drop out of consideration the day before the vote, citing personal reasons. The next day, he nominated Rock for the chairmanship and the board unanimously agreed. Reeves was then named vice chairman.

"The RTA is one of those agencies that really needs a turnaround, and it's a challenge I'm up for," Rock said.

Before his first full day as chairman was complete, Rock sent an email to CEO Jorge Cruz-Aedo and Reeves outlining priorities. The board's retreat, which is when each year's priorities are set, isn't for another month and a half.

"There's a lot we need to address, and that starts with the public's perception of the RTA," Rock said. "I didn't want to waste any time."

The agency has faced intense public scrutiny in recent months after a pair of financial fraud cases were uncovered that lost the agency about $69,000. At the same time, one of the then-interim directors was involved in a harassment lawsuit and was disciplined following an internal investigation.

Following through on a financial audit is one of the components of Rock's initial focus as the agency's new chairman.

Fellow board member Angie Flores-Granado praised Rock's selection and said his approach to the chairmanship will be exactly what the agency needs.

"His style of leadership is real collaborative, so he's very focused on engaging with as many people as possible and then considering all that input to make the best decisions," Flores-Granado said. "That will serve a community-focused organization like the RTA very well."

She added Rock's political acumen  Rock isn't planning to seek elected office, but he is involved with the local Republican Party  will also produce more benefits for the agency.

"He has that skill set of understanding legislation and how to leverage that process once we go into session next year," said Flores-Granado, who also works for Republican state Rep. Todd Hunter of Corpus Christi.

There's 12 ideas on Rock's initial list, but he knows it's likely many of those may not happen in the first year, or at all. He wants the list to prompt questions and discussions that begin to seek out ways to improve the agency he believes is a critical part of life for many in Corpus Christi.

"This is my city and my home. I'm rooted here and I want to take care of my community and be a good steward of it," said Rock, a father of two.

His top priority deals with public perception. He wants an independent survey of the public's opinion of the agency that includes regular updates throughout the year, and, on a separate item, he calls for expedited responses to open records requests from the media.

There are also broader concepts addressed on the list, like focusing efforts on serving veterans and children better and evaluating routes and the fleet size  both in terms of bus numbers and size  and Rock wants to delve into specific initiatives, like working with the city to bring ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft to town and developing an RTA app where riders can buy tickets from smartphones.

He's a Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi graduate and the chief administrative officer for Rock Engineering and Testing Laboratory, Inc., which is primarily owned by his parents, though Rock owns a small percentage.

The company could bid on RTA-related projects, but typically as a subcontractor selected by the company managing the project and not the RTA directly, he said. Still, whenever his company is involved, Rock recuses himself from the votes, he said.

He's not much for cliches, but couldn't avoid one when asked about his motivation to serve as the board's chairman, which is an unpaid position.

"My kids live here, and I want this to be a great place for them  both now and in the future when they grow up," Rock said.

Twitter: @reportermatt
Joaquin El Chapo Guzman is made to face the press as he is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican soldiers and marines at a federal hangar in Mexico City, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced that Guzman had been recaptured six months after escaping from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

SHARE Joaquin El Chapo Guzman s attorney Juan Pablo Badillo, speaks to reporters outside the Altiplano maximum security prison in Almoloya, west of Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, where his client is being held after his recapture. Mexico is willing to extradite the drug lord to the United States, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014. But even if Mexican officials agree, Badillo told a local newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) This photo shows the facade of the roadside hotel Doux in Los Mochis, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, where drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was taken by Mexican marines after his recapture Friday. Guzman was then flown in a navy helicopter to Mexico City and taken back to Antiplano, the same maximum-security prison he escaped in July. (AP Photo/Christian Palma) Soldiers man a checkpoint near the Altiplano maximum security prison in Almoloya, west of Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, where Joaquin El Chapo Guzman , head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, is being held after his recapture on Friday. Guzman was sent back to the maximum-security prison from where he escaped last July 11 through an elaborate tunnel that was dug to shower stall. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

By E. Eduardo Castillo And Katherine Corcoran

MEXICO CITY  Mexico is willing to extradite drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

"Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S.," said the official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman , the most-wanted trafficker who was recaptured Friday after six months on the run: "You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too."

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzman 's embarrassing escape from Mexico's top maximum security prison on July 11  his second from a Mexican prison.

"He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if it's necessary, he can pay them in other places," said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzman 's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

"They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure," said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. "That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way."

Guzman , a legendary figure in Mexico who went from a farmer's son to the world's top drug lord, was apprehended after a shootout between gunmen and Mexican marines at the home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzman 's home state of Sinaloa. Five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was injured.

The operation resulted from six months of investigation by Mexican forces, who located Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October but decided not to shoot because he was with two women and a child, said Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez.

Following his capture, the head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico City's airport, frog-marched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison he'd fled.

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman , who faces drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states. At the time, Mexico's government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

Then-Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in "300 or 400 years."

Then Guzman escaped on July 11 under the noses of guards and prison officials at Mexico's most secure lock-up, slipping out an elaborate tunnel that showed the depth of the country's corruption while thoroughly embarrassing Pena Nieto's administration.

He also escaped a different maximum-security facility in 2001 while serving a 20-year sentence. Lore says he hid in a laundry cart, though many dispute that version. He spent 13 years on the lam.

Gomez said that one of Guzman 's key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis, where authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the house Wednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday morning. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in.

Gomez said Guzman and his security chief, "El Cholo" Ivan Gastelum, were able to flee via storm drains and escape through a manhole cover to the street, where they commandeered getaway cars. Marines climbed into the drains in pursuit. They closed in on the two men based on reports of stolen vehicles and they were arrested on the highway.

What happens now is crucial for Guzman , whose cartel smuggles multi-ton shipments of cocaine and marijuana as well as manufacturing and transporting methamphetamines and heroin, mostly to the U.S.

According to a statement from the Mexican Attorney General's office, the U.S. filed extradition requests June 25, while Guzman was in custody, and another Sep. 3, after he escaped. The Mexican government determined they were valid within the extradition treaty and sent them to a panel of federal judges, who gave orders for detention on July 29 and Sept. 8, after Guzman had escaped.

Those orders were not for extradition but just for Guzman to begin the extradition hearing process. Now that he is recapture, Mexico has to start processing the extradition requests anew, according to the law.

The attorney general's office noted that Guzman 's lawyers have already filed various appeals, some overruled and some still pending.

"He shouldn't be extradited to the United States or any other foreign country," Guzman 's lawyer, Badillo, said Saturday. "Mexico has laws grounded in the constitution. Our country must respect national sovereignty, the sovereignty of its institutions to impart justice:"

Badillo said several months ago that the extradition requests from the U.S. were the reason Guzman escaped.

His second escape last year was even more audacious. He fled down a hole in his shower stall in plain view of guards into a mile-long tunnel dug from a property outside the prison. The tunnel had ventilation, lights and a motorbike on rails. Construction noise as a digger broke through from the tunnel to his cell was obvious inside the prison, according a video of Guzman in his cell just before he escaped.

___

Associated Press writer Christopher Sherman and Maria Verza in Mexico City and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.
Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 9:44AM

Bing released its annual Canadian search trends, revealing that 2015 was a year shaped by impactful moments, events and celebrities.

From inspiration and hope, to moments of shared tragedy and pain and people who captured our hearts, to those who challenged us to rethink our views of the world, 2015 can be characterized as the year that was filled with both local and international news, ranging from discussions around the Canadian dollar to horrific news of the earthquake in Nepal. Billions of searches conducted on Bing this year reveal powerful moments and people that stood out above the rest to make 2015 memorable. The complete list of Bing search trends is available at Bing.com/Trends/2015.
Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 6:42PM

Hasbro has been on the receiving end of criticism as the company failed to include main protagonist Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) in the Star Wars edition of Monopoly, just one of the many merchandise released to promote Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The films director J.J. Abrams isnt happy about this. It seems preposterous and wrong that the main character of the movie is not well-represented in what is clearly a huge piece of the Star Wars world, in terms of merchandising, Abrams told reporters on Saturday after a Television Critics Association panel for his new Hulu series 11.22.63.

Hasbro has released a statement earlier this week though that they plan to rectify the situation. "We love the passion fans have for Rey, and are happy to announce that we will be making a running change to include her in the Monopoly: Star Wars game later this year, they said in the statement. Hasbro said she wasnt included to avoid revealing a key plot line.

Source: Mashable
Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 7:19PM

There will come a day when your car will be parking itself in your garage, at least Teslas cars can do that in the immediate future. The company released a new version of its software for the Model S and Model X. The version 7.1 of the software introduces a new Summon feature, which allows these cars to enter and exit parking spaces on their own. All you need to do is click on a button on the key fob to activate Summon. The Tesla then gets into enter or exit mode for garages and perpendicular parking spaces. For the garage, this uses Homelink garage door tool and it has to be on flat surfaces. The feature, though, is currently in beta but it could work in conjunction with Teslas other technologies in the future.

Source: Mashable
Whenever in future ACT governments are philistine-fearingly timid and wussy about public art we will shame them by contrasting them with the fearless, progressive Yarriambiack Shire Council. Meanwhile the Brim work, the sheer scale of it, should have us dreaming about how Canberra's plain edifices and plain places might be made thrilling to behold. And the delicious cost of doing it would knot the knickers of this city's bean counters and philistines. Good! We have shown them too much mercy for too long.
The offender, who cannot be identified because he was a juvenile at the time, began throwing stones at the window, asking "Are you a girl?", and saying "I just want to f--- you".
But the woman said in the 12 years she has held her permit she has never been issued with the white plastic sleeve or been fined for failing to use one despite parking in disabled parking spaces all over Australia.
Those having power are reluctant to part with it, and too many have been perfectly willing to use all of the benefits of incumbency, including the resources of members, to repel boarders and to entrench control. The rules and constitutions of many such bodies, including unions, are as much designed to avoid accountability and to reward incumbency as to make the body subject to bottom-up democratic control. Some come to judge opportunities not according to how they benefit members, but by how they benefit those in charge. Some become so taken up with the activities that are a part of a large corporate organisation, that they forget the organisation's core functions. They make judgment and do things that benefit the institution, not the memberships.
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing.

You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
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Even though the world will only see 700 units of the BMW M4 GTS, all of which have already been spoken for, the German brand will take its time and build them in 10 months.



According to Autovisie, the manufacturing process will commence in March and come to a stop in December 2016. This means BMW will roll out five units per day on the production line.

The US will get the lions share at 300 units, with Canada getting 50 cars, the United Kingdom 30, with the rest being scattered all over the world, to spread BMWs good letter: M.

With a twin-turbo six tuned to 493 hp and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) under the hood, the car is a true track performer, as demonstrated by the record 7:28 lap registered on Nurburgring, not that long ago.

It seems like BMWs assembly plant will try to mirror the models swiftness in the manufacturing process. Mind you, it isnt a walk in the park, as the M4 GTS starts its life on the 4 Series Coupe production line, then migrates to a separate one where M6 models and M135i GT3 Cups come to life  with M GmbH assembling them by hand.

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UPDATE: 11:32 a.m.

City of Vernon real estate manager Brett Bandy says subjects on the sale of the Bennett lot come off today (Thursday).

Bandy confirms the lot sold to The Hamlets in Vernon Residence Inc. for $1.6 million. Tri City Canada Inc. is a partner in the development of the property.

Parking in downtown Vernon has just become a lot tighter.

The Bennett parking lot on 29th Avenue is no longer available, leaving the downtown core with 90 fewer parking stalls.

A small sign on the pay station says it is closed to the public as of Jan. 7 due to the sale of the lot for an 88-bed seniors complex.

The City has been in negotiations but has made no formal announcement of the property's sale.

Tri-City Canada Inc. of Kamloops has plans to construct a $36.5 million series of buildings in the block, including one 10 storeys high. Phase one is expected to include a building with residential care beds and assisted-living apartments. The project is backed by Interior Health.

As the City's other main parking lot on 31st Avenue is full, we would encourage you to look at the parkade as a 'snow free' parking option for either monthly or day use parking, reads the sign from the bylaw department.

The under-utilized parkade has received some attention from council recently, with Coun. Catherine Lord wondering if safety concerns keep people away from the aging structure.

While parking is of prime concern for the Downtown Vernon Association, executive director Lara Konkin believes the pain from the loss of the Bennett lot will be short term.

The redevelopment of the block in terms of the initial parking loss will be a little bit of a struggle but I believe we'll gain that back in a fairly short time, Konkin says.

Konkin points to the city's plan to demolish a number of buildings along 29th Street this summer and put in parking. That should give us 60 parking stalls back.

Plans to make one-way roads out of 28th and 29th avenues in the downtown will also add a few extra spaces, she says.

As well, the DVA welcomes the development of the huge block.

There will be an increase of residential tenants and employees in the downtown, says Konkin, who's heard approximately 100 people could be hired for the seniors' block.

Mayor Akbal Mund has stated downtown development is a key goal of Vernon city council this year.
Photo: RCMP Auxiliary RCMP constables. (file photo)

North Okanagan Shuswap MP Mel Arnold has thrown his support behind an online Parliamentary petition that calls for auxiliary RCMP constables to be given the same tax credit as other volunteer first responders.

The e-petition to the federal government is the brainchild of Vernon city councillor Bob Spiers.

I think that all volunteer first responders should be treated equally and this tax credit would complete the equality of these volunteers, said Spiers.

The petition reads:

Whereas the previous government instituted a tax credit for volunteer firemen in 2011 and a similar tax treatment for volunteer search and rescue in 2014; and an auxiliary constable is an unarmed, unpaid, uniformed RCMP volunteer whose activities are governed under provincial legislation.

We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to extend a tax credit to auxiliary police officers similar to that already given to volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers.

The Canada Revenue Agency website states a person can claim a $3,000 tax credit for the volunteer firefighters' amount (VFA) or the search and rescue volunteers' amount (SRVA), under certain conditions depending on hours worked.

The e-petition went online Friday and is available for signatures until May 7 at which time the Arnold will present it to the House of Commons, said Spiers.

MP Arnold supports the spirit of the petition and the support it seeks for volunteer officers who assist the police services that work to keep our communities safe, said Joel Taguchi, Arnold's legislative assistant.
Actor Sean Penn speaks onstage during the 24th annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast hosted by The Hollywood Reporter at Milk Studios on December 9, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter)

The Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman story couldn't seem any more unbelievable, with its multiple prison breaks, endless sewers and tunnels, outlandish sums of money, and feverish manhunts. And then Sean Penn entered the story.

While Guzman was the world's most-wanted fugitive, dodging Mexican military operations and DEA surveillance, he was secretly meeting with the Hollywood movie star in an undisclosed Mexican hideout, and has now provided what appears to be the first public interview of his drug-running career, published in Rolling Stone on Saturday.

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Among the revelations in the article, Guzman, who was captured on Friday morning in his home state of Sinaloa, bragged to Penn about his prowess in the drug trade.

"I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world," Guzman said. "I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats."

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The Associated Press reported that a Mexican law enforcement official said the Penn meeting helped authorities finally locate Guzman.

Penn provides a lengthy account of how he met the elusive criminal. He tried to protect his communications using burner phones and encryption and anonymous email addresses. The meeting was brokered by the Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and took place at an undisclosed location in the Mexican mountains.

Penn reportedly spent seven hours with Guzman and then did follow-up interviews by phone and video, including one on the Rolling Stone website of Guzman in a paisley blue shirt speaking in front of a chain-link fence.

Guzman, who in the past has denied participation in the drug trade, portraying himself as a peasant farmer, spoke unapologetically and serenely, about his lucrative trade.

Where he grew up, in the mountains of Sinaloa state, "the only way to have money to buy food, to survive, is to grow poppy, marijuana," and he began at a young age. "It's a reality that drugs destroy. Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isn't a way to survive, no way to work in our economy to be able to make a living."

Despite the deadly wars his Sinaloa cartel has fought with other gangs and authorities, Guzman described himself as not a violent person.

"Look, all I do is defend myself, nothing more," he said. "But do I start trouble? Never."

The interview with Penn may have helped authorities finally recapture Guzman, who was arrested on Friday after a military raid on a house in the coastal city of Los Mochis. Guzman fled in a sewer and carjacked a getaway vehicle but was later stopped on the highway.

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Mexico's attorney general Arely Gomez Gonzalez said on Friday night that authorities zeroed in on Guzman after movie producers and actresses made contact with Guzman.

The Washington Post


Less than a week after a federal judge harshly criticized the city's Law Department for how it had handled a police shooting case, the department announced Sunday that former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb has been hired to examine how it deals with federal civil rights claims and make recommendations for improvements.

Webb, co-chairman of the powerful Winston & Strawn law firm, said in an interview on Sunday that his agreement with Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton allowed him not only to make suggestions for beefing up policies and procedures but also to refer cases of possible misconduct to city Inspector General Joseph Ferguson.

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That includes past cases, Webb said.

"I can go in and they have to provide me with any and all information  to kind of tear apart their practices and procedures," said Webb, who also is representing Ferguson, Mo., the site of protests over the police shooting of an unarmed black man, in its dealing with the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Webb's hiring follows a week of fast-moving developments touching the Law Department's Federal Civil Rights Litigation Division, which comprises 45 attorneys who represent the city and its police officers in lawsuits. And it comes amid the scandal over how Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration has dealt with police shootings and other misconduct by his embattled police force, which has been under fire since the release of a video that showed the police fatally shooting Laquan McDonald in October 2014.

The week began with federal Judge Edmond Chang ordering a new trial in a police shooting case after he found that a veteran Law Department lawyer, Jordan Marsh, had intentionally withheld evidence and misled the judge. Chang also criticized a second city lawyer, Thomas Aumann, for failing to make a reasonable effort to find what would turn out to be a crucial piece of evidence.

Emanuel insisted the Law Department was not part of a culture that covers up misconduct and said he opposed the prospect of the Justice Department, which already had announced a sweeping civil rights probe of the Police Department, expanding its investigation to the Law Department. Emanuel later pivoted to say he supported a third-party legal review of the department.

That led to the hiring of Webb, the powerhouse lawyer who as a special prosecutor won a guilty plea from a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley in a case that also featured allegations of a cover-up by police officers. The nephew, Richard "R.J." Vanecko, pleaded guilty for his role in the death of David Koschman, who died after Vanecko punched him during a late-night confrontation outside a bar.

As U.S attorney, Webb led the Operation Greylord investigation into judicial corruption in Cook County. He later prosecuted retired Adm. John Poindexter in the Iran-Contra affair.

Webb is a longtime partner at Winston & Strawn, one of the city's most powerful and influential law firms, which has been involved in city, county and state politics for years.

The Tribune last year identified the firm as one of Emanuel's elite donors, having donated $114,000 to Emanuel's campaign funds since he arrived in Chicago in October 2010 to run for mayor. The firm also has received legal fees on city bond business.

Webb himself has donated $10,000 to Emanuel's campaign funds, records show, while his wife added another $5,000.

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Webb also has donated $3,000 to the campaign of Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, including a $2,000 donation on Dec. 31, according to State Board of Elections records.

Webb said he read Chang's 72-page ruling and said he was troubled by the conduct it described.

"I completely agree with him on it and I don't think those things should have happened," he said.

Steve Greenberg, the attorney representing the family of Darius Pinex, who was shot and killed by officers Raoul Mosqueda and Gildardo Sierra in January 2011, and whose case was the focus of Chang's ruling, said he applauded Webb's hiring. But he said the city knew of misconduct in the Pinex case for nearly a year and did nothing.

"The Law Department has known about this problem since last February," Greenberg said.

What's more, he said the problem was bigger than just what Chang found in the Pinex case.

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"There are other cases where they've gotten caught," he said.

Webb said that his background as a trial lawyer who has prosecuted police officers will serve him well as he examines the Law Department. He will work initially with Bob Michels, a former federal prosecutor also at Winston & Strawn, and add staff as needed  though he is determined, he said, to "staff it as leanly as I can."

Webb will charge the city $295 an hour, a steep discount from his normal hourly rate of $1,335.

Patton said Sunday that Webb's hiring was part of an effort to ensure that city attorneys do not commit the same sorts of violations that Chang said Marsh and Aumann committed. The judge also faulted what he said was lax training at the Law Department. Patton said in a statement he had "zero tolerance" for such actions.

Patton said he hired Webb to focus on the department's practices and procedures, especially in the area of sharing material with plaintiffs' attorneys  discovery, in legal parlance. He confirmed that Webb will report any evidence of misconduct to the inspector general.

"He has total free rein to go wherever he and his team think they need to go  no holds barred," Patton said in an interview on Sunday. "He's not going to sully his reputation by not doing a good and thorough job, and I don't want him to."

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Patton said Webb agreed to the cap on fees the city pays for outside legal help  $295 an hour  because the work would provide a needed public service. He said Webb would not be an attorney representing the city, however. That means there will be no attorney-client privilege between them.

"The upside for us here is that we're going to get a world-class trial lawyer reviewing how we do our work," Patton said. "Only good can come of this. I really want something that is meaningful."

Webb also will make public a report on his review of the department.

In addition to the hiring of Winston & Strawn, Patton outlined several other measures. Mary Robinson, the former head of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, will work with the Law Department on ethics training with the goal of getting all city Law Department lawyers through a refresher program by Feb. 15.

Steven Lubet, an ethics experts at Northwestern University law school, will work with her. Together they will design and provide additional training, some of it tailored to each of the department's divisions.

Both will work for free.

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Chicago Tribune's John Chase contributed.

smmills@tribpub.com

Twitter @smmills1960
Tim Ryan, 47, a recovered heroin addict who now works for a treatment center in Naperville, will attend the State of the Union address as House Democrat Bill Foster's guest. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)

WASHINGTON  Heroin, cocaine and alcohol abuse were Tim Ryan's tickets to hell  with periodic detours to prison.

On Tuesday, the 47-year-old Naperville man will attend President Barack Obama's final State of the Union speech. Ryan will be House Democrat Bill Foster's guest.

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Ryan said he hit bottom when his 20-year-old son, Nick, from Aurora, died of a heroin overdose in August 2014. Ryan and his son had used the drug together.

Sober for three years, Tim Ryan is now Midwest outreach director for the Banyan Treatment Center, which has a facility in Naperville.

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He also founded A Man in Recovery, a nonprofit from which he said he will "never take a dollar" in compensation. The group's mission is to take people "from dope to hope" by getting them into treatment and helping them stay sober.

Ryan said he met Foster at a charity event in Geneva that commemorated another heroin victim. Soon afterward, Nick Ryan died, and Foster, also from Naperville, attended his memorial service.

"It's a friggin' epidemic going on," said Ryan, whose last prison stay was in the Sheridan Correctional Center for driving under the influence and a drug violation. The term ended in late 2013.

Victims of heroin deaths often are white, middle-class and in their early 20s, he said.

Ryan, a former headhunter who in the past cycled in and out of treatment, traces his sobriety to his prison stay at Sheridan, where he took part in a drug rehab program, and his son's subsequent death.

Guests are asked to the State of the Union so lawmakers may make a statement or shine a light on a person or cause.

House Democrat Cheri Bustos has invited Gary Halbach, president of Remedies Renewing Lives, a nonprofit that helps domestic-violence victims and people addicted to opioids, including heroin.

Other pairings:

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Danny Davis, D-Ill., and Andrea Zopp, a Democrat running for the party's nomination to the U.S. Senate.

Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., another Senate hopeful, and Loretta Coleman, manager of the Jesse Brown VA Food Pantry.

Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Carole Brite, president of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.

Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., and Kendall County Sheriff's Deputy Tyler Johnson, who early on New Year's Day rescued a motorist whose vehicle plunged into a retention pond in Oswego.

Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., and Lonnie Stephenson, a Rock Island native and president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

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Mike Quigley, D-Ill., and Alaa Basatneh, 23, of Des Plaines. The Syrian-American is showcased in a documentary, #chicagoGirl, for her social-media activism against Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

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Quigley said he hoped her story "can help inspire love and compassion over fear and discrimination."

Some shy from political statements. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., is bringing his wife, Elizabeth, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., a relative, aides said.

First lady Michelle Obama will have several guests  and keep one nearby seat empty to honor of the gun-violence victims "who no longer have a voice," a White House official said.

Others invited to sit with her include Gloria Balenski, of Schaumburg, and Cedric Rowland, of Chicago, the official said. Balenski's family was hit hard by the recession and she wrote Obama last year thanking him for his recovery policies. Rowland helps people navigate health plans under the Affordable Care Act, the official said.

kskiba@tribpub.com

Twitter @KatherineSkiba
Several dozen people attended a forum to discuss the potential firing of tenured professor Larycia Hawkins at St. Mark Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. Hawkins was removed and may be fired from Wheaton College after making statements on Facebook. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

At their weekly discussion forum, 30 members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn gathered Sunday to debate a topic close to home: the case of Larycia Hawkins, the Wheaton College professor facing termination by the school's administration for saying Muslims and Christians worship the same God.

Four members of St. Mark's are faculty members at the college, and several other members of the church either are graduates or worked at the school in the past.

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With Hawkins' case becoming a national story, St. Mark's rector, the Rev. George Smith, said he thought it would be useful to have a community discussion about the issue, especially after church member Lindsey Paris-Lopez penned several commentaries on the Wheaton situation.

"This is an opportunity for people to come together to think about it in a calm, supportive environment," Smith said.

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Paris-Lopez has a background in Islamic studies and Christian-Muslim relations, and often blogs about theological matters. So Smith asked her to host Sunday's forum, which touched upon the theological issues about God and matters of race, politics and academic freedom.

"I felt called to write about it and talk about it," Paris-Lopez said. "The Muslim community is being maligned, misunderstood and mistreated now probably more than ever.  We live in a time of division and I think Dr. Hawkins sought to bridge and heal that division."

Hawkins is a tenured political science professor who, after the shootings in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., demonstrated solidarity with the Muslim community in December by wearing a hijab. Wheaton College, a private evangelical school about a mile and a half west of St. Mark's, has begun the process to terminate her.

Though the college did not take a position on her wearing the headscarf, some evangelical Christians said her statement should have spelled out what makes Christianity distinct from Islam. Not doing so put her in conflict with the statement of faith that all Wheaton faculty members must sign and live out, they said.

Paris-Lopez stressed the need for love and understanding in the world and said she hopes the college can see Hawkins "as a treasure and an asset, rather than a burden."

Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >

Wheaton College associate professor of philosophy David Fletcher was among those who attended the forum, saying he does not think the administration should have responded to Hawkins' actions or social media postings. Fletcher plans on discussing the issues when students return to class Monday.

Several forum attendees wondered whether Wheaton College's response to Hawkins was driven by money, questioning whether big donors to the school may have pressured the administration to act. Others worried about academic freedom of expression and the school's reputation.

David Funck, a St. Mark's member who graduated from Wheaton, said the Hawkins flap has him embarrassed about his affiliation with the school.

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"It's painful," Funk said.

But not all members who attended the forum sided with Hawkins. St. Mark's member Dolores Dunnett said she believes Wheaton has the right to fire Hawkins, especially if she signed the college's statement of faith.

poconnell@tribpub.com

Twitter @pmocwriter
French honor guards stand next to the monument at Place de la Republique in Paris, where people laid candles cards and flags during a ceremony Jan. 10, 2016, to honor the victims of the Islamic extremist attacks in 2015. (Yoan Valat / AP)

PARIS  French President Francois Hollande and other dignitaries held a special ceremony Sunday to honor all those killed in Islamic extremist violence around Paris in 2015  a year when the European way of life was targeted time and again with deadly consequences.

At least one attacker is at large, and France's top security official acknowledged Sunday that authorities don't know his whereabouts. The country is under a state of emergency after attacks in Paris on Nov. 13. Paris was again jolted Thursday when a man wearing a fake explosives vest and wielding a butcher's knife ran up to a police station and was shot to death by officers standing guard.

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Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled a plaque Sunday in memory of victims targeted at satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a kosher market, a rock concert, cafes, a stadium and elsewhere. The violence left some 150 victims dead, and several attackers were also killed.

The ceremony took place at Place de la Republique, a plaza that has become a symbol of Parisians' solidarity since the attacks, which began Jan. 7, 2015, with the Charlie Hebdo attack.

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French rocker and national icon Johnny Hallyday joined the army choir in a special, somber musical performance.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for national unity and insisted the government is doing all it can to protect France.

Many questions remain about the Nov. 13 attacks, including how many people were involved and may still be at large.

Cazeneuve said on i-Tele television Sunday that "We don't know where Salah Abdeslam is," referring to a fugitive gunman. Abdeslam crossed into Belgium Nov. 14 and Belgian authorities believe he hid out in a Brussels area apartment used to make bombs for the Paris attacks before moving on.

Meanwhile, acting on "concrete evidence" from French security authorities, German police on Saturday raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum-seekers in the western German city of Recklinghausen that they say had been occupied by the man who was killed by French police in Thursday's incident outside a Paris police station.

North Rhine-Westphalia state police Chief Uwe Jacob described the suspect as a small-time criminal known to authorities by several aliases, who had a record that included weapons charges, drug trafficking and causing bodily harm and had spent at least a month in jail.

He said there are no indications the man was part of an extremist network, but that a self-drawn Islamic State flag was found in his room, the dpa news agency reported.

At a news conference in Duesseldorf, Jacob told reporters that the man had first entered Germany in 2013 after living for five years illegally in France, and had gone by at least seven names, identifying himself as a Tunisian, Moroccan and Georgian. He lived in several German cities and moved to Recklinghausen at the beginning of last August.

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French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in remarks Sunday that the man was also believed to have lived in Luxembourg and Switzerland. French investigators were still trying to determine the man's identity.

The incident occurred on the anniversary of the attack by two Islamic extremists on Charlie Hebdo in which 12 people were killed at the satirical newspaper's office.

Associated Press
Illinois students posted an overall average score of 20.7 on the ACT exam, the same as last year and slightly below the national average of 21. Shown above is a practice exam. (Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune)

Like the many families of children she tutors, Joan Geyer Kaliher was shocked to hear Illinois would switch to a different college entrance exam as early as this spring.

More importantly, though, she's happy school districts are taking measures so all the work she's done these past few months preparing kids to take the ACT won't be for naught, she said.

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Kaliher, who runs Naperville Tutoring with her husband Paul, said students in their junior year of high school generally begin ACT prep sessions in October in order to be ready to test in the spring.

The Illinois State Board of Education threw a wrench in students' test prep plans when it decided to stop administering the ACT exam free to high school juniors and to contract with the College Board for the SAT instead.

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To make matters even more confusing, plans to administer the SAT this spring are on hold because the three-year, $14.3 million contract with the College Board is being challenged by rival ACT, and there are questions whether the state has the money to test every high school junior.

That leaves families of 11th-graders and test prep tutors who've been focusing on the ACT for the past few months uncertain what to do next.

"It's been the hot conversation this week," Kaliher said of the calls she's received from clients.

Local school districts are scrambling to rectify the situation and ease the concerns of this year's high school juniors.

The Naperville District 203 School Board is expected to approve a measure Monday to cover the $80,000 cost of administering the ACT to 11th-graders at Naperville Central and Naperville North. Also on Monday, Indian Prairie School District 204 board will weigh the possibility of picking up the ACT testing tab for juniors attending Metea Valley, Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley.

While the local move solves the ACT question in districts 203 and 204, the state still could require all high schools offer the SAT if the challenge and funding issues are resolved quickly.

District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges told the school board last month that the only way Illinois could mandate that all districts administer the SAT was if the state would pay for it. If that happens, District 203 would have to make time for both exams, he said.

To complicate matters more, the College Board revamped its SAT test to align with the Common Core State Standards adopted by states like Illinois. The new SAT will be rolled out for the first time in March.

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The problem, college exam test prep tutors say, is that only sparse materials have been released to help students prepare for the new SAT, and old test prep books won't help.

"Inevitably, there's no tried and true method of preparing for an exam that hasn't been published yet," said Justin Howard Query, an ACT prep tutor with College of DuPage Continuing Education and a teacher at Oswego East.

The biggest challenge teachers and students will face this year is how to prepare for an exam that ultimately won't resemble the SAT of the past, he said. "We're all operating under the assumption that the SAT has been streamlined a bit so as to not unfairly challenge students that prepped specifically for the ACT. But until we see a published example of the new SAT, the state and its students might see some fluctuation in the scores they're used to publishing."

Query said it's best to start making provisions sooner rather than later.

"The sooner a student begins preparing, the greater likelihood that the student can seek out additional support before the exam, if that additional support is still necessary," he said. "My greatest recommendation would be to begin preparation immediately, even if it's in preparation for an exam that would look more closely like last year's SAT. Preparing early and tackling the SAT with its new modifications will hopefully ensure that students are even more successful on the test that they take this spring."

When and if the shift to the SAT is made in Illinois, Danielle Kuglin Seago, program coordinator for College of DuPage Continuing Education, said the school will work with local high schools to provide whatever resources they need.

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"We are looking at expanding SAT Test Prep courses in the future, knowing that districts are moving away from ACT and there are changes coming with SAT," she said.

Although the state might mandate the proctoring of the SAT in schools, students still have the option to take the ACT any time and anywhere. They just have to pay for it and possibly visit another high school on a Saturday morning when the test is proctored.

The challenge for next year's college-bound juniors is to decide if they will take one test or both, and if they will prep for one or both.

Kaliher urged parents and students not to worry because both the ACT and SAT are widely accepted at most colleges and universities throughout the United States. She advises students to contact individual schools to find out which entrance exam they prefer.

subaker@tribpub.com

Twitter @SBakerSun1
Three archaeologists check porcelain wares at the Huaguangjiao No 1 site near Xisha in the South China Sea in 2007. The shipwreck is believed to date to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). [Provided to China Daily]

GUANGZHOU - With the excavation of the wreck of an ancient Chinese merchant ship, archaeologists expect to find a trove of historical relics, unveiling more details of the Maritime Silk Road.

The first phase of the excavation of the vessel, Nanhai No. 1, will finish at the end of this month, Sun Jian, technical director of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, told Xinhua on Wednesday.

"After a five-month break to avoid the negative impact of the hot summer on the vulnerable ship, we will launch the next phase in October," Sun said, noting that all the upper silt has been cleared off the ship.

The 30-meter-long vessel was hoisted from a depth of 30 meters below the surface of the South China Sea in late 2007.

Since then, it has been submerged in a sealed pool, dubbed the "Crystal Palace," at the Maritime Silk Road Museum in Yangjiang in south China's Guangdong Province.

Sun said it would take three more years to fully complete the excavation work.

First discovered in 1987 off the coast near Yangjiang, Nanhai No.1 dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty in the 13th century and is recognized as one of the oldest and biggest merchant boats ever sunk in Chinese waters.

Sun said the work of clearing silt in the current stage is important as it will allow archaeologists to extract animal and plant specimens to conclude where the ship had sailed, unveiling more details of the ancient trade route of the Maritime Silk Road.

As early as 2,000 years ago, ancient Chinese traders began taking china, silk and cloth textiles and other commodities to foreign countries along the trading route. They left from ports in today's Guangdong and Fujian provinces and sailed to countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe.

Archeologists estimate that there are about 60,000 to 80,000 antique items in the wreck, most being porcelain, precious metal objects and coins. The relics recovered from the ship are expected to shed light on the prosperity and workings of ancient trade.

"From the relics already recovered, archaeologists have concluded that businessmen from Arabian countries and India might have lived on the ship," Sun said.

The Marine Silk Road, like the ancient Silk Road that connected China with south, west and central Asia and Europe, was also a bridge for connecting Eastern and Western cultures, said Huang Tiejian, Curator of the Maritime Silk Road Museum.

"The ancient Marine Silk Road is not only a route of trade, but also a route of cultural exchange," Huang said. "With its help, China and other countries were able to enjoy prosperity at the same time."
New diploma certificates for Peking University. [Photo/PKU news]

Chinese universities are starting to use their own diploma certificates this year after the government stopped requiring them to use a standardized design.

Beijing's prestigious Peking University unveiled its new diploma certificates on Tuesday. They will be granted to about 1,000 graduates next week.

The university said the certificates highlight Chinese culture and were created after a public consultation.

They are dark red for doctors, blue for masters and green for bachelors. They feature anti-counterfeiting technology and come with an English copy.

Related:

Art to be an integral part of holistic education
BERLIN - Germany has registered 1.1 million asylum seekers in 2015, announced German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Wednesday.

This is the highest number ever recorded in Germany in the postwar period.

Refugees fleeing war-torn Syria make around 40 percent of the new arrivals, according to official statistics. The Afghans constitute the second-biggest group.

The German government had previously estimated that 800,000 refugees would arrive in Germany in the past year.

Acknowledging the enormous efforts needed to register, house and feed the newcomers, de Maiziere said that the German government would put in 4,000 additional staff at the migration office alone in 2016.

The government would also make a monthly contribution of 670 euros ($719.8) per asylum seeker to help state and local governments in dealing with the massive influx.

At the same time, the minister promised to end the trend of increasing asylum seekers. "We will work in all policy areas towards sharply reducing the number of new asylum seekers to Germany," he said.
A US Air Force B-52 (R) flies over Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, the Republic of Korea, January 10, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - A US B-52 bomber, capable of delivering nuclear missile, flied on Sunday over the airspace of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in response to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) fourth nuclear test, Combined Forces Command (CFC) said.

The CFC said in a statement that the B-52 bomber conducted a low-level flight mission in the vicinity of Osan, 40 km south of Seoul, in response to the DPRK's "recent provocative action."

The long-range bomber, which departed from the US Anderson Air Force Base in Guam on Sunday morning, arrived and flied over the ROK's Osan Air Base at about noon.

Upon completion of the flight over the ROK, the B-52 returned to Guam, the CFC said.

The flight, which was joined by a ROK F-15k fighter jet and a US F-16 fighter, aimed to demonstrate the US steadfast commitment to the defense of its ally the ROK, the statement said.

"The flight today demonstrates the strength and capabilities of the Alliance," said Gen Curtis Scaparrotti, the US Forces Korea (USFK) commander.

"The close military cooperation between the United States and the ROK ensures we are ready to respond at any time to those who would threaten stability and security," the commander said.

The B-52 bomber can infiltrate at the highest altitude of 55,000 feet, or 16.8 km, carrying 35 conventional bombs and 12 cruise missiles.

It can also deliver air-to-ground nuclear missiles with a range of 200 km and air-launched cruise missiles with a range of 2,500-3,000 km.

The flight came as part of retaliatory measures after the DPRK said Wednesday that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. If confirmed, it would mark the DPRK's first hydrogen bomb test and the fourth in total. Previous tests were conducted in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

In retaliation for the nuclear test, the ROK began blaring propaganda messages at Friday noon from speakers across the border into the DPRK, which called it an "act of declaring war."

The ROK frontline units, near 11 sites where the set of loudspeakers restarted psychological warfare with anti-DPRK messages, have been on the highest alert for any possible DPRK provocations.

"B-52 missions reinforce the US commitment to the security of our allies and partners, and demonstrate one of the many alliance capabilities available for the defense of the ROK," Lt. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the USFK deputy commander and US Seventh Air Force commander, said.

The US and the ROK militaries are reportedly considering additional retaliatory measures, which include the deployment in the ROK of the US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan currently in Yokosuka, Japan.

The retaliation also includes the deployment of a US nuclear-powered submarine and F-22 stealth fighter.
BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud held talks over phone on April 17,2015, discussing major issues of common concern, including the China-Saudi Arabia relations and the situation in Yemen.

Xi said that the rapidly-developing relationship between China and Saudi Arabia has become one of the important bilateral ties in their respective external relations.

Within the context of the complicated and ever-changing current international and regional situations, it is necessary for the two countries to deepen cooperation in all fields, Xi said.

The Chinese president said that he is willing to keep regular communication with the Saudi king to keep promoting the level of relations between the two countries.

Salman said that the Saudi government and he himself both attach great importance to the development of relations between Saudi Arabia and China, and are willing to further promote the strategic cooperation between the two countries to lift bilateral relations to new level.

"I am willing to conduct in-depth exchange of opinions with President Xi Jinping on promoting development of Saudi Arabia-China relations and other issues of common concern," the Saudi king said.

Xi stressed that the situation in Yemen concerns security and stability in the Middle East, especially the Gulf region, and that the process of political settlement of the Yemeni issue should be quickened.

He expressed the hope that all parties concerned will practically implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, the relevant initiatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council, etc, to restore stability and the normal and legitimate order in Yemen as soon as possible.

China is willing to keep close communication and coordination with all parties concerned to jointly push for appropriate solution of the Yemeni issue at an early date.

Salman briefed Xi on Saudi Arabia's points of view on the current situation in Yemen, saying that Saudi Arabia is willing to work together with all the parties concerned to push for swift implementation of the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, in striving for restoration of peace and stability in Yemen as soon as possible.
(Photo : REUTERS/U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters) Vietnam has accused China of threatening regional air safety by not complying with aviation rules and regulations every time it flies over the South China Sea

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Vietnam has accused China of endangering air safety in the South China Sea region after the latter conducted more unannounced flights through Vietnam's airspace enroute to a disputed reef in the Spratlys.



The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has reportedly warned China that its unannounced flights "threaten the safety of all flights in the region" by not complying with international civil aviation rules and regulations.



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CAAV Director Lai Xuan Thanh said Vietnam has already sent a protest letter to Beijing about the flights and a complaint letter to the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) this past Friday.



Thanh said China has repeatedly violated all the rules and regulations of ICAO such as not maintaining radio contact with Vietnam's air traffic control center during flights and refusing to submit a flight plan.



Vietnam's civil aviation authorities said last week alone, they recorded up to 46 incidents of Chinese planes flying without warning through airspace monitored by Vietnam's air traffic control in Ho Chi Minh city.



Last Wednesday, China reportedly landed two civilian aircraft on the Fiery Cross Reef located in the Spratlys Group of islands in the South China Sea, a territory being claimed by Vietnam and other countries.



China said the flights were conducted to test the capability of the new airstrip it built on an artificial island being contested by Vietnam in the Spratlys.



Vietnam has protested the 'test flights' saying China has' seriously violated' its sovereignty to the Fiery Cross Reef which is part of the Spratlys Group of Islands being claimed by Hanoi.



Although Hanoi is claiming some islands and reefs in the Spratlys Group of Islands, the area is actually being controlled by Beijing as it has built artificial islands and an airstrip on the contested territories.



China is claiming ownership of almost all the islands, reefs and islets in the disputed South China Sea, dismissing the claims of Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan.



The South China Sea is believed to have a huge deposit of gas and oil aside from the $5 trillion worth of maritime trade that passes through the disputed waters every year.



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TagsVietnam, UN International Civil Aviation Organization, Director Lai Xuan
(Photo : Reuters) Political and military analysts said Pyongyang's nuclear program will be used as a blackmail strategy against China

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As China continues to seek a diplomatic tack in dealing with North Korea after the latter's latest nuclear test this past Wednesday, military strategists say China may end up as a 'major victim' of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.



Beijing, which was once the closest ally and major benefactor of North Korea, is said to now stands at risk of a 'nuclear blackmail' from Pyongyang and faces new and serious threats from its former ideological partner.



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Analysts say the North Korean nuclear programme will most likely be used as a 'blackmail strategy' against China.



"Most Chinese used to believe that Washington and Pyongyang were the key players in North Korea's nuclear problem, with Beijing just the middleman " said Zhang Liangui, a professor of international strategy studies at the Central Party School in Beijing."But as North Korea has developed its own nuclear weapons, China is a major victim."



Wednesday's nuclear test by North Korea was felt in the border towns of China - specifically in the northeastern part of the Jilin province - prompting Chinese authorities to close schools and offices. Successive tremors were felt by the residents for minutes. Geological experts say the tremors registered a 5.1 magnitude.



Political analysts say that although North Korea's nuclear arsenal comes fourth after the United States, Russia, and India, and is believed to represent a smallest threat, Pyongyang's volatility makes its arsenal the most dangerous and gives it the biggest potential to strike Beijing.



Sun Xingjie, an international relations professor at Jiliin University, warned China of the irreversible consequences it will suffer should North Korea detonate more hydrogen bombs.



Sun said possible 'nuclear leaks' will surely pose a real danger to the residents living in the northeastern part of the country. "Based on its nuclear capacity, China faces a more actual threat if the bombs are detonated on North Korean soil," Sun said.



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TagsNorth Korea nuclear program, 'blackmail strategy', Pyongyang nuclear test
Anti-migrant protest turns violent as German welcome falters

Riot police broke up far-right protesters in Cologne on Saturday as they marched against Germany's migration policy after asylum seekers were identified as suspects in assaults on women on New Year's Eve.

The attacks, ranging from sexual molestation to theft, shocked Germany, which took in 1.1 million migrants and refugees in 2015 under asylum laws championed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, despite fervent opposition.

Shortly before Saturday's protest began, Merkel hardened her stance toward migrants, promising expulsion for criminals and a reduction in migrant numbers over the longer term to Germany.

Police said around 1,700 people attended the rally organized by the far-right anti-Islam PEGIDA movement, which has seized on the alleged involvement of migrants in the Cologne attacks as proof Merkel's policy is flawed.

Demonstrators, some of whom bore tattoos with far-right symbols such as a skull in a German soldier's helmet, had chanted "Merkel must go" and "this is the march of the national resistance". "Rapefugees not welcome," one banner read.

A police spokesman said roughly half of those at the PEGIDA protest were from the 'hooligan scene'. Some in the crowd threw bottles and fire crackers at officers, and riot police used water canon to disperse the protesters.

Two people were injured in the clash, and police detained a number of demonstrators, a Reuters witness said.

PEGIDA, or Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West, almost fizzled out last year when its leader resigned after a photo was published of him posing as Adolf Hitler.

But its ranks have swelled as resentment spread of Merkel's welcoming stance to refugees.

In all, about 1,700 police officers were on the streets of Cologne, dwarfing the number on duty during the chaotic scenes of New Year's Eve when at least 120 women were robbed or sexually molested.

"The events on New Year's Eve led to a lot of emotion," said a police spokesman. "We had feared that emotions would boil over."

About 1,300 people attended a rival left-wing protest in Cologne, according to police.

"No means no. Keep away from our bodies," read one sign held by one of the demonstrators, most of them women.

Merkel's remarks on Saturday were in stark contrast to her earlier optimism about the influx to Germany, which has taken in far more migrants than any other European country.

Her 'we can do it' slogan irritated many Germans, uneasy about the mass arrivals.

"The right to asylum can be lost if someone is convicted, on probation or jailed," Merkel said after a meeting of the leadership of her Christian Democrats (CDU) party that was overshadowed by the attacks in Cologne and other cities.

"Serial offenders who repeatedly rob or repeatedly affront women must feel the full force of the law," Merkel told journalists in Mainz.

Under German law, asylum seekers are now typically only deported if they have been sentenced to at least three years in prison, and providing their lives are not at risk at home.

Merkel's conservative party said it wanted to reduce and control migration to Germany, and send those who had been refused asylum home promptly. Such a move would require a change to German law.

"Cologne changed everything," Volker Bouffier, one of the conservative party's most senior members, told the meeting, according to people present.

Earlier in the week, German federal police said they had identified 32 people who were suspected of playing a role in the attacks on women on Cologne, 22 of whom were in the process of seeking asylum in Germany.

They documented 76 criminal acts, most of them involving some form of theft, and seven linked to sexual molestation.

Of the suspects, nine were Algerian, eight Moroccan, five Iranian and four Syrian. Three German citizens, an Iraqi, a Serb and a U.S. citizen were also identified.

Similar assaults happened in other cities such as Frankfurt.
Church must repent of "second class" treatment of gays, Anglican leaders warn Primates

More than 100 Anglicans including the Dean of St Paul's have written a letter to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, urging repentance for "second class citizens" treatment of gay people. The letter is timed to coincide with the meeting of leaders of the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion which begins tomorrow in Canterbury.

The meeting was called by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in an attempt to avoid a damaging schism over sexuality. Some conservative Primates are threatening to walk out if liberal provinces such as The Episcopal Church of the US are not disciplined for ordaining openly gay bishops.

In the letter, senior church figures including cathedral deans, retired bishops and well-known lay figures call on the Church to acknowledge its failure to care for lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual Christians around the world.

They plead for the primates to act in Christ-like love "towards those who have been ignored and vilified for too long." The leaders say: "We have not loved them as we should, and have treated them as a problem to be solved rather than as brothers and sisters in Christ to be embraced and celebrated. We have made them feel second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God, often abandoned and alone."

They continue: "We, the Church, need to apologise for our part in perpetuating rather than challenging ill-informed beliefs about LGBTI people, such as the slanderous view that homosexuals have a predisposition to prey on the young."

The signatories include eight retired bishops and a serving bishop, Bishop of Buckingham Alan Wilson.

In an exclusive article for Christian Today, the Dean of St Paul's, the Very Rev David Ison says he hopes the Primates will find a a way to stay together but fears they will give up and walk away from each other. He compares the battle to fights over immigration, and the turmoil in the Middle East wreaked by Islamic State. He writes: "The sexuality divide focuses the big question facing the whole of humanity, which underlies other huge topics the Primates are dealing with (whether religious persecution, the safeguarding of the vulnerable, people trafficking, the treatment of refugees). How do we treat people who are different from us? The forces of Daesh in Syria seek to eradicate difference and make everyone else like them, through violence and the threat of death; extremist political parties see immigrants as a threat; leaders make themselves lifelong rulers by destroying those opposed to their control of power."

He adds: "Will the threatened splits and walk-outs happen  or can the Primates model something different? Does the truth belong to one side, are there two incompatible truths  or are we servants of one God with something to learn from each other in order to become the one Body of Christ in love?"

Prominent gay Christian Vicky Beeching, who came out in 2014, said: "Social and religious attitudes are shifting among young people. Many cannot morally align themselves with a Church that perpetuates LGBT discrimination. If we want to ensure the future life of our Church this issue needs urgent attention and great pastoral sensitivity. To see the Church repent of damaging attitudes would help many young people feel a reconnection with it."

The letter has been coordinated by Jayne Ozanne, a member of the General Synod who is standing for election to the Archbishops' Council and who came out last year in an interview with Christian Today. She said: "The signatories come from across the full breadth of the Anglican traditions, and from right across the country. From the Dean of Truro to the Dean of Carlisle, and from the MP for Exeter to the Master of Trinity Hall at Cambridge University. It is so encouraging to see so many senior Anglicans now standing alongside their LGBTI brothers and sisters, recognising their woeful treatment by the Church to date."

She said the Church was increasingly perceived as irredeemably "anti-gay" by increasing numbers who don't understand why the church continues to discriminate, nor why it is allowed to do so. "Until we repent of our treatment of our LGBTI brothers and sisters, attempts by those within the worldwide Church to conduct meaningful conversations will risk appearing hollow and insincere."
Muslim gunman attacks Philadelphia cop 'in name of Islam' but mayor says Islam has nothing to do with it

One of Philadelphia's police officers was ambushed execution-style and nearly killed by a Muslim gunman who admittedly committed the terrorist act "in the name of Islam" on Thursday.

However, instead of condemning the attack, the Democratic mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney, came out with the statement, stating that Islam did not have anything to do with the crime, WND reported.

Echoing the views of Democrat presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, Kenney told reporters, "In no way, shape or form does anyone in this room believe that Islam or the teaching of Islam has anything to do with what you've seen on this screen. That is abhorrent. It's just terrible, and it does not represent the religion in any way, shape or form or any of its teachings."

Just days after the Nov. 13 Islamic terror attacks in Paris, France, Clinton spoke the same message: Killings done in the name of Islam should not be blamed on the religion.

"Let's be clear: Islam is not our adversary. Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism," Clinton said then.

In last Thursday's shooting, the suspect, Edward Archer, 30, even gave a written confession and explanation of why he tried to kill 33-year-old police offer Jesse Hartnett, police said.

Wearing a Muslim garb, Archer fired 13 rounds from a 9 millimetre handgun stolen from a police officer years ago, hitting Hartnett three times as he sat in his cruiser.

The entire incident was captured on nearby security cameras. The video footage showed Archer approaching Hartnett, who had pulled up to an intersection in his cruiser, firing at the police officer on the driver's seat while walking toward the car.

Hartnett suffered a broken arm but was still able to pull out his service weapon and return fire at the shooter, who fled the scene. He then radioed for help, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Archer told the police officers who arrested him that he follows "Allah. I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State, and that's why I did what I did," Philly.com reported.

Philadelphia police commissioner Richard Ross confirmed Archer's assertion that he was inspired by Islam, KYVTV-3 reported Friday.

"According to him, police bend laws that are contrary to the teachings of the Quran," Ross said during a press conference on Friday.

Archer was not the only Islamic radical taken into police custody on Thursday. Two Iraq refugees were also arrested in Houston and Sacramento by lawmen on terror-related charges, WND reported.

Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, 23, is charged with making a false statement involving international terrorism. He has lived in the the U.S. since October 2012.

Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, 24, is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS. The Houston resident has lived in the U.S. since 2009.

Commenting on the arrests, GOP presidential candidate and Texas Senator Ted Cruz said "their apprehensions raise the immediate question: Who else is there? What are they planning next?"
Muslim migrants' sexual attacks on women in Germany could also happen in America, warns Franklin Graham

Time and again, Rev. Franklin Graham has stressed the need for American leaders to be more careful in letting immigrants into the country. The recent sexual attacks by Muslim migrants in Germany on local women have only made Graham more convinced that immigration control must be heightened further.

"Gangs of Muslim men from North Africa and the Middle East roamed the streets of Cologne, Germany, on New Year's Eve attacking over 100 women  beating, groping, and raping," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Unbelievably, authorities tried to cover it up because of fear and political correctness. Reports say that police were blocked from helping the women by groups of migrant men and were pelted by glass bottles and fireworks. This is a nightmare."

Graham said the attacks might have something to do with the fact that Germany took in a whopping 1.1 million asylum seekers last year.

"And look what is happening," he warned. "If we don't properly vet people that we allow to come into this country, this could happen here. I hope the Washington politicians  Republicans, Democrats, and the White House  see and recognise this very grave danger."

In a subsequent Facebook post, Graham conceded that "the enemy" has already penetrated the United States. "My fellow Americans, the enemy is here," he said, as he cited the news story of a 30-year-old gunman who tried to kill a Philadelphia police officer in the name of Islam.

"We have cause to be alarmed at these stories and at the number of potential terrorists and jihadists we having living inside our borders right here on American soil. It's not a secret  their goal is to kill all those who do not follow Islam and expand the territory of the Islamic State to the entire world," he said.
New York pastor caught stealing from his church rejects calls to step down, seeks more power

A New York City pastor who had been caught stealing from his church's offering nine times tried to defend his actions by telling the arresting police officers that he was not being paid enough.

According to the New York Post, Rev. Daniel Impaglia from the Evangelical Rock Church on the Upper East Side was arrested last Nov. 24 after church members caught him on hidden camera pocketing money from collection envelopes. He was charged with petty larceny.

The pastor, who is being sued for misusing church funds, is asking a civil court judge to let him keep his job and his church-funded apartment while he faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing $238 from collection plates and stealing or misusing another $8,ooo from church coffers.

Impaglia was in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday, seated opposite a group of angry parishioners.

Impaglia's attorney, Joseph Indusi, told Justice Michael Katz that his client is innocent. "There was no improper spending of any money," Indusi said.

Indusi asked the judge to grant Impaglia absolute power over his church to prevent a "brawl" like the one that unfolded last Sunday as the pastor pushed board member Joseph McGee away during a meeting to change the bylaws.

Judge Katz said he'd issue a ruling "as soon as possible."

In the meantime he warned, "Make sure everyone behaves and avoids any further confrontation at this church."

Fellow church leaders as well as half of the church congregation have been pressing Impaglia to step down, but the pastor refuses to do so.

Impaglia even took steps to ensure that he remains in his position. Last Sunday, he organised a meeting and tried to change the church's bylaws without inviting those who wanted him ousted.

Impaglia wanted the current church board members to choose future board members.

Those who want him to step down said this new rule will give him more control of the church.

Impaglia reasoned during the meeting that they need to "pass this amendment to save this church."

The pastor has a lot of supporters, including Brooklyn preacher Floyd Johnson. He served as a guard assigned to block certain unwanted individuals from attending the meeting.

When church members Sue Cruz, Joseph McGee, and current board director Prasad Venigalla tried to get past Johnson, they got into a huge verbal altercation with him. Impaglia even snatched the microphone from his detractor's hands.

"You're not authorised! This is not a valid meeting," Venigalla angrily yelled at the pastor.

Eight police officers had to intervene to break up the commotion. No one was arrested.

Meanwhile, a church board member spoke with the local NBC station and lamented how Impaglia showed no shame in his actions.

"It's not like we are suspecting theft, we have videotape of him actually stealing the money and putting the money in his pocket," the board member said. "It's shameful because this is a church, but we are not going to have wolves in sheep's clothing running the show and abusing the sheep."

Their suspicions against Impaglia started when he was hospitalised for three weeks. During that time, board members were surprised that donations from their Sunday and Tuesday collections nearly tripled. They then set up a hidden camera to catch Impaglia red-handed.
Conor McGregor challenged Floyd Mayweather to a fight after the undefeated boxer questioned whether the UFC featherweight champion's ascension in the sport and in the media was racially motivated. "Floyd Mayweather, don't ever bring race into my success again," McGregor wrote on Instagram Friday. "I am an Irishman. My people have been oppressed our entire existence. And still very much are. I understand the feeling of prejudice. It is a feeling that is deep in my blood."

In an interview with FightHype.com (via Yahoo Sports), Mayweather admitted that while he's never seen McGregor spar, many of the traits that have endeared the Irish MMA star to the media are the same qualities used to badmouth "Money." "I don't really know the McGregor guy, never seen him fight," Mayweather said. "They say he talks a lot of trash and people praise him for it, but when I did it, they say I'm cocky and arrogant. So biased! Like I said before, all I'm saying is this: I ain't racist at all, but I'm telling you racism still exists."

On Friday, McGregor fired back at Mayweather's comments. "In my family's long history of warfare there was a time where just having the name 'McGregor' was punishable by death. Do not ever put me in a bracket like this again," he said, adding, "If you want we can organize a fight no problem. I will give you a fair 80/20 split purse in my favor seen as your last fight bombed at every area of revenue."

Mayweather has not yet responded on social media to McGregor's offer to organize a fight. This is the second time McGregor has challenged Mayweather to step in the ring: In August, the Irishman bragged that he would "dismantle" Mayweather if the two ever sparred.

In the Instagram post, McGregor also thanked Rolling Stone for naming him as one of the 25 Hottest Sex Symbols of 2015. He gloated, "My Mother will be delighted and proud!"

This article originally appeared on Rollingstone.com: Conor McGregor Rips Floyd Mayweather, Challenges Him to a Fight
Four defendants arrested on suspicion of robbing a Houston restaurant on New Year's Day and killing a man are scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Tiala Alexander, 20; Telavell Coleman, 18; Dadriana Holmes, 19; and Enzo Ubadimma, 18, each face a charge of capital murder, confirmed by Harris County court records.

All four lived in the Houston area, court records show. They were arrested Thursday and are being held without bond.

The victim, identified in news reports as Herman Ray Browning, Jr., was dining with his family on the evening of Jan. 1 at a Vietnamese restaurant, Huong Giang Hue, on Bellaire Blvd., when two men in ski masks allegedly entered, grabbed cash from the register and forced employees and patrons to lay on the floor, police said at the time.

As suspects began to take items from customers, Browning allegedly stood up, perhaps to confront them, and was shot, police said.

Browning died at the scene due to a gunshot wound of the chest, according to online Harris County Institute of Forensic Science records.

Court records show criminal histories for the two male suspects, Coleman and Ubadimma.

Last fall, Coleman was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, Alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication commonly produced as Xanax, with intent to deliver. He plead guilty to the crime days before Christmas, on Dec. 22, and was sentenced to six days in jail.

In 2014, Ubadimma was charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Ubadimma took a plea bargain and was placed under five years of community supervision.
Two people sustained serious injuries, but several others escaped unhurt, after a series of major overnight car crashes across the Houston area.

The first crash occurred at around 11 p.m. east of downtown, near the Buffalo Bayou. A woman with two passengers was speeding north on Lockwood Drive, near Harvey Wilson Drive, when she lost control of the vehicle. The car skidded sideways and collided with a wooden telephone pole, splitting the pole in half and ejecting the driver and man in the backseat through two different windows. A second car that was following behind blew out two tires and crashed into a middle median while trying to avoid the first accident. The occupants of the first car sustained only minor injuries, and didn't need to be transported to the hospital.
Man dies when argument turns into gunfight

One man died in northwest Houston on Friday night when an argument escalated into gunfire.

Around 8:45 p.m. the Houston Police Department responded to a call about a heated argument between multiple people in an apartment at the Hunter's Chase complex near Hammerly and Teague.

"In the course of the argument, people pulled out guns and started shooting," said HPD Detective Christopher Elder. "It is unknown at this time how many people were shooting or who the main aggressor was."

One man, estimated in his 50s, was taken to Northwest Memorial Hospital where he died of his injuries.

Only one firearm was recovered at the scene. HPD had multiple witnesses but no suspect.

Two cop cars wrecked in series of events

Two suspects were arrested and two police cruisers wrecked after a spate of incidents in a west Houston parking lot early Saturday morning.

It began when a Houston police officer spotted a traffic violation and ran the perpetrator's license plates, finding the vehicle freshly stolen from Montgomery County. Reports showed that, hours before, a woman had left her car running while she stepped into a convenience store, and two men jumped inside then drove away.

The officer attempted to make a stop, and the suspects fled, turning into a strip center parking lot near Wilcrest and High Star, hitting a parked car and fleeing on foot. Officers caught the driver, and the passenger escaped.

When another HPD cruiser attempted to pull into the parking lot, it was struck from behind by a driver on Wilcrest.

As the officers were completing the investigation, an intoxicated woman struck an HPD cruiser that was parked on Wilcrest to block off the scene. She was arrested for DWI. No injuries were reported from the multiple collisions.

Biker falls from highway ramp, hospitalized

A motorcyclist is in serious condition after falling six stories from a flyover ramp between the Katy Freeway and Beltway 8 early Saturday morning.

Around 12:30 a.m., a 40-year-old man exited the Katy Freeway eastbound towards Beltway 8 southbound, lost control on the ramp, hit the concrete barrier and was thrown over the edge.He survived the fall, likely because he landed in a grassy area. He was transported to Memorial Hermann hospital in serious condition.

North Texas tornado death toll rises to 12

GARLAND - A 12th person has died of injuries from a North Texas tornado outbreak Dec. 26.

A police statement says 35-year-old Leonardo Mota of Garland died early Saturday at Medical Center of Plano of injuries from one of the 10 tornadoes that struck North Texas the day after Christmas. Garland police said Mota was driving on Interstate 30 in southern Garland when an EF-4 tornado lifted his truck and trailer and flung it from the roadway.

Another man in Mota's truck, 19-year-old Jose Oviedo Juarez, also was among nine motorists and passengers killed when the twister crossed the interstate's interchange with the President George Bush Turnpike. Three more died in Collin County, north of Dallas. The Insurance Council of Texas estimates the tornado outbreak caused at least $1.2 billion in damage.

Harbor Bridge project approved for $1.14B

CORPUS CHRISTI - Federal officials have given their final approval to plans to replace Corpus Christi's iconic Harbor Bridge.

Corpus Christi port officials announced Friday that the Federal Highway Administration has issued a record of decision for the $1.14 billion project, the final step in the environmental impact statement process.

Plans now call for the present 56-year-old steel-girder arch bridge that carries U.S. 181 over the harbor would be replaced with a cable-stayed suspension bridge. The funding is to be provided by the Port of Corpus Christi, the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces and San Patricio counties. Transportation officials have identified the preferred path for the southern approach as cutting through Hillcrest, a predominantly black neighborhood, and $20 million has been allocated for voluntary buyouts for residents in the path.

From staff and wire reports
Mayor Sylvester Turner knew he was inheriting serious financial problems and used his inaugural address in part to warn residents that sacrifices will be needed to shore up the city's books.

The problems forcing those sacrifices, however, look uglier than ever with the formal release of the city's latest annual audit.

Driven in large part by growing pension costs and changes in accounting rules governing how they are reported, the document now shows Houston's assets outweigh its liabilities by only $146 million.

The new accounting standards also show Houston's pension underfunding grew from $3.9 billion in the last fiscal year to nearly $5.6 billion in the new audit, which is based on June 30 data and was released Dec. 31.

New city Controller Chris Brown, who was sworn in with Turner on Jan. 2, used the new figures to call for action. Questioned by council members last week about whether the report shows the city to be on the brink of insolvency, however, Brown did not embrace the term.

"In my eyes, that's not insolvent, but that's a wake-up call," Brown said. "We have the ability to put a plan together to start to address these types of challenges. What this shows us is we're getting dangerously close to being in an uncomfortable situation, and we need to take action to reverse that course. The time to act is now."

Prior to this audit, the city had to report only the gap between the annual payment required to fully fund each pension and the lower payment it was actually making. Now, Houston - and all other cities - must report the gap between the projected cost of all employee retirement benefits and the cash the city has set aside to pay those benefits.

'Terms of insolvency'

The new audit also, for the municipal and police pensions, assumes the funds will earn less on their investments than past audits did, which increases the city's required contributions into the funds. That is a key driver of the reported increase in the city's overall pension underfunding. Observers often have said the pension funds' assumed rates of return are too high.

To address Houston's dire fiscal outlook, Brown said he will be vocal in offering policy recommendations, but he wants to give Turner time to issue the long-term financial plan he has pledged to produce.

"The number looks much higher. It doesn't necessarily change what we will have to do," Turner said. "What the credit rating agencies are asking of us is a concrete definitive plan to address our short-term and long-term financial obligations, and that's what I'm committed to doing."

Rating agencies' analysts said the numbers in the audit come as no surprise to them and do not by themselves affect their view of Houston's finances.

"We knew these numbers would change," said Standard & Poor's analyst Karl Jacobs. "The real issue for us is how are those costs increasing over the medium term, and what are the city's plans to address it? In terms of insolvency, that speaks to a different issue. If I had to pay my mortgage all at once, I'd be insolvent."

Kip Betz, a spokesman for the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, which drafted the new accounting rules, agreed, saying, "It simply indicates the extent to which resources need to be generated in the future."

Digging a hole

These reporting requirements were an effort by the board to seek greater transparency in the way governments report their finances, and, analysts said, have had a noticeable impact on the books of many cities.

The shift in accounting rules alone, Moody's analysts Tom Aaron and Adebola Kushimo said in a written statement, "is simply a different reporting methodology to describe the same economic reality."

Moody's own methodologies already accounted for the full breadth of the city's pension liabilities, they said.

However, S&P analyst Omar Tabani said the city's pensions are a serious challenge and noted the oil slump has cut into sales tax revenues and that a decade-old, voter-imposed revenue cap limits growth in property tax collections.

The council discussion, led by Brown and city Finance Director Kelly Dowe, was an initiation for the five new members sworn in earlier this month and a chance for returning members to redraw their battle lines.

Councilman Dwight Boykins again criticized the revenue cap, saying it hurts basic services. Councilman Jack Christie said budget debates would be less dire if the council had heeded his and others' requests for cuts in the past.

"If we were limiting spending over this period, for four years, we wouldn't be in this trouble today," Christie said. "I hope that we can hold the line and become fiscal conservatives for a change."

Councilman Larry Green argued tweaks to let more dollars flow in or cuts to see fewer flow out miss the point.

"At the end of the day, as many cuts as we do to hit budget in any given year, we are still continuing to get in the hole," Green said. "And we'll continually get in the hole because of our unfunded pension liability or the structure of our pension program here in the city."

"Borrowing problem'

Turner pushed back on those comments, repeating his common theme that the city cannot fix its pensions in isolation. The endorsed candidate of the city's police, fire and municipal unions, Turner said this often during the campaign.

"As long as the conversation is just in one direction," he said, "we're not going to solve the problem."

City pensions have been a key topic since flawed projections led city leaders to agree to benefit increases in 2001. Rather than rising slightly, costs spiked, and cuts to benefits for new municipal workers and police officers in 2004 and 2007 still left annual payments unaffordable. Pension benefits are controlled by the state Legislature, thwarting recent reforms efforts.

Firefighters pension chair Todd Clark disputed the notion that reforms are needed or that the recent audit changes anything.

"The problem today is that the city of Houston has taken measures over the last 14-plus years that has purposely underfunded the retirement systems," Clark said. "What they have is a borrowing problem, which has led to a cash flow problem, and now they want to solve it on the backs of the employees. The employees have kept their end of the deal. The city of Houston should be required to do the same."

Rhonda Smith, executive director of the municipal pension system, said the shift in accounting drives only the way the numbers are reported, not the amounts the city must pay.

"Clearly all that is happening is that the location of the pension liability number within the document changed," Smith said, referring to the audit document.
Fort Bend County commissioners are among those bemoaning a new state law that they worry only adds more bureaucracy to the contracting process between businesses and governmental entities.

As of Jan. 1, House Bill 1295 requires that businesses disclose a list of "interested parties" when contracting with cities, counties, school districts and other agencies. While the bill aims to increase transparency, it was attacked as unnecessary and burdensome by some groups attempting to get it vetoed.

Once it became law, commissioners in the fast-developing Fort Bend County, where both contracts and skepticism of state governance are plentiful, berated it as vague and expressed fear that the rules might sabotage current projects or hinder future business. The extra work load could also require them to hire another staff member.

"I'm frustrated with it, to say the least, but we will abide by the law," County Judge Robert Hebert said Friday. "I am very much prepared to be surprised, and pleasantly surprised, if we get a benefit, but all I see right now are significant costs."

State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, who authored the bill with two others, said taxpayers should know if potential conflicts of interest are at play. The information should be easily accessible, he said, "right at their fingertips."

Capriglione called the forms an "appropriate amount of disclosure" that provide a needed check alongside the conflict of interest forms already required of public officials, but he said he wants to discuss any possible implementation issues with stakeholders in coming months.

'Moving parts'

To satisfy the new requirements, business entities first fill out a form on the Texas Ethics Commission website. The form is then processed by the government agency that, in turn, notifies the commission when it has been notarized, signed and filed.

In just the first week, around 140 forms statewide have been reported as filed with a government entity, said Ian Steusloff, general counsel for the Texas Ethics Commission.

The ethics commission plans to begin posting information corresponding to these filings by Wednesday, Steusloff said.

Fort Bend isn't the only place feeling the pinch of the more complex process.

In neighboring Brazoria County, Purchasing Director Lesa Girouard wondered if some vendors might feel too confused to submit bids. As they prepare to advertise a new round of bids, she said, her office is still grappling with how to integrate the new requirement into the workflow.

"It's just a lot of making sure and staying on top of it and having checklists," Girouard said. "There's a lot of moving parts."

Montgomery County Senior Contract Administrator Kelly Vidal said their office is emailing vendors to notify them of the requirement.

Vendors have been "really responsive," Vidal said. The county has received about 12 of the 50 forms they've requested.

'Important notices'

In Fort Bend, the county may need to hire an additional staff member to help handle the workflow, Hebert said. The purchasing agent in the interim has posted, under a yellow "important notices" heading online that all contracts executed by commissioners require completion of the form. The auditor, too, is working to be vigilant that necessary work is filled out for bond transactions.

County Attorney Roy Cordes says his office is aiming to ensure the county remains in compliance, especially given what he described as the law's broad terminology.

"It's just something else we have to keep track of," Cordes said. "It's an additional piece of paper that we have to deal with."

At Tuesday's commissioners court meeting, more than a dozen drainage district and regular agenda items were approved with a caveat that they are "subject to completion of House Bill 1295 form as determined by the county attorney's office" beginning with the topic of an easement.

The county judge read the item aloud, then paused before articulating the caveat: "uh, OK," he said. "We have to put in the 1295 language to accept an easement?"

'A lot of hoops'

Commissioners expressed confusion over the definition of "business entity" - could that include individuals and foundations, they wondered - and puzzled over who would face ramifications if the forms are not completed. They chastised the state for its vague laws, including the recently passed open carry legislation.

"You will see us jumping through a lot of hoops today because this bill, this law, is vague," Hebert said.

In the case of the easement, as Hebert suggested, it seemed there would be nothing they could do if the related "business entity" didn't feel like filling out the form. In another instance considered, for toll road work, they wondered whether the form could stall a project already years in the making.

"The legislation puts us at significant risk for not accomplishing things we're trying to do for our taxpayers and our citizens of our county," Commissioner Andy Meyers lamented.

At the least, the added administrative work necessitated by the law would burden taxpayers, Hebert predicted. In addition to the possibility of extra county staff, he foresaw businesses charging more for their work to make up for their added administrative costs.

"It will cost Texans a few million dollars," Hebert concluded. "Hopefully, we'll get whatever value they perceived up in Austin out of it."
One of two suspects robbing a northwest Houston convenience store died Saturday night after being shot by a store clerk.

Two men dressed in black ski masks entered the store in the 4300 block of West 34th Street, near Mangum Road, at around 10:30 p.m. Brandishing handguns, the suspects demanded cash from the register, said Houston police Sgt. Josh Horn.
A Muslim woman and three other individuals were escorted out of a Donald Trump rally on Friday night in Rock Hill, S.C. The woman, Rose Hamid, wore a hijab while the other three individuals had stars reminiscent of those worn by Jews during the Holocaust pinned to their left shoulder.

Last month, Trump called for a complete ban on Muslim immigration. As a result, Hamid felt the need to show supporters of the Republican presidential candidate what Muslims were truly like.

Prior to the rally, Hamid told CNN, "I figured that most Trump supporters probably never met a Muslim, so I figured that I'd give them the opportunity to meet one."

"I really don't plan to say anything. I don't want to be disrespectful, but if he says something that I feel needs answering, I might -- we'll just see what strikes me."

Hamid sat directly in the stands behind Trump, and during his speech, as he suggested Syrian war refugees were affiliated with ISIS, she decided to stand silently. As she stood along with her friend Marty Rosenbluth, the crowd began booing and heckling them.

One person shouted "You have a bomb, you have a bomb," while others pointed at them, yelling, "Trump, Trump, Trump."

"The ugliness really came out fast and that's really scary," Hamid told CNN.

The Rock Hill Police Department, who escorted Hamid and her friends out of the rally, told CNN they were instructed by Trump's campaign staffers to escort anyone out who caused any kind of disturbance.

Trump has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but did announce to the crowd after Hamid was escorted out, "There is hatred against us that is unbelievable."

"It's their hatred; it's not our hatred," continued Trump.

Since the incident, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has called for an apology from Trump. The council's national executive director, Nihad Awad, also wants Trump to meet with American Muslim leaders to help end the anti-Muslim fear.

Although the experience was jarring for Hamid, she was able to speak with some Trump supporters who apologized for them being escorted out.

"The people around me who I had an opportunity to talk with were very sweet," Hamid said to CNN.

"The people I did not make contact with, the people who Trump influenced, were really nasty."
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: All-Tchaikovsky Night at Lincoln Center with Gavrylyuk, Langree

As part of Lincoln Center's 50th Great Performers season, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's "All-Tchaikovsky" visit to David Geffen Hall on January 6th brought with it a program showcasing two of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's most beloved works (three, in fact, if the encore is to be counted): his Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, his Symphony No. 5 in E minor, and, for the unexpected encore, the never-failing, Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker. Leading the CSO was renowned conductor Louis Langree, who has been the orchestra's musical director since 2012 and, as of last March, has been contracted to remain with CSO until the 2019-2020 season. As for the centerpiece of the evening's first act (the First Piano Concerto), the cadenzas were performed by Pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, the Russian Australian who was awarded the Gold Medal in 2005 for the Arthur Rubinstein Competition, along with with an award for Best Performance of a Classical Concerto -- a mark which, now, over ten years later, must have come as no surprise to Lincoln Center's Wednesday audience.

Simply put, an "All-Tchaikovsky" lineup always tugs at the heartstrings. Many of Tchaikovsky's melodies are among the most memorable, and the most singable, in all of classical canon. One might find it hard to believe, in that case, that with all the breadth and simplicity found within the introduction of the First Piano Concerto, that the concerto's innards would be so dreadfully complex. Nevertheless, when the time came, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra masked any and all challenges beneath the veil of Tchaikovsky's alluring melodies. (Even the earliest cadenza shows hints of maddening difficulty before lulling the audience back into the wondrous recesses of the romantic introduction.)

In any lineup, after all, the introduction of the First Piano Concerto remains the most breathtaking and the most oft-repeated segments --- the case of an introduction so expansive that it has actually drawn frequent confusion in citations and analysis, with some sources mistakenly referring to it as the "opening theme". Additionally, the segment demands a bolder-than normal approach for an intro, prompting conductor Louis Langree to summon the near-full power of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in order to jumpstart the evening. (Even Gavrylyuk could be seen throwing himself onto the piano, at times overtaking the orchestra with each accent and its ensuing cadenza.)

Once the audience was sufficiently awed, the true opening theme, a jaunty little tune (played primarily on the piano), was actually a borrowed melody, one which Tchaikovsky overheard from a group of blind beggar musicians in a Kiev market. Remarkably, the fun-filled nature of this opening ear-worm is only subtly related to the rest of the piece. Making an appearance only twice throughout, the varied thematic material is bound together by the composer's brilliant command over transitions. Within minutes, the captivating flow of the opening two themes, as well as other transitions between the melodies of the first movement, had brought David Geffen Hall under the composer's spell -- something which the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra had pulled off effortlessly for Lincoln Center.

As the concerto moved from one vigorous passage after another, surely taxing the hands of Gavrylyuk, the influence of Beethoven can be heard in Tchaikovsky's propensity for embellishment. Constantly seeking to infuse his music with a series of deeply moving and original melodies -- replete with vigor, drama, and a uniquely Russian sense of romance -- Tchaikovsky in many ways outshines Beethoven. After all, borrowing from both western and local tradition, the 19th Century Russian school of music, in which Tchaikovsky was reared, was a game-changer for many artists involved. Out from this tradition, here, in Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto, the composer had begun to take Russia down a new path, in which others would follow, while still retaining the mark of a fiercely independent thinker all at once. Although he was panned by critics who had difficulty categorizing him, but eventually lauded for the undeniable beauty of his music, Tchaikovsky's narrative abilities were not only unique for their time, but intensely more visceral and fluid than his contemporaries'.

The second movement of the First Piano Concerto, by contrast, showed a far more delicate side of Tchaikovsky, exhibiting a talent for scenery-scaping and backdrops that would later serve to bind the narrative of his most-remembered ballet, The Nutcracker. Particularly evident in moments involving the bassoon, such as in m. 25, new characters seem instantly conjured up and appended to the concerto's arc before suddenly changing shape again. In this sense, there is a more 'human' quality to this concerto than to many of its kind. The bassoon undercurrent, which soon gives way to the cellos, resonated throughout the hall with superb fidelity... a trance-like state that seemed to beg more lingering than its eight measures allotted.

The 'B' section of the second movement was, by contrast, a dazzling spectacle, perhaps indicative of some of the passages which were infamously derided by some of Tchaikovsky's respected companions (Nikolai Rubinstein, Nikolai Hubert, and Nikolay Grigoryevich) as unplayable. [Brown, The Crisis Years]. Indeed, it was now that Alexander Gavrylyuk reached his most virtuosic, clocking in the dense and fanciful segment at under two minutes, which, if not a worldwide record, is certainly a feat for any musician.

The third movement arrived with yet more character to be had. Apart from simply devising new material for his 30-minute concerto, Tchaikovsky devised equally engaging melodies that pair well with one another and contribute to the whole -- such that by the time the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra had surmounted the concerto's finale, the audience's sea of applause was not simply a show of relief or respect, but rather of an audience just getting warmed up. In fact, the applause was chiefly directed at the event's most tireless participant, Alexander Gavrylyuk, who received such adulation from the Lincoln Center audience that he returned to the stage to deliver the sole outlier of the all-Tchaikovsky evening: a soothing performance of Frederic Chopin's Nocturne No. 8 in Db Major.

Following the intermission, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra rallied once again to prepare for another symbolic successor to Beethoven: this time, for Tchaikovsky's own Symphony No. 5, which similarly crowns his own set of symphonic works (as it bears a famous "fifth to its moniker). Even forgetting Tchaikovsky's sombre tone and keen attention to drama -- really more befitting a ballet than of a symphony -- Tchaikovsky's lifelike musical impressions, and even his soul, once again outpace Beethoven (the forefather of Romantic orchestration).

With most of the technical demands now mellowing, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 is a unique kind of 'Russian Romantic' journey, once again attaching vivid imagery to its melodies. At times, the work seems to embody innocence (that is, for having been written so late in Tchaikovsky's life). The symphony pivots between uncompromising sadness and unwavering joy, a contrast made extremely palatable through the composer's same talent for 'section blending', which made the piano concerto succeed. In one instance, the symphony wallows in a funeral dirge, and in another, it enjoys the splendor of a grand ballroom (a la the elaborate waltz in the 3rd Mvt.).

In marching on through this second and most fluid work, shaping and re-shaping the phrases of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, Louis Langree and the CSO had soon grown into a vessel for the notes on the paper -- which is to say that, unlike the micromanaging requirements of the first concerto (to remove all traces of muddiness), the requirements of the fifth symphony seemed to diminish other areas of importance where the writing was concerned. Phrasing, balance, and dynamics all become secondary, and seem to pale in comparison to the weight of the notes themselves... (not to mention Tchaikovsky's masterful transitions). The compositional safety-net found deep within the score, and its inherent adaptability, seem to explain how Tchaikovsky's repertoire -- one that has extended to any number of must have classical compilations -- has enjoyed such a enduring legacy.

Finally, to compliment that legacy, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra closed the evening with a belated encore (privy only to the dawdlers): The Nutcracker's Waltz of the Flowers. To this final treat, the audience let out a pleasant sigh, which rang along the lines of expectation combined with eager satisfaction.

 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

TagsLincoln Center, Tchaikovsky, Louis Langree, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, REVIEW
Akron police car

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office said Saturday that it will "take some time" to identify the human remains found on a South Akron sidewalk Friday.

(File photo)

AKRON, Ohio -- The process to determine the identity of the human remains found Friday on the sidewalk of a South Akron street "will take some time," the Summit County Medical Examiner said Saturday.

Determining whose skull was found on the sidewalk on the 1300 block of Marcy Street will be "very tedious," Gary Guenther, the chief investigator with the medical examiner's office, said in a release Saturday.

The medical examiner's office has requested assistance from Dennis Dirkmaat, a forensic anthropologist, and his staff from Mercyhurst University to document the remains, Guenther said.

A forensic team returned to the location where the remains were found Saturday during daylight hours.
Beachwood police car.jpg

Police responded to the P.F. Chang's restaurant on Chagrin Boulevard on a report of a patron disturbance, in this week's police blotter.

(File photo)

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- OVI, I-271 south: About 12:20 a.m. Jan. 2, police conducted a traffic stop after clocking a driver going 88 mph in a 60 mph zone. The male driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested for OVI. He faces charges for not having a driver's license and for having a BAC of nearly three times the legal limit.

Receiving stolen property, Cedar Rd: About 7:45 p.m. Jan. 2, police recovered a stolen vehicle in a parking lot at Beachwood Place mall. Four juveniles inside the car were arrested for receiving stolen property, a felony.

Breaking and entering, Cedar Rd: About 11:30 a.m. Jan. 3, police responded to the Journeys store at Beachwood Place mall to take a breaking and entering report. Employees told officers that the store had been forcibly entered overnight, and about $600 in merchandise had been taken from the store. Police have not named any suspects.

Disturbance, Chagrin Blvd: About 4 p.m. Jan. 3, officers responded to the P.F. Chang's restaurant on Chagrin Boulevard on a report of a disturbance. Police learned that a woman was throwing glasses in the restaurant after she believed she was not receiving her food in a timely manner. The woman was taken to University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center for evaluation.
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Bill Clinton spent his first week on the campaign trail deflecting questions about Donald Trump bringing up Clinton's past sex scandals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bill Clinton finished his first week back on the campaign trail attending a fundraiser for Hillary at a private residence in Independence, Ohio. No, it was not in the former home of Jimmy Dimora.

President Clinton spent the week deflecting questions about his own past scandals. At every campaign stop he made, Clinton was asked to respond to Donald Trump reminding everyone of Clinton's extramarital affairs.

Trump's trolling in the campaign trail gutter was prompted by Hillary Clinton's campaign attacking Trump for being sexist. Trump declared Bill Clinton fair game. And he is.

It remains to be seen if Bill Clinton will be a help or hindrance to Hillary Clinton's attempt to become the nation's first woman president.

Certainly many have fond memories of the good economic times of Clinton's presidency. Those who have reservations about Hillary Clinton may find the two presidents-for-one package of Hillary and Bill Clinton appealing.

On the other hand, voters may find themselves asking the same question Chris Christie asked about Bill Clinton this week, "Are we going forwards or are we going backwards? We've seen this act before."

Trump's attacks serve to remind voters that "act" included eight years of mud digging and slinging directed at the Clintons. Voters might ask themselves if they really want to sit through that again.

Was it just a coincidence that the same week Trump was reminding everyone of Bill Clinton's dirty laundry,Vice President Joe Biden said he regretted not entering the race?
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland chef Michael Symon says a fire Sunday left his landmark Tremont restaurant Lolita with significant damage, but took to Facebook and Twitter, vowing to be back strong.

"What a nightmare," a distraught Symon said in a brief text interview with cleveland.com. "Thankful that no one is hurt -- but the restaurant is in bad shape. It's heart-wrenching. My absolute greatest memories in my life are there."

On Facebook, Symon thanked fans for their "kind thoughts" and praised the Cleveland Fire Department for their quick action on the fire, which was reported at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

"Most importantly, the staff is safe & unharmed," he wrote. "Damage to restaurant appears to be pretty significant but we will be back strong that I can promise you!

"Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the Cleveland fire department who acted swiftly and limited damage as much as possible. Much much admiration for the job you do daily."

Fire investigators said they believe the fire started near an oven and that they do not suspect arson.

In 1997, Symon opened his first solo venture, Lola Bistro, in the space at 900 Literary Rd., Cleveland. Former Plain Dealer columnist John S. Long described the space as "ultra-hip, with [faux] leopard and seal cloth chairs and walls that range from exposed brick to brushed steel and deep red." It soon earned acclaim.

As the restaurant's popularity grew, so did opportunities for the increasingly popular chef-restaurateur to expand his base. In 2005, he accepted an offer to relocate Lola to the growing East Fourth Street neighborhood downtown. That summer, he converted the Lola space to Lolita, with a Greek and Mediterranean themed menu.

Lola and Lolita proved a potent launching pad for the chef's burgeoning career. Symon, who had co-hosted a cable TV series, Food Network's "The Melting Pot," was soon competing on it's star-making show "Iron Chef America" - and won.

In 2009 he trumped that accomplishment, earning the coveted James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Great Lakes Award.

Symon has gone on to host several Food Network series, including "Burgers, Brew & 'Que" (its second season premieres Jan. 15) as well as to open a series of casual dining restaurants, B Spot Burgers and Beer. He also operates Roast restaurant in Detroit, Michigan. His latest spot, Mabel's BBQ, is expected to open this winter, also on East Fourth Street.
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A woman returning home from Christmas celebrations reported to police that a new flat screen television and a 12-week-old puppy were stolen from her home, in this week's police blotter.

(File photo)

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Robbery, Monticello Blvd: About 7 a.m. Dec. 19, a 7-Eleven convenience store cashier called police to report that she had just been robbed at gunpoint. Police arrived at the store, where the cashier told officers that the robber asked for a package of cigarillos. When he handed her cash to pay, he pulled a gun from his waistband and demanded all the cash from the register. The robbery was caught on surveillance video, but no exterior cameras caught him leaving the store. During follow-up interviews, police learned a 7-Eleven on East 185th Street in Cleveland had been robbed in a similar manner by a man matching the suspect's description. The robber has yet to be identified.

Burglary, Lowden Rd: About 7:50 p.m. Dec. 25, police were dispatched to a home on Lowden Road to take a burglary report. The resident told officers that her family had arrived home about 7:30 p.m. to find that their new 60" flat screen television and a 12-week-old Pitbull puppy had been stolen from the home. The woman reported that her bedroom window had been forcibly opened, and there was damage to the home's front windows and front door as well. Fingerprints were lifted from areas near the windows and put into evidence. No suspects have been identified, and the television and dog have not been returned.

Breaking and entering, Cedar Rd: About 4:30 a.m. Dec. 29, an Orlando Bread deliveryman called police to report a breaking and entering incident at the Five Guys restaurant on Cedar Road. When officers arrived on scene, the deliveryman said he had arrived to make his delivery and found the back room in total disarray and the safe open. There were no signs of forced entry. No store employees could be immediately reached to come to the restaurant. Police also noted that there had been two alarm calls to the restaurant earlier in the night, at midnight and 4 a.m. Officers responded both times and nothing was out of order and the building was secured.
Guest columnist Don Boyd is the director of labor and legal affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

The unemployment compensation system in Ohio is broke and broken. Ohio is one of just three states that has an outstanding debt to the federal government, owing more than $770 million of the billions borrowed during the last recession.

As a result, all employers, regardless of whether an employee has been laid off or not, have faced severe monetary penalties to pay off the debt. These penalties have resulted in a 350 percent increase in federal unemployment taxes. Barring another recession, the debt should finally be paid off in 2017. However, Ohio cannot afford to repeat this pattern in the future.

Any solution to fix Ohio's unemployment system will require concessions by both employers and workers. State Rep. Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Township) has introduced a bill that would make comprehensive changes to the system. This bill is a reasonable approach to fixing the core issues with the system by looking at both employer taxes and benefits.

The unemployment system is funded entirely by taxes on employers. Neither the state nor employees pay any amount into the fund. Employers currently pay a percentage of the first $9,000 an employee is paid based on their experience of laying off workers. The bill increases the amount by 22 percent to $11,000, until the fund reaches a minimum safe level. It then reverts back to the $9,000. If the fund drops below 50 percent of that minimum safe level, the amount automatically increases to $11,000 again. This automatic trigger allows the fund to be replenished without unnecessarily burdening employers with increased taxes.

Opposition groups have said that this tax increase should be higher and that employers are not paying their "fair share." This claim is at best misleading given that the unemployment system is entirely employer funded. Employers are the only ones paying any share. Further, the $11,000 amount would be higher than all surrounding states except West Virginia.

The bill also reduces the number of weeks an individual can receive benefits from 26 weeks to a sliding scale of 12 to 20 weeks. As the unemployment rate increases, the number of weeks would also increase. This approach is a step numerous states have taken to address their unemployment system problems.

Additionally, the bill allows for drug testing in limited circumstances, such as when an individual was discharged from their last job for unlawful drug use. It does not provide for blanket drug testing of all applicants.

The bill also disqualifies an individual who was fired for not showing up to work for three days without contacting the employer or for violating the terms of an employee handbook. The system was never set up to pay unemployment benefits to individuals fired for causes such as these. It is designed to partially replace wages for a period of time, not to be a social service.

Labor groups have offered no recommendations to fix the system other than to raise taxes even higher on employers. They would be fine leaving the system flawed and fractured. When the fund is insolvent and must borrow from the federal government, the cost is shouldered by employers. They are the ones penalized and must repay the debt at the worst possible time--while in a recession or while trying to recover. The bill currently before the legislature is a balanced solution to a broke and broken system.

Now is the time to act while employment is high and before the next economic downturn hits us all. To do nothing, would be irresponsible to future unemployed workers and employers.

Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Linda Kinsey at lkinsey@cleveland.com. Essays must also include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting today's topics are also welcome.
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American chestnuts once covered the forest floors across nearly 200 million acres of the Eastern U.S. prior to the arrival of the fungal blight from Asia in 1904.

(AP file photo)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A century after the iconic American chestnut virtually disappeared from the eastern United States, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has begun an ambitious project to re-establish the stately tree in its former habitat.

The Chinese blight that devastated forests of chestnuts -- once one of the most common and valuable trees in the country -- still exists in nature. But through the wonders of botanical science, researchers working with the American Chestnut Foundation have developed a blight-resistant hybrid chestnut that retains 94 percent of the original's characteristics.

Although the American chestnut is considered "effectively extinct," scattered mature trees survived the blight and remain standing, such as this towering tree in Maine.

Last month, dozens of ODNR employees and volunteers from the Mohican Trails Club planted 400 chestnut seedlings at the Mohican State Forest in Richland County near Mansfield. The seedlings were massed near the Gorge Overlook, a popular location where visitors will be able to track their growth as the trees mature.

Hundreds of other chestnut hybrid seedlings were planted in southern Ohio at the Scioto Trail State Forest in Ross County, and at the Waterloo Wildlife Area in Athens County.

"It's exciting to be a part of this," said Stephen Rist of ODNR's Division of Forestry. "I look forward to bringing back the diversity of the woods, especially with the devastation caused by the emerald ash borer. It's beneficial to have as many species out there as possible."

Chinese, Japanese and European chestnuts are available in nurseries and sometimes found growing in the wild. And some 100 percent American chestnuts live long enough to produce nuts, about 8 to 10 years -- but they don't live much longer before they catch the blight and die.

Prior to the start of the 20th century, however, an estimated 4 billion American chestnut trees towered over 188 million acres of Appalachian forests from Maine to Florida, and as far west as the eastern half of Ohio. Some of the trees grew as high as 120 feet tall with trunks 15 feet in diameter.

American chestnut trees once covered nearly 200 million acres of forest in the Eastern U.S.

Chestnuts were cherished by wildlife such as bear, deer, turkey and squirrels. The lumber was lightweight and highly valued for its grain, ease of working and rot resistance.

Chestnuts also were a valued food for Native Americans and early settlers, and they gradually found a traditional place at the holiday table after "roasting on an open fire," as the Christmas song describes.

Ever since the fungal blight arrived in 1904, botanists have been working to develop a blight-resistant variety of American chestnut. The hybrid contains about 6 percent of the characteristics of the blight-resistant Chinese chestnut. Through the persistence of the Chestnut Foundation, the goal of a blight-resistant American chestnut is approaching fruition.

"We expect there will be some mortality there at Mohican," Rist said. "But the majority of them should do well and reach maturity."

American chestnuts are relished by people and wildlife alike.

The blight will likely show up again in 5 to 10 years, he said. In 20 to 30 years, the state foresters should know how well the hybrid chestnuts have survived.

Even though the American chestnut is considered "effectively extinct," the blight remains active in the living roots of chestnut sprouts, and in host trees such as scarlet oak, which usually survive the attack, Rist said.

Yet amazingly, several towering American chestnut trees have somehow managed to repel the blight and thrive. One of those trees can be found in the woods at the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve. The state's oldest and tallest chestnut tree is believed to be in Sheldon's Marsh, located near Huron in Erie County. That tree is about 90 feet tall and is estimated to be 100 years old.

Rist cited a widely held theory that the Northeast Ohio trees were able to survive because they are what are known as "outliers" that grew on the outer edges of the tree's native range.

He said he looks forward to annual planting efforts during the coming years. This spring, ODNR plans to plant another 2,000 seedlings in southern Ohio at the Zaleski or Hocking Hills state forests, he said.

Robert Boyles, ODNR deputy director and state forester, is optimistic about the project.

"The American chestnut was such an important component of our country's eastern hardwood forest, and that is why great efforts are being made to resurrect this great tree to our woodlands," Boyles said.
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Cleveland police arrested a man without incident after a two-hour standoff late Saturday and early Sunday.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland SWAT team arrested a drunken man accused of assaulting his girlfriend after a more than 2-hour standoff late Saturday and early Sunday, police said.

The man surrendered about 1:20 a.m. Sunday, police said. No information on the man was available Sunday morning.

Police received a call about 11 p.m. Saturday that said a man had assaulted his girlfriend in a West 65th Street home.

The man was alone in the home and wasn't armed, police said.

A SWAT team responded and arrested the man without incident roughly two and a half hours later, police said.

No additional details were available Sunday morning.
B.J. Daniels

Due to concerns about safety and fires, many college campuses are banning hoverboards and notifying students before they return from winter break.

(Elaine Thompson, Associated Press )

CLEVELAND, Ohio - College students returning to campus after winter break are being told to leave their hoverboards at home.

Concerns about safety and about the battery-powered self-balancing scooters catching fire, especially if they are being charged and stored in residence halls, has led to swift action by many colleges, said Allan Blattner, president of the executive board of the Association of College & University Housing Officers-International.

"This is one of those gifts that went viral," Blattner said. "They were nowhere and now they are everywhere. Because of safety concerns a lot of residential programs, at least temporarily, have banned them until the final safety outcome."

The devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Certain models have caught fire and nearly every airline bans them.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which periodically updates its figures on Twitter, says it is investigating reports of 28 hoverboard-related fires in 19 states, and "70 ER-treated injuries."

There is no safety standard in place for hoverboards, the agency said.

The University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green State University and Ohio University are among colleges in Ohio banning hoverboards in residence halls.

No college allows the use of hoverboards in any building. Some Ohio schools also ban the use of hoverboards on campus.

Case Western Reserve University posted a notice Friday saying hoverboards were banned from campus.

"Administrators apologize for not seeking community input on this change," the notice said. "However, with the possibility of many students receiving this item over the holidays, with the intent to bring it back in the spring, it was necessary to make a decision quickly."

Notre Dame College and Ohio State University will allow hoverboards that meet Underwriters' Laboratory safety standards.

Kent State University will allow hoverboards under the same policy that governs skateboards, said spokesman Eric Mansfield.

Cleveland State University has no policy but is looking at the issue, a spokesman said. CSU prohibits roller skates, roller blades and skateboards on campus sidewalks and walkways.

John Carroll University is developing a hoverboard policy that will be sent to students before they return to campus, a spokeswoman said. Baldwin Wallace University and Ursuline College are also developing policies.

Hiram College, Oberlin College and Lorain County Community College currently have no policies regarding hoverboards. Lakeland Community College's new policy does not allow students to bring a hoverboard into any building.

Blattner, director of housing and residential education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said hoverboards are prohibited on his campus.

"In fairness to students we need to get the word out," he said. We want to make sure stuff stored in residence halls are safe and it is in the best interest of students."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Michael Symon restaurant Lolita caught fire Sunday afternoon.

The blaze was first reported about 2:30 p.m. and several fire trucks responded.

Both of the building's two stories appeared to have fire damage Sunday afternoon. Firefighters extended a ladder onto the roof.

Smoke was no longer coming out of the building by 3:20 p.m.

Several employees huddled inside a wine bar across the street declined to comment.

A spokesman for the Cleveland Fire Department said he would be able to provide more information about the blaze later in the afternoon.

Symon tweeted that all of the staff was "out and safe."
CANTON, Ohio -- A Canton police K9 who was shot during a weekend break-in died Sunday, according to the police department's Facebook page.

"It is with heavy hearts that we must tell you we lost Jethro," a Facebook post read. "He took a sudden turn for the worse and has passed."

Just hours earlier a post said Jethro was shot three times but none of the bullets hit his vital organs and he did not require surgery.

It is unclear what caused the dog's condition to worsen.

A burglary suspect shot Jethro inside Fishers Food early Saturday, police told media outlets.

Employees reported about 1:15 a.m. that someone had broken into the store through the roof and might still be inside the building, police said.

Officers set up a perimeter around the store while Jethro and a police officer scoured the inside the building.

Jethro found the suspected burglar -- later identified as Kelontre Barefield, 22, of Cleveland -- a short time after the search began.

Barefield shot Jethro and then ran out the back door where he was cornered by waiting police officers.

He fired at officers, striking a cruiser, and then ran.

Police returned fire, hitting Barefield in the ankle, police said.

Officers arrested the suspect after a brief chase.

"There's no doubt in my mind that that dog saved officers' lives today," Canton Police Chief Bruce Lawver told the Canton Repository Saturday.

Barefield's injury was not life-threatening, police said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A rally planned for Sunday afternoon at the spot where a Cleveland police officer fatally shot the 12-year-old Tamir Rice has been cancelled.

Black Lives Matter Cleveland announced the cancellation on their Facebook page. The group felt the event could have been better planned better and activists decided they wanted to focus on upcoming events, representative Kareem Hafi said Sunday afternoon.

The rally was scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the Cudell Rec Center on Cleveland's West Side.

Snow and bitter cold is in the forecast for Northeast Ohio Sunday afternoon, but Hafi said the weather didn't have anything to do with his group's decision to cancel the rally.

A march beginning on steps of the Justice Center is scheduled for Martin Luther King Day, Hafi said. Activists will focus on registering voters and encouraging them to vote Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty out of office, as well as continuing calls for a Department of Justice investigation into Tamir's death and the subsequent grand jury proceedings.

It would have been the second protest this weekend. Demonstrators rallied on the steps of the Justice Center Saturday afternoon.

The Dayton based Urban Citizens for Social Justice set up a booth where demonstrators registered to vote. A group representative asked anyone who attended Saturday's rally to make their voice heard at the ballot box.

McGinty "tipped the scales of justice to favor two police officers who violated police policy," said Latonya Goldsby, who has identified herself as Tamir's cousin.

Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann shot Tamir Rice seconds after his partner, Frank Garmback, pulled their cruiser to a halt in next to the boy at the Cudell Rec Center on Nov. 22, 2014.

The officers were responding to a report of a guy with a gun scaring people at the rec center. Tamir was carrying an airsoft pellet gun that resembled a real firearm.

A man told a Cleveland police dispatcher that the gun was "probably fake," but that message was not relayed to the officers.

McGinty said that "indisputable" video evidence showed Tamir was reaching for the waistband of his pants as Garmback pulled the cruiser to a halt.

He said Tamir's death, while tragic, was the result of a "perfect storm of human error."

Protestors at Saturday's rally didn't find that explanation sufficient. Loehmann and Garmback should be fired, they said.

"This could have been your child," Goldsby told a gathering of between 30 and 40 people.

"You can't stand with Tamir's family until you've registered to vote," Carlos Buford of Urban Citizens for Social Justice told the protesters.

Several people had already registered to vote Saturday afternoon, he said, and he hoped no one would leave until everyone was registered.

Parma Safety Director and former assistant county prosecutor Michael O'Malley is running against McGinty in the upcoming election, but Nafi said Saturday that activists plan to back a write-in candidate.

U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge and Cuyahoga County Democratic ward leaders have backed O'Malley, and a group of prominent local pastors is also considering supporting him, but Nafi said the Parma Safety Director comes from the same corrupt system as McGinty.

"We need someone who represents our interests," he said.

Through a spokesman, McGinty said Saturday that local leaders need to come together in the wake of Tamir's death to rally around issues like banning replica firearms and adding body and dash cameras to local police forces.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Five local judges, all of them women, and Nina Turner, the former state senator, gathered Friday afternoon at Judson Manor, an assisted living facility, and excitedly prepared to honor Judge Jean Murrell Capers with a surprise lunch party. The judge turns 103 Monday.

The gathering was designed to be intimate, a small and festive celebration. But each of these distinguished women had also traveled to the University Circle neighborhood with the intent to render judgment of a sort -- a judgment on a life well lived.

Each wanted the judge to know how much she meant to them, personally and professionally. They wanted her to know that they consider her far less a barrister peer and much more a trailblazing leader of the highest order. These formidable women had assembled for a bit of unabashed hero worship.

Before they could get started with their informal salutes, however, de facto presiding Judge Jean Murrell Capers cleared her throat and took charge of the proceedings. On the eve of her 103rd birthday, nothing has changed. Judge Jean Murrell Capers still owns any room she enters.

She started by graciously thanking each of the women for coming. I don't recall ever seeing her smile so much. Then, she immediately launched into the story of Mary B. Grossman -- an important Cleveland story I had never heard.

In 1923, Grossman became the first woman ever elected to Cleveland Municipal Court. It wasn't an easy glass ceiling to break through. Some fellow jurists and defense attorneys treated her as little more than a bizarre novelty. Some who appeared in her courtroom viewed her with outright contempt.

Grossman was a woman of very small stature, which didn't help matters. Court administrators found a cruel way to mock her diminutive size by equipping her courtroom with a very high bench and a very low chair. In order to successfully preside over her court, in order to be seen as well as heard, Judge Grossman routinely stacked phone books on her seat.

Hers was an uncommon display of grit and toughness. Her tenacity resulted in 36 uninterrupted and celebrated years on the bench. One can consider Grossman a giant.

Her trailblazing tenure coincided with Judge Capers becoming the first African-American woman elected to Cleveland City Council in 1948. Judge Capers, who served on the Cleveland Municipal Court from 1977-86, told the women celebrating her that she considered Grossman a role model whom she admired for her will to succeed against all odds.

I listened with keen interest as one indomitable and indefatigable giant praised another, long deceased. Women like Capers and Grossman irrevocably changed Cleveland for the better.

A reader once asked me to explain why Cleveland and this columnist in particular continue to pay regular tribute to Jean Murrell Capers. My answer was simple: She is a living reminder of the best that this town has ever had to offer. She's a glowing example of what excellence looks like. She has set the bar for many -- and set the bar very high.

As I watched Judges Gayle Williams-Byers, Pinkey S. Carr, Emanuella Groves, Anita Laster Mays, Lauren C. Moore and former State Senator Nina Turner sing a spirited rendition of "Happy Birthday," the look on her face said it all. It radiated peaceful and graceful recognition.

Judge Jean Murrell Capers understands fully that she is now the giant on whose shoulders other accomplished women proudly stand.

It's a deeply gratifying pleasure to give roses to the living. That's why we continue to honor and sing her praises.
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Charlotte, North Carolina-based flight attendant Rose Hamid, right, stands in silent protest at Friday's rally by Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She was led out of the rally after others heckled her.

(Charlotte Observer)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A Muslim woman is seeking a comment from Donald Trump, and others are seeking an apology, after she was led out of a campaign rally Friday for staging a silent protest.

Rose Hamid attended one of the Republican front-runner's rallies to stand in silent protest some of his campaign statements. But by the time the South Carolina event was over, Hamid said, she was jeered by many in the crowd then escorted out by security guards.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has issued a call to the campaign of the GOP contender to apologize over Hamid's treatment at the event Friday night. And Hamid said by Saturday afternoon she hadn't received any response.



"I would like to hear what Trump has to say about it," she told The Associated Press by phone. "I'd like to hear because if they say that it was because we were disrupting things, then I would like him to show evidence of where the disruption came, because the disruption didn't come from me. It came from his followers because they saw me."



Trump didn't address the incident on Saturday while campaigning in Ottumwa, Iowa. But he defended his proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country. He said his call had changed the dialogue and drawn attention to radical Islamic terrorism, which he described as "a very deep-seated problem that we have in this country and throughout the world.'"



Besides seeking an apology, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad called on Trump to meet with American Muslim leaders to help stem the anti-Muslim sentiment they said is being produced by his rhetoric and that of other Republican presidential hopefuls.



The Charlotte-based flight attendant said she joined thousands of others at Friday's rally by the Republican presidential frontrunner at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She said there were no problems as she waited in line to enter and hear Trump speak. In fact, she said, one woman came up to her and said she was glad to see her at the rally.



"I didn't get a bad vibe from anyone," she said. "The people I made personal contact with were very pleasant."



Hamid said the mood shifted once the rally began, adding the spotlight began to shift to her.



"My intention was to stand up when he said something that was offensive, not just for Muslims but for anyone," she said.



It was when Hamid stood up that she said people around her began to chant "Trump, Trump, Trump." She said organizers had told the audience that if they saw anyone attempting to disrupt his speech, they were to begin chanting to point where the protester was located.



People behind her began chanting, she said, and Trump soon acknowledged the chant. At that point, Hamid said she and a fellow protester were asked to leave.



Then, she said, came the verbal taunts from the audience.



"There was a guy who was saying 'Do you have a bomb Do you have a bomb?' This is an older man," Hamid said. "And I said 'No, do you have a bomb?'" She said another man yelled at her to get out. Hamid said security officials didn't touch her as they led her out, adding "I was glad that nobody got physical and did anything scary."
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The Church of the Resurrection reported that a baby Jesus statue and its manger were stolen from a Nativity scene, in this week's police blotter.

(File photo)

SOLON, Ohio -- Criminal damaging, Hillside Ln: About 8:15 a.m. Dec. 31, officers were called to a home on Hillside Lane. A resident met with police, saying that he walked outside his home about 7 a.m. and saw car parts strewn across his front lawn, as well as damage to his mailbox and landscaping. A neighbor told police that there was also damage to his mailbox. During follow-up on Jan. 1, police learned that another resident on the street approached the complainants and explained that he had accidentally caused the damage and was willing to pay for repairs. No charges were filed.

Criminal damaging, Cochran Rd: About 11:30 a.m. Dec. 31, police were called to the 6800 block of Cochran Road to take a criminal damaging report. A 46-year-old North Royalton man told police that sometime between 7:20 a.m. and 11 a.m., someone had shattered the back window of his 2005 Mercury. Nothing was reported stolen from inside the car. There are no surveillance cameras outside the building where the car was parked. No suspects have been identified.

Theft, Cannon Rd: About 9:30 a.m. Jan. 5, officers responded to the Church of the Resurrection on Cannon Road to take a theft report. A church representative told police that sometime between the evening of Jan. 3 and the morning of Jan. 5, an unknown person stole a baby Jesus statue and his manger from an outdoor Nativity scene. The church believes it could cost upward of $1,000 to replace the stolen items. Police do not currently have any suspects.
Times are getting tough for Apple investors.

Shares of the tech giant tumbled below $100 last week as concerns over the company's iPhone orders have weighed on investors. The stock is now down more than 27 percent from its all-time high, hit in late April 2015.

Yet rather than use the sell-off as an opportunity to buy more shares, one trader sees more pain for the world's largest company, which up until recently could do no wrong in the eyes of investors.

Read MoreWhy has Wall Street fallen out of love with Apple?

"Apple is in a potentially disastrous situation and it needs to be drawn attention to," Todd Gordon told CNBC's "Trading Nation" last week.

Looking at the tech giant's long-term chart, Gordon noted that the long-term uptrend is in danger of being breached. "We are on the verge of a technical breakdown," he said. "If we push through the $96 level in Apple, that's a big problem." If that uptrend line were to break, Gordon projected that the stock could fall as low as $81.


Three weeks until the first presidential nominating contest, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are running neck and neck in Iowa, while Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are also locked in a tight race in the Hawkeye State.

What's more, Clinton and Sanders are within the margin of error in New Hampshire, while Trump has built a 16-point lead in the same state.

Those are the results of two brand-new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls - the first NBC/WSJ/Marist early-state surveys of 2016, which for the first time measure likely voters.

Read MoreAs Cruz rises, Trump calls him 'maniac'

In Iowa, which holds its caucuses on Feb. 1, Ted Cruz leads Donald Trump by four points among likely caucus-goers, 28 percent to 24 percent - within the poll's margin of error of plus-minus 4.6 percentage points. They're followed by Marco Rubio at 13 percent and Ben Carson at 11 percent. No other Republican candidate gets more than 5 percent of the vote.

Yet among the larger universe of potential Iowa caucus-goers, Trump actually leads Cruz by two points, 26 percent to 24 percent, suggesting that a larger turnout could benefit Trump in the state. (Back in October's NBC/WSJ/Marist poll, Trump was at 24 percent among potential caucus-goers, Carson at 19 percent, and Cruz and Rubio at just 6 percent.)

On the Democratic side, frontrunner Hillary Clinton holds just a three-point lead among likely voters over Bernie Sanders, 48 percent to 45 percent, while Martin O'Malley gets 5 percent.

But among potential Democratic caucus-goers, Clinton's advantage grows to six points, 49 percent to 43 percent. (In October, Clinton's lead here was 11 points, 47 percent to 36 percent.)
Joaquin Guzman, the world's most wanted-drug trafficker, is escorted by Mexican security forces at a Navy hangar in Mexico City, on Friday.

Actor Sean Penn's interview with drug boss Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman was one factor that led to Mexican security forces capturing the kingpin, a government source told Reuters.

Mexico's government was aware of the October interview with the legendary boss of the Sinaloa drugs cartel and was closely monitoring Penn's movements, a second government source told the news agency.

The interview, in which Penn visited Guzman in his Mexican hideout, was published by Rolling Stone magazine on Saturday evening local time, a day after Guzman's arrest.

In the article, Penn describes the subterfuge he undertook to obtain the interview with Guzman, writing of the cheap phones he was using and discarding: "One per contact, one per day, destroy, burn, buy, balancing levels of encryption, mirroring through Blackphones, anonymous email addresses, unsent messages accessed in draft form."

Penn also wrote that he was aware the Mexican government and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration likely knew of his movements.

In the interview published by Rolling Stone, Guzman told Penn that he started growing marijuana and poppies as a teenager because there was no other employment opportunities that allowed him to make money to buy food.

But he went on to say that, now "I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats."

Guzman added that he did not feel responsible for enabling drug addiction worldwide because " the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all."

The drugs baron also revealed to the actor that he had sent his tunneling experts to Germany for three months' additional training before they began digging the mile-long tunnel that he used to escape from a maximum-security Mexican prison last July.

The escape was a major embarrassment for the Mexican government, particularly as it was Guzman's second successful prison break.
Her health was at risk. But in Missouri, doctors could do nothing.
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By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

Police Saturday identified the victim of a Thursday night shooting in Raleigh that left several others injured as 17-year-old Antoine Bell.

Bell, a student at Raleigh-Egypt High School, was killed after he and another passenger in a Kia Sorrento were flagged down by the driver of a Nissan Murano that had broken down at Kerwood and Winwood, according to police.

MPD Sgt. Karen Rudolph said after the Sorrento stopped, two suspects from another unknown vehicle approached on foot and opened fire. Bell was killed, and the other two occupants of the Kia and the driver of the Murano were injured.

Rudolph said the suspects fled before police arrived and there are no suspects.

The investigation is continuing.
January 1, 2015 - Congressman Steve Cohen greets guests during Myron Lowery's annual prayer breakfast. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Michael Collins of The Commercial Appeal

WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen insists his call for independent prosecutors to investigate cases of deadly police force should not be construed as a slap at the nation's law enforcement officers.

"This is not anti-police," the Memphis Democrat said. "My God, I started my career as a police legal adviser. I appreciate police and law enforcement and am a big supporter thereof. But this is about people having faith in the justice system."

Bill Johnson isn't convinced.

Besides their concerns about the Tennessee congressman's proposal, some police officers were especially insulted that Cohen filed his bill last May 13  the very same day that officers across the country were holding a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington in honor of their comrades killed in the line of duty, Johnson said.

"I think that kind of says where this guy is coming from," said Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations.

Cohen's office says the congressman wasn't trying to make a statement by filing the bill on the day of the police officers' vigil. That just happened to be the date the legislation was ready.

Regardless, the bill went nowhere and seemed destined to end up among the stacks of legislation that are introduced and then quickly forgotten.

But not only is the proposal far from forgotten, but lately it also seems to be picking up support.

The legislation, known as the Police Training and Independent Review Act, attempts to prod states and local governments to pass laws mandating that allegations of deadly police force be handled by independent prosecutors, who would decide whether to pursue indictments. States that don't mandate independent investigations could lose 20 percent of their federal criminal justice funding.

Cohen filed the bill in the wake of an ongoing national discussion about police tactics following police shootings in Cleveland and Ferguson, Missouri, and the death of a man placed in a chokehold by New York City police.

Since then, there have been more cases involving deadly use-of-force by police, including the killing of 19-year-old Darrius Stewart in Memphis last July.

Stewart, who is black, was shot and killed by Connor Schilling, a white police officer, following a traffic stop in which Stewart had been a passenger in a car. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation into the shooting, which resulted in no indictment. The case is also under review by the U.S. Department of Justice.

In Chicago, Cohen's call for an independent investigation into cases of deadly police force has been getting a lot of media attention since the release of a police dashboard-camera video that showed a white officer shooting a black teenager armed with a knife  16 times. The Chicago Tribune, in an editorial, endorsed the bill.

The NAACP has backed the legislation as well. President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing also called for independent investigations into cases in which officers use deadly force.

In Congress, recent bipartisan talk about the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform could provide the opening Cohen needs to get the bill enacted into law. Cohen said he is talking with key Republicans and Democrats to see if he can get the proposal included in any criminal justice reform legislation.

The goal, Cohen said, is to guarantee that investigations into allegations of deadly police force remain impartial. Right now, such allegations are usually investigated by local prosecuting attorneys, who Cohen says have a conflict of interest because they often work with police officers in the course of doing their jobs.

"The public has a right to know and/or believe at least that the justice system is at all times impartial and fair," Cohen said. "Right now, what we've seen in Cleveland and Chicago in particular, but also in New York and Baltimore and North Charleston, people don't believe the justice system is working fairly, particularly for black people. And black lives matter."

Johnson said the notion that local prosecutors could be biased in favor of police officers because they often work together "is just B.S."

There may be times when an outside prosecutor is needed to investigate improper use-of-force allegations against an officer or department, he said, but demanding an independent investigation in every case is overkill.

In cases where prosecutors believe they have a conflict, they are obligated to step aside, Johnson said. "The congressman needs to respect the ethics of prosecutors," he said.

Cohen said the police organization's opposition to the bill tells him he's doing the right thing.

Follow more politics and policy coverage from the InforMemphis team on Twitter and Facebook.
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By Erik Schelzig

NASHVILLE  Tennessee lawmakers return Tuesday for the second session of the 109th General Assembly with an eye toward quickly disposing of their business and heading home for election season.

All 99 House seats are up in November, along with 16 of 33 Senate seats. Given the overwhelming Republican advantages in both chambers, the April 7 candidate filing deadline will be key to incumbents looking to avoid primary challenges.

In the past, politically difficult bills have been pushed until after the filing deadline to give lawmakers without serious opposition the freedom to cast tough votes. But given the recent trend of wrapping up the session in mid-April, there wouldn't likely be much time left to tackle controversial issues.

One major issue giving election-minded Republicans heartache is Gov. Bill Haslam's push to increase funding for the state's roads, most likely through Tennessee's first gas tax hike in more than 25 years.

Haslam told reporters this week that he still hasn't made up his mind whether to make the road funding proposal this year or next  though he acknowledged that several lawmakers have told him the case hasn't been made to the public for why the state needs more money to maintain and build roads.

"There's a lot of sentiment out there that folks say we need to do a better job of explaining to citizens around the state why we need to do something different than we are now," Haslam said. "My main point to legislators has been that this is not something we can put off for five years."

Some lawmakers would be more comfortable with more limited approaches to raising money, such as adding fees on electric cars, replenishing money taken from the road fund in past years to bridge budget gaps or raising the tax on diesel.

"I'm open to the piecemeal solutions," Haslam said. "I just don't want anybody to kid themselves that that's a long-term answer to our issue around infrastructure."

Other issues lawmakers expect to tackle this year include:

INSURE TENNESSEE: Haslam's cautious approach toward a gas tax hike differs from last year's headlong dive into a special session about Medicaid expansion, which occurred even though he privately acknowledged going in that he didn't yet have the votes among fellow Republicans to pass the measure. That never changed, and his Insure Tennessee proposal was quickly defeated in the Senate. Despite pleading by the hospital lobby and Democrats to revive the measure, Haslam has said there would have to be a significant change in the political landscape for that to happen. "It wasn't like we just barely lost," he said in a recent speech to the Rotary Club in Nashville.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN: A long-awaited Vanderbilt study on pre-K did little to quell the political disagreements about the program aimed at 4-year-olds from low-income families, which Democrats want to expand to more classrooms around the state. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, and other opponents of expansion say the study confirmed that pre-K does little to improve the long-term achievements of participants, but he also acknowledged that there is little chance that lawmakers will scale back the program.

MUNICIPAL BROADBAND: A federal decision overruling state laws that prevent utilities in Chattanooga and other cities from offering super-fast Internet to communities outside their service areas has led some lawmakers to call for a change in the state law to allow the practice while legal challenges work their way through the courts. But many lawmakers are sympathetic to the arguments of telecommunications companies that public utilities have an unfair advantage over the private sector. Meanwhile, Haslam's office has initiated a statewide assessment of broadband availability and usage.

SCHOOL VOUCHERS: In what has become a perennial proposal in Tennessee, supporters again plan to push for a school voucher program that would provide money to parents who want to send their children to private schools. Haslam in the past has supported a limited approach, but that measure was withdrawn after proponents demanded that vouchers be made available to more students and their families.

HALL TAX: Tennessee's Hall tax on earnings from stocks and bonds has long been a thorn in the side of anti-income-tax Republicans. But efforts to do away with the levy have been complicated by a provision that sends $189 million back to local governments in the communities where the tax was collected. While some have argued for dedicating much of an expected $350 million budget surplus toward eliminating the tax and paying back the local governments, others including Senate Speaker Ramsey support a more limited approach of increasing an exemption for senior citizens.
January 07, 2016 - Cortez Miller, left, and James Harris, work to shine up a Ford truck while preparing for this weekend's 2016 Memphis International Auto Show at the Cook Convention Center. New cars, trucks and SUVs will be on display at the Memphis Cook Convention Center from Friday until Sunday.

(Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Kayleigh Skinner of The Commercial Appeal

Louis Gladney and a trio of children poked their heads in and out of several pickups before deciding to climb into a shiny black Ford F-150.

"I'm a truck man," Gladney said. He drives a F-150 and wanted to compare the 2016 version to his own.

Gladney and his family were a few of the hundreds who attended the Memphis International Auto Show at Memphis Cook Convention Center Friday through Sunday.

Until Saturday, he'd never attended a car show, but his nephew, daughter and her friend asked him to take them so they could look at all the different cars.

"They're more excited than I am," he said.

Visitors browsed more than 250 new 2016 model cars from a variety of manufacturers including Toyota, Jeep, Acura, Audi and Honda. Many stopped to admire the "Hot Rod Experience" section filled with 30 classic and customized cars.

Each of the cars, which varied from a pistachio green Fiat to a deep red Chevrolet Camaro, included information about the vehicle to help consumers decide if it could be a match.

Anyone can sit inside the cars, but none at the auto show are for sale.

"It's a no-pressure situation," said Mike Karsting, Motor Trend auto shows vice president of events. "All of the technology, vehicles and excitement under one roof."

Visitors also can test drive Toyota vehicles if they are 18 or older and bring their driver's license.

Lashonda Neal brought two friends with her to the show to help her narrow choices on an upcoming car purchase.

"We came today to see the selection of cars and really just be able to see everything without the hassle of going to a dealership and feeling like we have to buy," Neal said.

Neal spent several minutes inspecting a new Honda, but in the end she thinks she'll purchase a Buick Regal.

Setting up the show took several days of preparation, Karsting said.

Crews had to come in a week in advance to lay carpet, set up electrical outlets and build displays before the caravan of new vehicles drove into the room through a single door on Thursday. When the show ends on Sunday, everything will be packed up and shipped off the next show destination in Greenville, South Carolina, Karsting said.

Tickets range from $6 to $8 depending on age and on Sunday, children 12 and under can attend the auto show for free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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By Michael Collins of The Commercial Appeal

WASHINGTON  Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell's work on criminal justice reform has landed him an unusual invitation: a seat at President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.

Luttrell, a Republican, will be seated in first lady Michelle Obama's guest box when the president delivers his final State of the Union to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

The White House said Luttrell and other invited guests were chosen because they represent the progress that has been made since Obama delivered his first State of the Union seven years ago.

"The guests personify President Obama's time in office and, most importantly, they represent who we are as Americans: inclusive and compassionate, innovative and courageous," the White House said in a statement.

Luttrell was chosen because, throughout his career in public service, he has built partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, and because of his focus on criminal justice reform, the White House said.

Luttrell said the White House extended the invitation about a week ago. He said he has never attended a State of the Union address.

"It's something I'm looking forward to," he said. "I think it's an opportunity to really highlight some really critical needs as it relates to the criminal justice system and re-incarceration and re-entry."

As mayor, Luttrell helped create specialty courts to handle mental health and veterans' cases and provide resources for rehabilitation instead of incarceration. Shelby County's new mental health court launched just this month.

The White House also praised Luttrell's efforts to reduce recidivism by streamlining and pooling resources to give offenders the tools they need to re-enter society.

Luttrell's work on criminal justice issues lines up with Obama's push for criminal justice reform.

In July, Obama became the first sitting president to visit a federal prison when he traveled to the El Reno Federal Correctional Institute outside Oklahoma City to meet with prisoners and highlight the need for criminal justice reform.

Obama has commuted the sentences of dozens of federal prisoners. He also has called for lowering mandatory minimum sentences, or getting rid of them altogether, and has argued the country should invest in alternatives to prison, such as drug courts, treatment and probation programs that can save taxpayers money in the long run.

The president has called on Congress to pass a criminal justice reform bill, and a bipartisan group of influential lawmakers in both the House and Senate has taken up the cause. Supporters are hoping to push a bill through Congress this year.

Though the mayor and the president belong to different political parties, "this is an issue where I agree with the president, and I support him on his criminal justice reform," Luttrell said. "What has been interesting to see is the bipartisan support that seems to be building around this issue. I'm very proud to be a part of that coalition."

Before he was elected mayor, Luttrell worked as the warden over several federal prisons and served as Shelby County's director of corrections and, later, as its sheriff. He has continued to work on criminal justice issues as mayor and through the National Association of Counties.

Last fall, Luttrell was invited to a White House conference on criminal justice reform and spoke about the progress Shelby County has made in that area.
W.C. Handy Heritage Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient Otis Clay. May 10, 2012 - Otis Clay sings "Got To Get Back!" with the Bo-Keys onstage during the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards at the Cook Convention Center. (Brandon Dill/Special to The Commercial Appeal)

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By John OConnor

Hall of fame rhythm and blues artist Otis Clay, who scored a string of hits with Memphis-based Hi Records in the early 1970s, died Friday. He was 73.

The Mississippi-born Clay  whose gruff, tenor-tinged voice on blues songs such as "Trying to Live My Life Without You" varied from his haunting but hopeful baritone on gospel standards like "When the Gates Swing Open"  died suddenly of a heart attack at 6:30 p.m., said his daughter, Ronda Tankson.

The one-time Grammy nominee had a year of touring planned behind recent records and recognition at May's 37th Blues Music Awards, manager Miki Mulvehill said. Clay is nominated for Soul-Blues Male Artist and Soul-Blues Album for "This Time for Real," his collaboration with Billy Price.

"Otis was the last standard-bearer for deep southern soul music, the really gospel-inflected music that was in its heyday in the late '60s and early and mid '70s," Price told The Associated Press on Saturday. "These styles change, and different styles are in the forefront, but Otis was just as strong in the past five years ... For that reason, he was an icon for a lot of us who work in this genre."

European music enthusiasts and record-collectors flock to Clay's music because of its spare, "unvarnished" style wrought of the 1960s soul scenes in Memphis and Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Price said.

A 2013 Blues Hall of Fame inductee who moved to blues-steeped Chicago in 1957, Clay had just begun planning a gospel tour of the U.S., followed by a summer European tour and, later, the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Mulvehill said. His latest album is called, "Truth Is."

But Clay was much more than a talented musician. A resident of Chicago's West Side, he was an avid humanitarian whose charitable works included assisting development of the Harold Washington Cultural Center.

Clay's Memphis connection traces to the early 1970s, when he signed to producer Willie Mitchell's Hi Records label.

"It was during those years where Memphis became a second home for me," Clay said in a 2015 interview with The Commercial Appeal.

Signing to Hi in 1971, Clay arrived just as things were heating up with the company. Mitchell had perfected his Royal Studios setup and fashioned a deeply connected house band in Hi Rhythm, and he had a team of skilled songwriters coming up with material, and a growing stable of stars in Al Green and Ann Peebles.

The chemistry between Clay, Mitchell and the musicians at Hi  including the Hodges brothers  was there from the start.

"It was almost like an instant thing because we all were so compatible," said Clay, who continued to work with the Hodgeses and other Hi players until his passing. "We were close in the studio and out of the studio. It was just like a big family thing."

During the past couple of years, Clay had been making appearances on behalf of the documentary "Take Me to the River." The Martin Shore-directed made-in-Memphis film stars a collection of R&B veterans (including Clay, Booker T. Jones, William Bell, Mavis Staples and Bobby "Blue" Bland) and latter-day disciples from the worlds of rap, rock and hip-hop (Snoop Dogg, Yo Gotti, North Mississippi Allstars). The film captured a series of performances pairing these artists from different generations and genres.

Clay performed with the "River" group at film festivals in the U.S. and Europe as well as in Memphis at the Levitt Shell. His last Memphis performance came in September as he headlined the Cooper Young Festival; the show paired him with the students of the Stax Music Academy band.

"I like working with the youth," Clay said. "(It's a) wonderful thing, because you see that connection between generations through music. There's nothing like it."

Memphis music writer Bob Mehr contributed to this story.
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By Jeff Amy

JACKSON, Miss.  A vote on unionization by dealers at the MGM Gold Strike Casino in Tunica County has been put off amid charges that MGM Resorts International broke federal law while campaigning against union representation.

About 300 workers had been scheduled to vote Saturday on whether the United Auto Workers would represent them.

The Gold Strike has about 1,300 employees, according to filings with the Mississippi Gaming Commission. It has the largest number of hotel rooms and slot machines among the eight Tunica County casinos.

The UAW filed unfair labor practice charges Thursday with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that casino managers illegally:

Used employee tip money to conduct anti-union meetings.

Told employees their pay would be cut if they voted for union representation.

Interrogated employees as to how they would vote.

Told employees ballots would require employee ID numbers and thus wouldn't be secret.

"The Gold Strike casino is using heavy-handed tactics in violation of federal law," UAW regional director Ray Curry said in a statement. "We're asking the National Labor Relations Board to investigate, and we're calling on MGM to respect its employees' rights the same way its casinos do in other markets around the country."

MGM, based in Las Vegas, Nevada, denies wrongdoing.

"We are disappointed that employees will not be able to exercise their right to vote on Saturday in an election, which the National Labor Relations Board has canceled as a result of the union's charge," MGM spokesman Gordon Absher said in a statement. "We will vigorously defend against this charge, which is without merit."

Officials with the labor board didn't respond to requests for comment Friday.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, R-Miss., had sent a Jan. 1 letter to workers supporting the unionization drive. Thompson wrote that the dealers at the Gold Strike casino were being treated differently than dealers at other MGM properties around the country and differently than other types of workers at the Tunica casino.

A group of three unions  UNITE HERE, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and International Union of Operating Engineers  organized about 500 food, housekeeping and front desk workers in June when MGM International recognized the unions without an election. Scott Cooper, gaming organizing director for UNITE HERE, said those unions are in contract talks with the company. It's unclear why MGM recognized those unions but not the UAW.

Unlike in some casino centers such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, New Jersey, most casinos in Mississippi aren't unionized. Unions represent some workers in Tunica County at the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel and Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, as well as at Harrah's Gulf Coast Casino Hotel & Spa in Biloxi.
Associated Press file photos Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., chairman of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, hasnt pinpointed a date for the release of a report on the 2012 terrorist attack in Libya that killed four Americans, which looms large over 2016. The panels findings and recommendations are likely to ignite further election-year divisiveness.

SHARE One of Congress first tasks for the new session was handing President Barack Obama a repeal of the Affordable Care Acts core provisions in the face of a presidential veto. New House Speaker Paul Ryan said the effort to repeal and eventually replace the health care law is just one part of his bold, pro-growth agenda to help build a more confident America. Associated Press file photo Democratic presidential candidate and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton testified on Capitol Hill in October before the House Select Committee on Benghazi. Partisan anger is already churning over her role in the attacks. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., already appears to disagree with the new House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., about how to pursue tax code revisions. J. Scott Applewhite Associated Press file

By Billy House and Kathleen Miller

WASHINGTON  Don't expect an avalanche of big legislative accomplishments by Congress in 2016, with leaders already lowering expectations and political parties sharpening their contrasts for a year in which the White House and Senate control are up for grabs.

First thing up for the new session: hitting President Barack Obama with a repeal of the Affordable Care Act's core provisions, in the face of a presidential veto.

Also looming is the release of a report by the House Select Committee on Benghazi into the 2012 terrorist attack in Libya that killed four Americans. Given the partisan anger already churning over the panel's focus on Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the panel's final findings and recommendations are likely to further ignite election-year divisiveness  even more so if it's delayed until the presidential primaries begin.

Benghazi panel chairman Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, hasn't pinpointed a date for the report. A Dec. 3 statement from committee spokesman Jamal Ware said the panel hopes to release it "in the next few months."

Still, hope for a more upbeat era of bipartisan congressional achievement is understandable given the passage in December of a $1.1 trillion government spending bill as well as major highway, education and other measures before that. There's talk about new efforts this year to pass all 12 spending measures for the first time since 1994, and to help Puerto Rico with its financial crisis.

In addition, House and Senate negotiators will work to reach agreement on the first major overhaul of chemical safety laws in four decades. Lawmakers also will try to complete work on a customs enforcement measure that passed the House and Senate in different forms to help ease passage of trade promotion authority legislation.

Yet, when it came to deciding what to do first on Jan. 5  the opening day of the new House session  Republican leaders led by new Speaker Paul Ryan scheduled a House Rules Committee meeting to tee up one of their most divisive and familiar measures.

"When we return in January, the House will put an Obamacare repeal bill on the floor and pass it, and put it on the president's desk," said Ryan of Wisconsin at a Dec. 17 news conference before Congress' holiday break. The bill had already passed the Senate, so it became the first such measure to reach the president's desk.

Lawmakers enter the new session as a national Gallup poll released Dec. 17 showed Americans' approval of Congress averaged 16 percent in 2015, virtually unchanged from the 14 percent average recorded in 2013, the lowest in four decades.

This marks the sixth consecutive year, and the seventh in the last eight years, in which fewer than 20 percent of Americans approved of Congress.

Ryan has held the speaker's gavel since Oct. 29. His first weeks in the position were marked  according to a boast by his own office in a news release  "by steady productivity and a distinct lack of drama," including passage in December of the government funding bill and a companion tax measure.

The same news release argued that those things happened "perhaps to the disappointment of many in Washington" and not without the media "trying to inject intrigue whenever possible."

But the media can't be blamed for Ryan's decision to set a partisan tone for the new session through an immediate vote to repeal Obamacare. The more likely inspiration is a need to placate fellow Republicans' ideological demands.

The Obamacare repeal effort is just one part of what Ryan calls his "bold, pro-growth" 2016 legislative agenda to help build a more "confident America." But along with repeal and eventual replacement of the health care law, the package of conservative ideals he has mentioned so far  overhauls of U.S. tax laws and welfare programs  are anything but fresh, and unlikely to soon become law, which even Ryan has acknowledged, to some degree.

"Are we ever going to have a law repealing Obamacare signed into law by a president named Obama? I kind of doubt that," Ryan said at the Dec. 17 news conference.

Ryan has similarly sought to inoculate himself from criticism over Republicans' probable inability this year to enact other conservative goals. He explained in his Dec. 3 speech that even if Obama won't sign many of these measures into law, "we will put out specific proposals and give the people a real choice" between the Republican and Democratic agendas.

The former Republican vice presidential nominee has hedged on what ideals might actually be offered as legislation, noting that Senate and House Republicans will hone their agenda at a joint retreat in Baltimore this month.

Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell already appear to disagree on how tax-code revisions should be pursued in this last year of Obama's presidency.

Sen. Charles Schumer, a New Yorker who's expected to be Senate Democratic leader in 2017, said he's been in talks with Ryan about possible legislation to revise the tax code for overseas corporate income. Ryan said at a Dec. 15 event sponsored by Politico that was "something we could explore in 2016, which is far short of comprehensive tax reform."

McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, responded during a Dec. 18 news conference that he prefers a broader approach. "My own view is we need to do comprehensive tax reform," he said.

"And what are the conditions under which you can achieve that?" asked McConnell. "I think you have to have a bipartisan agreement that is going to be revenue-neutral to the government."

Even though Republicans largely supported Obama's push last year for legislation allowing fast-track completion of trade deals, Ryan and McConnell won't commit to votes in Congress on the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership that was completed in October.

McConnell said Dec. 15 that he was "disappointed at the outcome" of the pact, while Ryan said he didn't have a "set date" for the House to consider the agreement.

Still, both parties are expressing some hope for bipartisanship in some areas. One is to pass all 12 government appropriations bills this session instead of a repeat of the giant omnibus measure enacted in December.

"This hasn't been done since 1994, but it's how Congress ought to operate so that we can better protect the taxpayer dollars and make our place the true representative body that it is," Ryan said Dec. 17.

Lawmakers also will work on a plan to help Puerto Rico cut its crippling debt. Congress granted increased health care funds and Treasury Department technical assistance last month that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch said would help the island's agencies stay afloat through February. The House Judiciary Committee plans a hearing this week on a longer-term solution.

Ryan is under pressure to make good on his promise to party conservatives of a return to a more orderly process for passing spending bills. He has promised to let committees thoroughly vet individual measures and to avoid last-minute bills such as the one in December that passed with heavy Democratic support.

Some Republicans muted their concerns over that spending bill, but aren't likely to continue doing so.

John Zogby, a pollster based in New York state, said, "I think the GOP leadership went about as far as it could with passage of the budget and spending legislation." He predicted Ryan and other Republican leaders will find themselves still "strangled" by the demands of conservatives, including the House Freedom Caucus, "and the recent memory of high-profile members who were defeated by tea party candidates."

"They are also stymied by not wanting to enhance President Obama's legacy," he said.

Evidence that the Senate is working again, McConnell said Dec. 18, was seen through action on "a lot of things that have been languishing around here for quite a while," including trade promotion authority, a rewrite of the No Child Left Behind education law and a multiyear highway bill.

Schumer had his own take on the Senate's 2015 accomplishments. "We can only hope Republicans will be as cooperative a minority as we were this year, when Democrats take back the Senate in 2016," he said at a separate news conference that day.

"All sides are claiming credit for a successful session," said Ross Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University in New Jersey. "It's victory lap time for both parties, perhaps trying to push up the approval ratings."

But given the political pressures of 2016, Ross added, "Expect little from the second session of the 114th Congress."
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By Jonathan Bernstein

It's 2016, when the election will finally get to the voters. Yes, the presidential cycle is already more than three years old. Republican candidates started competing for this year's nomination the day after the November 2012 election, and Hillary Clinton probably started planning for 2016 at some point in 2009. But now it's time to start watching other races, too.

Senate

Republicans currently hold 54 seats, but Democrats have several opportunities to close the gap. That's because the third of the Senate contested this year was elected in 2010, a good Republican year. "The question is not whether Democrats will pick up Senate seats next year, it is almost certainly how many," the National Journal's guide predicts.

Republican incumbents in Illinois, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Ohio and Pennsylvania are all endangered, as is an open Republican seat in Florida. The only similarly vulnerable Democratic seat is in Nevada, where Harry Reid is retiring. But the state has trended Democratic.

In recent cycles, a presidential vote has tended to predict House and Senate elections. And a relatively large turnout in presidential years has seemed to benefit Democrats, with midterms appearing to favor Republicans. But it's hard to know if that effect is linked to different electorates (older and wealthier voters, who tend to be Republicans, show up more often in lower-interest elections, for example), or if it could be a consequence of the ebb and flow of a president's popularity, the economy and other events.

Perhaps the most likely result this time is that the Senate will follow what happens in the White House race, so the incoming president's party likely will have a narrow majority in the upper chamber. But it's easy to imagine continued divided government, including a flip with Democrats taking the Senate while losing the White House.

House

Everyone expects Democrats to gain some seats but fall solidly short of regaining a majority. After two Republican landslides in the last three elections, there aren't many weak Democratic seats remaining. If it's possible for Republicans to win a House seat, they've probably already won it (see, for example, the Cook Political Report chart).

But it's still early. Watch for retirements in swing districts over the next several weeks. So far, more Republicans (20) are leaving than Democrats (13).

Again, House voting will be closely tied to presidential voting. So the only way Republicans might pick up more House seats in 2016 is for the party's presidential candidate to win by a landslide. And a Democratic presidential rout might be the only way Democrats have a chance to pick up the 30 seats they need for a House majority.

States

Most elections for governor are now held during presidential off years; only 12 will be contested in 2012. That schedule may account for some recent Republican successes. It also may be a reason GOP governors have mostly sat on their hands in the current presidential nomination battle. They have less at stake because they don't have to share a ballot with their party's national candidate.

While Senate elections in 2016 look back to 2010, a good year for Republicans, gubernatorial elections this year look back to 2012, a presidential election year that was better for Democrats. Consequently, some Democratic statehouses are in some danger in Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont and Montana. Fewer Republican-held seats are at risk. On the other hand, if Democrats retain the presidency, it will be their best chance to try to reverse large recent losses in state legislatures.

Elections  looked at in bulk  are about opportunity, on the one hand, and partisan tides on the other. Because of big Republican wins in 2010 (Senate) and 2014 (House), Democrats have the opportunities for congressional pickups; Republicans have more chances for gains in gubernatorial races. As for partisan tides? Watch Obama's approval ratings (currently mediocre, but not terrible) and the state of the economy for the general lay of the land.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg View columnist covering U.S. politics.
When mainstream Americans fail to vote, the ballots cast by the most extreme members of both parties carry a heavier weight, sending politicians to Washington who are so zealous and unwilling to compromise that the result is gridlock in the Capitol, say Mississippi Republican Trent Lott and South Dakota Democrat Tom Daschle.

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By Trent Lott and Tom Daschle

As we head into a new year and another election cycle, all evidence points to a disheartening replay of years past. We will see a rearranging of the players, perhaps, but the continuing landscape in Washington is unmistakable.

Though Congress recently passed a budget deal and a highway bill, it seems mainly to have spent the past year spinning its wheels. Our great deliberative bodies continue to be embroiled in an unnecessary standoff with themselves and a poisonous relationship with the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. More money than ever is flooding the system. On deck is a batch of candidates demonizing the other side in hopes of rallying support by scratching at the basest itches of the electorate. We have never been more divided.

The deterioration has brought our government to such a crisis point that we have decided to join voices to sound an alarm.

The United States was launched in grand revolutionary spirit as an experiment, and after 240 years, the experiment continues. Democracy doesn't work in a vacuum: The system is only as good as its citizenry and the representatives it sends to work its daily machinations in city, state and national governing bodies.

In the sense that our system begins with the single voter, it remains revolutionary. But turnout in the 2014 midterms was dismal and, worse, those who did vote don't represent a wide and diverse sampling of Americans. Those at the far extremes continue to control what happens in the center, and our leaders have done little to bridge the gap.

We have a combined 59 years in elected office. We don't see eye to eye on a range of issues, and, indeed, we understand the particulars of our current moment differently.

Nonetheless, our efforts to find common ground while in office were inspired and informed by a set of principles that are inseparable from American democracy. As we look out on today's contentious political landscape, calling on these principles can help to define our challenge and chart our path.

We offer the following criteria for what we should all expect from our candidates, governments and, ultimately, ourselves, as the 2016 election nears.

Compromise: Make no mistake  our political system was built by men in vigorous conflict with one another, but there's a spark that comes from opposing ideas sharing the same space. It's the purpose of the two chambers of Congress and the party system.

We shouldn't expect some kind of mass delirium to infect Democrats and Republicans that makes them all agree; we wouldn't want that. Our strength comes from the disagreement, but we need to harness it properly and use it for something beyond the destruction of the other side. Reaching for compromise is no less than the duty of our elected representatives.

Our current officeholders are embracing the conflict and ignoring its purpose. Representative democracy is not winner-take-all. The Constitution was designed as a harmonizing system, balancing the competing interests of all the people toward something that serves everyone. We need to insist that our representatives move beyond the ideological purity that sees compromise as betrayal.

Chemistry: Government comes down to people interacting. As Senate leaders, we each had a phone on our desk that directly patched us to each other. It created a chemistry that began at the top and trickled down.

Now, however, our representatives in Washington no longer know one another as people. Few in Congress even live in Washington anymore. They no longer share meals or glasses of wine in the Senate dining room, their spouses never meet, their children don't play together. Between commuting to their home states and the Sisyphean task of raising money, often there simply isn't time.

If our lawmakers knew one another personally, they might think twice before they paint one another with a wide and ugly brush. We need to seek candidates who understand the need to get to know the other side.

Leadership: Leadership is the ability to sense where the best angels of the public want to go and helping them get there. It's about governing  not necessarily winning  and finding common ground that leads to action. Our leaders have stalled on the major issues of our time: immigration, cybersecurity, energy policy, tax reform. Leadership takes genuine courage, courage to act on the recognition that the choice between right and left is a false one when it comes to getting things done. We must demand of our leaders that they actually lead.

Vision: Nothing is more upsetting than seeing political leaders refuse to even try to inspire the nation as a whole. We have seen more than enough strategy on how to beat the other side, to flip blue states to red or vice versa, or to win over some demographic slice. What we haven't seen is a vision of where we can all go together, inclusively, as a nation.

Whether that ultimate vision is something we entirely agree with  and the likelihood we'd be in lockstep with one another is low  we still want leaders who communicate something beyond their own or their party's aspirations. We need to expect them to offer this vision, and for it to be wide enough to embrace us all.

We have enormous faith in the judgment of the American people, but it has become impossible to even know what that is anymore. Our political process is rewarding the extremes, and the political leadership reflects the view of that minority. It has become a race to the edges and a downward spiral. Citizens are too turned off to vote, which only empowers those who demand no compromise, leading to more discontent and less inclination to vote.

Democracy requires active engagement, mindfulness and tolerance. We can't expect our leaders to do their part if we don't do ours. We must retake control of our duty as Americans. The only way to turn the spiral around is for the individual American to make a commitment to vote in the coming year. If these resolutions for the new year are to take root, there is only one way: It is in our hands.

Trent Lott and Tom Daschle were, respectively, Senate Republican leader from 1996 to 2003 and Senate Democratic leader from 1995 to 2005. Each served as Senate majority leader twice during those years. Their book "Crisis Point: Why We Must  and How We Can  Overcome Our Broken Politics in Washington and Across America," co-authored with Jon Sternfeld, will be published this month.
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By Jonathan Bernstein

Chris Christie on Monday repeated a familiar but still bizarre Republican belief about Barack Obama: "We have a guy in the Oval Office who we don't know. He's been serving us for seven years and we don't know him."

Mischief of Faction's Julia Azari put it this way: "It strikes me as a bit similar to Islamophobic remarks about how we don't understand that religion, those people, that culture, etc. Orientalist mystery+panic."

Yes, one reasonable interpretation of the fixation on "not knowing" Obama is a Republican obsession with race  or, as Obama once put it, with "a black guy ... with a funny name."

Yet think back to Bill Clinton. What did we "know" about him? For Republicans and his enemies, he was a liar, a philanderer, a draft-dodger, a possibly brainwashed Communist sympathizer, an international drug smuggler, a serial murderer and probably other things I've forgotten but that will be dragged up again in the current presidential campaign.

That is: Republicans were not content with Clinton's real faults, but constantly invented new ones, always convinced that if only they uncovered one more "fact," the American people would finally wake up and realize they had been hoodwinked. It's what Republicans now believe about Obama.

In other words, Republicans who are still obsessed, seven years on, that Obama "wasn't vetted" aren't necessarily thinking the media are suppressing important things about him because he's black. They may simply believe that all Democratic politicians are thugs or worse  whatever it is their talk-radio hosts and some politicians are telling them. Thus, if the press hasn't figured out what kind of miscreant Obama might be, then it is clearly missing something important.

I'm not saying that race is irrelevant to Republicans' understanding of Obama. It is. After all, Obama isn't just a black president. He's from the same black party that previously elected Bill Clinton. We just shouldn't assume that Obama is uniquely demonized, or that he is the only one perceived as having "secrets" or putting one over on the American people.

Our culture believes that individuals, not parties or other institutional actors, drive most of what happens in U.S. politics, especially at the top. So policies that appear obviously wrong-headed (such as Obamacare to Republicans or the invasion of Iraq to many Democrats) seem to cry out for some explanation based on understanding the president himself.

Back in the real world, what has been striking about Obama is how little his actions in the last seven years need explanation based on his personal traits.

As president, he has been essentially a generic Democrat. His policies and priorities are more or less what Hillary Clinton or other major Democratic contenders in 2008 would have pursued if one of them had been elected instead. Consider how few significant fights Obama has had with Democrats in Congress.

So we "know" this president just as well as we know any other politician. Or we don't need to know him well to understand his presidency.

Joshua Bernstein is a Bloomberg View columnist.
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By Robert Reich

What's at stake this election year? Let me put it as directly as I can.

America has succumbed to a vicious cycle in which great wealth translates into political power, which generates even more wealth, and even more power.

This spiral is most apparent in declining tax rates on corporations and on top personal incomes (often in the form of wider tax loopholes), along with a profusion of government bailouts and subsidies (to Wall Street bankers, hedge-fund partners, oil companies, casino tycoons and giant agribusiness owners, among others).

The vicious cycle of wealth and power is less apparent, but even more significant, in economic rules that now favor the wealthy.

Billionaires such as Donald Trump can use bankruptcy to escape debts, but average folks can't get relief from burdensome mortgage or student debt payments.

Giant corporations can amass market power without facing antitrust lawsuits (think Internet cable companies, Monsanto, Big Pharma, consolidations of health insurers and of health care corporations, Dow and DuPont, and the growing dominance of Amazon, Apple and Google, for example). But average workers have lost the market power that came from joining together in unions.

It's now easier for Wall Street insiders to profit from confidential information unavailable to small investors.

It's also easier for giant firms to extend the length of patents and copyrights, thereby pushing up prices on everything from pharmaceuticals to Walt Disney merchandise.

And it's easier for big corporations to wrangle trade treaties that protect their foreign assets, but not the jobs or incomes of American workers.

It's easier for giant military contractors to secure huge appropriations for unneeded weapons, to keep the war machine going.

The result of this vicious cycle is a disenfranchisement of most Americans, and a huge upward distribution of income from the middle class and poor to the rich and powerful. Another consequence is growing anger and frustration felt by people who are working harder than ever but getting nowhere, accompanied by deepening cynicism about our democracy.

The way to end this vicious cycle is to reduce the huge accumulations of wealth that fuel it, and to get big money out of politics.

But it's a chicken-and-egg problem. How can this be achieved when wealth and power are compounding at the top? Only through a political movement such as the one America had a century ago, when progressives reclaimed our economy and democracy from the robber barons of the first Gilded Age.

That was when Wisconsin's Robert "Fighting Bob" La Follette instituted the nation's first minimum-wage law; presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan attacked the big railroads, giant banks and insurance companies; and President Teddy Roosevelt broke up the giant trusts. When suffragettes such as Susan B. Anthony secured women the right to vote, reformers such as Jane Addams got laws protecting children and the public's health, and organizers such as Mary Harris "Mother" Jones spearheaded labor unions.

America enacted a progressive income tax, limited corporate campaign contributions, ensured the safety and purity of food and drugs, and even invented the public high school.

The progressive era welled up in the last decade of the 19th century because millions of Americans saw that wealth and power at the top were undermining American democracy and stacking the economic deck. Millions of Americans overcame their cynicism and began to mobilize.

We may have reached that tipping point again.

Both the Occupy movement and the tea party grew out of revulsion at the Wall Street bailout. Consider, more recently, the fight for a higher minimum wage ("Fight for $15").

Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign is part of this mobilization. Trump's bastardized version taps the same anger and frustration, but has descended into bigotry and xenophobia.

Surely 2016 is a critical year. But, as the reformers of the progressive era understood more than a century ago, no single president or any other politician can achieve what's needed, because a system caught in the spiral of wealth and power cannot be reformed from within. It can be changed only by a mass movement of citizens pushing from the outside.

So regardless of who wins the presidency in November and which party dominates the next Congress, it is up to the rest of us to continue to organize and mobilize. Real reform will require years of hard work from millions of us.

As we learned in the last progressive era, this is the only way the vicious cycle of wealth and power can be reversed.

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich is Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley.
Select Commodity All Ajwan Alasande Gram Almond(Badam) Alsandikai Amaranthus Ambada Seed Amla(Nelli Kai) Amphophalus Antawala Anthorium Apple Apricot(Jardalu/Khumani) Arecanut(Betelnut/Supari) Arecanut(Betelnut/Supari) Arhar (Tur/Red Gram)(Whole) Arhar (Tur/Red Gram)(Whole) Arhar Dal(Tur Dal) Ashgourd Astera Avare Dal Bajra(Pearl Millet/Cumbu) Bajra(Pearl Millet/Cumbu) Balekai Bamboo Banana Banana - Green Barley (Jau) Bay leaf (Tejpatta) Beans Beaten Rice Beetroot Bengal Gram Dal (Chana Dal) Bengal Gram(Gram)(Whole) Ber(Zizyphus/Borehannu) Betal Leaves Bhindi(Ladies Finger) Bitter gourd Black Gram (Urd Beans)(Whole) Black Gram Dal (Urd Dal) Black pepper BOP Bottle gourd Bran Brinjal Broken Rice Broomstick(Flower Broom) Bull Bunch Beans Cabbage Calf Capsicum Cardamoms Carnation Carrot Cashewnuts Castor Seed Cauliflower Chapparad Avare Chennangi Dal Cherry Chikoos(Sapota) Chili Red Chilly Capsicum Chow Chow Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum(Loose) Cinamon(Dalchini) Cloves Cluster beans Cock Cocoa Coconut Coconut Oil Coconut Seed Coffee Colacasia Copra Coriander(Leaves) Corriander seed Cotton Cotton Seed Cow Cowpea (Lobia/Karamani) Cowpea (Lobia/Karamani) Cowpea(Veg) Cucumbar(Kheera) Cummin Seed(Jeera) Custard Apple (Sharifa) Dalda Dhaincha Drumstick Dry Chillies Dry Fodder Dry Grapes Duck Duster Beans Egg Elephant Yam (Suran) Field Pea Firewood Fish Foxtail Millet(Navane) French Beans (Frasbean) Galgal(Lemon) Garlic Ghee Gingelly Oil Ginger(Dry) Ginger(Green) Gladiolus Cut Flower Goat Gram Raw(Chholia) Gramflour Grapes Green Avare (W) Green Chilli Green Fodder Green Gram (Moong)(Whole) Green Gram Dal (Moong Dal) Green Peas Ground Nut Oil Ground Nut Seed Groundnut Groundnut (Split) Groundnut pods (raw) Guar Guar Seed(Cluster Beans Seed) Guava Gur(Jaggery) He Buffalo Hen Hippe Seed Honge seed Hybrid Cumbu Indian Beans (Seam) Indian Colza(Sarson) Isabgul (Psyllium) Jack Fruit Jaffri Jamun(Narale Hannu) Jarbara Jasmine Jowar(Sorghum) Jute Kabuli Chana(Chickpeas-White) Kacholam Kakada Kankambra Karamani Karbuja(Musk Melon) Kartali (Kantola) Khoya Kinnow Knool Khol Kodo Millet(Varagu) Kulthi(Horse Gram) Lak(Teora) Leafy Vegetable Lemon Lentil (Masur)(Whole) Lilly Lime Linseed Lint Litchi Little gourd (Kundru) Long Melon(Kakri) Lotus Lotus Sticks Lukad Mahedi Mahua Mahua Seed(Hippe seed) Maida Atta Maize Mango Mango (Raw-Ripe) Marasebu Marget Marigold(Calcutta) Marigold(loose) Mashrooms Masur Dal Mataki Methi Seeds Methi(Leaves) Millets Mint(Pudina) Moath Dal Mousambi(Sweet Lime) Mustard Mustard Oil Myrobolan(Harad) Neem Seed Niger Seed (Ramtil) Nutmeg Onion Onion Green Orange Orchid Ox Paddy(Dhan)(Basmati) Paddy(Dhan)(Common) Papaya Papaya (Raw) Patti Calcutta Peach Pear(Marasebu) Peas cod Peas Wet Peas(Dry) Pegeon Pea (Arhar Fali) Pepper garbled Pepper ungarbled Persimon(Japani Fal) Pigs Pineapple Plum Pointed gourd (Parval) Pomegranate Potato Pumpkin Raddish Ragi (Finger Millet) Raibel Rajgir Ram Rat Tail Radish (Mogari) Raya Resinwood Rice Ridge gourd(Tori) Ridgeguard(Tori) Rose(Local) Rose(Loose) Rose(Loose)) Round gourd Rubber Sabu Dan Sabu Dana Safflower Sajje Same/Savi Season Leaves Seemebadnekai Seetafal Seetapal Sesamum(Sesame,Gingelly,Til) Sesamum(Sesame,Gingelly,Til) She Buffalo She Goat Sheep Snake gourd Snakeguard Soanf Soapnut(Antawala/Retha) Soji Soyabean Spinach Sponge gourd Squash(Chappal Kadoo) Sugar Sugarcane Sunflower Sunhemp Suram Surat Beans (Papadi) Suva (Dill Seed) Suvarna Gadde Sweet Potato Sweet Pumpkin T.V. Cumbu T.V. Cumbu Tamarind Fruit Tamarind Seed Tapioca Taramira Tender Coconut Thinai (Italian Millet) Thogrikai Thondekai Tinda Tobacco Tomato Toria Tube Rose(Double) Tube Rose(Loose) Tube Rose(Single) Turmeric Turmeric (raw) Turnip Walnut Water Melon Wheat Wheat Atta White Peas White Pumpkin Wood Yam Yam (Ratalu)

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Earlier this week, Mozilla was forced to backpedal on banning new SHA-1 digital certificates because the move completely cut off some Firefox users from the encrypted Web. It appears that Google saw the problem coming.

Instead of banning all digital certificates signed with SHA-1 and issued after Jan. 1, Google plans to only "untrust" those that originate from public certificate authorities.

This decision takes into account that some companies might still use self-generated SHA-1 certificates internally on their networks, or that some antivirus programs and security devices will continue to generate such certificates when inspecting HTTPS traffic.

Man-in-the-middle HTTPS traffic interception is generally frowned upon by privacy advocates because it breaks the trust between users and servers and because, if done incorrectly, can expose users to serious attacks. However, it has some acceptable uses.

For example, some companies might install HTTPS traffic inspection devices at the network perimeter to ensure that sensitive corporate data is not leaked over encrypted traffic. Many antivirus programs also inspect HTTPS traffic locally on computers using man-in-the-middle techniques in order to detect whether malware is being served through such connections.

Such applications and systems re-encrypt the traffic between users and websites by creating new certificates for those connections using self-generated CAs (certificate authorities). The root certificates of those CAs are not trusted by default, so they need to be manually deployed on the computers and devices whose traffic is to be intercepted, so that users' browsers will trust the mock website certificates signed with them.



SHA-1, an aging hashing algorithm, is in the process of being phased out because it is theoretically vulnerable to attacks that could result in forged digital certificates and it's only a matter of time before someone gains the capability to do so.

As a result, the CA/Browser Forum, a group of certificate authorities and browser makers that sets guidelines for the issuance and use of digital certificates, decided that new SHA-1-signed certificates should not be issued after Jan. 1, 2016.

SHA-1 certificates issued before this date will continue to be trusted until at least July 1, 2016, depending on the browser, but no later than Jan. 1, 2017.

Mozilla decided to stop trusting SHA-1 certificates in Firefox that were issued after Jan. 1. At first glance this shouldn't have had much impact, because trusted public CAs are not supposed to issue new such certificates after that date.

However, the browser maker did not consider the fact that some HTTPS inspection systems and applications might continue to generate SHA-1 certificates as replacements for the real ones served by websites. Because of this it started receiving reports from users of such systems who could no longer access any HTTPS websites, even if their real certificates were signed with the more secure SHA-2 function.

Mozilla decided to lift the SHA-1 ban, at least temporarily, in Firefox 43.0.4, released Wednesday.

"The latest version of Firefox re-enables support for SHA-1 certificates to ensure that we can get updates to users behind man-in-the-middle devices, and enable us to better evaluate how many users might be affected," the company said in a blog post. "Vendors of TLS man-in-the-middle systems should be working to update their products to use newer digest algorithms."

Google also plans to ban SHA-1 certificates issued after Jan. 1, starting with the next stable version of Google Chrome -- version 48. However, the company said in blog post in December that it will only ban certificates that meet three criteria: are signed with SHA-1, are issued on or after Jan. 1 and chain back to a public CA.

"Note that sites using new SHA-1 certificates that chain to local trust anchors (rather than public CAs) will continue to work without a certificate error," the company said.

Since self-generated root CA certificates like those used by man-in-the-middle HTTPS inspection systems are not "public" CAs, their users should not be affected. This might be a solution for Mozilla too when it decide to reinstate the ban.
DO YOU have a Boulevard Aristide-Briand near you? Or do you send your child to school in a Jules-Ferry or a lycee Emile Combes? If so, you are already familiar with key names in the construction of the French Republic.

Between them, these three politicians were responsible for free state schooling, obligatory education for girls and the rock of state neutrality towards religion on which la Republique is built: the principle of laicite.

The term is very much in the news, with a new laicite charter being introduced into schools this autumn alongside classes in morale laique. Presenting the charter, Minister for Education Vincent Peillon explained: Everyone is free to have his own opinions but no one has the right to contest teaching content or miss a class in the name of religious precepts.

Public debate over the Muslim community in France pops up in the news regularly and is nearly always related in one way or another to perceived challenges to this element of the Constitution. Peillons remarks refer also to repeated evangelist pressure to alter class content, in particular regarding the theory of evolution. A recent example was the proposal to swap two Christian holidays with Jewish and Muslim ones: confusing whether France was secular or multi-religious.

Left and Right politicians often unite to initiate laws to protect laicite. Once the source of conflict with the Catholic Right over private education funding, the principle, an important element in the integration process, regularly generates ill feeling these days among extremist sectors of the Muslim community. That is why, a century after the original 1905 law, several new laws have been passed to protect it.

First, a few explanations. Laicite does not translate well. Secularity is close but confusing. Laicite is not easy to define either. It has evolved over two centuries and is evolving still. The concept was born of the Revolution, which guaranteed freedom of conscience to all and first separated State and Church.

Napoleon backtracked, signing a concordat with the Vatican in 1801 that was to poison Church-State relations during the 19th century and put laicite on the back burner for much of it. (For historical reasons, this concordat still applies in Alsace and Moselle.)

Having been suppressed by the Vichy regime (along with liberte, egalite, fraternite  without which laicite could not function), the principle was cast in the constitution of the Fourth Republic in 1946  the State is indivisible, laic, democratic and social  and remains firmly in that of todays Fifth.

To understand the concept is to go a long way towards understanding the French. Maybe it could be defined as their permanent search for a delicate balance between sharing what they all hold in common, the Republic, and catering for diversity.

It is the principle that protects both personal and collective liberty and, as such, is the responsibility of both State and citizen. The indivisibility of the State is the States refusal to recognise any religious or ethnic community. France is one. There are two major dates in the history of laicite: 1881 and 1905. In 1881-82, Minister of Education Jules Ferry decreed school to be publique, gratuite et laique  state-run, free and non-clerical.

Teaching in French to a national programme provided children, whatever their linguistic background or beliefs, with the theoretical possibility of equal opportunity.

It created a framework in which adults could bring no pressure to bear on pupils to adhere to any philosophy, religion or political idea. That remains the basis of the French educational system today.

The 1905 law, engineered by Emile Combes and Aristide Briand, enforced the neutrality of the State and State institutions through the separation of the Churches and the State. Since that date, the State recognises no religion and therefore cannot directly fund any either.

If the same law grants the individual total liberty and privacy regarding beliefs, there is one condition: they must not disturb public order.

Given the repeated trauma that religion has caused in Frances recent history  from the Wars of Religion to the expulsion of the Huguenots and the Dreyfus affair  this means no proselytising and nothing that could be remotely interpreted as such.

It also explains why, in France, religious belief is far more than a private matter. Things spiritual belong to the realm of intimacy. It is extremely unusual to see anyone wearing any conspicuous religious symbol in public. To do so is perceived as a deliberate act, a message to others.

It is unthinkable to ask someone what their religion is and most people will be frankly embarrassed by anyone saying what theirs is. When Nicolas Sarkozy publicly announced he had appointed Frances first Muslim prefect, he sent shockwaves throughout the land.

Knowing this helps in understanding intense French reaction to young girls wearing veils. It is seen not only as an unacceptable way of bringing religion into the public sphere, but also a form of peer pressure on other girls to do the same. Which takes us back to Jules Ferry and neutrality in the classroom.

This insistence on the privacy of beliefs was of course also reinforced after World War II by the fate of Frances Jews under the Vichy regime, and the obligation to publicly show their religion by wearing the yellow star. As a result of the trauma of State responsibility in their deportation and extermination, no statistics may be made regarding peoples religious beliefs, ethnic origin or colour.

All citizens are not only equal, but remain neutral in the eyes of the State.

The mosque debate

The 1905 law was finally well accepted by both Catholic and Protestant churches in France, who benefited financially when the State handed existing buildings and their costly maintenance over to local authorities. But the State cannot fund new religious buildings.

Hence the mosque-building debate and recent legislation allowing local authorities to contribute. For with generous donations from Saudi Arabia and Muslim foundations abroad pouring in, the inherent risk of encouraging fundamentalist movements to develop in France is obvious.

Under the Nicolas Sarkozy government, the training of imams in France to Republican principles was considered.

But the State cannot finance religious education either. The impasse has been paradoxically circumvented by the Catholic University offering courses, and Algerian imams due to work in France being trained in French and laicite at the government-funded Institut Francais in Algiers.

Conspicuous symbols and full-face veils

After a number of potentially inflammatory cases in which some schools were confronted with Muslim girls wearing Islamic headscarves, legislation was passed in 2004 banning the wearing of any conspicuous religious symbol or sign in state schools. Never specifically aimed at the Muslim community (kippas, large crosses and Sikh turbans fall under the same category), the new law, despite fears it would be perceived as discriminatory and arouse further reaction, had the almost immediate effect of calming the situation, though some veiled Muslim girls and turbaned Sikhs found their way to private schools.

But this legislated solely for public schools, not privately run establishments. In March of this year, Fatima Afif, an employee dismissed in 2008 from the privately run Baby Loup creche in the Yvelines for refusing to remove her headscarf, won on appeal for wrongful dismissal on the grounds of religious discrimination.

New legislation is now under consideration to cover pre-school structures and religious symbols in the workplace, none of which are currently covered by law.

When, in late July, a police officer in the town of Trappes stopped a fully veiled young women for an ID check in the middle of Ramadan, he did not know he was unleashing days of rioting. But Cassandra, 22, was not infringing any law on laicite. This time it was the one against dissimulating the face in the public sphere, put into effect by the Sarkozy government in 2011.

Introduced ostensibly as anti-terrorism legislation, many felt its real purpose was more anti-veil. In fact, the number of women in France wearing the niqab is extremely small, and the number of women fined likewise.

Laicite with an adjective

The latest solution of Frances politicians to calm the debate has been to add adjectives. Sarkozy invented laicite positive, in which the government took into account the existence of religious groups in France.

He created a representative Muslim council, through which to address the Muslim community in France. Representative of only a portion of Frances Muslims, many of whom are non-practising, it has created more problems than it has solved.

The Hollande government has coined laicite apaisee, a low-profile approach in which negotiation would replace legislation as the best way of winning over those who regard the principle with suspicion.

True laicistes believe the principle cannot survive any moderating tags. It must exist alone.

Universities oppose campus headscarf ban proposal

In early August, Le Monde published a report signed by members of the Haut Comite de lIntegration (HCI), a body no longer briefed to deal with laicite since the creation of a separate mission last April. It called for a Muslim headscarf ban in universities.

Government replies were swift but hardly in unison. Minister of the Interior Manuel Valls stated evasively that the subject needed to be considered, while Genevieve Fioraso, Minister for Higher Education, warned that we should avoid problems where there are none.

For Gerard Blanchard, president of La Rochelle University, and vice-president of the national CPU, Conference des Presidents dUniversite, laicite is not an issue on his campus or anywhere in France. We have 14% foreign students in La Rochelle, mostly from South East Asia, and we only ask women students to take off their veils in science laboratories, for safety reasons. That has never posed a problem.

The University Presidents Conference has issued a public statement against any specific university ban. For Blanchard, the over-mediatised debate that burst upon us mid-summer is without foundation. He is adamant that he has never had a complaint from a teacher. An environmentalist, he is far more concerned by pressure that could be brought on teachers to introduce non-scientific versions of the origins of the universe into the syllabus. No university teacher should ever have to submit to any pressure on the content of his teaching.

Jean-Loup Salzmann, president of the CPU, and president of Paris XIII, in the heart of Seine- Saint-Denis, one of the most multi-cultural universities in France, firmly believes in laicite, but sees no need for new laws on the campus. His main concern is elsewhere. He is angered by the incongruity of the State promoting laicite on the one hand, while financing the Catholic universities on the other.

Expressing a personal opinion, he said: The main issue for these young Muslim women, who have enough problems coping with family pressure, is to achieve independence and emancipation through their studies, whether they wear a veil or not. An anti-veil law would achieve the opposite of what we want. Many of these women would then not have access to university at all.

How the principle of laicite is applied today

NICOLAS Cadene, chairman of the Observatoire de la Laicite, a watchdog committee created last April by President Francois Hollande to report on how the principle of laicite is applied in France today, spoke to Connexion.

Can you define this difficult concept for our readers?

Laicite is a principle which allows us all to live together. It is not a ban on religion or religious practices. On the contrary, it guarantees believers and non-believers alike the freedom to express themselves, to practise or not to practise a religion as they choose, on condition that public order is not disturbed. The State adopts an attitude of total impartiality towards citizens, who are all equal in the eyes of the State.

Do the current religious bank holidays not favour one religious group?

Christian festivals have, for the majority, become traditional holidays with little religious significance. Still, the State does not want to be seen as favouring one religion over another. In 1905, there was no Muslim population. But I dont think this poses a real problem. Employees can use their RTT (recuperation of unpaid overtime in the form of days off) as they wish. The Stasi Commission (set up by President Jacques Chirac in 2003) went a long way towards identifying issues in the workplace. We shall build on that.

The conspicuous religious symbols ban was seen as directed only at women. Is that not a form of discrimination?

If people set out to present themselves in a way which is obviously a proselytising or a provocative attitude, that is not acceptable. It is not so much what people wear or their physical appearance, as the reason behind the choice. This is one of the subjects we shall be working on.

Islam has no clerical hierarchy. Isnt the laicite legislation trying to apply to individuals a law aimed at an institution? Doesnt the 1905 law need to be adapted?

Not at all. The principle enables us all to live together. But, of course, we must avoid situations in which one group feels stigmatised by the law. That is one of our major subjects of reflexion. But there is no question of adapting the principle to new circumstances. It is one of bringing people to understand that laicite is not a ban on religious practice but a system of personal freedom and helping them to adapt to the principle.

There has been talk in the press over banning the Islamic headscarf at university. [The full-face veil is already banned anywhere in public].

The State has a duty to protect minors from any form of ideological persuasion, hence the headscarf ban in schools. University is a world of adults. But the Republic has a duty to protect its citizens against the dangers of extremism. Some people attribute to laicite powers it simply does not have. There is an urgent need for strong political action, at state and local level, in order to resolve the many problems the threat of extremism has brought to certain sectors of society.

The Observatoire has published its first report, a history and background to the concept. What else has it achieved?

We helped draw up two important documents: the laicite charter and the syllabus for non-religious morality for schools. Both take effect this year. In addition, our report has pinpointed situations needing close attention in public administrations and local authorities (non-Metropolitan France included), as well as in the private sector.

How do you see your work developing?

We need a better definition of laicite that reiterates the States position of neutrality and is more clearly understood by all, in France and at an international level. We are drawing up guidelines for the application of laicite and religious practice in the workplace, and in the wake of the Baby Loup issue [see main article], for pre-school structures. We must show people how to react to situations. Overreaction is one of the major problems we face, when so much could be achieved by negotiation and taking things calmly.
Professional observers have reacted with a mixture of anger, horror, scorn, incredulity and manic laughter to the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn. His cack-handed reshuffle is not how one is supposed to go about being Leader of the Opposition, and confirms their belief that he has no chance of becoming Prime Minister.

But Corbyns unprofessionalism is for his supporters one of his virtues. To them it confirms that he has a mind above appearances. They rejoice that he is so devastatingly uninterested in the monied smartness and managerial glibness which PR types regard as essential attributes in a leading politician.

In the house of a Corbyn supporter, the kitchen has not been modernised, the food is of uneven quality and most likely washed down with herbal tea, every surface is cluttered with piles of books, papers and pamphlets, some of which would not be out of place in a museum of socialism, and the clothes look as if they have been seized at random from a charity shop, or else knitted by well-meaning volunteers without any sense of colour.

To waste time and money on fripperies would be inexcusable, when a dozen different campaigns are waiting to be run from what space can be found on the kitchen table. The point of life is not to hold dinner parties, but to change the world: a process which starts with changing the Labour Party.

Under Tony Blair, this kind of socialist felt spurned, humiliated and excluded. Under Corbyn, for the first time since 1983, everything seems possible. And who will say a preference for Corbyns style of politics over Blairs is entirely unwarranted?

Some years ago, Frank Field assembled and edited a collection, Attlees Great Contemporaries, of articles written by Clement Attlee about other politicians. In an introductory essay, Field himself wrote:

Attlee held it as a great truth that the revolution he espoused would never change the character of the British nation unless politicians led by living that kind of life themselves. The personal life of politicians was, for Attlee, the outward visible sign to voters of the deepest changes politicians wished to see operating in the wider society. The failure of the political classes to offer an Attlee-style leadership has much impoverished public life in Britain, to the regret of many voters who are thereby denied a real choice at the ballot box.

Now Corbyn is no Attlee, and Corbyns acolytes do not bear comparison with the formidable team of ministers assembled and orchestrated by Attlee in the Labour Governments of 1945-51.

But for Corbyns supporters, what matters a thousand times more is that he is no Blair. Their leaders contempt for riches, and for politicians who treat the Labour Party as a way to get rich, enchants them. Corbyn is a kind of anti-Blair, determined always to speak up for the poor (or for his idea of the poor) against the rich: a position which fortifies the already powerful tendency of him and his supporters to bask in an invincible self-righteousness.

So it is going to be quite difficult to get rid of Corbyn. For the more he diverges from the conventional way of doing things, the more wonderful he will seem to his followers.
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Top 10 countries attracting Internet porn traffic

Time spent per visit on porn site: Top 10 countries



It further states, eMarketer reports that we are now spending an average of 5.6 hours online per day, up from 5.3 in 2014. The countries with the lengthiest average visit durations also each added a few seconds their times.

The report contends that the top searches in India for the Pornhub site included Indian bhabhi, Indian actress, Indian wife, Indian college, Indian aunty, desi and Indian teen, among others. However, it notes some interesting changes over the last one year.

While the vast majority of top, gaining and relative searches here contain Indian, search terms Japanese and Indonesia both made some impressive leaps to get into the top 10 list with 14 and 47 place jumps respectively, the report says, adding, Bollywood actress Sunny Leone was the top searched porn star.

Pointing towards what adversely affects port traffic, the report says, Traffic dips by about 39% on Christmas Eve worldwide, with the biggest drops having taken place in France and Belgium. Smaller but still significant drops are noted on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.

It interestingly adds, Romanias May Day celebrations brings traffic down by 18% while the beginning of Ramadan caused traffic to come down by 15% in India. Comments the report, The world watched a lot of porn this year. In 2015 alone, we streamed 75GB of data a second, which translates to enough porn to fill the storage in around 175 million 16GB iPhones, though adding, This indicates that most people are not addicted in a way that they spend all of their time on porn, or doing little else with their time.It further states, eMarketer reports that we are now spending an average of 5.6 hours online per day, up from 5.3 in 2014. The countries with the lengthiest average visit durations also each added a few seconds their times.The report contends that the top searches in India for the Pornhub site included Indian bhabhi, Indian actress, Indian wife, Indian college, Indian aunty, desi and Indian teen, among others. However, it notes some interesting changes over the last one year.While the vast majority of top, gaining and relative searches here contain Indian, search terms Japanese and Indonesia both made some impressive leaps to get into the top 10 list with 14 and 47 place jumps respectively, the report says, adding, Bollywood actress Sunny Leone was the top searched porn star.Pointing towards what adversely affects port traffic, the report says, Traffic dips by about 39% on Christmas Eve worldwide, with the biggest drops having taken place in France and Belgium. Smaller but still significant drops are noted on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.It interestingly adds, Romanias May Day celebrations brings traffic down by 18% while the beginning of Ramadan caused traffic to come down by 15% in India. Argentina s National Day on October 12th and Day of respect for cultural diversity on May 25th each brought traffic 14% below average in the country.

Adult website Pornhub, one of the many pornographic sites, which were sought to be banned by the Government of India in August 2015 through an order of the Department of Telecom, has claimed that India has the worlds third largest population viewing pornography, next only to the United States and the United Kingdom. The Indian ban ordered the service providers to block access to 857 websites hosting pornographic content. But, as is known, the Government of India could predict the scale and level of outrage that the order unleashed, as influential sections of Indians, belonging to mainly Internet-friendly middle classes, heaped criticism and scorn on the move. The ban had to be withdrawn.In its controversial annual report for 2015, the "popular" site says , The United States remains at the top, with American visitors accounting for about 41% of our overall traffic, followed by the United Kingdom in at second place. India knocks Canada out of third place with a one rank position gain over the last year.Pointing towards the the worldwide average length for a visit to the Pornhub site, the report says, it was 9 minutes and 16 seconds, adding, Over the course of 2015, this figure extended by 4 seconds, with the average session duration now clocking in at 9:20.It adds, The countries with the lengthiest average visit durations also each added a few seconds their times. The Philippines remain in the top spot with visits lasting a leisurely 12:45 on average, which is 5 seconds longer than last year. The US added 11 seconds to their average time on site. India added over a minute to their now 9:30 average since last year, the report states.
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Music

Tuesday

University of Evansville Music Events: faculty recital featuring Helen Reed, organ, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wheeler Concert Hall (free); faculty recital featuring Anne Fiedler, piano, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19, Wheeler Concert Hall (free); faculty recital featuring Alicia Choi, violin, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26, Wheeler Concert Hall (free). Call 812-488-2754.

Friday

Friday Night Dance Club Dance: 7:30 p.m. at VFW Post 1114, 110 N. Wabash Ave. (guests are $10 per person).

Jason Aldean: 7:30 p.m. at the Ford Center, 1 SE MLK Blvd. Special guests are Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Horses ($31.75-$61.75, subject to fees). Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com.

theater

Thursday

Brian Regan: 7:30 p.m. at The Victory, 600 Main St. ($39.50, subject to fees). Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com.

jan. 17

'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat': 7 p.m. at Aiken Theatre, 715 Locust St. ($28-$58, subject to fees). Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com.

Talks & readings

Monday

Mix it Up Book Discussion: "Small Victories" by Anne Lamott. 3:30 p.m. at McCollough Branch Library, 5115 Washington Ave. Call 812-428-8236.

Wednesday

Coffee Talk Book Discussion: "Circling the Sun" by Paula McClain, noon at Red Bank Branch Library, 120 S. Red Bank Road. Call 812-428-8205.

Extras

Sunday

Wedding & Prom Showcase: presented by the Evansville Courier & Press, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall at the Old National Events Plaza, 715 Locust St. Admission is $5 per person at the door for ages 13 and older and free for ages 12 and younger. Visit courierpressexpos.com/wedding-prom-showcase/.

Monday

Jewelry Making: Earrings, 3:30 p.m. at Red Bank Branch Library, 120 S. Red Bank Road. Call 812-428-8205.

Tuesday

Coloring for Adults and Teens: 3 p.m. in the Popular Materials Center at Central Library, 200 SE MLK Blvd. Call 812-428-8246.

Intro to iPad: 6 p.m. at North Park Branch Library, 960 Koehler Drive. To register, call 812-428-8238.

Music Video Dance Lesson: 6 p.m. at Oaklyn Branch Library, 3001 Oaklyn Drive. Call 812-428-8234.

Wednesday

Grown Up Gaming: ages 18 and older, 3 p.m. at McCollough Branch Library, 5115 Washington Ave. Call 812-428-8236.

Film Movement Club: "Apaches" (France), 6 p.m. in Browning Event Room B at Central Library, 200 SE MLK Blvd. (free). Discussion will follow.

Thursday

Coloring for Adults and Teens: 10 a.m. in the Popular Materials Center at Central Library, 200 SE MLK Blvd. Call 812-428-8246.

Personal e-Reader and Tablet Assistance: 2 p.m. at Red Bank Branch Library, 120 S. Red Bank Road. To register, call 812-428-8205.

Chair Yoga for Seniors: 4 p.m. at Oaklyn Branch Library, 3001 Oaklyn Drive. Call 812-428-8234.

Slow Cooker Cooking: Get recipes and tips on how to use your slow cooker, 6:30 p.m. in the Large Group Room at Central Library, 200 SE MLK Blvd. Call 812-428-8246.

Harlem Globetrotters: 7 p.m. at the Ford Center, 1 SE MLK Blvd. ($20-$77, subject to fees). Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com.

Friday

Knitting Rescue: 1 p.m. at McCollough Branch Library, 5115 Washington Ave. Call 812-428-8236.

Saturday

Classic Film Saturdays: "No Time for Sergeants" (1958), 9:30 a.m. at North Park Branch Library, 960 Koehler Drive. Call 812-428-8237.

Intro to Meditation: 2 p.m. at North Park Branch Library, 960 Koehler Drive. Call 812-428-8237.

Family

Friday

Hats Off to Friday: Make a hat in the Children's Area, 3-5 p.m. at Oaklyn Branch Library, 3001 Oaklyn Drive. Call 812-428-8234.

Saturday

Family Movie Saturday: "Frozen," 2 p.m. at Red Bank Branch Library, 120 S. Red Bank Road. Call 812-428-8205.

Galleries, Museums

Sunday

Central Library: 200 SE MLK Blvd., second floor, "Skylar Black: Photography," through Jan. 31.

Oaklyn Branch Library: 3001 Oaklyn Drive, "Lydia Fulp: Embroidery," through Jan. 31.

North Park Branch Library: 960 Koehler Drive, "John Stratton: Nature Photography," through Jan. 31.

Scholle House: New Harmony, "Painter of the Indiana Dunes: The Art of Frank V. Dudley," through December. Call 812-682-3702.

McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries: Lower level of the Liberal Arts Center on the University of Southern Indiana campus, "Jennifer Niswonger: Gray Area, The 2015 Efroymson Bridge Year Fellowship Exhibit," through Jan. 17. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 812-228-5006.

Monday

University of Evansville's Melvin Peterson Gallery: 1935 Lincoln Ave., "The Art of Amy Musia: An Inspired Journey," through Jan. 30. Musia will give a public lecture followed by a reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Call 207-650-6073.

Thursday

Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville: 22 SE Fifth St., Story Time Spot, 10:30 a.m. Thursday; Military Appreciation Day on Jan. 18; Celebrate the message of Martin Luther King Jr., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 18; Art Lessons, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 19-23; Story Time Spot, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 21; Robotic Arm, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 26-30; S.T.E.A.M. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 30. Call 812-464-2663 or visit cmoekids.org.
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By Megan Erbacher of the Courier and Press

Starting Feb. 16, parents can enroll children in full-day kindergarten for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.'s 2016-17 school year.

To enroll, kids must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1. Parents or legal guardians must go to the school to enroll their child. A legal birth certificate is needed for enrollment. Hospital certificates cannot be used.

The EVSC has 21 schools that offer kindergarten. The school district a child attends is based on where a student and parent live. Call any elementary school or the district's administration building at 812-435-8453 to find out what school district is in your neighborhood.

Once a child is enrolled, schools will give parents a packet of information. Each school will also host orientation meetings April 5.

Parents can print enrollment forms at evscschools.com/schools to fill out before visiting the school. The paperwork includes contact information, address and health history.

EVSC schools that offer kindergarten are:

Caze, 2013 S. Green River Road, 477-5567

Cedar Hall, 2100 N. Fulton Ave., 435-8223

Cynthia Heights, 7225 Big Cynthiana Road, 435-8740

Daniel Wertz, 1701 S. Red Bank Road, 435-8312

Delaware, 700 N. Garvin St., 435-8227

Dexter, 917 S. Dexter Ave., 476-1321

Evans, 2727 N. Evans Ave., 435-8330

Fairlawn, 2021 S. Alvord Blvd., 476-4997

Glenwood, 901 Sweetser Ave., 435-8242

Harper, 21 S. Alvord Blvd., 476-1308

Hebron, 4400 Bellemeade Ave., 477-8915

Highland, 6701 Darmstadt Road, 867-6401

Lincoln, 635 Lincoln Ave., 435-8235

Lodge, 2000 Lodge Ave., 477-5319

Oak Hill, 7700 Oak Hill Road, 867-6426

Scott, 14940 Old State Road, 867-2427

Stockwell, 2501 N. Stockwell Road, 477-5345

Stringtown, 4720 Stringtown Road, 435-8320

Tekoppel, 111 N. Tekoppel Ave., 435-8333

Vogel, 1500 Oak Hill Road, 477-6109

West Terrace, 8000 West Terrace Drive, 435-8733
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By Jessie Higgins of the Courier and Press

Footage from Michael Flemming's Facebook page

Six months after a local man accused a man of assault while riding in his father's patrol car, authorities have yet to file charges or close the case.

Brock Underwood, 21, was accused in June of attempting to break the phone of a resident who was filming an arrest at a Southside gas station. A video, taken by Michael Flemming, shows Underwood reaching into Flemming's car and grabbing the phone, then cuts out.

Underwood's father, Officer Bryan Underwood, was the only officer to witness the altercation, Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin said.

Brock Underwood was not charged at the scene, and police started investigating the incident after Flemming filed a compliant weeks later.

The Courier & Press requested to see Officer Underwood's bodycam footage of the altercation, which may show what happened between the officer, his son and Flemming in the moments after the cellphone video cuts out. Evansville police refused to release the footage, citing an active criminal investigation against Underwood. The footage will remain part of that active investigation until either charges are filed against Underwood, or his case is dismissed.

The case is currently in the hands of a "special prosecutor" from Daviess County, who took over the case in October. The Daviess County prosecutor did not return calls for comment.
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By Zach Evans of the Courier and Press

Hiring, firing and promotions.

That's the main role  and only defined role  of the three-member Evansville Police Merit Commission.

The citizen's board has overseen those personnel issues for the Evansville Police Department for nearly 60 years.

The merit board was the focal point of last week's City Council meeting, during which the council chose a new appointment to the board over the other applicant, Rev. Adrian Brooks.

Brooks had held his post on the merit board since 1999. His most recent term expired Dec. 31, 2015.

Filling the City Council's appointment on the board is Brandon Scott. Scott is a 32-year-old marketing professional who moved to the city in 2013.

City Council President Missy Mosby said the council wanted a "new, fresh face for a new council."

Mosby also took issue with Brooks' public stances on events involving the police, including an incident involving two white police officers stopping a black city firefighter in 2013.

The merit board is comprised of three members  one appointed by City Council, one by the mayor and one by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Scott was appointed to a three year term.

He joins retired police officer Mike Cook and attorney John Hegeman. The police department appointed Cook. His term expires at the end of 2017. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke appointed Hegeman. His term expires at the end of this year.

The first Police Merit Commission meeting of 2016 is Monday.

HIRING, FIRING, PROMOTIONS

The Police Merit Commission creates and oversees the rules of hiring, removing, disciplining and promotions of all police officers in the Evansville Police Department.

There are only two exceptions: the chief and the assistant chief. The mayor has discretion over those posts.

The board works with the Evansville Police Department's personnel unit for the hiring and promotional process.

The board oversees the biannual promotional process, most of which are based on test results and years of rank held.

Whenever a citizen has a complaint about an officer, the department's internal affairs reviews it. Only when discipline is taken, i.e. suspension, termination, reprimand, does the merit board come into play.

The board can take the chain-of-command's recommendation, typically coming from the chief or assistant chief, and either affirm the discipline, throw it out or lessen the severity of the punishment.

An officer can appeal a merit board ruling. In that case, the appeal is like a court hearing, with evidence and testimony, but it's still the three person board that decides the final ruling.

The three members also decide what applicants end up wearing a police badge.

The once-a-year hiring process can take up to six months, not including a year as a probationary officer.

There are five preliminary parts to the application process, all of which were established through the merit commission: physical test, written exam, police interview, written exercise and an interview with the merit board commissioners.

The interview with the merit board is only worth ten percent of the candidate's overall score.

The board also issues merit awards, which include the medal of valor, gold, silver and bronze awards, a certificate of commendation and a serious injury award.

The defining parts of the merit board were laid out 60 years ago, when local politicians fought over the department overhaul.

HISTORY OF THE POLICE MERIT COMMISSION

The Evansville Police Merit Commission was created by state law passed in 1957. The system largely was as it is now: appointees by the mayor, city council and police department that would oversee personnel issues for city police.

All three had to be citizens and could not be current law enforcement officers.

It wasn't an easy change. The merit board system overhauled a political patronage system that was a part of the police department and local government for nearly a century.

According to newspaper reports at the time, the mayor and the high ranking members of the department fought the law, going so far as challenging it in court. The Fraternal Order of Police, however, supported the measure since it protected their positions.

The merit board was designed to do away with the old system of politics, in which promotions and positions where given because of who you knew, were related to or voted for.

It also established that officers wouldn't lose their rank when a new administration came to power. Local Republican Ronald R. Shively  father of local judge Les Shively  sponsored the bill.

According to the Evansville Police Department's "Unabridged History," the first five officers hired under the merit system in 1958 included Frank Gulledge and Clarence Shepard, who eventually became Vanderburgh County Sheriff.

In 1958, there were 190 sworn-in police officers. There are 280 in 2016.

The system was updated, though, kept wholly intact, by city code in 1982 as directed by the state Legislature, which was cleaning up the myriad merit bills from different cities.
Communications minister Mitch Fifield has revealed how telcos can apply for part of the $128.4 million grant set aside for data implementation costs.

The Australian parliament voted in favour of laws requiring telcos to store the metadata of Australian customers for two years in March last year.

The government announced in May that it would establish the $131 million fund to compensate telcos for the cost of retaining customers data. CRN understands the $3 million difference will be used to cover administration costs of the three-year scheme.

Laws came into effect in October, despite the majority of providers still upgrading their infrastructure to store metadata.

Australias three biggest telcos, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, all the missed the deadline and applied for applications to extend their exemption.

Telcos will be scored out of 100 for eligibility for the grants, based on number of services offered, number of subscribers on their books, annual revenue and anticipated extra data storage needed to meet data retention obligations.

However, smaller telcos will be given an advantage when applying for the grant. Providers with an annual turnover of less than $3 million will automatically earn the first 25 points, handed out on a sliding scale according to size.

Analysis of the pitches will be shown to the implementation working group comprised of senior government stakeholders, senior executives from Telstra and Optus and chief executive of the Communications Alliance.

Applications are open until 23 February, with the full process expected to take three years.

Successful applications will receive half of their grants up front and the other half after their reporting obligations are met.

According to the scheme guideline, telcos will only have one opportunity to pitch their case for funding and will not be able to appeal the governments decision if knocked back.

Funding decisions are final and there is no opportunity for review of decision, states the guideline.

Note that funding allocations will not be linked to actual cost but to typical implementation cost, and do not reimburse full costs but are a financial contribution to the typical up-front costs of compliance.

Members of the telecommunications industry have described the fund as grossly inadequate, including iiNet, which estimated its cost of storage infrasctructure to reach up to $100 million.

The governments own advisors estimated the cost of implementing mandatory data retention could reach as much as $319.1 million, less than half of what the government has allocated.
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The competition to land General Electrics headquarters, with Connecticuts hopes appearing to wane in recent weeks, is often framed in terms of taxes. Connecticut, by many measures, is a high-cost state for businesses, and GE is supposedly looking for relief.

But the nature of GEs Fairfield headquarters  along with details about its preferred landing spots  raise the possibility that costs may only play one role, and that the company leaning toward the kind of centralized, walkable communities that are in fashion now and away from an isolated, suburban office park like its current space.

Its a trend thats happening not just in Connecticut or even the U.S., but worldwide, said Christopher Jones, vice president for research at the Regional Plan Association, a tri-state advocacy organization. Its all about global businesses looking for places that have a highly educated workforce, an environment rich with amenities and being close to similar types of businesses and the network of activities that support them.

By most accounts, the competition is down to Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. GE was said to be interested in Atlanta, but removed that city from the running late last year.

The common thread in the locations GE has said to be eyeing is something Connecticut, for all its positive attributes, cannot offer  a big-city experience.

Cities are becoming the place where a larger number of companies and industries want to be, Jones said.

The contenders

Before it was eliminated, Atlanta pitched to GE the idea of a 30-story headquarters building in the citys Buckhead neighborhood, but GE officials ruled out the possibility in order to stay in the Northeast.

Another major contender is Boston, which is selling GE on its Seaport District. Should GE choose Boston, it would move into one of that citys fastest-growing neighborhoods that has become known for turning industrial buildings into apartments and restaurants.

The final major contender is New York, where GE made its home for most of the 20th century before moving to Fairfield in 1974. The company maintains offices at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

When GEs search began last year, Westchester County officials offered a number of office parks that would provide GE with settings similar to its current home. Relocating just across the state line would have allowed executives who live in Connecticut to work at the new headquarters without having to move. But according to a number of reports, GE isnt interested in the suburbs, and if it moves to the Empire State, it has its eye on Manhattan.

All of that leaves Connecticut, which has cities of its own but nothing to match New York or Boston, in a bind. With many of its potential offerings for corporate headquarters far removed from downtowns, trends are working against the state.

One thing that has become clear is that owners of suburban office parks are going to be scrambling to find ways to remain competitive, said Sandy Paul, managing director for national market research for Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, a multinational real estate service firm headquartered in New York City.

Toward obsolescence

Paul is an author of a recently released NGKF report that found about 20 percent of suburban office space nationwide is in some stage of obsolescence, defined as lacking amenities or characteristics that allow the property to be competitive. Thats equivalent to about 1 billion square feet in the nations 50 largest metropolitan areas.

Obsolescence springs from changes in technology, according to the report, as well as from worker preferences. If office environments cant offer amenities, including access to food and fitness centers, as well as parking and transit access, potential employees will be less interested in working there. Some of those factors can be fixed with improvements, but its often not enough, Paul said.

Its rarely enough to just put in basic food service, he said. People are seeking a variety of amenities, and people need walkable access to those things, or it puts you at a significant disadvantage.

The trend fits into larger patterns of younger workers showing interest in dense, walkable communities that offer conveniences suburbs cant offer, the report says.

Access is also key, either by mass transit or highway, as well as parking, said Bethany Schneider, senior research analyst at NGKF. The factors that contribute to location and amenities are really the most important, and weve seen urban environments being favored, she said.

GEs headquarters, on 68 acres off the Merritt Parkway, offers good highway access with a number of amenities, including a hotel, TV studio and helipad. But whatever benefits the campus boasts do not fully offset its isolation and lack of access to mass transit.

Looking elsewhere

The search for a new headquarters began last year around the passage of a new state budget that increased taxes on businesses. GE was not alone in expressing its dismay, with Boehringer Ingelheim, Aetna and others criticizing the states business climate.

Only GE has gone so far as to publicly seek a new home, leading to speculation that Connecticuts high costs had finally proved too much. But as many analysts and legislators pointed out, GEs state tax bill has been minuscule, and New York and Massachusetts are right up with Connecticut on lists of highest-cost states for businesses.

Indications in recent weeks have led some observers to believe cost is only one factor. In a Fox Business column published last week, unnamed GE insiders said the company was unimpressed with Connecticuts pledge to match whatever financial proposal another state was offering, saying the decision was more complicated than that.

In November, speaking in Stamford as he received a business leadership award, GE CEO Jeff Immelt said the company is not looking for incentives.

Were a company that ... doesnt look for special deals, but we need an ecosystem thats forward-looking, thats future-looking, Immelt said. Thats why were looking not just here but other places for where the eventual headquarters of the company will be. We will always have a big presence in Connecticut, but we think the power of an ecosystem is important.

The comments could be an indication that the Fairfield home into which the company moved 42 years ago, at the height of anti-city trends, does not mesh with the companys vision for the future. And if GE is a leader in a back-to-the-city trend, it could have wide implications.

You never know when a particular move is going to really capture peoples attention, but this one is big enough that it does have that potential, said Jones, of the RPA.

How Connecticut competes

The move toward cities comes from many factors, Jones said, including reduced crime, improved housing stock and generational preferences, such as waiting longer to get married, buy a house and have children. People who are now in their 20s and 30s are renting longer than their parents did and driving less, and theyre much more inclined to move to a city and to stay there longer, he said.

And though most development patterns are based on driving, trends are moving there, as well, he said. Theres not the same type of love affair with the car there was 20 or 30 years ago, he said. You still have a majority of people who would like a single-family home and want a car, but a larger percentage of people are living in a place where they dont have to drive as much.

While there is no megalopolis in Connecticut to compete with those in neighboring states, there are ways to remain competitive, Jones said, especially as New York and Boston price people out.

The big thing that could change is if it becomes so expensive to live in New York City, that can shift where people live, as well, he said. High rents in New York give an advantage to smaller cities, some of which, including Stamford, have already done well attracting companies with their access to transit and urban environments.

Thats why a New Haven or a Bridgeport has some potential, because there you have a cost advantage, he said.

You have the transit access, and many of the institutions that you might be looking for already in place, he said. If you can address the issue of public safety, both real and perceived, and create the type of street environment where people want to come and work, these are definitely places that have potential.
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For the last two years and up until his tragic death on Dec. 20, Glen Nelson, owner of the Matrix Corporate Center in Danbury, had been working on a major redevelopment plan for the giant property.

Nelson, who founded and led the Long Island-based real estate investment firm The Matrix Group, has left behind a team that is moving forward with his vision for the building, the largest Class A office structure in the region with 1.2 million square feet, while also looking to consolidate its operations in the Northeast. The group is currently in negotiations to buy a commercial property in Stamford.

Glen had a lot of holdings, but the Matrix Corporate Center is a building that was always something special to him, said Aaron Smiles, the companys head of commercial leasing. He used to call it the mother ship.

The complex, which sits on more than 5,000 concrete pillars, was built by Union Carbide in 1982 as its world headquarters. It was designed by famed architect Kevin Roche and students from Harvard and other schools continue to visit the site and study his work. Nelson, who died from injuries sustained after crashing his car into a utility pole near his home in Port Jefferson, N.Y., acquired the building in 2009.

The plans to overhaul the Matrix center, which has attracted such top tier tenants as General Motors and financial services firm NewOak, comes as giant commercial buildings become harder to fully lease amid corporate downsizing and the rise of technology that allows more employees to work remotely.

Its an issue thats being faced by office properties throughout the nation, said Todd Poole, founder and president of 4Ward Planning, a New York City-based real estate and socioeconomic consultancy that is involved in the Matrix project. Because of the changing dynamics in the industry and technological advances, companies just dont need as much space as they used to. The result is a lot more office space on the market that wont get filled.

Mike Brown, director of commercial real estate services for Matrix Group, said the company is looking to cut in half the commercial space available for lease on the property, while adding features including an expanded conference and banquet center, upgraded amenities, a boutique-style extended-stay facility for visiting executives and a residential housing component that will likely include senior-living units.

Our goal is really to build a community within a community where people can work, live and play, Brown said. It was also very important to us that it was complementary to our existing operations as well as the neighboring residential and commercial areas.

Brown said one of the buildings shortcomings is a lack of a grand entrance that provides an identity for the structure and its tenants  one of the reasons that Praxair, one of the centers largest tenants with more than 200,000 square feet, is looking to move out of the center into a standalone facility.

The company also hopes to create public spaces on the grounds including hiking trails, as well as retail space for amenities such as a fitness center and restaurants. Today, visitors must stop at a security checkpoint before admission onto the property.

The Matrix Corporate Center is one of the most prestigious office parks in the Greater Danbury region and beyond, said Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce. Its also an important property when it comes to the economic development of the region.

The complex, he said, has to adapt, and he applauded the management team for its efforts to change with the times.

Its that kind of innovation thats made Danbury so successful over the years, Bull said.

Brown said a succession plan created by Nelson prior to his death is being put into place. What has operated as an entrepreneurial enterprise will transition to a more corporate structure. To that end, a board of directors with high powered members chosen by Nelson before he died will be announced soon, Brown said.

The Matrix Group also has commercial and residential holdings including Centennial Corporate Center, in South Carolina, and the Matrix Tower, a 23-floor structure in downtown Dayton, Ohio.

We are looking to acquire other properties in both Connecticut and Westchester, Brown said, adding that a plan for the Matrix redevelopment should be submitted in the coming weeks with the citys land use department.

dperrefort@newstimes.com
Has General Electric found a new home?

GE hasn't made a final decision yet, but according to WCVB, the company which is headquartered in Fairfield, has narrowed down its choices to Boston or New York.

When asked about the potential move, Boston's mayor told WCVB, "Really can't, really can't talk about any particulars here. Boston is a great city, it's a wonderful city. I think anybody would love our city and what we have to offer."

According to the report, tax credits and property tax relief are under discussion.

Read more of WCVB's report
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The last major television show set unabashedly in Westport was Martha Stewart Living whose namesake doyenne trumpeted her lifestyle in town as she dispensed home tips, prior to pleading guilty to insider trading and moving to New York.

With Westport as the backdrop, it is insider tips that tell the tale of the towns newest treatment on the small screen  and the early chatter suggests no shortage of insiders will be tuning in, whether in the local area or the financial industry itself.

On Jan. 17, Showtime debuts a new series called Billions chronicling a fictional Westport hedge fund dubbed Axe Capital and efforts by a federal prosecutor in Manhattan to probe evidence of insider trading that points an arrow straight at the company.

With financial crimes and misdemeanors an ongoing fascination for Hollywood, from Oliver Stones Wall Street in 1987 through Martin Scorseses The Wolf of Wall Street in 2013, plus The Big Short that wowed critics in December, Showtime now takes the plot device to bucolic Fairfield County, home to the worlds third-largest concentration of hedge funds including Bridgewater Associates, the single biggest fund in the world, based in Westport.

A subscription-based service that is a subsidiary of CBS (NYSE: CBS), Showtime Networks is offering a TV-14-rated version of the pilot episode for free on its website and as a download from iTunes, with the network production carrying the mature audience only tag that warns of nudity and graphic language and visuals.

From a standard-issue Department of Justice office in Manhattan, the show takes just six minutes to shift to Axe Capitals posh offices in Westport. From there it sets up various plot lines involving characters that orbit the leads played by Emmy winners Paul Giamatti and Damain Lewis, with Giamatti taking the role of the fictional federal prosecutor Chuck Rhoades and Lewis playing hedge fund honcho Bobby Axe Axelrod.

In Fairfield County, whose onetime Redding resident Alfred Winslow Jones (1900-1989) is credited with creating the first modern hedge fund and by extension the industry, the show is generating no shortage of interest, including for Stan Twardy Jr., a former U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut who is now managing partner in the Stamford law office of Day Pitney.

In general, my experience is that these types of programs are entertaining and make it easier for lawyers (and) prosecutors to tell people what they do, and make for great cocktail party conversation, Twardy said in an email to Hearst. (But) they arent accurate because real life is more nuanced than the screen versions.

Still, the experts are tuning in, according to Adweek, with Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS) screening the pilot and holding a panel discussion with two of the shows writers that it is webcasting to other offices. On the CBS Morning News on Wednesday, Lewis said that he met hedge fund partners to prepare for the role, with the shows creators getting time with Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Norb Vonnegut, a Narragansett, R.I.-based author who penned the 2011 novel The Gods of Greenwich, said it is not difficult to get anecdotes about the local hedge fund industry. He researched his own book in part by hanging out at the Greenwich waterfront restaurant LEscale and getting an earful from bartenders there. A few tidbits he picked up were a local hedge fund who kept the trading floor precisely at 66 degrees Fahrenheit on the belief that it is the temperature at which creative thought fires at their best; and a male hedge fund trader under an estrogen regime hoping it would make him a better trader.

And good screenwriters can explain the intricacies of high finance effectively  among Vonneguts favorite examples is a scene from The Big Short in which a character succinctly explains a complicated debt instrument while sipping Champagne during a bath.

What will keep people watching Billions is the backstories of the characters, Vonnegut said, noting the success of shows like Breaking Bad in turning stereotypes on their heads by portraying the human side of protagonists.

Ive always felt people in the financial industry are wonderful fodder for movies and TV, Vonnegut said. If you look at cop shows, if you look at legal shows, military shows, doctors  any of those things  they are usually just background for telling a variety of different stories about characters.

The series is getting positive advance word-of-mouth, with Variety critic Maureen Ryan calling it funny and shamelessly entertaining, and the Hollywood Reporter maintaining Mad Men alumna Maggie Siff steals the show with her portrayal of a woman caught between Rhoades and Axelrod.

The first 12-episode run of the series has been filmed in New York City with some scenes suggesting suburban shoots. Billions was created and written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien whose screenwriting credits include Oceans Thirteen and Rounders, as well as Andrew Ross Sorkin, whose book on the Wall Street crisis Too Big To Fail got the film treatment by HBO, with Giamatti playing then-Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Billions arrives on the heels of a succession of high-profile probes of Fairfield County hedge funds for insider trading, from the 2010 probe of Arthur Sambergs Pequot Capital to the $1.8 billion settlement agreement by Steve Cohens SAC Capital in 2014. Following a highly publicized appeals court ruling in October 2015 forcing prosecutors to show a clear profit for insider tipsters, the U.S. Department of Justice dropped multiple cases including one against a former SAC trader.

To put it succinctly, the possibilities are endless for Showtimes storytellers.

Outside a 50-mile radius of Greenwich, hedge funds are a four-letter word, Vonnegut said. I cant wait to see it.
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Connecticut hospitals have taken the first step toward a legal battle with the state over a tax they assert is unconstitutional and has cost them tens of millions of dollars in recent years.

The Connecticut Hospital Association and 24 hospitals, including Danbury, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich, have filed documents with the state departments of revenue and social services claiming the hospital tax violates state and federal laws, as well as the state and federal constitutions.

The filings request that the two agencies issue declaratory rulings that the tax is invalid and unenforceable.

Our goal is fairly simple, said Stephen Frayne, senior vice president of health policy at the Connecticut Hospital Association. Wed prefer to be taking care of patients rather than have to fight this out in the court system, but we are left with no choice because were being taxed into oblivion.

The States hospital tax is preventing us from doing the work we know our community expects and deserves, wrote Dr. John Murphy, the president and CEO of the Western Connecticut Health Network, in a statement. We have no choice but to fight for what we know is right.

The state began collecting the hospital tax in 2012, intending to redistribute the proceeds to the hospitals as a way of drawing down matching federal grants. That year the hospitals paid about $350 million in taxes, Frayne said, and received about $400 million in state and federal funds.

But when the state began experiencing severe budget pressures, it started returning less and less to the hospitals. This year, hospitals are projected to owe $556.1 million in taxes but are slated to receive only the $164.3 million provided in Decembers budget deal.

The state agencies have 60 days to respond to the two filings, which were dated Nov. 30. If they uphold the tax, the way is open for the association and the hospitals to file suit.

Hospital and CHA officials say they hope not to take that step. But if they do so, they wont be the first in the region; their counterparts in New Hampshire fought a similar fight and were able to force a settlement that restored the flow of revenue to the hospitals.

The New Hampshire hospital tax had been collected for decades, with the money being returned to hospitals to help care for uninsured patients.

In 2011, ten of the states largest hospitals, including Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, filed a federal suit against the state over the way the money was being redistributed. Some hospitals were getting nothing at all.

It was an untenable situation that endangered our ability to provide care for our patients, said Frank McDougall Jr., vice president of government relations at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. We gathered as a group and talked about this and saw no other alternative than to bring the federal suit.

Separately, a rehabilitation hospital and three acute-care medical hospitals sued the state, claiming the tax was illegal because it didnt apply to other health care providers offering similar services.

In both cases, state judges ruled that the tax was unconstitutional.

In 2014, the state reached a settlement with 25 hospitals. Under the agreement, larger hospitals will get about half what they pay for uncompensated care over the next two two-year budget cycles, and smaller hospitals about 75 percent, in exchange for dropping the lawsuits. The state also agreed to put all money raised from the tax in a trust fund for use only to support Medicaid.

The years of discord and disagreement between the state and hospitals seems to be in the past.

We feel like weve made tremendous strides in those relationships, said Steve Ahnen, president of the New Hampshire Hospital Association.

But Ahnen said the work isnt over.

Ensuring that this agreement stays in place is absolutely essential, he said. When the the legislature was considering the current two-year budget, there was an attempt to undo the settlement, to pull some money away. We had to fight quickly to make sure that didnt happen.

In Connecticut, feuding over the hospital tax has intensified in recent months.

In September, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy slashed the state budget, cutting the $255.9 million originally budgeted for hospitals to $64 million. In response, the Connecticut Hospital Association started an aggressive multimedia online campaign to reverse the cuts.

The governor countered by shaming health care executives over their multi-million-dollar salaries and the hospitals supposedly high profit margins.

In response to the Nov. 30 filing, Department of Social Services spokesman David Dearborn cited figures suggesting that state hospitals had more than $900 million in profits last year  although the CHA disputes those figures as grossly misleading.

Dearborn also contended that Medicaid payments to hospitals have increased over the last decade, and that hospitals are seeing fewer patients without coverage because of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

Even in an industry that made $916 million last year alone - and one in which there is exorbitant CEO pay - the hospital association is asking Connecticut taxpayers to foot more of the bill, said Dearborn in a statement.

Perhaps signaling where the dispute is heading, the CHA has hired the New Hampshire law firm involved in the hospital cases against that state to advise it in its proceedings against Connecticut.

We had hoped common sense would prevail in resolving this matter, but the process has taken too long and yielded too little, said Danbury CEO Murphy. After several years of refusing to consider our appeals, negotiations and proposed solutions, the Governor has forced us to pursue legal action to repeal a tax that is unfortunate, unfair and unconscionable.
A move toward smart guns  guns that could be fired by only the owner  should be a no-brainer.

Guns that respond only to the rightful owner would prevent a toddler from picking up a gun and accidentally shooting it. If a police officer lost hold of a gun in a scuffle, a criminal could not fire it. If a gun is stolen, it could not be fired, thus removing an impetus for theft.

This technology is, literally, within our grasp.

Smart guns work by matching the owners fingerprints or grip or through radio frequency identification, such as proximity to a watch, wristband or app.

The technology has been around for more than a decade, but received needed attention when President Obama pledged to advance research and work with the private sector to update firearms technology as part of his executive actions announced Tuesday to reduce gun violence.

If a child cant open a bottle of aspirin, we should make sure that they cant pull a trigger on a gun, Obama said. Put that way, it is foolhardy to argue against the technology. In 2013 alone, 30 children younger than 5 of age died in gun accidents, accidents that possibly could have been prevented.

But the dialogue over firearms has gotten so polarized that even common sense measures  like smart guns  are rejected by some on the far side of individual gun rights.

In 2014 the owner of a gun shop in Maryland was threatened with violence when he announced he would be selling a German-made smart .22 caliber pistol. Smith & Wesson, which received $3 million in federal Department of Justice grants from 2000 to 2004 to develop smart guns for law enforcement, finished prototypes but had to layoff 15 percent of its staff after boycotts from gun buyers.

The fear was that eventually smart guns would be the only type that anyone could buy, a perceived infringement on rights, and a concern that older weapons would have to be retrofitted.

While we recognize these concerns, there are times in society when protections are implemented for the greater good. For example, every car now has seat belts, unheard of four decades ago, and drivers can get ticketed if not using the personal safety devices.

Trigger locks are available for guns; smart gun technology is just a reasonable advancement. Even gun advocates didnt stick with the musket.

Let us turn around the semantics from gun rights versus gun control and frame the issue as gun safety. Can we not agree that safer guns are better for all?

The technology is there. The presidents initiative can ensure it is reliable, and available. A starting point would be for federal and local law enforcement agencies, throughout the country, to acquire smart guns as older weapons are replaced. That demand in itself could prompt gun manufacturers to produce this next generation of guns.

Smart phones can be accessed only through the owners passcode or newer ones with a thumbprint; it is time we give that same basic level of protection to lethal weapons.
HARTFORD - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has secured good seats for President Barrack Obamas final State of Nation address on Tuesday - the first ladys guest box.

Malloy has been invited to the speech by First Lady Michelle Obama to join her in the special seating area. The individuals invited represent the progress made since the Obama first delivered the annual speech seven years ago, the White House said in a release.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will be a guest of first lady Michelle Obama for Tuesdays State of the Union address, further linking his legacy to President Barack Obamas progressive efforts on gun control.

Malloys upcoming cameo at Obamas speech to Congress  where there will be an empty chair for victims of gun violence  will be his second visit to Washington, D.C., in a week.

Obama enlisted Malloy for a Jan. 5 ceremony in the East Room of the White House to tout the presidents executive action on gun safety measures, including expanding background checks for firearms sold on the Internet and at gun shows.

But their alliance, which was forged by the killing of 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in 2012, transcends the tide of gun violence.

It has frequently brought the president and Malloy, the current head of the Democratic Governors Association, together to promote progressive initiatives such as raising the minimum wage, criminal justice reform and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act insurance exchanges.

Its truly an honor. I want to thank the president and the first lady for this once-in-a-lifetime invitation, Malloy said. Were doing big things in Connecticut. Weve passed the smartest gun law in the nation, and weve helped drive a national conversation to help prevent gun violence. The president is taking action on this important issue just as we have in Connecticut. It is common sense to keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldnt have them.

The Connecticut contrast

Republicans painted Malloy as the gallivanting governor who they say, like Obama, has trampled on the rights of gun owners. They cited a December executive order by Malloy prohibiting gun sales to individuals on the federal no-fly terrorist watch list.

They are two peas in a pod, said state Sen. Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury.

Obamas prime-time address to the nation will mark the crescendo of a weeklong rollout of presidential mandates on firearms access, additional law enforcement resources and funding for mental health care.

At the twilight of his presidency, Obama is expected to use the stage to contrast the inaction by the Republican-controlled Congress on gun control with the actions of states such as Connecticut after the bloodshed in Newtown.

(Malloy) has a connection to that calamity in ways that other governors wouldnt, said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Larry Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Of all the horrible shootings that weve had, Sandy Hook was the worst one because children were targeted.

Connecticuts gun legislation package expanded the definition of illegal assault weapons, banned gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition and mandated universal background checks for firearms and ammunition.

Mental health funding

Mark Barden, who lost his son, Daniel, in the Newtown massacre, is also returning to Washington for the speech. The co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise, a grass-roots gun control group, Barden introduced Obama last week at the White House. This time, hell be the guest of Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., whom he thanked for the honor.

I know that (Malloy) and the president are aligned to the commitment of addressing gun violence in this country and making us safer, Barden said.

Barden said Obamas blueprint calls for a $500 million investment in mental health care, which he termed as a critical component of identifying and helping troubled individuals before violence happens.

I think its becoming a focal point of the legacy of (Obamas) administration, Barden said.

Sharing progressive ideals

The bond between Obama and Malloy is well established, with a string of joint appearances inside and outside Connecticut.

Last September, Malloy greeted Pope Francis at the White House at Obamas invitation. Then in July, Obama recognized Malloy during NAACPs national convention in Philadelphia for a Second Chance Society initiative that reduces the penalty for personal drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor and eliminates mandatory jail time for offenders. The policy shift mirrors similar reforms in other blue and red states, which are focusing limited law enforcement resources on violent crimes as they seek to address prison overcrowding.

During Malloys 2014 re-election campaign, both the president and first lady stumped for the governor in Bridgeport and New Haven. In March 2014, Obama hailed Malloy for his efforts to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 by 2017 during a New Britain rally to raise awareness on the issue.

Republicans say that Malloy should spend more time focusing on Connecticuts fragile economy than making rounds on the political circuit, including campaigning for Hillary Clinton in Iowa and New Hampshire.

It seems to me that the governors got other things on his mind, and thats a challenge for us, McLachlan said. Obamas approval ratings are abysmal. Malloys approval ratings are abysmal. So theyre on the same page.

Political experts, such as Kondik, say that Obama could be trying to send a message to other Democratic governors by rewarding Malloy.

The message could be If you want to be my ally too, why dont you act like Malloy? Kondik said.
HARTFORD  After years of delay, a trial that could finally determine whether public school children are being shortchanged by the state  to the tune of millions annually  starts on Tuesday.

Brought by a broad-based group of parents, school leaders and municipal leaders more than a decade ago, the suit charges that the state is failing to meet its constitutional obligation to adequately and equitably fund Connecticuts public schools.

The trial, Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding Inc. v. M. Jodi Rell, will start Tuesday in Hartford Superior Court before Judge Thomas Moukawsher. It could go on until May.

Front and center in the complaint are the Bridgeport and Danbury School districts, even though a good number of the students from those districts originally named in the case have graduated.

Danbury Schools Superintendent Salvatore V. Pascarella is set to be in the first group of witnesses, testifying about the needs of his district and the lack of resources available to meet the needs of Danburys 10,912 students.

In Bridgeport, chronic underfunding led to a state takeover of the school board four years ago that was later deemed to be illegal. And this fiscal year, the Bridgeport school district is facing more than $5 million in red ink.

More Information A brief CCJEF Timeline On November 22, 2005, the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding (CCJEF) filed suit in Hartford Superior Court against the state's education funding system. In 2007, a Superior Court granted the state's motion to dismiss several of the plaintiffs' claims, concluding that there is no "constitutional right to 'suitable' educational opportunities." The plaintiffs appealed to the state Supreme Court, which in March 2010 affirmed the state's constitutional obligation and sent the case back to the lower court. After several other delays, the case was to start in January 2015 but was put off again after email surfaced from the coalition that suggested an effort was being made to hide and destroy evidence in the case. The case is finally on the docket, set to start at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Hartford Superior court. See More Collapse

The coalition maintains the state is underfunding the district by more than $40 million annually. Last fall, Bridgeports Interim School Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz underwent a daylong deposition in preparation for the trial. She described it as grueling.

It is so blatant that the funding is not equitable, Rabinowitz said at the time.

Large numbers of Connecticut students are not being provided with the resources needed to become college and career ready, particularly students in low-wealth and high-poverty districts, court papers filed last week by coalition said. The level and type of educational resources necessary to provide adequate and substantially equal educational opportunities is dependent on the needs of students.

The aim of the suit is to declare the states school funding system unconstitutional and order the creation of one that is constitutional.

Just recently, the judge in the case ruled that the coalition can present evidence about how well children coming into kindergarten are prepared by having access to preschool.

The Connecticut Attorney Generals office, meanwhile, maintains that it can show the state is meeting its constitutional responsibilities.

While we wholeheartedly share the goals of continuing to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all Connecticut children, it is our statutory obligation to ensure that the state and its taxpayers are fully and fairly defended in this case, said Jaclyn M. Falkowski, a spokesman for Attorney General George Jepsen.

The coalition argues that a dramatic increase in taxpayer funding  to the tune, potentially, of over $2 billion in state education spending each year  is necessary to meet a constitutional guarantee of adequate, free public elementary and secondary schools, Falkowski pointed out.

Pretrial documents submitted by the state point to Connecticut public schools as among the best-funded in the United States.

In these circumstances, the law is best interpreted to leave these important educational funding determinations to the citizens elected local and state representatives, where they can be debated and decided in the normal democratic process, and not turned over to the courts for resolution, Falkowski said.

This is far from the first time the states school funding formula has been on trial. In 1977, the Horton v. Meskill case found the state method of funding public education primarily through local property taxes to be unconstitutional. That led to the creation of a state school funding formula.

Nearly two decades later, funding was also an issue in the Sheff v. ONeill case that argued that minority students stuck in the Hartford school system were not getting a minimally adequate education.
Contributed / Contributed

St. Vincent's MultiSpecialty Group is collaborating with Catholic Charities to provide expanded behavioral health services to greater Bridgeport. This collaboration expands the outpatient behavioral programming by providing all levels of outpatient services in one location. St. Vincents is the third largest provider of inpatient behavioral health services in Connecticut.

I am delighted to welcome the Catholic Charities staff to the St. Vincent's family. Together we are providing a full continuum of care to our community members with great skill, compassion, and reverence, announced Peggy Hardy, vice president, behavioral health, St. Vincent's MultiSpecialty Group, in a news release.
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BRIDGEPORT  The 6-inch curved dagger in the plastic bag was passed from security guard to security guard on the floor of the Fairchild Wheeler campus black box theater.

Most had never seen anything like it and were surprised to learn its a religious symbol called a kirpan that people of the Sikh faith carry on a regular basis. It is considered a symbol of social justice.
Double murder trial day 4: A star witness for the prosecution backed out in the courtroom

The prosecution case in chief has to change its line up of witnesses when one decides not to take the stand when called to do so Tuesday morning.
As countless people clamour for a recipe they think might bag them a mate, others are starting to wonder: do we need to worry if our partner leaves the house with cookware?

by Samantha Selinger-Morris
Former Shadow Defence Minister Kevan Jones (pictured) claims he had no choice but to resign from the Labour front bench

We are told Jeremy Corbyn is all about straight talking and honest politics. There was precious little of either in last weeks Shadow Cabinet reshuffle.

To call it amateur and shambolic would be generous. But worse than that, the appointment of a unilateralist Shadow Defence Secretary leaves Labour open to the charge that we are weak on defence and not serious about our nations security.

Having lost the electorates trust on the economy, we are in danger of going the same way on defence.

It is why I had no choice but to resign from the Labour front bench after eight years, serving first as a Defence Minister in the last Labour Government and then as a Shadow Defence Spokesman.

In the 1980s, our weakness on defence helped condemn us to defeat after defeat at the polls. The result was 18 years of Tory rule that ripped the heart out of communities like the one I represent in the North East.

Sadly, events of this last week risk taking us straight back to that disastrous situation.

I believe it is imperative to maintain a minimum credible independent nuclear deterrent while working to advance global nuclear disarmament. If ever there was a stark reminder that this is the only sensible policy, reports of North Korea testing hydrogen bombs was surely it. In a dangerous world, the UK cannot afford to let its guard down.

Mr Corbyn may believe that installing unilateralist Emily Thornberry as Shadow Defence Secretary in place of the pro-Trident Maria Eagle solves his problem on the issue, moving us nearer to scrapping the whole thing. It doesnt.

Whether he likes it or not, the partys policy remains as it was before the Election: to procure a successor class of Vanguard submarines. Large numbers in the trade union movement are firmly behind the jobs that Trident renewal would bring.

Simply dismissing their views with ill-thought-out proposals for alternative jobs not only fails to understand what they do but accepts that, as a party, we are willing to condemn highly skilled, well-paid trade union members to a grim future.

Over half the Shadow Cabinet and a huge chunk of Labour MPs also back renewing Trident.

Any attempt by Corbyn to whip Labour MPs to vote against Trident would simply create more divisions and do nothing to further the cause of getting a Labour Government elected.

It is highly regrettable that Maria Eagle was moved before she even could launch our defence policy review.

At one meeting I attended with Maria and Jeremy before Christmas, she raised the issue of Trident only to be told that could be discussed at a later date. For Maria, that date never came.

Mr Corbyn may believe that installing unilateralist Emily Thornberry as Shadow Defence Secretary in place of the pro-Trident Maria Eagle solves his problem on the issue, moving us nearer to scrapping the whole thing. It doesnt

Sadly, there is now talk of the leadership riding roughshod over our established policy-making process, with Mr Corbyns allies such as John McDonnell threatening to bypass the National Policy Forum and Conference. If Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had dared advocate such an approach they would have been howled down as undemocratic by those very people now advocating it.

It is vital that Labour gets its policy on Trident right and ensures any decision is grounded in facts, and that all views are considered, not just those of the leader and few other MPs representing a select part of North London.

Any review which fails to listen to the trade unions will not be worth the paper it is written on.

If Jeremy finds a way of engineering a party policy of scrapping Trident, he must give his MPs a free vote.

Any attempt to whip them into reneging on their principles would simply incite a damaging rebellion and split the parliamentary party.

If this new honest politics means anything, it means accepting that Labour MPs elected in their own right are not simply cannon fodder for the leader who ignores their views when he doesnt agree with them.
Apprentice star and Muslim businesswoman Saira Khan was shocked that the liberal response to the attacks in Cologne was to not address that the attackers were African and Arab men

When the news broke about these assaults, I was shocked and dismayed that the liberal response of officials in Germany and of broadcasters here was not to address the elephant in the room: that they were all carried out by African and Arab men who were either migrants or asylum seekers.

Not addressing this profound clash of cultures only promises to make things worse.

Having grown up in an Asian Muslim household and community in Britain, I can recognise the symptoms all too clearly. Along with my female Asian friends, I saw Asian men get away with murder, while as girls, we were strictly controlled  what we said, who we said it to, where we went, what we wore, who we married. As women, our conduct, behaviour and reputation all had a bearing on the familys honour  and to dishonour the family could mean death.

The Asian culture I grew up in was misogynistic  and it still is.

My husband and I have travelled and worked in North Africa, Pakistan and the Middle East, and the common experience is that as a woman, I am not allowed to walk alone and have to follow a strict code of dress (covering up arms, legs and body) when out in public.

In 2007, I was asked by the BBC to travel to Pakistan and make a documentary. One particular shoot was to take place on the day when the Prophet Mohammeds birthday was celebrated. My all-male British team were nervous because thousands of Pakistani men were to gather in a square and I was to report from the crowd.

I was determined to do the piece and naively I thought: Nothing will happen to me, its a spiritual day. I was dressed in the native shalwaar kameez  long baggy trousers and a tunic to cover my body. I wore a scarf around my head to show respect. All that was visible were my hands and face. With much persuasion, my director David allowed me to walk by myself near a crowd of men.

I realised within five minutes what an idiot I had been  I was the only woman in this crowd. I was spotted and within minutes a group of men had circled me and hands were all over me while bodies pressed up against mine. I was rescued by our burly fixer who carried me out.

I was shaking and shocked  and I was angry at myself for being so naive after everything I had grown up with.

Having grown up in an Asian Muslim household and community in Britain, Ms Khan can recognise the symptoms all too clearly. Pictured, groups of young men gather in front of the main railway station in Cologne on New Year's Eve - when over 100 women have reported they were sexually assaulted or robbed

Here in the West, we need to stop burying our heads in the sand and accept that Asian, Arab and African men grow up in societies where misogyny is the cultural norm, argues Ms Khan. Pictured, firecrackers being set off outside Cologne's central station on New Year's Eve

Understanding how African and Asian men view and treat women in their own countries is crucial when dealing with the migrant crisis  because only when we understand their cultural practices can we help them to integrate. They need to understand that women are deemed equal to men in Western societies.

Here in the West, we need to stop burying our heads in the sand and accept that Asian, Arab and African men grow up in societies where misogyny is the cultural norm. We need to talk about it so we can change it.

Ignoring it, like the BBC did, is just condoning it. If we are allowing people to come in, we must also make sure that we are not blinded by some truths which are hard to swallow.
The scene: Liam Fox MPs New Year party last week at the Carlton Club. The time: Late-ish. The chat everyone wanted to overhear: A dapper George Osborne talking to Boris Johnson, shirt buttons cheerfully adrift.

Your columnist, watching the body language of the two pretenders to the Tory crown, noticed it was Boris who kept moving towards George, gesticulating as they discussed EU strategy.

The Chancellor, in contrast, kept his arms clasped firmly behind his back, in the manner of Prince Charles. The scene reflected the current balance of power between two of the most competitive, if sociable, men in British politics.

Osborne, as a former aide to Tony Blair put it to me this week, is the man with the plan to get the Tories re-elected and himself into No 10.

But Boris has that raffish man-child charm sorely missing from the rest of politics. And although he is often accused of being slippery and prone to untruths, he is also capable of disarming directness that other Ministers dare not attempt.

The fates of George Osborne (left) and Boris Johnson (right) will be decided in part by the way the forthcoming EU referendum is conducted and how divided the Conservative Party is afterwards

When I asked how he thought he would fare in a leadership contest against George, he replied: Theres only going to be one winner in that one  and pointed angelically at himself.

The fates of Osborne and Johnson will be decided in part by the way the forthcoming EU referendum is conducted and how divided the Conservative Party is afterwards.

It was no accident that both men showed up for a party thrown by the most prominent backbencher in the campaign for Britain to leave the EU.

Boris is, I understand, worried about the risks to Britains main trading relationships if that were to happen. As London mayor, he sees the advantages of remaining institutionally connected to other major European capitals. But sceptical Tory MPs have been surprised by how much Johnson, recently regarded as an inner, also worries about the wider consequences of a stay vote.

He joked to friends that it would embolden outright Europhiles such as Roland Rudd, once Boriss fellow debating star in the Oxford Union, now a PR guru and pro-European campaigner, who, Boris mischievously suggested, might even use an in vote as an excuse to re-start talks about taking Britain into the Eurozone.

That brings us to Osbornes Achilles heel. The Chancellor is hardly an EU enthusiast, but has had to nail his colours to the in cause.

He has worked hard to become friendly with Wolfgang Schauble, the tough, wheelchair-bound German finance minister. The intention is to formulate a deal to insulate the UK from turmoil in the Eurozone.

Lets not forget that leadership contests are battles of character as well as positions. Osborne, while privately more jovial, has embraced the caricature of himself as what one fellow Minister calls, the thin white Duke of Doom. This week, he warned that a cocktail of global threats means we need to stay watchful.

That is true. But it also locks him in the public mind as a constant bearer of bad news. What a contrast with genial Boris! Amid the Tories New Year revels, the duel between The Doomster and The Joker is already under way.

Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for seat of Hampstead and Kilburn, Tulip Siddiq

Tulips catfight may bloom into a full-on feud

A potential feud is simmering between two of our most striking female MPs: Tory Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing and Labours Hampstead and Kilburn MP, Tulip Siddiq.

Laing, as we know, told off a heavily pregnant Siddiq on Wednesday for leaving the Chamber straight after speaking during a debate. (Convention demands MPs hear speeches that follow their own.)

Matters wont rest there. Although the precise words are disputed, one senior Tory ally says that Laings reported charge that Siddiq was bringing down all womankind and using pregnancy as an excuse for wilting, was clearly meant as hyperbole.

A fellow MP adds that Laing was back in the chamber a few days after giving birth in 2001 in the midst of a troubled marriage  so has earned her feminist spurs.

The timing is unfortunate, since David Cameron is trying to emphasise the Tories female-friendly credentials. And the tearoom chatterers are wondering whether the run-in will impede Laings campaign to replace the unloved John Bercow as main Speaker.

Her best asset is the fact that she has friends in high places. Only hours after the incident, Theresa May greeted her warmly at a party thrown by Liam Fox.


Every educated and intelligent person glories in the freedom of women in Western societies to exercise their talents to the full, and their freedom to walk safely in the streets of our great cities.

So what are the enlightened minds of the Left to do when news comes of revolting assaults on women in front of Cologne Cathedral, one of the jewels of European Christian culture in one of Germany's proudest cities? And how are they to react when growing evidence suggests that at least some of the culprits are newly arrived migrants from the Muslim world?

With mumbled embarrassment and nasty jibes against those who have long opposed uncontrolled mass migration, that's how.

Police drive back right-wing demonstrators with a water cannon in Cologne in the wake of the sexual assaults around Cologne's main station on New Year's Eve

As an illustration, I had a radio clash with the Guardian writer Gaby Hinsliff on Friday after she admitted that 'liberals like me are reluctant to talk about it'. While rightly chiding her own side, she couldn't resist dismissing opponents of mass migration as dinosaurs and their views as 'frothing rage'. Here is the news, Ms Hinsliff. Those who for many years warned against non-selective mass immigration (and were dismissed as bigoted dinosaurs by people like her) were concerned about just this sort of problem.

If migrants from other cultures arrive too fast and in numbers too great for society to absorb and integrate them, they begin to impose those cultures on the host country. Germany is witnessing this now, and so are we.

The louder our governments shout about their dedication to fighting Islamist extremism, the readier they are to Islamise our own society. The sheer size of the Muslim population compels them to do so.

Police used water cannon and pepper spray in an attempt to disperse some of the more aggressive protester

That is why exams in England are to be moved to accommodate Muslim pupils taking part in the Ramadan fast. And it is why the Mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, reacted to the first reports of women being molested in her city by advising them: 'It is always possible to keep a certain distance that is longer than an arm's length.'

Of course she has now been mocked so much that she has backtracked. But the point is that it was her first instinct, and what she really felt.

Radical multicultural types will in the end destroy the things they claim to like, because they don't understand that liberty and reasonable equality are features of stable, free, conservative societies based on Christian ideas, which guard their borders and are proud of their civilisation.

The people who really want to defend our enlightened society, in the end, are dinosaurs like me.

Where's the fury about these beheadings?

I have endured endless pious lectures about the wickedness of Vladimir Putin and Syria's President Assad from supporters of the Government's wild and ignorant foreign policy.

So how startling it was to see the same people mute themselves when Saudi Arabia, now seemingly Britain's closest ally, beheaded 47 people on one day.

Some of these victims were no doubt real criminals, though the expression 'Saudi justice system' is a grim and bloodstained joke, so we cannot be sure of the guilt of the condemned. But some were political dissenters.

Yet a government that squawks mightily over every Islamic State death video was strangely measured over these very similar events, which incidentally menace the peace of the Middle East.

I took a careful look at Government statements. They all had the same odd, weak theme. We condemn the death penalty, whoever carries it out.

David Cameron said: 'We condemn and do not support the death penalty in any circumstances and that includes Saudi Arabia.'

The Foreign Office said: 'The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country.'

So, as far as Mr Cameron and the Foreign Office are concerned, the beheading of a political opponent after a jury-less, unfair trial in a country with no free press is just the same as the execution in Texas of a bloody murderer convicted after due process by an independent jury of free men and women under the scrutiny of a free press. And we condemn them both equally. And that's all we're going to say. Now, would you like to buy some aeroplanes?

Well, they don't speak for me. I'd much rather hang convicted heinous killers than bomb foreign countries (there's less chance of killing innocent people).

I have used the word 'feeble' so many times to describe this Government that the poor thing is quite exhausted and I have had to send it on holiday.

Dave and the invisible Tory disaster

Both our big political parties are badly divided, but somehow or other David Cameron's splitting pains get much less attention than Jeremy Corbyn's.

For instance, a BBC News programme last week arranged for some Blairite nobody to resign from his non-job, live on air. This event, plainly aimed at damaging Mr Corbyn, hardly fits in with the Corporation's duty to be impartial.

The fact that most Labour MPs can't stand Mr Corbyn isn't news. Next they'll be revealing to us that Ted Heath couldn't abide Margaret Thatcher. We know.

The fact that most Labour MPs can't stand Mr Corbyn isn't news. Next they'll be revealing to us that Ted Heath couldn't abide Margaret Thatcher

Mr Cameron is an EU-loving, pro-immigration, anti-grammar-school, politically correct social and economic liberal

What seemed like a century of speculation on whether Dave Who had been sacked to make way for Fred Whatsit wasn't really justified. But of course the BBC isn't impartial and its idea of what is news is tinged with pink. It's crammed with shameless Leftists from cellar to chimney. So if the BBC is actively helping the Tories, which it does these days, then that must mean the Tories are now the main party of the Left.

And that's Mr Cameron's problem. He's an EU-loving, pro-immigration, anti-grammar-school, politically correct social and economic liberal.

His MPs are mostly the same, though they do a bit of pseudo-conservative braying at elections. But his voters and his remaining party members are patriotic real conservatives. He hoped to bandage this rupture by promising the EU referendum. But now he has actually been forced to keep this promise, it isn't helping much.

If he does let Ministers campaign on both sides, it will quickly be clear that hardly any of the Tory top brass, and not many of the bottom brass, genuinely want to leave the EU. They don't mind criticising it a bit, but they won't quit, and they won't fight to do so.
January has always been a time for people to wallow in self-pity, and now thousands of people have taken this a step further by sharing the saddest facts they've ever heard online.

More than 2,500 people responded to the thread on social networking site Reddit, sharing their most depressing snippets of knowledge - including depressed cows, lonely whales and disheartened rescue dogs who struggled with the 9/11 atrocities.

Michellereno asked 'What is the saddest fact you know?' and received more than 2,500 miserable responses in just 24 hours.

Over 2,500 people responded on Reddit , sharing tales of woe relating to humans and the animal world

Michellereno asked Reddit users: 'What is the saddest fact you know?' and was met with 2,500 answers

NotSoGreatGonzo pondered the futility of growing old with your soulmate, when you will both inevitably die

NotSoGreatGonazo lamented: 'If you're really lucky, you meet the right person, and then you live together until one of you dies. And that is considered to be the best case scenario.'

He wasn't alone in taking a philosophical approach. Fred1840 added: 'There will be a moment in history when you will be thought of for the last time ever.'

Zapichago wrote: 'The 80 richest people in the world own as much as the poorest 3.6 billion people.'

The statistic was taken from an Oxfam analysis released in January 2015 which revealed the extent of wealth disparity around the world.

RamsesThePigeon added: In 2012, one of the most-requested Christmas gifts (by children in the United Kingdom) was "A father."

Ramsesthepigeon wrote: 'The Mars Rover celebrates its own birthday by singing "Happy Birthday" to itself'

A survey by Westfield London in 2012 suggested that 'a dad' was the tenth most popular Christmas request

Much-loved child star Judith Barsi was tragically murdered by her father in July 1988 aged 10

A BBC investigation suggested that UK soldiers and veterans' suicide rates outstripped Afghan deaths, while last year it was reported that war was the leading cause of death in the military between 2004 and 2011

A user wrote: 'If you're really lucky, you meet the right person, and then you live together until one of you dies'

It is likely he was referring to a survey by Westfield Stratford and Westfield London in 2012 which showed that 'a dad' was the tenth most popular Christmas gift requested among young shoppers.

The same user also wrote: 'The Mars Rover celebrates its own birthday by singing "Happy Birthday" to itself.'

In August 2013, it was confirmed that the Curiosity Rover was programmed to sing the song on the appropriate date while alone on the Red Planet.

Some users cited heartbreaking facts they'd learnt about the animal kingdom. Mixtapeshuffle wrote: 'Whales that sing in the wrong key get lost and are alone in the ocean.'

A documentary which began in 2015 focused on a '52-hertz whale' who calls at an unusual frequency and has been nicknamed 'the world's loneliest whale'.

A documentary which began this year focused on a '52-hertz whale' who calls at an unusual frequency and has been nicknamed 'the world's loneliest whale'

A 2011 study by a student at Northampton University showed that cows become distressed, with increased heart rates and cortisol levels, when separated from their 'friends'

After the World Trade Center attacks in 2011, reports emerged that the dogs were so disheartened at findin only human remains, some workers 'buried' themselves in the rubbles o the dogs could find someone alive

Studies suggest that three-toed sloths can move no faster than 13ft per minute when in immediate danger

One user felt sorry for cows, who become distressed when they are separated from their 'friends'

Unkyrona said: 'Cows have best friends. So when the friend is gone the cow becomes depressed.'

A 2011 study by a student at Northampton University showed that the mammals become distressed, with increased heart rates and cortisol levels, when separated from their 'friends'.

Lukepa wrote: 'The rescue dogs at the world trade center were so depressed by the lack of victims rescued that they would plant "victims" for the dogs to find to try to cheer them up.'

After the World Trade Center attacks in 2011, reports emerged that the dogs were so disheartened at finding only human remains, some workers 'buried' themselves in the rubble so the dogs could find someone alive.

Munninnu wrote: 'Answering a distress call from her baby, a mother sloth was seen to sprint a 13 foot per minute.' Studies suggest that three-toed sloths can move no faster than 13ft per minute when in immediate danger.

In August 2013, it was revealed that the Curiosity Rover sang Happy Birthday to itself while on Mars

An Oxfam analysis released in January 2015 revealed that just 80 people hold the same amount of wealth as the worlds 3.6 billion poorest people

One user wrote: 'One day when you were little, your parents put you down and never picked you up again'

Yossarian wrote: 'One day when you were little, your parents put you down and never picked you up again'

Fred1840 wrote: 'There will be a moment in history when you will be thought of for the last time ever'

SoundsBearier wrote: 'Judith Barsi, who voiced Ducky in The Land Before Time, was murdered by her own father several months before the movie was released.

'The details of the story are more heartbreaking than the synopsis I've just given you. :-( Read about it, then listen to If We Hold On Together and just try to keep yourself from falling to pieces.'

The child star Judith Barsi was killed by her alcoholic father Jozsef Barsi in July 1988 aged ten. She was shot in the head while she slept and afterwards he also murdered her mother.

An anonymous user wrote: 'You're more likely to shoot yourself in the military than you are to get shot. :('

A BBC Panorama investigation suggested that UK soldiers and veterans' suicide rates outstripped Afghan deaths, while last year an American journal reported that war was the leading cause of death in the military almost every year between 2004 and 2011.
In late 2014, the heir to a billion-dollar dollar pokies fortune Peter Ainsworth made headlines after leaving his partner Alice McClure shortly after the birth of their young daughter.

Ms McClure went to the media and appeared on A Current Affair accusing Mr Ainsworth - the 31-year-old grandson of Aristocrat Gaming founder Len Ainsworth - of prioritising time and holidays with his new girlfriend Alysha Bishop, over his daughter.

And since first meeting Mr Ainsworth, it seems Ms Bishop has developed a passion for luxury and glamorous international travel of her own.

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A charmed life: Alysha Bishop, 26, has lived a life of luxury since meeting poker machine heir Peter Ainsworth

Life of luxury: The pair have been pictured in countless exotic and romantic locations together

Broken relationship: Mr Ainsworth left his former partner Alice McClure (right) shortly after the birth of their young daughter

#Holidayforlife: For the past year, the 26-year-old make up artist and former cocktail waitress at nightclub Bada Bing, has travelled non-stop to 16 of the most beautiful and tropical locations around the world

For the past year, the 26-year-old make up artist and former cocktail waitress at nightclub Bada Bing, has travelled non-stop to some of the most beautiful and tropical locations around the world - from the Philippines and Fiji to Brazil and Venezuela. It is not suggested that Bishop worked in any other capacity or role at the Bada Bing nightclub other than as a cocktail waitress.

Having travelled to 16 countries and counting, Ms Bishop shares her adventures and glitzy lifestyle on her Instagram account under the name Beachsnobb, and plans to keep travelling until mid-January.

'Life should be one big holiday,' Ms Bishop's Instagram tagline reads.

The bronzed brunette's adventures have so far included flights on private planes, luxury hotels, high-end restaurants and trips to picturesque private islands in South America and off the coast of Tonga.

Love is in the air: Ms Bishop shares her adventures and glitzy lifestyle on her Instagram account under the name Beachsnobb

#Mylover: 'Life should be one big holiday,' Ms Bishop's Instagram tagline reads

Living the dream: The bronzed brunette's adventures have so far included flights on private planes, luxe hotels, high-end restaurants and trips to picturesque private islands

Though it is not known if the couple are still together, Ms Bishop shared many adoring and carefree pictures of herself and Mr Ainsworth around the world until July.

The pair were pictured in various idyllic snaps - from health retreats and private kayaking trips in the Philippines to sailing together on a catamaran in Boracay Island shortly after Mr Ainsworth and his former partner split up.

'First time ever sailing - Thank god I had pete there who knew what he was doing,' a smitten Ms Bishop wrote in late 2013.

'Travel bug': Ms Bishop recently shared a picture of herself in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Five star treatment: Ms Bishop often shares impressive shots of herself wining and dining at beautiful restaurants

#Peoplewhodofunthings: Ms Bishop's Instagram is full of bikini-clad snaps of herself in South America

Not long after, Ms Bishop shared a picture of herself and Mr Ainsworth in a helicopter, referring to him as '#mylover' as they embarked on a tour over the coral reef in Fiji.

'We landed on a tropical island all to ourselves,' Ms Bishop wrote next to a video of the pair in Tonga, after sharing a photo of Mr Ainsworth on the island where she revealed they would be staying for 12 days by themselves.

In the months that followed, Ms Bishop shared snaps of her glamorous five star rooms, stunning dinners and countless bikini and snorkelling shots in crystal clear waters.

To accompany her photos, Ms Bishop used recurring hashtags like #holidayforlife, #followthesun, #heavenonearth and #fivestardining to sum up her experiences.

Paradise: Ms Bishop appeared to have an entire island to herself when in Los Roques, Venezuela

Adventuring: Though it is not known if the couple is still together, Ms Bishop shared many adoring and carefree pictures of herself and Mr Ainsworth around the world until July

'Couples that train together...': The last picture Ms Bishop shared of herself and Mr Ainsworth was at a gym in Brazil

The most recent snap of the pair was in Brazil, where Ms Bishop took a photo of them training together with the caption 'they say couples who train together stay together'.

Mr Ainsworth's luxurious lifestyle frustrated his former partner Ms McClure, who accused him of living a carefree life while she struggled to afford rent and bring up their child.

'I'm not after his money. I just want him to spend time with his beautiful girl. To see [our daughter]. That's all. Come and spend some time with her,' Ms McClure told A Current Affair in October, 2014, adding that the couple never returned her offer to join them on Father's Day.

Picturesque: Mr Ainsworth's luxurious lifestyle frustrated his former partner Ms McClure, who accused him of living a carefree life while she struggled to afford rent and bring up their child

Carefree: Ms Bishop is currently in Guatemala (right) and will return to Sydney in mid-January

Perfection: To accompany her photos, Ms Bishop used recurring hashtags like #holidayforlife, #followthesun, #heavenonearth and #fivestardining to sum up her experiences

Success: Ms Bishop has her own make up business - Alysha Maree Make up

But Ms McClure has since moved on and is living a happy and comfortable life.

According to her Instagram account, Ms Bishop is currently in Guatemala and will return to Sydney in mid-January where she will continue work with her business, Alysha Maree Make up.
Anne Dixon sat in the back seat of an unfamiliar car, watching as her husband cradled the lifeless body of her 11-month-old daughter. Overcome with grief and shock, she gazed at Elizabeths tiny face, her still frame wrapped in her pink flannelette sheet.

In what appeared to be a simple act of compassion, albeit a highly unusual one, Dr Michael Tettenborn  the doctor in charge of Elizabeths care  was driving the grieving mother, her husband and their dead baby home.

Also in the car was the nurse, Joyce Aburime, who they held responsible for their daughters tragic death. It was only later, after the shock of their loss had subsided, that Anne and Graeme Dixon realised how bizarrely inappropriate this journey home had been.

Anne Dixon holding Elizabeth when she was about four months old in Great Ormond Street Hospital. Elizabeth was pronounced dead after a nurse with no experience failed to notice the blockage in her tracheostomy tube that helped her breathe. Anne battled health authorities for 14-years and it was only recently that an investigation was ordered by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt

Earlier that morning, profoundly disabled Elizabeth was rushed to the A&E department at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey after the tracheostomy tube that helped her breathe had become fatally blocked and Elizabeth was suffocating.

As would later emerge, an agency nurse with no experience had been looking after Elizabeth but failed to notice the blockage in the tube. To Anne and Graemes utter devastation, their daughter was pronounced dead.

But if the loss of Elizabeth was heartbreakingly needless, what followed was disturbing  lies, incompetence or official obfuscation at every stage of Anne and Graemes 14-year battle to find the truth of what really happened to their baby.

The insults never seemed to stop. When Anne persisted in her pursuit of the truth, health authorities referred her for psychiatric treatment as having unreasonable concerns. She later uncovered police notes that disgracefully referred to her as The Mental.

Only now, nearly a decade and a half after a tragedy that has come to dominate their life, has there been some semblance of justice.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has ordered an investigation and to show how seriously the authorities are treating it, the Governments inspections body, the Care Quality Commission, has said it will hold a review into community care provided to infants with special breathing needs and newborns with high blood pressure.

It is a story that should concern all of us, not just because the NHS is increasingly dependent on agency workers, but because of the refusal of those in authority to face the truth about the biggest personal disaster any parent can suffer.

As Graeme puts it: The way Elizabeth was treated, and the way weve been treated since her death, has all but destroyed us.

Elizabeth was a much-wanted first child for Anne, now 52, and Graeme, 57, an electrical engineer. Their home in Church Crookham, Hampshire, is full of treasured family photographs. Elizabeths nursery remains the same; a drugs schedule is still pinned to a cupboard door.

There were problems from the outset. Elizabeth was delivered two months prematurely at Frimley Park Hospital in December 2000. Graeme and Anne were concerned from the outset as pregnancy scans had revealed an unidentified abdominal mass. Even though she became 'floppy' at four days old, doctors insisted she was healthy.

Anne knew something was wrong, yet her concerns were dismissed by the health professionals. I could see that other babies were moving and crying, she says, but I was told I shouldnt be looking at other babies and just focus on mine.

Joyce Aburime (pictured), former agency nurse, who the Dixons held responsible for their daughters tragic death was looking after Elizabeth on the night she died. Aburime cared for Elizabeth for the first time she noted Elizabeth was breathless and wheezy at 4am, but claimed she had later recovered. The couple knew that recovery was not possible without changing the tube and the tube had not been changed. Their daughter had suffered a slow, torturous death while Aburime failed to act

Anne was referred to a psychiatrist after raising concerns about Elizabeths behaviour. She was recorded as an overanxious mother and prescribed antidepressants. Because I was raising concerns about my child they decided I had the problem  it was utterly bizarre.

But she was right to be concerned. At two weeks old Elizabeth was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in Central London and at three weeks old was diagnosed with a non-fatal form of neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. She remained there for 10 months and had a tracheostomy tube inserted in her neck to help her breathing.

At six months old, the hospital agreed that Elizabeth was profoundly disabled. Despite their fears, Elizabeth was discharged in October 2001 to Naomi House, a childrens hospice near Winchester.

Anne says: It was like freedom. I could hold her, eat with her, bath her without people taking control. I could be a mother for the first time.

The North & Mid Hampshire health authority agreed Elizabeth would go home with a comprehensive care package in November 2001. A community team was assembled, in which Dr Tettenborn was the medical officer in charge, with nurses provided by a company called Prime Care.

The couple say they were assured they would have specially recruited nurses trained in paediatrics and tracheostomy care. But during a meeting at the hospice with two nurses and a Prime Care manager, Anne was alarmed by their apparent lack of experience.

She says a third nurse she met later admitted she was doing a shift as a favour. Anne says: They were joking about their lack of experience. I also watched another nurse, Joyce Aburime, doing a crossword rather than pay attention at a training talk.

Worried about her daughter, Anne complained to all the agencies involved. It was only in 2010 that Anne saw an email written to Dr Tettenborn from the lead community nurse saying this agency doesnt appear as good as we were led to believe and asked if care could be switched to another organisation. This damning document was part of a bundle of evidence the NHS finally handed over to the Dixons after years of campaigning.

When Elizabeth returned home from the hospice, Anne and Graeme became even more concerned. The couple, who had learnt how to change the breathing tube while their daughter was at Great Ormond Street, were concerned that Aburime would not be safe to care for their daughter.

When they voiced fears, Prime Care manager Paul Collins told them: Shes one of our best nurses, with years of ENT [ear, nose and throat] and tracheostomy experience. Three years later, after complaining to the Nursing And Midwifery Council, the Dixons learned this wasnt true and Aburime was struck off.

On the night Aburime cared for Elizabeth for the first time, Anne and Graeme woke at 7am to a scene of horror: Aburime was standing at their bedroom door, holding Elizabeths body in her arms, screaming: Oh my God, Lizzie. Oh my God.

Anne says: I took her, placed her on oxygen and prepared to suction her. But I couldnt, so I knew the tube was blocked. I changed that, but still nothing happened. Joyce was in the hall, repeating over and over again, Im sorry, Im sorry. She went with the Dixons to Frimley Parks A&E where Elizabeth was declared dead ten days before her first birthday.

Graeme says: We were hugely distressed. Dr Tettenborn came in and offered to drive us home. It seemed a kind gesture, but it was so strange. There we were, in the back of his car with Joyce  the very woman I hadnt wanted near our daughter.

Graeme (pictured) and Anne Dixon are fiercely critical of Dr. Tettenborn, who they say failed to address their concerns and who claimed there was no need for a post-mortem examination as Elizabeth's death was due to natural causes

It was only after the shock subsided that they began asking questions. Dr Tettenborn went to see them a few days later and said Elizabeth had died peacefully and there was no need for a post-mortem examination.

Anne says: We had the blocked tube and knew shed suffocated  we just wanted to know how shed died apparently in the care of this fantastic nurse with years of experience.

Yet there was no sign of an investigation and their phone calls were not returned. The couple realised they had been abandoned by the agencies involved in their daughters care.

Worse, two months later, nursing notes they saw suggested a horrifying possibility: Aburime had noted Elizabeth was breathless and wheezy at 4am but claimed she had later recovered. The couple knew that recovery was not possible without changing the tube. And the tube had not been changed. In fact their daughter had suffered a slow, torturous death while Aburime failed to act.

Sobbing at the memory, Anne says: I didnt know shed died an awful death. It was my worst nightmare. The couple complained to the hospital, health authorities, social services, the NHS trust and Prime Care  but got nowhere.

They eventually went to Hampshire Police in April 2005. The force said they were considering manslaughter charges against Joyce Aburime and Prime Cares management. But in July 2007, they were told the Crown Prosecution Service had concluded there was no realistic prospect of conviction because an unnamed independent expert said natural causes could not be ruled out.

As the inquest progressed, we became more and more distressed  whole chunks of time and relevant aspects of Lizzies care leading to her death were ignored, or glossed over. Anne Dixon, Elizabeth's mother

When an inquest was held, no Prime Care nurses or managers  or anyone involved in commissioning Elizabeths care  were called as witnesses. Anne says: As the inquest progressed, we became more and more distressed  whole chunks of time and relevant aspects of Lizzies care leading to her death were ignored, or glossed over. The coroner said there could be no neglect verdict as any neglect was transient and too brief. We went home, sick to our stomachs. We were denied the truth about the cause of her disability, the reckless way the care package was commissioned, the shambolic and dangerous way Prime Care was managed. We were also denied the chance to ensure changes could be brought about to ensure other children werent harmed.

Their continued campaigning led to an independent review by Dr Malcolm Coulthard in 2013, which found that it was overwhelmingly likely that Elizabeth's brain damage had been caused by 'uncontrolled severe hypertension', or high blood pressure'.

Now, after Jeremy Hunts intervention, NHS England has ordered a new investigation. Anne says: We have to enter this investigation with hope, for Elizabeths sake and for other children in this situation. Families need to be able to raise concerns about care and have concerns taken on board, not ignored and dismissed.

The couple are fiercely critical of Dr Tettenborn, who they say failed to address their concerns and who claimed there was no need for a post-mortem examination as Elizabeths death was due to natural causes. When contacted by The Mail on Sunday, Dr Tettenborn said the decision to record Elizabeths death as natural causes was made by the resuscitation team at Frimley Park. He said he drove the family home because of exceptional circumstances. He added that although the health authority labelled him medical officer in charge for Elizabeth, he did not in fact have jurisdiction over her care or treatment.

The main problem that we had with the health authority was that we didnt see that they would be able to recruit the staff to provide the cover [to treat Elizabeth in her home] and they decided to recruit this agency. I had no control over that. One needs to take a very strong look at how the health authority performed in this situation.

The Mid & North Hants Health Authority has been replaced by North East Hampshire and Farnham CCG, which declined to comment. Frimley Park said it would do all it could to support the NHS England investigation.

Dr Richard Preece, medical director of Prime Care, said: The coroner scrutinised the circumstances very closely and thoroughly and there is little that can be added to the narrative verdict that was given. Aburime, who was struck off the Nursing & Midwifery Council because of her failings, could not be reached for comment.

As the Dixons look at the photographs of the daughter who was never given the chance to grow up, they say they will never stop battling for the truth.
Spoof filmmakers have sparked a backlash on Facebook after posting a video of a man physically assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in a shocking social experiment.

Trollstation shared the clip which shows the boyfriend appearing to punch his partner in the stomach in a busy London street - which led some worried members of the public to intervene while others turned a blind eye.

However the internet pranksters had hired two actors to stage the violent row, leading many people to argue that they had gone too far.

Filmed in a busy street in central London, actor Nathan Brown is seen playing the violent partner to his 'pregnant girlfriend' fellow actor Amina Maz

The now viral filmmakers, who recently raised eyebrows by testing people's reactions to breastfeeding in public, shared the deliberately provocative video on Facebook on 8 January.

The experiment saw actor Nathan Brown test people's reactions to domestic violence along with fellow actor Amina Maz.

In the video he repeatedly called her 'a fool' while shopping for children's clothes and even accused her of sleeping with strangers who she asks for directions.

Many people who witnessed the altercation simply stared or walked on without saying anything.

One shop assistant even asked the pair to leave the store for the sake of 'the other customers'.

In one scene, filmed on a busy street in central London, Nathan - playing the violent boyfriend - grabs Amina's arm forcefully, before punching her in the stomach and flooring her.

The pair play a troubled couple, with actor Nathan punching his 'girlfriend' in the stomach in broad daylight.

Passers-by step in as actor Amina Maz, left, pretends to be wounded after being 'punched' in the stomach. Spoof filmmakers Trollstation were behind the sacial experiment which was posted on Facebook

At this point, a group of men and women finally ask Nathan to leave his victim alone, before helping her up off the floor and ushering her inside.

The pair then confess that they are simply taking part in a 'social experiment' and insist that it is 'not real'.

However one stranger seems so disturbed by the scene, she bursts into tears.

Amina, 23, from London, told FEMAIL: 'I was quite shocked that people didn't intervene until the punch. I couldn't believe they were seeing an aggressor attacking a pregnant woman and not doing anything about it.

'They obviously didn't want to put themselves in harm's way.

Amina falls to the floor as 'boyfriend' Nathan continues to hurl abuse at her, as some strangers get involved - other turn a blind eye

Finally actor Nathan, far right, confesses that the whole exchange has been part of a social experiment. However many Facebook users have reacted angrily to the experiment and have accused the filmmakers of going too far

'It was quite nerve-wrecking filming it. But we wanted to get a reaction so we had to go ahead.'

However the five-minute video, produced in April 2015, divided opinion when it was shared on Facebook last week, with more than 700 likes despite many claiming that they struggled to see the point in staging such a violent scene in public.

Elliot Lancaster said: 'I don't see the benefit in thise!' while Ann Omar added: 'He was so lucky no one got to him before he was able to explain who he was. Also what did they gain doing that.'

Jason Lee Webster wrote: 'Seriously stop this otherwise I will report this and hopefully your stupid experiments will be shut down.

'You're not accomplishing anything out of this! Do something that's right and makes us feel good about the world!'

Nathan Brown, left, and Amina Maz, right, set out to test people's reactions to domestic violence in the video. Amina told FEMAIL: 'These are real issues. They happen every day. My message to people out there would be, if you see something like this happening, please intervene'

James Fagan added: 'I like social experiments normally but really don't get what this one achieves, other than a shock factor!'

However, not everyone reacted negatively, with some suggesting it raised an important point.

Dan Lewis said: 'You guys realise that the purpose of this video was to see if anybody would stand up to this bloke.

'This is a test and it had too get to the stage of physical contact before anyone stepped in... appalling.'

Rebecca Jones agreed, adding: 'True story or not, it's got a reaction. No lie, but I have seen a young pregnant women picked up and body slammed on concrete.

In one scene, Nathan is seen calling his 'girlfriend' a fool while the ostensibly shop for babies' clothes, in an attempt to gauge people's attitudes towards domestic abuse. A shop worker then asks the pair to leave

'I take no responsibility to what happened to that guy afterwards... This behaviour does happen to the odd person, for whatever reason and it doesn't have to end up with violence. But, when it does it's not to be tolerated.'

Some seemed to miss the fact that the video was a prank altogether. Tom An Nicole said: 'That lass deserves a lot better.'

Amina defended their decision to make the video, insisting they wanted to 'raise awareness' of domestic violence.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today joined the Middletons and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the doomed First World War Gallipoli campaign, which saw 58,000 Allied troops lose their lives in their bloodiest battle on foreign soil.

Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she arrived with her family at St. Mary Magdalene Church to pay her respects.

Kate and William joined Prince Philip, 94, as he walked 400 yards to St Mary Magdalene Church from Sandringham House, along with Kate's parents Michael and Carole Middleton, her sister Pippa and brother James.

Kate - along with mother Carole, father Michael and siblings James and Pippa - arrived at the Sunday service at the church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk where they joined the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the doomed First World War Gallipoli campaign

The Duchess of Cambridge wrapped up warm as she arrived at the Sunday service at the church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk with her husband, Prince William

The Queen, who was wearing a lilac coloured coat and matching hat, was driven to church in her Bentley for the 50 minute service.

Afterwards, she and Philip walked around 150 yards to the Sandringham war memorial where they both placed wreaths to mark the 100th anniversary of the final withdrawal of British troops from the Gallipoli peninsular.

William and Kate also walked to the memorial after apparently leaving Prince George and Princess Charlotte at home in nearby Anmer Hall.

The Middleton family did not attend the short ceremony and walked straight back to Sandringham House after church with other members of the Royal party.

James Middleton who was sporting his hipster beard and wearing a blue suit had his hands in his pockets as he strolled back with his smartly dressed sister and parents.

The presence of the Middletons at Sandringham church for the first time this winter, suggests that they have been staying with Kate and William at Anmer Hall to help celebrate her 34th birthday on Saturday.

A minute's silence was held in memory of those who lost their lives at Galipolli after the last post was played by a bugler.

The Middletons, including Carole, James, Michael and Pippa, also joined the royal family at the service

Pippa Middleton, fresh from her trip to St Barts with brother James, joined her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge, and The Queen at the church service

The Middleton clan were all smiles as they enjoyed a crisp walk from the church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

The Middleton family did not attend the short ceremony and walked straight back to Sandringham House after church with other members of the Royal party. James Middleton who was sporting his hipster beard and wearing a blue suit had his hands in his pockets as he strolled back with his smartly dressed sister and parents

James and Pippa, who this week returned from a sun-drenched holiday in St Barts, were followed out of the service by mother Carole

Kate, who is fiercely close to her family, had their support at the service on Sunday (L-R) Carole, Pippa and James

Kate, Carole and Pippa, who have been known to share clothes in the past, all showcased a similar style for their outing, with all three women opting to wear black suede boots

Kate's father, Michael, left the morning service with a female friend and several children armed with daffodils followed them

Kate, who celebrated her 34th birthday yesterday, looked calm and collected as she arrived with her husband

The Duchess is seeing curtsying the Queen after watching Her Majesty lay a wreath in memory of the lost lives

Kate looks forlorn as she joins in the remembrance service to mark 100 years since the end of the Gallipoli campaign

The Queen marks 100 years since the end of the Gallipoli campaign by laying a wreath, which read 'In memory of the glorious dead' and signed by 'Elizabeth R', at the Sandringham Memorial Cross

The Queen and Prince Philip stepped forward to place wreaths on the stone memorial, watched by William and Kate who was wearing a brown tweed blazer and a matching skirt with a black polo neck.

William and Kate then spent few minutes chatting to members of the Royal British Legion, old soldiers and the families of soldiers who fought at Gallipoli.

The ceremony was a poignant one as more than 100 gardeners, gamekeepers, farm labourers and servants from the Sandringham estate fought in the ill-fated campaign while in the Norfolk Regiment

Seventeen of the staff including their senior officer Captain Frank Beck, 54, who was the Sandringham land agent were listed as missing in action after an attack on Turkish troops on August 12, 2015.

The fate of the men became one of the enduring mysteries of the war, leading to a bizarre supernatural story that they might have marched into low cloud and disappeared into thin air.

The BBC drama All The King's Men, screened in 1999 and starring David Jason as Captain Beck, also suggested that some were executed by Turkish soldiers.

Beck had recruited workers from Sandingham to form E Company of the 5th Battalion of the Norfolk regiment in 1908 at the request of King Edward VII.

As was the custom at the time, military rank was decided by social class, meaning Beck and his two nephews were officers while the estate's foremen, butlers, head gamekeepers and head gardeners were NCOs and other workers were privates.

The company was sent into action for the first time on August 12, 2015, just two days after arriving in the Dardanelles.

Along with others soldiers from the Norfolk regiment they advanced into devastating Turkish fire only to be cut off behind enemy lines after going too far forward.

The Gallipoli Association which has Prince Philip as its patron states that 141 soldiers from Norfolk regiment including Beck and 16 others recruited from the Sandringham estate were killed on the day.

The dowager Queen Alexandra and the current Queen's grandfather King George V were deeply upset at the loss of their workers, including men they knew personally.

Kate, who left children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at home this morning, took her place behind The Queen

Her Majesty, dressed in her favourite tweed coat and hat, stood beside her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, on the crisp morning

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after morning worship

Kate looks somber as she remembers those who lost their lives during the disastrous campaign

The rev Charles Pierrepont Edwards who won a Military Cross for leading a stretcher party in Gallipoli was sent on a War Office mission, possibly at the request of Queen Alexandra, to find out what had happened to the 5th Norfolks after the war ended.

He searched an area after a Norfolk regiment cap badge was found near corpses and discovered the bodies of 180 soldiers, including 122 identifiable from the shoulder flashes of their uniforms as being from the 5th Norfolks.

His official report stated that they had been found over an area of a square mile, lying most thickly around the ruins of a small farm.

Newspapers at the time suggested that it meant the Norfolk troops had been killed while making a desperate last stand and fighting to the last man.

But it was later claimed that Edwards had told a friend many years after the war that the soldiers had been shot in the head, suggesting they had been taken prisoner and executed.

The clergyman was said to have omitted the detail from his report at the time to avoid upsetting relatives of the dead and the Royal family.

An injured Norfolk soldier was also reported to have claimed that he saw prisoners and injured troops being bayoneted and shot around him, only for him to have his life saved by a German officer who was with the Turks.

The BBC drama portrayed Beck and other soldiers being executed after surrendering, provoking protests from the Turkish ambassador to the UK who claimed it would be 'certain to reopen old wounds'.

The grandson of Beck and the Gallipoli Association also complained that there was no evidence of executions.

The royal couple helped mark the end of the Gallipoli campaign, which was launched in 1914 and advocated by Churchill

Prince William appears emotional as he and his wife help remember those who lost their lives in the fateful battle

The Duchess wore her signature smokey eye make-up and rosy blusher for the occasion. She was joined by her husband, Prince William

Kate looks chic in her winter suit as she smiles to waiting wellwishers after the Sunday service at the church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

The Queen (front left) and the Duke of Edinburgh (second left) arrive with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for a service to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the doomed First World War Gallipoli campaign at the Sandringham war memorial cross, Norfolk

Kate extends a hand as she greets wellwishers and other guests at the service

Kate wore her hair in a sophisticated braided low chignon and accessorised her pared-back look with a black hat and yellow drop earrings

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join The Queen in laying wreaths to marks the anniversary of the final withdrawal

SNAPSHOT: THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN The Gallipoli campaign has become synonymous with heroism of Australian and New Zealand troops - but more British and Irish soldiers were killed than Anzacs. The first wave of attacks happened at dawn on April 25, 1915 with Allies swarming ashore into the teeth of the Turkish defences. An estimated 559,000 Allied troops were sent over during its eight months, comprising 420,000 British and Empire troops, 80,000 French, 50,000 Australians and 9,000 New Zealanders. Approximately 58,000 died. There were 29,500 dead from Britain and Ireland,12,000 from France, 11,000 from Australia and New Zealand and 1,500 from India. It is thought there were more than 250,000 casualties, either wounded or sick from the horrific conditions. Heat, flies, dysentery, poor sanitation and finally intense cold proved deadly. Despite the huge cost, the campaign had no significant effect on the outcome of the war Advertisement

Captain Christopher Fagan, the chairman of the Gallipoli Association who attended the ceremony yesterday and spoke to the Queen, said: 'She is well aware of the link between Sandringham and Gallipoli.'

Stephen Chambers, a historian for the Gallipoli Association, said: 'King George and his wife Queen Mary and his mother Queen Alexandra would have known a lot of the men from Sandringham who died.

'They would have had a personal connection with them having worked on the estate. The commander in chief of the Gallipoli campaign wrote to the King after they were lost.

'Although nobody knew what had happened to them at the time, the bodies were discovered after the war. Only two of the men could be identified but all were given a dignified burial.

'I think the story about them being executed is absolute rubbish. Many probably had head wounds as they were hiding behind walls and might have been hit as they popped their heads up.

'There were also 40 men who were taken prisoner on that day and they were not executed, but lived to tell the tale.'

The Sandringham estate staged an exhibition about the fate of the soldiers in 2000 and diplomatically suggested that the soldiers had been 'easily mopped up one by one by Turkish bullets' after being surrounded rather than being executed.

The Gallipoli land campaign against Turkey involved more than 400,000 British and around 140,000 Commonwealth and Irish servicemen.

Allied troops launched an amphibious attack at dawn on April 29, 1915, on the strategically important peninsula, which was key to controlling the Dardanelles straits, a crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.

But the plan backed by Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, was flawed and the campaign, which faced a heroic defence by the Turks, led to stalemate and withdrawal eight months later.

Around 58,000 Allied troops died, including 29,500 from Britain and Ireland, over 12,000 from France, 11,000 from Australia and New Zealand and 1,500 from India.

Soldiers faced hellish conditions of heat, flies, dysentry and a lack of water. The Turks suffered 300,000 casualties, with an estimated 87,000 killed.

Kate looked somber as she stood behind the Queen at the poignant service. At one point, Prince William appeared to be overcome with emotions as he put his hand to his face.

Carole, Mike, James and Pippa didn't stand with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the service and were seen leaving separately. Carole appeared in good spirits as she walked behind her youngest children, who returned home from a holiday in St Barts a few days ago.

Looking well rested after a week long break, Pippa and James Middleton touched down in London after their winter getaway to St Barts.

The siblings, who shunned a New Year celebration to board a plane at Gatwick Airport to Antigua on Thursday, are regular visitors to St Barts and enjoyed a relaxing break at the A-list destination in August.

During their previous break on the island, the duo stayed at the Eden Rock resort owned by the family of Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews and his brother James, an investment banker and one-time flame of Pippa.

Long a favourite of the wealthy and royal, including Princess Beatrice who spent two of her 16 holidays in 2015 on the island, St. Barts has an impressively large army of A-list fans including Beyonce, Naomi Watts and Jon Bon Jovi.

Kate and William watch the wreath laying after attending the Sunday service at the church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk

It has been a busy week for Kate after Prince George attended his first nursery class this week and was dropped off by his parents on Wednesday - with pictures released of the two-year-old to mark the occasion

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are seeing arriving at church, left, and Prince William proves to be ever the gentleman as he holds the door open for his wife and lets her pass before him

The royal family no doubt helped the Duchess of Cambridge celebrate her 34th birthday over the weekend.

The past year has been busy for Kate, who gave birth to her second child, Princess Charlotte, now aged eight months, last spring.

Prince George attended his first nursery class this week and was dropped off by his parents on Wednesday - with pictures released of the two-year-old to mark the occasion.

Highlights from Kate's 2015 public engagements include her inaugural Buckingham Palace state banquet - in honour of China's visiting President Xi Jinping - and her first visit to a prison, HMP Send near Guildford, Surrey.

Later this year the Duke and Duchess will tour India, their first visit to the Commonwealth country. This spring the young King and Queen of Bhutan, dubbed the 'William and Kate of the Orient', will host the real Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on an official visit on behalf of the British Government.

The hugely-anticipated visit is likely to take place in April.

Revealed by Kensington Palace, the trip has already prompted much excitement in Bhutan (which means Land of the Thunder Dragon), a tiny and remote kingdom nestling in the Himalayas between India and China.

Although William and Kate are leaving their own children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, behind when they embark on the trip, there will no doubt be much baby banter as the Bhutanese rulers are expecting their first child, a son, in a matter of weeks.

Royal aides say the Duke and Duchess are looking forward to the trip - their first - to such a 'fascinating' country.

Almost completely cut off for centuries, Bhutan did not get television until 1999, so fearful were its autocratic rulers of its pernicious influence, and did not welcome foreign visitors in 1974.

But it is also known as one of the most content countries in the world and measures its GDP is not in terms of pounds and pence but 'Gross National Happiness'.

The present king's father abdicated in 2008 and in doing so gave up his absolute power in favour of democracy, leaving his son, Jigme, a symbolic head of state.

Kate and William help mark the anniversary of the end of the campaign. Over the course of the eight-month mission, 11,500 troops died for precious little gain. Some 86,000 Turkish troops are reported to have been killed during the conflict

The royal family no doubt helped the Duchess of Cambridge celebrate her 34th birthday over the weekend. The past year has been busy for Kate, who gave birth to her second child, Princess Charlotte, now aged eight months, last spring

Highlights from Kate's 2015 public engagements include her inaugural Buckingham Palace state banquet - in honour of China's visiting President Xi Jinping - and her first visit to a prison, HMP Send near Guildford, Surrey

Kate and William remembered the events of 1915 when, under British orders, troops from Australia and New Zealand embarked on an allied expedition to capture the Gallipoli peninsula

Over the course of the eight-month mission, 11,500 troops died for the cause. Kate and William pay their respects today

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave the Sandringham war memorial cross where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh laid wreaths to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the doomed First World War Gallipoli campaign

Prince William protectively places a hand behind his wife's back as she enters the church ahead of him

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, to attend morning church service

The mother-of-two wrapped up warm for the occasion wearing a simple black polo with a brown tweed blazer and skirt by Michael Kors.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex also joined the family at the service and walked on ahead with Prince William and the Duke of Edinburgh

The Queen and Prince Philip placed their floral wreaths at the Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk. Erected by the monarch's grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, it honours the local men and officers of the 5th Battalion Norfolk regiment and those from the royal estate of Sandringham who died in the Great War

The Queen and Prince Philip placed their floral wreaths at the Sandringham war memorial cross in Norfolk on their first official public engagement of the year

Churchill put forward a proposal to send his naval fleet through the needle of the Dardanelles, the 38-mile waterway that separated Europe and Asia in northwest Turkey. The Allies later launched a major land invasion of Gallipoli

Winston Churchill has gone down in history as one of Britain's greatest politicians. But 25 years before leading the country to victory in World Ward II, he advocated a military attack during the Great War that ended in disaster

The battle that nearly sank Winston Churchill

As prime minister, Winston Churchill has gone down as one of Britain's most revered politicians in history, leading the country to a glorious victory in World War II. But 25 years before that, he advocated a military attack during the First World War that ended in disaster.

By the end of 1914, the 'Great War' had reached a stalemate along the Western Front. Britain and France had suffered nearly a million casualties in the first four months of the war alone.

But Churchill, the then 40-year-old First Lord of the Admiralty, believed he had a solution.

The emerging politician put forward a proposal to send his naval fleet through the needle of the Dardanelles, the 38-mile waterway that separated Europe and Asia in northwest Turkey. Churchill believed that his bold proposal for a second front was the key to winning the war.

His plan was to seize Constantinople, now known as Istanbul, a move which he hoped would lead to Britain gaining control of the waterways which linked the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Churchill believed the invasion would give the British a clear transport route by sea to Russia, which would overthrow the Ottoman Empire. That would also persuade the states of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania - which had not joined a side - to join the Allies, he believed.

Britain's war cabinet backed the plan, which, although mooted long before the Ottoman Empire came to power, was heavily endorsed by Churchill.

But the British War Office refused to send as many troops as he wished. Churchill sent the fleet in anyway, with the attack on the Gallipoli Peninsula - the first step of the plan - taking place on the morning of February 19, 1915. But, despite initial success, the attack stalled.

Under pressure from Churchill to continue the attack despite drawing heavy fire, the British naval commander in the region, Admiral Sackville Carden, suffered a nervous collapse and was replaced by Vice-Admiral John de Robeck.

Then, on March 18, 18 British and French battleships entered the straits and launched another attack. This time, undetected mines sank three ships and severely damaged three others.

The continuing failure led de Robeck to order a withdrawal. While he argued with Churchill over the next course of action, the fleet hesitated, losing its marginal advantage.

The Allies later launched a major land invasion of Gallipoli on April 25. But the month-long delay had allowed the Turks to boost their defenses.

It meant the British, French and members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) could make little progress.

The Battle of Gallipoli soon became a slaughter, just as bloody and pointless as that on the Western Front. The ill-fated campaign lasted nine months before the evacuation of the last Allied troops in January 1916. Each side sustained 250,000 casualties with 46,000 Allied troops and 65,000 Turkish troops dead.

The disaster also threw the government into crisis. The Liberal prime minister was forced to bring the opposition Conservatives into a coalition government - and they agreed on the condition that Churchill was kicked out from the Admiralty. In May 1915, he was shifted to an obscure cabinet post.

But it did not trample Churchill's fighting spirit. In November 1915, Churchill resigned from the government and began life as an infantry officer with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in France. He returned to politics in 1917 and was appointed as the munitions minister in a coalition government under Liberal Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

Churchill was taunted over Gallipoli by his political opponents, but he embraced the campaign as a learning curve. When he became prime minister in 1940, he wrote: 'All my past life had been a preparation for this hour and for this trial.'

Source: The History Channel

Churchill put forward a proposal to send his naval fleet through the needle of the Dardanelles, the narrow 38-mile strait that separated Europe and Asia in northwest Turkey. Pictured: The Gallipoli campaign

Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, believed the invasion would give the British a clear sea route to Russia and overthrow the Ottoman Empire

The Battle of Gallipoli became a slaughter, quickly becoming a stalemate just as bloody and pointless as that on the Western Front. Pictured: HMS Majestic, which was dispatched as part of the Dardanelles campaign

The ill-fated Gallipoli campaign lasted nine months before the evacuation of the last Allied troops in January 1916. Each side sustained 250,000 casualties. Pictured: A Turkish Food Transport sunk in the Sea of Marmora by a British submarine

EIGHT HORROR-FILLED MONTHS AT THE COST OF 145,000 LIVES: 100 YEARS ON FROM THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN The Gallipoli campaign's aim was to change the course of the war and knock Turkey out of the conflict by attacking Constantinople. But to get there, the Royal Navy would have to bust through the heavily-defended Dardanelles strait that links the Aegean to the Sea of Marmara. A land assault to capture the peninsula began when a naval attack failed. Eight horror-filled months later, and at a cost to both sides of an estimated 145,000 lives, the Allies pulled out, having failed in their objective. WHY ATTACK GALLIPOLI? The war on the Western Front was in deadlock and Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, was an ambitious plotter who pushed for a naval campaign to break the deadlock. Opening a second front 1,000 miles away would weaken the Kaiser and assist Russia, which was cut off from the Allies. WHAT WAS THE PLAN? In March 1915, 18 ageing British and French battleships tried to force their way through the mined straits but came under heavy attack from the Turks' mobile guns. It was then decided the peninsula would have to be secured, and thousands of Allied troops were committed to a land attack. The Gallipoli campaign's aim was to change the course of the war and knock Turkey out of the conflict by attacking Constantinople. Pictured: British warships during the Gallipoli campaign WHO WENT IN TO BATTLE? Some 559,000 Allied forces joined the battle over its eight months, comprising 420,000 British and Empire troops, 80,000 French, 50,000 Australians and 9,000 from New Zealand. HOW BAD WERE THE CASUALTIES? According to figures from the respected Gallipoli Association, almost half of the Allied numbers them became casualties, with around 58,000 of them dying. There were 29,500 British and Irish fatalities, more than 12,000 French, 11,000 Australians and New Zealanders and 1,500 Indians. The other casualties were wounded or fell ill in the dreadful conditions. Despite the heavy losses, there are only 11,000 graves on the peninsula. The others had their names inscribed on memorials. More than 87,000 Ottoman and German forces were killed, out of more than 300,000 casualties. WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE ALLIES? The campaign was a disaster and was until that point, the bloodiest in World War I. Commanders initially underestimated the resolve of the Turkish forces and planning for such a major operation was rushed. There was a lack of artillery, inaccurate maps, the under-prepared troops were poorly equipped and the commanders made tactical errors. Attacks lost momentum, leading to stalemate and trench warfare like that in France. Heat, poor sanitation, flies, dystentry then intense cold in winter, killed thousands. WHAT WAS THE LEGACY? Ironically, the evacuation was the most successful part of an Allied operation which failed in its mission to capture the straits. Churchill was demoted and for years his political career tainted by the catastrophe. On the other side, the Turkish military leader Kemal would eventually emerge as Kemal Ataturk, founding President of the Turkish Republic. The Gallipoli campaign was scrutinised and came to influence military thinking, including planning for the Normandy Landings nearly 30 years later. Gallipoli and the terrible experiences of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was said to have also shaped the two countries' national psyches. WHY IS ANZAC DAY SO IMPORTANT? Anzac Day on April 25 marks the anniversary of the start of the Gallipoli landings, and is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand. News of the disaster unfolding in Turkey leaked home to the two new dominions, but added to the fury about the British top brass's incompetence were tales of heroism, 'mateship' and pluck in the face of death. Advertisement




Company is 'baffled' by the negative reaction to their 'achievable' bodies

An advert by a fitness company has sparked a Twitter backlash with men accusing the personal trainers of 'body shaming'.

LDN Muscle's poster campaign across London's Underground stations features the four founding members showing off their ripped abs alongside equally-toned Instagram star Alice Liveing, who works with them.

But the advert - which promotes the company's downloadable lifestyle guide - has spawned negativity among other men who have accused the group of putting pressure on them to achieve 'unrealistic' bodies.

The ad by LDN Muscle ad, which has appeared at 25 Tube stations across London, has been accused of body shaming other men. As well as the four men who founded the business, the poster also features Instagram star Alice Liveing who has more than 200,000 followers on her Clean Living Alice account

The LDN Muscle team, which launched in 2013. From left, Max Bridger, James Exton, Lloyd Bridger and Tom Exton. The team has been dubbed Britain's 'boy band of fitness'

Brothers Tom and James Exton, both aged 28, launched the business with their friends in 2013. Tom has defended the advert, saying their physiques are entirely achievable through diet and exercise

The reaction has, however, left the business founders - brothers Max, 24, and Lloyd Bridger, 26, and 28-year-old twins James and Tom Exton, all from South West London - baffled.

The personal trainers - who met when they worked together at a large outdoor pool - pointed out that they are not models, despite being dubbed Britain's 'boy band of fitness'.

They insist that their physiques are 'entirely achievable' as they 'practice what they preach' after starting the venture from scratch three years ago.

The boys also work alongside Instagram star Alice Liveing who has more than 200,000 followers on her Clean Living Alice account.

Speaking about the poster campaign, Twitter user Charlie Brown said: 'This is offensive and you know it is. Body image issues apply to men too'.

James Wallis said: 'You guys are about as low as it gets to make people feel good about themselves.'

The advert drew a lot of criticism from other men accusing the LDN Muscle team of 'body shaming' - but the men said it should not be acceptable for them to be trolled for being healthy

Fitness Industry Xpose tweeted: 'My commute's been made worse. Maybe I don't want to look like that? Stop this cr*p and get out of my face.'

Spinneroonie also said: 'How can we meet these unrealistic body expectations? You're saying I can't have a takeaway every night?'

Tom Turner was also incensed. He said: 'Stereotypical male image rubbish and a painfully thin girl too. Appalling.

Flyknit1 added: 'Enforcing idealised male body image issues anyone? Disgusted to be greeted with this on my commute. Shame.'

But RealWorldFitness93% waded into the debate, questioning why people had found the advert so offensive.

A tweet read: 'Ppl found this offensive? If that's "fat shaming" you, I'd suggest getting a grip...and a good psychiatrist.'

People slammed the company for promoting 'unrealistic' body images, but the campaign has also had some positive feedback - and RealWorldFitness93% waded into the debate online to defend the advert

Joint founder Tom Exton, who combines personal training with his City job in the finance sector, said the boys had been shocked by the feedback.

He said: 'There's been a lot of positivity in the feedback but others have been saying it's inflicting unnecessary pressure on blokes to look a certain way.

'And then there are commuters who don't want to see our half naked bodies on their way to work, which is a bit more understandable.'

Tom acknowledged that there was growing pressure on men to look lean, however he insists the image is 'by no means extreme.

He believes he is living proof the sculpted look is 'entirely achievable' through healthy eating and exercise because he works full-time in a different profession himself.

All the men met when they worked at a large outdoor pool just outside South West London, and trained together too at the on-site gym. They also competed in a triathlon together

Tom is one of the co-founders of the company but has retained his finance job in the City and fits his other role and the exercise that goes with it in around that

He said: 'I think there is a huge emphasis on woman looking a certain way, and that has been widely reported on. But the male side of it hasn't really thoroughly been looked into.

'There is a massive amount of pressure on men to stay lean and it's a pressure that's just as big - if not bigger - than that on women. It's leading to all kinds of problems, such as increase in the use of steroids.

'But we are a company promoting healthy lifestyles, and a body image that is sustainable with attainable results. I'm living proof of that and we've helped thousands of people get results the same as this.

'We couldn't have done this advert in a different way, we couldn't have had a photo of us looking like cr*p on there. It's an eye-catching image to aspire to. We're in no way apologetic for that.'

While Tom said he didn't agree with some extreme images of muscle building, he said it was unacceptable for people to criticise those who are in shape.
Ivanka, who is currently pregnant with her third child, teamed up with her brother-in-law Joshua Kushner to throw her husband a dinner party

Jared Kushner's birthday wasn't until Sunday, but that didn't stop wife Ivanka Trump from getting a head-start on the celebrations by throwing her husband a fun-filled dinner party with some of their nearest and dearest in New York on Saturday night.

The 34-year-old teamed up with her brother-in-law, and model Karlie Kloss' boyfriend, Joshua Kushner, in order to organize the perfect 35th birthday party for Jared, which was attended by some of their closest friends, including Wendi Murdoch, the former wife of Australian media baron Rupert.

Taking to her Instagram account on Sunday morning, Wendi thanked Ivanka and Joshua for throwing 'one of the best birthday parties ever', while sharing several pictures of the happy couple, who are expecting their third child together in the spring.

The birthday boy! Ivanka Trump celebrated husband Jared Kushner's 35th on Saturday night with a dinner party in New York City

Happy Birthday to you... The event was planned by Ivanka, 34, and her brother-in-law Joshua Kushner, who is currently dating model Karlie Kloss

'Happy Birthday Jared!!! Last night was so much fun,' Wendi wrote, before adding: 'Thank you @ivankatrump and @joshuakushner for throwing one of the best birthday parties ever!'

In the image, Ivanka can be seen singing 'Happy Birthday' to her husband, while a waiter holds up a large cake covered with dozens of candles, and a sign printed with the birthday boy's name.

A second picture shared by the New Yorker shows Jared and Ivanka cosying up for a quick cuddle, with both of them happily beaming away at the camera.

And it seems Ivanka got the party started before the couple even left their lavish New York apartment, with the businesswoman sharing a snap of herself striking a disco-dancing pose, while her two children, Joseph, two, and Arabella, four, can be seen peering through her legs and laughing at the person taking the picture.

'Saturday Night Fever!' Before heading out for an evening out the town, Ivanka took some time to play with her children, Arabella, four, and Joseph, two, while showing off her prominent baby bump in a blue jumpsuit

Momma's boy: Earlier this year, Ivanka took to Instagram to share this adorable snapshot of her and Joseph indulging in pizza during a dinner date

In the image, Ivanka shows off her prominent baby bump in a 60s-inspired blue jumpsuit, while pouting at the camera, while in the caption she referenced her over-the-top pose, writing: 'Saturday Night Fever!'

It's been a week of fun-filled activities for the soon-to-be mother-of-three, who whisked her beloved son off for a dinner date on Thursday night, indulging in a delicious Italian feast of pizza - despite promising to make 2016 her 'healthiest year yet' earlier that day.

Ivanka shared a photo of herself posed with her little man as they enjoyed the fun pizza date, writing alongside the snap: 'My very handsome dinner date! #TableForTwo.'

In the image, the chic business woman looks elegant in a cream coat, and Joseph is beaming as he turns around in his high chair to smile for the photo.

Earlier that day, Ivanka and her team at her eponymous lifestyle website sat down with Dr. Nancy Simpkins, a Board Certified Internist, who focuses on women's health.

New Year's resolution: On Thursday, Ivanka and the team at her eponymous lifestyle website sat down with Dr. Nancy Simpkins (left of Ivanka), and vowed to make 2016 her healthiest year

Daddy's girl: Ivanka snapped this precious photo of her four-year-old daughter Arabella helping her father stretch earlier this week

In the image, the chic business woman looks elegant in a cream coat, and Joseph is beaming as he turns around in his high chair to smile for the photo.

Earlier that day, Ivanka and her team at her eponymous lifestyle website sat down with Dr. Nancy Simpkins, a Board Certified Internist, who focuses on women's health.

The working mom shared a group photo of herself with her employees and Nancy on Thursday, while explaining that she is going to strive to be healthier than ever in 2016.

'Thank you to @dr.nancysimpkins for joining us on our team #lunchbreak at Ivanka Trump HQ this week,' she wrote. 'Your perspective on a myriad of issues relating to womens health and wellness was very inspiring and I can speak for all of #TeamIvanka when I say we're now focused on making 2016 our healthiest year yet!'

And it seems like Ivanka may well be sharing that goal with her husband.

Growing family: Last week, the soon-to-be mother-of-three posed for this photo alongside her husband Jared as they enjoyed their last days at Mar-a-Lago, the Trump family's Florida estate

Beautiful couple: Ivanka shared this stunning photo of her and her husband posed with their four-year-old daughter Arabella at the Trump family's Mar-a-Lago estate on New Year's Eve

In an image shared on Ivanka's Instagram at the start of the week, Jared can be seen stretching in the family's apartment - with some assistance from his daughter.

'Daddy's little helper! #morningstretch,' she wrote.

The cute snapshot sees Jared sitting on the floor with his legs spread apart as he leans over to stretch. Meanwhile, Arabella is adorably posed with her head in her hands and her elbows on her father's back.

The family appears to be getting back into their daily routine after returning from their holiday vacation at Mar-a-Lago, the Trumps' luxurious Florida estate.

The executive vice president of development and acquisitions at the Trump Organization rang in the New Year with her husband and Arabella after celebrating Joseph's last nap of 2015.

'My loves': Ivanka shared personal photos of her and her family with her 705,000 Instagram followers throughout her vacation, including this snapshot of Arabella hugging Joseph

Babymoon: Before heading to Mar-a-Lago for the holidays, Jared and Ivanka enjoyed a getaway in Belize

Before returning to their New York City home, Ivanka proudly showed off her growing baby bump in one last vacation photo.

In the sweet snapshot celebrating the upcoming year, Ivanka is wearing a figure-hugging pink dress that showcases her belly, and Jared's arm can be seen around her waist.

'I am looking forward to a year filled with love, laughter and adventure with my incredible husband, Jared, and our (growing) family. #happynewyear #2016 [sic],' she captioned the photo.

She also shared a photo of her youngest child sitting on a swing at a Florida playground, writing: 'Playing hard on the last day of holiday!'

Ivanka has been sharing plenty of photos on Instagram showcasing her adorable baby bump and her gorgeous family, including some from Belize as she and Jared jetted off on a baby moon just before Christmas.

The former model's third child is due sometime in early spring.
Once again, we have joined forces with Clarins to find Britains Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year. Jo Fairley meets 2015s inspirational runner-up, who was so moved by the plight of Cambodian orphans that she decided to call on her A-list contacts to get boots on the ground

Amy Hanson with one of the children at the Stung Meanchey dump on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Amy started Small Steps Project (SSP) to help those who live on the dumps

There arent many women who have gone from partygoing, celeb-interviewing, high-heel-wearing journalist to founder and CEO of a charity that has helped transform the lives of children living on rubbish dumps around the world.

Ironic, then, that Amy Hansons charity is called Small Steps Project (SSP) when her own journey has been more of a giant leap.

It began when she took a break from journalism to volunteer in Cambodia in 2008.

An English and creative writing graduate from Goldsmiths, University of London, Amy, now 36, recalls: Id dreamed of being a novelist, but to pay the bills I was writing about Katie Price or the Kates  Moss and Middleton  while out every night on the town, people-spotting.

A landfill outside Vientiane, Laos

In her spare time, Amy began teaching troubled children, but she still felt a sense of meaning was lacking in her life.

So I headed off on the grown-up equivalent of a gap year, smiles Amy, runner-up in the 2015 Clarins/YOU Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year Award.

Amy volunteered to teach creative play in a hospice in Cambodia, which looked after children with HIV and Aids.

But the hospice couldnt care for all the affected children.

While I was there I became curious and asked, What happens to the children who arent looked after by the hospice?

Amy visiting a project in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. 'Theyre trapped there by slavery, by poverty  mentally and physically trapped,' she said of the children who live on the dumps

Nothing could have prepared Amy for the reality check that followed.

'A colleague took her by tuk-tuk to a vast rubbish dump, with more than 1,000 people living on and around it.

My friend said, This is where the children who are not looked after go. It stopped me in my tracks.

Abandoned and often shunned by their communities, these HIV-positive and HIV-orphaned children have nowhere to go but this inhospitable place, with its overwhelming stench of rotting, decomposing rubbish, toxic waste and stagnant water.

It was totally overwhelming, Amy recalls. The revulsion your body feels is a physical warning to move away. And I could  I could leave. But the children on the dump cant.

'Theyre trapped there by slavery, by poverty  mentally and physically trapped.

Rita Ora signing her wellies for SSP backstage at Glastonbury in 2013. I was able to call celebrities and, instead of trying to get a snippet of gossip, ask them to do something really worthwhile,' said Amy

Extraordinarily, most of the people Amy met in Phnom Penh claimed to have no idea about the vast, smouldering dump on their doorstep.

I found it extraordinary. If there was a giant fire in the middle of London, which you could see, surely youd be intrigued to know what it was?

Amy was shown around by a girl called Mey who had grown up on the dump.

As Amy walked, open-mouthed, through the rubbish, everyone kept stopping me to ask for my wellington boots.

Mostly barefoot, the children had open wounds and scars from cuts and splinters  a hazard of living on the dump.

I immediately thought, Well, how much is a pair of wellies? Not that much, says Amy.

I figured I could raise the money to give everyone a pair of wellingtons. So when I came back to London I got on to Facebook and raised 3,000 in a week.

Amy and Mey (front, far left) with children from Stung Meanchey. Poignantly, the team of five that ran the very first Cambodian project is now led by Mey,the orphan who initially showed Amy around

Amy arranged a return visit to distribute the boots. Meanwhile, a film company had heard about the initiative.

They gave me the equipment to document what I was doing and a friend filmed it.

Amy is nothing if not dynamisante  the quality that Clarins seeks in finalists for the coveted award  so we shouldnt be surprised that when she took it upon herself to email Apple to tell them about her scheme, the worlds biggest tech company promptly not only sent her a Macbook computer but offered to sponsor the making and editing of the film, which in part followed the story of Mey.

Back home, after months of editing (Im a journalist, not a film-maker), Amy organised a screening at Soho House for  she hoped  20 people; 150 turned up, many of them so moved by the documentary that the cheques began rolling in there and then.

Amy soon ditched the day job to focus full-time on her fundraising and philanthropy.

The project began by supplying children with shoes  the metaphorical and real small steps to which the charitys name alludes  but shoes of another kind have become central to the charitys fundraising activities.

Amy with a brother and sister in Cambodia

After the film came out, Amy gave an interview to a newspaper in which she commented, If everyone Ive ever interviewed would donate a pair of shoes, I could provide shoes for all the children.

One of Amys bugbears during her time gathering stories on the red carpet was that famous people get free stuff all the time  flights, goody bags, dresses, and lots and lots of shoes  whereas the poorest people in the world have nothing.

At last she found herself able to put her years of contact-building to good use and organised online auctions of celebrities glamorous (and autographed) footwear to raise money.

I was able to call celebrities and, instead of trying to get a snippet of gossip, ask them to do something really worthwhile.

Her stellar contacts proved amazingly supportive, and the strappy sandals, the handsome brogues and must-have trainers began rolling in, to be auctioned on sellebrity.org.uk.

Since the first project in Cambodia, the charity has run in several other countries, including Timor-Leste, Nicaragua and Romania (pictured)

Donors included everyone from Annie Lennox to Art Garfunkel, Bryan Ferry to Christina Aguilera, Colin Firth to Darcey Bussell, Dita Von Teese to Tom Jones. Anyone for Roger Federers or Maria Sharapovas Nikes? Theyve been auctioned for SSP.

John Travoltas cowboy boots are out there, too, putting a little extra feel-good bounce in someones step.

Should you have wished to expand your wardrobe with Cate Blanchetts size seven heels, or Benedict Cumberbatchs black patent lace-ups from Edward Green Bootmakers (size 10.5, FYI), you could have bid for those, too. And so the list goes on  these are just the highlights of 2015s celebrity shoe haul, the charitys sixth footwear fundraiser.

In the most recent financial year, SSP raised more than 150,000, which goes a long way in the developing world.

Since the first project in Cambodia, the charity has run in several other countries, including Timor-Leste, Nicaragua and Romania.

The 22-acre Transylvanian rubbish dump Pata Rat is home to 400 people, with more than 2,000 from the area dependent on it.

Amy giving breakfast to children at Pata Rat. The 22-acre Transylvanian rubbish dump is home to 400 people

And 1,500 of those are children, laments Amy, who was shocked to find such deprivation and squalor so close to home.

Romania is not a developing country  its part of the EU, she says, but the horrific conditions in which these children live are on the same level as some of the poorest countries SSP works with.

The charitys first project there saw 1,000 pairs of boots, socks and gloves delivered to the community living on and around Pata Rat.

But SSP now offers so much more, with hundreds of children across the projects attending school thanks to the efforts of Amys teams.

We are now able to offer school uniforms, minibuses, medical units and nurseries, she explains.

Teams of locals  who understand both the culture and the systems unique to each location  work on the ground.

Helping to clean a boys wounded foot in Romania. Amy was shocked to find such deprivation and squalor so close to home. Romania is not a developing country  its part of the EU,' she said

Poignantly, the team of five that ran the very first Cambodian project is now led by Mey, the orphan who initially showed Amy around.

Her first-hand knowledge and experience ensures that the children living on the dumps get safe water, food, mosquito nets, medical support and  once those basic needs are met  an education.

Savvily, SSP works alongside other NGOs wherever practical, including the UN.

As those charities get bigger and busier, it can sometimes be hard for them to do what they started out to do: help those who are most vulnerable, Amy says.

Amy was able to put her years of contact-building to good use and organised online auctions of celebrities glamorous footwear to raise money (pictured with Vivienne Westwoods shoes)

Mostly, she divides her time between visits to the projects, documenting the progress on film, updating her tell-it-like-it-is blog and rallying her shoe-donating celebrity supporters back home.

But  oh, the irony  as you read this she will almost certainly still be encased in plaster after an operation to break her foot in three places and fuse the bones back together.

I did ballet as a child and the advanced arthritis Ive developed has had me hobbling around for the past four or five years. Id been too busy to notice the pain, frankly, she says.

Plaster casts aside, does she ever miss her old life?

Ive never regretted giving up chasing celebrities to run this charity. And besides, she smiles, if I ever really fancy wearing a pair of glamorous shoes, I can step into Sigourney Weavers Manolos  which I bid for in a SSP auction.

smallstepsproject.org

The children were overjoyed  thank you

Last years YOU/Clarins winners Annemarieke Blankestein, Rebecca Siddall and Zoe Kelland were just 18 when, in 2009, they went to Nakuru in Kenya to work as volunteer teachers during their gap years.

On arrival, they were shocked to find that the Nakuru Workers Primary School was very basic.

The enterprising teenagers raised money to build new stone classrooms, set up a school meals programme for 200 children and sponsor the most vulnerable to attend secondary school.

Last years YOU/Clarins winners Annemarieke Blankestein, Rebecca Siddall and Zoe Kelland

The Nakuru Childrens Project has already transformed the lives of many children, which is why Annemarieke, Rebecca and Zoe were chosen as last years YOU/Clarins Most Dynamisante Women of the Year.

The 30,000 prize money has gone towards an income-generating scheme to help feed hundreds more children, starting with building a kitchen at Nythuna Primary School. Rachel, a local mother, will be the cook.

She was dependent on odd jobs, but we can offer her reliable work with a fair wage, explains Rebecca.

By supporting this community we can help ensure that children are happy and healthy, motivated to stay in education, and have the resources they need to succeed.

Following our interview with the trio last June, the charity was flooded with donations from generous YOU readers.

We received so many parcels and the children and teachers were overjoyed, says Annemarieke.

Thank you so much for everything!

nakuruchildrensproject.org.uk





ARE YOU OUR CLARINS MOST DYNAMISANTE WOMAN OF 2016?

For the 15th year running, YOU and Clarins have teamed up to search for the Clarins Most Dynamisante Woman of the Year. We are looking for inspirational British women, such as Amy, who work to help sick or underprivileged children, here or overseas, on a professional or voluntary basis. The winner will receive 30,000 for their charity.

The award, founded in France in 1997, is named after Clarinss bestselling fragrance Eau Dynamisante. It was set up by Clarins to help and honour those women who dedicate their time, energy and courage to improving the lives of children around the world, and is established in 15 countries. We are proud not only to celebrate these women, but also to be able to make a significant contribution to ensuring that their vital work continues.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges including Catherine Fenton, deputy editor of YOU, Jo Fairley, contributing editor, and Shoshana Gillis, public relations director at Clarins. A shortlist of candidates will be interviewed on Wednesday 13 April at Londons Charlotte Street Hotel. The winner will be presented with the award at a celebration lunch on 15 June at The Langham Hotel.

HOW TO ENTER Call 0800 036 8624, leaving your name and address, and you will be sent an application form, or email your details to ed.award@clarins.co.uk. Fill in the form and send it to the address provided no later than 15 February. You can nominate yourself or someone else you think is deserving of the award, but all entrants must agree to their nomination.
'Tender, humane, funny, comforting and touching,' said Marian Keyes of Crooked Heart

The story

Prepare to be charmed, amused and moved by Vera (Vee) Sedge and Noel Bostock, the winningly odd couple at the heart of this irresistible comedy set during the Second World War.

Nervy and harassed, Vee shares a run-down flat overlooking a scrap yard in St Albans with her ineffectual 19-year-old son and dotty mother.

Faced with rent and rate arrears, and little money to put food on the table, she constantly struggles to keep body and soul together.

Noel, a ten-year-old orphan, is from the other side of the tracks. Brought up in Hampstead by his wealthy godmother Mattie, he is educated, posh and smart beyond his years, although his jug ears and slight limp make him a geeky outsider, prey to bullies.

The two are brought together when Noel is evacuated from London to escape the Blitz and Vee takes him in.

Despite their initial wariness of each other, the pair become a formidable team, harnessing her ideas and his shrewd planning to take advantage of the money-making scams that the war presents. A complete delight.

The taster

Research, hed decided, was the key. Vee had failed to plan sufficiently; she was a stranger to lists, a martyr to panic and whim. By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail, as Mattie had liked to quote, and Noel had spent the last two afternoons in the newspaper room in St Albans Public Library, listing (in code) every cause for which house-to-house collections had been made, and comparing the resulting revenues.

The author

Before becoming a writer, Lissa Evans studied medicine and worked as a junior doctor for four years. She then spent a decade as a radio and television producer, working on shows such as Father Ted and Room 101.

Read Lissas piece about the background to Crooked Heart at youreadinggroup.co.uk, where you will also find suggested topics for your own book club discussion.

Buy the book  and save 25 per cent Crooked Heart is published by Black Swan, price 7.99.
In December 1961, an exhausted young mother asked her GP for help.

The doctor told her to take the sleeping drug he had prescribed for her fretful nine-month-old son, which she did, twice.

Later, when her husband went to renew the prescription, they learned it had been taken off the market in November 1961 (although the UK government did not issue a warning until May 1962). The drug was thalidomide.

Mikey Argy MBE with daughters Jessica and Madeline

The woman did not know she was in the early stages of pregnancy. Her baby girl, Mikey Argy, was born in August 1962.

My mother must have taken thalidomide around days 24 to 26 when my arms were forming because they are half length and my hands are misshapen and face the wrong way.

Developed by German firm Chemie Grunenthal, thalidomide was first marketed as a sedative in West Germany in 1957 and in the UK a year later.

As it was found to help nausea and morning sickness, thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women and used widely in the UK.

According to the Thalidomide Trust (thalidomidetrust.org), it was seen as a very safe drug because overdoses led to prolonged sleep, not death.

By 1960, however, German paediatricians were seeing babies born with limb malformations.

In 1961, there were many more cases, which also involved congenital heart disease, abnormalities of the eyes, ears, intestines and kidneys, and facial lesions.

By November that year, reports of similar deformities were coming in from many countries.

The common factor was thalidomide in early pregnancy. Around 40 per cent of thalidomide babies died at or shortly after birth.

Today, Mikey, 53, is a single mother with two daughters  Jessica, 16, and Madeline, 15.

She gives the appearance of vibrant energy and is a vociferous campaigner for her fellow thalidomiders  for which efforts she was awarded an MBE last year.

But Mikey is in constant pain from neck, shoulder and lower back problems.

My spine is like a 70-year-olds. I walk through the pain but sometimes I just cant do it any more. I curl up in a ball wherever I am and wait for it to go.

She practises pilates with tiny movements specific for her condition, and needs regular osteopathy sessions.

Because the state benefit system does not provide for all the ongoing requirements of Mikey and other thalidomiders, the government agreed a special health grant which is disbursed through the Thalidomide Trust.

However, as the thalidomiders age, their health and mobility are deteriorating rapidly so they need more financial help.

The Fifty Year Fight campaign (fiftyyearfight.org), in which Mikey is active, seeks to finally hold the German government to account and reach a financial settlement.

Without extra funding, survivors will continue to measure the cost in daily pain and suffering through the rest of their lives, says Mikey.

ON SCREEN

Next week, the first episode of the new series of Call the Midwife (BBC One) shows the birth of thalidomide baby Susan, whose progress will feature through the series. In Hollywood, movie moguls Harvey and Bob Weinstein plan a major film based on the thalidomide scandal. As Call the Midwife executive producer Pippa Harris says, Its a living story that should still be in the public consciousness.

This childrens hairbrush featuring Buster the pony is best in class for persuading reluctant brushers to tame their own manes. Childs Farm Tangle Tamer by Denman, 10, ocado.com and childsfarm.com

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Everything You Need You Have: How to be at Home in Your Self (Short Books, 12.99)

There is a key sentence at the beginning of this book by psychotherapist and practitioner of five-element acupuncture Gerad Kite. He asks, How often do you stop, and look inwards and find yourself content with whats here and now? And how often do you hear someone else doing that: simply relishing the joy of the present? This important book guides you to find your own answers to living well with your self.

Email your questions to sarah@sarahstacey.com
When Mr Selfridge reopened its doors this week, all eyes were on Katherine Kelly who, after a seasons absence, returns to the hit show as Harry Selfridges formidable ally Lady Mae. The former Corrie star tells Daphne Lockyer why shes glad to be back

SUIT, Diane von Furstenberg, from Selfridges

It says something about Katherine Kellys talents as an actress that you would never guess that she had been up at the crack of dawn on the morning of our meeting.

I am just a little bit exhausted, she admits. Thank God for hair and make-up.

Not that shes complaining. The reason she has risen so early is a whirlwind toddler, her daughter with her Australian husband Ryan Clark, a digital analyst.

Orlas full of energy  we have to take her out at least twice a day to burn it off, she laughs. Becoming a mother has turned my world upside down, but in a really good way  its the best.

New motherhood explains why Katherine has only recently returned to our screens.

She was Baroness Elsa Schrader in ITVs live broadcast of The Sound of Music at Christmas and returns to her role as the former Lady Mae Loxley (now known as Lady Mae Rennard) in the fourth series of the shopping-and-seduction period drama Mr Selfridge after being absent for an entire series.

COAT, Self-Portrait. TROUSERS, Stella McCartney, from Selfridges

The 36-year-old actress is the epitome of Northern warmth (with the unadulterated Barnsley accent to go with it) and the picture of cool elegance.

Sophisticated and sharply suited, she is the antithesis of bolshie, peroxide-blonde barmaid Becky McDonald, the Coronation Street character that made this Rada-trained actresss name.

Dont be fooled, she laughs. Looks can be deceptive. Like every working mother, Im paddling away like a duck beneath the water.

For all that, shes juggling work and motherhood with great aplomb.

This year well also see her playing Detective Inspector Jodie Shackleton  a career police officer called in to assist the murder investigation team in the new series of Sally Wainwrights Happy Valley  and a high-powered civil servant in the BBCs adaptation of John Le Carres spy thriller The Night Manager.

Here she talks about love, both on screen and off, the transforming powers of motherhood and why shes happier now than she has ever been.

'Jeremy (Piven) has played some flashy characters. But hes actually a really sensitive guy who takes the job and his craft very seriously,' said Katherine of her Mr Selfridge co-star

Motherhood has made me a proper softie. I get weepy even watching the news. I agree with my mother that having children removes a layer of skin that you never grow back. Mind you, since having Orla, the parts Ive played  a murderess in City of Angels, a police inspector in Happy Valley and even Mae  havent exactly called for my soft side.

Unlike me, motherhood isnt on Maes radar. Then again, shes probably never wanted to get married either. She was a showgirl and marrying a multimillionaire felt like the best way to climb the greasy pole. But that doesnt mean that she was without morality. For a start, she used her money and her influence as one of the wealthiest women in London to help the suffragettes.

Mae returns to Mr Selfridge as a divorcee twice over. She had already got shot of Lord Loxley, but shes now back from Paris after being traded in for a younger model by her second husband Monsieur Rennard. It has knocked her a bit, even though she wasnt exactly faithful to him.

She is struggling financially. In fact, she turns up to ask Harry Selfridge [Jeremy Piven] if he can return the money she invested in the company. But he offers her a job as his right-hand woman instead. She arrives just when his life is starting to spiral out of control and he needs someone like her. He has lots of acquaintances but few true friends  and she is definitely one of them.

Maes costumes are beautiful  but less grand than Lady Loxleys because shes no longer the wealthiest woman in London. Its now 1928, so no more corsets  thank God. Honestly, wearing one is so uncomfortable. I couldnt wait to get it off.

I like Mae more and more. And now well get to really know her. In series one we saw the front of house Mae  the side she wanted you to see  and in series two it was Mae behind closed doors with her marriage disintegrating, the side she didnt want you to see. Now theres a balance and you see the true Mae because she isnt hiding behind a man or being held back by one. Shes making her own money and doing what she always should have.

Mae was born at the wrong time. If shed been around today, shed have been a Dragons Den type. Her partnership with Harry is like, say, that of Karren Brady and Alan Sugar  theyre male and female versions of each other.

Both Harry and Mae are highly sexed. They cant help falling into bed with people. Harry is obsessed with the Dolly Sisters  Jenny and Rosie  two beautiful socialites with a gambling habit, who, in real life, were the architects of his eventual ruin. And in Maes case, its Jimmy [Sacha Dhawan]. Hes a businessman who pursues her, thinking shed look good on his arm, but they fall in love deeply, if briefly. Then again, her old flame, jazz club owner Victor Colleano [Trystan Gravelle] is back on the scene  and she never could resist him!

'I adored my time on Coronation Street. I would happily have stayed for ever playing one half of a Jack-and-Vera-type couple with Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald),' said Katherine

Theres also a will-they-wont-they frisson between Harry and Mae. Theyre like the friends that we all have whod be brilliant together and everyone can see it  except them.

Im living proof that platonic relationships do work. I have many close male friends. I really like lads and grew up with two brothers and all of their mates. Im also close to several actors that Ive played opposite. Maybe having to pretend to be in love with someone and then jump into bed with them breaks the ice very quickly; friendship follows fast. Ive known Orlas godfather since I was 11, too. Hes my good friend.

Men enjoy Mr Selfridge. And that includes my husband Ryan who wouldnt normally go for a period drama. Its a riches-to-rags tale about an alpha male who changed the face of shopping, made millions in the process  and then lost it all. Men are fascinated by that and by Jeremy Piven, who plays Harry with the same charisma that he played Ari Gold in Entourage. Men loved that role, too. I once went to a Bafta do with Jeremy and he was immediately surrounded by other male stars who seemed weirdly awed in his presence.

Jeremy has played some flashy characters. But hes actually a really sensitive guy who takes the job and his craft very seriously. People ask me if he has any Hollywood airs and graces and heres my answer: in episode four there are scenes between us filmed in Biarritz and we needed to fly there. We caught a Ryanair plane together! So you decide. Working with him again was great, especially as most of my closest friends from series two  Frances OConnor who played Harrys wife Rose and lovely Aidan McArdle who was the truly horrible Lord Loxley  were gone.

Frances remains one of my dearest friends. She was one of the first people I told about my pregnancy and, since then, she has been like a rock to me and my family. It was especially lovely that she was in Australia when Orla was born in Melbourne. She couldnt have been more supportive. Sometimes you meet a person and their friendship seems to change the shape of your life in a wonderful way. Thats Frances for me.

I met Ryan at my best friends wedding in Australia. But he was with someone else and Id only split up with my boyfriend of six years the week before. We became good mates first because he was part of my friends circle and Id see him whenever I was visiting her. Then when I went back, he was single and so was I, so it was lovely to get together romantically at last.

The press has described Ryan as a cage fighter, which is hilarious. He might have done a bit of sparring at the gym from time to time, but thats it. There was also the rumour that he was once in the Aussie soap Home and Away  there was a Ryan Clark in it, but not this one. The funny thing is, Ryan would be the most shockingly awful actor. Its partly what I love about him.

'I met Ryan at my best friends wedding in Australia. But he was with someone else and Id only split up with my boyfriend of six years the week before. We became good mates first,' said Katherine of her husband

I wasnt against marriage, but I never fancied a wedding. Then Ryan and I went on a U.S. road trip and when we got to Las Vegas we saw all these brides running around and thought, That looks like a laugh. We returned a couple of months later and tied the knot at The Little Church of the West. It was more emotional than Id imagined  we both got pretty choked up. The wedding was totally us, though, and we still say it was the most fun weve ever had.

My daughter has international genes. Shes a quarter Irish, a quarter English and half Australian. She was born in Melbourne and we had ten months there before and after she was born. Now theres a lot of getting on and off planes and driving hundreds of miles because Ryans family is scattered. But shes a brilliant little traveller.

My family is scattered, too. My brother Sean is a doctor still living in Barnsley, my other brother Chris is a property developer in Florida and my sister Gracie is an actress now in Manchester. Were all doing our own thing and I think my parents are equally proud of all of us. They taught us to be independent and free-spirited.

My dads story reminds me a bit of Angelas Ashes. He came from a poor Irish immigrant family and used to go to school without shoes. Later he was a miner, then a psychiatric nurse and went on to form the local community theatre, The Lamproom in Barnsley. Hes very inspiring.

I went to Rada because of my dad. I was at a very academic school [Wakefield High] and, like my friends, was all set to go to university. Then my dad came home with a brochure about drama schools and chucked it across the table. He said, I think you might want to look at this, Kate.

Id heard of Rada  but only like Id heard of Manchester United. Drama school had never been on my radar, and I was completely relaxed at the audition because I never imagined Id get in. But, amazingly, I was one of only 30 students accepted out of 7,000 applicants. Most of the others who got in were older than me but no one needed to worry that this little Yorkshire lass wouldnt cope. I thrived and loved it from the word go.

It helps that Im a positive person. One of my friends from Rada said to me, Have you ever done a single job that you havent loved, Kate? And, actually, I havent.

I adored my time on Coronation Street. I would happily have stayed for ever playing one half of a Jack-and-Vera-type couple with Simon Gregson [Steve McDonald]. In the end, though, after five years Id taken Becky through every scenario imaginable and decided that after the shows 50th anniversary it was the perfect time to leave.

Beckys exit was sensational. Who else could show up when Tracy was marrying Steve, waving proof that she hadnt caused the brides miscarriage by pushing her downstairs, before swanning off to Barbados on a first-class flight? I still get asked on Twitter when Beckys coming back. But there are no plans to return right now.

Corrie fame can be overwhelming. When I first met Ryan he said that wandering round Manchester with me was like being with Minnie Mouse at Disneyland. Its not a complaint, though. If you join that show you know what youre getting into and you have to take the rough with the smooth. In my case, fortunately, everyone was always lovely to me.

I put my Northern accent on hold after Corrie. It didnt fit the parts I was offered. So it was lovely to use it again in Happy Valley and it made a change not to have to work on the accent at all. Im a huge fan of the shows writer Sally Wainwright  I worked with her before on her TV drama The Last Witch, which was her directorial debut. She is as brilliant behind the camera as she is when she writes. My character in Happy Valley is a young, go-getting detective inspector and, as usual, Sally manages to blow all those female stereotypes out of the water.

Our best holiday was a Caribbean cruise we went on last year. The three of us were joined by my mum and dad and we had a ball. We ate amazing food, introduced Orla to rubber rings and swimming pools, chilled out in the spa and saw some of the most beautiful islands on earth. You do ask yourself, Could I be any happier than I am right now? We were in heaven.

Mr Selfridge is on ITV on Fridays, 9pm. Happy Valley will return to BBC One shortly

Kellys heroes

Listening to The Wheels on the Bus and the theme tune from Peppa Pig. I cant remember the last time I put on my own playlist.

Reading Nonfiction books about policewomen to prepare for my role in Happy Valley.

Favourite city London  I fell in love with it as soon as I arrived as a teenager going to Rada.

Designers Peter Pilotto does gorgeous prints and I love everything by Helmut Lang and Stella McCartney, too. And, of course, my friend James Steward, who has made me some beautiful red-carpet dresses.

Beauty product Sarah Chapmans Overnight Facial  it makes you look as though youve had more sleep than you actually have. Its genius.

Stuck in a lift with Simon Gregson  hed keep me entertained for hours.

Most treasured possession Im not big on possessions because I dread losing them. So my wedding ring  precious as it is to me  is worth only about 300. However, in a fire, Id definitely save my great-grandmothers clock.

Motto After a bad day, I ask myself, Does it really matter? If you have a roof over your head, are fed and warm, and have people you love who are well and happy, not much is really going wrong, is it?




Hurriyat leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat visited the residence of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and offered condolences to the family

Breaking away from the past tradition, senior Hurriyat Conference leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat on Saturday visited the Fairview residence of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and offered condolences to the family.

He described Mufti as a sensitive Kashmiri, who had been an advocate for India and Pakistan friendship.

Though Bhat clarified that he had political and ideological difference with Mufti, he insisted the late J&K chief minister wanted to provide healing touch to people.

Prof Bhat, who met Mufti Sayeed before he formed the coalition with right wing BJP at the same place, described Mufti as the embodiment of peace.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed died on January 7 in AIIMS at New Delhi.

Bhat said Mufti was his lifetime friend and he always treated Mehbooba as his daughter.

Leave aside politics, in fact, I had political difference with Mufti Sahab but I never forgot that he was my lifetime friend. Our friendship started from class room and you all know it better we always remember our class mates, Bhat said.

He said Mufti and he were never on the same page when it came to politics.

Our ideologies were poles apart but our hearts always beat for Kashmir, he said in an emotional speech.

Bhat said Mufti was a curious listener and who talked very less.

He said he was a great human being who just wanted to put a balm on the wounds of the Kashmiri people.

This is rarest of rare occasion when a separatist leader, who previously has remained chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has praised a mainstream politician.
An auto driver in south Delhi once told me, in two sentences, how his life had changed. Earlier, the cops used to stop me and before uttering a word, would slap me. Now, they still stop me, but dont slap.

It is difficult for those with a regular job to imagine how profoundly that changes someones life.

The man he credited this to was Arvind Kejriwal and his drive against police high-handedness during his first tenure as Delhis CM.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal with PM Narendra Modi in a meeting (file picture)

The auto driver and thousands of others identified with the drabness with which Kejriwal dressed and spoke, the anger at the system in his droning voice, the simplistic (often dangerous) solutions of reconnecting electricity lines despite defaulting.

Many miles away in Bihar, a man convicted for serious fraud propelled a coalition to sweeping election victory.

Large swathes of the states poorest and most dispossessed continue to see themselves in Lalu Prasad Yadav.

In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee party keeps winning election after election with all her street shrillness, giddying populism and a slum savvy difficult to match even in Indian politics.

Such is the power of the underdog.

A power sorely missing in the BJP today.

In 2013-14, Narendra Modi was the underdog.

Savaged for 12 years after the Gujarat riots by the media, rivals and activists, he challenged a corrupt, indifferent regime and won a landslide.

The angry middle-class, the poor, backward and forward castes and many others saw themselves in him.

He was the most lethal underdog the BJP ever had - a former tea-seller from a backward caste taking on the mighty Dynasty.

Then the BJP lost its underdog to success.

For a Prime Minister with such an imposing majority, who morning-walks with Merkel, power-lunches with Putin and buddy-coddles Barack, destiny has quietly replaced the precious mantel of grime with a troublesome glittering one.

The fiery underdog has been tamed and transformed into the Make in India lion of cold industrial cogs and wheels.

It speaks majestically, statesmanlike.

Quite unlike the underdog.

Kejriwal, meanwhile, with nimble-footed shrewdness, turns a citys grim battle against pollution into a class war.

Only about 6 per cent of private vehicles are shut off and paraded with great fanfare for cheering masses.

Bikes, which roam the fringes of class, are left untouched.

The underdog is happy (some martini-sipping flag-bearers of the underdog are happier, but thats another subject).

What the BJP should really worry about is that the poor, the backwards, the minorities, the strugglers, the tasters of daily defeat still do not see it as their natural party of choice.

Not all of them may be with you, but you cant be in power for long if none finds in you a home.

The Congress, despite its decades of rule, stayed in touch with the underprivileged through grassroots leaders like Kamraj or the strong socialist symbolism of the Gandhis.

Till years of privilege, entitlement and charges of corruption caught up.

The BJP needs to reinvent its own underdog.

It has to foist leaders in whom the lowest strata of society can see themselves.

Think about it: What will the BJP in 2019 go to the poorest, struggling electorate with?

Its best underdog has been sacrificed to success.

Even if it achieves dazzling development in the next three years, in a staggeringly vast and underdeveloped nation like ours, for every beneficiary there will still be many who stay deprived.

The Vajpayee regime will tell you what happens when you tell them, from cool ads, that India is shining.

You can convince them only when you speak like them, express their angst, anger and hope, and request them for more patience - all in the language they understand.
Already facing criticism for the imposition of an entry fee for every commercial vehicle entering Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi International Airport Limiteds (DIAL) plan has become a major threat issue for passengers and airport security.

Recently, Delhi Police sent a letter to DIAL, detailing the potential threat to passengers lives and the airport due to the entry fee plan, especially when the Capital is on high alert.

According to Delhi Police, this plan should be terminated as soon as possible as the Capital is facing multiple terror threats after the recent Pathankot episode.

A plane stands at the runway as another lands at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport as private cars make their way to the terminal

Besides Delhi Police, female staff of various airlines has also raised questions over the plan as they have to walk during odd hours to board the cabs as the drivers are now refusing pick and drop services at the forecourt to avoid paying the entry fee.

Police also claims that the main objective of the plan was to curb touting activities but it has had no impact as they are consistently arresting touts from the arrival hall area even after the implementation of the plan.

Due to this plan, drivers are authorised to park their vehicles on the main lanes in front of the forecourt area after paying Rs 150. Delhi is on high alert and anyone can park vehicle after giving Rs 150.

"This can be misused by anti-national elements. We have raised issue with DIAL, DCP IGI airport, Dinesh Kumar Gupta, told Mail Today.

Tout trouble

According to Delhi Police, this plan of imposing fee should be terminated as soon as possible so that no one can park their vehicle on the lanes in front of the forecourt area.

According to Delhi Police data, in 2015, every third day they arrested at least one tout from the airport.

This plan has no impact on touting activity, we had run multiple drives against touting activities, especially in the last three months.

"While introducing this plan, the DIAL claimed it will help control touting activities but now they have moved away from the claim, saying this plan will decongest the forecourt area.

"Passengers are paying Rs 150 to decongest the forecourt area?, a senior Delhi police officer said, raising question on DIALs intention.

DIAL claims that this plan has decongested the area.

DIALs rollout of entry fee in the lane 3 of the forecourt area at T3 has helped decongest the area in the last three months, which was hitherto congested with irregular, erratic and prolonged standing of commercial vehicles.

"It not only posed inconvenience to the passengers but was also a threat to their safety, a DIAL spokesperson said. DIALs entry fee plan is also facing criticism from the airlines female staff as they now feel unsafe.

The Airline Operator Committee (AOC), an association of international airlines and ground-handling, told Mail Today that the area given by DIAL has been refused by female staff of various airlines as they had to walk at least 300 meters to board cabs.

Drivers are reluctant to pick and drop staff far from the forecourt area. Area given by the DIAL is not a safe as they have to walk at least 300 meters.

"Earlier, they used to get pick and drop services at the forecourt.

"Female staff of various airlines and other agencies has conveyed their concerns with the police also, AOC told Mail Today.

Parking woes

According to DIAL, to facilitate staff, it has allocated the facility for pick and drop of the staff at the staff parking area adjacent to T3.

This is in close proximity to the terminal with a safe and secure environment.

"The fact that now the staff pick and drop point is the same as staff parking of vehicles, the option is most convenient for the staff, a DIAL spokesperson said.
A member of Parliament from Odisha sat on a protest at the IGI airport on Friday, alleging that Air India changed the destination of a Bhubaneswar-bound flight to Bhopal, which delayed the flight by almost seven hours.

According to allegations made by the MP, some VIPs forced the government- owned carrier to reassign the aircraft and its crew for the Bhopal flight.

The flight - AI 073, which was scheduled to take off for Bhubaneswar from the Indira Gandhi International Airport here for its destination at 1820 hours on Friday, departed at 0210 hours early on Saturday, after getting rescheduled four times during this period.

An MP alleges a BJP minister and two judges forced the carrier to change the route

Our Air India flight from Delhi was held back as the airline deployed the plane and crew bound for Bhubaneswar on its Delhi-Bhopal flight, BJD Member of Parliament Tathagata Satpathy, who was flying to Bhubaneswar on the same flight, said.

Satpathy said the airline had initially rescheduled the Bhubaneswar flight to 2230 hours due to fog.

Satpathy alleged that Air India, however, later revoked cancellation of the Bhopal flight as weather conditions improved but pressed into its service the aircraft and the crew that was assigned for its Bhubaneswar service due to the pressure from a BJP minister and two judges.

It left the passengers of the Bhubaneswar flight agitated and they all assembled at boarding Gate 29 A, protesting against the airlines preference to VIPs.

I pacified the protesters and also told them not to heckle any of the security person at the gate, he said, adding the flight finally departed after Air India deployed the crew of one of its flight that arrived from an overseas destination.

Due to heavy fog on Friday morning and the resultant delays, most of the crews duty time was limited later on in the day.

Crews were planned as per their arrivals from earlier flights, back to Delhi and sequenced based on the duty time remaining, Air India said.

At no time did the national carrier give any preference to any particular flight.

Arriving and available crews duty time remaining as per regulations was checked and they were scheduled for the flights based on time and sequence, the airline said.
It's not just Punjab. Next year, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also looks set to fight state elections in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and even Uttar Pradesh.

Officially, the party talks only about Punjab and says its top panel will decide on other states in due course, but preparations to be battle-ready are in full swing.

After sweeping Delhi 11 months ago, its showing in these states would indicate whether the party, born out of an anti-corruption movement in 2012, has what it takes to spread.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during an earlier election campaign in Punjab

Senior party leader Sanjay Singh told Mail Today that right now the entire focus was on Punjab.

As for other states, our political affairs committee (PAC) will assess the partys organisational strength and political situation, and take decisions at an appropriate time, he said.

Senior leader Kumar Vishwas has started laying the ground for AAP in Uttarakhand, where it is likely to contest all 70 seats. He is already talking of AAPs victory.

Delhi saw a big political change; Uttarakhand can also prepare itself for such a change, Vishwas told party workers during his recent visit to the hill state.

Again leaving the call to contest to the PAC, Singh said: Were working hard in Uttarakhand with state in-charge Vivek Yadav. Vishwas visits have enthused party workers.

Like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh is also a two-party state, something that may get AAP a head-start. A 38-member team of AAP poll observers went to Himachal in August last year and submitted its report to the party leadership, saying the situation in the state is ripe for a third force.

In the November 2012 polls in Himachal, the Congress won an absolute majority with 36 of the 68 seats while the BJP got only 26.

Singh says AAP has a strong presence in each district of Uttar Pradesh.

The UP option is definitely open. Its our responsibility to defeat the politics of hate in our vicinity. If we fight the elections in UP, we would do so based on peoples issues - like AAP did in Delhi - and not on caste and religion, he said.

Slogans like Dilli mein dikhaya dum; ab UP mein aa gaye hum can be heard in some corners, but the state could be quite a challenge that has three players - the SP, which in March 2012 won 224 seats in the 403-member UP Assembly, the BJP, and a resurgent BSP.

Elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, states which traditionally see two-party fights, will take place in 2018. This suits AAPs method of presenting itself as a credible third alternative, and also exploring linkages with non-BJP, non-Congress groupings.

Party insiders say that taken together these states may help AAP expand its national footprint, and see if its chief Arvind Kejriwal could be a force to reckon with during the 2019 general elections.

AAP is also active elsewhere. Its Delhi MLA Sanjeev Jha is looking after Bihar and Jharkhand. The party recently held several rallies. Singh himself went to Ranchi.

We have started fresh organisation building in Maharashtra under our national secretary Pankaj Gupta, he said.

Gupta is also looking after Karnataka and Goa. Habung Payeng has responsibility for Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

AAP MLA Gulab Singh has taken responsibility for Gujarat. Alok Agarwal is MP state convener, while Delhi MLA Som Dutt is the state in-charge. Kejriwal will hold his first rally in the state on January 14. There will be many more rallies in the coming days.

Once were six months away from the elections, he would spend more and more time there, Singh said.

AAP sees itself in a direct fight with the ruling SAD-BJP combine, trying to capitalise on anti-incumbency. The party does not see a challenger in the Congress, which it says is a divided house. But rebellion has also hit AAP in Punjab with three of its MPs speaking against the leadership.

Our support has in fact grown. People voted for the party, and not for individuals, Singh said.

Barring Punjab, where AAP won four seats, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was a disaster for the party which had most of its 400-odd candidates losing deposits.

AAP has been presenting itself as a national alternative to the Congress, eyeing its support base of the poor and Muslims.
The Centre has approved financial assistance to drought-hit UP of around Rs 1,304.5 crore

Considering that the high density of farmers in the population will play a pivotal role in the upcoming UP Assembly polls, the BJP and the Centre are leaving no stone unturned to woo farmers.

While the party has organised a big meeting in Greater Noida, where over 200 representatives of farmers groups will congregate, the Narendra Modi government is all set to roll out the ambitious Crop Insurance Scheme for the welfare of farmers.

About 60 per cent of the voters in UP are farmers, and this holds great significance for the BJP which does not want a repeat of the Bihar debacle.

Only this week, the Centre approved financial assistance to drought-hit UP of around Rs 1,304.5 crore, Rs 753.3 crore less than the amount demanded by the state. The state had asked for a sum of Rs 2,057 crore for drought relief.

Last year, UP sought over Rs 4,000 crore as drought relief, but got only Rs 490 crore.

Nawab Singh Nagar, former minister of UP Cabinet and vice-president of Kisan Morcha of the BJP, said various issues concerned with the welfare of farmers will be raised in the meeting on January 11 and 12, which will be attended by many senior BJP leaders.

Party chief Amit Shah will attend the meeting and there will be discussion with farmers groups on serious issues. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also agreed to come, said Nagar.

Apart from this, the crop insurance scheme and minimum prices of the crops will also be discussed to provide relief to the farmers who incur heavy losses every year due to heavy rains and drought.

The Modi government is all set to roll out a new Crop Insurance Scheme, through which it aims to bring down the rate of premiums to be paid by farmers to a maximum of 2.5 per cent of the sum insured. The remainder will be paid by the government. Currently, farmers have to pay a premium ranging from 4 to 15 per cent to insure crops.

According to an agriculture ministry official, this is a significant move to address the distress plaguing the countrys agriculture sector and farmers. It will probably be launched on January 14, on the occasion of Makarsankranti and will be implemented by the start of the new financial year 2016-17 from April 1.

A new Crop Insurance Scheme is being planned to ease the distress plaguing India's agriculture sector

A meeting was held this week and the PM stepped in to sort out a dispute over the premium to be charged from farmers under the crop insurance scheme at a meeting he held with ministerial colleagues.

By lowering premiums substantially, the government is banking on increasing the coverage of farmers from the existing 23 per cent to 50 per cent in the next two to three years.

Besides lowering the premium rate, the proposed crop insurance scheme aims to settle insurance claims faster by assessing the crop damage using modern technologies like remote sensor.

A senior BJP leader said that the delegates will be conveyed the message that the present government is committed to the prosperity of farmers in the country and they will also be told about major initiatives of the Centre for the welfare of the farmers.

Recently, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh requested the UP government to speed up the Soil Health Card Scheme, urging the CM to monitor the programme at the highest level so that it can get the deserved priority.

The government has been paying a lot of emphasis on improving the health of soil by integrated nutrient management.

The government has also announced a programme of collection of soil samples, analysis and issue of Soil Health Card in a time-bound manner.
Puneet Gupta is the son-in-law of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh (pictured above)

While the BJP has often targeted Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, it has been overlooking allegations against Puneet Gupta, the son-in-law of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.

Guptas name surfaced in a recent tape, where he allegedly pays off Congress leaders to win their support in a crucial by-poll in the state.

The Congress has expelled lawmaker Amit Jogi over the incident and has now trained its guns on Gupta.

We have expelled our leader. Will the BJP now act against its leaders, who are involved in corruption? Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked.

The incident is a proof that BJP leaders, including its CM, are dealing in black money. Why is the PM not taking any action now, or the BJP promises are only jumlas? said Congress state unit chief Bhupesh Bhagel, demanding the party act against Gupta.

The government should file an FIR against Gupta. The Congress is demanding an SIT probe into the issue, he added.

Surjewala took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modis claim of not tolerating corruption and asked why was no action was taken against Raman Singh.

The leaked tape suggested that the money changed hands which facilitated the BJP candidates victory in the 2015 Antagarh by-poll.

The Congress has even approached the Election Commission seeking to declare the poll null and void.

Sources said the controversy has caused concern among the BJP bosses as it has come at a time when the Congress seems to be improving in the tribal state.

On the other hand, the BJP has been consistent in targeting Robert Vadra by raising the issue of his controversial land deals in Rajasthan and Haryana, both of which are ruled by the saffron party but have made little progress in probing the matter.

The BJP claims Gupta is a private citizen - but so is Vadra.

Moreover, Gupta is said to wield a lot of influence in the Chhattisgarh government and has been accused of striking deals on behalf of the CM.

The Congress had earlier demanded the sacking of Raman Singh in connection with a multi-crore PDS scam, saying that the CM and his family members were direct beneficiaries.
Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari said the troop movement story was "unfortunate but true".

A 2012 newspaper report that made claims about the unauthorised movement of Army units towards Raisina Hill during the previous UPA rule has resurfaced to divide the Grand Old Party.

When asked about this unauthorised troop movement, senior Congress leader Manish Tewari, who was speaking at a book release function on Thursday, said: At that point of time I used to serve in the standing committee on defence. And its unfortunate but the story was true. (The) story was correct. I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct.

The Congress officially distanced itself from Tewaris comments.

Tewari is neither the authorised spokesperson nor was he a part of the Cabinet committee on security. It was not right for him to comment on such issues," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

It is unnecessary and wrong to suggest that there was truth in what was said. Senior ministers had then clarified that there was absolutely no truth in respect to what we have heard today, Singhvi added.

Congress leader and former Union minister PC Chacko also countered Tewari.

I think that there is no reason for Tewari to believe that it is true. Congress party denies this report. I think this is an unnecessary controversy being created," Chacko said.

However, come within the Congress said there was merit to what Tewari said.

Former minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said: It appears, something did happen that night which was against the Constitution and democracy."

I have nothing to add or subtract to what I had said, Tewari said in Chandigarh, reacting to the controversy after his comments.

He added that he was not aware of the comments made by other leaders on his remark.

The troop movement controversy was not the first time Gen Singh and the UPA government were not on the same page.

The Army chief had previously sued the government over his age issue.

On Sunday, Gen Singh was quick to rubbish Tewaris remark saying the Congress leader had no work.

He has no work these days. Let him read my book to know the truth in the matter, he said.

The ruling BJP was quick to stand by Gen Singh. Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi denied the 2012 incident and questioned Tewaris comments based on information obtained during sittings of the parliamentary panel.
Justin Bieber holds the number one, two and three spots in the UK chart

Justin Bieber has set another chart record in the UK, becoming the first artiste to fill the top three spots in the singles chart.

The new record follows on from the success hes been enjoying over the past few months, with singles from his latest album Purpose breaking records worldwide.

Bieber is at number one for a fifth week running with Love Yourself, while Sorry holds the number two position, and What Do You Mean is at number three.

The Canadian pop star previously celebrated achieving another rare feat when he held the number one and two positions with Love Yourself and Sorry, respectively.

Since Bieber released single What Do You Mean in September, he has held at least one position in the top five every week, according to OfficialCharts.com.

When his album Purpose hit in November, eight of his songs entered the top 40, the most ever for a living artist.

Hes also equalled chart records previously held by The Beatles and Elvis Presley. contactmusic.com

Palm Springs honour

Hou Hsiao-hsiens The Assassin took the top jury prize for best foreign language film of the year at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Winners were announced at a luncheon at Spencers Restaurant in Palm Springs. The festival screened 40 of the 80 foreign-language entries.

The Assassin was Taiwans submission for Oscar consideration, but, although a critical favorite, the martial arts movie did not make the shortlist of nine features, from which the five nominees will be chosen.  hollywoodreporter.com

New fact about humans

Scientists are unearthing new facts about Homo sapiens from the mummified remains of Otzi, the Copper Age man, who was discovered in 1991.

Five years ago, after Otzi's genome was deciphered, it seemed that the wellspring of discoveries about the past would soon dry up.
After rescuing 30 kids from an illegal shelter home that was operated by a Delhi-based NGO, Noida police on Sunday arrested the NGOs head and caretaker of a shelter on charges of torturing and trafficking kids on the pretext of providing free education.

Mail Today had earlier this week reported about the raids in which cops and NGO workers rescued 30 kids from two children homes in Greater Noida and Meerut.

Police arrested Josua Devraj, who heads Emmanuel Seva Group India, and Bhola, caretaker of the Greater Noida shelter, following the raid.

Children living at the Greater Noida shelter home were made to sleep on the floor, and the kitchen slabs were covered with rodent waste

We have arrested two people, including the NGOs head in connection with this case. The NGO was running an illegal shelter home in Greater Noida. Kids here were forced to live in inhuman condition. They were beaten up and tortured, Vishwajeet Srivastava, SP (Crime) told Mail Today.

Police claim that these children were taken from their parents three years ago and were trafficked to various shelters operated by the NGO across the country.

Initially, they enrolled these kids in school but their admissions were later withdrawn and they used to stay in the shelter home. Kids were never allowed to meet their parents, the officer said.

Noida police have been claiming that there is no substantial evidence to back the case of forced conversion. However, police suspect international funding behind the illegal shelter homes operations.

They were preached the Bible but there is no substantial proof that the kids were forced to convert. When visitors came to these centres, kids were offered good cloths which were later taken away. This suggests that the NGO was only working for international funding, a senior officer investigating the case said.

Police are also contacting other shelters managed by the NGO in other states.

The breakthrough came after another child welfare NGO received a complaint by a mother who had three children enrolled with Emmanuel Seva Group India but had not seen them for the last three years.

Excrement is clearly visible in the Noida's home's dishes. Food materials were kept uncovered despite the filth

A woman contacted us and said that she had given her two daughters and a son to an NGO called Emmanuel Seva Group India three years ago. She said they had promised free education to the children. But she was unable to contact them and was never given any details whenever she enquired about her kids. When she pressurised them she was asked to pay Rs 1.5 lakh per child to get her kids back, said Satya Prakash, Programme Manager at FXB Suraksha-Childline.

Prakash conducted the joint raid with the Noida police to rescue the children.

According to officials, the physical condition of the two-room shelter home was very unhygienic.

Kids were made to sleep on the floor. The bathroom and toilet was open with a big pit nearby. The kitchen slabs were covered with rodent waste and all food materials were kept uncovered, Prakash said.
The fresh controversy over an alleged unauthorised troop movement during the UPA rule has shown the Opposition party in a poor light as it struggled to deal with the issue in a desperate bid to cover up.

Still the chinks in the Congress set-up showed, with the party officially denying the incident - but another former union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar supporting the claim of former minister Manish Tewari.

The incident in 2012 had shown up the UPA leadership and accentuated the sharp attacks on the then Army chief gen VK Singh, who was fighting a bitter battle with his political bosses over his age.

The Congress party has distanced itself from Tewari's comments

The government, which may have leaked the information, did not want to be linked to the fingers ostensibly pointed at the then army chief, and raised doubts over his professional approach.

Some in the Congress may still want that to happen as Gen Singh, now a junior minister in the NDA government, has been targeted by the opposition party after reportedly comparing two murdered dalit boys to dogs.

However, the remarks by Tewari and Aiyar may find an echo with several others in the Congress who were either part of the government or held important positions in the party. Not many would like speak on it though.

The incident also showed how an embattled UPA kept the controversy around Gen Singhs age and the alleged troop movement under his watch alive by not taking any decisive action in the matter.

The files were quickly forgotten as the UPA government struggled to find reasons for its continuance.

The former government had also denied the allegations of troop preparedness and lack of equipment raised by Gen Singh through a leaked communication rather than addressing the genuine concerns of the security personnel.
Americans built the trade world during the Second World War

The Stilwell Road is a myth. Constructed by the Americans during World War II, it started from Ledo, the railhead in the plains of Assam, and wound its way to Kunming, in Chinas Yunnan province, covering 1726 km of some of the treacherous terrain.

The road ran only 61km in India before it crossed into Burma via the Pangsau pass.

Lying at an altitude of 1,136m, in todays Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, it was nicknamed the Hell Pass during the WWII due to its fierce gradients, serpentine twists and constant mudslides.

Difficulties

During the War, the US had the choice between two hells. A large number of American planes had crashed in NEFA (todays Arunachal Pradesh) while on supply missions to China. It is estimated that 416 US aircrew went missing in India, mostly in NEFA. The US troops desperately needed a way to bring supplies to the Chinese front, to fight the Japanese troops. Transport planes faced extraordinary difficulties with inclement weather, strong winds and a treacherous air route known as The Hump.

The US then decided to build a road, and on January 12, 1945, the first convoy of 113 vehicles left Ledo to finally reach Kunming on February 4. The construction is said to have cost 13,70,00,000 dollars.

Though originally known as the Ledo Road, it was later baptised after General Joseph Stilwell, alias Vinegar Joe, the Chief of Staff of Allied Forces in the China- Burma-India theatre.

Can you believe that the road was reopened on December 30, 2015? Very few, except in the North-East, noticed the event: but a myth was reborn, with probably incalculable future economic consequences for the region.

The Arunachal Times reported from Itanagar: Exhibits from China arrived at the border trade point at Pangsau Pass in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh en route to the Assam International Agri-Horti Show 2016 at Guwahati.

The Chinese truck, accompanied by 2 light motor vehicles, carried 82 parcels with electronic goods, organic tea, coffee, and toys to be displayed during the show scheduled for next month.

An official communique from the Arunachal government said: Passing through the historic Stilwell Road, the exhibits arrived all the way from Baoshan in Chinas Yunnan province.

Representatives of the North East Federation on International Trade (NEFIT), as well as Arunachals Trade & Commerce Director Tokong Pertin were present to receive the Chinese delegates. Pertin called the reopening of the Stilwell Road a historic moment.

He said that the newly reopened route could become a conduit for trade and better understanding for the two Asian economic giants as well as among the countries of the Bangladesh-China-India- Myanmar Forum for Regional Cooperation (BCIM).

Support

Pertin added that his government was ready to provide logistic support with a hope that it will go a long way in developing future trade and business among BCIM countries and ASEAN.

The route is said to have been used during the 13th century invasion of Assam by the Ahoms, and in the late 19th century, the British pondered a railway line to Myitkyina in north Burma through the Hukawng Valley, but the project never materialised.

A year ago, MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju mentioned the reopening of the Stillwell road: After the Stillwell Road was closed in 1962, the movement of border trade was restricted. Re-opening this road would open up numerous options, Rijiju asserted.

The reopening today is mainly symbolic, as many other considerations have to be taken into account to start trade on a large scale. One of them is that Delhi may presently like to go slow on the BCIM corridor.

The issue was apparently raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India in September 2014, but only a passing reference was made about the BCIM Economic Corridor in the Joint Statement.

Perhaps one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century has been the closing of the border trade through the Himalayan routes.

Soon after Tibets invasion in October 1950, the traditional border passes were progressively closed.

Though the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954 was meant to regulate the flow of people and goods over the Himalayas, it did not happen and as a result of the 1962 border war and the non-renewal of the Agreement, trade between Tibets Region of China and India came to an end.

The same fate lay in store for the Stillwell Road.

Tragedies

It is only after prime minister Rajiv Gandhis trip to China in December 1988, that a Protocol for Resumption of Border Trade was signed.

Following the Sino-Indian agreement of 1992, trade through Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district became an annual feature. The pass also became the official pilgrimage route for the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra.

Shipki-la, in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh was the second landport to open. However, the poor quality of the infrastructure and the limited list of permissible items has restricted the border trade which flourished for centuries.

After PM Vajpayees visit to China in June 2003, talks started on the resumption of border trade via Nathu-la in Sikkim. Finally, the pass opened for trade in July 2006.

Pangsau Pass has become the fourth Himalayan pass to open for trade. Though trade may remain small-scale for some time, it is an important step for normalising the relations between the concerned countries. And one day, it will hopefully bring some prosperity to the local populations of Arunachal and Assam.
Experts are warning parents they must ensure their children are not running up big bills by playing games on family iPads or computers.

Ewan Taylor-Gibson, telecoms expert at comparison website uSwitch, says that the older children become, the easier they find it to outsmart usage restrictions that parents put in place.

He says: No parental control software can ever be up to date.

His comments come after Faisal Shugaa, from Crawley, West Sussex, spent more than 3,900 upgrading his dinosaurs on computer game Jurassic World. The seven-year-old had memorised both his fathers iPad password and Apple ID.

Costly dinosaurs: Faisal Shugaa spent more than 3,900 upgrading his dinosaurs on Jurassic World

While Apple agreed to refund the charges, there are no guarantees this will happen every time a child runs up a bill, especially if a password is used. You can appeal to Google or Apple if your child runs up an unexpected bill on a device, but you have no automatic right to have the money refunded.

While most tablets and other internet-enabled gadgets have parental control settings, they are not pre-set. With hundreds of thousands of tablets, games systems and other wi-fi-enabled presents received for Christmas, the fear is that parents will not have put controls in place, leaving them exposed to big bills.

Figures compiled by uSwitch show that only 60 per cent of parents have installed controls on their childrens devices. Aisha Tilstone is a director of Engage Media Solutions which educates parents and children about the potential dangers of going online. She says checking devices before giving them to children is key to making them safe.

She explains: Check the devices settings and choose which apps and add-ons you want your child to have access to. When you hand over the device, the facility for in-app purchasing, or buying items with an associated credit card while you are playing, should be password-protected.

These settings should be available in the user guide for your device, but if you are unsure, the UKs Safer Internet Centre, which is part funded by the European Commission, offers guides to settings on most popular devices, including the Nintendo 3DS and iPad at saferinternet.org.uk.

Restrictions: On an iPad or iPhone you can switch off in-app purchasing

On an iPad or iPhone, you can turn off in-app purchasing by going to settings, then scroll down to restrictions and enable restrictions. You can then switch off in-app purchasing.

On Android phones and tablets you can hide in-app purchasing behind a PIN code using the Google Play store app. Select settings, down to set or change PIN, enter a code, then select use PIN for purchases.

The popular Kindle Fire has parental controls under the quick settings tab. Tap more, then parental controls and then tap on. This will prompt you to set a password and you can choose to restrict web browsing, purchases or specific content types.

You can also change the settings on your home broadband to help keep children safe online. Your broadband provider should be able to ensure that while your children are using their device at home, they cannot see adult content.

Research shows that even young children are getting round controls. A fifth of parents with children aged between one and six claim their children have bypassed parental settings to view content or buy items. Changing your PIN regularly is one security measure you can take, while you should also monitor your childrens use of out of the home networks, perhaps disabling 3G or 4G altogether.

Ewan Taylor-Gibson warns that children can get round home broadband controls by using 3G or 4G networks, and that savvy teenagers may even use a VPN (virtual private network) that disguises where they are surfing from when using home broadband.

Website internetmatters.org provides information on how to keep children safe. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children provides a helpline on 0808 8005002.

HOW JOSHUA'S MINECRAFT PASSION PROVED A MINEFIELD Screen test: Linsey with Joshua, who is a fan of Minecraft Linsey Bailey-Rowles thought she had put all the necessary restrictions in place when she allowed her son, Joshua, to use an iPad Mini to look up his favourite Minecraft videos on YouTube. But Linsey, 38, was horrified to find the ten-year-old watching an inappropriate video that suggested, Its good to do drugs. She says: I thought I was savvy and had everything locked down. Joshua, above with Linsey, is now banned from YouTube, and although he received a Nintendo 3DS for Christmas, she has changed the settings so that he cannot chat with other people online, or pay extra for new levels or points within games. Linsey, who is married to Mick, 43, an engineer, and lives in Burnley, Lancashire, also has a two-year-old daughter Elise. She already enjoys playing on an iPad. Its scary for parents because technology is changing all the time, Linsey adds. The experience with YouTube showed me how important it is to keep up to date with changes. Computer game Minecraft




Heating engineer: 'It is not a rip-off but it is usually a waste of money'

The prospect of the central heating breaking down over the winter months scares many homeowners into taking out expensive  and often unnecessary  boiler insurance.

Ten million homeowners a year spend a combined 1billion on such cover to fix broken boilers, repair burst water pipes and kick-start the central heating back into life.

But the vast majority of these people  who typically pay 20 a month for cover  would be better off burning the pound notes they spend on insurance in staying warm.

Boiler insurance: Ten million homeowners a year spend a combined 1bn on such cover to fix broken boilers

This is because most never have to claim  and those that do can spend more on the cover than they would have done if they just called a plumber to fix the problem when it arose, research has found.

Boiler insurance covers the cost of a plumber to come out and fix any problem with your boiler, at any time of day or night. It includes the cost of replacing broken or worn out parts.

Some also include replacing the boiler if it cannot be repaired  and an annual inspection.

The insurance is sold as standalone boiler breakdown cover or offered as part of a more comprehensive package that covers other central heating problems, for example broken radiators or leaky pipes.

It is separate from home insurance that will not include the cost of your central heating boiler system as standard.

TO AVOID GETTING INTO HOT WATER WITH COWBOYS There are no guarantees when it comes to finding someone to do a good job. But there are ways you can lower the risk of being duped by a cowboy. Ask family and friends for a personal recommendation. Take a look at the work they have completed and the price paid. Separately, ask to see customer references. The Government-backed TrustMark scheme is a not-for-profit organisation where tradespeople sign up to a strict code of conduct. There are also commercial websites aimed at helping people find quality tradesmen, including Which? Trusted Traders and Rated People.

Energy providers British Gas and EDF as well as specialists such as HomeServe offer boiler breakdown cover. Premiums are based on boiler type and age.

Research by consumer group Which? reveals that two thirds of boiler insurance policyholders never make a claim.

Those that do claim would invariably have been better off saving the money used to fund premiums and calling out a skilled local plumber to fix their problem.

Which? says the typical cost of an annual boiler service is 70 while insurance that includes an annual inspection is 245. The average cost of repair is 210.

Heating engineer Billy Wilgar, of AC Wilgar, based in Orpington, Kent, says: Scare stories are often used to push the merits of emergency boiler insurance cover. It is not a rip-off but it is usually a waste of money.

It makes better sense to ensure your boiler is well looked after with an annual service from a local professional that you can trust. This should not only stop problems occurring but savings made from not taking out insurance can be put aside for the rare occasions you have a genuine emergency.

He adds: Insurance does not guarantee that your heating gets fixed any quicker. There is also small print in these insurance policies that enables companies to weasel out of fixing faults  for example, if a policyholder has not had their boiler inspected on a regular basis.

The Financial Ombudsman Service received 1,300 complaints about home emergency cover in 2014  on everything from delays in repairing burst water pipes to disputes over whether the insurer should have replaced a boiler or not. In the first six months of last year it received 1,200 complaints.

Many heating systems are already covered under a manufacturers warranty, a tradesman guarantee or a home insurance policy. So if you are tempted to sign up to an emergency boiler insurance policy check with your home insurance provider first to see if it already covers repairs to your boiler.

Even if it does not, it is often possible to extend the insurance cover to include the boiler for an additional 50 a year. This will not include the cost of an annual inspection.

Boiler insurance prices vary depending on the system you have installed and the level of cover you want.

A spokesperson for the Financial Ombudsman Service says: Boiler insurance has a bad reputation. We are working closely with the industry and expect claimants to be treated fairly.

How I found a decent plumber to fit a new boiler

Prepared: Michelle Kowalcyzk made sure her plumber was Gas Safe registered

Price comparison website uSwitch says one of the best value for money emergency insurance offers is from HomeServe. It includes an annual service and free call-outs and comes with an initial 12-month special price of 162 (discounted from 258).

Michelle Kowalcyzk, 28, from Beckenham in Kent, spent 3,000 installing a new boiler and having old water pipes flushed out last month after suffering years of frustration with an unreliable heating system.

The married secondary school teacher says: Some days the water was scalding hot while on other occasions it would suddenly go cold on me  just at that awkward moment when I was washing my hair in a rush. I have spent hundreds of pounds trying to get engineers to fix the problem but when the heating recently packed up downstairs I decided enough was enough.

Michelle found a reputable engineer using the Government-backed TrustMark scheme where members sign up to a strict code of conduct.

She also made sure the plumber was Gas Safe registered  something all gas boiler fitters must be signed up to.

The new boiler came with a seven-year guarantee against any fault as long as an annual service was conducted. In addition, there was a ten-year guarantee from the plumber against faults.

Michelle adds: I was not tempted by adverts scaring me into buying unnecessary boiler cover  I can think of more fun ways to waste money.
Every time Marks & Spencer stumbles, the hue and cry goes up  have they got the fashions right? But this is not really the most important question.

Dont get me wrong, it is vital that M&S has styles that appeal to customers. But the real challenge for at least a decade is how it transforms itself to meet the changing way we shop.

First, there has been the proliferation of rival chains, not least the arrival of low-cost groups like Zara. Second is the revolution in online shopping.

Challenge: M&S is now left struggling to catch up with rivals who sell confidently and in volume through the internet, says Simon Watkins

As we explain here, Marks & Spencer has been woefully slow at embracing the internet. The proportion of its sales that are made online is far below that of its main rivals.

The outgoing chief Marc Bolland did grasp this point, though some might argue he did so a little belatedly. He also addressed the groups supply chain issues by hiring the Lindsey brothers to sort out its sourcing in the Far East  improving profit margins and the speed with which it can react to customer demands.

But a generation of shoppers is coming of age which first looks online. That is where the retail battles of the future will be fought.

M&S is now left struggling to catch up with rivals who sell confidently and in volume through the internet. As we reported late last year, John Lewis expects online to account for more than half its sales in a few years.

The new man at the helm of M&S, Steve Rowe, must tackle this issue as a priority and while he is at it, consider whether the groups portfolio of stores is quite as useful as it once was. Getting the fashions right and targeting the right audience matter hugely. But if the next few years are another circus of seasonal ups and downs and hand-wringing over this suede skirt or that white T-shirt, then the group will not have got any closer to finding its place in the modern high street and on the web.

The world may be about to mark a seismic moment in the history of the oil industry after it emerged last week that Saudi Arabia is considering selling off part of its state oil company Aramco in a stock market flotation.

A decision is expected in the next few months, but the fact the Saudis are even considering it is hugely significant. Aramco would be worth hundreds of billions of pounds and would dwarf any other oil group.

Oil will be with us for a long time as a source of energy, but the fact that Saudi is even contemplating selling is a sign it is looking to a future in which it is less dependent on black gold.


Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

D.W. writes: I had the unpleasant experience of dealing with Wayne Montgomery. I did not know of your articles about him prior to buying a Rolex watch from his firm Capital Fine Watches in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The watch was losing time. It was sent back to him but a replacement also lost time so I returned that as well. Since then he has not supplied another watch or refunded my money, so I have lost more than 3,000.

Wayne's world: Montgomery has been duping people for two decades

I reported last October that a reader had handed over her Rolex to dealer Wayne Montgomery to sell on her behalf. He told her to expect between 4,000 and 4,500, but she got nothing except a long series of excuses.

According to Montgomery, he was the victim of an armed robbery. On top of this, he had passed watches on to another dealer, who had in turn handed them to a third dealer who had then gone bust with debts of 9million.

The reader did not get back her watch and Montgomery made excuse after excuse about selling property to allow him to make a repayment, though it now seems the property sale may just be fiction.

When I asked him about your watch, Montgomery described you as a very unpleasant man. He added: Like you, he doesnt seem to accept that I was robbed and have had business difficulties, which is obvious.

Montgomery also said: I am semi- retired now, as when I ceased trading last year I decided to turn a hobby, trading the exchanges, into a lucrative source of income.

He would not tell me whether the watches he held for customers were insured, but with a property sale just around the corner, plus his lucrative stock market deals, perhaps there is hope after all that he will repay people who had trusted him.

But in Waynes World nothing is quite what it seems. You see, he is actually an undischarged bankrupt. One of his customers, Carole Humphreys from Cardiff, finally lost patience with him and took him to court in Coventry. So how can he be selling property and trading in the City? Wayne failed to offer any explanation.

Problems: A Rolex from Montgomery's firms website

Carole told me: I purchased a watch from him. The last [wristband] link that was put on was too big, hence the watch coming off my wrist and breaking. I sent it back to him for repair.

Some time later, she explained, Montgomery said he could not return the watch because, he told her: I had a break-in at my house and the watch was stolen.

When Carole went to see him in Tamworth, Montgomery tried unsuccessfully to get her to back down. He said: How far do you want to take this? I hope youve got enough money.

She replied: Youve just said the wrong thing, because Ill take it as far as I need to go.

The loss of the watch, and the legal costs of making him bankrupt, have come to more than 10,000. Montgomery is a serial dodgy dealer. My first warning against him was published in The Mail on Sunday as long ago as 1996.

For years he ran gambling syndicates, advertising huge successes, but hiding behind offshore companies and maildrop addresses.

After punters invested, they would receive a letter saying the syndicate had suffered an extraordinary run of bad luck and the money was gone.

Here we are, two decades on, and Wayne is still a professional wallet-thinner. Why should he stop? Nothing too bad ever happens to him.

He seems to slip past every consumer or investor protection organisation there is. No doubt he will be back. Rolex or not, it is only a matter of time.

Pension money

Mrs K.C.M. writes: I reached 60 last April but am still waiting for my company pension money. I worked for a hotel firm, but the pension plan is with Friends Life.

Friends Life is part of the large Aviva group, so I asked staff at Avivas head office what had gone wrong.

They told me that the trustees of the hotel firms pension scheme gave instructions last June on how to deal with employees who  like you  wanted to use the new pension freedom rules to take benefits as cash.

They explained: Due to an error, we did not act on this instruction, and this resulted in a delay in dealing with Mrs Ms case.

By the time you read this, Friends Life will have paid you, and you will find an extra amount to make up for the delay and upset.

Lottery of parking at Aldi

Parking fees: Aldi does not have a standard time limit for its stores in the UK

T.P. writes: I went shopping with two friends to the Aldi store in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Aldi restricts customers to one hour of parking time at this store.

We were not aware of this and overstayed by 11 minutes. My friend, whose car we were in, has now been fined 70. Aldi says there are notices about the time limit, but as we are all in our 70s or 80s and it was raining at the time, the notices, of which we were not aware, were the last thing on our minds.

I did wonder whether this particular store might have a problem, perhaps with commuters parking all day, or people leaving their car but shopping elsewhere. I asked about this, but the company only replied: Aldi does not have a standard time limit for its stores in the UK.

Time limits vary, depending on how busy the individual store is, and are in place to ensure that spaces are available for all our customers.

So, if you are used to shopping at one Aldi branch, dont assume you get the same parking time at a different branch.

And the good news is that your friends fine will be scrapped. Aldi said: On this occasion we have cancelled the charge as a gesture of goodwill, and this is currently being processed.
James Henderson has fund management coursing through his veins. But it does not mean that the great-grandson of Lord Faringdon, the founder of investment giant Henderson Global Investors, is infallible when it comes to maximising returns for investors.

I often buy companies too early and I then sell them too quickly, he admits, rather coyly.

It sometimes infuriates the boards of the investment trusts I manage, who say I should time my decisions slightly better, but its a contrarian approach embedded in my investment DNA.

'Contrarian': James Henderson, right, and Lord Faringdon, his great-grandfather

Though it may sometimes be frustrating to people such as Peter Troughton, the demanding chairman of investment trust Lowland which James Henderson has managed since 1990, it is an idiosyncratic style that has not disappointed shareholders.

Over the past five years, all four funds he manages have comfortably generated more returns than the FTSE All-Share Index  no mean achievement.

Im obviously doing something right, he says, somewhat modestly. Investment trusts Law Debenture and Henderson Opportunities and investment fund Henderson UK Equity Income & Growth make up the quartet.

Also, analysis by fund scrutineer Financial Express Trustnet shows that in terms of 12-month performance, Henderson has beaten his immediate peers seven times in the past ten years. Again, few managers have such a consistent track record.

Hendersons approach of buy early, sell early means he has been busy buying out-of-favour mining stocks such as Glencore and Anglo American for Lowland, even though both companies have recently suspended dividend payments in response to collapsing commodity prices.

I know the two companies will not pay dividends for another two to three years, he says, but they are great businesses that will come good again. Its just a matter of when, not if. Yes, some may say I have bought too early, but my philosophy is that it is better too early than too late.

Lowland, launched 53 years ago, invests almost 100 per cent of its assets in the UK stock market, with the aim of delivering a mix of income and capital growth.

Lowland, launched 53 years ago, invests almost 100 per cent of its assets in the UK stock market

Over the past 40 years, it has increased its dividend every year bar 2008, when it maintained payments against the backdrop of a global financial crisis. Dividends are paid quarterly. Unlike most other investment trusts with a UK stock market mandate, Henderson is as happy investing in AIM-listed shares as he is in FTSE 100 giants such as BP, HSBC and Vodafone.

The result is a diverse trust with 110 holdings  more than the norm. He says: I like long lists because it means the trusts income flow is not too disrupted if one of my FTSE 100 holdings cuts its dividend.

It also allows me to buy the Glencores of this world in anticipation of dividend fruits further down the line.

Currently, the trust has enough income in reserves to pay the equivalent of 75 per cent of last years dividend. The UK stock markets difficult start to the year, triggered by further sharp falls in Chinese equity prices and unrest in the Middle East, does not seem to have ruffled Hendersons feathers. Its certainly a different start to the new year, he says, but there will be opportunities and I will buy where there is value.
The debate about the pros and cons of renewable energy has been raging for years and shows no sign of abating. But whatever people think about wind turbines and solar panels, they are likely to produce an increasing amount of the worlds energy over the coming years.

Among the many concerns this trend provokes, there are two very practical issues. Wind turbines only work when it is windy, so production is intermittent. And solar panels only produce power during the day, while the greatest demand for power is at night.

Some UK energy suppliers have even stopped accepting consumer-generated solar-powered energy between 10am and 4pm because they do not need it at that time. Similar difficulties occur on many parts of the Continent and they are even more acute in sunny US states such as California and Hawaii.

Bright future: Scott McGregors giant battery units, developed from spaceflight technology, can store solar-generated power for use at night

REDT Energy aims to solve this problem and many others involving energy production. The company has created a pioneering method of storing energy, using large storage facilities that are long-lasting, effective and could transform the way energy is distributed to homes and businesses.

REDT shares are 7p and should increase materially over the next three years as the group ramps up production of its units in the UK and overseas.

Energy storage is not a new phenomenon, but most of the available options have clear disadvantages. Lithium batteries, for example, are expensive, degrade within a few years and work best in short, sharp bursts. Hydro-electric power is an excellent source of renewable energy and can be stored.

However, it only works in areas where there is plenty of water and the creation of suitable sites can incur considerable environmental opposition.

REDTs units work with batteries based on liquid vanadium, an element once used to strengthen swords and still employed today to reinforce steel. Conventional batteries used in the home store energy only for short periods before either needing to be recharged or replaced. REDTs vanadium-based storage units last for decades, so they can store energy almost permanently.

Technology: REDT Energy chief executive Scott McGregor

The technology was invented by US space agency Nasa for use on missions and REDT spent 12 years, from 2000 to 2012, perfecting a version for commercial energy storage. Since then the group, led by Scott McGregor, has been turning the concept into an affordable, reliable reality.

Working with New York-listed manufacturer Jabil, the technology has been rigorously tested, costs have been brought down and the first units are now on trial.

One large facility is being used on a wind farm in Scotland, another has been sold to a German industrial company and another to a large utility group in Europe. Several others have been distributed to customers here and on the Continent, while one has been sent to an eco-resort in South Africa.

This highlights another use for REDTs technology. In the developed world, its units will largely be deployed to store energy created by wind and solar power so it can be used when it is needed, rather than when it is generated. That energy will then be distributed by national grids on a timely basis.

Many emerging markets do not have national grids, so businesses rely on diesel generators for electricity, which are expensive and inefficient. REDTs units would allow these businesses to take greater advantage of solar power, storing it during daylight hours and using it when necessary.

Clean energy: In the developed world, REDTs units will largely be deployed to store energy created by wind and solar power so it can be used when it is needed, rather than when it is generated

Prices for REDTs units start at about 13,500 for a model the size of a US-style fridge, which is hardly cheap, but they can be leased over five, seven or ten years and the cost is expected to come down considerably by 2017.

Utilities and industrial groups have already been approaching McGregor directly for new units, so demand is expected to be high. However, he and his team have deliberately adopted a slow and steady approach to manufacturing so they can be sure the product works and is cost-effective before rolling it out on a large-scale basis.

REDT was formed out of another business, Camco Clean Energy  a rag-tag of renewable energy businesses, virtually all of which have now been sold. McGregor has retained an African operation, focused on managing funds for renewable energy projects, as this division provides REDT with contacts and a distribution network for its storage units.

Analysts expect modest sales of just 4.6million (3.4million) this year, as the group slowly starts to sell its storage units. But sales are expected to soar to 23.9million in 2017, with the group moving into profit shortly afterwards.

The company reports in euros today, but is likely to switch to sterling, as its engineering facility is based in Livingston, near Edinburgh, and its development plant is in Wokingham, Berkshire.

Midas verdict: Reliable energy storage is in demand here and abroad and REDT is a pioneer in the field. The shares are not without risk but McGregor has adopted a sensible approach towards business expansion and the rewards could be substantial. A good punt for adventurous investors.

> Midas share tips update: Hold your nerve at Cineworld

SHOULD INVESTORS BE WORRIED BY STOCK MARKET TURMOIL: LISTEN TO THE THIS IS MONEY PODCAST
Shell's 36billion offer for rival BG Group has received a boost after shareholder advisory group Glass Lewis is understood to have come out in favour ahead of the investors vote later this month.

Glass Lewis is the leading adviser for US shareholders and nearly a third of Shells investors and a quarter of BGs are US-based. The deal has also won the backing of the other leading shareholder advisory group ISS last week.

But some investors are concerned over the plunging oil price and late last week Standard Life Investmenst said it would be voting against the deal. Announced in April last year, it saw Shell offer a 50 per cent premium to BG shares at 1350p a share, made up of 383p in cash and 0.44 of a Shell share for each BG share.

Tank half full: Shell boss Ben van Beurden is optimistic

Both BG and Shells shares have tumbled since the announcement, after the price of oil fell from more than $65 a barrel to $33.30.

News that Saudi Arabia is considering floating Aramco, the worlds biggest oil firm, is also seen as a sign that the future of oil businesses may be in doubt in the long term, with suggestions that the kingdom was cashing in while it could.

Since the offer was made, Shells share price has fallen from 2208p to 1391p, meaning it must pay a bigger proportion in cash, leading to fears that its investors may baulk at the deal. Shell must get the backing of the majority of its investors and 75 per cent of BGs.

BG shares are trading at 942p a share.

Shareholders backing the deal cite the long-term benefit to Shell in acquiring a business strong in gas production, amid expectations that the price of fossil fuel will rise eventually.

We think its okay in the long term, said one top ten investor, and its difficult to see how they can reduce the price. If Shell did try to alter the terms, under City rules the present deal would lapse, allowing a rival bid to emerge.
The oil industry, which spurred Aberdeens boom in the 1980s, faces tough times, but the city is leading the regions for investment in business property.

Research shows it to be the city outside London that has attracted the greatest spend by buyers of office, industrial and retail space per head of population over the past ten years.

The study, by real estate firm CBRE, revealed that regions beyond the South East accounted for 60 per cent of the UKs commercial property transactions.

Of the 44.4billion invested in the 12 cities looked at from 2006 to 2015, Aberdeens share was 2.67billion or 11,800 per head. Manchester saw the highest investment overall at 8.3billion.
Once upon a time the New Year honours saw a slew of bankers collecting gongs. These days things are different  in 2016 it is the so-called alternative financiers who seem to have been the winners.

Among them is Giles Andrews (now OBE), co-founder and executive chairman of Zopa. The pioneering group has overseen 1.2billion worth of lending to individuals and is a core part of the revolution transforming the way we borrow.

Its a very exciting start to the New Year, he says of his OBE. Theres been quite a lot in the news about the fact no banker won an award in the New Year honours list. Its because banks dont treat customers very well. I think anyone who knew anything about the industry knew that was true even before the crisis.

In the jeans: Giles Andrews, boss of Zopa, which has lent 1.2billion

So it seems banker bashing is still in vogue at Zopa.

2015 was a really exciting year for us, Andrews continues. We doubled the size of our business and it grew faster than any other mature platform in the UK. And the plan is to do the same again next year.

So were setting ourselves an ambitious target of doubling ourselves again, which means we will lend over a billion pounds. Weve lent about 1.2billion in total now, of which 530million or so has been in the last 12 months.

Zopa, which now has almost a quarter of a million customers, was founded in 2005, but Andrews was part of a small team that planned the project over the previous two years. Its premise was simple. Find people with spare cash and put them together with people who want to borrow  cutting out the banks.

I thought it was a brilliant idea. Ive always felt that financial services didnt offer consumers a great deal. Banks were really looking out for themselves and not for their customers. From the outside you could tell that things like PPI were being mis-sold even then.

But cutting the banks out of the loans process was an extraordinary idea in 2005. Then came the crisis, a collapse in trust in banks and the credit crunch. Savers were hit by low returns and many would-be borrowers couldnt get a loan at all.

It was the perfect opportunity for Zopa and other peer-to-peer lenders, as they are known.

Peer-to-peer lending: Zopa's first TV advert

Zopa spreads loans from lenders across a range of borrowers to spread the risk. It carries out its own checks on credit worthiness and claims to have the lowest default rate of any similar lender. It also runs a system called Safeguard, which is a fund that can pay out to lenders if a borrower defaults. It offers personal loans ranging between 3.9 per cent and just over 7 per cent.

Lenders earn between 3.8 per cent and 5 per cent. Such lending is expected to benefit further from the new pension freedoms. Zopas research of its users found last year that two-thirds of its older customers would rather invest through peer-to-peer lending than buy an annuity. But there are serious concerns in some quarters that alternative finance will create its own scandals.

Last week it emerged that small company Crumpet Cashmere, whose jumpers have been bought by celebrities including Alexa Chung and Elle Macpherson, had gone bust  only for its assets to be bought back by the management.

The sting in the tail was that private investors, who had invested through alternative funding platform Crowdcube, stand to lose more than 100,000. While Zopa has a different model from Crowdcube, they are both part of the booming alternative finance market.

Body blow: Elle Macpherson was a fan of Crumpet Cashmere

Fears that small investors could lose out in these schemes are ever present and there are regular calls for tighter regulation.

Andrews claims not to be too worried. Im not overly concerned about the regulation. If we continue to offer consumers a good deal, I think regulators will be happy to leave us alone. Its a very important part of our plans to continue to do a great job. I cant speak for everybody.

He quickly adds: I dont want to make that sound melodramatic or suggest there is a problem.

The OBE for Andrews  and a CBE awarded to Samir Desai, co-founder of alternative business lender Funding Circle  are a clear sign that the highest authorities are willing to give the nascent sector their blessing.

It is one of those things that everyone now thinks is a great idea ten years after the event, says Andrews. But these things always take a long time, especially when your business involves building trust with consumers and asking them to do some-thing completely different to what theyve ever done before.

Being first is not always the easiest, because youve got to educate consumers all by yourself. So actually the emergence of other people coming into the sector has probably given us credibility as well. I think weve continued to demonstrate that we run a brilliant business and the trust weve built with consumers is based on a mixture of our risk management and transparency.

The big event for Andrews this year could be a real coming of age for Zopa as the company is considering a stock market flotation with an initial public offering (IPO) of shares. One reason for this says Andrews is to create a liquidity event for our early shareholders. This is City jargon for cashing in shares and would include Andrews himself.

I think the most natural route, although it would involve an enormous amount of hard work, would be to IPO the business. We dont have a firm plan as to when, but I think thats a natural thing to work towards. And in working towards it, it will impose disciplines on the business that will be part of the growing up of peer-to-peer.

Zopa has said nothing about how much it might raise from an IPO. Some reports have suggested it could sell a small stake for about 70 million, valuing the whole business at 500 million.

Andrews, 49, who has a young family  a ten-year-old and an eight-year-old  says he tries to escape London as often as I can, often to the South Coast, where he celebrated his OBE and the New Year.He says: I consider the Isle of Wight my spiritual home. I find that a real sort of tonic compared with London.

Prior to joining Zopa, Andrews had worked in the automotive industry, including setting up Caverdale in 1992  a motor retailer which was renamed Godfrey Davis Motor Group and sold in 1997. He also set up a consultancy business with clients including Tesco Personal Finance.

Ive been either self-employed or involved in starting businesses for most of my career. Start-ups are really exciting, theyre all-consuming. They always take much longer than anyone thinks and a lot of them dont work. But its a very satisfying way to earn a living.

Particularly, perhaps, if you can get one over the banks.
Investment bank Shawbrook has spent millions on a firm specialising in proton beam therapy the form of radiotherapy that made headlines in the case of Ashya King.

Shawbrook Asset Finance has agreed a 30million loan facility with Proton Partners International, which is building the first dedicated proton beam therapy centres in the UK.

Ashyas case came to light when his parents  Brett and Naghmeh  took him from Southampton General Hospital in 2014 against the wishes of his doctors in order to seek the proton beam therapy abroad for his brain cancer. This sparked a police search and the controversial arrest of his parents near Malaga in Spain.

Therapy: Ashya King with his father

A High Court judge later backed the parents right to take Ashya to the Czech Republic for the treatment. The six-year-old is now clear of cancer and went back to school last week.

The clinics, which will also offer traditional radiotherapy, will be open to NHS patients from England, Scotland and Wales, as well as medically-insured private patients and self-paying patients.

The first centre will be in Newport and is expected to treat traditional radiotherapy patients this year and proton beam therapy patients next year. Centres in London and Northumberland are due to open in 2017.

Mike Moran, chief executive officer of PPI, said the project would transform cancer treatment in the UK. He said: The equity funding has provided a very solid foundation on which the company can progress its plans for building the centres.

The facility from Shawbrook is welcome as it underpins the financial strength of the company.
The Government should focus more on building up or scaling companies than creating them, according to Jonathan Quin, founder and chief executive of currency transfer business World First, which increased its revenue by 71 per cent in 2015.

This time two years ago the firm, based in Westminster, had 200 employees. Now it has more than 400 and last years revenue growth was its highest since 2007.

Quin, who launched the company in 2004 after working for Royal Bank of Scotland and Citigroup, said of 2015: Weve transacted over 7billion.

Support: World First boss Jonathan Quin backs the plan

He said: Were strongly supportive of the idea of a scale-up Minister. Big business gets lots of coverage and start-ups have had some great exposure over the years. I think there are lots of great mid-sized businesses that no one has heard of. They have a lower risk of failure than start-ups but are much more able to grow quickly than huge businesses.

In 2014, Canadian angel investor and non-executive director of the London Stock Exchange, Sherry Coutu, produced an independent report into scale-ups.

She offered 12 recommendations  including a Minister supported by an industry taskforce responsible for reversing the scale-up gap facing the UK  saying they could add 1trillion to the economy by 2034.

Coutu, who is based in the UK and who invested in DVD rental service LoveFilm and property website Zoopla, has said: Britain is very, very good at getting start-ups going, but the real prize comes getting further down the road. Thats how you get the next Google or Apple.

More than a year later a scale-up Minister has not been announced. Quin said: As Coutu states in the report, competitive advantage doesnt go to nations that focus on creating companies, it goes to those that focus on scaling companies.

Quin also said he believed all businesses have the potential to grow.

He explained: If someone wants to grow their business but doesnt feel that they can grow what theyre currently doing, I think they should diversify their product, their geography or their product group.

Quin, who is in the Supper Club, a membership organisation for fast-growth founders, added: Its interesting to get an outsider in and to listen undefensively to what they have to say. Sometimes people cant see the wood for the trees.

He also said: Its essential that employees believe in what the business does. I think this has become noticeably more important to people since the crash. Its not just about the money.

As a business we already had a high growth target, but two years ago we set an even higher target and really interestingly it changed the way people worked. They were driven to do more, to act more quickly, to think further ahead, and to fix the things which wouldnt scale.

It was almost self-perpetuating that by aiming higher, we grew quicker.

He added: Since then weve exceeded our 38 per cent year-on-year growth target. Lots of businesses or people thinking about starting businesses are too afraid of taking risks and try to get themselves to being 100 per cent confident about an idea.
Paypal Working Capital, the business lending arm of the online payments giant, has provided 690million to small firms since launching in 2013.

In a sign of just how rapidly small company finance is changing, demand for PayPal Working Capital has tripled in the past year. It provides 2million a day. So far 60,000 small firms globally have secured funding.

Among them is Active Hound, a Plymouth-based supplier of products for dogs, including Chuckit! toys. Zak Taylor, who owns the firm, said: Initially I borrowed 8,000 as a test run.

Fetch!: Zak Taylor raised money for his firm, Active Hound, through PayPal Working Capital

It meant we could advertise more aggressively and buy more stock. It worked out a dream. He later borrowed another 19,000.

Norah Coelho, director at PayPal Working Capital, said: It launched in the UK about a year after it was developed in the US and grew tremendously fast. The size of the portfolio now exceeds 690 million, about 15 per cent of which is outside the US.

It is still early days in the UK. Fourteen months ago firms could borrow up to 20,000, now its 50,000.
King Arthurs legendary battles were fought over food for his people - not land or gold - after a volcanic eruption caused a global famine 1,500 years ago, a Celtic history expert has claimed.

Andrew Breeze said a massive volcano eruption in El Salvador in 535 AD spread ash into the atmosphere, obscured the sun and ruined harvests - meaning that Britons were left starving.

The British academic claims Arthurs mission was actually to rustle cattle from neighbouring tribes in Scotland, and he became a hero for helping the people of Strathclyde survive a famine.

Deadly: A massive volcano eruption in El Salvador in 535 AD spread ash into the atmosphere, obscured the sun and ruined harvests - meaning that Britons were left starving (file illustration)

Claim: King Arthur (left) actually had a mission of rustling cattle from neighbouring tribes in Scotland, and he became a hero for helping the people of Strathclyde survive a famine, academic Andrew Breeze (right) says

Aerial illustration: The Ilopango eruption, which is said by some academics to have been behind the extreme climate cooling and famines of the time, saw noxious cloud rise more than 25 miles into the atmosphere

Dr Breeze, who teaches at the University of Navarra in Spain, said scientists have long known of a global famine following the eruption of a volcano in 535 AD, believed to be Ilopango in El Salvador.

But he told MailOnline that nobody appears to have related this to an entry in the Welsh annals, which give 537 AD as the year of Arthur's death in battle at Camlan, and of a 'mortality' in Britain.

Philologist and Celticist Dr Breeze said: The implication is that in 536 to 537, the people of North Britain and elsewhere were starving. Hence, it seems, Arthur's battles.

He was a brave commander, but his mission was the unexpected one of rustling cattle from neighbouring tribes in Scotland. He was fighting not for land or gold but for meat to feed his people.

Dr Breeze described Arthur as a sixth-century Rob Roy after the 17th century Scottish outlaw who became a respected cattleman, whose story was made into a 1995 film starring Liam Neeson.

Today: Lake Ilopango is a crater lake that fills a volcanic caldera in El Salvador where the eruption took place

Wide lake: El Salvador is said to have seen the second-largest volcanic eruption in the last 200,000 years

Comparison: Dr Breeze described Arthur as 'a sixth-century Rob Roy' after the 17th century Scottish outlaw who became a respected cattleman, whose story was made into a 1995 film starring Liam Neeson (above)

Dr Breeze added: There is no end of evidence for cattle-reaving among the Celts. Arthur was obviously successful in helping the people of Strathclyde to survive a terrible famine. Hence his fame, first there, and then beyond.

THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR Thought to have lived during the late fifth and early sixth centuries, the original King Arthur is believed to have led the fight against the invading Saxons. Tintagel, the castle in which the king is said to have been born, still exists in ruined form in Cornwall, although others have claimed that he was Welsh. Either way, according to medieval romances and the Historia Brittonum, Arthur was a great king who defended Britain from enemies both earthly and supernatural. In Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae [History of the Kings of Britain], Arthur is depicted as an emperor who established a kingdom that included Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and parts of Italy, Germany and the Netherlands). Modern historians often equate him with King Alfred the Great, the Dark Ages ruler of Wessex who led the fight against the invading Danes, eventually stopping them in their tracks. Advertisement

The Ilopango eruption - which is believed to have been one of the worlds biggest natural disasters, killing up to 100,000 people - is said by some academics to have been behind the extreme climate cooling and famine of the time.

Astonishingly, it is thought to have been the second-largest volcanic eruption in the last 200,000 years - and saw noxious cloud rise more than 25 miles into the atmosphere, where it was carried by winds and blanketed the earth.

The eruption is said to have been behind a 'dust veil' which stuck for two years over the Northern Hemisphere and resulted in millions of deaths.

Dr Breeze said there is a record from a sixth century historian named Procopius of how the sky was for months mysteriously obscured, and the sun lost its rays, looking 'like the moon'.

The Byzantine historian wrote: 'It came about during this year that a most dread portent took place. For the sun gave forth its light without brightness, like the moon, during this whole year, and it seemed exceedingly like the sun in eclipse, for the beams it shed were not clear nor such as it is accustomed to shed.

'And from the time when this thing happened men were free neither from war nor pestilence nor any other thing leading to death.'

In September Dr Breeze said how he believed Arthur was a general rather than a monarch in the fifth or sixth century, who fought his battles in southern Scotland and northern England.

Basing his findings on a Latin work written in the ninth century by a Welsh monk named Nennius, Dr Breeze also told MailOnline how he thought Arthur lived most of his life in Strathclyde.

The legend of Arthur has influenced dozens of films, including King Arthur in 2004 starring Keira Knightley and Clive Owen, and 1967's Camelot with Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave.
In the 19th Century, they were some of the most notorious names in Australia, feared and revered in equal measure.

So when criminals such as Ned Kelly, 'Captain Moonlite' and Daniel 'Mad Dan' Morgan were eventually executed for their crimes, it was big news.

But without TV stations and modern-day technology, members of the public would travel to see the dead bodies for themselves, hoping to steal a lock of hair or piece of clothing as a keepsake.

Artists could carve out a living from drawing pictures of the deceased or creating plaster 'death masks', while photographers captured shots of the prisoners' last moments.

Now a collection of these bizarre and macabre mementoes have gone on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

True crime: Bushranger Daniel 'Mad Dan' Morgan, who was wanted for theft and murder, pictured after he was shot during a hold-up at Peechelba station, near Wangaratta, Victoria, in April 1865

'Sideshow Alley' reveals the various ways in which artists, photographers and entrepreneurs have used Australian convicts and criminals to turn a profit.

Canny publishers made a quick buck trading in salacious prints and penny dreadfuls, which were loosely based on true stories, while waxwork proprietors turned violence, scandal and misfortune into a lucrative art form with bizarre plaster masks of dead criminals.

It also take a look at the public's insatiable appetite for belongings and images of dangerous rogues, murderers and thieves, with a morbid pastime a trip to the morgue.

Among the assortment of ghoulish objects is infamous Edward 'Ned Kelly's 'death mask' - a plaster mould of his face taken shortly after he was executed by hanging in 1880.

The oldest sibling of an Irish convict and Australian mother, Ned was just 16 when he was first arrested and sent to prison for three years.

After his release, Ned continued his life of crime and was later outlawed for robberies and attempted murder along with his brother Dan and two associates, Joe Bryne and Steve Hart.

Notorious: Bushranger Edward 'Ned' Kelly (pictured left in 1873), was executed by hanging in November 1880 following years on the run. After Kelly's death, Max Kreitmayer made a plaster mould of his head (right)

Partners in crime: Outlaw Joe Byrne, who was wanted in connection with the murders of three police officers and bank robberies with the Kelly brothers, is pictured hanging from a pulley outside Benalla police station in Victoria the morning after he was killed during a gun battle with police in 1880

The four were eventually trapped at the Jones Hotel in Glenrowan, Victoria, where Byrne, Steve and Dan Kelly were all killed in a shoot-out with police.

The following morning on June 29, 1880, Byrne's body was hung on a pulley outside Benalla Police Station so photographers could take pictures of the corpse.

These unsettling images, which show children casually standing near the body, also feature in the exhibition.

Ned Kelly was later tried, convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging in November that year.

Another notorious criminal to appear in 'Sideshow Alley' is bushranger Daniel 'Mad Dan' Morgan who was wanted for highway robberies and murder.

During his years on the run, Morgan acquired a reputation for cruelty, resulting in his nickname 'Mad Dan'.

Dublin-born pickpocket and burglar John Donohoe, who was believed to be responsible for numerous outrages, murders and robberies, was shot dead by police in September 1830. Soon after, surveyor-general Thomas Mitchell drew this sketch of his body during an inquest

Morbid: Crowds are shown at La Morgue in Paris where members of the public could go to view unidentified bodies in the 19th Century. In Australia, 8000 people are said to have gone to a Melbourne morgue to view an unidentified female body found in a trunk fished out of the Yarra in 1898

So when he was ambushed and shot during a hold-up at Peechelba station, near Wangaratta, Victoria, in early April 1865, scores of people went to witness his slow demise.

A detective at the scene reportedly had to put a stop to the theft of Morgans hair by members of the public who wanted a souvenir.

During his slow death, Morgan's body was photographed, with the grisly image now part of the National Portrait Gallery exhibition.

Other criminals featured include the leader of the Wantabadgery gang of bushrangers Andrew George Scott, aka 'Captain Moonlite', and his right-hand man James Nesbitt. Both met untimely ends due to their chosen career path.

Dublin-born pickpocket and burglar John Donohoe, who went on to become the subject of ballads and plays, also appears in sketches drawn soon after he was shot to death in 1930.

But not every criminal met a grisly end. Irish pickpocket George Barrington changed his errant ways after being deported to Sydney in 1790 and ironically became a police constable and upstanding member of society before his death in 1804.

Not everyone met a grisly end: Irish pickpocket George Barrington, who was deported to Sydney in 1790, changed his ways after arriving in Australia and ironically became a police constable before his death in 1804
A New Zealand woman answered a call on New Year's Eve that is every mother's worst nightmare.

Her eight-month-old baby boy was fighting for his life nearly 10,000 km away in a Seoul Hospital after suffocating from being entangled in a blanket.

Sarah Bell, 31, was visiting her Kiwi family in New Zealand's South Island for Christmas, while her infant son was cared for by family members in South Korea - where she's lived since 2011.

Sarah Bell, 31, was visiting her family in New Zealand's South Island for Christmas, while her eight-month-old son Gio was cared for by family members in South Korea, where she lives

Gio has not regained consciousness and is still unable to breathe without a respirator. He remains in a critical condition in the ICU at Hanyang University Seoul Hospital

Mother's nightmare call: 'I stayed on the phone and could hear the ambulance sirens in the background. It was so awful because I was just waiting hoping for the news that he was awake'

Ms Bell, an English language teacher, told Daily Mail Australia that she got a call as soon as paramedics arrived at her home in Seoul.

'I stayed on the phone and could hear the ambulance sirens in the background. It was so awful because I was just waiting hoping for the news that he was awake, but the call had to end because Gio was going into ED and there was still no news at all.

'It was so hard hearing fireworks go off when I was wondering if my baby will make it, It annoyed me that people were celebrating that moment because I still had no real news of my baby's condition. I was just waiting. I'm still just waiting now,'

Gio has not regained consciousness and is still unable to breathe without a respirator. He remains in a critical condition in the ICU at Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, where doctors consider whether to surgically insert an oxygen tube through his neck.

'His doctors are continuing to monitor his condition especially the condition of his internal organs. Ideally they want to stabilize him enough to be able to have an MRI, but as of now he is not able to be off electronic device,' Ms Bell said.

Doctors have told the family to prepare for the possibility the eight-month-old may not make it.

Doctors have told the family to prepare for the possibility the eight-month-old may not make it as they consider serious surgery procedures

'His doctors are continuing to monitor his condition especially the condition of his internal organs. Ideally they want to stabilize him enough to be able to have an MRI,' said Ms Bell

The last week has put considerable emotional and financial stress on the young family, who have set up a fundraising page to help fund the cost of Gio's care

'He has already had one minor surgery on his abdomen to drain off fluid on both sides. They had to drain it off as it was pushing up on his lungs, so the respirator was struggling to give him the oxygen he needs,' said Ms Bell.

'We cannot even hug our poor buddy because he is hooked up to so many machines and he is so fragile. We can just be there and kiss him and tell him that we and everyone else loves him.'

Ms Bell spoke fondly of her 'intelligent and cheeky boy' who was 'full of laughs and full on every day'.

'He loves reading books and listening to Disney songs, he's very affectionate and loves crawling on top of people to squash them with a big hug.'

The last week has put considerable emotional and financial stress on the young family, who have set up a fundraising page to help with Gio's care.

'The donations will help us fund the cost of his ICU stay and help our family as well as we are struggling financially due to this situation.'

The cost of Gio's care has already reached $18,000 (AUD) - a South Korean national health insurance scheme will cover around 80 per cent of Gio's medical care, leaving the rest for the young family to bear.

Mother's love: 'He loves reading books and listening to Disney songs, he's very affectionate and loves crawling on top of people to squash them with a big hug'

'I wake up every day in a state of panic wondering what I can do to help Gio, last night I had a dream he had started moving his eyes, so I was pretty upset to wake up and remember none of that has happened.

Ms Bell said she was still adjusting to waking up in a quiet house each day as baby Gio had just got into his 'happy squealing stage'.

'The nurse showed us his four top teeth yesterday and while proud it made me sad because I never imagined this time as being one when he is unconscious.

'I want to see him use his new teeth just like any other baby.'

To donate to baby Gio's care visit: givealittle.co.nz/cause/gio
An American woman, her neck bruised and scratched, was found slain in her apartment in Florence on Saturday, Italian police said.

Maddalena Carosi, a police spokeswoman, said the woman has been identified as Ashley Olsen, 35, who had been living in Florence for some time.

Florence prosecutors have opened a murder investigation.

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Ashley Olsen, 35, was found dead in her flat in Florence, Italy - her Facebook page says she is originally from Florida (above with her dog, Scout)

Olsen and her beloved dog, Scout, in an undated Instagram photo from her page, which was full of her travels

Olsen was found with her neck bruised and scratched and Florence prosecutors have opened a murder investigation

Police would not comment on Italian news reports that the woman had been strangled until an autopsy can be performed, but they did confirm Olsen had scratch marks and bruises on her neck.

Police also declined to comment on Italian news reports that Olsen's boyfriend, described as an Italian artist living in Florence, became worried when he did not hear from the woman for a few days and asked the apartment's owner to open the door.

Her boyfriend said that they had an argument and that he had not heard from her, according to La Repubblica Daily.

The boyfriend reportedly arrived at her apartment at about 1.30pm and rang the bell but it went unanswered before he contacted the owner and was let in and discovered her.

Police would not comment on Italian news reports that the woman had been strangled until an autopsy can be performed, but they did confirm Olsen had scratch marks and bruises on her neck

TV and local newspaper accounts said the body was identified by the victim's father, who reportedly teaches at a Florence school

On Facebook, Olsen wrote saying goodbye to her family home (pictured) she grew up in. The post read: 'With a heavy heart I say goodbye to the home and island I grew up on for the past 25 years'

He called police but Olsen, who is believed to have originally been from Florida, had reportedly been dead for hours.

Local TV reports said the body was found on a bed in the apartment, which is located in Florence's historic center.

TV and local newspaper accounts said the body was identified by the victim's father, who reportedly teaches at a Florence school.

Olsen's fatalistic messages on her Instagram page unfortunately ended up being prescient as the vibrant woman was reportedly found murdered in her flat

Italian forensic police officers stand outside an apartment where 35-year-old American woman Ashley Oslen was found dead, in Florence, Italy on Saturday

Olsen, 35, was living in Florence with her boyfriend - her Facebook page says she studied at The Art Institutes

Investigators have since seized the victim's computer and the boyfriend along with a group of mostly American friends were taken in for questioning, according to La Repubblica Daily.

The ANSA news agency said Olsen was born in Florida.

Olsen loved and studied art and had organized events connected to the art world, according to La Repubblica Daily.

On her social media pages, she shared many pictures of herself beside her beloved dog, Scout, showing the pair appearing to enjoy life in Florence.
The woman who claims her banker husband has hidden millions of pounds of her divorce settlement in a tiger charity is set to launch a new legal battle  and says he cared so little for animals he wouldnt even allow her to have house cats.

Li Quan, a former executive at fashion house Gucci, recently won the right to appeal against a court judgment that branded her an unreliable liar blinded by revenge.

She claims that Stuart Bray used a 50 million offshore trust set up to fund a shelter for South China tigers to hide his money. In turn, Mr Bray maintains he has committed his cash to saving endangered animals and is virtually penniless.

Claws out: Li Quan (pictured with a tiger), a former executive at fashion house Gucci, recently won the right to appeal against a court judgment that branded her an unreliable liar blinded by revenge

But speaking for the first time about the case in an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, Li, 53, said: Im not trying to take money from charity or deprive the tigers. I am not trying to be greedy. All I want is my fair share so that I can rebuild my life. I have tried to settle this amicably but he wants me to have nothing.

My husband is a very clever man. He didnt even like animals that much  I had to beg him to let me have two house cats. He complained that they left hair everywhere.

Lis case in the acrimonious divorce appeared to have collapsed after a judge branded her an unreliable witness. But two High Court judges have since ruled there is a real prospect of an appeal succeeding.

The couple, who met at business school in the US in 1990, married in 2001 and set up home in a luxury penthouse overlooking the Thames.

Caring: Husband Stuart Bray maintains he has committed his cash to saving endangered animals and is virtually penniless

While her husband worked as an executive for Deutsche Bank, Li resigned from her role at Gucci to work as a conservationist, specialising in reintroducing tigers into the wild. She established the Save Chinas Tigers charity, which has an 81,000-acre wildlife reserve in South Africa that is home to 20 critically endangered big cats. All are destined to be returned to their natural habitat in three reserves in China.

Mr Bray bankrolled the charity, whose celebrity supporters include martial arts star Jackie Chan, actress Michelle Yeoh and businessman David Tang, funnelling millions through a charitable trust.

But Li claims she lost custody of the tigers after Mr Bray ousted her from the charitys board in 2012. She also claims he transferred all their joint assets, including the 23 million reserve in South Africa, to the offshore trust.

She alleges that the trust is protected by a complex financial structure which makes it tax-efficient, but opaque. He had all the power, she said. I had nothing in my name except a dormant bank account. I had no idea how much he actually took home.

Stuart took care of our finances and I focused on the tigers.

Li, who is being represented by divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag, added: The trust became our only source of income.

We used it for everything, from holidays to nights out at expensive restaurants. Neither of us took a salary. It paid all our expenses.

Mr Bray said: A Family Court [in October 2014] made a finding of fact that I did not hide joint assets and also found my wife to be an unreliable witness, whose actions have been motivated by revenge.

Ive repeatedly offered to settle out of court, but I cant pay as much as she wants. Its more than I can afford. All the money in the trust is for the tigers charity.

Mr Bray said he no longer sat on the board of the trust and that the original sum was closer to 25 million, not 50 million.
Thousands of patients across the country will be left waiting in 'pain and anxiety' because their operations have been cancelled due to Tuesday's junior doctors' strike.

Children, elderly people in need of hip and knee replacements and even cancer patients will be affected by the 24-hour walkout.

The industrial action, held in protest at changes to pay and working hours, has led to about 4,000 operations planned for Tuesday being cancelled, The Mail on Sunday understands. Tens of thousands of outpatient appointments are also likely to be delayed.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt argues the main reason for the changes is to cut death rates at weekends by enabling hospitals to man wards better outside of 'office hours'

Last night Roger Goss of the Patient Concern group said: 'Patients will be devastated to have their operations cancelled. They should not be made to be the 'piggy in the middle' of an argument that has nothing to do with them.

'When you go into hospital for an operation, you have to build yourself up emotionally. You have to be prepared to go into hospital for something that  God forbid  you might only come out of in a box.

'To have these operations cancelled at the last minute is a psychological blow for the thousands of people affected. It will leave them in pain, and suffering anxiety.'

Doctors union the British Medical Association (BMA) said it 'deeply regretted' the disruption the industrial action would cause patients, but insisted it was necessary because the proposed contract changes would 'damage patient safety'.

This is disputed by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who argues the main reason for the changes is to cut death rates at weekends by enabling hospitals to man wards better outside of 'office hours'.

The figure of 4,000 cancelled operations has been compiled from figures provided by England's 160 hospital trusts, according to a senior Health source.

Hospitals are now phoning patients whose operations have been cancelled to inform them.

Action: The BMA is due to stage the first of three successive walkouts by junior doctors next week  leading to the cancellation of thousands of operations and appointments. Pictured, junior doctors demonstrating last year

Doctors union the BMA said it 'deeply regretted' the disruption the industrial action would cause patients, but insisted it was necessary because the proposed contract changes would 'damage patient safety'

A spokesman for North Bristol NHS Trust said 'the majority' of outpatient appointments at Southmead and Frenchay hospitals are being cancelled. Jenny Hey, deputy chief operating officer of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, urged people to stay away from A&E unless they really needed emergency treatment.

Tuesday will see tens of thousands of junior doctors staging their first walkout in four decades. For 24 hours, starting at 8am, they will refuse to carry out anything but emergency care. Exactly how many junior doctors will take action remains to be seen.

The BMA says that 99 per cent of those who returned ballot papers voted for industrial action, equating to just under 28,000 doctors. But that is just over half the total number of NHS junior doctors in England, who number 54,000. Of the remainder, some 9,000 eligible to vote did not do so. And about a third of junior doctors are not members of the doctors' union.

The BMA has two more days of action planned: another 24-hour 'emergency care only' walkout on Tuesday, January 26 and a 'full strike' between 8am and 5pm, on Wednesday February 10.
Migrants were yesterday accused of further sexual assaults in Germany  after Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed stricter laws regulating asylum seekers after a string of New Years Eve attacks.

A gang of up to 15 foreign men were alleged to have indecently touched two women outside a nightclub in Munich  adding to around 150 reports of attacks across five German cities.

Yesterday Mrs Merkel announced plans to tighten up the law on denying the right of asylum for those who have committed crimes.

The news came after she faced renewed criticism for her open-door policy, which saw 1.1 million migrants enter the country in 2015.

Opponents of anti-immigration right-wing movement PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West) protest against a PEGIDA rally in Cologne

Police drive back right-wing demonstrators using a water cannon during protests in Cologne, Germany,

A man holds up a sign reading "No violence against women" as he takes part in a demonstration in front of the cathedral in Cologne

The latest attacks add to the scores of cases across Germany of women being attacked by organised Arab or North African gangs on December 31.

Yesterday, a march by the German far-Right group Pegida through the streets of Cologne had to be dispersed by police water cannon.

In the central square where hundreds of women last week ran a gauntlet of groping hands, police weathered a storm of fireworks, stones and beer bottles.

Pepper spray was also used and the demonstration was cancelled. Police warned the protesters via loudspeakers they faced truncheon charges and arrest unless the mood calmed down.

Pegida members chanted: We are the people!  the slogan of the Velvet Revolutionaries of 1989 in East Germany who took on the power of the Communist state.

Pegida has attracted a strong following since mass immigration began into Germany.

There was also a flashmob of thousands of women with placards saying No violence against women.

Authorities sent 1,700 police on to the streets to keep the groups apart.

Media websites reported that there were even officers on duty in the main station toilets in a bid to prevent a recurrence of the frightful New Years Eve scenes.

One of the speakers to the mob was former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, who will be leading a march by the UK branch of Pegida in Birmingham next month.

He told the crowd: The more Muslims who come to Germany, the more likely it is that they will erect Sharia law.

The co-founder of Pegida, Lutz Bachmann, posted a photo of himself on social media with the slogan Rape Refugees Not Welcome. In a similar vein, a leader of the populist Right-wing Alternative For Germany party, which has attracted around ten per cent support in surveys ahead of state elections this year, claimed that the events gave a taste of the looming collapse of culture and civilisation.

Mrs Merkel said her proposal, which will be discussed with her coalition partners and would need parliamentary approval, would help Germany deport serial offenders convicted of lesser crimes.

She said: This is in the interests of the citizens of Germany, but also in the interests of the great majority of the refugees who are here.

Serial offenders who consistently, for example, return to theft or time and again insult women must count on the force of the law.

Colognes police chief was sacked on Friday amid mounting criticism of his forces handling of the incidents and accusations that it was slow in releasing information about the attacks for fear of inflaming racial tension.

Identical sex attacks have been reported in Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Austria, sparking fears they were co-ordinated.

Apprentice star and Muslim businesswoman Saira Khan was shocked that the liberal response to the attacks in Cologne was to not address that the attackers were African and Arab men

As an Asian woman, I know misogyny all too well

COMMENT By Saira Khan, Apprentice star and Muslim businesswoman

When the news broke about these assaults, I was shocked and dismayed that the liberal response of officials in Germany and of broadcasters here was not to address the elephant in the room: that they were all carried out by African and Arab men who were either migrants or asylum seekers.

Not addressing this profound clash of cultures only promises to make things worse.

Having grown up in an Asian Muslim household and community in Britain, I can recognise the symptoms all too clearly. Along with my female Asian friends, I saw Asian men get away with murder, while as girls, we were strictly controlled  what we said, who we said it to, where we went, what we wore, who we married. As women, our conduct, behaviour and reputation all had a bearing on the familys honour  and to dishonour the family could mean death.

The Asian culture I grew up in was misogynistic  and it still is.

My husband and I have travelled and worked in North Africa, Pakistan and the Middle East, and the common experience is that as a woman, I am not allowed to walk alone and have to follow a strict code of dress (covering up arms, legs and body) when out in public.

In 2007, I was asked by the BBC to travel to Pakistan and make a documentary. One particular shoot was to take place on the day when the Prophet Mohammeds birthday was celebrated. My all-male British team were nervous because thousands of Pakistani men were to gather in a square and I was to report from the crowd.

I was determined to do the piece and naively I thought: Nothing will happen to me, its a spiritual day. I was dressed in the native shalwaar kameez  long baggy trousers and a tunic to cover my body. I wore a scarf around my head to show respect. All that was visible were my hands and face. With much persuasion, my director David allowed me to walk by myself near a crowd of men.

Having grown up in an Asian Muslim household and community in Britain, Ms Khan can recognise the symptoms all too clearly. Pictured, groups of young men gather in front of the main railway station in Cologne on New Year's Eve - when over 100 women have reported they were sexually assaulted or robbed

Here in the West, we need to stop burying our heads in the sand and accept that Asian, Arab and African men grow up in societies where misogyny is the cultural norm, argues Ms Khan. Pictured, firecrackers being set off outside Cologne's central station on New Year's Eve

I realised within five minutes what an idiot I had been  I was the only woman in this crowd. I was spotted and within minutes a group of men had circled me and hands were all over me while bodies pressed up against mine. I was rescued by our burly fixer who carried me out. I was shaking and shocked  and I was angry at myself for being so naive after everything I had grown up with.

Understanding how African and Asian men view and treat women in their own countries is crucial when dealing with the migrant crisis  because only when we understand their cultural practices can we help them to integrate. They need to understand that women are deemed equal to men in Western societies.

Here in the West, we need to stop burying our heads in the sand and accept that Asian, Arab and African men grow up in societies where misogyny is the cultural norm. We need to talk about it so we can change it.
Mock-up: Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary Emily Thornberry has come under fire after boasting she held a senior honorary rank in the Armed Forces. Pictured, Ms Thornberry in military garb, as imagined by MoS computer wizards

Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary came under fire from a former head of the British Army last night  for boasting she held a senior honorary rank in the Armed Forces.

In a bid to justify her controversial appointment by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Emily Thornberry suggested that she had been made an honorary colonel while working as a legal representative at military court hearings.

Ms Thornberry, 55, who was a human rights barrister before entering politics, made the claim after senior military figures and MPs challenged her job credentials, accusing her of lacking any knowledge or experience of military matters.

The mother of three, who shares a 3 million house in Islington, North London, with her husband Sir Christopher Nugee, a High Court judge, bragged about having an honorary rank last week when interviewed by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS).

She said: I have quite a lot more experience than people might think I do. I was made an honorary lieutenant colonel when I was doing court-martials [sic] when I was a barrister so I have a certain amount of experience of the military there.

But when The Mail on Sunday put her comment to the Ministry of Defence, senior sources dismissed her claim, insisting there was no record of Ms Thornberry, or any other civilian legal representative, being given honorary rank in respect of their work as a barrister or a solicitor.

Last night, General The Lord Richard Dannatt, who led thousands of British troops in Iraq, said Ms Thornberrys claim raised further concerns about her level of understanding of defence affairs.

He said: Shes tried to give herself some credentials but Im afraid in doing so shes made herself look incredible.

The proof of the pudding will be in the eating as to whether shes a suitable Shadow Defence Secretary, but on this matter of honorary colonel she really ought to correct herself.

During courts-martial, all civilian legal representatives are treated as officers and may be accommodated in officers accommodation. But this is merely an expedient measure for the duration of the hearings and no longer. This is a courtesy rather than an honour as it applies to all.

Being made an honorary colonel is something very different and is a reflection of a career of dedicated service and achievement by a senior military officer. It would appear Ms Thornberry is unaware of this difference.

Senior sources at the Ministry of Defence dismissed Ms Thornberry's (pictured) claim, insisting there was no record of Ms Thornberry, or any other civilian legal representative, being given honorary rank in respect of their work as a barrister or a solicitor

Ms Thornberry said last night that she had become an Hon. Lieutenant Colonel during a long court martial in Cyprus around 1989 at which she had represented a soldier wrongly accused of theft.

She said: At the time, the practice was for members of the bar to stay at the officers mess and to be given an honorary rank. It was the equivalent of the prosecuting officers.'

'We don't need drones to fight IS'

Emily Thornberry was last night embroiled in a row over claims that she wants to ban the use of British drones to attack terrorists.

The new Shadow Defence Secretary reportedly led an anti-drone move when she was Shadow Attorney General in former Labour leader Ed Milibands front bench team.

Labour sources claim she had argued that the use of RAF drones overseas potentially went against international law.

She was overruled by fellow Labour MPs.

Emily Thornberry was last night embroiled in a row over claims that she wants to ban the use of British drones to attack terrorists

But there are now fears that the policy could be revived by Mr Corbyn.

He criticised the death of IS murderer Jihadi John by a drone strike, saying he should instead have been captured and put on trial.

A Labour insider said: The use of drones was a cause celebre of the Left, and Emily and some of Eds aides wanted to come out against the British Government using drones.

She was told to go away and shut up.

Ms Thornberry is also said to have opposed plans to protect British servicemen and women who faced being prosecuted for their actions in combat.
Its daunting reputation for academic robes and dusty traditions has made applying to Oxford a terrifying prospect for generations of students.

But now the university is enjoying a resurgence in popularity among state school pupils  thanks to Harry Potter.

University chiefs say that teenagers steeped in Harrys adventures at Hogwarts are no longer deterred by Oxfords traditions  because they echo scenes in J. K. Rowlings bestselling books.

Instead, Oxfords head of admissions Samina Khan says the Hogwarts generation is excited by the prospect of grand dining halls, flowing robes and ancient ceremonies.

Flowing robes, ancient ceremonies - and the sorting hat - Maggie Smith stars in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

This is a generation thats grown up with Harry Potter, says Ms Khan.

They recognise the benefits of that small college community, the grand tables and talking about current affairs.

In fact, Oxfords Christ Church College inspired the set design for Hogwarts school hall in the Potter films, and Oxford remains one of the few universities where formal academic dress is still worn.

Last year, more than 75 per cent of students at the university voted to keep formal academic dress a part of student life.

Emma Hine, who is reading geography at St Johns College, said: As a student ambassador, the school pupils Ive spoken to are always interested in the ceremonies and quirks and see it as a positive.

More than half of Oxford students now come from state schools, but with 17,000 applicants for just 3,200 places each year, winning a place remains far from easy.
The money raised by taxes would be used to fund a public spending spree

Jeremy Corbyn has raised the controversial prospect of clobbering Middle England with a new local income tax to fund a public spending spree.

His suggestion of giving tax-raising powers to town hall chiefs  on top of existing national income tax and council tax  could plunge Labour deeper into civil war after one moderate MP branded the idea lunacy.

Mr Corbyn says English regions should have similar powers to the Scottish Parliament, which is set to be given full control over income tax rates by David Cameron next year.

Controversial: Jeremy Corbyn has raised the controversial prospect of clobbering Middle England with a new local income tax to fund a public spending spree

Left-wing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will use the change to impose progressive taxes, which is seen as code for making the better off pay more.

Mr Corbyn told a private Westminster lunch last week that it was vital to address local levels of taxation in England. He did not say how much tax English regions should be able to charge, but added: We have a tax-raising power in Scotland but not in English regions. I want genuine regional taxation powers [in England].

WHAT CORBYN TOLD A PRIVATE WESTMINSTER LUNCH Weve got a tax-raising power in the Scottish Parliament. We are getting broadly similar in Wales. But there is no facility in English regions or English local government, other than a small variation of rates, without triggering a referendum. We live in a very centralised country in Britain. Far more centralised than most other European countries. If we are serious about devolution, two issues come up. One is how you carve up national expenditure to reflect the needs of regions and guarantee it to them, because at the moment it is not fair. Then you move on to the question of local levels of taxation. I want to come up with a formula that gives genuine regional government genuine regional taxation powers. Advertisement

The move was branded lunacy by a leading centrist Labour MP who said: It will mean Corbyns cronies in town halls slapping new income taxes on Middle England to pay for their daft projects  which is why we were out of power for two decades after the madness of Labour Governments in the 1970s. Under Corbyn well be out of power for another two decades.

Mr Corbyn did not specify what form of regional taxes he favoured.

Ms Sturgeon is to get full tax- raising control from next year, with limited powers from April.

At last years General Election, the SNP backed a 50p top rate of tax for high earners, 5p above the current top level. The Tories claim that once she has the power to do so, she will impose a 50p rate north of the border.

Ms Sturgeon has already introduced a Scottish version of stamp duty, hitting middle-income homeowners harder. Under her new tax, anyone buying a family home worth more than 333,000 pays more than under the old system, and the burden rises steeply for larger properties.

The Corbyn tax backlash fuelled a growing revolt by Labour MPs furious at their leaders revenge reshuffle of moderates in last weeks Shadow Cabinet shake-up.

However, Mr Corbyns spokesman last night said his comments were not about tax.

They were about improving democratic engagement across public services in the regions, he said.

Quit: Labour MP Alison McGovern (pictured), a former aide to Gordon Brown, resigned after a row over a 'closet Tory' jibe

Now another Labour MP quits her post over 'closet Tory' jibe

The head of a Labour review of child poverty quit last night after a row over a closet Tory jibe by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.

Labour MP Alison McGovern, a former aide to Gordon Brown, resigned amid growing signs that Jeremy Corbyn is losing control of his party.

McGovern, head of the Blairite campaign group Progress, threw in the towel after McDonnell claimed that MPs in groups such as Progress pursued a hard Right-wing agenda.

Her resignation followed a heated Commons clash between the Shadow Chancellor and the previous head of Progress, Labour MP John Woodcock, who challenged McDonnell in the voting lobby.

Woodcock, who also worked for Brown, said: You have no right to say MPs like me are following a hard-Right Conservative agenda. McDonnell flashed back: You are.

Woodcock replied: Youre a disgrace. You are comparing us to the British National Party.

McDonnell denied it but refused to withdraw his claim that Labour MPs such as Woodcock who had criticised Corbyns sacking of moderate Shadow Ministers had a Tory agenda.

A friend of McGovern  who backed Liz Kendall in the leadership election  said: Jeremy was not Alisons choice as Labour leader but as a loyalist she agreed to lead a review of child poverty for McDonnell, and did everything to make it work. For McDonnell to criticise her group Progress as closet Tories is an outrage.
Whether it's a smiley face, a thumbs-up or a pint of beer, a modern-day text message isn't complete without a so-called emoji or two at the end.

But although the little icons are now a standard feature on most smartphones, many people are unaware that adding them to a text message could leave them out of pocket.

Some phone models log messages containing emojis as a picture message  also known as an MMS  rather than a standard text, allowing providers to charge up to 45p a message. And although unlimited free texts come as standard with many contracts, MMS messages are charged separately.

For non emoji speakers, that (sort of) translates as: 'Mobile phone users furious at shelling out (think cricket umpires!) for picture message charges Apple and others don't flag up'

Now experts at the price-comparison website uSwitch have called on phone networks to either abolish premium rates for picture messages or include them in their customers' monthly text allowance as standard.

Spokesman Ernest Doku said: 'The reason people are getting charged is because an outmoded system of messaging has fallen through the cracks. It's silly for picture messages to be an out-of-bundle charge every single time you use them and this outdated system means customers who are using emojis are falling foul.'

Mobile phone companies claim the problem is down to handset manufactures but Mr Doku warned providers that a failure to modernise picture messages will result in more consumers using messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

In 2013, the number of text messages sent in the UK was overtaken by instant messaging services. An estimated 140 billion texts were sent in 2014 compared to 300 billion instant messages.

Tina Renton, from Essex, was left fuming after EE charged her 80  just for including emojis in her texts on an iPhone 6.

Some iPhone 6 users have also complained that they have been charged higher rates for sending emojis in group messages

She has had a contract with EE for almost two years and said she had never been charged for including emojis in her SMS messages. But when she checked her bank account in November she found EE had deducted 135  80 of which was for emojis.

She said: 'I haven't been doing anything different from what I normally do. I send a lot of emojis in my texts but I'm supposed to be able to send unlimited text messages so how can they start charging me without warning? It's totally unfair and wrong.'

EE told Ms Renton that the 240 emojis she had sent had turned her SMS messages into picture messages, resulting in the huge bill. EE said last night it would not comment on individual cases.

And it's not just emojis that could leave customers out of pocket. Samsung users could be charged premium rates if a text is longer than three pages or if it includes a contact as an attachment, according to consumer website Moneysavingexpert.com. Someone with an HTC handset can be charged for sharing a location via Maps, attaching a picture to a text, sending a music file or using more than 1,500 characters in a text.

BlackBerry users can also be charged up to 45p for attaching a file to a text message, if the message is too long or when a message is sent to a group.

Some iPhone 6 users have also complained that they have been charged higher rates for sending emojis in group messages. Apple said iPhone users paid MMS rates if their text message included any attachments, was sent to an email address, or was sent as a group text.

Moneysavingexpert.com's Steve Nowottny said: 'Sadly many of our users have told us they've been caught out  some racking up enormous bills. At up to 45p a pop the extra charges soon add up.'
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Flames and black smoke towered far into the sky after ISIS fighters attacked an oil tanker in the port of Es Sider.

The blaze towered high above the firefighters who tried desperately to extinguish it, shortly after they were forced to battle two other oil fires at the Ras Lanuf terminal.

After days of attacks against oil tankers, the extremists are said to have attacked a major power plant in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi today.

Fire rises from an oil tank in the port of Es Sider, in Ras Lanuf, which was said to have been attacked by ISIS militants

Firefighters tried desperately to put out the fire, which rose high above them, in the Libyan port of Es Sider

Firefighters tried to put out this fire in Es Sider (pictured) shortly after they were forced to battle two others at the Ras Lanuf terminal

Firefighters extinguished two fires at oil storage tanks at Libya's Ras Lanuf terminal on Monday, but blazes continued at five tanks in the nearby port of Es Sider at the same time

Fire fighters eventually put out the fire Es Sider, which broke out on Monday, and two others at oil storage tanks at Ras Lanuf terminal.

One of the power plant's employees said militants began shelling it late on Friday evening and continued into the morning, shutting down one of the plant's units and starting a fire that sent black smoke billowing into the sky.

Military Commander Fadhal al-Hassi said ISIS was to blame. This could not be independently confirmed, though other Islamist groups operating in Benghazi do not tend to target civilian infrastructure.

Libya has slipped into turmoil following the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with rival militias, factions and governments competing for power and for the country's oil wealth.

On Thursday, dozens of police recruits were killed in a truck bombing claimed by Islamic State in the western town of Zliten.

It followed ISIS attacks on major oil terminals at Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, triggering several days of clashes and causing fires at seven oil storage tanks.

Fire fighters eventually put out the fire Es Sider (pictured), which broke out on Monday, and two others at oil storage tanks at Ras Lanuf terminal

An employee of the power plant which was attacked today, following Monday's attack on oil tankers (pictured), said militants began shelling it late on Friday evening and continued into the morning

Earlier this week, Islamic State militants attacked major oil terminals at Es Sider (pictured) and Ras Lanuf, triggering several days of clashes and causing fires at seven oil storage tanks

On Thursday, just days after these fires in Es Sider, dozens of police recruits were killed in a truck bombing claimed by Islamic State in the western town of Zliten

Military Commander Fadhal al-Hassi said ISIS was to blame for recent attacks in Libya, although these claims have yet to be verified

The Petroleum Facilities Guard said the last of those fires were put out on Friday. Benghazi has seen months of heavy fighting between Islamist militants and military forces allied to the country's recognised, eastern-based government.

The power plant, which supplies much of eastern Libya, currently has an output of 910 MW. That is some 170 MW short of demand, meaning power is rationed to residential parts of Benghazi for several hours a day.
A British businessman is suing Google for refusing to remove links to online information that, he claims, has turned him into a pariah.

The married father, who has not been named, alleges in a High Court writ that the information has led to him being threatened in public by people who have seen it. He suggests that some of them have also tried to blackmail him.

When his solicitors wrote to Google asking for links to the sensitive personal data to be removed, the company refused.

This nature of the information is not specified but it appears to relate to a previous conviction.

Writ: The unnamed businessman is suing Google for refusing to remove links to online information that, he claims, has led to attempts to blackmail him (file image)

If the businessman is successful, it is likely to trigger a deluge of similar actions and have implications for other search engines and news websites.

It is thought to be only the third legal action of its kind in the UK and follows former Formula 1 boss Max Mosleys attempt to stop Google searches revealing old images of him at an orgy.

The businessmans writ says that Google makes available two links to publications containing inaccurate information about him. As a result, he has been and continues to be treated as a pariah in his personal, business and social life, according to the writ.

Previously outgoing, it says he now leads a quiet and solitary life and is unable to form new friendships because he fears new acquaintances will look him up on Google and subsequently shun him. Claiming his wife has also become withdrawn and insecure, the writ says she has faced questions from her friends about the results of Google searches.

It argues that the information linked to by Google is inaccurate, out of date, and is being maintained for far longer than is necessary for any conceivable legitimate purpose.

And it contends that Google has unlawfully infringed his right to respect for his private and family life, and misused his private information. The businessman is demanding an order forcing Google to erase links to the sensitive data about him, and an injunction banning it from processing or misusing his private information.

Public: It is thought to be only the third legal action of its kind in the UK and follows former Formula 1 boss Max Mosleys (pictured) attempt to stop Google searches revealing old images of him at an orgy

He is also seeking damages for breach of statutory duty under the Data Protection Act 1998 and misuse of private information.

Mosley won 60,000 damages from the now defunct News of the World over a report and pictures of a sex party he attended in 2008. He then sued Google to have links to the photos removed from the search engine.

He reached a confidential settlement with Google last year following legal action in three countries, three months after a judge ruled he had a viable claim.
This is the shocking moment a Russian doctor was caught on camera killing a patient with a single punch.

The shocking video of the attack in the southern city of Belgorod was aired repeatedly on state television and went viral on YouTube, while Russian media nicknamed the attacker 'the boxer doctor'.

The incident raised questions over a cover-up culture in state medicine, with investigators only announcing the probe several days later, after security camera footage was released online and shown on television.

In the video, the strongly-built doctor in medical clothing drags the barechested male patient from the examination table, asking him 'why did you touch the nurse?' and pushes him out of the doorway

When the patient returns, the doctor deals him a single blow to the face and a crash can be heard as the middle-aged man falls backwards onto the floor

Meanwhile the doctor continues to scuffle with another man accompanying the patient

In the video, the strongly-built doctor in medical clothing drags the barechested male patient from the examination table, asking him 'why did you touch the nurse?' and pushes him out of the doorway.

When the patient returns, the doctor deals him a single blow to the face and a crash can be heard as the middle-aged man falls backwards onto the floor.

Meanwhile the doctor continues to scuffle with another man accompanying the patient, and it is only minutes later that the medics notice the patient lying motionless and attempt unsuccessfully to revive him.

Belgorod's Investigative Committee said in a statement released Saturday that the incident took place on December 29.

The doctor hit the patient in the face after he 'kicked a nurse during a procedure,' the investigators said.

'The cause of death of the victim was trauma to the skull and brain from hitting the back of the head on the hard surface of the floor.'

Russian media named the doctor as Ilya Zelendinov, a surgeon at the hospital, and the patient as 56-year-old Yevgeny Bakhtin.

Investigators said the doctor was suspected of causing death through negligence, for which he could serve up to two years in jail.

it is only minutes later that the medics notice the patient lying motionless and attempt unsuccessfully to revive him

Belgorod's Investigative Committee said in a statement released Saturday that the incident took place on December 29

The doctor has been fired from his job but remains free after signing a declaration that he will not travel during the investigation. Pictured are medics lifting the dead patient into another room

He has been fired from his job but remains free after signing a declaration that he will not travel during the investigation.

Investigators denied any delay, saying they opened a criminal probe the day after the incident, after the hospital reported the death and a post-mortem showed a head injury.

The relatively minor charge reflects the fact there is 'no grounds to say that the doctor wanted to murder the patient,' investigators said.

'If the victim had stayed on his feet or hit his head on a less hard surface, the consequences would not have been so critical.'

Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova has ordered the state health watchdog to carry out a check into the incident, state television reported Saturday.

Russian medics have long operated in a culture of secrecy, with patients having little recourse to compensation for medical errors.
David Cameron has pledged to demolish 'brutal high-rise' towers and bleak housing in an attempt to end decades of neglect

David Cameron has vowed to 'blitz' decades of poverty by bulldozing the UK's worst sink estates and high-rise towers to make way for better homes.

As part of a 140m redevelopment scheme, the Prime Minister pledged to demolish 'brutal high-rise' towers and bleak housing in an effort to tackle drug abuse and gang culture.

Making a bid for the political centre ground Tories believe has been abandoned by Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Cameron said decades of neglect of estates were behind the riots that swept Britain in 2011.

The redevelopment programme is to be overseen by Lord Heseltine, who helped to transform the Liverpool and London docks in the 1980s.

His estate regeneration advisory panel has been told to produce a full blueprint by the time of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.

Details of the scheme will be set out in a keynote speech being delivered by the premier on Monday, in which he is also due to outline plans to double government funding for relation-ship counselling for troubled families and relaunch a coalition proposal to issue vouchers for parenting classes.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Cameron said: 'Within these so-called sink estates, behind front doors, families build warm and welcoming homes.

'But step outside in the worst estates and you're confronted by concrete slabs dropped from on high, brutal high-rise towers and dark alleyways that are a gift to criminals and drug dealers.

'Decades of neglect have led to gangs and antisocial behaviour. Poverty has become entrenched, because those who could afford to move have understandably done so.'

He promised to transform the worst estates and in some areas it would mean knocking down the houses and starting again.

The Government will inject 140m to rehouse occupants and tear up planning rules to speed up the process.

Tenants and homeowners will be given 'binding guarantees' that their right to a home is protected.

Mr Cameron said three out of four rioters in 2011 came from sink estates.

The Lower Falinge estate in Rochdale, (pictured), Greater Manchester and Broadwater Farm in Tottenham, north London are reportedly some of the estates being targeted

'The riots of 2011 didn't emerge from within terraced streets or low-rise apartment buildings. The rioters came overwhelmingly from these postwar estates. That's not a coincidence,' he wrote.

The housing developments being targeted reportedly include the Winstanley estate in Wandsworth, south London.

Others could include the Lower Falinge estate in Rochdale, Greater Manchester and Broadwater Farm in Tottenham, north London.

Shadow housing minister Jon Healey said that people wouldn't see the 'small-scale' scheme making much difference to housing problems

Shadow housing minister John Healey said: 'Any extra to help councils build new homes is welcome but Conservative ministers have halved housing investment since 2010 and are doing too little to deal with the country's housing pressures.

'Another week, another housing announcement. If press statements built new homes the Government would have the housing crisis sorted.
One of ISIS's top commanders is believed to have been killed by an Iraqi airstrike in the city of Barwana, the country's army has said.

Nasser Mohammed al-Obeidi was the second deputy of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and in charge of the terror group's operations in western Iraq and eastern Syria, Iraq's Joint Operations Command said.

Obeidi was once a brigade commander for former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's special forces unit, the Republican Guards.

One of ISIS's top commanders is believed to have been killed by an Iraqi airstrike in the city of Barwana, the country's army has said

He was also a fugitive from Abu Ghraib prison and a former prisoner in Camp Bucca, a spokesman of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, Col. Mohammed Ibrahim, told CNN.

The United States led coalition has announced similar killings. Obeidi's alleged death comes just days after ISIS's chief spokesman in Iraq, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, was said to be severely wounded in another airstrike.

Al-Adnani, earmarked as the group's next leader, was reported as having lost 'a large amount of blood' after being hit in the town of Barwanah, in the Anbar province, yesterday.

He was moved to the city of Hit for initial treatment before being transferred to Mosul flanked by security guards, CNN reported.

Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, earmarked as the group's next leader, was reported as having lost 'a large amount of blood' after being hit in the town of Barwanah, in the Anbar province, yesterday

A spokesman for Iraq's Joint Operations Command confirmed that they had been following Adnani's movements for well over a month before he was injured on Thursday in what is believed to have been a targeted attack.

Adnani is considered the terror network's most prominent public figure in Iraq, having made several audio recordings which have been posted online.

He is held in the same bracket of notoriety as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the caliph of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and has been suggested as the jihadists' next leader should Baghdadi lose his position.

A spokesman for Iraq's Joint Operations Command confirmed that they had been following Adnani's movements for well over a month before he was injured on Thursday in what is believed to have been a targeted attack

Adnani was held in custody - believed to have been at the American detention facility, Camp Bucca - after being captured by US troops in 2005, remaining a prisoner until 2010.

A 2.5million bounty was issued in May 2014 for information leading to the Syrian born extremist, referring to his 'repeated calls for attacks against Westerns'.
She was 'euphoric' when she arrived in Sydney at 1.13pm local time

Intrepid solo pilot Tracey Curtis-Taylor had just three things on her mind after completing her epic 13,000-mile adventure in Australia yesterday  a drink, a manicure and a trip to the hairdresser.

And that was hardly surprising. During the past three months the self-styled Bird in a Biplane has flown halfway across the world in an open cockpit with only the most basic stick and rudder controls to negotiate the elements.

She described herself as euphoric when she finally set foot in Sydney at 1.13pm local time.

Mission accomplished: Tracey enjoys a drink after landing in Sydney

Smiling broadly, the 53-year-old said: Youve no idea what being thrown around for 165 hours in an open cockpit can do to your hair.

Curtis-Taylor made the journey, which was supported by The Mail on Sunday, as a homage to legendary airwoman Amy Johnson, who completed the same flight in 1930.

Traceys 1942 Boeing Stearman, called Spirit of Artemis, was very similar to the Gypsy Moth that Johnson used on the original flight.

Flying high: Tracey passes Ayers Rock

Since leaving Farnborough in Hampshire on October 1, Curtis-Taylor has flown across 23 countries, made 50 refuelling stops and experienced many dramatic highs and lows, including on the final leg.

She said: I just wanted to see the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was breathtaking, fantastic. The flying has been sensational  low-level, seeing the most iconic places.

Curtis-Taylor, who grew up in Cumbria and now lives in London, said other highlights included flying over the Dead Sea, the deserts of Arabia, the mountains of Burma and the coastline of Thailand  past the spectacular jungle-clad islands made famous as Scaramangas lair in the James Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun.

I've made it: Tracey lands in Sydney

She flew between five and seven hours at a time on each of the 93 days. Incredibly, there was only one real delay. She was forced to abandon her flight for several days when she hit heavy rain and a blanket of fog over the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, forcing her to fly as low as 30ft.
Coroners could be given vital new powers to investigate more stillbirths, a Minister has revealed in a major victory for The Mail on Sunday.

Health Minister Ben Gummer said a new system of robust investigation was needed to tackle significant failure of care in labour wards across the country.

This would include standardising the way hospitals examined stillbirths  and making it possible for coroners to call an inquest for certain cases.

The picture that began it all: Clara Tully-Hardman, daughter of Caroline Tully, was stillborn after a blunder at Warwickshire hospital

His announcement follows months of campaigning by this newspaper to beef up how stillbirths are investigated, exposing a string of cases in which parents claimed the real reasons their baby died were swept under the carpet.

They included Clara Tully, who died within minutes of birth after her mother Caroline was wrongly sent home by midwives while in labour.

Numerous shortcomings at Warrington Hospital were only exposed after Mrs Tully pressed for an inquest, having initially been told she could not have one because Clara was stillborn. Currently, coroners only have the right to investigate stillbirths if there were possible signs of life after delivery.

Mrs Tully secured an inquest after spotting medical notes showing a faint heartbeat was recorded after birth.

Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said at the inquest that it was perverse coroners were prevented by law from investigating stillbirths where there had been signs of life during delivery, but not afterwards.

Numerous shortcomings at Warrington Hospital were only exposed after Mrs Tully pressed for an inquest, having initially been told she could not have one because Clara was stillborn. Currently, coroners only have the right to investigate stillbirths if there were possible signs of life after delivery (file photo)

Numerous parents have told The Mail on Sunday they believed hospital staff purposefully misrecorded their baby as stillborn to avoid the scrutiny of an inquest  even when the mother or father witnessed signs of life after delivery.

Now Mr Gummer, made a Minister last May, has revealed the Department of Health is considering whether some stillbirths should in fact be reportable to coroners. Previously, officials repeatedly said there were no plans to review the law.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Mr Gummer admitted the NHS was not performing as we should be.

Last November, a devastating report concluded that 600 of the 1,000 stillbirths occurring late in pregnancy every year could have been prevented with better care. It came after a study in The Lancet found the UK had the third-highest stillbirth rate out of 35 rich nations.

Numerous parents have told The Mail on Sunday they believed hospital staff purposefully misrecorded their baby as stillborn to avoid the scrutiny of an inquest  even when the mother or father witnessed signs of life after delivery (file photo)

Referring to The Lancet study, Mr Gummer said: That was a figure that struck me within the first few days of becoming Minister  its why I have a personal commitment to get this right.

He added: There are instances of significant failure of care in some hospitals across the country. And what we have got to do is to make sure those instances stop happening.

The key thing is we have an inquiry into every death within the hospital which is robust and makes sure that we get to the bottom, where possible, of why that stillbirth occurred.

Reports will be shared on a central database called the perinatal mortality tool, he said.

Mrs Tully, who last October allowed the MoS to publish a poignant picture of her dead daughter to trigger action, welcomed Mr Gummers move.
Cartel boss had been on the run since July after tunneling out of top-security jail - where he's now being held again

Pictures have emerged of the grubby condo where the millionaire was living with his family as fugitives

He was tracked down after he contacted producers and actors to make a Narcos-style biopic of his own life

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El Chapo will fight extradition to the U.S. and his cartel lawyer has already filed six separate injunctions challenging requests to send him to face justice in America - meaning the whole process could take months.

The drug-lord's go-to extradition attorney, Juan Pablo Badillo, said Mexico should stand up to the U.S. and trust in its institutions, despite his client previously escaping from two maximum security prisons.

The U.S. has filed at least seven extradition requests in six different states for Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to be extradited but justice officials warned that his lawyers were likely to 'milk it' by firing off different appeals at different stages of the extradition battle to prolong the legal tussle.

Badillo and El Chapo go back a long way and first met in 1993. The attorney specializes in fighting extradition and has fought previous U.S. requests for the kingpin to be sent across the border.

The Sinaloa cartel leader was captured on Friday after a daring 4am raid by Mexican marines at a motel in the town of Los Mochis. He had earlier fled a separate firefight at a house - where five gangsters were killed and another six arrested - with his right-hand man, who was also later apprehended.

Photographs revealed the less-than-luxurious surroundings where the millionaire, along with his beauty queen wife Emma Coronel Aispuro and their children, lived as fugitives from the Mexican authorities.

Children's toys, most likely belonging to his four-year-old twin daughters, are seen scattered across the home. A dead body lies in the corner of a room - a casualty of the police shoot out. Beds stripped from the police raid and belongings are rifled through as forensic teams work through the crime scene.

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El Chapo (left) will fight extradition to the U.S. and his cartel lawyer Juan Pablo Badillo (right) has already filed six separate injunctions challenging requests to send him to face justice in America - meaning the whole process could take months

Badillo and El Chapo go back a long way and first met in 1993. The attorney specializes in fighting extradition and has fought previous U.S. requests for the kingpin to be sent across the border

Photos have emerged of the condo where Mexico's most notorious drug kingpin, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, was found during a 4am raid

Pictures revealed the less-than-luxurious surroundings where the millionaire and his family were living as fugitives from the Mexican authorities

Got him! Notorious drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman Loera was recaptured six months since he escaped from Mexico's most secure prison

EL CHAPO'S EXTRADITION BATTLE El Chapo's legal team - headed by Juan Pablo Badillo but thought to comprise of at least six lawyers - are already fighting his extradition. At least seven requests have been made by six states for the drug lord to be deported to America. He is wanted in Arizona, California, Texas, Illinois, New York and Florida. The cartel boss's legal team have three days to file injunctions - which they have done - and then have a further 20 days to present evidence to a district court in Mexico. Once the court has heard the evidence, which could take days in itself, the Mexican foreign ministry have another 20 days to decide whether he should be extradited. This is likely to be a swift process as Mexico has already said it will look to deport El Chapo. The kingpin's attorneys can appeal at a multitude of stages during the process and can issue a final appeal after the foreign ministry reaches a decision. Advertisement

Badillo and El Chapo met in 1993 while the drug lord was incarcerated at a top-security prison in Puente Grande, in the western state of Jalisco, from where he would later escape in a laundry cart eight years later.

He would visit him two or three times a week, he previously told the Washington Post, and this friendship led to him being recruited onto his legal team after he was first recaptured in 2014.

Badillo said he only made six visits to El Chapo - which means 'the short one' in Spanish - while he was being held at the Altiplano jail and insists he did not know of his plans to break out - or where he went to after his escape.

El Chapo 'shouldn't be extradited to the United States or any other foreign country,' Badillo said today after filing six separate injunctions fighting his client's extradition.

He added: 'Mexico has laws grounded in the constitution. Our country must respect national sovereignty, the sovereignty of its institutions to impart justice.'

Badillo last year told the Washington Post that he thought El Chapo had 'exceeding intelligence' and the 'greatest fortitude', adding that his escape - which saw him flee down a tunnel - was not as bad as people made out because it was non-violent and only left damage 'a plumber could easily fix'.

The lawyer says he has dealt with 'relevant cases' before and was part of the legal team that was fighting extradition requests against El Chapo by the U.S. in June last year - two-and-a-half weeks before his most recent request - and in August.

Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said the extradition process could be drawn out over a period of months.

'They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure,' he said. 'That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way.'

Mexican authorities have confirmed the country is willing to extradite the recaptured drug lord - a total reversal of the government's position after his last capture in 2014.

If the extradition goes ahead, it is likely El Chapo will spent the rest of his life in jail without the possibility of parole.

An official said 'Mexico is ready' for an extradition and 'there are to cooperate with the U.S.' although he warned the legal process could be lengthy and Guzman's attorney is saying he'll battle extradition in the courts.

After his arrest on Friday, Mexican marines returned El Chapo to the same Altiplano jail he was able to tunnel out of in July last year - becoming the first inmate to escape the prison which is considered the most secure in the entire country.

He is unlikely to stay there for long as Washington, which requested his extradition last June before his escape from jail, is almost certain to seek extradition since his recapture.

A crime scene investigator, in full body suit, carries out work in the condo of one of Mexico's most infamous drug kingpins

A dead body lies in the corner of a room after the marine raid on the home in Los Mochis, Mexico, in the early hours of Friday

Inside one of the houses that were searched on the eve by marines special forces during the military operation which resulted in the recapture of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman

A marine stands guard next to a manhole of the sewer system through which the drug kingpin used to try and escape during the raid

U.S. Department of Justice spokesman Peter Carr told CNN : 'I can confirm that it is the practice of the United States to seek extradition whenever defendants subject to U.S. charges are apprehended in another country.'

Five cartel gangsters were killed and another six were also arrested in the raid, while one Mexican marine sustained non-life-threatening injuries. A vast arsenal of weapons was seized, including rocket launchers, machine guns and armored vehicles.

'You could hear intense gunfire and a helicopter; it was fierce,' a neighbor told CBS about the three hour battle.

The cartel leader and an accomplice fled from agents through a filthy sewer, before emerging into the street where they stole cars and took off. But authorities were able to catch up with them and the cartel leader was brought back to a nearby hotel while police waited for back up, Gomez said.

In a picture of his arrest at the hotel, El Chapo is stood still wearing the dirty tank top, which showed off several fresh scratches on his arms after his sewer escape.

The Friday morning raid also ended in the capture of El Chapo's right-hand man 'El Cholo', a hitman who was also on the run from the law.

It appears to have been El Chapo's narcissism that led to his downfall after he began the process of making a biopic, similar to that of Netflix's popular Narcos show on the life of infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, which tipped off authorities to his whereabouts.

El Chapo had even started to contact producers and actresses through intermediaries to tell his 'rags to riches' story, which was what finally helped police track him down. The names of the stars he approached have not yet been confirmed.

After his eventual arrest El Chapo was marched from a military vehicle by three soldiers - showing their faces in full sight - to the Mexican attorney general's hangar at an airbase in New Mexico.

Notorious drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman has been sent back to the same prison he escaped from six months ago. Pictured, soldiers - showing their faces in full sight - march the drug lord to the Mexican attorney general's hangar at an air base in New Mexico

Despite tunneling out of the maximum security facility in July, Mexican marines were set to drop off the cartel leader at the Altiplano jail

El Chapo showed little emotion as he was dragged across the runway in front of dozens of Press and government officials

The drug kingpin, who was wearing a blue tracksuit, was marched into the Mexican attorney general's office before being taken to jail

El Chapo was escorted into a helicopter by Mexican marines - who had their faces covered - who will take him to the prison he escaped from back in July 2015

A handcuffed El Chapo was led into the helicopter by marines as he was taken back to jail after six months on the run from the law

Journalists took pictures of the captured drug lord as he was paraded at a federal air base near New Mexico on Friday evening

Military action: El Chapo was apprehended in an early morning raid in the town of Los Mochis, in the drug kingpin's home state of Sinaloa and 1,300 miles away from the jail he escaped from

After being briefly paraded in front of journalists, El Chapo was bundled into a helicopter by Mexican marines - who had their faces covered - and set off towards the prison near Toluca.

Attorney general Arely Gomez told the Guardian that the vain drugs lord was caught after he tried to make a biopic of his life, similar to that of Netflix's popular Narcos show, based on the life of slain Colombian kingpin Pablo Escobar.

'He established communication with actors and producers, which formed a new line of investigation,' Gomez said. She refused to confirm which stars had been approached for the film,' he said.

El Chapo may have fancied himself as Mexico's answer to the infamous, Colombian drugs lord who became one of the most powerful and violent criminals of all time.

Escobar's Medellin Cartel came to control more than 80 per cent of the cocaine shipped to the U.S. by the 1980s until he was finally killed in 1993.

The first of a series of four films based on El Chapo's life, called The Great Escape, was due to be released on January 15. But the millionaire may have been wanting to tell his life story in his own words before he was recaptured.

Mexican police say the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals aided in El Chapo's recapture. El Chapo was seen being bundled on to a plane by security officials on Friday afternoon.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto wrote on his Twitter account on Friday: 'Mission accomplished: We have him.'

Back to jail: It is not yet clear whether El Chapo will be extradited to the US, but he was seen being bundled on to a plane by security officials late on Friday afternoon

Arrest: El Chapo was apprehended while he was staying in the relatively isolated Hotel & Suites Doux in the town of Los Mochis in the state of Sinaloa

El Chapo was escorted to a SUV with a white towel over his head before being taken to an airport

Covered: Officials covered El Chapo's head with a white towel as they escorted him onto a small plane after his arrest Friday morning

Mexican police say the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals aided in El Chapo's recapture. El Chapo was seen being bundled on to a plane by security officials on Friday afternoon

Mexican officials revealed that a firefight at a house in Los Mochis earlier on Friday was related to the raid that saw fugitive El Chapo recaptured.

He is believed to have fled under the cover of gunfire from his henchmen before being arrested later at a motel alongside his most-trusted bodyguard.

In a picture of his arrest, El Chapo stands in a bedroom, where a photo of a scantily-clad woman hangs in the background - his hands shackled in handcuffs in front of him as he stares off to the side of the camera, still wearing the grey, filthy tank top he was caught fleeing in.

Online, many have mocked his appearance as a far cry from the multi-millionaire's glamorous lifestyle.

One commenter even tweeted: 'All that drug money and he hasn't got a clean vest to go out in?'

In the other photo, he sits in a car with his right-hand man, with his hand held up to his chin in thought.

The man seen slumped alongside El Chapo in the back of the police van is his chief hitman Orso Ivan Gastelum Cruz, known as 'El Cholo' - a nickname commonly used to refer to young people in Mexican gangs.

LIke El Chapo he too was on the run, having escaped from prison in 2009.

His girlfriend, the winner of Miss Sinaloa 2012, was gunned down and killed by the army during a manhunt for him in 2012.

The Mexican Navy said in a statement that marines acting on a tip raided a motel in the town of Los Mochis around 4:30am. They were fired on from inside the structure.

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman has been returned to Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico's maximum security prison which was considered to be most secure in the country until his escape last July

El Chapo had tunneled out of his cell in the shower area (pictured) - one of the few places which is not covered by CCTV at the jail

The drugs lord used an adapted motorcycle, which sits on a rail in an underground tunnel, to make his escape from the Altiplano maximum security prison

Authorities discovered the motorcycle, rigged on a special rail system with two metal carts in front of it, which he used to flee through a mile-long long tunnel under the shower space of his prison cell

Accomplice: El Chapo's hitman Orso Ivan Gastelum Cruz, known as 'El Cholo', after he was taken into custody following the shootout

Dead: Forensics officers carried a body out of the house where five of El Chapo's henchmen were shot dead during the raid on Friday

A Mexican law enforcement official said authorities located El Chapo several days ago, based on reports that he was in Los Mochis, which is 1,300 miles north west of the high security Altiplano prison he escaped from. The official says authorities even searched storm drains in the coastal city.

At an afternoon press conference, the Mexican president announced El Chapo's arrest and thanked those who spent months tracking down the criminal.

'Today, Mexico confirms that its institutions have the capabilities that are necessary to face and overcome anyone who threatens the tranquility of Mexican families,' Nieto said.

El Chapo's arrest 'demonstrates that when Mexicans work together, there is no adversity that can not be overcome', he added.

Nieto had earlier tweeted: 'My appreciation to the Security Cabinet of the Government of the Republic for this important achievement for the rule of law in Mexico.'

At the hideout, marines seized two armored vehicles, eight rifles, one handgun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

Photos of the arms seized suggested that Guzman and his associates had a fearsome arsenal at the non-descript white building in which he was hiding.

Two of the rifles seized were .50-caliber sniper guns, capable of penetrating most bullet-proof vests and cars. The grenade launcher was found loaded, with an extra round nearby. And an assault rifle had a .40 mm grenade launcher, and at least one grenade.

The Mexican Navy said in a statement that marines acting on a tip raided a motel in the town of Los Mochis around 4.30am

Magazine: At the building marines seized two armored vehicles, eight rifles, one handgun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher

Good news: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced the arrest of notorious drug kingpin El Chapo from the courtyard of the presidential palace on Friday

Above, a view of a street in Los Mochis in the aftermath of the predawn shootout with Mexican marines

Man holes are opened in the Los Mochis street near where El Chapo was captured on Friday after he fled down a sewer

From the air: Helicopter circle around the neighborhood where El Chapo was taken into custody on Friday. El Chapo has a lot of supporters in his home state of Sinaloa

Lookout: Members of the Mexican military stand guard near the building where El Chapo was taken into custody on Friday

Mexican authorities say the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Marshals aided in El Chapo's arrest

Down below: A member of Mexican Navy Force points with his weapon into a sewer during military operations after recapturing Mexican drug lord El Chapo

Finally: El Chapo's arrest was a big win for the Mexican government, after his embarrassing escape over the summer. Above, two Mexican marines patrol the street near where El Chapo was arrested Friday

Armed: A man rides a bike down the street in Los Mochis, Mexico on Friday as a Mexican marine stands guard

A Twitter account that has previously been linked to El Chapo, which uses the handle @ElChap0Guzman, posted two tweets two days before the drug lord's capture.

The first, translated from Spanish, said he was 'busy and happy' and enjoying life with his children. A second said: 'My only purpose this year is to be with my family, appreciate those who love me and tell ordinary people to go f*** themselves.'

Guzman faces multiple federal drug trafficking indictments in the U.S. as well as Mexico, and was on the DEA's most-wanted list.

The DEA says it was 'extremely pleased' with El Chapo's recapture. On its Twitter account, the agency congratulated Mexico's government on catching Guzman, saying it saluted 'the bravery involved in his capture'.

After Guzman was arrested on February 22, 2014, the U.S. said it would file an extradition request, though it's not clear if that happened.

The Mexican government at the time vehemently denied the need to extradite Guzman, even as many expressed fears he would escape as he did in 2001 while serving a 20-year sentence in the country's other top-security prison, Puente Grande, in the western state of Jalisco.

El Chapo is wanted in the states of Arizona, California, Texas, Illinois, New York and Florida. He is the first 'public enemy number one' since Al Capone in Chicago, where authorities have demanded he is handed over to the US.

J. R. Davis, president of the Chicago Crime Commission, said: 'The two escapes by Guzman demonstrate that even the most 'high security' Mexican prisons are not equipped to hold Guzman.'

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch called El Chapo's recapture 'a victory for the citizens of both Mexico and the United States, and a vindication of the rule of law in our countries'.

In a statement, Lynch said Guzman 'will now have to answer for his alleged crimes' and congratulated Mexico's government, but did not directly address the sticky issue of extradition.

Senator John McCain tweeted his congratulations to the Mexican authorities and added: 'Now let's extradite him to the US.'

El Chapo has been on the run since July, when he used an elaborate underground tunnel to break out of a maximum-security prison in central Mexico.

A Twitter account that has previously been linked to El Chapo, which uses the handle @ElChap0Guzman, posted two tweets two days before the drug lord's capture

The first, translated from Spanish, said he was 'busy and happy' and enjoying life with his children. A second (pictured) said he loved his family and valued people who loved them, but that 'everyone else can go f*** their mothers'

Senator John McCain tweeted his congratulations to the Mexican authorities and added: 'Now let's extradite him to the US'

HITMAN 'EL CHOLO' WAS ALSO ON THE RUN AND HIS BEAUTY QUEEN GIRLFRIEND WAS KILLED DURING 2012 MANHUNT El Chapo was detained alongside his right-hand man El Cholo, a notorious hitman who was also on the run from jail. The drug lord's number two escaped from prison on 2009 and had been in hiding since, and it is likely he was aware of - or was even involved in - his boss's daring escape last year. El Cholo's real name is Orso Ivan Gastelum Cruz and his nickname is commonly used to refer to young people in Mexican gangs. His former girlfriend Maria Susana Flores Gamez, a 20-year-old Mexican beauty queen, was killed in a raid by the Mexican army in 2012 - the same year she won Miss Sinaloa. She was in the company of dangerous drug traffickers when she died and her body was found laying next to an assault rifle. El Cholo (right) - El Chapo's right-hand man - was captured alongside the drug lord. The hitman's beauty queen girlfriend Maria Susana Flores Gamez (left) was killed in a raid by the Mexican army in 2012 Gamez, 20, was in the company of dangerous drug traffickers when she died and her body was found laying next to an assault rifle Advertisement

Altiplano, considered the most secure of Mexico's federal prisons, also houses Zetas drug cartel leader Miguel Angel Trevino, and Edgar Valdes Villarreal, known as 'La Barbie,' of the Beltran Leyva cartel.

Guzman dropped by ladder into a hole 30ft deep that connected with another 5ft-high tunnel, which was fully ventilated and had lighting.

Authorities also found tools, oxygen tanks and a motorcycle adapted to run on rails that they believe was used to carry dirt out and tools in during the construction.

The tunnel surfaced in a half-built house in a farm field.

Rich man: El Chapo's fortune was once estimated at $1billion. Above, a mugshot taken after El Chapo's last capture and imprisonment

Guzman's cartel is known for building elaborate tunnels beneath the Mexico-U.S. border to transport cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana, with ventilation, lighting and even railcars to easily move products.

Since El Chapo broke out of jail in July, Mexican police and military have been desperately tracking the cartel boss.

In September, authorities thought El Chapo escaped the country to Costa Rica, after one of his sons posted a photo to Twitter tagging their location in the Central American country. But authorities were unsuccessful in finding him.

The next month, marines tracked El Chapo down to a mountainous region in Sinaloa.

Soldiers engaged in a shootout with El Chapo and his cartel thugs, and he got away yet again.

However, at the time it was reported that El Chapo appeared to have broken his leg fleeing from authorities.

This is the second time that El Chapo has been recaptured after using his influence to break out of prison.

He was first caught by authorities in Guatemala in 1993, extradited and sentenced to 20 years in prison on drug-trafficking-related charges.

He is believed to have escaped in 2001 in a laundry cart, although there have been several versions of how he got away. What is clear is that he had help from prison guards, who were prosecuted and convicted.

During his first stint as a fugitive, Guzman transformed himself into arguably the most powerful drug trafficker in the world. His fortune was estimated at more than $1billion, according to Forbes magazine, which listed him among the 'World's Most Powerful People,' ranked above the presidents of France and Venezuela.

He was finally tracked down to a modest beachside high-rise in the Pacific Coast resort city of Mazatlan, where he had been hiding with his wife and twin daughters.

He was captured in the early morning of February 22, 2014, without a shot being fired.

Before they reached him, security forces went on a several-day chase through Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state. They found houses where Guzman supposedly had been staying with steel-enforced doors and the same kind of lighted, ventilated escape tunnels.

Born 58 years ago, according to Interpol, he and his allies took control of the Sinaloa faction when a larger syndicate began to fall apart in 1989.

Even after his 2014 capture, Guzman's Sinaloa Cartel empire continues to stretch throughout North America and reaches as far as Europe and Australia.

The cartel has been heavily involved in the bloody drug war that has torn through parts of Mexico for the last decade, taking an estimated 100,000 lives or more.
The Armed Forces must stick to the highest standards of discipline and behaviour.

I know of few institutions where peer pressure to maintain these standards exists  certainly not in politics or the legal profession. When wrong is done, someone will speak up. That is the simple reality of the British Army.

For that reason, servicemen and women welcome the critical gaze of the law to assure that such standards are adhered to. Up to a point.

Tim Collins, pictured, says: 'A disgraceful industry has emerged that, as a former commander, I know will make life much more difficult for our troops'

Yesterday it emerged that a body called the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT), set up by the Ministry of Defence at taxpayers expense, has written to a staggering 280 service personnel about their behaviour while in Iraq, warning that they can be compelled to act as witnesses. Some MPs have called this a despicable witch hunt, and I have to agree.

A disgraceful industry has emerged that, as a former commander, I know will make life much more difficult for our troops. It is a fact that a commander today faces far, far more risk to his or her career by ordering to engage a potential threat than losing the lives of servicemen by doing nothing.

When every potential gunman or bomber gets the benefit of the doubt, then we have lost our way.

And I know that the men and women who risk their lives for their country are saddened, confused  and in some cases, they are now scared. Why should people risk jail for answering the call of Queen and country?

In 2003, I arrested a man who had planned to murder 18 people on my patch in Iraq, just after the invasion. He admitted that. He surrendered 137 rifles. No one died. He was released... and I was investigated for war crimes. I would suggest we have it wrong.

Complaints are nothing new. I recall that when I served in Northern Ireland we had to walk on eggshells as commanders.

We knew it was standard practice for IRA members and suspects to maintain a diary of contact with the security forces. We also understood the rule was that if stopped on five or more occasions in a calendar month, then the complainant was liable for a state compensation payout. It was a tactic of war for the enemy.

The legal witch-hunt against UK troops who served in Iraq could cost taxpayers tens of millions of pounds and drag on for years. Above a solider, who is not involved in the cases, patrols Basra

The difference now is the reach of the compensation culture. Legal companies such as Leigh Day and the notorious Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) have made an industry out of discovering and bringing complainants in front of British courts. In doing so they have won millions of pounds for often spurious claims that would make even Sinn Fein blush.

Worse still, the sheer volume obscured the real cases of abuse. And all for profit.

Every gunman or bomber gets benefit of the doubt

Last week it was revealed that three of Leigh Days employees could be struck off by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after a year-long investigation into its handling of abuse claims. So it is, in the aftermath of Blairs wars, that an industry has swung into action to harvest the vast sums of cash willingly offered up for allegations of misbehaviour against our troops.

And these claims are being investigated in tandem with a real need to get to the truth.

The IHAT now has 1,500 cases on its books  many spurious or totally fabricated. And there seems little prospect of this gravy train reaching its destination for several years.

Tragically, in the middle of this mess, there is no doubt that there were abuses. The case of Baha Mousa, who died in 2003 after serious mistreatment in British Army custody in Basra, demonstrates that. We need to show that we have uncovered these wrongs and acted upon them. This is vital if we are to resist International Criminal Court (ICC) intervention  and it is also the right thing to do.

Hundreds of British soldiers who served in Iraq have been hounded by investigators over claims of torture and murder

The UK Government admitted in February 2004 that, of the 37 deaths of Iraqi civilians involving British troops, only 18 had been investigated by the Special Investigations Branch (SIB).

It was a war of course, and people get killed in wars. But if there was any hint of wrongdoing, this must be followed up.

It is precisely this sort of failure that led to the UK facing an investigation by the ICC.

Yet the situation into which we have now descended is little short of a fiasco.

Politicians on all sides should condemn the compensation culture and demand a tightening of the process. Then it would stop  and with sheep separated from goats the real abuse, if any is left to be investigated, would be swiftly dealt with.

BUT that would require leadership and a duty of care towards our troops. There would appear to be a vacuum in both cases.

I was astonished by the appointment of Labours Emily Thornberry as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, for instance. By appointing someone who has accepted 50,000 as a benefit in kind from Leigh Day, Jeremy Corbyn is sticking two fingers up to the Armed Forces (the Labour Party also accepted donations in kind from the legal firm amounting to almost 20,000 in 2012.) In the very unlikely event that Labour ever wins an election under Corbyn, Thornberry would be Defence Secretary! If she does have a conscience and is serious about her brief then she should hand the money back or resign. Until then, her credibility is nil.

The nation has been involved in two wars in recent years that have cost the lives of 635 servicemen and women as well as billions of pounds.

The best we can show for this is grieving families and thousands of wounded, scarred and disabled young men and women who will have to cope for the rest of their lives with the consequences of their service.

Veterans say it is only a matter of time before every soldier who served in Iraq gets one, while others say they have been quizzed on their doorsteps by taxpayer-funded detectives

Now we also have this witch hunt. To inflict such mental torture on those who served, simply for profit, is wrong.

They went. They did not complain about the terrible food (we compensate detainees for this), the lack of sleep (we compensate detainees for this), the fear and shouted orders (we compensate detainees for this)  and they didnt ask for thanks.

I think that the vast majority of us are grateful for their sacrifice. But they deserve leadership, too.
Shamed MP Simon Danczuk is expected to be questioned by Lancashire police this week following a series of serious allegations by his first wife, Sonia Rossington, last week.

Lancashire Police said last week it had received a report of a rape allegation dating back to 2006.

A spokesman said: We are in the very early stages of an investigation and inquiries are ongoing.

Mr Danczuk, 49, has vigorously denied any suggestion that he has committed a sex crime.

He has, however, been suspended from the Labour Party for sexting a 17-year-old girl, bombarding her with a slew of lurid text messages.

Police said they could confirm nothing further at this time.

'My years of abuse from sex text MP': Sonia Rossington made the allegations about her ex husband in an exclusive Mail on Sunday interview

In her exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday last week, Ms Rossington, 39, claimed the MP  who she divorced in 2010  had driven her into therapy with drug and alcohol-fuelled bullying and his obsessive demands for sex.

She said that he tried to get her interested in sado-masochism; drank up to a bottle of whisky a day; was a regular drug user and persistently belittled her in front of others.

On the subject of sex, Mrs Rossington, 39, the mother of two of Danczuks children, said: When he came to bed he would have sex with me, interrupting my sleep.

I would wake up and it would be happening. Hed sneak into the bedroom, take off his clothes and peel back the bed covers, roll me onto my back, open my legs and start having sex with me.

According to Mrs Rossington, when she confronted her husband he told her: Listen Sonia. This is the deal. You are my wife and its expected from a wife to give her husband sex whenever he wants it. If you dont give it to me when I want it I will look elsewhere.

Mrs Rossington added: I didnt feel I could fight back.

He was an 18st man and I weighed around 8st.
Pair wed in February and he helps her sell underwear and t-shirts at stall

Tried to fake amnesia but was sentenced to six years, six months in 2008

John Darwin, 65, is said to make 138 a week in Manila, where he is living with his new 42-year-old Filippino wife

The British conman who faked his own death so his ex-wife could claim 679,000 is now said to be working at his new partner's market stall in the Philippines.

John Darwin, 65, is said to be making 138 a week in Manila, where he lives in a cramped apartment with his 42-year-old Filippino wife Mercidita, who he married in February.

In March 2002, the former prison officer paddled out to sea in a canoe at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, before ditching the vessel to give the impression that he drowned.

He and his partner in crime ex-wife Anne, who both hid the news from their two sons, used the money to travel around the world and buy several properties in Panama, which he used as a base.

After a change in the country's visa laws, he decided to return to the UK in 2007 and tried to fake amnesia.

They were both convicted of fraud in July 2008. John was ordered to serve six years and three months in prison while his wife, who police described as a compulsive liar, got six years and six months. He moved to Manila after serving his sentence.

Now, the fraudster is helping to sell underwear and t-shirts at his new wife's stall, which sits next to a road choked with car fumes, a Sunday Mirror investigation has revealed.

'It is the dust and dirt... He is allergic to it,' his landlady Daisy Lavapiez, 67, told the Sunday Mirror's Jeremy Armstrong.

'He is nearly always upstairs in his room because of the air quality here, unless he is helping Mercy at the market. I feel sorry for him sometimes as he does not have a lot of friends.'

It is not known whether his new wife Mercy, who has three children from a previous marriage, knows of his past crime.

Darwin is said to spend most of his days at home but sometimes makes the five minute walk to Mercy's stall to help her sell clothes.

Because of the high level of pollution, he covers his mouth with a handkerchief as crowds of shoppers and locals walk the streets around him.

Because of the high level of pollution in Manila, Darwin covers his mouth with a handkerchief as crowds of shoppers and locals walk the streets around him

Darwin lives in a cramped apartment, similar to the one pictured, with his 42-year-old Filippino wife Mercidita

Darwin reportedly spends a lot of him time upstairs in his room in his home in Antipolo City, in Manila (pictured)

The fraudster married Mercidita (left) in February. Darwin and his ex-wife Anne (right) were both convicted of fraud in July 2008

The conman canoe man is pictured on the streets of Manila where he has started his new life with his new wife

He is said to not want to return home to the UK and is trying to save up to find a better place for him and wife Mercy to live

His landlady Daisy told the Sunday Mirror: 'He still gets his pension from the UK, and he goes to the shop to help Mercy sell her things in the market  but he always comes straight back.'

'He does like to kayak  he showed me some photos of himself doing it. He loves it, but I don't think he does it here. He likes the Philippines and does not want to go back to England.

He is said to not want to return home to the UK and is trying to save up to find a better place for him and Mercy to live.

Darwin reads from what appears to be a tablet as he sits with locals in the city of Manila this month

Darwin, who married his Filipino wife last February, helps her to sell underwear and t-shirts at her stall (pictured)

The shopping centre is situated among Manila's busy streets, which is packed with locals and vehicles

This is the outside of the run-down flat Darwin shares with his wife. An entrance to the property is advertising rooms to rent

The outside of the flat, pictured in between two Tuk Tuks, shows a number of small ground-floor and first-floor apartments

Darwin, 65, (left) is said to be make 138 a week in Manila, where he moved to before marrying Mercidita. The couple's wedding certificate is pictured right

His 138 a week pension is said to help him in the country where the average worker gets 192 a month.

His ex-wife Anne disowned him, blaming him for 'forcing' her to make a series of bogus insurance, pension and mortgage claims after his faked canoeing death in 2002.

Darwin was released on probation in January 2011. In 2013, Darwin violated his parole by making a trip to Ukraine to meet Anna Avramenko, 25, from a foreign brides website.
A driver, who was covered in his own vomit, handed a Florida police officer a Ruby Tuesday coupon twice when asked for his driver's license after being pulled over, police said.

The man's Ford truck had been spotted by a Niceville Police officer on December 21 swaying in a street lane before approaching a major route where he ran over the median, Northwest Florida Daily News reported.

When he was pulled over, the man appeared not to be aware that he had vomited on himself and reportedly handed over Ruby Tuesday coupons and a plastic document protector when asked for his paperwork.

A driver, who was covered in his own vomit, handed a Florida police officer a Ruby Tuesday coupon (file photo above) twice when asked for his driver's license after being pulled over, police said

According to the police report, the unidentified driver was unable to perform field sobriety tests and failed a breath test after blowing a 0.219 and a 0.205, nearly three times the legal limit to drive.

The ordeal unfolded when the officer had initially seen the unidentified driver at a stop sign after responding to a report of a suspicious truck.

The officer followed the truck which then crossed the center lane of the major route before making an abrupt right turn in a left-turn lane, according to NFW Daily News.

After coming to a stop at a red light, the driver reportedly turned and ran over the median before he was stopped by the officer.

When the officer stopped the man, he asked the driver where he was coming from which he responded 'that way,' according to the police report.

He then reportedly told the officer he was coming from and going to the same place when asked to elaborate.

After being informed he had thrown up on himself, the cop said the man 'acted like he did not know and looked at the vomit on his pants and between the door and the seat,' according to the report.

The officer also pointed out to the man that he had made a right turn in a left-turn lane which he responded, 'I was just trying to get home,' the NFW Daily News reported.

The man's Ford truck had been spotted by a Niceville Police officer on December 21 swaying in a street lane before approaching State Road 20 (pictured) where he ran over the median

In what the officer said went on for several minutes, the driver then proceeded to give the officer two different Ruby Tuesday coupons, saying it was his driver's license, when asked several times to provide his license, records show.

'Is this my driver license right here' he asked the officer as he handed him the second coupon, according to NFW Daily News.

When asked again to show his license, the driver reportedly handed the officer a plastic document protector.
A man trying to kill bedbugs set himself and his Detroit, Michigan, apartment on fire.

The fire happened last Sunday in Midtown at the St. Antoine Gardens apartments, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The newspaper reported the blaze ruined four apartments and water damage affected two dozen other apartments.

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Mayor's office spokesman Dan Austin says the man sprayed himself and his sofa with rubbing alcohol about 4:30 a.m. Sunday and lit a cigarette. The sofa is seen here

The fire happened last Sunday in Midtown at the St. Antoine Gardens apartments (pictured in a file photo)

Mayor's office spokesman Dan Austin told the newspaper the man sprayed himself and his sofa with rubbing alcohol about 4:30 a.m. Sunday and lit a cigarette. The city official said the sofa and the man's body caught fire when he tried to burn one of the bedbugs.

The newspaper reported the man got out and suffered 'severe' burns.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Johanahn Larsosa could see the man in the building's lobby.

Larsosa told the newspaper: 'He was melting. I was scared. He was screaming.'

A woman named Phyllis Kuhn lives at the apartments and claimed to the Detroit Free Press a property manager informed the Red Cross 'the situation was under control' and residents failed to receive much assistance.

A hallway in the building with visible water on the floor is seen in this photograph

The man was trying to kill bedbugs when the blaze began. Bedbugs are seen in this stock image

A woman and her baby got housing from the Red Cross, and 25 blankets and cots were later given out because management asked for them, a Red Cross spokesman revealed to the newspaper.

The Detroit Free Press reported Rolando Millender also lives at the apartments -- and claims seven neighbors complained earlier about the bedbugs.

Big John lives there, too, and told Fox 2 Detroit: 'I smelled the smoke, ran up to the eighth floor and saw the smoke.

'And I ran back downstairs got my clothes, and started banging on people's doors and let them know it was fire.'

Fox 2 Detroit reported the building is Section 8 housing and there are 10 uninhabitable apartments. According to the local news station, residents were going to be moved.

The building's management did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment Saturday evening.

Jeffrey Crossman with Millennia Housing Management told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that the company acquired the building in 2013.

20 - 24 units were treated for bedbugs at the time, he said.

Crossman said in 2014, units were treated and cleared - including the apartment where the fire recently took place.

That year, according to Crossman, Millennia Housing Management also spent $5.5million rehabilitating the building.

Crossman said that the man who started the recent fire never reported that he had a problem with bedbugs.

'If you have a bedbug issue, then you need to report it to management, then we treat it,' he said.

'Do we treat bedbugs? Yeah, as they come up,' he said.

He said that only about 4 apartments were considered uninhabitable, and that residents had been relocated.
Critics will say that Government-funded lessons are another aspect of a patronising 'nanny state'

His aim is to attempt to help more than 300,000 couples and make it normal for parents to seek help for raising their children

All parents should take classes on how to bring up their children, David Cameron will declare tomorrow.

In a move that will raise fresh fears over the nanny state, the Prime Minister will say that every family needs help in improving behaviour and discipline.

He will commit 70 million over the next five years for relationship support and counselling services, doubling the amount spent over the last Parliament, in an attempt to help more than 300,000 couples nationwide.

David Cameron aims to make it normal for parents to seek help in how to raise children as expecting couples already attend pregnancy and childbirth classes

But he will say parenting classes should be accessible to all families, not just to those at greatest risk.

His aim is to make it normal for parents to seek help in how to raise children, just as expecting couples already attend pregnancy and childbirth classes.

In the end, getting parenting right isn't just about the hardest-to-reach families, its about everyone, Mr Cameron will say in a speech on tackling child poverty.

We all have to work at it. And if you dont have a strong support network, if you dont know other mums or dads, having your first child can be enormously isolating.

'Of course they [babies] dont come with a manual, but is it right that all of us get so little guidance? So I believe we now need to think about how to make it normal  even aspirational to attend parenting classes.

The Prime Minister has plans to commit 70m to relationship support and counselling services and make parenting classes available to all families over the next five years (file image)

However, critics will say that Government-funded lessons are another aspect of a patronising nanny state, coming soon after warnings from the Chief Medical Officer on lower safe drinking levels and obesity.

In his speech, the Prime Minister will also detail plans to improve Britains worst sink estates with a 140 million scheme to redevelop council housing.
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Sean Penn unwittingly led Mexican marines to El Chapo after meeting him for an extraordinary interview - and is now under investigation.

The sensational meeting took place deep in the Mexican jungle in October and was arranged by Penn, Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and a fixer, with the permission of the Sinaloa cartel.

El Chapo admitted in the bizarre interview to being the biggest drug trafficker in the world and said he sent engineers to Germany to learn how to build the tunnel he would eventually use to escape a maximum security prison.

The cartel boss was captured on Friday in a daring 4am raid by Mexican marines and was returned to Altiplano jail. The double Oscar-winning actor's meeting with El Chapo led to the gun battle in which he was captured, an official said.

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Locked up: El Chapo, the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, was recaptured six months after he escaped from Mexico's most secure prison

Penn and del Castillo are now under investigation in Mexico.

In an article written by Penn for Rolling Stone, El Chapo says: 'I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.'

Despite his notoriety, up until this point the Mexican gangster had always insisted he was 'just a farmer'.

Penn wrote that El Chapo sent engineers - who were already accomplished in tunnel-building from the multitudes of underground paths they have built beneath the U.S.-Mexico border - to Germany to learn how to construct the tunnel he fled down as he escaped from prison in July last year.

The actor claimed the cartel leader was concerned about the low-lying water table beneath the jail.

The Mystic River star said he did not turn El Chapo in because the drug lord's trust 'was not to be f***ed with'.

'I take no pride in keeping secrets that may be perceived as protecting criminals, nor do I have any gloating arrogance at posing for selfies with unknowing security men. But I'm in my rhythm. Everything I say to everyone must be true,' Penn wrote.

It came as:

Scores of people on Twitter called for Sean Penn to be arrested for meeting the world's most wanted drug lord and not turning him in to the authorities;

It was announced El Chapo will fight extradition to the U.S. and his cartel lawyer has already filed six separate injunctions challenging requests to send him to face justice in America - meaning the whole process could take months;

Pictures emerged of the grubby condo where the millionaire was living with his family as fugitives; and

Five suspects were killed in the police raid operation to capture El Chapo and one marine wounded.

In public: Sean Penn was seen at a Help Haiti fundraiser last night with his ex-wife Madonna, despite being under investigation in Mexico

Plotted: The meeting in Mexico was arranged by Penn, Mexican actress Kate del Castillo (pictured with Penn and musicians) and a fixer

Setting it up: Kate del Castillo (pictured) played an integral role in organizing the bizarre interview for Rolling Stone back in October

BIZARRE MOMENTS IN SEAN PENN'S SEVEN-HOUR CHAT WITH EL CHAPO 1. Sean Penn admits he has never learned how to use a laptop computer. 'At 55 years old, I've never learned to use a laptop. Do they still make laptops?' 2. Penn thought his penis might get chopped off. 'D**k in hand, I do consider it among my body parts vulnerable to the knives of irrational narco types, and take a fond last look, before tucking it back into my pants.' 3. Penn has a drunken day dream about a drone. 'I look to the sky and wonder how funny it would be if there were a weaponized drone above us. We are in a clearing, sitting right out in the open. I down the tequila, and the drone goes away.' 4. El Chapo still isn't keen on Donald Trump. 'I mention Trump. El Chapo smiles, ironically saying, "Ah! Mi amigo!"' 5. For some reason, Penn doesn't want to smile in a photograph with El Chapo. 'I explain that, for authentication purposes, it would be best if we are shaking hands, looking into the camera, but not smiling.' 6. Penn compares El Chapo to a superhero for putting on body armor and picking up a gun. 'Following this Clark Kent-into-Superman extravaganza.' 7. Penn offers to snuggle up to an associate of El Chapo. '"Listen, man. You don't have to sleep on that couch. The bed's big. We can talk and cuddle."' 8. Penn's flatulence in front of El Chapo. 'At this moment, I expel a minor traveler's flatulence (sorry), and with it, I experience the same chivalry he'd offered when putting Kate to bed, as he pretends not to notice.' Advertisement

The U.S. has filed at least seven extradition requests in six different states for Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to be extradited but justice officials warned that his lawyers were likely to 'milk it' by firing off different appeals at different stages of the extradition battle to prolong the legal tussle.

El Chapo was caught after contacting actors and directors about making a Narcos-style biopic about his life, Mexican officials said. It is not clear whether Penn was contacted about the movie.

The seeds for the bizarre meeting between Penn and El Chapo were sown back in 2012 after a representative for the Mexican gangster contacted del Castillo, who had posted tweets saying she had more trust in the cartel than the government.

A lawyer for the Sinaloa cartel said flowers were being sent to the actress, however they never arrived.

Del Castillo later met a fixer called Espinoza - and both of them remained in contact with El Chapo's people after his escape.

Penn later met Espinoza and suggested he meet the fugitive for a magazine article and, incredibly, the Sinaloa cartel agreed to it.

Military action: El Chapo was apprehended in an early morning raid in the town of Los Mochis, hundreds of miles from where he met Sean Penn in October and even further from the prison he escaped from in July

El Chapo (left) will fight extradition to the U.S. and his cartel lawyer Juan Pablo Badillo (right) has already filed six separate injunctions challenging requests to send him to face justice in America - meaning the whole process could take months

Badillo and El Chapo go back a long way and first met in 1993. The attorney specializes in fighting extradition and has fought previous U.S. requests for the kingpin to be sent across the border

The drug kingpin, who was wearing a blue tracksuit, was marched into the Mexican attorney general's office before being taken to jail

El Chapo was escorted into a helicopter by Mexican marines - who had their faces covered - who took him to the prison he escaped from

After arriving in Mexico, Penn and his colleagues had all of their electronic items taken away from them by El Chapo's associates and were driven at speeds of over 100mph to an abandoned airstrip.

After boarding a plane, Penn realized his driver had been Alfredo Guzman - El Chapo's son - who would later tell him their aircraft carried scramblers to avoid detection by radar.

Penn revealed that Mexican soldiers waved Alfredo through a military checkpoint and looked 'embarrassed' to have stopped him, showing the cartel's influence and raising questions about the Mexican authorities determination to catch El Chapo.

More than 14 hours after leaving Los Angeles, they finally met the notorious drug lord in a clearing in the depths of the Mexican jungle near the town of Tamazula, Durango, which neighbors his gang's home state of Sinaloa.

The meeting places was around 200 miles from where he was eventually captured in Los Mochis.

Penn wrote that a local family cooked the group enchiladas and tacos before he and El Chapo held seven-hour talks about the cartel boss's life.

Photos have emerged of the condo where Mexico's most notorious drug kingpin, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, was found during a 4am raid

Pictures reveal the less-than-luxurious surroundings where the millionaire and his family were living as fugitives from Mexican authorities

Inside one of the houses that were searched on the eve by marines special forces during the military operation which resulted in the recapture of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman

A marine stands guard next to a manhole of the sewer system through which the drug kingpin used to try and escape during the raid

Federal forces patrol the perimeter of the Altiplano Federal Penitentiary, where Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman has been returned to prison

On patrol: Federal agents and members of the Mexican Army were seen with an armoured vehicle patrol outside the high security prison

Security forces were also seen keeping watch outside a warehouse where a tunnel, connected to the Altiplano Federal Penitentiary, was located and used by the drug lord to escape last year

At one stage they even talked about Donald Trump, to which El Chapo replied: 'Ah! Mi Amigo!'

There were rumors last year that El Chapo had put a bounty on Trump's head after he branded Mexican immigrants 'drug traffickers and rapists'.

The kingpin also claimed he once met Colombian gangster Pablo Escobar, and still sees his own mother fairly often.

Penn also admitted to having a bout of 'traveler's flatulence' in front of El Chapo, who he says ignored it, as well as saying he was wary of having his penis chopped off by 'irrational narco types'.

El Chapo - real name Joaquin Guzman - explained in a video interview how he escaped from the prison and talks of how he became one of the most notorious drug lords of all time.

Speaking to del Castillo, El Chapo explains how he wound up joining the illegal drug trade.

'Well from the age of 15 and on, where I'm from, which is the Municipality of Badiraguato, I was raised on a ranch called La Tuna in that area and up until today there are no job opportunities.

Last July El Chapo tunneled out of his cell in the shower area (pictured) - one of the few places which is not covered by CCTV at the jail

The drugs lord used an adapted motorcycle, which sits on a rail in an underground tunnel, to make his escape from the Altiplano maximum security prison

Authorities discovered the motorcycle, rigged on a special rail system with two metal carts in front of it, which he used to flee through a mile-long long tunnel under the shower space of his prison cell

'Well, its a reality that drugs destroy. Unforunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and ther still isnt a way to survive. No other way to work in our economy to be able to make a living.'

The cartel boss claims he is not to blame for people becoming addicted to drugs, saying people would continue to take narcotics if he died.

Answering questions on whether he his gang is violent, he says: 'Look... all I do is defend myself. Nothing more. But do I start looking for trouble? Never.'

Mexican authorities knew about the meeting between Penn and El Chapo in October and were close to launching a raid on him that month but had to abort it because he was with two women and a child.

The Sinaloa cartel leader was captured on Friday after a daring 4am raid by Mexican marines at a motel in the town of Los Mochis.

He had earlier fled a separate firefight at a house - where five gangsters were killed and another six arrested - with his right-hand man, who was also later apprehended.

Photographs revealed the less-than-luxurious surroundings where the millionaire, along with his beauty queen wife Emma Coronel Aispuro and their children, lived as fugitives from the Mexican authorities.

Children's toys, most likely belonging to his four-year-old twin daughters, were seen scattered across the home. A dead body lies in the corner of a room - a casualty of the police shoot out. Beds were stripped from the police raid and belongings rifled through as forensic teams worked at the crime scene.

El Chapo will fight extradition to the U.S. and his cartel lawyer has already filed six separate injunctions challenging requests to send him to face justice in America - meaning the whole process could take months.

Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said the extradition process could be drawn out over a period of months.

'They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure,' he said. 'That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way.'

Mexican authorities have confirmed the country is willing to extradite the recaptured drug lord - a total reversal of the government's position after his last capture in 2014.

If the extradition goes ahead, it is likely El Chapo will spent the rest of his life in jail without the possibility of parole.

An official said 'Mexico is ready' for an extradition and 'there are to cooperate with the U.S.' although he warned the legal process could be lengthy and Guzman's attorney is saying he'll battle extradition in the courts.
Dash cam footage from a Western Australian Parks and Wildlife truck has provided a front-line view of the ferocious bushfire that has killed two people and destroyed 143 properties.

Firefighters hang from the sides of fire trucks as they manoeuvre high-powered hoses, trying to extinguish flames from the Waroona bushfire that jump from tree to tree.

A water bomb is seen being dropped from a helicopter onto what was left of a group of trees so that it doesn't spread to the home that sits within a few metres.

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A helicopter drops a water bomb on burning bushland debris to stop it from setting a nearby house on fire in the shires of Harvey and Waroona in Western Australia, just south of Perth (pictured)

A bulldozer is seen in the Western Australian Parks and Wildlife video moving trees and debris so that fires don't spread across the property (pictured)

The Waroona fire (pictured) has destroyed almost 80,000 hectares of bushland and killed two people just south of Perth, WA (pictured)

On the other side of the burning pile of sticks, a bulldozer is trying to remove more trees and bushes from around the home in an effort to contain the blaze.

The thick brown smoke covers the sky and the charred remains of trees and patches of fiery bushland line the country roads.

The smoke hangs in the air and obscure the view of trucks driving down the country roads with supplies.

Smoke hangs to the air and patches of fires are burning along the country roads (pictured)

Firefighters were seen leaning off the top and sides of trucks trying to control the flames (pictured)

The heavy smoke made it difficult for drivers to see as they made their way through the bushfire (pictured)

The jarring images show a whole new insight to the bushfire that firefighters have been battling since Wednesday, a Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia, spokeswoman said.

Its to get a vision of how hard it is to do bushfire suppression and also for the public to understand the work thats involved.

Many of the videos viewers thanked the firemen and women who were fighting to put out the flames and control the fire  many of them volunteers.

The water bomb extinguishes the fire (pictured) after it was dropped from a helicopter

This collection of footage is so intense ... gave me goosebumps & a massive lump in my throat,' a female viewer wrote on the Department's Facebook

This collection of footage is so intense ... gave me goosebumps & a massive lump in my throat. My heart goes out to the members of each & every community that has been & is still being affected by these fires. To all the fireys & volunteers - you guys should just be so proud! Such an incredible group of human beings, one woman wrote on the Departments Facebook.

These men and women need to be paid for the work they do. Totally ridiculous that this dangerous situation is seen as a volunteer job. These guys are not only lifesavers but the glue that holds a community together. They spend countless hours away from their own families to put their lives at risk for others, another woman wrote.

The fires and smoke loom over homes. Emergency warnings remain in the areas east of townsites Hamel, Yarloop, Waroona and the shires of Harvey and Waroona

Calmer winds on Sunday led the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to downgrade the warning level for the towns of Harvey and Cookernup.

The fire is now heading east and emergency warnings remain in the areas east of townsites Hamel, Yarloop, Waroona and the shires of Harvey and Waroona.

A 73-year-old man and a 77-year-old man died on Friday as the raging fire ripped through Yarloop, completely levelling the town.

Almost 80,000 hectares has been destroyed by the fire, which started from a lightning strike.
Scores of people have called for Sean Penn to be arrested for meeting the world's most wanted drug lord El Chapo while he was on the run and not turning him in to the authorities.

Twitter users demanded Penn be questioned by investigators as to why he met with the violent cartel leader and did not help the military track him down.

The double Oscar-winning actor and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo - who brokered the meeting with the self-confessed biggest drug trafficker in the world - are now under investigation in Mexico.

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Sean Penn unwittingly led the Mexican authorities to El Chapo after meeting him for an extraordinary interview

Scores of people have called for Sean Penn to be arrested for meeting the world's most wanted drug lord El Chapo while he was on the run and not turning him into the authorities

Twitter users demanded Penn be questioned by investigators as to why he met with the violent cartel leader and did not help the military track him down

Calls for Penn's arrest came in thick and fast after Rolling Stone published an article by the Mystic River star explaining how he met Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman in the depths of the Mexican jungle.

Penn spent seven hours talking to the kingpin and even took a photograph of him but did not alert the authorities to where he was, despite a huge manhunt being underway for El Chapo at the time.

The drug lord - who had escaped from a maximum security Mexican jail - even sent Penn a 17-minute video of him answering the actor's questions about his life, using the exercise as an opportunity to boast about his wealth and relaxed life.

Dozens of people accused Penn of aiding and abetting El Chapo, was recaptured on Friday and is fighting extradition to the U.S., where is wanted in six different states.

Tracy Jeffords tweeted: 'The only thing I'd like to hear about Sean Penn is about him being arrested for aiding and abetting a fugitive...other than that #yawn'

Troy Ellison replied: 'I thought the same thing he met with an enemy of the state a man who also beheads people among other atrocities.'

Twitter user B. Randolph asked: 'Wait why isn't Sean Penn being arrested & charged with aiding and abetting?'

Another person wrote: 'So I'm waiting for Sean Penn to be arrested for obstruction of justice or something...'

Dozens of people accused Penn of aiding and abetting El Chapo, was recaptured on Friday and is fighting extradition to the U.S., where is wanted in six different states

While Penn did not tell the authorities of El Chapo's whereabouts, his extraordinary interview led Mexican marines to his location.

The sensational meeting took place deep in the Mexican jungle in October and was arranged by Penn, Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and a fixer, with the permission of the Sinaloa cartel.

El Chapo admitted in the bizarre interview to being the biggest drug trafficker in the world and said he sent engineers to Germany to learn how to build the tunnel he would eventually use to escape a maximum security prison.

But just days later the authorities came close to raiding the gangster, only stopping because he was with two women and a child.

El Chapo's capture on Friday was helped by the meeting between Penn and El Chapo, a Mexican official said.

The cartel boss was captured in a daring 4am raid by Mexican marines and was returned to Altiplano jail.

The Mystic River star said he did not turn El Chapo in because the drug lord's trust 'was not to be f***ed with'.

'I take no pride in keeping secrets that may be perceived as protecting criminals, nor do I have any gloating arrogance at posing for selfies with unknowing security men. But I'm in my rhythm. Everything I say to everyone must be true,' Penn wrote.
The Grand Old Party no more?

A deep division is brewing within the Republican Party - with a major split potentially taking place in the future, according to a report published Saturday.

Sen. John McCain told the New York Times: 'I haven't seen this large of a division in my career.

'You probably have to go back to Ford versus Reagan in 1976. But that was only two people.'

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A deep division is brewing within the Republican Party - with a major split potentially taking place in the future, it was reported this week. Donald Trump is seen Saturday in Iowa

The conflict is between establishment conservatives and ordinary people, many of whom are supporting presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, the newspaper reported.

The New York Times wrote that the establishment is focused on 'openness to immigration' as well as trade and tax concerns.

However, it said concerns of the common people include US demographics shifting and being anti-immigration.

Ex-adviser to President Richard Nixon and President Ronald Reagan Patrick J. Buchanan told the New York Times: 'The chickens have come home to roost.

'Putting the party back together again will be very hard after this nomination race.

'I think the party is going to shift against trade and interventionism, and become more nationalist and tribal and more about protecting the border.'

The conflict is between establishment conservatives and ordinary people, many of whom are supporting presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, according to the New York Times. Cruz is seen Monday in Iowa

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told the newspaper: 'If Trump or Cruz wins the White House, then my side of the party has to re-evaluate who we are, what we stand for, and Id be willing to do that.

'But if Trump or Cruz loses the presidency, would their supporters re-evaluate their views on immigration and other issues that would grow the party?

'If they do that, we can come back together. If they don't, the party probably splits in a permanent way.'

Ex-Governor of Pennsylvania Dick Thornburgh also spoke to the New York Times, saying: 'I know Republicans who will support Hillary if Trump or Cruz is the nominee, no question.
A 900-year-old 'holy' well in the basement of London's Australia House is still producing water which is 'fit to drink', according to scientists.

The hidden spring, which is only accessible through a manhole cover in a restricted part of the diplomatic building, is one of only 20 similar wells throughout London.

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer, who is now the Australian high commissioner to Britain, escorted the ABC to the well and helped them take water samples.

Scientists then tested the water for potentially dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, Enterococci and Clostridium perfringens, and the results came back clear.

A 900-year-old 'holy' well (pictured) in the basement of London's Australia House is still producing water which is 'fit to drink', according to scientists

The well is believed to date back around 900 years to Henry I's rule, who kept court at Windsor for the first time in 1110.

Mr Downer said these wells were of 'great significance' in the Middle Ages and revealed that a monk from the medieval era wrote about the well water, describing it as 'sweet, wholesome and clear'.

'They were used for ceremonial purposes and plays were performed around the well. And as a result of that this part of London evolved as an area where theatres were built.'

He said the water comes from the River Fleet, which is now a subterranean creek covered by streets.

The hidden spring, which is only accessible through a manhole cover in a restricted part of the diplomatic building (pictured), is one of only 20 similar wells throughout London

It was a major river in Roman and Anglo Saxon times, but it became a 'noxious, polluted ditch' as London expanded rapidly.

Australian public servant Duncan Howitt revealed he drank a cup of the water seven years ago after being encouraged by a colleague from the Canadian High Commission.

'It was fresh and clear. Better than tap water.'

Australia House, which is based on the Strand in central London, is home to the country's high commission, migration, passport services and a number of government agencies.
A three-year-old boy has died and another is fighting for his life after they went swimming in two separate backyard pool incidents.

Emergency services were called to the three-year-old boy's home on Kentucky Road, Riverwood in Sydney's south about 5.30pm on Sunday after reports of a toddler needing help.

The young boy was rushed to Sydney's Children's Hospital in a critical condition after paramedics tried to revive him, but he died a short time later.

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A three-year-old boy has died after he was found unconscious near his swimming pool on Sunday evening

Police believed the boy had been swimming before he got out of the backyard pool - that does not appear to be fenced - and collapsed.

Inquiries into the boy's death are continuing.

On the same day, a two-year-old boy was pulled from a backyard pool at Camden South, in Sydney's south-west.

Police are investigating the near-drowning incident that happened about 6.30pm on Sunday.

Emergency services were called to a Riverwood property in Sydney's south on Sunday evening

Paramedics at his family home attempted to revive him before he was transported to hospital

Police believed the boy had been swimming before he got out of the backyard pool and collapsed

Emergency services were called to a home on Smart Street.

Paramedics treated the boy before he was airlifted to The Childrens Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition.

Officers from Camden Local Area Command attended the location commenced an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In a second incident at Camden South, a two-year-old boy was airlifted to The Children's Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition
Billionaire businessman and yachtsman, Bob Oatley, has died aged 87 following a long illness.

The winemaker and owner of record-breaking Sydney to Hobart yacht, Wild Oats XI, passed away on Sunday, according to reports.

His supermaxi yacht has dominated the event since 2005, claiming the win eight times as well as holding the race record.

Mr Oatley, who was one of Australia's wealthiest men, has been remembered by friends and members of the sailing community as 'an incredibly gracious and generous man'.

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Billionaire businessman and yachtsman, Bob Oatle (main), has died aged 87 following a long illness

He was listed at number 49 on last year's BRW Rich List, with an estimated wealth of $1 billion, but Forbes estimated his net worth to be $910 million.

The pioneering businessman made his fortune in the wine industry, selling his successful Rosemount wine business to Southcorp for a reported $1.5 billion in 2001.

He founded Rosemount Estate in 1969 in NSW's Hunter Valley and sold his first vintage in the early 1970s.

Over the next 30 years, Rosemount became the second-biggest-selling Australian wine brand in the US and Australia's largest family-owned winery.

Mr Oatley established an award-winning resort on Hamilton Island, pictured with his two sons, Andrew (left) and Ian

Mr Oatley was also crucial in bringing world attention to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race, with his yacht claiming the trophy a record eight times, pictured before the race in 2014

When Mr Oatley sold the business in 2001, he used $200 million to purchase the world-renowned tourist haven Hamilton Island in Queensland.

He established an award-winning resort on the island which was named 'The Best Resort in the World' in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.

Mr Oatley was also crucial in bringing world attention to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race, with his yacht claiming the trophy a record eight times.

Sadly, he passed away just weeks after the race which saw his 'beauty', Wild Oats XI, retire from the event with a torn mainsail.

The yachtsman passed away on Sunday, pictured at the launch of the new AC45 catamaran on Sydney Harbour in March 2014

The pioneering businessman made his fortune in the wine industry, selling his successful Rosemount wine business to Southcorp for a reported $1.5 billion in 2001

When his yacht won the race in 2014, he said he wouldn't miss the 2015 event for 'the world', but he was reported to be ill in the build-up.

Mr Oatley is survived by his wife, Valerie, and three children.

He was named as an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Australia Day honours for his service to wine and tourism industries as well as to the sport of yacht racing.

'Bob contributed so much to Australian sailing over so many decades,' Yachting Australia president Matt Allen told the Daily Telegraph.

'He introduced many to the sport via his campaigns with a series of Wild Oats' and the impact of the Hamilton Island regatta has been unbelievable.
Believes she is helping men who feel stuck in loveless marriages

Divorcee Caroline Hoare, 49, is looking for love online with a married man and said she gets caught up in the 'excitement and emotion of an affair' (Posed by models)

A divorcee looking for love has shamelessly declared her new man needs to be intelligent, charming - and married - despite saying she would be 'devastated' if her new partner cheated on her.

Caroline Hoare, 49, turned to internet dating after her own marriage broke down eight years ago and has since embarked on seven affairs with married lovers.

But while she may feel some remorse over such encounters, Caroline believes she is helping men stuck in loveless marriages and admits to feeling caught up in the 'excitement and emotion of an affair.'

Speaking to The Sunday Mirror, Caroline said: 'If I got into another relationship and I found out my partner had been unfaithful, I would be absolutely devastated.

'But at some point along the line, the excitement and emotion of an affair take over.

'You get swept along and the guilt goes out the window. I've tried dating in the conventional sense, but I tend to find married men are much more well trained than single ones.'

To date, Caroline's lovers come from a wide gamut of backgrounds and include a pilot, a barrister, two policemen, an accountant and an engineer visiting the UK from South Africa.

The mum-of-two from Rotherham, Yorkshire, also revealed she repeatedly slept with a man whose wife had cancer and another shortly after his wife gave birth.

She began internet dating after the breakdown of her marriage in 2007 left her feeling alone and terrified at the prospect of being single in her 40s.

Caroline met all the men on extra-marital dating site, IllicitEncounters.com.

Founded in 2003, the site offers 'a non-judgmental, no-pressure environment' for like-minded married and attached people looking for romance outside their current relationship.

Caroline met her seven lovers through Illicit Encounters.com, a website for married and attached people looking for romance outside their current relationship

The website claims to have more than 900,000 members in the UK and while women can join for free, men have to pay a minimum of 139.99 per month to contact women looking for an extramarital affair.
A mother who went to Raqqa with her young son has revealed how she ended up fleeing ISIS 'monsters' in fear of her life after realising just days later that she had 'journeyed into hell'.

Sophie Kasiki travelled to the terror group's Syrian capital Raqqa in February with her four-year-old child after being recruited by three extremists based in the city.

But she soon realised she had made a 'monumental mistake, the worst of my life' and was threatened with being stoned or killed after begging the ISIS extremists to let her go home.

Sophie Kasiki travelled to the terror group's Syrian capital Raqqa in February with her four-year-old child after being recruited by three extremists based in the city

She made the journey to Raqqa (pictured) via Turkey with her son after lying to her husband that she was going to work in an orphanage in Istanbul

In an interview with Kim Willsher in the Observer, the 34-year-old, from Paris, France, described how she converted to Islam without telling her atheist husband.

Kasiki, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, had been working as a social worker helping to settle immigrant families and later made friends with three young jihadists in the French capital.

They later travelled to Syria before convincing her to join them, preying on what she described as her naivety, weakness and insecurity'.

She made the journey to Syria via Turkey with her son after lying to her husband that she was going to work in an orphanage in Istanbul.

Kasiki soon realised she had made a 'monumental mistake, the worst of my life' and was threatened with being stoned or killed after begging the ISIS extremists to let her go home (file picture)

Kasiki instantly realised that the reality was far from the 'paradise' that had been sold to her and she was ordered not to go out alone and to give up her passport.

Her story, called Dans la Nuit de Daech (In the Night of Daesh) - charting her 'hellish nightmare' - was published last week.

Kaiski described squalid conditions in the maternity unit where she was set to work and the agony of receiving increasingly desperate text messages from her panic-stricken husband.

She said: 'I asked to go home. Every day, I said I missed my family and my son needed to see his father. To begin with they made excuses, then came the threats.

'They said I was a woman alone with a child and I couldnt go anywhere, and if I tried to leave I would be stoned or killed.'

Her story, called Dans la Nuit de Daech (In the Night of Daesh) was published last week

On one occasion one of the Frenchmen came to take her son to a mosque only to punch her in the face when she tried to intervene.

They then took Kasiki and her son to a 'guest house' - essentially an ISIS prison - where she saw dozens of foreign women and was horrified to see children watching sickening footage of ISIS executions.

She described how the only way of escaping the building was by marrying an ISIS fighter adding: 'In reality, these western women were just wombs to make babies for Daesh.'

But incredibly, Kasiki found an unlocked door and managed to escape a day later - before being taken in by a Syrian family who risked their lives to keep her safe.

In April, she and her son were driven by motorbike to the Turkish border and she eventually reached Paris where she was interrogated by French authorities and held in prison for two months.

She told the Observer: 'I have felt so guilty. I have asked myself how I can live with what I have done, taking my son to Syria.

'I have hated those who manipulated me, exploited my naivety, my weakness, my insecurity. I have hated myself.'

She is now reconciled with her husband but faces possible child kidnapping charges, the Observer reports.

Reflecting on her lucky escape, Kasiki admitted she was 'brainwashed' and told the newspaper: 'I must prevent other people being drawn into this horror. What can I say? Dont go.'

French intelligence services say about 220 French women are believed to be with ISIS in Syria and Iraq, the Observer reports, adding that while 35 per cent of French people who travel to join the extremists are women.
Nicholas Churchill (pictured) became enraged after being forced to work when he claimed he was too hot in his truck on a summer's day

A labourer went on a two hour rampage in his 30 tonne dumper truck after arguing with his bosses about air conditioning in his cab, a court heard.

Nicholas Churchill, 40, became enraged after being forced to work when he claimed he was too hot in his truck on a summer's day at a quarry in Spixworth, Norfolk.

He drove off and left a trail of destruction as he was pursued by six police cars and a helicopter for 37 miles across two counties on July 20 last year.

Churchill wrecked three police cars by ramming into them and smashed down signs and bollards as he reached top speeds of 25mph during the chase.

Shoppers scattered as his truck careered down a high street and over a pedestrianised square before coming to a halt near his home in Brandon, Suffolk.

Norwich magistrates heard how Churchill who had also taken drugs had caused damage costing 26,572 to police property and 1,500 to his truck.

Prosecutor Fergus Harold said: 'The vehicle he was driving attracted a significant police pursuit and caused a large amount of damage to the vehicles involved.

'It started off as a case that had little justification. The defendant was at work driving his vehicle and had taken issue with his employers about the air conditioning in his cab.

'He was told to get on with his job, but instead he has taken his vehicle on to the highway, and there followed a lengthy pursuit with a number of police cars and the helicopter dispatched.'

Churchill admitted dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs.

He was commended by the prosecution for pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity

Churchill wrecked three police cars by ramming into them and smashed down signs and bollards as he reached top speeds of 25mph during the chase. A Volvo police car is pictured after the rampage

Shoppers scattered as his truck (pictured) careered down a high street and over a pedestrianised square before coming to a halt near his home in Brandon, Suffolk

Magistrates gave Churchill (pictured after his arrest) an interim driving ban and bailed him to Norwich Crown Court for sentencing on February 5

Magistrates gave him an interim driving ban and bailed him to Norwich Crown Court for sentencing on February 5.

Police were first alerted by worried motorists who dialled 999 to report that a truck was weaving dangerously across the road.

Officer caught up with the truck at the Thickthorn roundabout south of Norwich at around 12.30pm after it had been driven for five miles.

A convoy of six police cars and a police helicopter pursued the truck down the A11 dual carriageway and saw knocking over road signs and going straight across a roundabout near Attleborough.

It then careered on towards Snetterton where it rammed a police car on another roundabout.

Norwich magistrates heard how Churchill who had also taken drugs had caused damage costing 26,572 to police property and 1,500 to his truck. Pictured is on the police care damaged

Police were first alerted by worried motorists who dialled 999 to report that a truck was weaving dangerously across the road

A convoy of six police cars and a police helicopter pursued the truck down the A11 dual carriageway and saw knocking over road signs. Pictured is a police car that was written off during the chase

The truck carried on down the A11 to Thetford where it turned right on the A134 road as police put out on alert warning other drivers to beware of it.

It continued for six miles before veering down a track leading to the Forestry Commission's East Anglia headquarters at Santon Downham.

Two more police cars were wrecked on the track including one which was shunted along with a shaken officer still sitting inside and lucky to escape unhurt.

The truck then re-joined the A134 and went to Mundford where it passed astonished diners at a roadside restaurant and turned left on the A1065 at a roundabout.

A convoy of six police cars and a police helicopter pursued the truck down the A11 dual carriageway and saw knocking over road signs and going straight across a roundabout near Attleborough

The court heard that Churchill had not been in trouble with police since being caught drink-driving eight years ago

It then headed into Brandon, going over a level crossing and down the High Street before smashing down two bollards and crossing the Market Square.

Drinkers outside the Flintknappers pub watched in amazement as the truck went back on the Thetford Road before coming to a halt at 2.30pm.

The court heard that Churchill had not been in trouble with police since being caught drink-driving eight years ago.

A shopper in Brandon who asked not to be named said at the time of the chase: 'It is a miracle that nobody was killed.
A five-year-old girl was banned from jumping on a bouncy castle because she was wearing her glasses.

Gracie Rooney's parents say she was close to tears after staff at the Inflatable Play area at the Irn-Bru Carnival in Glasgow said she could not go on the bouncy castle because of her glasses.

Staff claimed the 'no glasses rule' was part of their health and safety policy.

Gracie Rooney, pictured left with her father Martin was disappointed when she wasn't allowed on the ride

Gracie's family paid 50 for ticket for the Irn-Bru Carnival in Glasgow which is run by QD Events

Gracie's family attended the carnival f\or the past four years but this is the first time there was a bouncy castle

However, the youngster's parents criticised the decision claiming she would have been a greater risk if she removed her glasses.

Her mother, Christine Rooney, an office manager from Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, paid 50 for a family ticket for husband Martin, daughter Skye, nine, and Gracie.

Both girls were 'excited' and looking forward to playing in the new inflatable area, only to find Gracie, who can only see properly with her glasses on, barred.

'We've been four years in a row but this is the first year they've had the inflatable play.

'But when we got to the front of the queue, Gracie was told she couldn't go in if she didn't take off her glasses.

'The guy said it had something to do with insurance. We couldn't believe it.

'She can't see without them and we were forced to turn back.'

Mrs Rooney said there was no restriction on people wearing earrings which she thought was more dangerous

The disappointed family approached festival organisers QD Events asking them to explain the snub.

Bosses at the SECC event - a hugely-popular funfair which runs annually throughout December and into January - confirmed the specs ban, explaining wearing them was seen as a health and safety danger because if they broke it could put other kids at risk.

Mrs Rooney said: 'It would be more a danger if I had let Gracie go in the area without her glasses on. They've banned specs but there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on children wearing things like earrings.

'Having to wear glasses can mean kids are stigmatised by their peers - they shouldn't have to put up with authorities singling them out too.'

Scottish Conservative Chief Whip John Lamont said: 'This is clearly an excessive step which should be reconsidered.

BOUNCY CASTLE RULE POLICY All children must be signed in by a responsible adult of 18 years of age or over. Parents and guardians must remain in the area at all times and monitor their child to ensure he/she is capable of using the attractions safely. No food or drink items are allowed onto the inflatables at any time. At least one adult for every 5 children visiting to ensure an appropriate level of supervision is maintained. You must vacate the area and sign out when your session time of 40 mins is finished. Wristbands will be removed on exit from the area. Any accidents or incidents should be reported to a member of staff and medical assistance will be called if necessary. Shoes must be removed and socks must be worn prior to entering any of the inflatables. No sharp objects are allowed on the inflatables. The management reserve the right to remove unruly children from the area. Management also reserve the right to refuse admission. * Irn-Bru Carnival rules for inflatable play Advertisement

'It's unnecessary, and threatens to ostracise children for no other reason than they have to wear glasses.'

One of the bodies that represents opticians in the UK said there was 'no evidence to suggest wearing glasses' significantly increases the chances of injuries.

Broxburn-based optician Barry Duncan of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, said: 'We simply cannot have this going on. How on earth must the child have felt?

'It causes me great concern that companies have come to conclusions without consultation.

'Potentially this child might be wearing the most robust spectacles lenses available, suitable for working in a factory environment using heavy machinery.

'We would welcome a meeting with organisers to offer an insight on these draconian measures.'

According to the Irn-Bru Carnival website the Inflatable Play Area is 'our new hall featuring slides, bouncy castles, soft play for under-1s.

'This area is for children up to the age of 12 years old and under 1.5m tall (must be accompanied by an adult).

'For a full list of our rules of play, please see below!'

However, there is no mention of a ban anywhere on the page on kids wearing specs.

A spokeswoman for QD Events defended the glasses ban on the six bouncy castles and rides in the new zone.

She added there were no similar restrictions in other parts of the carnival.

Fran McIntyre, Managing Director of QD Events, said: 'We apologise for disappointing the Rooney family.

'In line with health and safety regulations, our policy is that children are not allowed on any inflatable rides while wearing glasses.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with a string of driving and theft offences after he allegedly rammed his stolen van into several cars on a busy highway.

Motorists watched on in horror as a traffic chaos unfolded along the Tullamarine Freeway in Melbourne on Sunday morning as police attempted to arrest the driver behind the wheel.

Victoria Police first spotted the white Hyundai van on Tooradin Avenue in Broadmeadows, north of Melbourne shortly after 11am before the driver allegedly sped off.

The vehicle was spotted a short time later on Tongio Court but police failed in their attempts to stop the van again.

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An allegedly stolen van rammed through several cars, causing traffic chaos on a busy highway on Sunday

Shortly after, a police Air Wing helicopter was called in to follow the vehicle after the driver entered the Tullamarine Freeway as it headed towards Melbourne.

The van was caught in heavy traffic on the freeway between Brunswick Road and Flemington Road, during which the driver allegedly rammed into several vehicles.

'He hit one car quite hard, I saw one girl walking around with a sore shoulder having a good cry,' witness Greg Broadbent told 9NEWS.

Another witness said: 'It was extremely chaotic there was debris everywhere and all over the road and a lot of crying and people just comforting each other, it was pretty scary actually.'

A police helicopter was called in to follow the vehicle after the driver entered the Tullamarine Freeway

The vehicle was caught in heavy traffic on the freeway, between Brunswick Road and Flemington Road

Police were forced to deploy stop sticks - a tyre-deflation device - which brought the vehicle to a halt as officers attempted to arrest the driver.

'Trailing members caught up to the stationary van and attempted to arrest the driver who was unaware of police at that stage,' police said in a statement.

'The van took off and collided with numerous vehicles as it forced its way through the built-up traffic.

'The stop sticks were deployed and the van disabled.'

Its alleged the van collided with numerous vehicles as it forced its way through the built-up traffic

A young woman appeared distressed after she was left shaken when an allegedly stolen van rammed through

Causing traffic chaos among drivers in Melbourne, police attempted to stop the allegedly stolen van

Upon inspecting the van, police found a large amount of property allegedly stolen during a recent burglary spree.

The 24-year-old male driver, from Broadmeadows, was arrested and has been charged with 12 counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, four counts of evade police, four counts of unlicensed driving, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft and theft of motor vehicle.

He has been remanded to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Monday.

No one was injured during the incident.
Home buyers and sellers have lost more than 10million to foreign crime gangs hacking into their emails over the last year.

New figures released by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, which operates the Action Fraud reporting hotline, recorded 91 victims of conveyancing fraud up to October.

On average, the criminals carry out two frauds a week, with each fraud worth more than 112,000.

The problem appears to be escalating and police suspect is being headed by organised gangs from abroad.

Steve Proffitt, deputy head of Action Fraud, told The Telegraph: 'We are getting more and more instances of this.

'The outcome for the fraudster is tremendous. They can earn 1m on the sale of a house in the south east.'

Newlyweds Sarah and Ritchie Tough lost their 45,000 deposit when their emails were targeted by fraudsters

Earlier this month, MailOnline reported how newlyweds Sarah and Ritchie Tough lost their 45,000 deposit from such a scam and left their dream to become first-time buyers in tatters.

Sarah, 28, who hoped to buy a home in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, said: It makes me sick to my stomach that someone could even think of doing something like this. It was our money for our future, we had been saving for ages  and now it is gone.

Other victims have included Paul and Ann Lupton, who suffered a 50,000 loss when emails between them and their lawyers were hacked following the sale of their London flat for 340,000.

The cruel online con starts with a computer hacker using malware to monitor emails sent between a solicitor and a homebuyer.

They look for anywhere cash transactions are discussed. In some cases, solicitors emails are hacked. In others, the buyer is targeted.

The fraudster watches for when a bank transfer that might be about to be made  and pounces.

Growing concern: Overseas gangs are thought to be responsible for targeting 91 home buyers and sellers over the last year, with each conveyancing fraud netting them 112,000

They send the homebuyer an email which appears to be from the solicitors address, typically telling them that the details of the law firms bank account has changed.

The unsuspecting homebuyer sends their cash to the new account, where it is grabbed by the fraudsters.

Often the money will then be sent to numerous accounts around the world, making the money virtually impossible to trace.

Action Fraud advises home buyers and sellers against using publicly available wi-fi systems, which may be vulnerable to hacking.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority watchdog similarly issued a warning to law firms.

Chief executive Paul Philip, said: This is an issue that is not going away. Law firm client accounts are being targeted and solicitors and their clients are suffering disruption and potential loss.

'It is essential that firms understand the risks and take precautions to avoid falling victim to these attacks.

Fraudsters are targeting home buyers and sellers by hacking emails to property solicitors (file picture)




Cold calling marketing firms are to be hit with heavy fines if they fail to display their phone numbers as part of a new crackdown on nuisance calls, it has been revealed.

It will make it easier for recipients to decide whether to answer the phone, and to make formal complaints to watchdogs if repeatedly pestered.

Plans for a change in the law will be announced this week, with ministers keen to act because they say unsolicited phone calls can cause anxiety and stress, particularly among the elderly.

Nuisance call crackdown: Marketing firms will be hit with heavy fines if they fail to display their phone numbers

There is also concern about fraudsters preying on vulnerable customers by posing as 'cold calling' marketing agents, according to Tim Ross and Ben Riley-Smith at The Sunday Telegraph.

The aim of the new legal requirement - expected to be introduced in the spring - is to put an end to anonymous phone calls from British companies with call centres based in the UK and overseas.

A consultation on the reforms is due to be launched later this week. If it is approved, it will be enforced starting in April.

Officials figures reveal that one in five direct marketing calls come from an anonymous or false number, with more than 14,000 complaints made about nuisance calls every month.

Now, under the new plan, direct marketing callers will have to provide a valid caller identity that shows up on phone displays when they ring.

This valid caller ID will also assist the marketing calls regulator, the Information Commissioners Office, in investigating firms that flout the rules by making repeated nuisance phone calls.

Companies that breach the rules on marketing calls will face fines of up to 500,000.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe, the minister for data protection, told The Sunday Telegraph: 'Being pestered by marketing calls is annoying at the best of times and at its worst it can bring real misery for the people on the receiving end.

New rules: Direct marketing callers will have to provide a valid caller identity that shows up on phone displays when they ring. This will help the Information Commissioners Office in dealing with complaints (file photo)

'There is no simple solution to the problem of nuisance calls, but making direct marketing companies display their telephone number will help consumers and regulators take action.'

Ministers were driving 'a major crackdown on nuisance calls', a government source said.

In 2015 the Information Commissioners Office imposed more than a million pounds worth of fines on companies found to have broken the rules on nuisance calls and text messages.

Penalties included 80,000 for a firm that sent 1.3million spam texts about PPI and 130,000 for a pharmacy company that sold customer details to postal marketing companies.

A cold call firm which made almost six million calls to drum up compensation claims was recently fined a record 850,000 by a different regulator.

Last month, research found that nuisance calls and texts for industrial injury claims, oven cleaning, energy saving and call blocking services were on the rise.

While payment protection insurance and accident claims calls generated the most complaints this year, other sectors are emerging in the cold-calling network, the Information Commissioner's Office said.
This the first picture of Isis terrorist Tarek Belgacem who was shot dead by French police when he tried to attack police station in Paris on Thursday

This is the first mugshot of Isis terrorist Tarek Belgacem who was shot dead after he launched a knife attack on a Paris police station.

German police, who had previously flagged Belgacem as a terror threat, had been living in a centre for asylum seekers in the west of the country before travelling to France.

Belgacem had been trying to enter the police station in Barbes, northern Paris, shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and threatening officers with a knife on the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attacks.

German authorities have confirmed Belgacem, lived in a centre for asylum seekers in Germany. It is believed he made several asylum claims using at least three different names.

The man, who has been named as Tarek Belgacem, had been living in both France and Germany under several assumed names. Most recently he was in an asylum centre in west Germany when he went missing in December.

Anti-terror police raided an apartment in the shelter in Recklinghausen, in the west of the country.

Prosecutors said they did find any evidence of further planned attacks.

Speigel Online reported that the man, believed to be a Tunisian national, had already been flagged by German police as a potential security threat after he posed for photographs at the asylum centre with the black flag of Isis.

He was last seen at the centre in December. He had even drawn an Isis symbol on the wall of the shelter.

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German authorities flagged the attacker, pictured, as a potential terrorist after he claimed asylum and was housed in a centre in Recklinghausen where he posed for pictures next to the black flag of ISIS

German authorities now believe that the man tried to claim asylum under several different names prompting significant fears that Isis is able to send terrorists alongside genuine refugees into Europe

The terrorist was wearing a fake suicide vest when he ran into the police station brandishing a knife

The terrorist used a number of names while registering for asylum according to Welt am Sonntag.

During one attempt, he used the name Walid Salihi. He claimed during one attempt that he was Syrian, a second claim was filed as a Moroccan and a third claimed he was from Georgia.

But French investigators said the suspect appeared to have been identified by his family and was said to be a Tunisian named Tarek Belgacem.

French police arrested Belgacem in 2013 in the French Riviera resort of Sainte-Maxime where he gave the name Sallah Ali. His fingerprints were recorded on file at the time.

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins had said the man was carrying a mobile phone with a German SIM card, with French media reporting that it contained several messages in Arabic, some of which were sent from Germany.

Police raided this refugee centre with the German flag in the window in Recklinghausen in the west of the country as this is where Paris attacker Tarek Belgacem was believed to have lived until December

Residents are still living inside the refugee centre despite Saturday's raid by anti-terror police

Police stormed the building on Saturday morning but did not find evidence of any future attacks

Investigators are attempting to positively identify the man who may be called Tarek Belgacem from Tunisia

In Tunisia, a woman who claimed to be the man's mother confirmed that he had been living in Germany but denied he had any links to extremist groups.

She told a Tunisian radio station that her son had rang her to ask her 'to send him his birth certificate. He was in Germany'.

The suspect had been sleeping rough in Paris, but in 2013 he was arrested for theft in Sainte-Maxime, the upmarket French Riviera seaside resort. His fingerprints were recorded at the time.

The link to a refugee shelter in Germany, and the apparent ease with which the subject was able to file with the authorities, risks further inflaming a debate over the 1.1 million asylum-seekers that the country took in last year.

Mindful of the political sensitivity surrounding the issue, Recklinghausen's mayor Christoph Tesche said it remains 'our humanitarian and legal duty to provide shelter for those who flee their homes'.

Tarek Belgacem, pictured, was inspected by a bomb disposal robot amid fears he was wearing a suicide vest

A Tunisian woman claimed the dead man was her son in an interview with a local radio station. She said he wanted her to send him his birth certificate to Germany where he was now living

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said the suspect's mobile phone had a German SIM card and contained messages in Arabic, some of which had been sent from Germany

But it was also equally important to work 'intensively with relevant authorities to ensure that people with such intentions cannot hide in our institutions,' he stressed.

Tensions were already running high after a spate of sexual assaults and thefts during New Year's Eve festivities in the western city of Cologne, with police saying suspects of the crime spree were mostly asylum seekers and migrants.

Cologne police said Saturday that they have recorded 379 cases of violence during the rampage that night, as far-right protests erupted in the western city against the assaults.

The latest link to the attacker in France risks fanning fears that would-be terrorists were slipping into Europe's biggest economy amid a record refugee influx.

Such concerns were already raised when it emerged that two of the suicide bombers in the November 13 attacks in Paris were carrying passports that had been registered as they arrived on a Greek island with a group of migrants in October.
They are walking towards me. There are five of them. Men. Their eyes are hidden behind heavy furrowed brows. I'm 5ft 9in, but at least two of them are taller than me.

I suddenly feel my heart beat faster. It's jumping out of my chest. I look to the left and to the right to try to find the best exit route, but there is none.

I am in Cologne  the city where over a hundred young women were sexually assaulted and at least two raped as they were groped and robbed on New Year's Eve. And for the first time since I arrived I am scared.

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MailOnline reporter Sara Malm (pictured) in Cologne  the city where over a hundred young women were sexually assaulted and at least two raped as they were groped and robbed on New Year's Eve

Rows of police officers stand guard following the recent spate of assaults on women by migrant gangs

The men are white and have shaved heads. Their bomber jackets pledge allegiance to the far-right.

Supporters for the anti-immigration movement PEGIDA held a large demonstration on the streets of Cologne yesterday following the spate of sexual assaults and robberies on New Year's Eve.

Counter-protesters as well as members of women's rights group marched during the peaceful demonstration, calling for the government to help safeguard the streets.

Now I am walking in the footsteps of scores of young women who have told in terrifying detail how they were surrounded by hordes of Arab and North African men who put their hands in places that no one, without permission, should go.

It's pitch black, and now I can understand how the five-minute stroll from the river Rhine fireworks display on December 31 to the city's central station could go horribly wrong. No matter how old you are. And clearly no matter how many you are.

One of the victims, an 18-year-old called Michelle, has described how she and her ten friends linked hands as they approached 30 'angry' men, who proceeded to grope them, rob them, and assault them.

Another told how the 'sex mob' separated her from her boyfriend and put their hands between her legs, on her breasts, under her clothes. Her boyfriend tried to pull her away from them, but couldn't.

As you walk from the river, past the beautiful Gothic cathedral, down towards the station, you are forced to go through a passage.

This passageway acted as a bottleneck of sorts on New Years Eve. Especially if you are 11 teenage girls facing 30 men. There's nowhere to run but back or forwards. They wouldn't have had anywhere to escape.

I spend a good few hours walking around this modern German city. I notice there are no women walking alone

I am walking in the footsteps of scores of young women who have told in terrifying detail how they were surrounded by hordes of Arab and North African men who put their hands in places that no one, without permission, should go

Concerns remain the attacks appear to be spreading with copycat assaults in Austria and Sweden

Cologne's mayor Henriette Reker sparked outrage by suggesting women should prevent sex attacks by keeping men at an 'arm's length'

Women shout slogans and hold up a placard that reads 'Against Sexism - Against Racism' as they march through the main railways station of Cologne

This is where hundreds of women were forced to 'run the gauntlet' of collective sexual abuse. The mass attack on vulnerable women  known in Arabic as 'taharrush gamea'  is reportedly common in Middle Eastern and North African countries, according to newspaper Die Welt, and German authorities have launched a taskforce to combat it.

Later as I walked by the river-bank three men followed me. And as I had veered off towards the bright lights of a nearby restaurant, they had started to move closer. I had no idea of this of course. I neither heard nor saw them, and probably wouldn't have until it was too late.

My colleagues tell me that they were of an immigrant background, but that is beside the point. It's the fact that I had no idea they were even there.

I spend a good few hours walking around this modern German city. I notice there are no women walking alone.

This is Saturday night. In the wake of violent protests earlier in the day, there are thousands of uniformed police officers on patrol. But still, there are no women walking alone.

My late-night stroll takes me around the city's central train station, the historic cathedral and towards the river Rhine  the area which a Cologne councillor recently branded a 'no-go' zone for women.

Knowing this, I tense up. I become hyper alert to any movement. Out of the corner of my eye I can see a group of men running alongside me. Towards me. Are they white? Are they black? The area is so badly lit up, they could be purple for all I know.

But I can see that they are men and I can see that they are young. A group which statistics, common sense and experience, tells me is more likely to attack a lone woman than any other.

I'm suddenly extremely aware of where my exit routes are. I may be 25 and blonde but I'm not a fool.

Security officials try to lead away a man on New Year's Eve when a wave of sexual assaults were reported

Crowds clash under Germany police, with migrants chucking fireworks in Cologne

Chaotic scenes from Cologne on New Years Eve. Similarly sexual assault cases have been reported across Europe with gangs of migrants being blamed for the attacks

Reports have emerged of a gang of migrants throwing fireworks at crowds and sexually assaulting women

Taunted: Police have revealed how the violent crowd, which was 'mainly' made up of migrants, openly mocked them as they tried to regain control of Cologne city centre in the run up to midnight on New Year's Eve

Cologne police stand guard outside the main railway station in Cologne, Germany

Anger: The beat bobbies who dealt with the mobs have rubbished police chief and council claims that the mob was not made up of asylum seekers, saying they saw mainly migrants on New Year's Eve

Danger: Some visitors have cancelled planned holidays to Cologne (pictured) and women are said to fear going out by themselves at night

Manhunt: At least 12 more people are being sought in connection with over 100 complaints from women attacked on the last night of the year (pictured, flowers left at the scene of the mass attack)

Later in a bar I bump into Michaela and Svenja. They are happy-go-lucky twenty-somethings who have moved to Cologne in the past year. I ask them if they've changed their ways after New Year's Eve. At first they, like all other women I have spoken to in Cologne, say no, nothing has changed since the 'sex mob' attack on 31 December.

'We're all good,' Michaela said.

'A bunch of idiot rapists are not going to tell us where to walk, what to wear and what to do at night,' Svenja added.

But then Michaela points out that when they had gone out the night before, she had not wanted Svenja to go home by herself. She made her stay the night at her friend's house instead. There it is again. No women are walking alone.

I stroll down a street popular with pub-crawlers. Two men leer as they walk towards me.

I find myself reacting differently because they are dark-skinned, and I am horrified at my own fear.

I wouldn't have reacted in this way if this happened in London, but the news of 'men of Arabic and North African origin' attacking women in Cologne has clearly got to me somehow. Despite considering myself as liberal-minded as the Swedish come, I react in a way I am not proud of. So no wonder there are no women walking alone.

I speak to a 24-year-old man outside the station. He is around 6ft2, his parents were born in Turkey, and he has a 2015 hipster beard. He tells me how women in Cologne, his hometown, won't look him in the eyes anymore, that they cross the street when they see him.

He shows me how his female friends hold their house keys in their hands like knuckledusters. I know exactly what he is talking about because that's how I've been holding my keys walking home since I was 16 years old.

It's not unique for Cologne. In every city across Europe, perfectly safe women won't walk down their own street at night without keys sticking out between their fingers.
Charlie Kutuyampo, pictured, has been named locally as the boy stabbed to death in Woodford, London

A 16-year-old boy has been stabbed to death after a 'row about a tracksuit' at a friend's 16th birthday party at a social club in north east London last night.

Paramedics and police were called to Ashton Playing Fields in Woodford, North London, at 9.40pm.

The teenager, named locally as Charlie Kutuyampo, was found with stab wounds and taken to hospital but he died in casualty.

A murder investigation has been launched and no arrests have been made so far.

Former King Solomon Academy student who had been attending college studying business.

A friend said: 'He was someone who you could always have fun with and all the time you were with him you knew it would be a laugh because he was so funny.

'He was really nice and when I heard what happen my whole world was ripped apart.

'I was going crazy, crying and screaming, I didn't know what to do, I was blaming everyone who was there.

'I rushed down to the party as soon as I found out what happened.

'Charlie had borrowed a tracksuit from a boy and had not returned it and that was what the argument was about.

It was just a Nike or Adidas normal tracksuit. I can't believe this has happened.'

She added Charlie had a big family and is thought to have a girlfriend.

Jodeci Joseph used to be deputy head boy of King Solomon and was a few years older than the victim as he laid flowers close to the scene.

He said: 'I used to look after some of the younger students and he was one I was kind of a role model for so I wanted to lay some flowers, it seemed the right thing to do.

'It's such a terrible thing to have happened, he was nice boy, very friendly and very sociable.

'He used to sometimes come to basketball club at the school and got on with everyone.

'Woodford is thought of a safe quiet area, I can't believe this has happened.'

The 16-year-old was killed near a social club at Ashton Playing Fields, Woodford, London, pictured

Forensics teams found two 5in knives at the scene which have been taken away for examination

Mr Kutuyampo was attacked after a row over a tracksuit he had borrowed, according to friends

Police forensic officers at the scene near the entrance to Ashton Playing Fields sports club, in Woodford

Friends of Charlie were today laying flowers at the gates of the playing field.

It is thought the youngster, from Collier Row, Romford, was stabbed because he hadn't returned a tracksuit to one of his attackers from a rival gang.

One neighbour who lived near the playing field said: 'I heard yelling in the field at around 9.45pm, then saw some teenagers run off, then the police came.

'It's very worrying that this has happened, this is a quite area and nothing like this happens here.'

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating under Detective Chief Inspector Ken Hughes.

Police this afternoon recovered two knives from near the scene, each around 5in long, and they were taken away by forensics officers.

A confrontation began outside the club between four male youths and the victim, who was alone.

One of the males then stabbed the victim before all four made off on foot towards Chigwell Road.

Other people at the party came to help the victim before police and paramedics arrived.

Friends of sixteen-year-old boy Charlie Kutuyampo lays flowers at the scene in Woodford today

Friends have been to the scene throughout the day laying flowers and paying their respects

Police forensic officers at the scene near the entrance to Ashton Playing Fields sports club in Woodford

Police have yet to formally identify Mr Kutuyampo but say they have informed his next of kin

Pictured: The entrance to the social club in Woodford where the party took place last night

Police sealed off the area, where it is believed the victim was involved in a fight with four other youths

Mr Kutuyampo was attending a party for a female friend's 16th birthday when the incident happened

Officers continue to search the crime scene and say his family are 'devastated and in shock'

A friend of Mr Kutuyampo today described him as a 'very nice boy' who was 'fun to be around'.

Mr Joseph told Sky News: 'I built up a good relationship with him, I would say hello and how are you, see how he was and always catch up with him.

'He was a very nice boy; very, very good indeed. Very extroverted and very loud, which is normal for a boy that age. He had a lot of energy and was very happy. He was a very fun guy to be around.'

DCI Hughes said: 'There were around 100 young people at this party and we are appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses to come forward as soon as possible.

'The victim's family are naturally devastated and in shock by what has happened and we need the help of those at the party that night to progress our investigation.'

The Metropolitan Police have launched a murder probe and are appealing for witnesses to come forward

Officers say there were 100 people at the party and have asked anyone with information to get in touch

The boy is the first teenager to be murdered in the UK this year. Nineteen teenagers were murdered in London in 2015, of whom 15 were stabbed to death.

Two others were strangled, one suffered head injuries and one died from 'other' causes.

A spokesman for the Met Police added: 'Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following the death of a teenager in Redbridge.

'Police and London Ambulance Service were called at around 9.40pm on Saturday to a stabbing at Ashton Playing Fields off Chigwell Road in Woodford.

'Officers attended the scene. A 16-year-old male was taken by ambulance to an east London hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

'Officers believe they know the identity of the deceased, but await formal identification. Next of kin have been informed.

'Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating alongside colleagues from Redbridge.'
See our full news coverage and stories from the streets of Paris at www.dailymail.co.uk/Paris

visit to the main mosque in the French capital

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French President Francois Hollande has led thousands of people in a memorial for the victims of the attacks on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket in Paris.

The low-key ceremony marked a year since one-and-a-half million people gathered in the French capital in a show of unity against the terrorist actions.

People attending the event in the Place de la Republique were searched by armed police before standing around a simple stage and a monument covered in the red, white and blue French flag. The President also made an unannounced visit to the main mosque in Paris shortly afterwards.

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Pictured: Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, left, President Francois Hollande, centre, and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, right, at the ceremony at Place de la Republique

President Hollande, centre, joined a number of French and Parisian officials to remember the victim's of the January 2015 attacks

The President spent time talking to victims' families, and even embracing some, left, at the otherwise solemn event

President Hollande unveiled a plaque next to an oak tree planted in the square in memory of the victims of the jihadist outrages that rocked France in 2015, beginning with the shootings at Charlie Hebdo.

At the ceremony, veteran rocker Johnny Hallyday performed a short song and the army's choir gave a rousing rendition of the Marseillaise.

The understated event was a far cry from January 11, 2015, when four million citizens rallied across France, in the biggest mass demonstrations since the end of World War II.

Twelve people were killed in the attacks on Charlie Hebdo, a target since publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2006

A day later a policewoman was shot dead and then four more people were killed in an attack on a Jewish supermarket

Last year one-and-a-half million people gathered in Paris for a huge march attended by German, Israeli and Palestinian leaders

The outpouring of support for freedom of expression was crowned by a huge march in Paris that included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.

Twelve people were killed in the January 7 2015 assault on Charlie Hebdo, which had been in the jihadists' sights since publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2006.

The next day, another extremist, Amedy Coulibaly, shot dead a policewoman before killing four people in a siege at a Jewish supermarket.

France's year of jihadist bloodshed culminated in the coordinated shootings and suicide bombings in Paris on November 13 that killed 130 people and were claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

Singer Johnny Hallyday performed at the ceremony, left, while French education minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, right, also paid tribute

Hallyday performed a short song before the French army's choir gave a rousing rendition of national anthem La Marseillaise

The occasion was clearly an emotional one for everyone involved as the President, left, and singer, talked after his performance

Hallyday, centre, pictured in a silent tribute alongside French minister for Social Affairs Health and Women's Rights Marisol Touraine, left, and president of the Central Jewish Consistory of France Joel Mergui

Sunday's event was dedicated to all the victims from the attacks last year, which left the country in shock and under stringent security measures, including a state of emergency.

One of those who attended the commemoration, Jacques Clayeux, a 54-year-old museum technician, had known one of the murdered cartoonists, Tignous.

'Everyone grew up with those guys,' he said. 'But I have mixed feelings today. It is terrible to attack journalists, but it's scary to live under a state of emergency.'

The one-year anniversary on Thursday of the Charlie Hebdo shootings was overshadowed when a man was shot dead by police as he approached a police station in northern Paris wielding a meat cleaver and wearing what turned out to be a fake explosives vest.

After the ceremony President Hollande made an unannounced visit to the main mosque in Paris, where he sat down for a cup of tea

The Place de la Republique was covered in floral tributes and candles dedicated to the people slain in the terrorist attacks

2015 was a tumultuous year for Paris, ending with horrific terrorist attacks in the city in November that left 130 people dead

The ceremony also came days after a man was shot dead while approaching a police station in northern Paris wearing a fake suicide vest

The man, believed to be a Tunisian called Tarek Belgacem, shouted 'Allahu Akbar' (God is great) before trying to attack an officer at the entrance of the police station in the ethnically-mixed Goutte d'Or district. He was carrying a handwritten letter claiming he was acting in the name of IS.

German police confirmed late Saturday that he had been living in an asylum seekers' shelter in Germany.

The thwarted attack underlined the authorities' concerns that another terror assault remains highly likely in France. Hollande responded to the November massacre by vowing to crush IS and French jets have been bombing the extremist group in Syria and Iraq.

Mosques in France opened their doors to the public this weekend in a bid by the Muslim community to build bridges following the attacks.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve was among those who sipped mint tea as he visited a mosque near Paris on Saturday.
The Muslim woman who was removed from Donald Trump's campaign event in South Carolina on Friday after standing in silent protest following one of the Republican front-runner's controversial immigration comments says her reason for doing so was to show people that 'Muslims are not that scary.'

Rose Hamid, 56, attended the event in Rock Hill wearing a hijab and a shirt that read 'Salam, I come in peace,' hoping that her presence might manage to change the opinion some Trump supporters have about members of the Islam faith.

'I have this sincere belief that if people get to know each other, one on one, that they'll stop being afraid of each other and we'll be able to get rid of all this hate in the world, literally,' Hamid told CNN. 'So that was really my goal, was to let people see that Muslims are not that scary.'

She positioned herself directly behind Trump, and when he began to speak about Syrian refugees being banned from entering the United States and suggested that many had ties to ISIS, she silently stood up out of her seat.

Police immediately escorted her out of the event while the audience booed the woman and yelled at her to 'get out,' with one man screaming; 'You have a bomb, you have a bomb.'

After Hamid had been removed, Trump said to the audience; 'There is hatred against us that is unbelievable. It's their hatred, it's not our hatred.'

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Gone: Rose Hamid (above in teal shirt behind Trump) was kicked out of Donald Trump's event in Rock Hill, South Carolina on Friday night

Reason: Hamid, who sat directly behind Trump, stood in silent protest when he suggested that Syrian refugees had ties to ISIS

Awful: As she was removed from the venue she was booed and one individual yelled; 'You have a bomb, you have a bomb' (Trump above on Friday)

'I figured that most Trump supporters probably never met a Muslim so I figured that I'd give them the opportunity to meet one,' Hamid told CNN about her decision to attend the event after the incident.

'I really don't plan to say anything. I don't want to be disrespectful but if he says something that I feel needs answering I might - we'll just see what strikes me.'

Prior to her protest she said that things had been going well, and that the people she spoke with seemed receptive and eager to talk.

'The people around me who I had an opportunity to talk with were very sweet,' said Hamid, who was not even offended when one individual commented that she 'didn't look scary,' but 'like a good one' while they were standing in line.

Everything changed however when she decided to stand.

'The ugliness really came out fast and that's really scary,' said Hamid.

Major Steven Thompson of the Rock Hill Police Department said that Hamid was removed because police were briefed beforehand that 'anybody who made any kind of disturbance' would be escorted from the premises.

Trump meanwhile has not spoken about the incident, but did write about the event on Twitter Friday night, saying; 'Great even in SC tonight! Fire Marshall would not let everyone in-- 5,000 turned away. Thank you for coming!'

Outlook: Hamid, with is president of Muslim Women of the Carolinas, said she holds no ill will towards the audience, blaming Trump's hate speech instead

Hamid (above with daughter Suzanne) stood in silent protest at Trump's event, hoping to show that 'Muslims aren't that scary'

Impressive: Hamid (above with her daughter at her wedding in November) is the co-founder and president of Muslim Women of the Carolinas and writes a column for The Charlotte Observer about her faith

Background: Hamid (above with her son in Mecca in September) was raised in America after being born to a Colombian mother and a Palestinian father

Despite her treatment and the abuse she received from the audience, Hamid was quick to excuse the individuals and place the blame on Trump and the comments he has made over the course of his campaign.

'This demonstrates how when you start dehumanizing the other it can turn people into very hateful, ugly people,' she said.

'It needs to be known.'

Hamid, who is the co-founder and president of Muslim Women of the Carolinas and writes a column for The Charlotte Observer about her faith, had been discussing Trump just days before during an appearance on a local radio program, Charlotte Talks.

She was raised in America after being born to a Colombian mother and a Palestinian father, and a 2009 World Hum profile offers some insight into just why she believes she can change people's misconceptions and Muslims.

Hamid, a flight attendant, decided in 2005 to begin wearing her hijab at work.

Some criticized her for doing so post-9/11, including coworkers, but she managed to take it all in stride.

'Theres a saying of the Prophet that the person who gives salutations first is the most blessed,' Hamid said in that interview.
A family night in was ruined on Friday when a botched police operation saw officers raid the wrong home.

The Stewart family were at their Coombabah, Queensland home about 9.30pm when suddenly, up to half a dozen police arrived, yelling and ordering them out of the house.

Officers had been on their way to a serious domestic violence incident on the same street, but got the wrong address.

Kristy and Tim Stewart's 10-year-old daughter Willow said the experience was frightening and she didn't know what was happening, 7 News reported.

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The Stewart family (from left, Willow, 10, Kristy, Oakley, nine, and Tim) recall the Friday night ordeal

Willow said the experience had been scary, as she did not properly understand what was happening

Kristy Stewart described how police had ordered her to hold her hands out in front of her

When Mr Stewart heard the commotion, he came running to the front of the house from the back yard

During the incident, Mrs Stewart was ordered out of the house and told to hold out her hands.

The commotion attracted her husband, who came running from the back yard, until officers entered the home and held his hands down.

He was briefly detained by police, despite the family telling them they had done nothing wrong, the Courier Mail reported.

Eventually, police realised they had the wrong address and left - but not before saying 'Some excitement for you tonight', she claimed.

Ms Stewart said police needed to come and explain to her children that it was a mistake and police were good people

Ms Stewart also wanted her neighbours to know what had actually happened, as the incident was 'quite embarrassing'

But Willow said she did not feel safe knowing police could just barge into her home, she told 7 News.

Ms Stewart said police needed to tell her children they were sorry, that it was a mistake, and that they were actually good people.

She also wanted her neighbours to know what had actually happened, as the incident was 'quite embarrassing'.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia officers had been sent to a 'serious and urgent' domestic violence incident and 'for a number of reasons' got the address wrong.

She said the officers were not heavy handed and apologised when they realised their mistake, however, had to leave immediately to attend the domestic violence incident.

The matter would be reviewed on Monday and police would talk further with the family after that.

Willow described how she did not feel safe knowing police could just barge into her home
President Barack Obama will not publicly endorse a candidate before the 2016 Democratic primary election, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said on Sunday.

'We'll do exactly what has been done in the past,' McDonough said on NBC's 'Meet the Press.'

He said Obama will be 'out there' campaigning after the primary election to help support the Democratic candidate.

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President Obama's Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said the president didn't plan to endorse a fellow Democrat in the primary. Instead he'll support the Democratic nominee in the general election

President Obama will not pick between the Democratic candidates - Hillary Clinton (left), Martin O'Malley (center) and Bernie Sanders (right)

'And so, he's not going to go early?' asked host Chuck Todd, to which McDonough replied no.

Todd suggested that the president could use the gun issue to endorse Hillary Clinton, his former secretary of state.

President Obama said he was only going to support Democratic candidates in the 2016 election who support 'common sense' gun control measures.

McDonough said that statement was broader than just the presidential election.

'Well, this isn't only about the primary, this is about  we've got a third of the Senate that's running, we've got all the House that's running, we've got state houses and governorships across the country where this is going to be an issue on the ballot, as it should be, and that's what the president's saying,' McDonough said.

After the primaries, McDonough said, President Obama would make some 'final decisions' on what Democrats to endorse.

Clinton has been a stronger advocate for some gun control measures and has fought rival Bernie Sanders on the debate stage over the Vermont senator's positions, including his votes against the Brady Bill.

Sanders has argued that he's from a pro-gun state and thus has taken positions in line with his constituents.

Todd also pointed out that President Obama has met privately with Clinton at least three times in the last six months, while he has yet to have a private sit-down with Sanders.

'You know, I haven't racked them up, Chuck, on how many  on how many times he's seen who, but he has seen Sen. Sanders, out with the Senate Democratic Caucus and privately,' McDonough said. 'And so, we'll continue to do that. He's obviously a leading senator in our caucus and will continue to do just that.'

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is also running as a Democrat, but his campaign has failed to make a dent.

He's currently polling, on average, at 3.8 percent nationally, according to Real Clear Politics.

Clinton's average stands at 52.8 percent, while Sanders' is at 33.3 percent.




A mother who killed her 11-year-old daughter with multiple weapons before taking her own life had undergone surgery for a brain injury just three years before the suspected murder-suicide.

Chiaki Pearson's body was found at the base of a crane just hours after her daughter Celeste suffered a 'violent and horrific death' at the family's Brisbane penthouse last month.

Police are now investigating whether suffering an aneurysm may have affected the mother-of-two's behaviour and caused her to attack her daughter and then kill herself, the Courier Mail reported.

Detectives have alleged that Ms Pearson drugged Celeste and her younger sister before attacking the 'high achieving' pupil.

Chiaki Pearson (pictrued), who killed her 11-year-old daughter with multiple weapons before taking her own life had undergone surgery for a brain injury just three years before the suspected murder-suicide

Chiaki Pearson's body was found at the base of a crane just hours after her daughter Celeste suffered a 'violent and horrific death' at the family's Brisbane penthouse (pictured)

Celeste's 'battered body' was discovered by police in her family's Auchenflower apartment in the early hours of December 8 after concerned friends raised the alarm.

Her Japanese mother, 49, fled the scene in Auchenflower, prompting a major search which ended when her body was found at the base of a crane in Toowong just before 5.30am.

Ms Pearsons fingerprints were found on a knife and other forensic evidence, suggesting she was solely responsible for the attack.

The 11-year-old's property developer father Chris, 65, claimed he slept through the attack and woke to find police in his apartment.

Following the death, friends and passerbys laid a shrine of flower bouquets and teddy bears for the pair

Ms Pearson fled the scene in Auchenflower, prompting a major search which ended when her body was found at the base of a crane in Toowong (pictured)

Ms Pearsons fingerprints were found on a knife and other forensic evidence

He helped police with the investigation and has since been cleared of any connection to his daughters murder.

The Courier Mail has now revealed that Ms Pearson went to police a month before the attack to allege she had been assaulted five years earlier.

Detectives have been unable to confirm her allegations, meaning that it could be a sign the mother-of-two was struggling to cope.

Police will now be investigating whether an aneurysm, or excessive swelling of the wall of an artery, may have caused a change in Ms Pearsons behaviour

Police will now be investigating whether an aneurysm, or excessive swelling of the wall of an artery, may have caused a change in Ms Pearsons behaviour.

Celeste, who was a pupil at Milton State School, has been remembered as an 'enthusiastic, high achieving and friendly young child'.

Paul Zernike, the principal pf the school, said: 'She will be greatly missed by all her friends and teachers.

'Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the family, caregivers, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.'

For support and information about suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Celeste, who was a pupil at Milton State School, has been remembered as an 'enthusiastic, high achieving and friendly young child'
A coroner has warned of the dangers of taking too much paracetamol after a mother-of-three who was taking tablets for osteoporosis died when she then also took Lemsip for her flu.

Michelle Walker, 52, of Heaton, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, died of multiple organ failure after being rushed to hospital.

The 52-year-old had been self-medicating with tablets to deal with pain caused by her bone condition - but in the days before her death had started using Lemsip which also contains paracetamol, an inquest heard.

A coroner has warned of the dangers of taking too much paracetamol after mother of three who was taking the tablets for osteoporosis died when she then also took Lemsip for her flu (file picture)

It is the latest paracetamol-related death where a Briton has tried to self-medicate on the easily available tablets.

Assistant Coroner Rachel Griffin said the tragedy served to remind the public of the importance of sticking to recommended doses of pain killers.

Recording a verdict of death by misadventure, Mrs Griffin said: 'I am satisfied she did not intend the consequences to be her own death.

'Sadly and tragically, Michelle's death highlights the importance of taking medication at the dose prescribed or stipulated.

'There is no suggestion that she has taken an overdose. I believe she has been taking tablets to try and ease her pain.'

But she added that it is not possible to say how much extra paracetamol Mrs Walker was taking, adding: 'The only person who does know is Michelle herself.'

Her heartbroken husband Craig Walker told the inquest in Bolton that his wife was sociable and focused on her family.

Mother-of-three Michelle Walker had been self-medicating with paracetamol to deal with pain caused by her bone condition (file picture)

He revealed she not only kept paracetamol in her housecoat pocket - but he suspected that she was taking it in greater doses than recommended.

Early on October 29 his wife became restless. Paramedics were called and rushed her to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Mrs Walker, of Heaton, in Bolton, was drowsy and doctors discovered her liver and kidneys were failing.

Consultant anaesthetist Jeremy Wood said everything possible was done to treat Mrs Walker, but her condition deteriorated, with other organs failing and she died the next day.

Mrs Walker had previously struggled with alcohol dependency and blood tests requested by her GP and taken two weeks before her death revealed abnormal, but not life threatening, liver disease.

Pathologist Angela Ong stressed that because her liver was not functioning properly, Mrs Walker was more susceptible to paracetamol toxicity, which is likely to have caused the organ to fail.

In 2011, a study found that slightly exceeding the recommended dose of paracetamol on a regular basis can lead up to a 'staggered overdose' and cause acute liver failure and death.

Experts suggested that unintentionally taking too much of the drug could be even more dangerous than a large, one-off overdose - because it is harder to diagnose and treat.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have said of the pain killer: 'Paracetamol is a safe and effective painkiller when used correctly and when dosage recommendations are followed.

'Every pack has a warning about overdose and instructions not to take more than eight tablets in any 24-hour period.'

In recent years, several grief-stricken families have demanded that paracetamol be only available via prescription - after their loved ones died from accidental overdoses when self-medicating.

In July last year a coroner heard how Georgia Littlewood, 17, accidentally killed herself with an overdose of paracetamol tablets after complaining she was ill with stomach ache.

Her inquest heard she called in sick at her hairdressers in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire but took a quantity of pills up to three times the recommended dose.

Unaware of the deadly consequences, she went to stay with her boyfriend but her condition suddenly deteriorated and she was rushed into hospital with severe liver damage.

She died the following day.

Miss Littlewood's family condemned the ease with which she was able to buy paracetamol, stressing: 'You can buy paracetamol at 19p a packet in supermarkets.

In 2012 the grieving family of single mother Desiree Phillips, 20, from Llanelli, South Wales, called for paracetamol to only be available via a prescription.

Ms Phillips died in hospital after being diagnosed with liver failure after accidentally taking only 'a few' pills more than the recommended daily dose to cope with pain from a routine operation.
The White House has always invited guests to the State of the Union to move the president's political message along.

But this year, the lack of a guest is also meant to have meaning.

An empty chair at Tuesday's State of the Union  President Obama's last  will signify 'victims of gun violence,' the White House announced today.

The vacant seat is to 'remind every single one of our representatives that its their responsibility to do something about this.'

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The White House announced the guest list for Tuesday's State of the Union, which will be President Obama's last. Guests will sit with first lady Michelle Obama

An empty chair will be left open in honor of victims of gun violence. President Obama became emotional last week at the White House when remembering the dead youngsters who were killed in Newtown

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden always sit with a set of guests who move the president's political message forward

The president's State of the Union address is scheduled for Tuesday night and the White House announced 23 guests today along with an empty chair

President Obama personally responded to a Humans of New York post featuring Refaai Hamo, a Syrian scientist whose wife and daughter were killed in a missile attack and relocated to the United States last month

The messaging comes just a week after President Obama announced new gun control measures via executive action.

He gathered with victims and their families at the White House and shed tears when speaking of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in which gunman Adam Lanza massacred 20 first graders and six staff members.

All the President's Guests ... Sue Ellen Allen - criminal justice reform advocate Gloria Balenski - letter writer Jennifer Bragdon - community college student Edith Childs - creator of 'Fired up! Ready to go!' Cynthia 'Cindy' K. Dias - veterans homelessness advocate Mark Davis - solar panel entrepreneur Cary Dixon - opioid reform advocate Lydia Doza - student STEM advocate Refaii Hamo - Syrian refugee Lisa Jaster - first female Army Reserve Ranger School graduate Mark Luttrell - mayor of Shelby County, Tennessee Dannel P. Malloy - governor of Connecticut Braeden Mannering - anti-hunger advocate and founder of Braes Brown Bags Satya Nadella - Microsoft CEO Jim Obergefell - plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case Kathleen OToole - Seattle Police Department chief, community policing advocate Ryan Reyes - lost partner in San Bernardino shooting Ronna Rice - owner of Rice's Lucky Clover Honey Cedric Rowland - Affordable Care Act navigator Naveed Shah - U.S. Army veteran Earl Smith - Vietnam veteran Spencer Stone - prevented terrorist attack on Paris-bond train Oscar Vazquez - Veteran, DREAMer and STEM advocate Advertisement

'Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad,' the president said.

Seated around the empty chair in the first lady's box will be 23 individuals that signify a number of ongoing political debates.

For instance, the president invited Refaai Hamo, a Syrian refugee who now resides in Troy, Michigan.

Hamo's life was rocked when a Syrian government anti-personnel missile tore through the compound where he resided killing seven members of his family, including his wife and one of his daughters.

Hamo fled to Turkey and then was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

His story was featured on the blog Humans of New York and went viral when President Obama personally welcomed the PhD holder to the country.

'Welcome to your new home,' Obama said. 'You're part of what makes America great.'

Hamo, and his three daughters and one son, arrived in Michigan on Dec. 18.

The White House also invited the significant other of one of the victims of the San Bernardino shootings.

Ryan Reyes's lost his partner Larry 'Daniel' Kaufman on Dec. 2. Since then, Reyes has been vocal about American tolerance toward the Muslim community.

'I speak for both Daniel and myself when I say that this attack should NOT encourage people to treat Muslims any differently than they would anyone else,' Reyes said shortly after the attack. 'The twisted actions and beliefs of a few should not be used to view the majority.'

The White also invited Spencer Stone, an Air Force staff sergeant, who prevented a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train in August. Stone was aided by two American friends and a British passenger.

Another guest, Lisa Jaster, was behind one of the most feel-good news stories of 2015. Jaster was the first female Army Reserve officer to graduate Ranger School. She was the third woman to graduate from Ranger School in the country's history, following the administration's lift of a ban that prevented women from serving in combat roles.

At 37, Jaster, a mother of two, took leave from her job at Shell Oil to participate and complete this mission.

Another name that had great impact in 2015 was that of Jim Obergefell, a plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges that spread marriage equality nationwide.

Michelle Obama will sit next to a number of people who have made news this year including Lisa Jaster, one of only three women to complete Ranger School and Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff in the same-sex marriage SCOTUS case

Obergefell married his partner John of 20 years in 2013 as John was dying of ALS. While they were legally web in Maryland, the marriage was not recognized in the couple's home state of Ohio.

Obergefell fought to have the marriage recognized on John's death certificate and his case made it all the way to the Supreme Court, which decided that same-sex marriage was legal in all 50 states.

This victory was celebrated by the Obama Administration and the White House was turned rainbow colors for the day.

President Obama also invited an oldie, but goodie to his final State of the Union speech. Edith Childs, a councilmember in Greenwood, South Carolina, was the woman who created the popular, 'Fired up! Ready to go!' chant that was popular during Obama's 2008 presidential run.

'This call and response captivated larger and larger crowds, and became widely recognized as the unofficial slogan of the 2008 and 2012 campaigns,' the White House noted.




On most wedding days the guests' attention is focused on how beautiful the dress the bride is wearing is.

But in a hilarious video in India, it is the groom whose clothes, or lack of them, become the centre of attention.

The newlyweds are captured walking around a stage and being filmed by their guests when the bride steps on her husband's veshti wrap, ripping it clean away and leaving him scrambling to cover his modesty.

The happy couple are shown walking around a stage as their friends watch on, with some filming it

But disaster strikes when the bride accidentally steps on her husband's veshti, pulling it down

The garment, usually made out of silk and worn on special occasions, slips off to the laughter of the crowd

Shocked, the groom quickly moves to cover up his modesty as the titters from the crowd grow louder

But after recovering his composure and re-attaching the veshti the embarrassed groom laughs along

Luckily the shocked groom appears to laugh it off as he quickly covers up, while several people can be heard laughing off screen.

A veshti, or dhoti, is a traditional garment worn by men in southern Asia, particularly India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

They are usually made out of cloth or silk, around 4.5metres long and are wrapped around the legs and knotted at the waist, and worn for special occasions such as weddings.

Veshtis are also often warn by men of the Jain faith at temples when they pray, because they are required to wear unstitched clothing, and by Hare Krishnas.


A British welder who insulted a local delicacy in Kyrgyzstan by comparing it to a horse's penis was warned by police his comments could have led to a war with Britain.

Scotsman Michael McFeat, who is now back home in Perthshire, revealed he was summoned to his the office in the gold mine he was working after they became aware of the Facebook post.

Mr McFeat was warned he had to leave the country as soon as possible for his own safety. He was smuggled out of the mine but was arrested by police when he tried to board an aircraft home. He said when he arrived at the airport he saw large wanted posters featuring his face.

Michael McFeat, pictured, was told he risked causing a war between the UK and Kyrgyzstan over his comment

Mr McFeat posted thanks over a special Hogmanay feast where he compared a local delicacy to horse penis

The dish, Chuchuk is made from horse offal but is completely genital free which led to the major incident

He told the Sunday Post newspaper he has been banned from entering the former Soviet country for the next five years.

Mr McFeat was held by police after posting a picture on Facebook of Kyrgyz co-workers queuing for a 'chuchuk' horsemeat sausage, with a caption comparing it with a horse's penis.

He says he believed the traditional dish was actually a horse's penis, but the remark offended and angered his colleagues.

He told the newspaper that he was smuggled out of the Kumtor goldmine after being told an 'angry lynch mob' was coming to get him.

After a nine-hour journey, during which he says the vehicle in which he was travelling was 'rammed' by two cars, Mr McFeat was arrested by police at Manas Airport in Bishkek, and held under racial hatred laws.

He said: 'The police told me my act could send Kyrgyzstan to war with the UK.'

Following a court appearance and an apology, Mr McFeat was driven to the airport for a flight to Edinburgh.

'I was told there was a 17-page petition demanding I be jailed and the mine went on strike after I left, so they were making an example of me,' Mr McFeat told the paper.

'I've always been up for a joke but this was one time I wasn't joking and it's been blown out of proportion.'

Now safely back home in Abernethy, Perthshire, with wife Amanda and two children, Abbie, eight, and Logan, five, Mr McFeat said: 'I'm just relieved to be back in one piece.'

Mr McFeat had to be smuggled out of the mine compound after locals threatened to lynch him

Mr McFeat's troubles began when he shared a picture of his work colleagues enjoying a 'fantastic Hogmanay feast' at a party in the mine's canteen.

He added the caption: 'The Kyrgyz people queuing out of the door for their special delicacy the horse's penis!!!'.

While the post was widely thought to be a joke, Michael believed the traditional chuchuk dish was actually a horse's penis, not a sausage stuffed with horse meat and spices.

The welding superintendent explained: 'In the canteen there is a Kyrgyz kitchen and an expat kitchen.

'I was told from my first time here last March that it was a horse's penis.. All the expats believed it and probably still do.'

Mr McFeat's shift on New Year's Day passed without incident. But just after lunchtime the following day he was frogmarched from his work site to the mine safety office.

He said: 'I was told my post had caused an uprising and there was a lynch mob of hundreds coming to get me, so they needed me off the site for my own safety'.

He explained that because there are layers of security checkpoints at the mine the only way they could get him out unnoticed was in an ambulance.

'I lay in the back for four hours before they got the all-clear to get me through the gates without stopping,' he said.

The ambulance travelled 12 miles along a dirt track.

Mr McFeat was then transferred to a Jeep driven by two burly security men. He was told he was being taken to capital Bishkek.

However, just outside the town of Balykchy, 140 miles into the 250-mile journey, they were ambushed by two car loads of locals who tried to run them off the road.

'They were ramming us, trying to kill us,' he recalled.

'We stopped and five of them came out with something in their hands.

'I wasn't sure if they were guns or knives or clubs, so I hid in the boot.

'The driver put the jeep into reverse and fled. They ended up chasing us all around the town.'

Mr McFeat faced a possible five-year jail term for insulting the local delicacy, pictured

Fearing they too would be killed, the security guards threw him out of the Jeep in an industrial estate.

'They said, Someone will come for you'. It was pitch black and I could hear cars screeching around looking for me,' he said.

'I didn't know if I'd be rescued or if I'd been left to die. I thought, I'm not going to get out of this'.

'I lay flat against a wall using my rucksack to hide my face. Every time a car came I just hoped no one could see me.'

About 45 minutes later Mr McFeat got a text from the mine asking where he was. It said more security had been sent to rescue him.

'I had to sneak along the road to find them and, by luck, I did,' he said.

Mr McFeat's rescuers took him to a house near Bishkek's airport where he was given a flight ticket home.

Arriving at the departure area at 2am he came face-to-face with giant 'Wanted' posters featuring a photo of him lifted from social media.

He was arrested by armed police as he approached passport control.

Soon after he realised the impact his comment made, he issued an apology to the Kygyz people

Mr McFeat was handcuffed and taken to a police station where, after several hours, he was warned he was being held under racial hatred laws.

Given the seriousness of the crime - which carries a jail sentence of up to five years - he was driven by armed police to Karakol, a provincial capital 80 miles north of the mine.

He was then interviewed. He explained: 'The police told me my act could send Kyrgyzstan to war with the UK.'

He assured them he hadn't meant to cause offence. The officers forced him to make an apology in writing and in front of a TV camera.

He was then taken to a safe house guarded by two armed policemen.

At 2pm the following day he appeared in court.

He said: 'That's when I really began to panic because I'd been told I could go to jail for five years.

'I was in a foreign country with no idea how the legal system worked.

'It was a nightmare because my translator had very poor English. The only words I understood were "Facebook" and "Scotland".'

Instead of being jailed in Kyrgyz prison, pictured, Mr McFeat has been banned from returning for five years

Mr McFeat said the widely reported Kyrgyzstan Government line about him being deported as he had the wrong documents was untrue and used as a cover story to appease locals.

'I was told there was a 17-page petition demanding I be jailed and the mine went on strike after I left, so they were making an example of me,' he said.

'I can't fault the police, and I think the authorities did what they had to do.

'Everyone seemed to have my best interests at heart once I explained it was a misunderstanding.'

Police then drove Mr McFeat to the airport for a flight to Edinburgh.

He has since learned colleagues in his Facebook photo were also investigated.

'They are scared for their jobs now and I feel terrible,' he said.

'I've always been up for a joke but this was one time I wasn't joking and it's been blown out of proportion.'

Mr McFeat is now banned from entering Kyrgyzstan for five years.

'It's disappointing as I love the job and loved the month on, month off shift, but everything happens for a reason.

'I'll find out what that reason is soon enough, but for now I'm going to spend time with my family.'

'I don't think my wife will be letting me go anywhere far any time soon.
An American woman who was found slain in her apartment in Florence hinted weeks earlier on Instagram that she may have had a stalker.

Ashley Ann Olsen, 35, was found naked with scratches and bruises on her neck on Saturday.

Olsen's body was discovered by her boyfriend, an Italian painter, who asked her landlord to open her apartment door after he hadn't heard from his girlfriend in three days.

Italian prosecutors have opened a murder investigation and among locals in Italy it has raised fears that the case could end up like a drawn-out legal saga like that of Amanda Knox's case over the high-profile murder case of Meredith Kercher.

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Ashley Olsen, 35, was found dead in her flat in Florence, Italy on Saturday by her boyfriend, an Italian artist

Twelve weeks ago Olsen shared this photo on her Instagram and wrote in the caption that she had a stalker, including the hashtags #creeperintheback #creeperpic #weirds***'

Olsen also shared this photo nine weeks ago with the hashtags #f***off and #creeper, once again appearing to hint that she may have been followed. It is not clear who took the photos or how Olsen retrieved them

Olsen first shared a photo on Instagram 12 weeks ago that shows her back, a coffee cup in her hand as she walks her dog.

'I have a #stalker,' she wrote in the caption, adding the hashtags '#stalker #stalkeralert #creeperintheback #creeperpic #weirds***'.

Three weeks later Olsen posted another picture of her flipping off someone while browsing through clothes at the Piazza Santo Spirito.

Two of her hashtags in the caption read #f***off and #creeper'.

Police would not comment on Italian news reports that the woman had been strangled until an autopsy can be performed, but they did confirm the bruises and scratches on her neck.

Amanda Knox, pictured left, - Meredith Kercher's American roommate - and Knox's then-boyfriend were at first convicted of the murder, acquitted, convicted again on appeal and finally acquitted. Kercher is pictured right

The New York Post reported that locals in Florence have expressed concern about the probe, hoping that it won't end up like the flip-flopping investigation into the last high-profile murder case of Meredith Kercher - another foreigner who was living in Italy.

The British student was studying in the Umbrian city of Perugia when she was found dead in 2007.

Amanda Knox - Kercher's American roommate - and Knox's then-boyfriend were at first convicted of the murder, acquitted, convicted again on appeal and finally acquitted. Another man was found guilty of her murder and is serving a 16-year sentence.

'I would hope for her sake that this investigation is more clear,' Georgette Jupe, who writes the 'Girl in Florence' blog and knew Olsen told the Post.

While Beth Prusiecki, an American living in Milan, told the Associated Press: 'It reignites the concern of justice, different policing and judicial systems, and the different journalism styles between Italy and the U.S.'

Olsen was found with her neck bruised and scratched. Italian prosecutors have opened a murder investigation

It has been reported there were no signs of forced entry into the apartment but Olsen's injuries suggested she attempted to fight off her attacker, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Olsen's boyfriend said the couple had an argument and that he had not heard from her, according to La Repubblica Daily.

The boyfriend reportedly arrived at her apartment at about 1.30pm and rang the bell but it went unanswered before he contacted the owner and was let in and discovered her.

He called police but Olsen, who is originally from Summer Haven, Florida, had reportedly been dead for hours.

Police would not comment on Italian news reports that the woman had been strangled until an autopsy can be performed, but they did confirm Olsen had injuries on her neck

TV and local newspaper accounts said Olsen's body was identified by the victim's father, who teaches art at a Florence school

Two weeks ago Olsen shared a photo on Instagram of a page appearing from Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir Eat Pray Love that may have hinted she planned to break up with her boyfriend

A local woman revealed Olden had told her the couple had been having problems recently in their relationship.

'I talked to her nearly every day,' the woman told The Daily Telegraph. 'I felt like a mother to her.'

The woman said she advised Olden to get therapy, as the American woman had been in a previous marriage that ended badly.

Olsen also seemed to hint on Instagram that she may have been thinking about ending things with her Italian boyfriend.

Two weeks ago she posted a page from Elizabeth Glibert's memoir Eat Pray love, which included a passage in which the author contemplates breaking up with her boyfriend David.

'Maybe it's time for us to end our story forever,' the page reads.

'We loved each other. That was never the question. It's just that we couldn't figure out how to stop making each other desperately, shriekingly, soul-punishingly miserable'

Olsen included the hashtag #seriousconsideration in the picture's caption.

Local TV reports said Olsen's body was found on a bed in the apartment, which is located in Florence's historic center Oltrarno.

It was identified by her father, who teaches art at a Florence school.

Olsen's fatalistic messages on her Instagram page unfortunately ended up being prescient as the vibrant woman was reportedly found murdered in her flat

Italian forensic police officers stand outside an apartment where 35-year-old American woman Ashley Oslen was found dead, in Florence, Italy on Saturday

Olsen, 35, was living in Florence with her boyfriend - her Facebook page says she studied at The Art Institutes

Investigators have since seized Olsen's computer. Her boyfriend and a group of mostly American friends were taken in for questioning, according to La Repubblica Daily.

Olsen moved to Florence in 2012 to study art and be near her father.

She was known for organizing events connected to the city's art scene, according to La Repubblica Daily.

On her social media pages, Olsen shared many pictures of herself beside her beloved dog, Scout, showing the pair appearing to enjoy life in Florence.

Scout was found outside her apartment after Olsen's body was discovered.

Police vowed 'maximum attention' Sunday to find Olsen's killer but said there are currently no suspects.

Meanwhile, friends and fellow expats left flowers at Olsen's doorstep as they expressed horror at the slaying of a woman known around Florence for always being with her beloved Scout.

'I can't imagine a person who would hurt her. She is a gentle, a kind, a beautiful, friendly, lovely girl and it's an awful shock,' Amy, a friend who only gave her first name, told The Associated Press in Florence.

'We've got a great community here of people and everyone loved her.'

Italian police sealed off the entrance to the flat where American Ashley Olsen was living and found murdered

Friends and other expats expressed hope that the case wouldn't end up repeating the flawed, flip-flopping investigation into the last high-profile murder case of a foreigner living in Italy, that of Meredith Kercher.

The British student was studying in the Umbrian city of Perugia when she was found dead in 2007.

Amanda Knox, Kercher's American roommate, and her then-boyfriend were at first convicted of the murder, then acquitted, convicted again on appeal and finally acquitted for good when Italy's supreme court last year definitively exonerated them.

Another man was convicted and is serving a 16-year sentence.

Several people in social media groups for expats in Florence posted comments about the parallel to the Kercher investigation, which was harshly criticized in both the American and British media.

Alexandra Lawrence, a 17-year resident of Florence, said the art-filled city has long drawn creative people like Olsen, who find a ready-made expat community that is far more active and close-knit than ones in Rome or Milan.

'I think maybe because it's such a small city, but because there are so many expats, we all eventually come across each other and run in similar circles,' said Lawrence.

She said she didn't know Olsen personally, but said the first thing she thought of when she heard the news was the Knox saga.
An online shopper ordered a Kindle on the internet from a firm in California - only to find he had been sent a human tumour sample instead.

James Potten, of Cotham, Bristol, had expected to unwrap a waterproof e-book reader when he was handed a parcel by a FedEx delivery driver.

But when he looked inside, he saw a box marked 'patient tumour specimen enclosed' - which actually contained human tissue.

James Potten (left) had expected to unwrap a waterproof Kindle when he was handed a parcel by a FedEx delivery driver, but on looking inside he found a box marked 'patient tumour specimen enclosed' (right)

The package, which had been sent from California, was destined for the Royal Free Hospital in London - but ended up at his home instead.

Mr Potten, an environmental consultant, said: 'Presumably this is a very important package, that needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible.

'It is really bad that this has happened. This really should be with the hospital, not with me.

'There is a reason it has been sent from America to London, and it could be wasting valuable time while it just stays here.'

The 37-year-old said he has contacted FedEx a number of times since the mix-up - but customer service advisors insist the package contained a kindle.

Mr Potten said: 'It was delivered by hand and I signed for it, but when I opened the bag I didn't know what to do.

'I have told them about the mistake but I am still waiting for FedEx to come and pick it up.

'I am surprised that they haven't been more concerned about it.

Mr Potten (right) ordered a Kindle (file picture left) from an American company called Waterfi, but ended up with a parcel destined for a hospital

The package, which had been sent from California, was destined for the Royal Free Hospital (pictured) in London - but ended up at his home instead

'They keep telling me I've got my Kindle, but I obviously haven't.'

Mr Potten ordered the Kindle from an American company called Waterfi, which buys electronic devices and applies waterproofing substances before selling them on.

The tracking number he was given for the Kindle and the tracking number on the box containing the tumour had the same first two and last three digits.

He said: 'The tracking numbers are similar so presumably that is what has happened. It's a mistake on FedEx's part, rather than the people who posted the items.

'I haven't opened the box but the labels clearly state that human tumour tissue is inside. There is personal paperwork to go with it as well.

'I just want to get it to the hospital now.'

After receiving the parcel on Thursday, Mr Potten posted a photo of the delivery on Twitter.

Going online: After receiving the parcel on Thursday, Mr Potten posted a photo of the delivery on Twitter

He wrote: 'Wow @FedEx. You've swapped my new kindle with a tumor specimen. Still waiting for collection FedExFail notmykindle.'

FedEx Corporation is an American global courier delivery service headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, which is responsible for delivering millions of products worldwide.

A spokesman said: 'FedEx Express can confirm it is currently in contact with a customer in the UK regarding a package that was delivered to them in error.

'This appears to have been caused by incorrect labelling. We have since retrieved the package and delivered it to the correct address on Sunday. We regret the error and will review the circumstances that led to this and consider future changes to our processes.

'FedEx Express is committed to the safe handling, transportation and delivery of all shipments in its system.'

It is understood that the human tissue in the parcel has been specially preserved.

A spokesman for the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust said: 'It has been brought to our attention that a package intended for one of the institutions based at Royal Free Hospital was delivered to an address in Bristol.

'We understand the parcel delivery company is in the process of redelivering the package to the correct address.

'We expect the delivery company to contact all the institutions at the Royal Free Hospital site to establish the identity of the intended recipient.
Hillary Clinton acknowledged that her husband's seedy sexual history is 'fair game' as she seeks the White House, but warned Republicans that those attacks don't stick.

'Didn't work before. It won't work again,' Clinton said today during an interview with John Dickerson on Face the Nation.

Dickerson wanted to get reaction from the former secretary of state on how she felt about Donald Trump putting out an Instagram video featuring Bill Clinton with White House intern and mistress Monica Lewinsky.

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Hilary Clinton said, yes, her husband's sex scandals from the '90s are 'fair game,' but she warned Republicans today on Face the Nation that those attacks haven't worked

Face the Nation host John Dickerson wanted to get Hillary Clinton's reaction to a video Donald Trump put out that showed Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky

Trump was reacting to Hillary Clinton's claim that he was a sexist.

'Well, if he wants to engage in personal attacks from the past, that's his prerogative,' Clinton said. 'You know, so be it.'

Clinton than segued into promoting women-friendly policies like equal pay and a higher minimum wage.

'Which affects two-thirds of the women, who are the ones receiving the minimum wage,' the Democratic frontrunner explained.

She also touted an endorsement she's receiving today in New Hampshire from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the political arm of the reproductive health services provider, which performs abortions.

Trump, Clinton blasted, supports sucking federal funds away from Planned Parenthood.

'He can say whatever he wants about me,' she said. 'Let the voters judge that, but I am not going to let him or any of the other Republicans rip away the progress that women have made.'

Dickerson segued back to Bill Clinton's previous sex scandals, asking the candidate if she believed they were fair game.

She answered in the affirmative.

'Well, it's been fair game going back to the Republicans for some years,' she said. 'They can do it again if they want to. That can be their choice as to how to run in this campaign.'

Clinton said she didn't think the attacks would move the dial much.

'I think it's a dead end, blind alley for them,' she noted.

But, then again, she said, she 'can't run anybody else's campaign.'

Dickerson used the former secretary of state's words to end the segment.
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Hundreds of cheeky travellers across the globe rode trains, tubes and subways today with no trousers on as a part of the 'No Pants Subway Ride' day.

The event began in 2002 in New York City with seven members of the improvisational group, Improv Everywhere, known for their flash mobs, boarding the subway without trousers. By 2006, 150 people had joined the fun, feeling the draft as they rode the train without trousers.

Ten years on, the fad has spread to countries like Germany, Czech Republic and The UK, proving the trouserless train ride is still alive and well.

'No Pants Subway Ride' is always planned in winter, and last year 4,000 people participated in NYC alone.

'The idea behind No Pants is simple: Random passengers board a subway car at separate stops in the middle of winter without pants. The participants behave as if they do not know each other, and they all wear winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. The only unusual thing is their lack of pants,' Improv Everywhere's website reads.

Certain countries are not in favour of the leggy ride. In countries like Latvia officials tried to ban the fad, but after the story came out in the media, Latvians were able to board the trains sans trousers.

But despite the naysayers, Australians jumped on board the trend with people in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne hopping onto public transport on January 10 and posting pictures across social media event pages.

People of all ages including a granny in floral undergarments joined the Australian crew, while others took the journey the extra mile going to the pub without trousers.

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Four leggy ladies act casually as they bare all on the London underground on Sunday as a part of the international 'No Pants Subway Ride'

The 2016 'No Pants Subway Ride' took place in 60 countries. These two participants had no shame boarding the Tube without trousers on

'No Pants' participants walk trouserless through Paddington station on Sunday as the 'No Pants Subway Ride' kicked off across the globe

Hundreds of commuters at a London station get ready for their travels wearing coats, scarves and no trousers for the 'No Pants' ride

Out and proud:Some people used trouserless event as an opportunity to show off their national pride like these men in Union flag attire

Cheeky rider: Travellers on the tube stare in confusion as this woman bares her behind during the worldwide event

These two men show off their toned legs on trains during the annual 'No Pants Subway Ride' day. Both act as if they don't notice the draft

'Man spreading' is a bit more comical as this gentleman stretches his legs on the London underground while a woman in tights smiles

Berlin was one of the 60 cities to participate in the 2016 'No Pants Subway Ride' as these two prepare to ride from Alexanderplatz station

Booty in Berlin: Women and men had a chance to show off their most adorable and hilarious undies during the trouserless ride

This crowded train in Berlin saw many riders participating in the silliness as they rode the train without trousers on

Act casual: Part of the appeal of 'No Pants Subway Ride' is that travellers are meant to act as though they don't know they're legs are out

Improv Everywhere, the group responsible for coordinating the 'No Pants Subway Ride, said the event is supposed to make people smile

A lot of people participating in the trouserless ride read books to act as if they didn't notice they didn't have their bottoms on

A woman wearing underpants stands in the Frankfurter Tor underground station, acting causally with her dog, also not wearing trousers

Feeling a bit nippy?: People take part in the 'No Pants Subway Ride' in Berlin exit the train station, into the chilly Sunday air

No extra legroom: In Vienna, Austria, people rubbed knees as they bound from one station top the next without trousers

The world-wide event is considered a Flash Mob, or a coordinated event that has been planned but seems spontaneous to the public

In the spirit of the ride, two people wearing no trousers make people laugh as they partake in the 'No Pants Subway Ride' in Prague

Joining in the fun: This man removes his trousers in order to take part in the Czech Republic's 'No Pants Subway Ride' in Prague

This seat taken?: This Czech woman reads a book while joining riders around the world by travelling on the train without trousers

Walking through the train station in Prague, these commuters show off their long legs in the 'No Pants' ride

Passengers not wearing pants help a woman with her luggage as they take part in the No Pants Subway Ride in Prague, Czech Republic

These young riders have a chance to show off their favourite foot wear as they travel trouserless on the train in Czech Republic

Two girls prepare to take part in the 'No Pants Subway Ride' as an older woman looks on in confusion at the display

Braving the cold: These travellers wear coats but no trousers for the ride, looking comfortable inside the station where it's warmer

Trouserless Australians in Brisbane also joined the global trend, taking to public transport in frilled undergarments

Melbourne residents were also seen without pants catching the trams across the city starting at Fleming park at 12pm on January 10

There were only three rules for the event: no pants, shorts or skirts while riding the tram in Melbourne

People of all ages including grannies in floral and light pink sleepwear (right) stood with other Adelaide locals during the no pants event

Personalities were matched on the cheeky bottoms of Australians, some dressed with smiles on the Brisbane train ride, while others boasted comic book laden undergarments

More than 1300 people indicated on Facebook they planned to attend the 2016 edition but as expected by organisers, the real number was only about 10 per cent of that for the Brisbane event
Arnous Morin, 53, of Brooklyn, wrote 18,953 parking tickets in the 2015 fiscal year

New Yorks most prolific traffic cop has no mercy for law-breaking motorists and unflinchingly issued almost 19,000 parking tickets in a year.

Arnous Morin, 53, of Brooklyn, wrote 18,953 parking tickets in the 2015 fiscal year, according to the New York Post.

They generated fines of $1.2million for the city  but Morin says he dislikes conflict and that drivers would have nothing to fear if they just read the signs.

In fact, more than half of his citations were simply because drivers did not move their vehicles during street cleaning hours.

And Morin says he always observes the mandatory five minute grace period and sometimes a little more to allow motorists time to move.

But if they dont, he is ruthless.

Its never OK to break the law, he told the Post. The law is hard, but its the law.

Morin became a teacher in his native Haiti at the age of just 19, teaching Maths and Spanish, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He then become the principal of a Catholic school.

But he moved his wife and four children to Brooklyn in 2005 and arrived himself the following year following the violence in his homeland.

Unable to teach in America, he became a parking attendant instead.

Now, it has become a passion.

Im a traffic agent in my blood,' he said. 'Even on vacation in my personal car, I see violations  look at this car in front of a fire hydrant, look at this car double-parked, look at this car in a no standing.

Motorists may despise the industrious traffic agent  some scream at him to get a real job he says - but his union bosses laud him a man of integrity and sincerity.

Syed Rahim, president of the Communication Workers of America Local 1182, told the Post that Morin works 12 hours a day on occasion, sometimes six or seven days a week, to make ends meet.

Hes a very hardworking person, adds Rahim.

But traffic attorney Scott Forschein remains sceptical, telling the Post that he is concerned about the validity of tickets issued at such a speedy rate.

But Morin, who has been a traffic agent since 2009, says very few of his tickets are dismissed.

He was initially part of a foot-patrol unit but was soon promoted and given a Toyota Pruis for work.

Although his base pay is $36,000  last year, he earned nearly $64,000 mainly due to working many hours of overtime.

According to the Post, he has won awards and has been New Yorks top traffic cop for two years in a row.

But hes not immune to parking tickets - and admits to having been handed three himself.
A government watchdog is helping migrants overturn their criminal convictions for entering Britain illegally.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)  which investigates possible miscarriages of justice  has already assisted more than 30 asylum seekers in quashing their convictions.

These include those for offences such as fraud and using false passports.

It comes after Sudanese migrant Abdul Rahman Haroun was granted refugee status, causing outrage among some MPs

It is currently considering a further 60 cases and is running a publicity campaign to encourage more migrants to appeal.

Almost a third of those helped to overturn their convictions last year by the CCRC were asylum seekers, whose cases are often fast-tracked.

The commissions chairman Richard Foster also heads up the Refugee Council charity, which says its mission is to support and empower those seeking asylum.

The removal of their criminal records has made it easier for some migrants to avoid deportation from Britain, and critics fear the CCRCs work could encourage more to make dangerous journeys.

Peter Bone, Conservative MP for Wellingborough, said: This is Alice in Wonderland. If you do this, you will undermine deterrence and encourage more and more people to come in by illegal routes.

It will certainly increase the flow of people in the hands of the people traffickers. For an official body to be doing this is fundamentally wrong.

Peter Bone labelled likened the campaign to Alice in Wonderland, saying it would increase the flow of people in the hands of the people traffickers

Usually, the commission says those seeking help to overturn their convictions must first try to appeal through the courts. But it has waived its normal rules and fast-tracked dozens of asylum-seeker cases.

There appears to be an extraordinary discrimination between the treatment of asylum seekers and British applicants, Mr Bone said.

WHAT A SUCCESSFUL ASYLUM SEEKER GETS A successful asylum seeker will be found a flat, house, hostel or B&B accommodation

A single asylum seeker can collect 36.95 each week from their local Post Office

They are entitled to free NHS healthcare as well as free prescriptions, dental care and eyesight tests

In 2014, most asylum seekers came from Pakistan, Eritrea, Iran, Syria and Albania

There were 25,020 asylum applications in the year ending March 2015  an increase of 5 per cent on the previous year

In recent years millions of Sudanese people have sought refuge outside their country due to prolonged conflicts and civil war Advertisement

Mr Foster said the prosecution of asylum seekers was a worrying trend and that he was actively trying to seek out more cases.

The CCRC has the power to refer a case back to an appeal court if it considers there to be a real possibility the conviction will be quashed or the sentence reduced. It is funded by the Ministry of Justice but operates independently from the judiciary. It received funding of 5.2million in the last financial year.

The commission claims many asylum seekers are being denied their rights under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which gives them protection from prosecution for illegal entry if they come directly from a territory where their life or freedom was threatened. However, the CCRC and courts have often helped those who did not come to the UK directly from unsafe countries.

Cases the CCRC has won include those of Iranian refugees Amir Ghavami and Saeideh Afshar, who were convicted of entering Britain using fake documents. The couple had first travelled from Iran to Thailand, where they spent two months, followed by spells in Tanzania, Kenya and Spain  all deemed safe  before entering the UK. The pair admitted they were free to claim asylum in Spain but decided against it as they did not speak Spanish.
Barbash also pleaded guilty to charges and faces up to three years in jail

Pascucci has claimed Barbash, 41, was the mastermind of the scam

Samantha Barbash and Roselyn Keo were also arrested in June 2014

Would drag them to strip clubs and rack up charges on their credit cards

Part of an alleged gang of women who scammed victims out of $200,000

Two New York strippers who drugged wealthy clients before robbing them of thousands of dollars will be spending their weekends in jail for the next four months.

Marsi Rosen, 29, and Karina Pascucci, 27, received the jail sentence and five years' probation after pleading guilty to conspiracy, assault and grand larceny.

Rosen and Pascucci were part of a gang of four women who allegedly scammed their victims out of $200,000 by spiking their drinks before dragging them to strip clubs and racking up charges on their credit card bills.

Samantha Barbash and Roselyn Keo, along with Rosen and Pascucci, were all arrested in June 2014 and initially pleaded not guilty to charges of grand larceny, assault and forgery.

New York strippers Marsi Rosen, 29, (left) and Karina Pascucci, 27, (right) will spend their weekends in jail for the next four months as part of a plea deal for drugging their wealthy clients and robbing them of thousands

Rosen and Pascucci (pictured) were part of a gang of four women who allegedly scammed their drugged victims out of $200,000 by dragging them to strip clubs and racking up charges on their credit card bills

Barbash, 41, and Keo, 31, have also taken deals but have not been sentenced yet, according to the New York Post.

Pascucci has claimed she was coerced into the scam by seasoned exotic dancer Barbash, who was said to be the gang's alleged leader.

The stripper claimed Barbash was the kind of person 'that preys on the vulnerable or someone that's more impressionable', she told Crime Watch Daily.

Barbash was offered a plea deal of up to three years in prison, according to New York Daily News.

She is alleged to have plied victims with ecstasy, cocaine and prescription drugs and then taken them to Scores in Manhattan and the RoadHouse NYC Gentleman's Club in Queens.

Keo told New York Magazine it felt 'normal' to be drugging the clients with what she said was a sprinkle of MDMA and Ketamine in their drink.

'It sounds so bad to say that we were, like, drugging people,' she said.

'What's an extra $20,000 to them? It wasn't like we pulled them off the street. They had history. They'd been to Hustler, they'd been to Rick's, they'd been to Scores.'

Samantha Barbash (pictured) and Roselyn Keo, along with Rosen and Pascucci, were all arrested in June 2014 and initially pleaded not guilty to charges of grand larceny, assault and forgery

Barbash has also taken a plea deal but has not been sentenced yet

'They all walked in ready to party. And yeah, we slipped an extra one they didn't know about. But all of it goes hand in hand - sex, drugs and rock and rock. You know?'

Keo gave a detailed run-down of how she and Barbash ran the scene, before later claiming to the magazine's fact-checker that she made it all up.

'I am saving myself,' she then told the writer who had interviewed her. 'I am out for myself.'

Carmine Vitolo, a manager at the RoadHouse, admitted petit larceny in June this year as part of a plea deal and was put on probation for three years.

A banker, lawyer, doctor and real estate attorney were among the men who were whisked away for private dances while the gang allegedly stole their credit cards - with the victims too intoxicated to notice.

The women are said to have made off with $200,000 before they were arrested in June last year.

According to court papers, the strippers would prowl hotel bars in Manhattan and Long Island for their victims over a four-month period beginning in September 2013.

An undercover investigation was said to have found that the women joined in a scheme to rip off the men by drugging them with Molly, a powerful powder form of ecstasy after arranging to meet them on 'dates'.

The strippers are claimed to have falsely authorized tens of thousands of dollars to the victims' cards by forging their signatures and making them believe they were being charged for a lower amount.

Zyad Younan, a cardiologist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, is believed to be one of the alleged victims.

Zyad Younan, a cardiologist, is believed to be one of the alleged victims

He later sued saying Scores unfairly charged him $135,000 over a 10-day period while he was only semi-conscious and unaware of the theft.

However Pascucci disputes that claim.

She told Crime Watch Daily that Younan knew exactly what he was doing.

'He did take us out to dinners, he did take us out to concerts. It wasn't like he said we just came up to him in some restaurant and dragged him to Scores, which was not the case at all,' she said.

'I feel like everyone should take responsibility for what happened,' she added.

The clubs paid the women for the visits, but the establishments did not face criminal charges as they were unaware of the scheme, authorities said, according to The New York Post.

The men reported waking up in their cars or in hotel rooms with little or no memory of the encounters.

Those who tried to dispute the strip club bills received texts from the strippers threatening to go public with their transgressions, authorities said.

The clubs the strippers are said to have taken the men to include the RoadHouse NYC Gentleman's Club in Queens (pictured)
An asylum seeker and his brother-in-law have been jailed for a total of more than 14 years for their part in a 25 million internet fraud involving victims from 55 countries.

Emmanuel Adanemhen, 50, and Eduwu Obasuyi, 40, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to their part in sophisticated fraud and money laundering scams.

A Kent Police spokesman said that Adanemhen arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker in 1998 and had assumed the identity of a deceased Portuguese man by changing his name by deed poll and on driving licences.

Eduwu Obasuyi (left) and Emmanuel Adanemhen (right) were jailed for more than 14 years for their part in defrauding people in 55 countries over several years

He used the fake identity to open bank accounts to launder funds from the fraud schemes which included dating website scams, false inheritance scams, overseas lottery wins and shipping frauds.

Police were led to Adanemhen after they arrested Obasuyi, of Friern Road, East Dulwich, London, who was detained as he was about to board a plane from London to Lagos, Nigeria.

Detectives found that the two defendants had moved more than 4 million through their various accounts which had come from victims in countries including Germany, Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, United Arab Emirates and across the USA.

One elderly victim from Florida was conned out of 2.9 million US dollars with the total lost by victims is estimated by police to be in excess of 25 million.

Adanemhen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to enter into a money laundering agreement and three counts of fraud against the Home Office and the DVLA in respect of fake documents.

Obasuyi pleaded guilty to conspiracy to enter into a money laundering agreement. Adanemhen was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and Obasuyi was sentenced to seven years.

A date for Proceeds Of Crime Act proceedings will now be set.

Detective Constable Paul Walker, from the Kent and Essex serious crime directorate, said: 'This was a highly sophisticated criminal enterprise with Emmanuel Adanemhen and Eduwu Obasuyi at the heart of operations.
Marco Rubio has slammed Sean Penn as 'grotesque' for 'fawning' over notorious drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

The Republican presidential hopeful applauded Mexican marines for detaining the fugitive cartel leader, and that he hopes El Chapo will be extradited to the United States for sentencing.

But he mocked Penn's involvement saying with a smirk on ABC's This Week: 'Sean Penn is not someone I spend a lot of time thinking about, I didn't even know he was still around, I think he made movies a long time ago.'

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Marco Rubio (left) has slammed Sean Penn (right) as 'grotesque' for 'fawning' over drug lord El Chapo

Affording the double Oscar winner a touch of praise, he said: 'I guess [the Mexicans] used the interview that he had in order to find him. Thats fantastic. I hope they extradite El Chapo to the United States.'

But ultimately he dismissed Penn as 'grotesque', accusing him of 'fawning' over Guzman in his 10,000-word Rolling Stone article about their jungle rendezvous.

'If one of these American actors who have benefited from the greatness of this country, who have made money from our free enterprise system, want to go fawn all over a criminal and a drug trafficker in their interviews, they have a Constitutional right to do it,' Rubio said.

'I find it grotesque.'

The sensational meeting took place deep in the Mexican jungle in October and was arranged by Penn, Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and a fixer, with the permission of the Sinaloa cartel.

Locked up: El Chapo, the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, was recaptured six months after he escaped from Mexico's most secure prison

Plotted: The meeting in Mexico was arranged by Penn, Mexican actress Kate del Castillo (pictured with Penn and musicians) and a fixer

Military action: El Chapo was apprehended in an early morning raid in the town of Los Mochis, hundreds of miles from where he met Sean Penn in October and even further from the prison he escaped from in July

El Chapo admitted in the bizarre interview to being the biggest drug trafficker in the world and said he sent engineers to Germany to learn how to build the tunnel he would eventually use to escape a maximum security prison.

The cartel boss was captured on Friday in a daring 4am raid by Mexican marines and was returned to Altiplano jail. The double Oscar-winning actor's meeting with El Chapo led to the gun battle in which he was captured, an official said.
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Millions of Muslims flocked to the banks of the Turag river in Bangladesh to take part in the final day of the annual Bishwa Ijtema festival.

Bishwa Ijtema means 'world congregation' and is focused on interpreting the true meaning of the Qur'an. It is also well known for being a non-political and peaceful celebration.

Shia Muslims from 150 countries take part in the event, in Dhaka, and around two million participated this year.

There was also a landmark for the festival as - due to the large number of visitors - Bangladeshi participants were asked to visit across four phases for the first time.

Residents from 33 districts attended the first two phases this year while residents of the remaining 32 districts will attend next year.

Due to fears over extremism it is believed 5,000 police officers, 60 CCTV cameras and many undercover officers were deployed to ensure that the celebration remained unblemished by violence.

During the festival attendees camped for three days across a plot of only 160 acres while they prayed and received blessings from Allah.

The opening to Bishwa Ijtema is known as 'Ambayan' or general sermon and proceedings end on the third day with 'Akheri Munajat' which means final prayer.

In 2010 the festival was attended by around five million people which made it the second largest Muslim gathering on the planet.

Overcrowded boats filled with Muslim devotees leave Dhaka on the final day of the Biswa Ijtema - one of the largest Muslim congregations

Muslims from 150 countries attend the festival and this year two million visitors paid their respects, pictured, they leave via the Turag river

Wait: This was the first year Bangladeshi attendees, pictured, were split into two groups and some will not visit the festival until next year

Visitors to Bishwa Ijtema seem more focused on the photographer rather than their safety as they cling onto a train leaving Dhaka

Thousands of people left the celebration among commuter chaos on the last day as trains and boats tried to find a safe exit from the area

Pictured, Bangladeshi Muslims take part in Akheri Munajat - concluding prayers - on the third day of Biswa Ijtema, at Tongi Railway station

Pictured, Bangladeshi Muslims smile and wave as they make their way home from Dhaka after three days of prayer during Biswa Ijtema

Pictured, men gather in prayer outside Tongi Railway station as they wait for a way out of Dhaka after the Biswa Ijtema festival

Attendance: In 2010, five million people attended Bishwa Ijtema which made it the second largest Muslim congregation in the world

Pictured, a young man passes the hours waiting for his train to leave Dhaka by hopping across the tops of packed carriages

Brave: These men seem to have little fear of falling between two trains as they leap from one carriage to another in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Protection: The festival is well known for being peaceful and to make sure it remained so, 5,000 police officers were deployed

Joined in Prayer: Men sit down together as they take part in Akheri Munajat on the final day of Biswa Ijtema outside Tongi Railway station

Biswa Ijtema's opening is known as 'Ambayan' or general sermon, but pictured a man stands in prayer on the final day

Chaos: Swathes of people wait for their transport out of Dhaka as the lucky ones do what they can to squeeze onto a train pulling out

Pictured, a young boy manages to escape the huge crowds and poses for a photo between the carriages of two trains leaving Dhaka

Islam's other largest festivals include the Arbaeen Pilgrimage and the Hajj, which attract 26 million and seven million respectively

Cramped: Muslim devotees spent three days camping on an area of just 160 acres as they prayed and received blessings from Allah
A holiday jet was forced to divert to Mallorca after the pilot alerted traffic controllers to a terror threat on board.

The pilot of the Aegean Airlines flight from Athens to Madrid made the urgent request due to concerns over a passenger.

A bomb squad met the flight when it arrived at Mallorca's Son Sant Joan airport where passengers and their bags were searched for several hours.

Threat: The Aegean Airline flight A3 688 made an emergency landing at Mallorca's Son Sant Joan airport (file picture)

The exact reason for the full-scale alert has not been revealed but the crew asked for anti-terrorist protocol to be put into action.

The packed plane took off as normal from Athens at 9.15am this morning and was due to arrive at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas in Madrid at noon.

As the aircraft was flying over the Mediterranean Sea, the pilot issued an urgent alert to air traffic controllers in Mallorca requesting a diversion to the Son Sant Joan airport because of a terrorist threat.

It has been reported that the pilot 'detected some sort of incident' or concern regarding one of the people on board.

The plane landed safely but passengers were frisked for weapons and luggage was taken off and scanned for possible signs of explosives.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard later confirmed that it had been a false alarm and nothing dangerous had been found.

Madrid is considered to be one of the main terror targets in Spain of jihadist groups inspired by ISIS.

Safe: After security checks that lasted several hours in Mallorca, the flight was cleared to continue to Madrid

Spanish security forces uncovered at least two cells planning attacks on the capital last year.

An official statement from Aegean Airlines issued this afternoon said: 'AEGEAN was notified by the Athens International Airport, today, Sunday 10th January, for additional security check to a passenger on the scheduled AEGEAN flight A3 688 from Athens to Madrid.

'Considering this information, AEGEAN has instructed the commander of the flight to land on the nearest airport.

'The aircraft has landed on the Palma de Mallorca Airport, where all the additional security checks were conducted for the aircraft and the passengers, as provided by regulations.
Sutherland MacDonald, widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of his day, opened a shop in the St James's' area of Westminster in 1894. Pictured: One of MacDonald's works as created circa 1897

Tattooing customers in a small salon above a Turkish bathhouse in London, Britain's first ever professional tattoo artist launched his trade in the capital in 1894.

Sutherland MacDonald, widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of his day, opened a shop in the St James's' area of Westminster and spent his entire career offering body art from the location.

Since then, tattooing has become integrated in modern culture drawing a vast audience from all walks of life  including high-profile celebrities such as David Beckham and Angelina Jolie.

Now, a new exhibition is set to launch to offer a fascinating insight into its long and rich history.

Tattoo London, which will run at the Museum of London, will rediscover the history of professional tattooing in the capital, as well as revealing life inside four contemporary tattoo studios.

It will also show off displays of newly commissioned artworks by tattooists from a host of well-known studios including from Lal Hardy at New Wave, Alex Binnie at Into You, Claudia de Sabe at Seven Doors and Mo Coppoletta at The Family Business.

The exhibition will also recall some of the best works from MacDonald - who was the first person to appear in the Post Office Directory, a Yellow Pages of yesteryear. He held the title as the first tattooist in the directory for four solid years, before his competition rose to his level of success.

Rare images of some of the most prominent tattoos he designed, as well as his business cards and client list, will go on display when the exhibition launches at Museum of London later this month.

Matt Lodder, a lecturer in contemporary art and visual culture at the University of Essex who worked on the exhibition, said: 'While tattooing was going on, there is no evidence of another professional studio in Britain at the time, working on paying customers.'

MacDonald was at the forefront of the early 1900s tattoo fad, and did his share of cosmetic tinting.

He worked first with hand tools, and in 1894 - the same year he opened his London studio - received a British patent for his electric tattooing machine.

Tattooing has become integrated in modern culture drawing a vast audience from all walks of life  including high-profile celebrities such as former footballer David Beckham (left) and actress Angelina Jolie (right)

A magazine article in 1897, written by Gambier Bolton, stated 'that for shading or heavy work Macdonald still used Japanese tools, ivory handles and all'.

He operated out of his studio in Jermyn Street from 1984 for the duration of his career, until his death in 1937. His clients ranged from assorted dukes and maharajahs to the kings of Norway and Denmark.

He also enjoyed a wave of success after King Edward VII and his son George V both received their own body art  after getting inked in Jerusalem and Japan respectively.

'One of the reasons Macdonald was so busy was because people wanted to copy the king,' Dr Lodder added. 'Macdonald claimed to have tattooed George V, but he probably did not.'

Tattooed monarchs: Both King Edward VII and his son, King George V, had a collection of inkings

MacDonald was at the forefront of the early 1900s tattoo fad, and did his share of cosmetic tinting. He worked first with hand tools, and in 1894 he received a British patent for his electric tattooing machine (file picture)

Dr Lodder, who discovered images of MacDonald's work in locations including the National Archives and the zoological archive at Harvard University, confirmed he was the first to open a parlour in London. His artworks ranged from Japanese dragons to wildlife work and engravings of landscapes.

Jen Kavanagh, curator of the new exhibition, told the Independent on Sunday: 'Obviously tattooing existed in London before that, especially with travel and encounters with other cultures where tattooing was prominent.

'But as for tattoo artists working in London, in the grand scheme of things it's fairly recent.'

As well as the history of tattooing, the Tattoo London exhibition will also investigate how body art has developed over the past 40 years  and how it has become popular in modern culture.

Tattoo London runs at the Museum of London from January 29 until May 8.
He may have led authorities to the most wanted drug lord in the world.

But Sean Penn - and his grandiose 10,000-word article about meeting Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman - has become a laughing stock on Twitter in Mexico.

Ripping into his Hollywood-style account of their jungle rendez-vous, Mexicans have coined the hash tag #NoSeanPenndejos, a pun on his name and the vulgar slang phrase 'no sean pendejos' ('don't be f***ing stupid').

It is a revival of the pun #Penndejo ('f***ing idiot') which emerged in the Spanish language circles of social media during the Oscar's last year after Penn introduced Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and said: 'Who gave this son of a b**** his green card?'

The tweets on Sunday ranged from tongue-in-cheek to serious.

Sean Penn was mocked by Mexican Twitter users for his bizarre role in the events that led to El Chapo's capture. The tweets on Sunday ranged from tongue-in-cheek to serious, such as this one

Many accused Penn of getting away with something that Latino, Black or Arab people would be arrested for

The hash tag was also used to mock Penn's suggestion that he doesn't know if laptops exist any more

This is the now notorious photo of Penn shaking hands with El Chapo as he was on the run from authorities

One Twitter user mocked the part of Penn's article when he claims he has never encountered a laptop.

Others slammed the actor for shaking hands with and fawning over a drugs lord - after thousands of Mexican journalists have died trying to expose the atrocities of the Sinaloa cartel.

Many also used the phrase to slam Mexico's president Enrique Pena Nieto, sharing a picture of his face with the phrase 'NoSeanPenndejo'.

Latino Rebels, an English-language news site about Latino issues, tweeted: 'So it looks like #Penndejo hashtag is back. For good reason, too.'

And another pun surfaced once President Nieto tweeted about El Chapo's capture, with people mocking the president for relying on a Hollywood actor to apprehend him.

Nieto tweeted the words 'Mision cumplida' ('mission accomplished'). Within minutes, Mexican Twitter users were tweeting '#MiSeanCumplida'.

The tweets began emerging on Sunday as Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio also took aim at Penn's bizarre role in the stitch-up.

The Republican presidential hopeful applauded Mexican marines for detaining the fugitive cartel leader, and that he hopes El Chapo will be extradited to the United States for sentencing.

But he mocked Penn's involvement saying with a smirk on ABC's This Week: 'Sean Penn is not someone I spend a lot of time thinking about, I didn't even know he was still around, I think he made movies a long time ago.'

Some used the hash tag to hit out at President Nieto (pictured). This tweet roughly means: 'This b****** is still mugging us while he distracts our attention'. El Chapo was on the run for six months until Penn met with him

Plotted: The meeting in Mexico was arranged by Penn, Mexican actress Kate del Castillo (pictured with Penn and musicians) and a fixer

BIZARRE MOMENTS IN SEAN PENN'S SEVEN-HOUR CHAT WITH EL CHAPO 1. Sean Penn admits he has never learned how to use a laptop computer. 'At 55 years old, I've never learned to use a laptop. Do they still make laptops?' 2. Penn thought his penis might get chopped off. 'D**k in hand, I do consider it among my body parts vulnerable to the knives of irrational narco types, and take a fond last look, before tucking it back into my pants.' 3. Penn has a drunken day dream about a drone. 'I look to the sky and wonder how funny it would be if there were a weaponized drone above us. We are in a clearing, sitting right out in the open. I down the tequila, and the drone goes away.' 4. El Chapo still isn't keen on Donald Trump. 'I mention Trump. El Chapo smiles, ironically saying, 'Ah! Mi amigo!'' 5. For some reason, Penn doesn't want to smile in a photograph with El Chapo. 'I explain that, for authentication purposes, it would be best if we are shaking hands, looking into the camera, but not smiling.' 6. Penn compares El Chapo to a superhero for putting on body armor and picking up a gun. 'Following this Clark Kent-into-Superman extravaganza.' 7. Penn offers to snuggle up to an associate of El Chapo. ''Listen, man. You don't have to sleep on that couch. The bed's big. We can talk and cuddle.'' 8. Penn's flatulence in front of El Chapo. 'At this moment, I expel a minor traveler's flatulence (sorry), and with it, I experience the same chivalry he'd offered when putting Kate to bed, as he pretends not to notice.' Advertisement

Affording the double Oscar winner a touch of praise, he said: 'I guess [the Mexicans] used the interview that he had in order to find him. Thats fantastic. I hope they extradite El Chapo to the United States.'

But ultimately he dismissed Penn as 'grotesque', accusing him of 'fawning' over Guzman in his 10,000-word Rolling Stone article about their jungle rendezvous.

'If one of these American actors who have benefited from the greatness of this country, who have made money from our free enterprise system, want to go fawn all over a criminal and a drug trafficker in their interviews, they have a Constitutional right to do it,' Rubio said.

'I find it grotesque.'

Mexico has begun formal extradition proceedings against El Chapo but such a process could take months.

The sensational meeting took place deep in the Mexican jungle in October and was arranged by Penn, Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and a fixer, with the permission of the Sinaloa cartel.

Marco Rubio (left) has slammed Sean Penn (right) as 'grotesque' for 'fawning' over drug lord El Chapo

El Chapo admitted in the bizarre interview to being the biggest drug trafficker in the world and said he sent engineers to Germany to learn how to build the tunnel he would eventually use to escape a maximum security prison.

The cartel boss was captured on Friday in a daring 4am raid by Mexican marines and was returned to Altiplano jail. The double Oscar-winning actor's meeting with El Chapo led to the gun battle in which he was captured, an official said.
It's an advertising man's dream  a spray that turns women on.

And now scientists have discovered a potion that really does have a aphrodisiac effect  with women who have inhaled it finding their partners 15 per cent more attractive.

The spray contains syntocinon, a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which is naturally released in the brain when people fall in love.

Oxytocin plays a key role during childbirth, stimulates milk production in mothers, and helps them bond with babies.

But until now its effect on how women perceive men has been little understood.

Researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany asked 40 female volunteers to take part in an experiment.

All the women were in their 20s and 'passionately in love'. Half the women were given the syntocinon nasal spray to inhale, while the others were given a placebo. They were then presented with pictures of men  including their partners.

The researchers then switched the test group around and gave the spray to the 20 who had inhaled the placebo and vice versa. The women rated their partners as 15 per cent more attractive after inhaling the spray than after inhaling the placebo.

Women on the pill, however, found their partners no more alluring after inhaling the spray.
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London to Nairobi. Nairobi to Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro to the Seronera Airstrip. Two jets and one propellor plane later, we had finally arrived in the heart of Tanzania's breathtaking Serengeti National Park.

And the best way to be greeted following a nearly 24-hour-long journey? By a Four Seasons-emblazoned jeep carrying canapes and champagne on ice, of course.

After our rejuvenating snack, we were quickly whisked away for the hour-long drive from the airstrip to the spectacular Four Seasons Safari Lodge.

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Following a nearly 24-hour journey, we arrived at the Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge in the heart of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park

And despite the fact that the ride wasn't even a scheduled game drive, we still managed to spot a few giraffes shading themselves in the scorching afternoon sun.

My first impressions of the Lodge were as majestic as one would expect. I was led to my room - via an elevated wooden walkway - by a Maasai warrior, who was quick to point out the large infinity pool off the lobby where elephants are known to come for a drink of water.

Not that I needed to venture to the resort pool if I didn't want to. I had my own plunge pool, overlooking the plains, on my room's private terrace.

By this point, it should come as no surprise that the hotel is beloved by Hollywood A-listers, such as Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler, as well as Brit stars, like Made in Chelsea's Amber Atherton.

Hollywood actress Vanessa Hudgens (pictured left) is a fan of the resort, having holidayed there last summer with friends

While in the Serengeti, the High School Musical actress and her boyfriend, Austin Butler, also took advantage of the hotel's game drives

The luxurious five-star property has many spectacular rooms to book - and all of them offer unobstructed views of the African plains

MailOnline Travel's Katie also visited the Moru Kopjes area

Before sunset cocktails by the main pool, I attempted to adjust my internal clock with a quick doze in my room - however, the many baboons who call the resort grounds home had other plans for me.

I was awoken to the sound of someone - or something - banging on my terrace window. I opened the curtains and came to face with three very large primates, one of which was attempting to open my balcony door.

After double (and triple) checking to ensure that the door was locked, and unable to go back to sleep, I watched the monkeys enjoy a dip in my plunge pool and lay about on my sunlounger.

Lodge staff later told me that the baboon's fearless behaviour is quite commonplace. They tend to frequent guests' rooms in hopes that someone will have mistakenly left their terrace door unlocked and some sweet treats out on the tables inside.

Our first full day in Tanzania featured a morning game drive with our guide for the week, Priscus, whose knowledge of all things Serengeti was seemingly unparalleled.

Eager for sightings of the Big Five, Priscus immediately led us toward a part of the National Park that is known for being prime lion-spotting ground.

Within moments, we had spotted a female lion sunning on a rock, but it was later that afternoon that things really got interesting.

One particularly friendly male lion, laying just feet from our Jeep, decided to make himself known to another tour group parked alongside us - much to both our delight and theirs.

After that, we were spoilt for choice, and on our way back to the lodge observed a pregnant female lion lounging high above the ground on a tree branch.

And those weren't the only once-in-a-lifetime viewings we were privy to during this holiday.

The following morning, we set our alarms for 4am to set out on what would wind up being one of the most memorable excursions: a sunrise hot air balloon ride above the Serengeti, courtesy of Serengeti Balloon Safaris, following by a traditional English breakfast in the middle of the bush.

Some of the suites even offer an outdoor bathtub, while others have private terraces with plunge pools that look on to the Serengeti

Although you won't spend much time in your room, all are outfitted with high quality decor inspired by the area's Maasai culture

Animals, such as elephants, freely roam along the property, often stopping for a mid-day drink at the hotel's on-site watering hole

Guests will likely be eager to take advantage of the hotel-offered game drives, where animals like lions, cheetahs and leopards may be seen

During one of our many safari drives, we got up close and personal with an elephant (left) and also saw a pregnant lion escaping the scorching sun in a tree (right)

The environmentally-friendly property (pictured) also offers many other excursions for guests, such as a day-trip to the Moru in the south western part of the park or a sunrise hot air balloon ride

As well as a large lobby, there's also a Discovery Centre in the main lodge, where guests can learn more about the Serengeti ecosystem

All of the property's buildings are connected via elevated walkways - and in the evening, a Maasai warrior will escort you to your room

Considerably cooler at this time of day, we bundled up for our morning flight above the plains.

Take-off proved to be a bit of a nerve-wracking ordeal, as we lay down to be strapped in sideways before our pilot pulled the balloon into an upright position.

During the ride, we were brought in as low as several metres off the ground to offer us better views of the hippos cooling off in the rivers below.

Although we never managed to spot a lion or cheetah prowling along, we did see several zebra and warthogs, before landing - quite literally - in the middle of the National Park - for a traditional hot English breakfast complete with champagne.

Back at the Lodge, we opted for a more low-key day lounging by the infinity pool. And despite staying nearby the hotel, we still managed to take in several stellar elephant sightings as they sauntered up to their waterhole for a mid-day drink.

Later that afternoon, and with the help of the hotel's chef, we learned how to make 'Zanzibar pizza,' a crepe-like snack that contains neither cheese nor tomato sauce.

We also learned how to set up monitoring cameras along the perimeter of the property, in hopes of capturing a predator that we may otherwise not see during the night alongside Discovery Centre staff. For more information about any of the animals you see on your game drives, the Great Migration or the varied cultural history of Tanzania, the hotel's Discovery Centre is a fabulous resource.

The space, situated just off the lobby, is part museum and part lecture theatre, and boasts a comprehensive interactive map of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

The Maji Bar and Terrace (pictured) serves breakfast - try the banana pancakes! - and dinner. There is also an open-air restaurant, called Boma Grill, for those looking to sample Tanzanian specialities

From your (very comfortable) bed, you can take in views of the bush and the many animals that may saunter past your room

One of the most difficult animals to find is the leopard, though several lucky guests have spotted the predator lounging in a tree

One morning, we woke up at 4am for a sunrise hot air balloon safari, followed by a traditional English breakfast in the middle of the park

As well as an impressive spa, featuring many special signature African treatments, you can also take part in sunrise or sunset yoga

In the evenings, the hotel can even arrange a special 'bush dinner' where you and your guests can dine under the stars - just a few minutes drive from the property

In the spa, the hotel's signature Kifaa massage is not to be missed. Using a Maasai wooden baton called a rungu, the full-body, deep pressure massage is combined with the moisturising power of Tanzanian baobab oil for a holistic, full-body treatment.

And for a bit more authentic African culture, book into the Boma Grill to watch or take part in traditional Maasai dancing and indulge in local specialities around an open-air firepit.

But for those who truly want to get up close and personal with the Maasai history, it's worth the (several hour) trip out to the Moru Kopjes area of the south western Serengeti.

It's one of the only areas where tourists may spot the elusive Black Rhino (unfortunately, we didn't), however, our Maasai escort was a wealth of knowledge about the region, including the cultural significance of Gong Rock and the Rock Paintings. And he also provided excellent security in keeping our picnic lunch away from several curious baboons.

The next morning was our last chance to enjoy the Maji Bar and Terrace's stellar banana pancakes, following a quick yoga class, before we were on our way back to the airport.

Unsurprisingly, the journey home to rainy London felt far longer than the reverse jaunt just days earlier.
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One of the main joys of going to Paris these days is the journey (tunnel troubles aside) on the Eurostar.

There are no security queues and other airport horrors that now take longer than most European flights. Plus, theres the joy of Raymond Blanc cookery served at the seat if you travel in the swanky Business Premier carriage as we did.

So my wife and I started the weekend in top form, whisked from Eurostar and the Gare du Nord in the comfort of a smart car laid on by the hotel we were staying at - Le Bristol Paris.

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Le Bristol Paris is regarded as one of the very best hotels in the world. Pictured is the property's extremely luxe bar

The rooms at Le Bristol are nothing short of sumptuous, with the website of the hotel boasting justifiably that it offers 'unparalleled elegance'. Each room is decorated in the 18th-century style

Mr Murnaghan described the meal he had at the Bristol's famed three-Michelin-star restaurant L'Epicure (pictured) as 'probably the best meal I've ever had'

The garden terrace at Le Bristol is a green haven, where guests can ease into the quiet life in style

Le Bristol was given 'palace' status by the French Minister for Tourism - an award given only to the country's finest five-star hotels

Located on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, just round the corner from the President's Elysee Palace and surrounded by smart shops and art galleries, Le Bristol exudes expense and exclusivity.

And well it should as a hotel with 'palace' status, a distinction awarded by the French Minister for Tourism only to the country's finest 5-star hotels. Apparently these palaces have 'exceptional qualities embodying French standards of excellence and contribute to enhancing the image of France throughout the world'.

This year is the hotel's 90th anniversary. Launched in the roaring twenties it defiantly luxuriates in its past. No minimalism, pillow menus or key cards here.

Le Bristol is glamorous in the old Hollywood sense. The furnishings are lavish, gilded, swagged and pelmeted. If it had been around in le revolution you know which side it would have been on.

The only inhabitants of the hotel who stood on ceremony were the resident cats, Kleopatre and Fa-Raon (pictured), Mr Murnaghan said

All the rooms at Le Bristol have exquisite marble bathrooms. The rooms are among the most spacious of any Paris hotel

Le Bristol has been created in the grand Parisian style and features splendid Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture

Pictured is a dresser and chairs in one of Le Bristol's magnificent 3,230-square-foot Royal Suites. They feature antique woodwork by Feau and Canovas damask linens. They include a dining area that accommodates up to 12 guests

Some of the rooms at Le Bristol offer quite simply stunning views over the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower

But the Bristol - which is part of the ultra-prestigious Oetker Collection - wears its aristocracy well. As soon as you arrive you are virtually carried to your room by beaming welcoming staff all speaking fluent English.

The employees are one of the keys to its appeal, over 600 of them from more than 70 nationalities provide seamless, friendly and enthusiastic service.

Our room was large and lavishly soft furnished and the bathroom big and marbled.

So it was straight to the first floor La Prairie Spa for treatments, a massage and facial, which got top marks.

After the pampering and a restorative nap, it was time to test the Bristol's famed restaurant L'Epicure, apparently President Sarkozy's favourite hangout during his days in power.

With three Michelin stars and famed chef de Cuisine Eric Frechon at the helm it's easy to see why. We opted for the tasting menu, just the seven courses plus individually tailored wines for each one. It was fabulous - a parade of tiny taste explosions, from clouds of caviar to melting chocolate globes, taking in leeks, sole and venison.

It was amazing. Probably the best meal I've ever had.

The wines recommended and served by the charming sommeliers Thomas and Baptiste were sometimes unusual like the dark pink champagne or surprising like the Riesling, but always excellent.

Le Bristol was the very first hotel in France to be awarded the coveted 'palace' status. Mr Murnaghan said it's not stuffy, but has 'relaxed grandeur'

But perhaps the best thing of all was the atmosphere. Here is a restaurant where they revel in excellent food and excellent service, but it's not overly formal, unlike some starred restaurants where the food is worshipped and everyone speaks in whispers.

Here the staff are knowledgeable, but fun. It's relaxed grandeur.

Maybe the large number of American guests adds to the informality. The hotel featured in the Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris, and there's evidence of their special relationship everywhere.

You can book a special Midnight in Paris luxury weekend break and watch the film for free on your room TV.

There's no doubt Americans feel comfortable here. During the Second world war it was the home of the US embassy.

Indeed the only inhabitants of the hotel who seemed to stand on ceremony were the resident cats, Kleopatre and Fa-Raon. Fluffy white balls of fur, they strut around the vestibules and corridors with haughty elegance, exuding superiority in that typically feline way.

They allow themselves to be stroked as they recline on sofas like proper aristocats.

The next morning, not quite ready for a cooked breakfast, we first had a swim in the 6th floor pool, nestling among the Parisian roof tops.

It looks like an elegant wooden boat, designed by the architect of Aristotle Onassis's yacht.

It's small but has amazing views of the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre Coeur, a reminder it was time to stop eating, leave the Bristol and see some of Paris.

Le Bristol's pool is on the sixth floor. Mr Murnaghan said it 'looks like an elegant wooden boat, designed by the architect of Aristotle Onassis's yacht'

Le Bristol is a great spot for people watching, Mr Murnaghan said. It's also handy for the major tourist attractions, such as Grand Palais

A couple of Eggs Benedict later, the concierge Phillipe had provided us with no-queue tickets for the sought-after Picasso Mania exhibition at the nearby Grand Palais.

The contemporary art fair FIAC was in full swing so the city was full of art enthusiasts and collectors. The Picasso was interesting but very crowded, so we escaped to the less popular Jeu de Paume Photography gallery round the corner which was showing a Philippe Halsman exhibition.

Most famous for his 'jumpology' pictures, Halsman took hundreds of pictures of public figures jumping into the air, including Marilyn Monroe, Richard Nixon and The Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Fantastic pictures and no crowds.

Mr Murnaghan in work-mode for Sky News, pictured here on College Green, Westminster, during the parliamentary debate on Syria on December 2

After all that culture and walking, it was time for the old perennial city bus tour, open top of course.

You hop on, see some sights, rest your legs and close your eyes. Ninety minutes later, suitably refreshed, you can manage a little light shopping on the Champs Elysees and then walk back to the hotel, your very own oasis of calm and comfort.

Room service looked very tempting, but seemed a bit of a cheat, so it was off to a local brasserie for steak, frites and a bottle of red, a far cry from the gourmet heights of the previous evening but just what was required. Then it was back to the Hotel bar for a nightcap.

They specialise in mixology and cocktails and it's all very glamorous and decadent feeling and a great spot for people watching.

The next day dawned and we went for a swim followed by breakfast and a stroke of the cat by the lift.

We were definitely becoming Bristolians.

Time for a quick explore of the nearby Little Palais museum and gallery, then off to the Gare du Nord for the train home.

If you want to spend a weekend in the heart of Paris, there's no place like the Bristol. Embrace its elegance - it will wrap you up and make you feel special, and isn't that the whole point of a weekend away?
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Hotel guests are usually nothing more than a room number when they check in, but there is one place where they can be a pop star, MI6 agent or astronaut - at least for one night.

With its playful theme suites and a delightful take on Switzerland's famous symbols, Kameha Grand Zurich has boldly gone where few hotels have dared to before, all in an effort to show that the city isnt the bland destination its made out to be.

With 12 to choose from, there is a theme suite for every imagination  from a Burlesque Suite where fantasies run wild to a Serenity Suite for those looking to find their inner self.

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A private poker table is the focal point of the Poker Face Suite and is within arm's reach of a stocked mini-bar and a large TV that swivels

Designed by artist Michael Najjar, the Space Suite features 'outer space', models of rockets and an astronauts glove on the wall

Kameha Grand Zurich's premium rooms are equipped with the hotel's trademarks, including leather-padded walls that look like chocolate

The Fair Play Suite, one of 12 theme suites, has sporty furnishings, a punching bag, table football and a selection of board games

In the Diva Suite, the furnishings have delicate colours and there is a cosmetic area with a large mirror and a cosy seating corner

Bathrooms in every suite and guest room feature a deep-soaking bathtub with his-and-hers sinks and walk-in rain showers

Even though I was travelling solo, I tried my luck with the Poker Face Suite, which has nothing to do with Lady Gaga and everything to do with being a rounder.

The suite is a glimpse into the life of a high roller, with the focal point being a poker table in the middle of the room.

Most importantly, within arms reach is a mini-bar stocked with drinks and a huge flat-screen TV that can swivel to face the poker table, a comfy king sized bed or deep-soaking bathtub, which is next to a walk-in rainfall shower.

If you really want to see what your poker face looks like, the shower and toilet walls are made from reflective glass.

While it may not be suited to an individual guest, the Poker Face Suite would serve as a solid base for a group of lads or business travellers who have booked a block of rooms and are looking to unwind.

Set in Zurichs developing Glattpark business district, the self-proclaimed lifestyle hotel is conveniently located to Zurich Airport, but a long tram ride is required to get to or from Zurich's Old Town.

In addition to space-themed books and films and original works by Michael Najjar, the Space Suite boasts a 'floating' bed

Fantasies can run wild in the Burlesque Suite, which comes with a range of toys for amorous couples and a huge king-size bed

Kameha Grand Zurich's delightful quirks include leather-padded walls and doors that look like chocolate, and bank vault-style handles

Keeping with the Swiss theme, rooms are decorated with comfortable seats that are shaped like a section of a Toblerone bar

Despite being designed with business travellers in mind, the hotel has plenty of personality thanks to Marcel Wanders' stylish interiors with delightful quirks that play on Switzerlands symbols  from chocolate and banking to cows and mountains.

The quirks are scattered throughout Kameha Grand Zurichs public areas, suites, guest rooms and spa.

In the suites and guest rooms, for example, the sliding bathroom door looks like a bar of chocolate with a handle that resembles that of a bank vault.

Rooms also boast comfy seats that look like a wrapped section of a Toblerone bar  a delicious Swiss export.

When guests set foot in the hotel's lobby, they are greeted by oversized cow bells that hang from the ceiling and a glimmering staircase

Long before guests enter their rooms  where the mini-bars are modelled after safes  its apparent Kameha Grand Zurich, designed by Marcel Wanders, is not a cookie-cutter hotel.

Giant cowbells hang from the ceiling in the lobby, walls are covered with fake gold coins, and tulips and other flowers are incorporated into the carpets, walls and decorations.

With the motto Life is Grand, Kameha Grand Zurich is chic and unexpectedly flamboyant, and its multi-lingual staff are far from pretentious.

The team at Yu Nijyo, one of two dining options at the hotel, was awarded a coveted Michelin star within months of opening last year

Yu Nijyo is a smaller and more intimate space, with mains such as a mix of sashimi accompanied by sake and free-range duck with kimchi

The other dining option, L'Unico, is an open-plan Italian restaurant where staff make the pasta and sauces in house

Decorated with golden palettes, the hotel's bar, tucked between the lobby and L'Unico restaurant, has a resident DJ or live music at night

Kameha Grand Zurich also boasts a shisha lounge that staff believe is the first of its kind at a hotel in Switzerland

HOW TO GET THERE Swissair (swissair.com, 0345 601 0956) offers daily service between London Heathrow Terminal 2 and Zurich Airport. Advertisement

The hotel has two dining options - LUnico, an Italian restaurant, and Yu Nijyo, which offers French cuisine with Far East influences.

While LUnico delivers energy and more choice, Yu Nijyo is the better of the two. Chef Norman Fischer and his team were awarded a Michelin star within months of opening.

Yu Nijyo is a smaller and more intimate space, with mains such as free-range duck with kimchi, broccoli and jasmine rice or a mix of sashimi accompanied by sake.

For dessert, I opted for a plate with different types of chocolate, but those rich offerings were trumped by a dollop of beetroot sorbet.

After dinner, guests can retreat to the hotels bar, a smoking room where regular customers favourite bottles of whisky are locked in cabinets, or a shisha lounge that hotel staff believe is the first of its kind at a hotel in Switzerland.
Scheming: Tuppence Middleton as Princess Helene Kuragin

The bed-hopping antics of the scheming Helene Kuragin in the first episode of the BBCs lavish new adaptation of War And Peace sent viewers temperatures soaring.

The fortune-hunting aristocrat was shown sharing a bed with her brother Anatole before going on to tantalise Pierre Bezukhov, the hapless hero of the show, into an unlikely marriage.

And, as The Mail on Sundays exclusive pictures from episodes two and three show, the Russian princess has no intention of letting wedlock get in the way of her sex life.

As the series progresses, she will take a seemingly endless stream of lovers.

It all leaves rising star Tuppence Middleton, 28, the actress who plays the amoral aristocrat, with a rather questionable notoriety.

Andrew Davies, the shows writer, who is known for sexing up his literary adaptations, said: I think she probably is the naughtiest woman on TV at the moment.

I dont know what Tolstoy thought of Helene but I instantly took rather a liking to her. I was quite sympathetic to her. It was one way of dealing with being a woman in an age when men made all of the decisions.

Married: Tuppence as Helene with her husband Pierre

Brother: Daviess decision to make the relationship between Helene and her brother Anatole incestuous upset some Tolstoy purists, who accused him of going too far

Tuppence completely got what I was after when I was writing it. She actually makes more of it than I actually dreamed of.

And Edward K. Gibbon, the shows costume designer, said: Helene is very decadent and gives the impression that she is going to wear a dress once and its going to be abandoned on someones bedroom floor. She has incredible sexual confidence.

And Tuppence gives it everything she has got. Her clothes look as if they are about to fall off her back and we played with that and tried to accentuate it.

Middleton, who appeared in the films Trance and The Imitation Game, is now in danger of stealing the thunder of the shows more established stars, including Downton Abbeys Lily James and heart-throb James Norton of Happy Valley fame.

Conquests: Helene and her lovers army officer Drubetskoy and Tsar Alexander

Daviess decision to make the relationship between the Kuragin siblings incestuous upset some Tolstoy purists, who accused him of going too far.

But the writer, whose adaptations of Bleak House and Pride And Prejudice won acclaim, insisted Tolstoy had hinted at such a relationship in the original novel and he was only expanding on the original idea.

He said: Helene and Anatole are just so cool about it. Its just another thing to them. You think, My God, these people are quite amoral, arent they? Yes they are. But they see themselves as fine.

Shameless: Tuppence as Helene appears nude and 'beds' family friend Dolokhov

The buzz surrounding Middleton is being helped by the fact that she is also starring as Miss Havisham in another BBC drama series, Dickensian. But in that show she is a naive woman who has been exploited by a handsome cad.

Not all viewers have warmed to Daviess version of War And Peace.

Tolstoy scholar Andrew Kaufman has been critical of the incest scenes, and said some of Helenes sexual conquests in the drama were hilarious and not in the actual novel.

He said: It makes you ask what is valid for an adaptation. Is a drama supposed to be faithful to the novel, or is it supposed to communicate the essential elements or themes of the novel?

Episode two of War And Peace is on BBC1 tonight at 9pm

WHY DOES THE JEWELLERY LOOK SO REAL? BECAUSE IT IS! Beauty: James's 5,000 silver tiara Wondering why the jewellery in War And Peace looks so spectacular? Its because its all real, lent to the show by Moscow gems company Axenoff Jewellery. The firm provided 50 glittering items  and a member of staff acted as bodyguard and kept them under lock and key between scenes. In the lavish ballroom scenes, stars including Gillian Anderson and Lily James are wearing tens of thousands of pounds worth of gold, silver and pearls. Anderson is seen in a 3,700 tiara made of silver, pearls and hand-cut cameos, a 1,600 pair of matching earrings and a 2,000 silver brooch, while James shines in a 5,500 silver tiara with matching earrings. The fabulous costumes were created by designer Edward K. Gibbon and his team, who dressed 140 principal characters, 600 soldiers and 200 extras. Gibbon said: These characters have riches beyond belief and their clothes have to show that. Sparkling: The 3,700 pearl tiara worn by Gillian Anderson (right) and her matching earrings (left) Glittering stars: Gillian Anderson, left, and Lily James wear tens of thousands of pounds worth of gold, silver and pearls Authentic: A gown designed for the show based on a painting from the era Advertisement

You know you're old when Tolstoy stars start getting younger

The director of the 1972 TV production of War And Peace has fired a fierce volley at young star James Norton, who plays the brooding Prince Andrei Bolkonsky.

Norton, 30, is one of a very youthful cast in the new production.

And though Norton is just a year younger than Tolstoy made the prince in his book, John Davies, who cast much older actors in his 1970s version, says he is too fresh-faced to convey realistically the world-weary character created by the author.

Mind the gap: Alan Dobie, 40 (left) and James Norton, 30, as Bolkonsky

Davies said: Andrei is not a young romantic lead, which is what he is in the new version. He is disillusioned and a strange, cold individual.

That only works if he is much older and has achieved that much cynicism.

Norton is ten years younger than the man Davies cast in the role. His choice, Alan Dobie, was 40 when he delivered an acclaimed performance as the dour Russian aristocrat.

Other critics have also questioned the youthfulness of the new cast, pointing out, for example, that the Prince is meant to be much older than Natasha Rostova  played by 26-year-old Lily James  yet they look the same age.

Not all are younger than the originals. At 47, Gillian Anderson, who plays hostess Anna Pavlovna Scherer, is 11 years older than Barbara Young was in the role in 1972.

Time warp: Anne Blake, 64, left, and Rebecca Front, 51, as Anna Drubetskaya

New generation: Barbara Young and Anthony Hopkins, left, in the same roles as Gillian Anderson and Paul Dano
The recapture of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman took a surprise, Hollywood-like twist when a Mexican official said security forces located the world's most-wanted trafficker thanks to a secret meeting with U.S. actor Sean Penn.

Penn's article about his meeting with Guzman, who has twice escaped from Mexican maximum security prisons, appeared late Saturday on the website of Rolling Stone magazine. It was purportedly held at an undisclosed hideout in northern Mexico in late 2015, several months before Guzman's recapture Friday in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, after six months on the run.

The article reports that Guzman defends his work at the head of the world's biggest drug trafficking organization. When asked if he is to blame for high addiction rates, he responds: "No, that is false, because the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? That's false."

A senior Obama administration official told television news shows on Sunday morning that Guzman's boasting about his heroin empire in the interview was "maddening."

"One thing I will tell you is that this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening," White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"We see a heroin epidemic, an opioid addiction epidemic, in this country," McDonough said. "We're going to stay on top of this with our Mexican counterparts until we get that back in the box. But El Chapo's behind bars  that's where he should stay."

When asked if the United States would make Penn available to Mexican authorities, McDonough responded that he didn't want to get ahead of any possible action, but that it "poses a lot of very interesting questions, both for him and for others involved in this ... so-called interview."

Penn didnt have to tell law enforcement about his October meeting, according to legal scholars interviewed by the Los Angeles Times.

Hes under no obligation to inform the authorities that hes been in touch with El Chapo, said Robert Weisberg, a professor at Stanford Law School, told the Times.

Laurie Levenson, a Loyola Law School professor and former federal prosecutor, compared Penn's legal situation to those of the journalists who conducted interviews with Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked documents.

Meeting with an interview subject is not against the law. We dont have a duty  necessarily  to help the government, Levenson told the newspaper. You just cant get in the way.

In the article, Penn describes taking elaborate security measures ahead of the clandestine meeting. But apparently they were not enough.

A Mexican federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the issue, told the Associated Press it was the Penn meeting that led authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October.

Authorities who later raided the area decided not to open fire on Guzman because he was with two women and child. He was able to escape, but they were able to later track him to a house in Los Mochis where Mexican marines nabbed him after a shootout that left five people dead.

The official said the meeting between Penn and Guzman was held in Tamazula, a community in Durango state that neighbors Sinaloa, home of Guzman's drug cartel.

On Friday, Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez said that Guzman's contact with actors and producers for a possible film about him helped give law enforcement a lead on tracking and capturing the world's most notorious drug kingpin.

In the Rolling Stone article, Penn wrote that Guzman was interested in having a movie filmed on his life. He said Guzman wanted Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the meeting between the men, involved in the project.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," wrote Penn, who appears in a photo posted with the article shaking hands with Guzman whose face is uncovered

There was no immediate response from Penn's representatives to the Mexican official's comments.

Earlier Saturday, a federal law enforcement official said that Mexico is willing to extradite Guzman to the United States, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

"Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S.," said the Mexican official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors get their hands on Guzman. "You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too."

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzman's embarrassing escape from Mexico's top maximum security prison on July 11  his second from a Mexican prison.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzman's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

"They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure," said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. "That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way."

Guzman faces drug trafficking charges in several U.S. states and American officials hoped to extradite him after he was captured in February 2014.

At the time, Mexico's government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

Then-Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in "300 or 400 years."

Then Guzman escaped through an elaborate tunnel dug into Mexico's most secure lock-up on July 11, thoroughly embarrassing Pena Nieto's administration.

He also had escaped a similar maximum-security facility in 2001 while serving a 20-year sentence. Lore says he hid in a laundry cart, though many dispute that version. He spent 13 years on the lam.

Gomez said that one of Guzman's key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis that authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the houseWednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday morning. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in.

Gomez said Guzman and his security chief, Ivan Gastelum, a.k.a "El Cholo Ivan," were able to flee via storm drains and escape through a manhole cover to the street, where they commandeered getaway cars. Marines climbed into the drains in pursuit. They closed in on the two men based on reports of stolen vehicles and they were arrested on the highway.

According to a statement from the Mexican Attorney General's office, the U.S. filed extradition requests June 25, while Guzman was in custody, and another Sep. 3, after he escaped. The Mexican government determined they were valid within the extradition treaty and sent them to a panel of federal judges, who gave orders for detention on July 29 and Sept. 8, after Guzman had escaped.

Those orders were not for extradition but just for Guzman to begin the extradition hearing process. Now that he is recaptured, Mexico has to start processing the extradition requests anew, according to the law.

The quickest he could be extradited would be six months, said a federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity, but it's not likely because lawyers can file appeals. He said that they are usually turned down, but each one means a judge has to schedule a hearing.

"That can take weeks or months, and that delays the extradition," he said. "We've had cases that take six years."

Wire services
Carrie Bradshaw's leading men Chris Noth and John Corbett enjoyed a mini-Sex and the City reunion at Bouchon in Beverly Hills on Friday night sponsored by Ketel One Vodka.

The towering two-time Golden Globe nominees - at 6ft5in and 6ft1in, respectively - famously played rivals Aidan Shaw and Mr. Big opposite Sarah Jessica Parker.

Aside from co-starring in 10 episodes of the HBO hit series, 54-year-old John and 61-year-old Chris reprised their roles in the dismally-reviewed, 2010 big-screen sequel.

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Still handsome: Carrie Bradshaw's leading men John Corbett and Chris Noth enjoyed a mini-Sex and the City reunion at Bouchon in Beverly Hills on Friday night (alongside Bo Derek and Sharon Stone)

'She can reach me, but I can't ever get her': The towering two-time Golden Globe nominees - at 6ft5in and 6ft1in, respectively - famously played rivals Aidan Shaw and Mr. Big opposite Sarah Jessica Parker

'Stop it! You're middle-aged!' Aside from co-starring in 10 episodes of the HBO hit series, 61-year-old Chris and 54-year-old John reprised their roles in the dismally-reviewed, 2010 big-screen sequel

Noth looked slim in a black jacket over a blue button-up, khakis, and brown suede boots.

The silver fox - who's father to son Orion, 8, with wife Tara Wilson - sported a debonair mustache for the Spotlight celebration.

Posing beside Chris was a fur-clad Sharon Stone easily defying her 57 years in a black ensemble and minimal make-up.

Salt and pepper: Noth looked slim in a black jacket over a blue button-up, khakis, and brown suede boots

Looking good: The silver fox - who's father to son Orion, 8, with wife Tara Wilson - sported a debonair mustache for the Spotlight celebration

No mascara: Posing beside Chris was a fur-clad Sharon Stone easily defying her 57 years in a black ensemble and minimal make-up

Their sighting together came two months after the Oscar nominee hung out with the After the Ball actor (and Kathy Griffin) at the CNN Heroes tribute on November 17.

Three years ago, the Elsa & Fred actor and the single mother-of-three co-starred in Lovelace, the forgettable flick about the making of 1972 porno Deep Throat.

Noth currently plays Governor of Illinois candidate Peter Florrick on the seventh season of The Good Wife, which airs Sundays on CBS.

And Stone will next play Linda Tarlton in the booze-filled drama What About Love, which hits US theatres February 16.

Hello, again! Their sighting together came two months after the Oscar nominee hung out with the After the Ball actor (and Kathy Griffin) at the CNN Heroes tribute on November 17

Did not share scenes: Three years ago, the Elsa & Fred actor and the single mother-of-three co-starred in Lovelace, the forgettable flick about the making of 1972 porno Deep Throat

'Iowa': Noth currently plays Governor of Illinois candidate Peter Florrick on the seventh season of The Good Wife, which airs Sundays on CBS

'I play this blackout-drinking, but functioning, alcoholic': And Stone will next play Linda Tarlton in the booze-filled drama What About Love, which hits US theatres February 16

'I play this blackout-drinking, but functioning, alcoholic Republican senators wife,' the Agent X actress told the Independent in 2014.

'Andy Garcia plays the senator in the film and our daughter is killed in a car accident and we are having a marriage, which is much of an arrangement anyway, and its what happens.'

Meanwhile, Corbett's girlfriend of 14 years, 59-year-old Bo Derek last played Tara Reid's mother in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!

The Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll stud will next reprise his role as Ian Miller in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, which hits US/UK theaters March 25.

Hunt for the I-5 Killer co-stars: Meanwhile, Corbett's girlfriend of 14 years, 59-year-old Bo Derek last played Tara Reid's mother in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
Kelly Rutherford was spotted back in the Big Apple Saturday alongside her beau Tony Brand for the first time since losing her custody battle.

The 47-year-old actress flashed a smile in her grey woolen coat over a black tea-length dress and matching high-heeled boots.

The Being Mary Jane star sported minimal make-up and wore her flaxen locks down for her stroll on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

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Inseparable: Kelly Rutherford was spotted back in the Big Apple Saturday alongside her beau Tony Brand for the first time since losing her custody battle

Kelly's older boyfriend clutched a gift-wrapped box and he was bundled up in an olive puffer vest beneath a blue jacket.

The Kentucky-born blonde just returned from spending the holidays in Europe alongside Tony, who speaks French and Italian.

It's believed that Rutherford - born Deane - began romancing Brand sometime in March of last year.

Cheery mood: The 47-year-old actress flashed a smile in her grey woolen coat over a black tea-length dress and matching high-heeled boots

Preppy appeal: The Being Mary Jane star sported minimal make-up and wore her flaxen locks down for her stroll on Manhattan's Upper East Side

Balding beau: Kelly's older boyfriend clutched a gift-wrapped box and he was bundled up in an olive puffer vest beneath a blue jacket

Home sweet home: The Kentucky-born blonde just returned from spending the holidays in Europe alongside Tony, who speaks French and Italian

The American University grad currently works as Assistant General Manager at Gucci in Trump Tower, and he previously held sales positions at Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and Prada.

Tony has likely been supportive and comforting for Kelly, who lost her six- year battle for custody of her two children to ex-husband #2 Daniel Giersch on December 15.

The Mysteries of Laura guest star is only permitted to visit her son Hermes, 9, and daughter Helena, 6, in Monaco and France.

10 months strong! It's believed that Rutherford - born Deane - began romancing Brand sometime in March of last year

May I help you? The American University grad currently works as Assistant General Manager at Gucci in Trump Tower, and he previously held sales positions at Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, and Prada

However, the court ruled that she and the German 41-year-old remain jointly responsible for decisions concerning their 'health, schooling, religious education, and any change of residence.'

'I know that if I find my peace, [Hermes and Helena] will benefit,' Rutherford told ELLE Romania.

'I talk about love because I hope that is what will make them stronger. When all this is over, I hope that they will look back and have the impression that it was not as bad as it was, actually. I do not want them to feel everything. They are good people and generous and funny.'

'I know that if I find my peace, they will benefit': Tony has likely been supportive and comforting for Kelly, who lost her six-year battle for custody of her two children to ex-husband #2 Daniel Giersch on December 15

'Legal kidnapping': The Mysteries of Laura guest star is only permitted to visit her son Hermes, 9, and daughter Helena, 6, in Monaco and France (pictured July 25)

Bitter break-up: However, the court ruled that she and the German 41-year-old remain jointly responsible for decisions concerning their 'health, schooling, religious education, and any change of residence'

The Reckless actress and the businessman were only technically married for two years before their 2008 divorce.

And Kelly divorced her first husband, Venezuelan banker Carlos Tarajano, in 2002 after just six months of marriage.

On Saturday, the Gossip Girl alum - who filed for bankruptcy in 2013 - tweeted a four-leaf clover of thanks to designer Catherine Malandrino.

Careerwise, Rutherford's last acting gig was playing Sara in the killer dog horror flick Night of the Wild, which aired on Syfy in October.

Mysterious: On Saturday, the Gossip Girl alum - who filed for bankruptcy in 2013 - tweeted a four-leaf clover of thanks to designer Catherine Malandrino
She has admitted to spending up to $100,000 in a bid to defy the ageing process.

And it appears reality star Gamble Breaux's penchant for plastic surgery has paid off.

The 43-year-old Real Housewives Of Melbourne star cosied up to former Miss Universe Tegan Martin, 23, in an Instagram snap on Sunday prompting fans to compliment her youthful appearance.

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'You could pass as sisters!' Real Housewives Of Melbourne star Gamble Breaux, 43, cuddled up to Former Miss Universe Tegan Martin, 23, on Sunday with fans complimenting her youthful appearance

'You could pass as sisters,' wrote one user underneath the snap, despite the 20-year age difference between the pair.

Another added: 'You look like family,' while another cooed: 'Fabulous as usual.'

In the image taken at Sydney's Fox Studios, Gamble is seen flashing her impressive bust in a very plunging navy and white dress.

'You look like family': The pair also posed for a photo with CLEO Bachelor Of The Year Matt Buntine, who stood between the pair with one arm wrapped around each of their waists

She accessorised the sultry look with a long gold chain which dipped between her ample cleavage.

Wearing her blonde locks parted to one side in loose tousled waves, the art consultant sported a perfect application of dark kohl and bronzer to the apples of her cheeks.

Meanwhile, Tegan showed off her enviable legs in the shirt which finished just above her thighs.

The former hairdresser showed off a glowing complexion as she flashed her gleaming white teeth for the camera.

Mutual friends: The pair have also both starred on reality shows alongside Gina Liano - with Gamble appearing alongside Gina on RHOM, while Tegan teamed up with the star for Celebrity Apprentice last year

'Taking a shot with Miss Universe is always frightening!' the Gamble captioned the friendly snap.

'Love working with @tegan.martin ! Thanks to amazing photographer Stephen Mcasey for taking our girlie photo....whilst running amok at Fox Studios!' she cooed.

The pair also posed for a photo with CLEO Bachelor Of The Year Matt Buntine, who stood in the middle of the blonde pair with one arm wrapped around each of their waists.

'CLEO Bachelor of the year! Look out ladies!!' Gamble captioned the shot.

Despite a similar aesthetic, the pair have something else in common - both having starred on reality shows alongside Gina Liano - with Gamble appearing alongside Gina on RHOM, while Tegan teamed up with the star for Celebrity Apprentice last year.

Flawless: Despite being 20 years apart, Gamble and Tegan share a similar aesthetic with both sporting long blonde locks and svelte frames

In the past, Gamble has been open about her penchant for plastic surgery, revealing during an episode of the popular show last year that she has clocked up almost $100,000 on nips and tucks.

'I've spent around $90,000 on cosmetic surgery,' she admits in a piece to camera.

'But $20,000 of that was to fix some bad work that I had done,' she explains.

'Age does terrible things to your body, to everything ... so I think everyone can use a nip and tuck eventually, including men,' she adds.

The admission comes as Gamble advises her sister Tempest, who is planning to have some procedures done at the same clinic the RHOM star had her own breast augmentation

It must be working! In the past, Gamble has been open about her penchant for plastic surgery, revealing during an episode of the popular show last year that she has clocked up almost $100,000 on nips and tucks

During the conversation she reveals more details about the work she's had done, which included an eye lift lid, procedure to smooth and tighten the neck and a boob job.

Last year the wife of Melbourne eye surgeon Dr Rick Wolfe told Daily Mail Australia she has no hesitation recommending the cosmetic procedure Botox, and other kinds of work.

I think that if it starts to sag, fill it up! she said.

Ive had a little bit of work here and there  its sort of a secret, she explained.

Big personality! Gamble will return to screens early this year, after Foxtel network Arena announced The Real Housewives Of Melbourne would be airing on February 21

Gamble will return to screens early this year, after Foxtel network Arena announced The Real Housewives Of Melbourne would be airing on February 21.

Joining her will be Gina, Chyka Keebaugh, Janet Roach, Jackie Gillies, Lydia Schiavello, Gamble Breaux, Pettifleur Berenger and newcomer Susie McLean.
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Amber Heard captured Johnny Depp's heart and she certainly melted a few more on Saturday night.

The Danish Girl star perhaps eclipsed even her Black Mass star husband as they attended the star-studded The Art Of Elysium 2016 HEAVEN Gala presented by Vivienne Westwood, Heineken and Andreas Kronthaler in Culver City, California.

Amber, 29, was clothed in a silky blood-red gown with gathered detail around the bust and waist, but fit like a glove down the length of her figure until it flared out in a heavenly bunch of material to the floor.

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Hearts afire: Amber Heard was a vision in red as she and husband Johnny Depp attended The Art Of Elysium gala in Culver City, CA on Saturday

Forever Amber: The 29-year-old actress certainly owned the red carpet in her crimson gown

The honey-haired beauty wore her hair loose and wavy, and honey-hued blush and lipstick and espresso-dark liner brought out her features.

Her husband, 52, was dapper on his own, owning a roguish goatee and blue-tinted shades to match his black three-piece suit, open white collared shirt and polished black shoes.

His usual myriad of amulets hung round his neck and his ears boasted silver hoops while a debonair red and black handkerchief peeked from his lapel.

See more of the latest news and updates on Johnny Depp and wife Amber Heard

Designer details: Amber's gown featured gathered details around the best and waist before falling into a fit and flare skirt

Loved up pairing: Amber and Johnny will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary together next month

Johnny looked slimmer than he has been at other red carpet events, perhaps owing to his slicked back, gelled hairstyle.

Amber, who plays Alicia Vikander and Eddie Redmayne's meddling friend in The Danish Girl, exuded confidence as she posed alone on the red carpet.

Johnny gallantly stood the side to allow his wife her time in the spotlight before they continued inside the venue at 3LABS.

Charming: Johnny greeted his gracious hostess and world-renowned designer Vivienne Westwood

Mingling: Johnny chats to his ex-fiancee and former What's Eating Gilbert Grape co-star Juliette Lewis

Strike a pose: Johnny poses with singer Christina Milian for a selfie

The couple, who celebrate their 2nd wedding anniversary next month, were incredibly social at the event and were seen mingling with a host of stars, including host Vivienne Westwood.

The actor also caught up with his ex-fiancee Juliette Lewis, who he famously had a high-profile romance with back in 1993.

The pair starting dating after meeting on the set of What's Eating Gilbert Grape and were briefly engaged before splitting the same year.

What a gem: Bella Thorne radiated beauty and Gothic charm in a dark purple pleated gown with belted waistline and low-cut decolletage

Racy: The former Shake It Up star did just that as she showed off her figure beneath sheer black lace side panels while posing with boyfriend Gregg Sulkin

Belle of the ball: Minka Kelly was a virtual stunner in a blue strapless number with flowing train

Razzle dazzle: Kelly Rowland captured gazes with her coral and black patterned number

Patterned pretty: Amy Smart rocked a golden embossed dress while Christina Milian stayed on the fringe with her wild floral frock and wispy bangs

The celebrity roster was long and interesting, and included Paz Vega, Ashley Tisdale, Rumer Willis, Minka Kelly, Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Rowland, Jaime King, Amber Valletta, Ed Westwick, Jennifer Morrison and many, many more.

Spanglish star Paz Vega was lady of mystery in her ruffled black gown.

Ashley Tisdale raised the daring stakes in a sheer heavenly gown with heavy beading throughout the material.

Sheer and lovely: Amber Valletta flashed her underwear in a sheer, heavily beaded and diaphanous creation

Figure flattering: Rumer Willis poured her dance-honed figure into a black and ivory patterned gown with revealing neckline

Dark and dramatic: Scout Willis - and Rumer's younger sister - strolled to the gala in a black cut-out gown

White night: Kaley Cuoco emerged in public after announcing the passing of her pet dog Chester - one week after losing her family pooch too - and looked cool in a white jumpsuit with racy Zendaya

Orange appeal: Nikki Reed was bright and cheery in her orange cut-out number alongside husband Ian Somerhalder at the event

Not so mellow yellow: Jamie Chung delighed in her yellow gown alongside husband Bryan Greenberg

Gorgeous: Kat Graham hit a home run in her fantastic yellow gown with leg-baring split

Rumer Willis looked utterly divine in an artsy black and ivory patterned number with very revealing neckline.

Kelly Osbourne was someone to watch in a blue and bronze and silver strapless number that brought back the holidays in a single look.

Kaley Cuoco looked ravishing in a low-cut white jumpsuit, one night after announcing the death of her pet pooch Chester - a week after losing the family dog.

Throwback... to 1900? Juliette Lewis recalled the days of the early 20th Century in her web-patterned puff-sleeved creation

Coming on strong: Former Mad Men star Christina Hendricks sent pulses racing in her crimson number as she attended the gala with husband Geoffrey Arend

Hugs: Christina Hendricks caught up with designer Vivienne Westwood at the gala

Upfront: The neckline and built-in corset of the Westwood gown showcased Christina's ample cleavage

Pink and blue: Camilla Belle was beautiful in a billowy pink-collared top with blue embossed skirt

'It hasn't been a great week for dogs so with a heavy heart I must tell you, sweet Chester (aka Chedder cheese) has passed away,' the Big Bang Theory actress shared on Friday along with a picture of the small white dog.

Kelly Rowland, meanwhile, dazzled in a rosy-patterned number with revealing decolletage.

Jaime King took the high road in a navy blue gown with loose bodice and thigh-high split.

Perfect couple: Topher Grace seemed proud to be escorting fiancee Ashley Hinshaw who delighted in a rich coral gown with V-neckline

Holidays are still here: Kelly Osbourne was festive in a blue and silver frock while Michelle Trachtenberg lent a dash of artiness in her black and silver dress

Midnight blue: Jamie King charmed in her leg-baring gown that was the deepest of blues

Amber Valletta was a bronze beauty in diaphanous creation that shimmered in unison with her sleek hair and golden heels.

Once Upon A Time star Jennifer Morrison was angelic in loosely fitting white gown.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler stood out in a risque twist-topped gown with long and overflowing hemline.

Sheer daring: High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale flashed her underwear in a floor-length, sheer black number

Unique: Zelda Williams defied convention in her lacy leggings and patterned mini-dress while Paz Vega added mesh appeal in her ruffled black number

Monochrome couple: Cara Santana shone in a white gown while Jesse Metcalfe was clad in all black

Suit of art: Ed Westwick dared to impress in his multi-toned suit and stylish turtleneck top

Ed Westwick stood out in a garish suit with dark red and blue and purple paneled design.

Christina Hendricks, who took a moment to pose with designer Vivienne Westwood, wore a garnet-coloured gown with gathered detail around the waistline.

The former Mad Men star was seen later exchanging chitchat with Jaime King.

Radiant in white: Jennifer Morrison was angelic in her vintage lace dress while Jamie-Lynn Sigler took sexy to a new level in her twist-topped number with cut-out cleavage

She's a peach: Malin Akerman wasn't shy of colours as she hit up the event in a peach top and orange trousers

Feminine and fantastic: Charli XCX rocked a sexy little white frock while Ali Larter showed off style in a mellow melon-coloured dress

All that glitters: Former 90210 actress Arielle Kebbel showed stunning in a beaded silver dress with keyhole back

Girl talk: Jamie King caught up with Christina Hendricks over dinner

Seat for a queen: Kat Graham made sitting down a glamorous thing

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands: Minka Kelly shared a laugh with Kat Graham too

Just chilling: Zendaya showed off her toned and remarkably flat stomach in her interesting corset top

Repping the brand: Both Christina and Kelly showed off their curves in two designs from Dame Vivienne's collection

Michelle Trachtenberg stunned in a black and splash-designed frock with becoming jacket, and a clutch and ankle-strapped heels to match.

Zelda Williams - the daughter of the late Robin Williams - was clad in sheer lacy leggings and a V-necked embroidered mini-dress.

Minka Kelly perhaps won the award for most elegant as she arrived in a strapless blue trumpet train gown.

Intimate moment in a public setting: Amber Heard snuggled up to Johnny inside the venue

Romantic: The couple butted heads as they shared a laugh between themselves

Eyes on you: Johnny lavished affection and plenty of loving looks upon his wife

Mingling: Johnny chats to blogger Jared Eng at the party

What a feast: Designer Andreas Kronthaler (left) joined Dame Vivienne, Christina and Geoffrey for the meal at the lavish event

Lean on me: Kelly was walking with the aid of a cane after fracturing her foot a few weeks ago

Cara Santana and Jesse Metcalfe were a monochrome couple with the actress were in a long white gown and he suited up in all black.

Camilla Belle wore a contemporary-style get-up with flaring pink-collared white top and a full blue embroidered skirt.

Meanwhile, Juliette Lewis should have won the award for the boldest costume - a web-patterned mass of sheer black material over a bunchy white dress underneath.

The design of Juliette's dress was perhaps inspired by those closely corsetted ladies of the early 20th Century.

Pale and interesting: Kaley's sister Briana seemed to go for a similar colour palette to her famous sibling

Sister act: Kaley and younger sister Briana - who appeared on US TV talent show The Voice - pose up a storm

You can always count on him: James Franco was also at the event

Hey you: Nikki certainly looked pleased to see Kat as they shared a big bear hug

Friends in high places: Johnny looked like he was enjoying catching up with Dame Vivienne

Contrasts: Malin and Arielle cosy up at the bash in their very different ensembles

Spot the difference: Zendaya towered over Christina at the party
She is the star of one of the films in the running for best motion picture at the Golden Globes.

And actress Rachel McAdams looked ready for the Spotlight as she jetted into Los Angeles on Saturday.

The bubbly blonde seemed quietly confident as she sauntered through the arrival lounge of the bustling LAX Airport, though she could have also merely been trying to play it cool.

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Loving the Spotlight: Rachel McAdams looked excited after jetting into LA ahead of the Golden Globes on Saturday

The saucy 37-year-old certainly looked in red carpet form as she paraded past passengers in a low-key ensemble of chic camel coat, cardigan, jeans and leather boots.

She added an extra dash of winter warmth to her look by wearing a colour-coordinated beanie hat.

Michael Sheen's former squeeze is said to now be dating her True Detective co-star Taylor Kitsch, she will be walking the red carpet with someone completely different on Sunday.

For according to The Wrap she is bringing Sacha Pfeiffer, the Boston Globe investigative journalist who helped break the Catholic church sex abuse and coverup scandal she played in Spotlight.

See more of the latest on the 2016 Golden Globes as the stars get red carpet ready

Got the hump: She showcased her fantastic form in a trendy brown camel coat

Nothing Dr Strange about her: In fact she was looking positively lovely in her low-key ensemble

One of the Canadian cutie's old school teachers recently told the DailyMail.com if it had not been for her Rachel may not have become a professional actress at all.

Linda Pereira who taught her drama at Central Elgin Collegiate Institute school in St Thomas, Ontario said she had planned to study political science in college.

She said: ''I was shocked and said, 'You're not going into acting?''

She said, ''Well, I don't think you can make a living at it.'' I said to her, what do you really want to do? She paused and said ''to act''.

'So she went and changed her application right there and then. The rest is history. I'm so proud of her. She was such a talent, and such a hard worker, too. The kids at the school are still inspired by her.'

In need of her beauty sleep: No doubt she was looking forward to hitting the hay ahead of her big night
Bachelor star Emily Simms knows how to capture attention and did just that when she attended the Jeep Portsea Polo at Victoria's scenic Mornington Peninsula on Saturday.

The 32-year-old advertising executive showcased her impressive abs on board as she glided to the polo on board a yacht with friends.

The striking brunette wowed in a pair of white trousers and a plunging halter neck crop top which showed off her bare midriff and busty frame.

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'Polo spam': The Bachelor's Emily Simms, 32, shows off her toned tummy in a midriff-baring ensemble as she heads to the Portsea Polo on board a glamorous yacht

She accessorised her look with a white sun hat, off the shoulder bag, watch, multiple gold rings and feather earrings.

She paraded a healthy glow, her subtle make-up complimenting her classy outfit.

She styled her long brunette locks into a loose waves swept to one side.

The group shots and selfies continued at the polo with Emily pouting and posing like a professional.

'Travelling in style': Emily dazzled in a Peroni design for her day at the races

How we roll: The 32-year-old advertising executive celebrated the finer things in life with friends before continuing the party at the polo

The slender beauty made sure to rub shoulders with the rich and the famous, taking a snap with Getaway presenter Catriona Rowntree.

T aking a new lease on life, she has decided to auction off her diamond bracelet which she received while on series three of The Bachelor.

Emily announced to fans on Instagram in December: 'I am moving onto better things, and figure what better way to kiss this year goodbye, than to auction off this piece of jewellery'.

'We all got the memo... Wear monochrome': The reality starlet and her friends chose to wear white or black for their glamorous day out

Rubbing shoulders: The slender beauty mixed with the rich and the famous, taking a snap with Getaway presenter Catriona Rowntree (centre)

She also told her 32,000 followers that 'a percentage' of the money raised would go to Bully Zero, a foundation which she is an ambassador for.

The starlet became an ambassador for the anti-bullying charity after being labelled the 'mean girl' on the show and calling out the social media backlash against her.

'This year has been a whirlwind, crazy, hurtful, sad, eye opening, enjoyable, funny, frustrating, and everything in between,' Emily said.

The reality TV contestant also added in the Instagram post: 'It was always the beautiful gesture rather than the jewellery that I loved.'

Whatever! Emily was dubbed the mean girl on The Bachelor

Surprise! The diamond bracelet was given to Emily on The Bachelor by Sam Wood, during a single date where he organised a treasure hunt to find the expensive gift

Sparkles! The bachelorette was given 2.55 carats worth of diamonds in a 9ct white gold setting with a retail value of $9,499

The diamond bracelet was given to Emily on The Bachelor by Sam Wood, during a single date where he organised a treasure hunt to find the expensive gift, as a bit of an ice-breaker.

Made by sponsor of the show, Zamels, there was much speculation the retailer may have supplied a 'fake diamond' jewellery.

However, at the time, Emily told Daily Mail Australia the diamonds were in fact real, having had the bracelet valued as soon as she finished up on the show.

The bachelorette was given 2.55 carats worth of diamonds in a 9ct white gold setting with a retail value of $9,499.

Emily will auction the sparkler off on January 17 through the auctioneer website Leonard Joel.
He has already signed on to host Channel 10's forthcoming series, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.

But it seems that Dr Chris Brown may be getting a second bite of the reality show cherry this year, with rumours emerging that he is in talks to host Ten's debut season of Survivor Australia.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph about whether the network had offered him the job, the 37-year-old responded: 'I don't know if the wardrobe department could handle my sky blue shirt demand'.

Into the wild! Dr Chris Brown, 37, is tipped to be the host of Channel Ten's upcoming reality show Survivor

'But it's true, I do already have the cargos', quipped the star of Bondi Vet.

He was also quizzed about what it would be like to follow in the steps Jeff Probst, who has hosted American version of Survivor since 2000.

'Probsty's a tough act to follow. He is committed to the show so much he married someone from it', quipped Chris, referring to Jeff's second wife and former Survivor contestant Julie Berry.

Swinging into another TV show? Chris has already signed on to host Channel 10's forthcoming series, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here alongside Julia Morris (left)

A new adventure: Channel Seven weather reporter Liz Cantor has also hinted that she and new husband Ryan Lysaught may be joining the cast of Survivor

Chris isn't the only celebrity rumoured to be involved in the big-budget series.

Channel Seven weather reporter Liz Cantor has also hinted that she and her new husband Ryan Lysaught may be joining the cast of Survivor.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Saturday, the blonde beauty made sure not to give too much information about the show away, but did reveal that it will be 'an adventure type reality show' filmed abroad.

'They [Channel Seven] are actually really encouraging and excited for me': Liz explained her Queensland-based workplace are 'encouraging' and supportive of her decision

But while she prepares to jet off overseas for the series, which is expected to air sometime this year, Liz explained her Queensland-based workplace are 'encouraging' and supportive of her decision.

'They [Channel Seven] are actually really encouraging and excited for me,' she said.

'Hopefully I will be taking at least three to four weeks off work before I get eliminated.'

'I would LOVE to show Australia there is more to me than blonde hair & boobs': The Bachelor's Zilda Williams also revealed her desire to appear on Survivor late last year via Twitter

The Bachelor's Zilda Williams also revealed her desire to appear on Survivor late last year via Twitter, writing: 'I would LOVE to show Australia there is more to me than blonde hair & boobs,' alongside a link to the show's casting call.

'Time to bring out the NZ country girl in me!,' added the Zoo magazine model, who is originally from New Zealand.

Network Ten told The Daily Telegraph that it has already received more than 5,000 applications in less than a week from wannabe stars - the biggest response it has ever seen to a casting call.
He has just wrapped up the thirteenth season of Strictly Come Dancing.

So Bruno Tonioli was no doubt in the mood to unwind as he hit the beach in St Lucia last week looking incredibly hunky and relaxed.

The 60-year-old judge and former professional dancer was sporting a tiny pair of swim trunks while exhibiting his phenomenal frame.

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Fine form: Bruno Tonioli was no doubt in the mood to unwind as he hit the beach in St Lucia last week looking incredibly hunky and relaxed

Bruno, who has appeared on both Strictly and the US version Dancing With The Stars, showed off a body many men his age would envy.

He clearly has a penchant for the gym as he looked in incredible form while wearing his barely-there swimming trunks.

The handsome Italian slipped on a cool pair of sunglasses to add a touch of A-list glamour to the look - helped also by his blingy watch.

Despite boasting a golden tan, Bruno ensured he was sun-safe as he lathered on a mass on suncream to protect himself from the searing Caribbean sun.

Kicking back: The 60-year-old judge and former professional dancer was sporting a tiny pair of swim trunks while exhibiting his phenomenal frame

Age-defying: Bruno's dancing roots have clearly kept his body in fantastic shape

Rubbing it in: The handsome hunk was joined by a male pal who he assisted in sun cream application

The name's Tonioli, Bruno Tonioli: Bruno enjoyed his very own James Bond moment as he dipped in the sea

Holding on: Bruno was soaking up the rays as he bathed on a sun lounger

Chuffing away: He drew on his cigarette as he lay down to take in the scenery

Deep mahogany: Bruno's tiny pants ensured he had enough skin on show to achieve a maximum tan

Bruno puffed on a cigarette as he kicked back before reclining on a lounger to allow for maximum sun time.

After a stint of kicking back on the sunlounger, it was all go for the handsome TV star as he stormed into the waters for a splash around before running out.

His trim frame and tiny trunks were extremely reminiscent to the iconic James Bond scene, showing Daniel Craig emerging from the sea in a tiny pair of swim shorts.

The handsome hunk was joined by a male pal who he assisted in sun cream application.

Puffing away: Bruno puffed on a cigarette as he kicked back before reclining on a lounger to allow for maximum sun time

Running away: After a stint of kicking back on the sunlounger, it was all go for the handsome TV star as he stormed into the waters for a splash around before running out

Big dreams: Bruno is preparing for a huge 2016 as he has just finalised his first ever movie role, seeing him head to Hollywood to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor

Lighting up: Bruno reached for his pack of cigarettes to puff away on a seaside cigarette

Bruno is preparing for a huge 2016 as he has just finalised his first ever movie role, seeing him head to Hollywood to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor.

He has dabbled with acting in the past, but this will be his first major film role.

Speaking to Daily Mirror about his role he revealed: 'Its very exciting, Ive already filmed it but I cant say anymore about it. Its top secret.'

And the star has made it clear he would like to work on more films in the future, with one franchise he is very keen to be a part of.

'My dream role is to be in Star Wars,' he revealed. 'I dont care what Id be, Id be Chewbaccas handbag, darling. If the right offer comes I will pursue it.'

Sandy shores: Bruno looked incredibly handsome in his smalls as he headed off the beach

Missed a spot! As he lathered up, it seemed Bruno had run into some bother as he failed to blend part of the cream into his back

Bendy: Bruno showed off his incredible form as he reclined on the beach contorting his shape

As a judge on Dancing With The Stars, Bruno is used to rubbing shoulders with Hollywood's biggest stars.

And the flamboyant star is also no stranger to the acting world, as he revealed that acting was his first passion, although he found it difficult to find roles because of his Italian accent.

But the multi-linguist has managed to make it on to the screen, playing a small role in The Bill as well as the Amanda Bynes comedy What a Girl Wants.

Bruno also dabbled in the music world, and at the age of 24, he starred alongside Elton John in the 1983 video for I'm Still Standing.
She's transformed herself into a range of different characters due to work in musical theatre.

And Samantha Barks perfectly played the role of biker chick at the Belstaff fashion show in London on Sunday, putting on a busty display in a fitted leather jacket.

Cinched in with a belt to show off her tiny waist, the 25-year-old flaunted her enviable figure in the tailored coat, a small black vest concealing her ample assets.

Hell for leather! Samantha Barks played the role of biker chick at the Belstaff fashion show in London on Sunday, putting on a busty display in a fitted leather jacket

A pair of fitted black jeans and ankle boots finished off the ensemble, whilst a small cross body bag hung over her shoulder.

The Les Miserables star styled her chestnut coloured locks in a side parting, sweeping her tousled tresses behind her hair to expose her pretty face.

She opted for minimal make-up for the outing, with a subtle sweep of rouge accentuating her strong cheekbones, whilst lashings of mascara framed her hazel eyes.

Fashionable friends: Joining Samantha at the stylish bash was Dermot O'Leary, 42, who also put on a fashionable display in a navy jumper and chinos

Natural beauty: The Les Miserables star, 25, styled her chestnut coloured locks in a side parting, sweeping her tousled tresses behind her hair to expose her pretty face

Man of the hour: In what proved to be a great day for men's fashion, David Gandy also put on a dapper display at the Pringle show, held on the same day as part of the London Collections' Men event

Biker chic: Cinched in with a belt to show off her tiny waist, Samantha flaunted her enviable figure, whilst a small black vest concealing her ample assets as she cosied up to Darren Kennedy (L) and another showgoer

Stand out: Surrounded by leather-clad models and the beautiful Samantha, rapper Labrinth managed to stand out from the crowd, donning his trademark wide brimmed hat

Looking shady: Adding a pair of blue circular sunglasses to his chic ensemble, the 27-year-old donned a crisp white shirt and black trousers, finishing off the look with black patent shoes

Let the sun shine: Labrinth looked hot against the chilly snow coated display

Joining Samantha at the stylish bash was Dermot O'Leary, 42, who also put on a fashionable display in a navy jumper and chinos.

A suede chocolate coloured bomber jacket perfectly rounded off and complemented the ensemble, bringing out the brightness of his blue eyes.

Surrounded by leather-clad models, rapper Labrinth managed to stand out from the crowd, donning his trademark wide brimmed hat.

Adding a pair of blue circular sunglasses to his chic ensemble, the 27-year-old donned a crisp white shirt and black trousers, finishing off the look with black patent shoes.

All about tonight! Pixie Lott's boyfriend Oliver Cheshire put on a fashionable display in a brown leather jacket, whilst Chinese model Hu Bing added a splash of colour with his cobalt coat

Suited and booted! Donning a three piece grey suit, the world's highest paid male model looked dapper in the tailored outfit, as he cosied up to fashion icon and socialite Doina Ciobanu

In what proved to be a great day for men's fashion, David Gandy also put on a dapper display at the Pringle show, held on the same day as part of the London Collections' Men event.

Donning a three piece grey suit, the world's highest paid male model looked dapper in the tailored outfit, adding a subtle splash of colour with a patterned tie and red pocket square.

Adding a quirky touch to his classic outfit, David, 35, hung a pair of circular glasses from his top pocket.

Suede maroon shoes added a touch of glamour to his ensemble as he dashed off to the Chester Barrie presentation that followed, where he was joined by the equally fashionable Dermot.

On trend: Suede maroon shoes added a touch of glamour to the 35-year-old's ensemble as he dashed off to the Chester Barrie presentation that followed, where he was joined by the equally fashionable Dermot

Fashion icon: Also making an appearance at the star-studded soiree was McFly's Dougie Poynter, who rocked his typical indie vibe in a studded leather jacket

Muscular man: Leaving his top buttons undone to flash his muscular chest, the star - who is dating Ellie Goulding - donned two delicate Links of London crucifix necklaces

Also making an appearance at the star-studded soiree was McFly's Dougie Poynter, who rocked his typical indie vibe.

Layering a leather jacket over an ombre dyed navy and orange shirt, the 28-year-old added an injection of colour to the evening.

Leaving his top buttons undone to flash his muscular chest, the star - who is dating Ellie Goulding - donned two delicate Links of London crucifix necklaces.

He styled his blonde wavy locks in a side parting, exposing his tanned face, whilst finishing off the look in a pair of skinny jeans and taupe almond toe boots.

Model mayhem: David put on a handsome display as he was joined by a number of fashionable models, donning a colourful array of suits

Pringle power: All eyes were on the handsome set of models walking the runway at the Pringle show
Emily Ratajkowski continues to post selfies of her enviable bikini body as she vacations in Thailand.

The model and actress, 24, shared a pic Saturday wearing the teeniest of black bikini tops that struggled to contain her ample cleavage as she stretched one arm skywards.

A thin gold chain fell around her breasts as he damp hair cascaded down past her shoulders in the photo snapped under palm trees on a sandy beach. The Gone Girl star did not appear to be wearing a top.

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Stunner: Emily Ratajkowski posted this beach selfie showcasing her bikini bod on her Instagram account on Saturday

Sexy pose: The model and actress posted this topless selfie on Sunday as she continues to enjoy an exotic vacation in Thailand

She captioned the photo simply: 'Island girl.'

On Sunday she posted yet another snap - this time a selfie showing herself topless except for a strategically placed shark teeth necklace with purple orchids and the same gold chain.

The Gone Girl actress stares at the camera lens with her bruised full lips slightly parted and water droplets on her chest and arms.

The brunette stunner has escaped the hustle and bustle of Bangkok for the fresh air and warmth of Thailand's beautiful coastline.

She arrived in the Asian nation after seeing in 2016 in Japan and last week shared several photos on her Instagram account of city sights and street food.

She also shared a bikini selfie as she sat poolside at her luxury villa in the Thai capital.

Kicking back: Emily, 24, had been relaxing at a luxury villa during her trip to Bangkok before heading for the coast

Gastro treat: On Wednesday, the Blurred Lines music video star popped out in an off-the-shoulder very short red dress to try some of Bangkok's tasty street food

Emily is clearly making the most of a little downtime in her busy schedule to grab an exotic vacation.

Following her small role in 2014's hit Gone Girl and revealing role in the music video for Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, the Californian played Zac Efron's love interest in We Are Your Friends, before spending the end of last year filming the movie Cruise on location in New York.

Despite her burgeoning acting career, she is still in demand as a model, having recently stripped off for the Love magazine advent calendar.
She's made a name for herself as a gifted and successful singer.

But Geri Horner proved that she is a woman of many talents as she gained the trust of some farmland creatures and baked her very first pineapple upside down cake on Sunday.

The former Spice Girls singer, 43, enjoyed a busy end to the weekend, becoming one with nature on her wild day out as she snuggled up to a newborn lamb in a series of sweet selfies.

Are ewe ready for your close up? Geri Horner, 43, enjoyed a busy end to the weekend, becoming one with nature on her wild day out as she snuggled up to a newborn lamb in a series of sweet selfies on Sunday

Domestic goddess! Documenting her efforts in a series of step-by-step videos, the 2 Become 1 hitmaker seemed rather apprehensive about her baking skills but seemed impressed by her first upside down cake

Cosying up to the sheep and planting a kiss on it's cheek, she captioned the cute shot: 'Geri had a little lamb.'

Looking chic in a green tweed jacket, the mum-of-one then cuddled up to the lamb for another selfie, as she explained it had just been born.

Animal-loving Geri - who allowed her natural beauty to shine through as she went make-up free on the trip - was soon all over another cute baby animal, acquainting herself with a piglet.

'Geri had a little lamb': Looking chic in a green tweed jacket, the mum-of-one then cuddled up to the lamb for another selfie

Familiarising herself with the cute pig she joked: 'Couple of gingers,' as she leant in to the give the swine a stroke.

And despite getting her hands dirty on the farm, there was no rest for Geri when she got home, as she attempted to make her first ever pineapple upside down cake.

Documenting her efforts in a series of step-by-step videos, the 2 Become 1 hitmaker seemed rather apprehensive about her baking skills, although was pleasantly surprised by the end result.

Pig headed: Familiarising herself with the cute pig she joked about the similar hair colour, posting: 'Couple of gingers,' as she leant in to the give the swine a stroke

Beaming at her creation in a sweet snap, she posted: 'I've done it. My first pineapple upside cake . (although Christian just told me he hates pineapples!)'

But whilst her husband, F1 boss Christian Horner, may not have been impressed by her efforts, it doesn't look like Geri will have any problems shifting the remains, as her four dogs all seemed eager to chow down on a slice.

But Geri will have to squeeze in all her baking practise soon, as she'll no doubt be too busy to brandish a whisk if the Spice Girls reform in the coming months.

Last week, Mel B - aka Scary Spice - hinted that the five-piece could reunite this year in honour of the 20th anniversary since their formation.

I think its our 20th year so were going to be doing something at some point with hopefully all of us,' she revealed. I think once youve had a taste of that youll always strive for that high.

She added: 'Theres nothing like getting up on stage and performing live to your fans and to a great crowd. You cant beat that. So Im always wanting that feeling back.

During their nineties hey-day, the Spice Girls - formed of Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Horner (nee Halliwell) and Victoria Beckham  sold more than 80 million records and had nine number ones, making them the best-selling female group of all time.
She's fresh from a sun-kissed holiday with her beau Louis Smith, so Lucy Mecklenburgh is taking no chances with the winter cold by wrapping up in a furry collared black jacket back in Essex.

The stunning former TOWIE babe looked alluring in her get-up as she headed for the January sales to catch a bargain, after returning to the UK after her New Year in Thailand with gymnast Lewis.

Lucy, 24 , looked catwalk ready in a pair of mirrored aviator glasses as she headed to the shops to buy perfume in Essex on Sunday.

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Classy: Lucy Mecklenburgh wraps up in a furry collared black jacket fresh from her romantic beach holiday with Louis Smith

Lucy, whose been busy hitting the gym since returning from her one year anniversary hols with Olympic hero Lewis, took some time out to hit the shops for the sales in her chic winter coat.

The svelte star kept her curves under-wraps in the fitted number as she stepped out into the blistering cold to bag a bargain at the shops.

But not before heading to her own boutique to keep an eye on trading on Sunday afternoon.

Glossy: Her glossy brunette locks were curled in soft waves and fell just above her shoulders as she headed into a shop

Gym-bunny: The svelte star kept her curves under-wraps in the fitted number as she stepped out into the blistering cold to bag a bargain at the shops

Beaming: Lucy certainly looked ready for business in her smart-get up. Her double breasted winter coat had a black furry collar

Lucy certainly looked ready for business in her smart-get up. Her double breasted winter coat had a black furry collar.

She showed off her toned pins in a pair of skinny khaki trousers as she strode to the shops wearing shiny patent black ankle boots.

Her glossy brunette locks were curled in soft waves and fell just above her shoulders as she headed into a shop.

Once inside, the former TOWIE star managed to sniff out a bargain and left with a bottle of Channel perfume in a white bag.

Bargains: Lucy sniffed out a bargain in the perfume counter and left clutching a white Prada paper bag

Decisions: The former TOWIE star managed to sniff out a bargain and left with a bottle of Channel perfume in a white bag

Power dresser: Lucy certainly looked ready for business in her smart-get up. Her double breasted winter coat had a black furry collar

Lucy is back in the UK after celebrating the New Year in Thailand, and also her first anniversary with Lewis Smith.

Lucy was keen to make her love known, taking to social media sites to share a series of snaps of the cute couple.

It's our 1 year anniversary at midnight. Can't believe I've put up with him for a WHOLE YEAR.. jokes love him to bits Bring on 2016!!!!!!!!!!!! Xxx #nye,' the brunette beauty gushed.

The stars, who met last August after appearing on the BBC show Tumble, have been dating since December 2014 and have been inseparable ever since.

Back to business: Lucy is back in the UK after celebrating the New Year in Thailand, and also her first anniversary with Lewis Smith
He's been showing off a drastically slimmed down figure in recent weeks.

And as billionaire James Packer soaked up the sun in St Barts on Sunday, the results of his weight loss efforts were clear to see.

Showing off his new physique in a pair of blue board shorts, the 48-year-old looked half the size he was in 2011 when he snapped in his Speedos in Italy.

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Transformation: James Packer showed off a drastically slimmer figure in St Barts on Sunday (left) than in 2011 when he was snapped in his Speedos (right)

Not packing much weight: The casino billionaire looked decidedly slimmer displaying a taut torso

Slipping into a tight UV swim shirt, the mogul won an admiring glance from girlfriend Mariah Carey as he displayed his taut torso and muscular arms.

Packer, who has been enjoying an extended holiday with Mariah and her four-year-old twins, previously admitted to undergoing lap band surgery to achieve his goal weight.

He lost 35 kilograms after having the procedure in 2011 and further honed his figure by committing to 90 minutes of daily exercise.

Half the man: He has kept up his exercise and health regime having previously grappled with his weight

Slimmed down: The 48-year-old showed off a more muscular back and shoulders after slipping into a swim shirt

By the following year the businessman was the proud owner of a defined six pack.

Speaking of the operation, he told news.com.au at the time: 'I used to eat a big portion, and the message used to go from my stomach to my brain: I'm hungry"".

'Now, my stomach sends messages to my brain saying the whole time: "I'm full". How good's that?'

He committed to 90 minutes of daily exercise in a bid to keep off the weight and was seen regularly working out with trainers in Sydney and abroad.

Trim: In 2003 the mogul was seen walking around Bondi in a pair of Speedos showing off a slim frame

Wedding eve: In 2007 (above) Packer showed off his physique on the eve of his wedding to second wife Erica in the South of France

Peak: Packer in 2011 (above) and decided to undergo lap band surgery

FLAB TO FAB AND BACK AGAIN: PACKER'S WEIGHT STRUGGLE 2000: Packer is lean and tall as he joins his father at business engagements 2003: Shows off trim frame in a pair of Speedos as he strolls around Bondi 2007: Two years after his father Kerry's death, the businessman sports a fuller figure as he is seen ahead of his second wedding 2011: Packer undergoes lap band surgery after piling on more weight 2012: After committing to 90 minutes of exercise a day Packer has achieved a six pack 2014: Some weight has crept back on 2015: A lean-looking Packer steps out with new girlfriend Mariah Carey Advertisement

In 2014 however Packer was seen sporting a familiar roundness while holidaying in Capri with former wife Erica.

By June the following year, when he was ready to make his public debut as a couple with songstress Mariah, the casino king had slimmed down again.

Returning to Italy, the father-of-two beamed proudly as the pair walked hand-in-hand through its cobbled streets of Portofino.

His weight loss has since continued with fans applauding his efforts in December after he appeared in a Christmas photograph with Karl Stefanovic.

Barely able to recognise Packer and his trim frame, one Instagram user commented 'Is that James Packer? How skinny is he!.'

New look: After undergoing lap band surgery in 2011 the businessman committed to 90 minutes of daily exercise and in 2012 (above) was the proud owner of a six pack

Flash: In February last year Packer flashed his torso in New York while pulling on a sweatshirt

Effort: By June, when he stepped out for the first time with Mariah Carey, he appeared to have shed some weight

Applause: Fans commended the businessman for his efforts in December when he appeared in this Instagram snap with Karl Stefanovic (right)

Keeping it up: He has since kept off the weight and appears to have lost even more. Above, the mogul steps out in a sharp black suit on New Year's Eve 2015




The US sent a heavy bomber over South Korea on Sunday in a show of force as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un insisted his country's latest nuclear test was carried out in self-defense.

The test on Wednesday of what the North claimed was its first hydrogen bomb has sparked international alarm and raised tensions along the inter-Korean frontier - with Seoul reviving cross-border propaganda broadcasts.

Sunday's overflight saw a B52 Stratofortress, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, briefly roar over the Osan Air Base, some 45 miles (70 kilometers) south of the inter-Korean border, the US military and an eye-witness said.

US soldiers watch a US B-52 Stratofortress (left) being escorted by a South Korean F-15K fighter jet (right) as it flies over the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on Sunday

It was escorted by a South Korean and an American jet.

The B52 conducted a low-level flight before heading back to Andersen Air Base in Guam, where it is stationed.

The mission was conducted 'in response to recent provocative action by North Korea', US Forces Korea said in a statement.

The aircraft are known to have taken part in joint annual US-South Korea military exercises that have enraged Pyongyang, but their flights over South Korea are rarely publicized.

The last time such a flight was made public was in 2013, after North Korea carried out its third nuclear test.

At that time, the US dispatched both a B52 and the more sophisticated B2 stealth bomber to South Korea in a show of military muscle against the North.

Wednesday's nuclear test was Pyongyang's fourth, though experts have questioned North Korea's claim of the explosion having been triggered by a hydrogen bomb.

On Friday, the North's state broadcaster also released video footage of a submarine-launched ballistic missile test, though South Korean media have suggested the footage was an edited compilation of a previous test.

Lieutenant General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, commander of the US 7th Air Force and Deputy Commander of the US Forces Korea, said on Sunday that the United States maintained an 'ironclad' commitment to the defense of South Korea.

This commitment includes 'extended deterrence provided by our conventional forces and our nuclear umbrella', he said in a statement.

'B52 missions reinforce the US commitment to the security of our allies and partners, and demonstrate one of the many alliance capabilities available for the defense' of South Korea, he said.

'As demonstrated by today's mission, the combined US and Republic of Korea air forces work and train together closely every day, and we are totally prepared to meet any threat to our alliance.'

The annual US-South Korea joint military exercises regularly spark angry reactions from North Korea, which brands them 'nuclear war drills' against it.

The US sent a heavy bomber over South Korea on Sunday in a show of force as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un insisted his country's latest nuclear test was carried out in self-defense

Key Resolve/Foal Eagle, one of the annual joint exercises, is expected to take place in March.

South Korea hosts 28,000 US troops as the two Koreas technically remain at war because the Korean War of 1950-53 ended in an armistice instead of a peace treaty.

Sunday's show of force came as Kim Jong-Un claimed the nuclear test was carried out in self-defense, to prevent a nuclear war with the United States.

In his first public remarks since the explosion, Kim said the test was 'a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists'.

'It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize,' he added, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The North regularly accuses the US and its ally South Korea of warmongering.

An official commentary published by KCNA late Friday also cited toppled leaders Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Moamer Kadhafi of Libya as examples of what happens when countries forsake their nuclear ambitions.
The actor and the drug lord: how Sean Penn met 'El Chapo'

In a cloak-and-dagger plot fit for a Hollywood movie, US actor Sean Penn met secretly in the Mexican jungle in October with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, conducting an explosive interview released a day after the drug kingpin's recapture.

The astonishing story of Penn's encounter with the world's most wanted criminal was published by Rolling Stone magazine on Saturday, the day after Guzman's arrest following a deadly military raid in Los Mochis, a coastal city in the drug lord's native northwestern state of Sinaloa.

After months of secret negotiations to establish contact and win the fugitive's trust, Penn was granted a "seven-hour sit-down" with the capo -- presented as his first-ever interview outside an interrogation room -- followed up in subsequent phone and video conversations.

The astonishing story of actor Sean Penn's encounter with the world's most wanted criminal was published by Rolling Stone magazine the day after Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's arrest following a deadly military raid in Los Mochis Omar Torres (AFP/File)

"Not since Osama bin Laden has the pursuit of a fugitive so occupied the public imagination," Penn wrote in a Rolling Stone article recounting the extraordinary sequence of events.

A social activist and fierce critic of the US war on drugs, Penn -- who had help from Mexican actress Kate del Castillo in arranging the meeting -- said he felt compelled to seek El Chapo out of a sense of America's complicity in the drug violence plaguing its southern neighbors.

"As an American citizen, I'm drawn to explore what may be inconsistent with the portrayals our government and media brand upon their declared enemies," he said.

When they finally met in a Mexican jungle clearing, he said the 58-year-old Guzman -- on the run since escaping from the Altiplano maximum-security prison in July after just 17 months -- gave him a brotherly embrace before introducing him to his crew.

"He pulls me into a 'compadre' hug, looks me in the eyes and speaks a lengthy greeting in Spanish too fast for my ears," Penn said.

Rolling Stone published a picture showing the actor in a black shirt shaking hands with the cartel leader, dated October 2.

During their meeting Guzman agreed to a filmed interview at a later time, but a face-to-face meeting proved impossible, so the drug lord provided responses via videotape to Penn's questions, without the Hollywood star present.

- No other way 'to survive' -

In a two-minute video clip posted online by Rolling Stone, a clean-shaven Guzman dressed in a blue collared shirt is shown in what appears to be a yard, as a rooster crows in the background.

"It's a reality that drugs destroy," Guzman says in Spanish.

"Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isn't a way to survive."

He responded to questioning about his responsiblity for massive drug addiction and the prevalence of narcotics, calling such accusations "false."

"The day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all," he said of the drug trade.

In a stunning admission of his criminal enterprise, Penn says Guzman told him over sips of tequila that "I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world."

"I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats," Guzman said.

Penn described him as "entirely unapologetic. Against the challenges of doing business in such a clandestine industry he has built an empire."

Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez had revealed Friday that Guzman met with unnamed actors and producers in the hope of making a biopic about himself.

Penn said he believed prior to the meeting his movements were likely being tracked by Mexican and US authorities, and a Mexican federal official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the meeting had helped lead to Guzman's recapture.

The actor also said he entered into the interview project fully aware of the dangers involved.

"The trust that El Chapo had extended to us was not to be fucked with," Penn wrote.

"I'd seen plenty of video and graphic photography of those beheaded, exploded, dismembered or bullet-riddled innocents, activists, courageous journalists and cartel enemies alike."

But he said he was emboldened to seek the meeting by El Chapo's "unique" reputation.

"Unlike many of his counterparts who engage in gratuitous kidnapping and murder, El Chapo is a businessman first, and only resorts to violence when he deems it advantageous to himself or his business interests," Penn wrote.

Mexican authorities have said they will begin the process of extraditing Guzman to the United States, a reversal from President Enrique Pena Nieto's refusal to send him across the border.

In the video interview, Guzman is asked about the notion Mexican authorities want to kill him instead of taking him alive.

He responds: "No, I think that if they find me they will arrest me. Of course."

A marine stands guard on January 9, 2016 in front of the house where five gang suspects were killed in the military operation which resulted in the recapture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in Los Mochis, Mexico Hector Guerrero (AFP)

Mexican marines patrol Los Mochis, Mexico, on January 9, 2016, after the military operation that resulted in drug lord Joaquin "EL Chapo" Guzman's recapture Hector Guerrero (AFP)
Kvitova, Radwanska pull out of Sydney International

Defending champion Petra Kvitova and second seed Agnieszka Radwanska are the latest stars to have troubled buildups to this month's Australian Open after pulling out of the Sydney International on Sunday.

Third-seeded Czech Kvitova will not be able to defend her Sydney title after succumbing to a gastrointestinal illness, which plagued her in China last week.

Poland's Radwanska joined Kvitova after withdrawing from the Sydney tournament with a left leg injury.

Third-seeded Czech Kvitova will not be able to defend her Sydney title after succumbing to a gastrointestinal illness Roslan Rahman (AFP/File)

Their withdrawals from the final lead-up tournament to the year's first grand slam event came after injury problems at other Australian tournaments for the world's top-four ranked stars Serena Williams (knee), Simona Halep (Achilles), Garbine Muguruza (foot) and Maria Sharapova (forearm).

"I'm really disappointed to have to withdraw from the Sydney International but unfortunately I am still not feeling well," Kvitova said.

It is the second consecutive event from which the world number six has withdrawn in the new year. She retired with a stomach virus during the first round of the Shenzhen Open in China last week.

Radwanska said she needed to rest her leg after playing five matches in the past week.

"I'm really sorry that I can't play in Sydney this week. I am feeling very confident in my game at the moment and the results are there, but after five matches in the past week my leg needs some recovery time," she said.

In Sunday's matches, 2014 champion Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova upset Lesia Tsurenko 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 to set up a second-round encounter with Swiss star Belinda Bencic.

Serbia's Jelena Jankovic accounted for American Coco Vandeweghe in straight sets and Caroline Garcia won the all-French match with Kristina Mladenovic 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

Serbia's world number 16 Ana Ivanovic, who was granted wild card entry into the main draw, was knocked out by Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 6-2.

It was her second first-round exit in as many weeks after losing to Britain's world number 122 Naomi Broady in Auckland last week.
Swedish tourist hurt in Egypt hotel attack leaves hospital

A Swedish tourist wounded in an attack on an Egyptian Red Sea resort hotel has been released from hospital, medical officials said Sunday.

Sammie Olovsson, 27, was among three foreigners injured in the Friday attack by men carrying knives on the Bella Vista hotel in Hurghada -- the latest blow to Egypt's struggling tourism industry.

"The Swedish patient left hospital late last night," hospital official Alaa Mohamed told AFP.

Sammie Olovsson, a 27-year-old tourist from Sweden, recovers in bed at the Nile hospital in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Hurghada on January 9, 2016 Mohamed el-Shahed (AFP)

An elderly Austrian couple wounded in the attack were still being monitored, he added.

"They are stable and there is no cause for worry but they need more care," Alaa said.

Hospital director Reda al-Naggar said the couple could be discharged as early as Sunday.

Two men carrying knifes stormed the restaurant of the Bella Vista as tourists were having dinner on Friday night. Security forces shot the attackers, killing one and wounding another.

The incident further undermined efforts to repair the country's damaged tourism industry, coming a day after a Cairo hotel hosting Israeli tourists came under attack by men who hurled fireworks and fired birdshot.

The Islamic State group claimed that attack, which it said targeted "Jewish" tourists.

Police said they were Arab Israelis, and that the assailants had targeted policemen guarding the hotel and not them.

The jihadist group's Egyptian affiliate is waging an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula, and dealt a body blow to the country's tourism industry by claiming to have downed a Russian airliner in October, killing all those on board.

The Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada previously attracted millions of holidaymakers before a spate of terror attacks in 2015
HRW accuses Yemen rebels of arbitrary detentions

Human Rights Watch on Sunday accused Yemen's Huthi rebels of arbitrarily detaining dozens of opponents in the capital Sanaa, where they have ruled for more than 15 months.

The Iran-backed Shiite rebels detained 35 people between August 2014 and October 2015, the rights group said, adding that 27 remained in custody.

It said many of the detainees appeared to have links to the Islah Sunni Islamist party, a rival of the powerful rebels.

Shiite Huthi militants man a checkpoint in Sanaa on January 7, 2016 Mohammed Huwais (AFP)

"Huthi arrests and forced disappearances of alleged Islah supporters have generated palpable fear in the capital," said Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director.

"Politicians, activists, lawyers, and journalists tell us they've never been more frightened of ending up 'disappeared,'" he said.

Aided by troops loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Huthis overran Sanaa unopposed in September 2014, and went on to expand their control over several regions.

A Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against the rebels in March after the insurgents advanced on the southern city of Aden, where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi took refuge before fleeing to Riyadh.

"At a time when the Huthis are fighting to remain key power brokers in Yemen, they should recognise that instilling fear in the population is no way to govern," Stork said.

"The Huthis should take the necessary steps to ensure that no one is held unlawfully and families have access to their loved ones," he said.
Riyadh 'fully supports' Syria talks despite Iran row: minister

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday insisted his country supports efforts to resolve the Syria conflict, despite its diplomatic dispute with Iran.

"We have previously stated our support for the Syrian opposition and for efforts to find a peaceful solution in Syria," Jubeir said at a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo.

"This is still the case, we believe in this and we fully support (the peace process) despite our differences with Iran," he said, hours after his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif said Riyadh was using the row with Tehran to "negatively affect" peace talks on Syria.

Adel al-Jubeir insists Saudi Arabia supports efforts to resolve the Syria conflict, despite its diplomatic dispute with Iran Khaled Desouki (AFP)
Deadly strike on Yemen MSF clinic draws condemnation

A missile strike on a Doctors Without Borders clinic in Yemen killed at least four people, the group said, condemning what it called a "worrying pattern" of such attacks.

The raid was the third of its kind in four months in the war-ravaged country, where a Saudi-led coalition has been battling Shiite Huthi rebels who have seized territory from the internationally-recognised government.

It also follows a US strike in Afghanistan on a facility run by the Paris-based medical humanitarian organisation, known by its French acronym MSF, which killed 42 people.

A missile has hit a health centre operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in northern Yemen, killing three people and wounding 10 others

MSF could not specify whether the medical facility was hit in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition or by a rocket fired from the ground.

Three MSF staff were among 10 people wounded in the Yemen strike, and two other members of staff were in "critical condition", MSF said in a statement.

"The numbers of casualties could rise as there could still be people trapped in the rubble," it said, adding that the missile hit the medical facility in the Razeh district of Saada province.

All staff and patients had been evacuated, with the patients being transferred to another MSF-supported hospital in Saada, it said.

MSF director of operations Raquel Ayora denounced the strike and repeated that the organisation constantly shares the coordinates of its facilities with those fighting in Yemen.

"There is no way that anyone with the capacity to carry out an air strike or launch a rocket would not have known" that the clinic was a functioning health facility supported by MSF, Ayora said.

"We strongly condemn this incident that confirms a worrying pattern of attacks to essential medical services and express our strongest outrage as this will leave a very fragile population without healthcare for weeks," said Ayora.

"Once more it is civilians that bear the brunt of this war," she added.

- MSF hospitals hit -

MSF last month accused the coalition of bombing its clinic in Taez, southwest Yemen, wounding nine people including two staff members.

The coalition said it would investigate that claim although it has repeatedly insisted it does not attack civilians.

And in October, air strikes hit another hospital run by MSF near Saada without causing any deaths.

MSF facilities have also been hit elsewhere, with the deadliest recent strike coming during a US air raid on the hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz.

Washington has said the October strike, which came as NATO-backed Afghan forces clashed with insurgents for control of the northern provincial capital, was "caused primarily by human error".

The EU led international condemnation of the latest strike, describing it as an "unacceptable attack".

Saada is the heartland of the Shiite Huthi rebels that the coalition has been bombing since March in support of Yemen's beleaguered government.

More than 5,800 people have been killed in Yemen since the start of the bombing campaign, about half of them civilians, according to the United Nations.

At least 27,000 people have been wounded and 80 percent of the population is in need of humanitarian aid, according to UN figures.

The UN envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, arrived in Sanaa on Sunday to convince the rebels and their allies to attend a new round of peace talks.

He had met with Yemeni government officials temporarily based in Riyadh, before he headed to Sanaa.

Foreign Minister Abdel Malak al-Mekhlafi told AFP the talks, initially scheduled to start on January 14 had been postponed until January 20 or 23.

The government sat down with the rebels and their allies last month in Switzerland for six days of talks that ended without a major breakthrough.

Also on Sunday, Yemeni intelligence colonel Ali Saleh al-Nakhibi was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in second city Aden, a security official said.

MSF in Yemen: 2015 Laurence Saubadu (AFP)
Nepal district chief wins 'Integrity Idol'

Nepali bureaucrat Pradip Raj Kandel on Sunday clinched the title of Integrity Idol, a television talent show-styled initiative that awards honest civil servants.

The contest, in its second year, saw over 50,000 people cast their votes via text message and social media in a bid to encourage honesty in the corruption-ridden Himalayan nation, where many citizens are forced to pay bribes for essential services.

The chief district officer of Gulmi in mid-eastern Nepal, Kandel won votes for his people-centric approach to bring positive changes in the district

Integrity Idol winner Pradip Raj Kandel (R) during the awards ceremony in Kathmandu on January 10, 2016 Prakash Mathema (AFP)

"I feel proud today and feel that I am representing many hard-working civil servants of Nepal," Kandel said after winning the title, which does not come with any prizes.

"Initiatives such as this inspire us to be responsible and accountable."

Kandel has run several successful campaigns in Gulmi to improve literacy, promote hygiene and cleanliness and ensure the efficiency of his office.

He beat four other finalists -- a women rights worker, a conservation officer, and two educators -- who were shortlisted after non-profit group Accountability Lab Nepal launched a nationwide campaign last April.

As the nominations were underway, a devastating earthquake hit the country, killing nearly 8,900 people and leaving thousands homeless.

"A lot of money has been directed towards earthquake response, and we hope to see officials who have used those funds correctly to benefit the quake victims among the next finalists," the charity's Nepal representative Narayan Adhikari told AFP.

Gyan Mani Nepal, an education official in eastern Panchthar district, was crowned the first Integrity Idol last year.

"We want to organise this every year. This initiative aims to reward honest individuals and inspire others to join the civil service," Adhikari added.

Nepal is ranked 126th out of 175 countries in anti-graft watchdog Transparency International's global corruption perception index.
Mexico wants to question Sean Penn over 'Chapo' meeting

Sean Penn's interview with drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman caused a cross-border uproar, with Mexican authorities seeking to question him while US critics lashed out at the American actor.

A federal official told AFP that the attorney general's office wanted to talk with Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo about their secretive meeting with Guzman in October, three months before his capture.

"That is correct, of course, it's to determine responsibilities," the official said on condition of anonymity, declining to provide more details, including a possible date for an interview with the stars.

Drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is escorted into a helicopter at Mexico City's airport on January 8, 2016 following his recapture Alfredo Estrella (AFP)

A second federal official said it was unclear whether Penn and del Castillo, who brokered the meeting, had violated any Mexican law.

While a reporter could interview a drug cartel suspect, "they're not journalists," the official said.

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough told CNN that Penn's meeting with Guzman "poses a lot of interesting questions for him and others involved in this so-called interview. We'll see what happens."

The US rock magazine Rolling Stone on Saturday published the interview that Guzman gave to the actors in an undisclosed jungle clearing in Mexico.

Despite Penn's cloak-and-dagger efforts to keep the gathering secret, a Mexican official told AFP that authorities found out about the meeting, which eventually helped them track down the Sinaloa drug cartel chief.

Guzman, 58, was arrested on Friday in a deadly military raid in the seaside city of Los Mochis, in his northwestern home state of Sinaloa.

Attorney General Arely Gomez said on Friday that Guzman had met with unnamed actors and producers to discuss making a biopic about himself and that it was part of a "new line of investigation."

Some legal experts, however, doubt that Penn could face charges in the United States or Mexico.

"I seriously doubt that charges will be brought against them even though Sean Penn took extraordinary steps to prevent authorities from using his phone to track the whereabouts of Chapo," said Mike Vigil, a former senior official at the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Floyd Abrams, a New York attorney known for his defense of journalists, said Penn did not violate any US laws.

- 'Grotesque' interview -

The meeting sparked criticism in the United States, with Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio told ABC television that the interview was "grotesque."

Journalists questioned the ethical merits of the interview.

Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron tweeted a link to a December story about the dangers and death faced by Mexican journalists, commenting: "Good moment to remember what happens to real journalists who cover Mexican drug traffickers."

Rolling Stone posted an October 2 picture showing the Oscar-winning actor shaking hands with the mustachioed drug cartel leader.

Penn writes that Guzman gave him a "compadre" hug when they met. He said they had a seven-hour sitdown followed by phone and video interviews.

"I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world," Guzman said over sips of tequila. "I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats."

The White House said Guzman's boast about his trafficking exploits "is maddening."

Rolling Stone also posted a video showing Guzman without a mustache, saying he decided to go into drug trafficking after the age of 15 because there were "no job opportunities" and "no other way to survive."

Asked if he felt some responsibility for the high level of addictions in the world, he said: "It's false. The day that I don't exist, it won't reduce drug trafficking."

In a text message exchange after their meeting, Guzman discussed a marine helicopter raid in which authorities almost captured him on October 6. He played down injuries to his face and leg reported by the authorities, saying: "Not like they said. I only hurt my leg a little bit."

Authorities said the marines did not shoot Guzman during the raid because he was accompanied by two women and a girl, but that he hurt himself in a fall.

- Extradition bid -

The Rolling Stone interview emerged after Mexican prosecutors announced that they would start proceedings to extradite Guzman to the United States, a reversal from President Enrique Pena Nieto's earlier refusal to send him across the border.

But Guzman lawyer Juan Pablo Badillo vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Guzman is now back in the same prison that he escaped from on July 11, when he snuck down a hole in his cell's shower that led to a 1.5-kilometer (one-mile) tunnel outside the prison.

The world's most wanted drug baron was arrested after a military raid on a house in Los Mochis in which five suspects died and one marine was wounded. Six people were detained in the operation.

Guzman and his security chief fled through the city's drainage system, but they were caught later after they stole a car.

The capture of 'El Chapo' Jonathan JACOBSEN (AFP)

US actor Sean Penn wrote that the 58-year-old Guzman gave him a big hug when they met at a Mexican jungle clearing and had a seven-hour sitdown followed by phone and video interviews Eric Feferberg (AFP/File)

Newspapers in Mexico City show pictures of drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman on their frontpages on January 9, 2016 a day after he was recaptured Alfredo Estrella (AFP)
Secular Syrian alliance demands seat at peace talks table

A recently formed secular Kurdish-Arab alliance demanded Sunday that the United Nations give it a seat at the table in upcoming Syria peace talks in Geneva.

"For us, it is very important that all components of the Syrian opposition have equal rights to participate in the future negotiations," said Haytham Mannaa, the co-head of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).

"We are ready to participate in any negotiation under the umbrella of (UN Special Envoy for Syria) Staffan De Mistura," he told AFP, as the organisation wrapped up a two-day meeting in Geneva.

The funeral of a fighter from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province on November 11, 2015 Delil Souleiman (AFP)

His comments came amid speculation over whether the new alliance would receive a seat at the table in the new round of UN-hosted Syria peace talks in Geneva set to start on January 25.

The talks are part of an ambitious 18-month plan endorsed by the UN Security Council to end Syria's brutal nearly five-year civil war, which has killed more than 260,000 people.

The SDC was only formed a month ago, but has quickly risen to prominence due to its links to the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters battling jihadists in northeast Syria.

But Mannaa acknowledged De Mistura had yet to offer the group, which is dominated by Kurds but also includes representatives of a broad range of other communities, a seat at the table.

He said he and other SDC members were scheduled to meet with the Swedish-Italian diplomat, as well as US and Russian representatives this week in Geneva to discuss the matter.

He said he wanted to see SDC invited in its own right, and said he was opposed to what seemed to be De Mistura's desire to have a few SDC members simply included in a delegation put forward by the armed and political opposition groups which last month held a landmark meeting in Riyadh.

The Riyadh conference saw anti-regime factions agree to negotiate with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while insisting he must step down at the start of a transition period.

Mannaa said the SDC did not want to be grouped with the Riyadh body, insisting elements of it "are against a political solution (in Syria) and will come just to sabotage the talks".

The SDC, by contrast, he said, was deeply committed to reaching a political settlement through peaceful, multilateral negotiations, with the aim of creating a political system with a separation of powers and separation between religion and the state.
The White House has said it is 'appalled' with Sean Penn for meeting with El Chapo and publishing a 'braggadocious' interview with the cartel boss.

Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said Penn's interview with the self-confessed world's biggest drug lord was 'maddening' but would not be drawn on whether the actor could face prosecution.

Penn met with El Chapo in the depths of the Mexican jungle, knocking back tequila and scoffing enchiladas and tacos with the kingpin during a seven-hour sit-down interview.

The resulting article was published by Rolling Stone on Saturday night, infuriating the Mexican and U.S. authorities who had been hunting the drug baron down since his escape from a maximum security prison in July.

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The White House has said it is 'appalled' with Sean Penn for meeting with El Chapo and publishing a 'braggadocious' interview with the cartel boss

Chief of Staff Denis McDonough (pictured) said Penn's interview with the self-confessed world's biggest drug lord was 'maddening' but would not be drawn on whether the actor could face prosecution

'I will tell you this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening,' McDonough told CNN.

He added: 'We see a heroin epidemic, opioid addiction epidemic in this country. We are going to stay on top of this with our Mexican counterparts until we get that back in the box. But El Chapo is behind bars. That's where he should stay,'

While the Mexican government works on extraditing him to the United States to answer for his drug trafficking crimes, El Chapo will be held in the same Altiplano prison he escaped from six months ago.

'The longer he stays there, the more likely it is he will find a way to escape,' said former Mexican intelligence officer Alejandro Hope.

He added: 'He might not escape the same way... He might find another way of getting out of prison. But my guess is, his strategy will be to prolong his stay at Altiplano as long as he can.'

El Chapo will have limited access to visitors at the prison, which complies with international standards, according to Mexico's National Security Minister, Renato Sales Heredia, who toured it yesterday.

While the Mexican government works on extraditing El Chapo, he has been housed in the same Altiplano prison he escaped from through a tunnel six months ago

El Chapo used a motorbike (pictured) to escape through a mile long tunnel that was dug underneath the shower space of his prison cell in central Mexico

El Chapo will have limited access to visitors at the prison (pictured, a soldier patrolling outside yesterday), according to Mexico's National Security Minister, Renato Sales Heredia, who toured it yesterday

But the jail's accreditation from the American Correctional Association ran out last year and has not been renewed.

The construction work being done outside and El Chapo's ability to bribe prison officials also pose a threat.

Double Oscar-winning actor Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who brokered the interview with the notorious gangster, are now under investigation by the Mexican authorities.

They did not turn El Chapo in, but an official said the bizarre meeting led Mexican marines to the cartel leader's location before his capture in a daring 4am raid on Friday.

McDonough was coy on whether Penn would face criminal charges for meeting with El Chapo.

'It poses a lot of interesting questions for him and others involved in this so-called interview. We'll see what happens,' hew said.

The White House Chief of Staff later told ABC News that he was 'appalled' by Penn and Rolling Stone.

El Chapo was not turned in by Penn but the meeting led to his capture, a Mexican official siaid

El Chapo was sent back to the same maximum security prison he escaped from six months ago

'I was appalled by his bragging  about an epidemic that's sweeping this country on heroin addiction.

'I was appalled by his bragging to the interviewers in Rolling Stone that he moves more heroin than anyone in the world.'

'We'll let somebody else sort out what Sean Penn did and didn't do. El Chapo's where he should be.

Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio said Penn was 'grotesque' for 'fawning' over El Chapo

The Mystic River star said in the article that he did not turn El Chapo in because the drug lord's trust 'was not to be f***ed with'.

'I take no pride in keeping secrets that may be perceived as protecting criminals, nor do I have any gloating arrogance at posing for selfies with unknowing security men. But I'm in my rhythm. Everything I say to everyone must be true,' Penn wrote.

Rikki Klieman, a criminal defense lawyer, told CBS News that it was unlikely Penn would face any sort of legal implications for his role in the interview, because he is a U.S. citizen.

'Not only unlikely, he will not face legal repercussions,' she said.

The extraordinary piece published El Chapo confessing that he is the world's biggest drug trafficker.

El Chapo says: 'I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.'

He also admits sending a team of engineers to Germany to learn how to build the tunnel he would later use to escape from the Altiplano prison.

Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio waded into the debate on Sunday, saying Penn was 'grotesque' for 'fawning' over El Chapo.

Rubio applauded Mexican marines for detaining the fugitive cartel leader, and said he hopes El Chapo will be extradited to the United States for sentencing.

But he mocked Penn's involvement saying with a smirk on ABC's This Week: 'Sean Penn is not someone I spend a lot of time thinking about, I didn't even know he was still around, I think he made movies a long time ago.'

Scores of people called for Sean Penn to be arrested for meeting the world's most wanted drug lord El Chapo while he was on the run and not turning him into the authorities

Twitter users demanded Penn be questioned by investigators as to why he met with the violent cartel leader and did not help the military track him down

Mexico has notified El Chapo that he is wanted in the U.S., formally beginning extradition proceedings against him, according to a statement issued by the Attorney General's office.

EL CHAPO'S EXTRADITION BATTLE El Chapo's legal team - headed by Juan Pablo Badillo but thought to comprise of at least six lawyers - are fighting his extradition. At least seven requests have been made by six states for the drug lord to be deported to America. He is wanted in Arizona, California, Texas, Illinois, New York and Florida. The cartel boss's legal team have three days to file injunctions - which they have done - and then have a further 20 days to present evidence to a district court in Mexico. Once the court has heard the evidence, which could take days in itself, the Mexican foreign ministry have another 20 days to decide whether he should be extradited. This is likely to be a swift process as Mexico has already said it will look to deport El Chapo. The kingpin's attorneys can appeal at a multitude of stages during the process and can issue a final appeal after the foreign ministry reaches a decision. Mexico has started the formal extradition process, informing El Chapo that the case is under way. Advertisement

Guzman was informed by Interpol agents at the maximum security prison where he is being held.

The extradition process may be lengthy however, as lawyers for El Chapo have already filed six separate injunctions challenging requests to send him to America.

Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, said the extradition process could be drawn out over a period of months.

'They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure,' he said. 'That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way.'

Meanwhile scores of people said Penn should be arrested for aiding and abetting El Chapo.

Twitter users demanded Penn be questioned by investigators as to why he met with the violent cartel leader and did not help the military track him down.

Tracy Jeffords tweeted: 'The only thing I'd like to hear about Sean Penn is about him being arrested for aiding and abetting a fugitive...other than that #yawn'

Troy Ellison replied: 'I thought the same thing he met with an enemy of the state a man who also beheads people among other atrocities.'

Twitter user B. Randolph asked: 'Wait why isn't Sean Penn being arrested & charged with aiding and abetting?'
Federal judge in Dallas says Delta can stay at Love Field

DALLAS (AP)  A federal judge ruled Friday that Southwest Airlines can't kick Delta out of Dallas Love Field while the airlines fight over space at the airport.

U.S. District Court Judge Ed Kinkeade said that Delta passengers would be inconvenienced if the carrier had to move its flights while the courts handle a lawsuit over the dispute.

Delta Air Lines Inc. has five daily flights at Love Field. Southwest Airlines Co. operates 180 and controls 18 of the airport's 20 gates.

A spokeswoman for Delta said the Atlanta-based airline was pleased with the ruling. A spokesman for Southwest said the ruling wasn't the end of the case and the company was considering its options.

Southwest, which is headquartered next to the airport, could appeal the judge's injunction. Either way, the case could wind up going to trial.

Delta had used gates leased by United Airlines, but Southwest paid United $120 million to sublease those gates, then tried to evict Delta. Airport rules allow new competitors to use gates if they are idle long enough for more flights.

The judge said that Southwest and the city of Dallas, which owns the airport, were "playing a game of musical chairs" to deny space for Delta. He said that Delta is likely to win a breach of contract claim against Southwest.

Kinkeade's ruling came three months after a hearing that provided a rare glimpse into the time and money airlines will spend to block a competitor and dominate an airport.

In an email that surfaced because of the case, Southwest's CEO told a city official the airline would invest its money elsewhere if the city let Delta keep using the gates.

During the hearing Kinkeade told a Southwest executive, "This is about as sharp-elbowed a deal as you can do."

Southwest has long dominated Love Field, which is smaller than Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport but closer to downtown and some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Dallas.

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Mississippi town reverses itself and says no to refugees

A resolution to welcome refugees into a Mississippi farming town has been overturned after residents resisted the idea of having Middle Eastern refugees as neighbors and called for a referendum on the matter.

On Tuesday, the votes of the month-long referendum in Louise, Mississippi, were counted. The tally was 37 against and three in favor of welcoming refugees, according to Mayor Thomas Ruffin Smith. Following the vote count, the board of aldermen rescinded the resolution.

In November, at the height of a national debate over whether Syrian refugees should be welcomed, the Mississippi Delta town's board had passed a resolution to welcome refugees, calling it a "Christian duty."
Once-homeless vet to be among Michelle Obama's speech guests

WASHINGTON (AP)  A formerly homeless veteran from Las Vegas will sit in first lady Michelle Obama's visitor box during the State of the Union address Tuesday night.

Cynthia Dias, 64, served during the Vietnam War on a hospital ship as a registered nurse and attributed her years of homelessness to post-traumatic stress disorder.

About a year ago, Dias says, she was able to move from a homeless shelter for women and children into a former motel in downtown Las Vegas that was renovated through private donations to provide 122 units of housing for veterans. While staying in Veterans Village, residents like Dias get access to health care, job training and counseling.

In this Jan. 9, 2016, photo, Cynthia Dias holds Copper, a friend's dog who she looks after, at her apartment in Las Vegas. Dias lived at a homeless shelter before moving into Veteran's Village, a former motel in downtown Las Vegas that was renovated to provide housing for veterans. Dias will sit in First Lady Michelle Obamas visitor box during the presidents State of the Union address Tuesday night. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The Obama administration is highlighting a challenge that the first lady and Jill Biden, the vice president's wife, issued for local leaders to do more to end veteran homelessness in 2015.

Las Vegas responded to the call, and city leaders say they have enough services and programs in place to house every homeless veteran.

Dias said she's in shock from Mrs. Obama's invitation and hopes people will think about her survival when they see her.

"I survived and I'm thriving here at Veterans Village," Dias said.

"For me, it's been a heaven-sent gift to be among other veterans who are suffering from PTSD," she said. "The camaraderie that veterans have for one another, it's better medication than the anti-depressants."

The founder of Veterans Village, Arnold Stalk, said it's important to get veterans off the street first and into a stable environment. Once that happens, it's easier to provide the health care and other support they'll need to live in a home permanently.

Dias will join two other Obama guests, early supporters who the president says provided early inspiration to his campaign.

Edith Childs, of Greenwood, South Carolina, met Obama at a rally in her state in June 2007. Obama credits her with coining the "Fired up! Ready to go!" call-and-response that became a rallying cry for both of his White House bids.

Another guest, Earl Smith, was head of security at an Austin hotel when he met Obama in February 2008. He gave Obama a military patch he had carried with him for 40 years; Obama carried it with him for the rest of the campaign.

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Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
Lax enforcement weakens UN sanctions on nuclear North Korea

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  While the U.N. Security Council considers new sanctions on North Korea after its latest nuclear test, experts say existing sanctions are going unenforced.

Despite the mounting international concern over North Korea's nuclear capabilities, less than 40 of the U.N. 193 member states have turned in reports on sanctions implementation since the latest round of sanctions was imposed in 2013. Compliance has been lowest in Africa, an increasingly important market for low-cost North Korean weapons sales.

Perhaps more disturbingly, the most recent annual report published by the U.N. panel of experts on North Korea found no new instances of member states' seizure or inspection of prohibited items, although its investigations showed that the North "continues to attempt to procure or transfer items" for its nuclear and missile programs.

People dance near the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, after the government said it had conducted a hydrogen bomb test two days earlier. (AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon)

Since North Korea's first nuclear test in 2006, the Security Council has approved four sanctions resolutions that prohibit North Korea from possessing and trafficking weapons of mass destruction, importing luxury goods and trading in arms. That's made it trickier for the North to get hard currency to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

But the measures have failed to check the North's progress. While Pyongyang's claim to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb Wednesday was greeted with skepticism, experts say it is likely making progress on miniaturizing a nuclear weapon and could have enough fissile material for dozens of bombs by 2020.

As expected, the Security Council, the U.N.'s most powerful body, has strongly condemned the latest test and pledged to swiftly push for "further significant measures." U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said the council should hold North Korea accountable by imposing tough new restrictions, "and by ensuring rigorous enforcement of the resolutions it has already adopted."

Diplomats say it can take a few weeks for a new draft resolution to be negotiated and put to a vote.

The council, including veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia that have close ties to North Korea, has long opposed the North's nuclear ambitions. There's been less enthusiasm, however, when it comes to agreeing on individuals and entities to be sanctioned and excluded from the international financial system.

By the end of 2015, only 32 names associated with North Korea were under sanctions, compared with 121 for Iran.

"You've got some pretty good restrictive measures," said Richard Nephew, a former top U.S. State Department official coordinating sanctions policy, "but when it comes to lists of individuals and entities where you can have some important impact on the North Korean leadership" the U.N. process has been lacking.

A U.N. diplomat familiar with the workings of the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions on North Korea said its actions require consensus by all 15 member states, which slows the process of making new designations. While Western nations basically agree on all the recommendations of the U.N. panel of experts on North Korea, other members, such as China and sometimes Russia, tend to stall. The diplomat says that could give potential targets time to adapt.

The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because the diplomat was not authorized to speak publicly about the committee's meetings, which are not public.

A sign of how sluggish the process can be came after the most significant arms seizure to date under the North Korea sanctions, when Panama in 2013 impounded a North Korean vessel loaded with MiG-21 fighters and anti-aircraft missiles in transit from Cuba, hidden under a cargo of sugar. It took the council a whole year to add the Pyongyang-based operator, Ocean Maritime Management Company, Ltd., or OMM, to its sanctions blacklist.

The panel of experts later reported on how deft North Korea is at responding in an effort to circumvent sanctions. It found that OMM had renamed most of its vessels, with 13 of its 14 ships changing owners and managers, "effectively erasing" the company from a database kept by the International Maritime Organization.

None of the ships were seized by member states, as called for by sanctions.

The panel's report, in February 2015, also recommended updating the sanctions list with 34 OMM entities and said all 14 vessels should be subject to sanctions. But according to the latest U.N. sanctions list dated Dec. 30, there have been no additions since July 2014.

William Newcomb, a former panel member, said that China uses the sanctions committee's consensus rule "to renege on what it agreed to do in the Security Council as well as to block proposed designations."

The news is not all bad. Experts say China has become more responsive to panel inquiries, which it used to ignore.

Joseph DeThomas, a former senior State Department official who advised on Iran and North Korea, said the U.N. sanctions, combined with unilateral U.S. sanctions, have made it harder for North Korea to move money through the international banking system. They also have helped in detecting and intercepting some illicit arms shipments.

"There are still loopholes, interpretations, problems. Those involve third-country brokers, North Korean front companies and lax inspection procedure or other problems in particular ports. But they are having an impact," he said.

Experts say North Korea's trade in missiles to the Mideast has dropped off. New weapons sales to another important client, Myanmar, stopped when the country shifted from direct military rule and embraced democratic reforms. But there's little sign that sanctions have stopped North Korea selling and refurbishing Soviet-era weapons to African nations.

The U.N. panel last year reported a "lack of awareness and understanding" of the sanctions resolutions has allowed North Korea to exploit long-standing relationships with African countries for arms-related services and training.

Among the reported transgressions the panel has investigated: North Korean ties to an ammunition manufacturer in Ethiopia, maintenance of fighter jets in Tanzania, and martial arts training for police in Uganda.

North Korea has also managed to keep supplying luxury goods for its elite from multiple countries, including Western ones. A yacht seen alongside leader Kim Jong Un in 2013 was sourced by the panel of experts to a British manufacturer, Princess Yachts International, which the panel said did not reply to a request for more information.

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Mexico formally launches process to extradite Guzman to US

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexican officials on Sunday formally launched the process to extradite drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States, starting what could be a lengthy road full of legal appeals and maneuvering.

Agents notified Guzman at the maximum-security Altiplano prison where he is being held following his dramatic recapture by Mexican security forces on Friday  six months after he escaped through a tunnel out of the same lockup, embarrassing the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The Attorney General's Office said in a statement that Guzman was formally informed that he was wanted in the U.S. The notification was done by Mexican agents assigned to the international police agency Interpol, who served two arrest warrants to the drug lord. Guzman's defense now has three days to present arguments against extradition and 20 days to present supporting evidence, beyond the plethora of other appeals they have already started filing.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is made to face the press as he is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican soldiers and marines at a federal hangar in Mexico City, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced that Guzman had been recaptured six months after escaping from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Guzman's powerful Sinaloa cartel smuggles multi-ton shipments of cocaine and marijuana as well as manufacturing and transporting methamphetamines and heroin, mostly to the U.S. He is wanted in various U.S. states and his July 11 escape  his second from a Mexican maximum security prison  strained ties between the countries.

Mexican officials have cautioned that the extradition process might take a while. Guzman's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo has said the defense has already filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

On Saturday, a Mexican federal law enforcement official said the quickest Guzman could be extradited would be six months, but even that is not likely because lawyers will file appeals. He said that the appeals are usually turned down, but each one means a judge has to schedule a hearing.

"That can take weeks or months, and that delays the extradition," he said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment. "We've had cases that take six years."

Badillo has said that his client shouldn't be extradited to the U.S. because "our country must respect national sovereignty, the sovereignty of its institutions to impart justice."

Mexico's willingness to extradite Guzman is a sharp turnaround from the last time he was captured in 2014, when then-Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in "300 or 400 years."

Guzman was re-apprehended after a shootout between gunmen and Mexican marines at the home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzman's home state of Sinaloa. Five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was injured.

Mexican authorities say actor Sean Penn's contacts with Guzman helped them track the fugitive down  even if he slipped away from an initial raid on the hideout where the Hollywood actor apparently met him.

Penn's article on Guzman was published late Saturday by Rolling Stone magazine, a day after the drug lord's recapture.

Penn wrote of elaborate security precautions, but also said that as he flew to Mexico on Oct 2 for the meeting, "I see no spying eyes, but I assume they are there."

He was apparently right.

A Mexican federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the issue, told the Associated Press the Penn interview led authorities to Guzman in the area of Tamazula, a rural part of Durango state.

They raided Guzman's remote hideout a few days after the interview and narrowly missed capturing Guzman, whose July escape from Mexico's top security prison  though a mile-long (1.5-kilometer) tunnel  had embarrassed President Enrique Pena Nieto and made his capture a national priority.

Describing the capture, Attorney General Arely Gomez said that investigators had been aided in locating Guzman by documented contacts between his attorneys and "actors and producers" she said were interested in making a film about him, though she did not name them.

Two months after that close call, marines finally caught him in a residential neighborhood of Los Mochis, where they'd been monitoring a suspected safe house. Five people died in a gun battle as troops moved in.

In the interview, Guzman defends his work at the head of the world's biggest drug trafficking organization, one blamed for thousands of killings. When asked if he is to blame for high addiction rates, he responds: "No, that is false, because the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? That's false."

Penn wrote that Guzman was interested in having a movie filmed on his life and wanted Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who had portrayed a drug trafficker in a television series, involved in the project.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," wrote Penn, who appears in a photo posted with the interview shaking hands with Guzman.

Penn's representatives have not commented on claims by Mexican officials.

___

Associated Press writer Christopher Sherman in Los Mochis, Mark Stevenson in Mexico City and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2015 file photo, Sean Penn speaks during a forum with young entrepreneurs during the IMF and World Bank annual meeting in Lima, Peru. Late Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, Rolling Stone magazine published an interview that Guzman apparently gave to Penn in his hideout in Mexico months before his recapture. In the article and interview, Penn describes the complicated measures he took to meet the legendary drug lord. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, right, is escorted by soldiers and marines to a waiting helicopter, at a federal hangar in Mexico City, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. The world's most wanted drug lord was recaptured by Mexican marines Friday, six months after he fled through a tunnel from a maximum security prison in an escape that deeply embarrassed the government and strained ties with the United States.(AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is loaded into a marine helicopter at a federal hangar in Mexico City, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. The world's most wanted drug lord was recaptured by Mexican marines Friday, six months after he fled through a tunnel from a maximum secuirty prison in an escape that deeply embarrassed the government and strained ties with the United States. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Mexican Navy marines stand next to their vehicle after they participated in the recapture of Mexico's most wanted drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the city of Los Mochis, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 08, 2016. The worlds most-wanted drug lord was captured for a third time, as Mexican marines staged heavily-armed raids that caught drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman six months after he escaped from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Mahatma Millan)

A Mexican army vehicle stands guard outside of a motel wheere Mexico's most wanted drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was captured, in the city of Los Mochis, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. The worlds most-wanted drug lord was captured for a third time, as Mexican marines staged heavily-armed raids that caught Guzman six months after he escaped from a maximum security prison.(Carlos Paulino via AP/EL DEBATE)
Actor Sean Penn interviews Chapo Guzman while on the lam

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Recently captured drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was unapologetic for running one of the world's biggest drug trafficking organizations in a Rolling Stone interview with American actor Sean Penn.

Guzman said in the magazine interview published late Saturday that he entered the drug trade at age 15 because there was no other way to survive. "The only way to have money to buy food, to survive, is to grow poppy, marijuana, and at that age, I began to grow it, to cultivate it and to sell it. That is what I can tell you."

Penn had the first-ever interview with Guzman in early October while the world's most-wanted drug lord was on the lam after escaping through an elaborate tunnel from Mexico's maximum security prison in July.

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2015 file photo, Sean Penn speaks during a forum with young entrepreneurs during the IMF and World Bank annual meeting in Lima, Peru. Late Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, Rolling Stone magazine published an interview that Guzman apparently gave to Penn in his hideout in Mexico months before his recapture. In the article and interview, Penn describes the complicated measures he took to meet the legendary drug lord. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

Guzman was recaptured Friday in the city of Los Mochis in his home state of Sinaloa after a shootout that killed five of his associates and wounded one marine.

A Mexican law enforcement official said Saturday that the interview in the remote community of Tamazula in the northern state of Durango helped authorities track the whereabouts of the drug lord, who earns millions shipping tons of cocaine and manufacturing and transporting methamphetamine and heroin to world markets, the largest in the U.S. market. His cartel also is blamed for thousands of killings.

A few days after the interview, members of the Mexican Navy launched an operation to capture him, but Attorney General Arely Gomez said Friday that it was aborted because he was accompanied by two women and a young girl, whom they did not want to harm.

Officials apparently then lost track of him. But he was later traced to a home in Los Mochis that was under surveillance for a month before marines moved in.

Penn's meeting with Guzman was arranged through Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, known for her television portrayal of a female drug lord. She was first contacted in 2012 by the drug kingpin after sending him a tweet urging him to turn to good works and start "trafficking with love." He contacted her again after his arrest in February 2014, when "gringos were scrambling to tell his story," Penn wrote.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," he wrote.

Penn described an elaborate travel itinerary of private planes and a seven-hour ride through mountainous jungle in a two-truck convoy. They were never blindfolded along the way. They spent seven hours eating and drinking with the kingpin until he went off with his men at 4 a.m. and Penn and company went to sleep.

Penn asked for a photo shaking Guzman's hand to prove to his editors that he actually saw him. An M16 was on the couch opposite them, Penn wrote.

Penn said he received credible information that the DEA was on the trail of the actors, as raids intensified after their first meeting. During their initial encounter, he asked Guzman for a formal interview that was supposed to happen a week later. But with the pressure of federal forces, Guzman instead videotaped his response to Penn's questions and sent it to Del Castillo.

In the video, Guzman said he grew up poor, selling oranges, soft drinks and candy as a child. He took care of his grandmother's cattle and chopped wood.

He said he is not responsible for the epidemic of illegal drug use in the U.S. and around the world.

"The day I don't exist, it won't decrease in any way at all," he said.

Prosecutors say Guzman is responsible for thousands of killings and for inciting violence in border cities such as Ciudad Juarez across from El Paso, Texas, in his bid to control shipping routes. Wars between Guzman's Sinaloa cartel and the local Juarez cartel made the city one of the deadliest in the world around 2010.

When asked whether his activities impact Mexico, he responded, "Not at all."

"Drug trafficking does not depend on just one person. It depends on a lot of people," Guzman said.

He said he hasn't used drugs in 20 years and is a person "who's not looking for problems in any way."

Penn, reminding him of the gun battle that killed another famous drug lord, Colombia's Pablo Escobar, asked Guzman how he sees his final days in the drug business.
At tea, contenders talk BAFTAs, Globes and Oscars

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Many of the film and TV industry award season's principal players gathered Saturday afternoon for a spot of tea and talked a little business.

The semiannual event, sponsored by the Los Angeles branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), is held the day before each Emmy and Golden Globe ceremony, and it usually attracts many of each award show's top contenders. Among tea attendees this weekend were actors Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Revenant") and Mark Ruffalo ("Spotlight"), actresses Alicia Vikander ("The Danish Girl," ''Ex Machina") and Cate Blanchett ("Carol").

A large presence of the "Carol" cast and crew was no surprise, given the period romance tied the historical drama-thriller "Bridge of Spies" in BAFTA nominations, announced Friday. Each film earned nine nods. Such big recognition coming now from BAFTA is significant given that award-season spoils have been distributed among a wider than usual array of films, said "Carol" co-producer Stephen Woolley.

Cate Blanchett arrives at the BAFTA Awards Season Tea Party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

"It's a fantastic thumbs-up for us," he said. "And it will mean a lot, I think, to the more discerning voters across America, whether it's the American Academy or the DGAs (Directors Guild Awards) or any of those awards still to come."

Irish actress Caitriona Balfe, in Los Angeles to attend the Globes, expressed gratitude to the Globe organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), for acknowledging "Outlander" with three nominations. Though an international ratings hit, the series is a sci-fi romance -- a genre piece, the sort that has historically been overlooked by awards groups.

"Well, very easily you can be pigeonholed," Balfe said. "It's hard to sort of break through the ceiling."

Veteran American actor Jeffrey Tambor also tipped his hat to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for being among the first to honor his series, the dramedy "Transparent," which went on to win the Emmy for outstanding comedy series.

"This year, it's just wonderful because we are still the little engine that could," Tambor said. "You know, there's film and there's television. And way over there in Alhambra: streaming. It's still a little thing."

"Transparent" can only be seen online, by subscribers of Amazon Prime.

Once the closing credits roll on the Globes, the award-season attention turns to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, whose Oscar nominations will be unveiled Thursday. While there seem to be numerous best-picture givens, such as the widely honored "Spotlight," ''Carol" and "The Big Short," many pundits have said they expect the unexpected.

Actor Demetrius Grosse, part of the ensemble of the acclaimed hip-hop film "Straight Outta Compton," said, "I think we could get the nomination for best picture. You know, let's be very honest. The Academy is made up of mostly old white men. (But) I think this story is told in a very strategic way, in that we see the pathos of how these people -- across demographic lines -- come together to create something special. "

"So, I think we can get a nomination," Grosse continued. "We got the nomination for the SAG Awards. So let's see what happens."

___

Follow Mike Cidoni Lennox on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CidoniLennox

Christine Vachon, from left, Stephen Woolley, and Elizabeth Karlsen arrive at the BAFTA Awards Season Tea Party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Caitriona Balfe arrives at the BAFTA Awards Season Tea Party at the Four Seasons on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Jeffrey Tambor, left, and Kasia Ostlun arrive at the BAFTA Awards Season Tea Party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Afghan forces struggle as ranks thinned by 'ghost' soldiers

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP)  Afghan forces are struggling to man the front lines against a resurgent Taliban, in part because of untold numbers of "ghost" troops who are paid salaries but only exist on paper.

The nationwide problem has been particularly severe in the southern Helmand province, where the Taliban have seized vast tracts of territory in the 12 months since the U.S. and NATO formally ended their combat mission and switched to training and support.

"At checkpoints where 20 soldiers should be present, there are only eight or 10," said Karim Atal, head of Helmand's provincial council. "It's because some people are getting paid a salary but not doing the job because they are related to someone important, like a local warlord."

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, file photo, Afghan security forces inspect the site of a suicide car bomb attack near the Kabul airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan forces are struggling to man the front lines against a resurgent Taliban, in part because of untold numbers of ghost troops who are paid salaries but only exist on paper. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

In some cases, the "ghost" designation is more literal  dead soldiers and police remain on the books, with senior police or army officials pocketing their salaries without replacing them, Atal said.

He estimates that some 40 percent of registered forces don't exist, and says the lack of manpower has helped the Taliban seize 65 percent of the province  Afghanistan's largest  and threaten the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Those men who do serve face even greater danger because of the no-shows. In the last three months alone, some 700 police officers have been killed and 500 wounded, he said.

The province's former deputy police chief, Pacha Gul Bakhtiar, said Helmand has 31,000 police officers on the registers, "but in reality it is nowhere near that."

Nearly 15 years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, and despite billions of dollars in military and other aid, corruption remains rife in Afghanistan and local security forces have struggled to hold off insurgent advances across the country. Last year the Taliban seized the northern city of Kunduz for three days, marking their biggest foray into a major urban area since 2001.

Pakistan will host four-nation talks Monday with Afghanistan, China and the United States aimed at reviving peace talks with the Taliban, but even if those efforts succeed the insurgents are expected to stay on the offensive in order to gain land and leverage.

The Defense Ministry declined to comment on ghost security forces. Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi acknowledged the problem and said an investigation has been launched, the results of which should be made public in about a month.

He said investigators had checked police numbers and status in 200 districts, 30 of which could only be reached last week with the help of U.S. forces due to security problems. He said 86 percent of Afghanistan's 157,000 police were digitally registered and received their salaries through banks, The remaining 14 percent were in the 30 districts "where there are threats," and they are paid in cash by "trusted agents."

"If you have a roll of 100 people, not all of them will be there 100 percent of the time  there is leave, training, and we take casualties. And it takes time to replace them," Sediqqi said.

Iraq has also struggled with the ghost soldier phenomenon, a factor in the Islamic State group's rapid conquest of much of the country's north and west in the summer of 2014. In December of that year, Iraqi officials said the payment of tens of millions of dollars in salaries to nonexistent forces had been halted.

But Afghan lawmaker Ghulam Hussain Nasiri, who has been researching the problem for more than a year, said his government is ignoring the issue.

"When we say we have 100 soldiers on the battlefield, in reality it is just 30 or 40. And this creates the potential for huge catastrophes when the enemy attacks," he said.

"It is an indication of massive corruption  the reason Afghanistan is one of the most corrupt nations in the world," he added. Afghanistan consistently ranks among the most corrupt countries in indices released by global watchdog Transparency International.

Nasiri said the government "doesn't seem to want to know about it," and that he received death threats after revealing the names of parliamentarians who are allegedly in on the scam. He said he handed a list of 31 names of corrupt parliamentarians to the Interior Ministry but has so far received no response.

Cash-strapped Afghanistan's security forces are entirely funded by the international community, at a cost of some $5 billion a year, most of which comes from the United States. The U.S. government's auditor of spending in Afghanistan, John Sopko, told a congressional hearing last year that Afghan government figures on security personnel and pay could not be regarded as accurate.

"No one knows the exact numbers of the Afghan National Defense Forces," an Afghan official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media on the topic. He said the best internal estimates put the number at around 120,000, less than a third of what's needed to secure the country.

The heaviest cost of the ghost soldier phenomenon is being exacted on the battlefield. Neither the government nor NATO publicizes casualty figures for local security forces, but an internal NATO tally seen by The Associated Press shows casualties are up 28 percent from 2014, when some 5,000 members of the Afghan forces were killed.

Last month, an army base in Helmand's Sangin district was besieged by insurgents for almost a week before reinforcements were rushed in backed by U.S. airstrikes and British military advisers.

In the northern Helmand district of Kajaki, soldier Mohammad Islam said many of his comrades deserted their posts because they didn't believe their bodies would be sent back to their families if they died. In the absence of a body, the family would not be eligible for compensation payments.

"Everyone knows that we are facing this fight alongside 'ghost' soldiers, and that's the reason we don't have enough men," he said. "The Taliban know it, too. When they attack us, and we're unable to protect ourselves, the big men then ask why."

___

O'Donnell reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press writer Humayoon Babur in Kabul contributed to this report.

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, file photo, British soldiers carry the dead body of a victim of an attack that happened near Spanish Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan forces are struggling to man the front lines against a resurgent Taliban, in part because of untold numbers of ghost troops who are paid salaries but only exist on paper. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, March 29, 2015, file photo, new members of the Afghan National Army attend their graduation ceremony at the Afghan Military Academy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan forces are struggling to man the front lines against a resurgent Taliban, in part because of untold numbers of ghost troops who are paid salaries but only exist on paper. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, file photo, an Afghan shopkeeper watches from the broken window of his shop near the site of suicide car bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan forces are struggling to man the front lines against a resurgent Taliban, in part because of untold numbers of ghost troops who are paid salaries but only exist on paper. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Cruz, Trump up in Iowa, but talk of 'takedown' effort fades

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Three weeks before Iowa kicks off the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are generating overwhelming enthusiasm among Republican voters in the state, along with concern, though not panic, among the party professionals who believe both are unelectable in November against the Democratic nominee.

Despite such fears, talk of a "takedown" effort aimed at either Trump or Cruz appears to have faded as the Feb. 1 caucuses in Iowa near. For now, there is nervous acceptance that two of the Republican Party's most divisive figures may stay at the top of the presidential pack well into the first month of voters' getting their say.

"Cruz would not only cost us the general, he would cost the GOP the future. Trump is not a Republican and he is not a conservative," said Republican strategist Alex Castellanos, who is not affiliated with a 2016 campaign. "The geometry is conflicting: If you limit one, you aid the other.

In this Jan. 7, 2016, photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump flashes thumbs up after an address to a group of supporters at a campaign stop at the Flynn Center of the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vt. With three weeks to go before Iowa kicks off the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, are generating overwhelming enthusiasm among Republican voters in the state. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

"At the end," Castellanos said, "Republicans may face the devil's bargain and have to settle for the lesser of two anti-establishment evils."

That feeling is echoed by party officials across the country, who acknowledged they have few tools to stop Cruz or Trump. Instead, there is hope that voters ultimately settle on what they consider a more viable alternative from a group of candidates that includes Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

"Let's see how the votes go before we panic," said Washington-based Republican operative John Feehery, who has been critical of Cruz and Trump.

There is little evidence of widespread alarm from establishment Republican leaders and their well-funded supporters. Despite their commanding presence in preference polls, Trump and Cruz have almost completely escaped paid attacks, particularly in Iowa.

A Florida billionaire spent $40,000 on newspaper ads to hit at Trump in early December. One, in Iowa, called the political novice a "destroyer." A group backing Kasich put $15,000 into an online anti-Trump attack in late November and early December, but there was no special focus on Iowa.

A nonprofit group led by a political operative who has endorsed Rubio spent about $200,000 to air an ad in Des Moines that knocked Cruz for his opposition to National Security Agency surveillance, saying the Texas senator "voted to weaken America's ability to identify and hunt down terrorists." But that ad has not been on the air in at least a month, according to Kantar Media's CMAG political advertising tracker.

Republican National committeeman Ron Kaufman of Massachusetts said the party's "centrist conservatives" will have to be patient until what they see as a more electable alternative to Trump and Cruz emerges.

"This is about who's going to be in the finals," Kaufman said. "Clearly on one side it's going to be Trump and/or Cruz. And for the centrist conservatives, it's going to come down to one of three governors or Rubio."

That may explain why the attacks on Cruz and Trump pale in comparison to the amount spent disparaging other candidates. For example, a Rubio-boosting group recently put more than $1 million into sharp-elbowed anti-Christie attacks in New Hampshire. Rubio has been the target of close to $1 million in negative advertising, mostly in Iowa and mostly by Cruz boosters.

There is unquestioned excitement among the GOP electorate in Iowa for the two front-runners.

On Saturday, Cruz concluded a six-day, 28-stop trek across the state, drawing overflow crowds everywhere  from a pizza restaurant in Pocahontas to a small college in Sioux Center, where hundreds packed the auditorium, spilling into the stairwell and upper level.

"There is no doubt that the Washington cartel is in full panic mode," said an almost giddy Cruz this past week. "They are in full panic mode because they are seeing on the ground conservatives uniting."

At other stops, Cruz supporters stood outside in snow and sub-freezing temperatures, unable to get in for a seat, but still trying to listen through open doors. At a Friday morning event in Mason City, 48-year-old Robert Peterson said he was sold on Cruz, even though he said he had never before voted for a Republican presidential candidate.

"It's time for a change," Peterson said, standing at the back of the room wearing a red "Cruz 2016" button and holding a red, white and blue Cruz sign. "The status quo has got to go."

It's much the same for Trump, who is showing no signs of slowing down after leading most national preference polls since the summer. The brash real-estate billionaire and former reality television star routinely draws thousands of people to his rallies, packing high school auditoriums, arenas, convention centers  even an airplane hangar  across the country.

Supporters began lining up at dawn for a 7 p.m. rally in Burlington, Vermont, this past week, while in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, hundreds stood outside in the bitter cold for hours waiting to get in.

"Folks, we have a revolution going on," Trump said in Lowell, Massachusetts, marveling at the thousands of people who filled the arena. "People are tired and they're sick of the stupidity that we're seeing coming out of Washington."

In the face of Trump's prophesied revolution, the GOP establishment is preaching patience.

"I don't think there's a sense it'll be time to panic if Cruz and Trump are on top in Iowa or New Hampshire," said Katie Packer, who served as deputy campaign manager to Mitt Romney in 2012 and is among Trump's biggest critics. "We have to let the process play out."

___

Associated Press writers Julie Bykowicz in Washington, Scott Bauer in Webster City, Iowa, and Jill Colvin in Burlington, Vermont, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Steve Peoples on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/sppeoples

In this Jan. 8, 2016, photo, Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, holds a town hall at Praise Community Church in Mason City, Iowa. With three weeks to go before Iowa kicks off the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump and Cruz are generating overwhelming enthusiasm among Republican voters in the state. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

People greet Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, bottom right, after he spoke at a rally at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Arab League condemns Iranian 'meddling' in Arab affairs

CAIRO (AP)  Arab foreign ministers, with the exception of Lebanon, condemned in a Sunday statement what they called Iran's meddling in Arab affairs.

The ministers accused Iran of breaking international agreements by intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts in a statement issued following a closed emergency meeting.

Lebanon, which has a large Shiite population and is home to powerful Shiite militant group Hezbollah, was the only dissenting voice. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil said in a statement that his country had rejected the statement because it also condemned Hezbollah over alleged interference in Bahrain.

Arab foreign ministers attend an emergency Arab League session in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. At the meeting Arab foreign ministers called on Arab states to take a clear position against Iran's alleged meddling in Arab affairs. Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir accused Iran at an emergency Arab League session of intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts. (AP Photo Ahmed Omar)

Protesters in Tehran stormed the Saudi Embassy and a Saudi consulate elsewhere in the country after Saudi Arabia executed Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric and opposition leader, earlier this month.

Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan who led the emergency meeting said the embassy attack "took place under the nose and within the earshot of security forces."

Saudi's Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that Arab nations would "confront" the Islamic Republic if it does not change its ways, without elaborating. Arab League Chief Nabil Elaraby said the region's foreign ministers will discuss the "steps" they can take against Iran in future meetings over the next two months. Al-Jubier added that there was no real timeline for such measures.

"We don't want conflict. We don't want war," the UAE's Al Nahyan told reporters.

Sunday's session was requested by Saudi Arabia to discuss the attacks. The ensuing crisis has seen Saudi Arabia and several Arab states cut or downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran.

"Iran doesn't have qualms and doesn't hesitate to using the sectarian card as a way to dominate the region, and interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries," Al Nahyan said at the opening ceremony.

In the closing press conference, al-Jubeir stressed that Iran has no right to speak out for Shiite minorities in the region because at the end of the day they are Arab citizens.

"The attacks came after inciting statements from Iranian officials against the kingdom," al-Jubair told fellow ambassadors in opening remarks before the session was closed to reporters. "What happened was not because of the execution of a Saudi citizen," the minister said, referring to al-Nimr.

He added that tensions with Iran only began after the 1979 Islamic Revolution which overthrew the secular Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and brought to power a conservative Shiite Islamic regime.

The kingdom's move comes despite Iran's recent letter to the U.N. saying Tehran has no desire to escalate tensions and that the Saudis must make a "crucial choice"  either promote sectarian hatred or promote good neighborliness and regional stability.

___

Associated Press writer Brian Rohan in Beirut contributed to this report.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir attends an emergency Arab League session in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. At the meeting Arab foreign ministers called on Arab states to take a clear position against Iran's alleged meddling in Arab affairs. Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and al-Jubeir accused Iran at an emergency Arab League session of intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts. (AP Photo Ahmed Omar)

Arab foreign ministers attend an emergency Arab League session in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. At the meeting the ministers called on Arab states to take a clear position against Iran's alleged meddling in Arab affairs. Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir accused Iran at an emergency Arab League session of intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts. (AP Photo Ahmed Omar)

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, center left, arrives to attend an emergency Arab League session in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. At the meeting Arab foreign ministers called on Arab states to take a clear position against Iran's alleged meddling in Arab affairs. Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and al-Jubeir accused Iran at an emergency Arab League session of intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts. (AP Photo Ahmed Omar)

Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa arrives to attend an emergency Arab League session in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. At the meeting, Arab foreign ministers called on Arab states to take a clear position against Iran's alleged meddling in Arab affairs and several accused Iran of intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts. The attacks were a response to the kingdom's execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr that has prompted a regional diplomatic crisis with several Gulf nations severing or downgrading ties with Iran. (AP Photo Ahmed Omar)
Mexican drug lord's final hiding place was in plain sight

LOS MOCHIS, Mexico (AP)  The house where Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman last sought refuge was not out of the way or out of the ordinary.

It occupies a corner lot on a busy four-lane boulevard in a neighborhood favored by local politicians. Guzman's house looks more like a doctor's office than a residence. The two-story building is set back from the street and completely obscured by the tops of thick trees. A Montessori school is around the corner.

The mother of Sinaloa Gov. Mario Lopez Valdez has a home two blocks away with a round-the-clock local police presence. Lopez said on Saturday that he was shocked by the fact Guzman was capture here in Los Mochis, a city of some 250,000 people near the shores of the Gulf of California.

Blood and car oil cover the garage floor, and gun holes puncture the walls, inside the home where marines engaged in a gun battle during the search for Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. Guzman apparently fled from the home into the sewer and emerged blocks away, where he commandeered a vehicle and continued his escape until authorities eventually caught him on Friday. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)

"I've been here 50 years and in 50 years there was never a rumor, a hint, I never saw a story saying that this person (Guzman) could be found in Mochis or could be living in Mochis," Lopez said.

But Guzman's men appeared to have made preparations in case he ever needed the house.

More than a year ago, two brothers who had lived there while running a Baptist church in town either sold or rented the property, said a woman who has worked on the street for years, but declined to give her name for safety concerns. Until then it looked much like the other homes in the neighborhood, with an open carport protected by a metal gate.

But a month or two of intensive renovations transformed the house into an architecturally unremarkable but completely enclosed structure. Windows and glass doors with horizontal grating were installed and the new walls that advanced right to the sidewalk.

On Friday night, following a gun battle, the tiled foyer beyond that glass door was smeared with blood as white-suited forensic technicians worked inside.

The new owners also installed surveillance cameras. Still, for months after the renovations were completed the property appeared uninhabited. It was only after leaving work Thursday evening that the woman said she noticed a large black pickup parked in front of the home. She had never seen the truck before.

Around 4 a.m. on Friday, marines raided the house, which the government officials said had been under surveillance for weeks. Neighbors say an intense shootout ensued, lasting about two hours. They only ventured out later after hearing on the news what had happened. Five gunmen were killed and six arrested.

At least one of those killed fell in a house under construction on the other side of the block.

Heavily armed marines kept onlookers at a distance from the crime scene on Saturday while a contingent of reporters blocked one lane of the boulevard a few blocks away from the house. At an intersection, someone had lifted a manhole cover from a storm sewer and found an abandoned assault rifle. Eventually a team of marines arrived, pulled what reporters remained out of the sewer and secured the rifle.

Guzman had apparently fled from the home into the sewer and emerged blocks away, where he commandeered a vehicle and continued his escape until authorities eventually caught him.

The area's notoriety already has been growing. A family stopped and posed for photos outside the Hotel Doux on the outskirts of Los Mochis where marines took Guzman briefly after his capture.

A police truck sits parked outside the home where marines engaged in a gun battle during the search for Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. Guzman apparently fled from the home Friday before authorities eventually caught him. A month or two of intensive renovations transformed the house, which is completely obscured by the tops of thick trees, into a completely enclosed structure, with its new walls advancing to the sidewalk. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)

An abandoned weapon is propped against a storm drain wall, in the neighborhood where special forces had located the world's most-wanted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Guzman was recaptured by Mexican marines Friday, six months after he fled through a tunnel from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)

A security camera sits above a street sign on the exterior wall of the home where marines engaged in a gun battle during the search for Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. A month or two of intensive renovations transformed the house into a completely enclosed structure, and the new owners also installed surveillance cameras. On Friday, Guzman fled from the home before authorities eventually caught him. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)

Police tape surrounds the entrance of the home where marines engaged in a gun battle during the search for Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. Guzman apparently fled from the home Friday before authorities eventually caught him. A month or two of intensive renovations transformed the house into a completely enclosed structure. Windows and glass doors with horizontal grating were installed and new walls that advanced to the sidewalk. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)

Mexican navy marines and other law enforcement officers inspect a home after the recapture of Mexico's most wanted drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the city of Los Mochis, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. The worlds most-wanted drug lord was captured for a third time, as Mexican marines staged heavily-armed raids that caught Guzman six months after he escaped from a maximum security prison. (Libertad Montoya via AP/EL DEBATE)

This photo shows the facade of the roadside hotel Doux in Los Mochis, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, where drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was taken by Mexican marines after his recapture Friday. Guzman was then flown in a navy helicopter to Mexico City and taken back to Antiplano, the same maximum-security prison he escaped in July. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)

Mexican marines inspect a manhole where high-powered weapons were found to be abandoned, in the neighborhood where special forces had located the world's most-wanted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Guzman was recaptured by Mexican marines Friday, six months after he fled through a tunnel from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)

A Mexican marine inspects a manhole where high-powered weapons were found to be abandoned, in the neighborhood where special forces had located the world's most-wanted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Guzman was recaptured by Mexican marines Friday, six months after he fled through a tunnel from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)
Italian police probe slaying of American woman in Florence

FLORENCE, Italy (AP)  Police vowed "maximum attention" Sunday to find the killer of an American found dead in her Florence apartment as Italy's expat community expressed hope that the case won't turn into another Amanda Knox-style, drawn-out, headline-grabbing legal saga.

Police opened a murder investigation Saturday after 35-year-old Ashley Olsen of Summer Haven, Florida, was found dead, her neck bruised and scratched.

Authorities questioned Olsen's boyfriend, a local artist, Saturday but said they have no suspects so far.

Italian police officers stand outside an apartment where 35-year-old American woman Ashley Oslen was found dead, in Florence, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Italian police say the woman has been found slain in her apartment with bruises and scratches on her neck, but wouldnt comment on Italian news reports that the woman had been strangled until an autopsy is performed. (Maurizio Degl'Innocenti/ANSA via AP

"What happened in Florence is getting the maximum attention to find out what it's all about," Italy's police chief, Alessandro Pansa, said during an unrelated visit Sunday to Florence, the ANSA news agency reported.

Meanwhile, friends and fellow expats expressed horror at the slaying of a woman known around Florence for her beloved beagle, Scout, and said they hoped her killer would be found quickly. Flowers were left at her doorstep.

"I can't imagine a person who would hurt her. She is a gentle, a kind, a beautiful, friendly, lovely girl and it's an awful shock," Amy, a friend who only gave her first name, told The Associated Press in Florence. "We've got a great community here of people and everyone loved her."

Friends and other expats expressed hope that the case wouldn't end up repeating the flawed, flip-flopping investigation into the last high-profile murder case of a foreigner living in Italy, that of Meredith Kercher.

The British student was studying in the Umbrian city of Perugia when she was found dead in 2007. Knox, Kercher's American roommate, and her then-boyfriend were at first convicted of the murder, then acquitted, convicted again on appeal and finally acquitted for good when Italy's supreme court last year definitively exonerated them. Another man was convicted and is serving a 16-year sentence.

"I would hope for her sake that this investigation is more clear," said Georgette Jupe, who writes the "Girl in Florence" blog and knew Olsen casually, primarily because they both had beagles and lived near one another in Florence's Santo Spirito neighborhood.

Social media groups for expats in Florence expressed the same sentiment, with several people posting comments about the parallel to the Kercher investigation, which was harshly criticized in both the American and British media.

"It reignites the concern of justice, different policing and judicial systems, and the different journalism styles between Italy and the U.S.," Beth Prusiecki, an American living in Milan, told the AP in a message after posting on one of the closed Facebook groups.

U.S. media tended to portray Knox as a victim of a legal system she didn't understand, where prosecutors can appeal acquittals. The Italian media tended to take prosecutors' view that Knox was responsible.

Jupe said Olsen was involved in fashion and had moved a few years ago to Florence, where her father was also a professor.

Olsen's Facebook page is full of photos of her and Scout, including on the steps of the Santo Spirito church on the lovely piazza of the same name that is the heart of the "Oltrarno" neighborhood of the Tuscan city.

"She always with her dog, always sitting on steps of Santo Spirito with friends," Jupe said in a phone interview.

Alexandra Lawrence, a 17-year resident of Florence, said the art-filled city has long drawn creative people like Olsen, who find a ready-made expat community that is far more active and close-knit than ones in Rome or Milan.

"I think maybe because it's such a small city, but because there are so many expats, we all eventually come across each other and run in similar circles," said Lawrence, who teaches art history to American students on study abroad programs and gives tours.

She said she didn't know Olsen personally, but said the first thing she thought of when she heard the news was the Knox saga.

"We've been through this terribly unresolved mystery with Amanda Knox," she said in an interview. "You never want it to get to that point."

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Nicole Winfield reported from Rome.

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Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield
He's among two dozen special guests invited by First Lady Michelle Obama

Arrived in Detroit, Michigan, with his son and three daughters in December

A Syrian refugee whose wife and daughter was killed in a missile attack has been invited to the White House for President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address.

Refaai Hamo, a scientist who is suffering from Cancer, will attend the event as a guest of First Lady Michelle Obama.

He was profiled in the popular Humans of New York (HONY) blog, who referred to him as 'The Scientist', after landing in Michigan with his son and three daughters in December.

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Refaai Hamo (pictured), a scientist who is suffering from Cancer, was invited to the event after he appeared on the popular Humans of New York blog

He will attend President Obama's (right) State of the Union address as a guest of First Lady Michelle Obama (left)

The White House said Hamo would be among about two dozen special guests invited to sit near the First Lady on Tuesday.

They include several war veterans and armed service members, including one of the three Americans who thwarted a terror attack on a Paris bound train.

The guest list encompasses the issues that Obama has tried to highlight while in office, including health insurance.

Obama read about Hamo's story on the HONY blog last month and learned of how his cancer had gone untreated because he did not have health insurance.

The White House described him as living his own version of the 'American dream' in Syria.

Obama read about Hamo's (centre) story on the HONY blog last month and learned of how his cancer had gone untreated because he did not have health insurance

The White House said Hamo (left) would be among about two dozen special guests invited to sit near the First Lady on Tuesday

He married his college sweetheart and together, they built a life and family before a missile tore through the complex where his family lived.

Yes, you can still make a difference in the world, and we're proud that you'll pursue your dreams here. Welcome to your new home. You're part of what makes America great Barack Obama on Refaai Hamo's 'Humans of New York' post

Obama told Hamo through a Facebook post: 'Yes, you can still make a difference in the world, and we're proud that you'll pursue your dreams here. Welcome to your new home. You're part of what makes America great.'

Through a fundraising campaign set up by actor Ed Norton, more than $450,000 was raised for his family.

In response to Hamo's invitation to the White House, HONY wrote: 'I think the President's inclusion of a Syrian refugee is a powerful and important gesture in itself. And it's so cool for me that he chose a refugee who's story he learned on HONY.'

Other guests invited to the State of the Union address include a California man whose partner was killed in the San Bernardino attack, the first female Army Reserve officer to graduate from the Army's elite Ranger School and a plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that found same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.

The guest list at the State of the Union address encompasses the issues that Obama (pictured) has tried to highlight while in office, including health insurance

One seat will be left empty to represent the victims of gun violence.

Obama has committed to accepting another 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States, but some Republican lawmakers and presidential candidates have been critical of the expansion.

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said the two Iraqi refugees who were recently arrested on terror charges came to the US 'using the same vetting that President Obama wants us to trust with Syrian refugees'.
Francis lays out case for mercy in 1st book as pope

VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis lays out his case for emphasizing the merciful face of the Catholic Church in his first book as pontiff, saying God never tires of forgiving and actually prefers the sinners who repent over self-righteous moralizers who don't.

"The Name of God Is Mercy," a 100-page conversation with Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli, is being published this week in 86 countries to help kick-start Francis' Holy Year of Mercy. A copy was provided in advance to The Associated Press on Sunday.

In the book, Francis condemns what he calls the "scholars of law"  the doctrinaire-minded rigorists who throughout the history of the church have challenged Jesus' message of unconditional love and mercy for even the most wretched of sinners. He says often these self-righteous Christians are hypocrites themselves, using the law to hide their own "deep wounds."

A reproduction of the front page of Pope Francis's book "The name of God is Mercy" is seen in this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 photo taken in Rome, Italy. This is the first time the Pope has put his name on a book since he was elected. Its a book-length conversation with an Italian journalist, focusing on mercy, the real leitmotiv of his papacy and the Holy Year. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

"These are men who live attached to the letter of the law but who neglect love; men who only know how to close doors and draw boundaries," Francis is quoted as saying.

Francis has rankled many conservatives with his frequent dismissals of theological and legalistic arguments stressing doctrine over his more pastoral message of welcome and mercy for society's most marginal. The clash in approaches has been particularly evident in recent church debates over marriage and divorce.

"We must avoid the attitude of someone who judges and condemns from the lofty heights of his own certainty, looking for the splinter in his brother's eye while remaining unaware of the beam in his own," Francis says. "Let us always remember that God rejoices more when one sinner returns to the fold than when 99 righteous people have no need of repentance."

The Vatican is officially launching the book Tuesday with a high-level panel discussion featuring Francis' secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and 'Life Is Beautiful' actor Roberto Benigni, signaling the importance Francis places on getting the message out.

In the book, Francis insists that his now-infamous "Who am I to judge" comment about gays was merely a repetition of the church's teaching on homosexuality. Francis won praise from gays with the comment, uttered during his first press conference in 2013. But many conservatives have criticized the remark as vague and incomplete since church teaching also holds that gay acts are "intrinsically disordered."

Francis says the church has long held that gays should be treated with dignity and respect and seen as individuals. And he goes to some length throughout the text to cite scripture and previous popes to make clear that his radical agenda is fully rooted in the church's basic teachings.

"People should not be defined only by their sexual tendancies: Let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive his infinite love," he says. "I prefer that homosexuals come to confession, that they stay close to the Lord, and that we pray all together. You can advise them to pray, show goodwill, show them the way, and accompany them along it."

Francis has made clear from the start of his pontificate that his would be a papacy focused on mercy, and he called a jubilee year to emphasize it. Throughout the book, Francis refers repeatedly to his own ministry to prostitutes and prisoners in Argentina, showing how his own personal encounters with society's outcasts have shaped his view about the faith and formed the bedrock of his papacy.

As a confessor, Francis is quoted as saying, "I have always tried to find a crack, just a tiny opening so that I can pry open that door and grant forgiveness and mercy."

But Francis' opening isn't a free-for-all: He says of course prisons can't throw their doors open and let violent criminals out onto the streets. But he says once a debt is paid, prisoners must be reintegrated back into society and welcomed. And he distinguishes between ordinary and even repeat sinners and those who are corrupt, saying corruption is a condition, a state of life and often a hypocritical one incompatible with Christianity.

"The corrupt man often doesn't realize his own condition, much as a person with bad breath doesn't know they have it," he says.

Some conservatives have balked at Francis' mercy-over-morals priorities, saying it has sent confusing messages to the faithful especially after two previous popes spent so much time stressing doctrine. Even some cardinals have called on Francis to make clear-cut policy statements on certain hot-button issues, especially on the divisive question of whether divorced and civilly remarried Catholics can receive Communion.

Church teaching holds that, if these Catholics are living in sin, they cannot receive the sacraments.

Francis launched a two-year study on the issue and other matters related to Catholic family life, and is expected to weigh in this year with a document on whether any accommodation can be found.

In the book, Francis doesn't commit himself one way or the other, but he indicated that his ultimate decision may draw on a personal experience.

Francis recounts that one of his nieces wanted to marry a man who had children from a previous marriage but hadn't yet obtained an annulment, a church decree that his first marriage was null.

The couple got married in a civil ceremony and went on to have three children. Francis recalls that every Sunday when they went to Mass the man went to confession and told the priest that he knew he couldn't be absolved from the sin of adultery, but he asked for a blessing.

"This is a religiously mature man," Francis said.

Progressives, led by the German bishops, have said such religiously mature Catholics should be allowed to participate fully in the life of the church, including receiving the sacraments.

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Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield
Christopher Carlson, 50, served two years in prison for abusing his grandchildren - he was found murdered on Friday in Indianapolis

An Indianapolis man convicted of child abuse in 2012 for forcing three grandsons to hike the Grand Canyon has been shot to death, police said.

Christopher Carlson, 50, was found shot multiple times Friday evening in an alley on the city's north side, the Indianapolis Metropolitan police Department said in a news release.

Detectives did not immediately have any suspects in the slaying.

Two small children who investigators believe to be Carlson's children were unharmed and being cared for by a police Victim Assistance Unit.

Carlson's relatives stated he was the same man convicted in federal court of child abuse for forcing his grandsons - then ages 8, 9 and 12 - to hike 19 miles in the Grand Canyon in August 2011, Sgt. Christopher Wilburn said Sunday.

The boys testified that Carlson kicked or hit them if they were too slow on the hike.

The oldest described secretly asking a hiker to call 911 toward the end of a 19-mile hike on August 28 after he started throwing up, falling down because of cramping and experiencing changes to his vision.

'I needed medical attention and I was hurting and he was hitting and pushing me and calling me fat,' said the boy. 'I was scared and it was hard and I was all weak and tired and kind of hurt.'

Prosecutors told jurors that he deprived the boys of food and water during the hikes. The boys reported that they did get some water, but not always enough, and ate celery and other snacks during the hike.

Investigators have said that Carlson told them that the boys were overweight and that he thought hiking the Grand Canyon would help get them into shape.

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Carlson made his young grandsons hike almost 20 miles through the Grand Canyon while kicking and hitting them

Defense attorney Jeffrey Williams has portrayed the 45-year-old Carlson as an active health nut who had a firm hand and wanted to show the boys the world. (Carlson was such a young grandfather because he had his first child at 15.)

Like anyone after a long hike, the boys were tired, hungry and thirsty, but Carlson only allowed the boys to eat healthy food like tofu, hummus and veggie burgers, Williams said in his opening statement.

But a ranger with binoculars spotted the group during their August 28 hike, the same day a man died on another trail from heat exposure.

The oldest grandson, 12, secretly asked another hiker to call 911 - he was suffering from heat stroke and vomiting

The ranger reported seeing Carlson shoving the oldest boy and whipping him with a rolled-up T-shirt.

Rangers fed the boys and gave them water after one showed symptoms of heat stroke and the other two had signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Investigators said the boys were covered in cuts, bruises and scars that backed up their stories.

Carlson said at the time he treated the boys roughly but denied being criminally negligent or endangering them.'

'I love my grandchildren greatly,' Carlson said at his sentencing. 'I wanted to afford these children a beautiful opportunity at a young age to experience something magnificent.'

He served 27 months in prison.
NYC's homeless skeptical of programs intended to help them

NEW YORK (AP)  A surge in homelessness is bedeviling New York City, and dozens of homeless people made it clear in interviews that it will take more than outreach programs by the mayor and governor to bring them in from the cold.

Not one of them told The Associated Press they had been approached by outreach workers Mayor Bill de Blasio promised last month would be out on the streets, with an ambitious goal of canvassing every block, every day, in a 7-mile stretch of Manhattan, aiming to persuade street people to come indoors. A city spokeswoman told the AP on Friday the program would not be fully operational until sometime in March  when winter is almost over.

And despite temperatures that dipped below freezing, none of the about three dozen homeless interviewed last week said they had been involuntarily taken inside following Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order instructing police statewide to forcibly remove the homeless from the street once the temperature drops that low.

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2016, file photo, a homeless woman, who only wanted to be identified as Lala, asks for money on a street corner in midtown Manhattan in New York. As bitter winter weather arrived in the Northeast, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring the homeless to be forcibly removed from the streets in freezing temperatures. The Associated Press spoke to about three dozen people living on the city's streets about how, or even if, new policies on the homeless announced by Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio are affecting them. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

All said they would rather take their chances on the street in frigid weather than turn to a shelter system they described as filthy, violent, vermin-infested, and rife with mental illness and addiction.

"I haven't talked to any cops, or social workers, or anybody," John Gallup, 30, said while collecting change outside a Trader Joe's on the Upper West Side. "And the shelters here are horrible. I feel safer on the street."

Michael Cliff, begging in Manhattan's Union Square Park, said he won't go to a city shelter due to worries about violence. But, for now, Cliff has a more immediate fear.

"I'm scared. ... I'm really scared I'm going to die out here when it's cold," said the 32-year-old, who said he was once an actor.

City officials estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 people sleep nightly on New York City's streets, while nearly 58,000 more  including 23,000 children  live in shelters. That's up from 42,000 in the past three years, according to the city. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has separately recorded a 37 percent increase in New York City's homeless population since 2009.

The problem has been fueled by soaring housing costs, drug addiction and mental illness. The mayor responded last month by commissioning a program called HomeStat, in which workers are tasked with making repeated daily contact with the homeless in what he billed as the country's largest outreach program.

Last week, during a bitter cold snap, city officials said outreach workers persuaded 97 homeless people to go into shelters one night and 62 the next. The city's long-running Code Blue program requires those workers to comb the streets for panhandlers when temperatures drop below 32 degrees.

But John Hamarics, 54, panhandling on Manhattan's Upper East Side, told the AP that New York City's shelters are "a ferocious pigsty." One East Side shelter, he said, was "infested with mice, burrowing in our food bags" and another was "notorious for criminals and people robbing each other's cellphones, robbing each other's clothes, robbing each other's food."

He instead opts to sleep on the steps of a Park Avenue church, fortified every few hours with a $2.18 cup of hot soup from a nearby Subway sandwich shop. Hamarics said he hadn't noticed any changes since the two outreach initiatives began.

"The exact same people are still in the exact same place," said Hamarics, who identified himself as a skilled carpenter looking for a job.

Three of the people interviewed said they had been approached by police officers in recent weeks, but only in the way long familiar to New Yorkers: ordering them off public spaces and suggesting they go to shelters, without offering any assistance or direction.

A de Blasio spokeswoman noted that the stepped-up outreach effort had begun but, due to training requirements, wouldn't be running at full capacity until March. "It takes multiple outreach efforts to build trust with individuals living on the streets," spokeswoman Ishanee Parikh said.

There are many reasons that some homeless people might choose to avoid a shelter. Drugs and drinking aren't allowed, and the facilities are sometimes full of difficult, troubled people in close quarters.

Comptroller Scott Stringer, saying he's "horrified," released an audit finding more than 18,000 health or safety violations  including vermin infestation, busted smoke detectors and peeling lead paint  at the city's 500 shelters. Reports of violent incidents against shelter staff and residents have also increased by 55 percent, from 504 in the fiscal year 2012 to 783 in the fiscal year 2015, according to city records.

De Blasio, whose agenda has been dominated by a need to address the city's homelessness crisis, has announced a plan to step up repairs to city shelters, acknowledging that "for decades our shelters have not been safe enough or clean enough, and that's just not acceptable." But most of the homeless people interviewed last month were skeptical that the city was following through on its plan and doubted the problem could ever be solved.

"Same problem, but it got bigger: more homeless, all over the place," said Michael Williams, 50, saying he once worked as a messenger at the World Trade Center and has been homeless for 14 years. "I haven't noticed anything different. It doesn't matter; it's the same thing, the same thing. Nothing's changed. They're not doing nothing."

In this Jan. 7, 2016, photo, Michael Cliff, a 32-year-old homeless man begging for food money, shows off what he calls his "American Dream" tattoo while being interviewed in New York's Union Square Park. Cliff is one of several dozen homeless people that The Associated Press interviewed to get their impressions of government aid and shelter programs. "I'm scared. I'm really scared I'm going to die out here when it's cold," Cliff said. "But I won't go to a shelter, because you get raped there." (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik)

In this Jan. 4, 2016, file photo, a public safety officer talks to a homeless couple in New York's Times Square. As bitter winter temperatures arrived in the northeast, New Yorks Gov. Mario Cuomo issued an executive order requiring the homeless to be forcibly removed from the street in freezing weather. The Associated Press spoke to about three dozen people living on the city's streets about how, or even if, new policies on the homeless announced by Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio are affecting them. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

In this Jan. 6, 2016, photo, homeless New Yorker John Hamarics is interviewed in New York, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, while panhandling. Hamarics is one of several dozen homeless people that The Associated Press interviewed to get their impressions of government aid and shelter programs. City shelters hold no appeal for Hamarics, who said hes been homeless since his father died last spring. (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik)

In this Jan. 6, 2016, photo, homeless New Yorker John Hamarics is interviewed in New York, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, while panhandling. Hamarics is one of several dozen homeless people that The Associated Press interviewed to get their impressions of government aid and shelter programs. City shelters hold no appeal for Hamarics, who said hes been homeless since his father died last spring. (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik)
NYC homeless: From the hopeless to those on cusp of jobs

NEW YORK (AP)  As New York City grapples with a surge in homelessness, both the city and state governments have unveiled urgent measures to reach out to people living on the street and try to persuade them to move to shelters. The Associated Press interviewed several dozen homeless New Yorkers over two days to get their impressions of government aid and shelter programs. Here are some of their stories:

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JOHN HAMARICS

In this Jan. 7, 2016, photo, Michael Cliff, a 32-year-old homeless man begging for food money, shows off what he calls his "American Dream" tattoo while being interviewed in New York's Union Square Park. Cliff is one of several dozen homeless people that The Associated Press interviewed to get their impressions of government aid and shelter programs. "I'm scared. I'm really scared I'm going to die out here when it's cold," Cliff said. "But I won't go to a shelter, because you get raped there." (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik)

City shelters hold no appeal for this 54-year-old who says he's been homeless since his father died last spring.

He may sleep on the steps of a Park Avenue church, but he sees himself as a different breed than many shelter residents. He calls himself a skilled carpenter applying for jobs on a public library computer.

"Mayor de Blasio needs to understand something," he said, "There's a big difference between a homeless man and a man without a home who's displaced. And we should not be mingling with people who are eternally homeless"  or who may be "mentally challenged" or cannot work for other reasons.

Hamarics said he once worked as a driver for a hotel, but it didn't pay enough to cover a New York rent. He said he had some tools, which he kept tied to his finger to feel the tug of any thief while he slept, but the tools were stolen anyway.

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MICHAEL CLIFF

The 32-year-old begging in Manhattan's Union Square Park peels off layers of clothing to reveal a massive tattoo of an American flag on his arm. He calls it "my American dream," and said he got it after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Boasting that he was once a small-time actor, Cliff said he was born to a heroin-addicted mother and is now himself in methadone treatment. He said he is entitled to government disability payments deposited to a bank account, but lost a debit card that allowed him to make withdrawals. So he can't access the money.

"I'm scared. I'm really scared I'm going to die out here when it's cold," he said, his eyes welling with tears. "But I won't go to a shelter, because you get raped there." He added, though, that he might be willing to go to a specialized shelter for people taking methadone, if it were clean and well-organized.

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THOMAS SYLVESTER

The homelessness problem extends beyond the city limits. At a train station in Hicksville, on Long Island, is Thomas Sylvester, who said he has been living on the streets and in shelters for about three years.

Sylvester said he had heard about an order, recently issued by the governor, instructing police officers to take homeless people to shelters when the temperature falls below freezing. But he said he'd never gotten that type of invitation from officers.

"They just come over and bang and tell you to get lost," he said. Nor would he necessarily want to go to a shelter, he added.

"I've had my stuff stolen, clothes stolen," he said. "They're crowded, they smell and people always want to fight ... Sometimes it's just easier out here."

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JOHN GALLUP

The 30-year-old, who identified himself as an Army veteran, said he has been stranded in New York after a shoestring vacation with friends whose car broke down and had to be abandoned.

Sitting in front of a food-packed Trader Joe's on Manhattan's Upper West Side, he said he's saving money to take a $209 bus ride back home to Phoenix, Arizona.

He'd hoped to get a job in New York City. No luck.

"They don't want to hire somebody who's living on the street." And he has no ID, which was stolen along with his backpack while he slept in Union Square.

There might be telemarketing job awaiting him in Phoenix, he says.

And maybe a paycheck to help him fix his missing teeth.

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TERRENCE WHITNEY

His head bowed deep into his jacket, the chilled North Carolina native sat on the sidewalk near Macy's, begging for change to buy dinner.

Whitney identified himself as an unemployed cook and said he has been homeless for three months, after his roommates kicked him out.

"Homeless but not hopeless," read the cardboard sign resting on his knees. He said he had been promised a job at a nearby fast-food restaurant, but it hadn't materialized yet.

He said he would go home to Washington, North Carolina, if he had enough money.

In this Jan. 6, 2016, photo, homeless New Yorker John Hamarics is interviewed in New York, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, while panhandling. Hamarics is one of several dozen homeless people that The Associated Press interviewed to get their impressions of government aid and shelter programs. City shelters hold no appeal for Hamarics, who said hes been homeless since his father died last spring. (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik)

In this Jan. 4, 2016, file photo, a public safety officer talks to a homeless couple in New York's Times Square. As bitter winter temperatures arrived in the northeast, New Yorks Gov. Mario Cuomo issued an executive order requiring the homeless to be forcibly removed from the street in freezing weather. The Associated Press spoke to about three dozen people living on the city's streets about how, or even if, new policies on the homeless announced by Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio are affecting them. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2016, file photo, a homeless woman, who only wanted to be identified as Lala, asks for money on a street corner in midtown Manhattan in New York. As bitter winter weather arrived in the Northeast, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring the homeless to be forcibly removed from the streets in freezing temperatures. The Associated Press spoke to about three dozen people living on the city's streets about how, or even if, new policies on the homeless announced by Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio are affecting them. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

In this Jan. 6, 2016, photo, homeless New Yorker John Hamarics is interviewed in New York, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, while panhandling. Hamarics is one of several dozen homeless people that The Associated Press interviewed to get their impressions of government aid and shelter programs. City shelters hold no appeal for Hamarics, who said hes been homeless since his father died last spring. (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik)
The occupation of national wildlife area by a small, armed group upset over federal land policies stretched into its second week as the mother of the group's leader asked supporters to send supplies - everything from warm blankets to coffee creamer and even tampons.

The group that seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon's high desert country on January 2 planned no media briefings. It was quiet at the entrance to the refuge Sunday.

The leader of the occupation, Ammon Bundy, has repeatedly rejected calls to leave buildings at the refuge despite pleas from the county sheriff, from many local residents and from Oregon's governor, among others. He has said the group will leave when there is a plan to transfer control of federal land to locals.

Shopping list: Journalist JJ MacNab, from Forbes, obtained this list of supplies released by the Oregon militia to supporters over the weekend

Extensive: The group asked for everything from food and clothing to tampons and four different types of tobacco

So far, the authorities have not moved in to remove Bundy's group. Ammon Bundy is the son of rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a 2014 Nevada standoff with the government over grazing rights.

On Saturday, Ammon Bundy's mother, Carol Bundy, sent an email to supporters asking them to send her son's group supplies from a list of more than 80 items, including sleeping bags, wool socks, cigarettes, toiletries, food, coffee and 'French Vanilla Creamer.'

Forbes writer JJ MacNab obtained a copy of the list and tweeted it out on Saturday.

An Oregon state legislator met with the group on Saturday, despite requests from local officials that he not do so.

Rep. Dallas Heard, a Republican from Roseburg, talked with the group, The Oregonian reported. Heard's legislative district is in western Oregon, outside the area where the standoff is occurring.

Rep. Cliff Bentz, the Republican state representative whose district includes the wildlife refuge, told Heard not to come because it would be 'inappropriate.'

Reinforcements: Members of a group who call themselves the three percent of Idaho arrived at the occupation on Saturday, but were turned away and told to put their long guns away by the original protesters. Above, a member of the three percent on Saturday

Authorities: Members of the FBI stand guard at the Burns Municipal Airport on Sunday, January 10, 2016

Harney County Judge Steven Grasty, another local official, says he too advised Bentz against the visit. Grasty said Bentz and five other out-of-state elected officials from Washington, Idaho and Nevada accompanied Heard. It wasn't clear who the other elected officials were. Heard did not return a call Sunday from The Associated Press.

Also Saturday a separate group of armed men arrived but left several hours later after occupation leaders told them they weren't needed.

The Pacific Patriot Network showed up Saturday in a convoy of about 18 vehicles, carrying rifles and handguns and dressed in military attire and bulletproof vests.

They said they were there to help with security. They departed the refuge area after LaVoy Finicum said the network's help was appreciated, but 'we want the long guns put away.'

The standoff is the latest flare up of tensions over federal management of Western lands.

The federal government manages most of the land in many Western states, including 53 per cent of Oregon.

While ranchers and others object to what they say are unfair rules, environmentalists say mining, logging and ranching have run roughshod for decades on public land and left a legacy of pollution for taxpayers to clean up.

Overthrow: Occupier Ryan Bundy, center, walks outside a government building on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, January 8
Rolling Stone faces criticism over 'El Chapo' interview

NEW YORK (AP)  It was a big scoop, and one Rolling Stone may well regret.

The magazine made stunning news over the weekend by revealing that actor Sean Penn landed a rare interview last fall with the notorious drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman while Guzman was on the run after escaping through a tunnel from a maximum-security Mexican prison. Guzman was recaptured Friday in Mexico after a shootout that killed five of his associates and wounded one marine.

Penn's long and often rambling essay, widely mocked on social media, included comments from Guzman on everything from his childhood to his thoughts on the drug trade.

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2015 file photo, Sean Penn speaks during a forum with young entrepreneurs during the IMF and World Bank annual meeting in Lima, Peru. Late Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, Rolling Stone magazine published an interview that Guzman apparently gave to Penn in his hideout in Mexico months before his recapture. In the article and interview, Penn describes the complicated measures he took to meet the legendary drug lord. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

It also raised questions of ethics and judgment, namely whether Penn should have met secretly with one of the world's most-wanted fugitives, whether the actor crossed the line by giving Guzman approval over the article before it was published, and whether Penn trivialized El Chapo's murderous past by asking him such questions as "Do you have any dreams?" and "If you could change the world, would you?"

A Rolling Stone spokeswoman did not immediately return requests for comment.

Penn's story ran nine months after Rolling Stone retracted its discredited story about a gang rape at a fraternity party at the University of Virginia. The magazine was strongly criticized for relying too strongly on the account of the alleged victim and failing to carry out basic fact-checking. It is being sued for tens of millions of dollars by the fraternity, former frat members and a university administrator.

Writing for Rolling Stone, Penn acknowledged that Guzman was granted prior approval over the article (Guzman requested no changes, according to the actor), a violation of the commonly held rules of journalistic integrity.

"Allowing any source control over a story's content is inexcusable. The practice of pre-approval discredits the entire story  whether the subject requests changes or not," Andrew Seaman, chairman of the ethics committee of the Society of Professional Journalists, said in a blog post titled "Rolling Stone Gathers No Accolades."

"The writer, who in this case is an actor and activist, may write the story in a more favorable light and omit unflattering facts in an attempt to not to be rejected."

Penn, an Oscar-winning actor who played a drug dealer in the 1985 movie "The Falcon and the Snowman," has had news-making encounters in other countries. In 2002, as the U.S. was threatening war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq, Penn visited the country and met with senior officials. He has also spoken with such foreign critics of the U.S. as Fidel Castro and Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

Rolling Stone has long mixed aggressive investigative and political reporting with coverage of rock stars and other celebrities. Former staff writers such as Greil Marcus and Jim DeRogatis have accused publisher Jann Wenner of allowing undue input from interview subjects or interfering with music reviews he found too negative about artists he likes.

"It's unfortunately in keeping with Jann's tendency to ignore professional scruples in an effort to curry favor with celebrities," said Robert Draper, a correspondent for GQ and author of "Rolling Stone Magazine: The Uncensored History," said of the El Chapo story.

___
Police probe tip that radical group wants to harm officers

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Police in Philadelphia are investigating a tip that a man charged in the ambush shooting of a patrolman is connected to a radical group that may continue to pose a threat to officers.

The police department said Sunday evening that someone approached an officer on the street and alleged that the man who attacked Officer Jesse Hartnett "had an affiliation to a group with radical beliefs."

Police say they are working with the FBI to investigate the credibility of the information. They have alerted all department personnel about the tip and will continue to require officers to work with a partner until further notice.

Harnett was last reported in stable condition at the hospital after a man charged his car as he patrolled his usual west Philadelphia beat shortly before midnight Thursday, firing at least 13 shots, hitting the officer three times. Hartnett got out of his car, chased the man and returned fire, wounding him in the buttocks before he was captured by other officers about a block away.

Edward Archer, 30, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, was charged Saturday with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer and several firearms crimes. He is being held without bail pending a Jan. 25 preliminary hearing. The Defender Association of Philadelphia, listed in court documents as representing him, couldn't be reached over the weekend to offer comment on the charges.

Investigators said Archer told them he was "following Allah" and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, and he believed the police department defends laws that are contrary to Islam. Authorities believe Archer traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2011 and to Egypt in 2012 and are investigating the purpose of those trips. FBI special agent Eric Ruona said Sunday that as U.S. authorities work with partners overseas, it would take time to find any potential terror connections, and it was too early for any meaningful comment on the subject.

Earlier, police said a man tried to grab the gun of a Philadelphia officer working a detail at the hospital where Hartnett is recovering, but they believe the incident is unrelated to the ambush shooting.
Titanic night at the Golden Globes for Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet

Former Titanic co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were reunited as they were both honoured with big prizes at the Golden Globes.

The pair, who were spotted embracing in the ballroom at the glamorous Los Angeles ceremony, first starred together in James Cameron's Oscar-winning film in 1997 and later teamed up again for Revolutionary Road.

Winslet was the first winner of the night and looked visibly shocked as she was named best supporting actress in a film for her portrayal of Joanna Hoffman in Steve Jobs.

Kate Winslet poses in the press room with the best supporting actress Golden Globe that she was visibly shocked to win (AP)

She said: "I am extremely surprised and overwhelmed. I just want to start by saying what an incredible year for women in film. These categories are so crowded and crammed with incredible integrity and skill and I feel prouder than ever to be included."

DiCaprio was the penultimate winner when he was named best actor in a motion picture drama for his portrayal of fur trapper Hugh Glass in revenge epic The Revenant.

The win puts him one step closer to the coveted Oscar that has so far eluded him.

Arriving at the stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel after a standing ovation, DiCaprio said: "This film was about survival, adaptation and the triumph of the human spirit and more importantly it was about trust.

"There is nobody more deserving of that trust than our director Alejandro Inarritu. I've never had an experience like this in my entire life. The depths he went to are unfathomable."

The Revenant was later named best drama, and Alejandro G Inarritu best director, while Ridley Scott's The Martian won in the musical or comedy category.

Scott collected the gong saying "comedy?" before adding: "But anyway I'm very grateful for this."

He paid tribute to his late brother and fellow director Tony, saying: "I love you and miss you."

BBC drama Wolf Hall was named best limited series or TV movie and producer Colin Callender was joined by stars Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance as he accepted the award and made a plea to protect BBC funding.

He said: "Without the BBC, quality programmes like this wouldn't happen and I urge David Cameron and the British Government to do everything they can to protect the BBC and ensure its future."

Sam Smith and his songwriting partner Jimmy Napes slapped each other on the back as they were announced as the winners of best original song for Writing's On The Wall for the James Bond film Spectre.

Smith said: "Honestly, on a real level I genuinely didn't think we were going to get this. This has been the most interesting night of my life, this is amazing. I hope you're having a good time because we are."

The show opened with a monologue from host Ricky Gervais, who addressed the crowd of famous faces as "disgusting, pill-popping, sexual deviant scum".

He added: "I'm going to do this monologue and then go into hiding. Not even Sean Penn will find me."

The best actress in a drama award was presented to Brie Larson for Room, as her young co-star Jacob Tremblay stood on a chair to give her a standing ovation, while Jennifer Lawrence embraced her friend and fellow nominee Amy Schumer as she was named best actress in a comedy or musical for Joy.

Matt Damon was honoured with the best actor in a music or comedy gong for The Martian.

Sylvester Stallone also received a standing ovation as he was named best supporting actor in a motion picture for his reprisal of the role of Rocky Balboa in Creed.

Collecting his trophy, he reeled off a list of thanks and concluded: "Last of all, I want to thank my imaginary friend Rocky Balboa for being the best friend I ever had."

Lady Gaga kissed American Horror Story: Hotel creator Ryan Murphy and her fiancee Taylor Kinney as she was named best lead actress in a limited series or TV movie for her role in the horror anthology.

Accepting the award and fighting back tears, she said: "I feel like Cher in Moonstruck right now, it's like one of the greatest moments of my life."

Hacker thriller Mr Robot scored the Globe for best TV drama while Amazon show Mozart In The Jungle, set in the world of a classical orchestra, was named best TV musical or comedy.

Jon Hamm embraced fellow nominees Bob Odenkirk and Liev Schreiber as he was named best actor in a TV series drama for Mad Men.

Accepting his award, he thanked the show's creator Matthew Weiner, saying: "Thank you to Mr Weiner for writing this horrible person all the way through to the end of this incredible ride and picking me to play him. And thank you for not taking my suggestion and ending the entire series on Chumbawamba, you picked the right song."

Taraji P Henson handed cookies to audience members including Gaga, Angela Bassett and DiCaprio as she was named best actress in a TV drama for the role of Cookie Lyon in hip hop saga Empire.

Other winners included Christian Slater for best supporting actor in a series, limited series or TV movie for Mr Robot, Gael Garcia Bernal for best actor in a musical or comedy TV series for his role as conductor Rodrigo in Mozart In The Jungle, Maura Tierney for best supporting actress in a limited series or TV movie category for The Affair and Oscar Isaac for best actor in a limited series or TV movie for HBO drama Show Me A Hero.

Inside Out was named best animated feature film while the best screenplay award was given to Aaron Sorkin for Steve Jobs.

Leonardo DiCaprio was a bigger winner at the Golden Globes (AP)

Sam Smith dressed up smartly for the Golden Globes (AP)

Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon arrive for the Golden Globes which the British comedian is hosting (AP)

Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott and Michael Schaefer with the award for best motion picture, musical or comedy, for The Martian (AP)

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham arrived together at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (AP)

Sylvester Stallone poses in the press room (AP)

Lady Gaga arrives at the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards (AP)
Martin Guptill and Colin Munro smash fifties as New Zealand hammer Sri Lanka

Martin Guptill's hot streak of form continued as his quickfire 63 set up a nine-wicket win for New Zealand in the second T20 international with Sri Lanka in Auckland, giving them a 2-0 series victory.

Guptill, who made 58 in the first match and plundered 331 runs in the recent One Day International series, was at it again, smashing five sixes and six fours in his 25-ball innings which helped the hosts knock off their target of 142 in just 10 overs.

Colin Munro also had some fun, ending on 50 not out off just 14 balls thanks to seven maximums, making it the fastest T20 half-century by a New Zealander and the second fastest of all-time.

New Zealand's Martin Guptill was in form again against Sri Lanka

The foundations of the victory were laid in the field as 4-22 from Grant Elliott helped restrict Sri Lanka to 142 for eight from their 20 overs.

That would have been far less had Angelo Mathews not hit a career-best 81 not out.

After being asked to bat first, the tourists lost Danushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuria and Dinesh Chandimal inside the first seven overs to leave them reeling on 39 for three.

That brought Mathews to the crease and it did not take him long to get going, hitting back-to-back sixes off his sixth and seventh balls.

But when Tillakaratne Dilshan departed for 28 off 26 balls, Sri Lanka collapsed further to 70 for six in the 12th over as Milinda Siriwardana (0) and Kithuruwan Vithanage (1) went cheaply.

And Mathews took that as a cue to step up a gear, taking 16 runs off a Trent Boult over before bringing his half-century up off 31 deliveries

The Test and One-Day captain cleared the ropes again in the 18th over and then hit three fours in the final over as he dragged the tourists up to a respectable target, ending unbeaten on 81 from 49 balls.

New Zealand's reply could not have started any better and they made a mockery of that target as they raced to 38 for no wicket off three overs, with the insatiable Guptill hitting three fours and a six.

Guptill was in a hurry and took 20 off spinner Jeffrey Vandersay's first over, hitting a six and three fours before striking another maximum in the next over to bring up his 50 off just 19 balls - the fastest ever T20 half-century for New Zealand.

The opener's fun ended when he was caught behind off the bowling of Thisara Perera for 63 off his 25th delivery, and Guptill's record did not last long as it quickly got smashed by Munro.

The left-hander picked up where Guptill left off, whacking five sixes in his first nine balls and he and Kane Williamson, who finished on 32 not out from 21 balls, saw their side home with their innings exactly halfway through.
Brexit not 'the right answer' says PM, insisting he is 'close' to securing deal

David Cameron has insisted a British exit from the EU is not "the right answer" as he said he was "close" to securing a renegotiation deal.

The Prime Minister made clear that his preference was to hold an in-out referendum on reformed membership terms this summer - but hinted he could delay it until next year if a new package is not finalised in the coming weeks.

He also refused to rule out applying restrictions on in-work benefits to young Britons in a bid to stop the "almost unnatural draw" of the UK's welfare system for European migrants.

Prime Minister David Cameron appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, The Andrew Marr Show.

In an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Cameron was asked whether the Government was preparing contingency plans for a so-called Brexit.

"I don't think that is the right answer for the reasons I have given. Were that to be the answer we would need to do everything necessary to make that work," he said.

"The civil service are working round the clock to support my negotiation."

Mr Cameron said he was "confident we can get a good outcome" from the haggling with EU counterparts, and he still "hoped" a package could be finalised by the next Brussels summit on February 18.

If that timetable slipped the referendum may be delayed from summer and could take place "later" than September, he indicated.

Mr Cameron said his proposal of a four-year ban on in-work benefits for migrants - viewed as the toughest element to secure - was "still on the table", but he was open to any alternative that would be "equally powerful".

Asked if there could be a compromise where Britons were also subject to the restriction and then compensated with a "social" payment, Mr Cameron replied: "I am in the middle of a negotiation. I have got hard work to do and when I have an announcement to make I will make it."

The Prime Minister also said he would not resign if the country voted for the UK to leave the EU.

Mr Cameron said it had "always been my intention" to allow Eurosceptic ministers to campaign for Brexit in a "personal" capacity.

Stressing that he had not ruled out supporting an "out" vote if his renegotiation goals were not achieved, he said: "Obviously I want to have as many people supporting the side that I am on, whatever side that is when the time comes.

"The Government is not going to be neutral on this issue, with people on one side or the other. My intention is that at the conclusion of the negotiation the Cabinet has a discussion and reaches a clear recommendation to the British people of what we should do. I hope that will be staying in a reformed EU."

Mr Cameron said he was aiming to change the things about the EU that drove the public "up the wall".

"At the moment our welfare system acts as an extra additional, almost unnatural draw for people to come to Britain and we need to be able to address that," he said. "We have a welfare system, unlike many in Europe, that you have immediate access to and it is that that creates many of the difficulties."

He added: " I think the best answer for Britain is to stay in a reformed EU if we can get those changes."

Mr Cameron said the "prize" of an improved membership package was "closer than it was".

"I am hopeful of a deal in February and if we do that we can go ahead and hold the referendum," he said.

Asked if that meant the referendum could take place in the summer, Mr Cameron said: "That is what I would like to see, a deal in February and then a referendum that would follow."

Responding to the suggestion that failure to get a deal at the next EU summit would mean the referendum being delayed until September, Mr Cameron said: "Or later. I have to have this referendum by the end of 2017. To me the substance matters much more than the timing, so if I can't get the right deal in February I will wait and I will keep going."

Mr Cameron said the Government had already made clear that parliament was sovereign, and that would be the case whether or not the UK remained in the EU.

"If we need to reaffirm that even more, if we need to put that up in lights - absolutely happy to do so," he said.

Tory backbencher David Davis told the BBC's Sunday Politics he expected up to half the parliamentary party and "five or six" Cabinet ministers to campaign for Brexit.

He also called the lack of planning for the UK leaving the EU "disgraceful".

"This is actually disgraceful. Because you know, you've got two moderately likely outcomes, we don't know which it will be," he said.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of Vote Leave, said: " Cameron has never asked for serious changes from the EU, he gave up before he started. He's asked for trivia and he'll get everything he's asked for.

"It's spin and nobody should believe him. If you want British laws to be made by people you can vote out, the only way is to Vote Leave and take back control."
Factions in BMA risking lives with misinformation says Jeremy Hunt

Factions in the British Medical Association (BMA) risk putting lives on the line by peddling "misinformation" in a politicised bid to fuel his row with junior doctors, Jeremy Hunt has claimed.

The Health Secretary accused some on the union's council of viewing the dispute over weekend working hours as a "political opportunity to bash a Tory government that they hate" and said looming strikes would be "the worst possible thing for the NHS".

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Hunt said patients must be put before politics. The Department of Health is hoping to reduce weekend mortality rates which, according to some figures, mean 11,000 extra patients die each year after being admitted to hospital over the weekend.

Jeremy Hunt accused some on the union's council of viewing the dispute over weekend working hours as a "political opportunity to bash a Tory government that they hate"

However some junior doctors argue that the proposed change to work patterns will amount to a 30% pay cut and result in doctors working dangerously long shifts.

Talks between the DoH and the BMA broke down after just one hour when doctors walked out, claimed Mr Hunt, who has been accused of spin in the debate.

A series of three strikes is due to start on Tuesday, when junior doctors will only provide emergency care for 24 hours, potentially causing delays to elective surgeries.

If negotiations fail they will stop providing all care, including emergency procedures, in a walkout on February 10 from 8am to 5pm.

Mr Hunt told the newspaper junior doctors were the "backbone" of an NHS already under strain from seasonal increases in admissions, that have seen many declare they are struggling with demand.

He said: "I think it's really important that the BMA leadership rein in any elements who are looking at this strike in that way because that would be the worst possible thing for the NHS."

He added: "It is unprecedented for doctors to say that they will be withdrawing emergency care. That is basically saying that you won't be there for your patients even in life-threatening situations."

It was in the long-term interest of doctors to accept the plans in order to protect patients, he explained.

There were "too many" studies that highlight soaring fatality rates over weekends, including a 29% hike in cancer surgery deaths, a 20% increase in stroke mortality, an 11% rise in general surgery deaths and a 7% increase in mortality rates for newborn babies, Mr Hunt said.

Under the new contract 99% of doctors would have their pay protected, he claimed, adding: "One of the most disappointing things about this dispute has been the amount of misinformation that has gone around about what the Government is trying to do."

The BMA has insisted it is "apolitical" and the strikes "demonstrated the strength of feeling amongst the profession".

The government's chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, urged the BMA to suspend strikes.

"As a doctor, I can understand the anger and frustration felt by many junior doctors at this time," she said.

"In part, this dispute is a symptom of frustration and low morale that has been building for decades and the strain that a career in medicine can place on your work-life balance.

"Junior doctors are the backbone of the NHS, working long and anti-social hours. Training now is very different from when I went through it. It is vital that, as senior medical leaders, we ask ourselves whether we are doing everything we can to ensure our junior colleagues feel valued.
Vietnamese man pleads guilty in U.S. to helping al Qaeda affiliate

By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK, Jan 8 (Reuters) - A Vietnamese man who prosecutors said traveled to Yemen to join an al Qaeda affiliate and was instructed there to detonate an explosive at London's Heathrow Airport pleaded guilty to U.S. terrorism charges on Friday.

Minh Quang Pham, 33, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to three counts including that he provided material support to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, three weeks before he was set to face trial.

Speaking in a quiet voice, Pham admitted to providing support to the Islamic militant group, including through helping prepare the group's online propaganda magazine, Inspire, and receiving military-type training.

Prosecutors have said that Pham, who had attended a university in South London, while in Yemen also directly trained with Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born radical Islamic cleric who was killed in a 2011 U.S. drone attack.

In court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Buckley said after his arrest, Pham admitted that al-Awlaki instructed him in how to make an explosive device out of household material.

Buckley said al-Awlaki "directed Pham to return to the United Kingdom, where he was to construct and detonate the device at the arrival area of Heathrow." Buckley added that al-Awlaki gave Pham $10,000 for the plot.

Bobbi Sternheim, Pham's lawyer, said her client accepted "full responsibility" to the charges to which he pled. But she said there was "no proof" Pham did anything to follow through with causing any harm at Heathrow.

Pham faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum term of life. He is scheduled to be sentenced April 14.

Prosecutors said Pham traveled from the United Kingdom to Yemen in December 2010 and took an oath of allegiance to the militant group, which the United States lists as a terrorist organization.

He spent a year in Yemen, where he received "military-type" training and helped prepare the group's magazine, Inspire, working directly with Samir Khan, a U.S. citizen who served as its editor and died in a U.S. drone strike in 2011.

Pham returned to the United Kingdom in July 2011, where he was detained by authorities at Heathrow Airport, who discovered various items including a live round of .762 caliber armor-piercing ammunition.
Egypt's Tourism Minister promises greater security measures after tourist attack

CAIRO, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Egypt's Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou said on Saturday that the government will announce additional security measures to safeguard tourists after an attack in the Red Sea resort of Hurgada left three injured on Friday.

Tourism is critical to the Egyptian economy as a source of hard currency, but has been ravaged by years of political turmoil since the revolution that ousted veteran president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

"The welfare of the tourists visiting Egypt is of the greatest importance to us and will continue to be so. No stone will be left unturned to ensure their security," Zaazou said.

"Over the coming days we will announce even greater security measures to safeguard all tourists visiting Egypt," he said.

Suspected militants armed with knives wounded two Austrian tourists and a Swede at a hotel in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada on Friday evening.

Security forces shot and killed at least one of the attackers after they stormed the beachside Bella Vista hotel, officials said, though there was no immediate information on the other.

Security sources said the attackers had arrived by sea and also carried a gun and a suicide belt. Officials said officers had tightened checks across the area and shut off roads.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Germany updated its travel advice after the hotel attack, advising tourists in Hurghada not to go on any day trips from the resort for now and recommending they stay vigilant.

In response, the German arm of Europe's largest tour operator TUI said it was cancelling all day trips from Hurghada until the end of January.

It currently has about 3,100 German guests in Egypt, all of whom it said were fine. It said it would help those who wished to leave early, but that so far there had been only a few requests to return.

Egypt is fighting a wave of Islamist militancy and Islamic State claimed responsibility for the downing of a Russian passenger plane in October, killing all 224 people on board, most of them tourists returning home from the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, across the water from Hurghada.

Last month Egypt hired global consultancy Control Risks to review security at its airports after the crash but said it had found no evidence so far of terrorism or other illegal action linked to it. In November Russia said the jet was brought down by a bomb.

Islamic State said on Friday it had carried out an attack on Israeli tourists in Cairo on Thursday, in response to a call by the group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, to target Jews "everywhere".
Four-country talks on Taliban to begin in Pakistan

By Amjad Ali

ISLAMABAD, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States are set to begin talks on Monday aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process and eventually ending 14 years of bloodshed fighting Taliban insurgents.

Officials from the four countries will meet in Islamabad, Pakistan foreign office sources said, in what they hope will be a first step towards resuming stalled negotiations. The Taliban are not expected to attend the talks.

The Islamist militants have stepped up their violent campaign in the last year to oust the government in Kabul, which has struggled since most foreign troops left at the end of 2014.

High-profile suicide attacks in the capital and major territorial losses in Helmand province have underlined how far the country remains from peace without major Taliban factions on board.

A previous fledging peace process last year was stopped after the Taliban announced that its founder, Mullah Omar, had been dead for two years, throwing the militant group into disarray and factional infighting.

Kabul has been trying to limit expectations of a breakthrough at Monday's talks, and has said the aim is to work out a road map for peace negotiations and a way of assessing if they remain on track.

Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry will attend the talks on Monday, Pakistani foreign office sources told Reuters.

Besides an official from China, the U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson or the U.S. ambassador would attend from the United States, a State Department official said.

"It'll be an opportunity to further our partnership with Afghanistan, Pakistan and China in support of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation, which is what we've said all along we want to see," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

"We're obviously looking forward to ... trying to make some progress here on what has been a very difficult issue."

Afghanistan last month turned to Pakistan, with which it shares a porous border from where the Taliban operate bases on both sides, for help in reviving the peace talks.

The Taliban, who are fighting to restore strict Islamic rule in place before the group was ousted from power in 2001, are split on whether to participate in any future talks.

Some elements within the Talibanp have signalled they may be willing to send negotiators at some point, but other factions remain opposed to any form of negotiation with Kabul.
Facing U.S. storm, VW set for easier ride in Europe on emissions scandal

By Barbara Lewis and Kirstin Ridley

BRUSSELS/LONDON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Volkswagen is unlikely to face U.S.-style fines in Europe over its emissions scandal because of a softer regulatory regime and its home country Germany's determination to protect its car industry, EU sources and legal experts say.

The carmaker has been embroiled in crisis since last September, when it admitted it had cheated U.S. emissions tests using software known as "defeat devices".

The U.S. Justice Department is suing the German company for up to $46 billion for allegedly violating environmental laws - though some legal experts expect the final settlement to be far lower.

Other countries have also acted - Brazil and South Korea, for example, have both imposed fines of well over $10 million on VW for cheating on emissions.

But although VW says 8.5 million of the 11 million vehicles world-wide that contain banned software are in Europe, no European national authority has ordered any penalties so far.

EU sources and lawyers say it would be surprise if the firm received any significant fines in the European Union.

While the bloc outlawed defeat devices in 2007, there are no defined penalties for using such software to mask emissions. Under U.S. law, by contrast, carmakers must identify and describe any emissions control devices, meaning they can be pursued for omission or wrongful declaration, widening the scope for punitive action.

EU states are also reluctant to mete out tough financial penalties, because of an unwritten rule in the 28-member club that some national interests are sacred, according to the EU sources - and Germany's car industry has traditionally been one of them.

VW, Europe's biggest motor manufacturer, employs more than 750,000 people in Germany, and has been a symbol of the nation's engineering prowess. VW, Daimler and BMW, Germany's big three German carmakers, hauled in revenues of 413 billion euros in 2014, far bigger than the German federal budget, which stood at just under 300 billion.

Even if the European Commission wanted to impose penalties on VW, its powers are curbed. The EU executive can directly only impose financial sanctions on trade and competition issues. Lucas Bergkamp, a partner at law firm Hunton and Williams in Brussels, said any change to that "would be a huge step".

"In general when companies are already in great difficulties due to some crisis, European governments tend to be understanding and will not necessarily seek the imposition of all possible penalties," he said, adding he could not comment on VW specifically.

VW also declined to comment on anything pertaining to possible fines in Europe.

LAWSUIT THREAT

Britain has said it could prosecute a vehicle manufacturer if there were proof it knew or was reckless when supplying false information, for which there is an unlimited fine on conviction.

But proving recklessness is a high hurdle - it remains unclear who at Volkswagen knew what and when, while the company itself has blamed a small cadre of employees.

Lawyers say a bigger financial threat to VW than any EU regulatory fines is likely to come from private litigation. Lawyers are gathering investors for group actions in Europe and hundreds of lawsuits on behalf of enraged drivers have been filed in the United States.

The VW scandal has exposed the weaknesses of the regulatory system in Europe, where there is no EU-wide authority with oversight of car testing - like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - but instead a patchwork of 28 national agencies with varying standards.

A vehicle approved in one country can be sold across the bloc, which environmental campaigners say allows carmakers to take their pick from national regulators.

However European Commission proposals, expected over the coming weeks, will add some teeth to the EU regulatory regime and penalties for excessive emissions could start to bite around the start of the next decade.

Some members of the European Parliament and environment campaigners want an independent EU-wide regulator, along the lines of the EPA.

European Commission spokeswoman Lucia Caudet did not entirely rule out establishing such a body, but said there were other ways to improve oversight.

"All options are on the table, but greater oversight can be achieved without the need for another EU agency," she said, adding it was too soon to give detail of a proposal expected "in the coming weeks".

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), which alerted the EPA to Volkswagen's use of defeat devices to trick regulators, has said mandatory, independent testing of cars once they are in use is crucial to good regulation.

EU PLAN

EU sources said the European Commission proposal was expected to ensure greater independence of the private firms that test car emissions in the bloc, which typically have worked very closely with the national regulators.

The proposal, which would then face around 18 months of vetting from the European Parliament and member states before it can become law, could also hand powers to the European Commission to verify that cars on the market conform with standards and to exact clear penalties if they do not.

The sources said the plan from the EU executive would be viewed as far too ambitious by some member states and not ambitious enough by members of the European Parliament.

The parliament has set up an inquiry into whether the European Commission has done enough to police the car industry, but the Commission also faces counter-pressure from the industry and member states.

Even at the height of the VW scandal, in October last year Germany led the dilution of separate new rules to restrict how much pollutants cars are allowed to emit above official limits, EU sources said.

The sources said that Germany was supported by Britain, which is unwilling to hand extra powers to Brussels; Prime Minister David Cameron, whose party includes several Eurosceptic lawmakers, is seeking to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU ahead of a referendum on membership of the bloc.

The difference in the tone struck by U.S. and European authorities was underlined this week; even as the United States announced its legal action, the European Commission said it was giving VW an extra month - until the end of January - to explain why carbon dioxide levels emitted by cars were higher than stated.

For breach of carbon dioxide limits, there are clear penalties that so far have never needed to be enforced because EU cars - even allowing for Volkswagen's discrepancies - have as an average across the EU fleet been well below the legal limit of 130 grams per kilometre (g/km).

But the target becomes more challenging in 2021 when a 95 g/km limit takes effect and the penalty for breaking that law will be 95 euros for every gram above the limit.
Swedish airport evacuated after suspicious powder found in bag

STOCKHOLM, Jan 10 (Reuters) - An airport near Stockholm was evacuated on Sunday after staff found a suspicious powder in a bag that had been checked in for a flight, officials said.

All departing flights were suspended said Joakim Lindholm, operations manager at Skavsta airport, Sweden's fifth largest which mainly handles low-cost airlines.

A bomb squad had arrived at the airport about 100 km (60 miles) south of Stockholm, Lindholm told Reuters.
Dutch PM says will push for "yes" in Ukraine vote

By Thomas Escritt

AMSTERDAM, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he would argue for a "yes" vote in an upcoming referendum on a treaty on closer ties between the European Union and Ukraine which threatens to overshadow his presidency of the 28-member bloc.

Rutte's remarks came a day after European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned that a rejection of the treaty by Dutch voters could lead to a "continental crisis".

While the vote, on establishing an association agreement between the EU and its troubled eastern neighbour, is not binding, most Dutch parties have said they would feel bound to take a "no" into account.

It had not been previously clear whether the government would weigh in in the campaign or instead hope that the vote would be undermined by low turnout.

"I will vote 'yes' in the referendum," Rutte said on public television's Buitenhof show. "And I and my colleagues will explain why we are doing so. It's about free trade ... not an accession treaty as its opponents say."

Anti-European website GeenStijl collected 430,000 signatures to trigger the plebiscite, claiming an association agreement with Ukraine would lead eventually to full membership for the war-torn country of 45 million.

The April referendum will be held during the current Dutch presidency of the European Union, putting pressure on Rutte as a "no" would be a blow to the bloc's attempts to bring the former Soviet republic further into the EU's orbit.

Juncker warned that a Dutch rejection of the treaty would play into the hands of Russia, which is backing separatist rebels in a war in eastern Ukraine and annexed its Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is an unpopular figure in the Netherlands, where he is widely blamed for the 2014 downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine, in which 298 died, two-thirds of them Dutch.

While Rutte said Juncker's remarks were over-the-top, a "no" vote would also evoke memories of the Dutch rejection in a 2005 referendum of a proposed EU constitution, which threw the continental body into a year-long crisis.

"It's the 2005 trauma. I have an incredible feeling of deja vu," said one government official who campaigned on the losing side of that vote.

An enthusiastic founding member of the EU, Dutch attitudes to European integration have been cooling ever since the country became a net contributor to the bloc's budget in 1991.

While most Dutch parties are pro-European, the anti-EU, anti-Muslim Freedom Party of right-wing populist Geert Wilders is leading in polls.
South Africa's Zuma says markets overreacted to sacking of minister

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 10 (Reuters) - South Africa's President Jacob Zuma said markets overreacted to his decision to sack Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister in December.

The president last month changed finance ministers twice in a week, sending the rand plummeting, alarming investors and triggering financial turmoil.

"It was an overreaction, really, from my point of view," Zuma told SABC television in an interview aired on Sunday.

The rand rapidly weakened by more than 5 percent after Zuma appointed the relatively unknown and untested David van Rooyen to succeed Nene.

"People didn't understand what was happening, and they exaggerated the issue," he said in another interview aired by ENCA on Sunday.

"The rand, for an example, had been going down when Nene was there. It had been going down for months and months. It was not triggered by the decision," Zuma told SABC.

But Zuma in December bowed to pressure within days and appointed Pravin Gordhan, who held the job from 2009 until 2014, to replace Van Rooyen as finance minister.
Liberal values require that wealthy democratic countries promote democracy in poor countries ruled by dictatorships. This has resulted in bombing countries to prepare the way for democracy, particularly if these dictatorships are located in oil rich regions and have anti-western foreign policies. Such appears to be the logic behind recent wars against Libya and Iraq and the overthrow of their decades old governments. The same effort has been made in Syria but has been inhibited owing to the Russian defense of the Syrian Assad regime.

These wars for democracy have created more instability and terrorism and achieved the opposite of what they intended. Liberal values have resulted in the arising of crude violent factions like ISIS, leading to ongoing civil strife in the Middle East - compared to which the old dictatorships of Sadaam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi seem peaceful and prosperous.

The refugee crisis

Liberal values similarly require that western countries humanely accept refugees fleeing from wars and civil conflicts, particularly when the violence has been fueled by liberal countries and their foreign policies. Yet taking in refugees is expensive, and given the disparities between rich and poor, peaceful and violent nations, can result in an unlimited flow of refugees that is too much to handle.

Europe is undergoing the greatest challenge to its culture and identity since World War II. Germany, the most economically powerful state in Europe, is facing the brunt of this. It has welcomed a million refugees this last year alone, a large number for a country of 80 million. To put it into perspective per capita, this would be like India taking in over fifteen million refugees.

Europe in wake of terrorist attacks in France and threats in Belgium has become a region under a siege mentality. Now public celebrations are met with potential fear and anxiety of new attacks. Western Europe is marked by more and more refugee camps and a growing police presence.

The irony is that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States are refusing to take in these refugees, though they share the same Sunni Islamic beliefs, under the stated fear that terrorists will come in with them, an attitude that would be regarded as racist for liberal Europeans.

Liberal feminism compromised

Liberal feminism, which took centuries to develop, may be the first cultural victim of liberal refugee policies. The refugees that Germany welcomed already appear targeting European women, as in the recent Cologne News Years celebration in which many women were harassed, assaulted and robbed, with similar cases occurring throughout Europe.

European women, proud of their freedoms, must be careful wearing what they want or moving about freely, particularly at public events. Even high school girls in communities near refugee camps are directed to dress modestly. There are parts of European cities where residents can no longer go and where European women are not safe. Yet to question this growing danger appears intolerant according to present liberal attitudes.

If we look at photographs from several decades ago, women had greater freedom in dress and behavior from Egypt to Afghanistan. Now we are told to respect the re-veiling of women in these countries as a cultural choice and freedom of expression, though the women themselves do not have the freedom to dress otherwise.

Catering to fundamentalists under the guise of liberalism

We ignore moderates and reformists in Islam and ascribe the voice of religious authority in Islam to fundamentalists only. Even the US, the paradigm of western liberalism and democracy, continues to support Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in spite of their violence and intolerance.

The same dangers exist for India. Liberal values are used to excuse terrorism and stretch the tolerance of the majority culture. Hindus are asked not to defend themselves in order not to offend other groups, even when these others intentionally malign Hindu sacred traditions.

Liberal policies have resulted in turning the Middle East into a haven for terrorists, and bringing fear and loss of freedom into Europe. If it continues, liberal culture may end up self-destructing, replaced by chaos or a police state.

Liberal European culture may soon become a thing of the past, without the loss of any battle, but from the triumph of a liberal media and a liberal foreign policy itself.
Till a week back, many Indians might not have heard the names of places like Malda and Purnea but now they do. The notorious credit for this goes to the violent agitations led by certain Muslims who not only clashed with the security forces but also vandalised police stations and torched vehicles.

Accusations and counter accusations

The genesis of the turmoil which has unfolded in Malda and Purnea rests in the statements of two gentlemen, namely, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and self styled Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari. Azam Khan likened RSS men to homosexuals following which Kamlesh Tiwari raised questions in relation to the sexual orientation of Prophet Muhammad.

Azam Khan, who aspires to become the prime minister of India and has a history of making irresponsible statements, doesnt even possess the sanity of a fifth grader. Instead of concentrating on his ministerial responsibilities in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, he is always in the news for the wrong reasons owing to the constant verbal diarrhoea he suffers from.

It is very much possible that Azam Khan deliberately makes such statements. Despite his repeated erroneous claims, he has been quite a successful political leader having been elected to the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh eight times. Considering the fact that he wants to become the prime minister as he recently said, he might be secretly adulating and imitating Narendra Modi who also used to give extremely provocative comments before becoming the prime minister.

Modi might have mellowed down ever since taking over the reins of 7 Race Course and is speaking of sadbhavna today but not very long ago he had compared refugee camps with baby producing factories. And thats the tragedy of our political class. Individuals who give communally charged statements often ascend the political throne rapidly as exhibited by Narendra Modi and Azam Khan. Nevertheless, their words only reflect their bigotry. Following Azam Khans anti-RSS comments, one Kamlesh Tiwari claiming to be the Working President of Hindu Mahasbha came forward and returned the favour. The politics of competitive communalism had begun. Protests erupted and Kamlesh Tiwari was arrested.

Muslim outrage gone wrong

But Muslim outrage has a history of going wrong and it happened so in this case too. In July 2012, violence between Bodos and Muslims was reported from Assam. At the same time, the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar began to be reported in the international and national media. In this regard Raza Academy called for a protest at Mumbais Azad Maidan in August 2012 which predictably turned violent. The Azad Maidan rally was hijacked by radical elements who whipped up sentiments by flashing certain inflammatory photographs.

Unfortunately, innocent security men and media persons became the target as police and OB van were put on fire. The goons even desecrated Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial for martyrs. Something similar has unfolded in Malda and Purnea. There seems to be a history behind this which is evident from the response to Satanic Verses, Charlie Hebdo and Innocence of Muslims.

No matter what the provocation, the rule of law cannot be made to go for a toss. Nothing justifies violence or the call to commit violence in direct contravention of the law. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini should never have issued the infamous fatwa calling for the assassination of Salman Rushdie which generated an international crisis. No matter what Charlie Hebdo cartoonists draw that doesnt provide terrorists claiming to act in the name of Islam and Muslims to kill them.

What did the protests against Innocence of Muslims achieve? In fact many of such protests turned violent and led to the death of ordinary citizens. It is important to ask as to what will the protests against Kamlesh Tiwari attain? Tiwaris comments have attracted widespread condemnation, he has been arrested and now the law should be allowed to take its own course.

If Muslim organisations have such anger against Tiwari then they should take up the legal battle against him. But violence will achieve nothing and it will not be tolerated. Insult of a religious figure doesnt provide anyone with the right to attack the police and indulge in arson attacks.

Such kind of a violent response by a certain section of Muslims to bigoted remarks or racist actions has become a nuisance world over. Recently protesters in Iran burnt down the Saudi Arabian Embassy in response to Saudi Arabias execution of a Shia cleric. Why dont such protesters realize that violence cannot be an instrument to fight violence? The burning down of the embassy cannot bring Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr back but rather heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The matter has escalated further with Saudi Arabia and its allies recalling their diplomats from Tehran.

Observance of the rule of law

Muslim outrage has to be tamed. No matter what the issue is be it that of blasphemy or persecution by the state, be it the film Innocence of Muslims or ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims, agitating Muslim organizations should see to it that they take up the matter at the relevant forum in accordance with the international and national law. If they cant do so then they should learn to ignore. Such subjects cannot be settled on the street.

The people do have a right to peaceful protest but the district administration should remain vigilant. Here we need to keep two things in mind. Firstly, organisations which have a poor track record, like Raza Academy (which previously organised the Azad Maidan protest and recently issued a fatwa against AR Rahman for giving music to an Iranian film about Prophet Muhammad), must not be allowed to hold protests on sensitive matters.

Secondly, the number of protesters should throughout be kept in check. If the permission is for a few thousand protesters, then in no circumstance should the police allow 1,00,000 men to be mobilised. The situation is bound to get out of control in such a circumstance.

Political blame game in Bengal

Political leaders have already initiated the process of catering to their constituencies post the violence in Malda and Purnea. This too was predictable as Malda happens to be in West Bengal which will be going to polls this year. Innumerable examples right from Godhra to Muzaffarnagar can be cited to establish how political parties try to reap electoral benefit out of such incidents.

In the aftermath of the Azad Maidan rally, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray stated that the incident was similar to 26/11 terror attacks. He also accused the Congress government and police of being soft on the Muslim rioters. This time around the BJP has accused the Mamata Baneerjee led TMC government of being hand in glove with rioters.

Instead of giving the rationale that the Malda incident was not a communal one since it did not involve clashes between two communities, Mamata Banerjee should have instantly ordered an independent probe into the incident to figure out what exactly sparked the rioting and whether there was any pre-planning involved since there are allegations that one of the intentions behind the act could have been to burn the crime records available with the police.

A response of this kind on the part of the state government would have sent out the message that no matter which religious denomination you belong to, if you try and take the law in your own hands, youll not be spared. But by indulging in a needless debate regarding whether the incident was of a communal nature or not, Mamata Banerjee is playing into the hands of the BJP which will only result in polarisation.

An unequivocal condemnation of the Malda violence was all that was required on the part of the West Bengal chief minister. However, she seems to be more interested in playing down the incident and absolving her government of any accountability by calling it a BSF versus people struggle wherein state was not involved.

Hindutva hatemongering on social media

The Malda violence has provided the abusive right wing internet brigade with a new lease of life. Propaganda websites have not even wasted a second to draw parallels between Dadri and Malda. They have also questioned the supposed silence of the liberals and media vis-a-vis Malda. Competitive communalism is a dangerous game. Its constantly played out on the web where one draws comparisons between 2002 Gujarat riots and 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Internet Hindus as Sagarika Ghose calls them love to hate. If one questions Hindutva extremism then theyll bring up the issue of Islamist terrorism and call one an Islamist terrorist. Thats the reason why one confrontational interview with Ram Madhav was enough for Al Jazeera anchor Mehdi Hasan to be labelled as an ISIS/Al Qaeda/Taliban sympathizer by the Hindutva right wing mob. As per their analogy, no one should speak up against injustice unless they have condemned a long list of Muslim atrocities against Hindus including forced conversions, temple desecration, ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus, persecution of Pakistan Hindus, etc. The list is exhaustive and one can be sure that a liberal who stands against all forms of intolerance will never be able to prove so in front of the online Hindutva army.

Selective outrage is what theyll charge with you with. But one can in turn accuse them of the same. They are quick to cite Muslim aggression whenever it occurs but why dont they themselves unequivocally criticise Hindu aggression? While the cause of Kashmiri Pandits is popular amongst them, are they even aware of the atrocities meted out to Punjabi Hindus during those tumultuous days in Punjab when Khalistani terrorists were on the rise?

Insurgency in Punjab saw Hindus being dragged out of a train and bus, identified, separated and shot dead. Air India Flight 182 was blown up Khalistani terrorists. Even RSS men were not spared and killed in cold blood. At that time a Christian police officer named Julio Riberio went to comfort the bereaved families of RSS pracharaks. He mentioned this fact in an opinion piece for The Indian Express titled As a Christian, suddenly I am a stranger in my own country. The same article for which Riberio came under attack on the web simply because he raised concerns regarding the safety of Christians, churches in the country.

Since most right wing Internet Hindus have not spoken for Punjabi Hindus afflicted during the days of Khalistani militancy as much as they have talked about the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus, can they too be accused of selective outrage? Just because a particular person isnt aware about some form of injustice done somewhere in the past or present or hasnt written about it doesnt mean he approves of it. Yes, at times silence can be dangerous and speaks for itself but one cannot put out a remark without ascertaining the facts.

Malda was under-reported in the mainstream media initially but to try and turn Malda into another Dadri on social media wasnt required. Creating a panic like situation through alarming posts was to be avoided as it could have led to retaliatory violence. Competitive communalism will kill the composite spirit of our nation. Responsible individuals spoke out against Dadri lynching and they will and are speaking out against Malda and Purnea.
The January 2 attack on the Pathankot airbase by Pakistani terrorists and the suspicious conduct of a senior police officer have revived some old truisms. Terrorism rarely operates in a vacuum. It enjoys a cosy, often symbiotic, relationship with smuggling and corruption. What is startling is how quickly these lessons learnt in the 1993 serial blasts of Mumbai have been forgotten.

On January 25, 1993, SK Bhardwaj, the customs collector (preventive) received the single most momentous tip off of his two-decade-long career. A "big quantity of weapons would be smuggled into India by Pakistans Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), alongwith gold and silver". The consignments, the alert said, were likely to be landed in the next 15-30 days around Mumbai and three locations, Shrivardhan, Bankot and Ratnagiri, around 200 kilometers away on the Konkan coast. The alert came just weeks after a horrific spell of communal riots in the countrys economic capital had killed more than 900 persons leading to the army being called out in the streets of the city. Bhardwaj alerted the Indian Navy and sent a copy of the alert to the Additional Collector of Customs, Somnath Kakaram Thapa, who headed the Marine and Preventive Wing which policed the seas.

Thapa, who received the input on January 27, deployed his men along the Konkan coast, the roads along the tiny landing spots and seaside villages that dotted the western coast where the Dubai-based Dawood Ibrahim gang frequently landed gold, silver and electronics. Yet, despite specific intelligence, Dawoods lieutenant Ibrahim Mushtaq "Tiger" Memon transported 1.5 tonnes of RDX, hundreds of Type-56 assault rifles, pistols and grenades, at Shekhadi on the Konkan coast on February 3 and 7. On March 12, 1993, these explosives were used to trigger off 13 serial blasts across the city that killed 257 persons, injured more than 700 and, in the words of a 1996 Supreme Court judgement, attempted to "to break the backbone of the nation".

A CBI investigation into the bombings unravelled the startling truth as to just why Bharadwajs inputs had failed to prevent the bombings. Tiger Memons men had greased their way through a multiple security tiers manned by customs and police officials, driving their deadly shipment into the heart of the city with impunity. The fence had eaten the crop.

Sub-inspector Vijay Patil, in charge of the Shrivardhan police station, and four constables - Ashok Muleshwar, PM Mahadik, Ramesh Mali and SY Pashilkar - took bribes of Rs 7 lakh to allow the deadly consignment to be transported from Raigad to Mumbai. Senior customs officer SK Thapa and four other officers  assistant commissioner RK Singh, customs superintendent Mohammed Sayyed, customs inspector Jaywant Gurav and customs superintendent SS Talwedkar  facilitated the passage of the arms consignment.

Thapa, a 1996 Supreme Court verdict noted grimly, had knowingly facilitated the commission of terrorist acts by intentionally aiding and abetting Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar.

A 1994 tape recording of Tiger Memons conversation with blast accused Taufique Jaliawala indicated that Memon had paid Thapa Rs 22 lakh for allowing the smuggling to take place.

Thapa left an escape route for the smugglers by not maintaining vigil - not at the main exit point after the landing, but at two other points on the nights of January 30th and 31st. He lifted the checkpoints two days later without any specific reasons and did not contact the source who told him that "some chemicals" had landed in Shekhadi on the night of February 3, 1993. Thapa had information about the landing of RDX (described as "Kala Sabun" in the under-world) at Shekhadi and Shrivardhan on February 3. He was sentenced to life in prison, but died of cancer, in April 2008, while the trial was still on.
WASHINGTON  Heres how area House members voted on major issues in the week ending Jan. 8. The Senate conducted no record votes last week.

Repeal of Affordable Care Act. Voting 240 for and 181 against, the House on Jan. 6 gave final congressional approval to a Republican bill (HR 3762) that would repeal key parts of the Affordable Care Act while defunding the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for one year. The bill would effectively kill the 2010 health law by eliminating tax penalties necessary to enforce its individual and employer mandates and repealing taxes on medical-device manufacturers and high-priced Cadillac health plans that yield revenue to fund the law.

A yes vote was to send the bill to President Obama, who said he will veto it.

Voting yes: Robert Hurt, R-5th; Dave Brat, R-7th.

Commission on federal regulations. Voting 245 for and 174 against, the House on Jan. 7 passed a bill (HR 1155) that would establish a commission with a $6 million annual budget and subpoena power to review federal regulations and target for repeal those judged to be outdated and overly costly to the economy. The bills cost-benefit analyses would measure the economic impact of federal rules on companies but not the cost to the public if a rule were to be repealed. Also under the bill, agencies could not adopt new regulations without repealing existing ones to offset the cost. The executive branch issues several hundred new regulations each year to implement laws passed by Congress.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Voting yes: Hurt, Brat.

Food-safety regulations. Voting 173 for and 245 against, the House on Jan. 7 defeated an amendment to prohibit HR 1155 (above) from authorizing the repeal of any Food and Drug Administration regulation designed to ensure food safety in the United States.

A yes vote was to exempt FDA food regulations from the scope of the bill.

Voting no: Hurt, Brat.

Class-action suits, asbestos claims. Voting 211 for and 188 against, the House on Jan. 8 passed a GOP bill (HR 1927) that would tighten rules for federal class-action suits in order to bar unqualified claimants from collecting payments. The bill would allow courts to certify only suits in which all members of the class are shown to have suffered the same type and scope of injuries. The bill would delay compensation to some disease victims in suits based on workplace exposure to asbestos. Class-action suits are a means for large numbers of alleged victims of misconduct by the same defendant(s) to join together to seek redress they do not have time or money to pursue as individual plaintiffs.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Voting yes: Hurt, Brat.

Childrens exemption from asbestos rule. Voting 173 for and 227 against, the House on Jan. 8 defeated a Democratic bid to exempt children from a requirement in HR 1927 (above) concerning Internet postings about claimants in asbestos-related class-action suits. The bill requires information about claimants, but not their identities, to be posted on a website so that corporate defendants can check for fraud in the filing of claims. Most of these claimants suffer from mesothelioma, a fast-moving lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos at school, work, home and other locations.

A yes vote was to exempt children from the Internet-posting requirement.

Voting no: Hurt, Brat.
On 1.1 acres of land in eastern Orange, lies more than 300 years of critical American history. The Germanna Foundation is hoping archaeological work at the site will begin to reveal some of the untold stories of what once was a colony on the then-western frontier.

While the goal of the excavations at the site is to discover Fort Germanna, the foundation will be learning about the rest of the sites history as well, including Gov. Spotswoods Enchanted Castle that was there from about 1720-1750, the Gordon Farm dating back to 1790 and the Civil War, explained Germanna Fountation archeologist Dr. Eric Larsen. He said its exciting to think that Germanna descendents could use this as a way to learn history that hasnt been written down of found in records yet.

The Germanna Foundations mission is to honor the historic heritage of the Germanna descendants through historic preservation and interpretation, Germanna Foundation Chief Operating Officer Steve Hein said. We want to tell the stories because its more than just the German colonies, and they were here for a short period of time, but its a significant part of American history. Its exciting and its interesting.

Larsen agreed, saying This entire property holds a rich history for Orange County, this area and I think a lot of it is important on a national level as well.

This fall, Larsen began a new site topographic mapping survey project at the forts site because the original site grid was nearly 30 years old. Larsen said the goal of the mapping will be to identify and locate above-ground resources within the open area surrounding the site and to generate a current baseline map. The map, which will be digitalized, will allow Larsen to add layers of information and data that has been collected such as satellite imagery, aerial photos and existing topographic maps. He also hopes that data he is collecting now will allow him to add more information in the future, including any artifacts found at the site.

The Germanna Foundation hired Orange Countys Alan Huber, an archaeological technician, for the last two weeks in October to help Larsen collect topographic mapping survey data to set up a grid across the Fort Germanna/Enchanted Castle site property. The grid will guide future archaeology at Germanna and will be the starting point for assigning "provenience" to the artifacts and features that excavations will encounter.

Provenience refers to the location where an artifact was found such as its depth and elevation location in space.

We have physically placed reference marks on the ground, and we have also recorded a notebook full of data to create a new, digital baseline map of the property, Larsen said, noting flags were placed marking 50x50 foot squares across the property.

With the baseline map being complete and transferred onto digitized maps, Larsen said work will now begin on collecting new data using a ground-penetrating radar.

This will be the beginnings of a building program, he said. As we find more things through archaeology, well add to this mapjust adding layers as we go and well grow a larger and larger database with all this referenced in space. Thats really the intentfor planning purposes but it also helps you visualize the information thats coming.

The equipment being used to collect the ground penetrating radar data processes two-foot intervals at a time, Larsen explained, saying itll take some time to collect all the data. He began that process within the last month.

The ground-penetrating radar scans eight feet under the ground, marking changes in the grounds density.Its not a clear picture like a sonogram or a photograph, Larsen said, explaining the waves the radar picks up.

It just tells you there are changes going on and were still going to need to do some excavating to really confirm it is what were looking for.

Larsen said although a portion of the forts wall has been discovered during previous excavations, hopefully the trenches dug to build the walls could be discovered due to differences in the soils consistency.

Theres a chance that when we collect the ground penetration data, that we might turn up some evidence for where those walls continued, Larsen said. Itll certainly help us narrow the places we need to look. Thats what my biggest hope is.

Excavating is a costly and time consuming process, Larsen added, saying the data collected by the radar will help the foundation be more selective in where it excavates.

Im shooting to get all this collected and sewn together the best we can and my hopes are we could work out some excavations for the spring, he said. We want to collect enough at least so maybe we can target some areas for looking for the fort.

While a lot of the work will be done at the site collecting the data, Larsen will also have to import and analyze the data at his office at the visitors center.

The ultimate goal of archaeology is to excavate and recover artifacts from the ground. We also find larger things that we cant recover, like buildings, we call them featuresthose are things made and modified by human activity but that we cant recover, Larsen explained. We want to record all of those things in place and maintain that context as we call it. We need to know where it came from in space and what it relates toall in order so we could tell a larger story of how that place was used over a long period of time.

The Germanna Foundation currently operates a visitor center at its property at 2062 Germanna Highway, which encompasses 179 acres of the original land settled by German families between 1714 and 1717, under the direction of Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood. The foundation, dedicated to preserving the land and heritage of the earliest German settlements of colonial Virginia, was established in 1956.

Hein said when the visitor center was built in 2000, the foundations master plan envisioned the potential for additional buildings including a library and museum exhibit space. A 2013 land transfer from the University of Mary Washington to the foundation was motivation to move forward with the process, said Hein. The transferred land includes the Enchanted Castle and original Fort Germanna and is on property on Route 3 (Germanna Highway) across from the visitor center.

The site was previously used by University of Mary Washington archaeology students who unearthed the foundation of Gov. Spotswoods mansion.

Last November, the Germanna Foundation announced the appointment of Larsen as the foundations archaeologist. Since then, the Fort Germanna/Enchanted Castle property was placed under a historic preservation easement and the foundation has begun the archaeological exploration of the site.In the future, Larsen said hed like to extend his search of the property farther out in hopes of discovering the Germanna community which included a church, court, mill and more. He said hed also like to map on the foundations property on the other side of Route 3 one day.

Its moving from kind of a walking across the ground and being able to mark that space, to then bringing it in where we can map it, correlate it to real-life and preserve itputting it in a format where people could study it both out there and in the lab as well.

However, the Germanna Foundation doesnt have a formal lab yet, but plans for one are in the works, Hein said.Last winter, a special use permit was approved for the foundation to construct a building on their property to serve as a library, museum and archeological lab. Hein said the foundation has decided to construct the project as separate pieces, the first being a lab. A pledge to pay for the construction of the lab was received by a board trustee and Spotswood descendent, Dr. Michael Frost. That project is in the design process now, Hein said.

When artifacts start coming in were going to need that space to clean them up, spread them out, look at them and record them back to their context, Larsen said. Its all about context with us archaeologists.

Frost is also the one who has allowed Larsen to use the ground-penetrating radar equipment on the site, a project that the foundation wouldve otherwise have to contract out, Larsen added. He said its the first dig in his 20 years of archaeology that hes had access to that equipment. Frost also sent Larsen to New Hampshire to receive training on how to collect data using the equipment.

Were very fortunate, Larsen added, noting the contributions have saved the foundation a lot of time and money.

The area that is being surveyed has been titled Priority One, and it encompasses 50,000 square feet. To properly survey a 50x50 square foot area of the propertys grid, it costs approximately $3,250, and a 10x10 square foot area costs $130. The Germanna Foundation is asking others to become part of the process by sponsoring one or more of the Explorer Grids at the Fort Germanna archaeological site.

For more information about the foundation or to donate, call (540) 423-1700 or visit www.germanna.org.
Not so long ago, we thought that London was the curry capital of the world. Never have I ever eaten so much curry... not even in India! Yet, to be honest, this was always curry that tasted nothing like what we cook at home. And this is not necessarily a compliment  as more than 80 per cent of the restaurant owners stirring up curry in London restaurants are originally from Sylhet in Bangladesh. The surprise is that this Bangladeshi cuisine has been relished and passed off as an Indian. Apparently, many of the curry chefs were originally workers on ships, who jumped into a career on land because of the gruelling conditions at sea.

But now, the over 4 billion curry business has been facing shrinking profit margins of its own, because the salaries of those working in these restaurants are due to go up to around 30,000 a year, while the prices of ingredients, such as spices from India, have also increased. And then you have Indian takeaways, which, apparently have improved in quality giving stiff competition to restaurants. (To be honest, I have never tried an Indian takeaway because we would rather eat simple home-made dal-chawal than pick up a fancy chicken tikka masala that appears as enticing as overspiced cardboard!) Indian food in the UK, by and large, swings between haute and hot cuisine, but it is usually quite different from what one gets in India.

And now, for all these reasons, UK-based mid range Indian restaurants  once a matter of pride for the community  are said to be struggling. Perhaps, had it been genuine Indian food, like tandoori, dum pukht or even simple masala dosas, the warning bells would not have rung. Could it be time for entrepreneurs to start supplying genuine Indian cuisine, made by Indian housewives? What a hit it will be!

So while Indian food is no longer currying favour, migration remains a top issue, as Europe continues to struggle with large numbers pouring in. Not all the efforts of multicultural integration, especially regarding the recent influx of refugees, are going well. Whilst Germany led the way and generously opened its borders, some really dismal incidents have occurred. Recently, there was outrage over the fact that women were sexually assaulted at Cologne, presumably by migrants. The police chief has been sacked as there appears to have been an effort to cover up the fact that refugees were involved.

A variety of reasons might have led to this sexual aggression  but obviously there is also a genuine clash of cultures. There has been little time to indoctrinate these refugees into a new and far more liberal lifestyle. The reverberations of these incidents are echoing in the UK where it is felt that criminals among the refugees will have to be sent back. Naturally, once the refugees have been given shelter they are difficult to repatriate. What was a kind-hearted solution to a humanitarian problem might have become difficult to handle. And this is entirely separate from the other concern that the refugees might also harbour militants among them, who are likely to disappear.

Kishwar Desai is an award-winning author
Hyderabads history remains synonymous with the glorious lives of the Nizams that lasted 150 years. Eccentricities of the royals, astonishing wealth and stunning princesses are what capture ones imagination and interest.

Often lost in the royal sheen are the heroes of yesterday, people behind the scenes who deserve an equal place in Hyderabads rich history. And with them lies a manuscript  nobody knows who has it or how it looks. But somewhere in Hyderabad lies the copy more than 60 years old, about the lives of Nizams through the eyes of a man whom they considered a close aide and a confidante.

Marmaduke Pickthall was the author of 25 books in English, editor of Bombay Chronicle when he came to India in 1920 and principal of Chaderghat High School for Boys, Hyderabad. He directed the school for Hyderabadi civil servants and undertook special tasks for the Nizams.

But he is best-known for the English translation of Quran titled The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, which he wrote during his service to Nizams. The book was first printed in the US in 1930 and since then has been reprinted in United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Libya and India.

The Meaning of the Glorious Koran is also considered the last work of Pickthall, who after spending 10 years in India, died in 1936 and is buried in the Muslim cemetery at Brookwood in Surrey, England, where Princess Durru Shehvar was later buried.

And it was only a coincidence that Dr Peter Clark OBE, former British diplomat, journalist and an author, stumbled upon a mystery concerning Pickthall that he knew he had to see till the end.

Marmaduke Pickthall was a practising Christian for 20 years, until he converted to Islam in 1917. Apart from being considered an expert on the affairs of Middle East, he was a man of integrity and honesty. I admire him because he adopted views that were sometimes considered unpopular and unfashionable, says Dr Clark, 76, who confesses being obsessed with Pickthall, a subject he researched for three years and later wrote a book on  Marmaduke Pickthall British Muslim (1986).

Why did I choose to write about my fellow countryman, both distinguished and noted for his profession and life? Its often said that you dont chose a subject, the subject chooses you.

After his book, Dr Clark assumed he was done with the subject. The life and work of Pickthall was the subject of a biography written by Anne Fremantle, Loyal Enemy (1938). During my correspondence with her, I was made aware of documents that she sent to Hyderabad, a manuscript written by Pickthall on the Mughal emperor, says Dr Clark, who had written, 30 years ago, to the state archival department, AP and Osmania University, about the same; but without any success.

And years later, Pickthall proved to be a reason for his research once again. Dr Clark has been in Hyderabad since Wednesday on an invitation he intends to make best use of.

Dr Mohammed Jafer Qureshi (Trustee at Muslim Aid, UK) and I met in Bradford Literature Festival at Yorkshire, England, in May 2015. After learning about the manuscript, Dr Qureshi invited me to visit Hyderabad where he is from, an invitation I accepted enthusiastically, he says.

Since his arrival, he has been to the Salar Jung museum, offices of the regional newspaper, has met Princess Esra Birgin, author Narendra Luther and has looked through the archives at Chowmahalla Palace.

Pickthall, though a prominent figure during the time of Nizams, is completely forgotten among present generation. But over the last few years, ever since the discourse on Muslim identity has emerged, the story of Pickthall serves as an inspiration, says Dr Qureshi, adding, For Muslims abroad he is a role model, a person who placed utmost importance to his religion but without offending or hurting anyone elses sentiments.

There was an incident where the Nizam of Hyderabad was handing out degrees to the students and Pickthall was present in the crowd. When his time came to be on the stage, nobody could find him as he had vanished; only to find him praying.

Dr Clark shares another incident, While serving as a principal at Chaderghat School, Pickthall once spotted a boy drinking water from the schools fountain during the month of Ramzan.

He didnt yell at him or reprimand him, but only said, I know you must be thirsty, its all right. But now ensure you observe fast for the rest of the duration. He was forming but gentle, never enforcing his views on others.

Dr Clark admits that Pickthalls story is one that every generation can relate to, one that needs to be remembered. His book, Marmaduke Pickthall British Muslim is scheduled for a reprint this March.

I believe there needs to be a book on Pickthall once every generation. Fremantle wrote one in 1938, I did in 1986, and I hope there is a young scholar who takes up this responsibility to educate the present generation, says Dr Clark, adding, I havent found the manuscript, but I have managed to create an interest among people in the city and I would like to come back to India, attend literary festivals so that I can tell more people about Pickthall.

I dont want to own any manuscript but to ascertain that the manuscript of his unpublished novel exists. I would like to obtain a copy and arrange for it to be published. There is a rising interest in this man, an unsung hero, forgotten in time.
Amid protests by student wings of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Saturday addressed a controversial seminar on Ram Janmabhoomi in Delhi University.





Police detained several students protesting outside the event venue. A contingent of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force also had to be deployed in the varsity to prevent the situation from going out of control.



Construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is mandatory for revival of our culture. We have started and we will not give up until it is made but nothing will be done forcibly and against the law, Swamy said in his inaugural address at the two-day seminar.



He claimed that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had promised him to support the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.



The first help he did was that despite party opposition, he started the television serial on Ramayana which created a new excitement in public, the BJP leader said, appealing to Congress to support the cause.



He lashed out at those opposing the seminar and dubbed them as intolerant. Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but you should ask them why they have resorted to intolerance despite speaking against it, he told reporters before addressing the conference.



Students from AAPs student outfit Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), Congress-affiliate National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Left-wing organisations raised slogans and held placards to protest against Swamys seminar.

There were also reports of clashes between members of NSUI and RSS-affiliate Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).



It is rather unfortunate that the government is using educational institutions to push the RSS agenda of dividing the country on communal lines. They are trying every trick in the book to communalize our young minds, Roji M John, national president of NSUI, said.



Various student and teachers groups have been opposing the universitys decision to offer its campus for the non-academic event saying that it is an attempt to communalise the campus.



But speaking at the seminar, Swamy said, We wanted to do this seminar in one room but our enemies did not let it happen. This event is not complete without the protest happening outside.



Earlier this week, he had said that the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya would begin by the end of 2016 with the cooperation of the Muslim community.



The seminar titled Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple: Emerging Scenario is being organised at DUs Conference Centre by Arundhati Vashishtha Anusandhan Peeth (AVAP), a research organisation headed by Swamy.
Employees of the North and East Corporations have decided to stage a protest at Civic Centre on Thursday demanding salaries, clearance of dues and regularisation of contractual employees.





Workers unions said that unification of the three corporations is the only way out as all the sources of income has gone to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.



We have given a notice to the municipal corporations citing the reasons for going on strike. We feel trifurcation of the unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in 2012 is the cause of North and East Corporations being bankrupt today as all the sources of income has gone to South Corporation, said Rajender Mewati, general secretary, of United Front of MCD Employees.



Employees unions said that workers have been sitting on relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for the past couple of weeks.



Officials with the East Delhi Municipal Corporation said that some departments have not given salary for over two months.



I have not received salary for the past three months now. I can manage because I am a class 1 employee. But its too difficult for class IV employees to look after daily expenses if they have not been paid for months, said an official with east civic agency.



The East Delhi Municipal Corporation requires over Rs 100 crore to pay salaries and other benefits to its over 32,000 employees. Even the North Corporation is in the red and it requires Rs 171 crore to pay salaries and other benefits to its over 70,000 employees.



The cash-strapped corporations have been demanding funds from the city government. Even the Delhi BJP had attacked the AAP government for delay in issuing funds to MCDs.



After the High Court order the city government should not delay giving funds to the three municipal corporations as recommended by the Fourth Finance Commission, it added.



The party threatened a protest if funds are not given to MCDs soon. City unit chief Satish Upadhyay, also a councillor, said the AAP government has to accept its responsibility of providing funds to the BJP-ruled corporations as pointed out by the Delhi High Court.



He said the Fifth Finance Commission should be set up within eight weeks as directed by the court.


Nursery admissions in the capital have for the most part been controversy-prone. Year after year. parents encounter trouble while getting their wards admitted.



After coming to power, the Aam Aadmi Party government had promised that 2016 would be different for them and schools would not be able to discriminate on various grounds or offer admissions on the basis of arbitrary criteria.

Upholding this, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday scrapped all the quotas, including the management quota and 62 other arbitrary criteria, set by private schools for nursery admissions.



It announced that the only reservation now will be for poor students under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.



Management quota that we scrapped was one of the biggest sources of corruption in admission process, said Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the education portfolio.



Since January 1, when the admission process started, it has been observed that many schools are adopting discriminatory practices in the garb of autonomy, like reserving quotas for staff, despite giving points to wards of staff in the criteria, the government says.



While the move is being seen as a necessary step to rein in schools which are giving points under discriminatory criteria, including lifestyle choices of parents and their professions, the decision in the middle of the process is bound to create more confusion for parents and schools alike.



Parents say there is no clarity on how the admission process will shape up as most schools have not uploaded the revised criteria on their websites after the announcement.

For her child, Sapna Jain had applied to Mahavir Public School which is giving five points each to parents who are non-smokers, vegetarians, and teetotallers.

However, with the government scrapping such criteria, she says she is now left more confused as she had submitted the forms on that basis.



The website still has the previous point system and not changed it after the announcement. No one at the school is responding either. I dont know whether I should fill more forms now as the chances of getting an admission on the basis of previous criteria can be less, Jain says.



Similarly, Rashi Agarwal had applied to Bal Bharti School on Pusa Road which, among other criteria, is giving 20 points to first-born child, which has been scrapped by the government along with 61 other such criteria.



I was hoping that my child will get admission in the school on the basis of neighbourhood and the first-born criteria. But with this announcement, I think I should apply to as many schools as possible because nothing is clear. There is no clarity at all, she says.



Why is the government tinkering with it now? It should have done it before the starting of the process, says another parent.

While the parents are worrying over the lack of clarity on the admission process now, almost everyone has hailed the governments decision to scrap the management quota, calling it a much-needed step.



Transparency

It is a good decision in terms of education reform and bringing transparency in the admission process. I had gone through many problems while availing admission for my son two years back, says Himanshu Verma.



Experts have also lauded the step, but are wary of the chaos it might lead to.

It would have been ideal had the government scrapped the management quota before the commencement of the admission process, says education activist Sumit Vohra, founder of admissionsnursery.com, an online portal for the parent community.



Though management quota could have been done away with before the process, the scrapping of various criteria could only be possible after the schools declared them.

As we have seen many schools had not declared their admission criteria even after the starting of the process intentionally to avoid any action,

he adds.



R C Jain, president of Delhi State Public School Management, says, The government has forgotten that admission procedure is going on. Now, those who have already filled the form will get disturbed by this order.



Even the rival parties, while supporting the decision, said it was mere public posturing as the best way was to incorporate it in the amendments to the Delhi Education Act passed recently in the Assembly.



The move is expected to spark more chaos for parents as school associations are planning to go to the High Court against the government decision, which can delay the whole admission process.



Legalities

We are looking at various legalities regarding this. We can go to court with a previous plea already in the court. We can pass an application on January 21, which is the hearing date or we can write to the Centre as well. We are discussing it with our legal cell, says Jain.



It is important to note here that the Delhi High Court had in 2014 quashed similar guidelines by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung in a plea against them by school associations and allowed them to set their own criteria.



Quoting this example, the rival parties have termed the governments decision as public posturing.



We support the decision to scrap the management quota but the governments decision regarding this was just public posturing since it was not incorporated in the amendments to the Delhi Education Act passed recently in the Assembly, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken has said.



Experts say though it is a good decision, it lacks proper planning.

The best way to go was to include the decision in the amendments since the schools are now planning to go to court against it.



This in turn can delay the whole process. The government still has time to call a special session and include it in the amendments. The government wont face much trouble with it as it is on the same page with the LG on the issue, says Vohra.



As the future course of action is not clear, he has cautioned parents to tread carefully and fill as many forms as possible.



The parents should play safe and be prepared for anything now, he says.

According to DoE sources, it is still unclear what step the department is planning to take if the schools go to court or do not follow the decision.



With so much uncertainty around, there is a feeling of deja vu. It can be said the nursery admission circus is back, says Vohra.




Arab foreign ministers, with the exception of Lebanon, condemned in a Sunday statement what they called Iran's meddling in Arab affairs.

The ministers accused Iran of breaking international agreements by intentionally failing to protect Saudi diplomatic posts in a statement issued following a closed emergency meeting.

Lebanon, which has a large Shia population and is home to the powerful Shia militant group Hezbollah, was the only dissenting voice. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gibran Bassil said in a statement that his country had rejected the statement because it also condemned Hezbollah over alleged interference in Bahrain.

Protesters in Tehran stormed the Saudi Embassy and a Saudi consulate elsewhere in the country after Saudi Arabia executed Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric and opposition leader, earlier this month.

Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who led the emergency meeting, said the embassy attack "took place under the nose and within the earshot of security forces."

Saudi's Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that Arab nations would "confront" the Iran if it does not change its ways, without elaborating.

Arab League Chief Nabil Elaraby said the region's foreign ministers will discuss the "steps" they can take against Iran in future meetings over the next two months. Al-Jubier added that there was no real timeline for such measures.

"We don't want conflict. We don't want war," the UAE's Al Nahyan told reporters.

Sunday's session was requested by Saudi Arabia to discuss the attacks. The ensuing crisis has seen Saudi Arabia and several Arab states cut or downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran.

"Iran doesn't have qualms and doesn't hesitate to using the sectarian card as a way to dominate the region, and interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries," Al Nahyan said at the opening ceremony.

In the closing press conference, al-Jubeir stressed that Iran has no right to speak out for Shia minorities in the region because at the end of the day they are Arab citizens.

"The attacks came after inciting statements from Iranian officials against the kingdom," al-Jubeir told fellow ambassadors in opening remarks before the session was closed to reporters. "What happened was not because of the execution of a Saudi citizen," the minister said, referring to al-Nimr.

He added that tensions with Iran only began after the 1979 Islamic Revolution which overthrew the secular Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and brought to power a conservative Shia Islamic regime.

The kingdom's move comes despite Iran's recent letter to the U.N. saying Tehran has no desire to escalate tensions and that the Saudis must make a "crucial choice"  either promote sectarian hatred or promote good neighborliness and regional stability.

The Associated Press
The city governments first-of-its-kind initiative to centralise EWS admissions to nursery classes through a computerised lottery system, like its other endeavours such as the 25 per cent cut in syllabus, seems a commendable effort at face value. But its hurry to implement the new online process from the





ongoing nursery admission season without factoring in technical hiccups makes it a doomed affair.



Nearly two weeks ago, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had issued a circular stating that admissions to nursery classes under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category and Disadvantaged Group (DG) in private unaided schools (non-minority) recognised under Delhi School Education Act Rules (DSEAR), 1973 will be made through a computerised lottery system, against the 25 per cent reserved seats for them. And the list of such 1,148 schools is available on the departments

website.



While the EWS admission process at institutions recognised by the Directorate of Education under another law, the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 will continue to be offline. The city has nearly 415 such schools but there is no collated data of these institutions.



Educationalists say that EWS parents are confused as they cannot differentiate between schools under the DSEAR, 1973 and those recognised by RTE.



The Directorate of Education has not uploaded the list of schools where downloaded forms have to be submitted for manual lottery system. The new guidelines have created confusion. Now there are two categories of schools  one online and other offline in the same area. How are parents belonging to economically weaker section of society supposed to do the homework and find out which school is under which category? says Sumit Vohra, founder of www.admissionsnursery.com, a forum

of parents with over 1 lakh members.



The DoEs software makes a cell phone number mandatory to register children online for applying to nursery classes for 2016-17 academic session. The software says please fill all mandatory fields (*), and after asking about the class to which a child is seeking admission to and his name, the third query is about the mobile number.



Many people living in slums dont have a cell phone. I am trying to convince a nearby shop owner to let me use his mobile phone number to register my three-year-old son online for nursery admissions. But he is not allowing me saying I might misuse his phone number. We dont understand why is the mobile number so important? What was the need to make it compulsory to give ones mobile number? asks Raju, who lives in a jhuggi jhopri cluster at Yamuna Pushta.



We are poor people we work hard to earn our living and save the rest of the money to give a good education to our children. But the system finds a way to make it difficult for us to do so. When I asked my contractor to give one of his mobile numbers, he made fun of me saying you want to send your child to a private school to make him a collector, he says in despair.



There are over 25,000 EWS seats to be filled this nursery admission season. According to sources in DoE, the department has received some 22,000 online forms so far.



Experts say that the online process is marred by glitches.



The Directorate of Education software has many flaws such as the location of schools are not accurate. The distance shown in the software is more than the actual distance between localities and schools, say Ashok Agarwal, national president of All India Parents Association.



It is giving a hard time to EWS parents to approach schools and fill in forms as they are not able to make out which schools require online forms and those accepting the downloaded applications, he adds.



Even the Education Department acknowledges there are a few glitches with the software.



Centralised system

We have set up a dedicated team to iron out such discrepancies and many of the glitches have already been removed. The city governments initiative will go a long way to check malpractices by school managements and harassment of parents, says an aide tof Education Minister Manish Sisodia.



Educationists say there is no alternative arrangement for those who are not able to apply online.



A majority of the EWS parents are not computer literate. Moreover, some schools may even turn away parents citing a requirement for online application. Also, unlike last year, there is no provision of a help desk at district admission monitoring committee. The process of on-the-spot correction has not been mentioned in the notification probably because of the centralised system, says Vohra.



He adds that poor people have been fleeced by the cyber cafe owners. The cyber cafe owners are minting money by charging illiterate parents from Rs 200 to Rs 500 for filling up forms, says Vohra.



Some schools have branches and their parent branch is recognised under the Delhi School Education Act Rules (DSEAR), 1973, but others are recognised by DoE under the RTE.



There are parents who are facing difficulty as they have to fill up an online form to register their eldest child for admission to class 1 whereas they have to submit a downloaded application to admit their younger kid to nursery class in one of

the branches of the same school, says Vohra.



The guidelines for nursery admissions to 2016-17 academic session are in conflict with the RTE Act.



While filling up an online application form, an EWS parent can opt for as many schools under categories 0 to 1 km, 1 km to 3 km and 3 km to 6 km. But for the last category 6 km and beyond, the software only gives five options to a parent which is against the Right to Education as there is no such stipulation mentioned in the Act, he adds.



Experts, however, feel that a centralised lottery system to fill up the 25 per cent seats in nursery classes in each private school is a welcome step. But the city government should have gone ahead with a more foolproof online arrangement.




Actor Tusshar Kapoor denied that the censor board was soft on his upcoming adult comedy "Kya Kool Hain Hum 3" but said it had taken a fair decision.



"They (censor board) haven't been soft. You all had published the news that our film has got banned. Actually our film has got passed after numerous screenings and the censor board has taken a very fair decision with our film.



"We've received the censor certificate while maintaining the film's plot and flavor," said Tusshar at the Cigna Ttk Treadmillion Challenge where he was present along with his co-star Aftab Shivdasani.



"So it's been a good and fair process, definitely not soft," he said to queries if the board was soft on their film as compared to other films.



There were reports last October that the film was banned by the censor board due to vulgar dialogues and acts in it. There had been a flurry of reports about Tusshar's second adult comedy of the year "Mastizaade" and its trouble with the censor board but except for this "ban" report, nothing much on "Kya Kool Hain Hum 3" having any issues with the board.



About both films of the same genre releasing in consecutive weeks, Tusshar said: "The release date is decided by the producer and the distributor. Why they decide to come together is not something I understand. But as of now, first 'Kya Kool Hai Hum 3' is releasing, so I will talk about it."



There were reports of Tusshar and "Mastizaade" director Milap Zaveri having a fallout because the actor was promoting his home production "Kya Kool Hai Hum 3" over "Mastizaade". But Tusshar had denied such reports.




Veteran actor Harrison Ford has been named as the highest grossing actor in the history of Hollywood.





According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, the 73-year-old actor's 41 movies, including "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom", have grossed a total of $4.7 billion, with Ford's latest movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" minting $770 million, reports femalefirst.co.uk.



Ford has ousted actor Samuel L. Jackson from the top spot, with the 67-year-old actor falling to second place, followed by actors Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman and Eddie Murphy.


Mehbooba and her father were in Congress before floating PDP in 1999. She represented Congress once in Lok Sabha also.



Soon after Gandhi's meeting, Gadkari, Union Surface Transport Minister and senior BJP leader, visited Mehbooba to offer condolences on the demise of her father.



"It is no time to talk politics. I have come here to convey condolences on behalf of the central government," he told reporters later.



Recalling his meeting with Mufti in Delhi, Gadkari said the late PDP leader had a dream for the state which included tourism, development and infrastructure among other things.



"We will try to fulfill all the assurances given to him on Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said. The meetings are seen as politically significant as BJP, an ally of PDP, has yet not officially extended support to Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership after Mufti's demise.



Congress earlier shared power with PDP before having a bitter split in 2008. Gandhi's flying into here to meet Mehbooba assumes significance as there are reports that PDP and BJP are bargaining afresh over the formation of a new government.



PDP has already given a letter to Governor N N Vohra, saying that all its 27 MLAs support Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership. But Mehbooba has reportedly said that she will not take oath till the end of mourning period for her father, which is the fourth day that falls today.



Vohra on Friday had asked both PDP and BJP to convey their position on the government formation. Since BJP did not convey its position, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state. BJP has 25 MLAs in the 87-member Assembly while Congress has 12 and National Conference has 15.



Meanwhile, Nirmal Singh expressed confidence that the alliance will continue. "Till now we all were in mourning. We will see. There have been no discussions on that (government formation), (but) it is expected that the way things were going earlier, that (alliance) would continue. I am praying that we soon have a system in place," he said in Bijbehara, Muftis' home town.



"The party has said we want and we have written a letter to the Governor yesterday and told him that we will have a discussion on whatever decision the PDP takes," he said.



Singh said no discussions on government formation in the state have taken place between PDP and BJP so far because of the customary four-day mourning period following the demise former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The mourning period ended today.



"Everyone is sad and mourning. After this, we will start discussions," he said when asked if BJP had any differences with its alliance partner over the succession of Sayeed's daughter and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti as the next Chief Minister.



Paying tributes to Mufti, Singh said Sayeed's endeavour was to provide good governance to Jammu and Kashmir.



"There is a huge responsibility now to provide good governance to people in his absence and to carry forward what he achieved in the last 10 months.



"A huge void has been created by his demise. Though he is not physically present now, his work and memories are before the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that needs to be carried forward," he said.



As suspense over formation of new government in Jammu and Kashmir continued, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was today visited by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for mourning but the meetings were seen with political significance.The meetings took place even as BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh expressed confidence that the alliance with PDP will continue as he said the party has written to Governor N N Vohra saying it will have a discussion on whatever decision the the ally takes.Gandhi, who arrived from Delhi, drove straight from the airport to the Fairview residence of Mehbooba in Gupkar here at 3 pm. She stayed with the PDP president for about 20 minutes and paid rich tributes to her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who passed away last Thursday.Gandhi, whose party ran a coalition government with PDP between 2002 and 2008, described Mufti as a "fine administrator committed to the welfare of the people" of the state and one who reflected the best of Indian values rooted in respect for diversity and anchored in tolerance.Noting that in 2002 he had committed to provide a 'healing touch' as Chief Minister, she said, "Mufti Saheb cut across party boundaries. He was beyond party affiliations. He belonged to everybody."Gandhi was accompanied by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, party general secretary Ambika Soni, state Congress chief G A Mir and party leader Saifuddin Soz.Azad later said "there is no politics in this and no politics should be understood of this (meeting). We have come here only for condoling and there is no other motive."Gandhi had come here as Mehbooba has had long association with her and Congress, he told reporters.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today claimed that work on the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya could start before the end of this year.





He expressed confidence that the final verdict by the Supreme Court will pave the way for cosntruction of a temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.



Swamy was speaking on the second and concluding day of a seminar titled "Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple: Emerging Scenario" organised amid tight security at Delhi University's Arts Faculty by Arundhati Vashishtha Anusandhan Peeth (AVAP), a research organisation founded by late VHP leader Ashok Singhal.



"After there is victory in court on the Ram Temple case, then in Krishna mandir in Mathura and Kashi Vishwanath, we will win easily because the evidence is clearcut. This is the more difficult case," Swamy said.



He said in Ayodhya, another mosque can be built near the Sarayu river but added that it should not be named after Babur.



Separately, in a tweet, Swamy said, "We Hindus offer Lord Krishna's package to Muslims--give us 3 temples and keep 39,997 masjids. I hope Muslim leaders don't become Duryodhans."



In the Mahabharat, for the sake of peace, and to avert a disastrous war, Lord Krishna had proposed that if Hastinapura agrees to give the Pandavas only five villages, they would be satisfied and would make no more demands.



Kaurava prince Duryodhana vehemently refused, commenting that he shall not part even with land as much as the point of a needle.



Additional Solicitor Generals Ashok Mehta and G Rajagopalan spoke about the legal issues and evidence in the matter.



Rajagopalan claimed that there was strong evidence in favour of building a temple.

Some of the speakers also expressed concern over the pace of judicial proceedings in the matter.



A Press Conference, which was scheduled today, was however postponed to Tuesday.

VHP General secretary Champat Rai spoke on the importance of symbols and said that is the reason names of cities like Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai were changed from colonial names.



Earlier, there was strong opposition from the student groups to DU's decision for allowing such a seminar alleging it would "communalise" the campus and push "saffron agenda".



The protesters including those from left-affiliated student wings AISA, DSF, SFI and Congress-affiliate NSUI, staged demonstrations outside the protest venue and were detained later.
In a bizarre incident, an angry Russian doctor fatally punched a patient for "touching" a nurse at a hospital in a southwestern Russian town with the media dubbing the medic 'the boxer doctor'.





A video of the well-built male doctor knocking out the patient in Belgorod has emerged online.



The man died, while his companion, who tried to stand up for him, was also brutally beaten by the doctor. The incident happened on December 29.



The violent attack was captured by the hospital security camera, and emerged online days later, with some 700,000 people having watched it in a day, Russia's RT television reported.



In the video, a half-naked patient is seen being checked up, when suddenly a male doctor storms in, accompanied by a nurse. The woman points her finger at the man, and the doctor, shouting, "you touched my nurse," pulls the man off the couch and hits him hard on the head.



When another man who accompanied the patient to the hospital tried to interfere, he was also brutally beaten by the doctor.



Shouting "have you understood me?" the doctor kept hitting both men while they were on the floor. Nurses pleaded for him to stop.



After the enraged doctor eventually left the room, a woman's voice -- apparently the offended nurse's -- can be heard explaining to her colleagues behind the door that the patient was asked to lie down calmly during a procedure, but did not follow her orders.



It is only after some two minutes that they appear to notice that the unconscious patient on the floor is not moving. "Are you alive?" his friend asks him, before warning the medics that something is not right.



In the next eight minutes, the nurses summon an emergency room doctor to the scene, while the doctor who hit the patient attempts to bring him back to life.



The man is then seen being dragged from the camera's view, while a cleaning lady washes the floor. The emergency doctor never appeared in the video.



The man died of a head injury, officials said. He reportedly arrived in the hospital with complaints of stomach pain.



Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case against the doctor under the article "infliction of death by negligence." If found guilty under it, the doctor faces up to two years in prison. The doctor has reportedly been fired from the hospital.




For expatriate Remy Binias from Arras, France, life has changed ever since he came to this city. Describing it as a burst of energy, he says it is starkly different from what he was used to in almost every way.





Remy, who works as Marketing Lead with Minsh, a start-up in the City, says that his journey here has been nothing less than exciting.



He came here as an MBA student from Amiens, France to do his final internship with Minsh. He joined the same company later, and is now responsible for the sales development of the company.



Hailing from the Northern part of France, Remy says that his hometown is relatively smaller. My hometown is just 60 km away from Lille in the northern part of the country. Arras is mainly known for its architectural beauty and the old buildings it possesses. It is known for the Arras Cathedral, The Boves and The Belfry of Arras. These are very unique heritage sites and Arras sees a lot of British visitors during the holidays,  he informs.



Another attraction there is The Main Square Festival  a popular music festival in France that happens usually around July  which attracts people from across the world, he adds



He point out that the population of Arras has approximately 60,000 people compared to the eight million in Bengaluru.



It feels magical to stay in such a large city and be part of such a culture, he says.



Professing his love for Bengaluru, he says that there is nowhere else that he would rather be at the moment.



I really love Bengaluru for its youthful spirit. It has a lot of youngsters like me and a lot of companies too.



Since Bengaluru is the hub for startups and the perfect haven for any new idea or project. I love the fact that there is so much growth here. India is a very lively country.



The first thought that pops in Remys mind when one asks him about the people here is how welcoming and cheerful they are.



Since Im young, it wasnt hard for me to adjust to anything here. I am open to all sorts of experiences and interactions, and the City has come as a blessing for me. All the people Ive met here have jumped at the opportunity to help him. They never flinch from offering a hand to anyone, he says.



Remy who loves meeting people, says that he has noticed that people here ask him many questions about his hometown and are generally curious. I have always felt comfortable answering their queries, he says.



It was also a pleasant surprise for Remy initially when he found Bengaluru housing people from across the country and the world.



I often attend the expat gatherings that are held here, which also help in networking better, he says.



Ask him if he has had a chance to indulge more with the French community here and he says, I dont want to restrict myself to just my community. Among my roommates, there are Indians as well, and I like it that way. I would like to keep myself open to everything.



Remy quickly adds that though the people are very friendly, they do have reservations about certain things.



Not everything can be openly discussed sometimes, as some have their own inhibitions. This is something different comparing to France, he says.



People shy away from talking about certain subjects. The culture is very traditional here. I feel that people here are not as open-minded as compared to those back home, he observes. About his travel experiences in the country, Remy says, I have gone to Goa, Chennai and Chikkamagalulru but I would like to explore much more. Pondicherry is on the list of places I would like to visit.



Among other things, he loves the fact that Bengaluru has an array of restaurants, pubs and bars to its credit. This, he says, has added to the charm and character of the City. Bengaluru is a nice place to be in. Although a big city, it still has the feel of a countryside. And theres a lot one can do here, he wraps up with a smile.
Regional carrier Air Costa is looking at widening its horizon, planning to expand its operations across the country. The Vijayawada-based airline recently received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry, and is just a step away from taking to the skies, as it is waiting for DGCAs Air Operators Permit (AOP).





In an interaction with Deccan Heralds Shemin Joy, Air Costa Deputy Chief Executive Officer Vivek Choudhary shares the flight plan of the company going forward.



You have received the NoC from the Civil Aviation Ministry. When do you expect to get the AOP? When can you start operations?

We received the NOC for pan-India operations. We have initiated the AOP application process, and are hopeful of obtaining the same in a month.



Subsequently, we will be able to start the pan-India operations from the summer schedule 2016, commencing March 27, 2016.



What are your destinations in the first year as you plan to expand pan-India? What are your long-term plans? What are the targets ahead?

We are looking at options of connecting Delhi and Mumbai to our existing network. Our long-term plan will be to extend our current philosophy of connecting the metros to smaller towns and cities at a pan-India level.



We believe that the market for 80-120 seats is the fastest growing segment and will dominate the aviation space in the coming years, as we see the demand for air travel increasing in more tier II and tier III cities.



Also, the governments initiatives on improving air transport infrastructure in the smaller towns and cities will help us consolidate our position in this segment. We are also strongly placed, as currently, we are the only operator of aircraft in the 80-120 seater segment (from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer).



What are your preparations for the transformation from a regional airline to a pan-India carrier? What change can one expect in Air Costa compared with your competitors?

Our business plan of connecting the metros to smaller towns, and interconnecting the smaller towns and cities, will be replicated at a pan-India level. We shall be adding more cities to our network depending on our aircraft induction plan. We believe that we are the only player with a product in the 80-120 seat segment at the moment. Our focus is to capitalise and capture such markets at the moment.



How was 2015 for Air Costa? Will you be able to improve your seat occupancy? With pan-India expansion, what is the expected increase in market share?

In the passing year, we were able to achieve a market share of one per cent in the domestic airline market. With pan-India services, and induction of additional aircraft, we are definitely looking at increasing our market share.



What is your fleet expansion plans considering pan-India operations?

We will add at least four Embraer E190 aircraft in 2016, and four more in 2017.



How do you evaluate the aviation sector in 2015?

We believe that the airline sector in India is on the upswing, and the upward trend will continue at a rate of 10-15 per cent for the next 3-5 years. We also estimate the 80-120 seat market to grow at least 25 per cent, each year, in the medium-term.



The Civil Aviation Policy is likely to be unveiled soon. What are your expectations? Do you see restrictions like the 5/20 rule to go?

We have requested the ministry to include the below-120 seat aircraft in the classification of a regional aircraft. As per the draft policy, the ministry has proposed to replace the 5/20 rule with a point system, which in our opinion is a complicated mechanism. We do believe that it will do good for international connections and the Indian airline industry as a whole, if the 5/20 rule is off the policy.

DH News Service


The Kolar Urban Development Authority (Kuda), which is tasked with planned development of the town, has been functioning from a rented building for the past 28 years.





The Kuda was known as City Planning Unit in its earlier avatar, when it took birth in 1988. It was then functioning from the municipal building. Later, it was rechristened as Kolar Urban Development Authority. Since then the office of the Authority has been housed in a rented building in Kilaripet.



The present office building presents a pathetic sight. It is dilapidated with walls developing cracks. The congested office has leaky roof. Since there is no space for furniture, all the office documents have been stacked on the floor.



With a leaky roof and dampened walls, preserving these documents during rainy season is a herculean task for the office staff.



The office building has no parking space. Numerous people visit this public office every day. So much so that there is no parking space for the official vehicles of the president of the authority and its staff.



The office of this government agency has no proper water and supply and there is neither any toilet facility. The staff are compelled to discharge their duties amidst these compelling circumstances.



Incomplete work

During the tenure of BJP government in 2012, foundation stone was laid for the office building of the Kuda, in Tamaka Extension on the outskirts of the town.

The work on the Rs one crore building was completed in a span of one year. But, the new building has not been provided with water and power connection till date. Windows are yet to be fixed, floor has to be laid and the building has not been painted. The government has so far released Rs 84 lakh to Karnataka Land Army, which has been executing the project.



Meanwhile, there are also allegations that the building has not been designed prope-

rly and that poor quality material has been used for construction.



Even before its inauguration, the building has started leaking. Following doubts about the quality of construction, a quality test has been got conducted by the Public Works Department and a Delhi-based agency. But, both are yet to submit their reports. Hence, the balance of Rs 16 lakh to be paid to the Land Army has been withheld. This has further delayed the work.



Kuda has been paying a rent of Rs 17,000 per month for its office building in Kilaripet.

The work on the new building has come to a standstill for the past two years. Given the fact that money is yet to be released to the contractor, the work is likely to be delayed. The Authority, despite having its own building, has to shell out huge money as rent.



Speaking to Deccan Herald, Kuda chairperson V Venkatamuniyappa said that the office would not be shifted before the Public Works Department submits its report.



We have written to Land Army for completing the pending work and the balance amount will be released only after, he said.
In a bid to expand his foray into the defence sector, Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani on Sunday announced that his company will be setting up a naval ship building facility at Rambilli, along the East Coast, near the Eastern Naval Command headquarters Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.





The facility will build ships for the Indian Navy. The naval ship building unit, which will be built at a cost of Rs 5000 crore as initial investment, is expected to create direct and indirect employment to thousands in several defence ancillary units expected to come up in the surroundings.



Addressing delegates at the Andhra Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, Ambani said, The new world-class facility will complement our facility at Pipavav in Gujarat, with a clear vision of building strategic assets for the Indian Navy.



Reliance also signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government for the facility, at the summit.



Dwelling on the enormous opportunities in ship building for the armed forces, he said that the Indian Navy will spend over Rs 3 lakh crore on acquisitions and fleet modernisation over the next 15 years. Once completed the Vizag facility will be the single-largest investment at one location anywhere in Andhra Pradesh.



This will be Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India mission in the defence sector, he said, adding that India can become a regional superpower if it could strengthen its fleet above the sea, and under it.



Earlier in the day, the 22nd edition of the Confederate of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit kicked off, showcasing investment opportunities in Sunrise Andhra Pradesh. The AP government is expecting to sign at least 100 MoUs worth Rs 2 lakh crore, during the summit. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, union ministers P Ashok Gajapati Raju, Nirmala Sitharaman and Y S Choudhary were also present at the event.

DH News Service
Reliance Industries (RIL) has challenged the jurisdiction of a panel set up by the government to inquire into the Oil and Natural Gas Corporations (ONGC) allegations that it removed gas from the latters field, and said that the dispute should be resolved by arbitration.





In a letter to Justice (Rtd) A P Shah, RIL said that it does not accept that the Government of India can appoint a committee, or the government can deal with any issues on the dispute, or for the dispute by constituting a committee.



The government had set up the Shah panel in December to quantify unfair enrichment if any, by Reliance and recommend ways to compensate ONGC and the government.



It is RILs position that the committee has no power to adjudicate any matters or issues concerning the claims of ONGC, and any such recommendation of the committee, if made, would in no manner be binding on RIL, the company said.



Both Reliance and ONGC have the option of approaching the court if they are not satified by the solution offered by the government.



Block skirmish

ONGC had earlier approached the court alleging that gas from its block was pumped out by Reliance, which had drilled wells very close to the common boundary of the blocks. RIL had earlier denied such allegations, assaying that it drilled wells inside its own block after due approvals.



RIL said that it has done nothing in breach of its legal obligations under its production sharing contract. The company said that if ONGC wanted to lay a claim on the ground that gas migrated from areas in their block to the RIL block, it will have to identify a legal basis to lay such a claim.



Reliance Industries and the government are already involved in disputes over expenditure incurred by the company in developing the KG-D6 block as well as pricing of natural gas.

DH News Service
The price of copra, which had breached 20k-mark a few months back, is on the downward slide. On Wednesday, copra was sold at Rs 9,500 to Rs 10,212 per quintal at Tiptur APMC.





The downward slide trend is attributed to the government's failure to appoint secretary to the APMC here which is lying vacant for a month now. The secretary plays a vital role in determining the prices of copra.



After Doreswamy was transferred from Tiptur APMC, Arasikere APMC secretary has been appointed a s acting secretary of Tiptur APMC. With no full-time secretary, the APMC has lost its control on determining the prices of copra, which has led to the downslide, it is said.



Also, the dip in prices of coconut oil is being seen as one of the reasons for the steady decrease of copra prices.



But a few trade analysists have different story to tell. They claim that the whiteball copra sold in Tiptur, Arasikere, Hassan, Channarayapatna and Nagamangala APMCs mostly goes to North India and is used for making sambar and food items and a small percentage of copra from the said region goes for manufacturing coconut oil. So, they claim, dip in coconut oil prices is a non-issue.



When the e-procurement or online trading of copra was introduced in Tiptur APMC, the price of copra sky-rocketed and the PAMC witnessed huge transaction. After the then APMC secretary Nymagouda was transferred, the online trading system developed snags or the vested interests tried to derail the system as the price of copra, which once hit Rs 20k-mark per quintal, started registering a steady dip.



The trade analysts fear that the price of copra will decrease further if the government fails to regulate import of palm oil from Malaysia and other nations in South East Asia and Africa.



Meanwhile the coconut growers have every reason to believe that the prices will dip further for the yield is good owing to good spells of rainfall. High yield means more produce will come to market giving good bargain for the buyers and the traders.



With no secretary to regulate the affairs of the APMC, the market, which is touted as biggest copra market in Asia, these days, is being run by the traders and the middlemen.



Add to it, every effort is being made to derail the online system. If the farmers insist for online trading, the commission agents and the traders quote Rs 300 less than the standard price. So, the farmers are not willing to sell their produce through e-procurement or online trading.



These days, agents call the shots at Tiptur APMC. They quote the price and make sure to quote it at a lower price. Rashtriya e-Market Services (ReMS) is not functioning which has prevented the traders/buyers from North India from entering into the local market. The government had introduced the online trading with much fanfare but the system has remained just on paper. The coconut growers in the region are getting raw deal, laments, Srikantha, member of Price Monitoring Committee.



Raitha Sangha taluk president Devaraj told Deccan Herald, The vested interests are conspiring to bring the prices of copra to Rs 8,000 per quintal. The price dip is marginal yet steady over the months. They know that the farmers would be angry, if the price dip is drastic. So, they are reducing the price in a phased manner before stabilising it at Rs 8,000 per quintal, he said.


In a bid to strengthen joint operating procedures, a joint exercise between Indian and Japanese Coast Guard will be held in the Bay of Bengal off Chennai on January 15.





A defence spokesperson told Deccan Herald on Sunday that Japanese Coast Guard Ship Echigo will be visiting Chennai from January 11 to 16 in this regard.



Sahyog-Kaijin-XV, the joint exercise will encompass the scenario of hijacking a merchant vessel and its subsequent rescue in a combined coast guard operation of both countries.



Operation of Indian Coast Guard helicopters from Japan Coast Guard ship and vice versa, cross-deck landing, interdiction of pirate vessel, cross boarding, SAR demonstration and external fire fighting will be other highlights of the exercise. In addition, the Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft will demonstrate their prowess before the Japanese delegation.
A day after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad took a diametrically opposite stand on supporting PM Narendra Modis Pakistan policy, the head of the elder partner in the ruling Grand Alliance again took pot-shots at his younger brother.





Not happy with Nitish praising Modi while defending PMs Lahore visit, Lalu said, Those who want to become closer (to Modi) and get some benefit, may not succeed. Samay bahut balwaan hai (Time is powerful). There was a time when he bowed before me when his chips were down.



The RJD chief did not mention any name while launching a veiled attack on Nitish. He is reported to be miffed after the JD (U) strongman took a divergent view from that of Lalu when the latter castigated the PM for Pathankot attack.



If someone is singing a different tune, then there is no need to become restless. God has created us. He will only decide what we have to do in future, said Lalu without naming anyone, at a function organised by a research institute here. But his constant jibe against Nitish was too obvious to be ignored. Of late, the inherent contradictions within the Grand Alliance in Bihar has come to the fore, particularly when Nitish, for the first time after becoming Bihar CM, praised Modi with whom he has a running feud since 2010.



The prime ministers sudden visit to Lahore to greet Nawaz Sharif was a good gesture by Modi and it should be welcomed by all. Such steps would go a long way in improving bilateral relations with neighbours, Nitish said on January 8, on the sidelines of a government function.



Lalu, on the other hand, said the Pathankot episode exposed the double face of the BJP. Prior to polls, Lalu said: the BJP maintained that it would give a befitting reply to Pakistan if it annexed or infiltrated the Indian territory. But whenever Pakistan has made such infiltration, the BJP-led government at the Centre has been caught napping.


Ahead of Assembly elections in West Bengal, a three-member BJP fact-finding team will visit Malda district on Monday to submit a report on communal violence that had erupted last Sunday post alleged blasphemous comments by a right wing leader.





Even Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh may visit Malda on January 18 for on the spot enquiry, given reports that thousands of protesters went on the rampage in Kaliachak, setting ablaze a police station and damaging vehicles.



Set up by BJP president Amit Shah, the enquiry team does not have party office-bearers from the state or who are in-charge of West Bengal as its members. S S Ahluwalia, who is a member of the panel, is an MP from Darjeeling district of West Bengal.



It will be headed by party national general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Bhupender Yadav and have former director general of police B D Ram as its third member.



The team will submit its report to Amit Shah after visiting the violence-hit area, a BJP press release stated.



The Vishwa Hindu Prarishad has also decided to jump into the communal cauldron with its mass agitations at the district levels as it alleged that it was not just a riot but a much dangerous attempt to divide the nation. VHP general secretary (international) Dr Surendra Jain accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of shielding minorities for a few votes.



There are allegations that the TMC is protecting anti-India forces in the state, Jain charged though Mamata Banerjee has denied communal tensions in the state. On the contrary, she recently said that the threat of Maoists has also disappeared.



On Sunday, hardly-know local Muslim organization Idara-e-Shariya had hit the street, violently protesting against Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwaris alleged hate speech delivered in Uttar Pradesh.



The minority group demanded action against Tiwari for his derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad.
The deportation of Telugu students from the US continued with 22 more students returning to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamsabad here in the early hours of Sunday.





The students who were detained by the US Customs and Border Protection Agency at the port of entry for more than 20 hours were interviewed by authorities for prolonged hours and were then huddled in return flights to India.



All 22 students were again detained by the RGIA officials who questioned them for another eight hours.



They were allowed to leave for their homes around 11am after the intervention of Telangana state deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali who was at the airport to catch a flight. Vijayalaxmi, mother of one of the students deported from the US, said her daughter was threatened by the US authorities who reportedly said that they would ban her from entering the US for five years if she refused to return home.



Soumya and Chandana, two other students from Karimnagar and Vijayawada, said that they will never return to that country after the ill treatment meted out.



Yet another student who got admission in Southern Illinois University said that only Telugu students were discriminated against.



I have seen students from other countries separated from us to form different queues...we were treated like criminals. We were denied to make a phone call even, Rajesh a native of Visakhapatnam said.


The United States deployed a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over its ally South Korea on Sunday.





The action is a clear show of force from the US as a Cold War-style standoff deepened between its ally Seoul and North Korea following Pyongyangs fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will read the fly-over of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons at Osan Air Base near Seoul as a threat.



Any display of Americas nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the US to topple its authoritarian government.



The massive B-52, based in Guam and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, could be seen in a low flight over Osan Air Base at around noon. It was flanked by two fighter planes, a US F-16 and a South Korean F-15, before returning to Guam, the US military said.



Osan is south of Seoul and 77 km from the Demilitarised Zone that separates the two Koreas. The flight was in response to recent provocative action by North Korea, it said.

North Koreas nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations.



The B-52 flight followed a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to celebrate the countrys widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test.



Kim is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world.

There was no immediate reaction from North Koreas state media to the B-52 fly-over, which also happened after North Koreas third nuclear test in 2013.


The State government on Sunday released Rs 1,540 crore to be distributed to drought-affected farmers, who have incurred crop loss, as input subsidy.





The money has been distributed to 25 drought-affected districts.



The district administrations will take measures to distribute the input subsidy to farmers as per the guidelines of National Disaster Relief Fund (NRDF).



The Centre had recently sanctioned the funds to the State in order to provide relief to the drought-affected farmers, according to an official release.



Belagavi district has been given the highest amount with Rs 241.50 crore, followed by Kalaburagi with Rs 197.55 crore and Vijayapura with Rs 115.49 crore.



The State government had sought a total of Rs 2,278.19 crore as assistance from the Centre to provide relief to the drought-affected farmers.


At a time when clearing sewage from most lakes in Bengaluru remains a challenge for the civic agencies, Sankey tank shows the way. Having earned compliments for its veritable urban biodiversity hotspot, Sankey tank has a spacious park with several amenities for the public.





The Sankey tank and park attract more than 2,000 walkers every day. A spacious childrens play area, broad walkways on three sides of the lake, chirping sounds of birds and that pleasant greenery bring visitors here. Then, there are 60 ducks, a new addition, and a special section for pigeons.



But thats not all. There is a plan to set up a full-fledged bird shelter given the increasing number of birds around the area, said Ranghanath P V, general secretory of Sankey Park Walkers Association.



Environmentalist Kiran T Kulkarni lauded the association for protecting the lake from loosing its age-old glory.



A concrete jogging and walking track around the lake, divided by parallel slabs for flowers plants, is also in the offing. We have started the work on one side at an estimated cost of Rs 1.1 crore. We will construct it in phases. There is a proposal to construct a bridge to connect all sides of the lake, an official in the Lake Development Authority said. We are also working to upgrade the waste weir at a cost of Rs 50 lakh, which will prevent flooding and mixing with sewage.



Rich in biodiversity

Vijay Nishanth of Vruksha, a project that aims at quantifying the biodiversity through a scientific tree census and creating a biodiversity portal, feels the surroundings of Sankey tank are a veritable urban biodiversity hotspot with over 40 species of trees. We mapped a total of 584 adult trees along with 140 saplings. There are 724 trees around the lake, he said, quoting a recent study.



Harini Nagendra, professor of sustainability at Azim Premji University, said the number of bird nests in the area indicated that it was rich in biodiversity. It has been home to slender loris, which is in the list of endangered animals, she said.



Nishanth, however, flagged a concern: sewage is getting into the lake behind the guesthouse on the western side.



S Krishnappa, Engineer-in-Chief, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), promised that the quality of water would be tested for any contamination.



Compared to other lakes, this is well-maintained and remains free of sewage. We will definitely test the water to see if sewage has entered the lake, he added.


Randgold Resources , a rarity of a profitable and debt-free miner, is a share to hold onto, argued the Sunday Times' Inside the City column. The west and central Africa-focused group is valued at twice the market capitalisation of FTSE 100 peer Anglo American, which is highly indebted and making losses from most of its businesses. As the price of gold shines brighter in the light of global financial jitters, Randgold has made hay and profits of $149m in the first nine months of its financial year.

Whether that means Randgold is a clear buy depends on how you see the value of the yellow metal. Janet Yellen's rate setting pace in 2016 will be key. But if you want to bet on the gold price, maybe an ETF is a better tool. Having said that, Randgold has a very solid history of project delivery and decision making, helping it to an industry leading p/e ratio of 30. Whether the share price gains even more of a premium will probably be determined by the price of gold.

BAE Systems shares are still worth buying, said Questor in the Sunday Telegraph, after falling from their March high last year to the point in August's where they were initial recommended and later went on to make a late surge in November. This came as BAE and its partners in the Eurofighter Typhoon project decided to cut production of the line and let it run until 2020 to try and reignite slowing demand, with Saudi Arabia seen a key potential client.

BAE also contributes around 15% of each of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning jets, the result of the massive joint-strike fighter program. These will be another flagship project for BAE, adding to its 40% of revenues from America as budget pressures begin to ease across the Atlantic, potentially boosting several of the group's other US contracts. The main forthcoming UK contract would be the huge nuclear submarine replacement project. Leadership remains an issue after boss Ian King announced his resignation last summer, which perhaps explains the discount the shares trade to peers.

Shares in REDT Energy are a good, if risky, punt for adventurous investors, wrote Midas in the Mail on Sunday. One of the company's lead products is an innovative means of storing excess energy generated by wind and solar energy to be used when the wind is not blowing or the sun shining. Having spent years developing a commercially friendly product, REDT is accelerating production of its liquid vanadium batteries, which were invented by Nasa and can hold energy almost permanently and are now on trial with industrial customers and now cost 13,500 a pop.

REDT, which was formed out of another business, Camco Clean Energy, is forecast to make modest sales of just 4.6m this year. Analysts expect sales to soar to 23.9m in 2017, with the group moving into profit shortly afterwards. While finances are currently reported in euros they are likely to swap to sterling, as REDT's facilities are near Edinburgh and Berkshire.



Please note: Digital Look provides a round-up of news, tips and information that is impacting share prices and the market. Digital Look cannot take any responsibility for information provided by third parties. This is for your general information only as not intended to be relied upon by users in making an investment decision or any other decision. Please obtain a copy of the relevant publication and carry out your own research before considering acting on any of this information.
DeVier Posey: How ex-Ohio State player learned to handle adversity

From medical challenges to setbacks his senior year at Ohio State, DeVier Posey has long been learning to harness his pain.
Prior to the advent of the abuse excuse being successfully used in criminal trials in the 1970s, criminals were required by society and by the courts to take full responsibility for their actions.

In the Dec. 23 column titled Prison a bad call for Bowe Bergdahl, academic John Crisp attempts to lay blame for Bergdahls desertion on everyone but Bergdahl. Crisp writes the hapless, troubled soldier who wandered away from his post in Afghanistan  . Wandered away? By his own admission in an interview at the 2.37 minute point in Bowe Bergdahl Speaks Out he says all he had with him was a knife. That tells us he intentionally left his post and his weapon and deserted.

Am I wrong to say that if someone causes the death of another while committing a felony that the perpetrator would be charged with at least manslaughter in a civilian venue? Then why hasnt Bergdahl also been charged with murder considering that at least five of his fellow soldiers were killed while searching for him?

Crisp says that Bergdahl was discharged from the Coast Guard after 26 days for psychological reasons. The Coast Guard says that he was given an uncharacterized discharge, which is nothing more than a trainee discharge. Crisp says, further, that the Army inducted him under a special waiver that ignored evidence of his instability, but none of this could have taken place without Bergdahl initiating the process.

At the very least, Bergdahl deserves life in prison, which means he will receive three hots and a cot, complete medical care, counseling, etc., all at taxpayer expense for the rest of his hapless life.

Judith A. (Judi) Jay

Slocomb
Geraldine (Jerry) Morgan Dowling, 96, a resident of Dothan, Alabama died Thursday January 7, 2016 at her residence after a long life lived. Graveside services will be held at 12 noon Monday January 11, 2016 at the Memory Hill Cemetery with Father Patrick Gallagher officiating and Kendall Glover directing. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Columba Catholic Church, 2700 W. Main St., Dothan, Al. 36301 or to one's favorite charity. Mrs. Dowling was a long time resident of Dothan, a homemaker, and the widow of Lex Edwin Dowling who died in 1993. She was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church and was a 1937 graduate of Dothan High School and attended Huntingdon College. Survivors include two sons, Gerald and Larry Dowling; one daughter, Lexa Dowling, all of Dothan; four granddaughters, Tracy Pifer, Boone, N.C.; Blake Parker, Dothan; Courtney Mann, Dothan; Barkley Massey, Macon, Ga.; one grandson, Will Dowling, Dothan and many great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Dowling's grandson and great grandsons. Glover Funeral Home of Dothan 334-699-3888 is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit www.gloverfuneral.com to sign the guest register. Sign the guest book online www.dothaneagle.com
Since 1997, DR1 has been covering the Dominican Republic in English. A site overhaul had long been due. Here is the beta version of the first phase of the new DR1. We have upgraded the website with user-friendly software to serve our community better. We have kept the up-to-date content. Now it is your turn to give the new DR1 a test run!

We are tough-skinned. Go ahead and tell us what we are doing right, wrong, and what we need to change asap or work on next. Tell us what you would like to see less or more of, and what we shouldnt change!

Imagine we have bought a new house for DR1. The house comes with:

New server that ensures DR1 can handle peaks in traffic

New DR1 Forums

Improved Search

New DR1 Calendar

DR1 News and DR1 Calendar are integrated into the DR1 Forums

New DR1 Wiki for frequently asked topics

New Trending Topics emails

We now need to furnish the house. It is YOUR DR1! We invite you to collaborate in adding valuable content. What content or services should we add? Check out the new resources, but get creative, too. You can contribute and play a key role in helping people connect, enjoy and be productive in the Dominican Republic.

Dolores Vicioso, founder

Write to support@dr1.com


Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.



NIAGARA FALLS -- The Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation (NTCC) has officially released its 2016 Travel Guide, a comprehensive source of information for travelers planning a visit to Niagara USA and highlights Niagara County's attractions and experiences.The guide, which is available in both print and online, has a new look and feel for 2016.We took a more experiential approach this year with the travel guide than we have in previous years. said NTCC President and CEO John Percy. The photographs and editorial content will give travelers a more personalized snapshot of all the wonderful adventures they will encounter when they visit Niagara County.Approximately 600,000 copies of the travel guide are distributed within the region and across New York State as well as in targeted markets throughout the United States and internationally. Individuals may also request a copy through the Niagara USA website.As the local tourism industry continues to prosper, we are also seeing growth in local economic development which makes our job as the destination marketing organization for Niagara County that much more exciting," Percy said. "Our Travel Guide kicks off 2016 highlighting more Niagara County assets than ever before. Were looking forward to another highly successful year.You can request a copy of the 2016 Travel Guide by calling 1 877 FALLS US or online at niagara-usa.com where a complete digital copy can also be viewed.
No Snyder administration officials will be held accountable. And thats exactly the problem.

At long last, after activists and elected officials and even bloggers like LOLGOP and I have been sounding the alarm about the poisoning of Flint residents with lead in their drinking water, the story has finally hit the national stage. In the past week, in addition to the Michigan media outlets who have been doing yeomans work exposing the role Snyder administration officials played in this human tragedy, national media groups have been reporting the story. The Rachel Maddow Show has run numerous segments including a recent interview with ACLU investigative journalist Curt Guyette. The New York Times ran a piece titled Flint Wants Safe Water, and Someone to Answer for Its Crisis. Forbes ran a piece titled What You Need To Know About Lead Poisoning  Flint Edition. Salon ran a piece titled When money matters more than lives: The poisonous cost of austerity in Flint, Michigan . The Atlantic ran a piece titled What Did the Governor Know About Flints Water, and When Did He Know It?.

The problem is that there almost no chance at all that anyone will go to prison for this. To ensure thats true, the Snyder administration is in full PR mode. Last Friday, former Snyder Chief of Staff Dennis Muchmore, normally a bulldog who has no problem going on the attack when he feels the need, took a break from his new government lobbying job to go on WJR to tell the world just how torn up he is about all of this. Muchmore, who ran multiple lobby groups in the past, recently left the Snyder administration to take a high-paid government lobbyist position. Recently uncovered emails show that he was warning Snyder administration officials that Flint residents were being blown off as early as last July. However, in his interview, he portrays the Snyder administration as being there all along to help Flint residents despite having ignored their plight for months before taking action. But finding out who was responsible shouldnt be part of the process, according to Muchmore:

Its kinda like everything else in politics or government, the natural tendency of people is to look for somebody to blame. I just dont think it does much good to do that.

After the Snyder administration essentially demonized Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards as an out-of-state interloper when he worked to expose the the lead problem in Flint, Muchmore lauds him as if his former colleagues consider him some sort of hero. You can listen to the entire revisionist history from Muchmore here:

http://www.eclectablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Muchmore.mp3



If anyone were going to be thrown under the bus by the Snyder administration to protect the governor from being held accountable, that person would probably be Dan Wyant, the former head of the Department of Environmental Quality who was fired after the story got to hot. If you want to see just how inept this man is, take a look at the interview he did with Al Jazeera recently. He could not possibly look more incompetent:

But Wyant is gone and unlikely to face the music for the human-made disaster he helped create.

Another person who might be the fall-guy for the states poisoning of Flint residents is Howard Croft, the former head of the Department of Public Works in Flint who was in charge as the slow-motion catastrophe unwound. Heres Curt Guyette talking about how Croft was implementing the will of the Snyder administration:

Back in September I interviewed Howard Croft, the former director of Public Works for the City of Flint. At that time they were still telling the lie that Flint was forced to use the river because Detroit kicked them off. Mr Croft, in an interview, reiterated that. I had a document from a former Emergency Manager showing that he rejected an offer from Detroit that would have kept Flint getting clean, safe water. When confronted with that, he caved in and said, Well, we looked at the situation and an evaluation was made by the state to use the river because it was cheaper. I said, Did it go all the way up to the governor? and he said, Yes.

Croft, too, is gone, having resigned his position back in November.

Watch the full Maddow interview with Guyette here:

Meanwhile, the Snyder administration is working to scrub any evidence that it has been cavalier in its approach to Flints ongoing health crisis. A state government page titled, Hey Flint, It Is Safe to Wash once had this fun, cheerful graphic letting Flint parents know it is A-OK to bathe their children in lead-contaminated water:

That graphic has since been removed but the web page continues to tell parents bathing in contaminated water is just fine. Lead in bath water will not soak into your skin fast or at high levels, it says. Just dont let kids drink the bath water when they play in the tub. If you were a parent of an infant in Flint, would YOU bathe your child in lead-tainted water?

Given that the city is now under a state of emergency, you would think that the state would be making sure that Flint residents were getting access to as much clean water as they needed. You would be wrong:

Michigan has declared the Flint water crisis an emergency  but the state has not yet provided bottled water even though lead levels are still high. Churches and other organizations have been left to fill the gap. A local sheriff who began distributing filters on his own discovered two out of three homes visited did not have them yet. The Rev. Bobby Jackson of the Mission of Hope has handed out hundreds of bottles of free water to people coming from all over Flint on bikes and on foot because they cant afford to buy their own. Its all come from donations, he told NBC News. [] On Thursday, Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell mobilized reserve deputies and people sentenced to community service and dispatched them to hand out filters and bottled water. His teams managed to visit 200 homes; two-thirds had no filters, he reported.

As another part of their public relations effort to make themselves look heroic, Snyder administration officials are now attempting to demonize protesters to deflect attention from those calling on Gov. Snyder to tell us what he knew and when and why it took so damn long for him to take action. Dave Murray, spokesman for Gov. Snyder, told the Detroit Free Press how disappointed he is that protesters arent being helpful:

Its disappointing that some groups would use such rhetoric and arent instead focused on joining the collaborative effort to make sure all Flint residents have access to safe clean water, Snyder spokesman Dave Murray said Friday. As Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said on Thursday, this is a partnership, and were looking at how we all can move Flint forward.

What Murray failed to mention is that the protesters actually brought 800 cases of bottled water with them:

Gov. Snyder's spokesman calls out protesters for not "joining collaborative effort" failed to realize they brought 800 cases of H20 w/ them  eks (@eschwarzkopf) January 9, 2016

Seems like they are being more helpful than the state itself.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Brandon Dillon expressed his disgust at Murrays accusation:

The sad reality is that, despite the multiple failures at nearly every level, it is highly unlikely that anyone in the Snyder administration will go to prison for this. They will simply blame others, many of whom have already fallen on their swords to protect Snyder himself, all the while castigating those attempting to make sure the truly responsible parties are held accountable. If anyone DOES get convicted, you can be sure it will be appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals and even the Michigan Supreme Court. Once the case gets there, these Republican-stacked, Snyder-appointed judicial bodies will simply give them a pass.

Because thats how it works in Republican-dominated Michigan.

UPDATE: Just to be clear, when I say the worst part, Im speaking about the political ramifications of this catastrophe. The worst part is, of course, that the people of Flint have been poisoned by their own government and will live with that public health legacy for decades to come.
(Hyundai)

Hyundai has given the first few glimpses into its next generation hybrid vehicle, the 2017 Ioniq. According to Hyundai, the Ioniq is an attractive vehicle offering the most advanced connectivity which will give future owners an entertaining driving experience.

"IONIQ embodies Hyundai Motor's new thinking and bold ambitions for the future. This world-class dedicated hybrid will be the starting point of our future mobility," said Rag Jung, Head of Project Management Division at Hyundai R&D Center.

With its release, the hybrid is set to rival the 2016 Toyota Prius, 2016 Chevrolet Volt and the 2016 Nissan Leaf. Unlike its competitors, the Ioniq will be the first to offer three efficient and low-emission powertrain options  a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a pure electric.

Hyundai also built the Ioniq on a specifically created chassis capable of accommodating the three different powertrains. The new architecture also positions the battery lower giving it a lower center of gravity. This gives the Ioniq a more responsive and stable cornering.

The new chassis is lightweight but durable, with 53 percent of the Ioniq's body made of Advanced High Strength Steel. Also, with using aluminum for the non-structural components, the Ioniq was able to save up to 28 pounds.

Hyundai announced that the first Ioniq model to be released would be the gasoline-electric hybrid version. It will be powered by a 1.6-liter Kappa GDi engine with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission alongside an electric motor. The engine produces 103 horsepower and 108 lb-ft of torque while the electric motor produces 43 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai will also use a Lithium Ion Polymer Battery for its battery pack.

The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq is set to arrive in South Korea later this month. Then, it will make its international debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show taking place this March. More information will be revealed later on so stay tuned for the latest updates.
(Photo: REUTERS / KCNA)North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (R) talks with Wang Jiarui (L), the head of the International Liaison Department of China's Communist Party, in Pyongyang August 2, 2012, picture released by the North's official KCNA news agency. The agency said this was the new leader's first reception of a foreign official since taking power.

The World Council of Churches has rebuked North Korea's early January nuclear test, urging the reclusive State and other nations to help reduce tension and promote negotiations for an end to its suspended state of war with the South.

The United States flew a B-52 bomber over South Korea on Jan. 10 in a show of force as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un insisted his country's latest nuclear test was carried out in self-defense.

Following the nuclear test conducted by North Korea, the WCC is calling on all parties involved in the current situation on the Korean peninsula to engage in peace-enabling actions.

It singles out especially South Korea, North Korea, the USA, Japan and China.

The WCC calls on all of them to "invest in initiatives to reduce tensions, to promote dialogue and to encourage negotiations for an end to the suspended state of war."

It has been 63 years since the cessation of fighting between the two Koreas, but that was due an armistice signed on 27 July 1953 thus bringing an end to the Korean conflict.

A peace treaty has never been signed and both nations are still technically at war.

WCC general secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit these countries should do this to enable "peaceful co-existence on the Korean peninsula, rather than measures that increase the risk of catastrophic conflict."

"As a global fellowship of churches committed to a pilgrimage of justice and peace, we seek hope-inspiring alternatives to the deadly cycle of provocation and military confrontation," he stressed.

UNUSUAL SEISMIC EVENT

On Jan. 5, reports of an unusual seismic event close to a known nuclear test site in North Korea (Punggye-ri) were followed by official television statements that North Korea had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

North Korea warned of war as South Korea on Jan. 9 continued attacking anti-Pyongyang propaganda across the rivals' tense border in retaliation for the North's purported fourth nuclear test, The Associated Press reported.

The WCC said that for more than 30 years it has engaged in opening doors for encounter and dialogue between North and South Koreans, and in promoting and supporting this relationship.

Peter Prove, director of the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs said that, "more than 70 years after the division of the peninsula, Korean people continue to be separated by the most highly militarized confrontation in the world.

(Photo: Ecumenical News / Peter Kenny) World Council of Churches general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, addresses journalists on November 7, 2013 during a media conference at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, South Korea.

"The vision and dream of peace is threatened by any and all measures that heighten rather than reduce tensions in this dangerous situation."

Tveit noted, "The WCC also has a long history of principled opposition to nuclear arms, and supports the recent 'humanitarian initiative' towards a global legal ban on such unconscionable weapons of mass destruction."

On the Korean peninsula, the threat of nuclear conflict jeopardizes the lives and future not only of the people of the peninsula but of the wider region and the globe.

"Therefore", stressed Tveit, "the WCC condemns initiatives to scale up the destructive potential of nuclear weapons on or in the vicinity of the Korean peninsula."

He said that that WCC governing bodies have repeatedly called for a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, for the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of all nuclear weapons in North East Asia, and for a global humanitarian ban on nuclear weapons.

Prove said, "Current or envisaged responses to the recent nuclear test by North Korea do not lead in the direction of de-escalation and dialogue.

"Such troubling responses include today's resumption of loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts by South Korea, the possible strengthening of economic sanctions, and increased international military presence (including nuclear-armed forces) in the region."
ZURICH (Reuters) - Christoph Blocher, the combative populist who helped make the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) the dominant force in the Alpine nation's politics, will relinquish his last political post this year, he told a newspaper.

To his fans, Blocher is a heroic defender of traditional Swiss values who has developed a niche party of farmers and small businessmen into a Swiss political powerhouse. To critics he is a divisive figure whose anti-immigration policies have destabilised a once-safe haven for companies and investors.

Under Blocher's influence, the SVP has shaken up the cosy, consensual system prevailing in Switzerland since the end of World War Two.

The SVP was the driving force behind a 2014 referendum which has forced the government to introduce new limits on immigration, threatening Swiss ties with the EU.

"I will no longer be deputy chairman of the SVP from April," billionaire Blocher, 75, told SonntagsBlick in a report published on Sunday.

The paper noted he needed emergency hospital treatment after injuring his shoulder in a recent fall. "I belong on the scrap heap," it quoted him as saying.

His departure, and news that party leader Toni Brunner will not stand again, open a new chapter for the SVP, which cemented its role as a leading force in Swiss politics in elections last year that paved the way for it to take a second seat in the seven-member cabinet.

Fighting what he saw as neutral Switzerland's drift towards the European Union became a mission for ex-justice minister Blocher, even if this jeopardised treaties that bind the landlocked republic to its neighbours.

Ejected from the cabinet by parliament in 2007, Blocher resigned from the national assembly in 2014 to spend more time furthering his policies through popular initiatives or referendums, a particular feature of Swiss politics.

In a "Save Our Swiss Gold" initiative, several prominent SVP politicians failed to force the Swiss National Bank to buy vast quantities of the precious metal despite warnings from the central bank that it would cripple its monetary policy.

Such polarising moves have made it hard for the SVP to forge alliances in Berne, even though it is the largest party.

The son of a pastor, Blocher was born in 1940 in a village on the Rhine river, the seventh of 11 children. He studied agriculture and law, later buying EMS Chemie, an export-reliant maker of adhesives and coatings.

He was not immediately available by phone or email on Sunday.

(Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Ros Russell)
Samsung Mobile Issues - Consumer Court? I have been through three Samsung phones in 2 years and can now say that I don't ever intend to buy a Samsung mobile again.



I bought a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge on offer from InterDiscount on 4th Jan 2016, and in 5 days, the screen cracked, while lying in my handbag. There is a pinprick on one side of the glass and a spider web of cracks that originate from here. It looks like the screen spontaneously cracked, there can't be any other reason, as there was no metal object in the bag.



My previous phone was a Samsung Galaxy S4 that lasted for 9 months, after which the antenna stopped working. Samsung service center took 4 months to identify the problem and return the phone to me.



I am appalled at the quality of product and the poor customer service. Add to this the problem of not being able to speak in German. Can someone direct me to a consumer forum where I can complain? From my experience with Samsung customer care, I don't have much expectations.
Another day, another scandal for the Duggar family. This time around Jill Duggar's husband Derick Dillard is getting a lot of heat for apparently posting photos of his son Israel David crying for the world to see.

Jessa Duggar Baby Boy News: Reality Star's Life Was At Risk During Home Birth?

In fact, in one daddy and son photo that Derick posted on Friday, the 9-month-old tot can be seen in distress. He simply captioned it with, "This is how we roll. #likefatherlikeson."

And while Derick posted the photo because he thought it was funny (both are wearing colorful wigs and sunglasses), his followers don't seem to think so. In fact, he got quite the opposite reaction with one saying Israel "doesn't look happy at all."

Josh Duggar News: Wife Anna Duggar's Extreme Weight Loss Due To Stress?

This is how we roll. #likefatherlikeson A photo posted by Derick Dillard (@derickdillard) on Jan 8, 2016 at 2:38pm PST

Luckily for Derick though there were a few fans who defended the photo by posting, "I laugh at the people calling this abuse. Babies cry. I have never in my life met a child that age who liked wearing hats, or anything on their head anyway," along with, "People today think children should be bubble wrapped and catered to. I swear, so many children today are turning into miniature dictators because the adults in their lives are falling all over themselves to keep them satisfied."

Another fan wrote, "Don't worry, you are Jill are great parents."

Jill and Derick are currently living in Guatemala with their son as part of their missionary work. Keep up with Enstars for all the latest news on the entire Duggar family right here.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach joined Sway in the Morning, Jan. 8 as part of her media rounds before she return to the Philippines on Jan. 23.

During her radio guesting, Wurtzbach said she has no hard feelings for Steve Harvey, and even wants to show him around the Philippines.

From swapping stories of her home country with Sway to speaking on the major attractions in the country, Wurtzbach speaks on how Americanized the Philippines is. With the competition behind her, Wurtzbach can now focus on her involvement around the world. She also shared her advocacy about HIV and AIDS relief organizations as well as her cyber bullying campaigns.

Sway also got to talk Wurtzbach about her love life, confirming her status as single, she says that being in a relationship right now would not be fair to her significant other because of how busy she is. Even though DB heard her say all of this, he still tried to lay down some moves which failed miserably.

Wurtzbach also got to sing Britney Spears' hit "Baby One More Time" on the radio's karaoke time.

Video by SwaysUniverse
Attacks on women in Cologne and other German cities on New Year's Eve have prompted more than 600 criminal complaints, with police suspicion resting on asylum seekers, putting pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel and her open door reufgee policy.

The attacks, mostly targeting women and ranging from theft to sexual molestation, have prompted a highly-charged debate in Germany about its welcoming stance for refugees, more than one million of whom arrived last year.

The sudden nature of the violent attacks and the fact that they stretched from Hamburg to Frankfurt prompted Germany's justice minister Heiko Maas to speculate in a newspaper that they had been planned or coordinated.

The debate on migration will be further fueled by the acknowledgement by the authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia that a man shot dead as he tried to enter a Paris police station last week was an asylum seeker with seven identities who lived in Germany.

In Cologne, police said on Sunday that 516 criminal complaints had been filed by individuals or groups in relation to assaults on New Year's Eve, while police in Hamburg said 133 similar charges had been lodged with the north German city.

Frankfurt also registered complaints, although far fewer.

The investigation in Cologne is focused largely on asylum seekers or illegal migrants from north Africa, police said. They arrested one 19-year-old Moroccan man on Saturday evening.

In Cologne, where a 100-strong force of officers continued their investigations, around 40 percent of the complaints included sexual offenses, including two rapes.

The attacks, which prompted violent far-right protests on Saturday, threatens to further erode confidence in Merkel, and could stoke support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party ahead of three key state elections in March.

Merkel's popularity has dwindled as she refused to place a limit on the influx of refugees.

A survey sponsored by state broadcaster ARD showed that while 75 percent of those asked were very happy with Merkel's work in April last year, only 58 percent were pleased now.

Almost three quarters of those polled said migration was the most important issue for the government to deal with in 2016.

The Cologne attacks also heated up the debate on immigration in neighboring Austria.

"What happened in Cologne is unbelievable and unacceptable," Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, a member of the conservative People's Party that is junior coalition partner to the Social Democrats, told newspaper Oesterreich.

There had been a handful of similar incidents in the border city of Salzburg. "Such offenders should be deported," she said, backing a similar suggestion by Merkel.

Swiss media contained numerous stories about sexual assaults on women by foreigners, fueling tensions ahead of a referendum next month that would trigger the automatic deportation of foreigners convicted of some crimes.

In Germany, on Monday, a regional parliamentary commission will quiz police and others about the events on New Year's Eve in Cologne.

The anti-Muslim PEGIDA, whose supporters threw bottles and firecrackers at a march in Cologne on Saturday before being dispersed by riot police, will later hold a rally in the eastern German city of Leipzig.

The far right will likely seize on reports that the Paris attacker, who was shot last week as he wielded a meat cleaver and shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest), was known to police for drug dealing and harassing women.

He had an apartment in an accommodation center for asylum seekers in Recklinghausen, north of Cologne, where he had painted the symbol of Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on the wall of two rooms.

Reuters
Exchange rate markets saw the GBP, AUD, NZD, CAD battered by Chinese stock market panic in the first week of 2016

Global economic concerns allowed the Pound exchange rate to advance last week, although warnings over the UK economy slowed gains, with 2016 looking set to be a tough year.

Fears over the state of Chinas economy caused mass stock sell-offs, with the resulting panic spilling over into global stock and currency markets.

Over 1.3 trillion was wiped from the value of global equities, while currencies like the Australian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar and the Canadian Dollar were hammered by risk-aversion.

Here are the latest conversion rates for your reference:

On Wednesday the Pound to British Pound exchange rate (GBP/GBP) converts at 1

FX markets see the pound vs pound exchange rate converting at 1.

FX markets see the pound vs new zealand dollar exchange rate converting at 1.981.

At time of writing the pound to canadian dollar exchange rate is quoted at 1.547.

NB: the forex rates mentioned above, revised as of 19th Oct 2022, are inter-bank prices that will require a margin from your bank. Foreign exchange brokers can save up to 5% on international payments in comparison to the banks.

The Australian Dollar was hit the hardest of the major currencies, as the threat of a slowing China economy brought the possibility of shrinking demand for Australian minerals such as iron ore and copper.

Australian stocks took a hit as a Chinese trader selling frenzy trickled across the ocean, with investors particularly concerned at Chinas new circuit breaker mechanism for controlling market volatility being activated twice within days of its introduction.

Further harm was caused when the Performance of Services index showed an accelerated slowdown in the sector, dropping from 48.2 to 46.3, a -8.4% drop in Building Approvals and a contraction in the construction sector.

Panic in the Chinese market sparked a bad start to 2016 for the New Zealand Dollar

Another of Chinas largest import partners, New Zealand saw a sheer drop in the New Zealand Dollar exchange rates during the beginning of the week, although it fared better than the Australian Dollar, which was the focus of trader desertion.

A surprise -1.6% drop in the GlobalDairyTrade Price Index to US$2458 per metric tonne added more bad news during a week investors would rather forget.

The 'Kiwi' (NZD) ended the week low, having been hammered down by another stellar result from the US Non-Farm Payrolls, which saw a 92k better-than-expected rise in job creation, with nearly 300k people newly employed.

Oil Continues to Drive Canadian Dollar Exchange Rate Depreciation

Growing tensions in the Middle East, as Saudi Arabia and Iran clash over the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, have threatened the global oil supply, but black gold continues to fall further irrespective of a potential drop in output.

Chinese fears had already accelerated the decline of crude, pushing Brent crude down -US$4 to US$34 per barrel by the end of the week, while Western Canadian Select dipped below US$20 per barrel, a record low.

CAD ended the week trending positively after labour market data showed a better-than-expected increase in employment, with 22.8k new jobs created compared to the 8.0k forecast.

Benjamin Reitzes, economist for the Bank of Montreal (BMO), says that:

The decent headline increase and encouraging gain in manufacturing suggest that recent pessimism over the Canadian economy might be a bit overdone, maybe.

Is the Canadian Dollar doomed in 2016? Some industry experts believe so, with one Societe Generale strategist noting; 'The CAD robustly maintains the highest oil correlation in [foreign exchange] space over time. The recent fall may be a source of concern for investors exposed to pain thresholds in currencies which are now trading in uncharted territories. As such, they may find interest in considering hedging a risk scenario until better days.'

Whatever the CAD's long term prospects, one thing is for certain; with China causing such a stir and the value of key commodities unlikely to stabilise for quite some time, the currency is unlikely to enjoy much in the way of gains against more stable currencies like the Pound and US Dollar.
Case Background:



I have valid H1B Visa (I797B approved petition) with stamping done on my passport (Gxxxx). I have not yet traveled to US and currently in India. My travel date is in second week of April 2016. Offer from my first employer (visa sponsored) is not good and I am getting better offer from another employer here in India. My new employer will file new/amendment petition using new LCA.



Below are the questions:



1. If my new employer submitted a new petition then will my sponsored employer (First Employer) will revoke approved petition/visa?



2. If my new employer submitted a new petition then my existing approved petition will be canceled by USCIS automatically?



3. If my new employer's submitted petition is not approved or In-Process or On Hold, will my existing approved petition valid for travel to US?



4. If my new employer's submitted petition is not approved or In-Process or On Hold, will my existing visa stamping valid for travel to US?



5. As I am in India only and I have already done stamping for first employer do I still need to go for re visa stamping to India Consulate office if my new petition is approved?



6. If my second petition is approved but visa stamping is not approved or In-Process or On Hold, can I travel to US with the First Employer (with existing approved petition and stamped Visa)?
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WASHINGTON  In early December, with Congress set to do little to stem illegal migration from Central America, the government revealed an unexpected surge in children and families arriving at the Southwest border.

In October and November alone, more than 10,000 minors from Central America were caught attempting to cross into Texas  twice as many as in the same period in 2014  forcing the opening of three new shelters and threatening a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The surge sealed a deal in the works for months, bringing passage of a massive $750 million aid package for Central America's Northern Triangle directed at gang violence and other so-called root causes of people fleeing their lands.

Its you either pay now or pay later, said Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat and Appropriations Committee member, summing up the winning argument in the turn of events.

Cuellar, who visited Costa Rica during the holiday recess, used a football analogy to describe the spending strategy: Its better to play defense on the 20-yard line than on the 1-yard line.

The surprise deal looks to be the best prospect going for stemming the migration while at the same time marking a sea change in the approach to a part of the world often overlooked when America dispenses foreign aid.

Besides hefty spending, the legislation authorizes 55 new immigration judges and installs a new layer of congressional oversight of conditions at the South Texas detention centers in Dilley, Karnes County and elsewhere.

The new approach offers hope for a White House bedeviled by a no-win crisis and decried by many who otherwise support the administration on immigration.

Raids last weekend that led to the deportation of dozens of people angered advocates for asylum-seekers and widened the gulf between the Democratic administration and likely Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who has criticized deportation policies.

The White House, recognizing the need for changing course, had requested $1 billion to tackle deteriorating social conditions in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

But until a deal was struck, the House had approved just a shade more than this years $294 million for the region, and the Senate far less than $750 million.

The aid package represents a shift in how the United States relates to its American neighbors to the south. Cooperation with Central America has been conducted in recent years, primarily under the Central American Security Initiative, focused heavily on law enforcement and drug trafficking.

More than two-thirds of the $750 million is directed toward development and economic assistance in the three countries, an acknowledgment that security initiatives by themselves are insufficient to halt the flight. Advocates believe the commitment could trigger private donations and investment from sources like the Inter-American Development Bank.

The money wont flow without evidence of successes. The funding bill spells out an array of deadlines and conditions governments must meet, including prosecution of corrupt officials.

Half of the $750 million can be withheld if the State Department is unable to certify the Central American countries have embraced reforms, among them an independent judiciary and more professional police forces.

Congress also stipulated that a quarter of the money cant be spent if the countries dont make necessary efforts to combat human smuggling and persuade people of the danger of making the trip to the Southwest border of the United States.

Advocates said strings are in order.

U.S. assistance is not going to make a difference unless these countries demonstrate a firm commitment, said Adriana Beltran, who heads the citizen security program at the nonprofit Washington Office on Latin America and who has focused heavily on Guatemalas clandestine criminal organizations.

Echoed Cuellar: We want accountability and we want performance. If you do well, you get another chunk of resources.

El Salvadors example

The Obama administration, ruffled by criticism of its policies, isnt saying how and when the new money will be allocated. A State Department spokesman referred to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnsons statement last week of a pending announcement on new mechanisms for screening refugees.

Immigrant advocates regard the administrations refugee resettlement program in the region as a failure.

Johnson referred to violence in Central America, which has been especially deadly in El Salvador.

The migration from El Salvador in October and November grew at a faster pace than from Guatemala and Honduras, 3,192 unaccompanied children from a country of just 6.3 million people apprehended at the Southwest border.

Recent events shed light on why people are fleeing: With a known 6,650 people dying violently last year, El Salvador  with a population roughly that of greater Houston  cemented its reputation as murder capital of the Western Hemisphere.

Basic institutions have collapsed, illustrated by gang-stoppage of public transportation in the capital in August, when nine bus drivers and other transit operators were murdered.

Ashley Feasley, advocacy director at Catholic Legal Immigration Network, recalled from visiting El Salvador how youths in gang-controlled towns would be tracked down by gang recruiters after putting their addresses on job applications.

Amid pervasive fear, many schools no longer operate full-time, contributing to a cycle of lost opportunity, she said.

With new spending, Feasley said, comes responsibility to delve into civil society in Central America.

We shouldnt enforce and regulate migration but give people meaningful reasons to stay in their own country, she said.

Vicious gang culture

Members of El Salvadors Congress could signal shortly if they grasp the stakes when they select an attorney general, that countrys means of picking its chief law enforcement officer.

Attorney General Luis Martinez, whose term expired last month but who wants to keep his job, has been accused of corruption for allegedly protecting the Texis Cartel and its reputed leader, a businessman and soccer leader known as Chepe Diablo.

In December, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., who travels frequently to the Northern Triangle, released a report focused on deteriorating conditions. It referred to a vicious gang culture and the join or die ultimatum presented to ever-younger children.

Carper noted the murders of 409 children in Honduras, where 69 percent live in poverty, in a recent 17-month period. The report laid part of the blame on demand for drugs in the United States, which fuels violence and pushes people to flee.

Shamefully, weve focused more on ways to keep migrants out of our country rather than helping them address the misery in their homelands, Carper said in a statement.

The spending deal, passed in the 11th hour, evolved over a period of months and included many meetings in Washington and in Central America with political leaders from the Northern Triangle.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, who heads the appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations, was asked by then-Speaker John Boehner to look into the problem at the Texas border.

Granger did, traveling repeatedly to Central America and to the Southwest border. On a visit to Nuevo Laredo, she watched as 25 children who had made the long trip emerge from bushes, hoping to cross.

Granger said she became convinced that solution lay in trying to stop what was driving the unaccompanied childrens flight. She made her recommendation to Republican leaders.

I asked, What was wrong that would make a family let their children do this? Im a parent of three and a grandparent of five, and I wanted to know what would be so bad that I would let my children do that, she said.

It was the crime and the violence going on, she added.

bill.lambrecht@hearstdc.com
COLUMBUS  After 22 years of official service and nearly a half-century of volunteer service and leadership, Linda Borton, of Ottawa, is retiring as executive director of the Ohio Farmers Union.

From her time as a teenage volunteer to her time as OFUs executive director, she has always provided highly competent, dignified and professional service for our organization, said OFU President Joe Logan.

For many years, Linda and her husband, Mel, have been leaders, advisers and friends to OFU. Mel Borton was a long-time employee of the National and Ohio Farmers Unions serving in membership and legislative capacities. Hes been a constant volunteer at the headquarters in Ottawa, during his wifes service.

Her background

Linda Borton attended her first Ohio Farmers Union convention as a delegate at the age of 17. She grew up on a farm near Columbus Grove. Her brother, Norman, worked on membership recruitment for OFU and introduced the younger Borton to OFU.

From her earlier OFU days, Borton recalls being inspired by attending the 1971 NFU Convention in Washington, D.C. By the close of 1972 she had become First Secretary of OFU and was hired by the National Farmers Union in 1975 to work in the organizations insurance division, in Denver.

That stint lasted 12 years until NFU sold its insurance business. Borton worked in the insurance industry for several years until she was hired in 1999 to manage Ohio Farmers Union Service Corp.

Many roles

In the years from 1999 to 2009, Borton filled many roles in OFU. During this period she was also appointed as Ohio Director of USDA Rural Development Agency for a time. Since 2009, Borton has been executive director of the 4,000 member OFU.

She is involved with several volunteer efforts in her home of Putnam County and is president of the advisory board of the local chapter of the Red Cross.

Farmers Union is a part of my DNA, Borton said. The friends Ive made over the years are what will remain most important to me.

Looking ahead

Logan will work in conjunction with OFU officers and executive committee and staff to assure continuity of operation, while the search for her replacement is completed.
Shropshire

A Full-Time position is available for an assistant herdsperson on a family dairy farm in mid Shropshire. We have a 250 dairy herd rearing own replacements together with a b...
Battling alcohol and opioid addictions: Can Vivitrol help?

Vivitrol, an injectable version of the drug naltrexone, completely blocks euphoria from drug consumption, according to Vivitrol's website.
Eddie Redmayne insists "nothing has changed" since he won an Oscar.

Eddie Redmayne

Redmayne picked up the Best Actor prize at last year's ceremony for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything' but he doesn't think taking home the prestigious trophy has had an impact on his career.

He said: "I am not in that league [the A list], I'm not Brad Pitt, I'm not Will Smith, nothing has really changed.

"It's about what scripts come my way and if you're lucky enough that they feel right, then you go with it."

However, Eddie - who can next be seen playing transgender pioneer Lili Elbe in 'The Danish Girl' - admits he can't comprehend just how successful he's been.

He added: "My dream was to get work as an actor, not to win an Oscar, but the fact I've managed to achieve both, and get the opportunity to play people like Lili and Stephen, it's more than I can comprehend sometimes."

After winning the Oscar, Eddie returned to work on 'The Danish Girl' and is grateful he was kept busy away from the "aftermath" of the ceremony.

He told Britain's OK! magazine: "Everyone thinks your life changes but it doesn't.

"You go back to work, which was literally back onto 'The Danish Girl', and actually I'm glad I was in the middle of production because it allowed me to envelope myself in the job and not get tangled up with the aftermath."
In March this year, it will be twenty years since Toy Story hit the big screen here in the UK. It was the first movie from the now beloved studio Pixar and it changed the way animation movies were made forever.

Toy Story

I was just ten years old when I sat down to watch Toy Story for the first time and it is a movie that I have loved for the last twenty years. It kicked off one of the best animation franchises of all time and introduced the world the iconic characters of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Directed by John Lasseter, Toy Story was the first feature-length computer-animated film as the animation genre moved away from the traditional hand-drawn format that had been so successful for Disney over the years.

The movie followed a group of toys that came to life whenever their human owner Andy isn't around. Tensions in the toy room grow when Andy's favourite Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll, has to deal with the arrival of a new toy, Buzz Lightyear; who rivals Woody for Andy's affections.

For me, Toy Story is one of the great children's movies of all time and is a film that is as fun and fresh as it was when I watched it for the first time twenty years ago.

Not only was it a landmark moment for animation and advanced the genre considerably, it is just a wonderful film. Of course, it is a beautiful looking movie and the animation just jumps off the screen but it is a film that is packed with heart.

Heart and emotion are the two things that are always packed into Pixar movies - it is what makes them so special - and Toy Story has both of these things by the bucket load.

You always dream of your toys coming to life when you are a child and Toy Story take that idea and sweeps you into a world where all of those childhood dreams come true. It really is just wonderful.

Woody and Buzz are two of film's greatest characters and it is this central relationship that has driven the entire franchise. Of course, the pair start out as enemies, but the friendship that develops between the is strong and always true. The pair stands side by side when they chips are down and are ready to protect each other and the toys that are around them.

Toy Story is a movie that is laugh out loud funny as well as a film that will truly touch your heart. This was a bold and daring move from Pixar back in 1995 and they really did pull off this gamble in remarkable style.

Not only is Toy Story still regarded as one of the best animation movies ever, but it was one of the most influential movies of all time as it changed the animation genre; just live Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs did way back in 1937.

Pixar have gone on to become one of the biggest and most-loved animation studios and have produced a raft of animation films that have been of the highest quality. Woody and Buzz returned to the big screen in 1999 and 2010 with two more wonderful instalments.

While we thought Toy Story 4 would be the final film in the series in 2010, is in the pipeline with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen back to voice the character of Woody and Buzz. I cannot wait to see where they take these toys next.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Best Television Series - Drama

Empire, Fox

Game of Thrones, HBO

Mr. Robot, USA Network

Narcos, Netflix

Outlander, Starz

Credit: HBO

It's time for Game of Thrones to finally win the Golden Globe award for best television drama series. Though it's never without its controversy, the fifth season of the fantasy show saw some amazing performances and storylines intertwine, resulting in 10 action-packed episodes and a major conclusion which has had the world talking ever since.

With stiff competition from the return of Empire as well as the debuting seasons of Mr. Robot, Narcos and Outlander, it's going to be a tricky choice for judges, but if GoT is to lose out to any of them, it's looking likely to be Mr. Robot because of its huge impact on pop culture.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama

Caitriona Balfe, Outlander

Viola Davis, How To Get Away With Murder

Eva Green, Penny Dreadful

Taraji P. Henson, Empire

Robin Wright, House of Cards

Credit: ABC

How To Get Away With Murder is my favourite show of the last couple of years, and so I'm really rooting for Viola Davis is this category, as she's been a huge part of my love for the series. She missed out on the accolade in 2014 for the show and it would be her first Golden Globe win ever.

Taraji P. Henson would also be a viable candidate, but don't rule out Caitriona Balfe who gave a stellar performance in a show that ended its first season on an incredible high.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama

Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot

Wagner Moura, Narcos

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Credit: USA Network

Rami really has to pick up the win here. The impact Mr. Robot has had is undeniable and that in part is down to this man. This is one of the categories in which things seem a little too straight forward, but if there IS going to be a major shocker, it couldn't go to a better man than Bob Odenkirk.

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Casual, Hulu

Mozart in the Jungle, Amazon Video

Orange is the New Black, Netflix

Silicon Valley, HBO

Transparent, Amazon Video

Veep, HBO

Credit: Amazon Video

The hype and buzz around Transparent has been electric ever since its debut, and now with its return and second season, that shows no signs of changing. The quality of writing here is astounding, it's clever and hilarious but encourages the viewer to go deep within their own souls, relate their own feelings to the stories playing out on screen and really get involved.

However, it's rare for The Golden Globes to reward the same show twice in the same category, so they could give the Globe this time to Mozart in the Jungle for daring to be different.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex Girlfriend

Jamie Lee Curtis, Scream Queens

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin

Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

Credit: HBO

This has got to be Julia Louis-Dreyfus, cut and dry. Jamie Lee Curtis gave an awesome performance on Scream Queens, and Rachel Bloom is the only woman who could have got the job done on Crazy Ex Girlfriend, but when up next to Julia there's no competition. This category has to be Veep's for the taking.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Aziz Ansari, Master of None

Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle

Rob Lowe, The Grinder

Patrick Stewart, Blunt Talk

Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Credit: Amazon Video

Jeffrey Tambor has to win this again, especially if Transparent loses out in the comedy or musical series category. Never has a man been able to play a transgender woman with such brilliance and elegance, opening up the topic of discussion and bringing normalacy to a subject that was once taboo.

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television

American Crime, ABC

American Horror Story: Hotel, FX

Fargo, FX

Flesh & Bone, Starz

Wolf Hall, PBS

Credit: FX

American Horror Story has had a fine return to form, but Fargo is taking this one home. It's been tight all season, gruesome and brilliant with incredible writing and acting anybody would be proud of.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television

Kirsten Dunst, Fargo

Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel

Sarah Hay, Flesh & Bone

Felicity Huffman, American Crime

Queen Latifah, Bessie

Credit: FX

The Golden Globes are big Ryan Murphy fans. They love his shows and the unique shine they bring, and so it would be no surprise to see AHS: Hotel get the praise it deserves here through Lady Gaga. She's been a pleasant surprise to most this season and proved that her acting chops are just as good as those she reserves for singing.

Of course, Kirsten Dunst could sweep in for Fargo and pry the Globe from Gaga's hands - but this is an award's show that likes to spread its gongs equally - our money's on Gaga.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television

Idris Elba, Luther

Oscar Isaac, Show Me A Hero

David Oyelowo, Nightingale

Mark Rylance, Wolf Hall

Patrick Wilson, Fargo

Credit: BBC

Luther is the sort of show that picks up a cult following, but somehow it managed to burst out into the mainstream, and it could be in part down to Idris Elba. His brilliance is undeniable and to see him rewarded would be such a joy. His main competition here will, again, come from a Fargo alumni - Patrick Wilson.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television

Uzo Aduba, Orange is the New Black

Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey

Regina King, American Crime

Judith Light, Transparent

Maura Tierney, The Affair

Credit: Showtime

Whilst Uzo Aduba is deserving, the third season of Orange is the New Black just wasn't good enough to warrant her receiving this award. It's Maura Tierney who should be celebrated here for her amazing take on a wife scorned and left behind for a younger model, as The Affair leapt over its first season in terms of quality this year.

Tierney is a seasoned actress who can deliver emotion whether it's sadness, joy or humour. She's far more than a one trick pony and with this being The Affair's only category this year, she just HAS to pick up the win.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television

Alan Cumming, The Good Wife

Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall

Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline

Tobias Menzies, Outlander

Christian Slater, Mr. Robot

Credit: Netflix

Aussie actor Ben Mendelsohn is a skilled character actor who's managed to make a big name for himself in the US, and this weekend could see just the start of some huge crowning moments for him. Critically-acclaimed in his Bloodline role as Danny Rayburn, could his stirring and prominent performance make him an even bigger name? We think so.

Click here to see our predictions for the Movie categories at this year's Golden Globe Awards.

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Asia-focused private equity firm RRJ Capital has made a near-threefold return on its investment in Chinese private education company Tsingda eEDU in less than a year, a source familiar with the situation said, underscoring the soaring demand for private schools and supplementary education as the countrys middle class grows.

The private equity firm has sold its roughly 20% stake in Tsingda for about $140 million to a Chinese trust company. The sale values Tsingda at about $700 million, similar to China Maple Leaf Education, the first Chinese school operator to list in Hong Kong, the source told FinanceAsia.

Completion of the deal implies RRJ has nearly trebled its initial investment of $50 million in Tsingda made in February last year.

Singapores OCBC Bank and Zurich-headquartered investment fund Capvent have also sold their shareholding to the same buyer for a total consideration of about $70 million. The duo held roughly 10% of Tsingda before the deal closed.

As part of the transaction, Tsingda chairman Zhang Hui has also sold $65 million worth of shares to the buyer in order to repay all of the companys debt. He will remain the controlling shareholder of Tsingda after the deal.

BoCom International was the sole advisor on the transaction.

PE fever

Tsingdas soaring market value hinges upon the potential growth of Chinese private education companies, including international schools, private tutorial service providers and distance-learning course operators.

The education industry has been one of the hottest investment areas in China for venture capital and private equity funds in recent years because it can be very lucrative and education companies often operate with a simple, light asset structure, one private equity fund manager told FinanceAsia. Usually these schools do not own the properties upon which they operate, but rather lease them from third parties. These simple structures allow relatively easy exits through trade sales or initial public offerings.

Examples of venture capital and PE investments in education companies include Baring Asia Private Equity's purchase of Hong Kong-based international school operator Nord Anglia Education for $360 million in 2008. Subsequently Baring Asia sold 23% of its stake for $304 million through a New York listing in March 2014.

Based on the valuation of $1.33 billion at the time of Nord Anglia Educations listing, Baring Asia made a stellar return of 367% over a course of six years, or an annualised return of 61%.

In a separate example, US-based venture capital firm Sequoia Capital was a pre-IPO investor in China Maple Leaf Education before its HK$962 million ($132 million) IPO in Hong Kong in November 2014.

Rising demand

Education companies are also attractive to private investors because of their strong growth potential in the rapidly expanding and vast Chinese market.

China Maple Leaf Education, which provides international pre-school to high school education in China, reported a four-fold increase in net profit to Rmb205 million ($31 million) for the financial year ended August 2015.

The stellar profit growth is partly attributed to the rapidly growing middle class. Richer Chinese families tend to send children to international schools to boost their hopes of getting into top overseas universities. In the latest financial year, about 90% of China Maple Leafs pupils came from middle-class families, according to the companys annual report.

Beijings decision to abolish the decades-old one child policy late last year is also expected to have a direct positive impact on the prospects for the education industry in the long run as the number of children grows.

Getting around foreign investment rules

Tsingdas stake sale was aimed, in part, at unwinding the variable interest entity (VIE) corporate structure it established to facilitate an attempt to list in the US in 2011, the source familiar with the deal told FinanceAsia.

Some Chinese companies adopt VIE structures to circumnavigate rules that prohibit foreign investment in certain sensitive industries in China, such as the internet, education and telecommunications.

Under a VIE structure foreign investors are not investing directly into the operating company but instead taking stakes in a holding company registered abroad. In this way they can retain a controlling equity stake in the operating company in China while complying with Beijings foreign investment rules.

For the same reason the structure is also adopted to help achieve offshore listings since China-registered companies in sensitive sectors are not allowed to introduce foreign investors. In a VIE structure, the listing entity is a holding company which does not own the underlying business, but has the right to all revenues generated by the business through contractual arranagements.

Internet giant Alibaba is one of the best-known Chinese companies to adopt the VIE structure, allowing it to list in New York despite already having foreign shareholders such as Yahoo and Softbank. In fact, most Chinese companies that trade on US exchanges, including Baidu, Sina and Tudou, have adopted the VIE structure.

Tsingda filed a listing application with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in 2011 but did not proceed with the listing. The application lapsed in 2014.

Since the company is no longer pushing ahead with an overseas listing, the source said it was able to simplify its corporate structure by parting with all foreign investors to remove the VIE.

A non-VIE strcuture will also facilitiate a public listing on domestic stock markets, which Tsingda is considering in the near future, the source added.

Tsingda offers supplementary educational courses for children from infancy up to the age of 18, via the internet and its franchised learning centres. It provides pre-recorded courses and runs a virtual online platform that allows interaction between teachers and pupils.
Deutsche Bank has appointed Jake Gearhart as its head of debt syndicate and origination for Asia Pacific, effectively replacing Herman van den Wall Bake, who left the lender last month, the German bank said on Friday.

Gearhart, a 19-year Deutsche veteran, most recently headed the German banks global risk syndicate for Asia. He previously held roles in debt capital markets covering financial institutions and investment-grade trading.

In his new role, Gearhart will focus on syndicate and fixed-income capital markets including investment-grade and high-yield bonds and loans, a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman for Deutsche Bank said. The veteran banker will continue to be based in Singapore, where he moved to from New York in 2012 after being named head of global risk syndicate for Asia.

Gearhart will report to Simon Roue who was named head of DCM for Asia Pacific in December. Roue is relocating to Singapore from Tokyo to take up the new role.

The moves come after van den Wall Bake decided to leave the bank in December shortly after the new co-chief executive, John Cryan, announced a radical downsizing programme in October. The restructuring programme, dubbed Strategy 2020, will reshape the banks cost structure and eliminate 9,000 full-time jobs, about half of them in Germany, plus another 6,000 contract jobs.

When contacted by FinanceAsia, van den Wall Bake said he was set to leave the financial industry in Asia and head back to Europe with his family in the summer. For the moment I plan to pursue my entrepreneurial ideas in Europe, he said in a phone interview.

As part of its restructuring plan, Deutsche Bank said in late December that it had sold its entire 19.99% stake in Chinese lender Hua Xia Bank to PICC Property and Causalty for Rmb23 billion to Rmb25.7 billion ($3.49 to $3.90 billion, based on current exchange rates).

According to Dealogic, Deutsche Bank finished third last year in the tightly contested G3 investment-grade league table for Asia excluding Japan with $8.15 billion from 54 deals, up one notch from fourth place in 2014.

However, Germany's largest lender slipped three places to sixth in G3 high-yield issuance, raising $729 million in six transactions.
Should financial advisors periodically ask for referrals, even in a soft manner, in letters, newsletters, appreciation cards, referral clubs, client surveys and client advisory boards?

Terrance Martin, managing partner at Tranquility Financial Planning LLC in McAllen Texas, thinks that it is important for advisors to periodically request referrals.

He says he has seen and heard of firms that do a number of the following: send out emails and letters to clients, offering their referrals a second opinion; invite clients and their referrals to summer client events and make a conscious effort to personally greet them as well as any guests; and send out tax letters in October letting their clients and prospects know that they can prepare a complimentary tax projection for them or anyone else who they think would benefit from their services.

Its all about lead generation, Martin says. However, it is important to clearly define the client you want to attract in whatever medium you use.

Ronsey Chawla, an advisor at Per Stirling Capital Management LLC in Austin, Texas, prefers to ask for referrals during face-to-face interactions with clients, such as during the annual review or critical checkpoints with the client.

I tend to frame the discussion around problem, value and service, he says.

I talk about the key areas in which we have collaborated this year and work that I have done for other clients. I ask them, Are there any other physicians or management consultants who may benefit from this type of hands-on approach? Chawla says.

It is with the benefit of time that the relationship grows, trust is nurtured and clients feel comfortable sharing positive experiences with friends and colleagues, he says.

Although Arthur Stein, president of Arthur Stein Financial LLC in Bethesda, Md., uses monthly letters, email notifications of blog posts, phone calls and personal emails to stay in touch with clients, he doesnt include a please send me a referral note at the end.

It strikes me as too salesy to have a line in my emails, he says. I am not sales; I am an investment manager who also does sales and marketing.

However, Stein does ask for referrals when clients express satisfaction with his services.

It is not a formal system, just asking whether they have friends, family or colleagues who could benefit from the same services, he says.

Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer in Running Springs, Calif. She has contributed to American Banker, Risk & Insurance and Human Resource Executive.

This story is part of a 30-day series on how to generate the best referrals.
For a long while now, Pakistan has always been, in advertising parlance, Brand X - the unnamed competing, inferior product that was typically used in television commercials in an earlier time to promote the virtues of one's own product, which comes out shining in comparison.

However badly we may be doing on the governance front - and god knows we've slipped up spectacularly on that count - we could always console ourselves with the realisation that bad as we are, Pakistan was worse off.

At least we don't have Taliban leaders imposing a ban on the polio immunisation campaigns, right?

And the fact that we don't have frequent military coups to topple our elected civilian administration, in the way that used to happen frequently in Pakistan, is seen as a source of pride in our democracy, flawed though it may be.

However, popular perceptions in India have changed somewhat on that count. In step with the decline in our democratic institutions, there has in recent times been a creeping admiration in sections of civil society of a kind of authoritarianism that will fix the perceived "flaws" of democracy.

And so, when the Indian Express put out an alarmist report in April, suggesting (without saying explicitly) that irregular troop movements in January in Delhi had prompted fears of a coup by the Army under the command of the then Army chief, Gen VK Singh, who was then challenging the government on his age issue, there were actually people wishing that the report had been true. And suggesting that what we need is an iron hand to sort out the colossal mess that our politicians had inflicted on India.

The Indian Express report was, of course, a tendentious perversion of the truth: the troop movements were routine, and there was no risk ever that Gen VK Singh, for all his differences with the government, would have even contemplated such a monstrous course of action.

Yet, as Firstpost had noted (here), for much of that day, a misplaced yearning for a coup resonated among sections of ordinary folks who were evidently jaded with the political system. On at least that one day, they perhaps had a sneaking admiration of Pakistan's way of periodically flushing out elected governments by men in khaki.

After yesterday's 'judicial coup' in Pakistan, where the Supreme Court effectively disqualified the Prime Minister for contempt of court, there will presumably be those in India who yearn for a similar change at the top, but feel stuck with the gridlocked political status quo.

In any case, India too has seen an extraordinary exertion of judicial activism in recent months, right down to the point where the court was dictating fine details of policy and where, as Firstpost has observed (here and here), it wasn't always clear whether it was an elected government or the Supreme Court that was running India.

The political commentary in Pakistan has been by and large critical of the 'judicial coup', seeing it as an assertion of extra-constitutional authority by the Supreme Court. Just the fact that the violation of Constitutional provisions has caused heartburn in Pakistan, despite the all-too-frequent violations of the past, points to a maturing of the democractic process there.

Strikingly, in its brief ruling (full text here), Pakistan's Supreme Court actually cited two judgments by the Indian Supreme Court on matters that go to the heart of the functions of key institutions in an elected democracy. The two judgments are: Jagjit Singh vs State of Haryana (AIR 2007 SC 90, full text of order available here) and Rajendra Singh Rana vs Swami Prasad Maurya (AIR 2007 SC 1305; full text of order available here).

As media commentaries in India have pointed out, the two judgments establish two crucial points. The first relates to the authority of the Constitutional Court to exercise the power of judicial review if the decision of the Speaker is unconstitutional or against the Rules of Business of the House. Second, they establish that the power to disqualify an MP or an MLA lies with the Election Commission and not the Speaker, evidently to avoid politically motivated decisions.

Pakistan's Supreme Court certainly breached the fine line it drew by itself technically disqualifying the Prime Minister in its ruling yesterday. But just the mere fact that it invoked judicial precedents from India suggests that it may be looking to move beyond being the Brand X of political systems.

It's entirely a pity that at the same time, at least some among us Indians are going in the opposite direction - by yearning for an authoritarian hand that wipes clean our political mess. Our elected democracy may not be perfect - far from it - but it's worth remembering that it can always be perfected. And at all times, we have to be careful what we wish for.
While the Indian Army and the government have for two years denied a report by The Indian Express on the movement of Army units in January 2012 that the UPA government reportedly perceived as threatening, one person has come on record to verify the incident. Recently retired Lt-Gen AK Choudhary, who was Director General of Military Operations at the time, has told the paper that the "highest levels" of the UPA government were indeed spooked by the unexpected movement of troops.

The government was worried enough that then defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma summoned him. He was asked to send the troops back immediately and file a report to the government the following day.

Sharma, according to the The Indian Express report, told Choudhary that he had "just come back from the highest seat of power and that they are worried".

The Indian Express first had a full-page report on the alleged threatening movement of two units of the troops, allegedly at the behest of then Army chief VK Singh. Singh had responded by calling the allegations the imagination of a very fertile mind.

According to the report in the paper, Choudhary alluded to distrust and immaturity between the top brass in the government and Singh, who was moving Supreme Court against the government on the same day as the sudden movement of troops towards Delhi, January 16, 2012.

Two units had made unexpected movements that night, one a mechanised infantry unit from Hisar and a paratroopers unit from Agra.

Choudhary said he had already halted the movement of the Hisar unit before meeting Sharma, following a call from a senior officer in charge of formations, who reportedly told the DGMO that intelligence agencies were concerned by the action.

I told him (Sharma) that this was an exercise and I have already told them to stop and take a different route. He said to me that they should be told to go back quickly. I said that they will go as per the drill as there is method to their movement and in any case they would have gone back after the exercise," the report quotes Choudhary as saying.

He says the movements were routine exercises that had been discussed before.

When the former DGMO asked specifically about why these troops had come so close to Delhi, the officer in charge of the corps had said the "route was like that only".

Read the complete Indian Express report here
Its always good to wait for some time before trying to make sense of events with complex ramifications. Somebody should tell that to our media and armchair intellectuals. They were writing off the terrorist attack on the Pathankot Air Force Station as a massive failure of the government and Indian intelligence even as our brave soldiers were taking bullets for the country. Politicians, the media, and armchair intellectuals are never known for their restraint, but if ever an image of vultures tearing at a still living and kicking body came to mind, it was during this crisis.

Although the central government, the Punjab police, and even the armed forces were so fiercely attacked for their perceived failure, cooler mulling over the incident shows that this was anything but that. Yes, there were issues, but, on the whole, things did pan out well for India, thanks to some quick thinking and even quicker action by the security establishment.

People did die, and that is a tragedy for their families and the country. But, given the amount of ammunition and explosives they carried, the terrorists could have inflicted greater damage. Airplanes could have been destroyed, the base made inoperable, and scores more people could have died.

Pathankot Air Force Station covers an area of 2,000 acres and has a 24 km-long perimeter wall. Thats a really long wall to secure. Its doubtful that every foot of that wall is watched all the time. Tall grass grows in the open area and its theoretically possible to stay hidden for days without being seen. Hundreds of people live and work on the base and dozens of airplanes are parked here. Due to the sheer volumes of people, including civilians, coming and going, security tends to be lax. This will probably change.

With the size and large number of people on the base, the damage inflicted by the terrorists could have been worse. However, as events unfolded, adverse opinions came swiftly. In reality, a possible Indian collaborator, Gurdaspur superintendent of police Salwinder Singh, was identified and questioned, phone conversations were monitored, the Pakistani handlers were pinpointed, and most of the terrorists were killed in the first few hours.

Criticism of how the situation was handled came from three sides. First, retired defense personnel questioned the lack of security and the ease with which the terrorists penetrated the camp. This is valid. Since there was some kind of advance information about the attack, could it have been prevented? What this information was and how it was obtained is not yet clear, but extra troops were moved into the base to protect it. The terrorists used Salwinder Singhs car to enter the premises. While its strange that his car was conveniently available to be hijacked, he was also the person who alerted the authorities that an attack was imminent. Some clarity is still needed there.

The media reported the events with great stupidity. A national TV channel anchor tweeted rather petulantly that Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar should hold a press conference to clarify the situation. Hold a press conference in the middle of anti-terrorist action? Where did she learn her journalism? Another anchor demanded to know why the operation was taking so long. He seemed to have no idea that the air force base was the size of a small town. It looked like any monkey with a microphone in front of a camera suddenly became an expert in anti-terrorism operations.

Opposition parties and false-intellectuals were another story. Their problem is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running away with an Indo-Pak agenda that is daringly different, refreshing, and revolutionary. Where he is running away to is another question altogether, but for the Modis opponents, the Pathankot attack offered a great opportunity to try and show that his bold Pakistan initiatives are not working. Former UPA Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, somewhat optimistically, called for the resignations of Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Parrikar. Singh announcing on social media that the operation was over even before it was over must have buoyed Shindes confidence.

There is no doubt at all that some criticism is valid. Security around a forward air force base needs to be much better. But once the attack began, there is every evidence that security agencies acted swiftly and correctly. Over the years, security forces have come up against terrorists hundreds of times all over the world. In very few cases have attacks been prevented; forces move in only after an attack is launched. Given the circumstances here, the Indian response at Pathankot was effective. While there was an unfortunate loss of lives it did not spiral out of control at any time.

At the end of the day, the Pathankot siege has presented several positive outcomes:

1. Given the arsenal the terrorists carried, the body count was very low.

2. Not even one plane was touched; the base was up and running within hours.

3. The terrorists had enough food and ammunition to last for days, but the siege did not last as long as they would have wanted. Most of the terrorists were killed in the first few hours and the forces took their time to mop up the remaining two with minimum loss of lives.

4. A possible Indian collaborator was identified even before the operation was over and is being questioned.

5. Monitoring of telephone calls has pinpointed the handlers; we know their names and locations.

6. For the first time, Pakistan did not automatically deny that this originated on its soil.

7. For the first time, Pakistan is promising action. When and how remains to be seen.

8. We know how the terrorists entered India. Another hole will be plugged.

For some people, like everything else in this country of fractured opinions, nothing that Modi does can be right. The rest of us need to move on.
When Jhumpa Lahiri won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 and we in Kolkata suddenly became aware of this new star on the literary firmament the rush to claim her as one of our own (and thereby share in the international limelight that was shining brightly on her) was fierce. But soon the consensus amongst the Calcutta cognoscenti was: Oh! She is the Ashapurna Debi of English. It was not meant to be flattering.

Ironically, we were unaware then that Jhumpa Lahiris masters thesis, completed at Boston University in 1995, was on Ashapurna Debi herself. We now learn from Matchbox, a new collection of Ashapurna Debis stories translated into English by Prasenjit Gupta and published by Hachette India, that that is indeed so. Lahiris admiration for Ashapurna Debi is so unbounded that she even compares Ashapurna Debi to the greatest Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore. Debis portrayal of realistic subjects in a realistic yet light-hearted manner resembles, to a certain extent, she wrote then, "the style of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), who is generally acknowledged to have both created and perfected the medium of the short story in Bengali literature.

Any thought that the thesis, written at age 28, was only an expression of youthful exuberance and unformed mind is dispelled by the interview she gave to a Bengali journalist at the Jaipur Lit Fest in 2014. There she told Somak Ghoshal, now with a publishing firm himself, that she learned a great deal about her craft from Ashapurna Devis writings. Lahiri is not a fluent reader of her mother-tongue though she speaks and understands it well enough (though no Bengali in her right mind would ever refer to Ashapurna Debi as just Debi as Lahiri has done her in her thesis  Debi is not a surname as is, say, Lahiri. Ashapurna Debis last name was Gupta. Debi is simply an honorific, the male counterpart to Babu, that was used to denote a respectable status in society.)

Anyway, Lahiris mother, who was passionate about Ashapurna Debi, would read the stories on tape for her daughter who would then listen to them at her convenience and was so inspired by them that she even went on to translate them into English. Her language felt pure, immediate and radically different from what I was reading in English at the time, Lahiri is quoted as saying in the interview. But it was her understanding of human nature, along with her ability to peel away the layers within the family that fascinated me most.

Maybe Jhumpa Lahiris exposure to Bengali literature is limited to her mothers preferences and the fact that her mother is passionate about Ashapurna Devi is no surprise at all. Women of her generation and background usually were. If you were a young woman in the Fifties and Sixties you could not but be transfixed by Ashapurna Devis depiction of Bengali middle class life from a womans point of view, the way she gave ordinary women whose lives were restricted to the four walls of their homes an identity of their own, sensitively highlighting the many indignities and injustices a woman has to face in her day-to-day life, how her dreams are dashed and joys snuffed out by the daily grind. She spoke to these women as no one before ever had, and in a language that was simple and clear and as close to the spoken word as possible.

It was also the time when Bengali society, churned by the Partition and the huge refugee influx into this part of Bengal, was itself changing rapidly. The old settled world with clearly defined roles for men and women lay shattered. The clear distinctions between the home and the world were dissolving and women began to see the world differently. Ashapurna Debi was wholly in sync with the new hopes and aspirations, the broadening horizons of the new Bengali woman, albeit middle class women.

No wonder she was immensely popular in her own lifetime, getting due recognition with unstinted sales, awards and social esteem. Her books resonate even today, as shown by the success of the recent Bengali television serial, Subarnalata, based on the second of her much acclaimed trilogy. Even English-medium girls who had never read Ashapurna Debi responded to the eponymous Subarnalatas yearnings for book-learning and a less mundane life.

Yet, Ashapurna Debi was not and is still not considered among the greats of Bengali literature. She is there, high on the shelf but not on the top tier. Of course, what makes great literature is a debate that will never end. We can all have our lists of must reads. Maybe, too, it has to do with the limited world Ashapurna Debi dealt with, the middle class womans world, that is hardly prime material for the sort of angst necessary for great literature. Yet, to live a life without having read Ashapurna Debi would be an incomplete life indeed.
The principal victim of the lawless protest underway in Delhi is not Indias first civil society government, but the hope of millions of Indians because that is what propelled Arvind Kejriwal to leadership and power.

Today, right in front of their eyes, this great Indian hope is dying down quickly - perhaps the biggest let down since the death of similar hope and excitement that VP Singh evoked more than two decades ago. The triumph and failure of heart over reason.

VP Singh rose to power on Bofors, an euphemism for big ticket corruption, but never delivered on his promise while Kejriwals dream run was driven by his larger tirade against the same malady.

VP Singh seemed to have shown India the possibility of an alternative, but ended up being an anti-Congress substitute, while Kejriwal boldly declared that he was the alternative to not just the Congress but the BJP as well. It took about a year for VP Singh to fail; but Kejriwal looks set for a more rapid failure, notwithstanding the fact that the political circumstances are certainly different.

As in the case of VP Singh, people have been too eager and kind to Kejriwal, but what he has failed to realise is that they are also perceptive, demanding and more importantly, unforgiving. They dont distinguish between his inability to practice the diabolical art of politics, which the Congress and BJP are adept at, and his inability to translate the civiil society ideas of democratic governance into everyday administration. Irrespective of the circumstances, failure to delver is still failure.

For the time being, he is an administrative failure and the street drama is a cover up.

In hindsight, the AAP storyline was set for failure the moment it fell for the Congresss design of concealing its electoral debacle with fake humility. For the Congress, that was the only way to divert attention from its monumental loss. By offering AAP unconditional support, even when nobody asked them to, the Congress hid the terrible wounds of defeat and extracted some reflected glory from the AAP.

Resisting this temptation was AAPs number one mistake. This was an event co-created by the Congress and the media and the AAP should have had the strategic sense to resist it because it was not in their plan of things. The moment they succumbed to somebody elses plan, they were on the wrong path.

Mistake number two was their inability to adapt to the changed plan. They should have taken time to train their legislators and potential ministerial candidates on the skills of administration thats in in line with their philosophy of inclusive governance.

If sovereign nations (e.g. Maldives, East Timor) can seek external support for drafting constitutions and even development planning, why can't a set of greenhorns with incredible responsibility to live up to their promise seek help? Its really surprising that the party, which claimed to have had extensive consultations in drafting their policy documents, failed to train their key leaders and legislators in the art of governance and administration. Indoctrination without the means for implementation is a recipe for disaster.

Mistake number three is its obsession with self-righteousness. Right from day one at the office, the party made horrible mistakes, mostly out of inexperience and eagerness to create impact, which played out as recklessness. Unprepared, new to administration and overzealous to look different, they still didnt have a plan to build the ship as they sailed. They fell into every trap set by the Congress, the BJP and the media.

Making popular executive decisions too soon, instead of taking steps for system reforms and strengthening, are stupid short cuts. Sting operations to fix corruption in an over populated country and belittling oneself by fighting with the police in public is madness. More than a month into the office, Kejriwal is yet to unveil any step for systemic changes.

Mistake number four is the worst - the plain trickery of concealing its failure with its only tool to succeed - namely agitation. This is a moral failure and no worse than the politics of mainstream parties that the AAP wanted to take on. And what it doesnt realise is that this failure will also mark the beginning of their end unless it changes course fast.

Its still not too late. The AAP should realise that playing to somebody elses script is drawing it to dangerous depths. Kejriwal should step back, take a break from the media and seek help. Break down the big ideas of democratic and inclusive governance that the AAP professed into implementable tasks. A tiny city-state of around 18 million people is as big as Australia to govern.

As I had written earlier, hope is the most potent weapon against hopelessness and the path to transformation and results. This is a maxim that permeated from the organisational leadership training in the West to the development sector and civil society movements across the world in the last decade. Letting people down on this unselfish desire is nothing but treachery.
By Yasmin Khan

On New Years eve, the Indian government and the World Bank signed a 50 million dollar project which has the potential of transforming the lives of thousands of disadvantaged young people from minority communities through a series of educational and training programmes.

The low-profile signing ceremony in New Delhi, overshadowed by more conspicuous events, marked a critical phase in giving concrete shape to a major minority welfare initiative taken by the Modi government  announced in its first Budget last February.

'Nai Manzil' (New Goal), with its hopeful title, is an ambitious educational and skills development programme funded by the World Bank. It has been designed to help minority youth (17-35 age group) from poorer backgrounds. It is particularly aimed at school dropouts and those who lack the necessary skills to find jobs even after completing their education.

It is the kind of initiative that the government and media should be shouting about in order to create awareness  so that those for whom it is intended are able to benefit from it. However, neither the government nor the media have cared to publicise it beyond bland announcements and passing references to it in government advertisements.

As a result of this nonchalance towards the programme, only a few people know about it; even those who have vaguely heard about the programme have little to no details available to them. I work with Muslim groups who told me that they were keen to know more about it but they didn't know how to. Even in areas where it is being tried out as a 'pilot' there is a lot of confusion about how to access it. People have been leaving information requests on its official website but they have gone unanswered.

Asghar Ali who works at a Muslim NGO in Bihar said, I and some of my other colleagues have posted requests for help on downloading the relevant forms and other details but we haven't got any reply. Come to think of it, it is in governments own interest to highlight such schemes if for no other reason than that it assures minorities that the government is with them and helps counter critics who accuse the government of having an anti-minority bias.

Key features of the 'Nai Manzil' programme

Under a two-pronged approach, help will be afforded to those who sign up for the programme by providing them an opportunity to complete their education through open schooling, followed by hands-on vocational training that will equip them for the job market. The programme is aimed at reaching out to Muslim students who have studied in madrassas and need help with formal schoolingand vocational skills.

An official said that the idea was to empower them by introducing them to modern education and giving them skills to find their way in a highly competitive job market. Raj Kumar, joint secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs who signed the agreement, described it as an integrated education and training programme designed to equip disadvantaged minority youth with skills needed for different tasks in a rapidly changing world. Michael Haney of World Bank, India, said the project reflected the Modi government's intent to offer to youth from minority communities the opportunities they might have missed out on.

The government reckons that there are more than three lakh madrassas across the country; each of these on an average teach at least 100 students. Theoretically, the scheme will benefit an estimate of three crore students. However, those who work with Muslim communities are more cautious and warn against wildly optimistic estimates to avoid disappointment later. Many feel that a lot depends on how the scheme translates into actual practice  and the enthusiasm and calibre of those entrusted with the job of running it.

Theoretical formulations aside, it is imperative to take stock of the action on ground; experience shows that more often than not there is a huge gap between the two. It will be important to get it right in terms of its infrastructure; outreach strategy also needs special attention. Perhaps, the trickiest aspect of the implementation will be to ensure that those who opt for the scheme don't drop out mid-way either because of economic reasons or because they don't find it useful.

Ideally, the scheme should be implemented in phases. A 'pilot' covering 5,000 students, was launched in Bihar in August by the Minorities Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah. The programme is still in its nascent stages, however, one weakness has emerged. The scheme appears to focus almost entirely on men. Women from the Muslim community said that they had not been approached by anyone and that when they tried to find out for themselves, they were told that it was only a trial phase. When proper feedback is available in due course, this issue must be addressed before rushing to roll out the next phase even if it means that the scheme gets overhauled.

Despite the criticism, there is unanimity amongst critics that such a programme was overdue; the prime ministerial tag  Pradhan Mantri Nai Manzil Yojna gives it extra heft.

"The prime minister may not be wearing skull cap and is skipping Iftar parties but his government, unlike others in the past, is sincerely trying to provide livelihood to minority communities. Everybody in the past wore topi but Prime Minister Narendra Modi government is the first which in place of topi is working sincerely to provide roti to minority communities, Heptullah said.

But politicisation apart, there's a serious point to 'Nai Manzil' given the scale of the problem of lack of proper education and unemployment among minorities, especially Muslims, and it is important for both the government and minorities to work together to make a success of it. There will be no better New Year gift to thousands of young men and women from minority communities whose lives are going nowhere.
Srinagar: As suspense over formation of new government in Jammu and Kashmir continued, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was on Sunday visited by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for mourning but the meetings were seen with political significance.

The meetings took place even as BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh expressed confidence that the alliance with PDP will continue as he said the party has written to Governor N N Vohra saying it will have a discussion on whatever decision the ally takes.

Gandhi, who arrived from Delhi, drove straight from the airport to the Fairview residence of Mehbooba in Gupkar here at 3 pm. She stayed with the PDP president for about 20 minutes and paid rich tributes to her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who passed away last Thursday.

Gandhi, whose party ran a coalition government with PDP between 2002 and 2008, described Mufti as a "fine administrator committed to the welfare of the people" of the state and one who reflected the best of Indian values rooted in respect for diversity and anchored in tolerance.

Noting that in 2002 he had committed to provide a 'healing touch' as Chief Minister, she said, "Mufti Saheb cut across party boundaries. He was beyond party affiliations. He belonged to everybody."

Gandhi was accompanied by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, party general secretary Ambika Soni, state Congress chief G A Mir and party leader Saifuddin Soz.

Azad later said "there is no politics in this and no politics should be understood of this (meeting). We have come here only for condoling and there is no other motive."

Gandhi had come here as Mehbooba has had long association with her and Congress, he told reporters.

Mehbooba and her father were in Congress before floating PDP in 1999. She represented Congress once in Lok Sabha also.

Soon after Gandhi's meeting, Gadkari, Union Surface Transport Minister and senior BJP leader, visited Mehbooba to offer condolences on the demise of her father.

"It is no time to talk politics. I have come here to convey condolences on behalf of the central government," he told reporters later.

Recalling his meeting with Mufti in Delhi, Gadkari said the late PDP leader had a dream for the state which included tourism, development and infrastructure among other things.

"We will try to fulfill all the assurances given to him on Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said.

The meetings are seen as politically significant as BJP, an ally of PDP, has yet not officially extended support to Mehbooba for the Chief Ministership after Mufti's demise.

Congress earlier shared power with PDP before having a bitter split in 2008.

PTI
"Log kya kahenge (What will people say)?" How many times have we heard this from our parents, relatives and friends in our entire lifetime? The fear of being judged has almost always crept into our decisions and, in turn, our lives. While we as a society have now started to question this fear, artist Shilo Shiv Suleman is breaking barriers and borders to dispel this fear.

Suleman's The Fearless Collective, collaborated with Pakistan activist Nida Mushtaq for a one-of-a-kind street art project that reflects the theme of fearlessness.

According to its Facebook page it is a collective of artists, activists, photographers and filmmakers who use art to speak out against gender violence. It was formed to "(re)define fear, femininity and what it means to be fearless".

She visited three cities  Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi  training artists in the Pakistan counterpart of the fearless collective and working with the marginalised.

"It was the icing on my 2015 cake," says Suleman describing her experience during the trip in November. "It was incredible and deeply fulfilling. It allowed me to see the world through the eyes of the people I met."

And her art work in Pakistan has been all over social media in the past few days. "In Lahore, we basically decided to paint the first wall we saw. And the one we found was that of the National Bank of Pakistan. We began painting without permission. The director of the bank stepped out to see what we were upto; when he saw what were doing, he said carry on."

The step was rebellious and brave given that many of the women assisting Suleman with the painting were doing this in public for the first time.

The women were students from the National College of Arts in Pakistan. "Putting up that painting on the bank dispelled a lot of fear judgment, the 'log kya kahenge' rhetorical question," says Suleman.

Speaking of her varied cultural and social experiences in the neighbouring country, Suleman says, "We found ourselves in the middle of the hijra community in Rawalpindi in the NGO run by Bubbly Malik. There were ten people from their community in all their glory, singing and dancing. They are called khwajasira in Pakistan."

Apart from a workshop on blessings and curses  "They are the defenders of blessings and curses," Suleman says  they also worked on the only wall painted by transgenders in the country.

"We only see beautiful people on billboards  actors, models and sportspersons  so we painted Bubbly riding her motorcycle," she says.

And it was not just the wall in Rawalpindi that saw help from the local community. "Each of the walls that we did, we worked on with different people. In Lahore it was young girl students, in Pindi it was the transgender community and in Karachi it was children from the neighbourhood of Lyari"

Lyari is supposed to be one of the most unsafe neighbourhoods in Karachi, torn by gangwars. She was warned before she went there, with the same rhetoric of fear she wants to fight  'don't go there, it's unsafe'. But it turned out that children from the community were awed by her work and even helped her paint. "They were so friendly. Anyway, all kids always want to play with colours," Suleman says.

And it was during her trip to Lyari that she had one of her most memorable moments. "I was painting in a Lyari alley and it is definitely a high security area. This huge army tanker pulls over and next thing I know, I was surrounded by twelve burly Pashtun warrior army rangers. And they tell me, 'Don't worry ma'am, we are here to protect you'."

Suleman says she will keep travelling back, now that there is The Fearless Collective in Pakistan as well.

Asked about the challenges she faces with regards to her work, she says, "Almost none. Miracles follow the fearless collective. For example, we find the perfect sized ladder when we need it, or the whole team turns up wearing colours in sync with what we are paiting. It is the opposite of challenges."

She says that this is also perhaps a part of the kind of mindset she is trying to change  expecting good instead of the bad. "We are always taught to expect the worst. We are always told beware, a stranger can be a threat to you. No one tells you 'oh a stranger may ask you out'. This is what we the collective aims to change."

However, finance is something that she is learning to manage. "We managed the Pakistan trip with a grant from the US. I am an artist and have an artist's mind. However, I am trying to learn."

While the visit gave her a glimpse into the lives of the marginalised in Pakistan, it did not come without several warnings from friends and family. "My family moved from Pakistan to India during Partition. And the fear of what they saw still remains. But the truth is things are quite different from the perception."

"Even when we were going to Lyari we were told it was a dangerous area. Once we cross the borders of fear, there is only love," says Suleman.
Lahore: Pakistan has said foreign secretary-level talks with India are intact and it was following the leads provided by India which has linked the talks, scheduled for 15 January, to Islamabads decisive action on the Pathankot terror attack.

We are investigating the Pathankot incident while the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan are intact, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday at a function in National College of Arts, Lahore.

Aziz, however, did not mention the progress Pakistan has achieved on the leads provided by India.

We are investigating the Pathankot incident, was Azizs answer when he was asked by a reporter in this regard.

Replying to another question on the status of the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, scheduled for January 15 in Islamabad, Aziz said, Let me tell you the talks are intact and will take place as per schedule.

On Friday, India had put the ball squarely in Pakistans court, linking the fate of the talks to Islamabads prompt and decisive action on the Pathankot terror attack for which it has provided actionable intelligence.

However, Azizs assurance about holding talks as per schedule was interpreted by many analysts in Pakistan as Islamabads willingness to act on the information provided by India in a time-bound manner.

Azizs confidence about Pak-India talks intact can be interpreted to mean that Pakistan is serious about acting on the leads provided by India and may well lay hands on those suspected of being involved in the attack before 15 January, a government official told PTI.

Earlier, Pakistan said it needed concrete evidence from India for acting against the terrorists it suspected of being involved in the terror strike at Pathankot airbase instead of leads suggesting the attack was planned and directed from here.

We are expecting evidence beyond leads and information to proceed as per our law, Dawn quoted a foreign office official as saying after Sharif chaired a second meeting of his security aides on the Pathankot attack yesterday.

Soon after receiving the leads Pakistan had acknowledged that they had been shared and were being investigated.

Nawaz Sharif, who had then telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, had assured him of prompt and decisive action against those found guilty.

India has blamed on the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed for the Pathankot attack in which six terrorists were killed and seven security personnel lost their lives.

PTI
Islamabad: Pakistan should use its extensive intelligence network to find out who were the Pakistani handlers of the attack on the IAF base in Pathankot and "keep India in the loop", a leading daily in Islamabad said on Sunday.

In an editorial, The Nation newspaper said, while India believes that it had put the ball on "this side of the court following the submission of 'actionable intelligence' to Pakistani authorities after the Pathankot attack, it seems that the Pakistani government does not deem the leadssufficient enough to act at this moment."

"But for now, at the very least, Pakistan can use its extensive intelligence network to find out who made the calls that were reportedly made from the handlers from this side of the border. It can crackdown on areas where the calls were made from to flush out any terrorist cells," the daily said.

It asserted that the Pakistani government is justified in saying that it needs "substantial evidence" and in the case of an arrest, there has to be reasonable doubt and for the arrest to hold up in court, more hard evidence will be required.

In a pre-dawn attack on 2 January, a group of heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists, suspected to be belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, struck at the Air Force base in Punjab, killing seven security personnel.

"Obviously, the nature of the information provided has not been made clear, but it seems that the two governments are already on different pages regarding the attack, because India waits for direct action  arrests made, weapons found and links discovered  and Pakistan wants more evidence in order to do those things," the daily said.

"The Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz claimed that the Foreign Secretary-level talks are still on, but the leadership of India has so far not given credence to this statement. However, the fact that this has not been opposed either is possibly a silver lining," it noted.

The editorial also claimed that the Pakistani government and even the establishment "do seem earnest about making the Pak-India relationship a more constructive one, given the two top-level meetings held regarding the issue."

"The government has to keep India in the loop as well, because a commitment has been made from one Head of Government to another, one that can be a potential game-changer in this relationship," it said.

It also stated that India on the other hand, should also be more forthcoming with information found following the attack.

It claimed that reportedly there are demands from Pakistan for further evidence, including DNA samples of the attackers.

PTI
Florida's "netroots" and professional "media blogs" are digested in the two columns immediately below. The to the right summarizes hand picked articles, punditry and editorials about Florida politics. The far right column incorporates both permanent links and specialized news digests which are customized as necessary (now featuring news about Rubio's campaign, and the latest on Jeb).
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2015 was a big year for mergers and acquisitions, with global M&A activity exceeding $5 trillion, up 37% compared to 2014, according to Dealogic.

Acquisition news didn't slow down in December, with multiple major deals announced during the month. Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR.DL) will be acquired by privately held JAB Holding; DuPont (DD) and Dow Chemical (DOW) announced a blockbuster merger; Micron (MU 0.95%) is buying out a major source of DRAM chips; Newell Rubbermaid (NWL -1.41%) is acquiring consumer goods giant Jarden (NYSE: JAH); and Global Payments (GPN 0.18%) is adding scale by acquiring Heartland Payment Systems (HPY.DL).

Click through the following slideshow to learn more about these major acquisitions.

With Keurig Green Mountain struggling in 2015 as sales of its coffee machines collapsed, the huge premium JAB is paying for the company may seem like a bad idea. Here's a video explaining why JAB might have paid so much for Keurig Green Mountain.

The successful merger of Dow Chemical and DuPont will require the companies to beat back the antitrust issues that are sure to arise. If the deal does go through, a reasonable question to ask is how will the three companies spun off from the Dow Chemical and DuPont combination fare. Don't worry, the Fool's got it covered.

Micron is suffering from DRAM oversupply, leading to selling prices falling faster than costs. The acquisition of Inotera should help Micron become more efficient, but after the company's latest earnings report, the worst for Micron may be yet to come.

Jarden may not be a household name, but many of its brands are, and its acquisition by Newell Rubbermaid will create a company with a vast catalog of popular consumer brands. Here's a video with more information about both Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden.

Payment processing is a business that requires scale, and Global Payments' acquisition of Heartland Payment Systems will create a much larger company. Here's a look at the deal between Global Payments and Heartland Payment Systems in more detail.
Marijuana legalization has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past two decades, but 2016 could really be the year that it jumps into the spotlight.

This is a critical year for marijuana

Since receiving its first medical approval in the state of California in 1996, medical marijuana has been approved in 22 additional states. We've even witnessed voters in four states (along with Washington, D.C.) legalize the use of recreational marijuana for adults ages 21 and up. Over a period of two decades that's some pretty substantial progress for the industry.

But 2016 could prove even bigger for the pot industry. Nevada has already secured enough signatures to get a recreational marijuana initiative on its ballot in the 2016 elections, and California, the largest economy in the U.S., looks poised to have a recreational marijuana initiative on its ballot as well. In fact, we could be looking at residents in around a dozen states voting on recreational marijuana amendments and initiatives in November.

The potential passage of recreational marijuana laws is critical -- President Obama has suggested that the best way to get Congress's attention is through the steady legalization of marijuana at the state level. Although marijuana remains an illegal plant at the federal level, the federal government is perfectly fine (for now) with allowing states to handle regulating the drug on their own. If more states legalize marijuana, it could force Congress to act.

It all comes down to safety

The big concern for lawmakers is, and has always been, marijuana's safety profile. Considering that for decades the majority of clinical studies have focused on the possible adverse effects of marijuana rather than potential benefits, there's simply an overwhelming stack of evidence against marijuana at the moment. Congress seems unwilling to bend on its current stance until it has a more thorough and balanced picture of marijuana's benefits and risks.

Of course, there is certainly no shortage of longtime users who'll jump at the chance to inform skeptics of marijuana's potential health benefits and lack of long-term risks. The simple fact that not a single person in the U.S. died of a marijuana overdose in 2014 is testament that it could be beneficial in medical patients looking to resolve certain ailments that might otherwise require the use of prescription opioids -- which lead to approximately 17,000 deaths annually in the U.S. due to overdose.

We're also witnessing clinical evidence that marijuana and/or its cannabinoids may hold the key to improved quality of life for a number of ailments. Patients with two rare forms of childhood epilepsy -- Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome -- demonstrated a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency when taking GW Pharmaceuticals' experimental cannabinoid-based drug Epidiolex. Other early stage studies have suggested marijuana could hold benefits for cancer patients, type 2 diabetics, and even Alzheimer's disease patients.

This new study may leave you a bit grumpy

However, not every new study has worked in favor of marijuana supporters. Initially published online in January 2015, a study from researchers at the Yale University of Medicine and Pennsylvania State University showed that trial participants who smoked marijuana tended to be more hostile and impulsive the day they used marijuana, as well as the day after.

According to Yale and Pennsylvania State researchers, 43 trial participants were analyzed over a 14-day period to determine how they responded to marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco. After controlling for certain factors, and removing alcohol and tobacco from the equation, researchers observed that marijuana users demonstrated an increase in hostile and impulsive behavior the day they used the drug and the following day. The ultimate conclusion of these researchers was that the behavioral impact of marijuana warrants additional research, especially in light of the expansion of recreational marijuana in some states.

It is worth noting that 43 patients can hardly be described as representative of the U.S. adult population, which totaled roughly 245 million people as of 2014. Just because marijuana users in this small sample proved more hostile, it doesn't guarantee that marijuana was the cause, which is why additional studies are needed. Nonetheless, it does place yet another obstacle in marijuana's possible path to nationwide legalization.

Owning marijuana stocks could make you even grumpier

If marijuana is eventually legalized at the federal level, its market potential could be huge. ArcView Group placed a market value of $2.7 billion on the marijuana industry as of 2014, while Greenwave Advisors has separately suggested that nationwide legalization could pump up the legal marijuana industry to a $35 billion valuation within a few years. These figures have dollars signs dancing in the heads of investors, some of whom believe that marijuana could be one of the top investments of the next decade.

Unfortunately for investors, marijuana stocks look to be just as dangerous an investment today as they've been in the past. The reason is that state-level legalization doesn't do much to counter the disadvantages marijuana businesses face at the federal level. Marijuana businesses have practically no access to credit lines or basic banking services because banks don't want to face potential federal prosecution for aiding a business involved in a federally illicit drug. Marijuana businesses also get no help come tax time since they're unable to take any deductions like normal businesses.

These challenges make it very difficult for large-scale, investable marijuana businesses to turn healthy profits. If the federal government were to change its stance, my view on marijuana as an investment would almost assuredly change as well -- but there's simply no guarantee that the federal government will change its stand anytime soon. Waiting around simply isn't an option for some marijuana companies, which are losing money hand-over-fist -- which makes this industry a very risky investment that I'd suggest completely avoiding.
What: Norfolk Southern Corporation's (NSC -1.08%) shares fell 12.8% last month. That comes after a nearly 20% rise in November driven by a failed takeover attempt by Canada's Canadian Pacific Railway (CP -0.04%). What goes up must come down, but there's more going on at Norfolk Southern.

So what: The big news at this railway recently has been its seemingly successful attempt to fend off Canadian Pacific's roughly $30 billion acquisition bid. Investors sent the shares higher on news of the proposed deal, but Norfolk wanted no part of it and said no. So that's one reason the shares were weak in December: They were simply retracing earlier gains.

But that's not the only reason. At a Credit Suisse conference on Dec. 2, Norfolk Southern's chief marketing officer, Alan Shaw, recounted a number of industry- and company-specific headwinds that exist apart from the Canadian Pacific issue, reminding investors that all is not well in railroad land. For example, he explained that "50% of our revenue is tied to commodity prices," which has led to a negative volume mix. Since commodity prices remain in the doldrums, this issue isn't going away any time soon.

The other big negative was in fuel surcharges. Essentially oil prices fell, so customers didn't have to pay extra to ship their goods. This was a surprisingly large piece of a year-over-year decline in revenues. Although Shaw expects that to anniversary out of the numbers next year, it doesn't change the fact that oil prices remain low today. Which helps explain why the railway is looking to alter how it charges for fuel expenses.

In the end, Shaw recounted a number of negatives but presented a generally upbeat outlook for Norfolk Southern. Investors, however, seem to have fixated on the negatives, since several big-picture issues aren't likely to change in the near term. Add in the November price bump for an takeover attempt that doesn't seem likely to happen, and you get a December price decline.

Now what: Norfolk Southern is one of a small number of large North American railroads. That said, there are headwinds today that should rightly concern conservative investors. But as the takeover attempt suggests, there's plenty of value here. Indeed, Norfolk is in prime position to benefit from trade trends over the long term. With the shares off late-2014 highs, Norfolk is worth a deep dive for most investors, though it wouldn't be surprising to see operating weakness persist into at least the early part of 2016.
When you think about the future, what do you envision? Perhaps it is a world much like today, save changes in technology and fashion....
Between sleepless nights, toddler meltdowns and kids pushing your buttons, parenting is no walk in the park. In fact, a study published in the journal Demography found that in the first year after birth, parents were less happy and the effect was worse than divorce, unemployment and even the death of a spouse.

The good news however, is that no matter how hard it may be, with a few strategies and a shift in perspective, it is possible to be a happy parent. Here, experts share their tips.

1. Connect with your kid.

Between rushed mornings, shuttling to after-school activities and resolving sibling squabbles, parenting can often feel like pure drudgery. Although the natural thing is to want time away from your kids, when you do you become even more disconnected from them and more struggles ensue.

Where true happiness lies as a parent is in connection, said Dr. Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist in New York City and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, and Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings. You certainly dont have to spend 24/7 together, but carving out time with your children will make both of you happier.

2. Be proactive.

If you know you tend to snap at your kids at certain times of the day, find ways to set yourself up for success so you dont lose it. Even though you still might pour yourself a glass of wine at dinner when youre kids are running around the house, make the meal ahead of time in the slow cooker and give yourself one less thing to worry about.

3. Stop yelling.

You might be a yeller, but the good news is that you can break the habit if you want to.

The first step is to become aware of when youre yelling and then have a list of things you can do to feel calm. It could be splashing water on your face, laughing out loud, breathing deeply or walking into another room.

Try to let other non-kid frustrations slide too.

That way, even when youre just a little annoyed with your child, if youre doing that on a regular basis youll find that youre much calmer when you do start to yell and get upset, Markham said.

It can take up to three months to stop yelling altogether, but youll not only feel happier, youll be teaching your child that its possible to feel angry without taking it out on other people, she said.

4. Be kind to yourself.

One of the best ways to be a happy parent is to take care of yourself.

Ultimately, the research shows running on full means you have to fill yourself up. You cant just expect life to fill you up, Markham said.

Accept your mistakes, use positive self-talk and be your own cheerleader.

5. Nix the guilt.

Laying on the guilt increases your stress and makes you react to your child in ways that you dont want to, said Elizabeth Lombardo, a psychologist in Chicago, Ill. and author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love.

One of the best ways to stop feeling guilty is to erase the word should from your vocabulary: I shouldnt have done that or I should be more (fill in the blank).

6. Rate your stress.

Throughout your day, stop and think about your level of stress on a scale of 1 to 10 and do something about it. Its different for everybody, but it might mean hitting the gym, meeting a friend for coffee or taking time to meditate, even if its just for 5 minutes.

7. Be grateful.

Although its probably not going to help in the moment when your child is pushing your buttons, studies show a regular practice of gratitude is the key to happiness. You can keep a gratitude journal, write your child a thank you note for being extra helpful or thank your higher power for your blessings.

8. Let it go.

If youre spending so much of your time volunteering for the PTA, making Pinterest-worthy cupcakes or cleaning your house, you can feel depleted. Think about how important your time is and if your commitments are aligned with your personal values and strengths. Then focus on one or two things that are important, and delegate, outsource or let go of the rest.

9. Get some retail therapy.

A recent study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science found that buying things can make us happy over the long-term, while experiences, like a vacation can give us intense happiness but it can wane over time. Both a trip to the mall or a trip the Caribbean can pay off, just make sure its in your budget because any amount of debt will squelch the boost in happiness youll get.

10. Make time for each other.

Whether its a regular date night or 10 minutes for coffee before the kids wake up, carving out time for your spouse and putting each other first can pay off in the parenting department.

The stronger you two are the more love youre going to have in your household and the better co-parents youre going to be, Lombardo said.
More than 7,000 patients at a Utah hospital were potentially exposed to an outbreak of hepatitis C after coming into contact with an infected former nurse  but less than half have come in for free testing to find out if they have the disease.

We do consider this an outbreak, Angela Dunn, a physician with the Utah Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Standard Examiner. When we have two or more hepatitis C-related infections, we consider it an outbreak.

Only 35 percent of the 7,200 patients contacted to receive free testing have come forward so far, FOX13 reported.

Were hoping for about half at the end of the day, but we only have a few weeks left of free testing, Dunn said.

Several people have already tested positive for the disease; however, the final tally of those infected isnt expected to be released until February or March.

When we have two or more hepatitis C-related infections, we consider it an outbreak."  Angela Dunn, physician

Mckay-Dee Hospital, in Ogden, and Davis Hospital, in Layton, are offering free testing through the end of January. Those are the hospitals that previously employed 49-year-old nurse Elet Neilson, who contracted a rare strain of the disease, genome 2b. Both that strain and a different variation of hepatitis C have been identified through testing, according to the Standard Examiner. Exposure to the disease is thought to have occurred between June 17, 2013 and Nov. 25, 2014, according to FOX13.

Neilson was fired for reportedly using medications illegally and eventually pleaded to a misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance, paying a $413 fine and serving no jail time.

Dunn told KUTV the current outbreak was the first one ever reported for hepatitis C in Utah, though a similar outbreak occurred in Denver in 2009. In that instance a nurse who was stealing drugs replaced them with used syringes filled with saline.

Dunn said it was important for everyone contacted to be tested because symptoms of hepatitis C can lay dormant for decades.

People can have no symptoms for decades and then all of the sudden their liver will start failing and thats a deadly part of the disease, Dunn said. So its important to be identified early in the disease court when people dont have symptoms so they can get effective treatment.
White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough on Sunday vowed that President Obama will close the Guantanamo Bay detainee facility before his presidency ends in 11 months.

He feels an obligation to his successor to close that, and thats why were going to do it, McDonough said on Fox News Sunday. Sure we are.

However, McDonough declined to answer whether Obama would use his White House powers to sidestep Congress and close the facility.

The president just said hes going to present a plan to Congress and work with Congress and then well make some final determination, McDonough said.

Obama has promised since the start of his presidency seven years ago that he would close the facility -- opened in the aftermath of 9/11 to get suspected terrorists off the battlefield.

The president has argued the facility has outlived its usefulness, including being too costly to keep open, an argument McDonough repeated on Sunday.

Congressional Republicans have led efforts to keep open the facility and stop the administration from releasing the detainees to Middle East countries, for fear they will return to terrorism.

Republicans and others are concerned that Obama will use executive orders to close the facility, on a U.S. Naval base, on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, like he tried to do with immigration and now with gun control issues when Congress has blocked his efforts.

Im not an if when guy, McDonough said when asked Sunday whether Obama will try the same tactic with Guantanamo. I said were going to close it. (Obama) just said hes going to present a plan to Congress to do that.
President Obama will not endorse a Democratic candidate in the 2016 presidential primary race, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said Sunday.

"That's not our job, McDonough said on NBCs Meet the Press. That's the job of the party to make those decisions and then they'll take a look at the agendas and the positions of those candidates."

McDonough said that Obama, in the final 11 months of his presidency, will wait until voters pick a nominee, as he has in the past.

When the nominee will be set, then the president will be out there," McDonough said.

Obama undoubtedly will back a fellow Democrat -- either front-running Hillary Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders or former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley.

The president has recently suggested that he will nevertheless get involved in 2016 Senate races in which gun control is an issue, following his recently announced plans to tighten federal gun laws through a series of executive orders that side-step Congress.

Obamas decision not to issue an endorsement, however, has

some precedent among recent two-term presidents.

George W. Bush didnt endorse his partys nominee in 2008 until March 5, by which point Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., had just about locked up the bid.

Ronald Reagan didnt endorse his sitting Vice President, George H. W. Bush, as the Republican nominee until May 1988. Reagan said he wanted to wait until the outcome of the nomination race was clear.

Bill Clinton was the only two-termer in the past 30 years to break with the tradition. He endorsed his sitting vice president, Al Gore, in December 1999.
Donald Trump renewed pressure Sunday on fellow GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz to resolve questions over his eligibility to run, warning that the matter could be used against him by Democrats in a general election.

Trump, in a tight race with Cruz in the fast-approaching Iowa caucus vote, said on Fox News Sunday that he was unsure whether the Texas senator, born in Canada to a U.S. citizen mother and a Cuban citizen father, is a natural-born American citizen.

I really don't know, he said. Does natural born mean born to the land? In that case he's not. But nobody knows what it means. And  it hasn't gone to the Supreme Court. I speak well of Ted. I'm only saying that Ted has to get this problem solved because if he's running against a Democrat, and they bring a lawsuit, he's got a hell of a thing over his head.

Trump again said he thinks Cruz should get a declaratory judgment to clear up the matter.

He has a 13-point lead over the GOP field in an average of national polls, but trails Cruz in Iowa, which on Feb. 1 holds the first contest of the election season.

Cruz has brushed off calls to seek a court judgment on the issue.

The son of a U.S. citizen born abroad is a natural-born citizen, Cruz said in a CNN State of the Union interview aired Sunday. The internet has all sorts of fevered swamp theories.

Legal scholars have said Cruz would qualify as a natural-born citizen, and therefore is eligible to run, because one parent is a citizen.

Trump on Sunday also pushed back against the notion he cannot compete against Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton in a general election.

I think Im going to do very well -- if it's Hillary.  People that have never been part the process before are doing it because they're going to vote for Trump, he said.

However, the Republican establishment and others argue his efforts to appeal to the partys conservative base -- with such promises as building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and his willingness to dismiss critics as dummies -- will make it difficult for him to appeal to a large cross-section of voters and win in November.

On Sunday, Trump defined his political doctrine as: tough and smart and vigilant.

The RealClearPolitics poll average shows Clinton leading Trump in a head-to-head matchup by 2 percentage points, compared to Cruz leading her by 1.8 percent and fellow GOP contender Florida Sen. Marco Rubio ahead of Clinton by 3 points.

On Sunday, Trump also addressed the economic turmoil in Chinas markets, saying the recent Wall Street woes are proof the United States is so tied into China, that when China goes bad, we go bad. We're just tied in, and we're tied into their advantage, not to our advantage.

What we have to do is be smart, Trump said. They want to, as you know, they want to continue to devalue their currency in order to devalue out -- but, what that's doing, it's stopping our companies from being able to compete with China.
The Egyptian-born cab driver suspected in the 2008 "honor killing" of his two daughters in Texas because they were dating non-Muslim boys may be working at his old trade in New York, according to a private investigator who has tracked him.

Yaser Said fled his Dallas-area home after allegedly shooting daughters Amina, 18, and Sarah Said, 17, on New Years Day in 2008 and is now on the FBI's list of most-wanted fugitives. Although he took his Egyptian passport and $9,000 when he bolted, Bill Warner, a private detective who has worked for Said's sister-in-law, believes he never made it out of the country. With family ties to New York and a large community of his countrymen to blend into, Warner says the odds are good the suspected killer is behind the wheel of a car for hire in the Big Apple.

[pullquote]

Its all he knows and I wouldnt be surprised one bit if hes there working as a taxi driver, Warner, who has worked on and off tracking Said, told FoxNews.com. He could blend in at a metropolis like New York.

Saids brother, Yassein Said, lives just north of the city in Westchester County and the FBI notes Yaser Said's ties to the area on his wanted poster, saying he "may have fled to New York or Egypt." Warner, who is based in Sarasota, Fla., believes the money Said took would not have been enough to flee to his native Egypt and set up a new life.

He was not financially solvent, the investigator said, He did not own the cab he drove. He didnt have the financial strength to leave.

The brothers are really tight, so its likely they assisted him in some way, Warner also said, citing that a few years ago he located a post office box in Westchester County under the names of Yaser Said and his brother.

New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission, which regulates yellow cabs as well as livery cars, requires criminal background checks conducted by the state for anyone applying for a license, according to a commission spokesman. But Said could easily rent a licensed car under the table or simply use his own vehicle to pick up fares illicitly, according to Fernando Mateo, president of the New York State Foundation of Taxi Drivers.

"There are 10,000 illegal drivers in New York City," Mateo said. "It's as easy as getting in your car and driving to the airport or picking up illegal street hails."

Said allegedly shot his daughters on Jan. 1, 2008, after they ran away from home a week earlier, fearing that he would kill them for dating American boys. The girls' aunt, Gail Gartrell, claimed the murders were an honor killing, an act practiced outside of mainstream Islam where a family member can be killed for bringing great dishonor to the family.

The girls American-born mother, Patricia Tissie Owens-Said, had fled with them days earlier to Gartrells house in Kansas, also fearing her husband's wrath. The three were planning to move to Tulsa, but Owens-Said convinced them to go back to Texas first to put flowers on their grandmothers grave.

Upon returning to the Irving area, the girls were coaxed into going with their father in his taxi for something to eat, but were instead taken to a remote area and shot multiple times.

New calls have emerged for Owens-Saids arrest, with advocates claiming she helped lure the girls back to their father so he could kill them.

Theres always been the theory that she tried to cover it up, said Warner. She was abused by Yaser. If she didnt do what he asked, she would get beaten. It was a battered woman syndrome.

FBI officials declined to comment on the case, saying only that the bureau is assisting in the search for Said. On its wanted poster, the FBI describes the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Said as wearing a mustache and dark sunglasses, both indoors and outside. He frequents Denny's and I-Hop restaurants and smokes Marlboro Light 100 cigarettes. He is believed to be either 50 or 55 years old, according to the FBI.

"Additionally, Said is known to carry a handgun in his taxi cab at all times," the poster warns. "It has also been reported that Said always carries a weapon with him, to include knives."

Calls to the police department in Irving, Texas, where the murders occurred, were not immediately returned.

More common in the Middle East, honor killing has been a controversial issue among Muslims living in Western nations. Many say that the act has nothing to do with Islam and is a holdover from tribal society.

The case of the Said sisters is not the first alleged incident of honor killing on American soil.

In 1989, 16-year-old Palestina Isa, of St. Louis, was murdered by her father Zein Isa, who was helped by her mother.

Zein Isa had grown angry that Palestina had taken a part-time job without his permission and had a boyfriend who was black, further angering the father. The parents were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Zein Isa died on death row due to complications from diabetes in 1997, while his wife's sentence was commuted to life in prison without parole.

More recently, Aasiya Zubar was beheaded by her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, in Buffalo, on Feb. 12, 2009, after she filed for divorce six days earlier. Hassan, who was CEO of Bridges TV, a Muslim-American television network, was sentenced to 25 years to life for second-degree murder.
The armed protesters who triggered a standoff when they stormed a wildlife refuge in Oregon listed their demands at a news conference Monday, while giving their group a name: Citizens for Constitutional Freedom.

Ammon Bundy, a son of Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a standoff of his own against the federal government in 2014, spoke on behalf of the protesters. He said they asked Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward and federal agencies to put an end to what he called "abuses" against local ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond.

The Hammonds were convicted of arson three years ago for fires that burned on federal land in 2001 and 2006. Though they served their original sentences for the conviction -- Dwight serving three months, Steven serving one year -- an appellate judge ruled in October that the terms were too short under federal minimum sentencing laws.

The Hammonds were ordered back to prison for four years each. They arrived at the Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution Monday afternoon.

"Dwight and Steven Hammond respect the rule of law. They have litigated this matter within the federal courts for over five years and, in every instance, have followed the order of the court without incident or violation," the Hammonds' attorneys said.

Ammon Bundy accused federal officials of launching an "attack" on the Hammonds for refusing to sell their land. The protesters took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of Burns on Saturday after participating in a peaceful rally.

Sheriff Ward said the protesters were no patriots. "These men came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers, when in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to overthrow the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States," Ward said in a statement. "We are currently working jointly with several organizations to make sure the citizens of Harney County are safe and this issue is resolved as quickly and peaceful as possible."

FBI officials tried to calm the anger by calling for a "peaceful resolution" to the standoff. Still, the bureau did not give any specifics about its response in a statement Sunday, citing "safety considerations for both those inside the refuge as well as the law enforcement officers involved."

Ammon Bundy's brother, Ryan, said they planned on staying at the refuge as long as it takes. If the situation turns violent, he contends it will be because of the federal government's actions. "I mean, we're here to restore order, we're here to restore rights and that can go peacefully and easily."

Dwight Hammond Jr., 73, and his 46-year-old son, Steven, have claimed that they lit the fires in 2001 and 2006 to reduce the growth of invasive plants and protect their property from wildfires. However, prosecutors said the fires were set to cover up poaching.

The decision generated controversy and is part of a decades-long dispute between some Westerners and the federal government over the use of public lands. The issue traces back to the 1970s and the "Sagebrush Rebellion," a move by Western states like Nevada to increase local control over federal land. Critics of the push for more local control have said the federal government should administer the public lands for the widest possible uses, including environmental and recreation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A woman suspected of a jewelry theft spree across five Southeastern states was arrested in Georgia along with one other person with her at the time, the FBI said Saturday.

Abigail Lee Kemp, 24, was arrested Friday in the Atlanta suburb of Smyrna, the FBI said in a statement. The statement added that the other person with Kemp was in custody as well, but the agency cited the ongoing investigation in declining to identify the other person or give more details about the arrests.

The FBIs Jacksonville, Florida field office spokeswoman Amanda Warford Videll confirmed to the Associated Press in an email that the womans arrest comes amid an investigation of a string of jewelry thefts last year Sevierville, Tennessee; Bluffton, South Carolina; Panama City Beach, Florida; and Dawsonville and Woodstock in Georgia. She said the latest robbery occurred recently in Mebane, North Carolina.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that one of her heists netted at least $4 million. The Mebane heist occurred at a Jared Vault Jewelry store where Kemp allegedly was armed with a handgun, forced employees to the back of the store and zip-tied their hands.

The woman also allegedly stole about $13,000 worth of jewelry in Dawsonville and then stole another $40,000 worth of items in Panama City. While in Bluffton, the suspect was seen in a blue or purple striped skirt, according to WJCL-TV.

Videll said in a statement that FBI agents in Atlanta made the arrests while helping investigators in the agencys Jacksonville, Florida division. The spokeswoman said the FBI had gotten "numerous credible leads from the public" within hours of issuing a release in recent days requesting help in the case.

The FBI said the case would be handled by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Maryland woman called police early Sunday morning to report an intruder, and when cops showed up to her darkened house she screamed and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the officers until they shot her dead in an apparent instance of suicide-by-cop.

Investigators said Christine A. Lucas, 45, left behind what appeared to be a suicide note, according to FOX45. The details of the letter were not disclosed. Lucas had reportedly not taken an unnamed prescribed medication for the past several weeks and authorities said her family had financial difficulties.

The electricity in Lucas Rising Sun house had been turned off, perhaps for as long as four months, FOX45 reported. The unlit home may have helped contribute to officers confusion when they arrived at 2 a.m. Sunday. Cops forced their way inside when they heard a woman screaming, turned on their flashlights, announced they were police and were soon confronted with Lucas seated in a chair.

Police say Lucas did not respond to any commands and she soon picked up a gun from her lap. At the time, officers said they believed the gun was real. They later discovered it was an airsoft gun painted black.

Officers instructed Lucas to put the gun down and identified themselves again as police, officials said, at which point Lucas told the cops they werent the real police.

When she then reportedly raised her gun at officers, the troopers fired, ultimately killing Lucas. One of the officers, a trained flight paramedic, attempted to provide care while emergency services were en route, officials said. Despite the efforts, Lucas was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lucas 15-year-old son was sleeping upstairs when the shooting occurred. The son, who was unharmed, later told police his mom woke him up earlier in the night, handed him a duffel bag with his clothes, told him where to find his birth certificate and said she loved him, authorities said.

Lucas husband was not home at the time of the incident.

The troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave while the State Police Homicide Unit investigates the shooting.
The body of an American woman was found in an Italian apartment with bruises and scratches around her neck on Saturday, police said.

Ashley Olsen, 35, a Florida native, was identified as the victim and had been living in the Florence apartment for quite some time, according to police spokeswoman Maddalena Carosi. Florence prosecutors have opened a murder investigation.

Police confirmed that Olsen was found with scratch marks on her neck, but wouldnt confirm that she had been strangled to death until an autopsy could be performed.

Olsens boyfriend, also described as an artist living in Florence, told police they had an argument and that he hadnt heard from her, according to Le Repubblica. He apparently became worried when he didnt hear from her after a while and asked the apartment owner to open Olsens door. Police declined to comment on that report.

Local TV reports said the body was found on the bed in the apartment, which is located in Florences historic center. TV and local newspaper accounts said the body was identified by Olsens father, who reportedly teaches at a Florence school nearby.

Olsen was apparently an art lover and had organized events connected to the art world, according to the Le Repubblica.

Police have not named any suspects in the womans murder.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An airport near Stockholm was evacuated Sunday after potential traces of an explosive powder were detected on a passengers bag.

Further testing revealed no explosive traces, according to police, and Skavsta Airport was reopened, Reuters reported.



Swedish airport officials had closed the departure lounge at Skavsta and halted outgoing flights.

Parts of the check-in area and baggage hall of the depature terminal were evacuated, airport spokesman Joakim Lindholm said.

At least three flights were delayed more than two hours while the bomb squad checked the suspect bag.

Arrivals were not affected, Lindholm said.

The bag belong to an elderly Swedish lady, who was traveling to Poland, police spokeswoman Anette Wilhelmsson said, according to the Wall Street Journal.

She was being questioned by officers.

Other Swedish airports were on high alert, the Journal reported.

The airport is about 60 miles south of Stockholm

It is Swedens fifth largest airport, mainly handling low-cost airlines, according to Reuters.

Click here for more from the Wall Street Journal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


A "projectile" struck a clinic supported by international medical group Doctors Without Borders in north Yemen on Sunday, killing at least four people, the aid group said, another in a series of attacks on its facilities in the war-torn country.

The medical aid organization said it was not clear who was behind the attack that also wounded several other people in Shiara Hospital in the Razeh district, where the group has worked since November last year.

In a statement on its Twitter account, Doctors Without Borders did not identify who was killed in the attack but said that three of the wounded were staff members, of whom two were in critical condition.

"This is the third severe incident in the last three months. Our teams struggle on a daily basis to ensure the respect of health facilities," Doctors Without Borders wrote. An earlier tweet by the group described the projectile as a rocket.

The groups regional operations chief Raquel Ayora said all warring parties are regularly informed of the GPS coordinates of the medical sites where the organization works, and that Doctors Without Borders was in constant dialogue with them.

"There is no way that anyone with the capacity to carry out an airstrike or launch a rocket would not have known that the Shiara Hospital was a functioning health facility providing critical services and supported by [Doctors Without Borders]," she said.

The group said Saudi-led air strikes hit another of its health facilities elsewhere in the province in October last year, wrecking the building and lightly wounding two staff members.

A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been fighting the Iran-allied Houthi group in Yemen, a campaign Riyadh says is aimed at repelling at what it sees as creeping Iranian influence in the region.

Nearly 6,000 people have been killed since the Saudi coalition entered Yemen's conflict in March, almost half of them civilians. The war has exacerbated hunger and disease in Yemen, the region's poorest country.

In a separate incident, an intelligence colonel was killed in a drive-by shooting in Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Sunday, a security official source said, in an attack claimed by fighters with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

It was the latest in a series of assassination and bombings by militants belonging to the Yemen branch of ISIL which have undermined security in Aden, the temporary capital of the embattled Yemeni central government.

Reuters
The overarching theme emerging from Chinas ongoing Communist Party congress is one of continuity, not change. The weeklong meeting is expected to reappoint Xi Jinping as leader, reaffirm a commitment to his policies for the next five years and possibly elevate his status even further as one of the most powerful leaders in Chinas modern history. For many Chinese, weary of pandemic restrictions, the more immediate question is whether there will be any easing of zero-COVID after the party congress. The answer is probably not immediately, and when changes do come, they will most likely be gradual.
New Website Setup Service Provides Affordable Web Design For Small Businesses

Ryan's Website Setup Service releases teaser information on the upcoming launch of its new website setup service and free training videos that provides affordable web design for small businesses. Further information can be found at http://www.ryanswebsitesetupservice.com/

--

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More information can be found at http://www.ryanswebsitesetupservice.com/

The first thing folks should expect is a big improvement in the time and cost of getting a professionally designed, search engine friendly, mobile optimised and fast loading website for their business. Ryan's Website Setup Service makes this happen by utilising the large amount of free or low cost premium WordPress themes available, free hosting and years of experience in setting up WordPress websites. This is to be expected from a business who places this much value on helping small businesses setup an affordable website as quickly as possible.

As well as that, Ryan's Website Setup Service will be celebrate the live day event by giving the first 100 customers a 20% discount on the new website setup service. It is their hope that this will this will raise awareness that there is a low cost but high quality solution for small businesses.

Finally, for die hard fans of the industry, they'll be interested to know what went into the creation of the website setup service and free training videos. It has taken two months to put together, from start to finish, from the initial idea to fully implementing the service.

Ryan Hough, Owner at Ryan's Website Setup Service also wanted to add "I'm very excited about the launch of our new website setup service because it will empower small business owners with a small budget to get a fully functional search engine friendly website that will help them spread the word about their new venture."

For further information about Ryan's Website Setup Service or the new website setup service and free training videos, it can all be discovered at http://www.ryanswebsitesetupservice.com/

For more information about us, please visit http://www.ryanswebsitesetupservice.com/

Contact Info:

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What is the federal government doing to ensure public safety during the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge? Are mandatory minimum sentences fair in federal criminal cases? Why should a project to build an export terminal for liquid natural gas in Coos Bay be allowed to go forward?

These questions were among the dozen posed to U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D- Ore., during a town hall at the Monroe Library Saturday morning. The town hall was Merkleys 11th over the last five days. Merkley said he follows the model of having a town hall in each Oregon county every year, a practice that was inspired by his fellow U.S. senator for Oregon, Democrat Ron Wyden.

Merkley said a common question during the recent town halls has been about the militia members occupying a wildlife refuge in central Oregon and the concerns the occupiers have raised regarding mandatory minimum-sentencing laws and grazing on federal lands.

The occupation of the refuge was in part a reaction to a five-year prison sentence given to two ranchers convicted of arson; the occupiers say they are protesting the duration of the sentence, which was given under a mandatory sentence law. In addition, the occupiers believe the Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies should relinquish control of federal lands to people in the Western states.

Merkley said he thought the occupiers should go home safely, but said he also believes federal legislators need to examine mandatory minimum sentencing laws.

Im going to be looking closely at mandatory minimums that can sometimes produce more injustice than justice, he said.

He said terrorism has also been a common theme during the meetings, along with the state of the economy and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Although he did not face any questions about the international trade agreement, he did address the agreement with the standing-room-only audience at the end of the meeting. Merkley said he was concerned the agreement would cost the U.S. jobs.

I have a deep concern that at its heart, what it does is lock in competition between our manufacturers and manufacturers in very low-wage countries, he said.

Merkley did have a pair of questions about the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in Coos Bay, which would include a processing facility for the fuel and a pipeline to bring it to the coastal city, where it would presumably be shipped to Asia. Some attendees at Saturday's meetings wore shirts expressing opposition to the proposed export terminal.

Merkley said he had concerns about the proposal, such as the danger of spills and natural gas productions exemption from the Clean Water Act, but said he was neither supporting or opposing the proposal. He said that there will likely be a natural gas terminal built somewhere on the West Coast, so if Coos Bay officials want the terminal there, they should be allowed to make that decision.

I know that doesnt make a lot of people happy, he said.

Several people attending brought up personal struggles with government bureaucracy, and Merkley asked them to bring the issues to the attention of his staff standing by during the meeting.

Merkley said after the meeting that the town halls are valuable because they help him stay in touch with the concerns of his constituents.

They are tremendously valuable," he said. "Legislators have to be very wary of getting caught into a bubble," and he added that it can be easy for legislators to see things only from the perspective of the affluent and the lobbyists trying to influence them. You have to get out and hear directly from people.
Xioami Mi 5 Launch Date Confirmed: Specs, Leaked Images And More Features oi -VijayKumar

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone company, next flagship phone - the Mi5 - has now got official release schedule from the company's co-founder.

Li Wanqiang, co-founder of Xiaomi, has confirmed that the most anticipated flagship has entered the mass production. The Xiaomi Mi 5 release date will follow Chinese New Year, which takes place on February 8.

The Mi 5 has been rumored for a quite sometime now. We have seen many render images and leaked specification, purportedly showing the handset a near bezel-less display and a physical home button.

SEE ALSO: 10 Ways Smartphone Industry Will Change in 2016

The new leaked images show off the Mi 5 in new color variants, including Black, Gold, Pink and White Options. The leaked images also hints that the device appears to have more curved design than the Mi 4, with slightly rounded corners and an oval-shaped home button, which is used for fingerprint scanner, that resembles the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Here are the rumors and leaks of the much speculated Xiaomi Mi 5, take a look at the slider below.

Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors The new leaked images of Xiaomi Mi 5 shows a white-colored handset resembling to the design of Mi Note with bezel-less display design with a metal frame and the Mi logo at the top left corner as its predecessor. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors The Xiaomi Mi 5 will have a 5.5 inch QHD display with 1440x2560 pixels resolution. The smartphone is said to have 2K resolution display and will come with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection on top. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 820 will power the Xiaomi's next flagship device and will be paired with 3GB of RAM and has Adreno 530 GPU. If the rumored hardware specification turned to be true then Xiaomi Mi 5 will be among the first few smartphones to be powered by Qualcomm's latest powerful chipset. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors We have seen several reports claiming that Xiaomi may include Qualcomm's Sense ID fingerprint scanner technology to its rumored flagship smartphone. A tipster on Weibo has claimed that Xiaomi will use "Ultrasonic Fingerprint Recognition" which was introduced by Qualcomm earlier this year. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors According to Benchmark results, the rumored Xiaomi Mi 5 has scored an impressive 73,075 points in the benchmark result. The high score on AnTuTu is said to be due to the deca-core processor on the MediaTek Helio X20 CPU. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors Xiaomi's interface, the MIUI, is considered as one of the best mobile users interface. The rumored Mi 5 is expected to run on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with the latest MIUI 7 on top. But with the latest leak of benchmark test, the smartphone will have Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors The rumored Mi 5 is expected to come in two models, just like the current flagship Mi 4. The Mi 5 will be featuring a 16GB and 64GB of internal memory and might be come with option to expand memory. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors Following the trend of Mi 4, the next flagship smartphone will pack a non-removable 3,000mAh battery. Xiaomi Mi 5 Rumors Xiaomi co-founder, Li Wanqiang, has confirmed that the most anticipated flagship has entered the mass production. The Xiaomi Mi 5 release date will follow Chinese New Year, which takes place on February 8.

Best Mobiles in India
Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

SOUTHWEST ASIA, January 9, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Fighter, bomber, and attack aircraft conducted 13 strikes in Syria:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an ISIL crane and an ISIL workover rig.

-- Near Manbij, 12 strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, suppressed an ISIL mortar position and a separate ISIL fighting position, and destroyed 20 ISIL fighting positions, five ISIL vehicles, and two ISIL buildings.

Strikes in Iraq

Coalition forces used rocket artillery, fighter, bomber, and remotely piloted aircraft to conduct 22 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

-- Near Haditha, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and four ISIL fighting positions.

-- Near Mosul, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions, three ISIL weapon caches and three ISIL assembly areas.

-- Near Ramadi, six strikes struck a large ISIL tactical unit, denied ISIL access to terrain, and destroyed 21 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL sniper positions, two ISIL recoilless rifles, an ISIL vehicle bomb facility, and two ISIL weapon caches.

-- Near Sinjar, a strike struck two separate ISIL fighting positions and suppressed an ISIL light machine gun.

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, a strike destroyed an ISIL-used culvert and an ISIL fighting position.

Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is a strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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UAE cmdr., Blackwater mercenary hit in Yemen: Report

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 10:52AM

A Blackwater mercenary of French nationality has been killed and a senior UAE military commander injured in an attack by Yemeni forces in Ta'izz Province, the al-Masira television says.

Yemeni forces fired rockets at their vehicle in the al-Sanama district, killing four occupants, the report said. Some Yemeni reports said the Emirati commander had been killed.

Saudi warplanes, meanwhile, carried out fresh airstrikes against Sana'a after dozens of raids in what residents described as the heaviest aerial attacks yet in nine months of aggression.

The neighborhoods of Tabet Zahban and al-Nahdin were targeted in the new attacks.

The al-Mukha and Warazan districts in Ta'izz also came under the Saudi aerial bombings in which an unspecified number of civilians were killed or injured.

WHO urges access in Ta'izz

The World Health Organization (WHO) called for access to the provincial capital of Ta'izz to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians amid heavy Saudi airstrikes and shelling by pro-Riyadh forces.

The organization said in a statement that all hospitals had been forced to close some services and were overwhelmed with wounded patients.

Five trucks carrying health supplies 'urgently needed to be delivered to hospitals' have been prevented from entering the city since December 14, 2015, it said.

More than 250,000 people in Ta'izz have been living under "virtual siege" since November, WHO said. It called on all parties to the conflict to allow the secure movement and delivery of medical and humanitarian supplies.

"The situation is deteriorating and the needs are huge," Ahmed Shadoul, WHO representative in Yemen, told Reuters.

Army gains

Separately, Yemen's army forces and their allies retook the al-Thaqaleen area of Ta'izz Province, and an area in the city of Midi in Hajjah Province after clashes with militants loyal to fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

In Ma'rib Province, at least 20 mercenaries were killed and several others captured on Friday as their push into Hailan in the Sarwah district was repelled.

Two Saudi soldiers were killed in al-Tuwal in the southwestern province of Jizan in retaliatory attacks by Yemeni forces.

Saudi Arabia began military strikes against Yemen on March 26, 2015. The airstrikes are supposedly meant to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement and restore power to Hadi.

More than 7,500 people have been killed and over 14,000 injured since the Saudi airstrikes began in late March.

The Yemeni army and Popular Committees are fighting back the Saudis and their mercenaries.

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Four-party Talks on Afghan Peace Process Set for Monday

by VOA News January 09, 2016

Pakistan is set to host four-way talks Monday on reviving the Afghan peace process. The talks will include Afghanistan, China and the United States.

Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmad Shekib Mostaghni said Saturday that the representatives meeting in Islamabad would discuss a "road map for peace talks." The discussions were agreed to during a visit to Kabul by Pakistan's army chief, General Raheel Sharif, in December.

Pakistan is believed to have influence over the Taliban, but relations with Afghanistan have been tense in recent months. The two countries have long accused each other of backing the Taliban and other insurgents operating along their porous border. Taliban leaders are widely believed to be based in Pakistani cities near the Afghan border, including Quetta and Peshawar.

Some regional analysts say Pakistan could be important in the Afghan peace process.

"Pakistan has a vital role in these talks and it must play its role now, as the Afghan government doesn't have the capacity to bring the Afghan Taliban to the table for talks," Pakistan-based defense analyst Saad M. Khan told VOA Deewa radio.

Monday's talks will not include the Taliban, but the Reuters news agency reported that some factions within the Afghan Taliban were considering taking part in the peace process.

On hold since July

Talks with the Taliban have been on hold since July, when they collapsed after just one meeting following Afghanistan's announcement that longtime Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar had been dead for more than two years. The Taliban called off its participation and a second meeting was canceled.

A subsequent power struggle within the Taliban has raised questions about who would represent the insurgents if the talks with Kabul were revived.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani took part in a regional "Heart of Asia" conference last month in Islamabad. The conference called for the resumption of Afghan-Taliban peace negotiations. Ghani was given a warm welcome at the meeting, which U.S. and Chinese representatives also attended.

Analysts have cautioned that despite the rapprochement between Kabul and Islamabad, any substantive peace talks are still months off. Taliban demands have consistently focused on an end to the international military presence in the country. The U.S. and NATO have 13,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan, mostly in a training capacity. They include 9,800 Americans.

Afghan civil society groups on Saturday called for an inclusive peace dialogue, saying that women's and human rights should be central considerations. Few previous meetings between the two sides have included women or civil society activists.

Sonya Aslami of the Afghan People's Dialogue on Peace Initiative said women's participation in the peace process was essential to its success. "The government should consider it as a priority," she said.

The umbrella group said five years of peace negotiations had failed "due to a lack of clear objectives, a lack of inclusivity in peace planning and insufficient consideration of people's demands."

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Attack Near Cairo Kills 2 Egyptian Officers

by Edward Yeranian January 09, 2016

An Egyptian affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group says it carried out an armed attack Saturday that killed two members of security forces on their way to work on the outskirts of Cairo. The gunmen targeted a car carrying a police officer and a soldier in Egypt's Giza province. In a separate attack earlier, on Friday evening, knife-wielding militants stabbed three tourists dining at a hotel in a Red Sea resort.

International news media said Islamic State supporters posted notices on social media claiming responsibility for the shooting incident on Saturday. Those claims could not be independently verified, but the notes seen online resembled previous messages from Islamic State affiliates in Egypt.

There was no claim of responsibility for the earlier stabbing attack in the resort town of Hurghada. Three European tourists were wounded but have since been reported in stable condition.

Video from the scene showed police and medics giving first aid to one of the two assailants who burst into a hotel dining room and began slashing tourists.

Authorities said the second attacker was shot dead by police.

Scene of chaos

"There were many policemen around and we saw a dead man on the floor. ... He only had his bathing trousers on. The other man next to him screamed in pain, but nobody did anything,' German tourist Barbara Wolf told a reporter.

Another tourist, a Swede, said there was 'chaos' inside the hotel when the attackers burst in, with hotel guests fleeing in terror.

The wounded man appeared to be in his teens or late 20s, and was clean-shaven. He appeared to have been shot in both legs, and most of his clothing had been removed  probably to determine whether he might have been wearing a suicide belt filled with explosives.

Security sources said the attackers had arrived in Hurghada by sea, but no other information about them was released.

One of the three people wounded, Swedish tourist Sammie Olovsson, wrote on his Facebook page that he had been stabbed four times, but that he was recovering.

New security measures

Roadblocks were set up near the hotel and other security measures were put in place. Egypt's tourism minister said later that the government would soon be announcing further security measures to protect foreign tourists at Red Sea resorts and other tourist centers.

Two days earlier, attackers fired at a tourist hotel and several empty tourist buses near Egypt's iconic Giza pyramids. A group of Israeli Arab tourists were staying at the hotel outside Cairo at the time of the attack. The same Islamic State group that said it killed the policeman and soldier early Saturday claimed responsibility for the incident on Thursday.

Income from tourism is a critical source of revenue for Egypt, but tourist business has declined sharply during the past few years of political turmoil and a growing wave of violent attacks by Islamic militants. Islamic State extremists say they planted a bomb aboard of plane that crashed over Sinai in October, carrying 224 people  most of them Russian tourists  to their deaths.

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TCG Anadolu [Anatolia]

LHD - Amphibious Assault Ship

Havuzlu Cikarma Gemisi / Amfibi Taaruz Gemisi

Turkey's procurement of the Russian S-400 missile defense systems prompted the U.S. administration to suspend Ankara's participation in the F-35 joint program in July 2019. This left Turkey without a clear path towards providing a fixed-wing combat capability for this ship. Turkey will thus be alone in having a large amphibious assault ship with no fixed wing aircraft.

TCG Anadolu occupies a special place because the warship is Turkeys first light aircraft carrier, enabling the country to join the club of aircraft carriers. But Anadolu meant more than that for Turkey. Anadolu is the largest Turkish warship since TCG Yavuz, a former German battlecruiser transferred in dramatic fashion in 1914. The warship, which is being built by a joint consortium including Spanish firm Navantia and a native company, Sedef Shipbuilding Inc, in Turkey, shows the countrys ambition to be a dominant force in the Mediterranean Sea like the Ottoman Empire, the countrys predecessor state, had been in the 16th Century.

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship would be the country's best and biggest when construction work is finished in 2021. Turkey began the construction of a new multipurpose amphibious assault ship called the TGC Anatolia in January 2016. The ship is being built at the Sedef shipyard in Istanbul, and it will be the Turkish navy's largest and best-equipped warship when its construction is finished in 2021. It is named TCG Anadolu, or Anatolia is English, after the region in Turkey which makes up most of the country.

The ship is 225 meters long [waterline] and 32 meters wide, and displace 28,000 tons when fully loaded. It will be able to transport eight combat helicopters, an infantry battalion of 700 officers, and 1,400 crew members.

The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries announced 27 December 2013 that "After the completion of the evaluation of the bids for Landing Platform Dock (LPD) project by Defense Industry Undersecretariat, on 26 December 2013, the Defense Industry Executive Committee decided to start contract negotiation with the Sedef Ship Building Company; and if the negotiations with Sedef Ship Building Company should fail the negotiations shall continue with Desan Ship Building Company."

One of the biggest and costliest navy projects, valued at 3 billion US dollars [or 3 billion euros, according to other reports], would be built by the Turkish Sedef Shipyard and Spain's Navantia, which would model the warship after the Spanish amphibious assault ship, Juan Carlos I. According to Navantia, the Spanish company would provide the engines, the turbine, the IPMS (Integrated Platform Management System) and LCM-1E landing craft. If the negotiations with Sedef fail, said an SSM press release, negotiations would be conducted with the second choice, DESAN Deniz Insaat Sanayi A.S.

As of 1999 the Turkish Navy was conducting studies, and discussions with foreign suppliers, on the purchase of a light aircraft carrier (CVL). The assumption is that the ship need not have as large a displacement as US, British, or French carriers. Instead the studies looking at carriers with an approximate displacement of 12,500 tons, similar in size to the carriers now serving in the Italian, Spanish, and Thai navies.

For intance, the Italian Navy's Giuseppe Garibaldi, which displaces 13,850 tons at full load, can embark up to ten AV-8B Harrier II short-takeoff/verticallanding (STOVL) aircraft or up to 16 Sea King helicopters (or a mix of the two types). Spain's Principe de Asturias displaces 17,188 tons full load and can accommodate six to eight AV-8B Harrier Ils, two to four AB 212s, and two SH-60B Seahawks as well as six to 10 SH-3 Sea Kings. And the 11,486 tons full load Chakkrinareubet [Spanish-built] aircraft carrier of the Royal Thai Navy can accommodate six AV-8S Harrier aircraft and four S-70B Seahawk helicopters (or 18 helicopters and no Harriers).

By early 2000, Turkey was focused on a V/STOL capability in a light ship (10-15,000 ton) carrying a combined air wing of 15 JSF and 6 CH-60S Knight Hawk as well as UAV/UCAV systems. The Turkish Navy aimed to eventuaslly form two naval air groups: a TCVL and a Turkish Landing Helicopter Platform (TLHP), both would be protected by state-of the art TF-2000 anti-air warfare frigates. The TCVL would be constructed in Turkey with a maximum domestic contribution and transfer of required know-how from interntional shipyards.

This project was considered subsequent to increasing overseas peacekeeping missions involving Turkish armed forces. Nevertheless, the priorities changed, and a LPD and/or LDH was much more likely. The Supreme Defence Board declared early in 2005 that a LPD would be built in Turkey with foreign assistance. The CVL/Light Aircraft Carrier Project was shelved due to technical and budgetary constraints.

The LHD project was originally launched as a 15,000 ton LPD project, but in 2010 the specifications were changed and it evolved into a +20,000 ton LHD project. With regard to the aircraft carrier, the Turkish Admiral announced that it would provide support to naval aircraft and NATO helicopters in conducting international operations. With a displacement of 24,000 tonns, it would have a length of 140 meters. Costing $1.5 billion, could be built in 5 years and would be operationally available in 6-7 years.

Seven shipyards, ADIK, Celik Tekne, Dearsan Shipyard, Desan Shipyard, Istanbul Shipyard, RMK Marine and SEDEF received the RfP in February 2011 and were given time till today to prepare their proposals. Some of the teamed with foreign companies. Candidates include DCNS, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, Navantia, Hanjin Heavy Industries and China State Shipbuilding Corporation are believed to be interested in cooperating with Turkish shipyards for the LPD. RMK, contrary to the expectations did not cooperated with Fincantieri for this project. During the years the requirements of the Turkish Navy changed so that the size of the LPD increased. It was estimated that the proposals would have a displacement between 25.000 to 28.000 tons range. Fincantieri of Italy had to abandon the tender because its largest LPD/LHD design was 15,000 tons.

In May 2011 three firm submitted offers for the Turkish LHD tender. RMK Marine submitted their own design, Sedef teamed with Navantia and submitted a redesigned Juan Carlos 1. The most secretive bid was Deasans. The shipyard was variously reported to have teamed with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation which builds the Type 071 amphibious ships for PLA(N), or to have submitted the South Korean Dokdo Class design. The Dokdo of South Korea was mentioned frequently early on, but after the project specs were changed in 2010, it too had very little chance, since it is small like the Fincantieri design. The competition narrowed to the design of RMK Marine (Turkey) and the Juan Carlos (BPE) design (Spain.)

SEDEF Gemi Insaati A.S., Juan Carlos / Canberra Class RMK Marine Gemi Yapim Sanayii indigenous design Deniz Tasimaciligi Isletmesi A.S. ve DESAN Deniz Insaati San. A.S. Type 071 Yuzhao

RMK Marine's original designed was 200-meter long with a full width of 34 meters. The 25,000-ton fully loaded deplacment shipd had a draft of 7 meters. The maximum speed with diesel engines was 22 knots. The main propulsion system was two diesel machine, two high-speed gears, two shaft lines and two controllable propellers. The ship would have a 20 knot cruising speed with 7000 nautical mile radius of action. Without replenishment at sea the ship staff of 1070 would hve an endurance of 21 days.

Naval Forces Command shared a promotional article in February 2019 describing the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) Project. In the statement made by the Navy, The construction activities of ANADOLU, the first ship of the LHD Class, which will be the biggest ship of the Turkish Navy to date, started on 30 April 2016 at Sedef Shipyard. ANADOLU is planned to enter service in the Turkish Navy in 2020. The construction of the second LHD TRAKYA will start in the near future. Thus, it was stated for the first time that the TCG TRAKYA [Thrace] will be built officially in such a precise style.

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Sinaloa Cartel

The Sinaloa Cartel is based in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, but operates in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, the Western District of Texas, and other states in Mexico and the United States. The Sinaloa Cartel controls about half the entire US drug market. Mexico is the primary route for the transport of illegal drugs into the US and Tijuana is the gateway to southern California. The trafficking of narcotics is a very lucrative business. Mexico is well-known for its illegal drug trade and the violence and corruption the industry fosters.

Sinaloa has suffered more homicides than any other state over the last three decades, with over 7,000 murdered over the 10 years 1997-2007. According to a study conducted by the State Attorney General's Office, there were 588 murders linked to organized crime from January 2007 thru October 2007. The study also reports that 80% of the murders were committed with firearms, and 60% of those were high-power firearms (i.e. AK-47s, AR-15s, and machine guns). Sinaloa is considered a strategic bridge for the trafficking of drugs to the US and is the birthplace for the heads of Mexico's principal cartels.

Joaquin GUZMAN Loera, aka "Chapo," is a co-leader of the Sinaloa Cartel with Ismael "Mayo" ZAMBADA Garcia. GUZMAN and ZAMBADA are responsible for the importation and distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and thousands of pounds ofmarijuana into and throughout the United States. The proceeds from the sale of those drugs are ultimately returned to GUZMAN and ZAMBADA in Mexico.

In 2007-2010 there was a narco war between the incumbent Arellano Felix Organization (aka AFO, Tijuana Cartel) and the Sinaloa Cartel, but thereafter crime was between smaller cells within the Sinaloa Cartel as well as independent operators. GUZMAN and ZAMBADA supported the Gente Nueva in their war with the Juarez Cartel by supplying money and weapons. Ciudad Juarez, a city on the border with the US state of Texas, is a key drug transit route.

On Valentines Day 2013, the heads of the Chicago Crime Commission and the Chicago office of the US Drug Enforcement Administration named infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman as the citys Public Enemy No.1. The label came 84 years after gangster Al Capone first earned it following the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929. His organization helped turn the USs third-largest city into one of the nations largest drug trafficking hubs, with the violence that come with that designation. Sinaloa Cartel traffickers sit on the top of the pile, and they feed down all the way to the street level dealers.

Forbes magazine listed Guzman among the world's most powerful people, saying he was worth more than $1 billion. Guzman was first captured in 1993, but in 2001 he escaped from a maximum security prison in a laundry truck.

On 22 February 2014 the world's most wanted drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, was behind bars after Mexican and US agents captured him at a hotel in the Mexican resort of Mazatlan. Agents had been tracking Guzman for weeks after Mexican police arrested other top members of his Sinaloa drug cartel. They believe Guzman had been able to avoid capture through a series of hideouts and escape tunnels before arresting him without a shot being fired.

Guzman's 11 July 2014 prison escape - his second in the past 14 years - was accomplished through a 1.5-kilometer underground tunnel, dug in secret from his cell to a nearby village. It was a major embarrassment to the administration of President Pena Nieto, which had been praised for its aggressive push against Mexico's top drug traffickers.

Guzman was re-captured by the Mexican marines, acting on a tip from US Intelligence. They raided a home before dawn 08 January 2016 in the city of Los Mochis, in Guzmans home state of Sinaloa. The assault team was fired on from inside the structure. Mexican officials said five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was slightly wounded.

The primary purpose of the Sinaloa Cartel is to smuggle large quantities of cocaine and marijuana, as well as other drugs, into the United States and distribute them to various destination cities in the United States. The Cartel's success is achieved by securing, maintaining and regulating transportation routes for drugs and drug proceeds between Mexico and the United States. In order to secure and maintain these lucrative "corridors," the members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel commit acts of violence.

Though the majority of both Baja California and Baja California Sur states remain primarily under the control of the Sinaloa Cartel from an organized crime perspective, police have arrested members from every cartel in Mexico throughout Baja California and Baja California Sur. Reasons for this are varied but primarily revolve around the potential illicit money to be made in this key corridor. Many other TCOs will send scouts from their organizations to assess the area. There are many others who try to set up independent trade routes.

There is also an increasing problem with criminal deportees from the US to Tijuana, and due to a lack of options, they begin working with the local criminal organizations. As law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border succeed in arresting high level members of TCOs, unrest and power plays among the lower ranks tend to ensue. It is also believed to be part of the Sinaloa business model to not allow any of its operators to get too powerful. Thus, they are set up in small cells and often have skirmishes among themselves, although they all report back to the same parent organization.

Regional lieutenants, and their cell members, oversee drug smuggling and money laundering activities, and employ and direct groups including the Gente Nueva ("New People") and the gangs known as Artistas Asesinos ("Murder Artists", aka Los Doble A's, Doblados, (AA, and the "Mexicles", to engage in violent activities in furtherance of the objectives of the Sinaloa Cartel.

The enforcement operations for the Sinaloa Cartel generally are.carried out by teams of assassins, known in Spanish as sicarios. Their enforcement activities include gathering information or intelligence about competing drug organizations, including the Juarez Cartel, and its enforcement arm, known as La Linea and the Barrio Aztecas; enforcing discipline among the members of or persons working on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel, such as those who could or would not account for lost loads of controlled substances or other acts of perceived disloyalty; and committing acts of violence against competitors and errant cartel members through such means as kidnaping, torture, and murder of the responsible person or his or her family members.

Often, the murders involve extreme violence and a public display of the victim, including mutilation and dismemberment of body parts in some ritualistic or symbolic fashion and the display of banners bearing written warnings, known as a "narco manta" or "narco pinta."

The proceeds generated by trafficking in cocaine and marijuana are returned to the Sinaloa Cartel through various methods of money laundering. That money is then used by leadership in the Sinaloa Cartel to pay its members and associates; to reinvest in the acquisition, production, and trafficking of drugs; to invest in the Sinaloa Cartel by purchasing assets and properties related to the daily function of the Sinaola Cartel, to include firearms, ammunition, bullet-proof vests, radios, telephones, uniforms, and vehicles.

The Sinaloa Cartel, including its leadership, membership, and associates, constituted an "enterprise," as defined by Title 18, United States Code, Section 1961 (4) (hereinafter "the Enterprise") that is to say, a group of individuals associated-in-fact. The Sinaloa Cartel constituted an on-going organization whose members functioned as a continuing unit for a common purpose of achieving the objective of the Sinaloa Cartel. This Enterprise was engaged in, and its activities affected, interstate and foreign commerce.

The purpose of the Enterprise included the following: .

Enriching the members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel through, among other things, conspiracy to import and distribute illegal controlled substances, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder.

Promoting and enhancing the Sinaloa Cartel and the activities of its members and associates.

Preserving and protecting the power, territory and profits of the Sinaloa Cartel through the use of intimidation, violence, threats of violence, kidnaping, torture and murder.

Keeping rival traffickers, potential informants, witnesses against the Sinaloa Cartel, law enforcement, the media, and the public-at-Iarge in fear of the Sinaloa Cartel, and in fear of its members and associates through threats of violence and violence.

Preserving the ongoing viability of the Sinaloa Cartel by kidnaping, torturing and murdering those determined to be enemies of the Sinaloa Cartel, disloyal to the Sinaloa Cartel, or those who lose or steal Sinaloa Cartel assets.

The Sinaloa Cartel, coordinated with transportation cells to arrange for large quantities of cocaine and marijuana to be imported into the United States through various drug trafficking routes including the international bridges between Ciudad Juarez and EI Paso, Texas, and the miles of open desert stretching out into the Juarez Valley,

Jose Antonio TORRES MARRUFO was an independent drug trafficker in the Villa Ahumada, Chihuahua, Mexico area prior to 2007/2008. At that time TORRES MARRUFO primarily trafficked in marijuana after paying "tax" to Sergio GARDUNO-ESCOBEDO for permission to move drugs through the Juarez corridor into the United States. When war broke out in Juarez, TORRES MARRUFO and others formed the Gente Nueva, and approached ZAMBADA and GUZMAN for support against the Juarez Cartel.

In late 2007 or early 2008, at GUZMAN's direction, TORRES MARRUFO became the regional lieutenant in the Juarez area, responsible for the Cartel's enforcement operations. TORRES - MARRUFO oversaw numerous assassin squads dedicated to fighting against La Linea and the Barrio Aztecas on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel.

In September 2009, at TORRES MARRUFO's direction, he caused several persons to kidnap Sergio SAUCEDO in Horizon City, Texas, a small community southwest ofEI Paso, Texas. The kidnaping was the result of Sergio SAUCEDO having lost approximately 670 pounds of marijuana owned by the Sinaloa Cartel to a seizure by law enforcement agents in Sierra Blanca, Texas, on August 5, 2009. After the kidnaping, Sergio SUCEDO was taken to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where TORRES MARRUFO interrogated him and ordered that he be killed. On about September 8, 2009, Sergio SAUCEDO's mutilated body was found in Juarez; he had been beaten and strangled and his hands had been severed above the wrists and placed on his chest, to serve as a warning to those who might attempt to steal from the Cartel.

TORRES MARRUFO coordinated cocaine and marijuana shipments into the United States for the Sinaloa Cartel through the Juarez corridor. TORRES MARRUFO exclusively used the logo of a 'jaguar" on cocaine bundles to designate his ownership.

Among the many drug trafficking legends created by the people in the violent Mexican state of Sinaloa, Hector El Guero Palma tops the list as one of the most ruthless and powerful drug traffickers of the country. Story has it he witnessed the murder of his father at age 15 and a few years later became one of Mexico's most feared assassin after taking full revenge of his fathers death.

The US Federal Bureau of Prisons revealed that on June 11 El Guero will have favorably served his sentence after 19 years in jail and therefore will be released. The infamous drug lord, who ran the Sinaloa Cartel for many years along with Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, would be handed over to U.S. immigration officials by marshals at Atwater prison in northern California to be escorted to Mexico, where he will be delivered to officials from the federal Attorney General's office, or PGR.

He will then be immediately released and according to many experts, including DEA's Mike Vigil, the 55-year-old drug trafficker will again do the only thing he's good at: drug trafficking and killing. A spokesperson for U.S. Department of Immigration said, Once he is released ... he will be taken to Mexicali and the border with Calexico and handed over to PGR agents.

In Mexico, according to authorities, he already served the 12-year sentence handed down to him for illegal possession of military weapons and false documents, and drug trafficking.

But Guero Palma's problem is he is the type of person that loves power, and so what is expected of him is that he immediately meets with his old allies and return to the business, said Vigil, a retired DEA official and author of the book entitle Deal, in which he talks about the Sinaloa Cartel operations.

Palma faced a few problems, however, upon his return to Mexico, because another of Mexico's biggest drug traffickers, Ismael El Mayo Zambada, who is said to be a traitor himself, will not trust El Guero since he is believed to have been part of the FBI's Witness Protection Program. Lawyers came out in defense of Palma saying his sentence in the United States was reduced because of good conduct and not because he cooperated with U.S. agents, according to his defense attorney Frank Rangen.

All those who truly know how drug trafficking works in Mexico, are fully aware that El Guero never stopped having power and never quit doing business, not even when inside jail both in Mexico and the United States.





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Hydrogen Bomb / Fusion Weapons

It is generally believed that the design and production of hydrogen bombs is difficult, and beyond the reach of some nuclear weapons states, such as North Korea. This is the "Ignorant Peon" view of North Korea. In "Dr. Strangelove," Air Force Gen. Buck Turgidson disparages the Soviets as "a bunch of ignorant peons" who are unable to "understand a machine like some of our boys." There is a tendency to disparage the North Koreans (as well as Pakistanis, Iranians and Indians) as ignorant peons whose weapons skills are consistently derided as "primitive."

This belief is probably incorrect. North Korea's first two tests were low yield affairs, widely derided as failures, because it did not replicate the multi-kiloton yield of America's first nuclear test. It did, however, coincide with the sub-kiloton tests of the fission trigger for a hydrogen bomb. The "ignorant peon'" school tells us that North Korea's "primitive" atomic bombs are too big to put on missiles. But possibly North Korea's hydrogen bombs are easily fitted on missiles.

Two-stage fusion weapons are probably within the reach of "even the smallest nuclear power", as Doctro Strangelove would phrase it. There are three elements that are needed to build a hydrogen bomb:

The basic design elements of the hydrogen bomb have been a matter of public record for several decades. This desing confounded Edward Teller for the better part of a decade, and Soviet designers needed several years to cover the same ground, but for the past several decades the basic ideas have been well known. The ingredients of a hydrogen bomb are largely those of an atomic bomb, along with a few other items - Tritium, special plastics, and so forth - that would come fairly readily to hand in a nuclear weapons state. Computing power is the element that brings together the design and the materials, to simulate the accuracy with which theory has been reduced to practice. Today's home computers are roughly a million times more powerful than the computers used by the United States to produce the first hydrogen bomb.

In all probability, at least one test of a low yield trigger would be needed just to make sure nothing had been overlooked. Israel seems to have conducted once such test in 1979, as did Pakistan in 1998. India conducted multiple low yield tests in 1989, and North Korea has conducted at least two low yield tests.

History

The ultimate success of the United States thermonuclear program rested on five factors. First, was the discovery of a method to overcome the fundamental problem that thermonuclear systems lose as much energy as they create. Second, Los Alamos had to significantly increase the size of its scientific staff. The hydrogen bomb problem required complex interactions among physicists, chemists, and metallurgists. Third, to start a thermonuclear fire, smaller and more efficient fission bombs were needed. Fourth, computational ability had to be greatly enhanced. Fifth, the political decision had to be made to marshal the resources necessary to accomplish the task.

The idea for a hydrogen bomb came from the thermonuclear study of stars conducted in the 1930s by Hans Bethe. Unlike fission weapons, which derive their energy from splitting atoms of the heavy elements uranium and plutonium, hydrogen bombs derive their power from fusing atoms of the light element hydrogen. Since fusion can only be achieved with stellar temperatures, hydrogen bombs were not possible until such a heat source (fission bombs) became available.

By the end of the 1940s, American scientists began to acknowledge the feasibility of a thermonuclear weapon. Though the technical challenges were daunting, few doubted they could be overcome. However, an even more fundamental question arose: even if hydrogen bombs could be built, should they be? A debate ensued, which included world renowned scientists, politicians, civil servants, and eventually the president himself.

Pressure to build it seemed to mount with the discovery that Manhattan Project scientist Klaus Fuchs had passed nuclear secrets-including concepts for a hydrogen bomb-to the Soviets. Fuchs left Los Alamos on June 15, 1946. By January 1949 suspicion of Fuch's involvement in espionage had grown. Fuchs soon confessed to his part in the theft of atomic secrets.

On March 1, 1950, Fuchs was found guilty of communicating information to the Soviets concerning atomic research. But the theoretical work of 1950 had shown that every important point of the 1946 thermonuclear program had been wrong. If the Russians started a thermonuclear program on the basis of the information received from Fuchs, Bethe argued that it must have led to the same failure. Teller later claimed that radiation-implosion -- the key concept behind the successful hydrogen bomb -- had also been discussed at the Los Alamos meeting. Bethe disagreed, and the question remained unresolved.

Indeed, the Russian account of matters gives Fuchs credit for radiation implosion. "In the spring of 1946, another concept, whose paramount importance became evident afterwards, was suggested during work on the `classical Super.' Klaus Fuchs, with the participation of John von Neumann, proposed a new triggering device. It included an additional secondary unit with liquid D T mixture that would be heated, compressed, and, as a result, ignited by radiation from the primary nuclear bomb. ... Fuchs's configuration was the first physical scheme using radiation implosion and a precursor of Teller  Ulam's configuration proposed later. Fuchs's proposal, remarkable for its wealth of novel ideas, was well ahead of its time and could not be developed, given the current state of the mathematical modelling of complex physical processes. ... on May 28, 1946, Fuchs and von Neumann filed a joint patent application for the invention of the new design of the triggering system for the `classical Super' using radiation implosion." None of this is attested by American accounts of these matters.

The "Mike" test of Operation Ivy, 1 November, 1952, was the first explosion of a true two-stage thermonuclear device.

Some were convinced that there was another spy still at large in the US weapons program, and that the most likely candidate was Oppenheimer. But the American atmospheric tests of 1954 provided the scientific information necessary for the Soviets to deduce and confirm key features about its design, leading them to develop their own bomb in a short time.

Information about the new powerful explosion conducted by the USA team on March 1, 1954, renewed the drive of Soviet researchers to invent an efficient design of a high-yield thermonuclear bomb. It became clear to the Soviets that there was an efficient design technique, which had been invented by the American team. The only configuration left was a two-stage gadget. A new mechanism for compression of the secondary thermonuclear core by radiation from the primary nuclear charge had been discovered finally. This happened in March and April 1954.

Design Details

The main unknowns to the public are the design of the casing, and the shape and size of the secondary, relative to the primary. Whether the hot plastic does the pushing or transmits its heat to a designated ablator which does the pushing a matter of continuing discussion.

It would seem to be difficult to shape the secondary like a cylinder, and get a compression wave travelling just before fast neutrons from the sparkplug cause fission - although not impossible. Another problem with the cylindrical shape is that compressing from the sides is like squeezing a tube of toothpaste. If the compression is not fast enough, the material will squirt out the ends.

The early secondaries were cylindrical, because the original goal was to make the largest possible multi-megaton explosion with a device whose diameter was more tightly constrained than its length, in order to be dropped from a bomber.

But when the goal became to fit a warhead in the nosecone of the Polaris missile, length and diameter were of comparable dimensions. The Polaris warhead, the W47, which was tested in 1958 and deployed in the 1960s, contained the first spherical secondary, an arrangement which was soon to become the standard design. The advantage of a spherical secondary is higher compression.

Design Physics

The process of combining nuclei (the protons and neutrons inside an atomic nucleus) together with a release of kinetic energy is called fusion. This process powers the Sun, it contributes to the world stockpile of weapons of mass destruction and may one day generate safe, clean electrical power.

This powerful but complex weapon uses the fusion of heavy isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium to release large numbers of neutrons when the fusile (sometimes termed "fusionable") material is compressed by the energy released by a fission device called a primary. Fusion (or ''thermonuclear' weapons derive a significant amount of their total energy from fusion reactions. The intense temperatures and pressures generated by a fission explosion overcome the strong electrical repulsion that would otherwise keep the positively charged nuclei of the fusion fuel from reacting.

The first thermonuclear devices used liquid fuel, such as deuterium, which required significant developments in cryogenics to keep the fuel below its boiling point of -250C. Later devices used lithium deuteride fuel, in solid form, which breeds tritium when exposed to neutrons.

It is inconvenient to carry deuterium and tritium as gases in a thermonuclear weapon, and certainly impractical to carry them as liquefied gases, which requires high pressures and cryogenic temperatures. Instead, one can make a "dry" device in which 6Li is combined with deuterium to form the compound 6Li D (lithium-6 deuteride). Neutrons from a fission "primary" device bombard the 6 Li in the compound, liberating tritium, which quickly fuses with the nearby deuterium.

The a particles, being electrically charged and at high temperatures, contribute directly to forming the nuclear fireball. The neutrons can bombard additional 6Li nuclei or cause the remaining uranium and plutonium in the weapon to undergo fission. This two-stage thermonuclear weapon has explosive yields far greater than can be achieved with one point safe designs of pure fission weapons, and thermonuclear fusion stages can be ignited in sequence to deliver any desired yield. Such bombs, in theory, can be designed with arbitrarily large yields: the Soviet Union once tested a device with a yield of about 59 megatons.

In a relatively crude sense, 6 Li can be thought of as consisting of an alpha particle ( 4He) and a deuteron ( 2H) bound together. When bombarded by neutrons, 6 Li disintegrates into a triton ( 3 H) and an alpha:

6 Li + Neutron = 3 H + 3 He + Energy.

This is the key to its importance in nuclear weapons physics. The nuclear fusion reaction which ignites most readily is

2 H + 3 H =

4 He + n + 17.6 MeV,

or, phrased in other terms, deuterium plus tritium produces 4He plus a neutron plus 17.6 MeV of free energy:

D + T = 4 He + n + 17.6 MeV.

Lithium-7 also contributes to the production of tritium in a thermonuclear secondary, albeit at a lower rate than 6Li. The fusion reactions derived from tritium produced from 7 Li contributed many unexpected neutrons (and hence far more energy release than planned) to the final stage of the infamous 1953 Castle/BRAVO atmospheric test, nearly doubling its expected yield.



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Germany may dispatch troops near Libya, report says

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 4:2PM

Germany plans to dispatch a military contingent to a location near Libya with the alleged mission of training the African country's army, a report says.

Germany's Der Spiegel daily reported on Saturday that Berlin mulls sending more than 100 troops for the purported training mission.

"According to internal (government) plans German soldiers could, along with Italian colleagues, within months begin training the Libyan armed forces," the news magazine said, adding, "This would involve 150-200 Bundeswehr (German armed forces) troops."

Officials in Germany's Defense Ministry have yet to comment on the issue, although the report comes one day after the European Union, the body in which Germany has effectively the final say on security and defense cases, urged rival administrations in Libya to back a unity government, as demanded by the United Nations.

Libya has been in chaos four years after dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and later killed in October 2011. The internationally recognized government, based in Tobruk, eastern Libya, has been vying to recapture the capital, Tripoli, from the militants of the Libya Dawn movement. Takfiri groups, including Daesh terrorists, are also operating in Libya. There are fears of a spillover of violence into Europe.

Der Spiegel said the training mission would be based in Tunisia due to the security situation in Libya. A similar mission has already been carried out by Germany in Iraq, where the German soldiers have been training Kurdish Peshmerga forces north of the country.

The potential deployment comes amid an increasing presence of Germany on battlegrounds in Iraq and Syria, where the administration of Chancellor Angela Merkel is contributing more and more forces and weaponry to the so-called international coalition purportedly targeting Daesh positions.

On January 6, Berlin decided to deploy an additional 550 troops to missions against militants in Mali and Iraq.

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Iran been patient so far vis-a-vis negative Saudi acts: Zarif

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 5:5PM

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic has so far exercised patience with regard to negative measures adopted by Saudi Arabia as Riyadh steps up its hostile policies against Tehran.

"We have so far responded to negative Saudi measures with patience because there is a distance between Iranian wisdom and Saudi officials' misguided and immature approaches," Zarif said in a meeting with China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming in Tehran on Saturday.

"We are not after tension in the region," the Iranian minister added.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been strained in recent days following the Saudi execution of top opposition cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, which was announced on January 2.

Nimr's execution was widely censured by Muslims and human rights activists around the globe as well as different governments.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran on January 3 following demonstrations held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad by angry protesters censuring the Al Saud family for the killing of Nimr. Some people mounted the walls of the consulate in Mashhad while incendiary devices were hurled at the embassy in Tehran. Some 50 people were detained over the transgression.

In a Friday letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Zarif said Saudi Arabia has to make 'a crucial choice' to either promote "sectarian hate-mongering' by its continued support for extremist groups or promote regional stability.

He added that Tehran has 'no desire or interest in escalation of tension in our neighborhood' and hopes Riyadh will 'heed the cause of reason."

Meanwhile, speaking in a press conference after an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh on Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir repeated the kingdom's anti-Iran rhetoric and said Riyadh is considering "additional measures" against Tehran if it "continues with its current policies."

Iran continues to expand China relations: Zarif

During his meeting with the Chinese diplomat, Zarif also said that Iran and China have numerous commonalties on different issues.

He added that Tehran will continue to expand relations with Beijing following the implementation of a nuclear agreement reached between the Islamic Republic and six world powers in July 2015.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Iran and the P5+1  the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany  in the Austrian capital of Vienna on July 14, 2015, puts limits on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for the removal of all economic and financial nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian minister expressed hope that a planned visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tehran in the near future will bring about positive outcomes for the two countries.

He also hoped that Iranian and Chinese officials would open up prospects for comprehensive cooperation during Xi's visit to Tehran.

Iran pursues wise foreign policy: Zhang

The Chinese official, for his part, said Iran and Saudi Arabia play an important role in regional developments.

Iran pursues wise foreign policies, the Chinese official said, adding that his country would spare no effort to contribute to promotion of peace and security.

He also expressed Beijing's full readiness to bolster relations with Tehran and said the Chinese president plans to visit Iran in the near future for the first time after 14 years.

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Leader warns of enemy attempts to harm Iran

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 10:2AM

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says enemies have left no stone unturned over the past decades to destroy Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In a Saturday meeting with a group of people from the holy city of Qom, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Republic faces a vast enemy front comprised of the US, the Israeli regime and the Takfiri elements, including the Daesh terror group.

"Enemies have focused all their attempts on uprooting the flourishing tree of the Islamic Revolution," said Ayatollah Khamenei, stressing that the country should make all efforts to foil such plots.

The Leader further highlighted the significance of upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections, calling all eligible Iranians to turn out en masse and vote in next month's polls in an effort to guarantee the security of Islamic Iran.

The Leader said that contrary to French and Russian revolutions which derailed and collapsed, Iran's Islamic Revolution has managed to live up to its principles.

"Iran's Islamic Revolution is the only revolution that has managed to maintain its existence based on basic principles and ideals," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

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Gulf States Condemn Iranian Interference In Saudi Affairs

January 09, 2016

by RFE/RL

The Sunni Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf have expressed support for Saudi Arabia in its diplomatic row with Iran, condemning what they described as Iranian interference in Riyadh's internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and warned that the kingdom was considering new steps against Tehran.

The six foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held an extraordinary meeting in Riyadh on January 9 to discuss growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and predominantly Shi'ite Iran.

The GCC groups Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, the six countries "strongly denounced" the sacking of the Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran by demonstrators angered over its execution of prominent Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

They also stated that Tehran "carries the responsibility for these terrorist acts.'

The statement criticized 'Iranian interference" in Saudi Arabia's affairs over its denunciation of Nimr's execution a week ago, adding that Tehran's criticism had 'directly incited the aggressions targeting Saudi diplomatic missions.'

The GCC 'totally supports" decisions taken by Saudi Arabia to combat terrorism and has "total confidence in the independence and integrity of Saudi justice,' the statement added.

Also on January 9, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the kingdom was considering "additional measures" if its regional rival, Iran, continues with its "aggression."

'Iran is used to interfering in affairs of its neighbors and sponsoring terrorism,' Jubeir told a press conference.

He did not elaborate on what the new measures against Tehran could be.

Saudi Arabia executed Nimr on January 2 for terrorism, triggering outrage among Shi'a across the Middle East and elsewhere.

Nimr, a highly respected cleric in Saudi Arabia's Shi'ite community, was behind demonstrations calling for better treatment of the minority.

Iranian officials fiery criticized the kingdom's authorities for the execution, and an Iranian mob stormed and ransacked the Saudi Embassy and consulate in Tehran in protest.

Countermeasures

In response to the Iran incidents, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Tehran.

Kuwait and Qatar recalled their ambassadors, and the U.A.E. downgraded its ties.

Meanwhile, Tehran cut all commercial ties with Riyadh.

Iran has said Saudi Arabia is to blame for the diplomatic crisis and accused the kingdom of 'sectarian hate-mongering.'

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on January 8, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saudi Arabia must choose between promoting extremism and fostering good relations in the Middle East.

Zarif insisted Tehran has 'no desire or interest in escalation of tension in our neighborhood' and hopes Saudi Arabia will 'heed the cause of reason.'

Arab League foreign ministers are due to meet in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on January 10 to discuss the crisis.

Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, said his country had asked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, of which Iran is a member, to convene an extraordinary meeting.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/gulf-states-condemn-iranian- intereference-saudi/27478499.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Arab Gulf States May Take New Steps Against Iran

Sputnik News

17:06 09.01.2016(updated 17:25 09.01.2016)

According to the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Arab states of the Persian Gulf will take additional measures against Iran.

CAIRO (Sputnik)  The Arab states of the Persian Gulf will take additional measures against Iran in case of new 'hostile' moves by the Islamic Republic, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) said in a statement Saturday following an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers.

'Member states of the GCC will take appropriate additional measures to counter these hostile actions,' the organization's Secretary General Abdullatif Zayani said, reading the statement.

Last weekend, protesters stormed the Saudi Arabian embassy in Iran after Riyadh executed top Iranian Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, along with dozens of other people convicted of terrorism. Al-Nimr had demanded more rights for Shiites, who are a minority in Saudi Arabia, where most citizens are Sunni Muslims.

Shortly after the unrest, a diplomatic row erupted in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia severing diplomatic ties with the region's main Shiite power, Iran. Bahrain followed in Riyadh's footsteps, together with Sudan and Djibouti. The United Arab Emirates also scaled down its diplomatic representation in Iran and Kuwait recalled their ambassadors to Tehran.

 Sputnik

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Iraqi Forces Building Momentum Against ISIL, Dunford Says

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, January 9, 2016  Iraqi forces have momentum against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford spoke to reporters following a two-day visit to Iraq. During the visit he met with U.S. and Iraqi leaders including Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones and Army Gen. Sean McFarland, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

Dunford also met U.S., coalition and Iraqi troops in Baghdad, Asad and Irbil. He last visited the country in October, just after taking over as chairman.

"I believe the Iraqis now have the momentum," the general said. The seizing of Ramadi, the operations that have been conducted in Anbar province, the recapture and continued control of the oil refinery in Beiji, and the successful operations cutting ISIL's main supply line south of Sinjar make him "comfortable saying the Iraqis have the momentum."

Attitude Shift

The big takeaway from the trip, the general said, is the psychology of the Iraqis. The general met with senior Iraqi leaders, but he also met with Iraqi special operators, soldiers in training, and wounded warriors. The mood is more upbeat across the board, he said.

They are more confident in their capabilities. The Iraqi operation in Ramadi, especially, was Iraqi-planned, Iraqi-resourced and Iraqi-executed. "I felt the Iraqi leadership was pretty proud of their guys," Dunford said.

And the Iraqis are continuing with the battle. Iraqi forces are moving north into Haditha and they are moving to the east. "They feel it in terms of pressure on ISIL, and they realize they have to keep moving to provide that pressure," the general said. "They are kind of pumped up about it."

Iraqi, Syrian and coalition forces have put increasing pressure on Raqqa, Syria, the nominal capital of the so-called caliphate, and Mosul, Iraq, the largest city captured by the terrorists, the general said.

Simultaneous, Increasing Pressure

"We have to continue to do things across all of Iraq and Syria simultaneously," he said. While coalition forces are isolating the two important cities, Dunford said, 'it's not Ramadi, it's not Mosul, it's not Raqqa -- it's all of those and all of it happening at the same time.'

Iraqi forces are becoming more proficient in a new style of warfare for them. Iraqi leaders have learned the true power of combined arms and harnessed coalition airpower with their ground forces, "It's not just about using aviation and waiting until it's done," he said. "It's about using aviation as a cover so they can move and fire and clear. They are better able to integrate effects."

And Iraqi security forces now have the success of Ramadi to use in planning further operations. Success breeds success, the general said. This is important, because as Syrian anti-ISIL groups move south they are moving into traditionally Sunni Arab lands, Dunford said.

"I don't want to overstate this, but when we went to Anbar, you could see the tribes are much more interested in talking to our special operations forces," and momentum builds, he said.

Dunford was not the only American official to congratulate Iraqi leaders this week. President Barack Obama also told al-Abadi that the coalition wants to help the Iraqis exploit the success they are having.

Iraqi military leaders will put together their plan and present it to McFarland, and his team will look for the best ways to support the anti-ISIL effort.

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Iraq's military: Senior Daesh commander killed in Anbar

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 6:50PM

Iraq's military says a major commander of the Daesh Takfiri terrorists has been killed during an operation by the country's Air Force against the militant group west of the country.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that its fighter jets had managed to target the whereabouts of Asi Ali Mohammad Nasir al-Obaidi in the town of Barwanah in the western province of Anbar.

The statement said Obaidi was the second deputy to the self-proclaimed Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, meaning that he was the third in command of the Takfiri group.

It said Obaidi had escaped Abu Ghraib, a notorious prison facility once run by the United States forces west of the capital, Baghdad. A picture of Obaidi was also circulated in the Iraqi media.

The death of the notorious commander comes days after the Iraqi military and volunteer fighters managed to liberate the central districts of Anbar's provincial capital of Ramadi in a major blow to the terrorists.

Sporadic clashes still continue in Ramadi and other parts of Anbar; however, Iraqi forces say they have purged Daesh militants from their key positions.

Over the past few months, Iraqi warplanes have also managed to carry out successful combat sorties against Daesh positions in the northern province of Nineveh.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed after the liberation of Ramadi that his forces will definitely push back Daesh from the positions it controls in Iraq in 2016, including from its major bastion in Nineveh's capital, Mosul.

He also praised the air force for carrying out successful airstrikes against militants, saying the Iraqi warplanes conduct more than 60 percent of the sorties against Daesh, more than the share of a US-led coalition claiming to fight the group in the Arab country.

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Iraq's premier vows to stamp out corruption in 2016

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 4:37PM

Iraq's prime minister says his administration will not relent in its determination to battle and eradicate corruption in 2016.

"2016 is the year of eliminating corruption, there is no such things as acceptable corruption and non-acceptable corruption," Haider al-Abadi said in a Saturday speech at a ceremony to celebrate Police Day in the capital, Baghdad.

The comments came following a criticism by Iraq's senior Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who urged the Iraqi government to reform the current administration and take more serious measures against graft.

"A year has lapsed and nothing has been achieved on the ground," Sistani's representative, Sheikh Ahmed al-Safi, said in the holy Shia city of Karbala, south of Baghdad.

In August 2015, Sistani in a sermon called on Abadi to resolve internal issues in the government.

The Iraqi prime minister should act in a more "daring and courageous" way in his efforts to reform the government, Sistani said at the time, urging Abadi to strike "with an iron fist anyone who is tampering with the people's money."

Abadi assumed power in 2014 pledging tough action against corruption. In response to Sistani's call, he promised to combat graft and prepare a comprehensive reform plan.

Findings of an ad-hoc parliamentary committee have shown that corruption within the officers' corps was one of the reasons the Iraqi military failed to counter the quick advance of the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the summer of 2014.

Violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh launched its offensive in June of the same year. Iraq's army soldiers and fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units are currently battling to win back militant-held regions in joint operations.

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Iraqi PM renews call for Turkey pullout

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 11:48AM

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi renews call on Turkey to withdraw troops from northern Iraq.

Turkish troops are deployed in areas around Mosul, which remains under the control of Daesh terrorists since they overran the Iraqi city in 2014.

"This is a frank invitation to Turkey, our neighbor, to pull out its forces from Iraq," Abadi said.

"We will deploy every effort permitted by our rights and international law to make them leave," he added.

Turkey deployed nearly 150 soldiers in December 2015 to the Bashiqa base, where it is purportedly training an Iraqi militia force to fight Daesh, citing heightened security risks.

On Friday, Iraq rejected Turkey's claims that its forces 'illegally' deployed to the Arab country had come under Daesh attack.

Prime Minister Abadi also said over 60 percent of the air raids against Daesh terrorists across his country are carried out by Iraqi forces.

Speaking at a nationally-televised ceremony in Baghdad, Abadi said US-led forces have conducted just 40 percent of the sorties against Daesh.

He said, however, that his country remains in need of foreign military assistance only in the forms of air cover, training and armament, but not ground operations.

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Iraq denies Turkey's claims of Daesh raid

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 9:17AM

Iraq has rejected Turkey's claims that its forces 'illegally' deployed to the Arab country had come under attack by Takfiri Daesh terrorists.

'The joint operations command denies there was a terrorist attack on the position of Turkish forces in Bashiqa by the terrorist Daesh recently,' Iraq's state television said, referring to a military base near Mosul.

On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish forces had repelled an attempt by Daesh militants to infiltrate into their camp in the Nineveh province and killed 18 militants.

Erdogan said the alleged attack showed Turkey's decision to deploy troops to Iraq was justified.

However, the Iraqi TV said, 'The joint operations command denies what was relayed in some media outlets from the Turkish president about clashing between the Turkish forces inside Iraqi territory and the terrorist Daesh whether in Bashiqa or any other areas.'

Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi accused Ankara of failing to respect an agreement to withdraw its troop deployment. Iraq's Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari said Baghdad could resort to military action if forced.

Ankara has acknowledged there was a 'miscommunication' with Baghdad over the troop deployment.

It later withdrew some soldiers to another base in the nearby autonomous Kurdistan region and said it would continue to pull out of Nineveh but Erdogan has ruled out a full withdrawal.

Ankara claims the camp, some 140 km (90 miles) from the Turkish border and about 20 kilometers from Mosul, is being used to train Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga battling Daesh.

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Baghdad Denies Daesh Attack on Turkish Forces in Iraq

Sputnik News

12:06 09.01.2016(updated 12:13 09.01.2016)

Iraq's joint operations command refuted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement that Daesh militants had attacked Turkish forces in northern Iraq, media reports said.

A statement by Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, about a Daesh attack on Turkish troops in northern Iraq and armed clashes between Turkish forces and the militants there holds no water, according to Iraq's joint operations command.

'The joint operations command denies there was an attack by Daesh terrorists on the position of Turkish forces in Bashiqa,' sources said on Saturday.

Also, sources said that 'the joint operations command denies what was relayed in some media outlets from the Turkish President about clashing between the Turkish forces inside Iraqi territory and the terrorist Daesh whether in Bashiqa or any other areas.'

On Friday, Erdogan claimed that at least eighteen Daesh terrorists were killed after they attacked the Bashiqa training camp in northern Iraq. Erdogan said that a Daesh attack on the military base showed that Ankara's decision to send Turkish forces to the outskirts of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul had been justified.

On December 4, Turkey deployed about 150 troops and 25 tanks to a base in the Iraqi province of Nineveh, without Baghdad's approval.

According to Ankara, the aim of the deployment was to provide security to Turkish soldiers deployed earlier to train Kurdish militia who are fighting Islamic State (ISIL), also known as Daesh in Arabic, a group which is outlawed in a number of countries, including Russia.

Iraq has rejected the claims, stressing that the Turkish military presence had not been requested. Russia has described the incident as a breach of international law.

 Sputnik

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Riyadh must choose between hate-mongering and stability: Zarif

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat 9 Jan 2016 - 08:06

TEHRAN (ISNA)- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saudi Arabia has to make 'a crucial choice' to either promote "sectarian hate-mongering' by its continued support for extremist groups or promote regional stability.

In a Friday letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Zarif said Tehran has 'no desire or interest in escalation of tension in our neighborhood' and hopes Riyadh will 'heed the cause of reason."

Relations between the two neighbors have been strained in recent days following the Saudi execution of top Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, which was announced on January 2.

Nimr's execution was widely censured by Muslims and human rights activists around the globe as well as different governments.

Demonstrations were held, among other places, in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad to condemn the killing of Sheikh Nimr.

Amid the largely peaceful protests, a group of people scaled the walls of the consulate in Mashhad while incendiary devices were hurled at the embassy in Tehran. Some 50 people were detained over the violation of the diplomatic perimeters.

On January 3, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced his country was cutting diplomatic relations with Iran.

Referring to the transgression of the Saudi diplomatic missions, Zarif said that the Iranian government 'unequivocally condemned' the incidents and took immediate steps to protect the buildings and diplomats, launched a probe, and expressed its determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The top Iranian diplomat also noted that from the first days of President Hassan Rouhani's election in June 2013, both he and the president have sent public and private signals to Riyadh about Tehran's "readiness to engage in dialogue and accommodation to promote regional stability and combat destabilizing extremist violence.'

Elsewhere in his letter, Zarif accused Saudi officials of engaging in 'numerous direct and at times lethal provocations against Iran.'

He said the Saudis are trying to prevent or defeat the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July last year.

Iran and the P5+1  the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany  finalized the text of the agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in the Austrian capital Vienna on July 14. Under the JCPOA, limits are put on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian foreign minister further stressed that Saudi Arabia has been engaged in economic warfare against Iran by drastically reducing the price of oil, the Islamic Republic's main export.

Saudi Arabia is one of the few producers exporting oil above its quota specified by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the major driving force behind the existing supply glut.

Zarif also said Saudi fighter jets hit Iranian diplomatic mission in Yemen several times, 'killing two local service personnel, injuring a number of Yemeni guards and inflicting damage to the buildings,' adding that the raids occurred on April 24 and September 18 last year and most recently on Thursday.

The mistreatment of Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia is another factor which has fueled 'public outrage in Iran' at Saudi officials, Zarif said.

He, however, emphasized that Iran has refused to retaliate or even downgrade diplomatic ties with Riyadh despite these provocations.

The high-ranking official also called for a de-escalation of tensions, saying, 'We all need to be united in the face of continued threats posed by extremists against all of us.'

End Item

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Syrian forces cut off major militant supply lines on Turkish border region

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 6:11PM

Syrian forces have managed to cut off major supply lines of foreign-backed militants in areas on the Turkish border region.

Syria's official news agency SANA said on Saturday that the forces managed to seize control of some strategic hilltops and villages in the northern areas of Latakia Province.

SANA said the villages liberated from the occupation of militants included Rweiset al-Qamoua, al-Mgheiriyeh, Hawsh al-Mgheiriyeh, Rweiset Bani Jazi and Kedin. It said hilltops surrounding Rweiset al-Qamoua were also liberated.

Pro-government forces have already established control over five hilltops and five villages in the same region.

Syrians have managed to record more gains against militants in the recent past in Latakia, a province where the government of President Bashar al-Assad enjoys considerable support. However, militants, whom Damascus says are backed by Turkey, have been operating in the mountainous regions northeast of the province.

SANA said that the Syrian army has managed to cut off over the past weeks some of the terrorists' major supply routes across the Turkish border, adding that the achievements on Saturday have made it more difficult for the militants to move along the border region.

Syrian forces have been battling militants, particularly the Takfiri Daesh terrorists, on different fronts throughout Syria since March 2011, when the foreign-sponsored militancy began. Over 250,000 people have been killed over the past few years of turmoil.



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Syrian army seizes back more areas in Latakia

Iran Press TV

Sat Jan 9, 2016 11:39AM

The Syrian army has managed to win back control of several areas in the coastal province of Latakia, as government forces continue their operations against the Takfiri militants operating in Syria.

Government forces took control of Kherbet al-Joba, a hill code-named 1023, and the al-Takhan district, killing a number of militants and destroying their weapons and ammunition, Syria's official news agency SANA said.

The recapture came a day after Syrian forces took back the villages of al-Sarraf and Beit Fares and the al-Harra mountain along with several farms in the Latakia countryside.

On Friday, Syrian forces killed at least 30 terrorists of the so-called Jaish al-Fateh group in the Hama countryside, including a senior commander of Jaish al-Fateh identified as Abu Bakr al-Asadi.

A military source said the army also destroyed mortar launchers, vehicles and anti-aircraft guns belonging to militants, and killed and injured scores of Takfiris in the al-Manshiya neighborhood of Dara'a Province.

According to al-Ahed news website, militants from Jaish al-Islam were killed and injured in Syrian air raids in eastern Ghouta, a Damascus countryside. The Lebanese news website also said the Syrian air attacks hit militant positions in the provinces of Aleppo, Deir Ezzur and Homs.

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Russia Delivers Nearly 14,000 Tons of Cargo to Syria's Hmeimim Airbase

Sputnik News

08:37 09.01.2016(updated 12:48 09.01.2016)

According to Russian Aerospace Forces spokesman, Russia's military transport aviation has carried out over 280 sorties to deliver infrastructure for Syria's Hmeimim airbase and has transferred almost 14,000 metric tons of cargo there.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia's military transport aviation has carried out over 280 sorties to prepare infrastructure of Syria's Hmeimim airbase and has transferred there almost 14,000 metric tons of cargo, a Russian Aerospace Forces spokesman said Saturday.

'In preparation for the Hmeimim airfield's infrastructure on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic crews of IL-76 and AN-124 Ruslan [aircraft] have carried out over 280 sorties and transported 13,750 tons of cargo,' Col. Igor Klimov told reporters.

Moscow has been carrying out a military campaign against the Daesh, also known as ISIL/The Islamic State terrorist group, which is outlawed in Russia and a number of other countries, since September 30, at the request of the Syrian President Bashar Assad.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Says Needs Troops In Iraq To Defend Against Islamic State

January 09, 2016

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey needs to keep troops in northern Iraq after they thwarted a planned attack on its military training camp there this week by Islamic State militants.

The assertion on January 8, which Iraq denied, renews a dispute with Baghdad that erupted last month after Turkey deployed a force protection unit of around 150 troops to an area hear Bashiqa where its soldiers have been training Iraqi militia to fight IS.

Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul that Turkey killed 18 IS fighters who were planning to inflitrate Bashiqa and attack the camp, in a pre-emptive strike against the IS forces.

'None of our soldiers were wounded,' he said, but 'this incident shows what a correct step it was' to station additional troops in Bashiqa. 'They are doing what needs to be done at the right time, and will continue to do so,' he said.

Baghdad has insisted that the troops weren't authorized, violate international law, and must be removed. It has taken its case to the United States, the United Nations, and other forums to try to force an immediate withdrawal.

But after pulling out some troops under pressure from the United States, Erdogan has ruled out a total withdrawal.

In response to Erdogan's remarks January 8, Iraq's Joint Operations Command in Baghdad issued a statement asserting there was no IS assault on Turkish forces 'in Bashiqa or any other areas.'

While that conflicted with Erdogan's account, media reports coming out of northern Iraq confirmed that 18 IS fighters were killed there this week. Some reports said they were killed by coalition air strikes, however, rather than Turkish or Iraqi troops.

Erdogan said he believes Russia is behind Iraq's sudden objection to Turkish troops in the last month. Relations between Ankara and Moscow took a nosedive at the end of November after Turkey shot down a Russian plane that it says strayed over its border with Syria.

'They [Iraq] asked us to train their soldiers and showed us this base as the venue. But as we see, afterwards, once there were problems between Russia and Turkey...these negative developments began,' Erdogan said.

Turkey has pointed out that Baghdad can't protect its military trainers because Iraqi security forces have had no presence in the northern Nineveh province since they collapsed in June 2014 in the face of a sweeping advance by IS.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/turkey-erdogan-says-need-troops- iraq-defend-islamic-state-attacks/27477830.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Turkey Building Huge New Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship

Sputnik News

16:21 09.01.2016

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship will be the country's best and biggest when construction work is finished in 2021, the Turkish press reported last week.

Turkey has begun the construction of a new multipurpose amphibious assault ship called the TGC Anatolia, reported Turkey's Milliyet newspaper on Tuesday.

The ship is being built at the Sedef shipyard in Istanbul, and it will be the Turkish navy's largest and best-equipped warship when its construction is finished in 2021. It is named TCG Anadolu, or Anatolia is English, after the region in Turkey which makes up most of the country.

According to reports, the ship will be 225 meters long and 32 meters wide, and weigh 28,000 tons when fully loaded. It will be able to transport eight combat helicopters, an infantry battalion of 700 officers, and 1,400 crew members.

The Anatolia will also be fitted with a runway sloped to 12 degrees for fighter planes and combat helicopters. Milliyet reports that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor military aircraft are among the aircraft designed for launch from the runway, on missions by the Turkish armed forces around the world.

'The F-35B class 5th generation fighter and eight helicopters can be carried to theaters in the Aegean, Black Sea and Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean if needed,' wrote Milliyet.

 Sputnik

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Jerry Lackey Columnist SHARE Joe Neil Brown, now retired, spent a lifetime as a working cowboy on ranches east and west of the Pecos River. Photo by Jerry Lackey

Ben Brown in Army, Joel Neil in Navy

Benjamin "Ben" Harrison Brown left the family farm at Voca in McCulloch County at a young age to pursue a life as a cowboy and trapper throughout Central and West Texas.

Ben Brown was born March 11, 1889, at Voca to Joe L. and Mary Alice Powell Brown. His siblings were Joe, Ruby, Ola, Bertha and Etta.

In 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army and trained at Camp Travis in Austin. He was assigned to the Second Division, 23rd Infantry and Company K of the American Expeditionary Forces.

Corporal Brown served in France through the St. Mihiel Campaign during September, 1918, and at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive during October, 1918. He was discharged in July, 1919.

Brown returned to Texas in 1919 and continued to work as a cowboy and trapper.

In the fall of 1924, while trapping in Sutton and Crockett counties, Brown met Bertha Helen Stavley, who was the daughter of Charlie and Lena Stavley. The Stavleys owned and operated the Juno Mercantile store.

Meanwhile, Ben went west to Terrell County and started leasing land. In 1926, he purchased the B.T. Corder ranch in northern Terrell County and, in 1927, he purchased the P.F. Robertson ranch southeast of Sanderson.

In 1928, Ben sold the two ranches and purchased 20 sections (12,800 acres) of the Downie ranch west and south of Sanderson in Pecos County.

Ben Brown and Bertha Stavley were married Feb. 8, 1928. They had two sons: Harry Stavley Brown and Joe Neil Brown.

Ben was 42 years old when he died March 31, 1931, of a heart attack on the family ranch six weeks before the birth of his second son, Joe Neil Brown.

Bertha Brown leased out the ranch and moved into Sanderson. In 1933, she married Francis M. Mansfield and they had two children: Marilyn Kay Mansfield Bell (1933-2009) and Tom Mansfield.

Joe Neil Brown, born May 22, 1931, graduated from Sanderson High School in 1948. He worked on area ranches until 1951 when he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four tours of duty aboard three different ships during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge after three years, 10 months and 21 days.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Joe entered Sul Ross University at Alpine. He took over the family ranch after graduation in 1958.

In his book, "Faded Rimrock Memories," Joe told about his life as a cowboy.

Recalling the Fourth of July ropings at Sanderson, Joe Brown said he entered the calf roping and roped his first calf in about 16 seconds.

"I don't remember who won first, but Jiggs Davis of Alpine won second and I took third money that paid $22. That was quite a prize for an eighteen year old cowboy making $75 a month," Joe said.

When he was 19, Joe was working for the Wine Glass outfit in Southern Pecos County.

"This was a typical operation of those days in the limestone, rimrock country where the Chihuahua desert and the Edwards Plateau collide. Mostly tall rimrock hills with much slick rock and broad brushy canyons between them," he said.

It was pretty terrain in its own way but after trying to roundup goats and failing to bring in a goat because of an accident when his shod horse slipped on the slick rocks and fell on him, Joe formed different opinions about the landscape.

"In the summer of 1947, I hired out to work the wagon on the old P- outfit in Pecos County," Joe said. "As a young teenage cowboy, I did not realize I was seeing the last of history being made. This was the cow works on a 400 square mile ranch. This was the way it was done in Texas in the 1870s and 1880s.

"Henry Scruggs, the general manager, picked me up in Sanderson about June 1. I carried with me a bag containing a change of clothes, a bed roll, saddle, blanket, bridle, leggings and spurs," he said.

Joe and Goldie Childs Fisher were married in Reno, Nevada, July 20, 1954. They had three children: Charles Franklin Brown, Cynthia Jo Brown, and Ben Harrison Brown.

"Goldie and I ranched for 30 years in Terrell, Pecos, and Brewster counties," Joe said. "I've cowboyed from the Rio Grande to the Concho and from the Pecos to the Davis Mountains."

Joe, who is 84, and Goldie Brown have retired to Sonora in their golden years.

Jerry Lackey is the agriculture editor emeritus. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net or 325-949-2291.
Ricky Bonilla and Amanda Napper chat in a break room before clocking in for their afternoon shift at Goodfellow Air Force Base. Bonilla and Napper, longtime employees of Work Services Corp., bus tables and stock condiments for the baseas service members.

SHARE Justin Zamudio/Standard-Times Gabriel Arresalia cleans a table last month during lunch at Cressman Dining Facility at Goodfellow Air Force Base. Arresalia suffers from diabetes and said he is grateful that Work Services Corp., the food service contractor at the base, works around his medical needs. photos by Justin Zamudio/Standard-Times Rosamaria Cruz serves lunch to service members at Western Winds Dining Facility at Goodfellow Air Force Base last month. Cruz is employed by Work Services Corp., a Texas-based business that hires disabled workers. Work Services has served as the food services contractor at the base for the past 10 years. See more photos on gosanangelo.com.

By Justin Zamudio

A passion for food service runs through Edward Uresti's veins. It fuels the manager through long, busy days regardless of the insulin-deficient blood that threatens to slow him down.

Standing amid a snaking line of hungry, camouflaged service members at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Uresti directed his arsenal of workers through a the lunch rush at Cressman Dining Facility. Every so often he gave salutations to the passing Goodfellow folks, but mostly he kept his attention on the food inventory in the cafeteria line, such as the almost depleted tomatoes from the salad bar.

The pace was quick, but Uresti, 42, was in control. He has worked in the food service industry since he was 16, he said, and he enjoys the hustle and bustle. He previously owned and operated a franchise fast-food restaurant in Big Spring, but recently quit because of complications with his diabetes. He has struggled with the condition for 15 years and needs daily insulin injections.

A big turnoff in owning his restaurant was the lack of heart his employees had for their jobs. After transitioning back to Work Services Corp., the food service contractor at Goodfellow Air Force Base, he said he enjoys his job and the passion he and his co-workers share. Uresti had worked for Work Services Corp. as a cook before owning his restaurant.

"Working at Long John Silver's (his previously owned franchise), you get your able bodies who always complain about stuff. ?I don't want to do this' and ?I don't want to do that.' Some just basically do a half job. They just try and get out so they can do whatever they want to do for the night," Uresti said.

"But these guys here (at Work Service Corp.), the disabled ones here, they do an awesome job and they try and go above and beyond. You give them praise, and that's all they want to know ? that they are needed and wanted. They're always volunteering to help somebody else."

Work Services Corp., a Wichita Falls-based nonprofit, mostly employs people with mental or physical disabilities. The San Angelo office has been in existence for 10 years since attaining the food service contract at Goodfellow, which runs an almost 24/7 rotation at the base in its two dining facilities: Cressman and Western Winds. The San Angelo office employs 130 people, including 85 with disabilities, said Lana Vaughn, human resources specialist at Work Services Corp.

The corporation's mission is to empower those with disabilities, who most likely have been down a tough road in life because of a mental, physical or lingering medical conditions, Vaughn said.

David Ledger, project manager who runs both dining facilities, said training those with disabilities is not much different from training anyone else.

"We try to accommodate jobs that they can do. We don't focus on someone's disability. We hire them to do a job," Ledger said. "We will retrain, retrain, retrain until it clicks for them. If we notice they are having problems, we go back and retrain some more."

HARDWORKING MENTALITY

Uncertainty loomed for Debra Godfrey years ago. She was jobless and dealing with a severe health condition.

Godfrey, 56, was fired from her management position at a local clothing retailer after she continually needed days off to deal with her out-of-control diabetes, she said. She struggled for some time before she heard about Work Services, she said.

"I was a supervisor, and I just kept making too many mistakes. At that time it was just way out of control," she said.

In mid-April she experienced more out-of-control episodes that made her unable to function or think straight, and she needed days off, she said. Without hesitation Work Services Corp. granted her a week off, she said.

For the past four years, Godfrey said she has made a decent living ? better than most food service jobs in San Angelo, with benefits ? and enjoyed her position as a food prepper with Work Services. There are moments when she needs to sit down, relax and get away from work because her diabetes is giving her complications, she said. "The supervisors here understand, and they let you take that time to yourself," she said.

The corporation is affiliated with the AbilityOne Program, a federal agency that provides employment for people with disabilities through service and products contracts with the federal government. Throughout Texas and some surrounding states, the corporation does landscaping, manufactures paper clips, and provides food services, to name a few lines of work it has been involved in since it started taking on federal contracts in 1976, said Jerry Bettenhausen, CEO of Work Services.

Work Services' workforce is 720, and 530 of those employees have disabilities, Bettenhausen said. The corporation is looking to constantly raise the number of disabled workers. The closer to 100 percent, the better, he said.

"We view the contract at Goodfellow Air Force Base as a triple win," Bettenhausen said. "One is Goodfellow gets high-quality food services. The second win is the people with disabilities ? probably the most important ? gain self-esteem, work skills and independence. Thirdly, it's a win for society in general. Typically people with disabilities have the highest rates of unemployment in this country. When they go to work, they come off a lot of those benefits and start paying taxes. When they gain independence and start paying taxes, everybody wins."

The current contract with Goodfellow Air Force Base is through September 2017, wrote Tech Sgt. Jennifer Redente, public affairs section chief of Goodfellow Air Force Base, in an email. The contract requires that Work Services follows Air Force regulations relating to food service and the Air Force's 21-day worldwide menu and recipes. This ensures that operations are following guidelines provided by the Air Force and the Department of Defense nutrition committee, Redente wrote.

Work Services provides about 4,500 meals daily at Goodfellow, Vaughn said.

"One thing you can bet on working at the base is that it's going to be packed," said David Martinez, dining facility manager at Western Winds ? the bigger of the two facilities. "When they get out of their classes sometime between 10:30 to 10:45, that's when it goes whoom. Sometimes you have up to 700 coming in. You have to make sure you got all your crew, and make sure your food is ready. You can't keep these people waiting."

SATISFACTION ALMOST GUARANTEED

Despite having to follow strict guidelines set out by the Department of Defense, the satisfaction rate constantly has been rated optimal, Ledger said.

"Unfortunately, in the Air Force there's not variations to the menu. We have to follow them. That's where most of our problems with our customers come from. Overall though, we're averaging about 98 percent satisfaction," Ledger said.

The Department of Defense is making a push to insert more green options to its meal plans. The menu plastered throughout the cafeteria line is color-coded, with most of the protein-heavy items listed as red.

"All the good stuff is red," Martinez said. "Especially here in Texas, we have a new menu with brisket. The first time we introduced that, we couldn't keep up with it. We had 18 briskets, and they were all gone in no time."

Ledger credited the high satisfaction rate to the workers. He said the dedication they give day in and day out to their work, whether it be cooking, busing tables, serving or prepping, is evident to those around them.

"It's typically harder for disabled people to find a job, so when they do get one they devote a lot to it," Ledger said from his eight years of experience as a manager with Work Services.

"They put their all into their work, and it shows."
SHARE Taimy Alvarez/Sun Sentinel/TNS Lucas Benitez holds one of the red buckets used to collect tomatoes in the fields of Immokalee, Fla. Taimy Alvarez/Sun Sentinel/TNS One of the many old school buses used to transport field workers to tomato fields in Immokalee, Fla. (Taimy Alvarez/Sun Sentinel/TNS) Carline Jean/Sun Sentinel/TNS Whole Foods produce associate Jimmy Dishmey sorts tomatoes from an Immokalee, Fla., farm for sale. Whole Foods signed an agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to buy tomatoes they pick and pay them a penny a pound more for their work. Taimy Alvarez/Sun Sentinel/TNS Tomatoes rot under the hot sun at Pacific Tomato Growers in Immokalee, Fla., at the end of the growing season in May 2015. (Taimy Alvarez/Sun Sentinel/TNS)

Movement leads to more rights, pay

By Lois K. Solomon

IMMOKALEE, Fla.  Sweat drenched his long-sleeve shirt and soaked his thick black hair. Lucas Benitez, 17, quick on his feet and newly arrived from Mexico, finished staking a row of tomatoes on a scorched Southwest Florida farm and stopped to wait for his co-workers to catch up.

Benitez recalled how his supervisor drove a pickup closer to confront him. He wanted Benitez to help unload a truck instead of taking a time-wasting break. But even more, the boss wanted to show who was in control, and it was not the teen.

Benitez, 120 pounds, insisted on staying put. Why should he be punished for his speed, when he was accomplishing the same tasks as the rest of the crew? The 200-pound boss threw a punch, but the teen blocked it with one hand, a tomato stake in the other, ready for a fight. He looked the boss in the eye and saw wide-eyed shock.

"It was the first time anyone had said anything to him," recalled Benitez, now 40.

A farmworker-led movement, with Benitez among its leaders, was about to ignite.

Benitez's small act of defiance planted a symbolic seed among tomato farmworkers in Immokalee, an impoverished farm town filled with empty lots, trailer homes, crowing roosters and scrubby palmetto trees. The migrants who sought work each day staking and picking tomatoes were about to take on the farm owners and crew leaders and the corporations that purchased the tomatoes they picked.

Those tomatoes arrive almost daily in kitchens and restaurants across the country. Though most Americans don't realize it, almost every Florida tomato they eat comes from a field near Immokalee, just two hours from Fort Lauderdale.

The workers who pick tomatoes have spent more than 20 years on a campaign for dignity and fair pay, a campaign that has gained momentum in recent years as more food retailers, such as Fresh Market, sign on. Farmworker advocates are now broadening the campaign to other items in grocery produce departments, including strawberries and peppers.

The workers have succeeded, against incredible odds, in getting some of the biggest corporations in the country to recognize their plight.

A bloodied shirt became a symbol that helped awaken the movement.

The shirt came to represent the story of Edgar, a 16-year-old tomato worker from Guatemala, who asked his boss for a water break and was refused. When Edgar went to get water anyway, he suffered a savage beating and broken nose.

Benitez spread news of the assault, waving the bloodied shirt to rally sleepy Immokalee into a galvanizing protest in 1996. "When you beat one of us, you beat us all," he told the crowd.

Farmworkers began brainstorming ways to support one another. "Everyone was in their own world, Mexican, Guatemalan, Haitian," Benitez said. "We were not a community."

A sense of commonality among the neighbors, segregated by an assortment of languages and countries of origin, began to build.

Benitez and seven other workers, mostly young men like himself, began meeting at the Catholic church where many attended Mass, Our Lady Of Guadalupe, a cream-colored set of buildings inside Immokalee's nine-block downtown.

They walked door-to-door to poll their neighbors: What changes would you like to see in Immokalee? Are you interested in working toward a solution?

They invited neighbors to their Wednesday night meetings at the church. They created a low-power radio station, Radio Conciencia, or "Radio of Awareness." They opened a co-op to offer food and other basics at reasonable prices.

They called themselves the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, and they would come to be known as one of the most successful farmworker organizing groups in the country.

In the 1990s, tomato workers were paid about 30 cents for picking a 32-pound bucket of tomatoes, the same wage they earned in 1975, preventing most from earning more than $10,000 a year for backbreaking, dangerous work.

Most of the workers are immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Some are undocumented, although the Coalition of Immokalee Workers says the number is unknown. Their uncertain legal status forced many to fear going to the authorities to complain about mistreatment.

Some contractors took advantage of this fear. The case of brothers Ramiro and Juan Ramos, convicted of involuntary servitude in 2002, showed the threats workers could face.

The Ramos brothers made millions on real estate, grocery and clothing stores, and three harvesting businesses. They also supplied workers to farmers, transporting Mexican immigrants from Arizona to Florida for a $1,000 fee.

But according to the FBI, they also "threatened (the immigrants) at gunpoint, promising torture and death if they tried to escape. And they made them live in filthy, substandard, and overcrowded apartments."

Evidence was piling up. Grievances were escalating. But change still seemed impossible. How could uneducated tomato workers get anyone to care about their plight?

While some farmers offered small pay increases after workers approached them, most said the highly publicized cases of slavery and pesticide dangers were isolated instances, certainly not connected to their farms.

The workers had an epiphany: Why not skip over the farmers and approach the food giants directly? Why negotiate with landowners when it's really the large corporations that have the power as they buy enormous quantities of tomatoes for their grocery shelves, Whoppers and chalupas?

At an after-work meeting of the coalition, Benitez said a worker mentioned a newspaper article about Taco Bell's massive purchases of tomatoes at bargain-basement prices. "Somebody is paying the price for those cheap tomatoes," the worker said. "And that's us."

Taco Bell was an especially irksome symbol of corporate indifference for the workers: The company's television advertisements featured a sombrero-wearing Chihuahua with a Mexican accent.

The workers wrote Taco Bell and invited its brass to Immokalee to show them their dreadful living and working conditions. Benitez said they received no response.

The coalition reported this silence at a meeting and asked if anyone had an alternative idea. "Why don't we organize a boycott?" a worker asked.

"It sounded crazy," Benitez recalled. "We didn't have any economic resources to do a boycott."

Who could help them? Many young idealists began streaming into Immokalee when they heard about the workers' struggles.

College students such as Brian Merle Payne, a graduate student in Latin American studies at the University of Florida, joined a 230-mile trek the coalition organized from Fort Myers to Orlando, home base of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Payne met students from throughout Florida on the march, and together they organized the Student/Farmworker Alliance to support the campaign. He moved to Immokalee and spent 4  years there.

"There was an energy in the air that things could change," said Payne, now 41. "There was a feeling there of the depths of poverty and depression and alcohol and drugs. But the workers were a ray of sunshine, that they could come in and be leaders and change the world around them."

Coalition members began working with the student participants to organize a series of Taco Bell protests in 2004. The students got 22 high schools and colleges to "Boot the Bell" and cut contracts with the fast-food giant. Religious leaders also joined the alliance, impressed with its democratic meeting methods, lack of bureaucracy and peaceful approaches. "They act responsibly and civilly," said the Rev. Russell Meyer, executive director of the Florida Council of Churches, based in Tampa. "They sit down with the entity and build a working relationship."

Coalition supporters organized boycotts and protests against Taco Bell for four years.

Finally, they succeeded in getting Yum Brands, which also controls KFC, Long John Silver's and Pizza Hut, to do the unthinkable: The corporation agreed to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes and not pass that amount on to consumers.

The alliance launched campaigns against household-name brands and suppliers, who signed on to the Fair Food Program in rapid succession: McDonald's in 2007; Whole Foods, Burger King and Subway in 2008; food suppliers Compass Group and Bon Appetit Management Co. in 2009; Sodexo and Aramark in 2010; Chipotle and Trader Joe's in 2012.

The food giants agreed to pay the penny-per-pound to workers through growers who follow a list of rules, including providing tents for shade, accessible drinking water, committees that monitor workplace safety and time for workers to be educated on their rights during work hours.
Julie Hill Barton and her dog, Bunker. Barton is the author of "Dog Medicine." (Julie Barton)

SHARE "Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself" by Julie Barton. (Think Piece Publishing) "The Dog Who Saved Me: A Novel" by Susan Wilson. (St. Martins Press) "Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him" by Luis Carlos Montalvan with Bret Witter. (Hachette Books) "A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life" by James Bowen: A struggling street musician takes in an injured tomcat named Bob in this true story that became an international bestseller. (St. Martins Griffin)

By Nara Schoenberg Chicago Tribune (Tns)

Julie Barton was sitting on the couch one day with her head in her hands, utterly defeated by the severe depression that filled her with sadness and self-loathing, when she felt an unexpected warmth in her toes. Her fluffy red golden retriever puppy, Bunker, was sitting on her feet.

"He leaned against me, and it seemed to me to be very deliberate," she says. "He looked at me like, 'Are you better?' or 'Did that help?' and I thought, 'Either I'm going totally crazy, or he sees me.' And I decided to do one hopeful thing, which was to trust that feeling."

Barton's new memoir, "Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself," joins a growing list of books, both fiction and nonfiction, that highlight the role pets can play in emotional healing. While the iconic pets of the past  Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Benji, "That Darn Cat"  saved humans from physical dangers, the furry heroes of books such as the national best-seller "Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him" (Hachette) and the novel "The Dog Who Saved Me" (St. Martin's Press), help their owners fend off depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Science is moving in the same direction, with research suggesting that dogs bring down stress levels, encourage physical activity and reduce depression.

In the typical study, depressed people who get conventional treatment are compared with depressed people who get conventional treatment as well as interaction with a pet, often a dog that is included in therapy sessions, says psychologist Stanley Coren, professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and author of "Do Dogs Dream?: Nearly Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know" (W.W. Norton).

"The results are almost always the same: You get anyplace between a 30 percent and a 50 percent added improvement in the reduction of depression scores (with pets), so it's quite huge," Coren says.

Questions remain: A 2014 review of the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy for the elderly ("The Benefit of Pets and Animal-Assisted Therapy to the Health of Older Individuals" in Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research complained of the "poor methodological quality" of pet therapy studies and pointed to issues such as small sample sizes, and lack of adequate controls and comparison groups.

"Despite over four decades of research, these studies remain preliminary," the authors wrote.

Barton, whose memoir covers an episode of severe depression when she was in her early 20s, got married in 2000 and lives in Piedmont, Calif., with her husband, their two children, ages 8 and 11, and an energetic terrier named Jackson (shelter name: Action Jackson). Bunker died in 2007 at age 11, but he remains a big presence in Barton's life. Speaking from her home office, she said she was surrounded by photos of Bunker.

"It's like a shrine in here," she quipped.

GROWING AUDIENCE

"Dog Medicine" appears to have hit a nerve: The first 2,500-copy printing sold out in a day, Barton says, and more than 5,000 additional copies have been printed.

"We sold rights to Korea, to Holland. The U.K. is interested," she says. "There's lots of chatter, and I think it's really resonating."

In the course of promoting the book, she has heard stories of emotional healing from cat-, dog- and horse-lovers. And, at a talk in California, a middle-age man approached her on the verge of tears.

"My daughter is very depressed. She's 20, and she's coming home to live with us," she recounts the man telling her. But there was one bright spot: "She has a therapy rat. It's the most incredible thing."

"Is it a trained rat?" Barton asked him.

"No," the man told her. "They are just extraordinarily connected. Something about having this living creature with her by her side all the time is really healing for her."

For Barton, now 42, the road to recovery involved medication, counseling and strong family support, as well as bonding with Bunker.

She was 22, an Ohioan living far from home in New York and weathering a painful breakup, when the negative thoughts that had long assailed her took on a scarier tone: "Walk into the path of that cab," she would think. "Step in front of that oncoming bus." The thoughts told her she was "worthless, dumb, ugly and weak. Wrong in every way. Wrong for being alive."

After she collapsed on the kitchen floor with a pot on the stove and woke up to a room filled with smoke, she called her mother. Her parents brought her home, found a psychiatrist and gently pressed her to take the antidepressant Zoloft. When she told them one thing that might help was a puppy, her parents helped make that happen too.

A WAY TO CONNECT

Bunker offered uncomplicated love and loyalty, which was vital, Barton says. As her mood stabilized, he also helped her go back out in the world again.

"Depression is a very isolating disease," she says. "In New York, I would walk down the sidewalk thinking I was completely alone on an island of millions of people, because people didn't acknowledge you, or if they did, it was with a rude push or a mean look.

"When you have a dog, doors open, social doors. People go, 'Oh, how sweet! How old? What's his name?' You talk about your dog experience, and it's a real ice breaker for someone who may not be as adept at social interactions. I loved going out because people would talk to me. It made me so happy."

In her book, Barton describes how, with Bunker's help, she was able to move across the country, make friends, and eventually get a job and find love.

Today, she says, she's doing very well. Her depression is a chronic condition, but medication works well for her, and she keeps an eye out for the "sinking" feeling that tells her to seek additional support from her doctor, her counselor or her husband.

"I haven't had a major episode (of depression) in six or seven years," she says. "It was pretty hard after Bunker died, but I had young kids, and that helped keep me occupied  in a good way."
SHARE SGT Clayton Rankin, U.S. Army

By Staff Report

Clay Rankin joined the U.S. Army in 1979 as a Military Police Officer. During his distinguished career with the Army and civilian sector security and law enforcement, Mr. Rankin was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and presented with the Medal of Valor by the City of Northglenn, CO. Throughout his career, he has continued his education and obtained numerous degrees in criminal justice. Just last year, he attended the Entrepreneurial Boot Camp for Veterans with Disabilities at Florida State University.

In March 2003, while at Camp Udari Kuwait, along the border with Iraq, we were preparing to move north into Iraq in support of ground combat operations. I was standing in line at the trailer that housed our PX waiting to by supplies for the push north, and a terrorist began running over Soldier's in the PX line. My response was to place myself between the truck and Soldier's he was driving towards as they were seeking cover, the terrorist then came after me, which is what I wanted. I was armed only with an unloaded M9 pistol; I drew the pistol, loaded it and engaged the terrorist shooting him three times in the chest. That obviously didn't stop him immediately and he continued driving towards me and I dove out of the way and my head hit hard on the ground. That was my first head injury that I refused medical treatment for. According to witnesses, I do not remember this part, I got up off the ground pursued the truck on foot until it stopped, pulled the terrorist from the vehicle, secured him with zip cuffs, provided first aide, ensured he was transported to the CASH, securing the area and ensuring EOD checked the truck for explosives. The next thing I recall is being questioned by CID about the incident, and being interviewed by the National Press on site. (I received the Bronze Star with Valor device for this incident, and was credited for saving the lives of three hundred Soldiers'.) I don't agree with that assertion, but it wasn't my call.

The next incident was in April 2003 while in the Fallujah area, as a squad leader, I was the ground commander providing security for some VIP's, my squad came across an Iranian military base that was occupied by three thousand armed Iranians that fought with Iraq during the war in the 1980's and were made part of the Iraqi Army. The base was untouched by our bombing campaign. The VIP's decided that we would engage the Iranian's and demand their surrender. There were three VIP's and my security detail of three combat ready trucks and ten Soldiers providing security. I ordered my gunner to deploy a 250 LB MK-19 on the turret, the gunner froze and I had to do it myself. I grabbed the MK-19, put it over my shoulder and jumped on the front of the truck to load it, I slipped and fell, hitting my face on the turret, chipping and cracking my two front teeth, I fell off the truck and landed on a large rock in the middle of my back. I lost consciousness, but according to my squad members, I finished loading up the MK-19 and deploying it against the Iranians. The next thing I remember clearly was standing next to a COL who was negotiating the surrender of the Iranians. The next day the US forces set in an entire Armored Battalion to complete the disarming and movement of the Iranians.

In 2008, Mr. Rankin began a new chapter in his life as an Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Advocate. As an AW2 Advocate, Mr. Rankin has taken all of his leadership and team-building skills and uses them to provide personalized support to severely wounded, injured and ill soldiers and their families. As a severely wounded soldier himself, Mr. Rankin knows what soldiers and their families need and how to help them get it.

Awards received Bronze Star with Valor, Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal and all other standard combat awards for both Persian Gulf War 1990-1991 and Iraq 2003-2004.
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ASU series on Civil War continues

By Andrew Atterbury Andrew.Atterbury@Gosanangelo.Com 325-659-8381

What: Slavery in Texas Civil War lecture

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Fort Concho Commissary

Price: Free admission

Andrew J. Torget, assistant professor of history and director of the Digital History Lab at the University of North Texas, will pay San Angelo a visit Friday to speak on "The Problem of Slavery in Early Texas" as part of ASU's 2012-13 Civil War Lecture Series.

"We are often told in 4th and 7th grade Texas history class that folks like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston came to Texas for no better reason than because Texas was awesome," he said. "That was, of course, not the case. Looking at migration patterns, everyone coming during the 1820s and '30s came from the American South, primarily to grow cotton."

Texas had great soil and coast access that made settlers want to replicate the success of Mississippi in what was then a part of Mexico, Torget said.

"They brought slavery with them as the engine of the cotton industry ? and Mexico didn't like it," he said.

At the time, Mexico needed good relations with England, which did not support slavery although Anglo colonists did. Mexico outlawed slavery in its constitution, creating a rift with Texas that eventually led to the Texas Revolution.

"The Republic of Texas created the most strident pro-slavery constitution we have ever seen," he said. "It was everything the Confederacy ever wanted."

Using digital technology, Torget tracks the trajectory and role slavery played in several movements toward Texas. As a graduate student studying American History at the University of Virginia, he started using new ways to look at historical data.

"Historians have piles and piles of information, but have a hard time making sense of it," he said. "The University of Virginia was a lucky place to go to grad school because they had on of the earliest digital humanity centers."

Torget founded the "Texas Slavery Project" to further explore the expansion of slavery in the borderlands between the United States and Mexico in the years between 1837 and 1845. The project features dynamic maps, a thorough database, and a gathered list of primary sources to provide users insight toward the historical era.

"The project is about building ways to make sense of a lot of different things simultaneously," he said. "We can look at not just part of a moment, but the flow of people back and forth. It's phenomenal, you can see the populations increased by 500% in 10 years."

Historians are using technology to see more deeply into records, Torget said.

"We all have the same sources; now there are new and more insightful ways to mine them," he said. "The sciences have had microscopes since the 1600s. Humanities are just starting to get our microscopes."

Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, Civil War scholar and lecture series coordinator, said the goal of the series is to engage the community in reflection of the Civil War and its impact, even on contemporary society.

"It has been a fantastic second year for the program," he said. "We broadened the topics this fall to include other fields to galvanize interest."

October's Civil War literature lecture drew a record crowd of more than 400 attendants.

"A lot of people's ancestors were in the war on one side, he said. "People are fascinated by the issues that came up. We are trying to reach out to the community and get them involved in what I think is the most important era."
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Speaking to the 27th Texas Plant Protection Association Conference in Bryan recently, former congressman Charles Stenholm said when it comes to the future of agriculture, it's going to take assembling the best ideas of research, extension educators, farmers and ranchers.

Theme of the conference was Innovations for Texas Agriculture: Strategies for Implementation.

The challenge facing agriculture will be producing enough food to meet an ever-expanding world population, said Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University.

"To achieve this goal, it's going to take continued technological innovations, new and stronger partnerships between public and private sectors, and increased awareness by the citizens of this country on the importance of food production systems  not only in protecting the economic well-being and vitality of rural communities, but the role in protecting our national security," Hussey said.

"If (the idea) requires legislation, then get it in bill form, introduce it, get it referred to the appropriate committee, hear from special interest groups, have the mark up and let people with different ideas vote. Let's then introduce amendments, put it together and improve the legislation and improve it by getting a majority," Stenholm said.

He recalled his time spent as a lobbyist, or as an "educator" for the oil and gas industry.

"I've spent a lot of time trying to keep the oil and gas industry and agriculture together instead of fighting," he said. "That's a difficult thing to do. The last time I checked you can't produce food, feed, fiber and fertilizer without oil and gas. That's not going to change in the next 30 to 40 years based on anything we know today based on science. And you can't produce oil and gas today without food, feed, fuel and fertilizer. And all 320 million Americans can't do without both of us (agriculture, oil and gas).

"That's the kind of coalition we need to do a better job of talking about and finding supporters in the U.S. Congress on both sides of the aisle," Stenholm said.

He discussed current politics and policy in the U.S. and made a call to return to regular order in Congress.

"Our political system is broken, and there is good reason that 85 percent of you say that in poll after poll it is broken," Stenholm said. "I'm in agriculture, and I'm an optimist. We are going to fix it, and you are the ones who are going to fix it."

Stenholm said regarding the future of the U.S., "there are a lot of questions. We now owe $18.8 trillion, soon to be $19 trillion, and $80 trillion in unfunded liabilities. Anybody in business, including you knows that can't go on."

He said to fix the current system, there needs to be a return to "regular order," directly referencing House Speaker Paul Ryan's recent pledge.

Stenholm said Congress needs to do a better job of fixing the problem instead of having a political issue. Issues such as climate change and water quality are issues that will continue to affect agriculture. He said 'good ideas' need to be developed and taken to Congress to facilitate research funding.

"Thinking ahead, what kind of research do we need to provide so we have a good story to take to our good friends in Congress and get 218 votes? The other side out there is saying we don't need you. But how is the world going to feed itself without new technology?" Stenholm said.

Hussey cited Norman Borlaug, who was a distinguished professor of international agriculture at Texas A&M, reminding attendees the importance of agriculture, "Everything in this world can wait; agriculture cannot."

Jerry Lackey is the agriculture editor emeritus. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net or 325-949-2291.
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By Jennifer Rios

GUNNISON, Colo. ? Jurors on Tuesday heard a new version of what happened at Cottonwood Creek the day Leslie Mueller died.

Even though he only heard about it once from Frederick Mueller, who is on trial in his wife's 2008 death, and never spoke about it until last year, Thomas Burke seemed confident in his memory.

"It's one of those moments where you remember lots of things," Burke told prosecutors. "But it's been a long time."

Burke, with the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, then painted a different picture than the one heard throughout the trial ? one in which Frederick Mueller, on a hike with his wife, stopped to take a picture of a sunrise while she went on ahead. Burke said Mueller told him he spotted an "object" in the creek and realized it was Leslie. Burke said Mueller told him he did not see or hear what happened, but gathered that she fell and ran to help.

He said Mueller "thought out loud" that the dog lurched for a bird and that Leslie got tangled in the leash and went over the cliff.

"He recalled it looked as if she had struck her head," Burke said. "Something about blood ? but he didn't go into much detail."

Burke told defense attorney Mike DeGeurin that he didn't take notes, write down the account or talk about it with anybody.

The conversation took place over dinner at Texas Roadhouse in San Angelo.

Mueller and Burke began to share weekly outings about a month or so after Leslie's death.

Frederick Mueller is accused of killing Leslie Mueller near their vacation home in Lake City, about 55 miles south of Gunnison.

Deemed an accident at the time, her death was subsequently investigated by local law enforcement authorities who did not believe the account of events given by Frederick Mueller.

He said his wife had fallen off a cliff-side trail to her death. Her body was found in a creek, her head submerged beneath a log.

Mueller was arrested in San Angelo last February and has remained in Gunnison County Jail since his extradition. He is expected to remain in custody throughout the trial, which started Jan. 7.

Burke said about nine months after they began meeting, Mueller told him he had begun dating.

DeGeurin began a line of questioning about the role Burke played in Mueller's grieving process and asked questions about Mueller's state of mind and whether Burke thought it was a good idea for Mueller's to meet someone.

Prosecutors objected to several of those questions, and the judge sustained the objections.

Wendee Walker-Mueller, whom Mueller married in 2010 and who has sat in on witness testimony throughout the trial, also was called to the stand.

She told jurors what her husband told her about Leslie's fall ? that she hit her head on the rock and went face-down into the water.

Walker-Mueller was first interviewed by Colorado Bureau of Investigation agents Feb. 6, 2012, the day her husband was arrested.

She testified that she had never experienced anything like the interview that day with CBI agents, including being recorded.

"I have zero reference for this ordeal," she said. "And what happened the morning of Feb. 6. ... I asked if this was the sort of situation where I needed to have an attorney present."

CBI agent Jack Haynes "said, 'You always have a right to have an attorney present, but we just have a few questions,' " Walker-Mueller said.

DeGeurin also brought up, through questioning Walker-Mueller, that she heard a third male voice in the room during the interview that turned out to be coming from Haynes' pocket. The voices turned out to be a voice recorder, she said, and she was asked by the second man if it was OK if they recorded her. She agreed.

Walker-Mueller said she could not remember the exact words Mueller used when describing Leslie's death. Between the 2012 report and Tuesday's testimony, there were discrepancies about words and phrases such as how the water "pulled" or "filled" Leslie's jacket before she was carried downstream and whether the word "leash" was used by Walker-Mueller's husband.

Prosecutor Matt Durkin asked about the word "leash" when Walker-Mueller described what her husband told her about the incident. Mueller said she couldn't be 100 percent certain he did or did not say that word. She knows Mueller said "tangled," which she might have visualized as including a leash.

Walker-Mueller also described her emotional state during the interview ? saying she had to take a moment to cry and that she had "a million thoughts" going through her head. She said when Mueller first told her about Leslie's death, Walker-Mueller had trouble hearing all of Mueller's words and did not ask him to repeat portions she didn't understand because he was upset.

Other witnesses Tuesday included Al Nelson, who took a bloodhound to the scene to track the Muellers' scents, and Debbie Friend, an employee of Mueller Metals.

Friend testified about what she heard from Mueller when he returned after his wife's death. When it came to the part about a leash ? which was mentioned in her interview with CBI ? she said she could have "imagined" Mueller saying that.

DeGeurin also brought to light a meeting he had with Friend ? one in which she asked both prosecution and defense be present. Friend testified that CBI Agent Rosa Perez came into the hotel lobby where they were meeting, greeted her and chose not to stay for the meeting.

The prosecution also called to the stand another Texan, Amie Hajovsky, a friend of Frederick and Leslie Mueller.

Hajovsky, who is married to Mueller's friend and employee Brad Hajovsky, said she met the two men in 2005 while on vacation in Mexico. After Amie and Brad Hajovsky dated about two years ? visiting San Angelo and meeting the Muellers and other friends ? the two were married.

She and Brad lived on the Muellers' property while their house was worked on. Amie Hajovsky said they celebrated birthdays and anniversaries together and regularly had meals with the couple.

In October 2006, Amie Hajovsky had a "lengthy" conversation with Frederick Mueller on the subject of divorce ? she had known that her husband's previous marriage ended in a "rough divorce."

She said her husband's divorce had "really shook" Frederick and Leslie. Frederick Mueller reportedly told her that they did not want to go through that.

"It caused them to really want to work on their marriage" to avoid divorce, Amie Hajovsky said.

The prosecution asked if Mueller discussed divorce in regard to his children.

"Yes ... that he wouldn't let his kids go through a divorce," Hajovsky said. "He wouldn't allow a woman to dictate when he could or could not see his children."

Also testifying was Teresa McClintock, who worked horses for Leslie. She said after Mueller came back they had a conversation in which he mentioned a dog leash, but she didn't remember specifics.

"Are you trying to tell me you don't know what happened?" DeGeurin asked.

"None of us know what happened," she said.

Earlier that day Sandra Koch, FBI trace evidence examiner, said she tested fibers collected from Leslie's gloves, a piece of log and a pullover she wore May 3, 2008, that had a horizontal tear or cut.

Koch ran her own tests on the back of the shirt by doing different damage ? in one instance using a box cutter to make a tear, cutting across with scissors, making an incision and dragging scissors along the garment and making a small incision and tearing at the fabric.

Koch said she determined the original damage was consistent with the damage seen when she used scissors and dragged the blade across. The top portion of the fabric had a sharper cut while the bottom seemed frayed.

Upon cross-examination, Koch clarified to defense attorney Roger Sagal that the fabric did not appear to have a piece cut out. Koch said she did not test a series of different shirts, nor did she test the a scenario in which a cut was made while taking off the shirt with the zipper placed at various lengths.
On Jan. 8, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Kathleen Hochul made two sizable announcements about high-speed broadband in the state: a merger between Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications that requires getting service to underserved populations, and the launch of a $500 million broadband program to provide high-speed Internet to every New Yorker by the end of 2018.The state has begun the first phase of this program  the New NY Broadband Program, a public-private partnership that incentivizes last-mile broadband connectivity in remote areas -- and has released an RFP for vendors that can offer speeds of at least 100 Mbps in cities and 25 Mbps in more obscure areas, Hochul said. The state, which will partner with vendors by providing a 50 percent match for installation costs, expects to set a March 1 deadline with final selection by April 15.As for the merger, state officials said the approval of the deal by New Yorks Public Service Commission ensured more than $1 billion in direct investments and citizen benefits, such as doubling broadband speeds for the typical consumer from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps by 2018, and increasing connection speeds to 300 Mbps by the end of 2019.The deal also dictates that the communications providers must offer high-speed broadband to 145,000 customers  whod previously gone without access  and to implement a new low-income broadband plan. The plan would allow 700,000 low-income households to have Internet speeds of at least 30 Mbps at $14.99 per month -- something Audrey Zibelman, chair of the Public Service Commission, called a game-changer in the telecommunications arena.Her comments were echoed by governors office.Access to high-speed Internet in New York shouldnt be limited by your zip code, Cuomo said in a statement. The merger of Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications will result in a historic investment in New Yorks internet landscape that improves quality, reliability, speed and affordability for all New Yorkers.At a press conference, Hochul said both measures will assist regions of the state that had long been overlooked. The connectivity, she added, would likewise be an educational support, a path for new employment and a catalyst driving business growth.What is missing for so many parts of this state and so many parts of this country is high speed access to broadband, Hochul said. There is an entire part of this state that deserves the attention and resources that have been neglected for decades.




Haiti - Social : January 12, 2010, the Diaspora remembers...





Orlando, Requiem Mass

The Consulate of Haiti in Orlando inform the Haitian Community of Central Florida that in memory of the victims of the earthquake January 12, 2010 in Haiti, a Requiem Mass will be sung on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 9:00 am at the Cathedral of St James located at 215 N Orange Ave. Orlando, Fl 32801. The Consulate of Haiti in Orlando relies on the presence of everyone.



Belgium, memorial Mass

The Embassy of Haiti to the Benelux and EU and the Haitian Catholic Community of Belgium has the honor to invite you to a Mass of Remembrance for victims of the earthquake in Haiti, 12 January 2010. This celebration will take place this Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 2pm in the Saint-Nicolas church, located at the Petite Rue au Beurre, 1-1000 Brussels (behind La Bourse). Access: Metros: stops De Brouckere, Bourse and Bus 29, 38, 63, 66, 71: stop De Brouckere.



After Mass, a reception will be held at the Saint Nicolas room, located close to the church. Thank you already for your presence and support.



Chicago Tribute to the memory of the victims

The Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago remind the whole community that January 12, 2016 brings the sixth anniversary of the devastating earthquake of January 2010 and suggests that this day is a day of reflection.



The Consular Mission will take advantage of following activities to be held in Chicago in January 2016 to make a punctual tribute to the memory of the victims of this historic tragedy:



Tuesday, January 12, at a prayer breakfast organized by the "Association of Haitian Professionals of American of Chicago" and the "Association of Haitian American lawyers in Illinois" supported by the Consulate General.



Also the same day, at the Evening of Remembrance organized by "Partners in Health", supported by the Consulate General.



Saturday, January 26, at the Evening of Remembrance organized by the "Association of American Haitian lawyers in Illinois", supported by the Consulate General.



While relying on the spirit of solidarity of the members of the community, the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago reiterate their best wishes for the year 2016 and its commitment unwavering.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Agriculture : Millet plantations ravaged, huge loss





The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development informs the general population and players in the agricultural sector in particular that "millet plantations (pitimi) have been ravaged by plagues in several communes of the country, notably in Boucan-Carre, Thomonde, Hinche, Maissade, Thomassique, Petit-Goave, Aquin, causing a huge loss of harvest of this cereal in the last three months of the year 2015."



Immediately alerted by the situation, the Ministry commissioned two technical missions to the field respectively in Boucan-Carre and Petit-Goave to get an idea of the state of the situation. According to experts, these damages were caused mainly by : yellow aphids (Melanaphis sacchari);mealybugs (Pseudococcus sp); whiteflies (whiteflies vaporariorium) and fungi due to food bugs and climate change.



The engineer-agronomist, Lyonel Valbrun states that "following the recommendations of missions, steps have been taken to support farmers victims of this scourge and mitigate initially its effect on the next crop."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2016/01/09

Take a look back at the top K-pop tracks of 2015, Time Out has some vintage stores for hipsters to visit, Korean beauty myths debunked, and is everyone happy with the recent Korea-Japan agreement over 'comfort women'?

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"The Top 25 K-pop music videos of 2015"

Love you some K-pop? Of course you do, but how was 2015 for one of the country's favourite exports?: "What a year 2015 was. 2014 saw some of the biggest challenges K-pop has ever had to face leaving many of us wondering were there was to go from here but the industry soldiered on diving head first into creating the most consistently solid music releases there's been in a long time. Accompanying all that music was some truly outstanding video work showcasing the vast visual talent working in Korea right now. As I attempted to compile this list it grew and grew starting at 10, quickly expanding to 20 before finally settling at 25. So here we are: a countdown of the 25 best videos of the past year spanning various genres from idol to rock, ballad and even EDM".

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"Seoul's best stores for vintage fashion"

One of the first things the blew me away while travelling Korea's city streets was the incredible shopping complexes and malls; they have anything you could really want (at pretty great prices) and more! But what about the poor hipsters who need something a little more...dated, something to 'bring back', as it were. Well, Time Out has the hipster in you covered!

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"Korea-Japan Agreement on Comfort Women"

Recently, South Korea and Japan finally came to some agreement over Japan's use of 'comfort woman' during WWII, but not everyone is happy. So, let's ask a Korean: "This agreement sounds fairly good on its face. But the Korean public is generally unhappy with it, with many good reasons. First among the reasons is that the actual victims, namely the surviving Comfort Women, were completely shut out from the negotiation of the agreement. The 46 surviving Comfort Women were not even aware that the Korean government is negotiating for this agreement; they did not learn of this agreement until the media reported it. In a cruel irony, the surviving Comfort Women were initially confused by a sudden flood of congratulatory messages from international organizations, which mistakenly believed that the surviving Comfort Women managed to reach an accord with the Japanese government".

READ ON ASK A KOREAN

"7 Common Myths I've Heard About Korean Fashion & Beauty"

K-beauty, for both men and women, is big business, but how is beauty and fashion on the ground in Korea? Maxine Builder gives us her take as she debunks a few myths around Korean fashion and beauty: "What has taken me aback is the lack of reliable information about Korean fashion and style that's readily available despite all of the curiosity. Many of the questions I've been getting show that people are having a hard time making a distinction between cultural assumptions and true facts, but they're eager to know more about Korean culture overall".

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Published on 2016/01/09

See one Korean artist's cute depiction of love, a map of Korea highlights the country's major cities, Kim Jong-un in (strange) pictures, and what will 2016 hold for Korean webtoons?

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"These Adorable Illustrations About Relationships Will Warm Your Heart"

This went viral last year but it's fantastic. South Korean artist Puung "captures love perfectly with his artwork, expressing simple, yet important aspects of loving relationships". Lovely stuff, beautiful mind.

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"Korea, illustrated maps"

While probably not quite art (and definitely not photography), here are two bright and friendly maps of Korea at large to catch your eye. There are a good number of exciting cities to visit, how many have you been to?

SEE ON MAPS ON THE WEB



Kim Jong-un in pictures: Bizarre photoshoots of North Korea's leader

There's is no denying that North Korea is a strange and dangerous place, a fact best realised by seeing Kim Jong-un himself in action. North Korea has over the years released some rather bizarre images, and The Telegraph has a bunch worth cringing over.

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"It's time for webtoons to go global in 2016"



2015 was a great year for webtoons; in fact, the last few years have seen a rise in this growing industry (especially when it comes to filmic adaptations), but what will 2016 hold? More awesomeness and exposure, I hope!

READ ON ASIA ONE
Published on 2016/01/09

Luxury buses heading to Korea later this year, Time Out puts Garosugil in the spotlight, 10 reasons to love Busan, and find out what's happening in Jeju for amazing winter activities.

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"Luxury express buses to start test runs in March"

A luxury bus service, yes please! The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry is set to start running a luxury bus service later this year: "The luxury express bus will be manufactured as a vehicle with up to 21 seats, which is at least eight seats fewer than the current deluxe express bus (29 seats). Individual seats will be separated with partitions, and come with private table and a monitor, enabling passengers to enjoy comfortable travel experience. The fare for the luxury express bus will be set at a level up to 30 percent higher than that of the current deluxe express bus".

READ ON THE DONG-A ILBO

"The new Garosugil"

Time Out gives Garosugil the credit and attention it deserves. This fashionable part of Seoul is filled with fabulousness that looks well worth a visit: "Everyone knows about Garosugil. It's got all the latest fashions, some of Seoul's best restaurants and while it might be a tourist hot spot-you have to admit that it deserves a lot of the credit that it gets".

READ ON TIME OUT

"10 Reasons to Love Busan"

Seoul is the starting point for most visiting Korea, but the coastal city of Busan is booming and it's filled with its own treasures that will perhaps steal your heart from Seoul. Here's 10 reasons to fall in love with Busan from Haps Magazine: "Busan may not be everyone's first choice as an Asian travel destination, but there's a lot of fun things to do in South Korea's second largest city".

READ ON STRIPES KOREA

"Jeju winter fun activities for 2015/16"

What to do, what to do, Jeju! Winter is still with us and there is still plenty of chilly weather coming up to take advantage of.

READ ON THE JEJU WEEKLY
By Lisa Espinosa | Published on 2016/01/09

Music shows are one of K-pop's most important forms of artist exposure and fanservice. They showcase the new acts, the returning acts, and give fans one more way to connect to their idols. There is a music show every day of the week and artists often hit many of them in order to promote new singles, mini-albums, and albums. Internationally, they allow fans to see their idols live on a weekly basis. In Korea, attending music shows is an involved process that gives fans many opportunities to see their bias groups live.

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I was lucky enough to attend a live broadcast of Mnet's M! Countdown episode # 446 on October 8, 2015. KOFICE secured entry for the Korea Joa (KJ) 2015 members and we got to see the tail ends of the live music show process. M! Countdown is pre-recorded and broadcast from CJ E&M Center Studio in Seoul, and that's where the KJ 2015 members lined up with the rest of the fans to catch the show. There were hoards of fans, most girls, carrying paraphernalia dedicated to their idol group of choice. In Korea, fans pick one group to whom they dedicate their allegiance. This is because fan club membership and ticket acquisition is such a long and involved process. Being a fan in Korea means a serious monetary and time investment. International fans like me tend to have several groups to whom they dedicate their K-pop love because we don't have the same opportunities to attend live events or the fan culture that exists in Korea.

I digress. The Korean fans who sat in orderly lines had already gone through a rigorous entry process comprised of album purchase, proof of purchase, ID, and more. Fans are ranked on their levels of dedication and place in line accordingly. That was how we KJ 2015 members found them when we queued up pre-live broadcast. Some of the acts shown on television such CN Blue and Ailee were pre-recorded and would not perform for the live audience, although CN Blue showed up to dance to their tune " Cinderella " as fan service. Pre-recording is a regular part of music shows that help the shows run smoothly by saving time for the show and the artists.

MCs Key of SHINee, Lee Jung-shin of CN Blue, and Jr. and BamBam of Got7 waited in the MC area while fans poured into the standing-room-only audience. There were several choices of where to stand: closer to the performance stage, closer to the MC area, or closer to the exit from the stage. I chose to stand closer to the MC area because I am a SHINee fan. In retrospect, the stage would've been better because the bulk of the show is music performances. It would've been nice to see them more clearly - it was nice to see Key in person, though!

The acts that performed on stage were numerous: Taeyeon had her solo debut, iKON and GOT7 duked it out for the winning spot, and Park Bo-ram, Bigflo, Oh My Girl, 2Bic, Playback, Lovelyz, Ailee, Homme, 24K, Roh Ji Hoon, DIA, Red Velvet, MONSTA X, Seventeen, CN Blue, UP10TION, JJarmongttang, and 2EYES held their comeback or goodbye stages. iKON took their first win for "Rhythm Ta", which was exciting because I had just seen their debut concert. (They were fabulous.)

The experience as an audience members was unforgettable. The music was wonderful, but the crowd was stifling. Experienced music show goers brought water and food. A few had snuck in cameras. Several girls pushed me for better standing spots; another girl protected me. The audience experience was one I didn't much care for, but I loved to see the performers, especially the ones I had seen before. It's always interesting to see how live performance differs. MONSTA X was especially impressive and KJ 2015 was fortunate enough to get photos with the group. What struck me most about the photo experience (and my first view of Key) was they they were enormously tall. The small screen doesn't do these young men justice.

It's difficult for international fans to gain access to these shows, but if you can, I would recommend attending. The experience is unforgettable.

You can find all of our Korea Joa 2015 coverage on this page.

Written by: Raine from 'Raine's Dichotomy'
Published on 2016/01/10 | Source

A Japanese soldier who is wearing a long rifle in his shoulder is guarding the main gate in a high-handed manner. A signboard reading "Command of the Military Stationed in Korea" in clear Chinese letters is hanging on a pillar of the ancient style hanok, or traditional Korean house. This is scenery of the main gate to Daegwanjeong (currently in Sogong-dong, Seoul) in a photo taken in 1904 by Willard Straight, an American who lived during the Korean Empire. It is the first time that a photo of the main gate to Daegwanjeong that was occupied by the Japanese military has been disclosed to the public.

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The Japanese military occupied Daegwanjeong, the state guest house for the Korean Empire, ahead of the signing of the Protectorate Treaty between Korea and Japan in 1905. The Japanese military did that because Daegwanjeong was situated at a location where it could monitor every single move while overseeing Hamnyeongjeon where King Gojong was residing. Hirobumi Ito, who came to Korea as Japanese special envoy, commanded all matters to sign the treaty while staying at Daegwanjeong with Yoshimichi Hasegawa, the commander of the Japanese military.

The Seoul History Museum recently published a work book of "Seoul photos by Willard Straight, the dean of Cornell University library in the U.S". by compiling 174 photos that were taken by Straight, a correspondent for the Reuters and U.S. deputy consul general to Korea between 1904 and 1905. Straight visited Korea for the first time as correspondent soon after the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904. Then, he was appointed as deputy consul general of the U.S. Consulate General in June 1905, and prepared for a visit to Korea by then U.S. President Theodore Roosevelts daughter Alice. During his stay in Korea, Straight took photos of sceneries in Seoul, and left historical records including postcards, reports and personal journals.

The newly published work book contains a side-angle photo of Suokheon (currently Jungmyeongjeon) at Deoksu Palace, which was taken from a side of the building in 1905. The photo is believed to have been taken at an angle towards the west at frontal court at the U.S. Consulate General. Previously, only front-angle photos of Suokheon were presented in public, and it is the first time that a photo taken from a side has been identified. Suokheon is being used as an exhibition hall after undergoing a restoration project.
Published on 2016/01/10 | Source

The Lotte World Tower in Seoul slated to be completed this year has been included for the eight of the most exciting architectural projects by the BBC.

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According to the BBC on Sunday, architectural critic Jonathan Glancey picked the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, Tate Modern in London and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art as architectures that deserve close attention in 2016.

Selecting the Lotte World Tower, Glancey explained that he would put much importance on political and social meanings of the building rather than architectural aspects. He said that once completed, the Tower would be the tallest skyscraper in the Korean Peninsula at 555 meters high, comparing it to the 330-meter Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang. North Korea began the construction of Ryugyong Hotel began in 1987 as a joint project with France but the hotel remains incomplete and is called a ghost hotel. Glancey said that the two Koreas have been squaring up to each other for the past 70 years, a proxy war fought with architecture is surely better than a deadly one waged with armaments.

Other architectures such as the Canaletto Tower (United Kingdom), World One Tower (India), Tippet Rise Arts Center (United States), the Museum of Local Zinc Mining (Norway), Downing College in Cambridge (United Kingdom) were also on the list. As for the reason to select low-rise buildings, he said that such modest and appropriate designs as these three cultural projects offer a counterbalance to the ways in which global cities are thrusting upwards, and both creating and consuming architecture and culture on a titanic scale.
Published on 2016/01/10 | Source

None of the richest Koreans are self-made billionaires, according to Bloomberg's list of the world's 400 richest people.

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All five Koreans on the list inherited their wealth, whereas 28 out of the 29 Chinese entrants and all five Japanese tycoons on the list are self-made.

Worldwide, some 65 percent or 259 are self-made billionaires and only 35 percent or 141 inherited their money.

The world's top 10 richest people are founders of start-ups that revolutionized their respective industries -- Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Amancio Ortega, who co-founded Inditex that owns retail brand Zara, Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.

But the Koreans on the list are all children or grandchildren of the founders of big conglomerates -- Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, Amore Pacific chairman Suh Kyung-bae, Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-koo and SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won.

There are 80 Asian tycoons on the list, and 70 percent of them are self-made.

The lack of Koreans who become rich by founding innovative businesses stokes concerns that the business landscape chokes successful startups before they can properly establish themselves.

Self-made tycoons are becoming extinct here. Shipbuilding and offshore plant builder STX Group, the only new entrant in the nation's top 20 businesses since 2000, has gone bankrupt, while IT companies like Naver, Kakao, Nexon and NCsoft, seem to have hit the limits of their growth potential.

"Things will only improve if the government comes up with support programs for young entrepreneurs, giving them an opportunity to contribute to an economic revival", said Bae Sang-kun at the Korea Economic Research Institute.
Published on 2016/01/10 | Source

The weather was rather warm for winter, but the wind was still cold in the square where there is nothing to block the wind. A group of college students saw the morning come next to a "comfort woman" memorial statue. They have stayed there for five days from Dec 30 last year, protesting against the result of the comfort women talk between Korea and Japan.

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They are members of a student organization on discarding the negotiation agenda on the comfort women issue. Those young protesters have gone into an all-night sit-in demonstration since the rally on Dec. 30. The number of the protesters was 30 in the beginning, but it increased to 50 during the weekend. They are publicizing the unfairness of the Korea-Japan agreement on the comfort women and appealing for the public to join them in the protest to keep the girl statue, which symbolizes a Korean "comfort woman" in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.

Many people went to see the protest and to cheer for them in the first week of the new year. "I visited the protest site thinking that the comfort woman statue must not be moved or demolished. Koreans living in the U.S. think the recent agreement went wrong and are worried if the statue would be removed", said Choi Won (25), a member of the Korean American Forum of California that has pushed forward an idea of erecting "comfort women" statues in the western United States. The first comfort woman statue built outside Korea was the one placed in a Glendale city park in California, the U.S. in July 2012.

Byun Mi-sol (14, sophomore at Kim Yewon Middle School), who has been giving a charity performance for the victims of the military sexual slavery, played the flute at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. She played "Arirang" in traditional Korean clothes. "I do not want the statue to be destroyed", said the young player with tears in her eyes. On Saturday, Kim Bok-dong, one of the victims of the slavery, visited Byun to encourage her.

People took pictures with the statue and left messages against demolishing the statue. Covering the ground around the statue, some of the messages read, "The vindictive fists of the girl statue have not opened yet" and "As a historian, I came here too late to join the protest. Cheer up, victims of the sexual slavery". Some people brought hand-warmers, canned coffee, and blankets for the students.

The police have surrounded the protest site, paying sharp attention to the situation. As the statue is placed is within 100 meters from the Japanese Embassy, which prohibits any kind of rally except the regular demonstration for the comfort women, the tension was mounting after 30 college students raided a protest in front of the Japanese Embassy on Thursday. "There was one collision when sleeping bags arrived, but that was the last one", a police official said. "We are keeping our eyes on the situation in case of an unexpected development".
The Virginia General Assemblys upcoming session will include heavy lifting on issues like the biennial budget, funding for education and economic development but hot button topics like gun rights and gay marriage may command the headlines.

Lawmakers return to Richmond on Wednesday to be sworn in and hear Gov. Terry McAuliffes State of the State address. From there, they will embark on a 60-day session, much of which will focus on the governors proposed $109 billion biennial spending plan.

This is a budget year so a lot of issues will be driven by the budget, said 1st District Delegate Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City. The governor has proposed his budget and we have to make our determinations on what the legislature deems important. I wont say it will be the lions share, but it will be a huge part of what we do during this 60-day session.

After reviewing that budget, state Sen. Bill Carrico, R-Galax, calls the governors revenue projections extremely optimistic.

There is a lot in there that has expanded to $109 billion that well take a close look at in the upcoming session, Carrico said. Im concerned more about what hes [McAuliffe] predicting as revenue growth than what youre seeing right now in the stock market and other indicators. That gives me some great concern the economy will be as good as what hes predicting.

Beyond dollars, lawmakers will take up Attorney General Mark Herrings Dec. 22 decision that Virginia will no longer honor out-of-state concealed handgun carry permits from 25 states because they dont meet Virginia standards. The change would take effect Feb. 1 and include neighboring states Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky.

The controversial action came on the heels of McAuliffes October executive orders banning the open carrying of weapons by non-law enforcement personnel in executive branch agencies and buildings, establishing a task force, that includes the attorney general, to direct state resources toward gun prosecutions and ordering the Virginia State Police to create a tips line offering rewards for reporting gun violations.

Sen. Ben Chafin, R-Lebanon, said reversing these blatant political attacks will be a top priority.

I will continue to be an advocate for the Second Amendment and lawful gun owners as we fight against the liberal gun control agenda of the attorney general and the governor, Chafin wrote in an email to the Bristol Herald Courier.

Carrico predicted the issue will hover over this session.

I think it will be a difficult session because the governor has set the tone with overreaching executive orders, Carrico said. I think the attorney general has furthered that on the restriction of concealed weapons. I think the governor has tried to use the budget to do things legislatively he couldnt get done in the past two years. I think there will be a lot of changes made to his budget because of that.

Kilgore expects the General Assembly to address the attorney generals move by modifying state law.

There is a legislative way to overturn the attorney generals opinion. The statute says he consults with the state police not that he can take action, Kilgore said. I think it will be overturned without facing a gubernatorial veto and I think its the right thing to do. Virginia has made an agreement with these states and we ought to be good to our word. Particularly in our area, we have a lot of folks who work and travel across state lines. We need to fulfill our promise; when they paid their fee on concealed carry permits that was part of the bargain.

Carrico has introduced legislation for Virginia to honor all other state permits.

I have a bill that takes that power out of the attorney generals hands and making it a code requirement to honor all 50 states concealed weapon permits, Carrico said. Its ridiculous. Vehicles kill more people every year than guns, but we honor every states drivers license and give reciprocity to allow their valid drivers to drive in our state.

Carrico, who has been an outspoken critic of Herrings action and Gov. McAuliffes policies on guns, is also proposing taking money from the attorney generals budget to reimburse out-of-state residents with Virginia concealed carry permits that would no longer be valid in their home state.

On another subject, in the wake of the 2015 Kentucky debate over clerks objecting to issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, Carrico is also chief patron of two bills that would shield clerks and pastors.

I have a right-of-conscience bill for clerks that dont want to issue marriage licenses, looking at what happened in Kentucky and talking with a couple people concerned if it can happen in Virginia. In Virginia, if a clerk has an issue, it defers to the circuit judge, but not every area has a sitting circuit judge, Carrico said. These licenses come from vital records and DMV [Department of Motor Vehicles] now issues birth certificates from the Department of Vital Records. If a clerk has a conscience issue they could defer them to DMV and that takes them [clerks] out of having to issue a marriage license that goes against their religious beliefs.

Another bill would protect pastors who choose not to marry homosexual couples and religious organizations from having to provide services or facilities from legal action by the state or any locality.

Im a firm believer Virginia has spoken and marriage should be between one man and one woman and, if there is legislation that further recognizes that, Im supportive of it, Carrico said. I dont expect everybody to agree with me, but Im not going to back up on the moral issues. I think there will be some attempts to change the code as to the definition of marriage and I wont be supporting that at all. I think under the 10th Amendment we have the right to govern within our own state and the federal government cant intrude on that.

Kilgore shared similar sentiments.

That will be an argument and there will be some bills fly back and forth. I dont know where that goes because you have to work around the Supreme Court decision recognizing marriage, Kilgore said. The Virginia constitution says a marriage is between one man and one woman and my thoughts are that if youre a minister and its against your beliefs, the state shouldnt force you to marry someone against your faith.

Rather than moral issues, Kilgore is encouraging the administration to focus on areas both sides can agree on.

I think the governor would be wise to focus on job creation and education; those are winners both Republicans and Democrats can agree on and what we ought to focus on in this session, Kilgore said.

McAuliffe is proposing a $1 billion increase in K-12 and higher education spending, including $139.1 million to help Virginia school districts hire 2,500 new teachers, another $50 million to increase the number of in-state students receiving degrees and $48.2 million for in-state financial aid.

Public education will continue to be a top priority of mine to provide a strong foundation for the region. I will fight for increased funding for schools in the budget and an increase in teacher pay to retain the best teachers, Chafin wrote.

However, the governors spending plan again includes expanding Medicaid, a topic that Republicans predict wont receive any more traction than it did last year.

He did spend some Medicaid expansion money, which we advised him wasnt going to fly. That will cause some consternation, but I think, all in all, were willing to work with him on education and economic development, Kilgore said.

Carrico was also critical of a proposed fee imposed on hospital visits.

The governors done some increases on those people able to pay who go to the hospital for care. Its basically a use tax for going to the hospital so he can buy down the Medicaid costs. I dont think that will remain in the budget with the Republican-controlled Senate and House, Carrico said.

Kilgore said lawmakers should focus some attention working with K-12 public education and community colleges to promote more direct skills training.

One area I want to enhance a little bit more is vocational educational training and getting people ready for jobs theyre actually going to have. That hasnt been addressed as much on the past. We now have shortages of machinists, welders, mechanics and we really need to ramp that back up, Kilgore said.

Chafin also plans to introduce legislation he says would support Virginias beleaguered coal industry.

The continued onslaught from the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] with job-killing regulations has crippled the coal industry and the Southwest Virginia economy, Chafin wrote. In order to fight back against the EPA on a state level, I have introduced Senate Bill 21. It will require General Assembly approval of plans to comply with federal emissions standards for power plants prior to submission by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to the EPA. Adding the buffer of the General Assembly between DEQ and the EPA will help protect the coal industry from continued over-regulation.

Another economic priority, according to Chafin, would be greater support for the Coalfields Expressway, a four-lane highway that has been in the works for years and would stretch 62 miles from Pound, Virginia, to Beckley, West Virginia.

One piece of legislation I will be carrying will support funding of the Coalfield Expressway and Highway 460 projects, Chafin wrote. My legislation will remove these transportation projects from the slow, normal funding process in order to be funded separately and quickly. While the project still has many federal regulation roadblocks before completion, this bill will ensure that we have the funding in place on time. The Coalfields Expressway will better connect Southwest Virginia and greatly improve our infrastructure, which will help in recruiting new business investment in the region.
Ceremony held for new baseball stadium, games months off

A ceremony was held for a multi-use sports facility in Hagerstown on Tuesday, but the first pitch is still months away.
Game on! IU to resume series with Kentucky starting in 2025-26.

Kentucky coach John Calipari confirmed at SEC media day the two schools have agreed in principle to restart their annual regular-season series.
The Aam Admi Party (AAP) won a landslide victory in Delhi in 2015 because people were disgusted with the other parties and wanted a radical change. Its leader Arvind Kejriwal projected himself as an epitome of honesty, a modern Moses, a Superman who will lead Delhi into a land of milk and honey. But his popularity started to rapidly decline as people started seeing the reality. He has no solutions to the problems facing the people  massive poverty, unemployment, lack of healthcare and good education, etc.

Also people are disillusioned by his dictatorial mentality when he sacked the co-founders of AAP and surrounded himself with chamchas, allocated Rs 536 crore for his self-promoting ads and increased salaries for his MLAs. Seeing his popularity decline he has now resorted to headline-grabbing gimmicks like car-free day, going on a bicycle, lokpal (which many people called jokepal), and now the odd-even scheme.

Unfortunately most people of Delhi, as elsewhere, are gullible and emotional and dutifully follow any Sapnon ka Saudagar, the way at one time they followed Anna Hazare.

But this will not last long. Public opinion is fickle, like the Roman mob at Caesars funeral, which was earlier against Caesar, but changed its attitude after one short speech of Mark Antony. The Kejriwal bubble will sooner or later burst, like a Ponzi scheme. In the first few days of the odd-even scheme Delhiites were enthusiastically supporting it, but now they are following it out of fear of being challaned.

But how long can this last? The Delhi High Court has already voiced its concern about the enormous difficulties being faced by Delhiites due to the scheme. People have to go for work every day. For instance, a lawyer has to go to court every day as do doctors, other professionals, shopkeepers etc. And as regards the public transportation system, in London one has to walk for only five to ten minutes from any place to reach the nearest metro station, but in several places in Delhi one has to take a taxi to reach a metro station. And the metros are overcrowded.

As regards pollution in Delhi, it has not gone down, as several media reports indicate. In fact an IIT Kanpur report says that only 1% of the total air pollution is due to cars, the rest is due to two wheelers, dust, industrial pollution, burning of fodder by farmers in Haryana, etc.

So the scheme will be abandoned after two weeks (though no doubt after declaring it a grand success), as it will become dangerous to continue it any further due to public hostility and anger. Thereafter, Kejriwal will look for some other stunt or caper.

Markandey Katju is a former judge, Supreme Court of India. The views expressed are personal.
About two years after cracking the IAS examination, a 23-year-old has quit the prestigious service to provide free guidance to other civil services aspirants and create his identity at the national level.

Roman Saini, who hails from Jaipur, was last posted as assistant collector in Jabalpur and resigned in September last year, but his resignation came to light only on Friday.

Jabalpur collector Shivnarayan Rupla confirmed the information, but added that Sainis resignation was yet to be accepted by the department of personnel and training (DoPT).

Saini, who is said to be running Unacademy- Indias largest free learning education platform in Delhi along with his friends, could not be contacted.

After making it to AIIMS at the age of 16 years, Saini cracked the civil services examination at 21 in the year 2013 in which he secured 18th rank.

He and his friends have already offered free guidance to more than one lakh students who were aspiring to become IAS officers. Five to seven such aspirants succeeded in civil services examinations in 2015, said Rupla. He said when Saini expressed his desire to quit the service he tried to convince him not to do so and asked him to take a decision in this regard after talking to his family members. However, Saini came back to him after a few days and said he had decided to quit, he said.

Rupla said, Roman is very talented, and he wishes to create his identity at the national level. He thought if he was confined to a service and also a state, he wouldnt be able to guide a good number of candidates who aspired to become IAS officers. I appreciate his talent and decision.
The Madhya Pradesh government has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that there is no proposal for the declaration of the Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, which means that the state will not get its seventh big cat habitat.

In 2008, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had given its approval for the in-principle change, following the state governments consent. However, on Friday, the state government, while hearing an appeal to prevent tigers from entering human habitats, told the tribunal that there was no question of declaring the core area of Ratapani as a must for a tiger reserve.

The core is the most protected region of a tiger reserve, where all types of development and human activities are prohibited. Unlike tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries do not have core and buffer areas. In the case of Ratapani, a core area would have meant the relocation of around 11 villages.

The tribunal had asked the government to consider several measures, including the conversion of Ratapani, in order to put a check on the regular intrusion by tigers in Bhopal, only 40 km away.

KERWA-KALIASOT WILL ALSO NOT BE A CONSERVATION UNIT

In the same reply, the MP government also declared its intention to not announce Kerwa-Kaliasot as a conservation unit, a matter which has pending since 2011. The hearing, which was scheduled for Friday has now been listed on February 10.

The MP high court in October 2015 had issued notices to the Union environment ministry and state forest department, asking them why Ratapani has not been notified as a tiger reserve despite the in principal approval the proposal had received.

At least two tigers and three cubs from Ratapani have reached close to Bhopal over the past four months, including an adult cat, which had wandered into the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering campus, on the outskirts of the city.

GOVT MISLED GREEN TRIBUNAL ON RATAPANI PROPOSAL

MP government has misled the National Green Tribunal on the proposal of declaring Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, activist Ajay Dubey alleged.

Dubey has filed a petition in the high court on the sanctuary and is an intervener in a case in the NGT.

Dubey said that he has many documents and correspondence between senior wildlife officials, where they are talking about the proposal of declaring Ratapani as a tiger reserve.

Hindustan Times has copies of these documents.

I have copy of a departmental note written on July 17, 2014 where the principal chief conservator of forests says that after National Tiger Conservation Authoritys in principle approval, his office had started the process for declaring Ratapani as a tiger reserve. He also says that in this connection the department would send the format of the notifications concerned to the state government. He also says that the format of the notification for identifying 849.027 square kilometre of Ratapani wildlife sanctuary as core area had been sent to the state government on December 16, 2011, said Dubey, adding that he will submit the documents to NGT.

A senior wildlife official on the condition of anonymity said that there was a proposal with the department to declare Ratapani as a tiger reserve, but the final decision on the proposal was to be taken by the state government.

If the state government says it is not considering the proposal, it is a decision it has taken. Department cannot do much about it, he said.

The proposal for declaring Ratapani as a Tiger Reserve was moved in the backdrop of increasing tiger population in the sanctuary, which had repeatedly started spilling over and moving on to the Kerwa and Kaliasote forests of Bhopal.

There are 24-28 tigers in Ratapani wildlife sanctuary, apart from six to seven tigers that have been straying out of the sanctuary.

SANCTUARY-TO-RESERVE STICKING POINTS

Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 says that the state government shall on the recommendations of the tiger conservation authority notify an area as tiger reserve.

According to state government, from 2008 onwards various steps were taken but no notification could be issued because of the area/boundary dispute of the Ratapani sanctuary.

In November 2015, senior wildlife officials suggested that the possibility of issuing a notification for declaring Ratapani as a tiger reserve could be explored subject to specific conditions.

It requires Rs 600 crore from Centre for relocation of at least 11 villages from Ratapani.

It requires in principle approval of the state cabinet.

(Pointers based on the reply of the government advocate in the case on Ratapani in the Madhya Pradesh high court)
Government school teachers of bordering villages in the Majgavan area of MPs Satna district have lodged a case against Uttar Pradesh dacoit gangs that are allegedly threatening them for the last few months. Earlier, the teachers had refused to file a police complaint fearing threat to their lives and instead written to the higher authorities seeking transfer to safer areas.

The teachers were skipping school and gone into hiding fearing attack after a section of them received letters from dacoits demanding Rs 25,000.

Cluster principal or sankul pracharya of Majgawan, Dhiren Singh, who is in-charge of 104 government schools in the area, told HT that some teachers had written to him seeking transfer or better security before they went into hiding.

We searched for them (teachers) so that the matter could be brought before the authorities. After much effort, we tracked the teachers and reported the matter to the police. The police have filed a case and are patrolling the area regularly, Singh said. He added that teachers were still afraid as they are apprehensive that angry dacoits will punish them for reporting the matter.

Dacoits from UP and some from Madhya Pradesh are active in the 50 to 60 km bordering belt in the district, between Kalinjer and Dabora. Several teachers have been kidnapped for extortion in the past. The dacoit gangs use the forest in the belt to hide. They seek food and water from the local villagers.

Additional superintendent of police (ASP), Satna, Rameshwar Yadav told HT over phone that the teachers agreed to lodged a case after much convincing. Over two dozen police personnel have been directed to regularly patrol the area where the schools are located. In general, we have already increased our patrolling in the critical areas of the district where dacoits have been known to operate or hide, he said.

Yadav said three dacoit gangs from Uttar Pradesh have been frequenting the bordering areas of MP, which is locally called the Tarrai. These three gangs are of Babli Kol, Gauri Yadav and Shiv Narayan Patel, he said.

A dacoit, carrying a cash reward of Rs 80,000, was killed on November 2 last year, while another criminal, carrying cash reward of Rs 30,000, was arrested last month.

Schools cant be shut over fears

In a letter to the higher education authorities, two teachers of Taagi government school in Majgawan area, Kunjlal Prajapati and Shivkumar Mawasi, claimed: Because of the activities of the dacoits we are not able to perform our duty...They are demanding Rs 25,000 from us. In case we dont (pay), they have threatened to kill us. HT has a copy of the letter. Satna district education officer (DEO), KS Kushwaha, told HT that the education department had filed a complaint with the local police, which was investigating the matter. Teachers are afraid of dacoits in this particular belt. But we have to run schools. We cant close the school because of their fear, he said. Senior police officials in the district have also indicated that some teachers could be writing the letters themselves to avoid work or seek transfer from the area.

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A group of B Tech first-year students at a prestigious institute in Bhopal have accused their seniors of forcing them to watch pornography and imitate the acts for ragging.

The matter, raised by a group of male students of the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), came to light on Saturday when they lodged a complaint on the national anti-ragging helpline, which in turn informed the institute.

The complainants, whose number could not be ascertained by HT, are mainly from Andhra Pradesh. All five senior students  four from B Tech second year and one from third year  named in the complaint are from Andhra Pradesh as well.

According to the complaint, the ragging  a series of usually demeaning or insulting activities that freshers are made to do  has been on for the last few months. Ragging has been outlawed after instances of humiliated students killing themselves.

The seniors allegedly call the juniors to their hostel rooms, forcibly show them porn movies and ask them to imitate the acts, the complainants said.

Some junior students who didnt want to be named told HT that the accused habitually ragged students.

Junior students are very disturbed with their activities in the hostel. Earlier too, complaints were lodged against them, but the management didnt take strict action against them. This encouraged them further to continue ragging inside the campus, a first year student said.

The junior students said they had given a bunch of 150 ragging-related complaints against the same seniors a few months ago to in-charge director MM Malik, but nothing happened. However, Malik told HT he didnt receive any such complaint.

MANIT director Appu Kuttan just said they had received a complaint and were looking into it.

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If you are a harried telecom customer whose complaints are not being attended too then take to the Facebook and Twitter accounts of telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who has started taking complaints his accounts on the two social networking websites for the purpose.

The telecom ministry is regularly compiling a list of complaints from his Facebook and Twitter accounts and instructing the chiefs of both Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. I will stand by my officers, but customers too need to be heard, Prasad said.

Prasads ministry will also ensure that follow up action is taken on the grievances. It is also asking BSNL and MTNL to submit action taken reports on the complaints.

The challenge is big since complaints are going to pour in from across the country putting his personal intervention to the test. At present -- with the flow complaint being thin -- the system is working.

In a recent redressal of a Twitter complaint, the ministry issued a warning to a junior telecom officer in Durgapur asking him to be more polite and courteous and transferred the store line man at the complainants location.

The moot point is whether the ministry can do the same for services offered by private operators, who are already embroiled in the call drop issue.

Structured view on net neutrality

The minister, meanwhile, asserted the governments stand on non-discriminatory access to internet and said the issue of net neutrality is being debated by telecom regulator y authority of India (Trai) and its report is awaited, following which a final view will be taken. I have told the Parliament that internet remain as a privilege and not become monopoly of the rich. Also, non-discriminatory access of Internet shall be given, Prasad said at an event on Sunday in Mumbai.

He also said that 2,500 Wi-Fi hotspots will be set up in the country by next fiscal. 174 of these hotspots will be installed in 58 cities across Maharashtra.

Speaking on the performance of the postal department, Prasad said that parcel revenue, which registered a 2% decline in 2013-14 and a growth of 37% in 2014-15, had increased by 117% till December 2015 in this fiscal (2015-16).

He also highlighted that India Posts payments bank would become operational by March 2017 . India Post is getting very good attention from across the world. Already 40 national and international consortia have evinced interest to partner with the Postal Department for insurance delivery and other financial products, he said.

Read| Government will take structured view on net neutrality: RS Prasad
Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, who has taken up the daunting task of building a new state with a new capital city, Amaravati, practically from scratch, is ready to lay out the red carpet for investors.

True to his style, he has set a growth target of 14% to 15% for his state, and promised to further improve ease of doing business and give all clearances within three weeks. In case of any problem, we will sit across the table and clear them, he said at an investors meet organised by the commerce ministry and the Confederation of Indian Industry in this port city.

Naidu is considered one of the early reformers in the country, and took Hyderabad to new heights even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as chief minister of Gujarat, showcased his state as the most attractive investment destination. Naidu now wants to make Visakhapatnam the new destination for the Make in India programme.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley, commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman, minister of state for finance Jayant Sinha, and minister of state for power, coal and new and renewable energy Piyush Goyal were also present in the inaugural session of the meet.

Naidu sought the support from the Centre to achieve his mission. He said the greenfield riverfront capital city of Amaravati would be world class and urged the industry captains present to open at least one office in the city.

We will give you infrastructure, 24X7 power, good labour and good governance, only we need investment and you have to join us in developing the new state, Naidu said.

Even the man on the street seems to be impressed. He had completely changed Hyderabad, he means work and he will do the same here, said Syed Beig, a taxi driver.

However, he will have his work cut out in winning over farmers as high debt levels have led to an increase in farmer suicide. This is one area he cannot ignore and should not ignore, this area is crucial for overall development and growth, one of the delegates at the event said.

However, industry captains and policy makers are confident Naidu would be able to change the state. In todays context of Andhra Pradesh, the crisis has been turned into an opportunity, felt Anil Ambani.

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To see the woman in the bikini he travels great distances to the Goan coast where he sits on the beach in his morose underwear with that Y-front as though he wishes to convey two roads diverged in the wood and I On his lap, like an infant, is his high-carb belly filled with subsidised grain, and the other sugars of his recent economic progress.

He is drunk and one opportunity away from becoming a molestor. He is with friends, he is almost always with friends, and they are a lot like him. Sometimes he walks behind white women asking to take selfies with them, holding their waists. For some reason he is more respectful towards mothers in bikinis. Mostly he makes fun of the women.

He is everywhere these days in every site that the Incredible India campaign asks foreigners to visit in the foreign media. The hysteria around the rumour that the campaign would have a new brand ambassador is fundamentally pointless because, eventually, no matter which film star endorses India, when the tourists land the true brand ambassador of the nation would be that gawking man who, like RK Laxmans Common Man, is in every frame of India, commenting, elbowing, slowly scratching his crotch, stalking women on the beach with a bottle in his hand.

He was always around but his new financial progress, though modest, is making him move more than ever. Once, he had to wait in his hometown to see the white tourists. When he travelled at all on leisure it was usually with family on pilgrimage. God and vacation, two at the price of one. Now he and his friends hire a Sumo and go places. They live in the vehicle, they bathe and shit wherever they can. They cannot be hidden or shooed away anymore. They may not be able to encroach into the private spaces of high-end tourists but they are not afraid anymore to share public spaces with them. They are more reassured than ever of their rights.

If it were mandatory for tourism advertisements to publish risk factors, they would have been mentioned in the fine-print of all Incredible India ads. They are living reminders of the fact that high-end tourism in a poor nation is a vulgar phenomenon. There are bound to be tourist-reality conflicts.

The newly mobile lout is only a part of the problem of Indian tourism. The other problems are what we endure in daily life  the poor infrastructure, pollution and low faith in policing. There are foreign tourists who may love India as a transient adventure but high-end tourists, whose money the Incredible India campaign wishes to bag, have too many options to risk India.

India attracts about seven million foreign tourists, and this number includes an intriguingly high number of Bangladeshi tourists. India is a tourism midget compared to Thailand and Malaysia, and even Singapore. India attracts less than 1% of global foreign tourists and extracts less than 2% of the global foreign tourist expenditure.

Over the years, Goa and Agra have seen a sharp fall in the number of high-end foreign tourists. The tourism industry tends to give exalted reasons like global recession, terror advisories and turmoil of currencies. These reasons are, of course, contributing factors but they do not fully explain why India has fared poorly compared to other nations. India does not officially accept that the adversary of Indian tourism is India itself. Over a decade ago, a former tourism secretary did say, Its easy to tell people about the sights and sounds of India, but how do you tell them about the smells of India? But such pronouncements from bureaucrats are rare now. Tour operators point to reasons like filth in public spaces, crime and the perception that India is unsafe for women that render the Incredible India campaign almost worthless.

Last year I went to meet the tourism minister of Goa, Dilip Parulekar, who must be a progressive politician as he was offended by bikinis only when women wore them in supermarkets as opposed to other BJP politicians who thought bikinis even on beaches were against Indian culture. When I asked him what he proposed to do to attract foreign tourists, he mentioned a few things that included signboards so that tourists can find their way to the beaches.

In theory, he knew that he needed foreign tourists for revenue, but in spirit he resented the fact that he must reach out to them. Also, as a politician he did not want to admit that poor Indian men were a problem. The managing director of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, however, found it easy to make that admission. As a strategy to discourage poor tourists from visiting Goa, he said, We have ensured that they dont cook their meals on the beaches anymore.

Even as high-end foreign tourists are abandoning Goa, affluent Indians, with whom the Sumo Indian in underwear never wants to take a selfie, have taken over. That appears to be the future of Goa  as a seaside resort saved by middle class Indians. When this phenomenon began a few years ago, I spoke to a number of executives in Goas hospitality industry, and I could sense some resentment. They loathed the Indian who would be rude to the hotel staff, who bargained hard for almost everything, and who consumed so much of the breakfast buffet that he was clearly not as profitable as the white guest. Several people mentioned women in saris in the pool.

But now there is a new respect for the high-end Indian tourist in Goa. The affluent Indian, too, has matured as a tourist. Maybe the Incredible India campaign should turn its attention from wealthy foreigners to wealthy Indians. After all, the fortunate Indian, too, is a foreigner in his own nation.

Manu Joseph is a journalist and the author of the novel, The Illicit Happiness of Other People. The views expressed are personal.

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A suspended government employee, dealing in real estate, his wife and son were found murdered in their central Delhi home on Sunday morning, a crime police suspect to be a fallout of a property dispute.

Sanjay Sonaria, 51, his wife Jyoti, 45, and their 20-year-old son Pawan, a student of engineering, were all strangled with pieces of clothing that were found wrapped around their necks by police in their Old Rajinder Nagar apartment.

The murders seem to have been committed on Saturday night. We have begun questioning victims relatives, neighbours and family friends, joint commissioner of Police SK Gautam said. Jyotis mother Swadesh, who lives in the neighbourhood, told police that she last spoke to her daughter at around 9pm on Saturday.

The murders were discovered when the familys domestic help came for work at around 8.30am. On finding the door ajar, she entered the main bedroom and found Jyoti unconscious on the floor, police said. Pawan was lying next to her on a mattress with his hands tied.

The help ran out to alert Jyotis mother and police were called who thought it to be a double murder committed by the husband. But, an hour later, they found Sanjays body stuffed in a closet in the next room.

Initially probe was pointing towards a property dispute or personal enmity. Investigators have learnt that Sonaria, detained by the CBI in a corruption case, had at least 12 cases of cheating and forgery against him in different police stations of Delhi.

He was also fighting a property case against his younger brother, police said, adding Sonaria had his fare share of disagreements with local property dealers and investors.

We are probing the case from all angles and several people are being questioned, Parmaditya, DCP (central), said.

Police believe that the killers  at least four in number  were known to the family as there were no signs of forced entry into the third-floor home.

The entire house was ransacked, which, investigators suspect, was an attempt to make the murders look like a robbery gone wrong.

We have learnt that the building (6/72) in which the crime took place too is a disputed property. Sonarias had sold the property but were not vacating it, Deepak Mishra, special commissioner of police (law and order), said.

A CCTV installed in the lane that could have offered some clues was not working.
The preliminary probe into the triple murder case of 51-year-old suspended government employee-turned-property dealer Sanjay Sonaria, his wife Jyoti and son Pawan revealed that there was a similar near-fatal attack on Sonaria in 2011-12, said police.

Police sources said Sonaria was allegedly shot at by his rivals at his home in Old Rajender Nagar. The bullet, however, had hit Sonaria in his leg and he survived the attack.

Sonaria later filed a case of attempt to murder against the alleged perpetrators at the Rajender Nagar police station.

The probe into the case, however, revealed that it was a premeditated conspiracy hatched by Sonaria to implicate his rivals in a false case, police said.

Some sympathisers, including Sonarias relatives, on the other hand contested the theory accusing them of diluting the case in favour of Sonarias enemies. They accused the police of not taking seriously Sonarias requests to provide him and his family police security as they were constantly receiving life threats from his rivals with whom he had personal as well as property disputes.

(Arvind Yadav/ HT Photo)

Rampal Azad, a close friend of Sonaria, claimed that they had moved applications to the offices of Delhi chief minister, SC/ST Commission, police commissioner and DCP (central), seeking security for the family members.

Despite repeated requests followed by several reminders, no action was taken on our complaint. Had the police taken the requests seriously and provided protection, the Sonarias would not have been murdered like this, said Azad.

Read | Triple murder in Delhis Rajender Nagar, 1 body discovered in cupboard

Parmaditya, DCP (central), said, We are verifying the allegations and efforts are on to search the applications, if any such complaints were ever made at the local police station or at my office.

A background check of Sanjay Sonaria, an investigating officer said, has revealed that he was detained by the CBI in 2011 in a corruption/cheating case filed against him.

Sonaria was suspended from his government job following the case and since then he was more into the real estate business. Sonaria started his real estate office in the locality in the name and style of Jai Mata properties, said police. Our probe revealed that Sonaria was a habitual cheat who would dupe investors of their money by showing any property and claiming to be its owner. There are ten such cases registered against him by different people. Sonaria too had filed four cases, including the murder attempt case, against his rivals, said the officer. While sources said Sonaria was also arrested in one of the cases and he remained in jail for almost four months, the officer said they were not sure about it.

About Sonarias dispute with his younger brother, Sagar, the officer said that Sonarias parents owned another property in Delhi. After their death, Sonaria allegedly usurped the property and refused to share it with his brother. It later became a bone of contention between the two brothers and they entered into a legal battle that was still continuing, said the officer.
.A study by Columbia University has found that asanas can even help tackle osteoporosis. Eleven people with an average age of 68 were studied over five years and researchers found that those who practised yoga saw increase bone density in their spines and hips compared to the seven who did not.

Given that exercise can become tricky as you age, doctors in India are also recommending yoga, as part of fitness regimens  and gyms and training centres are beginning to offer special packages for those over 50.

In south Delhi, the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre recently launched a special 90-minute class called Gentle Yoga for precisely this demographic. Some problems are more common among older people, such as impaired lung capacity, digestion issues, bone and joint aches, so the class has been designed keeping this in mind, says director of the centre PC Kapoor.

Yoga, he says, offers several kriyas (practices) and asanas (postures) that can boost immunity and improve flexibility. Ten people have currently signed up for this year-old class, some of them travelling for more than 40 km either way, five days a week, to attend the early-morning sessions.

Read: Relax and zen out: Your route to rejuvenation

Ghaziabad residents Shivani and her husband SS Mondal are among them. My blood pressure used to be very high  around 180/90 mmHg before I joined these classes, but within nine months, the systolic reading has dropped to about 140/80 mmHg, says Shivani, 62. Her husband had neurological problems and shaky limbs. I tried physiotherapy for a while but didnt enjoy it much; then my daughter searched online and found this centre. In nine months, there is marked improvement in my condition, he says.

Doctors say yoga is increasingly being used to help people cope with symptoms associated with chronic illnesses too. It also helps improve mood, strengthens muscles and bones for greater balance, and boosts lung capacity to build stamina. However, like every other form of exercise and fitness regimen, benefits of yoga are best availed when practised under expert guidance, specially in old age.

Read: How much of exercise is too much?

While I encourage my patients to do yoga, I strictly warn them against stopping prescription medicines, which are a more evidence-based form of treatment, says Dr AB Dey, head of geriatric department at AIIMS, Delhi. Let the doctors assess whether the medicine or its dosage needs to be stopped or changed if your readings are under control.

Dr Ranjana Dhanu, practicing yoga at her residence, in Bandra in Mumbai. (Vidya Subramanian/ HT Photo)

Most novices swear by the benefits. Delhi-based stay-at-home mother Shobha Tuteja, for instance, has been practising yoga for the past one year, and is now recommending it to her peers. I was hardly getting any physical activity before I started these classes. After a year of yoga, I can feel the difference; my breathing has improved, my joints and muscles are more flexible and I feel more energy within me, says the 52-year-old.

Breathing kriyas are being used to alleviate symptoms of respiratory ailments; gentle exercises to keep crucial joints such as wrists, ankles, shoulders and toes flexible. For older people with physical limitations, the centre has modified the exercises We relax the rules for people whove had surgery, implants or injuries and allow them to use a chair or a cushion, or bend only up to a point where there is no pain, says Kapoor.

Read: Glaucoma patient? Avoid head-down yoga positions or push-ups

Another must is at least 30 minutes of surya namaskar (sun salutation)  a set of 12 postures that provide a complete cardiovascular workout. Apart from that, surya namaskar also strengthens the back and the bodys musculature. If performed regularly, it can lead to a flexible body.

And then there is meditation, which should last for about 20 minutes and helps calm the mind. For people short on time, surya namaskar is the best thing to do as it encompasses all aspects of well-being, says Kapoor.

However, the technique and timing of these exercises is important, which is why yoga practitioners warn against exercising without supervision. These are easy exercises and can be done at home regularly, but you must learn them under the guidance of a skilled yoga practitioner, says Abeba Alemayehu, a trainer at the Sivananda yoga centre.

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Nine combat teams comprising Indias best fighting men have been placed at the highest alert level in Jammu and Kashmir following the Pathankot fidayeen attack and fresh intelligence inputs warning of strikes against high-value military targets ahead of Republic Day, a top army official has said.

Scattered across terrorism hotspots in the state, three Special Forces (SF) teams are based in the Kashmir valley, two in the Jammu region and three reserve teams are stationed in Udhampur to mount a swift response to terror strikes.

Security measures have been tightened and response plans to military-style terror strikes have been worked out by the teams following the Pathankot attack, northern army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda said.

We have carried out a comprehensive security audit of vital installations such as airbases, ammunition dumps and key administrative facilities.

Read | When terror checked in: Reconstructing the Pathankot air base attack

Each team consists of close to 100 elite commandos. The state is home to two battle-hardened commando battalions -- the 4 Para (SF) and 9 Para (SF).

Hooda said the reserve SF elements located at Udhampur could be flown out for any anti-terror mission on short notice.

Intelligence warnings are not 100% specific but we are leaving nothing to chance, he added.

The Udhampur-based Northern Command is the nerve centre for counter-terrorism operations in the state where military bases and soldiers have been regularly targeted by terrorists.

The security of soft targets such as schools and hospitals, tightened after the 2014 Peshawar army school massacre, has also been reviewed.

The SF units are better trained and equipped than regular infantry battalions to respond to Pathankot-style attacks. The SF specialises in covert operations, warfare in jungles, mountains and deserts, low-intensity conflict and hostage rescue.

The SF is armed with Israeli TAR-21 assault rifles, US-made Colt M4 carbines and a mix of Israeli Galil and Russian Dragunov sniper rifles. It was an SF unit that carried out a rare cross-border assault into Myanmar last June after 18 Indian soldiers were killed in an ambush in Manipur and the insurgents escaped to the neighbouring country.

The SF units account for more than 5,000 commandos.

Indias response to the Pathankot terror attack -- the second major strike outside J&K after last years attack in Gurdaspur -- has set off a fierce debate over whether the operations should have been assigned to the National Security Guard or should SF units have been rushed there.

Read | Post-Pathankot, BSF tries to plug border gaps
The Congress, a constituent of the ruling coalition in Bihar, has been left red-faced as the state governments official website called former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis rule worse than the British reign in India.

Enraged Congress leaders have planned to take up the issue with chief minister Nitish Kumar.

It was he (Jay Prakash Narayan) who steadfastly and staunchly opposed the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi and her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi. Fearing peoples reaction to his opposition, Indira Gandhi had him arrested on the eve of declaring National Emergency beginning June 26, 1975. He was put in the Tihar Jail, located near Delhi, where notorious criminals are jailed, reads a paragraph on modern history in the website.

Thus, in Free India, this septuagenarian, who had fought for Indias freedom alongside Indira Gandhis father, Jawahar Lal Nehru, received a treatment that was worse than what the British had meted out to Gandhiji in Champaran in 1917, for his speaking out against oppression, it says.

The History of Bihar section on the Bihar government website (Website screengrab)

The references were made in the history of Bihar section under state profile. The references to Indira Gandhi are totally unacceptable and we will raise the matter in the party and request the leadership to take up the issue with the chief minister, state Congress leader Chandan Yadav said.

Indira Gandhi was a very popular leader and people in Bihar still remember her for empowering the downtrodden through the Belchi struggle and Garibi Hatao movement.

Bihar government officials feigned ignorance about the contents on the website. I am not aware of it. We will get it checked, said senior bureaucrat Pratyaya Amrit when contacted by Hindustan Times.

Janata Dal (United) spokesman Neeraj Kumar said the truth should be reflected. I dont remember what is there.

The governments official website was launched on February 11, 2014. More than a year on, the ruling JD(U) and Congress along with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of Lalu Prasad joined hands to form a mahagathbandhan or grand alliance that went on to defeat the BJP in the 2015 assembly polls.

The Congress recorded its best-ever performance in 25 years, winning 27 of 41 seats it had contested as part of the grand alliance.

The movement started by JP, however, brought the Emergency to an end, led to the massive defeat of Indira Gandhi and her Congress Party at the polls, and, to the installation of a non-Congress government  the Janata Party  at Delhi, for the first time. With the blessings of JP, Morarji Desai became the fourth Prime Minister of India. JP remained the Conscience of the Janata Party and of post-Gandhi, post-Nehru India. He gave a call to all Indians to work ceaselessly towards eliminating dictatorship in favour of democracy and bringing about freedom from slavery, the website says.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is expected to say there was no foul play behind about 20 mysterious deaths of people linked to Madhya Pradeshs multi-layered Vyapam test-rigging scam that has captivated the nation, sources said on Sunday.

The agencys investigators from Bhopal have found that these deaths resulted either from natural causes or accidents without any suspicious involvement of an outsider, said the CBI sources.

The CBI took over the Vyapam investigation in July last year after several accused, beneficiaries, whistle-blowers and witnesses died mysteriously, with many alleging there was a systematic attempt to scuttle the inquiry that has singed top bureaucrats and politicians.

Probe has been completed in many of these cases and the report has been sent for legal scrutiny to the head office after which a closure report will be issued, said officials.

According to CBI sources, a viscera report clearly indicates journalist Akshay Singh, who was covering the scandal, died of cardiac arrest, while Dr Rajendra Arya, an accused, died of prolonged illness.

Investigations into the death of 19-year-old medical student Namrata Damor, whose body was found on railway tracks, are also on the verge of completion. As of now, the CBI hasnt found any foul play.

It is sure that nobody killed her in the train. Now, CBI is just trying to find out if it is possible for anyone to take her from Ujjain railway station and leave her in between the railway tracks in that short span of time, said the sources.

At least 2,800 people have been arrested and hundreds are wanted in the scandal with multiple rackets helping candidates manoeuvre the examinations for money, including employing imposters to write test papers, manipulating seating arrangements as well as supplying forged answer sheets.

The Opposition has used the issue to target the BJP, which is in power at the Centre as well as the state, demanding the resignation of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

However, Damors father, Mehtab Singh, doesnt believe the suicide theory. Speaking to HT over phone, he said, It is quite possible that Akshay Singhs death was a natural one, but Namratas death was not at all a case of suicide. She was murdered.

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Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Nitin Gadkari called on Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief delayed taking charge as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir after the death of her father, setting off speculations of a political re-alignment in the state.

Congress and PDP leaders called Gandhis 30-minute visit to Mehboobas home in Srinagars Gupkar a purely personal meeting that has nothing to do with politics.

After Gandhi, Union minister Gadkari went to Mehboobas home and was there for about 15 minutes.

PDP sources said there was no clarity yet on government formation despite a late-night meeting of party workers and legislators at her home. Mehbooba made a brief appearance and avoided talking politics.

Mufti Sahib was her guide, mentor, anchor and friend. She needs time to get out of the shock, a senior party leader said.

Mehbooba was unwilling to take oath as the next chief minister until the four-day mourning period ended on Sunday, with the fateha or special prayers at Mufti Mohammad Sayeeds native village of Bijbehara where thousands of people congregated.

Read | Mehbooba Mufti strikes emotional chord with people at fathers grave

Political analysts attributed Sundays turnout to Mehboobas perceived tough stand on government formation with the BJP.

The PDP was apparently disappointed, and shocked, with the thin attendance at the late chief ministers funeral on Thursday afternoon and some party functionaries wanted to sever the alliance with the BJP.

Analysts thought the delay could be a pressure tactic by the PDP to avoid any renegotiation with the BJP because several leaders of its ally were reportedly hankering after better portfolios.

The BJP, which has agreed to back Mehbooba as Sayeeds successor, has kept the suspense growing by not officially confirming its support in writing to governor NN Vohra.

The party compounded the buzz, saying the PDP has yet to communicate on government formation in the state which has been under governors rule following chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeeds death.

Deputy chief minister in the Sayeed government, Nirmal Singh of the BJP, said: We have sent a letter to the governor, informing him that we will take a decision on government formation after getting a response from the PDP. Whatever response we get from the PDP, we will act accordingly.

We are still as close as we used to be he assured.

Singhs assurance failed to hide the ostensible undercurrent of unease between the coalition partners.

In this context, Congress president Gandhis visit was seen as an offer for the PDP to rethink its alliance after Sayeeds death. Earlier in 2015, the Congress offered unconditional support to the PDP but Sayeed had turned it down, arguing that an alliance with the BJP would benefit the state.

Mufti Sahib cut across party boundaries. He was beyond party affiliations. He belonged to everybody, said Gandhi, whose party ran a coalition government with the PDP between 2002 and 2008.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who accompanied Gandhi, said the party chief came to meet Mehbooba because she and her father were with the party before floating the PDP in 1999.

Union surface transport minister Gadkari dismissed speculations that politics was discussed during his meeting with the PDP chief. It is no time to talk politics. I have come here to convey condolences on behalf of the central government. We will try to fulfill all the assurances given to him on Jammu and Kashmir.

The PDP also insisted the coalition was intact but senior party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig hinted that options were open as things can change anytime in politics.

(With inputs from Ashiq Hussain in Bijbehara and HTC New Delhi)

Read | J-K: Confident about continuation of alliance with PDP, says BJP

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Finance minister Arun Jaitley has singularly blamed the Congress top leadership for stalling the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill in Parliament, alleging that a majority of the partys second-rung leaders support the legislation.

Addressing the head honchos of India Inc at a media function on Saturday evening, Jaitley said, It is obvious that not allowing the bill to pass is giving some people sadistic pleasure. But then, democracy has its own strengths, and the last laugh is the best one.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill to roll out the GST is currently stuck in the Rajya Sabha due to stiff opposition from the Congress, which is demanding the inclusion of a provision to cap the maximum rate at 18%. The NDA does not have enough numbers to effect its passage in the Upper House.

Referring to the Rajya Sabha as the last bastion of obstruction, the finance minister alleged that the Congress top leadership was hijacking popular opinion on the key tax reform legislation within the party. When I speak to the party mid-command, I come back with a sense of optimism, and when I meet them just before Parliament is about to commence, every morning I think the high command prevails over the mid-command, he said, adding that the problem was with a few individuals  not the countrys politics.

Making references to certain Congress leaders who were supportive of the bill, Jaitley questioned why his predecessors  P Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee  did not think twice before pushing the Bill with a legal cap on the peak GST rate. He alleged that though there was a complete coalition of those supporting the legislation, including regional parties and UPA allies like the RJD, NCP and JDU, only the Congress was stalling it.

Jaitley, however, lauded Chidambarams efforts during his tenure as finance minister to resolve possible issues between the Centre and the states with regard to the GST regime.

The Union minister also touched upon the issue of tariffs, which has become a bone of contention between the government and the Opposition, stating that it cannot be defined in the Constitution. He warned that if such an action is taken, constitutional amendments would have to be moved each time a natural disaster causes a change in tariff.

However, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh denied allegations that his party was against the GST Bill. The truth is that the BJP, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah do not want GST. But they are putting the blame on Congress, Ramesh claimed, adding that BJP leaders should refrain from spreading falsehood.

Meanwhile, the government continued to hold on to hope that the tax legislation would be passed in the upcoming budget session of Parliament. Addressing the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association in Vijaywada, Union parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu divulged that he had asked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi during a recent meeting to support the GST Bill in the interests of the nation.

I clarified to (Congress chief) Sonia Gandhi at last Thursdays meeting that the government has already incorporated a provision to cap the peak GST rate, he said, adding that this was something the UPA governments version of the legislation did not have.

Besides capping the maximum GST rate, the Congress also wants a Supreme Court judge-headed dispute resolution panel and the removal of 1% additional tax on inter-state transfer of goods. GST would check corruption in taxation departments. Our GST Bill is more advanced than the ones in many other countries, Naidu said.
Pakistan has said foreign secretary-level talks with India are intact and it was following the leads provided by India which has linked the talks, scheduled for January 15, to Islamabads decisive action on the Pathankot terror attack.

We are investigating the Pathankot incident while the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan are intact, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday at a function in National College of Arts, Lahore.

Aziz, however, did not mention the progress Pakistan has achieved on the leads provided by India.

We are investigating the Pathankot incident, was Azizs answer when he was asked by a reporter in this regard.

Replying to another question on the status of the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, scheduled for January 15 in Islamabad, Aziz said, Let me tell you the talks are intact and will take place as per schedule.

On Friday, India had put the ball squarely in Pakistans court, linking the fate of the talks to Islamabads prompt and decisive action on the Pathankot terror attack for which it has provided actionable intelligence.

However, Azizs assurance about holding talks as per schedule was interpreted by many analysts in Pakistan as Islamabads willingness to act on the information provided by India in a time-bound manner.

Azizs confidence about Pak-India talks intact can be interpreted to mean that Pakistan is serious about acting on the leads provided by India and may well lay hands on those suspected of being involved in the attack before January 15, a government official told PTI.

Read | Pathankot attack: Pressure mounts on Pak to act, Kerry calls Nawaz

Earlier, Pakistan said it needed concrete evidence from India for acting against the terrorists it suspected of being involved in the terror strike at Pathankot airbase instead of leads suggesting the attack was planned and directed from here.

We are expecting evidence beyond leads and information to proceed as per our law, Dawn quoted a foreign office official as saying after Sharif chaired a second meeting of his security aides on the Pathankot attack yesterday.

Soon after receiving the leads Pakistan had acknowledged that they had been shared and were being investigated.

Nawaz Sharif, who had then telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, had assured him of prompt and decisive action against those found guilty.

India has blamed on the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed for the Pathankot attack in which six terrorists were killed and seven security personnel lost their lives.

Read | Pakistan seeks concrete evidence: Pathankot going way of 26/11 probe?
The villagers of Ram Terang exchanged gifts with the wild elephants of Assam this Christmas, in a manner of speaking. On December 25, 11 of the 19 tribal families began the process of moving to New Ram Terang, clearing out of a vital elephant corridor. The other eight families will follow over the next 10 days, after which Ram Terang will be surrendered.

In exchange, each family has got a new home built to look like their old one, with the added advantages of 1.3 acres of arable land, a toilet and a bathroom (only a handful of the families had toilets in Ram Terang) and solar power (Ram Terang had none).

Our new village is nice. We have got our houses, and also a community hall, and farmland to practice settled cultivation, says village headman Khoi Terang. We didnt want to move when this was first discussed, but the NGO showed us all their plans, along with the workshops they plan to build to help us learn settled cultivation. And we decided to shift to help protect our own crops and to help protect the elephants.

As an added advantage, the tribals will practice settled farming on their new plots, as opposed to their traditional slash-and-burn methods, and this will help protect local forest land.

The move has been in the making for five years, negotiated by NGO Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in association with the local forest department and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. Planning and financial support was provided by the UK-based NGO Elephant Family, the Netherlands-based International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund.

Read: Missing on Paris climate summit agenda: A return to nature

The initiative has cost approximately Rs 1 crore. When we first approached the Terangs, naturally no one wanted to move, says Dilip Deori of WTI. But we discussed the plans with them in detail, negotiated with them and made them aware of the crucial conflict in play. Eventually, we convinced them that it was as much about saving the elephant as it was about recognising their problems and trying to solve them.

In a country where man-animal conflict claims hundreds of lives each year, this kind of voluntary relocation could offer a template for success. The corridor in which Ram Terang is located is a vital one because it connects the Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary with eastern Karbi Anglong, en route the Kaziranga National Park, says Abhijit Rabha, additional principal chief conservator of forests in the Karbi Anglong Forest Department.

Elephants, like most wild animals, are creatures of habit. They tend to follow the same paths as they migrate from one habitat to another through the year. This corridor is about 2.5 km wide, and when human settlements appear within or along them, it results in conflict.

Read: Stationery makers are selling paper made of animal excreta

An estimated 1,800 elephants use the corridor in which Ram Terang is situated, so the village often found its fields raided by the elephants, and the elephants were in danger as people tried to keep them out of their fields, Sandeep Tiwari, deputy director of WTI.

This, then, is a first-of-its-kind initiative for north-east India. There have been previous instances of corridors being secured in Kerala and Karnataka, says Sandeep Tiwari, deputy director of the WTI. This is a big development in the struggle to reduce man-animal conflict as well as protect wildlife.

Now that Ram Terangs 101 residents are on their way out of the corridor, the second phase of the project will begin, with similar relocations and rehabilitations of other villages in the elephant corridor. Next up is Tokolangso village. Most of the people in this village seem much more forthcoming about moving now that they have seen New Ram Terang take shape, says Deori. We are hoping to start work with them soon.
The Border Security Force has increased surveillance in the Bamiyal sector along the Pakistan border in Punjab, believed to be a transit point for smugglers, drug traffickers and terrorists because of stretches of gaping holes in the heavily-guarded boundary.

Pakistan-based terrorists reportedly sneaked through this porous border to lay siege on the Pathankot air base recently, as did their comrades to attack Dinanagar police station some months ago.

The BSF came under severe criticism for the gaps in the border fence.

The complex geography and topography of the area  compounded by a fast-running Ravi river and swampland of tall grasses on its banks  make it difficult to build a continuous fence of barbed wires along the border.

About 750 metres of land were without a fence at many points because of the river terrain.

The BSF spokesperson said senior officers were camping at the frontier village of Bamiyal since the Pathankot terror attack and overseeing work to strengthen outposts and the surveillance system.

BSF special director-general MK Singla was reportedly visiting areas where the border has remained porous. He was said to be leading a team of BSF officers to fortify vulnerable points with modern equipment.

To plug the gaps, the paramilitary force has installed high-beam lights and other equipment to detect movements.

The spokesperson said the BSF has added at least six more companies and a process was initiated to deploy 800 more personnel to guard the area. We have placed more barbed wires, modern surveillance equipment and more boats to tackle the fast current of the Ravi, he said.

Additional check points, border posts and men on duty would help stop infiltration from Pakistan through Bamiyal, barely 30km from Pathankot, the BSF officer said.
RSS Muslim wing Muslim Rashtriya Manch has said that the Ram temple will come up in Ayodhya one members of all communities are taken into confidence on the matter.

Describing Lord Rama as symbol of Indian-ness, the Manch, patronised by senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, said it is making efforts to make Muslims aware of the truth that God is at the centre of faith for Hindus, while Mughal emperor Babar does not claim similar space for them.

It is believed that Babri Masjid was named after Mughal emperor Babar and built during his reign.

Ram temple will come up, but only when we take each other into confidence. There is a need to speak to Muslims, members of other communities over this, Mohammed Afzal, national convener of the Manch, said in Delhi recently on the sidelines of an event.

Afzal said Lord Rama is at the centre of faith of majority Hindus, but Babar is not at the core of belief of Muslims and added that the Manch is engaged in activities aimed at conveying this truth to members of the minority. Babar was an invader. We are conveying the truth to our Muslim brothers, he added.

Afzal also claimed that majority of the Ulemas associated with the Manch were of the view that the temple must be built in Ayodhya.

When the UP high court decision had come (in the Ayodhya case), we had called a meeting of members of our organisation. Around 70-80 ulemas had spoken then. Of these, around 65 people had said the temple should be constructed there as it is the symbol of our Indian-ness. The discussion had taken place without any pressure on anyone, he said.

Afzal dismissed the view that atmosphere of intolerance prevails in the country. Referring to the makeshift temple at the disputed site, he said, It is the biggest example of how tolerant India is.
The growing spat between Saudi Arabia and Iran following the execution of an influential Shia cleric could have repercussions for India, which has adopted a position of neutrality since it enjoys good relations with both countries.

As several of Saudi Arabias close allies curtailed their ties with Iran, the kingdoms foreign minister Adel Bin Ahmed al-Jubeir flew into Islamabad this week to seek Pakistans support in the standoff.

The Saudi-Iran tension, with the underpinning of a Sunni-Shia divide, is especially worrying for India since the Gulf region has vital economic and strategic significance for the country.

Additionally, the rift could see many Gulf nations with a sizable number of Indian expatriates picking sides. The region has sevenmillion Indian nationals who account for about $40 billion of the $70 billion that India receives in remittances annually.

We have friendly relations with both countries and we would hope they are able to resolve the differences in a peaceful manner and international norms in terms of protection of diplomats are adhered to by both sides, said Vikas Swarup, the spokerperson of the ministry of external affairs.

Saudi Arabia has the maximum number of Indian passport-holders outside the country. But with oil prices falling and Saudi Arabia grappling with mounting unemployment for people under 30 who constitute 70% of its population, there are concerns that the kingdom will not remain a key employment destination for Indians for long.

India also enjoys robust security cooperation with Saudi Arabia, which has deported several most wanted terrorists such as Abu Jundal, linked to the Mumbai attacks case. Although such steps

do not in any way diminish the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the growing security cooperation is of vital significance for India.

In the case of Iran, a sanction-free Tehran is Indias best bet in the region to advance its strategic interests, particularly with respect to Afghanistan.

Iran also holds the key for Indias ambitious connectivity plans for the oil and gas-rich Central Asian republics and to provide land-locked Afghanistan access to the sea via Irans Chabahar port, bringing down Kabuls dependence on Islamabad.

But the row could also lead to some positive developments for India, which imports more than three-fourths of its energy requirements, because oil prices, already near historic lows, could head further south.

Several major Indian companies including Larsen & Toubro, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Wipro, Infosys, Punj Lloyd, Shapoorji Pallonji, Godrej & Boyce, Air India, Jet Airways and State Bank of India also operate in Saudi Arabia.

Indian exports to the kingdom include mineral fuels and oils, chemicals, iron and steel and electric machines.

Read: Iran says Saudi Arabia cannot cover crime by cutting ties
Two constitution benches will start work in the Supreme Court from Monday in an attempt to clear the backlog of constitutional matters as varied as euthanasia and privacy concerns surrounding Aadhaar.

The two benches, assigned five cases each to start with, will assemble post-lunch every Monday and Friday as judges get free by 1-1.30pm on these two days. While Chief Justice of India TS Thakur heads the first bench, justice AR Dave will lead the second.

More than 30 million cases are pending across the country at various stages with judiciary battling shortage of judges.

Unlike the US and many other countries where the supreme court takes up mostly matters involving interpretation of the constitution, Indias top court is flooded with more than 40 types of cases ranging from divorce, child custody to river water disputes between states. In the process, constitutional matters  which involve a substantial question of law  often take a back seat.

CJI Thakurs move to give the much-needed priority to constitutional matters is aimed at correcting this anomaly. Last year, only four such cases were decided. In 2002, 33 judgments were given  the highest in the last 15 years, while only one case was decided in 2009. Since 2000, the Supreme Court has decided 196 constitution bench matters.

I always had a firm view that there should be a dedicated bench devoted to complex legal issues. After all whats a Supreme Court without a constitution bench? This is a good initiative, former CJI RM Lodha said, welcoming the initiative.

Justice Lodha, however, said it remained to be seen if the arrangement would work. I feel it is necessary to have continuous hearings. In this attempt there will be a break of three days. But its a good start, he said.

This is the first time that SC judges will hear constitutional matters after finishing routine work.

A ruling by constitution bench, which has to have at least five judges, can lead to disposal of hundreds or thousands of cases involving the same question of law in trial and high courts.

There are at least 29 important constitutional matters pending with the apex court, sources said. The oldest one is being heard since 1983.

These include Aadhaar scheme challenged on the ground of violation of right to privacy, a terminally ill persons right to die with dignity (euthanasia), degree of control that the government can exercise on private medical colleges and the Centres power to remove a governor.

The CJI has also decided to set up four three-judge benches that will take up around 100 cases referred to larger benches. The oldest one in this category is pending since 1992.

The three-judge benches are headed by justices JS Khehar, Dipak Misra, J Chelameswar and Ranjan Gogoi.
Indias response to the fidayeen attack on the Pathankot fighter base has set off a fierce debate over whether the National Security Guard (NSG) or the armys Special Forces (SF) should have handled the operation. The four day operation ended with all six terrorists being killed while seven security personnel also lost their lives. One of those martyred was Lt Col Niranjan who belonged to the NSG.

Heres what you need to know about the two elite forces of India:

History

The NSG was set up in 1984 soon after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a counter-terrorism force to be used in exceptional circumstances.

The army raised its first Para Commando units in 1966. The redesignation of these units as Special Forces happened in the mid-1990s.

Role

The NSG is trained and equipped for counterterrorism operations, hostage rescue, anti hijack operations and urban warfare. It also guards VVIPs.

The SF specialises in covert operations, warfare in jungles, mountains and deserts, low-intensity conflict and hostage rescue.

Equipment

The NSG is equipped with German Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns, Swiss SIG SG 551 assault rifles, Austrian Glock-17 pistols and Heckler and Koch PSG1 sniper rifles.

The SF is armed with Israeli TAR-21 assault rifles, US-made Colt M4 carbines and a mix of Israeli Galil and Russian Dragunov sniper rifles.

Structure

Half of the NSG personnel, also known as Black Cat commandos, are drawn from the army. The paramilitary and state police forces contribute the rest.

Army personnel volunteer to join the SF and have to undergo a rigorous selection process. The SF comes under the defence ministry.

Deployment

The NSG is deployed at four hubs across the country to mount a swift response. Two more are planned. The hubs came up after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.

The SF units are continuously deployed in operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

Read | When terror came calling: How the Pathankot air base attacked happened

Read | Missed clues, security gaps in run-up to Pathankot airbase attack
Hours before the long gun battle began at the Indian Air Force air base in Pathankot, one of the terrorists named Nasir called his mother in Pakistan and told her he was on a fidayeen mission. Host a lavish party, he said. He wanted his martyrdom to be celebrated and informed his mother that she would get a call from Ustad once he had attained it. The terrorists had no confusion. They were crystal clear about their task and had come prepared to turn their bodies into missiles.

Unlike the six terrorists who managed to breach the high-security air base despite concrete and credible intelligence that came from Pathankots Superintendent of Police (SP), Salwinder Singh, the security establishment was far from prepared for the deadly assault. At first, the Border Security Force (BSF), which guards the international border between Punjab and Pakistan, had no clue that a heavily armed group had infiltrated into India. Even after they were accidentally  and providentially  discovered, the terrorists, armed with assault rifles, were mistaken to be robbers.

It is not often that intelligence comes knocking on the front door. Before the Mumbai attacks in 2008, intelligence agencies had failed to join the dots despite Taj Hotel appearing in several intercepts, but on the night of December 31, barely an hour before the dawn of a new year, the terrorists came face to face with an SP rank officer in Pathankot. He was blindfolded and thrown out of the car before the terrorists fled in his blue-beacon XUV. The information provided by the controversial and colourful SP Salwinder Singh was, however, dismissed by his seniors, who thought he had probably partied too long. Even after he was finally taken seriously, the Indian security establishment was unclear of where the terrorists would strike or how many they numbered.

By late morning on January 1, it was clear that the first day of the new year was signing in with a terror imprint: Innova driver Ikagar Singhs body was found with his throat slit. Salwinder Singhs Mahindra XUV was tracked to just outside the air base and his jeweller friend Rajesh Verma too had checked into a hospital with a gash on his throat.

Phone lines started buzzing between Delhi and Pathankot, between Jammu and Udhampur, where the armys Northern Command is based, between Chandigarh, which headquarters the Punjab Police, and Chandi Mandir in Panchkula, where the Armys Western Command is headquartered. And between the Prime Ministers Office and Manesar, where the elite commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG) are based. The countrys security establishment was on high alert and defense establishments in Pathankot were asked to activate their quick reaction teams (QRTs).

Soon, it also became known that the terrorists had an unmistakable Pakistan connection. They had made the cardinal error of using the phones that theyd snatched from Ikagar and Rajesh. The intelligence agencies had intercepted vital inputs: conversations between the terrorists and their handlers and Nasirs farewell call to his mother. In one call, the handler reprimands the terrorist for sparing the SP and in another, he can be heard telling one of the terrorists that one group has moved ahead.

First contact

The terrorists had not just moved ahead, they had managed to enter Pathankots air base undetected, even as QRTs made plans of stopping them at the gates of their respective establishments. The terrorists had checked in and were lying in wait. They were already inside the reinforced gates well before the NSG commandos took position. The terrorists had managed to evade the BSF, the Punjab Police and the Garud and Defense Service Corps.

The bases security cover has weakened over the years. The perimeter wall has no patrolling road around it. At several points, the wall shares its length with residential houses with no efforts to contain encroachment around the base. Members of the Gujjar community have settled around the boundary wall and are allowed inside the base to gather fodder and to graze their animals. The road where Ikagar and Salwinder were kidnapped is barely five kilometers from the international border but there is no police picket on it. The first police picket at Kathlour Bridge let the SPs blue beacon car go thinking it was a VIP vehicle.

Read | Did a lost walkie-talkie save the day at Pathankot?

The approximately 30km distance to Pathankot airport was covered in an hour with no stop before Salwinder and his cook Madan Gopal were thrown out. Nasir and his terror companions made their first attempt at martyrdom in the dead of night intervening January 1 and 2. The fidayeen squad first shot a Garud, the Indian Air Forces in-house commando team and quickly made their way to the DSC mess where Jagdish Chand, an ex-army wrestler was preparing tea. Chand grappled with the terrorists, overpowered one, snatched his rifle and shot him dead before being killed himself. In the mess, the terrorists killed four more DSC men.

The terror imprint had been firmly stamped at first contact even as QRTs waited for the terrorists disguised in army fatigues to show up at their gates. After one terrorist was killed, the remaining are believed to have split into two groups. Pakistani terrorists have great stay behind capability. They are taught to live in caves and they open fire only when we come within range, an official said.

Confusion reigns

Pathankot has a large air base with nearly 10,000 families living within the sprawling perimeter with a circumference of 25km. The fear of a hostage situation was real. The base also had 23 foreign military trainees from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. That the trainees were in close proximity to the DSC mess gave the IAF some anxious moments till they were rescued by the army and the NSG. The gates to the technical area where the IAFs fighter machines  MIGs and MIs  are parked were also barely 500 metres from the mess. God was on our side, an air force source said, adding, There was no fog and we were lucky to be able to fly our UAVs.

Luck was constantly by their side as confusion reigned. The terrorists had not only hauled in 50kg of ammunition and 30kg of grenades that could damage tanks, but had also brought in inflammable gel to set machines on fire. By the evening of January 2, the remaining three terrorists were engaged and killed. The air traffic control, which was the operation control room, burst into celebration thinking there were only four terrorists. Liquor was filled in glasses and the operation, though not officially declared ended, was considered to be over, a source revealed. The same message was perhaps relayed to Delhi for soon the Home and defense ministers tweeted congratulatory messages. In fact, the party had started too soon.

Misplaced relief

The security grid had planned well: Mine-protected vehicles had been moved from Northern Command to Mamoon, not far from Pathankot. Highly trained men had moved in too but none knew that two more terrorists lay in wait. They had come well equipped with morphine injections and packets of cooked chicken and rotis.

Presuming the battle to be over  despite the SPs cook having said there were at least five terrorists  the NSG went about its task of sanitizing the complex. Tragedy struck when its bomb disposal squad officer, Lt Col Niranjan was removing bombs from the dead body of one of the four terrorists. He pulled out a grenade and his buddy told him to throw it away. He did, but it exploded, said an officer privy to the incident, adding, Niranjan was wearing his armour but his lungs collapsed due to the sheer impact of pressure.

The uniform of National Security Guard commando Niranjan Kumar, who was among those killed in the attack on the Pathankot air force base is placed on his coffin draped in the Indian flag, in Bangalore. (AP Photo)

Firing started again between 10 and 11 in the morning. Six defence personnel were on the first floor of the same building from which the fifth and sixth terrorist had fired. Luck saved the day again: A latch door between the ground and first floors stayed untouched. Perhaps the terrorists didnt know they had six defence personnel right above them as perfect hostages. Even after the six had been rescued, the battle was fierce. Cannon fire was used to try and silence the terrorists, who showed no signs of having been silenced. I could have taken a tank and blasted the building or used rocket launchers but that would have damaged civilian areas. They continued to engage us through the day, an officer said.

Finally, it appears, the cooking phenomenon  to use a military term  was set in motion. The phenomenon is a process where ammunition starts exploding on its own. This coupled with cannon bursts resulted in the two terrorists literally melting. All that was found the next morning were pieces of flesh and bone. The NSG sent a dog into the building the next morning to ensure that the terrorists had been killed. If the bodies had melted, how did they know there were two terrorists and not one? Because the pieces of bone and flesh were found at two different locations of the ground floor, an officer said.

The gun battle had indeed ended. But amid the rubble at the Pathankot air base lie questions that need answers. The hows and the whys are being addressed by the National Investigation Agency. Maybe this time the post mortems and enquiries will plug holes to ensure that terror does not check in as easily again.

Read | Pakistan seeks concrete evidence: Pathankot going way of 26/11 probe?
Frequent flyers to Bhopal and Jabalpur have a reason to cheer. After a four-month delay, the intra-state air taxi service connecting Indore to Bhopal, Jabalpur, and tourist hotspots Khajuraho and Sirdi will finally take off on January 16.

The operator, Supreme Transport Aviation, which had been waiting for clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has finally got the green signal from the government agency. The operations will initially commence on Indore-Bhopal, Indore-Jabalpur, Indore-Khajuraho and Indore-Shridi, a very popular pilgrim destination, a senior company official said.

We have received all the DGCA permissions and plan to launch operations from January 16. The only thing remaining is certificate of air worthiness (CoAW) for the aircrafts, which is received after proving flight. It is a one-day process, Supreme Transport Aviation Ltds senior state manager Milind Mahajan told HT.

Last month, the company had received a jolt after MP Tourism Development Corporation cancelled its contract to provide subsidy to its flights. The contract was cancelled following inordinate delay in getting the DGCA approval.

Intra-state air taxi services from Indore by another private operator were suspended in September 2014 as the operations had turned financially unviable.

Initially, Supreme Aviation, in collaboration with MP Tourism Development Corporation, had planned to connect 12 cities, including popular tourist destinations of Kanha, Bhandhavgarh and Gwalior with Indore and Bhopal.

The company had also planned inter-state operations on Nagpur, Agra and Ahmedabad routes. For now, we will be focusing only on the profitable routes, as our contract with MP Tourism Development Corporation is no longer applicable. The fare will be about Rs 6,500 per flying hour, so Indore to Bhopal one-way fare would be around Rs 3,250, while Indore to Khajuraho fare would be Rs 6,500, he said.

Earlier, the state government had planned to give subsidy on part of the per-hour flying cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 1 crore per month.

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Demanding early student council elections, the students of Jadavpur University (JU) continued their gherao of the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, registrar and some executive council members on Saturday. The gherao, which began at 4pm at the V-Cs chamber on Friday, went on for 32 hours with no signs of a breakthrough.

The students want the council polls to be held in February and have decided to press on with the agitation till such time their demands are met and a notification on the elections issued. They also clamoured for an audience with Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, who is also the chancellor of the varsity.

While the executive council decided to hold the polls in February, the state government asked the members to hold off on their plan till later. The term of the current council expires in January.

On Saturday, the executive council held a fresh meeting and Bimal Roy, who has filed nomination for the post of chancellor to the council, set up a meeting between the agitating students and the governor.

Despite pressure from the agitating students, V-C Suranjan Das held firm while inviting them for talks to break the impasse. However, he said he wont call the police to lift the gherao.
Ramon Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey has filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) to know the reason that led to the termination of his contract as a visiting professor at the institute.

The noted social activists contract was terminated after he showed a banned documentary on the Nirbhaya case at the institute. He was purportedly accused of being a Maoist and of being involvement in anti-national activities.

The notice served on Pandey, on January 6 this year, was silent on the reason for his removal.

The National Alliance of Peoples Movement (NAPM), with whom Pandey is associated, alleged that key figures who have ties with the RSS primarily forced the decision, which was taken at the Board of Governors meeting.

On Saturday, a group of 25 students submitted an RTI application, signed by Pandey, to the institutes public information office, on the Magsaysay award winners behalf.

Speaking to HT, Pandey said, I want to know the reasons for my termination. As I had to leave Varanasi on Friday, I asked the students to file the application. I am waiting for a response.

A student, who did not wish to be named, said, I have come to know that only three members of the Board of Governors took the decision. Action against Pandey is wrong. He is a good professor. The IIT-BHU administration should give proof of the charges it levelled against Pandey. It should bring forth details of the meeting in which a decision was taken.

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Around 12 years after the Dharavi redevelopment project was announced, the first lot of 278 slum dwellers will be allotted new houses on January 26.

They will be given houses in a newly constructed building in sector 5, which is close to the commercial hub of Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). This sector is being revamped by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada).

According to senior Mhada officials, 278 slum dwellers have been found eligible in the exhaustive exercise being undertaken by the housing board. We will undertake a computerised lottery to allot the houses in the new building, said the official, on condition of anonymity.

Mhada is said to have booked a hall in Bandra and efforts are being made to

rope in chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to grace the occasion.

These slum dwellers are from Shatabdi Nagar and once they are shifted, Mhada plans to build two new buildings on the vacant plot of land.

The new building has 358 houses that are 300 sqft. They have been ready for the past two years, but Mhada delayed allotting them to determine the eligibility of the slum dwellers.

Sector 5 has 9,300 slum dwellers and its area spans from Sion station to Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, which is adjacent to BKC and then the areas along Mahim creek and Mahim Nature Park and finally LBS Road, along the central railway tracks.

Of the total 62 hectares, just 23 can be developed as a major part comes under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and Mahim Nature Park, where redevelopment activity is restricted.

Resident associations, however, are still not convinced of the progress of the project saying that the real challenge is still ahead.

After 12 years, just 278 are being rehoused. At this pace, it will take several decades to complete the project, said Raju Kode, Dharavi Nagrik Manch.

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A worker died and 15 others suffered burns other injuries when a major fire broke out at an incense stick manufacturing factory at Site-4 in Sahibabad Industrial Area on Saturday evening. The blaze started around 5pm and continued for nearly three hours.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established, fire services officials said.

According to the officials, the blaze started on the ground floor of the building. But since the factory housed inflammable chemicals, it soon engulfed the other three storeys.

Fire tenders and personnel from different stations like Hindon air base, Noida and Dadri were rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

According to fire department officials, the fire continued for more than three hours and 15 fire tenders had to be rushed to douse it.

Most of the labourers working on the ground floor managed to rush out in time. However, those working on the higher floors got trapped and had to be rescued.

There were nearly 60 people inside the factory when the fire started and 15 of them were trapped inside. They went to the terrace of the factory to save themselves from the flames. A crane was used to bring them down safely, said Akshay Ranjan Sharma, chief fire officer of Ghaziabad.

One of the workers, identified as Sarfaraz, suffered burns and suffocation from the smoke. He was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be saved.

Sarfaraz was working in an interior area on the ground floor when the fire started and could not escape. The cause of the fire is yet to be established, Sharma said.

Sarfaraz suffered burns and had also inhaled toxic fumes which could have led to his death, he added.

Sharma said documents of the factory will be checked during an inquiry.

The no-objection certificate and other documents of the unit will be checked during an inquiry, he said.

The police, meanwhile, said many factory workers had lost consciousness because of inhaling smoke and they had to be rushed to hospital.

They said of the 15 workers trapped at the terrace of the factory, 12 were women who panicked and rushed to the terrace.

By 8pm, the fire was almost under control. According to sources, the factory had started operation only a couple of weeks ago.
In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pathankot, the police have tightened security at sensitive points in the city, including the Metro stations at Vaishali and Kaushambi. From Monday, vehicles will not be allowed to stop in front of the Vaishali Metro station while unauthorised tempos and autorickshaws parked outside the Kaushambi Metro station will be removed.

Barriers will be put outside the Vaishali Metro station from Monday and vehicles will not be allowed to stop outside the main entrance. Moreover, all beggars, autorickshaw drivers and street vendors will be prohibited from entering the Metro premises. In order to implement this, additional personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been deployed outside the station, said RC Srivastava, Vaishali Metro station in-charge.

The city police and CISF personnel will also conduct an anti-encroachment drive at the Kaushambi Metro station on Monday to remove tempos and autorickshaws parked at the entry and exit points of the station.

Metro stations are highly sensitive spots because of the high footfall they receive every day. Security arrangements there have been tightened and cannot be compromised on, said Atul Kumar Yadav, circle officer, Indirapuram police station.

An anti-encroachment drive was also conducted at Vaishali Metro station on Friday morning and all vendors at the front and back entrances of the station were removed. In the one-and-a-half-hour drive, police and CISF personnel also removed autos and tempos parked outside the main road in front of the station.

In the past three months, several vendors and street hawkers had set up shops at the main entry of the station, leading to congestion and giving rise to a security threat.

The city police are on high alert after the Pathankot attack. The encroachments were removed as they posed a major security threat to the station. We have seized items of 16 street vendors and hawkers while all others have been removed from the station, said Yadav.

Yadav said that in order to prevent vendors from setting up shops at the station again, personnel from the Vaishali police post and CISF have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the station.
With incidents of crime hogging the limelight once again, a war of words has ensued in Bihar between a resurgent NDA and the ruling Grand Alliance dispensation.

While the Bihar government is at the receiving end of relentless attack from the NDA constituents branding the recent turn of events as return of the jungle raj, the RJD has hit back, with deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday terming it an attempt to malign the image of the state.

After senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted news reports about the killing of an assistant sub-inspector, extortion demands and theft of an idol from a Bakhtiarpur temple, it was the turn of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan to hit out at the Bihar government for the constantly deteriorating law and order situation.

The spurt in crime clearly points to the advent of jungle raj which we always feared. Three engineers and two police inspectors have been killed, an SP has been attacked and above all, there is a fear psychosis gripping the people, he said, while talking to the media in Patna.

As Paswan took on the Bihar government, a cartoon trending on Twitter depicted the lengthening shadow of RJD chief Lalu Prasad in contrast with the shortening shadow of chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Stung by the attack, Tejashwi Yadav tried to take the battle to the Opposition on the lines of what his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad did over Pathankot a couple of days ago.

With terrorist attacks in Pathankot and elsewhere, should the people start dubbing it as atank raj? If no, then how can a few crime incidents earn Bihar the tag of jungle raj? It is sheer negative propaganda to defame Bihar and is in nobodys interest, he said.

BJP spokesperson Vinod Narayan Jha, however, said, There is fear in the minds of the people. They now refrain from going for late night shows even in Patna. When the police are not safe, who else is?

Union minister Radha Mohan Singh said the Grand Alliance had got a big mandate and it should concentrate on development.

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Bharatiya Janata Party Minority Morcha (BJPMM) former district unit president Patras Soni and his uncle, Bhola Bhatti, have been made accused in a cash-for-job scam and arrested.

A few days ago, the local police had received complaints that they had duped unemployed youths of lakhs of rupees on the pretext of finding them jobs in Punjab Police. Complainant Major Singh of Warring village in Tarn Taran district claims to have paid the leader Rs 7 lakh last year through Bhatti for the recruitment of his son, Ranjit Singh.

Raghbeer Singh of Amritsars Wadala village also claims to have paid Soni Rs 3 lakh for a police job. He neither got us the job nor returned our money, Raghbeer stated in his police complaint, adding:

He gave us police uniform along with bogus joining letters carrying belt number, date of joining, and even fake signatures of the DGP (director general of police).

Mukha of Ferozepurs Hakewala village charged Soni with duping him of Rs 1.21 lakh to get his nephew hired as a cop. Ferozepur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Hardyal Singh Mann confirmed that Patras and his uncle had been booked under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and remanded in police custody for two days. Being in police custody, Soni was unavailable for comments.

Meanwhile, BJP state vice-president Mohan Lal Sethi said the party had expelled Soni several months ago.
Violence at a Palwal village claimed the life of a man as 82% voting was recorded in the first phase of elections to panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) in Haryana on Sunday.

Reports said a man lost his life at Ratipur village in Palwal district as two groups clashed with each other. Officials said Bir Singh was killed as the groups pelted each other with stones. Deputy commissioner Ashok Sharma said the polling was not affected even for a minute as the incident took place far from the polling booth.

There were also reports of minor skirmishes and faulty electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The polling on Sunday was held on 414 seats of zila parishad, 1,174 of panchayat samitis, 2,488 of sarpanches and 9,948 seats of panches across 21 districts. The second and third phases of polling will be held on January 17 and 24, respectively.

People came in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the panchayat elections with Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Sirsa, Hisar, Jhajjar, Mahendergarh and Panipat districts registering more than 80% turnout.

There was a firing incident at Bhalauth village on the outskirts of Rohtak. However, no one was injured and the police said the polling went on peacefully. Clashes were also reported at Mohammadpur Jat village of Rewari district but the polling resumed after the police intervened. In Punhana block of Mewat district, there were reports of miscreants decamping with EVMs. Incidents of violence were also reported from Ayalki, Badopal, Dhanger and Kajalheri villages of Fatehabad district, but the police controlled the situation.

State election commissioner (SEC) Rajeev Sharma said polling would be conducted again in Punhana in Mewat district, where two EVMs were damaged. The SEC said stray incidents were reported from Palwal, Mewat, Bhiwani, Rohtak and Fatehabad districts. He said reports of a scuffle outside a polling booth in Palwal district were received but it was not poll-related. He said the situation would be assessed after getting a report from returning officers.
A debt-ridden farmer allegedly committed suicide by setting himself on fire, hours before the wedding of his daughter, at Rajisala village in Patiala in the wee hours of Sunday.

Shockingly, on finding the victims charred body outside the house, his family cremated him on the spot without informing the police, and continued with his daughters wedding.

The farmer has been identified as Jaswant Singh, 65, a resident of Rajisala village in Patiala.

The police were informed only during the wedding ceremony, following which they reached the spot and recorded the familys statements. However, a case was not registered in the absence of a complaint.

The victims brother, Nirmal Singh, told the police that they found a huge heap of straw lying outside the house burning on Sunday morning and started to pour water on it.

Two hours later, on dousing the fire, they were shocked to find Jaswants charred body lying there. With an impending wedding in the house, the villagers and the family members jointly decided to cremate Jaswant on the spot.

It was a difficult situation, but we all decided not to halt the wedding of his daughter, Nirmal said, adding that his brother was under a debt of Rs 3 lakh for long, but never discussed any trouble on Saturday night.

Samana station house officer (SHO) Gurpartap Singh said the incident took place around 5:30am, while the police received information only in the afternoon. No suicide note has been recovered.

The police said the familys statements had been recorded and investigation into the matter was on, adding that they were yet to rule out demand for dowry.

The victim is survived by his four married daughters and a son. His wife and daughter-in-law were killed in a road accident last year, while his son was left disabled.
The 15-year-old tradition of serving food to poor people outside PGI and GMCH-32 will come to an end on January 21 as 81-year-old Jagdish Lal Ahuja, popularly called as baba, has become too old to continue the langar. It was on January 21, 2001, when Ahuja first organised a langar outside the PGIs Gate 2. Since then, he has been serving food to hundreds of poor people outside these city hospitals, without a single break.

The old man has sold seven of his properties worth several crores to fund the langar. I wish I could continue with the langar till my last breath, but my health is now failing, said Ahuja, who claims to have one grudge against the administration.

Had the administration allotted me land to start a night shelter, I would have spent the earnings on the langar.

On the start of the langar, he said, It was my elder sons birthday, when I decided to organise a community langar outside my shop 36 years ago.

It was during winters when I saw a man serving rice to people next to the boundary wall of the PGI. On January 21, 2001, I started distributing free food to people outside PGI, said Ahuja.

I used to call people and serve them free food, but for years now at 6pm, hundreds of people have been queuing up for langar.

In winters, Ahuja also distributes free shawls, blankets, sweaters, shoes to the needy.

He said, There are many who want to take over the responsibility of arranging the langar, but I have not decided on my successor.

On his motivation, he said, Smile on the faces of kids is what egged me on.

Know the man

Jagdish Lal Ahuja was born in Peshawar (Pakistan) and came to Patiala during Partition in 1947. He was only 12 and started selling candies to earn his living. In 1956, he, with family, shifted to Chandigarh. He started selling bananas and soon came to known as the Banana king.

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The election to the president of the BJP Punjab unit scheduled for January 10 was postponed at the eleventh hour on Saturday evening. Though no new date for the election was announced, it is learnt that the election would now take place after January 16, after the election to the national party president is over. Amit Shah, who had become the interim president after the parliamentary polls of 2014, is likely to remain the national party president.

Till Saturday morning, party leader Ashwini Sharma was the frontrunner to become the state party president and party men even congratulated him, but by the evening the dynamics changed with the postponement of the polls. A day before, it was expected that incumbent Kamal Sharma would get another term. Confusion prevailed as the scenario was changing with each passing day, said a BJP leader.

Insiders say the party is looking for a new face in Punjab and planning to bring in Avinash Rai Khanna, who currently is the national election in-charge of the party. After the process to elect the national president is over, Khanna is likely to give up the responsibility and become an applicant for the state president.

Sources say a new face is being brought in to lead the party when its state unit and the state government, in which the saffron party is a coalition partner with SAD, are in a crisis.

With the AAP gearing up for the elections to the state assembly next year, the saffron party doesnt want to take any chances. As it has decided not to break its alliance with the SAD, sources said the party high command wanted to bring in a strong president and Khanna is seen as good at handling crucial issues. Speaking to HT, Khanna said, The election stands postponed and a final schedule will be announced in a day or two. It was postponed as the party high command wanted it so.

He refused to comment on him becoming the candidate for the state president. Khanna is a Rajya Sabha member from Hoshiarpur and his term will end in April. Earlier also, he was the state president in 2003 and under his command the party had won the highest ever 19 of the 23 seats in the 2007 assembly polls. Rajinder Bhandari, election in-charge in Punjab, refused to comment on Khannas candidature, saying the chances of a new face being brought in were bright.

Chandigarh president poll also postponed

The election to the Chandigarh unit of the BJP was also postponed and will take place along with that of Punjab. Sanjay Tandon, who has been the party in-charge for two terms in UT, as per the party regulations had to give up the claim, and a new face will be brought in.

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The latest terrorist attack on the airbase here has triggered the public demand for sensitive-zone status to Pathankot for the security of its ammunition depot and many army units as well.

The Bamyal sector in Pathankot district is a favourite infiltration route of Pakistani terrorists, one that the intruders who attacked the Dinanagar police station in Gurdaspur district last July, and those who killed two policemen in the Narot Jaimal Singh area a few years ago had taken. Treating the sector as a disturbed area or sensitive zone would help enhance its security, opine local people.

The recent attack has forced the state government to adopt a new policy for this city on the border of Himachal Pradesh and a disturbed Jammu and Kashmir. It has asked senior police officers to add a company to the force and appointed a superintendent of police (operation) for this area, yet locals feel that the army and the air force should depute own personnel for catching imposters in army fatigues. Only maintaining a large and alert security force can plug the gaps in border security, said local resident Sanjay Sareen, who lives near the Pathankot air force station, scene of action in the latest attack.

Since terrorists prefer to sneak in after dark, people want more men on night vigil and their alertness checked during surprise inspection at late and early hours. Community policing is a must in the border areas, as police alone cant do much, said another Pathankot resident, Sanjay Kumar, adding: Locals can recognise strangers quicker and help the police locate infiltrators. Police should take our help. Pathankot senior superintendent of police (SSP) RK Bakshi agreed that since the river and tall grass made Bamyal a difficult terrain for border guards and an easy route for infiltrators; inputs from the local community would help a lot. I will ask my teams to make civil defence committees and step up night vigil. I will hold officers accountable for any lapse, he said.

Pathankot legislator Ashwani Sharma said that since deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had ordered another police company in this area, he saw better policing in the coming time.
A missile hit a health centre operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in northern Yemen on Sunday, killing three people and wounding 10 others, the aid agencys spokesperson said.

The missile struck the medical facility in the Razeh district of Saada province, according to communications officer Malak Shaher.

She said MSF could not specify whether the centre was hit in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition or by a rocket fired from the ground.

Saada is the heartland of the Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels that the coalition has been bombing since March in support of Yemens beleaguered government.

MSF last month accused the coalition of bombing its clinic in Taez, southwest Yemen, where nine people were wounded including two agency staff.

The coalition said at the time that it would investigate MSFs claim.

The UN envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed arrived on Sunday in Sanaa, in a bid to convince the rebels and their allies to attend fresh peace talks slated for next week.

But foreign minister Abdel Malak al-Mekhlafi told AFP on Saturday that the talks will not take place until January 20 at the earliest.

The government met the rebels and their allies in Switzerland last month for six days of talks that ended with no major breakthrough.

In Yemens second city of Aden on Sunday, intelligence colonel Ali Saleh al-Nakhibi was shot dead by unknown gunmen, a security official said.

More than 5,800 people have been killed in Yemen since March, about half of them civilians, according to the United Nations.
Nearly a year after the Nepal earthquakes, there seems to be no end in sight for the misery of its survivors. Now, snowfall over the weekend in the upper Himalayan regions has affected thousands of people who are still living in temporary shelters.

Villages near the epicentre of the April 25 quake in Gorkha district, accommodating as many as 1,500 families of quake survivors, witnessed heavy snowfall, rains and hailstorms through Friday and Saturday. Those living on the heights of neighbouring Rasuwa district were also affected.

We are staying in tents, but they dont provide enough protection, The Kathmandu Post quoted Maya Gurung, a quake survivor residing in temporary shelters at Gupsipakha, as saying.

Most of the camps constructed for survivors in hill districts affected by the quake are covered with snow. The weather has also affected the movement of vehicles on the Rasuwagadhi border point with China.

According to UNICEF, nearly 200,000 families affected by the quake are still residing in temporary shelters at altitudes of 1,500 metres. Most of these tents  made of plastic sheets, tarpaulin and tin sheets dont provide sufficient protection from the biting cold. Consequently, nearly a dozen earthquake survivors have reportedly died of cold-related ailments in the last few weeks.

District officials, however, say there is no truth in those claims. Some of those (deaths) may have been due to cold-related ailments, but it is incorrect to attribute all deaths to the same cause, Uddhab Prasad Timalsena, chief district officer of Gorkha, told Hindustan Times.

Snowfall over the past two days at higher altitudes has affected quake survivors. The weather started clearing from Sunday, said Shibram Gelal, chief district officer of Rasuwa. Over 700 families from the district currently reside in temporary shelters.

Nepal will begin quake reconstruction work, including building permanent homes for quake survivors, from January 16  nearly nine months after the disaster occurred.

Bickering among political parties had delayed the appointment of the chief executive of the reconstruction authority, which would be tasked with utilising the aid of nearly $4.1 billion promised by international agencies and donor countries.

An ongoing blockade of border points with India by Madhesis, residents of the terai bordering India, has also been affecting the flow of relief materials meant for quake survivors since September last year.

The Nepal earthquakes, which occurred in April and May last year, claimed nearly 9,000 lives.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday backed stricter laws to expel convicted refugees following a rash of sexual assaults blamed on asylum seekers.

Cologne police said they have now recorded 379 cases of New Years Eve violence -- ranging from groping to theft to two reported rapes -- with asylum seekers and illegal migrants making up the majority of suspects.

With anger growing at the scale of the attacks, supporters of the xenophobic PEGIDA movement marched in protests that briefly turned violent in the western city.

Police used tear gas and water cannon to clear the rally of far-right supporters after protesters flung firecrackers and bottles at officers they said had failed to prevent the New Years attacks on women.

Vowing tough action, Merkel declared that any refugee handed a jail term -- even if it was a suspended sentence -- should be kicked out of the country.

If the law does not suffice, then the law must be changed, she said, pledging action to protect not just German citizens, but innocent refugees too.

Witnesses described terrifying scenes of hundreds of women running a gauntlet of groping hands, lewd insults and robberies in the mob violence.

Of the cases reported so far, 40% related to sexual violence, Cologne police said in a statement.

Those in focus of criminal police investigations are mostly people from North African countries. The majority of them are asylum seekers and people who are in Germany illegally, police added, confirming witness accounts.

The allegations have stoked criticism of Merkels liberal open-door policy -- which brought 1.1 million new asylum seekers to Germany last year.

As questions grew over the countrys ability to integrate the newcomers, it emerged late Saturday that a man who was killed trying to attack a police station in Paris on Thursday had lived in an asylum seeker shelter in Germany.

Revealing that they had raided the mans apartment, German police did not specify if he was an asylum seeker, but a source close to the matter told AFP that the man was indeed registered as one.

In Tunisia, a woman who claimed to be the mans mother confirmed that he had been living in Germany but denied he had any links to extremist groups.

Supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West) take part in in demonstration march, in reaction to mass assaults on women on New Year's Eve in Cologne. (REUTERS)

Cologne changed everything

In Cologne, hundreds of PEGIDA supporters waved German flags and signs saying Rapefugees not welcome, as they shouted Merkel raus (Merkel out).

The rattle of a helicopter circling in the skies and the occasional bang of a firecracker added to tensions as counter-protesters, separated from the PEGIDA crowd by police, chanted Nazis raus.

The populist right-wing Alternative for Germany party, which polls show as having 10% support ahead of state elections this year, claimed the violence gave a taste of the looming collapse of culture and civilisation.

Playing on popular fears about Europes migrant influx, the mob violence threatens to cloud what had been a broadly welcoming mood in Germany where crowds cheered as Syrian refugees arrived by train in September.

Cologne has changed everything, people now are doubting, said Volker Bouffier, vice president of Merkels CDU party.

Asylum seekers among suspects

Details remain hazy of what happened in the frenzied crush on what was supposed to be a night of New Years celebration.

It was unclear how many of the suspects had been in Germany long-term or belonged to a scene of drug dealers and pickpockets known to lurk around the railway station, and how many were newly-arrived asylum seekers.

On Friday, the interior ministry said Germanys federal police had identified 32 suspects, 22 of whom were asylum seekers, in connection with 76 offences, 12 of which had a sexual nature.

Merkel has so far refused to abandon her welcoming stance towards war refugees but on Saturday had tough words for law breakers.

If a refugee flouts the rules, then there must be consequences, that means that they can lose their residence right here regardless of whether they have a suspended sentence or a prison sentence, she said after a meeting with the top ranks of her party in the southwestern city of Mainz.

Under current laws, asylum seekers are only deported if they have been sentenced to jail terms of at least three years, and if their lives are not at risk in their countries of origin.
Mexico is willing to extradite drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman to the United States, a federal law enforcement official said on Saturday, marking a sharp reversal from the official position after his previous capture in 2014.

Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the US, said the Mexican official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasnt authorised to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before US prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman, the most-wanted trafficker who was recaptured Friday after six months on the run: You have to go through the judicial process, and the defence has its elements too.

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzmans embarrassing escape from Mexicos top maximum security prison on July 11 - his second from a Mexican prison.

He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if its necessary, he can pay them in other places, said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nietos Institutional Revolutionary Party.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzmans attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defence already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure, said Juan Masini, former US Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. Thats why it can take a long time. They wont challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way.

Notices published in newspapers offering 60 million Mexican pesos (3.8 USD approximately) reward to anyone with information leading to the recapture of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, in Mexico City on July 16, 2015. (AFP Photo)

Guzman, a legendary figure in Mexico who went from being a farmers son to the worlds top drug lord, was apprehended after a shoot-out between gunmen and Mexican marines at a home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzmans home state of Sinaloa. Five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was injured.

The operation resulted from six months of investigation by Mexican forces, who located Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October but decided not to shoot because he was with two women and a child, said Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez.

Following his capture, the head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico Citys airport, frogmarched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison hed fled.

Read: Lord of the tunnels: How folk legend El Chapo earned his nickname

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman, who faces drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states. At the time, Mexicos government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

The then-Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in 300 or 400 years.

Then Guzman dramatically escaped on July 11 under the noses of guards and prison officials at Mexicos most secure lock-up, slipping out an elaborate tunnel that showed the depth of the countrys corruption while thoroughly embarrassing Pena Nietos administration.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, center, hugs Attorney General Arely Gomez as National Defence Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda looks on, during a press conference following the capture of fugitive drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. El Chapos escape in 2014 from the countrys most secure prison thoroughly embarrassed the Pena Nieto administration as well as highlighted the rampant corruption in the country. (AP Photo)

He also escaped a different maximum-security facility in 2001 while serving a 20-year sentence. Lore says he hid in a laundry cart, though many dispute that version. He spent 13 years on the lam.

Gomez said that one of Guzmans key tunnel builders led officials to the neighbourhood in Los Mochis, where authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the house Wednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday morning. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in.

Gomez said Guzman and his security chief, El Cholo Ivan Gastelum, were able to flee via storm drains and escape through a manhole cover to the street, where they commandeered getaway cars. Marines climbed into the drains in pursuit. They closed in on the two men based on reports of stolen vehicles and they were arrested on the highway.

Read: Did El Chapo discuss a biopic with DiCaprio while on the run?

What happens now is crucial for Guzman, whose cartel smuggles multi-ton shipments of cocaine and marijuana as well as manufacturing and transporting methamphetamines and heroin, mostly to the US.

According to a statement from the Mexican Attorney Generals office, the US filed extradition requests June 25, while Guzman was in custody, and another in September after he escaped. The Mexican government determined they were valid within the extradition treaty and sent them to a panel of federal judges, who gave orders for detention on July 29 and September 8, after Guzman had escaped.

Newspapers in Mexico City show pictures of drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman on their frontpages on January 9, 2016 a day after he was recaptured during a military operation in Los Mochis, Sinaloa State. (AFP Photo)

Those orders were not for extradition but just for Guzman to begin the extradition hearing process. Now that he is recapture, Mexico has to start processing the extradition requests anew, according to the law.

The quickest he could be extradited would be six months, said a federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity, but its not likely because lawyers file appeals. He said that they are usually turned down, but each one means a judge has to schedule a hearing.

That can take weeks or months, and that delays the extradition, he said. Weve had cases that take six years.

The attorney generals office noted that Guzmans lawyers have already filed various appeals, some overruled and some still pending.

He shouldnt be extradited to the United States or any other foreign country, Guzmans lawyer, Badillo, said Saturday. Mexico has laws grounded in the constitution. Our country must respect national sovereignty, the sovereignty of its institutions to impart justice.

Badillo said several months ago that the extradition requests from the US were the reason Guzman escaped.

His second escape last year was even more audacious. He fled down a hole in his shower stall in plain view of guards into a mile-long tunnel dug from a property outside the prison. The tunnel had ventilation, lights and a motorbike on rails. Construction noise as a digger broke through from the tunnel to his cell was obvious inside the prison, according a video of Guzman in his cell just before he escaped.
Britains intelligence services had tried to recruit Indian-origin IS terror suspect Siddhartha Dhar as a double agent before he managed to flee to Syria, a media report claimed on Sunday. Dhar, who was dubbed the new Jihadi John after he emerged as the key suspect as the masked terrorist seen in a recent Islamic State (IS) video threatening an attack on Britain, was allegedly contacted twice by MI5 officers before he was arrested for terrorist offences, the Sunday Times reported.

Quoting a security source the paper said that Dhar, who goes by the name of Abu Rumaysah, had earlier been tracked and stopped in the street by MI5 officers in what is known as a bump operation. The 32-year-old Dhar was warned he was on MI5s radar and his activities were being monitored.

Dhar was contacted by MI5 for a second time and was offered the chance to work for the agency. It is not known how he responded, the newspaper claims. Dhar, a Hindu-born Muslim convert and former bouncy castle salesman from London, was allegedly warned that he was likely to end up in jail or dead unless he agreed to become a double agent gathering intelligence on terrorist suspects for the security service.

A few days after the second contact was made, in September 2014, Dhar was arrested alongside extremist preacher Anjem Choudary on suspicion of links to the banned Al Muhajiroun. The security source told the newspaper, MI5 had a lot of intelligence on Dhar. He was regarded as a militant Islamist and although he was a potential threat, he was also a potential asset to MI5.

It is a tried and tested tactic to try to recruit those who may pose a threat to the security of the state...Dhar was bumped and told he was on MI5s radar. They basically said: We know who you are, what you are up to, who you have been meeting with and what you are planning.

They are basically saying: Weve got you. For the person on the end of that, its quite terrifying. They think they are part of some covert conspiracy, and then someone comes up to you in the street and says we know all about you.

Dhar was told that his life in the UK as a would-be jihadist was over. If he went to Syria, MI5 warned, he would in all likelihood be killed in battle or in a drone strike. His only option was to become an agent, the source said. Last week, it had emerged that Scotland Yard wrote to Dhar asking him to surrender his passport, weeks after he had already fled to Syria.

The latest revelations will raise new questions about the UK authorities failure to prevent his escape with Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham saying something has clearly gone very seriously wrong.
If Britons vote to leave the European Union at a membership referendum due by the end of 2017, the government will have to make it work, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Sunday.

An opinion poll published on Thursday showed that a majority of Britons who have made up their mind would vote to leave the EU.

Cameron said he did not think that leaving the EU would be the right decision if he achieves his planned reforms to Britains relationship with the bloc.

The British public will make their decision. We must obey that decision whatever it is, the Conservative party leader told BBCs Andrew Marr show. I dont think that (exit) is the right answer... Were that to be the answer, we would have to do everything necessary to make that work.

Asked whether the government was making contingency plans for a possible exit, Cameron said it had plans for the renegotiation and referendum.

The civil service is working to help me deliver those things. Now, if we fail to deliver them and we have to take a different stance, then that is a new situation, he said.

Cameron, who travelled to Germany and Hungary last week to hold talks on his proposed reforms, said he was confident a deal could be reached on what has proved the biggest sticking point -- his plans to curb welfare payments to EU migrants.

He said he believed the prize of successfully renegotiating Britains relationship with the 28-nation bloc was closer than it had been and he was hopeful of striking a deal at a meeting of EU leaders next month.

A referendum could follow about four months after a deal. Cameron said that if an agreement were not reached in February, the vote could be held in September or later.

The substance matters much more than the timing, so if I cant get the right deal in February, I will wait and I will keep going and keep plugging away, he said.
The US Navy released video on Saturday it said was taken by an American helicopter showing an Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessel firing unguided rockets on December 26 near warships including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran on December 31 denied that its Revolutionary Guards vessels had launched the rockets as the United States claimed, with a Revolutionary Guards spokesperson saying the false accusation was akin to psychological warfare.

The US Navy said the infrared radar footage showed an Iranian fast inshore attack craft launching several rockets on December 26 in close proximity to the Truman, the guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley, the French naval frigate FS Provence and commercial ships in the busy waterway.

The dispute underscored the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran despite last years international agreement to curb Irans nuclear program.

The video, taken by a Seahawk helicopter, runs about 30 seconds. The Navy said the rockets were fired within an internationally recognized maritime traffic lane as the Truman and the other ships were passing through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf.

The US military on December 29 made public its account of the incident. A US Central Command spokesperson at the time called the Iranian actions highly provocative, unsafe and unprofessional and said they called into question Irans commitment to the security of a waterway vital to international commerce.

Central Command also said at the time that Iran had provided only 23 minutes of advance notification of its intention to fire rockets. It said the Truman and the two other warships were part of the US-led coalition supporting air strikes against Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria.

Iran and six world powers, including the United States, reached a deal last July to remove certain US, European Union and UN sanctions on Tehran in exchange for Iran accepting limits on its nuclear program.
The diaspora event at Londons Wembley Stadium on November 13 addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was frequently recounted at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrations in the Indian high commission on Saturday, with a minister saying British politicians were taking notes on what we could learn.

Shailesh Vara, a justice minister in the David Cameron government, told the gathering of leading people of Indian origin that he and his colleagues were at the stadium and were taking notes on how to win the next election.

Vara hoped India would soon allow British lawyers to practice there.

The event last year, which attracted nearly 60,000 people, was unprecedented in the history of British politics, where a gathering of a thousand or few thousand is considered a good turnout.

The acting high commissioner, Varinder Paul, said henceforth the big PBD event in India will be held once in two years, while it will normally be held in the Indian missions in various countries.

Read | Modis Wembley spectacle impresses UK press amidst pariah theme

January 9 was chosen as the day for PBD as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned home from South Africa to lead Indias freedom struggle.

The webcast by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on the day was watched here. She said the government was considering issuing Aadhaar cards to non-resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India.

Presentations were made on various aspects of contemporary India, such as on doing business, education, health and social media. Raj Loomba, a member of the House of Lords, called for as much attention to providing security to women as on building smart cities in India.

The gathering was attended by MPs Bob Blackman, Virendra Sharma, Alok Sharma and leading British Indians such as Pratik Dattani, Manoj Ladwa, Shitij Kapoor, Jaffer Kapasi.

Read: In pics: Narendra Modi makes dazzling debut at Wembley stadium

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Fifty-two people died at the hands of domestic extremists in 2015, according to a report by the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism. The figure is higher than that for the two previous years combined.

"The killers came from four extremist movements-white supremacists, domestic Islamic extremists, right-wing anti-government extremists, and anti-abortion extremists-illustrating the multiple threats posed by radical movements within America's borders," the report said.

The one year that surpassed 2015 was 1995, a year that included the Oklahoma City Bombings.

"The 52 murders documented by the Center on Extremism in 2015 occurred in 17 separate incidents, with nine of the incidents involving multiple murders. This is unusual, in that most extremist-related examples of murder involve a single victim," the report added.

"Ideology played a primary or substantial role in 10 of the 17 incidents ... Typically, white supremacists make up the vast majority of non-ideological perpetrators."

The ADL does not overtly define extremism in their report or on their website. "At the root of extremism are radical ideologies, radical religious beliefs and pent-up anger and frustration, all of which can lead to violent acts ranging from hate crimes to terrorism," an archived ADL database notes.

When the ADL speaks of non-ideological violence, they refer to crimes that were committed by extremists without extremist motivations.

Following an established trend, white supremacists have proven the deadliest, as they have in years past, with 20 murders in 2015. Marking a distinct shift, however, they were trailed closely by domestic Islamic extremists, who killed 19.

In the years 2006-2015, white supremacists have been responsible for 70 percent of extremist murders, while domestic Islamic extremists have comprised only 13 percent, according to the ADL.

Anti-immigration extremists and left-wing extremists/anarchists- groups who have killed in recent years- did not kill any in 2015.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A controversial, gold-painted statue of Communist China's founding father Mao Zedong that stood over China's countryside has been removed just a few days after it was completed, state media reported Friday.

The 121-foot statue made headlines across the globe when it was completed, and pictures of it surfaced online earlier this week, reported BBC News. However, its fame wasn't solely attributable to its size, but also to the controversy that followed.

The controversy in question wasn't just rooted in the fact that it depicted Mao Zedong, the communist ruler of China who saw the deaths of millions of Chinese during his rule, but also the fact that the region where the statue was built, Henan province, was the center of the "Great Famine" that hit China in the late 1950s, which had come about due to Mao's failed economic and agricultural policies.

Many users protested the statue at the time, noting the "insensitive" location of the statue.

"Have you forgotten about the Great Famine, building that?" asked one poster on Sina Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter, according to AFP.

However, as it turns out, the demolishing of the statue had nothing to do with the controversial nature of the statue or the online backlash that resulted from it, but regulation codes.

The $460,000-statue was paid for mostly by a group of capitalists and the rest by local villagers in the form of small contributions, but those building it failed to get the statue registered or approved by the government, prompting officials to order its immediate removal, according to Fox News.

Land resource officials at Tongxu county also confirmed the turn of events.

Despite being responsible for millions of deaths, Mao is still widely revered in China, and the mass deaths seen under his rule are written off as "mistakes," since the Communist leadership has such a strong grip on public discussion of history and Mao's legacy.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the pepper spray attack on Syrian refugees in Vancouver.

"This isn't who we are - and doesn't reflect the warm welcome Canadians have offered," Trudeau wrote on his Twitter account on Saturday.

I condemn the attack on Syrian refugees in Vancouver. This isn't who we are - and doesn't reflect the warm welcome Canadians have offered.  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 9, 2016

An unknown assailant pepper sprayed a group of Syrian refugees Friday evening outside the Muslim Association of Canada Centre in Vancouver. At least two dozen refugees, including women and children, were injured. Reports said that none of them were seriously injured.

"We saw people coming out from the building and they were in worse condition than us. Their eyes were really puffed up. They weren't able to open their eyes," eyewitness Nawal Addo said, according to Globe and Mail newspaper.

Federal Immigration Minister John McCallum described the attack as a "disturbing crime" and assured safety to recently arrived Syrian refugees.

"Canadians know that this incident is an affront to our values as a nation, and is at odds with the overwhelmingly positive welcome that Syrian refugees have received in communities across our country," McCallum said in a statement, according to Newswire Canada.

Vancouver Police swung into action Friday night and are investigating the incident as a hate crime, The Toronto Star reported. They have also launched a manhunt for the unidentified suspect.

More than 6,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada by Jan. 1. Trudeau's government has committed to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of next month.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Seven zoo employees from Multnomah County, Ore., were infected with tuberculosis (TB) by three of the elephants under their supervision in 2013. The three elephants that were positive with Mycobacterium tuberculosis have already been isolated from the zoo and have received treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ninety-six people who made contact with the elephants in the zoo were tested, and officials found that seven of them were positive for having a latent case of tuberculosis. The seven infected zoo workers were then provided with proper medical attention, Medical Xpress reported.

Multnomah County's Deputy Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines said that those who were positive with tuberculosis were not infectious, and none of those who went to the zoo are at risk, according to Oregon Live.

Bob Lee, the elephant curator for the Multnomah County Zoo, said that they conducted several treatments that last for months to treat the three elephants that were TB positive. They were isolated from other elephants and animals, and the staff who took care of them had proper protective masks.

"There was a lot of contact," Lee said. "We just don't want them sharing the same air space."

The elephants who had M. tuberculosis were identified as Rama, 20, its father Packy, 51, and Tusko, 44, according to Reuters.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Winter storms violently struck California's northern coast last week, but that didn't stop surfers from riding swells as high as 50 feet at Mavericks, a legendary big-wave break north of Half Moon Bay.

"These are some of the biggest waves I've seen at Mavericks in three years, and yesterday I caught what was probably a 25ft wave," professional big-wave surfer Travis Payne told The Guardian, "El Nino is a double-edged sword for surfers: it brings more storms, brings the storms closer to us and big waves. But it can also bring the wrong kind of winds, which can be dangerous."

Garrett McNamara, who holds the current record for biggest wave ever ridden at 72 ft., left the beach in an ambulance after falling off his board near the crest of a massive wave. He broke his upper left arm and underwent shoulder surgery on Friday.

"This one was just really nasty by how mean and radical Mother Nature was that day," fellow pro Nic Vaughan told San Jose Mercury News, "You have a potential to die on a day like that."

World-class surfers had gathered there to compete in the upcoming Titans of Mavericks competition. The event is highly exclusive; only 22 competitors, five alternates, and two wild cards are selected by a committee of five and invited to compete. The official website describes the event as "the most risk-oriented event in North America."

Because surfing depends so heavily on the weather, the competition may take place any time between Nov. 1 and March 31. "It comes down to following the weather for three or four days," said organizer Jeff Clark, according to ABC News. "Then it gets down to two days out, and then we make the call." While the waves are big, conditions continue to be too dangerous to hold the competition.

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Steven Avery, the man at the center of the Netflix true crime documentary series "Making a Murderer," has a new high-profile defense team. He will now be represented by Kathleen Zellner of The Law Firm of Kathleen Zellner and Associates, P.C. and Tricia Bushnell, who is the legal director for the Midwest Innocence Project, according to the New York Daily News.

Avery was convicted of murdering Teresa Halbach along with his nephew Brendan Dassey. Both were given life in prison sentences, which they are currently serving. The 10-part series of "Making a Murderer" was filmed over a 10-year period and heavily scrutinizes the arrest of Avery, his trial and in conviction, People reported. The docuseries also strongly implies that Avery was set up by Manitowoc County, Wisc. law enforcement officials.

"The Zellner Law Firm is looking forward to adding Mr. Avery to its long list of wrongful conviction exonerations," Zellner said in a press release on Friday.

Zellner previously represented Ryan Ferguson, a man from Missouri that was released from prison after a decade for being wrongfully convicted of murder. She also was an attorney for Mario Casciaro, who was released from prison last September after he successfully appealed his 26-year sentence for the murder of Brian Carrick, according to ABC News.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Bolivia and Peru will be working together through a 10-year plan with a joint investment of around $500 million to restore and preserve Lake Titicaca, South America's largest freshwater lake.

The deal is the result of political negotiations that were held through June 2015 and was signed by each country's environment minister in Bolivia's capital city of La Paz late last week, according to TeleSUR. The agreement is designed to improve biodiversity in the lake, with an emphasis on waste and environmental management through to 2025, reported the Digital Journal.

"On June 23 we had a historic meeting in an expanded cabinet between Peru and Bolivia," Bolivian Environment Minister Alexandra Moreira said during the announcement of the deal, "[And] we are proud that the environmental sector is the first to give concrete, direct results and with the signing of this agreement that sets the guidelines of action for the recovery of Lake Titicaca."

"For the short term we have a limit of $117 million and for the long term $400 million (USD)," Moreira's advisor, Sergio Arispe, explained, according to GlobalPost.

The initial stages of the plan will address solid waste management issues and sewage systems in the communities around the lake. Nearby mining and industrial operations have also contributed to major contamination problems, the Peruvian news agency Andina explains.

Lake Titicaca is located at an altitude of 12,470 feet above sea level, making it the highest lake in the world. Around 3 million people in Bolivia and Peru rely on the lake's resources, and the surrounding area is also an important tourist destination.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
2015 was a good one for travel - hotel occupancy rates hit an all-time high, travel companies worldwide went above and beyond to meet travelers' demands for wellness and technological advancements, and hotels' commitment to sustainability continued to pick up steam, but NYC-based Hawkins International PR predicts that 2016 will be an even better year for travel.

2015 was a good one for travel - hotel occupancy rates hit an all-time high, travel companies worldwide went above and beyond to meet travelers' demands for wellness and technological advancements, and hotels' commitment to sustainability continued to pick up steam, but NYC-based Hawkins International PR predicts that 2016 will be an even better year for travel.

With airfare prices expected to remain relatively steady, U.S. business travel volume predicted to reach 502.8 million person-trips in 2016 and over one-third of millennials (who account for close to $300 billion annual spending worldwide) planning to take more vacations in 2016, the year ahead is sure to be adventurous. Travel brands will keep things fresh and continue to intrigue and impress with creative programs, amenities and experiences. From multi-sensory dinners to farewell amenities that leave guests with inspiration to return, below Hawkins International PR predicts the top ten trends travelers will experience in 2016.

1. DINING FOR THE SENSES

What's out: Multi-Course Tasting Dinners

What's in: Multi-Sensory Dinners & Drinks

Hotel restaurants are turning dinner time into story time with multi-sensory dining experiences that provoke more than the sense of taste. At The Dolder Grand in Zurich, Executive Chef Heiko Nieder works with Swiss concert pianist Gabriel E. Arnold to develop custom five-course menus inspired by Arnold's classical piano compositions, with each course of the meal accompanied by complementary songs. Guests at Solage Calistoga in Napa can try Mindful Awareness Practice (MAP) Wine and Food Tastings which incorporate the senses of taste, smell and sight into a guided meditation that encourages tasters to appreciate wine and food from a new perspective. Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg's Bar du Faubourg invites guests to enjoy a menu of cocktails created by Parisian Chef YannickAlleno inspired by the visual beauty and luxe textures of couture fashion. Haute libations include the Christian, a champagne cocktail with floral notes, as delicate as an organza corolla skirt designed by Dior; the Yves, where the Moroccan flavor of spicy mandarin evokes Saint Laurent's oriental satin decorated with mauve sequins; and the Gabrielle, reminiscent of Coco Chanel's white tweed decorated with black ribbon.

2. THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

What's out: Ultra Niche Travel Services

What's in: Hybrid Travel Services

Hybrid travel companies that combine the best qualities of two "traditional" travel services to offer an innovative, new service will be hot in 2016 as brands strive to make travel easier and more convenient than ever. Madrid-based Room Mate Hotels' BeMate.com offers travelers a roster of stylish apartments with the services of a local hotel - from luggage storage to airport transfers to housekeeping to concierge access - combining the hospitality of a hotel stay with the convenience and flexibility of an apartment stay. Tradewind Aviation's Signature Shuttle Service throughout the Northeast and Caribbean offers the comfort and convenience of a private charter - with no TSA security checkpoints, complimentary snacks and drinks, free checked bags and a flexible booking and cancellation process - for the cost of a single seat on a scheduled flight. All-business class airline La Compagnie recently unveiled their own Chauffeur&Co service which enables travelers to book car transfers through the airline to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. 3. A PUCKERING PUNCH

3. A PUCKERING PUNCH

What's out: Sugar and Spice

What's in: Fermented Food and Drink

Vinegar will be the ingredient of the year in 2016 - from switchels and shrubs on cocktail and drink menus to fermented ingredients like kimchi, pickled vegetables, kraut and miso incorporated into meals. The craze for tang is driven by wellness, too, with fermented foods' probiotic properties proven to benefit gut health. Set inside the Nines hotel in Portland, OR, modern steakhouse Urban Farmer's shelves are stocked with pickled fruits and vegetables prepared by Chef Matt Christianson. The culinary team and bartenders use this public "pantry" to incorporate the vinegars and ingredients into cocktails and recipes. In Burlington, Juniper at Hotel Vermont serves a variety of vinegar-based libationsincluding The Farmer's Tan made with brine from the bar's housemade pickles and Cherry Street Shrub made with Silo Whiskey, a Vermont ice wine vinegar, sour cherry juice and soda water. In 2016 Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, California will launch a pickle program for guests to enjoy seasonal vegetables, herbs, vinegars and spices - all served straight from the mason jars where they were cured.

4. SWEET FAREWELL

What's out: Welcome Amenities

What's in: Farewell Amenities

Inspired by idea that the "after glow" of a vacation is the most powerful stage of travel, hotels are gifting guests farewell amenities that leave a big impression - not to mention inspiration to return again and again. The legendary Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris treats departing VIP guests and those celebrating birthdays with a personalized gold-dusted chocolate tablet carved in the shape of the guest's zodiac sign. In New York City, Dream Downtown and Dream Midtown send loyal guests home with tokens of NYC hospitalityranging from Broadway tickets for their next stay to a favorite bottle of wine.

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What's out: Amenities for a Full Night's Sleep

What's in: Amenities for a Quick Snooze

Sleep-inducing spa treatments and bedtime menus have been a hotel trend for years, but now hotels are introducing nap-focused amenities and programs that encourage guests to snag a rejuvenating snooze in the middle of the day. Spa Solage in Napa has put a unique twist on the region's famous mud baths with their signature mudslide treatmentwhich ends with a 20-minute nap in a state-of-the-art sound chair that blends soothing harmonic music with healing vibrations to lull guests into a quick nap. At the chair's zero-gravity position, a 20-minute nap is equivalent to two hours of REM sleep! At The Spa at Carillon Miami Beach guests can opt for the Deep Sleep Treatment that promotes an instant state of tranquility. Floating on a specialized warm dry flotation spa bed, blood courses through all the tissues, natural endorphins kick in and the brain releases alpha waves that promote calmness and a meditative state of mind. Paris' edgiest hotel Molitoroffers a resting room, library, and herbal tea room in the Spa by Clarins where guests are invited to escape for midday relaxation.

6. SURPRISE HOTEL POP-UPS

What's out: Pop-up Shops

What's in: Pop-up Hotel Experiences

In 2016 the luxury and service of a hotel stay will no longer be confined to the property's grounds, with hotels and resorts offering guests offsite experiences with all the comforts of a hotel stay. A two and a half hour hike into the Swiss Alps, guests of the Gstaad Palacewill find the Walig Hut, a traditional Alpine farmhouse built in 1783 where they can eat a custom dinner and spend the night surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountain views in the country. New England travelers can enjoy ice fishing on frozen Lake Champlain in the comfort of Hotel Vermont's on-ice shanty. The small wooden structure allows guests to escape from the cold while enjoying clear views of the city from the center of the lake, complete with hot beverages and blankets.

7. SPLURGE ON WORDS

What's out: Binge Watching

What's in: Binge Reading

Hotel and video streaming partnerships may have been the hot trend last year, but this year hotels are encouraging guests to splurge on words throughout their stays. Hotel Vermont in Burlington worked with the Burlington Writers Workshop to publish a book filled with stories, essays and poems from local writers. The hotel also offers live storytelling by the fireplace in the lobby during the winter months. The Nines in Portland features a hidden library just off the lobby stocked with floor to ceiling books from nearby Powell's Books, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Wilderness Collection's Segera Retreat in Kenya's Laikipia region features the "Zeitz Collection" composed of artifacts and manuscripts that have been carefully assembled through specialized dealers, auctions and exhibitions, and are displayed in the property's Explorer Lounge and select villas. The extensive collection includes personal letters, diary entries and unique photographs from Charles Darwin, Theodore Roosevelt, David Livingstone, Ernest Hemingway and Karen Blixen. This year Montage Hotels & Resorts will introduce a literacy ambassador and offer children visiting all five properties books from Brad Meltzer, one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for fiction, non-fiction, advice, children's and comic books. A selection of Meltzer's children's series, Ordinary People Change the World will be available for young guests to enjoy on-property beginning mid-2016.

8. DIAMONDS AREN'T FOREVER

What's out: Diamond Dust Facials

What's in: Spa Treatments Using Precious Gems and Stones

In 2016 spas will utilize precious gems and metals to provide spa-goers with major results and relaxation. In Switzerland, Gstaad Palace's new Gemology Face and Body Care treatments draw cosmetic properties from precious stones including jade, rubies, pearls and sapphires to fade wrinkles and fine lines, while in Los Angeles, The Beverly Hills Hoteland Hotel Bel-Air have incorporated pure platinum into their anti-aging, head-to-toe Platinum Rare Facial treatment, resulting in hydrated, rejuvenated skin. In Telluride, Colorado, Madeline Hotel & Residences' Gemstone Ritual helps guests purify, soothe and enhance overall balance in the body and mind using organic aromas, crystal energy wandsand the soothing effects of four distinctive gemstone-energized oils.

9. OUTSIDE-IN

What's out: Crowded Tourist Destinations

What's in: Destination-inspired Attractions Inside the Hotel

Why fight the crowds at tourist destinations when many hotels are bringing the attractions inside? Guests at the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa can create and take home an iconic Venetian mask without the stress of souvenir shopping. The resort offers a two-day mask workshop where guests work with a local artisan to create a bespoke mask - they can even use their own faces as a mold before decorating it in true Venetian style. In Spring 2016, Dream Midtown in NYC will unveil The Fish Bowl - a revival of the billiards room. The hotel's iconic two-story fish tank will be the centerpiece of the underground bar and games lounge that will introduce New York's Midtown neighborhood to Mini Bowling and also feature classics like pool and darts.

10. SOCIAL SPA-ING

What's out: Isolated Zen

What's in: Group Rejuvenation

Relaxation doesn't need to happen alone! Hotel spas are introducing group-focused programs that invite guests to spa socially. Groups at Solage Calsitoga in Napa can book a Floating Meditation experience and be led through a calming sequence of visualization and breath work while floating atop rafts in the resort's geothermal mineral pool under the stars. Groups at Montage Laguna Beach in California can book a Spa Soiree at Spa Laguna Beach which includes a welcome toast, choice of spa treatment and goodies for each attendee.

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 2022 Hospitality Trends
The woman reportedly fell at Burrard and West Hastings in downtown Vancouver. (Photo courtesy Sharmin Homenuk)

Vancouver police are investigating after a woman fell from a moving party bus to her death, said a brief news release Saturday.

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Police were called at around 9:30 p.m. to Burrard and West Hastings streets. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

UPDATE: The 23-year-old victim was part of two dozen people celebrating a birthday inside the bus, said Vancouver police on Sunday. As the bus made a turn, the woman fell from an open door to the street and was struck by the vehicle.

Passengers alerted the driver who immediately stopped the bus, said police. He is co-operating with investigators.

Sharmin Homenuk, who was sitting at a nearby pub, didn't see what happened but said she "just saw a lot of blood."

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"Her shoes were half a block away," she wrote on Twitter. "Very sad night for her and her family."

Traffic delays were expected in the area as police closed the downtown intersection for the investigation.
Politicians will debate later this month whether or not Donald Trump should be banned from the UK after a petition garnered more than 560,000 signatures.

The controversial Republican presidential candidate has been widely condemned in Britain for his controversial comments, but a ban would mean that he would not be allowed to step foot in the country.

If the property tycoon is banned from the UK, then he will join a long list of persons forbidden to enter the country.

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The People Banned By The UK Government See gallery

Nasr Javed

Nasr Javed, from Pakistan was banned from the UK for "engaging in unacceptable behaviour by seeking to foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs".

He is reportedly a Kashmiri senior operative of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, one of the largest organisations in South Asia.

Amir Siddique

Amir Siddique, from Pakistan, is an imam who was banned from the UK in 2009 for "engaging in unacceptable behaviour by fomenting terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs".

Abdullah Qadri Al Ahdal

A Saudi Arabian preacher, Abdullah Qadri Al Ahdal was considered to be "engaging in unacceptable behaviour by seeking to foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs and fostering hatred that might lead to inter-community violence".
Womens rights activists and members of Germanys far right demonstrated on the streets of Cologne on Saturday in protest at the New Year's Eve sexual assaults and robberies blamed largely on immigrants. Left-wing counter-protesters also rallied.

Earlier German Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed tightening laws regulating incoming asylum-seekers in the wake of the attacks. The country welcomed more than a million asylum-seekers last year.

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A right-wing demonstrator with a tattoo reading : 'Proud and Free' marches in Cologne, Germany Saturday Jan. 9, 2016

According to local police, some 1,700 protesters from the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement were kept apart from 1,300 counter-demonstrators in simultaneous protests outside the Colognes main train station.

PEGIDA members held banners with slogans like "RAPEfugees not welcome" and "Integrate barbarity?" while the counter-protesters pushed the message "refugees welcome."

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The New Year's Eve assaults, which are still being investigated, were perpetrated by around 1,000 men outside the citys train station. Many of the men surrounded the women in small groups, groping them and stealing their property, according to witness reports. There are also two allegations of rape.

The PEGIDA demonstration on Saturday was ended after the protesters threw firecrackers and bottles at the police. The crowd quickly dispersed with water cannons. No one was reported injured.

Earlier, hundreds of women's rights activists gathered outside Cologne's landmark cathedral to rally against the New Year's Eve violence. "It's about making clear that we will not stop moving around freely here in Cologne, and to protest against victim bashing and the abuse of women," 50-year-old city resident Ina Wolf told AP.

Though Merkel has decried the assaults as "repugnant criminal acts that ... Germany will not accept," they provide fodder for those who have opposed her open-door policy and refusal to set a cap on refugee numbers.

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Right-wing demonstrators and members of PEGIDA march in Cologne, Germany Saturday Jan. 9, 2016

Influential Hamburg broadcaster NDR said in an opinion piece posted online Friday that such crimes threaten to push xenophobia toward the "middle of the population"  which could lead to a backlash against refugees. "And who is to blame mainly?" the editorial asked. "These young, testosterone-driven time bombs with their image of women from the Middle Ages."

Despite the harsh rhetoric, the case is not yet that clear and the investigation is ongoing.

Of 31 suspects temporarily detained for questioning following the New Year's Eve attacks, there were 18 asylum seekers but also two Germans and an American among others, and none were accused of specifically committing sexual assaults. Cologne police on Saturday said more than 100 detectives are assigned to the case and are investigating 379 criminal complaints filed with them, about 40 percent of which involve allegations of sexual offenses.

"The people in the focus of the criminal investigation are primarily from North African countries," police said. "Most are asylum seekers or people living illegally in Germany. The investigation into if, and how widely, these people were involved in concrete criminal activity on New Year's Eve is ongoing."

Witness Lieli Shabani told the Guardian newspaper the attacks appeared coordinated, saying she watched from the steps of the city's cathedral as three men appeared to be giving instructions to others. "One time a group of three or four males would come up to them, be given instructions and sent away into the crowd," the 35-year-old teacher was quoted as saying. "Then another group of four or five would come up, and they'd gesticulate in various directions and send them off again."

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Police use a water cannon as PEGIDA members protest against the New Year's Eve sex attacks on January 9, 2016 in Cologne, Germany

National broadcaster ARD called the attacks a "wake-up call" that illuminates the difficulty that lies ahead for Germany of integrating the newcomers. "But we must not give in to our fears," ARD said. "If we now take all the refugees into custody, if we erect fences around our homes and country, if we join the swing to the right that some of our neighbors have, then we give up all we have achieved."

Cologne's police chief was dismissed on Friday amid mounting criticism of his force's handling of the incidents, and for being slow with releasing information. Speaking in Mainz, Merkel said local authorities must not be perceived to be withholding information and urged that the case be "fully clarified."

"Everything has to be put on the table," she said.
Jeremy Corbyn mounted a strident defence of last weeks reshuffle on Sunday, despite several high profile resignations from his top team. In an article for the Observer, the Labour leader said the changes have made the Labour Party "stronger."

For all the media sound and fury, last week's shadow cabinet reshuffle has made us a stronger, more diverse and more coherent leadership team, he wrote.

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Corbyn wrote that his election last year reflected a deep-seated desire for change and a new direction in our politics and that the reshuffle "will help make Labour a more effective champion of the people who need us to give them a voice, to win elections and change our country for the better."

Corbyn: 'Reshuffle has made us a stronger and more coherent'

The Labour leader's defiance came amid a fresh resignation with Alison McGovern quitting Labours poverty review exasperated by Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell's recent characterisation of the Progress group  which she chairs  as a "hard right clique."

The MP is to confirm her resignation on the BBC's Sunday Politics show. McGoverns appearance is likely to further escalate the ongoing row between Labour and the BBC after Corbyn's office filed a complaint on Friday accusing the broadcaster of "orchestrating" the resignation of Stephen Doughty from the front bench ahead of Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

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Livingstone said Putin is not a military threat

McGovern follows Doughty, Jonathan Reynolds and Kevan Jones who quit the shadow cabinet after the sacking of Europe spokesman Pat McFadden and shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher. Speaking to The Sunday Times, McFadden accused Corbyn of attempting to demonise and delegitimise people and stop other voices being heard.

"The use of rhetoric like that is not what Jeremy promised when he took over, said McFadden. "He said he would practise a kinder politics without personal attacks."

Alison McGovern is to detail her resignation on the BBC's Sunday Politics

Replacing Maria Eagle with Emily Thornberry on the shadow defence brief also caused rifts, Thornberrys opposition to the nuclear deterrent fuelling speculation that Corbyn will shift party policy to fall in line with his own unilateralist view. In response, Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis, a former soldier, said he would be "deeply uncomfortable" should the party shift to an anti-Trident position.

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Co-chair of Labours defence review Ken Livingstone exacerbated the disquiet, saying that Labour will look at Britains continued membership of NATO while arguing that Russian president Vladimir Putin does not pose a military threat. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Jones said that Livingstone hasn't got a clue what he is talking about.
bbc

David Cameron has refused to rule out preventing British workers from claiming in-work benefits as a way to legally prevent European migrants from receiving welfare.

A key plank of the prime minister's plans to renegotiate Britain's membership of the European Union is his hope of preventing EU immigrants to Britain from claiming benefits for four years.

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However such a move faces stiff opposition from other EU member states and could be against current European law as it would discriminate against immigrants.

Asked on Sunday whether he is considering also extending the ban to some British workers to get around the law, Cameron refused to answer.

"Four years remains on the table until I can see something equally powerful and meaningful," he said. Cameron said he wanted to halt the "unnatural draw" of the UK welfare system.

Pressed on the Andrew Marr programme on whether he would withdraw benefits from British-born workers, he said: "I am in the middle of a negotiation, I have got hard work to do, when Ive got an announcement to make Ill make it."

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Cameron also said he will try to remain as prime minister even if he loses the upcoming European Union referendum. Marr asked: "If you lose the referendum, do you stay as prime minister? You can't can you?"

Cameron replied: "The answer to that is yes. My policy is to hold a renegotiation and then a referendum, that's what we promised in the manifesto, then to abide by what the British public say. I hope that answer will be staying in a reformed Europe."

The prime minister said it was "very important" that the question on the ballot paper was whether to remain or leave the EU, not "this politician's future or that politician's future".

Cameron has said he rules nothing out when it comes to which side of the referendum he will campaign on. However he is widely expected to argue in favour of continued membership.
An Albanian man has been jailed after admitting a series of sexual attacks against women and a 13-year-old on buses in east London.

Giorge Zhukas, 47, sexually assaulted nine females on buses in Walthamstow and Ilford between August 11 and October 16 last year, Scotland Yard said.

One of his victims was a 13-year-old girl, while the oldest was 43.

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Giorge Zhukas' youngest victim was just 13

He was arrested on October 20 after police identified him from CCTV footage on one of the buses, the Press Association reports.

In four of the offences the quality of the CCTV was so high that the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charging, even though victims had not been identified.

Zhukas, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 18 months at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to nine counts of sexual assault on buses in Waltham Forest and Redbridge, the Met said.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and was told he would be deported after serving his sentence.

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Detective Superintendent Adnan Qureshi commended the victims' courage in reporting the crimes.

He said: "Thanks to their selfless actions, this despicable individual has received a lengthy prison sentence and deportation upon his release, which I hope reassures others to come forward in similar circumstances with information that can assist with a conviction."
A story highlighting the "champagne-swilling lavish lifestyles" enjoyed by some junior doctors has led to a rather humorous backlash.

The article, "Moet medics: High life of docs leaders who are heading up NHS strike" comes ahead of a series of planned strikes over changes to contracts, the first of which is due to go ahead on Tuesday.

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A number of individuals are singled out for "enjoying swanky meals", being "pictured on social media on a beach in front of a helicopter with a champagne glass" and others simply for actually owning their own homes.

The response on Sunday has generally been along the lines of this...

For decades some doctors have been getting free travel around the entire universe. THIS HAS TO STOP! #smearthedocspic.twitter.com/iE9pDKNs72  Strawberry_Jam (@Mefusen_Jam) January 10, 2016

I'm planning on get the water cooler at work changed. Water is so last year! #moetmedics#smearthedocspic.twitter.com/YdGVTH7KBm  deepbluc (@deepbluc) January 10, 2016

GP reg splashes out on luxury 1600 exam and spends Sunday revising next to my pants #moetmedics#smearthedocspic.twitter.com/JPh697pX0r  Daniel Leopard (@DanielLeopard) January 10, 2016

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The British Medical Association (BMA) announced three spells of strike action in England after negotiations with the Government ended with no resolution.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said the talks on Monday lasted less than an hour before BMA doctors walked out.

My crown needs attention so I'm sending my butler out tomorrow to get it serviced #smearthedocs#juniordoctorspic.twitter.com/jG5sqgLA56  Dr David Wrigley (@DavidGWrigley) January 10, 2016

An Acas spokesman said: "Talks have been held under the auspices of Acas between the established team for the BMA and the NHS team.

"A very helpful stock-take of issues took place. Unfortunately, whilst talks have been constructive and will continue next week, the parties are not able to prevent the industrial action planned for January 12 2016."

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Jeremy Hunt warns junior doctors strike will harm patients https://t.co/3TUFjPDu4t  Telegraph Politics (@TelePolitics) January 9, 2016

Hunthas also been accused of "sexing up" a letter that raised concerns over whether striking junior doctors would be available to respond in the event of a Paris-style attack.

In response to the article in The Sun, many pointed towards their extravagant spending habits.

#juniordoctor buys nappies from Waitrose instead of making own from newspaper in abundant spare time #smearthedocspic.twitter.com/GZE5UiqG1B  23weeksocksblog (@23weeksocks) January 10, 2016

Or their love of fine dining.

Flash car, fancy food, handcrafted clothes. Lavish holiday habits of a junior doc revealed #moetmedics#smearthedocspic.twitter.com/HIkHT9hryR  Strontium dog (@dog_strontium) January 10, 2016

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Others, their luxurious employment of household servants.

Doctor employs 2 year old to carry his bags on tax payers money #smearthedocspic.twitter.com/hXwrYe3R1D  Rajeeva Abeysuriya (@Bluelotus78) January 10, 2016

Not to mention their modes of transport.

Revealed- militant junior Dr shuns government offer of 11% pay rise but OWNS his own Formula one car #SmearTheDocspic.twitter.com/72y7BfEMDB  Alexander Gates (@dr_alex_gates) January 10, 2016

The backlash comes on the same day Tory MP Mark Field said that junior doctors risk being seen as a "medical workforce" rather than professionals if they go ahead with the planned strikes.

He said: "I don't think they're being driven to strike and what I regret about the strike, actually, is that professionals don't strike.

"If you want to be a medical workforce, go down this route, but if you really want to be seen as a professional and my concern is actually, I'm afraid there are elements within the BMA it's become pretty evident in the last week or so who essentially are manipulating junior doctors, knowing there is a great deal of public sympathy.

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"I think junior doctors have been manipulated into going down this route and there are elements in the BMA that are just flagrantly political in what they do."

Extravagant medical student chooses SOFTEST toilet roll for his pampered arse cheeks #smearthedocspic.twitter.com/FTBS2JKAV0  Matt Tapley (@LegitMattTapley) January 10, 2016

We are so 'galavanting' and wealthy, WE can afford Waitrose clothing for our daughter....#smearthedocspic.twitter.com/prsZXU2dzr  ben dean (@bendean1979) January 10, 2016

Consultant couple enjoy luxury holidays whilst supporting junior doctors strike #smearthedocspic.twitter.com/8TtY1mXYN5  Elin Roddy (@elinlowri) January 10, 2016

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Outspoken former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher has said Jeremy Corbyn'sLabour is "communism".

Gallagher, who grew up with his brother Liam in a working-class area of Manchester, said he would never vote for the Tories because they "don't care about the vulnerable" but added "communists don't care about the aspirational".

The 48-year-old was interviewed by Julie Burchill in The Sunday Times. When asked what he thought of Corbyn, he said: "I don't like communism."

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Gallagher meeting Blair at Downing Street

Gallagher, who was famously invited to Downing Street by Tony Blair to solidify New Labour's vibrant, cool, image, said the party disappointed in power after 1997.

He said: "Speaking as somebody from the left, I thought the New Labour years, coming up to 1997, were amazing. It was so exciting to be in England at the time, because there were so many things going on.

Jeremy Corbyn

"But then, the Labour Party proved themselves to be 'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss', and until that changes, I'm not having it. The Tories don't care about the vulnerable, and the communists don't care about the aspirational."

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Pope Francis has hit out at hypocritical Christians in his new book, saying that mercy is more important than doctrine, and those who judge others are forgetting the real message of God.

The Pope also defends his radical views on gay people, which have divided the Catholic church, in his new book 'The Name Of God Is Mercy'.

In the 100-page book, he argues that God prefers sinners who repent over self-righteous moralisers who don't.

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Francis condemns what he calls the "scholars of law", people who follow the scriptures too rigorously and have looked for fault in others but fail to see their own shortcomings.

He attacks the rigorists who focus on doctrine and have challenged Jesus' message of unconditional love and mercy, arguing that God prefers sinners who repent over self-righteous moralisers who don't.

Pope Francis

"These are men who live attached to the letter of the law but who neglect love; men who only know how to close doors and draw boundaries," Francis is quoted as saying.

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"We must avoid the attitude of someone who judges and condemns from the lofty heights of his own certainty, looking for the splinter in his brother's eye while remaining unaware of the beam in his own," Francis says. "Let us always remember that God rejoices more when one sinner returns to the fold than when 99 righteous people have no need of repentance."

Francis has a history of dismissing of theological and legalistic arguments stressing doctrine over his more pastoral message of mercy for society's most marginal groups. The clash in approaches has been particularly evident in recent church debates over marriage and divorce.

The book is is a 100-page conversation with Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli, being published this week in 86 countries to help kick-start Francis' Holy Year of Mercy.

In the book, Francis insists that his now-infamous "Who am I to judge" comment about gay people was merely a repetition of the church's teaching on homosexuality.

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He won praise from gay activists with the comment, uttered during his first press conference in 2013. But many conservatives have criticised the remark as vague and incomplete since church teaching also holds that gay acts are "intrinsically disordered."

Francis says the church has long held that gay people should be treated with dignity and respect and seen as individuals. And he goes to some length throughout the text to cite scripture and previous popes to make clear that his radical agenda is fully rooted in the church's basic teachings.

The Pope hits out at hypocritical Christians

"People should not be defined only by their sexual tendancies: Let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive his infinite love," he says. "I prefer that homosexuals come to confession, that they stay close to the Lord, and that we pray all together. You can advise them to pray, show goodwill, show them the way, and accompany them along it."

The Vatican is officially launching the book Tuesday with a panel discussion featuring Francis' secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and 'Life Is Beautiful' actor Roberto Benigni, signaling the importance Francis places on getting the message out.

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Francis has made clear from the start of his pontificate that his would be a papacy focused on mercy, and he called a jubilee year to emphasise it. Throughout the book, Francis refers repeatedly to his own ministry to prostitutes and prisoners in Argentina, showing how his own personal encounters with society's outcasts have shaped his view about the faith and formed the bedrock of his papacy.

As a confessor, Francis is quoted as saying, "I have always tried to find a crack, just a tiny opening so that I can pry open that door and grant forgiveness and mercy."

But Francis' opening isn't a free-for-all: He says of course prisons can't throw their doors open and let violent criminals out onto the streets. But he says once a debt is paid, prisoners must be reintegrated back into society and welcomed. And he distinguishes between ordinary and even repeat sinners and those who are corrupt, saying corruption is a condition, a state of life and often a hypocritical one incompatible with Christianity.

"The corrupt man often doesn't realise his own condition, much as a person with bad breath doesn't know they have it," he says.

Some conservatives have balked at Francis' mercy-over-morals priorities, saying it has sent confusing messages to the faithful especially after two previous popes spent so much time stressing doctrine.

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Some cardinals have called on Francis to make clear-cut policy statements on certain issues, especially the divisive question of whether divorced and civilly remarried Catholics can receive Communion.

Church teaching holds that, if these Catholics are living in sin, they cannot receive the sacraments.

Francis launched a two-year study on the issue and other matters related to Catholic family life, and is expected to weigh in this year with a document on whether any accommodation can be found.

In the book, Francis doesn't commit himself one way or the other on the matter, but indicates that his decision may draw on a personal experience.

He recounts that one of his nieces wanted to marry a man who had children from a previous marriage, but hadn't yet obtained an annulment - a church decree that his first marriage was invalid.

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The couple got married in a civil ceremony and went on to have three children. Francis recalls that every Sunday when they went to Mass the man went to confession and told the priest that he knew he couldn't be absolved from the sin of adultery, but he asked for a blessing.

"This is a religiously mature man," Francis said.
Shadow education secretary Lucy Powell BBC

Jeremy Corbyn risks losing at least three of his shadow cabinet ministers if he succeeds in changing Labour Party policy to advocate the scrapping of Britain's nuclear weapons.

On Sunday, shadow justice secretary Lord Falconer, shadow education secretary Lucy Powell and shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith all refused to rule out resigning over the issue.

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Labour is currently reviewing its policy on the renewal of the Trident weapons system. As part of last week's reshuffle, the pro-Trident shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle was moved out of her job and replaced with the anti-Trident Emily Thonberry.

Michael Dugher, who was fired as shadow culture secretary, used a column in The Sun today to warn Labour would severely damage its chances of winning the election if it abandoned its support for Britain's nuclear deterrent.

However a Labour Party source hit back at Dugher, telling The Huffington Post UK: "On Dugher, the sad truth is that yesterday and today prove why he was sacked. He was simply more obsessed with getting front page stories and attacking the leadership and party than with his DCMS brief.

"This morning it seems Dugher is clearly looking to be the new [Simon] Danczuk with his column in The Sun. Sour grapes has proved to not be a good look in the long term. Both legends in their own lunchtime."

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Shadow justice secretary Lord Falconer

Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live this morning it would be "difficult" for him if Labour changed its policy from a pro-Tident position to an anti-Trident one.

Asked he would quit over the issue, Smith said: "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it." He added: "There are always going to be matters of principle that you might feel you need to resign on."

Falconer, when asked the same question on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme said: "Lets see what happens in relation to that."

And Powell told the BBC Sunday Politics said "lets see where we get to" when asked if she would quit. She said she would be "very surprised" if Labour ended up opposing Trident. "

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Shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith

Smith, who has told the New Statesman he would be interested in becoming Labour leader one day, said he would "make the case" for Trident in the run=up to the decision.

"We have got to have, I think, a very adult argument in the Labour Party about this  not in public I hope, not in the way in which we have occasionally argued publicly recently  but it is an enormously serious, technical, strategic question for Britain as to what the nature of our nuclear weapons are and whether we have a nuclear deterrent.

He said: "My view is that unfortunately we do need one."

Last week Labour Party HQ slapped down Ken Livingstone, who is co-chairing the defence review, for suggesting the party would also consider backing Britain withdrawing from Nato.

On Sunday, Labour MP Alison McGovern announced she was stepping down from heading a party poverty review. The Wirral South MP has been infuriated by shadow chancellor John McDonnell's jibe that the Progress group  which she chairs  is "hard right".

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ADAM GAULT/SPL via Getty Images Doctor obtaining a cervical smear. He is inserting a spatula into the woman's vagina to scrape a specimen of cellular material from the neck (cervix) of the uterus. The extracted specimen of cells is then smeared onto a slide and examined in a laboratory. This procedure is also known as a pap test. Cells that appear abnormal may indicate developing cervical disease or cancer.

The peak body for Australia's pathologists is taking its fight to Canberra over proposed federal government budget cuts that could see pap smears cost up to $30.

Pathologists have warned that women are likely to have to pay upfront costs for the cervical cancer screening test due to the government's removal of bulk-billing incentive payments to pathology services flagged in December.

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The proposed scrapping of the payments was outlined in the Governments Mid Year Economic Fiscal Outlook and relates to pap smears as well as other services like MRIs, blood tests and X rays.

Pap smear tests - patients will pay out of pocket costs if Govt changes go ahead https://t.co/vORwSNe4y2#auspol  AMA Media (@ama_media) January 6, 2016

The controversial payments to pathology companies, worth between $1.40 and $3.40, took effect in 2009 and were aimed at boosting bulk billing. But the government says bulk billing rates have only lifted 1 percent since they came in and so should be removed.

But the pathology industry says administrative costs involved in the proposed change will result in patients paying more for pap smears and could go even higher than $30 per test.

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On Sunday, Pathology Australia president Nick Musgrave said the organisation would lobby the government vigorously to reverse the proposal.

"We are in the process of doing that," Musgrave told ABC television .

"We will be continuing to lobby strongly to have this decision reversed and we (are) encouraged by the support we have received."

He said rallies would be held in February against the changes, which are slated to take effect from July and must still get the tick of approval from the Senate.

The Turnbull government has repeatedly disputed claims that fees charged to patients will rise due to the changes. It says the payments to be dumped go to pathology companies, and are separate to the Medicare rebate.

After negative publicity flowing from a petition on the issue, Health Minister Sussan Ley this week said nothing would change on the access or cost of pap smears.

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Can reassure Aussie women no change 2 access/cost of #papsmears exam or $ value of your Medicare rebate #auspolhttps://t.co/PHSZ7zweN8  Sussan Ley (@sussanley) January 6, 2016

An in-depth explainer on the issue can be found here.

Pathology Australia's Musgrave predicted worse health outcomes if the altered payment arrangements went ahead.

"These will result in delay and diagnosis of cancers and chronic diseases, lead to worse health outcomes and at the end of the day they will cost more money to manage the complex conditions," he said.

He rejected suggestions that the group's opposition to the government's proposal was an attempt to protect shareholder interests.

Labor has pledged to block the changes in the Senate.

Stand against Turnbull's cuts to bulk-billing and sign to keep pap smears free #auspol https://t.co/8Zty92mEZM  Australian Labor (@AustralianLabor) January 6, 2016

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Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has also expressed her opposition to the reforms.
PeopleImages.com via Getty Images Cropped view of a young businessman wearing a smartwatch and a traditional watch - All screen content is designed by us and not copyrighted by othershttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/783764.jpg

Today's trends are coming at us faster than ever and have a life cycle that is shorter than we've ever seen before. Trends are increasingly global -- and with that, they're bigger, better, and faster.

From a generation who can track, monitor, record and analyse their every moment, to work that is increasingly being done in non-traditional places, here are some trends to watch in 2016.

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1. Life tracking

Not only do we photograph much of our lives and share it as we go in this era of selfies and social media; armed with Go Pros and dashboard cams we video a lot of life, too.

However, the year ahead will see life tracking go to new levels with the use of the now-ubiquitous, wearable, life-tracking technology such as the Apple watch, Microsoft band and Fitbit.

Never before has there been a generation who can life track their every heartbeat (literally) as this generation today. From steps walked to hours slept, users now have access to more health data than their doctor -- all uploadable and analysable.

The year ahead will see apps emerge and programs developed to make this data more comparable and usable, and interested parties such as health insurance companies, health advocacy groups and even local communities will provide rewards, discounts, competitions and benefits to support the wider use and corresponding healthy lifestyles that such technology encourages.

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2. Technocracy

Technology is now empowering and, in many ways, improving democracy. Traditionally, democracy worked through corresponding with one's local Member of Parliament, signing petitions to be tabled, and of course voting in elections.

However, in a technocracy, tweets, trending hashtags, likes and online campaigns have the power to reverse government decisions and influence policy priorities. Such clicktivism gives voice to those beyond adults and enrolled voters and those outside of an electoral or state boundary.

The year ahead will see more sophisticated technology-driven campaigns and both viral and promoted campaigns will become more common. Just as we have seen the power of technology influence legislation such as Uber shaping transport legislation and Air BnB impacting accommodation regulations, the mass usage of convenience and lifestyle apps will continue to shape policy.

3. Bigger Australia

In February, Australia will hit its next population milestone of 24 million. And by the end of the year, Sydney will be Australia's first city to hit the 5 million mark, with Melbourne just shy of this number.

While the population growth rate has slowed over the past year, with slightly fewer births and declined migration numbers, Australia is still adding more than a million people every three years. In fact, in 2009, when then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd talked about Big Australia, the population had just hit 22 million. Since then it has increased by almost 10 percent in just six years.

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The population forecast then was for Australia to reach almost 36 million by the middle of this century. However, on current trends, it will exceed 40 million by then.

It seems that Australians have responded to the growth, with housing trends of densification, the growth in apartment living and "walkable" urban communities. In addition to this, the year ahead will see policy and political responses to population growth through more focus on growing regional centres, investing in public transport and road infrastructure, airport and flight movement expansions and renewed discussion of a very-fast train link between Sydney and Melbourne, which together are home to 40 percent of the national population.

4. Brand fatigue

Price-sensitive shopping and value seeking is the new norm for Australian consumers. Cost of living pressures will continue to drive consumer demand for low prices, discounts and sales.

The year ahead will see Australians adapt even more to new brands or "non brands" in an era of high-quality, private-label brands that deliver lower prices. A new generation of consumers who are early adoptors, accustomed to online shopping and influenced by global brands, are redefining the Australian brand landscape.

Even in areas that were very brand-sensitive, such as consumer electronics, we are seeing the rapid rise of emerging brands -- many of these from China. Two of the five leading global smartphone brands are Huawei and Xiaomi, and emerging brands such as Oppo (from China) now sit alongside the iPhone.

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Australian consumers are, in many ways, brand agnostic -- but they are price believers. They are still tuned into brands that offer a great value proposition and legacy brands that have built a reputation of quality are well trusted and regarded. But the year ahead will see an ongoing challenge to maintain this relevance in a landscape of more brands, less loyalty and ongoing price sensitivity.

5. Powerworking

This is the work-equivalent of power napping. With widespread Wi-Fi access and the growing acceptance of teleworking, work is increasingly being done in non-traditional places (while commuting, at home, cafes, shared spaces) and outside of typical working hours.

More importantly, work is being done in bursts. The hot-desking and co-working spaces of today create more collaboration -- but also more distraction. Combined with a new generation of staff accustomed to multi-screening and shaped in an era of shorter attention spans, we are seeing the emergence of a changing approach to work, with chunking or micro-working meaning that work is being conducted across more hours but in a series of concentrated phases.
The death last month of Eugene Foley, one of many Minnesota political figures I covered as a Washington newspaper correspondent in the 1960s and 1970s, reminded me of the only time I've been called a liar by the President of the United States.

Well, Lyndon Johnson didn't actually call me a liar, but he said there was no truth to my story that Foley, who died Dec. 30 at the age of 87 at his home in Whitefish, Mont., had submitted his resignation as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and director of the Economic Development Administration in 1966.

Foley, then 37, had told me he was going to resign after the November elections as head of the Great Society's $3.25 billion program designed to pump new life into economically depressed areas, which I reported in a story that was bannered across page one of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Aug. 18, 1966.

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I reported that Foley, who had headed EDA since its creation a year earlier, was resigning because the demanding job, which required 12-hour workdays and frequent traveling, prevented him from meeting social and financial obligations to his wife and four children. Foley also said he was disappointed that the Congress had drastically cut EDA's fiscal 1967 budget because of mounting Vietnam war costs.

But he was forced to backtrack when Johnson denied a few days later that Foley had submitted his resignation, and Foley described my story as based on "gossip and rumor."

But six weeks later, on Oct. 6, Johnson, who was famously adverse to having his personnel decisions announced by anybody but himself, told a news conference, at which he unveiled a 17-day trip to Southeast Asia, that he had accepted "with great regret" Foley's resignation.

Foley apparently was caught by surprise by Johnson's announcement that his resignation had already taken effect on Sept. 30 because he had said he was resigning in November. When I called his office, his secretary said he had left town and she didn't know where to reach him. When I finally tracked him down a week or so later, he sheepishly admitted that that Johnson was unhappy that he first learned about his resignation in my story.

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In December, I reported that Foley, who had turned down Johnson's request to head the Democratic national campaign committee, had accepted a job as president of an economic research firm in San Francisco. The job paid $55,000, more than twice as much as his $27,000 government salary.

Foley, one of ten children of a prominent lawyer in Wabasha, Minn., was one of the many people attracted to politics by Hubert Humphrey. He managed then Sen. Humphrey's campaign in the 1960 West Virginia and Wisconsin primaries, and Vice President Humphrey's 1968 New York campaign. In 1961, Humphrey bought him to Washington to work in the Commerce Department and in 1963, President Kennedy appointed him head of the Small Business Administration.

He later went on to top jobs in New York at Occidental Petroleum and the Dreyfus Corp., and headed his own financial consulting firm. He moved back to Washington , where lived until 2006, before moving to Martha's Vineyard and then to Montana.



As his obituary noted, Foley loved the theatre and was a close friend of many of the actors and directors of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. He loved philosophy, poetry, science and sports. He was raised a Catholic and was particularly drawn to the philosophy of Teilhard de Chardin, but his daily religion was The New York Times. He loved the Yankees and the Giants and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was a regular at Toots Shor's and other New York night spots.

A gregarious man and raconteur known by his friends as Genial Gene, Foley was once described by Jimmy Breslin, who encountered him on the campaign trail, as "one of those guys who can sit though a meeting with you until 4 a.m. and then be at his desk at 8 a.m. and work until an hour or so before midnight and then he will meet you for a drink."

Of the many people I got to know during a half century in Washington, Gene Foley was one of the most memorable. I will miss him as will his many friends.


"Over 35 percent of Latin American companies say that an inadequately trained workforce is their primary impediment to expansion, versus just 22 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa and 17 percent in South Asia." -- Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

Gabriel Sanchez Zinny is focused on education and the improvement of educational quality to fit a 21st century economy. Zinny is the founder and president of Kuepa.com, a blended learning startup that provides continuing education for adults who do not have the required skill sets to work in today's labor market. He is also the author of Educacion 3.0. The Struggle for Talent in Latin America, in which he addresses the critical need for educational transformation, both in the United States and Latin America, given the shifting nature of the global economy. In my interview with Zinny in The Global Search for Education, he discusses the challenges faced in Latin America, how blended learning companies like Kuepa will help, and what the future holds for traditional vs. the newer models of higher education.

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"To create truly advanced economic sectors that can power a broader rise in living standards, it will be imperative to equip workers at all levels with the skills necessary to succeed. And we won't achieve that without a stronger technical and vocational sector." -- Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

As you've argued, education is a key to economic success but demand is exceeding supply, particularly in emerging economies, like Latin America. How can this be changed?

Data from the World Bank's Enterprise Surveys shows that the Latin American private sector struggles more than that of any other region to find the right talent. Over 35 percent of Latin American companies say that an inadequately trained workforce is their primary impediment to expansion, versus just 22 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa and 17 percent in South Asia.

Local governments have been attacking the problem for some time, with little to show for it. One of the oldest, Colombia's National Learning Service (SENA), was formed in 1957, and one of the newest, Brazil's Bolsa Escola program, has been in effect since 2001. Argentina, Mexico, and Chile have launched similar efforts, but even with big budgets and expansive bureaucracies, the same education underachievement persists.

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The problem is more complex than many realize. Just joining the labor force is often no longer enough to start developing skills, especially in sectors where automation is replacing human labor. In these generally high-tech industries, the skills needed are much more sophisticated, requiring higher order creative problem-solving abilities as well as technical knowledge.

At the same time, while returns to highly skilled jobs are increasing, those benefits are not always clear to the individuals making education decisions. Here is one place that government could play a role: providing accurate, transparent, and easy-to-access information about which career paths are most in demand and what skills must be acquired to follow that path.

The regulatory environment is another challenge. The lack of clear regulation means that it can be impossible to tell quality institutions from the fraudulent. At the same time, successful schools and programs find it difficult to succeed and expand, given the less than transparent requirements involved.

Governments must be able to effectively evaluate the quality of new educational institutions, and crack down on those that are failing. Government programs are uniquely positioned to provide objective information and oversight, as well to provide the long term unemployed with skills training that can get them back into a productive place in the labor force.

As Latin America comes down from a decade of growth based on exporting commodities at high world prices, it faces the next challenge: transitioning to a higher-productivity economy. Maintaining macroeconomic stability will be crucial, as will be developing infrastructure and continuing to tackle poverty. But to create truly advanced economic sectors that can power a broader rise in living standards, it will be imperative to equip workers at all levels with the skills necessary to succeed. And we won't achieve that without a stronger technical and vocational sector.

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"By streamlining the 'information absorption' aspect of education, online learning can free up traditional schools to do more of what they do best - that is, the more complex processes of discussing, reflecting on, and synthesizing information into new ideas, which is best done in person, through conversation and collaboration."

-- Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

How are Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and sites like your own kuepa.com, impacting the global education landscape?

Online learning dramatically expands student access to quality instruction - now billions can "attend" the lectures of the best teachers, instead of only hundreds. Perhaps more importantly, by streamlining the "information absorption" aspect of education, online learning can free up traditional schools to do more of what they do best - that is, the more complex processes of discussing, reflecting on, and synthesizing information into new ideas, which is best done in person, through conversation and collaboration.

Clearly, online education is serving a slice of the population that has for too long been neglected. While the debate still remains open about the level of quality that the sector is capable of delivering, it is offering a valid alternative for working adults or marginalized students who would otherwise receive little or no education.

Kuepa was founded a few years ago under the inspiration of this model, soon becoming the first blended learning initiative in the region and expanding to Mexico, Peru and Colombia. The high dropout rates and a rising awareness of the need to improve educational quality, together with a flourishing entrepreneurial environment and a solid and rapid expansion of ICT use and digital inclusion in the region (among the highest in the world), provided the context for the birth of Kuepa. The initiative seeks to serve a population of adults that do not have the required skills to work in the competitive 21st century labor market. Kuepa wants to contribute, through the introduction of blended learning, to improve performance, leverage teacher capacities and boost productivity and competitiveness among young workers in Latin America.

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What role do you see MOOCs playing in the future of education? How will they affect the price and prominence of the university system?

Technology is outpacing the need for traditional infrastructure and other fixed investments that have, for many years, been the cornerstone of the brick and mortar university system. Digital libraries are just one example - as the marginal cost of hosting books, videos, and other resources online falls dramatically, new providers have an opportunity to enter the market. MOOCs reach millions without the need for as much as a single dormitory.

Thus, the old ways of evaluating educational institutions have become obsolete. Teaching and learning can now easily be exported and imported, a trend embraced by leading universities like Mexico's Tecnologico de Monterrey, which now has more than 50,000 students outside of the country taking its courses.

Platforms based in the U.S. and Europe, too, are seeing new success in the Latin American education market. EdX, based in Boston and co-founded by MIT, is expanding rapidly in countries from Brazil to Haiti - a full 10 percent of the 1.3 million people accessing EdX MOOCs are now based in the region. In the UK, there is the Open University, which caters to students across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and which is expanding its marketing to Latin America.

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This rise of education entrepreneurs and the expansion of online learning are both responses to a sector that is in the midst of a profound, and long-overdue, disruption.



"Private, lower-cost, largely online options are well positioned to reshape education more fundamentally. Concepts like lifelong learning and twenty-first century skills are no longer simply trendy buzzwords, but on-the-ground reality."

-- Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

What will it take to raise the reputation of MOOCs so that they will be seen as rigorous alternatives or supplements to a traditional university degree? What evidence is there that this is happening already?

With increasing economic growth, and the subsequent expansion of the middle class in regions like Latin America, there is a new market being created for quality post-secondary education. With the rise in local demands for educational services, new providers in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors are getting involved. Indeed, over the past decade, Latin America has seen billions invested in its higher education sector.

Regional businesses are increasingly basing their hiring on specific skill sets and competencies, rather than credentials from prestigious schools (not unlike Google in the U.S.). At the same time, a burgeoning but underprepared young work force is clamoring for better education, pushing the price of traditional universities upward and straining their infrastructure.

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Thus, even while the right education is more valuable than ever, the public perception that traditional schools are overpriced, overcrowded, and irrelevant to the modern workplace has contributed to an atmosphere of crisis. Students are increasingly graduating with overwhelming debt and few job prospects, leading to explosive discontent in places like Chile and Colombia, not to mention the United States.

In this context, private, lower-cost, largely online options are well positioned to reshape education more fundamentally. Concepts like lifelong learning and twenty-first century skills are no longer simply trendy buzzwords, but on-the-ground reality.



C. M. Rubin and Gabriel Sanchez Zinny

(All Photos are courtesy of Gabriel Sanchez Zinny)

Join me and globally renowned thought leaders including Sir Michael Barber (UK), Dr. Michael Block (U.S.), Dr. Leon Botstein (U.S.), Professor Clay Christensen (U.S.), Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond (U.S.), Dr. MadhavChavan (India), Professor Michael Fullan (Canada), Professor Howard Gardner (U.S.), Professor Andy Hargreaves (U.S.), Professor Yvonne Hellman (The Netherlands), Professor Kristin Helstad (Norway), Jean Hendrickson (U.S.), Professor Rose Hipkins (New Zealand), Professor Cornelia Hoogland (Canada), Honourable Jeff Johnson (Canada), Mme. Chantal Kaufmann (Belgium), Dr. EijaKauppinen (Finland), State Secretary TapioKosunen (Finland), Professor Dominique Lafontaine (Belgium), Professor Hugh Lauder (UK), Lord Ken Macdonald (UK), Professor Geoff Masters (Australia), Professor Barry McGaw (Australia), Shiv Nadar (India), Professor R. Natarajan (India), Dr. Pak Tee Ng (Singapore), Dr. Denise Pope (US), Sridhar Rajagopalan (India), Dr. Diane Ravitch (U.S.), Richard Wilson Riley (U.S.), Sir Ken Robinson (UK), Professor Pasi Sahlberg (Finland), Professor Manabu Sato (Japan), Andreas Schleicher (PISA, OECD), Dr. Anthony Seldon (UK), Dr. David Shaffer (U.S.), Dr. Kirsten Sivesind (Norway), Chancellor Stephen Spahn (U.S.), Yves Theze (LyceeFrancais U.S.), Professor Charles Ungerleider (Canada), Professor Tony Wagner (U.S.), Sir David Watson (UK), Professor Dylan Wiliam (UK), Dr. Mark Wormald (UK), Professor Theo Wubbels (The Netherlands), Professor Michael Young (UK), and Professor Minxuan Zhang (China) as they explore the big picture education questions that all nations face today.

The Global Search for Education Community Page
Saudi Arabia's break with Iran is widely seen as a symptom of the Saudi fear of an aggressive Tehran and the construction of a "Shiite Crescent" in the Arab Middle East that is encircling the Sunni Muslim-dominated kingdom. But there's also a strong domestic element to the concerns: the desperate desire by the Saudi ruling group to shift attention away from domestic troubles to foreign threats.

The Saudi government, led by nearly octogenarian King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, is under pressure from numerous home-grown threats. There is stiff opposition to the king himself and his son, Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, recently appointed Deputy Crown Prince and to other top jobs, thereby placing him in line for eventual kingship.

Reduction of gasoline subsidies hit hard at the poor. Sectarian tension persists, driven by the discontented second-class citizenry of Saudi Arabia's Shiite Muslim minority.

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Many younger Saudis think the royal family is a bunch of corrupt degenerates. Large numbers of disaffected youth have gone to Syria to fight alongside the Islamic State. ISIS is an avowed enemy of the Saudi monarchy, which it views as unwilling to engage in a cleansing jihad against foreign and local enemies.

So in some ways, tension with Iran is a useful diversion from an internal crackdown. King Salman sent a tough message to opponents with the execution-by-beheading of 47 people he alleged were terrorists; 46 were Sunni Muslim Saudis. The Saudi Foreign ministry issued a statement to justify this housecleaning, which it said was "based on clear and undisputed physical evidence" of terrorism." Some of the charges dated back more than a decade. The show of brutal domestic scimitar-rattling was a vivid message to highlight just who is in charge.

Despite the clear internal motive for the executions, foreign commentators and government mostly focused on the killing of a single Shiite cleric, Nimer al-Nimer. Iran, a Shiite Islamic republic, which has set itself up as protector of Shiites everywhere, protested. A mob in Tehran trashed and torched the Saudi embassy.

The Saudis responded by cutting off diplomatic relations and got its allies, Kuwait, Bahrain and Sudan to do the same. The United Arab Emirates downgraded its relations.

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The Saudi foreign ministry accused Iran of harboring terrorists and of "blatant intervention" in "Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria, where it has directly interfered through the revolutionary guard and the Shiite militias from Lebanon and other countries of the world, resulting in the killing of more than 250,000 Syrians."

Indeed, Iran's foreign policy worries the Saudis, who featured themselves Arab world leader and successor to historic Sunni Muslim domination of the region. To the north in Syria, the Saudis see Iran as backer of an Alawite minority regime that lords it over a Sunni Muslim majority. To the east, it sees Iran as sponsor of a restive Shiite majority in Sunni-ruled Bahrain. To the south, it regards Houthi Shiite rebels as an Iranian cat's paw fighting a Saudi-installed government. Iran influences a former Saudi client in Palestine, Hamas, with financial support.

And there are other alarming outside factors. The steep decline of oil prices and the feeling that the United States, its main post-World War II ally, has abandoned it. Exhibit A is President Obama's willingness to cut a nuclear deal with Iran without trying to curb Tehran's interventions on Saudi Arabia's doorstep.

The escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran is the latest episode in a 35-year old low-intensity conflict between the two regional powers. The competition took off in 1979, when the Shiite Islamic revolution triumphed in Iran. The new government solidified its hold on Iran with harsh Islamic moral and social restrictions and began to spread its influence outside by setting itself up as rival to the US, an enemy of Israel and supporter of non-state militias, foremost among them Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia harbored its own designs for Middle East leadership and reacted by intensifying the spread its ultra-conservative Islamic ideology, Wahhabism. The Saudis funded mosques, trained preachers and supported insurgent and terrorist groups in places as far afield as Palestine and the North Caucasus.

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This competition evolved in parallel to intermittent U.S. military and political interventions in the Middle East and the region's chronic instability. Following the disastrous Iraq adventure, the US withdrew from its dominant position in the Middle East, opening the way for regional rivals and secondary outside powers -- especially Russia and Turkey -- to enter the fray.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 08: Demonstrators with the group Witness Against Torture dress in orange jumpsuits and wear black hoods while demanding that U.S. President Barack Obama close the military prison in Guantanamo, Cuba, outside the White House January 8, 2016 in Washington, DC. There are still 104 terrorism detainees from Afghanistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other countries being held at the maximum security prison. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Fourteen years ago this Monday, President George W. Bush opened the Guantanamo Bay detention center as an emergency measure to hold and interrogate men suspected of participation in the September 11 attacks and the subsequent fight against the United States in Afghanistan. Intended to operate beyond the reach of U.S. law, the offshore prison at the United States' naval base in Cuba soon became known for its abuses of human rights, including torture and ongoing indefinite detention without charge or trial. Not surprisingly, it quickly became the focus of rallying cries from al Qaeda, with anti-U.S. propaganda featuring Guantanamo and its notorious orange jumpsuits beginning as early as February 2002. Military and national security experts agree it has become severely detrimental to U.S. interests.

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Over the last fourteen years, the United States has learned it cannot invade countries in the Middle East and expect to remake them in our image. President Obama has struggled to re-situate the United States as a supporter of regional allies fighting al Qaeda and the Islamic State, or ISIS, rather than placing the U.S. military on the front lines. But due to Congressional obstruction and a lack of decisive action on the president's part, the Guantanamo detention center remains open -- and remains a thorn in the side of the U.S. attempt to remake its image as well as its Middle East foreign policy. It's now up to President Obama to explain to Congress and the American people why that's unacceptable. Seven years after promising to close the prison in Cuba, he needs to finally present his plan for exactly how he intends to do that.

Guantanamo is not only a symbol of the U.S. failure to fully change course, it is also an ongoing human rights tragedy where the United States continues to imprison 104 men indefinitely, most without charge or trial. The U.S. State Department regularly criticizes other countries for similar conduct. That the United States continues to do it endangers not only the men unjustly imprisoned there, but the cause of human rights worldwide. What can U.S. condemnation of other nations' human rights abuses mean in the face of 14 years indefinite detention in an offshore prison of men not convicted of any crime?

Human rights groups have never been allowed to meet with detainees privately to evaluate their circumstances. Gen. John F. Kelly, the head of U.S. Southern Command and in charge of the Guantanamo base, has exacerbated the lack of transparency at the prison by making visits to the detention center more difficult for journalists, and for representatives from other countries considering accepting some of the detainees. Yet other nations' willingness to accept detainees is critical to closing Guantanamo.

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The ongoing imprisonment of these men at the Guantanamo Bay detention center may work to the advantage of some members of Congress who, 14 years later, remain intent on playing the politics of fear. That's why the last National Defense Authorization Act maintained absurd restrictions on the transfer of detainees out of Guantanamo to third countries and prohibited transfers entirely into the United States, even for trial or continued detention. President Obama sees the damage it's doing, not only to the prisoners but also to U.S. global influence. As recently as December, he reiterated his commitment to closing the facility. He now needs to demonstrate he has the courage of his convictions.
First, it was the Egyptian embassy, second the American embassy, later Denmark, then the British embassy was ransacked by mostly Basijis, and now, it is the turn of Saudi Arabia's embassy to be attacked by crowds of Iranians. What kind of diplomacy is Rowhani's government referring to?

These kinds of assaults on foreign embassies and diplomats have several dimensions; they appear to be a systematic reaction as they follow strong remarks from Iran's Supreme Leader. Iranian media outlets normally refer to these attackers as passionate young people or "followers of the Imam's route," rather than aggressors.

In addition, it is intriguing that Iranian forces which are very quick at identifying demonstrations, are always late to act when it comes to these types of pre-organized and sophisticated attacks on embassies. Moreover, the perpetrators of these attacks generally attempt to show their loyalty to the ideals of the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Republic's revolutionary principles. As a member of Iran's semi-militia group, the Basiji, pointed out: "We will stand by the Supreme Leader against any country which he views as the enemy."

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After the strong and provocative rhetoric from Iran's Supreme Leader on his social media outlets and website, and after he urged " the Muslim world" to act, an Iranian crowd, broke into the Saudi embassy chanting slogans against Saudi Arabia. They ransacked, smashed furniture and windows, and set fire to the building. Another crowd attacked the Saudi Consulate in the city of Mashhad and tore the Saudi flag.

Has assaulting embassies turned into an inherent and symbolic tactic in the Islamic Republic's political establishment to indirectly express Tehran's rivalry towards other countries and to show disrespect to them?

The Islamic Republic, which considers itself the leader of Islamic world. The underlying issue which should be addressed is Iran's escalating sectarian agenda in the region and its heightened military interventions in other nations. It is incumbent on other nation-states to have a proportionate response to these issues, otherwise latest developments can escalate the regional conflict into conflagration. With the U.S. and the West turning a blind eye on the Islamic Republic' increasing interventionist operations in the region, Tehran has been emboldened and empowered on unprecedented level.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and its elite branch, the Quds force, has significantly increased their influence in various Arab nations through boots on the ground, military assistance, and Shiite proxies. Iran's support for militia groups across the region has exponentially increased. While one country, Iran, supports approximately 25 percent of world's designated terrorist groups, overwhelming majority of Iranian-backed groups are in the Middle East. This follows that the IRGC and Quds forces are currently the forerunners of financing, arming, and backing militia groups in the Middle East. According to the report by the State Department, even under the Presidency of the moderate, Hassan Rouhani, "Iran's state sponsorship of terrorism worldwide remained undiminished". Iran has not even begun taking serious actions against senior al-Qaeda leaders who are in the Islamic Republic.

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Iran is assisting the Alawite regime of Assad -- militarily, financially, with advisors and intelligence -- against the Sunni oppositional groups. The IRGC forces are increasing their influence in Iraq fueling the Shiite vs. Sunni tensions by supporting the Shiite militia groups and the Shiite ruling clerics. Tehran is interfering in Yemen's domestic affairs through their support for the Houthis. In Bahrain and Lebanon, Iranian leaders continue to influence domestic politics and incite instability by their support of Shiite groups.

The nuclear deal between the P5+1 countries and the Islamic Republic will further boost Tehran's ability to spread its influence. If the international community or a regional coalition do not take serious action, Iran will further consolidate its hegemonic influence in other nations and continue to create political realities out of its proxies, ie, the Shiite militia groups.

Due to the nuclear deal and U.S. appeasement policies towards Iran and Khamenei, the hardliners sense they are invincible and immune to any kind of robust pressure from powerful nation-states.

In closing, a military war between Iran and Saudi Arabia is less likely since it will end up in a stalemate and have sever repercussions domestically, regionally and globally. However, in order to avoid escalation of the regional conflict, this necessitates an independent regional leadership to counterbalance IRGC's military and political interference in other countries. While Obama's administration does not appear to show any concern about Iran's hegemonic ambitions, and while other European nations are not going to pressure Tehran for the sake of preserving their economic interests after the nuclear deal's implementation, other regional players ought to take the initiative. Alleviating the regional conflict will be in the interests of all regional actors, including Iran.

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President Barack Obama signs executive actions, with pending Senate legislation, aimed at closing a compensation genderA gap that favors men, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 8, 2014, during an event marking Equal Pay Day. Obama announced new executive actions to strengthen enforcement of equal pay laws for women. The president and his Democratic allies in Congress are making a concerted election-year push to draw attention to women's wages. Lilly Ledbetter watches at left. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Employment lawyers are scrambling to help their clients comply with President Obama's new "transparency in pay" executive order, effective this week. They needn't worry. It's far too weak to harm employers, and it won't do employees much good either.

Executive Order 13665 Non-Retaliation for Disclosure of Compensation Information, issued last fall, prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against employees and applicants "who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their own compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants." It's meant to stop the widespread practice of firing or otherwise punishing employees for talking about their pay.

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What the executive order does not do is create an affirmative obligation on the part of contractors to do anything to actually remedy discrimination in pay. Merely stopping employers from forbidding employees to disclose their pay to co-workers will do almost nothing to close the decades-old 21 percent pay gap between women and men working full-time, year round. And it won't do anything to remedy discrimination in particular jobs at any given company. Even in the absence of specific prohibitions, workers are reluctant to disclose their pay to their colleagues. It's nobody else's business, I might be making more, and maybe I don't want to know if I'm making less.

No real "transparency" will be produced by Obama's executive order. Nor will accountability to taxpayers insuring that the fat contracts they fund are used fairly when it comes to paying workers. At best the measure will save a few employees from getting the axe if they inadvertently mention their salary or brag about their bonuses.

Besides, putting the onus on employees to fix ingrained unwritten policies and corporate cultures that produce gender pay gaps -- by whispering in corners about their own and others' compensation -- is ridiculous on its face. Where's the obligation on the part of employers to root out and remedy their pay gaps?

Real pay transparency and accountability to taxpayers on the part of contractors can be done, as experience is beginning to show at state and local levels. Contractors can be required to disclose gender pay statistics by job category as a condition of bidding on a contract - a system pioneered at the state level by then-Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico in 2010. That approach was toughened and expanded by Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry in 2014, when the city not only required reporting, but began awarding a premium to bidders showing fair pay for women and men working in the same job categories. The reports at both levels are publicly available. And guess what? It's a bi-partisan issue. Richardson is a Democrat and Berry is a Republican.

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Other jurisdictions are in various stages of planning or crafting similar initiatives -- most notably the State of Missouri, cities such as San Francisco, New York and Tempe, Arizona, Erie County New York and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. That's very good news, but progress should not depend on geography or local leaders alone.

Obama's timid steps have shown that it's within the purview of the president to require assurance from federal contractors that our tax dollars are being spent fairly and wisely. (A separate "Memorandum" was issued at the same time as the executive order requiring the Department of Labor to develop a way to collect some pay statistics, but in the unlikely case it's ever actually implemented the info won't be public.)
It was only natural for the international community to condemn the assault on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, which was reminiscent of previous attacks on the U.S. embassy in Tehran after which Americans were hold hostages for 444 days, during the Islamic Revolution. The UN Security Council's condemnation was firm and was not linked to any preambles, given that the principle of not harming diplomatic missions is an absolute one.

In truth, the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon had made a mistake when he focused his denunciation in his first statement on Saudi Arabia's execution of 46 people, including 43 Sunnis and 3 Shiites convicted of inciting terrorism, before mentioning in passing the attack on Saudi diplomatic missions, appearing as though justifying - even if unintentionally -- the attack.

The majority of the international community rejects in principle the logic of the death penalty, but with notable exceptions such as the United States. Yet it is the right of Saudi Arabia to consider Ban Ki-moon's positions to be interference in its internal affairs, while it is the right of the secretary general to stress opposition to the death penalty in general.

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Riyadh is right when it notes the duplicity in international attitudes, which do not protest more than 1,000 executions carried out by Iran in the same vehemence as their condemnation of Saudi executions. Nevertheless, no capital can ignore the execution of 46 people in one go no matter what the causes of the execution are and regardless of the timing, which is very important.

Now, after Riyadh's decision to sever diplomatic ties with Tehran to protest what seemed to be an official Iranian blessing of the attack on Saudi embassies, coupled with statements by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei regarding "divine revenge" against Saudi for executing Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr (who has a history of inciting violence and terrorism) the question is this: What next? What is the size of the Saudi message, and is there a Saudi strategy to benefit from Iran's recklessness?

The Saudi-Iranian confrontation has shaken world capitals, sparking fears of further bloody proxy wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, in addition to aborting all UN-led diplomatic efforts seeking solutions to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

However, concerns this time went beyond proxy wars, to the possible serious implications and dimensions of Iranian meddling in Saudi internal affairs, particularly in the Shiite-dominated Eastern Province of the kingdom close to Bahrain. In Bahrain too, Iranian meddling has taken the form of subversion, incitement and creation of terror cells though Lebanese Hezbollah and other groups.

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There have been several offers for mediation including from Russia, Turkey, Iraq, and Oman. But the United States did not offer to mediate, despite the open lines between Washington and Tehran, so much so that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry contacted Tehran before contacting Riyadh in an odd diplomatic move, given the long-standing alliance between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Seizing the opportunity to mediate is very important. There is nothing fruitful about an open-ended estrangement without practical goals and specific objectives. Saudi delivered a clear message to Tehran as part of its quest to stop the international scramble to portray Iran as a peace advocate when it is a direct party to the war in Syria alongside the regime -- recruiting militias and sending advisors in clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions, yet with international consent.

Iran's reckless non-spontaneous attack on diplomatic missions exposed Tehran's motives. However, the international community has a weak memory in the time of the U.S. love affair with the Islamic Republic and Obama's appeasement of Tehran in the name of the nuclear deal.

Therefore, pragmatism is necessary even if national pride is at its height right now, and even if the prevailing trend is saying no voice must be louder than the voice of battle. Thinking calmly is what is needed, no matter how justified being incensed is at the moment.

For this reason, the message sent by Saudi diplomacy by receiving UN envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura was wise. Saudi envoy to the UN Abdullah al-Mouallemi said Riyadh will not boycott the UN because of the secretary general's positions, and that it would continue to take part in the Vienna talks on Syria despite the estrangement with Tehran, which reflects the cool-headedness and prudence of Saudi diplomacy.

Pragmatism says: Choose your battles so you don't have to fight too many that would drain you militarily and economically. Pragmatism requires a clear and realistic specification of priorities as well as the determination of the cost of victory and the cost of defeat. Pragmatism, unfortunately, is not always ethical and principled. It's the art of necessity.

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The Islamic Republic of Iran since its emergence in 1979 adopted a strategy of exporting the revolution, and remains determined to implement it. This is the battle it has clearly chosen.

Today, Iran and Russia are in a firm, solid alliance that has proven its robustness in Syria, taking advantage of America's weakness. The Russian-Iranian-Hezbollah axis, blessed by China, has worked to guarantee the survival of Bashar al-Assad in power and guarantee Russian and Iranian influence in Assad's Syria and the Middle East for a long time to come.

On the other hand, Iran is confident of U.S. courting, and wears it like a ring on its finger. Former U.S. President George W. Bush gave Iraq to Iran on a platter of silver, and current U.S. President Barack Obama has gifted Iran his Syria failure. Both U.S. presidents effectively made Iran a regional leader, deliberately turning a blind eye to its violations and terrorist attacks that Washington is aware of in details, and its meddling in the Arab countries with a view to export the Iranian revolution.

Pragmatism requires deep reflection on the meaning and dimensions of the decline of the alliance relationship between the United States and the Gulf Arab states, and even Washington's willingness to replace the Arab ally with an Iranian ally.

Realistically speaking, it should be recognized that Washington would bless a victory by Iran, Russia and Hezbollah in Syria. Realistically, it must be taken into account that Israel has returned to supporting Bashar al-Assad remaining in power, and that its relation with Iran have become increasingly one of appeasement if not cooperation in the fight in Syria under the title of combatting Sunni terrorism led by ISIS and similar groups. Realistically speaking, one should remember the terror attacks of 9/11 has a cost Arabs must bear, while also recalling that Arab oil is no longer an American need.

Faced with this reality, it is necessary to do a cost-benefit analysis for any measures going forward, in light of the crises and conflicts in the Arab region.

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Clearly, the absolute priority is for the internal security of all Gulf states. But clarifying the red lines requires both an advancement strategy and an exit strategy, and awareness of the strengths of the other side.

Saudi national security is the subject of unanimous agreement in the GCC, representing Gulf national security. If Russia or Oman, for example, want to act as mediators between Saudi and Iran, they must be asked to seek serious Iranian pledges with U.S. guarantees to cease incitement and interference in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and in Bahrain. This is an absolute priority that the GCC must clarify, and this is the battle that it must choose.

The second battle is in Yemen, which is also part of Saudi national security. Iran has chosen to fight a proxy Yemen with Saudi Arabia to turn it into a quagmire for the Saudis, who would then be drained in their own "Vietnam" there. Iran itself has managed to dodge drowning in its own Vietnam in Syria, thanks to Russia's US-sanctioned intervention there.

There is no international partner undertaking in Yemen what Russia is undertaking in Syria, so there is no alternative to seeking an exit strategy for Yemen. As it seems, this is now only possible through the diplomatic efforts led by UN Envoy Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

Syria, unfortunately, is not a battle that can be won. The international community has decided not to fight a regime that has massacred its people, but to fight ISIS even if this requires an alliance with the "devil". Syria will remain a dark stain on the world's conscience, and a wound that will prevent celebrating any victory no matter how much some might delude themselves into believing otherwise.

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Pragmatism requires counting the losses and choosing the battles. Pragmatism teaches that nothing lasts forever and that today's loss could be an investment in tomorrow, if prudence rather than emotion is pursued.

The ongoing Islamic Revolution in Iran has borne fruit for the mullahs in Tehran, but it has cost Iran dearly over four decades of isolation and missed prosperity and progress. This is not a victory.

By contrast, the Gulf in the past four decades developed and built astonishing cities, and integrated itself with the world despite some restrictions on freedoms.
While its viewership won't come close to that other famous British drama Downton Abbey, we are about to begin a new season of the real life soap opera we've come to think of As the Anglican World Turns.

The new season is being launched with the January 11-16 meeting of the Anglican Primates -- an unfortunate term for the heads of the 38 autonomous churches that make up the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury has called the meeting to bring together leaders from around the world-wide communion to prayerfully consider critical issues including religiously motivated violence, the protection of children and vulnerable adults, the environment, and human sexuality.

And therein -- as they say -- lies the rub.

A recurring theme in the ongoing storyline of As the Anglican World Turns has been threats by some members of the wider Anglican family not to show up at events if other members of the family are on the guest list -- in particular the gay members, the lesbian members and the transgender members: or any members who support the full inclusion of any of the above in the Body of Christ.

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As Andrew Brown described it in his January 8th feature in The Guardian:

The hardline African churches preparing to walk out of next week's meeting are disproportionately involved in wars and in immense civilian suffering. In northern Nigeria and northern Kenya, the fighting is with Islamist militias; in South Sudan and Congo the truly dreadful civil war is fought between largely Christian ethnic groupings. In Rwanda, the war is over, but the genocide was committed by Christians against other Christians, and Uganda, while itself at peace, is involved in both Rwanda and Congo. Yet for the leaders of all these churches, it is apparently more important to make a stand against American sexual liberalism than to accept such help as the supposedly decadent north can offer. It's an extraordinary spectacle.

Extraordinary, perhaps -- but sadly familiar to long time viewers of As the Anglican World Turns who have become all too accustomed to the threats of schism that have loomed over the Anglican Communion since -- to quote Andrew Brown again:

The conservatives overplayed their hand in the early part of this century when they were faced with a weak archbishop of Canterbury in Rowan Williams. They tried to force the complete expulsion of the American church, and when it turned out that there was actually no organisation from which it could be expelled, Williams tried to invent one in order to make sense of the situation.

What he "tried to invent" bore very little resemblance to the historic communion of autonomous national churches held together by their common DNA in the Church of England and bonds of mutual affection. Instead, it devolved into a repeated pattern of reducing the lives and vocations of LGBT Anglicans into bargaining chips in a game of global Anglican politics: what Cape Town Archbishop Tabo Makoba named last week as "Anglicans in other Provinces [using] African Christians as proxies in their own culture wars."

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However, as we look forward to the new season of As the Anglican World Turns there are some indications this unfortunate plot line may have finally run its course.

One encouraging plot twist came this weekend with the release of an open letter -- initially signed by over one hundred prominent Anglican leaders with the numbers still growing -- calling on the Church of England to "repent of its 'second class treatment' of Christians over issues of sexuality" including:

Acknowledgement that we, the Church, have failed in our duty of care to LGBTI members of the Body of Christ around the world. We have not loved them as we should, and have treated them as a problem to be solved rather than as brothers and sisters in Christ to be embraced and celebrated. We have made them feel second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God, often abandoned and alone. Repentance for accepting and promoting discrimination on the grounds of sexuality, and for the pain and rejection that this has caused. We, the Church, need to apologise for our part in perpetuating rather than challenging ill-informed beliefs about LGBTI people, such as the slanderous view that homosexuals have a predisposition to prey on the young.

The letter was coordinated by Jayne Ozanne, who wrote:

In 1998 the worldwide Anglican Church committed itself to minister pastorally and sensitively to all, irrespective of sexual orientation and to condemn irrational fear of homosexuals. Despite this commitment the plight of many LGBTI Christians around the world has got worse. The consequence is that we are now increasingly perceived as irredeemably "anti-gay" by an increasing number of people who simply don't understand why the church continues to discriminate, nor why it is allowed to do so. Until we repent of our treatment of our LGBTI brothers and sisters, attempts by those within the worldwide Church to conduct meaningful "conversations" will risk appearing hollow and insincere.

Rabbi Abraham Heschel famously said the prophet has a two-fold job description: to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. These prophetic words out of the Church of England this weekend have the power to do both: to comfort those afflicted by the impact of homophobia and to afflict those who have misused the power of the church to oppress and marginalize God's beloved LGBT people.

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Women are used to being judged by their appearance, but for 50-somethings and up, these sexist judgments become mixed up with ageism. It's illegal for employers to allow the age of their workers to influence decisions about hiring, promotion, and retention. There are laws banning discrimination in the workplace on the basis of age in the U.S. as well as the U.K. However, these laws don't mean that ageism doesn't exist in more subtle ways. You may not realize it, but it's ageist if your employer doesn't offer you the same opportunity for job training offered to your 30-year-old counterpart. For women, then, aging involves the double whammy of ageism and sexism. Even if these aren't overtly evident in your workplace (or society as a whole, for that matter), they are there in an invisible, invidious form.

In the U.K., a landmark case brought long-overdue attention to the problem of ageism and sexism in the workplace (Spedale). The producers of a BBC One show, "CountryFiles," were accused of discrimination against the over-40 female reporters who were let go when the show decided to move to prime time from day time. Older men were retained in the move, but the women of the same age (and younger) were let go.They weren't told why, but in the case, the charge of ageism eventually was upheld and the judge ruled in the claimant's favor. Underlying the BBC's initial decision was their belief that older women would cause the show to lose market share because they wouldn't attract the target audience.

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Spedale and her coauthors, analyzing this case, brought attention to the notion of "lookism" as adding to ageism and sexism. They pointed out that lookism, in which people are stereotyped on the basis of how attractive they are perceived to be, is a phenomenon rife not only in the media, but also present throughout society.

Lookism even shows up in places where you'd least expect it. Granleese and Sayer showed how lookism operates in academic settings to lead to prejudiced decisions against older female faculty members. You might not think that looks are as important in academia as they are on television, but according to Granleese and Sayer, it was rife: "As women's attractiveness and youthfulness are undeniably related in western culture, more so than applies for men, it is likely that this factor may be reasonably internalised within the concept of gendered ageism. Thus, a 'triple jeopardy' may exist for women of sexism, ageism and appearance, i.e. 'lookism.'"

Here's the dilemma for women in midlife and beyond: Do you work even harder than you did when you were young to look young and sexy, the ideal against which women are judged? Or do you flaunt these pressures and allow your age unabashedly to be visible? Spedale et al. argue that the more aging women try to conform to these social pressures, the more they become "active agents of further stereotyping." So, the answer is: resist, resist, resist.

We have an excellent role model for flaunting society's definition of what's considered attractive. At 59 years old, Carrie Fisher appeared her age (not Hollywood-plastic) in the reprise of her role in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." It didn't take long for the body-and-face-shamers to come after her. Showing that her off-screen behavior mirrored her on-screen role as a fighter, she reacted vigorously and definitively. Ironically, it was Fisher who took the heat, not her co-star Harrison Ford, 14 years her senior.

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It's not going to be easy to fight lookism, but with Fisher's frank and unapologetic approach to her critics, she's paving the way for the rest of us to feel more comfortable with our real, aging, selves.

References:

Granleese, J., & Sayer, G. (2006). Gendered ageism and "lookism": a triple jeopardy for female academics. Women in Management Review, 21, 500-517. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09649420610683480

Spedale, S., Coupland, C., & Tempest, S. (2014). Gendered ageism and organizational routines at work: The case of day-parting in television broadcasting. Organization Studies, 35, 1585-1604. doi: 10.1177/0170840614550733

Earlier on Huff/Post50:
Getting to Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport in the small hours. Hoping that my luggage is coming. Grabbing my bag. Walking outside. Feeling the warm weather and embracing the chaos outside. Going to the median and waiting for the driver. My driver. No I do not want to start my trip off by being cheated out of thousands of rupees, but thank you for thinking of me. No, I do not need a hotel. I do not make hotel plans from the airport, especially not the Colombo airport.



Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Before you know it, you're in the back of the car heading to Colombo. It's still dark outside. You're exhausted, though you aren't sure if you'd like for your eyes to be open or closed. You know your body craves rest, yet your mind wants to take everything in. Your heart has yet to weigh in, though that will change soon enough.

You think that things don't look exactly the same, but that they aren't very different. It's like putting another coat of paint on a work of art that's already been completed. Things are changing. Things always change. But a lot is staying the same too. And, it's that cool mix of change and continuity that makes it fun and exciting. The bars you know well, and those you know really well. People are still staring because I'm still white. You're eating at places you first visited years ago and seeing the look on peoples' faces, realizing that they remember you...the suddha...the foreigner. Grabbing all the newspapers you can and then washing the ink from your hands an hour later. Then washing your hands a second time to make sure that the ink is really gone. Holding the money, which is so different from the money you've been holding before you arrived. Momentarily wishing you had more money, then reminding yourself that that will eventually come, a wealth of experience is much harder to find, or at least that's what you're telling yourself, that's what you've always told yourself.

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Remembering that time a friend from Dallas visited, going to Silk, a club, and almost getting into a fight for no reason. (Why do people, especially young men, have to pretend to be so tough? What happened to the joy of semi-serious boozing sans complications and yelling?)

Let's return to Silk. I assume that you still won't be able to get in if you're wearing sandals. I assume that 1,000 extra rupees won't help you either. You may already know that, dear reader.

I'm at my humble living quarters in Maryland. I turn around and take a quick glance at the sandals in the corner of my room. I'm ready to trade my winter coat and train rides for some more casual footwear and tuk-tuk adventures. I'm ready to return to the days when I consistently wore shirts with two buttons undone. Let's have incessant honking and smog in my face. Let's have people driving tuk-tuks in Colombo who don't know their way around the city. Let's have some of that head bobbing.

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That nice smell in the Barefoot bookstore. Wiping the sweat from my brow all the time. Hoping I haven't completely sweat through my shirt right before a meeting. Taking my clothes to the dry cleaners and always feeling a little funny when they're counting my underwear on the counter. Spontaneously swinging by Cotton Collection (usually the one in Bambalapitiya) to look for some dress shirts. Feeling excited about maybe going to India, then feeling guilty when I don't actually end up going.

Heading back to the airport. You're still never really sure if it's better to try to get some sleep before the flight. As you may know, your body craves rest, yet your mind wants to take everything in.
Yawar Nazir via Getty Images SRINAGAR, KASHMIR, INDIA - JANUARY 07: Pro Indian politician and supporters carry the casket bearing the body of pro Indian Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during his funeral, on January 07, 2016 in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, India. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, a pro Indian politician of Indian administered Kashmir, served twice as the Chief Minister of strife torn Jammu and Kashmir; for three years from November 2002 till November 2005 and then again from March 2015 until his death in January 2016. Mufti died on Thursday morning at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, where he remained admitted for 14 days. His daughter Mehbooba Mufti is set to take over as Chief Minister . Sayeed was also Home Minister of Indian government from December 1989 to November 1990. He founded the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party, in July 1999. He died on 7 January 2016 at , Delhi due to multiple organ failure. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- Jammu and Kashmir was on Saturday placed under Governor's rule with the process of new government formation following the death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed taking some time.

"Governor's rule has been imposed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," a Home Ministry spokesperson said in Delhi.

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The President cleared the recommendation of the Union Home Ministry for imposing Governor's rule on the basis of a recommendation from J-K Governor N N Vohra.

The step was taken in view of the reluctance of Mufti's daughter Mehbooba to take oath during the mourning period, though her party has already conveyed to the Governor that 28 MLAs of the PDP legislature party backed her for the Chief Minister's post.

79-year-old Sayeed died on Thursday after a brief illness and since then there is a Constitutional vacuum.

PDP's coalition ally BJP has also indicated that it would take a decision on new government formation once the four-day morning period is over today.

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Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 17: Union MoS, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari after attending interim budget session on February 17, 2014 in New Delhi, India. Chidambaram unveiled a conservative budget for the governmentas remaining time in office through May. He said the government has narrowed its fiscal deficit and pledged to keep government spending at the same level. (Photo by Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- Former Union Minister Manish Tewari has raked up the 2012 troop movement controversy, saying a media report about army units moving towards Delhi without notifying the then UPA government was "unfortunate but true" even as his own party distanced itself from his claims while former Army Chief V K Singh rubbished the remarks.

Congress has distanced itself fom Tewari's claims.

"We on behalf of Congress very clearly and categorically want to deny this report," party spokesperson P C Chacko said.

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Another party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there is no truth in the report. "I am again clarifying there is absolutely no truth in it (claims about troop movement in 2012), he said. My colleague was neither a member of the Cabinet Committee on Security, nor any relevant decision making body," Singhvi said, adding some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt and inevitable part of the defence mechanism.

"It was inappropriate, unnecessary and completely wrong to suggest that there was any truth in those allegations when made," he said.

Former defence minister and Congress veteran A.K. Antony on Sunday also reiterated that it was a 'routine exercise' to check operational preparedness.

"I've already spoken in Parliament regarding this issue. Please see my previous comments," he told ANI in a telephonic conversation.

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As Tewari's remarks opened a can of worms, VK Singh dismissed the claims and called the Congress leader jobless even as the BJP questioned the timing of the remarks and demanded a statement from former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the matter.

Tewari, who was Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting in UPA government between October 2012 and May 2014, said, "I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct".

According to The Indian Express report, central intelligence agencies had reported that on the night of 16 January, 2012 there was an unexpected - and non-notified - movement by a key military unit from mechanised infantry based in Hisar in the direction of the capital.

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NARINDER NANU via Getty Images Indian police personnel stand alert near the airforce base in Pathankot on January 5, 2016. Umbrella group of Pakistani proxy jihadist outfits fighting in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the United Jihad Council, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued to the media on January 4, after a weekend of fierce fighting with insurgents left seven soldiers dead. AFP PHOTO/ NARINDER NANU / AFP / NARINDER NANU (Photo credit should read NARINDER NANU/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI--It is strange that both the government and the media have been under-playing the Kashmir angle in the Pathankot attack. The terrorist strike on the Indian Air Force base near the border in Punjab has been blamed on the Jaish-e-Mohammed, but what is the Jaish-e-Mohammed?

The JeM is a militant organization whose stated purpose is to take Kashmir from India, and has had a long history of militancy in Kahsmir. Focused on fidayeen suicide attacks, its wings were clipped in 2003 after some of its members turned against Pakistan.

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Released in exchange of 155 passengers on board Indian Airlines flight IC814 in December 1999, Azhar gave a speech in Karachi on 5 June 2000, in which he said, I have come back and I will not rest in peace until Kashmir is liberated. The group is active in the Kashmir Valley even today.

The group has also released an audio, mocking Indias poor response to the Pathankot attack, adding, 'Indians who kill unarmed Muslims in Kashmir are now dragging their own dead'. India TV ran part of the audio clip.

Since a section of the Jaish-e-Mohammed had in the past turned against Pakistan itself, the Pakistanis could well argue that these terror attacks  in Pathankot and Mazar-e-Sharif  cannot be blamed on the ISI. Regardless of who took the call to carry out these strikes, it is clear that they wanted it known that it was about Kashmir, and Afzal Guru.

The ghost of Afzal Guru

Similarly under-played is the news that the terrorists in Pathankot spoke of Afzal Guru. They told Rajesh Verma, the Punjab Police SPs jeweler friend, that they had come to take revenge for Indias hanging of Afzal Guru.

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Indian intelligence agencies say the Jaish has created a squad named after Afzal Guru.

Phone intercepts made by Indian intelligence revealed that the Jaish-e-Mohammad has vowed to carry out 13 terror attacks in India to take revenge for the 13 years Afzal Guru spent in jail.

Even the Jaish audio clip posted on its website, eulogized Afzal Guru.

Afzal Guru, an Indian national of Kashmiri origin, was hanged in 2013 for his involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack. Many in Kashmir, and even some in India, said that Guru was innocent. The Parliament attack of 2001 was blamed by India on the Jaish-e-Mohammed, along with the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

In the attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, also suspected by India to have been carried out by the JeM, the terrorists wrote in blood, Revenge for Afzal Guru.

That we are being repeatedly told by the terrorists that they were taking revenge for Afzal Guru, is an indication that they really want us to know this. We dont want to hear it lest we are forced to admit that by hanging Afzal Guru, we gave anti-India jihadis in Pakistan a ready-made martyr. It cannot be emphasized enough that Afzal Guru was a Kashmiri, and that there was widespread resentment in Indian-administered Kashmir against the Indian government for hanging him.

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Pindi to Pathankot via Muzaffarabad

Despite all these statements, the Jaish-e-Mohammed is stopping short of clearly taking credit for the attacks in Pathankot and Mazar-e-Sharif. The responsibility for the attacks has been taken by the Muzaffarabad-based United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of Kashmir-centric militant groups.

The Highway Squad that the UJC claims carried out the attack, is a reality that the Kashmir Valley was familiar with in the 90s. The statement accused India of Pakistan-phobia in accusing Pakistan for every attack and thus malign(ing) the Kashmir freedom struggle.

The UJC spokesperson further said, The attack on Pathankot Air Base from Kashmiri Mujhadeen carries a message to India that no security establishment and garrison are out of reach from militants. Instead of accusing Pakistan, India should read the writing on the wall and without wasting any time should provide an opportunity to the people of Kashmir to decided their future.

The very obvious attempt is to say it was Kashmiris not Pakistanis, but that is all that the Indian government and media has read in this statement. Since the UJC operates out of Muzaffarabad with the blessings of the Pakistani establishment, it is unlikely that such a statement was made without a go-ahead from the Pakistani deep state, if not under orders from them. In other words, the Pakistani deep state is trying to say Kashmir, Kashmir, Kashmir. This import of the statement remains true regardless of whether the UJC did or did not bloody its hands in Pathankot.

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The JeM and the UJC are obviously friends. In 2014, the Jaish and Syed Salahuddin of the Hizbul Mujahideen, also the chairman of the United Jihad Council, came together in Muzaffarabad to release a book supposedly written by Afzal Guru. The event was addressed by Maulana Masood Azhar over video, marking his first appearance in a decade. Again, it is unlikely that Azhar came out of such long hiding without a nod from the Pakistani establishment, and it is even more unlikely that the Pakistani establishment did not notice this.

The road to Islamabad goes via Srinagar

The conventional wisdom in India is that the Pathankot terror strike was meant to derail a revived comprehensive bilateral dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad. That is only part of the story. From Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur and Mazar-e-Sharif, in the name of Afzal Guru or more directly, the message is Kashmir.

Many would say Kashmir is just a ruse, as is Afzal Guru. The consensus is that the Pakistani establishment, to maintain its supremecy in Pakistani politics and economy, cannot afford to not have the excuse of a perpetual threat from India. For that reason, it will always thwart any possibility of normalization of relations with the excuse of Kashmir.

There may be truth in this, but even if Kashmir is an excuse, the excuse is there, the excuse is used to mobilise young men in Pakistan to go blow themselves up before Indian military installations.

The India-Pakistan comprehensive bilateral dialogue process that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced in Islamabad, does contain Jammu & Kashmir as one of the issues the two sides would simultaneously negotiate along with terrorism, trade, visas and everything else. Why then are these terrorists and their bosses harping on Kashmir?

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Take away the Kashmir excuse

In Srinagar, the UJC statement is being interpreted by many as asking New Delhi and Islamabad to show sincerity and transparency in negotiating Kashmir, and involve Kashmiri separatists as the third party. The UJC has in the past also opposed the Manmohan-Musharraf four point formula to resolve the Kashmir dispute, after initially supporting it . That is some indication of how much the UJC parrots the Rawalpindi line  and thats why we cannot ignore what it says.

It is noteworthy that Nawaz Sharif drew a lot of flak in Pakistan that the Ufa joint statement did not include the word Kashmir though it did say all outstanding issues. Kashmiri separatists and Pakistani hardliners have also been unhappy over New Delhis insistence that Pakistani diplomats and visiting officials cannot meet Hurriyat leaders in New Delhi before heading into the conference room with Indian officials.

Essentially, the terrorist groups and their handlers are saying lets talk about Kashmir first and foremost, and lets do so on our own terms. Just as, in India, the debate is Talks vs Terrorism, in Pakistan the debate is Talks vs Kashmir  the common fear being that normalisation of diplomatic relations will somehow displace the real agenda both want to talk about.

Since a terror strike will make India go back to the stop terror before talks line, the militants groups  whether or not under the tutelage of the ISI - are able to stall talks since they dont like how Kashmir and Kashmiris arent the focus of these talks.

India has been downplaying the Kashmir angle in the Pathankot strike because it wants to pretend Kashmir isnt a problem. India is the ostrich with its head in the sand.

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The first step to solve a problem is to acknowledge that there is a problem. The Modi government would do well to heed advice from former RAW chief AS Dulat, who has written in his book of the importance of talking to Kashmiris, as Atal Behari Vajpayee attempted to.

Before talking to Pakistan, India needs to engage with separatist groups in Kashmir, as well as address the separatist sentiment amongst the general public in Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir. New Delhi needs to actively take measures to win over the trust of the average Kashmiri Muslim, for which it needs to think beyond the carrot and stick policy of guns and jobs. It needs to be recognised that Kashmir Valley is living in the aftermath of a bloody conflict, one that it is not sure is over. New Delhi needs to practice policies of reconciliation in Kashmir.

By doing so, it would begin to take away the Kashmir excuse.

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Hindustan Times via Getty Images MUMBAI, INDIA - JANUARY 8: Sand artist Laxmi, paying a tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives at Pathankhot, through her art, at Juhu, on January 8, 2016 in Mumbai, India. Seven security personnel were killed in the attack on the Pathankot Indian Air Force Station by six terrorists who, according to officials, crossed over from Pakistan. All the six terrorists were killed by security forces later. (Photo by Vidya Subramanian/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

ISLAMABAD-- US Secretary of State John Kerry today called up Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and asked him to find out the truth in the terror attack on the air base in Pathankot.

Sharif, during the telephonic conversation, told Kerry that Pakistan is "swiftly" carrying out investigations in a "transparent" manner into the terror attack on the air base.

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"Kerry extended full support to the Prime Minister to find out the truth in the Pathankot terror incident," a statement issued by the Pakistan PMO said.

It said Sharif "told Secretary Kerry that we are swiftly carrying out investigations in a transparent manner and will bring out the truth. The world will see our effectiveness and sincerity in this regard, the Prime Minister added," according to the statement.

Kerry's call to Sharif came amid Indian intelligence reports suggesting that groups and people in Pakistan planned and executed the strike on the Pathankot airbase.

Kerry said the US hopes that talks between India and Pakistan will continue despite the fact that terrorists have tried to thwart it because "continuation of India-Pakistan talks is needed in the interest of regional stability and the leadership role by both the Prime Ministers is required to ensure continuous dialogue," said the statement.

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Sharif said Pakistan would not allow anyone to use its soil to carry out terror operations abroad, it added.

The statement said Kerry "lauded the Prime Minister's leadership role in such difficult environment, which was the exact the leadership needed in this situation."

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gags_d_rebel/Flickr at the bandra bandstand the lovers paradise of Bombay..

(Correction: In the headline, this article incorrectly said that the man saved two girls. He had managed to save one of them. )

When 38-year-old Ramesh Walunj stopped at the Kadeshwari temple near Bandra fort to pray, he didn't know that would be his last time. Ramesh heard screams for help from the direction of the Bandra Fort below, and rushed to help.

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He raced down the slippery rocks on to the edge of a small cliff where he was told that three girls had fallen into the water while taking a selfie on their phones.

Ramesh managed to rescue one of them but did not return when he went in the water once again for the second girl.

According to the Bandra police, the incident occurred at 10:50 am on Saturday.

The police said the three girls, Tarannum Ansari (18), Anjum Khan (19) and Masturi Khan (19), all residents of the Bainganwadi area in Govandi, had gone to Bandstand to spend the day there.

The three girls were standing on the rocks in the sea and taking pictures and selfies. A sudden caused them to lose their balance, an officer with the Bandra police told The Hindu.

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While the onlookers kept screaming for help, Ramesh was the only one who jumped in the sea without a moment of hesitation.

He managed to pull Anjum and Masturi out of the water and went back for Tarannum. This was the last time he was seen.

Ramesh, who is used to work as a driver, is survived by his wife and three children, one of whom is mentally challenged.

The third girl had been washed some 15 feet away from the shore. Ramesh is a good swimmer and reached her but once she grabbed hold of him, the tide swept them away, Rameshs neighbour Raju Makwana was quoted by Indian Express.

Ramesh always went out of the way to help people in trouble. "He was always the first to help people. He used to donate blood every time there was a camp in the area. We never thought that Saturday morning would be the last time we were going to see him. We are completely broken," said Jayashree Chavan, Walunje's sister.

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The Walunje family hails from Rajapur and has been living in the Bandra chawl for close to 20 years. The couple has three children  Raveena (16), Manasi (14) and Hruday (3).

Police rushed to the spot after witnesses called the control room and narrated the incident. Two patrol boats from the nearby Versova Sagari police station were also diverted to the spot.

Search and rescue operations are still underway to find Ramesh and Tarannum, with the local police, fire brigade and Coast Guard pooling in their resources.

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Boo at the Zoo is back

Boo at the Zoo will take place from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, throughout the grounds of the zoo, and is free to the public.
'Could Impact Pakistan's Visit to India For ODI WC': PCB Issues Statement After Jay Shah's Remark on Asia Cup

T20 World Cup 2022 Preview: Dangerous Afghanistan Hope to Spring a Surprise or Two

T20 World Cup: KL Rahul Plays in Very Authentic Way And is Correct Enough to Rack up the Runs - Kevin Pietersen

'It is Cheating': Ravi Shastri Puts Blame on Non-striker For Backing up And Getting Run Out
Press Release: Statement by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the Conclusion of her Visit to Cameroon

Press Release No. 16/03

January 10, 2016

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary fund (IMF), issued the following statement today in Douala at the conclusion of her visit to Cameroon:

My visit to Cameroon has been extremely fruitful. I wish to thank President Paul Biya and the Cameroonian authorities for our substantive and constructive discussions. While in Yaounde, I also had the honor to address and exchange views with ministers from the six African countries members of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

In my meetings with the Cameroonian authorities, I complimented them on resilient economic performance under trying circumstances. The impact of the twin shocks of sustained low oil prices and unexpected terrorist attacks in the northern part of Cameroon presents a very difficult set of issues. In response, the authorities are taking strong steps to secure macroeconomic stability and build strong and inclusive growth. The IMF is already helping Cameroon to meet its challenges through policy advice and technical assistance and we stand ready to provide further support should the authorities request it.

In my meeting with CEMAC Ministers of Finance, I encouraged them to work even more closely together to strengthen regional integration which can play a key role in improving competitiveness and boosting growth. Reducing barriers to regional trade and implementing regional infrastructure projects could help to address competitiveness challenges facing the CEMAC countries. The IMF is providing support to the CEMAC Commission, the BEAC, and the COBAC through technical assistance in the areas of public finance management and monetary policy and will be pleased to continue to do so.

I also met with the Governor of BEAC and we discussed the role of the central bank in providing a stable monetary environment and supporting a healthy financial system to assist the governments in carrying out their economic policies. With the President of the CEMAC Commission, we explored ways in which the IMF can continue to assist in promoting economic convergence and regional integration.

In addition to meeting with Cameroonian and CEMAC officials in Yaounde, I also traveled to Douala where I met with representative of the private sector, civil society, and women leaders as well. In particular, I was heartened to visit Main dans la Main, a grass roots organization that has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable children in Cameroon.

I would like to sincerely thank again the government and the people of Cameroon for their warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. The IMF remains Cameroons steadfast partner in meeting the challenges of the future.
Imperial Valley News Center

Coal production and prices decline in 2015

Washington, DC - Since reaching a high point in 2008, coal production in the United States has continued to decline. U.S. coal production in 2015 is expected to be about 900 million short tons (MMst), 10% lower than in 2014 and the lowest level since 1986. Regionally, production from the Appalachian Basin has fallen the most. Low natural gas prices, lower international coal demand, and environmental regulations have contributed to declining U.S. coal production.

The United States has five major basins or regions that produce coal. The largest decline in coal production was in the Central Appalachian Basin, largely because of its difficult mining geology and high operating costs. Coal production in the Central Appalachian Basin in 2015 was 40% below its annual average level over 2010-14. In three other main areas, the Northern Appalachian Basin, Rocky Mountain region, and Powder River Basin, production in 2015 was 10% to 20% below their corresponding regional annual average levels over 2010-14. By contrast, coal production from the Illinois Basin in 2015 was 8% higher than production levels over 2010-14.

In the United States, almost all coal is used to generate electricity. Recently, coal's share of electricity generation has fallen as its market share of natural gas and renewables increased. The average daily natural gas spot price at the Henry Hub, a key natural gas benchmark, fell from $4.38 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 2014 to $2.61/MMBtu in 2015, resulting in greater natural gas-fired electricity generation. In April 2015, natural gas-fired electricity generation surpassed that of coal-fired generation on a monthly basis for the first time in history, and it did so again in each of the months from July through at least October, the latest monthly data available. The most recent Short-Term Energy Outlook estimates that 2015 power sector coal consumption will be about 764 MMst, the lowest level since 1988.

U.S. coal exports also declined in 2015, especially to major coal export destinations such as Europe and China. Although 15.7 MMst of coal was exported to the United Kingdom and Italy in 2014, only about half that volume is expected in 2015, when complete data are available. China, the world's largest coal consumer, is traditionally a large market for international coal trade, and China imported 8.3 MMst from the United States in 2013, about 7% of total U.S. coal exports that year. In 2014, U.S. coal exports to China decreased to 1.8 MMst, and the 2015 total is expected to be less than 0.5 MMst. Based on U.S. Census Bureau data through September 2015 and estimates for the remainder of the year, EIA expects the United States to export a total of 77 MMst of coal in 2015, a 21% decline from the previous year.
Glendale Man Found Guilty of 32 Counts of Stealing and Distributing Avionics Trade Secrets Belonging to Former Employer

Los Angeles, California - An electrical engineer from Glendale has been convicted of 32 counts of violating the Economic Espionage Act for stealing trade secrets belonging to his former employer - a Pasadena-based aircraft avionics company - and distributing the proprietary material to three competitors.

Derek Wai Hung Tam Sing, 44, was found guilty by United States District Judge Christina A. Snyder, who presided over a bench trial in September. Judge Snyder yesterday issued a 28-page ruling in which she convicted Sing of 32 counts and acquitted him of one charge.

Sing worked at Rogerson Kratos (RK) in 2012. Until he was fired by the company, Sing had access to RK trade secrets, and he signed a confidentiality agreement that prohibited him from disclosing any confidential information and trade secrets that belonged to the company. According to Judge Snyders ruling, Sings performance at RK was marked by delays in completing assignments, late attendance and an unprofessional attitude.

After being terminated, Sing retained materials that he had collected while working at RK, despite being specifically asked to return all trade secrets. Instead, Sing packaged the trade secrets with sufficient supporting documentation and instructions so that other competitor companies would be able to use the trade secrets and reverse engineer RKs products, according to Judge Snyders ruling, which noted that Sing testified at trial that he wanted to get back at Rogerson Kratos for not appreciating his work as an employee.

Sing prepared packages that included schematics of RK products and prepared a readme document that explained the importance of the proprietary information and instructed competitors to reverse engineer the products. Using email addresses created under a false name and a public wi-fi connection at a Starbucks, Sing sent the stolen trade secrets in early 2013 to other companies that produced avionics, including a company outside of the United States. Sing also used physical flash drives to send the trade secrets to companies. Judge Snyder found that Sing illegally sent seven schematics to three different companies, and that he illegally possessed four of those schematics.

Sing attempted to hurt his former employer by stealing its trade secrets, making the material easily understood by engineers at other companies, and using an assumed identity to send the propriety information in the hope it would be used to develop a product to compete with his former employer, said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. If not for the ethical conduct of one competitor, Mr. Sing might have succeeded in delivering a crippling blow to the company that once employed him. The Department of Justice recognizes that intellectual property is a vital part of the economy of both Southern California as well as the nation.

Judge Snyder acquitted Sing of one count of illegally possessing trade secrets from Precision Engine Controls Corporation, where Sing worked as a contract employee in 2010 and 2011. Judge Snyder wrote that there was no evidence that Sing had shared the trade secret information with third parties.

At a hearing Monday afternoon in which Judge Snyder announced her tentative decision in the case  a ruling that was made final with Tuesdays written order  the court modified Sings $20,000 bond to impose conditions of home detention with electronic monitoring.

Judge Snyder is scheduled to sentence Sing on March 21, at which time the defendant will face a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each of the 32 counts on which he was found guilty.

The case against Sing was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Tanalis Padilla brings alive the history of political struggles in Mexico

Cambridge, Massachusetts - The murder of Ruben Jaramillo caused a brief international sensation in 1962. Jaramillo was a veteran of Mexicos revolution, which lasted from 1910 to 1920. Yet by the 1940s, he had become the leader of a regional protest movement in Mexico that, after being stymied by the government, wavered between legal and violent tactics. Although he had been issued an official pardon by the Mexican president, Jaramillo, his wife, and three sons were subject to a gruesome execution by assailants who were never formally identified.

Beyond the headlines surrounding this grisly event lay a deeper story: How had a revolutionary who had fought to establish Mexicos government become an enemy of the state? And why were armed guerillas fighting in an otherwise placid country, such as postwar Mexico?

To MIT historian Tanalis Padilla, the answers lie in recognizing that midcentury Mexico, known for its one-party state and economic growth, was a different place underneath the surface. It had an active culture of political dissent, fueled by a failure to realize all the promises of its revolution. In her 2008 book about Jaramillos movement, Rural Resistance in the Land of Zapata (Duke University Press), Padilla examines how Jaramillo and his followers fought for rights, battled state repression, and proposed what they considered a more just path for national development.

People fought for, among other things, land reform, educational reform, social services, and the [1917] constitution decreed a lot of these demands as rights, Padilla says. And many of them were implemented in the 1930s. But some of them withered away, and people kept fighting for them.

Jaramillos guerillas werent inherently radical, trigger-happy people, Padilla says. They were more like heirs of Emiliano Zapata, the Mexican revolutionary leader from the same state, Morelos, who himself was murdered in 1919.

So while there was once a prominent image of a politically stable and economically prosperous Mexico, which was ruled by one party  the PRI  until 2000, that picture no longer holds.

If you look at the historiography of Mexico now, no one would say the 20th century was stable, Padilla says.

Padillas work on Mexican political history has helped create this transformation in perceptions of 20th-century Mexico, and made her a significant voice in her field. She recently joined MIT as an associate professor of history, moving from Dartmouth College.

Through history, seeing the world as it is

Padilla was born in Mexico City and spent much of her childhood Tapaxco, Mexico, a small town a couple hours drive away. When she finished elementary school, her family immigrated to the U.S., settling in Culver City, California, a town adjacent to Los Angeles that is home to some movie studios. Her own interests, however, centered less on the fictions being filmed on nearby lots than on the realities of Latin American politics.

I was always very interested in current events and fascinated by what was happening in the world around me, Padilla says. My parents were very political. I considered myself quite a political being.  I think [living in] Mexico and the United States and seeing the contrast to be so great, especially in rural Mexico, made me aware [of politics] early on.

Attending Pomona College as an undergraduate, Padilla expected to study political science or international relations. But her intellectual worldview shifted after taking history classes from professors such as Sidney Lemelle and Miguel Tinker Salas, of Pomona, and Cindy Forster of nearby Scripps College. Suddenly, grasping the historical evolution of contemporary political conflicts began to seem essential to Padilla.

It was really in my history classes that I saw the explanation of the world as it was, Padilla says.

That aim of seeing political events in a historical light has never left Padilla, who went on to earn her PhD at the University of California at San Diego. After receiving her doctorate she taught as a visiting professor at Pomona, was a postdoc at Yale University, and then took her faculty position at Dartmouth.

The "long struggle" for justice

Now at MIT, Padilla says she has quickly grown acclimated to her new surroundings and colleagues. The department is great, Padilla says. Of MIT in general, she adds, There is an interest here in public impact, and that to me is so important.

In addition to her scholarly activities, Padilla writes opinion pieces in the Mexican media and engages in public debates over politics and society, at a time when Mexicos politics have become rather less placid; the countrys drug violence notwithstanding, the struggle to preserve constitutional rights persists, as she notes. And her research continues apace: Padilla is now writing her second book, about the politics of education in 20th-century Mexico. Specifically, she is looking at the political role of rural teacher-training schools known as rural normales, whose students have a long tradition of political activism, especially in constitutional matters.

They were really a thorn in the governments side, this group of people throughout the country with a great organizing network, constantly protesting [the rollback of rights], Padilla says. It didnt mesh well with the logic of the state that was trying to keep the population from protesting.

More generally, Padilla observes, The process of education can be a tool to create conformity, but it can also be a tool to create resistance. Governments around the world often wrestle with the implications of this, she adds. Resistance to prevalent political and social ideologies, Padilla believes, is worth studying, because it is through concerted battles that change is most likely to occur.

If any justice does happen, or when rights are honored, its only because there has been a struggle for it, Padilla says. Justice doesnt just come one day from the powers that be. It comes because there has been a long struggle demanding it.
Warning Signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Rochester, Minnesota - Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a medical emergency. It happens when an event, usually an electrical disturbance, quickly and unexpectedly causes your heart to stop working. You get short of breath, collapse and lose consciousness. Fast treatment is key to survival. The condition is called "sudden" because it seems to happen without warning. But research published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine shows it may not be as sudden as typically thought. They found some people experience warning signs such as chest pain or shortness of breath before sudden cardiac arrest, but most of the time the symptoms are ignored.

Mayo Clinic cardiologist and founder of Mayo Clinic's Women's Heart Clinic Dr. Sharonne Hayes says, "The study shows close to half of the patients in the study reported symptoms within a month prior to their arrest. Some within 24 to one hour beforehand. It also shows that people who reported symptoms and then called 911 were five times more likely to survive than those who didn't. This is an important reminder to everyone to pay attention to symptoms, and if you have them seek emergency medical care."

Warning symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest include:

chest pain or pressure that may radiate to shoulders, arm, neck or jaw

profuse sweating

palpitations or rapid heartbeats

profound fatigue

Symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest include:

sudden collapse

no breathing

no pulse

loss of consciousness

Dr. Hayes stresses that when in doubt about symptoms, seek care. Call 911. Especially if you have an underlying heart issue.
Screening exams, breast self-awareness can be key to catching breast cancer early

Jacksonville, Florida - Increased breast density can make interpreting mammograms difficult. Even if your breasts are dense, however, Mayo Clinic recommends an annual mammogram starting at age 40. Some women who are at a high risk for breast cancer may need to start screening earlier. Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend additional screening tests, too. Breast self-exams are no longer formally recommended, but it is important for you to be familiar with your breasts typical appearance.

Breast tissue that is not dense contains fat and appears dark on a mammogram. Dense breast tissue is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive breast tissue. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram. There are four levels of breast density: fatty, scattered fibroglandular, heterogeneously dense and extremely dense. If you have heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts your breasts are considered dense. Some states require the level of breast density to be documented on your mammogram report.

Because both dense tissue and cancer appear white on mammogram images, a high level of breast density can obscure cancer on a mammogram. Mammograms, however, are still very useful for detecting breast changes that could indicate cancer, even in women who have dense breast tissue. Mammograms remain one of the most important tools in the fight against breast cancer. Studies of women in their 40s and 50s have shown that screening mammograms decrease breast cancer deaths by 15 to 20 percent.

Along with your annual mammogram, talk with your doctor about your individual breast cancer risk. Women with dense breasts may benefit from supplemental imaging, such as 3D digital breast tomosynthesis or molecular breast imaging. Women with a high risk for breast cancer may benefit from breast MRI.

Be mindful that there is a downside to some supplemental screening tests. The test could find an abnormality that requires further investigation which ultimately turns out benign, therefore subjecting you to the risk of an unnecessary medical procedure. Also, your insurance may not cover the cost of some supplemental screening studies, leaving you with an out-of-pocket expense. And finally, at this time research remains inconclusive about whether supplemental breast imaging reduces the rate of breast cancer deaths overall.

Some health care facilities do use handheld ultrasound testing to scan the whole breast. However, consistent, high-quality handheld ultrasound examinations of the entire breast are difficult to perform. Mayo Clinic does not use ultrasound as a supplemental screening tool to scan the entire breast for cancer. Mayo Clinic does use diagnostic ultrasound to investigate specific areas of the breast that look or feel abnormal or appear abnormal on a mammogram image.

In addition to screening exams, breast self-awareness can be key to catching breast cancer early. The breast self-exams that used to be routinely recommended are no longer used as part of breast cancer screening. Thats because research hasnt shown a clear benefit. Still, you should be aware of the general appearance and feel of your breasts.

If you notice any of the following changes, report them to your doctor right away: a breast lump; a change in the texture of your breast tissue; breast skin changes, such as dimpling or redness; a change in the position of a nipple; change in breast symmetry; or discharge from a nipple.

For the best breast care, talk with your doctor about your cancer screening options. Together, you and your doctor can decide based on your individual risk factors what specific breast cancer screening tests are right for you. - Dawn Mussallem, D.O., Diagnostic Breast Specialist at The Robert and Monica Jacoby Center for Breast Health, Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.
Tupperware designers tap BYU ideas to reach millennials

Provo, Utah - Its not often you get to present concepts to a global company with more than $2.6 billion in operating revenue, but for BYU industrial design students, its just part of class.

Students in Bryan Howells third-year studio class spent the past semester brainstorming product ideas and researching millennial cooking preferences for the Tupperware Brands Corporation, the direct sales giant beloved around the world.

Its not the first time BYUs industrial design program has linked up with Tupperware (BYU has also sent many interns to Tupperwares design team over the years), and based on the promising student work, it likely wont be the last.

We really wanted to capitalize on the students strengths, said Nathan Shirley, design manager at Tupperware and BYU alum. Millennials have an entirely unique and modern approach, so we knew they would bring diverse ideas to the table that are relevant to them.

The students had three main suggestions for strengthening the companys connection with millennials:

Produce authentic, sustainable, and versatile products

Create a meaningful online presence

Continue to evolve home sales parties with workshops for learning about new foods and cooking methods in a highly social and interactive setting

Inviting friends into your home to sell to them is a little strange to this age group, Howell said. Millennials are very different from their parentsits been a real eye-opener for me and I think it has for our Tupperware contacts as well.

Product ideas from the students were also eye-openers.

Senior Angela LaFontaine concocted a Tupper Cares Project, a concept somewhat similar to shoemaker Toms' idea of buy a product, give a product. Her concept suggested Tupperware send an identical kit of kitchen tools to crisis areas around the world, such as Syrian refugees, for each kit purchased here.

Meanwhile, industrial design major Millie Parkinson proposed a multi-purpose ceramic baking dish, storage container and display bowl saying, If my friends are going to buy something for $50 or $60, they want it to look like it costs $50 to $60, and be able to use it in multiple situations.

Student Kat Willett even went as far to suggest a line of entirely biodegradable products that break down naturally in 47 days when buried in dirt.

Much of what the BYU students are doing is right in line with trends we strongly support, said Michael Wiggins, senior designer at Tupperware who joined Shirley on campus for the presentations. They put a lot great research and thought into their concepts.

The students also recommended new approaches to the Tupperware Party format, suggesting providing meaningful experiences cooking and eating with friends while using the products.

The Tupperware team praised the student ideas (hinting at the possibility that some of the concepts might warrant attention as future Tupperware products) and is looking for ways to continue the collaboration.

The presentations from the BYU students were excellentthey were professional level, Shirley said. The caliber of their work was superb all around.
Watch: Viral Video Of Glass Octopus Leaves Internet In Wonder
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The market stalls of Karachi, Pakistan, are a hub of daily movement and energy  not surprising, perhaps, given that the city is one of the world's most densely populated habitats, with a population of 24 million.

According to the UN, more than half the world now lives in cities, a migration that inspired the Dutch photographer Martin Roemers to travel across five continents to create "a study of the human condition".

Culture news in pictures Show all 33 1 /33 Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures 30 September 2016 An employee hangs works of art with "Grand Teatro" by Marino Marini (R) and bronze sculpture "Sfera N.3" by Arnaldo Pomodoro seen ahead of a Contemporary Art auction on 7 October, at Sotheby's in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 29 September 2016 Street art by Portuguese artist Odeith is seen in Dresden, during an exhibition "Magic City - art of the streets" AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 Dancers attend a photocall for the new "THE ONE Grand Show" at Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, Germany REUTERS Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 With an array of thrift store china, humorous souvenirs and handmade tile adorning its walls and floors, the Mosaic Tile House in Venice stands as a monument to two decades of artistic collaboration between Cheri Pann and husband Gonzalo Duran REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A gallery assistant poses amongst work by Anthea Hamilton from her nominated show "Lichen! Libido!(London!) Chastity!" at a preview of the Turner Prize in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A technician wearing virtual reality glasses checks his installation in three British public telephone booths, set up outside the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, Netherlands. The installation allows visitors a 3-D look into the museum which has twenty-two paintings belonging to the British Royal Collection, on loan for an exhibit from 29 September 2016 till 8 January 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 An Indian artist dressed as Hindu god Shiva performs on a chariot as he participates in a religious procession 'Ravan ki Barat' held to mark the forthcoming Dussehra festival in Allahabad AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Air Power', 1984, is displayed at the Bowie/Collector media preview at Sotheby's in New York AFP/Getty Culture news in pictures 25 September 2016 A woman looks at an untitled painting by Albert Oehlen during the opening of an exhibition of works by German artists Georg Baselitz and Albert Oehlen in Reutlingen, Germany. The exhibition runs at the Kunstverein (art society) Reutlingen until 15 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 24 September 2016 Fan BingBing (C) attends the closing ceremony of the 64th San Sebastian Film Festival at Kursaal in San Sebastian, Spain Getty Images Culture news in pictures 23 September 2016 A view of the artwork 'You Are Metamorphosing' (1964) as part of the exhibition 'Retrospektive' of Japanese artist Tetsumi Kudo at Fridericianum in Kassel, Germany. The exhibition runs from 25 September 2016 to 1 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 22 September 2016 Jo Applin from the Courtauld Institute of Art looks at Green Tilework in Live Flesh by Adriana Vareja, which features in a new exhibition, Flesh, at York Art Gallery. The new exhibition features works by Degas, Chardin, Francis Bacon and Sarah Lucas, showing how flesh has been portrayed by artists over the last 600 years PA Culture news in pictures 21 September 2016 Performers Sean Atkins and Sally Miller standing in for the characters played by Asa Butterfield and Ella Purnell during a photocall for Tim Burton's "Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children" at Potters Field Park in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A detail from the blanket 'Alpine Cattle Drive' from 1926 by artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is displayed at the 'Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum for Contemporary Arts' in Berlin. The exhibition named 'Ernst Ludwig Kirchner - Hieroglyphen' showing the complete collection of Berlin's Nationalgallerie works of the German artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and will run from 23 September 2016 until 26 February 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A man looks at portrait photos by US photographer Bruce Gilden in the exhibition 'Masters of Photography' at the photokina in Cologne, Germany. The trade fair on photography, photokina, schowcases some 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries and runs from 20 to 25 September. The event also features various photo exhibitions EPA Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A woman looks at 'Blue Poles', 1952 by Jackson Pollock during a photocall at the Royal Academy of Arts, London PA Culture news in pictures 19 September 2016 Art installation The Refusal of Time, a collaboration with Philip Miller, Catherine Meyburgh and Peter Galison, which features as part of the William Kentridge exhibition Thick Time, showing from 21 September to 15 January at the Whitechapel Gallery in London PA Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Artists creating one off designs at the Mm6 Maison Margiela presentation during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer collections 2017 in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Bethenny Frankel attends the special screening of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Edition release on Blu-Ray and DVD in New York City Getty Images for Walt Disney Stu Culture news in pictures 17 September 2016 Visitors attend the 2016 Oktoberfest beer festival at Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany Getty Images Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Visitors looks at British artist Damien Hirst work of art 'The Incomplete Truth', during the 13th Yalta Annual Meeting entitled 'The World, Europe and Ukraine: storms of changes', organised by the Yalta European Strategy (YES) in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation at the Mystetsky Arsenal Art Center in Kiev AP Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Tracey Emin's "My Bed" is exhibited at the Tate Liverpool as part of the exhibition Tracey Emin And William Blake In Focus, which highlights surprising links between the two artists Getty Images Culture news in pictures 15 September 2016 Musician Dave Grohl (L) joins musician Tom Morello of Prophets of Rage onstage at the Forum in Inglewood, California Getty Images Culture news in pictures 14 September 2016 Model feebee poses as part of art installation "Narcissism : Dazzle room" made by artist Shigeki Matsuyama at rooms33 fashion and design exhibition in Tokyo. Matsuyama's installation features a strong contrast of black and white, which he learned from dazzle camouflage used mainly in World War I AP Culture news in pictures 13 September 2016 Visitors look at artworks by Chinese painter Cui Ruzhuo during the exhibition 'Glossiness of Uncarved Jade' held at the exhibition hall 'Manezh' in St. Petersburg, Russia. More than 200 paintings by the Chinese artist are presented until 25 September EPA Culture news in pictures 12 September 2016 A visitor looks at Raphael's painting 'Extase de Sainte Cecile', 1515, from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence during the opening of a Raphael exhibition at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, Russia. The first Russian exhibition of the works of the Italian Renaissance artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino includes eight paintings and three drawings which come from Italy. Th exhibit opens to the public from 13 September to 11 December EPA Culture news in pictures 11 September 2016 Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd perform during Otis Redding 75th Birthday Celebration - Rehearsals at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia Getty Images for Otis Redding 75 Culture news in pictures 10 September 2016 Sakari Oramo conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers at the Last Night of the Proms 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall in London PA Culture news in pictures 9 September 2016 A visitor walks past a piece entitled "Fruitcake" by Joana Vasconcelo, during the Beyond Limits selling exhibition at Chatsworth House near Bakewell REUTERS Culture news in pictures 8 September 2016 A sculpture of a crescent standing on the 2,140 meters high mountain 'Freiheit' (German for 'freedom'), in the Alpstein region of the Appenzell alps, eastern Switzerland. The sculpture is lighted during the nights by means of solar panels. The 38-year-old Swiss artist and atheist Christian Meier set the crescent on the peak to start a debate on the meaning of religious symbols - as summit crosses - on mountains. 'Because so many peaks have crosses on them, it struck me as a great idea to put up an equally absurd contrast'. 'Naturally I wanted to provoke in a fun way. But it goes beyond that. The actions of an artist should be food for thought, both visually and in content' EPA Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures

From London to Beijing, the 53-year-old visited 22 "megacities" over eight years, to capture the everyday experience of swarming populaces crammed into small urban spaces.

In quickly expanding cities such as Karachi, traditional street trades and ancient customs are set against backdrops of modern infrastructure, revealing our shift from countryside to city.

"The differences between the photos result from the characters of the cities," says Roemers, who himself lives in Delft, in the Netherlands. "The similarities result from the informal economies in which the inhabitants take part. For example, newcomers often end up at the edges of society, and those look the same everywhere."

Roemers enlisted locals to help him find shooting spots that had high vantage points. Using a long exposure and large-format analogue camera, Roemers was thus able to capture the streets as blurs of activity, faceless figures highlighting the anonymity that the sprawling metropolis brings.

'Metropolis' is published by Hatje Cantz, priced 65 (martin roemers.com/books.php)
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If youve ever experienced its approach, drowning is a very strange way to go, says John Akomfrah across a cotton-topped table laid with coffee and biscuits in his busy Dalston studio. You know at some point that it calls for your complicity  you have to yield to the inevitability of taking the water into your lungs that will kill you.

The terror of death by water drifts through the artist and film-makers seductive and harrowing Vertigo Sea (2015), bubbling as a constant threat beneath footage of ice floes, fjords and Arctic ripples that lick across seal and porpoise.

The legacy of three very close scrapes with drowning as a child has been a respectful fascination for the sea, a presence that has seeped into much of Akomfrahs work partly because it alerted me to mortality, but also because Ive known of its power from the beginning.

Vertigo Sea is a three-screen video work that draws together archival and original footage with a soundscape rich in spoken words ranging from Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick, to migrant testimonials that reflect mans hazardous relationship with water.

First shown at last years Venice Biennale, it starts a tour of British museums at the Arnolfini in Bristol next weekend. Thirty years after his debut with Handsworth Songs (1986)  a layered filmwork probing the context of riots in Birmingham and London  the Ghana-born artist is also receiving a major show of new and recent work at Londons Lisson Gallery later this month.

A founding member of the Black Audio Film Collective in the 1980s with which he produced works investigating black British identity and culture, Akomfrahs work has often explored issues of migration, memory, and post-colonialism.

In Vertigo Sea, drowning is a shared experience uniting harpooned whales, political dissidents of regimes in Argentina and Algiers dumped alive into lethal waters after interrogation, and the babies of transported slaves that dared cry in the night.

Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Show all 7 1 /7 Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Nature Art by German artist Jorg Dusterwald and the photographer Tschiponnique Skupin Corbis/Geisler-Fotopress/Skupin picture alliance Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Nature Art by German artist Jorg Dusterwald and the photographer Tschiponnique Skupin Corbis/Geisler-Fotopress/Skupin picture alliance Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Nature Art by German artist Jorg Dusterwald and the photographer Tschiponnique Skupin Corbis/Geisler-Fotopress/Skupin picture alliance Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Nature Art by German artist Jorg Dusterwald and the photographer Tschiponnique Skupin Corbis/Geisler-Fotopress/Skupin picture alliance Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Nature Art by German artist Jorg Dusterwald and the photographer Tschiponnique Skupin Corbis/Geisler-Fotopress/Skupin picture alliance Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Nature Art by German artist Jorg Dusterwald and the photographer Tschiponnique Skupin Corbis/Geisler-Fotopress/Skupin picture alliance Artist creates amazing body painting camouflage Nature Art by German artist Jorg Dusterwald and the photographer Tschiponnique Skupin Corbis/Geisler-Fotopress/Skupin picture alliance

In 2015, of course, it was also the fate of thousands crossing the Mediterranean to Europe. Akomfrah finished Vertigo Sea in the spring of last year. In its opening moments, in what we assume to be reportage of migrants making the trip, a voice announces an unprecedented annual death toll  of 500.

That the crisis escalated so quickly in the months following the works completion could not have been foreseen. Sometimes your preoccupation reaches maturity or fruition precisely at the moment when that preoccupation also has currency, Akomfrah explains, with the philosophical mien of an artist who has expended years of energy on uncomfortable subjects that were not at the time considered to have currency.

It struck me about seven years ago that something Herculean was going on, he continues. People were leaving the coast of West Africa and were walking across [the continent]. In distance terms alone, this was staggering. At the time, Akomfrah seriously considered walking from Mali to Libya and then making the sea crossing alongside the migrants

He is not in the habit of holding himself distant from his subjects. For Handsworth Songs he eked earnest interviews out of members of Birmingham communities that at that time felt less comfortable sharing their voice with mainstream media. Our relationship with the [filmed] image over the past three decades has undergone a profound alteration, partly due to its abundance, explains Akomfrah, who recalls that his subjects in the 1980s feared the camera as a tool of prosecution and would either turn away or confront him.

When they accepted, it took an enormous amount of courage. Despite the proliferation of surveillance, that perception of a camera being a source of tyranny has waned, as Akomfrah sees it, and the constant presence of recording devices has instead become central to our sense of self.

As his film-making has evolved, so has the artistry with which he creates material for each work  footage for Vertigo Sea was shot on the Isle of Skye, the Faroes and northern Norway with the BBCs Natural History Unit, and includes lyrical tableaux of 19th-century figures waiting at the edge of the ocean. Mnemosyne (2010), a work exploring the contrast between Englands status as a promised land and the reality of migrant experience, likewise portrays patient witnesses: faceless figures in winter coats standing isolated against the snow or water, that offer lone specks of colour in a forbidding landscape.

Mnemosyne represents memory in Greek mythology and was the mother of the muses  in Akomfrahs work, memory and the fight against forgetting becomes the wellspring of the creative urge. An image may bear witness to history, but it needs a storyteller to give it context.

Akomfrah speaks with greatest urgency of his work with archival material, drawn from disparate sources. He describes individual archives as single-narrative prisons within which images are contained, and sees his role as a broker of conversations or mediator of debate between different sets of images, releasing them to participate in new stories or challenge the accepted view of things: The image has to be free to roam and to pick up allies.

Thus he brings together private 1930s footage shot by a Norwegian whaleship captain with nature film from the Museum of Natural History, audio of young women recorded in Zambia in the 1950s, and an excerpt from Philip Donnellans documentary The Colony (1964) showing a church congregation in Birmingham in full voice.

While he is passionate about cinema (one work in the Lisson show pays tribute to the Greek film-maker Theo Angelopoulos who died in 2012) Akomfrah prefers the gallery as a forum for his work : It buys you intimacy  you are in an intimate dialogue with a person. Working as an artist, rather than a traditional documentarian also allows Akomfrah to present history as something unresolved rather than a tidy narrative, to needle at uncertainty, nuance and discrepancy and to deal in textures of mood, sound and image without committing to easy interpretation. Im the soldier of the image, he says. And will go where it says that work needs to be done.

John Akomfrah: Vertigo Sea, Arnolfini, Bristol, 16 Jan to 10 Apr, then Turner Contemporary, Margate and the Whitworth in Manchester. John Akomfrah, Lisson Gallery, London, 22 Jan to 12 Mar
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It shocks me to include the dashing H Rider Haggard here, but having run the usual recognition test on 20 readers, I must conclude that hes no longer a household name. The magic and mysticism of lost worlds held special appeal for the intrepid Victorian explorers of unknown lands.

Haggard was born in 1856 to a barrister and a poet, and descended from Danish stock.

His father had no faith in him, and Henry drifted into psychical research before heading to the Transvaal. He returned, married, and was called to the bar, but did not enjoy following his fathers path and turned to writing.

The grand adventurers hed met in South Africa left a lasting impression, but his first two attempts to replicate their accounts in novel form flopped.

Then came King Solomons Mines (1885), which he wrote as a response to the success of Stevensons Treasure Island.

It benefited from a huge marketing campaign proclaiming it the most amazing story ever written. This search for a missing brother in uncharted Africa caught the public imagination. In it, Haggard disingenuously plagiarised a non-fiction writer, the Scottish explorer Joseph Thomson, who published his own novel in response, but that failed.

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Haggards hero, Allan Quatermain, ended up starring in a series of novels, and became the model for Indiana Jones because his character rights had been allowed to pass into the public domain.

His next novel, She, about a beautiful ageless sorceress, was a smashing success, and by 1965 had sold 83 million copies. Another, Nada the Lily, was unusual for having an entirely black cast. Surprisingly, given their colonialist roots, Haggards novels showed strong sympathy for native populations.

Broadening his interests to Zulus and Vikings, he produced 67 novels and 10 non-fiction works, but his lasting tales involved She-who-must-be-obeyed. Ayeshas story became one of the bestselling novels of all time. Whats less well-known is that Haggard combined her and Quartermain in 1921s She and Allan, which also adds in Umslopogaas, the hero of Nada The Lily.

Filled with cannibals, cults, reincarnation, sacrifices, and supernatural storms, its surprisingly modern in style and undemandingly enjoyable. It seems inevitable that Haggard and Rudyard Kipling became friends, but Haggards prose tended toward bloodthirsty wizardry bordering on pulp, and most of his works disappeared from shelves.

Although his entire output is online for less than two pounds, Oxford World Classics publish a smart new edition of King Solomons Mines on 4 February.
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The Russian Interpreter, by Michael Frayn.

Paul Manning is a student in Moscow in the Cold War years, working on a thesis unmemorably titled The Experience of De-Centralisation in the Administration of Public Utilities.

He regards it as a terrible burden, a sick, ailing child that he has to nurse; [B]ut perhaps when it had grown up and become a PhD it might keep him in his old age. Meanwhile, Manning fights battles with the university bureaucracy, goes to restaurants and drinks vodka, and walks the Moscow streets with his Russian friend Katya, listening to her talk about philosophy, religion, and politics.

He becomes friends with Proctor-Gould, a fussy, eccentric English businessman who speaks no Russian. Manning agrees to act as his translator and is soon interpreting between Proctor-Gould and his Russian girlfriend Raya, which is painful because Manning desperately fancies her himself.

Raya is an enigmatic character; beautiful, unconventional, carefree, a kleptomaniac. She moves in with Proctor-Gould and steals his tins of Nescafe, as well as his books. But what exactly is her game? Manning soon gets drawn into a world of subterfuge and espionage, without for a moment meaning to.

He finds himself an object of interest to the security forces and is followed through the streets.

Michael Frayn was himself a student and Russian interpreter in Moscow in the 1950s, and this novel conveys the atmosphere of that time: seedy, cold, grumbling, paranoid. Yet this is a funny novel.

Frayn focuses on the absurdities of this bleak world and makes comedy of it, just as Isherwood did for 1930s Berlin.

Manning is a first-rate comic protagonist, observant yet innocent, rather like one of Evelyn Waughs put-upon heroes. A short novel, but a highly enjoyable one, with characters that jump off the page. Its a great pity that Michael Powell, who was going to make a film of it, never did.

Faber & Faber 8.99

The 15 best opening lines in literature Show all 15 1 /15 The 15 best opening lines in literature The 15 best opening lines in literature Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. chipkidd.com The 15 best opening lines in literature Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy All happy families are alike but an unhappy family is unhappy after its own fashion. npr.org The 15 best opening lines in literature A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way. The 15 best opening lines in literature Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte I have just returned from a visit to my landlord  the solitary neighbour that I shall be troubled with", which pitches you straight into the story. Penguin Books The 15 best opening lines in literature Middlemarch, by George Eliot Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress. Penguin Books The 15 best opening lines in literature Nineteen Eighty-Four, by George Orwell "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." AP The 15 best opening lines in literature The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that Ive been turning over in my mind ever since. Whenever you feel like criticising any one, he told me, just remember that all the people in this world havent had the advantages that youve had. cracked.com The 15 best opening lines in literature Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie "All children, except one, grow up." read.gov The 15 best opening lines in literature One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey Theyre out there. Black boys in white suits up before me to commit sex acts in the hall and get it mopped up before I can catch them. listed.com The 15 best opening lines in literature Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte "There was no possibility of taking a walk that day." rarebookschool.org The 15 best opening lines in literature One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. Harper Collins The 15 best opening lines in literature The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin. minabach.com The 15 best opening lines in literature The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain You dont know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but that aint no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. Penguin Books The 15 best opening lines in literature The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish. npr.org The 15 best opening lines in literature Catch 22, by Joseph Heller "It was love at first sight. The first time Yossarian saw the chaplain he fell madly in love with him." gonereading.com

Weathering, by Lucy Wood

Arse over elbow and a mouthful of river, begins this novel, and we are plunged into an extended description of a woman, Pearl, struggling and flailing around in the water, her body reduced to grey dust, swept along by the current.

Cut, then, to Pearls daughter Ada and grand-daughter Pepper, who have moved into the old cottage in the sodden valley where Ada grew up, now that Pearl is dead.

Ada had been estranged from her mother for 13 years; sorting out the house brings back a flood of memories, while six-year-old Pepper, lucid and morbid, soaks up her new surroundings, and makes private, perceptive observations to herself.

They dont intend to stay permanently; yet gradually find themselves settling in, forging connections with old and new friends, as Pearls ashes continue their journey towards the sea. The novel is heavy with atmosphere and lyrical descriptions.

Very fine prose, but too careful, the sentences too obviously polished; for me a little too redolent of the creative writing class.

Bloomsbury 8.99

Swallow This, by Joanna Blythman

An eye-opening expose of the food industry, Swallow This makes you realise just how much supermarket food is processed. Not just the ready-meals but the artisan sourdough loaves, the traditional vintage cheddar cheese, the probiotic drinks, and bottles of cooking oil.

There are chapters on the industrial scale of food production, on a visit to a food industry trade fair (the only selling point of new products is that they save supermarkets money), the practice of clean labelling (making ingredients sound more natural than they are), and on the uses of starch, water, oil, sugar, and colourings in food.

Lets all try to eat more healthily in the new year; but be warned, the supermarkets arent making it easy for us.

Fourth Estate 8.99

The Poets Tale by Paul Strohm

Paul Strohm focuses on one year of Chaucers life in this vivid piece of historical re-creation. In 1386, Chaucer was a customs official in London  a delicate job which meant being seen to enforce the law while not damaging the profits of powerful men who made fortunes from the wool trade.

His accommodation was a rent-free chamber at Aldgate, under which royal processions, drovers, traders, carts, rebels and convicts passed in an unending stream.

In 1386, he lost this post for political reasons and retreated to Kent where he began The Canterbury Tales.

It seems a wonder that from such a turbulent, hierarchical, and violent society Chaucers humane and civilised poetry emerged; and this book made me keen to revisit it.

Profile Books 9.99

All Day Long by Joanna Biggs

Subtitled A Portrait of Britain at Work, this is a cross-section of jobs that British people are doing on any given day.

Joanna Biggs has interviewed them: a prostitute, a rabbi, a fishmonger, a shoemaker, a nurse, a scientist, a crofter, a CEO, and an intern, to name a few. Its a thought-provoking glimpse of a day in the life of a modern society, and Biggss sympathetic approach encourages people to open up. Its full of entertaining observations.

I enjoyed learning from Thomas Eaton, a quiz question writer, that on The Weakest Link they had to avoid questions involving the words apocalypse, Antarctica and Rusedski, because Anne Robinson couldnt pronounce them. A first-rate piece of social reportage.

Serpents Tail 8.99
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Noma Dumezweni has hit out at those who criticised her being cast as Hermione Granger in new production Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.

The British-raised actress, who was born in Swaziland, kept quiet amidst the announcement but has finally spoken out. "It stems from ignorance," she told Evening Standard.

"They don't want to be a part of the creative act. To say it's not as it was intended is so unimaginative."

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrations Show all 5 1 /5 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrations Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrations Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Jim Kay's illustration of Draco Malfoy in the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone edition Jim Kay Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrations Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Jim Kay's illustration of Rubeus Hagrid in the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone edition Jim Kay Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrations Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Jim Kay's illustration of Hermione Granger in the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone edition Jim Kay Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrations Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Jim Kay's illustration of Ron Weasley in the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone edition Jim Kay Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustrations Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Deluxe edition will cost 150 and a more affordable 30 version will be published alongside it Bloomsbury

Dumezweni will appear in the play as an adult version of the character played by Emma Watson in the film adaptations of JK Rowling's groundbreaking novels.

She continued: "I don't think they understand how theatre works. We're here to heal you, make you smile and whisk you away."

Both Rowling and Watson have backed the casting decision, taking to Twitter to show their support.

The actress is also championing a project designed by Warwick University's Jami Rogers to celebrate forgotten Shakespearean performances by ethnic minority actors.

The online database has compiled over 1,000 productions beginning with black actor Paul Robeson, who played Othello in London's West End back in 1930, and is due to be launched in the States on 15 January.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child opens at the Palace Theatre in July.
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Making a Murderer has caused outrage around the world, with many believing the series subject Steven Avery is not guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.

Since broadcasting via Netflix, petitions urging the President to conditionally pardon the Wisconsin man have been signed by more than 380,000 viewers.

Recommended Read more Reddit claims to unearth new evidence in Making a Murderer case

Unfortunately, those asking the White House to take action have thus far failed, with a statement being issued explaining how the case would need to be taken at state level.

Whats worse is that the one man capable of pardoning Avery, Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker, refuses to watch the 10-part series.

Timeline: Steven Avery's convictions Show all 5 1 /5 Timeline: Steven Avery's convictions Timeline: Steven Avery's convictions 1985: Steven Avery is falsely convicted of raping a Penny Beernsten She was jogging along the shore of Lake Michigan when she was threatened with a knife and attacked. Ms Beernsten identified Avery as her rapist from a line-up that did not include the actual attacker. AFP/Getty Images Timeline: Steven Avery's convictions 2003: Conviction overturned Avery's 32-year prison sentence was overturned after DNA testing by the Wisconsin Innocence Project proved his innocence and found a hair from Gregory Allen. He was convicted of the rape and Avery was released. Timeline: Steven Avery's convictions 2004: Avery files federal lawsuit against Manitowoc County police A Wisconsin Department of Justice investigation found police had committed no criminal offences or ethics violations, sparking a lawsuit from Avery seeking $36 million compensation. Timeline: Steven Avery's convictions 2005: Avery is arrested for Teresa Halbach's murder His Avery Auto Salvage business was the freelance photographer's last appointment of 31 October. She was reported missing four days later and police later found her car, bones, teeth and belongings at the site. Avery pleaded not guilty but was sentenced to life in prison in 2007. Timeline: Steven Avery's convictions 201: Netflix releases Making a Murderer The 10-episode documentary came after Avery's conviction was upheld in a 2011 appeal.

"Just because a documentary on TV says something doesn't mean that's actually what the evidence shows, he told WQOW television. "The bottom line is that there was a crime that was committed a decade ago.

There is a system...by which individuals can petition the courts to get relief like others have done in the past that shows that someone might actually be innocent. But I am not going to override a system that is already put in place.

Jerry Buting, one of Averys defence lawyers, told Radio 4s Today programme that all his appeals had been exhausted and only newly-discovered evidence could force the case to be re-examined.

 Making A Murderer- Where are they now?

Were getting new leads that can be followed up, he said. Scientists from all over the world have been contacting us with different approaches to present scientific evidence thatcould demonstrate his innocence.

The Manitowoc Sheriff has since complained about the documentary, saying footage was manipulated. He told The Wrap: Because of all the media stuff weve been getting, I actually did watch with it my inspector and I still stand by that statement. In several areas throughout the film, you can see where they cut the tape and manipulated things.

One place real evident is one of the interviews with Steven Avery in episode 5  if you watch one video, it jumps from 3:20 to 3:21, then to 3:17, then to 3:22 and then to 3:18.

He expressed how displeased he was by the series, highlighting how the shows producers were embedded with the Avery family. However, it has since been revealed that members of the department were invited to appear in Making a Murderer but declined.

You can read about whats next for Steven Avery and where do the cases in the Netflix documentary stand now, here.
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Doctors leaders and government ministers accused each other of putting patients lives at risk on Sunday as hospitals prepared for the first mass walkout of medics since the 1970s.

On Tuesday up to 38,000 junior doctors will stage a 24-hour strike across the NHS in England in their dispute over new contracts that would allow hospitals to rota more weekend staff.

The doctors union, the British Medical Association, argues that the proposed changes amount to a pay cut for some staff and would result in doctors working dangerously long shifts. The Government denies this and claims that the contracts are the only way to increase NHS services across seven days a week and reduce death rates at the weekend.

Both sides have described the chances of a deal before the planned walkout as infinitesimally small. As a result at least 4,000 operations will be cancelled.

Two further strikes are planned over the coming weeks including the first-ever strike in which junior doctors will stop providing all care  including emergency procedures  which is due to take place on 10 February.

As a result of the action every hospital in England has been asked by the Medical Director of the NHS to ensure they have plans in place to monitor exceptional and sustained deterioration in performance and contingency arrangements to ensure patient safety is not compromised.

 Junior doctors strike

This could include shutting services or agreeing circumstances with local BMA members when striking doctors could be called back into work to mitigate the risk of harm to patients.

In an interview the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said that the Government was going through the exhaustive process of contacting every A&E department in the country to establish whether they will have enough staff to stay open.

In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 20,000 Junior Doctors marched through central London in protest at the new contract changes the government is trying to impose which they say will be unfair and unsafe In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors protest in London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 4 year old Cassius takes part in a demonstration in Westminster, in support of junior doctors over changes to NHS contracts, London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Protest over proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts, Leeds In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Over 5000 junior doctors rallied in Waterloo place, before marching through Whitehall and onto Parliament Square, in opposition to Jeremy Hunt's new working conditions for doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Demonstrators listen to speeches in Waterloo Place during the 'Let's Save the NHS' rally and protest march by junior doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors marched in London to highlight their plight In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK A protester at a demonstration in support of junior doctors in London

I know that many hospitals will ask consultants and other staff to step in for that day. But we also have to be honest that hospitals are stretched at the moment, he said.

We will do everything we can to keep every A&E department open but junior doctors are the backbone and that will depend on finding consultants who can step in. That is a huge logistical exercise which is now under way.

Mr Hunt also claimed patients were being put at risk because doctors were basically saying we wont be there for you in life-threatening situations.

He also accused some elements of the BMA of using the strikes as a political opportunity to bash a Tory Government that they hate.

Patients must always come before politics, he said. Whatever the political heat of the moment; whatever the anger, patients have to come first.

Doctors do have a right to strike, but I just urge all doctors to work really closely with us to make sure that whatever decision they take, their patients arent put at risk.

Patients must always come before politics  whatever the political heat of the moment; whatever the anger, patients have to come first <p>Jeremy Hunt</p>

But a BMA spokesman denied that doctors were the ones endangering patient safety and claimed the biggest danger to the NHS was the new contracts. No doctor takes industrial action lightly and we regret the disruption it will cause, he said. However, junior doctors now feel that they have no option.

The biggest threat to patient care is the Governments insistence on removing safeguards which prevent junior doctors from being forced to work dangerously long hours without breaks, with patients facing the prospect of being treated by exhausted doctors.

Both sides have engaged in a war of statistics over whether the new junior doctor contract  designed to open up the NHS to carrying out routine procedures seven days a week  would improve or worsen patient care.

The Government says too many studies have been published that highlight increased fatality rates over weekends, including a 29 per cent increase in cancer surgery deaths, a 20 per cent increase in stroke mortality and an 11 per cent rise in general surgery deaths.

Recommended Read more Where the Government and the BMA differ over junior doctors

But doctors point to a 2009 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association that stated that doctor fatigue could cause a 15 per cent rise in the likelihood of medical errors and say the Department of Health has not done a comprehensive risk assessment of its plans.

The Governments Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, expressed sympathy for the doctors but urged the BMA to suspend strikes. As a doctor, I can understand the anger and frustration felt by many junior doctors at this time, she said.

In part, this dispute is a symptom of frustration and low morale that has been building for decades and the strain that a career in medicine can place on your work-life balance.

Junior doctors are the backbone of the NHS, working long and antisocial hours. Training now is very different from when I went through it. It is vital that, as senior medical leaders, we ask ourselves whether we are doing everything we can to ensure our junior colleagues feel valued.

But it is clear that the only way to resolve this is by negotiation, so I ask the BMA to suspend action while talks are ongoing. Industrial action will lead to patients suffering, and no doctor wants to see that happen.
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Patients and visitors at London hospitals had mixed feelings about the junior doctors strike less than 48 hours before the industrial action.

Standing on the street outside Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, those visiting sick family and friends expressed support for doctors being paid more for their work, but some feared the strike might endanger lives.

Adam Osman, a pizza delivery man bringing food to the hospital, backed the doctors decision to protest about their new contracts.

They should strike, he said, sitting back on his motorcycle and raising his safety helmet. You cant save someones life by trying to wreck someone elses. If I were a doctor, I would strike. Id feel sorry for the patients, but they cant just change their contracts.

One visitor, who declined to give his name, said he regretted the dispute had not been resolved by other means.

Its a shame they have to do it, he said. They should remember the Hippocratic Oath, which states, First, do no harm. So something has gone wrong, whether its with the [health] minister or whoever.

 Junior doctors strike

Another visitor was more supportive of the doctors action, saying concerns that patients might suffer were overblown.

Junior doctors must do what they need to, he said. As far as I can see, some people may be a bit delayed, but as a member of the public, I am not going to get too worked up about it.

However, Bridget Matthews, visiting her mother-in-law in the hospital, said the junior doctors should definitely not be staging a walkout.

Ive been concerned about this a lot, because Ive had hospital issues myself, she said. My mother-in-law is in here, wiredup to eight machines. She could die.

Mrs Matthews said she understood the problems young doctors face. I know that they dont get paid enough. They should get paid three times more, she said.

Ive been in this hospital for five days, and theyve been marvellous. Some of them work 13 hours a day. If [politicians] worked 13 hours with them, then they might think differently.

But there should be a different way. This should have been sorted out a long time ago. Certain senior people should meet with senior people from the other side.

She added: The public are not benefiting. Why should they [the doctors] go on strike? What would be achieved?

If they go on strike... then people are going to die. It could happen.

Meanwhile, outside Guys and St Thomas Hospital in Westminster, a young father wheeling a pram was less sympathetic with the doctors cause.

If youre a doctor, you should be working, which means the evenings and not just nine to five, he said, stopping with his partner to give his viewpoint.

I run a business, and we work evenings and weekends.

Of course they have the right to strike, but is it morally right? Its up to doctors at the end of the day. Its not like the Tube strikes. You should be saving lives.
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Teaching feminism will be compulsory in schools after the intervention by the Secretary of State for Education, Nicky Morgan, in a row over the A-level syllabus.

The politics A-level will now include more female thinkers and specific references to feminism following a public campaign against the limited role of women in the curriculum.

Campaigners were angry that under proposed changes feminism would not be taught as a major political philosophy. Ms Morgan was also criticised for including only one woman in a list of 14 political thinkers whom A-level students were required to study.

Around 50,000 people signed a petition to include feminism in the syllabus after the Government consulted on the controversial proposals last month.

June Eric-Udorie launched the petition calling for the changes last year (Twitter @juneericudorie) (image taken from Twitter (@juneericudorie))

Ministers wanted students to focus on just three key strands of political theory  conservatism, socialism and liberalism  in classes from September 2017. However, a Department for Education source admitted that it was clearly a mistake to exclude feminism.

Simone de Beauvoir was one of the most important cultural historians of the twentieth century (Getty)

The source said: Female thinkers have played a key role in shaping political theory not just in the UK but across the world, its obviously right that students should have an opportunity to study their work. Consultation responses clearly backed this change.

The source said under the previous syllabus feminism had not been a compulsory subject, but had been popular among students alongside other political movements such as environmentalism. In changing the curriculum, however, the Government overlooked the importance of feminism as a stand-alone subject. Under the new proposals, students will be required to study the womens rights movement.

Nicky Morgan has intervened in a row over the A-level syllabus (Getty)

Ms Morgan will also increase the number of female political theorists who students are required to study. The original proposal featured only Mary Wollstonecraft. New names suggested for the revised curriculum include Hannah Arendt, Simone de Beauvoir and Ayn Rand.

The announcement comes before of a debate in the House of Commons on the issue tomorrow called by the Labour MP Rupa Huq. Labour accused Ms Morgan of relegating feminism to a section on pressure groups. In contrast, last years AQA politics and government A-level paper asked exam candidates: Explain the term patriarchy in the context of feminism. It also asked students to discuss the idea: Legislation has failed to deliver equality of outcomes in respect of gender and ethnicity.

Labour said these types of questions were at risk of not being asked. Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said: We must not write out womens perspectives and contributions to our political history.

Kate Green MP, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said women were an afterthought for the Conservatives: This governments policies are not developed from the perspective of women, and the impact on women is not properly considered.

For example, 81 per cent of the savings made from tax and benefit changes since 2010 have come from women, while Nicky Morgans Department for Education has only two women represented on its board. 

Hannah Arendt, the philosopher and political theorist (Getty)

The petition calling for the changes was launched last year, by the A-level student June Eric-Udorie. It comes after a fellow student, Jessy McCabe, succeeded in her campaign to have female composers included on an A-level music syllabus, after realising there were no women among the 63 compositions selected by the Edexcel examining board for her exams.

Hanna Naima McCloskey, of the campaign group Fearless Futures, which supported Jessy McCabes campaign last year, said: We need the Government to acknowledge that if it doesnt want to silence womens voices it must actively write women into our understanding of politics  where they have long been and where they most certainly belong.
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As if there were not already enough twists and turns to the story of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, it has now been revealed that the Mexican drug boss met with actor Sean Penn for an interview conducted at his hideout while he was still on the run. And the scoop may have helped authorities evevntually recapture the nation's most wanted man.

Guzman, the legendary boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was arrested in northwest Mexico on Friday morning, and sent back to the jail he broke out of in July last year through a mile-long tunnel that led straight into his cell.

Rolling Stone magazine said the seven-hour meeting with Penn was brokered by Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo who herself played a Mexican drug queen in a well-known soap. Among the revelations contained in the interview is a claim by Penn that Guzman sent engineers to Germany for three-months of training on how to avoid problems when excavating near the low-lying water table beneath the prison.

"I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats," he told the actor. "Look, all I do is defend myself, nothing more. But do I start trouble? Never."

El Chapo was caught after a stand-off with soldiers and marines (AP)

The extraordinary twist comes as it was reported that Mexico has said it is willing to extradite Guzman to the US. This marks a reversal of its position after his last capture in 2014.

Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the US, a Mexican official told the Associated Press. But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before US prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman.

You have to go through the judicial process, and the defence has its elements too, he added.

Guzman is a legendary figure in Mexico, where he went from being a farmer's son to the world's top drug drug supplier. Mexican officials say he even had dreams of having Hollywood do a movie based on his life. Some reports say some locals consider him a Robin Hood-type figure.

News of the interview with Penn, in which the two men discussed everything from drug trafficking to the midddle east, will likely add another layer to his celebrity. The actor describes the elaborate preparations and precautions he and Ms Del Castillo took to meet with the drug supplier at a jungle redoubt.

He also reports how he returned eight days after their meeting, as agreed, to conduct a formal two-day interview. As it was, the actor was unable to meet in person again with El Chapo and a subsequent interview was conducted by a third party and the drug lord's answers were sent to the actor on video.

Asked about who is to blame for drug trafficking, Guzman is quoted as saying: If there was no consumption, there would be no sales. It is true that consumption, day after day, becomes bigger and bigger. So it sells and sells.

Penn said that as an American citizen he was drawn to explore issues that may be inconsistent with the portrayals our government and media brand upon their declared enemies.

Not since Osama bin Laden has the pursuit of a fugitive so occupied the public imagination, he wrote

But unlike bin Laden, who had posed the ludicrous premise that a country's entire population is defined by  and therefore complicit in  its leadership's policies, with the world's most wanted drug lord, are we, the American public, not indeed complicit in what we demonise.

He added: We are the consumers, and as such, we are complicit in every murder, and in every corruption of an institution's ability to protect the quality of life for citizens of Mexico and the United States that comes as a result of our insatiable appetite for illicit narcotics.

On Saturday, El Chapos lawyers began the process of fighting the extradition requests, filing an injunction.

Mr Guzman Loera should not be extradited to the United States or any other country, said attorney Juan Pablo Badillo. Mexico has just laws that are detailed in the General Constitution of the Republic.

Guzman is included in at least seven indictments in various US jurisdictions.

Mexico said on Saturday that it received extradition requests on June 16 and August 31. Those requests resulted in courts in Mexicos 3rd and 8th districts issuing arrest warrants with the purpose of international extradition, the AP said.

At the time the arrest warrants were issued, Guzman was on the run after escaping prison for a second time.

After his capture on Friday, it was reported that Guzman's desire to have a movie made of his life was a factor in his capture.

On Saturday night, reports suggested that it was the interview with Penn that had helped law enforcement officials trace the drug lord. One Mexican official told the AP that the interview with Penn had "led authorities to Durango state in October". NBC reported that Mexican officials were now investigating both Ms Del Castillo and Penn.
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Most offices are like 'Macbeth' They are a hotbed of desire, deceit, blackmail and murderous thoughts. People think of power struggles as grand things, like politicians stabbing each other in the back. But I'm a great believer in how extraordinary things happen in ordinary lives: even in the most ordinary office you get a daily power struggle over who gets the best mug when coffee is being made. Sitcom TV has dealt well with that issue, fiction less so. When I published my debut [Crazy Paving] in 1995, about a group of secretaries, it was considered quite radical.

Commuting is pure chaos theory Particularly in London, where you make a small decision to go in one direction and then perhaps you're on a bus that gets involved in an accident. Millions of commuters all over London are having these amazing random experiences, but such day-to-day happenings are still hugely neglected in publishing; I'm just not interested in books about people who run art galleries or people in north London who have dinner parties and affairs.

Culture news in pictures Show all 33 1 /33 Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures 30 September 2016 An employee hangs works of art with "Grand Teatro" by Marino Marini (R) and bronze sculpture "Sfera N.3" by Arnaldo Pomodoro seen ahead of a Contemporary Art auction on 7 October, at Sotheby's in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 29 September 2016 Street art by Portuguese artist Odeith is seen in Dresden, during an exhibition "Magic City - art of the streets" AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 Dancers attend a photocall for the new "THE ONE Grand Show" at Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, Germany REUTERS Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 With an array of thrift store china, humorous souvenirs and handmade tile adorning its walls and floors, the Mosaic Tile House in Venice stands as a monument to two decades of artistic collaboration between Cheri Pann and husband Gonzalo Duran REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A gallery assistant poses amongst work by Anthea Hamilton from her nominated show "Lichen! Libido!(London!) Chastity!" at a preview of the Turner Prize in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A technician wearing virtual reality glasses checks his installation in three British public telephone booths, set up outside the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, Netherlands. The installation allows visitors a 3-D look into the museum which has twenty-two paintings belonging to the British Royal Collection, on loan for an exhibit from 29 September 2016 till 8 January 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 An Indian artist dressed as Hindu god Shiva performs on a chariot as he participates in a religious procession 'Ravan ki Barat' held to mark the forthcoming Dussehra festival in Allahabad AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Air Power', 1984, is displayed at the Bowie/Collector media preview at Sotheby's in New York AFP/Getty Culture news in pictures 25 September 2016 A woman looks at an untitled painting by Albert Oehlen during the opening of an exhibition of works by German artists Georg Baselitz and Albert Oehlen in Reutlingen, Germany. The exhibition runs at the Kunstverein (art society) Reutlingen until 15 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 24 September 2016 Fan BingBing (C) attends the closing ceremony of the 64th San Sebastian Film Festival at Kursaal in San Sebastian, Spain Getty Images Culture news in pictures 23 September 2016 A view of the artwork 'You Are Metamorphosing' (1964) as part of the exhibition 'Retrospektive' of Japanese artist Tetsumi Kudo at Fridericianum in Kassel, Germany. The exhibition runs from 25 September 2016 to 1 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 22 September 2016 Jo Applin from the Courtauld Institute of Art looks at Green Tilework in Live Flesh by Adriana Vareja, which features in a new exhibition, Flesh, at York Art Gallery. The new exhibition features works by Degas, Chardin, Francis Bacon and Sarah Lucas, showing how flesh has been portrayed by artists over the last 600 years PA Culture news in pictures 21 September 2016 Performers Sean Atkins and Sally Miller standing in for the characters played by Asa Butterfield and Ella Purnell during a photocall for Tim Burton's "Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children" at Potters Field Park in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A detail from the blanket 'Alpine Cattle Drive' from 1926 by artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is displayed at the 'Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum for Contemporary Arts' in Berlin. The exhibition named 'Ernst Ludwig Kirchner - Hieroglyphen' showing the complete collection of Berlin's Nationalgallerie works of the German artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and will run from 23 September 2016 until 26 February 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A man looks at portrait photos by US photographer Bruce Gilden in the exhibition 'Masters of Photography' at the photokina in Cologne, Germany. The trade fair on photography, photokina, schowcases some 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries and runs from 20 to 25 September. The event also features various photo exhibitions EPA Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A woman looks at 'Blue Poles', 1952 by Jackson Pollock during a photocall at the Royal Academy of Arts, London PA Culture news in pictures 19 September 2016 Art installation The Refusal of Time, a collaboration with Philip Miller, Catherine Meyburgh and Peter Galison, which features as part of the William Kentridge exhibition Thick Time, showing from 21 September to 15 January at the Whitechapel Gallery in London PA Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Artists creating one off designs at the Mm6 Maison Margiela presentation during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer collections 2017 in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Bethenny Frankel attends the special screening of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Edition release on Blu-Ray and DVD in New York City Getty Images for Walt Disney Stu Culture news in pictures 17 September 2016 Visitors attend the 2016 Oktoberfest beer festival at Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany Getty Images Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Visitors looks at British artist Damien Hirst work of art 'The Incomplete Truth', during the 13th Yalta Annual Meeting entitled 'The World, Europe and Ukraine: storms of changes', organised by the Yalta European Strategy (YES) in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation at the Mystetsky Arsenal Art Center in Kiev AP Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Tracey Emin's "My Bed" is exhibited at the Tate Liverpool as part of the exhibition Tracey Emin And William Blake In Focus, which highlights surprising links between the two artists Getty Images Culture news in pictures 15 September 2016 Musician Dave Grohl (L) joins musician Tom Morello of Prophets of Rage onstage at the Forum in Inglewood, California Getty Images Culture news in pictures 14 September 2016 Model feebee poses as part of art installation "Narcissism : Dazzle room" made by artist Shigeki Matsuyama at rooms33 fashion and design exhibition in Tokyo. Matsuyama's installation features a strong contrast of black and white, which he learned from dazzle camouflage used mainly in World War I AP Culture news in pictures 13 September 2016 Visitors look at artworks by Chinese painter Cui Ruzhuo during the exhibition 'Glossiness of Uncarved Jade' held at the exhibition hall 'Manezh' in St. Petersburg, Russia. More than 200 paintings by the Chinese artist are presented until 25 September EPA Culture news in pictures 12 September 2016 A visitor looks at Raphael's painting 'Extase de Sainte Cecile', 1515, from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence during the opening of a Raphael exhibition at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, Russia. The first Russian exhibition of the works of the Italian Renaissance artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino includes eight paintings and three drawings which come from Italy. Th exhibit opens to the public from 13 September to 11 December EPA Culture news in pictures 11 September 2016 Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd perform during Otis Redding 75th Birthday Celebration - Rehearsals at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia Getty Images for Otis Redding 75 Culture news in pictures 10 September 2016 Sakari Oramo conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers at the Last Night of the Proms 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall in London PA Culture news in pictures 9 September 2016 A visitor walks past a piece entitled "Fruitcake" by Joana Vasconcelo, during the Beyond Limits selling exhibition at Chatsworth House near Bakewell REUTERS Culture news in pictures 8 September 2016 A sculpture of a crescent standing on the 2,140 meters high mountain 'Freiheit' (German for 'freedom'), in the Alpstein region of the Appenzell alps, eastern Switzerland. The sculpture is lighted during the nights by means of solar panels. The 38-year-old Swiss artist and atheist Christian Meier set the crescent on the peak to start a debate on the meaning of religious symbols - as summit crosses - on mountains. 'Because so many peaks have crosses on them, it struck me as a great idea to put up an equally absurd contrast'. 'Naturally I wanted to provoke in a fun way. But it goes beyond that. The actions of an artist should be food for thought, both visually and in content' EPA Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures

My father never wanted me to talk about my Romany background I'm proud of it and, to me, our history is endlessly fascinating, but he used to say, "You've got two children to think of  you want to be careful about what you say; you'll get a brick through the window." When he was growing up in working-class Peterborough in the 1930s, you probably would have got that sort of treatment if you talked about being Romany. So to his dying day he was frightened for me. Much has changed, but even now, every time I write about Romany issues, I get online abuse  the racist hate mail floods in.

The next Ian Rankin could slip through our fingers It was novel number seven that was my best seller by a mile: Apple Tree Yard [published in 2013, the thriller is currently being adapted into a BBC TV mini-series, airing later this year]. It outsold all my previous books put together by a long way. Ian Rankin said that it was book number 12 which was his breakthrough, while Hilary Mantel's early works went out of print until Wolf Hall brought them back into play. Professional authors who've been at it for decades are more likely to pull a rabbit out of a hat given the chance to publish. But the industry wants new faces and debut writers, so I know a lot of author friends my age who have been dropped.

I understand why people mythologise and fall in love with Bali I went to the Ubud [readers and writers] festival there in 2012, and I can see why it's a byword for tropical paradise. I'm not a fan of the eat, pray, knit your own spirituality thing, but getting up at dawn and hearing all the sounds [of nature], before watching the sun rise over a valley is the most unbelievable experience.

The Bronte Sisters would make brilliant drinking partners They would need to leave their drunken sod of a brother at home, though; he was probably an awful bore who resented his sisters' success. I think they'd be generally interesting and eccentric. With all that running around the moors and living in parsonages, how could they not be?

Long, hot baths with candles are important They're one of the few things I do that are utterly unproductive. I pickle myself, meditate and let everything float away. Other than that, there's never a time in the day when I'm not thinking about my work or sorting things out for the kids.

Louise Doughty, 52, is the author of seven novels, including the Costa-shortlisted 'Whatever You Love' and 'Apple Tree Yard'. She is a judge of this year's Costa Book Awards; the winner will be announced on 26 January (costabookawards.com)
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Adele Parks, 46

Having worked in advertising and as a management consultant, Parks (left in picture) published her debut novel in 2000. She has since become one of the UK's biggest-selling women's fiction writers, with more than three million books sold. She is also an ambassador for literacy charity the Reading Agency and supporter of the National Literacy Trust. She lives in Guildford with her husband, Jim Parks, creative director of the Guildford Book Festival

When Jane had written her first book [Getting Rid of Matthew, in 2006], her agent sent me a copy and asked me to come up with a quote for the cover, if I liked it. After I read it, I thought, oh my goodness, it's better than a best friend's diary  it's like reading a worst enemy's diary. I emailed that to her and she was like, "Oh my god, that's what I wanted people to think!"

Sometimes with debut books the author is not that different to the leads in the book, so I thought, I hope she's the tough one not the wet character in Getting Rid of Matthew. I think Jane was worried that I was brash and harsh, like some of my characters. But we met over lunch and discovered that we are both gentle people who highly value trust, and from then on we've met regularly for lunch.

Jane is a lot shyer than me; I'm very enthusiastic and upfront and tell it as it is. In our friendship we play out different roles for each other  I'm like the Pollyanna character with happy tassels, while she plays the less optimistic one, with a drier sense of humour.

We've met in New York a few times. Jane and Ricky [Gervais, her partner] have an apartment that they let me and my husband stay in, and it's near a cute pet shop. So we'll have lunch and then Jane and I will go down to the shop to play with the puppies and kittens for hours, as we'll both be missing our cats.

She's a worrier: she worries about her cat, who's never been outside, and worries about health and safety stuff a lot more than me.

We've been to a few of Ricky's gigs, at Hammersmith [Apollo] and Wembley [Arena] and so on. Jim and I are good to have in the audience, as we laugh out loud a lot. I'm often shocked by Ricky, though  my mouth is wide open. We've been to a few of his film premieres and glitzy after-parties in LA, too.

While we both write about feisty heroines in the same genre, we both believe that we are not in competition with each other. It's unusual in a paranoid industry that we can talk plots and not worry if the other is going to steal our ideas. In fact, we don't agree on books. I'll say an ending is sweet, and she'll say, "Actually, it's quite saccharine and I'm not keen."

Calling our books "chick lit" narrows the audience  no bloke is going to pick it up  and is dismissive of the reader and writer. And I'm 46 and Jane is in her fifties  we are not chicks! It never comes up with male writers such as Tony Parson and Nick Hornby  no one defines who would read their books.

Culture news in pictures Show all 33 1 /33 Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures 30 September 2016 An employee hangs works of art with "Grand Teatro" by Marino Marini (R) and bronze sculpture "Sfera N.3" by Arnaldo Pomodoro seen ahead of a Contemporary Art auction on 7 October, at Sotheby's in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 29 September 2016 Street art by Portuguese artist Odeith is seen in Dresden, during an exhibition "Magic City - art of the streets" AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 Dancers attend a photocall for the new "THE ONE Grand Show" at Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, Germany REUTERS Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 With an array of thrift store china, humorous souvenirs and handmade tile adorning its walls and floors, the Mosaic Tile House in Venice stands as a monument to two decades of artistic collaboration between Cheri Pann and husband Gonzalo Duran REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A gallery assistant poses amongst work by Anthea Hamilton from her nominated show "Lichen! Libido!(London!) Chastity!" at a preview of the Turner Prize in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A technician wearing virtual reality glasses checks his installation in three British public telephone booths, set up outside the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, Netherlands. The installation allows visitors a 3-D look into the museum which has twenty-two paintings belonging to the British Royal Collection, on loan for an exhibit from 29 September 2016 till 8 January 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 An Indian artist dressed as Hindu god Shiva performs on a chariot as he participates in a religious procession 'Ravan ki Barat' held to mark the forthcoming Dussehra festival in Allahabad AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Air Power', 1984, is displayed at the Bowie/Collector media preview at Sotheby's in New York AFP/Getty Culture news in pictures 25 September 2016 A woman looks at an untitled painting by Albert Oehlen during the opening of an exhibition of works by German artists Georg Baselitz and Albert Oehlen in Reutlingen, Germany. The exhibition runs at the Kunstverein (art society) Reutlingen until 15 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 24 September 2016 Fan BingBing (C) attends the closing ceremony of the 64th San Sebastian Film Festival at Kursaal in San Sebastian, Spain Getty Images Culture news in pictures 23 September 2016 A view of the artwork 'You Are Metamorphosing' (1964) as part of the exhibition 'Retrospektive' of Japanese artist Tetsumi Kudo at Fridericianum in Kassel, Germany. The exhibition runs from 25 September 2016 to 1 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 22 September 2016 Jo Applin from the Courtauld Institute of Art looks at Green Tilework in Live Flesh by Adriana Vareja, which features in a new exhibition, Flesh, at York Art Gallery. The new exhibition features works by Degas, Chardin, Francis Bacon and Sarah Lucas, showing how flesh has been portrayed by artists over the last 600 years PA Culture news in pictures 21 September 2016 Performers Sean Atkins and Sally Miller standing in for the characters played by Asa Butterfield and Ella Purnell during a photocall for Tim Burton's "Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children" at Potters Field Park in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A detail from the blanket 'Alpine Cattle Drive' from 1926 by artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is displayed at the 'Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum for Contemporary Arts' in Berlin. The exhibition named 'Ernst Ludwig Kirchner - Hieroglyphen' showing the complete collection of Berlin's Nationalgallerie works of the German artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and will run from 23 September 2016 until 26 February 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A man looks at portrait photos by US photographer Bruce Gilden in the exhibition 'Masters of Photography' at the photokina in Cologne, Germany. The trade fair on photography, photokina, schowcases some 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries and runs from 20 to 25 September. The event also features various photo exhibitions EPA Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A woman looks at 'Blue Poles', 1952 by Jackson Pollock during a photocall at the Royal Academy of Arts, London PA Culture news in pictures 19 September 2016 Art installation The Refusal of Time, a collaboration with Philip Miller, Catherine Meyburgh and Peter Galison, which features as part of the William Kentridge exhibition Thick Time, showing from 21 September to 15 January at the Whitechapel Gallery in London PA Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Artists creating one off designs at the Mm6 Maison Margiela presentation during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer collections 2017 in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Bethenny Frankel attends the special screening of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Edition release on Blu-Ray and DVD in New York City Getty Images for Walt Disney Stu Culture news in pictures 17 September 2016 Visitors attend the 2016 Oktoberfest beer festival at Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany Getty Images Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Visitors looks at British artist Damien Hirst work of art 'The Incomplete Truth', during the 13th Yalta Annual Meeting entitled 'The World, Europe and Ukraine: storms of changes', organised by the Yalta European Strategy (YES) in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation at the Mystetsky Arsenal Art Center in Kiev AP Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Tracey Emin's "My Bed" is exhibited at the Tate Liverpool as part of the exhibition Tracey Emin And William Blake In Focus, which highlights surprising links between the two artists Getty Images Culture news in pictures 15 September 2016 Musician Dave Grohl (L) joins musician Tom Morello of Prophets of Rage onstage at the Forum in Inglewood, California Getty Images Culture news in pictures 14 September 2016 Model feebee poses as part of art installation "Narcissism : Dazzle room" made by artist Shigeki Matsuyama at rooms33 fashion and design exhibition in Tokyo. Matsuyama's installation features a strong contrast of black and white, which he learned from dazzle camouflage used mainly in World War I AP Culture news in pictures 13 September 2016 Visitors look at artworks by Chinese painter Cui Ruzhuo during the exhibition 'Glossiness of Uncarved Jade' held at the exhibition hall 'Manezh' in St. Petersburg, Russia. More than 200 paintings by the Chinese artist are presented until 25 September EPA Culture news in pictures 12 September 2016 A visitor looks at Raphael's painting 'Extase de Sainte Cecile', 1515, from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence during the opening of a Raphael exhibition at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, Russia. The first Russian exhibition of the works of the Italian Renaissance artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino includes eight paintings and three drawings which come from Italy. Th exhibit opens to the public from 13 September to 11 December EPA Culture news in pictures 11 September 2016 Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd perform during Otis Redding 75th Birthday Celebration - Rehearsals at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia Getty Images for Otis Redding 75 Culture news in pictures 10 September 2016 Sakari Oramo conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers at the Last Night of the Proms 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall in London PA Culture news in pictures 9 September 2016 A visitor walks past a piece entitled "Fruitcake" by Joana Vasconcelo, during the Beyond Limits selling exhibition at Chatsworth House near Bakewell REUTERS Culture news in pictures 8 September 2016 A sculpture of a crescent standing on the 2,140 meters high mountain 'Freiheit' (German for 'freedom'), in the Alpstein region of the Appenzell alps, eastern Switzerland. The sculpture is lighted during the nights by means of solar panels. The 38-year-old Swiss artist and atheist Christian Meier set the crescent on the peak to start a debate on the meaning of religious symbols - as summit crosses - on mountains. 'Because so many peaks have crosses on them, it struck me as a great idea to put up an equally absurd contrast'. 'Naturally I wanted to provoke in a fun way. But it goes beyond that. The actions of an artist should be food for thought, both visually and in content' EPA Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures

Jane Fallon, 55

A former TV producer, Fallon worked on series including 'Teachers' and 'This Life' before turning to writing. She has since written five novels. She lives in north London with the comedian Ricky Gervais and their cat, Ollie

Before we first met I was worried I'd be scared of her because of the way the heroines are in her books: ballsy, arsey, in your face. I thought she'd be loud and pushy.

We have the same agent, and when my first book came out, he sent the book to her for a quote. She was someone I'd always admired; she'd had seven books out by then. I sent an email to thank her for the quote  no one ever does, apparently  and we ended up meeting for lunch and got on like a house on fire.

I invited her to my book launch. I loathe being the centre of attention but I had to make a speech; I blushed and stuttered my way through it. I'm sure she thought I was an idiot, but she was sweet about it. And then we started having lunch whenever we could, and we go to spas to talk about writing and stuff.

Adele's a people person, I'm not. She's also one of the most optimistic people I've met  I'm drawn to people like that, who radiate positive energy. The only downside is that her very enthusiasm sometimes makes me realise how unenthusiastic I am, and I envy it and am wary of it in equal measure.

There's something special about meeting a friend in a place you'd not ordinarily see them. We've ended up in New York at the same time together, and wandered around, before going to sit in the cafe by the boating pond in Central Park, where I like to go to write.

We've spent time together in LA, too, where Adele and her husband came to the first gig Ricky did there, at the Kodak Theatre. But my overriding memory is of Adele hiding behind our friends all evening. When she's nervous, she worries she'll say stupid things, and she was scared she'd say something inappropriate to one of the glitzy guests.

There are few people I feel I can let my guard down with, but Adele has given me loyalty, and a feeling that I can talk about everything with her if I'm having a hard time. I've got a very thin skin when people say unkind things. But Adele is great, as she'll say something like, if you're nice to people and they don't like you, it's their problem.

The only thing we disagree on is books: we just don't like the same ones. Even the one place we meet in the middle  Fay Weldon  we can't agree on which of her books is best.

Adele knows I'm not a fan of historical novels, so when she started writing one herself [her new book, If You Go Away, is set after the First World War], she was nervous to tell me, as I've often ranted about how I have problems with, say, trying to depict characters who were living in the 14th century. But I loved it.

'Strictly Between Us' by Jane Fallon (7.99, Penguin) is out on Thursday. 'If You Go Away', by Adele Parks (7.99, Headline), is out now
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High flyer?

British adventurer Tracey Curtis-Taylor has completed a 13,000-mile flight from the UK to Australia in a vintage biplane. The 53-year-old piloted a 1942 open-cockpit aircraft over 23 countries, making 50 refuelling stops on her epic journey  and all without a parachute.

How long did it take her?

Recommended Read more Adventurer spends Christmas Day alone in Antarctic

The mammoth expedition stretched over three months. Ms Curtis-Taylor, who grew up in England and Canada, set off in the Boeing Stearman plane from Farnborough, Hampshire, in October and finally landed in Sydney on Saturday.

That takes long haul travel to another level

It certainly does, and she was forced to endure punishing weather during the flight. I've come through monsoons, thunder storms, turbulence, flying through the Australian outback in 45 degrees of heat, she said after landing. "We fly seven or eight hours a day because we lost a bit of time in Indonesia trying to get through to Darwin - there were tropical cyclones you are absolutely up against the elements."

What inspired her to make the trip?

The intrepid pilot was retracing the footsteps of Amy Johnson's pioneering flight to Sydney more than 85 years ago. The legendary aviator was the first woman to fly solo between Britain and Australia in 1930. But while Ms Curtis-Taylor flew solo for much of her journey, she was accompanied by a support team of engineers travelling in a separate aircraft and members of a camera crew who would occasionally sit in with her.

What route did she follow?

From the UK, Ms Curtis-Taylor flew through central Europe to reach Turkey. From there she crossed the Mediterranean to Jordan, flew over the Arabian Desert, crossed the Gulf of Oman to Pakistan and India and on to Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia before crossing the Timor Sea to Australia. But that isnt the whole story. She couldnt follow the exact 1930 route as she was forced to dodge warzones in the Middle East and to navigate 21st century airspace and airport regulations.

Was she relieved to have finished?

The self-styled Bird in a biplane said it was a huge relief to reach Sydney, joking she needed "a drink after months in the cockpit. But Ms Curtis-Taylor is no stranger to daring feats. In 2013, she flew a gruelling 8,000-mile solo flight from Cape Town back to the UK in an open-cockpit biplane.
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Lord Chancellor Michael Gove has set up a team to investigate how to establish United States-style courts that would monitor drug offenders rather than send them to jail, in the hope it could reduce prisoner numbers.

English and Welsh prisons are virtually full, and nearly half of adult prisoners reoffend within 12 months. Now Mr Gove has asked a working group of Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials, senior judiciary, and think tank experts to look at problem solving courts.

Rather than simply sentence people over low-level drug, alcohol or domestic-abuse related crimes, they would be sent on rehabilitation programmes, and have their progress overseen by judges who would interview them in court for regular updates.

Mr Gove visited Texas last year to examine how a Republican programme has cut prison numbers by sending criminals on intensive courses to deal with drug abuse, alcohol addiction, and mental-health problems rather than sending them to jail.

Although Texas is not known for a progressive attitude to crime  the state retains the death penalty  its Star courts monitor offenders who can be treated, and will only send them to prison if they do not attend scheduled meetings or hit targets set by judges.

The working group convened by Mr Gove meets for the first time this month and is understood to be supported by both David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne. There will be between 10 and 15 members, and it involves Lord Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.

Mr Gove is keen to gain the support of Lord Thomas so that he can get the plans past a judiciary who are concerned that such a sweeping change could be unworkable.

English and Welsh prisons are virtually full, and nearly half of adult prisoners reoffend within 12 months (Getty)

But many experts back him, including the Centre for Justice Innovation, which called for the establishment of these courts across England and Wales, in a report published before Christmas. Steve Brine, a Conservative MP who has pushed for these courts since his own visit to Texas in 2013, has written that it was incredible to sit and watch lives literally being turned around in courts in which offenders looked up to judges in an almost parent-like way as they praised their progress.

Mr Brine said last night: Ive seen problem-solving courts at work in Houston, and their recidivism figures are as impressive as they are indisputable. It has to be right that we explore how the concept can be scaled up here as we finally get away from the tired lock them up or let them out mentality. These courts are inherently a Conservative approach because on one hand they help turn lives around, and because a smaller prison estate is at the end of the day a smaller state.

A senior Tory source added: This is a very Conservative proposition. Prison represents market failure and creates a bigger state. We, as Conservatives, want a smaller state  the Prime Minister, Michael Gove and George [Osborne] get that.

MoJ figures show that prisons were 97 per cent full in December, with Wormwood Scrubs in west London, Oakwood in Staffordshire, and Dartmoor in Devon among those that were at capacity. In March 2014, there were only 265 free spaces out of 85,800 in the English and Welsh prison estate, and 14 privately run jails were asked to cram more inmates into their cells.

A prisons expert who has spoken to the Government about problem-solving courts said there was a head of steam behind the idea, and that the working group would start work in the next few weeks. The expert added: Theres a process of how do we implement this?.

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at The Howard League for Penal Reform, said: We welcome any exploration of the problem-solving concept. One of the aspects that problem-solving courts cover is a sense of checking progress and monitoring how people are doing.

However, Mr Neilson said the working group will have to determine how to avoid putting additional strain on community services that have been badly hit by austerity cuts.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2022 Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews take part in the traditional Pier Walk along the harbour walls of St Andrews before the start of the new academic year PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2022 The Massed Pipes and Drums parade during the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2022 Number 12 Company Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks, central London, before commencing their first Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2022 A salmon leaps up the weir at Hexham in Northumberland, despite the drought warnings and low water levels, the River Tyne is still flowing well allowing the salmon and sea trout to head up river to spawn. Every year tens of thousands of salmon make the once-in-a-lifetime journey along the Tyne to spawn, having been out a sea PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2022 Flowers are placed at the gates outside Kensington Palace, London, the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales, on the 25th anniversary of her death PA UK news in pictures 30 August 2022 Edinburghs waste workers clearing mountains of rubbish at Forrest Road as they return to work following their 11 days of industrial action PA UK news in pictures 29 August 2022 Competitors take part in the World Gravy Wrestling Championships at the Rose 'N' Bowl, in Rossendale, Lancashire PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2022 People from the Emancipated Run Crew who are running the carnival parade all in green to remember the 72 people that died in the Grenfell fire during the Family Day at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, which returned to the streets for the first time on two years, after it was thwarted by the pandemic PA UK news in pictures 27 August 2022 Competitors in the bog section during Rude Health Bog Triathlon at Llanwrtyd Wells, in Wales PA UK news in pictures 26 August 2022 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets patient Rita Thomson after she had a complete hip replacement during a visit to South West London Orthopaedic Centre Getty UK news in pictures 25 August 2022 Finney Harrod receiving his GCSE results at Norwich School, in Norwich, Norfolk PA

He argued: These courts are certainly one aspect of how you could reform the system and reduce prison numbers, though I dont think it would do that on its own. I certainly think that the big question is these courts would have to link into services somehow, and of course there have been cuts to local government services.

Mr Neilson added that there is a problem with the system in the US because it had limited welfare. This meant that committing a crime that would be resolved in these courts could be appealing because it would be seen as a route to welfare. This would be less of a risk in the UK where there is a more accessible welfare system.

David Hanson, a Labour member of the House of Commons justice select committee, said it was a good thing that Mr Gove was investigating the option. He added: For shorter sentences theres an argument for an alternative to prison sentences.

Mr Gove told the Magistrates Association last month: I recently visited the US to look at the innovative ways in which the judiciary were taking an active role in overseeing the rehabilitation of the offenders they had sentenced.

I was impressed by the potential of these problem-solving courts to contribute to crime reduction and personal redemption. I know all of you care a great deal about the rehabilitation of the people who appear in front of you in court and want to play a bigger part in that process.

The Lord Chief Justice and I have discussed how we can learn from the experience of problem-solving courts in other jurisdictions, and we are both keen to look at what more we can do in this area.

A source close to Mr Gove added: One of the principle aims is to make sure we effectively tackle the root causes of re-offending.

A senior prison reform campaigner said: This will help reduce numbers, but it can only work with more direct sentencing reforms. The real driver of prison numbers is that the length of sentences has grown for people who commit more serious crimes. This is a political problem  ministers have to make it easier [for prisoners] to earn their release.

There are concerns that the system could prove prohibitively expensive. There have been limited pilots of problem-solving courts in the past, notably in Liverpool, where it failed partly because of cost.
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A terrifying new class of knife widely available on the internet from UK retailers and increasingly carried by gangs on the streets of Britains cities is set to be banned from sale, The Independent can reveal.

Sales of so-called zombie killer knives, serrated weapons with long blades inspired by horror films, have led to calls for a crackdown on the marketing methods of online vendors who sell them as collectors items to exterminate the undead.

But police forces have become so concerned at the potential proliferation of the knives in big cities that steps are now being taken to introduce an outright ban on the weapons.

Scotland Yard has warned that the knives, which can be bought for as little 8 and reach up to 2ft in length, are being used by teenage gang members to pose in online videos designed to provoke rivals.

A 24-inch curved and serrated machete, advertised as an apocalypse head decapitator, was recovered from an east London alleyway last year as the number of teenagers murdered with knives in the capital reached a seven-year high. The rise to 15 in the number of killings - the highest since 2008, when there were 23 deaths - has caused concern that teenagers are increasingly carrying knives in the mistaken belief they offer protection.

The Independent understands that a decision was taken at a meeting last month of police chiefs and Home Office officials to move to outlaw the zombie killer-style weapons amid fears that gang members are acquiring them as status symbols. The authorities say that they believe sales of the weaponry remain relatively low but they want to act before they become more common on the streets.

Senior officers are particularly concerned at the damage that such weapons can cause if used in an attack, warning that the mixture of sharp points and bladed and serrated edges on the knives would be likely to inflict lethal injuries in a stabbing.

Alf Hitchcock, chief constable of the Ministry of Defence Police and lead on knife crime for the National Police Chiefs Council, said: These are absolutely horrific weapons for which there can be no legitimate use. You only have to look at the combination of the pointed and serrated edges to see that any injury would be fatal. The serrations would cause such serious internal damage to anyone that it would be fatal.

Whilst we havent got significant evidence of a huge increase in sales, there is enough evidence for it to be worrying and we are looking to work on a form of words that bans these weapons.

It is possible under secondary legislation to outlaw specific types of knife and other weaponry. Bans are already in place on the sale of at least 13 different types of blade, including flick knives, sword sticks and several classes of weapon associated with martial arts.

The move to ban zombie killer weaponry was last night welcomed by campaigners who have raised alarm at the widespread availability of the knives on UK-based websites and the manner in which they are being marketed.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat leader in the London Assembly, said: Despite all the rhetoric by so many Westminster politicians about being tough on knife crime, the reality is that many practical policies have for too long not been properly adopted to tackle the horrendous loss of young lives caused by knife crime.

The sale of so called zombie and long-bladed knives has no practical purpose other than the pursuit of violence. A complete prohibition on their sale could not come sooner.

Recommended Read more More than 170 stolen Christmas presents found in Birmingham

A Bedfordshire-based online retailer last month admitted to breaching legislation dating back nearly 20 years which makes it illegal to sell knives in a way that suggests they might be suitable for combat or stimulate violent behaviour.

The investigation by Bedfordshire Police, which led to the owner of the Blade Bargains site accepting a caution, is believed to have been the first time that the section of the 1997 Knives Act has been used since it was introduced 19 years ago.

Police chiefs are now keen for it to be used more widely to counter dog whistle-style marketing of weaponry to be used on the undead which in reality poses a potentially lethal threat to the living.

The zombie killer weapons first grew popular in America, where they are popular with so-called preppers preparing for a Hollywood-inspired fantasy invasion of ghouls.

Under current legislation it is legal sell the weapons in Britain and keep them in a private residence but they cannot be legally carried in public.

The Independent last week found at least six UK-based websites marketing the weapons.

Recommended Read more Teenage boy stabbed to death at birthday party in London

One site, selling knives called The Exterminator or The Head Splitter, repeatedly described them as a close up way of exterminating the walking dead. Another site offered a 17-inch curved machete which it sells with a sheath to allow owners to have it on the go in potential breach of the law on carrying knives.

Mr Hitchcock said: There are grounds for concern about the manner in which some of these knives are being marketed and I think we should be looking at further use of the 1997 act.

The nature of these weapons means they could have only one possible use.

Crime statistics do not record the precise type of weapon used in knife crime but senior officers acknowledge there is anecdotal evidence of the use of zombie-type blades.

A 15-year-old teenager was last month stabbed outside a south London primary school with a weapon police said was so long that it had entered the victim from the front and exited at the rear.

Nationwide knife crime rose last for the first time in four years. There were 26,370 offences in England and Wales in 2014/15, reversing a downward trend since 2010/11.
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The suspected killer of ex-EastEnders actress Sian Blake has been arrested in Ghana, police have said.

Arthur Simpson-Kent gave himself up after hiding between rocks on a beach when police called out his name.

He had fled the UK following police questioning after his partner, Sian Blake, 43, and their two sons, Zachary, eight, and four-year-old Amon disappeared.

Sian Blake was last seen on 13 December (PA)

A murder investigation, launched almost three weeks after the trio were last seen on December 13, found their bodies in the garden of the family home in Erith Kent, on Tuesday.

All three had died as a result of head and neck injuries, it was reported.

According to the BBC, locals who knew he was wanted by police had notified the police of his location.

In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake A police forensic officers arrive at the house in Erith, Kent, which is being searched by the police in relation to the missing former EastEnders actress Sian Blake In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake A police forensic officer leaves the house in Erith, Kent In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake A police forensic officer leaves the house in Erith, Kent In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake A police forensic officer in the back garden of the house in Erith, Kent In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake Sian Blake has been missing, along with her children, Zachary, eight and fouryear-old Amon In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake Sian Blake's children, Zachary, eight, and Amon, four PA In pictures: Search for missing Sian Blake Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of Arthur Simpson-Kent, father of Sian Blake's two children and her partner

Interpol, the international crime fighting agency, had put out an international alert for his arrest on Thursday and Met offices arrives in Ghana on Friday.

He was caught in the village of Butre, two days after the Ghanaian police had begun their search, according to the Mail on Sunday.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Detectives have today, Saturday 9 January, been made aware of an arrest in Ghana.

Arthur Simpson-Kent on his arrival at Kotoka Airport in Accra, Ghana (ITV News/PA Wire)

The Mirror reported 10 armed police officers descended on the area Simpson-Kent was known to be hiding, in a coastal town.

He was found with a knife in his possession, but it had not been used in a threatening way.

Pictures showed him in dirty jeans and a t-shirt, with his armed handcuffed behind him, sat on a stool and surrounded by police and local villagers who had joined the man-hunt.

Simpson-Kent is expected to be flown back to the UK for questioning within a few days.

The case is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission over questions raised at Scotland Yards handling of the case, after it took three weeks to find the bodies.

Ms Blake had motor neurone disease  an illness which affects the brain and spinal cord  and was reported as looking very frail by neighbours in the days before she disappeared.

Her family spoke out about how Ms Blake had wanted to leave her boyfriend.

She had played Frankie Peirre in the popular BBC soap between 1996 and 1997.
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A 13-year standoff over gay rights and same-sex marriages could conclude on Monday with the first steps towards a permanent schism within the 85-million-strong global Anglican Communion.

African church leaders have threatened to walk out at the start of a week-long meeting of 38 national primates in Canterbury which begins on Monday to try to resolve a long-running dispute triggered by the consecration of an openly gay bishop in the United States.

Leaders of conservative African churches have insisted that the topic to restore godly order should be the first under discussion in Canterbury  while more than 100 Anglicans, including the Bishop of Buckingham, retaliated at the weekend by calling for the Church to apologise for its treatment of gay and lesbian Christians.

The open letter said the Anglican Church had made them feel second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God, often abandoned and alone.

With both sides entrenched and with no sign of compromise, reaching the end of the week with the majority of primates there would count as a success, a senior Church of England source said.

One conservative critic compared the Anglican Communion to the Titanic, holed beneath the waterline.

The largely African- and American-led opposition to same sex marriage and gay clergy has insisted that US and Canadian churches be brought into line as the price of the continuing unity of the Anglican Church.

Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, the head of the Church of Uganda, said: If such discipline and godly order is not restored, then I will withdraw from the meeting. Primates of countries including Kenya and Nigeria are expected to join the potential walkout.

A compromise to the break-up of the communion has been mooted, which could see the common doctrine of Anglicanism replaced by a looser confederation of national churches linked to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The conservative wing has already said that suggestion is unworkable, and a failure to resolve the issue this week could trigger the lengthy process for a permanent split, separating fast-growing conservative communions in Africa and South America from those with more liberal policies towards the gay clergy and same-sex marriage.

In a reflection of the discord, the different sides will reportedly be offered the opportunity to pray at separate venues during the meeting.

The Church of England said the door would remain open for any national church to rejoin in the event of a split.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: As we approach the primates meeting we need to recognise that were going to be dealing with some very, very difficult issues  within the life of the Anglican Communion but also hugely difficult issues that are affecting the whole church of Christ and our whole world.

The meeting will bring together for the first time the heads of both the US Episcopal Church and its rival conservative breakaway, the Anglican Church in North America (Acna), created in 2009 following the consecration of the openly gay Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire.

In a message to his followers on the eve of the meeting, the head of the Acna, Archbishop Foley Beach, said: What is at stake? It is the reputation of Jesus Christ.

It is the souls of millions of people who are being taught a false gospel and are being led into spiritual and sexual bondage under the pretence of the Christian faith.
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David Cameron wants to make it normal and even aspirational for people to take up parenting classes to help them communicate, discipline and play with their children.

Parents could receive vouchers to encourage them to continue with classes, even as their children grow older, as part of a wide-ranging plan to put family life at the heart of the PMs second term. Mr Cameron will also double funding to help more than 300,000 couples save their relationships as he looks to tackle poverty by reducing the number of separated parents over the next five years.

The Prime Minister wants to make parenting classes more accessible for families, he will say when he unveils what he will dub a Life Chances Strategy on 11 January. He is expected to say: It will examine the possible introduction of a voucher scheme for parenting classes and recommend the best way to incentivise parents to take them up.

In the end, getting parenting and the early years right isnt just about the hardest-to-reach families, its about everyone. We all have to work at it. And if you dont have a strong support network  if you dont know other mums or dads, having your first child can be enormously isolating.

Of course they dont come with a manual, but is it right that all of us get so little guidance? Weve made progress. Weve dramatically expanded the number of health visitors, and that is crucial.

But it deals with one particular part of parenting  the first few weeks and months. What about later on, when it comes to good play, communication, behaviour and discipline? We all need more help with this  the most important job well ever have. So I believe we now need to think about how to make it normal  even aspirational  to attend parenting classes.

The Government will also provide 70m over five years for couples counselling, supporting charities such as Relate, One Plus One and Marriage Care. About 160,000 couples were helped in the last Parliament from just 35m of funding; the extra cash will double that number and help train 10,000 relationship experts.

Mr Cameron is expected to say: Families are the best anti-poverty measure ever invented. They are a welfare, education and counselling system all wrapped up into one.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2022 Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews take part in the traditional Pier Walk along the harbour walls of St Andrews before the start of the new academic year PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2022 The Massed Pipes and Drums parade during the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2022 Number 12 Company Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks, central London, before commencing their first Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2022 A salmon leaps up the weir at Hexham in Northumberland, despite the drought warnings and low water levels, the River Tyne is still flowing well allowing the salmon and sea trout to head up river to spawn. Every year tens of thousands of salmon make the once-in-a-lifetime journey along the Tyne to spawn, having been out a sea PA UK news in pictures 31 August 2022 Flowers are placed at the gates outside Kensington Palace, London, the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales, on the 25th anniversary of her death PA

Children in families that break apart are more than twice as likely to experience poverty as those whose families stay together. Thats why strengthening families is at the heart of our agenda.

Conservative sources said this cradle-to-grave offer would help the party seize anti-poverty territory from Labour at a time when the opposition is distracted by infighting that has resulted from Jeremy Corbyns protracted reshuffle. They think the message will help dampen criticism that the Tories efforts to balance the nations books after the financial crisis have created greater inequality.

Relate chief executive Chris Sherwood said: Relationship support can help to reduce family breakdown, which is a key driver of poverty and can result in poor outcomes for children. Relationships are under increasing pressure. Currently over a million people every year access support from Relate, but this is the tip of the iceberg. This funding could make a real difference to the life chances of thousands of children.

The 70m will be delivered through contracts with charities and local authorities. The Department for Work and Pensions invited bids from family and relationship support organisations for some of the money in November. Those who have been successful will be notified in the next few weeks.

The organisations who have bid to deliver this support are from the family and relationship support sector, most of whom have extensive knowledge and experience in delivering family and couple support.

The Gingerbread charity has estimated that there are around 2 million single parents in the UK, accounting for one in four families with dependent children. The majority of single parents do not receive child maintenance from the absent parent, while two in five children in single-parent families live in relative poverty compared with one in four of those raised by couples.

Mr Cameron previously tried to present himself as a prime minister who puts families at the heart of domestic policymaking when he spoke at the Relationships Alliance Summit in 2014. He said: So for those of us who want to strengthen and improve society, there is no better way than strengthening families and strengthening the relationships on which families are built.

Whether its tackling crime and anti-social behaviour or debt and drug addiction; whether its dealing with welfare dependency or improving education outcomes  whatever the social issue ... the answer should always begin with family.
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David Cameron has pledged to regenerate and improve more than 100 of the countrys most rundown estates through a new 140 million fund.

Writing in the Sunday Times, the Prime Minister said brutal high-rise towers had contributed to the rise of poverty, gangs and anti-social behaviour and would be torn down.

He argues housing estates, particularly those built after the war, were entrenching poverty in Britain and isolating and trapping our families and communities.

In his article, he said although the worst estates house warm and welcoming families, brutal high-rise towers and dark alleyways are a gift to criminals and drug dealers.

Mr Cameron cited an analysis which suggested nearly three-quarters of all people involved in riots in England since 2011 came from these estates.

He said: Decades of neglect have led to gangs and anti-social behaviour. And poverty has become entrenched, because those who could afford to move have understandably done so.

The mission here is nothing short of social turnaround, and with massive estate regeneration, tenants protected, and land unlocked for new housing all over Britain, I believe we can tear down anything that stands in our way.

'How I learnt to love the council estate' Show all 5 1 /5 'How I learnt to love the council estate' 'How I learnt to love the council estate' 5444313.jpg Location, location: Peter Popham in front of his new home just two minutes from London's Regent's Park Anna Huix 'How I learnt to love the council estate' 5444314.jpg Rub of the green: The gardens at the estate on which Popham now lives Anna Huix 'How I learnt to love the council estate' 5444317.jpg National pride: Park Hill in Sheffield was listed in 2000 Daniel Hopkinson 'How I learnt to love the council estate' 5444318.jpg Bloomsbury's Brunswick Centre Rex Features 'How I learnt to love the council estate' 5444319.jpg Newcastle's Byker estate Alamy

He said some high-rise estates would be knocked down in order to start again, and that private homes could be built on wasted land currently used by poorly laid-out estates.

The initiative, which will be headed by Lord Heseltine, will be announced in detail in a keynote speech by Mr Cameron on Monday.

Lord Heseltine is to chair a panel which will report on how investment from bodies such as pension funds may be used, and a list of the estates most in need of regeneration will be drawn up.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark, told Sky News the government had learned a lot since badly designed estates were built in the 1960s or 1970s.

He said: We actually want to work with local communities to build more homes and a better future for existing tenants there.

 Occupiers at the Sweets Way Estate in north London evicted by dozens of bailiffs this morning - more on London Live News @OccupyLondon @SweetsWayN20

Labour said the initiative was still not enough, with shadow cabinet minister for housing John Healey saying the Conservatives had made too many announcements, but taken too little action.

He said: Another week, another housing announcement. If press statements built new homes, the Government would have the housing crisis sorted.

People simply wont see this small-scale scheme stretched over 100 estates making much difference to the housing problems in their area.

Any extra to help councils build new homes is welcome, but Conservative ministers have halved housing investment since 2010 and are doing too little to deal with the countrys housing pressures.
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As householders across the UK continue the great flood clean-up, many are battling with insurance companies. Some are discovering that they now face an insurance double whammy  especially if they live in one of the areas covered by the new fracking licences announced by the Government before Christmas.

Many of the UKs best known insurance companies will not insure against fracking-related damage, an investigation by The Independent on Sunday and the campaign group Spinwatch has found.

Recommended Read more The 7 pieces of bad news the Government tried to bury

This could include contamination caused by polluted water from a fracking site being spread during exceptional flood events and could also include groundwater contamination from underground fracking operations. Companies representing two thirds of the UK insurance market will not insure against damage caused as a result of fracking, or else have exemptions covering potential pollution of water from the controversial technique. This means tens of thousands of people will find it difficult to insure themselves against fracking-related damage to their property or land.

One in five of the 150 new fracking sites announced have been designated as having a significant risk of flooding and some flooded over the past month.

Top domestic insurers were approached by a test consumer saying they lived within five miles of a proposed fracking well in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, where Third Energy has applied to frack. The application could be decided by North Yorkshire County Councillors next month, as the council is under pressure from the Government to fast-track shale gas exploitation.

Fracking at Barton Moss near Manchester (AFP/Getty)

Insurers were asked whether they would provide cover against fracking-related damage, as well as contamination of water supplies. They were also asked if premiums would increase. Most declined to comment about increased premiums but some acknowledged that where there had been a high rate of claims then premiums will generally rise.

The UKs biggest domestic insurer, Direct Line, said although subsidence and earthquake caused by fracking are covered as they are insured risks, there is no cover for contamination caused by fracking as contamination is a general exclusion of our policy.

Lloyds Banking Group, the UKs second largest insurer, confirmed that policyholders would be protected against major perils  ground movement, earthquake and explosion. It was therefore likely we might offer assistance if affected by similar damage. However, asked what the insurers meant by likely, Lloyds declined to reply. It also pointed out that for a claim to be successful, you would have to be able to prove that fracking is the actual cause of the damage.

Experts warn this will be a high hurdle to overcome for most households, as potential water contamination problems could occur thousands of feet below ground or on the surface during flooding

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More Th>n said it would not cover contamination or earthquakes caused by fracking; and Axa replied that water contamination would not be covered by home insurance; you would need to contact your water supplier. Both Allianz and Nationwide said they would not cover contamination either.

Other companies outlined exemption clauses; Aviva said: In the event of pollution or contamination  our policies contain a general exclusion of loss, damage or liability by pollution or contamination unless due to sudden and unexpected accident.

LV= said that although it would cover fracking, If the damage was caused by poor workmanship of [fracking] contractors, this would not be covered.

Among those who would insure against the controversial technique, Legal & General said: There is no exclusion in our policy wording for any loss or damage caused by fracking.

The shale gas industry and the Government admit that insurance is a problem. Last year Ken Cronin, head of UK Onshore Oil and gas, the industry trade body, conceded that it was an area of concern.

A Defra report published last year admitted that fracking could cause nearby house prices to fall by up to 7 per cent and create a risk of environmental damage.

It also warned that leakage of waste fluids could affect human health through polluted water, and that properties located within a five-mile radius of a fracking operation may also incur an additional cost of insurance, to cover losses in case of explosion on the site.
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In the latest sign of Englands growing reputation as one of the finest wine-producing regions, a global industry conference on cool climate vineyards is to be held in Brighton. Leading winemakers and viticulturalists will meet in the Sussex coastal city in May with marketeers and others involved with producing and selling some of the worlds finest wines.

The presence of this years International Cool Climate Wine Symposium (ICCWS) in the UK is a culmination of a trip to Tasmania made in 2012  the last time the event was held  by Master of Wine Justin Howard-Sneyd and colleagues, hoping to persuade organisers to choose England as the next venue.

Recommended Read more English wine industry goes from strength to strength as warm weather

We did so because we firmly believed that the time was coming for England and Wales to be recognised as a top-quality wine-producing region in our own right, he said.

We put forward a convincing case backed up by the attractiveness of the UK as a country worth visiting and our account of the astonishing progress of our wine industry. Our pitch won the day.

Home-grown wines continue to go from strength to strength, with English sparkling wine in particular regularly challenging, and defeating, more famous foreign names at international awards.

The UK industry is enjoying rapid growth and there are now more than 1,600 hectares of vineyards, with almost 70 per cent in the southern and eastern counties: West and East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Essex. Other counties with sizeable vineyard areas include Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Suffolk and Cornwall.

Commercial vineyards also extend as far north as Yorkshire and there are even some experimental operations in Scotland.

Mr Howard-Sneyd said not many people currently understand what is meant by a cool climate wine.

But I am convinced that there is a great deal of demand for the kind of wines made in cool climates  delicate, refreshing, complex, balanced and aromatic, he said. I believe that in years to come, the phrase cool climate will have as much currency as the terms old world and new world.
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A filmmaker has revealed the "heartbreaking" rat-infested squalor his elderly grandfather is forced to live in at a retirement home in south London.

Omari Bryan and his mother, Maureen, created the seven-minute YouTube video to document the conditions at St Mauritius House - a sheltered housing block in Lewisham where his 88-year-old grandfather had been living for three years.

Ms Bryan said she felt compelled to act after the blocks owners - Hyde Housing Group - allegedly did not act on her concerns as she wanted to give the elderly residents of the 36-flat home a voice.

She said residents had become distressed after a rodent infestation began six months ago.

Residents had been forced to fund and bait their own traps to get rid of the rats, mice and cockroaches which were a common sight in the building.

Ms Byran said Hyde did send a pest control firm to eradicate the rats but the problem had got worse since then.

A resident explained the company had put down poison but the rats had simply moved around it.

A major leak on the outside of St Mauritius House in Lewisham.

The video showed the kitchen covered in rat droppings that had been left to rot.

One female resident described how there had been a serious water leak for the past six years but the group had only made superficial attempts to fix it.

Another resident said he had lived in his flat for 145 days without any working lightning.

He said there was a leak in his ceiling which meant the floor got covered in water every time it rains but every day they say they coming but they never come.

One man had been promised his leaking roof will be fixed but 'they never come' (Omari Byran/YouTube)

The granddaughter of one of the other tenants said she had previously her children to come to stay with their great-grandmother overnight but its not possible now.

She said: "Its not fair. Its not nice. Im sure theyve got the resources to deal with this and if they do not they need to sort it...it's causing a lot of resident stress and they need to pull their finger out".

Ms Bryan said the company has increased the annual service charge but residents have lost the on-site maintenance worker.

She said residents feel "marginalised and abandoned".

A spokeswoman for the Hyde Group told the Evening Standard the majority of the residents concerns had addressed in the video had already been addressed and the rest would be fixed within the next week.

She said: "We are sorry to hear that residents at St Mauritius House have a number of concerns which have taken time to resolve.

The increasing strain on NHS resources Show all 4 1 /4 The increasing strain on NHS resources The increasing strain on NHS resources Breaking point: NHS strain The increasing strain on NHS resources Breaking point: NHS strain The increasing strain on NHS resources Breaking point: NHS strain The increasing strain on NHS resources Breaking point: NHS strain

"The problems some residents have experienced in relation to rodent infestation are likely to have arisen due to large scale building works in the local area displacing vermin.

"Our contractors have worked to try to eradicate the problem and this week and next week are attending to lay down further bait in common areas and individual flats as necessary.

"Residents will be compensated for any reasonable costs incurred for vermin treatment in their homes during the time it has taken to resolve the current situation. We will make sure we focus effort on ridding the scheme of this problem."
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Scotland is set to be relieved from record-breaking spell of wet and unseasonably mild weather as freezing temperatures blow in from the north.

However, a number of severe weather warnings have been issued for Scotland and England for Sunday.

Parts of north east Scotland have suffered major flooding in recent days. In the towns of Inverurie, Port Elphinstone and Ellon, homes were evacuated as the River Don burst its banks.

The Donside area, Keith, Huntly, Turriff, Kintore and parts of Aberdeen have also been affected.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited communities affected by flooding in Inverurie and Newton Stewart.

10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Show all 10 1 /10 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Flooding at Millside in Peterculter Fubar News 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Homes in Millside in Peterculter were evacuated Fubar News 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Flooding at Millside in Peterculter Fubar News 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Men working during flooding in Pitullie Fubar News 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Flooded Station Road Longside, Peterhead Fubar News 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods A woman on a boat during severe flooding in Scotland Fubar News 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods River Don at Kemnay flooding Fubar News 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Members of the emergency services wade along Canal Road in Port Elphinstone, near Aberdeen, this morning after the River Don burst its banks 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Flooded houses at Port Elphinstone, near Aberdeen, this morning after the River Don burst its banks 10 pictures of northern Scotland's floods Flooding in the village of Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland

On visiting some of the areas, she said: "In the face of devastation Scotland's communities have rallied together and shown real strength.

I have met with some local business owners who have made a real difference by offering vital support and once again I am amazed by the determination and dedication of all of our emergency services who are working around the clock to save homes and livelihoods.

She also promised an extra 12 million in funding to help flood victims. This money will include a 1,500 grant for every household, business premises or charity directly affected by flood water, and a 5 million fund for councils to replace damaged infrastructure.

People in any part of the country who have suffered from the floods, which followed Storm Frank, can apply for a grant.

This funding follows Deputy First Minister John Swinneys budgetary promise of an extra 4 million to help manage the effects of flooding.

Opposition politicians have welcomed the money but argued that it must be delivered effectively.

Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour's environmental justice spokeswoman, has furthered calls for a review of flood defence infrastructure.

She said: "It is vital that those affected receive this money as soon as possible. Families and local businesses can't wait for months for this support to actually arrive.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes, who lives in Ellon, one of the town's badly hit by flooding, said: "I'm pleased the First Minister has finally given us details of how the Scottish Government plans to help home owners, business owners and farmers affected by the recent flooding get back on track.

"Lessons need to be learnt on what's happened in Scotland since the start of 2016 because I still think this response took place at a snail's pace."

Press Association contributed to this report.
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Irish politicians have renewed calls for a disputed collection of impressionist paintings to be returned to Dublin from London, in the latest episode of a controversy which has lasted over a century.

The paintings, a collection of 39 works by artists including Monet, Manet and Renoir, were left to London's National Gallery in the will of Sir Hugh Lane, an Irish-born art collector who was one of the 1,198 people who died on board the RMS Lusitania after it was sunk in the Atlantic by a German submarine in 1915.

The important collection was transferred to the National Gallery, before it was discovered that Lane had made an amendment to his will, in which he said he wanted the paintings to be left to the National Gallery in Dublin instead.

This amendement was signed by Lane but not witnessed - meaning London kept the legal rights to the collection. The campaign for the return of the paintings to Ireland has been a prominent Nationalist cause ever since, leading two young Irish men to steal one of the paintings in a daring 1956 protest.

A number of agreements have been made over the years, and much of the collection is now on loan to Dublin's Hugh Lane gallery - but a 1979 deal to loan 30 of the paintings to Ireland for 40 years is nearing expiry.

Now, Dublin City Council is set to debate a motion calling for a formal demand for the paintings' return.

The motion was brought by city councillor Jim O'Callaghan, from the nationalist Fianna Fail party, who said the London National Gallery should recognise that "the moral right to these paintings rests in Dublin."

"I think it is important that the political representatives of the city of Dublin indicate that they believe the paintings should be returned to their rightful home," he said.

"Once the current agreement is up I think the fairest arrangement would be for the paintings to be returned to their proper home."

A return of the paintings this year would coincide with Ireland's celebrations of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, a revolt against British rule which eventually led to Irish independence.

The National Gallery did not comment on the future of the collection or what will happen after the current agreement expires in 2019.

Last year, National Gallery director Nicholas Penny said Dublin "has some moral claim" to the collection, a comment which was welcomed by the Hugh Lane Gallery as the "clearest public acknowledgement of Dublin's right to these paintings."
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The menu is chalked on a blackboard; the crockery, pre-chipped and artfully mismatched; the outside resplendent in heritage hollybush green. Behind the bar, in the de rigueur open kitchen, flames burst from a flambeed steak as diners look on from rickety chairs scattered around flaking wooden tables.

So far, so gastropub. But The Eagle, which celebrates its 25th birthday on 14 January, isnt just any old London boozer serving food, but the site of a dining revolution that spawned thousands of imitators, changing the way the British eat while we drink.

The term itself might be contentious  gastropubs have not graced The Good Food Guides pages since 2011, although the industry mouthpiece, The Publicans Morning Advertiser, holds its annual celebration of the top 50 gastropubs later this month  but the concept is as familiar as some of the overused conceits to describe the grub. (Whos for some jus on their good, honest food?)

Before Michael Belben and David Eyre acquired the lease on the corner property on Farringdon Road in late 1990, central London pubs were not places anyone sober would seek out sustenance. You went to restaurants to eat, and pubs to drink, usually heavily. But, on 14 January 1991, the two friends started dishing up Venetian sausages with lentils, grilling goats cheese to top focaccia, and frying those bifana marinated steaks to stuff into a roll. Neither they, nor the rest of Britain, has looked back.

We worked in restaurants, Belben recalls, but couldnt afford to go out and eat in them. The pair dreamed of places such as Ruth Rogers and Rose Grays The River Cafe and Alistair Littles former restaurant in Soho.

We werent really pub-going people because pubs didnt seem to answer our needs, says Eyre, who sold his stake to his partner after seven years. We wanted to open a place where we would like to go, and we knew there were lots of people like us whod like to go there as well.

The Monopolies Commission had ordered the big brewers to sell off their pubs, and the duo duly snapped up the Farringdon site.

The day we opened, we had nothing. We emptied our pockets of small change to put into the till. Because we had no fridges, the menu changed twice a day, says the talkative Eyre, the first of what has still only been three head chefs. Belben remembers ringing round newspaper food critics; the first to turn up was Emily Green from The Independent. Her review from 9 February, 1991, rated the voguish Italian food ... best, a trio of spicy pork sausages served with a thyme and olive-spiked gratin, a write-up that Belben credits with kicking the whole thing off.

Today, Green, who long ago decamped to the US, remembers the place feeling like sunshine, in contrast to its counterparts, which were dark, even at noon.

They were smoky. They stank of old beer and Silk Cut. Seek out lunch and there might have been bangers, mash and congealing baked beans under heat lamps. By night, most London pubs hardened off into places where you could drink, smoke and, only when in the grip of alcohol poisoning, stagger off in search of solids. [The Eagle] was a place where you might have some beer with your food, not crisps with your lager. It felt as accessible and welcoming as a pub, but at the same time, more like a dining room instead of a boozer. Real men could order a half pint.

Within seven weeks, the pair had banked more money than they had optimistically promised their bank manager they would make in a year: Theres only about 40 places to sit and we used to sometimes do 140 people in two hours! Eyre again. It took barely eight months before Jonathan Meades predicted the ensuing revolution in The Times, writing: It is certain to be copied sooner or later by The Malt Cartel - ineptly copied, of course, with no understanding of what makes it tick. It is not a former pub, it still is a pub  but one whose owners have written the rules.

Today, Eyre grimaces at the gastropub epithet. We dont really like the term. We always felt it was just a pub. You dont have gastro-hotels. You dont have gastro-bars. It sounds like a belch! The writer Charles Campion is credited with coining the word; wrongly, he insists. The Oxford Dictionary quoted one of the first sightings as one of my reviews in the Evening Standard, but I dont remember writing the term, he says.

Although Rochelle Venables, the editor of The Good Food Guide, reckons the term fails to convey the flexible approach to hospitality that pubs have traditionally offered to diners and drinks [becoming] synonymous with restaurant ambitions, gastropubs live on for Campion because they dish up the goods.

If I say, Come out to dinner at a gastropub, you know what I mean, he explains.

Chefs have told me that customers can tire of the term when a pub names itself a gastropub because they serve a burger with a bit of bacon in it or posh pork scratchings. But true gastropubs are more than that, and I think the public knows that too, says Nicholas Robinson, the food editor at The Publicans Morning Advertiser. The trade is eager to find out where they rank in the papers Top 50 Gastropubs list, out on 25 January, he adds.

Nick Deverell-Smith, the chef proprietor of The Churchill Arms in Paxford, Gloucestershire, speaks for those who feel the sector has moved on. Gastro sounds like a big, loud, garish word, something almost mass produced, with big portions. Id say were a food-destination pub.

Or, for those such as Tom Kerridge, whose feted Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, is shiny with stars, try Michelinns. You read it here first.
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The UK government has been informed it is in breach of national, EU and international law by supplying British-made missiles and military equipment to Saudi Arabia, and may face legal action.

Numerous human rights groups, the European parliament and the UN since last year have said weapons sold to Saudi Arabia may have been used to kill innocent civilians.

And lawyers acting on behalf of the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) have prepared a legal letter, accusing the government of failing in its legal duty to prevent and condemn violations of international humanitarian law.

According to the Guardian, the 19-page letter warns the government it is behaving unlawfully by refusing to suspend current licences on military equipment, as well as continuing to issue new ones that may be used in Yemen in the future.

The letter, intended for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which approves export licences, cites article two of the EU Council Common Position on arms sales.

The article states that the UK is compelled to exercise special caution and vigilance in issuing licences, specifically when it comes to countries where serious violations of human rights have been established.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

It adds that Member States of the EU shall deny an export licence if there is a clear risk that the military technology or equipment to be exported might be used in the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The contents of the letter, written by lawyers from law firm Leigh Day, have been echoed in an analysis by international law experts commissioned by Amnesty International and Safeworld, both members of the control arms campaign.

The law experts, from Matrix Chambers, concluded the UK government can be deemed to have had actual knowledge of Saudis use of weapons, including those supplied by the UK, in attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, in violation of international law since at least May 2015.

The Government has been given 14 days to suspend licences allowing the export of arms to Saudi Arabia by lawyers representing CAAT, reports the Guardian.

 Yemen: Airstrike hits centre for the blind in Sanaa as Saudi-led bombing continues

Andrew Smith of CAAT said in a statement in December: The UK has continued to support air strikes and provide arms, despite strong evidence that war crimes are being committed.

The Saudi regime has an appalling human rights record at home and abroad and these arms sales should never have been approved in the first place.

The accusations come after it emerged the Conservative government has licenced 5.6bn in sales of arms, fighter jets, and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia since 2010.

The figure was revealed after Saudi authorities carried out a mass execution of 47 prisoners, prompting global outrage.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Business confirmed to the Guardian it had received the legal letter, but could not comment due to ongoing legal action.
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Jeremy Corbyn has suffered a double blow after a fourth Labour MP resigned her post in protest over his reshuffle, and one of the partys own whips criticised the sackings of authentic, working-class voices from the Shadow Cabinet.

Alison McGovern, the chair of the Blairite campaign group Progress, has quit from her position running John McDonnells economic policy review into how to reduce child poverty and boost low incomes.

Recommended Read more Labour MP receives unbelievably sexist letter after appearing on TV

Her resignation comes after three shadow ministers, Jonathan Reynolds, Stephen Doughty and Kevan Jones, resigned on Wednesday in protest at the sackings of Pat McFadden and Michael Dugher from Mr Corbyns front bench.

The discontent over Mr Corbyns leadership shows no sign of being stemmed. Party whips are normally the enforcers of loyalty, but, speaking to The Independent on Sunday, the Labour whip Conor McGinn said: I wasnt surprised that Pat and Michael were sacked. They are authentic, working-class, traditional Labour voices. Sadly, those seem to be getting fewer and fewer. If we arent careful, Labour will completely lose touch with the people we are supposed to represent.

Ms McGoverns resignation from her policy role was prompted by claims from John McDonnell, the shadow Chancellor, that the three MPs who quit as ministers were a right-wing clique who did not represent the party and had coordinated their resignations to inflict maximum damage on Labour. He also said her campaign group Progress, to which the MPs belonged, was pursuing a right-wing, conservative agenda and was hard right.

Ms McGovern yesterday hit out at Mr McDonnells accusation, saying he had stepped over [the] line.

We all misspeak when we are tired  but he went on to repeat this disappointing slur as he toured the media studios in an attempt to defend the messy and divisive reshuffle he has been helping to organise, she said. He clearly meant it and, as shadow Chancellor, he should know better.

A friend of Ms McGovern said she had tried to work for the new Labour leadership. John McDonnell wasnt Alisons choice, but she knuckled down and agreed to chair the review for John because shes a party loyalist. She respected the members decision and she wanted to do everything she could to make it work.

Members voted for Jeremy but they did not vote for John McDonnell to smear people who have devoted their lives to the party as conservatives or the hard right.

However, Mr Corbyns aides insisted that he has emerged from the reshuffle in a stronger position, having removed his most ardent opponents on the Labour front bench and asserted his authority over Hilary Benn, the shadow Foreign Secretary.

Critics hit out at the reasons given for sacking or demoting shadow ministers in the reshuffle. Mr Dugher said the Labour leader had told him that he had been sacked because he didnt like things Id been writing. Mr Dugher said he had only written in defence of good colleagues and the new politics.

Mr McFadden was given a six-point dossier of disloyalty, including a question in the Commons in which he stressed that IS alone was responsible for the deaths in Paris  and the West was not to blame.

The shadow Defence Secretary, Maria Eagle, was demoted to culture spokesman because of her support for the renewal of Trident nuclear weapons  which remains Labours official party policy.
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Eurosceptic ministers are being put off joining the campaign for Britain to leave the EU by the angry, unintelligent, divided mob leading it, a member of the Cabinet has revealed.

The senior Tory, who has yet to make up his mind about which way to vote in the referendum, said sensible Eurosceptics wanted to distance themselves from the hardline leaders of the leave campaign despite their own reservations about Britains membership of the EU.

Recommended Read more Tory and Labour MPs join Nigel Farage in calling for Brexit

The remarks are likely to be seen as a warning that the campaign for British exit from Europe is dominated by divisive figures such as Ukip leader Nigel Farage and veteran Tory Eurosceptics Bernard Jenkin, John Redwood and Owen Paterson.

It comes amid claims that senior Tory donors have become disillusioned with the tactics of the leading anti-EU campaign group Vote Leave, after activists gatecrashed a speech by the Prime Minister to the CBI last year.

There have also been rumblings of discontent within the Vote Leave campaign, which is run by Michael Goves former adviser Dominic Cummings.

Richard Murphy, the former director of the ground campaign, has left to join the rival Ukip-backed group Leave.eu. The Independent on Sunday also understands that there have been five other recent resignations.

The Vote Leave campaign, however, insists that its senior team have all remained in place.

But the Cabinet minister  speaking anonymously to The IoS  said: The problem is, they look like an angry, unintelligent, divided mob which sensible Eurosceptics want nothing to do with. People like Sajid [Javid] and myself are being put off.

The minister added that David Cameron needed to come back with substantial reforms. It cant just be a referendum in the status quo, he said. There needs to be ... enough to show the relationship is changing.

There have also been claims that ministers are being censored by No 10 to stop Eurosceptic statements in the Commons. The Cabinet minister revealed he had been told to send a planned statement to the Cabinet Office to be checked. It was returned with anti-EU elements removed.
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Jeremy Corbyn has come out in defence of his much-maligned shadow cabinet reshuffle, saying the party has emerged stronger, more diverse and more coherent as a result.

The Labour leader's 34-hour deliberations - dubbed the night of the blunt knives by journalists - saw shadow ministers Michael Dugher and Pat McFadden sacked after they publicly criticised his policies.

Maria Eagle, who supports the UK's nuclear deterrent in spite of her leader's opposition, was also demoted from her role as shadow Defence Secretary.

Writing in the Observer, Mr Corbyn called on the party to show unity and oppose the systematic undermining of democracy by the Conservative government.

In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Show all 11 1 /11 In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Jonathan Reynolds,Shadow Railways Minister: RESIGNED He resigned as shadow railways minister in protest at the reasons for sacking Pat McFadden In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Kevan Jones, Shadow Defence Minister: RESIGNED He resigned as a shadow defence minister who strongly supports renewal of Trident. Has spoken out against Jeremy Corbyns leadership before and was also the centre of a row with Ken Livingstone after he said Jones might need some psychiatric help (Jones has previously spoken about his struggle with depression) In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Stephen Doughty, Shadow Foreign Minister: RESIGNED He quit as a shadow foreign minister in protest at the sacking of his colleague Pat McFadden as shadow Europe minister. He said he had looked at his own conscience and decided to step down In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Pat McFadden, Shadow Europe Minister: SACKED He was sacked as shadow Europe minister for "disloyalty" to leader Jeremy Corbyn In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Pat Glass, Shadow Europe Minister: SAFE Former junior shadow education minister Pat Glass replaced Pat McFadden as shadow Europe minister In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Emily Thornberry, Shadow Defence Secretary: SAFE She was promoted to shadow defence secretary. She is anti-Trident and therefore more in tune with Corbyns stance and replaces Maria Eagle, who was pro-Trident Getty In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Emma Lewell-Buck, Shadow Minister for Devolution and Local Government: SAFE Emma Lewell-Buck was promoted to shadow minister for devolution and local government In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Michael Dugher, Shadow Culture Secretary: SACKED Outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyns leadership, has been sacked as shadow culture secretary for his "incompetence and disloyalty" In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Hilary Benn, Shadow Foreign Secretary: SAFE Hilary Benn remains as shadow foreign secretary, but Corbyns team has insisted his role now comes with new conditions that he must agree with Corbyn over foreign policy. Benn insists there are no new conditions attached to his job and insisted: "I haven't been muzzled. I'm going to be carrying on doing my job exactly as before In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Maria Eagle, Shadow Culture Secretary: SAFE Maria Eagle, moved from shadow defence to shadow culture secretary as part of Corbyns move to make his defence team match his anti-Trident views In pictures: Jeremy Corbyn reshuffle Andy Burnham, Shadow Home Secretary: SAFE Reports linked him to foreign secretary brief, but Corbyn appears to have backed down on sacking Hilary Benn. He does not see eye-to-eye with Corbyn on home affairs such as the Snoopers charter, but removing your shadow home secretary so soon after starting would have been a dangerous move by Corbyn

The leader said he was confident Labour could "build a coalition of electoral support that can beat the Tories in four years time".

Anger over the reshuffle saw three Labour frontbenchers - Jonathan Reynolds, Stephen Doughty and Kevan Jones - resign the following day in protest.

And the shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn, though spared the sack, was reportedly told he could no longer directly disagree with Mr Corbyn from the front bench.

Two ministers resigned over the leadership's treatment of shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden

Mr Corbyn said he believes the reason Labour lost in May is because they failed to convince the public they offered a real alternative.

He criticised the Tory policies to cut public services and [bank] on rising household debt to keep the economy afloat.

And he said the Tories were involved in a power grab to rig the political system to keep themselves in power and weaken the opposition, both inside and outside parliament.

The real middle Britain  of insecure self-employment, rip-off private pensions, unaffordable housing, mounting tuition fee debt and crisis-ridden social care  is crying out for a Labour government committed to fundamental reform," he wrote.

My election as Labour leader represented a deep-seated desire for change and for a new direction in our politics. Its hardly surprising if some find that shift difficult to adjust to.

Stephen Doughty announced his intention to resign on BBC's Daily Politics following Pat McFadden's sacking

But we will maintain a broad-based leadership, with space for a wide range of views and all the talents.

Labour stands for social justice and prosperity for all. It exists to deliver the jobs, security, services and life chances denied to so many. That is what Labour is for. Thats why we are building the genuine democratic alternative that the Tories are so determined to stifle.
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Three members of Jeremy Corbyns Shadow Cabinet have refused to rule out resigning if the party changes its policy on retaining Britains nuclear weapon capability.

Last week the Labour leader replaced the shadow Defence Secretary, Maria Eagle, with Emily Thornberry, one of the few senior figures in the party who supports his call for Britain to disarm unilaterally.

Mr Corbyn intends to use a party review of its policy on nuclear weapons to push for change in position ahead of a vote on renewing Trident that is expected to take place in the House of Commons this year.

The Trident supporters  Owen Smith, the shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Lord Falconer, the shadow Justice Secretary, and Lucy Powell, the shadow Education Secretary  refused to confirm whether they would remain in their posts if the partys policy shifted.

That would be difficult for me, Mr Smith told BBC 5 Live. I think the key thing that I would do is stick in, in the run-up to that decision, and make the case.

We have got to have, I think, a very adult argument in the Labour Party about this  not in public I hope, not in the way in which we have occasionally argued publicly recently  but it is an enormously serious, technical, strategic question for Britain as to what the nature of our nuclear weapons are and whether we have a nuclear deterrent.

I would be very surprised if we get to a position where the Labour Party policy is one of unilateral disarmament <p>Lucy Powell, the shadow Education Secretary</p>

My view is that unfortunately we do need one.

Lucy Powell

Meanwhile, Lord Falconer was asked a similar question on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show.

Lets see what happens in relation to that but I am clear that I support Trident remaining, he said.

What Im doing is doing my best to make Labour effective and the broader the church that we are, the more we reach out to the public and reaching out to the public is what weve got to be doing.

Meanwhile, Ms Powell refused to say in an interview with Andrew Neil whether she would remain in post should Labour support unilateralism.

But she expressed hope that the review would not result in Labour pledging to abandon nuclear weapons entirely.

I would be very surprised if after all of the discussion that we will go through over many, many months with the National Policy Forum, with the Shadow Cabinet, the Parliamentary Labour Party and all aspects of the party, I would be very surprised if we get to a position where the Labour Party policy is one of unilateral disarmament, she said.

Mr Corbyn was reported to be planning to shift policy-making power from the Shadow Cabinet to Labours National Executive Committee, where he commands greater support, in order to push through his reform agenda.

However, several big unions, including the GMB and Unite, are broadly supportive of Trident because they have members who rely on the industry for jobs. Whether they could be persuaded to change their position remains to be seen and any final decision would have to be agreed at the Labour conference, which remains the partys ultimate decision-making body.

In his interview on The Andrew Marr Show, Lord Falconer was highly critical of Mr Corbyns decision to sack the Labour shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden for perceived disloyalty. The decision as to who is in and who is out of the shadow frontbench team is entirely a matter for the leader, Lord Falconer said.

My own view about Pat McFadden is he was an absolutely excellent European minister. Ive known Pat over a very long period of time and he is an absolutely exceptional public servant. I certainly wouldnt have fired him.
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The families of two of Britains pre-eminent political figures of the 20th-century have launched a scathing attack on anti-EU campaigners, for using their relatives to try to persuade voters to back a vote to leave.

Sir Winston Churchill and Emmeline Pankhurst were featured in campaign video released by the main anti-EU campaign group, Vote Leave.

Churchills grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames, said the wartime leader was a profound believer in the values of European co-operation, and suggested that Churchills views would never have aligned with those of the Vote Leave campaign.

Meanwhile Helen Pankhurst, Emmelines granddaughter, said the suffragette who was instrumental in the battle for equality had been a great internationalist, and the whole family was in favour of Britain remaining in the EU.

The video that sparked their anger highlighted the achievements of Britons such as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale in shaping the worlds of politics, science and human endeavour.

It ends by saying: British heroes changed the world. Dont believe those who talk Britain down, those who say we are too weak to control our own affairs. Lets take control. Vote Leave.

Winston Churchill was a profound believer in the values of European co-operation and the need for it, and I am very disappointed to see these people twisting his views <p>Sir Nicholas Soames, Winston Churchill's grandson</p>

Sir Nicholas, the Conservative MP for Mid Sussex, said the inclusion of his grandfather Sir Winston Churchill was offensive. Vote Leave has absolutely no right to use my grandfather in their campaign, and they really must stop doing this immediately, he said.

Emmeline Pankhurst (Getty)

Winston Churchill was a profound believer in the values of European co-operation and the need for it, and I am very disappointed to see these people twisting his views to suit their own ends.

This is made more offensive to his family since they did not have the courtesy to consult us beforehand. The only decent course for Vote Leave is to take this video down and to apologise for their dishonourable action.

Ms Pankhurst added: Numbering Emmeline among the prominent supporters of the Vote Leave campaign is outrageous.

The Pankhursts were great internationalists, believing in breaking down borders across the world. Although Emmeline was in favour of the First World War, she lived in, and loved, France.

For Britain to move out of the European Union would have appalled her and her suffragette daughters.

Today, her grandson Richard, his son and daughter Alula and Helen, and other members of the family around the world do not support the campaign to take Britain out of Europe.

We ask that the mention of Emmeline in the video is removed  with an apology.

Vote Leave, which produced the heroes video, is determined to ensure that its campaign against Britains membership of the EU is not portrayed as being simply about immigration and anti-Brussels sentiment.

The group has tried to craft a message highlighting the positive benefits to the UK outside of the European Union, in a deliberate attempt to reassure swing voters who dont like the EU but are worried about going it alone. However, as the campaign heats up, every public utterance on each side of the debate is being intensely scrutinised by opponents, in an attempt to discredit the others cause.

Matthew Elliott, the chief executive of Vote Leave, said his organisation stood by its video and would not be apologising to the living descendants of Churchill and Pankhurst.

The Britain Stronger in Europe campaign and Cameron talk Britain down, he said. British heroes helped change the world  we can do that again if we take back control and spend our money on our priorities.
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A feminist campaigner who claims she was raped by a man in a shower at a hostel in South Africa and went on to live blog the immediate aftermath, has spoken out about her decision to share her trauma so graphically.

Speaking to Marie Claire, 27-year-old Amber Amour said she turned to social media for support in order to break the social norms of feeling ashamed after being sexually assaulted.

The activist started her Stop Rape. Educate campaign in September 2014 after she says she was sexually assaulted by her roommate in New York City.

The alleged second assault happened while on her Stop Rape. Educate World Tour.

She said: I immediately couldnt keep what had happened a secret. Here I was, telling survivors every single day that they should speak up I knew I had to practice what I preached.

Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Show all 19 1 /19 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Afghanistan Recommendation: I urge the Government of Afghanistan to adopt legislative reforms to ensure that sexual violence offences are not conflated with adultery or morality crimes and to establish infrastructure for the delivery of protection, health and le gal services to survivors. I call on the Ministry of the Interior to accelerate efforts to integrate women into the Afghan National Police, thereby enhancing its outreach and its capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Central African Republic Recommendation: I urge the authorities of the Central African Republic to ensure that efforts to restore security and the rule of law take into account the prevention of sexual violence and that monitoring of the ceasefire and peace agreement explicitly reflects this consideration, in line with the joint communique of the Government and the United Nations on the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence signed in December 2012. I further encourage the authorities to make the rapid response unit to combat sexual violence operational and to establish a special criminal court Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Colombia Recommendation: I commend the Government of Colombia for the progress made to date and its collaboration with the United Nations, including through the visit of my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict in March 2015. I encourage the authorities to implement Law 1719 and continue to prosecute cases of sexual violence committed during the conflict to ensure that survivors receive justice and receive reparations. Conflict-related sexual violence should continue to be addressed in the Havana peace talks, as well as in the resulting accords and transitional justice mechanisms. Particular attention should be paid to groups that face additional barriers to justice such as ethnic minorities, women in rural areas, children, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and women abused within the ranks of armed groups. I encourage the Government to scale up its protection measures and share its good practices with other conflict-affected countries Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Congo Recommendation: I urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure full implementation of the armed forces action plan against sexual violence, to systematically bring perpetrators to justice and to deliver reparations to victims, including payment of outstanding compensation awards. I call on donors and the United Nations system to support the Government in its efforts and to pay increased attention to neglected areas, including unregulated mining regions Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Iraq Recommendation: I commend the Government of Iraq for its national action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and urge its swift implementation, including by training its security forces to ensur e respect for womens rights. Programmes to support the social reintegration of women and girls released from captivity by ISIL are urgently needed, as is community-based medical and psychological care. The capacity of the United Nations system should be enhanced through the deployment of Womens Protection Advisers or equivalent specialists Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Libya Recommendation: I urge the national authorities in Libya to implement Decree No. 119 and Resolution 904 of 2014 to ensure redress for all victims, including those affected by the current conflict, through the establishment of multisectoral services and the adoption of legislation to categorically prohibit sexual violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Mali Recommendation: I urge the Government of Mali, with support from United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, to develop a comprehensive national strategy to combat sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers so that services can reach remote areas. I further call on all parties to ensure that conflict-related sexual violence is addressed in the inter-Malian dialogue and that perpetrators of sexual violence do not benefit from amnesty or early release Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Myanmar Recommendation: I urge the Government of Myanmar to continue with its reform agenda and, in the process, take practical and timely actions to protect and support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and to ensure that security personnel accused of such crimes are prosecuted. Sexual violence should be an element in all ceasefire and peace negotiations, excluded from the scope of amnesty provisions and addressed in transitional justice processes. It is critical that women be able to participate consistently in and influence these processes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Somalia Recommendation: I reiterate my call to the Federal Government of Somalia to implement the commitments made under the joint communique of 7 May 2013 and its national action plan to combat sexual violence in conflict, including specific plans for the army and the police. I encourage the adoption of a sexual offences bill as a matter of priority Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life South Sudan Recommendation: I urge the parties to the conflict in South Sudan to adopt action plans to implement the commitments made under their respective communiques. I call upon the Government of South Sudan to address the negative impact of customary law on womens rights and to reflect international human rights standards in national law. I also encourage the African Union to make public and act upon the report of its Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sudan (Darfur) Recommendation: I call upon the Government of the Sudan to grant the United Nations and its humanitarian partners unfettered access for monitoring and the provision of assistance to people in need in Darfur. Given that there has been grave concern over sexual violence in Darfur for more than a decade, I encourage the Government to engage with my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to develop a framework of cooperation to address the issue comprehensively Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Syria Recommendation: I acknowledge the Governments invitation to my Special Representative to visit the Syrian Arab Republic and call upon the authorities, in the context of such a visit, to agree on specific measures to prevent sexual violence, including by members of the security forces. I condemn the use of sexual violence by ISIL and all other parties listed in the annex to the present report and call on them to cease such violations immediately and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Yemen Recommendation: I urge the authorities in Yemen to undertake legislative reform as a basis for addressing impunity for sexual violence, ensuring the provision of services for survivors and aligning the minimum legal age of marriage with international standards. I further call on the authorities to engage with local community and faithbased leaders to address sexual and gender-based violence and discriminatory social norms Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Bosnia and Herzegovina Recommendation: I urge the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to harmonize legislation and policies so that the rights of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to reparations are consistently recognized and to allocate a specific budget for this purpose. I further call upon the authorities to protect and support survivors participating in judicial proceedings through, inter alia, referrals to free legal aid, psychosocial and health services, as well as economic empowerment programmes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Ivory Coast Recommendation: I urge the Government of Cote dIvoire to ensure the effective implementation of its national strategy to combat gender-based violence and the action plan for FRCI, and call on the international community to support these efforts. It is critical to accelerate disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and strengthen law enforcement to ensure that ex-combatants who have been reintegrated into the transport sector do not pose a risk to women and girls who are reliant on those services. The Government and the international community must provide monitoring and awareness-raising to mitigate the possibility of a recurrence of sexual violence in the context of the presidential elections to be held in October 2015 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Liberia Recommendation: I call on the Government of Liberia to continue its critical efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence including through the United Nations-Government of Liberia Joint Programme, and in the context of recovery from the Ebola virus epidemic Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nepal Recommendation: I encourage the Government to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are recognized under the law as conflict victims, which will enable them to access services, judicial remedies and reparations. I further call on all parties involved in the transitional justice process to ensure that the rights and needs o f survivors of sexual violence are addressed in institutional reforms and that these crimes are excluded from amnesties and statutes of limitations Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sri Lanka Recommendation: I call upon the newly elected Government of Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of sexual violence, including against national armed and security forces, and to provide multisectoral services for survivors, including reparations and economic empowerment programmes for women at risk, including war widows and female heads of household Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nigeria Recommendation: I encourage the Government to implement its national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) to ensure that womens protection concerns are mainstreamed throughout its security operations. I also call upon the authorities to guarantee security in and around internally displaced persons camps and to extend medical and psychosocial services to high-risk areas

So the first thing I did was take a picture and write a post, describing what had happened.

I told the story truthfully. There were definitely details I could have left out  there were definitely details I wanted to leave out."

Ms Amour received many messages of support from her followers, but also thousands of negative comments on her posts, which she says she was not expecting and led her to take a break from social media.

Speaking up is one of the best ways to fight back," she added.

"When we start telling each other about what has happened to us  be if face-to face, over the phone or on social media  it creates a sense of shame.

"But this time, its placed on those who are actually at fault. And that the way it should be."
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Barack Obama has invited a Syrian refugee to attend his State of Union address, the White House has said.

Refaai Hamo, 55, will sit in the first ladys box in the House of Representatives gallery for Tuesday nights speech by the President, along with other inspirational people of America.

Recommended Read more Obama could bypass Congress to restrict access to guns

Mr Hamo fled Syria in 2013, and his invitation is symbolic of Mr Obamas effort to counter Republican calls to ban Muslim refugees in the country in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernadino, California.

He received international attention last month after featuring on the popular blog, Humans of New York, which tells the stories of normal people in the city. Mr Obama called him an inspiration for his story.

Mr Hamo, a scientist, fled the war-torn country after his home was bombed, killing his wife, daughter and five other members of his family. After struggling to get treatment for stomach cancer in Turkey, Mr Hamo was approved to enter the United States two years later, where he arrived in Detroit last month with his other four children.

He said: I was thrilled when I heard that President Barack Obama is welcoming us into the United States," reported USA Today.

I felt that hope was revived as well as the strength to continue my dreams and ambition in my new country. I am so proud and honoured to be in this country and look forward to one day becoming an American citizen so that we can be part of making America a strong and great country."

A list of 23 people was released by the White House on Sunday, who the President hopes will represent the progress he has made in his seven years.

Among other guests will be Major Lisa Jaster, the first female army reservist to graduate from the elite Ranger School and Spencer Tone, the US Air Force sergeant who, along with two others, helped foil a terrorist attack on a French train.

The White House say the list of guests personify President Obamas time in office and most importantly, they represent who we are as Americans: inclusive and compassionate, innovative and courageous.

One seat in the first ladys box with be left empty, which will represent victims of gun violence in America, after the President took steps to help reduce gun crime in America last week.
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Photos have emerged of the hideout used by the worlds infamous drug lord after he escaped a maximum security jail.

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman escaped from Mexico's Altiplano jail in July by climbing into a hole in the floor beneath his shower, and through a 1.5km tunnel leading to a nearby construction site.

He was arrested in a military raid on Friday, after spending six months on the run in Los Mochis, a coastal city in his native state of Sinaloa.

After receiving a tip-off to a home in Los Mochis, the Mexican navy said marines were fired at as they staged a pre-dawn raid.

The ensuing shootout resulted in the death of five gang suspects and the arrest of Guzman himself.

Recapturing Guzman proved tricky, as the drug lord attempted to evade capture by escaping again through the sewers, emerging four blocks away and stealing a car to get out of the town.

Mexican authorities anticipated his move and were able to catch him on the highway, ending the six-month manhunt and humiliation for letting the drug lord slip away.

President Enrique Pena Nieto announced Guzman's arrest on Twitter, saying: "Mission completed: we have him. I'm like to inform the Mexicans that Joaquin Guzman Loera has been detained."

Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Show all 4 1 /4 Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout Pictures reveal how the Mexican drug lord had been living since his escape Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout The inside of a house searched by marine special forces where Guzman was hiding Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout Inside a house searched by marine special forces during the military operation to recapture Guzman Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout El Chapo's attempted escape A marine stands guard next to a manhole of the sewer system through which drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman tried to escape Getty

Pictures reveal how Guzman had been living since his escape. One image shows a large, king-sized bed stripped of sheets and pillows.

In another, an exercise bicycle and large, colourful Duplo blocks intended for children can be seen littering the bedroom. A plain black, worn-out leather settee is seen in the living area, with a toy racetrack in the background.

Guzmans desire to have a film biopic made about his life led to his recapture, as communication with actors and producers allows authorities to trace his whereabouts, according to Attorney General Arely Gomez.

It comes after he was interviewed on by a cartel cameraman on behalf of actor Sean Penn, for an article in Rolling Stone magazine.

The interview was apparently arranged by Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo, according to the magazine.

A source quoted by Reuters said Mexican authorities were considering investigating Penn and Castillo, but some reports suggest the interview with Penn also aided law enforcement officials in tracking down Guzman.

Mexico has said it is willing to extradite Guzman to the US, but warns there will be a lengthy wait before the US can get their hands on him as he will have to go through Mexico's judicial process first.
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Mexican authorities are looking to question American actor Sean Penn, after he met with escaped drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to conduct a recently-published interview for Rolling Stone magazine.

An official told AFP that the attorney general's office wanted to question the actor in order to "determine responsibilities," but refused to provide more details. It is not clear whether authorities think Penn has committed a crime.

Penn's interview with El Chapo was published on Saturday, and was purportedly held at a secret hideout in northern Mexico in October.

In the article, Penn describes the stringent security measures he took in order to avoid leading the authorities to El Chapo, but apparently they were not enough.

A Mexican law enforcement official told the Associated Press it was the Penn interview that led authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October.

This claim remains unconfirmed, but on Friday, Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez said it was Guzman's contact with actors and producers about a possible film based on his life helped give law enforcement a lead that eventually led to his capture.

Penn mentions in the Rolling Stone article that Guzman was interested in having a film about him made, and said he wanted Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the meeting between the two men, involved in the project.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," wrote Penn, who appears in a photo posted with the interview shaking hands with Guzman.

There was no immediate response from Penn's representatives to the Mexican official's comments.

Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Show all 4 1 /4 Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout Pictures reveal how the Mexican drug lord had been living since his escape Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout The inside of a house searched by marine special forces where Guzman was hiding Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout Inside a house searched by marine special forces during the military operation to recapture Guzman Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout El Chapo's attempted escape A marine stands guard next to a manhole of the sewer system through which drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman tried to escape Getty

After a daring tunnel escape from a high-security Mexican prison on 11 July, his second prison break, Guzman hid in a house in the city of Los Mochis, on the west coast of Mexico.

He was captured on 8 January in an operation conducted by Mexican special forces soldiers, the Mexican army and the federal police.

Now, Guzman faces extradition to the USA, to stand trial over his smuggling of billions of dollars of drugs from South America to the US over the years.

Despite having shipped an estimated 500 tons of cocaine to the US since the start of his career, Guzman denied he had anything to do with the problems of drug addiction, telling Penn: "The day I don't exist, [drug addiction is] not going to decrease in any way at all."

However, speaking in a video interview, he did concede that drugs can be harmful, saying: "Well, it's a reality that drugs destroy."

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.
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As deadline descended on El Mananas newsroom and reporters rushed to file their stories, someone in the employ of a local drug cartel called with a demand from his crime boss.

The caller was a journalist for another newspaper, known here as an enlace, or link to the cartel. The compromised journalist barked out the order: Publish an article saying the mayor in Matamoros had not paid the cartel $2 million a month in protection fees, as an El Manana front-page story had alleged the day before.

They want us to say hes not guilty, the editor who took the call told his colleagues during the episode in late October. Knowing glances passed between them as a visiting Washington Post reporter looked on.

They all knew that defiance carried a high price.

The enlaces are part of the deeply institutionalized system of cartel censorship imposed on media outlets in northeastern Mexico abutting the border of Texas. How it works is an open secret in newsrooms here but not among readers. They are unaware of the life-and-death decisions editors make every day not to anger different local cartel commanders, each of whom has his own media philosophy.

(Washington Post)

Submitting to cartel demands is the only way to survive, said Hildebrando Brando Deandar Ayala, 39, editor in chief of El Manana, one of the oldest and largest newspapers in the region with a print circulation of 30,000. You do it or you die, and nobody wants to die, he said. Auto censura  self-censorship  thats our shield.

Readers get angry when they dont get the news they need, he said. Resentment against El Manana grew so strong two years ago that reporters took the logos off their cars and stopped carrying their identification on assignments.

The readers hate us sometimes, Deandar said. But they dont know the real risks we go through.

Mexico has long been a deadly place for reporters. Some 88 journalists have been slain in the last two decades, according to Article 19, a worldwide advocacy group that promotes press freedom.

With its endless drug wars, Mexico is one of the most dangerous places in a world that has seen a recent upswing in violence against journalists, with scores of reporters killed or jailed in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Arab Spring countries, Central America and the former Soviet bloc.

The risks have been especially high for El Manana because its circulation area is bounded to the west by the birthplace of the Zetas criminal network in Nuevo Laredo and to the east by the Gulf crime syndicates home base in Matamoros.

In February, the last time El Manana defied a cartels censorship rules, an editor in its Matamoros bureau was dragged outside, stuffed in a van and beaten as his abductors drove around threatening him with death.

Next time, well kill you! one yelled before pushing him out of the vehicle.

Four El Manana journalists have been killed in the past 10 years. Others survived assassination attempts, kidnappings, and grenade and machine-gun attacks on their offices. Deandar has been shot, kidnapped and had his home set on fire, he said.

Hildebrando Brando Deandar Ayala, editor in chief of El Manana, center, checks in with different departments at the newspapers office in Reynosa, Mexico (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

The worst assaults began in 2004, when an editor in Nuevo Laredo was stabbed to death. Two years later, gunmen broke into the bureau there, detonated a grenade and sprayed machine gunfire, leaving one employee paralyzed.

Afterward, bulletproof glass and electronic security keys were installed at its three offices, where the blinds are always drawn.

In March 2010, when the Gulf cartel defeated the Zetas for control of Reynosa, it took revenge on three El Manana reporters whom the Zetas had forced to watch one of its mass executions.

The cartel called the three Reynosa reporters and told them,  either you come in or well pick you up,  an editor there at the time recalled.

Recommended Read more El Chapo met for secret interview with Sean Penn while on the run

They surrendered to the cartel and were never heard from again. Their presumed slayings were never reported by El Manana, editors said, because thats what the Gulf commander demanded. The enlace passed word that the killings were a one-time message to the Zetas, not a tactic the cartel intended to repeat against the newspaper.

Twice in 2012, gunmen from the Zetas shot up the offices of the Nuevo Laredo bureau. Not long after, El Manana announced it would no longer print cartel news in its Nuevo Laredo edition. Articles about Nuevo Laredo crime sometimes appear in other editions, but without a byline or names in the story.

North Americas Isis

The cartels tactics resemble those most Americans would associate with al-Qaeda and Isis. The display of multiple beheaded corpses and bodies hanging from bridges are a regular occurrence. Hundreds of young people have disappeared. Mass graves are commonplace.

The comparison with terrorist groups 7,300 miles away frustrates journalists here. They watch the endless international coverage of Middle East violence yet know that the terrorism just across the U.S. border is largely ignored by the American media.

Recommended Read more Final tweets of female citizen journalist executed by Isis

Mexicos 2014 murder rate of 13 per 100,000 is twice as high as Afghanistans.

We have a war here, and were doing war reporting, said Ildefonso Poncho Ortiz, a deeply sourced reporter for Breitbart News Networks Cartel Chronicles, one of the only American outlets to track cartel maneuvers. Sometimes AP [the Associated Press wire service] will pick up a story, but other than that, it never leaves the valley.

The three largest U.S. newspapers nearby  the Brownsville Herald, the Monitor in McAllen, Tex., and the Laredo Morning Times  forbid their reporters from crossing to report because its too dangerous, according to the editors at the newspapers.

Pervasive corruption abets the violence. The local police forces have been disbanded and replaced by the army and federal police in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which includes Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa.

A car bomb killed the Nuevo Laredo mayor one week after he was sworn in. The new Matamoros mayor survived an ambush in March. Cartels install surveillance cameras throughout their cities and employ lookouts with cellphones to keep watch. U.S. Border Patrol officers are regularly indicted for cooperating with organized crime.

Tamaulipas is a black hole when it comes to information, said Aaron Nelsen, a reporter based in McAllen for the San Antonio Express-News. Its so hard to get anyone to talk about it, even elected U.S. officials.

A cartel media director

El Mananas circulation area includes major U.S. border cities; its online editions are read as far north as San Antonio and Houston.

It is a third-generation family enterprise, founded in 1924 as an anti-establishment voice. Over most of its 91 years, its formidable enemies were corrupt politicians and their hand-picked prosecutors.

The newspaper now maintains a working relationship with the local governments, as evidenced by the government advertising it receives. Withholding state advertising dollars is a common and effective economic hammer used against media outlets whose investigations upset the status quo.

When its not the politicians against us, its the drug dealers, said Heriberto Deandar, 78, who co-owns El Manana with his brother, Brandos father. He who is not afraid has no courage.

Brando was raised in Reynosa but moved to McAllen in 2007 for safety reasons. He commutes to work. Asked why he doesnt find a safer job, he said simply, Its in my blood. I cannot leave.

During a recent visit to the town, the eerie atmosphere was inescapable.

Reynosas wide boulevards were nearly empty. Heavily armed soldiers patrolled in black masks to protect their identities from cartels resentful of the armys two-year occupation.

Military helicopters whooped periodically overhead, racing to shootouts or hunting suspects. At dusk, hundreds of cars streamed slowly across the international bridge to McAllen, where an increasing number of well-to-do Mexicans have moved their families to safety.

The Metros faction of the Gulf cartel controls much of civic life and all contraband  drugs, sex slaves, immigrant smuggling, fuel, stolen vehicles  in or moving through Reynosa, said journalists and media experts here. Its commander, whose parents are from Reynosa, has a more liberal view of the media than his counterparts in the other two cities.

He seems to care about his image, too, they said, as evidenced by the narcobanners that appeared on city bridges in November.

This is to make it clear that I am a narcotrafficker, not a terrorist like youve been saying in the media, the cartel boss declared in one handwritten sheet-sized banner. Investigate and check your facts. Crime has lessened since I took charge.

In Matamoros, though, the commander of the cartels Ciclones faction tolerates no coverage. In Nuevo Laredo, the Zetas have a commander of finance, assassinations, logistics, stolen vehicles and fuel, weapons, prostitution, immigrant smuggling  and media.

The Zetas media director, a clean-cut, 30-something man described by one person who knows him as a pretty friendly guy, calls enlaces and beat reporters at El Manana and other media outlets every day to tell them what stories the cartel wants published or censored. One day its a story critical of new government limits on imported cars; the next its a birthday party in the social pages featuring a cartel bosss daughter. Sometimes the media director provides photos and video for an article.

Its a common conversation every day, one reporter said.

Hildebrando Deandar Ayala, editor in chief of El Manana, right, and Enrique Juarez, his Matamoros editor who was kidnapped by the cartel in February because the paper defied its news blackout, discuss coverage in Deandars office (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Reporters have learned to consult him on nearly everything, one media expert said. Even a car crash isnt a simple car crash. You have to call somebody to make sure you can write about it, one journalist said, because it might actually not be an accident but a purposeful vehicular homicide organized by the cartel.

Critical coverage of local politicians is also forbidden.

For his own security, the media director changes cellphones often, but his online avatar always stays the same: a rabbit.

The three cartel commanders differing media philosophies force El Manana to produce three distinctly different editions. If you want to find out whats happening in Nuevo Laredo or Matamoros, you read El Manana de Reynosa, Deandar said.

For example, when Mexican troops captured the leader of the Matamoros faction in October, known as Ciclon 7, El Manana did not print a word about it in its Matamoros edition. But in Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo, it was banner news.

With Ciclon 7 gone, Deandar said, we are waiting to see who is the next chief, so well know the rules.

Mechanics of self-censorship

After hearing the enlaces demand to exonerate the allegedly corrupt mayor in Matamoros, the editor on duty rubbed his head trying to contain himself.

First they tell us what not to publish, now they are telling us what to publish! he yelled before heading upstairs to his office.

He dialed the editor in Matamoros who had passed the enlaces message to Reynosa, put the phone on speaker mode and upped the volume so the whole room could hear.

Enlaces pass instructions via phone calls, text messages, apps and in personal meetings. They often communicate cartel demands to crime reporters who show up at the scene of shootouts, blockades, car bombs and executions.

Sometimes a cartel member will run into crime reporters at the scene.

Theyll say, Get the hell out of here! Well kill you! And we have to go, one reporter said.

Three minutes into the conversation with the Matamoros editor, the senior editor began raising his voice about the enlace.

Give me his name and number! he shouted. And tell him youre not going to take any more messages! No more! Tell him if you take any more messages, Im going to fire you!

He hung up, waved around the piece of paper with the enlaces name and phone number on it and then stood up. It was getting dark. Time to leave for a safer city.

The front-page story that upset the cartel was a reprinted interview with the new mayor of Matamoros, Leticia Salazar, an anti-corruption crusader. The interview was conducted by the national Excelsior newspaper. In it, she accused her predecessor of paying the Gulf cartel more than $2 million a month in protection fees from public works funds and towing fees.

El Mananas editors felt safe publishing the interview in all editions because it seemed like a political corruption story, not one about the cartel.

The cartel demand that followed was to run an interview with the former mayor quoting him as saying he was innocent of the allegations. But the former mayor had not requested an interview.

As he left the building, the duty editor said he planned to call the former mayor on the way home.

Speeding through Reynosas back roads in the dark, he called the former mayor, who said he had not requested an interview and did not know the cartel had demanded one on his behalf.

It was time for a decision. If you want an interview, we can do it in our office or over the phone, the editor said. If its in the office, we will need a photo of the interview; if its over the phone, well have to record it. Either way, we need to show it was real, not something made up by the cartel.

We wont publish it right away, the editor added, so the cartel wont think it can tell the newspaper what to print.

The interview ran three days later, in all editions, including Matamoros, where it mattered most to the cartel. But there was no byline, not even in the Reynosa edition. Instead, it read simply, El Manana/Staff.

Social media steps up

Several years ago, shopkeepers, doctors, lawyers, mechanics, local government workers and students began to fill the void in local news with social-media coverage. It took the cartels a while to understand what was happening on anonymous Twitter accounts and Facebook pages.

Once they did, retribution followed. On Sept. 26, 2011, the decapitated body of a female blogger was left at the Christopher Columbus monument in Nuevo Laredo. Next to her corpse were two keyboards and a handwritten warning, signed ZZZZ.

But social-media crime reporting has only grown in the four years since. It includes real-time maps of shootout locations, slayings and kidnappings as well as endless cellphone videos of crimes in progress.

During the Post reporters visit in October, alerts and bulletins about news that went unreported by El Manana were rife on social media:

Oct 17, 2:39 p.m. @MichaelNike8: Near the exit to San Fernando, tires burning to distract the authorities

Oct 21, 1:50 p.m. @SSPTAM: Avoid the area between Reynosa and Monterrey. Authorities are responding (to a situation)

Nov. 3: @Codigo Rojo [Code Red]: Yesterday, federal agents captured 3 men and a female commander of Toro [the local cartel commander in Reynosa] and seized 3 new trucks and around 20 guns, including 5 or 6 guns covered in gold and diamonds; This photo shows what was taken out of just one of the trucks.

Also trending on Twitter the same week was the one-year anniversary of the killing of @Miut3.

@Miut3 was a prolific citizen crime reporter. She tweeted the location of shootouts, explosions, carjackings and the identities of disappeared people. On Oct. 15, 2014, her anonymous account was hacked. Soon afterward, she became unreachable.

A tweet from the account of Maria Del Rosario Fuentes Rubio seen in a screenshot, modified by The Washington Post to protect the identity of other Twitter users and with respect to Rubio's family

Her followers frantically refreshed their Twitter feeds trying to find her. The next morning, at 5:04 a.m., a tweet from her account appeared: Friends and family, my real name is Maria Del Rosario Fuentes Rubio, Im a doctor and today, my life has come to an end.

Minutes later, two photos appeared on her account. One showed Fuentes Rubio in distress. Close your accounts, dont risk your families the way I did, her account read. I ask you all for forgiveness.

The second photo showed what appeared to be her bloodied face and corpse on the ground. No one has been arrested.

An opening

In February, a few months after Fuentes Rubio was killed, the two factions of the Gulf cartel in northeastern Mexico went to war again. The chaos provided El Manana with the kind of journalistic opening it hadnt had in 15 years.

With the cartel preoccupied, El Manana became the newspaper it might otherwise be had circumstances been different. The entire newsroom deployed to cover the battles. Dramatic photos, detailed articles and screaming headlines won Mexicos attention.

Readers in Reynosa finally got the full story of what was happening around them:

Day One: Border in Shock, Shoot-Outs and Roadblocks . . . 

Day Two: Border Under Siege: Marines Attacked, Three Armed Men Killed, Soldiers Wounded

Cover of El Mananas newspaper (El Manana)

We were all excited in the newsroom, said a longtime senior editor who shepherded the coverage. It was an adrenaline rush.

No other newspaper in the state provided such detailed coverage. They were all afraid, he said, nodding toward Deandar. We have a courageous boss.

This was such big news, Deandar said he thought at the time, that he wanted to share it even with readers in Matamoros despite the standing cartel news blackout there. To be cautious, there would be no bylines and no names of cartel members.

The cartels would not approve, cautioned Enrique Juarez, his Matamoros editor.

Just after midnight, the red printing press in Reynosa rolled out Day Threes edition. Nine Dead in Fighting: Third Day Siege in Urban Areas and Roads. Delivery trucks dashed to their distribution hubs.

By 3 a.m., El Manana employees discovered that the truck carrying the newspapers for Matamoros had vanished. Deandar rallied a posse; they found the vehicle at noon in an abandoned field, still full of newspapers. He ordered the papers be delivered to Matamoros, where they hit the streets an hour later.

Juarez, up in his second-floor office, got threatening phone calls right away.

Enrique Juarez, an editor who was kidnapped over a story the cartel did not like, is shown in the El Manana office in Reynosa, Mexico, in October (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

At 4 p.m., as deadline loomed, someone called from the lobby asking him to come down. He found a knife and braced himself. Armed men burst in. One picked up a big jug of water and threw it at him, causing him to drop the knife.

Were going to break you! one yelled, as they dragged him away. They stuffed him into a van, beat him about the head and back, and shoved him onto the pavement an hour or so later.

Four frightened El Manana employees in the Matamoros bureau resigned the next day.

A story about Juarezs abduction and a photo of him at his desk, with the assaulting water jug, ran on Day Four next to the headline, 30 Dead Already, Mayor Suffers Grenade Attack, US Consul Suspends Operations

It did not appear in the Matamoros edition. Juarez and his family left the city. He no longer works in Matamoros.

He is still not right, he said in an interview. I dont feel safe. I look around when I go out. He worries that the fighting cartel factions will team up again and come after him.

If I had the opportunity to leave . . .  His voice trails off.

Rosario Carmona, a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at the University of Marylands Phillip Merrill School of Journalism, where Priest holds the Knight Chair in Public Affairs Journalism; Alexander Quinones, a graduate student there; and Post researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report.

 Washington Post
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A group of Syrian refugees attending a welcoming event in Vancouver, Canada, were attacked with pepper spray by a man riding past on a bicycle in what police suspect was a hate crime.

Up to 30 people, including very young children, were affected by the spray as they gathered outside the Muslim Association of Canada headquarters for an event put on for newly-arrived Syrians.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspected attacker, seen by one eye witness riding past wearing a white hoodie, while the incident was condemned by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The pepper spray left some people struggling to see while others vomited in the street. At least 15 people were treated by paramedics and a few, including a girl who was about two years old, had to be taken to hospital.

The refugees were making their way to a waiting bus outside the building when the attack took place, and 16-year-old Nawal Addo said those still inside the entrance were hit worst.

We saw people coming out from the building and they were in worse condition than us, she said. Their eyes were really puffed up. They weren't able to open their eyes.

Tarek Ramadan, a volunteer translating for some of the Syrians, said their reaction was one of surprise. A little bit of disappointment and a little bit of anger also, because they don't know, like, why, what's the reason? We haven't done anything wrong, he said.

Mr Trudeau posted his reaction to the incident on Twitter, writing: This isn't who we are  and doesn't reflect the warm welcome Canadians have offered.

In a press conference, Vancouver Police chief constable Adam Palmer said no arrests had yet been made. This is a very troubling situation, as the actions of one man have shed a negative light on the positive work being done to welcome the Syrian refugees into our community, he said.

It is a hate crime against new people who have come to Canada, and that is a pretty serious thing.

The premier of British Columbia, the mayor of Vancouver and the federal immigration minister John McCallum also expressed their outrage at the incident.

This attack in no way represents their new home, Mr McCallum said in a statement.

Canada's government has been widely praised for its commitment to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of next month. Thousands have already arrived.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Nepal is finally set to start repairs and reconstruction for nearly a million homes damaged by last years deadly earthquakes  nearly nine months after the disaster left hundreds of thousands homeless.

Tremors last April and May killed 9,000 people, injured more than 22,000 and damaged or destroyed more than 900,000 houses, forcing many to brave freezing temperatures living in temporary shelters made from tarpaulin and corrugated iron.

Unicef estimates that more than 200,000 families affected by the quakes are still living in temporary shelters at an altitude above 1,500 metres (4,920ft), where harsh winter conditions will continue through February.

We realise that the victims are very much in trouble. Well start the reconstruction work from 16 January, Sushil Gyewali, chief of the National Reconstruction Authority, told reporters.

Officials will send 1,500 engineers to villages in all the 40 affected districts to take detailed damage surveys. They will train technicians to build safer houses.

Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Show all 44 1 /44 Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Victims of the earthquake are cremated at Pashupatinah Temple in Kathmandu Getty Images Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An elderly woman prays at a temple in Kathmandu damaged by the earthquake AP Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Nepalese police push back residents who began protesting after waiting for hours in line to board buses back to towns and villages Getty Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A Nepalese policeman guards a collapsed building in Kathmandu. The number of people killed in the earthquake has passed 5,000 according to official figures EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A woman stands in silence in front of the historic Bal Krishna Thapa Chhetry temple in Kathmandu, which was been damaged by the earthquake EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Rescuers from Japan in the centre of Kathmandu; they are facing a race against time to find survivors Getty Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Pallets of Australian aid (blankets, tarpaulins, hygiene kits and water purification tablets) are loaded onto a No. 36 Squadron C-17A Globemaster aircraft in preparation for delivery to Nepal Getty Images Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Rishi Khanal is rescued after being trapped in a collapsed building in Nepals capital following Saturdays earthquake Reuters Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Villagers shelter from rain in the Gorkha district, north-west of Kathmandu; 10 days of rain are forecast, with tens of thousands of people sleeping outdoors AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A prayer bell is seen on top of the rubble of a damaged temple after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal Reuters Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal People search through the rubble at the earthquake damaged Durbar Square in Kathmandu. Hundreds of thousands of Nepalis spent another night in the open after a massive quake which killed more than 4,000 AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A priest prepares a fire for the cremation of an earthquake victim at Pashupati cremation center in Kathmandu, Nepal. The official death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake has risen to 5,057 people EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A Nepalese villager injured in an earthquake holds her son as they sit inside an Indian Army helicopter after being evacuated from Lapu in Gorkha AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A satellite image showing a part of the city's historic center, left, before the 25 April 2015 earthquake and the after effects, right EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An injured woman and her daughter receive medical treatment after arriving at Dhading hospital, in the aftermath of the earthquake, in Dhading Besi Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An elderly woman mourns in front of her destroyed home in the Kumalpur village, on the outskirts of capital Kathmandu Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake victims collect belongings and salvage food items from a destroyed building after a major earthquake, Kumalpur village, on the outskirts of capital Kathmandu Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A Nepalese girl injured in the earthquake holds the hand of her mother inside an Indian air force helicopter as they are evacuated from Trishuli Bazar to Kathmandu airport in Nepal Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Nepalese victims of the earthquake lie inside an Indian air force helicopter as they are evacuated from Trishuli Bazar to Kathmandu airport in Nepal Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An injured boy sleeps on the ground outside the overcrowded Dhading hospital in Dhading Besi Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Members of a rescue team from China huddle while planning their operation at the site of earthquake in Kathmandu Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Local people gather at the top of large mound where once stood a temple to view the scene of devastation in Kathmandu Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal People pray before cremating the body of a victim of the earthquake, along a river in Kathmandu, Nepal Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Nepalese soldiers carry a wounded man on a makeshift stretcher to a waiting Indian air force helicopter as they evacuate victims of the earthquake from Trishuli Bazar to Kathmandu airport in Nepal Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An Indian Air Force person carries a Nepalese child, wounded in the earthquake, to a waiting ambulance after the child and mother were evacuated from a remote area at the airport in Kathmandu Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An Indian Air Force person walks carrying a Nepalese child, wounded in the earthquake, to a waiting ambulance as the mother follows after they were evacuated from a remote area at the airport in Kathmandu Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Indian resident Santosh (2L) is met by relatives after being evacuated following an earthquake in Nepal at the railway station in Amritsar Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A helicopter prepares to rescue people from camp 1 and 2 at Everest Base Camp, Nepal Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal People carry a woman from the rubble of a destroyed building after an earthquake hit Nepal, in Kathmandu, Nepal EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal People try to free a living man from the rubble of a destroyed building after an earthquake hit Nepal EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A man struggles to free himself from under the rubble of a destroyed building after an earthquake hit Nepal, in Kathmandu, Nepal EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal People free a man from the rubble of a destroyed building after an earthquake hit Nepal, in Kathmandu, Nepal EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Dust can be seen over the city during an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, 25 April 2015. EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal A building stands damaged after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015 AP Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Nepalese people walk past a collapsed building in Kathmandu on April 25, 2015. AFP/Getty Images Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An injured man is assisted after an earthquake caused serious damage in Kathmandu, Nepal, 25 April 2015. EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal An injured child lies on the ground outside the Medicare Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25 AP Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Nepalese health workers carry injured people into an open area following an 7.9 earthquake, at Lalitpur on the outskirts of Kathmandu on April 25, 2015. AFP/Getty Images Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Indian bystanders look at a collapsed house following an earthquake, in Siliguri on April 25, 2015 AFP/Getty Images Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Volunteers help with rescue work at the site of a building that collapsed after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25 AP Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Nepalese rescue members and onlookers gather at the collapsed Darahara Tower in Kathmandu on April 25, 2015. AFP/Getty Images Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal People search for survivors stuck under the rubble of a destroyed building, after an earthquake caused serious damage in Kathmandu, Nepal, 25 April 2015. EPA Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Nepalese rescue members move the body of a victim from the collapsed Darahara Tower in Kathmandu GETTY Powerful earthquake hits Nepal Earthquake hits Nepal Health workers take care of injured people outside the Manmohan Memorial Community Hospital after an earthquake caused serious damage in Kathmandu, Nepal EPA

The agency was launched in September but political squabbling has delayed the deployment of $4.1bn (2.8bn) pledged by foreign donors for reconstruction. The adoption of a new constitution also sparked protests by ethnic Madhesi groups, who blocked key trade crossings with India, causing severe fuel shortages. Aid agencies say the shortages have also constrained efforts to transport blankets, clothing and other essential relief materials to earthquake survivors in mountainous areas.

Last month, new laws were finally approved to allow the government to form the agency and appoint Mr Gyewali.

According to local media reports, the delay has been cited as a potential factor for more than a dozen deaths since the onset of winter, mostly of people over 65.

Kathmandu has said it needs to train 50,000 people to aid the reconstruction effort, and has pledged up to 1,400 for each home destroyed by the tremors. Mr Gyewali added that his agency would offer up to 10,350 in soft loans to each affected household for reconstruction.

Reuters
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An imposing American B-52 bomber flew over South Korea on Sunday, in a show of force following North Korea's claimed successful test of a hydrogen bomb.

The long-range bomber, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and has served in a number of conflicts since its introduction in 1955, was joined by South Korean F-15 and American F-16 fighters as it made its flight over Osan Air Force Base, which is around 100 miles away from the border with North Korea.

The flyover was designed to be seen as a threat by North Korea's government, who name the USA as their country's greatest enemy.

North Korea says its own pursuit of atomic weapons is to discourage what it sees as nuclear-backed moves by the United States to topple its authoritarian government.

After North Korea's last nuclear test in 2013, the US also sent its most powerful warplanes to take part in drills, in a similar display of military might.

After its South Korean flyover, the American bomber returned to its base on the Pacific island of Guam, around 2,000 miles away.

In a statement, Admiral Harry B Harris Jr., commander of the US Pacific Command, said the flyover was a "demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defence of the American homeland."

He added: "North Korea's nuclear test is in blatant violation of its international obligations."

The nuclear test, announced on 6 January, was called a "world-startling event" in a government statement, which also described the US as a "gang of cruel robbers" and a pack of "ferocious wolves."

International observers and experts said seismic data showed that a large explosion certainly took place on the day of the test, but that it fell well short of the kind of yield expected from a genuine hydrogen bomb, the most powerful kind of atomic weapon.
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A murder investigation has been launched by Italian police after an American artist was found dead in her flat in Florence.

Ashley Ann Olsen, 35, was found in her apartment with bruises and scratches on her neck, according to Italian police.

Local media also reported her boyfriend, described as an Italian artist living in Florence, was the one who discovered the body and alerted the police.

Reports by Italian media say she was strangled to death, although police have declined to confirm this. Florence prosecutors have opened a murder probe into her death.

The Voice of Venice reported Ms Olsen, who was originally from Florida, was found naked on her bed, strangled with a broken neck.

Her boyfriend was said to have become worried after not hearing from her for several days following an argument, and went to see Ms Olsen at the flat.

When no one answered the door bell, he asked the apartments owner to open the door on Saturday.

He reportedly phoned the police, but she had been dead for hours.

#solastyear #2015 #scoutthebeagle #sanfrediano #oltrarno #firenze A photo posted by Ashley Olsen (@ashleyannolsen) on Jan 3, 2016 at 4:48am PST



Her body was formally identified by her father, who teaches at a school in Florence, according to local TV and newspaper reports.

According to La Repubblica, investigators have seized Ms Olsens computer, as well as taken her boyfriend and a group of mostly American friends in for questioning.

Ms Olsen was active on social media, regularly sharing photos of her life in Florence on Instagram and Facebook.

The newspaper said her body was found in a flat she had been living in for the past two years, and was located in Santa Monaca, close to the city centre.
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The number of women claiming to have been victims of a spate of sexual assaults and muggings in Cologne on New Years Eve rose to 516 on Sunday, amid new evidence that police were completely overwhelmed by the violence, largely blamed on foreigners.

The figures were a rise of more than a third from the 379 cases that had been reported by Saturday. Some 40 per cent of the complaints included sexual assault and there were two reports of rape. Police in Hamburg said they have lodged 133 similar charges.

Officers deployed outside Colognes main railway station where the attacks occurred arrested only four suspects on the night and merely took the names of 71 other possible offenders, according to a police report published by Germanys Die Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

On Sunday afternoon groups of angry women braved the cold and stood on the steps of Colognes cathedral, opposite the railway station, to continue the protest against what they said was utter incompetence by the police.

We want those responsible for the sex attacks to be brought to justice, said Laura Stockmann, a 20-year-old Cologne textile design student who witnessed the attacks. But so far the police seem to being doing nothing, she said.

They were joined by a group of Syrian refugees who held up placards proclaiming, Syrians are decent people. But Abdul Rahman a 25-year-old Syrian who arrived in Germany last year, said it was possible that some Syrians from his asylum hostel had taken part in the violence.

 Growing fury in Germany over New Years Eve assaults on women in Cologne

The attacks have so far been blamed on gangs of predominantly North African immigrants from Algeria and Morocco who are well known to Cologne police as pickpockets and muggers who frequent the station. Many are thought to be illegal immigrants whose asylum requests have been rejected.

Federal authorities say they have identified 18 asylum-seekers among 31 suspects linked to the crimes in Cologne. Also among the suspects were two Germans, an American and others. None was specifically accused of sexual assault.

Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Show all 19 1 /19 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Afghanistan Recommendation: I urge the Government of Afghanistan to adopt legislative reforms to ensure that sexual violence offences are not conflated with adultery or morality crimes and to establish infrastructure for the delivery of protection, health and le gal services to survivors. I call on the Ministry of the Interior to accelerate efforts to integrate women into the Afghan National Police, thereby enhancing its outreach and its capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Central African Republic Recommendation: I urge the authorities of the Central African Republic to ensure that efforts to restore security and the rule of law take into account the prevention of sexual violence and that monitoring of the ceasefire and peace agreement explicitly reflects this consideration, in line with the joint communique of the Government and the United Nations on the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence signed in December 2012. I further encourage the authorities to make the rapid response unit to combat sexual violence operational and to establish a special criminal court Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Colombia Recommendation: I commend the Government of Colombia for the progress made to date and its collaboration with the United Nations, including through the visit of my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict in March 2015. I encourage the authorities to implement Law 1719 and continue to prosecute cases of sexual violence committed during the conflict to ensure that survivors receive justice and receive reparations. Conflict-related sexual violence should continue to be addressed in the Havana peace talks, as well as in the resulting accords and transitional justice mechanisms. Particular attention should be paid to groups that face additional barriers to justice such as ethnic minorities, women in rural areas, children, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and women abused within the ranks of armed groups. I encourage the Government to scale up its protection measures and share its good practices with other conflict-affected countries Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Congo Recommendation: I urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure full implementation of the armed forces action plan against sexual violence, to systematically bring perpetrators to justice and to deliver reparations to victims, including payment of outstanding compensation awards. I call on donors and the United Nations system to support the Government in its efforts and to pay increased attention to neglected areas, including unregulated mining regions Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Iraq Recommendation: I commend the Government of Iraq for its national action plan for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and urge its swift implementation, including by training its security forces to ensur e respect for womens rights. Programmes to support the social reintegration of women and girls released from captivity by ISIL are urgently needed, as is community-based medical and psychological care. The capacity of the United Nations system should be enhanced through the deployment of Womens Protection Advisers or equivalent specialists Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Libya Recommendation: I urge the national authorities in Libya to implement Decree No. 119 and Resolution 904 of 2014 to ensure redress for all victims, including those affected by the current conflict, through the establishment of multisectoral services and the adoption of legislation to categorically prohibit sexual violence Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Mali Recommendation: I urge the Government of Mali, with support from United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, to develop a comprehensive national strategy to combat sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers so that services can reach remote areas. I further call on all parties to ensure that conflict-related sexual violence is addressed in the inter-Malian dialogue and that perpetrators of sexual violence do not benefit from amnesty or early release Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Myanmar Recommendation: I urge the Government of Myanmar to continue with its reform agenda and, in the process, take practical and timely actions to protect and support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and to ensure that security personnel accused of such crimes are prosecuted. Sexual violence should be an element in all ceasefire and peace negotiations, excluded from the scope of amnesty provisions and addressed in transitional justice processes. It is critical that women be able to participate consistently in and influence these processes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Somalia Recommendation: I reiterate my call to the Federal Government of Somalia to implement the commitments made under the joint communique of 7 May 2013 and its national action plan to combat sexual violence in conflict, including specific plans for the army and the police. I encourage the adoption of a sexual offences bill as a matter of priority Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life South Sudan Recommendation: I urge the parties to the conflict in South Sudan to adopt action plans to implement the commitments made under their respective communiques. I call upon the Government of South Sudan to address the negative impact of customary law on womens rights and to reflect international human rights standards in national law. I also encourage the African Union to make public and act upon the report of its Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sudan (Darfur) Recommendation: I call upon the Government of the Sudan to grant the United Nations and its humanitarian partners unfettered access for monitoring and the provision of assistance to people in need in Darfur. Given that there has been grave concern over sexual violence in Darfur for more than a decade, I encourage the Government to engage with my Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict to develop a framework of cooperation to address the issue comprehensively Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Syria Recommendation: I acknowledge the Governments invitation to my Special Representative to visit the Syrian Arab Republic and call upon the authorities, in the context of such a visit, to agree on specific measures to prevent sexual violence, including by members of the security forces. I condemn the use of sexual violence by ISIL and all other parties listed in the annex to the present report and call on them to cease such violations immediately and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Yemen Recommendation: I urge the authorities in Yemen to undertake legislative reform as a basis for addressing impunity for sexual violence, ensuring the provision of services for survivors and aligning the minimum legal age of marriage with international standards. I further call on the authorities to engage with local community and faithbased leaders to address sexual and gender-based violence and discriminatory social norms Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Bosnia and Herzegovina Recommendation: I urge the relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to harmonize legislation and policies so that the rights of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to reparations are consistently recognized and to allocate a specific budget for this purpose. I further call upon the authorities to protect and support survivors participating in judicial proceedings through, inter alia, referrals to free legal aid, psychosocial and health services, as well as economic empowerment programmes Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Ivory Coast Recommendation: I urge the Government of Cote dIvoire to ensure the effective implementation of its national strategy to combat gender-based violence and the action plan for FRCI, and call on the international community to support these efforts. It is critical to accelerate disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and strengthen law enforcement to ensure that ex-combatants who have been reintegrated into the transport sector do not pose a risk to women and girls who are reliant on those services. The Government and the international community must provide monitoring and awareness-raising to mitigate the possibility of a recurrence of sexual violence in the context of the presidential elections to be held in October 2015 Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Liberia Recommendation: I call on the Government of Liberia to continue its critical efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence including through the United Nations-Government of Liberia Joint Programme, and in the context of recovery from the Ebola virus epidemic Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nepal Recommendation: I encourage the Government to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are recognized under the law as conflict victims, which will enable them to access services, judicial remedies and reparations. I further call on all parties involved in the transitional justice process to ensure that the rights and needs o f survivors of sexual violence are addressed in institutional reforms and that these crimes are excluded from amnesties and statutes of limitations Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Sri Lanka Recommendation: I call upon the newly elected Government of Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of sexual violence, including against national armed and security forces, and to provide multisectoral services for survivors, including reparations and economic empowerment programmes for women at risk, including war widows and female heads of household Countries where sexual violence has become a way of life Nigeria Recommendation: I encourage the Government to implement its national action plan on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) to ensure that womens protection concerns are mainstreamed throughout its security operations. I also call upon the authorities to guarantee security in and around internally displaced persons camps and to extend medical and psychosocial services to high-risk areas

A leaked police account of the Cologne violence, compiled by North Rhine-Westphalias Federal Criminal Bureau, described in harrowing detail what the female victims suffered. The attackers stuck their fingers through the tights and the underwear of their victims, they were surrounded on all sides, grabbed and fingered, the report said. It said most attackers had bloodshot eyes and were probably either drunk or on drugs.

Recommended Read more Merkel backs expulsion for refugee criminals after Cologne attacks

The Federal Criminal Bureau said that such a form of mass sexual molestation was hitherto unknown in Germany but that similar violence had occurred in Egypt on Cairos Tahrir Square during the Arab Spring.

Police also published a note scribbled on a large piece of paper which had been found at the scene of the attacks with the message I want to f*** written in German and Arabic.

On Sunday Cologne police officer who declined to be named told the German media that he and other officers had questioned around 100 suspects who were briefly detained on New Years Eve and discovered that most were Syrian refugees who had only recently arrived in Germany. They showed us the documents they get after they apply for asylum, he said.

Similar sexual assaults also occurred in Hamburg, Stuttgart and Bielefeld. The Justice Minister, Heiko Maas, said there was no doubt in his mind that the violence was co-ordinated. Nobody can tell me that all this was not pre-arranged and organised, he said. Police have yet to confirm his claims.

The Interior Minister, Thomas de Maiziere, has pledged to increase the number of police video cameras across Germany to deter future incidents of mass crime.

The apparent origin of many of the attackers has continued to fuel critics of Chancellor Angela Merkels open-door refugee policies, which have enabled more than one million migrants to enter Germany over the past year.

On Saturday, she announced plans to speed up the expulsion of criminal asylum-seekers. She has refused to accede to the demands of many in her party who want an upper limit set on the influx, although she has pledged to take in fewer refugees over the next 12 months.

The Cologne attacks have also been seized upon by far-right and anti-Islamic movements to justify their virulently anti-immigrant views.
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Police in Cologne say the number of criminal cases relating to violent attacks in the city on New Years Eve has risen above 500.

The German justice minister, Heiko Maas, said the authorities needed to work quickly to establish whether Cologne's violence was linked to incidents reported in other cities.

The chief of police in Cologne has been sacked in the wake of the scandal, after up to 1,000 men were allowed to mug, accost and sexually abuse women in "coordinated" attacks in a city square.

Women march through Cologne holding placards reading Against Sexism, Against Racism (Reuters)

Police said on Sunday that of the 516 criminal complaints made since the violence 10 days ago, around 40 per cent involved allegations of sexual offences.

Initial reports had suggested scores of women were targeted, while just 31 suspects have been detained by police for questioning, 18 of whom were asylum seekers.

Speaking to Bild, Mr Maas said: "If such a horde gathers in order to commit crimes, that appears in some form to be planned. Nobody can tell me that this was not coordinated or prepared."

On Saturday, the German chancellor Angela Merkel announced a proposal that will make it easier for the authorities to deport refugees and migrants who commit crimes.

Separately, police in Hamburg are also investigating sexual assaults and thefts in the St. Pauli district similar to those in Cologne, which occurred on a smaller scale in the northern city on New Year's Eve. Authorities in Sweden and Finland are also investigating similar incidents in their countries.
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The man shot dead when he approached a Paris police station wearing a fake explosives belt last week had recently lived in a German refuge for asylum-seekers, it has emerged.

Tarek Belgacem, from Tunisia, had lived in the refuge in Recklinghausen in North Rhine-Westphalia, posing as a Syrian or Iraqi refugee, German authorities said. He is known to have been present in France, under a false name, three years ago.

Belgacems mother told Tunisian radio that her son was not an extremist and accused French police of shooting him by mistake.

French investigators say that he was wearing a fake explosives belt under his jacket and carried a document swearing his allegiance to Isis.

German officials said that he had been under surveillance because he displayed an Isis poster in his room at the refuge. They say the results of the search are still being evaluated with their French counterparts, but that there is no evidence of further attacks being planned.

Belgacem was shot dead outside a police station in the Barbes area of northern Paris on Thursday.
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Polands relationship with the European Union is heading to a post-Cold War low after the countrys new Justice Minister likened the German government to the Nazis and poured scorn on critics of Warsaws curbs on media independence.

Zbigniew Ziobro broke the unwritten taboo on Nazi references in European politics by referring to Germanys occupation of Poland during the Second World War.

His comments came after the EUs media commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, himself a German, warned that Poland could face sanctions over a new law imposing government control over Polish public broadcasters and the state-owned news agency.

Such words, said by a German politician, cause the worst of connotations among Poles, Mr Ziobro wrote to Mr Oettinger. Also in me. Im a grandson of a Polish officer, who during the Second World War fought in the underground National Army, he said, referring to the Polish resistance movement.

On Wednesday the commission will debate Polands new laws curtailing both media independence and court impartiality. The meeting could mark the first step in a process that strips Poland of EU voting rights, if the laws are seen as undermining the democratic and constitutional commitments to which Warsaw agreed when it joined the EU in 2004.

Tensions have risen between Poland and much of the EU establishment since the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) won elections in October. The European Parliament president Martin Schulz, who is also German, has described the reforms as Putin-style politics, and promised a debate this month. Polands Foreign Minister, Witold Waszczykowski, responded by summoning the German ambassador for a meeting.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Association of European Journalists (AEJ) have all criticised the rules, which allow the government to hire and fire managers in Polands public TV, radio and press agency. The Strasbourg-based Council of Europe says the new law could undermine the integrity and independence of public service media.

A US State Department spokesman said: We are concerned: we care deeply about the character, the quality of Polands democracy.

Officials in Brussels noted that Poland appeared to be borrowing a template from Hungarys authoritarian leader Viktor Orban on dismantling democratic checks and balances.

Tellingly, Mr Orban has said he would veto any EU measures. Never will Hungary support any sanction against Poland, he said last week.
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As the sun sets over Basra, in southern Iraq, Ahmed Hilal rushes to lock his door. At night, every knock makes his heart beat faster. In the morning, the father of three, or someone he trusts, walks his children to school, barely five minutes away.

Fear has become part of daily life amid a surge of violence in Basra, where crime, including kidnappings and extortion, is now commonplace. Shia militia drive around in cars with tinted windows and no plates, while clans wage bloody feuds. If someone knocks on the door, I pray to God that nothing bad will happen, said Mr Hilal, 40, a school employee. Any sound of shooting, even far away, scares us.

Recommended Read more Father visits site in Basra where his serviceman son was killed

Basra and Iraqs southern Shia heartland were spared the Islamic State (Isis), which seized much of northern and western Iraq in 2014. But as Iraq has struggled to combat the group, security forces have increasingly been redeployed from the south, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by militias and gangs. Officials blame the lack of police for soaring theft, armed robberies, kidnappings, bloody tribal disputes and an increase in drug trafficking. Residents say in-fighting over government posts, and the growing influence of Shia militias have exacerbated the situation.

Last month, Mr Hilals nephew was shot and killed by car thieves. The young mans last moments were caught by the surveillance camera of a nearby shop. The video shows him trying to run from the car with the keys after pulling over. One of the attackers chases after him and guns him down before the carjackers speed away.

A Basra security official said a military division of about 8,000 troops was redeployed from the region in late 2014 to join the fight against Isis, along with a police battalion of about 500 troops, leaving nine incomplete police battalions and one army battalion for the entire province, which has a population of about 3 million.

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The result, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, has been a wave of armed robberies targeting homes, cars, jewellery shops and currency exchanges, as well as a resurgence in tribal clashes and an increase in drug trafficking from neighbouring Iran to Gulf Arab states. Local officials declined to give figures for the violence, but Basra councillor Ahmed Abdul-Hussein was quoted by the al-Mada local newspaper as saying that police registered 1,200 crimes in the past four months, mainly killings, kidnappings, robberies and tribal disputes.

Basra is Iraqs second largest province and home to about 70 per cent of its oil reserves. Located on the Persian Gulf and bordering Kuwait and Iran, it is Iraqs only outlet to the sea and the hub for most of the countrys oil exports of nearly 3.8 million barrels a day. Several Basra residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described a situation of pervasive lawlessness. Armed tribesmen fight each other and sometimes besiege oil fields, demanding jobs for their sons, they said. A truck driver told how gunmen opened fire one night in November, north of Basra. They made him pull over, grabbed him and took him to a farm, where they held him for five days. The truck driver said he was released after his family paid $10,000 (6,900) in ransom.

Traumatised, the truck driver has left his job and is now unemployed. Im afraid that I might get kidnapped again, and this time we have no money to pay any more, he said.

The Governor of Basra, Majid al-Nasrawi, told of a heist near the end of last year in which a gang robbed employees of a security firm who were on their way from a bank with the equivalent of nearly 690,000 in cash for salaries. Police later arrested some of the gang but only retrieved about half the money. The Governor recently announced a door-to-door campaign to disarm tribes in Basras northern suburbs. He warned security forces and militias they would be disarmed, sacked and prosecuted if they take part in tribal fighting.

The Interior Ministry sent an intelligence unit to Basra last month to help contain the situation. Iraqs top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, also raised the alarm in a recent Friday sermon, denouncing the tribal disputes that have left dozens of innocent people dead.

In recent months, activists have staged protests to demand the resignation of local officials, and better security and public services. They launched a campaign called Stop the Killing to draw attention to the violence, Haider Abdul-Amir Salman, an activist, said. Mr Salman said his family has faced attacks and threats. They were unharmed when gunmen tossed a bomb into their home in September. The doctor and father of two said he escaped a kidnapping attempt on him and his son. Basra is suffering, said Mr Salman. And the crimes wont stop as long as weapons are everywhere and the tribes protect the criminals.

AP
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A woman who left Europe to join Isis, taking her four-year-old son with her, has said it took her just 10 days to realise she had made the worst mistake of my life.

Lured to Syria by three younger male friends, 34-year-old French Muslim-convert Sophie Kasiki has been released by Paris police after two months in prison following her return to the West.

Under a fake name, Ms Kasiki has written a book about how she was tempted to join Isis, discovered the truth about the squalid conditions living there, and engineered a dramatic midnight escape with the help of Syrian opposition fighters.

Speaking to the Observer, she debunked the propaganda disseminated by Isis to attract foreign fighters, saying she found that in reality, these western women were just wombs to make babies for Daesh.

Ms Kasiki reacted in horror to seeing images of a young British boy used in a recent Isis propaganda video. That could have been my son, she said, adding she only found out after she returned to France that her own child was made to pose for pictures with an assault rifle when she wasnt there.

In pictures: The rise of Isis Show all 74 1 /74 In pictures: The rise of Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters of the Islamic State wave the group's flag from a damaged display of a government fighter jet following the battle for the Tabqa air base, in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from Islamic State group sit on their tank during a parade in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from the Islamic State group pray at the Tabqa air base after capturing it from the Syrian government in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Fighters from extremist Islamic State group parade in Raqqa, Syria AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping A video uploaded to social networks shows men in underwear being marched barefoot along a desert road before being allegedly executed by Isis Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping Haruna Yukawa after his capture by Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis kidnapping Khalinda Sharaf Ajour, a Yazidi, says two of her daughters were captured by Isis militants Washington Post In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Spokesperson for Isis Vice News via Youtube In pictures: The rise of Isis A pro-Isis leaflet A pro-Isis leaflet handed out on Oxford Street In London Ghaffar Hussain In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters Isis Jihadists burn their passports In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid A man collecting aid administered by Isis in Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid A woman collecting aid administered by Isis in Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis controls Syrian Aid Local civilians queue for aid administered by Isis. Since it declared a caliphate the group has increasingly been delivering services such as healthcare, and distributing aid and free fuel In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces detain men suspected of being militants of the Isis group in Diyala province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Mourners carry the coffin of a Shi'ite volunteer from the brigades of peace, who joined the Iraqi army and was killed during clashes with militants of the Isis group in Samarra, during his funeral in Najaf In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi Shiite Turkmen family fleeing the violence in the Iraqi city of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, arrives at a refugee camp on the outskirts of Arbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan region In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi A photograph made from a video by the jihadist affiliated group Furqan Media via their twitter account allegedly showing Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi delivering a sermon during Friday prayers at a mosque in Mosul. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared an Islamist caliphate in the territory under the group's control in Iraq and Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq Shiite's Al-Qubba Husseiniya mosque explodes in Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq Smoke and debris go up in the air as Shiite's Al-Qubba Husseiniya mosque explodes in Mosul. Images posted online show that Islamic extremists have destroyed at least 10 ancient shrines and Shiite mosques in territory - the city of Mosul and the town of Tal Afar - they have seized in northern Iraq in recent weeks In pictures: The rise of Isis Islamic extremists destroying mosques in Iraq A bulldozer destroys Sunni's Ahmed al-Rifai shrine and tomb in Mahlabiya district outside of Tal Afar In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces celebrate after clashes with followers of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi, in front of his home in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi at his home after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces arrest a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis A vehicle burns in front of a home of a follower of Shiite cleric Mahmoud al-Sarkhi after clashes with his followers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi woman holds her exhausted son as over 1000 Iraqis who have fled fighting in and around the city of Mosul and Tal Afar wait at a Kurdish checkpoint in the hopes of entering a temporary displacement camp in Khazair In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees Displaced Iraqi women hold pots as they queue to receive food during the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at an encampment for displaced Iraqis who fled from Mosul and other towns, in the Khazer area outside Irbil, north Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria A militant Islamist fighter waving a flag, cheers as he takes part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa. The fighters held the parade to celebrate their declaration of an Islamic "caliphate" after the group captured territory in neighbouring Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters wave flags as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province Reuters In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters travel in a vehicle as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria's northern Raqqa province In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Fighters from the Isis group during a parade with a missile in Raqqa, Syria. Militants from an al-Qaida splinter group held a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria, displaying U.S.-made Humvees, heavy machine guns, and missiles captured from the Iraqi army for the first time since taking over large parts of the Iraq-Syria border In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters during a parade in Raqqa, Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Fighters from the Isis group during a parade in Raqqa, Syria. Militants from the splinter group held a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria, displaying U.S.-made Humvees, heavy machine guns, and missiles captured from the Iraqi army for the first time since taking over large parts of the Iraq-Syria border In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters hold a military parade in their stronghold in northeastern Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria Isis fighters during a parade in Raqqa, Syria In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Syria A member loyal to the Isis waves an Isis flag in Raqqa In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi anti-government gunmen from Sunni tribes in the western Anbar province march during a protest in Ramadi, west of Baghdad. The United Nations warned that Iraq is at a "crossroads" and appealed for restraint, as a bloody four-day wave of violence killed 195 people. The violence is the deadliest so far linked to demonstrations that broke out in Sunni areas of the Shiite-majority country more than four months ago, raising fears of a return to all-out sectarian conflict In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi security forces hold up a flag of the Isis group they captured during an operation to regain control of Dallah Abbas north of Baqouba, the capital of Iraq's Diyala province, 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq Isis fighters parade in the northern city of Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi army to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants from the radical Isis group, demonstrate their skills during a graduation ceremony after completing their field training in Najaf In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Kurdish Peshmerga troops fire a cannon during clashes with militants of the Isis group in Jalawla, Diyala province In pictures: The rise of Isis Lieutenant General Qassem Atta speaks during a press conference Iraqi Prime Minister's security spokesman, Lieutenant General Qassem Atta speaks during a press conference about the latest military development in Iraq, in the capital Baghdad. Iraqi forces pressed a campaign to retake militant-held Tikrit, clashing with jihadist-led Sunni militants nearby and pounding positions inside the city with air strikes in their biggest counter-offensive so far In pictures: The rise of Isis A police station building destroyed by Isis fighters An exterior view of a police station building destroyed by gunmen in Mosul city, northern Iraq. Iraq's new parliament is expected to convene to start the process of setting up a new government, despite deepening political rifts and an ongoing Islamist-led insurgency. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani issued a decree inviting the new House of Representatives to meet and form a new government In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq Smoke billows from an area controlled by the Isis between the Iraqi towns of Naojul and Tuz Khurmatu, both located north of the capital Baghdad, as Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces take part in an operation to repel the Sunni militants In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An elderly Iraqi woman is helped into a temporary displacement camp for Iraqis caught-up in the fighting in and around the city of Mosul in Khazair In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi Christian woman fleeing the violence in the village of Qaraqush, about 30 kms east of the northern province of Nineveh, cries upon her arrival at a community center in the Kurdish city of Arbil in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraqi refugees An Iraqi woman, who fled with her family from the northern city of Mosul, prays with a copy of the Quran AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Isis fighters in Iraq The body of an Isis militant killed during clashes with Iraqi security forces on the outskirts of the city of Samarra Reuters In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Iraqi civilians inspect the damage at a market after an air strike by the Iraqi army in central Mosul EPA In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Members of the Al-Abbas brigades, who volunteered to protect the Shiite Muslim holy sites in Karbala against Sunni militants fighting the Baghdad government, parade in the streets of the city AP In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis Shia tribesmen gather in Baghdad to take up arms against Sunni insurgents marching on the capital. Thousands have volunteered to bolster defences AFP/Getty In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq crisis A van carrying volunteers joining Iraqi security forces against Jihadist militants. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced the Iraqi government would arm and equip civilians who volunteered to fight AFP/Getty In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters of the Isis group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq An Islamist fighter, identified as Abu Muthanna al-Yemeni from Britain (R), speaks in this still image taken undated video shot at an unknown location and uploaded to a social media website. Five Islamist fighters identified as Australian and British nationals have called on Muslims to join the wars in Syria and Iraq, in the new video released by the Isis In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Al-Qaida inspired militants stand with captured Iraqi Army Humvee at a checkpoint belonging to Iraqi Army outside Beiji refinery some 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Baghdad. The fighting at Beiji comes as Iraq has asked the U.S. for airstrikes targeting the militants from the Isis group. While U.S. President Barack Obama has not fully ruled out the possibility of launching airstrikes, such action is not imminent in part because intelligence agencies have been unable to identify clear targets on the ground, officials said In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants attacked Iraq's main oil refinein Baiji as they pressed an offensive that has seen them capture swathes of territory, a manager and a refinery employee said In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants from the Isis group parading with their weapons in the northern city of Baiji in the in Salaheddin province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq A smoke rises after an attack by Isis militants on the country's largest oil refinery in Beiji, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad. Iraqi security forces battled insurgents targeting the country's main oil refinery and said they regained partial control of a city near the Syrian border, trying to blunt an offensive by Sunni militants who diplomats fear may have also seized some 100 foreign workers In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group stand next to captured vehicles left behind by Iraqi security forces at an unknown location in the Salaheddin province. For militant groups, the fight over public perception can be even more important than actual combat, turning military losses into propaganda victories and battlefield successes into powerful tools to build support for the cause In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq An injured fighter (C) from the Isis group after a battle with Iraqi soldiers at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis aiming at advancing Iraqi troops at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis group taking position at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Fighters from the Isis group inspecting vehicles of the Iraqi army after they were seized at an undisclosed location near the border between Syria and Iraq In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq One Iraqi captive, a corporal, is reluctant to say the slogan, and has to be shouted at repeatedly before he obeys Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Iraqi captives held by the extremists Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Iraqi captives held by the extremists Sky News In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group force captured Iraqi security forces members to the transport In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group transporting dozens of captured Iraqi security forces members to an unknown location in the Salaheddin province ahead of executing them In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq A major offensive spearheaded by Isis but also involving supporters of executed dictator Saddam Hussein has overrun all of one province and chunks of three others In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Militants of the Isis group executing dozens of captured Iraqi security forces members at an unknown location in the Salaheddin province In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis militants taking position at a Iraqi border post on the Syrian-Iraqi border between the Iraqi Nineveh province and the Syrian town of Al-Hasakah In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis rebels show their flag after seizing an army post AFP/Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Isis militants waving an Islamist flag after the seizure of an Iraqi army checkpoint in Salahuddin Getty Images In pictures: The rise of Isis Iraq Demonstrators chant slogans as they carry al-Qaida flags in front of the provincial government headquarters in Mosul, 225 miles (360 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad. In the week since it captured Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, a Muslim extremist group has tried to win over residents and has stopped short of widely enforcing its strict brand of Islamic law, residents say. Churches remain unharmed and street cleaners are back at work

After flying to Istanbul, Ms Kasiki was brought to Isiss Syrian stronghold of Raqqa, where she was ordered to hand over her passport and not to go out alone.

She was made to work at a maternity hospital, in awful conditions and alongside staff who seemed to have no care for their patients suffering.

Prompted in part by desperate online messages from the husband she left behind, Ms Kasiki says she asked to go home. To begin with they made excuses, then came the threats. They said I was a woman alone with a child and I couldnt go anywhere, and if I tried to leave I would be stoned or killed.

Ms Kasikis book, In the Night of Daesh, describes her journey to Isis and her escape on a motorbike with her son hidden under her niqab. I will always feel bad about taking my son into this hellish nightmare, so bad I often feel completely paralysed with guilt, she said. Now I must prevent other people being drawn into this horror. What can I say? Dont go.
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Saudi Arabia has been accused over a worrying pattern of attacks" in Yemen after another charity-run medical facility was bombed - killing at least four people.

Humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said the Shiara Hospital in the Razeh district was hit by one projectile.

Another bomb fell nearby the hospital, but the organisation said they could not confirm the origin of the attack.

Raquel Ayora, MSF Director of Operations, said: We strongly condemn this incident that confirms a worrying pattern of attacks to essential medical services and express our strongest outrage as this will leave a very fragile population without healthcare for weeks.

The charity said four people had died and 10 were injured. Three of the injured are MSF staff, where two of them are in a critical condition.

It is the latest bombing in what is thought to be a series of attacks on a health facility directly managed or supported by MSF in the past three months.

In October, Haydan hospital was destroyed in an air-strike by the Saudi-led coalition (SLC). A mobile clinic in Taiz, south west Yemen, was also hit in December, which wounded nine people, where one later died.

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The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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MSF said the attacks were in breach of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and demanded they be investigated.

All staff and patients at the Shiara Hospital were evacuated, and those needing care received it Al Goumoury hospital in Saada, north west Yemen.

 Yemen: Airstrike hits centre for the blind in Sanaa as Saudi-led bombing continues

Ms Ayora said: All parties to the conflict, including the SLC, are regularly informed of the GPS coordinates of the medical sites where MSF works.

We are in constant dialogue with these parties to ensure that they understand the severity of the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and the need to respect the provision of medical services.

There is no way that anyone with the capacity to carry out an airstrike or launch a rocket would not have known that the Shiara Hospital was a functioning health facility providing critical services and supported by MSF.

We reiterate to all parties to the conflict that patients and medical facilities must be respected and that bombing hospitals is a violation of International Humanitarian Law."

The Shiara Hospital had been bombed before MSF supported it, which reportedly led to a reduction in its services.
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The plight of Iraqi refugees facing another long winter, 18 months after fleeing Isis in Mosul, will be highlighted on Monday by senior bishops in Jordan as part of a solidarity tour of the forgotten Christians of the Middle East.

The international group of mainly Catholic bishops will use their journey around the regions beleaguered Christian communities to draw world attention to the harsh conditions faced by Iraqi Christians who were driven from their homes by the Isis advance in the summer of 2014.

Some 80,000 Christian refugees fled Mosul and the Nineveh Plain under threat of forced conversion or execution but remain inside Iraq in the Kurdish capital of Irbil.

Recommended Read more Isis is trying to destroy all traces of Christianity in Mosul

Many of the further 8,000 who left for the Jordanian capital, Amman and have been living in churches or disused containers are now having to move into crowded, rented accommodation partly funded by the Catholic charity Caritas  while they hope for permits to allow them onward passage to North America and Australia.

The British bishops among the group are expected to use their visit to renew calls for the UK Government to admit more than the 20,000 Syrian refugees so far agreed to by David Cameron.

The bishops  who have Vatican backing  arrived in Amman on Sunday night after visiting both Gaza and the West Bank. They were turned back by Israeli troops while visiting West Bank farmland next to the Cremisan Monastery that has been seized by Israel to make way for the militarys planned separation barrier.

The Catholic Archbishop of Capetown, Stephen Brislin, said the armys show of force and intimidation had reminded him of apartheid South Africa.

Earlier they had been welcomed to a Friday mass at the Holy Family Latin church in Gaza Citys Zeitoun neighbourhood by the parish priest, Father Mario da Silva, who pointed out that Pope Francis had designated 2016 as the year of mercy. Observing that prison visiting was one of the Churchs seven corporal acts of mercy Fr Mario added: I thank you for visiting the biggest prison in the world.

The message, delivered as the lights of the churchs tall Christmas` tree still twinkled  out of respect for the sister Greek Orthodox church in Gaza, which celebrates the nativity a fortnight later than Catholics  was clear. It was that members of Gazas ancient but now tiny Christian community of Palestinians  currently just 1,200 in all  fully share the plight of their 1.8 million Muslim co-habitants in the Hamas- controlled enclave after three wars, a nine-year Israeli trade embargo, draconian movement restrictions and a collapsed economy.

The sole Anglican in the group, Christopher Chessun, the Bishop of Southwark, said he had been encouraged by a renewal of resilience among Gazans since last year which was deeply impressive given the pressures, difficulties and injustices they were suffering. But he said the disproportionate interference in their daily lives meant there was still a lid on Gaza, so that people of good will are being made to suffer. While the only possible rationale was a security one, he said, there is a danger... that Israel becomes its own worst enemy because it will compound bitterness and resentment.

Six nuns belonging to Mother Theresas Missionaries of Charity run Gazas only residential home for severely disabled children, almost all from poor Muslim families. The school run by another order, the Sisters of the Rosary, serves 83 Christian children. But the large majority of the 900 pupils aged from three to 16  are Muslim. And the YMCA has a series of sports, psychosocial and citizenship programmes, some specifically targeting boys and young men among whom there is 60 per cent unemployment,

All this helps to reinforce what seem generally pacific relations between Muslims and Christians in the enclave  if not always without strain for the latter. In 2006, when the Danish publication of Mohammed cartoons sparked Arab outrage, the Latin Church received faxed threats from what the then parish priest said were Fatah gunmen and members of Islamic Jihads military wing. While Hamas organised a huge demonstration against the cartoons, its leader Mahmoud al-Zahar promised at a meeting with Gaza nuns that there would be protection for Christians who are our brothers.

Since then Dr Zahars promise appears to have largely held good, despite sporadic incidents involving extremist groups assumed not to be answerable to the Hamas leadership, including the murder in October 2007 of the Baptist manager of a Christian bookshop, Facing similar restrictions, young Christians mix freely with Muslim classmates.

If I count them up I have three Christian friends and 13 Muslim ones, said one student, Vivian, who is half way through her pharmacy course at Gazas al-Azhar university. She was refused an Israeli permit to join her parents on a Christmas visit to Jerusalem because she was under 35.

The bishops visited the Gaza Strip village of Khouza, one of the most devastated during the 2014 war, where the Catholic Relief Services agency has built 145 of a total of 420 timber transitional homes to replace those destroyed. CRS says it could have built 150 more had Israel not barred most wood imports.

Archbishop Brislin said he detected a return of the spirit of Gazans, but added: The conditions are still appalling... People still have the sense of their livelihoods being controlled by a foreign power and were asking when this will end?

While personally refusing to buy goods made in the Israeli settlements, he said he did not favour South African-style sanctions at present. We must keep the doors open... Western governments should be pushing both sides to start a peace process again. Meanwhile, as the clerics meet the refugees who fled Isis in Amman today, there is growing concern that Christians could miss out on resettlement in Britain because the accommodation provided by church organisations means they are not living in the UN camps from which Cameron has said refugees will come.

The group leader, the Catholic Bishop of Clifton, Declan Lang, acknowledged that was a worry but said the bigger worry was the almost halving of sympathy for all refugees after the Paris massacres, and that European attitudes had hardened against the refugees. We must resist that temptation, he said.

Bishop Lang said the refugee numbers heading for the UK must be kept under constant review. The Bishop of Southwark said he was fully signed up to the request for the total to be raised to at least 50,000, because we have the capacity to do it. The Christian and other faith communities have the means to offer,,,, virtuous circles of hospitality, support and encouragement and help with [the refugees] integration in the life of our nation.
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At the end of last year the BND, the German intelligence agency, published a remarkable one-and-a-half-page memo saying that Saudi Arabia had adopted an impulsive policy of intervention. It portrayed Saudi defence minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  the powerful 29-year-old favourite son of the ageing King Salman, who is suffering from dementia  as a political gambler who is destabilising the Arab world through proxy wars in Yemen and Syria.

Spy agencies do not normally hand out such politically explosive documents to the press criticising the leadership of a close and powerful ally such as Saudi Arabia. It is a measure of the concern in the BND that the memo should have been so openly and widely distributed. The agency was swiftly slapped down by the German foreign ministry after official Saudi protests, but the BNDs warning was a sign of growing fears that Saudi Arabia has become an unpredictable wild card. One former minister from the Middle East, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: In the past the Saudis generally tried to keep their options open and were cautions, even when they were trying to get rid of some government they did not like.

The BND report made surprisingly little impact outside Germany at the time. This may have been because its publication on 2 December came three weeks after the Paris massacre on 13 November, when governments and media across the world were still absorbed by the threat posed by Islamic State (IS) and how it could best be combatted. In Britain there was the debate on the RAF joining the air war against IS in Syria, and soon after in the US there were the killings by a pro-IS couple in San Bernardino, California.

Fighters from the Riyadh-backed al-Nusra Front in Aleppo (Reuters) (AFP/Getty)

It was the execution of the Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and 46 others  mostly Sunni jihadis or dissenters  on 2 January that, for almost the first time, alerted governments to the extent to which Saudi Arabia had become a threat to the status quo. It appears to be deliberately provoking Iran in a bid to take leadership of the Sunni and Arab worlds while at the same time Prince Mohammed bin Salman is buttressing his domestic power by appealing to Sunni sectarian nationalism. What is not in doubt is that Saudi policy has been transformed since King Salman came to the throne last January after the death of King Abdullah.

The BND lists the areas in which Saudi Arabia is adopting a more aggressive and warlike policy. In Syria, in early 2015, it supported the creation of The Army of Conquest, primarily made up of the al-Qaeda affiliate the al-Nusra Front and the ideologically similar Ahrar al-Sham, which won a series of victories against the Syrian Army in Idlib province. In Yemen, it began an air war directed against the Houthi movement and the Yemeni army, which shows no sign of ending. Among those who gain are al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula, which the US has been fruitlessly trying to weaken for years by drone strikes.

None of these foreign adventures initiated by Prince Mohammed have been successful or are likely to be so, but they have won support for him at home. The BND warned that the concentration of so much power in his hands harbours a latent risk that in seeking to establish himself in the line of succession in his fathers lifetime, he may overreach.

The overreaching gets worse by the day. At every stage in the confrontation with Iran over the past week Riyadh has raised the stakes. The attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad might not have been expected but the Saudis did not have to break off diplomatic relations. Then there was the air strike that the Iranians allege damaged their embassy in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.

None of this was too surprising: Saudi-Iranian relations have been at a particularly low ebb since 400 Iranian pilgrims died in a mass stampede in Mecca last year.

In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Iranian and Turkish demonstrators hold pictures of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as they protest outside the Saudi Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Kashmiri Shiite Muslims, carrying a placard with the portrait of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, shout slogans during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world at Saudi executions Indian police used tear smoke and rubber bullets to disperse Shiite Muslims who were protesting after Saudi Arabia announced the execution of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on Saturday along with 46 others, including three other Shiite dissidents and a number of al-Qaida militants. In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Shane Enright, Global Trade Union Advisor for Amnesty International, addresses demonstrators as they protest outside the Saudi Embassy in London, following Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 prisoners in one day, including a top Shiite cleric In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Iranian protestor burn pictures of a member of the Saudi royal family in front of the Saudi Arabia embassy in Tehran, Iran, 02 January 2016. Protesters have stormed the Saudi embassy building in the Iranian capital of Tehran early Sunday amid backlash over the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Flammable substance was seen thrown at the building as protests gained steam over the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Reports states, protesters taking down a Saudi flag and burned the building. In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Shiite Muslims hold placards with pictures of Saudi Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, whose execution in Saudi Arabia was announced Saturday, during a demonstration to condemn his execution, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 in Peshawar, Pakistan In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions A Kashmir Shiite Muslim shouts slogan from Indian police vehicle after he was detained during a protest in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir,

But even in the past few days, there are signs of the Saudi leadership deliberately increasing the political temperature by putting four Iranians on trial, one for espionage and three for terrorism. The four had been in prison in Saudi Arabia since 2013 or 2014 so there was no reason to try them now, other than as an extra pinprick against Iran.

Saudi Arabia has been engaging in something of a counter attack to reassure the world that it is not going to go to war with Iran. Prince Mohammed said in an interview with The Economist: A war between Saudi Arabia and Iran is the beginning of a major catastrophe in the region, and it will reflect very strongly on the rest of the world. For sure, we will not allow any such thing.

 Iran: Angry protesters set fire to Saudi embassy in Tehran

The interview was presumably meant to be reassuring to the outside world, but instead it gives an impression of naivety and arrogance. There is also a sense that Prince Mohammed is an inexperienced gambler who is likely to double his stake when his bets fail. This is the very opposite of past Saudi rulers, who had always preferred, so to speak, to bet on all the horses.

A main reason for Saudi Arabia acting unilaterally is its disappointment that the US reached an agreement with Iran over Tehrans nuclear programme. Again this looks naive: close alliance with the US is the prime reason why the Saudi monarchy has survived nationalist and socialist challengers since the 1930s. Aside from the Saudis money and close alliance with the US, leaders in the Middle East have always doubted that the Saudi state has much operational capacity. This is true of all the big oil producers, whatever their ideological make-up. Experience shows that vast oil wealth encourages autocracy, whether it is in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya or Kuwait, but it also produces states that are weaker than they look, with incapable administrations and dysfunctional armies.

This is the second area in which Prince Mohammeds interview suggests nothing but trouble for the Saudi royal family. He suggests austerity and market reforms in the Kingdom, but in the context of Middle East autocracies and particularly oil states this breaches an unspoken social contract with the general population. People may not have political liberty, but they get a share in oil revenues through government jobs and subsidised fuel, food, housing and other benefits. Greater privatisation and supposed reliance on the market, with no accountability or fair legal system, means a licence to plunder by those with political power.

This was one of the reasons for the uprising in 2011 against Bashar al-Assad in Syria and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. So-called reforms that erode an unwieldy but effective patronage machine end up by benefiting only the elite.

Oil states are almost impossible to reform and it is usually unwise to try. Such states should also avoid war if they want to stay in business, because people may not rise up against their rulers but they are certainly not prepared to die for them.
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Only six of our British military chaps, it seems, are helping the Sunni Saudis kill Shia Yemenis. And theyre not actually in Yemen, merely helping to choose the targets  which have so far included hospitals, markets, a wedding party and a site opposite the Iranian embassy. Not that our boys and girls selected those particular terrorist nests for destruction, you understand. Theyre just helping their Saudi mates  in the words of our Ministry of Defence  comply to the rules of war.

Saudi rules, of course, are not necessarily the same as our rules  although our drone-executions of UK citizens leave a lot of elbow-room for our British warriors in Riyadh. But I couldnt help chuckling when I read the condemnation of David Mephan, the Human Rights Watch director. Yes, he told us that the Saudis are committing multiple violations of the laws of war in Yemen, and that the British are working hand in glove with the Saudis, helping them, enhancing their capacity to prosecute this war that has led to the death of so many civilians. Spot on. But then he added that he thought all this deeply regrettable and unacceptable.

Regrettable and unacceptable represent the double standards we employ when our wealthy Saudi friends put their hands to bloody work. To find something regrettable means it causes us sadness. It disappoints us. The implication is that the good old Saudis have let us down, fallen from their previously high moral principles.

No wonder the MoD has popped across to Riyadh to un-crease the maps and explain those incomprehensible co-ordinates for the Saudi leaders of the coalition against terror. Sorting this logistics mess out for the Saudis does, I suppose, make it less unacceptable to have our personnel standing alongside the folk who kill women for adultery without even a fair trial and who chop off the heads of dozens of opponents, including a prominent Saudi Shia cleric.

Those very words  regrettable and unacceptable  are now the peak of the critical lexicon which we are permitted to use about the Saudis. Anything stronger would force us to ask why David Cameron lowered our flag when the last king of this weird autocracy died.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

And exactly the same semantics were trotted out last week when the Tory MP and member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Daniel Kawczynski  who was also chairman of the all-party UK parliamentary group on Saudi Arabia  was questioned on television about the 47 executions in Saudi Arabia, the kingdoms misogynistic policies and its harsh anti-gay laws. Faced with the unspeakable  indeed, the outrageous  acts of a regime which shares its Wahhabi Sunni traditions with Isis and the Taliban, Kawczynski replied that the executions were very regrettable, that targeting civilians would be completely unacceptable and the anti-gay laws highly reprehensible. Reprehensible, I suppose, is a bit stronger than regrettable.

It was instructive, also, to hear Kawczynski refer to executions as certain domestic actions, as if slicing heads off human beings was something to be kept within the family  which is true, in a sense, since the Saudi authorities allow their executioners to train their sons in the craft of head-slicing, just as we Brits used to allow our hangmen to bring their sons into the gallows trade. This familial atmosphere was always advertised by its ambassadors and their friends. Prince Bandar bin Sultan, when he was Saudi Arabias man in Washington, spoke of his countrys religion as part of a timeless culture whose people lived according to Islam and our other basic ways. A former British ambassador to Riyadh, Sir Alan Munro, once advised Westerners to adapt in Saudi Arabia and to act with the grain of Saudi traditions and culture. This grain can be found, of course, in Amnestys archives of men  and occasionally women  who are beheaded each year, often after torture and grotesquely unfair trials.

Another former ambassador, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles  or Abu Henry as he was affectionately called by his Saudi friends  used arguments back in 2006 that might have come from David Cameron today. Ive been hugely impressed by the way in which the Saudi Arabian authorities have tackled and contained what was a serious terrorist threat, he said then. Theyve shrunk the pool of support for terrorism. Which is exactly how our Prime Minister justified his support for Saudi Arabias place on the UN Human Rights Council last October. Its because we receive from them important intelligence and security information that keeps us safe, he told Channel 4s Jon Snow.

But wasnt there, nine years ago, a small matter of the alleged bribery of Saudi officials by the British BAE Systems arms group? The Financial Times revealed how Robert Wardle, the UK director of the Serious Fraud Office, decided he might have to cancel his official investigation after being told how the probe might cause Riyadh to cancel security and intelligence co-operation. The advice to Wardle was that persisting with his official enquiry might endanger lives in Britain. Lord Blair of Kut al-Amara ordered the investigation closed.

The advice to Wardle, I should add, came from none other than Sherard Cowper-Coles, who later became UK ambassador to Afghanistan and, on retirement from the Foreign Office, worked for a short time as a business development director for BAE Systems. Our former man in Riyadh now has no connection with BAE  yet it would be interesting to know if the Saudis are using any of the companys technology in the bombing of civilian targets in Yemen.

But relax  this would elicit no expressions of outrage, condemnation or disgust at Saudi Arabia  nor any of the revulsion we show when other local head-choppers take out their swords. Any such UK involvement would be unacceptable. Even regrettable. We would be sad. Disappointed. Say no more.
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As a therapist, Ive looked into the eyes of souls broken by right wing policies. When you see a teenage mother crack from the strain of living in a B&B because she couldnt get a council flat near her family, or a father who is suicidal because hes dependent on food banks to feed his children, even though he has a job, you learn to join the dots. For some, a 10 reduction in benefits can be the difference between eating or starving, being warm or cold, sanity or madness, living or dying.

While journalists camped outside Jeremy Corbyns office concocting ways the word chaotic and turmoil could be incorporated into any reshuffle announcement, real news, relevant to real people, went unreported in the bowels of parliament this week.

The Housing Bill, which will allow private developers to profit at taxpayers expense, went under the radar. Ian Duncan Smith also escaped scrutiny for failing to speak at a debate on the proposed slashing of universal tax credits, which the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned would leave 2.6million working families 1,600 a year worse off. Meanwhile, Camerons contempt for flood victims at PMQs was passed off as a bit of artful banter.

A year ago, a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warned that the widening gap between rich and poor had stifled the British economy and that rising inequality knocked 9 percentage points off the UKs growth. Yet, the Tories continue to punish the poor for the sins of the bankers (who now wont face an inquiry into the culture that caused the financial crash). This week Dawn Amos, a mother with lung disease, received a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions terminating her health benefits. It arrived on the day she died.

Had Michael Dughers straight talking involved summoning any of the above to demonstrate that Tory austerity is wrong headed, he would still be in the shadow cabinet. Instead, he pointed his guns at Jeremy Corbyn. The man whose mandate is to oppose austerity, not rehabilitate Blairites suffering with post-election stress disorder. The media diligently reported the apparent hypocrisy of Dugher being sacked for dissent by Corbyn, who himself voted against his party some 500 times. What the media neglected to clarify is that Corbyn was a back bencher, not a minister or shadow minister. Its an important distinction.

Pat McFadden had to go because he didnt get the link between a failed foreign policy that sanctions the killing of innocents abroad and national security. He exploited the barbarous Paris attacks to publicly score (misinformed) points against Jeremy Corbyn. Last year, the Global Terrorism Index reported that the number of terrorism fatalities had steadily grown since the Iraq war and the former head of MI5, Baroness Manningham-Buller, said the Iraq invasion led to a huge increase in the terrorist threat to the UK.

Post 7/7, I saw people beaten up for looking Muslim. Social cohesion is sabotaged by the constant conflation of Islam with terrorism. Progressive politicians, like Corbyn, know that an alternative strategy is required, the logic for which is not objectively presented by the media.

Labour ends the week with a reinvigorated shadow cabinet, just in time to stand shoulder to shoulder with junior doctors next week. The Tories are wrong about the economy (inequality and social injustice stifle growth) and national security (bombing makes us more, not less, susceptible to terrorist attacks). Labours anti-austerity message is morally and economically sound. The integrity and sustainability of this country is dependent on Labour uniting to make that message heard and the media giving Jeremy Corbyn a fair hearing.
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Reporting suicide can be a difficult business. As with any death, journalists should be sensitive to the feelings of the bereaved; but when an individual has taken their own life there is the added consideration of how media coverage can affect others who may be suicidal.

There is considerable evidence that detailed portrayals of suicide can encourage imitative acts. This is not only true of factual news reports; fictional accounts have been shown to have the same impact  from Goethes novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, to an episode of BBC1s Casualty in 1999. In both those instances, there was a notable increase in people attempting the particular method of suicide employed by a character in the respective narratives.

None of this is to say that we shouldnt report suicides, or that readers are not entitled to be interested.

After all, what more human subject is there than a persons decision to end their life? It is important that suicide should not be taboo. But we can reduce the potential copycat effect by limiting the level of detail we include about how they were carried out.

There were widespread reports last week of a highly unusual case in which a man in Germany killed his wife, encased her dismembered head in concrete, then drowned himself in a lake using the concrete to weigh his body down.

As it happens, we only covered the case online and did not include a great deal more information than Ive just set out here. But it did raise the question about whether the rules about keeping details to a minimum could reasonably apply to such a bizarre and gruesome suicide. I recall the same thing being asked some years ago in relation to a case in which a man had, with great deliberation and planning, decapitated himself with a chainsaw. Surely, one might think, nobody in their right mind would seek to do such a thing?

Yet of course that is rather the point. People in their right mind dont generally decide on a whim to kill themselves. The Mental Health Foundation suggests that more than 90 per cent of suicides or attempted suicides are associated with a psychiatric disorder, most of a depressive nature. It is, therefore, people who are experiencing mental illness who are likely to be affected by reports of suicide by others: and if they identify with the individual who has taken their own life, it is just possible they may seek to copy the method used, even if it seems complicated, strange or grisly.

The independence of our own BBC should be valued

The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, last week signed a controversial law to bring the countrys state-owned media under direct government control. President Duda claimed that the new measures were necessary in order to ensure that the relevant broadcasters and news agency were impartial, objective and credible.

Giving the treasury minister the power to hire and fire senior executives ought to do it.

All this is deeply worrying. Polands record on media freedom has not been without blemish but the picture there has been predominantly positive in recent years  it scored more highly than the UK on the 2015 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index.

To see that freedom so obviously undermined by government feels indicative of a more general global mood.

We should perhaps feel thankful for the independence of our own BBC  the fact that both main political parties seemingly regard it as occasionally biased against them ought to suggest its doing a fairly steady job.

Even in this country, though, we should never take state benevolence towards the media for granted.

Will Gore is Deputy Managing Editor of The Independent, i, Independent on Sunday and Evening Standard
Will these new modified credit unions  community banks, by another word  be able to preserve the credit union ethos  or will they end up resembling larger banks? If they do end up merely aping their larger competitors, then something unique will have been lost. Photo: Jaren Wilkey/BYU

Just after Christmas the Department of Finance announced that the state guarantee on credit union deposits would be capped at 100,000. This came on top of the introduction of new Central Bank regulations at the beginning of the year and imposition of a new industry levy on the sector in November 2015.

In common with the rest of the financial sector the credit unions had a rough time after the Celtic Tiger bubble burst in 2008. At one stage credit union arrears were running at a truly horrifying 20pc of all loans.

Several credit unions got into serious difficulties. Liquidators were appointed to Berehaven Credit Union in July 2014 while Newbridge Credit Union was taken over by Permanent TSB the previous year as part of a shotgun marriage that cost the taxpayer over 27m.

Two other credit unions, Killorglin and Howth Sutton, also had to be bailed out at public expense.

One consequence of the credit union bust has been much tighter regulation of the sector. This in turn has led to a drastic reduction in the number of credit unions, down to 339 active credit unions today from 379 a year ago, and 423 as recently as 2012.

And this process of consolidation is almost certainly set to continue as the increasing regulatory burden makes it impossible for many smaller credit unions to maintain their independence.

In a recent submission to the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure & Reform, Registrar of Credit Unions - the Central Bank official in charge of credit union regulation - Anne Marie McKiernan pointed out that 170 credit unions have assets of less than 25m.

It is these smaller credit unions who have average assets of just 12m, who will find it most difficult to survive.

"These credit unions often face particular challenges, given their limited capacity to make the necessary resource and financial investments to develop new products and delivery channels, which would best position them to attract and retain younger active members", was how Ms McKiernan diplomatically described their predicament to the Committee members.

On the other hand a relatively small number of credit unions have large balance sheets with just 37 credit unions each having over 100m of gross assets.

Between them these 37 credit unions, just over 10pc of all credit unions, control over 40pc of the sector's assets.

The future for credit unions is almost certainly going to be one of being beautiful. The traditional parish or workplace credit union will increasingly give way to a relative handful of super-credit unions, each with assets of several hundred million euro.

These super-credit unions will be able to offer their customers a wider range of services and be better equipped to meet the Central Bank's increasingly demanding regulatory regime.

This trend has been criticised by all of the major credit union representative bodies. In a joint statement last July they strongly attacked the new credit union regulations that were due to come into force at the beginning of the New Year. The new regulations would, they said, "restrict" access to savings and credit.

"These new regulations will ensure that credit unions are restricted from competing effectively with other financial service providers into the future.

"Credit unions have proven in the personal loan market that they offer exceptional value. Credit unions are now looking to provide more services to their members and their local communities at fair and reasonable rates - instead the draconian rules published today will restrict credit unions from offering real choice to members".

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has instructed the Credit Union Advisory Commission to deliver a report on the implementation of the new regulations by June.

Credit Unions are hoping that, what they call, the "one size fits all" regulation proposed by the Central Bank, will be replaced by "tiered" regulation with the smaller credit unions being subject to a less onerous regime.

With very high levels of arrears the credit unions have, like all other lenders, been reducing the size of their loan books.

From 7bn in 2008, total credit union loans have now shrunk to just 4bn. This represents just 28pc of their combined 15bn of gross assets, a remarkably low percentage.

This is creating problems for the credit unions. The low proportion of their total assets being lent to members means that they are not receiving the loan interest which they need to pay interest to their depositors. To make up for the shortfall in loan interest payments, credit unions had been relying on income from their investments instead.

Unfortunately the collapse in bond yields means that this source of income has been drastically reduced. Throw in higher cost/income ratios, resulting in part from tighter regulation, and the future viability of many of the surviving credit unions remains in serious doubt.

Kevin Johnson, the chief executive of the Credit Union Development Association, which represents several of the larger credit unions, sees the current situation as representing an opportunity for the sector.

In most countries credit unions lend between 50pc and 60pc of their gross assets. If this situation were replicated in Ireland then credit union lending would rise from the current 4bn to somewhere between 7.5bn and 9bn. At a time when the surviving banks are still shrinking their loan books, the injection of an extra 3.5bn-5bn of extra personal credit into the lending market would be a welcome boost for many hard-pressed households.

However, mindful of the sector's previous experience, Mr Johnson stresses that any increase in credit union lending must be done in a prudent and responsible manner. The case for increased credit union lending is reinforced by the fact that loan arrears have been falling sharply as the economy recovers and now stand at an admittedly still high 13.5pc.

While the credit union movement sector didn't escape unscathed from the economic downturn, it should be stressed that most credit unions managed to avoid the worst excesses of the banks.

When the Government set up the Credit Union Restructuring Board in 2012, the new body was allocated 250m of public funds to clean up the sector.

At the time there were many who wondered if this would be enough. More than enough as it turned out. The Restructuring Board has now almost completed its task and will shortly be returning 230m to the Exchequer.

Even when one takes the differences of scale into account, the net 20m cost to the taxpayer of bailing out the credit unions was small beer compared to the gross 64bn that fixing the banks cost.

A big problem for many credit unions is their ageing membership, both depositors and borrowers. They have found it very difficult to compete with the banks for younger depositors and borrowers in the social media era.

As against that the credit unions enjoy a level of consumer trust and loyalty that the bigger lenders can only dream about. In a survey of Ireland's top 100 brands conducted in 2015, the credit unions came out on top.

"Credit unions are deeply embedded in the communities in which they operate.

"They are member-owned organisations which provide a personal financial service to their customers. Like most of the top performers they scored very highly on empathy, which is something you can't buy or recreate through advertising," said Inga Ryan, director of CEXI, the company which conducted the survey.

The challenge for credit unions is harnessing the undoubted goodwill that exists towards them and their strength in local communities to successfully target a new generation of members. Arguing with their regulator is almost certainly not the way to do this. Tighter regulation for all lenders - large and small - is here to stay.

What we are likely to see is the evolution of the larger credit unions into community banks offering their members a much wider range of financial services, while the smaller credit unions that do manage to survive will confine themselves to a much narrower range of products.

Will these community banks be able to preserve the credit union ethos or will they end up resembling the larger banks? If they do end up merely aping their larger competitors then something unique will have been lost.
At one point during my interview with Ciaran O'Leary, a co-founder of early-stage tech-venture capital firm Blue Yard - which he has just established in Berlin with 110m of funding from US investors - he speaks of the need for "brutal honesty, kindly delivered" in discussions himself and his colleagues have with their investee companies' and their entrepreneurs.

The 35 year-old Dubliner is the son of former IDA chief Barry O'Leary - the man who was at the helm of the agency for 30 years and was instrumental in attracting the likes of IBM, Pfizer, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to set up here. The younger O'Leary is an aviation enthusiast and it's not difficult to imagine that if his life had turned out differently, his might have been the calm, assured tones updating you about the progress of a flight.

He is arguably the Irishman who is best placed to say how Europe is faring as an ecosystem for nurturing tech start-ups. As such, he kindly delivers some at times brutal honesty about Dublin's place in it, particularly in relation to our current housing crisis and the city's high rents and property prices.

"I think it's a desperate situation that should, in theory, be easy to fix. Cities like London, New York and San Francisco are also super-expensive, but you get a massive return on investment for the expense, with their networks of people and ecosystems. Small cities like Dublin need to ask what they can give the people they're trying to attract in return for high living costs.

"The Government needs to work harder on solving the problem. It's harder to take risks when you can't pay your rent. Out of 100 talented engineers, many can imagine living in one of those larger cities, but how many would say the same about Dublin? Places like Israel have the same problem. They have to work harder and embrace their other strengths to attract people.

"Cheap property and living costs were, after all, what helped to create the thriving start-up environment here in Berlin. But that's difficult to replicate.

"Dublin has other great qualities, as do other Irish cities. Like Israel, they can still be hotbeds for seed and series-A companies to a certain extent. Then it depends what type of company you're building, as to whether you'll scale from there or whether you retain some company functions there while taking others to San Francisco, where there are more decision-makers and capital.

"If you're in something like enterprise software, it's going to be difficult not to move your primary functions to the US eventually. For others, it may not matter so much."

He makes further observations, emphasising the importance of quality of life to 20- and 30-somethings who work for start-ups and pointing to our success in attracting multinationals.

O'Leary also warns that Ireland should double down even more on nurturing indigenous entrepreneurs.

"There are transformational forces at play that will severely disrupt most economies as we know them."

While our capital city may have its challenges, the good news for start-ups is that there is a lot of money seeking a home in Europe right now.

Blue Yard has plenty of rivals who between them raised about 1bn last year. Many are relatively new, including the likes of Frontline here and Felix Capital in London. The European Investment Fund has got involved too, "enabling" over 1bn of financing for SMEs and start-ups last year.

Doesn't this raise the question of a European tech bubble? O'Leary doesn't see one on the horizon.

"Some valuations of US so-called unicorns [companies valued at over $1bn] are coming down - the market is correcting and it's unlikely you'd get an implosion after that. In some cases, they've been marked to market, in line with comparable listed companies. As other seasoned investors have said publicly, it's healthy that in some cases investors stop pretending values can be justified based on pricing that was set at the last investment round.

"Other US ones, like Uber and AirBnB, deserve their valuations, because they've created and transformed global markets, they're increasing revenues and they will continue to grow.

"What's happening in Europe is different. It's undergoing a necessary refreshening of the VC landscape and an improvement of the capital base. If anything, Europe has had a lack of mega-rounds and high valuations. While funding has increased in Europe over the past two years, there has not much here to correct, compared to the US.

"There is a healthy investment cycle in Europe now and until recently there was always an undersupply of capital here. The refresh that's happening is long overdue here. It also happens in the US every 15 or 20 years.

"Over the last couple of years, investing has been in short cycles and it has been quite fast-paced. Someone coined the phrase 'shotgun investing' - rushed like a 'shotgun wedding. A lot of funds invested their money in as little as two years, but we think funds will be more thoughtful now, investing over longer cycles. That's happening to some extent already.

"We at Blue Yard don't have a specific timeline for investing this round. But we want entrepreneurs to take the time to get to know us. We have a thesis about how we're going to invest and we're going to apply that.

"We believe small is beautiful. We want to stay small and focused and initially it'll be us and a few support staff. We'll build resources for our community of entrepreneurs to support each other, alongside which a key advantage will be that our investees will always work with one of our partners because we're small."

At this stage, both he and co-founder Jason Whitmire are seasoned VC partners. O'Leary initially worked as an M&A analyst at the investment bank Lazard and then as an associate in a research role at The Carlyle Group, a role he left in 2008.

They earned their stripes as colleagues at Berlin VC Earlybird, where the Irishman was responsible for it backing task-management app Wunderlist. When it was sold to Microsoft last year for around 170m, Earlybird earned a substantial return of somewhere between five and 10 times its investment, according to industry rumours.

Despite their new roles, both will remain on the boards of several Earlybird investee companies. Also joining them at Blue Yard, and bringing further operational experience from Wunderlist, is Chad Fowler, who was chief technical officer and more recently general manager under Microsoft's stewardship.

To sum up their investment thesis very briefly, they think technology is moving in the direction of AirBnB in how it is evolving to disrupt markets. The long version is that decentralised, empowered markets and the democratisation of everything are behind a new wave of technologies resulting in thinner, lighter networks that empower individuals and networks, taking it back from the silos on the web - the likes of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple - into which data and power has aggregated.

Though O'Leary doesn't identify specific sectors, data analytics and automation have the power to disrupt businesses, while he argues that the blockchain - a cryptographically protected shared database to which anyone can contribute and which underpins the digital currency Bitcoin - has a part to play as well.

"Look at what eBay did for entrepreneurs who wanted to run small retail businesses from home. I think you're going to see all kinds of players do something similar for other markets. If people are building this kind of thing, in Ireland or elsewhere in Europe, we'd love to help them."

Apart from the availability of funding, Europe has also come of age in terms of its tech start-ups for other reasons, he argues.

"While Silicon Valley's ecosystem goes back 40 or 50 years, Europe in the '90s produced Skype and MySQL, then between 2007 and 2009 you had a number of e-commerce companies and applications.

"Today you have 30 European unicorns valued at over $1bn - Supersell and Rovio in Finland, Adyen in Holland, Spotify in Sweden, and Zalando in Germany. The talent pool and ecosystem have grown and we're banking on people leaving some of these to found their own start-ups.

"Successful entrepreneurs are now real role models. One aspect of the global crash is that more graduates are thinking that perhaps they don't want to work for an industrial giant. They've seen that governments, big banks and companies may not be the safe employers they originally thought they were. Becoming an entrepreneur is now a more meaningful option in countries like Spain and Italy.

"They're now more European and globally minded, and the internet has levelled the playing field. Everything they need to know about how to build a successful company is there on the web."

When he left The Carlyle Group in 2008, O'Leary - who is also an engineering, sailing and astronomy enthusiast - thought about founding a start-up himself, but ended up taking the role at Earlybird after bumping into one of its founders. Before doing so, he worried that working in venture capital might be boring. That hasn't been the case and he seems to have a talent for spotting investments.

"Good VC investors are often better listeners than talkers. Some of the most successful ones are entrepreneurs who have built and sold companies, are good at an operational level or were journalists. It depends on your character and willingness to learn. You need to embrace strengths and weaknesses and be willing to get help and resources when you have weaknesses. You need a lot of time to become the best supporter you can be.

"I'm very curious. I read a lot and meet a lot of people. I'm not afraid to ask questions that might be seen as dumb. I'll ask companies who I should be following on Twitter, what blogs and books I should be reading, what conferences I should attend and who I should talk to.

"As investors, entrepreneurs and investee companies, we're each on our own rollercoaster ride. You have to be patient.

"Embrace failure. Fail quickly and cheaply if you have to. Don't be panicky. You have to have a game plan.

"Investors have to have relationships where there's no politics or mincing of words, but a focus on the truth, so we can fix what needs fixing and do with or for investees what needs to be done.

"It's about brutal honesty, kindly delivered. When something bad related to the company happens, entrepreneurs need to be confident they can pick up the phone at any time and ask for our thoughts, rather than dreading the idea of making the call," he concludes.
Malin chief executive Kelly Martin has featured among a buy-up of shares at the pharma group

Several senior figures at Irish biotech fund Malin, including CEO and former Elan boss Kelly Martin, have spent over 300,000 buying up shares in the company over the past month.

Malin raised 330m in Europe's biggest biotech IPO last March when it floated on the Irish Stock Exchange.

It has received backing from several heavy-hitting investors including UK financial guru Neil Woodford and US billionaire and founder of software giant SAS Institute, James Goodnight. The State also invested 50m to acquire a 15pc stake in the firm through the Irish Strategic Investment Fund.

Malin is headed up by Kelly Martin, who took over from former CEO Adrian Howd in March. Mr Howd assumed the role of chief investment officer and is responsible for developing the company's assets.

Kelly Martin took over at Irish biotech giant Elan in 2003 in the wake of accounting troubles at the firm. He cleaned it up and sold it to Perrigo for $8.6bn a decade later. According to stock exchange filings, he purchased 7,863 ordinary shares at a total cost of just under 90,000 during the week. Following the transaction Mr Martin holds 2.6m shares in Malin, or 6.6pc of its issued share capital.

Chairman John Given, who also worked at Elan as the company's executive VP and general counsel, bought 10,000 shares at a price of 106,000. Non-executive director Kyran McLaughlin, the former joint boss of Davy Stockbrokers who served as Elan's chairman before its sale, also paid 106,000 to acquire 10,000 shares in the fund.

So far, Malin has taken stakes in more than a dozen companies, including acne drug group Novan and African speciality pharma group Serenus. One of its largest investments is a 73m punt on UK biotech firm Immunocore, which is focused on cancer treatments.

Mr Howd has previously said Malin may look to realise some of the value from its portfolio over the next 12 months.
Last week, workers on the site were forced to down tools after protesters entered into 14-17 Moore Street and expressed their concerns about several protected structures on the terrace being damaged as a result of demolition work. Photo: PA

An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for the development of a hotel on the historic Moore Street site in Dublin city centre.

Developer Kendlebell Mid-West submitted plans for the 107-bedroom seven-storey project in January. The hotel is to run over two sites, one on Moore Street and the other on Moore Lane, and will include a stand-alone bar and restaurant. Most of the bedrooms in the seven-storey building will oversee Moore Lane, while a small number will face onto Moore Street.

Dublin City Council had initially approved the project in July, however, its decision was then appealed by a number of organisations opposed to the development.

Both An Taisce, the national trust for Ireland, and the Save Moore Street Committee lodged appeals against the decision, claiming that the history of the site had not been taken into account. No 16 Moore Street was the last site held by rebels during the 1916 Easter Rising before they surrendered to the British forces.

Nos 14-17 Moore Street was declared a national monument in 2007 and was acquired by the State for 4m in March 2015. Although the Government plans to restore the fronts of 14-17 and open a commemorative centre and museum, buildings on either side of the national monument are to be demolished as part of the restoration works. There have been calls to preserve the entire terrace.

The appeal from the Save Moore Street Committee said there was no reference in the council's original decision to a statement by the National Museum that "the site is the most important historic site in modern Irish history". It claimed that the hotel would "tower over and obscure these significant sites".

It added that to date there had been no independent battlefield survey of the area and that until Dublin City Council carried out a survey of the Moore Street area "any planning application to develop this historic area is premature and contrary to the public interest".

In its appeal, An Taisce claimed that the proposed seven-storey height "is excessive".

It added: "The appropriate response for a new building on this site is a step-down between the Jury's Inn adjoining to the west and Conway's pub adjoining to the east, ie a five- to six-storey height."

However An Bord Pleanala decided to grant permission for the hotel, which it said complied with building standards. It inspector Dolores McCague said: "It is considered that the proposed development would not unduly impact on the adjacent protected structures and would otherwise be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

Approval for the hotel is subject to certain conditions, such as the developer working with an archaeologist during construction in case any historic material is found.

Last week, workers on the site were forced to down tools after protesters entered into 14-17 Moore Street and expressed their concerns about several protected structures on the terrace being damaged as a result of demolition work.
A key figure at the centre of a probe into Nama's controversial 1.6bn Project Eagle loan book sale in Northern Ireland has refused to co-operate with the ongoing Stormont inquiry.

Businessman Frank Cushnahan, a former member of Nama's Northern Ireland Advisory Committee, has "disengaged" from co-operating with the committee investigating claims that he was to receive a 5m (6.7m) 'fixer's fee' from US investment fund Pimco if it was successful in acquiring the portfolio.

The Project Eagle portfolio sale by Nama has been dogged by controversy following allegations by TD Mick Wallace that 7m in an Isle of Man account was destined for a Northern Ireland politician.

The deal has been the subject of parliamentary probes on both sides of the Border, as well as an ongoing investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency.

In the latest twist, solicitors for Mr Cushnahan have launched a savage attack on the Stormont committee by questioning its impartiality and accusing members of "pre-judging" its client.

In correspondence sent to the chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly finance committee, Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay, Mr Cushnahan's solicitors accuse members of being "determined to undermine and prejudice the fairness of the investigation involving our client and any court hearings that may ensue thereafter".

In a strongly worded letter, Mr Cushnahan's solicitor Joe Rice accuses committee members of having "pre-determined issues against him, without having concluded your investigation".

It concludes by saying that Mr Cushnahan and his legal team are not confident in the committee's ability to conduct a "fair investigation" and therefore "will not be engaging further with you and your committee".

The letter, which has been seen by the Sunday Independent, was sent to the committee on December 22. The committee, which is in recess, has not yet responded.

Pressure has been growing on Mr Cushnahan in recent weeks after he missed a December 18 deadline imposed by the committee to reply to 39 questions issued to his solicitors concerning his role in the sale of Nama's Northern Ireland's debt book.

Mr Rice insisted this was "an artificial deadline" and cited the ill health of his client as a mitigating factor. Mr Cushnahan is believed to have suffered a heart attack in September of last year.

Mr Cushnahan also has not yet replied to a letter from Nama chairman Frank Daly, who wrote to him in November asking why he had not disclosed investments and business links which may have presented a conflict of interest at meetings of the Nama Northern Ireland advisory committee.

In his letter, Mr Daly asked Mr Cushnahan about his meeting with Pimco in May 2013, while he was still a member of the agency's committee, to discuss a sale of its loans, and questioning him about his shareholding in one of Nama debtors, the Graham Group.

Advisory committee members were obliged to disclose their investments and other interests at each meeting.

"I would also invite you to provide details of any other meetings you had with Pimco or other parties relating to the possible sale of Nama's Northern Ireland loan portfolio and details of your relationship with Pimco or any other bidder in this respect," Mr Daly wrote in his letter.

Mr Rice said: "Mr Daly's letter will be replied to".

Mr Cushnahan has firmly denied any wrongdoing and is fully co-operating with the ongoing police investigation.

Mr Cushnahan was appointed as an external member of the NIAC by the then Finance Minister Brian Lenihan in 2010 on the recommendation of Stormont finance minister Sammy Wilson.

He remained on the committee until November 2013, when he resigned for personal reasons.

The Nama advisory committee discussed potential purchasers of assets controlled by the agency on at least two occasions prior to the controversial 1.6bn sale of its Northern Ireland loan portfolio. Mr Cushnahan, who later acted as an advisor to one of the bidders, Pimco, was present at those meetings.
Deception occurs when an advert misleads reasonable consumers as to its true nature  but theres also an onus on the advertiser to embrace story telling over hard selling...

There's a long list of reasons for the growth in native advertising, or ads that match the form of the site where they are featured. The explosion of ad blockers, the rise in mobile content consumption and the endless inventory of traditional online display advertising are all cited as contributory factors.

Whatever the reason, native ad spend is on the up. The Business Insider website estimated that spending on this digital age advertorial in the United States would grow to $21bn by 2018, up from just $4.7bn in 2013.

And it's relatively big business in Ireland too. According to IAB Ireland, the representative body for online advertisers in Ireland, native ad spend in the first half of 2015 accounted for 27pc of total digital display advertising spend at 16m and 45pc of mobile display.

But as you'd expect with any relatively new form of advertising, conventionalised rules and guidelines have yet to be established.

As a result, there's a lot of inconsistency from publisher to publisher and even from campaign to campaign. But just before Christmas, the United States' Federal Trade Commission rolled out the red tape and issued a policy statement on native ads.

It called on marketers to clearly flag the commercial nature of the native ads they pay for. Anything less, according to the FTC, amounted to deception.

Here's a snippet: "Deception occurs when an advertisement misleads reasonable consumers as to its true nature or source, including that a party other than the sponsoring advertiser is the source of an advertising or promotional message, and such misleading representation is material.

"In this regard, a misleading representation is material if it is likely to affect consumers' choices or conduct regarding the advertised product or the advertisement, such as by leading consumers to give greater credence to advertising claims or to interact with advertising with which they otherwise would not have interacted.

"Such misleadingly formatted advertisements are deceptive, even if the product claims communicated are truthful and non-misleading."

It's pretty dry stuff.

And while most people wouldn't be enthused about the prospect of increased regulation, it is an attempt from the FTC to help make native advertising more profitable for all.

So what about here in Ireland?

Do we need the Advertising Standards Authority or some other industry body to step in and lay down the law? Are guidelines required for native ads in Ireland?

"Yes, absolutely," says Maeve O'Meara, IAB Ireland's marketing manager. "We're committed to providing clarity and transparency for consumers in respect of native advertising.

"Native advertising should be clearly and prominently labelled and readily recognisable as and advertisement or paid-for content.

"The identity of the advertiser should be apparent to the reader in the advertisement or paid-for content."

IAB Ireland launched a guide to native advertising last October. It includes a definition of native advertising, examples of different native ad formats and recommended disclosure principles, to which IAB Ireland publisher members are committed.

"Everyone in the chain - publisher, advertiser, agency - has a responsibility to the audience to be transparent about native advertising and treat the reader with respect," says O'Meara.

"Research from Yahoo UK last year shows that if content is truly engaging, then readers don't care if it is an advert."

In some ways then, publishers need to adopt a similar mind-set to creative agencies. They're becoming partners to advertisers, helping them to craft a message that will resonate with an audience rather than simply selling media space.

A subtle mind-shift is required to ensure they create native ads that work for readers and advertisers alike.

But there's also an onus on the advertiser to embrace story telling over hard selling.

To date, Netflix has been the shining light in this regard; it created a feature on US presidents and their wives with The Atlantic to support its political thriller House of Cards, a feature on the economics of cocaine in Colombia with the Wall Street Journal to promote Narcos, and an in-depth look at women in prison with the New York Times to promote Orange is the New Black.

Each of these stories isolates a particularly compelling aspect of these shows, builds a compelling narrative around it and, crucially, packages it up into a slick format.

Do they adhere to rules and regulations?

Well, they're all clearly marked as sponsored content. But any such demarcation is quickly rendered insignificant by the editorial quality of the pieces. So advertisers and publishers should be more concerned with editorial quality over regulatory guidelines.

That said, it's undeniable that clear and common guidelines would help shield consumers from false promises, prevent publishers from undermining their own credibility and stop advertisers becoming irritants.
Step 1

Many companies clamp down on certain insurances if their claims get too high during the year. You may get a higher renewal quote than expected even though you have not had a claim - this is a great opportunity to move insurer. You get no benefit from loyalty. Ask the following questions:

l what is the excess? This is the first amount you pay of any claim. The higher the excess, the lower the premium, but off set that against the risk you are taking;

l is there an 'old for new' clause? In other words, if your five-year-old bike is stolen, can you get a new one to replace it, or will they simply give you a discounted value?;

l will they cover temporary accommodation if you have to leave your home for repairs?

Step 2

If you get a better quote, call your existing insurer and see can they beat it. They may want to retain your business if you haven't had a claim. If you live in an area damaged by the recent flooding, you may have this excluded from your policy. However, another insurer may see it differently, so never accept the first 'no'.

Savings: 618.60 - based on three-bed semi in Churchtown, Dublin 14 with 250,000 building cover, 35,000 contents cover and 5,000 all risks. Courtesy Chill Insurance.

POTENTIAL SAVING 618.60 TOTAL TIME 30 mins
'What tricks of the trade could drive you to a better holiday deal this year?'

January is one of the busiest times of the year for booking holidays - but you could spend thousands of euro more on your sun escape than you need to if you book for the wrong time and the wrong destination.

So what tricks of the trade could drive you a better holiday deal this year?

The Sunday Independent asked travel industry experts for their tips.

Fly on a Tuesday

Flying out on a Tuesday or Wednesday, instead of the weekend, could save you a few hundred euro on flights if you're travelling alone - or more than a thousand euro on family flights.

Early last week, for example, a one-way Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Barcelona for the last week of April could have been snapped up for 40 - as long as you flew on the Tuesday.

Had you opted to fly to Barcelona on the Friday of that week instead, you could have paid 105 for the same flight. The savings you can make by flying mid-week are less pronounced at certain times of the year - so do your research.

Check one-way flights

"Sometimes it can be cheaper to travel out with Aer Lingus and home with Ryanair or vice versa - and flight times might be better too," said Sarah Slattery, founder of the travel website The Travel Expert.

Avoid the school holiday rush

Avoid travelling during July and August - if you don't have school-going children. Otherwise, you could pay at least a grand more for your holiday than you need to.

For example, a camping trip in Brittany, France could cost 1,045 if you travel in May - assuming you travel by ferry and stay in a three-bed mobile home for eight nights. The same trip could cost 2,550 in July. So book your family holiday in May, September or early June instead.

Book the rainy season

Families with schoolgoing children have little choice but to holiday in July and August. However, travelling to a destination that is off-peak during the Irish summer could save a few bob.

"July and August are considered the rainy season in the Caribbean - but the reality is this amounts to quick tropical showers," said Raphael Giacardi, senior producer with the travel deals website, Travelzoo. " You still get over eight hours of sunshine a day - and prices are up to 40pc cheaper than the cost of holidaying there between January and March."

Thailand is off-peak in May, the low season for travel to the US is between January and March, and November is off-season for Mediterranean cruises, according to Jonathan Bridge, a spokesman for the travel agents, Trailfinders.

Do your research though - a cut-price deal won't be much use if you're caught up in a hurricane when on holiday.

Don't bank on late discounts

Booking early can secure the best price and choice of holidays - particularly for family holidays, honeymoons or sought-after destinations and hotels. So while you might not get a discount as such by booking this month, the price you pay could be a fraction of that paid closer to summer.

"Last year, people were paying 600 for a last-minute deal in September that would have been half that price if it was booked at the start of the year," said Ms Slattery. "If the weather is poor again this year, I think there will be very few last-minute deals."

Eoghan Corry, editor of the monthly travel publication, Travel Extra, also believes this summer won't be a good one for late discounts.

"Every year, the holiday companies play a game where they try to guess how many people will go on holidays," said Mr Corry. "When they get the numbers wrong, they have to sell off many holidays at discounts later in the year.

"In the early Noughties, the holiday companies were often guessing wrong and consumers got a lot of late discounts as a result. However, that hasn't really been the case since 2010."

Honeymoon destinations often have good early-booking discounts, in particular Mauritius, the Maldives and Riviera Maya in Mexico, according to Mr Bridge.

"Depending on the time of year the couple are staying, it's not uncommon to see up to 50pc room discounts on some properties," said Mr Bridge. "That can equate to savings of as much as 3,000 per couple - depending on the type of room booked."

Remember, a discount is usually a way of tricking you into thinking you are getting a better deal than you actually are, so always look at the bottom line - that is, the overall price of the holiday.

Grab flash sales for DIY holidays

Those travelling independently - rather than through a travel agent - should watch out for flash sales from airlines. These sales normally last for about four days.

"Make sure you sign up to an airline's newsletter so that you get word of a flash sale - as airlines don't usually give any notice of them," said Mr Corry.

Haggle with your travel agent

Before booking a holiday independently, see if your travel agent can better the price of your DIY trip. You could knock more than a third off the price of your holiday by doing so.

"If you're slightly flexible with travel dates and your hotel, it often works out cheaper to book a package holiday, as holiday companies are able to negotiate lower prices to get you the best deal," Mr Giacardi. "This is particularly the case for spring and autumn dates, when the weather's still mild but the crowds are thinner. Package holidays at this time are often between 30pc and 40pc cheaper than booking the flights and accommodation together yourself."

Choose the Algarve over the Canaries

You can get good value on trips to the Algarve, Spain and Greece, according to Ms Slattery.

"There are daily flights to the Algarve and most of the Spanish resorts, so prices are very reasonable, even in peak season," she said. "Falcon Holidays are offering chartered flights to the Greek islands and their package deals are great value. Turkey with Sunway should prove reasonable this year too."

The appetite for Turkey is likely to be muted, given the unrest in Syria.

"You've a lot of empty luxury hotels in Antalya, Turkey - so if you're looking for a bargain, that's the place," said Mr Corry.

No matter how good the bargain, you may still be uncomfortable travelling to Turkey, given the threat of Isil attacks. A number of holiday destinations, such as Tunisia and Egypt, are no longer being offered by many travel agents due to the attacks. This has pushed up the price of holidays in places equidistant to North Africa, such as the Canary Islands, according to Mr Corry.

"The price of holidays in the Canary Islands has climbed by about 20pc this year," said Mr Corry. "People who used to go to North Africa for holidays are looking at the Canaries now. Prices go up with spikes in demand."

The Portuguese island of Madeira can be pricey. "Madeira is a resort that is more expensive in general as it is more upmarket - however it is still cheaper than Ireland," said Tanya Airey of Sunway.

Book early for long-haul

The start of the year is often the best time to book long-haul flights as airlines compete on price in the January sales, according to Mr Giacardi.

"Long-haul flights also tend to jump up in price as the travel date approaches," said Mr Giacardi. "Fares to countries such as South Africa, for example, can double in price over the course of a year."

Those interested in long-haul travel, such as to Thailand or Malaysia, could find such trips more affordable this year - because record low oil prices are feeding through to the cost of flights, according to Mr Corry.

Don't overlook on-the-ground costs

Accommodation, meals and transport are often cheap in Thailand and Malaysia - but can be pricey in the US and Canada.

"In Phuket, Thailand, the price of three-star hotels (including breakfast) starts from 55 per person per night," said Mr Bridge.

"You can buy a beer in a bar in the Patong Beach resort for about 2.50; dinner for two in a good restaurant, including wine and dessert, would cost about 50, while a five-mile taxi journey might cost you about 5."

Turkey and Bulgaria are some of the cheapest countries to visit, according to Ms Airey. A three-course meal for two costs 18 in Turkey and 20 in Bulgaria, she said.

A three-course meal for two in Madeira, by comparison, could cost about 30.

It has become more expensive to visit countries where the local currency has gained ground on the euro - such as the US and Britain.

"Although package deals to Orlando are quite reasonable, the exchange rate means that Florida will be an expensive holiday this year," said Ms Slattery. "Theme park passes are almost as expensive as the flights, so the overall cost will be high."
Using a conservative valuation of roughly $10 per barrel, Aramco could be worth more than $2.5tn.

By any measure, Saudi Arabian Oil Co is in a league of its own. Take its oil reserves, roughly 260 billion barrels, nearly 10 times those of the global ultra-major Exxon Mobil Corp. Or its daily production, 10 million barrels, more than the domestic output of every US oil company combined. Which is why the mere suggestion that this state-owned oil giant might go public seems so outlandish.

Would the Kingdom of Oil really place its crown jewel in the hands of fickle investors?

The answer is maybe. On Friday, Saudi Aramco confirmed that it was studying options to allow "broad public participation in its equity through the listing in the capital markets" of either the whole group or a subsidiary.

What is that worth? Based simply on its oil reserves and using a conservative valuation of roughly $10 per barrel, Aramco could be worth more than $2.5tn (2.3tn).

And yet stock market investors rarely value state-owned oil companies as dispassionately as the numbers suggest, or as government officials might hope.

Should Aramco go public, it might actually fetch as little as $100bn, based on valuations applied to similar state-owned groups.

Of all the major state-owned oil groups, only Chinese companies, such as PetroChina, have large market capitalisations, running into the hundreds of billions of dollars.

The reasons? One is political risk, real or perceived. Investors often worry that governments will put their interests ahead of shareholders. Others are a lack of transparency and, in some cases, corruption.

For investors, a smaller chunk of Aramco could be easier to value and the kingdom has already some experience. In January 2008, it listed a venture called Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical, with Aramco retaining a 37.5pc stake, Sumitomo Chemical another 37.5pc and the rest sold into the local market. Rabigh, which processes about 400,000 barrels a day, is today worth about $2.4bn (2.2bn).

Yet Rabigh is also an example of the potential pitfalls. As news hit on Thursday of the possible IPO for Aramco, Rabigh shares fell to an all-time low, leaving them down 51pc since the IPO.

That shows that while Aramco may be in a league of its own, it still faces the same challenge as everyone else in the oil business: the lowest crude prices in 12 years.
Tolstoy was determined to celebrate the values of his class in the face of their erosion by the radical new plebeian intelligentsia

A new television adaptation of 'War and Peace' reminds us of the undiminished power of this classic.

As one of the longest novels ever written, vast in scope and intellectually challenging, War and Peace is an intimidating prospect. But it is also a great story, as becomes clear during our first encounter on the page with Pierre and Natasha, two of the most engaging literary characters ever to have been created.

At the beginning of the novel, Leo Tolstoy's alter-ego Pierre Bezukhov, an absent-minded bear of a man, bumbles his way into a Petersburg high-society salon, says all the wrong things, picks up someone else's hat on the way out, and then goes on to behave with even greater impropriety at a wild officers' party.

Meanwhile, the irrepressible Natasha is all of 13 years old when we first meet her at home in Moscow a few chapters later. So anxious is she to grow up that she bestows a disarming kiss on the lips of the young officer Boris Drubetskoy, believing their lives will be forever intertwined

The most emotionally open and spontaneous of all his fictional creations, Pierre and Natasha are central to the sprawling narrative canvas Tolstoy unfolds before us, which tells of Napoleon's war with Russia in 1805 and its recurrence in 1812, when the French army invaded and briefly occupied Moscow.

They are also key figures in Andrew Davies's new adaptation of the novel for BBC1 (episode two broadcasts tomorrow night at 9pm), which whittles down myriad convoluted plot lines into six succinct episodes starring Lily James, Jim Broadbent, Gillian Anderson and Greta Scacchi.

Tolstoy was 35, recently married, and the father of a newborn baby when he began War and Peace in 1863. He was already a well-known writer, but he had come to prominence writing short works of fiction, as well as some celebrated pieces of reportage from Sevastopol, where he had fought as an artillery officer in the Crimean War against the British and French.

No one, not least the author himself, could have predicted that he would spend the next six years working on one of the longest novels ever written. By 1869, when he finally completed War and Peace, he and his wife Sofya, who had dutifully made multiple copies of his manuscripts, had three more children to bring up in their idyllic rural retreat at Yasnaya Polyana.

It had all begun with Tolstoy's interest in Russian history, and in particular the fate of the Decembrists, former noble officers and veterans of the Napoleonic Wars who staged an abortive uprising in 1825, three years before the writer was born. They had hoped to bring about political reform of the tsarist autocracy, but instead were punished with either execution or lifelong exile in Siberia.

In 1856, as part of his liberalisation of Russian society after the disastrous defeat in the Crimean War, the new tsar Alexander II gave an amnesty to the surviving Decembrists. Among them was Tolstoy's distant relative Prince Sergey Volkonsky, who first gave the author the idea of writing a novel about an ageing Decembrist returning to Moscow in the 1850s. As a member of Russia's titled aristocracy himself - he was born Count Tolstoy - the author was also determined to celebrate the values of his class in the face of their erosion by the radical new plebeian intelligentsia.

War and Peace followed other novels which dealt with the Napoleonic Wars - such as Stendhal's Charterhouse of Parma, Thackeray's Vanity Fair, and Hugo's Les Miserables - but it was the first to chronicle the French invasion of Russia, and Tolstoy undertook exhaustive research in order to provide a realistic backdrop to his depiction of historical events.

His sources ranged from patriotic Russian and French official histories, to the memoirs of serving officers and foreign ambassadors, while elderly friends and relatives shared their personal memories, and helped track down the unpublished correspondence of people who had lived in Moscow in 1812.

Video of the Day

Tolstoy also did some primary research of his own. The Battle of Borodino was the decisive day of confrontation between Napoleon's Grand Army and the Russian forces led by General Kutuzov. It's also a pivotal moment in War and Peace, coming roughly halfway through. In order to get the details of the battle right, Tolstoy spent two days wandering around the village and surrounding fields where it had taken place. By sketching out a plan of the battlefield, and establishing the movements of the 250,000 soldiers who had taken part, he was able to work out such vital details as exactly in whose eyes the sun had shone when it came up on that fateful day.

The 20 chapters Tolstoy eventually devoted to the Battle of Borodino combine the lofty perspectives of historical figures with the ground-level viewpoint of his fictional characters, such as his other alter-ego, Prince Andrey Bolkonsky, who is in charge of a regiment, and Pierre, a civilian caught up in the maelstrom. There is also discursive commentary from the author himself through the mouthpiece of his narrator.

The death-toll at Borodino was enormous; in a single day, the Russian army lost 44,000 men, and the French 58,000. Technically the victory was Napoleon's, as he was able to march on to Moscow after Kutuzov withdrew, but his forces were fatally weakened.

"The direct consequence of the Battle of Borodino," writes Tolstoy's narrator, "was Napoleon's groundless flight from Moscow, his retreat along the old Smolensk road, the defeat of the 500,000-strong invasion, and the defeat of Napoleonic France, on which had been laid for the first time the hand of an opponent whose spirit was stronger."

It is a spectacularly subjective view of history, but such has been the great novelist's myth-making power that his version of events was generally accepted by readers for at least a century. Modern-day historians like Dominic Lieven perform an important service by reminding us that Tolstoy got parts of the history wrong, and was also extremely selective about what he depicted: the messy final stages of the war in 1813 and 1814, which would be considered crucial by historians, are simply missed out. In 1879, when the first French translation of the novel appeared, Turgenev went out of his way to make a case for his younger contemporary, a generous gesture from a novelist whose relations with Tolstoy had mostly been fractious.

In the passionate appeal he published in a Paris newspaper, Turgenev urged French readers to not be "put off by certain longueurs and the oddity of certain judgments". War and Peace, he declared, would provide them with "a more direct and faithful representation of the character and temperament of the Russian people, and about Russian life generally, than they would have obtained if they had read hundreds of works of ethnography and history". Turgenev's assessment still stands.

Rosamund Bartlett is the author of Tolstoy: A Russian Life. Her translation of Anna Karenina will be published by Oxford World's Classics in April
What happens to 'The Mother Who Stayed' when 'The Mother Who Left' comes back? That's the conundrum concocted by Virginia MacGregor in her second novel, The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells, which hits shelves here next week.

Two years after making her staggering debut with What Milo Saw, which was lauded by critics as witty, warm and wise, the British author is back with another insightful look at modern family life.

While her breakout book centred on a young boy intent on rescuing his grandmother from a nursing home, this time, MacGregor tells the story of 30-something musician Norah Wells, who walks out of the home she shares with her husband and their two young daughters one morning, and never looks back.

Until, that is, she does - reappearing on the doorstep six years later in the hope of picking up where she left off.

Peering up at the red-brick house on Willoughby Street, things look exactly the same.

Across the road, elderly twins Miss Rose and Lily Pegg are still peeping through their net curtains on 'neighbourhood watch', just as they did on the morning she disappeared, and the roof still isn't fixed.

Inside number 77, however, everything has changed since the fateful winter morning Norah left a note for her husband, Adam, dropped eight-year-old Ella to school and asked her best friend, Fay, to take care of newborn Willa for just a few hours.

Herself a mum of one, in interviews, the former English teacher MacGregor has revealed how she took inspiration from Henrik Ibsen's 1869 play A Doll's House, which also sees a woman called Nora abandon her family in a bid to discover herself.

At the time, the Norwegian playwright told how he hoped to challenge the judgment of "feminine conduct  [in] an exclusively male society".

Almost 150 years on, MacGregor's original tome feels as relevant as ever as it tackles the taboo of mothers who leave, and the challenges faced by the women who effectively take their place.

Penned without prejudice, from the very opening pages, she tantalises: why did Norah leave, where has she been all these years and, perhaps more importantly, why has she come back?

Over the course of a tense bank holiday weekend, each member of the family is finally forced to face up to the answers.

Video of the Day

From the jilted husband who's found love again but still wears his wedding band, to the withdrawn teen who'd rather believe her mum has been kidnapped than abandoned them, the author slides effortlessly into the shoes of each character along the way.

But it's the smallest member of the clan whose story leaves the greatest impact as wide-eyed Willa slowly discovers the truth about 'Auntie Norah' and the woman she knows only as 'Mummy'.

As the daughter of an avid reader and storyteller, MacGregor was reportedly called after Virginia Woolf, and certainly lives up to her namesake - famous for her use of multiple perspectives.

Speaking about her multifaceted style, she explained: "Point of view is my favourite technique in writing novels - I usually write from several points of view as I believe in the notion that everyone sees the world differently."

Layered and lyrical, suffice to say, Norah Wells isn't the only one making an Astonishing Return this week.
Matt Damon poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actor in a motion picture - musical or comedy for The Martian (AP)

Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott and Michael Schaefer with the award for best motion picture, musical or comedy, for The Martian (AP)

Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon arrive for the Golden Globes which the British comedian is hosting (AP)

Kate Winslet poses in the press room with the best supporting actress Golden Globe that she was visibly shocked to win (AP)

Former Titanic co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were reunited as they were both honoured with big prizes at the Golden Globes.

The pair, who were spotted embracing in the ballroom at the glamorous Los Angeles ceremony, first starred together in James Cameron's Oscar-winning film in 1997 and later teamed up again for Revolutionary Road.

Winslet was the first winner of the night and looked visibly shocked as she was named best supporting actress in a film for her portrayal of Joanna Hoffman in Steve Jobs.

She said: "I am extremely surprised and overwhelmed. I just want to start by saying what an incredible year for women in film. These categories are so crowded and crammed with incredible integrity and skill and I feel prouder than ever to be included."

DiCaprio was the penultimate winner when he was named best actor in a motion picture drama for his portrayal of fur trapper Hugh Glass in revenge epic The Revenant.

The win puts him one step closer to the coveted Oscar that has so far eluded him.

Arriving at the stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel after a standing ovation, DiCaprio said: "This film was about survival, adaptation and the triumph of the human spirit and more importantly it was about trust.

"There is nobody more deserving of that trust than our director Alejandro Inarritu. I've never had an experience like this in my entire life. The depths he went to are unfathomable."

The Revenant was later named best drama, and Alejandro G Inarritu best director, while Ridley Scott's The Martian won in the musical or comedy category.

Scott collected the gong saying "comedy?" before adding: "But anyway I'm very grateful for this."

He paid tribute to his late brother and fellow director Tony, saying: "I love you and miss you."

BBC drama Wolf Hall was named best limited series or TV movie and producer Colin Callender was joined by stars Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance as he accepted the award and made a plea to protect BBC funding.

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He said: "Without the BBC, quality programmes like this wouldn't happen and I urge David Cameron and the British Government to do everything they can to protect the BBC and ensure its future."

Sam Smith and his songwriting partner Jimmy Napes slapped each other on the back as they were announced as the winners of best original song for Writing's On The Wall for the James Bond film Spectre.

Smith said: "Honestly, on a real level I genuinely didn't think we were going to get this. This has been the most interesting night of my life, this is amazing. I hope you're having a good time because we are."

The show opened with a monologue from host Ricky Gervais, who addressed the crowd of famous faces as "disgusting, pill-popping, sexual deviant scum".

He added: "I'm going to do this monologue and then go into hiding. Not even Sean Penn will find me."

The best actress in a drama award was presented to Brie Larson for Room, as her young co-star Jacob Tremblay stood on a chair to give her a standing ovation, while Jennifer Lawrence embraced her friend and fellow nominee Amy Schumer as she was named best actress in a comedy or musical for Joy.

Matt Damon was honoured with the best actor in a music or comedy gong for The Martian.

Sylvester Stallone also received a standing ovation as he was named best supporting actor in a motion picture for his reprisal of the role of Rocky Balboa in Creed.

Collecting his trophy, he reeled off a list of thanks and concluded: "Last of all, I want to thank my imaginary friend Rocky Balboa for being the best friend I ever had."

Lady Gaga kissed American Horror Story: Hotel creator Ryan Murphy and her fiancee Taylor Kinney as she was named best lead actress in a limited series or TV movie for her role in the horror anthology.

Accepting the award and fighting back tears, she said: "I feel like Cher in Moonstruck right now, it's like one of the greatest moments of my life."

Hacker thriller Mr Robot scored the Globe for best TV drama while Amazon show Mozart In The Jungle, set in the world of a classical orchestra, was named best TV musical or comedy.

Jon Hamm embraced fellow nominees Bob Odenkirk and Liev Schreiber as he was named best actor in a TV series drama for Mad Men.

Accepting his award, he thanked the show's creator Matthew Weiner, saying: "Thank you to Mr Weiner for writing this horrible person all the way through to the end of this incredible ride and picking me to play him. And thank you for not taking my suggestion and ending the entire series on Chumbawamba, you picked the right song."

Taraji P Henson handed cookies to audience members including Gaga, Angela Bassett and DiCaprio as she was named best actress in a TV drama for the role of Cookie Lyon in hip hop saga Empire.

Other winners included Christian Slater for best supporting actor in a series, limited series or TV movie for Mr Robot, Gael Garcia Bernal for best actor in a musical or comedy TV series for his role as conductor Rodrigo in Mozart In The Jungle, Maura Tierney for best supporting actress in a limited series or TV movie category for The Affair and Oscar Isaac for best actor in a limited series or TV movie for HBO drama Show Me A Hero.

Inside Out was named best animated feature film while the best screenplay award was given to Aaron Sorkin for Steve Jobs.
I'll almost certainly recant by the time it rolls around - and we don't even have a date yet, though Ivan Yates predicts February 26 - but I'm getting kind of buzzed about the forthcoming general election.

There's real drama and excitement to be found in these big political contests: it's like a major sporting event, with the added edge that this is something which will directly affect all our lives, in all sorts of ways.

Your team winning a match only contains within the importance that you choose to give it; the make-up of our next government is hugely important no matter who you are or what you're interested in. Even if you don't care about it, you have to care about it.

Actually, elections are one of the few areas in political life which still engage this tired old cynic. But one man who gives the impression of unflagging enthusiasm for politics is the aforementioned Ivan Yates (Newstalk Breakfast, Mon-Fri 6.30am).

And why wouldn't he? Ivan Version 2.0 is a media man so current affairs are his daily bread. And Version 1.0, of course, was a government minister. Politics is in the blood for this guy.

As a sort of election "phony war" kicked off in earnest with the turn of the year, he brought in political analyst Odhran Flynn for a good natter about permutations, possibilities, parties and policies. It was all quite fascinating, though I was shocked to discover that I recognised an embarrassingly small number of names mentioned.

This, I suppose, is how far my interest in politics has dropped. As a kid I used to follow current affairs with the passion and keenness of, well, an Ivan Yates.

Nowadays, at a push, I could name some senior Cabinet members, all the party leaders and a handful of outliers who've been in the headlines for making an eejit of themselves.

One intriguing sub-plot discussed was gender quotas. Some parties will be hard-pushed to meet the minimum requirement of female candidates, some are already at war internally over male incumbents being ousted.

It was pointed out that only two party leaders are women; one of those - Renua founder and leader Lucinda Creighton - was a hot topic earlier in the week, as she unveiled their policies.

In response, social media, and old-fashioned media like this newspaper, were negative on the whole. For instance, Shane Coleman (standing in for the host on The Pat Kenny Show, Newstalk, Mon-Fri 10am) gave Lucinda a good grilling on Renua's policies, albeit with his customary fair-mindedness.

Was she convincing? I don't know. To be honest, I couldn't see myself ever voting for Renua, or Lucinda (lifelong hardline Maoist, don't you know). But what the hell, it's a fresh voice and a new element in Irish politics, if nothing else.

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Besides, I'm not one of those obnoxious blow-holes who know nothing about, say, economics, but don't let that stop them pontificating on it. So is Renua's flat tax a good or bad thing? Haven't a clue about tax, therefore have no opinion on it.

Having said that, I did find her thoughts on working for the dole, and a "three strikes and you're out" rule for violent offenders, quite interesting. Naturally, the former had Creighton basically being labelled a fascist slave-driver by keyboard warriors.

From my personal experience of being unemployed, I wouldn't have minded the structure, order and sense of purpose I would have certainly got from earning my State handout. But I appreciate not everyone feels like that. It's a complex matter.

Coleman called the three strikes suggestion "populist". I've never quite understood why that word is now a pejorative one.

Populist - meaning "appealing to the people" - isn't that the whole point of a democracy? It's not for know-alls like me to instruct folks on how to live or what to think. It's their right and obligation to do it for themselves, no?

I'm also unsure that a three strikes law isn't the right thing, when it comes to sex offences or violent assault. Like, how many chances does a clearly dangerous person get from society?

How many times are they allowed to rape or kill, with nary a sign of rehabilitation or even feeling sorry for doing it, before society says, "Okay, that's enough - you don't get to mix with the rest of us anymore"?

Is that a reasonable way to feel? Or have I just been swayed by the "populist" argument, being the woolly-brained sheep that I am?

I was going to use that last term as a neatly sarky intro to mentioning Pastor James McConnell who, as we heard on The Last Word (Today FM, Mon-Fri 4.30pm), was cleared of the charge of "grossly offensive" speech - but appears, at the same time, to be as mad as the proverbial box of frogs.

I have even less time for Islam than all the other daft religions, but anyone who uses a phrase like "a doctrine spawned in hell", in 2016, with a straight face, is beyond help. Pastor Jimbo has the right to say it, of course - but he's still mad. They're welcome to each other.
At just the point in the 2015 festive calendar when most of us subsided into a coma, something bizarre happened.

Thousands upon thousands of viewers on the streaming service Netflix tried out a new programme called Making a Murderer - a 10-part documentary series about justice gone awry, made available in its entirety on December 18 - and wound up binge-watching it from start to finish. Some paced themselves over a day or three.Some stayed up all night, hanging breathlessly on forensic details until dawn.

On the face of things, Making a Murderer looks like the televisual equivalent of last year's hugely talked-about podcast Serial - which reopened the case of a 1999 murder of a high-school student in Baltimore, and became the most popular podcast in the history of the format. At heart, though, this one is a slow-burning courtroom drama, taking us inside the trials of two men - Wisconsin car-salvage worker Steven Avery and his nephew, 16-year-old Brendan Dassey - who are charged with the abduction, rape and murder of a photographer called Teresa Halbach in October 2005.

The background to the crime is extraordinary: Avery had been released from prison two years earlier, after DNA evidence exonerated him from a previous sexual assault charge for which he'd already served 18 years. He was making a claim for damages of $36m at the time of his arrest.

The possibility that Avery may not have committed the murder of Halbach is what makes the series so compelling, but according to the show's two directors, Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, it is not the reason why it was made.

"The question of guilt or innocence was never our question. We chose Steven Avery as our protagonist because of this unique and valuable window we thought he could offer on to the American criminal justice system."

The result has been startling. Since the show's climax more than 300,000 people to date have signed an online petition calling Avery's prosecution "an abomination of due process" and demanding his pardon.

Public enthusiasm for following this kind of serpentine real-life murder mystery has been strikingly apparent lately. Along with Serial, Andrew Jarecki's six-part HBO series The Jinx, which aired last year, looked at the extraordinary knack of US millionaire Robert Durst for winding up in close proximity to unsolved killings. Unlike Ricciardi and Demos, the "authors" of both these other programmes - Jarecki, and Serial's host and executive producer Sarah Koenig - interposed themselves in the material overtly, essentially taking on the role of investigative reporters.

While Making a Murderer's account of the Avery trial provides plenty of fodder for armchair sleuths, the remit of the filmmakers is more rigorous: it's specifically to expose the gaping holes in the prosecution's case against Avery.

"Steven had been wrongly convicted in the mid-1980s, the system had clearly failed him," said Ricciardi and Demos. "In the intervening 20 years, there have been developments with DNA, there's been legislative reform, talk of wrongful convictions as a thing of the past, because now we have better science. And here he was, thrown back into this system. It was an opportunity to ask: has the system improved, and where are we now?"

What's inarguable is that, in presenting the myriad details of the case, the directors have made highly sophisticated TV. The legal proceedings have their share of cliffhangers and revelations, making the programme the long-form TV equivalent of a doorstop thriller that's hard to put down. But what we don't get is the luridly sensationalised style of true-crime reportage long familiar from the paperback genre, or from the blaring, headline-grabbing excesses of American network TV.

This sort of programme is being made closer to home too. Making a Murderer currently could not have come out of the UK, because British courtrooms have only recently started allowing fixed cameras inside, and roughly four of these 10 hours are excerpts from the Avery and Dassey trials nearly a decade ago. But in 2013, Channel 4 edited a six-week case at Edinburgh's High Court into a two-hour documentary called The Murder Trial. Fly-on-the-wall procedural documentaries, such as BBC Two's The Detectives, about the sex crimes unit in Salford, are also on the rise.

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What's likely to qualify Making a Murderer as especially influential is that it adds up to more than edge-of-your-seat television - it functions as eye-opening advocacy about the dangers of what one of Avery's defence lawyers, Dean Strang, calls "unwarranted certitude". This kind of prosecution thinking - bang up some likely suspects, then twist the case to fit their involvement - led to one of the most famous miscarriages of justice in recent US history, the imprisonment of a trio of West Memphis teenagers for the deaths of three children in 1993. Their case, a miasma of circumstantial evidence, hearsay and character assassination, was first addressed in the 1996 feature documentary Paradise Lost, and the saga of their appeals and eventual release was charted in two sequels.

Ricciardi and Demos talk of Paradise Lost as a vital touchstone: "Clearly audiences felt passionately about what they witnessed and got involved. But the tools available to those audiences are different today. They have social media, they have online petitions, Facebook, Twitter."

The true mystery in Making a Murderer, at the end of the day, isn't just Halbach's murder - it's the bona fides of actions perpetrated by the state of Wisconsin, in its haste to secure an alarmingly dubious set of convictions. Not only are these events disturbing in themselves, but they open up horrifying possibilities about what depths may have been plumbed to get their man. If it was a frame-up, who exactly was involved? Like ITV's 2014 drama The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, about the Bristol landlord who was dragged into the centre of the storm surrounding the disappearance and murder of his tenant, Joanna Yeates, it's about the vilification of a suspect potentially blinding the legal process. The OJ Simpson trial hinged in very much the same way on issues with the prosecution: this, too, has been recreated, in the forthcoming 10-part FX series American Crime Story.

Are we ready to rip that particular can of worms back open? Sifting through all the Simpson trial testimony about mishandled DNA and accusations of planting will no doubt provoke a firestorm of conspiracy theories. True crime, after all, is hardly ever wrapped up as neatly as a Poirot mystery: getting to the truth is more often a murky business, and degrees of certainty can rarely be absolute.

These series insist on the crucial difference between suspects and murderers, and on the presumption of innocence as a dangerous precept to tinker with. They get us through the door with a sense of injustice and the promise of finding out whodunnit. But it's in forcing us to sift the evidence and realise the complexity involved in reaching a conclusion that they become so compelling.

'Making a Murderer' is available on Netflix

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Actors Sam Heughan (L) and Caitriona Balfe attend the "Outlander" press room during Comic-Con International 2015 at the Hilton Bayfront on July 11, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images)

Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe attend the "Outlander" Mid-Season New York Premiere after party at The Oak Room

Outlander stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan have finally addressed speculation they're a real-life couple.

And the answer is no.

Irish actress Caitriona (xx), from Co Monaghan and the Scottish actor are famous for their onscreen chemisty as Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, but the former model said the heat between them is strictly for the cameras.

"We're not together," Caitriona told E! News. "It's funny. We've always said from the get go that we're incredibly great friends. And to have that friendship and that closeness and to be able to get along as we do on set, it's great that we're able to get along that well. We're not together. I'm sorry to break people's hearts.

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"They like to try to maybe replicate the Claire and Jamie story. But I think it would be difficult for us to work together and be together."

The pair said they understand fans' hopes for a real-life romance, but reiterated they're just good friends.

"I think people buy into the show and us saying it's not real, they feel like they've been duped. It's like, You acted it. You lied to us!' And I'm like, Well, sorry!'"

Caitriona has been nominated for the Best Actress in a Television Drama Series category at the Golden Globes.

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'Gardai and members of Clare Civil Defence began a local search on Friday night, concentrating on lands and buildings around Mr Vaughan's home. It's understood the missing man's car and mobile phone were found at the house'

A body has been found on flooded lands in Co Clare during the search for a man not seen since last Wednesday. The discovery was made at around 2.20pm yesterday by members of Clare Civil Defence, who had been searching for 65-year-old Michael Vaughan.

Mr Vaughan, who lived alone at Moyree near Ruan, was last seen in Ennis at lunch time on Wednesday and was reported missing on Friday when his family became concerned for his wellbeing.

Gardai and members of Clare Civil Defence began a local search on Friday night, concentrating on lands and buildings around Mr Vaughan's home. It's understood the missing man's car and mobile phone were found at the house.

Early yesterday, the search was further expanded to cover surrounding properties, outbuildings and hundreds of acres of farmland.

Divers located a man's body on flooded lands a short distance from Mr Vaughan's home. The body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out.

Gardai have confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious.
A handgun licence issued to Jim Mansfield Jnr has been revoked by gardai.

Senior gardai at Blanchardstown took the decision after being informed that Mansfield Jnr is allegedly the target of gangland criminals and paramilitaries.

The Sunday Times reports that Mansfield Jnr was told of the decision in a face-to-face meeting with gardai before Christmas and has not challenged the decision to date.

The handgun, a Walther P22 pistol, was seized by gardai a year ago during the search of a residence in West Dublin used by Mansfield Jnr as part of an investigation into money laundering.

Several other properties, including Finnstown Castle Hotel in Lucan, which Mansfield Jnr manages, were searched as part of the same operation.

The weapon was discovered in a bedroom where Mansfirld Jnr was sleeping, and he is said to have told gardai he was using the weapon to protect himself.

The businessman was informed by gardai some time ago that his life was under threat from criminals, however he publicly denounced the threats.

Handgun licences are strictly controlled by gardai.

In exceptional circumstances a judge can overrule decisions to revoke a handgun licence.

Handgun licences are restricted to shooting enthusiasts who store their weapons at a secure location.

Mansfield Jnr is thought to have failed to meet the necessary criteria to renew his licence.

He was questioned by gardai last December in connection with an attack.

Independent.ie attempted to contact Jim Mansfield Jnr for comment but none was forthcoming.
The report was carried out on behalf of Alan Kelly Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins Dublin

The Government has been warned that homeless charities may not be providing "value for money", despite receiving almost 100m in State funding every year, the Sunday Independent can reveal.

An independent review of taxpayer-funded homeless agencies found overlapping services and administration costs mean some of the multimillion euro funding that the sector receives every year may be squandered on duplication.

The report - undertaken by consultancy firm Mazer, and carried out on behalf of Environment Minister Alan Kelly - found more than 75 organisations received 95.9m in funding in 2014. And based on an average of 5,000 people currently without homes, this means the State spends almost 20,000 per homeless person every year.

However, this does not take into account the amount of money raised by agencies through donations, charity shops and other investments, which brings the sector's total income to almost a quarter of a billion euros.

The Government has been under ongoing pressure over the worrying levels of homelessness in Dublin and other urban areas since the death of homeless man Jonathan Corrie outside Leinster House in December 2014.

Mr Corrie's death sparked waves of protest and anger among the public over the coalition's reaction to the housing and homeless crisis.

Homeless charities roundly condemned the Government's inaction and demanded increased funding to tackle the escalating homelessness situation.

However, the Department of the Environment's independent review of homeless services has, for the first-time, raised serious concerns over how State funding is allocated to numerous organisations.

The report called on the Government to examine if funding dozens of separate agencies is "efficient use of limited funds and the most effective mechanism to deliver services".

It says the funding of a large number of service providers means money spent by each group on "administrative, establishment or support-type costs" may not represent the "best use of limited resources".

It also urges the Government to review the level of "crossover" and "duplication" of services provided by various homeless groups, as this could result in wasted resources.

"Whilst it is not clear if the wide-ranging needs of service users could be provided without the efforts of these and similar organisations, it does suggest that there may be a lack of integration in service delivery within the sector, leading to duplication of effort, lack of specialisation, disjointed provision of supports to service users, and a risk of lack of value for money," it states

The report also warned against spending on emergency homeless services rather than long-term solutions.

Currently, 38pc of all state funding is allocated to emergency accommodation, while 20pc is spent on transitional and supported accommodation and 15pc on semi-permanent housing.

However, the report notes that this spending is at odds with the Government's commitment to end long-term homelessness by the end of this year through the supply of more houses.

"The current prioritisation of spending on emergency and night-shelter accommodation, which appears to be increasing, whilst addressing a specific situational need, does not appear to reconcile to that objective," it states.

It calls for the introduction of standard reporting forms, which agencies would have to submit before receiving funding. This would allow better analysis of resources.

The authors of the report said, as it was a "desk-based" review, centred on paper records and financial reports, they could not make comprehensive findings or recommendations on groups providing value for money.

A full review involving all agencies involved in homeless sector was recommended as the next step.
Today's Sunday Independent/Millward Brown opinion poll was taken in the aftermath of two events which have informed views: the drowning of Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi in Bodrum, Turkey, in September, followed by the Paris attacks in November, which claimed the lives of 130 people.

Public outcry at the first event forced the political authorities in Europe to react more urgently to the humanitarian crisis of refugees fleeing war-torn Syria and Iraq, and the failed states of North Africa.

That urgency has so far failed to find a solution to the crisis, although the flow of refugees has slowed somewhat, mainly because summer has turned to winter making the hazardous journey even more dangerous than before.

At the time, the reaction of people here to the drowning of the three-year-old was: "Something must be done."

In response, the Government announced that this country would accept its share of refugees; the number increased in tandem with the emotional consensus at the time, settling on 4,000, the details of their arrival and settlement still to be fully worked out or disclosed.

It is difficult to know for sure to what extent, if at all, the impact of the subsequent Paris attacks has had on a significant finding in today's opinion poll - that 43pc of people believe Ireland's acceptance of 4,000 refugees to be too many.

Before we get into that, however, it is worth noting that the poll also finds more people than not believe the Government's response appropriate: 34pc said the acceptance of 4,000 was right, and 15pc believed that number too few. Those of that view are mostly young and urban.

But it is reasonable to assume the Paris attacks have, to some extent, informed the high level of opposition, mostly among older and rural people, to the government decision to accept 4,000 refugees.

In the aftermath of the attacks, information emerged that one of the suicide bombers at the Stade de France had arrived in Europe through the same route as those hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing appalling humanitarian conditions in Syria in particular.

The reaction of the political authorities, and the media, to a large extent was to play down this development, to the point that the truth of the initial information became confused: the attacker's passport was found, evidence that the passport-holder was the terrorist concerned less certain.

In any event, it seems certain that the Paris attacks and subsequent revelations related to the movement of the Belgium-based mastermind to and from Syria account for another significant finding in today's poll: 59pc are concerned that terrorists could enter this country under the migrant programme, again mostly older and rural.

It was always apparent that jihadis might make use of the open refugee trail to Europe, particularly when Europe was and remains so ill-prepared, and at odds, in how to deal with the vast numbers arriving.

Perhaps the real truth is that whether or not the Paris attacks had taken place there would still be sizeable opposition here to the acceptance of 4,000 refugees.

It seems more likely, however, that the Paris attacks and other terrorist threats in Europe recently have unsettled people to an extent greater than might otherwise be the case.

For example, a significant 46pc are worried at the prospect of a Paris-style attack here and a huge 68pc believe the security forces in Ireland do not have the capacity to prevent such an attack.

In the round, then, the poll findings reflect a deep-seated unease at European (and Ireland's) policy, or lack of policy, in contending with the refugee crisis.

And that unease is exacerbated when converged with terrorist atrocities such as in Paris; or disturbing events such as occurred in Cologne on New Year's Eve, and in other European cities, it has since emerged. There seems little doubt that belated media reports of mass sexual assaults on European women by recent Middle Eastern and North African arrivals will add to the sense of unease at Europe's migration policy.

These issues will exist for some time - the arrival and assimilation of refugees from warzones and failed states and the threat of further terrorist attacks in Europe: how Europe and Ireland first unravels, then deals with it this year and next and into the future will be critical.

There are some grounds for optimism: the National Front failed to win a single region in recent elections in France, which took place after the Paris attacks and at a time when that country's borders were closed.

Since then, borders, some of razor wire, have been erected throughout Europe, from Scandinavia to the Balkans.

At the same time evidence is emerging of starving children in Syria, images more familiar to famine in Africa or concentration camps in Europe in the last century.

Ultimately the political authorities in Europe (and Ireland) will attempt to muddle through the refugee crisis, but it seems counterproductive for the media to close down those voices which have been detected in today's poll. In the first instance, those voices, or concerns, must be heard by political leaders, and, in the second, must be assuaged, not least with a reassurance that the 4,000 refugees coming to Ireland will have been carefully vetted, and also that the rule of law as applies here and in Europe will be enforced should the need arise.

The refugee crisis will eventually end and assimilation of sorts will take place, although that will take some time, several generations indeed, and, history tells us, with mixed success.

For these remarkable events to be successfully contended with, and for Europe to rise to the challenges presented, skilled political leadership of the kind so far in short supply will be needed.
Four members of the rescue team at Howth Head today Credit: Irish Coast Guard

Kevin is winched down towards Hooch Credit: Irish Coast Guard

Hooch and his rescuer Kevin Morrissey on Howth Head today Credit: Irish Coast Guard

A 12-year-old dog was left thanking his lucky stars today after the Irish Coast Guard came to his rescue on Howth Head.

Boxer dog Hooch, aged 78 in dog years, slipped and fell approximately 15 metres into the water while out walking at the scenic spot.

Amazingly, he managed to clamber his way back up the rocks but became stranded on a ledge.

However, the brave dog's barks were heard by walkers and paddle boarders who in turn alerted the Coast Guard.

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A Coast Guard Rescue team from the Howth station happened to be nearby at the time and responded to the incident.

Meanwhile, paddle boarders on the water assisted the Coast Guard team with uncovering the dog's exact location.

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Robin Blandford of The Irish Coast Guard told Independent.ie that it's likely the dog chased a seagull and then became stranded on the ledge.

"We reckon that Hooch fell 15-metres into the water but managed to climb back up and wait to be rescued.

"He began to bark when the climber arrived.

"A younger dog could have become alarmed at the sight of the climber, and got into further difficulty, but Hooch was old enough and wise enough to stay put," Robin said.

He estimated that the rescue operation took between 15 and 30 minutes.

"We have carried out similar rescues of stranded dogs before, but not at that precise spot," he said.

It was decided to lift Hooch up to the top of the cliff rather than lower him downwards to a boat.

A rescue climber, Kevin Morrissey, was lowered down and an animal rescue bag was utilised to bring the stranded canine to safety.

The boxer dog was said to be slightly shaken by the ordeal but otherwise in good spirits.
Dublin's skyline may have to change to accommodate thousands of new hotel rooms that are urgently needed to keep pace with an unprecedented explosion in the number of tourists now visiting the capital, according to the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation.

Despite a record-breaking 2015 in which the tourism industry took in more than 7.3bn, the future growth of the sector, which is credited with creating one out of every three new jobs, is being undermined because tourists in the capital are increasingly finding there is no room at the inn when booking holidays or package tours.

Dublin now has the highest hotel occupancy rate in Europe, averaging around 82pc.

And for the first time ever, demand for hotel accommodation in Dublin is close to or exceeding supply, according to ITIC chairman Paul Gallagher.

Like the residential property market, the collapse of the economy during the downturn and the inability of investors to secure development loans from banks and other hurdles has led to a dearth of new hotels coming on the market, which has in turn led to the demand for hotel beds exceeding supply.

Close to nine million tourists - approximately double the Irish population - visited here last year, with 85pc of them visiting Dublin.

Aside from 850,000 "day visitors", most of them would be looking for a hotel bed, which now costs an average of about 112 a night.

Yet, there are only so many that can be accommodated in the 19,000 hotel beds in Dublin, which means tourists are now having to book months in advance during peak times in order to secure a bed or else are booking hotels outside The Pale.

"Dublin is now so busy in peak season, it works as a barrier to growth," Mr Gallagher told the Sunday Independent.

"The shortage of rooms acts as a handbrake," he said.

Because only three new hotels have come or are about to come on stream in Dublin since 2007, there is a current shortfall of about 4,200 hotel rooms needed just to keep pace with current demand, Mr Gallagher said.

Under normal economic circumstances, about two or three new hotels with more than 200 rooms each would be built each year. But that hasn't happened for the past seven years, leading to the current shortage.

At the same time, record growth in the industry over the past two years due to a recovery in the global economy, the strength of the American dollar and British pound against the euro, a record number of international flights to Dublin and successful marketing initiatives, like The Gathering, has created a "perfect storm" making Ireland an attractive destination. But the success of the tourism market has even taken the industry by surprise, Mr Gallagher said.

"The recovery has been sooner than we anticipated and the speed of the recovery has been must faster than we anticipated," he said.

Tim Fenn, CEO of the Irish Hotels Federation, echoed his concerns.

While Dublin's loss of room revenue is a gain for the regions that are picking up some of the overflow, hoteliers in Dublin are now setting their sights to "attract the high-spend customer" in order to remain competitive due to other market issues, like high labour and other costs of business, he said.

Although room rates in the capital will invariably rise due to demand issues, he isn't worried the industry will return to Celtic Tiger-era prices. But we will still need "to see sustainable development" to meet future demand, he said.

However, some operators are starting to feel "the side effects of success", according to Ruth Andrews, CEO of the Incoming Tour Operators Association (ITOC), representing package tour operators catering to North American and European clients.

"Our worry is that we'll end up pricing ourselves out of the market," she said.

Escorted bus tours are now having to limit the number of overnight stays in Dublin due to a lack of availability, while at the same time having to book stays up to 18 months in advance, she said.

The other concern is that tour operators catering to the overseas markets will give Ireland a miss altogether in favour of other European countries like France, Spain and Italy, where room vacancy rates are higher and, therefore, cheaper, she said.

"What's happening at the moment is that kind of business can go elsewhere. There are destinations that are keener and leaner," she said.

Canny investors have already cottoned on to the demand for hotels and, like flush players at a Monopoly game, are snapping up existing hotels as soon as they come on the market.

Sales of hotels in Dublin hit a record 1bn in 2015, with more than 60 hotels changing hands last year and another 15 Sale Agreed for 2016.

Tom Barrett, who specialises in the hotel and leisure sector for Savills estate agents, said even he was surprised by the buoyant demand for hotels that started in 2013 after years of oversupply during the recession. Demand remains strong for this year, with Dublin 1 off O'Connell Street, the Dublin Docklands and the Liberties area around Christchurch Cathedral much sought-after areas.

But because it's still cheaper to buy an existing hotel than build a new one, developers are still having a hard time getting capital for new construction, while other issues like lack of suitable sites, the lengthy planning process and height restrictions are impediments to new construction, Mr Gallagher added.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Failte Ireland said it "shares the industry's concerns" as it awaits a report on the hotel/infrastructure needs of the industry.
Fine Gael local election candidate Eamonn Coghlan and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton canvassing Miriam and Ashok Varadkar, the parents of Health Minister Leo Varadkar, in Castleknock, Dublin, recently....Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Health Minister Leo Varadkar's father did not know his son was going to come out to the entire nation during a radio interview in the build up to the Marriage Equality Referendum.

Dr Ashok Varadkar, who was visiting his native India at the time of the Health Minister's landmark radio interview, said he was "shocked" by his son's very public revelation.

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In his first public interview, Dr Varadkar also revealed he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps and take over his general practice rather than become a politician.

The doctor, who previously supported Fianna Fail, said his political views were "more liberal than those of Fine Gael", but insisted he still hoped the current Government was returned after the General Election.

Dr Varadkar, who is retired, supported the Marriage Equality Referendum and posed for publicity pictures with other fathers of gay men during the campaign.

However, he never spoke publicly about his son's decision to tell the country he was gay while speaking to Miriam O'Callaghan on RTE Radio One before the historic vote.

But in a recent interview with the Journal of Irish College of General Practitioners, Dr Varadkar broke his silence to praise the Health Minister's bravery in coming out.

"When Leo came out in public it was a shock to me like anybody else. When he did the radio interview I was actually in India. Whether his sisters knew or not I'm not sure - they may have (had) some inkling but I didn't," he said.

"But I know it's not uncommon to be gay so I've supported him fully. As long as he's happy - that's the main thing as far as we are concerned," Dr Varadkar added.

Mr Varadkar said he told his father he was gay three months before he went public in January last year and presumed his mother would tell him about the radio interview.

"I told him around October or November. He was very supportive, more so than I expected. He's an Indian man in his 70s. Other gay sons haven't been as lucky," Mr Varadkar told the Sunday Independent.

Born in Mumbai, Dr Varadkar moved to England in the 1960s where he met his wife Miriam, who is from Dungarvan in Waterford.

The couple spent time living in India during the 1970s but relocated to Ireland where the doctor set up a practice in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

The couple have three children: Sophia, a neurologist in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London; Sonia, a midwife in the Coombe Hospital in Dublin; and Leo, who is also a qualified GP.

Dr Varadkar said his own interest in politics may have influenced his son from a early age and pushed him towards becoming an elected representative. However, he considers himself a socialist and was a Labour Party supporter when living in England.

"My politics would be slightly more liberal than those of Fine Gael. But if you were to ask what government I would like to see in power after the next election, I would have to say the present Government," he said. "Previously, I've been a Fianna Fail supporter."

The doctor said the Health Minister has been landed with the toughest job in Cabinet, but "overall is doing a good job" and has notable achievement such as the introduction of free GP care for under-sixes and over-70s.

He believes the hospital trolley crisis, which currently has the minister in the eye of a political storm, has been an issue in the health service for a "long time" and will "take some time to sort out".

"I think Leo would probably share my view that healthcare should be free for everyone and the Government has promised to extend free GP care further if re-elected," he added.

Dr Varadkar said that his son's plan to extend free GP care is likely to face further resistance from the medical profession but insisted Irish doctors should be more appreciative of their work conditions.

"I think that, while there are obviously problems, life is not bad for Irish doctors however they might complain about things," he said.

He added he was not sure if his son wanted to be Taoiseach but said he has always been "ambitious and determined to succeed in everything".

He would also like his son to be foreign affairs minister some time in the future.
Senator David Norris's former partner has been condemned by Israel's prime minster after he was filmed claiming to help Palestinian secret police find and kill Palestinians who sell land to Jews.

Controversial human rights activist Ezra Nawi, who was central to the collapse of Mr Norris's presidential campaign, was secretly recorded posing as a Jew seeking to buy land from Palestinians with the aim of gathering information for Palestinian counter-intelligence agencies.

Shockingly, he is recorded on camera telling an undercover investigator that Palestinian special forces will "catch these guys and kill them" after he hands over the details.

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the video footage, broadcast by a prominent Israeli current affairs show, "unmasked radicals" whose "hatred for settlements has pushed them over the edge to the point of delivering innocents for torture and execution".

"Those who encourage murder cannot continue to hide behind the hypocritical pretence of caring for human rights," he added.

Mr Nawi is an Israeli-born left-wing Palestinian rights activist who hit the headlines in Ireland during the 2011 Presidential election after it emerged Mr Norris wrote a clemency letter on his behalf after he was imprisoned for the statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy.

Mr Norris had a 10-year relationship with Mr Nawi and they remained close friends after they broke up.

On Thursday, a respected Israeli investigative television show, Uvda (Facts), aired recordings of Mr Nawi, which were originally filmed by members of a right-wing Israeli human rights group that infiltrated Ezra Nawi's organisation, Ta'ayush

The material recorded by the right-wing group Ad Kan was given to Uvda, which is broadcast on the left-wing Israeli television network Channel 2.

Mr Nawi is filmed taking a call a from Palestinian real estate agent hoping to sell land.

"He's not the first to call me, he's maybe the fourth," Nawi said, before adding: "And right away I send their pictures and their phone numbers to the Palestinian security services."

Asked what the secret police do with the information, he says: "They catch these guys and they kill them."

Selling land to Jews is punishable by death under strict Palestinian laws, but the courts have not implemented death sentences in recent years and instead hand down heavy prison sentences.

However, there have been several unsolved murders of Palestinians who sold land to Jews, according to local reports.

Speaking after the show, Israeli deputy defence minister Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan said the footage showed some human rights organisations "actually trample on human rights".

Israel's science minister, Ofir Akunis, is reported saying the show revealed "another dangerous expression of the escalation of the extreme left".

In a statement, published on the website of Israeli Newspaper Haaretz, Mr Nawi is quoted as denying he tried to entrap Palestinian land sellers. "The opposite is true. He came to me and presented himself as a land broker," he said. "I assumed he was sent to frame me and tarnish my name in the Palestinian community. I had no choice but to report the incident to the Palestinian Authority, lest I be deemed a land buyer," he added.

Efforts to contact Mr Norris at his home address and his Leinster House office were unsuccessful.
Residents who live beside an oil recycling plant in Laois claim foul odours continue to emanate from the facility that was prosecuted in the District Court last month for licence breaches.

Enva was fined 8,000 in the District Court last month after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took it to court over what residents say are noxious, oily fumes. The firm was at the centre of a Prime Time Investigates programme last week.

At the hearing on December 18, Judge Catherine Staines is understood to have hit out at the odours affecting residents, and noted that they could take an injunction to close the plant. She also questioned why the Environmental Protection Agency took the case to the District Court on learning that she didn't have the power to suspend the plant.

Kevin Keyes and his wife, Edel, who live beside the plant, said that "absolutely horrendous" odours emanated from the plant on the day of the court case on December 18, and again on Thursday and Friday of last week.

"The day that the court case happened, the day Prime Time aired and the day after have been three particularly bad days," said Mr Keyes.

Residents have been complaining for years over the oily, gassy odour which they have attributed to the Enva plant. Their concerns were highlighted in the Sunday Independent in 2014, but the EPA said the Enva facility was "largely compliant with its licence" and that residents did not face a health risk.

The EPA took action over the summer after it received 32 complaints about the smell coming from the plant between June and September of last year, resulting in the prosecution of the firm.

The smell was so bad at times that Irish Rail workers nearby kept a log charting the severity of the odour. A copy of one log, which starts in July 7, 2014, and runs to last September, records the odour as being particularly bad throughout last summer.

Gerard O'Leary, director of enforcement at the EPA, told the Sunday Independent the agency would be investigating all complaints and would be monitoring Enva closely.

Labour senator John Whelan, who has campaigned on behalf of affected residents, claimed the EPA's credibility was "shot" following the Prime Time programme, and said it needed to be radically restructured.

He claimed the EPA has been inundated with complaints for years and it was "only finally forced to act" when Prime Time and local residents "closed in on them" - which the EPA has denied.

In a statement, Enva said it was committed to resolving any odour concerns and was committed to applying the highest possible standards to its Portlaoise facility. It has applied to the EPA to install a 1m system to capture chemical emissions in the air.

Mr Whelan said he would be raising the issue with environment m inister Alan Kelly.

"Underpinned by legislation, the EPA is virtually answerable to no one, under the pretext of its statutory independence. However, this is grievously flawed and unsatisfactory and the EPA now urgently requires a radical root-and-branch reform and restructuring to render it more accountable and answerable to the public, which it is intended to serve."
Renee ffrench-O'Carroll, the daughter of a French diplomat, who has died aged 92, was for many years the only remaining owner/occupier of a Georgian house on Fitzwilliam Square in Dublin.

Renee Marie de Laforcade arrived in Ireland in 1940 at the age of 17 to join her father Xavier, the French 'Minister' (as foreign ambassadors were known in Free State Ireland) the representative of the Vichy government, and her mother Angele, then living in the grand French embassy residence on Ailesbury Road.

Renee's parents were obviously well connected as they also managed to bring a considerable fortune with them to neutral Ireland.

Vivacious and outgoing, the young Renee met Michael ffrench-O'Carroll and the debonair 24-year-old Irish doctor and the beautiful 21-year-old Frenchwoman were married in Donnybrook Church on December 7, 1944.

Renee's parents gave the young couple a wedding present of a four-storey, over-basement house at No 55 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, where she continued to live until shortly before her death.

The young Dr Michael ffrench-O'Carroll was friendly with another opinionated young doctor, Noel Browne, and along with Sean McBride established the Clann na Poblachta political party in 1947. After falling out with McBride, ffrench-O'Carroll was elected to the Dail in 1951 as an independent TD for South West Dublin. He later joined Fianna Fail but failed to get elected on two subsequent occasions and sat in the Seanad until 1957.

The couple had five children. However, their marriage broke up and Michael ffrench O'Carroll pursued post- graduate studies in the University of Michigan, before returning to work in Britain and later as the director of alcohol and drug addiction in a centre from Cork from 1980 to 1992. He died in 2007.

According to Mrs ffrench O'Carroll's lawyer, the marriage break-up was particularly difficult as she was "a lady in a certain position of society - we have forgotten some of these sensitivities".

In the years that followed, she managed the family investments and property portfolio in a quiet unassuming manner from her home in Fitzwilliam Square, seeing it change from an area populated by doctors and artists (such as Jack B Yeats) to a commercial district mainly occupied by offices. She would probably have continued her life of genteel obscurity were it not for a 'family feud' with her son, Arthur ffrench-O'Carroll, a well-known figure in Dublin social-circles, which revolved around ownership of a mews at the back of the house, now occupied by the restaurant Diep Le Shaker.

The case began in 1998 and lasted for six years, despite strenuous efforts by advisors to facilitate a settlement.

Renee ffrench-O'Carroll insisted she never intended to sign the lease which gave the youngest of her five children title to the mews.

Arthur ffrench-O'Carroll, who once managed his mother's quite considerable property portfolio, maintained that she had agreed to give it to him as his inheritance.

Renee ffrench-O'Carroll was "a highly intelligent and astute businesswoman" and "wily, adroit and adamant" in her views, said Judge Thomas Smyth, summing up the dispute.

She was, he said, a strong-willed woman who "wanted her way and she got it". But the judge found that by signing over the lease, Renee ffrench-O'Carroll was giving her son Arthur his inheritance while she was still alive.

Finding in the son's favour, he said Renee ffrench-O'Carroll had dismissed her son in "the most imperious tones" while, in contrast, Arthur's affection for his mother "was not contrived".

After the court case, I called to the house in Fitzwilliam Square to seek an interview. Elegant as ever, she opened the green door of No 55 and during our doorstep conversation she conceded that she had led a most interesting life. "You could write a book about it," she said, and with a charming smile she firmly closed the front door.

The funeral Mass for Renee ffrench-O'Carroll, who died on December 28, took place in Donnybrook Church where she was married in 1944. She had five children: Paul, Marie Claire, Donal, Arthur and the late Suzanne.
Fr Tony Flannery, the liberal Redemptorist priest who has been taken out of ministry by the Vatican for his outspoken views, has claimed that the Church would not talk to him when it came to addressing their complaints about articles he had written.

The cleric, who was taken out of ministry for writing articles the Vatican claimed were out of step with Church doctrine in the Redemptrist magazine revealed that the Papal Nuncio has refused to meet the Association of Catholic Priests which represents 1,000 priests across the country, while attending every dog fight in the country.

He was interviewed on RTE Radio Ones 'Miriam Meets' programme, alongside his brother, the former Fine Gael director of elections, Frank Flannery.

Mr Flannery accompanied him to a couple of meetings in Rome when he was going through the ordeal and explained that: You never know who your accusers are, there is no process, describing it as: beyond medieval.

Fr Flannery claimed the Irish bishops have never contacted him in the past four years and have never showed him any element of support.

He added that it was hard to have faith in the Church because of the experience he has had over this period of time.

Asked why he has not simply left the church, Fr Flannery said this has been asked of him very, very regularly, however the Church is something he has given his life to.

Im very committed to the gospel, probably now more than ever is a great time to be teaching the gospel, he said.

He revealed that he has become involved internationally in the reform movement in the church which is only just now gathering strength in Ireland.

He said this has been extremely stimulating and exciting and has opened up a whole new world to me.

In some ways, this is the best period of my life right now, he said.
Detective Sergeant Tom Carey holds a rocket similar to the ones used by Hamas as gardai show samples of weapons that were seized during the years 2014 and 2015 at a press conference at Garda Headquarters Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins Dublin

As the country heads towards the centenary of the 1916 Rising, rather like the Titanic steaming towards that iceberg, Sinn Fein is steadily upping its assault on what it regards as the hypocrisy of mainstream parties for celebrating violence in the name of Irish freedom 100 years ago whilst deploring it 20, 30 and 40 years ago in the name of the IRA.

On Thursday, that campaign reached an orgiastic crescendo with a triumphalist rally at Dublin's Mansion House as SF president Gerry Adams made his most explicit connection yet between the Provisional IRA and the Easter Rising, before staking his party's own claim to be the one to complete that unfinished business.

There was palpable glee as SF got to pose alongside armed men again, even if they were only in fancy dress. The paramilitary symbolism was unambiguously menacing.

The situation is complicated by the fact that SF has a point. Unless one takes a position such as that of former Taoiseach John Bruton, who regards events at Easter as a betrayal of the constitutional nationalist campaign of John Redmond's Irish Parliamentary Party, then Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour will always be open to a charge of double standards in deciding that it was acceptable for Pearse, Connolly and others to take up arms against British rule in 1916 but not for those claiming to be acting in the same cause in 1970s Belfast.

The same gaping hypocrisy exists in SF's position too, however. In taking away the right to make value judgements about the legitimacy of one armed insurrection over another, it also undermine its own moral right to oppose dissident republicans. If all rebellions are equal and none more equal than others, then it is in no more of a position to oppose the current crop of republican dissidents than constitutionalists on the centre ground of politics are to deplore the Provos.

The question of republican dissident activity has been brought into focus once more by Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Mahoney, who, showing off the latest cache of discovered weapons, warned of a growing capability of groups such as the Real IRA, Continuity IRA and Oglaigh na hEireann to launch gun and bomb attacks on both sides of the Border.

The finds, all two years' worth of them, were hailed as a "significant blow" to those organisations' ambitions, but some cynical eyebrows were raised at the decision to highlight at this time the danger posed by dissidents. Understandably so. It's hard to shake the suspicion that they keep wheeling out these weapons to convince the public that such groups not only have a capacity to kill, which was never in doubt, but that they also pose some deeper existential threat to the State. It would be wrong not to take dissidents seriously. The murder of Garda Tony Golden in Co Louth by known dissident republican Adrian Mackin tragically proved what can be done by those in their ranks with access to weapons.

But do they really pose any threat beyond the immediate one to life?

This time last year, the most senior police officer in charge of anti-terrorist operations in the North, was warning that dissidents were learning from Islamic State and the Taliban.

Last June, sources also claimed that the so called 'engineering section' of Oglaigh na hEireann had developed sophisticated rocket-fuelled anti-tank missiles of a sort used by Hamas to attack Israel.

Dissidents surely couldn't believe their luck to be spoken of in the same breath as major international terrorist organisations when, in practice, they more closely resemble criminal gangs - with an ability to cause death, certainly, but with no hope of ever wielding real power or influence, except over a few hundred hotheads motivated as much by money as "freeing" Ireland.

The real existential threat to the State was on swaggering display at that triumphalist rally at the Mansion House last week.

Dissidents are simply Mini Me to the Provisional IRA's Dr Evil, yet still there is what looks like a deliberate, repeated effort to play up the short-term threat from the former and downplay the continuing long-term threat from the latter. The Garda report into the current status of the republican movement last September barely touched on the murder only weeks earlier of former IRA hard man Kevin McGuigan in Belfast, whilst Gerry Adams' credentials are still taken at face value when, with a straight face, he offers to act as an intermediary in talks with dissident groups.

SF continues to reap the benefits from the extraordinary letter which Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan sent to Padraig Mac Loughlin TD last February, which appeared to back his party's push to rubbish any claims that the IRA was still active. Asked directly, on her first appearance as head of the force before the Dail's Justice Committee, whether the IRA still existed, she persisted in refusing to give a straight yes or no answer.

By October, a report confirmed that the army council did indeed remain intact and that members believe it even exercised control over SF with an "overarching strategy".

Three months on from that assessment, the country doesn't need to see the Assistant Commissioner showing off some rusty weapons seized from gangsters posing as guerillas. It needs the Commissioner herself to pro-actively put right the damage done by her comments and to reassure the public that the force has a handle on SF/IRA.

PSNI assistant chief constable Bill Kerr warned last year that dissidents would use the 1916 anniversary to justify their armed campaign. It's becoming increasingly clear that those seeking to do that are much closer to home.

Not the 'Real IRA', but the real IRA.
Refugees being relocated to Ireland should be screened in light of last weeks horrific sex attacks in Germany, according to Renua leader Lucinda Creighton.

The Dublin Bay South TD today said it is not xenophobic to hold the belief that a screening programme should be in place.

Ireland has committed to accommodate up to 4,000 refugees who have fled war-torn countries such as Syria and Iraq.

However, todays Sunday Independent/Millward Brown opinion poll reveals that almost three in five people (59pc) are concerned that terrorists could enter Ireland under the guise of the relocation programme.

The poll was conducted prior to shocking incidents in Cologne, Germany last week, which involved a spate of attacks on women.

Speaking on Newstalk today, Ms Creighton called for tough screening rules.

I dont think its xenophobic or unreasonable to say that there should be screening, and that there should be a process and mechanism in place to ensure that refugees are genuine refugees and not economic migrants, she said.

I think in a sense there has been an attempt to silence anyone who questions the kind of complete open door policy. It has to be open door, but it has to involve screening in terms of security but also in terms of the kind of cultural issues that are emerging in Germany, she added.
Gerry Adams is rumoured to be stepping down as leader of Sinn Fein before the general election Photo: Tom Burke

Sinn Fein last night denied that Gerry Adams might be prepared to step down as party leader in the run-up to the General Election, despite mounting speculation.

Sources say Mr Adams (68) is considering stepping aside as he continues to be linked to IRA-related controversies.

There are also Sinn Fein TDs and others who privately feel it is time for change. The party has cancelled its Ard Fheis next month and there has been growing speculation among republicans in Belfast that Mr Adams is about to announce that he is stepping aside to allow the 'softer' face of Sinn Fein to emerge.

But a Sinn Fein spokesman said last night: "Gerry Adams will be contesting the next election as leader of Sinn Fein to represent the people of Louth and to lead a progressive government to deliver a fair recovery."

Adams is seen by an increasing number of members of his own party in the Republic as a liability to the party's electoral hopes, according to republican and security sources.

While the likely candidate to replace him here is party vice-president Mary Lou McDonald, sources close to the party also say the relatively little-known Donegal Sinn Fein man, Pat Doherty, is also a possible replacement should Adams decide to officially 'retire'.

Sources say, however, it would be more likely that Mary Lou McDonald would become the leading face of Sinn Fein until an official leadership contest was held at a party conference after the general election.

Doherty preceded Ms McDonald as vice-president for 11 years. But despite a relatively low-key political existence in the North, he is said to be one of the key leadership figures in the 'republican movement'.

Doherty was named in the 1998 libel case, taken by Thomas 'Slab' Murphy against Times Newspapers, as a member of the IRA leadership by former 'Southern Command' leader and Garda informant, Sean O'Callaghan. Doherty served as Sinn Fein vice-president from 1988 to 2009.

Despite living in Donegal, he has been repeatedly returned as Sinn Fein MP and Assembly member for the West Tyrone constituency where he still serves.

Ms McDonald, by contrast, has no links with the IRA though she has loyally supported Adams throughout all the controversies linked to his past involvement in the terrorist organisation.

The continued existence of the IRA became a significant issue over the last two years following Mairia Cahill's revelations about the IRA's protection of rapists and sexual abusers within its ranks. This was followed by the murders of Belfast IRA leader Gerard 'Jock' Davison in Belfast in May last year and the murder of another former IRA man, Kevin McGuigan.

The PSNI blamed the IRA and the continued existence of the IRA, and its 'Army Council' leadership was confirmed by an independent security review team set up by the British Government. None of the IRA council members is involved in Sinn Fein in the Republic.

Recent controversies related to the Sinn Fein leader's past date from the conviction of his paedophile brother, Liam (60), who last year lost an appeal against a 15-year sentence for the rape of his eldest daughter, Aine, between 1977 and 1981.

In evidence, Gerry Adams admitted he was told about the abuse but did not contact police. This was followed by Mairia Cahill's revelations that her own rape, and the rape and abuse of other victims of IRA paedophiles and rapists, was the subject of an extensive and organised IRA cover up.

The IRA's links to organised crime along the Border and particularly the massive profits being generated by cigarette and fuel smuggling with its legacy of dangerous environmental pollution was another thorn in the party's fside last year. Republican and security sources have told the Sunday Independent that Adams is planning to step aside for fear that any further IRA-related controversies will damage Sinn Fein's prospects in the coming general election. If the party vote was substantially damaged and its IRA links were to blame, this could potentially cause irreversible damage to the party's prospects of involvement in any coalition government.

Last night a Sinn Fein spokesman said: "Gerry Adams will be contesting the next election as leader of Sinn Fein to represent the people of Louth and to lead a progressive government to deliver a fair recovery, end the chaos in health and housing and promote Irish unity."

However, after holding the party leadership for 33 years, Adams's continued role is also a bar to coalition because of the distaste which other political parties hold for him.

One source also said that it could suit Adams's longer-term objectives significantly to step down either before or after the election as this could leave him in a position where he could run for President in two years' time.

The job of President is said this would suit Adams as it would allow him to travel around the world and build his 'legacy' reputation.
Refugees and migrants are silhouetted as they arrive aboard the passenger ferry Ariadne at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, Greece

Almost three in five people (59pc) are concerned that terrorists could enter the country under Ireland's programme to resettle refugees, according to a Sunday Independent/Millward Brown opinion poll.

Ireland is to accept 4,000 people over the next two years in response to the crisis in Syria. However, today's nationwide poll has found that a sizable minority (43pc) believes that number is too many. The poll also finds that 34pc believe 4,000 refugees is about the right amount while only 15pc feel it is too few.

Overall, the poll has highlighted a nation divided on the issue. There is a marked difference of opinion between urban and rural people and among younger and older generations.

But the poll has found significant levels of concern in relation the threat of terrorism arising out of Ireland's resettlement and relocation programmes.

The poll was taken between December 5 and January 7, in the aftermath of the Paris attacks and before full details emerged of sex attacks in Cologne, Germany, perpetrated mainly by men of African and Middle Eastern origin.

There is intense anger in Germany, which has admitted over a million refugees, in relation to the attacks.

Yesterday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany's laws should be toughened to make it easier to deport migrants who commit serious crimes, but she refused to retreat from her open-door policy for refugees.

In our poll, asked if they had concerns that terrorists could enter the country using the programme, a significant majority (59pc) said yes; 21pc said no; 15pc said it depends and 5pc did not know or had no opinion.

Half of those polled (49pc) believe that there are already Jihadist terrorists based in the State, while 27pc do not believe there are and 24pc do not know or have no opinion.

Almost half (46pc) are concerned that Ireland could have a terrorist attack similar to that which claimed the lives of 130 people in Paris in November, while 30pc are not worried, 16pc say it depends and 8pc do not know or have no opinion.

The most decisive poll finding is that a large majority (68pc) believes that Ireland does not have the capacity to prevent such an attack, with just 11pc of the view that the country does, while one-fifth (20pc) do not know or have no opinion.

One constant in terms of the perceived threat from terrorism in Ireland is that those in rural areas are more likely to be more fearful compared to those in urban areas.

Rural people are more likely to feel that too many refugees are being allowed in (51pc vs 37pc) and that terrorists could enter under the radar as a result of the resettlement programme (66pc vs 53pc).

In addition, rural people are also more likely to feel that Jihadi terrorists are already here (58pc vs 43pc) and that the country is under threat of a Paris-style attack (53pc vs 41pc).

Paul Moran, Associate Director of Millward Brown, said: "In some ways, those in urban centres, arguably, should have more cause for concern." Mr Moran has also pointed out that the poll found "little appetite" to join in any military defence of Europe: nearly three-in-five (56pc) believe Ireland should remain neutral with just 17pc "more hawkish".

He also said there was "arguably a certain disconnect between the public's perceived vulnerability" and its willingness to act upon it: just 24pc are prepared to unquestionably sacrifice personal privacy in the interest of national security.

The Government has identified 26 locations to house thousands of incoming refugees, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said before Christmas. Ms Fitzgerald said 90 parcels of land were identified as potential sites across the country but only 26 have been deemed suitable by the department. The refugees will be accommodated in: Killarney, Kilkenny, Carlow, Cavan, Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon, Sligo, Ballina, Castlebar, Ennis, Limerick, Cork, Tralee, Thurles, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Waterford, Naas, Arklow, Mullingar and Dublin.
A British actress who made a showstopping entrance into the Rebellion storyline has hit out at her nation's "appalling" treatment of Ireland - and described becoming emotional on set while watching the lead-up to the executions.

Perdita Weeks, who plays Charles Hammond's beautiful wife Vanessa, has said it is "no wonder" students in the UK are not taught the events of 1916 through the school syllabus. "It was a little bit strange as an English woman cast in Rebellion," she said. "I read up about the events and, honestly, I knew very little about it to begin with it. It wasn't something that they cover in English schools at all.

"I mean, it is no wonder we don't really learn about it or why they don't teach it in English schools [given that] it doesn't paint the English in a very good light -but, you know, it's not the first time [something like this has happened]," she said, adding: "The English treatment of the Irish was appalling, it was absolutely appalling."

"My heritage is Scottish and a lot of Irish too. But it is not the first time the English thought they could just rule the way they wanted and could just go around doing as they pleased to smaller, weaker nations - but that is history," she said. "I didn't feel in any way excluded on set. It was just incredibly interesting and I am glad I got to be a part of it."

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Ms Weeks, who learned about the events from other cast members, described how her fellow actors off camera were stopped in their tracks as they watched as the climatic scene unfold.

"I was hanging around waiting and they were shooting the scene where all of the rebels are being marched through Dublin to prison and, essentially, to firing squads. It was the saddest moment it was incredibly emotional and all of us, who were not in the scene, just stood around watching it and became emotional.

"I mean, there were men, women, very young guys, all marched out and it was incredibly poignant and very, very emotional to watch. It was absolutely horrendous."

Perdita - who comes from a theatrical family - described how debates and discussions about the events surrounding 1916 were struck up between takes and many cast members shared anecdotes and their own family histories.

Once described as having the greatest television sex scene - for her role in Flight of the Storks - Perdita said her romantic moments in Rebellion were a far cry from being steamy.

In one of the lighter moments on set, the actress says that the kisses between her and on-screen husband Charles - played by Tom Turner - created some hairy moments.

"There is a scene coming up and although Tom had a moustache naturally, it was enhanced by hair and make-up every single day, and when one had to kiss Tom Turner, one would end up with hairs between one's teeth," she laughed.

"The first time we had a romantic scene together, I didn't realise his moustache wasn't entirely real and then midway through the scene, I thought, 'Oh my word, what on earth is that in my mouth?' and it was, in fact, his moustache."

The five-part drama series, the second episode of which airs on RTE One tonight, attracted an average of 619,000 viewers and a 41pc share of the available audience tuned in to watch the first hour-long episode. An additional 45,000 watched the first episode of Rebellion on RTE One+1 and 48,650 on RTE Player.

Starring Charlie Murphy, Ruth Bradley, Sarah Greene and Brian Gleeson, the plot covers Easter 1916 as seen through the eyes of a group of friends from Dublin, Belfast and London as they play vital and conflicting roles in the narrative of Ireland's independence.
Same old, same old semtex: The Semtex boxes put on show last week Photo: Collins Dublin, Gareth Chaney

The "sophisticated" display of alleged dissident republican arms put on display last week by Garda management included explosives containers that had previously been put on show two years ago.

The Garda Press Office has admitted that four red metal tins inscribed 'Semtex-H' were put on show at a similar press event to display so-called dissident republican weaponry in July 2013.

Garda management last week said they used the same tins for "health and safety" and "visual indication" reasons and admitted they had been put on display before.

In a statement, the Garda Press Office said: "As per standard procedure, these boxes were used at a public display in 2013 to provide a visual indication of explosives seized and were used again this week to provide a visual indication of explosives seized during 2014 and 2015, which included Semtex."

The press event at Garda Headquarters last Wednesday was supposed to reveal the weaponry that had been seized by the Garda Special Branch in raids along the Border in recent months. Weapons, including an unknown number of firearms and old bomb-making equipment, were seized, it is understood.

In fact, the main firearm put on display last week was a Soviet-manufactured Dragunov rifle that is probably 40 to 50 years old.

The gardai also put on display two home-made rockets, which they said were self-propelling missiles.

No such weapon has previously been used by the IRA or any other group and security sources last week said they believed these "weapons" were probably unusable.

It is not known for sure when the four red Semtex tins were actually seized by gardai but sources say that they were found well before the 2013 press display event. It is believed that they were discovered when gardai uncovered part of a Provisional IRA arms dump after the 2006 IRA declaration that it had 'decommissioned' all its weapons. This was a lie.

A large amount of Semtex was exported to South American drugs cartels and was said to have netted the IRA some US$30m (27.5m), along with the provision of bomb-making training.

Sources have told the Sunday Independent there are probably at least two major IRA arms dumps still in existence, each containing up to a ton of the Semtex explosive, which was given to the IRA by the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in the mid-1980s. At the time, Gaddafi's regime was supplying Soviet-manufactured weapons to a variety of terrorist groups.

While it is not clear why Garda management decided to mount last week's display, security sources have told the Sunday Independent there are rising concerns about a split in the IRA in the North over aspects of the latest political agreement worked out between Sinn Fein, the DUP and the British Government.

The 'Stormont House Agreement', as it is known, has led to divisions in the 'Republican Movement' in the North over some 230 former IRA members who had believed they were to receive amnesties for past actions.

This has now been ruled out.

This group contains figures who would have been among the IRA's top planners and operators and were involved in major attacks.
Nursing chiefs will resume talks today in a bid to avoid a planned strike in hospital emergency departments this week.

Kieran Mulvey, co-chairman and director general of the Workplace Relations Commission, said a number of technical topics will be worked through today. He added that he hoped the commission will be in a position to put forward proposals over the next 24 hours.

"We'll work right through the day and the evening if necessary to get clarity on these and hopefully we will be in a position to issue and commit a proposal that will be possible," he said.

The INMO's Liam Doran said talks were a "bend in the road" compared to previous negotiations and warned that management will have to prove their commitment with visible action on over crowding and staffing levels in emergency rooms.

Nurses are due to stage two-hour work stoppages in seven major hospitals on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Temple Street has revealed that staff at the children's hospital reported five separate car break-ins in 2015. This follows a dramatic incident earlier this year in which a night nurse's car was hijacked in the early hours of the morning as she moved her vehicle from the staff car park to on-street parking to make room for incoming day staff to park.

A spokesperson for Temple Street said that security escorts are available to staff to walk them to their cars at night, with additional security cameras added after the car-jacking incident.

The woman in her 30s was unharmed and the car was found burnt out a short time later on Store Street. However, the incident raised serious issues over the security of nurses as they struggle to find adequate parking spaces at the inner-city location.

Temple Street has approximately 100 spaces officially available to staff. As a result, staff members must use local shopping centre car parks or on-street parking near the hospital.

The spokesperson said: "Given its inner-city location, instances of break-ins to staff cars at Temple Street in the car parks are very rare, however, some staff and visitors parking on nearby streets suffer break-ins to their cars from time to time."

Similar security issues were raised earlier this week as strike action was threatened over the introduction of a 500 parking fee for staff at St James's Hospital. The charges are being brought in as part of the St James's Campus Smarter Travel Initiative intended to reduce the number of cars accessing the campus.

However, Joseph Hoolan, the INMO official for St James's Hospital, said: "The fee is completely unjustified and is causing huge anxiety throughout the hospital".

He said the addition of the parking fee will cause issues around staff retention as well as "security fears" if staff are forced to park off-site.

In response to security concerns, a spokesperson for St James's Hospital said that: "All evening and/or night shift staff will have parking spaces on site."

The INMO will meet with management on January 21.
A signed petition to save Moore Street's heritage is almost the length of the street itself.

Protesters today held the dozens of sheets of paper together, showing the thousands of signatures that have been added to the 'Save Moore Street' group's cause.

The group are occupying a building on Moore Street linked to the 1916 Rising and have vowed to step up their campaign if they do not receive assurances on the protection of the entire site.

The group of around 30 activists gained access to the building currently being renovated on Thursday.

Hundreds more have since joined the group outside the site, which is owned by the Government, to protest against redevelopment plans for a number of dwellings on one of Dublin's most iconic streets.

The Government has already purchased some buildings, including the location of the last council of war held by the 1916 rebellion leaders.

Work began in November to restore numbers 14-17, which are subject to a State preservation order, to get them ready for this year's centenary celebrations. The dwellings are being converted into a new commemorative centre.

Renovations have ceased while the protests continue.

The 1Yi (One Year Initiative) campaign group today captured footage of the never-ending reel of petition signatures.

1Yi is a citizen-led campaign to see people-initiated referendums added to the Irish Constitution.

They are supporting the 'Save Moore Street' group.
Art can be intimidating, which is precisely why half of us end up with the exact same pre-packaged print from a chain store hanging on our first apartment walls. But a grown-up gallery needs to be neither complicated nor overly expensive - at least to start - and making it slip seamlessly into your decor takes just a few tricks.

Follow our lead and try a little texture here, something reflective there, mix in high-quality photographs and a limited-edition print. If you spend a little bit to make sure that your pictures are mounted and framed to perfection then even a birthday card could look worthy of a gallery.

1 Like It, Love It

The key to choosing the art you hang on your walls is that you should love each piece. They should each speak to you every time you see them. For instance, we love the colour combinations in these prints at the Dean Hotel.

Buy it: Fat cap prints by Eoin Holland and James Earley, 150 each available at iverna.ie

2 Photo Friendly

Photographs are a super place to start your art collection, because they can add gravitas to any wall without putting stress on your bank account. Have a browse around Etsy.com or local shops for up-and-coming artists, or just print out your own.

Buy it: Dublin photograph, 15, esthermoline photography.com

3 Proper Prints

If your bank account isn't ready for purchasing original artwork quite yet, don't fret. Prints offer an affordable option for art that isn't mass-produced but doesn't come with a scary pricetag. Find funky Irish designs at damnfineprint.com and jamartfactory.com. And we love these prints from Jando Designs, featuring graphic type over classic Dublin icons.

Buy it: 15, Jando Designs, etsy.com

4 Mirror Mirror

If you have a large space to fill and a selection of smaller pieces, build a gallery wall. Start with a few main pieces and fill in with little items, like mirrors or framed trinkets. These keep the artwork from competing and break up the space visually. For little trinkets, think about souvenirs you picked up on travels abroad, like ticket stubs or keys. Frame three-dimensional objects in shadow box frames.

Buy it: Ashley Thomas flower mirror, 40, Debenhams

5 Mounts and Frames

Once you have art you love, you have two big choices that make more impact than the pictures themselves: mounts and frames. A budget-friendly trick? Choose an inexpensive pre-built frame, and have the mount professionally cut to fit the artwork. For small prints or even trinkets, try a simple frame like this one from Debenhams, and head to your local framemaker to have your picture mounted.

Buy it: Jasper Conran checkered frame, 22, Debenhams

6 Card Trick

Think your artwork has to be expensive? Think again. A sneaky trick for adding art to your walls is to frame pretty greeting cards and postcards. Greeting cards that don't have an overt birthday message or occasion theme can work well year-round on your walls. Choose a simple, inexpensive frame and have a picture mount cut to fit. Think about mixing up the sizes - using a larger frame, even for a small card, allows you to have a wide mount, which will make it look like a more expensive piece. Keep your eyes open in stationery shops for cute card options.

Buy it: Greeting card, 2,

dotcomgiftshop.com

Works of art

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After graduating from the Limerick School of Art and Design, Lola Donoghue (above) spent 10 years as a teacher before returning to focus solely on her artwork. "I work with both oils and acrylic," she says. "I love the depth and quality of oil, the layers and the glazes, but I equally love the instancy of acrylics. To kickstart a session I will grab the first thing that comes to hand, be it a piece of chalk, a marker or some ink, if only to get rid of the blank canvas as quickly as possible." Lola's top tip for having art with impact in the home concerns the hanging rather than the picture choice.

"Once you have bought your art, don't fall at the final hurdle - please don't hang your art too high!" she says. "Measure 58in up from the floor, this is the average eye level and where the centre of your piece should be."

loladonoghue.com
Oh, how I love this internet of things. My very intelligent and totally connected colleague, Adrian Weckler, was able to link his attendance at the CES, the world's biggest technology show, in Las Vegas to a rural pub in Kerry in one brilliant swoop. On the way, he was able to garner the support of local TD Michael Healy-Rae and the AA's director of consumer affairs, Conor Faughnan.

This wonderful bit of fun had the idea of a bunch of hardy lads in some pub getting mightily drunk and then being chauffeured home in their self-driving car, which was the talk of the Consumer Electronics Show.

"We want to make a car that is incapable of causing a crash," said Gill Pratt, head of Toyota Research. The Japanese car maker wants to save 30,000 lives annually with self-driving cars, he said.

Ford chief executive Mark Fields told Adrian in Las Vegas that autonomous vehicles would be "affordable" and "not just for wealthy people".

"In 10 or 15 years, rural publicans may well see their customers drinking, and afterwards, tell their car to safely bring them home," said Conor Faughnan. "The technology is literally already there to do this. It's just a matter of time until the legal and social norms catch up."

Kerry TD Michael Healy- Rae has been critical of existing drink-driving laws, claiming they have stopped rural pubs and businesses from being able to make a living.

"If these new cars aren't priced out of the reach of ordinary people, then yes, I can see them making a positive change to the situation," he told Adrian Weckler. "But it would want to come quickly."

Can you just imagine it? Even if the technology allowed it, which hopefully it won't.

"Ah sure, we'll just give Willie a lift home too and while we're at it, we'll stop at Bridie's for a bit of cake and that lovely whiskey she keeps.

"Just talk into the mic, Seanie and we'll be okay."

The hope that Conor Faughnan and Michael Healy-Rae gave the lads, falling off their bar stools in anticipation, was outrageous. If it ever happens in outer Kerry, it will be when the present occupants of the bar have long gone to their caskets. But then, hope springs eternal and some auld fella tonight will believe that the future will be here before the next pint is poured.

However, it is important not to knock the idea that it might be possible in some areas to do this. For instance, the Renault-Nissan Alliance announced on Thursday it will launch more than 10 vehicles with autonomous drive technology in the next four years.

This year will see vehicles with "single-lane control", allowing cars to drive autonomously on highways, including in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. In 2018, Renault-Nissan will launch vehicles with "multiple-lane control", which can autonomously negotiate hazards and change lanes during highway driving. And 2020 will see the launch of "intersection autonomy", which can navigate city intersections and heavy urban traffic without driver intervention.

Yet, the killer line is that "all of the Alliance's autonomous drive technology will be available at the option of the driver".

Have you ever tried to tell a drunk anything? How many times was I told in the old days, "Sure, It'll be all right, the car knows its way home."
Eagle-eyed guests staying at the LUX* Grand Gaube hotel in Mauritius may notice something curious when walking down one of its corridors. Room number 1025 appears to have disappeared. There's a 1024 and then a 1026, but no 1025.

What they don't know is that 1026 is where room 1025 used to be, and it is only used when the hotel is at full occupancy. It was in this room, five years ago tomorrow, that newly-wed Michaela McAreavey was murdered.

The killing was a hammer blow to both this luxurious establishment - then named Legends Hotel Mauritius - and to the country's tourist industry as a whole.

By the end of 2011, the establishment had been renamed in a gala event and a new motto, "Lighter, Brighter", was introduced, although its manager insisted the rebranding had been in the pipeline for a couple of years and had nothing to do with Michaela's murder.

At the same time, Mauritian tourist chiefs were anxious to point out that this highly popular honeymoon destination was safe for overseas visitors and the tragedy that befell the Harte and McAreavey families was a gruesome anomaly on an island famed for its glorious sunshine, sandy beaches and azure seas.

Five years on and the idyllic island in the Indian Ocean continues to exert a huge pull for newly-weds, but not those from Ireland.

"The Mauritius market was very badly hit after the tragedy," says a representative from Sunway Holidays, "and it's considerably down on what it was, although we are seeing a slow but steady increase in people going there. There's reduced fight availability into Port Louis and other destinations like the Maldives are attracting holidaymakers from Ireland."

While the LUX* Grand Gaube is among the hotels that Sunway offers packages to, it doesn't attract the Irish in the numbers it once did."It used to be one of the most popular hotels there," the spokesperson says, "and our guests loved it. My own brother had his honeymoon there." But that was then.

With blanket coverage in this country of Michaela's killing - and the trial which took place on the island a year later - few people would have been unaware of a killing that truly shocked a nation.

"It was a high-profile case that really affected Irish people and they simply stopped going to Mauritius," says travel-industry journalist Eoghan Corry. "It used to be a huge market for those willing to spend a lot and go long-haul for their honeymoon, but now that sort of spend has moved to places like the Seychelles and South Africa.

"Like a lot of Irish travel journalists, I was given a briefing from the Mauritius tourist board in the wake of the tragedy. They were stressing how safe the island was, but it wasn't something they could market their way out of when it came to Irish holidaymakers. Word of mouth is still very important to us."

But for other European holidaymakers, oblivious to the killing, Mauritius remains a popular destination. "It had no impact on other European countries," Corry says, "because it got very little publicity there. Similarly, the case of two British tourists killed in Thailand, or that of the man who had his wife murdered in South Africa, had no impact on people travelling there from this country."

Meanwhile, those who venture to the LUX* Grand Gaube are likely to experience a holiday to remember for all the right reasons. It enjoys phenomenal ratings on TripAdvisor, with 93pc of more than 3,000 reviewers classing the hotel as either "very good" or "excellent".

"We had an absolutely amazing time," wrote one English holidaymaker on TripAdvisor on Tuesday.

"It's the kind of place where you just don't have to leave hotel premises. They have everything to make you feel welcome, to relax, pamper, entertain you during your stay."
If novelist Dan Browne penned a tome, the gist of which had a female aide of the Pope seducing a monsignor to steal Vatican secrets, papal spokesmen would be aghast. Dismissals of the book as "mere fantasy" would surely be immediately forthcoming.

But more often than not, fact is stranger than fiction, and the latest dispatches from Rome make for salacious reading. Francesca Chaouqui, who was a key adviser to Pope Francis on economic reform, now stands accused of sleeping with Spanish priest Msgr Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda on the pretext of receiving documents about alleged financial mismanagement which prosecutors claim she duly leaked to the press.

Chaouqui strenuously denies the sexual relationship and that she leaked any documents. The fact that Balda is linked to the notoriously secretive Opus Dei movement within the Church has only added to the intrigue. It was Browne's The Da Vinci Code that made famous in the popular imagination Opus Dei by way of the character of the murderous monk Silas. But not even Browne's stretched imagination could scarcely have written the latest saga.

Vatileaks has become the byword for scandals that have rocked the Holy See in recent years. Pope Benedict XVI resigned just weeks after receiving a 300-page dossier on the scandal that reached its height under his tenure with the trial and imprisonment of his butler, Paolo Gabriele, for stealing files from the papal apartment.

The German pontiff left the dossier for his successor and when cardinals gathered in Rome in March 2013 to elect a new pope, reform was on their mind. They got their man in Jorge Bergoglio who chose the name Francis.

Almost from day one, the Argentine Jesuit, who had made a point of spending very little time in Rome, signalled that things were going to be different. Inevitably, opposition to his reform agenda grew within certain vested interests at the heart of the Church bureaucracy known as the Roman Curia.

But, the current Vatileaks scandal has the potential to make the trial of the light-fingered butler seem like a storm in an espresso cup. For a start, the latest shenanigans have two elements that always pique human interest: sex and money. And the Italian media has gone in to overdrive. In the land that gave the world the 'bunga bunga' sex parties of former premier Silvio Berlusconi, Chaouqui has been described as a "sex bomb".

In a culture where men are often seen as powerless to resist the charm of women, the hapless Spanish monsignor has been portrayed by some in the media as a victim, a role he seems delighted to fill.

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Unlike the butler, who from the moment of his arrest admitted his role in stealing documents, the heavily pregnant Chaouqui has come out fighting insisting that she is innocent of all charges. She will be tried under the laws of Vatican City State and, if found guilty, faces up to eight years in prison.

Pope Francis has taken what many see as an uncharacteristically rigid line on the issue describing the leaks as a "deplorable crime". He has even publicly suggested that Chaouqui may have been motivated by umbrage at not receiving a permanent job at the Vatican, a suggestion she dismisses.

But, for a woman who protests her innocence, she is remarkably resigned about the prospect of a potential prison sentence if found guilty. "The Pope is not just a head of state, he is the head of my religion, he is God on Earth. If they find that I am guilty, I must go [to jail], I have no choice," she said in a recent interview.

The documents in question relate to allegations of lavish spending of charitable funds by senior Vatican officials, a fact that makes the Pope's hard-line approach all the more curious given that such revelations would surely strengthen his case for reform with the world's bishops.

For his part, Balda has admitted leaking the documents, but claims it was only after Chaouqui seduced him and they had sex in a Florence hotel room.

Chaouqui, pugnacious as ever, has fired back in a series of posts on her Facebook and Twitter pages rejecting his claims, appearing to imply that the Spanish prelate may be homosexual.

"From what I know of Balda, the last thing he wants to do is go to bed with me". In another message she wrote: "I am someone who knows millionaires and emirs. If I wanted to betray my husband, I wouldn't do it with an old priest who does not like women."

When both were seated together at a December 7 trial hearing in the tiny Vatican courtroom, they ignored one another. The case has now been postponed until next month at the earliest as defence lawyers sought an adjournment to study the Vatican's evidence.

It's clear from her frequent posts on social media and constant presence in the Italian media that Chaouqui sees herself as a pawn in a much larger game, a martyr even.

"I'll fight like a lion all the way to the end to bring the truth to light," she said this week, "but the problem is that the outcome of the trial has already been decided at a table someplace."

She says that perhaps only the spectacle of sending an innocent woman to jail and forcing her to give birth to the child she's expecting behind bars, will expose the true corruption that she believes is at the heart of the charges laid against her.

"They'll feel obligated to clean things up and to put on trial the people who actually steal who are guilty of extremely serious financial crimes," she said this week.

Perhaps copper-fastening her self-identity as a martyr for a reformed Curia, she has pledged to name her unborn son Peter in honour of the Pope.

This year marks what Pope Francis has called a 'Year of Mercy', and many commentators have suggested that if found guilty - as she fully expects - she will be granted a pardon. However, she has insisted that under no circumstances will she ask for, or accept, a papal pardon.

If Chaouqui is to go down, she's determined to create a public spectacle of her trial. Last month, against the protests of prosecutors, she managed to convince the Vatican court to call a slew of senior cardinals for cross examination.

Her game plan, some expect, is to force officials to reveal under oath what they know about alleged financial mismanagement by their senior colleagues, provoking more controversy and meaning that the actual leaks fade in to insignificance. After all, for a Pope who has made his reputation talking about reform and cleaning up the Vatican, it would be quite the spectacle to persecute those accused of leaking documents while ignoring the alleged financial misdeeds exposed in those same leaks.

It's a game of high stakes, and one that Chaouqui, handpicked by Pope Francis because of her skill in public relations, is eminently qualified to play.

Michael Kelly is Editor of The Irish Catholic
You might hate Monday, but you'll love our hand-picked selection of special offers... fresh every week.

95pp: Fly direct to Iceland

WOW Air (wowair.ie) has a January sale offering one-way fares from Dublin to Iceland from 95. Flights will operate three times weekly from February 17. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus's summer sale continues to midnight on January 18.

189pp: Spring break in Prague

Budget Travel has a range of well-priced city breaks at the moment, including flights plus three nights in Prague from 189pp. The deal is based on an April 4 departure, with accommodation in a 3-star hotel. 01 435-0024; budgettravel.ie

389pp: Let's talk Turkey

With fewer Russian visitors this year, many see Turkey as one of 2016's best bargains - and Sunway has flights plus seven nights at the 4-star Golden Day Wings Hotel in Kusadasi from 389pp, departing April 16. 01 231-1800; sunway.ie

989pp: Treats in Thailand

Tropical Sky has long-haul flights plus a seven-night stay at the 4-star Peace Resort Samui from 989pp, based on travel between March 1-23. The deal must be booked before February 29, and includes transfers. 01 664-9999; tropicalsky.ie

1,259: Fancy a family sun holiday over Easter?

Clickandgo.com has flights with Aer Lingus plus seven nights at the 4-star Sunset Beach Club in Spain's Benalmadena over Easter from 1,259 for a family of three. The holiday departs March 26, and is self-catering. 01 539-7777; clickandgo.com

For the best hotel deals in our #MagicMonday destinations, and all over the world, see hotels.independent.ie.

NB: All travel deals subject to availability/change.
Online publications and social media have hit traditional travel publishing hard, but they haven't killed it off... yet.

In 1957, Arthur Frommer published 'Europe on 5 Dollars a Day'.

A format was born. In the decades that followed, travel guides by Frommers, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides et al. sold by the truckload, combining with a boom in tourism to create a genre without which no backpack was complete.

We all know what happened next.

Online and mobile technologies hit travel publishing like a tornado. A new generation of digital natives latched onto social media, to Google, TripAdvisor, Skyscanner and a wave of apps to research, plan and share their adventures.

Between 2005 and 2012, combined sales at the seven largest travel publishers in the UK dropped by 46pc, according to a report for Nielsen BookScan. Lonely Planet was sold and re-sold. In 2012, Google purchased Frommer's.

But then came a curved ball.

In 2014, Arthur Frommer and his daughter Pauline bought their brand back. They updated 30 'EasyGuides' in print that year - lighter, more focused titles - and recently published an 800-page guide to Europe.

At the same time, Rough Guides has come up with Colour The World, a travel book that features outlines of iconic sights for travellers to colour in.

The future of print guides will always be niche, but it's a niche we may have underestimated. Many of us still yearn for a slower kind of travel - the scratch of pen on paper, the engagement required to compose a sketch or notes, rather than snap a selfie and move on.

The age of Europe on $5 a day is definitely over, but the death of the guidebook may have been exaggerated.

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You'd be hard-pushed to do Europe on $5 a day now, but there are huge savings to be made on city breaks.

Cheaper oil has led to cheaper airfares, which have led to cheaper dynamically packaged holidays (i.e. combinations of accommodation and scheduled flights).

Cassidy Travel (cassidytravel.ie) has two nights in Amsterdam from 103pp in February, for instance. Budget Travel (budgettravel.ie) has flights plus three nights at a four-star hotel in Rome from 159pp in April.

Gohop.ie, ClickandGo.com and lowcostholidays.ie also have deals.

Splash

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Planning a honeymoon in 2016?

Classic Resorts (classicresorts.ie) has several long-haul, bucket-list-style trips on special this month, including 11 nights in Kenya from 2,099pp - with four nights on safari and seven at a beach resort in Mombasa (travel in May).

It also has seven nights all-inclusive at the four-star Rendezvous resort in St Lucia (pictured) from 2,479pp (travel in June) and a 10-night, twin-centre, Mexico and Las Vegas trip including three nights at the five-star Aria Resort in Sin City from 1,699pp.

NB: Prices subject to availability.
Entertainment / Music

by Staff Reporter

THE much overrated Jah Prayzah is embroiled in yet another plagiarism scam, barely a month after he released a string of videos from his latest album.He stands accused of copying a video concept from Tanzanian artiste Diamond Platnumz's Mdogo Mdogo music video for his Jerusarema video.Both videos are available online and possess striking similarities, which have left fans and critiques pondering on both artistes work ethics.In 2014 the award-winning Jah Prayzah was accused of copying the beat of the song "Mwanasikana," off his "Tsviriyo" album from Ghanaian musician Emmanuel Samini's 2007 hit track titled Samini.According to Sunday News, in Diamond Platnumz's video, which is reported to have been released before Jah Prayzah's video, a black man dressed in traditional attire falls in love with a white king's daughter.He is held captive, as the king is not amused by the relationship but is later released after the king grants the two his blessings.Platnumz's video is said to have been shot in a jungle and features medieval castles.Jah Prayzah's Jerusarema video also follows the same concept, where he assumes the role of a struggling musician.In the video he too falls in love with a white princess, which the royal family does not take likely.Just like in Diamond Platnumz's video, their relationship is blessed eventually.Jah Prayzah's video too was shot in somewhat of a jungle and also has medieval castles.Jah Prayzah's manager Keen Mushapaidze dismissed the claims of plagiarism, stating that the video was original."Everything is original, all the scripts and concepts were written by him (Jah Prayzah). People need to understand the video as one that sends a message. Jerusarema video is a production that seeks to promote inter-cultures," he said."We got to know about Diamond Platnumz's video when people started commenting. The video was shot in Vumba in the Eastern Highlands," he said.
Dublin has made the New York Times' '52 Places To Go in 2016' list.

The Irish capital hits the list of top destinations alongside cultural hotspots Mexico City and Malta, paradise islands St Helena and Coral Bay, St John and foodie wonderlands including Thessaloniki, Greece and Cesme, Turkey.

"It's a big world out there, so weve narrowed it down for you," the article reads.

Dublin is given the tagline: "A city spruces up to celebrate a centenary".

Travel and culture journalist Ratha Tep writes that the capital is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising with a "series of ribbon cuttings this spring".

She lists a selection of events taking place including an exhibition at Richmond Barracks and the refurbishments of parts of Kilmainham Jail and the National Gallery of Ireland.

"Dublin commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule with a series of ribbon cuttings this spring," she writes.

"Richmond Barracks, where the Rising leaders were court-martialed, will open an exhibition center.

"Nearby Kilmainham Gaol, the dramatic-looking prison where most of the leaders were executed, will unveil its restored Regency-style courthouse.

"The National Concert Hall will turn three rooms, site of the historic Treaty Debates, into a 130-seat performance space. And later in the year, the National Gallery of Ireland is expected to reveal the most extensive refurbishment in its 150-plus-year history, with the opening of a new atrium and upgrades to two wings," she added.

Bound to appeal to the history and culture enthusiast...
My Week: Conor McGregor*

Monday: I wake up. Although, of course, I have not actually been asleep. No, no, my friend. Not in the way that other, mere mortal people sleep. Instead I have trained myself to metaphysicise; I have transmorgorified, I have metamorphisitised, I have fundamentally reimagined a way of resting my body, so that I am consciously wrestling with the inner movements of my muscles, even as my body believes it is sleeping. And while I do dat, my amigo, I am also full of the most beautiful feelings and emotions. My woman, my girl, the future first Lady of Ireland and myself, did go and promenade the town last night, with a pint of Guinness and my very good friend and training partner, Artem "The Russian Hammer" Lobov.
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Dan O'Brien Opinion While we catastrophise about Covid, we ignore risk of running out of cash

We Irish view the world in an increasingly strange and unhealthy way. We catastrophise about Covid in a way other European countries do not. We focus on how bad the effects of the virus could get, on how many more restrictions might be imposed by Government and how helpless we are in the face of the virus.
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New hospital for a tenner may come at too high a price

The Taoiseach is under a lot of pressure  the kind of pressure that leads to costly mistakes. It perhaps explains why he has been saying things that are not quite true. Micheal Martin is in a tight political corner. From all sides hes being told he has to get the contract signed for the new National Maternity Hospital.
Countess Constance Markievicz, one of the first women in the world to hold a cabinet position Photo: Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI collection

My new year doesn't officially start until January 7, the day after Nollaig na mBan, otherwise known as the feast of the Epihany, otherwise known as Women's Little Christmas.

As a child, January 6 marked the day in our house when the tree, tinsel and seasonal excesses were torn down. It was also the day when my sisters and I pampered our mum with endless cups of tea for her efforts over Christmas whilst observing that it would, of course, have to be the one day in the year that women get to themselves, that the Three Wise Men (the Magi) chose to arrive.

As an adult, Nollaig na mBan has, for me, become a rich day of reflection, of celebration and tapping into the energies of our female ancestors whose remarkable achievements have laid the foundations for our own.

Every Nollaig na mBan, my friends and I gather in The Shelbourne Hotel to attend a fundraising breakfast for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

The event, hosted by Ellen O'Malley Dunlop, the centre's outgoing chief executive, was a tradition commenced 20 years ago by her aunt Betty Rock O'Malley, and one that will be continued by her [Betty's] great-grandniece, Grace O'Malley.

The breakfast attracts a diverse group of women from every class and corner of Irish society.

We celebrate the lives and legacies of Irish women, from mythical goddesses such as Cesair, Medb, Grainne Mhaol and Brigid (the Celtic Triple Goddess) to contemporary Irish figures such as Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland and former UN Commissioner for Human Rights - a relentless advocate for gender equality.

This year, we honoured the women of 1916.

They included the ones you've heard about, such as Countess Constance Markievicz, the first woman elected to the House of Commons and one of the first women in the world to hold a cabinet position, who was spared an execution because of her gender, much to her horror.

We also heard about Dr Kathleen Lynn, the daughter of a Church of Ireland rector. Lynn, who was chief medical officer during the Rising and who was jailed for her role, established in 1919 St Ultan's, the first infant hospital in Ireland. The first women-only managed hospital closed its doors in 1984.

In all, there were more than 700 women arrested and jailed during the 1916 Easter Rising.

They ranged from titled ladies and laundry workers, to artists, housewives and schoolgirls. They included female soldiers and military leaders and women who resisted the violence of those times, who weren't prepared to die for Ireland but supported its struggles in a peaceful way.

They were, as Sinead McCoole and Margaret Ward explore in their excellent book containing the biographies of more than 60 of those protagonists, No Ordinary Women.

But we wondered, as we recalled their struggles and successes last Wednesday morning in The Shelbourne, what would the revolutionary women of 1916 think of us now?

What would the mothers, grandmothers, daughters and sisters of the Rising think of the role and status of women in Ireland 100 years later?

I imagine that Markievicz, who, in line with Sinn Fein policy, abstained from taking her seats in both Westminster and the Dail, would turn in her grave to know that female participation rates in Irish politics are not much better than the state the Fianna Eireann founder left them in.

Were she to walk through the corridors of many of our maternity units, I imagine that Dr Kathleen Lynn would be horrified to see women giving birth in such strenuous, overcrowded circumstances.

She might also be awestruck that our maternity hospitals have maintained world-class maternal and infant mortality - as well as infection control - rates, despite horrific staff/patient ratios and attending to women in conditions that no man would tolerate if they had to undergo childbirth.

The women of 1916 might weep to know that the women of 2016, including victims of rape, are still relying on Britain to help them during crisis pregnancies. Or that parents are suffering the trauma of having the remains of their foetuses, diagnosed with fatal foetal abnormalities, flown home to Ireland by DHL because of a divisive debate about the Eighth Amendment.

They would, I suspect, be horrified by the current homelessness crisis with its eerie reminders of the conditions endured by residents in the tenements of inner-city Dublin during the Lockout period.

Rosie Hackett would have been amused by a bridge that now bears her name, but what would the insurgent trade unionist make of last week's RTE documentary on Clery's?

There is, of course, much for women to celebrate 100 years after the Rising.

Our inaugural gender quotas that comes into effect for the 2016 General Election, which had some of our male brethren reaching for the proverbial smelling salts, should go some way to ensuring that there are more women elected to the Oireachtas.

Women are assuming more participation and leadership roles than ever before in all parts of Irish life, including business, healthcare, media and law, where most, if not all, senior positions - such as that of Chief Justice and the DPP - are now held by women.

Senator and Abbey Theatre director Fiach Mac Conghail, one of the greatest feminists I know, may have provoked the ire of women who criticised the lack of female artists on the Abbey's 'Waking the Nation' 2016 programme. But they have Fiach Mac Conghaill to thank for giving birth to 'Waking the Feminists', a very modern, if inadvertently created, gender-equality movement.

Which begs the question: have Irish women been asleep at the revolutionary wheel?

Do we need an awakening?

What are the issues that we, like the women of 1916, are prepared to struggle for, to live for and, God forbid, even die for?

Thankfully, violence is no longer a currency on this island. But that doesn't mean we can't invoke the courage, wisdom and revolutionary spirit of the women of 1916.

Many of the women of 1916 fought at the barricades: it is our duty, today, to continue to tear down the walls to full equality for all - men, women and children. They refused to have their voices silenced: it is our duty to ensure that our voices are also fully heard.

The women of 2016 enjoy many of the privileges that we do because of the sacrifices and struggles of successive generations of women.

I wonder, 100 years from now, what our own descendants will make of us. Who are the women of 2016 and what, ladies, will our legacy be?
As tears trickled down his cheeks in a rare show of sadness, Barack Obama announced a series of historic reforms in the fight to rein in gun legislation in a country where gun violence is increasingly out of control.

"People are dying," said the US president. "And the constant excuses for inaction no longer suffice."

But in an unprecedented attempt to enact gun control through executive action, will Obama be able to effect change in an area that has been treated as a 'no-go' area in American politics for the past two decades?

And will he be able to reverse the terrible culture of gun violence that has devastated the US in recent decades?

Indeed, the everyday reality of gun violence in America has become relentless. On average, 89 people die every single day in America because of guns and a further 297 people are shot but survive.

Mass shootings, in which four or more people are wounded or killed, occur more than once a day.

As I spent last summer in the US, observing the anti-gun violence lobby at work, I was still taken aback at the speed and repetitiveness with which the shootings came.

Initially, I had even naively assumed that the summer may turn out to be quite uneventful. I was quickly proven wrong.

The first mass shooting was Charleston AME. Then, came the Chattanooga army base shooting and my six weeks in Washington DC finished with the Lafayette theatre shooting.

This was on top of the constant daily barrage of reports about shootings in relation to gang crime, suicide, domestic violence and even children shot while playing with guns.

Yet Congress continually fails to respond to this ongoing violence. The biggest move to eradicate gun violence was in 1994, when Bill Clinton signed into law the Brady Bill, which made background checks on gun sales mandatory, but the bill had flaws.

Although it sought to ensure that those with criminal records, dangerous mental illnesses or who had been convicted of domestic abuse could not access guns, it relied on the good faith of gun-sellers to enforce the background checks correctly. It did not regulate private gun sales between individuals, which now happen freely at gun shows, and it was completely blindsided by the mass selling of guns online. Some 40pc of gun sales still happen without a background check.

Attempts since to close those loopholes have increasingly been resisted by the National Rifle Association (NRA). With large funding from the gun industry and a small but committed following of single-issue, pro-gun voters, it was able to create the perception that gun control was an election issue. As a result, a 2013 vote on expanding background checks in Congress was rejected. It has been the biggest political hot potato in the past two decades.

In reality, however, this is not reflective of the public will. Some 91pc of Americans support expanded background checks on all gun sales. And that's because it has been proven to work.

When laws were effectively enforced, California reduced its firearm mortality rate by 47.7pc between 1990 and 2009. The majority of Americans, even gun owners themselves, want to see this kind of common-sense gun reform.

With Congress failing to act, anti-gun-violence lobby groups are turning to state legislatures to effect local change and are finally beginning to gain an edge on the NRA in terms of both funding and efficiency; however, the change is coming too slowly for many.

As mass shootings continue unabated, ordinary citizens become increasingly despairing of meaningful reform.

That sense of despair was heavy in the air as last summer came to an end. I ended my stay in the US standing outside the White House, where I was passed the microphone by a group of activists, mostly mothers fighting gun violence, and signalled that it was my turn to read.

It was a list of all the names and ages of the victims of large-scale mass shootings of the past decade and as I read the names, ages and places of the victims of gun violence neatly laid out, page upon page, it was a grim reminder of the disheartening problem of gun violence in America.

However, my sense of anguish reached its peak when it came to Sandy Hook.

As I read 20 children's names and with each name, an age of five, six or seven, I wondered when would it be enough for America to act on gun violence? Or would the US continue to slip further and further into a state of acceptance of the 'inevitable'?

But on Tuesday, as he entered his final year as president, Obama finally chose to take action. Quoting Martin Luther King, he said: "We need to feel the urgency of now."

Bypassing Congress and imposing executive action, he aims to target "anybody in the business of selling firearms", including those selling online or at gun shows. Enforcing this will be difficult, especially in terms of clarifying the difference between a dealer 'engaged in the business' and an occasional individual who sells guns privately, but Obama is confident that it is possible and is investing in increased staff to investigate dealers, enforce background checks and prosecute those who fail to comply.

He also has plans for increased investment in research into gun violence and gun-safety technology, as well as further investment in mental-health treatment to stop murders by gun, as well as suicides.

All of this is ambitious and questions have been raised over whether or not Obama can see this clarification of the original Brady Bill truly enacted. Similarly, many fear a republican-led Congress will still have the power to refuse all the funding he requires.

Obama admitted himself: "It will be hard and it won't happen overnight. It won't happen during this Congress. It won't happen during my presidency."

But with a new, most likely Democrat, president coming to office before the end of the year and increasing numbers of politicians 'coming out' in favour of gun-violence prevention, as well as a glowing popular reception for his speech last week, it appears the 'untouchable gun issue' myth has finally dissipated.
In a Ballsbridge hospital in 1980, an elderly woman of failing health clung to the military service pension that she had earned in another era.

She was Dr Brigid Lyons Thornton, the first woman to get one; 123, 19 shillings and two pence per annum for 8.264 years of service to the Irish State between 1916 and 1923, paid in monthly instalments.

In August of 1980, the manger of the Bank of Ireland branch on Baggot Street Bridge wrote to the Department of Defence on her behalf. The customer, "who is very elderly and who is a patient in the Royal City of Dublin Hospital, informs us that she is entitled to a military service pension but she cannot recall when she received the last payment and whether or not she negotiated it". She was "no longer capable" of looking after her affairs, he wrote, and "tended to lose cheques".

Nevertheless, in 1982 the Department of Defence was still sending her forms to fill out. When Dr Lyons didn't return the forms, the department wrote to the gardai in Donnybrook, where she lived.

"She informed the garda who called to see her that she did not sign the Pensions Declaration Form because she objects to paying the postage to return the form to the department," the superintendent wrote back.

The department was still after her for forms when she died aged 91, in 1987. Her doctor wrote back, saying she died on April 17, Good Friday, "RIP". Her coffin was draped a Tricolour when she was buried in Mayo on the 71st anniversary of the Rising.

Although she was famous in her day, few would have remembered her role in the historic events of Easter week 1916 and the battle she later fought for her military service pension. Only in recent decades have she and others like her received the recognition they deserve, their stories told in the annals of the Irish military archives online.

Like Elizabeth Butler, the fictional character in the RTE drama Rebellion, Brigid Lyons was a medical student at the time of the uprising, but unlike her, she did not come from a wealthy Dublin family.

Originally from Longford, her uncle and aunt paid for her education and she enrolled in medicine at University College Galway.

During Easter Week of 1916, she piled into a car with her uncle and his volunteers to join the rebellion.

"I came to Dublin from Longford on learning of the outbreak of the rebellion and went to the Four Courts, where I rendered first aid to the wounded, cooked etc, until the surrender, when I was arrested and imprisoned in Kilmainham til 10th May."

From her prison cell, she could hear the barrage of shots each morning as the signatories to the Proclamation were executed.

Lyons returned to her studies in Galway but continued her involvement there, "despatch-carrying, transfer of arms etc... in both Dublin and Galway during these years and she was at all times in the confidence of headquarters".

In 1923, she was the first and only woman commissioned to the Free State Army with the rank of first lieutenant, charged with treating "lady prisoners". But a year later, she was demobilised after contracting TB.

From her Swiss clinic, she applied for a military service pension and caused heated political debate. Prejudice lingered in the new government. The pension legislation designed to compensate those who fought from 1916 to the civil war didn't specify women.

In the Dail, a Colonel Moore said they had "sacrificed themselves more than men", many had "suffered in mind and body" and were "broken down from the work they did".

But President WT Cosgrave apparently did not recognise Dr Lyons "pre-truce service" and said that a precondition of the pension was membership of the national army.

"There was only one lady in the national army. She was a doctor. I believe she has no pre-truce service," he said. The situation "does not arise".

When Dr Lyons was approved for a pension in 1926, it was withheld by the Army, which urged the Minister for Defence at the time to consult the Attorney General.

"Does the Military Pensions Act contemplate the grant of a pension to a lady in any circumstances whatsoever?" it asked.

The unfairness of this was not lost on the many ordinary women Volunteers who had to wait until 1936, when the legislation was extended to include members of Cumann na mBan, for their pension.

One such was Nora O'Daly, from Fairview, who was proud of her contribution to 1916 and later gave a vivid account of it to the military pension assessors. She was sent on an intelligence mission to the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park on Easter Saturday with her friend, Bridgie Murphy.

"Bridgie and I got into conversation with an Irish guard, a Lance Cpl, who had to remove his belt before he would be allowed step over the barrier running around the fort. We were wearing Connaught Rangers and Fusiliers badges, which he offered to clean for us (we had just slipped them on). We gladly accepted the offer, he brought us up on Magazine Hill, into the fort for a 'Soldier's Friend' (cleaning kit) and while he shone the badges we elicited in the course of a chaffing talk a great deal of valuable information, such as numbers in fort, changes of guard, visits of officers, layout of magazine stores etc, which knowledge was of value in planning the Magazine Fort attack on Easter Monday."

On Easter Monday, O'Daly was at St Stephens Green and tended to the wounded until they were "evacuated under fire to the Royal College of Surgeons" on Thursday.

She treated: "Doherty (riddled with machine gun fire); Murray (bad face wound, projectile entered base of brain, was sent to hospital at surrender and died there). She also named Ms M Skinnider for "body wounds". (Margaret Skinnider was refused a disability pension for her injuries effectively because she was a woman). Nora O'Daly was arrested and joined Brigid Lyons and many other women incarcerated in Kilmainham jail.

When she applied for her pension in 1936, her account was not entirely accepted. The board of assessors disputed that her years of service were from 1916 to 1922.

She accepted what pension they gave her, but wrote to tell the board that their decision had caused "deep humiliation and bitterness".
Sir - What a lovely piece to lift the drooping spirits. I refer to Declan Lynch's television review (January 3), which did indeed lead me into "the terrible pit of nostalgia". And I loved it.

The 1960s, tuning in on Sunday night to Radio Luxembourg to listen to the top 20. All that fabulous music! Del Shannon's great song Runaway was a favourite.

I remember singing Buddy Holly's Rave On with a group led by Brian O'Reilly from Fermoy, who later led Loudest Whisper.

He still does and some great music still gets made in his Studio Fiona in Fermoy.

We had Cathy's Clown from the Everly Brothers. You Don't Know sang Helen Shapiro and indeed you don't know how much such songs and artists are missed.

We were all looking for a 'Pretty Woman' but were consoled in our misery by the same Roy Orbison singing Only The Lonely. When we grew up (if we ever have) we reflected with The Seekers that The Carnival is Over.

Of course, there was The King with such gems as It's Now or Never and you'd have to have had a Wooden Heart not to be moved by Billy Fury's Halfway to Paradise.

Declan's well-written (as usual) article brought me back to the good places of the Sixties - the musical places, which made some other places bearable. It lifted the start of 2016 for this nearly 70-year-old.

It was as good as Lily the Pink's (The Scaffold) medicinal compound and a damn sight safer that some of the compounds around in the 60s.

It gave you that feeling like Gerry and the Pacemakers that while this music is still around, You'll Never Walk Alone.

So as The Beatles would sing - From Me to You - thanks, Declan.

Joe Heffernan

Mallow,

Co Cork.

A dumb culling of Lyric

Sir - Declan Lynch speculates in his brilliant article 'The Inexplicable Vanishing of some of Lyric FM's finest' (January 3) that RTE's culling of Lyric presenters Donald Helme, Tim Thurston and Eamonn Lenihan was probably done just to annoy him, as there is no other logical explanation.

I don't agree. In subsidised, dumbed-down RTE-land, the fact that people like Helme, Thurston and Lenihan actually know what they are talking about makes them a potential threat to RTE's wonderous galaxy of eejits and spoofers.

Declan Lynch also wonders why Marty Whelan wasn't 'Martied' again by RTE. The answer lies in the fact that his loyal band of listeners are on permanent stand-by, with biros and knitting needles at the ready, in case RTE subjects him to yet another cruel defenestration.

Perhaps the auld fellas in smoking jackets who listen to the venerable Helme's 'Jazz Alley' should follow their example, fire up their Vespas and Alfasuds, and get down to RTE pronto!

Karl Martin

Bayside

Dublin 13

The deferring Dev

Sir- Recent correspondence regarding Eamon de Valera and minorities merits a final comment. The constitution of any country can say whatever those drafting the constitution want it to say; it's what is put into practice over time that counts.

Mr de Valera was anxious to be seen deferring to Archbishop McQuaid on every occasion, even kissing his hand when they met in public.

He agreed to draft legislation being sent to the Archbishop for his imprimatur, and if such approval was not forthcoming it went no further.

I accept that earlier governments in the North had too close a relationship with the Orange Order - but not to the extent referred to above.

A Thompson,

Tyrone

The hopes and lessons of 1916

Sir - It gives me great hope when a young mind like Niamh Horan's (Sunday Independent, January 3) shows how the present political emperors, be they FF, FG or Labour, are utterly ill suited to wear the attire of 1916.

The treachery they engaged in with our new colonial masters, bondholders, the ECB, finance houses and vulture funds on the backs of the people, and their collective culpability in facilitating their tightening grip on our nation is a new slavery that I have no doubt Pearse would have found nauseating.

These 'emperors's naked political opportunism is of the worst kind and I, from the county of one of those emperors, look forward to campaigning to ensure, as happened in 1948, that there is real change, encouraging people to vote left, right and centre, be it independent, or whoever else, to make it so.

For me, Niamh Horan made hope and history rhyme in her exposure of an ugly political truth. That article should be copied and put into every voter's home in the country.

Thank you, Niamh.

Martin Daly

Moy Valley

Sir - Niamh Horan in her article (January 3) argues that the 1916 leaders had guts and that Enda Kenny has no guts because he co-operated with the Troika.

Ms Horan is wrong. The 1916 leaders were fanatics who would not compromise or negotiate. The actions of the 1916 leaders caused the deaths of hundreds of people, including women and children. Their actions inspired many more brutal murders, bombings and other atrocities.

The 1966 50th anniversary celebrations of the Rising inspired much of the sectarian murders in Northern Ireland from 1968 to 1996.

It is Enda Kenny who is the hero faced with Ireland under the rule of the Troika, who demanded very many austerity measures, social welfare cuts and other spending cuts.

Enda and his government vowed to get rid of the Troika. He did not do everything they demanded. He restored our economic freedom. Nobody died and prosperity has been restored.

People remember and glorify the men of violence, but people who bring peace and prosperity through compromise are never recognised.

Fine Gael and Labour are the real unrecognised heroes of our country, not the 1916 men of violence.

J Hyland

Dun Laoghaire

Co Dublin

Sir - I have rarely read such a fine, gutsy and unapologetic piece of writing as Niamh Horan's "Remember 1916, when we had guts and self-esteem?" (3)...! I am filled with admiration.

There is so much so wrong in this country for so long that it is now easier to accept than challenge. The country is weighed down with apathy and paternalism and an almost complete absence of 'bottle'.

We are settling for mediocrity.

In desperation, and feeling that the upcoming election may be our last chance, I am putting myself forward as an Independent candidate here in Mayo... our Dear Leader's home county. I won't be mincing my words during the campaign.

More power to Niamh's independent thinking and the courage to shout it out.

George O'Malley

Mayo

Sir - I was reading and enjoying the article by Niamh Horan (January 3) when I came upon the unnecessary and churlish comment "would never have rolled over like a pair of schoolteachers" in reference to how Charles Haughey would have overseen the country in a time of crisis.

Niamh Horan should resist the temptation to employ an easy put-down of teachers generally and be brave enough to name the two politicians to whom she is referring, rather than the careers they had temporarily occupied in a previous life. There is no connection between the two. Move on with your argument.

Maureen Breaden

Swords

Co Dublin

Sir - Gene's Kerrigan's article (Sunday Independent, January 3) was an excellent analysis of the nationalist narrative surrounding 1916.

However, like most nationalists, he almost totally ignored/dismissed the elephant in the room - one million northern unionists who steadfastly refused to be dragged, pushed or shoved into all-Ireland Home Rule.

By dismissing the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force to defend themselves from Dublin rule as treason he effectively denies the unionist people the right to self-determination.

This denial remains the root cause of the conflict between the two tribes who inhabit this island. Until we nationalists renounce our atavistic desire for a united Ireland, there can never be peace on this island.

Dick Keane,

Glenageary

Co Dublin

Sir - Gene Kerrigan (January 3) said that democratic structures were relatively new 100 years ago and most nations emerged through violence of one kind or another and we should not strike pacifist poses in relation to 1916.

But one famous Indian nationalist, Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi over 100 years ago, did argue the case for non-violent resistance as editor of his paper Indian Opinion. He called this ideology ' Satyagraha'.

This was a method of direct social action based upon courage, non-violence, and truth. Thus if any of his campaigns turned violent he would call the campaign off and fast until peaceful methods were put into practice.

The conduct of Anglo-Irish relations from 1916 until now would have been more peaceful if the ideology of 'Satyagraha had been followed by Irish people of all political persuasions.

Sean O'Brien

Kilrush

Co Clare

Sir - I wish to comment on Gene Kerrigan's article on 1916 (January 3). The chance of a peaceful solution to the Irish independence problem was, as you have outlined, very slim against a background of extreme violence gripping the world at this time.

Nevertheless, a better strategy, instead of Irish insurrection, may have been to push the onus of responsibility onto those unionists who were armed and ready to rise against the possibility of Home Rule.

This would have placed massive pressure on the British government in London (which was already committed to a world war) and it would have placed huge responsibility on them to resolve a crisis created by their own followers.

Furthermore, the Catholic population in Northern Ireland may have got a better deal than what emerged as a consequence of the events of 1916.

The complete separation of Catholics in Northern Ireland from the Irish Free State, guaranteed through the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 and the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, left this section of society vulnerable to discrimination and hatred, which eventually culminated with the terrible events during the 'Troubles'.

Moreover, the Catholic community in Northern Ireland in the early 1920s must have felt terribly isolated and let down by the Irish government.

Declan Monaghan

Tullamore

Co Offaly

Families of Rising

Sir - I wish to point out three errors in Liam Collins's article (LIFE, January 3) on 1916 families and their descendants.

The first was in relation to Sean MacDiarmaida.

Min Ryan was Sean MacDiarmaida's girlfriend and not Mary Kate as stated by Collins. Min later married Dick Mulcahy. Mary Kate and her sister Phyliss were the successive wives of Sean T O'Kelly.

Harry Boland wasn't 'shot dead' in the Grand Hotel in Skerries. He attempted to wrest the gun from the Free State soldier who was arresting him.

The gun discharged, wounding him in the leg. He died the following day in St Vincent's Hospital. His assailant was a fellow 1916 volunteer who was known to Harry but the great man that Boland was he wouldn't divulge his name.

Finally, Kevin Boland (nephew of Harry Boland) wasn't sacked by Jack Lynch during the Arms Crisis.

Kevin Boland resigned in sympathy with Neil Blaney and Charlie Haughey.

W Dunphy

Carrick-on-Suir

Obama's tears

Sir - I'd be more impressed if Obama shed tears for the children of Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, who are the victims of US bullets and bombings. The hypocrite.

Robert Sullivan

Bantry

Co Cork

Distasteful tactics by Labour Party

Sir - I refer to the front-page article in the Sunday Independent (January 3), written by Philip Ryan and Ronald Quinlan. The heading, 'Labour plots "gay" attack ad on Martin and Adams', clearly demonstrates just how low Labour are prepared to stoop.

If they honestly believe that "a US style of negative election campaign" will secure them votes in the pending general election, they should think again.

I have no doubt that while Labour may think they are "getting across a serious point in a humorous way", many of us just don't share the same humour.

Surely, Labour are aware that all too many of us lost our sense of humour over the last five years, having endured the pain of losing our homes and much more since they teamed up with Fine Gael?

Derry-Ann Morgan

Malahide

Co Dublin

Seamus Mallon and John Hume

Sir - Eoghan Harris (Sunday Independent, January 3) would do well to take Seamus Mallon's recent assessment of the talks between John Hume and Gerry Adams with a pinch of salt.

If John Hume sensed a change in direction of Sinn Fein and the republican movement generally, he had a duty to tease that out. I like to feel that Seamus Mallon, as leader of the party, would have done exactly the same.

My recollection of that era around the first talks between Hume and Adams in 1987 was that there were reasons for Adams to change direction. They might not have been rational reasons but they were nonetheless significant from his perspective.

I was a student then in Galway and in Spring 1986 I 'came across' a numeric alphabet on which the names of Ian Paisley and, significantly, of Gerry Adams came out at 666. [A=6, B=12, C=18  Z=156]

I was vice-chair of the Political Discussion Society in UCG and, having family connections to the SDLP in Derry, I invited John Hume to come to speak with students, as he kindly did in November 1986.

The UCG Sinn Fein cumann chairman, an acquaintance, nervously asked me that November night if I had told John Hume about the 666 thing. I told him that I had, "a long time ago", and I added that he had taken the same significance as I had.

I was just bluffing in order to ensure that I was not seen as being alone and therefore vulnerable in the endeavour.

To me, John Hume was a Maynooth man who would most likely have agreed with me on the 666 issue.

Anyone who knows Sinn Fein will know that that information regarding John Hume and the 666 of Adams's name would go back straight away through the party channels and directly to the party leader within days.

Weeks later, in early 1987, Fr Alec Reid, a Clonard confidant of Gerry Adams in West Belfast, came to John Hume, insisting that it would be worthwhile for him to talk to the Sinn Fein president.

Sensing a change in the Sinn Fein position from Fr Reid - and Seamus Mallon should take note of this - John Hume agreed straight away to talks with Gerry Adams.

However, John Hume, ever cautious of dealing with Sinn Fein, with their ability to undermine him coming up to a General Election in the North, insisted that the talks begin after that election in the summer of 1987.

So began the Peace Process.

I challenge anyone to explain the origin of that process in any other way because to most people Sinn Fein's change in direction has been the biggest mystery of all mysteries concerning the Troubles.

John Hume was not played like a 3lb trout, as Seamus Mallon has suggested, during any part of the Peace Process.

He was treated with kit gloves in case he got nasty with them. There is evidence that republicans were keen to stop the Process, not least of all the Enniskillen bomb in November of that year, which will no doubt be understood much more readily in the context of the Peace Process that began a few months previously.

John O'Connell,

Derry
Federal forces keep watch outside a warehouse where a tunnel, connected to the Altiplano Federal Penitentiary was located and used by drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to escape last year REUTERS/Ginnette Riquelme

Federal forces keep watch outside a warehouse where a tunnel, connected to the Altiplano Federal Penitentiary was located and used by drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to escape last year REUTERS/Ginnette Riquelme

Mexican marines inspect a manhole where high-powered weapon were found to be abandoned, in the neighborhood where special forces had located the world's most-wanted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016.(AP Photo/Christian Palma)

A view of entrance to the room of the roadside motel Doux where an operation to recapture Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman concluded on Friday in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. . REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

A view of facade of the roadside motel Doux, where an operation to recapture Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman concluded on Friday, in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

A soldier points his weapon to a entrance of a drain, from where Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escaped before being captured at Jiquilpan Boulevard, after a weapon was found there by reporters, in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

Federal forces keep watch outside a warehouse where a tunnel, connected to the Altiplano Federal Penitentiary was located and used by drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to escape last year REUTERS/Ginnette RiquelmeTPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Soldiers check vehicles in a checkpoint at the hometown of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the municipality of Badiraguato, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

A soldier mans his machine gun atop an armored vehicle in a checkpoint at the hometown of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the municipality of Badiraguato, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

The house where Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman last sought refuge was not out of the way or out of the ordinary.

It occupies a corner plot on a busy four-lane boulevard in a neighbourhood favoured by local politicians. Guzman's house looks more like a doctor's office than a residence. The two-storey building is set back from the street and completely obscured by the tops of thick trees. A Montessori school is around the corner.

The mother of the governor of Sinaloa, Mario Lopez Valdez, has a home nearby with a round-the-clock local police presence. Lopez said on Saturday that he was shocked by the fact Guzman was captured in Los Mochis, a city of some 250,000 people near the shores of the Gulf of California.

"I've been here 50 years and in 50 years there was never a rumour, a hint, I never saw a story saying that this person (Guzman) could be found in Mochis or could be living in Mochis," Lopez said.

Expand Close A soldier points his weapon to a entrance of a drain, from where Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escaped before being captured at Jiquilpan Boulevard, after a weapon was found there by reporters, in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido / Facebook

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Whatsapp A soldier points his weapon to a entrance of a drain, from where Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escaped before being captured at Jiquilpan Boulevard, after a weapon was found there by reporters, in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

But Guzman's men appeared to have made preparations in case he ever needed the house.

More than a year ago, two brothers who had lived there while running a Baptist church in town either sold or rented the property, said a woman who has worked on the street for years, but declined to give her name. Until then it looked much like the other homes in the neighbourhood, with an open carport protected by a metal gate.

Expand Close A view of entrance to the room of the roadside motel Doux where an operation to recapture Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman concluded on Friday in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. . REUTERS/Edgard Garrido / Facebook

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Whatsapp A view of entrance to the room of the roadside motel Doux where an operation to recapture Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman concluded on Friday in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. . REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

But a month or two of intensive renovations transformed the house into an architecturally unremarkable but completely enclosed structure. Windows and glass doors hung with mini-blinds were installed and new walls that advanced right to the pavement.

On Friday night, following a gun battle, the tiled foyer beyond that glass door was smeared with blood as white-suited forensic technicians worked inside.

Expand Close Federal forces keep watch outside a warehouse where a tunnel, connected to the Altiplano Federal Penitentiary was located and used by drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to escape last year REUTERS/Ginnette RiquelmeTPX IMAGES OF THE DAY / Facebook

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Whatsapp Federal forces keep watch outside a warehouse where a tunnel, connected to the Altiplano Federal Penitentiary was located and used by drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to escape last year REUTERS/Ginnette RiquelmeTPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The new owners also installed surveillance cameras. Still, for months after the renovations were completed the property appeared uninhabited. It was only after leaving work Thursday evening that the woman said she noticed a large black pickup parked in front of the home. She had never seen the truck before.

Around 4am on Friday, marines raided the house, which government officials said had been under surveillance for weeks. Neighbours say an intense shootout ensued, lasting about two hours. They only ventured out later after hearing on the news what had happened. Five gunmen were killed and six arrested.

Expand Close Soldiers check vehicles in a checkpoint at the hometown of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the municipality of Badiraguato, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril / Facebook

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Whatsapp Soldiers check vehicles in a checkpoint at the hometown of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the municipality of Badiraguato, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

At least one of those killed fell in a house under construction nearby.

Heavily armed marines kept onlookers at a distance from the crime scene on Saturday while a contingent of reporters blocked one lane of the boulevard.

Expand Close A soldier mans his machine gun atop an armored vehicle in a checkpoint at the hometown of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the municipality of Badiraguato, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril / Facebook

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Whatsapp A soldier mans his machine gun atop an armored vehicle in a checkpoint at the hometown of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in the municipality of Badiraguato, in Sinaloa state, Mexico, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

At an intersection, someone had lifted a manhole cover from a storm sewer and found an abandoned assault rifle. Eventually a team of marines arrived, pulled what reporters remained out of the sewer and secured the rifle.

Guzman had apparently fled from the home into the sewer and emerged some distance away, where he commandeered a vehicle and continued his escape until authorities eventually caught him.

The area's notoriety is already growing. A family stopped and posed for photos outside the Hotel Doux on the outskirts of Los Mochis where marines took Guzman briefly after his capture.
News / Africa

by Staff Reporter

A seven-year-old Bothakga Primary School student who went missing last year has been found in Zimbabwe after seven months of disappearance.The Mmegi reported that Vitombiko Ndau went missing in the afternoon of July 2 in Lobatse. Detective Assistant Superintendent and CID officer-in-charge, Barulaganye Ramatshaba of Woodhall police station has confirmed the report."We had a case of that kind last year where Vitombiko Ndau's father came to report that his child was missing. The child didn't return from school on July 2 and we opened a case of a missing person. The father highly suspected her ex-wife snatched the child from school and took her to Zimbabwe on the fateful day," Ramatshaba said.The officer added that they started their investigations but they had to halt them as the father went to Zimbabwe to collect his child."We had communicated with our Zimbabwean counterparts. We had to halt our investigations since the father decided to go to Zimbabwe tocollect the child," he said.Ramatshaba further said the boy's father brought the boy home a few days back and they reported at the Woodhall Police Station yesterday."He managed to locate his child in Zimbabwe in December where he completed all the necessary immigration documents and arrived with the child in Botswana a few days back," Ramatshaba said.Ramatshaba further said the child is in good health and they have arranged for his reinstatement at Bothakga Primary School."We have since communicated with Bothakga Primary School authorities to re-admit the child into the school," Ramatshaba said.Upon their divorce the High Court granted the father custody of the child.Ramatshaba indicated that the father could approach the High Court since he was deprived the custody of the child and the mother could be charged.
A mine worker who was thrown out of Kyrgyzstan for a remark about a local delicacy says police warned him he could have sent the country to war with the UK.

Scotsman Michael McFeat, who is now back home in Perthshire, told the Sunday Post newspaper he has been banned from entering the former Soviet country for five years.

Mr McFeat was held by police after posting a picture on Facebook of Kyrgyz co-workers queuing for a ''chuchuk'' horsemeat sausage, with a caption comparing it with a horse's penis.

He says he believed the traditional dish was actually a horse's penis, but the remark offended and angered his colleagues.

He told the newspaper that he was smuggled out of the Kumtor goldmine after being told an "angry lynch mob" was coming to get him.

After a nine-hour journey, during which he says the vehicle in which he was travelling was "rammed" by two cars, Mr McFeat was arrested by police at Manas Airport in Bishkek, and held under racial hatred laws.

He said: "The police told me my act could send Kyrgyzstan to war with the UK."

Following a court appearance and an apology, Mr McFeat was driven to the airport for a flight to Edinburgh.

"I was told there was a 17-page petition demanding I be jailed and the mine went on strike after I left, so they were making an example of me," Mr McFeat told the paper.

"I've always been up for a joke but this was one time I wasn't joking and it's been blown out of proportion."
A murder investigation has been launched by Italian police after an American artist was found dead in her flat in Florence.

Ashley Ann Olsen, 35, was found in her apartment with bruises and scratches on her neck, according to Italian police.

Local media also reported her boyfriend, described as an Italian artist living in Florence, was the one who discovered the body and alerted the police.

Reports by Italian media say she was strangled to death, although police have declined to confirm this. Florence prosecutors have opened a murder probe into her death.

The Voice of Venice reported Ms Olsen, who was originally from Florida, was found naked on her bed, strangled with a broken neck.

Her boyfriend was said to have become worried after not hearing from her for several days following an argument, and went to see Ms Olsen at the flat.

When no one answered the door bell, he asked the apartments owner to open the door on Saturday.

He reportedly phoned the police, but she had been dead for hours.

Her body was formally identified by her father, who teaches at a school in Florence, according to local TV and newspaper reports.

According to La Repubblica, investigators have seized Ms Olsens computer, as well as taken her boyfriend and a group of mostly American friends in for questioning.

Ms Olsen was active on social media, regularly sharing photos of her life in Florence on Instagram and Facebook.

The newspaper said her body was found in a flat she had been living in for the past two years, and was located in Santa Monaca, close to the city centre.

( Independent News Service)
Angela Merkel for the first time signalled a change in her "open-door" refugee policy yesterday, as police admitted that a "majority" of those suspected of sex attacks in Cologne were asylum seekers or illegal immigrants.

New figures released last night disclosed the scale of the violence in the city on New Year's Eve, which showed 30 more sexual assaults than were previously reported.

Cologne Police said that 379 offences were committed on that night, of which 150 were sexual assaults.

"Those who are the focus of criminal police investigations are mostly people from North African countries," police said in a statement. "The majority of them are asylum seekers and people who are in Germany illegally."

After a meeting with her party yesterday, Mrs Merkel promised that she would amend the law to make it easier to deport asylum seekers who commit crimes. "We have to consider when someone forfeits their right to our hospitality," said Mrs Merkel.

Under current rules, asylum seekers can only be expelled if they are sentenced to three years or more in jail.

Privately, Mrs Merkel is said to be deeply disturbed by reports that refugees were among those who sexually assaulted some 150 women in the heart of Cologne, while outnumbered police looked on helplessly.

This forms a stark contrast to her earlier optimism about the influx to Germany, which has taken in far more migrants than any other European country. Her welcoming stance and "we can do it" slogan irritated many Germans, uneasy about the arrival of some 1.1 million migrants last year.

Both critics and supporters of the chancellor are warning the Cologne attacks show the scale of the challenge in integrating the asylum seekers.

Hundreds of supporters of the anti-immigration Pegida movement marched through the centre of Cologne yesterday. Lutz Bachmann, the group's leader, is campaigning on the slogan 'Rape Refugees not Welcome'. Some of the demonstrators hurled bottles and firecrackers at the police. Officers used water cannons to try to disperse those gathered.

Questions are being asked about why it took more than a week for the authorities to acknowledge that asylum seekers are among the suspects in the attacks, amid claims of a cover-up.

Bild newspaper yesterday published allegations that police forces are under orders not to report crimes involving refugees to the press.

Many in Germany are asking how such a serious outbreak of sexual violence went unreported by the national press for five days.

Part of the answer appears to lie in a press release issued by the Cologne police on New Year's Day, which read: "Relaxed atmosphere: celebrations largely peaceful."

But police appear to have been aware that trouble was brewing as early as 9pm.

Spiegel magazine yesterday published an interview with a senior officer in the city who said he was told about a crowd of some 400 to 500 "drunk and aggressive" men in a city square.

Only 80 police were on duty in the area, despite more being available, the officer said. At around 10.50pm he arrived at the scene to find the crowd had grown to 1,000 to 1,500, and many were throwing fireworks at people.

It now appears clear that police were aware many of those in the crowd were asylum seekers. Police checked the identity of 71 suspects that night, and the majority were carrying registration documents as asylum seekers, according to a second leaked police report.

At around 11.15pm police decided to clear the area. They encountered heavy resistance and it took 40 minutes. But it appears the worst sexual assaults took place after the clearance, as the crowds moved into the back streets.

At one point, police in the nearby city of Duisburg offered to send reinforcements. For reasons that remain unclear, the offer was refused.

More than 170 women have now come forward to file criminal complaints about that night, 120 of them for sexual assault.

Mrs Merkel's critics have seized on the suspected involvement of asylum seekers as evidence of the failure of her "open-door" refugee policy. "The pressure generated by the images and stories from Cologne makes business as usual impossible," Spiegel said.

"Even if it were now proved there was not a single refugee from the million of last year among the perpetrators, that wouldn't change a thing."

More immediately alarming for Mrs Merkel is the criticism from her political allies.

"Cologne has changed everything," said Volker Bouffier, the state prime minister of Hesse and a senior figure in her Christian Democrat party.

Meanwhile, reports of new incidents continue to emerge. Four Syrians have been arrested in the southern town of Weil am Rhein for the gang rape of two teenage girls on New Year's Eve.

In the city of Bielefeld a crowd of 500 men forced their way into a nightclub and assaulted women on New Year's Eve, according to Westfalen-Blatt newspaper. It was not clear whether they included asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, 108 women have now come forward to report assaults and robberies in Hamburg.

And asylum seekers are still flooding into Europe. The German interior ministry believes another 1 million will attempt to cross Turkey to Europe this year, according to Spiegel.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
France's president Francois Hollande and prime minister Manuel Valls lay a wreath of flowers during a ceremony to honour the victims of the Islamic extremist attacks at Place de la Republique in Paris (AP)

French president Francois Hollande and other dignitaries held a special ceremony on Sunday to honour all those killed in Islamic extremist violence around Paris in 2015 - a year when the European way of life was targeted time and again with deadly consequences.

At least one attacker is at large, and France's top security official acknowledged Sunday that authorities do not know his whereabouts. The country is under a state of emergency after attacks in Paris on November 13.

Paris was again jolted on Thursday when a man wearing a fake explosives vest and wielding a butcher's knife ran up to a police station and was shot to death by officers standing guard.

Mr Hollande and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled a plaque on Sunday in memory of victims targeted at satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a kosher market, a rock concert, cafes, a stadium and elsewhere. The violence left some 150 victims dead, and several attackers were also killed.

The ceremony took place at Place de la Republique, a plaza that has become a symbol of Parisians' solidarity since the attacks, which began on January 7, 2015 with the Charlie Hebdo attack.

French rocker and national icon Johnny Hallyday joined the army choir in a special, sombre musical performance.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for national unity and insisted the government is doing all it can to protect France.

Many questions remain about the November 13 attacks, including how many people were involved and may still be at large.

Mr Cazeneuve said on i-Tele television Sunday that "We don't know where Salah Abdeslam is", referring to a fugitive gunman.

Mr Abdeslam crossed into Belgium on November 14 and Belgian authorities believe he hid out in a Brussels area apartment used to make bombs for the Paris attacks before moving on.

Meanwhile, acting on "concrete evidence" from French security authorities, German police on Saturday raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum-seekers in the western German city of Recklinghausen that they say had been occupied by the man who was killed by French police in Thursday's incident outside a Paris police station.

Mr Cazeneuve said in remarks on Sunday that the man was also believed to have lived in Luxembourg and Switzerland. French investigators were still trying to determine the man's identity.

The incident occurred on the anniversary of the attack by two Islamic extremists on Charlie Hebdo in which 12 people were killed at the satirical newspaper's office.
Sophie Kasiki stared at the photograph of a young English-speaking boy in a camouflage uniform and black bandana covered in Arabic writing calling for unbelievers to be killed in the latest Islamic State propaganda.

Her eyes welled and she swallowed hard. "That could have been my son," she said. "That's hard for me to say and makes me want to cry. I would have killed us both rather than let him become a killer, rather than let him fall into the claws of those monsters."

The "monsters" she is referring to are Islamic State, and Kasiki weighs her words; she knows her four-year-old son was only ever at risk of falling into the jihadis' lair because she had taken him there.

Kasiki is one of the few western women who have been to the capital of the Isil-declared caliphate at Raqqa in Syria and returned to recount the tale. It was, she said in her first interview with a British newspaper, like a journey into a hell from which there seemed no return.

"I have felt so guilty. I have asked myself how I can live with what I have done, taking my son to Syria," she told the Observer last Friday. "I have hated those who manipulated me, exploited my naivety, my weakness, my insecurity. I have hated myself."

About 220 French women are thought to be with Isil in Iraq and Syria, according to the country's intelligence services. Two years ago only 10pc of those leaving France to join the jihadis were women. Today the proportion is 35pc. A third are converts, like Kasiki. Her story, Dans la Nuit de Daech (In the Night of Daesh), to be published soon, reads like a thriller.

Kasiki (34), a petite but fiercely determined woman (who will not give her real name for fear of Isil reprisals), seems an unlikely recruit to the Islamist cause. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and raised in a Catholic household of strong, independent women, she was nine when sent to live with her older sister near Paris after their mother died. The death of the woman she still calls her "guardian angel" sparked a childhood depression that cast a long shadow into adolescence and adulthood; a "hole in the heart" that even a happy marriage and motherhood failed to close.

While employed as a social worker helping mainly immigrant families in the Paris suburbs, Kasiki decided to convert to Islam, without telling her fervently atheist husband, believing it would fill the gap in her life. Her new faith brought only temporary psychological comfort, but introduced her to three Muslim men, 10 years her junior, whom she nicknamed Les Petits (the little ones) and teased like younger brothers.

In September 2014, the three disappeared, later turning up in Syria, from where they maintained daily contact with Kasiki. She saw herself as a conduit between three lost boys, who simply needed to know their mothers were missing them, to help them catch the next plane home to their distraught families.

Slowly the roles reversed. "I thought I was in control of the situation, but I realise now they were probably trained to recruit people like me," she said. "Little by little they played on my weaknesses. They knew I was an orphan and I had converted to Islam, they knew I was insecure."

On 20 February 2015, Kasiki told her husband she was travelling to work in an orphanage in Istanbul for a few weeks and taking their son. Instead she took the well-worn jihadi route to southern Turkey and into Syria.

Installed in the Isil stronghold of Raqqa, the reality of daily life was predictably different from the "paradise" painted by her hometown friends. Kasiki was ordered not to go out alone and only then covered from head to toe, to hand over her passport, and to limit communications with her family in France.

At the city's Isil-run maternity hospital, where she was to work, she was shocked by the squalid conditions, staff indifference to patients' suffering, and a hierarchy in the city that put "arrogant foreign fighters" at the top of the social heap and Syrians at the bottom.

The family apartment Kasiki was allocated had been hastily abandoned by its Syrian owners and their caged canaries served as an increasingly potent metaphor for her and her son's confinement.

It took just 10 days for Kasiki to wake from what she describes as a "paralysing torpor", prompted by regular missives and family photos emailed by her desperate husband, and to realise her terrible mistake. "I asked to go home. Every day, I said I missed my family and my son needed to see his father. To begin with they made excuses, then came the threats. They said if I tried to leave I would be stoned or killed.

"I was terrified someone would come and take me to prison and I'd have to leave my son with them. I spoke to him all the time: I tried to impress on him things he wouldn't forget; that his father and I loved him; that he had to be kind to girls. I talked in the hope it would sink in, and if something happened to me and he fell into Daesh's clutches he would have my voice in his head and would not be able to kill ... I was like a lioness trying to protect him."

When one of the Frenchmen demanded to take the boy to pray at the mosque, she snapped: "Keep your hands off my boy." The response was a punch in the face. "I was in a foreign city where I knew nobody and didn't speak the language. I looked at my son and knew I had made a monumental mistake, the worst of my life. I knew then I had to be strong and do everything possible to get him out of there."

The Frenchmen took Kasiki and her son to the madaffa (guest house), a prison in all but name and home to dozens of foreign women, where she was shocked to see young children watching Isil decapitations on TV while their mothers cheered. "The women saw Isil fighters as their Prince Charming, someone who was strong and would protect them. The only way out of the madaffa was to marry one. In reality, these western women were just wombs to make babies for Daesh."

The following day, while her jailers were organising a marriage, Kasiki discovered an unlocked door and walked out. She kept walking.

Her account of her escape from Raqqa is the edge-of-your-seat stuff of thriller movies. After being taken in by a local family, who risked their lives sheltering them, Kasiki made contact with Syrian opposition fighters, mobilised by her husband in France. On the night of April 24, 2015, a young Syrian took Kasiki, with her son hiding under her niqab, by motorbike to the Turkish border. Had they been stopped at a checkpoint or caught fleeing, all would have faced death.

In Paris, Kasiki was interrogated by French intelligence officers, remanded in jail for two months and was not allowed to contact her family.

Today she and her husband are reconciled, but she is still facing possible charges for child kidnapping.

"I have gone back over everything and asked myself, how did this happen, how could I have done this? Yes, I was naive, confused, fragile, vulnerable even, but how were these ordinary, not particularly smart boys intelligent enough to brainwash me? It is a question I still ask myself."

Kasiki knows that she has had an improbably lucky escape, one that many western girls and women who have been lured by the siren calls of Islamic State and trapped in Syria will never enjoy.

After her return to France, her husband showed her a photo Isil had sent him of their son posing with an automatic rifle. "It must have been taken while we were there, but it was the first time I'd seen it. I felt sick to the heart," she said.

"I will always feel bad about taking my son into this hellish nightmare, so bad I often feel completely paralysed with guilt. But I have to be strong and go on. We have escaped from the clutches of these people and we are alive.

"Now I must prevent other people being drawn into this horror. What can I say? 'Don't go.'"

 Observer
Photos by Ken Ruinard/Independent Mail Doyle Burdette, chief of police for the town of Pendleton, shows artwork of the police departments logo. See more photos at independentmail.com and the Independent Mail apps.

SHARE Burdette holds artwork of a police badge. This is the Pendleton Police Departments logo. This is a police badge for the Pendleton Police Department. Doyle Burdette, chief of police for the town of Pendleton, stands outside his office at town hall.

By Mike Eads of the Independent Mail

Pendleton police plans coming along

Pendleton's new police force is taking shape, but the new chief won't yet say when it will be up and running.

Doyle Burdette has taken over a temporary office in the town's municipal building, moved his family to town and started knocking on doors to introducing himself to residents and businesspeople. He said the buy-in has been "great" so far from everyone he has met.

"It's been nothing but positive," said Burdette, who was hired in September. "I think I've got it better than a chief taking over a department that has already been established because I've got everyone's support. There's no way a police department can lose with all this teamwork."

The town council voted this week to approve new badge and logo designs for the department. Weapons and uniforms are being vetted now, bids will be taken next week for four new Ford police cruisers and he will be advertising soon to hire two police officers to round out his new force.

"I'm going to hire mature, veteran officers with a lot of the same experience I have," said Burdette, who has rotated through command and investigative slots in Belton, Greenville and other departments.

The chief and his officers will handle some investigations and use Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper's detectives on a case-by-case basis.

"Say a sexual assault needs to be investigated? We would be able to do it, but who is going to answer all of the other calls while we're doing that?" Burdette said. "For those kinds of heinous crimes, we're going to be dealing with the county and Sheriff Skipper has assured me that won't be a problem. I've been told the resources they have available are going to be available to us."

Burdette said, however, that if a Pendleton resident is victimized and wants a Pendleton police officer to deal with as part of the investigation, they will get one.

Neighboring chiefs have said they're more than willing to help him and his officers with whatever they need.

"Tommy Clamp (Belton), Jimmy Dixon (Clemson), Jim Stewart (City of Anderson) and John Skipper have all been phenomenal," Burdette said. "They're godsends."

Burdette and his officers won't do round-the-clock coverage because each officer working an eight-hour shift every day of the week isn't practical, "but we will try to cover as many hours a week as we can with three people. There will probably be some overlap."

There will also be enforcement of town speed limits, but Burdette said he doesn't intend to get carried away with it.

"Our vehicles will all be equipped with radar, and we will be enforcing all the laws an agency enforces within a town," said the chief. "We are not going to be a speed trap, but if somebody grossly violates the speed limit they can expect to be stopped."

All the preparation and procurement could be done by June, but Burdette was noncommittal when asked if that means an early summer debut for the Pendleton Police Department.

Whoever is hired might not be ready to start work until sometime in the summer and they will have to familiarize themselves with the town, just as he said he's doing now.

Burdette does intend to host at least one open house to let residents meet the officers, check out all of the equipment and ask questions.

"I want to ease any concerns," said Burdette. "We're neighbors and this is about helping the community."

Follow Michael Eads on Twitter @MikeEads_AIM
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) has launched an Online Initiative to engage the LPG Consumers and Citizens of India in providing efficient and citizen friendly services in LPG distribution. Following two online discussion forums have been launched and are available on myGov.in and mylpg.in for a) Citizen-Friendly Services; and b) Increasing LPG Coverage in the Country

LPG Consumers/ Citizens are requested to participate and share their thoughts on the respective forums online. Valuable suggestions/ comments are welcome and will be considered for improving the customer oriented services related to LPG Coverage & Delivery.

This initiative is one of the many initiatives for observing 2016 as the Year of LPG Consumers, announced by the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas recently.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses death has been one of Indias biggest mysteries and nobody really knows what exactly happened that day. But, a UK based website might have an answer.

A British website, has released eye witness accounts of the day Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, was reportedly killed in a plane crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945.

defencelover

These latest documents quote several people who were reportedly involved in the matter related to the accident. And two British intelligence reports that revisited the crash site for investigation form a part of these papers.

The website also highlighted that the freedom fighter's dying words were devoted to India's freedom. Till his last breath, Bose urged Indians to fight for their freedom.

For 70 years, there have been doubts in certain circles whether such a tragedy took place at all. Four separate reports, each corroborating the other constitute irresistible evidence to the contrary, says a statement issued by www.bosefiles.info.

netaji.org

According to the documents presented by this website, on the morning 18 August 1945, a Japanese Air Force bomber took off from Tourane in Vietnam with Bose and 12 or 13 other passengers and crew. Also on board was Lt Gen Tsunamasa Shidei of the Japanese Army. The planned flight path was Heito-Taipei-Dairen-Tokyo.

The three-member Netaji Inquiry Committee, instituted by the government of India in 1956 and headed by Major General Shah Nawaz Khan of Bose's Indian National Army (INA), was told that since the weather was perfect and the engines of the aircraft worked smoothly. Thus, the pilot decided to overfly Heito and landed straight at Taipei, arriving there late morning.

Major Taro Kono, a Japanese Air Staff Officer and one of the passengers, told the committee, I noticed that the engine on the left side of the plane was not functioning properly. I, therefore, went inside the plane and after examining the engine inside, I found it to be working all right.

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He further added that the accompanying engineer also tested the engine and certified its air-worthiness.

Captain Nakamura alias Yamamoto, the ground engineer in charge of maintenance at the airport, concurred with Major Kono that the engine of the left side was defective.'

He said the pilot informed him it was a brand new engine. He went on to say, After slowing down the engine, the pilot adjusted it for about five minutes. The engine was tested twice by Major Takizawa (the pilot). After being adjusted, I satisfied myself that the condition of the engine was all right. Major Takizawa also agreed with me. However, soon after the aircraft was airborne there was loud explosion.' Boses ADC and co passenger, Colonel Habib Ur Rahman confirmed it. He described the noise similar to that of a cannon shot.

Nakamura, who was watching from the ground said, Immediately on taking off, the plane tilted to its left side and I saw something fall down from the plane. He later found out that it was the propeller. He also maintained that the maximum height gained by the aircraft was 30-40 metres. Capt Nakamura estimated the plane crashed about 100 metres beyond the concrete runway and immediately caught fire in the front portion.

Col Rahmans recounted: Netaji turned towards me. I said Aagey Say Nikaleay, Pichey Say Rasta Nahin Hai. (Please get out through the front; there is no way in the rear.) We could not get through the entrance door as it was all blocked and jammed by packages and other things. So Netaji got out through the fire; actually he rushed through the fire. I followed him through the same flames.

He continued: The moment I got out, I saw him about 10 yards ahead of me, standing, looking in the opposite direction to mine towards the west. His clothes were on fire. I rushed and I experienced great difficulty in unfastening his bush-shirt belt. His trousers were not so much on fire and it was not necessary to take them off. (Col Rahman was in woollen uniform, whereas Bose was in cotton khakis, which, it was assessed, caught fire more easily.)

Col Rahman went on: I laid him down on the ground and noticed a very deep cut on his head, probably on the left side. His face had been scorched by heat and his hair had also caught fire and singed.

He further narrated: Netaji enquired from me in Hindustani: Aap Ko Ziada To Nahin Lagi? (Hope you have not been hurt badly.) I replied, I feel that I will be all right. About himself he said that he felt that he would not survive.

Bose added: Jab Apney Mulk Wapis Jayen To Mulki Bhaiyon Ko Batana Ki Mein Akhri Dam Tak Mulk Ki Azadi Ke Liyay Larta Raha Hoon; Woh Jangi Azadi Ko Jari Rakhen. Hindustan Zaroor Azad Hoga, Oos Ko Koi Gulam Nahin Rakh Sakta. (When you go back to the country, tell the people that up to the last I have been fighting for the liberation of my country; they should continue to struggle, and I am sure India will be free before long. Nobody can keep India in bondage now.)

Lt Col Shiro Nonogaki, who was on the flight, said: When I first saw Netaji after the plane crash, he was standing somewhere near the left tip of the left wing of the plane. His clothes were on fire and his assistant was trying to take off his coat." He surmised: Since Netaji was sitting very near the petrol tank, he was splashed all over with petrol. It seemed that all his body was on fire.

There were variations in the details provided by Col Rahman, Lt Col Nonogaki, Major Kono and Captain Nakamura and others. They were giving evidence 11 years after the accident. But in essence they were unanimous on the fact of the crash; and on Bose suffering severe burns and injuries as a consequence.

He was rushed to the nearby Nanmon Military Hospital in a critical condition. In September 1945, British authorities in India sent intelligence teams comprising of Messrs Finney and Davies, H K Roy and K P De to Bangkok, Saigon and Taipei to enquire about the whereabouts of Bose and, if possible, to arrest him. They, instead, returned with the story of the crash.

(With inputs from PTI)
Imphals iconic Ima Market, also known as the Khwairamband Bazar or the Nupi Keithel (Womens market) is possibly the only market in the world where all the traders are women. There are almost 4000 women traders in this market, who sell everything from food items, traditional handicrafts to basic household stuff.

Flickr.com/com4tablydumb

Recently, when an earthquake of 6.7 struck Manipurs Tamenglong district, this market suffered as well. About five people died and over 40 were injured. Activist Binalakshmi Nepram said in her tweet.

#Manipur's historic Women's Market The Ima Market is severely damaged in the #Earthquake that has claimed many lives pic.twitter.com/48SriQQXcK  Binalakshmi Nepram (@BinaNepram) January 4, 2016

According to a BBC report, this womens only market came up because Manipuri men were constantly engaged in wars with Chinese and Burmese and so the women had to take the charge of looking after their families. However, there is no historical evidence as to when this market was originated.

Previously, most women conducted their businesses from sheds. But now the entire market is located within four concrete structures built by the Imphal Municipal Council.

In a report published in 2005, Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE), Manipur, India, it was highlighted that these Keithel arent just hubs of commerce, but also of information exchange and socio-political processes.

In fact, during lunch break, these women traders discuss socio-political issues and such discussions keep them aware and empowered.

After the earthquake hit Manipur, the Minister of State for Environment and Forest, Prakash Javedkar, visited Manipur to assure the victims that they'll get all possible support from the centre.

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Javadekar, also visited the Ima market and confirmed that a report on the damages would be submitted to the concerned ministry so that they can take required steps. He further added that he would appeal to the Prime Minister to look into the damages of the market buildings and consider the sufferings of the women vendors.

The women vendors have requested the Union Minister to construct new buildings instead of repairing the damaged ones.

We sincerely hope that this historic market is reconstructed and the women vendors continue making their livelihood, and carrying forward a legacy which is possibly the only one of its kind in the world.

(With inputs from this reddit thread and Times of India)
News / Africa

by Staff Reporter

An alleged donkey rapist has pleaded with the court to withdraw the matter since it has been four months now with no forensic results forthcoming. He said that he is tired of rotting in jail while there is no evidence implicating him in the matter.Vee Mulilo (23) from Zimbabwe is accused of unlawfully having had carnal knowledge of a donkey branded K V N on August 27 at Phuduhudu lands. The donkey was the property of one Mmoloki Neo."I do not know why I am still remanded in custody. It's been four months and still there are no results. I keep coming here and the prosecutor always presents the same story. It appears to me that I do not have any case to answer therefore the case must be withdrawn," he said.Mmegi reported that he further said that it is not fair to him because many accused persons that came after him had their forensic results released in time whilst his is delayed.He also told Magistrate Thapelo Buang that it is hard being remanded in custody without knowing his fate more especially when one has done nothing wrong.State prosecutor Inspector Ditsapelo Emmanuel, applied for Mulilo's further remand while they are still waiting for results from the forensic laboratory."I apply for the accused to be further remanded in custody while we still wait because he is a Zimbabwean nationality and might be a flight risk," added Ditsapelo.He also attested that it was worrisome for the laboratory to take such a long time however nothing can be donewithout the results.He said that he called the police laboratory and he was told that the results were not ready as they were a lot of exhibits to be tested.Ditsapelo applied for the court to summon the laboratory technicians before the court to come and explain the delay. The Magistrate ruled that the accused be further remanded in custody and on his following appearance that is when they will make a decision pertaining to the forensic results. The accused appeared in person and will make another appearance on January 20. In a separate matter, Moalafi Terata (35) implicated in the murder of his girlfriend, has been remanded in custody while still waiting for the forensic results.Terata is alleged to have minced his girlfriend's (Lemogang Elijah) head on January 4, 2016 with a hammer at Maape village following an argument.According to Ditsapelo the hammer and the clothes of the deceased will be sent to the forensic laboratory and post-mortem will be done today. He applied for the further remand of the accused while they still wait for the post-mortem results.Magistrate Buang agreed to the application of the prosecutor and said the reasons why the accused should be remanded in custody will be made today. (Thursday).
For the first time in the history of Republic Day parade, a foreign contingent comprising 130 French soldiers will march down the Rajpath along with the Indian troops in presence of French President Francoise Hollande - who will be the chief guest this year.

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A French contingent comprising 56 personnel of 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade is taking part in a joint counter-terrorism exercise called 'Shakti 2016' with the Indian soldiers which began in Rajasthan on Friday. The other French troops will arrive in the country by January 16.

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The 35th Infantry Regiment's origin dates back to its raising in 1604 at Lorraine, France. The regiment has as many as 12 battle honours to its credit. The battalion has varied combat experiences, having served in Algeria, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, amongst other places.
The people of Delhi did not fail Odd-Even, but Odd-Even may have failed Delhi.

The good people of the capital city were largely compliant to Odd-Even, motivated by a heavy 2000 Rupee fine (or the fear of losing their license), and tactics like handing out roses and clicking pictures of violators. This, despite reports of autorickshaws illegally charging extortionate amounts, cab companies citing a 4X surcharge on their services, and shoddy last-mile connectivity.

However, Odd-Even hasn't been the winning formula Delhiites were lead to believe

Two different organisations have confirmed what skeptics of the Delhi's government car rationing program Odd-Even have always believed - it has NOT brought down pollution levels. Smog is back to Delhi, bringing trapped particulate matter to the Capitals sinuses, forcing people to breathe a air ranked as Severe Health Hazard'.

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A weather official told that average level of microscopic particles PM 2.5 and PM 10, which can enter the bloodstream via the lungs, reached 296 and 479 micrograms per cubic metre  a safe ranking is 60 and 100 respectively.

50% rise in pollution levels during week 1 of Odd Even

Independent portal IndiaSpend, which has installed low cost sensors across the city, said that pollution levels in Delhi "rose 50 per cent" during the first week of the odd-even measure over the previous week (December 25 to December 31).

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Even if some blame can be put on additional factors like temperature, wind-speed and increased moisture, the larger fact that Odd-Even is a failure is now proved. "It is likely, though, that the odd-even measure introduced by Delhi government might not, in itself, be adequate," IndiaSpend said.

Or, in simple words, the Delhi government didnt consider that you cant control nature.

"The pollutants are not getting dispersed due to calm wind. Visibility also came down to less than 50 metres in the morning due to fog. It also trapped pollutants.a senior India Meteorological Department official said.

So why are people reporting good news?

People showing data of Delhi Pollution rising! WTH hell dudes? Havent you seen the mahaul in Delhi? Data is for patsies! Odd Even rules!  bwoyblunder (@bwoyblunder) January 8, 2016

According to the official report submitted to the High Court, particulate matter levels began to fall from January 1, based on Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), data. However, National Air Quality Index (NAQI) which tracks data from 8 Delhi-basd monitoring stations found that there have been zero declines in air pollution. This past week, when the weather has been more hostile than in November and December, the peak levels have been less in comparison. Though, average pollution levels have increased, said Anumita Roychowdhury, the head of CSE's clean air campaign told the Hindu.

And since people keep posting anecdotes, heres one from Delhi: with numbers.

At a prominent south Delhi mall, Amit Kumar takes his hand-held pollutant measuring device and walks out onto the open courtyard; the digital meter shows figures for PM 2.5 that are in the range of about 350. Kumar is an employee at Nirvana Being a store that sells designer pollution masks and air quality measuring instruments. Pointing to the numbers flashing on the instrument, Kumar told an ET reporter, "See there is no significant difference in the air quality. If anything, the traffic jams have reduced on account of the odd-even scheme," he says. This is why it appears as of now that although the scheme was started to control air pollution, much of the support for it has come because of the fact that it has helped decongest the city roads.

Odd-Even, is clearly a haphazardly thought out response to Delhi's biggest pollution crisis, after years of doing nothing to control it.

This fire near Ghazipur landfill adding to air pollution worth 100s of #OddEven cars! pic.twitter.com/c7eM7RHVyQ

 Pankaj Pachauri (@PankajPachauri) January 5, 2016

Almost a year ago, we had revealed that the Kejriwal government had made it easier for small and medium industries to pollute, completely ignored that garbage fires is how so many of Delhis jhuggi colonies stay warm night after night, and of course, ignored the environmental impact of allowing pretty much anyone to scratch out a home in any part of Delhi, even if the citys lungs, its trees have to be chopped down. And of course, dust - road dust accounts for about 35% PM 2.5 in the air, according to a recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
While the Indian armys response to the Pathankot airbase attack may have been lacking, it cant translate to an inconsiderate armchair analysis. This is what Major Navdeep Singh explained, in a lean rebuttal to a Telegraph article (7th Jan 2015) that questioned the Martyrs Rites Colonel Niranjan Kumar received:

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I, for one, am not emotive or touchy when negative articles and opinions are written about our Defence Services. I sincerely feel that the military forces should never be treated so hallowed so as to prevent the citizenry at large from holding a mirror to them, but then the mirror should be held not to shame but to trigger introspection and debate for our common good. This I say since the military, like any other institution, belongs to, and if I may say so, is answerable to the people of this country.

That said, the oped in The Telegraph titled Martyrs Rites published 7th Jan 2015, rankled, nay, hurt me.

Besides stating that Lt Col Niranjan EK of the National Security Guard lost his life due to his stupidity (Yes, that was the word used), the opinion piece gets it wrong at many places. First things first. Battle is not mathematics. Nor is it a scientific formula. Battle is gray. Battle is ambiguous. Battle is bad. It seems that the mandatory Statutory Court of Inquiry into Colonel Niranjans demise too may not be necessary, now that the editorial team of the paper has reached the conclusion that he was at fault, providing a detailed list of his acts and omissions, and has also declared that the standards of discipline as well as security of the Indian Army have fallen. Further, the editorial has also pronounced the verdict that the booby trap planted by the terrorists was simple.

+.. to take split-second decisions in the heat of the battle, they're not supposed to worry about future reactions of columnists. @gbeforet  Navdeep Singh (@SinghNavdeep) January 9, 2016

The write-up further questions the honour bestowed upon the Late Colonel on his death, forgetting that such honour was not just the done thing in such eventualities but also in many other circumstances, including in certain situations for retired officers, people of eminence and even political personalities. To question whether he deserved it, is nauseating, to put it mildly.

Now coming to main issue that I would want to address for clarity of the general reader.

Military operations, the world over, do not just involve bullets and bombs, as perceived by many. Military operations, from start till culmination, involve aspects that are at times invisible, volatile and fickle even for the elements who participate in them. It is redundant even to question whether the Colonels death was an operational casualty or not! Of course it was. To put it in simple terms, would he have died if the Pathankot terrorist attack had not taken place? Negative. Recently four of our soldiers died in an avalanche near one of the highest battlefields in the world, was it not an operational casualty? Of course it was. Surely they were not there on a picnic but were deployed for our defence in an operation notified in that area in the Gazette of India. To be killed by a bullet or the vagaries of nature is inconsequential when the task at hand is operational. A soldier falling down a gorge while patrolling in a counter-insurgency operation or an officer dying of cardiac arrest while deployed in one of the coldest battlefields or dying of a snakebite in a trench on the border, are all battle casualties, even as per regulations. So much so that the rules related to monetary benefits to such casualties ordain that even an element of negligence, if any, would not come in the way of such grants.

None couldve describe it better than the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a case decided in the year 2010 when it recorded that an act of heroism was an exaggerated expression and a person need not have his finger on the trigger or hurling a bomb so as to be entitled to benefits and any person who suffers injury, including an accident in an operational area, is a battle casualty. The Delhi High Court, in 2013, also reiterated that all personnel who are present in operational areas and whose aid and assistance is essential and perhaps crucial for success and those who imperil themselves, directly or indirectly, and are in the line of fire during the operations, would be covered under the category of battle casualty. In any case, for the gallant ones, the line between fearlessness and stupidity, as the editorial puts it, is pretty thin and breachable, and it is all very well to comment on it while writing a piece on a laptop in ones room.

Rather than commenting in vacuum that there was lack of discipline on the part of the late officer or that the Army is being reduced to an object of ridicule, we would have been rather fortunate if the oped had set its energy on calling for better equipment for our foot soldiers and restricted itself to the improvement in procedures to prevent such casualties in the future, since after all, what are we going to do with all those Missiles and deterrent hardware which in reality we are never going to employ, if the men and women on the ground go to battle without basic necessities or safety!

Instead, The Telegraph indulged in cynicism about the life of a soldier we just lost in a terrorist attack and before the dust in the lives of the families of all those we lost could settle, took the path of tastelessly and insensitively calling out and stating that an officer like Niranjan should be taken to task even after his death.

If this is the reaction a military casualty is going to elicit, I wonder where we are headed. But then there is solace in the thought that it was just an opinion.
There has not been much change at the Taj Mahal despite chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's strict instruction recently to clamp down hard on touts, illegal photographers and guides swamping the monument.

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Numerous cases of harassment of tourists continue to hurt the reputation of the city. Touts, though -- called 'lapkas' here -- remain unfazed, freely doing business in and around the structure. What's more, a large number of children are involved in the business.

Taking cognizance of a Times of India story on harassment faced by a British couple in Agra last year, the CM had in September 2015 directed officials to ensure "security, dignity and adequate facilities" to all tourists visiting the state. Akhilesh had said that anyone found guilty of misbehaving with the tourists would not be spared. He had directed the local administration and tourism officials to identify all such anti-social elements and take strict action against them. He had further asked the officials to ensure that such incident of ill-treatment of tourists, as in the British couple's case, was not repeated.

Nothing much has come of it though and things have remained the same. On Saturday, hawkers and photographers were seen doing their business as usual without any check. ASI officials allege that a hawker-policemen cartel is the primary reason for nothing being done on the issue. They claim that hawkers pay and a fixed amount of Rs 100-200 to cops on a daily basis to the cops and that does the trick.

According to an estimate, around 3,000 photographers and lapkas operate in and around the Taj Mahal. On top of this, there are scores of vendors who sell souvenirs and edibles in the monument's vicinity. Visitors, especially foreigners, remain their prime target. Harassment and even abuse, many say, is rampant. When contacted, circle officer (Taj security) Avnish Yadav said, "Several measures have been taken to control the movement of touts in the vicinity of the monument. We are identifying kingpins of all the illegal activities and also taking action against them. Due to elections and other reasons, the drive against them had slowed down in the past, but we will once again intensify our efforts to end this."
Mexican drug lord, Joaquin Guzman, known by his nickname 'El Chapo', is the kind of man jiska peecha gyarah mulkon ki police kar rahi hai. Hes the man who has often made headlines, he's a muse for writers and filmmakers, his story is something that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Though a criminal who was pushed into the drug business by circumstances, he was listed as the most powerful man in the world by Forbes magazine thrice between 2009 to 2011.

After running away from the prison twice, he was living out of a suitcase when Sean Penn decided to do an interview with him. On January 9, Rolling Stone magazine released that interview with the Kingpin which Penn did at a secret location in a remote jungle. El Chapo even answered follow up questions on tape, while he was still on the run.

Read on as we bring you facts from the drug lord's life, and excerpts from a secret interview with the worlds most wanted man in the world.

1. His full name is Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, but is popularly known as El Chapo or simply Guzman.

Reuters

He is sometimes also called Shorty Guzman thanks to his height of 5 feet 6 inches.

2. El Chapo started selling oranges and soft drinks soon after he turned 6.

Reuters

3. Hes the head of the criminal organisation called Sinaloa Cartel, named after the state of Sinoloa in Mexico.

Reuters

4. At 15, he started growing marijuana and poppies because he says that was the only way for him and his impoverished family to survive.

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5. His fortune is estimated at $1 billion (Rs 6,688 crores), making him the biggest drug lord in his country currently.

Reuters

"I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats," said El Chapo To Penn in the secret interview.

6. Chapo does not consider himself a violent man.

Reuters

Chapo told Penn, 'I never invite trouble, but only defends myself.'

7. Guzman hasnt touched drugs in 20 years. He tried them when he was very young, but has never been an addict.

Reuters

8. He had escaped jail twice and remained one of the worlds most wanted criminal for a long long time.

Reuters

First, Chapo escaped from a prison in San Diego, USA on January 9, 2001. According to officials, 78 people assisted him in his plan. On 11 July, 2015, he escaped for the second time. This time from the Federal Social Readaptation Center No 1, a maximum security prison in Mexico.

9. Chapo likes living as a free bird, and does not stress too much about the pressure of evading authorities.

10. Guzman wanted to make his own Hollywood movie and when Penn heard about it, wanted to do an interview.

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11. When questioned about the rights and wrongs of his business, he said he knew that drugs destroy.

Reuters

Chapo said his unfortunate circumstances lead him into this business, there wasnt any other way to survive and there still isnt!

12. Chapo confessed to Sean that he was aware hell die one day, but hoped to die because of natural causes.

Reuters

As for the current state of the drug lord is concerned, The Mexican attorney general's office has confirmed that they will begin the process of extraditing recaptured drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman to the US.
Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that Beijing will close 2,500 small polluting firms this year to combat pollution. Beijing is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, and the country sees thousands of protests over environmental degradation, particularly from factories.

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Four districts in the capital, which has been hit by bouts of choking smog this winter, will be required to shut down 2,500 companies by the end of the year, with more scheduled to be closed next year, Xinhua said.

reuters

Quoting an unnamed official, it said rising numbers of small polluting sources such as restaurants, hotels and garages offset the impact of a dramatic fall in the number of heavy polluting and high energy-consuming companies in the city. Last month Beijing issued its second ever "red alert" over heavy air pollution, closing schools and banning outdoor construction. On Saturday the environment ministry cautioned that heavy smog would return next week to Beijing, the province of Hebei and nearby Tianjin.

Official data showed Beijing's average PM2.5 reading in 2015 was 80.6 micrograms per cubic meter, 1.3 times more than the national standard, Xinhua said. China has vowed to slash coal consumption and shut down polluting industries, but environmental officials admit the country is unlikely to meet state air quality standards until at least 2030.

(With Reuters inputs)
Follow us on kalki koechlin turns 32 5 unconventional roles played by versatile actress

New Delhi: The stunning and ravishing Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin turns 32 today. She, with versatile and intense acting skills, had carved her niche in B-town within a short span of time.

Kalki is French but her heart is Indian. She grew up in India and everything about her is Indian. Apart from her stunning performances in the movies, Kalki is also an art lover. She loves theatre and we can tell from her exceptionally good acting. Kalki has many more years to excel and surprise us with her zara hatke' roles.

Be it her choice of films or her dressing sense, Kalki makes sure to leave an impression everytime she marks a presence.

On her 32nd birthday today, here we bring you some of the best roles played by the diva Kalki Koechlin:

1. Margarita, with a Straw:

Kalki plays the lead role in the movie Margarita, with a Straw'. The stunning actress is seen in a role of a girl with cerebral palsy.

While the movie is about her struggle with the normal activities in her life, Kalki did complete justice with her role. The actress won accolades for her performance in the movie including the Best Actress Award Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia.

2. That Girl in Yellow Boots:

The vibrant actress plays the role of Ruth in Anurag Kashyap's That Girl in Yellow Boots'. Ruth is a British woman who reaches Mumbai in search of her father. A conventional story, Kalki has carried the entire movie on her shoulders and did a phenomenal job.

3. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara:

Although the movie is based on three friends played by Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol but Kalki managed to make her presence felt on the screen.

The actress is seen playing the role of Natasha who is to get married to Abhay. As a possessive girlfriend and fiancee, Kalki indeed fit into the role pretty well.

4. Dev D:

Kalki Koechlin made her Bollywood debut with Anurag Kashyap's Dev D' which was the modern version of Devdas. She played the character Chanda/Leni, who is a Delhi school student who falls into an MMS scandal while dating a boy much older in age.

Not just Kalki impressed everyone with her performance; she also left a long lasting impression on the minds of the audience.

5. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani:

While Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' was called out to be a Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone movie, it was Kalki Koechlin whose performance was also appreciated.

She was seen playing a tomboy who was secretly in love with her best friend Avinash.

With this role, Kalki broke the monotony of her serious characters and watching in her in that tapori and raw attitude was a complete delight.

Latest Bollywood News
Follow us on intolerance of criticism arising out of irrational faith hamid ansari

New Delhi: Amid the intolerance debate in the country, Vice President Hamid Ansari today said there is intolerance of criticism and questioning resulting from irrational faiths and beliefs which are based on unscientific prejudices.

He said lack of scientific temper has often resulted in instances like individual dissenters being ostracised or killed, and banning or withdrawal of books from circulation.

He rued that even scientists succumb to practises that derogate from scientific temper and noted that our education system was insufficiently equipped to inculcate this thinking in young minds.

Emphasising that public acceptance of scientific temper in the society was a pre-condition for fostering and sustaining the cultivation of innovations and scientific research, Ansari said there was need to create the right ambience and structures to encourage scientific research and innovation. Much too often there is a lack of scientific temper in our daily life.

In our family life, we don't approve of questioning. Most parents don't like children asking questions. In schools, from nursery to high school, teachers frown upon children raising questions.

In colleges and universities, asking questions is often considered cheeky' and an attempt by students to cast doubt a teacher's knowledge of the teacher, Ansari said while inaugurating a panel discussion on Scientific Temper: A pre-requisite for Knowledge based Society.

He said this frame of mind is reflected in our attitude to matters of social custom, inherited tradition and faith.

Attempts to separate myth from fact, history from mythology, belief from scientifically verified facts, are often frowned upon.

Pursuant to it, occult is dubbed scientific and superstition as culture'. Such approaches have often taken unpleasant and violent turn: books have been banned or withdrawn from circulation, libraries have been burnt, individual dissenters ostracised or killed, social peace disturbed and violence inflicted on citizens, he said.

In each of these cases, the working assumption is that questioning will hurt sentiments, damage or destroy existing order or structures, undermine faith, disrupt social order, Ansari said.

He added that these dubious foundations, irrational faiths and beliefs based on unscientific prejudices and habits still persist and there is intolerance of criticism and questioning.

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Follow us on railways to take act tough on passengers declaring wrong age

New Delhi: Come February 1, and defaulters misusing the quota and concession provided to senior citizens for railway bookings could see some serious trouble.

In an attempt to rein in the misuse of senior citizen concession and quota in railway bookings, the Indian Railways has said it will treat passengers who have declared wrong age by treating them as without ticket' travellers. As per a Railways notification, the new rule kicks in from February 1.

As per the current policy of railway travel concession, male senior citizen of the age of 60 years and above, women senior citizen of the age of 58 and above are granted 40 per cent and 50 per cent concession respectively in all classes of Mail/Express/Rajdhani/Shatabdi etc trains. No proof of age is required at the time of purchasing tickets. However, during journey, the senior citizen is required to carry documentary proof showing their age or date of birth.

In case the senior citizen is not able to produce the requisite proof of age during the journey, he/she is charged only the difference of fare (between full fare and concessional fare). Senior citizens have also been provided a facility to get confirmed lower berths under the quota.

As per the new rules, those unable to confirm their age as declared while booking tickets will be treated as ticketless travellers and will be penalised accordingly. "Any passenger found travelling in the train on the berths booked under Senior Citizen Quota by declaration of wrong age should be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly," the new rule said.

Because of false declaration of age, the passenger is misusing both concession and quota depriving the eligible passengers of a confirmed lower berth, it added.

Misusing senior citizens quota and concession, some people book ticket by giving wrong age and in case they are detected they give the difference of fare.

There have also been cases wherein agents use this method to cheat passengers. They book the ticket through wrong declaration of age and, subsequently, modify the e-ticket by giving correct age and dupe the passengers.

"That is why decision was taken to charge full fare in case of false declaration of age," a Railways official said.

Necessary instructions are being issued to all concerned, specifically ticket checking staff, with a note of caution to be patient and tactful while handling such passengers to avoid any complaint regarding harassment.

(With PTI inputs)

Latest India News
Follow us on rss launches campaign to convince madrassas to hoist flag on r day

Lucknow: Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), the minority wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has launched a nationwide campaign to convince madrassas across the country to hoist the tricolour in their campus on republic day.

The flag hositing campaign, comes days after a Kolkata teacher was reportedly thrashed for teaching national anthem to students to prepare them for Republic Day celebrations.

"The campaign has been named 'Jhanda Falani'," UP co-ordinator of MRM Merajidhwaj Singh told Times of India.

"The campaign is a bid to create a deep feeling for the country, which comes before religion. The aim is to mark the celebration and ensure everyone's involvement. Celebrating Republic or Independence Day has nothing to do with religion," Singh said.

However,Darul Uloom Deoband's press secretary Maulana Ashraf Usmani retorted saying, "Does the RSS hoist the tricolour at its offices or its headquarters at Nagpur? Does the RSS' basic ideology believe in the national anthem?"

"Several madrassas through the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Deoband's social chapter, not only hoist the Tricolour, most of them observe a holiday during national festivals like Republic Day and Independence Day," Maulana Usmani told the daily.

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News / Africa

by EWN

A police investigation has revealed that a woman, who fell to her death from a six storey building, along with her child in the Johannesburg CBD was allegedly pushed by her husband.Sources have revealed that the woman is a Zimbabwean whose identity is yet to be revealed.The 39-year-old man has now been arrested and charged with murder.It is understood he pushed his wife and child from the San Martins Mansions building last night following a domestic spat.Paramedics found the mother and child lying on a street in Joubert Park.The police's Lungelo Dlamini say they have opened a case of murder."Police are investigating a case of murder. A 39-year-old man allegedly pushed his wife and son out of the building. The community apprehended him and handed him over to the police."
Follow us on world will see our sincerity in pathankot attack probe pak pm

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has told US Secretary of state John Kerry that Islamabad is swiftly carrying out investigations into Pathankot incident and will soon unearth the truth.

Sharif told Mr Kerry that "we are swiftly carrying out investigations in a transparent manner and will bring out the truth. The world will see our effectiveness and sincerity in this regard, the Prime Minister added," a statement issued by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office said.

"Kerry extended full support to the Prime Minister to find out the truth in the Pathankot terror incident," the statement said.

Pakistan was eliminating terrorism from its soil and would not allow anyone to use its soil to conduct terror operations abroad, Nawaz told the US Secretary of State.

The statement from Sharif's office quoted Kerry as saying that the US hoped the India-Pakistan dialogue will continue despite the fact that terrorists have tried to thwart it.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Pakistan's commitment to not allow anyone to use its soil to conduct terror operations abroad. Kerry extended full support and cooperation to Sharif to find out the truth in the Pathankot terror incident, the statement said.

Indian officials have said Islamabad has been given intercepts of telephone calls made by the attackers to Pakistan-based handlers, the Pakistani phone numbers they called and the locations of these numbers. The external affairs ministry spokesperson described this information as actionable intelligence.

Soon after receiving the information from India, Pakistan had acknowledged it was investigating some leads. Sharif also telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and assured him of prompt and decisive action.

India's foreign ministry said Islamabad has been given actionable intelligence that those who planned the assault came from Pakistan.

"As far as we are concerned, the ball is now in Pakistan's court," spokesman Vikas Swarup told reporters when asked if the talks were on. "The immediate issue in front of us is Pakistan's response to the terrorist attack."

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Follow us on india pak foreign secretary level talks as per schedule sartaj aziz

Islamabad: Pakistan has said foreign secretary-level talks with India are intact and it was following the leads provided by India which has linked the talks, scheduled for January 15, to Islamabad's decisive action on the Pathankot terror attack.

We are investigating the Pathankot incident while the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan are intact, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday at a function in National College of Arts, Lahore.

Aziz, however, did not mention the progress Pakistan has achieved on the leads provided by India.

We are investigating the Pathankot incident, was Aziz's answer when he was asked by a reporter in this regard.

Replying to another question on the status of the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, scheduled for January 15 in Islamabad, Aziz said, Let me tell you the talks are intact and will take place as per schedule.

On Friday, India had put the ball squarely in Pakistan's court, linking the fate of the talks to Islamabad's prompt and decisive action on the Pathankot terror attack for which it has provided actionable intelligence.

However, Aziz's assurance about holding talks as per schedule was interpreted by many analysts in Pakistan as Islamabad's willingness to act on the information provided by India in a time-bound manner.

Aziz's confidence about Pak-India talks intact' can be interpreted to mean that Pakistan is serious about acting on the leads provided by India and may well lay hands on those suspected of being involved in the attack before January 15, a government official told PTI.

Earlier, Pakistan said it needed concrete evidence from India for acting against the terrorists it suspected of being involved in the terror strike at Pathankot airbase instead of leads suggesting the attack was planned and directed from here.

We are expecting evidence beyond leads and information to proceed as per our law, Dawn quoted a foreign office official as saying after Sharif chaired a second meeting of his security aides on the Pathankot attack yesterday.

Soon after receiving the leads' Pakistan had acknowledged that they had been shared and were being investigated.

Nawaz Sharif, who had then telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, had assured him of prompt and decisive action against those found guilty.

India has blamed on the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed for the Pathankot attack in which six terrorists were killed and seven security personnel lost their lives.

Latest World News
Follow us on john kerry supports sharif to find out truth in pathankot attack

Washington/Islamabad: US Secretary of State John Kerry has called up Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and extended him full support to find out the truth in the terror attack on the IAF base in Pathankot.

Sharif, during the telephonic conversation, told Kerry that Pakistan is swiftly carrying out investigations in a transparent manner into the terror attack on the air base.

Kerry extended full support to the Prime Minister to find out the truth in the Pathankot terror incident, a statement issued by the Pakistan PMO said. The two leaders also discussed the need to stay focused on the pressing challenge of terrorism in the region.

We can confirm Secretary Kerry spoke today Prime Minister Sharif. They discussed a range of bilateral issues of importance to our relationship and the need to stay focused on the pressing challenge of terrorism in the region, State Department spokesman John Kirby told PTI.

The Secretary also reiterated our belief that it remains vital for India and Pakistan to continue working together for a more secure and prosperous region, Kirby said.

The Pakistan PMO statement said Sharif told Secretary Kerry that we are swiftly carrying out investigations in a transparent manner and will bring out the truth. The world will see our effectiveness and sincerity in this regard, the Prime Minister added, the statement said.

Kerry's call to Sharif came amid Indian intelligence reports suggesting that groups and people in Pakistan planned and executed the strike on the Pathankot airbase.

Kerry said the US hopes that talks between India and Pakistan will continue despite the fact that terrorists have tried to thwart it because continuation of India-Pakistan talks is needed in the interest of regional stability and the leadership role by both the Prime Ministers is required to ensure continuous dialogue, said the statement.

Sharif said Pakistan would not allow anyone to use its soil to carry out terror operations abroad, it added.

The statement said Kerry lauded the Prime Minister's leadership role in such difficult environment, which was the exact the leadership needed in this situation.

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Follow us on indira gandhi s rule was worse than british says bihar govt website

Patna: An article about former prime minister Indira Gandhi's rule, published on the official website of Bihar government, has left the Congress red-faced after it described her reign worst than British in India.

The write-up, while mentioning about contribution of Jay Prakash Narayan to modern Indian history, says, "It was he who steadfastly and staunchly opposed the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi and her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi."

"Fearing people's reaction to his (JP's) opposition, Indira Gandhi had him arrested on the eve of declaring National Emergency beginning June 26, 1975. He was put in the Tihar Jail, located near Delhi, where notorious criminals are jailed."

"Thus, in Free India, this septuagenarian (JP), who had fought for India's freedom alongside Indira Gandhi's father, Jawahar Lal Nehru, received a treatment that was worse than what the British had meted out to Gandhiji in Champaran in 1917, for his speaking out against oppression."

The Congress party, which is in alliance with JD (U) and RJD in Bihar, is now planning to take up the matter with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

State Congress leader Chandan Yadav said the references are totally unacceptable and that his party will raise the issue with the CM and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Party national spokesperson Prem Chandra Mishra said, "The text may have been placed when both RJD and JD(U) were against Congress. But now we are a part of the government. Such comments on our supreme leaders should be omitted because it hurts the sentiments of the Congress workers and leaders."

State Education Minister and Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ashok Choudhary, who is also the Minister of Information Technology, the department that runs the state government website, said, "I am not aware of the words used in the website, but I will look into the matter."

With Agency Inputs
Follow us on bjp pm modi against gst bill not congress jairam ramesh

Bhubaneswar: Denying allegations that Congress is against the GST Bill, senior leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday claimed that actually BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are opposed to it.

"The truth is that BJP, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah do not want GST but they are putting the blame on Congress," Ramesh claimed and asked BJP leaders to refrain from spreading "falsehood."

Union Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha had yesterday charged that Congress is stalling the bill.

Claiming that the GST bill is unable to see the green light because Modi is not in favour of the measure, Ramesh said the BJP government in Gujarat had also opposed the bill.

"Congress has already made it amply clear that it is not at all against the GST bill. We want its passage as early as possible. It was during UPA government that the bill was introduced in Parliament," Ramesh told reporters here.

He termed the whole exercise of the Centre to get the bill passed, including Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu's meeting Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to seek support for the bill, as an "eyewash and drama."

After the GST Bill was introduced in Parliament in March, 2011 by the then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, it went to the standing committee on finance chaired by a senior BJP leader which gave its report two and half years later, after "undue" delay as Gujarat government and Modi were against it, the senior Congress leader said.

Ramesh said Congress only wants three changes in the existing bill to make it really "good and simple tax" which would benefit the consumers and not the industry.

Terming the present bill as neither good nor simple but only tax, he said Congress has sought a ceiling of 18 per cent, removal of additional one per cent tax and setting up of a judicial body and mechanism to address disputes between states and between state and the Centre.

The moment these three conditions are agreed to and necessary modifications made, Congress would ensure that the GST Bill is passed as soon as possible, Ramesh said adding the government is yet to respond to the proposals in a positive way.
Follow us on bjp should not use varsities to spread communalism aap

New Delhi: Attacking the BJP over a seminar in Delhi University by party leader Subramanium Swamy on the Ram temple issue, the Aam Aadmi Party today said the saffron party should not use varsities to spread communalism and alleged that the move was aimed at the 2017 Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

Terming it a "sensitive issue", senior AAP leader Ashutosh said that the case is pending before the Supreme Court and the decision on it should be by the judiciary and not outside.

The two-day seminar titled 'Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple: Emerging Scenario' is being organised at DU's Arts Faculty by Arundhati Vashishtha Anusandhan Peeth (AVAP), a research organisation founded by late VHP leader Ashok Singhal.



Amid protests outside the Delhi University, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today went ahead with the seminar on the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya where he asserted that nothing will be done forcibly or against the law.

"We are not opposed to the move of discussion on Ram Mandir in the DU as we believe that the universities should be a place for healthy discussions of various issues. Our problem is using the seminar for communalising the atmosphere," Ashutosh said.

"There were riots in Muzaffarnagar before the Lok Sabha polls. Then there were communal riots in Delhi before the state polls. Ahead of Bihar polls, Dadri (where rumours of

beef consumption led to killing of man) was exploited. And before the Uttar Pradesh polls, you (BJP) have brought up Ram Mandir issue again," he said.

"...We want politics over Roti Kapda aur Makan and not religion," Ashutosh said.

AAP's Delhi unit convenor Dilip Pandey also questioned the move of renting out the venue for the seminar as the varsity in the past had denied permission to the party to

carry out party-related programmes in its premises.

He said the CYSS, party's student wing, is also agitating against the seminar in the campus.

He said that the BJP has not learnt from its mistakes and is "hell bent" on repeating them despite facing a drubbing in Delhi and Bihar.
Follow us on congress dismisses manish tewari s claim on troop movement

New Delhi: Congress spokeperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi categorically denied his party colleague Manish Tewari's claim that the 2012 newspaper report concerning the troop movement towards Delhi without informing the government was true.

"It was inappropriate, unnecessary & completely wrong to suggest that there was any truth in those allegations when made," Singhvi told mediapersons.

Dismissing Tiwari's claim that he was the member of Standing Committee of Defence, Singhvi said,"My colleague was neither a member of the Cabinet Comittee on Security, nor any relevant decision making body."

He also said that some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt & inevitable part of the Defence mechanism.

Congress spokesperson PC Chacko said, "On behalf of the Congress, we want to clearly and categorically deny this report. There was no such troop movement without information of the government."

Union minister and former army Chief V K Singh, who had in 2012 dismissed the report as "absolutely stupid", also rubbished Tewari's claims saying "he has no work these days."

Tewari, former Union minister, sparked a fresh row on Saturday after he said that 2012 newspaper report concerning the troop movement towards Delhi without informing the government was true.

"At that time, I used to serve in the Standing Committee of Defence. And it's unfortunate, but the story was true. The story was correct," he said.

"I am not getting into an argument. All I am saying is that to the best of my knowledge that story was correct," said Tewari during a book launch function here.
Follow us on nitin gadkari sonia gandhi to visit srinagar

Srinagar: Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress president Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to visit Srinagar on Sunday to offer condolences to the family of late chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Gadkari will call on Mehbooba Mufti at the late chief minister's 'Fairview' residence on the Gupkar Road on Sunday.

"Gadkariji will also meet state party leaders to discuss the formation of new government in the state," BJP state spokesperson Khalid Jahangir told IANS.

A statement issued by the Congress party said Sonia Gandhi will visit Srinagar in the afternoon to offer her condolences to Mehbooba Mufti.

"Sonia Gandhi will fly back to New Delhi today (Sunday) itself. She will visit Gupkar Road residence of the late chief minister in the afternoon to offer condolences to Mehbooba Mufti," a Congress party functionary said.

The fourth day congregational prayers of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed will be offered on Sunday.

The first congregational prayer meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at the grave of the deceased in Dara Shikoh Park in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district.

At 1:30 p.m. another congregational prayer meeting will be held at the Gupkar Road residence of the Muftis in Srinagar.

After battling for his life for 14 days, Sayeed passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on January 7.

Following refusal of Mehbooba Mufti to be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state.

"After reaching concurrence from the president of India, Governor N.N. Vohra issued a notification today to impose Governor's Rule in the state," a Raj Bhavan spokesman said on Saturday.

The Governor's Rule has been imposed retrospectively with effect from January 8.

Last time the state was brought under the Governor's Rule was on December 23, 2014, after the state assembly election results threw up a hung verdict
Follow us on pm reviews security at pathankot iaf base after terror attack

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday briefed by senior defence and security officers about the terrorist attack carried out by suspected Pakistani terrorists last week on the Pathankot IAF base.

Modi spent about 90 minutes at the air base during which he was briefed about the attack and security measures put in place at the facility in its wake. Air Force chief Air Marshal Arup Raha and National Security Guard officials briefed the Prime Minister about the attack and the counteroffensive launched against the perpetrators with the help of of maps, aerial pictures and operational photographs, defence sources said.

"Visited Pathankot air base today. Had a detailed briefing from senior leadership of Army, Air Force, NSG & BSF," PM Modi tweeted after his visit at the air base.

Modi reached Pathankot to take stock of the situation at the Indian Air Force base, seven days after it was attacked by terrorists on the night of January 2.

"Noted with satisfaction the decision-making & its execution, the considerations that went into our tactical response," the PM added.

The visit comes a day after security forces declared the air base sanitised after massive combing operations that spread over three days. During his visit, the Prime Minister is also likely to undertake an aerial survey of the Indo-Pak border areas, official sources said.

"Also noted coordination among various field units. Lauded bravery & determination of our men & women on the ground. They are our pride," the PMO said in another tweet.

Modi also went around the scene of the audacious attack that exposed the chinks in the armour of the Indian security establishment and was shown the huge cache of weapons and ammunition recovered from the six slain perpetrators.

The Prime Minister was taken around the Military Engineering Service Yard where the terrorists were first engaged by the security forces and the two-storey billet for airmen's accomodation where the last two terrorists were killed after the structure was blown up by the security forces, before undertaking an aerial survey of the forward positions along the Indo-Pakistan border.

Tight security arrangements were in place for the prime minister's visit. No one was allowed to enter the area near the Air Force Station (AFS), located 250 km from Chandigarh.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar also visited the strategic facility on January 5. During his visit, Parrikar had admitted to "some gaps" that led to the attack. The perpetrators were believed to have infiltrated the Indian territory from a spot near Bamiyal village in Pathankot located close to the international border.

PM Modi's visit holds significance as it comes in the midst of speculations that the Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan could be called off by New Delhi in the wake of the attack.

Modi is likely to fly to the border belt with Pakistan in Punjab in an IAF helicopter for a first-hand account of the security measures at the border.

The Government of India has put the ball in Pakistan's court, saying the future course of action would be decided after Islamabad's response to the actionable intelligence provided with regard to the fidayeen strike. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had called up PM Modi and promised action against the perpetrators of the brazen attack.

Seven security personnel were killed in the attack early on January 2 on the Pathankot Indian Air Force station by six terrorists who are believed ti have crossed over from Pakistan. All the six terrorists were killed by security forces later.
Follow us on rajiv gandhi promised support in building ram temple subramanian swamy at du

New Delhi: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy today claimed that former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had promised him of support for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and appealed to the Congress to come forward and support the cause.

"Rajiv Gandhi had promised me that he will extend full-hearted support for Ram Mandir. He helped us... he started the Ramayana television serial. He had said they will permit the foundation laying, too. He had also said in his campaign for 1989 elections that there should be Ram Rajya in the country. I hope Congress will also come forward and support as this is not just our demand but that of the country," he said while addressing a gathering on the first day of the two-day-long seminar on Ram Janmabhoomi in the Delhi University campus.

Expressing confidence that the Supreme Court verdict will be in the favour of Hindus, he said, "Nothing will be done forcibly and against the law. I am sure that we will win in the court."

The firebrand leader, however, noted that construction of the Ram temple is 'mandatory' and that he would not 'give up until it is made'.

Maintaining that the issue surrounding the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should not be seen as a political stunt, he said, "Suppose we don't do it this year, the next year is the election and then we have to do it the following year which is 2018. Then you will say it is for the Lok Sabha elections. Every year there is an election. So, we can't stop our activities just because there is going to be an election."

Swamy further claimed that most people from the Muslim community were not opposed to the construction of the temple as Hindus are in favour of a Masjid across the Saryu river in Ayodhya.

"The public is quite sensible. They will know that it is an election stunt or not. The whole country wants... 99 per cent of the Hindus today want the Mandir to be built and most of the Christians and the Muslims are not opposed to it because we are not against building the Masjid across the Saryu river in Ayodhya," he said.

"Most of the Muslims in our country are converts," he added.

Swamy had earlier said that the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya would begin by the end of 2016 with the cooperation of the Muslim community.
News / Education

by Staff reporter

The Primary and Secondary Education Ministry had over the course of last year proposed a broad overhaul of the curriculum, raising questions from educationists and parents over their practicability.Among the proposed changes was restructuring of Grade Seven subjects to include Agriculture and Heritage Studies, and Life Orientation Skills/industrial attachment upon completion of Ordinary Level.It was indicated that the primary and secondary syllabi would be refined over two years starting this term.Following endorsement of the Zero Draft Curriculum Framework last year, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora said new subjects would be included in the curriculum starting January 2016.But in an interview with The Sunday Mail last week, Dr Dokora said the new curriculum would be introduced in phases.Phase One later this year will see efforts directed to infrastructure development, teacher capacity and Internet connectivity at schools, among other endeavours."In terms of sources of funding we are looking at loans, building levies and bonds. Another area in phase one is planning and promotion of non-formal education. Thousands of people, if not millions, want education; either to get a basic education or to pick up a skill that will help self-actualise."We will continue with the deepening of the teacher education programmes and we will want to publish some of our specialised teacher education journals and some research outputs from teachers.''We have enhanced focus in preparing our school children to participate in the National School Pledge and competitions. Phase two comes on board in 2017 and I think we should talk about when it nears."The new curriculum aims to adjust and align existing education practices with emerging national and global trends.Shifts will be made from content-based to competency-based curricula with a strong focus on learners' capacity to apply knowledge and skills in practical ways.From 1980, Zimbabwe has been refining the quality of education on offer starting with a massive schools expansion programme in the first decade of Independence under the Education for All policy.The quality reforms also focused on curriculum relevance.In 2014-2015, Government primed the primary and secondary school curriculum for needs-driven education to prepare learners for life and work.The approach emphasises Mathematics, Science and Technology, vocational training, humanities and Heritage Studies.The framework is based on the 1999 Nziramasanga Report which recommended leveraging economic and industrial development through practical subjects.University of Zimbabwe Lecturer in the Department of Technical Education, Dr Peter Kwaira, said though the Nziramasanga recommendations had taken long to be implemented, it was worth noting that they were still relevant today.However, head of the 1999 Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Education and Training, Dr Caiphas Nziramasanga, has said the new curriculum left out significant aspects of the report.Last year Dr Nziramasanga sparked national debate when he called for total scraping of Grade Seven examinations.
Follow us on ram vilas paswan says jungle raj is back in bihar after police murder

New Delhi: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today attacked Nitish Kumar government over the murder of an assistant sub-inspector of police in Hajipur, claiming a string of such killings showed that "jungle raj is back" and the Chief Minister is "helpless".

"There are three ministers from Vaishali region in Nitish government including two sons of RJD chief Lalu Prasad of whom one is also Deputy Chief Minister."

"Still, all this is happening in Vaishali. What will happen to the security of people when the police are not safe in Bihar. Why the Chief Minister is so helpless and silent on all this," Paswan, who is an MP from Hajipur, said.

Paswan will be visiting his constituency tomorrow to take stock of the situation.

Training his guns at the ruling coalition in the state, the LJP chief claimed that this is the third such incident in Hajipur alone.

"He (Nitish) used to take pride in being called Sushashan Babu. After engineers, doctors and traders, now even police men are not safe. There is no government in Bihar. Extortion is being done openly.

"The situation in the state has become worse than what it was in 1990 when RJD ruled the state. When we used to say that jungle raj will be back if Lalu Nitish combine came to power, they used to react strongly. See the jungleraj is back in such a short span of rule," Paswan said.

ASI Ashok Kumar Yadav was shot dead by unidentified assailants and his body was found today in Manua village of Vaishali district.

Two engineers of a construction company, Brajesh Kumar and Mukesh Kumar, were gunned in daylight on December 26 in Darbhanga.

Soon after, Ankit Kumar Jha, a Quality Engineer of Reliance IT, was found dead with injury marks on his body in Vaishali district.

In another incident, a foodgrain trader was shot dead by unidentified assailants in a locality under Yahiyapur police station in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has said the $2.1 billion arms scandal has damaged the reputation of Nigeria in the eyes of the international community.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain described the unfolding revelations on the alleged diversion of arms funds by key figures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as very embarrassing and breach of public trust.

Bamidele expressed these views in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Sunday by his media aide, Ahmed Salami, congratulating a former Senator representing Ekiti Central, Babafemi Ojudu, on his appointment as Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters.

He, however, tasked political office holders under President Buhari to render selfless service to the nation and not to loot the treasury like some officials of the immediate past administration.

He also urged government officials to be conscious of the fact that Nigerians voted for Buhari based on his enviable anti-corruption credentials, warning them not to betray the confidence reposed in them.

According to the Labour Party governorship candidate in the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti, Nigerians are anxiously looking up to Buharis government to clean up the already debased system and bring the needed renaissance in the areas of the economy and morality, for Nigerians to rise again and regain its lost glory.

He said: One cannot but feel ashamed as a Nigerian about the information on how public official shares money running into billions of naira to political associates as a show of patronage. One could only feel the enormity of damage this has done to our corporate image if you travel out of Nigeria.

This is highly embarrassing to all of us and I personally feel disappointed as a patriotic Nigerian.
A 22-year-old man in Omu-Aran, Kwara,, died in the early hours of Saturday following wounds from a fire allegedly set on him by his biological father, Kehinde. The deceased, a wheelbarrow pusher, was said to have suffered high degree burns and was confirmed dead by doctors at, Omu-Aran, where he was rushed to by the police on Friday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) gathered that doctors at the hospital battled to save his life as the fire affected most parts of his body.

The deceased was said to have been accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of money from some roadside beggars on Friday and was apprehended and handed over to his father. The father, a commercial driver, allegedly drove his son to a nearby bush on Omu-Aran-Isanlu-Isin road, tied his hands and legs before setting him ablaze. Sola, who was still alive when he was rescued, told his rescuers that his father was responsible for the act.

The mother of the deceased, Rachael, was seen crying in the hospital after the death of her son was broken to her.

The mother, who is a trader based in Odo-Owa, another suburb, told NAN that a friend had notified her of the development on phone before she rushed to the hospital to check on her son. The mother, who acknowledged that Sola was an unrepentant troublesome fellow, however, expressed shock at the fathers action. She disclosed that although she gave birth few weeks ago, she had divorced Kehinde about seven years ago as a result of irreconcilable differences. Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, confirmed the incident, saying that the suspect was already in police custody and that investigation was ongoing.
Some unidentified soldiers on Friday forcefully removed the veil, popularly referred to as Niqab, from a Muslim woman at Meran Area of Lagos.

It was gathered the woman was going peacefully when two soldiers stopped and began to allegedly harass her.

According to an eyewitness, identified as Adetutu, it took the intervention of passersby and sympathisers for the Muslim woman to get her veil back.

Apart from the removal veil on Friday, two images had earlier been sighted separately at Ibadan.

One of the images seen and allegedly signed by Federal Government at University College Hospital, Ibadan read,Wearing of long hijab is prohibited in government establishment for security reasons.

It will be recalled that this is happening few weeks to the comment that Federal Government may ban Hijab by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari while commenting on the continued blasts in the North-East during his maiden media chat last Wednesday said, We will have to consider banning of the Hijab if this (the suicide attacks) continues.

But on Friday (January 1), the President through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a press release denied insinuations that his administration had plans to ban Hijab.

While describing Hijab as the Muslim womens dressing symbol of modesty, Buharis spokesperson added, Everything will be done to balance national security requirements with the rights and obligations of citizens under their religions as protected by the constitution.

The eyewitness, who described the the removal of the Hijab as an embarrassing sight and injustice, urged the Federal Government to make an official pronouncement stating that the hijab has not been banned to avert further chaos.

While narrating how the Hijab was removed, Adetutu said, I arrived at the Meiran Bus Station to board a bus when I saw three armed military men stop a Muslim woman who was putting on ta black attire and a face veil. One of them confronted her asking why she used the face veil.

The woman was surprised and helpless. Almost immediately he (one of the soldiers) turned up her face veil to reveal her face.

The woman who felt ashamed only looked and could do nothing because the soldiers were heavily armed.

After one of the soldiers revealed her face, another soldier forcefully removed the veil from her saying This thing is not allowed in our country. You can use it in your house but not here.

He (the soldier) took the veil and was about leaving with it. All the woman could do was to plead with him to at least release the veil to her.

After harassing her in such a way that called attention of passersby, he (the soldier) returned the veil to her and she quietly left almost shedding tears.

Reacting to the pasting of a message to prohibit Hijab at UCH Ibadan, Amir of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, UCH branch, Adam Hamzah said, This is yet another reflection of open hatred of Islam. However, i want to urge our sisters to entertain no fear in showcasing the beauty of Islam through their Hijab. After all, they realised the essence of their existence unlike those who walk about in Unclothedness.

It is therefore imperative not to allow this issue derail us from the golden path. I am glad to inform you that MSSN at the branch,state,zonal and national levels is currently working assiduously to put a stop to this oppression.

Several notable Muslim personalities have been duly informed about the issue.This is with a view to ensuring that our SON sisters enjoy not only using Hijab in the hostel but also on the wards. I therefore charge us to join hands in making this a reality.

On her part, the Amirah of MSSN Lagos, Hajia Hafsoh Badru lamented many people have started harrasing female Muslims on Hijab.

She added, It is regrettable that such statement was made at a period when Muslim sisters are facing tough times in practising their religion. We are sure that the Presidency is not unaware of the continuous denial of Muslim students to use Hijab as guaranteed by the Nigeria constitution and United Nations Charter on Human Rights.

We hope that the earlier statement by the President wont serve as a means for some bad eggs in governance to punish and harass females in Hijab or label them wrongly. We sincerely appeal to the president to mandate the Ministry of Information and other necessary agencies to release a circular that will guarantee female Muslims right to wear Hijab on the street, in schools and during their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Source: The Whistle
The Kogi State Governor-Elect, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello has distanced himself from rumours linking him to Saturdays invitation of Mr James Abiodun Faleke and Late Abubakar Audus son Mohammed Audu, by the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

Reacting through a statement signed by his Media Office Mr. Jude Salau, Bello denied sending any petition against Faleke and Mohammed Audu to the DSS.

The allegation that I sent a petition to the DSS is an absolute falsehood and nothing can be farther from the truth.

I did not send any petition to the security department to invite Hon Faleke. The insinuations that I might have written a petition to push for their invitation is absolute falsehood. Nothing can be farther from the truth, the Kogi Governor-elect said.

Alh. Yahaya Bello noted that the DSS has been a highly professional organization under the leadership of the present administration and urged Nigerians to support security agencies in doing their job.

We should all strive to support the independence of our security agencies from politicization, he said.

He added that agencies of government related to law enforcement and judiciary must be seen as impartial in our collective desire to build a strong democracy.

He urged members of the All Progressives Congress to ensure amicable resolution of disputes in order to move the nation forward.

Hon Faleke is a respected member of APC, who has made his own contribution to the success of our party, instigating his arrest can not be a part of the reconciliatory moves and peace building efforts that we have initiated ahead of our January 27th inauguration.

As we count down towards this historic inauguration of our change government, our focus remains the enactment of a responsive and responsible leadership to Kogi citizens who have reposited their trust in our party.

We are determined to deliver dividends of democracy to our persevering and patriotic people at the fastest speed. A new Kogi is here: peace, harmony and all round development, Bello said.
Against the backdrop of allegations by the warring people of Tsaragi in Kwara State that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has taken side with his town people of Share over the renewed communal clash that had claimed many lives and property, the governor has described the allegation as shocking, unfair and inappropriate representation of what transpired in the recent peace meeting convoked by the state government.

The Tsaragi community had at a press conference in Ilorin, the state capital last Friday, accused the governor of taking sides with his town people of Share.

Speaking at the press conference, the spokesperson of the people of Tsaragi community, Dr. Abdullahi Idris said: It is not safe to assume that Governor Ahmed is behind the current episode going by his recent actions and utterances and thereby there is no doubt that the new commission of inquiry will be partial.

The Tsaragi community said from all indications, Governor Ahmed is a stumbling block towards an amicable resolution of the crisis.

They said at meetings attended at Government House, Ilorin, Governor Ahmed asked questions and provided the answers at the same time while addressing salient issues.

We have also observed that Governor Ahmed asserted that no community owns land and threatening land owners to adopt give and take approach. This cannot be stands of a neutral governor and chief security officer of the state, Dr. Idris said.

But Governor Ahmed in a counter press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, denied the claims by the angry people of Tsaragi coommunity.

According to the statement, it has come to the notice of the Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed that the people of Tsaragi in Edu Local Government Area of the State have, at a Press Conference alleged that the he is partisan or partial in the communal crisis between Share, his home town, and Tsaragi.

The allegations levelled against the governor by the people of Tsaragi, to say the least is shocking, unfair and inappropriate representation of what transpired during peace meeting he had with the people of the community, the statement added. 

It further noted that For the avoidance of doubt, Gov. Ahmed swore to an oath of Office as the Governor of the State to be impartial to all, irrespective of ethnic, religious beliefs and other persuasions, he can, therefore, not take sides on the matter at hand. The fact that he is from Share by birth cannot in any way influence his decision on matters of the state, especially security related matters.

It also clarified that On the advice of the governor that all shades of views on how to resolve the recurring crisis between Share and Tsaragi, including, if need be, the application of the concept of give and take, it is painful that such advice is seen by some party in the dispute as threatening land owners, when in fact the governor expressed the same view when he had peace talks with the people of Share after the session with the people of Tsaragi.

It could be recalled that Gov. Ahmed told both parties that the people of Share and Tsaragi have to learn to co-habit peacefully and draw strength and inspiration in their diversity for infrastructure and economic development of both communities, it stressed.

The statement also stated that it is on record that the leader of the Tsaragi delegation, Dr Muhammed Haruna, in public glare, said to the effect that both communities must live together in peace.

This is on the same page with the position of Gov. Ahmed, rather than the tar of partisanship that the people who claimed to have addressed the Press attempted to paint him, the statement noted.

Governor Ahmed reiterated his call on communities in the state to be one anothers brother keepers while emphasizing his determination to guarantee peace and harmony in the state.
An Islamic State militant executed his mother in public in the Syrian city of Raqqa because she had encouraged him to leave the group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday. The woman in her 40s had warned her son that a U.S.-backed alliance would wipe out Islamic State and had encouraged him to leave the city with her.

She was detained after he informed the group of her comments, according to the British-based Observatory, which monitors the war through a network of sources on the ground.

Citing local sources, the Observatory said the 20-year-old man executed his mother on Wednesday near the post office building where she worked in front of hundreds of people in Raqqa, a main base of operations for the group in Syria. The Islamic State group, which controls wide areas of Syria and Iraq, has executed hundreds of people it has accused of working with its enemies or breaching of its ultra-conservative interpretation of Islam.

The Observatory reported on Dec. 29 that Islamic State had executed more than 2,000 Syrian civilians in the 18 months since it declared its caliphate over the territory it controls in Syria and Iraq. They included people killed on the grounds of homosexuality, practicing magic and apostasy. It was not possible to independently verify the latest report.

Reuters.
The Peoples Democratic party, PDP, on Sunday said the release of President Muhammadu Buharis associate and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Jafaru Isa, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, barely eight hours after he was arrested, vindicates its position that the Federal Government is not fighting corruption but on a clamp-down mission on PDP leaders.

The PDP made this claim on the backdrop of the detention of its spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, since last Tuesday by the EFCC without being charged to court or the offence for which he is being held, disclosed.

The main opposition party said that while Metuh, who was arrested without invitation by the anti-graft agency, has remained incarcerated, Isa, a retired Brigadier General and former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, who even disregarded the commissions invitation and had to be arrested, was quickly released after the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magus meeting at the Presidential villa last week.

The PDP in a statement signed by its National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon, on Sunday said there can be no clearer indication that the APC-led administration is on a man-hunt against PDP leaders, and that it has a personal grudge against Mr. Metuh, ostensibly for his stance as opposition spokesperson, particularly his recent exchange with the government and the APC over their dictatorial activities.

The party queried the action of the EFCC in freeing Mr. Isa, eight hours after his arrest last Wednesday night while Mr. Metuh is still being detained even when the two are being investigated over the same allegation of receiving funds from the office of the National Security Adviser.

The release of Jafaru Isa, a known associate of the President and chieftain of the APC eight hours after his arrest while our spokesman remains in detention even when the two are being investigated over same allegation, clearly shows that the President Buhari-led APC government is not fighting corruption but using the much hyped crusade as a cover to persecute PDP leaders and decimate the opposition, a project the EFCC has clearly yielded itself as a willing tool.

We have information of the marching order from the Presidency for the immediate release of the Presidents associate and that his issue is one of the major part reasons for the repeated visits of the EFCC Chairman to the Presidential villa within the period of his arrest. Of course, there is nothing hidden under the sun.

We ask, how can the EFCC now explain to the world that it is not corrupt and teleguided by the Federal Government to persecute PDP leaders? What happened to the illegal holding charge upon which it has detained the PDP spokesman beyond the limit stipulated by section 35(5a) of the constitution and in violation of his guaranteed personal liberty under the law?

Are there now two separate sets of laws; one for PDP leaders and perceived foes of the President Buhari-led government which allows them to be detained beyond constitutional limits without being charged to court and another set, for associates of the President associates and APC leaders, which guarantees them a slap in the back and immunity from investigation and prosecution, and if arrested, an immediate release?

Is it really true that the fund Jafaru Isa was alleged to have received from the former NSA was traced near the corridors of those who today bestride power in the country? Furthermore, can the Federal Government and the APC now in all honesty face the world and announce that this administration is indeed waging war against corruption?

Can the EFCC explain what has happened to several petitions by Nigerians on corruption issues against many APC leaders including those who as former governor looted funds belonging to their state? Are they now under immunity for the fact that they are in the APC and that most of the funds they looted where used to finance APCs Presidential campaign?

While we reiterate our support for any effort aimed at eradicating corruption in our nation we stand our ground in demanding that the fight must be holistic, credible, within the limits provided by the laws irrespective of political affiliations.

The PDP therefore restates its demand that the EFCC immediately releases its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh or charge him to court if they have any case against him. His continued detention without being charged to court is only indicative of the fact that the commission has not been able convince itself of enough evidence of guilt and is now lending itself as a willing instrument of persecution against Chief Metuh.

The public will recall that the PDP is not given to frivolous claims as evidenced in many instances including our alert last year of a meeting between the Presidency, the then newly appointed INEC Chairman and top security officers just before the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections.

Finally, we state with every sense of responsibility that now that it is clear, with the release of Jafaru Isa eight hours after his arrest, that the continued detention of our spokesman is politically motivated, this party can no longer guarantee that it can rein in its members and supporters who have been exercising restrain since this particular arrest by the EFCC. Nigeria belongs to all of us and the laws are made for all of us and must be applied on its values and spirit without political considerations.
Kaduna State Government has announced the beginning of free feeding of all public primary schools pupils with effect from January

17th, 2016.

Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Shehu Usman Adamu, while addressing newsmen in Kaduna, said public primary schools would resume 17 January while secondary schools will resume on January 11. He said this will allow for the fine-tuning and readiness of food vendors and schools to facilitate effective delivery of the free feeding programme.

According to Adamu, between 11 January and 15 January, vendors would be reconfirming their logistics and deepening their relationships with school authorities. The vendors recruited in each of the 255 wards have been organized into cooperative societies to serve free meals in every primary school in the state.

The past few months have been a busy time for the Kaduna State Ministry of Education. During this time, the government has begun a programme of school rehabilitation, teacher recruitment and training needs assessment for current teachers. Each of these initiatives has recorded tremendous progress, and these priority areas will continue to command the attention of the government in the current session and beyond.

As you are aware, the 2016 Budget makes ample provision for this governments School Feeding programme. This intervention in improving the nutrition of our young pupils commences this term, from the very first day that school resumes. This intervention reinforces our thrust to expand access to education.

Therefore, the school feeding programme will be formally launched when pupils in government-owned primary schools in Kaduna State resume on Monday, 17 January 2016. This will afford the primary school pupils 11 weeks of tuition, with no loss of academic time. However, secondary schools across the state will resume as scheduled.

Academic activities in secondary schools will commence on Monday, 11 January 2016, while boarders are expected to return to school by 10 January 2016.

I am delighted to inform you that the vendors that will serve meals in every primary school have been recruited, and the daily menu has been set. The vendors in each of the 255 wards have been organized into cooperative societies. School-based management committees, comprising of parents and notable community figures, have also been sensitized to support, monitor and report on the performance of the programme in each of our schools.

The PTAs and the SBMCs of each primary school will also meet theirrespective vendors to jointly review the procedures and modalities for effective service delivery.

The lessons learnt during the dry-run will be swiftly applied. And we shall strictly monitor the programme to ensure that any bottlenecks that emerge in the initial stages are resolved. No one should doubt our resolve to deliver this promise to our pupils and their parents.

The programme is designed to boost the economy at the grassroots by involving people at the community level as the vendors. It will also expand the market for our farmers even as it brings more of our people into the formal economy.

I ask for the support of parents and school authorities to assist the satisfactory delivery of this programme. It is an initiative for which we must have the flexibility for continuous improvement. We expect that every day will surpass the preceding day in terms of delivery. For this reason, we will be announcing more feedback channels to enable our people to provide comments and suggestions, and expose shortcomings or wrongdoing, Adamu said.
The Governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has distanced himself from the arrest of the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke and Muhammed Audu, son of the APC governorship candidate in the election, late Prince Abubakar Audu, by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Faleke and Audu were kept in custody for about seven hours at the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Friday for yet undisclosed reasons.

The governor-elect, in a statement issued by his media office on Sunday said he never sent a petition to the DSS against the duo.

The statement, which was signed by one Jude Salau, reads: The allegation that I sent a petition to the DSS is an absolute falsehood and nothing can be farther from the truth.

I did not send any petition to the security department to invite Hon. Faleke. The insinuations that I might have written a petition to push for their invitation is absolute falsehood. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

The statement noted that the DSS has proven to be a highly professional body under its present leadership and as such cannot be pushed around by any single individual or group.

We should all strive to support the independence of our security agencies from political interference. Agencies of government related to law enforcement and judiciary must be seen as impartial in our collective desire to build a strong democracy, the statement added.

Bello, therefore, called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people to continually seek amicable resolution of issues in the overall interest of the state.
News / Education

by Lungile Tshuma

PARENTS will pay a combined additional $10 million per term towards a new building levy that comes into effect when schools open on Tuesday. The levy is for building new schools and improving infrastructure at existing schools. The Government has introduced the levy where all primary school pupils will each pay $2 while all secondary school children will pay $5 per term.According to Government statistics, the country has an average of two million primary school pupils who will contribute $4 million per term while 700 000 children in formal secondary schools will provide $3,5 million while 500 000 in non-formal secondary school will remit $2,5 million. The amount will top $30 million per year.Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Professor Paul Mavhima said the Government introduced the levy as a fulfillment of what Cabinet agreed last year which was announced in the budget presented by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa in November."All what the ministry is doing is to address the shortage of schools around the country. The money will be channeled towards servicing of bonds which will be issued after getting an approval from Cabinet. For more information on the matter you can contact the minister or the permanent secretary," said Prof Mavhima. Efforts to get clarification from Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora were fruitless. Nonetheless, most schools already charge a separate building levy meant to address infrastructural challenges at schools. The levies are, however, administered at schools and it is not yet clear if parents will pay double, for their school levy and also contribute to the national purse.The Government is targeting to build 2 056 more schools from the new fund. The new levy will also help in the construction of teachers' houses in both rural and urban areas.The infrastructure at most primary and secondary schools remains inadequate, resulting in pupils travelling long distances to school or shortening of learning periods because the enrolments are so large that teaching and learning time has to be split between sessions."Focus on school infrastructure will be on building classrooms blocks, laboratories, libraries, sporting facilities, hostels and staff accommodation. Hence, in complementing budget financing, the Government will in 2016 vigorously pursue floating an infrastructure bond to be underwritten by School Development Associations levies. Indications are that with 3,2 million children in our primary and secondary schools, we can safely plan on revenue streams of upward $30 million per term to service such bonds," said Minister Chinamasa while presenting the budget.Statistics show that 69 schools will be built in Bulawayo which is the province with the least number of required schools while Mashonaland is hard hit by shortage of schools as it needs 275 schools.Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu hailed the introduction of levies as noble as it is going to make education affordable to the poor."Parents have been paying the building fund but in this case, the fund is now being centralised for the benefit of the whole country. This is good development where Zimbabweans will now be funding their education and the idea is very important to the development of public education. The public sector must be able to fund itself, not a scenario where our education is being funded by the private sector which makes education expensive," said Mr Ndlovu.Pressed to reveal the ministry's position on pupils under Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam), the programme which is paying schools for the underprivileged children, Prof Mavhima referred questions to Minister Dr Dokora, who was not reachable.National Association of School Development Associations and Committees president Mr Xolisani Dlamini said parents have no problem in paying the levy as they have long been paying building levies and history shows that schools in rural areas were built by parents with the assistance of the Government."We will pay the building fund because as parents we have been paying the money and many buildings have been built using our levy. As parents we are committed and it has been our goal to improve the infrastructure in our schools. However, we are still waiting for the clarification from the ministry on how then we will go about with this levy as parents have been paying building levy. We don't want to be paying twice for the same product."
The leadership of the House of Representatives has denied any underhand dealings in its oversight functions on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, challenging any of the MDAs to expose any member of the House, who seeks gratification in the course

The chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, made the disclosure when he led members of the House Standing Committee on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of some media organizations yesterday in Abuja.

He specifically made the remarks at the corporate headquarters of LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group while reacting to a question from a member of the Editorial Board that lawmakers were complicit in the rots and corrupt practices in the MDAs.

It is true that these are part of the stories that people tell about us that we go for brown envelopes. Those that are going to give the brown envelopes, let them expose those members (of the House) asking for it.

What am saying is that, in the 8th Assembly, these are different issues and there could be challenges all along there, but let people do their job and I want to tell you that in this Assembly we are going to have zero tolerance for corruption, Namdas said.

According to the Reps spokesperson, the 8th House of Reps has zero tolerance for corruption as contained in its Legislative Agenda.

On the contentious issue of Treasury Single Account, TSA, Mr. Namdas explained that the reason the 8th National Assembly cant be part of the policy as directed by the Federal Government was constitutional, stressing that the NASS is an independent arm of government just like the Executive and the Judiciary.

He further explained that the TSA policy was meant to streamline governments revenues from its revenue generating agencies, hence the National Assembly cannot be part of the policy since it does not generate revenue.

We are an arm of government and the Constitution allows us to operate independently. We oversight the Executive. Now, the TSA is mainly made for people who generate revenues and we dont generate revenue. Our expenditure as the National Assembly cannot be subjected to the Executive for oversight again.

We came on the mantra of change and I want to assure you that the 8th Assembly is definitely going to be different from other Assemblies even by the pace we are going in terms of delivering our job. We have started differently, Rep. Namdas said.

For the first time, we have what we call the 8th Assembly Legislative Agenda. In this agenda, we are also fighting corruption, ensuring that we deliver legislations for good governance in terms of employment, security and several others. So, we have agreed to work together with Mr. President in line with the Change Agenda, he added.
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Borno State chapter on Sunday renewed its call on the state government to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage to all local government workers in the state.

The Borno NULGE Acting Secretary, Nuhu Saidu, made the call in a communique issued at the end of the unions State Executive Council, SEC, meeting in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Mr. Saidu stated that the non-implementation of the minimum wage for the workers had brought hardship.

Our members have been pauperised by the refusal of the state government to implement the minimum wage at the Local government level.

This is because the cost of living has risen tremendously, but our pay has remained very small, he said.

Mr. Saidu said that the state government had a duty to ensure the welfare of workers at the councils by implementing the minimum wage.

We are renewing our appeal on Gov. Kashim Shettima to approve the payment of N18,000 minimum wage to all workers in the 27 Local Government Councils (LGCs) in the state.

There is no gainsaying that the council workers in the state deserve to be paid the minimum wage as a right, just like their counterparts in the state civil service, he said.

Mr. Saidu also demanded the payment of all promotion arrears to the council workers from 2009 till date.

(NAN)
If youve always wanted to grow plants but arent blessed with a green thumb, the Parrot Pot is just the thing for you. Its a smart pot that pretty much grows plants itself, keeping them alive no matter how badly you mess up.

Priced at $99, the Parrot Pot has sensors that measure light, moisture, temperature, and the level of fertilizer, ensuring that the plant always gets what it needs. If it finds that more light, water, or fertilizer is required, it sends the user alerts through a smartphone app called Flower Power. Whats more, it can actually water your plants for you using a pre-filled water tanks. The battery-powered pot is equipped to handle extreme water shortages  so whether youre traveling, or you simply forget to water your plants, theyll still survive. It can hold over two liters of water at any given time, which is a weeks requirement for most plants. It can also switch to water-saving mode, in which the plants are kept alive for three to four weeks without watering.

Its equipped with a PH sensor, a temperature sensor, a light sensor and a moisture sensor, said Parrot Pot designer Vincent Bihler. All of this combined allows the pot to know exactly how to care for the plant. If it needs water, the pot will water the plant by itself. It runs on four AA batteries and it runs for almost one year. The pot is an improvement over Flower Power, a device that can be connected to any pot to get similar updates on a corresponding app.

Parrot, a Paris-based company, is expected to release the Parrot Pot globally in April, along with the Flower Power app. It will come loaded with a catalogue of 7,000 supported plants  herbs, flowers, and teas  to choose from. The pot can supposedly grow cannabis as well. Interested?

Oddity Central.
A Kent teenager died after inhaling the gas from deodorant he was spraying himself with, an inquest has found 16-year-old Thomas Townsend used large amounts the aerosol to clean himself rather than take showers, the Folkestone inquest was told. He died on August 29 last year at Red Lodge in Millfield, Folkestone. Staff member Lucy Banyard discovered his body on the landing outside his room at about 6.30pm. Paramedics were called but were unable to revive him. Police investigators later found 42 cans of aerosol products in his room, many of them empty.

His mother, Sally Townsend, said: He would not take showers but would stand there with a deodorant and spray half the can on him. Then he would spray aftershave to cover up BO (body odour). He would go through a can a week. I didnt know he had so many cans in his room but he was a big hoarder. The cause of death was given as circulation collapse caused by butane gas inhalation, said pathologist Dr Kareem Aboualfa, who noted there was no drink or drugs in Thomass system.

Thomas had been in a foster home for five years until he moved to the childrens home in February 2015. The inquest heard that hed found it hard to settle there, and had a history of self-harm  but had expressed no intention to take his life and showed no interest in substance abuse.

He was due to start college a few weeks after his death, having finally settled into the childrens home, and was looking forward to a career as a farrier. Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Rachel Redman said: He sprayed it [deodorant] all over himself and succumbed to the effects of the gas.

UK Telegraph.
Former governor of Kebbi State, Senator Adamu Aliero is in support of pro-Biafra protests but it is not because he wants Nigeria to break apart.

In an interview with Vanguard, Aliero said the protesters have the right to demand for self-determination.

I believe in unity of Nigeria and in its indivisibility. For that, I am against the agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra, Aliero said. However, they have every right to protest. If there are genuine complaints or grievances, there is nothing wrong in people coming out to express their feelings.

If there are genuine grievances, either in representation in the appointments at the federal level or any organs of the government for that matter, you can come out and forward such to government. And government is duty-bound to address it. But without exhausting that avenue, you start agitating for succession, or break up of the country, I dont think Nigerians will support that.

I saw a situation during the last National Conference, where people came out with a determined position, an agenda which they were bent to push through which, of course, could have led to the break up of the country. But, when we started talking, we came to an agreement that Nigeria must remain an indivisible entity, irrespective of our grievances. We have more to gain by living together than breaking up. Nigeria is better as a united country.

It will be more prosperous, more attractive for foreign investors, than breaking up and each of the units tries to survive on its own. I dont believe in that. I believe in being my brothers keeper. God in His own wisdom brought us together through the instrumentality of colonialism. And we have come to love each other. Of course, there would be disagreement here and there. Even between man and wife, there are disagreements, but you sit down and dialogue. This is what I believe should happen. And for that reason, the agitation for Biafra is belated. It happened in the 60s. You cannot take us back to that era. We need to move ahead, Aliero told Vanguard.
A 100 years after they began telling stories on film, the movie business is rapidly embracing the virtual reality wave to move beyond telling stories and into creating immersive storytelling experiences.

Currently, major Hollywood studios like Lionsgate, Warner Brothers, Disney and 20th Century are creating virtual reality studio divisions looking at how they can incorporate virtual reality into the filmmaking process to create immersive experiences through film.

Disney Studios is especially is bullish on the possibilities of VR films, recently investing $65 million into virtual reality hardware and content startup, Jaunt.
Il nuovo Rapporto sulla pena di morte 2016 prodotto da Amnesty International registra almeno 1.032 persone messe a morte in 23 paesi. La maggior parte delle esecuzioni e avvenuta in Cina, Iran, Arabia Saudita, Iran e Pakistan.

La Cina rimane il maggior esecutore mondiale, ma la reale entita delluso della pena di morte in Cina e sconosciuto, perche i dati sono classificati come segreto di stato. Ecco di seguito il report completo pubblicato sul sito internet di Amnesty International Italia.

La Pena di Morta in Cina

In Cina centinaia di casi documentati di pena di morte non sono presenti nel registro giudiziario online, da subito pubblicizzato come un passo avanti decisivo verso lapertura e regolarmente citato come prova che il sistema giudiziario cinese non ha nulla da nascondere.

Il registro in realta contiene solo una piccola parte delle migliaia di condanne a morte che riteniamo siano emesse ogni anno in Cina. Sulla base di fonti pubbliche cinesi tra il 2014 e il 2016 sono state eseguite almeno 931 condanne a morte, solo 85 delle quali sono riportate nel registro.

Il registro, inoltre, non contiene i nomi dei cittadini stranieri condannati a morte per reati di droga, sebbene i mezzi dinformazione locali abbiano dato notizia di almeno 11 esecuzioni. Sono assenti anche numerosi casi relativi a reati di terrorismo.

Negli ultimi anni il rischio di essere messi a morte per reati non commessi ha suscitato allarme nellopinione pubblica cinese. Nel dicembre 2016 la Corte suprema del popolo ha riconosciuto lerrore giudiziario in uno dei casi piu noti, lesecuzione di Nie Shubin, messo a morte 21 anni prima, alleta di 20 anni. Sempre lo scorso anno i tribunali cinesi hanno riconosciuto linnocenza di quattro condannati a morte annullandone la sentenza.

Il governo cinese utilizza dati parziali e fa affermazioni non verificabili per rivendicare progressi nella riduzione del numero delle esecuzioni e al tempo stesso mantiene un segreto quasi totale. E un atteggiamento volutamente ingannevole, ha commentato Salil Shetty, segretario generale di Amnesty International nel comunicato ufficiale che commenta i numeri del rapporto. La Cina e una completa anomalia nel panorama mondiale della pena di morte, non in linea con gli standard internazionali e in contrasto con le ripetute richieste delle Nazioni Unite di conoscere il numero delle persone messe a morte.

La pena di morte negli Stati Uniti

Per la prima volta dal 2006, gli Usa non sono nella lista dei primi cinque paesi al mondo per numero di esecuzioni. Il numero di esecuzioni nel 2016, 20, rappresenta il piu basso dal 1991 ed e inferiore della meta rispetto al 1996 e di cinque volte rispetto al 1999. Con leccezione del 2012, quando e rimasto uguale, il numero delle esecuzioni continua a diminuire di anno in anno dal 2009.

Il numero delle nuove condanne a morte, 32, e stato il piu basso dal 1973: un chiaro segnale che i giudici, i procuratori e le giurie stanno cambiando idea sulla pena di morte come strumento di giustizia. Tuttavia, alla fine del 2016, nei bracci della morte si trovavano ancora 2832 detenuti in attesa dellesecuzione.

Se da un lato il dibattito sulla pena di morte sta chiaramente cambiando direzione, la diminuzione delle esecuzioni si deve anche alle dispute legali sui protocolli desecuzione e ai ricorsi sullorigine delle sostanze usate nelliniezione letale. Lesito di questi ricorsi potrebbe pero produrre un nuovo picco di esecuzioni, a partire dallArkansas nel mese di aprile, con sette esecuzioni previste in 10 giorni.

Nel 2016 solo cinque stati degli Usa hanno eseguito condanne a morte: Alabama (2), Florida (1), Georgia (9), Missouri (1) e Texas (7). L80 per cento delle esecuzioni ha dunque avuto luogo in due soli stati, Georgia e Texas. Sono 12 invece, compreso lArkansas, gli stati degli Usa che mantengono la pena capitale ma che da almeno 10 anni non eseguono condanne a morte.

Luso della pena di morte negli Usa e sceso ai minimi livelli dellinizio degli anni Novanta. Ma non dobbiamo fermarci. Le esecuzioni potrebbero nuovamente aumentare nel corso del 2017. Lincredibile numero di esecuzioni fissate in Arkansas nel giro di una decina di giorni ad aprile sono un chiaro esempio di come il quadro possa cambiare, ha commentato Shetty.

I cinque stati degli Usa che hanno eseguito condanne a morte lo scorso anno sono casi isolati e non sono al passo coi tempi. Sono in contrasto non solo con la tendenza nazionale ma anche con quella del continente americano. Da otto anni gli Usa hanno il vergognoso tratto distintivo di essere lunico paese nelle Americhe in cui si verificano esecuzioni, ha concluso Shetty.

Pena di morte in Vietnam e Malesia

Analizzando informazioni pubblicate dalla stampa vietnamita per la prima volta nel febbraio 2017, negli ultimi tre anni il Vietnam e stato il terzo paese al mondo, dopo Cina e Iran, per numero di esecuzioni: 429 dal 6 agosto 2013 al 30 giugno 2016. Il ministero per la Pubblica sicurezza non ha reso note le cifre relative allanno solare 2016.

La dimensione delluso della pena di morte in Vietnam e terrificante e mette completamente in discussione le riforme approvate di recente. Quante altre persone saranno state messe a morte nel mondo senza che il mondo lo sapesse?, si e chiesto Shetty.

Una segretezza del genere si riscontra in Malesia. Le pressioni del parlamento hanno consentito di sapere che nei bracci della morte del paese sono in attesa dellesecuzione oltre 1000 prigionieri. Nel 2016 sono state eseguite nove condanne a morte, piu di quante si ritenesse.

Nel frattempo, lidea che il crimine vada punito con la pena di morte continua a mettere radici nel continente asiatico: le Filippine stanno cercando di reintrodurla, dopo averla abolita nel 2006, e le Maldive minacciano di riprendere le esecuzioni dopo 60 anni.

La pena di morte nel mondo in cifre

 1.032 persone sono state messe a morte in 23 paesi (in calo rispetto al 2015)

 Escludendo la Cina, 87% di tutte le esecuzioni sono avvenute soli in 4 paesi: Iran, Arabia Saudita, Iraq e Pakistan

 Sono state compiute 20 esecuzioni negli Stati Uniti, il minor numero dal 1991

 Durante il 2016, 23 paesi, circa un paese su otto, hanno compiuto delle esecuzioni

 142 paesi nel mondo, piu di due terzi, sono abolizionisti nella pratica o per legge

 In totale, 104 paesi lhanno abolita, la maggior parte degli stati del mondo. Solo 64 paesi erano completamente abolizionisti nel 1997

 3.117 pene di morte in 55 paesi nel 2016, un significativo aumento sul dato del 2015 (1.998 in 61 paesi)

 Almeno 18.848 persone si trovavano nel braccio della morte alla fine del 2016
Despite the love we always show for our lovely Irish mammies and the long ancient history of Irish queens such as Queen Medb of Connacht, Ireland hasnt always treated her women well.

Between the shame and guilt forced upon us in Mother and Baby homes and the Magdalene Laundries, the atrocious history of symphysiotomies given without consent causing catastrophic long-term health problems, and the lack of representation still suffered by women in government, among many other issues, Irish women have had some rough times.

Things are looking up, however, with the powerful stance taken by the Waking the Feminist movement at the end of last year and the forever increasing number of Irish women proudly flying the flag worldwide. 2015 was a big year for Irish women, but theres still more to come.

We look at the talented Irish women we believe are going to have a great 2016.

1. Saoirse Ronan





Despite the many, many attempts to claim her (and many other Irish actors and actresses) as British, New-York born and Carlow-raised Ronan is one of Irelands biggest acting stars. As one of the youngest people to ever receive an Oscar nomination, which she earned for her supporting role in 2007s Atonement, you still may be surprised to hear that she is still only 21 years old.

The star of one of this years biggest hits, Brooklyn, she was a front-runner for her second Oscar nomination earlier this year. This February also saw her perform her Broadway debut as Abigail Williams in The Crucible.

2. Sharon Horgan

Already well known in Ireland and Britain for her hilarious writing talent and comedic acting skill, 2016, we believe, will be the year the US falls in love with Sharon Horgan.

Making her writing breakthrough with the BBC show Pulling, in which she also starred, Horgan co-wrote and co-starred in Catastrophe with American comic Rob Delaney (shown exclusively on Amazon Prime Instant Video in the US).

In 2016, Horgan is the powerhouse behind Sarah Jessica Parkers first major acting commitment since the end of Sex of the City with Divorce, an upcoming TV comedy series set to appear on HBO.

3. Waking the Feminist movement





A campaign born from a hashtag when the Abbey Theatre, Irelands national theatre, launched a program to mark the 1916 centenary with a severe lack of gender balance, the Waking the Feminist Movement continues to build momentum.

Working to make gender equality a reality through their policies and programming, the grassroots movement continued their good work with events on Nollaig na mBan (Womens Christmas) on January 6 and are not about to quieten down any time soon.

4. Michelle ODonnell organization Niamh Gallagher - Founders of Women for Election

Established in 2009, Women for Election is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organisation whose vision is of an Ireland with balanced participation of women and men in political life.

Despite Countess Markievicz becoming the first women in the world to ever hold a cabinet position (Minister for Labour of the Irish Republic, 19191922), Irish women have not continued to find the same representation among our elected representatives. In the current Dail, only 15 per cent are women.

Women for Election attempt to rectify this through educating and inspiring women to play a more active role in Irish politics.

With this years general election working with a gender quota for the first time, we will hopefully see large increases in the gender balance in Irish politics.

5. Louise ONeill





Winner of the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book of the Year 2015 for her second novel Asking for It, 30-year-old Irish author Louise ONeill shot to fame with her first novel Only Ever Yours in 2014.

Exploring the issues that affect young (and old) Irish women in her books, such as rape culture and modern concepts of beauty, ONeill has also bravely spoken out about her own battle with an eating disorder.

Only Ever Yours will this year be adapted by Killer Films (the people behind 2015s Carol with Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara), introducing an author already heralded as one of the top young adult writers in the world to a whole new audience.

6. Irish womens rugby team

With a brand new home established in Donnybrook, Dublin, the Irish womens rugby team are ready to battle it out for the a third Six Nations title in 2016.

As great as the mens team are, lets get behind both teams in the Six Nations this year.

7. Emma Donoghue





Another contender for an Oscar, Emma Donoghue is an Irish-born playwright, literary historian and novelist now living in Canada.

Her 2010 novel Room became an international best-seller and was a finalist for the Man Booker prize before the power of the silver screen turned it into a critics favorite in 2015.

Entrusting a fellow Irishman, Lenny Abrahamson, the man behind Frank, with her adapted script (which she wrote just after selling Room, before it had even been published), Donoghue could win big this year.

8. Maeve Higgins





One of the Irish Voices 2015 Women of Influence, Maeve Higgins was an established comedian in Ireland before relocating to New York and has already found herself on Inside Amy Schumer.

With her latest book Off You Go: Away from Home and Loving It about her time in New York published last October, Higgins is sure to be a hit in 2016.

9. Ambassador Anne Anderson





After 245 years, Ambassador Anne Anderson will become the first female member of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St Patrick after previously speaking out about the tradition of men-only Irish societies in the US.

When she began her tenure in August 2013 she pledged to alter the tradition and with her honorary induction in March 2016, shes blazing a trail for gender equality.

10. Women of 1916





Often forgotten from the history books, 2016 will finally be the year that Irish women are properly celebrated for their role in earning Irish independence. From the previously mentioned Countess Markievicz, to Margaret Skinnidershot three times and then refused a pension because she wasnt a manthis year, they, and the more than 200 other members of Cumann na mBan, will take their rightful place alongside the men of 1916.

Special Mention: To all the women involved in the Irish Times The Womens Podcast, voted by iTunes as one of the best new podcasts of 2015 and with very good reason.

Is there anybody weve forgotten? Let us know in the comments section, below.

* Originally published in Jan 2016.
By Sean Moncrieff

Broadcaster and writer Sean Moncrieff has been up and he has been down, from his high flying career as an RTE talk show host to the far less glamorous hatch two of the local social welfare office.

Hes had time, the background and the disposition to see Ireland and the Irish from just about every angle, and in his new book The Irish Paradox he lays out truths about himself and his compatriots that would be universally acknowledged (if the Irish would ever agree there are universal truths, which they have not and will never).

But hes not the type to give up at the first hurdle, and so The Irish Paradox offers some of the most lucid insights into the modern Irish character that you are likely to encounter.

In one marvelous chapter Moncrieff breaks down that particularly rustic Irish putdown known to every cocky teen who ever walked: Ah, he thinks hes great.

The sting of a phrase like that can vary depending on the tone used, the situation, and the person saying it, Moncrieff writes. But you think youre great is predicated on the idea of the unacceptability not of greatness, but of difference. In small communities, in small countries, difference is viewed with suspicion. Social cohesion seems to be tied up with the notion that everyone should be more or less the same. Thinking youre great may come with an implied judgment, that everyone else isnt great.

Moncrieff clearly knows how it works. The worst sin that can befall you, in the Irish context, is having notions about yourself he reminds us.

Moncrieff writes about these and other Irish hang-ups so well because his book is a testament to not just what he endured as a public figure, but what he discovered in himself. The Irish are famously friendly and chatty. Just dont mistake their volubility for communication.

Dufour, $27.

Bridie Gallagher, the Girl From Donegal

By Jim Livingston





You'll miss her when shes gone, sang Bridie Gallagher in her signature song A Mothers Love Is a Blessing. Irelands first truly international pop star, she was an irresistible mix of the homespun and the heroic.

Winning the hearts of her fans and attracting enormous crowds from her earliest days in the mid-1950s, the Creeslough, Co. Donegal-born star had a 50-year career that saw her rise from parish halls in her home county to sold out nights at the London Palladium, the Royal Albert Hall and even Lincoln Center in New York.

The songs she sang and her singing style were as restrained as a 50s girdle, but her audience found the emotion in her emigrants tales of loss and heartbreak.

Written by Gallaghers son, author Livingston remembers that behind the success her life was often marked by tragedy and loss. Being a trailblazer in her field came with its own costs, and being a woman in the mans world of show business in the 50s and 60s had its battles (some of them epic).

It was her fate that she became a herald of what emigration had cost the country, the people who left and the people who were left behind. Her songs were gentle reminders of a paradise that was lost, and their quiet and strangely dignified lamentations can still be heard six and a half decades later.

Dufour, $32.

In the Name of Jaysus: Stuff That Drives Irish People Round the Feckin Bend

By Colin Murphy and Brendan OReilly





Yes, you would probably have left a title like this to the tourists when you lived in Ireland, but guess what? You dont now. That clears your flight path for a bit of reflection on what drives the Irish to drink.

Want to annoy a Mick, the book asks? Ask if Ireland is part of Britain.

The Irish dont mind a bit of slagging, and you can pretty much call us anything without offending us. Just dont call us Brits, authors Murphy and OReilly say.

There are so many other things to take issue with too. The civil service, the Angelus, road signs that make no sense, the way the whole country comes to a standstill when the sun shines or some snow falls.

If youre missing all the surreal nonsense or if you want to remind yourself why you actually left. this is the book for you.

Dufour, $14.
News / Local

by Stephen Jakes

Residents in Msasa Park Harare are embarking in the rehabilitation of community roads in the city to have passable roads in the area.This was revealed by Harare Residents Trust."Msasa Park residents have taken the lead in rehabilitating their community roads in a joint exercise with the City of Harare. Residents are contributing money towards this exercise to buy diesel and tar, and they are providing their labour," said the trust. "We commend Nesbert Chinhamu, the Msasa Park Residents Committee chairman and your team for a job well done. Their target is to have passable roads in Msasa Park."The development come at a time when the city council is struggling in its service provision a development which have seen most of the city roads in a sorry state.
A fan posted a screenshot of a purported e-mail from Laidlaw in which he confirms that he has left his post at Valve. It is said that he left mainly for personal reasons and that his departure was perfectly amicable.

"I am no longer a full or part time Valve employee, no longer involved in day-to-day decisions or operations, no longer a spokesperson for the company, no longer privy to most types of confidential information, no longer working on Valve games in any capacity," Laidlaw wrote.
Burma Gold Mining, Conflict Threaten Burmas Indawgyi Lake

Conservationists and local villagers say Burmas largest lake is threatened by a gold mining free-for-all, which has come with heavy environmental impacts and social problems.

INDAWGYI LAKE, Kachin State Khaung Tong Creek was 1.5 meters deep and pristine some 10 years ago, but these days this important tributary of Kachin States famed Indawgyi Lake is just a little stream some 10 cm deep, filled with red-brownish mud.

Local villagers said years of unregulated gold mining several kilometers away has caused the environmental degradation as dumped waste and chemicals has flowed into the stream.

The water in this creek was clean when I was young, but it has turned into a muddy stream. Groups of gold miners can be found upstream of the creek. It is threatening Indawgyi Lakes environment, Yan Khaung, a native of the area and a local coordinator for the Burma branch of UK-based Fauna and Flora International, told me during a recent visit to the lake in northern Burma.

Conservationists and local villagers said the countrys largest lake is under threat from a gold mining free-for-all in the area, whichas at so many mining sites in Burmahas come with heavy environmental impacts and social problems.

The ongoing conflict between the army and ethnic rebels in Kachin State, they say, is hampering efforts to protect the lake and bring in international support for its conservation.

A Unique, Biodiverse Lake

Yet Indawgyis remoteness and lack of population pressure has left it in a much better state than Shan States well-known Inle Lake, where deforestation and the rapid growth of agriculture and tourism has put a severe strain on the lakes ecosystem.

Indawgyis unique features have long been recognized domestically and internationally, and in recent years efforts to protect it have gathered steam.

Fauna and Flora International has been running conservation programs around the lake since 2010 that focus on compiling data on the bird species at Indawgyi and biodiversity issues in the area. In February 2014, Burmas Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry submitted a proposal with Unesco to register Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary as an ecological World Heritage Site.

Located in Monyin Township, Kachin State, the lake is 24 km long and 10 km wide.

Since 1999, the lake has been part of Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, an area covering some 736 square kilometers that encompasses large swathes of wetlands, hills and deciduous and evergreen forest that surround the lake, according to the submission available on Unescos website.

It is an important bird area and a watershed that supports a number of globally threatened wildlife species.

The sanctuary, the submission says, provides habitat for 10 globally threatened bird species and is of outstanding value for the conservation of migrating waterbirds. The White-rumped Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture have been reported, two species that have declined dramatically in other parts of the world.

The lake also is home to endemic species such as the Burmese Peacock Turtle and three fish species. A total of 448 bird, 41 reptile, 34 amphibian, 64 fish, and 50 butterfly species have been found, according to the submission, which notes that there could be more species as no fish survey has been conducted at the lake since 1920.

Endangered and vulnerable mammal species found around the lake include the Asian Elephant, Bengal Slow Loris, Clouded Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear.

Under Threat

During my visit to Indawgyi Lake, I went to Maing Naung village, located beside Khaung Tong Creek, to find out more about the gold mining that had ravaged the stream. I saw a number of noisy bulldozers and other heavy machinery being operated near the stream, but I was unable to approach the site because a local guide warned me that visitors were not allowed to wander around these gold mining sites.

The Unesco submission notes that the sanctuary is threatened by hydraulic and small-scale gold mining to the west of the lake, where it is located along streams that flow into the lake. Elevated mercury levels and increased sedimentation in the lake have been documented. The regional government is considering what to do with these mines.

According to Yan Khaung from Fauna and Flora International, mining has become an important source of income for some locals, while it also attracts impoverished migrant workers from across the region. Among the miners, he said, drug addiction is common, much like at Hpakants notorious jade mines.

Many groups of miners can be found at the upstream of this [Khaung Tong] creek. Many illegal items, including narcotic drugs, can be bought there as it is a lawless area, he said, adding that some of these groups also carry out illegal logging in the area.

The wildlife sanctuary is home to a total 39 villages, 20 of which are situated on the lakes shores.

According to the Unesco site, there are some 35,000 people living around the lake. Most villagers are Kachin and Red Shan (also known as Tai-leng) ethnic minorities, who live off farming and fishing, but are not traditionally hunters.

We do not catch the birds here, not because of official warnings but because of our regular practices. So, the birds are not afraid of humans. We also limit fishing during the fish breeding season, said Myo Aung, who lives in Lone Ton village on the banks of lake.

Conflict Hinders Conservation

Indawgyi Lake is located some 30 km away from the nearest army base and though there are some troops stationed near the lake, locals say the road to the lake runs through an area where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has a strong presence. The nearby mountains are under KIA control and due to a lack of security, government soldiers enforce a dusk-to-dawn curfew on local roads.

Kachin villagers said they dislike the army as it turns its suspicion on to the Kachin population any time there is a clash or incident with the KIA.

The military is likely to assume our Kachin people have an affiliation with the KIA. Whenever any conflict happens, Kachin people are summoned for questioning, said a Kachin villager, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution from the army. We always have to pray that no fighting breaks out here between the KIA and the government troops.

The unstable security situation and lack of government regulation of gold mining operations are undermining Burmas bid to get Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary listed as a Word Heritage site, said Htay Win, an officer working at the sanctuary, as Unesco requires that certain conservation measures are put in place before a site can be listed.

The sanctuary will be reviewed this year for becoming a Unesco-protected biosphere area under the organizations Man and the Biosphere Program, which could mobilize technical support for the lakes conservation, according to Htay Win.

But we have many difficulties to implement development programs due to the gold mines and armed groups. These situations are hampering our proposal to international associations in seeking recognition of Indawgyi Lake as a World Heritage site, he said.

My visit to Indawgyi Lake made me realize that it offers a valuable lesson on the importance of improving governance of Burmas rich natural heritage and how a successful peace process could help both man and nature.

This story originally appeared on Myanmar Now.
News / Local

by Roberta Katunga

POWER utility company - Zesa - will construct an estimated 20km pipeline that will link its Bulawayo Power Station and Khami Dam to draw water for power generation as part of investments lined up to improve electricity generation in the country.The project, set to breathe life into a stuttering industry in the country's second capital, is part of the US$87 million loan that the parastatal secured from the Export- Import Bank of India (Exim) to improve and refurbish the thermal power unit.The project will also bring to use vast water resources at the dam, which have not been used after debate on its suitability for human consumption. Khami dam was decommissioned by the Bulawayo City Council in 1988 due to high levels of pollution yet the water body is always full to capacity because it receives water deposits from industrial waste, among other contributories.Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the upgrading of Bulawayo Power Station will depend on increased water supply."The water at Khami is not being used for human consumption hence we are building a canal to tap water from that water body for power generation as we will not be competing with domestic human use. We have put out a tender for companies to do the work," said Mr Gwasira.Water is one of the major issues industry has cited as a major drawback to the growth of commerce in Bulawayo. The city gets its water from dams in Matabeleland South, a region which receives below average rainfall. The erratic water supplies to Bulawayo has in the past resulted in massive water rationing, affecting constant supplies for both domestic and industrial use.Mr Gwasira said the company has already flighted a tender inviting companies that can provide expertise for a topographical survey for pipeline route. The tender is expected to be done by the first half of the year, added Mr Gwasira, with construction expected to start in the second half."Work on the canal should ideally start in July or August this year and will take three years to complete and will breathe life into the facility that was built in 1947 with a 120 megawatt (MW) capacity but has reduced electricity generation to a maximum 30MW owing to obsolete equipment. At the end of the exercise about 70 MW are expected to be added to the current capacity," he said, adding that an increase in the national grid will result in an improvement for the whole country.According to the Consumer Energy Center, one megawatt is enough to power 1 000 homes at any given time with all their basic electrical appliances switched on. Revamping the Bulawayo Power Station is also set to improve the obtaining electricity situation and industrial productivity.Industry, which has been affected by over a decade of inactivity, says its efforts to return to productivity have been hampered by inadequate electricity and load shedding which in turn has led to the breaking down of machinery and loss of production time.The country generates an average 1 000MW against an installed capacity of 2 245MW and a demand of 2 200MW.Major power stations such as Hwange are generating an average 440MW with Kariba producing 460MW while Harare is producing about 30MW and Munyati 17MW. The electricity situation has been worsened by decreased water levels in Kariba and the constant breakdown at Hwange Power Station.
Remember the adage, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"? It's high time you apply that in all your social media accounts.

In a world where everybody is friends and updated with everbody, it is very important that you are careful with what you choose to say - or post for this matter.

A new research from OfficeTeam reveals the most common social media mistakes that cost employees and even job seekers their jobs or positions. Based on the research, 45% of human resources (HR) managers cited writing negative or inappropriate comments as one of the reasons behind employees losing their jobs or job seekers losing that chance for a certain position. The survey also revealed about one in three (35 percent) also saying that posting or being tagged in questionable photos is the prevailing digital faux pas.

An infographic of the survey results show the common mistakes as ranked by HR. The question was: "In your opinion, what is the most common social media mistake professionals make that reduces their chances of being hired?"

Posting negative or inappropriate comments 45% Posting or being tagged in inappropriate or risque photos 35% Not posting regularly; having incomplete, dated or no social media profiles 17% Other/don't know 3% 100%

Brandi Britton, a district president for OfficeTea, said "People often believe posting on social media is just harmless fun, but in reality, employers frequently look online to learn about prospective hires. Professionals should think beyond eliminating unflattering content from their digital accounts to how they can wow hiring managers by showcasing career accomplishments and industry involvement."

The company further identified five kinds of professionals who are common commit social media faux pas and provides tips to help avoid these monikers:

1. The Cranky Critic is someone who is not afraid in sharing off-putting remarks with the world. There are no off limits.

2. The Superfluous Selfie Poster, on the other hand, is someone who has no shortage of social media photos, some of which are not office-appropriate.

3. The TMI Transgressor is someone who posts every detail when attending a parties, conferences, or meetings or when laying games, shopping, etc.

4. The Connection Counter is a person who invites everybody to join his or her network, regardless if he or she knows him or her.

5. The Nonchalant Networker, lastly, is somewho who takes a lackadaisical approach to social media. This individual's online profiles are sparse, and updates are few and far between.
johnbr.com

This Domain Name Has Expired - Renewal Instructions
News / Local

by Staff Reporter

A man from Chisumbanje area has been arrested for allegedly raping a four year old niece and leaving her unconsciously bleeding through her private part.Chipinge District police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Blessing Kadzuraumera confirmed the arrest of Crispen Guramhamba of Mashuvani village under chief Garahwa';s area in Chipinge.The police spokesperson identified the man as the uncle to the toddler and said the incident happened on December 156 at 9pm after the man was left in the custody of the child when its mother went top fetch water from 5the river 3km away from home.The man was caught red handed raping the toddler by the father of the child who was coming from grazing the cattle and he ran away leaving the child unconscious and bleeding. The matter was reported to the police by the father leading to the arrest of the man. The child was taken to St Peter's Mission Hospital for medical examination.
MEXICO CITY  The recapture of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman took a surprise, Hollywood twist when a Mexican official said security forces located the whereabouts of the world's most-wanted trafficker thanks to a secret interview with U.S. actor Sean Penn.

Penn's interview with Guzman, who has twice escaped from Mexican maximum security prisons, appeared late Saturday on the website of Rolling Stone magazine. It was purportedly held at an undisclosed hideout in Mexico in late 2015, several months before Guzman's recapture Friday in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, after six months on the run.

In the interview, Guzman defends his work at the head of the world's biggest drug trafficking organization. When asked if he is to blame for high addiction rates, he responds: "No, that is false, because the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? That's false."

In the article, Penn describes the elaborate security measures he took ahead of the clandestine meeting. But apparently they were not enough.

A Mexican federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the issue, told the Associated Press it was the Penn interview that led authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October.

Authorities decided not to open fire on Guzman at the time because he was with two women and child. He was able to escape, but they were able to later track him to a house in Los Mochis where Mexican marines nabbed him after a shootout that left five people dead.

The official said the meeting between Penn and Guzman was held in Tamazula, a community in Durango state that neighbors Sinaloa, home of Guzman's drug cartel.

On Friday, Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez said that Guzman's contact with actors and producers for a possible biopic helped give law enforcement a new lead on tracking and capturing the world's most notorious drug kingpin.

In the Rolling Stone article, Penn wrote that Guzman was interested in having a movie filmed on his life. He said Guzman wanted Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the meeting between the men, involved in the project.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," wrote Penn, who appears in a photo posted with the interview shaking hands with Guzman whose face is uncovered.

There was no immediate response from Penn's representatives to the Mexican official's comments.

Earlier Saturday, a federal law enforcement official said that Mexico is willing to extradite Guzman to the United States, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

"Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S.," said the Mexican official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman, the most-wanted trafficker who was recaptured Friday after six months on the run: "You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too."

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzman's embarrassing escape from Mexico's top maximum security prison on July 11  his second from a Mexican prison.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzman's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

"They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure," said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. "That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way."

Following his capture, the head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico City's airport, frog-marched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison he'd fled.

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman, who faces drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states. At the time, Mexico's government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

Then-Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in "300 or 400 years."

Then Guzman escaped on July 11 under the noses of guards and prison officials at Mexico's most secure lock-up, slipping out an elaborate tunnel that showed the depth of the country's corruption while thoroughly embarrassing Pena Nieto's administration.

He also escaped a different maximum-security facility in 2001 while serving a 20-year sentence. Lore says he hid in a laundry cart, though many dispute that version. He spent 13 years on the lam.

Gomez said that one of Guzman's key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis, where authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the house Wednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday morning. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in.

Gomez said Guzman and his security chief, Ivan Gastelum, a.k.a "El Cholo Ivan," were able to flee via storm drains and escape through a manhole cover to the street, where they commandeered getaway cars. Marines climbed into the drains in pursuit. They closed in on the two men based on reports of stolen vehicles and they were arrested on the highway.

What happens now is crucial for Guzman, whose cartel smuggles multi-ton shipments of cocaine and marijuana as well as manufacturing and transporting methamphetamines and heroin, mostly to the U.S.

According to a statement from the Mexican Attorney General's office, the U.S. filed extradition requests June 25, while Guzman was in custody, and another Sep. 3, after he escaped. The Mexican government determined they were valid within the extradition treaty and sent them to a panel of federal judges, who gave orders for detention on July 29 and Sept. 8, after Guzman had escaped.

Those orders were not for extradition but just for Guzman to begin the extradition hearing process. Now that he is recapture, Mexico has to start processing the extradition requests anew, according to the law.

The quickest he could be extradited would be six months, said a federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity, but it's not likely because lawyers file appeals. He said that they are usually turned down, but each one means a judge has to schedule a hearing.

"That can take weeks or months, and that delays the extradition," he said. "We've had cases that take six years."
Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Democratic challenger Russ Feingold both have vulnerabilities in how the public perceives their approach to terrorism. Some see Johnson as too hawkish, while others say Feingold is too dovish. Credit: Journal Sentinel files

By of the

With President Barack Obama placing guns on the election agenda, the issue could animate this years U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin between Ron Johnson and Russ Feingold.

The two men have sharp differences over guns, including expanded background checks, which Johnson opposes and Feingold supports.

Johnson, the GOP incumbent, says Feingold is much more willing to restrict our Second Amendment rights than I am.

Feingold, a Democrat, says Johnson is unwilling to disagree with the gun lobby, period  he is with them every time, whether they are right or wrong.

But the Johnson-Feingold race also illustrates how the partisan lines on guns are far from absolute.

Feingold has a long history of touting Second Amendment rights, and cast numerous pro-gun votes in his three terms in the Senate. He voted against renewing the assault weapon ban after supporting it early in his career. Hes a critic of banning gun sales to people on the governments no-fly list, another stand that separates him from most Democrats in Congress.

Feingolds mixed record on guns is unusual for a liberal Democrat in this era, when legislative votes on controversial gun measures tend to be highly partisan.

But it may be less surprising when you consider the large number of gun owners in Wisconsin  many of them Democrats and independents.

Polling in recent years shows just how much gun ownership crosses political lines in this state. It also shows that views about some gun laws cross party lines. Many Democratic voters are broadly supportive of gun rights. And both here and nationally, most Republicans back universal background checks on gun sales.

Here are some highlights from Wisconsin polling data since 2012 provided by Charles Franklin, who conducts the Marquette University Law School survey:

Gun ownership by party. Republicans are more likely to have guns at home than Democrats, based on the combined results of four statewide polls of more than 3,000 registered voters in 2012 and 2013 in which Marquette asked about gun ownership.

Statewide, 54% of Republican and Republican-leaning voters answered yes when asked if they have any guns, rifles or pistols in their home, compared to 36% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters.

This gun gap was especially large in more populous southern Wisconsin, where Republicans are almost twice as likely as Democrats to live in a household with firearms. In the city of Milwaukee, 33% of Republicans but only 17% of Democrats said they had one or more guns at home. In the 11-county Madison media market, 59% of Republicans but only 33% of Democrats said they had a gun at home.

The gun gap was far smaller in the more rural north, where gun ownership rates are higher. In the 16-county Green Bay market, 54% of Republicans and 44% of Democrats said they live in households with guns. Outside the big media markets of Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay  in the states most northern and western counties  69% of Republicans and 59% of Democrats said they had guns at home.

In short, Democrats are almost as likely as Republicans to live in gun households throughout much of rural Wisconsin. A Democrat in northern or western Wisconsin is more likely to have a gun at home than a Republican in eastern Wisconsin.

Gun ownership and Obama. Obamas approval rating in these Marquette polls was 41% among registered voters with guns at home and 58% among voters who didnt have guns at home.

But that approval gap was more about partisanship than gun ownership: because gun owners were a more Republican group, they were less likely to support Obama. The gap disappears after controlling for party identification.

For example, Democrats in gun households were virtually as pro-Obama (84% approval) as Democrats in households without guns (86%). Obamas approval ratings in these four polls was the exact same  38%  among independent voters in gun households as it was among independents who dont have guns at home.

Gun views and partisanship. When Marquette polled on the assault weapon ban in 2013, there was a huge partisan gap between Republicans and Republican-leaning voters (36% in favor) and Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters (70% in favor).

But the gap was far smaller on the issue of universal background checks, which was backed by 75% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats.

What do all these polling patterns suggest about the Johnson-Feingold race?

For one, gun households are a huge constituency in Wisconsin, suggesting the power of the gun vote. But they are also a politically diverse constituency, meaning gun owners dont vote in a bloc.

In Marquettes 2012-13 polling, voters in gun households made up 44% of all registered voters; another 50% said they didnt have guns at home and 6% refused to answer the question.

In the 2012 Edison Research exit poll of presidential voters, gun households comprised 55% of the Wisconsin electorate. Obama lost these voters, but by a modest margin  7 points. His winning margin among voters without guns at home was overwhelming: 31 points.

There is no way of knowing today what impact, if any, the gun debate will have on the 2016 Senate race in Wisconsin. But it arguably poses risks for both candidates.

Johnsons opposition to expanded or universal background checks puts him out of step on that issue with most voters. In a 2013 Marquette poll done almost five months after the Newtown, Conn., school shootings, almost six in 10 registered voters disapproved of Johnsons vote against expanding background checks.

For Feingold, the risk is that the people whose votes are driven by gun issues tend to be staunch opponents of gun restrictions. The National Rifle Association, which opposed Feingold and backed Johnson in 2010, is a politically active and powerful force in Wisconsin and nationally. Despite the lopsided public support for universal background checks, national polls have found some decline in broad measures of support for gun control.

In an interview, Johnson said he supports background checks for the vast majority of gun sales, but argued the plan favored by Obama and congressional Democrats went too far in restricting private exchanges between private individuals. He called the existence of loopholes in the background check system exaggerated. Johnson opposed expanded background checks in 2013 and missed a vote on the issue last month, but said he would have opposed it again.

Johnson argued that gun violence in general is better addressed by combating the drug problem, and that mass shootings are better addressed by reforming the mental health system. Those things would be far more effective than President Obamas unilateral actions on gun control.

Said Johnson: We all want to prevent these tragedies. Wed all love to reduce the murders (happening) primarily in large cities, and a lot of them are drug-related.

Johnson called Obamas executive actions last week pretty limited, but he said the recent spikes in gun sales reflected a natural fear on the part of people that Obama and his party would go much further in curbing gun rights if they could get away with it politically.

The incumbents sharpest criticism of Feingold over guns has been aimed at Feingolds votes for what Johnson calls anti-gun Democratic appointees to the Supreme Court.

My first bottom line is ... every individual has a right to defend themselves and every individual has a right to choose how they want to defend themselves and their family, said Johnson.

In an interview, Feingold said something similar  that my first test when it comes to gun measures is whether something that is proposed violates the legitimate right to bear arms.

Feingold has long taken a position that many gun control advocates ardently disagree with  that the Second Amendment confers an individual right to bear arms. It wasnt until 2008 that the U.S. Supreme Court by a 5-4 vote affirmed that view.

Among his pro-gun stands as a senator, Feingold voted to overturn a ban on firearms in national parks, to repeal D.C.s gun ban, and to make it easier for people with concealed carry permits in their home states to use those permits in other states.

Feingold says, I want us to be able to prevent terrorists from getting guns but if were going to do it through the no-fly list were going to have to improve the no-fly list, which he says lacks standards and safeguards to protect people from being listed without sufficient cause. That position puts Feingold closer to Republicans in Congress than to Obama.

On the side of gun regulation, Feingold backed waiting periods on gun purchases and background checks for gun shows when he was in the Senate. He opposed a GOP-backed bill to shield gun makers from liability lawsuits over the use of their products, a measure he calls completely irresponsible.

Feingold says Obamas executive actions last week are reasonable steps and says the president is showing leadership on the issue. He says he agrees with Obama that there is a crisis of gun violence in America.

Sometimes I voted with Republicans on issues relating to (guns) and sometimes with Democrats, because I was following what I believed, Feingold said. Whats happening now is that the Senate and Congress are so broken they cant even come up with a common-sense closing of a loophole to try to deal with background checks.

Feingold said, I dont think (guns are) as divisive as people think. I think most people, including hunters and gun owners and NRA members, believe reasonable regulations that respect the right to bear arms are OK.

Follow Craig Gilbert on Twitter @WisVoter
By of the

When it comes to investing in cable operators, one phrase produces instant trepidation: cord-cutting.

Cord-cutting refers to the practice of canceling or avoiding a cable television subscription or landline telephone connection in favor of an Internet-based or wireless service  and it's one of the main reasons cable companies and old-line telephone companies have been losing business.

"There's no doubt that the trend is actually happening," said Sam Jacobsen, a Green Bay-based research analyst in Associated Banc-Corp's private client and institutional services area. "But it's my belief that cord-cutting is not going to destroy the business models of all media companies."

At its heart, cord-cutting involves the unbundling of content, where consumers choose the individual channels, and even the programs, they want to watch.

Apple is reportedly working on a TV service that includes multiple channels and would be streamed over the Internet into viewers' homes. Dish Network Corp. and Sony Corp. are offering their own online-TV bundles. And a number of content providers, including HBO, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon's Noggin and CBS, have stand-alone streaming offerings.

Still, Jacobsen said he does not believe cord-cutting is necessarily bad news for cable providers.

"You say 'cord-cutting,' and people think the goal is to ditch cable," Jacobsen said. "But it's not; the goal is to unbundle your content."

In a completely unbundled world, where all content is viewed independently, content creators are more likely to be negatively affected in the long term than distributors such as cable companies, he said.

"It's very bad news for the content creators with a lot of that bloat content that only has value because it's bundled with premium content," he said.

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA, $54.67), Philadelphia, operates as a media and technology company worldwide.

Given the way the industry is going, Comcast has taken steps to start offering unbundled content, Jacobsen said. For example, Comcast is offering a package that includes high-speed Internet, local channels and HBO.

"They're adapting their services to cord-cutting," he said. "They're trying to lead the way in offering you as much unbundled content as they can because they want to keep you as a customer."

From Jacobsen's perspective, Comcast is already seeing progress from those moves. The company is already seeing its TV subscriber losses decelerate. Comcast lost TV subscribers at an annualized rate of 1%, Jacobsen said. By the end of the third quarter, those losses had shrunk to half a percent, he said.

Meanwhile, Comcast's average revenue per user is increasing because of services such as movies on demand, and a set-top box the company offers that produces an Apple TV-like experience with features including cutting-edge search and voice-recognition, Jacobsen said.

Longer-term, the rollout of targeted advertising into viewers' living rooms will benefit distributors such as Comcast, Jacobsen said.

"They are the ones that own the platform that collects information about your viewing habits and allows the targeting to take place," he said.

A portion of Comcast's business is content creation through its NBCUniversal segment, but 30% of that segment's revenue comes from nonTV business including theme parks and films, Jacobsen said. Both of those areas have good growth prospects, he said. NBCUniversal recently took a majority stake in the Universal Studios Japan theme park and plans to roll out another one in China in 2019. On the film side, the segment is rolling out sequels to valuable franchises like "Jurassic Park," "50 Shades of Grey" and "Despicable Me."

The biggest risk here is the possibility that the progress Comcast has been making shoring up losses of cable customers could reverse if more of them started flocking to the content creators' de-bundled offerings, Jacobsen said.

"But if there ever is a situation where all the content is unbundled and available separately, cable operators like Comcast would fight hard to be the one that aggregates it and offers it all to you," he said.

These shares have a 52-week trading range of $50 to $64.99. They could reach as high as $74 in the next 12 months, Jacobsen said.

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The Journal Sentinel focuses on one Wisconsin money manager or analyst in this weekly feature, looking at a trend that helps investment pros make their decisions.
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New York  Workers are saving more for retirement, and the youngest  not exactly known for squirreling money away  are boosting their savings rates faster than any other age group.

Millennials between the ages of 25 and 34 are saving a median of 7.5% of their pay for retirement, including whatever match they get from their jobs, according to a survey by Fidelity Investments of 4,650 households with at least $20,000 of annual income. That's up from 5.8% two years ago, when the last survey was conducted, and it is the largest jump among all age groups.

That's still not enough, but at least the trend is getting better. Financial advisers suggest socking away 15% of pay, and more if workers haven't saved in their earlier years.

Younger workers had the most room for improvement, because they were saving such a pittance. Older workers were already saving more of their paychecks. Workers aged 35 to 50 are now socking away 8.2% of their income, up from 7.7% two years ago. The oldest workers, aged 51 to 69, are saving 9.7%, up from 8.1%.

Several reasons are behind the rise, said John Sweeney, executive vice president of retirement and investment strategies at Fidelity, including an improving job market and economy. The unemployment rate is at its lowest level since 2008, and workers are feeling more comfortable in their jobs and with their finances.

Some workers are also saving more without knowing it, because their 401(k) and other retirement plans are automatically enrolling them and increasing how much they contribute each year.

Older workers are the most prepared for retirement, and not just because they've had longer to save. One reason is that older workers are more likely to have access to pensions, which guarantee income in retirement but have become rare in the workplace.
The Star Says



Sunday, 10 January 2016



Tighten the belt, plug the leakages



Malaysia is not alone in re-looking at the budget for this year. Saudi Arabia, the worlds largest oil producer is reviewing its financials and also restructuring its economy.



Towards this end, Saudi Arabia is looking at listing Saudi Aramco, a move that would allow the government to monetise its oil reserves and increase transparency on the national oil company.



The listing of Saudi Aramco is estimated to create a company worth trillions, far more than Apple, which holds the coveted position as the most expensive company valued at US$543bil (RM2.4 trillion).



If Malaysia were to follow the Saudi example, we should be looking at listing Petronas. But that is not likely to be on the agenda of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when he handles the revisions to Budget 2016.



Najib is a seasoned hand when dealing with budget revisions. A few months after he was appointed as Finance Minister in September 2008, the world was in a crisis due to the financial meltdown in the United States, threatening a shutdown of the global banking system. Soon, Najib announced some measures in a supplementary budget to stimulate the economy in 2009.



In January last year, Najib announced a revision to the budget when the price of Brent Crude fell 50% from a high of US$115 (RM504) per barrel. He took the knife to the Governments operating expenditure. He deferred certain programmes such as the National Service, trimmed expenses on items such as air travel and the use of professional service firms.



A year later, Najib is in a similar situation as the price of oil is averaging US$33 (RM145) per barrel, which is way below the government estimates of US$48 (RM211) per barrel in Budget 2016.



At US$48 per barrel, revenue from oil was projected to make up 19.7% of total Federal Government revenue which amounts to RM225.67bil. Now that oil hovers at US$33 per barrel, the revenue is lower. How the Government makes up for the revenue shortfall would become apparent when the Prime Minister makes adjustments to Budget 2016 in the coming days.



At a glance, there arent many policy options left for Malaysia. It cannot increase its debt levels very much from the current level. It cannot spend its way out of a slowdown if Malaysia were to keep its target of a fiscal deficit of 3.1%.



An increase in debt levels and raising the fiscal deficit could cause the international rating agencies to downgrade Malaysia.



Collection from the Goods and Services Tax cannot be expanded very much from the target of RM39bil this year unless the tax rate of 6% is revised up. This is something that would not go down well with the people and the Government knows it.



An option left is to tighten the screws further on the operating and development expenditure that amounts to RM260.7bil for this year. This would require close scrutiny on government spending.



Few countries can pride themselves of a system where there is no leakage in handling of public funds.



The criteria in managing public funds would be to undertake measures to minimise the leakage.



For Malaysia, there are no clear estimates on the leakage. The closest indication on the matter was based on a statement by a top government official last month. He was reported to have stated each ministry was instructed to come up with ideas to reduce leakage in public expenditure. This move could save about 30% of the cost, he said.



In our current predicament, even a 10% saving of the RM260.7bil in expenditure would be enough to make up for the shortfall in oil revenue. But, this would require scrutiny in public handling of funds.

Saudis unveil radical austerity program Simeon Kerr

Financial Times

Saudi Arabia on Monday unveiled spending cuts in its 2016 budget, subsidy reforms and a call for privatizations to rein in a yawning deficit caused by the prolonged period of low oil prices.





The Gulf kingdom has kept oil production at high levels in an attempt to force out higher-cost producers, such as shale, and retain its market share. But this year's deficit ballooned to 367 billion Saudi riyals ($97.9 billion,) or 15 per cent of gross domestic product, as oil revenues fell 23 per cent to Sr444.5 billion.



Seeking to ward off future fiscal crises, the ministry of finance confirmed wide-ranging economic reforms, including plans to "privatize a range of sectors and economic activities".



Riyadh would revise energy, water and electricity prices "gradually over the next five years" to optimize efficiency while minimizing "negative effects on low and mid-income citizens and the competitiveness of the business sector," it added.



The first reforms will be effective from Tuesday, including an increase in gasoline prices, a rise in electricity tariffs for the wealthiest consumers, a modest increase in water costs for all, and changes to all energy prices for industrial users.





The government will also seek to implement a plan for the introduction of a sales tax across the six Arab Gulf states.



The success or failure of the reforms will help define the legacy of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and his influential son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is overseeing the program.

Investors experienced plenty of shocks during 2015, the FT looks at the highs and lows including currencies, emerging markets, bonds, equities and commodities



The kingdom's austerity and reform program, a reaction to the past decade of profligate spending, has raised alarm among parts of the country's business community, who are already reeling from this year's cuts that have triggered widespread delays in government payments.



Radical reforms to the social contract between Saudi citizens and the ruling al-Saud family also threaten discord at a time when Islamist extremist groups such as Isis have threatened the country.





Saudi Arabia at tipping point due to oil plunge







Real gross domestic product this year is expected to rise by 3.35 percent, with the private sector growing at 3.74 percent.



"We see real GDP growth decelerating sharply in 2016, albeit remaining positive," said Monica Malik, chief economist with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. "Non-oil GDP is forecast to moderate with the lower government spending feeding into the wider economy."



The government's austerity measures have been accompanied by extra spending items, such as the Saudi-led war in Yemen and Sr88 billion in bonus payments for civil servants when King Salman ascended to the throne in January.



The 2016 budget envisions spending Sr840 billion in 2016, compared to the Sr975bn that is forecast to have been spent this year and Sr1.14tn in 2014. Actual spending has outstripped projections by as much as a quarter for the past decade, but the government is trying to instil greater fiscal discipline.



Revenues in 2016 are forecast at Sr514bn, down from Sr608bn this year. The budget projects a deficit of Sr326bn in 2016.

There is also the video commentary, see it here.

"Over the next year or so, you will see the introduction of a sales tax  a VAT tax  eventually some form of income tax."



Even the price of tobacco and soft drinks could rise through new taxes.



"The era of plenty has come to an end. This is it. The party is over," he says about a government that did not adequately address the challenge to diversify an oil-based economy as long as prices were high. Now, the government is signaling that "oil will be in the $30-$40 range for some time."



This "end of an era" moment in Saudi Arabia points to a new social experiment across the Gulf, as oil-rich monarchies grapple with lower state revenues.

Too much cheap politics going around these days. The latest being accusations made on the budget adjustment for 2016 to imply bad economic management on the part of government.During the 1999-2000 financial and political crisis, Tun Dr Mahathir administration too re-look at the budget. Anwar introduced severe austerity measures that affected business and economy. Subsequently, Mahathir had to "intervene" and the rest is history.Anyway, that is water under the bridge. The point is that it is not only prudent but an honest government to readjust the budget in view of changing economic variables and should it be necessary, bite the bullet. A government in-denial or opportunistic politics will blame others and talk of past glories to deceive the people from the hard realities of the present.Budget adjustment is commonly done by any honest government. So it is not only sickening and cheap politics act to take potshot at the budget readjustment but it just shows plain lack of intelligence!The Star Sunday Editorial explained:Consistent with this blogger's long term view to plug the wastage and holes in public spending. For a start, why do University organise seminar or convention at hotels when they have abundance of lecture halls, classrooms and living quarters?To understand the Saudi austerity drive, read the CNBC report below:The uproar from the rise in prices due to implementation of GST and withdrawal of subsidy such as fuel can only be naturally expected. It's happening in Saudi too.Quoting from the website www.npr.org , John Sfakianakis, a Riyadh-based economist who is a former government adviser said, below:If that puts those cheap politic propagandist on the defense, expect more cheap politics as they come with a counter attack with a cheap reply.There will be those saying if Saudi is on financial austerity, how could there be Saudi prince or princes donating RM2.6 billion to PM Dato Najib. So it must be siphoned from 1MDB. To debunk, just say that allegedly happened in 2013 and this is 2016. Saudi were buying US T-Bills then and not selling them now.Co-incidently or by design, there is a looming war between Saudi and Iran [read Huttington Post here ]. Pray it will not.
News / Local

by Staff Reporter

Fist fights and violence was the order of the day during church service at Goodness and Mercy Ministries on Wednesday night last week when cheating couples were exposed.H Metro reported that one of the fighters Tendai Munyoro went berserk assaulting her husband who was alleged to be cheating with a married woman. The chaos arose when the leader Tapuwa Freddy of the church prophet released what he calls spiritual spectacles' to his congregants which supernaturally enabled them to see their partners cheating on them.Tendai started seeing him in the spiritual realm in an adulterous act with a woman whom they stay with at their matrimonial home."I am doing everything for you, how come you sleep with a married woman whom we stay with?" said Tendai while assaulting her husband. The church ushers had to restrain them.
Steven Avery addresses Judge Patrick L. Willis during his sentencing June 1, 2007. Credit: Dan Powers / Appleton Post-Crescent

By of the

About halfway into watching and live tweeting "Making a Murderer," I worried whether we who covered the Steven Avery trial in 2007 had missed something big.

The binge-watchable Netflix series (Is it all people are talking about on social media?) documents, dramatically, the theory that sheriff's deputies in Manitowoc County framed Avery in the murder of Teresa Halbach.

But was what Avery's lawyers presented in his trial as frame-up evidence  when weighed against the DNA-laden evidence against Avery  enough to create reasonable doubt?

It's clear from Internet reaction to "Making A Murderer" that perhaps millions, including hundreds of thousands who signed pardon petitions, disagree with the Avery jury's guilty verdict. There was no such outcry in 2007.

Personally, "Making A Murderer" left me regretting that I did not cover the later trial of Avery's then-teenage nephew, Brendan Dassey, who was also convicted of the Halbach murder. The New York filmmakers, Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, raise disturbing questions about Dassey's first lawyer and about confessions made by the learning-disabled Dassey.

Not having covered the Dassey trial, I can't make a judgment about how "Making A Murderer" treats that case.

But after two days and nights immersed in the series, I found my worries about missing something big in Avery's trial had greatly diminished.

My aim is to review key parts of his case  as they were presented in "Making A Murderer" and at his trial.

First, some general observations:

Those who watched all of "Making A Murderer" saw some 10 hours of film. The jurors (who were from Manitowoc County, even though the trial was held in neighboring Calumet County) heard more than a month's worth of testimony.

The filmmakers, based on my observations of their work before and during Avery's trial, were talented and tireless  and essentially embedded with Avery's family and his lawyers. That doesn't negate the questions their film raises. But their approach must be considered in evaluating the series.

"Making A Murderer" focuses compellingly on the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department, which was largely responsible for Avery's wrongful conviction in a 1985 sexual assault that put him behind bars for 18 years. How, the film asks, could Manitowoc County deputies play a major role in the Halbach murder investigation? After all, at the time, Avery was suing Manitowoc County, seeking $36 million for his imprisonment. And responsibility for the murder investigation had been transferred to the sheriff in Calumet County to avoid any conflict of interest.

Two of Wisconsin's top lawyers represented Avery, whose case was helped by a $400,000 settlement he received for the wrongful conviction lawsuit. That isn't to say they could not have missed crucial evidence. But these were veteran, resourceful attorneys, not inexperienced and overburdened public defenders.

The theories of the prosecution and of Avery's attorneys are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Maybe Avery killed Halbach and deputies planted some of the evidence.

It's worth noting that my history covering the 53-year-old Avery, who is serving a no-parole-possible life sentence, is long. I broke the story in 2003 on how new DNA testing would exonerate him of the sexual assault. I was there when Avery emerged from the prison gates. I sat across a table from him for a couple of interviews. And I was on the other end of the phone when Avery said as he was about to be arrested in Halbach's murder: "I'm going to jail. I can't talk to you no more."

Then for nearly two years I covered Halbach's disappearance, Avery's pretrial hearings, jury selection and the five-week trial itself. The details were grisly. Halbach, a 25-year-old freelance photographer who lived in Calumet County, was last seen on the afternoon of Oct. 31, 2005  by Avery, at his home. She had gone to Avery's trailer, on his family's property in Manitowoc County, at his request to take a picture of a vehicle for sale. Some of Halbach's remains  identified by DNA testing  were found in a burn pit and a burn barrel outside Avery's trailer.

The framing theory centers on two Manitowoc County sheriff's investigators  then-Lt. James Lenk (now retired) and then-Sgt. Andrew Colborn  both of whom participated in the murder investigation.

Now to the evidence.

Question: Did Avery target Halbach?

Kenneth Kratz, who was the Calumet County district attorney at the time, prosecuted Avery and Dassey. (He resigned in 2010 after an unrelated sexting scandal.)

Kratz has said that "Making A Murderer" doesn't mention that Halbach, who did photography for Auto Trader magazine, had been to Avery's home before to take pictures for the magazine. On the day she disappeared, Avery had called the magazine requesting specifically that Halbach come to his house to take a picture of a van he was selling. In addition, Avery had called Halbach's cellphone three times that day, including twice using a feature on the phone that blocked his number, Kratz recalled.

Episode 7 shows testimony from Colborn, the Manitowoc County sergeant, about his questioning of Avery at Avery's home. Colborn said Avery told him that Avery's sister was selling the van that Halbach came to photograph, and that he saw Halbach that day but didn't talk with her.

We reported that when Avery called Auto Trader, he said the van was being sold by the sister, Barb Janda, who lived next door. He identified himself to the magazine as "B. Janda" and gave Janda's phone number.

In addition, we reported that an Auto Trader receptionist said Avery once answered his door wearing only a towel when Halbach came to his home to photograph a vehicle he was selling through the magazine, though the jury did not hear that testimony.

Bottom line: Avery called Halbach to his home, concealing his identity to some extent, and was the last-known person to see her alive after she arrived.

Question:Did Lenk plant Avery's blood in Halbach's car?

A cousin of Halbach's found Halbach's partially hidden Toyota RAV4 on the Avery family property five days after she was last seen. The property is best known for the family's sprawling auto salvage business.

Episode 4 addresses the car by showing attorneys from both sides examining a vial of blood that had a syringe-sized hole on one end. One of Avery's lawyers, Jerome Buting, says an officer must have put blood from the vial in Halbach's RAV4.

The film also shows Lenk, the Manitowoc County lieutenant, testifying that he arrived at the Avery property five hours earlier than what he had said at a pretrial hearing. And a clip shows Buting saying Lenk, in 2001, had signed a form in Avery's sexual assault case that noted there was a vial of Avery's blood kept in the Manitowoc County Courthouse.

So, there were questions about how long Lenk might have had access to Halbach's car, as well as a suggestion that he would have known how to get Avery's blood from the vial.

The film also shows, however, the DNA expert from the FBI testifying about so-called EDTA testing the FBI did on blood smears from inside Halbach's car. The testing, according to the expert, showed the blood almost certainly would have come from Avery bleeding, not from the vial.

Avery's DNA, not from blood, was also found on the hood latch of the car.

Bottom line: Avery's DNA was in and on the murder victim's car, with an allegation, refuted by a DNA expert from the FBI, that Avery's blood inside the car was planted.

Question: How did Halbach's car key get in Avery's trailer?

Episode 3 tells how it was Lenk, the Manitowoc County lieutenant, who found the key to Halbach's RAV4 in Avery's trailer. Buting, who assisted Madison attorney Dean Strang in defending Avery, declares the key was planted. In the next episode, Buting says the key had been found on investigators' seventh entry into Avery's trailer  suggesting there were plenty of opportunities to plant the key.

We reported how Colborn, the Manitowoc County sergeant, testified about how the key was found, three days after Halbach's RAV4 was found. He recalled shaking a bookcase in Avery's bedroom, then Lenk entered the bedroom and said something like, "Ah, there's a key on the floor here." Lenk said it was at least his third time searching the bedroom.

Bottom line: A Manitowoc County investigator finding the key stirs suspicion about whether the key was planted. But the State Crime Laboratory found Avery's DNA on it. So, both the DNA and the key would have had to have been planted to fit the framing theory.

Question: Does a mistake mean contamination?

Episode 6 shows testimony from an anthropologist and State Crime Lab experts saying Halbach had been shot twice in the head  and that a bullet fragment with Halbach's DNA had been found in Avery's garage.

Attorney Buting repeatedly says testing was "contaminated" because the crime lab expert inadvertently got some of her own DNA into the sample.

That expert testified that her DNA did not affect the finding of Halbach's DNA on the bullet.

And we reported that another crime lab expert testified the bullet likely had been fired from a .22-caliber rifle found in Avery's bedroom.

Bottom line:That the tester's DNA was inadvertently introduced into testing doesn't change the fact that Halbach's DNA was found on the bullet fragment found in Avery's garage.

Question: Were Halbach's remains burned where they were found?

Episode 6 shows testimony from the anthropologist, who said bones found in a burn pit and a burn barrel outside Avery's trailer were those of a woman under 35 who had suffered two gunshot wounds to the head. She says it was highly unlikely that the majority of the burning had been done anywhere else.

Avery's attorneys contend that someone other than Avery burned Halbach's body, somewhere else, and then the remains were brought to Avery's property in support of the frame-up.

We noted in our reporting that a forensic dentist identified teeth fragments from Avery's burning pit as Halbach's.

Bottom line: Halbach's incinerated remains were found outside Avery's trailer, with no evidence that they had been burned elsewhere.

My take:"Making A Murderer" raises some valid points, particularly questions on why Manitowoc County deputies participated in the Halbach murder investigation. But those questions don't outweigh the DNA evidence that helped lead a jury to convict Avery.
Mallory O'Brien shown meeting with Milwaukee police capt. Capt. Jason Smith, is an epidemiologist at Marquette University who provides a data-driven approach for the department to stop violent crime. Credit: Gary Porter

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Case by case, they analyze the landscape of murder in Milwaukee.

The faces of victims and suspects flash on a screen while a narrator reveals details, a list of locations, weapons and rap sheets.

"Any thoughts that would have prevented this one?" asks Mallory O'Brien, a founder and director of the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission.

The discussion comes during a monthly criminal justice review inside a third-floor conference room at the Milwaukee Police Department's District 3 headquarters. Exchanging information and ideas are two dozen people, including police officers, prosecutors, probation officers, corrections officials and representatives from Milwaukee Public Schools and a couple of federal agencies.

Their aim: See what can be learned from each case and try to spot trends and find ways to prevent homicides.

"Homicides are preventable," O'Brien says in an interview. "When we do a review and you hear people talk about the individuals involved, some of them will say, 'We knew this was coming.' So, they're predictable. So if we can predict them, we should be able to prevent them."

Established in January 2005, the Homicide Review Commission has been given the task of reducing crime through "innovative interagency cooperation." The commission has monthly meetings and reviews with law enforcement, experts on domestic violence and community service providers. The commission also reviews nonfatal shootings.

The goal is to get rid of the information silos and stick to the facts, without finger-pointing or protecting bureaucratic turf.

These are necessary ingredients to solve problems and find solutions, especially in a year like this, with several high-profile homicides and a spike in nonfatal shootings in Milwaukee.

"We're seeing arguments that are escalating, people have firearms and they're choosing to settle arguments with a gun," O'Brien says. "And when we look at the major categories for the last couple of years, the circumstance, it's arguments and fights and armed robberies."

O'Brien is an academic, an epidemiologist with a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a clinical assistant professor at Marquette University's College of Nursing.

Her strengths are number crunching and bringing people together to face the tough questions of life, death and law enforcement.

She is 50, married to a prosecutor in the Milwaukee County district attorney's office. The couple have two children.

In a roomful of buttoned-down law enforcement officials, O'Brien stands out, wearing clogs, a dark skirt and light shirt with a tie-dyed-style wrap pulled over her shoulders. When digging into reports, she peers intently through reading glasses.

"If you meet Mallory, you remember Mallory," says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Barrett says he was introduced to O'Brien before the 2004 election. Back then, he says, there was resistance to putting together a commission to study homicides.

"Some people said, 'What do you need a homicide review commission for? Someone was drunk, someone was in a bar, end of story,'" Barrett recalls.

Barrett says O'Brien "takes these horrible incidents and really creates the narrative around them so that we can see patterns and trends. It is certainly something I have found to be immensely beneficial."

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm admires O'Brien's no-nonsense approach and her deft handling of data.

"I think she has the ability to work with the law enforcement partners in a very practical way," Chisholm says. "She doesn't approach it as, 'I'm here to collect research and it's going to be used for a research project.' It's, 'I'm here to help you figure out ways of understanding the information you have and use it to improve your system.'"

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn says the Homicide Review Commission "is a model that has proved useful in convening groups of operational personnel to discuss cases, identify system opportunities for improvement, and develop trust among the various pieces of our complex criminal justice system."

Not everyone is an admirer of the commission's work.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. says the commission takes "the credit" in years when homicides are down but "when homicides are up," the commission says "'There's not much we can do.'"

Clarke says the commission's mission "is glorified collection and data entry."

O'Brien says the homicide numbers tell a story and looking at homicide from a public health perspective can provide the community with important insights.

There were 122 homicides in Milwaukee in 2005, the year the commission started. The number of homicides in the city sank to a low of 71 in 2008, ticked up to 72 in 2009, and began a climb to 105 in 2013.

O'Brien says the commission does not claim to be responsible for driving down the number of homicides, but notes the commission's work behind-the-scenes has helped the community.

For O'Brien and others engaged in reviewing homicides, the key question is, "What could we have done differently to prevent that incident and similar incidents," she says. "And once we come up with what could we have done, we then take it to the next step, who do we need at the table to make that a reality, develop a plan and present it to the leadership to move forward on."

Over the years, O'Brien says the commission has made more than 1,000 recommendations. Broader initiatives include helping toughen ordinances on taverns to give police greater ability to target problem properties that can be hotbeds of violent crime.

The commission was also a key partner in helping police, prosecutors, corrections and the mayor's office create the Milwaukee Collaborative Offender Re-entry Program, or MCORP. The program helps ex-offenders successfully pick up their lives while also cutting down on the number of people attempting to hide out to avoid arrest or prosecution.

O'Brien, an Illinois native who moved to La Crosse when she was in third grade, grew up in a close-knit family. Her father was an advertising executive for the G. Heileman Brewing Co., and her mother was a homemaker who doted on her three children, a son and two daughters. O'Brien says her mom "always had warm chocolate chip cookies for us when we came home from school. We were totally spoiled."

At UW-Madison, O'Brien initially thought about becoming a nurse, but had a passion for math. She was a math major with an emphasis in actuarial science but figured there "was no way I'd be sitting behind a desk all day doing actuarial work."

In graduate school, she concentrated on epidemiology. Her doctorate focus was on injury epidemiology as she tracked trends in firearm injuries.

After graduate school, she worked at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she helped develop a firearm injury reporting system under the direction of renowned physician Stephen Hargarten. Later she went to Harvard University for seven years to create the National Violence Injury Statistics System, which became a prototype for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System.

"It was a new process," she says. "Now you hear more and more, 'Let's look at violence as a public health issue.'"

While at Harvard, O'Brien was asked by people in Milwaukee during the summer of 2004 to help "think through" the city's violent crime problems.

"I thought I was just going to give a couple of hours of my time to do some problem solving," she says. "And it turned out, I used the experience I had and came up with a multiagency, multidisciplinary review process."

"You're not waiting for paper to come to you, which could be nine months or two years later," she adds. "You're convening people on a regular basis, in real time, so you're getting lots of great rich information that helps you look at those trends and look at opportunities to prevent homicides."

Grants from foundations, the state and federal government provide the bulk of the commission's funding. Including in-kind support from Milwaukee police, O'Brien says it costs about $275,000 annually to operate the commission.

Through funding from the U.S. Justice Department's Community Oriented Policing Services program, the Homicide Review Commission developed a national training and technical assistance program. O'Brien is helping Baltimore set up a commission.

But her focus remains firmly on Milwaukee and her goal is to help drive down the number of homicides.

"Are we ever going to get it to zero? No," she says. "But I think we can do a good job reducing them."
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Britney Woods, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, has been invited to attend President's Barack Obama's 2016 State of the Union address, the university announced Sunday.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin invited Woods, who participated in a roundtable discussion about the cost of college with the senator this fall.

During the discussion, Woods, 22, shared how she worked three jobs her freshman year and now uses some financial aid to pay for her education, the Journal Times reported. She currently works between 25 and 30 hours each week at Young Leaders Academy, a program through the Racine Family YMCA.

Woods, who is majoring in communications, said she is excited to attend.

"It doesn't feel real yet," Woods told the Journal Times.

Baldwin invited Woods to highlight the need for lawmaker to take action "on college affordability and the student debt crisis," according to the Kenosha News.

Woods understands she will join a "very select group" of people who have attended the annual presidential address, UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford said in a news release.

"She will, I'm certain, greatly benefit from the experience and share that with her fellow students and with the young people she works with in the Racine community," Ford said.

Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Gov. Scott Walker speaks at the Republican party of Wisconsin State Convention in Milwaukee in 2014. The governor needs a better understanding of the states open government and open records laws. Credit: Associated Press

The state Public Records Board is expected Monday to revisit a change it made in August on which state records need to be archived as open records. The board needs to reverse that change and ensure that all records relevant to the public's business  including texts, Facebook messages and other electronic communications  are archived and available to the public.

Beyond that, as Journal Sentinel editor George Stanley said in an open letter to board Chairman Matthew Blessing on Thursday, the board should "please go further than merely rescinding your redefinition of electronic records, now that you have seen how it will be used. Please also make a public commitment that the board you lead will do everything it can in the future to protect and promote citizen access to their government's records."

The board needs to reassure the public that it is working in its interest because, frankly, its track record on this indicates otherwise. The board made the change regarding so-called transitory records without proper advanced notice and without properly recording the change in its meeting minutes. The public was completely unaware of what had happened.

It isn't anymore: 1,876 comments were filed with the board before the Wednesday deadline for written comments in advance of Monday's meeting. I hope the board is paying attention. It wasn't in August. Blessing has said he considered the change so minor that notice wasn't required.

Yet the day after the meeting, the Walker administration not only knew about the "minor" change but used it to deny a request from the Wisconsin State Journal for text messages related to a loan from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The texts the newspaper sought were linked to a $500,000 loan to Building Committee Inc., which was promoted by top administration appointees.

With its change, the board gave the Walker administration the cover it needed to escape scrutiny. Or the Walker administration is interpreting whatever change the board made to give itself cover. Blessing implied as much in an interview with the State Journal when he said the intent of the change was to specify what transitory messages are, not to allow all text messages to be discarded as transitory. But without the records from the meeting, how is the public supposed to know?

In an interview with WKOW in Madison on Thursday, Gov. Scott Walker said the board should reverse its decision and that it should require government officials to keep all text messages related to state business.

That's great, but the governor also revealed in that interview that his understanding of open government is flawed. He said he would still keep from the public so-called deliberative records; records that were created during internal deliberations. State law does not explicitly recognize that as a reason for withholding records.

"It's something where I'm brainstorming and talking to some of my staff about that. That's not the same as...if you do that you might as well stop all creative thinking, because nobody's gonna put on paper any ideas that they have," Walker told WKOW's Greg Neumann. "So to me that's a big difference between...the purpose of open records is to find out who may or may not be influencing people."

But the creative thinking that led staff to suggest elimination of the Wisconsin Idea from the University of Wisconsin's mission and the creative thinking that led Walker to spring Act 10 on an unsuspecting public in the most divisive way possible deserves scrutiny. And Walker needs to understand that public scrutiny is a good thing.

Beyond that, the purpose of open records is only in part "to find out who may or may not be influencing people." Just as important is informing citizens how their government works, how officials do their jobs and what goes into their thinking.

Just as the Public Records Board needs to rethink its August change, Walker  and Republican legislative leaders  need to rethink their understanding of open government.

Ernst-Ulrich Franzen is the Journal Sentinel's associate editorial page editor. Email: efranzen@jrn.com; Twitter: @efranzen1
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is welcomed to the stage by her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, at the Clinton Global Initiative, in a 2014 session. Credit: Associated Press

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Fair play can sometimes be a raunchy racket.

In the midst of Hillary Clinton's promising presidential bid, a blast from the past blew through the back door and rattled the joints of the political edifice of Clinton. Juanita Broaddrick, the Arkansas woman who has claimed that in 1978 then-state Attorney General Bill Clinton raped her, tweeted that Hillary Clinton is "not the one" to talk about violence against women and that she is an "enabler."

As a heckler promptly inserted himself into a Clinton rally, Donald Trump wasted no time posting a heat-seeking ad on Instagram linking her to a gallery of famous sexual predators and deviants, including alleged rapist Bill Cosby, sexter Anthony Weiner and, of course, her own husband.

Except for the latter, these connections are inarguably tenuous. Hillary Clinton's involvement with Weiner is primarily through his wife, Huma Abedin, a close adviser. As for Cosby, the ad shows Clinton in a photograph with the once-brilliant star. How many thousands of others were happy to be caught in the same frame with Cosby, long before anyone knew of his alleged predations?

What does any of this have to do with Clinton? She isn't, after all, a guilty party. Then again, one is judged in part by the company one keeps. The question of character isn't always what did you do but what were you willing to tolerate. Trump's ad-meister smartly associated Clinton with a cast of characters whose values can't be heralded as exemplary.

It's unlikely, however, that anyone's mind will be changed by what is already known. Many younger voters, who may not be as familiar with Clinton history, were shaped by a world that bears little resemblance to their parents'world, and they may well find such revelations short of earth-shattering or even interesting.

The Trump ad, though obviously dishonest, is nonetheless shrewd. Trump took Clinton's most-shining moment  her defense of women and her 1995 speech at the U.N.'s Fourth World Conference on Women  and turned it against her. As the images flick past, we hear then-first lady Clinton's famous words: "Human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights, once and for all." And then, "Let's keep fighting for opportunity and dignity."

The ad's finale in bold letters is a question posing as a statement: "True Defender of Women's Rights."

This is unfortunate. Clinton was brave to say those things in 1995 in Beijing, and she truly has influenced and improved the lives of millions of women around the globe. For these achievements to be tarnished by Trump is unfair and, one might say, Clintonesque. If chickens really do come home to roost, the Clintons can't pretend to be bystanders to the idiom. It is a fact of recent history that women's rights have been selectively defended by Hillary Clinton's vast, left-wing support group, especially when it has come to her husband's extramarital proclivities.

When then-President Clinton had his dalliance with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, it was a clear case of sexual harassment by the very definition promoted by feminists. That is: a person in a superior workplace position making (or responding to) sexual overtures toward an employee, regardless of consent. Where were feminists when Lewinsky was scuttled away to a life of lonely infamy?

Similarly, when Paula Jones filed a sexual harassment suit against then-Arkansas Gov. Clinton, claiming that he had exposed himself to her in a hotel room, the sisterhood dismissed Jones as a political pawn of the right. This was surely true, but it didn't necessarily negate her claim. Isn't the operative feminist principle that the woman is always to be believed? Or is it only certain women?

When Judge Susan Webber Wright rebuffed Jones' claim, she ruled in part that Jones had failed to prove she had suffered damages from her encounter. Nary a peep from the girls' team. Yet, fast-forwarding to the 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas, feminists had no trouble believing that Anita Hill had suffered distress while working for Thomas a decade earlier because of lewd comments he made in her presence.

Wherever one stands on these histories, a double standard is undeniable. This is what Trump hinted at  and what Clinton will have to navigate as she seeks to convince voters not only that she deserves to live once again in the White House but that her husband does as well.

Kathleen Parker is a columnist for The Washington Post. Email kathleenparker@washpost.com Twitter: @KathleenParker
By of the

Fargo, N.D.  Is Diana Fruge a weak-willed woman who stood by her man out of love, or a killer?

Thats the question a jury will face in deciding whether to convict Fruges ex-husband, Dennis Gaede, of the murder of a Hales Corners man whose identity he had assumed.

Fruge, the key witness in the case against Gaede, took the stand Tuesday and testified that Gaede shot, suffocated and dismembered the victim, Timothy Wicks.

But an opening statement by Gaedes attorney raised the other possibility, and under questioning by the prosecution, Fruge admitted she herself had confessed to the crime.

Gaede, a Milwaukee native, is on trial in Fargo near the house where Fruge said Gaede killed Wicks, 48, whose body and head were found along the Menominee River on the Wisconsin-Michigan border.

Fruge testified that Gaede stole Wicks identity after fleeing Wisconsin to avoid sentencing on felony charges in Monroe County. When Wicks found out, Gaede lured him to North Dakota and killed him, she said.

According to Fruge, the night Wicks was killed, in December 2001, Gaede woke her up around 11 p.m. or midnight. When she went downstairs, she saw Wicks lying on the floor. He was snoring, she said.

"I thought he had done too much partying and had passed out or something," she testified. "I asked Dennis what happened, and he said that he shot him."

Then, Gaede put a plastic garbage bag over Wicks head because he was still breathing, Fruge said.

"So you immediately called 911?" Assistant States Attorney Mark Boening said.

"No I did not."

"You know how 911 works, dont you?"

"Yes."

Boening then asked why Fruge hadnt called for help.

"My mind was just crazy because I was thinking, how would I explain there was a Timothy Wicks on the floor, with Timothy Wicks car in the driveway and my husband is supposedly Timothy Wicks? So I didnt wind up doing anything," Fruge said.

Fruge was at times unsure of details about the bizarre road trip she and Gaede then took with Wicks corpse in December 2001 and January 2002  a weakness that will surely be exploited when defense attorney Steve Mottinger begins his cross-examination this morning.

Described dumping body

Fruge described helping Gaede dump the body. She also talked about lots of driving the two did with her son Joshua, then 3, in their car and in a recreational vehicle they bought with $8,000 from Wicks bank account. They were arrested at a campground in Nebraska about two months after the killing.

Boening repeatedly asked Fruge why she was fuzzy on the details, and she repeatedly answered that she was drinking about 12 beers a day at the time, which left her in an alcohol-induced haze.

During opening statements earlier Tuesday, Mottinger told the jury that while Fruge was incarcerated in Nebraska, she told another inmate that she had killed Wicks because he had raped her. The inmate is expected to testify as a defense witness. Boening made a pre-emptive strike while Fruge was on the stand Tuesday, asking her about the other inmates statement.

"Dennis had told me that with his felonies in Wisconsin that if he was convicted of murder, hed never see daylight again," Fruge testified. "So we concocted a plan. . . . He told me if I could convince a jury it was self-defense, Id be free in eight or nine years and we could be together again."

She wrote a statement to that effect and told the story to other inmates, she said.

The prosecution then introduced as evidence several letters Fruge wrote to Gaede from jails in Nebraska and Milwaukee.

Fruge has not been charged in connection with Wicks death. In Wisconsin, however, she pleaded guilty to interfering with child custody for taking her son away from his father and served six months in the House of Correction.

"I was in love with him very much," Fruge said of Gaede. "And I was willing to say that I killed Timothy Wicks so that I could be with him again someday."

She then read the letters to the jury. One referred to the statement she wrote about the rape. In another, Fruge wrote that Gaedes previous letter to her had given her a "creepy" feeling. Boening asked her what Gaedes letter had been about.

"It was stuff about all these guys that committed grisly crimes and made money on books and stuff," she said. "And he said he could write a book and make money and be one of those guys."
By

Fargo, N.D.  A man charged last week with killing a Wisconsin man has been transferred from the North Dakota State Penitentiary, where he served time for identity theft, to the Cass County Jail to face the murder charge.

Dennis Gaede, 42, made his first appearance in court on Tuesday. Hes accused of killing Timothy Wicks, 48, of Hales Corners, Wis.

Authorities said Wicks was shot in Gaedes home north of Fargo in December 2001. Wicks decapitated body was found Jan. 2, 2002, beside a county road near the Michigan side of the Menominee River.

Gaede was not asked to enter a plea Tuesday. A preliminary hearing was set for Sept. 8.

Gaede asked that Monte Mertz, who has represented him in the past, be assigned his case. Judge Steven McCullough denied the request, saying defendants are not allowed to choose their public defender and assigned Steven Mottinger to the case.

Gaede also asked for a speedy trial. That means Gaede will likely plead not guilty, Mottinger said.

Bail was set at $500,000.
By of the

Fargo, N.D.  A jury on Friday found Milwaukee native Dennis Gaede guilty of the murder and dismemberment in 2001 of his former friend Timothy Wicks, a Hales Corners musician whose identity Gaede had appropriated to live as a fugitive in North Dakota.

After four days of testimony and 3 1/2 hours of deliberations, jurors returned the guilty verdict around 3 p.m. Friday.

Gaede, 42, faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Wicks headless body was found near the Menominee River, which separates Wisconsin and Michigan, in January 2002. His head was found about two weeks later, 12 miles upstream. His hands, which also were removed, were never found.

The conviction was the end of a long road for Hales Corners police Detective Kent Schoonover, the first person to investigate Wicks disappearance and obtain a statement implicating Gaede from Gaedes now ex-wife, Diana Fruge.

"The truth always wins out in the end," Schoonover said after the verdict. "It took a long time, but Tim finally got justice."

Although prosecutors had a strong circumstantial case, no forensic evidence tied Gaede to the crime.

Fruge did not agree to cooperate with authorities until nearly two years after the murder. She testified that Gaede stole Wicks identity after fleeing Wisconsin to avoid sentencing on felony charges in Monroe County.

When Wicks, 48, found out, Gaede lured him to North Dakota and killed him in the couples home outside Fargo, she said.

Still, the defense had ample opportunity to argue reasonable doubt.

Many of Fruges statements about a bizarre road trip she and Gaede took while trying to dispose of Wicks corpse in December 2001 and January 2002 were inconsistent.

She admitted she had been drunk during most of the events she described.

Shortly after the couples arrest in March 2002, she even confessed to the crime, telling several people that she had killed Wicks because he raped her.

In his closing argument earlier Friday, defense attorney Steve Mottinger tried to convince the jury that Fruge could have been the real killer.

Authorities never believed that story, which Fruge said she and Gaede concocted to spare him from a life in prison.

Fruges eyes welled with tears as the verdict was announced.

"My first thought is, Thank God, " she said. "Because I couldnt believe his lawyer was up there saying all these things that in my mind I knew are lies."

Cass County States Attorney Birch Burdick credited law enforcement agencies in North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan for their years of work to solve the case.

Citing persistence

"They didnt give up on it. They worked until we knew everything we could know," he said. "Tim Wicks was . . . a nice guy who did nothing to earn what happened to him. He was just an unfortunate victim of Dennis Gaede."

Gaede didnt speak as he was led away in handcuffs. Mottinger said Gaede would likely appeal.

Jury foreman Starla Siewert said none of the jurors believed Wicks was the type of guy who would rape a friends wife.

Testimony that Gaede once worked for a police department and would know how to clean up a crime scene also was pivotal, Siewert said.

In the end, though, jurors based their verdict on the credibility of Fruges testimony and the way the circumstantial evidence backed up her statements, Siewert said.

"A lot of the things she said made sense," Siewert said. "We were all on the same page almost from the very start."
By of the

Fargo, N.D.  Convicted murderer Dennis Gaede portrayed himself as a victim and compared himself to Jesus Christ shortly before a judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole Thursday in Cass County Circuit Court.

Gaede, 42, was found guilty by a jury in April of killing Timothy Wicks, 48, a drummer and house painter from Hales Corners. Gaede, a Milwaukee native, had taken on Wicks identity and moved to North Dakota as a fugitive to avoid sentencing on Monroe County felony charges, according to testimony during the trial.

Wicks headless body was found near the Menominee River, which separates Wisconsin and Michigan, in January 2002. His head was found about two weeks later, 12 miles upstream. His hands, which also were removed, were never found.

Testimony from Gaedes now ex-wife, Diana Fruge, was key to his conviction. Fruge said that when Wicks found out someone was using his identity, Gaede lured his onetime friend to North Dakota with the promise of a lucrative drumming gig in Canada. Gaede shot Wicks in the kitchen of their home in Gardner, N.D., Fruge said. Fruge admitted helping Gaede dispose of the body and was given immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony.

At trial, Gaedes defense attorney, Steven Mottinger, tried to convince jurors Fruge was the real killer. Evidence at the trial showed that shortly after the couples arrest in March 2002, Fruge confessed to the crime, telling several people that she had killed Wicks because he raped her. Authorities never believed that story. She didnt implicate Gaede until two years after Wicks death.

At Thursdays sentencing hearing, Gaede reiterated his theory that Fruge killed Wicks. Standing shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform, he read from a prepared statement of several pages.

"I just fell in love with the wrong person, and now two innocent men are paying for it  Tim Wicks and me," Gaede told Cass County District Judge Steven McCullough.

"Jesus, too, was convicted of a crime that he was innocent of," Gaede said. "That was 2,000 years ago, and many people still cant see the truth of that, either. God is on my side. With his intervention, the true murderess will be brought to justice."

He went on to call Fruge a monster and a demon.

"My sympathy goes out to the Wicks family," Gaede said. "They have lost a family member, and I have lost a friend."

McCullough called Fruge "admittedly a pathetic figure in this sad scenario," but not the responsible party.

"Mr. Gaede needed Ms. Fruge as someone on whom he could pin the blame for this crime," the judge said. "She was just as much a tool in the commission of this crime as the saw he used to cut off (Wicks) head and hands."

Before the sentencing, Gaede was interviewed for a pre-sentence report, a document designed to help the judge fashion an appropriate sentence. In that report, Gaede again blamed Fruge. At one point, Gaede said, "It took someone with a cold and evil heart to do that to another human being."

"At least in this regard, the court agrees with Mr. Gaede," McCullough said before handing down the life sentence. North Dakota does not have the death penalty.

Mottinger, the defense attorney, had asked for a 30-year prison term with the possibility of parole after 25 years. He said Gaede would appeal both the conviction and sentence.

After the hearing, Cass County States Attorney Birch Burdick said that Thursday marked the first time a Fargo defendant had been sentenced to life without parole, a sentence approved by the states legislature in the mid-1990s.

"You save your harshest penalty for your harshest crimes," said Burdick. "This was a cold and calculating crime. The victim couldnt have been more innocent than he was."

Reached after the sentencing, Fruge said she was relieved that Gaede would never be released. She said she was not surprised that he continued to try to blame her.

Wicks brother-in-law, Tom Neary, said his family felt justice had been served. "Im elated," he said. "Were all happy."
By of the

A man police say is their main suspect in the slaying and dismemberment of a Hales Corners man may be out of prison in less than three years, now that a Milwaukee County judge has thrown out forgery charges against him.

Dennis Gaede, 41, a Milwaukee native, is serving a North Dakota prison term for insurance fraud and theft by deception. Gaede moved to Fargo in 2001, to avoid sentencing on two felonies in Monroe County. On the lam in Fargo, Gaede used the name of the Hales Corners man, his friend Timothy Wicks.

Gaede and Wicks were the subjects of the Journal Sentinel series "Fatal Identity" in July.

The theft and fraud charges were leveled in 2002 because Gaede embezzled money from his employer and collected health insurance benefits in Wicks name. Around the same time, Wicks head and body were found in two different locations along the Menominee River. Gaedes former wife, Diana Fruge, has said she saw Gaede kill Wicks, then helped him dispose of the body. Police in Wisconsin, where the head was found, in Michigan, where the body was found, and in North Dakota consider Gaede their only suspect in the killing. Because Fruge says the crime occurred in Fargo, Cass County States Attorney Birch Burdick is the only prosecutor with authority to issue homicide charges. So far, he hasnt.

Burdick did not return a telephone call Wednesday about the status of his investigation.

Gaede, who has said he had nothing to do with Wicks death, is scheduled for release from the North Dakota prison in August. Then, he will be transferred to a Wisconsin prison to serve a five-year term for being party to the crimes of aiding a felon and escape in Monroe County. The offenses date to 1995, so the sentence is not subject to Wisconsins Truth in Sentencing law, passed later. If Gaede receives credit for good behavior, he could serve less than three years.

Wisconsin law enforcement officials are not optimistic that Burdick will charge Gaede with homicide. One problem is the lack of physical evidence, although there is a lot of circumstantial evidence. Another is the limited prosecutorial experience with murder trials in North Dakota, which has about 10 homicides a year, most of them domestic, according to police.

The Milwaukee County forgery charges were local authorities best hope of keeping Gaede locked up. They believe Gaede signed Wicks name on withdrawal slips to get money out of Wicks Milwaukee bank accounts. But at a hearing Tuesday, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jean Di Motto dismissed the three felony forgery charges on a technicality. If convicted, Gaede could have received as much as 10 years in prison.

Under Wisconsin law, defendants brought here from other states must go to trial within 180 days. Detective Kent Schoonover of the Hales Corners Police Department said Milwaukee County authorities received notice of Gaedes return to Wisconsin in early March, when he was sentenced in Monroe County. However, the warden at the North Dakota prison signed the papers for his trip on October 29, 2004. At that time, he notified only officials in Monroe County. It was unclear Wednesday exactly when Gaede arrived in Wisconsin, but he remains here.

The judge ruled that the warden was at fault rather than prosecutors, Schoonover said.

The three Milwaukee County prosecutors handling the case could not be reached Wednesday. Schoonover said they plan to appeal.
News / Local

by Staff Reporter

A daring thief broke in the the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries church premises owned by Prophet Walter Magaya and stole a 10 metres long copper cable.This was heard by the Harare magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta when Phillimon Gudo appeared before her charged with unlawful entry and theft. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was further remanded for sentence.Prosecutor Devoted Gwashavanhu Nyagano told the court that Gudo broke into the church premises on January 5 at 7pm and stole the cable.The security guards discovered the offence and tracked the thief along Mukuvisi River where they met two men. Some men told the guards that they saw the Gudo carrying the cable Gudo was found seated along the river with it and was arrested.
By of the

On the run from the law, Wisconsin native Dennis Gaede fled to North Dakota, where he lived as Timothy Wicks.

A few months later, in winter 2002, Wicks torso and head showed up on the shores of the Menominee River between Wisconsin and Michigans Upper Peninsula. Wicks hands are still missing. Authorities identified the 48-year-old musician and house painter through dental records.

Today  more than four years after Wicks left his Hales Corners home, telling friends he was going to Canada to play in a bar band  Gaede goes on trial on accusations of killing him. Although the investigation spanned three states, the trial will take place in Fargo, since authorities believe the homicide occurred in a small town nearby where Gaede had gone to hide.

Gaede has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.

For those who knew Wicks and those who investigated his murder, the trial has been a long time coming.

"Thank God its finally under way," said Wicks longtime friend Jim Koehler. "Im hoping to God (that Gaede is convicted) because youve got to get this guy off the streets because this guy is a nightmare."

Wicks disappeared just after Christmas 2001. The Journal Sentinel series "Fatal Identity," published in 2004, addressed frustrations among Wicks friends and law enforcement officials that, despite much circumstantial evidence, Gaede was not being charged with homicide. By that time, Gaede was serving prison time on North Dakota charges of insurance fraud and theft by deception. Those charges were leveled because he embezzled money from his employer and collected health insurance benefits in Wicks name.

Gaede was ultimately charged with homicide in August 2005.

Gaede and Wicks had met in Milwaukee, when Gaede prepared Wicks tax returns. They became friends based on the fact that both were drummers. Investigators say that when Gaede moved to North Dakota in 2001 to avoid sentencing on two Monroe County felonies, he assumed Wicks identity.

Key prosecution evidence likely will come from Gaedes now ex-wife, Diana Fruge. In February 2004, Fruge told authorities that Gaede killed Wicks at their home outside Fargo and she helped him dispose of the body. She also recounted the story in a series of interviews with the Journal Sentinel later in 2004.

By chance, Wicks had learned that someone was using his identity, although he didnt know it was Gaede, according to Fruge. Gaede later lured Wicks to North Dakota with the promise of a high-paying music gig in Canada, she said. Gaede shot Wicks in the kitchen of their farmhouse and suffocated him, Fruge told authorities. After an unsuccessful attempt to bury the body in their frozen backyard, Gaede rented a U-Haul truck, which they drove to Powers, Mich., where Gaede owned a cabin, she said. Fruge says she and her young son, Joshua, sat in the front seat of the U-Haul, the radio blasting, as Gaede dismembered the body in the back.

After disposing of the body, the couple bought an RV and drove around the country for nearly two months. They were finally captured at a campground in Lincoln, Neb.

But there is no physical evidence tying Gaede to the crime, a fact that will likely be hammered home to the jury by the defense. The U-Haul had been cleaned and re-rented before authorities found out about it, according to police reports. Police found nothing of evidentiary value at the cabin, according to search warrant affidavits. At the farmhouse, investigators found a mop head with brownish stains on it, and spots that could be blood near the washer and dryer and a smear near the banister, but none of them could be conclusively tied to Wicks, according to a search warrant. Police found boxes of several types of ammunition, as well as a couple of holsters, but no guns, the warrant says.

Although Fruge and Gaede are now divorced, the fact that they were once married may benefit the defense. Although Fruge has agreed to testify against Gaede, North Dakota law limits how much she can say. She cant testify about things he told her, only about what she saw.

Theres also the matter of a false confession. Fruge says that after Wicks died, Gaede persuaded her to write a statement saying she had killed Wicks in self-defense after he tried to rape her  even though that wasnt true. Authorities never believed the story, and Fruge was charged only with interfering with child custody for taking her son out of Wisconsin without telling the boys father.

In an interview with the Journal Sentinel in 2004, Gaede denied killing Wicks.

"I did not do this thing. Something happened, and Im not sure what, but I had nothing to do with it," he said then. "And the truth will come out."
By of the

Fargo, N.D.  While Diana Fruge was in jail following the December 2001 murder of Timothy Wicks, she made a confession to a Catholic priest.

"I confessed my sins  yes, the big one," she wrote to her then-husband, Dennis Gaede. "I had to do penance, obviously. I had prayed for us for months, but never knew if we had been forgiven."

That letter and several others comprised the bulk of the defense cross-examination of Fruge, the key witness in Gaedes murder trial.

Gaede, a Milwaukee native, is on trial in Fargo, near the house where Fruge says he killed Timothy Wicks, 48, of Hales Corners. Wicks headless body and later his head were found along the Menominee River, which separates Wisconsin and Michigan.

Under direct examination, Fruge testified that Gaede stole Wicks identity after fleeing Wisconsin to avoid sentencing on felony charges in Monroe County. When Wicks found out, Gaede lured him to North Dakota and killed him, she said.

Fruge also admitted that she had initially agreed to take the fall for Gaede out of her deep love for him. In the weeks immediately following the murder, Fruge told several people that Wicks had raped her and she killed him in self-defense.

During cross examination Wednesday, defense attorney Steve Mottinger tried to prove thats what actually happened.

"Is the big one the murder of Tim Wicks?" he asked Fruge after she read the letter.

Fruge answered affirmatively, saying she had told the priest Gaede killed Wicks but she felt guilty for not calling 911, for standing by while Gaede dismembered Wicks body and for helping to dispose of the corpse.

Authorities never believed Fruge was responsible for Wicks death, and she was never charged in connection with it. However, she did plead guilty to a Wisconsin charge of interfering with child custody because she took her son away from her former boyfriend, Cayetano Barranco. She served six months in the House of Corrections.
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

The Russian air war against al-Qaeda in Syria (the Nusra Front or the Support Front) took a tragic turn on Saturday when a missile hit a downtown government building complex and prison in Maarat al-Numan. It left some 51 or more dead and 70 wounded. The Russians also bombed nearby towns of Saraqib and Khan Shikhun.

Presumably the inmates in a prison run by al-Qaeda were a mixture of other radicals (perhaps Daesh [ISIL, ISIS] and liberals of the former Free Syrian Army. Whether what we would consider criminals were in the prison I dont know. Al-Qaeda runs its territory in Syria in a Taliban-like way, with morals police and social regimentation. So some prisoners could just be people who didnt go along with the al-Qaeda state practices. Alarabiya is reporting that some of those killed or wounded were in the downtown market adjacent to the government buildings. Russia needs to be more careful or it will end up simply alienating all the ordinary Sunnis in Syria with these blunt tactics. Locals are demanding that Russia be charged by the international community with war crimes.

The killing of so many non-combatants underlines how blunt the use of air power in a guerrilla war is. Critics are saying that Russia has adopted the same lazy and deadly air tactics as had the Syria regime itself. This is a fair criticism.

The US critique of the Russian strike, however, is just misdirection and hypocrisy. I oppose the Russian airstrikes in Syria, but the fact is that Russia is clearly hitting al-Qaeda-held territory. The US pretends that al-Qaeda doesnt exist in Syria or that it isnt the threat that Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) is. But al-Qaeda is more dangerous to the regime than Daesh, and it is generally a dangerous organization that reports directly to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks on New York. There is every reason for Russia to bomb al-Qaeda in Syria, and more reason to bomb it than to bomb Daesh, which is off in the eastern desert.

Russian strategy is to push up from Homs north into Idlib and take the province back away from al-Qaeda and its allies in the Saudi and Turkey-backed Army of Conquest. It is suspicious to me that the State Dept. is complaining about this campaign, and I think it may be because the US itself in Syria is allied with allies of al-Qaeda.

Everyone in Washington will have forgotten that the US routinely bombed civilian cities during its occupation of Iraq. Here is an example, in which the US killed 49 with one strike on Sadr City. Here is another, considering the matter as tactics and strategy.

Not to mention that when it bombs Raqqa and other Daesh-held cities even today, the US kills civilians regularly. Just a month ago, the US killed 26 civilians in Khan in Hasaka province during attempted strikes on Daesh positions.

Maarat al-Numan is the birthplace of a great medieval blind Arab poet, Abu al-Ala al-Ma`arri (973-1057). He is known for rejecting the doctrine of life after death, and for having exalted reason over religion. There was a statue to him in Maarat al-Numan, which al-Qaeda destroyed when it took over the town. In the following poem, rendered by the great early 20th century Arabic and Persian specialist, R. A. Nicholson, al-Maarri considered that we are constantly walking on the dead of previous generations, buried in the ground on which we tread:

The Arrogant beneath our Feet

Its sorrow enough that after he roamed at will,

The days beckon a man and say,

Leave, and enter now a grave!

How many times have our feet trodden beneath the dust

A brow of the arrogant, a skull of the debonair!

Al-Maarri

And here is al-Ma`arris condemnation, across the centuries, of both the sort of tyranny in which the al-Assad regime engages and of the religious messianism of al-Qaeda, praising instead the path of reason:

None to Lead but Reason

Youve had your way a long, long time,

You kings and tyrants,

And still you work injustice hour by hour.

What ails you that do not tread a path of glory?

A man may take the field, although he love the bower.

But some hope a divine leader with prophetic voice

Will rise amid the gazing silent ranks.

An idle thought! Theres none to lead but reason,

To point the morning and the evening ways.

Al-Maarri



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Ana Kasparian, Jimmy Dore, Jayar Jackson, and Becca Frucht | (The Young Turks Video) |  

A teen in New Jersey has been reprimanded by her high school for bullying. She tweeted criticisms of the Israeli government, and the school has taken action saying that it could be perceived as anti-Semitic towards Jewish students. Heres the problem: Shes also Jewish. Ana Kasparian, Jimmy Dore (The Jimmy Dore Show), Jayar Jackson, and Becca Frucht hosts of The Young Turks discuss

A New Jersey high school student found herself in a social media storm on Wednesday after she live-tweeted and apparently secretly recorded a trip to her principals office.

She said administrators warned her that her comments about Israel and a fellow student on Twitter might have violated a state law against bullying.

The student, Bethany Koval, a 16-year-old Israeli Jew, said she had been reprimanded by administrators at Fair Lawn High School in Bergen County for a tweet that contained a string of expletives directed at Israel and expressed happiness that a pro-Israel classmate had unfollowed her Twitter account.
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By Kamran Matin | (The Conversation) |  

Ever since Saudi Arabias execution of Shia dissident Nimr al-Nimr was met with violent protests at the Saudi embassy in Iran, the two already hostile countries have been at diplomatic loggerheads. But while Saudi Arabias actions suggest a unity of purpose at the highest level, the Iranian reaction has not been uniform.

The Iranian government has severely criticised the attacks on Saudi Arabias diplomatic missions. President Hasan Rouhani attributed the attacks to rogue elements who want to damage the dignity of the Islamic Republic.

By contrast, the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and officials close to his office such as Tehrans leader of Friday prayers, have tacitly or openly supported the protesters.

The official media, meanwhile, is similarly divided with reformist and pro-government newspapers and websites taking a critical but more measured line while conservative media and those close to the security and intelligence establishments have adopted a more aggressive tone.

These conflicting reactions stem from the deep ambivalence at the core of the Iranian state, which combines centres of power both popular and divine.

That contradiction is reflected in the countrys official name: the Islamic Republic of Iran. This means that different and often competing ideological factions are constantly trying to dominate the state and its vast economic resources, and to shape Irans strategic direction both internally and externally.

Such rivalries can become particularly intense at critical domestic junctures and produce unintended consequences. The massive 2009 protests after the re-election of Mahmood Ahmadinejad, widely perceived as a fraudulent election, was a glaring example of how the intensified factional strife at the top of the Iranian regime can make it vulnerable to popular radicalism from below.

Iran might soon find itself in a similar situation.

Trouble brewing

Elections for both the parliament and the assembly of experts are set for February 2016, and both are highly significant. If reformist candidates can enter into the parliament in large numbers, the Rouhani government will be further empowered to pursue its cautions but strategic rapprochement with the west.

Iranian conservatives fiercely oppose this. In fact, ever since the start of the nuclear negotiations with the US, Ayatollah Khamenei and his supporters have covertly and sometimes publicly tried to prevent the use of what he at the time described as heroic flexibility as a licence for normalising relations with the US.

Consequently, the Rouhani government has been under constant fire from the conservative groups close to Khamenei for its deviation from the revolutions anti-American path and making too many concessions to the West as part of the deal. For example, they severely criticised Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif for having had one-to-one meetings with his American counterpart John Kerry and demanded that sanctions be lifted immediately, rather than on condition of Irans compliance with the deal.

With reports suggesting the deterioration of Ayatollah Khameneis health, the elections for the assembly of experts, which selects the future leader, have also assumed unusual importance.

This is the complicated context behind the array of Irans divergent reactions to the Saudi-Iranian diplomatic crisis.

Mixed messages

Conservative factions seek to use Saudi Arabias provocation as a pretext to undermine Rouhanis government and its pragmatic foreign policy as part of their broader campaign ahead of the elections. Well turn America into an Islamic Republic, read one of the placards in a recent demonstration in Tehran protesting Saudi Arabias execution of al-Nimr.

However, what is striking about the current reformist-conservative clash is that some prominent figures closely associated with the supreme leader have also criticised the attacks on Saudi Arabias diplomatic missions.

For example, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a harshly worded statement threatening Saudi Arabia with retaliation for Nimrs execution, the commander of the IRGCs Tehran unit, Mohsen Kazemeini, described the attack on the Saudi embassy as very wrong, and rejected the claim that it was a spontaneous move by the people.

Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Irans justice minister, whose appointment by the president unofficially requires the approval of the supreme leader, has also said that the attack could have been planned and supported by infiltrator elements.

Meanwhile, the head of the police  also appointed by the supreme leader  responded to criticisms of its forces inability to prevent the protesters from attacking and entering the Saudi embassy by saying that sometimes we cant beat the people. This sparked uproar on social media, where users mocked him by posting pictures of police brutality during the 2009 protests.

The apparent difference of opinion within the conservative forces, the IRGC in particular, might reflect a real concern about the spread of sectarian conflict into Iran. After all, the country has a sizeable Sunni population, with plenty of grievances against state repression and discrimination. Or it might be that Rouhani and his still-influential ally, former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, have managed to attract some prominent members of the IRGC and conservative factions into their camp.

At any rate, the fallout from this still-escalating crisis proves that Irans political forces are still anything but reconciled  and it may turn out to be a bad omen indeed.

Kamran Matin, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Sussex

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.



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News / Local

by Staff reporter

President Robert Mugabe has been advised to apologise for the Gukurahundi massacres of the early 1980s that left an estimated 20 000 people dead mainly in Matabeleland and the Midlands.Speaking in an interview with the Daily News on Sunday at the weekend, respected politician and former education minister in the government of national unity David Coltart said if the increasingly frail nonagenarian did not take this important step, he would never find peace.Coltart said it was not too late for Mugabe to deal with the emotive issue that had not been addressed for the past three decades, leaving many people angry and bitter."The wonderful fact about God's grace is that God is always prepared to forgive our transgressions if we admit them and ask for forgiveness. The same applies to (Robert) Mugabe and all the perpetrators of the Gukurahundi."In addition, I have found that the people of Zimbabwe are remarkably forgiving. The vast majority have forgiven whites for the transgressions of racial discrimination and the horrors of the 1970s war, and I have no doubt that a similar attitude will be demonstrated if Mugabe apologised," he said.However, for this to happen, Mugabe needed to ask for forgiveness in a genuine way, a move that Coltart said needed to be accompanied by an attempt to redress the wrongs of the past, in particular the marginalisation of some areas and regions."The government must acknowledge that what happened happened, namely that thousands of innocent Zimbabweans were killed unlawfully in cold blood."Those responsible for these atrocities should ask for forgiveness from the surviving victims of this sad chapter of our history," he said.The closest that Mugabe has come to apologising for the massacres was when he described Gukurahundi as "a moment of madness", something critics say was not adequate and lacked sincerity.Coltart said Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party should also announce programmes to "correct the injustices through communal reparations" that could be repaid "in the form of construction of roads, hospitals, clinics and schools in the affected areas".He said measures should also be introduced to ensure that the remains of those still lying in mass graves are exhumed, identified, returned to their families and reburied at government expense."The history of what happened should be included in the educational curriculum so that future generations learn about what happened and its lessons so that we never repeat these horrors again."Laws should be introduced to ensure that some people, who for example still can't get birth certificates, should have their rights respected," he sad.The former Cabinet minister said the only way for Zimbabwe to have meaningful and everlasting peace was through confronting the past."There remains thousands of victims of Gukurahundi whose rights are still denied. The failure to address this blot on our history continues to fester."We will never know real reconciliation and peace in our country until we confront our past, not just regarding the Gukurahundi but also the 1970s war."It is important that these sad chapters be closed so that the nation moves forward."This is not a case of reopening healed wounds, but a case of healing wounds which still rot and fester just below the surface," he added.Recently, Zanu-PF elder Cephas Msipa penned a book that set the cat among the pigeons within the ruling party and government circles, as it raised questions around Gukurahundi and Mugabe's reluctance to ask for forgiveness.In the incisive book titled In Pursuit of Freedom and Justice: A Memoir, Msipa  a close ally of Mugabe  dismissed the official massaging of narratives on the Gukurahundi atrocities as "a moment of madness", saying as the massacres happened over a period spanning more than five years, and they could not therefore be described as such.
News / National

by Debra Matabvu

FEASIBILITY studies for a new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, some 14km from Harare's CBD, have been completed with actual building expected to start this year instead of in 2017, The Sunday Mail has learnt.Over the past two years, Chinese engineers have been shuttling in and out of Zimbabwe for work related to the building and are now finalising a report expected to be issued in the first quarter of 2016.Once the feasibility report is out, the Chinese government is expected to float a construction tender to select a company to build the multi-million dollar legislative chamber.Initial indications were that baseline and architectural studies would be conducted this year so that construction could start in 2017.However, the trajectory changed when China's President Xi Jinping visited Zimbabwe in December and directed acceleration of the project.The grant aid-funded project will see the construction of a new Parliament Building with capacity to hold 500 legislators. The current building in Harare's CBD is crowded since recent expansion of the size of the National Assembly from 210 to 270 members.The Secretary for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo, said the actual project cost will only be known when the tender process is complete."We met the Chinese technical team for further feasibility studies last year and we gave them information as far as feasibility studies are concerned," he said. "There is a process under which these grants go through in China and so the processes of the grant programmes is what we are going through at the moment."The technical team should be reverting to us in first quarter of this year for whatever requirements that may be left or that they may need. These are the processes that we are waiting for and they will advice when they are ready."While the technical processes are being finalised the tender processes will be going through in China. Tenders for grant aided projects are done in China and are given to Chinese companies."However it is important to note that before the Chinese leader came last year, 2016 had been earmarked for feasibility studies of the parliament building and the construction would start in 2017, but then the Chinese leader came and this all changed since this is one of the programmes which is grant-aided."The relocation of Parliament will spur the local economy as other structures and services will follow to Mt Hampden.The area will have recreational areas, banking halls, a residential area, state-of-the-art shopping centres, hotels and Government buildings.Urban planning expert Mr Percy Toriro said, "Zimbabweans must now strategically position themselves to do infrastructure development work as either main contractors, or come in as sub-contractors.A development of that nature and magnitude presents lots of opportunities that we must be on the lookout for."The new Parliament Building is one of 12 mega-deals signed between China and Zimbabwe last year.The deals cover key sectors such as infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.In 2007, the Chinese government funded construction of a new parliament building in Lesotho at a cost of US$9 million through Shandong Yantai Construction Company. The building was completed in 2012.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A meeting yesterday of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association in Bulawayo to be addressed by the body's leader, Christopher Mutsvangwa, was cancelled under unclear circumstances.Organisers said the gathering was cancelled after they resolved to wait for the return of their patron, President Mugabe who is on his annual leave, while Mutsvangwa said it was cancelled because police had not cleared it.A "splinter" group that had threatened a demonstration had the meeting gone ahead said Mutsvangwa had bowed to their threats.The Cephas Ncube-led war veterans executive in Bulawayo, which had organised the meeting at their Entumbane offices, said the cancellation was at the instigation of the national executive.The executive is said to have planned to address such meetings across the country's 10 provinces.Ncube said: "The meeting was called off as directed by the national executive. There are meetings that were supposed to be held around the country and all have been cancelled.''The directive states that the meetings were cancelled and we wait for the return of the President."He said the cancellation had nothing to do with the threat of demonstrations planned by a rival group."Those people are confused and some of them can't even look after their own families, so how do you expect them to lead such a serious organisation like the War Veterans Association?"Some are of no fixed aboard after selling their houses (and) leaving their families stranded. How can we expect anything good from them when they are simple not organised even at family level?"For example someone like Mitsho Ndlovu once left the party to join Zapu and Mashasha has never been organised as a person as he once embezzled district funds which resulted in him being slapped with a vote of no confidence," Ncube alleged."We have passed (the) stage where we are talking about elections and at this moment we are focusing on addressing issues affecting war veterans.''It is not a secret that the association is doing well and some of the issues include joint ventures with Chinese companies to assemble trucks and also chrome mining along the Great Dyke."However, Mutsvangwa said the national executive never instructed that the meeting be shelved."I am aware that the meeting was supposed to take place but it was later cancelled because the police instructed them to do so. The executive has nothing to do with what happened today," said Mutsvangwa, who is also the Minister for the War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees.Naison Mashasha, the vice-chairperson of the splinter group, said the cancellation was a "victory" on their part.He said Mutsvangwa was presently unfit to address them as he had a disciplinary case to answer in his home province of Mashonalaland West."The meeting was not supposed to take place because the chairperson is supposed to clean himself first before he spreads his poison to other parts of the country.''If Mashonaland West province has rejected him, why then should we people of Bulawayo accept him?"Mashonaland West province recently recommended Mutsvangwa be sacked from Zanu-PF for utterances allegedly made in the private media that were deemed as insulting of the First Family and undermining the President's authority.
7 May 2016

Sadiq Khan becomes Londons first Muslim mayor. The former human rights lawyer, who is the son of a Pakistani bus driver, was declared the winner after decisively beating his Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith in the second round of voting, 57% to 43%. Goldsmith was criticized even before the election results were announced for capitalizing on anti-Arab sentiments in Britain and associating Khan with extremism by likening him to Islamists that Khan had shared platforms with in the past. This election was not without controversy and Im so proud that London has today chosen hope over fear and unity over division, said Khan in his victory speech.

Presidential Election Blues in Austria by Dario Groppi, 30 April 2016

Norbert Hofer could be the next president of Austria. He won 36.4% in the first round of presidential elections on 24 April, the largest among the candidates. Hofer is the candidate of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), which is considered to be nationalist, far-right and anti-immigration. Green candidate Alexander Van der Belle won 20.4% of the vote and is the only remaining opponent. full article

Lessons from Spain for a turbulent Europe by Elisa Lledo, 28 April 2016

Spain has celebrated its thirtieth anniversary as a member of the EU, in a family that has little time for parties. The country has extensive experience in matters related to terrorism and the management of illegal immigration, the two most pressing issues for Europe. Therefore Spain could take on a leading role within the European club. full article

24 April 2016

The extreme right comes out on top in the first round of presidential elections in Austria. The ultra-nationalist party FPO won 35.4% of the vote in the first round of presidential elections while its biggest rival, the ecologist Alexander Van der Ballen, secured 21.3%. The elections have also been spotlighted since, for the first time in Austrias history, no Social Democratic nor Christian Democratic party will continue on to the second round of voting, an historical political defeat. The refugee crisis is key to understanding the FPOs rise, a party which is known for its populist and xenophobic tenor, since thousands of migrants coming from the Middle East have arrived in the last few months.

14 April 2016

The plenary session of the European Parliament once again warns Poland that it must permit the Constitutional Tribunal to safeguard the Constitution. Since the ultra-conservative political party headed by Beata Szydlo won at the polls, the government has not ceased in its control over the Constitutional Tribunal and public communication platforms, approving controversial reforms that have made the country the target of critics and caused worry within the European institutions. The text, approved by an overwhelming majority in the plenary session of the Parliament, expresses its deep concern that paralysis of the Tribunal endangers the democracy of the country.

Unprecedented Coalition in Slovakia by Dario Groppi, 27 March 2016

Outgoing Socialist Prime Minister Robert Fico (SMER-SD) won the challenge to form a new government in Slovakia. On Wednesday, 23 March, President Kiska appointed Fico as Prime Ministern again. His coalition comprises the socialists of SMER-SD, the nationalists of SNS, the center-right Siet and the party representing the Hungarian minority, Most-HID. The majority controls 81 out of 150 seats in parliament. A confidence vote is supposed to be held within 30 days to confirm the new government.. full article

13 March 2016

Anti-refugee party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) makes significant gains in Germanys state elections, dealing serious setbacks to Chancellor Angela Merkel. Three states went to the polls on Sunday including Baden-Wurttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony-Anhalt. The two former states, ruled by center-left coalitions, handed down victories to the Greens and the Social Democrats, respectively, who strongly supported Merkels refugee policy. However, in Saxony-Anhalt, AfD captured 24% of the vote after campaigning with slogans like Stop the asylum chaos, securing their presence in the regional parliament as the second-largest party behind Merkels Christian Democrats. The AfD also made substantial gains in the other two states as well winning 15% in Baden-Wurttemberg and 12.5% in Rhineland-Palatinate. This has been the strongest showing of a right-wing party in either of these states since the end of World War II.

28 February 2016

Irish prime minister, Enda Kenny, admitted defeat in Saturdays general election, acknowledging that the ruling coalition with Labour will not return. Although Kennys center-right party, Fine Gael, remains the largest in parliament, they were dealt a swift blow by voters weary of austerity measures. Fine Gael and Labour form the current ruling coalition government, but Labour failed miserably at the polls, securing only 6 seats. Fine Gael received 47 with the real success of the evening, center-right Fianna Fail, regaining ground lost 5 years ago with 43 seats. Smaller parties, anti-austerity groups, independent politicians and left-wing Sinn Fein are all positioned to increase their representation in parliament as news commentators noted the seismic change happening in Irish politics.

20 February 2016

UK in/out of EU referendum set for 23 June 2016; British cabinet split between those for and against, with Prime Minister Cameron vowing to campaign with heart and soul to keep Britain in a reformed EU (20 Feb).

19 February 2016

EU leaders, meeting within the European Council on 18-19 February in Brussels, reached a decision on a new settlement for the UK within the EU, with specific concessions in the areas of economic governance, competitiveness, sovereignty, social benefits and free movement. This decision shall take effect after the expected referendum in the UK, provided that the citizens vote for the UK remaining a member of the European Union.

UKs Referendum: Should the UK Leave the European Union? by Dhelon C.N. Raynold

A referendum on whether the United Kingdom should remain in the European Union is due to take place before the end of 2017. If there is agreement at the European Union Council on 18-19 February 2016 the referendum can take place as soon as June 2016 full article

Poland to justify itself in front of EU

By Dario Groppi, 24 January, 2016

Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo visited European Parliament in Strasbourg earlier this week (19 January) to defend her governments position on controversial laws it recently approved. She is from the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party which won the majority during the elections in October last year. Poland is under increased scrutiny by the European Union since the European Commission commenced dialogue surrounding the fundamental aspects of rule of law a week agofull article

13 January 2016

At its first formal meeting of 2016, the College of Commissioners of the European Commission decided to initiate a structured dialogue with Poland under the Rule of Law Framework. This was triggered by concerns over recent Polish government decisions restricting the independence of the Constitutional Court and public service broadcasters.

6 January 2016

David Cameron met German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a visit aimed at garnering support for his proposed changes to the European Union. Soon after winning the 2015 general elections, the British prime minister introduced a bill into parliament that would permit the in-out referendum to be held in regrad to the UKs EU membership. The move was followed by a whirlwind tour of Europe to summon support for his bid to reform Britains partnership with the European Union. Mr. Cameron hopes to enlist Germanys support for his reform proposal ahead of EU leaders meeting next month in Brussels. In an article published in the German newspaper Bild, the UK Prime Minister argues that the changes proposed will benefit the EU at large and Germany can help deliver them. The UK government would like to see a shift of powers from Brussels to national capitals and less EU bureaucracy, but amongst its most controversial points is the proposal to rein in benefits for EU migrants during their first four years in the United Kingdom.

4 January 2016

The Polish government, led by the ulta-conservative PiS, passed a controversial law involving the reform of state media. An amendment to the law which pertains to Polish state media, which was approved the night of December 31st, hands over the power to directly appoint the heads of public broadcasters to the state. The reform puts an end to an independent tribunal which has traditionally been in charge of television and public radio and has decided who is vested with the responsibility of choosing employees. The reaction was immediate, with various resignations by state media executives and a wave of criticism from both the national and EU levels that has called into question the democratic standards of such a reform. The criticism has fallen on deaf ears within the PiS and the party has even ignored a letter sent by the vice president of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, to the ministers of justice and foreign affairs. The OSCE, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which works on behalf of human rights and is involved in protecting associations of European journalists, has also voiced its concern.

31 December 2015

Spain finds itself unable to form an executive government after its general elections last 20 December. Election results reflect a divided Spain in that no single party received a sufficient majority to govern the country. Eleven days later, no agreement has been achieved nor has a leftist coalition been formed between the Socialist Party (PSOE), who came in second, and Podemos. The conservative Popular Party (PP), which received the majority of parliamentary seats but not enough to govern single-handedly, has received the support of Ciudadanos. At this moment, the country appears unable to reach a consensus with the possibility of holding elections yet again very likely.

20 December 2015

The Peoples Party (PP), which is currently the ruling party in Spain, has won the elections but faces a significant challenge in forming a new government. The general elections marked a historic milestone for PP and the Spains socialist party (Partido Socialista Obrero EspanolPSOE), and opens up the new possible multiparty political scenario with four predominant formations. Podemos, a leftist party, burst onto scene capturing 69 seats while Ciudadanos, a center-right party, secured 40. Without an absolute majority, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy now faces an uphill struggle. Having secured 123 seats and PSOE winning 90, the possibility opens of forming governmental pacts that could even bring the left into power, or lead to new elections. A severely fragmented parliament reflects the uncertainty among the Spanish citizens in the weeks leading up to the elections.

10 December 2015

Cameron asks Poland and Romania for help in the realm of immigration reform. The British prime ministers proposal includes restricting benefits for foreign workers during the first four years and would attempt to dissuade those immigrants from moving to Great Britain for work. The Polish prime minister, Beata Szydlo, declared that her government would not support any means to discriminate Poles in Great Britain, but said that Poland would be willing to work together in order to find a solution to put a stop to the immigration crisis and stressed that the country wants Great Britain to stay in the EU. Cameron, on his behalf, affirmed that if we achieve reforms, we will remain within the EU. I want to Great Britain to be a part of a reformed EU. Cameron also visited Romania.

7 December 2015

Marine Le Pens far-right Front National (FN) garnered nearly one-third of the vote in Frances first round of regional elections. The anti-immigration party received 28% of the vote, winning in six out of the countrys thirteen regions and beating out former President Nicolas Sarkozys centre-right Republicans, who secured just under 27%, and President Francois Hollandes Socialist Party, who came in third with 23.5%. This was the first election after last months terrorist attacks in Paris where 130 people were killed, with a second round of voting to be held on December 13. Marine Le Pen said that French voters had rejected the old political class and catapulted her party to the top.

10 November 2015

Portugals left-wing parties join political forces to oust centre-right coalition only weeks after the general election. Prime minister Pedro Passos Coehlo has been forced out of office after the unprecedented alliance of the moderate centre-left Socialist party with the smaller Communist party and the radical Left Bloc, which is tied to Greeces anti-austerity SYRIZA party. MPs from the left-wing alliance forced Passos Coehlos government to resign after a parliamentary vote was called on Tuesday. The Socialist leader, Antonio Costa, is expected to become prime minister in the coming weeks with a plan to ease austerity while still adhering to EU rules. Passos Coehlo, who implemented harsh austerity measures like salary and pension cuts, public services cutbacks and the biggest tax hikes in recent memory, came in first in the countrys elections last month and planned to lead Portugal with a minority government. However, the unlikely alliance of the left put an end to his mandate, making Passos Coehlos administration the shortest ever since the countrys democratic transition in 1974.

10 November 2015

British prime minister David Cameron has outlined his demands for reform in order for Britain to stay in the EU. The official outline of his approach to renegotiate Britains relationship with the 28-member bloc comes before the UK votes on an historic referendum deciding Britains fate within the EU. Camerons demands include protections for non-euro members against economic discrimination from Eurozone members, a stronger role for national parliaments in EU decision-making, the abandonment of the pursuit of an ever closer union to which Britain is legally bound as a signatory state of the European Union treaties, and the right to restrict welfare entitlements for four years to those migrants arriving from other European countries. This last point flies wildly in the face of current EU law which declares equal treatment to all citizens of the EU in any and all member states. Britons will go to the polls by the end of 2017 in order to vote on Britains EU membership and Cameron made it clear that he does not take such a decision lightly. You will hold this countrys destiny in your hands, this is a huge decision for our country, perhaps the biggest we will make in our lifetimes, said the prime minister, but commenting that Britons should think again if membership is the right thing for the UK if these demands fall upon deaf ears.

9 November 2015

Conservatives claim victory in the Croatian parliamentary elections. After polls suggested that the two main coalitions, Patriotic Coalition and Croatia grows, were neck and neck, the conservative opposition inched ahead of the Social Democrats who were trying to revalidate their mandate. The result is now a parliament which boasts 151 seats, 59 of which belong to the HDZ and 56 to the SDP together with the new party Most (Bridge), the big success that has taken the political scene by storm with a more centrist identity and whose platform is more balanced. The elections, which are the first to take place since Croatia joined the European Union, have been characterised by a discussion of the refugee and immigration crisis and a more nationalist rhetoric being pushed by the HDZ. The conservative coalition has spread a message which claims the solution lies in the implementation of stricter controls. Nevertheless, political analysts confirm that the HDZ may run into difficulties when the time comes to forge political alliances because of its strong national identity and family values that it defends.

9 November 2015

The Catalonian parliament has voted to formally begin the secession process from Spain. The vote, which split the parliament 72 to 63, went in favour of the separatist coalition formed by parties Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) and the smaller, far-left party CUP (Popular Unity Candidacy) and plans to formally declare independence as early as 2017. Separatist MPs vowed to use their majority to begin the process toward an independent Catalan state in the form of a republic with the resolution declaring that Catalonia is no longer bound by institutional decisions made by the Spanish state and calling for further laws to facilitate the creation of an independent social security system and tax authority within 30 days. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy stated that his government is already set to appeal the legislation in court and block the secession process. Other opponents to Catalonian independence include Cuidadanos leader Ines Arrimadas, who claimed the resolution is madness and accused separatist MPs of choosing to ignore federal laws at their will.

4 November 2015

The Romanian prime minister resigned after protests erupted stemming from the fire that claimed the lives of 41 people in a Bucharest nightclub. The massive protests demanded the resignation of the Social Democratic government after the tragic fire unveiled an epidemic of corruption in the country. The prime minister, Victor Ponta, is being accused of corruption, but the Romanian parliament has refused to strip him of his political immunity, thus impeding his possible detention. The protests resulted from inaction in the fight against government corruption in regards to this weekends tragedy and the lack of security on the part of authorities. As a consequence, the prime ministers resignation translates to the resignation of the entire executive branch.

Turkey: A case of Stockholm Syndrome

Opinion article by Deniz Torcu, 3 November 2015

On November 1st, Turkey voted for the second time in five months. The Islamist right-wing AKP managed to increase its votes by a margin of nearly 10% and, thus, secured nearly 50% of the votes, whilst the secular centre-left CHP gained 25%. The clear losers of the elections are the pro-Kurdish left-wing HDP and the nationalist right-wing MHP, both of whom have lost an important number of their voters to the AKP. The results suggest that the AKP will be governing alone, once again. As a direct result, rumours of amending the constitution to create a presidential

1 November 2015

Turkey hands President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) an overwhelming win in Sundays parliamentary elections. With 97.4% of the vote counted, 49.4% has gone to the AKP, translating into at least 351 seats in the 550-seat parliament, undoubtedly enough to form a government on its own. In order to make constitutional changes in favour of the presidential system Erdogan has been pushing for, the AKP had to win 367 seats, although 330 is sufficient to bring the issue to a referendum. The AKP, which failed to hold on to a single majority in last Junes elections, was forced into negotiations to form a coalition government, ultimately proving unsuccessful. Security had quickly become the dominant issue in these elections after weeks of violence stemming from Kurdish militants and the Islamic State have wreaked havoc in Turkey. Opposition parties were dealt a swift blow in Sundays elections with the countrys main secularist party, CHP, seeing its share of the vote fall to 25.4% (about 134 seats). The nationalist party, MHP, saw its representation cut in half, receiving 12% of the vote, or about 40 seats compared to the 80 seats it won in Junes elections. President Erdogan promises a return to stability with an AKP majority, whereas opposition leaders warn of increasing authoritarianism threatening Turkish democracy with Erdogans outright win.

Portugal  A better Greece?

Featured article by Viktor Sukup, 1 October 2015

While Greece continues to give nightmares to both European politicians and public, Portugal appears to have emerged from the worst difficulties in recent years and have swallowed the Troikas bitter pill with prospects of soon overcoming its serious economic crisis. Its political leaders do not cease to emphasize that they have successfully  they say  done their domestic chores of required reforms. Here there are no strong parties like Syriza or Podemos but is it really true that Portugal is a sort of better Greece? When Portugal joined the European Community in 1986, together with Spain, five years after
Multilateralism is back

Katoikos Editorial, 27 December 2015

The final weeks of 2015 saw remarkable activity at the global level producing concrete results, for a change. The UN climate change conference in Paris (COP 21) ended in mid-December with the adoption of an ambitious Paris Agreement that will guide climate action starting in 2020 and carrying on for many years thereafter. A few days later the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on the way forward in Syria, while an agreement among the Libyan factions was endorsed by the UN Security Council

12 December 2015

World leaders in Paris call monumental climate deal a major leap for mankind. 195 countries have signed the pledge to hold global temperatures to between 2 and 1.5 degrees Celsius rise above pre-industrial levels, in an effort to avoid the catastrophic effects of global warming. The formally-adopted deal sees all countries pledge to reduce emissions, help raise $100 billion per year by 2020 to help poor countries adapt their economies accordingly and accept a new goal of zero net emissions by the end of the 21st century. It also includes a phase-out of fossil fuels, increased use of renewable energies and new robust carbon markets facilitating the trading of emissions and the protection of the worlds forests. The deal is the result of more than 20 years of tumultuous climate talks conducted by the UN. British economist and academic Nicholas Stern said: This is a historic moment, not just for us but for our children, our grandchildren and future generations. The Paris agreement is a turning point in the worlds fight against unmanaged climate change which threatens prosperity. It creates enormous opportunities as countries begin to accelerate along the path towards low-carbon economic growth.

30 November 2015

The 21st International Climate Change Conference kicked off today in Paris. Representatives from all over the world have come together to draft a more efficient model to slow global warming and minimize greenhouse gas emissions in a show of solidarity among all countries rich and poor. The summit will bring together more than 150 world leaders over the next two weeks who will debate the best ways in which to implement dozens of environmental commitments made by countries all over the world. Evaluations of over 180 national plans presented by various countries suggest that, if these promises are not kept, there is a 66% possibility that emissions levels will provoke an increase in temperature of up to 3.5 degree centigrade by the year 2030.

24 November 2015

Turkey shot down a Russian plane on its border with Syria for violating Turkish airspace. The Russian foreign minister has confirmed that the downed plane was a combat Su-24 and rejects Turkish accusations. According to presidential sources, the pilots had been warned as many as 10 times in a 5-minute period before it was ultimately brought down.

30 October 2015

For the first time since the onset of the war in Syria, rival foreign powers are meeting in Vienna. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, has urged participants to show flexibility and global leadership. Yesterday, foreign ministers from the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Russia met in an effort to overcome their differences on the eve of the talks focusing on the war in Syria. Today they will be joined by representatives from countries such as Iran, Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, France, Great Britain, and Germany as well as representatives from the United Nations. The noticeable absence of the Syrian government and the opposition forces remains stark. The war in Syria, which has raged on for four years after an uprising against Assad, has killed more than 250,000 people and has forced half of the countrys population to flee their homes.

2 October 2015

Russia intensifies its aerial attacks against the Islamic State in Syria. In the second round of attacks against terrorist targets, the Russian minister of defense assured Russian aims against terrorist targets in the provinces of Homs and Hama. Nevertheless, the United States has criticized the severity and the inefficiency of these manoeuvres for attacking regions at high-risk for civilian casualties. The Syrian Observatory, headquartered in Great Britain and which advocates for human rights, has shown that the last Russian aerial attacks targeted a training camp and secret command center near ISISs capital, Ragga, and that 12 of the combatants had died in the attack. In a statement, the US, UK, Turkey and other members of the coalition in the fight against ISIS urged Russia to halt the offensive.

The sad decline of democracy? Opinion article by Roberto Savio,2 October 2015



The last world survey on the strength of democracy went totally ignored, except for the New York Times, which did publish a special report. And yet the World Values Survey, a respected research association with the United Nations, conducted the survey and the data of the 2015 survey are extremely worrying. In the United States, the number of Americans who approve the idea of having the arm rule, has gone from one in 15, in 1995, to one in six. And while, among those born before World War II, a strong 72% assigned living in a democracy the

20 July 2015

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached between the six world powers and Iran on 14 July in Vienna. Among other things, the resolution established a monitoring system for Irans nuclear programme and prepared the ground for the eventual removal of all nuclear-related sanctions once the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has verified the implementation of a series of measures by Iran.

14 July 2015

An historic agreement has finally been reached between Iran and the group of six world powers. The deal, which is a political agreement and not a legally binding treaty, limits Irans nuclear programme for a decade in return for lifting international oil and financial sanctions. After 17 days of virtually non-stop negotiations in Vienna, the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security CouncilUS, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany) and Iran, along with the EU that facilitated the talks, are expected to release the formal agreement later in the day. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called the deal a sign of hope for the entire world, marking the end of years of stalemate and tense relations between Iran and the West in particular.

US Spying, a very wrong calculation

Katoikos Editorial, 25 June 2015

The US intelligence establishment must have been very confident that their surveillance methods would never be discovered by the surveilled individuals in order to risk wiretapping European leaders. Otherwise, it is difficult to understand how on earth they decided to gamble those relationships with some of their closest European allies in exchange for information obtained from phone conversations of Hollande, Sarkozy, Chirac or, as revealed some time ago, Merkel. They calculated wrong. Obviously they didnt see Wikileaks comingmaybe they are not that intelligent after all. If their closest friends are on their wiretap list, who is not? Certainly their enemies
13 April 2016

The European Commission urges member states to accelerate the process of resettling those refugees who arrive at Greeces shores. Until now, the situation has not advanced in terms of relocation but the process of resettlement since mid-March has in fact progressed, thanks to the agreement between the EU and Turkey. Nevertheless, since September 2015 when the European Council approved the resettlement of 160,000 refugees in Italy and Greece to other EU member states, little has been accomplished. It is a critical situation that the European Commission fears will become a humanitarian disaster.

18 March 2016

The EU and Turkey have reached a deal to stem the flow of refugees coming to Europe. According to the agreement, Turkey will begin taking back refugees who cross illegally into Greece from 20 March onwards, with the return of many migrants to their place of origin commencing 4 April. In return, the EU will open chapter 33 on budget policy and accelerate negotiations in terms of Turkeys long-stalled bid to gain EU membership. Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu described the agreement as balanced and served as evidence that the EU and Turkey shared a common objective. The EU has pledged 3 billion to the effort and, according to Davutoglu, would be spent on Syrian refugees living in Turkey with an additional 3 billion to be allocated to Turkey by the end of 2018 to improve Syrian refugees living conditions.

8 March 2016

The EU will deport to Turkey all refugees and economic immigrants who arrive at the Greek coasts. The heads of state and government of the EU and the Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, met yesterday, 7 March, and arrived to an agreement which will return all those migrants to Turkey who disembark in Greece. The measure has not taken long to stir up criticism and organizations like UNHCR have already questioned its legality. Amnesty International called it inhumane. The Geneva Conventions and international law establishesd that when someone arrives to a territory, they have the right to request asylum without being expelled or deported, until said country studies and decides each case. In fact, during the last months, even Juncker, who has now defended the measure, earlier announced that he was against this very option.

3 March 2016

European Council president Donald Tusk tells migrants to stay away from Europes borders. I want to appeal to all illegal economic migrants wherever you are from: Do not come to Europe. Do not believe the smugglers. Do not risk your lives and your money. It is all for nothing, said Tusk speaking in Greece alongside Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Nearly 30,000 refugees remain stranded in Greece after a string of border closings throughout the Balkan corridor have created a human traffic jam of migrants trying to reach wealthier central and northern European countries. This comes after Macedonian police unleashed tear gas on a group of migrants who attempted to cross its border with Greece. On Monday, EU leaders will meet in Brussels and Tsipras hopes that the burden-sharing will be equitable among all countries in the bloc and include sanctions for those countries who choose not to cooperate.

26 February 2016

The High Commissioner for UNHCR, Filippo Grandi, urges countries to not close their borders. In his meeting with the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, in Athens on 25 February, Grandi alerted that the recent closing of borders in the Balkans could create an enormous and potentially critical human traffic jam in Greece. Additionally, Grandi criticized the inability of European countries to confront the refugee crisis with generosity and unity.

25 February 2016

Hungary will hold a referendum concerning the plan to relocate refugees proposed by the EU. The date has not been determined but the question has been. The Hungarian citizen will have to respond to the following: Do you agree that the EU should have the power to impose the obligatory relocation of non-Hungarian citizens without the consent of the Hungarian National Parliament? The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, made it clear that the Executive hopes the answer to this question will be no: He or she who votes no will be voting for Hungarian independence.

22 February 2016

Macedonia closes its doors to Afghan refugees . The Macedonian government confirms having made the decision after Serbia announced that it would do the same and block Afghans from entering Serbian territory. Many fear that Afghans would be stuck in Macedonia en route to northern Europe. Serbia justified the decision blaming Austria and Slovenia for having taken similar actions. A domino effect combining with the incessant influx of refugees could provoke a human traffic jam which would only grow bigger. According to police sources, some 1,000 people have been stalled at the border and another 4,000 are waiting on buses nearby.

8 February 2016

Germany and Turkey reinforce their agreement to confront the refugee crisis. German chancellor Angela Merkel met with Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu to consolidate joint forces in order to reduce the influx of immigrants to Europe. The pact focuses on requesting help from NATO in order to patrol the Turkish coasts and the Aegean Sea as well as taking measures against human traffickers. There is no end in sight for the Syrian conflict and each day it is causing more and more immigrants to flee to European territory. The aerial attacks carried out by the Russian army in the city of Aleppo to help those troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad gain territory has done little more than augment the flee of refugees. Aleppo finds itself in a state of siege. We are at the threshold of a new human tragedy, alerted Davutoglu.

6 January 2016

Amid growing concerns over reinstated border checks, ministers from Denmark, Sweden and Germany attend a round of talks with the European Commission in Brussels. The meeting comes after Sweden introduced ID checks on its border with Denmark, following a similar move by the Danish government which reinstated border controls with Germany to help curb the influx of migrants. Sweden has taken in more asylum seekers per capita than any other EU state and is looking at ways to curb the influx, as other member states are quarreling over refugee transfers and redistribution schemes. Earlier on Tuesday, 5 January, The European Commission announced that only 272 Syrians and Eritreans, just 0.17% of asylum seekers, have been transferred from Greece and Italy to other European countries.

Identities, migrations and Europe- a sometimes explosive relationship

Featured article by Viktor Sukup, 1 January 2016

Who are the real Europeans today? The bureaucrats, officials and parliamentarians of the European institutions, in their somewhat isolated Brussels bubble? A few distinguished philosophers and other intellectuals who firmly reject nationalism? Or the bobos (bourgeois-bohemiens), rather highly educated middle-class big city inhabitants, who might feel culturally more similar to their counterparts in equivalent cities across the continent than to their compatriots in seemingly remote provinces of their own countries? Migratory movements have certainly influenced, for several decades, mentalities and national identities, and European integration has, at least for some time, contributed to bringing governments, countries and even peoples closer

11 December 2015

The EU proposes reinforcing Frontex, the European border agency, and deploying 2,000 EU police to be sent to European borders in order to face the immigration crisis. In addition to doubling Frontex personnel, the project proposes the creation of an EU corps composed of 2,000 border guards who can act without prior consent from member states. These guards would be national police that must be prepared to mobilise in little time when tension arises at the EU border. It would bring into question whether national governments are willing to relinquish sovereignty to Brussels. If the various EU member states broadly support reinforcing Frontex, they could be reluctant to support a policy that implies the transfer of competencies to Brussels. The proposal is the result of pressure from Germany and France after the Paris attacks to slow down the entry of immigrants and refugees, among whom two terrorists responsible for said attacks filtered through European borders.

29 November 2015

The EU and Turkey reached an agreement concerning migration in which the European Union will provide 3 billion and closer links to Ankara in exchange for help limit the flow of immigrants and refugees to Europe. For the blocs leaders, the agreement is a key step in substantially reducing the number of asylum seekers. The Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, assured that the pact marked a new beginning for the historically strained relations between Brussels and Ankara. In addition to the 3 billion that the EU will initially offer, Turkish citizens will be able to travel without a visa to the Schengen Area starting October 2016. This is not money in exchange for refugees, that would be immoral; it is an attempt to improve the conditions for Syrian refugees, said European Council president Donald Tusk. Additionally, the EU will carry out monthly checks to ensure that Turkey is upholding its part of the deal.

Paris, the refugees and Europe

Highlights article by Roberto Savio, 20 November 2015

The focus on terrorism is obscuring the issues of refugees, and it is important to consider its impact on Europe, after the shock of Paris. Of course, the impact of terrorism in the daily life of ordinary citizens is going to increase the culture of checks and control in place since September 11, 2001. Since the New York massacre, the 10,000 planes that take off daily carry citizens who go through vexing security check, and cannot bring liquid on boards, etc. Bin Laden has changed totally our way of traveling. It is no small achievement, and Paris

This is how Europe wants to integrate Muslim immigrants

Opinion article from EsGlobal, by Gonzalo Toca, 20 November 2015

There are two conflicting views in the heart of Europe on the integration of foreigners and both of them affect Muslim immigrants in very different ways. The new policies will depend on which one of these prevails in the end. Immigration law is not born in a vacuum nor is it built on a road paved with good or bad intentions. That is up to the pundits. Actually, its configuration is concerned essentially with the answer we give to the following questions: Should legal treatment for immigrants be the same as for nationals? Can they be required

11 November 2015

The EU decided to offer economic support to Africa in exchange for help to control migratory flows from their countries of origin. The proposal, pushed forward by the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, involves grants of 3.6 bn. 1.8 bn will come from EC funds, while the other half will come from member states contributions. Juncker urged members to be generous, although he is not sure that they will be able to reach the proposed figure. The objective of this incentive is to encourage African countries to take migrants back, although the majority are opposed to losing billions of dollars in remittances those working abroad send back to family members. The funds will be directed towards alleviating the principal causes of migration, such as poverty and armed conflict.

Mitteleuropa, Land of Migration

Highlights article by Viktor Sukup, 7 October 2015

The Roman Empire stretched as far as the Danube and the Rhine, where the name of Cologne itself still recalls the ancient Romans. But it was precisely the northern barbarians that put an end to it. And central Europe, the Mitteleuropa of the upper Danube, experienced the many migrations that completely changed the face of Europe. From the East came the invasions of Slav peoples and the fearsome Huns, ancestors of the Hungarians who alone in Europe, along with the Finns, the Estonians and the Basques, a language that does not belong to the Indo-European family. Also appearing in the

A five-point plan for dealing with the refugee crisis: there are no small solutions to big problems

Highlights article by Dirk Messner, 10 September 2015



Europe and Germany cannot be an island of contentment, because cross-border crises do not simply disappear by building walls, looking away and failing to act. This is the lesson to be learned from 2015: crises on the financial markets and in Greece, Ebola, Charlie Hebdo and Islamic terror at the heart of Europe, global data espionage penetrating as far as the German Federal Chancellery, the suffering and misery of the refugees. Cross-border crises call for a consistently higher level of international and global co-operation. This is something we need to adapt to: with solution strategies, investments, personnel

How to address Europes refugee crisis

Highlights article by Antonio Guterres, 6 September 2015

The European Union is preparing key emergency meetings to take decisions in its response to the present refugee and migration crisis. The situation requires a massive common effort that is not possible with the current fragmented approach. Europe is facing its biggest refugee influx in decades. More than 300,000 people have risked their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea so far this year. Over 2,600 didnt survive the dangerous crossing, including three-year-old Aylan, whose photo has just stirred the hearts of the world public. After arriving on Europes shores and borders, they continue their journey  facing
News / National

by Staff reporter

China has released a massive US$1,2 billion for major refurbishment and expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station.The development comes barely a month after China's President Xi Jinping's State visit that culminated in the penning of at least 12 mega-deals worth billions of dollars.President Xi led a high-powered business delegation to Zimbabwe last December to strike deals in the key economic sectors of manufacturing, mining, agriculture, infrastructure development and power generation.The State visit was reciprocal to that by President Mugabe who was in China in 2014.And just as the skeptics were saying nothing would come out of the engagements, President Xi signed the release of US$1,2 billion for Hwange, with a repayment interest of two percent.The loan, which awaits the formality of approval by Zimbabwe's Parliament, will see Hwange Thermal Power Station set up two more units with combined generation capacity of 600MW in the next three years.According to the US energy information administration, 1MW is equal to 1 000 kilowatts, and an average household uses about 11 000kWh annually.With 600MW, about 500 000 households can be powered.The Sunday Mail has established that the two new units  seven and eight  will be the biggest at Hwange, whose present installed capacity is 920MW.The power station currently consists of four units with an installed capacity of 120MW each and two units of 220MW each. However, it is only churning out an average 550MW right now.The boost for Hwange comes after recent parliamentary approval for a US$87 million loan from India for retooling of Bulawayo Thermal Power Station to boost electricity generation from the current average of 30MW to 100MW.The Sunday Mail has gathered that pre-commencement work is underway at Hwange.Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the project would be funded by China Exim Bank."I understand work is expected to start soon after the financial closure. Parliament is expected to ratify the agreement," he said.The Chinese are also undertaking expansion of Kariba South Power Station to add 300MW to its current output of 750MW at a cost of US$355 million.Kariba South is also funded through a China Exim Bank loan.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Government could soon approve the increase of electricity tariffs by at least 22 percent in an effort to finance new power generation projects and ensure a steady power supply. Although consultations are still underway, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority is expected to approve a tariff increase requested by the Zesa. This will see electricity charges rise from the current average of USc9 per kilowatt hour to USc12/kWh.Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Samuel Undenge told our Harare Bureau that the increase was imminent although consultations with consumers were still ongoing.Dr Undenge said to fill the gap created by the drastic fall of water levels in Kariba, there was need for the tariff increase to finance projects that are already underway. Dr Undenge said energy economics dictated there be a sustainable tariff increase."As Government we are conscious of the need to have a moderate increase so as to caution consumers. Zera is going to bring the recommendations, but as Cabinet we are only going to approve what is reasonable," he said."Our current tariffs have not been cost reflective. I am sure we will all agree that our consumers have not been paying and if US$1 billion which is owed Zesa was paid then there would be no need for us to get a loan from China to expand the Hwange unit seven and eight."Dr Undenge said the last tariff increase came five years ago."Most of our neighbours have been increasing power tariffs by 10 percent yearly so this increase is important so that we can be able to finance new projects and the retooling exercise at our thermal stations," he said.Retooling of Bulawayo Thermal Station is expected to start in the first half of 2016 and upon completion, at least 70MW will be added to the national grid. Refurbishment of Harare and Munyati thermal power stations is also expected to start in that period, adding a combined 150MW to the grid. A tender was also awarded to Helcraw Electrical for the Mutare Peaking Plant, which is expected to add 120MW in the short term.The emergency Seke Diesel Plant, the minister said, would add about 200MW in the next eight to 12 weeks."The Seke project and the Mutare are emergency projects and by early March, we will be having power from there," he said.
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How do we know what to believe about anything? In times past we read books, we took classes, we spoke to experts. These days? These days we do the same, but we also search the Internet. And we seem to do it with special fervor when it comes to questions about our health.

I cant throw any stones here. Even a physician has knowledge that is limited to his or her specialty, or personal experience. (And even if I had kept all of my textbooks, they would be woefully out of date by now.) So, from time to time, Ive searched the Internet for answers to questions.

Not only for myself and my family, but sometimes even when working. Its not unusual for a patient to tell me about their chronic condition, only for me to discover that I have no idea what the syndrome actually is. Some of these diseases require specialized care and leave me scratching my head, so its off to the Web I go. Then, once I know enough not to sound entirely ignorant, I try to call their doctor to ask what to do next. Furthermore, new drugs and devices are constantly hitting the market, and I am not ashamed to say that I have to look many of them up! Emergency medicine physicians like myself are generalists, and we know when to cry uncle.

There are, for physicians, specialized smartphone applications or Web-based services. And for patients, there are plenty of websites available. Sadly, not all of them are very good. And not infrequently, the advice and direction given causes more anxiety than relief. Ive noticed, even on physician websites, that there is a strong, and often inappropriate, tendency to assume the worst.

Therefore, patients who want to search for medical information should look for well-developed sites that are closely monitored by professionals, and which rely on scientific evidence. The popular site WebMD comes to mind. Likewise, some universities, or medical centers like Mayo Clinic, have extensive databases online that can be reliable and useful places to answer common medical questions. Finally, there are many new telemedicine services, which (for a fee) connect patients to real-time doctors who can answer questions and even diagnose or treat common illnesses.

However, some sources of information are less than stellar. Recently, physicians with the British Medical Journal assessed the therapies recommended on the Dr. Oz show and the popular series, The Doctors. The results were not encouraging for those who look to those programs for guidance. According to the research, only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the recommendations made were based on good science. I dont believe that the hosts intentionally deceive; but when shows depend on advertising dollars, truth can sometimes be obscured for purposes of money or ratings.

Quite understandably, we all want answers; particularly when were worried. But in an age of exploding access to information, its wise to remember that not all that passes for medical advice is actually true and safe. And that in the end, for any serious concerns, its probably best to go to an expert and actually ask your doctor.

Edwin Leap is an emergency physician who blogs at edwinleap.com and is the author of the Practice Test and Life in Emergistan. This article originally appeared in the Baptist Courier.

Image credit: Twin Design / Shutterstock.com
<p>The USS Ranger likely will leave Bremerton in January or February, on its way to International Shipbreaking Ltd. in Brownsville, Texas.</p>

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By Ed Friedrich of the Kitsap Sun

BREMERTON  Puget Sound Naval Shipyards mothballed aircraft carrier fleet will soon be down to one.

On Aug. 8, the Constellation was towed from the inactive ship maintenance facility for a 16,000-mile, around-Cape Horn voyage to a Texas dismantler. Its scheduled to arrive Jan. 7 or 8 in Brownsville. By then, the Ranger should be preparing to follow.

The Navy announced Monday that the same company, International Shipbreaking, acquired the Vietnam-era warship for a penny and would be tugging it away in January or February. The value will be in the scrapped metal.

The Independence will be next, probably before 2015 is over, said Naval Sea Systems Command spokesman Chris Johnson. The only carrier that will remain then is the Kitty Hawk, which is decommissioned but being kept in reserve.

Looking at the ships from Navy Yard Highway, the Ranger is farthest away, on the left, Kitty Hawk in the middle and Independence the most visible on the right.

The 1,050-foot-long, 56,000-ton Ranger was the third Forrestal-class carrier to be built. It was laid down Aug. 2, 1954, by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Virginia and commissioned Aug. 10, 1957, at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Ranger was the only ship of the class to spend its entire career in the Pacific. The ship made of 22 Western Pacific deployments, including in the Vietnam War and supporting Operation Desert Storm.

Ranger was decommissioned July 10, 1993, after more than 35 years of service. It was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on March 8, 2004, and redesignated for donation. After eight years on donation hold, the USS Ranger Foundation was unable to raise the funds to convert the ship into a museum or to overcome the physical obstacles of transporting the ship up the Columbia River to Fairview, Oregon. As a result, the Ranger was removed from the list of ships available for donation and designated for dismantling. The Navy, which cant retain inactive ships indefinitely, cant donate a vessel unless the application fully meets the Navys minimum requirements.

After the USS Ranger Foundations effort failed, a group continued to try to save the ship, though the Navy said it was too late. The group published a petition on Change.org that received 4,800 signatures. It got the ship named to the Washington Heritage Register. Its last hope was that the Ranger could be moved to Long Beach harbor as a museum.

None of the groups leaders could be reached Monday, but some members posted on its Facebook page.

Its not over, and I dont hear no fat ladies singing! said Paul Steinmayer of Ypsilkianti, Michigan. Lets stay focused and continue!!! Ranger WILL be saved!!!

The Ranger had been in pristine condition, but for a week in August volunteers from other naval museums were allowed to remove items to improve their ships.
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Lately, I've begun to reassess Ronald Reagan. Like most liberals back in the 1980s, I considered Reagan's presidency to be the role of a lifetime. He impressed me as merely delivering dialogue and taking credit for accomplishments others had scripted. I stand by that assessment.

And I maintain that we should not have allowed Reagan to escape responsibility for Iran-Contra  his administration's attempt to skirt the will of Congress by privatizing a war in Central America. To my mind, that was worse than Watergate. Nevertheless, I do think that President Obama could learn something from Reagan's rhetoric, regardless of whether he actually wrote the lines he delivered. It was not for nothing that Reagan garnered the title of the "Great Communicator."

What prompted my reassessment was the recent rerunning of a "60 Minutes" story about the former KGB spy Jack Barsky. He credited Reagan with scaring the Soviet Union with his "Evil Empire" rhetoric. Because Soviet leaders didn't fully understand American politics, Barsky claimed, they thought Reagan actually believed what he was saying and that he was crazy enough to start a nuclear war.

Frankly, I remain skeptical about Barsky's claim. At the time, I held Reagan's characterization of the Soviet Union as an "Evil Empire" to be dangerous and disconcerting. Not only did it impress me as an unnecessary provocation; it also suggested that our president saw the world in terms of a fairy-tale divide between good and evil. What I've come to realize since, however, is that it played well in Peoria. Reagan reassured those who needed to believe that "ours was a noble cause" in Vietnam and that America remains a force for good in the world.

Reagan's saving grace, of course, was in dealing with reasonably rational Russian leaders who had no interest in igniting Armageddon. Obama can't claim that advantage.

As I've written before, I wish Obama would occasionally indulge in stronger rhetoric. I wouldn't want him to emulate Reagan in denouncing ISIL as an "Evil Empire." That would ring hollow coming from someone as intelligent and sophisticated as Obama. It's enough that he has labeled ISIS a "brutal, vicious, death cult." Also, name-calling would hardly intimidate ISIS. What Obama can't seem to convey is an essential sense of conviction.

Obama tried to sound resolute and reassuring in his address to the nation on Dec. 6. But he was long on promises and short on specifics. The coalition of Middle Eastern forces he is depending upon has yet to form. Following his Dec. 14 meeting with Pentagon officials, Obama's claim that we're "moving ahead with a great sense of urgency" likewise rang hollow. ISIS may have lost "40 percent of the populated areas it once held," as Obama claimed. But, given our rules of engagement, our airstrikes didn't push them out. Who is doing the dirty work of fighting house to house? Not us.

Contrast the low-key, nuanced tone of Obama's anti-ISIS rhetoric to his enthusiastic praise for the climate-summit agreement recently reached in Paris. Understand that I'm not a climate-change denier. I accept the scientific consensus about the damaging effects of greenhouse gases. I agree that we should do whatever we reasonably can to ameliorate the situation.

The problem, however, is that Obama's enthusiasm for the Paris agreement is no more substantive than his promise to destroy ISIS. It's all well and good to agree, in principle, that the average global temperature should not rise more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. But how will that be achieved? The agreement doesn't constrain the parties to abandon or adopt any particular technology, and there is no enforcement mechanism. It may indeed have been "historic" to get 195 countries to agree that global warming is a problem we need to address. We could just as easily get that many countries  or more  to agree that poverty is a pressing problem, but could we significantly alleviate poverty by the year 2100? In the words of an admittedly saccharine poet, "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?"

This is not to suggest that the Paris climate summit was an exercise in futility. A consensus around some practical remedies may yet be reached. Still, I find it disconcerting that Obama can affect so much enthusiasm for such an amorphous, long-term goal as ending global warming while downplaying the more immediate threat we face from Islamic radicalism.

It occurs to me that where Reagan had the advantage was in being a competent studio actor. He had long been typecast as an unassuming, all-American good guy  the kind of upstanding American character so many people needed to believe in after Vietnam and Watergate. That made him a shoo-in for the role of American president.

I suppose it's too late for Obama to take acting lessons.

Ed Palm of Silverdale is a Marine Corps veteran and a former dean at Olympic College.
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By the Kitsap Sun editorial board

A week ago in this column, we criticized the judgment of certain members of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office and Poulsbo Police Department. We remain skeptical of the handling of the incident that occurred Oct. 16, particularly as we wait for Kitsap County Sheriff Gary Simpson to issue further statements and the findings of a disciplinary process regarding Sgt. Jim Porter.

But it's also an appropriate time to point out something done correctly during the two interactions Poulsbo officers had with Porter that evening.

That is, to echo what was addressed at the Poulsbo City Council meeting Wednesday, the use of body cameras by the department. Without the video footage from that night, our reporting would have been less complete, and the remedy to any missteps more difficult to divine. It would be easy for law enforcement to be defensive about that statement  the idea being that a camera recording all interactions offers opportunity for second-guessing and criticism  and to Poulsbo's credit they have not done that.

In fact, at Wednesday's meeting, as we reported, Mayor Becky Erickson and Chief Al Townsend affirmed their support for the cameras and acknowledged the need to refine policies covering their use.

Townsend has said that he wishes Officer Jennifer Corn's camera had not been turned off when he, Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Dickson and Corn discussed the scene that night. We agree with that. The decision to not call in Washington State Patrol would be easier for the public to understand and judge if that discussion was documented.

But that does not mean policy should forbid turning off body cameras. There are certainly moments during law enforcement when privacy is crucial, for logistical reasons behind police investigations or for civil liberties.

The important point is that body camera footage  which in this particular case highlights police behavior (not to mention several cases nationally where much worse has been seen)  is just as likely to help officers do their jobs. The cameras can guard against unfounded allegations by suspects and promote better behavior among people who know an impartial record is being kept.

Poulsbo had led the way locally, and we continue to encourage other jurisdictions to follow suit. We also encourage legislative efforts  such as ideas proposed in the past by state Rep. Drew Hansen  to address the emerging technology's use statewide. We'll continue to watch those efforts and discussions.

Most immediately, we encourage anyone in Poulsbo who is interested to participate with the City Council's public safety committee, which will address any policy adjustments that may been needed in light of the Oct. 16 encounter. The next meeting is at 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at City Hall. Council members on that committee are Kenneth Thomas, Jim Henry and Jeff McGinty.

Questions remain about the incident that has dominated the news recently, but we're clear on one thing that citizens should support  body cameras worn and used by officers are good, for accountability, transparency and most importantly, public safety.

The Kitsap Sun editorial board is Editor David Nelson; Opinion Editor emeritus Jim Campbell; and community members Martha Burke, Susanne Hughes, Bart Kale, Drayton Jackson and Jim Stark.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs expects up to 15,000 seriously ill veterans who served at Camp Lejeune, N.C., before 1988, when base drinking water was contaminated, to be helped by a faster-track compensation process proposed last month.

But the promised acceleration in VA disability awards can't begin until the proposed regulation becomes final, which could take at least another year to complete, VA officials said in a phone interview Tuesday.

In this case, time is money. Every month that passes before a final regulation takes effect is a month of compensation lost to ailing veterans of an older generation, most of them Marines.

VA Secretary Bob McDonald announced in mid-December that eight medical conditions afflicting vets who served at Lejeune from Aug. 1, 1953, through Dec. 31, 1987, are to be presumed the result of exposure to carcinogens and other harmful chemicals that fouled base water systems.

The proposed "presumptive" diseases are: kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, scleroderma, Parkinson's disease and aplastic anemia/myelodysplastic syndromes.

Making ailments presumptive moves compensation awards nearer to automatic. Diagnosed veterans still must file claims but they only need to show they served at Lejeune during the 34-year span for a necessary length of time. A minimum of 30 days is likely although officials won't confirm that until a proposed regulation is published, which is expected by mid-2016.

Without presumption, claims are adjudicated more slowly, with each claimant having to show a nexus between their disease and their service.

The Navy Department estimates that 900,000 active duty and reserve component personnel were assigned to Lejeune while water was being contaminated by nearby storage tanks and a dry cleaning business. Roughly 500,000 of these veterans are believed still alive.

Based on the prevalence of such illnesses in a population of that size, VA estimates fewer than 15,000 vets will qualify for compensation under the proposed regulation. Also, 5,000 survivors of deceased veterans are expected to qualify for death benefits due to these presumptive illnesses.

Three senators rightly claim some credit for this. Last July Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the veterans affairs committee, and Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, Republicans of North Carolina, met with McDonald and the director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Work by the ATSDR has confirmed harmful levels of exposure at Lejeune to trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride and benzene.

After listening to senators and reviewing the science, McDonald that day told participants he wanted to create a list of presumptive illnesses linked to long-ago service at Lejeune to speed the claim process.

Brad Flohr, senior adviser for compensation services at the Veteran Benefits Administration, attended the meeting. When asked, Flohr advised McDonald and senators that a regulation establishing new presumptive ailments typically takes two years to produce. McDonald said that was too long. So VA is striving to compress the process by six months or more. It did so once before, in 2009, when then-Secretary Eric Shinseki added heart disease, Parkinson's and B-cell leukemia to the VA list of illnesses presumed caused by Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, Flohr said.

"The secretary has pledged we will do the same with this," Flohr said.

Since January 2011 more than 20,000 veterans have filed claims citing environmental hazards at Lejeune. Of the 13,213 veterans given decisions through November last year, only 864, or 6.5 percent, were granted compensation for illnesses tied to having served at Lejeune.

Almost 8,000 of these veterans are receiving VA compensation already for other service-connected conditions. So many Lejeune claims have been denied, Flohr said, because ailments claimed are not linked to the pollutants.

"Over 90 percent of claim issues are conditions that have nothing at all to do with the contaminants in the water," Flohr said. "They claim hearing loss. They claim tinnitus. They have some idea they should file a claim for anything they have."

What has angered veterans and lawmakers, however, is the number of claims rejected for conditions linked to Lejeune's water. Sen. Burr complained that the VA was making "ridiculous" use available science.

VA has tracked claim outcomes for six of the eight diseases on the proposed presumptive list. Of 2039 claims filed so far, only 311, or 15 percent, have been approved. When the proposed regulation takes effect, the approval rate for these conditions should jump toward 100 percent.

Jerry Ensminger, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant who has led the fight for compensation and care of those exposed to poisons at Lejeune, criticized the proposed list of presumptive illnesses for excluding bladder cancer. The ATSDR gave VA a report last October, he said, that found "sufficient evidence" water at Lejeune caused a higher incidence of bladder cancer, just as it found evidence of causation for kidney and liver cancer.

Perhaps it's no coincidence, Ensminger asserted, that among cancer claims filed by Lejeune vets, bladder cancer leads all others with 885 cases.

But Dr. Ralph L. Erickson, director of Pre-9/11-era Post-Deployment Health for the Veterans Health Administration, said VA is obligated to look at more than ATSDR findings to decide on presumption. He noted two recent mortality studies that "failed to identify an increased risk of bladder cancer mortality" in Marines or in civilians at Lejeune during the period of contamination. One found Lejeune Marines 23 percent less likely to die of bladder cancer than Marines never assigned there, Erickson added.

Erickson, a physician trained in preventive medicine and public health over a 32-year active duty Army career, came to VA two years ago. After the July meeting, he led a VA technical work group that recommended the list of presumptive diseases for McDonald. The group, he said, "felt that the weight of the evidence was not sufficiently strong to recommend a presumption for bladder cancer at this time," but more research is needed.

"Our secretary," Erickson said, "wanted his proposal for these new presumptions to be well-rooted in evidence."

VA concurred on much of what the ATSDR reported, he said. But with a few ailments VA had "a professional difference of opinion as to the strength of the data."

More information for Lejeune veterans and survivors is online at: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune. VA continues to review Lejeune claims. However, for claims that would be denied under current regulations, decisions are being stayed until new regulations are made final.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Harare man is in the habit of threatening to hire a gang to rape and kill his wife each time the couple is involved in a domestic dispute, the civil court heard this week.The shocking revelations were made by Sekai Mazodze, who approached the court seeking a protection order against her husband, Otineal Mazodze, whom she accused of making her life hell.Sekai told magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, that her husband was always beating her up and threatening to hire thugs to rape and kill her."I am living in fear because my husband is always threatening to hire and assign people to rape and kill me," Sekai said.The woman also told the court her husband had since hidden most of her undergarments and their children's birth certificates.In response, Mazodze vehemently denied the claims by openly declaring his love for his wife."She is lying. I love her so much I cannot do that. I even saved her from arrest in South Africa where we are based," he said.After listening to both parties, the magistrate ruled in the woman's favour and granted the order which will be effective for five years.Meanwhile, in a different matter, a Harare woman Cecilia Katambura pleaded with the same court to grant her a protection order against her sister-in-law from a previous marriage.Katambura told the court that Lucy Makumo, was in the habit of forcing her (Katambura) three-year-old daughter to clean the toilet basin with bare hands.She said Makumo was also in the habit of insulting her by calling her a witch and a prostitute.The magistrate granted the protection order and barred Makumo from insulting and harassing Katambura for the next five years.
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Happy New Year.

We are once again in the political silly season. Candidates are pandering for votes. Now, any politician who panders by proposing new tax credits goes to the bottom of my list.

One leading candidate has proposed over a dozen new or modified credits. Tax credits (called loopholes) by the same politicians who oppose those going to groups they don't like, do nothing more than increase the deficit and add layers to our Byzantine tax system.

When the tax code runs 80,000 pages rather than one paragraph, the primary object is a spoils system and not the collection of taxes. (I refuse to call government tax collection "revenue" because it implies that some action was taken to actually earn the money).

Tax credits are inefficient, and distort economic behavior by providing incentives for only a few to save or spend on some flavor of the month. I am holding out for a credit for retired University of Tennessee finance professors who graduated from the University of Georgia and The Ohio State University.

What is amusing is that the same leading panderer is railing over Pfizer taking advantage of a "loophole." Despite threats from politicians and efforts by the Treasury Department, the drug company is moving to Ireland in a deal with Allergan for more than $150 billion.

When the Treasury wrote rules to make inversions more difficult, Pfizer instead opted for a reverse merger. This of course is another example of Harold Black's First Law: "Any law worth circumventing will be." In a reverse merger, the foreign company buys the American firm rather than the American firm purchasing the foreigner. The U.S. corporate tax is shamefully among the highest in the world at around 39 percent (federal, state and local). Pfizer's effective rate is around 25 percent. Having exhausted all loopholes in the U.S. tax code, a move to Ireland makes them more competitive with their competitors worldwide and lowers their effective rate to 15 percent.

Congress and the Treasury had plenty of warning. Pfizer's CEO had testified for years that the U.S. tax burden was putting his company at a disadvantage and was penalizing his shareholders. Isn't it amusing that Pfizer is being accused by some as "un-American"? Yet what is more American that reducing one's taxes? I bet not a single Pfizer critic is paying an income tax free from exemptions, shelters, foundations and credits.

So hush already. As I pointed out before, those of us not feeding from the Washington gravy train and various tax lobbies would solve the problem by lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate. But then again, I would reduce the tax code to one paragraph at most with a flat tax  no exemptions and no exceptions.

Isn't it time we stopped wasting billions annually nonproductively in trying to circumvent the U.S. tax code? And isn't it time we stopped using the tax code for social engineering and just let it collect "revenues"?
Barbara Bach

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Barbara Bach has been promoted to director of interior design at McCarty Holsaple McCarty. Scott Webb has been promoted to director of construction administration. Li Wang, Nathan Honeycutt and John Thurman have been promoted to associate principals.

Amanda Butterworth has joined Baker Donelson as an associate and member of the real estate and finance group.

Mary Ann Condry has joined Premier Surgical Associates as manager of the practice's Fort Sanders and Foothills Weight Loss Specialists office at Fort Sanders Regional. She was previously administrator of Appalachian Orthopaedic Associates in Johnson City.

Nikki Petre Dome has joined Citizens National Bank as assistant vice president and mortgage lender at its Dandridge branch.

Eric Faulkner has been selected to serve on the Westfield Insurance Agents Association board of directors as Tennessee representative from 2016 to 2019. He is president of Faulkner, Williams and Wilson.

Don Hasson has been named one of the People of the Year by HBSDealer, a hardware trade publication. He is president of House-Hasson.

Paige Hendricks has been promoted to vice president and director of West and Southwest regional marketing at Edfinancial Services. She was previously assistant vice president. Nicholas McCook has been promoted to vice president and director of sales, marketing and Medfinancial services and Northeast Director, higher education solutions. He was previously assistant vice president. Mike Lawson has been promoted to assistant vice president of IT from IT manager.

Maribel Koella has been named Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine. She is principal broker of NAI Knoxville.

Robert Malka, a neurologist and neuro-hospitalist, has joined Tennova Neurosciences at Physicians Regional Medical Center.

Jess Maples has joined Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan as an associate.

Donatello Materassi has received an NSF CAREER award from the National Science Foundation for his research on designing control systems through the use of noninvasive observation. He is assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

Dr. Karen Mullins, a neurologist, has joined Blount Memorial Hospital as part of East Tennessee Medical Group in Alcoa.

Premier Surgical Associates has been named a Better Performer medical practice in the areas of productivity and cost management and accounts receivables and collections by the Medical Group Management Association. The designation recognizes Premier's superior operational performance compared with similar medical practices nationwide. It's the 10th consecutive year Premier has received the designation.

Kippy Price has been promoted to director of marketing and business development for West Town Mall, part of Simon Property Group. She was previously assistant director.

Satyabrata Sen has received the 2016 Sidney D. Drell Academic Award for his contributions to projects for the Department of Homeland Security by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance. Sen is a researcher with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Heidi Timmerman has been named Facility Management Contractor Procurement Director of the Year by the U.S. Department of Energy. She is director of procurement and contracts administration at Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

Bart Williams has been named an associate at Hodges, Doughty & Carson. He practices civil litigation focused in commercial litigation, contract disputes and tort defense.
Hops used in the brewing process by brewer Jeff Adams, at Crafty Bastard Brewery Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016.

SHARE photos by AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL Brewer Jeff Adams works on a batch of beer at Crafty Bastard Brewery on Wednesday. The growing number of craft breweries has prompted some colleges and universities to offer certificate programs on how to brew beer and on the business aspects of running a brewery. South College offers such a program in the Knoxville area; Adams is a graduate of the program. Brewer Jeff Adams, left, and volunteer Nick Blais tend to beer at Crafty Bastard Brewery Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. The growing number of craft breweries has prompted some colleges and universities to offer certificate programs on how to brew beer and on the business aspects of running a brewery. South College offers such a program in the Knoxville area, Adams is a graduate of the program. Blais is a student of the South College program. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL) Craft beer brewing has exploded in the past 10 years, with some 4,000 breweries in operation, up from 1,400 in 2005. With all those types of beer, expertise is required not just in brewing but also in marketing and running an operation like Crafty Bastard Brewery. Crafty Bastard Brewery at Emory Place Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. The growing number of craft breweries has prompted some colleges and universities to offer certificate programs on how to brew beer and on the business aspects of running a brewery. South College offers such a program in the Knoxville area. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

By Ed Marcum of the Knoxville News Sentinel

For an increasing number of hobbyists, the home-brewing beer setup on their kitchen counter kicks off a career in the craft beer field.

Unfortunately, the instructions that come with beer brewing kits usually don't tell you how to operate a brewery or market the beer it produces. But the need for that is there and growing. According to the Brewers Association, within the past 10 years, the number of craft breweries in the United States has grown to more than 4,000, up from about 1,400 in 2005.

With that in mind, some colleges across the country are offering courses ranging from the science and methodology of making beer to the business aspects of running a brewery.

While the craft brewing scene in Knoxville is still small but growing fast, Knoxville is not at all out of the loop when it comes to the opportunity to get a beer-making education. In 2013, South College instituted its Professional Brewing Science Certificate program, meant to give students a foundation of skills and knowledge they can use to get successful employment in the brewing profession.

Jeff Adams, brewer at the recently opened Crafty Bastard Brewery at 6 Emory Place, is a graduate of the program. Adams said he started out teaching himself how to brew beer, but soon realized that if he were serious about a career in the field, some schooling would be helpful.

"I started checking around to see what colleges had programs, and there was one at the Siebel Institute (of Technology) in Chicago and one at the University of California," he said. "And then I saw there was one at South College, which was a lot closer to where I wanted to be."

Originally from Chattanooga, Adams was living in Florida at the time and was looking to change careers after being laid off from his job making depth markers for swimming pools. With the growth of craft breweries across the country, Adams saw that as a good field to enter.

"I started home brewing as a hobby to make it into a career," he said.

The brewing program at South College was started by Associate Professor Todd White, who enlisted Marty Velas, director of brewing operations for Copper Cellar Corp., to help conduct it. The course is designed for full-time students to complete in nine months, over three quarters.

White could not be reached for comment, but according to information on the South College website, the first two quarters include classroom work in microbiology, chemistry and mathematics. In the last quarter, students spend time at the Smoky Mountain Brewery in Turkey Creek, where they put their classroom knowledge to work.

Tuition for the course is $5,800 per quarter.

The course is meant to give students an understanding of the microbiology and chemistry involved in fermentation; of the physics, fluid dynamics and engineering involved in the equipment used for making beer; and of the steps involved in brewing.

The course is also to provide understanding of the business concepts of the brewing industry "and the day-to-day activities involved with the operation of a solvent brewing facility."

South College also offers an associate of science in business administration degree with a concentration on professional brewing science. Students cover similar science and mathematics subject matter as in the certificate course, but also study accounting, business law, taxation, personal finance and economics.

According to the Brewers Association, craft beer sales were up 17.6 percent in 2014 compared with import beer sales growth of 6.9 percent. Bart Wilson, chief economist for the association, told The Associated Press that as the industry has grown and become more competitive, the bar is higher now for those starting a brewery or working in one, and more schools are beginning to offer brewing courses.

Portland State University in Oregon started an online business of craft brewing program in 2013. University of Portland, University of Vermont and San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies are all among schools offering such programs now.

"Certainly the demand for people with a high level of brewing knowledge has gone up, and on the business side as well," Wilson said. "So I think we are seeing a variety of different programs look for ways that they can capitalize on that."

Aaron McClain, co-owner of Crafty Bastard, said he believes Adams' South College training has made a difference in the quality and consistency of the beer the brewery produces. Crafty Bastard, which opened about four months ago in the Fourth and Gill area, specializes in nonconventional craft beer styles.

McClain has not had formal training in making beer, and got into the field through brewing beer as a hobby. What helped him get established was knowing almost everyone involved in the craft beer scene in Knoxville and their willingness to give him help and advice, McClain said. Most of the business aspects were not difficult for him because as a former math teacher, he was good with numbers, McClain said.

While he sees the value of the brewing course, McClain said he is not sure he would have invested the time and money in it for himself. Adams said he wanted to take a methodical approach to beer making and the program was the right thing for him.

"It's just like anything else," he said. "You can get out of it what you put into it."
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My husband and I are currently renting an apartment for $1,200 a month. Together, we bring home about $7,000 a month, and we'd really like to buy a house soon. Right now we have about $10,000 in debt on a boat along with ongoing stable bills, food and upkeep for our three horses. What price range of houses should we look at in our situation?

A: Homeownership is a great goal, but first you two need to clean up your debt and build an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses. After that, I want you to save up enough for a down payment of at least 10 percent to 20 percent. When buying a home on a mortgage, I always recommend the monthly payments be no more than 25 percent of your monthly take-home pay on a 15-year, fixed-rate loan.

Now, let's get to the other issues. You have some things in your life that are pulling at you financially. At some point, you may have to take a long look at the situation and ask the hard question, "What is more important to me: horses and boats or homeownership?" Getting rid of that boat, or finding new homes for one, two or all of your horses, would bring in some cash to put toward your debt and cut down on at least some of the animal maintenance.

Anyway, that's how I would look at it. My wife and I both are big fans of boats and horses. But we like boats more. One reason is because they don't eat as much! I can't get mad at you about either one, but right now you've got three things pulling at you as financial priorities  homeownership, a boat and three horses. They're all pulling at you, and they're pulling at each other and limiting each other.

Of course, you can always buy a lot less in a house. But what it really comes down to is what's most important to you. That's the big question, and it's one that only you can answer.

I don't understand why you don't like it when people properly manage their credit cards and pay them off every month. By doing this, you pay no interest and in my case I even got a free trip to Europe from using my credit card. Please explain.

A: I truly doubt that I can explain it to your satisfaction, but here goes. First, the credit card company did not give you a free trip to Europe. They're not going to lose money on transaction after transaction, year after year. The fallacy is that you feel like you've outsmarted a multibillion-dollar company that studies human behavior at incredible levels. You may possibly have come out ahead of them during that particular calendar year, but even that's debatable.

Over the course of your life, you'll spend more when using credit cards as opposed to cash. There's plenty of research proving this to be fact. If you use a credit card repeatedly with the idea that you're getting a free trip to Europe because you're building up your miles, you spend more. An example would be McDonald's. When they started taking credit cards years ago, they found that the people using them spent 47 percent more.

In a good way, you are very unusual. You're not playing over in the stupid zone like most people who use credit cards. But both the credit card companies and I have found that, on average, your behavior would put you in a class of less than one-half of one percent of their customers. Can 0.5 percent of people handling snakes manage not to get bitten? Sure. But that doesn't mean I'm going to start recommending snakes!

Dave Ramsey is an author and talk show host focused on money and business. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
Double-murder suspect Clarence Leon Raby, left, is escorted by Anderson County Deputy Frank Butler while being transferred from the Knox County Jail to the Anderson County jail on Sept. 1, 1960. Raby was charged with killing Andersonville storekeeper Frank Keith and Union County Deputy Ben Devault.

SHARE Lula Mae Mashburn Union County Deputy Ben DeVault was fatally shot by Clarence Raby on Aug. 1, 1960, as the fugitive was hijacking a farmer's pickup on Hickory Valley Road. Billy McCoy

By Matt Lakin

Freedom lasted just as long as his last breath.

Clarence Leon Raby staggered out the front door of the Knox County courthouse the night of Oct. 24, 1960, with a gun in each hand and three bullets in his gut. He stumbled down the steps and collapsed face-up as a crowd gathered to watch him die.

Raby, who earned a spot on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list as deputies hunted him across East Tennessee for killing an Andersonville storekeeper and a Union County deputy, never went to trial for either crime. He was 28.

"I ain't going to no damn electric chair for killing anybody," he'd told jailers. "I mean business. I'm going out."

He might have made it if not for a deputy hauling in a drunken driver. Raby's shots sent the lawman bleeding to the floor, but Deputy Kenny Milligan got the last shot as Raby jumped over his body and ran for the door.

A wild ride

Raby's death capped a four-month summer saga of murder, manhunts and mass hysteria that began July 6, 1960, when he and a fellow inmate, Billy McCoy, escaped from the Knox County workhouse on Maloneyville Road. Raby had been serving time for drunken driving, McCoy for forgery. Neither had more than a month left on his sentence, and neither had a history of anything more than petty crimes.

The next morning, the two men stole a Pontiac from a home on Cement Plant Road in East Knox County. That night, a farmer and his wife stopped at Frank Keith's filling station in Andersonville to buy gas.

The wife walked inside ? past a man with a bag who brushed past her in a hurry ? and found Keith on the floor of the back room with a shotgun blast the size of a half-dollar in his chest.

"You can't help me," Keith whispered. "It's too late."

The wife told Anderson County deputies she saw the man with the bag jump into a Pontiac that sped away. Officers found the burned-out shell of the car ? the same one stolen that morning ? in some woods near the Knox County line.

Anderson County Sheriff Glad Woodward swore out warrants charging Raby and McCoy with robbery and murder. As days of searching turned into weeks, the FBI took out federal fugitive warrants against the pair and added them to the agency's Most Wanted list.

Agents caught up with McCoy about six weeks later in Chicago. He told investigators he'd gone to North Carolina with Raby ? who he later fingered as the triggerman ? then split up to head north.

A News Sentinel photographer and correspondent greeted McCoy on his return to the Anderson County jail.

"When was the last time you saw Raby?" the cameraman asked.

"I've been asked that a thousand times," McCoy sighed.

A costly search

July turned to August with Raby still on the loose. FBI agents, bloodhounds and local lawmen zeroed in on the hills, hollows and caves in his home community of Raccoon Valley, nestled in the corner where Knox, Union and Anderson counties come together.

Raby's family, who still lived in the home where he grew up on Gamble Road, welcomed all visitors ? from police to a News-Sentinel reporter and photographer. Father, mother, sister and brothers swore he'd been a likable rascal until he took to drinking, went to jail and got hooked on "dope."

"He was always a wild boy, but never downright mean," his younger sister Helen said.

Reports of Raby sightings poured in by the day. He showed up the morning of Aug. 1 at a home on Heiskell Road in Knox County and held a couple hostage for nearly an hour before he left with guns, cash and their Buick.

Ben Devault, a Union County deputy, walked up on Raby hours later, just as the fugitive abandoned the wrecked Buick to hijack a farmer's pickup at gunpoint on Hickory Valley Road. The deputy got off a single shot. He missed.

Raby got off two that hit their mark and left Devault lying in the middle of the road. He was still free when Devault's widow auctioned off her husband's livestock and farm equipment three weeks later to support their three youngest children.

Everything sold ? right down to their 11-year-old son's dog. It brought $6.

Bananas and bullets

The day's body count didn't stop with Devault. The trail of the stolen truck led officers back across the Knox County line, onto the turf of Sheriff E.B. "Banana" Bowles.

Bowles, a Democrat, made his name as a produce salesman turned politician who handed out bananas at the polls. He won election as sheriff in 1958 without a day of police experience and spent most of his two-year term fending off questions about scandal after scandal ? officers hired in spite of criminal records, wrongful arrests by deputies and questionable use of public money.

His chief deputy, James Colquitt, earned the nickname "Quick-Draw McGraw" after he shot a bystander in the head while making an arrest on a street corner and after he accidentally shot up the WBIR-TV studio while showing off a new batch of service pistols.

Bowles, busy with a losing battle for re-election, left Colquitt to lead the posse for Raby. He wasn't there that August evening when the chief and a detective opened fire on a farmer and his son who'd come to help look for Raby.

The father, Kaley Cooper, survived; his son Dan died. The sheriff and his chief insisted the Coopers fired first, even though an autopsy and doctors' observations indicated they'd both been shot in the back.

When a workhouse guard helping with the manhunt backed up the sheriff's story, Bowles swore him in as a deputy. The new officer retracted his testimony within a month and killed himself.

The fox and the hounds

The hunt finally ended when Dillon Summers, a friend of the Raby family, heard his dog barking on the front porch the night of Aug. 28, 1960. Raby walked up, nearly two months after his escape, and asked Summers to call his parents.

"I want to give myself up, but I'm afraid they'll shoot me down," he said.

Raby's brother Frank picked him up on the side of the road and drove him to the home place, where Bowles, the Knox County sheriff, waited.

"I know how a fox feels when the hounds are on his heels," Raby told the sheriff.

Bowles left office three days after Raby's capture. The new sheriff, Herman Wayland, agreed to send Raby back to Anderson County but ended up holding him for safekeeping.

Raby was still there when he asked to talk to an investigator the night of Oct. 24 to give one more statement. Agent Walter Bearden of the TBI and a Tennessee Highway Patrol sergeant had finished talking and just led him back to his cell when Raby pulled the gun, a .357 Magnum revolver.

"Where'd you get that thing?" Bearden gasped.

The last shot

Investigators later concluded Raby's mother, sister and girlfriend, Lula Mae Mashburn, smuggled him the gun during a visit days earlier. It had lain hidden atop a ledge outside Raby's cell door, waiting for the moment when he grabbed it and drew down on the officers.

"He was holding the gun in both hands and was real nervous," Bearden said. "He kept raising and lowering the hammer with his thumb. I didn't know whether it would go off or not."

Raby forced Bearden, the THP sergeant and a jailer to lead him out of the cellblock and down to the first floor. He stepped off the elevator just as deputies crowded the hallway for the 10 p.m. shift change.

Raby panicked and ran down the hall waving the pistol and shooting. He stopped along the way to snatch a pistol from the desk sergeant when Milligan walked in with a drunken driver.

One of Raby's shots missed the deputy's heart by less than an inch.

"I heard shots and a lot of running feet," Milligan told the News Sentinel later. "I knew it must be a jailbreak. ... Two bullets hit me, knocking me to the floor ... I don't know whether he jumped over me or not. I kinda raised up on my elbow and fired five times at the running man ... I saw him stagger, then kinda fall out the front door."

A jury failed to convict the women accused of sneaking Raby the gun. Billy McCoy, Raby's partner, earned a 21-year prison sentence for killing Fred Keith, the storekeeper.

Milligan, who'd never before pulled a trigger in the line of duty, spent a few days in the hospital before visiting Raby's family to offer his condolences.

"I'm sorry," he told the parents. "I didn't know who it was until it was over."

Letters of congratulation poured in from around the country, but Milligan turned down the praise.

"I just don't believe in shooting people," he told the News-Sentinel. "I'd rather forget about it and go back to work."
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By MJ Slaby of the Knoxville News Sentinel

The lives of Cherokees who lived in East Tennessee may soon fill the pages of children's books because of a University of Tennessee project.

In two classes  one in fall 2014 and another in fall 2015  UT students each researched the life of a Cherokee to write a children's book based on that person's life. The people weren't famous leaders, rather doctors, teachers and everyday people who did extraordinary things.

"All of those stories matter," said Julie Reed, assistant professor in history, who taught the classes. That's who most of us become; we don't become the principal chief or creator of a language."

And the stories span a range of time periods, including the 1800s when the Cherokees were forced to move west.

Reed is now working with and finding Cherokee translators and illustrators to finish the books. She said one is being translated and two more books are ready to be sent.

Plus, she said family members of those featured in the books might have information to add before the books are complete. And Reed said the students plan to stay involved, too.

Once the books are ready, the goal is to use them in Cherokee immersion schools in North Carolina and Oklahoma, she said. There's a lack of materials in Cherokee, so many have been developed recently, Reed said.

The books can also be used in heritage and cultural centers as promotional materials and something children can read when they visit, she said. The book project is also part of the Smart Communities Initiative, a service-learning program in which UT is paired with the Southeast Tennessee Development District.

Reed, a historian and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, said she's noticed students develop views of American Indians at a young age.

Students often think of American Indian history "as one of victimization and spiritual, demographic and cultural loss and is simply told as history of decline," Reed said. She said it's true that there are moments of decline, but there is also a rich culture.

Reed said students also often view American Indians with a sense of remorse and only see them as "noble figures" instead of humans with strengths and weaknesses.

So the idea to create children's books would help both UT students and young students reading the books learn more, she said. Also, it's a way to learn about this region that included Cherokee lands.

As the UT students researched one person's life, they learned how various laws and events like removal, the Civil War and Oklahoma statehood impacted that person, Reed said.

"(It's a) more intimate entry to a history they are unfamiliar with," said Reed, who hopes this approach will allow students to remember more about Cherokee history in 10 years than they would if they were memorizing dates and learning about multiple people.

The project also taught undergraduates about having a research process over an entire semester instead of a "mad scramble" to finish a paper at the last minute, Reed said.

"They become experts and teachers in their own right," she said.
Gov. Bill Haslam (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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By Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel

NASHVILLE  The political honeymoon between Gov. Bill Haslam and the Legislature's Republican supermajority, subject to occasional minor spats over the past years and a big one at the outset of last year's legislative session, seems pretty much over as the 2016 session begins.

The governor has dedicated himself to avoiding conflict with more conservative Republicans on social issues while successfully pushing business-friendly policies where a GOP consensus was easily achieved in the political matrimony that came after Haslam took office in January of 2011.

Examples include "tort reform" limits on damages awards in lawsuits and abolishing the civil service system for state employees, replacing it with a system where salaries are based on administration-rated performance. The state's inheritance tax  called "the death tax" by Republicans  was phased out. The last step  applying the tax only to estates valued at more than $5 million  was fully repealed effective Jan. 1, 2016, under the phase-out that began with a 2012 bill.

In those cases, Haslam and the Republican legislators simply overwhelmed opposition from the Democratic minority in the Legislature. Republican unity resulted in laws that had been repeatedly rejected in the days when Democrats held influence.

Haslam at the same time has shown a knack for coming up with innovative policy moves that generated bipartisan acclamation  a prime example being Tennessee Promise, which took money from a state lottery surplus and dedicated it to providing free tuition at state community colleges and technical institutes. He's branded that as part of a "Drive to 55" initiative, the goal being to have 55 percent of Tennesseans holding some sort of secondary education degree by 2025  a notion no one opposes.

All this has left the mild-mannered governor quite popular among Tennessee residents. Polls indicate about two-thirds of voters approve of his performance. A November survey of gubernatorial popularity by the polling firm Morning Consult in all 50 states found Haslam, who recently completed a year's service as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, was ahead of all but six other governors in approval ratings.

But times may be changing in the governor's dealings with the Legislature. As the 2016 session begins, Haslam finds himself with an unprecedented array of potential confrontations, some that he likely will avoid but others that would seem difficult to dodge.

Controversy avoidance

By almost all accounts, he is averting a second confrontation with the Republican supermajority over the big spat of 2015  Insure Tennessee, his innovative proposal for a modified expansion of Medicaid health care coverage for currently uninsured Tennesseans that would be financed by federal dollars. It was summarily killed at the start of the 2015 session and Haslam has given up the cause, saying he sees no point in trying again unless the political environment changes  and he sees no possibility of that happening. As Lt. Gov. Ramsey says, "Insured Tennessee is dead."

And most legislators expect Haslam will dodge confrontation over his much-stated desire to increase funding for the state's highway construction and maintenance program. Haslam spent months traveling the state last to declare there's a need for changing the state's fuel tax structure so more money is generated but has never advanced any specific proposal. Proponents of revenue enhancement  mostly business-oriented groups, but including a few key legislators such as Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey  are prodding the governor to do something this year, noting that falling gas prices create an unusual opportunity and that polls indicate most residents would support a modest increase in fuel taxes. But there's already organized resistance from influential groups such as Americans for Prosperity to any sort of gas tax increase and other legislators, notably including House Speaker Beth Harwell, are cool toward the notion.

Haslam has thus taken a wait-and-see stance on fuel taxes. He's inclined to do nothing this year in fear of repeating the Insure Tennessee fiasco, according to some aware of administration thinking, but if things develop so that an opportunity presents itself for quick action  there are various pending bills that could be quickly amended during session to incorporate an "indexing" plan many believe favored by Haslam  the governor may leap into tax-increase action. Indexing ties fuel taxes to the cost of fuel so taxes lessen when prices rise.

But the governor's controversy-avoidance skills may be challenged on multiple other matters that seem to be of high importance to him as well as state legislators.

Perhaps the leading example is the state revenue surplus. It appears that the state will have at least $600 million in "overcollection" of state taxes beyond what was anticipated when budgets were enacted  including both unspent funds remaining from the fiscal year that ended July 1, 2015, and the first months of the fiscal year that began then. Some think the surplus could approach $1 billion by the time next year's budget comes up for a legislative vote in April. Setting aside various budgeting procedural complications, there's going to be a lot of money available for one-time spending projects.

In the 2015 session, Haslam saw a surplus coming and filed a last-minute amendment to his budget that spent a big chunk of the anticipated surplus money  the biggest item being $120 million for building a new state museum. That inspired some grumbling among Republican legislators, though they ultimately went along in the spirit of political marriage harmony.

Haslam is tentatively scheduled to propose a basic budget for the coming year on Feb. 1 and it will doubtless be an attempt at compromise among a slew of competing proposals. Given legislators' tendency to fight over surplus money more than when they must make budget cuts, it may be his biggest budgeting challenge yet.

Just within his own administration, the Department of Environment and Conservation is asking for $125 million to repair long-neglected facilities at state parks while General Services Commissioner Robert Oglesby wants $529 million to begin an estimated $1.8 billion needed to patch up other state buildings. And several legislators, including House Speaker Beth Harwell, want to spend $240 million of the surplus on road projects  a move that could undercut Haslam's hopes for increasing fuel taxes.

Other fronts

The governor has been criticized by some conservatives  state Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, actually called for impeachment  for acquiescence in the U.S. Supreme Court decision authorizing gay marriage, while a House Republican Caucus has a task force trying to figure how to oppose the ruling and bills have been filed declaring the state should ignore it. Haslam says he doesn't like the ruling either, but regards it as law of the land that the state must follow.

Haslam has voiced support for revisiting a law, enacted last year, that declares handgun permit holders can take their weapons into parks owned by local governments. He would like to create exceptions; for example, when concerts are being held in such places. It appears most members of the supermajority are against such changes.

The state Department of Corrections has been under fire at legislative hearings during the summer and fall for what some see as mismanagement that has increased prison violence. Haslam has staunchly defended Corrections Commissioner Derrick Schofield, who is implementing some policy changes in response to criticism, but should expect more troubles on the prison front as the session progresses.

The governor's higher education restructuring plans, which initially seemed to have broad legislative support, may have encountered problems with last week's resignation of John Morgan as chancellor of the Board of Regents. Morgan said the plan, which calls for adding six new boards of trustees at each state university, is "unworkable." While legislators like the idea of helping appoint new trustees in their area, some acknowledge the move increases government contrary to the Republican philosophy of limiting government and Haslam's frequent calls to "streamline" government.

As initially outlined by Haslam, the plan called for the governor to make all appointments to the new boards. Legislators say that will certainly change to assure that legislators get a voice in picking the new trustees.

The governor, meanwhile, has studiously avoided engagement in legislator criticisms of the University of Tennessee's diversity efforts  certain to be a subject of much conversation, if not action, during the session.

A substantial segment of the state's business lobby, which normally works hand-in-glove with the Haslam administration, is up in arms over the Revenue Accountability Program (RAP), as implemented by the state Department of Revenue.

RAP requires wholesalers  initially just those dealing in tobacco products and beer, but expanded to other products under an administration bill enacted last year  to report their sales to retailers. The department then checks to see whether the retailer is appropriately collecting sales taxes on items received for sale. Groups, including the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business, want to repeal what they see as governmental intrusion  and the administration sees as a way to cub tax cheating.

Prospective Haslam-legislator disputes in the coming session even include such things as honoring worthy residents and the new state logo.

Several lawmakers are backing a bill to declare the state's "tri star"  the part of Tennessee's flag that depicts three white stars in a blue circle  as the official state symbol. While that would not impact Haslam's selection of a new state logo  developed at a cost of $46,000 and subject to considerable criticism last summer  it is widely seen as a symbolic gesture to contrast with the governor's logo actions.

Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, and Rep. Kelly Keisling, R-Byrdstown, are proposing a bill that would require the governor to issue certificates to people nominated by legislators deeming them to have "a record of outstanding service to this state or a local community." Such people would become "Tri Star Generals."

There is already a program for the governor to issue certificates designating a person as a "Colonel Aide de Camp." Haslam spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals says he has issued 649 such colonel designations since taking office and they "may be awarded only at the request of a member of the Tennessee General Assembly."

Of course, a general outranks a colonel, at least in the military, just as a governor outranks a legislator in most views of the state's political hierarchy. But when legislators unite in a supermajority, they can sometimes pull rank on a governor. That may be happening in 2016.
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By Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel

NASHVILLE  Most state legislators will see an increase in their daily payment for expenses this year, but those living within 50 miles of Nashville will actually see a decrease.

The per diem expense payment for each day of work at legislative duties is adjusted annually, tracking a federal government formula that determines how much a federal worker is paid as a travel allowance when staying in Nashville.

This year, the federal formula has the average day's stay in a Nashville motel pegged at $145 and the average cost of buying meals for a day at $59. Legislators who live more than 50 miles from Nashville get both the motel and meal allowance, or $204 per day, according to Connie Ridley, who heads the Office of Legislative Administration.

That's a $6 per day increase over the daily payment of $198 during the 2015 legislative session and out-of-session work days. The per diem in 2015, in turn, was $10 per day higher than for the 2014 session.

But under a law that took effect in 2014, legislators who live within 50 miles of the Tennessee Capitol  about 35 of the 132 total  get only the meal allowance, not the motel allowance. And that actually decreased for 2015, from $66 per day then to the $59 per day for the 2016 session. Thus, Nashville-area lawmakers will get $7 per day less this year than last.

Ridley said she could offer no explanation for the change in federal figures, published by the U.S. Department of General Service.

All lawmakers driving to the Legislative Plaza also receive 47 cents per mile driven, unchanged from last year.

Legislators' base salary, paid in addition to the per diem allowance, remains at $20,884 per year. It is adjusted every two years, tracking the increase in state employee pay over the two-year period. The base pay was increased to that figure for the 109th General Assembly, which convened in January 2015, by $681 per year. The next increase will come with the start of the 110th General Assembly, which will convene in January 2017.

House Speaker Beth Harwell and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey are paid three times the base salary of other legislators, or $62,652 per year.

Legislators also receive $1,000 per month, or $12,000 per year, as a "home office expense allowance," ostensibly to cover costs of keeping an office in their home districts, though the rules allow them to pocket the money or use it for any other purpose and the Internal Revenue Service treats the payments as general income.

Legislators have the option of enrolling in the state's health insurance program and most do so  a matter that became somewhat controversial in last year's session after lawmakers killed Gov. Bill Haslam's Insure Tennessee proposal to provide health care insurance through TennCare to an estimated 180,000 or more uninsured Tennesseans. The state subsidy for health insurance to legislators varies widely, depending on the number of family members covered and the type of insurance coverage plan chosen by each individual. Figures released by state officials indicate the state subsidy for providing health insurance to state legislatures has averaged about $1 million per year since 2008. Many plans call for the state paying 80 percent of the insurance cost; the covered legislators paying 20 percent.

Lawmaker PACs: Three Republican state legislators  Sens. Randy McNally of Oak Ridge and Janice Bowling of Tullahoma along with Rep. Pat Marsh of Shelbyville  have recently joined the trend toward lawmakers establishing their own political action committees.

McNally, the Senate Finance Committee chairman and the General Assembly's most senior member, has founded McPAC and scheduled its first fundraiser for Monday evening, the eve of the 2016 session that starts Tuesday at noon. Once the session begins, there's a blackout on incumbent legislator fundraising that continues until adjournment.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, a pioneer in the operation of "leadership PACs" set up by individual lawmakers, also has a Monday evening fundraiser scheduled. He launched RAAMPAC in 2004.

Bowling's new PAC is, logically enough, registered as Bowling PAC  perhaps following the example of House Speaker Beth Harwell's Harwell PAC.

Marsh, who chairs the House Business and Utilities Committee, chose the name Marsh for Tennessee Business PAC.

Among other recently established PACs is one set up by John Avery Emison, a former Knoxvillian who has been much involved in anti-annexation efforts over the years as a leader of Citizens for Home Rule. The registered name is Citizens for Home Rule PAC and Emison is using a post office box in his current hometown of Alamo, Tenn., as the group's address.

Haslam appointments: Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed relatives of two prominent Republican political figures  U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. of Knoxville and former U.S. Attorney David Kustoff of Memphis  to seats on the state Board of Parole.

The appointees, listed along with 102 people appointed to 64 different state boards and commissions in a gubernatorial news release last week, are Zane Duncan, a son of the congressman, and Roberta Kustoff, wife of the political activist who headed former President George W. Bush's Tennessee campaign before being appointed U.S. attorney by Bush.

David Kustoff recently said he is considering whether to seek election as Tennessee's male representative on the Republican National Committee, succeeding the current Tennessee National Committeeman, John Ryder, who must step down later this year because of an RNC term-limits rule.

Members of the Parole Board are paid a salary of $95,000 per year to sit in panels and decide whether state prison inmates should be granted parole. The panel's chairman  currently former state Rep. Richard Montgomery of Sevierville  gets $109,334.

Duncan and Kustoff replace two members of the parole board appointed by former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, former state Rep. Ronnie Cole of Dyersburg and Patsy Bruce of Nashville.

Haslam also reappointed Tim Gobble, a Republican who formerly served as Bradley County sheriff, to a new six-year term on the board. Gobble was originally appointed to the board by Haslam in 2013 to fill out an unexpired term.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS Presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, campaigns Jan. 4 at Pennys Diner in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Cruz and Marco Rubio are fighting for the favor of many of the same undecided voters across Iowa, where even some of the most attentive Republicans say they cant make up their minds less than four weeks before voting begins.

SHARE Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greets supporters during a campaign stop at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton poses for a picture with a supporter following a campaign stop at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton greets supporters during a campaign stop at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jan. 5.

As they barnstorm across the caucus and primary states, the Republican and Democratic frontrunners for the presidential nomination often sound as if they're from different countries, not just different parties.

According to Republicans, the United States faces a daunting list of crises: an existential threat from Islamic extremism, a tidal wave of illegal immigration, a federal government out of control.

Democrats, meanwhile, are focused on the economy: too few good jobs, too much inequality (both gender and racial), too little access to health care.

They're not just offering different answers to the nation's problems; they're asking different questions.

Two examples from candidates high in the polls:

At a rally in Virginia last month, Republican Ted Cruz discussed illegal immigration, Planned Parenthood, terrorism, Iran, Israel, health care and the Common Core education standards  all before he even mentioned the economy. Even then, it was only as part of a promise to rein in "federal agencies that descend like locusts on small businesses, killing jobs."

At a town hall meeting in New Hampshire recently, Hillary Clinton flipped the script, addressing the economy first, national security second. "I want to be a president who gets the economy moving for everybody and gets incomes rising and more good-paying jobs," she said. "And I want to be a president that keeps us safe and secure and takes on the threats and dangers that we face," she added.

The priority gap is no accident; both candidates are reflecting the preferences of their parties' core voters.

An ABC News-Washington Post poll last month, taken after the San Bernardino attack, found that a plurality of Republicans listed terrorism first when asked what issue would be most important in their choice for president. Democrats and independents said the economy.

Among Republicans, 38 percent cited terrorism as the most important issue, and 29 percent named the economy. Among Democrats, 38 percent cited the economy, and only 17 percent named terrorism.

Liberals and conservatives haven't always disagreed on priorities. As recently as 2009, in the depths of the Great Recession, voters in both parties listed the economy as their top concern. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, voters in both parties said terrorism came first.

A catastrophe can sometimes create consensus  at least on what the problem is. But that hasn't happened in the case of the Islamic State.

Looking at the whole population  not just Democrats and Republicans  terrorism-firsters are in the minority. Among all voters in the ABC-Post poll, 33 percent listed the economy as their top concern; only 26 percent cited terrorism.

And that creates a challenge for Republican candidates as the campaign accelerates in the new year.

To win the hearts of conservatives in the GOP nomination contest, they've been competing with each other mostly on noneconomic issues. To build a broad coalition of voter support in the general election, the Republican nominee is going to need to deliver an appealing message about creating jobs. At this point, most GOP candidates haven't spent much time doing that, beyond occasional mentions of lower taxes and fewer regulations.

(The Republican who's had the most to say about the economy so far, oddly enough, is Donald Trump, whose stump speech includes broadsides against free trade with China and a big promise: "We're going to be rich again.")

If Clinton turns out to be the Democratic nominee, she faces a mirror-image problem: She needs to convince voters who worry about terrorism that she'd produce better foreign policy results than the president she worked for. But she has at least remembered to include security concerns in her stump speech  as she showed in New Hampshire.

There's one more consequence of this priority gap, and it affects both sides: Whoever wins the presidential election will lead a country with a deep and persistent partisan divide.

It's little remembered now, but when Obama arrived at the White House in 2009, he enjoyed a brief honeymoon of bipartisan support in public opinion (although not with most Republicans in Congress). That stemmed partly from a national consensus on which problem the new president needed to solve: the recession.

Now that consensus is gone, and even terrorist attacks haven't put a new one in its place. That means the next president, whoever he or she turns out to be, won't get even the brief cease-fire in partisan warfare that Obama was given.
Greg Johnson, Knoxville News Sentinel columnist.

The crowd stood in the cold for hours in the deep blue town of Lowell, Massachusetts, clamoring to hear the political neophyte with no legislative accomplishments. The candidate, for sure, had the gift of gab and folks filled the venue to hear what he had to say because he says what they want to hear, proclaiming publicly what they say and think privately. They needed hope, wanted change.

The building, named for a famed Democrat, holds about 8,000. The venue was beyond packed. The line outside to enter snaked along the sidewalk, snow still lingering in the frosty winter cold. The weather mattered not. They just wanted to hear the man who spoke from the heart to their hearts.

The man they all came to hear, of course, was Donald Trump, the leader of the Republican pack for the presidential nomination in 2016. But we've seen this show. In 2008, crowds packed auditoriums and stadiums, even the streets of Berlin, to hear a political neophyte with no legislative accomplishments wind a stem, as it were. And we elected that guy president. Twice.

Welcome to the "American Idol" method of selecting the leader of the free world. In this method, style trumps (pun intended) substance. Energy tops experience. Combative rhetoric overwhelms executive competence. Words matter more than actions. Outrageous antagonism is more telegenic than coherent geopolitical strategy.

America self-deluded in 2008 and again in 2012, suspending sense to elect self-fixated, self-deluded Barack Obama president. He promised to make peace in the Middle East by convincing radical Islamists to de-radicalize because he understood Islam. Obama and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton pushed a "reset" button with Russia. In 2012, Obama mocked when GOP candidate Mitt Romney said Russia posed an existential threat. "The 1980s are calling and they want their foreign policy back," Obama jeered.

Obama famously said he would negotiate with those President George W. Bush called the "axis of evil" Iraq, Iran and North Korea. Obama went further, normalizing relations with Cuba.

So how, exactly have Obama's words worked out?

The Islamic State occupies a huge swath of Iraq. The Syrian civil war, after Obama blinked at his own red line, has killed or displaced millions. Europe is awash in immigrants, some fleeing terror, others fleeing to terrorize. North Korea just tested a hydrogen bomb. Iran tested ballistic missiles though Obama's naive nuclear negotiations "forbid" them.

The non-threat Russia annexed Crimea and is fighting in Syria to prop up its pal, gas-happy Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, establishing a military presence in the Middle East for the first time since, you guessed it, the 1980s. Cuba, after Obama's "historic" normalization, made 882 political arrests before Pope Francis' visit in September and detained another 1,477 in November. The "axis of evil" has not repented. Instead, Cuba and Russia audition for membership.

We elected as leader of the free world an untested, inexperienced, egomaniacal narcissist who promised to bend the will of the world by his words and the force of his personality. The result? Global chaos. And now another untested, inexperienced, egomaniacal narcissist who promises to bend the will of the world by his words and the force of his personality leads the Republican primary.

Are we nuts?

Yes, there is an aching longing to "make America great again." The world needs America to be great again. But America and the world need competence, not charisma. Egomaniacal narcissists cannot lead by belittling. They delude themselves and those desperate for change, those short on hope. They believe the world bends and bows to them. It does not and will not.

Trump cannot and will not deport 13 million illegal immigrants. Mexico will not build a "beautiful" wall. Putin will make Trump a chump. Unless Republicans step away from the narcissist, America will elect the woman who "reset" with Russia and called Assad a "reformer." Or Bernie Sanders, the socialist.

This is the real world, not "American Idol."
News / National

by Staff reporter

FORMER vice-president Joice Mujuru is touring the country's provinces consulting grassroots ahead of the official launch of her People First (PF) party, amid revelations she is wooing experienced politicians from established parties.According to close Mujuru allies, President Robert Mugabe's former long-time deputy was in the Midlands Province early last week where she met former legislators from both the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition, in particular former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T.Images appeared on social media showing Mujuru in a group photo with ex-lawmakers, mainly from the opposition MDC-T.PF interim spokesperson Rugare Gumbo confirmed Mujuru met with ex-MDC-T MPs."They are the ones who asked to meet her. I did not attend the meeting, but I understand they wanted to assure her that they were fully behind her," Gumbo said.A picture taken after the meeting showed that more than 16 former MPs attended and these included ex-Chiredzi MP Moses Mare, former Mutare West MP and Manicaland provincial chairman Shuah Mudiwa, former Zaka North MP Enerst Mudavanhu and several others.Mudiwa described the meeting as "just a free association."He said-PF was still to be launched and hence there was nothing to join at the moment."This is just an association. There is nothing to join because they are yet to form a party," Mudiwa said.Other officials close to Mujuru said the-PF project was taking shape."The train is ready to move. Things have shaped up. I used to tell you that things were shaping up but now they have shaped up. Just wait and see," said one of the key mobilisers."We have senior officials from other parties offering to pay for the halls we want to hold meetings where Mujuru will address. It is exciting."Mujuru, according to sources, will be meeting activists from Bulawayo province this week before hosting other provinces.She has already met with her party's structures in Masvingo, Harare and Manicaland as well as the political hotbed of Mashonaland East."She will be meeting the Bulawayo province soon. Her message is clear; the party is ready to roll. She is telling people that she is holding a political bottle that is full of promises. It is a mixture of people from across the divide," said another source."From the MDC and from Zanu-PF, but her main thrust is to unite the people of this country."Mujuru has no option but to lead because she has the people's goodwill and the masses are convinced that is the only thing that can save this nation."Mujuru's manoeuvres have sent shockwaves across the country's body-politic."It's positive chaos. She has rocked the very foundations of particularly the opposition. There is spontaneity; there is energy even as far as South Africa."The kind of energy that I did not see even at the height of the MDC's popularity in the early days of its formation," a senior MDC-T official said.""The smaller parties like the People's Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tendai Biti will be swallowed even Simba Makoni's Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn. As for the MDC-T little will remain of it because most of its leaders in the provinces and those that were disgruntled are joining the-PF enmasse".Gumbo said Mujuru was about to wind up her nationwide tours."In fact we are almost done with all the provinces. There are I think one or two that remain as well as other groups such as former MPs and organisations keen on hearing her position and message," Gumbo said.He said there "is palpable excitement" across the political divide with "MPs from both Zanu-PF and the MDCs stampeding to join"."There is massive excitement because people see this as the only institution that can save the country. The response Mai Mujuru has received is tremendous," he said.But Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo scoffed at the reports that his party's members were ready to jump ship."I am not a spokesperson for anybody other than Zanu-PF. I have not been advised by anybody that they want to leave the party," Khaya-Moyo said.Khaya-Moyo refused to comment on suggestions that-PF would take away Zanu-PF supporters."I have no mandated to talk about other political groups and their activities," he said.Gumbo said Mujuru's message to the provinces was that the launch of the long awaited party was near."She is telling them that we are close to the launch and that we have left Zanu-PF for good," she said." There is no turning back. We are starting a movement that will be a political home for disenfranchised Zimbabweans from across the political divide. We want to bring people together."He said the party had already coined a rallying slogan: "In-PF we say; tiri tese (we are in it together). Rino igore rekuvaka (this is a year of reconstruction"."Reconstruction of our politics because the institutions that Zanu has created are aimed at entrenching the status quo, that cements the power of the elite," Gumbo said."It is a narrow elite, that is supported by extractive institutions which they are using to suck resources to the detriment of all Zimbabweans."
<p>News Sentinel editor Jack McElroy (PAUL EFIRD/NEWS SENTINEL)</p>

It's hard for me to believe, but this year marks my 40th anniversary in the news business. I started in the spring of 1976 at the Douglas Daily Dispatch in a copper-smelting town on Arizona's Mexican border.

The big paper in the state then, as now, was The Arizona Republic in Phoenix. One of its most respected journalists was a reporter named Don Bolles.

Bolles recently had left the investigative beat to cover the statehouse, but he couldn't resist when he got a phone call promising a tip about a land scam. On June 2, he went to meet the tipster in the lobby of a hotel in downtown Phoenix. But the source never showed, so Bolles left.

He returned to his Datsun 710, the first new car he'd ever owned, turned the key, and a bomb exploded under his seat.

It took the reporter 11 days to die. They kept amputating limbs to keep him alive. He had only an arm left when infection finally took him.

Bolles had been scheduled to be on a panel a few days later at the first conference of a new organization called Investigative Reporters and Editors. Stunned by the murder, the journalists decided to finish the story Bolles had started. More than three dozen investigative reporters and editors from across the country descended on Arizona to expose the corruption that was endemic in those days.

Ultimately, a 23-part series was produced and published nationwide. IRE, empowered by the project, established itself at the journalism school of the University of Missouri.

But Bolles' slaying was never completely solved. He'd left a note on his office calendar that read, "John Adamson  Lobby at 11:25  Clarendon House," and as he lay bleeding, he'd muttered, "They finally got me. The Mafia. Emprise. Find John."

The clues led to John Harvey Adamson, a race dog owner, who pleaded guilty and testified that James Robison, a plumber, helped plant the bomb and Max Dunlap, a contractor, ordered the hit. However, their convictions later were overturned, though Dunlap was convicted a second time and died in prison.

The motive for the killing was never clear, though, nor was the involvement, if any, of the mafia or Emprise, a company associated with the state's dog-racing industry.

Much has changed in the newspaper industry since then. I actually used a manual typewriter when I worked at the Dispatch, and I can't imagine dozens of newspapers cutting loose their star reporters in 2016 to labor for months on a project in a distant state.

Few working journalists even know of Don Bolles. They weren't in the business, or even born, when he was killed. They certainly weren't 22-year-old cub reporters following with horror daily updates on a dying role model.

But Bolles' spirit isn't dead. Watchdog reporting remains the highest calling in the business, and the IRE is still one of the industry's most respected organizations.

He isn't completely forgotten, either. Visitors to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., can still see his new white Datsun 710 on exhibit there, blown to bits.
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama addressed the nation on gun control, calling for tighter background checks for the purchase of a gun. The wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Rifle Association known as U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. responded by saying, "The president should be working with Congress to address the real causes of gun violence instead of attacking law-abiding citizens and the Constitution."

What? Congressman, pray tell, where in the Second Amendment of the Constitution does it say there can be no background checks into whether someone can purchase a gun? How is conducting such a check an attack on law-abiding citizens? How is it an attack on the U.S. Constitution? Plain and simple: It is not. But these are the kinds of lies Duncan spreads when any talk turns to bringing sanity to the nation's gun laws. Work with Congress to address "the real causes of gun violence?" Please. The real causes of gun violence are rooted in poverty, a lack of real opportunity to advance in this country, poor housing and more.

When was the last time Duncan voted to provide funding above a bare subsistence level to address these conditions in our country? Statistics show that more than 30,000 Americans die every year at the end of a gun barrel. What does the congressman propose to do about that? And please, no more empty platitudes!

For years, the "GOP-NRA" has fostered lies about the Second Amendment that have shaped the debate about gun control in our nation. Given the constant slaughter in our land because of guns, it is past time to move beyond nonsensical ideology to common sense. Read the Second Amendment for yourself  in its entirety:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

This amendment has been wildly misinterpreted over many years with the encouragement of the GOP-NRA. What does easy access to guns have to do with maintaining a "well-regulated Militia?" Absolutely nothing. In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court found in the District of Columbia v. Heller case that "Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner and for whatever purpose."

In other words, the Second Amendment can be regulated.

The GOP-NRA gun enthusiasts claim that more regulations will not prevent more gun carnage in our country. But that is not what the evidence shows. Look at data from just two states, Connecticut and Missouri. After Sandy Hook, Connecticut took action to better regulate the purchase of guns. Since then, the state has experienced a 40 percent decline in gun deaths. Conversely, after "Ferguson" happened in Missouri, controls on gun purchases were loosened. The result? An increase in gun deaths of 50 percent! We should be guided by facts rather than ideology and politics.

During his speech last week, the president made reference to the 20 first- and second-graders slaughtered at Sandy Hook. He was moved to tears. Some gun enthusiasts saw his tears as a sign of weakness. But if we cannot cry over slaughtered children, what can we shed tears over? Where does our humanity reside? In a grossly misinterpreted Second Amendment?

It is sad enough to see Duncan lying about the Second Amendment and what the president had to say. It is sadder still to hear the lies emanating from Republican presidential candidates like Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and Chris Christie. Everything they have said has been meant to stoke fear and gain political advantage, the truth be damned.

Beginning in 2007, after Obama announced he was running for the White House, the GOP-NRA has perpetuated the lie that he "was coming to get your guns." Seven years into his presidency there's still no evidence of that. When does the big lie stop? When you cannot even bring yourself to ban people on the "no-fly list" from purchasing guns, have you lost all sanity?

The president spoke on last Tuesday of Zaevion Dobson, the Fulton High School student killed in an act of self-sacrifice to protect two girls from bullets fired from guns the shooters should not have had. Zaevion was only 15 years old. But in his brief time on Earth, he showed more courage than Duncan has shown in his 68 years of not standing for what is right. It is time.
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Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre can count, and he could see the number of his detractors on the Board of Education would rise after the August election. On Monday, McIntyre announced he would resign, effective July 8 and pending school board approval of a severance package.

Politics, it appears, has triumphed over accomplishment.

McIntyre has led the school system since July 2008. Since then, test scores have improved, graduation rates have risen and more students are entering college prepared for its rigors. As expectations for students and teachers have risen, they have responded. Last year the state named Knox County Schools an exemplary school system, the first time an urban district in Tennessee has earned the distinction.

McIntyre's difficulties have come primarily from stormy relations with teachers and politicians, though he has tried, with some success, to repair the damage. He mended fences with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, eliminated some standardized testing not required by the state and established a committee to address the concerns of front-line teachers.

In the end, however, his critics prevailed. When he announced his retirement, McIntyre said the "dysfunctional" political atmosphere overshadowed his work.

"In recent months the conversation has all too often become about me or the school board or other elected officials rather than around the effective education of our children," he said.

Dissatisfied teachers led the charge. Most of their grievances  the loss of collective bargaining, the use of standardized testing for teacher evaluations, changes in tenure, to name a few  should have been directed at state officials, but they attacked the messenger instead.

In 2014, four ex-educators openly critical of McIntyre won election to the school board. Last month they were on the losing end of a 5-4 vote to renew McIntyre's contract. After Law Director Richard "Bud" Armstrong sowed confusion about the agreement's legality, the Knox County Commission voted 9-2 to withhold its approval. That vote was symbolic  commissioners cannot legally interfere with school system operations  but it had a political impact. Despite the protestations of some commissioners to the contrary, the perception was that support for McIntyre had eroded.

That support would have disappeared for all practical purposes after this year's school board election. Tony Norman, a former teacher and county commissioner who has made no bones about his disapproval of McIntyre, is unopposed in his contest, so the anti-McIntyre faction will become a majority. That put McIntyre in an untenable position.

The school board is scheduled to hold a special called meeting on Jan. 19 to discuss McIntyre's resignation and his proposed $227,256 severance package  the equivalent of one year's salary. Had the school board fired McIntyre, he would have been entitled to all the money he would have made over the four years of his new contract.

McIntyre's detractors on the school board must now join his supporters in a search for his replacement  the most important decision they are likely to make. The search should be national in scope, though qualified in-house candidates certainly should be considered.

The circumstances surrounding McIntyre's departure could complicate the search. Potential candidates might, with good reason, perceive that placating teachers would be more important than educating students.

The school board's responsibility to the public is to find the best superintendent, not the most pliable one. The panel's mission should be to find an experienced professional who will maintain high standards, demand accountability and put the academic development of each child above all other concerns.
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Hillary Clinton's support of the Arab Spring, with military intervention in Libya, ultimately resulted in the Islamic State. She has zero sensitivity to the combined religious tribal nature of most of these Islamic countries and the internal challenges of Islam. She blindly ignored the vacuum being created and failed to understand that dictators must be replaced, not just removed. She was willing for personal reasons to destroy the future peaceful surrender of weapons of mass destruction by other countries. No one laughs now at Mitt Romney's evaluation of Russia being a serious threat, after Clinton's public reset of relations. It is obvious Clinton lacks the necessary maturity required to be president.

David B. Hamilton, Knoxville
News / National

by Staff reporter

MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said it was not true that his party was losing MPs to-PF."It's a blue lie to allege that Joice Mujuru is attracting support from MDC-T structures," he said." Last time I checked, it is supporters of Tendai Biti's PDP who had joined Mujuru if recent reports on social media are anything to go by."The MDCT remains the largest and most popular political party in Zimbabwe."We're the real deal; the only game in town. Joice Mujuru might be a threat to the faction-ridden and crumbling Zanu-PF and other small, fringe opposition political parties but certainly, she is not a threat to the MDCT. In a free and fair election in Zimbabwe, we can beat any political party hands down. We are the Goliath of Zimbabwean politics; absolutely no doubt about that!" Gutu said.Biti said he viewed Mujuru as a "friend and not foe"."It is those that have an unbridled ambition to rule, who think they have a God given right to take over from Mugabe," he said."We do not view-PF as a threat to us. An enemy to our enemy is a friend to us. Mujuru is an enemy to Mugabe and Zanu-PF. It is those that are drunk with the urge to rule who are sweating," Biti said.""We have said we will work with all right thinking political formations and-PF is one of them".Brutally stampeded out of the ruling party at the tail end of 2014, ahead of the Zanu-PF congress Mujuru has played her cards close to her chest thus far  letting her lieutenants including another liberation stalwart and ex-ruling party propaganda chief Gumbo do the talking.Gumbo said the party's constitution was "almost complete"."But we are not going to have the complete constitution because input is still coming from the provinces," he said."We have requested that they continue to bring their input. Another thing is it has to be ratified by congress but we will have a working document that will regulate our members as we go to the inaugural congress."Despite her expulsion from the ruling party, Mujuru has remained popular amid reports serving MPs were preparing to jump ship ahead of a watershed poll in 2018.
By Park Jin-hai





Samsung Life buildig in central Seoul / Korea Times file

Booyoung Group, the nation's 19th largest conglomerate by assets, bought Samsung Life Insurance's building for 580 billion won, according to Booyoung on Sunday.



The construction company signed the deal with Samsung Life two days ago.

The two had been in discussions for the sales of the 25-story building in central Seoul after Samsung's negotiations with KB Financial Group failed in mid-December.

Booyoung's headquarters are located behind the Samsung Life building.

With the deal, the industry is seeing that beginning with Samsung Life, Samsung's other financial arms, including Samsung Securities and Samsung Card, will be relocated. Samsung Group had a relocation plan to move its financial affiliates to its headquarters in Seocho, central Seoul, for the latter half of last year, but the plan went nowhere as the sale of the Samsung Life building to KB did not go through.

"The relocation plan is going to take huge office space. Through consultation with our affiliates, we will begin a review of the plan," said a Samsung Life official.

Booyoung is known to have deep pockets. Although the other construction companies are struggling with falling profits, Booyoung has been expanding its business. In the last three months, it has either purchased or plans to purchase over 1 trillion won worth of real estate including land in Songdo for 315 billion won and the O2 Resort in Gangwon province. Although it failed get a duty free license, it tried to enter that business last year.

Booyong's rank by assets jumped to 19th last year, from 36th in 2004.

The purchase of the building from Samsaung will be closed by the third quarter and since the company is flush with cash, no problems are expected with the sale.

Booyoung's assets reached 10.6 trillion won in 2014, with a debt-to-equity ratio that stands at 362 percent. Its assets that it can turn into cash within one year are estimated to be 4.5 trillion won, while its chairman has over 2 trillion won in assets.
The Hanwha Galleria Duty Free store, which opened at the 63 City Building in Yeouido on Dec. 28, is virtually empty without shoppers on Jan. 6. The Hanwha and the HDC-Shilla Duty Free store, which opened in Yongsan on Dec. 24, have been struggling to attract Chinese and other foreign shoppers because of the absence of popular foreign luxury brands. The location of stores, away from tourist sites in downtown Seoul, are also said to have made them less attractive for foreign visitors. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



Absence of luxury goods brands, inconvenient locations cited as disadvantages

By Lee Hyo-sik

Hanwha Galleria and HDC-Shilla, which opened duty free stores in Seoul late last month, have been struggling to attract Chinese and other foreign shoppers because of the absence of popular foreign luxury brands, among others.

The location of newly-opened stores, away from tourist sites in downtown Seoul, are also said to have made them less attractive to foreign visitors, many of whom choose to go to other shops located in the city center.

Hanwha and HDC-Shilla say it will take some time to get their operations on track, stressing that Chinese and other tourists will flock to their shops once they begin offering high-end bags and other luxury items. They are also trying to expand business ties with travel agencies catering to foreigners who visit Korea in group.

However, many industry analysts say that it would take longer than expected for newly-opened duty free shops to normalize their operations.

"Hanwha Galleria and HDC-Shilla are having a difficulty in negotiating with Louis Vuitton, Chanel and other luxury goods makers," said a duty free market analyst, who declined to be named. "The duty free stores are desperate to attract these premium brands. But the brands have shown a lukewarm attitude toward opening shops at Hanwha and HDC-Shilla because they can sell all their goods at existing shops. They just don't want to spend money to run new shops."

The analyst then said attracting Chinese who come here in group is the key to the success of domestic duty free shops.

"Given that many travel agencies have long been doing business with existing duty free stores, it is not easy for newly-opened shops to break the entry barrier. Eventually, Hanwha and HDC-Shilla can do so but it will take some time," he said.

Citing the locations of the newly-opened stores, the analyst said many shoppers would rather go to those located in the downtown area.

"Hanwha Galleria store is in Yeouido, which is a largely financial industry district. The HDC-Shilla store is at I'Park mall in Yongsan where no attractive tourist spots are located. Given their geographical disadvantages, they really have to attract group tourists by boosting cooperation with tour agencies."

Despite a fewer number of shoppers than previously expected, Hanwha Galleria, which expects to generate 500 billion won in sales this year, said the number will soon increase when foreign luxury brands open shops.

"It's been only 10 days since the shop opened. We are still in its infant stage," a Hanwha Galleria spokesman said. "So it is too early to say whether our store is a success or not. We decided not to make public how many shoppers we attract and how much money we make for the time being. Doing so is just meaningless at the moment."

The spokesman then expressed confidence that the Hanwha Galleria store will become one of the most visited duty free shops in Seoul, stressing that the company will draw more group tourists and offer a wide range of consumer products that Chinese and other foreign visitors seek to purchase in Korea.

HDC-Shilla echoed Hanwha's views, saying that business conditions will soon improve.

"Our store just opened and it is not the time to say whether it is a success or not," We don't have major luxury goods brands yet. But we expect them to soon set up their shops inside our store. We are also working hard to draw as many Chinese travelers as possible, who come here in group."

HDC-Shilla expects to earn 1 trillion won in revenue in 2016.



Can Hana Tour fare better?

Hana Tour, Korea's largest travel agency is set to open its first duty free store later this month at its headquarters building in Insa-dong, downtown Seoul. About 200 brands have expressed interests in opening a shop inside the store, according to the company

The SM Duty Free store will mostly deal with a wide range of goods produced by local companies. But it also plans to have one or two foreign luxury brand shops in order to draw more Chinese and other foreign tourists.

It is location near the Insa-Dong Street, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Seoul, has put the SM Duty Free in a better position to draw more foreign tourists, Hana Tour said.

"We will open the store late this month when 200 brand shops are ready to welcome shoppers," a Hana Tour official said. "We will deal with mostly locally-produced consumer goods but we also plans to gradually expand product categories by introducing some foreign luxury goods. The store location will also enable us to invite more Chinese tourists than other duty free shops."
By Kim Jae-won





Manishi Raychaudhuri, Asia Pacific equity strategist at BNP Paribas

Seoul stocks focusing on domestic consumption and those benefiting from low commodity prices will lead the market this year, according to a strategist.

Manishi Raychaudhuri, Asia Pacific equity strategist at BNP Paribas, said Sunday that the usual frontline export-oriented stocks will lose their growth steam, yielding their leading status to rising small caps in Korea's benchmark indices.

"There are interesting companies in the market, focused on domestic consumption and those benefitting from weak commodity prices, which could provide significant returns to investors, even during the present volatile period," said Raychaudhuri in an e-mail interview with The Korea Times.

His remarks came amid a sharp rise in market value of Korea's retailers running convenience stores such as BGF Retail and GS Retail.

Shares of BGF Retail closed at 199,000 won on Friday, up 9,500 won, or 5.01 percent, from the previous session. Its stock price has climbed 19.5 percent from a month ago when it was at 166,500 won. BGF runs the nation's largest convenience store chain, CU. The company enjoyed brisk sales of lunchboxes, as the number of one-person households is on the rise in the country.

But, stock prices of the nation's traditional manufacturing powerhouses, including Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, are tumbling. Shares of Hyundai Motor finished at 136,500 won on Friday, down 1,000 won, or 0.73 percent, from the previous day. Its market value dropped 9 percent from a month ago when it topped 150,000 won.

Korea's biggest automaker is going through tough times while its Japanese rivals are benefiting from the low value of their local currency. The Japanese government has pushed for keeping the yen low, seeking to help its exporters and boost the economy.

The BNP Paribas strategist said Korean exports have been weak, and the recent weakness of the Chinese renminbi (RMB) could continue to exert competitive pressure on the country's exporters.

"Korean equities' reaction to these outside factors, therefore, is likely to be negative. In the short term, as long as the volatility in the RMB and Chinese equities continue, we think Korean equities could remain weak."

He said that in the near term the most important driver of the Chinese equity market is the direction of its currency. Raychaudhuri said that over past few days the daily fixing of the RMB by the People's Bank of China has been significantly lower than the market's expectation, leading to continuing weakness in the RMB.

"As long as the RMB continues to stay weak, we believe other currencies in the region could also weaken  leading to continued volatility in the region's equity markets," he said.

China's major stock indexes regained some ground on Friday after Beijing ditched a circuit- breaker mechanism that halted trading twice this week. The Chinese central bank also raised its guidance rate for the RMB for the first time in nine trading days, having allowed the currency's biggest fall in five months on Thursday.
Yim Jong-yong, Financial Services Commission chairman, delivers a speech at the second Demo Day event organized by the Fintech Center in the Gran Seoul building, on May 27. / Courtesy of Fintech Center



Korean regulators urged to remove all entry regulations



By Kim Jae-kyoung

SINGAPORE  Last November, there was a significant development in Korea's banking industry  the long-awaited approval of internet-only banks  Kakao Bank and KT Bank set to make their debuts in the first half.

Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) gave two separate consortiums led by Kakao, a leading mobile messaging app operator, and KT, the nation's No. 2 telecommunications company, preliminary approval to establish internet-only banks.

The announcement made headlines on the front page of most Korean media. Analysts and experts say that the appearance of this new breed of bank will change the landscape of the nation's financial industry.

Ironically, from the global perspective, the new development shows how far Korea's banking industry is lagging behind its global counterparts.

"Internet bank is already a product of the past. It should have happened already," Choi Jung-kiu, head of Asia Pacific Financial Institutions Practice at AT Kearney told The Korea Times.

"The Korean financial industry is far behind those in China as well as advanced countries in fintech and digital banking. The problem is that Korean lenders and regulators are little aware of it," he added.

Surprisingly, the first internet bank made its debut in 1989, with U.K.'s First Direct starting the first internet-based services in the banking industry. Since then, more internet banks, including ING Direct in Australia and Fidor Bank in Germany, have been steadily formed around the world.

The emergence of fintech, or financial technology, is changing the look of internet banks and the traditional concept of the financial industry. Fintech is a concept describing a business based on software to offer more efficient financial services.



Global trend

The transformation is taking place in two directions. First, traditional banks are behaving like technology companies by instituting digital strategies. Second, non-traditional players are entering the banking industry leveraging fintech.

Nektarios Liolios, co-founder of Startupbootcamp Fintech, wrote on the website of the Financial Brand, "We are only at the beginning of a truly transformational adventure in financial services, and the big changes will not come from the obvious players or the obvious countries."

According to Venture Scanner, more than 1,000 fintech startups are estimated to have attracted a total of $15 billion in the U.S. as of early 2015, while similar firms are springing up like mushrooms in the U.K. and Israel as well.

In the U.K., retailers Tesco and Sainsbury are leveraging technology to run Tesco Bank and Sainsbury's Bank, which are examples of large retailers making entry into banking. They sell most of their financial products online or through call centers, not at retail outlets.












North Korean leader Kim Jong-un salutes the People's Armed Forces in this photo published Sunday in the Rodong Shinmun. He re-asserted that a bomb test conducted on Jan. 6 was a "self-defensive measure" in an address delivered to soldiers of the North Korean army at a new year event./ Yonhap

Kim Jong-un, depicted on the cover of the New Yorker to be released Jan. 18. / Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reasserted his claim that his regime successfully conducted a hydrogen bomb test last week and that this was a self-defense measure, the Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday.

"It is a legitimate right of a sovereign state, which no one can refute," Kim added."Our hydrogen bomb test, conducted at the outset of the year when the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea will be held, is a self-defensive measure to strictly protect the independence of the country and the right to survival of the people against the threat of a nuclear war with the U.S. and imperialists and to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula and regional security," Kim was quoted as saying by the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim was speaking at a new year's event held for the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces.

Members of North Korea's People's Armed Forces clap as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's car passes through, according to the North's Rodong Shinmun, Sunday. While visiting the People's Armed Forces, Kim again stressed that the nuclear bomb test was a self-defense measure./ Yonhap.Yonhap

Fireworks lit up Pyongyang during an event held Friday by the regime in North Korea for citizens to celebrate the success of the claimed hydrogen bomb test, the North's Korean Central News Agency reported. / Yonhap



As usual, the KCNA did not provide the date when Kim delivered his speech.

Kim also urged the People's Armed Forces to "step up political and military might to protect the 7th Workers' Party Congress," he said.

Kim's comment comes as the international community debates whether to impose further sanctions against the North for carrying out a fourth nuclear test.

Since the Jan. 6th test, the North's state media has been publishing photos of North Koreans celebrating the success of its claimed hydrogen bomb test.
By Jung Min-ho



How much pain would you endure in order to stay alive if you had an incurable illness and no prospect of leaving hospital?



With the National Assembly passing the "well-dying" bill, from 2018 patients with no hope of recovery will be able to end their lives by refusing life-sustaining treatment.



If a patient in possession of his or her mental faculties wishes to die like this, doctors can stop treatment such as chemotherapy, mechanical ventilation, blood dialysis and CPR.



The law also applies to patients who have not expressed such a wish, if all members of their families agree.



If a patient has no family, the hospital's bioethics committee can decide.



At least two doctors must confirm that the patient's condition is incurable before stopping life-sustaining treatment.



"Well-dying" is different from euthanasia, or doctor-assisted dying, which allows for medication that will kill terminal patients.



"The law is expected to allow patients to end their lives with dignity," said Rep. Kim Choon-jin of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, who led the legislation. "Also, the law will reduce the nation's medical costs for unnecessary life-sustaining treatment."



Calls for passing the bill have grown over the years. Supporters believe that too many people die in hospitals against their will after enduring excruciating pain and burdening their families financially.



According to a survey by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs last year, 88.9 percent of all Koreans aged 65 or older said they did not want to receive treatment to live longer if they knew their medical condition could never be cured.



In reality, however, most patients with incurable conditions end their lives in pain, hooked to machines and surrounded by strangers.



According to the National Health Insurance Service, more than 97 percent of terminally-ill cancer patients die while receiving medical treatment.



The new law is expected to encourage doctors and patients to talk more openly about end-of-life decisions. Under the law, patients can write orders for their physicians about life-sustaining treatment or give advanced directives.



Debate on "well-dying" began in 1997 after a doctor released a dying patient from hospital at the family's request. They later faced murder charges.



The debate was rekindled in 2008 when a patient's family sued Yonsei Severance Hospital, demanding that it stop treating the patient, who was in a coma. In 2009, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the family, saying she had the right to end life with dignity.



This sparked a national debate. In 2010, a committee was formed composed of religious, medical and legal figures, but it failed to agree on anything. In 2012, the Presidential National Bioethics Committee recommended that the health ministry create the legal groundwork for passive euthanasia.




By Jhoo Dong-chan

A court has ruled that the dismissal of a former stem cell professor convicted of faking research data was justifiable.

According to the Seoul Administrative Court, Sunday, it has dismissed former Seoul National University (SNU) professor Kang Soo-kyung's petition demanding cancelation of the school's expulsion.

The court said in the ruling that Kang neglected her duties as a top university professor and researcher by breaching research ethics by the manipulation of data.

"Kang has also taken a leading role in fabricating a number of studies including papers submitted to international scientific journals for publication, including Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, without submitting the original data that she promised to present as counterevidence," a court said.

"Moreover, she submitted more forged data and threatened her co-researchers who testified before the school's fact-finding investigation. The school's dismissal of Kang is justifiable."

In 2012, Kang was suspected of fabricating 14 studies submitted to international scientific journals. The veterinary school of SNU then initiated a fact-finding process about Kang's alleged faking of data in her studies in May that year.

Finding evidence that she played a leading role in fabricating her research and deliberately obstructed the investigation, the committee concluded that Kang should be punished in December 2012 and the school dismissed her the following March.

Claiming that she has been targeted by a "malicious scheme" and the punishment was too severe, Kang filed a petition for cancelation of the school's dismissal.
A B-52 strategic bomber, escorted by South Korea's F-15K and the U.S. Air Force's F-16 fighter jets, flies over an air base in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, Sunday. The B-52 bomber, armed with nuclear missiles and "bunker buster" bombs, left U.S. Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Sunday morning and arrived in Osan at noon as a show of force against North Korea. / Yonhap



Washington may bring USS Ronald Reagan next month



By Yi Whan-woo

A B-52 strategic bomber of the U.S. Air Force flew over South Korea, Sunday, in a show of force following North Korea's fourth nuclear test conducted four days earlier.

Washington is also expected to send the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, from its naval base at Yokosuka, Japan, to South Korea soon, as part of its plan to bolster military counteractions with Seoul.

The measures may include deployment of an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine from Yokosuka and an F-22 Raptor stealth fighter from Okinawa, also in Japan, according to military officials.

They said the USS Ronald Reagan may participate in Foal Eagle, a combined field training exercise aimed at deterring Pyongyang's military aggression.

This year's Foal Eagle, which takes place every March, could be rescheduled and instead be held in February.

The show of force on Sunday was seen as a response to Pyongyang's claim that it conducted its first hydrogen bomb test in Punggye-ri, North Hamgyong Province, last week.

In a statement, South Korea's Air Force Operations Commander Lt. Gen. Lee Wang-keun and U.S. Seventh Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy said a B-52 Stratofortress flew the skies above Osan, Gyeonggi Province, at noon on Sunday.

Lee and O'Shaughnessy also said that the nuclear bomber departed the U.S. Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Sunday morning and was escorted by an entourage of two South Korean F-15Ks and two U.S. F-16s when passed Osan, where the headquarters of the Seventh Air Force is located.

It then headed back to its base in Guam, said the two commanders.

"The allied forces of South Korea and the U.S. are ready to work closely in the event of emergencies and strike our enemies at any time and any place," Lee said.

O'Shaughnessy said, "B-52 missions reinforce the U.S. commitment to the security of our allies and partners, and demonstrate one of the many alliance capabilities available for the defense of the Republic of Korea."

Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the head of the U.S. Pacific Command, said in a press statement, "This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland."

The Seventh Air Force is under the wing of the U.S. Pacific Command.

"North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security," Harris added.

The B-52 bomber is one of three components in the U.S. "nuclear umbrella" system provided to South Korea, along with intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Armed with nuclear missiles and a "bunker buster," it is capable of destroying North Korea's underground facilities, including its nuclear test sites.

Two of the more notable types of missiles compatible with the B-52 are the AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile and the AGM-129 stealth nuclear cruise missile.

The former is able to hit a target within a 100-meter radius from as far away as 2,500 km. The range for the AGM-129 is 3,000 kilometers.

Meanwhile, South Korea resumed its anti-North loudspeaker broadcasts on Friday, along the inter-Korean border in retaliation to North Korea's nuclear test.
A collection of Iranian books, calligraphy and handicrafts are on display at the Seoul Metropolitan Library in Seoul till Jan .24. / Courtesy of the Iranian Embassy



By Rachel Lee

Iran is exhibiting books and art to introduce its rich history of Persian art and culture in Korea.

The Embassy of Iran organized the "Persia: The sequence of sensation and perception" exhibition to mark the upcoming 37th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It features books, calligraphy and handicrafts.

Iranian Ambassador to Korea Hassan Taherian and Seoul Metropolitan Library Director General Lee Yoon-hoon spoke at the opening ceremony at the City Hall library in Seoul on Jan. 5.



Foreign envoys, including the ambassadors of Afghanistan, Bolivia and Tajikistan as well as diplomats of Jordan and Algeria, were also present.

"Holding such exhibition will pave the way for more cultural cooperation," the Iranian ambassador said. "The exhibition will help South Koreans become familiar with Iranian culture, art, history and literature."





Iranian Ambassador to Korea Hassan Taherian, left, speaks at the opening ceremony for the "Persia: The sequence of sensation and perception" exhibition at the City Hall library in Seoul on Jan. 5.

/ Courtesy of the Iranian Embassy



The ambassador described his country as "pioneer of civilization and art."

Because Persia had been invaded from east and west, it has blended those influences to create a rich diversity of arts, styles, and techniques.

Persia, now Iran, has been a center of civilization for at least 7,000 years, and Persian art goes back to the 6th century B.C. When the Persian Empire was formed, its unified style started to appear. In the 7th century A.D., when Muslims invaded Persia, Islamic styles and techniques began to have an influence. By the 15th century a unique style had been created. Although the wide diversity of outside influences makes it difficult to pin down distinct characteristics, Persian art is generally characterized by its firm lines, extensive detail, and bold use of color.

Architecture and miniature production are particularly well known.

According to View Iran, typical types of Iranian architecture are mosques and palaces, and architecture makes use of abundant symbolic geometry, using pure forms such as circles and squares.

Arthur Pope says: "The meaningful impact of Persian architecture is versatile _ not overwhelming but dignified, magnificent and impressive."

Lee highlighted the special relations between Iran and South Korea, which had a long and deep history.

"Holding this kind of art and cultural exhibition provides the platform of further bilateral cultural exchanges and indeed, we can reach a comprehensive partnership, throughout cooperation and carry out dynamic and fruitful exchanges," Lee said.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 24. For more information, visit lib.seoul.go.kr.
A group of diverse but like-minded individuals, the members of ARC have come together in their common desire to fight hatred, bigotry, intolerance and violence because of the harm these antisocial behaviors cause to our society. In that effort, we will not use or sanction the use of illegal actions (such as violence or intimidation) in pursuit of our desired aims and if we learn of anyone who does use these unethical methods we will report those individuals to the authorities. Instead, we will use the guarantees found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that ensure freedom of legal speech and expression.
News / National

by Thobekile Zhou

Dear Team,



Please be advised that Minister Mushohwe will pay AMH a visit on Monday morning at a time to be confirmed. With his team he will meet with management and then tour the premises.



We look forward to hosting his team.



Best wishes,

Media, Information and Broadcasting Services minister Chris Mushohwe is set to visit privately owned Alpha Media Holdings on Monday on a familiarisation tour.The visit comes days after the arrest of AMH reporters last week.The trio, NewsDay deputy editor Nqaba Matshazi, reporter Xolisani Ncube and legal secretary Sifikile Thabethe were charged for allegedly publishing falsehoods following the publication of a story alleging that Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives had been paid bonuses secretly.Of late Mushohwe has been critical of the private press.Late December he issued a chilling warning on journalists against tampering "with sacred forests of security sector."He said "If you enter a river infested with crocodiles what do you think will happen to you?"According to an AMH internal memo leaked to Bulawayo24.com, Mushowe will tour the firm on Monday.Below is the full notice :
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un



By Yi Whan-woo

South Korea and the United States are seeking to cut off a flow of cash to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un which is used to prop up his regime, according to Cheong Wa Dae sources, Sunday.

The sources said that Seoul is considering joining Washington's efforts to freeze Kim's overseas financial assets and scale up economic sanctions against Pyongyang in retaliation against its fourth nuclear test last Wednesday.

The allies are also pressuring China to ban its oil exports to North Korea, which is heavily reliant on fuel from China to maintain its heavily armed forces.

"South Korea and the U.S. are pushing to employ all possible means to take relevant measures that can effectively bring pain to North Korea," a Cheong Wa Dae official said.

The move comes in addition to steps taken by the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) to adopt a new resolution against North Korea for carrying out the nuclear test following previous tests conducted in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

Speculation is that China, a permanent member of the UNSC and one of North Korea's few remaining allies, will be skeptical about imposing "stern" measures, although it has agreed that Pyongyang should be punished.

The UNSC has a set of four resolutions  1718, 1874, 2087, and 2094  on North Korea.

Citing Pyongyang's surprise nuclear test on Wednesday, some critics have claimed that the existing sanctions are not sufficient to prevent Pyongyang from giving up its nuclear ambitions.

"Under such circumstances, it should be made clear that we'll put our priority on the UNSC sanctions while pursuing measures against the Kim regime individually or jointly with the U.S," said the presidential house official.

Some sources said that Seoul and Washington will refer to the case of blacklisting Banco Delta Asia (BDA) in 2005 to scare any financial institutions from dealing with the totalitarian state.

The U.S. shut down transactions at BDA in Macau while blacklisting the bank after it was found that the North Korean leadership, including Kim's late father Kim Jong-il, hoarded money there.

"Any bank will be in fear of being branded as a colluder of the Kim regime and I believe Washington's so-called secondary boycott' will surely put Pyongyang into a corner if it is implemented," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies.

It is seen that South Korea and the U.S. will urge the international community not to hire North Korean laborers or travel to the repressive state.

Studies have shown that the North Korean leadership has pocketed most of the money earned by its laborers working overseas while capitalizing on tourism as its major income source of foreign currency.

Meanwhile, sources say the most effective step against North Korea will be cutting off the oil supply from China through a small number of pipelines.

They say the Kim regime purchases 1 million tons of crude oil from Beijing every year.

But China has opposed the plan, claiming it will possibly lead to the collapse of North Korea, which would put South Korea and the U.S squarely on its border.

In a TV interview, Sunday, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se then said, "China must prove that its promise to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula and throughout East Asia was not a lie.

"It is important for China to show in action that it is against North Korea's nuclear program."
The overflight by a U.S. B-52 nuclear bomber of South Korea demonstrates "ironclad" U.S. commitment to the Asian ally in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test, the U.S. Pacific commander said Saturday.

The bomber left U.S. Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Sunday morning and arrived in the skies above Osan, south of Seoul, around noon, armed with nuclear missiles and "bunker buster" bombs that are capable of bombarding North Korea's underground facilities, according to Seoul and Washington.

It flew past Osan surrounded by an entourage of two South Korean F-15Ks and two U.S. F-16s.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander U.S. Pacific Command, said in a press statement.












By Rachel Lee

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the military to reinforce defense readiness as inter-Korean tensions continue to rise following the North's fourth nuclear test.

Kim urged the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces to step up its political and military activities in order to protect the 7th Workers' Party Congress, the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday.

"This is the militant slogan for the People's Armed Forces this year," the state news agency quoted Kim as saying. "The People's Armed Forces should reinforce its readiness through artillery training and other measures."

North Korea has stationed more troops along the inter-Korean border to bolster its monitoring of the South after the latter resumed propaganda broadcasts on Friday.

The KCNA said that Kim's comments were made when he visited the ministry, but did not state when exactly he made the speech.

Kim also said the hydrogen bomb test was a self-defense step against the threat of nuclear war with the U.S.

"Our hydrogen bomb test is a self-defense step for peace on the Korean Peninsula and for regional security," Kim said. "It protects our people's right to live and the independence of the country against the danger of a nuclear war with the U.S. and the U.S.-led imperialists."

Kim also said that it was the "legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize."

This was the first time that the North Korean media has reported the leader's remarks after Thursday's nuclear test. The international community is discussing whether to impose sanctions against North Korea.
By Rachel Lee



Anxiety and fear are growing among people living near the inter-Korean border after the South resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts on Jan. 8.



The residents fear the possibility of retaliation from the North, but are sticking to their daily routines.



"I feel anxious about the situation now," said Han Jung-shim, 51, a resident of Gyodong Island in Ganghwa County, Incheon. "Last year, troops and tanks were stationed here, and now this happens again. This is the most serious thing I have seen in my life here."



Last August, residents on the island were put on alert after the country resumed broadcasts following landmine explosions inside the Demilitarized Zone, which were blamed on Pyongyang.



About 3,000 South Koreans live on the island.



"It's a blatant lie, if you say you aren't worried about the situation," Han said.



Park Hyung-sup, 59, a shopkeeper, feels worried that the North's possible retaliation will force him to suspend his business.



"This is a threat to my livelihood. I hope the government cares and listens to what we say about the situation now," he said.



Park Joom-soi, 67, a supermarket owner in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, feels the same.



"Last August, I had to close the shop for four days while I was staying in an emergency shelter," he said. "I hope not this time."



Last August, Yeoncheon residents were ordered to leave their shops and homes and evacuate to shelters and bunkers.



Park Yong-ho, 59, the Samgot-ri representative in Yeoncheon, said that residents were waiting to see what happened.



Tourism sites  including the Dora Observatory and the third tunnel  in Paju in Gyeonggi Province are temporarily closed as of Jan. 8.



"We will be the target of North Korea. Nobody agrees with the broadcast. I just want to live peacefully," said a resident in Ganghwa-eup in Ganghwa County.



South Korea resumed the propaganda broadcasts in response to Pyongyang's claim to have tested a hydrogen bomb. Banks of loudspeakers have been placed at 11 places along the border.



The loudspeakers  which blast pop, news and weather reports and criticism of the North  can be heard 24 kilometers away at night and 10 kilometers away during the day.



The broadcasts are expected to influence residents in the North's border city of Gaeseong as well as North Korean soldiers stationed along the border.



The North has begun similar broadcasts.



ng on tourism as its major income source of foreign currency.







Meanwhile, sources say the most effective step against North Korea will be cutting off the oil supply from China through a small number of pipelines.



They say the Kim regime purchases 1 million tons of crude oil from Beijing every year.



But China has opposed the plan, claiming it will possibly lead to the collapse of North Korea, which would put South Korea and the U.S squarely on its border.



In a TV interview, Sunday, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se then said, "China must prove that its promise to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula and throughout East Asia was not a lie.



"It is important for China to show in action that it is against North Korea's nuclear program."




/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Vieworks brings new era for medical X-ray imaging



By Jung Min-ho, Kim Eil-chul

Digital radiography (DR) is changing the way medical X-rays are generated. Over the past few years, doctors have come to rely less on conventional X-ray machines and flat panel detectors, the latest class of X-ray DR, are quickly taking their place.

Vieworks is one of the major players leading the transition worldwide.

"Within five years, DR systems are expected to replace analogue and computer radiography (CR) systems at most major medical institutions in Korea and throughout the developed world," said Vieworks CEO and President Kim Hoo-shik in an interview.

Vieworks is the world's third largest manufacturer of flat panel detectors, with a market share of 15 percent.

After developing its first product in 2011, the firm has rapidly risen to become a major challenger to Trixell and Varian, the two leaders in the global flat panel detector market.





Vieworks CEO and President Kim Hoo-shik poses with the latest flat panel detector, which can capture X-ray-type images and convert them into electronic data that can be displayed in high-resolution on a computer.

/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



"The size of the market is expected to triple in a few years. And we will continue to increase our share of it. This is just the beginning for us," Kim said.

Flat panel detectors can capture X-ray type images and convert them into electronic data that a computer can display in high-resolution.

Moreover, they allow users to store and maneuver images easily. Better yet, it only takes about five seconds to obtain an image and patients spend less time exposed to harmful radiation.

To sharpen its competitiveness, Vieworks developed Automatic Exposure Detection, which can detect what X-rays can detect without the need of cable connections between an X-ray detector and X-ray generator, Kim noted.

"I think the technology was one of the key factors that helped Vieworks grow quickly into the third biggest player in the 400-billion-won ($340 million) global market within a short period of time," he said.

DR rings is hastening the end for the era of traditional X-ray technologies, which have improved little since German physician Wilhelm Rontgen found in 1895 that X-rays would pass through the tissue of humans leaving the bones and metals visible.

In analogue X-ray imaging, different materials absorb the radiation by different degrees. Hard tissues such as bones absorb X-rays, and appear white on an X-radiograph.

But the process, in which light-sensitive photographic film overlapped with fluorescent screen is exposed to X-rays and then developed, takes about 15 minutes or longer.

Besides, the pictures can neither be manipulated nor shared instantly with others in different locations.

Then, the CR system came out. But the technology has lost competitiveness against the cheaper and more durable DR system. "Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the CR system is the amount of harmful radiation the patient is exposed to, which is twice as much as DR," Kim said.

Today more than 70 percent of Vieworks' revenue come from its exports to 10 countries, including Germany, Japan and the United States, he said.

"The next goal is to increase our share in the market of flat panel detectors for fluoroscopy," he said. "We have already come up with a prototype for the product and we will start selling this soon.

"If everything goes well, Vieworks will become the world's third firm to enter the market, which is, for now, dominated only by Trixell and Varian."

Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses X-rays to obtain real-time moving images of the interior of a patient.

"The technology, which allows users to see real-time actions such as the heart pumping, can be useful especially for cardiac and upper gastro-intestinal treatment," Kim said.

Developing glycosuria foot detector'

What makes diabetes one of the leading causes of death in most developed countries is that it can damage a person's body for years without showing any clear signs.

Late detection of the disease raises the risk of serious complications such as amputation of the feet.

In cooperation with researchers, led by KAIST Professor Choi Chul-hee, Vieworks has been working to develop a device capable of detecting glycosuria in feet by the speed of blood circulation, Kim said.

"Through big data analytics, we can tell whether a person has the problem, but not with absolute accuracy yet," he said.

The device is capable of showing the speed of blood circulation in feet. This is meaningful progress from the existing technology that is only able to tell whether blood vessels are blocked.

"If the research goes well, the device might be able to prevent many people around the world from having their feet amputated," he said. "It could be a medical breakthrough."

However, the research into the technology has recently been brought to a standstill as the company struggles to find partners to collect medical data, he noted.

According to Statistics Korea, more than 4 million people suffer from diabetes in Korea. The disease affects 371 million people worldwide.

Japan as important partner

Relations between Korea and Japan have long been rocky because of Japan's 20th century history of imperial atrocities against Korea and other Asian nations.

Economically, however, the two countries need each other. According to Kim, how Vieworks grew as a global medical device maker exemplifies this.

When Kim worked as an engineer for Samsung Aerospace Industries (now Samsung Techwin) in the early 1990s, the company set up a center in Tokyo to train its engineers, including Kim, as optics experts.

"Some of Japan's best optics experts imparted technical education to Samsung engineers for four years, on and off. In person and sometimes by fax, it was a tremendous learning experience for me and eventually it helped me grow as an optics researcher," Kim said.

After leaving Samsung, he joined Vieworks as its CEO in 2002. But the venture soon faced financial troubles as Medison, which was its main shareholder and customer, went bankrupt.

"Fortunately, Toshiba offered us an important business deal in 2004," he said. "Since then, we have provided the Japanese company with charge-coupled devices (CCD) cameras for its medical examination equipment, which it can sell at much higher prices." A CCD is a light-sensitive integrated circuit that stores and displays data to create an image.

Kim said what he learned from the partnership with Toshiba was its stringent product quality regulations.

"Our products could not pass Toshiba's inspection criteria initially. We learned much about its quality inspection system as we worked to meet the requirements," he said.

"Our partnership has been helpful financially and technically for both of us. From 2007 to 2008, the deal with Toshiba was critical as it accounted for 40 percent of our revenues and it still accounts for 7 to 8 percent of our revenues today."

According to the Institute for International Trade, a research institute under the Korea International Trade Association, Korea-Japan trade reached the peak of $108 billion in 2011 from $220 million in 1965.

However, the partnership has been weak in recent years, thanks to various diplomatic and political disputes over historical issues. In 2014, trade volume between the two neighbors steadily shrunk to $86 billion.
By Nam Sang-so

Rivalry competitions between animal males in order to acquire a female partner are often severe and there are a variety of contests to win a mating partner in an effort to pass their genes onto the next generation. Mammalian males, however, know that their bodily struggles are expensive. Competing stags that have beautiful antlers do not engage in a fight immediately but they first appraise each other, then lineup side by side and walk around for a while each assessing the opponent. When one realizes he could lose, the weaker male walks away silently from the arena. There will be another chance.

When both stags think each one is superior to the other, a deadly fight begins until one retreats. Both stags, by mistake, believe each one can win the contest but there is always winner and loser. Humans do about the same thing except men often kill the opponents before they surrender.

Male toads are much smarter than stags or humans in their love call, writes Mariko Hasegawa, professor of behavioral ecology and the author of "Why there are sexes?" The male toads croak in their mating time with maximum volume to be heard by female toads, as well as male toads.

One has to have a large body to make a high volume love call which at the same time scares other male toads. The weaker ones crawl away from the territory of the loud speaker toad. Yet, the loser knows the winner will get old soon.

According to the ecology professor, a peahen selects her mating partner not only by his color arrangements but also counting "eyes" in the tail wings of the peacock when the male spreads them.

Every year when the breeding season comes around, the male bird must produce some150 decorative new plumes replacing the faded old ones. The renovation and maintenance effort require the peacock to spend a huge amount of energy.

Peahens are attracted to a large and artistically arranged colorful tail having a lot of dots.

The male bird must have a very strong viability in order to produce and carry around such cumbersome feathers. The decoration is a great handicap, yet it proves that the beautiful peacock has a high viability and fertility.

The weaker or less energetic peacock always loses the love call contest and mating chances. The peahen mates with the stronger and handsome peacock as the female bird wants to produce eugenically stronger peachicks.

The peacock tail is the classic example of a handicapped signal of male quality.

The handicap principle is a hypothesis proposed by the biologist Amotz Zahavi to explain how evolution may lead to "honest" or reliable signaling between animals which have an obvious motivation to bluff or deceive each other.

It suggests that reliable signals must be costly to the signaler, costing the sender something that could not be afforded by others with less energy. And the females know that the signal indicates quality because inferior quality signalers cannot afford to produce such wastefully extravagant signals even if they were intended for bluffing.

South and North Koreas have been walking side by side assessing each other for over 60 years experiencing unending big and small skirmishes both believing each one is superior to the other.

One of them is mistaken.

The North releases wastefully extravagant signals intended to bluff and deceive the world, it now displays a signal for the feasibility of developing a hydrogen bomb.

Would the Zahavi's Handicap Principle applicable to animals also be applicable to the propaganda of North Korea?

The writer is a Japanese-English-Korean translator. His email address is sangsonam@gmail.com.
New party needs to establish strict screening system



Ahn Cheol-soo left the main opposition to form the People's Party, pledging "new politics." But the slogan lost some credibility when Ahn's team retracted a plan to recruit several corrupt high-level officials on the same day it was announced.



The recruitment mishap shows that Ahn has a lot of homework ahead before firmly establishing himself and his party as true agents of political reform. It has also overshadowed the significance of the name Ahn selected for the party.



If he were truly to build a party that works for the people, as its name suggests, he must fill the party with the right people. The basic criteria for recruitment should be expertise, experience and above all, integrity. Ahn's first batch of recruits has come short of meeting these qualifications.



Han Sang-jin, co-chairman of a committee to establish the party, said Friday that the party had scouted former agriculture minister Huh Shin-haeng, former defense minister Kim Dong-shin, Han Seung-cheol, former chief inspector at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and two other senior officials from the Army and the National Police Agency.



But only three hours after the announcement, the party admitted that Huh, Kim and Han had been implicated in corruption cases and that it had canceled its plan for them to join the party.



Ahn belatedly explained that the party's screening system had been flawed and vowed to fix it after the preparatory committee takes off on Sunday. But the botched recruitment at the beginning stage of the new party has already given the impression that Ahn may not be as determined as he said he was about differentiating himself from established politics.



It is hard to understand why Ahn's team failed to check properly the backgrounds of potentially key party members before making an announcement. Given the people's aversion to corrupt politicians, they should have established a strict screening system to weed out candidates with a criminal background.



A reform committee of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, a precursor to the main opposition Minjoo Party, had prepared a set of proposals to weed out corruption in candidate nomination for April general election. Ahn left the party saying that such proposals were not enough to bring the sweeping innovation that Korea's politics needs.



In a recent Gallup poll, Ahn's party led the opposition bloc over the Minjoo Party. The software mogul-turned-politician should remember that the only reason he has been getting support is that people expect him to be different.



If he were to be true to his slogan for new politics, he must start by setting strict anti-corruption criteria in recruitment. A connection with corrupt officials is the last thing voters want to see from a new party.




Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess introduces the futuristic BUDD-e concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 in Las Vegas on Jan. 6. VW's concept for an electric, highly connected microbus could be available on the market by 2020.

/ Courtesy of Volkswagen Korea



By Kim Yoo-chul, Lee Min-hyung



SEOUL/LAS VEGAS  Volkswagen is accelerating its efforts to move beyond the emission-cheating scandal by partnering with LG Electronics to promote its new electric vehicles (EVs).



In a keynote speech at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Herbert Diess, chief executive of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, offered a sincere apology for the recent emission issues with its vehicles. He clarified that 11 million cars were affected, globally.



Later, VW released a new EV. The BUDD-e is a long-distance electric vehicle. What's interesting is that an executive at LG Electronics appeared on screen for an explanation about how LG's connected technology will be in sync with the BUDD-e EVs.



Volkswagen signed a contract with LG Electronics to incorporate the BUDD-e EVs into the Internet of Things (IoT) technology.



The collaboration is calling for LG Electronics to supply its smartphone application technology to help BUDD-e EV drivers check the status of such things as the temperature in their fridges and the lighting in their homes.



Choi Sung-ho, the head of LG Electronics' cloud center business division, highlighted features of LG-supplied tech in helping BUDD-e drivers check various security services while being seated.



"Of course, all of this technology connects to your SmartHome. This will all be made possible with the VW partnership with LG Electronics. Volkswagen demonstrated that from your BUDD-e, you are able to let people into your home remotely in the event that you are late. You can even check the fridge with the LG in-fridge camera to see what groceries you are missing and may need and drop by the store before returning home," the LG executive said during his speech on early Thursday (KST).



"LG's IoT technology is being connected between homes, workplaces and vehicles. In real life, you can do better by utilizing IoT technology. LG is providing IoT technology with the product portfolios of global companies to enhance the lives of its customers," according to Choi.



Despite the emission scandal issues, the LG executive praised Volkswagen because of its brand awareness. "LG believes Volkswagen is the perfect business partner to match with LG's way of innovative thinking."



LG Electronics said it has begun yielding tangible results in the automotive parts business, which the LG Group has identified as one of its next revenue streams beyond the group's conventional businesses of TVs, home appliances and smartphones  all of them being volatile.



On a related note, Koo Bon-joon, the younger brother of LG Chairman Koo Bon-moo who also handles LG Group's new business projects focusing on energy solutions and car parts, checked emerging and existing trends in the car industry by visiting booths at General Motors, Volkswagen and others.



An LG Electronics official said the younger Koo has no official schedule for business meetings with its car clients.



By using channels secured by LG Chem, the world's top car battery producer, under the leadership of LG Chem President and former LG Display CEO Kwon Young-soo, who is now a vice chairman at LG Uplus, LG Electronics is seeking new business opportunities as all of LG's key businesses are being questioned over their sustainability amid challenging business situations.
Chinese TV manufacturer Hisense compares its ultra light-emitting-diode (ULED) TV and OLED TV at its booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center on the first day of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016, Thursday (KST).

/ Korea Times photo by Lee Min-hyung



Chinese firms challenge Koreans with greater surface similarity



By Lee Min-hyung



LAS VEGAS  Concerns over copycat issues initiated by Chinese companies are diluting the impact of home appliances displayed by Samsung and LG at this year's consumer electronics show (CES) fair.



The so-called "copycat concern" is nothing new, as over the past years, Chinese technology companies have tried to steal the limelight at influential international expos by presenting models with great similarity in surface design to those by Samsung and LG with a cheaper price.



This year failed to make a difference, as Chinese tech firms try to entice visitors with their aggressive pricing strategy and the resemblance to surface designs of those by global tech leaders.



Such growing concerns over Chinese copycats are forcing the two Korean consumer electronics giants to remain passive over announcing major product development plans.



Yoon Boo-keun, one of Samsung's co-CEOs who is also leading the company's home appliances business, refused to offer a detailed product-development roadmap during a dinner meeting with the Korean media. Rather, Yoon said Samsung is trying to find ways to differentiate itself from others.



CES 2016 kicked off on Thursday (KST) in Las Vegas, with more than 150,000 visitors packing exhibition areas for a peek at technology trends for this year, ranging from the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality to connected vehicles. But as usual, the four-day tech fair was all about televisions.



On the first day of the fair, visitors packed booths featuring large-sized TVs equipped with state-of-the-art technology.



Market leaders such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have differentiated their massive-sized TVs by converging with IoT features.



But the booths of Chinese TV makers such as Hisense, Haier and TCL, though smaller than Samsung and LG, also showcased their up-to-date TVs with their own technology. In particular, Hisense sought to promote its products with an aggressive pricing strategy.



"We have showcased TVs with our proprietary ULED technology," said an official from China's state-owned electronics company. ULED TVs can express high dynamic range (HDR) images with a brightness of 1,000 nits using quantum dot display technology, the company official said. "However, our models offer three times cheaper price than OLED TVs," he added.



The company also prepared a special booth to compare image definition between OLED and ULED, which seemed similar to the naked eye.



TCL, another Chinese TV giant, has been aggressive in promoting its quantum dot ultra-high-definition (QUHD) televisions. An TCL official at the booth said its flagship Xclusive (X1) model comes with key technologies such as HDR expression and 4K resolution.



Haier, the world's largest white goods company, has also caught attention with its 55-inch UHD television with a thickness of 7.9 millimeters.



"Chinese companies' technological prowess has significantly progressed, but they still lag behind market-leading companies in terms of image resolution and display thickness," said an LG Electronics official while visiting the booths of its Chinese rivals.



Global TV market leaders Samsung and LG also unveiled their eye-catching TVs.



Samsung drew attention with its 170-inch quantum dot SUHD TV, the world's largest.

LG Electronics tried to differentiate itself by holding a special promotion event to show HDR videos in its booth.



The nation's no.2 electronics company also held a press conference where Kwon Bong-seok, the company's TV business chief, said, "We do not have any plans to lower the price for our OLED TVs this year."
Kim So Yeon starred in "This is the Eyes of an Actor" for the January issue of Noblesse Men.

According to the high-end lifestyle magazine, the photoshoot concept revolved around sunlight and open spaces. Kim modeled in a renovated country house, with a warm and cool color scheme, while showcasing her great charm. The staff was especially captivated with her "radiant and alluring eyes." The beauty's wardrobe included chunky knits and oversized menswear shirts by brands like Loewe.

During the interview, Kim revealed that her time on [the MBC variety shows] Real Men and We Got Married have transformed her professional career and personal life.

She shared, "I have met great people and am working diligently while enjoying myself. It's been 22 years since I debuted, so I'm grateful that I can show and discover new images still."

Now, whenever the actress reviews a project offer she thinks, "Will I discover yet another side of myself this time, too?"

In other fashion news, Kim So Yeon joined forces with her We Got Married husband Kwak Si Yang for the latest issue of Cosmopolitan. She also became the muse of fellow Lee Jung Jin for his debut as a fashion photographer in Sure.

---

About the Author: Elsa is the founder, head writer, and editor of KPopBreak.com. In her website, she covers K-pop celebrity style, Korean actress beauty trends, red carpet appearances and Seoul Fashion Week news.
News / Religion

by Staff Reporter

Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko has joined the Christian community in Bulawayo on a national prayer for rains.The 9th to the 17th of January was declared a week of national prayer for rains.Christians in Bulawayo have heeded the call to pray for rains as Zimbabwe faces a crippling drought that has already affected many parts of the country.Mphoko attended a service at the Family of God Church in Bulawayo where he urged every Christian to pray for rains to God at this hour of need.He said, while the current dry spell is a result of the El Nino, God has the power to change anything if people subject themselves to his power.
The gig: As senior vice president of the Southwest region for T-Mobile, Sam Sindha oversees a large area that includes Southern California, Bakersfield, Las Vegas, Arizona, El Paso and New Mexico. He directly manages about 4,400 employees and is responsible for all aspects of sales and operations across 515 T-Mobile stores.

Education: Attended El Camino College in Torrance, then received a bachelors degree in business management from Cal State Long Beach.

American Dream: When he was 12, Sindhas parents and younger brother immigrated to the U.S., leaving him and his two sisters temporarily behind in India. We stayed back for two and a half years so my dad and mom could get settled, he said. It was a tough time, living without parents, but we had no choice.

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Early experience: As a high schooler, Sindha pitched in around the motel that his parents managed in Harbor City, making beds, vacuuming and doing laundry. One of Sindhas earliest challenges was learning English as a 14-year-old. I started in 9th grade and it was very difficult, going to school and not speaking English. As you can imagine, I got picked on. He recalled answering calls at his parents motel just to hear customers speak English over the phone. Those experiences forced him to learn how to work hard and to deal with change and adversity, qualities that he said helped him succeed in his professional career.

Retail ranks: While a full-time college student, Sindha worked at Toys R Us and at CompUSA. He loved the retail environment, especially the frenzied atmosphere during the holidays. I felt I had the art of managing all the chaos and moving the lines and keeping everyone calm, he said.

Moving on up: Sindha left Toys R Us to focus on his job at CompUSA. He worked his way up at the company over 17 years, holding about a dozen titles including cashier, retail store manager and general manager before becoming vice president for sales and operations, managing CompUSAs operations west of the Mississippi. The position required a move to Dallas.

Brush with death: In his early years with CompUSA, Sindha and the general manager were in the back of the store running the days closeout reports. Suddenly, a man burst into the back and held a gun to their heads. He told me to get on the floor, Sindha recalled. Long story short, we were tied up in the bathroom with handcuffs. They cleaned out the store. Both of us were on the ground and we thought we were dead.

From computers to phones: After CompUSA was sold to a restructuring firm, Sindha took a market director position at T-Mobile in 2008 that was lower on the corporate ladder than the vice president title he had held with the electronics retailer. But he applied for the job because he was intrigued by the fast pace of the wireless industry and confident that he could move up the hierarchy at T-Mobile quickly. It also allowed him to move back to Southern California.

I was willing to take the step back because this was the right move for my family, he said. My family wasnt happy in Dallas.

Management philosophy: I dont promise anything unless I know I can fulfill that particular promise. And Im very transparent with my team. As long as youre clear with your team and your direction, your team will respect you. He said its important to provide a career path for employees and to reward them when they do well.

Work hard, play hard: At T-Mobiles annual meeting in 2014, Sindha donned a hoodie and joined employees in a two-minute rehearsed Bollywood-inspired hip-hop dance. Anything for employees, anything to get them excited, anything to motivate them, he said. To this day, people still come up to me and say, Are you going to do that again? 

Advice: You need to be dedicated and you need to be passionate about what you do, he said. And make sure you have a big-picture understanding of what you want to accomplish. Its not a one-day deal.

Personal: Sindha, 46, lives in Torrance with his wife, Anisa, and their four children, ages 9 to 16.

andrea.chang@latimes.com

Twitter: @byandreachang
To stop hotels from charging hidden resort fees, Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez has suggested that Congress draft new legislation instead of having the consumer protection agency investigate hotels on a case-by-case basis.

Ramirez called for such legislation in a letter last week to 10 U.S. representatives who had called the fees a deceptive and unfair trade practice.

The discussion about how to combat mandatory resort fees that dont appear on advertised hotel fares has gained urgency in recent months with the growing demand for holiday travel and increasing complaints from consumer groups.

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A new study by a nonprofit consumer advocacy group found that such resort fees are on the rise, with nearly 200 hotels in California charging an average mandatory resort fee of $17 per night.

The group, Travelers United, say the fees are unfair because they dont appear on the advertised rates and most hotel guests dont see the charge until they get their bill at checkout.

Ramirez said her agency has tackled the problem by warning individual hotels to make sure that the fees are displayed prominently and early in the booking process. But the best way to ban the practice, Ramirez said, is for Congress to adopt legislation.

In my view, however, the most efficient and effective means to mandate the type of industry-wide requirement you propose would be through legislation, she wrote to the members of Congress.

The American Hotel and Lodging Assn., a trade group for the nations hotels, said the number of hotels that charge mandatory resort fees is on the decline  only 7% of all hotels in 2014  and those that do so disclose the fees clearly.

The lodging industry provides guests full disclosure for resort fees charged upfront, said Rosanna Maietta, a spokeswoman for the group. Those fees, in addition to the base travel and hotel charges, remain transparent whether consumers book online or with the hotel directly.

To read more about travel, tourism and the airline industry, follow me on Twitter at @hugomartin.
Opinion / Columnist

After the Wankie and Spolilo campaigns of the late 1960s, it was apparent that Rhodesia was at war.The boundaries shared by Rhodesia and her neighbours became porous conduits for guerrilla infiltration.Rhodesia's white population was on record as one of the heavily armed civilian communities in Africa.By the early 1970s, Africa's Portuguese colonies were on fire. There were certain variables that made the Rhodesian scenario different.Whereas pro-worker movements had some room for activism in England, they were completely shunned by authorities in Lisbon. The Portuguese intelligence organisation, Pide, spread its wings into African colonial territories.There was also a prevailing ideological posture on the part of the working class in Europe to control of the means of production as a step towards full emancipation.Such premises of thought were partly influenced by Karl Marx.Old and frail, Karl Marx spent his last years in Britain.It was from Marx's observations that some militant trade union platforms began to emerge in post-World War II Europe.They challenged the yoke of laissez faire capitalism and worried political structures, particularly in Portugal, Germany and France.It was this that made the British feel that the future of Central and Southern Africa was vulnerable.The matter was further compounded by the fact that a Rhodesian rightwing formation won the 1962 elections.Initially led by Winston Field and then Ian Douglas Smith, the Rhodesia Front became the bastion of settler colonial power.Rhodesia was slapped with punitive sanctions after the UDI of 1965. Britain started leaning towards constitutional, rather than militarised, solutions to the Rhodesia question.The other side of the equation dictated that Zanu and Zapu, which were banned in Rhodesia, could not take part in the manoeuvres for constitutionalism.The so-called Anglo-Rhodesia Constitutional Settlement proposals were agreed in Salisbury on November 24, 1971.The British government under Sir Alec Douglas Home found it necessary to subject the proposed framework to what was referred to as a "Test of Acceptability.Such a test would ensure that that the preferred conceptual order in Rhodesia was adopted as "legitimate".For that reason, the British put together a team to go into various districts of Rhodesia and seek the views of its citizens.A commission under Lord Pearce was put together. In his contingent were Sir Maurice Dorman, Lord Harlech, Sir Glyn Jones, Mr THT Cashmore, Mr GC Rawlings, Mr JE Blunden, Mr PL Burkinshaw, Mr GRB Blake, Mr DF Frost and PA Large.Most of those in the Pearce Commission had worked in the British Overseas Service, making them "political technocrats".Before the Pearce Commission arrived in Rhodesia on January 11, 1972, there were some reactions on the ground which influenced the direction of the events to follow.The Nnationalist organisations and their leaders were wary of the Anglo-Rhodesian Settlement.As Arthur Chdazingwa put it, "If the Settlement Proposals had been accepted, it was going to make the fight against the settler colonialists much harder than it had already been. If accepted, the propositions would further entrench the power of the UDI government and come up with an isolated and highly discriminatory regime like the Apartheid establishment in South Africa, some kind of independent white republic in Africa."Basing on such possibilities, it was necessary for Zanu and Zapu to mobilise against the Anglo-Rhodesia proposals.From a practical point of view, organising anti-Settlement support was not going to be easy because the Zanu and Zapu had been banned.It so happened that some clergymen had been very active in highlighting the problems of Rhodesia from the pulpit and their stance became an open secret.One of them was Reverend Canaan Banana, who had something to do with the Zimbabwe Peoples' Movement.Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa of the United Methodist Church was another visible character in that regard.Muzorewa and Banana seemed to have access to the detained Zanu and Zapu leadership.In his brief history of African National Council, Gordon L Chavunduka gave an account of how the ANC was unveiled on December 16, 1971 before the Pearce Commission touched down in Salisbury.Some of its leaders were Bishop Muzorewa, Rev Banana, Charlton C Ngcebetsha, Michael Mawema and Dr Edison Sithole.From the onset, it had some membership of Zanu and Zapu office-bearers like Edison Zvobgo and Josiah Chinamano.Chinamano, Zvobgo and Naison K Ndhlovu were among those who had been released from incarceration.The ANC was intended to educate and advise Africans on the long-term dangers of accepting the Anglo-Rhodesia Settlement proposals.It was not a political party and did not even have an assured lifespan.An unforeseen contradiction showed up. In anticipation of the Pearce Commission, the Rhodesian Centre Party began to recruit from among African teachers.It played around with the anti-racist rhetoric though it remained a massive white forum with leftwing fervour.When the Pearce Commission finally came to Rhodesia, the ANC had already embarked on its rounds.The commissioners went to various places where the locals gathered to hear about the Anglo-Rhodesia Constitutional proposals.In one instance, the commission visited Musana Village in the first week of February 1972. Having brought about 2 000 people under his jurisdiction, Chief Musana was reported in The Herald of February 4, 1972 to have told the crowd that whites were long-standing friends of the Rhodesian people.The paper said the chief was booed until he spoke against the Anglo-Settlement proposals.In another incident, a deputation of the coloured community in Bulawayo met Pearce commissioners in early February 1972 and urged the commission to take a serious look into racial discrimination.However, they accepted the settlement terms though with some "reservations and doubt".The association's representatives were Mr J Van Beek, then chair of the National Association of Coloured people, Mr Schoeman (president), Mr J Durk (secretary) and Mr Mike Joseph.The ANC had misgivings with the method with which the Test of Acceptability was administered.As far as the ANC was concerned, the only acceptable mode of testing the will of Rhodesia's peoples was "one man one vote".The ANC expressed disapproval of continuing State of Emergency, and also dismissed the Anglo-Rhodesia Settlement proposals as a replication of the rejected 1969 constitution.On the intended House of Assembly, the ANC criticised the creation of three voters' rolls which perpetuated racism.The criticism of the African Higher Roll went as far as the implications of Land Tenure Act, which made it difficult for Africans to acquire immovable property.Disapproval of the Senate was based on the fact that it was interpreted to be "undemocratic and racial".The ANC had looked into other aspects of the proposals like The Declaration of Rights, Renewal of the State of Emergency, Detainees and Persons under death sentence, Land, Development Programmes for Africans and the Rhodesian Public Service which had traditionally been a reserve for whites.In total, the ANC were of the opinion that the Anglo-Rhodesia Settlement proposals were not a satisfactory arrangement for the majority in Rhodesia.The "No" vote won the day.Lord Pearce and his men packed their bags and left for Britain on March 10, 1972. On that day, the ANC transformed itself into a political party.The ANC indicated that the journey to Zimbabwe would continue in a Christian and non-violent manner. It declared belief in the unity of Zimbabweans and non-racial conduct. Minority property and universal human rights were to be protected.The ANC held a congress on March 2 and 3, 1974 at Stodart Hall, Harari Township (Mbare).In its structures were a national congress, general executive council, national executive council, provincial conference, provincial executive, district conference, district executive, branch executive, women's league, youth league and so on.In 1975, the central committee of the ANC had the following composition: president AT Muzorewa, deputy president EM Gabellah, secretary-general GL Chavunduka, treasurer-general Rev HH Kachidza, deputy treasurer-general Mr R Nyamweda, national organising secretary KB Bhebe, publicity secretary Mr SB Mthinsi, deputy publicity secretary J Ntunta, secretary for youth Mr ST Bongi and others.The closest that the ANC came to some celebrated achievement was the December Unity Accord.On December 7, 1974, in Lusaka, Zambia, Zanu, Zapu, Frolizi and the ANC met under the auspices of the Zambian government to discuss and finalise a unity treatise.The consenting parties would appoint three representatives each to an enlarged national executive. It was agreed that within four months, Zanu, Zapu, and Frolizi would work to merge their structures into the ANC before hosting a congress.Those who appended their signatures to the "deal" were, Bishop Muzorewa (ANC), Dr Joshua Nkomo (Zapu), Rev Ndabaningi Sithole (Zanu) and James Dambaza Chikerema (Frolizi).An application dated December 11, 1974 was sent to the Executive Secretary of the OAU Liberation Committee seeking recognition of the ANC as the sole representative of the African political struggle in Rhodesia.The Liberation Committee met in Dar es Salaam from the 8th to the 14th January 1975 to consider this.On January 10, 1975, the OAU recognised the African National Council as the representative movement of the African people in Rhodesia.A resolution was adopted by the leaders to work together. After the 74 Accord, the ANC enlarged its Central Committee to accommodate Rev Sithole, Dr Nkomo, Joseph Msika, E Nkala, L Nkala, Malianga, Willie Musarurwa, Robert Mugabe, Chikerema, Nyandoro, GS Parirenyatwa and L Munyawara.Within the ANC, the December 1974 Accord did not effectively translate into a comprehensive pact for Zapu and Zanu.In the longer run, it was a risky engagement. Outwardly it could be tempted towards flirting with the Rhodesia liberal agenda.For its survival, Rhodesian settler intransigence had always made an effort to court religious leaders like Bishop Muzorewa and Rev Banana.On a conciliatory note the ANC lobbied strongly for the release of more detainees. In the mean time, disagreements between Zanu and Zapu resurfaced.The feeling was that the ANC was an obstacle to the armed struggle because it kept everybody who mattered in closed discussions thus undermining the efforts for a confrontational strategy.In January 1975, an ANC delegation was expected in Lusaka, Zambia, to meet British foreign secretary James Callaghan.Among the possible troupe were its Dr Elliot Gabellah, Dr Nkomo, Rev Sithole, Dr Edison Sithole, Rev Kachidza and Edgar Tekere. Callaghan's principal aide, John Ackland, was already in Lusaka for preliminary talks.In July 1975, Presidents Kaunda, Machel and Nyerere, were expected to meet with a 12-member ANC team to discuss ways of ensuring orderly co-ordination in the organisation.In the last week of July, 1975, John Nkomo, ANC administrative secretary George Nyandoro and Simpson Mutambanengwe were destined for the OAU Summit in Uganda.However, the shuttling and shuffling never gave a long life to the ANC. Just like the attempted JMC, the ANC succumbed to the vicissitudes of time.
Hello! Im Mark Olsen, and welcome to your weekly field guide to a world of Only Good Movies.

This is our first newsletter of 2016, so let us perhaps be among the last to wish you all a happy new year. Things are moving fast at this point in the awards season, with nominations and wins happening at a startling pace. This has been an unusually topsy-turvy year, with lots of changes in momentum and favor.

My colleague Rebecca Keegan and I recently hosted a series of conversations among actors, actresses and directors that will air on the Ovation TV channel starting in mid-January. Our discussion with directors Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Danny Boyle, Todd Haynes, Tom McCarthy and Tom Hooper was particularly lively. An edited transcript and clips can be found here.

And well be back with more screenings and Q&As soon as well. As always, check back to events.latimes.com to keep up on everything thats happening. Nonstop movies. Movies nonstop.

Anomalisa

Written by Charlie Kaufman and co-directed by Kaufman and Duke Johnson, Anomalisa was among the very last films to open in 2015 and has been expanding around the country in the first weeks of the new year. Created with a painstaking stop-motion animation technique, the film is something of the passion of the everyman, set against a customer service convention in Cincinnati and finding two lonely, lost people sharing in something brief and beautiful. The voice performances by David Thewlis and Jennifer Jason Leigh are arguably among the most emotionally resonant of the year.

In his review for The Times, Michael Phillips called Anomalisa the wittiest film of the year and lauds Johnson and Kaufman for their ability to transform the comedy of quiet desperation into an occasion for serious pleasure. In the New York Times, Manohla Dargis said, Mr. Kaufmans gift for quotidian horror remains startling; hes a whiz at minor miseries.

Anomalisas melancholy characters strive for a connection. (Paramount Pictures) Anomalisa's melancholy characters strive for a connection. (Paramount Pictures)

Theres something fragile and human about it, Kaufman said to Rebecca Keegan in her detailed story on the making of the film. You know humans made it, because its imperfect.

Actor Tom Noonan plays more than 40 voices in the film  Even I cant tell if its me sometimes, he said in an interview with Steve Zeitchik. I mean, I recognize the voice, but Im not sure where it came from.

It speaks to the power of the movie that even reviews that are essentially pans still engage deeply with it. Time magazine critic Stephanie Zacharek said, Once you start reckoning with Anomalisas obsession with self-absorption, the novelty of this one-man pity party begins to wear off. A little puppet pain goes a long way. And in The New Yorker, Richard Brody calls the film narrow, lachrymose, and stereotyped, looking askance at Michaels ego cloud only to coax viewers further into contentment with their own humble lives.

The release of Anomalisa has meant a terrific round of interviews with Kaufman. Among the best is his conversation with Adam Sternbergh for New York Magazine. In it, Kaufman talks about his connection to the characters: I find myself emotional about it, which is weird because I was involved in the movie and I still feel like Michael and Lisa exist somehow.

The Revenant

Another film that has expanded following a limited release at the holiday is Alejandro G. Inarritus The Revenant. A bloody, bold and full-bodied tale of survival in the 19th century wilderness, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a man on a fur-trapping expedition seeking revenge against the man who left him for dead.

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant. (Kimberley French / 20th Century Fox) Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Revenant." (Kimberley French / 20th Century Fox)

Times critic Kenneth Turan called the films rough-and-tumble survival tale with spiritual filigree a classic B picture fortified with all manner of Grade A resources. In the New York Times, Dargis called the film an American foundation story, by turns soaring and overblown.

This is a film about adventure, and its man against man and man against nature, and a bear against a man and a man against a mountain, Inarritu said to the Times. And the only way to really show that was to live it.

I recently moderated an Envelope Screening Series Q&A with Inarritu, DiCaprio and actors Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck and Domhnall Gleeson. Among other topics was the films now-infamous bear-attack sequence and the challenges of the limited shooting hours faced by the production.

Lamb

An adaptation of the novel by Bonnie Nadzam, Lamb  not to be confused with the recent Ethiopian film of the same name  is about a middle-aged man, disaffected with his life, who finds himself unexpectedly entangled in a relationship with an 11-year-old girl. The film stars director and screenwriter Ross Partridge and Oona Laurence, also recently seen in Southpaw, with supporting performances by Jess Weixler, Lindsay Pulsipher and Scoot McNairy.

Oona Laurence and Ross Partridges characters become friends in Lamb. (Nathan Miller / Orchard) Oona Laurence and Ross Partridges characters become friends in Lamb. (Nathan Miller / Orchard)

In his review for The Times, Robert Abele called the film a relationship movie that at times grips you with the fear that its the wrong kind of relationship youre watching unfold. That it does so while offering a consistency of tone, and an abiding sympathy toward lost creatures and bad decisions, is something of a quietly humane achievement for its director and star, Ross Partridge.

Speaking recently to Times writer Susan King, producer Mel Eslyn recalled when she first read Partridges adaptation, saying, I dont know about what is going on here. I dont know how to feel about the decisions that characters are making. I cant stop thinking about it. And that means I have to do it.

Or as Partridge himself recalled of when he first read the novel, I couldnt figure out where it was going. It forced me to actually look closer rather than be creeped out by the situation.

The Final Girls at midnight

You may be saying to yourself, Didnt I read about The Final Girls here a few months ago? And you would be correct. But the movie is getting a new push with a midnight showing at L.A.s Nuart Theatre on Jan. 15. If the film does well there, it could pick up midnight shows all across the country. And there may be no better way to see a film that is an affectionate homage to the kind of low-rent, low-budget filmmaking that was once the mainstay of the midnight-movie circuit than as a new-fangled version of the same.

As I said here previously, the film was one of the most pleasant surprises of last years SXSW Film Festival. Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson and written by Joshua John Miller and M.A. Fortin, in the film, a young woman, Max (Taissa Farmiga), goes to a screening of a 1980s horror movie in which her deceased mother (Malin Akerman) had starred. A series of events leads to the girl and her friends trapped inside the movie and trying to simultaneously find a way out and survive the summer camp killer of the movies story. The cast, who look to be having great fun, includes Thomas Middleditch, Adam DeVine, Alia Shawkat, Nina Dobrev, Alexander Ludwig, Angela Trimbur and Tory Thompson.

The cast of The Final Girls attends the films world premiere Friday at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas. (Michael Buckner / Getty Images for SXSW) The cast of "The Final Girls" attends the film's world premiere at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas. (Michael Buckner / Getty Images for SXSW)

In his review in the New York Times, Neil Genzlinger called the film a horror comedy that proves that with the right actors, you can make an amusing movie even if a lot of your ideas are borrowed.

Email me if you have questions, comments or suggestions, and follow me on Twitter @IndieFocus.
The outcome of a major case on labor unions before the Supreme Court on Monday may turn on whether the conservative justices adopt a broad view of the free-speech rights of public employees, a position that liberals had favored before.

The justices will hear a 1st Amendment challenge brought by Rebecca Friedrichs and eight other California teachers who object to the fair share fee they must pay to their union.

They contend the laws in California and 22 other states are unconstitutional because they authorize these collective bargaining deals between unions and public employers, including a school district.

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The case of Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Assn. has drawn wide attention because of its potential political impact. Public employee unions have strongly supported Democrats and have been targeted by several Republican governors.

But there has been less focus on the 1st Amendment issue at the heart of the case.

In the past, the high court has said public employees have quite limited free-speech rights. They have a right to speak out as a citizen on a matter of public concern, but they also said this right does not extend to workplace disputes.

Then, the courts conservatives say the balance tips in favor of the employer trying to manage the workplace.

Ten years ago in an oft-cited case, the justices by a 5-4 vote rejected a free-speech claim brought by a deputy district attorney in Los Angeles County who said he was demoted after repeatedly objecting to the handling of a questionable police search warrant.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the deputy deserved free-speech protection because he was acting as a whistleblower on a matter of public concern.

But the Supreme Court disagreed in an opinion joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito.

When a citizen enters government service, the citizen by necessity must accept certain limitations on his or her freedom, Kennedy wrote in Garcetti vs. Ceballos. Government employers, like private employers, need a significant degree of control over their employees words and actions; without it, there would be little chance for the efficient provision of public services.

Now the ideological tables are turned, and the conservative lawyers who filed the suit against the teachers unions are looking for the same five justices to rule for them.

They say the 1st Amendment should protect public employees from being forced to subsidize the unions demands for higher wages.

This is compelled speech involving controversial issues of fiscal and education policy, said Washington attorney Michael A. Carvin, a prominent conservative who twice argued for striking down President Obamas healthcare law.

Opposing them, liberal lawyers for the Obama administration, the California attorney general and the teachers unions are citing Kennedys opinion as a basis for upholding the forced fees.

They say these fees pay for collective bargaining over wages and working conditions and for the handling of grievances. These involve classic workplace matters, they argued.

No public employee is prohibited from speaking out against the union, wrote U.S. Solicitor Gen. Donald Verrilli. And the mandatory fees do not support the unions political activity, he added.

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And for those who adhere to the original history of the Constitution, Verrillis brief pointed out that the notion of constitutional rights for public employees arose in the 1960s.

Before that time, the prevailing view was summed up by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, who quipped a policeman may have a constitutional right to talk politics, but he has no constitutional right to be a policeman.

A free-speech ruling in favor of the anti-union teachers could have an impact in other areas. For example, the court upheld mandatory state bar fees for lawyers in 1990 and did so by citing its earlier ruling upholding mandatory fees for unionized teachers.

Carvin is asking the court to overturn that precedent in the 1977 case of Abood v. Detroit Board of Education.

Until now, the court has not taken such a broad view of the free-speech rights of public employees, said Washington attorney Andrew Pincus, who filed a brief supporting the unions.

If you are a science teacher, and you dont want to teach evolution, you cant just say it would violate your free-speech rights, he said.

Twitter: @DavidGSavage

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A 60-year-old homeless woman died of exposure on a skid row sidewalk during Thursdays El Nino storm, authorities said Saturday.

The woman, identified by friends as Barbara Brown, died without a tent, rain-soaked and wrapped in a wet blanket on a piece of plastic, witnesses said.

Los Angeles police Capt. Mike Oreb said the woman had refused an offer of shelter from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority the day before she died.

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At an emotional street memorial for Brown on Saturday, Deacon Alexander, who lives on skid row, said he called the 911 emergency line that afternoon and said police should take Brown off the street or shell be gone by tomorrow.

Once youre out here for too many years, youre brainwashed into thinking this is life.  Angela Harper, a former skid row resident

The 911 operator told him the police couldnt take her in without her consent, Alexander said.

Oreb could not confirm the conversation but said that police would not have been able to order Brown off the street. We cannot force her to leave or seek shelter, he said. We can only encourage to seek shelter.

Browns death came as the city and county, after months of deliberations, released the regions first comprehensive plan in more than a decade for curbing homelessness.

Officials said a task force had been making preparations to safeguard homeless people during the potentially deadly storms.

As the first El Nino rain arrived this week, Mayor Eric Garcetti said L.A. police officers could temporarily detain homeless people illegally camped near the Los Angeles River who are in danger but refuse to move.

Garcettis staff later directed questions about the law under which they could act to the LAPD, which cited a section of the California penal code that allows law enforcement officers to restrict access to perilous areas during disasters.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week ordered that homeless people be taken to shelters in freezing weather.

A written statement Saturday evening from Garcettis office said the city is exploring what we can do to help those who refuse assistance. The Mayors priority is keeping all Angelenos safe during this storm season and he is urgently doing everything he can to prevent these tragedies from occurring.

Peter Lynn, head of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, said protecting the homeless population is a top priority among all Los Angeles leadership and that the agencys winter shelter system, with 7,245 beds, is not yet at full capacity.

We will continue to work daily to encourage people to come in, he said.

There was no argument from friends that Brown, who was described as having both drinking and mental health issues, often refused help. One mourner said Brown told police she wasnt homeless; another said Brown spit on her when she brought her a blanket.

Alexander said that on the day of her death, he threw a blanket over her but it quickly became drenched.

The rain just poured on her, he said during the street memorial on skid row. I blame myself.

Angela Harper, a former skid row resident who volunteers to help homeless people, said Brown had been in and out of refurbished flophouses on skid row for eight years and no longer trusted anyone who tried to help her.

Once youre out here for too many years, youre brainwashed into thinking this is life, Harper said. I blame the system. What she needed from the beginning, when she was living in SROs, was help with the mental health and drug and alcohol problems.

A resident of the Hotel Ellis next to Browns spot at Stanford and 6th streets said social workers had begun to gain her confidence.

Harper said that although its too late for Brown, theres hundreds of her down here.

Other skid row residents recounted bringing Brown food, clothing and a sleeping bag but said all such supplies seemed to evaporate.

Alexander said Browns tent burned in a fire a year ago and was never replaced.

General Jeff Page, who is organizing a skid row neighborhood council, said officials should use Browns death as a case study of how to fix the 50-block community.

Wheres the communication with leaders so we can point out those in need? Page asked.

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Kevin Haah, pastor of New City Church Los Angeles and president of the downtown clergy council, handed out single flowers for mourners to place at the makeshift street shrine where Brown died.

We dont think this is right, he said. We pray the people of this city will do something about this place.

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The distance separating the Metrolink train station and the Metro Green Line stop in Norwalk is only 2.8 miles. Yet it has been one of the biggest gaps in the regions public transit system for more than 20 years.

Now, however, some local leaders think its time to fill in the missing link. They want to resurrect a proposal from the early 1990s to extend the Green Line light rail tracks east to Metrolinks Norwalk-Santa Fe Springs station.

If the extension is built, transportation officials say, it would be a major step toward connecting the areas rail lines and would make it much easier for transit riders to reach destinations in Orange County, the Inland Empire and western Los Angeles County, including Los Angeles International Airport.

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This is a project Southern California needs, said Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, board chairman of Metrolink, the passenger railroad that serves six counties in the region. Its been a long time, but we are finally focused on getting this done and we have the right people talking about it.

During the last several months, renewed interest in the proposal has come from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti; the city of Norwalk; the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, with 27 member cities; and the Southern California Assn. of Governments, a regional planning agency.

To go from Fullerton to the South Bay or LAX, you just cant do it quickly, and I cannot get to the Blue Line to save the life of me.  Jane Reifer, frequent transit user

All are at least willing to study the extension, which could be at grade, a subway or elevated. Possible routes and costs have yet to be determined, although the price tag is likely to be higher than the estimates of up to $241 million from two decades ago.

The project also might qualify for inclusion in a planned ballot proposition this year to renew Measure R, the half-cent per dollar sales tax that has raised billions in funding for transportation projects countywide. The ballot measure would include a list of transit and highway proposals eligible to receive revenue from a renewed Measure R.

The Green Line extension is getting enough traction that we are willing to spend a couple of million dollars for a study that might put some alternatives on the table, said Hasan Ihkrata, executive director of the Southern California Assn. of Governments. This project could be a benefit for the whole region.

The Green Line, which opened in 1994, runs 20 miles from Redondo Beach to Aviation Boulevard near LAX before it turns east and uses the median of the 105 Freeway to reach Norwalk. Along the way, it crosses the Blue Line, Metros light-rail route that connects Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles.

But the tracks end at the 605 Freeway, about 2.8 miles short of the Metrolink station at 12650 Imperial Highway, which is served by Amtrak and Metrolinks Orange County Line and 91 Line to Riverside County.

The gap has created a major inconvenience for anyone wanting to take rail transit from Orange County or the Inland Empire to destinations in western Los Angeles County. The same is true for people headed in the opposite direction.

To go from Fullerton to the South Bay or LAX, you just cant do it quickly, and I cannot get to the Blue Line to save the life of me, said Jane Reifer, a frequent transit user and transportation activist in Orange County. If you get off at the Metrolink station and try to get to the Green Line station, it can take an hour.

There is no dedicated shuttle, although Norwalk Transit buses stop at the stations. According to the schedule, the trip takes about 15 to 25 minutes, but travel times can be considerably longer because of waiting times or if buses are missed.

Reifer called the Green Line extension a brilliant idea, one that would open up the entire system and encourage more transit ridership. She estimated that the trip between stations would take about four minutes by light rail.

Several years before the Green Line went into service, transportation officials and the city of Norwalk explored ways to connect the stations.

They considered an elevated train and a subway from the Green Line terminus to the Metrolink stop, which was then slated to become the Norwalk Transportation Center. The aerial and underground routes were estimated at the time to cost $215 million and $241 million respectively.

Neither project was built because of funding difficulties, potential construction complications and opposition from Norwalk neighborhoods that would be adversely affected by the extension.

The proposal surfaced again in July 2012 when L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, then Metro board chairman, offered a motion calling for the Green Line extension and other rail projects that would connect to the regions airports. The board passed the motion unanimously, but construction did not proceed.

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Today, the situation has changed, making the project more attractive, officials say. Developing a fully integrated rail system to encourage transit ridership has become a higher priority. A Green Line link to LAX is planned, and theres the potential for bullet trains from the California high-speed rail project to use the Norwalk-Santa Fe Springs station.

You could not get a bigger regional transportation fix than this, said Nelson, who helped to spark reconsideration of the extension. My hope is that we can concoct a cocktail of local and federal money so we can get this done.

Renee Berlin, Metros managing executive for countywide planning and development, noted, however, that much needs to be done before the extension becomes a viable project. Although it is always good to close gaps in the transit system, she said, there is not much to the proposal yet and its inclusion in Measure R is only hypothetical currently.

Meanwhile, Norwalk officials say they are interested in the extension but are taking a careful approach, partly based on the citys experience with major highway projects, such as construction of the 105 Freeway that disrupted neighborhoods. Now underway is a widening of the 5 Freeway, which cuts diagonally across town.

The community still has concerns, Norwalk City Manager Mike Egan said. We are communicating with everyone involved and proceeding cautiously. We will look at whatever options result to see which ones are favorable. No one is ready at this time to say Yeah and go forward.

dan.weikel@latimes.com

Follow @LADeadline16 for transportation and aviation news.

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Californians who awoke last week from a 20-year slumber might have been confused at the messages delivered during two key political events in the state.

On Thursday, a governor repeatedly warned against excessive spending, pointing to charts that predicted a devastating recession in the near future, demanding that politicians save money for that rainy day and only sparingly look at the possibility of raising taxes.

At about the same time, across the state, a leading presidential candidate was also talking about government restraint, particularly when it comes to the economy and its impact on struggling Americans.

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I want to be the small-business president, the candidate said.

Before your lengthy nap, you might have bet that those statements had been made by Republicans. Yet the speakers last week were Democrats, Gov. Jerry Brown and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Taken together the two have come to represent some measure of caution in a political year defined by the opposite, which is a cosmic development considering that both have been characterized as loopy liberals by their many GOP opponents. (In truth, Brown has long had a fiscal conservative bent, and Clintons political DNA at least in part reflects her Midwestern upbringing.)

Both are playing against two foes. The first is the image, long nurtured by Republicans, of Democrats as politicians who basically pay off their voters with taxpayers money. (Witness Mitt Romneys post-election hazing of President Obama, on what he thought was a private call with supporters, as a Democrat who had won by giving a lot of stuff to young people, Latinos and those in need of healthcare coverage.)

They are also fighting against members of their own party. In Browns case, it is more liberal legislators and ambitious politicians seeking office in the 2016 and 2018 elections  unlike Brown, who cannot run for re-election. In Clintons case, it is the passionate followers of Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator and democratic socialist who has proven to be a persistent thorn to the former secretary of state with his assaults on Wall Street and the economic establishment.

Well leave it to friends and foes to hash out the percentages, but at root, some of the positioning is a heartfelt representation of principles. Some is likely driven by their view that a centrist approach offers a better guarantee of success, in theory reaching more voters than candidates who hew to the more invigorated poles. The latter positioning will be tested this year by Sanders candidacy.

Theres no small bit of irony residing on the plot of ideological land now occupied by Clinton and Brown. It represents the lasting vestiges of a Democratic remaking that was accomplished by her husband, Bill Clinton, after he defeated Jerry Brown and others to win the presidency in 1992.

President Clinton was the great triangulator, trying to appeal to independent and Republican voters with moves to the center that often focused on cultural issues, such as welfare reform, despite Democratic Party opposition. But his goal was to not become the fourth straight Democratic nominee to lose the White House, and his goal was achieved.

Brown, in that race, was the insurgent dynamo, free-wheeling around the country and baiting Clinton until the nomination was secured during the June California primary. It was Brown who sought to channel that years angst by arguing that voters needed to Take America Back and blaming big-money donors and their recipient campaigns for ruining the nation. He also forwarded a 13% flat tax proposal, which he said would insure economic fairness.

In contrast, Brown last week oozed nuance and deliberation as he unveiled his $170.7-billion budget for the coming fiscal year.

His charts were efforts to still the Legislatures enthusiasm for spending now that California is closer to an even economic keel. One, drawn in particularly garish red and black, showed the impact of increasing the budget were the economy to falter: More permanent spending, combined with recession, would be devastating, it said.

Several times, he returned to the argument that there were many good deeds government could accomplish, but it needed to choose wisely. He urged caution when asked about a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Moving it up to $10 per hour accounted for a quarter of a billion dollars in costs in the new budget, he said.

These are all good things. Government does not consciously do bad things, he said. But in the event of a recession, too many goods become bad  you have to cut things like school and childcare spending.

Across the board, theres only so much money. And we have to balance it, he said.

At her Thursday event in San Gabriel, Clinton emphasized immigration before the largely Asian audience, but took pains to say shed be in their corner when it came to easing the way for business. She also has spurned the notion of tax hikes for Americans making under $250,000 annually.

I dont think we should be imposing new big programs that are going to be raising middle-class families taxes, she said last month. Sanders has proposed tax increases to pay for services like universal healthcare; a third candidate, former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley, has left open the possibility of middle-class tax hikes.

In his budget proposal, Brown recalled a high school lesson in which his teacher had charted the ups and downs of the economy and said that economists were trying to even out the boom-and-bust gyrations. Sixty years later, Brown noted, they were still trying, without success.

There are political cycles, too; the liberal Democratic wave of the 1980s was washed away in the moderate Democratic surge of the 1990s. Many in the party want things to reverse now. But last week, at least, Brown and Clinton were pushing back against the tide.

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Twitter: @cathleendecker. For more on politics, go to www.latimes.com/decker and www.latimes.com/politics.
Despite fierce opposition in Congress, growing doubts about his leadership at home and abroad, and barely a year to complete his agenda, President Obama is crafting his final State of the Union address around a theme that aides sum up in one word: optimism.

There will be no 30-page fact sheet or detailed package of new policy proposals, as in the past, an acknowledgment that the Republican-led Congress and the White House have few issues left on which they agree, especially in the heat of an election campaign.

Instead he will speak in broad terms Tuesday about Americas potential and his vision of a nation that builds things, adapts to a changing environment and looks forward with hope, reprising some of the aspirational refrains that first helped him win the White House in 2008.

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America can do anything, Obama said Saturday in a weekly radio address that aides described as a preview of his speech. Even in times of great challenge and change, our future is entirely up to us.

The upbeat, and to some extent self-congratulatory, tone serves as a marked contrast to the presidents vast challenges and apparent frustration only weeks before the Iowa caucuses formally start the electoral race for his successor.

Obamas once-lofty job approval ratings appear stuck in negative territory, and the Dec. 2 shooting rampage in San Bernardino brought the threat of terrorism home again to many Americans.

He has struggled to explain his strategy to defeat Islamic State, which continues to lure new recruits  and inspire new violent attacks, including, authorities say, the shooting of a policeman Thursday night in Philadelphia  despite a U.S.-led military campaign against the extremist group in Iraq and Syria.

Unable to persuade Congress to tighten gun laws or to overhaul immigration laws, he has resorted to issuing executive orders and action that another president can quickly revoke with a stroke of the pen. Courts already have tied up some of his immigration programs.

Polling shows the country also is beset by economic unease in spite of a period of positive economic data. The number of people filing unemployment claims is near the lowest levels in four decades, and the jobless rate may fall below 5% for the first time since before the 2007 recession.

Yet a Fox News poll taken Jan. 4-7 found that 3 out of 4 voters view economic conditions in negative terms. Only 28% say they would describe the country as strong and confident, the argument Obama will seek to make on Tuesday.

The annual address to Congress gives the president an opportunity to try to reframe the national debate. With few new major initiatives to promote, Obama instead will try to rekindle some of the excitement that greeted his first run for the White House eight years ago.

Among the invited guests in the first ladys box in the House chamber Tuesday will be Edith Childs, the local official in South Carolina whose Fired up! Ready to go! chant became a staple of Obamas historic election.

Other guests will be more somber reminders of the gun violence that brought the president to tears in a speech on the subject last week. One seat will be left empty as a tribute to those killed.

We want them to be seen and understood, Obama said in a conference call Friday with members of Organizing for Action, which evolved from his former campaign operation. Their absence means something to this country.

In his prime-time speech, Obama is expected to again ask Congress to authorize military action against Islamic State. Lawmakers all but ignored a draft resolution he submitted last year to authorize force.

He may cite the Iran nuclear deal, his signature foreign policy achievement, since the Islamic Republic appears on track to remove or disable its primary nuclear infrastructure in coming weeks. Barring problems, the United Nations then may lift economic sanctions and allow the release of more than $50 billion in frozen assets to Iran.

On Saturday the White House launched a new interactive tool on the Web that lets users scan previous State of the Union addresses. Each of Obamas speeches is annotated to show ways in which the White House says the president delivered on the promises he made.

After the speech he will head to Omaha, and then to Baton Rouge, La. Aides say he will make the case that his initiatives, including healthcare reform and the economy, have helped millions of Americans; and he will suggest further reforms for the future.

Its more about what the American people can do in the next phase of our country, said a senior aide who requested anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes planning.

Republicans will turn to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to deliver the partys response to Obamas speech.

In the GOP weekly address Saturday, Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota said that while Obama touts his accomplishments, what we really need to hear about is how he will unleash the creativity and drive of the American people.

He said Obamas record of what he called overregulation and foreign policy gambles, like the nuclear deal with Iran, have put America on the wrong course.

Follow @mikememoli and @cparsons for more White House coverage.

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Its hard to think of someone more qualified to fix the L.A. County Sheriffs Department than Jim McDonnell, a former assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department and chief of police in Long Beach. During his tenure in Long Beach he served on a commission that delved into beatings of jail inmates by L.A. County sheriffs deputies and made wide-ranging recommendations to revamp the Sheriffs Departments management, structure and oversight. He and his commission colleagues essentially, although obliquely, called for the ouster of Sheriff Lee Baca but reserved particular opprobrium for former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka.

Then, after Baca stepped down, McDonnell ran for sheriff against Tanaka and won, taking office on Dec. 1, 2014.

Now Tanaka is facing trial on obstruction of justice charges, and McDonnell has spent just over a year trying to consolidate post-Baca, post-Tanaka reforms. The department overhaul has been quiet but, at least on the organization chart, far-reaching: The top officials most closely associated with the former discredited regime are gone.

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It is not yet clear whether McDonnells reform vision ... will embrace the sweeping and overdue reinvention of the criminal justice system now under [national] discussion.

The organization has a different tone, McDonnell said recently, and that new tone was exemplified last year by the resignation of Assistant Sheriff Michael Rothans, following a Times report that he had purchased a stolen car that deputies had seized from a suspected gang member. Rothans had been a trusted part of McDonnells effort to reboot the department, but he violated policy, and he was out.

If the sheriffs task were limited to undoing the Tanaka era, hed be off to a good start. But he has weighty challenges that predate Baca, Tanaka, the beatings and the obstruction charges that have resulted in convictions of several deputies (and in Tanakas trial, which is slated for next month).

He has jails that are outdated, poorly designed and ill-suited to the task of properly treating thousands of inmates, many of whom are sick or addicted and might be more effectively housed and treated elsewhere. Replacement costs are shockingly high, and critics  including this page  have argued that his plans show too little commitment to non-custodial alternatives.

Hiring and training practices that predate McDonnell may well leave him with some deputies who ought not to be wearing badges or carrying guns. And the department is beginning to get the same scrutiny and criticism that police agencies nationwide are receiving over questionable uses of deadly force. One case in point is the fatal shooting in 2014 (before McDonnells tenure) of Noel Aguilar in Long Beach. The district attorney cleared the deputies of criminal charges last month, but a disturbing and widely-circulated video of the incident has prompted calls to reopen the investigation.

It is not yet clear whether McDonnells reform vision is limited to a thorough de-Tanakafication of the department, or if instead it will embrace the sweeping and overdue reinvention of the criminal justice system now under discussion and underway to some degree around the nation.

There are some discouraging signals on that front. We are dismayed at McDonnells hostile reaction to Proposition 47, the landmark California ballot measure that decreases penalties for drug possession and other nonviolent crimes. The sheriff acknowledges that instead of arresting suspects on misdemeanor charges, his deputies are often not arresting them at all. Yet he blames an uptick in crime not on his departments practices, but on the ballot measure.

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl did not mention McDonnell by name at a board hearing on Proposition 47 last fall, but its hard to escape the conclusion that she was talking at least partly about him when she noted that there was no evidence to support claims that the measure is increasing crime.

I would really encourage those spreading this disinformation to reconsider and be more responsible, Kuehl said.

So far, any tension between McDonnell and the Board of Supervisors is mostly of the friendly variety. But given the competition between the sheriff and the supervisors over money and power, the relationship bears watching.

More than once during her 2014 campaign for county supervisor, Kuehl argued that the board can and should exercise greater control over the sheriff by granting or withholding funds. Last year the board stripped the sheriff of his control over medical services in the jails. The supervisors also blocked McDonnell from hiring legal advisors who would be responsible to him and not to the county counsel, who is hired and fired by the board.

Meanwhile, according to Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the counsel has begun making the case that the board has supervisory authority over the sheriff and his department, even though the sheriff is independently elected under the state Constitution.

Some of this will be tested, Ridley-Thomas told an audience at the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum, presumably in a court of law.

This battle for authority is playing out in less-than-obvious ways. A series of public hearings last year on a still-unformed sheriffs oversight commission focused on the degree to which independent panelists would be able to compel production of use-of-force data and pressure the department to impose discipline and alter policy. What the supervisors are actually considering on Tuesday, however, is a commission appointed by and responsible to them, aided by an inspector general who also serves at their pleasure, helping them to keep an eye on the independently elected sheriff. It is the latest iteration of a power struggle, still a mostly polite one, between the new sheriff and a partially new board.

So which side do we root for? The question should instead be who, or what, will bring Los Angeles County a Sheriffs Department that protects safety on the streets and in the jails, constantly improves standards and performance and holds itself accountable for failures. It has been only a year, and McDonnell still deserves a bit of patience. For now.

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Saudi Arabias royal family is frightened  and thats a problem for the U.S.-Saudi relationship.

The Saudis are surrounded by enemies. To the north, Abu Bakr Baghdadi, leader of Islamic State, has promised to overthrow the Al Saud dynasty, which he calls the serpents head. To the south, Sunni-led Saudi forces are at war against Shia Muslim rebels in Yemen. To the east, the Al Saud face the rival they fear most, Shia-ruled Iran.

The fracture in U.S.-Saudi relations isnt going away, because the foundations of the relationship -- the interests the two countries had in common -- are no longer as strong.

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The Saudis have problems at home, too. Fearing subversion from both Islamic State and Iran, the government has cracked down on Sunni and Shia dissidents alike, jailing writers, journalists and human rights lawyers as well as potential terrorists. The plummeting price of oil has blown a hole in the governments budget while the population, accustomed to subsidized housing and utilities, keeps growing.

And the family faces a succession crisis; 80-year-old King Salman, who ascended to the throne last year, is described privately by diplomats as nearly senile.

Once their regime was a pillar of conservative stability; now fear has made them unpredictable.

On New Years Day, the government abruptly announced the execution of 47 domestic prisoners. Although most were Sunni extremists convicted of membership in Al Qaeda, four were Shia Muslim activists, including the countrys most prominent radical preacher, Sheik Nimr al-Nimr. Nimrs crime was not terrorism, but sedition; he had called publicly for the secession of Saudi Arabias Eastern Province, where most of the kingdoms Shia citizens  and most of its oil reserves  reside.

Nimrs death set off a cascade of events. Demonstrators in Iran set fire to Saudi Arabias embassy in Tehran, unrestrained by riot police. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the Saudi leaders would face divine vengeance. Saudi Arabia broke diplomatic relations with Iran and demanded that other Arab countries follow suit. (Only a few did.)

In the past, the Saudi princes could usually rely on the United States to take their side in any disagreement with Iran. Thats not what happened this time.

Instead, the White House and the State Department said they were unhappy with both countries  Saudi Arabia for executing Nimr, Iran for failing to protect the Saudi Embassy.

In private, U.S. officials didnt hide their exasperation at the Saudis  and Saudi officials didnt hide their unhappiness with the Americans.

It seems telling that Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who scrambled to calm things down, was able to reach Irans foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, almost immediately by phone; Saudi Arabias foreign minister, Adel al Jubeir, didnt accept Kerrys call until a day had passed.

Weve seen a long deterioration in the U.S.-Saudi relationship, and it started well before the Obama Administration, a former U.S. ambassador to Riyadh, Charles W. Freeman Jr., told me last week.

The U.S.-Saudi relationship is based entirely on interests, not values, he said. Its been an impossible relationship in value terms from the beginning.

And in recent years, the two countries have increasingly seen their interests diverge.

For decades, both countries viewed Iran as an incorrigible threat; yet since last years agreement to dismantle Irans nuclear program, the Obama administration has sought to enlist Tehran as an arms-length partner in ending Syrias civil war.

For decades, the United States needed Saudi oil; now, thanks to shale oil, the United States has surpassed Saudi Arabia as the worlds largest producer.

For decades, the Saudis counted on the United States to bolster repressive yet stable regimes in the Arab world. But in 2003, the U.S. toppled Iraqs Saddam Hussein, and in 2011, the U.S. supported a revolution against Egypts Hosni Mubarak  in both cases, against the advice of Saudi kings.

In return, Freeman said, the Saudis have increasingly ignored U.S. wishes as they chart their own security course. Their conclusion is that the only effective thing they can do is go off on their own, he said. Indeed, U.S. officials urged the Saudis last year not to execute Sheik Nimr, but their advice was ignored.

By the end of last week, that short-term crisis, at least, was subsiding. Saudi Arabias defense minister, 30-year old Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the kings favorite son, said he didnt want war with Iran. Irans reformist president, Hassan Rouhani, said the rioters who attacked the embassy would be prosecuted as criminals.

Kerry said officials from both countries assured him that they still support his effort to convene peace talks between Syrian rebels (backed by Saudi Arabia) and the Syrian government (backed by Iran).

Nevertheless, the fracture in U.S.-Saudi relations isnt going away, because the foundations of the relationship  the interests the two countries had in common  are no longer as strong.

We cant undo everything weve done, Freeman said. We cant put Humpty Dumpty together again.

Even when the two countries were closer, punctilious American diplomats noted that Saudi Arabia was never a formal ally of the United States; the correct word, they said, was partner.

Both countries still need each other, but less than before. Theyre still partners  but colder, more distant partners now.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @doylemcmanus

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Watching the presidential primary campaign unfold with the use of tawdry comments and language that sometimes seem unworthy of the greatest nation in the world, it may be useful to remember that there was an equally explosive contest featuring Theodore Roosevelt 104 years ago, when the presidential primary process began. There were those in 1912, as there are those today, who worried about the failings of a selection system built on popular democracy. Yet the presidential primary process has served America well in the past, and it almost certainly will serve us well this year too.

In 1912, Roosevelt, who had left the White House in the hands of his close friend and fellow Republican William Howard Taft in 1909, decided to challenge Taft for the partys nomination. TR was disappointed in Tafts administration; equally important, he was feeling alone and irrelevant in his 22-room home in Oyster Bay, Long Island, and he wanted to return to the center of the action.

Until that year, presidential nominees were selected at conventions with delegates who were picked by party activists, office holders and leaders in proverbial smoke-filled backrooms. Even in states where the public could participate in some fashion, there was no way for voters to tell delegates which candidate to support.

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At first Roosevelt did not support presidential primaries. In December, 1911, his supporters helped prevent the Republican National Committee from calling on states to adopt them. But once it became clear that Taft could control a convention where delegates were picked under the old rules, Roosevelt championed the new concept of presidential primaries. His campaign theme was Let the People Rule. He advocated controversial ideas and used inflammatory language to attack Taft, exciting crowds but throwing fear into the hearts of the leaders and business interests who still dominated the Republican Party.

The reform-minded Nation magazine said that Roosevelts violence of language, recklessness of assertion, and apparent inability to reason coherently make of him a spectacle disturbing to his friends and mortifying to the country.

Many doubted the value of the new system. The New York Times called it Party Suicide by Primary and said it was a first rate device for splitting a party wide open and inviting defeat on Election Day. The old system may have been open to objection, it argued, but for any electorate save one confined within the walls of an insane asylum, its advantages over this plan are obvious.

Nevertheless, the primaries energized the public. TR won nine of the 13 newly created state contests and 70% of the popularly elected delegates. It wasnt enough to overcome the ability of the Republican Party leaders to manipulate the levers of power. Some recognized that Taft could not be reelected president, but they detested Roosevelt, and winning the White House mattered less to them than maintaining control of the party machinery

In a bitter convention, the Republicans nominated Taft who proceeded to come in third in the general election, trailing both Woodrow Wilson, the Democratic candidate, and TR who ran as the standard bearer of the Bull Moose Party, which he had created after being denied the Republican nomination.

If that mixed system were still in place today, Republican leaders ... could select a candidate they deem most likely to ... be polite and compliant, unlike, say, Donald Trump.

For the next 56 years, both parties selected nominees with a mixed system: a minority of states held primaries that allowed voters to tell delegates which candidate to support, but party leaders held enough power in most states, allowing them to ignore or overrule the primary results. If that mixed system were still in place today, Republican leaders would have the power to reject the results of the primaries, as they did with TR in 1912. They could select a candidate they deem most likely to win, to line up with their values, to keep them in power, and to be polite and compliant, unlike, say, Donald Trump.

But another wave of reforms changed the selection process in both parties after 1968, largely as a result of the backlash generated by the Democratic Partys decision to nominate Hubert Humphrey, who had not won a single primary. Some super-delegates are still selected by party leaders, providing a possible leavening force in a close contest, but most delegates today are chosen in primaries or caucuses where voters can express a preference for the presidential nominee. Under the current rules, it would be impossible to deny the nomination to someone like TR who had won the overwhelming support of the voters.

Critics have identified countless problems with the current process including campaign finance laws that give inordinate influence to big donors; limits on voter registration and participation; and the power granted to Iowa and New Hampshire as the first states to cast votes. The rules, which differ from party to party, election to election and state to state, are dizzyingly confusing. Moreover, in a country where roughly 40% of the electorate is not affiliated with either party, does it really make sense for some states to have closed primaries where only party members can vote?

Still primaries are better than the alternative. Although the previous system produced some great leaders  including Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt  the nation has been well served by popular democracy.

In 1960, primary voters defied the predictions of many of the Democratic Partys leaders by proving that Protestants would vote for a Catholic candidate, John F. Kennedy, for president; in 1980, primaries enabled Ronald Reagan to prove that he was vigorous enough to serve in office even though he would be elected on the eve of his 70th birthday; and in 2008, presidential primaries proved that the nation was ready to elect the first black president of the United States.

As embarrassing as the primary campaign spectacle is, and as imperfect as the process remains, TR was right in concluding that it is better to Let the people rule.

Geoffrey Cowan is a USC professor and the director of the Annenberg Schools Center on Communication Leadership & Policy. As a student activist, he organized the commission that led the Democratic Party to increase the number of primaries after the 1968 election. His latest book is Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary.

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To read the article in Spanish, click here
Article II of the Constitution states: No Person except a natural born Citizen . . . shall be eligible to the Office of President. Donald Trump thinks Sen. Ted Cruz is not a natural born Citizen and that he is therefore constitutionally ineligible to be president. Is Trump right? Cruz was born in 1970 in Calgary, Canada, to a U.S. citizen mother and a Cuban citizen father. As to his Article II status, its all in how you read the Constitution.

There are three leading theories of how to interpret the Constitution today. One is textualism: the Constitution means what its words say. The historical context of the words is important when a modern plain meaning is not self-evident. A second theory, adopted by many liberals, relies on a living Constitution: the Constitution means what is most consistent with fundamental constitutional values as applied to present circumstances. The third theory, championed by many leading conservatives, is originalism: The Constitution means what ordinary people would have understood it to mean at the time it was ratified, which is 1788.

People looking to the Supreme Court to settle the debate once and for all are likely to be disappointed.

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Under either a textualist or a living Constitution theory, Cruz is a natural born Citizen, eligible to be president; under an originalist view, however, he isnt. Its the conservative theory that would exclude the conservative Cruz from presidential eligibility.

To an originalist, a natural born Citizen is a person who is a citizen of the United States under natural principles of law in 1788. Two such principles were then in play in the U.S. Jus soli  the law of soil  was the principle that a child was subject or citizen of the sovereign who ruled the land or seas on which the child was born. Jus soli was viewed as a part of the common law of England, which was adopted by the American states. Jus sanguinis  the law of blood  held that a childs citizenship flowed from the parents allegiance, regardless of place of birth. This principle was prevalent in continental Europe, and in England it was the basis for an exception to jus soli for children born there to foreign ambassadors.

The principle of jus sanguinis in 1788 applied to patrilineal descent only: A person born in a foreign country was viewed as a natural born Citizen of his or her fathers country. However odious it seems today, a child born of a woman whose citizenship was different from her husbands  much rarer then than today  could not be a natural born Citizen of the mothers country. That idea wasnt even considered until 1844 in Victorian England.

The upshot is that to an originalist, someone like Cruz  born in a foreign country (and therefore not a natural born citizen of the United States by jus soli) and to a Cuban citizen father (and therefore not a natural born citizen of the United States by jus sanguinis )  is not eligible to be president.

In a textualist view of the Constitution, historical context is also important because natural born Citizen has no modern plain meaning and the words dont appear anywhere else in the Constitution. Textualists, by contrast to originalists, favor written statutes in mining historical context. In this case, two American laws enacted in 1784 and 1790 are applicable, along with older English statutes which use the similar words natural born subject.

In 1784, the Maryland Legislature extended all the Immunities, Rights and Privileges of natural born Citizen to the Marquis de Lafayette and his heirs Male forever. And, in 1790, Congress passed a law stating that the children of citizens of the United States that may be born beyond Sea, or out of the limits of the United States shall be considered as natural born Citizens. It didnt specify which parent, mother or father or both, but the background principle of jus sanguinis leads to the conclusion that it referred to American fathers.

The 1790 statute, however, was not intended to address presidential eligibility. Rather, like earlier English statutes that referred to natural born subjects, it exempted children born abroad from the need to follow any other procedures (to naturalize) in order to be considered citizens. Then in 1940, Congress passed a statute dispensing with the need for a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen mother to naturalize.

Taken all together, these laws would cause a textualist to conclude that Ted Cruz, born in Canada to a U.S. citizen mother in 1970, is a natural born Citizen eligible to be president.

Finally, living constitutionalists would interpret natural born Citizen in accordance with present circumstances and social conditions. Supreme Court case law is their main source because judicial decisions reflect an accommodation of legal doctrine with contemporary reality.

But the Supreme Court has never directly decided the meaning of natural born Citizen. Today, a living constitutionalist would likely regard the ancient, sexist patrilineal rule governing the citizenship of a child born abroad as an anachronism. To a living constitutionalist, anyone born anywhere to a U.S. citizen mother or father would qualify to run for president.

People looking to the Supreme Court to settle the debate once and for all are likely to be disappointed. The federal courts have repeatedly refused to allow voters to bring lawsuits disqualifying presidential candidates on the basis of the natural born Citizen clause because voters dont have the proper standing their alleged injury is too generalized to justify a court order of relief.

But voters do have recourse: The ballot box may be the final arbiter of the constitutional meaning of the clause. In other words, if you are an originalist, vote against Cruz because he is ineligible to be president.

Its a neat irony: The most conservative constitutional interpreters must find Cruz ineligible to be president; liberals must grin and bear him. Cruz himself purports to embrace originalism as the correct view of the Constitution. To be faithful to his understanding of what the Constitution means, the senator may have to disqualify himself.

Thomas Lee is a professor of constitutional law and international law at Fordham Law School.

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Opinion / Columnist

Mugabe has managed to stay in power for 36 years now because he has created a ruthless monolithic one-party dictatorship which has denied everyone outside it political space to breath. All those who have fallen out with Mugabe, Edgar Tekere, Simba Makoni, Dumiso Dabengwa, Jonathan Moyo, Morgan Tsvangirai and, in the last year Joice Mujuru, Didymus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo, etc. have all discovered that outside Mugabe's Zanu PF camp it is very cold."Charova sei chando kukwidza kamba mumuti!" so goes the Shona proverb. (It will have to be bitterly cold to force the tortoise to climb a tree!)"FORMER vice-president Joice Mujuru is touring the country's provinces consulting grassroots ahead of the official launch of her People First (PF) party, amid revelations she is wooing experienced politicians from established parties," reported the Standard."According to close Mujuru allies, President Robert Mugabe's former long-time deputy was in the Midlands Province early last week where she met former legislators from both the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition, in particular former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T."Yeah up! Joice Mujuru, must be finding it bitterly cold outside Zanu PF for her to forsake her usual laid-back approach (unless there was some corrupt deal to be made) to get off her backside and do something to push her People First (PF) project.When Mai Mujuru, Rugare Gumbo and others were booted out of Zanu PF end of 2014, they were cock-sure the whole nation would embrace them with the same blind loyalty people had embraced Zanu PF in 1980. They were aware that over the years Zanu PF had lost the people's support and was only in power because it rigged elections.Mai Mujuru and friends thought President Mugabe had, unwittingly, done them a great favour by booting them out of Zanu PF because the people would see her and others as the victims of the tyrannical Mugabe just as the people themselves have become victims of the tyrant. All she and her friends had to do now was to issue a timid apology for having been senior members of the Zanu PF regime the last 34 years and the people would  with tears streaming down their faces - forgive, forget and embrace her and her friends as the "true Zanu PF" liberation heroes and heroines just as happened back in 1980.Mai Mujuru has been shocked and confused that the people have not been so easily fooled.People know she and others were not kicked out of Zanu PF because they were democrats who were fighting to end the corruption and tyranny. There was no ideological difference between Mujuru and Mugabe. They were kick out of the party because there was a fight for the control of the party and Mai Mujuru and her supporters outwitted and out manoeuvred. It was not a fair and democratic fight but since when has Mugabe cared about that; all people Mai Mujuru and her supporters should know!People also know that if Mai Mujuru and PF should get back into power they would follow the same worn out path Mugabe has traded; the corruption, mismanagement, ruthless oppression, everything.For the last year, Mujuru and her friends have struggled to infuse some enthusiasm in the nation for their PF party but with little success. They have delayed the launching of the party for a year; it is now or never, hence and the tortoise climbing the tree.Mai Mujuru must be real disparate for supporters for her to be recruiting from Zanu PF and MDC; she knows Zanu PF is unelectable and MDC leaders have lost political credibility since their failure to get even one democratic reform implemented during the GNU. In fact with MDC imploding, MDC members are themselves disparate for a new political home. They are like chickens caught in a storm and are soaked to the bone; they so disparate for warmth they are snuggle up to a chicken-eating dog!The hands of PF leaders like Didymus Mutasa, Jabulani Sibanda, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti and many others are red with blood of innocent MDC members they killed in the name of Mugabe's no-regime-change mantra. All former Zanu PF members have shamelessly called for the death of MDC supporters and leaders. These are the same hyenas MDC members are snuggling up to!PF will have to resort to Mugabe's tried and tested way; bus supporters from far and wide to rallies and give the public free food and beer. She can afford to do this from her accumulated wealth from 34 years of looting. How long she will be able to do this, giving that she has lost her spot of the feeding trough, as another matter!Ordinary Zimbabweans must hold their nerve and continue to demand the implementation of the GPA democratic reforms necessary to end Zanu PF's political strangle hold on the nation. As long as the dictatorship, be it with a new name PF instead of Zanu PF, continues to stifle democratic debate and competition the nation will be forced to recycle corrupt and incompetent leaders like Joice Mujuru, Rugabe Gumbo, Morgan Tsvangirai, Welshman Ncube, etc. because dictatorship will never allow quality leaders to emerge.We want democratic change, free and fair elections, freedom of expression, the right to life, the right to a fair share of the nation's wealth and riches, etc. For us to give all these up to elect Mujuru and PF, which is Zanu PF in all but name, will be giving up a diamond the size of a hen's egg for a worthless piece of stone!
The game was proceeding practically at a glacial pace, one of those less-than-memorable contests you expect to see in early January.

Until the 7-minute 59-second mark in the third period.

Then a tame game suddenly turned controversial. It started when the Blues Magnus Paajarvi was knocked off balance by a slash from Kings left wing Milan Lucic. Then Kings defenseman Brayden McNabb checked the falling Paajarvi into the boards.

McNabb was tossed from the game and received a five-minute major for charging, and the officials got an earful from an irate Kings Coach Darryl Sutter.

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The Kings managed to kill off the major penalty and carried that momentum through regulation and overtime. But the resolute Blues refused to go away and beat the Kings, 2-1, finishing it off in a shootout on Saturday night at Staples Center.

The shootout went on . . . and on . . . and on.

It was finally decided in the seventh round when Blues forward Troy Brouwer beat Kings goalie Jonathan Quick.

That ended quite a duel in the shootout between Quick and his Blues counterpart, Brian Elliott.

Through the first six rounds, the only players to convert were the Kings Marian Gaborik and the Blues Alexander Steen.

Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Tanner Pearson, Dustin Brown and newcomer Vinny Lecavalier were all unable to solve Elliott in the shootout.

For the Blues, it was their first regular-season victory at Staples Center since Feb. 17, 2011, ending the Kings six-game winning streak at home against St. Louis.

I thought the effort was there and the penalty kill was definitely up to par, Kopitar said. Anytime you kill a five-minute major, it gives you some momentum. But you have to score a few more goals to win at home.

Sutter was asked about if the call on McNabb had been the right one.

Yeah, thats why I was hollering at em, telling them it was a great call, he said, sarcastically.

The motto for the Kings in this one should have been: Beware the wounded.

The Blues had, not one, but three players injured against the Ducks in Anaheim on Friday night and were without them Saturday against the Kings.

The three regulars were goalie Jake Allen, defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and forward Paul Stastny. And then they lost another, Paajarvi, for a good chunk of the third period and overtime. The teams traded second-period goals. First, a highlight-reel effort from Kopitar, who beat Elliott with a back-hander up high at 9:54.

Then St. Louis quickly equalized it as defenseman Alex Pietrangelo beat Quick with a shot from the middle of the left circle at 12:33.

Follow Lisa Dillman on Twitter @reallisa
AUSTRALIA

Presentation

Aussie travel specialist Paula Harness will show pictures of the land Down Under.

When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Total Wine & More, 8201 Day Creek Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (800) 388-7477

CENTRAL AMERICA

Workshop

Hostelling International will conduct a workshop on how to travel safely and inexpensively throughout Central America, including finding places to stay and using public transportation.

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When, where: 7 p.m. Wednesday at the REI store in Huntington Beach, 7777 Edinger Ave.

Admission, info: Free. RSVP to (310) 393-9913, Ext. 3104

JOSHUA TREE

Presentation

Retired Joshua Tree National Park ranger Joe Zarki will discuss his recent book, Image of America  Joshua Tree National Park.

When, where: 7 p.m. Friday at Black Rock Visitor Center, 9800 Black Rock Canyon, Yucca Valley.

Admission, info: Free. (760) 367-5535, www.joshuatree.org

NEPAL

Slide show

Hiker Elaine Pike, author of Footsteps of Gopal, will retrace her trek over three of the worlds highest mountain passes.

When, where: 7 p.m. Friday at the Adventure 16 store, 11161 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

Admission, info: Free. (310) 473-4574.

Please email announcements at least three weeks before the event to travel@latimes.com.
In response to Must-See Spots in 16" by Christopher Reynolds, Dec. 27, which included Natchez, Miss.: Visiting tiny Natchez (pop. about 16,000) offers invaluable, if often suppressed, history lessons.

Natchez is one of the few U.S. cities with more than 500 structures built before 1860, and includes many stately antebellum mansions. Two historically unflattering footnotes explain why:

First, slavery provided plantation owners with cheap labor, enabling them to amass great wealth from agriculture and to construct mansions in Natchez so regal and durable that more than 40 of them now serve as bed-and-breakfasts, owned largely by descendants of the original white owners.

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Second, when the Civil War brought Union troops to Natchez, its residents didnt resist mightily as other Southerners did. Instead the city practically laid down and rolled over (as your Travel section noted two years ago). Thus it escaped ruinous Union shellings that devastated other cities architectural treasures.

Natchez, for all its antebellum splendor, teaches that the social and economic benefits derived from ancestral crimes and indiscretions can endure for generations.

Ed Alston

Santa Monica

::

The article by Reynolds was quite interesting as he listed what he thought were 16 locations interesting enough to visit. Nine of those 16 spots were outside of the U.S., with the remaining seven locations in the confines of our country. It was more than intriguing, and rather flattering, that one of those spots was not only in California but right here in Orange County, including the Newport Beach Island Hotel. Although I live in Newport Beach and am retired, I tend to shy away from those really nice places, but its good to know that the city in which I live is among those 16 worldwide featured spots by Reynolds.

Bill Spitalnick

Newport Beach

Check insurance policy

I must tell you to examine your travel insurance policy carefully before purchasing it [Ready to Breathe Easy by Millie Ball, Jan. 3]. Recently my wife and I went on a Panama Canal cruise. We purchased travel insurance for the trip. My wife has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her two trips to the ships doctor were added to our ships room charges. The travel insurance and Medicare did not pay one penny of reimbursement.

Stu Lovett

Northridge

Local culture awaits

How true letter writer Jim Hess was in his criticism of travelers who stay at expensive resorts and ignore local people and their culture [Letters, Jan. 3].

I have been to 47 of the 50 states, lived in Europe three years and been to both Australia and most provinces of Canada. All this on a workingmans budget.

I truly believe that the more you spend on lodging, the less you experience of the local culture, wherever you may be, from Tokyo to Topeka. The thought of staying in a fancy hotel, isolating myself from local attractions and cuisine, is anathema to the most basic concept of travel. Even hostels will do.

One doesnt need five-star lodging to have a five-star experience. Trust me on this.

Kyle Kimbrell

Playa del Rey
The U.S. military has sent a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over South Korea as a show of force in response to North Koreas latest nuclear test.

The nuclear-capable bomber took off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam and later was joined by F-16 and F-15 fighter jets in what U.S. officials said was meant to demonstrate the strength of the U.S. alliance with South Korea.

This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan and to the defense of the American homeland, Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement Sunday announcing the B-52 flight near Osan, South Korea.

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North Koreas nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations, Harris said.

Pyongyang claimed Wednesday that it had tested a hydrogen bomb, a thermonuclear device far more powerful than the three atomic bombs the North Korean capital has tested in the past.

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If true, the device would mark a significant advance in North Koreas weapons development and its potential threat to the region. The underground test was detected by earthquake monitors and other sensors around the world.

The White House and Western nuclear weapons experts said initial seismic and other data did not support North Koreas claim, however, because the underground blast appeared similar in size to the three previous nuclear tests.

The United States and other global powers condemned North Korea for testing another bomb, and the United Nations Security Council met in emergency session to consider increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang.

Previous U.N. sanctions have not persuaded the government of Kim Jong Un to rein in its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs.

The nuclear test raised tensions in north Asia. South Korea has resumed cross-border propaganda broadcasts, which the North Korean government considers an act of war.

NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

An analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey fixed the coordinates of the bomb test in northeastern North Korea, an isolated and heavily forested area about 6,000 feet in elevation. The blast registered around 5.1 in magnitude on seismographs.

The U.S. military is trying to confirm the size of the detonation, the type of fuel used and the sophistication of the bomb design. The analysis, which includes sampling air for telltale radioactive isotopes, is expected to take weeks.

MORE: Get our best stories in your Facebook feed >>

Follow @wjhenn for military and defense info.

MORE FROM WORLD

As Chinas economy slows, workers feel the sting

Police investigating mysterious death of an American woman in Italy

Actress involved in Sean Penn-'El Chapo meeting is known for social activism
Italian police on Sunday were investigating the death of an American woman whose naked body was discovered in her home in Florence.

Ashley Olsen, 35, from Summer Haven, Fla., who moved to Florence from the United States three years ago, was found strangled on Saturday in her one-bedroom apartment in the arty Santo Spirito district of the Tuscan city, authorities said.

The case is being handled by Giacinto Profazio  the same detective who initially ran the investigation into the killing of British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, in 2007, which led to the conviction and imprisonment of her American roommate, Amanda Knox.

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Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were acquitted in 2015 following numerous retrials after doubts were raised about the reliability of the forensic investigation carried out in Perugia.

Investigators found bruises and scratches on Olsens neck, and no evidence of forced entry at the apartment.

Olsen was strangled, and we are trying to establish her movements before her death, said a police source in Florence, who added that an exact time of death had not yet been fixed. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

When Olsen moved to Florence, she was reunited with her father, an artist who teaches at an American school in the city, local media reported.

She built a busy social life, organizing artistic events, traveling in Italy and building a relationship with an Italian-born artist, Federico Fiorentini, who was raised in California before moving to Florence and has held exhibitions around the world.

Fiorentini, 43, who discovered Olsens body on Saturday, told police he had argued with her three days earlier, local media reported. When she did not return his calls after the quarrel, he grew concerned and persuaded her landlord to open her apartment, where they found her body, he said.

Police are now interviewing Olsens friends in Florence and analyzing her computer as well as security camera footage from the street outside her apartment.

Postings on her Instagram account suggest she may have had a stalker.

Three months ago, she posted a photo taken of herself while walking in Florence, taken by an unknown photographer, to which she added the hashtags #stalkeralert and #creeperintheback.

Kington is a special correspondent.
Pitched battles erupted during an anti-immigration demonstration in Cologne on Saturday between the right-wing marchers and police as tensions in Germany remained high more than a week after hundreds of women were sexually assaulted and robbed on New Years Eve.

Police used water cannons against demonstrators after riot police were hit by beer bottles, stones and firecrackers. At least three police officers and a journalist were injured.

The mood had been tense since Friday when reports came out that recently arrived refugees were among the suspected assailants in the New Years Eve attacks. Women said they were were molested and groped by a mob of more than 1,000 men in Cologne, Germanys fourth largest city.

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Police in Cologne, who withheld information for a week that some refugees were suspected, have been under intense pressure. Police chief Wolfgang Albers was fired on Friday for failing to inform Colognes mayor that refugees were suspected of being involved.

Were fully aware that were being watched with a critical eye after what happened on New Years Eve, Cologne police spokesman Christoph Gilles told German TV network ARD. He spoke after police broke up the demonstration Saturday evening, shortly after the violence occurred.

Were aware that weve got a lot of hard work to do to win back the publics trust, he said.

Across Germany, authorities have received a total of 379 complaints of sexual assaults on New Years Eve. The attacks have shocked Germany and eroded public support for Chancellor Angela Merkels open-door policies that have so far allowed about 1.1 million refugees from Syria and other troubled countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa to pour into Germany in the last year.

Saturdays demonstration began peacefully. The rally attracted far-right demonstrators marching under the banner of the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (PEGIDA) from the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the countrys most populous. The organizers of the rally said they wanted to better protect women from such attacks. The demonstrators chanted, Merkel muss weg  Merkel must go.

Uta Kruse, 74, said she felt it was important to express concerns that there there are too many foreigners coming into the country.

In Germany its forbidden to say a single word about Islam, Kruse said. I never want to go back to where thinking and speaking is not allowed. Everybody can say and think what he wants. That is a country I want to live in.

She said she planned to move to eastern Germany where the PEGIDA movement has its roots and regularly draws large crowds to its weekly rallies.

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They have been under communist repression before and they dare to say what they think, she said. But here, people are influenced by the media from morning to evening. You only hear propaganda.

She added that she thought the broadcast networks were slow to cover the sexual assaults in Cologne.

The German government in Berlin said Friday that two-thirds of 29 foreign men and two German citizens identified and questioned in connection with the assaults in Cologne are in the country as registered asylum seekers.

Kirschbaum and Adair are special correspondents. Kirschbaum reported from Berlin and Adair from Cologne.

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Mexican film and TV actress Kate del Castillo has long been a household name in her home country, known for playing tough female roles and speaking out on social issues.

She also has openly expressed admiration for drug kingpins  she played one in her most famous role  and once urged Joaquin El Chapo Guzman to use his power and ill-gotten gains for good.

That plea apparently led to communication between Del Castillo and Guzmans representatives, and ultimately to a meeting between the fugitive drug lord and actor Sean Penn. Those contacts, Mexican authorities say, helped advance the investigation that ultimately led to Guzmans capture in a shootout Friday in the seaside town of Los Mochis, in his native state of Sinaloa.

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Born in Mexico City in 1972, Del Castillo is the daughter of a famous Mexican matinee idol, Eric del Castillo, and she first started acting as a child alongside him. Like many of her Mexican admirers, she grew up steeped in the narco culture so ubiquitous in Mexican society.

Kate del Castillo came to fame in the early 1990s on the TV soap opera Muchachitas, produced by Televisa. She played Leticia, a young middle-class woman pursuing fame through acting and singing with three of her friends in an arts academy.

File photos from 2014 to 2016 show, from left, actor Sean Penn, drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo. (AFP/Getty Images)

But she is perhaps best known for her portrayal of drug boss Teresa Mendoza in the 2011 telenovela La Reina del Sur (The Queen of the South), produced by Telemundo and broadcast in the U.S. The drama was based on the novel of the same name by Spanish author Arturo Perez-Reverte.

In the show, Del Castillos character starts off as the girlfriend of a rising star in the Sinaloa cartel. He is killed by the cartels fictional leader (in real life, Guzman is the head of the cartel).

The killing of her boyfriend prompts her to flee to Spain, where she eventually toughens up and becomes one of the most powerful drug bosses in the southern region of the country.

The Spanish-language soap sometimes beat English-language network ratings in the United States, and its final episode  broadcast May 30, 2011  attracted 4.2 million viewers.

That year, Del Castillo appeared on the cover of People En Espanols 50 Most Beautiful People issue, and the magazine ranked her as one of the 25 most powerful women.

Del Castillo also played another forceful role: In Season 5 of Weeds, she portrayed Pilar Zuazo, who threatens to kill the family of Nancy Botwin, the lead character played by Mary-Louise Parker. That prompts Botwins son Shane to put an end to her by taking a croquet mallet to her head, leaving her floating facedown in a swimming pool.

The actress received recognition for her role in director Patricia Riggens heartfelt 2007 movie about immigration, Under the Same Moon. She played Rosario, a mother who crosses the border illegally into the United States, leaving her young son, Carlitos, behind with his grandmother. Carlitos eventually travels to the U.S. with the help of smugglers in search of his mother.

Del Castillo has been outspoken about a number of social issues, and in 2009, she was appointed ambassador for the Mexican Commission on Human Rights. She played the character Laura in the movie Trade, starring Kevin Kline, which follows the fate of a 13-year-old girl kidnapped by sex traffickers in Mexico City. After that, she helped launch the Blue Heart campaign to generate awareness and help combat human trafficking.

At the time, Del Castillo told Fox News Latino: People-trafficking affects all of us. There is no doubt about it. It is harming our society every day and will continue to do so as long as we all do not work together to raise awareness, inform and protect the most vulnerable people in Mexico: children, young people and women.

And she has long been open about her admiration for some of the drug bosses who ran things in her country  most specifically, El Chapo Guzman.

She sent him a public letter in January 2012 via her Twitter account  which has 2.5 million followers  imploring him to traffic for good, adding that she believes more in Chapo Guzman than in governments that hide the truth, however painful those truths may be, who hide the cure for cancer and AIDS etc for their own benefit and enrichment.

Del Castillo goes on to implore Guzman to help feed children living on the streets and provide old people passing their last years in institutions with the alcohol they might want to get them through to the end. After that letter, Guzmans representatives reached out to the actress.

According to the newspaper El Universal, Guzman or his representatives asked Del Castillo to try to stop the release of a film by a Mexican production company, El Chapo: The Escape of the Century. It isnt clear whether she tried, but if so, she wasnt successful: The film is reportedly scheduled for release in Mexico on Friday.

 Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, one of the worlds most powerful drug kingpins, gained folklore status during his decade-plus on the lam, evading authorities thanks to his skill at building secret tunnels from his assorted mountain hideouts, urban safe h

It probably came as no surprise to Mexican authorities that Del Castillo turned out to be the broker of a meeting between Guzman and Penn for an interview published Saturday night in Rolling Stone magazine. The actress says she has received private intimidations for her public views from high-ranking officials in Mexico, and no doubt her declarations put her on their watch list.

Although there are conflicting reports, it appears possible that liaisons between Del Castillo and Guzmans lawyers may have helped lead Mexican authorities to the drug lord, who had been on the lam since July 11, when he carried out a spectacular escape from the high-security Altiplano prison.

Neither Del Castillo nor her representatives could be reached for comment Sunday.

Bonello is a special correspondent.

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MORE ON EL CHAPO

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Opinion: Mission accomplished in recapture of Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo -- but for how long?
The Aguilar family hoped to celebrate Three Kings Day on Wednesday evening, with a sweet, crown-shaped rosca pastry and cups of hot chocolate. But fierce rain that pounded their hillside neighborhood swiftly put an end to those plans, sending a brew of mud and water pouring into their modest house.

There was so much water, the stream couldnt hold it all, said Raul Aguilar, 45, as he shoveled thick layers of mud outside his front door on Thursday morning. The government needs to come and build a channel.

Scenes like these played out in different parts of Tijuana in the aftermath of a series of rainstorms that swept both sides of the border this week. While neither fatalities nor injuries were reported, Tijuana residents had to contend with small landslides, collapsed walls, flooding and downed posts and trees.

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City workers labored around the clock to keep streets open, remove debris from stormwater drains and respond to emergency calls.

Answering a call from southeastern Tijuana on Wednesday night, Civil Protection Department workers Jose Luis Pulido and Isis Rivera sped down Bulevar 2000 to reach the working-class development of tiny two-story row houses known as Palma Real.

In one row, neighbors told of mud that oozed over a wall, pushing through their doors and into their kitchens and living rooms. On a nearby street, a pool of water and trash had accumulated, leaking through a cement block wall into their back patios.

If I have to leave, I will, for the good of my daughters, said 34-year-old Diana Flores Burrola as neighbors scrambled to dig a ditch that would release the water.

The city has prepared for the rains in recent months, clearing out trash and sediment from storm drains and stream beds, issuing warnings to residents of high-risk areas, preparing shelters and acquiring new rescue equipment. But heavy rains have exposed Tijuanas need to increase storm drainage capacity.

We have to say it.  The city continues to need more infrastructure, Mayor Jorge Astiazaran said during a ceremony at the downtown fire station. City officials said the current system only meets about 30% of the citys needs.

The rains illustrate the underlying causes of social vulnerability in Tijuana to climatic events, said Roberto Sanchez, a researcher at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Tijuana who specializes in environmental issues and climate change. Challenges include the citys rapid growth, especially in risk-prone areas such as streambeds and floodplains, and a lack of funds for infrastructure projects

The city needs to assess the current capacity of its stormwater system and its ability to deal with extreme precipitation events, Sanchez said. According to climate change scenarios, he said, these types of events are likely to become more frequent during the next decades.

Built on a narrow canyon that feeds into the Tijuana River channel, the hillside neighborhood of Canon del Sainz was one of the areas hardest hit this week. Late Wednesday afternoon, currents of stormwater that washed across the main access road lifted and pulled an empty taxicab, civil protection workers said.

By Thursday morning, the rain had stopped, and city workers used shovels and bulldozers to remove thick layers of mud.

In 1993, when weeks of rainfall brought major flooding to the city, residents of this canyon were cut off for several days, and food had to be delivered by helicopter.

Conditions have improved, and although we have many deficiencies, the city is more prepared than in 1993, said Cesar Romero, president of Tijuanas Construction Chamber, whose members offered their bulldozers and other equipment to the city to assist with recovery efforts.

At the Aguilars house, the family counted their losses: furniture, clothes, telephones, toys, kitchen equipment. But the family of six also counted their blessings: They were away when the water rose.

What would have happened with the children? said Aguilars wife, Dolores. God saw to it that we werent at home.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com
A senior White House official described as maddening Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans boasts about sending illegal narcotics to America, but he declined to say Sunday if actor Sean Penn faced potential legal liability for meeting with the fugitive drug kingpin.

Denis McDonough, the White House chief of staff, was asked on several TV talk shows Sunday about Guzmans recapture on Friday and the surprising disclosure that Penn had interviewed him at length in October for a potential film project.

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McDonough focused on what he called Guzmans braggadocios comments about how his cartel has distributed illegal drugs throughout the world.

 Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, one of the worlds most powerful drug kingpins, gained folklore status during his decade-plus on the lam, evading authorities thanks to his skill at building secret tunnels from his assorted mountain hideouts, urban safe h

I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world, Guzman told Penn, according to the actors account in Rolling Stone. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.

Speaking on CNNs State of the Union, McDonough called the remarks maddening.

We see a heroin epidemic, opioid addiction epidemic in this country, he said. Were going to stay on top of this with our Mexican counterparts until we get that back in the box. But El Chapo is behind bars and thats where he should stay.

McDonough said he had not read the Rolling Stone interview but had read reports about it. McDonough was asked if the United States would help facilitate Penn being questioned by Mexican law enforcement if they wanted it.

It poses a lot of very interesting questions, both for him and for others involved in this so-called interview, McDonough said. Im not going to get ahead of it.

Separately on ABCs This Week, McDonough said he would let somebody else sort out what Sean Penn did and didnt do.

Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio, who also appeared on This Week, first brushed off questions about Penns role.

Sean Penn is not someone I spend a lot of time thinking about, the Florida senator said. I didnt even know he was still around. I think he made movies a long time ago or something.

1 / 17 A newspaper shows a picture of drug lord Joaquin Guzman, aka El Chapo, shaking hands with actor Sean Penn, left, as seen at a newsstand in Mexico City on Sunday. (PEDRO PARDO / AFP/Getty Images) 2 / 17 Drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman is escorted to a helicopter at Mexico Citys airport on Friday following his recapture during an intense military operation in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa State. (ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP/Getty Images) 3 / 17 Marines stand guard outside the house where five gang suspects were killed in the military operation which resulted in the recapture of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa State, Mexico, on Friday. (- / AFP/Getty Images) 4 / 17 Forensic experts document the scene where one man was killed by security forces during the firefight that ensued to capture Joaquin El Chapo Guzman in a house under construction in Los Mochis, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. (Christian Palma / AP) 5 / 17 Federal police patrol on the perimeters of the Altiplano maximum security prison in Almoloya, west of Mexico City, on Saturday, where Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, is being held after his recapture on Friday. Guzman was sent back to the maximum-security prison from where he escaped last July 11 through an elaborate tunnel. (Marco Ugarte / AP) 6 / 17 Mexican marines inspect a manhole where high-powered weapons were found to be abandoned, in the neighborhood where special forces had located the worlds most-wanted drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. (Christian Palma / AP) 7 / 17 An abandoned weapon is propped against a storm drain wall in the neighborhood where special forces had located the worlds most-wanted drug lord, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. (Christian Palma / AP) 8 / 17 Mexico Atty. Gen. Arely Gomez, second from right, looks at the end of a tunnel through which Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman is believed to have escaped at a house in Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico. (AFP/Getty Images) 9 / 17 Handout picture released by the Attorney General of Mexico (PGR) showing the alleged end of the tunnel through which Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman could have escaped from the Altiplano prison. (-- / AFP/Getty Images) 10 / 17 Mexican officials believe a tunnel that has an opening in this home could have been used by Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzman to escape from an Altiplano prison. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 11 / 17 Federal policemen inspect a pipeline under construction by the Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico, after Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 12 / 17 Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, head of Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel, is escorted to a helicopter in Mexico City after his February 2014 capture in Mazatlan. (Eduardo Verdugo / Associated Press) 13 / 17 A policeman searches outside the Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico, after Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 14 / 17 Police inspect a vehicle as they search for escaped drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman around the Almoloya de Juarez prison in Toluca, Mexico. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press) 15 / 17 The Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Toluca, Mexico, which Joaquin Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 16 / 17 Mexican soldiers search for drug trafficker Joaquin Guzman along the highway between Mexico City and Toluca. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 17 / 17 Federal police stand outside the Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Toluca, Mexico, after Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images)

Rubio said he hoped that the Mexican government extradites Guzman to the United States. Then he returned to Penns role in the case.

If one of these American actors, who have benefited from the greatness of this country, who have made money from our free enterprise system, want to go fawn all over a criminal and a drug trafficker in their interviews, they have a constitutional right to do it, he said. I find it grotesque.

A Justice Department spokesman Sunday declined to comment on questions surrounding Penns role.

MORE ON EL CHAPO

Sinaloa cartel thrived, whether boss was in prison or on the lam

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Opinion: Mission accomplished in recapture of Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo -- but for how long?
Mexico decided to tax sugary drinks in 2014 to crack down on obesity. One year later, researchers did a study to find out if the strategy worked.

Based on the results, which was published in the journal BMJ, it did.

"The researchers found that as 2014 progressed, purchases of sugary beverages in Mexico declined more by the month," The Wall Street Journal reported. "While full-year sales were down 6% from the average of the previous two years, in December of 2014 sales were 12% below the previous two Decembers."

Notably, bottled water purchases within the same period increased by 4%.

Back in January 2014, it can be recalled Mexico imposed a 1 peso per liter tax on sugary beverages to help curb the obesity epidemic gripping the nation. The country also implemented other measured that worked towards better health for the population, including healthier school meals and improved food labels that showed nutritional information more clearly, according to The New York Times.

"Public health authorities hailed the findings as the first hard evidence that a nationwide tax could spur behavioral changes that might help to chip away at high obesity rates," the publication said. "Some predicted that other countries that have been looking at Mexico as a test case would follow in the country's footsteps and implement their own taxes on sugar sweetened beverages."

In arriving at these findings, the authors of the study checked data regarding beverage purchases from January 2012 to December 2014 in Mexico, which covers the period before and after the soda tax was put in place.

"During 2014, they reported that the average person bought around four fewer liters of taxed beverages," Time explained. "Overall, the decline in purchasing was most significant among low socioeconomic households."

The researchers, however, said that it's still too early to conclude whether the tax imposition really worked as the study is observational in nature and "cannot prove causality." There are also other factors to consider, such as health campaigns and economic shifts.

Despite this, a number of health advocates find the results encouraging. However, according to Dr. Juan A. Rivera, the director of the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica's center for research in nutrition, the soda tax must be raised to 20% instead of just 10%.

"In the area of obesity prevention and control, there are not many examples of measures that actually work," he told New York Times.. "But these findings suggest that the tax is working and that it's reducing the intake of sugar sweetened beverages. This is really important for Mexico and for the world."

On the other hand, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) senior health economist Franco Sassi said that while soda taxes "were not a magic bullet against obesity and that they would not be appropriate for every country," these were necessary in Mexico considering its "alarmingly high" consumption of sugary beverages and obesity rates.

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 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Even the most serious of situations can turn into a funny one in Mexico.

When it comes to life and death, people turn serious and treat matters delicately, but Mexicans saw the light side of things in a strange suicide attempt on January 6. The video of the incident has now gone viral on social media platforms.

A man attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the second floor of a house at 13 Boulevard Praxedis Balboa in Mexico, according to El Universal (translated in English).

The strange thing is, as he attempted to kill himself, the man asked for a beer while holding a machete and a rock.

"I only want to see my daughter, but also bring me a beer and the soldiers, please," said a man named Jesus "Don Chuy" Garza while on the roof of the two-storey house.

As he stood on top of the Tamaulipas building, emergency officials, the military and bystanders watched "Don Chuy" and tried to stop him from doing the deed.

People shouted at him not to jump, while others yelled "Tranquilo!," which means "calm down" in English.

One man successfully took the machete from "Don Chuy's" grip. Meanwhile, one soldier tried persuading him not to jump.

However, at around 16:00 that day, Jesus "Don Chuy" Garza still went through with the jump. He eventually fell on the lawn of the house. Thankfully, medical professionals from the Red Cross were at hand to help him recover from any injuries resulting from the fall. They said he is now stable after being rushed to the emergency room of a local hospital.

Why Don Chuy?

Apparently, Jesus Garza was nicknamed "Don Chuy" on social media following the suicide attempt. When he jumped, he looked like a squirrel falling, and so people quickly compared him to the Nino Heroe, Juan Escutia, who wrapped himself in a Mexican flag before jumping off the country's Chapultepec Castle to prevent it from invasion.

Jesus Garza's jump was captured on camera, and now the video is going viral on social media. The almost tragic incident has become cause of happiness for some people.

The video on YouTube now has 101, 292 views since its posting on January 6.

Jesus Garza is now popularly known as "Don Chuy Escutia."

On Twitter, he isn't only "Don Chuy." He is being compared to a lot of people, with many creating memes of the now famous jump.

See for yourself in the video below why Mexicans have made memes out of "Don Chuy's" suicide attempt.

Check out the surprisingly funny memes on Twitter.

A lo mejor don chuy veia mucho la triple AAA... pic.twitter.com/Da1c8g2Poj  Tencho Vader. (@_Hortenzio_) January 7, 2016

 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Enrique Pena Nieto is currently getting some flak after showing off his very luxurious Palace in the Sky, a jet that was allegedly left to him as a gift by his predecessor, Felipe Calderon.

Telesurtv reported that the super deluxe presidential aircraft was valued at $430 million, which is about twice the sum that all political parties in Mexico will be spending in 2016. Mexican citizens will be paying for the luxurious jet, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, until 2027. The process of buying the airplane was initiated by former president Calderon and it was only near the end of his term that the plan for acquisition was made known to most of the public.

The jet features twin aisles and can transport up to 250 passengers at about 1,000 miles per hour. The aircraft can travel directly from Los Angeles to Tokyo without stopovers and may even be more advanced than Air Force One, SanDiegoRed wrote. The plane has an average lifespan of 25 years.

Several people have been complaining about the very expensive aircraft extending way beyond the 2016 austerity budget. In 2015, Pena Nieto also spent $420 million in government propaganda. Mexican magazine Proceso cited that the amount could have been paid by the previous propaganda or allocated to more useful projects like hospitals. The extravagant purchase spurred social discontentment, with the current administration facing complaints of multiple corruption allegations, human rights violations and a stagnant economy. 60 million Mexicans are living in poverty. The new aircraft is also costlier than the planes of the heads of other more powerful states like the United States, China, Russia and Germany.

The Pena Nieto administration countered by saying that the value of the aircraft and its new Presidential Hanger in the airport in Mexico City is lower than the $580 million budget allocated by Calderon in the final year of his problematic administration. MexicoGulfReporter wrote that in fairness to the current administration, they did not order the luxurious aircraft. Before the new presidential jets arrival, the Mexican president and his cabinet were flying on military planes aged between 25 to 30 years old. It was the first time that the government purchased an exclusive aircraft for the head of state. The Dreamliner was ordered in August 2012. The issue arose when the aircraft was outfitted, significantly increasing the final price from around $250 million to $430 million.

The inaugural flight of the Palace in the Sky will be on Jan. 20, 2016, bound for Davos, Switzerland. The Mexican president will be attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2016.

 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Some undocumented Mexican students in the U.S never had the chance to discover their country of origin. Even though some of them have lived in their native country, they were too young to remember their time there before leaving.

However, through a new school program in California, 31 young undocumented Mexican students from various California community colleges and universities have been given the opportunity to not only visit Mexico but also the time to reconnect with their relatives, all in 24 days.

According to the California-Mexico Project, the activity was part of their Study Abroad Program that will allow students to "study, research, develop, and promote policies and programs" among Higher Educational Institutions and cultural organizations which in turn can help increase the academic and professional linkages of California, U.S., and Mexico.

"The goal is to provide students with the opportunity, knowledge, and leadership skills for them to promote and create similar programs that can be replicated throughout the country," Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos, coordinator of the California-Mexico Project, said in the report.

In a release by Remezcla, it was mentioned that the trip started with the students visiting their relatives. It was then followed by a two-week lecture and presentation about a wide range of topics including Mexico's politics, social reforms, education system, indigenous studies, Chicano studies and muralism.

According to the Remezcla report, one important and surprising lesson that the students have learned was about the requirements of continuing studies in Mexico.

Gretchen Kuhner, director of the Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migracion, asked the students the requirements in enrolling in public schools in U.S on which the students replied with vaccines, birth certificates and proof of address.

The director then threw a follow up question asking the students if they were required to submit a signature and seal from the secretary that issued the documents as well as a birth certificate translated by an official translator.

"Well, here the universities still ask for that and primary schools did until last June... and that's the reason that many children and young people who have returned from the United States have been unable to continue their studies," Kuhner said.

The students will return on Jan. 11, 2016.

Remezcla highlighted that the event was made possible through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and advance parole, an immigration document that allows non-US citizens to re-enter the country.

As of present time, the program was only available to a few schools in California but the California-Mexico Project hopes to bring it all over the U.S.

 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This is a step forward for animal rights activists in Latin America and the world.

On November, Peru enacted a law that protects both wild and domestic animals from any form of cruelty. The new animal cruelty law will penalize offenders from fines to prison sentences depending on the gravity.

However, the same law exempts animals involved in bullfights and cockfights which are considered part of the culture, according to Fox News Latino.

Aside from a temporary or permanent ban from keeping animals, the new law mandates that those commit acts of cruelty to animals will be penalized with a jail sentence of up to three years or a fine of 180 days at the stipulated rate.

If the animal dies due to maltreatment, the offender should expect of being jailed for not less than three and not more than five years, or a fine of 150 to 300 days multiplied by the mandated daily rate as well as a permanent ban from keeping animals, as per Fox News Latino.

"Given animals are sensitive beings, every person has a duty to ensure their protection and wellbeing," Article 6 of the new law read, as per Peru Reports. "Nobody can deny these facts and their care reflects the moral level of society."

Officially passed by Congress last November, the new animal protection law maintains principles, regulations and sanctions that are necessary to protect "domestic and wild vertebrates." It furthers that animals are "sentient beings that deserve to enjoy being well treated by humans."

It can be noted that the Congress passed the law unanimously: no votes against and no abstentions. The law was passed in probable action to the series of animal-cruelty cases went viral in 2015, according to Peru Reports. One of which accounts that "cats were fed to caimans at a Loreto restaurant as well as an Andean bear which was poorly cared for in a rural circus," as per the same report.

The new animal protection law includes sanctions for the abandonment, failure to properly feed or house, bestiality, illegal trafficking, hunting marine mammals and raising animals to fight in shows.

Meanwhile, Panam Post reported that the new law will allow universities and research centers "to use animals for scientific experiments only if there is no other way to carry them out." Harm-reduction methods and animal ethics committees, however, must be put into practice and set up, respectively.

Congressman Juan Carlos Eguren, head of the justice committee, told local media that the law also aims to promote animal adoption and the creation of shelters in Peruvian cities.

"It's not only about punishment, [the law] seeks to spur public policies ... abuse against animals creates violence in society," he told the local media, as per Panam Post. "This ultimately affects children and leads to domestic violence, violence in the streets and among gangs, etc. As a society we need to reject all forms of violence."

 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Police in South Carolina escorted a Muslim woman wearing a hijab out of Donald Trump's presidential campaign rally on Friday after she stood up in silent protest against his hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric.

While speaking to a large crowd in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Trump suggested that Syrian refugees fleeing the war town country are part of the Islamic State terror group.

Refugees from Syria "could be ISIS ... and by the way, it is turning out that they probably are ISIS," said the GOP front-runner, who has also called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the U.S., reports NBC News.

During his speech, Rose Hamid, a 56-year-old flight attendant wearing traditional Muslim garb and a T-shirt that read "Salam, I come in peace," stood up in silence in the stand directly behind Trump. That's when people backing the billionaire businessman began chanting Trump's name while pointing at Hamid and the man standing up beside her.

Eventually, they were escorted out as Trump supporters jeered, booed and shouted "get out." One person even yelled, "You have a bomb," said Hamid.

"The ugliness really came out fast and that's really scary," Hamid told CNN after she was ejected.

Once Hamid and a few others were escorted out of the rally, Trump commented on the incident, saying, "There is hatred against us that is unbelievable. It's their hatred, it's not our hatred."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a leading Muslim civil liberties group, has since issued a statement demanding an apology from Trump.

"The image of a Muslim woman being abused and ejected from a political rally sends a chilling message to American Muslims and to all those who value our nation's traditions of religious diversity and civic participation," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said. "Donald Trump should issue a public apology to the Muslim woman kicked out of his rally and make a clear statement that American Muslims are welcome as fellow citizens and as participants in the nation's political process."

Before the event, Hamid told CNN that her purpose for attending the rally was to combat negative stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslims.

"I figured that most Trump supporters probably never met a Muslim so I figured that I'd give them the opportunity to meet one," she said.

"People don't have a chance to see anything other than the Muslims they see on TV," Hamid added.
The government of Mexico is now planning to begin the extradition process of the Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Arely Gomez Gonzalez, the attorney general of Mexico, said on Saturday.

"Since Guzman Loera has been recaptured, the beginning of the extradition proceedings should begin," the Mexican attorney general said in a statement.

Gonzalez also added that it was the first time that the Mexican government took the initiative to proceed with Guzman's extradition since July, shortly after his escape from prison.

El Chapo, once extradited to the U.S., will face drug trafficking, organized crime and money laundering charges which he would surely find harder to escape for the third time.

As posted by The Wall Street Journal, the Mexican government did not give the exact time frame for the extradition process. It could take weeks or months and can also be subject to delays and injunctions filed by Guzman's lawyers.

Guzman will be given three days to file objections regarding the extradition and twenty more days to present evidence to defend his stand.

"There is no fast-track extradition," said Agustin Acosta, a defense lawyer who is not involved in the case. "The process could take maybe as long as a year."

Guzman's lawyer, Juan Pablor Badillo, said in an interview last Saturday that the Mexican government cannot and should not extradite his client "because he is a Mexican and Mexico has wise laws and a fair constitution."

Before Guzman's second escape, Mexicans were divided into whether or not to approve the extradition process, said Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, an expert on the Gulf Cartel who teaches at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Some government officials even expressed their strong opposition in executing the plan in spite of fears that he could escape. "But now I don't know of anyone who is against it," Guadalupe added.

Guzman, also known as "El Chapo" or "Shorty" was recaptured on Friday in his home in the north-western city of Los Mochis, a state of Sinaloa. During the raid, he tried to flee through a drain but was caught by marines during the shootout. One marine was wounded and five suspects were killed in the operation, as posted by BBC News.

Because the hunt for Guzman is considered the most extensive manhunt in the Mexican history, Mexican officials proclaimed his arrest as a point of national pride and a sign that the country's justice system is at last coming into its own.
US administration rejected the relation made between Israel's new bill concerning NGOs and the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act. Obama administration also said the bill worries many lawmakers because it might be dangerous.

Times of Israel reported that State Department spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that U.S. has expressed concerns regarding the Netanyahu government about the issue. Though Kirby did not specify the dissimilarities, he said that the recently passed law is different with US Foreign Agents Registration Act. He also explained that the bill should undertake numerous readings in the Knesset, a procedure that could adjust the language. Not only the US government but also the American Jewish Committee voiced concerns about the bill. They said on Tuesday that the projected solution poses as several dangers as the problem itself.

According to JTA, NGOs should declare the majority of their funds especially those who came from "foreign political entities", as the bill states. They are required to detail everything they do, lay a report and speak with a public official. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has proposed the Transparency Bill not to bind the capability of these NGO's to do their job. She only wants the NGOs to disclose their funding so that the government can monitor their activities. She explained that majority of the left wing groups aggressively depict an undesirable image of Israel to the rest of the world.

JP Updates stated that the EU said in a statement "Israel should be very careful about reigning in its prosperous democratic society with laws that are reminiscent of totalitarian regimes." The EU is worried that the bill will be seen as part of a "worrying trend" of "shaming" particular organizations, mainly those dealing with human rights. It will also lead to Israel risking its reputation as a self-assured and open society that has long been true democracy's sole Middle East outpost.

EU should not worry as the bill will not affect freedom of expression, Justice Minister Shaked replied. She explained that what U.S. and EU are doing is what hindering their democracy. She added that it's undesirable for European Union to donate funds to non-profit groups that operate in Israel's name and use them for their own policies.
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Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page?
Jan 9, 2016, 4:59pm ET

Acura to introduce new crossover for China

It will likely sport the new styling language Acura will show in Detroit next week.

Acura is taking bold steps to differentiate itself in a crowded luxury car market. Among them, a new crossover model will be introduced in China and a reboot of the marque's controversial styling is in the works.

After revolutionizing the idea of Japanese luxury upon its inception in 1986, Acura quickly earned a stellar reputation amongst critics and consumers alike with models like the Integra and Legend. However, for the last decade its fallen out of critical favor due to polarizing styling and a pull-back from sporty handling.

While the brand is still viewed favorably with consumers, it has struggled to achieve even half the sales of rivals such as Lexus and BMW, even as its mainstream parent company Honda's cars approach Acura-levels of performance, styling and content. Acura has faced particular hardship cracking the Chinese market where, according to Automotive News, it has sold just 4,000 cars in 2015 (compared to BMW's 460,000).

To rejuvenate the brand, Acura has announced a new compact crossover in China. The segment is just as hot in the world's largest market as it is in the US, and Honda thinks it can move 30,000 of them annually. Likely based on the new Honda HR-V and rumored to be debuting at the Beijing Auto Show in April.

The new model could be the first production car to be wrapped in Acura's new styling language, will debut on the Precision Concept to be unveiled in Detroit next week. According to the company, it will be aggressive, further differentiate the brand from Honda, and ditch the much-maligned robotic parrot beak grille.
Jan 10, 2016, 11:00am ET

Audi preparing Fiat 500-fighting city car?

Rumored to go on sale in 2019, the yet-unnamed model will share its platform with the tiny VW up!

British media outlets are reporting that Audi is in the early stages of developing a new entry-level city car.

Stretching about 139 inches long, the yet-unnamed model will slot below the A1 to fight head-to-head against the Opel Adam, the Renault Twingo, and the Fiat 500. Insiders told British magazine Autocar that the car will ride on an evolution of the new small family (NSF) platform that underpins the Volkswagen up!, the SEAT Mii, and the Skoda Citigo. Like its corporate siblings, it will be offered as a two-door and as a four-door.

Buyers will be asked to choose between a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline-burning engine and an all-electric drivetrain. A diesel won't be offered for cost reasons, and front-wheel drive will be the only configuration offered because the NSF platform isn't compatible with all-wheel drive. However, a rugged-looking allroad variant with a taller suspension could nonetheless join the lineup a little later in the production run.

Audi's next city car could be previewed by a thinly-veiled concept at the Paris Auto Show that will open its doors in October. The production version of it isn't scheduled to go on sale until 2019, and odds are we won't see it on our side of the pond due to its truly tiny size.

Note: 2011 Audi A2 Concept pictured.
A domestic dispute early Sunday between a former couple that have a child together led to a stabbing in Allentown, police say.

Allentown Assistant Police Chief Gail Struss said the stabbing was reported at 3:30 a.m. in the 600 block of North Wall Street. Both the man, 36, of Allentown, and the woman, 31, of New York, had knife wounds when officers arrived at the home, Struss said.

Both are not being identified by police.

Struss said it's unclear what the pair had been arguing about or what led to the stabbing. No charges have been filed due to differing accounts between witnesses. Police are investigating who stabbed who, Struss said.



The woman had a slash wound to her neck and was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, where she remains in serious condition, Struss said. Injuries, however, no longer appear to be life-threatening, Struss added.



The man had a slash wound to his face and was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown. Struss said the injury to the man appeared minor.

Allentown police continue to investigate the incident.
chrin landfill

The Chrin Brothers Sanitary Landfill in Williams Township.

(Lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

For Williams Township residents and others who want to learn more about a proposal to expand the Chrin Brothers Sanitary Landfill, mark Jan. 25 on your calendars.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a public meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. that day to answer questions about the project, which is being considered for DEP approval.

The meeting is being held at Wilson Area High School, 424 Warrior Lane, the DEP announced last week.

The DEP last month informed the landfill that it is in receipt of a complete application for the expansion. That triggered a review process that will take more than a year.

Chrin submitted the application for the expansion over the summer after receiving project approval in January from township supervisors. But the landfill can't do anything until the DEP finishes its review and signs off.

Chrin's plans call for a 22-acre expansion on the east side of the landfill, south of Interstate 78 on Industrial Drive. The application calls it a nearly 33-acre expansion, but the other acreage accounts for existing landfill that's being remediated.

The Jan. 25 meeting is the first public meeting the DEP has scheduled regarding the project.

"The goal of this meeting is to help residents better understand how the department reviews permit expansion applications like this," Mike Bedrin, director of the DEP's Northeast Regional Office, says in a statement. "This is part of public outreach the department engages in so residents can have their questions answered."

Many Williams Township residents have opposed the expansion. Some took legal action in an effort to prevent it from happening. Township supervisors previously said preliminary approval given for the expansion in 2009 legally bound them to giving final approval in January.

Chrin officials have said the expansion would extend the landfill's life by 20 years.

Chrin staff members are expected to attend the Jan. 25 meeting, the DEP says.

Nick Falsone may be reached at nfalsone@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickfalsone. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Powerball-Jackpot

Customers wait in line at the Blue Bird Liquor Store to buy Powerball lottery tickets in Hawthorne, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Ticket sales for the multi-state Powerball lottery soared Saturday as people dreamed of winning the largest jackpot in U.S. history which grew by $100 million to hit $900 million just hours before Saturday night's drawing.

(AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Good news for those whose Powerball numbers didn't come up a winner Saturday: No one else won the nearly $950 million jackpot, either.

That means the jackpot will jump to an estimated $1.3 billion Wednesday in what by far will be the largest U.S. lottery prize ever.

The winning numbers -- disclosed live on television and online -- were 16-19-32-34-57 and the Powerball number 13. All six numbers had to be correct to win, although the first five could be in any order.

Texas state lottery spokeswoman Kelly Cripe said the estimated size of the jackpot Saturday reached $949.8 million, the largest lottery prize in U.S. history. Earlier in the day, the Multi-State Lottery Association had said the jackpot was $900 million.



The record jackpot lured an unprecedented frenzy of purchases. With no jackpot winner Saturday, the next drawing is estimated at $1.3 billion.

Saturday night's drawing did have multiple winners of $1 million prizes for matching five numbers. Those tickets were sold in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

Since Nov. 4, the Powerball jackpot has grown from its $40 million starting point as no one has won the jackpot. Such a huge jackpot was just what officials with the Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs the Powerball game, hoped for last fall when they changed the odds of matching all the Powerball numbers, from about one in 175 million to one in 292.2 million. By making it harder to win a jackpot, the tougher odds made the ever-larger prizes inevitable.



The U.S. saw sales of $277 million on Friday alone and more than $400 million were expected Saturday, according to Gary Grief, the executive director of the Texas Lottery.



The chance of no one hitting all five initial numbers and the Powerball number was growing slimmer as the drawing neared, Grief said, anticipating that about 75 percent of all combinations will have been bought.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Obama Guns02.JPG

President Obama speaks about his executive actions on gun control last week.

(Express-Times file photo)

It's hard to avoid the "whisper down the alley" phenomenon that occurs whenever someone proposes a modest change to try to keep guns out of the wrong hands.



At one end of the line, an elected official says: "Let's close the gun-show loophole." At the other end, the communication is received and reissued as: "The dictator-in-chief is coming for your guns."



It happened two years ago when Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Joe Manchin of West Virginia attempted a realistic tightening of gun-show background checks. It reached another crescendo this week when Republican presidential hopefuls and their patron, the National Rifle Association, savaged President Obama's recently announced executive actions on gun control.



Yet for all the predictable backlash, nothing Obama is proposing challenges the basic right conveyed by the Second Amendment. There's nothing remotely confiscatory in any of the proposals. He's taking unilateral action because Congress has refused to even debate his legislative initiatives, ignoring Americans' solid majority support for common-sense changes.



In October, a CBS poll found that 92 percent of Americans believe all gun buyers should be subject to background checks; among Republicans, it was 87 percent. Last week a CNN/ORC poll found the public backed Obama's executive approach by a 2-1 margin. The support was 63 percent by people in households with guns.



Here's what Obama enacted:

Expand the definition of a gun seller, requiring gun-show and online sellers to be federally licensed; extend the requirement for background checks to them.

Have the federal government, through its gun purchasing programs, encourage development of "smart gun" technology.

Hire 230 FBI staffers to help with background checks.

Spend $500 million more on mental health care, and tighten monitoring to detect those who have been deemed incompetent or institutionalized.

Require licensed gun dealers to report lost and stolen guns to the National Crime Information Center.



None of those reforms would prevent anyone who's legally entitled to get and own a gun to do so. Obama made that point in a town hall meeting Thursday with people on both sides of the gun debate, acknowledging that his actions are a limited attempt to head off mass shootings, everyday murders, suicides and accidents.



In other words, it's a start. Yet to hear the GOP candidates describe it, it's the end of the world for gun owners. Confirmation of an imperial presidency. Ted Cruz's campaign website showed the president in body armor, saying "Obama wants your guns." Donald Trump's campaign manager called the executive actions "an end-run around the constitution." Chris Christie called Obama a "petulant child" who wants to act like "a king."



See the pattern? Attack the person who would tighten a system by which people arm themselves with relatively few restrictions, including access to military-style weapons with high-capacity magazines in many states. Ignore the fact that many of these weapons get into the wrong hands and enable the killing of tens of thousands of Americans each year.



It's true that Obama's actions aren't going prevent most murders, and conceivably any future mass killing. But given the do-nothing Congressional approach -- which ignores the public demand for reasonable controls -- we applaud the president for making this move, and hope the courts uphold its constitutionality. Let this be a step toward a saner approach to both gun rights and control of illegal gun transactions and use.
A male driver ran from the scene after crashing into a utility pole along Route 57 in Franklin Township, Warren County, according to a fire official.

The driver lost control of his Subaru SUV around 8 p.m. Saturday in the 2200 block of Route 57, went off the roadand struck a utility pole, said Franklin Township Fire Chief Sonny Read.

The vehicle came to rest in front of Broadway Automotive.

The driver ran into the woods behind the automotive business and New Jersey State Police in Washington apprehended him, Read said. Troopers investigating the crash were not available for more information Sunday afternoon.

The crash broke the utility pole in half, Read said. JCP&L responded to the call to repair it.

Also responding were the Franklin Township Rescue Squad and Franklin Township Fire Department.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder has said that Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers should resign if she wants to campaign for Britain to leave the EU. She joined Northern Irish politicians who argued that the effect of leaving the EU would be acutely felt in Northern Ireland and the peace process could be at risk.

Catherine said:

Given the disastrous impact Brexit could have on the Northern Ireland peace process, it would be highly inappropriate for Theresa Villiers to remain in her post while campaigning to leave the EU. Leaving Europe would risk stoking sectarian tensions and undoing years of peacebuilding, much of it funded through EU peace programmes. It would also fundamentally transform the UKs relationship with the Republic of Ireland and put at risk the open land border we currently share. David Cameron must stop putting the interests of his party ahead of those of the country. Government ministers should not be able to campaign for an EU exit if this completely goes against their role and responsibilities.

My worry about this kind of thing is that it takes too much out of the Better Together playbook. Im not sure that the Stronger In campaign has yet understood that in Scotland Better Together lost the campaign. Whats happened in Scottish politics since should be a massive lesson. The pro EU campaign needs a much bigger margin of victory than the current polls seem to suggest that they will get.

While there is definitely a case for pointing out the benefits that the EU gives us and how we would be harmed if we left, there needs to be some element of appeal to more positive emotions as well. Those values of international co-operation, working together to promote the values we believe in and just talking about the fact that the EU, for all its flaws, has kept the peace in Europe for 70 years. If it hadnt been for the EU, we wouldnt have a lot of the workers rights and gender equality laws that we take for granted. I dont think that the Stronger In campaign has yet got that balance right. Its biggest problem is that its probable leader has just been on Marr being at most lukewarm in his enthusiasm for his proposition.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
Parents should take lessons in how to control children  PM  runs the main headline in the Observer this morning.

Expansion of parenting classes is certainly something to be welcomed. When I was first a parent, I thought it was very strange that parents were offered classes on breathing techniques during pregnancy and pelvic floor exercises, plus inspection of changing areas and bottle procedures after birth, but not a word of guidance after that, until primary school parent/school agreements.

I am not comfortable with the word control in the Observer headline. David Cameron uses the word discipline in his quotes about this. This should be about supporting parents and, dare I say it, encouraging quality time between parents and children.

Reading the Observer article, this government initiative seems to be somewhat directed at poorer families. But middle class families have no reason to be smug about this. Often busy parental professional lives can buy toys, gadgets and nannies, but children miss time with, and love from, their parents. I once came across a situation where some working affluent parents dumped their six month old baby, who was normally looked after by a nanny while the parents worked, in a nursery (admitted one of the best and most expensive in the country) while they jetted to the Caribbean on holiday for three weeks. This just seemed to me something which no parent would do. Ones instincts would just stop one leaving ones precious little baby alone in someone elses hands for so long.

So I think David Cameron could afford to adopt a less patronising tone in respect to less privileged families.

My complaint with this Cameron story is perhaps one of cynicism. Why is he raising this issue at this time? It feels a bit Back to Basics to me. This is a classic Cameron diversion tactic  rather like the somewhat diversionary Syrian air strikes nonsense.

If we look at Camerons quotes he says:

Children in families that break apart are more than twice as likely to experience poverty as those whose families stay together.

I have all sorts of issues with this. It suggests this is perhaps another Cameron bash the poor initiative. Hes basically talking about nuclear 2.2 children families. But sometimes the greatest examples of fine parenting are in poor single parent families and the worst examples of parenting are in affluent middle class dual parent families.

I also worry whether David Cameron is mixing up cause and effect. Had it not occurred to him that experiencing poverty, in the first place, might actually be a key cause of the odd marital break-up?

* Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist. He is currently taking a break from his role as one of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
Were catching up this week on Lib Dem Lords maiden speeches. Here is Shas Sheehan speaking in the debate after the conclusion of the Paris climate talks.

My Lords, it is indeed a great honour and privilege to be asked to serve in your Lordships House. It is a task that I do not undertake lightly and is one that I intend to fulfil with diligence to the best of my ability. Special thanks are due to my noble friends Lady Barker and Lady Kramer for their welcome support on the day of my introduction to this place. Perhaps I may also take this opportunity to thank noble Lords from all sides for their kind words of welcome.

As a young university student, I and some friends worked and travelled our way across America. One night in Chicago, we lost the car. To this day, I do not believe that my husband appreciates the importance of his unerring sense of direction to our enduring relationship. So, as one who can lose her way in a one-way street, noble Lords will appreciate the sincerity in my words of thanks to all the staff of your Lordships House, the clerks, doorkeepers, restaurant and security staff, who have all been so unfailingly kind in redirecting me on numerous occasions.

Today, I am reminded of another daunting occasion when I was the new girl. On a freezing cold day in January 1965, newly arrived on a BOAC jet from Pakistan, I can vividly recall my first day of school, unable to speak a word of English. Tooting in south-west London became home. It is not a great distance from Tooting to Wimbledon, where I spent many years working on behalf of local residents as the parliamentary candidate for my party, the Liberal Democrats. That my title should include those contiguous parts of my personal and political lives, which retain a special place in my heart, is fitting.

I have been many things in my lifeamong them an auxiliary nurse, an O-level and A-level chemistry teacher, a full-time mother and a councillor for Kew ward in the London Borough of Richmondbut it was my passion for environmental issues that led me to opt out of a career in advertising and return to my roots in science. So I congratulate my noble friend Lady Miller on securing this most timely debate. To my mind, the high probability of anthropogenic climate change was established several decades ago, but, sadly, we have had to wait for disastrous events to strike every part of the globe multiple times before a sense of urgency has taken hold. So, imperfect though the COP 21 agreement is, it is nevertheless crucially important that 195 signatories have agreed to pull in the same direction.

But I would like to turn to a possible impact of climate change which does not translate into a bad weather event but rather into the mass movement of people. Some in your Lordships House may be aware that I have taken an interest in the issue of refugees, who are arriving in ever greater numbers in Europe. And so it was with interest that I read an article in a recent issue of New Scientist entitled Climate as a cause of Syrias conflict? The article refers to a peer-reviewed paper by Colin Kelley of the University of California, Santa Barbara. It is an interesting paper and well worth reading in its entirety. It goes without saying that we must treat with great caution the possible links between droughts, migrations and conflicts, but I believe we must also question whether the impact of our changing climate on the existence of those who do not enjoy a buffer against the vagaries of the weather, but which leaves them even more susceptible to geopolitical events, will come back to bite us here in Europe.
Sean Penn Interviews El Chapo

Trending News: Sean Penn Interviewed The World's Most Powerful Drug Lord Before He Was Recaptured

Why Is This Important?



Long Story Short



Long Story

Because no one has ever had this type of access to El Chapo before.Before being recaptured by Mexican marines in a shootout, El Chapo met with actor Sean Penn in a Mexican forest. Sean Penn has made some high profile one-on-one meetings with powerful people before, namely deceased Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivias populous leader Evo Morales, but no one could have predicted that this actor/humanitarian would score a meeting with the worlds most powerful drug lord.

Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans international drug cartel is said to supply more than half of all the cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana that comes to the United States and until he was captured in a shootout with Mexican marines on January 8, El Chapo was one of the worlds most wanted men. But even as he was evading recapture, El Chapo was willing to do a magazine interview with Penn.

The interview  a lot less in depth than Penn may have wanted, but an interview nonetheless  appears in the Saturday edition of Rolling Stone. In it, Penn put on his best Hunter S. Thompson impression and describes the secretive lengths he went to meet with El Chapo through a list of contacts including Mexican actress Kate del Castillo who had managed to build a Blackberry Messenger relationship with the drug lord.

When Penn finally met El Chapo in a Mexican forest in October, the drug lord portrays himself as a hard-working lover of his family who has no intention to commit any harm. However, as questionable as that self-assessment may be, he was honest about his modesty. "I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats, said El Chapo to Penn.

After a few hours chat, they agree to meet again for a more formal interview, but those plan devolved and the interview ended up being conducted by someone close to El Chapo and with highly modified questions.

El Chapo answers questions about his family, his upbringing and how he hasn't used drugs in two decades. He also talks about the hopelessness of stopping the drug trade  something Penn may agree with due to his preface about the futility of the War on Drugs.

When asked to define himself as a person, El Chapo answered: "Well, if I knew him  with respect, and from my point of view, it's a person who's not looking for problems in any way. In any way."

Penn didn't get another chance to probe the cartel leader, who escaped from prison through a tunnel last summer, as he was captured on January 8 and may be extradited to the U.S.

But Penn may not have been the innocent bystander journalist he seemingly tried to be. Following the release of the story, sources are quoted in BBC News saying El Chapo's interest in a biography about himself led to his discovery. Does this mean Penn inadvertently aided in the capture? Or was it Kate del Castillo that led authorities to El Chapo? It's unclear at this point, but what is clear is that it's incredible to have such a prolific villain in the record of history  even if he was only given soft-ball questions.





Own The Conversation

Was it unethical for Penn to interview El Chapo without turning him over to authorities?

Disrupt Your Feed: Who knew Sean Penn was such an excellent journalist?

Drop This Fact: El Chapo was the first person to be named Public Enemy Number 1 in Chicago since Al Capone.
I have to speak up before my mum ends up like Osinachi - Lady cries out for help for her mum who has been suffering abuse and domestic violence


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So make sure that you try your possible best to look for the money and Pay it immediately via western union with the Payment Information Below:



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Tel phone +229-68991298 If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more....
Our struggle is to bring social, political, and economic justice to our nation. This is an effort of the Chicano/Mexican American Digital History Project. https://sites.google.com/site/chicanodigital/
Adventures in Antwerp coffee land. Starting at Caffenation Mechelsesteenweg and Caffenation Specialty Coffee Roasters.
Ben Cohen, senior editor of TheTower.org & The Tower Magazine, writes a weekly column for JNS.org on Jewish affairs and Middle Eastern politics. His writings have been published in Commentary, the New York Post, Haaretz, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. He is the author of Some of My Best Friends: A Journey Through Twenty-First Century Antisemitism (Edition Critic, 2014).





Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh. blogspot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work as well as a big vote to follow our good friend Kay Wilson on Twitter.

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..The Algemeiner..08 January '16.. JNS.org  The rulers of the Arab Gulf states are, it seems, increasingly attentive to what Israel has to say about the balance of power in the region. As a rising Shia Iran faces off against a Sunni coalition led by Saudi Arabia, the core shared interest between Israels democracy and these conservative theocracies  countering Irans bid to become the dominant power and influence in the Islamic world  has rarely been as apparent.Hence the interview given by a senior IDF officer to a Saudi weekly,, which laid out how Israel analyzes the present wretched state of the Middle East. In the Israeli view, there are, the officer said, four powers that have coalesced in the region. The first power centers on Iran and its allies and proxies, such as the Bashar al-Assad dictatorship in Syria, Shia rebels in Yemen and Iraq, and most pertinently for Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon. The second power contains what the officer called moderate states with whom Israel has a common language  Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf countries. The third power, one that is obviously waning, is represented in the form of the Muslim Brotherhood, now vanquished in its Egyptian heartland but still reigning in Hamas-controlled Gaza. Finally, the fourth power is another non-state actor, the combined forces of jihadi barbarism like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.Israels goal in this situation is a modest one. As the IDF officer put it, There is a danger that the strife will reach us as well if the instability in the region continues for a long time. Therefore, we need to take advantage of the opportunity and work together with the moderate states to renew quiet in the region.The key phrase here, it seems to me, is renew quiet. Foremost for the Israelis, that means counteracting Iran and especially its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah, and then minimizing the potential for jihadi terrorists to operate on or near Israeli-controlled territory. A broader strategic vision can also be detected here: Ultimately, both Israel and the conservative Arab states share the common interests of neutralizing Iran and eliminating the jihadi groups.The partnership between Israel and these states is already in operation, at the levels of intelligence sharing and  not for the first time  cautious exploration of trade relations. That there is a strong military dimension as well to all this is entirely conceivable. And for the time being, it seems that neither side wants to expand or contract on their public ties with each other; Israel has long had embassies in Cairo and Amman, but that doesnt mean therell be an Israeli ambassador in Riyadh anytime soon, much less a film festival or trade expo.Theres another factor that has accelerated the formation of this undeclared, look-the-other-way alliance: the shift in American Middle East policy under President Barack Obama. Some readers will remember that back in 1991, the first Bush administration pointedly left Israel out of the coalition to expel Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, so as not to antagonize the Gulf states. Now, frustration with Obama has compelled these very same states to recognize that they have an existential interest in cooperating with Israel.You might say that the president deserves credit for bringing about a situation, in the wake of the nuclear deal with Iran, which has compelled the Gulf states to grasp the reality and permanence of Israel as never before. Still, the visions and prophecies of a Middle Eastern equivalent of the European Union, much indulged during the Oslo Accords years in the late 1990s, are not now in evidence, and thats welcome. For their own reasons, neither Israel nor the Arab states feel obliged to articulate a sense of what their region should look like in the event that the Iranian threat is overcome.Indeed, theres a case that doing so would be counterproductive  it would impose political pressures upon a discreet yet strategically vital relationship that above all requires, in the parlance of the IDF officer, the moderate states toas moderate states. With the reorientation of American policy towards a rapprochement with Tehran, along with Russias active involvement in the Tehran-Damascus axis, Israel is the nearest reliable, not to say formidable, power that these countries can turn to.In the present Middle Eastern context, then, the realism and discretion which has always underwritten Israeli foreign policy continues to prevail. That realism presumably extends to recognizing that regimes like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain might eventually succumb to their internal instabilities, already exacerbated by the further collapse of the price of oil.When you consider the alternatives, the regions architecture could be much worse for Israel than it is currently. Long an anomaly as the only open society in the region, the target of Arab military and economic warfare throughout the latter half of the last century, Israel in this century is now a partner in a regional bloc. To be sure, this is a bloc based upon interests, not common values, and is therefore necessarily limited in scope. But in the present storm, and amidst the appalling human suffering generated by the clash of these rival interests in Syria, its the closest thing we have to progress.
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Some years back, a Nuevo Leon genealogist-historian was a guest at a newspapers editors conference in San Antonio and had an opportunity to discuss the role of South Texas border Hispanics in the Mexican American War (1846) and the norteamericano Civil War (1861-1865).

The speaker (Jaime Gutierrez) told stories of Spanish-speaking soldiers taking arms against Mexican forces in 1846 (Mexican-American War).

Fifteen years later, Mexican-Texans changed the blue for grey uniforms when Texas seceded from the Union to join the Confederation of the South to fight the armies of the North.

Norteamericanos of the South and norteamericos had taken sides on the Civil War (1861-1866) on a variety of issues, all unquestionably related to issue of slavery and perhaps cotton.

During the war, the North (Navy) blocked the ports in the Gulf of Mexico.

The speaker was drawn into the discussion in responding to questions about border rebellions with outbreaks on both sides of the Rio Grande during the closing years of the 19th century (1890s), a disturbance that history would refer to as the Indian Wars.

History tells us that towns and rural ranchlands would suffer from depredations of marauding Indians that would move south from the Plains states as well as the rugged mountain regions of northern Mexico (Coahuila, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon).

In their earliest writings, historians (Wilcox, Gonzalez de la Garza, Pierce) cited the burning of a northwest Webb County community (Palafox) in one of these Comanche attacks that recorded killings, kidnappings and theft of animals.

This writer heard talks on this Indian atrocity before a Laredo historical group by Sebron Wilcox and one Pioquinto Villarreal, a Webb County constable whose parents farmed in the area when he was a youngster.

The speaker Gutierrez cited a scattering of organized uprisings on both sides of the border that got more attention internationally and in major newspapers in other parts of the U.S.

However, there were instances when these border disturbances were given considerable coverage in leading Texas periodicals away from the border, including San Antonio, Galveston, Houston and Austin.

The information published by the Penns Laredo Daily Times usually was based on reports from a correspondent at the scene or from reports the U.S. consul, Warner Sutton, submitted to Austin and Washington.

It didnt take long for authorities in Austin and Washington to figure out that the border conflicts were rooted in the anti-Diaz government activities originating in the south most areas of the Rio Grande Valley and that the activists on both sides usually involve raids conducted in the cover of darkness. The instigators would strike and would flee to either side.

Gutierrez, an accountant by profession, was versed on the lifestyle of rural northern Mexico, the Mexican-American War (Battle of Obidpado, Monterrey) and government land distribution system (ejidos).

The border conflicts required intervention of the military on both sides of the border, principally because the vecinos were having to deal with more than the Indians.

The Indian problem on the border, in large measure, was exacerbated by other events in Mexico  the defeat of the French (Puebla), the betrayal and execution of a wannabe emperor (Maximilian).

(Odie Arambula is at oarambula@stx.rr.com)
Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com

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Statistics show that there has been a mark improvement in the GCE General and a drop in the GCE Technical. Also, there has been an improve...
10th Sejong International Cartoon Contest SICACO 2021, Korea

: Informed about the sending by e-mail on November 23, 2021

* The 4th International Competition of Cartoons Aleksandar Klas 2017, Serbia: All

whose cartoons are selected in the catalog and the exhibition will receive a free copy of the catalog (

).
"It takes a while to get used to, it's just so much bigger, just figuring out the layout of Casper," one student said. "The city planner, I'd like to have a word with him."
The U.S. Navy released black-and-white video on Saturday it said was taken by an American helicopter showing an Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessel firing unguided rockets on Dec. 26 near warships including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman in the Strait of Hormuz.



Iran on Dec. 31 denied that its Revolutionary Guards vessels had launched the rockets as the United States claimed, with a Revolutionary Guards spokesman saying the "false" accusation was "akin to psychological warfare."



The U.S. Navy said the infrared radar footage showed an Iranian "fast inshore attack craft" launching several rockets on Dec. 26 "in close proximity" to the Truman, the guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley, the French naval frigate FS Provence and commercial ships in the busy waterway.



The dispute underscored the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran despite last year's international agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program.



The video, taken by a Seahawk helicopter, runs about 30 seconds. The Navy said the rockets were fired "within an internationally recognized maritime traffic lane" as the Truman and the other ships were passing through the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf.



The U.S. military on Dec. 29 made public its account of the incident. A U.S. Central Command spokesman at the time called the Iranian actions "highly provocative, unsafe and unprofessional" and said they called into question Iran's commitment to the security of a waterway vital to international commerce.



Central Command also said at the time that Iran had provided only 23 minutes of advance notification of its intention to fire rockets. It said the Truman and the two other warships were part of the U.S.-led coalition supporting air strikes against Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria.



Iran and six world powers, including the United States, reached a deal last July to remove certain U.S., European Union and U.N. sanctions on Tehran in exchange for Iran accepting limits on its nuclear program.



(Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by James Dalgleish)
The U.S Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat an $89.8 million contract modification to continue development of the Common Missile Compartment for the U.S. Navys Ohio Replacement submarine and the Royal Navys Successor-class ballistic-missile submarine. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.



Under the terms of the modification, Electric Boat will purchase missile-tube long-lead-time material to support the manufacture of the Common Missile Compartment.



Initially awarded in December 2012, the five-year, $1.85 billion contract calls for Electric Boat to perform research and development work for the Navys next-generation ballistic-missile submarine, which is scheduled to begin construction in 2021. The potential value of the overall contract is $2.5 billion.


The Coast Guard has issued a number of river closures, restrictions and advisories in response to floods in the midwest.



To keep the public and professional mariners apprised of changes to river traffic, the 8th District will continue to issue press releases capturing all closures and restrictions throughout this period of high water and flooding.



The following Coast Guard sectors have issued closures or restrictions:



Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River:



* The Coast Guard Captain of the Port has re-opened the Mississippi River surrounding the St. Louis Harbor from mile marker 179 to mile marker 185. Vessels operating in this area must be in compliance with horsepower and barge restrictions in accordance with the Western Rivers Waterways Action Plan.



* Illinois River is open to traffic. The Coast Guard recommends that mariners transit the river in daylight hours only.



* The Missouri River is open to vessel traffic.



* The Coast Guard urges mariners to monitor VHF-FM channels 16 and 22 for any changes to the river.



* For more details on the closures set in place by Sector Upper Mississippi River call the command center at 314-269-2610 314-269-2610 FREE FREE.



Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley:



* The Coast Guard has reopened the Mississippi River from mile marker 110, near Chester Illinois, to mile marker 34, near Billings Landing, Missouri.



* A safety advisory is in place from mile marker 110 to mile marker 0. While river stages are decreasing, mariners are advised that drift, debris, and strong currents may be a hazard to navigation.



* For more details on the restrictions set in place by Sector Ohio Valley call the command center at 1-800-253-7465 1-800-253-7465 FREE FREE.



The Coast Guard continues to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to monitor the integrity of the levee systems in Ohio Valley and around the Cape Girardeau region.



Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River:



* High water safety advisory on Lower Mississippi River from mile marker 869, near Caruthersville, Missouri, to mile marker 303 near Natchez, Mississippi.



* Russell B. Long Lock and Dam #4 on Red River open to traffic.



* Lock and Dam #7 and Lock and Dam #14 on Arkansas River open to traffic.



* Lock #3 on Arkansas River open to traffic.



* Safety zone between mile markers 737 and 734 on the Lower Mississippi River.



For more details on the restrictions set in place by Sector Lower Mississippi River call the command center at 901-521-4824 901-521-4824 FREE FREE.



Coast Guard Sector New Orleans:



* The Carrollton Gauge indicates a Mississippi River Stage of 15 ft. on the rise.



* Until further notice, vessel to vessel cargo transfers are prohibited unless specifically approved in advance by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port New Orleans.



* Vessels are prohibited from entering South Pass from the Gulf of Mexico if it has a speed of less than 10 miles per hour.



* Coast Guard Captain of the Port New Orleans has determined that during periods of high water, unless moored to a shore side facility or mooring buoys, all deep draft vessels must have three means to hold position. An example would be two fully operational anchors and the propulsion system in standby. Should a vessel lose an anchor or become inoperable with no redundant capabilities available, such as aft anchors or two main engines, a third means of holding position could be via tug assist.



* The Captain of the Port Morgan City has closed the Bayou Chene to all marine traffic.



* High water towing limitations near Morgan City for vessels heading southbound with a length no greater than 600 feet.



* A high water safety advisory is in effect from mile marker 219 to mile marker 240 near Baton Rouge, La.



* Traffic control measures are in place at 81 mile point near Algiers Point.



For more details on the limitations call Morgan City Vessel Traffic Services at 985-380-5374 985-380-5374 FREE FREE.


The seaports in the North Sea Canal Area, which includes the ports of Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Beverwijk and Zaanstad, saw transhipment decrease in 2015 for the first time in years. The decrease amounted to 1%, with a total of 97 million tonnes in 2015 compared to 97.8 million tonnes in 2014. Port of Amsterdam is the largest port in the region and saw its transhipment edged down by 1.8% to 78.4 million tonnes (2014: 79.8 million tonnes). The above transhipment figures are tentative. The definitive figures will be published within a few weeks.



Transhipment in IJmuiden rose to 17.9 million tonnes (+2%). Zaanstad and Beverwijk saw transhipment increase to 340,000 tonnes (+47%) and 343,000 tonnes (+44%) respectively.



Decrease in dry bulk cargo



The decrease in Amsterdam has been caused primarily by lower transhipment in dry bulk cargo. The transhipment of coal fell by 11% to 17.3 million tonnes. The transhipment of agribulk also decreased by 6% to 7.4 million tonnes. In contrast, other dry bulk cargo, including ores and fertilizers, rose by 9% to 8 million tonnes.



Other cargo flows remained either approximately the same or increased slightly in 2015. The transhipment of oil products totalled 39.4 million tonnes in 2015, compared to 38.9 million tonnes in 2014 (+1%). Other liquid bulk cargo rose by 11% to 3.4 million tonnes. The transhipment of containers decreased slightly from 633,000 tonnes in 2014 to 615,000 tonnes (=51,634 TEU) in 2015. Ro/Ro, automobiles and other mixed cargo fell by 8% to 2.3 million tonnes in 2015.



Leased out land



Approximately 18.5 hectares of land was leased out to companies in 2015. This trend is expected to continue.



Imports and exports



Imports in Port of Amsterdam decreased by 4% to 50.8 million tonnes in 2015. Exports conversely grew by 3% to 27.6 million tonnes.



Cruise calls



A total of 134 see cruise ships and more than 1,768 river cruise ships called in Amsterdam in 2015. This equals a respective increase of 8 and 83 compared to 2014. A total of 44 see cruise ships called in Ijmuiden. This brings the total at 178 see cruise ships in the North Sea Canal Area.



Port of Amsterdam CEO Dertje Meijer: We had a record level of transhipment in the first six months of 2015. Transhipment in the second six months of 2015 did, however, lag behind the expectations. This relates to the extremely mild winter weather, which meant less coal was needed for power plants.This is not a trend. While we expect to return to growth in 2016, as an international port we are dependent upon volatile energy markets and geopolitical developments. PRODOCK will open in 2016 and we will also further shape our ambitions for a circular and bio-based economy.
When asked about the legality of President Barack Obamas executive actions on gun violence announced recently, a University of Virginia law professor who is an expert on presidential power said he has not seen anything definitive on the White House website that would allow him to evaluate it.

Its hard to say a lot about what he has done until more details and regulations are released, said Saikrishna Prakash, James Monroe Professor of Law at University of Virginia School of Law.

He added he has been struck by the divergent reactions to Obamas executive actions. Some say Obama is acting legally; some, even some on the right, say how timid the measures are, Prakash said.

Prakash suspects the actions will be challenged in court on the issue of whether people on the borderline qualify as gun dealers.

According to The Associated Press, the new guidance says if your principal motive is profit, youre a dealer, but if you occasionally sell guns from your personal collection, youre not. Someone who only sells at gun shows or online can still be a dealer.

Theres no specific number of guns that triggers a requirement to register. But the Justice Department is warning sellers that courts have convicted people of dealing without a license even when theyve sold as few as two guns, the Associated Press reported.

It's up to individuals to look at the guidance and determine whether they need a license. The penalties for making the wrong call are steep: up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for those who deal firearms without a license. If you're not sure, you can contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Associated Press reported.

The White House says Obama is acting fully within his legal authority by clarifying laws that Congress already has passed. However, Republicans and gun rights advocates say he cant act alone, and Obama concedes the executive steps will be challenged in court, the Associated Press reported.

The executive director of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action, Chris W. Cox, said in a statement Tuesday: The proposed executive actions are ripe for abuse by the Obama Administration, which has made no secret of its contempt for the Second Amendment. The NRA will continue to fight to protect the fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed under our Constitution. We will not allow law-abiding gun owners to be harassed or intimidated for engaging in lawful, constitutionally-protected activity  nor will we allow them to become scapegoats for President Obama's failed policies.

According to the University of Virginia School of Law website, although the modern president often is criticized when he wields executive power without seeking congressional approval, Prakashs book Imperial From the Beginning: The Constitution of the Original Executive says that type of autonomy is very much in keeping with how the role of the executive was conceived.

The presidency established by the Constitution was really quire regal in the sense that it was really a quite powerful office, Prakash said on the website.

According to the American Presidency Project, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, as of Dec. 20, 2015, Obama (the 44th president) was about midway among presidents in terms of the number of executive orders they issued. Franklin D. Roosevelt was at the top of the list, with 3.721 executive orders, and Obama had issued 227. Among presidents since FDR, Obama had issued fewer executive orders than Harry S Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

David Bernstein, the George Mason University Foundation Professor at the George Mason University School of Law, wrote in an opinion for The Washington Post, As much as it would be convenient for me and helpful to book sales to attack President Obamas initiative on guns as lawless, at least judging by the fact sheet the White House put out,  I dont see anything lawless here. Bernsteins latest book is Lawless: The Obama Administrations Unprecedented Assault on the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

Geoffrey Skelley, associate editor, Sabatos Crystal Ball, University of Virginia Center for Politics, said :The presidents executive order is unlikely to dramatically shift the political environment  Democrats are thrilled by it, Republicans are furious. Both parties are sharply entrenched in their views regarding gun rights and gun control, so really all the executive order does is further cement the stark disagreements between the two parties.

Skelley also said: The main effect of the executive order will be an increased public and political focus on the issue. On the presidential campaign trail, weve already seen the fields on both sides talk more about gun issues. And well probably see legislative proposals regarding gun rights, at both the federal and state level, as the salience of the issue is particularly high at the moment. Republicans will seek to loosen gun restrictions while their Democratic counterparts will hope to tighten restrictions. At least at the federal level and in Virginia, that probably means little will happen as government is divided in both Washington and Richmond.

According to the Office of the White House, the executive actions to decrease gun violence include:

--The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is clarifying that if youre in the business of selling firearms, you must get a license and conduct background checks. It does not matter where you conduct your business -- from a store, at gun shows or over the Internet.

--Attorney General Loretta Lynch has sent a letter to states highlighting the importance of receiving complete criminal history records and criminal dispositions, information on persons disqualified because of mental illness, and qualifying crimes of domestic violence.

--The Federal Bureau of Investigation envisions making these improvements in the background check system: processing background checks 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and improving notification of local authorities when certain prohibited persons unlawfully try to buy a gun. The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help process the background checks.

--The presidents fiscal year 2017 budget will include funding for 200 new ATF agents and investigators to enforce gun laws.

--ATF has established an Internet Investigation Center to track illegal online firearms trafficking and is dedicating $4 million and additional personnel to enhance the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network.

-- ATF is finalizing a rule to ensure that dealers who ship firearms notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen in transit.

--The attorney general is encouraging every U.S. Attorneys Office to renew domestic violence outreach efforts.

--The Obama administration is proposing a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care.

--The Social Security Administration plans to begin the rulemaking process to include information in the background check system about beneficiaries who are prohibited from possessing a firearm for mental health reasons. The Department of Health and Human Services is finalizing a rule to remove unnecessary legal barriers preventing states from reporting relevant information about people prohibited from possessing a gun for specific mental health reasons.

--Obama has directed the departments of defense, justice and homeland security to conduct or sponsor research into gun safety technology; and to review the availability of smart technology on a regular basis, and to explore potential ways to further its use and development to more broadly improve gun safety.
cisa.jpg

(CISA photo)

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) will be collaborating with area winter farmers' markets in presenting "Winter Fare" events.

CISA's Winter Fare programs incorporate a day of workshops, music, and fun as well as "bartering" exchanges for locally produced foodstuffs.

The first Winter Fare will be held on Jan. 16 at the Northampton Winter Farmers' Market and is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School.

On Jan. 23, Winter Fare will come to Springfield, where it will partner with the Farmers' Market at Forest Park, which will be held at the park's Old Monkey House. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More details on Winter Fare programs can be found at buylocalfood.org; CISA answers at (413) 665-7100.


NEW HAVEN, CT New Haven police arrested a 17-year-old Hamden youth for the murder of a New Haven man earlier this month.

The Hartford Courant reported that the unidentified youth turned himself in to police January 9, after Chamar Suggs, 34, of New Haven died at the Yale-New Haven hospital, six days after he had been stabbed in the abdomen.

Police allege the boy stabbed Suggs with a kitchen knife New Year's Day as the two argued on Winthrop Street.

Suggs was taken to the hospital with no pulse. He underwent emergency surgery and was the placed on life support. However, life support measures were disconnected January 7 and Suggs died.

The youth is being held at the juvenile detention facility in Bridgeport.
HOLLAND  The Massachusetts Ethics Commission has ruled that four former Holland selectmen and the current Highway Surveyor, Brian Johnson, broke the law when the board authorized $23,023 in payments to the town's counsel to represent him in a civil lawsuit he initiated against a private citizen who has been a vocal critic of municipal officials.

The commission deemed the actions of the quintet an attempt to "to interfere with the exercise of citizens' rights."

Because the former selectmen, James Wettlaufer, Michael Kennedy, Christian Petersen and Lynn Arnold, paid back the money to the town out of their own pockets, the commission chose not to bring the matter to court.

However, in a "Public Education Letter to Town of Holland Selectmen and Town Highway Surveyor," the state panel said their actions violated the law.

The commission said they used their official positions to secure for themselves "unwarranted privileges or exemptions of substantial value, which are not properly available to similarly situated individuals."

The transgression, the commission said, was "by authorizing the use of Town funds to pay for Highway Surveyor Johnson's private civil lawsuit," an authorization for which there was no legal basis.

The ethics commission determination said Johnson broke the law by accepting legal representation provided by the town for which he was not entitled.

"Public employees who have disputes with local residents do not have the public coffers at their disposal to fund their private lawsuits," the commission's letter to the former selectmen and Johnson states.

"Citizens have the right to petition the courts and bring legal actions against Town officials. It is for the courts to determine whether those lawsuits are meritorious. While Town resources may be used to defend public employees in connection with actions taken in their capacities as public officials, Town resources may not be used to fund private lawsuits in an effort to interfere with the exercise of citizens' rights."

According to the ethics commission, the problems occurred between 2011 and 2013. The commission found wrongdoing in March, and issued the letter on Nov. 30.
SPRINGFIELD - How do you piece a lifetime of belongings back together after a fire ravages your home?

In the case of 36 Indian Orchard residents whose Centre Street homes were destroyed in a New Year's Day inferno, residents from the neighborhood and beyond were more than willing to help. A virtual flood of donations of clothing, money, gift cards, boots, small appliances and all the trappings of a new domestic life.

More than three dozen volunteers and Indian Orchard Citizens Council board members rallied to receive the charitable tsunami on Saturday, which included a $1,000 check from a local donor who wished to remain anonymous.

"Neighborhood councils are more than just zone and ordinance changes. We want to help people who need us," said Linda Yarber, president of the Orchard's Citizens Council.

An entire room of the Indian Orchard Citizens Council on Main Street was overflowing with toys and clothing donors had begun funneling through local church and various other organizations in the week following the fire.

"We had to begin turning away donations at around 11:30," said council vice president Mark Goraj. "This was a lot of work ... I think we did a hell of a job. All these people gave up their whole Saturday."

Volunteers came from the Indian Orchard neighborhood and surrounding cities and towns including East Longmeadow, Belchertown, Springfield and Wilbraham. They sorted through mountains of adult and children's clothing, shoes, boots and incidental items such as screw drivers, tissue and calendars.

Soveiva Vazquez and her 5-year-old son were among the families displaced at the fire that quickly swallowed up 266-268 and 270-272 Centre St., adjacent multi-family apartment complexes that caught fire around 2:45 a.m. on New Year's Day.

She came to the center on Saturday and stocked up on clothes, pots and pans, shampoo and toys for her son.

"The fire was completely traumatizing. I lost every single thing we owned," Vazquez said. "I'm so grateful for this."

SPRINGFIELD - Soveiva Vazquez and her son, Jadiel, 5, were among 36 victims displaced by fast-moving fires in Indian Orchard on New Year's Day.

Ward 8 Springfield City Councilor Orlando Ramos said the effort captured the spirit of the neighborhood.

"This is what Indian Orchard is all about," Ramos said.

The council partnered with the Hampden County Sheriff's Department to coordinate the clothing and fund drive.

Damian Cherry, a corporal with sheriff's department, said he corralled 12 off-duty law enforcement and police vehicles to haul the goods to the council on Saturday.

In addition to individual donations, New Life Christian Church, other homeowners and a hotel owner in Northampton have offered families beds, tables, desks and other furniture.

Yarber said the donations the council could not handle will be forwarded to the Survival Center in Indian Orchard and other local charities so the items will stay in the community.
LAWRENCE

 A 17-year-old who escaped from a youth detention facility in Framingham is back in custody after he went on what police are calling "a one man crime spree."

The Eagle Tribune reported that Henry Cruz, 17, was arrested Thursday afternoon in Lawrence after he led police on a high speed chase.

Lawrence Police allege that after he escaped the Framingham facility, Cruz broke into homes, robbed people and stole cars in Danvers, Dracut, Chelmsford,North Andover, Framingham, Lawrence and into New Hampshire and Maine.

Cruz was spotted Thursday as he drove an Infinity SUV, reportedly stolen in Danvers. After a chase that involved Lawrence, Methuen and Massachusetts State Police and the sheriff's department, Cruz was taken into custody on Perry Avenue in Lawrence shortly after 1 p.m.

Cruz faces charges of receiving a stolen motor vehicle, failure to stop for police,resisting arrest,breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony, misuse of a license plate and two counts of receiving a stolen car.
WORCESTER - The Worcester Islamic Center opened its doors Saturday and the people came. By most estimates, well over 1,000 people accepted an invitation from the mosque to "meet a muslim" on Saturday.

Tahir Ali, spokesman for the center on East Mountain Street, said 500 people had already entered the center one half hour into the-three hour event, and more were arriving. Late estimates ranged from 1,500 to 2,500 visitors.

"It's a good problem to have," Ali said, in reference to a heavily crowded foyer at around 2 p.m.

Reaction to the crowd from organizers ranged from surprise to affirmation. Ali was one of those who said he expected the heavy turnout, based on several media previews of the event that included Boston media.

"The media is an integral part in the turnout," Ali said.

Several of the mosques neighbors also put the word out, Ali said, noting neighboring churches and synagogues invited their members to the event. Among them was Rabbi Valerie Cohen, of Temple Emanuel Sinai.

"It's so great to see so many people who want to learn, they make me so proud of community," Cohen said.

Senator Harriette Chandler said the event showed everyone what leaders already knew.

"What they have done is put a face on Muslims so that they are not some exotic culture and religion," Chandler said. "They are our neighbors. They are part of our community."

District Four City Councilor Sarai Rivera said she was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.

"I think this is great," Rivera said. "Worcester prides itself on its diversity. It's one of the things that makes Worcester great. It's one thing to say it, its another to be in action with it."



Fayrous Hassan, the mosque's vice president of internal affairs and programming, also said she was not surprised. In fact, she said the turnout proved her theory.

"I did expect this because I have faith in people," Hassan said. "People love each other. There is a lot of negativity, but that's not everyone. A majority of people are good."

Hassan, who helped organize the event, described Americans as intellectuals, who want to learn about and experience new things.

"People want to ask questions," she said. "When you read something in the media, it does not represent all American people."

Hassan said she had no concerns about opening the mosque to the public, even in a charged political climate, because she, like most other American Muslims, interact with people every day.

"I interact with people every day," she said. "I go to work every day and never feel like people are looking at me differently, so I say to myself, there must be millions of people just like this, who do not see us any differently."

And that was the point of the day; the mosque's executive board wanted to show that a vast majority of Muslims are a part of American society and not associated with extremism.

"There are always bad people in every (religion), even if they go to church, " said Zain Ali, 10. "People see ISIS and stuff, but that has nothing to do with normal Muslims."

Muslim/western cultural interaction actually goes back centuries, to around the year 800, according to Ahmed Hussain, a physician who volunteered to talk about his passion at the event, Muslim artwork. There are no depictions of people or animals in Muslim artwork, he noted. Instead, it is heavily influenced on geometric shapes and plant life.

He described the Taj Mahal one of the greatest piece of Muslim engineering and artwork in existence, but also noted the influence of Muslim artwork in everyday designs still in use today, from buildings to carpentry and interior designs.

"Muslim and Western cultures have been interacting since the eighth century," he said, showing samples of antique artwork. "It's hard to say what was influenced by Muslim culture and what was influenced by Western culture. They influence each other."

Hussain and Hassan were among several volunteers who answered questions from attendees in one-on-one settings.

And there were questions; they ranged from the who was the Prophet Muhammad and extremism to Muslim's clothing and the role and treatment of the religion, according to Waqar Haider, vice president of the Religious Committee.

The mosque responded with written materials, one-on-one stations and seminars, Haider said.

"We have brochures and fliers, and have copies of the Koran," she said. "They are all in English and Spanish, so people can take them home and read about what they are asking."

"I am very pleased with the turnout," Haider said. "It is beyond our expectations. I think we should do this more often to help remove all of the misconceptions about Islam."

What Haider said she was not surprised by was the positive attitude and smiles among the people who attended.

"These are our neighbor's," she said. "Our children go to school with their children. Our seniors play bingo with their seniors."

Some of the most asked questions were in reference to women, according to Malika MacDonald-Rushdan, and Irish American convert to Islam.

"People ask me, 'did you become a Muslim because you got married?'" MacDonald-Rushdan said. "I say, 'no, I became a Muslim after divorcing a Christian.'"

MacDonald-Rushdan is not a member of one specific mosque. She attended the event as a representative of the Islamic Centers of North America national relief and disaster assistance program, for which she is director of the Massachusetts Field Office.

ICNA Relief USA helps with everything from women's shelters to financial assistance and mental health support.

In her role, MacDonald-Rushdan said she has seen several meet a Muslim days in other Mosques, as well as churches and synagogues, with similar success.

"(The turnout) is amazing and wonderful, but not surprising," MacDonald-Rushdan said. "I think people are thirsty for true knowledge."

MacDonald-Rushdan said she is most often asked about her choice of clothing, including whether her husband forces her to dress in what she said represents modesty.

"It's an unfortunate question, because we talk about the clothing when there is so much more to me as a Muslim woman than how I dress," she said. "It's an unfortunate question, but an understandable one.

"I am a mother, a grandmother and I care about schools and health care and the cost of college tuition," she said. "I may have a scarf on my head, but I am no different from any other mother."

Mayor Joseph Petty, while addressing the assembly, apologized for the anti-Muslim sentiment expressed by some after the recent heft of weapons at the U.S. Army reserve headquarters. Saturday's turnout, Petty said, is a true reflection of the city.

"I think everybody who came out is representative of the real Worcester," Petty said. "Worcester is a welcoming community and I appreciate the people who came out today and I appreciate the mosque for opening its doors and for allowing people to meet, talk and become friends.

"I'm proud to be mayor of this city," Petty said. "Nobody should live in fear. The Muslim community here is as American as anyone else."
January 08, 2016

MISSOULA  One hundred middle-school girls will gather on the University of Montana campus on Saturday, April 23, for the third annual Expanding Your Horizons Conference, a full day of workshops exploring STEM careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

The conference, organized by UMs Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences, is an opportunity for sixth- to eighth-grade girls to engage in workshops led by female scientists, engineers and technology specialists from UM, as well as local STEM businesses and organizations. Conference registration begins Monday, Feb. 1, online at http://www.missoulagirlsstem.net.

Full Story: http://news.umt.edu/2016/01/010816stem.php
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Barral drew this conclusion based on his research on yeast cells. He and his colleagues recently found in these cells a new type of protein aggregate, which appears as the cells get older. As the scientists were able to show, these protein aggregates do not arise as the result of a cell's malfunctioning internal quality control. On the contrary: in yeast cells with such aggregates, quality control functions even better. "It certainly seems that these aggregates help yeast cells to cope with the physiological changes caused by aging," says Juha Saarikangas, a postdoc in Barral's group and first author of the recent study in the journal eLife. "We are very exited to learn what type of information is stored in these structures."The scientists assume that these age-associated aggregates are formed by several different proteins. The researchers have already identified one prion-like protein that is part of the accumulations. What other proteins are involved and why the aggregates remain in the parent cells during cell division are subjects of further research.Only in recent years have scientists speculated that aggregating proteins in the cells can generally play a positive role. Barral and his research group showed back in 2013 that yeast cells memorise experiences related to unsuccessful sexual reproduction attempts in the form of aggregated proteins. These aggregates - which are not identical to the newly discovered age-associated accumulations - thus serve as molecular memory for yeast cells. Even in mice there is a positive relationship between prion-like aggregates and memory. A few months ago, American scientists demonstrated that mice with such accumulations in their nerve cells exhibit a more stable long-term memory.Whether such age-associated protein accumulations are primarily a malfunction or a normal function of healthy cells is for Barral a scientific question - one in which philosophy also plays a role: "Our western society understands aging as something that is predominantly negative, a disease that has to be combated," he says. "This thinking is reflected in the work of many scientists, whose research on aging focuses on finding defects in cells." Other societies, however, place more value on the positive effects of aging, such as increased experience and knowledge - a view that corresponds with the newly discovered role of aggregates as information storage or memory for cells."We're still a fairly small group of scientists who say: aggregate proteins are not pathological - they are neither an accident nor a defect," says Barral. Rather, these proteins aggregate because it is their normal function. Diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's only arise when the system becomes imbalanced and too many prion-like proteins accumulate in the wrong place in the cells. Barral continues: "There are two aspects to aging. Yes, you die at the end of the process, and this is negative. But you die wise. And Alzheimer's is perhaps a bad end to a good thing."Source: Eurekalert
YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. Defense Army soldier Aramayis Voskanyan, 1996, got a fatal injury on January 9 at 21:30 from a rival shooting in the military position of a unit located in the eastern direction of Artsakh Republic Defense Army.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of NKR Defense Ministry, investigation is underway to find out details. NKR Defense Ministry shares the grief of the loss and expresses sympathy with the family members, relatives and service mates of the killed soldier.
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Following the death of Nashat Melhelm, an Israeli Arab who perpetrated a terror attack in Tel Aviv on January 1, 2016, the Arab media reported that the Palestinian Health Ministry, which maintains a register of those "martyred" in the recent clashes, added Melhelm's name to the register but subsequently removed it.[1] The Ministry's decision not to include him in the register of martyrs sparked a wave of criticism against the PA on social media, as well as a scathing condemnation from the deputy chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council, top Hamas official Ahmad Bahr.[2] Some of the criticism on social media was posted under the hashtag "The 150th martyr, whether you like or not."



Image posted on social media: "Nashat Melhem - The 150th Martyr" (Facebook.com/palinfo, January 9, 2016)

In response to the criticism, on January 9, 2016 the Health Ministry issued a press statement clarifying that Melhem was a martyr just like any other Palestinian martyr, and that he had not been included in the register for a technical reason: because the Ministry recorded the names of martyrs from the West Bank and Gaza only.

The following is a translation of the Ministry's clarifying statement, as posted on its website:

"The Palestinian Ministry of Health stressed that the recording of martyrs' names is defined as one of its official functions and its areas of responsibility in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in the Gaza Strip [but not elsewhere]. The Ministry added, in a press statement issued today, Saturday [January 9, 2016], that the non-inclusion of the martyr Nashat Melhem's name in its register [of martyrs] does not indicate that the title [of martyr] has been denied him. On the contrary, he is one of the most valued martyrs, and his name is inscribed in his pure blood that watered the soil of our free homeland. [The Ministry] noted that the non-inclusion of the martyr Nashat Melhem's name [in the register] stems from the fact that, as part of its activity, the Ministry is in charge of recording patients, diseases, martyrs and the wounded [in the West Bank and Gaza only]. [Hence,] the non-inclusion of Melhem in its register does not indicate that he is not [considered] a martyr. On the contrary, he is like any other Palestinian martyr anywhere in the world.

"The Ministry clarified in its statement that the exploiting of this small detail by a number of people, and the leveling of accusations of treason at Ministry employees, [are acts that] have nothing to do with patriotism, since we did not hear any of those people expressing any criticism of Israel's crimes against our people. Had [those people, instead of] investing their energy in maligning the Ministry, invested it in exposing the crimes of the occupation, their efforts would have been written in letters of gold.

"The Ministry said: We are proud of our Palestinian people in the '48 territories, and are proud of their sacrifices that have gone down in history and of their accomplishments in every domain - ideological, academic and national. Their profound affiliation with their motherland, Palestine, cannot be denied under any circumstances."[3]



The Health Ministry's statement

Endnotes:
Theres something about the big 30  maybe its because you realise that your 20s are a thing of the past, that its a milestone when you are supposed to reached pre-determined milestones, that suddenly the word responsible looms large in a very different light, that life, success and financial goals have all taken on new meaning.

Different people choose to bring in their third decade in various ways, depending wholly on how you feel about the number. But you know what, no matter what it maybe seem like in theory, 30s are the new 20s and youve got to take on the decade, which is essentially the beginning of the rest of your life. Its time to stop, take a couple of step back and ask yourself imperative questions. MensXP lists out 31 questions you ought to ask yourself before your 30th.

1. Are you avoiding certain situations and/or people?

As much as wed like to blackout certain people (and we should if we can), we have to deal with why were blanking them out. Looking at a situation as it is and accepting it is the only way forward. Avoid them if you will but leave them in the past.

2. Are you doing what you should be doing?

If youre not doing what you love doing by 30, youre never going to do what you love doing. Work without passion is a mere task and if its a task you have to endure for the rest of your working life, its time to reconsider.

3.Do you drag yourself out of bed every morning?

A hangover should be the only reason for dragging. Lifes too short to spend as a drag and irrespective of whether youre a morning person, you must look forward to the morning. A new day for achievement.

4.Are you ticking off your must-dos?

To-do lists are easily one of the most betrayed lists on earth. Take a closer look at it; that was a younger, more hopeful you who wrote it. Get back to it, rediscover yourself and start ticking... NOW.

5.Have you learnt something new today?

It could be a new word, saying a sentence in a new language, discovered a new author, a new cuisine, restaurant, a new hobby  this can be just about anything under the sun. The point here is to continue learning something new every day because new learnings only enhance your life and make work and business better.

 Thinkstock

6.Have you done something thats out of the ordinary?

To be extraordinary, youve got to do something thats out of the ordinary. It could be related to your business or to your personal life. You start living once you refuse to accept the ordinary. And, if you have done something extraordinary, ask yourself when youre going to achieve your next extraordinary feat.

7.If there was anything you could do without fear, would you do it?

Think about this one  all of us want to do certain things fearlessly. It could be establishing a new business, taking your business overseas, emigrating overseas, giving into adventure sport, etc. The thrill of achievement once done is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will change your life forever.

8.Where do you see yourself in five years?

This is one of the most cliched questions but its a cliche for a reason. Do you see yourself sipping Champagne on your yacht? Do you see yourself buying a holiday home in Switzerland? Do you see your company multiplying it profits a hundred-fold?

9.Are you working towards achieving your goals so that you are where you in five years time?

The five year plan is only effective when you work towards achieving those goals. And five years can be as short or as long as you want them to be; might as well make the journey memorable.

10.Do you have you why?

The why is extremely important because all of us do things for reasons. Do you know your why? If you dont have a why, youll have a how and what  two words that leads you to excuses for not finding your why. You why is what will help you get to your goal and move onto greater ones.

 Thinkstock

11.If not, when are you getting one?

So, you dont have a why! How about getting one right now? After you have your why, youll find your purpose.

12. Are you optimising your skills to make more money?

Skills and talents are a boon, but theyre a boon only if you enhance them and use them to increase your pile of gold. Under-utilised skills are as good as having no skills at all. Time to take a closer look at your skills and make them work for you.

13. Are you planning to start your business or a new business?

The only way you can own your time is if youre your own boss. Giving up the stability of a monthly salary to go into business is a risk, but life itself is a risk and we live anyway, right? Alternatively, if youre already a businessman, whats stopping you from doing something more?

14. What should you consider before doing this?

Before going into business or starting a second/third one, there are a few strategic factors you need consider. The market, finance, business plan, business goal, your reach, etc. Jot these points down, go back to your drawing board when need be and consider all that you must.

15. Are you focussing on problems as opposed to solutions?

No matter how hard a truth this is, there is no easy way to success and there is certainly no shortcut. However, the key to success is looking hard and deep for solutions. Problems will always be there but they become an issue only if you let them. Focus instead on your solution, various solutions and see how beautifully things unfold.

 Thinkstock

16. Have you fostered new connections? And if you have, who are they?

Connections and networks are an essential part of your business life. Make it a job to meet with new people, connect often, discuss business possibilities and make sure that youre with the right people and that the right people know you.

17.Are you still dwelling over what-ifs?

All of us have regrets, and almost all our regrets begin with what-ifs. Leave those behind; throw them away. Each what-if led you to where you are. Accept those mistakes and leave them in the past. The only thing you should take away from it is lessons and learning.

18.How much of a risk are you willing to take?

Business is about risk and while risk is an essential, the percentage of risk is a choice. Take a closer look at where you are in terms of your business. Is it as big as you imagined it would be? Can you afford to take another risk? And if yes, in what proportion? Your next step forward depends on the answers to these questions.

19.Are you playing the waiting game when it comes to your business?

The waiting game is a game that often keeps you waiting for the rest of your life. You wait to expand, you wait to take it forward, you wait for this, that and the other. The waiting game is okay as long as youre aware that this is a game that depends on market conditions and it should certainly not be a game you play for the rest of your life.

20.How focussed are you?

You may want to conquer the world and we know you can. But focus on conquering not on what people may or may not say. Figure out how focussed you are and where your focus is.

 Thinkstock

21.Do you see yourself living on the edge?

A wise man once said, If youre not living on the edge, youre taking up too much of space. Do you see your edge and when are you going to claim that edge as your own?

22.How far and how much can you push yourself?

Success comes with its share of push and shove. Are you willing to sweat yourself silly till you get to your pinnacle?

23.What fires your spirit?

Find out what burns you so much that it turns you to cinder, only to rise again and scale the next peak. Once you find out, hold it close and allow it to burn you often.

24.Have you planned you trip into space?

This is the ultimate odyssey so far. If youre not aiming for it, youre dreams are still too small.

25.Has anyone called you crazy yet (on a serious note)?

Sanity is overrated and so totally strait-jacketed. Some of the greatest minds were always deemed crazy. And crazy is the new sane!

 Shutterstock

26.If you were to leave the world today, what note would you leave it on?

If the man upstairs decided to pull the plug right now, would you go happy? Or would you cry over an unlived life? Goals may be unfulfilled but remember to live, really live, every single day.

27.Are you living or merely existing?

Existence is for the masses and you arent one of them... or are you? If you are, get out and live  its only as simple or complex as you want it to be.

28.Who is the one person who will forever look up to?

Think about this person, go back in time and think about the positivity and ambition this person exudes.

29.How much of yesterday was memorable?

Did you make yesterday memorable enough for it to be noteworthy? Every single day ought to be memorable.

30.Are you living a life worth writing about?

Youve got to live a life thats worth writing about. Are you there yet? Everyone has a few bumps along the way, but get back and live to be written about.

 Shutterstock

31.What next?

These two words should be your mantra. You could be on top of the world but always, always ask, What next?

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Photo:  Shutterstock (Main Image)
How do workers organize and motivate fellow workers to come together to form a trade union? Is it not the injustices, discrimination and violations of rights that is happening at the workplaces that moves people to unite for justice - and surely it is very wrong for an employer to use such statements made by a union leader as a justification for termination...

In this ICT age - organizing workers is not just through physical face to face encounters or meetings, but is more happening through social media - Face Book groups, Whats App groups, Email groups, etc.. Can employers use statements made in such groups, possibly given by some employer 'spy', as a means to dismiss a worker?

Hopefully, there will be many from Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region, Peninsular Malaysia (EIEUWR) especially those working in RENESAS Semiconductor KL Sdn Bhd (formerly known as NEC Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd] as a show of solidarity to their Union President, and once fellow worker at RENESAS...

Such a show of support will also demonstrate to the management of RENESAS that truly the UNION is strong, and support for Wan Noorulazhar remains strong..

The best thing that RENESAS can do is to agree now to reinstate the Union President without any further procrastination or delay...It has been 4 years plus since he was terminated by RENESAS but Wan Noorulazhar, despite being out of a job and income, has remained committed to the UNION, and to the struggle for worker and trade union rights till today...He, I believe, is ever ready to get back to work at RENESAS.

WE all can also help urge RENESAS to do the right thing - Reinstate Wan Noorulazhar now... and do recognize the Union.

This is is best...and this is JUST.

'Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah, an employee of RENESAS who is the President of the UNION was dismissed on 26/8/2011 by RENESAS whereby the alleged misconduct, was that his actions were contrary to explicit company policies. He allegedly made statements about treatment of workers in a closed Facebook Group, whose members were fellow workers.'

'Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah, an employee of RENESAS who is the President of the UNION was dismissed on 26/8/2011 by RENESAS whereby the alleged misconduct, was that his actions were contrary to explicit company policies. He allegedly made statements about treatment of workers in a closed Facebook Group, whose members were fellow workers.'

'Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah, an employee of RENESAS who is the President of the UNION was dismissed on 26/8/2011 by RENESAS whereby the alleged misconduct, was that his actions were contrary to explicit company policies. He allegedly made statements about treatment of workers in a closed Facebook Group, whose members were fellow workers.'

Finally, his wrongful dismissal case at the Industrial Court will be heard on 11-12 January 2016 [More than 4 years since he was dismissed, and the members of Union working in RENESAS lost the presence of their leader in the factory. Is this JUSTICE? Justice Delayed is Justice Denied...]

Joint Statement- 4/4/2013

RENESAS MUST IMMEDIATELY ACCORD RECOGNITION TO THE UNION

AND REINSTATE WAN NOORULAZHAR





We, the 87 undersigned civil society organisations, trade unions and groups call on RENESAS Semiconductor KL Sdn Bhd (formerly known as NEC Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd] to respect the freedom of association and the right to effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, being one of the basic rights of workers and one also one of the core values of International Labour Organisation (ILO)'s. RENESAS must stop obstructing or delaying, and immediately accord recognition to Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region, Peninsular Malaysia (EIEUWR)/ Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Barat Semenjung Malaysia(KSIEWBSM)[UNION] so that workers at RENESAS can at last begin to enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining agreement. It has been more than 3 years since the UNION first applied in January 2010 for recognition by RENESAS.





In Malaysia, after being registered, recognition by the employer is needed before the UNION can start negotiating and enter into any Collective Bargaining Agreement with the employer company. The UNION has to submit a claim for recognition, and within 21 days, the company can accord recognition or not. If not, then the Director General of Industrial Relations (DGIR) steps in and start the process of conducting a secret ballot to ensure that more than 5o% plus one of the qualified workers is for the union  then the union is accorded recognition, and thereafter can effectively represent the workers.





Even though about 70% (1,300) of RENESASs workers eligible to be members of the union were already members of EIEUWR when the first application was made by the UNION to the company for recognition, RENESAS did not accord recognition and after more than 3 years and RENESAS still refuses to recognize the UNION.





On 18/1/2010, EIEUWR submitted the 1st application for recognition to RENESAS. The company responded that there was a pro-tem in-house union, which was unregistered, also seeking recognition. The Director General of Industrial Relations (DGIR) rejected this reason. Then, RENESAS claimed that they did not receive the claim for recognition, when the application had been hand delivered personally by Wan Noorulazhar, the Union President, and RENESAS acknowledged receipt. The DGIR later asked the Union to send again their claim for recognition.





The 2nd claim for recognition was submitted on 17/8/2010, this time by acknowledged receipt registered post, and again RENESAS claimed they did not receive it, and the UNION also did not receive back the duly signed acknowledged receipt card from the postal services.





The 3rd claim for recognition was submitted to RENESAS on 8/10/2010, and this time using the National Courier Poslaju. After receipt of the UNIONs letter, RENESAS send it back to Poslaju asking that the letter be returned to the UNION. Poslaju provided a letter confirming this. RENESAS could not deny receipt this time, and rightfully the DGIR should have done the needful which was to the conduct of a secret ballot. But, there was inaction on the part of the DGIR for many months despite repeated demands by the UNION, and finally on 12/8/2011, the UNION had a picket in front of the Ministry of Human Resources. The DGIR then informed the UNION that the said relevant documents had been misplaced, and the blame was put on the Deputy DGIR responsible, who allegedly has since then been removed from that position. The DGIR then asked the Union to submit yet another claim for recognition.





The 4th claim for recognition was made on 8/9/2011. RENESASs now challenged the validity of the registration of EIEUWR(the UNION) itself, and the qualification of the UNIONs General Secretary, one Bruno Gentil Pereira. When the Minister rejected this objection on 9/4/2012, RENESAS proceeded to filed a High Court case to challenge the Ministers decision on 8/5/2012, whereby on 28/6/2012, the High Court dismissed the RENESASs application. RENESAS then appealed to the Court of Appeal who also unanimously dismissed the case on 5/12/2012.





After the High Court dismissed RENESAS application on 28/6/2012, there was no court order stopping the DGIR from proceeding with the secret ballot but the DGIR did not do anything.





After much protestation by the Union, the DGIR finally started the process by writing to RENESAS to submit Form B, as required by law, on about 14/12/2012. RENESAS did not comply and a second letter was sent by the DGIR on 14/1/2013. RENESAS again did not comply, and now it is believed that a third letter has been sent by the DGIR.





When, and if the day finally comes for the secret ballot, the workers entitled to vote would be the workers as of the date the claim was submitted, being 8/9/2011 but with the existence of short-term contracts, many of the pro-union workers may no more be employees of RENESAS, and this will prejudice the UNION, who still will have to show that it has the support of at least 50% plus one of the number of qualified employees as per the list of qualified employees on 8/9/2011. The tactic of delaying the secret ballot works in favour of the employer, and prejudices the UNION.





Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah, an employee of RENESAS who is the President of the UNION was dismissed on 26/8/2011 by RENESAS whereby the alleged misconduct, was that his actions were contrary to explicit company policies. He allegedly made statements about treatment of workers in a closed Facebook Group, whose members were fellow workers. The alleged misconduct It had nothing to do with his work performance. The wrongful dismissal case is now before the Industrial court.





The current trend at the Industrial Courts when it makes a finding the worker has been wrongfully dismissed by the employer is not to order reinstatement, but to rather order compensation. If not reinstated, workers of RENESAS would be deprived of a leader. RENESAS can at any time reinstate Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah without loss of benefits.





On 14/3/2013, EIUWR and the workers of RENESAS again had a protest picket at Putrajaya.





We call on RENESAS Semiconductor KL Sdn Bhd to immediately accord recognition to Electronic Industry Employees Union Western Region (EIEUWR), and immediately reinstate Wan Noorulazhar bin Mohd Hanafiah and all other worker leaders terminated.

Senator Syed Shahir bin Syed Mohamud

Charles Hector

Mohd Roszeli bin Majid

Pranom Somwong

Badrulzaman bin Mohd Ghazali

For and on behalf the 87 organisations listed below

ALIRAN

Andhra Pradesh State Domestic Workers' Union, India

Asia Monitor Resource Centre(AMRC)

Asia Pacific Forum on Women , Law and Development ( APWLD)

Asia Floor Wage Alliance- SEA Office

Building and Wood Workers International Asia Pacific Regional Office (BWI APRO)

Center for Migrant Advocacy ,Philippines

Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) Sri Lanka

Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)

CIMS- Centre for Indian Migrant Studies

Clean Clothes Campaign

Committee for Asian Women, Bangkok

Community Action Network (CAN), Malaysia

Confederation of Free Trade Unions of India

Dignity International

GoodElectronics

GoodElectronics Thailand (GET)

Hope Workers' Center, Taiwan

Hsinchu Catholic Diocese Migrants and Immigrants Service Center (HMISC), Taiwan

Human Rights Ambassador for Salem-News.com

IDWN( International Domestic Workers Network)

IMA Research Foundation, Bangladesh

International Campaign for Responsible Technology, US

International League of Peoples' Struggle  Canada

Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW), Cambodia

LIPS (Lembaga Informasi Perburuhan Sedane/Sedane Labour Resource Centre) Indonesia

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility

MAP Foundation, Thailand

Maquiladora Health & Safety Support Network, Berkeley, CA USA

Migrant Care

Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA)

Migrant Forum India (MF India)

Migrant Forum Lanka (MFL)

Migrants Rights Council India

Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organization Malaysia (MERHROM)

NAMM (Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia)

NDWM - National Domestic Workers' Movement, India

NLD-LA (National League for Democracy-Liberated Areas), Malaysia

Pakistan Rural Workers Social Welfare Organization (PRWSWO)

Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM)

People & Planet, UK

Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)

PINAY Quebec

Progressive Labor Union of Domestic Workers- Hong Kong

PSWS (Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor)

Pusat KOMAS (KOMAS)

Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), Bangladesh

SALT (School of Acting Justly Loving Tenderly and Walking Humbly)

SBMI (Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia)

Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW), Philippines

State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation (SERC), Thailand

State Railway Workers' Union of Thailand (SRU), Thailand

SUARAM (Suara Rakyat Malaysia)

Tenaganita, Malaysia

The Alliance of Progressive Labor - Hong Kong

Tourism Employees Association of Maldives

Women's Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) Nepal

Workers Assistance Center, Inc, Philippines

Workers Hub For Change (WH4C)

Women Workers Lead

Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

Youth For Peace/Peace Institute of Cambodia (YFP/PIC)

Malaysian Unions

Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Timur Semenanjung Malaysia (KSIEWTSM)

Kesatuan Sekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Selatan Semenanjung Malaysia

Kesatuan Sekerja Pekerja Industri Elektronik Wilayah Utara

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja MHS Aviation Berhad

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Polyplastics Asia Pacific

Paper & Paper Products Manufacturing Employees' Union Of Malaysia (PPPMEU)

TNBJOU (TNB Junior Officers Union), Malaysia

Malayan Technical Services Union (MTSU)

NUBE (National Union of Banking Employees), Malaysia

Association of Maybank Executive

Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja Pekerja Perusahaan Alat Alat Pengangkutan Dan Sekutu(NUTEAIW)

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Perubatan Dan Kesihatan Swasta-[Union Of Employees In Private Medical And Health Services]

Kesatuan Eksekutif Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn.Bhd.

Electrical Industry Workers' Union (EIWU)

Kesatuan Pekerja Pekerja Fujikura Federal Cables Sdn Bhd

Kesatuan Pekerja Pekerja Kelab Semenanjung Malaysia

Kesatuan Eksekutif Airod (KEA)

UNI Global Union-Malaysia

MTUC Pahang

MTUC Penang Division

MTUC Bahagian Melaka

Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Cawangan Pulau Pinang
The 2016 New Delhi World Book Fair opened on Jan. 9. As this year's guest of honor, China introduced more than 5,000 excellent book titles and planned to hold more than 50 various events focusing on publishing and cultural exchange.

At the opening ceremony, Sun Shoushan, vice minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), gave a keynote speech on behalf of the guest of honor.

Sun Shoushan [L1], SAPPRFT vice minister and Smriti Zubin Irani [L2], minister of Human Resource Development of India, press the button together to signify China's presence as the guest of honor at the 2016 New Delhi World Book Fair. [Photo by Lin Liyao/China.org.cn]

Sun said, "The Chinese and Indian publishing industries have carried out increasingly close and deeper cooperation in recent years. China attaches great importance to cultural exchanges with other countries.

"While actively learning from, and drawing on, the results of world civilizations and the excellent cultures of foreign countries, China is working hard to promote its excellent books across the world, so as to help foreign readers understand the development and changes in contemporary China and the thoughts and lives of modern Chinese people."

"We believe the guest of honor event will further promote the cultural and publishing exchanges between the two countries, lead to the mutual translation and publication of more excellent books, and provide richer mental nourishment and cultural knowledge for readers in both countries," Sun said.

Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng also attended the event. "Looking back on the history of the two great civilizations of China and India, books play an important role in portraying their ideological, cultural and technological achievements to the world, as well as reflecting advanced cultural elements of different nations," he said.

Le thought that the guest of honor event would surely deepen the exchanges and communications between the two nations, while presenting a promising prospect of publishing cooperation between them.

Smriti Zubin Irani, minister of Human Resource Development of India, Vinay Sheel Oberoi, secretary of the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and representatives of Chinese and Indian authors and publishers also participated in the event.

The 2016 New Delhi World Book Fair, being held in the Pragati Maidan, will last until Jan.17.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
The change of heart by the maker of Pepperidge Farm cookies, Prego sauces and Spaghetti-Os marks a break from industry groups that have sought to make labeling voluntary.

About three-quarters of Campbell's products contain GMOs. The company has opposed a patchwork of state-by-state legislation that it believes would confuse customers.

States have tried to address the issue on their own and Vermont passed legislation requiring labeling of genetically modified ingredients on certain products by July. But industry groups want to pre-empt such efforts with federal legislation that would make disclosures voluntary, said Michele Simon, a public health lawyer.

"They're going for as little as they can," Simon said.

If a federal labeling standard isn't established in a "reasonable amount of time," Campbell says it will work independently to disclose the presence of GMOs in its products. The company did not specify a timeline for doing so.

Genetically modified seeds are engineered in laboratories to have certain traits, like resistance to herbicides. The majority of the country's corn and soybean crop is now genetically modified, with much of that going to animal feed. Corn and soybeans are also made into popular processed food ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, corn starch and soybean oil.

The food industry says about 75 to 80 percent of foods contain genetically modified ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration has said that GMOs are safe.

Still, the number of products stamped with a voluntary "non-GMO" label from a third-party group has proliferated as the issue has gained attention. The label, which is displayed on the front of packages, has become a marketing tool in some cases.

Campbell is also calling on the federal government to propose a national standard for "non-GMO" claims made on food packaging.

The company's disclosure of GMO ingredients likely wouldn't be as prominent as the "non-GMO" labels displayed on some products. An image provided by Campbell to illustrate compliance with the Vermont law showed the back of a Spaghetti-Os can with the words "Partially produced with genetic engineering" in small print at the bottom.

The change in position by Campbell comes amid dimming prospects for industry-backed legislation that would prevent states from requiring GMO labeling.

Last month, the industry made an aggressive push to add the federal legislation to a massive year-end spending bill in December, but failed to win enough support. That may have been its best bet before Vermont's law is enacted, although lawmakers say they will keep trying in the coming months.

Campbell Soup CEO Denise Morrison has been outspoken about the need for big food makers to adapt to changing tastes. The company, based in Camden, N.J., has been diversifying its packaged food lineup with offerings that are seen as fresher.

Its acquisitions in recent years include premium juice and carrot seller Bolthouse Farms and Plum Organics, which makes baby food.

In a message posted online by Campbell Friday, Morrison stressed that the company is in "no way disputing the science GMOs or their safety." But she said GMOs have become a top issue among consumers.

"We have always believed that consumers have the right to know what's in their food," Morrison wrote.
It was the second time this year that restrictions have been placed on the use of amphibious combat vehicles.
Visual Commentary on Scripture: Romans 3:9-31

"Icon as Theology" in ReVisioning

disclaimers

BOOKS!EXTRA MILLINERDUM"If a white person is a self-proclaimed 'nerd,' [e.g. 'millinerd'] all jokes around the topic are essentially their opportunity to say that they are smarter than you." - Stuff White People Like "Nerd culture is mainstream now, so when you use it derogatorily, youre the one thats out of the Zeitgeist." -Ben Wyatt (in Parks & Rec)"The anatomy of a blog makes serious conversation all but impossible.""Blogs are the crack cocaine of writing." - Richard Starr "Fame is a fickle foodUpon a shifting plate.""The breezy style is often the work of an egocentric, the person who imagines that everything that comes to mind is of general interest and that uninhibited prose creates high spirits and carries the day." Strunk & White (p. 73)
Candidates running for Taiwan leadership and legislative election staged large scale campaigns Saturday across the island, the last weekend ahead of the Jan. 16 election date, dubbed "Super Saturday" by locals.

Eric Chu, candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT) and his running mate Wang Ju-hsuan, led a big parade in Taipei Saturday afternoon together with a number of KMT heavyweight politicians including Ma Ying-jeou, the island's current leader, and two former KMT chairmen, Lien Chan and Wu Poh-hsiung.

According to the KMT, about 200,000 people attended the parade. Participants started from three locations, Taiwan University and two city parks, and headed toward a square downtown where a grand gala was held.

Unlike the rainy and overcast weather earlier this week, Taipei saw a rare sunny day on Saturday. Old couples strolled in the parade holding hands while young couples carried toddlers in their arms or pushed strollers.

Chiang Shu-chen, a research assistant, took her three children to the parade together with her two sisters.

"I care more about the predictable and stable cross-Strait policies," she said. "I saw how bad Taiwan had been when cross-Strait relations were tense and how it improved in the past few years. I hope my children can grow up in an open and stable society."

Lien Chih-ching, a Taipei bank clerk who joined the parade with several colleagues, told Xinhua that, only with stable cross-Strait relations can Taiwan focus on economic development.

"The economic situation is not promising now. We hope that closer cross-Strait cooperation can help boost Taiwan's economy and thus ordinary employees like me can actually benefit," he said, adding that no matter which candidate wins the election, he or she has to face this reality and maintain a peaceful and stable relationship with the mainland.

Also on Saturday, Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) kicked off her campaign in her hometown Pingtung in south Taiwan before moving to Kaohsiung, visiting communities and hosting a big gala to rally support for herself and DPP candidates for legislators. According to DPP, her campaign will move all the way north along the island's west coast in the next week.

James Soong of People First Party also attended several galas in New Taipei, Taoyuan and Taichung.
Prepping the Tree of Remembrance - Preparatifs autour de l'Arbre du Souvenir - 38/130  2016 CHANT WAGNER

130 Street Photographies after the Paris Attacks - 130 photographies de rue, apres les attentats de Paris - In Memoriam

Tomorrow on January 10, 2016, there will be a Republican commemorative ceremony to honor all the victims of the string of terrorist attacks which took place in 2015 in the greater Paris region. To that effect, a 12-m high oak tree was planted on Place de la Republique called l'Arbre du Souvenir or "Tree of Remembrance" ...

It will be inaugurated by the president of the French Republic.

It is estimated this Turkey Oak can live for 200 years; the oak tree was chosen as it symbolizes strength. It used to be a symbol of justice as well since all the French people probably have an imagery of King Saint Louis sitting under an oak tree to dispense justice.

This photo is part of a series capturing the atmosphere of Paris after 11/13 in 130 pictures, one each day for each of the 130 Paris Attack victims.

Previously:

A Parisian Elf's Reaction - La reaction d'un lutin parisien - 37/130

Rue Alibert (e) (Liberte) - 36/130

Breaking Down - Un trop plein de souffrance - 35/130





Flowers, Sawdust, Blood - Des fleurs, de la sciure et du sang - 34/130

Have Heart - Courage - 33/130

A New Pilgrimage Map is Born - Une nouvelle carte de pelerinage est nee - 32/130

Fire with Humor - Combattre le feu par l'humour - 31/130





Looking Back Towards the Future of the Past - Regarder vers le futur du passe - 30/130

Fluctuat Nec Mergitur Is Still Around - Fluctuat Nec Mergitur perdure - 29/130

Bleu, Blanc, Rouge at Polly Maggoo's - Du bleu, du blanc et du rouge au balcon du Polly Maggoo - 28/130

Shining the Light on November 13 - Projeter la lumiere sur le 13 novembre - 27/130

Strange Goings Around a Carousel - Etrange manege le soir du reveillon de Noel - 26/130





The New In Colors - Le tricolore revient en vogue - 25/130





Drawing Resilience with Tealights - Dessiner la resilience avec des bougies - 24/130





Fascination - 23/130

Everything Happened, Nothing Happened - Tout est arrive, rien n'est arrive - 22/130



Patriotic Street Art - Un art des rues patriotique - 21/130

Keeping Emergency Services in a Central Paris Hospital - Maintien des urgences a l'Hotel-Dieu - 20/130

Semiotics of Insult - La semiotique de l'insulte - 19/130

Hacking It - Le systeme D - 18/130

Habit Rouge Impression - Une Impression d'Habit Rouge - 17/130

Recueillement - Meditation - 16/130

Saving Memorial Art from the Rain - Sauver un art de la memoire de la pluie - 15/130

A Month Later - Un mois plus tard - 14/130

December 13, 2015 - Le 13 decembre 2015 - 13/130

Quentin Mourier, 29 ans - Quentin Mourier - 29 years old - 12/130

I Love You - M - Je t'aime, M - 11/130

Game Over: Culture Shock - Fin de partie : le choc culturel - 10/130



The Blood of the Republic was Shed - Le sang de la Republique a ete verse - 9/130

Under Shock - Sous Le Choc - 8/130

Bullet Holes at the Laundromat - Impacts de balles au Lavratonic - 7/130

A La Bonne Biere Reopens: Shades of Emotions - Une Palette d'Emotions - 6/130

Peaceful Day at Republique - Jour Paisible a Republique - 5/130

Eagles of Death Metal - Still up on the Marquee II - Les Eagles of Death Metal sont toujours la-haut sur la marquise II - 4/130

Eagles of Death Metal - Still up on the Marquee - Les Eagles of Death Metal sont toujours la-haut sur la marquise - 3/130

Woman with a Tricolor Turban - La femme au turban tricolore - 2/130

Down Rue de Charonne - En bas de la rue de Charonne - 1/130
X Factor judge Cheryl is apparently divorcing her second husband.

Zayn Malik Speaks Out in Revealing Billboard Cover Story: Im Not Censoring Myself Anymore

In 2015, Zayn Malik abruptly quit One Direction, broke off a fairy-tale pop-star engagement and overdid the hair dye. Now, as he wraps up his long-simmering creative statement, the boy band outlier aims to prove that he has been his own man all along.

Read more: Billboard

She was a beautiful person and will be missed dearly: Heartbroken Zayn Malik posts sweet tribute as grandmother passes away

Zayn Malik has paid tribute to his beloved grandmother after she passed away.

Taking to his social media sites on Wednesday, the former One Direction star tweeted: Thank you for your support and love .. My grandma was a beautiful person and will be missed dearly x.

The news was initially announced earlier on in the day after his younger sister, Waliyha Azad, shared a sweet photograph of their grandmother on her Instagram page.

Read more: Daily Mail

One big happy Family Guy! One Direction to reunite during hiatus after landing cameo role in hit comedy animation

They went on a hiatus at the end of last year.

But One Directions love of Family Guy will see them reform once more during their break as the boys are set to star on an upcoming episode of the much-loved comedy animation.

The boy band  comprised of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson  are set to make an appearance on the popular series that will see character Chris run for homecoming king.

Read more: Daily Mail

The Black Magic touch! Little Mix put on a sultry display on Secret Love Song single cover as they celebrate Get Weird going platinum and outselling One Direction

As another successful band hailed from The X Factor, theyre often compared to One Direction.

But after releasing a string of hits last year, Little Mix have finally overtaken their predecessors, selling more albums than the world famous boyband in 2015.

And the girls  Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson  have even more reasons to celebrate, with their third album, Get Weird, going platinum.

Read more: Daily Mail

We dont get that much male attention: Little Mix insist they never get chatted up as they speak out on their changing fan base

They may be Britains biggest girlband, but they have a Little confession to make.

Little Mix reckon they hardly get any male attention.

Jesy Nelson, 24, has told the Daily Star: We dont get that much male attention. We get a few wolf whistles which is lovely and then backstage were all like: Oh my god, did you hear that wolf whistle? But honestly, thats about it!

Read more: Daily Mail

Alexandra Burke to star in Sister Act UK tour!

Shes fabulous baby! Alexandra Burke will star as Deloris Van Cartier in the national tour of Sister Act.

Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, the new production will open at the Curve Leicester on 30th July 2016.

Musical supervision and arrangements are by Sarah Travis. Further casting and tour dates are to be announced.

Burke said: Im over the moon to be given the opportunity to play the wonderful Deloris in Sister Act. Its such an iconic role and a part Ive always wanted to play. I love touring the UK and Im thrilled to be working with Craig and his amazing creative team. I cant wait to get started!

Read more: West End Frame

Lifes a beach! Shirtless Olly Murs shows off his abs in blue swim shorts as he jumps in the sea with his friends on Barbados break

Hes made a few hearts skip a beat with his boyish good looks and charm.

And Olly Murs no doubt sent more pulses racing as he stripped off to a pair of blue swim shorts in Barbados on Monday, flaunting his blossoming six pack.

The X Factor host, 31, put on a handsome display as he went for a dip in the sea, unable to keep the smile off his face as he joked around with his friends.

Read more: Daily Mail

X Factor winner Louisa Johnson looks smitten as she enjoys a romantic evening out with new boyfriend Daniel Elliott

She is riding high following her success on X Factor.

But the talent shows youngest-ever winner, Louisa Johnson, seemed besotted by her boyfriend when she dined out with him on Friday.

The 17-year-old blonde was spotted with Daniel Elliott at Prezzo restaurant in Lakeside Shopping Centre, where she could barely keep her hands off him.

Read more: Daily Mail

Are they getting married? Loved-up Stevi Ritchie sparks social media frenzy after sharing shot of fiancee Chloe-Jasmine in wedding dress

Many have questioned the credibility of their X Factor-produced romance.

Yet Stevi Ritchie and Chloe-Jasmine defied the odds when they became engaged in July, after meeting on the ITV talent show in 2014, and led fans to believe they had secretly tied the knot.

The 35-year-old singer shared a stunning image with his pretty fiancee, 24, in which they were both sporting wedding wear  leading to a frenzy from fans speculating that the pair had wed.

Read more: Daily Mail

Revealed: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini to divorce French husband as X Factor judge has had enough of his jealousy

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Jean-Bernard didnt like his wife spending time with other men or her beloved pet DOGS

CHERYL Fernandez-Versini is to divorce for the second time, citing her French husband Jean-Bernards unreasonable behaviour.

The Sun on Sunday can reveal the X Factor judge is lodging divorce papers seeking to formally to end their volatile 19-month marriage.

Fight For This Love singer Cheryl, 32, wants a quickie divorce from the playboy restaurateur after becoming fed up with his jealousy.

It is understood the former Girls Aloud star has been unhappy that Jean-Bernard, 35, who Cheryl and close friends call JB, didnt like her spending time with other men.

Read more: The Sun

_ _ _

Irish Charts

Singles

1 Justin Bieber  Love Yourself

.

6 Fleur East  Sax

8 One Direction  History

14 One Direction  Perfect

24 Little Mix  Love Me Like You

31 One Direction  Drag Me Down

52 Little Mix  Black Magic

54 Sigma  Coming Home (feat. Rita Ora)

55 Olly Murs  Kiss Me

99 Kygo  Here For You (feat. Ella Henderson)

100 Fifth Harmony  Worth It (feat. Kid Ink)

Albums

1 Justin Bieber  Purpose

.

4 One Direction  Made in the A.M.

7 Little Mix  Get Weird

34 Fleur East  Love, Sax and Flashbacks

41 Olly Murs  Never Been Better

90 One Direction  Four

_ _ _

The Official Charts

Singles

1 Justin Bieber  Love Yourself

.

7 One Direction  History

11 Fleur East  Sax

18 Sigma  Coming Home (feat. Rita Ora)

23 Little Mix  Love Me Like You

24 One Direction  Perfect

32 Olly Murs  Kiss Me

40 One Direction  Drag Me Down

51 Little Mix  Black Magic

66 Little Mix  Secret Love Song (feat. Jason Derulo)

Albums

1 Adele  25

.

6 Little Mix  Get Weird

7 One Direction  Made in the A.M.

19 Olly Murs  Never Been Better

42 Fleur East  Love, Sax and Flashbacks

49 Ben Haenow  Ben Haenow

90 Carrie Underwood  Storyteller
MACKINAW CITY, MI -- Zach Coonrod has a good spot to watch the first casino in Mackinaw City take shape. It's expected to be completed in May.

He is the manager of Americas Best Value Inn, at 112 Old U.S 31, located across the road from where the casino is being built on sovereign land of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.

"In the evenings here, there are still not a whole lot of things to do except go to bars," said Coonrod. The casino will "give our guests another option in the evenings."

But Coonrod is disappointed that a 64-slot casino won't be outfitted with blackjack, craps and roulette after the Mackinaw City Village Council declined to give permission for Class III gaming in October.

Village approval isn't needed for Class II facilities, which are limited to games like bingo, pull tabs and non-banked card games between players, like poker.

A Class III facility would have generated 2 percent of slot revenues for local governments, while the state would have collected 6 percent in lieu of normal property taxes.

The casino is located one mile south of downtown Mackinaw City, a popular tourist town that is the jumping-off point for a visit to the state's iconic Mackinac island.

Construction began last week on the 5,000-square-foot facility that is going up at the former Thunder Falls Water Park site at 1028 Nicolet St., which is located next to tribal trust lands on the south side of town. The eight-year-old park closed in October 2012.

The new casino is a sort of satellite to the tribe's existing Odawa Casino in Petoskey. It's part of a 5-year economic development plan that also includes a new 130-room hotel at the tribe's Petoskey site. Plans calls for adding an RV park to the Mackinaw City operation in 2017.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the tribe can operate a second casino in Emmet County under a renegotiated gaming compact.

The Mackinaw City casino will be the only Class II casino in the state, although other Michigan casinos operate Class II slots. The Mackinaw City operation will be similar to the Class II DeJope-Ho-Chunk casino in Madison, Wis., Eric McLester, the Odawa casino's general manager, told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press in October.

McLester didn't return a call to MLive and The Press for this story.

Coonrod is optimistic the casino will put more heads in his hotel's beds. Several village leaders aren't convinced the casino will help the local economy or create more jobs for residents, Mackinaw City Manager David White said.

A representative for the Mackinaw City Chamber of Tourism didn't return a call from MLive.

The response to the project has been mixed from the community, White said.

There was not one big reason that drove the council's lack of support for a Class III license.

"It was all across the board," White said. "Each council member had their own reasons."

That October vote is the second rejection in more than a decade by the village council, which denied a tribal application in 2003 to construct a casino north of the new site.

The casino can reapply for Class III gaming at a later date, White said.

RELATED: Casino plans scaled back after Mackinaw City rejection vote

Shandra Martinez covers business for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her or follow her on Twitter @shandramartinez.
Governor Rick Snyder signs Roads Funding Bill

Governor Rick Snyder signed the road funding bill for $1.2 billion in the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association parking lot in Okemos Tuesday, November 10, 2015.

(Danielle Duval)

Lawmakers have a lot of tough issues to deal with this year; a new energy policy, prison sentencing reform and a financial restructuring of Detroit Public Schools among them.

But they also should fix an issue they botched last year, one that will have a major impact on the state budget and Michigan's economy for years to come: road funding.

The solution the Legislature crafted after four years of being told by Gov. Rick Snyder that Michigan needs an additional $1.2 billion for road and bridge repair is inadequate.

It also puts the state's ability to support local communities, health care for low-income residents and other general fund responsibilities at risk.

The plan boosts the state gas tax by 7.3 cents a gallon to 26.3 cents. It also increases vehicle registration fees by 20 percent, a hike of about $20 per vehicle, according to the House Fiscal Agency.

But those provisions don't take effect until Jan. 1, 2017.

The plan also raids the general fund for road money.

It takes $150 million starting in fiscal year 2019, rising to $600 million in fiscal 2021 and subsequent years.

It will be five more years before the state generates the $1.2 billion a year most say is needed to fix the state's dilapidated roads and bridges.

The delay in raising that money likely will put the state further behind in fixing the roads, ultimately costing taxpayers more than today's bill.

But lawmakers have a rare opportunity to fix last year's mistake. Today's low gasoline prices allow a much higher increase in the gasoline tax without putting an undue strain on most consumers' pocketbooks.

Each penny of the state gas tax today raises about $43 million. A 20-cent-a-gallon hike now would raise $860 million more a year for road repair and start almost immediately.

Michigan's average gasoline price last week was $1.96 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com. Raising the state gas tax by 20 cents would boost the price to $2.16.

There are no guarantees, of course, but most analysts predict that gasoline prices this year will remain near current levels. And crude oil prices appear to be in a long-term slump.

A higher gas tax is in keeping with the state's long-held view that users should support the transportation system.

It also would take pressure off the general fund, which is expected to lose $806 million by 2021 from road fund diversions and a cut in the homestead property tax.

The state likely will need that money to support increases in Medicaid costs and the general costs of government, even with expected revenue increases.

Last year's road-funding package was hailed as a hard-fought compromise.

I'm all for compromise, but not a bad one.
Ann Arbor students had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when they traveled to Rome and sang for Pope Francis.

The St. Francis of Assisi School choir traveled to Rome Dec. 26, 2015, to participate in an international choir, Pueri Cantores, after the school choir received its second invitation to sing with the group.

The students sang for many audiences, including the Pope at the New Year's Papal Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.

St. Francis pastor Fr. James Conlon, 56 students and 100 members of their families and school faculty joined the choir and visited Assisi and St. Clare church to see the tomb of St. Clare and the San Damiano cross and the Upper and Lower Basilica of St. Francis to see the tomb of St. Francis and Giotto Paintings.

Two second-grade students received their first Holy Communion at St. Peter's Basilica.

It's the second time the St. Francis of Assisi School has sung with the Pueri Cantores choir. The first was five years ago, and parents and families have worked since to raise money for this trip, said Principal Julie Pritzel.

In the video below, Pope Francis shakes hands with St. Francis school students when he receives in audience the Pueri Cantores.

Lindsay Knake is the K-12 education reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com. Find all Washtenaw County K-12 education stories on MLive.com.
As temperatures drop and it begins to feel more like winter, Ann Arbor's homeless are seeking shelter from the cold.

As of Jan. 4, Ann Arbor's daytime warming center for the homeless is now in operation on weekdays at St. Mary Student Parish, 331 Thompson St.

On a recent morning, nearly two dozen people were taking advantage of the warm space inside the church, staffed by volunteers and a coordinator from the nonprofit group MISSION, which assists Ann Arbor's homeless.

Some people were in a quiet room catching some rest, and others were seated at cafeteria-style tables, enjoying a hot cup of coffee, a bite to eat, and conversation.

"I like the volunteers who come in -- they're really cool," said Bridget, a homeless woman who was conversing with Sheri Wander, a MISSION board member who is serving as coordinator for the warming center for the second year.

"People are really grateful to have a place to be," Wander said. "People need the warming center for all different reasons. Sometimes people need it for exactly what you would expect -- to come in and get warm."

Groundcover News vendors also come in to get cups of coffee and warm up before going back outside to sell their papers on downtown streets.

"Other people need it for different reasons -- for the sense of community it provides," Wander said. "You know, people who are newly housed or maybe precariously housed sometimes feel warehoused as opposed to in a home. And so to come here and connect with the community can help them be successful."

This is the second winter in a row that the city and county kicked in extra funds to expand seasonal shelter services, including overnight shelter programs housed at different churches and the Delonis Center, and a daytime warming center.

Just as it did last year, the daytime warming center is rotating to different churches on weekdays, while staying at the Delonis Center on weekends.

Journey of Faith Church, located near Stadium and Washtenaw, and Trinity Lutheran Church on West Stadium Boulevard took turns hosting in December.

St. Mary will host on weekdays through Jan. 29, after which the warming center moves in February to First Baptist Church on Washington Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and First Congregational Church on William Street on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. After that, it moves again to Lord of Light Lutheran Church on Forest Avenue for weekdays through March.

Learn more about the programs

As of Wednesday, 234 unique individuals have used the winter programs so far this winter, said Ellen Schulmeister, director of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, which runs the Delonis Center.

"Each night we are housing about 65 people in addition to our 78 regular shelter beds," she said. "The day shelter is hosting 25 to 30 people on average each day with the help of local congregations."

The Shelter Association, with the help of local congregations, is planning on opening an offsite overflow location on Jan. 18 to relieve overcrowding in its temporary sleeping quarters, Schulmeister said.

"For most of us, this winter has been mild," she said. "However, for people who do not have a place to call home, it has been very cold.

"We have not had the complication of too much ice and snow, but I presume that we will experience this severe weather before we are done."

Wander said the daytime warming center operated from January through March last year, but this year December was added to the mix. However, they didn't see very high numbers in December due to unseasonably warm weather.

"As soon as we moved downtown, our numbers started climbing," she said of the move to St. Mary this past week. "The numbers are not where they were last year, but lots of people have been housed. Of course, homelessness is a river; it's not a pond. So, it's not like we're ever going to drain that pond."

Wander said there have been 30 to 40 people coming through the doors of the warming center at St. Mary on any given day.

"And then at the churches in December, we averaged about 10 to 20 people a day," she said. "So, definitely the need is still here, as you can see."

Those who came in off the streets and took advantage of the warm space on Thursday morning expressed appreciation.

The center is open 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are asked to sign a rule sheet upon entering, agreeing to a long list of rules, which include no drinking or drugging, no intoxicated behavior, and no physical violence or threats.

On one of the tables in the center is a collection of games people can play to pass the time. Dominoes and Jenga are big hits, along with puzzles.

There also is a table stocked with donated items free for the taking, such fresh socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, and various hygiene products.

Bridget, who was warming up at the center on Thursday, volunteers her time cutting hair for other homeless people at the center. She accepts donations.

She said she's been homeless off and on, but continuously for about the past year now. She and her boyfriend recently received a housing subsidy voucher and they're now looking for a place to rent in the Ann Arbor area.

"I'm from Livingston County," Bridget said, acknowledging she came to Ann Arbor because of the resources for the homeless here.

"There's no help in Livingston County, whatsoever, so we had to come out here. It's amazing how awesome people are in Ann Arbor."

Schulmeister is thankful for the generosity of the community as well, as it takes many partners to make the services happen.

"I am extremely grateful to our wonderful community, local congregations and local city and county government for their generosity and collaboration in helping us to meet this life saving need," Schulmeister said.

Brittany Tobias, stewardship and communications director for St. Mary Student Parish, said the warming center has been popular so far. She said everyone who has come through has been respectful and there haven't been any issues.

"It's gone really well for us," she said.

Wander said church volunteers who helped staff the center last year have been asking for updates on people they got to know last year.

"They'll say, 'I remember this young woman, she was trying to get to Kalamazoo to see her daughter -- did she?' And to me that's a big important thing that isn't a stated goal of the warming center, but is clearly building community and helping us to see each other as humans who are in the same place," she said. "It helps us to connect, and to me that is one of the biggest successes."

Ryan Stanton covers the city beat for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com.
HOLLY, MI -- A dog named Perry that went missing last Sunday has been found safe, and all it took to coax him out was a little food.

Perry was found running up and down the hill under the Thunderbolt chair at the Mt. Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort on Friday, Jan. 8. The dog got loose on Sunday, Jan. 3 while he was being transported to his new home. He was lost in the area of I-75 and Grange Hall Road.

For days volunteers searched areas around where Perry went missing. Luckily the dog was found five days later. A post on the Finding Perry Facebook page details the Mt. Holly ski patrols rescue efforts:

"From his Mount Holly Ski Patrol Rescuers ..... 'Perry was found running up and down the hill under the Thunderbolt chair. When Jeremy saw him and called out to him, he ran back up the hill under the unloading deck of the chair lift. Thunderbolt is the last chairlift closest to Dixie Highway right along the tree line. When I got under the deck with him, his lead was off of him and lying beside him. He was very nervous, but seemed to be in good shape. He certainly was hungry! My daughter skied down to the cafeteria and brought back a ham and cheese sandwich which he loved. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to get him all of the way out. She went back and brought a kogel's hotdog! That was the ticket. Not only did he come all of the way out (by this time, while under the deck, he had allowed me to put his leash back on), he happily walked to the top of the Mach chairlift. From there, we coaxed him onto the rescue toboggan being pulled by the snowmobile and he and I rode down to the patrol room.'"

After his rescue, Perry was taken to the Royal Oak Animal Hospital where he was given a clean bill of health, according to a post on the Finding Perry Facebook page. The dog is currently back in the care of his Compass Dog Rescue foster mom.

Perry was rescued from a San Antonio, Texas shelter on Sept. 29 on his "last day" by the Compass Dog Rescue. The shelter Perry was at has a number of owner surrendered dogs and strays. Perry was a stray at the shelter. He was rescued by Compass just hours before he was scheduled to be euthanized due to overcrowding.

Compass was founded to rescue dogs from kill shelters in the south and bring them safely to forever homes in the north.

The rescue saw Perry and saw he had scratches and scrapes and an obviously missing eye. Perry had also tested positive for heartworm. Rescue officials said they were knew the dog was in danger of not being adopted and possibly euthanized at another shelter, so they took him in.

Perry was fostered by a family in Texas for two and a half months as his heartworm was treated and other medical issues were taken care of. On Dec. 10 Perry was on his way to Michigan to live with another foster family until a forever home could be found for him.

After his five day adventure, Perry will soon be heading to that forever home in Leland.
GRASS LAKE, MI - A faulty furnace has been identified as the cause of a Wednesday fire that destroyed the fellowship hall and Eastman Chapel at Federated Church of Grass Lake.

What specifically went wrong with the basement furnace, from the 1970s, cannot be determined because of fire damage, but a fire inspector confirmed the heating unit was to blame, Grass Lake Fire Chief Greg Jones said Saturday.

Firefighters were called about 9:20 a.m. Jan. 6 to the church at 519 E. Michigan Ave. Within an hour, flames breached the church's attic.

The church's sanctuary, affected by smoke and water, was spared fire damage, but the congregation, in addition to its hall and chapel, lost an expansive bible collection, a nursery, paintings and historic mementos.

Jones said he did not yet have a firm, total cost of the damages.

No one was injured during the fire, fought for hours by crews from about 10 area departments.

The Rev. Scott Runyon and six others had been at the church for a bible study when they noticed black smoke billowing from the registers. Runyon and another parishioner then found flames in the furnace.

Within 10 minutes, the fire "got out of hand," a church member said.

One day later, Runyon urged the congregation to move forward with "patience and determination."

About 40 people from multiple churches and denominations gathered Thursday at the fire site to survey the damage, pray for the church members and lend their support.

The church was constructed and dedicated in 1927 after a fire in 1925 that ruined several buildings and nearby houses. The Eastman Chapel was added in 1953.

Before the flames last week had even been extinguished, other churches offered Runyon space and assistance.
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Police in northwest China have arrested five suspects involved in poaching endangered wild animals, including two snow leopards.

The five people were arrested last Tuesday after a two-month investigation, said the Public Security Bureau of Delhi City, Qinghai Province.

Police seized bodies of two snow leopards and one golden eagle, both on the country's top protection list, as well as six bharals, six goitred gazelles and three argali sheep, which are also protected species, in the houses of the suspects.

The five confessed to their poaching of endangered wild animals, said the bureau. Police are still investigating the case.

Qinghai in the east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, boasts more than 70 protected wild animal species, such as snow leopards and Tibetan antelopes.

Under Chinese law, a person convicted of poaching and killing endangered wild animals can receive a life sentence.

Snow leopards are usually found in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Pamir Plateau at altitudes over 3,500 meters, with a number of less than 5,000 worldwide, including about 2,000 in China.

Snow leopards have been spotted often in recent years in northwest China due to local ecological protection efforts.
WHITE CLOUD, MI -- A ferret is not usually the first pet someone thinks about having in his or her home. For a Baker College of Muskegon student in the veterinary technology program, Elizabeth Balke, it is fair to say she is a ferret fanatic.

Balke recently answered the call to volunteer at the Midwest Ferret Fellowship Faire. This unique event is to ferret lovers what the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is to dog lovers. People from all over the United States brought their ferrets that they have breed to the Faire. "My job there was to determine the correct length, stature, how well their coat looked," Balke said.

Balke, a White Cloud resident, said she researched ferrets extensively before purchasing her two ferrets, Kovic and Renley, but after volunteering she learned a lot more.

"For example," she said, "I learned that many of the ferrets sold in pet stores are from one main ferret farm. These ferrets are spayed or neutered very young, which can cause them to grow poorly. Now I know why my own pet-store ferrets are smaller then normal."

For this reason Balke says it is best to consult a veterinarian and/or locate a certified breeder when seeking to purchase a ferret. You can find certified breeders throughout Michigan or on the Internet.

The Ferret Faire was just one of many volunteer opportunities that Veterinary Technology Program Director Laurie Wright, DVM, offered to students in the associate degree program during the fall quarter.

Wright said that the West Michigan Ferret Connection has been especially helpful every year by welcoming Baker class visits to its shelter and providing students with hands-on experience in working with ferrets.

"The growing appeal of so-called 'pocket pets' and exotic pets means there is an increasing need for trained veterinary care providers as well," Wright said.

Balke believes that most people have little knowledge about ferrets and some are even afraid of them for various reasons. But she is determined to teach others and hopefully help dispel some of those fears.

"I know that ferrets are very friendly because I have them," she said, "but many people believe they are born to bite. The truth is, you are 12 times more likely to be bitten by another human than by a ferret."

Balke said she gladly introduces her ferrets to family and friends, which helps both feel more comfortable around each other and proves that ferrets are not the villains they are sometimes made out to be.

"Ferrets are easily socialized," she said. "I recently had my young cousins over who are 5 and 6, and they easily handled my ferrets who behaved very well," she said. "As with any pet, it's all about training."

Balke is set to graduate in June 2016 and then will have to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam. She said she hopes to work at a veterinary clinic that cares for exotic pets like ferrets as well as the more typical cats and dogs.

For more information about the veterinary technology program at Baker College of Muskegon, contact Kathy Jacobson in the admissions office at kathy.jacobson@baker.edu or 231.777.5200, or visit www.baker.edu.
President John Mahama has predicted a resounding victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the November general elections.

According to him, governments efforts at improving the lives of the citizenry will give it more advantage in the upcoming polls than the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He made the comments while addressing government officials in Ho on Friday at a retreat.

We have done sufficient There are things that we have delivered. I feel very proud, sometimes I dont know we did it. You go to a community and the Chief is praising you to high heaven for some school or some clinic I didnt even know had been put there. But everywhere you go they say we see the development, we have a good road, we have enough water.

In Brong Ahafo alone, there is water for more than 300,000 households in about 27 communities  There is a lot that has been done in every sectorThere is a track record, there is a strong performance when it comes to development and infrastructure that we can defend. We will this election. Im confident that we will win this election, said the President.

The President also charged his appointees to prepare for the heavy schedule ahead in the last year of his first term and also emphasized the need for a carefully considered SWOT analysis to determine the way forward.

What we must do and what I am thinking must come out of here is to have an analysis of what our strengths are and what are weaknesses are and to also look at what our opportunities and what the threats are and once we do that we come up with a road map on how we can all work together to ensure that we win 2016.

President Mahama also made reference to President Kwame Nkrumahs situation when he was accused by elements within the UP tradition of wasting resources.

Nkrumah had done so phenomenally when it comes to infrastructure. He had just finished the Akosombo Dam. It was months after he had switched on Akosombo and the same opposition at the time said he had run Ghana into debt and that he had borrowed so much. Exactly the same accusations we are facing now 

The retreat which is being attended by Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State, Presidential Advisers and Staffers will offer government an opportunity to review strategies for the implementation of key policies earmarked in the 2016 Budget and other initiatives outlined for outdooring in the State of the Nation.
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi authorities on Sunday executed an Ethiopian woman convicted of murdering a Saudi female with an axe, the 50th death sentence carried out in the kingdom this year, the interior ministry said.

Jinat Farid was found guilty of killing Ghalia Eida al-Harithi by striking her repeatedly with an axe as the victim knelt to perform Muslim prayers, the ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA.

After killing Harithi, the Farid stole two gold rings and an unspecified amount of money, the ministry said.

She was executed in the western city of Taif.

The ministry did not specify any connection between the culprit and the victim, but the kingdom hosts large numbers of domestic workers that come from African and South Asian countries.

On January 2, the kingdom executed 47 men convicted of "terrorism", including Al-Qaeda-linked militants and Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, whose death has prompted a diplomatic row with Iran.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia executed 153 people convicted of various crimes, including drug trafficking, up from 87 in 2014, according to AFP tallies.

Amnesty International says the number of executions in Saudi Arabia last year was the highest for two decades.

However, the number is way behind that of Iran and China.

Under the kingdom's strict Islamic legal code, murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy are all punishable by death.

Most executions in the kingdom are carried out by beheading with a sword.
10.01.2016 LISTEN

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Folks, it is true that our 1992 Constitution debars traditional leaders from doing partisan politics; but some have brazenly done so, damn the consequences.

The Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, is known for his utterances that some may construe or misconstrue as a reflection of his political interests. But he hasn't openly declared his support for any of the politicians or political parties. He says whatever he wants to say. When President Mahama made a comment about "galamsey" in the Abuakwa area, he took umbrage and made his views known. Some might think that he was against President Mahama at that point. He has also criticized government in many areas.

Over the past week, he has come out to say what some may view with interest or reservation, depending on how they understand it vis-a-vis their own political interests. He has asked Ghanaians to stop insulting President Mahama, which is clearly a word of wisdom.

Now, he has added more to it, which will certainly not go down well with the anti-Mahama elements, especially his own "subject" (Akufo-Addo) who is constantly leading the NPP's attacks on President Mahama. Hear him, loud and clear:

"The Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin has urged Ghanaians to back President John Mahama's drive to transform the Ghanaian economy. According to Osagyefo, the situation where some Ghanaians discredit government through the casting of aspersions and insinuations is inappropriate.

"We are all Ghanaians and one people, we should be law abiding and ensure that we do away with issues that will divide the country. We must all support President Mahama's quest of transforming Ghana from its state to a better one, he stated.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin was speaking at 5th anniversary of the installation of Effiduasehene, Okoawia Dwumoh Baabu IV in Koforidua in the eastern region. (See http://www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2016/January-8th/okyehene-lets-support-mahama-to-transform-ghana.php#sthash.zKIaodBq.dpuf).

MY COMMENTS

Is the Okyehene not saying what Akufo-Addo hates to hear, more so from his own backyard? It is beyond interesting for the Okyehene to note that President Mahama is making efforts to "transform the Ghanaian economy" while Akufo-Addo is leading the NPP pack to say otherwise. All of those freely insulting President Mahama as incompetent think that he is not transforming the economy or the country, which the Okyehenes stance contradicts. And he is not only talking about President Mahamas efforts at transforming the economy but also at transforming Ghana!! What has the Okyehene seen that those insulting President Mahama haven't?

Supporting President Mahama, as urged by the Okyehene, means turning away from the rogue politics of the NPP and other detractors of President Mahama; not so? Coming from the Okyehene, this urge is strong and sends a clear signal.

Is the Okyehene seeing what Akufo-Addo isn't seeing about the competence of President Mahama, even as he makes strenuous efforts to solve the country's problems? And Akufo-Addo hails from Abuakwa, where the Okyehene reigns supreme. Interesting, folks!!

It is a truism that Ghanaians are "difficult people" as claimed by the late Kutu Acheampong. Voting for a politician to rule the country means supporting him in his endeavours. Even those who might not have voted him into office should know that once favoured by the majority of the voters, such a person becomes the "fait accompli" who must be supported to succeed. Turning against him won't solve any problem; it will rather create needless tension, as is the case now.

Interestingly, those not supporting the President are even not able to tell Ghanaians how they will do things differently if put in office. They are more invested in blowing hot air than in giving the people anything worthwhile. So, what the Okyehene has said is enough food-for-thought.

Ghanaians need to change their mindset and attitude(s) so whoever is put in office can be fully supported to help solve problems. Otherwise, we will be running around in circles, wasting energy and resources only to worsen the country's problems. That is the essence of the Okyehene's admonition. Good job, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin!!

I shall return
10.01.2016 LISTEN

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Folks, when I read news reports that a group calling itself the Great Democrats had demanded that the NPP's Akufo-Addo must state his position on Ghanas decision to host two Guantanamo Bay ex-convicts for two years, I laughed out loud and risked bursting my rib cage.

According to Ibrahim Yahaya, the convenor of the Great Democrats (whether an NDC affiliate or just an amorphous organization fronting for some faceless politicians), As a matter of urgency, Nana Akufo-Addo should let Ghanaians know his position. By so doing, the people of Ghana would have the opportunity to determine what he would do if given the rein of this dear country.

The group said Nana Akufo-Addos view on the matter is important since he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and was once the Chairman of the UN Security Council. (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Gitmo-ex-convicts-saga-Akufo-Addo-must-speak-Group-406423).

The question that immediately arose was: Should Akufo-Addo wait to be prompted before speaking out on matters of importance to Ghana? And in the case of this resettlement of such terrorists (whether cleared by the US or not) in Ghana is a dire one, which no up-and-doing politician will gloss over unless he doesnt have what it takes to be a politician. The point is that merely parading the landscape as a politician wont put such a person in power unless he adds value to himself as the grain to be separated from the chaff.

A politician with value is an astute politician who wakes up to reality and doesnt slumber while important happenings demanding his attention happen. He doesnt have to be woken up by anybody. He wakes up himself because he has what it takes to respond/or react to happenings of importance to his own political career that also affect positively or negatively the interests of the society that he seeks to lead. Being a politician for its own sake is next to madness.

A politician who cannot win voter support to be in power is a waste pipe to be discarded. He is deadwood to be trampled upon and prevented from fouling our air or polluting the minds of peace-loving people, if not ending up instigating them to subvert the very system nurturing them. An astute politician is quick to read between the lines and to act appropriately. Not so for Akufo-Addo, at least, from his own track record.

Akufo-Addo is not an astute politician; neither is Dr. Bawumia. They are more invested in rabble-rousing and cooking up statistics to promote their rogue politics than facing the reality teasing them to act responsibly. They are not politicians, even if they are doing politics!! A politician will be up-and-doing, taking advantage of happenings to offer constructive ideas so they can turn the table against their opponents. Not so for Akufo-Addo and his team. When reality beckons, they run away to look for lies and tall tales to augment their own figment of imagination. Only then do they come out to poison people's minds!!

The concession given by the Ghanaian government is a painful reality that a calculating and mentally acute politician will comment on to political advantage. Not so for Akufo-Addo. He is afraid of this reality instead.

As a matter of fact, Akufo-Addo's deafening silence on this important matter speaks volumes; but the only conclusion to be drawn is that he has nothing to offer. He hasn't been able to say anything because he has nothing to say.

His being a former Foreign Affairs Minister doesn't even assuage any doubt about his hollowness. What exactly did he accomplish in that office to warrant his being looked up to for anything substantial on the matter? He is incapable of offering any useful idea, which has made him choose silence as golden. But that choice carries a huge tag.

Knowing very well that the government goofed by conceding to the US' manipulation to settle the two Yemeni undesirables in Ghana, every reasonable Ghanaian has risen up to comment on the matter. Some notables in the NPP have also done so; but not their flagbearer and his running mate. Why so? Because they have nothing to offer.

It is clear that after the Electoral Commission has deflated them, they are worse than tail-less kites spiralling out of control to nowhere. In this state, what can they say? Better to slip out of the public sphere; not so? Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaa!!!

And these are people creating all kinds of impressions that they can solve Ghana's problems? Another resounding Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaa!!

Some may claim that he is being tactically in not taking on the US because he is wary of his future if he becomes Ghanas President and needs the US support. I say another loud Tweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaa to that claim. Who says that he will come to power? Counting his eggs before they get hatched is a problem for him. In any case, who says that criticizing the US over this GITMO issue is any serious offence to be wary of? Only incompetent people will think that way. And Akufo-Addo is incompetent.

When he was Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, how much respect did the US accord him? Have we not read reports that he was even thoroughly searched at the JFK International Airport in New York on suspicion of carrying "wee" on him into the US? (Could be damaging rumours, though).

The truth is that for someone like him aspiring to be Ghana's President (May God pour ice-cold water on that aspiration!!), he needn't fear anything, especially if we consider how the deal with the US has angered Ghanaians. Outbursts from all sections of the citizenry tell me that Ghanaians aren't happy about how the deal was struck. So, why can't the leader of an opposition party step in?

We assume that the way he portrays himself as a shadow President should give him some bravado to say what he thinks about the deal. If he is already afraid of the repercussions of criticizing the US over this stinking deal, we are doomed should he become Ghana's President!!

I shall return
Wang Yao, the renowned Tibetologist, who played a crucial role in spreading Tibetan language and culture, died in Beijing at the age of 87.

Wang Yao, the renowned Tibetologist, who played a crucial role in spreading Tibetan language and culture, died in Beijing at the age of 87. I was deeply touched by his dedication to the cause and participated in his funeral on December 23, 2015 that was graced by national leaders and scholars. The 11th Panchen Lama even sent a condolence letter underlining their "predestined" relationship.

For Tibetologists, Wang's illustrious life is their focus of research. The respected Tibetology pioneer was often at the crossroads of history, acting as an interpreter for Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai during their meetings with religious leaders from Tibet. He made ground-breaking contributions to the field such as introducing ancient Tibetan language into the study of the region's history and pioneering innovative ways of studying the Tibetan regime in ancient China. Wang's profound understanding of Tibetan language and culture was pivotal to national unity.

Tibet's lasting peace and stability hinges much on competent policymakers who, like Wang Yao, understand the region's language and culture while maintaining strong bonds with the people. Wang constantly went on trips in the region, exploring local customs and practices, visiting ancient temples and rural villages and farms. These experiences gave him first-hand knowledge.

During his trips, Wang contacted local residents and befriended senior religious leaders like the 10th Panchen Lama, forging friendly relations between the Han and Tibetan people.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
Police have arrested the supervisor of the Cantonments branch of Koala Shopping Mall in Accra after his alleged role in a foiled robbery attempt Saturday.

Greater Accra Region Police Public Relations Officer ASP Afia Tenge told Joy News, Gilbert Osabutey allegedly gave information to two armed robbers leading to an attack on a colleague who was on her way to deposit money at the bank.

Two robbers including a Nigerian and an accomplice, Doe Ahiagbeku 28, have been arrested and are assisting the police in their investigations.

The robbers - Abaliku Sannie 35 and Oko Quaicoo 30 - who were on a motor bike shot at the lady in an attempt to take the company's money she was carrying.

Apparently, she had been sent by her office, Koala Shopping Mall, to deposit the undisclosed amount at the bank.

It took a taxi driver to knock the two down after which they were arrested by passers-by.

The police preliminary investigations indicate that the entire robbery was masterminded by the supervisor of the Koala Shopping Mall, ASP Afia Tenge said.

Extracts of a video of the arrest of the two robbers circulating on social media show angry eyewitnesses pouncing on them to ensure they dont run away.

The victim who sustained gunshot wounds in her thigh and calf is receiving medical attention.

The robbers are also responding to treatment.

ASP Afia Tenge indicated that the taxi driver whose effort helped in arresting the robbers would be rewarded by the police administration and including repairing his damaged vechilce.
10.01.2016 LISTEN

Tarkwa (W/R), Jan. 10, GNA - The Tarkwa District Court has granted two self employed miners bail in the sum of GH50,000.00 each, for attempting to rob five Chinese.

The accused persons, Samuel Debrah, 22, and Christopher Kwoffie, 24, pleaded not guilty to robbery and would re-appear before the Court on January 14.

Prosecuting Police Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the Court that the complainants, Lu Jianking, and Qim Zhonguan, were Chinese brothers who worked with Lui Gong Ghana Limited.

They resided in the same vicinity with Kwame Atobrah, now deceased at Asikafoamentem, near Himan in the Prestea Huni/Valley District in the Western Region.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said on December 17, 2014, at about 22 hours, Jianking and Zhonguan, as well as the deceased, were playing cards in their hall when the lights suddenly went off, but they realised that all their neighbours had lights.

He said with this, the two Chinese brothers came out to ascertain the cause of the power outage and realized that the main switch outside had been turned off, and seeing this, Zhonguan turned it on.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said when the lights were restored they saw the accused, Debrah, wearing a black mask and dressed in military uniform, accompanied by six others carrying heavy weapons.

He said the robbers opened fire on the Chinese who rushed in and returned fire, however, Atobrah, who was with the Chinese at the hall was hit by a bullet and died instantly.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said the robbers escaped and the Chinese lodged a report with the police who eventually arrested Debrah on September 26, 2014, at his hide out.

The second accused, Kwoffie was later arrested on October 28, 2014, on the Prestea cemetery road, and a search conducted in his house retrieved one 'BB' cartridge, a cutlass, a hammer, motor chain, two knives, a wire mesh cane, a talisman and three sets of imitated military uniforms.

GNA
10.01.2016 LISTEN

Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - The Osu Citizens Social Club of North America, a civil society organization based in the United States, has donated educational materials to the citizens of Osu.

The items, which were presented by the Club's Chairman, Mr Victor Adjei, comprised computers, reading books and teaching items.

Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, the Paramount Chief and the President of the Osu Traditional Area, who received the materials, said the donation was in response to his visit to members of the Club.

He said during their interaction the members expressed their appreciation to the educational initiative being carried out by him (Chief) and the traditional council, hence their support.

Nii Kinka Dowuona appealed to corporate bodies and philanthropic organizations to also come to the aid of the needy in Osu saying with some help we can raise responsible adults to run the country.

He expressed gratitude to the Club for their gesture, which he said would go a long way to enhance teaching and learning in the community.

GNA
Amasaman (GAR), Jan. 10, GNA - The Ga West Municipal Assembly has entered into partnerships with two companies to help improve the sanitation and waste management in communities in the municipality.

The companies are Water and Sanitation for Urban Poor (WSUP) and Zoomlion who under the collaboration presented four motorbikes to the Assembly to enhance the monitoring activities of environmental health.

Mr Sam Atukwei Quaye said this at the first ordinary meeting of the first session of the fourth assembly of the Ga West.

He said the partnership would help provide 80,000 residents living in compound houses with household toilets.

'The initiative is receiving funding boost from HFC Boafo, but unfortunately this component is not receiving the patronage anticipated by the project and I will appeal to honorable members to spearhead the campaign to get landlords to build toilets in their homes to make our communities defaecation-free areas,' he said.

Mr Quaye said the Assembly has organized a series of 'Bye-law lunches,' a training session with Environmental Health Officers to equip them with the needed skills to interpret and apply the bye-laws in the course of their duties.

Two projects under the Ghana-Netherlands WASH Programme would help address liquid waste collection; management and transportation with the establishment of of a liquid waste treatment plant that would produce compost, biogas, electricity, water for agriculture or fish farming in the municipality, he said.

Mr Quaye said the Assembly will continue to source for funding for the provision of Small Town Water Systems to increase the water coverage in the municipality to an appreciable level.

GNA
Amasaman (GAR), Jan. 10, GNA - The Ga West Municipal Assembly has announced plans for the improvement and maintenance of a number of roads in the Municipality.

They are Pokuase Town Road, Spot-M to Trantra Hill Reservoir road, Kingsby road, Asofan-Amamorley link to Ofankor-Sowutuom road, BIVA road, Sarpeiman-Opah-Amasaman road, Medie Township roads and the road leading to the KNUST Accra Campus, Pokuase.

Mr Sam Atukwei Quaye, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ga West, said this when he addressed the 2016 first ordinary meeting of the Assembly to review its output in 2015.

He said the surfacing of the roads from Borkoborko to Manhean and Obeyeyie to Afuaman were ongoing.

On Information Communication Technology (ICT), Mr Quaye said the Assembly has completed a Community Information Centre and a Post Office at Kwashie-Kumah and Manhean for the provision of basic computer training skills for Junior High School and Senior High School leavers in the communities.

He urged the assembly members to present five youths from their electoral areas who are desirous of partaking in such training.

GNA
10.01.2016 LISTEN

Nkawkaw (E/R), Jan. 10, GNA - A fire outbreak early on Thursday morning destroyed a saw mill machine, a carpentry shop, a number of refrigerators, a television set, bicycles, wax prints in a container and two other shops at Nkawkaw.

It took officials of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) from Aduamoa, Enyinam and New Abirim over two hours to put off the fire as the Nkawkaw fire tenders had developed a mechanical fault.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the officials of the Nkawkaw Fire Service.

Briefing the media, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer (ADO), the Deputy Kwahu West Municipal Fire Officer, Felix Saka said all the fire stations arrived with their fire tenders to the scene but the cluster of shops and kiosks in the area complicated their efforts.

He said though the cause of the fire was under investigation, it might have been caused by human error and advised the public to be careful when dealing with fire due to the severe dry weather.

Owners of the destroyed items, however, blamed the officials of the GNFS for arriving late to put off the fire to savage their items.

GNA
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Protesters [Photo/Xinhua]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Saturday that her party has decided to take tougher action against criminal refugees after a spate of attacks and sexual assaults in Cologne by suspects that include refugees.

"If criminal offenses are committed and people stand outside the law ...then there must be consequences for the asylum applications and applications for residence permits," said Merkel.

The changes are "in the interest of citizens, but also in the interests of the vast majority of the refugees as well", she said.

She also said that serial offenders who repeatedly commit theft or repeatedly offend women need to "feel the hardness of the law".

On New Year's Eve, a group of about 1,000 men have surrounded, harassed and robbed individuals, especially women in the western German city of Cologne.

According to eyewitnesses and victims, the perpetrators were men of Arab and North African appearance.

The assaults in Cologne were "disgusting, criminal deeds that require robust responses," said Merkel.

The number of criminal charges after assaults in Cologne has increased dramatically from around 170 to 379, German police said on Saturday.

So far, German police have identified a total of 31 suspects, most of whom were asylum seekers.
January 10, 2016

So The DEA Sent Sean Penn To Get Al Chapo?

The Rolling Stones story in which actor Sean Penn meets and interviews the Mexican drug lord El Chapo is weird. Some of the details do not make sense. It smells.

El Chapo was recently (re-)captured in an large operation by Mexican marines together with U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agents.

Even more suspect than the Sean Penn piece itself is the fact that the NYT published a large front page piece on the the Rolling Stone story some minutes before the Rolling Stone story itself was published. Who gave it to the NYT and when? The NYT repeats essentials parts of the Penn piece but in a more polished version.

It also adds this to the overall story:

A Mexican government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe confidential matters, said the authorities were aware of the meeting with Mr. Penn.

An AP reporter seems to have talked to the same anonymous Mexican official who suggests:

[A] Mexican official said security forces at one point located the world's most-wanted trafficker thanks to a secret interview with U.S. actor Sean Penn.

Hmm ..

The NYT piece also has says this about the story:

In a disclosure that ran with the story, Rolling Stone said it had changed some names and withheld some locations. An understanding was reached with Mr. Guzman, it said, that the story would be submitted for his approval, but he did not request any changes. The magazine declined to comment further Saturday.

But that is wrong. This is the actual Rolling Stones lawyerish wording:

Disclosure: Some names have had to be changed, locations not named, and an understanding was brokered with the subject that this piece would be submitted for the subjects approval before publication. The subject did not ask for any changes.

How come "the subject" has no name? Is it really El Chapo aka Mr. Guzman or is it some three letter agency?

Marcy Wheeler aka Emptywheel also thinks that the story has a smell and that it seems that Penn was used, likely knowingly, by some agency to get El Chapo.

That is why the story has some of the weird angels Marcy finds. That the NYT hangs this piece of another magazine so high is part of the cover up of the DEA's Penn operation.

Go read Marcy for additional details.

Posted by b on January 10, 2016 at 19:09 UTC | Permalink

Comments
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At least 39 people were killed on Saturday when an airstrike targeted a prison in a rebel-held area in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, a monitor group reported.

The warplane targeted the prison compound and the courthouse of the town of Maret al-Numan with four rockets, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog said that civilians and inmates as well as rebels were among those killed in the airstrike, adding that some of the wounded are in critical condition.

Other activists said the warplane that struck the prison of Maret al-Numan and the courthouse there was Russian, adding that the city is under the control of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

The Local Coordination Committees said the four Russian airstrikes targeted a popular marketplace and the vicinity of the courthouse in Maret al-Numan, killing 51 people. The opposition report cannot be independently verified.

Much of Idlib fell to the Jaish al-Fateh rebel group, which consists of several rebel factions, mainly the Nusra Front.

Russian warplanes have been pounding rebel positions in Syria since last September, which is by Syrian officials as effective.
In a development that seemed highly unlikely as recently as a few months ago, Congress and the Administration have made it legal to export crude oil from the United States. For 40 years, it had been illegal to export crude except in certain very limited cases, primarily to Canada. While refined products (gasoline and other fuels, for the most part) were legal to sell into world markets, U.S. companies could not export crude oil without a special license which was hard (or impossible) to get.

The original law banning oil exports was passed in the 1970s in response to the Arab oil embargo and the resulting massive jump in crude prices. This era also brought double-nickel speed limits, daylight savings time and many other concessions. As the U.S. economy dealt with fallout from the rapid rise in the cost of oil, the export ban was conceived as a way to preserve domestic oil supplies and limit future dependence on imported oil. Of course, the fact that you refine domestic crude and then ship it anywhere made the ban completely ineffective in achieving its stated purpose. Irrespective of its merits, however, for many years the ban was essentially a moot point. Oil production in the U.S. was falling due to aging fields, and cost differentials strongly favored imports. Many regions around the world were able to produce oil far cheaper, and there simply wasnt a market for comparatively expensive domestic oil.

Enter the shale boom. With evolving technologies allowing for more efficient exploration and fracking enabling the withdrawal of oil from shales, U.S. production began to rise, going from 1.8 billion barrels produced in 2008 to almost 3.2 billion barrels in 2014. This increase far outstripped demand growth, putting downward pressure on prices. The West Texas Intermediate crude benchmark dropped from over $103 per barrel in July 2014 to $47 just six months later, and is well under $40 per barrel as I am writing. Production has leveled off, but given the nature of wells and the industry, its not yet dropping precipitously.

Given the surging supply, the price has fallen even more in the U.S. than elsewhere, and there is a resulting incentive to export. Last fall, the House of Representatives passed a resolution which would remove export restrictions. President Obama indicated in a Statement of Administration Policy on October 7, 2015 that he strongly opposed and would likely veto the bill. However, in a rare cooperative effort, congressional leaders added a measure allowing oil exports to the massive $1.1 trillion spending bill (which also allows us to avoid a fiscal cliff for a while, but thats a topic for another day). President Obama signed the spending measure, and the export ban was lifted. A ship full of crude from the Eagle Ford Shale left the Port of Corpus Christi a few days ago.

Industry experts predict that the ability to export will spur billions in investment and production which would otherwise not take place. Developing domestic reserves not only generates significant business activity, but also improves U.S. energy security because a larger proportion of our energy needs can be met without reliance on imports. (Ironically, energy security has been an argument used in favor of keeping the ban, the idea being that the U.S. is more secure with a larger supply of oil in the ground. However, in the event of a major catastrophe, producing wells are required to be able to access the resource, and drilling does not happen overnight. Better to develop the resource than have it and not be able to use it.)

The end of the U.S. export ban is also good news for the energy security of our allies in that American crude can now be available to them. In addition, its difficult to argue for free trade and a level playing field globally with such a ban in place. Over time, if U.S. supplies continue to develop thanks to the ability to export excess production, the power of other producing regions (many of which have interests very different from our own) is diluted.

Much has changed since the 1970s, and it was time to lift the export ban (even if had been effective before). There are some groups which may experience the downside of the change, but these artificial gains have been at the expense of efficiency and optimal resource allocation. Moreover, the positives outweigh these negative effects. As a major oil producing region, Texas stands to benefit from the change. Even so, dont look for a huge bounce in drilling activity for a while. It helps to be able to sell into world markets and some of the spread between oil prices in the U.S. and elsewhere will narrow (it already has, in fact), but until global supply and demand shifts so that worldwide prices begin to rise in earnest, the economic benefits of allowing exports will be muted. In essence, when there is too much everywhere, it doesnt matter where you sell it. In more normal circumstances that will resume once global suppliers retrench and demand accelerates, domestic producers can expect prices $6-$7 per barrel higher than those with the ban in place. With improving technology and lower costs, the increment will have a profound long-term impact on prosperity.

Dr. M. Ray Perryman is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perryman Group (www.perrymangroup.com). He also serves as Institute Distinguished Professor of Economic Theory and Method at the International Institute for Advanced Studies.
DEAR DAVE: My husband and I are currently renting an apartment for $1,200 a month. Together, we bring home about $7,000 a month, and wed really like to buy a house soon. Right now we have about $10,000 in debt on a boat along with ongoing stable bills, food and upkeep for our three horses. What price range of houses should we look at in our situation?  Michelle

DEAR MICHELLE: Homeownership is a great goal, but first you two need to clean up your debt and build an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses. After that, I want you to save up enough for a down payment of at least 10 to 20 percent. When buying a home on a mortgage, I always recommend the monthly payments be no more than 25 percent of your monthly take-home pay on a 15-year, fixed-rate loan.

Now, lets get to the other issues. You have some things in your life that are pulling at you financially. At some point, you may have to take a long look at the situation and ask the hard question, What is more important to me: horses and boats or home ownership? Getting rid of that boat, or finding new homes for one, two or all of your horses, would bring in some cash to put toward your debt and cut down on at least some of the animal maintenance.

Anyway, thats how I would look at it. My wife and I both are big fans of boats and horses. But we like boats more. One reason is because they don't eat as much! I cant get mad at you about either one, but right now youve got three things pulling at you as financial priorities  home ownership, a boat and three horses. Theyre all pulling at you, and theyre pulling at each other and limiting each other.

Of course, you can always buy a lot less in house. But what it really comes down to is whats most important to you. Thats the big question, and its one that only you can answer.

DEAR DAVE: I dont understand why you dont like it when people properly manage their credit cards and pay them off every month. By doing this, you pay no interest and in my case I even got a free trip to Europe from using my credit card. Please explain.  Patrick

DEAR PATRICK: I truly doubt that I can explain it to your satisfaction, but here goes. First, the credit card company did not give you a free trip to Europe. Theyre not going to lose money on transaction after transaction, year after year. The fallacy is that you feel like youve outsmarted a multi-billion dollar company that studies human behavior at incredible levels. You maybe, possibly came out ahead against them during that particular calendar year, but even thats debatable.

Over the course of your life, youll spend more when using credit cards as opposed to cash. Theres plenty of research proving this to be fact. If you use a credit card repeatedly with the idea that youre getting a free trip to Europe because youre building up your miles, you spend more. An example would be McDonalds. When they started taking credit cards years ago, they found that the people using them spent 47 percent more.

In a good way, you are very unusual. Youre not playing over in the stupid zone like most people who use credit cards. But both I and the credit card companies have found that, on average, your behavior would put you in a class of less than one-half of one percent of their customers. Can 0.5 percent of people handling snakes manage not to get bitten? Sure. But that doesnt mean Im going to start recommending snakes!

* Dave Ramsey is America's trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 11 million listeners each week on more than 550 radio stations and digital outlets. Dave's latest project, EveryDollar, provides a free online budget tool. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
Midland County Detention Center on Saturday hosted Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, who toured the jail while on a visit to Midland facilitated by the Midland Texas Democratic Party.

Afterward, Valdez, 68, visited Martinez Bakery on Florida Avenue to speak with those interested about her and her three terms as sheriff. She is running for a fourth term this year, and is unopposed in the primary.

Valdez talked about the need for working together in the political world rather than cutting others down, as a politicians chief duty should be the betterment of the people they represent rather than try to divide with inflammatory rhetoric.

Im a Democrat and Ive been one for a long time, but I believe that we need to reach out to the other side, Valdez said in an interview. I believe we have more things in common than we have differences, and in areas like this, if youre on opposite sides, youre going to see each other at the grocery store, in the school, in the post office. Why do you want to make them an enemy? Lets find things that we can work with together.

Valdez has been in the news in recent months concerning undocumented immigrants. Valdez changed her policy on holding immigrants in the Dallas County jail for federal immigration officials. People who committed minor offenses will not be detained for up to an additional 48 hours for agents of U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Valdez said in an October interview with the Dallas Morning News.

The policy is similar to the Department of Homeland Securitys Priority Enforcement Program that replaced its Secure Communities program. Gov. Greg Abbott has been critical of Valdezs decision.

The sheriff said her usual response is that Abbott initially heard of her policy through second- and third-hand sources, which caused miscommunication. She said her decision to not automatically further detain undocumented immigrants who have not committed violent crimes ties to necessity and research. The jail processes about 300 inmates a day. In comparison, the Midland County jail can hold 500 inmates total, according to county jail officials.

I was in a study, one of several studies, that pointed out very clearly that when a person comes into the criminal justice system, they become better criminals, Valdez said. If you hold them (non-violent offenders) accountable -- no one is saying letting them go -- but you hold them accountable and send them in another direction, they can change that. My statement has always been that jail is for the people we are afraid of, not people we are angry with.

Petra Reyes, who works for Midland College Press and the West Texas Drillers, said that she came to see Valdez in part because Valdez is one of only four female sheriffs statewide and the only Latina.

I really wanted to hear what she had to say, Reyes said. I knew she was not a negative campaigner. She made a lot of points that are very useful in todays world and in an everyday kind of situation, like not using a negative form of lashing back at your opponent. She stuck to her true self and shes won three times now. Thats impressive.

On Saturday, Valdez also visited with a longtime colleague, Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter.

I think shes done an outstanding job, said Painter, who met her shortly before she took office for the first time and has worked with her as members of the Sheriffs Association of Texas. Shes been excellent. Every time I email her or call her, shes done everything she could to assist.

Follow Cassie on Twitter at @Cassie_Burton51
Anita Solanki, 26, grew up watching rocket ships soar across the sky. She could see the shuttle launches taking place at Kennedy Space Center nearly 125 miles away from the backyard of her familys home in Tampa, Florida.

She remembers the yellow-orange burn of the engine and the thin trail of smoke it left behind as the rocket ascended, climbing higher and higher into space. On clear days, the smoke trail sometimes lasted as much as 10 minutes after the shuttle disappeared into deep blue.

You see that shuttle launch and everything just gets super happy, super excited, Solanki said. I could not stop jumping up and down because it was right from my backyard and I could just watch it.

From that point, Solanki fell in love with space travel and she dreamed of becoming an astronaut. She loved math and science as a kid, and with her father being an engineer, she naturally gravitated toward the field herself.

Now, Solanki is the lead hydrogen test engineer for XCOR Aerospace, which develops rocket-propelled spacecraft and aircraft, rocket propulsion systems and propulsion components. She relocated to Midland six months ago from Mojave, California, where half of the company remains.

Getting to this point wasnt easy. It took Solanki plenty of hard work, perseverance and patience.

Though Solanki was always good at math and science when she was young, she often questioned herself, unsure of whether or not she could achieve her dream of becoming an engineer. Both of her parents supported her goals, but Solanki remembers the strong support of her mother most.

My mom really made sure that I followed my dreams, Solanki said. She just always gave me the confidence to go for it. When I was a kid, I would always ask her, are you sure, Mom, can I do it? And shed say yeah, you can do it, you got this. My dad as well but I remember my mom the most. And they both financially supported me throughout college, so I owe a lot to them.

Parents, man, Solanki said with a nod and a smile. They do a lot.

Solanki ended up getting an undergraduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

She interned for various companies, including United Airlines, before coming to XCOR, but the work was not hands-on enough for her. She found herself mostly working on a computer, but she knew that what she really wanted was to build things with her own hands.

The perks were amazing (at United Airlines), you got to fly for free! Solanki said, laughing. And I learned a lot from that in regards to organization and maintenance work, but I knew it wasnt what I wanted to do. I liked that I got to do a lot of computer work and get that background, but I knew that I needed to get more technical. I didnt want to do maintenance because thats not really the fun design, the creative stuff you get to bring to the table. So it was a great experience, but I knew I still had to keep going.

What immediately drew Solanki to XCOR was a single line at the very bottom of their engineer job description. It read: Must be able to carry 50 pounds and climb a ladder.

Thats when I knew, I was like yes, I want that, Solanki said. Because if its an engineering post and they have something like that then you know youre gonna get hands-on experience. I hadnt seen any other company like that.

Solanki got a call from XCORs Human Resources with a job offer. She accepted and packed her bags for Mojave, where she would start as a propulsion engineer.

If I went to Boeing or Lockheed Martin, I dont think I would have had this opportunity to experience all these different areas of engineering, Solanki said. (At XCOR) Ive gotten to do a little bit of electrical engineering, test engineering, mechanical engineering, design engineering, Ive learned thermodynamics in depth -- all these awesome things. If I were at a bigger company I think I would be focused on one thing as opposed to getting this awesome variety I have now. So Im really thankful I got to work my way up here.

XCOR has a staff of 63 employees, mostly engineers. Solanki is one of only three female engineers there. The fact that the engineering field is still overwhelmingly male-dominated has never bothered Solanki. If anything, her biggest obstacle has been herself. Her recent promotion to lead hydrogen test engineer has been the most recent event to bring up old doubts shed had as a kid.

I manage a test stand (a trailer on which engine tests are conducted) and thats been kind of overwhelming at times, but every day Im growing a little bit more confident that I can do it and that I deserve it, Solanki said. So thats kind of a growing experience Ive been having the last six months.

Another challenge? Adjusting to Midland.

I just recently found out theres a tea shop here and theyre opening up Potbelly (Sandwich Shop) -- I love Potbelly! Solanki said. I feel like Midland is growing and itll be pretty awesome soon but right nowit takes me a while to adjust. It took me a while to adjust to Mojave so I just need to give Midland more time. But this is the prime time in my life that I can afford to take this sort of adventure -- risk.

For Solanki, the most difficult challenge has rarely been rocket science itself.

I used to think that this was something I could never do, Solanki said. You know how growing up people go, oh its not rocket science, why dont you get it? And this is rocket science. But once you sit down and just really read it, take it one step at a time, its not as complicated as people think. If you go in with an open mind, I feel like almost anyone with the desire to learn this stuff can pick it up.

Maybe not anyone, but what Solankis learned from her work doesnt pertain only to science, but rather holds wisdom for any path in life.

The equations get overwhelming, but when you first look at anything, like an abstract painting or something, its gonna be overwhelming, Solanki said. Then once you start looking at it a little more closely youll start seeing what that art piece is telling you. Its kinda like that. You see this page full of formulas, but take a deep breath, its fine, and just take it one step at a time.
Some millennials  or those 18 to 34  have shied away from becoming homebuyers. Pew Research reported in July that 26 percent of young adults lived in their parents homes. Other millenials have embraced home ownership. That generation represented the largest share of recent buyers  32 percent  in the National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends study last March.

Some young Midlanders can be counted among those who purchased a home well before their 30th birthdays.

The married professionals

Among these local homebuyers are Roger and Karissa Kienast, current and past president of Young Professionals of Midland, respectively.

Roger, 30, and Karissa, 29, were married in 2009 and lived in Rockford, Illinois. Most of their friends were unmarried and lived in apartments and often had roommates. In 2012 Roger received a job offer that they couldnt pass up.

Roger moved to Midland first, and Karissa followed once their house sold. They began to navigate Midlands up and down housing market. Initially they lived in a company apartment and put their names on three apartment complex waiting lists.

Not long after moving into one of the three complexes, they decided to spend the monthly rent on a mortgage payment instead, Roger said.

We really took our time, Karissa said. We really wanted to wait to figure out where our jobs were going to be. We didnt want to just buy a house and not know anything about the neighborhood. We thought an apartment would be a good place to start, moving to a new city and learning where everything was.

During their six-month lease, the couple began house hunting. A home they had kept an eye on came on the market, and the Kienasts moved into their first Midland home in January 2013. They said it has increased in value.

Both credit their success to their housing experience in Rockford and one key skill of Rogers: budgeting. They bought within what they were comfortable spending  not what a bank approved  forecast what costs they would need to pay six to 12 months in advance and paid triple or quadruple the amount due each month on Rogers student loans.

We had our budget figured out from day one of graduating, Roger said. There were a number of trips and things you just cant do because you dont have the money for it, but we worked really hard. Because we were so comfortable within our spending habits, it didnt really play a role.

While they still have a mortgage to pay off, Roger and Karissa can boast that they reached his goal of paying off his student loans by the time they turned 30 and are far from house poor.

The last year has just kind of blown our minds that we did it, Karissa said. We finally get to do those trips weve always talked about doing, and putting a lot of money into our retirement accounts. Im from middle class, and he had a single mom, so that gives us a sense of pride to be able to do this on our own and achieve this level of security. Our parents instilled in us to invest and be smart with your money, and its definitely paid off in the long run.

The Uber equivalent for real estate

Just like with the Kienasts, Edward McPherson, 29, also took his time before purchasing a three-bedroom, two-bath townhome in 2012. He wanted the extra rooms not for family purposes but to lease them.

He began working at a young age and purchased his first home at 21. He still owns a property in Salt Lake City, Utah, that he rents out.

Ive always been a big believer in real estate, McPherson said. Ive always thought that real estate seems like a better long-term investment than the stock market and I continue to believe that today.

McPherson came to Midland in late 2011 when the housing market was hot, and for five months lived in a nontraditional housing situation that his then-nonprofit job arranged. After that he signed a one-year apartment lease with a roommate.

He moved with the full expectation that at the end of the year-lease of making a purchase, and saved money for a down payment. In May of the following year, he closed on his townhome.

Every property Ive purchased Ive done with potential rental income, McPherson said. Recognizing that real estate is a big investment and a long-term investment, Ive tried to do it in a way that has some pretty viable options in the case of my work situation changing and usually, that means extra bedrooms.

McPherson originally leased a fully furnished room for $1,000 a month, all bills included, but has followed recent market rates and now rents at $200 a week, or $800 a month.

He said he relies on the Internet to find roommates or tenants. He uses sites such as Facebook, Craigslist, mysavemove.com and airbnb, which he described as Uber equivalent in the real estate market.

The benefits of using these sites, according to McPherson, are that Trans Union owns mysafemove and so he never has to learn an applicants Social Security number; background checks are frequently utilized by the sites before McPherson ever sees a name; and all formal housing sites have a pre-negotiated service fee between it, McPherson and a renter.

McPherson acknowledges the stressors of Midlands variable housing market, but the added income and the friendships that frequently come with tenants make it worthwhile.

I made the decision to create a little more work for myself in my life but to try to take advantages of the opportunities that come with an economy thats booming, and its been OK for me, McPherson said.

Returning to the nest to find ones own

Selina (Richardson) Reeve, 34, left her parents house for more than 11 years, after graduating from Midland College and moving to Dallas. When she married, her husbands job brought her back to Midland in 2013 to take advantage of the oil boom.

One look at the rates for a one-bedroom apartment, which could hit $1,200, and Selina and Randy decided that returning to the nest would be the best option short-term. They moved in with Selinas parents, paying rent but at a more feasible rate than the market demanded.

It just made more sense to stay with them as long as we could and save up as much money as we could, and wait to see what happened with the housing market, Selina said.

The original plan was to live with her parents for six months to a year. Now almost two years later, the Reeves are in negotiations to close on their own home in early February.

While housing prices paid a role, Selina said the main challenge was determining what she and her husband wanted in a house. They looked for a while but stopped a year ago, and then began looking again this past fall once they had a more concrete idea of what they were looking for, she said.

In line with trying to live such as we were never worried about the bills, they decided to base their mortgage payment on only Selinas paycheck  she is on salary  rather than include Randys hourly  and so more variable  pay.

We know (Randys) never not going to work. Even if he were to get laid off, he would immediately find another job, whether it was in the same field or not, Selina said. But we did make the decision to be able to cover the bills if all we have is my salary. That was a big deal for us and I think it was the right decision for us.

Selina said she was happy they did not make a shotgun decision on buying a house and credited people who gave advice in the couples best interest as guiding forces. For them, it was her parents and their real estate agent.

Hes been very honest with us, very open, and we feel so comfortable with his advice, Selina said. When he looks at a home, he looks to see where did they spend the money in this house, and was it money well spent? (The owners of the Reeves future home) added to it and invested in it, and it showed. They spent their money really well.

Given Selinas large family, they decided to purchase a house that was larger than the normal starter home without becoming house poor. They learned what they had to compromise on: for the Reeves, it was finding a home with an upgraded kitchen.

We did have to have a serious conversation about how much money we wanted to spend, Selina said. Its very helpful that I married someone who has similar financial goals. I think theres absolutely the potential that Midland is financially friendly ... but you have to do your research.

Follow Cassie on Twitter at @Cassie_Burton51
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German police have broken up demonstrations of the anti-immigrant Pegida supporters and right-wing extremists after they clashed with police on Saturday in the western German city of Cologne.

Right-wing extremists and Pegida supporters attacked police with bottles and firecrackers during a demonstration in Cologne, German media Focus Online reported.

The police then reacted with water cannons and broke up the demonstration of about 1,700 people.

According to the police, three officers were injured in the clashes. About half of the approximately 1,700 demonstrators are hooligans.

The demonstrations were reportedly sparked by the sexual assaults on New Year's Eve in Cologne.

A group of about 1,000 men surrounded, harassed and robbed, especially women in the city.

According to eyewitnesses and victims, the perpetrators were men of Arab and North African appearance.

The number of criminal charges after the assaults has increased dramatically from around 170 to 379, German police said on Saturday.

So far, German police have identified a total of 31 suspects, most of whom were asylum seekers.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced her party has decided to take tougher action against criminal refugees.
Jaden Smith and sister Willow have marched to the beat of their own drums almost from birth it seems, confident in the independence instilled in them by their parents, famed Hollywood power couple, Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Jaden took his freethinking and independent spirit to new heights recently when he became the face of Louis Vuitton's women's campaign. Yes, we said women's. Now, the actor/musician/free spirit continues to push the envelopes of gender and style by starring in a film for the collection.

The one-minute campaign film called The Heroine was directed by Bruce Weber and features Smith, along with his fellow models, Rianne Van Rompaey, Jean Campbell and Sarah Brannon, taking over the streets of Tampa, Florida, while eerie music plays in the background.

"In Tampa, a timeless town on the west coast of Florida, a group of girls takes to the street with the haughty insouciance of an idealistic age when the world holds nothing but the promise of conquest," reads the film's caption. "Among them are Jaden Smith, the young hero of a new generation that worships stylistic freedom."

Plenty of accessoriesfrom stud-covered handbags to multicolored satchelscan be spotted in the video for our viewing pleasures, but the real focus is on the stunning models who have this designer's latest fashions on display. Smith displays yet again why his style is iconic (GQ Magazine named him one of their most stylish men in 2015) as he shows off a free-flowing combination of soft black leather, cream-colored mesh, the skirt discussed around the world and caramel-colored dreads.

"Why does Jaden Smith star in this campaign? He represents a generation that has assimilated the codes of true freedom, one that is free of manifestos and questions about gender," said Nicolas Ghesquiere, Louis Vuitton's current artistic director of Women's Collections. "Wearing a skirt comes as naturally to him as it would to a woman who, long ago, granted herself permission to wear a man's trench or a tuxedo. Jaden Smith conveys something very interesting about the integration of a global wardrobe. He's found an instinctive balance that makes his extraordinary attitude a new norm. That really inspired me in the creative process for this collection."

Watch the short film below.

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Erykah "She Ill" Badu, also known as DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown, has shared a new minimix titled "+++Beats Bees Like for B-Boys and B-Girls+++." The "feel good high freaq mix" features cuts from Sun Ra, The Bee Gees, Deerhoof and Toro Y Moi, among others.

The 30-minute session premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show just before Badu dropped her telephone-themed But You Caint Use My Phone mixtape back in November, Thump reports. Months later, the R&B star has finally uploaded it to MixCloud.

Badu dedicates the mix to the bees. As FACT Magazine points out, the artist introduces the mix by stating: "Save the bees, else we aint gone have no where to fight and discriminate... cause they aint have'n that sh*t on MARS."

However, despite the depressing reminder that planet Earth's future depends upon protecting those buzzing little creatures, the mixtape is actually quite uplifting and demonstrates DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown's eclectic tastes--it truly is the bee's knees.

The tracklist ranges from the soulful to the experimental and manages to simultaneously pay homage to the old school with numerous throwbacks while embracing a cosmic, futuristic sound.

In the mix, DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown artfully weaves together The Bee Gees' soft disco, Sun Ra's cosmic jazz, Deerhoof's art rock and Toro Y Moi's synth-driven indie sensibility. She seasons the mixtape with some more futuristic soul cuts, including tracks by Hiatus Kaiyote and Thundercat. Then she ties it all together with some classic soul hits by the likes of DeBarge, Loose Ends and Das EFX.

Listen to the R&B star flex her DJ prowess on "+++Beats Bees Like for B-Boys and B-Girls+++," below.
Monique Samuels and Chris Samuels talk about the word on the street. After the couple - who appeared on The Real Housewives of Potomac for four seasons - reportedly split after 10 years of marriage, the couple denied there was any truth to
YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani side again escalates the situation in the conflict zone of Nagorno Karabakh. An Armenian soldier died from an Azerbaijani sniper shot in the direction of Artsakh. The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Armenia announces that the Azerbaijani authorities bear the entire responsibility for the escalation of the situation. Armenpress reports that the Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan made an announcement on this occasion, The adversary again escalates the situation which had some signs of stability. We have a victim in NKR. We express condolence and sympathy to the family and relatives of Aramayis Voskanyan. The Armenian Armed Forces will not leave anything without response and again the entire responsibility of escalating to the level of armed confrontation and further measures will fall on the Azerbaijani side.

Defense Army soldier Aramayis Voskanyan, 1996, got a fatal injury on January 9 at 21:30 from a rival shooting in the military position of a unit located in the eastern direction of Artsakh Republic Defense Army.
Our money has been depleted by ...
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell visited a Tampa church Sunday to share the word about healthcare.



Secretary Burwell attended service at the New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, along with Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. After the service, the Secretary chatted with church members about the Affordable Care Act and signing up for health insurance through HealthCare.gov.



Secretary Burwells visit comes at a crucial time. Congress passed a bill in December to repeal the act, but President Obama vetoed it. Secretary Burwell said she isnt worried about a potential veto override from Congress.



This is something that is built into the fabric of the nation at this point, she said.



Secretary Burwell said 11.3 million people have already gotten insured through HealthCare.gov and that number speaks volumes.



The American people care about their health and care about their financial security, she said.



Dr. Cosette Whitmore is a healthcare advocate for the Baptist Convention of America. She spoke with Secretary Burwell Sunday about how to help her parishioners get covered and to get some questions answered.



We know theres a certain group that if theyre not working, how do they get access to the Affordable Care Act? And I think thats a gray area still or theyre not getting helped, Dr. Whitmore said.



Open enrollment ends January 31 for coverage to start March 1. The next open enrollment period wont be until November.
Lighting up outside your favorite restaurant in Winter Park may not be possible anymore as more restaurants are becoming entirely smoke free.



Thirty-two restaurants in the city have joined a movement called Breathe Free Winter Park.



Eight of those businesses are on Park Avenue.



"Its definitely been a good business booster," said Beverly Thomas, with Winter Park Outback Steakhouse. "We have signs out everywhere and theres been more positive than negative. It was worth the change."



Eateries like Outback Steakhouse, Bosphorous, The Ravenous Pig, and Umi are not allowing people to smoke in their outdoor seating areas.



"We had customers that were smoking out here and anytime we had servers bring food out we would have smoke coming inside," said Richard Luciano with Umi Guest Relations.



The Executive Director for Healthy Central Florida, Jill Hamilton Buss, said the group will help restaurants make the transition. A toolkit, signage and even staff training is provided.



"When one goes smoke free it encourages the other one to go smoke free," she said.



However, going entirely smoke free isnt going to please everyone.



"Now I cant even smoke while Im eating a casual meal," said Emily Sujka of Winter Park. "When Im already outside so I could see people resenting it a bit."


GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
An 18-year-old man being sought by Volusia County deputies on rape charges has turned himself in.



Terell Williamson turned himself in shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday at the Volusia County Branch Jail.



His alleged accomplice is already in jail.



According to an arrest report, the victim says, she was raped at least three times. Daria Hill is being held $150,000 bond.



The arrest report details what a DeLand woman says she went through the nights and days she encountered Hill and Williamson.



According to deputies, the victim says, she saw the couple have sex on Dec. 31 and then Williamson told her to take off her clothes. When she said no, Williamson allegedly held her at gunpoint.



"She laid there crying and begging him to stop," according to the arrest report.



The reports also states that the victim says Williamson woke her up that night and again the following day, committed sexual acts against her - this time putting a pillow over her face.



The victim says 18-year-old Daria Hill was in the room each time she was raped.



On Jan. 5, Hill inappropriately touched her, according to what the victim told deputies.



She told investigators that Hill held her down while Williamson sexually assaulted her.



The victim says, Williamson threatened to kill her family if she told anyone what happened. According to investigators, Hill told them the encounters were consensual.



News 13 went by the last known address for Williamson, but the people at the home said he doesn't live there. Right now police are actively searching for him.



Williamson and Hill are now facing felony charges including sexual battery and false imprisonment. Williamson is also facing a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.



Hill's next court date is unknown at this time.
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NOTE: This is the eighth article in a series about Clent Breedloves Plainview Pre-Glider School, which operated from an airport at Finney during 1942-43, and trained U.S. Army glider pilots during World War II.

In a recent interview at the National WWII Glider Pilots Association annual reunion in San Antonio, Claude A. Berry told many stories about his days as a glider pilot during World War II.

Berry went through dead stick school at Plain views Finney Field for one month in September 1942. He completed his training at Finney Field in early October.

From there, Berry and the other students went to Ft. Sumner, N.M., for basic glider training. Berry drove from Plainview to Ft. Sumner.

Berry trained at Ft. Sumner for a few months, then went on to Roswell Army Air Field, arriving in April 1943 and staying about three months.

They flew light aircraft there. He then went on to Santa Anna, Calif., for more training.

Berry then had commando training at Fort Knox in Louisville, Ky., and spent Christmas 1943 there.

In January 1944, Berry and his group went to Wichita Falls for ground school mechanics training and more flight training in Taylorcraft L-2s.

He was at Wichita Falls for about two months.

Berry earned his G-wings as a member of Class 44-7 on June 16, 1944, in Lubbock at South Plains Army Air Field (SPAAF), which is now home to Silent Wings Museum (www.silentwings museum.com). After graduation, Berry and his fellow glider pilots were given some vacation time.

Upon their return, they were sent to Laurinburg-Maxton, N.C., for more winged commando training and then on to Camp Kilmer, N.J.

From there, Berry and his fellow glider pilots went to Nottingham, England, and prepared for actual glider missions in Europe.

Berry was in the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group.

His first glider mission was Operation Repulse on Dec. 27, 1944. In this mission, Berry delivered 155mm shells, fuses and powder charges to an artillery unit just outside Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge.

There were 51 WACO CG-4A gliders in this mission.

Berry was the lone trooper aboard his glider, and was towed by a C-47 Skytrain. Berry recalled a lot of anti-aircraft flak. He carried a Thompson submachine gun and .45-caliber side arm.

As soon as he landed in a field outside Bastogne, the black soldiers of the artillery unit rushed over to his glider to take out the shells and other supplies.

Berrys second glider mission was in Operation Varsity on March 24, 1945. For this mission, Berry delivered a jeep with ammunition and two soldiers to a landing zone near Wesel, Germany.

Immediately after landing, Berrys glider was hit by enemy shell fire and destroyed before the supplies could be unloaded. Berry and his passengers escaped injury, however, since they had already taken cover nearby after landing.

About 50 gliders participated in this mission and they delivered part of the 17th Airborne Division into combat.

Berry now resides in Tahlequah, Okla.

For more information about the glider pilots please visit the National WWII Glider Pilots Association website at www.ww2gp.com and the Winged Commandos website at www.winged commandos.com.

If you have information about the Plainview Pre-Glider School at Finney Field, contact John McCullough at 806-793-4448 or email johnmc@breedlove-cptp.org and visit his website at www.breedlove-cptp.org.
To The Editor,

I am writing to you to draw to the attention of your readers, the compassion and generosity of some local citizens in Hale Center. My extended family has owned the SR Ranch in Crosby County since 1882, so the grit and grace of West Texans in general is quite familiar to me, however, an accident this past weekend brought this image into sharper focus than I could have previously imagined.

My two college-aged kids and two of their friends were driving home to Elgin after making a weeklong trip to Colorado. Late on Saturday night, Jan. 2, they hit a patch of ice and lost control of their vehicle; thankfully, no one was hurt. However, their truck was subsequently towed from the scene, and since they were refused passage to town in the tow truck, the four of them were left there standing in the 20-something degree weather, not knowing what they were going to do. My husband and I, being a 7-hour drive away, were at a loss as to what to do about a situation that was further complicated because it was so late at night, and finding establishments of any kind open at that hour would be challenging at best.

Enter Happy and Judy Brake. Witnesses to the incident, they approached the kids, helped calm them down after what was, particularly for people of that age, a harrowing experience. They offered to drive the kids to their home, let them warm up and decide what they wanted to do next. Then it became much more than that. The Brakes fed them sandwiches and hot chocolate, and graciously allowed the kids to spend the night at their house. The next day, they petitioned their home fellowship, First Baptist of Hale Center, to pay the expensive towing charges that the kids couldn't really afford. And the church generously obliged, paying the whopping $600 bill. Happy then equipped their truck with a new tail light, got the truck ready for the long haul back to Central Texas, gave them a good fatherly lecture about being careful (Thank you, Happy!), and sent them home. And meanwhile, Judy kept them all fed, which, especially considering my son's ravenous appetite, is pert near miraculous.

I need not say here that housing four people of any stripe and in any circumstance takes effort and, for the most part, sacrifice. But to take in four strangers in the middle of the night, advocate for them, and make sure they are well cared for, mirrors the parable of the Good Samaritan in a strikingly literal way. Thanks to the Christian example of the Brake family and First Baptist Church of Hale Center, I walk away from this incident encouraged and thankful, and my kids walk away safe and deeply changed, compelled to pay it forward.

Caroline Owens

Elgin, Texas
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will be sitting with first lady Michelle Obama during the presidents final State of the Union address.



The White House said Malloy and the other guests personify President Barack Obamas time in office and represent who we are as Americans: inclusive and compassionate, innovative and courageous.



Malloy, the new Democratic Governors Association chairman, has advocated for many of the issues Obama has pushed. The list includes a higher minimum wage, expanded gun control laws, initiatives to help nonviolent offenders reintegrate into society and mandatory paid sick for certain workers.



Malloy said hes honored to attend Tuesdays address, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime invitation.



Despite the White House honors, an October Quinnipiac University Poll showed 32 percent of Connecticut voters approve of the job Malloy is doing.






"The People's Pope" proved again why he is the most personable pontiff to don white robes and lead the faithful as a new video going viral shows Pope Francis in a quirky conversation with a Mexican man in St. Peter's Square.

Posted on Jan. 3 and reported by www.religionnews.com, the video is blowing up online. It shows Pope Francis greeting a few of the 1.2 billion Catholics who came out to see him, when one man enthusiastically shouts.
Posted on 01/10/2016, 1:00 pm, by mySteinbach

The Manitoba government is increasing funding to colleges and universities by four per cent to $710.8 million, continuing to set the standard for investments in post-secondary education and investing in the future of the province.

We know that our colleges and universities provide opportunities for youth and help drive our economy, said Premier Greg Selinger. Today, were showing our commitment to support students and post-secondary education in our province because we know that more people with access to a better education will translate into a well-trained workforce thats ready for the jobs of tomorrow.

The premier added the funding announced today builds on the commitment to increase funding for universities by 2.5 per cent and a two per cent increase for colleges, while also providing additional funding for innovative programs, Indigenous education and new supports for students. The province has more than doubled funding to universities and colleges since 1999, increasing supports by $384.7 million, or 126.5 per cent. The province has added $27.9 million to post-secondary funding, which now totals an annual investment of $710.8 million.

Todays investment is great news for post-secondary institutions in Manitoba and particularly the University of Manitoba, said David Barnard, president and vice-chancellor. I am delighted Premier Selinger continues to share our vision for and commitment to Indigenous education and support for the next generation of Indigenous leaders in our province.

This is a meaningful investment in the future of Manitoba because its a promise to go beyond our present trajectory, ensuring that our next generation is equipped to realize their potential, said Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor, University of Winnipeg. We believe in the power of education to transform and are committed to growing leaders who will continue to impact our society in many important ways.

The premier noted that additional funding will be allocated for targeted supports across the post-secondary system to support training for students in in-demand fields as well as allow for a more accessible and seamless post-secondary system including:

$844,000 to support a new joint bachelor of midwifery program at University College of the North and the University of Manitoba;

$208,000 to support an internationally educated engineers qualification;

$450,000 for Assiniboine Community Colleges internationally educated licensed professional nurse program;

$83,000 to expand seats in Red River Colleges primary care paramedic program;

$440,000 to support the Manitoba Transfer Credit Portal, allowing students to seamlessly transfer credits between accredited institutions; and

$276,000 to increase access supports for Indigenous, newcomer and marginalized students, bringing total support to $11.3 million.

Having predictable funding is critical to the ability of colleges to offer stable programs linked to Manitobas labour market and economic priorities, said Mark Frison, president, Assiniboine Community College. We are pleased the Province of Manitoba was able to respond to the sectors request to advance the timetable for funding decisions similar to our kindergarten to Grade 12 colleagues.

The premier also announced new funding to support Indigenous culture and programming at universities and colleges, as part of the provinces response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission including:

$1 million in capital support for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba,

$350,000 to provide each college and university with funding to support Indigenous culture on campus,

$610,000 for the new masters of social work in Indigenous knowledge at the University of Manitoba, and $150,000 to support a Metis studies program at Brandon University.

It was made clear by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations that action must be taken to address the legacy of colonization for Indigenous peoples, said Michael Barkman, chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students  Manitoba. Todays announcement helps ensure Indigenous education is made a priority for the betterment of all Manitobans.

The announcement also included new investments for teaching excellence and funding supports for students including:

$3 million to support graduate students at the University of Manitoba,

$80,000 to found the Premiers Award and Chair in Post-Secondary Teaching Excellence and Innovation, and

$10,000 to support the Len Evans Memorial Scholarships at Brandon University.

The province will also give universities enhanced flexibility to match funding support for more students through both the $2.25-million Manitoba Graduate Scholarship and the $4.5-million Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative, as well as provide supports to the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships program, the premier added.

We know that hardworking, middle-class families value education and want to be sure that when their children go to university and college they are getting an affordable, high-quality education, said Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum. We are not following the path of other provinces that are cutting funding to universities and colleges, and taking opportunities away from youth.
Lambert here: I like the (re)framing that TPP, rather then being a trade deal is designed to optimize global supply chains (though who those chains enchain is another matter). However, Im wondering if the claim in the summary that the success or failure of the 12-country pact rests ultimately on the dispute settlement procedures is over-sold, or not, and I thought the ISDS discussion lacked depth. Then again, given that the author is Japanese, there may be something unstated, though obvious, that Im missing. Readers?

By Tsuyoshi Kawase, Professor, Faculty of Law, Sophia University, Tokyo; RIETI Faculty Fellow. Originally published at VoxEU.

An agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership has finally been reached, but the full text of the agreement has not been released yet. This column looks at the new set of rules comprising the TPP and whether it deserves to be called a 21st century free trade agreement. It argues that the success or failure of the 12-country pact rests ultimately on the dispute settlement procedures.

An agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has finally been reached. The TPP negotiations involved only 12 countries, but had to go through lots of twists and turns because of a criss-cross of confrontational relationships, i.e. large advanced economies versus emerging economies, exporters versus importers in agricultural trade, and market economy countries versus state capitalist countries. The successful conclusion of the TPP agreement, an ambitious trade liberalisation initiative, is surely an event worthy of celebration. It has been achieved despite various difficulties and came at a time with no evident signs of hope for the Doha Round of negotiations under the WTO. As the full text of the TPP agreement has not yet been released as of this writing, this is going to be guess work. But I would like to attempt to outline and share my first impression of this new set of rules based on the summaries of the agreement and explanatory notes released by the governments of the TPP member countries and supplementary information from media reports.1

The TPP and Shortcomings of the WTO

At the conclusion of the TPP agreement, leading figures including Akira Amari, Japans state minister in charge of the TPP, repeatedly called it a 21st century agreement. By this definition, the TPP is an agreement that facilitates trade in parts and intermediate goods as well as the accompanying international movement of services, data, people, and know-how. It goes beyond trade in finished products predicated on the division of labour and based on the theory of comparative advantage. Trade in parts and intermediate goods has been growing with the advancement of information and communications technologies (ICTs) prompting more companies to unbundle their production processes and leading to the development of international supply chains. Richard Baldwin calls this chain of factors the trade-investment-services-intellectual property nexus (Baldwin 2012) and an agreement designed to facilitate the formation of such nexuses is what is meant by a 21st century agreement.

The WTO agreements have critical shortcomings in provisions for facilitating the development of business operations in overseas markets that accompany the unbundling of production processes. For instance, the WTO as it stands today is unable to ensure the liberalisation and protection of direct and indirect investments, fair competition in host countries, or the smooth deployment of executive officers and engineers from headquarters in home countriesall of which are crucial factors for successful overseas operations. The liberalisation of services (e.g. financial services, logistics) needed for supply chain development has taken place only to a limited extent because the General Agreements on Trade in Services (GATS) takes a positive list approach, which is to liberalise only those areas and modes of supply listed as specifically agreed upon by and among the WTO members. In order to foster the international mobility of intermediate goods and the cross-border outsourcing of parts, trade facilitationi.e. the provision of simple and transparent customs clearance proceduresis now becoming all the more important, but this is another area where the WTO has weaknesses.2

The TPP agreement includes those provisions that are necessary for the development of supply chains but not provided in the WTO agreements, such as those governing investment, competition, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), trade facilitation, electronic commerce, cross-border mobility of business persons, and regulatory coherence. It also calls for establishing a uniform set of standards for intellectual property protection at the highest possible level. Furthermore, in line with requirements under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the GATS, the TPP agreement sets out rules governing market access for goods and services in a way to liberalise substantially all trade within the affected region.

Is the TPP a 21st Century Agreement or Just an Expanded Version of a US-style FTA?

Can we call the TPP agreement a 21st century agreement? It may be a little too harsh, but I would dare to say no based on the summary of the agreement and point to some areas that would require improvements.

First, the Regulatory Coherence chapter attempted but failed to introduce best regulatory practices in terms of their coherence and impact assessments.

Instead, it ends up calling for cooperation and efforts to do so, whereby whatever commitments made under this chapter are not subject to dispute settlement procedures. The same holds true for the Competitiveness and Business Facilitation chapter and the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises chapter.

Second, judging from the summary of the agreement, I have an impression that the TPP, in terms of its structure and items included, is little more than an expanded, 15-country version of FTAs and investment treaties recently concluded by the US (in particular, FTAs with Australia, South Korea, and Singapore).

Of course, those bilateral FTAs are quite ambitious in their own right, and there are some areas in which the TPP exceeds them in the level of ambition. However, the TPP is no different from existing FTAs in its basic framework for rules. For instance, the Investment chapter could achieve greater procedural transparency. But the substantive standards set forth therein for the liberalisation and protection of investmentsas seen in the granting of a minimum standard of treatment for investments and the prohibition of expropriationsgenerally follow the 2012 US Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (US Model BIT 2012). The few exceptions are certain elements in prohibition on performance requirements (e.g. prohibition of restrictions or limits on royalties charged by foreign investors for licensing their technologies and other services to local companies).3 The State-owned Enterprise chapter also follows the recent FTAs of the US in embracing the principle of non-discrimination in SOEs conduct of business on the basis of commercial considerations. Or rather, it is less ambitious in that it has failed to adopt a broad definition of SOE which would include those under indirect state ownership as defined in the US-Singapore FTA and that it would not make it mandatory to gradually reduce government ownership and involvement in SOEs.

Third, some major chapters remain substantially WTO equivalents.

The Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) chapter and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures chapter include some WTO-plus elements in the procedural aspect. However, in terms of substantive provisions for preventing SPS measures technical standards from turning into trade barriers, they are generally no more than what has been agreed upon in the WTO. The Trade Remedies chapter provides for a transitional safeguard mechanism that allows a TPP member to raise a TPP tariff rate to the most favoured nation (MFN) rate (snapback tariff provisions) in order to counter a sudden surge in imports. However, it is unlikely that the chapter would include binding WTO-plus provisions such as those requiring notification to and consultations prior to initiating an antidumping investigation included in the US-South Korea FTA and Japans economic partnership agreement (EPA) with India.4 To begin with, Australia and New Zealandboth of which are parties to the original TPP or the Pacific Four (P4) agreementhad long-abolished antidumping duties between them, and the 12-country TPP is no match.

Noteworthy Novel Aspects of the TPP

However, the significance of the TPP as a 21st century agreement should be found in the fact that an agreement designed to support and promote the formation of supply chains has been expanded in its membership to cover an extensive geographic area including major economies such as the US and Japan, rather than in the level of ambition and substance of specific provisions. For instance, suppose that Japan is to conclude a bilateral agreement separately with each of the other 11 TPP countries. Japanese automobiles, which are to be exempted from import duties under the Japan-Australia EPA, would continue to be subject to import duties in the US. Likewise, a Japanese auto parts manufacturer would be entitled to different levels of protection depending on whether it constructs a factory in Vietnam or Australia. The conclusion of the TPP is meant to significantly reduce such constraints affecting the choice of how and where to form supply chains within the scope of the 12 countries.

Seen under a different light, the TPP has some noteworthy novel aspects. The Labour chapter seems to have secured specific commitments from Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam to safeguard fundamental labour rightssuch as the right to organise a union and the right to collective bargainingas well as to eliminate child labour, with the implementation of such commitments in Vietnam seemingly assured by the US postponing of the completion of tariff elimination.5 Also, the Environment chapter would imposealbeit to a limited extentdisciplines on fisheries subsidies, an issue listed on the agenda of the WTO Doha Round negotiations but not yet agreed upon. Furthermore, non-compliance with this chapter would be referred to the dispute settlement procedure designated in the TPP, and to that extent, the implementation of the chapter would be guaranteed by means of countervailing trade measures such as the suspension of tariff concessions. The TPP can be defined as a 21st century agreement in the sense that it has made a fully-fledged attempt to solve those global issues whose linkage with trade has been discussed over the past quarter century.

Significance of Dispute Settlement Procedures: Blowing Life into the 21st Century Agreement

Undoubtedly, the TPP as a whole is a highly ambitious agreement that includes areas unaddressed by WTO disciplines. It has been reported that the TPP is highly complex, including not only rules but also complicated schedules of concessions that list country-specific low-tariff quotas and item-specific tariff elimination schedules. In particular, it includes rules with respect to textile, automobiles, and agricultural products, with the rules of origin providing for various exceptions and special provisions.6

As exemplified by the WTO, dispute settlement procedures are what guarantee the effectiveness of a highly ambitious trade agreement. However, those under FTAs including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have been hardly used.7 This is probably the result of various factors such as: bilateral FTAs by necessity prioritise consultations; an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism, such as the one included in most of Japans EPAs as a tool to improve business environments, has been utilised; and some bilateral FTAs do not include ambitious WTO-plus rules as their emphasis is more on the expansion of market access. However, as the TPP differs greatly from those conventional FTAs, the role of its dispute settlement procedures is far more important.

Moreover, circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the TPP spell the possibility of its dispute settlement procedures becoming all the more important. First, there is only a month and a half to complete the legal scrub of the TPP, a process to clean up the text to ensure consistency of terms and resolve any inconsistencies between the clauses therein and with other agreements, and certain defects in the finalised legal text may remain.8 Second, as exemplified by the patent protection of biopharmaceutical drugs by means of allowing companies to keep clinical data on new drugs hidden for a designated period of time, an issue that posed a major bottleneck in the final stage of the TPP negotiations, there are some areas that were left ambiguous on purpose.9 These suggest that the exact content of the TPP agreement must be left to ex post facto interpretation by third parties.

The current US political climate surrounding the presidential election and the ratification of the TPP also portends the possibility of disputes in the future. The conclusion of the TPP has been greeted with criticisms from a series of leading politicians, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a Democratic candidate for the 2016 presidential election.10 As such, it is expected that Congressional ratification of the TPP will have a tough going. Under the NAFTA, controversial issues that had posed an obstacle to the ratification of the treaty later evolved into two major US-Mexico disputes, one over the cross-border trucking services and the other over access to the sugar market. Likewise, if similar disputes are to arise under the TPP, the success or failure of the 12-country pact rests ultimately on the dispute settlement procedures.

According to the summary of the agreement, the general dispute settlement procedures under the TPP would be applicable to almost all of the chapters, with limited exceptions such as the Regulatory Coherence chapter. Taking lessons from the NAFTA, under which a refusal to nominate a panellist could prevent the proceeding of the dispute settlement process (as seen in the sugar market dispute), the TPP seems to have ensured the automatic formation of a dispute settlement panel. In addition to this, the TPP provides for area-specific alternative dispute settlement procedures, such as the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) procedure under the Investment chapter, the special dispute settlement procedures applicable specifically to Japan-US and Japan-Canada disputes over motor vehicle trade, and the Cooperative Technical Consultations (CTC) under the SPS chapter.11

Conclusion

The TPP is a 21st century FTA. However, unless the dispute settlement procedures function properly, it would be like ploughing the field and forgetting to sow the seeds. Have the negotiators managed to prepare dispute settlement procedures and blow life into the TPP, based on the full awareness and understanding of the significance of this agreement? I would like to reconsider this question when the full text of the TPP is released to the public.

References

Baldwin, R (2012), 21st Century Trade and the 21st Century WTO, RIETI Perspectives from Around the World, 14 June.
The news two years ago could hardly have been worse for Pocatello, Idaho.

The H.J. Heinz frozen foods plant, once the citys largest private employer, would be closing, resulting in the loss of 410 jobs.

But within just a few months of Heinz shutting down production last summer, Amys Kitchen, a fast-growing maker of natural and organic convenience foods, purchased the factory. Amys Kitchen now employs about 175 people there, with plans for a total of 1,000 employees within 15 years.

What we thought was going to be a nightmare turned out to be a wonderful situation, said Howard Manwaring, chairman of the Bannock County Board of Commissioners in Pocatello.

Its the kind of lemons-to-lemonade story Madison officials could use right now.

On Nov. 4, the recently merged Kraft Heinz corporation announced it would shut down the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison by early 2017, terminating about 1,000 jobs.

In lowering the boom, Kraft Heinz offered some hope, saying it has had success finding buyers for plants it recently has vacated elsewhere. It pointed to the Pocatello factory, as well as ones in Florence, South Carolina, and Leamington, Ontario.

Heinz announced the closing of those three North American plants on the same day in November 2013, saying production would end six to eight months later. In all three cases, other food-production companies are now operating those factories.

Its tempting to draw hopeful parallels to Madisons situation, though experts say so many variables are in play that drawing comparisons is impossible and unwise. Still, the experiences of those communities could be instructive.

Get hustling

One takeaway is that while Kraft Heinz certainly will want to find a buyer, the real fire needs to come from local officials.

The day I heard Heinz was leaving, I called every food-related company Id ever had contact with and said, Look, heres whats going on in Florence, said Joe W. King, executive director of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership in Florence, South Carolina.

One of the companies he contacted was California-based Ruiz Foods, a leading producer of Mexican foods and snacks. It was looking to expand to the East Coast and ended up buying the former Heinz plant.

Ruiz Foods gutted the factory and is in the process of retooling it and adding a distribution center. It currently employs 61 people as it prepares to start production in January of products under the companys El Monterey and Tornados brands, according to a company spokeswoman.

The family-owned, privately held company is investing $55 million in the project and expects to employ more than 500 people. Heinz employed about 200.

Florence officials clearly think theyve traded up.

We feel it actually will be better for Florence County with Ruiz, said K.G. Rusty Smith, Florence County administrator. Theyre a very philanthropic company, very community-minded. In the end, theyll provide more jobs than Heinz.

King is more blunt. Quite frankly, its been a real blessing, he said. I like all companies that create jobs, but its a lot easier working with a family-owned company.

The sleek Florence plant was just 2 years old when Heinz announced it would shut it down, blindsiding local officials whod only recently trumpeted its arrival. Heinz opened the $105 million, 225,000-square-foot facility in March 2011.

The Kraft Heinz facility in Madison is considerably larger and creakier. Oscar Mayer & Co. acquired the Madison plant in 1919, and the site has been expanded numerous times.

Construction of a nine-story office building began in 1952. Three major additions followed between 1960-68, including an eight-story manufacturing and storage facility.

According to Kraft Heinz, the Madison site has 1.7 million square feet of processing and warehouse space.

Tip pans out

In Pocatello, Heinz hired a professional food broker to pursue national companies looking to expand, said John Regetz, executive director of Bannock Development Corp., the nonprofit economic development organization in the Pocatello area.

The tip about California-based Amys Kitchen came from the food broker, Regetz said. He described the process of finding a buyer as a collaborative one between Heinz and state and local officials.

Those folks are your allies, he said of Kraft Heinz officials. So rally the troops and get your team together. Everyone has contacts they can contribute.

The 500,000-square-foot Pocatello factory was built in 1970 and expanded in 1977, Regetz said. Almost all of the employees at Amys Kitchen previously worked at the Heinz plant, he said.

To woo Amys Kitchen, the state committed to a credit of 26 percent on income, payroll and sales taxes for 15 years. Additionally, the county is providing property tax relief.

There was some criticism of that approach, but overall, people thought it was a good move to provide that incentive, said Mark Mendiola, a freelance reporter who has covered the Pocatello economy for years.

His take is that it was largely through the aggressive scrambling of state and local officials that Pocatello landed Amys Kitchen.

The Heinz tomato processing plant in Leamington, Ontario, about an hour southeast of Detroit, had operated for more than 100 years and employed about 750 people at its end.

Heinz sold the plant to an Ontario business consortium called Highbury Canco, which continues to manufacture some Heinz products while also developing its own product line and doing contract work for other food companies, said Leamington Mayor John Paterson.

Its hard to understand why Heinz closed, but thats neither here nor there, he said. Things are going extremely well, probably better than the new owners were even expecting.

The new owners saved 250 jobs right away, and additional hiring has put the number of employees over 400, with more expected, Paterson said. The plant was union under Heinz and remains union, though workers took pay cuts, he said.

View it as opportunity

These experiences suggest that communities must view the closing of a plant as an opportunity, difficult as that may be right now, said Hart Posen, a UW-Madison associate professor who studies business strategy and innovation.

The reason Kraft Heinz is consolidating production is that the processed meats industry is on a slow but reliable decline, Posen said. So then the objective has to be to replace a business in decline with one that is of higher value.

Madison has some built-in advantages from the start, in that people want to live here and the city is close to Chicago, a major market, Posen said.

Its critical that economic development officials act quickly, he said.

Its not really the building that has the most value, he said, Its the people that go along with it who create the value. So youve got to jump on that right away, because its the most-skilled workers who are likely to leave town. They have the most opportunities and are the most mobile.

Paul Jadin, president of the Madison Region Economic Partnership, said hes contacted three food companies and had inquiries from additional viable companies, though he called them small compared to Oscar Mayer.

He said he needs to talk strategy with Kraft Heinz officials and get site specifications from them before he can proceed much further.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

You just need to be white to win. Thats the tagline, in English translation, for a TV ad pushing Snowz, a skin whitening cream from Seoul Secrets Thailand, a cosmetics firm, since withdrawn after the Seoul Secrets (no doubt accidental on purpose) uproar and moral panic. Heres the ad; I dont think you need more than the visuals:

(Skin whitening products are stacked up in drugstores all over Asia; theyre a $2 billion industry). Whats interesting to me  and this is going to be one of those superficial posts where, magpie-like, I collect and display a number of bright, shiny objects  is that the initial framing, which made its way from the Twitter all the way to the English-language media worldwide, is that the Seoul Secrets ad was racist. On the Twitter:

Wow. Another incredibly racist Thai advert. "You just need to be white to win" https://t.co/g75sjr7fUj pic.twitter.com/9MlWHoUL2B  Nick Day (@NickDay13) January 8, 2016

AP:

Ewwwwwww, [copy that] was the reaction of 28-year-old Jutamas Tritaruyanon, one of many to post their disapproval on Facebook. This ad is so obviously racist and another attempt to brainwash Thai women, Jutamas, a Bangkok-based office worker, told AP. Theyre saying that being dark is ugly. Its a narrow-minded and disgusting attitude.

CNN:

A new Thai beauty ad claiming white skin is the key to success has unleashed a storm of criticism in Thailand, especially online, where people complain the ad perpetuates damaging, racist ideas.

And out into the aggregators. Catch News:

Watch the racist ad here. Seoul Secret has been removing the videos from all platforms. This ad too might be removed soon.

And Carbonated TV:

An advertisement for a new Thai beauty product made appallingly racist claims that having white skin would lead to success and increased confidence.

And finally out into the apology from Seoul Secrets Thailands Facebook page:

Regarding the controversial clip of Snows Gluta starring Cris Horwang, Seoul Secret, as the rightful owner of the video clip, would like to apologize for the mistake, and claim full responsibility for this incident. Our company did not have any intent to convey discriminatory or racist messages. What we intended to convey was that self-improvement in terms of personality, appearance, skills, and professionality [sic] is crucial.

(I put the word apology in ironic quotes because the strategy of generating controversy to get ones product before the public is a very old one. Well get to self-improvement later.)

But is the Seoul Secrets ad racist? Well, its certainly classist, where class is taken as economic class. As the story propagated, and cooler heads reviewed the ad, we find in the Times:

In Thai culture, dark skin is associated with farmers, a lower-status group of people who have been darkened by the sun. White skin signifies a higher class and beauty standard.

And further, in the National Post:

Darker skin is often associated with rural lower-class Thais, and the country has an enormous industry in skin-whitening products and cosmetic clinics to help customers emulate the porcelain complexions of the Bangkok elite.

In fact, in the West, we see the same class logic, with the colors inverted; the British working class, for example, lived in cramped dwelling and worked indoors, and so were pale; Coco Chanel is said to have made tanning fashionable when she disembarked, sunburnt, at Cannes, after a yachting tour of the Mediterranean. Even today, in the days of the package tour and the Florida vacation, a tan is a sign of leisure, a class marker. Theres a reason Mitt Romney denied a claim that he used spray tan. And so we might see dark skin as the mark of a lower order, but its the nature of the orders thats at issue.

But is the Seoul Secrets ad racist? Well, its certainly sexist. I dont monitor the media flow of cosmetic ads, so I cant that its more than ordinarily sexist, for a cosmetics ad, but sexist it is. To begin with, purchasing, maintaining, and using ones stock of skin whiteners is a tax on womens time, as it is not for men, in the same way that the average American man owns 12 pairs of shows (really? 12?) and the average woman 27. More subtly, heres how the Seoul Secrets, through their actress, encourages women to view their bodies. From the script:

Do you know something? Before I got to where I am right now, the competition was very high, actress Sirin Horwang says, based on the translation. Its not easy to stay here for a long time. And once I stop taking care of myself, everything I have dedicated, [and] the whiteness I have invested in , will be gone.

Yikes! An investment, by definition, can be bought and sold. Its hard for me to imagine men (with the possible exception of entertainers like professional athletes) being encouraged to regard their bodies as commodities.

But is the Seoul Secrets ad racist? Well, definitions of race vary (the Urban Dictionary has a fun one). However, if the ad were racist, presumably the race of the actress whose skin gradually changes color would be evident; and all I can say is that its not evident to me; of what race is a woman with literally black (and not brown, but  let me take a moment to get out my Browsers eyedropper  #434144-hued) skin, and Asian features? Then again, Im not going to be buying skin whitening cream anytime soon, even when its possible for me to be out in the sun; mine is not the male gaze that matters here. And there are plenty of Asian, and Thai ads that are overtly racist; so perhaps in the ads intended context, racist it is. (Several sources characterize the ad as blackface, and I hardly think the ad is intended as a tribute, as the Baltimore cop who performed in blackface claimed to be doing in honor of Al Jolson.)

* * *

So Im not sure that Is the Seoul Secrets ad racist? is the right question; after all, its clearly classist, and clearly sexist, as well. (At this point, I should also note the bitter irony that the ad may well deliver on its brand promise; after all, racism is prevalent in reality, and if a whiter skin, no matter how achieved, enables one to pass, then so be it; no doubt thats what Seoul Secrets means by self improvement.)

What would be useful, it seems to me, in so many situations where questions like this arise, is an approach that permits many more both/ands, without demanding so many either/ors (and in a campaign season, at least as electoral politics as currently practiced, theres a lot of, er, black and white thinking).

It may be that Kimberle Crenshaws concept of intersectionality is such an approach. In Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color (Stanford Law Review 43 (6):1241-99 (1991) Crenshaw writes (and I realize Im juggling with power tools here):

The embrace of identity politics, however, has been in tension with dominant conceptions of social justice. Race, gender, and other identity categories are most often treated in mainstream liberal discourse as vestiges of bias or dominationthat is, as intrinsically negative frameworks in which social power works to exclude or marginalize those who are different. According to this understanding, our liberatory objective should be to empty such categories of any social significance. Yet implicit in certain strands of feminist and racial liberation movements, for example, is the view that the social power in delineating difference need not be the power of domination; it can instead be the source of political empowerment and social reconstruction. The problem with identity politics is not that it fails to transcend difference, as some critics charge, but rather the oppositethat it frequently conflates or ignores intragroup differences. In the context of violence against women, this elision of difference is problematic, fundamentally because the violence that many women experience is often shaped by other dimensions of their identities, such as race and class. Moreover, ignoring differences within groups frequently contributes to tension among groups, another problem of identity politics that frustrates efforts to politicize violence against women. Feminist efforts to politicize experiences of women and antiracist efforts to politicize experiences of people of color have frequently proceeded as though the issues and experiences they each detail occur on mutually exclusive terrains. Although racism and sexism readily intersect in the lives of real people, they seldom do in feminist and antiracist practices. And so, when the practices expound identity as woman or person of color as an either/or proposition, they relegate the identity of women of color to a location that resists telling. If, as this analysis asserts, history and context determine the utility of identity politics, how, then, do we understand identity politics today, especially in light of our recognition of multiple dimensions of identity ? More specifically, what does it mean to argue that gendered identities have been obscured in antiracist discourses, just as race identities have been obscured in feminist discourses? Does that mean we cannot talk about identity? Or instead, that any discourse about identity has to acknowledge how our identities are constructed through the intersection of multiple dimensions? A beginning response to these questions requires that we first recognize that the organized identity groups in which we find ourselves are in fact coalitions, or at least potential coalitions waiting to be formed.

(Note that what one might call vulgar identity politics as practiced by the political class and both legacy parties and distinct from Crenshaw, does not permit multiple dimensions of identity, at least in public discourse; I dont know how campaigns typically query their databases.) Being of a technical bent, I at once see multiple dimensions of identity as overlapping sets, like Venn diagrams, a both/and data structure of great utility; one wonders how, for example, one might use intersectionality to categorize Trump voters.[1]

You just need to be white to win might be a winning, albeit subliminal message from Trump  The Winner di Tutti Winners  to Trump voters, but only along some dimensions of the lives of these real people, as Crenshaw would call them.

NOTES

[1] It would also be interesting to examine how these multiple dimensions interact. From Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Economic scarcity alters the perception of race:

When the economy declines, racial minorities are hit the hardest. Although existing explanations for this effect focus on institutional causes, recent psychological findings suggest that scarcity may also alter perceptions of race in ways that exacerbate discrimination. We tested the hypothesis that economic resource scarcity causes decision makers to perceive African Americans as Blacker and that this visual distortion elicits disparities in the allocation of resources. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrated that scarcity altered perceptions of race, lowering subjects psychophysical threshold for seeing a mixed-race face as Black as opposed to White. In studies 3 and 4, scarcity led subjects to visualize African American faces as darker and more stereotypically Black, compared with a control condition. When presented to naive subjects, face representations produced under scarcity elicited smaller allocations than control-condition representations. Together, these findings introduce a novel perceptual account for the proliferation of racial disparities under economic scarcity.

Hmm.
Michelle and Jim Langlas in rehearsal for Marco Players show "Same Time, Next Year." The real-life married couple play George and Doris, who are married (but not to each other) and meet at the same California inn once a year for 25 years to consummate their affair.

SHARE Michelle and Jim Langlas in rehearsal for Marco Players show "Same Time, Next Year." The real-life married couple play George and Doris, who are married (but not to each other) and meet at the same California inn once a year for 25 years to consummate their affair. Michelle and Jim Langlas in rehearsal for Marco Players show "Same Time, Next Year." The real-life married couple play George and Doris, who are married (but not to each other) and meet at the same California inn once a year for 25 years to consummate their affair. Michelle and Jim Langlas in rehearsal for Marco Players show "Same Time, Next Year." The real-life married couple play George and Doris, who are married (but not to each other) and meet at the same California inn once a year for 25 years to consummate their affair.

By Chris Silk of the Naples Daily News

The word "love" pops up again and again as the cast and director of the Marco Players' 2016 opener, Bernard Slade's "Same Time, Next Year" talk about the play.

The show opens in 1951. Set in a single bedroom at a California inn, the characters of George and Doris meet. They're married  to other people  but agree to spend one weekend each year together.

"They both love their spouse," Michelle Langlas, who plays Doris, said.

"But "

The play opens a window onto the complicated relationship between George and Doris who  over the course of 25 years  meet, argue, discuss life, politics and business and eventually grow old(er) together. They just happen to stay married to other people.

"People are still thinking about (the movie) years later," Michelle Langlas said. "It's so romantic."

Ironically, it's a real-life married couple on stage portraying the fictional adulterers. After years of helping his wife run lines for other productions, English teacher Jim Langlas took the plunge onto the boards himself. "Same Time, Next Year" will be his first acting experience.

"Well, it's an easy deal because I would be helping (Michelle) out anyway," Jim Langlas laughed.

The couple, who have been married for four decades, "have absolutely loved" the shared experience" of acting together  up to and including running lines while doing chores or setting the table.

For Jim Langlas, the most difficult part of acting hasn't been learning lines or remembering where he's supposed to go on stage. It has been slipping inside the mind of George. The character, who begins the play a neurotic mess, evolves into everything from a confident businessman to a cool-dude 1970s hipster. Meanwhile, Doris raises four children, attends Berkeley, opens a deli and even contemplates leaving her husband.

"We all need to be loved," Jim Langlas said. "It's a look at vulnerability and the basic needs of people."

Director Richard Joyce, who served as artistic director of the Marco Players for a decade, said audiences are in for an "absolute surprise" and called the experience of working with the couple "rewarding."

"This is the first time I've ever seen someone take to it with such relish," Joyce said of Jim Langlas's acting debut.

For Joyce, the play revolves around the characters, especially its tweaking of the male/female dynamic found in most romantic comedies. A steadily more confident Doris displays little guilt about her actions while George seems wracked with guilt and perpetually on the brink of crisis.

"George is in a constant state about being honest as he continually lies," Joyce said. "Meanwhile, Doris is growing leaps and bounds around him."

"Same Time, Next Year" runs through Jan. 24 at the Marco Players Theater, 1089 N. Collier Blvd., No. 432. The theater is located in the Marco Town Center Mall, a few doors down from the Marco Island Brewery. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, $28 & $25, go online to themarcoplayers.com or call 239-642-7270.

"Same Time, Next Year"

What: George and Doris, married (but not to each other) meet at the same California inn once a year for 25 years to consummate their affair.

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, through Jan. 24

Where: 1089 North Collier Blvd. No. 432, in the Marco Town Center Mall

Cost: $28 & $25

Information: themarcoplayers.com or 239-642-7270
FILE - The Carnival Legend arrives at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in this Nov. 8, 2002 file photo. (AP Photo/Carnival Cruise Lines, Andy Newman, File)

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By Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel (TNS)

ORLANDO, Fla.  Out with the old and in with the new. That's the theme for the Florida cruise port shuffle in 2016 as new builds make their way to the Sunshine State.

PortMiami, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral will all benefit as newer and larger ships arrive this year, with big shifts coming from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Line.

The biggest change literally will be the arrival of the new record-holder for world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's 5,479-passenger Harmony of the Seas, which is set to debut in Europe this spring and then make its way to Fort Lauderdale by November. The third Oasis-class ship from the line, it's a sister ship that will be slightly larger than the current record holders for world's largest cruise ship, the two Oasis-class ships that currently call Port Everglades home, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

To make room for Harmony, though, Royal Caribbean will see if Central Florida has a taste for giant ships, sending the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas to Port Canaveral starting November. Port Canaveral is benefiting from the giant ship shuffle from Norwegian Cruise Line as well.

Since PortMiami is now home to both Norwegian Getaway and the new Norwegian Escape, what used to be Norwegian's largest cruise ship and used to call the Magic City home, the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic, will also make its way to Port Canaveral. The line, which just this fall returned to Port Canaveral after a three-year absence, will bring Epic the same month as Oasis of the Seas.

"We're a very strong cruise line in Florida," said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line's president and chief operating officer. "We've been here since the beginning. Florida for 50 years has been Norwegian's home and we have our two newest ships in Miami, so the opportunity to put one of our big, new ships in Port Canaveral was one that we were excited about."

Carnival Cruise Line is also bringing one of its largest ships to Port Canaveral when the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic arrives in April. Magic is the second of the line's three Dream-class ships, built in 2011. It's shifting from Galveston, Texas, which will get the line's latest Dream-class ship Carnival Breeze, currently sailing out of PortMiami.

That will leave PortMiami without any of Carnival's biggest ships from May until December, when the new Carnival Vista arrives. The 135,000-ton, 4,000-passsenger Vista will be the largest the cruise line has ever built.

Not all changes are on a grand scale at the ports. Port Everglades just welcomed the 2,260-passenger Costa Deliziosa, which brings the line back to the port after a four-year hiatus. The Italian line has not sailed from Fort Lauderdale since 2011 and will sail out of South Florida until March.

And filed under what's old is new again, a ship will be returning to Royal Caribbean after sailing with the line's sister line Pullmantur since 2008. Empress of the Seas, which debuted in 1990, will offer short cruises from Miami beginning in March. Also coming to Miami will be what is now Princess Cruises' Ocean Princess, but with a new name when it is handed over to Oceania Cruises. Sirena will debut after a 35-day, $40 million overhaul in November.

Older, smaller vessels, which often make way for newer builds, have proved profitable for lines such as Royal Caribbean, which also is bringing Majesty of the Seas to Port Canaveral beginning in May. At one point, Royal had planned on sending the ship, which was built in 1992, to Pullmantur, but rethought its strategy as the 2,350-passenger ship will take over 3- and 4-night sailings for the Tampa-bound Rhapsody of the Seas. Tampa will also get Norwegian Jade beginning in fall 2016.

Other highlights of 2016 will be the Florida debuts of the latest ships from Holland America and Regent Seven Seas. Holland America's ms Koningsdam, which will sail the Mediterranean beginning in April 2016, will make its way to Port Everglades to sail the Caribbean from November 2016 to March 2017. Also coming to South Florida in 2016 will be what's billed as the most luxurious cruise ship ever built when Regent Seven Seas Explorer makes its way to Miami by December.
Members of law enforcement are asked to stand at St. Agnes Catholic Church during a mass to give thanks to law enforcement in Naples, Florida, on Saturday, January 9, 2016. (Logan Newell/Special to the Daily News)

SHARE Members of law enforcement are asked to stand and take part at St. Agnes Catholic Church during a mass to give thanks to law enforcement in Naples, Florida, on Saturday, January 9, 2016. (Logan Newell/Special to the Daily News) Hats are seen in the main hall of St. Agnes Catholic Church during a mass to give thanks to law enforcement in Naples, Florida, on Saturday, January 9, 2016. (Logan Newell/Special to the Daily News) An older NYPD car sits in front of St. Agnes Catholic Church during a mass to give thanks to law enforcement in Naples, Florida, on Saturday, January 9, 2016. (Logan Newell/Special to the Daily News) The patch of a Collier County sheriffs deputy is seen at St. Agnes Catholic Church during a mass to give thanks to law enforcement in Naples, Florida, on Saturday, January 9, 2016. (Logan Newell/Special to the Daily News)

By Jessica Lipscomb of the Naples Daily News

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was celebrated Saturday in Collier County with a special mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church.

Hundreds of people, including about 30 current and retired law enforcement officers, attended the 3:30 p.m. mass to show their support.

The Very Rev. Robert Kantor gave a special blessing to the officers and offered his encouragement in the homily.

"Theirs is not an easy calling," he said. "It requires extensive training. It demands duty around the clock. It routinely puts them in harm's way. And when others around them lose their cool and are disrespectful, they have to be calm and treat others with dignity."

Many events in support of law enforcement have been held across the country in response to growing protests of police misconduct and use of force. The Collier County Sheriff's Office said it has been shown support in a variety ways in recent weeks. People have flown blue ribbons on their mailboxes. Others have posted yard signs. Hundreds of people showed up for a "Bless the Blue, Back the Badge" rally in November at First Baptist Church of Naples, where participants wrote thank you notes to local officers.

"In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement professionals, it is important to show support for these brave men and women who have chosen to protect and serve their communities every day," Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in a statement. "If you see an officer, please say, 'Thank you.'"

Paul Dentrone, a retired officer with the New York Police Department, is a regular parishioner of St. Agnes who attended Saturday's mass with his wife, Patty.

"I think it's great," he said. "Law enforcement needs a good shot in the arm. There are a lot of good guys and of course some bad apples like in any profession."

Kantor said the church typically has mass on Saturday afternoon, although he believed the turnout was slightly larger because of the law enforcement appreciation angle.

Greg Lucchesi and Corrine Foley said they normally attend mass on Saturdays but were glad to see law enforcement recognized. Lucchesi said his father was a police officer for 39 years in Illinois.

"It's encouraging. It's nice that somebody's thinking of them," Foley said. "They have a hard job. It's not easy on them or their families."

Lt. Sean Arthur of the Collier County Sheriff's Office oversees the Golden Gate Estates district, which includes St. Agnes. He said he appreciated the show of support from everyone at the church.

"It's nice to have people do something special," Arthur said. "You feel like you can lower your guard a bit and just talk to people."

Arthur's wife, Molly, said an event like Saturday's reconfirms her husband's commitment to serve the community.

"Sometimes only the negative things get in the media," she said. "And then when you see something like this, it must be very affirming."
When the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday, it begins a session that carries particular significance for Collier County.

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2016 legislative session

When the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday, it begins a session that carries particular significance for Collier County.

The face of Collier's legislative delegation will change dramatically, possibly completely, as a result of the 2016 elections and redistricting.

Collier lawmakers hold No. 2 leadership positions in both chambers. The pro tempore in the Senate, Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, can't run again due to term limits and has no other political aspirations. The pro tempore in the House, Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, is in his last term. He is one of three candidates for Richter's seat, which Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, also is seeking rather than run for re-election.

Meanwhile, Senate redistricting maps a judge recently approved eliminate the cross-state district of Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, in favor of one representing Collier and south Lee. So Bullard no longer would be part of Collier's delegation.

With so many new lawmakers in both chambers after 2016 elections, Collier won't have the Tallahassee sway in 2017 that it will have this session.

So what do we hope to see accomplished?

+++ End on time. The session is supposed to last 60 days. Last year, the House abruptly quit the regular session a few days early, leaving unfinished business. Costly special sessions were necessary on the budget and redistricting. We don't expect a repeat this session because lawmakers across Florida will want to be campaigning in this election year. Even so, finish on time.

+++ Hands off. There's no more pressing issue in Collier than the rising cost of homes and rentals. Double-digit increases in prices over a year ago leave housing out of the reach of families, single professionals, seniors and front-line workers. The state is supposed to dedicate a percentage of documentary stamp money from property sales to address affordable housing. In recent years, the Legislature needed money to balance the budget and dipped into the housing trust funds. Nearly $324 million could be available statewide in the 2016-17 budget. If the trust funds aren't raided again, Collier government could receive $3.6 million compared with $1.5 million this year.

+++ Water; don't drain it. For two years since water quality and quantity were identified as top issues by legislative leaders, comprehensive reforms haven't passed. Bills in both chambers would set aside $200 million a year for Everglades restoration, including reducing phosphorous pollutants in Lake Okeechobee. That could help clean up discharges into the Caloosahatchee River toward coastal estuaries. Amendment 1 dollars would be tapped. Voters decided in 2014 about $750 million yearly should be set aside in the state budget for land acquisition and conservation. Using that money for water conservation and protection is a plus, provided lawmakers allocate significant dollars for land acquisition, which they failed to do in 2015. Some environmental groups are concerned pollution reduction deadlines are missing in bills poised for early passage.

+++ Drilling. Inland oil drilling reforms advocated by two Southwest Florida lawmakers nearly passed in 2015. Since then, a growing list of Florida counties and cities have stated their concerns about fracking, or fracturing of rock layers to enhance oil production. Collier commissioners, satisfied with the bills proposed a year ago, want changes this year. As now proposed, the measures need modification to respect what local communities say they want, especially where drilling is prevalent as it is in Southwest Florida.

+++ Accountability stability. Florida changed its statewide test a year ago. Some bills introduced want to switch to national tests for assessing school performance. Lawmakers should chart a specific course forward with an accountability system on how it's going to grade schools and educators. Put stability in the system before penalizing districts and schools that don't perform.

+++ Bills authorizing the open carrying of guns statewide, and measures allowing guns on Florida campuses or within public schools, should be dropped. They're distractions to far more pressing issues for the state.

+++ Make roads safer for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. The state had set a goal of reducing traffic deaths to 2,084 in 2015. But nearly 2,950 died, 40 percent more than the benchmark. Florida needs to catch up with other states on distracted driving laws.
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By Daily News Staff

News quiz

1. A home in what community was featured on HGTV's home improvement show "Tiny House, Big Living"?

a. Marco Island

b. Bonita Springs

c. Immokalee

2. What community was given permission to use its name on mail addressed to its ZIP code?

a. Estero

b. Bonita Springs

c. Golden Gate Estates

3. The first baby born in Collier County in 2016 was named what?

a. Stephanie

b. Alex

c. Seraphina

4. Designs are in place for the rebuilding of a bridge to what community?

a. Isles of Capri

b. Goodland

c. Chokoloskee

5. A Fort Myers comedy club co-owned by what comedian closed recently?

a. Jerry Seinfeld

b. Jim Belushi

c. Gilbert Gottfried

6. The Southwest Florida Research and Education Center affiliated with what university is expanding?

a. Miami

b. Florida

c. Florida State

7. What was the final record for the Miami Dolphins?

a. 4-12

b. 6-10

c. 8-8

8. What was the final record for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

a. 4-12

b. 6-10

c. 8-8

9. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Collier County saw 49 traffic fatalities in 2015, compared to how many in 2014?

a. 39

b. 59

c. 69

10. Bruce Register has resigned as Collier County's business and economic development director. How long did he hold the position?

a. one year

b. two years

c. three years

Answers: 1. b; 2. a; 3. c; 4. c; 5. b; 6. b; 7. b; 8. b; 9. a; 10. c
1 dead in house fire  TOWN OF PHELPS, Wis (AP)  One person is dead after a house fire in northern Wisconsin. The Vilas County Sheriffs Office got a 911 call about the fire in the Township of Phelps just after 3 a.m. Saturday. Sheriffs deputies helped firefighters locate the victims body inside the home. The name of the victim has not been released yet. Crews from several area fire departments were called to the scene.

Maryland, Virginia, Wisconsin governors make playoff wager  ANNAPOLIS, Md.  The governors of Maryland, Virginia and Wisconsin are making a friendly wager with local delicacies to support their teams in todays playoff game between the Washington Redskins and Green Bay Packers. The governors announced their bets Friday night on social media. Gov. Larry Hogan bet a bushel of Maryland blue crabs with Old Bay seasoning and a case of Flying Dog beer, saying he looks forward to enjoying Gov. Scott Walkers Wisconsin cheese and sausage, Andes mints and Leinenkugels beer if the Packers lose. Gov. Terry McAuliffe tweets that hes betting Smithfield ham and Virginia wine and peanuts in support of the Redskins. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt are wagering too, betting D.C. half smoke sausages and Cannery Public Market cheese curds.

BNSF: ND oil trains shift route away from suburban routes  MINNEAPOLIS  BNSF Railway says most of the North Dakota crude oil trains crossing Minnesota have shifted away from the western Twin Cities and downtown Minneapolis. The railroad notified Minnesota officials last month that it has shifted oil trains back to their usual route across Minnesota. The shift had been expected. A BNSF spokeswoman tells the Star Tribune that with the construction season over, traffic is back to more traditional routes. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton was among state and local officials worried when BNSF sent oil trains through downtown Minneapolis and across Nicollet Island as the railroad worked on a $326 million system upgrade in Minnesota. BNSF reports the downtown oil train traffic tapered off in October, and now has returned to the usual level of zero to three per week.

Charter school at center of transgender debate  ST. PAUL  A public charter school in St. Paul is at the center of a debate over how to best meet the needs of transgender students. The parents of a 5-year-old child who is gender nonconforming asked Nova Classical Academy to help make sure their student was not being bullied. Outside groups stepped in and the schools board got involved when other parents heard that faculty members were talking with children about such bullying. Now the Minnesota Family Council plans to hold a community meeting Tuesday at the school to discuss the issue. Jill Gaulding, a co-founder of the nonprofit Gender Justice who is working with the childs family, told the Star Tribune that since Nova did not have a policy to make transgender students feel protected, one family is feeling the backlash. I do think its sad and unfair to that one child. But its a wake-up call to administrators across the state, Gaulding said.

Man convicted on heroin distribution charge  FARGO, N.D.  A May sentencing is scheduled for a Minneapolis man found guilty on a federal charge of distributing heroin. U.S. Attorney for North Dakota Christopher Myers says Michael Antwain Modisett, 32, was found guilty after a five-day trial for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin. Myers says that between 2012 and 2014, Modisette and his associates delivered large amounts of heroin  in excess of 1000 grams  to the Fargo-Moorhead area. Sentencing is scheduled for May 18 .
Jobs and incentive are lost when businesses are forced to pay higher wages for no reason

(NaturalNews) When it comes to making a living and pursuing happiness in the world today,As individuals interact with the world around them, these philosophies and beliefs express themselves, either negatively or positively. Having the right philosophy makes all the difference.(e.g. the demand for a $15 living wage). The leftist philosophy is about establishing a system of collective equality, where all resources are redistributed equally and workers are all paid the same. This warped sense of fairness disregards an individual's skill levels, work ethic, efficiency and productivity. The leftist philosophy is one ofwhere hard work, competence and efficiency are NOT rewarded. Greater production is actually punished, as the fruits reaped by an individual's labor are redistributed to create a warped sense of equality for the lazy, unproductive takers.Today, the leftist philosophy is gaining momentum in America. In New York, workers recently gathered in Foley Square to demand a living wage of $15 an hour.Who determines what a living wage is, anyway? An individual's consumption habits, money management, responsibilities, living arrangement choices and investment decisions are far greater determining factors for how far a dollar goes to make a living. What about responsible budgeting - putting numbers to paper and cutting out unnecessary expenses? What about careful financial planning - setting aside an emergency fund for when things break down? Those who demand a living wage are not necessarily oppressed. They simply fail to manage what they already have. Most demand to be paid more and will only squander what they forcibly get.The same leftist philosophy that demands a living wage is the same belief system that demands the world owes them free education and free healthcare. But consider this: where does "free" anything come from? By conscripting the services of a doctor or a teacher and demanding that it be free, the products and/or services are. There is no mutual exchange of any kind. It doesn't matter if the taking is done through taxation. It's still thievery and violence. It's still force  taking from others who may not want to pay for someone else's bad decisions. It's absolute chaos that shows no respect for anyone.Those who adopt this taker philosophy may end up trying to get other people's sympathy. They will pretend to be down and out, using false guilt to coax others to bail them out. It's a selfish, victim mentality that eats at the soul of the taker and tears down others in the process.If an individual feels they are underpaid, they do not demand some sort of fairy-tale $15 living wage by using the force of government to extract more money from an employer. The right philosophy is about learning new skills, reading books, taking classes and becoming more valuable through personal growth exercises. It's about working hard and smart and applying oneself to produce better results. It's about leading by example to earn one's way forward. Only then will compensation come, and it will come in the most fulfilling way. In this philosophy of responsibility, individuals become free to earn and pay their own way, truly pursuing freedom and happiness.A new study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the Center for Economics & Public Policy at the University of California finds that minimum wage hikes at the state level are one of the main reasons why jobs are disappearing in America. When employers are forced to pay their workers more with no reason or incentive, their businesses lose the capital needed to create new jobs.Two years ago, a similar study by the Congressional Budget Office found that an increase in the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would inevitably dissolve 500,000 jobs throughout the country, as businesses would be forced to scale back creation of new jobs.Here's an important question: How can a free market grow and respond to the ACTUAL poverty and oppression in the world, and how can it heal the sick and assist the disabled,Minimum wages really help no one in the long run because it's all about demands. It's perpetual poverty control that feeds the taker mentality and destroys the incentives to work harder and smarter. When the jobs dissolve due to rising minimum wages, more people are forced into poverty and dependence
What can go wrong with this?

Endangers police as well

(NaturalNews) One of the guiding legal principles in America is that in order for you to be detained for almost any reason by an officer of the law, there must be "probable cause" for you to be stopped and held against your will As defined by Law.com , probable cause is when an officer of the law has "sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been committed or that certain property is connected with a crime." There is a subjective element to probable cause as well, but detaining someone when no element of probable cause exists is not legally acceptable Someone should tell police officers in Lakeview, Texas, to review their probable cause definitions.As reported byand local media, police there are actually pulling motorists over to praise them forandbreaking any laws.reported that under the new program, Lakeview Police give out give certificates to places like Starbucks and other businesses."We are conducting a 'Doing it Right Safe Driving Campaign. We look for people wearing their seat belts, obeying the speed limit and all the traffic laws," Police Chief David Hotchkiss recently told a driver and her passenger whom he witnessed breaking no traffic laws. "You were doing the right thing so we want to give you this Starbucks gift certificate."And while that may sound like a wonderful, trust-building gesture, the traffic stop did not come free, so to speak.Prior to stopping, the chief essentially invaded the couple's privacy, and again, with no probable cause "Hotchkiss pulled out and ran the license plate. The dispatcher informed him who owned the car and that everything checked out fine. Hotchkiss pulled the car over. The male passenger popped out of the car with his hands up in a joking manner. Then he asked what the driver had done wrong."The police chief told the passenger to get back in the car and he would explain things to them. Hotchkiss went to the female driver, collected her information, went back to his patrol vehicle and ran the information. The driver came back with a clean driving record and all her paperwork checked out just fine."If you're going to pull someone over to "reward" them for "doing the right thing," what is the purpose of running all of their information, which is the same as treating drivers as if theysuspected of doing something wrong?"Recently, we've seen a lot of negative things about the police," the chief said. "I just wanted to do something that let the community see us doing something good and let us look for drivers doing good things."That is true, and his intentions are likely good and admirable. But that doesn't hide the fact that these stops and subsequent background checks might not stand up in court if a good trial lawyer were to get wind of what's going on.Asfurther reported:"The confused and anxious motorists are not told the purpose of the traffic stop until the officer returns with the surprise gift  which is actually a species of Trojan Horse that permits the officer to sneak a peek at the driver's record without a legally valid reason. ..."There is no such thing as an innocuous contact between a citizen and a police officer, especially when that contact involves a demand for identification and scrutiny of the citizen's background. In every contact with a citizen, a police officer treats the latter as a potential suspect and a threat to 'officer safety.'"In fact, this additional contact with the public could actually put officers' lives in danger in ways that they otherwise would not have had to deal with. That helps explain why officers run plates and check license information when they make their public relations stops, but again, the fact that people are being stopped forwill present a legal problem for this police department that they may not be able to defend in court at some point.
Man spends weeks in jail for vitamins that police field tests deemed amphetamine

(NaturalNews) Police have the immoral authority to make false arrests. They can use fake evidence against anyone they choose. It's their word against yours. An entire band of officers can gang up on innocent people and use intimidation to get what they want. They can even use their collective power to take your wife, lock her up, and hold her at ransom, while trying to force you to confess to fake charges.Field tests for drugs can be designed to give authorities the upper hand when profiling citizens. These tests can be designed to give false positives. Anyone, on any given day, can become a victim to police abuse. It happens often in America and it can happen close to home. Of course, most officers of the law aren't intentionally looking to harass innocent people, but there are gangs of police that will cross moral and ethical bounds to force their will and take what isn't theirs.In order for police to have a purpose, they need some form of crime to go after. To ensure their purpose, to validate their power, police must bring in enough money and quotas to keep their career meaningful and intact. This causes police to look for trouble and create dangerous situations even when none exist. Furthermore, this culture of policing for profit creates a vacuum that victimizes citizens. When this happens, people begin to fear officers instead of working with them for a more peaceful community.For one 31-year-old man, a false positive drug test turned into weeks of imprisonment. The man, named Joseph Ray Burrell, sat in jail for weeks as crime lab investigators took their time retesting a white powder that Burrell was traveling with the night he was arrested.Burrell was arrested after his bag of white vitamin powder was confiscated and after the police field test came up positive that the powder was amphetamine. The man pleaded with the officers, telling them the powder was merely just vitamins he was taking. Nearly a month passed before workers at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension retested the vitamin powder. When the results were returned, they had their answer: The powder was in fact vitamins.Burrell, who was waiting trial for two felony counts of drug possession, was immediately released from jail and dismissed of all charges a day before the trial."I had been sitting in the jail since November with my bail set at $250,000," Burrell said. "Then, two days before trial, they dropped the charges and let me go."An assistant attorney for Blue Earth County confirmed that the initial drug field test tagged the vitamins as amphetamine on November 14, 2014. The Mankato officer reported that he found the contraband in a plastic bag in Burrell's car at a traffic stop in the parking lot of a Riverfront Drive Hy-Vee grocery. The officer said it looked like a half ounce of crystal shards. The criminal complaint that was filed said the drug field test confirmed that the shards contained amphetamine.However, it turns out it was just a bag of vitamins prescribed to Burrell to treat a sore shoulder."I told the judge I couldn't plead guilty to something I knew wasn't a drug," Burrell said about a plea offer he received. "They set my bail at $250,000 for vitamins."
(NaturalNews) One timeless question that social researchers have often asked regarding welfare assistance is whether such assistance is generational. In other words, if parents are dependent on welfare and other taxpayer-supported assistance programs, will their children become dependent as well?According to a new study on the subject, researchers were not able to establish a firm "causal" relationship, but there is much empirical (observed) evidence and data to suggest that there could be a generational link.As noted in a press release from the University of Chicago citing the study, a number of past studies have "shown that a child's welfare use is correlated with a parent's welfare receipt." But, researchers have been unable to show a causal relation due to a number of unobservable factors across multiple generations, like recipients' adverse environments or poor health that was inherited. Also, a dearth of large datasets that firmly link family members together across generations has prevented a more comprehensive analysis.Still, there are links, scientists noted."These empirical challenges have meant that existing research has largely focused on documenting and observing the intergenerational correlations in various types of welfare use," said Magne Mogstad, assistant professor of economics, a study author. "A causal interpretation remains elusive."The new study, which was published recently in the, Mogstad and the other co-authors at the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Bergen in Norway looked into family welfare cultures in Norway's Disability Insurance System.After examining 14,722 parent-child observations, the research team found strong empirical evidence that one generation's reliance on welfare was likely to lead to greater welfare use in the next generation.The U of C press released further noted:"Critical to the analysis--and being able to get at causation and not just correlation--is that these appeals claims are randomly assigned. One simply cannot shop around for a judge. It's luck of the draw," said Mogstad. "And some judges are systematically more lenient, allowing up to 25 percent of appeals, while others are systematically more strict, approving as few as 5 percent."The study's results led researchers to conclude that, when parents were granted benefits during the appeals process because they were able to sit before a more lenient court, the probability of their children subsequently applying for disability insurance rose 6 percent over the next five years; over the next decade, it rose by 12 percent."Mogstad and his fellow researchers conclude that a more stringent screening policy for disability benefits would not only reduce payouts to current applicants, but also have a long-term impact on participation rates and program costs," the press release stated.In the U.S., the study noted, disability insurance outlays are higher than those for food stamps and traditional cash welfare programs. For families with small children, disability insurance is very often the only cash benefit left when traditional unemployment benefits are exhausted, so it has increasingly become an option exercised by a growing number of Americans.As reported by, disability rolls in the U.S. have skyrocketed in recent years as the economy slowed and then stagnated:The sheer number of new recipients is making the program financially unsustainable, government reports have said. Federal officials have warned that the program could be financially exhausted by 2016, which is two decades before the trust fund supporting Social Security is projected to run out.
Record settlements against private companies

EPA whitewashes its own mistakes

(NaturalNews) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed its duties aggressively this year , handing out a number of prison sentences and multi-million dollar fines to polluters.However, the agency failed to apply its enforcement techniques to its own employees and the contractors responsible for a massive toxic spill caused during the botched Gold King Mine cleanup in Colorado  which poisoned rivers and waterways in three states and also within the Navajo Nation.From"Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcers helped convict 185 Americans of environmental crimes this year, with each of these eco-convicts getting sentenced to eight months in prison on average for crimes ranging from biofuel fraud to illegally removing asbestos."EPA enforcement data for 2015 shows the agency opened 213 environmental cases which resulted in 185 people convicted and sentenced to 129 years in prison. EPA has been opening fewer cases in recent years to focus more on 'high impact' cases."The agency was responsible for levying more than $88 million in fines, $112 million in restitution and $4 billion in court ordered environmental projects.The biggest of these cases was against Duke Energy, which was charged with violating the Clean Water Act for spilling coal ash into Virginia and North Carolina rivers. The guilty verdict resulted in the largest settlement ever paid under the Clean Water Act: $68 million in fines and $34 million for environmental projects in both affected states.So, how can the EPA justify its zealous prosecution of companies like Duke Energy, when its own environmental screw-ups go unpunished?"Republican lawmakers were quick to criticize EPA for not taking any disciplinary action against contractors or employees involved in the Colorado mine spill. Lawmakers noted that while EPA drags its feet, a private company, like Duke, would have been fined quickly if it had spilled mine waste."The Department of the Interior's outside review of the spill incident found EPA could have avoided a blowout if it had taken precautions agency workers had used while opening other sealed Colorado mines."Not only could the blowout have been avoided, there is evidence that the agency was warned beforehand that such an incident might occur  and even worse, it now appears that the agency may be attempting to "taint" the investigation, according to Representatives Rob Bishop of Utah and Louie Gohmert of Texas, both Republicans.Bishop and Gohmert wrote to the inspector general of the EPA "[T]he Committee on Natural Resources is troubled by the EPA's disclosure last week that it had recently interviewed two material witnesses to the EPA's activities at Gold King Mine."Specifically, the Committee is concerned that the EPA's interview did not follow best investigative practices and may have interfered with the OIG's ongoing investigation."Meanwhile, the EPA continues in its efforts to whitewash the incident, according to Paul Driesen of the Heartland Institute. "Congress and state legislatures should further investigate the Gold King disaster, and compel witnesses to testify under oath," he wrote. "They should also improve relevant laws, ensure that agency personnel are truly qualified to do their tasks, and hold agency incompetents and miscreants accountable."And as the Gold King Mine cleanup efforts drag on, suicides are on the increase in the Navajo Nation  a fact which many blame on the spill.It seems abundantly clear that the EPA is unwilling to take full responsibility for their role in the Gold King Mine spill, even though the incident continues to have a devastating impact on the environment and the people living in the region.And as it doggedly pursues "high profile" cases, while levying record fines against private companies, the agency apparently believes that its own environmental mistakes are somehow forgivable and that it should not be held accountable for them.
Monsanto's very existence was built on deception, manipulation and lies

(NaturalNews) An international tribunal made up of some of the world's leading environmental and human rights groups, is set to hold the world's most evil corporation , Monsanto, accountable for its crimes against nature and humanity.Dubbed "The Monsanto Tribunal," a cohort of scientists, environmentalists and professionals from all across the globe will put Monsanto on trial at an upcoming hearing at The Hague this fall, where the purveyor of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and chemical crop herbicides will be charged for committing "ecocide."The goal of the hearing will be to lay out all the evidence against Monsanto, and come up with a concrete plan to hold the multinational corporation responsible for injuring human life and destroying the planet . The event will take place from October 1216, 2016, with an official trial to be concluded on World Food Day."Recognizing ecocide as a crime is the only way to guarantee the right of humans to a healthy environment and the right of nature to be protected," reads the mission statement on The International Monsanto Tribunal's website.Utilizing international guidelines for handling cross-border criminal activity , the Tribunal will assess the full extent of Monsanto's improprieties and form a solid game plan for prosecuting the chemical giant in international courts."The Tribunal will rely on the 'Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights' adopted at the UN in 2011," the statement adds."It will also assess potential criminal liability on the basis of the Rome Statu[t]e that created the International Criminal Court in The Hague in 2002, and it will consider whether a reform of international criminal law is warranted to include crimes against the environment, or ecocide, as a prosecutable criminal offense, so that natural persons could incur criminal liability."Endorsed by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), IFOAM International Organics, Navdanya, Regeneration International (RI) and Millions Against Monsanto , the Tribunal represents one of the first attempts at the international level to bring Monsanto to bear for its criminal activity.Besides those injured or killed by Monsanto's actions, the flood of GMOs and crop chemicals into food supplies throughout the world has led to severe planetary changes, not the least of which is climate change resulting from chemically-induced disruptions to the natural carbon cycle."The time is long overdue for a global citizens' tribunal to put Monsanto on trial for crimes against humanity and the environment," says OCA head Ronnie Cummins."We are in Paris this month to address the most serious threat that humans have ever faced in our 100-200,000 year evolutionglobal warming and climate disruption."Many people still falsely believe that Monsanto got to where it is today through honest scientific innovation and sound agricultural solutions that have helped both farmers and consumers achieve better food security. But this is hardly the case.Monsanto and other key biotechnology players illicitly manufactured their own success by manipulating regulators, falsifying research and bullying politicians and health policy leaders into bringing GMOs and crop chemicals to the market without any evidence of safety or necessity.Andre Leu, president of IFOAM and member of the RI Steering Committee, told the press that Monsanto's entire existence has been predicated on its effectiveness in "lobbying regulatory agencies and governments ... resorting to lying and corruption ... financing fraudulent scientific studies ... pressuring independent scientists ... [and] manipulating the press and media.""Monsanto's history reads like a text-book case of impunity, benefiting transnational corporations and their executives, whose activities contribute to climate and biosphere crises and threaten the safety of the planet," Leu added.To learn more about the Monsanto Tribunal, visit: Monsanto-Tribunal.org
USA food safety lags far behind the rest of the world

Taiwan bans GMOs from school menus

Entire world revolting against U.S. agricultural imperialism and fascist, corporate-dictated government policy

(NaturalNews) Even as the fascist, corrupt U.S. government and its regulators (FDA and USDA) actively conspire with the biotech industry to poison Americans with genetically modified foods, Taiwan has already passed and implemented a nationwide law to protect its citizens from GMOs.Nearly a full year ago, Taiwan passedthat achieve remarkable food safety milestones the U.S. government refuses to implement, placing Taiwan far ahead of the United States on food safety. These milestones include:1) Requiring the mandatory labeling of GMOs on all food products that contain 3 percent or more GMOs. Foods that use no GMOs may be labeled "non-GMO" ... and many already are, causing their sales to skyrocket across Taiwan. Just last year, imports of non-GMO soybeans to Taiwan grew nearly 300% to 58,000 tons.2) Limiting the use of food additives to just 799 compounds approved by the Taiwan FDA. The FDA of the United States, by comparison, allows tens of thousands of chemicals to be used as additives, even when they are well known to cause cancer.3) All GMO ingredients are required to be registered with the Taiwan government, and food manufacturers that use GMOs are required to establish an origins tracking system to identify where those GMOs originated.4) All the soy milk, tofu, miso and other soy-derived products sold everywhere across the country -- including at cafes and street food vendors -- must be clearly labeled as GMOs if they use genetically modified soy.5) Food products made using genetically modified soy as a processing agent or blended ingredient must also label their final food products as GMO , even if the soybean oil is not, itself, the final product.6) Fines for violating these food safety provisions have been set at NT$50 million.This shows yet again just how far behind the United States is on food safety compared to the rest of the world. Instead of promoting actual food safety, the FDA gives a free pass to GMOs , heavy metals, artificial additives and other toxic chemicals, focusing almost exclusively on bacteriological contamination issues such as e.coli and salmonella.That's why the USA lags far behind the rest of the world on the banning of artificial additives and preservative chemicals, most of which have already been banned across the EU. The U.S. government continues to allow extremely toxic pesticides and herbicides to be used across the agricultural industry (including California's strawberry operations), and as the news in this article shows, the USA now lags far behind Taiwan on the issue of GMO labeling and banning GMOs from school lunches.Increasingly, U.S. food safety looks like abeing run by a. Public health has NOTHING to do with government regulatory policy at this point. It's all about appeasing Monsanto, Syngenta, DuPont, Kellogg's, PepsiCo and all the other poison-pushing food and beverage companies that continue to poison a nation of food victims into epidemics of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.In yet another milestone for food safety, Taiwan has banned GMOs from school lunches "The latest amendments to the School Health Act are aimed at all school meal providers, to ban genetically modified raw ingredients and any processed foods that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from school menus," reports the China Post . The Post also reports:You almost never hear such statements from the sellout politicians in America, nearly all of whom have been bribed and bought off by the biotech industry. Making matters even worse, poison-pushing U.S. publishers like Forbes.com -- named the single most evil news publication of 2015 by EVIL.news -- carry deceptive propaganda articles by sleazebag industry scientists like Henry Miller who ridiculously claims that herbicides are harmless and GMOs pose no health risks whatsoever.The rest of the world, however, isn't buying the U.S. propaganda. In fact, the rest of the world iswhere prostituted U.S. lawmakers and regulators are bought off by industry to shove GMOs down the throats of all the other countries under so-called "fair trade" regulations such as the TPP.Taiwan's pig farmers, for example, are also organizing a massive, nationwide protest over the U.S. pork industry's continued usage of, a toxic drug fed to pigs to cause rapid weight gain. The Taiwan government is under imperialistic pressure from U.S. trade representatives to lift its ban on the import of U.S. pork grown with the drug. If the ban is lifted, it would flood the Taiwan market with cheap, low-grade pork that's been artificially multiplied with the use of a toxic drugs that isn't used at all in the Taiwan pork industry, reports Asia News Network U.S. has long pushed tobacco products and other toxic chemicals onto Taiwan via international trade pressure. GMOs are also being aggressively shoved down the throats of the world's children by the U.S. federal government, which is widely food as a "food bully" across the globe.Perhaps that's why countries like Taiwan are working so diligently to protect their own children from U.S. food policies that push poison for corporate (Monsanto) profits. "The passing of this bill not only means our children will be eating more safely, but it also indicates a heightened understanding of food safety in our society," said legislator Lu Shiow-yen in the China Post article linked above.Not surprisingly, there is virtually no Republican or Democrat in the entire U.S. Congress who's willing to state GMOs and their accompanying herbicides are a danger to the health of children nationwide. In terms of the 2016 presidential election lineup, Hillary Clinton has very close ties to Monsanto and is known as the "Bride of Frankenfood." Ted Cruz is likely to tow the GOP party line on GMOs and take a "pro business" stance that denies GMOs cause any harm. Only Donald Trump has any shot at being an anti-GMO candidate, as he's already known to be a promoter of organic foods ... and he can't be bought off by Monsanto.Stay informed about GMOs at GMO.news and my newly-launched news website, NewsTarget.com , which also carries GMO news.
A young male mountain lion legally shot by a hunter in Idaho was found with a bizarre growth: A full set of fangs and whiskers sprouting out of the side of its head. Biologists from the state's Department of Fish and Game suggest the monstrous growth could be the remnants of a conjoined twin that died in the womb, or possibly a kind of rare tumor.

The cougar was brought to the department's attention after a landowner who saw it attacking a neighbor's dog in Idaho, shot it. As required by law, the licensed hunter reported it to conservation officials, who came to check the animal's body and discovered the abnormal deformity, according to BBC.

The Idaho Fish and Game cannot definitively explain why this abnormality developed on this mountain lion, but did offer some theories as to why teeth and whiskers were apparently growing out of its head.

"It is possible that the teeth could be the remnants of a conjoined twin that died in the womb and was absorbed into the other fetus," the Department wrote in a news release. "It is also possible that deformity was a teratoma tumor. These kinds of tumors are composed of tissue from which teeth, hair, and even fingers and toes can develop. They are rare in humans and animals. Biologists from the southeast region of Idaho Fish and Game have never seen anything like this particular deformity before."

Mountain lions, large cats with tawny or grayish coats, can weigh as much as 200 pounds. They are a native game species of Idaho, but rarely seen in the wild. Licensed hunters are allowed to harvest only one lion each year during certain seasons. Generally, mountain lions prey on deer, elk, moose; however, they are known to attack domesticated pets and livestock as well.

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It's time to say goodbye to several Disneyland attractions to make room for the new 14-acre "Star Wars" land at the Anaheim theme park.

Starting Monday, Disneyland is closing multiple attractions and eateries - some temporarily and others permanently- during construction for the much-anticipated new land.

Visitors will be able to enjoy one last weekend of Frontierland's Big Thunder Ranch before construction gets underway at the park.

Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue, Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm and Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree will all close permanently, according to the Disney blog.

Construction will also impact classic attractions along the Rivers of America. The Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia, Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes and Fantasmic! will all be shut down temporarily.

The Disneyland Railroad, including all stations, will also suspend operations for an unknown period of time.

Groundbreaking for the "Star Wars"-themed land is expected to begin this year, and represents the largest single-land expansion ever, according to the theme park.

The project was announced last August by Walt DIsney Company Chairman CEO Bog, who said the new land, also headed to Orlando, Florida, will have two signature attractions.

"These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance," Iger said in a press release.

Disneyland debuted new and improved "Star Wars" experiences at the Anaheim park on Nov. 16, including the "Star Wars" Launch bay, which offers parkgoers an opportunity to visit favorite "Star Wars" characters.
Two people were arrested in San Bernardino after allegedly using a toddler's "sippy" cup as a meth pipe while the child was nearby, authorities said.

A sheriff's deputy initially went to a home in the 3000 block of Harrison Street on Thursday to serve a felony arrest warrant, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The deputy found a man and a woman smoking methamphetamine while a 2-year-old was in an adjoining room, said Cindy Bachman, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies arrested Ronald Clayton Steel, 31, and Laticia Rose Williamson, 35, on suspicion of child endangerment and drug use. Steele was also arrested on suspicion of drug possession. Both were being held on $100,000 bail each, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The 2-year-old child was temporarily taken into protective custody before being released to the child's grandmother, Bachman said.

It was unclear if Steele or Williamson had an attorney.
Featured Post The Occasionally Fabulous Cartooning Life of Eric Orner, part 1: Ethan Green and Disney by Mike Rhode Eric Orner has been a professional cartoonist for decades, and worked his way through many types of cartooning. Early in the s...

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The Crossroads of the West gun show is taking place at the Cow Palace in Daly City this weekend, where founder and owner Bob Templeton has plans to speak to the crowd about gun ownership and the executive orders President Barack Obama announced Tuesday.

Saturday's event drew thousands of people, according to San Jose Mercury News, and thousands more are expected to pour in for Sunday's show. Last year, more than half a million people attended Crossroads events, the newspaper reported.

In addition to founding Crossroads with his wife in 1975, Templeton is also the current president of the National Association of Arms Shows. He's been an adovcate for second amendment rights for decades, working with the State Department of Justice and the California Legislature in drafting Assembly Bill 295, the gun show regulatory bill which went into effect in 2000, according to a news release.

Gun shows are often criticized for allowing private owners to sell their own guns without having a license to do so, among other concerns. The legality of purchasing guns at shows has been a hot-button issue during the 2016 presidential campaign, especially in light of mass shootings across the nation.

Those who support gun shows claim that the events enable responsible gun owners to educate themselves and make responsible purchases, while detractors have said that the exhibitions offer loopholes that bypass regulations and make purchasing a firearm an easy task for someone unstable or dangerous.

Crossroads of the West promotes more than 60 gun shows a year throughout California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada, that are purported to be family-friendly by the company website.
A man who investigators say confessed to shooting a Philadelphia police officer multiple times "in the name of Islam" has been charged with attempted murder.

Edward Archer was arraigned on four felonies and four misdemeanor charges Saturday afternoon. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, recklessly endangering another person, possession of an instrument of crime, violation of uniform firearms act and other related offenses.

Philadelphia Police

Investigators said Archer used a stolen police gun and pledged allegiance to ISIS.

"This is absolutely one of the scariest things I've ever seen," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said of surveillance footage that captured Thursday night's near deadly encounter in West Philadelphia. "This could have easily been a police funeral."

Philadelphia Police

Ross said 33-year-old Officer Jesse Hartnett was driving in a marked cruiser through the intersection of 60th and Spruce streets when Edward Archer, 30, walked up to the car and opened fire around 11:45 p.m.

While continuing to shoot, the suspect closed in on the police car until he was actually firing from inside the driver's side window with Hartnett behind the wheel, according to Ross.

During a news conference Friday afternoon, Ross said Archer's weapon was a police firearm stolen from a home in October 2013. The weapon was reported stolen through proper protocol, officials said.

Philadelphia Police

The suspect fired about a dozen times, emptying the 9 mm handgun in his hand, Ross said.

"I'm bleeding heavily!" Hartnett shouted into his police radio when he called for backup.

The 18th District officer, who was hit three times in the left arm, was able to jump out of his car and return fire. Archer was struck in the buttocks as he ran from the scene. He was apprehended a short distance away.

"This guy tried to execute the officer," Ross said. "I don't know how this officer survived."

Hartnett suffered a broken arm and nerve damage, Ross said. He underwent surgery shortly after the shooting. Friday morning, he was out of surgery, talking and in "good spirits." Ross said the officers injuries are considered "very serious" and will require multiple surgeries.

A Philadelphia police officer was shot multiple times in the arm at point blank range by a man who ambushed him as he sat in his marked police cruiser, authorities said. Matt DeLucia has the latest details.

Archer has a criminal record and has addresses in Yeadon, Delaware County and Philadelphia, which were searched by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security Friday. Archer was treated at the hospital and later released into police custody.

Ross said the suspect "confessed to committing this cowardly act in the name of Islam" and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and other city officials were quick to say Archer's apparent motive does not "represent the religion in any way, shape or form or its teachings."

This is a criminal with a stolen gun who tried to kill one of our officers,'' he said. It has nothing to do with being a Muslim or following the Islamic faith.''

Archer has been denied bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 25.

A Philadelphia Police officer is hospitalized after he was shot multiple times during an ambush shooting. NBC10s Katy Zachry has the latest.

Hartnett is a five-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police force and a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill. He previously worked for the East Lansdowne Police Department. A fundraising page was created to help with his medical expenses.


Less than halfway into January of 2016, there have been more than a dozen homicides and at least 80 total shootings across Chicago.



One of the most recent shootings took place Friday night about a half mile away from Mayor Rahm Emanuels home in the citys Ravenswood neighborhood.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., a 25-year-old man was killed in a shooting at an apartment in the 1900 block of West Belle Plaine, according to police. The mans identity has not yet been released.

One witness said she saw responding officers holding what appeared to be assault rifles. We kind of said tongue-in-cheek like should we get behind a car and duck for cover, said Shannon Condon.

A 23-year-old and another 25-year-old were also wounded in the same shooting and taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition, according to investigators. As of Saturday afternoon, no one was in custody.

Just over an hour later, another shooting left one man dead and four others wounded.

At about 8:45 p.m. in the 1500 block of South Kedzie in Chicagos Lawndale neighborhood, five men, all in their 20s, were standing outside when shots were fired.

One of the men, 29-year-old Raymon Blount, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and took himself to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office.

The conditions of the four other men were stabilized, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Police believe the shooting was gang-related.

Police reported a total of 16 homicides just nine days into the new year. Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 7, there were 12 homicides and 62 shootings, including homicides, according to police.

On Friday, Jan. 8, there were a total of four homicides, according to investigators. Police did not give an exact total on overall shootings, but estimated a total to be approximately 18.

In comparison to January of 2015, there was nearly a murder per day. Chicago saw 28 murders in total, according to police.



Still, the shooting death totals for this month and January of 2015 pale in comparison to January of 2013, where the total number of shooting deaths reached 40, according to police.



The large number of recent shootings prompted a news conference Saturday put together by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.



Rev. Jesse Jackson called for a "voter crusade," calling for residents to put pressure on the mayor to do more, especially when it comes to police-involved shootings.



"The killing season continues," said Jackson. "We seek a non-violent alternative to this season of violence."

Over the past week, a national spotlight was cast on crime in Chicago. President Barack Obama spoke about gun violence plaguing the city during two publicized events.

On Tuesday, the president gave an emotional speech on gun control while talking about the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting from three years ago. "Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad," he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "And, by the way, it happens on the streets of Chicago every day."

Later that week during a Town Hall meeting in Fairfax, Virginia, President Barack Obama also spoke to a teenager whose brother was killed in a shooting in Chicago.

When I see you I think about my own youth, because I wasnt that different as you, said the president. But the main difference was I lived in a more forgiving environment. If I screwed up, I wasnt at risk of getting shot. Id get a second chance. There were a bunch of folks who were looking out for me and there werent a lot of guns on the streets. And thats how all kids should be growing up, wherever they live.
NBC News' Chuck Todd interviewed White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough Sunday morning on "Meet the Press," asking him about President Obama's thoughts on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's leadership in Chicago.

McDonough, whose in-laws live in Chicago, revealed that he saw "up close and personal" that Obama is confident in Emanuel, saying "the city looks great, the opportunities there are boundless."

"I think what the President sees is a city and a people of Chicago and a Mayor of Chicago that continue to do very good work," McDonough added.

Calls for the mayor's resignation came this month, following the release of a report that lawyers met with Emanuel before demanding "the Laquan McDonald family bury the video showing the killing of their son by a police officer," according to NBC News.

Dashcam video of the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a police officer led to city-wide protests.

Emanuel served as President Obama's first Chief of Staff from Jan. 2009 to his resignation in Oct. 2010. During the 2015 mayoral campaign, Obama endorsed Emanuel, visited his campaign headquarters, and recorded a radio ad in support of the Mayor in the city's re-election.

"He loves our city, and he believes every child in every neighborhood should have a fair shot at success," Obama said in the ad. "If you want a mayor who does what is right, not just what's popular, who fights night and day for the city we love, then I hope you'll join me."
Two boys have been rushed to a hospital after falling through thin ice Saturday evening in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Police say a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old fell into the icy waters of a pond near the intersection of Crescent Street and Plymouth Street, behind the Plouffe Academy.

According to officials, the 9-year-old was near the edge of the water. He was rescued by two men who were in the area. The boy and the rescuers were hospitalized as a precaution.

The older boy was found at the bottom of the pond and pulled out by firefighters. He had no pulse and responders administered CPR, and his pulse returned on the ambulance on the way to Brockton Hospital.

The 12-year-old was then taken to a hospital in the Boston area.

There was no immediate word on either child's condition.

Friends say it started as a dare between six friends playing football.

"They just left to go play on the ice," said 9-year-old Carlos Baez.

"They went to the middle of the pond," said 10-year-old Alberto Baez. "One kid fell in and the other went to help him and he fell in, too."
A woman is facing multiple charges after trying to buy over $1,800 in iPhones using a false identification card with an existing customer's name on it at Simply Wireless (Verizon) in Southington, police said.

Police responded to the cell phone store at 750 Queen Street to investigate after a store employee reported that a customer committed identity theft. That customer, identified as Maribel Hidalgo, 19, of Bronx, New York, tried to buy two iPhone 6S Plus phones valued at about $1,829 using a fraudulent identification card that bore the name of another customer, police said. The employee called police after growing suspicious and figuring out that the transaction wasn't authorized, police said.

Southington police arrested Hidalgo, charging her with third-degree identity theft, credit card theft, criminal impersonation and criminal attempt to commit fourth-degree larceny.

She was held on a $50,000 cash/surety bond and appeared in court on Friday.
Tensions ran high in the Philadelphia Police Department Sunday in the wake of an attempted assassination of an officer by a man allegedly claiming he did it "in the name of Islam" after an anonymous tip to officers on Saturday said the threat against police in the city is ongoing.

According to a police report obtained by NBC10, an anonymous tipster told officers that, "the threat to police is not over" and that the man who shot Officer Jesse Hartnett is "part of a group that consists of three others," adding that the alleged shooter "is not the most radical of the four." The report obtained Sunday goes on to say the tipster told police to "be careful.



Law enforcement officials confirmed Sunday afternoon that police did indeed receive a tip that Edward Archer, the man accused of approaching Hartnett's patrol car at 60th and Spruce streets Thursday night and opening fire on him at point-blank range, was working among a small group of radical men. Authorities said the tip came from a woman who approached an officer on the street.

"Very concerned, we don't quite know what to make of it as of yet," said Police Commissioner Richard Ross Monday morning. "So we're going to take every precaution necessary. There might not be anything to it but we're not going to take any chances with that. We've got to protect our police officers, that's paramount."

Philadelphia Police officers are riding with a partner in patrol vehicles as a precaution.

Police were issuing memos to all law-enforcement agencies to warn them to stay vigilant as the investigation continues.

Senior law enforcement sources confirmed with NBC News that members of a federal and local Joint Terrorist Task Force are taking the tip seriously as well. Philadelphia Police also confirmed the FBI is investigating the possible threat.



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The tipster claimed Archer attended two Philadelphia mosques. An administrator at one of the mosques told NBC10 he did not know the suspect. While the mosque is open to the public, members say any claim that Archer was possibly radicalized while attending is not true because they preach against extremism.

"It's very easy to point the finger and blame or to just throw an accusation around," the administrator said. "It's a different story altogether when you actually come in and listen to our sermons and listen to our lessons."

Hartnett, 33, a five-year veteran, remained hospitalized on Sunday with three gunshot wounds to his arm. Doctors were working to repair nerve damage caused by the bullets.



Investigators over the weekend said that so far, they had not found anything linking Archer, 30, to the Islamic State militant group, though Archer, according to police, pledged allegiance to the group, commonly known as ISIS.



Investigators are trying to determine if trips Archer took to Egypt and Saudi Arabia in 2011 and 2012 were funded by people or organizations with links to terrorism, law enforcement sources told NBC News. Sources say the investigators are trying to find out how Archer, who was unemployed with no prior foreign travel at the time, was able to obtain a passport and pay for an extended stay in the Middle East.

Archer's neighbors said they were skeptical that the man was radicalized.

"He could have said ISIS," said Donald King. "That's possible. But people need to evaluate his mental health."



Archers grandfather told NBC10 he wasnt aware of his grandson having any mental issues. He also said Archer was raised in the Baptist church but converted to Islam several years ago. The grandfather claimed Archer went to Mecca for at least a year and came back, a changed person.



Archer was charged over the weekend with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault on police, illegal gun possession and related offenses. After he was shot, Hartnett managed to get out of his patrol car and return fire at Archer, wounding him in the buttocks.



Officials said the gun Archer used was a stolen police weapon.



Officers across the city on Sunday said they were uneasy in light of the unprovoked attack on Hartnett and the new information given to officers in the same West Philadelphia neighborhood where the shooting happened.



Police continued to investigate the anonymous tip and said they planned to re-interview the tipster.
Planned Parenthood is swinging behind Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential race, but the women's health care provider says that won't mean negative campaigning against her primary opponents.



The endorsement by the group's political arm marks Planned Parenthood's first time wading into a presidential primary, and it comes as Clinton remains locked in a tight contest with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Iowa and New Hampshire, home of the first two nominating contests. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley trails both rivals in the race.



"Based on her record and extraordinary support that she's given to our issues, people felt very strongly that she's the candidate," the group's president, Cecile Richards, said Sunday. "There is nothing about this endorsement that should reflect badly on Senator Sanders or Governor O'Malley."



Planned Parenthood is a large provider of abortion and reproductive health services and has become a lightning rod in the 2016 campaign. Most Republican presidential candidates object to continued federal financing of the organization and a measure has passed the Republican-led House to stop the flow of money.



Richards said the group is making an early endorsement so that it can begin reminding voters about the Republican candidates' "extreme" positions on abortion rights and women's health. The group plans to spend at least $20 million in the 2016 campaign.



"I don't know that it has been particularly clear in the Republican primary just exactly how extreme these candidates are," Richards said.



In contrast, she said, Clinton has long fought for women's rights and to protect women's access to birth control, safe and legal abortion and other reproductive health services.



Many Republicans stepped up their criticism of Planned Parenthood after anti-abortion activists released underground video that showed an official from the group talking about the price of fetal parts. The video did not establish that the group was illegally profiting from the sale of fetal parts as some alleged.
Parts of the tri-state could see snow showers this week as a wintry weather system moves through the region, Storm Team 4 says.

Some flakes could fall on New York City and other parts of the region late in the afternoon Tuesday as the wintry system moves through.

The snowfall could make for slick roads outside of the city, but Storm Team 4 says that there will be no significant accumulation from the storm.

City Department of Sanitation officials issued a snow alert beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday ahead of the possible snowfall.

A southernly flow approaching ahead of the winter weather system will allow for warmer temperatures during the day Tuesday. Highs will be in the low to mid 30s in areas north and west of the city and in the low to mid 40s along the coast.

Rain could change to snow, possibly even heavy snow, for a brief period of time Tuesday evening around 4 or 5 p.m. While little accumulation is expected in the city, an inch could pile up to the northwest of NYC. No accumulation is expected along the coast.

The system should move out of the region by Wednesday morning, leaving behind more cold conditions. It'll be in the low 30s Wednesday and mid 30s Thursday before a slight warmup Friday, when highs will hit the low 40s.

The unsettled weather pattern comes after a warm, rainy weekend. Blustery conditions hit the region Monday, when temperatures struggled to climb above the freezing mark. Lows were in the 20s Monday night .
UPDATE: 5th Suspect Sought in Brooklyn Gang Rape as Mayor, Residents Express Outrage

Four teens have been taken into custody as suspects in the gang rape of a Brooklyn woman, investigators said late Sunday.

One suspect is still at large after the allegations sparked community outrage and prompted a New York City council member to lament that the city has sunk to "an all-time moral low."

Investigators didn't disclose the names of the suspects in custody, but said two are 15 years old and the other two are 14 and 17. Charges against the teens were pending Monday morning.

Police had been asking for the public's help to identify the five assailants wanted in connection with sex attack on Friday night in Osborn Playground in Brownsville.

Authorities say the 18-year-old victim was walking through the park with her father when the suspects set on the pair. One of the suspects pointed a gun at the father and told him to leave the park.

The attackers then each allegedly raped the woman, authorities say. They ran off when the woman's father returned with two police officers.

The woman was taken to Kings County Hospital for treatment after the attack.

The NYPD released a surveillance video of the suspects entering a bodega prior to the attack.

City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo condemned the attack and called on residents to cooperate with police investigators.

"When an 18-year-old girl can get raped while walking with her father in a park by five men in Brownsville, New York, we have hit an all-time moral low in the City of New York," she said.

Cumbo, chair of the council's Committee on Women's Issues, seized the occasion to criticize NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.

"To add insult to injury, NYPD Commissioner Bratton's response to the escalation of violence against women in cabs was for women to utilize the 'buddy system,' " she said.

Mayor de Blasio pledged "to take every step possible" to apprehend and prosecute the attackers.

I am disgusted and deeply saddened by the horrific attack that took place in Brownsville Thursday evening," he said. "Every New Yorker in every neighborhood deserves to feel safe and protected, and we will not stop until the perpetrators of this disturbing attack are held accountable for their actions."

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams issued a statement saying he was "sickened" by the attack and urged the city to improve the lighting and design of public spaces such as Osborn Park.

"I do not accept a city where reports of rape and sexual assault are on the rise," he said.

The NYPD rejected criticism that officers were slow to respond to the incident.

"A patrol car from the 73 Precinct was approached on the street and told about the attack by the victim's father, who directed the officers to the scene," responded Stephen P. Davis, an NYPD spokesman. "The officers immediately responded and located the victim. The suspects had already fled."

Anyone with information about the fifth suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Amid a surge in New York City homelessness, many homeless people say it will take more than outreach programs by the mayor and governor to bring them in from the cold.

Not one of the dozens of homeless people interviewed last week by The Associated Press said they had been approached by the outreach workers Mayor de Blasio promised last month would be out on the streets. The mayor's program has an ambitious goal of canvassing every block, every day, in a 7-mile stretch of Manhattan, aiming to persuade street people to come indoors. A city spokeswoman told the AP on Friday that the program would not be fully operational until sometime in March  when winter is almost over.

And despite temperatures that dipped below freezing, none of the about three dozen homeless interviewed last week said they had been involuntarily taken inside following Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order instructing police statewide to forcibly remove the homeless from the street once the temperature drops that low.

All said they would rather take their chances on the street in frigid weather than turn to a shelter system they described as filthy, violent, vermin-infested, and rife with mental illness and addiction.

"I haven't talked to any cops, or social workers, or anybody," John Gallup, 30, said while collecting change outside a Trader Joe's on the Upper West Side. "And the shelters here are horrible. I feel safer on the street."

Michael Cliff, begging in Manhattan's Union Square Park, said he won't go to a city shelter due to worries about violence. But, for now, Cliff has a more immediate fear.

"I'm scared. ... I'm really scared I'm going to die out here when it's cold," said the 32-year-old, who said he was once an actor.

City officials estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 people sleep nightly on New York City's streets, while nearly 58,000 more  including 23,000 children  live in shelters. That's up from 42,000 in the past three years, according to the city. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has separately recorded a 37 percent increase in New York City's homeless population since 2009.

The problem has been fueled by soaring housing costs, drug addiction and mental illness. The mayor responded last month by commissioning a program called HomeStat, in which workers are tasked with making repeated daily contact with the homeless in what he billed as the country's largest outreach program.

Last week, during a bitter cold snap, city officials said outreach workers persuaded 97 homeless people to go into shelters one night and 62 the next. The city's long-running Code Blue program requires those workers to comb the streets for panhandlers when temperatures drop below 32 degrees.

But John Hamarics, 54, panhandling on Manhattan's Upper East Side, told the AP that New York City's shelters are "a ferocious pigsty." One East Side shelter, he said, was "infested with mice, burrowing in our food bags" and another was "notorious for criminals and people robbing each other's cellphones, robbing each other's clothes, robbing each other's food."

He instead opts to sleep on the steps of a Park Avenue church, fortified every few hours with a $2.18 cup of hot soup from a nearby Subway sandwich shop. Hamarics said he hadn't noticed any changes since the two outreach initiatives began.

"The exact same people are still in the exact same place," said Hamarics, who identified himself as a skilled carpenter looking for a job.

Three of the people interviewed said they had been approached by police officers in recent weeks, but only in the way long familiar to New Yorkers: ordering them off public spaces and suggesting they go to shelters, without offering any assistance or direction.

A de Blasio spokeswoman noted that the stepped-up outreach effort had begun but, due to training requirements, wouldn't be running at full capacity until March. "It takes multiple outreach efforts to build trust with individuals living on the streets," spokeswoman Ishanee Parikh said.

There are many reasons that some homeless people might choose to avoid a shelter. Drugs and drinking aren't allowed, and the facilities are sometimes full of difficult, troubled people in close quarters.

Comptroller Scott Stringer, saying he's "horrified," released an audit finding more than 18,000 health or safety violations  including vermin infestation, busted smoke detectors and peeling lead paint  at the city's 500 shelters. Reports of violent incidents against shelter staff and residents have also increased by 55 percent, from 504 in the fiscal year 2012 to 783 in the fiscal year 2015, according to city records.

De Blasio, whose agenda has been dominated by a need to address the city's homelessness crisis, has announced a plan to step up repairs to city shelters, acknowledging that "for decades our shelters have not been safe enough or clean enough, and that's just not acceptable." But most of the homeless people interviewed last month were skeptical that the city was following through on its plan and doubted the problem could ever be solved.

"Same problem, but it got bigger: more homeless, all over the place," said Michael Williams, 50, saying he once worked as a messenger at the World Trade Center and has been homeless for 14 years. "I haven't noticed anything different. It doesn't matter; it's the same thing, the same thing. Nothing's changed. They're not doing nothing."
Members of Philadelphias Muslim community are speaking out against a man who allegedly confessed to shooting a Philadelphia Police officer, in the name of Islam.

Edward Archer, 30, was arraigned without bail Saturday. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, recklessly endangering another person, possession of an instrument of crime, violation of the uniform firearms act and other related offenses.

Archer, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, is accused of walking up to Officer Jesse Hartnetts police vehicle Thursday night and opening fire, striking the 18th District officer three times in the left arm. As Archer fled the scene, Officer Hartnett managed to get out of his vehicle and open fire, striking him in the buttocks. Archer was then apprehended by responding police officers.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross Jr. said Archer, who has a criminal record and allegedly used a stolen police weapon in the incident, confessed to shooting Hartnett, in the name of Islam.

"According to him he believes that police defend laws that are contrary to the teachings of the Quran," Ross said.

Investigators also said he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State Group.

"He stated that he pledges his allegiance to Islamic State, he follows Allah and that was the reason he was called upon to do this," said Philadelphia Police Captain James Clark.

FBI evidence teams searched through Archer's home in Yeadon as well as another home linked to him in Philadelphia Friday. No guns or ISIS materials turned up during the searches, according to sources with NBC News.

Archer's neighbors said they were skeptical that the man was radicalized.

"He could have said ISIS," said Donald King. "That's possible. But people need to evaluate his mental health."

Archers grandfather told NBC10 he wasnt aware of his grandson having any mental issues. He also said Archer was raised in the Baptist church but converted to Islam several years ago. The grandfather claimed Archer went to Mecca for at least a year and came back, a changed person.

Investigators have not found any ties to terror during Archer's past travels to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

On Friday Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and other city officials stated that Archers apparent motive did not represent Islam, in any way, shape or form or its teachings.

This is a criminal with a stolen gun who tried to kill one of our officers,'' Kenney said. It has nothing to do with being a Muslim or following the Islamic faith.''

The Al-Aqsa Islamic Society also released the following statement:

Our community agrees with Mayor Kenney that the senseless shooting of Officer Jesse Hartnett cannot be justified by any religion. We are united with our fellow Philadelphians and decry this and all senseless violence and urge that we do more to prevent the proliferation of guns on our streets. Our Mosque and community join with the rest of our City in praying for the speedy recovery of Officer Hartnett.

On Saturday Kenney attended a mural painting event at the Al-Aqsa Academy on Germantown Avenue. The mural, which is called Windows of Peace, is meant to serve as a show of support following an incident in December in which someone threw a bloody pigs head at the mosque.

During the event, which the Mayor said was already planned prior to Thursdays shooting, he defended his comments after receiving some criticism from political commentators.

That act of that terrible man in almost assassinating our police officer was an individual act of criminality, Kenney said. It was not an act of religion. I dont care what he said. He could have said anything. He still would have been wrong. Hes still a criminal and hes going to pay the price.

Members of Al-Aqsa echoed the Mayors sentiments.

Its very frustrating for us, said Adab Ibrahim. Every time theres an incident on the news, we feel the backlash. Theres been a greater need for projects like these that bring people together.

Mayor Kenney also said he met with Officer Hartnett, who remains in critical but stable condition at Penn Presbyterian Hospital.

Hes a terrific young man, Kenney said. He had a strong right hand grip when he shook my hand. Hes certainly in discomfort and will have more surgery but well get him back. Hes not lost.

CLICK HERE if you would like to donate to Hartnetts medical funds.


Police van driver Caesar Goodson was with Freddie Gray for every second of his 45-minute trip from the site of his arrest to the Western District police station, where Gray arrived critically injured and unresponsive.

But Goodson's account of what happened on that day remains a mystery. He is the only one of six officers charged in Gray's death not to speak to investigators.



His trial, which begins Monday, will offer the public its first chance to hear Goodson's side of the story.



Goodson was behind the wheel of the van that carried Gray to six different locations while he was handcuffed and shackled but unrestrained in the rear. He faces the most serious charge of all - second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. To be convicted, prosecutors must prove that Goodson was so callous in his disregard for Gray's life that he deliberately allowed him to die.



Goodson will be the second officer to go on trial, but his could yield the first verdict. Last month, Officer William Porter's trial ended with a hung jury, making the stakes for Goodson's trial even higher in a city still on edge from the rioting and unrest in April.



Gray, a young black man, died April 19, a week after he broke his neck in police custody. His death exposed the deep divide between the public and the police in Baltimore, and became a national symbol of the Black Lives Matter movement.



Prosecutors say the officers should be held accountable for Gray's fatal injuries because they didn't buckle him into a seat belt, nor did they call an ambulance when he indicated he needed medical attention. Goodson, they say, bears the most responsibility because as the wagon driver, Gray was technically in his custody.



Prosecutors have revealed little about the case they plan to present against Goodson, who is also black, but in a pretrial hearing last week they said they would call a witness who specializes in "retaliatory prisoner transport practices," indicating they intend to bring up the possibility that Gray received a "rough ride" in the van.



During the hearing, defense attorneys argued that prosecutors had introduced "a new legal theory or area of testimony at the proverbial eleventh hour." The witness is Neill Franklin, a former Baltimore police officer and Maryland state trooper.



But Prosecutors' plans were complicated this week when Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams ruled that Porter must testify as a state's witness against Goodson, despite Porter's claim that he has a right not to incriminate himself.



An appeals court temporarily halted the decision to force Porter to testify until it can reach a final ruling.



Whether Goodson takes the stand could depend on if Porter is called as a witness, and is compelled to testify.



During his own trial Porter told jurors that it was Goodson's responsibility to buckle Gray into a safety belt, and that Gray was unrestrained throughout the entire wagon ride.



Porter also said he told Goodson that Gray wanted to go to a hospital, but Goodson ignored his suggestion.



Defense attorneys and prosecutors can't comment on the case because they are under a gag order.



Steven Levin, a defense attorney and former prosecutor, said it will be extremely difficult for the state to prove its case against Goodson without Porter's testimony.



"I don't think the state can come close to meeting its burden without Porter's testimony. I think it could be another hung jury," he said.



Warren Alperstein, a Baltimore attorney who observed much of Porter's trial, said the state will have a hard time without Porter's testimony.



"The advantage is Goodson can't be impeached by previous statements to investigators because he didn't make any," Alperstein said. "He'll get to evaluate the evidence and ultimately make a decision about whether to testify. There's also a possibility that he testifies that Officer Porter never told him Gray needed a medic. Then what? How do you prove otherwise?"
Catholics who do not believe a cantor should have been fired from his job peacefully gathered outside Mother Seton Catholic Church on Sunday.

Jeffrey Higgins was fired from his job in November as cantor at Mother Seton after it was discovered by a parishioner that he was married to another man.

"I was called to the office of the pastor here and told that he had discovered that I was gay and married, and he asked if I would resign, Higgins said. I said that I wouldn't resign, that I like my job, and I was good at my job, so he terminated me."

Supporters waved and beeped their horns in support of the people who gathered. Higgins said he appealed the pastors decision to the archdiocese, but there was no change.

The Archdiocese of Washington released a statement in support of the pastor's decision, saying, in part, "If someone chooses to live, publicly, in a manner that is incompatible with church teaching, their continued work in ministry becomes untenable.

A representative attempted to stress that Higgins was fired for being in a same-sex marriage, in public violation of Catholic teaching that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and he was not fired because he was gay.

The statement from the archdiocese touched on the distinction.

The issue, in this case, clearly became not the sexual preference of the music minister but his ability to publicly and authentically manifest the teaching of the church.

A blog post from Cardinal Donald Wuerl wrote it was Higgins instance to live contrary to church teaching that led to the firing.

However, if one persists or effectively insists that they are right and the church is wrong, in the face of such irreconcilable differences it is not discrimination or punishment to say that continued ministerial service is not possible, Wuerl wrote. It is not a question of personal private activity, but the social consequences of conduct which undermines the Churchs ability to fulfill her mission. 

The protesters hope they can create some influence on the practice and hundreds of years of Roman Catholic teachings and traditions and support non-discrimination policies for Catholic organizations.
Prince Georges County police said two people were seriously injured when their car went off the road and into the woods Sunday afternoon.

Police said the crash occurred on westbound Route U.S. 50 and Maryland Route 197 in Bowie, Maryland, around 3:30 p.m. They said a man and a woman were extricated from the car and taken to a trauma center.

Officials said the man was in critical condition, and the woman was in serious condition.

Their identities have not been released. Investigators will be looking into the cause of the accident.
Republican presidential candidates said Saturday their party must do more to convince poor Americans that conservative policy  and not an active federal government  will expand economic opportunity.

But the White House hopefuls, addressing a conservative economic forum in the early voting state of South Carolina, didn't agree on all the details, particularly on taxes.

Moderated by House Speaker Paul Ryan, the event gave a half dozen candidates the chance to champion long-standing conservative ideas about alleviating poverty, such as letting states spend federal money on safety net programs without federal strings, and spending public money on independent charter schools and vouchers for private-school tuition.

Yet when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie bragged that he doubled a key tax credit for low-income workers in his state, he met opposition from 2016 rival Ben Carson, who countered that the federal Earned Income Tax Credit is a "manipulation" of the tax code.

Carson calls for an across-the-board tax rate, with no deductions or credits for any household or business. He criticized progressive income tax rates  the framework that has endured though decades of Republican and Democratic administration. "That's called socialism," he said. "That doesn't work in America."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee pitched his "fair tax," a single-rate consumption tax to replace all other taxes on wages, investments and inheritance. "It's a powerful unlocking of the economy," Huckabee said. However, he said he would allow something similar to the Earned Income Tax Credit to ease the tax burden on low-income households.

Responding to Carson, Christie said he does not necessarily prefer the complications of the existing tax code. "If we were starting from the beginning ... we could do things a lot differently," Christie said. But, "We have to be practical."

Missing from the lineup Saturday were two leading GOP contenders: businessman Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

During his remarks, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was interrupted multiple times by protesters angry about his immigration policy.

"He has brought fear to our community and we are here to tell him that our community needs to be treated with respect and dignity," said Yadira Dument of New York, one of several protesters escorted from the forum by police and security guards. As a pair of protesters shouted, Rubio said, "We are going to enforce our immigration laws."

Rubio was key in a bipartisan effort to overhaul immigration law and backed away from the initiative when it failed in 2013. He now calls for a piecemeal approach that only offers a pathway to legalization after the influx of illegal immigration is stopped.

The conference came as Republicans try to improve their standing among poorer Americans, who favored President Barack Obama in 2012, according to surveys of voters leaving the polling station.

Ryan said the old "War on Poverty," a phalanx of government programs largely from Democratic administrations, "has been a stalemate." Conservatism, he argued, "can open up a renaissance," dismantling a system that "isolates the poor."

About one in seven people lives below the federal poverty rate, which in 2014 was measured at about $19,000 per year for a two-parent household with one child, the government says.

The candidates Saturday mostly agreed that traditional welfare discourages work, rejected a minimum-wage increase and said the private sector and religious community should take on more responsibility for fighting poverty.

"Compassion is not measured by how much money you spend in Washington," former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said. "It's acting on your sense of consciousness."

Bush has proposed eliminating several federal programs and shifting money to states in the form of block grants to help poor families.

Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich said the federal government should empower states, but Christie said Obama "doesn't trust governors," Democratic or Republican, to enact locally tailored programs.

And Christie said his party must reach out in ways it hasn't. "We need to be going into African-American churches ... into the Hispanic community," he said. "We need to go there, show up and campaign in places where we are uncomfortable."
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A Boston Police officer who was shot in the leg Friday, now in stable condition, is being praised by the department as a hero.

Officer Kurt Stokinger, a veteran member of the city's drug unit, is at Boston Municipal Hospital, continuing to recover after this brazen attack.

It's a beat that Officer Kurt Stokinger is used to - targeting illegal drugs and weapons. Friday, though, he faced a man who has a long history with both.

"Our officers lay their lives on the line every day they go out, and our job has not gotten any easier," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said.

Police say 27-year-old Grant Headley took off after he was pulled over near Mt. Bowdoin Terrace in Dorchester. Headley allegedly turned around and shot Stokinger in the leg.

The 9-year veteran officer was able to use a tourniquet on his own leg and, with the help of another officer, it likely saved his limb and his life.

"We are the targets, and that's wrong. We are the men and women who are out there protecting you and the public should not stand for this," said Pat Rose, president of the Patrolmen Association.

Stokingner has been commended in the past for helping to take drugs and illegal weapons off the street. In 2014, he received an award, and Evans says he was about to receive another.

"He's a hero, because he's out there doing God's work," said Evans.

Stokinger, who is from South Boston, has two young children - a 7-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter to whom Boston Police say, thankfully, he will soon return home.

"I just want to pass along my prayers for a speedy recovery and to ask everyone to remember to appreciate our police department in the city of Boston," Mayor Marty Walsh said.




1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
Declan Burke is his own genre. The Lammisters dazzles, beguiles and transcends. Virtuoso from start to finish.  Eoin McNamee This bourbon-smooth riot of jazz-age excess, high satire and Wodehouse flamboyance is a pitch-perfect bullseye of comic brilliance.  Irish Independent Books of the Year 2019 This rapid-fire novel deserves a place on any bookshelf that grants asylum to PG Wodehouse, Flann OBrien or Kyril Bonfiglioli.  Eoin Colfer, Guardian Best Books of the Year 2019 The funniest book of the year.  Sunday Independent Declan Burke is one funny bastard. The Lammisters ... conducts a forensic analysis on the anatomy of a story.  Liz Nugent Burkes exuberant prose takes centre stage  He plays with language like a jazz soloist stretching the boundaries of musical theory.  Totally Dublin A mega-meta smorgasbord of inventive language ... linguistic verve not just on every page but every line.  Irish Times Above all, The Lammisters gives the impression of a writer enjoying himself. And so, dear reader, should you.  Sunday Times A triumph of absurdity, which burlesques the literary canon from Shakespeare, Pope and Austen to Flann OBrien  The Lammisters is very clever indeed.  The Guardian
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Via The Independent, Robert Fisk writes: Regrettable is as far as our criticism of Saudi Arabia is allowed to go. Excerpt:

Only six of our British military chaps, it seems, are helping the Sunni Saudis kill Shia Yemenis. And theyre not actually in Yemen, merely helping to choose the targets  which have so far included hospitals, markets, a wedding party and a site opposite the Iranian embassy. Not that our boys and girls selected those particular terrorist nests for destruction, you understand. Theyre just helping their Saudi mates  in the words of our Ministry of Defence  comply to the rules of war.

Saudi rules, of course, are not necessarily the same as our rules  although our drone-executions of UK citizens leave a lot of elbow-room for our British warriors in Riyadh. But I couldnt help chuckling when I read the condemnation of David Mephan, the Human Rights Watch director.

Yes, he told us that the Saudis are committing multiple violations of the laws of war in Yemen, and that the British are working hand in glove with the Saudis, helping them, enhancing their capacity to prosecute this war that has led to the death of so many civilians. Spot on. But then he added that he thought all this deeply regrettable and unacceptable.

Regrettable and unacceptable represent the double standards we employ when our wealthy Saudi friends put their hands to bloody work. To find something regrettable means it causes us sadness. It disappoints us. The implication is that the good old Saudis have let us down, fallen from their previously high moral principles.

No wonder the MoD has popped across to Riyadh to un-crease the maps and explain those incomprehensible co-ordinates for the Saudi leaders of the coalition against terror. Sorting this logistics mess out for the Saudis does, I suppose, make it less unacceptable to have our personnel standing alongside the folk who kill women for adultery without even a fair trial and who chop off the heads of dozens of opponents, including a prominent Saudi Shia cleric.

Those very words  regrettable and unacceptable  are now the peak of the critical lexicon which we are permitted to use about the Saudis. Anything stronger would force us to ask why David Cameron lowered our flag when the last king of this weird autocracy died.

And exactly the same semantics were trotted out last week when the Tory MP and member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Daniel Kawczynski  who was also chairman of the all-party UK parliamentary group on Saudi Arabia  was questioned on television about the 47 executions in Saudi Arabia, the kingdoms misogynistic policies and its harsh anti-gay laws.

Faced with the unspeakable  indeed, the outrageous  acts of a regime which shares its Wahhabi Sunni traditions with Isis and the Taliban, Kawczynski replied that the executions were very regrettable, that targeting civilians would be completely unacceptable and the anti-gay laws highly reprehensible. Reprehensible, I suppose, is a bit stronger than regrettable.
Reporter/Columnist

Julie Wurth is a reporter covering the University of Illinois at The News-Gazette. Her email is jwurth@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@jawurth).
'It is a Big Game to Start With But..': India Captain Rohit Sharma Reveals How India Are Gearing up For The Pakistan Clash
Via Arab News: Hospitals to be checked for MERS compliance.

The Health Ministry is subjecting 400 hospitals to evaluations for MERS compliance and will re-evaluate efforts being made by different sectors for readiness in combating the disease.

The undersecretary of the ministry for public health and chairman of the command and control center, Abdul Aziz bin Saeed, said those subject to evaluation come under the ministry and other agencies, universities, the National Guard, the military and the private sector.

He added the MERS virus situation is stable at the moment but this doesnt mean we should stop our efforts, and as we are approaching the month of February when young camels that carry coronavirus start to be born, precautions need to be taken. He added we expect to register some cases as in past years.

He warned that it has been scientifically proven that the camel has a role in the coronavirus cycle as shown by numerous studies that were carried out. He said there were cases in the past months of human infection because they had contact with camels which proves they are carriers of the virus but not the direct source.

Saeed said the ministry, in cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry, have carried out awareness campaigns where camels are found, especially in markets, squares and at rallies were the animals are used for competition. He added such campaigns were carried out for camel breeders about the necessity of health precautions.

He stressed that hospitals need to be on the alert with infection control requirements. We will not hesitate to impose any punishment entailing closures and fines against hospitals that dont fully apply the principles, standards and regulations for infection control.

He added hospitals are there to treat patients and not for acquiring the infection as a result of negligence and we will continue with our surprise visits of different health sectors to ensure that the regulations are adhered to and ICUs and operation rooms are in top form.

He said the Husn program has allowed work with suspected cases of MERS with all care, and has removed all obstacles of treatment related to the disease. It has specified 4,000 workers to be trained especially in such cases according to the program.

No new MERS case has been reported in the Kingdom since December 30.
Home News Sports Social Obituaries Events Letters Looking Back Health Jewels Stitch in Time Political rally held opposing Refugee Resettlement Resolution January 9, 2016 A rally organized by those opposed to the County Commissioner's recently passed resolution on refugee resettlement attracted approximately 200 people earlier today. By one estimate, around 65% of those attending appeared to support the purpose of the rally organizers, with the remainder appearing to be in opposition. (This assessment based upon where people were grouped together, those holding signs expressing various opinions, and other subjective judgments).



As noted, the rally also attracted indivduals in opposition to the purpose of the gathering, which means they supported the Commissioner's resolution.



Several Bonners Ferry Police officers, and Bonners Ferry Police Chief Vic Watson were also on duty at the meeting.







Several speakers addressed the assembled crowd from a microphone set up on the gazebo at Georgia Mae Plaza in downtown Bonners Ferry. Some shared accounts of discrimination and prejudice, some expressed opinions about the resolution, and some spoke on how the issue has proven to be divisive in the community.



"I'm not against proper security or vetting, I'm not even against not using county funds to support refugees, just using federal funds," said Brent Dehlbom, the first speaker at the rally. "Those are really the only two things that this resolution that we're talking about has to say. When you get right down to it, I kind of don't disagree with either side on some of the issues. I'm not against many of these things, but the way that we've been treating each other in this community for simply speaking our opinions is downright wrong. All of us should be a little bit ashamed of ourselves."



Former Bonners Ferry Mayor David Anderson, who also addressed the group, referred to the principle of religious freedom and its importance in our country's history: "This country has spent 250 years fighting racial and gender discrimination. But the seeds that were planted here that grew this great nation, were religious tolerance. That's why we came here. Our forefathers came here seeking it, the First Amendment totally states it , and the fight will go on and on to preserve it," said Mayor Anderson.



Bonners Ferry High School teacher Linda Hall, who identified herself as a Japanese American, recounted a story of how her family experienced a great deal of prejudice as she was growing up, including how her family was evicted from the ranch they owned in Wyoming shortly after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.



Several other speakers, as noted, shared their perspectives and opinions on the issue. Several of those who were present in opposition to the rally carried signs, some of which stated:



"They Do Not Want to Coexist"



"Islam Hates the United States"



"Resistance is Fu-Tile, You Will Be Assimilated"



"Level 1: Recruit, Level 2: Infiltrate & Corrupt, Level 3: Kill the Infidel"



"Refugees Are a Trojan Horse"



"ISIS Will Be Among Them"



"Vett 'Em or Forget 'Em"



In spite of some concerns expressed in recent days that attempts might be made to physically disrupt the meeting, no such activity occurred. At several points during the speeches, the opposition group shouted out comments that were generally against refugee resettlement, but for the most part, speakers were allowed to make their comments without significant interruption.











Following the approximately 45 minute gathering, organizers led a march across the Kootenai River Bridge, and back again into the downtown area.



Following are several short audio clips recorded at the meeting. You can hear these short clips by clicking on one of the audio icons, either MP3 format or WAV format, as listed below.

































Questions or comments about this article? Click here to e-mail!
Via Exame.com: Microcephaly in Rio is alarming, says Secretary. Edited excerpt from the Google translation:

The new State Secretary of Health of Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Antonio Teixeira de Souza Junior, considers the number of cases of microcephaly in the state very serious and alarming.

For him, it is necessary to provide further information to pregnant women about the risks that they run with exposure to the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus, the latter associated with microcephaly.

"We need to change our focus so that pregnant women take the measures to avoid the Zika virus," he said.

Teixeira called on the public to do their part in the fight against mosquitoes to avoid leaving water in places where the insects can breed. "Help inside your house, your neighbor's house. This work with the mosquito is a community service."

The new secretary said that the reported cases of microcephaly will cause future impacts. "I will fight every day so Rio de Janeiro has fewer cases of pregnant women with Zika, because this will generate a sequel for many years for our state," he said.
Mayor: Safe Port-of-Spain Carnival

Tim Kee gave the assurances at the launch of Downtown Carnival on Friday held at Woodford Square.

The events began with a parade which at a Memorial Park and ended at the Square. Traditional mas characters such as Dame Lorraines and Blue Devils chipped, danced and pranced along Frederick Street much to the delight of onlookers who lined the street to get a glimpse of the masqueraders.

Tim Kee promised, as he addressed those gathered in Woodford Square after the parade, that the city had a series of events in store leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday on February 8 and 9.

He said, Between now and Carnival Tuesday we have some serious Carnival experiences, all of which you will find different and exciting. The city has appointed calypsonian David Rudder as its cultural guru this year. He was expected to be a guest at the event but was unable to make it. A formal presentation is expected to be made to him today.

He added safety and security are two major issues the city is addressing. Meetings were held, he said, with the Defence Force and Police Service (TTPS ) who will work to alleviate any situation which could arise because of the concentration of people and alcohol in their head and music. Security personnel, he said, would be out to control the environment and ensure everyone has a good time.

Asked about the decline in bands parading at downtown venues, Tim Kee said this was true two years ago but it was no longer that way. Last year was the biggest demonstration of support for downtown Carnival because all of the major bands passed through our judging point on South Quay. Even our spectatorship was extremely large, a lot different from what obtained before.
Docs feel discomfort over docs suspensions

The Tobago Regional Health Authority Board (TRHA) suspended the doctors who were involved in the surgery of the Charlotteville woman who died on New Years Day, January 1, after delivering a baby girl via C-section at the Scarborough hospital on December 31, 2015.

In a media statement yesterday, the Medical Associations public relations officer Dr Austin Trinidade wanted to know if the doctors were suspended after a thorough investigation and hoped the TRHAs decision was not a knee-jerk reaction to satisfy the public or politicians.

The Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association wishes to extend deep sympathies to the family of Rose Gordon of Charlotteville Tobago and offers its support through its Tobago branch, Trinidade stated.

We also note with some discomfort the decision of the TRHA to suspend the team involved in her management.

We fervently hope that this step was taken after a thorough investigation and was not a knee-jerk reaction to satisfy public sentiments or political directives. Trinidade noted Tobago only has two obstetrics and gynaecological teams and cautioned that suspending one would significantly impair this type of care for pregnant women.

We are aware that the island has only two OB/ GYN teams and suspending one effectively reduces obstetric coverage by 50 percent. This could open the hospital to more adverse events.

We sincerely hope that due thought and consideration was given to this likely scenario, he said in the release. As always the association stands ready to offer advice and assistance if requested to do so. An autopsy conducted by pathologist Dr Hubert Daisley last Monday stated Gordon died as a result of collapsed lungs, pre-eclampsia and hypovolemic shock.

Public Services Association president Watson Duke, this week, also stood by the suspended doctors.
Tim Kee: Savannah vendors can sell

Last month, Tim Kee pledged to stop vending at the Savannah because of a problem with rats due to garbage. In a release yesterday, the Port-of-Spain City Corporation reported the Association of Local Culinary Ambassadors (ALCA) and Tim Kee held a cordial meeting at the mayors office on the issue. And after much discussion, a satisfactory conclusion was reached, with president of ALCA and Mayor Tim Kee shaking hands to seal the terms of agreement for vending at the Savannah, the release reported.

The release noted that over the past few weeks sanitation issues about the area used by the group of small entrepreneurs were brought into focus as the health department had deemed the area posed a possible threat to consumers who purchased food items in the area.

The release reported that at the meeting with the vendors, Tim Kee shared his vision for the small entrepreneur who provided food services at the Savannah and advised the vendors should re-brand to improve their offerings to the public, embracing opportunities for training and money management. He also suggested they have uniforms to identify them as The Savannah Strip Vendors. Tim Kee had also pointed out that while the Savannah has been maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture it falls under the purview of the corporation hence his involvement in the issue.

The release noted both parties fully discussed the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and the vendors, and it was agreed this must be strictly followed. The agreement includes that ALCA shall be responsible for daily garbage collection within the designated area and must remove their property after sales each day. The release also reported the corporation will continue its daily cleaning of all public areas to ensure the public is protected from illnesses related to sanitation issues.
Pong for Kamla, praise for Rowley

But it was Taylors The Election Is Over, which stole the show.

In the song, he referred to some of the Partnerships missteps, including developments which occurred late in their five-year term: Kamla Persad-Bissessars plan for TT post-2015; the No Rowley campaign; and the helicopter controversy.

Where is the helicopter from Port-of- Spain to San Fernando, Siparia to Tobago, Taylor, who received three encores, asked the enthusiastic audience.

The veteran calypsonian, a former head of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), observed that the nations roadways were also devoid of Kamla banners in the wake of the election defeat.

There are no Kamla banners anywhere...like the plan she had disappear.

Its an indication the election is over, he sang, asking the crowd to join in.

The recent sacking of former Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran, the suspension of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) managing director Jerlean John and fire at the Water and Sewer- age Authority, currently under investigation, also received some play in the song. Its an indication the election is over, he sang.

Serving up their usual spicy brand of political commentary, popular artistes Devon Seale and Carlos James (Skatie) again churned out powerful performances during the five and a half hour show.

Skaties Back On Track, though, whilst revisiting some of the Partnerships missteps, appeared to be somewhat of an endorsement of the new Dr Keith Rowley-led Peoples National Movement (PNM) Government.

He said there was a brightness on the horizon when the PNM assumed office.

After five years of pain, we back on track again, he sang.

Seale, who described the former PM as a sore loser, urged members of the former Partnership government to Respect Gods Voice, following their election defeat. He said the former governments attempts to challenge the election results in the marginal constituencies will be in vain.

Seale and Skatie each received three encores.

Although several of the calypsonians dealt with the perceived failings of the Partnership, many of the songs were noticeably subdued when compared to the venomous offerings of recent years.

Even so, the tents political standard-bearers, did not disappoint, receiving numerous encores from the crowd.

Wendell Goodridge, appropriately dressed in jail garb, got the evening off to a fiery start with Lock Dem Up, while the Original Tempo, Michelle Henry and Alana Sinette, kept the pace with In Meh Lawyer Hand, Ask Yourself  and Morons and Oxymorons, respectively.

The social commentators were not to be left out.

Former Young King Bevon St Clair delivered a crisp, powerful performance to See De Rainbow Again, which spoke of a yearning for the days of yore.

He sang that despite the tribulations confronting TT, including crime, we could still experience good times again.

Teneil Cooper tackled the issue of spousal abuse in Something Wrong, while Mahalia Regis lamented that there was still Too Much Race Talk. The neglect of the nations children found voice in Morisha Ransomes Shoulda Invest Time, as Nicole Greaves called on young, black men to Wise Up. The veterans of the tent, Sugar Aloes (Michael Osuna), Chalkdust (Hollis Liverpool) and Baron (Timothy Watkins) delivered their usual quality performances.

Eight-time monarch Chalkdust sang De Road Bad, a metaphorical take of the PPs performance in government, while the sweet-sounding Baron rendered Love Conquers All. Aloes, manager of the Revue, sang Psalm #2, a piece which calls on on persons to always keep a clear conscience
Lessons from the streets

The final year law students  Darius Emrith, Ashley Roopchansingh and Reisa Singh  discussed their project Hope for the Homeless last week during an interview at the law schools St Augustine campus. The fourth participant, Anessa Chow from Guyana, was absent due to illness.

Emrith explained that the project was part of their Human Rights Clinic which the students take in their final year and have to implement a community-based project. They decided to do a project on the often neglected issue of the homeless.

They contacted 141 Foundations, a non-profit organisation which assists the homeless, to collaborate with them. They decided to have a charitable aspect to the project with a toiletries and clothing drive at Hugh Wooding.

The response from the students was overwhelming and Singh recalled that they had to clear the collection bin every day. They also planned to interview the homeless for photo essays and a picture book.

For the project they visited Harris Promenade in San Fernando on Sundays between October and November 2015 with members of 141 Foundations. They were informed by 141 that because of their circumstances some of the homeless become harsh to society and may lash out.

This made us nervous, Singh said.

To their surprise the interaction was the opposite, and the homeless were approachable. Emrith said a recurring attitude among them was that despite their circumstances they remained so positive. Singh recalled that the first person they met was so nice and entertained them with jokes. Roopchansingh noted that they thought they would have to brighten up their day but the students were so happy to meet the pleasant homeless people.

For Roopchansingh the person that impacted her most was Samuel.

He moved in with his grandparents when his parents died.

Then his grandparents died and he ended up on the streets at age 11. She noted Samuel had physical injuries (an injury while on a garbage truck affected his back), but he was still able to remain positive.

Samuel told them he ignores people when they verbally abuse him.

He would hear their comments and he would see the way they looked at him and it would be different from the way they would look at other people, she recalled.

Roopchansingh noted that it was amazing for her that he had a positive outlook to people who treat him badly noting that when she gets upset with someone she would not talk to them for the day.

For Singh the person that stood out was Patsy. At a young age Patsy was abused and ran away to the streets. Asked whether she would return to her relatives Patsy told them she would prefer to live on the streets. Singh found in Patsy a person who, despite her circumstances, was still positive and so inspirational.

For Emrith the story of ex-homeless person with the pseudonym, Animal, really touched him. Animal had been involved in a life of drugs from an early age, went to jail, got kicked out of home, and ended up on the streets. Animal decided to turn his life around and was able to secure Government housing. He now has a family. The group met Animal as he had returned to assist his friends who still live on the streets.

Asked if they had any negative experiences while dealing with the homeless Roopchansingh noted that 141 Foundations chose people that were more approachable.

Emrith said some harboured fear and embarrassment and did not want to talk as they think they would be judged. Some wanted to tell their stories but not have their pictures taken. Overall about one out of every four or five persons participated.

Singh recalled that when they told people about their project they questioned why they would want to help the homeless, out of a belief that it is they who put themselves there.

Those who were questioning, however, were shocked when they saw the essays, and could not believe the circumstances that led to the people being on the streets.

Emrith recalled one Sunday 141 gave every one of the homeless a haircut and the students assisted.

One of his friends was shocked that he would touch a homeless persons hair. Emrith noted, however, that when she read their stories she changed her mind and asked to participate in a future haircut programme.

If I would hug a homeless person...

it is no problem. Because we realized that they are human beings and they deserve love and attention just like any other member of society, she said.

Emrith stressed that though people think negatively about the homeless they are not on the streets because they choose to be but because they have nowhere else to go.

Emrith said his view of the homeless before was that they are just harassing people and asking for money to buy alcohol or cigarettes.

But after the project he could never pass a blind eye to a homeless person. If he did not give them a dollar he would give them a positive word.

They want to know they are cared for, he added.

He noted 90 percent of the people they interviewed had family issues. One person was kicked out of their home because they did not believe in God. Emrith said this made him grateful for his open minded family and he appreciated what he had more.

My love and care for my family increased, he explained.

Roopchansingh said her perception was that people are on the streets due to drugs or alcohol. She did not realize that some found the streets as an escape from their lives and she could not believe for some people living on the streets was better. For her now it is about trying to understand and talk to them more. She noted the experience changed her and she appreciates more where she is in life.

For Singh she felt that the homeless gave her more than they gave to them.

I complain so much about everything and I didnt realize how blessed I am. These persons go through things I couldnt even imagine. With the abuse, their parents kicking them out, and at the end of the day they would still be positive, they would still smile. And I just could not understand how one person could live through all this and still be positive at the end of the day, she said.

Now if she sees a homeless person she would give a kind word to, let them know they are appreciated and not neglected. They shouldnt be neglected because at the end of the day we are all human, she said.

Emrith noted that it would have been nice to do a long-term project where you could get them off the streets and give them a job opportunity but with only five weeks they decided to make a first step of erasing the stigma associated with the homeless. This was the purpose of the photo essay series done with the collaboration of 141 Foundations. He described the response to the photo essays as phenomenal. The story of Animal in particular got 1,200 likes, 500 shares and about 70,000 views.

(People) began seeing them in a different light, he said.

Emrith noted that if one person changed their view of the homeless because of their project they feel they would have accomplished something.

On the legislative side he pointed out the Socially Displaced Persons Act has been assented to but not proclaimed. He said this Act covers all rights that the socially displaced should enjoy and different avenues to assist them. The students discovered that it discusses things they thought about before they came across the Act, like setting up institutions for the socially displaced to stay in and be rehabilitated.

We know homelessness is a problem in our society, we know there is an Act in place already, why not put it into effect? Emrith asked rhetorically.

He said this is an excellent first step to try to alleviate homelessness in the country on a State level.

Emrith noted that the project had a reverse effect somewhat in that while they, the students, wanted to go and make an impact on the lives of the homeless there was a much greater impact on their own lives.

I was so appreciative of that because you thinking that these people  they basically have nothing, and you who have everything would be the ones to help them, and they are actually the ones who ended up helping us and changing our mind set in general. And I think that to me really struck home, he said.

For more information on the project check out #hopeforthehomeless on Facebook and Instagram and for more information on 141 Foundations check out the website 141tt.com.
US Military Really Didn't Want

You to Know What's in New

Washington Post Investigation
(Newser)  In what Clare O'Connor of Forbes calls "its smartest move in years," fashion house Dolce & Gabbana is dipping in to a market with massive potential: Muslim fashion. D&G has launched its first collection of abayas and hijabs for the Middle Eastern luxury goods market. While designed to be modest, per Vogue, the new line has "all the flair of any other Dolce & Gabbana collection," with lace embellishments, bright floral details, and vibrant prints. Already, Forbes notes, women in wealthy Persian Gulf oil states accessorize their abayas and hijabs with expensive handbags, shoes, and crystals, and often wear brands, such as D&G, "head-to-toe" beneath their modest outer garments. "It's about time" a fashion house did this, observes a post at FastCoDesign.

Calling Muslim women "the next big untapped market," Fortune references a Thomson Reuters report that projects global spending on clothing and footwear by Muslims to increase to $484 billion by 2019, up from $266 billion in 2013 (more than was spent by Japanese and Italian consumers combined). A Pew Research Center projection helps explain why: By 2050, the number of Muslims in the world is expected to equal that of Christians. D&G already has several shops in Persian Gulf states, per Forbes. And luxury e-commerce company Moda Operandi has had such success with clients from Persian Gulf states (including the sale of a $413,000 ruby necklace) that it is looking into opening a showroom in the region. "No word yet if itll stock D&Gs abaya line," O'Connor writes, "but watch this space." (Two Muslim women argue that Christians who wear hijabs in the name of unity are misguided.)
(Newser)  A convoy of more than a dozen pickup trucks carrying armed men arrived at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon on Saturday. Some of the men told journalists they were there to help with security for the group that has occupied the headquarters of the refuge since Jan. 2. The men said they were members of the Pacific Patriot Network, a consortium of groups from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, the Oregonian reports. They were carrying rifles and handguns and dressed in military attire and bulletproof vests. Their leader, Brandon Curtiss, said the group came to "de-escalate" the situation by providing security for those inside and outside the compound.

One of the original occupiers of the refuge, LaVoy Finicum, said the group appreciates the Pacific Patriot Network's help, but "we want the long guns put away." Curtiss said he intends to meet with standoff organizers as well as local public officials and law enforcement to come to a "peaceful resolution." "We are not the militia, and we are not a militia," he said, adding that "they're here for everybody's safety, on both sides." The leader of the standoff groupAmmon Bundyhas repeatedly rejected calls to leave buildings at the refuge despite pleas from the county sheriff, from many local residents, and from Oregon's governor, among others. (Read more Oregon stories.)
(Newser)  The string of jewelry-store robberies that spanned multiple states and involved the loss of millions of dollars' worth of diamonds and watches is now allegedly over, and a 24-year-old woman has been charged, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Abigail Lee Kemp was arrested Friday in Georgia and the FBI says it also has an accomplice in custody, though, a rep says that "due to ongoing investigative efforts, the identity of the second person, and the details surrounding both arrests, are not being released at this time." The FBI credits "many callers" who provided tips after the agency publicized the case. Kemp stands accused of heists in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. (Read more robbery stories.)
(Newser)  The aid group Doctors Without Borders says a projectile from an unknown source has hit a hospital it supports in Yemen's northern Saada province, killing four and injuring 10. The group, known as MSF, says in a statement that the Sunday attack led to "the collapse of several buildings of the medical facility." Of those injured, three are MSF staff, and two are in critical condition, it said. MSF operates in eight Yemeni provinces at a time when many foreign aid groups and even United Nations personnel have been evacuated. "This is the third severe incident in the last 3 months. Our teams struggle on a daily basis to ensure the respect of health facilities," MSF wrote said, per Reuters.

Shiite rebels known as Houthis took over the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014; in March, a Saudi-led coalition started launching airstrikes against Houthi and allied forces' positions. Saada, a Houthi stronghold, has faced a particularly intense bombardment. "There is no way that anyone with the capacity to carry out an air strike or launch a rocket would not have known that the Shiara Hospital was a functioning health facility providing critical services and supported by MSF," says a rep. MSF keeps warring factions updated with GPS coordinates of its locations, the group notes. (Read more Yemen stories.)
(Newser)  A group of five men raped a teenager one-at-a-time in a Brooklyn playground on Thursday night after ordering her father to flee at gunpoint, police say. The 18-year-old survivor, unnamed in media reports, was with her dad in Osborn Playground at about 11:15pm when the suspects allegedly came up, the New York Daily News reports. One of the men is said to have drawn a gun in the Brownsville facility and given the father a simple order: "Get the f--- out of here." The father then fled to call 911, and when he came back with two cops, the suspects ran in all directions.

The survivor received treatment at Kings County Hospital, but the suspects all escaped. Now police are seeking help by releasing video of five black, male suspects in a nearby bodega before the assault, Reuters reports. They're wearing light jackets, hoodies, and can be seen smiling and laughing, the New York Times notes. Now nearby residents are taking a second look at Osborn Playground, which includes climbing equipment and is normally used by middle-school kids during the day. "I have to keep an eye out," says a 52-year-old who adds that her 16-year-old daughter is no longer allowed in the playground. "To me, I thought this was safe." (Read more rape stories.)
(Newser)  Amateur enthusiasts and kids on field trips have been flocking to a New Jersey quarry pit for years to dig up some of its many prehistoric fossils. Incredibly, this pit may also be the only known dinosaur graveyard dating back to their destruction 66 million years ago, the New York Times reports. "It sounds silly, but is it the case that this pit in South Jersey, behind Lowe's, has the one window into this pivotal moment in time?" asks Kenneth Lacovara, who teaches geology and paleontology at Rowan University. The pit, which was in a shallow sea on the dinosaurs' last day, happens to contain a host of fossils about 40 feet downwhich puts it around the "extinction layer" marked by an element found in comets and asteroids called radioactive iridium.

"We are in the trying-to-poke-holes-in-it phase," says Lacovara. "Certainly we have rocks that are near that time. I know we're damned close." Owned by a water treatment plant for nearly a century, it became unprofitable due to environmental regulations and was slated to become a lakeuntil Rowan, pressed by Lacovara, bought it for $1.95 million, the Star-Ledger reported in September. Now Lacovara wants even more school trips and fossil days so enthusiasts can search through the muck in Mantua Township, NJ. "We really want to integrate this in the community," he says. "Kids start to think of science as a process. It's a way of asking questions about your world." (Read more fossils stories.)
(Newser)  A federal judge has dismissed a nude protester's claim that police violated his rights by arresting him while he played violin stark-naked outside the federal courthouse in Portland. Matthew Mglej of Hillsboro, Oregon, sued the Portland police and the county last January, seeking $1.1 million in damages. The 26-year-old was arrested for indecent exposure in May 2014. According to the Oregonian, the judge said Mglej's nudity didn't advance a specific message, so it wasn't protected by either the First Amendment or the state constitution.

At the time, Mglej took off his clothes and put them down beside a written quote from Thomas Jefferson, "The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave." Mglej then stood fully naked as he played the violin. The judge allowed one allegation of excessive force against Multnomah County to proceed to trial. Mglej claimed jail deputies cut his wrists by jerking on his handcuffs. County attorneys argued Mglej refused to follow directions once in jail and he didn't complain of injuries at the time. (Read more musician stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 38F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 28F. Winds light and variable.
Los Angeles:

Twilight star Kristen Stewart is ready to get behind the camera. The 25-year-old actress said she would be great in directing, reported People magazine.

I really want to do that now. I think that Id be pretty good at getting people on the same plane and on the sort of train. Yeah. I cant wait, she said.

The type of film she wants to direct is unclear, but it will likely not be anything close to the near-death experience she had on her latest film, Personal Shopper.

I genuinely felt closer to death on a movie than Ive ever felt. Its like 16-hour days, six days a week, running around Paris. Literally nonstop running.

(Director Olivier Assayas) sort of gave me this opportunity for a short period of time to contemplate infinity in a really disarming and scary way, thats like little questions that you ignore when you lay your head down on your pillow at night. Like, Im alone, who am I? All those things, they plague her.

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New Delhi:

Sunday marks 50th anniversary of historic Tashkent pact signed between Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistan President Ayub Khan, ending the 17-day war between Pakistan and India of AugustSeptember 1965.

Here are 5 things you should know about the Tashkent pact:

1) The pact was signed on the 17the day of 1965 India-Pakistan war in the Uzbek SSR, USSR (now Uzbekistan).

2) The agreement was mediated by Soviet premier Aleksey Kosygin, who had invited the parties to Tashkent.

3) India and Pakistan agreed to withdraw all armed forces to positions held before Aug. 5, 1965; to restore diplomatic relations; and to discuss economic, refugee, and other questions.

4) The agreement contained no-war pact or any renunciation of guerrilla warfare in Kashmir, the reason why it was widely criticised by India.

5) A day after the pact was signed, Indias then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shahtri died of a heart attack, still in Tashkent. The sudden death of Shashtri led to huge controversy as may conspiracy theory broke out after the death.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi :

Peoples obsession with white skin may be a remnant of the Caucasian-dominated colonial age but the practice still exists in the society.

A lot of stress is given on attaining the artificial white look as white is the definition of beauty. We need to question our definition of beauty here., is it the hangover of British Raj, white supremacy or what?

For some or the other reason people have always associated white skin with nobility and beauty. Our thoughts and trends are represented and shaped by what we see and endorse.

Lately, a new Thai ad claimed that white skin is the key to success. The ad has been widely criticised for its racial approach, especially online world people complain the ad perpetuates damaging, racist ideas.

Just being white, you will win, says Cris Horwang, a smiling pale-skinned actress, in the 50-second spot by Seoul Secret, a Thai beauty company.

Without the advertised pill, the whiteness I have invested in, will just vanish, she warns. The actress endorses the idea of attaining whiter skin with this Snowz pill.

On Friday, the Seoul Secret issued a statement, apologised for the same and also pulled the video off online platforms.

(We) would like to apologize for the mistake and claim full responsibility for this incident. Our company did not have any intention to convey discriminatory or racist messages, it said.

What we intended to convey was that self-improvement in terms of personality, appearance, skills, and professionality (sic) is crucial.
New Delhi:

In a weird incident Mumbai Police forcefully fed around four dozens of bananas to a thief who had eaten a stolen 25gm gold chain.

The incident reportedly occurred in Ghatkopar east fish market in the eastern suburbs late Wednesday night when the accused, Gopi R Ghaware snatched and ran off with a womans 25 gms gold chain.

As the woman screamed some of the marketers chased and pinned down the thief.

After this, police was called-in which first conducted a X-ray of the thief which showed a metal object inside the body. In a weird treatment to the case, police reportedly force-fed the thief around 48 bananas, who finally excreted the swollen chain in the morning ablution.

This is not the first time Mumbai police has carried out a probe in this way to recover a stolen good.

Last year also, a thief was fed five dozen bananas and liquids in an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve a Rs 60,000 gold chain whose large pendant got stuck in the food pipe.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Osan Air Base:

A powerful US B-52 bomber flew low over South Korea today, a clear show of force from the United States as a Cold War-style standoff deepened between its ally Seoul and North Korea following Pyongyangs fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will read the fly-over of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons seen by an Associated Press photographer at Osan Air Base near Seoul as a threat.

Any hint of Americas nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the United States to topple its authoritarian government.

The B-52 was joined by South Korean F-15 and US F-16 fighters and returned to its base in Guam after the flight, the US military said.

This was a demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland, said Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander US Pacific Command, in a statement. North Koreas nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations.

The B-52 flight follows a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to celebrate the countrys widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test.

Kim is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world and to boost his domestic political goals.

There was no immediate reaction from North Koreas state media to the B-52 fly-over, which also happened after North Koreas third nuclear test in 2013.

Kims first public comments about last weeks test came in a visit to the countrys military headquarters, where he called the explosion a self-defensive step meant to protect the region from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists, according to a dispatch Sunday from state-run Korean Central News Agency.

It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize, Kim was reported as saying during his tour of the Peoples Armed Forces Ministry. The tone of Kims comments, which sought to glorify him and justify the test, is typical of state media propaganda.

But they also provide insight into North Koreas long-running argument that it is the presence of tens of thousands of US troops in South Korea and Japan, and a hostile US policy that seeks to topple the government in Pyongyang, that make North Koreas pursuit of nuclear weapons absolutely necessary.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Jolted by former UPA minister Manish Tewaris remarks on 2012 troop movement story by an English Newspaper, former Army chief V K Singh and Congress categorically dismissed the claims.

Union minister and former Army chief V K Singh said that the Congress leader has nothing to do these days. Manish Tewari ji has nothing to do these days. There is this book of mine, ask him to read it and everything will be clear to him, VK Singh said.

Manish Tewari ji has nothing to do these days. There is this book of mine, ask him to read it and everything will be clear to him, VK Singh said.

Tewari, while speaking at a book launch on Saturday, made stormy revealation that story is unfortunate but true.

Congress also dismissed Manish Tiwaris claims. Senior leader PC Chako clearly & categorically denied this report.

On behalf of Cong we want to clearly & categorically deny this report. There was no such troop movement without information of Govt said PC Chacko.

The report which appeared in Indian express in past, has been denied officially by authenticated sources he added.

However, hours after his Tewaris comments, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar showed suspicion on the suspect. It appears something did happen that night which was against the Constitution and democracy. said Aiyyar.

Congress strongman and former minister Manish Tewari yesterday said that the Indian Express story on troop movement towards PMs residence was unfortunately true.

Indian Express in its 2012 has claimed that two units of Indian Army made an unnotified movement towards Delhi. Of the two units, one was from Meerut and the other was from Haryana.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
London:

Scientists have proposed a revolutionary device which they say could create detectable gravitational field, an advance that may transform physics and shake up Einsteins theory of general relativity.

Until now, a scientific advance like this was a dream of science fiction, but it could open up many new applications such as telecommunications with gravitational waves that would allow calling the other side of the world without going through satellite or terrestrial relays, researchers said.

At present, scientists study gravitational fields passively. They observe and try to understand existing gravitational fields produced by large inertial masses, such as stars or Earth, without being able to change them as is done, for example, with magnetic fields.

This led Andre Fuzfa from Namur University in Belgium to attempt a revolutionary approach - creating gravitational fields at will from well-controlled magnetic fields and observing how these magnetic fields could bend space-time.

In his study, Fuzfa has proposed, with supporting mathematical proof, a device with which to create detectable gravitational fields.

The device is based on superconducting electromagnets and therefore relies on technologies routinely used, for example, at CERN.

Although this experiment would require major resources, it could be used to test Einsteins theory of general relativity.

If successful, it would be a major step forward in physics - the ability to produce, detect and, ultimately, control gravitational fields, researchers said.

People could then produce gravitational interaction in the same way as the other three fundamental interactions (eg electromagnetic and strong and weak nuclear forces), ushering gravitation into a new experimental and industrial era. The research was published in the journal Physical Review.
Etawah:

A lioness today died in Etawah districts Lion Safari, prompting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to remove the Chief Forest Conservator.

Tapasya, a three-and-a-half-year-old lioness brought from Gujarat on December 28, died early this morning, director of the safari, Sanjay Srivastava said.

Tapasya, who came along with another lioness Jessica and a lion Pataudi, was taken ill soon after her arrival and was being treated by local as well as doctors from Bareilly, he said.

The post-mortem was performed by a team of doctors from Bareilly, Srivastava added.

The Lion Safari is the pet project of the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh. Taking serious cognisance of the incident, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has directed to immediately remove Chief Forest Conservator S K Upadhyaya.

The CM has directed to remove the chief forest conservator immediately, an official spokesman said in Lucknow.

He said that a high-level committee has been constituted headed by retired IAS officer V N Garg to probe into such incidents.
New Delhi:

The Finance Ministry will exempt payments to Iran from hefty withholding tax if the Persian Gulf nation were to receive full payment for oil it sells to India in rupees.

With sanctions against Tehran blocking payment channels, 45 per cent of the oil India imports from Iran are settled in rupees since January 2012. The remaining gets accumulated and cleared as and when easing of sanctions opens payment window.

In June last year, Iran agreed to receiving all of the payment in rupees but wanted waiver of 40 per cent withholding tax.

Finance Ministry is agreeable to such waiver, a senior government official said.

The Budget for 2012-13 had exempted Indian refiners from paying withholding tax when paying 45 per cent of dues in rupees to Iran. The same benefit will be extended to 100 per cent payments made in rupees, he said.

As of now, Indian refiners owe Iran USD 5.8 billion.

Cabinet approval for exempting payments to National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC) would be sought, he said.

But Iran may no longer be keen on taking payments in rupee when the option of getting payment in hard tradable currencies like US dollar and Euro is on the verge of opening.

Oil and banking sanctions against Iran may be lifted as early as this month following a historic deal the Persian Gulf nation reached with the US and other western powers in July last year.

Sanctions are to be lifted on Iran agreeing to limit its nuclear programme.

Sources said Iran was using the rupee payment it received since January 2012 to pay for imports from India. It had planned to use the full payment received in rupee for the same purpose.

Rupee is not freely traded on international markets.

In March 2012, the Finance Ministry had issued a notification exempting 45 per cent of payments made to Iran in rupee from any local tax.

The notification, under Section 10 (48) of the Income Tax Act, related with tax exemptions in regard to foreign oil companies selling crude oil in India has notified the National Iranian Oil Company has as a foreign company.

This followed fears that the money paid to NIOC may be considered as income generated by Iranian firm in the country and liable to be taxed.

Iran is Indias 5th largest crude oil supplier, selling 6.53 million tons of oil in the first half of 2015-16. Iranian supplies made up for 6.6 per cent of the 99.36 million tons of oil India imported during April-September.

Iran was Indias second biggest supplier of crude oil after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 and made up for 12 per cent of Indias oil needs. But sanctions relegated it to 7th spot last fiscal with supplies of 10.95 million tons. This year it has regained some lost ground.

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New Delhi:

The CBDT will hold a high-level meeting with top Income Tax department officials this week to review the on-ground implementation of some of the recent initiatives announced by the government for a taxpayer-friendly regime and to widen the base of taxpayingg people.

The meeting, scheduled for January 13, will be chaired by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman A K Jain and will be attended by other members of the board who will interact with all the regional IT department heads via video conferencing.

According to the agenda proposed for the meeting accessed by PTI, the top policy-making body of the Income Tax department will review the current status of revenue collection under the direct taxes category, prompt issuance of refunds upto Rs 50,000 in non-scrutiny cases and progress on the new project of holding scrutiny of cases through email and internet-based communication.

The meeting will also assess the progress made by IT department in adding new assesses under the initiative to add one crore new taxpayers this fiscal.

The inputs received by the CBDT after the meeting, officials said, will be used in preparation of the Union Budget.

The other subjects for review include the monitoring of pending legal cases and their effective disposal, implementation of recent orders for hike in monetary limits for appeal in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) and High Courts, quick disposal of taxpayer grievances and status of scrutiny cases being worked out in the department.

In the last few months, the CBDT and the Finance Ministry have introduced a number of projects to bring about a system of non-adversarial tax regime and improve ease of doing business in the country.

Officials said the CBDT brass, during the meeting, is expected to direct the field offices of the department to speed up the pace of these initiatives while leaving no stone unturned to enhance overall revenue collections.

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Kadapa:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today urged citizens to work hard for the development of the state and consider people of Singapore and Dubai as their role model.

Addressing a public meeting at Alankanpalli, he said people of Singapore and Dubai worked sincerely in developing their countries.

We (the people) too have to work with commitment to develop our state, which is suffering with deficit budget and with many teething problems, he added.

Naidu also urged residents to face the drought with courage.

People should not fear of drought. Drought should fear to enter in to this area, he said, adding they should depend on dug-out ponds to store water for improving ground water, for which government has sanctioned one lack ponds for every district.

I am taking all steps to bring Godavari water to Rayalaseema to develop sustainable agriculture for flourishing this region, he added.

Steps will be taken to complete Buggavanka works and flights will be operated between Kadapa and Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Amaravathi (the new capital) soon, Naidu added.

He said that his government is investing Rs 500 crore (to purchase) medical equipment for providing best medical care to the poor.

Meanwhile, Naidu also inaugurated ten social welfare schools, eight primary health center buildings, 21 Stri sakti bhavans.

The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for the Haj House and for a 50-bed hospital to be constructed at Rajampeta.

District incharge Minister G Srinivas Rao, Information Minister P Raghunath Reddy and senior officials were present on the occasion.
Washington:

In a carefully planned surrogacy, a 54-year-old grandmother in the US has given birth to her daughters baby, honouring a vow to her sibling who suffered three heartbreaking miscarriages.

Kelley, 28, and Aaron McKissack, 33, had tried for three years to have a baby of their own. The couple attempted multiple infertility treatments and experienced three miscarriages.

The last one ended in heartbreak on Christmas day in 2014. However, the final round of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) did leave the couple with four remaining embryos.

Kelleys mother, Tracey Thompson then offered to be a surrogate for her daughter and son-in-law, using the remaining embryos from previous treatment, the Medical Center of Plano, Texas said in a statement.

My lovely mom offered to give me to greatest gift I could ever have in my life, Kelley said on her mothers gesture.

When Kelley was a teenager, she had jokingly asked her mother to carry her baby.

She said, If I cant carry my own baby will you carry it for me?  Thompson told CNN affiliate KTVT. Of course I would, not dreaming that I would actually be doing it.

This promise was kept when an embryo was successfully implanted into Thompson in April 2015. She was seven years past menopause but in excellent health.

Thompson underwent several medical treatments beforehand to allow her body to carry a baby.

It is such a blessing that I can do this for my daughter, said Thompson.

She gave birth to Kelcey McKissack, a healthy 6-pound-11-ounce baby girl, on January 6 at The Medical Center of Plano.

Kelceys unique name was created by combining her mothers and grandmothers names, Tracey and Kelley.

Dr Joseph Leveno, an obstetrician/gynecologist at The Medical Center of Plano, delivered Kelcey and worked with the family to ensure a safe and happy outcome for all involved.

The family is now sharing their story to spread the word that surrogacy is a viable optionparticularly to those who are having trouble conceiving using other methods.

Infertility affects one out of every six couples, like the McKissacks.

Age alone is typically a limiting factor for childbirth and surrogacy. However, medical advances in assisted reproductive technology can allow for late-in life surrogacy, under exacting supervision, the Center said.

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New Delhi:

Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd (GSFC) one of the leading Vadodara based Multi Products & multi locational Company that is revolutionizing the business of Fertilizers and Industrial Chemicals with its pioneering products and ground-breaking ideas. The Vadodara based firm recently promoted yet another revolutionary product, GUJCON-CRF & GUJCON-PRF, through a road show organized at Kamani Centre, New Delhi.

GUJCON CRF & GUJCON PRF virgin Nylon-6 fibres are the latest in the legacy of GSFC innovative products. These fibres are revolution in buildings as well as Road Infrastructure for providing secondary reinforcement in all construction applications.

The grand launch witnessed many eminent builders, architects, dealers & suppliers of construction materials and speciality chemicals. Renowned Bollywood star Akshay Khanna, brand ambassador for GUJCON-CRF & GUJCON-PRF, was also present at the event.

GUJCON CRF & PRF Polyamide-6 (Nylon-6) Fibres are a breakthrough in the construction and infrastructure industry. A 100 gm pack is to be added per 50 kg cement for imparting secondary reinforcement in all cement based structures.

The products increase the serviceability, durability and life of the structures by preventing occurrence of shrinkage cracks & water seepage and by enhancing performance properties viz wear/impact/shock load /abrasion resistance. GUJCON CRF & PRF help enhance the aesthetic value of a structure by ensuring better surface finish.

Secondary fibre reinforcement in the construction space is still in nascent state in India in comparison with developed countries, but with increasing level of consumer awareness its demand is now beginning to pick up in the country. Even GSFC has recently exported the first consignment to Myanmar.

GUJCON CRF & PRF is a quality product of Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. and have been tested and approved by various research institutions including Central Road Research Institute, Gujarat Engineering Research Institute (GERI) and more.
New Delhi :

In a fresh development, Mutahida Jihad Council, in a video was aired on a Pakistani channel, claimed responsibility for the Pathankot terror attacks on Sunday.

In the video, it is mentioned that the main aim of the attack was to target the Indian Army. Watch out for the exclusive video of the terror threat only on News Nation.

Pathankot air base was targeted by Pakistani terrorists on January 1 which saw the killing of 6 terrorists and 7 martys.

During this operation, drone, chopper, dog squad and bullet proof vehicles were pressed into service to trace the location of suspects.
New Delhi :

If Comedy Nights host Kapil Sharma can make you laugh, his sibling is no less and has won laurels for saving many lives at Pathankot operations.

Not many know that the comedy king has a brother who fought the terrorists that attacked the Pathankot airbase on January 2.

In fact, you will be surprised to know that Ashok Kumar Sharma has been guarding the sensitive defence facility from the outside ever since.

Well-known comic Kapil Sharma's elder brother is a head constable with Amritsar rural police and takes his work very seriously.

He was among the 80 cops who were rushed to the spot.

As told to an English daily, We were fighting for the first three days and did 20-hour shifts. With the gun battle over on third day all of us were under stress," he said.

He is very similar to Kapil but has put on little weight. He like his father serves in the Indian Army.

Their father Jatinder Kumar too was a cop and had died of cancer in 2004 while on duty as a sub-inspector with Punjab Police.

On being asked about his favourite actors, Ashok Kumar said Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt.
Chennai:

Living up to his top billing, Stan Wawrinka annexed his third Chennai Open singles title in a row, demolishing the challenge of Borna Coric in the final, today.

The World number four defending champion strolled to a 6 3 7-5 win over world number 44 Coric in one hour and 26 minutes.

Wawrinka asserted his supremacy over Coric, winning the third clash against him and extended his Chennai winning streak to 12 matches and 24 sets.

Wawrinka was clearly playing at a different level and the onus to make it a contest was on the young Croat. While the Swiss hardly conceded points on his serve, Corics serve was under tremendous pressure from the start.

It was evident in the second game of the match when Coric just survived the Wawrinka onslaught. The Swiss hit a deep return, inches before the baseline, which Coric failed to return, his forehand dying at the net. It was deuce.

Wawrinkas backhand was too hot as he opened the court with single-handed shots, landing very wide. Another Coric forehand landed at the net and it was the second deuce.

The Swiss almost repeated the strategy but could not execute the final shot in the open court and Coric finally managed to hold.

The Swiss was great with his soft drop shots, using those very effectively. Wawrinka broke Coric in the sixth game, hitting a backhand to the body which the Croat failed to return across the court.

Wawrinka made it 5-2 but not before defusing five breakpoints in the nine-minute game, which was the first in which the Swiss was made to work hard for points.

Wawrinka never looked under pressure and wriggled out of the tight situation with his forehand winners and very a powerful serve. To Corics credit, he made his presence felt on the court.

Coric was now serving to stay in the opening set, which he managed but could not stop the world number four from pocketing the set in the next.

The Croat succeeded in delaying the inevitable with better serve games and did not concede a game till the 11th game, saving a break chance in the third game, in between.

In that game, Wawrinka won the battle of picking drop volleys to earn a break point and converted that with his trademark backhand winner.

Wawrinka conceded only three points in the entire second set as he served four games at love, moving leisurely in a park. He served out the match when Coric failed to pick up another superb drop shot by Wawrinka.
Kolkata:

Jadavpur University Vice Chancellor Suranjan Das, who is unwell after forcibly confined to his office room for the third consecutive day today, refused to go home as the protesting students asked him to walk upon their bodies.

Das said he is suffering from diabetes and blood pressure fluctuation and he needs rest.

But I cannot go home also because they are like my children and sitting on a demonstration. They have said I can leave for home but they will lie down on the path and I would have to walk upon their bodies. I cannot do that, the VC said.

Besides him, registrar Pradip Ghosh and other officials are under gherao by the protesting students till the authorities announce a date for holding the students union elections.

The higher education department had recently issued an advisory to the state-run university asking it not to hold elections to students union in February to avoid any disturbance during exams of different boards. The election was supposed to be held in that month.

The VC has passed the ball to the Chancellor saying it depends on him. Now we will meet the Chancellor with Professor Bimal Roy. Till the time the matter is resolved our gherao will continue, the protesters said.

Squatting inside the administrative building Aurobindo Bhawan, the students have been shouting slogans and raising placards to press for their demands.

The VC said that a letter has already been sent to the office of Governor K N Tripathi, who is also the Chancellor of state universities.

He is not here now. After he comes we will meet him. A letter has already been sent to his Secretary on the demands of the students. I hope to resolve the situation through negotiations, Das said.

In 2014, Dass predecessor Abhijit Chakrabarti was gheraoed demanding a fresh probe panel in the alleged sexual harassment of a girl student. Fearing threat to life, he called police inside the campus which created a huge furore and Chakrabarti was forced to resign.

In 2013 similarly Professor Shouvik Bhattacharyya was gheraoed by students for 51 hours when he was the VC. He resigned a month later and shifted to IIT Kharagpur.

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Islamabad:

A four-nation conference on Afghan reconciliation process will be held here tomorrow to explore ways to create a consensus for talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.



The Foreign Office announced that the first meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Committee will be held her tomorrow.



Representatives of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US will participate in the preparatory talks, an official said yesterday.



Prime Ministers Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will address the opening session, it said.



The group was set up last year to facilitate the reconciliation in the war-torn country.



Meanwhile, Afghanistan hoped that Pakistan will present a list of Taliban willing to negotiate with Kabul at a meeting this week aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process, Dawn reported.



Javid Faisal, deputy spokesman for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said today that Pakistans list will include Taliban who do and do not want talks with Kabul.



Faisal said Pakistan has agreed to cut off financial support to Taliban fighters based in Pakistani cities.



He said insurgents based in Pakistan would not be allowed to resettle in Afghanistan.



The Express Tribune reported that Taliban were not ready for talks with Kabul government as they believe that it was useless to hold peace parleys with powerless administration.



Officials said that insurgents were just playing to the gallery as they publically do not endorse talks with the government.

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New Delhi :

"The former prime minister Indira Gandhis rule was worse than the British reign in India." Well, the embarrassment has been brought down on Congress by none other than ally Bihar government.

The above references have been made in the history of Bihar section under state profile.

According to a report in a leading daily, the Congress, which is in alliance with JD(U) and RJD in Bihar, is planning to take the matter with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Congress has strongly reacted to the instance with leader Chandan Yadav saying that the references to Indira Gandhi were totally unacceptable.

"The former PM was a very popular leader and people in Bihar remember her for empowering the downtrodden," he added.

Meanwhile, Bihar government has said that they were not aware about the contents on the website and promises to get it checked.

However, the content can still be seen on the website. You can also read the matter here! (Click on state profile in the left and read the fifth stanza in 'Modern History' segment.)

The article on modern history which was published on Bihar government website read:

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Berlin:

A man who tried to attack a Paris police station last week had lived in a centre for asylum seekers in Germany, German investigators said, a finding likely to fuel criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkels liberal stance towards war refugees.



The man was shot dead by French police on Thursday after he tried to storm the police station in northern Paris, brandishing a meat cleaver and wearing a fake suicide vest.



The assault took place exactly one year since the start of a series of jihadist attacks in France, beginning with the murder of 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine on January 7 2015.



Yesterday, German investigators assisting the probe into the attempted police station attack raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum-seekers in Recklinghausen, in the west of the country.



Their statement said the man had lived at the shelter but gave no further details. No other attacks appeared to have been planned, it added.



A source close to the matter told AFP that the suspect had been registered as an asylum seeker.



But French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve cast doubt on the German claim.



I cannot confirm this, quite simply because I am not at all sure that it is correct, Cazeneuve told Frances iTele, and called on the media to exercise the greatest care in reporting the mans identity.



The news site Spiegel Online reported, meanwhile, that the man had already been classed by German police as a possible suspect after he posed at the refugee centre with an IS flag, but he disappeared in December.



The head of North Rhine-Westphalias criminal police service, Uwe Jacob said the suspect had travelled to Germany in 2013 for the first time from France, where he had lived illegally previously for five years.



He had gone under seven different identities and given at least three nationalities on separate occasions - Syrian, Moroccan or Georgian, Jacob said, according to national news agency DPA.



We are not sure who he really was, said Jacob, adding that the man had already been imprisoned on several occasions for offences relating to illegal arms possession, drug trafficking and assault.



Welt am Sonntag said the man had drawn a symbol of the Islamic State organisation on the shelters wall and had filed for asylum using the name Walid Salihi.



But French investigators said Friday the suspect appeared to have been identified by his family and was said to be a Tunisian named Tarek Belgacem.

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24th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair begins

Published: January 9, 2016

The 24th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair began at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani.

This year the theme of fair is Vivid Bharat  Diverse India based on Cultural Heritage of India. China has been accorded the Guest of Honour Country status for this edition of fair.

The message of India-China partnership for the New Delhi Book Fair 2016 is Renaissance of Civilizations- Understanding through exchanges.

Key facts

The nine-day event has been organised by National Book Trust (NBT), an apex body of the under the Union HRD Ministry and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is the Co-organizer.

Over 1,500 exhibitors from all over India and 30 countries are participating in this years fair along with International agencies like WHO and UNESCO.

Over 1,000 titles in major Indian languages on language, philosophy and literature from ancient to contemporary times are on display

Besides, the fair is also hosting many publishing and literary conferences, emerging new voices in Indian writing as well as special programmes for children and youth.

About New Delhi World Book Fair

The New Delhi Book Fair is Indias oldest book fair organized annually at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The 1st Delhi Book Fair Was held in March 1972 and was inaugurated by then President of India VV Giri.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2016

Topics: Book Fair  Current Affairs 2016  Events  New Delhi

Latest E-Books
Not a Trump fan, but before you, too, jump on the tar-and-feather bandwagon, consider this: In 1979 President Carter, after the Iranian mobs stormed our embassy in Tehran and took Americans hostage, closed their embassy here, expelled their diplomats, and stopped Iranians from coming into our country.

Listening to our Commander in Chief speak Dec. 6 about controlling terrorism, it would have been humorous if it wasnt so tragic. One thing he said was we must pressure Turkey to control its border with Pakistan. Yet he allows a porous border with Mexico, allowing some 12,000,000-plus undocumented people (and no doubt terrorists and criminals in the mix) into our country!

So after San Bernardino, ask yourself if you agree with him (and his locals Malloy, Blumenthal, Murphy, Esty, and Himes all in lock-step with his policies), that: (a) Syrian refugees are widows and orphans, (b) ISIS is a JV team, (c) that their answer to terrorism is to continue shredding the Second Amendment and disarming Americans, and (d) that the government will protect you.

Now we have a grandstanding stunt to fight terror by our governor. By his executive order, anyone on THE LIST is branded as a terrorist and prohibited from buying a firearm. Sounds great! Who could be against such a common sense law, he asked as he politicized the tragedy while on CBS This Morning. Being the shrewd politician, he must know:

1. That the FBIs Watch List is not list of known terrorists. It could be a person the FBI is watching because a relative, co-worker or friend may be suspected of terrorism ties. Or they could just be law-abiding citizens, like you or me, whose name just happened to get on THE LIST.

2. Anyone could mistakenly or unknowingly end up on THE LIST, like Nelson Mandela, many employees of the Ford Motor Company, and Senator Ted Kennedy. I watched Kennedy on TV chide Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge that his name was put on THE LIST and Ridge was unable to get Kennedy off THE LIST for over a year! So Governor, if a fellow Democrat like Kennedy, was having all that trouble getting his name off THE LIST, what chance do us poor slobs having in getting our names off when some nameless/faceless Washington bureaucrat puts us on?

3. Watching Malloy on TV, he said anyone on THE LIST can appeal. So after Malloys executive order has denied the constitutional right of due process, we can appeal. Wow! I am so grateful to Big Brother. So tell us Governor, what process do we have for refuting the federal bureaucrats compiling THE LIST? How long does it take? To whom is that bureaucrat accountable?

4. Malloys latest tyrannical power grab is against our cherished constitutional rights of due process and equal protection and should be of concern to every American regardless of their views on firearms. This smells like the Third Reich. Remember fellow citizens, were not only talking about our Second Amendment rights but also our First and Fourteenth Amendments rights as well.

The take-home lesson, as I see it: If We The People sit back and allow these politicians to trash our constitutional protections, all in the apple pie name of making us safer, what are you going to tell your children when they ask you what you did to prevent this home-grown tyranny by power hungry individuals?

Pat Lucas is a resident of Danbury.
A music academy, making its home in Ironton's former Masonic Hall, recently held a special ceremony in memory of a well-respected local music teacher who passed away in 2011.

The event took place immediately following the Arcadian Academy of Music's first student recital held Dec. 13.

Academy owner and director, Emily Parker, said students from Iron, Reynolds, St. Francois and Washington counties performed on piano, violin and voice at the recital that turned out to be only the start of what turned out to be a very special day.

Following the performances, a ceremony dedicated the academy's recital hall  now named in honor of Parker's late grandmother, Jeanette McKinney.

"My grandmother, who was born in 1927, was a lifelong Iron County resident who dedicated her life to music teaching and performance," Parker said. "She taught music at the Irondale, Ironton, Bismarck and Potosi schools. My grandmother especially enjoyed teaching band and in later years, she taught music appreciation for Mineral Area College."

In addition to her many musical activities, Parker recalled how her grandmother was active in Eastern Star, the womens Masonic organization.

"She often participated in meetings in the very hall now bearing her name," Parker said. "My grandmother served as a mentor and inspiration for many  especially me."

After McKinney retired from her teaching career, she taught piano lessons out of her home in Belleview while caring for Parker as a child.

She retired around the time I was born and became my primary babysitter, Parker said. From my playpen I would watch her teaching piano lessons. She said Id go to the piano and mimic what I saw her students do."

McKinney ended up teaching Parker piano from the age of 3 until she turned 15.

At that point my grandmother felt like I needed to go elsewhere and I started going down to SEMO once a week for piano lessons, Parker said. It made me sad that when my grandmother couldnt teach me anymore. I had to travel two hours every week for piano lessons."

Parker recalls there was not much consistency in the musical training she received during her teen years.

"I had three choir teachers during my four years in high school. They would all move on to a better job. You couldnt retain quality teachers because they could make more money elsewhere or they wanted to be closer to the city.

After graduating from Arcadia Valley High School, Parker attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she earned a bachelor's degree in vocal music education.

She next attended Northwestern University in Chicago where she received her master's in piano pedagogy. She then spent the next five years teaching at the schools music academy prior to moving back to the Valley with Brian.

The couple met at church during their first year at Mizzou. The next year Brian transferred to American University in Washington, D.C. where he received his law degree and soon became a mergers and acquisitions attorney for a Chicago law firm that is the largest in the world.

The plan always was that Brian and I would go off, get our educations, get our first jobs, try to pay off student debts  do all that kind of thing, Parker said. And when we had kids, we would move back here.

I quit my job at Northwestern around Christmas of 2008 and we had our first child, Nadia, in January 2009. Then Brian quit the law firm and we moved down here that summer.

He opened a law practice soon after their arrival and will soon begin his second term as Iron County prosecuting attorney. In 2011, the couple's attention turned from Brian to Emily.

When the couple first came to town an old three-story brick building caught Brians eye  the Ironton Lodge Hall at 133 N. Main St.

Built in 1873 by local contractor C. W. Forster, the building initially housed local chapters of both the Masons and the International Order of Odd Fellows. Then, for several decades, both the women's organization for the Odd Fellows and Chapter 349 of the Order of the Eastern Star met in the building.

In addition to the use of its upper floors by fraternal organizations, the building also served as a meeting place for the community and the lower level at various times housed John M. Moore's dry goods and clothing store, an electrical light company, a doctor's office and the Ironton Post Office.

The Odd Fellows' lease was purchased by the Masons in 1964, officially ending the tenure of one of the two original fraternal tenants. The Masons continued using the building until the early 1990s. The Parkers took possession of the building in April 2012.

At first I had been very apprehensive about buying the building because it needed a lot of work and I didnt know anything about old buildings and renovation, she said. It was in very rough shape.

Each floor was basically one gigantic room, so the walls that are here now were added by us. The building had no plumbing. We had to put in new wiring to meet city code and stabilize the stairs.

Following completion of the renovation project, the Arcadian Academy of Music officially opened in January 2015, and Parker makes it clear she has no intention of ever moving away from the Arcadia Valley again.

I always wanted to come back and provide quality education here," she said. "I wouldnt move away to make more money. I wouldnt move away to the city because this is my home. I have a reason to be here.

Parker said the academy offers classical piano and violin lessons from experienced teachers. Anyone interested in learning more can call 573-546-0202.
Less than 24-hours after dumping PDP for APC in controversial fashion, Ex-governor of old Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyi Nwobodo and wife,...

Less than 24-hours after dumping PDP for APC in controversial fashion, Ex-governor of old Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyi Nwobodo and wife, Patricia, were yesterday rejoined in holy matrimony by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Calistus Onaga.Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and his wife, Monica, were sponsors of the couple in the marriage in fulfillment of requirements demanded by the Catholic Church.The marriage took place at the Bishops Court, Independence Layout, Enugu.The governor thanked God for the successful wedding and prayed that the union grows from strength to strength.In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Peter Akpunonu recalled the past cordial relationship between Chief Jim Nwobodo and the Catholic Church, especially when he was the governor of old Anambra State.He added that the long association informed the decision of Nwobodo to join Catholic Church having been impressed by his association with the church.Rev. Fr. Akpunonu thanked Nwobodo for having the courage to embrace Catholicism.In a brief remark, Nwobodo observed he felt fulfilled to have fully joined the Catholic Church.He described the development as a home coming and spiritual thing.He assured that he would remain in the church which he said he trusts and believes in.
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Otu Ita Otoyo has defected to the All Progressives Congress. He defec...

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Otu Ita Otoyo has defected to the All Progressives Congress. He defected alongside a former senator, Aloysius Etok and former member of the House of Representatives, Eseme Eyiboh.These decampees including former chairman of Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area and many others were received into the party at a prayer summit and reception held in honour of Obong Umana Umana, candidate of the APC in the last governorship election.The reception followed his victory at the Appeal Court.The decampees noted that the PDP was no longer the party they once believed in. They lamented that it has been hijacked by a few people.Toyo berated the PDP for deviating from the ideals upon which the party was founded. He said it was that deviation that caused Akwa Ibom people to seek change.He called on people of the state to embrace the change which APC represents.We brought change to Akwa Ibom in 2007, but that change has been hijacked by a few people for themselves. I screamed but nobody listened, today, Akwa Ibom people have decided for change and as such have moved to a new party, he said.Two term senator, Aloysius Etok, on his part, thanked Umana Umana for championing the struggle to liberate the state, assuring that the APC administration will redeem the state and reposition it to acheive unfulfilled potentials.Also speaking, Eseme Eyibo, who was former spokesperson of the House of Representatives, said he was joining the APC, to take part in the struggle to rescue the state and its people. He maintained that things cannot be allowed to continue as they are.Receiving the decampees into the party, South-South National Vice Chairman of the APC, Chief Elias Eta, said this time around, they would defend every vote cast by the party in Akwa Ibom.He lamented the violence that marred the last election and urged the people not to be intimidated by the PDP, assuring that security agents and thugs will not be allowed to disrupt the forthcoming rerun.The former governor, Godswill Akpabio has done a lot of things and he will be made to account for them. All those who are working against good governance will not be allowed to succeed, he said.Finally, the APC candidate, Obong Umana Umana hailed the decampees for their courage, saying with their support and that of Akwa Ibom electorate, they will reclaim their stolen mandate.He thanked the people for standing against what he called tyranny and injustice, stating that, the God of justice and blood of innocent voters killed during the the past election will see the party to victory.The victories at both the tribunal and Appeal Court are not just for me as a person. They are for the people. You have proven that no weapon or amount of money can break you. The battle is between freedom and slavery and this event has shown that the people have chosen freedom, he added.He urged the people to further show their support by turning up en mass to cast their votes during the forthcoming elections.The APC Candidate hailed President Muhammad Buhari for his anti-corruption stance, urging him to carry on. He assured the president of the support of Akwa Ibomites.Earlier, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Chief Ita Awak, said the turn out at the event is an indication that money is not the ultimate.Today, we have put to shame people who say what money cannot do, more money will. We did not give these people here anything. We only appealed to their concience, to come together and pray so that the state can be exorcised. The people came here to rescue themselves. What you are seeing is a mass movement. The state is the richest in Nigeria, yet the people are not feeling the impact. Change has come and there is no going back.
*Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 1-4 weeks duration that occurs in West Africa. *The Lassa virus is transmitted ...

*Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 1-4 weeks duration that occurs in West Africa.*The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.*Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in hospitals lacking adequate infection prevent and Control measures.*Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin (where it was diagnosed for the first time in November 2014), Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and parts of Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well.*The overall case-fatality rate is 1%. Observed case-fatality rate among patients hospitalized with severe cases of Lassa fever is 15%.*Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.BackgroundThough first described in the 1950s, the virus causing Lassa disease was not identified until 1969. The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the virus family Arenaviridae .About 80% of people who become infected with Lassa virus have no symptoms. One in five infections result in severe disease, where the virus affects several organs such as the liver, spleen and kidneys.Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that humans become infected from contact with infected animals. The animal reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent of the genus Mastomys, commonly known as the multimammate rat. Mastomys rats infected with Lassa virus do not become ill, but they can shed the virus in their urine and faeces.Because the clinical course of the disease is so variable, detection of the disease in affected patients has been difficult. However, when presence of the disease is confirmed in a community, prompt isolation of affected patients, good infection protection and control practicesand rigorous contact tracing can stop outbreaks.Symptoms of Lassa feverThe incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from 6-21 days. The onset of the disease, when it is symptomatic, is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, and malaise. After a few days, headache,sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting,diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain may follow. In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure may develop. Protein may be noted in the urine. Shock,seizures, tremor, disorientation, and coma may be seen in the later stages. Deafness occurs in 25% of patients who survive the disease. In half of these cases, hearing returns partially after 1-3 months. Transient hair loss and gait disturbance may occur during recovery.Death usually occurs within 14 days of onset in fatal ases. The disease is especially severe late inpregnancy, with maternal death and/or fetal lossoccurring in greater than 80% of cases during the third trimester.TransmissionHumans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever. There is no epidemiological evidence supporting airborne spread between humans. Person-to-persontransmission occurs in both community and health-care settings, where the virus may be spread by contaminated medical equipment, such as re-used needles. Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been reported.Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both sexes.Persons at greatest risk are those living in rural areas where Mastomys are usually found, especially in communities with poor sanitation or crowded living conditions. Health workers are at risk if caring for Lassa fever patients in the absence of proper barrier nursing and infection control practices.DiagnosisBecause the symptoms of Lassa fever are so varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult,especially early in the course of the disease. Lassa fever is difficult to distinguish from other viral haemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola virus disease; and many other diseases that cause fever, including malaria, shigellosis, typhoid fever and yellow fever.Definitive diagnosis requires testing that is available only in specialized laboratories. Laboratory specimens may be hazardous and must be handled with extreme care. Lassa virus infections can only be diagnosed definitively in the laboratory using the following tests:*antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)*antigen detection tests*reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) assay*virus isolation by cell culture.Treatment and vaccinesThe antiviral drug ribavirin seems to be an effectivetreatment for Lassa fever if given early on in the course of clinical illness. There is no evidence to support the role of ribavirin as post-exposure prophylactic treatment for Lassa fever.There is currently no vaccine that protects against Lassa fever.Prevention and controlPrevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting goodcommunity hygiene to discourage rodents fromentering homes. Effective measures include storinggrain and other foodstuffs in rodent proof containers,disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats. Because Mastomys are so abundant in endemic areas, it is not possible to completely eliminate them from the environment.Family members should always be careful to avoidcontact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.In health-care settings, staff should always applystandard infection prevention and control precautions when caring for patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis. These include basic hand hygiene,respiratory hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (to block splashes or other contact with infected materials), safe injection practices and safe burial practices.Health workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contact with the patients blood and body fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials such as clothing and bedding. When in close contact (within 1 metre) of patients with Lassa fever, health-care workers should wear face protection (a face shield or a medical mask and goggles), a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves (sterile gloves for some procedures).Laboratory workers are also at risk. Samples takenfrom humans and animals for investigation of Lassa virus infection should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitably equipped laboratories.On rare occasions, travellers from areas where Lassa fever is endemic export the disease to other countries.Although malaria, typhoid fever, and many other tropical infections are much more common, the diagnosis of Lassa fever should be considered in febrile patients returning from West Africa, especially if they have had exposures in rural areas or hospitals in countries whereLassa fever is known to be endemic. Health-careworkers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa fever should immediately contact local and national experts for advice and to arrange for laboratory testing.
Governor Seriake Dickson have condemned alleged electoral malpractice and violence which marred the election in Brass, Nembe, Ekeremor ...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled the supplementary poll to hold yesterday after the December 5, 2015 gubernatorial election in the state failed to produce a winner. Chief Timpre Sylva is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the poll. APC is the ruling party at the federal level.In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor accused APC chieftains of masterminding the killing of innocent Bayelsans in Brass, Ekeremor, Nembe and Southern Ijaw and wondered why the APC would kill to capture power.While saying the APC was not ready for one-man one- vote, Dickson said the violence in the poll had vindicated his position that security agencies, particularly the military, were partisan and not willing to provide the enabling environment for a free and fair election to take place.He accused the security agencies of providing cover for the APC to perpetrate violence and rig the election.To achieve their sinister plot, APC militants hijacked election materials and wrote results in many wards of Southern Ijaw, Brass, Ekeremor town, Brass while election was disrupted in parts of Yenagoa and in a polling unit in Otuokpoti, Ogbia Local Government.The governor called on INEC to cancel the election in polling units where the poll was hijacked and results written.While calling for the arrest of the perpetrators of the killings, Dickson condoled the families of those who lost their dear ones.But the Minister of State for Agriculture,Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, dismissed the claims that there were heavy shootings in Ekeremor that led to loss of lives.According to Lokpobiri, an APC chieftain, though the claim had been traced to some PDP apologists, the conduct of the election in Ekeremor was peaceful,orderly and without violence.Lokpobiri,who voted at about 12.10pm in Ekeremor, stated, through one of his aides, Preye Amba, that the reported killing of security personnel in Ekeremor was callous and wicked.Election in Ekeremor went on peacefully and the resort to this by the PDP is just a way of laying the foundation to cancel the supplementary poll so that whatever advantage it had before now will be sustained. No shooting whatsoever in Ekeremor,the minister said.Rather, it was the PDP, in concert with one Major Umar from 5 Battalion, Warri, which came to carry away electoral materials from Ekeremor to Egbema Angalabiri. We have it on record that the said major is on the pay roll of a known ex-militant leader bent on bringing down the APC in Bayelsa State.We call on the military authorities to investigate the role of the said major because he took away the materials without any other escort provided either by the police or the DSS.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday claimed that its candidate in the Bayelsa State Governorship election, Seriake Dickson, was ...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday claimed that its candidate in the Bayelsa State Governorship election, Seriake Dickson, was leading in the supplementary election in the Southern Ijaw LGA and 101 units.The party said the results collated by it in various polling units and wards across the state showed it had widened its initial lead.PDP, in a statement that emanated from the Government House, said the PDP swept the polls in units and wards in Amassoma, Otuan, Ogbia, Nembe Ogbolomabiri, Ekpetiama and some other communities.It said The PDP, as at the time of filing this report, polled 7,234 votes while APC is having 1,948 votes. Decentralisation of election materials policy adopted by the Independent National Election Commission, (INEC) assisted in the early arrival of materials in some communities, even though there were reported cases of hijacking of election materials and violence in some areas.Voters, as reliably informed, were resolute in their determination to put the governorship election behind them which was declared inconclusive by INEC on December, 5 and 6, 2015.To ensure the success of the poll, the Nigeria Police Force deployed 5,000 officers to the various polling units across the state.Political thugs suspected to be working for the leading opposition party were not deterred by the presence of the security operatives as they unleashed terror on Ekeremor, Famgbe and Nembe communities.But the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO) alerted security agencies to an alleged plot by Governor Seriake Dickson to seize broadcast stations and declare himself the winner of the poll.SICO, in a statement by its Director, Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, appealed to security agencies to ensure that no one uses any of the broadcast stations in the state to either announce election result or incite people against the opposing political parties or the federal government.Egba said: It would be recalled that Governor Seriake Dickson of the PDP regrettably deployed the state owned radio station, Glory 97.1FM, Yenagoa and other broadcast stations to heighten the tension and incite the people to violence in the aftermath of the botched December 5th and 6th governorship poll.We decided to raise the issue to draw attention to the ongoing desperate attempts of Governor Dickson to arbitrarily announce concocted results through the social media and state owned media organisations and declare himself winner of the governorship election.For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be noted that the purported attempts of Governor Dickson to either by himself, cronies or agents to declare himself winner is clearly in contravention of the Electoral Act as amended and also unconstitutional to the extent that such an action offends the clear provisions of the 1999 constitution that established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).Egba also asked Dickson to consider the criminal consequences of any attempt to declare himself as winner of the election, saying it would amount to usurping the powers of the electoral body, INEC.
Early last Wednesday, Oshodi made the news again, with a bulldozer at work. On orders of governor Akinwunmi Ambode, it rumbled through t...

(Culled from Vanguard)

Early last Wednesday, Oshodi made the news again, with a bulldozer at work. On orders of governor Akinwunmi Ambode, it rumbled through the Owonifari market,Oshodi, Lagos, crushed and flattened everything on sight within the market. But cries of traders at the market, roared louder than the bulldozer which pulled down the market. I am finished, I just arrived from China with over N20million goods, they have crushed everything. Where will I start from?It was a cacophony of noise, curses, abuses mixed with rage and anger. Even by-standers and onlookers did not spare the authorities, as some of them muted abuses on the Ambode-led government for destroying the market with goods worth over one billion naira. A few others said: Traders in Lagos are stubborn, they will never hear, that is good for them!Kenneth Madu, a trader in the market told newsmen that he had been extremely brutalised as he lost everything he had laboured for in the market.Battling emotion, Madu stated: I just stocked my shop with new items I brought in from China a few days before the Christmas holiday. When I heard that they have sealed up the market, I rushed down to see if I can evacuate all my goods from the shop. They denied us access into the market and chose to demolish the market with all our goods. I had more than N20million goods in my own shop. Others had more. All attempt to remove our goods failed. I even offered to give the police N200,000 just to allow me remove my goods, they refused. I have been brutalised and traumatised. This is murder, they have killed us.He gazed again at what used to be his small shop that contained his over N20million goods leaned back to clear his over-burdened brain of the confusion and said: This government is wicked and inhuman.Asked whether there was any notice to that effect. He stated that there was no notice of the demolition, they only came to serve a 21-day quit notice that Isopakodowo in Bolade has been provided. But the 21-day quit notice has not expired. Even where they said we should go at Bolade is uncompleted, small and cannot contain all the traders in this market let alone attract the patronage we receive here, Madu stated.Another trader, Mr Sunday Obi said: I heard the government had sealed up the market while I was at home for Christmas, I quickly rushed down, but I got here on Wednesday. They have demolished and destroyed everything I had in the market. I had over N10million worth of goods. I sell wires and electronics in my shops. This morning I came to see if I could pick up a few things from the rubble, but I saw fire everywhere again. Who set fire on what was left?We dont know. But, it means, there was a deliberate attempt for us not to pick up anything from here. If they (governments) dont want the Igbos in Lagos, they should come out to tell us. How can they demolished the market without allowing us to remove our goods? It is inhuman, he said.Obi stated that over 2000 traders had their goods trapped in the demolished market, with huge loses that run into over a billion naira. About 2000 traders had different goods in the market. I really cant estimate what we have lost but a modest estimate will be over a billion naira. At a time when people have spent all what they had to re-stock preparation for business in a new year, it is wicked, he said.In 2009, Ambodes predecessor, Babatunde Fashola, was praised for clearing Oshodi, ridding the areas of miscreants and easing traffic gridlock in the area. Following this development, Ambode who after inauguration said his government will govern with compassion, is perhaps set to conclude the unfinished job BFR started on Oshodi seven years ago.
Former spokesperson to immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has boasted that he will never go to prison or be jailed...

I was paid to do a job and I did it we my best ability.as usual my mission was clear:defend my principal. Never went to govt to steal.  Doyin (@doyinokupe) January 9, 2016

Former spokesperson to immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has boasted that he will never go to prison or be jailed despite all the corruption revelations coming out from the last administration.Speaking through his twitter handle, Okupe said despite the fact that he served in the previous government, he never engaged in any corrupt practices nor was he involved in any contract signing.He says he has only two houses, one which is under mortgage and that he does not own any other house in any other part of the world.His Tweets below...
The Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, has said a past administration spent N2bn for the repair of a leaky roof at the Nationa...

The Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, has said a past administration spent N2bn for the repair of a leaky roof at the National Theatre.The minister made the revelation on Saturday during a courtesy visit to Prof. Wole Soyinka in his office at the Freedom Park in Lagos.Mohammed, who lamented the poor state of the edifice, however, did not say which administration spent the amount.He said he could not say for sure if the money was actually spent.Mohammed added that the Federal Government was planning to initiate a Public-Private Partnership that would help transform the theatre to become the pride of the nation.Soyinka, in his speech, said President Muhammadu Buhari was fighting the biggest anti-corruption war in Nigerian history.He also commended the progress the President has so far made in the fight against graft especially in the $2.1bn arms scam.The playwright said it was unfortunate that during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, money earmarked to fight terrorism was embezzled while children were abducted and soldiers sent to the warfront to combat terrorists without arms.When asked if the anti-corruption war would stop abruptly like those of previous administrations, Soyinka said, I dont think that will happen this time and the reason is this: We have not had corruption being exposed on this scale before. We have not had a situation where it is being alleged and increasingly proved that money which was supposed to have been spent on defending our nation, ourselves and our neighbourhood has been shared among individuals.We have never had the experience where we were in a state of critical emergency where children were being kidnapped under our noses and we were helpless and our soldiers were being sent to the warfront to defend our very existence and we were not backing them up with conduct that shows integrity and commitment.During the civil war, I am not aware, may be it existed on this scale, I am not aware but I am just saying that as somebody that has gone through a civil war, even though some of us spent it in prison, I have not heard such expose.Soyinka noted that the anti-graft war would not be easy because whenever anyone fights corruption, corruption fights back.He, however, said plans by corrupt individuals to frustrate the anti-graft war would only intensify the war.Asked if the anti-graft war would yield positive results, he said, Yes, I am confident. I promise you that if I am proven wrong, I will give you my best bottle of wine.Reacting to allegations levelled against him by the Governor Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State Government that he partook in the sharing of N84m allegedly mismanaged by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Soyinka said the allegation was insulting.He said he was waiting for an invitation letter from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.The Nobel laureate, however, joked that he would pretend to be sick if they attempted to whisk him away.He added, Anybody who wants to talk to me about this issue, as I said, you know where I live, I am a great respecter of the law. If you go properly, I will answer your invitation.Meanwhile, Niger Delta activist, Ms. Annkio Briggs, has criticised the revered playwright for his reaction to Wikes allegation against Amaechi on how he spent N82m.Soyinka, in a statement titled Those who flounder in the sewage of corruption, on Thursday, had described the allegation as a distraction and a sign of insecurity on the part of Wike.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday, said that the continued incarceration of its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh by t...

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday, said that the continued incarceration of its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since Tuesday, January, 5, 2015, without charging him to court, clearly shows the dictatorial character of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Federal Government, which has not hidden its disdain for rule of law and an appetite to gag the opposition.The party said the continued detention is in clear breach of Chief Metuhs constitutionally guaranteed liberty and fundamental rights.The PDP in a statement signed by its National Legal Adviser, Barr. Victor Kwon, stressed that relying on a purported holding charge said to have been derived from a Magistrate to detain Chief Metuh beyond the statutory period allowed by the law is in total violation of the constitution and extant corresponding rulings by several trial and appellate courts in the country.We draw the attention of all Nigerians and the international community to this illegal clamp-down on the opposition spokesman by the EFCC, using a purported holding charge said to have been derived from a magistrate court.Holding Charge which implies arrest before investigation instead of investigation before arrest is clearly an aberration and abuse of judicial process which has since been declared by several courts as illegal, null and void, and of no effect as it is totally in contradiction with section 35 (1), (4), (5a) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.The PDP is particularly worried that Chief Metuh, since his arrest on Tuesday, is being inhumanly kept in an underground cell where he is daily threatened by officials, who we gathered, have been mounting pressure on him to accept guilt of fictitious figures and implicate PDP leaders.The public is very much aware that the EFCC Chairman has visited the Presidential villa at least twice since Chief Metuh was arrested and detained by the commission, ostensibly to get further directives on the case.We invite the world to note that President Buharis election promise of fighting corruption has now been turned into a man-hunt of PDP leaders, while known corrupt APC leaders are being shielded by the system and rewarded with ministerial positions and other government appointments.Our nation is now being turned into a police state with its inherent constitutional violations and infringement on rights of citizens, a scenario which poses grave danger to national stability and survival of our democracy.The PDP strongly cautions against the avoidable tension and looming political crisis over the continuous clamp-down on our leaders and particularly, the continued incarceration of our spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh, who was arrested a few days after he confronted the Federal Government and the APC over their dictatorial pronouncements and actions.Our teeming members across the country have so far exercised reasonable restrain, but we caution that there is a limit to what they can stomach in the face of this brazen persecution of our spokesman. The President Buhari-led APC government and the EFCC should therefore hold themselves responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order in the land over this matter.We therefore reinforce our demand on the EFCC to respect the course of law and release Chief Metuh immediately or charge him to court in line with the provisions of our laws if it strongly feels it has a case against him.Nigerians cannot afford to return to the era of dictatorship where constitutional provisions, respect for lawful processes and personal freedom of citizens under the law are trampled upon. Their response to this might come with very dire consequences, added the PDP.
Prof. Isaac Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor, Bells University, Sango-Ota, Ogun, on Saturday advised all new students to be focused and desi...

Prof. Isaac Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor, Bells University, Sango-Ota, Ogun, on Saturday advised all new students to be focused and desist from spending much times on social media devices like chatting.Adebayo gave the advice at the 11th Matriculation of the institution in Sango Ota, Ogun.The don urged the new students to be serious in order to face the rigors of academic life, adding that life in the University was different from life outside the world.Students should desist from spending much times on social media devices like chatting, and concentrate more on their studies in order to meet competitive global market, he warned.He implored matriculating students and under-graduates to empower themselves by acquiring additional skills and professional certificates to boost their future careers.Parents should advise their children to be of good behaviour and prepare to go the extra mile by ensuring that their wards key into various professional certificates available within and outside the university.He told the students to take advantage of the accredited centre named ATLAS on the campus, which prepared students for professional examinations in Accounting and Personnel Management.Adeyemi said the institutions skill development and resource centre would soon commence short-term skill acquisition training in various vocations for students of the institution.According to him, this will prepare them for the highly competitive market as well as laying the foundation for a future as employers of labour.He, however, lamented that low enrolment of students was one of the major challenges confronting private universities in Nigeria.A total of 449 students were admitted for the 2015/2016 academics session, including 427 undergraduate students and postgraduate students in four faculties.The faculties were College of National and Applied Sciences, College of Management of Sciences, College of Engineering and College of Environmental Sciences.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Saturday expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buharis administration would fight corrup...

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Saturday expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buharis administration would fight corruption conclusively.Soyinka said this when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, visited him at his home in Lagos.He said that the level of exposure concerning corruption under the Buhari administration showed that government was really tackling the vice. According to him, the country had never had corruption exposed at this scale before.We have not had a case where it had been alleged and increasingly proven that money supposed to be spent on defending ourselves, our nation, our neighbourhood, has been shared among individuals.We never had experience where we were in a state of critical emergency where children are being kidnapped under our noses.Never had there been in a situation where we are helpless and our soldiers are sent to the front to defend our very existence and we are not backing them up with conduct that shows integrity and commitment.Because of these reasons, corruption is really desperate and has chosen to fight back, but I am confident that corruption will be resolved, Soyinka said.He advised the Federal Government not to relent in its effort at bringing all those who looted the nations treasury to justice, adding that it should not be cowed by deliberate attempts to frustrate the anti-corruption crusade.He described as insulting, news accusing him of engaging in corrupt practices, and said that he was ready to face appropriate legal authority if properly invited.Soyinka decried the deplorable condition of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, and said that a Private-Public-Partnership may be the solution for the resuscitation of the national monument.On his part, the minister expressed the governments resolve to develop the arts industry.He said that the ministry was currently strategising on how to tap into the opportunities and potentials in the culture and arts industry to create jobs for Nigerian youths.
A former President of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Femi Ekundayo, has lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) f...

A former President of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr Femi Ekundayo, has lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the zero Commission On Turnover (COT) policy.Ekundayo said on Saturday in Lagos that the policy would bring more people into the banking community.According to him, available records show that more than 60 per cent of the money in the economy is outside the banking network, a development which can be addressed by the zero COT policy.He noted the policy which the apex bank had programmed to take effect in 2016 was part of its financial inclusion philosophy, which was aimed at attracting more people into the finance sector.The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy on financial inclusion is to get more people into the financial net, Ekundayo said.The financial expert explained that COT was perceived in the banking industry as a source of income to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).While noting that DMBs were expected to operate optimally and attract income, he said that many of them were leveraging the COT to drive patronage.He acknowledged that zero COT would exert some pressure on DMBs at the level of implementation, but stated that the money banks knew how to make it up from other sources.A number of banks have been using COT to drive patronage. What the banks will lose through implementing the zero COT, they will always find a way of getting it elsewhere, Ekundayo said.He revealed that the banking community had a lot to gain through the implementation of the new policy, saying that it was a way of giving back to the banking community.He said that before now, COT varied from one bank to the other, but pointed out that CBNs financial inclusion policy was geared towards international best practice.NAN reports that COT is a charge levied on customers withdrawals by their banks. Before now, most banks charged N1 for every N1,000 withdrawn from by a customer from his account.The Guide to Bank Charges implementation, which started in March 2013, has seen the COT drop to N3 per N1, 000 in 2013 and N2 per N2, 000 in 2014.It finally dropped from N1 per N1, 000 in 2015 to Zero cost on Jan.1, 2016.The CBN had in a in a circular titled Implementation of Revised Guide to Bank Charges Commission on Turnover, said there was no going back on the implementation of the policy.It has directed banks that charged excess COT since the effective date to refund same to the affected customers or be sanctioned. (NAN)
FAIR LAWN -- About 100 Fair Lawn parents gathered Sunday in front of Fair Lawn High School to support school administrators in their investigation of a student who made anti-Israel tweets.

Adi Vaxman, a 39-year-old who organized the demonstration, said the political stance of Bethany Koval, 16, wasn't the issue--it was that she threatened to share the personal information of a fellow student who disagreed with her.

The district is obligated to investigate any claims of harassment, intimidation or bullying under the state anti-bullying law, Superintendent Bruce Watson said in a statement.

"The school did the right thing," Vaxman said. "If my child is the victim of any kind of cyber bullying I want them to do the exact same thing. And if my child does it I expect the school to reprimand them."

Bethany posted on Twitter that school officials questioned her because of her tweets, including one about a fellow student who supports Israel unfollowing her. She later told a friend, also over Twitter, that she would share the student's name in a private message.

Her account has since been made private.

Yan Godovskiy, 41, carried a sign saying "Zero tolerance for cyber bullying." He said too much had been made over Bethany's political views, and not enough over the alleged cyber bullying.

Another parent, Ronen Magid, 44, said Bethany "has every right to be against Israel." But it's not OK to give out personal information, he said.

"She has to know where the red line is between expressing her personal opinion and bullying someone else," he said.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Greco.JPG

Robert Greco was in Cape May County Superior Court for sentencing on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015. (Don E. Woods | For NJ.com)

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE -- The former head of Cumberland County's Republican Party was sentenced to four years in prison Friday for stealing approximately $140,000 from an elderly man in his care, according to reports.

Robert Greco, 52, of Vineland, pled guilty in June to theft and had until Dec. 22 to pay back the money and avoid a jail sentence.

He failed to pay back the money and was put in Cape May County Correction Center just before Christmas.

According to Press of Atlantic City, Greco was still unable to pay back the money Friday and was sentenced to four years in state prison.

Greco was the owner and administrator of East Creek Manor Rehabilitation Center in Eldora on Route 47. He was also the chairman of the Cumberland County Republican Party.

In 2012, he got an elderly man under his care to sign away control of his finances over to Greco. Greco removed $139,420 from the man's bank account and used the money to pay business expenses not related to the patient's care.

Greco was originally supposed to be sentenced in November in Cape May County Superior Court but it was pushed back. He went before a judge on Dec. 8, where the judge told him to pay back the money by Dec. 22 or face jail time.

Greco failed to pay back the money and was put in jail.

Still unable to raise the money, he was sentenced Friday to four years in prison.

Greco is no longer the chairman of the Cumberland County Republican Party. He was replaced in 2014.

Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
It's juuuust about here. Hollywood's annual sprint to Oscar is underway with tonight's Golden Globe Awards.

First awarded in 1944, the ceremony honors the best in both TV and movies in over 25 categories -- 14 in film and 11 in television -- through its voting body, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association. This year, comedian and actor Ricky Gervais will host the show for the fourth time. The show starts Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Before the show kicks off tonight, we thought it would be fun to test your knowledge of prior 'Globe' telecasts. But no cheating...

Anthony Venutolo may be reached at avenutolo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyVenutolo and Google+. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) is still monitoring a stable in Doylestown, Bucks County, after four horses that tested positive for equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) were euthanized in December, according to a Jan. 8 press release.

The stable was placed under quarantine after two horses at the stable developed signs consistent with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) on Dec. 22.



Two additional horses were euthanized on Dec. 24 and 31, respectively, after presenting similar clinical signs. They also tested positive for EHV-1. Other horses at various locations throughout Pennsylvania with suspect clinical signs have been tested but there have been no positive results.

An additional eight horses have less severe clinical signs and some have shown improvement. All horses at the stable are being closely monitored and are receiving comprehensive veterinary care, according to the PDA release.



Department officials have noted the quarantined facility's consistent and complete compliance with sanitation and biosecurity measures to help ensure the safety of the resident horses.



In tracing back the positive horses, Pennsylvania animal health officials determined that one of the first two horses euthanized had participated in a horse show in New Jersey. Extensive tracing activity conducted by New Jersey animal health officials identified no new suspect horses.



Clinical signs of the disease can range from respiratory to neurological impairment. In most situations, the disease is only mildly contagious and some horses make a full recovery. In this case the virus strain involved has caused unusually severe disease and high viral loads.



There is no threat to human health from Equine Herpesvirus.



The Doylestown stable and resident horses will remain under quarantine for at least 21 days. The quarantine can be lifted at some point after that three-week period depending on the course of the disease. Strict sanitary and biosecurity standards will be enforced throughout the quarantine.

Pennsylvania horse owners with concerns may contact the department's Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852.

More information on the Equine Herpes Virus can be found at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture website: http://www.ag.state.nj.us.

Also see AAEP.org for information on the disease and biosecurity.

For current equestrian news see Horse News or check out the online version of the print edition.

Horse News covers everything equestrian in the mid-Atlantic area and can be reached at horsenews@hcdemocrat.com

To subscribe to the print edition call 908-948-1309.

For advertising e-mail mchapman@njadvancemedia.com. Find Horse News on Facebook
Community

Its now easier than ever to connect and chat with others in your local area. You can connect with your community by asking general questions, give area updates and recommendations and even let your community know about local events that are taking place.
8:47 p.m. UPDATE: Fire Chief Bernie Kanger said firefighters are concerned that the building could potentially collapse or that the fire could spread to another building to the west. At 8:40 p.m., flames were still roaring up through the roof.

Firefighters and bystanders have been moved to near the corners of the building because, if the structure were to collapse, it's expected that the front of the building would fall onto 11th Street.

The fire was first reported at 2:51 p.m., and had grown to three alarms by 7:30 p.m. Additional alarms bring additional manpower to the scene. By nightfall, firefighters from across the city had responded to the Old Market.

No firefighters have been injured, but the extreme cold was creating mechanical problems with the equipment, Kanger said. The chief said one person had been injured and was taken in serious condition to the Nebraska Medical Center.

He said he could confirm only that there was a report of a possible explosion that preceded the fire. He also couldn't identify the origin of the fire, saying that was under investigation.

The first floor of M's Pub has partially collapsed. He said a lot of the interior is wood and highly combustible. That led firefighters to adopt a "defensive position," withdrawing from the building and fighting the fire from outside the structure.

Kanger said there are a lot of open spaces in the building, allowing the fire to spread quickly to the second and third floors.

As water poured off the front of the building, long icicles formed off the awning at the building's entrance.

5:06 p.m. UPDATE: The gas is off and flames are no longer shooting out of Ms Pub, according to witnesses.

However, the place is filled with smoke, including the corner boutique on the corner known as Nouvelle Eve, and firefighters are continued to aggressively work the scene that filled downtown Omaha with smoke and sorrow.

It is too early to tell the exact level of damage to the historic restaurant that was one of Omahas most beloved institutions, but it appears to be extensive.

No one, however, was seriously hurt.

And, everyone in the restaurants and the surrounding buildings were safely evacuated.

One of those was Marilyn Turtellot, who lived in the adjacent building next to Ms Pub. She was upstairs when she heard the explosion, and looked out the window.

It almost knocked me out of the chair. And, I went right to the front window and saw all the people running out of Ms, and all the workers running across the street, said Turtellot who has lived in the Old Market for more than a decade.

Shortly before the explosion, several people called 911 to report the smell of natural gas. The Fire Department said there was a leak in the basement. A person who lives above Ms Pub said she has seen crews working on pipes in and around the building for about a week.

Metropolitan Utilities District employees were at the scene.

Three people with injuries that were not serious but that needed medical attention were taken to a hospital. Three ambulances were called to the scene.

When Turtellot and others got out of the building, they saw flames shooting from the front of the building. Acrid smoke and fine debris filled the air.

Police and firefighters were on the scene in minutes.

Street construction crews had been working in the area for several days, with heavy equipment.. They scrambled to move their trucks and equipment away from the burning building.

Buildings next to Ms were also evacuated, including Old Chicago and Jams.

Seth McMillan lives in building above Ms and owns McLovin mens clothing store a little east on Howard. Hes told that all apartment residents got out safely. His shop has closed.

McMillan helped Turtello leave the building. The two took shelter in an art gallery across the street.

Keith Tracey, who lives on third floor of a building in the same block but facing Howard Street, said he was not allowed in his building  it has been evacuated by authorities  but learned from other residents that everyone got out OK.

He said people in the area reported feeling a concussion.

It is so sad. It is so iconic, Gena Dushan said of the damage to Ms.

Ron Samuelson, longtime co-owner of the restaurant, was not in town and learned about the fire via Twitter.

I feel horrible, helpless, Samuelson said.

He said he has been told that no one in restaurant at the time  it was open for business - was hurt but that one person elsewhere in the building was injured.

He added that he has been told that all the glass in the front of building was blown out.

Its a tragedy no matter who it happens to, Samuelson said when asked about the impact on this Omaha icon. Its the people who live there that Im really worried about.

One person, he said, has been there 30 years.

World-Herald staff writers Emerson Clarridge, Janice Podsada, and Sarah Baker-Hansen contributed to this report.
The waitresses and the chefs at M's Pub had a few minutes warning before today's explosion, which may have saved several lives, witnesses said.

Scott Sasser, a longtime waiter at M's Pub, said employees immediately began to evacuate the restaurant after they smelled a strong odor of natural gas. He believes  although he does not know for sure  that workers who had been working and digging outside the restaurant for several days had hit a gas line.

Nearly everybody was out when the explosion occurred, although a cook who was coming up from the basement was injured, said Sasser.

"We started evacuating right before it happened. One of our cooks  on the back stairwell that blew up  was hurt," said Sasser, who has worked at M's Pub for nine years.

"I was in there when the windows blew out, it was just surreal," said Sasser, who was shocked and shaken about an hour after the explosion.

Firefighters are continuing to shoot water into Ms Pub at this hour, as waitresses and witnesses gather to tell their story of what happened in this afternoons blast.

It does not appear at this time  three hours after the explosion  that the fire is contained.

And, by all accounts, the damage is going to be extensive to not only Ms Pub but to two surrounding buildings: The Market House and Nouvelle Eve.

Nick Bartholomew, co-owner of The Market House, said the explosion occurred in the basement. He said the buildings are filled with smoke, and he hasnt been able to go back inside.

One of the owners of Ms Pub  Ron Samuelson  said he also believes the damage will be extensive, but he has already vowed to rebuild.

"From the looks of it, I can't believe that someone wasn't more seriously hurt," said Samuelson, who is in Phoenix, but heard that his restaurant was in flames via a text message.

[View more photos from the M's Pub fire]

"Our customers will rally around us," said Samuelson, who owns the restaurant with Ann Mellen. "They always have when things have happened in the past."

M's Pub was one of the first restaurants in Omaha's downtown district known as the Old Market. It and surrounding condo buildings were rocked by an explosion at 2:51 p.m. on Saturday. It happened shortly after several people had called 911 to notify authorities that they smelled natural gas. The building was quickly engulfed in flames.

No one was seriously hurt, although three people were taken to the hospital.

The gas has been turned off. Flames were spotted shooting out of the building toward the alley at about 5:15 p.m. this afternoon, and firefighters remain on the scene in force, according to several witnesses.

The restaurant and the corner boutique known as Nouvelle Eve is filled with smoke. At times, downtown, the smoke was so thick and strong that it almost felt like night. Bystandeers covered their mouths and noses wtih coats and scarves, while cooks, dishwashers and waiters from nearby Old Market restaurants stood outside Ms, taking photos and talking to each other.

A traffic jam quickly formed downtown, as people who learned about the fire headed downtown to see it for themselves.

The Omaha Fire Department suspended all mutual aid agreements to Sarpy and Douglas Counties until the fire is declared under control.

It is too early to tell the exact level of damage to the historic restaurant that was one of Omahas most beloved institutions, but it appears to be extensive.

Everyone in the restaurants and the 14 condo units above and next to M's Pub were safely evacuated. At least 12 people are looking for a place to spend the night.

One of those condo-dwellers is Marilyn Turtellot, who lived on the fourth and fifth floor in the building next to M's Pub. She was upstairs when she heard the explosion, and looked out the window.

It almost knocked me out of the chair. And, I went right to the front window and saw all the people running out of Ms, and all the workers running across the street, said Turtellot who has lived in the Old Market for more than a decade.

Shortly before the explosion, several people called 911 to report the smell of natural gas. The Fire Department said there was a leak in the basement. A person who lives above Ms Pub said she has seen crews working on pipes in and around the building for about a week.

Metropolitan Utilities District employees were at the scene.

Three people with injuries that were not serious but that needed medical attention were taken to a hospital. Three ambulances were called to the scene.

When Turtellot and others got out of the building, they saw flames shooting from the front of the building. Acrid smoke and fine debris filled the air.

Police and firefighters were on the scene in minutes.

Street construction crews had been working in the area for several days, with heavy equipment. They scrambled to move their trucks and equipment away from the burning building.

Buildings next to Ms were also evacuated, including Old Chicago and Jams.

Seth McMillan lives in building above Ms and owns McLovin mens clothing store a little east on Howard. He was told that all apartment residents got out safely. His shop has closed.

McMillan helped Turtello leave the building. The two took shelter in an art gallery across the street.

Pete Tracey, who lives on third floor of a building in the same block but facing Howard Street, said he was not allowed in his building  it has been evacuated by authorities  but learned from other residents that everyone got out OK.

He said people in the area reported feeling a concussion.

It is so sad. It is so iconic, Gena Dushan said of the damage to Ms.

He said he has been told that no one in restaurant at the time  it was open for business - was hurt but that one person elsewhere in the building was injured.

He added that he has been told that all the glass in the front of building was blown out.

Its a tragedy no matter who it happens to, Samuelson said when asked about the impact on this Omaha icon. Its the people who live there that Im really worried about.

One person, he said, has been there 30 years.
OMAHA  On the morning of Ebrahims college graduation, everyone at Ila Deans home bustled with excitement.

Frank brought home enough doughnuts to feed an army. Ila Dean jumped up to show Ebrahims black commencement robe, hanging off the kitchen cabinets. And a beaming Ebrahim made a phone call to his folks on the other side of the globe so they, too, could share in the joy.

It had all worked out. More than six years ago, Ebrahim was a bright Muslim teenager from Yemen who suddenly needed a place to live in Omaha. Ila Dean was the former Iowa farm girl in her late 70s who agreed to take in the stranger, and later pushed for him to come back to Nebraska, even paying his way. His parents had let their son go, knowing that they wouldnt see him for years.

And now Ebrahim was graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with a job lined up the following Monday. He was launched. This was the prize.

But there was another reward, too: An unlikely connection between two people  bridging oceans, cultures and generations and offering hope for a world that, after the Paris attacks and San Bernardino shooting spree, seems more divided, more fearful than ever.

Ebrahim, 23, calls her his American grandmother.

Ila Dean, 85, calls him her investment for peace in the world.

Its been a blessing, to know someone from another culture, especially a culture that is so maligned, she said. Ive had acquaintances say terrible things. But I cant possibly look at it that way. Hes a human being. He will make his mark on the world.

Ebrahim said he has encountered some hostility based on his nationality and faith, but he didnt want to dwell on that. Overall, he said, his experience has been positive.

His first stay in Omaha was through a program approved by Congress in the wake of 9/11, intended to increase mutual understanding. As its co-sponsor, former U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., has said: It was very important to get to know students in Muslim countries and for them to know us.

Its how Ebrahim came to Ila Deans door. Of course she had to open it.

Ive got four great- grandchildren here and one on the way, she said. And I want them to have a better world.

Woman spends years helping man from Yemen earn degree at UNO
NEW YORK  Workers are saving more for retirement, and the youngest  not exactly known for squirreling money away  are boosting their savings rates faster than any other age group.

Millennials between the ages of 25 and 34 are saving a median of 7.5 percent of their pay for retirement, including whatever match they get from their jobs, according to a survey by Fidelity Investments of 4,650 households with at least $20,000 of annual income. That's up from 5.8 percent two years ago, when the last survey was conducted, and it is the largest jump among all age groups.

That's still not enough, but at least the trend is getting better. Financial advisers suggest socking away 15 percent of pay, and more if workers haven't saved in their earlier years.

Younger workers had the most room for improvement, because they were saving such a pittance. Older workers were already saving more of their paychecks. Workers aged 35 to 50 are now socking away 8.2 percent of their income, up from 7.7 percent two years ago. The oldest workers, aged 51 to 69, are saving 9.7 percent, up from 8.1 percent.

Several reasons are behind the rise, said John Sweeney, executive vice president of retirement and investment strategies at Fidelity, including an improving job market and economy. The unemployment rate is at its lowest level since 2008, and workers are feeling more comfortable in their jobs and with their finances.

Some workers are also saving more without knowing it, because their 401(k) and other retirement plans are automatically enrolling them and increasing how much they contribute each year.

Those programs tend to put contributions into a target-date mutual fund, one that takes care of how much to invest in stocks versus bonds based on how close an investor is to retirement. That means workers also generally have more appropriately balanced accounts than a couple years ago, Fidelity says. A target-date fund prevents a 20-something worker  who has the luxury of decades to go before retirement  from investing only in bonds, which are safer but have historically offered lower long-term returns.

The survey was Fidelity's attempt at measuring how prepared workers are for retirement. Fidelity looked at how much workers make, spend and save, as well as when they expect to retire, among other factors. It found that 45 percent are likely to afford at least their essential expenses in retirement, up from 38 percent two years ago.

Older workers are the most prepared for retirement, and not just because they've had longer to save. One reason is that older workers are more likely to have access to pensions, which guarantee income in retirement but have become rare in the workplace.

Older workers also seem to have more realistic expectations than those fresh out of school.

"The further you are from retirement, the more you still hold aspirations of retiring early," Sweeney said. "Boomers are saying it may make sense to continue to work and extend that retirement date from 62 to 65 or 67."
A strong December helped Northwest Indiana's casinos close 2015 with gaming revenue nearly matching 2014's total.

A 3.3 percent increase in the casinos' gambling win in December 2015 led to an $82.9 million month. All four of the area's casinos showed a gain for the month, the only time that happened in 2015.

Horseshoe Casino Senior Vice President and General Manager Dan Nita said December ended a year that "seems like it's almost an every-other-month kind of situation" in terms of revenue increases and decreases.

But December "dug us back out of the previous deficit, and we just barely missed achieving the annualized 2014 revenue," Nita said.

It brought the year's gambling win to $972.6 million; down only one-quarter of 1 percent from 2014's $974.8 million.

Nita said the challenge from Illinois' growing offerings of video-terminal slot machines at bars and other businesses drew business from Indiana casinos throughout the year.

"In light of the added supply of slot machines, most operators I'd expect to feel pretty content with the way the year finished out," Nita said.

For 2015, Ameristar in East Chicago and Blue Chip in Michigan City showed growth. Ameristar's 2015 gambling revenue was 3.3 percent higher than in 2014, coming in at $228.2 million.

Blue Chip was up 2.3 percent to $159.5 million.

Horseshoe, the area's largest casino, was down 1.7 percent to $428.2 million. And the Majestic Star casinos in Gary were down 3.5 percent, to $156.7 million.

Casino admissions were down in 2015, to 5.2 million from 5.6 million.

And the state's tax take was down along with admissions and gambling. Total admissions and wagering taxes were $118.2 million in 2015, down from $122.7 million in 2014.

Employment at the casinos is down from last year, too. Area casinos employed 5,359 when the Indiana Gaming Commission's annual report was published in July. The 2014 report showed 5,580 employees.
HAMMOND  Seven years before he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest, the Rev. Jordan Fetcko was working the drive-thru and scrubbing dishes at Taco Bell in Crown Point.

He was 19, and it was the summer after his first year of seminary. Aside from helping his dad or grandpa, hed never really had a job. The Rev. Kevin Huber  then-vocations director for the Diocese of Gary  sat down with Fetcko and his parents to discuss his first assignment.

My dad said, I think he should get a job, Fetcko said. My dad said, I think he should have that sort of life experience and that he should also see what its like to be everyone else, so to speak. The person who gets up in the morning and goes to work and works eight hours and comes home in the evening and the next day does it over again.

So thats what I did, Fetcko said. And I ended up at Taco Bell.

Although he holds a warm place in his heart for the fast-food Mexican eatery, especially its chipotle chicken loaded griller, the experience helps him relate to people in his current calling.

Fetcko is the youngest priest in the Diocese of Gary.

He was ordained June 6  five days after his 26th birthday  at Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary. It was the first time Bishop Don Hying ordained a priest. During the Mass, he joked that he hoped it would take. Kidding aside, Hying does feel a connection to Fetcko because he was the first priest he ordained.

Hes a good priest, Hying said.

He has a deep faith, a remarkable gentleness with people and a genuine concern for them, Hying said. He maintains balance and calm.

You could tell him the rectory just blew up, and he would stay even keeled, Hying joked.

Even-keeled is how Fetckos mom describes him, too.

Its rare that hes super upset or super happy, Michelle Fetcko said. He tends to be right in between that. I cant think of any time hes ever gotten angry. I know thats unusual.

She likened him to a surgeon who has to step away and not get too involved in a patient but at the same time offer care and compassion.

Fetckos first assignment as a priest is at St. Casimir in Hammond. He started July 1. The parish reflects the neighborhood, a strong mix of Polish and Mexican families among others.

The ways the community comes together is amazing, he said. We had a Hispanic parishioner coming in and buying opwatki. Its this lovely coming together of cultures right here.

Fetcko can celebrate Mass in Spanish, is good at reading the language and is working to improve his conversational Spanish.

His youth speaks volumes.

Young people communicate and think and relate to life in different ways, Hying said. Young priests speak their language. Having young priests and young sisters show its a perennial vocation.

Fetcko  who prefers to go by Father Jordan instead of Father Fetcko  is a normal person.

He saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens three times. He describes himself as a bit of nerd and an introvert. He uses social media like Twitter and Facebook from time to time, sometimes posting parts of his homily. And he was geeked to get gloves from his parents for Christmas because theyre the kind designed to work when youre using a touch-screen phone.

Priests are human, Fetcko said. Were not holier than thou up above everyone else, this unattainable ideal or something like that. Weve got hobbies, weve got likes and dislikes. Weve got strengths and weaknesses. Weve got things that we dont do perfectly, things that we struggle with as well.

Fetcko attended Andrean High School in Merrillville for one year and was home schooled the rest. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in philosophy from St. Marys University of Minnesota in Winona. The seminary attached to the university is Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. After that, he attended University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., graduating in 2015 with a master of divinity and baccalaureate in sacred theology.

One of six siblings, Fetcko went to school and church at St. Mary in Crown Point and became an altar served in fourth grade. The priesthood didnt cross his mind until senior year of high school.

His mother said he initially mentioned it as a joke, saying he wanted to become a priest because he admired the old-fashioned style of priests haircuts in one of his religion textbooks.

I was sitting at the computer and he came up to me ... he said he wanted to be a priest so he could have that haircut, she said.

Fetcko hesitated at first, unsure of what it meant to go to seminary. Could he have a computer? A cellphone? Would people process around the halls chanting in Latin all day?

I seriously thought thats what seminary was like before I actually entered it, he said. That was something that stopped me from wanting to enter seminary for a portion of time  all of these misunderstandings about what it was like, that perhaps you were locked in, that as soon as you wanted to become a seminarian, you couldnt leave.

Eight years of seminary not only dispelled the myths but also gave him solid preparation for priesthood expectations. Six months into it, he said everything is just how he imagined. Thats how its supposed to be.

They dont want you to get ordained and then its like, What did I get myself into? he said. They dont want that to happen.

Hes done a number of funeral Masses and quinceanera celebrations. And he more fully understands the beauty of the sacrament of confession.

A lot of times people dont understand why its important to be able to go to confession and confess their sins, he said. If they could somehow be the priest in the confessional, hearing someones confessions, they would immediately realize how essential it is.

Its a relief.

Psychologically, it can be this cathartic experience for people, he said. They just feel so much better.

To keep with tradition, his father will be buried with the stole Fetcko wore when he heard his first confession, although Fetcko hopes thats at least 50 years down the road.

Along with parish duties, he probably will be tapped by family and friends to celebrate their religious occasions. He already blessed his parents on their 30th wedding anniversary.

Fetcko said he truly felt like a priest the first time he celebrated Mass.

Hying encouraged anyone who feels called to a life of service in the church to talk it out.

Talk to your parents, talk to your priest, he said. Talk to somebody. When you first feel that call, it seems weird some times. It takes some courage to say it out loud.

It isnt the end of a normal life. Fetckos mom doesnt call him Father Jordan.

Hes just Jordan still, she said.
One of the holiday's hottest presents is now considered contraband at many U.S. colleges.

More than 30 universities have banned or restricted hoverboards on their campuses in recent weeks, saying the two-wheeled, motorized scooters are unsafe. Beyond the risk of falls and collisions, colleges are citing warnings from federal authorities that some of the self-balancing gadgets have caught on fire.

"It's clear that these things are potentially dangerous," said Len Dolan, managing director of fire safety at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. The public school of 14,000 students issued a campus-wide ban effective on Monday, telling students in an email that any hoverboards found on campus would be confiscated.

"These things are just catching fire without warning, and we don't want that in any of our dorms," Dolan said.

Outright bans also have been issued at schools such as American University and George Washington University, both in Washington, D.C. Other schools said they will forbid the scooters in dorm rooms or campus buildings, a policy adopted at colleges including Louisiana State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Arkansas.

After banning hoverboards from dorms in December, officials at the University of Hartford in Connecticut are now considering a full ban because of concerns over how to store them safely, said David Isgu, a school spokesman. Some of the reported fires have occurred while the boards were being charged, authorities say.

At Ohio State University and at Xavier University in Cincinnati, students were told they can bring a hoverboard only if it came with a seal showing that the board meets certain safety standards.

Schools have issued bans as recently as Thursday, when the University of Connecticut announced that the devices aren't welcome on campus. The University of Alabama and the University of Kentucky declared bans on Wednesday as students prepare to return from break.

"We are not willing to risk your safety and our community's safety," University of Kentucky Fire Marshal Greg Williamson told students in a statement.

Bryce Colegrove, a sophomore at Shawnee State University in Ohio, got an email from his school on Tuesday telling students to leave their hoverboards at home after the holidays. It was bad timing for Colegrove, who had just received one as a gift from his girlfriend and had even plotted his new routes to class.

"Honestly I was really disappointed," said Colegrove, 20. "I don't think it's right to ban them. I mean, it's a college campus; it's not a high school."

Others took to social media to voice their frustration, with some saying they planned to bring their scooters to school anyway.

Hoverboards, which are made by several brands, already have been banned by the three largest U.S. airlines, citing potential fire danger from the lithium-ion batteries that power them.

The devices also are prohibited on New York City streets, and a new law in California requires riders to be at least 16 and wear a helmet in public.

On Monday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that it's now investigating 28 fires in 19 states tied to the motorized scooters. Fire officials from New Jersey to California have blamed the boards for fires that damaged homes. The federal commission also said there have been serious injuries caused by falls.

Colleges reported that even though the gadget has been gaining popularity, it's still relatively rare on campuses.

Dolan, of Kean University, said he saw about six students riding the scooters last fall. News of swift sales over the holidays, plus the reports of fires, led him to propose the ban.

"If that may inconvenience a couple dozen students, then that's what it's going to have to be," he said.

Fire officials in several states have issued their own warnings about the devices, including in New Jersey, were authorities recommended that all public colleges ban them.

Still, several colleges have suggested that they may allow hoverboards in the future. American University said its ban is temporary, but will last "until further notice." At Wellesley College near Boston, a policy bans the motorized scooters "until safety standards can be developed and implemented by the manufacturers."
CHICAGO | De La Salle Institute will be hosting the Mass of the Holy Spirit to celebrate the beginning of the 2014-15 academic year as well as the 125th anniversary of the founding of De La Salle Institute on Aug. 22.

The Mass, which will begin at 10 am, will be celebrated by Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago. The Mass will take place in the Parmer Activity Center located on De La Salles Institute Campus at 3434 S. Michigan Ave.

Tours of De La Salle also will be available beginning at 9 am.

Anyone interested in attending the Mass is asked to RSVP to Barbara Herring at herringb@dls.org or (312) 842-7355 ext. 139 by Aug. 13.
MERRILLVILLE  Recovery Works plans to open a detoxification center in Merrillville.

It plans to transform the former VNA building at 201 W. 89th Ave. into a 32-bed facility to treat those suffering from alcohol or drug addiction.

Attorney Richard Anderson told the Plan Commission the existing building at the site has been vacant since at least 2008.

Recovery Works will renovate the structure to create the rehabilitation center, Anderson said.

It needs quite a bit of work, he said.

Matt Rice, of Recovery Works, said the facility will be accredited, and those receiving treatment will be under doctor supervision. There also will be a psychiatrist and 24-hour nursing at the site.

Rice said the treatment process can last about 30 days. Following detoxification, patients would go to outpatient care. That could include group therapy.

Rice said when patients leave the facility, they will be on no addictive medication.

He said the center isn't a methadone clinic, and it isn't intended for those who have received a court mandate to undergo addiction treatment.

Rice said Recovery Works, which has three existing facilities in Kentucky, treats people who know they have problems and want help.

Many town officials said they are pleased with the plans for a detoxification center in Merrillville.

Commission member Pam Palmateer said Northwest Indiana needs more places like Recovery Works.

Member Brian Dering said alcohol and drug addiction is something that has touched everyone in some way.

It's a great thing when you can help them out, he said.

The upcoming project doesn't require the commission's approval. Anderson said the property has a commercial planned unit development zoning classification, and the rehabilitation center is a permitted use in that designation.

He said he and Rice attended the meeting so planners are aware of what's taking place when work gets underway.

Anderson said work will include installing a new roof and air conditioning system. He said the parking lot and the sides of the building are among other areas that also will be improved.

A construction schedule wasn't announced, but Rice said the renovation could take about six months.
GARY  Former Gary Councilwoman Marilyn Krusas died Friday.

Scott King, her attorney, said Saturday that Krusas, who had cancer, died at her Gary home.

"She was just a very good person," King said. "She was a very dedicated person to the community. I got to know her well in politics and while representing her. She's going to be missed."

Krusas, 72, had served on the Gary City Council from 2000 until she resigned in April 2013. She represented the city's 1st District, which includes the Miller neighborhood.

Her political career ended after she pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax evasion stemming from her failure to file tax returns for years. According to court records, she also was accused of failing to pay taxes on a $232,680 inheritance.

On Jan. 8, 2014, she was sentenced to one year and a day in prison. Her sentence was supposed to be followed by two years on supervised release.

According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons website, Krusas was released last February.

While her federal case was pending, Krusas' underwent medical treatment for cancer.

Before she was sentenced, various Gary politicians wrote letters in support of Krusas. One of the letters was written by Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, who described how Krusas undertook causes for the good of the community even if it was seen as unpopular at the time.

"There are times when we engage in activities that do not truly reflect our character or life's work," Freeman-Wilson wrote. "I believe that the circumstances that bring Marilyn before this court illustrate this fact."
CROWN POINT | Lake County Commissioner Roosevelt D. Allen Jr. was feeling right at home in his new district Tuesday.

Allen, a 66-year-old Gary funeral home director with 32 years in government service, was headed for a third term as one of county government's chief executives.

Allen was running in a newly configured district that previously included Gary and East Chicago. He used his campaign to introduce himself to new constituents in Merrillville, New Chicago, Hobart, Lake Station and part of Crown Point.

He had received more than 80 percent of the vote and held a commanding lead over his primary opponent, Lita M. Iatarola Filippo, a Gary businesswoman.

He currently faces no Republican opponent in the fall.

Although Allen declined to veto a local option income tax last year, that played little role in the primary debate.

Filippo called for a change, claiming Allen was too close to county contractors who contributed to his re-election campaign, and criticized him for a conflict of interest involving county payments to an Allen family concern, Guy and Allen Funeral Directors, of Gary.

Allen said the campaign contributions were legal and transparent. He said his and all funeral homes in Lake County receive money from county government's veteran burial benefits program. He said the payments are actually to the cemeteries and veterans families, even though the funeral homes are listed as vendors in county records.

Allen said voters appreciated his active role working with the Economic Development Administration in Washington, D.C., to access to millions of new dollars in federal grants.

He also serves as chairman of the E-911 commission to consolidate 17 police, fire and emergency service dispatch units throughout Lake County into a single centralized dispatch center as required by Indiana law. And he has worked with Sheriff John Buncich to implement Lake County Jail upgrades required by the U.S. Justice Department.

Allen said voters approved of his 44 years of successful business experience and 32 years of experience in local government. He served two decades on the Calumet Township Advisory Board before being elected county commissioner.
In a continuing effort to return some of the generosity that the community has shared with the bank for over a century, the banks employees chose the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana as the recipient of a $1,000 donation when the banks Facebook page reached its target goal for Page Likes.

When we decided to designate a local aid organization as the beneficiary of our promotion, we put it up for a vote with the banks employees, and they chose the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, said Bank President Michael Mellon. "Its a terrific organization that helps many throughout the area, and that was the idea. We wanted to return the communitys generosity with a donation that benefits our local communities. We are proud to help how and when we can.
HAMMOND | The attorney for convicted tax cheat and former Gary City Councilwoman Marilyn Krusas hopes theres some wriggle room in the one-year-and-one-day sentence she received from a federal judge.

Defense attorney Scott King told The Times that although the case has limited rights of appeal, Krusas medical condition could factor into a possible reduction in jail time. As it stands, she is required to report to an unnamed federal prison March 26. Krusas, 70, is currently undergoing cancer treatment for her kidneys and lungs.

King had asked the court to allow Krusas to serve home detention or a period of probation on the basis she has suffered from depression, as detailed in the courts sentencing memorandum, since the 1960s. As such, the memorandum states her behavior was fueled by mental illness, not personal or political gain.

In her plea agreement, Krusas admitted to tax evasion, stating the loss to the U.S. Treasury was between $80,000 and $200,000. Krusas, who had been a member of the Gary City Council since 2000, was indicted on charges she failed to file personal income tax returns since 1991 and had failed to pay taxes on a $232,680 inheritance she received in 2009 and 2010.

Krusas admitted trying to hide her inheritance by withdrawing large sums of cash from her bank account, obtaining money orders and cashier checks, sending money to a relative and paying her mortgage and other creditors. She did not pay the Internal Revenue Service  despite the agency sending her notices and assessments and hiring an accountant to help her, according to the plea agreement.

By virtue of her guilty plea to a felony charge, Krusas was automatically stripped of her public office.
GARY  Senior citizens and the general public are invited to learn more about protecting themselves against online fraud and Internet scams at a presentation from noon to 2 p.m., Friday by Indiana University Northwest Professor of Marketing Subir Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D. Bandyopadhyays discussion session will be held at the John W. Anderson Library Conference Center, room 105 ABC. Senior citizens and their friends and family will learn tips to help them discern suspicious emails and use social media sites to stay in touch with family and friends, share photos and videos, access coupons and much more without becoming prey to Internet fraud. Bandyopadhyay is a well-known expert on online and social media marketing. To reserve a seat, contact Tierra Jackson at (219) 980-6596 or jacksoti@iun.edu.
GARY | A wave of letters supporting indicted former Gary Councilwoman Marilyn Krusas was filed Tuesday, including one from Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson.

Krusas is asking a federal judge to sentence her to probation or home detention, according to a sentencing memorandum filed Tuesday by Krusas' attorney.

Krusas, 70, pleaded guilty in April to a federal charge of tax evasion. She is accused of failing to file tax returns since 1991 and not paying taxes on a $232,680 inheritance that she received in 2009 and 2010. Krusas, who had been part of the Gary City Council since 2000, resigned in April.

Prosecutors have asked a judge to sentence Krusas to 12 to 18 months in prison. The sentencing memorandum filed by prosecutors was critical of Krusas and described her actions as hypocritical.

"At the same time she was ignoring the IRS, she was also doling out the city of Gary's dollars, millions of which were acquired through federal taxes," the memorandum stated.

In Tuesday's memorandum, Krusas' attorney argues that chronic depression played a role in why Krusas didn't file tax returns. She has spent the past couple of months undergoing medical treatments for cancer.

Freeman-Wilson wrote in her letter that Krusas undertook many causes that were sometimes unpopular for the good of the community. She asks a judge to consider Krusas' work on the council when he chooses a sentence.

"There are times when we engage in activities that do not truly reflect our character or life's work," Freeman-Wilson wrote. "I believe that the circumstances that bring Marilyn before this court illustrate this fact."

Council members Kyle Allen, Roy Pratt and Mary Brown submitted letters of character. Officials from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, Gary Jet Center and the Gary Chamber of Commerce also submitted letters in support of Krusas.

Gary resident Mildred Shannon said she didn't always agree with Krusas but thought the former councilwoman conducted herself professionally.

"At all times, she represented her constitutes to the best of her knowledge and her ability," Shannon wrote. "Therefore, when Marilyn comes before the court for sentencing, I ask you Judge to consider these attributes as reasons for leniency."

A sentencing hearing in the case has been delayed three times. Krusas is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 8.
GARY | Many dark corners of local government in Lake County have been home to corrupt public officials over the years, and Calumet Township is no exception.

Will Smith Jr., who worked from 1997 to 2001 as a township assistant deputy earning an annual salary of $26,288, was convicted in 2007 by a federal jury in Hammond for filing a false income tax return as part a tax avoidance scheme unrelated to his township work. He served a 15-month sentence.

Ezell Cooper, who was as a claims fraud investigator for the township between 1989 to 2005, pleaded guilty in 1990 to embezzling money from the United Steelworkers Union Local 1014 while he was its financial secretary. Cooper received probation.

Both Smith and Cooper worked for Dozier Allen Jr., who had served 32 years as trustee. Federal authorities investigated Allen himself on more than one occasion.

The U.S. Attorney's office alleged Allen was suspected of filching more than $63,000 between 1998 and 2000 from a state grant meant to move township residents off welfare. In 2000, Allen bought a new Ford F-250 truck and then sold it eight months later to the township for $24,950 in an apparent conflict of interest. No charges were ever filed over those matters though.

The U.S. Attorney's office did charge Allen and three of his closest former deputies five years after voters removed him from office, indicting Allen and his former deputies on charges of defrauding the township in connection with another state grant of public money.

Allen's charges originated at a time when Indiana was in danger of losing $15 million in federal job training grants unless the state could obtain township assistance records proving the severity of local unemployment and poverty.

While other township trustees gave state officials the needed data, Allen insisted the state pay for his information. The state agreed to do so on condition he prove the money was used to reimburse his employees for the extra work to satisfy the state's information needs.

Allen never provided proof of his staff's extra work, and federal prosecutors said it was later discovered that Winfo Data Systems -- a longtime information technology contractor for the county -- was able to produce the information the state needed with only a few key strokes.

Nevertheless, Allen's administration billed the state, and "instead of directing this money to the office, the defendants pocketed the bounty themselves. The defendants did nothing to earn these spoils," the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote recently after reviewing and affirming Allen's public corruption conviction.

Federal prosecutors said Allen pocketed $28,000, while township employees Wanda Joshua received $51,000, Ann Marie Karras received $38,000 and Albert Young Jr. received $26,000 from the grant.

The appeals court noted Allen's scheme unraveled when Lake County Commissioner Roosevelt Allen -- Dozier Allen's second cousin and a township board member at the time -- publicly questioned whether Dozier Allen had the authority to pay himself more money than his annual salary. The State Board of Accounts then investigated.

Defense lawyers argued the payments were legal and above-board, but a jury found otherwise. Dozier Allen served an 18-month sentence.
Voters weary of chatter about Donald Trump and the rest of the presidential gang of candidates can take heart.

There are other candidates and elections closer to home. Indiana's primary election is May 3 and the general election will follow Nov. 8.

Hoosiers will be electing nine U.S. representatives, a governor, an attorney general, a superintendent of public instruction.

Both Lake and Porter County voters will choose a U.S. senator. They also will choose their 1st Congressional District representative. That seat is now held by U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, who filed Wednesday for re-election.

Together they also choose the 19th state representative. The incumbent is Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point. The district sprawls across both counties.

Lake voters will choose a total of two state senators, eight state representatives, a circuit court judge, county coroner, county recorder, county surveyor and two members of the Lake County Board of Commissioners.

The Porter County ballot will include state representative seats held by Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, and Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron, and the state Senate seat held by Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso.

Porter County also will vote for the judicial post held by Democrat Porter Superior Judge Julia Jent, the commissioner seats held by Republican John Evans and Democrat Laura Blaney, at-large council seats held by Dan Whitten, Bob Poparad and Sylvia Graham; and the offices of surveyor and treasurer, said Kathy Kozuszek, who serves as the Democratic director at the Porter County Voter Registration Office.

There are also school board races in Duneland, East Porter County, Portage Township, Porter Township, Union Township, Metropolitan School District of Boone Township and Michigan City Area Schools.

Lake's primary and general election will test the public's satisfaction with the current list of officeholders.

Lake Circuit Court Judge George C. Paras, Lake County Recorder Michael B. Brown, Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey and Lake County Surveyor William Emerson Jr. all said they are running for re-election.

Paras, whose court hears cases ranging from constitutional matters to domestic law, said he and his staff have resolved thousands of civil disputes since he took office six years ago. "I'm well qualified. I'm experience and I like the job," Paras said.

Former sheriff Roy Dominguez said earlier he is mulling a run for circuit court this spring.

Brown, whose office is the county archive of property records, said he has upgraded the office's electronics to "recreate the in-person experience online." He said he has reorganized the staff, but only outsourced one job and his staff and vendors have converted hundreds of thousands of paper documents into digital form.

Frey, whose office investigates suspicious deaths, said she has personally involved herself in every inquest, about 1,000 a year. She said she reintroduced the issuance of coroner's verdicts, officially stating the cause of death, and is promoting about sudden unexplained infant death syndrome to reduce its occurrence.

Emerson, whose office maintains storm water drainage ditches in the unincorporated areas, said he has reduced consulting costs in his office by $53,304.00 in less than two years by paying his licensed surveyor on an hourly basis instead of the flat annual fees under the previous administration and expects additional savings of $5,000 a year by shifting his attorney's to an hourly basis as well.

Potential challengers have until Feb. 5 to file paperwork to appear on the May 3 primary ballot.

The races for county commissioner could generate the most interest.

Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond, will face voters for the first time since his refusal to veto the county income tax. Lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, isn't commenting on rumors she will challenge him.

Commissioner Gerry Scheub is running for a sixth term in office, but in a newly configured district with a more Republican tilt.

Two Republicans, Schererville Town Councilman Jerry Tippy and Eldon Strong, a Crown Point-based county councilman, announced this month they will enter the race too.

Scheub, a Democrat, has said he too will appeal to Republicans voters. Earlier this month, he called upon the County Council to immediately reduce the county income tax. Scheub had tried, unsuccessfully, to block the tax's passage in 2013.

Strong called that a cynical bit of election grandstanding since Scheub made no mention of a tax cut last summer when it could have been seriously considered by the County Council as it was putting together a 2016 budget.

Strong said no one will take Scheub seriously until he can get his two fellow county commissioners  who support the tax and the cities and towns now benefiting from the tax's additional revenues, to sign a tax-cutting resolution.
The Indiana State Bar Association is teaming up with the NWI Volunteer Lawyers Inc. to sponsor Talk to a Lawyer Today, a pro bono program to provide free legal assistance to the underserved on Jan. 18, as an annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The program is an opportunity for attorneys statewide to offer free legal consultations (10 to 15 minutes) to the public who might not otherwise be able to afford the counsel of an attorney.

The following site locations for District A are:

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tabernacle Baptist Church, 3715 Butternut St., East Chicago

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. West Side Leadership Academy, 9th and Gerry St., Gary

10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Lake Station-New Chicago Public Library, 2007 Central Ave., Lake Station

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lowell Public Library, 1505 E. Commercial Ave., Lowell

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Portage Township trustee, 3458 Airport Road, Portage

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Valparaiso University Law School, 656 S. Greenwich St., Valparaiso

Also, a statewide hotline for both English and Spanish-speaking callers will be available by calling (800) 266-2581 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about this program, or to view a complete list of locations statewide, visit www.inbar.org.
GARY  Lake County Commissioner Roosevelt Allen Jr. died in his sleep at his Gary home, officials said.

Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey said she was told about 11:50 a.m. Saturday that Allen died from natural causes while he was sleeping at his home. He was 68 years old.

The sudden death came as a surprise to many Lake County politicians who described Allen as a gentleman who made decisions based on the best interest of his constituents.

Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, who is also the chairman of the county's Democratic Party, said he was in shock after learning about Allen's death. Since news began spreading about the death, Buncich said he had been fielding calls from people throughout the state.

"It's indicative of how well respected he was," Buncich said. "He was a true gentleman, a true friend to everyone."

Frey also described Allen as a distinguished gentleman.

"He always carried himself in a professional way," Frey said. "It was always imperative to him that he did what was the right thing for the good of our community."

My heart goes out to the Allen family and to all those whose lives have been enriched because Roosevelt Allen walked amongst us and served us all. We will all miss his selfless dedication to making the world better than he found it, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said.

Allen, D-Gary, was a 1965 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Gary. He went on to study at Indiana University and DePaul University. He worked as a funeral director at Guy & Allen Funeral Directors in Gary.

In 2006, Allen was elected as 1st District county commissioner, and he was serving his third term. The district includes residents in Gary, Merrillville, New Chicago, Hobart, Lake Station and part of Crown Point.

He replaced the late Rudy Clay who had resigned in 2006 as commissioner to become the mayor of Gary. Allen had previously been a member of the Calumet Township Advisory Board.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said in a prepared statement that the city was devastated by Allen's death.

"He was a exemplary government leader, an astute businessman and a great philanthropist in this community," Freeman-Wilson stated. "His heart for the citizens and city of Gary were demonstrated daily and will serve as a lasting memory of who he was."

Lake County Commissioner Gerry Scheub, D-Crown Point, said Allen didn't just care about north Lake County. Scheub said he could always count on Allen to stand for what was in the best interests of residents in the southern part of the county.

"When we talk about Lake County as a region, he truly lived that and preached it," Scheub said.

Dan Dernulc, the chairman of the county's Republican Party, said he and Allen didn't always agree on issues, but he said the two personally got along well.

He recalled joking with Allen, who was known for dressing well, about wanting to look as good as he did when he was older.

Dernulc last saw Allen Thursday for a meeting.

"He looked great," Dernulc said. "That's why I'm just totally shocked."

Lake County Commissioner Mike Repay, D-Hammond, described Allen as intelligent and passionate. Repay said Allen provided him with so much advice and input that he nicknamed him, "The Professor."

Repay said Allen had a lighter side who liked to joke around. He recalled that on Friday they had all been joking around in their office.

Like Dernulc, Repay said Allen appeared in good health. He recalled Allen gave him tips about how to stay healthy.

Repay said he thinks Allen will most be remembered for his demeanor while in office.

"His constituents knew they had a calm, cool, intelligent and thoughtful person working on their behalf," he said. "That was something that was set in stone."

Information about Allen's funeral services was not immediately available.
Summer employees often have difficulty in finding suitable short-term housing. Most of the employees are college students or people just starting their careers and have limited budgets. Many apartments will not lease or rent for less than six months or a year and the park's summer employees typically work less than that starting in May. Most employees will be looking for temporary, (two to six months), housing, preferably furnished apartments or rooms with cooking privileges.
HAMMOND  Don't expect everyday to be like a typical episode of CSI on television but Hammond Police crime scene investigators and detectives say a day of investigation can be painstaking, tedious and overwhelmingly sad.

"We're not all dressed in suits or having a cup of coffee like you see on TV," Det. Jason Gonzalez said.

Hammond Master Sargeants Allan Retske and Robert Vaught, who share responsibilities in charge of the department's crime scene unit, Sgt. Butch Logan, Community Affairs, and Gonzalez spoke to more than 150 Bishop Noll Institute students Thursday to give them a better picture of how they gather evidence.

This is an entry-level STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) offered to freshmen students as they explore STEM topics. The students also have done projects on drones, website design and energy-efficient housing.

Three BNI teachers are involved including Rebecca Dostatni, Paul Douglass and Anthony Hoolihan.

Dostatni said the STEM class has eight different projects. She wanted the Hammond police to talk to students about the importance of problem solving, and how police have to think critically on a daily basis to solve a crime.

BNI Principal Craig Stafford said the high school offers a STEM elective to students in grades 10 through 12.

"Over the next three years, we will be developing a 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade STEM class," he said. "The current freshmen will take a STEM course every year they are enrolled at BNI. The curriculum has been (and will be) developed by teachers representing all departments, including myself, and Dr. Carla Johnson from Purdue (West Lafayette). She is a professor and STEM expert."

Dostatni said the students are collecting data on the City of Hammond and other communities in Northwest Indiana and the Chicago suburbs, looking at the crime rates and creating data.

The Hammond officers brought numerous items to show students including casting for footprints and a fingerprint kit. The police authorities said a laser projection of bullet trajectories is one of the latest innovations in crime scene investigation. The kit contains all of the tools necessary to provide vital information about the flight of the bullet.

Retske and Vaught said after the evidence has been collected, they go back and diagram the crime scene.

Gonzalez said his work is to investigate the case, and he told students the first 48 hours are critical.

"It's important to talk to witnesses, neighbors, the family and the suspects," he said.

"A lot of them are willing to come and discuss with me what happened, how it went down. what the beef was and why everyone was angry," Gonzalez said. "When I was in patrol working at high schools as a resource officer, I often talked to kids. The next thing you know, they may be sitting in a box and we're talking about why he or she had a situation that turned violent and someone was killed."

Noll freshmen Alejandra Wedryk and A.J. Vazquez said the students are collecting data, and putting together statistics about various types of crime in Hammond and neighboring cities.

Wedryk said she is interested in forensic science and thinks that could be an interesting career. Vaqquez said he has been watching CSI, and is more interested in it after listening to the Hammond officers.

Stafford said Bishop Noll has a total enrollment of 536 students, a 14-year high for the Catholic school. He said about 48 percent of the students use a voucher. A voucher or Indiana Choice Scholarship allows a family to use public school tax dollars to enroll in a private school.
PORTAGE  The City Council last week unanimously denied a request to rezone property along Central Avenue for a Dollar General store.

Council President Mark Oprisko cited traffic issues in the area for not approving the rezoning of the property.

"It is not the proper place to have this store," said Oprisko.

The city's plan commission forwarded the petition to the council without a recommendation. A neighbor of the proposed development attended that meeting and issued concerns about how the proposal would affect her property.

John Woytilla of Zaremba Program Development of Cleveland, Ohio, representing Dollar General said the company had identified the location for its 7,500-square-foot store. He told council members that the traffic would be light compared to other possible development.

The company had asked that the northern half of two lots at 5870 and 5886 Central Ave., just west of the Portage Township School's service center building be rezoned neighborhood commercial from the present residential zoning. The southern half of the lots are already zoned neighborhood commercial.
I guess Ill never fully understand how the mass murders of folks in a Colorado movie theater or little kids in a Connecticut elementary school have so sharply divided this country along political lines.

It pretty much centers around the National Rifle Association and spineless politicians. Whats so sad is that it doesnt have to be like this.

The divide became quite clear last week when President Barack Obama issued executive orders to help keep guns out of the hands of those who legally shouldnt have them.

At the heart of his plan is an effort to eliminate the loophole that exempts gun sales from background checks if a seller isnt a federal registered dealer.

Indiana  and particularly Lake County  ought to be ashamed because it is a poster child of sorts for the gun show loopholes. There are no such loopholes in Illinois, which is why guns purchased in Indiana end up in the hands of gang bangers in Illinois.

The political divide became even clearer last week after Obamas presentation.

Republicans made it sound like Obama was trying to ban guns in America.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, spewing the Republican line, said, Rather than focus on criminals and terrorists, he goes after the most law-abiding of citizens.

Nothing can be further from the truth, but it is something the NRA loves to hear.

Instead, Obama is trying to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists. Law-abiding citizens still will be able to easily purchase weapons.

So why did Ryan, a man third in line to be president, make such an inflammatory and absurd statement?

Its because its what he and other Republicans are supposed to say to curry the favor of the NRA.

After Obamas speech, several of the GOP presidential candidates condemned the president and said his plan was an assault on the Second Amendment.

Those comments, too, are wrong and only meant to inflame NRA members and just about anyone who owns a gun.

Obama simply is trying to ensure that laws prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms are enforced.

While Obamas plan lacks the force of law, hopefully those involved in the sale of weapons will heed his plea.

Locally, I hope Lake County Commissioners Gerry Scheub, Mike Repay and Roosevelt Allen will pull the plug on the loophole-filled gun shows they allow at the county fairgrounds.

And I hope congressional Republicans will think more about the first-graders who died in Connecticut than they do about the NRA, and strengthen gun laws.

Until now, they have done nothing but criticize efforts to make the country safer.
We support the Second Amendment right to bear arms. But President Barack Obamas executive actions last week are just common sense.

His action affecting background checks at gun shows and online clarifies, rather than expands, federal law concerning gun sales. Simply put, if you're a gun dealer, you're a gun dealer. You follow the same law as everyone else. This is just closing a loophole.

It is often speculated that sales at gun shows, with no background checks, fuel the flow of guns to criminals.

Last October, Winston Geralds, 25, was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for helping to purchase 43 guns in Crown Point and Indianapolis and supplying them to sellers in Chicago. Geralds purchased the firearms from individual vendors at gun shows and helped bring them to Illinois in 2012 so they could be sold in Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing and Chinatown neighborhoods, officials said. Closing this loophole means Geralds, now a convicted felon will not be able to resume his operation when he is released from prison.

Obama's executive actions this week, which affect the Lake County Gun Show at the Lake County Fairgrounds, just makes sense. People who sell guns there will be regarded as dealers, and buyers will be subject to a background check.

Theres no reason to oppose this loophole. Youre a dealer if youre selling at one of these shows and should be treated as one.

This doesnt affect private sales between individuals. This is about buying from gun dealers.

Obama also is taking steps to include mental health records in the system used for background checks. That, too, makes sense. People who are mentally unstable ought not to be sold guns, for their own protection and for ours. This doesn't take away guns they might already own; it simply allows the purchase of additional guns to be restricted for people whose mental illness might lead to violent outbursts.

We have seen time and again the issue of mental illness pop up in the discussion of guns in the United States. It's a valid point. It's time to recognize the need to improve access to treatment of mental illness  the Obama administration is proposing an additional $500 million for mental health care  and for mental health records to be included in the background checks for individuals seeking to purchase guns.

Further, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives needs the financial and staffing wherewithal to function appropriately. The point is often made that we don't need more gun laws; we need to enforce the ones we have. The ATF needs the resources to enforce existing laws better. That means knowing when guns being shipped from one person to another go missing, or when people who shouldn't own guns acquire them.

This affects cities like Chicago, where violent street gangs have created high death tolls in recent years, but it also takes into account the pressure to reduce exposure to terrorists, both foreign and domestic, on U.S. soil.

Let's enforce the laws we have.

Reaction from Republican presidential candidates and from Congress was adamant against Obama's action this week.

The president has said he wants additional gun control. He voiced that opinion repeatedly this week. He also recognized he's not going to see that dream of his fulfilled during his term in office. Enacting new laws, or not, is up to Congress to decide.

Gun control is considered a third rail for politics. Even think about touching it, and you're easily zapped by fierce opponents or staunch proponents.

But let's set partisanship aside and see Obama's actions, rather than rhetoric, this week for what they are  clarification and enforcement of existing law. We support these commonsense moves and urge others to do so.
After the Paris terrorist attacks, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence denied all Syrians refuge in the state, though only one family came, simply seeking peace from their former country. He believed a terrorist would slip in with the refugees, but this is a common misconception. Instead, Indiana should take action in this crisis.

According to the "In A Nutshell" video series, Syrian evacuees are civilized, well-educated and much more likely to start founding businesses or get employed than to turn to terrorism. Even if a terrorist breaks into our country, we have large cities and powerful police forces, so the terrorist couldn't do much by himself before our armed forces bring him down.

European countries and border countries of Syria are already running out of room in their already overcrowded and undersupplied camps.

Our country has the second-largest economy in the world, and more people will try to enter rich countries.

Tell Mike Pence to help the refugees today.

Kevin Aharrah, Grimmer Middle School
Editor's note: Additional letters from Grimmer Middle School students are online at nwi.com/opinion.

Donald Trump will never have a trump card good enough to get himself out of this one. It will expose him as the frightened millionaire he truly is, hiding behind his money.

I know my opponents are out there, supporting Trump how they can, but he will only make this country a worse place to live. There are three key reasons Trump would make a bad president.

The first reason is he has bad foreign policies. He is planning to build a wall between Mexico and the United States because bandits come through the border often, and he is having Mexico pay for it, because some just want a free better life.

Second, he is a bad leader and knows little to nothing about politics. His recent speeches are just words to catch your attention.

Finally, he makes fun of his own people. On Nov. 9, 2015, Donald made his 9/11 speech that made fun of the Muslims who live in America, and he made fun of a young adult with ALS.

Vote for a president who isn't Trump, and this country will have a good president.

Adam Glass, Grimmer Middle School
WOODSTOCK, Ill.  Jenna Dickson expected to rescue only the miniature horses in the worst conditions when she headed to a farm in central Illinois.

No more than six would be coming back to the Hooved Animal Humane Society in Woodstock, she thought. But then she saw all 14 miniature horses.

"They kind of greet you at the fence, so you walk up and it's like, 'What cute little ponies. This will be great,' " said Dickson, the organization's adoption coordinator. "And then you look at their feet. Some of them, their feet were so long and curling up (that) when they walked, their feet were flapping.

"We can't just leave some of them here to get worse," she said.

The first rescue came in early December after someone called the Hooved Animal Humane Society to alert them to the animals' deteriorating conditions. One of the owners had died, and the widower was in poor health and couldn't provide the animals the proper care, said Tracy McGonigle, executive director and Illinois Department of Agriculture-certified investigator.

The animals' hooves were overgrown to the point where it was likely painful and could have caused permanent damage to their skeletons leaving them with constant discomfort.

Among the worst of the pack was Pony Boy, a 10-year-old stallion whose hooves likely had not been cut for about five years. In comparison, Dickson said her organization typically trims hooves every six to eight weeks.

A farrier and veterinarian visited the animals after they arrived  eight at first, and six a week later  and it doesn't appear they sustained any irreversible injuries. It cost the nonprofit, which is responsible for about 140 animals in total, more than $4,000 for the triage.

The ponies will need additional trims, as well as dental care, but they're in good shape otherwise, Dickson said. Most will be ready for adoption in about two months.

Some will use that time to get comfortable with people. Dickson said the horses in the second lot were hard to catch and seemed as if they had never had a halter put on before.

"Even the ones who are hard to handle, you can tell they're curious. They want to and then they just get nervous," Dickson said. "So I think as long as we're gentle and keep working with them, they'll come around really nice."

In all, however, they've made strides since they first arrived, a couple even allowing a volunteer groomer to braid their hair. In the barn where they're all being kept, they "talk" to each other, the horses named after "The Outsiders" characters neighing to those with "Harry Potter"-themed monikers.

Their calls reach across the barn to Pony Boy, who's being kept separate until he's gelded.

Playing and talking aside, they're favorite pastime is eating hay.

"It's rewarding for everyone," McGonigle said, looking at the mini-horses muzzles peeking out of a gate. "It's nice. It's seeing them act like horses again, like normal animals."
ELKHART, Ind.  Since word started spreading late last month about plans by the Obama administration to crack down on undocumented immigrants from Central America, Elkhart County immigration attorney Felipe Merino has been fielding call after call.

"People are frantic right now," he said Tuesday. "I have folks all over that are on the edge right now."

Lisa Koop, an immigration attorney in Goshen with the National Immigrant Justice Center, said she has heard from clients, immigrants, who have been following proper procedure in their cases. Nevertheless, they're also worried, fearing an unexpected knock on the door from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"I think the community is absolutely terrified at the prospects of these raids," Koop said.

Word trickled out before Christmas in a Washington Post article that ICE plans to launch a national campaign "to deport families who have fled violence in Central America." The focus, the article said, would be on adults and children who already have been ordered deported by an immigration judge.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson confirmed the initiative, announcing ICE agents had detained 121 people over the weekend, mainly in Georgia, Texas and North Carolina, and started processing them to be deported.

"At my direction, additional enforcement operations such as these will continue to occur as appropriate," he said in a statement.

An ICE official contacted by The Elkhart Truth countered talk of activity by the federal agency in Elkhart County, which has a sizable population of immigrants and Hispanic people.

"ICE hasn't conducted any recent enforcement activity in the Elkhart area," the official said Tuesday.

But Zulma Prieto, editor of El Puente, a Spanish-language newspaper based in Goshen, said Tuesday she had received word that immigration officials had detained an Elkhart area man originally from Honduras. She was still sorting out the details.

And the jitters are strong. Many on Facebook were chatting early last weel about some sort of supposed operation involving ICE that led to the detention of a man at an apartment complex just south of the Elkhart city limits.

Turns out a man was, in fact, detained, but on drug-related charges, according to Elkhart County Sheriff's Department records. And ICE was involved, but not necessarily Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rather, the effort that led to the arrest was headed by a local law enforcement entity that also goes by the ICE acronym  the Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement unit, which focuses on drug-related crimes. The Elkhart County ICE unit doesn't focus on immigration matters.

Koop said Immigration and Customs Enforcement representatives have identified "several hundred cases" across the Midwest that could be the focus of future raids. "We are very likely to see raids, if we haven't already," she said.

The focus of the stepped-up effort by federal officials is on a specific group  Central Americans, mainly, caught crossing illegally from Mexico into the United States who have exhausted all legal remedies in their efforts to stay and now face removal.

The biggest share of the foreign-born population in Elkhart County, which includes legal and undocumented immigrants, among others, comes from Latin America, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. Most Latinos here have Mexican roots, with a smaller share from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, among other Latin American countries.

Koop said her clients are following proper procedure in their cases in immigration courts, presumably precluding them from being targeted in the new initiative. Merino said his clients, too, are in a similar situation, though that hasn't stopped the hand-wringing.

"My clients are going to court," he said. "They have me."

The Michiana Immigration Coalition, a collective of numerous immigrant advocacy groups in Elkhart, Goshen and South Bend, has issued a sheet offering advice to immigrants worried about detention. If immigration officials knock on the door, ask to see a court order, the sheet states.

Prieto, the El Puente editor, referred to a flier on her publication's Facebook page, created by immigration advocacy group United We Dream, that outlines a person's rights and responsibilities when facing immigration officials.

"You don't have to give any information," she said.
FORT WAYNE, Ind.  The number of deaths caused by fire in Indiana declined by more than 10 percent last year, state officials said.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security recorded 73 fire deaths around the state during 2015, down from 84 such deaths in 2014.

"While we never want to see anyone injured or killed in a fire, we're encouraged to see that fewer people were affected this year," State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson said in a statement.

Advances in technology in the past 20 years are helping firefighters save more people, The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette reported. Firefighter gear can withstand more heat and thermal imaging cameras allow them to search homes quickly and more thoroughly.

"We're able to get into fires and take more heat, which allows us to search areas faster," said Deputy Chief Adam O'Connor, a 20-year veteran with the Fort Wayne Fire Department. "We're able to save a lot of people."

Allen County, where Fort Wayne is located, had one fire death in 2015. During a recent fire at a Fort Wayne apartment complex, O'Connor said firefighters used thermal imaging cameras to find a trapped man.

"It would've been a death," O'Connor said.

Greeson said officials applaud first responders in Indiana who work to protect those in danger and better educate the public about fire safety. O'Connor touted the Fort Wayne department's programs that teach children what to do in a fire and that homes need a working smoke alarm.

The state Department of Homeland Security said local fire departments have continued to make smoke detectors available, including in Gary, Frankfort and Indianapolis, where departments have worked alongside the American Red Cross. The state agency says the Red Cross has helped local departments install more than 5,700 smoke detectors in the state since October 2014.

The Fort Wayne Fire Department has also provides smoke alarms.
Main Sporting Goods in East Chicago, which has been in business nearly 70 years, long provided health insurance to its employees. But after their rates roughly doubled in about a five-year period, the company could no longer afford to do so.

So now the business's 14 employees buy insurance on the individual market. And they're paying about a third what they would if they were still in the company's small-group plan.

"The rates are affordable," says Diane Hudacin, a co-owner of Main Sporting Goods. "With the group plans, they were just out of the ballpark. It's just ridiculous. It's very expensive and very hard for a small business to continue to provide insurance."

The Affordable Care Act, the 2010 health reform law often known as Obamacare, sought to make insurance options for small businesses (those with 50 or fewer employees) more affordable and robust. But that has yet to materialize, as companies are being priced out of the small-group market and more of their employees are purchasing their insurance individually, often on the Obamacare marketplace at HealthCare.gov, which offers tax credits to low-income individuals.

Small groups stuck with big premiums

Small group plans have traditionally been priced based on such factors as health status, claims history and gender. But the Affordable Care Act changed it so that insurers can only take age, family size, geography and tobacco use into account when determining premiums, a process known as "community rating." This was supposed to make the rating system more fair, but so far has had the effect of raising the cost of insurance for many businesses with young, healthy workforces. Groups with poor health status, on the other hand, often now pay less than they did previously.

However, some small employers have been able to avoid the new rating system, by "grandmothering" in their old plans through 2017. Another option is to go to self-funded plans, which are about 25 percent cheaper than community-rated plans, says Jeff Sopko, a broker with Sopko Insurance Agency in Steger. "If you've got a healthy group, why would you want to go to a community rating?" he says. "A lot of my healthy groups are going self-funded."

Theoretically, once all small employers are required to use community rating, the risk pool might be so evenly spread that the rates stabilize. But that might not happen if too many healthy groups exit the small-group market.

Forecast: higher prices ahead

Will Glaros, an employee benefits specialist at the Meyers Glaros Group in Schererville, predicts: "At some point, when everybody is forced into community rating, the increases in cost will be pretty dramatic. We'll see anywhere from a 15 to 50 percent increase in cost."

On top of that, smaller businesses already face higher rate increases than large employers, in part because the latter are better equipped to negotiate lower premiums and provider reimbursement rates and generally have more stable risk profiles, according to a recent study by Washington, D.C.-based think tank the Urban Institute. That report estimated businesses with less than 50 employees pay 18 percent more for health insurance than their larger counterparts.

And when employees at businesses like Main Sporting Goods are forced to buy coverage individually, that presents its own challenges. Most of the plans available on the individual market in Indiana have limited provider networks, with the exception of one, a PPO sold by United HealthCare. The remaining plans are managed care plans (POS, HMO and EPO) that limit which physicians and hospitals a patient can visit. Hudacin, the East Chicago store's co-owner, said there was always a wider selection of policies on the small-group market.

Many small employers stay the course

Even with all the regulatory headaches caused by Obamacare, many small businesses continue to provide their employees with health insurance. A total of 65 percent of small employers offered health benefits in 2015, according to a survey by the National Small Business Association, down 5 percent from the year prior. That number has been on the decline since the early 2000s. A total of 94 percent of owners believe offering health coverage is a vital tool to recruit and retain workers, and fewer owners are asking their staffers to pay more toward their health insurance than in 2014.

Terpstra's Sales and Service, a Griffith company specializing in power equipment with a staff of 14, is one of those small businesses that still provides its employees with health insurance. But owner Don Terpstra isn't sure how much longer he'll be able to.

"Every year, we compare it. If I did go to those (community rated) plans ... it would be 30 or 40 percent higher," he says. Terpstra was able to take advantage of the temporary "grandmothering" regulation to avoid the new rating system.

Nevertheless, he notes that his employee health insurance rates have been going up by double digits every year for the last five years, or "since that whole mess became law."

The Affordable Care Act provides a tax credit for small businesses that offer health benefits. But Terpstra says the filing requirements are so onerous he has given up on pursuing the subsidy. He also says his administrative staff now spends a lot more time on insurance-related paperwork, and the number of insurers bidding to cover his workers has dropped dramatically in recent years.

"It's making the cost of health care go up," Terpstra says. "I could very well see the day when I tell my employees, 'I'm going to give you a raise for X amount and you're on your own.'"
Rather than standing up for academic freedom and human rights by boycotting countries where professors are imprisoned for their views, the A.S.A. chooses as its first ever boycott to boycott Israel, the sole democracy in the Middle East, in which academics are free to say what they want, write what they want and research what they want, Ron Dermer, Israels ambassador to the United States, said Monday.

America is viewed not only as Israels staunchest ally, but its best friend, and many analysts have fretted publicly in recent weeks that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus outspoken opposition to the interim Iran nuclear deal had damaged relations with Washington.

Next month, the Modern Language Associations annual meeting will debate a resolution calling on the State Department to criticize Israel for barring American professors from going to Gaza and the West Bank when invited by Palestinian universities.

People on both sides of the issue acknowledged that despite the heat it generates, the requested boycott will have little practical effect, at least for now. The American Studies Association resolution bars official collaboration with Israeli institutions but not with Israeli scholars themselves; it has no binding power over members, and no American colleges have signed on.

In fact, the American Association of University Professors, the nations largest professors group, said it opposed the boycott. A number of American scholars, while angry at Israeli policies in the West Bank, say they oppose singling Israel out over other countries with far worse human rights records. Others say it makes little sense to focus on Israeli universities where government policy often comes under strong criticism.

O.K., so a couple of Israeli researchers will not be invited by a couple of American researchers, said Avraham Burg, a leftist former Labor Party lawmaker who was one of the founders of Molad, a research group that recently published a report on Israeli isolation. That for me is awful, because the academic community is the last one with the freedom of thought and freedom of expression.

But Omar Barghouti, a Palestinian activist and a founder of the B.D.S. movement, said the boycott vote shed light on the close collaboration between Israels universities and its government and military, and it put those universities on notice that they will become unwelcome in international academic circles.
Carolyn Jill Grossman and Adam Patrick Meagher were married Jan. 9 at the Charles Ringling Mansion at New College of Florida in Sarasota, from which the bride graduated. Hope C. Michelson, a friend of the couple who became a Universal Life minister for the occasion, officiated.

The couple will be taking the name Grossman Meagher.

The bride, 33, is pursuing a masters degree in urban planning at Harvard. She is a daughter of Rita Walsh Grossman and Elliot P. Grossman of Manhattan.

The groom, 37, is a vice president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, who works on neighborhood and infrastructure planning. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown and received a masters degree in urban planning from Harvard. He is the son of John M. Meagher of Petaluma, Calif., and the late Carol Litzelswope, who lived in Dayton, Ohio, and the stepson of Kathleen K. Meagher.

The couple met in 2007 while they were working for the Department of City Planning, she as the director of governmental affairs, he as a city planner. Their romance developed four years later while they collaborated on a study of Manhattans off-street parking requirements.
Carrol Jung Chang and David Kodjo Owusu-Agyeman Osei were married Jan. 6 in Meridian Hill Park in Washington, under a feature of the District of Columbias marital code that now allows couples to join themselves.

The bride, 33, works in the Washington office of McKinsey & Company, where she is a management consultant for the consumer-goods and health care industries. She graduated cum laude from Harvard and received both a law degree and an M.B.A. from Northwestern. She is a daughter of Thomas J. Chang of Moonachie, N.J.

The groom, also 33, is a management consultant on banking and telecommunications in the Lagos, Nigeria, office of McKinsey. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, and received a law degree from the University of Michigan. He also has an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. He is the son of Dorothy V. Moore of Silver Spring, Md., and Albert D. Osei of Accra, Ghana.

Ms. Chang and Mr. Osei met in February 2012 as first-year M.B.A. students awaiting interviews for a summer internship in McKinseys Washington office.
PAULA TIBERIUS

North Hollywood, Calif.

To the Editor: Barbara Ehrenreich kindly mentioned my book The Gratitude Diaries. Shes correct that gratitude is prosocial and outward looking, and in my year of living gratefully, I gained a new view of giving and generosity. Gratitude cant be selfish when it helps connect us to other people and appreciate what is around us. When you are grateful for what you have, you want to do more and give more. Many studies have shown that grateful people are more generous. Ms. Ehrenreich should be encouraged that saying thank you and recognizing the contributions of people at every level are a positive start to ending inequalities and inspiring an inclusive view.

JANICE KAPLAN

New York

To the Editor: Barbara Ehrenreich suggests that a Walmart employee whose base pay was raised from $8 to $9 an hour would be a chump to feel grateful in light of the fortune of Walmart owners and executives. She believes that the huge gap between the working poor and the people they work for is unjust in the extreme. I agree that it is unjust, and like Ms. Ehrenreich I want social change. The question I have is whether an attitude of gratitude for small gains gets in the way of the big gains needed to bring about social change. Does it dissipate the anger that might motivate the drive for a more just society?

Im not sure it does. Anger can blind as well as motivate. Anger can lead to great frustration, and giving up. Gratitude, on the other hand, while reducing stress and fostering happiness, also can reduce the tendency of people to engage in self-blame or disengage. It seems to be more likely to lead to greater efforts to bring about needed social change.

To me, the best response to a $1 raise in a Walmart workers wage is to be grateful, to see that change is possible, but to be clearheaded about the need for a lot more change. It has always seemed to me that the happy warrior type of social reformers  like F.D.R. or Gandhi or the antislavery activist William Wilberforce, who showed gratitude for small gains but never lost sight of the need for more  have brought about the more lasting social change.

NEALE ADAMS

Vancouver, British Columbia

To the Editor: The opposite of gratitude, I think, is not resentment but entitlement. Some people think: It is right and proper that I have an income of $400,000 a year, eat at fine restaurants, live in a large house. I deserve these things. I will do whatever I must to protect these rights  for instance, by fighting against higher taxes.

Speaking for myself only: I have a warm, dry bed to sleep in every night; plentiful, tasty food; clean water at a touch; my local public library. I am glad to have these things. I try not to take them for granted. I am grateful  to whom? To the gods? No, to the many people who make my style of life possible. I consider it my duty  which I fail at, unfortunately  to take action to spread these good things to everyone. If that means political struggle against the entitled, then so be it.

JOHN PLOTZ

Hayward, Calif.
Meanwhile, Times editors also are continuing to put an emphasis on investigative and enterprise reporting, Mr. Baquet said. One example was an investigative series on the growth of legal arbitration.

The Times has been fortunate in being able to maintain its large newsroom staff of about 1,300 staff members. Many other newspaper staffs are shadows of what they were 15 years ago, down by half or even more in some cases.

Mr. Baquet said he expects that this number will remain about the same this year, but that over time it may not be realistic, because of the decline in advertising revenue that has rocked the entire newspaper industry. Given the reality of the journalism world were in, we certainly cant get any bigger and we probably have to get a little smaller, he said. But well remain robust.

The Times is in the midst of revamping its video operation, with Alexandra MacCallum, a high-ranking editor, newly assigned to head it. Given videos potential for generating advertising dollars, she will report both to Mr. Baquet and to Meredith Kopit Levien, in charge of revenue for The Times. That would have been unheard-of a decade ago, but there is now much greater cooperation between the business side and the newsroom, including the appointment of a newsroom editor in charge of developing newsroom projects that appeal to corporate sponsors.

Purists may shudder at such arrangements. And they do so understandably, since there is an inherent danger that the journalism will be steered by the companys commercial interests; its a concern similar to those surrounding media companies forays into native advertising, which resembles news content. It all requires steady vigilance.

Mr. Baquet stressed that the journalistic decisions about video will be his. He also said he was increasingly aware of a big danger in news today: that increased speed and brutal competition will come at the expense of accuracy.

We have to be able to slow the train down, he said. Hes attuned to the need, he said, for editing more aggressively and being more cautious. That rose to the surface last year with two high-profile errors in front-page Washington-based articles, which Ive written about in blog posts.
Such concerns could portend higher insurance rates broadly. In setting current premiums, insurers say, they did not realize how many people would sign up after the deadline and how much care they would use. That information may affect future rates and benefits. Insurers are supposed to file their proposed rates and benefits for 2017 in April and May this year.

Greg Thompson, a spokesman for Health Care Service Corporation, which runs Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, said one-fourth to one-third of its marketplace customers came in through special enrollment periods. And in their first month of coverage, he said, they were much more likely to generate large claims.

Whats more, said Anthony Mader, a vice president of Anthem, another big insurer, enrollees coming in through special enrollment periods are more than twice as likely to drop coverage after a short period of time as individuals enrolling during open enrollment.

This practice, he said, is harming the stability of the exchange markets and resulting in higher premiums.

But like so many aspects of the Affordable Care Act, pain for some is gain for others. Alena and Andrei Dzianisau of Charlotte, N.C., came here from Belarus seven years ago. When they applied for insurance last year, they fell into a gap: They could not qualify for Medicaid because North Carolina has not expanded eligibility. But their income was below the poverty level, so, under federal law, they could not obtain subsidies for private insurance. Later, Mrs. Dzianisau earned additional income as a babysitter, which made them eligible for subsidies, and they signed up in a special enrollment period.

Loss of coverage, such as Medicaid or employer-sponsored insurance, is a common reason for people to seek a special enrollment period. In some cases, insurers and state officials said, consumers lose coverage because they failed to pay premiums, then sign up with the same or a different insurer a few months later during a special enrollment period. Under federal rules, that is not supposed to happen.

The federal government allows people to sign up or switch health plans outside open enrollment for various reasons. Lawyers said it was not easy to find a complete list of the eligibility criteria, which have been set forth in regulations, bulletins, official policy statements, manuals and informal guidance documents. Some of the reasons are straightforward, like getting married or having a baby.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  After a week filled with attack ads and months of caustic debates, six of the Republicans running for president gathered in the same place on Saturday and showed they can, after all, get along.

In contrast to some of their television personas, the Republican candidates who showed up to the Kemp Forum on Expanding Opportunity here offered a cordial and substantive discussion about combating poverty, often agreeing with one another as they discussed issues including education reform, the role of states and how to better employ new technology.

In a noon panel, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida not only extolled his own background  the son of a bartender and a maid  but also noted that Gov. John R. Kasich of Ohio, sitting next to him, understood the challenges of struggling Americans because he had lived through similar circumstances, with a father who was a mail carrier.
WASHINGTON  Staff Sgt. Spencer Stone of the Air Force was driving to work on a stormy morning a few days ago when a White House aide phoned with an invitation to join the first lady on Tuesday for President Obamas last State of the Union address to Congress.

He told the aide to call back later: I didnt want to crash and die in the bad weather.

Sergeant Stone, 23, was understandably cautious, having come close to death twice in recent months.

His first brush with mortality  as one of those who subdued a gunman in August on a Paris-bound train in France  earned him an invitation to sit in the House gallery for Mr. Obamas nationally televised speech. The second near-death experience was in October, when he was stabbed repeatedly outside a Sacramento bar after intervening in a dispute between a man and a woman.

Still nursing wounds from both episodes, but back to work at Travis Air Force Base in California, Sergeant Stone will fly to Washington as one of about two dozen people chosen to be Michelle Obamas guests because they personify  as the White House put it  who we are as Americans: inclusive and compassionate, innovative and courageous.
Joaquin Guzman Loera, the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo, started out in business not long after turning 6, selling oranges and soft drinks. By 15, he said in an interview conducted in a jungle clearing by the actor and director Sean Penn for Rolling Stone magazine, he had begun to grow marijuana and poppies because there was no other way for his impoverished family to survive.

Now, unapologetically, he said: I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.

Though his fortune, estimated at $1 billion, has come with a trail of blood, he does not consider himself a violent man. Look, all I do is defend myself, nothing more, he told Mr. Penn. But do I start trouble? Never.

Image Kate del Castillo and Sean Penn conducted the interview. Credit... Left, Barry King/FilmMagic; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The seven hours Mr. Guzman spent with Mr. Penn, and the follow-up interviews by phone and video  which began in October while he was on the run  marked another surreal turn in his long-running effort to evade the Mexican and American authorities. Mr. Guzman, one of the worlds most wanted fugitives, who had twice escaped jail, was captured in his home state of Sinaloa in northwest Mexico on Friday after a gun battle with the authorities.
Mr. Sana grew up as one of 13 siblings in the Negev Bedouin town of Lakiya. His father, who owned an animal feed store in the southern city of Beersheba, sent him to study at a prestigious Arabic school in northern Israel. He then graduated from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, and received a masters degree at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He worked at Cisco, the American network equipment company, in central Israel and at various start-ups before founding Sadel.

Mr. Sanas experience is unusual. Many Bedouins have trouble finding such jobs, he said, because they live far from the commercial center of the country, often in villages that the authorities refuse to recognize, without infrastructure; or because recruitment often works through word of mouth and personal contacts that the Bedouins do not have. Then there is basic prejudice, he said, as well as the fact that English is a third language after Arabic and Hebrew for many Arab citizens.

Those problems are particularly acute in the Negev, where tensions have been high in recent years between Bedouins, who number about 200,000, and the Israeli authorities over disputes regarding land ownership. Two years ago, the government shelved a plan to resettle tens of thousands of Bedouin citizens elsewhere in the Negev that had drawn international condemnation and spurred demonstrations across Israel.

Sadel, in an industrial park about five miles from a growing technology center in Beersheba, mixes technology with tradition. At lunchtime, for example, the employees take out their prayer mats and perform Muslim midday prayers.
KABUL, Afghanistan  The urban attacks are suddenly coming at a dizzying pace  five in the first week of January alone. Three were relatively simple even if massive bombings, but in the others, Taliban gunmen entered important cities, seized buildings and hostages when they could, then set off their explosives vests when capture seemed imminent, sometimes after hours of fighting.

As the insurgents have been grabbing stretches of territory in Afghanistans border provinces, the quick guerrilla assaults have been nicknamed complex attacks here. They have kept residents of Kabul and other major Afghan cities on edge. The Talibans intended message is clear: We waited out the Americans, and now can strike at will  even through the so-called ring of steel cordon of security around Kabul.

But the attacks are not going unanswered. As the Afghan security forces have struggled elsewhere, the troops tasked with preventing such attacks have had a measure of success in minimizing the damage in recent months.

They come to die, their death is guaranteed. And we go there hoping to take care of them without casualties, said an Afghan special forces commander in Kabul who has been involved in repelling dozens of the attacks. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the news media.
During his training as a Jesuit priest in the 1960s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio  who, decades later, would become Pope Francis  spent three years teaching literature and psychology in his native Argentina. He taught the classics, like El Cid, but when his students expressed an interest in authors like Antonio Machado and Fernando de Rojas, he taught them, too, as a way of nurturing a love of literature in his pupils. He also encouraged his students to write, and had his friend Jorge Luis Borges read their stories.

This gift for teaching  along with his inclusive vision of the world, and his warm, embracing manner  have been hallmarks of the popes whirlwind tenure thus far in the Vatican, and they also inform his new book, The Name of God Is Mercy, a series of revealing conversations with Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican reporter and correspondent for La Stampa.

The main theme of the book is mercy  and Franciss reasons for proclaiming a Holy Year of Mercy. As the journalist Paul Vallely noted in a recent biography (Pope Francis: The Struggle for the Soul of Catholicism), the need for forgiveness and for Gods mercy have been his dominant theological refrains, both before and after he became Pope, and Francis speaks about the subject with a depth of emotion that comes from his years ministering to the poor in the slums of Buenos Aires.

The centrality of mercy, Francis says, is Jesus most important message. Mercy is essential because all men are sinners, in need of Gods forgiveness and grace, and its especially necessary today, at a time when humanity is wounded, suffering from the many slaveries of the third millennium  not just war and poverty and social exclusion, but also fatalism, hardheartedness and self-righteousness.
If we dont provide an exit strategy for ex-offenders, they are just going to be re-offenders, Mr. Vance said. Its just really common sense.

The college initiative is part of a broader agenda touching on criminal justice reform and social issues that the governor outlined on Sunday, including seeking an additional $100 million for so-called community schools, which aim to address challenges for students beyond the classroom, an approach tried in New York City and other urban areas. He also wants $55 million for jobs programs for at-risk youths, a category that includes those who have committed crimes.

Image Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney. Credit... Branden Camp/Associated Press

The governor also announced an agreement with the state Office of Court Administration to stop making some juvenile criminal records available for purchase from private data and background check companies. That change, expected to take effect this month, comes in conjunction with a recent executive action by the governor to pardon as many as 10,000 people who were convicted of nonviolent crimes as 16- and 17-year-olds but have since avoided criminal activity.

Some state prisons already offer a handful of college courses, but Mr. Vance said the new initiative would expand those programs by about a third. It would also improve them so that credits could be more easily transferred to colleges outside prison walls, a problem that has bedeviled the existing system.

The proposal would offer colleges and other educational institutions up to $5,000 per student to provide a full-time course load of 30 college credits, according to the district attorneys office. Only inmates who have a high school degree and are within two to five years of completing their sentences would be eligible. Those serving life sentences would be disqualified.

Mr. Vance said studies had shown that educated inmates were less likely to commit crimes when they left prison, an outcome even law-and-order-minded prosecutors could embrace.
Bundled up against the cold, Janet Perez walked down Willis Avenue in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx this month, politely approaching parents waiting for their children after school.

She smiled and spoke softly, all too aware of the heightened fear in this predominantly Mexican neighborhood: Rumors of immigration raids had set peoples nerves on edge after the authorities in other cities began deporting women and children who had lost asylum cases. To clear up the confusion, Ms. Perez was inviting those who were worried to a community meeting.

People were obviously concerned, she said later. They kept asking: Are the rumors true? Are they doing raids in New York City? Some of them had been told not to go out, or to be extra cautious.

Ms. Perez can relate to that fear. Her parents brought her to New York City from Mexico when she was 6 months old, and she grew up as an undocumented immigrant. Now 24, she had come of age navigating the obstacles facing young people like herself, and in recent years had been able to get a work permit and to avoid deportation because of a federal policy put into effect in 2012. Yet even before that, she had already decided she had to speak out.
THE world will soon celebrate the implementation of the landmark agreement that resolves the unnecessary, albeit dangerous, crisis over Irans nuclear program. All parties hoped, and continue to believe, that the resolution of the nuclear issue would enable us to focus on the serious challenge of extremism that is ravaging our region  and the world.

President Rouhani has repeatedly declared that Irans top foreign policy priority is friendship with our neighbors, peace and stability in the region and global cooperation, especially in the fight against extremism. In September 2013, a month after taking office, he introduced an initiative called World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE). It was approved by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, giving hope for a farsighted global campaign against terrorism.

Unfortunately, some countries stand in the way of constructive engagement.

Following the signing of the interim nuclear deal in November 2013, Saudi Arabia began devoting its resources to defeating the deal, driven by fear that its contrived Iranophobia was crumbling. Today, some in Riyadh not only continue to impede normalization but are determined to drag the entire region into confrontation.
After her disease recurred in the mid-1980s  she would later be found to have breast cancer as well  she went to a psychiatrist. In the waiting room, she chanced on a pamphlet that described cancer patients at all stages of diagnosis and treatment and beyond as survivors. The word struck her as a vast improvement over victim, and as the key to a new way of thinking about the disease and those affected by it. I was on fire, she told JW.

The pamphlet had been published by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, founded in 1986 to address the problems that cancer patients faced in living with their disease, and beyond, and to lobby for high-quality cancer care for all Americans.

Ms. Stovall was elected to the coalitions board in 1988. Four years later, when the organization moved its offices from Albuquerque to the Washington area, she was named executive director and set about leading a grass-roots campaign to make cancer treatment and prevention, and the search for a cure, the top health care and research priorities in the United States.

The campaign culminated in The March: Coming Together to Conquer Cancer, a demonstration that Ms. Stovall played a central role in organizing. It drew more than 100,000 people, representing 600 cancer organizations, to the Mall in Washington in September 1998, and a million more to smaller events in all 50 states.

She was the patient voice before we coined the term, Dr. Richard Pazdur, an oncologist with the Food and Drug Administration, said in a statement on Wednesday. Many times, we  those in government, academics, industry or patient care  get lost in the daily grind and forget the reason we are all here is the patient. Ellen always brought us back to that patient focus.
WASHINGTON  For the final time, President Obama will mount the rostrum in the House chamber on Tuesday to deliver a State of the Union address. But this time, aides said, he will not bring with him a long list of proposals that will languish in Congress  after all these years, a victory of experience over hope.

Instead, Mr. Obama plans a thematic message that effectively will be as much a campaign agenda as a governing document. While not on the ballot himself, Mr. Obama hopes to use what may be the largest television audience left in his presidency to frame the debate about who should replace him and where the country should go from here.

This is a decisive moment for the two-term president, the pivot point where he goes from priority setter to celebrity spectator in the contest for the future. His speech and the days that follow offer a last chance to bolster his lagging poll ratings, define his legacy, rebut negative narratives emerging from the campaign trail and challenge his would-be successors to address the issues he deems most vital.

Aides say Mr. Obama wants to present an upbeat, optimistic view of America after seven years that will contrast with the gloomy portrayals offered by Republican candidates, a task aided by strong job creation numbers but complicated by continuing turmoil in the Middle East and elsewhere.
WASHINGTON  A Syrian refugee, a former illegal immigrant who went on to serve in the United States Army and the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case last year legalizing same-sex marriage will be among the official guests on Tuesday as President Obama delivers his final State of the Union address.

The three men  Refaai Hamo, Oscar Vazquez and Jim Obergefell  will be joined by almost 20 other members of the armed services and civilians associated with the issues and initiatives that have defined Mr. Obamas presidency, and that he hopes will become his legacy.

The White House announced Mr. Obamas full guest list on Sunday for an address to a joint session of Congress that officials said would focus more on the issues and challenges that are shaping the future of the country than specific policy proposals.

The guests are intended to illustrate who we are as Americans: inclusive and compassionate, innovative and courageous, according to the White House announcement. The invitees  some high profile, most conspicuously not  will sit in the House gallery with Michelle Obama, the first lady.
Republicans say that President Obama is too passive on foreign policy. A few Democrats see him that way when it comes to politics. The president, however, is planning an aggressive finale.

The one-year countdown to the end of his time in office begins with his final State of the Union address on Tuesday. Although this is an election year and the political environment is poisonous, Mr. Obama envisions a couple of major legislative achievements, notably the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and an overhaul of the criminal justice system. There will also be executive actions, beginning with the one on gun control he announced last week, which he could follow with decisions on controversial issues, such as closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

And, like all presidents, Mr. Obama is looking for some foreign policy successes. He will fully leverage his last year of access to Air Force One to traverse the globe.

You saw how strongly the president came out of the blocks, said Denis McDonough, the White House chief of staff, referring to the gun initiative. He wants this next year to be about the future and sees big opportunities.
DES MOINES  On Sunday, Pastor Bradley Cranston stood at his pulpit in Burlington, Iowa, and, citing Exodus 18:21 (select out of all the people able men who fear God ... as leaders), endorsed Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, urging his parishioners to also consider voting for him.

In Washington, Iowa, Pastor Joseph Brown of Marion Avenue Baptist Church plans to continue recruiting volunteer captains supporting Mr. Cruz for each of the caucus precincts in his community.

Mr. Cruzs success in consolidating evangelical Christian voters, which has helped propel him to front-runner status in Iowa, reflects how he has methodically and painstakingly pursued the Christian right here since he announced his presidential candidacy in March at Liberty University in Virginia, the evangelical institution founded by Jerry Falwell. He has sewn up endorsements of crucial Iowa evangelicals; deployed his pastor father, Rafael Cruz, as a surrogate; and activated networks of faith-driven voters like pastors and home-school families, which in a caucus state like Iowa are important in turning out voters.

We have a networking ability that campaigns spend years and years trying to build, said Mr. Brown, who has taken on the kind of organizing tasks that a campaign normally would.
The moral ambiguity of siding with narcotics criminals, or feeling empathy for them, is not lost on the residents of Los Mochis.

With all the corruption, I dont know good from wrong anymore, Mrs. Lopez said.

The Sinaloa cartel has, over time, become a shadow state  building houses, schools and hospitals in impoverished communities. Mr. Pimental, the fruit vendor, said people often called the cartel when they had plumbing or electrical problems, rather than relying on a state bureaucracy that is often ineffective.

Homicides and kidnappings have declined sharply, something the state government points to with pride, but many here in Los Mochis, a city known for its spicy tacos and for producing many champion prizefighters, credit the cartel with bringing stability.

The neighborhood that became Mr. Guzmans last hide-out is a middle- to upper-middle-class area, a relatively safe enclave. The states secretary of interior lives in the neighborhood, as does the governors mother. All the same, residents recounted with a mix of fear and amazement the morning that their streets suddenly became the setting of a huge raid.

It was still dark outside when Mrs. Lopez was awakened at 4:30 a.m., the military helicopters flying overhead making her windows vibrate.
He has been cited by Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed on radio, TV and in social media.





Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.





Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and other publications.



A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.



He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.









Cirucci's passions include politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel. In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, Matt Rooney's sidekick on Save Jersey's videocasts and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.
But that soon might change. On Sunday night, two days after his capture in Mexico, the Mexican authorities began formal extradition proceedings to send him to the United States to face drug charges. His escape from prison last summer humiliated the Mexican authorities and raised questions about whether his incarceration there could be guaranteed.

Assuming that Mr. Guzman either does not challenge extradition or challenges it and loses, Mexicos move sets up the prospect of one of the biggest federal trials in the United States in recent years. Mr. Guzman would join a rogues gallery of drug and mob figures who have stood trial in an American courtroom. Among them, Al Capone, convicted of tax evasion in Chicago in 1931; Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, the former dictator of Panama, convicted on drug and racketeering charges in Miami in 1992; and James Bulger, known as Whitey, convicted of murder and racketeering in Boston in 2013.

For Mexico to agree to extradite Mr. Guzman, the United States would most likely have to agree not to prosecute him on capital charges that could subject him to the death penalty. Mexico does not have a death penalty and, as a matter of policy, does not extradite defendants who could face it in another country.

With charges brought in numerous jurisdictions in the United States, another key question is where Mr. Guzman would be tried. One possibility, officials said, would be to try him in the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn  not only because he was indicted there, but also because Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch was the United States attorney in Brooklyn when the charges were brought.
SEOUL, South Korea  The United States flew a nuclear-capable B-52 long-distance bomber over South Korea on Sunday in a show of force after North Koreas fourth nuclear test.

The bomber, taking off from the United States Air Force base in Guam, arrived over Osan Air Base south of Seoul, the South Korean capital, on Sunday to conduct training missions together with American and South Korean warplanes, both countries militaries announced. The bomber returned to Guam after the exercise.

This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland, Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the United States Pacific Command, said in a statement. North Koreas nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations.

Washington has often dispatched B-52 and B-2 bombers to South Korea over the years. It usually does not publicize their training missions, but such flyovers by nuclear-capable bombers have always drawn harsh criticism from North Korea.
Mr. Mas stepped aside after failing to persuade the far-left party Popular Unity Candidacy  known by its Catalan acronym, CUP  to allow him to stay in office after regional elections on Sept. 27. A separatist coalition won the elections but without enough parliamentary seats to form a new government without the support of CUP lawmakers.

The CUP, however, insisted that it would not agree to another Catalan government led by Mr. Mas, whom it faults for imposing austerity cuts, as well as for failing to acknowledge corruption within his party, Convergence. Mr. Mas would have been forced to call new elections if no government deal had been struck by Sunday.

Despite their leadership disagreements, the separatist parties had already approved a resolution in November that calls for Catalonia to become an independent republic, a goal that separatists aim to achieve within 18 months. Most controversially, the resolution included a defiant claim that Catalans march toward nationhood need not be subject to approval by the national government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and other Spanish institutions, even the Constitutional Court.

Mr. Mas converted himself into the leader of the Catalan secessionist drive in 2012 after a fallout with Mr. Rajoy over whether Catalonia should be granted more tax benefits, as part of a Spanish fiscal system that redistributes tax income from richer regions like Catalonia to poorer ones.
PARIS  The man shot to death by the police in Paris last week as he approached a police station with a meat cleaver and fake explosives was a petty criminal who used multiple identities and who lived in a house for asylum seekers in Germanys most populous state, the German police said on Sunday.

But the authorities in France have not fully confirmed that account, which comes amid increasing tensions in Germany about the influx of more than a million migrants over the past year. A wave of assaults against women in Cologne on New Years Eve has led Chancellor Angela Merkel to propose tougher asylum regulations.

Late Saturday, the police in the western German state of North-Rhine Westphalia acted on a tip from the French authorities and raided an asylum shelter in the town of Recklinghausen, where the man had been living, the state police said.

The police said they had found several SIM cards, documents in Arabic and two kitchen knives. The man had apparently been living there since August, the German authorities said.
CAIRO  A hospital in northern Yemen supported by the medical charity Doctors Without Borders was struck by ordnance early Sunday, killing at least four people and causing several buildings to collapse, the organization said in a statement.

It was the third time in three months that a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Yemen had been damaged or destroyed. At least 10 people were wounded in the latest attack, including three staff members.

The medical charity said it could not confirm which party in Yemens civil war had fired what it called a projectile, but said that planes were seen flying over the facility at the time.

A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia controls the skies over Yemen, and has carried out thousands of bombing runs in the country since entering the war last March. At least one other projectile fell near the hospital, Doctors Without Borders said.

The hospital, called Shiara, is in the northern Saada Province, in the Razeh District, near the border with Saudi Arabia. Fierce fighting along the frontier between Saudi troops and Yemens Houthi rebels has devastated many border towns and displaced thousands of people, according to aid workers. Attacks on clinics and hospitals have left the province with only one major medical facility, forcing people to travel hours to receive even basic treatment.

In October, coalition warplanes destroyed a Doctors Without Borders clinic in Haydan District, near Razeh. Then, in early December, the coalition bombed one of the groups mobile clinics in southern Taiz Province. The Shiara hospital was bombed previously, in September, before Doctors Without Borders became involved with it, the group said.

All warring parties, including the Saudi-led coalition, are regularly informed of the GPS coordinates of the medical facilities where M.S.F. works, said Raquel Ayora, the director of operations for Doctors Without Borders, in the statement referring to the group by its French abbreviation.

We are in constant dialogue with them to ensure that they understand the severity of the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and the need to respect the provision of medical services, she said. There is no way that anyone with the capacity to carry out an airstrike or launch a rocket would not have known that the Shiara Hospital was a functioning health facility providing critical services and supported by M.S.F.

The Saudi-led coalition is fighting to restore the Yemeni president, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was driven from power last year by the Houthi rebels, a group from northern Yemen. More than 2,800 civilians have been killed in the fighting so far, with the majority of people killed by coalition bombing, according to the United Nations.

The Saudi-led coalition, which is backed by the United States and Britain, came under renewed criticism last week for dropping cluster munitions on Sana, the Yemeni capital, killing at least one person.

Human Rights Watch said on Sunday that the Houthis had detained dozens of political opponents and journalists in Sana, which the rebels control. Some of the opponents had vanished with their whereabouts a mystery to their families, the group said. Many of the detainees belonged to Islah, an Islamist political party that opposes the Houthis, Human Rights Watch said.
LONDON  Pics or it didnt happen, said the pop star and actor Nick Jonas, who, backstage after the Topman Design show at London Collections Men, had found a Wi-Fi connection and hopped onto his Instagram account to share a video with 5.6 million of his nearest and dearest.

Although Mr. Jonas is not the runway evergreen his brother Joe is  Joe, after all, went to enough shows to earn a brief gig as a correspondent for New York magazines The Cut  it didnt take him long to land on this bedrock tenet of fashion-week coverage. Video duly posted, he stopped to chat about Topman Designs swoony, velvet-stuffed collection.

When you see a show like this, are you thinking of what you might wear onstage, or what you might wear in your own life?
A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorship
What Did El Chapo Reveal?

Mr. Penns interview with Mr. Guzman had two parts: a seven-hour face-to-face meeting in the jungle, to which Mr. Penn did not bring a pen, paper or a recording device; and a video the kingpin sent to Ms. del Castillo after Mr. Penn sent him questions via BlackBerry Messenger.

Mr. Penn described their conversation over dinner as casual and warm. He said Mr. Guzman smiled often.

I saw him without that smile only in brief flashes, Mr. Penn wrote. As has been said of many notorious men, he has an indisputable charisma.

Mr. Guzman expressed no interest in politics, Mr. Penn wrote, and doted on Ms. del Castillo throughout the night. He described Mr. Guzman as entirely unapologetic about the impact of the drug trade, and said that he boasted about his success.



I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world, Mr. Guzman was quoted as saying. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.

At one point over dinner, Mr. Penn asked the drug lord about Donald J. Trump, the Republican presidential candidate who has described Mexicans as rapists and proposed deporting undocumented immigrants.



Mr. Penn wrote that the drug lord ironically called Mr. Trump Mi Amigo!

The questions that Mr. Penn submitted via BlackBerry Messenger focused largely on Mr. Guzmans family and his feelings about drugs. Most of the answers are very short, in part because Mr. Penn was unable to ask follow-up questions or challenge Mr. Guzmans answers.

Well, its a reality that drugs destroy, he replied when asked about the drug trade. Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isnt a way to survive, no way to work in our economy to be able to make a living.

Mr. Guzman said that he had not done drugs in many years and described himself as a person whos not looking for problems in any way.
The state's investigation into an Oct. 31 Opelika police-involved shooting fatality is expected to conclude sometime this week, officials said, meanwhile a Lee County grand jury is slated to convene for its upcoming term beginning Monday.

The State Bureau of Investigations "should have it completed by the end of (this) week. It will be going to grand jury soon after, Sgt. Steve Jarrett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.

Lee County District Attorney Robbie Treese said last week that there is still a possibility the case could be presented to a grand jury this term.

Technically, theres a grand jury in recess all the time, Treese said Tuesday. In this particular case, because of the nature of the case and the publics interest -- and that its somewhat controversial -- if I cant get it put on next weekI am very seriously considering recalling" the grand jury.

The incident occurred at a private home off Comanchee Drive late Halloween night and left 56-year-old Bennie Lee Tignor dead. Opelika police officer Jared Greer shot Tignor after he failed to comply with an attempted traffic stop and brandished a firearm, police said.

Opelika police Chief John McEachern said he believes the shooting was justified under Alabama law and has expressed confidence that Greer will be cleared.

Greer was placed on administrative leave immediately following the incident. He returned to work from Nov. 30 until Dec. 22, when Mayor Gary Fuller and McEachern honored the request of a group of residents who expressed concern over the officers reinstatement prior to a completed investigation. Greer was then returned to paid administrative leave.

Capt. Shane Healey said if the case is not presented to a grand jury this week, the officers status again will be re-evaluated.

Mayor Fuller said city officials are anxious to have the matter resolved.

I want this presented to the grand jury as soon as the state has completed their investigation, Fuller said. Im confident the 18 Lee County citizens serving on the grand jury will make the right decision.

McEachern said he is pleased that the long-anticipated investigation seems to be wrapping up.

I am glad they are finishing their investigation. I look forward to the case being presented to the Lee County Grand Jury as soon as possible, he said.
(c) 2016 New York Times News Service

(EDS: REPEATING to ADD photo numbers to the art note.). (ART ADV: With a map and photos XNYT57, 58.). Milen Enchev contributed reporting from Sofia, Bulgaria, and Ceylan Yeginsu from Istanbul.

SHUMEN, Bulgaria  Acting on a tip, the police raided four homes in eastern Bulgaria, looking for contraband that regularly traverses this country on the way to markets in Western Europe and America. In one rusting shed behind an apartment block here, they found a cache of looted antiquities: 19 classical statues and fragments of marble or limestone.

Among them was a square tablet depicting a procession. If genuine, its style would make it neither Roman nor Greek, like the rest, but even older, dating back nearly 5,000 years. Its appearance suggested it came from the ancient Sumerian city of Lagash, in what is today southern Iraq.

The police raid here, in March, was heralded as a rare success against the trafficking of antiquities, a crime that reached new levels as the Islamic State militant group took control of parts of Syria and Iraq, and destroyed and looted ancient sites. Yet it also highlighted the barriers that, dozens of art experts and officials in the United States and Europe say, hamper the fight against the illicit trade.

Laws around the world are weak and inconsistent, and customs enforcement can screen only a portion of what crosses international borders, according to officials and experts in trafficking. Long-established smuggling organizations are practiced in getting the goods to people willing to pay for them, and patient enough to stash ancient artifacts in warehouses until scrutiny dies down. Despite a near-universal outcry over the Islamic States actions, few countries have shown interest in imposing new restrictions to curb the booming trade in antiquities, estimated to be worth billions of dollars a year.

Its a broken system that ISIS or anyone else, whoever is next, can play into, said Donna Yates, an archaeologist at the Scottish Center for Crime and Justice Research at the University of Glasgow, referring to the Islamic State by one of its acronyms.

Officials still do not know how the artifacts ended up in Shumen or whether they passed through Islamic State territory. For every seizure like the one here, many other pieces are believed to reach dealers and buyers in Vienna, Munich, London and New York. Dealers exploit the legal trade in antiquities to move objects that have been looted for years amid the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, as well as Libya, Yemen and Egypt, officials and experts said.

Few objects have turned up so far that can be traced to the Islamic States plunder. While the group is a relative newcomer to the looting, it has allowed it on an industrial scale in territory it controls, taxing excavations to raise money for the caliphate it declared in 2013.

That is why the antiquities seized here in Bulgaria  along with hundreds of pieces intercepted in Turkey, near the border with Syria, and at least one object seized in London and now stored for safekeeping by the British Museum  are viewed as part of a wave that experts expect to flood European and North American markets in coming years.

Satellite photographs have documented thousands of illegal excavations in Syria and Iraq, visible as pockmarks among some of the worlds most important ancient ruins, like Mari and Dura-Europos in Syria. Tracking what has been looted from them, though, has proved difficult.

Were faced with the largest-scale mass destruction of cultural heritage since the Second World War, and were going to have to do something about it, said France Desmarais, director of programs and partnerships at the International Council of Museums.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

The scale of the looting under the Islamic State has prompted many nations to try to stanch the flow, and the revenue, though it is hardly the groups largest source, given its trade in oil.

Just last month, for example, finance ministers from the 15 countries on the U.N. Security Council pledged to take steps to block the trade in oil and antiquities. In September, the State Department announced that it would offer a $5 million reward for information that disrupts the trade.

The International Council of Museums issued a new red list of categories of art and antiquities at risk of being looted from Libya in December. One for Syria was published in 2013, while the list for Iraq, first issued after the U.S. invasion in 2003, was updated last year.

Still, such efforts have done little to plug gaps in the enforcement of laws against trafficking or to stifle the insatiable demand of the antiquities market. In Germany, like some other countries, privacy laws protect buyers and sellers from scrutiny. The United States has no explicit prohibition on the sale of artifacts from Syria.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Some of the collectors willing to buy black-market artifacts are believed to be in Persian Gulf countries. But many others, experts say, are in the West.

There appears to be an interesting geographic divide: Pre-Islamic objects go to Europe and North America, while Islamic art goes to countries of the gulf, said Markus Hilgert, director of the Museum of the Ancient Near East in Berlin, who is coordinating a research project on the illicit trade.

A recent report by the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies observed of customers in the West, The main buyers are, ironically, history enthusiasts and art aficionados in the United States and Europe  representatives of the Western societies which I.S. has pledged to destroy.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Some objects have been shown fleetingly by middlemen in photographs on cellphones, using applications like WhatsApp. Andreas Schmidt-Colinet, an emeritus professor at the Institute of Classical Archaeology at Vienna University, said he had seen images online purporting to be of funeral reliefs from Palmyra, the ancient city in Syria now controlled by the Islamic State. Images of other similar artifacts have also surfaced in catalogs offered by antiquities dealers, he said, but so far there is no evidence of their authenticity.

Since 2011, authorities in Turkey have seized 6,800 objects, a majority of them coins, and are holding them in regional museums until their origins can be determined, according to Necati Anaz, deputy manager of the International Center for Terrorism and Transnational Crime in Ankara. Anaz said the challenge was that many of the smallest objects could easily be carried in bags or in clothes.

In the United States, there has not yet been a documented case of a looted object linked to the Islamic State, according to officials from several agencies. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau of the Department of Homeland Security repatriated more than 80 objects in 2015 in a ceremony at the Iraqi Consulate in Washington, but they had been taken during the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

The objects, including an ancient limestone sculpture of King Sargon II, a ruler of the Assyrian Empire in the eighth century B.C., had been seized by customs agents in New York in 2008 after they were shipped from a dealer in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to a private collector, who was not identified. The origin of the statue and its route from Iraq to New York are murky, even after seven years of investigation.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Many of the recently looted artifacts, antiquities experts say, are probably being kept in warehouses in or near Syria and Iraq until attention has waned.

Damascus, Beirut, Amman  the first stops are all the same, said Matthew Bogdanos, a Marine Reserves colonel who led the search for objects stolen from Iraqs National Museum in 2003 and co-author of a book about the effort, Thieves of Baghdad.

Dont underestimate how patient the dealers with international connections are, he said.

After antiquities leave the Islamic States territory, experts say they fall into the hands of smuggling and criminal networks that are practiced at trafficking people, drugs or other contraband from Syria and Iraq. Once they hit these networks, they go everywhere, and theyre very hard to track, said Brent Easter, a customs special agent in New York who investigates art smuggling.

Bulgaria, which is home to scores of ancient sites, has a notorious history as a conduit for smuggling, officials said. When illicit antiquities cross into Europe, it becomes easier for smugglers to create documents listing them as authentic discoveries that can be legally bought and sold.

We are the most direct route from Turkey and the Middle East, said Bozhidar Dimitrov, director of the National History Museum in Sofia.

Vladimir Kaidzhiyev, a senior police inspector in Shumen, said the police had acted on information that a smuggling network was moving a shipment through the region. Early one morning in March, dozens of officers raided the shed and three other places.

They confiscated more than 9,000 items, including figurines, jewelry and coins that were 2,000 years old, as well as molds and other material that suggested some of them could be fakes. The 19 larger sculptures included a lions head, a Gorgon relief and a funerary panel. Many were encrusted with dirt, suggesting they had been excavated recently, not taken from a museum.

Ive seen something like this only in Rome, said Kaidzhiyev, who typically investigates more common crimes.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

The larger pieces had coded labels; the tablet, for example, was marked 12x. Three suspects were arrested, including the owner of the shed, Veysel Sanli, a Turk with citizenship in Bulgaria. They are free on bail while the investigation continues.

The prosecutor overseeing the case, Margarita Georgieva, said in an interview that the items had arrived from Turkey, but that investigators had not been able to establish their destination or provenance, which makes trafficking cases hard to prosecute.

She said Sanli claimed to collect as a hobby and to have acquired some of the items from a shop in Izmir, Turkey, though the shop specializes in reproductions, and the seized goods appeared genuine. She added that investigators had found photographs of more artifacts on Sanlis cellphone and on memory cards, suggesting they were being offered for sale in Germany.

There are not many people who could afford these items, Georgieva said.

So far, Sanli has been charged only with possessing cultural property, a crime punishable by one to six years in prison. Reached through his Facebook account, he declined to comment.

The Roman sculptures have been identified as genuine, but uncertainty surrounds the tablet. Zdravko Dimitrov, from Bulgarias National Institute of Archaeology, concluded that it was probably genuine. McGuire Gibson of the University of Chicago, a leading expert on Mesopotamian art, reviewed a photograph of the tablet and noted unusual features, like a smooth bore hole in the center, that suggested it could be a well-made reproduction. But he added, If that were real, they could sell it for millions.

The State Department is discussing the case with Bulgaria.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

For now, the items remain in storage in the regional history museum in Shumen. The museums director, Georgi Maystorksi, expressed relief that at least they had not fallen into private hands, never to be seen or studied. There are so few successes in this world, he said.
Terror Groups Eyeing Israel's Destruction from inside NGOs



Two stalwarts go sleuthing:



"The research suggests that antisemitism is the fuel that primes the PSC engine"



'For as long as these antisemites wrap themselves up in the Palestinian flag, too many people are willing to turn a blind eye. Only against Jews is this type of racism openly tolerated. It is flourishing in schools, colleges, universities, unions and in city councils. In fact, so rampant is the disease now, in some settings you can be ostracised if you do not partake in the frenzy yourself. Bashing Jews has becomes a trendy position for the ignorant social justice warrior. "Palestinianism" is a viral "ponzi scheme" and as it spreads, it carries antisemitism in the undergrowth.' David Collier (2017)

'This new rise in antisemitism, which I had thought long dead, was not shaven-headed white imbeciles from the far right. It was Muslims, a large chunk of it.... Suddenly I grasped that the British far left didnt want people to know about antisemitism because it pointed the finger at people they really, really liked. From that moment on, it all fell into place.... Time and again the same tropes emerged, the same sort of stuff that Streicher and Goebbels would have commended  and uttered.... And from that a whole bunch of other stuff emerged: the old blood libel business (a favourite of the repulsive Jenny Tonge).... Nice, avuncular, Jeremy Corbyn, with his peace badges, happily laying a wreath at the graveside of Palestinian terrorists who murdered innocent Jewish athletes, oh, and much much more.... It is the same antisemitism, exactly the same: the obsession with Israel to the exclusion of everything else, the conspiracy theory paranoias, the derangement.... Heres the test  if you cannot see the flagrant racism in the BDS movement, and if you are obsessed with the perfidy of the Middle Easts only democracy to the exclusion of all else, you are an antisemite. That means a good proportion of the Labour Party, including the leader, and almost all of Momentum: no brown shirts, no marching bands, but the same old filth, dressed in the clothes of a polytechnic geography lecturer.'

Rod Liddle (2018)



Pro-Israel Down Under







Shalom and Welcome to my blog!

I'm the little Aussie blogger who took the screenshot and broke the story of Stephen Sizer's notorious 9/11 post, and I've since broken two other stories that subsequently went viral, one Australia-wide and one, thanks to the sterling work of two other bloggers, worldwide. I remain very surprised and very honoured to have been co-winner, Best Pro-Israel Blog, Hasby Awards, 2013

Please "Like" me on Facebook; my Facebook page is here









'In a region where women are stoned, gays are hanged, Christians are persecuted, Israel ... is different.... Of the 300 million Arabs in the Middle East and North Africa, only Israel's Arab citizens enjoy real democratic rights.... Israel is not what is wrong about the Middle East. Israel is what is right about the Middle East.' Bibi Netanyahu (20 Iyar 5771; 24 May 2011)

Scroll to end for more quotations





Tired of anti-Balfour agitprop?



Balfour and Beyond



Try this for Sizer



'Before the June 1967 Six Day War, there were no such things as "settlements". Palestinians were trying to destroy and displace Israel anyhow. The core problem is not, and never was, "settlements," but the right of Israel (or any non-Muslim nation) to exist inside any borders in that part of the world.

If you take a stand that is based on a lie, then that stand cannot succeed. If you try to oppose antisemitism but pretend it is the same thing as "Islamophobia," then the structure on which you have made your stand will totter and all your aspirations will fail. If you try to make a stand based on the idea that settlement construction rather than the intransigence of the Palestinians to the existence of a Jewish state is what is holding up a peace deal, then facts will keep on intruding.' Douglas Murray (31 December 2016)

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/9685/britain-little-lies

BDS is Antisemitic



The Bigotry & Immorality of BDS



'Islamophobia does NOT come from the same wellspring of hatred as antisemitism. Antisemitism is a true prejudice because the hatred and demonisation it promotes derive entirely from lies and a repudiation of rationality itself.

Islamophobia is a false allegation of prejudice which is deployed to silence rational criticism based on actual facts about attitudes and practices within the Islamic world.

[L]ethally compromised even-handedness is to misunderstand, and thus minimise, antisemitic attitudes and behaviour while shutting down legitimate and necessary discussion of the threat from the Islamic world  even to demonise as Islamophobic anyone who draws attention to the extent and consequences of Muslim antisemitism.' Melanie Phillips (14 December 2016)

"Selling a house to a Jew is a betrayal of Allah"



Maps of Mendacity & Mischief



These misleading maps were deliberately prepared to date from 1946  intentionally papering over the momentous events that had occurred between 1917 and 1945. Attempts to unravel binding precepts of international law established between 1917 and 1945  and failing to insist on their being upheld and enforced  has a lot to do with the sorry situation the world finds itself in today. David Singer (2016)

How They Twist the Truth!



Jews have re-assumed the role of the canary in the mine and are the first to be targeted, but the world would face the same threat if Jews did not exist. Israel has been at the front lines confronting Islamic extremism but has received scant support... For Jews, the writing has been on the wall for a long time. The virulence of the antisemitic hatred closing in on Jews in Europe (and elsewhere) is horrifying...

Europe is today facing a crisis as serious as the confrontation with Nazism. If Western leaders continue behaving like Chamberlain and fail to stand up to this global threat, it could usher in a new Dark Age in which the Judeo-Christian culture is subsumed by primitive barbarism. The writing is on the wall Isi Leibler (12 January 2015)



Expose The Lies! There is a war of lies and deceit on the internet generating unbelievable hate by denigrating and delegitimising the legal rights conferred on the Jewish people by the League of Nations in 1922 and the United Nations in 1945. The idea that there are two narratives on the Arab-Jewish conflict is rubbish. There is only one  the factual truth that details the return of the Jewish people to reconstitute the Jewish National Home in its ancient biblical, ancestral and historic homeland after 3500 years of dispersion with the unanimous endorsement of the nation states then comprising the League of Nations.... Generals cant fight a war without soldiers. Jews around the world need to join the fight or vacate the internet to the Jew-haters and their lies that repeated often enough eventually become accepted as truth. David Singer (2016)



Exposing Lies



The "Apartheid" Slur The division of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) into three separate areas A, B and C was agreed on by Israel and the PLO pursuant to the Oslo Accords.

95% of the West Bank Arabs live in Areas A and B and their daily lives are under the total administration and control of the PLO since the Palestinian Authority was disbanded by Abbas in January 2013. The PLO has total security control in A and shares security control in B with Israel. Israel has total administrative and security control in C.

Israel is entitled to and will continue to take responsibility for the security of Jews living in the West Bank.

Jews were given the legal right to settle in the West Bank under article 6 of the Mandate for Palestine and article 80 of the UN Charter. They did so for decades until they were driven out in 1947 and not able to return there until 1967.

There are Arab roads only in the West Bank that Jews are not allowed to use. Jews are also forbidden from entering Area A. Selling land to Jews is forbidden by the PLO under pain of death. The PLO runs the daily lives of 95% of the West Bank Arabs and Hamas runs the daily lives of 100% of the Gazan Arabs. They have been under occupation  and subjugation  by these two evil groups for the last ten years and given no say in their future or any opportunity to elect others to lead them following the disastrous political decisions of their leaders over the past ten years. Hamas and the PLO do not accept the continued existence of a Jewish State and call for its disappearance.

The narratives did not begin in 1948  they began in about 1917. How do you make peace with an enemy that has been obsessed with not recognising any Jewish national rights in former Palestine for the last 100 years? David Singer (2016)



Telling the Truth



The Jews of the Holy Land ... are surrounded by hostile states 650 times their territory and sixty times their population. Yet their last, best hope of ending two millennia of international persecution - the State of Israel - has somehow survived. When, during the Second World War, the island of Malta came through three terrible years of bombardment and destruction, it was rightly awarded the George Cross for bravery. Today, Israel should be awarded a similar decoration for defending democracy, tolerance and Western values against a murderous onslaught that has lasted twenty times as long. Andrew Roberts (historian)





A voice of courage & reason



He knows, y'know



An Aussie demo against BDS



On the left, black people are usually allowed to define whats racism; women can define sexism; Muslims are trusted to define Islamophobia. But when Jews call out something as antisemitic, leftist non-Jews feel curiously entitled to tell Jews theyre wrong, that they are exaggerating or lying or using it as a decoy tactic  and to then treat them to a long lecture on what anti-Jewish racism really is. Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian, 29 April 2016)

An awkward fact for some!



Socialist thought was tainted from its very origins with the heavy baggage of anti-Jewish stereotypes. Robert Wistrich, From Ambivalence to Betrayal:The Left, the Jews, and Israel (2012)

BDS hypocrisy!



Want more?



Israel is understandably obsessed with security, but its greatest security lies ultimately not in the Israeli Defence Forces, but in political warfare.... Most of the world is not deeply interested in what happens in Israel, and probably does not want to be deluged with legalistic defences of particular actions. What it wants is a clear, calm, repeated case. It is a case  aimed more at public opinion than at foreign ministries  about freedom, democracy, a Western way of life and the need for the whole of the free world to fight terrorism. Sometimes you hear Israelis say: It doesnt matter what we say. The whole world is against us. You can see why they say it, for they are indeed unfairly treated. But when they say it, they are uttering a self-fulfilling prophecy. If they wont say what needs saying, no one else will say it for them. Charles Moore (2010)



#Je suis ISRAEL



Aujourdhui, lantisemitisme est masque par lantisionisme. Il faut dire les choses comme elles sont! ["Today, antisemitism wears the mask of anti-Zionism. We must tell things as they are!"] Nicolas Sarkozy (27 May 2015)





Once again the armies of the Arab nations are coordinating their military efforts to destroy Israel - whatever they say about wishing merely to regain the lost territories.... [I]f the present Arab offensive had been launched at the pre-1967 frontiers, then the Israelis would indeed have been fighting to avoid annihilation. It seems now that the Israelis were right to maintain the ceasefire lines gained in 1967, and that to do so is the only guarantee of their continued safety.

Alan Sillitoe (The Times, 11 October 1973)







A nuclear Iran threatens our existence



Iran and ISIS are competing for the crown of militant Islam... In this deadly game of thrones, theres no place for America or for Israel, no place for Christians, Jews or Muslims who dont share the Islamist medieval creed, no rights for women, no freedom for anyone... [T]he greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons. To defeat ISIS and let Iran get nuclear weapons would be to win the battle, but lose the war. We cant let that happen...[T]he days when the Jewish people remained passive in the face of genocidal enemies, those days are over. We are no longer scattered among the nations, powerless to defend ourselves. We restored our sovereignty in our ancient home. And the soldiers who defend our home have boundless courage. For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish people, can defend ourselves....Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand. But ... I know that America stands with Israel... You stand with Israel, because you know that the story of Israel is not only the story of the Jewish people but of the human spirit that refuses again and again to succumb to historys horrors. Bibi Netanyahu (12 Adar 5775; 3 March 2015)





The Jews are a peculiar people: things permitted to other nations are forbidden to the Jews. Other nations drive out thousands, even millions, of people, and there is no refugee problem.... [N]o one says a word about refugees. But in the case of Israel displaced Arabs have become eternal refugees.... Other nations - when they are defeated - survive and recover, but should Israel be defeated it would be destroyed.... [A]s it goes with Israel, so it will go with all of us. Should Israel perish the holocaust will be upon us. Eric Hoffer (1968)



My archived Tuesday blogs at Elder of Ziyon



  ,   



Most of the present Arab countries were given their freedom after the 1914-18 War, or after the 1939-45 War.... Yet to listen to Arab spokesmen one might think that they had been cheated ... because they have not also got Israel. Israel is only .2 per cent of the land where Arab States have been established. Surely no fair-minded man can begrudge the Jews their own promised land when it is remembered that for every 2 acres that went to make up Israel, 1,000 acres became Arab.... Why is there an Arab refugee problem? The oil-rich countries have the money. There is no shortage of land, and the Israelis have the technical knowledge to show how it could be developed and made fertile. Bring those things together and the problem could be solved. 3rd Earl of Balfour (1968)









Blog Archive





January 7, 2015 has already its place in the history of infamy, but also will be the date when the defenders of freedom and democracy will rise and pay tribute to those who died for their freedom and ours. Therefore, we must not forget on which side we are and who are our allies in the defense of the West and its values. Whether we admit it or not, the West is at war with an enemy who will not stop to destroy us...

The State of Israel boasts a commandment that, in one of the darkest hours in the fight for liberty Winston Churchill taught: "Never give up". Israel has proven to be a key ally in the fight against Islamism and also an example of how a liberal democracy can resist the jihadist stake and thrive as a Western nation ... Not only France but also all the West should look to Israel to defeat Islamism...

friendsofisraelinitiative.org





[I]ts impossible to believe that an active antisemite wouldnt  if only opportunistically  seek out somewhere to nestle in the manifold pleats of Israel-bashing, whether in generally diffuse anti-Zionism, or in more specific Boycott and Divestment Campaigns, Israeli Apartheid Weeks, End the Occupation movements and the like....[T]ell me that not a single Jew-hater finds the activity congenial, that criticising Israel can never be an expression of Jew-hating, not even when it takes the form of accusing Israeli soldiers of harvesting organs... Howard Jacobson (The Independent, 27 May 2013)





What has happened to the 800,000 Jews who lived for over 2000 years in the Arab lands ...? Where are they in Arab society today? You dare talk of racism when I can point with pride ... to the fact that it is as natural for an Arab to serve in public office in Israel as it is incongruous to think of a Jew serving in any public office in an Arab country, indeed being admitted to many of them. Chaim Herzog (6 Kislev 5736; 10 November 1975)







I stand with Israel, I stand with the Jews.... I defend their right to exist, to defend themselves, to not let themselves be exterminated a second time. And, disgusted by the antisemitism of many Europeans ... I am shamed by this shame that dishonours my country and Europe. Oriana Fallaci









For Western countries to side with those who question Israel's legitimacy, for them to play games in international bodies with Israel's vital security issues, for them to appease those who oppose Western values, rather than robustly to stand up in defence of those values, is not only a grave moral mistake, but a strategic error of the first magnitude. Israel is a fundamental part of the West. The West is what it is thanks to its Judeo-Christian roots. If the Jewish element of those roots is lost and Israel is lost, then we are lost too. Jose Maria Aznar









Israel is, for us, a normal and a special country. A normal country, because it is just like any other democracy. A special country, because the Jewish culture, which eventually became the Judeo-Christian culture of the dignity of man, is the conceptual foundation of liberalism and democracy. This is why attacking Israel is tantamount to attacking Europe and the West. This is also why disputing Israel's legitimacy and its right to existence means questioning democracy. And this is why we are Friends of Israel. By defending Israel, we are defending ourselves. Marcello Pera









Israel ... is beset today by a unique combination of threats. It must defend its people from attack while defending its very right to exist. No other nation in the world faces this dual challenge. To deny Israel's right to confront some of the world's most vicious terrorist groups in order to ensure the safety of its citizens is to corrode international norms from within ... The assault on Israel is one part of a more general assault on the West, on democracy, and on the moral and cultural heritage that grew from the fruitful interaction of Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome ... Should these efforts succeed, similar efforts will certainly be turned against other western democracies. George Weigel









Apart from America itself, Israel still stands as the world's brightest model of national self-liberation based on ideals of individual responsibility and human freedom. Israel's ability to withstand Arab attempts to destroy it in one of the longest and most lop-sided wars ever fought serves as an indelible testimony to the strength of democratic culture.... We know from the past that the West paid dearly for ignoring Hitler's war against the Jews. One can only hope it will not pay as dearly for having ignored or underestimated for so long the Arab war against Israel and the Jews. Ruth Wisse







The choice before us is not between victory and defeat, but between victory and annihilation. We therefore have not the slightest intention of allowing the re-creation of the conditions of vulnerability in which we found ourselves, abandoned and alone, in the summer of 1967. Diplomat Michael Comay (1970)









I am duty-bound to defend freedom, culture, peaceful coexistence, the civic education of children, and all the principles that the Tablets of the Law have rendered universal. Principles which Islamic fundamentalism systematically destroys. This means that, since I am a Gentile, a journalist and a leftist, I have a triple moral commitment to Israel. Because, if Israel were to be vanquished, modernity, culture and freedom would also be crushed. Even though the world has failed to wake up to this fact, Israel's struggle is the world's struggle. Pilar Rahola









About Me Daphne Anson I'm a writer/researcher, with many academic books and articles under my own name. Daphne Anson is my blogging alias. Combining the names of two ships, it's a moniker of special significance to me - I'm a naval history buff. I use an alias owing to a perceived need to keep my blogging and professional identities separate. An Aussie, I've long been interested in politics and foreign affairs, having studied International Relations in the USA and Britain for my first degree, and I also hold a doctorate. I began blogging in response to the exponential rise in antisemitism and hostility to Israel in the wake of the Mavi Marmara affair. Another reason I use an alias: http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com/2015/08/alias-two-ships-daphne-anson.html View my complete profile





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BERLIN  The Islamist extremist who staged a failed attack on a Paris police station last week had been living in a home for asylum seekers in western Germany, police said, deepening fears that militants may be infiltrating Europe disguised as migrants.

Revelations that the assailant  fatally shot by French authorities on Thursday as he approached a police station with a butcher knife and a fake suicide vest  was trying to pass off as an asylum seeker is likely to trigger further debate about the vetting and processing of hundreds of thousands of newcomers seeking sanctuary in Europe from the war-torn Middle East. The man had gone under several aliases, and at one point he claimed to be from Syria, according to German news reports.

Several assailants in the Nov. 13 attacks on Paris that killed 130 people also are thought to have used the same routes being traveled by a record number of asylum seekers and economic migrants. They include at least two attackers who entered Europe posing as Syrian asylum seekers on the Greek island of Leros.

Acting on a tip from French authorities, German police searched an asylum center on Saturday in Recklinghausen, in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia, where the suspect in last weeks attempted attack is thought to have lived. The man, according to Die Welt news outlet, had claimed asylum in Germany under four aliases but had claimed legal asylum under the name of Walid Salihi.

German police would not provide further details. But according to Der Spiegel, authorities had classified the man as a suspicious case. He had allegedly drawn a symbol of the Islamic State militant group  which asserted responsibility for the Paris attacks  on a wall in the asylum seekers home in September. He is also believed to have posed with an Islamic State flag.

It is and remains our humanitarian and legal duty to give shelter to people fleeing their homes because they fear for their lives, said Christoph Tesche, mayor of Recklinghausen. It is also our duty  especially towards our citizens  to work very intensely together with all responsible agencies to prevent people with such intentions from hiding in our facilities.

Last week, French officials initially identified the would-be assailant as a petty thief from Morocco named Sallah Ali but later said he appeared to have been misidentified.

Authorities now believe he may have been a Tunisian man named Tarek Belgacem, according to Agence France-Presse. After the attempted attack on Thursday, police discovered a paper on his body with an Islamic State flag, as well as a handwritten note in Arabic asserting responsibility for the act. On Friday, Paris prosecutor Franois Molins said the suspect had a phone with a German SIM card.

The news that the man had claimed asylum in Germany comes as this nation is also reeling from a spate of New Years Eve assaults and robberies targeting women in cities including Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart. On Saturday, Chancellor Angela Merkel  who has maintained one of the most welcoming policies toward refugees in Europe  said she would back new laws aimed at quickly deporting asylum seekers and refugees who commit criminal offenses.

On Sunday, Cologne police said they have arrested a 19-year-old suspected of stealing the cellphone of a 23-year-old woman on New Years Eve. The suspects name was not released, but police said he was a Moroccan citizen who had a criminal record dating to January 2013. As of Sunday, police said they have received 516 complaints related to the New Years Eve incidents, about 40 percent of them sexual offenses.
Were always interested in whats on the horizon, especially when it involves new construction. Heres a house going up in the hills rimming downtown Laguna Beach; You can spot it if you look up. The home is expected to be completed in May, but its already on the market. The custom builders message to potential buyers: Still time to pick colors.

Address: 405 S. Blumont St., Laguna Beach

Asking price: $4.399 million

Size: 3,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

Highlights: The Craftsman-style house is stroll-to-the-beach close, but set high enough in the hills for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, downtown Laguna Beach and beyond. The property will have a casita with a full kitchen across from the courtyard. Interior highlights include an open floor plan, beamed and boxed ceilings, a gourmet kitchen with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances, Carrera marble counters and pass-through windows and folding doors opening to ocean view terraces. All bedrooms will be en-suite.

The market: The November median price for ZIP code 92651 was,$2.492 million, an increase of 61.3 percent from November 2014. The median, where half the homes sold for more and half for less, can be affected by the types of homes sold, changes in values, or both. There were 30 homes sold in this ZIP code in November, down 16.7 percent from November 2014, according to CoreLogics latest monthly figures.

Agent: Robert Luecke, ShopProp

Did you miss?

85-year-old Balboa Island house owned by Irvine family heir sells for $4.6 million
ABU QREINAT, Israel  A resident of a ramshackle sprawl of shacks and houses in the Negev Desert, Rabaa Al-Hawashleh is an unlikely worker in Israels high-tech industry.

Her mother is illiterate, and her father drives a truck. The Bedouin village in which she lives does not have enough electricity at night to power the laptop she brings home for work once the battery runs out. In a conservative society that frowns on female drivers, she said, she does not have a license.

But every workday, Al-Hawashleh, 24, takes two buses for a 90-minute journey to her job, providing quality control for software programs at Sadel Tech, an all-Bedouin company that offers expertise in Internet and mobile technologies.

Israel, with a population of about 8 million, has long been a global leader in high-tech. But the countrys Palestinian Arab minority, which makes up about a fifth of the population and includes the Bedouins of the arid south, one of the poorest and most neglected sectors of Israeli society, has been largely left out.

Fortunately for people like Al-Hawashleh, companies like Sadel and government initiatives aimed at bringing more young Arabs into the technology workforce are trying to change that.

It was a phenomenon in Bedouin society, said Ibrahim Sana, the chief executive of Sadel, which he set up in 2013 with an Israeli technology investor, Jacob Baharav. Youths were graduating from college in software engineering and other technological studies, and ended up as gas station attendants or teachers.

Sana, 35, now employs a dozen people. He found one of his employees, who had graduated from college with distinction, stocking shelves in a supermarket. Another was working as an apprentice locksmith.

It is a real change for those looking from outside, and from within, to feel that we are part of this country, Sana said. Israel is a leader in high-tech, and we want a piece of that.

Hundreds of Arab Israeli students graduate from colleges every year with qualifications for high-tech work, but few have found jobs in their field. Of about 284,500 technology workers in Israel in 2013, only 1.3 percent were Arab, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Hoping to address the imbalance, the Economy Ministry introduced a three-year program in 2015 with the goal of placing 1,000 Arab graduates in the high-tech workforce. They can then open doors for their friends, said Michal Tzuk, director of employment regulation at the ministry. We are trying to create an ecosystem.

Two organizations, ITWorks and Tsofen, won bids to operate the program, which trains and helps place Arab graduates in tech companies. According to the ministry, 225 people have been placed at leading software companies like Amdocs and Check Point, and at the Israeli branch of Intel, the multinational chip maker, since the program was started early last year.

Sana grew up as one of 13 siblings in the Negev Bedouin town of Lakiya. His father, who owned an animal feed store in the southern city of Beersheba, sent him to study at a prestigious Arabic school in northern Israel. He then graduated from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, and received a masters degree at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He worked at Cisco, the U.S. network equipment company, in central Israel and at various startups before founding Sadel.

Sanas experience is unusual. Many Bedouins have trouble finding such jobs, he said, because they live far from the commercial center of the country, often in villages that the authorities refuse to recognize, without infrastructure; or because recruitment often works through word of mouth and personal contacts that the Bedouins do not have. Then there is basic prejudice, he said, as well as the fact that English is a third language after Arabic and Hebrew for many Arab citizens.

Those problems are particularly acute in the Negev, where tensions have been high in recent years between Bedouins, who number about 200,000, and the Israeli authorities over disputes regarding land ownership. Two years ago, the government shelved a plan to resettle tens of thousands of Bedouin citizens elsewhere in the Negev that had drawn international condemnation and spurred demonstrations across Israel.

Sadel, in an industrial park about 5 miles from a growing technology center in Beersheba, mixes technology with tradition. At lunchtime, for example, the employees take out their prayer mats and perform Muslim midday prayers.

On a recent afternoon, Bassam Abu Zaed, 27, a Web and Android developer and a quality assurance team leader, finished his prayers and was soon back at his desk developing a diagnostics application for mobile devices that he intends to sell to cellphone companies.

Sadel is also unusual in that it hires Bedouin women, whose employment opportunities are usually limited to fields such as education. Rifaa Azbarga, 26, one of three women working at Sadel, received a degree in software engineering and then taught math in the Bedouin town of Keseife because everyone told me they never take Arabs into high-tech. She now builds websites for businesses and is developing an Android application that combines radio news, advertising and chat functions.

Al-Hawashleh, one of 11 siblings, went to school in the village of Abu Qreinat, which has a population of about 5,000. A star pupil, she said she had only herself to compete with and constantly strove to raise her grades.

After a year of studying math and computer science at Ben-Gurion University, Al-Hawashleh dropped out because she needed to help support her family, and taught in the village school until a friend who worked at Sadel introduced her to the company.

Al-Hawashleh said that her parents, who were born in Abu Qreinat, want her to marry within the extended family, but that she would prefer to look farther afield and perhaps move to one of the larger Bedouin towns in the area.

My parents say that they know whats good for me, Al-Hawashleh said with a giggle, sitting on an embroidered mattress next to her mother. To teach, marry and have a family.

Despite this, her mother, Hesen, 50, said she and her husband were proud that they had educated their girls and were happy about her career.

Al-Hawashleh said that when she first began working at Sadel, her parents did not tell relatives, assuming that they would disapprove of her working in a company away from home.

Now, she said, they all know.
As Mel Brooks said, Its good to be the king. In typical political showmanship, President Obama speaks about the innocent children shot at Sandy Hook and mentions other mass shootings, including the most recent in San Bernardino. He mentions that about 30,000 lives are taken by guns each year. He failed to mention that about 20,000 of these are suicides. (If they had jumped off of bridges, would we outlaw bridges?) The FBI puts gun homicides last year at 8,124.

Not one of the new laws/regulations our king/president put in place would have changed any of the past events he mentioned. The taxpayers will be paying for hundreds of new employees (we can never have too many new government employees). These knee jerk reactions are the hallmark of liberal government. If there is a problem, pass a law. It is a feel-good action, not a solution. This, as always, goes directly on the back of the taxpayers/serfs. It is good to be king!

Mike Noggle

Irvine

  

Criminalize all citizens. Gut the Second Amendment. Demonize the police. Glorify the thugs who shout Hands up. Dont shoot! Downplay actual acts of terrorism by calling them workplace violence. Provide protection for murderers in sanctuary cities like San Francisco. Import unvetted international terrorists so they can become sleeper domestic terrorists.

What did I miss? Are registering knives the next step? We already register cars, which also kill. Like all good progressive socialists, the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. wants no guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans while he helps destroy society.

Len Beckman

Anaheim

  

How many of this papers readers still trust the government in anything it says or does? Ive forever marveled at how Hollywood actors can so readily turn on the tears. Theyre good! Politicians are consummate actors. Thats how they get elected. Im not implying that the crocodile tears shed yesterday by the president in his gun control speech are not sincere. Only his facts, statistics and objectives are in question.

We are not the slaughterhouse of America as stated by the president. His statistics on gun-related deaths include suicides, justified self-defense and police action. This puts us way down the list. Im only surprised he didnt include military actions to justify this position.

None of his executive proposals will have one iotas effect on gun violence. All are already in place to one degree or another. Gun transfers, including between individuals and at gun shows, through federally licensed dealers, have been the law for some time now. The hiring of a herd of new ATF agents might be the only part of this proposal with merit, in that it will speed up the process of purchase.

A danger to all of us, however, is in the compromising of our confidential medical information by sharing with multiple agencies. There is no recourse with the courts, and this information will be in many cases improperly used to restrict legal purchases by lawful citizens caught in the trap.

Most importantly for all of us to be aware of, however, is the slow drip drip of assault on our freedoms in the name of keeping us safe. Ben Franklin said it best when he stated, Those who would choose security over freedom deserve neither.

Wake up folks. Its getting late.

Howard Roberts

Laguna Beach

  

Any executive action on gun ownership or sales must be countered by the House and Senate. Send a bill to the president that mandates the use of E-Verify. It has a 94 percent success rate, the highest of any government program, yet only four states require its use for all employers. Send him a bill that mandates each state to clear its voter registration of those that have died. Send him a bill that punishes those who commit voter fraud as if they broke our gun laws. Send him a bill that blocks federal dollars from going to sanctuary cities. Send him a bill that forces our elected officials to join the health care exchange.

Send him a bill that makes it illegal for our elected representatives to use inside information when investing in our financial markets. Send him a bill that makes the use of somebody elses Social Security number, or using a fake one, identity theft that could result in immediate deportation or incarceration. Send him a bill that requires identification to vote. Send him a bill requiring the highest gun violence crime cities in America to work with the parole boards and take guns from violent felons. Send him a bill to deport every illegal immigrant found guilty of a violent crime upon release. Send him a bill that would allow victims to sue our government if a loved one was killed by an illegal immigrant if it can be proven that the government was aware of their immigration violations.

I know he wouldnt sign a single one, but it would do more for the future of the GOP than anything going into the 2016 elections.

Gregg James

Laguna Niguel
Parishioners touch the box containing the relics of St. Sharbel Makhlouf at St. John Maron Maronite Church in Orange Saturday. St. Sharbel is a favorite saint of the Lebanese community and was canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Monday will hear oral arguments in a case called Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. Its one of the most hotly contested disputes of the courts 2015-16 term, with serious stakes for law, politics and business.

It raises lots of questions. Here are some of them:

Q: Who is Friedrichs, and whats her complaint against the California Teachers Association?

A: Rebecca Friedrichs is a longtime elementary school teacher in Orange County. Along with San Luis Obispo County teacher Irene Zavala, Harlan Elrich, a math teacher at Sanger High School near Fresno, and others, Friedrichs objects to mandatory fees charged by a teachers association to which they do not belong.

These fees add up. In 2013, the California Teachers Association collected $173.9 million in what Friedrichs attorneys characterized as dues. California teachers say their individual fees can exceed $1,000 a year.

Q: Is money the only issue?

A: Its more than that. The teachers say they dont want to underwrite union activities that are contrary to their beliefs. Forcing them to pay, they say, violates their First Amendment rights; the constitutional provision that they argue empowers people both to speak and, if they choose, not to speak.

Elrich said in an interview that a lot of money is being taken from me to support bills and candidates I dont support. Zavala, though allowed for religious reasons to donate her agency fee to charity, contended in a legal brief that her charitable contributions are constrained by a collective-bargaining agreement and added that she objects to many of the unions public policy positions.

Q: Is this only about teachers?

A: It just starts there. About 7.2 million public-sector employees belong to unions nationwide, and a brief led by Stanford Law School professor Pamela S. Karlan for the Peace Officers Research Association of California noted that these members worked in diverse occupations, including library services, health care, job training and more.

Q: Why must they pay a fee to the union if they dont belong?

A: Because California says so, and the U.S. Supreme Court, so far, has said thats OK.

California, like some 22 other states and the District of Columbia, authorizes agency fees for public-sector unions. The Supreme Court, in a 1977 case involving Michigan teachers called Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, ruled that fees charged by public-sector unions are consistent with the First Amendment because the nonmembers arent paying for political action, but for the unions contract bargaining services.

Q: If the Supreme Court has already upheld the idea, isnt it likely the court will rule the same way this time?

A: No.

Conservatives have long chafed under the Abood ruling, and labor unions antagonists have similarly dreamed of reversing it. The California Teachers Association lawsuit was itself conceived as a strategic move by attorney Terry Pell and the Center for Individual Rights, with the specific intent to get the 1977 ruling overturned.

Some Supreme Court justices, in turn, have all but invited a challenge to the Abood ruling, suggesting they are primed to throw it out. In a 2014 ruling concerning Illinois home-care workers, called Harris v. Quinn, Justice Samuel Alito opined that the Abood reasoning was troubling and questionable on several grounds. Four other justices joined him in that opinion.

This is an aggressive, conservative court, former acting Solicitor General Walter Dellinger said, adding that public-sector unions have been politically important on the progressive side.

Q: With stakes so high, what do others think?

A: Twenty-five briefs have been filed in support of Friedrichs, representing everyone from former California Gov. Pete Wilson and the National Federation of Independent Business to the attorneys general from 18 states, including Georgia, Idaho and Florida.

On the flip side, 24 briefs supporting unions and the California Teachers Association were filed, by the likes of the Obama administration and 21 states including Kentucky and Washington. A lawyer from Obamas solicitor generals office will participate in the hourlong argument.

Q: Is there a key swing vote?

A: Justice Anthony Kennedy, once more, is the potential pivot man.

Kennedy, or whoever writes the courts decision, could reverse Abood outright and declare that agency fees violate the First Amendment. This would be huge. With unions already a shadow of their former selves, said New York University School of Law professor Cynthia Estlund, their voice will clearly be weakened if they cant depend on their fair-share fee.

Less dramatically, the court could permit the fees but shift the burden. Currently, dissident workers bear the responsibility of objecting to paying the portion of union dues that goes to political activities. As an alternative, the court could instead require public-service workers to affirmatively consent to paying that portion of the fees, which could lessen collections.

Or the court might surprise many, side with the unions and entirely sustain the status quo. But dont count on it.

The signals all point to me that they took this case to overrule Abood, attorney Erin E. Murphy, a former clerk to Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., told reporters at a Georgetown University Law Center preview of the courts term last year.
Among the countrys better pundits, its an annual tradition to break out the figurative cat-o-nine-tails and indulge in a little ceremonial self-flagellation. For readers, theres sometimes little more satisfying than watching prognosticators and opinion-mongers publicly confess their sins of analysis. So this year, some of the braver ones have copped to underestimating Donald Trump  not just as a media magnet, but as a bona fide political force in the race for the Republican nomination.

You wont be getting that from me. And Ted Cruz is the reason why.

Well get to why in a moment. First, as a separate matter, it seemed fine for me to abstain from belittling Trump in 2015. After all, the populist vein he tapped into was hiding in plain sight  but, even more important, it struck me as clear that Trump lacked the blanket populist appeal necessary to elbow his way to the nomination.

On the one hand, ironically, Trumps greatest strength was poised to become a massive weakness when the primaries began. As The Upshots Nate Cohn noted at the New York Times, Trumps very best voters are self-identified Republicans who nonetheless are registered as Democrats. Its a coalition thats concentrated in the South, Appalachia and the industrial North, according to data provided to The Upshot by Civis Analytics, a Democratic data firm. In a closed primary, thats awful news.

But on the other hand, as I suggested on these pages, Trump had alienated too many Democrats to mount a national insurgency. Trumps incendiary remarks are to blame, I argued. The option of running a generic campaign as an independent reform candidate, Perot-style, is gone. If Trump manages to pivot away from this pigeonhole, he will not do so in order to run a third-party campaign, but to make himself more palatable as a general election Republican.

Which takes us back to those pesky closed primaries.

And guess whos poised to make a killing in that arena? Thats right  Ted Cruz, as, Im relieved to say, I also predicted. At The Week, back in August, I surmised that the stage is just about set for him to emerge as the only true conservative in the race with the brains and the chops to match the purity. Although those qualities definitely prevent Cruz from beating Trump or Fiorina in the invisible populist primary, establishment types know full well that Cruz is the only viable candidate who the Rights populists and elites can both stomach.

As Fiorina fades, and Trump struggles to notch an early primary win, Cruz will emerge as the one bona-fide Republican with the most powerful combination of votes, money, momentum and appeal.

Yes, appeal. Strange as it may seem, Cruzs competition doesnt hold up as well as people expected to Cruz himself: the one candidate the media  conservatives included  often cast as an unctuous, oleaginous playactor. Rubios charisma is hard to argue with, but neither establishmentarians like Jeb Bush and Chris Christie nor insurgents like Ben Carson and Fiorina have resonated with voters the way Cruz has, despite his reputation for an off-putting style.

So, remarkably  but not, when you think about it, astoundingly  heres where we are: Ted Cruz has the best shot at the nomination, and the fields leader, Trump, does not  most of all because of Ted Cruz!

Furthermore, in addition to elbowing the fields establishmentarians onto the crowded and fractious sidelines, Cruz has managed to clear out his own competition in the grass-roots conservative lane, including former powerhouses like Mike Huckabee. Add it all up, and theres just one conclusion to draw: The GOP is well on its way to becoming the Party of Ted.

Sure, Cruz might yet lose out to an establishment that unifies behind, say, Rubio and aggressively circles the wagons. But even if Cruz doesnt become the nominee  to say nothing of his potential failure to win in the general election  hell remain arguably the single most powerful Republican in America. More powerful than Mitch McConnnell. More powerful than Paul Ryan. More powerful than any of the other candidates hes running against (unless, of course, one of them wins the presidency).

Now, heres something truly astounding. No other candidate in the GOP can say that about themselves. Rand Paul will likely live to fight his fight another day, retreating back to the Senate. But what of the others? Not Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, John Kasich, Donald Trump or even Marco Rubio will emerge from a defeat this primary season with a strong and united political base big enough and influential enough to vault them to the top of the party pecking order. Barring the inconceivable, that role now belongs to Cruz alone.

For the still relatively green senator, its a rise to supremacy with the swiftness and sureness to rival that of another rookie who found himself sweeping into the White House: Barack Obama. Party on, Ted.
SAN FRANCISCO  A San Francisco man has been convicted of spray painting a series of anti-Chinese graffiti discovered last year in two of the citys neighborhoods.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports a jury on Thursday convicted 62-year-old John Schenone of seven misdemeanor counts of vandalism and six misdemeanor counts of a hate crime in connection with the graffiti.

Prosecutors say Schenone spray-painted six messages of No more Chinese in orange paint at several locations in the Portola and Bayview neighborhoods. They say he targeted mostly empty properties, including an out-of-business supermarket and a house under construction.

Investigators connected the graffiti to Schenone through surveillance-camera footage that showed his white pickup truck at two of the locations.

Schenones attorney, deputy public defender Bonnie Chansaid, says she plans to appeal the verdicts.
The worst start to a year for global financial markets sparked the biggest weekly outflow of cash from equity mutual funds since September.

Investors pulled $8.8 billion from funds that track stocks around the world, according to data collected by Cambridge, Mass.-based EPFR Global Inc., as the weakening of Chinas currency rekindled concern that slowing growth there would spread. Redemptions at U.S.-based stock funds hit at a 17-week high, with investors favoring funds that target Europe and Japan, where central banks have pledged continued support, data for the week ended Jan. 6 show.

As was the case in early 2015, mutual fund investors tip-toed rather than sprinted into the new year, Cameron Brandt, research director at EPFR Global, and his colleagues wrote in a report released Friday. Their caution was quickly justified as another spasm in Chinese equity markets rippled through global stock exchanges.

In the U.S., large-cap exchanged-traded funds saw the heaviest redemptions, according to EPFR. Meanwhile, nine of the 11 major U.S. sector funds tracked by EPFR saw outflows during the period, with technology posting the most at $570 million. Industrial sector funds saw a fifth consecutive week of outflows, the most since early 2015.
HOOKSETT, N.H.  Planned Parenthood is swinging behind Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential race and says that wont mean negative campaigning against her primary opponents.

The endorsement by the groups political arm marks Planned Parenthoods first time wading into a presidential primary, and it comes as Clinton remains locked in a tight contest with Bernie Sanders in Iowa and New Hampshire, home of the first two nominating contests. Former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley trails both rivals in the race.

Based on her record and extraordinary support that shes given to our issues, people felt very strongly that shes the candidate, the groups president, Cecile Richards, said Sunday. There is nothing about this endorsement that should reflect badly on Senator Sanders or Governor OMalley.

Planned Parenthood is a large provider of abortion and reproductive health services and has become a lightning rod in the 2016 campaign. Most Republican presidential candidates object to continued federal financing of the organization and a measure has passed the Republican-led House to stop the flow of money.

Richards said the group is making an early endorsement so that it can begin reminding voters about the Republican candidates extreme positions on abortion rights and womens health. The group plans to spend at least $20 million in the 2016 campaign.

I dont know that it has been particularly clear in the Republican primary just exactly how extreme these candidates are, Richards said.

In contrast, she said, Clinton has long fought for womens rights and to protect womens access to birth control, safe and legal abortion and other reproductive health services.

Many Republicans stepped up their criticism of Planned Parenthood after anti-abortion-rights activists released underground video that showed an official from the group talking about the price of fetal parts. The video did not establish that the group was illegally profiting from the sale of fetal parts as some alleged.


Comments David B Katague Hi, David, thank you for your comments. Monday, September 17th, 2012 at 11:54am David Oles It seems that you've had a very interesting and exciting career! Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 05:04pm

In my more than 40 years of professional career, I have experienced both working rank and file, as well as supervising the work of subordinates. I have worked in four private firms and the Federal Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where I retired. I enjoyed the challenges and difficulties of both types of job situations. This is the highlights of my work experience story.My first job after completing my doctorate degree was a Chemist for Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a subsidiary of Bayer Corporation, a German conglomerate. I worked for the analytical chemistry department comprised of about fifty people; half that number was either chemists or biologists. My specific task was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticide residues in plant and animal tissues. I worked on my own, similar to six other bench chemists, and we all reported to the same supervisor.The firm sponsored my visa conversion from a student to a permanent resident, and I was able to legally work and reside in the United States with my family. The company generously took care of its employees. At the end of each successful year, everyone received a 13th month salary bonus. The employees and their families celebrated wonderful annual Christmas parties in a downtown Kansas City hotel, with dancing and free drinks for the whole night.Inasmuch as I enjoyed and loved working for Chemagro for five years, I found a new job which offered a substantially higher pay. Due to my exemplary work performance, my supervisor preferred and lobbied for me to stay with the company. I had to turn him down because they could not match the package presented by my new employer. It was also a chance for me and my family to move and live in the US west coast, where the mild winter climate is bearable compared to the Midwest.My next job was at the agricultural research division of Shell Development Company in Modesto, California. I was a Research Chemist, and again I worked individually, same as five other chemists who all reported to a supervisor. My specific duty was similar to my previous job. I worked for them for five years, until the company decided to get out of the pesticide business. They closed their research facility affecting the jobs of more than 200 employees.My third industrial job was with the agricultural research division of Stauffer chemical company, located in Richmond, California. I was a Senior Research Chemist doing the same project as my two previous jobs. I worked for twelve continuous years for the company, with outstanding annual job performance. I became a Principal Research Chemist, the highest attainable non-supervisory position.One day in 1986, my supervisor informed me that my job had been eliminated, and I had one day to vacate the facility. It was the most dreadful lay off experience in my life. I felt anger, sadness and humiliation to be dismissed from work with one day notice, after all the years of hard work invested for the company. This was an unforgettable incident and was the gloomiest point in my professional career.The company terminated sixty research employees, who were upset of the bad news.One of the chemists was distressed and expressed his outrageous anger by threatening the company and its workers. He told his supervisor of his intention to bomb and burn down the laboratory. He was immediately escorted by the security staff out of the building and into his car. He was informed to leave behind his personal belongings; they will be mailed to his residence. He was warned never to show up again near the company premises or risk getting arrested.My supervisor was kind and allowed me to take my time to pack up my belongings. It took me two days to clear up my workplace, after toiling for a long period in the same jobsite. We were provided clerical help and office space, in preparation to look for another job, such as updating our resumes, and using the computer and copy machine. We were given six weeks of separation pay plus benefits.Fortunately, with the help of a friend who is a Church parishioner, I found another job thirty days after leaving Stauffer chemical company. He hired me as a senior research chemist and as a group leader with two technicians to supervise. It was in the same field as my expertise in my previous three jobs spanning the last twenty one years. My new employer was Chevron Chemical Company, and which was located in the same area as my former employer.This job gave me the introduction and basic knowledge of managing the work of subordinates. I worked for Chevron Company for four and a half years. The company decided to consolidate their research facilities in Texas, and lay off all its research employees. This time I had enough distress and agony from working, and eventually getting laid off from several private companies. To avoid going through any more miserable layoffs, I made a vow that I would never again work for a private company.In my work experiences, there were noticeable and unavoidable jobsite occurrences. One can never miss the office romantic relationships between co-workers, both illicit and permitted. Though it was frowned upon, there was a boss and staff relationship, which was used as a ploy to get ahead in the company. Some relationships had chemistry, no pun intended, but some never worked out. Oftentimes, there was a sense of distrust among bench chemists for some workers who unjustly obtained preferred work assignments.Some employees resorted to bribing superiors to get special privileges, such as being able to attend choice conferences and meetings in exciting venues or locations. Likewise, politics was always present at the worksites. It was during an era when various forms of harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination laws were not yet enforced in the workplace. Occasionally, an unexpected chemical explosion happens in a laboratory setting, where luckily no one got seriously hurt.In the three private companies I worked for, I was able to publish scientific journals for some of the research studies and analytical methods which I developed for the respective companies of Chemagro, Shell Development and Stauffer.After deciding and making a vow to avoid working in the private sector, I made my new goal which was either to work for the state of California, or the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Four months after I lost my job in Chevron, I was lucky and joyful to be hired by the Food and Drug Administration as a review chemist in the fall of 1990.In 1994 I was promoted as an Expert Research Chemist with a GS-14 rating. My expertise was on Anti-malarial and Anti-parasitic drug products. In 1997, I was again deservingly promoted to Chemistry team leader, supervising the work of six Chemistry reviewers including five with doctorate degrees.As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs.It was part of my responsibility to give advice, instruct and promote high morale and teamwork in my group. My work in the FDA is confidential, until the drug patent on the products I worked on has expired. There are manufacturing supplements that I have approved that are now open for the public in the Internet.In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award. The citation reads, For outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership. I have received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for my review work.There are many good things working as rank and file while enjoying doing ones job individually. It is a humbling, satisfying and productive experience, if one can work in harmony with ones immediate supervisor. Working individually develops ones skills in goal setting and scheduling. But in general, the financial rewards are less than a person who has supervisory responsibilities.Managing the work of others has its challenges. Moreover, it develops ones skill in handling and developing people, and the compensation rewards and benefits are better. Due to additional duties, responsibilities and leadership, supervisory work can be more stressful than working as a subordinate. However, supervisory jobs give one more personal growth and satisfaction, based on my personal experience. My work in FDA as a team leader managing the work of six scientists had been the happiest and rewarding work experience in my career in Chemistry. You might also like:
It took Maria Nuques 24 hours to find her dream home in Chino after her escrow fell through on another house.

Using her Galaxy smart phone while riding the Metrolink back and forth to work in Los Angeles, she lined up five possible homes, including the five-bedroom house with a pool she and her husband bought last month.

Suzy Kim got remodeling bids on her new San Clemente home before her purchase was complete, using her iPhone and iPad to map out rooms, find building materials and compile photos to show her contractor.

Both Nuques and Kim did all of this on their mobile phones thanks to a bevy of real estate apps that have revolutionized the process of buying and setting up a new home.

Nuques used Zillow to find homes. Kim, who was in the market for a fixer-upper, used Houzz to create ideas for a top-to-bottom remodeling of the house she bought a year ago.

It used to be that mobile apps were the future. Now theyre routine.

Eighty-five percent of Californians used a mobile device to help them buy a home last year, according to the California Association of Realtors 2015 Home Buyer Survey.

Ninety-five percent of them used their phones and tablets to research homes, 20 percent to research neighborhoods and 14 percent to take photos, the survey said.

Dozens of apps give consumers access to home listings.

In addition, theres an app that finds a homes data by snapping its picture; an app that shows how much natural sunlight a home gets; an app describing a homes surroundings; and apps for planning the decor and remodeling of homes.

Having all these websites is just fantastic. You dont waste any time. You dont have to drive around, said Nuques, a 53-year-old nurse who moved with her husband, parents and son shortly after New Years. Its all on your phone. I love it.

For years, the real estate industry fretted that all this new technology would replace agents the way the Internet has gutted many other industries. Just the opposite is true.

More than 90 percent of Californians used a real estate agent to buy a home in 2015, up from just over 70 percent in 2002, the Realtor survey showed. They just did a lot of the work themselves on computers and phones before hiring an agent.

Heres a look at some of the most useful apps available to home shoppers.

Listing apps

There are dozens of apps with listings, many of them tied to Realtor-run multiple listing services. Some also include listings from for-sale-by-owner sites and other sources.

Many apps use your phones GPS to find homes around you. Some provide price and property tax histories as well as comparable homes in the area. Other features allow you to narrow your search by area, price and amenities as well as to find open houses.

But just four dominate: Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia and Redfin. CARs survey showed that 79 percent of homebuyers who found their property online last year did so through one of those four sites.

Forty percent of homebuyers rated Zillows app as most useful, followed by 22 percent who gave that rating to Realtor.com, and 16 percent to Trulia.

Realtor.com and Zillow have been battling for supremacy almost since Expedia founder Richard Barton launched Zillow in 2006. Realtor.coms latest salvo is a spot on YouTube thats an apparent spoof of HBOs The Leftovers, highlighting Zillows missing listings.

There are more homes for sale than Zillows showing you, the spot says.

Consumers believe otherwise. According to the Internet analytics firm comScore, Zillow ranked first among real estate app providers, with 9.2 million visitors in November.

Realtor.coms network ranked second with 4 million visitors. Trulia, which Zillow recently acquired, ranked third with 3.1 million visitors, and Redfin ranked fourth with 1.1 million visitors.

Some agents agree Realtor.com, owned by News Corp., is more up to date. Agents say clients sometimes ask them to check homes found on Zillow or Trulia, only to discover the properties had been sold nine months to a year earlier.

MLS access

Talks are underway that may soon provide Orange County homebuyers with direct access to portions of the Realtor-run multiple listing service.

Agents long have been getting that data on their phones through MLS Touch. The California Regional Multiple Listing Service, which serves Orange County, is seeking to add a consumer version called MLS Client, which homebuyers could get from their agents.

The app could be available locally within the next few months.

The biggest thing about MLS Client is the accuracy and the connection to your agent, said Scott White, an agent with Keller Williams in Mission Viejo who tested the app.

In addition, several Orange County brokerages also maintain their own apps. Among them: Surterre Properties, CR-MLSs HomeSeekers and Seven Gables Orange County Homefinder.

Rental apps

Some of the same names used to buy a home are available to find a rental, too.

Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com all have rental searches on their sites.

Other popular sites include craigslist (beware of scams, however), Apartments.com, Rent.com, HotPads, RadPad, HotPads, Lovely, and PadMapper.

All of them are available for free with search features and tons of data about rentals, complexes, amenities and management phone numbers.

About 350,000 people have downloaded WSR Rentals, an app by Santa Monica-based Westside Rentals, which serves Orange County. Subscribers pay $60 for 60 days of listings.

Company President Kevin Miller maintains that his firm has listings not available on other sites, including guest houses and small apartment buildings.

Over the last four years, year by year, more of our (online) traffic is mobile than desktop, Miller said. Nearly 50 percent of all our traffic now is mobile.

Tools

In addition to helping you find a home, there are apps to help you research the neighborhood, the property and close the deal. Here are some of the apps local agents recommended:

AroundMe: Allows you to find the nearest bank, bar, gas station, movie theater and supermarket, along with other types of services. (Free)

Housesnap: Snap a photo of a home and get such details as price estimates, photos, home size, taxes and school information. (Free)

LightTrac: Actually designed for photographers, but Evergreen Real Estate agent Dave Redderson says its great for seeing a homes exposure to sunlight. It shows where the sun rises and sets, with calendar settings showing different sun paths at various times of year, Redderson said. This allows a buyer to understand when and where sunlight will enter the home. ($8.99)

RealScout: A search tool for buyers, but requires agent collaboration to enable MLS access. First Team Real Estate agent Cindi Mino said this app also allows alerts for new properties that fit your criteria. Whenever a home comes on the market that fits that, an email gets sent to them, Mino said. (Free)

Docusign and Digital Ink: Sign documents electronically and without having to mail, overnight or FAX them in. (Free for the app only)

Houzz and MagicPlan: Interior design ideas to help redecorate or remodel a home or to help homebuyers visualize what they can do with homes theyre considering. Houzz offers pictures and helps organize projects in separate files. MagicPlan transforms photos into floor plans with measurements to help redecortate or remodel your rooms. (Free)

It makes you think about a home in a different way, Valerie Torelli, owner of Torelli Real Estate in Costa Mesa, said of the apps.

Suzy Kim, 43, who used Houzz as part of her San Clemente home purchase, said the app helped her identify faucets, tiles, cabinets and other materials for her home remodel, then helped her buy them.

Houzz was very helpful because it let me visualize (my remodel) and share with the contractor what we were going to do, Kim said. Houzz allowed me to get more specific.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7734 or jcollins@ocregister.com
As the final scheduled day for the Rivers of America attractions at Disneyland comes to an end, it marks the closing of Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes and Fantasmic! for more than a year. Also included in the closures is the Disneyland Railroad.

All of this is so that Disney can reroute the Rivers of America to free space for the Star Wars land.

The Rivers of America and the Mark Twain Riverboat opened in Frontierland with Disneyland in 1955, though the Walt Disney-designed Tom Sawyer Island and the canoes did not open to guests until the next year. The Columbia joined the mix in 1958, while Fantasmic! debuted in 1992.

For Disneyland fans with long memories, the Mike Fink Keelboats ran on the river from late 1955 until 1997. You can see one of the old keelboats berthed along the shores of Tom Sawyer Island, across from Skull Rock.

Tom Sawyer Island was my home attraction when I worked at Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom for many years while I was in school. When I showed up for my job interview, the attractions supervisor took one look at my freckled face and assigned me to driving the rafts to and from the island.

Yes, those drivers you see on the back of every Tom Sawyer Island raft arent there just for show. They really are driving the rafts  a task that typically takes several days of practice to master. Youre essentially learning how to parallel park on water, using a tiller to steer instead of a wheel. More than a few new hires couldnt get the hang of it and switched jobs to go push the button to start the Country Bear Jamboree show, instead.

We didnt have any assigned spiels on Tom Sawyer Island, as cast members on the Jungle Cruise or keelboats would have had. But that didnt keep us from making up stuff to entertain the guests on the short rides to and from the island. My favorite bit was to borrow the popular airline safety spiel and to tell the raft riders that, as we would cast off from the dock, in case of emergency, oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above your head, and your seats may be used as a flotation device.

Of course, everyone is standing on the raft, which has no seats and no roof. In other words, if anything happens on this rickety looking thing, youre on your own, suckers. It might not have been the most Disney thing to say, but I always thought that Mark Twain would have approved the wisecrack. Hey, the line never failed to get a laugh.

As a raft driver, and as a fan that has been enjoying Tom Sawyer Island since I was a child, I loved the rafts because they create a vital transition between the island and the rest of the park. The fort, the treehouse, bridges and caves simply would not be as special  and would not elicit the same level of imaginative play  if Disney had just dropped them into Frontierland.

Placing the playground on an actual island puts them into their own world  a place where kids (and, well, even a few grownups) can more easily imagine being out on an island in the Mississippi, playing with Tom, Huck and Becky.

Disneyland offers several more of these transitional moments: walking under the train station onto Main Street, walking through the castle into Fantasyland, and most recently, the passage under the rocks from Pacific Wharf into Cars Land in Disney California Adventure. But Tom Sawyer Islands transitional moment tops them all by using one attraction  the rafts  to transport fans into another  the island itself.

Universal recently showed that it learned some lessons from Disneylands model with its work on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter  Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. For that land, Universal created a life-sized London street front, which visitors traverse to reach Diagon Alley, hidden behind it. Its fun just to sit on the steps of Gringotts Bank inside Diagon Alley and look back to watch the expressions of wonder and amazement on visitors faces as they turn that corner from London into Diagon Alley.

If Star Wars land is to top Universals Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter as the worlds most immersive theme park land, it will need a transitional moment of its own  one that represents to fans the passage from its neighboring lands in Disneyland onto the planet from a galaxy far, far away upon which the land is set. If were lucky, Disneys designers will come up with something that inspires visitors imaginations as much as my first trip on a raft across the Rivers of America did, so many years ago.

Robert Niles is the founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com.
Lobbyists in Sacramento talk about the inside game and the outside game. The inside game is the one they play under the Capitol dome: testifying in committee hearings, meeting with legislative staff, nabbing lawmakers in the hallway on the way to a crucial vote.

The outside game is aimed at you. It tries to get ordinary Californians riled up about an issue so youll pressure lawmakers to do what the lobbyists want. Think of ad campaigns, noisy rallies, pleas to call your legislator.

These tactics have become a growing part of the way the biggest interest groups work to influence state officials as they adapted to the imposition of term limits in the 1990s, which changed the relationships between lobbyists and legislators.

It was a sense that we just didnt have the relationships that we once did with (lawmakers), said Jim Cassie, a longtime Sacramento lobbyist who retired in 2013. So you had to find a way to influence them, and one way was to build a campaign. Now its just a way of life.

The change in the lobbying game, however, hasnt been reflected in Californias lobbying rules. Even though interest groups must file detailed reports about which lobbyists they hire, which bills they lobby on and how much they spend to entertain government officials, the growing outside game has gone largely unreported to the public. Thats because weak disclosure rules allow lobbying groups to report a huge amount of expenses under a catch-all other category that has created a cloud of secrecy around some lobbying efforts.

Now the states political watchdog agency is poised to vote on a rule that would catch up with the times. It would require groups that lobby state government to publicly report who theyre paying  and how much  for publicity blitzes, consultants and other efforts to influence decisions that go beyond the narrow definition of lobbying.

The way theyre allowed to report now has blocked the goal behind disclosure, said Jodi Remke, chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission, which is scheduled to vote on the rule Jan. 21.

The whole purpose of this is to make sure we can track whether there are improper influences over public officials. But if we dont know who theyre paying to influence, how can we track it?

Spending on the vague other category has grown significantly among the 10 interest groups that spend the most on lobbying. In the first nine months of 2000, they attributed 46 percent of their $15.4 million in lobbying expenses to the other category. In 2015, that portion rose to 77 percent of the $37.7 million they spent on lobbying in the first nine months of the year.

Interest groups can hide a lot in that other category.

While they have to disclose the lobbyists they hire, the other category can include anonymous consultants, who are often well-connected former politicians. They can also sponsor advertising campaigns that mask their funders.

In 2014, for example, a group called the California Drivers Alliance launched a campaign asking people to sign a petition opposing the expansion of an environmental program that could raise the price of gas. One of the online videos described the group as a coalition of small business owners, elected officials and working class families without mentioning that its a project of the Western States Petroleum Association, the oil industrys advocacy group.

An online link from the video did identify the affiliation between the California Drivers Alliance and the petroleum association. But that disclosure was not required, nor was any detail about the $4.8 million the group spent in other payments during the second half of 2014.

More recently, in 2015, here are some of the outside games played by groups that reported major spending in the other category:

 Environmental groups and the oil industry put on dueling ad campaigns as the Legislature weighed a proposal to combat climate change by slashing the amount of petroleum Californians consume.

 Hospitals and health care worker unions aired television commercials and staged a massive rally in Sacramento arguing for the state to raise reimbursement for doctors who treat Medi-Cal patients.

 The California School Board Association sought publicity on a bill to allow school districts to increase the amount of money they hold in reserves.

This campaign-style approach to lobbying wasnt common in the 1970s, when Bob Stern helped write Californias Political Reform Act, the law that requires interest groups to disclose their lobbying activity. But he said he expected lobbying tactics would shift over time.

The big change was the grassroots or astroturf lobbying urging citizens to contact their legislators, Stern said.

Its much more sophisticated and much more money is being spent now than 40 years ago. So its time to look at this . and make sure youre getting the information that is really important.

CALmatters is a non-profit journalism venture dedicated to exploring state policies and politics.

Contact the writer: laurel@calmatters.org, @LaurelRosenhall
PARIS  Mosques all over France are taking part in a dialogue weekend, opening up to the public as a shaken country marks one year since radical jihadis attacked a satirical newspaper and a Jewish supermarket, killing 17 people.

The open-door initiative that includes tea and pastries was organized by Frances main Muslim body to counter islamophobia and highlight the differences between jihadism and moderate, peace-loving Islam.

Nurturing inter-religious cohesion has become a top priority among leaders in France, officially a secular nation, ollowing fresh attacks in November. Those attacks led police to conduct over a dozen raids on Muslim places of worship and close several over fears they were radicalizing members.

France has the highest Muslim population of Western Europe.

Muslim leaders hope the move will channel the spirit of the demonstration of January 11., during which millions marched for unity on the streets of Paris.

In other events to mark the first anniversary of Januarys bloodshed, French President Francois Hollande paid homage Saturday to a female police officer, Clarissa Jean-Philippe, who was killed by gunman Amedy Coulibaly in the Parisian suburb of Montrouge on Jan. 8.

Hollande unveiled a memorial plaque and stood solemnly amid a rousing rendition of the Marseillaise, followed by spontaneous gospel music.

I am not bitter, said the victims mother, Marie-Louise Jean-Philippe. She told French media that the beautiful ceremony warmed her heart.

In the evening, many will gather for a tribute at a Jewish supermarket in the eastern suburb of Vincennes, the site of a fatal hostage siege by Coulibaly on Jan. 9.
When the NRA and its political servants talk about the will of the people regarding stricter laws for gun sales and registration, they seem to forget that recent polls show that what our president has proposed doing is exactly what 85 percent of Americans want! Including 70 percent of Republicans.

For instance, in one University of Massachusetts/Lowell poll, 78 percent favor more thorough background checks and 80 percent favor closing gun show loopholes. This has nothing to do with Americans freedom under the Constitution. After all, we register cars, electronics, homes and many other belongings for our own protection in case of theft, accidents, disasters and the like. We register people to vote. This is all part of being a true republic.

As to why the president didnt just ask Congress to do something, instead of taking executive action himself? Thats exactly what hes been asking them to consider for almost eight years now, without any success.

Thank you, President Obama, for wanting to make our great nation safer for everyone, including our little school children.

Bonnie Compton Hanson

Santa Ana

  

Given the chaos, confusion and killings associated with the rampant availability of firearms in our country, alongside congressional inaction, President Obama is compelled by the Constitution to resort to executive directives in order to ensure domestic tranquility.

Ben Miles

Huntington Beach

  

Re: Obama to take part in CNN town hall on gun violence and Clinton backs Obama on guns [Jan. 4]: Both articles address terrorism, gun control and potential executive actions as a result of both the Paris and San Bernardino tragedies. However, they missed what I believe to be the key issue  its not about guns and control of guns to law-abiding citizens, but rather about controlling people and the aberrant behavior of people.

How do we address this without undermining constitutional rights? What intrusions would be acceptable to the American people to prevent such terrorist acts, along with acts of the criminally insane  shouldnt that be the center of conversation?

The facts show that we are beyond stopping terrorist organizations at their ideological roots because those roots have been dispersed throughout our country rather effectively via social media. I liken it to a cancerous tumor that has metastasized; you can address the destruction of the tumor, successful or not, but finding and destroying the metastasized/aberrant cells is very difficult. Unfortunately, we are at the point where the aberrant cells are people living among us  this is the American fear and is why Americans are increasingly providing protection for themselves and not relying on anyone else to do so.

Our government agencies house brilliant people, but with their hands tied and without integrated/shared data bases, their brilliance falls by the wayside. Its time to untie their hands, and how do we effectively do this and preserve the American way of life  isnt this the conversation that needs to take place?

James L. Pace

San Clemente

  

I am strongly for gun control measures, as there has been far too many murders in America, especially mass murders. But President Obama is going about it the wrong way.

You cant do it unilaterally through executive order, which will only be temporary, of limited scope and of questionable legality. You have to do it through Congress, with massive support from the American people.

Short-term measures like President Obamas may look good but will be ineffective and wont solve our gun violence problem.

Kenneth L. Zimmerman

Huntington Beach
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and several Republican presidential candidates appeared at an anti-poverty forum in South Carolina Saturday, hoping to counter the notion that only Democrats care about nonwhites, single mothers, the unemployed and the working poor.

The Kemp Forum on Expanding Opportunity was a chance for the Republicans to display compassion and ideas at a time they risk becoming, in the words of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a minority party.

We can launch a conversation in this country about truly fixing this problem, Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, said at the event in Columbia, which he moderated with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., an African American.

Poverty isnt just about deprivation, its about isolation, Ryan said. Were isolating the poor. We have to reintegrate the poor. What were doing here today is starting that conversation and bringing attention to this issue.

South Carolina holds the years second presidential primary, on Feb. 20, after New Hampshire. The Republicans leading the polls, Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, skipped Saturdays event to campaign in Iowa.

Bush, Ben Carson and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie spoke during the first panel, while Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also appeared.

Between predictable talking points  blaming government handouts and teachers unions for holding back the poor, promoting marriage, and calling for shifting more funding and decision-making to the states  came calls for compassion and criminal justice reform that sometimes echoed the rhetoric of one of Republicans chief targets, President Barack Obama.

People are stuck, theyre stuck in poverty, Bush said. And the notion of some that somehow they want to be there is just totally ridiculous. It is totally wrong. In fact, well never win elections if we send any kind of signal like that. Well just be, well become a minority party.

Christie called for increasing the earned income tax credit, saying that some welfare recipients now face an ugly truth that if they did get off their couch and go to work, theyd make less. The war on drugs of the past several decades hasnt worked and first-time, nonviolent offenders should be sentenced to treatment, not incarceration, Christie said.

He also said Republican candidates need to show up and campaign in places where were uncomfortable and that we need to be going into African-American churches. We need to be going into the Hispanic communities and the barrios. What they want is to be listened to.

After sparring for days in New Hampshire, Bush and Christie put their differences aside, offering encouragement for one anothers positions. Carson, meanwhile, said he hopes his rivals adopt the forums tone of camaraderie.

Carson, recounting his childhood in Detroits inner city, spoke about the merits of self-sufficiency, promoting home schooling over public schools and a flat tax over further engineering of tax credits. He said the Bible and tithing inspire his support of a flat tax. At the same time, Carson said successful individuals should do more to mentor and guide the poor. Its our duty. We are our brothers keepers, he said, a line Obama also often uses.

Huckabee spoke of his experience with childhood poverty in Arkansas. If you grew up poor, I guarantee you didnt want to grow up that way, he said. He also said government should focus more on treating addiction than incarcerating addicts.

Ryan said criminal justice reform is one area where bipartisan cooperation seems possible, and where religious conservatives can play a significant role. Weve got a chance at making a big difference so that we can honor redemption, he said.
Once a year in June, sea lion mothers on the Channel Islands give birth to a pup. For the next 11 months, the mothers swim off to forage for days to provide food for themselves and milk for their progeny.

But in early 2015, calorie-dense sardines and anchovies  the best food  were hard to find. The mothers were forced to dive deeper and swim farther, and by the time they returned to the islands, they didnt have much milk to offer.

The ocean, which in years past had been full with food, was different, emptier, than before. The pups, hungry, struck out prematurely that winter. They wound up stranded on mainland beaches in record numbers, emaciated and starving.

As El Nino bears down on California this year, worse is expected.

Marine mammal care centers are preparing for a rash of strandings. They do so even as some marine biologists and ocean advocates warn that such a compassion-laden response is little more than a futile attempt to wrap a Band-Aid on an oceanwide problem that could last decades and may have been worsened by overfishing.

We treat them as sacred animals, said Geoff Shester, the California campaign director for Oceana, an environmental group. In the end, its shortsighted to believe youre going to save the sea lions simply by rescuing them, rehabilitating them and then sending them out when theres not really enough food to go around.

From a humane point of view, it makes sense, but its really only addressing the symptom rather than the root cause.

No one knows how well the sea lion pups fare after rehabilitation, because once you release them, the odds of seeing them again are really low, whether they make it or not, said Sharon Melin, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wildlife biologist who studies sea lions.

If the environment is really bad and adult females cant find food, then a young pup that doesnt really have experience feeding itself is going to have trouble, too, Melin added.

In a normal year, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, which relies on donations and government grants, will rehabilitate 100 to 120 sea lions. It may take in one that re-stranded after getting treated.

In 2015, the center rescued a record-setting 534 sea lions, including more than two dozen that had re-stranded. The center is braced for even more this year.

Thats a high number, but it shows theres something wrong out in the wild, said Keith Matassa, the executive director at the mammal center.

What exactly is wrong, and why, is much less clear.

300,000 sea lions

Every year for the past 35 years, NOAA research biologist Mark Lowry has chartered a plane and taken more than 6,000 aerial photos of sea lions at their Channel Island rookeries, where 99.8 percent of the U.S. sea lion population breeds. Later, in his office, he assembles the photos into a mosaic. Over the course of several months, he counts the sea lions one at a time.

By performing a series of calculations on the pup count number, he can come up with an estimate for the entire sea lion population.

Between 1975  three years after the passage of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, which outlawed the killing, capture or harassment of all marine mammals  and 2012, the pup population grew an average of 5.5 percent per year, to roughly 300,000 today. Such growth cannot continue indefinitely, and has, in fact, already flattened.

Historically, El Nino events such as the one California is experiencing now caused pup production to plummet. But three years ago, something changed. It wasnt an El Nino season, and births were very low. Something else was going on.

The ecosystem changed, Lowry said. Those poor animals are having a really hard time right now.

Its what El Nino does to sea lions food supply  specifically the nutritious sardines and anchovies they prefer  that makes them suffer.

The health of those fish populations is driven by climate, said Dave Checkley, an oceanography professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla. Specifically, its the way climate affects wind and ocean currents.

Plankton, which are eaten by fish, need nitrogen and sunlight to survive. When the wind currents are right, nitrogen and other nutrients are drawn up from the deep ocean to the sun-filled surface through a process called upwelling. The intensity and type of the wind changes over the course of decades because of varying climate cycles.

Whenever the blob  an unusually warm patch of water parked off the West Coast  or El Nino or something else prevents that upwelling, the plankton, fish and sea lions pay the price.

Last year, the blob prevented upwelling. That warm water has mostly dissipated, but now El Nino is having much the same effect.

In recent years, as ocean conditions have changed, the sardine and anchovy populations have collapsed. And fishing may be exacerbating the problem.

Fish stocks plummet

Though theyre often spoken of together, sardines and anchovies march to the beat of different drummers, as Checkley said.

Sardines live farther from shore and anchovies live closer. Sardines prefer warm water and eat the smaller plankton that thrive there. Anchovies prefer colder water and the larger plankton that come with it. Sardines are most common off the West Coast of the United States, while anchovies are more plentiful off Peru.

After a sardine collapse in the 1950s, the fish essentially disappeared until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when population growth accelerated. At their peak in the early 2000s, they could be found as far north as Vancouver Island in Canada, a place they migrate to only when the population is high, above 700,000 tons.

Then came a slide. In 2013 and 2014, Canada saw no sardines  an early warning sign. A stock assessment in 2014 contained a now-recognized error that allowed fishing to continue that year.

In 2015, a new stock assessment revealed that the sardine population had dropped below a threshold of 150,000 tons. Federal regulators closed the fishery.

It was a collapse that two NOAA scientists  David Demer and Juan Zwolinski  had forecast as imminent several years before. The prediction was little heeded at the time, and fishing continued.

Though ending fishing wouldnt have staved off the collapse, any removal of fish will accelerate that decline, Zwolinski said.

To predict the collapse, Demer and Zwolinski tied sardine population health to a 60-year oceanic climate cycle called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. In the 1940s and 1950s, just before that well-documented sardine collapse, the ocean was going through a cold-water cycle.

The same thing was happening in the late 2000s, the researchers noted, and the sardine population started to crash.

Even though the ocean switched a couple of years ago to the warm cycle that sardines prefer, the fish havent started to recover. Demer predicts they wont until 2020 or 2025.

Anchovies collapse

Anchovies had a much closer shave last year.

During the last quarter of the 20th century, fishermen largely targeted sardines, leaving anchovies mostly alone. By 1995, federal regulators were so unconcerned with anchovy populations that they set a maximum haul for fishermen  25,000 tons per year  and havent done another assessment of the stock for 20 years.

With such a low take, and fishermen not actually taking even that much anchovy, regulators figured there was no way fishermen could deplete the population.

The anchovy population, low in the 1950s, stayed mostly stable until the mid-2000s. Then, between 2009 and 2011, it plummeted to fewer than 20,000 tons, according to an analysis of historic larvae and egg levels led by NOAA fisheries biologist Alec MacCall and published in the journal Fisheries Research in November.

The estimated spawning biomass decreased by over 99% from 2005 to 2009, and merits the term collapse, the researchers wrote.

In the past few years, anchovy catches have risen dramatically. And with the population so low, fishing may now be having an outsize impact.

Pretty much all the fished anchovies are coming from the Monterey Bay area, where a large school has congregated.

As of 2011, the stock was so low that if they had caught 25,000 tons, they might have done some major ecological damage, said Steve Marx, the Pew Charitable Trusts lead policy expert on West Coast forage fish.

This fall, federal regulators will do an official stock assessment and consider updating the 25,000-ton rule.

Now that warm water conditions are prevailing, however, its going to be difficult for the anchovy to recover. And as the anchovy continues to struggle, so will Californias sea lions.

Cant be saved

In five of the past seven years, California sea lions have suffered either very poor survival rates or very low birth numbers, or both. In the coming years, those low reproductive rates will inevitably cause the first drop in total sea lion population since the 1970s.

Marine biologists agree that, overall, the sea lion population is far from crisis, and not even close to extinction, even as record numbers of pups are expected to strand this year amid dire oceanic conditions.

More than 3,300 animals were stranded along the California coast through the first five months of 2015  seven times the average for those same months during the previous 10 years.

And a lot of them dont make it. Theyre so far gone they cant be saved, said Jim Dines, the mammalogy collections coordinator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

The strandings this year already have started, like they did this time a year ago. Normally, sea lion pups shouldnt leave the Channel Island rookeries until spring, and historically thats the only time strandings occurred. Now, strandings seem to happen year-round.

To prepare, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center is hiring additional staff and interviewing volunteers. Last year, it opened a triage facility in Huntington Beach. Last week, 30 animals were getting rehabilitated at the Laguna Beach center.

In December, we should have had no animals here. We shouldnt have animals around now, said Matassa, the executive director, giving a tour of the facility.

Matassa explained that without care centers like his, youd have everyone taking sea lions home and doing this in their bathtubs. You dont want that.

At the same time, Matassa recognizes that were not going to be able to save every sea lion.  Some of them are going to be humanely euthanized if they dont have a chance.

Nearby, a dozen sea lion pups clambered out of a pool as rainclouds overhead poised to unleash a storm. The pups waddled, launched themselves and slid across the wet concrete, barking happily.

When things are really bad, you come down here and watch them play and slide and be healthy. And you remember why you do all the administrative work you dont want to do, Matassa said. They came in half-dead.

Contact the writer: aorlowski@ocregister.com Twitter @aaronorlowski
It is tempting to dismiss the anti-government gunmen who took control of an animal refuge in Oregon on Jan. 2 as fanatics working at the fringes of American politics. But if the methods used by the rancher Ammon Bundy to seize the federal property were radical, the ideological roots of the operation were somewhat more mainstream.

By storming the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and vowing to return it  by force of arms, if necessary  to the people of Harney County, Bundy and his men were echoing the teachings, if not the tactics, of the Wise Use movement: a conservative land-use doctrine that has been a part of the national discourse for nearly 30 years.

A successor to the Sagebrush Rebellion of the 1970s (itself a successor to the anti-national parks Boomers project of the early 1900s), Wise Use answers the question of who should own the West by granting moral primacy to natural resource companies and to logging and ranching families like the Bundys, some of which have worked the land since the pioneer expansion.

Though composed of many activists and scores of organizations, Wise Use found its voice in the late 1980s when a timber industry adviser named Ron Arnold published The Wise Use Agenda. The manifesto offered an expansive plan to gut environmental regulation, increase private ownership of public land and compel the federal government to open its holdings to mining, oil and logging companies and to the unrestricted use of off-road vehicles.

Arnold adopted the phrase wise use from Gifford Pinchot, the first head of the U.S. Forest Service (who said that conservation is the wise use of resources). In 1988 he held a conference, bringing together the likes of Exxon and the National Cattlemens Association, with the goal of seeding the West with grass-roots groups that could wrest control of federal land and give a local flavor to his Reaganite aims.

Arnold sent organizers into distressed rural communities to set up front groups with environmentally friendly sounding names that whipped up hostility against the government, said Tarso Ramos, executive director of Political Research Associates, a research group that studies right-wing movements. What resulted, Ramos said, was a coalition of natural-resource companies, property developers and conservative activists working with a network of community organizations.

This coalition achieved success in pushing its agenda. By the early 1990s, politicians friendly to the Wise Use cause had introduced or passed legislation in nearly 30 states giving local governments and citizens expanded powers to lay claim to federal land. Among those politicians was Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage, R-Idaho, who became notorious for mocking the Endangered Species Act by holding what she called endangered salmon bakes. There was also Gale A. Norton, the interior secretary under President George W. Bush, who once worked as a lawyer for the Mountain States Legal Foundation, which has billed itself as the litigation arm of Wise Use.

The Wise Use crowd got very close to the centers of power, Ramos said.

It also got close to the militia movement, experts say. In 1994, the National Federal Lands Conference, a Wise Use group that maintained that county governments should control federal land, published an article in its newsletter that bore the title Why There Is a Need for the Militia in America. Around the same time, Wise Use rallies often featured pamphlets from groups like the Militia of Montana, said David Helvarg, author of the War Against the Greens. Nor was it a coincidence, said James McCarthy, a professor of geography at Clark University, that militia members in camouflage fatigues conducted armed exercises in the very federal forests in New Mexico that the Wise Use movement was trying at the time to pry away from Washingtons control.

There were many people who were active simultaneously in the Wise Use and militia movements and who saw them as different manifestations of the same larger cause, McCarthy said. However, it is also true that many Wise Use activists were uncomfortable with the militia coming into their fold.

In an email titled Wise Use and property rights activists v. Wackos, Arnold denied that his movement was connected to men like Ammon Bundy, who stood down the government two years ago in a similar engagement over cattle-grazing rights at his fathers ranch in Nevada. I dont see any Wise Use-ish doctrine in anything thats been called patriot militia, Arnold wrote.

And yet the question stands as to why vigilantes with AR-15 rifles have repeatedly confronted the government on behalf of local landowners in the West  a classic Wise Use principle, if not a Wise Use tactic. This spring, gunmen from the Oath Keepers militia group helped the owners of an Oregon gold mine chase away federal agents who were trying to enforce a stop-work order. A few months later, another Oath Keeper tactical team stopped the government from shutting down a mine in a national forest in Montana.

Part of the answer is that, in a region where the ground itself is largely owned by agencies in Washington, the Wise Use and militia movements share the same seething resentment at federal overreach, said Jeffrey St. Clair, a journalist who has written about environmental politics in the West for 30 years. If the Wise Use movement did not condone or support militias, it created an intellectual framework for militia operations and has, on occasion, lent the groups ideological ballast. In some way, St. Clair said, the patriot movement is glomming onto the Wise Use movement as something that has a political presence and a real-world power that the patriot movement has never had.

After the Bush years, the Wise Use movement lost much of its vibrancy, and even Arnold acknowledged that it is little known today. But the relationship between activists in suits and angry men with guns continues. Last year, Michele Fiore, a Republican assemblywoman in Nevada, introduced a bill to prohibit the federal government from owning or managing land in Nevada without the states consent. Fiore, as it happens, is also a strong supporter of the Bundys. A month after her bill was introduced, she debated Chris Hayes on MSNBC, live from the standoff at the Bundy family ranch.

To Ramos, the researcher, ties like these can be awkward at best.

The Bundys and other militia groups are rife with Wise Use rhetoric about federal land, he said. Its a situation where business-oriented people see utility in rising militancy  until it spins out of control and creates huge liabilities for them.
World-Herald readers demonstrated, once again, why this region is noted for its giving spirit, contributing a record amount to the 2015 Goodfellows campaign.

The charitable fund, managed by The World-Herald, took in $699,694.12 during the holidays. The money will be used to assist those locally who are in financial crisis.

This years donations exceeded last years total by $40,771.32, or 6.2 percent, said Joel Long, executive director of Goodfellows.

Every dollar donated goes directly to people in need because The World-Herald pays all administrative costs.

This is the third straight year that World-Herald readers have contributed a record amount to the fund. Donations ranged from a $1 bill stuffed into the hand of a World-Herald employee to a $39,000 distribution by a local charitable trust.

Donors ranged from Omaha philanthropists to an inmate in a federal prison in Arkansas.

One of the most exciting things about this years campaign is the increase in number of donors, Long said. A total of 1,697 donors gave to Goodfellows, an increase of 201, or 13.1 percent, over last year.

More than 90 percent of Goodfellows funds are collected during the holidays. Although the holiday fund drive has concluded, running Nov. 16 through Dec. 31, contributions can be made year-round at Omaha.com/goodfellows.

In the first 10 months of this fiscal year, which ends in February, Goodfellows provided emergency aid to 1,171 families, Long said.

We were able to help 110 more families compared to the year before, he said.

In addition, 1,350 families received a holiday meal certificate.

Four local social service agencies screen applicants for the aid: the United Way of the Midlands, ENCAP, Together Inc. and Heartland Family Service. Most people assisted live in the metro area.

Most donors  84 percent  live in Omaha and its suburbs. Another 12 percent come from elsewhere in Nebraska and 4 percent hail from other states.

The far-flung places from which donations come illustrate the charitys enduring reputation, Long said. Usually out-of-state donations come from people whove lived in Nebraska at some point, he said.

They know what Goodfellows does and want to contribute to that, he said.

This years record amount ensures that Goodfellows can assist even more people this year.

Thats a testament to the compassion and generosity of those 1,697 donors, Long said.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1102, nancy.gaarder@owh.com

* * *

How other charities fared

Local charities report mixed results in their year-end drives to raise funds to serve those in crisis.

More than 103,000 people  a third of them children  live in poverty in the Omaha metro. A substantial share, about one-third, are employed but dont earn enough to make ends meet.

Candace Gregory, president and chief executive officer of the Open Door Mission, said the interconnected nature of the metro areas safety net makes it important for all agencies to meet their goals. A shortfall, should it remain, reduces the expertise and resources available to provide help.

Open Door Mission

Fell $265,000 short of the Hope for the Holidays $2.2 million goal. The good news: more than 1,400 people volunteered in December, and supporters provided gifts to more than 6,200 homeless men, women and children through two programs.

Together Inc.

Exceeded 2015 annual goal of $1,415,000, by nearly $32,000. Demand for its services is up 250 percent over past three years; year-end giving also up substantially.

Salvation Army

About $200,000 shy of the Tree of Lights $3 million goal. Campaign runs through Jan. 31, and organizers are hopeful that they will meet the goal. Factors reducing donations could include: the campaign period was shorter by several days; people carry less cash and are less likely to toss money in the kettles during warm winter weather.

Siena-Francis House

Exceeded internal December goal of $1 million by about $100,000. Fourth-quarter donations constitute 50 percent of the shelters budget.
When you think of Tahiti, you probably envision an exotic tropical island with palm trees swaying in balmy breezes as crystal clear waves gently lap onto pristine sand beaches.

Thats just what I found during a recent excursion to this island paradise. After nearly three weeks of touring, though, I discovered that Tahiti offers so much more.

Tahiti is not a single island but rather a chain of 118 islands and atolls known as French Polynesia. The island grouping covers an area in the South Pacific the size of Western Europe but has a landmass only slightly larger than Rhode Island. High, rugged mountain peaks, coral reefs, turquoise-blue lagoons, white sand, palm-fringed beaches, forests lush with flowers and luxuriously intimate resorts are a tourist's dream.

I toured the islands aboard the cruise ship the Marina, with ports of call including Fakarava (Fac-A-Rava), Rangiroa (Rang-Or-Ria), Huahine (Hoo-Na- Hiney), Moorea, Raiatea (Ri-A-Tea) and Bora Bora.

Fakarava has few inhabitants but is a visual feast for the eye. Awash with tropical flowers and plant life, its sweet fragrances are still with me. Rangiroa features the Vallee De La Vanille or Valley of Vanilla. We visited a vanilla plantation where the spice is harvested, dried and processed using centuries-old methods.

On Raiatea we visited Motu Pearl Village, where we learned that black pearls  rare and beautiful  are found only in Tahiti. Their cultivation is big business for the islands economy, and oyster bed protection and preservation is especially important.

Time in Tahiti would be incomplete without an ocean frolic, in which I indulged off the white sand beaches of Bora Bora. I splashed chest deep in crystal clear warm waters and marveled at the majestic volcanic peaks that surrounded the lagoon. Just when I began to think this must be the most beautiful place on earth, a small gray shark brushed up against my knee. Friends teased that I was the closest thing they had ever seen to a man walking on water. Only the ships pool water for me for the remainder of the trip!

Once you experience the serenity of Tahiti and the calm waters of the Pacific, you understand why celebrities flock here to escape Hollywoods hectic pace and why newlyweds select it as a honeymoon destination.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, TAHITI!

The Tahitian islands have a rich motion picture heritage  plus a strong Omaha connection. They entered American consciousness in 1932 with Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Halls novel "Mutiny of the Bounty," which chronicled the historic mutiny against British Royal Navy Lt. William Bligh. Movie adaptations of the infamous event came to theaters in 1933, 1935 (Best Picture), 1962 (Best Picture nominee) and 1984. Omaha native and Academy Award winner Marlon Brando played Bligh in the 1962 version and was so taken with Tahiti that he retired there, living first on Hauhine and then leasing the private island of Tetiaroa from the Tahitian government. Since his death in 2004, the island has been developed into a luxury resort fittingly called The Brando.

The fictional Bali Hai represents another of Tahitis famous Hollywood ties. It was the paradise mountain retreat that called out to American sailors in the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical "South Pacific," and although the movie was filmed in Hawaii, the mountain that depicted Bali Hai is on the Tahitian island of Moorea.

LIVING IN PARADISE

Tahitis signature overwater bungalows (including one that Marlon Brando called home) were a popular point of interest throughout our tour. Three American hotel owners known as The Bali Hai Boys first built the structures by taking traditional local Polynesian grass huts and setting them on concrete stilts over mesmerizing lagoons. Today, most resorts feature these as luxurious bungalows, suites and villas.

TIMING TAHITI

February, March and April are great months to visit. Summer is just beginning at this time of year in the South Pacific.

CRUISE TIPS

When planning any cruise vacation know that your chosen cruise line will bombard you with land tour offers for each of your stops. These offerings include shopping tours, historical tours, nature tours, etc. Typically, tour descriptions include levels of physical exertion so you know what to expect. Tips from my travels for getting the most value for your money:

1. Review the cruise lines promoted land tours and draw up a list of the top things you want to do and see.

2. Talk with local tour operators who approach you on the pier as you leave your ship and compare their offerings to your list and the ships excursion pricing.

3. Be comfortable with the tour operators command of English. (A great tour with a low price is of no value if you cant understand your guides commentary.)

4. Share a van with fellow travelers from your ship. If the port-of-call is small, invest in a $2 city map, find your points of interest and walk. You will get a great flavor of your destination and some needed exercise in light of the bountiful food provided on all cruise ships.

The writer is twice retired from careers in telecommunications and online retail sales. He currently works part time as a travel professional and senior sales associate for Landmark Luggage at One Pacific Place. His passion for cruising has taken him around the world.
If youre going to engage in a foreign policy capitulation, might as well do it when everyone is getting tanked and otherwise occupied. Say, New Years Eve.

Heres the story. In October, Iran test-fires a nuclear-capable ballistic missile in brazen violation of Security Council resolutions prohibiting such launches. President Obama does nothing. One month later, Iran does it again. The administration makes a few gestures at the U.N. Then nothing. Then finally, on Dec. 30, the White House announces a few sanctions.

They are weak, aimed mostly at individuals and designed essentially for show. Amazingly, even that proves too much. By 10 p.m. that night, the administration caves. The White House sends out an email saying that sanctions are off  and the Iranian president orders the military to expedite the missile program.

Is there any red line left? First, the Syrian chemical weapons. Then the administration insistence that there would be no nuclear deal unless Iran accounted for its past nuclear activities. (It didnt.) And unless Iran permitted inspection of its Parchin nuclear testing facility. (It was allowed self-inspection and declared itself clean.) And now, illegal ballistic missiles.

The premise of the nuclear deal was that it would constrain Iranian actions. Its had precisely the opposite effect. It has deterred us from offering even the mildest pushback to any Iranian violations lest Iran walk away and leave Obama legacy-less.

Just two weeks ago, Irans Revolutionary Guards conducted live-fire exercises near the Strait of Hormuz. It gave nearby U.S. vessels exactly 23 seconds of warning. One rocket was launched 1,500 yards from the USS Harry S. Truman.

Obamas response? None.

The Gulf Arabs  rich, weak and, since FDR, dependent on America for security  are bewildered. Theyre still reeling from the nuclear deal, which Obama declared would be unaffected by Iranian misbehavior elsewhere. The result was to assure Tehran that it would pay no price for its aggression in Syria and Yemen, subversion in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and support for terrorism.

Obama seems not to understand that disconnecting the nuclear issue gave the mullahs license to hunt in the region. For the Saudis, however, its not just blundering but betrayal. From the very beginning, theyve seen Obama tilting toward Tehran as he fancies himself Nixon in China, turning Iran into a strategic partner in managing the Middle East.

This is even scarier because it is delusional. If anything, Obamas openhanded appeasement has encouraged Irans regional adventurism and intense anti-Americanism.

The Saudis, sensing abandonment, are near panic. Hence the reckless execution of the firebrand Shiite insurrectionist, Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, that has brought the region to a boil. Iranians torched the Saudi Embassy. The Saudis led other Sunni states in breaking relations with Tehran.

The Saudis feel surrounded, and its not paranoia. To their north, Iran dominates a Shiite crescent stretching from Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to the Mediterranean. To the Saudi south, Iran has been arming Yemens Houthi rebels since at least 2009.

The danger is rising. For years, Iran has been supporting anti-regime agitation among Saudi Arabias minority Shiites. The Persian Gulf is Irans ultimate prize. The fall of the House of Saud would make Iran the undisputed regional hegemon and an emerging global power.

For the United States, that would be the greatest geopolitical setback since China fell to communism in 1949. Yet Obama seems oblivious. Worse, he appears inert in the face of the three great challenges to the post-Cold War American order. Iran is only the most glaring. China is challenging the status quo in the South China Sea, just last week landing its first aircraft on an artificial island hundreds of miles beyond the Chinese coast. We deny Chinas claim and declare these to be international waters, yet last month we meekly apologized when a B-52 overflew one of the islands. We said it was inadvertent.

The world sees and takes note. As it does our response to the other great U.S. adversary  Russia. Whats happened to Obamas vaunted isolation of Russia for its annexation of Crimea and assault on the post-Cold War European settlement? Gone. Evaporated. Kerry plays lapdog to Sergei Lavrov. Obama meets openly with Vladimir Putin in Turkey, then in Paris. And is now practically begging him to join our side in Syria.

There is no price for defying Pax Americana  not even trivial sanctions on Iranian missile-enablers. Our enemies know it. Our allies see it  and sense theyre on their own, and may not survive. Contact the writer at: letters@charleskrauthammer.com
Bombay HC hears actor Shiney Ahuja's appeal in rape case

India

oi-PTI

Mumbai, Jan 10: The Bombay High Court has taken up for final hearing an appeal filed by Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja against his conviction in a rape case.

The appeal came up for hearing on January 8 before Justice Abhay Thipsay, who heard briefly the arguments of Shiney's lawyers Ashok Mundargi and Manoj Mohite.

The lawyers said that the trial court had wrongly pronounced the actor guilty. Shiney was convicted in March 2011 by a Mumbai fast track court, which sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years term in jail for allegedly raping his maid at his home in 2009.

The actor had filed the appeal in 2012 when his lawyer sought expeditious hearing. However, the appeal came for final hearing only last week.

In his appeal, Shiney claimed that though the alleged victim had retracted her statement and denied the allegation of rape in the court during trial, the trial judge had wrongly convicted him in the case.

The defence lawyers argued that prosecution had relied on DNA and forensic tests which were full of infirmities. Mundergi said he would go into the details of the infirmities at a later stage of arguments.

The actor pleaded that the police had failed to seek the phone call data record of the maid, which, he said, would prove that the allegations against him were "wrong".

Also, the police did not rely on CCTV footage that supported his defence, Shiney claimed. In his appeal, the actor argued that the extent of bias against him was evident in the cross-examination of the investigating officer, who had deposed saying he "did not feel it necessary to investigate the CDR" or the footage.

The actor's appeal said the chain of custody of swabs, which is vital to a DNA test report in a criminal trial, was not followed. Moreover, a witness had stated that "there was no record of taking or giving seal" for the swab vial and the report on a swab in which no DNA was found had "disappeared".

Shiney's lawyers argued that the findings of the trial court were "contradictory and inconclusive". They said the chemical analyst had said in his deposition that "the DNA of the victim was not matched with the mixed sample as there was not enough sample to do the matching", while a doctor said "there was enough sample".

The actor was not present in the court during the arguments on January 8.

PTI
Jammu and Kashmir: Speculations rife as Congress cozies up to Mehbooba

India

oi-Vicky

Srinagar, Jan 10: There has been speculation galore following the meeting of Congress President, Sonia Gandhi and Peoples' Democratic Party Chief, Mehbooba Mufti.

Mehbooba is set to take over as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir following the death of her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The 20 minute meeting between Sonia Gandhi and Mehbooba has led to speculation.

While the Congress has rejected allegations that it is trying to enter into an alliance with the PDP in J&K, the BJP which is the alliance partner in the state too has said that there is no danger to the government.

Mehbooba is all set to take over as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP has said that it has no objection to the same. The BJP's Ram Madhav and Nitin Gadkari too met with Mehbooba following the death of Mufti Mohammad Syed. The two leaders however maintained that there was nothing political about the meeting.

Speculation rife:

It has been claimed by a section of the media that Mehbooba bas set some conditions for the BJP-PDP combine to continue in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has, however, rubbished these reports and stated that there is no threat to the coalition.

The coalition will continue and we support the candidature of Mehbooba as the CM, BJP sources said. The BJP leaders said that the meeting with Mehbooba was nothing political and they were only visiting her to pay their condolences.

The Congress too on the other hand maintained that they were only paying condolences and there was no political agenda behind the meetings.

Mehbooba on the other hand had decided to stay confined to her home for the next couple of days and will not make any statement.

She has indicated that she is mourning the death of her father. Until the mourning period is over, she will not take any decision or make any political statement, her party workers have said.

OneIndia News
Kharge vs Tharoor: Counting of votes today; Cong to get first non-Gandhi president in 24 years

No surprises here: Mallikarjun Kharge is the new Cong chief

Manish Tewari brings back 'controversial' 2012 Army troop movement debate: All you need to know

India

oi-Avinash

New Delhi, Jan 10: Congress leader Manish Tewari has once again revived the 2012 troop movement controversy after saying that a media report about two key army units moving towards Delhi without notifying the then UPA government was "unfortunate but true".

This statement from Tewari, the then union minister under UPA government, has sent the Congress party into a damage control mode which has rubbished his statement and said he is not an official spokesperson of the party.

Even, the then Army chief VK Singh, who is a union minister in the incumbent Modi government has also dismissed the Congress leader's statement saying he has no work these days.

Here is all that you need to know about 2012 troop movement:

Indian Express reported Army movement on April 2, 2012:

An Indian Express report on April 4, 2012, titled "The January night Raisina Hill was spooked: Two key Army units moved towards Delhi without notifying Govt."

According to The Indian Express report, central intelligence agencies had reported that on the night of January 16, 2012, there was an unexpected - and non-notified - movement by a key military unit from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar as a part of the 33rd Armoured Division (which is a part of 1 Corps, a strike formation based in Mathura and commanded by Lt Gen. AK Singh) in the direction of the capital.

On the same night, another unit - identified as a large element of the 50th Para Brigade based at Agra - had also been moved towards Delhi, according to the newspaper report. The alleged movement took place at a time when Singh was locked in a confrontation with the government in a row over his age.

"Distrust" between the Army and government?

The then DGMO Lt Gen AK Choudhary was, in 2014, quoted as saying, "There was misconception or there was perceptional difference or there may be distrust."

Choudhary said after he was quoted in an interview, saying that the then Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma had asked him to send the troops back as the government at the highest level was "worried" over this.

The movement of the troops was a "normal" exercise, Choudhary said, and the government immediately "understood" the issue after he explained the matter to them.

The then NSA rubbished reports:

When asked about this, the then NSA Shivshankar Menon said there was no distrust between the Army and government.

"I don't see there is distrust. How can I comment on something that I don't see. Because I am a civilian, I work very closely with the Army everyday. I don't see that," he said.

Defence Minister had denied such reports:

Defence Minister AK Antony Friday said the movement of two army units near Delhi in January 2012 was "a routine training programme". He denied there was any trust deficit between the government and the army in the wake of the age row concerning former army chief VK Singh.

Congress distances itself from Manish Tewari's remarks:

"Some troop movements are necessary, inbuilt and inevitable part of the defence mechanism. I'm again clarifying there is absolutely no truth in it," said Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

VK Singh snubs Tewari:

"Manish Tewariji has nothing to do these days. There is this book of mine, ask him to read it and every thing will be clear to him," Singh told reporters.

OneIndia News
BESCOM Recruitment 2022: Apply for 400 Apprentice posts; Check eligibility and more

Bengaluru: Woman falls off scooter, run over by bus

News Flash: India going to be a competitive federalism: Jaitley

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Bengaluru, Jan 10: Congress President Sonia Gandhi to visit Srinagar today.

Get all the latest news updates on major happenings of the day right here:

5.45 pm: We don't know the motive, but the fact is such a distrust did come up: Shekhar Gupta.

As far as we are concerned, we know the when and what of the story but we don't know why and how of the story: Shekhar Gupta  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

5.40 pm: What Manish Tewari said is a bold thing,better late than never: Shekhar Gupta (former Editor-in-Chief,Indian Express).

5.05 pm: After Start Up India, we are going to launch a new programme called Stand Up India: FM Arun Jaitley.

5.00 pm: In an integrated economy, a large number of those challenges and difficulties have spilled over into our own system also: FM Jaitley.

4.55 pm: India is not only going to be cooperative federalism but is also going to be competitive federalism: FM Arun Jaitley speaks at the CII Partnership Summit 2016 in Visakhapatnam.

Many of our competing economies are facing extremely serious challenges-FM Jaitley  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

4.40 pm: When I met Mufti sahab 1 month ago, we discussed many issues such as industrial development, infrastructure development in J&K: Nitin Gadkari.

4.26 pm: I met Mehbooba Mufti ji to express grief. It was not a political meet: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

My today's visit was to offer condolence to family from Central Govt &BJP-Nitin Gadkari after meeting Mehbooba Mufti pic.twitter.com/gWUunrCkEF  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

4.20 pm: Crime branch arrests two men in Bhopal for illegally converting air gun into point 22 rifles.

4.00 pm: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reached at Mehbooba Mufti's residence in Srinagar.

3.45 pm: Sonia Gandhi visit was just to offer prayer and condolence meeting,for what she had come: GN Azad, Congress

3.30 pm: Have nothing more to add or subtract to what I said yesterday: Manish Tewari on his claim on troop movement story.

3.15 pm: Congress President Sonia Gandhi reaches Srinagar to meet Mehbooba Mufti.

3.00 pm: Over 50% drop in air pollution primarily caused by vehicular traffic recorded according to latest ambient air data collected on 9 Jan: Delhi Govt.

2.40 pm: He can go on making a laughing stock of himself, thats upto him: Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP on M Tewari's claim.

2.30 pm: There is an unwritten rule of parliamentary etiquette,you do not disclose what is talked about inside a parliamentary committee: RS Prasad on Manish Tewari's claim.

2.20 pm: I was chairman of the defence committee, we were told that Army movement is a regular exercise: Satpal Maharaj.

2.15 pm: I was a Cabinet Minister, there has never been an incident when Army tried a coup: Virbhadra Singh, HP CM.

2.00 pm: If mobile operators can provide mobile services to villages, they can also provide better services: Telecom Minister RS Prasad on call drops.

But they should also ensure good service. If we have to be strict for the same, it will be done-Ravi Shankar Prasad,Telecom Minister  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

1.50 pm: I appreciate mobile companies for spreading mobile network in our country: Ravi Shankar Prasad, Telecom Minister.

1.40 pm: BJP President Amit Shah chairs BJP OBC Morcha meeting in Delhi.

BJP President Amit Shah chairs BJP OBC Morcha meeting in Delhi pic.twitter.com/j3i995Aqd2  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

1.30 pm: I met persons from Film division today. It has a glorious past, a vibrant present & will have even more vibrant future: I&B Secy Sunil Arora.

Third body was found in a cupboard-SK Gautam,Jt CP(Central Range)on Triple murder case in Delhi's Old Rajendra Nagar pic.twitter.com/AI6PcdTjuX  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

1.20 pm: Another body recovered from the residence where two bodies were earlier found in Delhi's Old Rajendra Nagar area

1.08 pm: Don't think any such discussion took place within standing committee on defence says MA Naqvi on Manish Tewari's claim.

12.42 pm: Man donates finger to Tirupati after bail to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case.

12.28 pm: Rahul Gandhi returns to India.

12.27 pm: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to meet Mehbooba Mufti at 2:30 pm in Srinagar today.

12 noon: Mehbooba Mufti & other family members visit grave of Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Bijbehara, Anantna.

11.40 am: Madrassas must hoist Tricolour on R-Day, says RSS body.

11.00 am: Double murder in Delhi's Old Rajendra Nagar area.

10.45 am: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar flags off "Walk for Health" walkathon in Mumbai.

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar flags off Walk for Health walkathon pic.twitter.com/Lq5f5Q9EUW  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

10.25 am: "Appointing such a person (VK Singh) as Union Minister a huge mistake. Good that this issue has surfaced again", says Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

10.00 am: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan flags off pollution awareness rally in Bhopal.

9.30 am: "It is utter lie by Mamata Banerjee that incident wasn't communal & was b/w BSF &mob", says BJP leader SN Singh Malda incident.

9.15 am: "Manish Tewari ji has nothing to do these days. There is this book of mine, ask him to read it and every thing will be clear to him", says MoS VK Singh.

Former Army Chief General VK Singh on Manish Tewari claims Indian Express troop movement story was correct.https://t.co/SV8bETukD2  ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

9.00 am: Powerful US B-52 bomber flies over South Korea amid standoff over North Korean nuclear test blast.

8.30 am: MHA issues directions,2-min silence be observed on every 30th Jan at 11am in memory of those who gave their lives in Indian freedom struggle.

8.15 am: Unidentified persons hurl crude bomb at Tamil Nadu State Minister Sellur K. Raju's office in Madurai.

8.00 am: Congress President Sonia Gandhi to visit Srinagar today, to offer condolences to late J&K CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's family.

7.45 am: Demolition of Mumbai's Hancock bridge begins. Suburban train services between CST & Byculla to remain suspended.

7.30 am: 3 dead after fire broke out in slum area of Delhi's New Usmanpur. Situation under control now.

OneIndia News
2 terrorists gunned down in an encounter in J&K's Anatnag

Jammu admin withdraws order allowing residents of more than 1 year to become voters

Kashmir edition of Kumaon Literary Festival to begin in Srinagar next week

Nitin Gadkari, Sonia Gandhi to visit Srinagar

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Srinagar, Jan 10: Union minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress president Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to visit Srinagar on Sunday to offer condolences to the family of late chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Gadkari will call on Mehbooba Mufti at the late chief minister's 'Fairview' residence on the Gupkar Road on Sunday.

"Gadkariji will also meet state party leaders to discuss the formation of new government in the state," BJP state spokesperson Khalid Jahangir told IANS.

A statement issued by the Congress party said Sonia Gandhi will visit Srinagar in the afternoon to offer her condolences to Mehbooba Mufti.

"Sonia Gandhi will fly back to New Delhi today (Sunday) itself. She will visit Gupkar Road residence of the late chief minister in the afternoon to offer condolences to Mehbooba Mufti," a Congress party functionary said.

The fourth day congregational prayers of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed will be offered on Sunday.

The first congregational prayer meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at the grave of the deceased in Dara Shikoh Park in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district.

At 1:30 p.m. another congregational prayer meeting will be held at the Gupkar Road residence of the Muftis in Srinagar.

After battling for his life for 14 days, Sayeed passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on January 7.

Following refusal of Mehbooba Mufti to be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state.

"After reaching concurrence from the president of India, Governor N.N. Vohra issued a notification today to impose Governor's Rule in the state," a Raj Bhavan spokesman said on Saturday.

The Governor's Rule has been imposed retrospectively with effect from January 8.

Last time the state was brought under the Governor's Rule was on December 23, 2014, after the state assembly election results threw up a hung verdict.

IANS
Pathankot: Mystery behind delay in launching attack solved

India

oi-Vicky

Bengaluru, Jan 10: The National Investigating Agency appears to have solved the mystery relating to the Pathankot attack.

Investigators were curious as to why the terrorists despite infiltrating the Pathankot air force station on January 1 2016 itself took 24 hours to launch the attack.

It may be recalled that two terrorists had infiltrated into the air force base on January 1 itself and the attack was launched on January 2, 3.30 AM after the four others reached the spot.

[Timeline of Pathankot terror attack]

NIA officials say that after the six terrorists infiltrated into India, it was decided that they would split up into groups of two. While two terrorists would reach the air base first, the rest were to join them in about half an hour.

As per their plan, the two terrorists reached the air base first on January 1 itself. However the other four took almost 24 hours to reach the air force station.

Delay mystery solved:

The NIA has learnt that the delay was due to communication gap between the two groups of terrorists. The terrorists were carrying a walkie-talkie with them to communicate with each other.

They had two sets of walkie-talkies with them. While two terrorists with their walkie-talkie reached the base, the remaining four were in the car of the Superintendent of police.

The four terrorists while disembarking from the vehicle of the SP forgot to take the walkie- talkie with them. It was only later that they may have realised that they had forgotten their communication device.

Due to this there was a gap in communicating with the two terrorists already at the base.

While the four terrorists took a lot of time to find their way to the base, the remaining two waited for them.

It was only at around 3 AM on January 2 the four terrorists were able to make contact with the remaining two after they reached the base. The attack began at 3.30 am. While the two terrorists provided cover fire, the remaining tried to infiltrate the base.

OneIndia News
Pathankot probe: Slain taxi driver didn't know what he was walking into

India

oi-Vicky

Pathankot, Jan 10: The taxi driver Ikagar Singh who was killed by the terrorists who carried out the Pathankot terrorist attack had no idea of what he was walking into.

It may be recalled that Singh was found dead with his throat slit a few hours after the terrorists infiltrated into India from Pakistan.

Investigating officials tell OneIndia that prima facie there is no evidence to suggest that Singh had helped the terrorists. [Timeline of Pathankot terror attack]

He received a call from a Pakistan number late on December 31 2015 and was told that he needed urgently shift a patient to the hospital. He even informed his family members about the same and set out in the night at 9.30 pm.

Singh was unaware he was picking up terrorists:

The suspicion around Singh was because there were at least 8 calls made from his cell phone at an interval of every half an hour to Pakistan.

At first investigators suspected that he may have lied to his family before setting out. Now it has been found that he was fooled by the terrorists.

Moreover, immediately after he picked up the terrorists, he was slain by them. The terrorists then used his cell phone to make the calls to the numbers in Pakistan. The investigators have probed deep into this matter and prima facie found not evidence against him.

The call records of Singh and his movements over the past two years have been verified. He had no contact with any of the drug smugglers who are believed to have helped the terrorists infiltrate.

Moreover, his location and movement details do not suggest that he was near the border areas.

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Story first published: Sunday, January 10, 2016, 8:35 [IST]
What does the US actually want in Syria?

39 killed in Syria air strike

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Damascus, Jan 10: At least 39 people were killed on Saturday when an airstrike targeted a prison in a rebel-held area in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, a monitor group reported.

The warplane targeted the prison compound and the courthouse of the town of Maret al-Numan with four rockets, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog said that civilians and inmates as well as rebels were among those killed in the air strike, adding that some of the wounded are in critical condition.

Other activists said the warplane that struck the prison of Maret al-Numan and the courthouse there was Russian, adding that the city is under the control of the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

The local coordination committees said the four Russian airstrikes targeted a popular marketplace and the vicinity of the courthouse in Maret al-Numan, killing 51 people. The opposition report cannot be independently verified.

Much of Idlib fell to the Jaish al-Fateh rebel group, which consists of several rebel factions, mainly the Nusra Front.

Russian warplanes have been pounding rebel positions in Syria since last September, which is by Syrian officials as effective.

IANS
Powerful US bomber flies over South Korea as standoff deepens

International

oi-PTI

Osan Air Base, Jan 10: A powerful US B-52 bomber flew low over South Korea on Sunday, a clear show of force from the United States as a Cold War-style standoff deepened between its ally Seoul and North Korea following Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will read the fly-over of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons seen by an Associated Press photographer at Osan Air Base near Seoul as a threat.

Any hint of America's nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the United States to topple its authoritarian government.

The B-52 was joined by South Korean F-15 and US F-16 fighters and returned to its base in Guam after the flight, the US military said.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," said Adm.

Harry B. Harris Jr., commander US Pacific Command, in a statement. "North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations."

The B-52 flight follows a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to celebrate the country's widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test. Kim is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world and to boost his domestic political goals.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea's state media to the B-52 fly-over, which also happened after North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013. Kim's first public comments about last week's test came in a visit to the country's military headquarters, where he called the explosion "a self-defensive step" meant to protect the region "from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists," according to a dispatch Sunday from state-run Korean Central News Agency.

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize," Kim was reported as saying during his tour of the People's Armed Forces Ministry. The tone of Kim's comments, which sought to glorify him and justify the test, is typical of state media propaganda.

But they also provide insight into North Korea's long-running argument that it is the presence of tens of thousands of US troops in South Korea and Japan, and a "hostile" US policy that seeks to topple the government in Pyongyang, that make North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons absolutely necessary.

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9 JAN, 2015 - HeliScope PNG, a Port Moresby based helicopter operator, along with The Yulai Landowners Association Inc., today signed a landmark Joint Venture Agreement. The  HeliYulai  Joint Venture proposes to provide world-class helicopter services to the Goilala region and Tolukuma area. The joint venture seeks to actively involve and provide opportunities for the local Goilala people through employment and training. Initially, two local graduates will travel to Australia for specialist training as load masters and certified rigging experts. As business grows, several more local recruits will undergo training in logistics management. In addition to providing local employment and training, a percentage of the revenue from HeliScope PNGs flights in the Goilala Region and Tolukuma area will be allocated to community projects governed by the Yulai Landowners Association.

Present at the signing of the  HeliYulai  Joint Venture was a Representative from the Central Provincial Government, Tolukuma Gold Mine Management team. Three local Clan Leaders from Hameng, Yaulo, and Yangam were also witness to the landmark agreement.

Giles Rooney, CEO of HeliScope PNG commented. "It's very exciting to be involved with the Yulai Landowners Association, we have worked hard with them to ensure the arrangement serves the client well and the community well, he said. I believe its a sustainable plan for everyone involved.

Giles started his aviation career at an early age in PNG before leaving to fly internationally. "Its very rewarding to be able to come back to where I started long ago and give something back to the country and province where my career began."

Yulai Landowners Chairman George Gusi added. "We are very pleased now to have a working interest in the aviation sector for our area. The community will very much benefit from this agreement going forward, he said. Having the local people involved at this level is very exciting for us.





HELISCOPE PNG

HeliScope PNG is a helicopter charter company based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. HeliScope specialises in drilling support, heavy lift operations, telecommunications tower construction, seismic support services, oil and gas exploration, mining and surveying support, aeromedical search and rescue, passenger transport and VIP Charter.




The world bank has released the following information for Regional Economy Overview





Recent developments: Growth in the East Asia and Pacific region slowed to an estimated 6.4% in 2015 from 6.8% the previous year, because of continued growth deceleration in China and in commodity exporters, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Despite the slowdown in commodity exporters, growth in the region excluding China was broadly flat (4.6% in 2015), thanks to strong performance in commodity importers, especially in Vietnam and the Philippines, and a moderate recovery in Thailand.





In China, the largest economy of the area, policies aimed at rebalancing growth and reducing debt in some sectors of the economy contributed to an easing of growth to 6.9% in 2015 from 7.3% in 2014. The slowdown was especially pronounced in the real estate and manufacturing sectors, while activity in the services sectors held up well. This was accompanied by episodes of financial market volatility and a steep stock market correction over the summer.





Despite accommodative monetary policy in advanced economies, external financing conditions tightened in EAP countries in 2015, particularly for commodity exporters and countries with significant financing needs.





Outlook: Growth in the East Asia and Pacific region is projected to slow to 6.3% in 2016, with Chinas expansion expected to ease to 6.7%. The region excluding China is anticipated to see growth accelerate modestly in 2016 to 4.8%.





Slowing growth in China is expected to offset a modest pickup in growth among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year. The region is expected to benefit from the strengthening recovery in advanced economies, low energy prices, improved political stability, and continued favorable conditions in global financial markets, despite anticipated monetary policy tightening in the United States.





Growth in Indonesia is projected to pick up to 5.3% in 2016 from 4.7%, provided reforms are implemented to encourage investment and boost productivity. Growth in Malaysia could slow to 4.5% in 2016 from 4.7% on slowing domestic demand. Growth in Thailand is expected to slow to 2% in 2016 from 2.5% in 2015 as high household debt holds back consumption and export growth is subdued.





Growth in the Philippines is expected to accelerate to 6.4% in 2016 from 5.8% in 2015 as public-private partnerships and government spending spur activity. Vietnam is projected to grow at a faster 6.6% from 6.5% in 2015 due to rapid investment growth, consumption growth, and export growth.





Risks: Risks to the outlook include a faster-than-expected slowdown in China. The possibility of greater financial market volatility and restricted credit are also risks to growth. A steep appreciation of the value of the U.S. dollar and a slower-than-expected acceleration of high income economies would also dent growth prospects in the region.





For policy makers in China, a key short-term challenge is to rebalance the economy towards a more consumption- and services-based growth model while limiting financial vulnerabilities. Countries that are heavily reliant on trade with China may need to diversify their economies.





Some countries in the region, such as Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam, will need to deal with high budget deficits. Countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Mongolia would benefit from lesser reliance on commodity-related revenues. State-owned enterprise reforms, including measures to strengthen transparency and governance, would reduce contingent fiscal risks in China, Thailand and Vietnam. Deepening regional trade and investment would boost economic activity and create jobs. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade accord, if implemented, would lift trade and growth in the region.


























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Look at the fraud: A long held goal by some is to break teacher unions in Indiana. In the last decade, a slew of out-of-state corporate funders have pushed bills aimed at weakening teachers voices and their ability to collectively advocate for the needs of kids. A legislator has filed a bill that would further this agenda under the pretense of addressing the states teacher shortage. Ravitch says about this: "That means that any increased pay will be taken away from other teachers. This is a way to break the unions and to create divisiveness in the schools, in place of collaboration. If you live in Indiana, get active to stop this bad idea. The link shows you how to take action."
Rose Hamid, a 56-year-old flight attendant, was removed from Donald Trump's rally Friday night while silently protesting, one of several disruptions to occur during the Republican presidential candidate's event. Hamid, who wore a shirt reading Salam I Come In Peace and a yellow "Muslim" star, a reference to the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany, told CNN later that she attended the event with peaceful intentions. "I have this sincere belief that if people get to know each other, one on one, that they'll stop being afraid of each other and we'll be able to get rid of all this hate in the world, literally," Hamid told CNN's Don Lemon. "So that was really my goal, was to let people see that Muslims are not that scary."
They sit in a semi-circle, fully attentive. Some wear hijab, looking like Botticelli-painted nuns. Others reveal their hair, perhaps a headscarf wrapped loosely around their necks. Some are married and mothers, some are single, one is a foreign student earning her Ph.D. studying art as social commentary among Middle Eastern women. A few are struggling to find their way to feminism in a Middle East context while others celebrate their arrival into the world of like-minded women. They are studying for a master's degree at the University of Jordan in Amman, where I was invited to speak about the history of the women's movement in America and beyond.

The young women gazing at me remind me of something I have known since I became engaged in, and committed to, feminism: The world is full of feminists, fledging or fully developed. They reside in every continent and community and likely have been there for a long time, although we may not have called them that in their day. They remind me too of women I met in Nairobi at the final UN Decade for Women conference in 1985, some who came knowing they would be severely punished when they returned home, and yet they came, 14,000 strong.

They remind me of women I met in Beijing ten years later at the Fourth World Conference on Women, some of whom came with male chaperones, and yet they came, 40,000 strong. They remind me of women who came to give testimony, to offer analysis through the lens of gender, to speak truth to power, to inspire and advise others.

Women in the thousands -- each representing many more from their communities - came to these places far away from home to address issues of poverty, violence, human rights, the environment, economic security, peace, justice and more. They came because as one feminist said, "It is clear that the world we live in is driving us mad by limiting our possibilities and insisting on our second class status." They came to declare that "We are here, there and everywhere, and we are not going away."

The women I met in Jordan reminded me of the diversity of feminists and "feminisms," and of the ways in which all feminists make a difference. Laila al-Atrash, for example, is a novelist and media figure recognized by the Arab Human Report as a writer who has influenced her society in meaningful ways. Her works have been incorporated into university curricula and adapted as movies.

Rula Quawas, the professor of American Literature and Feminist Theory who invited me to Jordan, founded the Women's Studies Center at the university in 2006 and served as its director for two years. "I look at the classroom as a site of resistance," she says. "We discuss, debate, raise awareness. We need to ensure that grassroots women know what is going on and that they are no longer silent or silenced. It is essential they be part of the fabric of society," says the beloved teacher. Four of her students recently produced a documentary video about sexual harassment on the campus of their university. It was considered an outrage by many people. Dr. Quawas and her students were threatened, but their courage opened a dialogue that never would have occurred had she and her students not brought the matter to light.

Rawan Ibrahim, an academic in social work who attended high school in Vermont, is researching the stigmatization that many orphans face in Jordan, especially the circumstances of those born out of wedlock. She works to change attitudes and provide social services to this vulnerable population. She also works to support the Jordanian government's effort to deinstitutionalize children through the development of the first formal foster care program in the region.

Then there is Abeer Alshroof, a young woman who with her husband is active in an initiative designed to help orphans and underprivileged families secure basic necessities. "One of our main purposes is to see that the children continue their education instead of having to work in order to help their families," Abeer says. "We want the children to know that they be whatever they want and that poverty will not stand in their way."

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Statism as a left or right wing philosophy is very intoxicating. I have a saying that there is nothing wrong with authoritarianism if it is MY authoritarianism represented. Many people dream of this today and have dreamed of it for thousands of years to the time of the caveman who wanted the women and goods of the neighbor cave and make their neighbor their slave or dinner.



All of us humans have a desire for power. It isnt evident in some people and wholly evident in others. For our survival we feel the need to have power over someone else, and too much power in the hands of too few is tyranny.



Let us remember that Adolf Hitler was elected to his position. Not a majority but a plurality and he and his political movement seized control of the nation in a short period of time, and almost destroyed their nation in the process. Stalin and his thugs killed at least twice as many people as Hitler. Same with Pol Pot and to a lesser degree bunches more of thugs and dictators making their authoritarianism known and feared.



This is why we must resist the idea of a BIG government. This is what the United States has now, a huge, gargantuan government which is ran by corrupt politicians of two very similar political parties in collusion with each other. People do not vote, the power goes into the very few (who both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton represent) and the country slides into authoritarianism, until the people rise up. But rising up is not necessarily heroic either, since lots of people have risen up against repressive government, just to install, opps, another repressive government (China is a good example of this, so was 1960's-1970's Cambodia and Vietnam).



This is happening now in the USA, a divergence of politics, with a rising left wing and right wing who are not beyond intimidation, threats and even violence to get what they want. Both sides expouse really lunatic ideas and solutions. Many times they know the problem but fail in the solutions. 2 plus 2 is 5. Although it is wrong, these people will fight to the death to make it right. With all this goofiness and again, lunacy supported by the media, government and the mega wealthy to do their agenda while everyone else really isnt looking (too busy arguing about guns, Stormy Daniels, Kim Kardashian and MS-13) to notice.



Authoritarianism will always be around. Just a sickness of humanity. We humans are slow learners and we humans will keep continuing to murder each other for fun and profit.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of exploiting a shooting attack in Tel Aviv on New Year's Day to intensify a campaign of incitement against the country's large minority of Palestinian citizens.

Palestinian leaders in Israel have also harshly criticized the police for making sweeping arrests of Nashat Melhem's relatives in what they believe is an attempt to pressure him into turning himself in.

Melhem, aged 29, is reported to have been on the run since two Israeli Jews were gunned down in a bar in central Tel Aviv last Friday. He is also suspected of killing a taxi driver -- like Melhem, a member of Israel's Palestinian minority -- during his getaway.

The motive for the attacks is not yet known.

Netanyahu made a speech the day after the attack in which he implied that many of Israel's 1.6 million Palestinian citizens, one in five of the population, were either complicit in, or approved of, the killings.

"Whoever wants to be Israeli must be Israeli all the way," he said at a candle-lighting ceremony at the scene of the two deaths. "I will not accept two states within Israel -- a state of law for most citizens and a state within a state with Islamist incitement and illegal arms."

Calling on Muslim citizens to follow a path of peace rather than hatred, he said: "We all know that there is wild incitement of radical Islam against the state of Israel within the Muslim sector."

Arab MPs, he demanded, had to condemn the attack "without hesitation or rhetorical phrasing."

As part of the manhunt, police raided lodgings in Tel Aviv housing Arab students, apparently without search warrants. In some cases, the doors were broken down, officers entered with weapons drawn, and rooms were ransacked.

Concerns have been raised about whether Tel Aviv university handed over students' information to enable racial profiling by the police.

Ayman Odeh, head of the Arab-dominated Joint List, the third largest party in the Israeli parliament, told Middle East Eye that Netanyahu had "incited against an entire public, portraying the Arab population as criminals."

He added that the arrest of Melhem's father and brother, lengthy interrogations of his mother and sister, and the raids on student homes were all forms of "collective punishment" by the police.

"I cannot remember any case in which a Jew has committed a crime, however severe, and family members were arrested as a means of pressuring the suspect," he said.

"The price should be paid by the criminal, not his near or distant relations, and certainly not the entire Arab public."

Melhem is suspected of shooting dead Alon Bakal, manager of the Simta bar in Tel Aviv, and customer Shimon Ruimi, as well as injuring several others, on Friday 1 January. The body of a taxi driver, Amin Shaaban, was found in a suburb of northern Tel Aviv a short time later.
Reprinted from Counterpunch





Here's your U.S. foreign policy quiz for the day:

Question 1 -- How many governments has the United States overthrown or tried to overthrow since the Second World War?

Answer -- 57 (See William Blum.)

Question 2 -- How many of those governments had nuclear weapons?

Answer -- 0

Does that mean North Korea needs nuclear weapons to deter US aggression?

Yes and no. Yes, nuclear weapons are a credible deterrent but, no, that's not why North Korea set off a hydrogen bomb last Tuesday. The reason North Korea detonated the bomb was to force the Obama administration to sit up and take notice. That's what this is all about. North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, wants the US to realize that they're going to pay a heavy price for avoiding direct negotiations. In other words, Kim is trying to pressure Obama back to the bargaining table.

Unfortunately, Washington isn't listening. They see the North as a threat to regional security and have decided that additional sanctions and isolation are the best remedies. The Obama administration thinks they have the whole matter under control and don't need to be flexible or compromise, which is why they are opting for sticks over carrots. In fact, Obama has refused to conduct any bilateral talks with the North unless the North agrees beforehand to abandon its nuclear weapons programs altogether and allow weapons inspectors to examine all their nuclear facilities. This is a non-starter for the DPRK. They see their nuclear weapons program as their "ace in the hole," their only chance to end persistent US hostility.

Now if we separate the "hydrogen bomb" incident from the longer historic narrative dating back to the Korean War, it's possible to twist the facts in a way that makes the North look like the "bad guy," but that's simply not the case. In fact, the reason the world is facing these problems today is because of US adventurism in the past. Just as ISIS emerged from he embers of the Iraq War, so too, nuclear proliferation on the Korean peninsula is a direct result of failed US foreign policy in the '50s.

US involvement in the Korean War precluded a final settlement, which means the war never really ended. An armistice agreement that was signed on July 27, 1953, ended the hostilities, but a "final peaceful settlement" was never achieved, so the nation remains divided today. The reason that matters is because the US still has 15 military bases in South Korea, 28,000 combat troops, and enough artillery and missiles to blow the entire country to smithereens. The US presence in South Korea effectively prevents the reunification of the country and a final conclusion to the war unless it is entirely on Washington's terms. Bottom line: Even though the cannons have stopped firing, the war drags on, thanks in large part to the ongoing US occupation.

So how can the North normalize relations with the US if Washington won't talk to them and, at the same time, insists that the North abandon the weapons program that is their only source of leverage? Maybe they should do an about-face, meet Washington's demands, and hope that by extending the olive branch relations will gradually improve. But how can that possibly work, after all, Washington wants regime change so it can install a US puppet that will help create another capitalist dystopia for its corporate friends. Isn't that the way US interventions usually turn out? That's not compromise, it's suicide.

And there's another thing too: The leadership in Pyongyang knows who they're dealing with, which is why they've taken the hardline. They know the US doesn't respond to weakness, only strength. That's why they can't cave in on the nukes project. It's their only hope. Either the US stands down and makes concessions or the stalemate continues. Those are the only two possible outcomes.

It's worth noting, that before Syria, Libya, Iraq, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Vietnam and the long catalogue of US bloodbaths across the decades, there was the Korean War. Americans have swept it under the rug, but every Korean, North and South, knows what happened and how it ended. Here's a short refresher that explains why the North is still wary of the US 63 years after the armistice was signed. The excerpt is from an article titled "Americans have forgotten what we did to North Korea," at Vox World:
It happened on Black Friday 2014 at the Nordstrom's store on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, nestled between the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building and Trump International Hotel & Tower . Horrified shoppers watched as store employee Nadia Ezaldein was shot in the head as she worked at the accessories counter by estranged ex-boyfriend Marcus Dee who then turned the gun on himself. Ezaldein was a 22-year-old University of Chicago student who had dated the gunman. Black Friday was her birthday. She died the next day.



Like many who kill intimate partners, Dee was known as a loose cannon and a bully. In 2007, a woman who had dated him sought an order of protection from him but did not follow through, not wanting to escalate the situation. "He would basically threaten your family or threaten your friends," she told the press. Ezaldein's sister corroborated Dee's use of collective punishment threats. "He called the entire family, consistently texting," she recalled and he threatened Ezaldein that he would hurt or kill himself.

Six days before the murder, police confirmed that Dee attacked a friend of Ezaldein's at a party, causing a concussion and broken facial bones and he was due to appear in police line-up.

Like many victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), Ezaldein did not request an order of protection and was reportedly still friendly with Dee. Since Dee was the son of Chicago police officers, some speculate Ezaldein thought an order of protection would go nowhere. But Ezaldein's sister requested an order of protection from Dee (ironically in response to an order of protection he sought against her) which claimed that Dee "cracked Ezaldein's ribs, broke her jaw, ripped her clothing, stabbed her jacket with a switch knife, ripped her boots, bruised her lip, threw her clothing out the window and put a gun in her mouth." Judges denied both protection orders the day they were filed.

While the Michigan Avenue Nordstrom's was tidied up and open for holiday shopping the next day, nine months later the same gruesome series of events occurred in another downtown Chicago location. Police say 44-year-old Alma B. Hernandez was murdered in broad daylight at the AmeriCash Loans where she worked, by her live-in boyfriend Richard Idrovo. Only a month earlier, police had been summoned to the couple's Chicago suburban home because of a domestic disturbance caused Hernandez' attempt to leave the relationship.

More than one third of women murdered in the US are killed by male intimate partners and the brazen murders expose several disturbing truths about domestic violence. First, almost everyone--the victim, the victim's family, law enforcement, neighbors, coworkers--can see the murders coming but seem unable to prevent them: restraining orders are either not requested or fail. Second, they do not always occur behind closed doors but can occur in busy places where others become victims. (Between 2011 and 2015, women in six different beauty parlors were shot by irate gunmen seeking to harm their partners--and 17 died. Several of the gunmen were under orders of protection.)

Third, the murders are frequently sparked by a woman trying to exit an abusive relationship. And last, the killers are often legal gun owners despite their hot tempers and histories of domestic abuse. Richard Idrovo, who killed his girlfriend at the AmeriCash Loan store, was even a legal concealed gun carrier. Men can certainly also suffer from IVP though the victims are six times more likely to be women.

Ask law enforcement officers what their most dangerous calls are and they will tell you "DV" or domestic violence because of the extreme, unpredictable emotions. Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence, is often associated with drugs and alcohol and sparked by a perpetrator's "abandonment fears" when a partner tries to leave.

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Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob Kall's Bottom Up is a revaluation of values, not the empty mouthing of the word 'democracy' that is so common, but the application of belief in popular wisdom to every aspect of life. Actually believing that the views of more people is better, means a new way of thinking about the world that is democratic, feminist, localist, populist, and radically richer than the elitist perspectives that are more common even in the parts of the world that shout the word 'democracy' the most. Here we come to understand both the power of small groups and the upsides to internet crowd sourcing, the potential of nonviolent movements and ways in which the past has not been what we supposed. Don't just read this book; get lots of people to read and talk about it."



David Swanson, host, Talk Nation Radio, author of War No More: The Case for Abolition.
Reprinted from Smirking Chimp

Early Thursday, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Flint Mayor Karen Weaver met in Lansing to discuss how the city and the state will manage the ongoing lead contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan.

On Tuesday, Governor Snyder declared a state of emergency for Genesee County, the county surrounding Flint.

After today's meeting, Snyder spoke generally about setting up an inter-governmental agency group to work with the State Emergency Operations Center.

He also admitted that this "should have never happened."

But what he never really addressed -- is why this is happening to begin with.

And that's probably because the blame lies squarely on Snyder's shoulders, and because he knows that he should probably to go to jail for it.

The whole story starts back in 2011, when a new financial emergency management law in the state took effect, allowing Governor Snyder to unilaterally ignore democratically-elected mayors and city councils, and appoint little dictators called "emergency managers" in cities and districts that were in financial trouble.

In other words, it gave Governor Snyder the authority to appoint city dictators to "cut costs" and "balance budgets."

For Governor Snyder and his appointed dictators, as good Republicans, that means doing whatever it takes to gut spending on essential services, and privatizing everything else of value off to their billionaire buddies.

In Flint, that meant that back in April of 2014 the city switched its water source from the Detroit Water system, which comes from Lake Huron, and instead started using the Flint River for its municipal water.

The problem is: Flint has been the home of General Motors since 1908, and it was one of the biggest car manufacturing towns in the country, until Bill Clinton's so-called "free trade" killed much of the US auto-industry in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Those factories used Flint River water for manufacturing, and for waste disposal.

So the Flint River has been the site of industrial processing ever since 1908, and it doesn't take much to realize that over a century later, the river is hardly suitable for drinking.

Filmmaker and Flint-native Michael Moore put it plainly in a letter addressed to the governor yesterday.

He explained that "[Gov. Rick Snyder] cut off the clean, fresh glacial lake water of Lake Huron that the citizens of Flint ["] had been drinking for decades and, instead, made them drink water from the industrial cesspool we call the Flint River, a body of "water" where toxins from a dozen General Motors and DuPont factories have been dumped for over a hundred years."
Many westerners are understandably disillusioned with Western policies and culture (largely led by the US), both of which have degenerated. The former into unabashed imperialism, militarism (both at home and abroad), and oligarchy and the latter into crass consumerism, sexual exhibitionism and social alienation. Consequently, many of these people are looking for something.

Enter into this picture, Russian president Vladimir Putin -- pointing out the tragic folly of western policies (again, largely led by Washington) on the world stage in public forums, countering said folly with a combination of diplomacy and limited military actions in reaction to western provocations and general mess-making. Simultaneously, in the search for social glue, Putin has encouraged a re-discovery of Russia's pre-Soviet cultural heritage, with the Orthodox Church playing a significant role and Russians' social conservatism acknowledged. All this reflects the concept of boundaries, rootedness and order where the west seems to have long-forgotten each in the arrogant belief it doesn't need them.

There is also a strong sense of duty and loyalty that Putin personally values -- sometimes to an extreme. These qualities make him attractive to western conservatives, despite the fact that in many ways he is a statist.

In previous writings, I have debunked a number of myths propagated by the western mainstream media that portray Putin as some archetypal monster-villain, Hitler-Stalin-Al Capone-and KGB assassin all rolled into one slipper.

But in my perusal of a wide range of alternative media sites and their comments sections, I have observed another trend, with a segment of people who are viewing Putin as some kind of Messiah figure. Whether right, left or libertarian, these people are justifiably fed up with American empire, propaganda, and the resulting detritus. However, just like the demonizers, some of these people lack nuance and complexity in their analyses and often have little understanding of Russian culture, political history, and the current complex dynamics in the Kremlin which all factor into who Putin is and his decision-making.

I hate to break it to these people, but Putin is not looking to save the world.

Putin is, first and foremost, a Russian patriot and pragmatist who's top priorities are the security and stability of Russia as well as improving Russians' living standards. Anyone who has an understanding of Russian geography and history immediately comprehends these priorities and why they resonate with the Russian people, who overwhelmingly believe that Putin is a good leader, whatever his flaws admittedly may be.

Putin wants to stop Washington's regime change madness in Ukraine and the Middle East because it is seriously destabilizing an area that is in Russia's backyard and, if left unchecked, has the potential to destabilize Russia directly in the future. To the extent that Putin's policies countering the Washington empire may lead to a more peaceful and stable world in the future, it is an ancillary benefit and not necessarily Putin's primary goal.

Putin believes that a multi-polar world with more equitable development and decision-making will provide the conditions in which his three priorities for Russia have the best chance of being fulfilled.

Putin has a history of trying to achieve his real goals using diplomacy and accommodation with the west that is meant to be reciprocal of each party's interests. For example, after the 9/11 attacks, Putin was the first world leader to call president Bush to offer his condolences and support. His reasoning was 2-fold: one, he saw the U.S. and Russia as having a mutual interest in fighting Islamist terrorism; second, he knew that he had a tall order in successfully addressing the many profound problems facing Russia at the time, which included a cratered economy, massive crime and corruption, and the worst mortality crisis since WWII. He would need to put as much time, energy and resources as he could muster into the project of rehabilitating his country -- which meant not wasting precious time, energy and resources in unnecessary conflict with the world's lone superpower. Going against the advice of most of his security team, he provided logistical and intelligence support as well as access to temporary military bases on behalf of the U.S. operation in Afghanistan.

In return for this assistance, Putin received the equivalent of a swift kick in the shins from the Neocon Bush administration in the form of a unilateral withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty to pursue a "missile defense shield" in 2002 and the accession of 7 more nations of Eastern Europe into NATO in 2004.

Seemingly undeterred, in 2008, Putin ordered the Russian Foreign Ministry to draft a proposal that Dmitry Medvedev took to Brussels, outlining a security plan that would cover all of the Euro-atlantic community and Russia, obviating the need for NATO's continued existence, much less its expansion.

The preamble states that:

"the use of force or the threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other way inconsistent with the goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations is inadmissible in their mutual relations, as well as international relations in general.

It also reiterates the intent to cooperatively address any security concerns that may arise among members:

Intending to build effective cooperation mechanisms that could be promptly activated with a view to solving issues or differences that might arise, addressing concerns and adequately responding to challenges and threats in the security sphere.


Hearing before the Hearing Board of the South Coast AQMD

(Image by Carl Petersen) Details DMCA



There is no doubt that government officials and the bureaucrats that they employ have failed the residents of Porter Ranch and the problem was not that Sempra Energy was too highly regulated. Natural gas has been leaking uncontrolled from an antiquated well since at least October 23, and "it does not appear that Southern California Gas violated any regulations."

In the Citizen's United ruling, the Supreme Court sanctioned an electoral system that can be equated with legalized bribery. Charter schools, gun manufacturers, utility companies and other businesses all have enough money to pour into elections so that the candidates they support are given an advantage in elections. Sitting politicians are afraid to act against the interests of these groups for fear of a well-funded opponent in the next election cycle. This results in watered-down regulations and elected officials who are dissuaded from taking actions that would be in the best interests of their constituents. In this environment, it is not surprising that government officials in Porter Ranch ignored the complaints of local residents until they were forced by overwhelming evidence, and press coverage, to acknowledge a developing environmental disaster.

As the details of the conditions that led to the leak come into focus it is clear that it is part of Sempra Energy's business plan to do the least that government requires of them and that the marketplace has little need to put the safety of California residents first. In 1976, SS-25 was already an aging well and it was found that its subsurface safety valve was leaking. Since it "was not easy to find a new part..the company opted not to replace it" and, by doing so, made the well less safe. The company ignored the potential consequences to the surrounding community because regulations did not require them to replace the valve as SS-25 was not a "critical" well. Forty years later it is probably safe to assume that the Southern California Gas Company customers, along with the residents of Porter Ranch, will be forced to pay the price for this lack of regulation.

As the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) takes its place in line to flex its regulatory muscle after the fact, they have negotiated "an order for abatement upon stipulation" with Sempra Energy that will take effect upon approval by the Hearing Board of the South Coast AQMD. At the public hearing before this Board, the company requested that this approval be granted as quickly as possible so that they can start to implement the stipulations contained in this agreement. If the company was really concerned with doing the right thing and the negotiated settlement is truly in the best interests of the residents, they would not need to wait for this approval. The company would have already put these measures into place in a marketplace that truly worked in favor of the citizens.

Porter Ranch home prices have already taken a hit as this environmental crisis drags on. There are reports of banks refusing to approve mortgages and potential buyers dropping out of escrow. It is hoped that prices will recover once the leak is finally stopped, but this assumes that potential buyers will ignore the other wells operating at the field. The cat is already out of the bag and the only way to put it back in is to update regulations so that the protection of the residents is not superseded by the profits of Sempra Energy. After all, the company has already proven they will not regulate themselves.

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I am a former candidate for the District 3 seat on the LAUSD School Board, founder of Change The LAUSD and member of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. Opinions are my own.
Reprinted from Sputnik

Desperation does not even begin to describe the current plight of the House of Saud.





Riyadh was fully aware the beheading of respected Saudi Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr was a deliberate provocation bound to elicit a rash Iranian response.

The Saudis calculated they could get away with it; after all they employ the best American PR machine petrodollars can buy, and are viscerally defended by the usual gaggle of nasty US neo-cons.

In a post-Orwellian world "order" where war is peace and "moderate" jihadis get a free pass, a House of Saud oil hacienda cum beheading paradise -- devoid of all civilized norms of political mediation and civil society participation -- heads the UN Commission on Human Rights and fattens the US industrial-military complex to the tune of billions of dollars while merrily exporting demented Wahhabi/Salafi-jihadism from MENA (Middle East-Northern Africa) to Europe and from the Caucasus to East Asia.

And yet major trouble looms. Erratic King Salman's move of appointing his son, the supremely arrogant and supremely ignorant Prince Mohammad bin Salman to number two in the line of succession has been contested even among Wahhabi hardliners.

But don't count on petrodollar-controlled Arab media to tell the story.

English-language TV network Al-Arabiyya, for instance, based in the Emirates, long financed by House of Saud members, and owned by the MBC conglomerate, was bought by none other than Prince Mohammad himself, who will also buy MBC.

With oil at less than $40 a barrel, largely thanks to Saudi Arabia's oil war against both Iran and Russia, Riyadh's conventional wars are taking a terrible toll. The budget has collapsed and the House of Saud has been forced to raise taxes.

The illegal war on Yemen, conducted with full US acquiescence, led by -- who else -- Prince Mohammad, and largely carried out by the proverbial band of mercenaries, has instead handsomely profited al-Qaeda in the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP), just as the war on Syria has profited mostly Jabhat al-Nusra, a.k.a. al-Qaeda in Syria.

Three months ago, Saudi ulemas called for a jihad not only against Damascus but also Tehran and Moscow without the "civilized" West batting an eyelid; after all the ulemas were savvy enough to milk the "Russian aggression" bandwagon, comparing the Russian intervention in Syria, agreed with Damascus, with the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

US Think Tankland revels in spinning that the beheading provocation was a "signal" to Tehran that Riyadh will not tolerate Iranian influence among Shi'ites living in predominantly Sunni states. And yet Beltway cackle that Riyadh hoped to contain "domestic Shi'ite tensions" by beheading al-Nimr does not even qualify as a lousy propaganda script. To see why this is nonsense, let's take a quick tour of Saudi Arabia's Eastern province.

All Eyes on Al Sharqiyya

Saudi Arabia is essentially a huge desert island. Even though the oil hacienda is bordered by the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, the Saudis don't control what matters: the key channels of communication/energy exporting bottlenecks -- the Bab el-Mandeb and the Straits of Hormuz, not to mention the Suez canal.

Enter US "protection" as structured in a Mafia-style "offer you can't refuse" arrangement; we guarantee safe passage for the oil export flow through our naval patrols and you buy from us, non-stop, a festival of weapons and host our naval bases alongside other GCC minions. The "protection" used to be provided by the former British empire. So Saudi Arabia -- as well as the GCC -- remains essentially an Anglo-American satrapy.

Al Sharqiyya -- the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia -- holds only 4 million people, the overwhelming majority Shi'ites. And yet it produces no less than 80% of Saudi oil. The heart of the action is the provincial capital Al Qatif, where Nimr al-Nimr was born. We're talking about the largest oil hub on the planet, consisting of 12 crisscrossed pipelines that connect to massive Gulf oil terminals such as Dhahran and Ras Tanura.
Reprinted from Gush Shalom



But this was not a revolutionary work by a fire-eating rebel. It is a gentle novel by an appreciated female author, Dorit Rabinyan.

Her cardinal sin was the plot: a love story between a Jewish girl and an Arab boy. They meet on American soil.

The Ministry shuddered. What? A kosher daughter of Israel with an Arab Goy? Unthinkable. Like a love story between a white woman and a black man in the Atlanta of Gone with the Wind. Or between a Jewess and a pure Aryan in Hitler's Germany.

Shocking. Good that the wise men of the ministry stopped it in the nick of time.

THE DECISION caused an uproar. Liberal teachers and commentators had a field day. Especially those who have a sense of humor. (Yes, there are some of these even in Israel.)

Several of them demanded a ban on the Bible, since it is full of kings and heroes who married foreign women. Abraham took a foreign woman, Hagar, had a boy with her and sent both to die in the desert, because Sarah, the mother of the Jewish people, was jealous. The Bible depicts our foremother as a rather obnoxious shrew.

Moses had a Midianite wife. King David married the woman he lusted for, after sending her Hittite husband to die in battle. His son, Solomon, had a lot of wives, most of them foreigners. The hero Samson was betrayed by his Philistine wife. King Ahab, who bled to death because he refused to receive medical treatment during battle, had a wife from Sidon. And so on. A very long list. Some educators gleefully demanded the removal of the Bible from the ministry's list.

Almost as bad, some of the masterpieces of modern Hebrew literature figure love stories between Jewish men and Shikses (a derogatory Yiddish term for non-Jewish women, originating from the Hebrew word for "abomination"). Out with them!

However, what struck me most about the affair was one word in the ministry's official explanation for the measure: "hitboleluth," meaning assimilation.

The book was accused of leading its readers, especially young ones at an impressionable age, towards assimilation.

ASSIMILATION? HERE? In Israel? In an official government statement?

Incredible.

"Assimilation" is a word widely used in the Jewish Diaspora. It is highly derogatory. It is the act of a Jew who is ashamed of his heritage and tries to lose himself in the surrounding Christian environment. A Jew who apes the Goyim, and tries to look and behave like one of them. In short, a despicable coward.

To call a Jew in Los Angeles or Moscow "assimilated" is a serious accusation. For many centuries, it has been one of the most damning labels.


Copyrighted Image? DMCA



In the United States it's not actually difficult to find significant funding with which to research new and innovative -- not to say bizarre and absurd -- pursuits, as long as they form part of an overall project of mass murder.

The United States has hundreds of programs at universities, think tanks, and research institutes that claim to devote their attention to "security" and "defense" studies. Yet in almost all of these programs that receive many millions of dollars in Federal funding, the vast majority of research, advocacy and instruction have nothing to do with climate change, the most serious threat to security of our age.

Hence the need for this petition to the U.S. Congress: End federal funding for security and defense programs at universities and think tanks that do not take climate change as their primary subject for research and for instruction. All universities, think tanks and research institutes that claim to be concerned with "security" or "defense" research must devote at least 70% of their resources to work on the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change, or lose their eligibility for Federal funding.

This excellent proposal originated with Emanuel Yi Pastreich, Director of The Asia Institute. Other signers, including myself: David Swanson, Director, World Beyond War; John Kiriakou, Associate fellow, Institute for Policy Studies; John Feffer, Director, Foreign Policy in Focus; Norman Solomon, Cofounder, RootsAction.org; Coleen Rowley, Retired FBI agent and former Minneapolis Division legal counsel.

Why do we think this is important? Why do we plan to deliver the petition to the Senate Committee on Armed Services and the House Armed Services Committee? Here's why:

In an act of profound intellectual irresponsibility, so-called scholars of "security studies" spend their hours imagining fantastic military scenarios, rather than responding to the incontrovertible threat of climate change which scientists have unanimously identified as a reality.

We cannot waste any more of our tax dollars on security and defense studies that fail to address the primary threat to the well-being of the United States, and of the world.

The time has come to put an end to this insanity. We demand that all programs of defense and security studies in the United States identify in their statement of purpose climate change as the primary security threat to the United States and that they dedicate at least 70% of their budgets to research, teaching and advocacy to the critical topics of mitigation of (primarily) and adaptation to (secondarily) climate change.

Any program that fails to focus on climate change in this manner should lose its status for Federal funding.

Mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change should be the primary concerns for all in security and defense field studies. Obviously other security issues deserve study, but granted the fact that the cost of climate change will run in the trillions of dollars over the next decade, and even more beyond then, we do not have the funds to support programs that are not dedicated to addressing this immediate threat.
Asimov said: If he was God, why did people have to make up stories about him after he died



This is the unsupported, undocumented statement--your own opinion--that I am challenging. Not whether you accept the Creation or Flood account. You can't prove to me that the the writers of the New Testament made up anything after Christ died. You can only say what you think. That's all I was pointing out. Click to expand...

Think about this, nearly every atheist believed in God, they came to atheism by reason.Very few go the other way.The only evidence of the stories of the New Testament, is the stories of the New Testament, and they appear in a collection which includes magical fiction.That is quite a difference from appearing in a collection that is God Inspired and every word is true.Biblical inerrancy only works if every word IS true.Once you start pealing off stories as magical fiction, you turn God's Word into a collection of myths.Those aren't my rules, that's from the nuns.
Investments in education, health, infrastructure, and research are investments in America and Americans, and the investments pay for themselves and even make a profit for taxpayers! Here is how.

These investments speed up the economy which is what needs to happen to grow the economy. The faster money cycles through the economy the larger the economy. To solve our unemployment, underemployment, wage stagnation, wealth disparity, and the deficit, we need to speed up the economy. The faster money cycles through the economy the more taxes are created, even at the same tax rates.

When most of us and many smaller businesses get more money, we spend it quickly because we have past and immediate needs. Wealthier people and larger businesses tend to spend and invest more slowly as their needs are not generally immediate. They have the luxury of time to compare. Also, people and businesses with wealth do not want to lose their money so they invest when their business plans are favorable which is basically when customers have money. This means when the wealthy and big businesses have more money, they tend to slow money in the economy. Their money is pulled into the economy when customers have more money.

The wealthy could juice the economy any time they want but for the most part they do not have the "Field of Dreams" mentality: if we build it, they will come!

Businesses are dependent on educated and healthy employees from day one. However, businesses do not prepare these individuals. Healthy and educated customers tend to be good for business as well. Businesses need infrastructure and basic research to develop and provide their products and services. Businesses need customers with money. Our investment in America and Americans is fundamental for a vibrant economy and society.

As a country, our past investments in America and Americans have been major drivers that build the middle class, created an environment for businesses to thrive, and created the most powerful economy in the world. The wisdom of previous leaders, from both parties, to invest in ourselves even in the worst of economic times, paid back hugely for America.

Now the GOP sells the idea that our government cannot do anything right and too many Americans are buying it! The GOP sells the idea that many Americans are just takers who will take your hard earned money. The GOP has sold too many Americans on the idea that no matter how much we want to invest in Education, Health, Infrastructure, and Research, we just cannot afford it!

The problem is that the GOP cuts take substantial money out of the bottom of the economy that would have cycled around collecting taxes, and the savings that are supposed to be created by the cuts disappear. Businesses then pull back which evaporates more tax revenues. Safety net programs increase and we do not get the economic benefits from healthy and educated Americans with supporting Infrastructure and research. The GOP cuts impacting the bottom of the economy hurt and destroy individuals, families, and businesses. GOP cuts create slowing pressures on the economy which have a range of negative impacts from driving up the debt, to higher unemployment, higher underemployment, stagnant wages, and wealth disparity.

Democrats invest in America and Americans which build the middle class and put free enterprise on steroids. These investments put money into every community in America creating opportunities for the poor to the wealthy, and for small to large businesses all across the country.

When we invest in ourselves, the investments not only pay back, but we make a profit growing the economy creating more tax revenues to balance the budget, and then pay down our debt. These investments are both fiscally responsible and critical for a thriving future.
Photo by The Associated Press

Picking up the pieces in Klamath: Editorial

After Congress failed to pass legislation implementing the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, leaders from Oregon and California now need to step up and map out a strategy for managing water that meets economic and environmental needs, the editorial board writes.

'The choice to move ahead on Klamath relief is not elective. Lives, livelihoods and a complex ecosystem are at stake,' the editorial states. 'That's to say nothing of broken promises.' Read the editorial here.

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Photo by Mark Graves/Staff

In Harney County, may the anarchy die of its own cluelessness: Editorial

The band of out-of-state militants that took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge are no patriots, the editorial board writes. Their protest badly politicizes issues that deserve serious consideration and has disupted life for Oregonians who dont want them here.

'It is neither terrorism nor civil disobedience but rather some hapless play-acting of coercive protest  configured to manipulate media and delivered with a dim homily about reducing the federal government's reach,' the editorial states. 'More than anything, Bundy and his cronies, citing Constitutional rights they fail to explicate, pass themselves off as apple-pie patriots, hands on the trigger and ready to fight the good fight. They have watched too much TV.' Read the editorial here.

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Photo by Beth Nakamura/Staff

Dismiss the Bundy Bunch, but not the concerns of rural Oregonians: Editorial

The Bundys stand isnt welcome by the two men whose plight supposedly spurred the group to protest by taking over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, the editorial board writes. But the situation of Dwight and Steven Hammond  and rural Oregonians frustrations with federal lands management overall  deserve greater attention.

'Congress, the elected safety valve for such policy disputes, often fails to find compromise on resource-management issues even when opportunities to do so exist,' the editorial states. 'In recent years, for instance, efforts to pass legislation ensuring a sustainable supply of wood from Western Oregon lands granted to the long-defunct Oregon and California Railroad Company have stalled. More recently, Congress failed (again) to pass legislation implementing the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, a water-sharing pact agreed to by ranchers, farmers, tribes and others in Southern Oregon and Northern California. Given failure of Congress to do even that much, is it any wonder that, as (Rep. Mike) McLane says, the impression in rural Oregon is that we're forgotten by federal lawmakers?' Read the editorial here.

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Photo by Beth Nakamura/Staff

Assign reinstated cop to desk job, and keep focus on real police reforms: Editorial

A Court of Appeals decision affirms that a Portland Police officer, fired after fatally shooting an unarmed man in 2010, must be reinstated, the editorial board writes. The bureau, which found he violated policies, should assign him to a desk job and then refocus on bigger concerns of how to reform its practices and culture to prevent such an incident again.

'The bureau has added training personnel, revamped several policies and strengthened its instruction for officers on how to de-escalate encounters with people in mental health crises,' the editorial states. 'Police training on new policies often falls to the wayside after an initial push.' Read the editorial here.

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Image courtesy of Facebook

A social media rulebook for cops is a good idea: Editorial

A draft of a new social-media policy for Portland Police offers a reasonable way to prevent officers too-casual postings that could be inflammatory to the public or hurt an officers credibility in court, the editorial board writes.

'Portlanders should enjoy the expectation that their law officers are reasonable people,' the editorial states. 'And Portland police officers should carry the expectation that their behavior at home as well as at work could be a consequential factor in judging how well they uphold the public's trust. Portland police would benefit by knowing what's expected of them in all dimensions, and a social media policy helps.' Read the editorial here.

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Photo by Mark Graves/Staff

Death to demolition tax; Malheur refuge malcontents: Editorial peaks and valleys

The demise of Mayor Charlie Hales proposal to slap a $25,000 tax on home demolitions as the city struggles with a scarcity of affordable housing is this weeks peak. The refusal of the militants occupying the wildlife refuge to recognize the rational resolution offered by Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward leads this weeks valleys.

'At Oregon's expense, (occupation leader Ammon Bundy has) become a national media phenomenon,' the editorial states. 'His petulance with a remarkably composed Ward bespeaks his consistent delusion: unreasonable demands made by employing wholly unreasonable methods.' Read the editorial here.
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A Christmas tree display outside the House chambers in November 2015.

(Denis Theriault/Staff)

We'll admit this at the outset: The principle at the heart of our first agenda item this year - finding the political center - can be almost as squishy as a month-old banana. A policy position that seems moderate to one person can seem very different to someone else. Meanwhile, the typical manifestation of moderation - bipartisanship - is no guarantee that a policy is good. Back in the 1990s, for instance, the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage for federal purposes as an arrangement between a man and a woman, enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress. Oops.

So, yes, we know. As an editorial agenda item, "Get Oregon Centered" is a little messy.

But we also know several other things.

First, Oregon's state government is dominated by a single political party. Democrats hold the governor's office and all other statewide elective offices. The party also enjoys wide majorities in the state Senate and House. The opportunities for the party in power to steamroll opponents rather than listening to them are, thus, abundant. The same thing, of course, would be true if Republicans and Democrats reversed roles. Single-party dominance is problematic regardless of the party in power.

http://media.oregonlive.com/opinion_impact/photo/agenda-2013jpg-da8a3522a991b9c6.jpg

Editorial Agenda 2016



Get Oregon centered

Better leadership in education

Make Portland a city that works

Build Oregon prosperity

Protect and expand personal freedom

Get pot right

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Second, we know that the party that controls state government accounts for only 38 percent of Oregon's registered voters. That's still a lot more than the Republican Party, at about 30 percent, but it's worth remembering that 62 percent of Oregon voters are something other than Democrats. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is the dominant party in only 12 of Oregon's 36 counties. You can see the problems, including profound resentment, that come with the repeated exercise of partisan political force.

Third, we know hyper-partisanship - the antithesis of moderation - when we see it, and it was conspicuously in evidence at times during the 2015 legislative session. There was, for instance, the Legislature's passage of a "motor voter" bill whose most notable effect will be the weakening of the Independent Party, currently Oregon's third major party. It passed on the strength of Democratic votes alone. There was, too, the Legislature's rescue of the controversial low-carbon fuel standard, which also occurred without support from a single Republican and despite the opposition of a handful of Democrats. This flexing of the majority party's muscle also killed any hope to pass a transportation-funding package in 2015, for which there was bipartisan support.

Fourth, we also recognize the centrist impulse when we see it. This, too, was on display during the 2015 session, perhaps most notably in the function of the joint marijuana committee. Plenty of people had reason to grumble about elements of its work, including supporters of the legalization initiative the committee worked to implement. Such is the nature of compromise, however, and this committee worked well to balance the interests of the urban and rural areas represented by its bipartisan membership. The committee's work will continue in the 2016 session, and co-chair Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, says she would like to maintain the spirit of cooperation. Good on her.

Another signature centrist victory in 2015 was a piece of legislation sponsored by Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, that expands access to contraception. Democratic legislative leaders worked with Buehler to make this happen, and the bill passed with bipartisan support.

Such is the backdrop for 2016, when several things will happen. The Legislature, again with commanding Democratic majorities, will convene for a short session that will focus on such red-hot political matters as housing and the minimum wage. Gov. Kate Brown and dozens of lawmakers will run for election, as will candidates for attorney general, treasurer and secretary of state.

The coming session, in particular, will offer opportunities for both moderation and for corrosive partisanship. Will lawmakers send a minimum-wage hike to the ballot, and if so how will it address the needs of rural areas of the state, where many employers can't afford to pay as much as those in the Portland area? In addressing the cost of housing, will lawmakers merely go heavy on costly mandates, or will they also consider the interests of builders and middle-class renters and home-buyers, who ultimately would pay the cost of such mandates and feel the pinch?

Oregonian editorials

reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom.

are Helen Jung, Erik Lukens, Steve Moss and Len Reed.

To respond to this editorial:

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Voters should pay close attention to the ways in which lawmakers handle these and other policy matters this year. Will the moderate impulse that characterized some of the Legislature's best work last year prevail, or will the Legislature's dominant party simply impose its will, as it did at times in 2015? And if the latter happens, will the governor, again, meekly sign whatever lawmakers send her way, or will she live up to the responsibility she inherited last year when her predecessor resigned?

We acknowledge, again, the messiness of this agenda item, and for all we know a highly partisan piece of legislation will emerge in 2016 that we'll support. But Oregon has a single-party problem, and it has become more pronounced as Democratic legislative majorities have grown large enough to marginalize even the party's own moderates (for instance, Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose). Oregonians should be talking about this, and to that end we intend to recognize both the bad and the good in 2016.
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T. J. O'Reilly works behind the counter at the National Armory gun store and gun range, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in Pompano Beach, Fla.

(The Associated Press)

By Kathleen Parker

WASHINGTON -- It is axiomatic that congressional Republicans will oppose anything smacking of "gun control," which may as well be read as "Your mama."

Thus, it comes as no surprise that President Obama's announcement of executive actions to clarify and enhance federal gun laws prompted reflexive, hyperbolic responses from the right.

Marco Rubio said Obama is "obsessed with undermining the Second Amendment," while Ted Cruz averred, "We don't beat the bad guys by taking away our guns; we beat the bad guys by using our guns."

Spoken like a true, Canadian-born Texan who has been busy burnishing his "outsider" Outdoor Guy image. What's next? Cruz drinking the warm blood of a freshly slain (unarmed) beast?

House Speaker Paul Ryan criticized the president for a "dangerous level of executive overreach" and for circumventing congressional opposition -- as though Congress has been working feverishly to reduce gun violence. Rather, Republicans focus their laser beams on Obama's and the Democratic Party's political motivations, shocking to none, and remind us that we already have enough gun laws.

This may well be true, but couldn't we stand to tweak them a bit? Or, perhaps, enforce them? And, isn't it possible to reduce the number of guns in the wrong hands without surrendering our Second Amendment rights or invoking the slippery slope of government confiscation?

Of course it is -- and we can.

Obama made an artful and poignant counterargument to the usual objections Tuesday during a news conference from the White House. He reminded those gathered, including many who have lost family members to gun violence, that other people also have rights -- the right to free assembly or the right to practice their religion without being shot.

In fairness to the gun lobby, which may not deserve such charity, one can understand reservations about limiting access to guns. What is less easily understood is the refusal of Republicans to take the reins of any given issue and do something constructive rather than invariably waiting to be forced into the ignoble position of "no."

It is one thing to be in the pocket of the National Rifle Association. It is another to do nothing and then assume a superior posture of purposeful neglect, as though do-nothingness were a policy and smug intransigence a philosophy.

The steps Obama is trying to take won't save every life, but they seem minimally intrusive and could have significant effects. Summarizing briefly, he's clarifying existing law and more tightly defining "gun dealer" in order to impose broader background checks; upgrading technology for improved information-sharing and safer guns; increasing relevant workforces to speed up background checks; and closing loopholes that have allowed criminals to buy guns online and elsewhere with a separate set of rules. Or no rules.

Giving the FBI more resources to modernize its system will help. So will giving $500 million to mental health services aimed at keeping guns away from people determined to hurt themselves or others.

Requiring shippers to report stolen guns will also be helpful -- and investing in smart technology could be a game changer. As Obama said, tearing up at mention of the Sandy Hook shooting that took the lives of 20 first-graders, if we can keep children from opening aspirin bottles, surely we can prevent their pulling the trigger on a gun.

As to expanding background checks, only the criminal or the suicidal object to waiting a day or two before taking home a gun. And, if the government doesn't complete the process within three days, seller and buyer can proceed, anyway.

What concerns most people, meanwhile, are those weapons, especially semi-automatics with large magazines, whose only purpose is to kill people. Many argue that no current law could have prevented any of the mass shootings in recent years, but is this sufficient justification for doing nothing when doing something could make a difference we may never know about -- the child who didn't die because new technology prevented him from firing a pistol? The Islamic State-inspired terrorist who didn't murder holiday revelers because he failed an online background check?

Obama's actions won't go unchallenged, needless to say. And much political hay will be threshed, bundled and sold to Republican primary voters in the meantime. But GOP voters should be as skeptical of those ringing the gong of doom as they have been of Obama. In a civilized society, more guns can't be better than fewer.

Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.

(c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group
BURNS -- Ammon Bundy and his band of militants appeared ready to settle in for the long haul Saturday when a rifle-toting "security detail" broke the relative lull that had fallen over their weeklong standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The morning began with a notable change in scenery. The ornate sign that used to greet visitors with "Welcome To Your National Wildlife Refuge" now advertised the "Harney County Resource Center" in white block letters over a blue background.

LaVoy Finicum, a prominent member of the Bundy crew, had just finished a speech about the sign when a convoy pulled up. Members of the Pacific Patriots Network, a consortium of groups from Oregon, Washington and Idaho, emerged from their cars and trucks carrying rifles and sidearms and clad in military attire and bulletproof vests.

Their leader, Brandon Curtiss, said the group came to "de-escalate" the situation by providing security for those inside and outside the compound.

About a half-dozen rifles were visible among the two dozen new arrivals. They weren't staying in the compound, Curtiss said, but planned to patrol the perimeter of the reserve and had started showing up in the area the day before.

"No comment," one of them responded when asked what kind of gun he was carrying.

Curtiss said he intended to meet with standoff organizers as well as local public officials and law enforcement leaders to help bring about a "peaceful resolution" to the occupation.

"We are not the militia, and we are not a militia," he said, adding that his group meant to ensure "everybody's safety, on both sides."

But Bundy and his corps of anti-government protesters didn't want their services.

Within minutes of their arrival, a man who said he was speaking on Bundy's behalf emerged from the occupied refuge headquarters and announced that the visitors had been asked to leave. Bundy didn't talk directly to reporters or appear at the daily morning briefing.

Todd MacFarlane, a Utah lawyer who said he was acting as a mediator for Bundy and the local community, told those gathered that Bundy was worried about the perception the group might create.

"We don't need that," MacFarlane told them. "We don't want it and we're asking you to leave."

Soon afterward, Curtiss and company piled into their 15 or so trucks and cars and left the refuge compound.

Joseph Rice, a spokesman for the network, said its leaders had delivered "articles of resolution" to Bundy, hoping to hasten an end to the standoff, and were leaving to share the documents with other government agencies.

On Saturday, it appeared his group's mission had expanded. Finicum said the refuge occupiers are now taking up the cause of other area ranchers who have complaints against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. He wouldn't name the ranchers, but said the militants plan to dismantle a fence that keeps one rancher's cattle off some federal land.

So far, law enforcement officers have made no attempt to force the militants out, although Bundy and the group have a standing offer from Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward to avoid arrest if they leave peacefully. It's unclear whether that offer comes with a deadline.

Other than the brief presence of the rifle-toting visitors, the refuge headquarters remained much the same as it has throughout the week: Power remains on in the buildings, militants and local residents can travel back and forth to town freely and no roadblocks exist on the way to the refuge.

Meanwhile, the new sign outside the headquarters seems to indicate that the militants are digging in. The sign comes with a fresh moniker for group members, who now call themselves Citizens for Constitutional Freedom. Their ranks appear to have grown beyond the core 20 to 25 protesters, but it's impossible to say by how many because of all the comings and goings.

Law enforcement authorities including the FBI and sheriff's deputies from across the state have converted the Burns school district building into a makeshift command post with around-the-clock security. However, they have no evident presence in or around the refuge.

Militants are openly driving government-owned vehicles and heavy equipment around the compound, proclaiming that the trucks and backhoes now belong to the local community. The new sign outside the compound gives credence to the protesters' claim that Harney County residents now own all on-site buildings, equipment and supplies.

At the same time, the refuge occupiers have limited access to the buildings, arguing that letting reporters and photographers inside would pose a safety hazard.

After leaving the refuge, members of the Pacific Patriots Network convoy arrived at the Harney County Courthouse. The group, which Curtiss said numbered at least 50, lined their vehicles on opposite sides of the street waiting to deliver their resolution plan to the sheriff.

They milled about as snow fell, and Curtiss struck up a conversation with an Oregon State Police trooper as other law enforcement officers stood watch.

Curtiss, who said his group had already delivered the plan to the FBI at the Burns Municipal Airport, reiterated his wish to spark a dialogue, "so that everyone can go home"

The sheriff emerged from the courthouse about 5:30 p.m., and the group presented him with its articles of resolution and left. The sheriff declined to comment about the plan.

Back at the refuge, a handful of men who appeared to be part of the Pacific Patriots Network remained. They carried sidearms and wore military garb, guarding the entrance of the compound.

-- Luke Hammill and Dave Killen of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.

-- Kelly House

khouse@oregonian.com

503-221-8178

@Kelly_M_House
portland police lights.jpg

A man is dead after a confrontation with police east of Kelso, Wash.

(File photo)

Police say they shot dead a man in rural Washington -- about 20 miles east of Kelso -- after he threatened them with a chainsaw.

Two Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies and one Kelso police officer were present during the deadly confrontation, according to sheriff's spokesman Charlie Rosenzweig, in a news release. The news release was sent early Sunday morning, but it didn't specify when the shooting occurred.

Authorities also didn't say how many shots were fired, or provide more information about the circumstances of the incident.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, in the 8900 block of Rose Valley Road. The man's identity hasn't been released yet.

The Clark County Major Crimes Team is investigating.

-- Aimee Green

503-294-5119
The arrival of 20 more armed men at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters Saturday added kindling to a potentially combustible mix, raising concerns that law enforcement's low-key response to the situation might backfire.

Authorities have had no visible presence at the headquarters compound since a splinter group of militants left a protest in Burns and took over the refuge compound 30 miles south of Burns seven days ago. Federal authorities have had next to nothing to say about their response to the occupation.

Observers say the FBI, which has jurisdiction over the federal refuge, has been deliberately patient. After deadly confrontations in Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, during the 1990s, authorities have adopted a "wait-them-out" response to similar situations in hopes of preventing another conflagration.

If authorities wait too long, though, they risk losing control of the situation - creating a more dangerous or protracted confrontation.

"Is there the potential that if you do nothing you could make matters tactically worse? Yes," said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

That's what briefly appeared to be happening Saturday when two-dozen more people showed up at the refuge, declaring themselves a "security detail" for people inside and outside the headquarters compound.

The new arrivals - some of them openly displaying rifles and wearing tactical vests and masks - left less than two hours later after being asked to depart by the core occupiers inside the refuge. They later turned up at the county courthouse in Burns, proposing a blueprint for resolving the standoff.

Even without moving directly to dislodge the occupiers, law enforcement could shut off power to the compound, or to close the main road leading in and out. There isn't another easy route into the remote headquarters compound.

Still, Levin said it's hard to predict how militants might respond to any escalation by authorities. A former New York City police officer, Levin said any action might inflame occupiers inside the compound and boost sympathy for their cause among others watching from afar.

"I think if they had blocked off the roads and shut off the power this early, we might very well have had even more people come in," Levin said.

The wildlife refuge is far from centers of population and commerce, so there's little risk to life or commerce beyond the people at the site for the occupation. That weighs heavily in favor of waiting, according to Levin, who said it's easy to turn up the heat - but very difficult to de-escalate.

The arrival of additional militants does change the equation, Levin said, but in his judgment it's probably not enough for law enforcement to adopt a more aggressive response. Patience is still "the least harmful option," he said.

There is evidence authorities are preparing for the possibility of a more assertive response. Men in FBI gear assembled Saturday at the Burns Municipal Airport, but declined to answer questions about their activities and denied access to a Bureau of Land Management base at the airport where they were operating.

-- Kelly House of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.

-- Mike Rogoway

mrogoway@oregonian.com

503-294-7699

@rogoway
*This post has been updated to include comment from state Rep. Dallas Heard.

BURNS -- In the latest bizarre turn of events surrounding the ongoing armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge, an Oregon state legislator from outside Harney County arrived here Saturday with out-of-state elected officials in tow and met with the protesters.

Oregon Rep. Cliff Bentz, a Republican from Ontario, and Harney County Judge Steven E. Grasty said that they tried to warn state Rep. Dallas Heard against traveling to Burns. But Heard, a Republican from Roseburg, arrived anyway, they said, and brought officials elected to state office in Washington, Idaho and Nevada with him.

"He had called me and indicated he was heading that direction, and I indicated that was inappropriate," said Bentz, whose district includes Harney County. "I think it's fair to say I was not enthusiastic about the idea."

Oregon Rep. Dallas Heard (R-Roseburg)

Heard arrived with five other out-of-state elected officials and met with Grasty, Harney County District Attorney Tim Colahan, Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers and representatives from the Harney County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grasty said. Grasty as a county judge has a role similar to a county commissioner.

There was also a Las Vegas-area elected official who joined the conversation by phone, Grasty said. The names of the other elected officials weren't immediately clear.

Northern Arizona rancher Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, one of the leaders of the militant group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, said on Sunday morning that the officials met with the protesters Saturday evening.

Heard confirmed the meeting with the militants, including top leader Ammon Bundy, in a phone conversation. He described the trip as "a fact-finding mission." Heard said he was worried about violence and wanted to prevent another tragedy such as the shooting last year at Umpqua Community College, which is in his district.

"I was concerned that some of my constituents might have been mixed up in this," Heard said. "A good shepherd's job is to take care of all his flock."

The outside elected officials told the militants that Harney County and FBI officials had put "great pressure" on them not to visit the refuge, Finicum said. The protesters communicated their grievances - including their view that the federal government should hand over public land to Harney County loggers and ranchers - to the elected officials.

"Many of them said the same things back to us. ... These are honorable elected officials," Finicum said.

Grasty did not mince words when describing Heard's actions.

"I find it really interesting that not only did law enforcement advise him not to go out there, [but] it seems to me that we now have a state representative who will not listen to local input," Grasty said. "And isn't that the same thing that our armed visitors are saying about the federal government? It's the same thing."

Heard called himself an "elected representative of the people."

"We represent all of Oregon," he said.

Heard declined to reveal the names of the out-of-state elected officials who joined him.

Grasty said at least one of the elected officials from outside Oregon was "clearly a Bundy supporter." Bundy, an Arizona businessman, is the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy.

"I said, 'Please, guys, you are no different than any other outside group coming in and trying to fix it,'" Grasty said. "I don't see that group as any different than the Bundys. I think they placed themselves in danger. ... Just their visit would encourage [the Bundys]."

Heard and the other elected officials were concerned about an armed assault on the protesters by law enforcement, he said.



"They were clearly told...there will not be any armed assault from law enforcement on that compound," Grasty said.

Grasty emphasized that he understands the "angst" surrounding federal policy in Harney County. "I have it as much as anybody," he said. But he finds it "offensive" that many outsiders are attempting to speak for locals.

"I don't want them to be our voice. ... Why in the world would an out-of-area legislator think that he can come in here and fix it?" Grasty said. "He's probably the most inexperienced legislator in the state of Oregon. ... It just seems bizarre."

Heard was elected in 2014 to his seat in the state House of Representatives.

Ted Ferrioli, who represents Harney County in the state Senate, did not return a phone call.

Grasty and other county officials will hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Burns High School gymnasium. Bentz planned to attend.

Bundy and his brothers Ryan and Mel were not at the refuge Sunday morning, Finicum said, adding that he thinks they went to church.

-- Luke Hammill and Ian K. Kullgren

lhammill@oregonian.com

503-294-4029

@lucashammill

ikullgren@oregonian.com

503-294-4006

@IanKullgren
Greg Walden took to the floor of the U.S. House on Tuesday night, prepared to give a five-minute address about the occupation in Oregon.

Standing at the lectern, the Oregon congressman looked at the speech his staff wrote for him.

"I threw it aside," Walden said, and launched into an unscripted speech remarkable for its emotion and blunt clubbing of federal agencies, and as a paean to the Western lifestyle.

His went on for nearly a half hour. In days, the official Youtube video of the speech logged 100,000 views. Walden normally logs no more than 2,000 views of floor speeches.

"As I walked off the floor, I was completely drained. It was a shock," Walden said. "I have never had a speech that left me drained like that."

Walden in the early days of the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge kept his counsel, not wanting to cause problems in an uncertain situation. He had been in Oregon the day militants led by Arizona businessman Ammon Bundy took over. He was in the air back to Washington, D.C., as the nation awoke to the news of the latest militia-generated crisis.

He monitored news accounts while participating in a two-day retreat outside Washington, where House Republican leaders planned the year's agenda for the caucus. Walden, elected to the House in 1998, is in leadership circles as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Walden said he called his wife Mylene back at their Hood River home as he drove back to Washington Tuesday from the treat. They talked over the Harney County occupation. Walden said he was still hesitant to say anything publicly. He recounted part of the conversation:

"You've got to give voice to the people," Mylene Walden said.

"I'm trying not to inflame the situation," Walden said.

"No, you really need to do this," his wife responded.

Walden said he pulled his staff together that afternoon, asked for the draft of a speech, and for arrangements to be made for floor time to give the talk.

He walked to the House floor that evening, given time during "special orders" at the end of the daily session. Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert had already reserved the hour, but yielded to Walden's request for five minutes. Walden said Gohmert told him to take all the time he needed.

He intended, he said, to quickly make points about grazing permits, the proposal for a 2.5 million acre national monument in Malheur County and other Western issues. He started talking at 7:25 p.m. Eastern time to a nearly-empty chamber.

"I got up there and 17 years of working with farmers and ranchers and folks in eastern Oregon just poured out," Walden said. He described it as an "artesian well of emotion."

He educated viewers about the size of Harney County: "Just this one county is 10 times the size of Rhode Island. It is larger than the state of Maryland."

He talked of knowing the Hammond ranching family of Diamond for nearly two decades. The patriarch, Dwight Hammond Jr., and his son Steven went to prison the day before Walden's speech. They were convicted on arson charges for burning federal land - a case that triggered the militia to rally in Burns.

He recounted episode after episode of what he said was arrogant federal bureaucracies hampering rural Oregon.

"Do you understand how frustrated I am at this? Can you imagine how the people on the ground feel?"

Walden, who owned radio stations in the Columbia Gorge and spent time on air, said he thought to himself as he spoke, "How am I going to end this?"

He said he told himself he had made the points he wanted and "it was time" to stop.

The speech meant to last five minutes and cover 1,000 words lasted nearly five times that. His unscripted remarks ran to 3,411 words.

The next day, in a Republican caucus, other congressmen kidded him about the standoff. He quickly quieted them down, ticking off details of how serious was the situation out in Oregon.

"You could have heard a pin drop," Walden said. "They never stop talking."

In the days that followed, he said, his office handled a "stunningly positive reaction" from across Oregon and the country. A colleague from New Jersey showed him a note from a constituent asking why he couldn't be more like Greg Walden.

He said the speech had the impact he most wanted: increasing attention from his colleagues for Western issues.

He said they are coming to him and other Western congressmen with one question: "How can we help you guys?"

-- Les Zaitz

@leszaitz
Why should you vote National Socialist? Let's see what you think of these reasons.



1. A multiethnic society destroys real patriotism and a sense of community. Democracy failed.

2. With such eroded patriotism and sense of community, the U.S. has sent many jobs over seas to wage slaves. After all, if what you are supposedly doesn't matter, why would it matter who makes what. The loss of those jobs has left Americans without those jobs to pay taxes with. Democracy failed.

3. There are websites out there that say there are 100 million unemployed Americans. But I think the number is closer to 27 million. There are probably an equal number of Americans who are underemployed. Democracy failed.

4. Depending on which website you look at, our yearly trade deficit with China alone is anywhere from 300 billion dollars to over 700 billion dollars. Democracy failed.

5. Each year the U.S. HAS to pay 420 billion dollars just on the interest of our national debt. Democracy failed.

6. The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. Wreaking havoc on our middle class. Democracy failed.

7. The U.S. has lost many lives and trillions of dollars on pointless wars. Democracy failed.

8. Largely for multiethnic reasons, the U.S. ranks low among developed nations when it comes to things like education, medical coverage, life expectancy, hours needed to be worked, etc. etc. etc. Democracy failed.

9. Right now, the earth can't sustainably support the number of people that it has. But the population of Whites isn't rising. In some places, it may even be going down a little. But every day there are about 228,000 more people on the planet than there was the day before. Neither does the U.S. do anything useful to stop the flow of overpopulating illegal invader scab scum mexicans from crossing our southern border. Democracy failed.

10. The U.S. has 4.5% of the worlds population. But has 25% of those in jail. Democracy failed.

11. The U.S. produces twice the number of serial killers than any other country. Democracy failed.

12. Corporations are psychotic and sociopathic entities. Yet they have rights that are superior to the common person. Democracy failed.

13. Though often being multinational, corporations are basically free to give as much money as they want towards National elections. Democracy failed.

14. Money determines who gets to run for office in this country. Democracy failed.

15. Corruption in politics is basically legal. I even saw a politician in Washington once who was surprisingly honest about it. He basically said, "There is so much legal graft that goes on in Washington, only a fool would get involved in the illegal kind." Democracy failed.

16. Solar energy and some other energy alternatives are viable. But this country allows energy companies to do things like remove mountain tops to get at coal and do fracking. Democracy failed.

17. Electric cars are viable alternatives to those powered by internal combustion. Yet for the most part, car companies are only interested in making overly complicated hybred cars that can run on either. Democracy failed.



Not only has democracy failed, but you can bet your *** that it will continue to fail. There are of course many many many other problems. But I think you get the picture. Though he was half Jewish, Einstein once said something rather insightful. He basically said, "The solution to a problem cant be found by the same mind that created that problem." Also, Upton Sinclair once basically said, "It is difficult to get somebody to understand the truth. Especially when their livelihood depends on them not understanding." So now at least you know the reasons why you will probably disagree with the points I made.
A Coast Guard rescue crew in a helicopter hoisted an injured hiker from a beach near Lincoln City on Saturday after he fell from a cliff.

The hiker fell down the cliff near Roads End State Park. A friend contacted the Coast Guard just after 1:30 p.m.

An air crew in a MH-65 Dolphin already in the air flew to the site. They were able to locate the hiker because he was carrying a flashing strobe light.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer stayed with the man and provided medical aid while the helicopter refueled. Then the crew lifted him to the Chinook Winds Casino at about 3:30 p.m., where an ambulance was waiting.

"The aircrew was able to find the injured man quickly because he had a strobe light and they were able to see it," Petty Officer 1st Class Katie Brown, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector North Bend, said in a statement. "Hikers, and everyone else enjoying the outdoors, should always carry the proper safety equipment."

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Outlander Season 2: Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe spill secrets (Photos)

"Outlander" Season 2 won't premiere on Starz until April. But during an appearance at the TV Winter 2016 Press Tour in Pasadena this week, stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan dropped some hints about what to expect for Claire and Jamie. -- Kristi Turnquist

Don't Edit

(c) 2016 Starz Entertainment, LLC

Jamie's still affected by the torture he suffered at the end of Season 2, but...

Season 2 of "Outlander" finds Claire and Jamie traveling to France, on a mission. Sam Heughan told reporters, "Jamies definitely still affected by the trauma. I think time is a great healer, but ultimately, he puts his whole body and soul into this mission about changing history, and then there is a great revelation that kind of cures him or brings him out of himself, which I cant really tell you what that is, but it certainly brings back the old Jamie." We'll raise a glass to that.

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Starz

Claire has mixed emotions about Black Jack, er, Frank, er....

The "Outlander" Season 2 features clips of Claire with her husband, Frank (Tobias Menzies), who she left behind in the 1940s when she disappeared into the past. Caitriona Balfe told reporters: "I think as much when Claire first encounters Black Jack and she cant fail but to see Frank in him and believe that, you know, somewhere there is that connection, I think when she goes back, there is also that reverse thing where every time she looks at Frank, she cant help but see Black Jack. Theres many layers of why that relationship is difficult when she goes back. Shes definitely not the same woman that left."

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Starz

Jamie shows his 'deceptive' side in Season 2

"Season 1 was about discovery and about a young man sort of growing up and finding his place in the world and in a relationship," Heughan told reporters. "And Season 2 has been about discovering a side of the character that I didnt know was there, that hes playing someone else. Hes being quite deceptive. Hes learning to be deceitful, and he does it very well."

Don't Edit

Ed Miller / Starz

Claire's pregnancy and how it impacts the story in Season 2

Asked how Claire's pregnancy will impact the "Outlander" story this year, executive producer Ronald D. Moore was a bit guarded, but told reporters, "It's hard to get into anything specific without really getting into spoiler territory. But Claire's pregnancy is a threat. It's there from the first episode since they arrive in Paris, and we continue it throughout the story, and how it affects their relationship."

Don't Edit

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Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

The historical era Caitriona Balfe would love to visit is....

Since "Outlander" involves traveling back and forth in time, someone asked Caitriona Balfe what period in history she'd like to visit. " I think I always used to say New York in the 20s," Balfe said, "but I would also love to go to Egypt at the height of the pharaohs. I think that would be..." Heughan interjected, "We've discussed how you would make a great Cleopatra." Balfe smiled, and said, "I would like to be Cleopatra, yes."

Don't Edit

Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

The historical era Sam Heughan would love to visit is...

Answering the same question, Sam Heughan said, "Ive always been obsessed with the King Arthur legends, and I dont really know what period that would be." Asked if he would be King Arthur, Heughan said, "Absolutely. But then maybe Mordreds a more interesting character."

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Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Diana Gabaldon writes more, er, efficiently than George R.R. Martin

When someone mentioned "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin's blowing his latest book deadline, and asked Gabaldon if she had trouble finishing her books on schedule, Gabaldon, right, said, "Unlike George, I write no matter where I am, or what else Im doing. In fact, well, he admits it himself. He likes to travel, and he cant write while he travels. Thats just the way he works. Everybodys got their own writing mechanism. As I say, when I began writing, I had two full time jobs and three small children. I wrote in any spare minutes that I had, so Ive just kept that work ethic, so to speak. I do have a couple of hours in the middle of the night that I can count on when things are quiet, and thats my main writing time."

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(c) 2016 Starz Entertainment

The dangers in Season 2 are 'more hidden'

With some of the "Outlander" Season 2 action moving from the Scottish Highlands to France, Heughan said the dangers Claire and Jamie encounter are different. "The danger in Paris and Versailles is less physical" than the "swords and weaponry" of Scotland. "Its more politics and backstabbing and poison. Its more hidden. Theres a lot more politics at work, and a lot more danger, so its a different kind of world. But we certainly do go back to Scotland where we go back to the mud and blood and gore. So theres something for everyone."

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Outlander Season 2 trailer (video)

Is your appetite whetted for "Outlander" Season 2? Sorry. We'll have to wait for April to see the new season on Starz.

Don't Edit
Eleven area companies are receiving funding to help offset some of the training and skill enhancement costs for their current and future employees.

The Skilled Trades Training Fund, now in its second year, focuses on assisting companies in meeting their talent challenges. It offers competitive awards for employer-responsive training to enhance talent, productivity and employment retention, while increasing the quality and competitiveness of Michigans businesses.
EDITORS NOTE  OWI means operating while intoxicated. DWLS means driving while license suspended. (MC) is for Judge Michael D. Carpenter. (L) is for Magistrate Gerald Ladwig. Sentences may vary based on previous offenses committed by the defendant. Some sentencings include other fees imposed by the state.

Hope

Fred Allen Patrick 49, no proof of insurance on Oct. 6, $210 fines and costs (MC).

Midland

Daniel Clifton Athey, 26, Eastlawn Drive, marijuana use on Sept. 6, 13 days in jail with credit for one day, $575 fines and costs, driver license suspended for one year (MC).

Harry Forest Blaisdell, 64, Eastlawn Drive, attempted malicious use of phone on July 19, 180 days in jail held in abeyance, $500 fines and costs, six months probation, not to be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, no contact with the victim or victims wife, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, take medications as prescribed and provide proof, attend all psychiatric appointments, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Sara Jane Brink, 27, Rockwell Drive, no proof of insurance on Nov. 1, $210 fines and costs (MC).

Michael Anthony Caldwell, 50, Gerald Court, assault and battery on Sept. 21, 93 days in jail held in abeyance with credit for one day, $400 fines and costs, nine months probation, attend substance abuse program, not to be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, no contact with the victim, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Leonard Edward Gross, 46, Cleveland Avenue, malicious destruction of private property under $200 on June 23, 93 days in jail with all but seven days suspended and credit for one day, $1,045.86 restitution, one year probation, attend substance abuse program, no contact with the victim, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed, take medications as prescribed (MC).

Shelly Lynn Link 51, Eastlawn Drive, disorderly person on July 3, 90 days in jail held in abeyance, $500 fines and costs, six months probation, not to be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Amanda Kay Mason, 38, Springfield Drive, driving without insurance on Oct. 22, $500 fines and costs (MC).

Amanda Lyn Rulapaugh, 27, North Sturgeon Road, allowing DWLS on Dec. 13, $125 fines and costs (MC).

Shirley Ann Smith, 21, Yoder Drive, assault and battery on June 5, 93 days in jail held in abeyance with credit for two days, $600 fines and costs, six months probation, not to be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, no contact with the victim, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Matthew Solomon Steinka, 32, West Reardon Street, operating with a high blood alcohol content and attempted malicious destruction of personal property under $200 on Sept. 24, 180 days in jail for the first offense and 46 days in jail for the second offense with all but 30 days suspended and credit for one day, $1,175 fines and costs, $1,643.65 restitution, 18 months probation, attend substance abuse program, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Jennifer Ann Thurston, 30, East Carpenter Street, domestic violence on May 21, 93 days in jail held in abeyance with credit for one day, $600 fines and costs, nine months probation, not to be involved in any assaultive, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Peter Logan Vanvalkenburg, 36, West Collins Street, embezzlement under $200 on Aug. 8, $100 fine, $93.25 restitution (MC).

Rachel Lynn Warmbier, 23, Milford Street, controlled substance use on Feb. 12, one year in jail held in abeyance with credit for one day, $600 fines and costs, 18 months probation, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening (MC).

Mount Pleasant

Taylor Jordan Vasquez, 27, impaired driving on Sept. 7, 93 days in jail with all but one weekend suspended and credit for one day, $775 fines and costs, one year probation, attend substance abuse program, to be monitored by an alcohol tether for 90 days, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Saginaw

Ashley Marie Miller, 26, DWLS on Oct. 8, $250 fines and costs (MC).

Sanford

Billie Jo Monroe, 44, operating with a high blood alcohol content on July 19, 180 days in jail held in abeyance with credit for one day, $975 fines and costs, four months probation, attend substance abuse program, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars, attend counseling as directed (MC).

Elsewhere

Joshua James Trowbridge, 27, Texas, OWI on Dec. 21, 93 days in jail suspended with credit for two days, $900 fines and costs, six months probation, may not use or possess drugs or alcohol, subject to random drug and alcohol screening, may not enter bars (MC).
"58 Facts About The U.S. Economy From 2015 That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe

#1 These days, most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. At this point 62 percent of all Americans have less than 1,000 dollars in their savings accounts, and 21 percent of all Americans do not have a savings account at all.



ANSWER: THIS IS DUE TO DEBT PERSONAL AND PUBLIC



#2 The lack of saving is especially dramatic when you look at Americans under the age of 55. Incredibly, fewer than 10 percent of all Millennials and only about 16 percent of those that belong to Generation X have 10,000 dollars or more saved up.





THIS IS DUE T DEBT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE



#3 It has been estimated that 43 percent of all American households spend more money than they make each month.



THIS IS DUE TO DEBT AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.



TAKE YOUR PAYCHECK.. LOOK AT THE GROSS VS WHAT YOU BRING HOME.



LOOK AT YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO CREDIT CARDS



HOW DO I KNOW I USE TO LIVE THERE.. PAID THEM ALL OFF INCLUDING MORTGAGE... YOU HAVE NO PAYMENTS YOU CAN SAVE MONEY. HECK YOU HAVE MONEY TO GIVE AWAY TO PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.



#4 For the first time ever, middle class Americans now make up a minority of the population. But back in 1971, 61 percent of all Americans lived in middle class households.



THAT IS WHEN CONSERVATIVES CONTROLLED THE PURSE, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN.



#5 According to the Pew Research Center, the median income of middle class households declined by 4 percent from 2000 to 2014.



3% WERE LOST FROM 2009-PRESENT. BAILING OUT OF WALL STREET BY DEMOCRATS FAILED.





#6 The Pew Research Center has also found that median wealth for middle class households dropped by an astounding 28 percent between 2001 and 2013.





FROM 2000-2008 MEDIAN INCOMES INCREAED 5,000/YEAR



THE DECLINE OCCURED FROM 2009 TO PRESENT.



#7 In 1970, the middle class took home approximately 62 percent of all income. Today, that number has plummeted to just 43 percent.



SO EXPLAIN WHY KEYES' ECONOMIC MODEL FAILED?



#8 There are still 900,000 fewer middle class jobs in America than there were when the last recession began, but our population has gotten significantly larger since that time.



SO EXPLAIN HOW THE OBAMA ADMINSTRATION CAN CLAIM IT CREATED 12,000,000 JOBS?



#9 According to the Social Security Administration, 51 percent of all American workers make less than $30,000 a year.



BECAUSE THE JOBS CREATED SINCE 2009 3 IN 5 WERE PART TIME.



#10 For the poorest 20 percent of all Americans, median household wealth declined from negative 905 dollars in 2000 to negative 6,029 dollars in 2011.



THIS IS A RESULT OF DEBT PERSONAL AND PUBLIC.. (WEALTH IS ASSETS - LIABLITIES)



#11 A recent nationwide survey discovered that 48 percent of all U.S. adults under the age of 30 believe that the American Dream is dead.



THAT IS BEAUSE THE DEMOCRATS THINK THEY CAN BORROW THEIR WAY OUT OF DEBT INTO PROSPERITY. 85% OF THE TOTAL NATIONAL DEBT WAS CREATED BY DEMOCRAT CONTROLL OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS.



#12 Since hitting a peak of 69.2 percent in 2004, the rate of homeownership in the United States has been steadily declining every single year.



THIS IS A RESULT OF PERSONAL AND PUBLIC DEBT, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ROBBED OF DISPOSIBLE INCOME, THUS CANNOT AFFORD A MORTGAGE.



#13 At this point, the U.S. only ranks 19th in the world when it comes to median wealth per adult.



ONCE AGAIN PERSONAL AND PUBLIC DEBT (WEALTH IS ASSETS-LIABLITIES)



#14 Traditionally, entrepreneurship has been one of the primary engines that has fueled the growth of the middle class in the United States, but today the level of entrepreneurship in this country is sitting at an all-time low.



REGULATION AND TAXES HAVE ENDED THE ABLITY OF AVERAGE AMERICANS TO OPEN NEW ENTERPRISES.



#15 For each of the past six years, more businesses have closed in the United States than have opened. Prior to 2008, this had never happened before in all of U.S. history.



WHO HAS CONTROLLED THE WHITE HOUSE THE LAST 6 YEARS?





#16 If you can believe it, the 20 wealthiest people in this country now have more money than the poorest 152 million Americans combined.



THAT IS BECAUSE OF PERSONAL AND PUBLIC DEBT.. (WEALTH IS ASSETS - DEBT) IF YOU HAVE NO DEBT YOU HAVE MONEY TO SAVE AND INVEST.



#17 The top 0.1 percent of all American families have about as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent of all American families combined.



THAT IS BECAUSE OF PERSONAL AND PUBLIC DEBT (WEALTH IS ASSETS - LIABLITIES) IF YOU HAVE NO DEBT YOU HAVE SUPLUS INCOME TO CREATE WEALTH (HOW DO I KNOW, I DEFEATED THE THAT MONSTER IN 1997 DEBT FREE) NO PAYMENTST YOU HAVE MONEY TO GIVE AWAY TOO.



#18 If you have no debt and you also have ten dollars in your pocket, that gives you a greater net worth than about 25 percent of all Americans.



#19 The number of Americans that are living in concentrated areas of high poverty has doubled since the year 2000.



#20 An astounding 48.8 percent of all 25-year-old Americans still live at home with their parents.



#21 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 49 percent of all Americans now live in a home that receives money from the government each month, and nearly 47 million Americans are living in poverty right now.



#22 In 2007, about one out of every eight children in America was on food stamps. Today, that number is one out of every five.



#23 According to Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer, the authors of a new book entitled $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, there are 1.5 million ultrapoor households in the United States that live on less than two dollars a day. That number has doubled since 1996.



#24 46 million Americans use food banks each year, and lines start forming at some U.S. food banks as early as 6:30 in the morning because people want to get something before the food supplies run out.



#25 The number of homeless children in the U.S. has increased by 60 percent over the past six years.



#26 According to Poverty USA, 1.6 million American children slept in a homeless shelter or some other form of emergency housing last year.



#27 Police in New York City have identified 80 separate homeless encampments in the city, and the homeless crisis there has gotten so bad that it is being described as an epidemic.



#28 If you can believe it, more than half of all students in our public schools are poor enough to qualify for school lunch subsidies.



#29 According to a Census Bureau report that was released a while back, 65 percent of all children in the U.S. are living in a home that receives some form of aid from the federal government.



#30 According to a report that was published by UNICEF, almost one-third of all children in this country live in households with an income below 60 percent of the national median income.



#31 When it comes to child poverty, the United States ranks 36th out of the 41 wealthy nations that UNICEF looked at.



#32 An astounding 45 percent of all African-American children in the United States live in areas of concentrated poverty.



#33 40.9 percent of all children in the United States that are being raised by a single parent are living in poverty.



#34 There are 7.9 million working age Americans that are officially unemployed right now and another 94.4 million working age Americans that are considered to be not in the labor force. When you add those two numbers together, you get a grand total of 102.3 million working age Americans that do not have a job right now.



#35 According to a recent Pew survey, approximately 70 percent of all Americans believe that debt is a necessity in their lives.



#36 53 percent of all Americans do not even have a minimum three-day supply of nonperishable food and water at home.



#37 According to John Williams of shadowstats.com, if the U.S. government was actually using honest numbers the unemployment rate in this nation would be 22.9 percent.



#38 Back in 1950, more than 80 percent of all men in the United States had jobs. Today, only about 65 percent of all men in the United States have jobs.



#39 The labor force participation rate for men has plunged to the lowest level ever recorded.



#40 Wholesale sales in the U.S. have fallen to the lowest level since the last recession.



#41 The inventory to sales ratio has risen to the highest level since the last recession. This means that there is a whole lot of unsold inventory that is just sitting around out there and not selling.



#42 The ISM manufacturing index has fallen for five months in a row.



#43 Orders for core durable goods have fallen for ten months in a row.



#44 Since March, the amount of stuff being shipped by truck, rail and air inside the United States has been falling every single month on a year over year basis.



#45 Wal-Mart is projecting that its earnings may fall by as much as 12 percent during the next fiscal year.



#46 The Business Roundtables forecast for business investment in 2016 has dropped to the lowest level that we have seen since the last recession.



#47 Corporate debt defaults have risen to the highest level that we have seen since the last recession. This is a huge problem because corporate debt in the U.S. has approximately doubled since just before the last financial crisis.



#48 Holiday sales have gone negative for the first time since the last recession.



#49 The velocity of money in the United States has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded. Not even during the depths of the last recession was it ever this low.



#50 Barack Obama promised that his program would result in a decline in health insurance premiums by as much as $2,500 per family, but in reality average family premiums have increased by a total of $4,865 since 2008.



#51 Today, the average U.S. household that has at least one credit card has approximately $15,950 in credit card debt.



#52 The number of auto loans that exceed 72 months has hit at an all-time high of 29.5 percent.



#53 According to Dr. Housing Bubble, there have been nearly 8 million homes lost to foreclosure since the homeownership rate peaked in 2004.



#54 One very disturbing study found that approximately 41 percent of all working age Americans either currently have medical bill problems or are paying off medical debt. And collection agencies seek to collect unpaid medical bills from about 30 million of us each and every year.



#55 The total amount of student loan debt in the United States has risen to a whopping 1.2 trillion dollars. If you can believe it, that total has more than doubled over the past decade.



#56 Right now, there are approximately 40 million Americans that are paying off student loan debt. For many of them, they will keep making payments on this debt until they are senior citizens.



#57 When you do the math, the federal government is stealing more than 100 million dollars from future generations of Americans every single hour of every single day.



#58 An astounding 8.16 trillion dollars has already been added to the U.S. national debt while Barack Obama has been in the White House. That means that it is already guaranteed that we will add an average of more than a trillion dollars a year to the debt during his presidency, and we still have more than a year left to go.

Hey! This is 58 reasons why Bernie Sanders will be our next president of the U.S.. By Micheal Snyder.
Excerpted from: One Hundred Years on the South Loup





Richard Allen and Lovira Parks had been married in Linn County, Iowa, in 1879. In the spring of 1880 they left Iowa and started the long journey by covered wagon to northwest Kansas, looking for land. When they said goodbye to their home in Cedar Rapids, their belongings consisted of three horses and the contents of the wagon. With them were their baby daughter, Gertrude, and Loviras sister, Josephine.

By the time they reached Red Willow County, drought conditions discouraged them, so they changed their plans, passed Kearney and struck the South Loup River, following it wherever it might lead.

They were farmers and this was cattle country, and the location they chose to settle was between the headquarters of the two cattle companies, Henry Brothers and Arnold & Ritchie.





John Finch was the first cowboy they met on the last day of their journey. He was riding for Henry Brothers in the spring roundup when John Henrys horse stumbled and fell, pinning the rider underneath, literally crushing him to death. In the vain hope he might be saved, camphor was thought of us as a remedy. As none was available around the cow camp, Finch was sent to get some from his Aunt Sarah. As he rode over the hill at the south of Pine Canyon, he saw a prairie schooner moving up the valley, its occupants the Allen family. They had with them a supply of Winslows Soothing Syrup for the baby and Mrs. Allen sent it, along with the camphor, to the injured man, who had died by the time it arrived.





Another family, the Joe Halls, also from Iowa, had come with the Allens, but stayed only a few days before moving on.





Had these land hunters come a year later, their arrival would have been different, but the cattlemen had not yet suffered the winter that was to wipe them out, and settlers were not welcome this summer of 1880.





No sooner had a camp been made than cowboy rode up to warn them to move on, so they packed up and started back down the river, but soon turned and returned to the camp site, angry at the cowboys and angry at themselves for giving up so easily. This time they were left alone, and gradually they made friends with the ranch hands.





The wagon was pulled nearer the river (about on Forresters garage site, Mrs. Allen would recall), the covered box lifted from the chassis and set on the ground to serve as a shelter for the family while Mr. Allen put up a small sod house. There were no wells of course, they depended on the river for water.





They longed for a comfortable home but the wagon was well kept, the cover made in sections of good quality canvas that could be opened or closed, depending on the weather. There was a small cast iron cook stove, a collapsible table and bed, and boxes filled with clothing and bedding which served as seats, made comfortable with feather cushions.





Their only water container was a wash boiler, this they filled at the river. When it froze in the winter, snow was melted in the boiler. When they later acquired two cows, these were led to the river to drink.





The family had been camped for a few weeks when Lovira and Josephines father, Civil War veteran Morgan Parks, came by rail to Cozad where he was met by Allen. Parks owned a compass and had some knowledge of engineering, so he did the necessary surveying to locate a homestead  a move viewed with alarm by the cattlemen. Part of this homestead would in due time become the town of Arnold.





By summer the soddy was ready, built near the present swimming pool, on buffalo grass criss-crossed by the trails of deer coming to the river to drink.





Due to the cedar robbing of the Powell Brothers Company, there was not a usable tree closer than Pine Canyon, and there Allen went to cut logs for a cabin he built to replace the tiny sod one. The log cabin was finished August 22, 1880. Mrs. Allen recalled papering the walls with old newspapers, using flour and water for paste. The papers went on smoothly over the hewn logs and looked nice. Clothes were hung behind a blanket stretched across a corner. In this cabin they weathered the terrible winter of 1880-81 , so devastating to the cattlemen (The 1880-81 blizzard is the same one the Ingalls family endured in the Little House book "The Long Winter).





Early in the winter a rain began falling. The grass became thoroughly saturated; then it suddenly turned clod and every stalk, spear and blade of grass at once became an icicle  all matted together in one sheet of solid ice. Immediately following this came a heavy snow, from ten to twelve inches deep, which was followed by another rain, and this in turn by another cold wave, the result of which was to cover the surface of the snow with a thick, strong crust. The country was covered with ice and snow until spring. The winter was very severe, the temperature ranging for days and weeks at from ten to twenty below zero

The legs of the cattle, traveling about in a famished condition seeking food, soon became bruised and bleeding from contact with the sharp crust of snow. There was plenty of feed on the ground, but the cattle could not get at it. They died by the hundreds and thousands they lay in piles behind the hills where they had sought shelter.
Today, a U.S. B-52 bomber from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, conducted a low-level flight in the vicinity of Osan, South Korea, in response to a recent nuclear test by North Korea. The B-52 was joined by Republic of Korea F-15 fighter aircraft and U.S. F-16 fighter aircraft."This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," said Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander U.S. Pacific Command. "North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. U.S. joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security."The bilateral flight mission demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula.Headquartered in Hawaii, U.S. Pacific Command is responsible for all U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps forces over half the earth's surface, stretching from the waters off the west coast of North America to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole.The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range strategic bomber and part of the U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. Upon completion of the flight over South Korea, the B-52 returned to Guam.








DECATUR  Two developers are rolling the dice to see if Decatur city officials want to play along with a plan to put a casino in the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel.

Under the plan, two former Argosy Gaming Co. executives, Jeff Roberts and Joseph Uram, would install the casino in the conference center atrium, about 14,000 square feet. It could include 400 to 600 gaming positions, generating an estimated $2 million to $3 million in revenue for the city and adding as many as 200 jobs, they said.

Local businessman Steve Horve would continue to own the conference center. He said the move would allow him to continue renovations to the remaining 185 of his 370 hotel rooms. He anticipates an uptick in business and hiring more employees to manage a buffet, drink service and security.

Its a win-win for Decatur, Horve said recently. Were looking for economic growth, and were not asking for enterprise zone (benefits), were not asking for (tax increment financing), nothing.

The developers plan to ask the Decatur City Council for its support in advance of seeking state legislation to include Decatur among sites eligible for a casino license. Without city leaders' backing, the idea would likely fail, said Ed Flynn, a local attorney who represents the developers.

Theres no sense in us trying to push forward and going into the legislation if our council is not going to embrace it, he said.

City Manager Tim Gleason said the council could discuss the matter Jan. 19, or as part of a study session in February at the latest.

Decatur first surfaced last year as part of a legislative package to introduce new casinos in several locations across the state, including Chicago. Currently, Illinois authorizes 10 casino licenses that each allow up to 1,200 gaming positions.

While state law determines the number and general location of licenses, the Illinois Gaming Board awards those licenses to casino owners for specific sites. One factor working in favor of the Decatur proposal is that construction could take place in as little as four months, developers said.

After touring the city, Uram became convinced the conference center was the perfect spot.

Its absolutely made to drop a casino in it, said Uram, who was introduced to Horve by former Mayor Mike McElroy. Its an appropriate size for either 400 or 600 gaming positions. Steve already has the restaurants, he has the room blocks, he has the parking, he has the highway access. Its absolutely a marriage to be made in heaven.

The developers estimate 35 percent to 40 percent of the casinos revenue could come from Central Illinois communities outside of Macon County.

(Gambling) produces jobs, Uram said. They are real jobs. They're jobs that aren't going away. They are not minimum-wage jobs, and they're jobs with benefits.

Illinois casinos pay wagering taxes, based on their adjusted gross receipts, and admission taxes, based on the number of patrons who visit. A portion of both goes to the city where the casino is located.
Born and raised on Bloomingtons west side, Patrick Henry Morrissey became a national labor leader in his early thirties.

As grand master (or president) of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen from 1895 to 1909, Morrissey was known as a friend to the rank and file, and a frequent visitor to the White House.

Born Sept. 11, 1862, to Mary and John Morrissey, Pat grew up on the 800 block of West Monroe Street. Dominating the west side at this time was the Chicago & Alton Railroad, the heavily trafficked freight and passenger line connecting Chicago to St. Louis and used today by Union Pacific and Amtrak.

The C&A depot was on the west side, as were the railroads sprawling shops and yards where locomotives and railcars were maintained, repaired and refurbished.

The working-class Morrissey family prized education, and the children attended school long after most of their west side peers had entered the labor force.

Thats not to say a young Patrick Morrissey didnt work during his school years. Education of a different sort occurred in and around the C&A Shops where he found employment as a call boy. Before the days of telephones, a call boys job was to roust train crews and let them know when their next run would be, noted local labor historian and community leader Mike Matejka in his 1989 biographical sketch of Morrissey. This included rapping on bedroom windows in the middle of the night, or tracking down trainmen at restaurants, poker games or taverns.

Morrissey graduated from Bloomington High School in 1879. There were 27 students in his graduating class and he was one of only five males. He then made his way to Chicago where he worked for a grocer, though he was soon drawn back to Bloomingtons west side and the world of railroading. By 1880 he was a clerk to a C&A master mechanic, while his later jobs included freight brakeman and conductor.

In this age of raw capitalism workers were often treated as little more than expendable parts in a cruel industrial and commercial machine designed to concentrate wealth into the hands of the robber baron class. This was the Gilded Age, a time of vast economic inequality unmatched in U.S. history (until today that is!)

In this unregulated economic order there were few livelihoods as dangerous as that of a railroad brakemen. In an era before air brakes, this job entailed traversing a moving train topside and setting brakes for each railcar out in the raw elements. Imagine doing that job atop a swaying, jostling train, to say nothing of facing heavy winds, rain, ice or snow.

Brakemen were also responsible for coupling and uncoupling cars using the dangerous link-and-pin system. This action required brakemen to stand between two rail cars and guide an elongated iron loop or link from one car to the coupler pocket of the other. As the link and pocket were drawn together the brakeman would drop an iron pin into an opening of the now-joined loop and coupler to hold them together.

Needless to say, this was as dangerous as it sounds. Brakemen often caught their fingers or entire hand in the coupler, or were crushed between the cars. A supervisor could hire experienced trainmen by the number of fingers missing, added Matejka.

Federal and state workers' compensation did not exist when Morrissey began his railroading career, and private insurers often refused to cover such dangerous occupations. Thus the early railroad unions known as brotherhoods, including Morrisseys Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, doubled as mutual insurance societies.

Organized along job type  engineers, firemen, conductors, brakemen brotherhoods were a hybrid of fraternal society and labor union. At a time when workers had few rights or protections that would allow them to organize and strike, the brotherhoods were relatively conservative, preferring to establish mutual confidence, and create and maintain harmonious relations between the owners and producers of capital.

Brakemen organized a brotherhood in 1883, and two years later Morrissey and about 30 other local brakemen and switchmen became charter members of the Bloomington lodge (as chapters or locals were known). Elected later that year to attend the brotherhoods third national convention, Morrissey impressed the newly elected grand master enough to be offered a job at the brotherhoods national office in Galesburg.

In 1890, the Brotherhood of Railroad Brakemen became the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen so it could represent a wider range of rail and yard positions, including conductors, baggage handlers, ticket collectors, flagmen and dining car stewards.

Four years later, in 1894, the American Railway Union (ARU) staged a strike against the Pullman Palace Car Co., a Chicago maker of railroad sleeping cars. The strikes determined leader was Eugene V. Debs, a former secretary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen who believed that an industry wide union such as the ARU would better serve the interests of railroad workers. The more cautious Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen opposed the ARU and even booted members who supported the Pullman Strike.

When a 32-year-old Morrissey took the reins of the BRT in 1895 the organization was in deep distress. The Panic of 1893 (panic was a once-popular term for a steep economic downturn) and the Pullman Strike had decimated the brotherhoods membership rolls and finances.

During Morrisseys 14 years as grand master, the BRT returned to national prominence and continued its evolution from fraternal society to labor union. His regime likely made its greatest mark by negotiating standardized railroad wages and working conditions within regions of the country. And under his leadership the brotherhoods membership increased from 10,000 to 120,000.

The former Bloomington brakemans willingness to bridge the gap between big business and organized labor made him a trusted ally of Progressive Era President Theodore Roosevelt, who proved far more supportive of labor than most of his fellow Republicans. The only prominent labor leader I ever met who was as good a citizen, as good an advisor politically, and as broad and practical a worker for social justice as the best of our people generally, was Patrick Morrissey, Roosevelt wrote to British statesman Winston Churchill.

Morrissey stepped down as head of the BRT in 1909. He passed away on Nov. 28, 1916 at his Galesburg home; the cause of death said to be a brain tumor. He was 54 years old.

Long afterward Morrissey remained a beloved figure of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. During World War II the BRT succeeded in getting a Liberty ship (a famed class of cargo vessel) named for their former grand master. The S.S. Patrick H. Morrissey was christened Dec. 7, 1943, at Brunswick, Ga.
NORMAL  A live webcast from Illinois State University will be part of the national American Democracy Project's coverage of the Jan. 12 State of the Union address from Washington, D.C.

The webcast is only part of what will happen when ISU serves as the collegiate hub for the ADP's coverage. There also will be a watch party in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center from 7 to 10 p.m. and Tweet-Up, with people commenting on the Twitter social media platform before, during and after President Barack Obama's speech.

ISU's Social Media Analytics Command Center will be part of the event, analyzing social media trends. Among other things, it can monitor how many people are commenting on a particular subject  in this case, the State of the Union address  where the comments originate, how many people share or retweet them and whether the comments are positive or negative.

ISU's American Democracy Project has had watch parties and Tweet-Ups before, but not on this scale, according to Steve Hunt, director of ISU's School of Communication.

The event webcast will be live-streamed to more than 500 schools affiliated with the American Democracy Project and its community college counterpart, The Democracy Commitment.

Hunt thinks one reason ISU was selected as a hub is because Heartland Community College is part of The Democracy Commitment.

The two schools have partnered with each other on other projects.

Sarah Diel-Hunt, Heartland's associate vice president for academic affairs, said Heartland will encourage its students to participate in this event.

"We don't know if President Obama will specifically address community colleges in his speech, but he has in the past," Diel-Hunt said.

She said students from China studying American culture at Heartland as part of the International Institute for Teaching and Learning also will attend the event.

Hunt is excited that ISU will be the national hub.

"It's a great opportunity to showcase the work that's happening at ISU, he said.

This will be the kickoff for nearly a year of activities designed to get students involved in the election, according to Hunt.

A representative of iCitizen, which makes a polling app, also will attend and unveil a new application, he said. The webcast will include interviews with faculty and students at ISU and across the county, as well as a panel discussion after the address.

Hunt emphasized that the event is open to everyone, not just students, faculty and staff.
Gun control is the hottest of political hot buttons, so it was no surprise that the reaction to President Barack Obamas efforts to tighten the sales of firearms was met with loud resistance.

In actuality, if folks would quit screaming for a minute and actually read the presidents ideas, they are a modest and reasonable attempt to fairly enforce federal laws already on the books.

Obama, who admits frustration that Congress has not approved stricter gun-related legislation, has decided to do what he can through executive orders. The biggest change will be to tighten up requirements of what constitutes a firearms dealer. Under current federal law, its unclear when someone crosses the line between the personal selling of guns and becoming a dealer. There are reports of dealers selling hundreds of guns a year, but skirting the requirement that purchasers undergo background checks.

Other parts of Obamas plan include 230 new FBI examiners to process background checks faster, research into smart gun technology that could reduce accidental shootings, asking Congress for $500 million to improve mental health care and tightening up provisions to track lost or stolen guns.

Folks, these are not big changes. The biggest impact will be on unscrupulous firearms dealers who are hiding behind the vagueness of federal law. These reforms will have little or no impact in Illinois that already has laws that are stricter than federal law.

The reaction to Obama's move was predictably loud and misleading. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., called the changes a form of intimidation that undermines liberty. Presidential contender Jeb Bush said Obama was using executive powers he doesnt have.

Two Illinois area congressmen got into the act. Republican Reps. Rodney Davis and John Shimkus both immediately issued press releases touting their support of the Second Amendment and saying the presidents action were unconstitutional. Both lawmakers seemed eager to make political points, but failed to acknowledge their home states laws already are stricter than federal law.

The presidents steps are a reasonable adjustment of regulations to fulfill the purpose of an existing statute. There are gun dealers that are selling hundreds of guns a year, but skirting the requirement for background checks. Congressional critics of the Obama's action could fix this vague law, but they have refused to do so.

The presidents actions are not a cure-all. They will not stop all mass killings and may have little or no impact on gun violence in our nation.

But the proposals are a measured and modest attempt to make it harder for people who are barred from owning guns to buy guns.
The cruiser ** has passed on. He is no more. *(Russian naval vessels are by tradition "he's" rather than the "she's" of English or American sai...

6 months ago
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OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea  A powerful U.S. B-52 bomber flew low over South Korea on Sunday, a clear show of force from the United States as a Cold War-style standoff deepened between its ally Seoul and North Korea following Pyongyangs fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will read the fly-over of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons  seen by an Associated Press photographer at Osan Air Base near Seoul  as a threat. Any hint of Americas nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the United States to topple its authoritarian government.

The B-52 was joined by South Korean F-15 and U.S. F-16 fighters and returned to its base in Guam after the flight, the U.S. military said.

This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland, said Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander U.S. Pacific Command, in a statement. North Koreas nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations.

The B-52 flight follows a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to celebrate the countrys widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test. Kim is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world and to boost his domestic political goals.

There was no immediate reaction from North Koreas state media to the B-52 fly-over, which also happened after North Koreas third nuclear test in 2013.

Kims first public comments about last weeks test came in a visit to the countrys military headquarters, where he called the explosion a self-defensive step meant to protect the region from the danger of nuclear war caused by the U.S.-led imperialists, according to a dispatch Sunday from state-run Korean Central News Agency.

It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize, Kim was reported as saying during his tour of the Peoples Armed Forces Ministry.

The tone of Kims comments, which sought to glorify him and justify the test, is typical of state media propaganda.

But they also provide insight into North Koreas long-running argument that it is the presence of tens of thousands of U.S. troops in South Korea and Japan, and a hostile U.S. policy that seeks to topple the government in Pyongyang, that make North Koreas pursuit of nuclear weapons absolutely necessary.

During his tour, Kim posed for photos with leading military officials in front of statues of the two members of his family who led the country previously  Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung. He also sought to link the purported success of the nuclear test to a ruling Workers Party convention in May, the partys first since 1980. Hes expected to use the congress to announce major state policies and shake up the countrys political elite to further consolidate his power.

World powers are looking for ways to punish the North over a nuclear test that, even if not of a hydrogen bomb, still likely pushes Pyongyang closer to its goal of a nuclear-armed missile that can reach the U.S. mainland. Many outside governments and experts question whether the blast was in fact a powerful hydrogen test.

In the wake of the test on Wednesday, the two Koreas have settled into the kind of Cold War-era standoff that has defined their relationship over the past seven decades. Since Friday, South Korea has been blasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda from huge speakers along the border, and the North is reportedly using speakers of its own in an attempt to keep its soldiers from hearing the South Korean messages.

A top North Korean ruling party officials recent warning that the Souths broadcasts have pushed the Korean Peninsula toward the brink of war is typical of Pyongyangs over-the-top rhetoric. But it is also indicative of the real fury that the broadcasts, which criticize the countrys revered dictatorship, cause in the North.

North Korea considers the South Korean broadcasts tantamount to an act of war. When Seoul Korea briefly resumed propaganda broadcasts in August after an 11-year break, Seoul says the two Koreas exchanged artillery fire.

South Korean troops, near about 10 sites where loudspeakers started blaring propaganda Friday, were on the highest alert, but have not detected any unusual movement from North Korea along the border, said an official from Seouls Defense Ministry, who refused to be named, citing office rules.

South Koreas Yonhap news agency said Seoul had deployed missiles, artillery and other weapons systems near the border to swiftly deal with any possible North Korean provocation. The ministry would not confirm the report, nor another by Yonhap that said North Korea had started its own broadcasts likely meant to keep its soldiers from hearing the South Korean messages.

Officials say broadcasts from the Souths loudspeakers can travel about 10 kilometers (6 miles) during the day and 24 kilometers (15 miles) at night. That reaches many of the huge force of North Korean soldiers stationed near the border, as well as residents in border towns such as Kaesong, where the Koreas jointly operate an industrial park that has been a valuable cash source for the impoverished North.

While the Souths broadcasts also include news and pop music, much of the programming challenges North Koreas government more directly.

We hope that our fellow Koreans in the North will be able to live in a society that doesnt invade individual lives as soon as possible, a female presenter said in parts of the broadcast that officials revealed to South Korean media. Countries run by dictatorships even try to control human instincts.

Marathon talks by the Koreas in August eased anger and stopped the broadcasts, which Seoul started after blaming North Korean land mines for maiming two soldiers. It might be more difficult to do so now. Seoul cant stand down easily, some analysts say, and its highly unlikely that the North will express regret for its nuclear test, which is a source of intense national pride.

Responding to the Norths bomb test, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged China, the Norths only major ally and biggest aid provider, to end business as usual with North Korea.

Diplomats at a U.N. Security Council emergency session pledged to swiftly pursue new sanctions. For current sanctions and any new penalties to work, better cooperation and stronger implementation from China is seen as key.

It may take weeks or longer to confirm or refute the Norths claim that it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, which would mark a major and unanticipated advance for its still-limited nuclear arsenal.



Klug reported from Seoul. Associated Press writers Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this report.
MEXICO CITY  After long resisting requests from Washington, the Mexican government appears to be moving toward extraditing Joaquin Guzman Loera, the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo, to the United States to face drug and murder charges there, Mexican officials said Saturday.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the government had not formally announced the decision, said the process could take months as it goes through the judicial system. On Saturday, the attorney general of Mexico, Arely Gomez Gonzalez, said for the first time that the government took preliminary steps to proceed with Guzmans extradition as far back as July, shortly after his escape from prison.

Guzmans lawyers are expected to fight extradition to the United States, where he faces at least seven indictments in federal courts on charges of drug trafficking and murder.

A spokesman for President Enrique Pena Nieto declined to comment and, given the controversial nature of extradition within Mexico, it remained possible that the government would stick to its longstanding refusal to send Guzman to the United States until he first serves time in Mexico.

Guzman, who escaped from prison last year, was captured Friday after a gunbattle near the coast in his home state, Sinaloa. His capture was the culmination of a monthslong manhunt in the mountains of the Golden Triangle, a rugged area in the northwest of the country. After an intense gunfight in the coastal city of Los Mochis, Guzman was captured attempting to flee in a vehicle with one of his top lieutenants.

Extraditing Guzman would be an about-face for the government, which has in the past resisted efforts to extradite the drug lord as a matter of sovereignty. Guzman, head of the Sinaloa Cartel, would first serve his time in Mexico before he was sent to the United States, officials said.

Almost exactly one year ago, Jesus Murillo Karam, the Mexican attorney general at the time, said: I can accept extradition, but when I say so. El Chapo has to stay here and do his time, then Ill extradite him. Some 300, 400 years later. Thats a lot of time.

Even as recently as three weeks before his escape from prison, through a mile-long tunnel connected to his shower stall, the United States had made a formal extradition request for Guzman.

But even if the government has come around to the idea of extradition, the legal process could take many months. Guzmans lawyers have already filed motions to block any extradition, dating from his last imprisonment in 2014, and the process must go through the judicial system.

It is not merely a matter of an executive decision, one of the officials said.

For now, though, the attorney generals office appeared prepared to press on with the early steps leading to extradition. Noting the efforts by Guzmans lawyers to file injunctions, a statement from the office on Saturday noted that none of them prevents the execution of these orders, much less the start of the extradition procedure.

While the granting of an extradition request is typically funneled through the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the presidents office is central to any decision. It was, after all, the governments decision to refuse extradition the last time.

As for the actual process of extradition, legal experts say Guzman has the right to appeal the decision, which is a near certainty in this case. The attorney generals office would then pursue the appeal in court.

In the past, experts say, the courts have generally sided with the government in extradition cases. But the idea that the process could be expedited, or turned around quickly, is unlikely.

There is no fast-track extradition, said Agustin Acosta, a defense lawyer not involved in the case. The process could take maybe as long as a year.

The United States has made several extradition requests for Guzman, and officials are hopeful he may be sent there as law enforcement relations have improved, a Justice Department official said Saturday. But the department has not received any definite commitment, the official said.

Is it possible? Yes, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in discussing international deliberations. But I have not heard anything definitive.

The official noted that Mexico had agreed to send several high-level fugitives, including Edgar La Barbie Valdez, in September and said that relations between the two countries in law enforcement operations had improved drastically in recent months. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has met twice with Gomez Gonzalez.

Theres a different mindset, the official said.

(STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.)

In the aftermath of Guzmans escape, relations between the Mexican and U.S. governments were at a low. Offers of U.S. assistance to Mexican law enforcement authorities, including drones and intelligence, were initially rebuffed.

The decision mystified many on the U.S. side, and even led some within the Mexican government to grow impatient.

Guzman, with close to a billion dollars in personal wealth and the weight of Mexicos most powerful drug cartel behind him, was a particularly well-resourced fugitive.

But the nature of the early relationship between the United States and Pena Nietos government was one of caution. When Pena Nieto came to office, he sought to break with the administration of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon, who worked very closely with the Americans and devoted much of his time to prosecuting the U.S.-led war on drugs.

Individuals in the Calderon administration said that toward the end of their time in office, there was a recognition that the Mexican government had done too much on behalf of the United States, to the point of even working against its own interests. They pursued the gangs with full force, breaking many of them apart while also creating an unpredictable group of organizations that were less disciplined and more violent.

But the black eye of Guzmans escape, from the countrys most secure prison, caused the government to begin rethinking its strategy. The reach of the drug baron, his ability to successfully bribe and threaten officials, bring incredible resources to bear and pull off the seemingly impossible have started to prompt a change of heart at the top.

One of the officials said sending Guzman to the United States was simply the right thing to do, but denied that it was because Mexican institutions were not up to the task. But in both of his past escapes, Guzman has managed to involve prison officials, pointing once more to the challenges faced by Mexico.

And, for the time being, he will be held at the same prison from which he escaped in July.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  The U.S. refugee program came under fresh criticism after federal authorities revealed that two Iraqi-born men arrested on terrorism-related charges had come to America as refugees.

While there was no evidence the men intended or planned attacks in the United States, Republican lawmakers already concerned about the federal governments ability to properly vet Syrian refugees said the cases highlight weaknesses in the program that put Americans safety at risk.

How many ticking time bombs are we going to bring in in this refugee program without a proper vetting system in place? Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas and chairman of House Homeland Security Committee, said at a news conference Friday.

He and other GOP lawmakers urged the Senate to pass legislation to block refugees from Iraq and Syria until screening is improved. The House passed a bill in November.

The uproar comes after weeks of fervent debate in Washington and on the presidential campaign trail about tighter security screens in the wake of attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.

Immigrant advocates said they have full confidence in the vetting process and that tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees have been successfully resettled under the program.

On Thursday, federal authorities in California accused 23-year-old Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab of Sacramento of traveling to Syria to fight and lying to U.S. officials about it. Al-Jayab had come to the United States as a refugee in October 2012, and discussed on social media how he fought against the regime in Syria as a teen, authorities said.

In Texas, 24-year-old Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan of Houston was indicted on charges that he tried to provide material support to the extremists. Both suspects are Palestinians born in Iraq, authorities said.

The U.S. annually accepts 70,000 refugees from around the world, including people fleeing violence, religious persecution and war, and has announced plans to increase the number to 85,000 this year.

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, about 785,000 refugees have arrived in the country, and fewer than 20 have been arrested or removed over terrorism-related concerns, according to the State Department.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday the screening of refugees is rigorous and thorough. He repeated the administrations opposition to proposals that would impose a religious test or bar individuals from the U.S. based on their ethnicity.

That doesnt represent who we are as a country and, most importantly, its not going to keep us safe, Earnest said.

More than 127,000 Iraqi refugees have arrived in the United States since October 2006, with the largest numbers headed toward California, Michigan and Texas, according to State Department statistics. Some Iraqis go through the U.N. refugee agency, while some can apply directly to the refugee program in Jordan, Egypt and Iraq.

Melanie Nezer, vice president for policy and advocacy at the Jewish refugee agency HIAS, said she worries the recent backlash might place law-abiding refugees under suspicion. She said she has confidence in the governments screening measures and that these are continually updated by federal intelligence officials.

The vast majority of refugees, including Iraqi refugees, have not caused any harm to our country and will not cause any harm to our country, she said.

Federal authorities said Al-Jayab promised to provide weapons training to Al Hardan and advised him on how he would be assigned to the battlefield once he arrived in Syria. While authorities say Al Jayab fought twice in Syria, including with a group eventually linked to Islamic State, there is no indication that Al Hardan actually traveled there.

Al Hardan became a legal permanent resident of the United States in 2011 and applied in 2014 to become a U.S. citizen, authorities said. Al-Jayab was interviewed by immigration officials in 2014 for his green card and did not disclose his recent travel to Syria, authorities said.

Security screenings for immigrants and travelers have come under increased scrutiny because of recent attacks. Rules have been tightened for visa-free travel to the United States and lawmakers have vowed to look into the fiance visa program, which was used by the husband-and-wife attackers in San Bernardino who killed 14 people last month.

On Friday, senior White House officials and members of the presidents national security team traveled to Silicon Valley to seek tech industry help to stop the Islamic State and other groups from radicalizing people online.
I was Barack Obama's first full time volunteer in New York City.
For some residents, a weather expert said, the string of El Nino-fueled storms that dumped up to 3 inches of rain on Inland Southern California last week was a shock.

But Bill Patzert, a climate scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, said that was because its been years since the region has received such a thorough soaking from winter rain  not because of widespread damage.

I think all in all everybody survived pretty well, Patzert said. There wasnt any large-scale regional damage.

Rain tended to fall steadily but not in torrents, delivering a manageable inch or so of moisture each day, he said.

And it showed, said Juan Perez, director of the Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency.

Overall, our roads fared very well for this set of storms, Perez said, although a section of Box Canyon Road in the desert washed out and will need to be repaired.

LIKE A POSTCARD

Ditto for Murrieta in southwest Riverside County.

I dont want to call it a dry run because it was very wet, said Kim Summers, Murrieta assistant city manager.

But Summers said aside from some street flooding, an expected surge in traffic accidents and a tree falling down in a city park, Murrieta weathered the week relatively unscathed.

It actually went better than we could have hoped, she said. We didnt have any major incidents.

As a result, the moisture was largely celebrated.

Skiers and snowboarders rejoiced at the 3-foot-base left behind at Snow Valley Mountain Resort, said resort spokesman John Brice. Throughout the Southern California mountains, resort operators who have mastered the art of making artificial snow crowed that the new powder was real snow from the sky.

Only time will tell if El Nino will make a significant dent in the drought that has plagued the state four straight years and triggered unprecedented watering restrictions. But it has begun to ease the dry conditions.

And already the parched Inland landscape is responding.

Today Southern California just looks gorgeous, Patzert said in a telephone interview Friday. Its amazing how quickly the hillsides and everybodys yards green up. And looking up at the mountains and seeing all that snow, it looks like a postcard.

TOO EARLY TO CALL

With all the hype in recent months, last week was the first period of rainfall that was clearly generated by the weather pattern created by warmer-than-normal water in the equatorial Pacific.

Its our first taste of the pattern, said Tina Stall, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego.

For the next several days, there will be a pause in that pattern, Stall said.

Following Saturdays weak storm, which was expected to drop a quarter inch of rain, she said skies are expected to be dry through Wednesday, before another storm arrives late in the week.

Its a little too early to call that one, Stall said.

Whatever that next storm brings, NASAs Patzert said, dont get lulled into thinking the moderate storms that characterized the first week of January will be the pattern every week in this El Nino-charged season.

It was what I call a trailer for El Nino, he said. If you didnt like the trailer, then youre definitely not going to like the main feature.

DEADLY POTENTIAL

This years edition of the weather phenomenon is one of the most powerful on record, climate scientists say. And strong El Ninos have been known to cause enormous damage.

According to a Federal Emergency Management Agency report issued in December, the 1997-98 El Nino caused $883 million in damage across California, was blamed for 17 deaths and led to 40 of the 58 counties being declared federal disaster areas.

Thanks to a mild delivery from Mother Nature, the first brush with this latest El Nino was tolerable.

It helped, Perez and Summers said, that workers cleared drains and graded road shoulders in advance.

And it helped, officials said, that residents heeded warnings, and went out and bought flood insurance and stocked up on sandbags.

Moreno Valley officials said that between October and Thursday they had distributed more than 38,000 prefilled sandbags. The bags are available at area fire stations.

Mary Simms, a FEMA spokeswoman in Oakland, said thousands of families throughout California have taken out flood insurance policies, reversing a yearslong decline.

FEMA statistics show the number of policies statewide slid from 276,222 in 2009 to 234,308 in 2014.

Simms said 28,084 new flood insurance policies were taken out by Californias from Aug. 31 to Nov. 30, and more than 20,000 were written in November alone.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9699 or ddowney@pressenterprise.com
Updates with man being found.

An 89-year-old man reported missing Saturday has been found, San Bernardino police said Sunday afternoon, Jan. 10.

Family members of Charles Chuck Obershaw contacted police about 8 p.m. Saturday, Lt. Richard Lawhead said in a news release. Obershaw had gone to lunch at Arrowhead Country Club and never returned home, family told the police. They said such behavior is totally out of character.

At 12:05 p.m., police posted on Facebook that Obershaw had been located. Details were not immediately available.

Obershaw is the former owner of Toyota of San Bernardino, according to his profileon the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation web page. Hes also a former president of the San Bernardino Area Chair of Commerce.

He graduated from San Bernardino High School and then from Valley College in 1950, the page said. He has since given many scholarships to local high school graduates.

Obershaw received the Patrick Henry Medallion for Patriotic Contributions for his service in World War II, the site said.

He and his wife, Shelby, have five children, the site said.
A driver smashed his vehicle into a Redlands home Saturday, Jan. 9, and officials are investigating the cause, police said.

About 2:18 a.m. a 28-year-old man whose name was not released crashed his black sedan through the wall on a house in the 400 block of Robinhood Lane causing significant damage to the structure and the residents belongings, Redlands Fire Department officials said in a news release.

The driver was evaluated by paramedics on the scene for hand pain, but ultimately he declined to go to the hospital. No other injuries were reported, officials said in the release.

Crews worked to remove the vehicle until about 3 a.m., and the cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said.

Redlands police ask anyone with information to call 909-798-7681.

Contact the writer: psurowski@pressenterprise.com, 951-368-9648, follow him on Twitter at @PeterSurowski and like him on Facebook.
Updates with comments from Reyes.

The partner of a victim of the Dec. 2 terrorist attack in San Bernardino spoke up, and the first lady was listening.

Ryan Reyes of Rialto, who has been outspoken in his opposition to the anti-Muslim rhetoric that followed the massacre, will be the guest of Michelle Obama at President Barack Obamas final State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Reyes is the partner of Larry Daniel Kaufman, 42, also of Rialto,

who was one of the 14 victims of the Dec. 2 attack at Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino. Reyes, 32, will join at least five others from Inland Southern California at the speech as guests of officials.

The guests personify President Obamas time in office and most importantly, they represent who we are as Americans: inclusive and compassionate, innovative and courageous, said a White House statement.

Reyes said he was invited last week. He said his position on the anti-Muslim rhetoric that followed the Dec. 2 attack caught the attention of White House officials. Reyes said he doesnt believe the actions of those with extremist views should be a reflection on all Muslims.

One group doesnt speak for everybody and we all know this, he said in a phone interview Sunday. But for some reason when it comes to religion we dont think that way.

Reyes has had a handful of interactions with Muslims since Kaufmans death, he said, and all have been positive.

A group of Muslim men approached Reyes at a memorial service a few days after the attack to show their condolences, he said.

Reyes invited one of the men to Kaufmans service. The man brought his sister, Reyes said.

Because Kaufman was Wiccan, his funeral was more of a celebration, which Reyes said surprised the two guests.

We were celebrating, laughing (and) talking, he said. We view death a little differently, but they were pleasantly surprised.

Kaufman worked as a job trainer for Pathways, a contractor at the Inland Regional Center, overseeing the coffee cart where developmentally disabled clients would learn to make drinks and use the cash register.

Witnesses credited Kaufman with saving the lives of four people in the midst of the attack before being shot and killed.

Other Inland Southern California residents who will attend the speech were announced last week:

Trenna Meins, widow of Damian Meins, who was one of those slain at the regional center, was invited by Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside. She will be accompanied to Washington, D.C., by her daughters, Tina and Tawnya.

Police dispatcher Annie Teall, who helped coordinate the response to the attack, will attend as the guest of Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona, herself a former police dispatcher.

James Parnell, director of patient care for the adult emergency department at Loma Linda University Medical Center, the guest of Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Redlands.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon, also the guest of Aguilar.

San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan, also the guest of Aguilar.

Michelle Obamas section at the State of the Union also will include a vacant seat representing victims of gun violence. The seat is for those who no longer have a voice  because they need the rest of us to speak for them, the White House statement said.

Also in the first ladys visitor box will be Syrian refugee Refaai (reh-FEYE) Hamo of Troy, Mich., who was invited to exemplify the refugees plight.

The White House says a missile tore through the complex Hamo designed and where his family lived in Syria. Seven family members died in the blast. He arrived in Michigan with three daughters and a son in December.

Republican lawmakers and presidential candidates have upped their criticism of accepting more Syrian refugees under the current vetting process.
A Riverside hospital recently opened a new unit for involuntary psychiatric patients to help fill a shortage in the county.

Pacific Grove Hospital, which treats people with severe psychiatric and chemical dependency issues, opened a secure, 24-bed psychiatry unit on Dec. 23, said Sheila Hunt, the hospitals director of business development.

Staff at the hospital, formerly known as Knollwood Psychiatric Hospital and Chemical Dependency Center, will treat some of the most serious psychiatric cases involving people placed on a 72-hour involuntary hold for evaluation and treatment, known under state law as a 5150 hold.

Hunt said many patients on involuntary holds for evaluation and treatment have to be sent to other counties.

By adding these 24 5150 beds, we are helping to ameliorate this crisis, Hunt said. But its still not enough.

The new unit at 5900 Brockton Ave. will bring the countys total number of inpatient psychiatric beds to 154, with 12 for adolescents, said Steve Steinberg, acting director for the Riverside County mental health department, now known as Riverside University Health System  Behavioral Health.

The countys lack of hospital beds contributes to a psychiatric dilemma facing it and other counties. Many are seeing people with more acute psychiatric problems and an increased demand for services brought on by a growing population and the Affordable Care Act, he said.

Riverside University Medical Center Department of Psychiatry Emergency Treatment Services in Moreno Valley has 77 inpatient beds for adults and adolescents. The Riverside County Crisis Stabilization Unit in Indio has 16 beds and the Corona Regional Medical Center has 37, Steinberg said.

Riverside County also has 36 beds in involuntary crisis stabilization units at the Moreno Valley and Indio sites. Crisis stabilization units differ from 5150 units in that stays are only up to 24 hours.

San Bernardino County has about 380 psychiatric beds.

Riverside County has about 9 beds per 100,000 people, San Bernardino has about 18 and Los Angeles County has about 24, with 2,382 total beds, according to a 2015 California Hospital Association report on psychiatric inpatient beds.

About 10 involuntarily held psychiatric patients at any given time are being treated in other counties after being transferred there from Riverside County, Steinberg said. He did not have annual averages or totals.

The 5150 section of the state Welfare and Institutions Code allows people who are mentally disabled or a danger to themselves or others to be detained under an order by police or others, such as emergency room medical staff or personnel at facilities licensed to evaluate and treat such cases.

Pacific Grove Hospital, operated by Tennessee-based Acadia Healthcare, has 38 other beds  28 for voluntary psychiatric patients and 10 for inpatient detoxification.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9444 or shurt@pressenterprise.com
In a shocking display of incompetence, written comments that were submitted on a controversial gas pipeline project at three public meetings from Hesperia to Moreno Valley have been lost.

The California Public Utilities Commission acknowledged Friday that some comments as well as the sign-in sheets from the meetings held in Moreno Valley, San Bernardino and Hesperia on Oct. 27, 28 and 29 were lost.

The meetings were held to give the public a chance to weigh in on the proposed Southern California Gas Company/San Diego Gas & Electric pipeline from a pumping station in Adelanto to one in Moreno Valley.

It would roughly follow the 15 freeway through the Cajon Pass, then track eastward along the 215. Then it would zigzag through some of the busiest and most attractive neighborhoods of embattled San Bernardino. (The city is bankrupt and recently endured the nations worst terrorist attack since 9/11.)

The pipeline would then run down rural Reche Canyon Road to Moreno Valley, crossing land approved for Iddo Benzeevis World Logistics Center complex.

People who spoke at the Oct. 27 meeting in San Bernardino asked the utilities to move the route out of a country club neighborhood, and avoid crossing the earthquake-prone San Andreas and San Jacinto faults in populated areas.

Many including city officials suggested following the 215 to the 60, already a commercial-industrial corridor. The utilities have not explained why they rejected alternate routes.

A consultant for the CPUC  San Francisco-based Ecology and Environment Inc.  ran the three environmental scoping meetings on the pipeline plan.

The consultant recently mailed notices about the lost comments to properties within 300 feet of the proposed pipeline, asking those who submitted written remarks to send them again, and extending the deadline from Nov. 23 to Jan. 18.

But many people who live near the proposed route but outside the 300-foot limit didnt get the notices although they signed up to be notified of developments on the project and the sign-in sheets were lost, too.

I asked CPUC spokesman Christopher Chow whether the commission would repeat the meetings to make sure no one is missed. He said the sign-in sheets werent intended to create a mailing list; people were told to email the consultant to be added.

Chow reiterated that the deadline for comments was extended to make up for losing the comments. He said CPUC is committed to receiving public input on the project.

The blunder didnt sit well with people already alarmed about the pipeline route.

Im just absolutely shocked, said Tim Prince, who lives in the country club neighborhood.

Ive been a lawyer for 25 years and Ive never lost a critical piece of evidence like that, he said.

Real estate consultant Scott Beard, who also lives near the pipeline route, said in 37 years of attending environmental hearings on proposed developments, hes never known comments and sign-in sheets to be lost.

I find it highly irregular, Beard said. And I think it goes to the degree in which the Gas Co. thinks they can do pretty much whatever they want and take advantage of San Bernardino in a weakened position.

A spokeswoman for the Gas Co. referred my questions to the CPUC, as did a representative of Ecology and Environment Inc.

After four days of calls and emails, Chow returned my call Friday afternoon, saying he is not familiar with the project. He sent me a link to a number of comments submitted online and by mail.

Most plead with the utilities to choose a route through less-populated areas.

San Bernardinos development director outlined two possible routes through the desert. He and others asked the utilities to identify alternate routes they considered and explain why they rejected them.

Highland Fairview, developer of the controversial World Logistics Center in Moreno Valley, asked the utilities to pick a route that doesnt bisect the companys land.

San Bernardino Councilman Jim Mulvihill, who represents the country club neighborhood, also found the loss of documents from an environmental proceeding incredible.

The (comments) are legal documents and they have to respond to each one of them, Mulvihill said. Its really inconceivable that they could lose something like that.

The notice asking people to resubmit their comments wasnt in an envelope, Mulvihill said; it was an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper folded in three and addressed to Current Resident.

The return address said North-South Project, not indicating it was about the pipeline, he said; it could easily have been mistaken for junk mail and discarded.

I asked Mulvihill whether he thinks the CPUC should reschedule the hearings. He said it should. I agree.

This gigantic project is too disruptive to go forward in a slipshod way. That undermines public confidence in the CPUCs fairness to affected communities.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9470 or cmacduff@pressenterprise.com
Netflix recently announced theyve amassed thousands of hidden categories, through which they siphon your media proclivities into increasingly obscure groups. Exclusively Satanic stories? Check. Action movies starring Stephen Baldwin? Oh boy, check.

Films showing grizzled Southerner Matthew McConaughey going against society to do whats right? Well, no, not yet. That doesnt mean there shouldnt be, though, cause Free State Of Jones only seems to add to the growing niche that Dallas Buyers Club, True Detective, and Mud have already carved out.

The newie shows McConaughey portraying a real-life U.S Civil War deserter in the Deep South, as he hitches up with resistance forces, attempts to secede from the Confederacy and instate the eponymous Free State Of Jones, all while aiding former slaves whod escaped from surrounding plantations.

Spoiler alert: unless theyve been keeping it very secret for the better part of 300 years, Jones aint one of the Lower 48. Still, this impending addition to the McConnaissance has already earned its keep with a fair whack of barn-burning, Confederate-shootin, drawl-slinging action. Its set for release in the states on May 13.

Live free or die below:

Photo: Youtube.
Owning a small business means having two families, one is your traditional family comprised of your spouse, children, and parents, while the other is your work family including assistants, executives, and other staff. Both families rely on you and your business partners to ensure the continuance and stability of income, a happy, healthy environment, and the kind of financial support that provides them peace of mind.

This column is about supporting your work family in what may be one of your lower priority endeavors but possibly one of your employees' most important initiatives: your company sponsored retirement plan.

Winding down the year

As 2015 quickly comes to a close, many business owners find themselves pulled away from the daily tasks that keep their company profitable and instead they spend the waning days of the year wading through the confusing morass of retirement plan rules in an effort to choose the best plan for the ensuing year.

In the interest of simplicity, let's focus on three types of qualified retirement plans for investigation, 401(k) plans, SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs.

Timelines

Given the fact that a qualified plan put into place prior to the end of the calendar year allows for contributions and tax deductions for that same year, a decision prior to December 31st could make a considerable difference in your personal and your company's 2015 tax liability.

I'm just going to pull it off like a Band-Aid: the bad news is that you've missed your deadline to start a new SIMPLE IRA for the plan year as that deadline had come and gone on October 1st. You say that you had had plans to start a SIMPLE? Well, adopting a SIMPLE will now have to wait until next year.

The good news is that your timeline to adopt a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan may be a bit longer than the end of the year. These types of plans must be filed by the tax filing due date of the business plus extensions. This means that missing the December 31st deadline for adopting the plan may not preclude savings into the plan for the 2015 tax year.

401(k) plans, on the other hand, must be established by the end of the tax year for which plan contributions will be made.

Eligible employees

One of the most challenging facets of adopting a retirement plan for your company involves establishing which employees you would like to benefit most from the plan. Don't kid yourself, many business owners use retirement plans to incentivize and retain their most valuable employees.

The challenge here lies in the fact that most companies cannot simply isolate their key executives and top management, those employees often most difficult to replace, to receive the majority of the benefit in implementing a plan.

The Labor Department has set strict guidelines for how employees are able to benefit from plans in the interest of ensuring that key employees are not sole beneficiaries of retirement plans. These rules are what guide many business owners toward the eventual plan they will be using for their company.

For a SEP IRA, an employer can exclude any employee who has not worked for the business for three of the five preceding years, has not achieved at least age 21, and has not received compensation of at least $600 from the employer for the year.

For a 401(k) plan, employees who are under age 21 and performed less than one year of service can be excluded. For a profit-sharing plan, the service requirement can be up to two years.

Eligibility for employee participation in SIMPLE IRA plans is pretty clear. Those employees who received at least $5,000 in compensation from you during any 2 preceding calendar years (whether or not consecutive) and who are expected to receive at least $5,000 in compensation during the calendar year are eligible to participate for the calendar year.

Savings requirements

And the conversation about retirement plans would certainly not be complete without a discussion as to which plans allow for how much savings. This is also an incredibly important point to consider as each type of plan allows for different savings and vesting schedules.

401k plans are the most complex in their requisite savings rules, while SIMPLE IRAs are the most straightforward. SEP IRA's fall somewhere in between.

That said, many very small, profitable businesses, i.e. one-man shops, rely on SEP IRAs to meet their savings goals. Companies with a few eligible employees, but no more than 100, oftentimes utilize SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k) plans tend to be held by larger and oftentimes quite profitable businesses.

Never enough

Volumes of books have been written about adopting the most suitable retirement plan for a company, but it should suffice to state here that very few business owners adopt retirement plans for their business without the help of a qualified retirement plan adviser. The complexity of the rules nearly require the weigh-in of a plan professional, and many advisers do provide cost-free consultations to help business owners in the task.

Anthony M. Conte is Managing Partner at Conte Wealth Advisors with offices at 2009 Market Street, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Mechanicsburg, and Fort Myers, Florida. He has a Master's Degree in Financial Services and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification, and he welcomes your emails: tconte@contewealth.com

Registered Representative Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Conte Wealth Advisors, LLC are not affiliated.

The opinions expressed in this column are solely the writer's and do not reflect the opinions of PennLive.com or The Patriot-News. Before acting on any financial advice, readers should consider whether it is suitable for their circumstance and consider seeking advice from a financial or investment adviser.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Authorities in western Pennsylvania say a neighbor shot and killed a dog after the animal attacked a 7-year-old boy in a Pittsburgh home.

The Pittsburgh public safety department says officers were dispatched to a home in the Esplen neighborhood at about 11:15 p.m. Saturday and found the child with head injuries. He was taken to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh where he was listed in stable condition Sunday.

Police said the victim's 14-year-old brother ran to a neighbor for help after the attack by the pit bull, which belonged to a friend of the mother of the children. Officials said the neighbor, who has a license to carry a firearm, shot and killed the animal.
WILLIAMSPORT -- A 27-year-old Philadelphia man was fatally shot early Saturday on a street in Williamsport.

City police said Basil Hall was shot multiple times with a handgun in the 600 block of Rose Street about 2:45 a.m.

He was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m. in the Williamsport Regional Medical Center, according to Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. An autopsy is scheduled Monday, he said.

Police are releasing little information other than to say they are pursuing leads. This was the first homicide in Williamsport this year.

Court records show Hall recently completed a 15-to-30-day county prison sentence on a disorderly conduct charge and has faced drug counts in Philadelphia several times since 2008.
The most resonant and emotional topic at U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkleys town hall meeting in Brownsville Saturday afternoon was the Constitution.

At his 12th such meeting in five days, Oregon's Democratic junior senator took questions from a crowd of more than 30 citizens at the town's City Hall. He was peppered with questions (and some commentary from citizens) about health care, immigration, and the military, all of which were placed under the umbrella of the Constitution and its perceived erosion in recent years.

For example, applause and cheers erupted when Hayward Bellah, a retired U.S. Army command sergeant major, stood up and declared he is concerned about the Constitution.

"A lot of you here can relate," he said, "when I tell you I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic!

The word domestic was emphasized.

Amen! shouted one guest.

Second Amendment! shouted another.

Bellah described a list of concerns, ranging from border security to economic challenges, while Merkley listened.

We have to do a better job of being less poisonously partisan, replied Merkley. And what are the first three words of the Constitution?

The crowd answered in unison.

At the heart of The Constitution is We, the people, said Merkley. So it is designed to give power to the many, and not to a powerful few.

Merkley gained applause of his own when he voiced his opposition to Citizens United, the U.S. Supreme Court decision which held that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by a nonprofit corporation; the ruling cleared the way for so-called "super political action committees" that can spend unlimited amounts of cash on political causes. Merkley said the ruling was a step back for democracy.

On the constitutionality of presidential power to send troops into combat, Merkley allowed that President Obama has been checked recently by the Supreme Court for overstepping some bounds, but he tempered his statement with a bipartisan qualifier.

Every president gets knocked down by the legislative branch at least one time while in office, he said. So we have to depend on our courts to help be the referee.

Asked after the meeting for his interpretation of what the Constitution means, Merkley described it as a sort of double document.

It captures our fundamental principles and our fundamental freedoms, he said. And it is a strategy to give opportunity to every citizen.

Asked after the meeting about his interpretation of the Constitution, Bellah gave a similar answer, but with emphasis on different issues. The Constitution, he said, is a mechanism to run our lives.

And he continued to describe an America that he feels has lost its way.

We used to be the marketplace to the world, he said. Now, were the biggest customer in the world. And what country can last if it doesnt have borders?

Merkley said the tone of the Brownsville meeting  and other recent town hall meetings  was as a reaction to economic uncertainties, and a search for solutions or culprits.

Our economy is really pressuring the middle class, he said. Whether thats from an overreaching government or an inequity in wealth, what you hear at these town halls is a frustration, and they're searching for solutions.

But he declined to speculate on how he thought the tone might translate into this year's elections.

Well, you know, I left my crystal ball back in Washington, so I really dont know, he said.
Affluenza teen mom

Tonya Couch is escorted to a waiting vehicle after her arrival to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Couch, mother of a fugitive teenager known for using an "affluenza" defense in a deadly drunken-driving case, waived extradition and was sent to Texas from California to face a charge of hindering the apprehension of a felon. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

By Bob Quarteroni

So you get blind drunk, cause a car accident that kills four people and go to trial.

There you claim you were too rich, too pampered and too unschooled in basic principles of human morality to know better and, abracadabra, the insane argument works on an addled judge and you walk away with nothing but probation, not even "having to pick up the trash," as Nancy Grace said.

Yes, you poor affluenza-stricken lad, you knew no better, the great, ponderous and laughably impartial American justice systems says, giving the lightest possible little tap-slap on the wrist to Ethan Couch, who was facing 20 years in prison but instead got his get-out-of-jail free card thanks to our fun-loving jurisprudence circus.

Which leads us to ask: what in the name of the slanted scales of justice is going on here?

Well, obviously, nothing even remotely rational.

But nothing the American legal systems spews out surprises me ever since the O.J. Simpson jury, in their collective insanity, decided that monster was innocent because, "if the gloves don't fit, you must acquit" and other such Romper Room funnies.

Instead of trying to make sense of this -- which I can't -- I thought it might be in order in this Brave New Legal World where pretty much anything you can imagine -- and even somethings that are beyond your imagining -- seem to be becoming the norm, to look at some other affluenza-like defenses in the land of the free and the home of the irrational.

For your consideration, item number one, as Rod Serling would have introduced a segment on the Twilight Zone, is that sacred legal argument: the "Twinkie" defense.

This defense -- I'm too high on sugar to know better -- was used by Dan White in his trial for the murders of San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk and mayor George Moscone.

White's defense was that he suffered diminished capacity as a result of depression that led him from healthy food to Twinkies and other sugary foods.

And, once again with the legal Gods laughing until their eyes watered, White was only convicted of voluntary manslaughter, leaving one to wonder if the jury room was stocked with Ding-Dongs and Kandykakes and they went crazy too.

And who could forget, as much as we might like to, the Crocodile Dundee defense.

In the case of Paul Dunn, charged with the 1987 shooting, stabbing, and drowning death of his pregnant wife, an "expert" witness psychiatrist said that the Massachusetts man was insane at the time and influenced by the movie "Crocodile Dundee" to use a knife like the one in the film.

At least this jury got it right and convicted Dunn of first-degree murder. Good on ya, mates.

So with these wonderful precedents in mind, I started thinking about my defense strategy if I decide to go and mow down some of my fellow citizens.

I think I'd have a good chance with the "Nuns Made Me Do It" defense since I can argue (and scarily this is probably partially true) that sixteen years of Catholic education -- grade school, high school and college -- left me with significant mental impairment.

My condition was caused by everything from the nuns with those horrible clickers in our faces to my fun-loving high school classmates who would cheer me up by doing things like hanging me out of third-floor windows to all-male King's College, where the forced celibacy warped what was left of my normal mental processes.

Pretty good, huh?

If I could get a jury with other Catholic scholars -- and a few recovering Catholics on it, I know I'd be acquitted!

If that doesn't work I could try the Cursed Keyboard defense where I could argue that all the time spent pounding out this dribble let loose my evil alter ego. Considering that most journalists are pretty crazy already, this might work well too.

Ah well, with any luck I'll be able to control the evil Woodward within and I can continue pondering American justice.

So what does it all mean? Well, the best summation I've heard was uttered by none other than blue haired Marge Simpson:

"You know, the courts may not be working any more, but as long as everyone is videotaping everyone else, justice will be done."

Bob Quarteroni, a frequent PennLive Opinion contributor, is a former columnist and editor at the Centre Daily Times. He lives in Swoyersville, Pa.
ASBESTOS ART.jpg

By Linda Reinstein

Pennsylvania ranks third among all 50 states for the highest number of residents succumbing to diseases associated with asbestos.

More than 14,200 Pennsylvanians have died since 1999 at the hands of the deadly dust, according to a recent report by the EWG Action Fund. Only California and Florida saw higher mortality rates.

The notorious fiber, once a foundation in much of our manufacturing industries in the last century, has cut through the Keystone State with a vengeance, leaving many families devastated as the lives of loved ones were cut short due to exposure to the deadly dust; most likely as a result of the professions they chose.

The footprint left by asbestos and various industries that used it throughout Pennsylvania is well documented.

From mining and automobile manufacturing, to the facilities that manufactured asbestos products, the relic of those enterprises remains a threat to many in the state.

Maybe the most notorious example has befallen the residents of Ambler, Pa. where factories that operated for decades, which have long since been shuttered have left a what local residents refer to as" the white mountains of Ambler."

Piles that are literally nearly 100 feet in the air of asbestos-laced materials the children of the town have used to sled down for years.

Researchers with EWG Action Fund estimated the numbers of asbestos-caused deaths by state and county through the U.S., and the figures for Pennsylvania are nothing short of alarming.

While the national average for asbestos-related deaths is 4.6 for every 100,000, roughly 7.5 out of every 100,000 fatalities in Pennsylvania are caused from asbestos diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis, among other diseases caused by asbestos.

Several counties in the state have mortality rates that dwarf both the state and national averages, including Allegheny County (8.6); Butler County (11.3); Lawrence County (11.5); Beaver County (11.9) and Delaware County, with the highest at 12.9.

Unfortunately, the asbestos industry is pushing a bill in the Pennsylvania House, introduced by Rep. Warren Kampf, R-Chester, which would make it harder for victims to obtain compensation for their asbestos-related disease--compensation that is critical for paying mounting medical bills and other expenses, as well as ensuring they leave something to their families after they die.

The so-called "Fairness in Claims and Transparency Act" would:

Require plaintiffs to disclose confidential settlement negotiations;

Give asbestos defendant corporations the power to unilaterally delay litigation such that many victims could die before their cases are heard in court; and

Drastically alter established tort law to let responsible companies off the hook.

Kampf's proposal, offered at the behest of an industry that has left an outsized trail of death and loss in Pennsylvania, is nothing short of a cynical ploy to allow the very companies responsible for this decades' long tragedy to escape responsibility for their actions.

The state's residents, whether they have been touched by asbestos disease or not, should condemn this legislation, and our elected leaders in Harrisburg should remember what the legacy asbestos has had on Pennsylvania before they support it.

Linda Reinstein is a co-founder and CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.
PITTSBURGH -- Through Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman, the Pittsburgh Steelers controlled their Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night.

They combined for 93 yards from 28 carries. And while neither scored, they consistently preserved drives and helped protect Ben Roethlisberger in the Steelers' 18-16 victory at Paul Brown Stadium.

On Monday, Toussaint reflected on his playoff debut with the Steelers, which had him briefly in the NFL's concussion protocol after Shawn Williams drilled him inside the left sideline.

The hit sent Toussaint's helmet down the bridge of his nose, splitting it in half and forcing him to get it bandaged in the locker room when he went to take a concussion test.

"Had me say a couple things, you know how it is, the finger test," Tousaint said. "I passed it with flying colors."

Toussaint's 17 carries and 58 rushing yards were both career highs for the second-year former undrafted rookie free agent out of Michigan who was signed to the Steelers practice squad on Sept. 7 and promoted to the active roster on Nov. 27 as he overtook Todman's role backing up DeAngelo Williams. He also caught four passes for 60 yards.

Williams missed Saturday night's game with a foot injury, watching in a plastic boot as Todman also filled in with 11 carries for 65 yards. The two backups found their splitting of reps helped their individual rushing rhythms.

Said Toussaint: "When you go out there and you have both guys making big plays, that's confidence between both of us."
An abandoned weapon is propped against a storm drain wall, in the neighborhood where special forces had located the world's most-wanted drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Guzman was recaptured by Mexican marines Friday, six months after he fled through a tunnel from a maximum security prison. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)
Thousands still without power following Monday, Tuesday winds

Great Lakes Energy said less than 3,300 members are still without power as of 9 a.m. on Wednesday following stormy and windy conditions this week.
I built a trade store in my village - it was burnt down in a tribal fight. I built a cow paddock in my village - the cows were shot dead by Mt Hagen Riot Squad police who went to stop the fight.

I admire the resilience and can do spirit of people like Elizabeth Dumu and Daniel Ipan Kumbon, who responded to the piece, and I wish more Papua New Guineans had the kind of resilience and positive outlook to life. I want to repeat some of their words here.

MY article last week on the negative mindset of many Papua New Guineans has received a wonderful response from readers  139 likes so far and a great discussion.

I bought two brand new PMV buses and left them to my wantoks to run them while I went on overseas study trips. I came back to find them run down. Now, I am contemplating on building a guest house and cultural centre in Kandep hoping to run it in retirement. But if in the event that it gets destroyed like it happened to my other property, I will begin to doubt if there is ever going to be a future at all for my village, Kandep, Enga and PNG. But I will be content I tried to do my part to bring changes to my village and province.

Elizabeth wrote:

I have suffered violence of sorts, structural as well as unstructured. I did not choose to be a female child from a second wife of a subsistence farming family in a patrilineal society, it happened to me. I did not choose to be the eldest amongst 11 siblings. It happened to me. I did not choose to look attractive to that old IT manager who thought he could easily get away with trying to sexually abuse me. It happened to me. I live in an area of Morata where water and sewerage are now completely cut off. Eda Ranu and NCDC did it. It happened to me. However, in all those situations I chose to respond differently. Although I am a female child from a second wife of a subsistence farming family in a patrilineal society, I chose to pursue education. Being the eldest child among 11 siblings from two mothers, I chose to help all my younger siblings to go to school. Although an attempt was made by some sick old man from Sri Lanka, I chose not to give in. Although there is no water to my house in Morata, I choose not to do an illegal water connection. We can choose to be different regardless of what has 'happened' to us. You did, I did, and others have. The real problem with majority of the other Papua New Guineans is we give excuses. Our generation needs an awakening to stop and take a journey of self-discovery. We need to look within as therein lies the answer. And you said well, it is all in the head.

At the risk of oversimplifying the scenario, I'd say there seems to be two mindsets. The Papua New Guineans who are making a difference in their personal lives and community look at the opportunities that exist and harness them. We need more of this in PNG

Then there are the real experts at identifying what the problems are and whose fault it is and how inadequate and pathetic things without thinking of how they can solve the issues.

Paul Oates wrote that leadership is lacking, and there is no doubt about that. Everyone is expecting someone to lead and those who step up usually do out of self-interest.

Self-interest need not necessarily be bad. For instance, if I am a farmer struggling to access markets due to bad roads, it is in my own interest to mobilise communities to maintain roads and improve drainage so roads get dry quickly and don't deteriorate.

But that kind of leadership, which cascades into the general interest, is only possible if people have faith in themselves and what they can do.

Most often talk of leadership brings up images of politicians but we all know many politicians do not provide leadership.

Our ethnic diversity indeed can inhibit cooperation amongst people of different cultural backgrounds. Culture and ethnicity in that sense become structures of violence preventing progress and creating problems.

But rather than dwell on how diversity is an obstacle, I'd rather focus on how it is a non-issue in a sense because the guys I call bro are from all around PNG and their cultural or ethnic background doesn't prevent me from working with them.

Its about having a can do mindset instead of lingering on issues and problems and what cant be done.

Mathias Kin wrote an insightful piece on elections and the way they are manipulated. I for one dont believe at elections, or democracy for that matter, are the answer.

Money buys votes even if you dont bribe voters because, as Mathias highlighted, money is needed for campaign material and logistics.

That is why I think people should not wait for politicians or the electoral cycle to provide solutions.

If they are frustrated or angry, no one needs to teach them to strike a match.

I'd prefer that communities organise to address their own issues.
TANGENT  Linn County Sheriff's Office deputies responded around 10:40 a.m. Saturday to the report of a kidnapped child at Dover Wood Products.

That report turned out to be false.

An investigation revealed that Ignacio Cervantez-Castaneda, 44, of Tangent was searching for his 6-year-old daughter, whom he believed had been kidnapped and taken to the location. He was also in possession of a rifle.

However, deputies learned that all of the man's children were, in fact, safe at home and that no kidnapping had taken place. Cervantez-Castaneda had left his residence sometime Friday evening after an argument with family members.

The suspect was contacted in the field across the road from Dover Wood Products and detained without incident by members of the Albany Police Department and Oregon State Police, then transported to Samaritan Albany General Hospital for a medical and mental evaluation. Cervantez-Castaneda was cited and released while at the hospital for charges of criminal trespass with a firearm. The rifle was seized by deputies pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Linn County Sheriff's deputies were assisted by members of the Oregon State Police, Albany Police Department and the Lebanon Police Department.

Authorities said that there are indications that drug use was a factor in this incident.

The investigation is continuing.
Events

TODAY

SUNDAY

Public Bingo, calling starts at 12:30 p.m., American Legion 1215 Pacific Blvd. S.E., Albany. Sales open at 11 a.m. Cost: $11 for single package, $22 for double package. Info: 541-926-0127.

Organizations

TODAY

Build Lebanon Trails, 10 a.m.; meet in the south parking lot, Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, 525 N. Santiam Highway. Explore current and future projects between the hospital and Marks Slough trails. Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather.
In one of her typically dishonest campaign e-mails, this one just an hour ago, a panic-stricken Wasserman Schultz wrote: "Yes, its only January, but this race has already had its share of firsts-- and none of them are good. Last year was the earliest Ive had an opponent file to run against me and the earliest Ive had ads targeting me in my career. Republicans are trying to catch us off guard, and we cant let them."





Republicans have never been Wasserman Schultz's concern. Her carefully-gerrymandered district has very few of them and no GOP candidate against her has ever reached even 40%. Her worry-- and that "first" she's talking about-- is a solid progressive primary opponent. Holding power-mongers like Wasserman Schultz accountable always comes down to primaries. Defeating her would shake up the Democratic establishment as powerfully as Dave Brat shook up the Republican establishment by beating Eric Cantor.

On Thursday, Florida law professor and progressive activist Tim Canova announced he would be running for the Broward/Miami-Dade congressional district, FL-23, currently occupied by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the generally mistrusted and disliked chair of the DNC. On Friday Blue America announced why we were endorsing Canova and delineated some of the reasons why there is so much disdain in the progressive community for Wasserman Schultz. She's a member of the Wall Street-funded New Dem coalition but she often refers to herself as a "progressive." Last week Jodi Jacobson explained at RH Reality Check that the claim is more a part of "an effort to ally herself notionally with a growing political movement than a reflection of her actual politics, positions, or actions... You dont get to call yourself a 'progressive' unless you walk the walk. And if anything, progressives, especially younger activists and voters, want change and accountability, not government leaders they perceive as engaged in favoritism, cronyism, and yes, complacency when it comes to corporate control of our democratic system. Wasserman Schultzs own actions and statements seem to lay blame outside the nexus of power that she controls, rather than looking inward to how she may be contributing to the very problems she laments." The specifics of the case Jacobson lays out against Wasserman Schultz are solid and I recommend clicking the link above and reading the whole piece.





Meanwhile I want to go back to a post Charles Pierce did for Esquire last summer, wondering why Wasserman Schultz was still at the DNC. Better question would be why was she ever put there to begin with after her catastrophic stint as head of the DCCC's "Red to Blue" program which she ran so badly that she was fired after favoring 3 Republican incumbents over Democrats. She had so sullied the program that the DCCC was forced to change the name. Pierce wrote that "[d]espite her constant presence in the nation's Green Rooms, I'm damned if I can see what she's accomplished as a national chairperson. (Priebus has accomplished Staying The Hell Out Of The Way, which is something.) She's presided over a catastrophic midterm election cycle that produced the worst Congress in the recent history of the Republic. And now, on at least two occasions in the past year, DWS has gone out of her way to break with the president on important foreign policy initiatives. First, she took a dive on the opening the president made with Cuba, because she is from Florida and very frightened. And now, it appears she has decided to play shenanigans with the Iran nuclear deal, both as a congresscritter and, worse, as DNC chairperson... And this is not to mention the long history that DWS has with the Fanjul family, the premier sugar dynasty in Florida, or her longtime support from the private prison industry. I mean, seriously, what has this person done to benefit the Democratic party since she took the job in 2011?"





Wassermann Schultz was co-chair of the Florida 2008 Hillary campaign and she has blatantly used her position at the DNC to favor Hillary and disadvantage Bernie in ways both small and big. Obama should have fired her long ago-- or should never have hired her-- and now I suspect that the two petition drives launched last week by Roots Action and by CREDO will eventually blow over regardless of how many tens of thousands of Democrats sign them. (Last I looked Roots Action's had 31,016 signatures and CREDO's had 52,099.)





Last week, two of her closest cronies in corruption, Steve Israel and Rahm Emanuel both looked like spent forces. Israel announced that he would not run for reelection and Emanuel appears to be on the verge of being driven from office in Chicago . All good, but Wasserman Schultz still insists she's on track to be Speaker of the House. I'm not kidding. Gingrich, Boehner and Ryan haven't been bad enough? She could single-handedly do more to tarnish the Democratic Party brand than any Republican could ever hope to do. And that's still another reason to support Canova's campaign for the Florida seat.





It's not going to be easy, but it's not an impossible task either. The district isn't the same one she drew for herself when she was a state senator; it's much more diverse and far less likely to just go along with the powers-that-be. Canova is going to take her on over her voting record. Wassermann Schultz will, of course, be supported by the Wall Street banksters, by the Fanjul sugar empire, the alcoholic beverage industry and the private prison industry, etc. Since 2004 she's sucked up $12,419,505 for her campaigns, although she's never had a competitive race and twice didn't even have an opponent. And on top of that, she's raised another $2,650,428 for her leadership committee, money she uses exclusively to buy allies in Congress.





Canova is running a grassroots campaign and his ability to challenge Wasserman Schultz effectively is going to depend on individual donors. If you'd like to contribute to his campaign, you can do it on this Blue America ActBlue page . And... we've got our first matching donation offer of the new year: of the next $2,500 in contributions to Canova's race on this page . Our matcher explains:
A reader writes to comment on the mass sexual assaults that have been taking place in Germany, and efforts to cover them up or mischaracterize them:

The German situation is even worse than you presented. Sure, the Cologne police chief got fired, but the despicable mayor hasnt resigned. And, sure, there has been some scrambling and slithering by left politicians, including, mirabile dictu, Angela Merkel, Mutti herself, to tap dance away from the catastrophe theyve created and countenanced.

But the massive coverup and deafening silence from the left and the MSM is the real story and its disgusting. The MSM has barely reported on these events and that begrudgingly with their mealymouthed confirmation of The Narrative, extreme deference to (their approved) authorities (experts say) and presentation by both statement and strategic silence of the Inner Partys line. But the intellectual/ideological left is, if possible, even worse! There is a complete blackoututter silencefrom the likes of the execrable Salon, from Slate, The Nation, Mother Jones, The New Republic. Zip, nada, nothing! Its almost as if the issues of mass 3rd world immigration, Muslim incompatibility with the West and the overall project of multiculturism might be getting discredited by events.

Here is a good example; I cannot do better than Ann Althouses reaction to the unbelievably smarmy op-ed in todays New York Times by a female German columnist, titled Germanys Post-Cologne Hysteria. The Times commenter and those rating it number 1 are way ahead, apparently, of the smug clueless Times-men.

[Ed.: Here is the comment]:

The media covered it all up, a shocking dereliction of duty to report the news. Why are we having a discussion about the feelings of the men who committed these crimes and whether they will be offended that we are stating the obvious, that thousands of them across Europe were of the same ethnic group? A war on women was brazenly unleashed that night around Europe.  Those men  local or refugees  knew wrong from right but decided to prey on physically weaker victims. These were crimes of control and delight in the infliction of terror. Subjecting them to culture classes will do no more than lecturing to murderers that taking a life is wrong. It sure would be nice if the politically correct would stop throwing women as a group under the bus in the name of trying to judge these mass atrocities as some kind of balancing test. Punish the offenders and keep anyone with the mindset that women are fair game to be raped out of the West, period.

Our reader continues:

The Times straight news report, as well, is a classic example of Ministry of Truth propaganda in Obamaland. Note how carefully The Narrative is constructed and presented. First, the very headline is a tipoff that false propaganda is to follow: 18 Asylum Seekers Are Tied to Attacks on Women in Germany. Got that? tied to attacks and (unstated) ONLY 18!  asylum seekers. So its really a trivial problem, see, just 18 of them. And its all a matter for the authorities to sort out, an ordinary criminal matter, thats all.

Note the massive misdirection implied in the focus on asylum seekers: the issue isnt whether or not they are all or mostly recent arrivals; the issue is that they are Muslims and/or Arabs, North Africans, Middle Easterners. Lots and lots of them  and with more to come, indeed, as a duty for Germans to accept them! Of course, it is not until paragraph 16 of a 32-paragraph report that we get this tidbit: police were unable to control the crowds, largely comprising men of Arab or North African appearance, or ever noting that there were hundreds and hundreds of them, over a thousand just in the Cathedral Square in Cologne.

For Angela Merkel its all a strategic shifting of tone, you see, as she manages the costs of welcoming the newcomers to their new culture. The open admiration for approved authority figures cleverly maneuvering in their dishonest and disingenuous rhetorical and political deceits is a staple in MSM reporting. Because the really serious question is the rising political risks for Ms. Merkel; after all, she is a left wing heroine for her destruction of EU borders and admission of millions of 3rd world Muslim refugees, whether they like it or not in Europe, or in Germany. Because as California governor Jerry Brown said: Never underestimate the coercive power of a central state in the service of good and wisdom.

And of course, it is possible that, gosh!, we just dont really know whats going on! See, it could be that its just a feedback effect of reports of sexual assaults themselves which are now proliferating in Germany: though it was not clear whether that was because of an increase in attacks or the surge of attention being given to the events in Cologne. Sure! It could be just the surge of attention after the conspiracy on the left by government and the media to spike the news failed that is making those reports proliferate. We all know how common false, ambiguous or fanciful reports of sexual assault are as made by women, right? The left has been properly critical of unconditionally believing supposed victims or survivors as they call themselves, havent they?

Sailers reaction is good, too:

It is all still incomprehensible, said Ulrich Karpen, a professor of constitutional and administrative law at the University of Hamburg. No, its not. Its simply that stereotypes are, statistically, true. But Herr Professors arent supposed to know that.  The single worst impediment to better forecasting is a culture in which respectable people arent supposed to notice the obvious precisely because its obvious. Dr. Merkel, for example, isnt stupid or notably less competent than her peers; shes just part of a zeitgeist in which there are certain things you arent supposed to say because they are so clearly true. But if you arent allowed to talk and write in public about the truth of stereotypes, its hard to always remember them when making decisions in private.

The dishonesty and smug arrogance of the left and MSM cannot be overstated and they are in for a huge shock in November as they are utterly repudiated.
Leftists, and some conservatives, like to talk about over-incarceration in America. But many of the high-profile horrific crimes we read about suggest that we have an under-incarceration problem (in theory, its possible we could have both).

The latest such crime is the attempted assassination of Philadelphia police officer Jesse Hartnett. A few days ago, he was ambushed in his patrol car and shot at more than a dozen times. Though severely wounded, he was able to chase his assailant and call for help. Thus, the would-be assassin was captured.

He turns out to be Edward Archer. In a properly functioning legal system, Archer would have been in jail. According to this report, he pleaded guilty in 2013 to an armed assault that apparently took place just a few blocks from where he later tried to kill Officer Hartnett. In addition, Archer was found guilty in November 2015 of charges of fraud and forgery. He was awaiting sentencing for these crimes.

The 2013 guilty plea stemmed from an incident in which Archer pulled a gun on victim and pointed it towards his stomach while grabbing his shirt and threatening him. The charges against Archer included aggravated assault, conspiracy, terrorist threats, simple assault, and firearm offenses. He pleaded down to carrying a gun without a license, a third-degree felony, and simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor.

According to court documents, Archer was sentenced to nine to 13 months in prison, allowed to count time served, and immediately paroled. Nine to 13 months is way too lenient for assaulting someone with a gun. (In what universe should assaulting someone with a gun be simple assault) Archers criminal acts showed him to be an obvious menace. He should have been in prison instead of free to shoot Officer Hartnett.

Theres another angle to Archers story that should give pause to those behind the bipartisan push to pass legislation that would result in thousands  and maybe tens of thousands  of drug dealers being released from federal prison.

Archer says he shot Hartnett in the name of Islam. Reportedly, he traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2011 and to Egypt in 2012.

There are also reports that Archer may have picked up his radical Islamic ideology while serving in prison. I havent seen confirmation that this is so. Maybe it is; maybe it isnt.

But theres no serious dispute that many prisoners do become radicalized Muslims while serving in prison. Thus, the more drug dealers we let out of prison early, the more radical Islamists with prison records (including in some instances for gun offenses) will be on our streets sooner (sometimes much sooner) than would otherwise be he case.

A redemption narrative is driving many conservatives and evangelicals to want to release prisoners early. There is, I sense, the expectation (or at least the hope) that many of the released prisoners will have seen the light thanks to Christian ministries like the Prison Fellowship started by Chuck Colson.

But what about radically Islamic ministries within prison walls? Who believes they arent influential? And who believes the government can see to it that criminals who have converted to radical Islam wont be among those released under the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015?

Indeed, who believes that the government would even attempt to prevent the release of the converted? To screen prisoners based on religious belief would be miles too politically incorrect to contemplate, I suspect.

To me, then, the shooting of Officer Hartnett by ex-con Archer reinforces the view (1) that we have an under-incarceration problem and (2) that we shouldnt be looking for new ways to let any felons out of prison.
I had forgotten about Father Mike Pfleger, as President Obama called him at CNNs gun violence forum last week. Obama and Pfleger are old Chicago buddies. I was unaware of Pflegers interest in snuffing out Second Amendment rights. It wasnt that many years ago, John Boch writes, that the man of the cloth called on the owner of Chucks Guns, John Riggio, to be snuffed out  using the lingo of his parishioners. Pfleger had used the same thinly veiled call for violence against Illinois legislators who voted against gun control. Boch posts photos of Pfleger protected by three armed guards. Good of CNN to call on Pfleger to contribute to the debate.

Back in 2008, Pfleger promoted Obama by deriding Hillary Clinton in unfair and offensive terms. We all saw the video below at the time, but I had completely forgotten about it. Lets take a trip down memory lane, courtesy of Ed Driscoll/InstaPundit. Ed asks: I wonder if hell be endorsing Hillary this year.
EMF Torture

PR-Inside.com: 2016-01-10 07:38:35

Press Information





Published by

James Matthew

1.888.870.5581

e-mail

http://miraclealternatives.com







# 953 Words

James Matthew1.888.870.5581

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:James MatthewMiracle Alternatives, LLC888.870.5581815.854.4601support@ hgllc.co Electromagnetic pollution (EMF) May Be Killing You!New Lenox, IL, 1/9/2016  There is a new threat to mankind. It isn't your ordinate sickness, illness, virus or disease. This health threat is invisible. It is called by several names. One being Electromagnetic pollution or (EMF). It is also called electronic pollutions, electrical pollution, and an even more secretive threat EMF Torture, or EMF Harassment. Please, continue reading this press release. You and you family, including your children and pets are threatened as well. Children are more susceptible because their brains are young and absorb like a sponge.Electromagnetic pollution or (EMF) has been around since the day electricity was first invented. Of course, it was hardly a threat at all unless you were exposed to it in the laboratory for hours a day. Until of course they started building electrical stations, electrical high wires. Then came all the electrical appliances. Such as radios, walkie talkies, television sets, CB radios, computers, cell phones, smart meters the list is almost endless.Please do not be too alarmed just yet. A company called Miracle Alternatives, LLC has several solutions.According to James Matthew the CEO of Miracle Alternatives, they have what you and your family need for (EMF) protection."I admit. Even though I admit my company have been in the holistic health care business for several years I never gave (EMF) a thought until recently. I has reason to believe that I was the target of what is known as "Electromagnetic torture". I was alway feeling agitated. I was depressed. I was finding my self making decisions that seemed way out of my control. I then learned about (EMF). Therefore I started setting up some (EMF) devices in my home and business. Keep in mind, I am surrounded by 3-5 computers a day, several cell phones, and other electronic devices. After hooking up some (EMF) protection devices, I, and my wife in which is very intuitive, and very sensitive to the energies surrounding her such as negativity, and now Electromagnetic pollution. Even she feels better now when in my office." Said James Matthew.Electromagnetic pollution or (EMF) Explained:Electromagnetic pollution (EMF) may be the most significant form of pollution to human beings.It is extremely dangerous because it is invisible.(EMF) can come from virtually anything electronic, anything electrical, such as smart meters, cell phones, computers, tablets, cell towers, radio waves, micro waves, anything that works off electricity and something called "electronic torture"!Electronic torture is invisible as well. Psychologists have identified evidence of auditory hallucinations, delusional disorders or other mental illnesses in on line communities supporting those who claim to be targeted from electronic torture, also known as electronic harassment. You may be a target from a psychic psychological attack from for example. Some who does not like you using a "mind control device", using "psychic abilities", the government trying to control you. Government experiments weather knowingly or unknowingly.EMF News - EMF Dangers and EMF Blockers - Learn More!Electrosenstivity is on the Rise - Learn about EMF BlockersEffects are cumulative and range from subtle to extremely serious.ES-Electrosensitivity, called the Silent Epidemic, affects 6% of the world populationUpwards of 30% are affected and don't know it! Read about Electromagnetic SensitivityThe BioInitiative Report 2012 compiles 1800 studies detailing bio-effects of radiation.ADD/ADHD & Autism News?7% of USA children are affected by ADD/ADHD.ADD/ADHD and Autism are all growing at alarming rates.Factors include: EMFs, pesticides, vaccinations and other toxins.The BioElectric ADD/Focusing Shield addresses this condition very effectively.Children's Brains Absorb More Radiation?Children are especially at risk from our technology - Cell phones, WiFi, computers, tablets, smart-meters. Effects of EMF are linked to:Behavioral issues/ADD/ADHDAutism and AspergersMultiple health issuesAnxiety and fatigueCell Phone Phone Radiation Protection?Are cell phones safe? Growing Evidence says NO.Effects are cumulativeLike smoking, asbestos, lead, artificial sweeteners, how long will it take to reveal the true effects of prolonged exposure to EMF?On September 5, 2015, World Health Organization (WHO) called for the recognition of EMS: electrohypersensitivity as worthy of inclusion in the ICD, International Classification of Diseases.Safe standards are outdated, created before we had Smart Phones and WiFi.Electromagnetic Sensitivity?Do you have Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity?Many don't realize their symptoms are caused caused by EMF SensitivityIf your doctor told you "It's all in your head, quit worrying about it - Read on.Millions of people have already been diagnosed with electromagnetic sensitivity illness. (also called EMS or ESS)For additional information please contact: James Matthew at Miracle Alternatives, LLC by phone (888.870.5581),Fax (815.854.4601) or email (support@ hgllc.co) You will also find further information on our web site at http://MiracleAlternatives.com Summary: Electromagnetic pollution or (EMF) isn't something that you can usually feel thus being totally un aware that it is effecting you. It is something that is guaranteed to be their and over a period of time can possibly cause a life-threatening health conditions. It is something that each and every home, office or car should have for protection.To view all (EMF) devices sold by Miracle Alternatives, LLC visit the (EMF) Protection category at Miracle Alternatives, LLC.About Miracle Alternatives, LLC: Miracle Alternatives, LLC has been in business since 2013.Legal disclaimer: Miracle Alternatives, LLC.The success stories are representative outcomes. However, there are no guarantees, promises, representations and/or assurances concerning the level of future results. Furthermore Miracle Alternatives, LLC does not claim and or guarantee the products they sell will prevent or cure any type of sickness, illness, pain, virus and diseases.# # #
The Ogun State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has dissociated itself from the N100 million collected by its national leader, Olu Falae.

The Ogun SDP said contrary to Mr. Falaes claims of distributing the money to state chapters of the party, it did not get any money from him.

Mr. Falae, the National Chairman of the SDP, admitted receiving N100 million from the ex-chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples democratic Party, PDP, Tony Anenih.

The money is believed by federal investigators to be part of the $2.1 billion arms fund allegedly misappropriated by Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser.

Mr. Falae, a former Nigerian Finance Minister, told PREMIUM TIMES that the money was for him and his party to support the ex-President Goodluck Jonathans re-election bid last March.

It is true I received the money for the party and then it was distributed to the state branches of the party for onward distribution to other levels of the party, he said.

However, the Ogun SDP in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Olu Agemo, and Secretary, Clement Adeniyi, said it was not a party to the deal with the PDP or the distribution of the funds.

The chapter said it was never notified of nor involved in any negotiation to partner with the PDP or any other party for the purpose of winning the March elections or maintaining peace during the period as claimed by Mr. Falae.

The statement added that the chapter was never informed by the national secretariat of the decision to adopt former President Goodluck Jonathan or any other candidate as the partys presidential candidate.

It added that it was never informed of any donation of funds to the party by the PDP or any other party and that it did not receive any financial or campaign assistance from the national secretariat of the party or any of its principal officers.

The Ogun SDP said it declared its sources of campaign finance in the Guardian, Vanguard, Punch and Tribune Newspapers of April 20, before the current revelation.

We plead with our members and supporters who have received these untoward revelation with great shock to remain calm and await the convocation of a general meeting where these issues shall be thoroughly discussed and appropriate decisions taken, the statement said.

We assure you that the SDP in Ogun will continue to operate within ethical and moral norms as laid out in the principles of progressive welfarism established by our progenitor, Obafemi Awolowo, in the struggle to establish an egalitarian, peaceful and equitable nation.

Mr. Dasuki and several other former political leaders and their relatives are currently being prosecuted for the $2.1 billion arms scandal now known as Dasukigate. Several others, like Messrs. Falae and Anenih, as well as the PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, are also being investigated for their alleged roles in the scam.
Remember, when Bernie, then an independent caucusing with the Democrats in the House, became disgusted with the Democrats turn to the right after the Reagan years, he started the Congressional Progressive Caucus in 1991, which now has 68 members in the House. At one time Nancy Pelosi was a member. Shamefully, only two of the current members have endorsed him, co-chairs Raul Grijalva and Keith Ellison. The rest have either remained neutral, attempted to be supportive of both campaigns or endorsed the establishment, anti-progressive candidate who is proud to call herself a centrist (unless she's speaking to a progressive group).





The first two names on the alphabetical list of Hillary's endorsers are New Dem Pete Aguilar (CA) and Blue Dog Brad Ashford (NE), two especially bad right-of-center Democrats, although Ashford is an "ex"-Republican and generally votes with the GOP on most crucial roll calls. It makes complete sense for members like Aguilar and Ashford to endorse Hillary. She's their kind of candidate. There are dozens of other right-of-center Democrats on her list but there are plenty of members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Bernie founded, including not just wind-up doll progressives but some of the hardest charging and most dependable liberals in Congress. Here's a list of the members who haven't endorsed either Clinton or Bernie:

 Barbara Lee (CA)

 Frank Pallone (NJ)

 Peter Welch (VT)

 Alan Lowenthal (CA)

 Mark DeSaulnier (CA)

 Alma Adams (NC)

 Pete DeFazio (OR)

 Chaka Fattah (PA)

 Sam Farr (CA)

Blue America has an Act Blue contribution page for Bernie that includes all incumbents-- Grijalva and Ellison-- and all congressional candidates who are running for Congress who have endorsed Bernie for president.





The latest Fox poll of New Hampshire Democratic primary voters (January 4-7) shows Bernie not just still beating Hillary, but surging while she drops. Bernie has gone from 45% to 50% and Hillary has fallen from 44% to 37%. The pollsters all asked the participants how satisfied they would be with the winning candidate. This augers really badly for Hillary in November if Democrats are reckless enough to nominate her.





51% of voters say they will be very satisfied if Bernie is the nominee, 34% say they will be somewhat satisfied (85% combined) while 13% are not very satisfied or not at all satisfied.





In Hillary's case, only 37% of Democratic voters say they will be very satisfied and 31% say they'd be somewhat satisfied (just 68%) combined. a full 30% of Democrats say they will either be not very satisfied or not satisfied at all. So who's more electable?

I guess it isn't only Herr Trumpf talking about polls now! Today in Ohio, Bernue discussed a New Hampshire poll (video below) which included head-to-head match-ups. Both he and Hillary beat each Republican but in light of Clinton's artful but completely bogus claims that she's the only one who can stop the Republicans, Bernie laid out the numbers for each Republican candidate.





 Jeb- Bernie beats him by 12 points, Hillary beats him by 6

 Dr. Ben- Bernie beats him by 19 points, Hillary beats him by 11

 Cruz- Bernie beats him by 20 points, Hillary beats him by 8

 Rubio- Bernie beats him by 14 points, Hillary scrapes by by 3

 Herr Trumpf- Berniue beats him by 20 points, Hillary beats him by 14





Sorry, no information on Huckabee or Fiorina. But it's clear, nominating Hillary Clinton is just too risky. It isn't fair that the Republicans have spent tens of millions of dollars and several decades demonizing her, but they have and the impact of that shows up in those numbers.
A senior lawyer and supporter of the Muhammadu Buhari administrations anti-corruption effort, Femi Falana, has advised the federal government to obey court orders and immediately release the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and the Biafran agitator, Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr. Falana, who was initially tipped to emerge Attorney General of the current government, warned that holding on to the two men despite existing court orders was a violation of the rule of law that President Buhari swore to uphold.

Upon winning the election, President Buhari further pledged to abide by the Rule of Law, Mr. Falana said in a statement published by Sahara Reporters. To that extent, he has a duty to ensure that all organs and officials of the Government operate within the ambit of the law.

Speaking on the detention of Mr. Dasuki, Mr. Falana argued that despite the huge mismanagement of funds for which the former is being tried, the fact that two separate courts granted him bail and the government is yet to appeal the bail rulings, means he should be released.

The decision of the SSS to ignore the order admitting Col. Dasuki to bail coupled with the failure to re-arraign him on fresh charges is tantamount to impunity in every material respect, Mr. Falana said.

If the federal government were aggrieved by the order admitting Col. Dasuki to bail it should have challenged it in the Court of Appeal.

Much as the Nigerian people are fully behind the Buhari Administration in the patriotic move to recover the looted wealth of the nation, the federal government should be advised to ensure that the procedure for the loot recovery meets the tenets of the rule of law.

Mr. Dasuki, a retired colonel, is charged with mismanaging $2.1 billion funds meant for equipping the military to combat the Boko Haram insurgency.

On the Biafran agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, Mr. Falana said the order admitting the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, to bail should also be complied with.

The arrest of Mr. Kanu, who also promoted Radio Biafra, and called for the armed dismantling of Nigeria, has led to mass protests by thousands of Igbos across Nigeria who have demanded for his release.

If the federal government has other charges against both suspects (Messrs. Kanu and Dasuki) it should file them in the court, Mr. Falana said. There is no provision for keeping criminal suspects at the pleasure of security officials. Meanwhile, all valid and subsisting orders made by courts in favour of criminal suspects should be obeyed without further delay.

President Muhammadu Buhari had during his presidential media chat given a reason why his government has not released both men despite the court orders.

If you see the atrocities these people committed against this country, we cant allow them to jump bail, the president said.

Read Mr. Falanas full statement below:

For 16 years that the Peoples Democratic Party was in power, the federal government exhibited total contempt for the Rule of Law. The Constitution and other laws were breached with impunity while court orders were disobeyed on a regular basis. In the famous case of Attorney-General of Lagos State v Attorney-General of the Federation (2005) 2 WRN 1 at 150 the Supreme Court held that In our democracy all the Governments of this country as well as organizations and individuals must kowtow to the due process and this they can vindicate by resorting to the courts for redress in the event of any grievance.

One of the reasons why Nigerians voted for the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) during the last general election was his promise to fight corruption and end impunity in the country. Upon winning the election, President Buhari further pledged to abide by the Rule of Law. To that extent, he has a duty to ensure that all organs and officials of the Government operate within the ambit of the law. In particular, he should not allow overzealous security personnel to engage in any form of impunity and thereby expose the Government to unwarranted embarrassment.

In July last year, the State Security Service (SSS) searched the private residence of former NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) at Abuja. When Col Dasuki alleged that his house was illegally searched, I pointed out that the action of the SSS was justified as there was a search warrant validly issued by a magistrate court in the federal capital territory that authorised the search. He was eventually charged with money laundering and criminal diversion of huge sums of public fund before the Federal High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Court at Abuja. Notwithstanding the gravity of the offences, both courts have admitted him to bail. But after he had met the bail conditions the SSS decided to rearrest him at the gate of Kuje prisons on the ground that investigations have not been concluded in respect of other criminal allegations.

The decision of the SSS to ignore the order admitting Col Dasuki to bail coupled with the failure to re-arraign him on fresh charges is tantamount to impunity in every material respect. If the federal government were aggrieved by the order admitting Col. Dasuki to bail it should have challenged it in the Court of Appeal. Much as the Nigerian people are fully behind the Buhari Administration in the patriotic move to recover the looted wealth of the nation, the federal government should be advised to ensure that the procedure for the loot recovery meets the tenets of the rule of law. The SSS and other security agencies should therefore refrain from allowing corruption to fight back by playing into the hands of the criminal suspects who have committed crimes against humanity by diverting money earmarked for the procurement of arms and armament to fight the terrorists.

In the same vein, the order admitting the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, to bail should also be complied with. If the federal government has other charges against both suspects it should file them in the court. There is no provision for keeping criminal suspects at the pleasure of security officials. Meanwhile, all valid and subsisting orders made by courts in favour of criminal suspects should be obeyed without further delay.

To ensure that suspects are no longer held in custody in any part of Nigeria without any legal justification section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act has imposed a duty on each the Chief Judges to designate a Chief Magistrate and a Judge of the High Court to visit all police stations and other detention centres within their jurisdiction, at least once a month. During such visits, appropriate directives shall be given while any officer who detains any person illegally will be sanctioned.

Femi Falana SAN
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday called on Nigerians to build on things that unite rather than divide the country in spite of diverse cultures and religions.

He gave the advice at the Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark the 2016 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the President said the nation was proud of the contributions of the armed forces for ensuring peace, justice, freedom and prosperity of the nation.

Let us renew our determination to build a strong and united nation where freedom, justice, peace and prosperity are easily within reach; a nation where we emphasise those things that bind us rather than those things that divide us.

We are a country of diverse cultures and even religions but let us tap more into that diversity for strength rather than for strife.

According to him, the country today celebrates the families of the fallen heroes, their wives and children as well as their other family members.

No one has suffered as much loss as you have and no one can truly understand your pain but today our nation commends you.

Your great loss is the gain of millions of Nigerians and generations yet unborn.

We applaud you and the heroic men and women of our armed forces and we thank God for the worthy lives they lived.

The President further applauded those who made contributions in various ways to support the military.

On a day like this, we not only commend the gallantry of the armed forces; we remember in particular all those among them that have paid the supreme price.

They belong to the distinguished company of those we refer to in our national anthem with the words, the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.

Today, we honour their service and their memories.

Mr. Buhari noted that the reputation of the armed forces for courage and service had often been noted not only at home but also abroad especially the militarys contributions to several international peace keeping missions.

He specifically mentioned Nigerias military and heroic operations in Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Dafur.

According to him, at the end of 2015, Nigeria had 2,972 troops active in various UN missions and Nigeria is one of the top 10 contributors of troops to the UN all across the world and top five on the African continent

The armed forces contribute and represent one of the most patriotic institutions in the land playing a leading role in nation building.

It diligently attends to their traditional duty of defending and protecting our territorial integrity.

Their remarkable efforts in particular at this time in combating insurgency in the north-east is greatly appreciated by the Nigerian people

Boko Haram and insurgency in the north- east has now been degraded militarily; the insurgents no longer hold territory and can no longer launch military style attacks as they had done in the past.

He expressed gratitude of the nation to the military, adding we are confident and we pray that with God on our side, the armed forces of Nigeria will complete the work that they have started.

They will also in due course continue to render the kind of service that they have rendered to our great nation and even better in the years to come.

Our armed forces and military have been assisting and will continue to help our communities in the affected areas to recover and resume their normal lives especially in securing their communities, clearing land mines and keeping terrorists out.

Mr. Buhari acknowledged the support of Nigerias foreign partners in the fight against terrorism adding that their contributions and encouragement had been worthwhile.

He said the administration was confident that they would maintain the backing and even step up such support where needed as the nation advanced into the final stage of combating the insurgency.

(NAN)
The Peoples Democratic Governors Forum has hailed the people of Bayelsa for standing firm against brute force and terror unleashed on them in the concluded supplementary election in Southern Ijaw and 102 polling units on Saturday by the APC-led regime.

In a statement signed by Earl Onaiwu, coordinator of the forum, after Governor Seriake Dickson was announced winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission late Sunday night, the governors said that but for the resilience and determination of the people, the APC was inordinately out to capture the state as if it was a trophy of war.

The PDP Governors Forum wishes to commend the good and great people of Bayelsa State for standing resolute, firm and immoveable against the desperate attempt by the APC-led regime to hijack the mandate of the people of Bayelsa state.

It is unfortunate that a party that came into office through a free and fair process offered by an incumbent have neglected to imbibe democratic tenets by engaging in thuggery and outright violence as if the state is a trophy of war.

The Bayelsa election is a wakeup call to all Nigerians to reject any extra constitutional means by which the APC intends to cling to power.

We call on our members in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Edo states to brace up in the coming days and show that the PDP is indeed the custodian of democracy as it has done for the past 16 years.
The State Security Service, SSS, has released James Faleke, the Kogi State Deputy Governor-elect.

Duro Meseko, the Director of Media and Publicity of Audu/Faleke Campaign Organisation, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday evening that Mr. Faleke and Mohammed Audu were released at about 5 p.m.

He said the duo reported to the headquarters of the SSS in Abuja on invitation at about 10 a.m. only to be taken into custody without any cogent reason till 5 p.m. when they were released.

Mr. Meseko urged members of All Progressives Congress, APC, and supporters of the politicians to remain calm and not resort to any action that could jeopardise the existing peace in the state.

He also assured that Mr. Faleke would continue to abide by the rule of law to reclaim the mandate freely given him and the late Abubakar Audu on November 21, 2015.

The SSS, also known as DSS, has not stated any reason for the arrest of Messrs. Faleke and Audu.

Mr. Faleke has rejected the position of Deputy Governor-elect saying he should be sworn-in as governor after the death of his former boss and governorship candidate, Abubakar Audu.

The older Mr. Audu, father of Mohammed Audu, died after over 95 per cent of results announced in the Kogi election showed he had an unassailable lead.

Rather than make Mr. Faleke assume the title of governor-elect, the APC chose Yahaya Bello as its news candidate and asked Mr. Faleke to remain deputy, a position he refuses.

Mr. Faleke has since approached the election tribunal asking to be declared governor. He has also said he will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of January 27.

(NAN)
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has said that it would assist the Dangote Group to access foreign exchange to facilitate its $14 billion refinery project.

Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the CBN, said this during a tour of the refinery which is projected to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

The tour of the facility held on Sunday at its location within the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.

The CBN governor said that the support was to ease the importation of equipment needed to bring the Dangote refinery to reality.

Your ongoing 14 billion dollar refinery investment will enjoy our support, no doubt.

We are doing this to fast-track the importation of equipment you need for a speedy completion of that project and to encourage other Nigerians to follow your lead, Mr. Emefiele said.

According to him, the tour is necessary to lend our support to this laudable project that will transform Nigerias downstream oil sector.

The Dangote Group approached us to indicate their interest to invest in refining crude, such that petrol-chemicals, fertiliser and fuel will be produced, about three years ago.

Today, the three projects, which are valued at 14 billion dollars (N2.8 trillion), are on course and this is highly commendable, he said.

Mr. Emefiele said the CBN would continue to support tremendous and impactful projects that would improve the socio-economic profile of the country through such investments.

He said the diversification of the Dangote Group was worthy of emulation by other industrialists.

By the time this refinery is completed, it will not only service the needs of our domestic economy but shore up our international oil investments.

Projects like this and our support will encourage more Nigerians to begin to think like the Dangote Group, the CBN boss added.

The Chairman, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said that the refinery would commence commercial operations in early 2018.

We are set to unveil the worlds largest refinery which will make Nigeria self-sufficient in petroleum products refining and also become a major exporter of oil.

This project will mark a turning point in Nigerias search for local refining of crude oil.

We will ensure the value chain in crude oil production is uplifted and other facilitators properly integrated into our scheme, he said.

The chairman said that the fertiliser production aspect of the refinery would be completed by 2017.

This project is generally about saving foreign exchange and earning more for our nation through the diversification of the economy.

We started with local production of cement and today we export more than 12 tonnes of it.

We dont need dollars now to continue to produce Dangote Cement and that is the same thing we will do with this refinery.

This refinery will have the capacity to serve this country optimally and it is part of our contribution in the vanguard to diversify our economy.

(NAN)
The Defence Headquarters has denied reports that 3,000 soldiers embarked on hunger strike over the armys failure to redeploy them five months after their re-engagement.

In a statement on Saturday, the army said it was dismayed at the report and described it as false.

To put the record straight, the soldiers are enthusiastic and full of praises to the military authority that gave them another chance to re-unite with the folk for better services to their fatherland, said Rabe Abubakar, a Brigadier General and Acting Director, Defence Information.

The Daily Trust reported on January 7 that some of the soldiers alleged they had not been paid since their re-engagement last year.

Mr. Abubakar said it was worrisome when stories that border on national security are unsubstantiated.

It is worrisome that a reputable newspaper of national outlook would source its story from unreliable social media without corroboration with relevant authorities to ascertain the veracity of the news, he said.

This practice negates the ethics of journalism and is grossly unprofessional.

Information that threatens national security should be avoided and efforts should be intensified to confirm from highest authority before going to press.

Press should also avoid fuelling tension, no matter the inherent personal gains, especially now that all hands are on deck to unite all Nigerians against insecurity and insurgency.

The defence spokesperson said it is a taboo for military personnel to embark on strike or do any of such things the newspaper reported.

It has never happened and will not happen because we are disciplined, professional and highly loyal to the constituted authority. Such behaviour could only occur within unprofessional soldiers, and certainly not Nigerian military, Mr. Abubakar said.

The Director Defence Information therefore restates that his door is widely open, round the clock, for whosoever wishes to clarify issues that border on defence and national security to do so in order to give correct information to citizens.
The Borno chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, on Sunday renewed its call on the state government to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage to all local government workers in the state.

Nuhu Saidu, the Borno NULGE Acting Secretary, said this in a communique issued at the end of the unions State Executive Council, SEC, meeting in Maiduguri.

Mr. Saidu stated that the non-implementation of the minimum wage for the workers had brought hardship.

Our members have been pauperised by the refusal of the state government to implement the minimum wage at the Local government level.

This is because the cost of living has risen tremendously, but our pay has remained very small, he said.

Mr. Saidu said that the state government had a duty to ensure the welfare of workers at the councils by implementing the minimum wage.

We are renewing our appeal on Gov. Kashim Shettima to approve the payment of N18,000 minimum wage to all workers in the 27 Local Government Councils (LGCs) in the state.

There is no gainsaying that the council workers in the state deserve to be paid the minimum wage as a right, just like their counterparts in the state civil service, he said.

Mr. Saidu also demanded the payment of all promotion arrears to the council workers from 2009 till date.

(NAN)
Petroleum Product Marketers in Imo State have blamed the hike in the pump price of petrol across the state on lapses from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Christopher Amadi, the Chairman, Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers/Dealers, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Owerri on Sunday.

Mr. Amadi said that the increase in the pump price of petrol in Imo was caused by the inability of the NNPC to dispense the product from its Enugu, Aba, Markudi and Port Harcourt depots.

Aside from NNPC filling station on Onitsha-Owerri Road, every other stations sell the product between N130 and N150 per litre as against the official price of N86.50 per litre.

He said that the dealers in the state were finding it difficult to source the product.

As I am talking with you, no marketer in Imo has loaded the product at the government-approved price since the new price regime by the government.

All the products we sell are sourced from private tank farms and the owners sell above the governments rate.

Yet they would force you to agree that the product was sold to you at the government-approved rate.

Security agencies and the media can investigate what I am saying because our position on this matter is verifiable.

Mr. Amadi, who decried the difficulty faced by the dealers in sourcing the products, regretted the condemnation of the marketers by the public.

There is no product at the Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Markudi depots.

These are the sources from where we should get products to sell to the people in Imo and other South-East states, he said.

The chairman said that its members had been directed to, henceforth, stop buying the product above the government-approved price from the private tank farms.

Our position is that we do not want to be seen as those disobeying governments directive on the sale of the product.

We are calling on government to do all in its powers to ensure availability of petrol.

We are tired of being called bad names because we want to ensure that Imo people do not suffer petrol scarcity unduly, Mr. Amadi said.

He said that it was wrong for government to expect marketers to sell at the new pump price, products they bought at the old rates.

What government should do to ensure compliance to the new price regime is to flood the market with the product at the new official price.

Once there is saturation of the market with the product at the new approved price, certainly, marketers will switch over to the new pump price of N86.50 per litre, he said.

(NAN)
The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has assured that his reign will be dedicated to cultural renaissance and development of Yorubaland.

Mr. Ogunwusi gave the assurance when a delegation of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, paid him a courtesy visit over the weekend, according to a press statement signed by Kunle Famoriyo, groups publicity secretary.

The Ooni said the time has come for Yoruba people to unite and deploy their God-given potentials for the benefit of mankind.

Before the meeting went into a closed door session, the monarch advocated peaceful coexistence and a return to Yoruba cultural values.

Yorubaland is abundantly blessed particularly with human resources. The problem is that abundance of wisdom may sometimes precipitate power tussle, and even that can be healthy, he said.

But we must realise that power belongs to God and it is He that gives it. There will be no need for superiority contentions once we realise and accept that though, all fingers are not equal; they are all important and dependent on one another.

Gods endowment for Ijebu is different from that of Ekiti; Oyos is different from that of Ibadan. The lesson here is that we have common ancestry and we must deploy all our collective strengths to combat our collective weaknesses.

Mr. Ogunwusi said peaceful coexistence and brotherhood should be the common pursuit of all Yorubas.

Our history has proved that once we have peace and unity of purpose, development is easy. This is my watchword and I will keep saying it. The process has started already in Ile-Ife and it will spread across Yorubaland.

He commended ARGs love for Yorubaland as evidenced in its commitment to developmental issues and promised to work with the group.

Speaking earlier, Olawale Oshun, ARG National Chairman, said the group embarked on the visit to congratulate the new monarch, present a proposal for his consideration on cultural renaissance and developmental template for Yorubaland.
IIHMR UNIVERSITY TO CONDUCT NFHS4 SURVEY IN CHHATTISGARH

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IIHMR University to cover 946 Primary Sampling unit (PSU) from 18 districts of Chhattisgarh

 15620 HH will be covered for district module from 646 PSUs, 22 HH from each PSU, state module to be executed in 3300 HH from 300 PSUs (where HH is households)

Over 53% children in Chhattisgarh are stunted or too short for their age and 47% are underweight

The Infant Mortality Rate (SRS 2013) is 46 (46 children die before completing one year, out of 1000 live birth)

 Maternal Mortality Rate (number of deaths per 1,00,00 lives) is 269





Raipur, On account of the essential data needed by the Central and State Governments to formulate policies on important health and family welfare issues, Indias globally recognized and leading healthcare research institutions, IIHMR University has been assigned by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to execute National Family Health Survey (NFHS4) as field agency to conduct field work in the state of Chhattisgarh. The survey is designed to provide information on population, family planning, maternal and child health, child survival, HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), reproductive health, and nutrition in India







Dr. SD. Gupta, President, IIHMR University said, We take pride in announcing that we have been assigned by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India to conduct the field survey for NFHS4. The NFHS4 conducted will include 29 states along with 6 Union Territories which have been included for the first time nationally. The survey will provide estimates of most indicators at the district level for all 640 districts in the country. IIHMR University Jaipur will cover 946 Primary Sampling Units (PSU) from 18 districts of Chhattisgarh (as per Census 2011). From these PSUs, 18,920 households (HH) will be covered. Out of the total PSUs 15,620 households (HH) will be covered for district module (22 HH will be selected from each PSU where all eligible females interview will be done), whereas state module will be executed in 300 PSUs covering 3,300 HH, in which eligible men will also be included in the survey.







Dr. Gupta added, There are significant social, regional and genders disparities in accessing public health in Chhattisgarh. Interior regions in general and tribal districts in particular have poor physical and economic access to health services. The private health care system is generally less developed in interior areas and is not economically accessible. Low female literacy levels also adversely impact reproductive child health care in tribal and other interior areas. The Infant Mortality Rate (SRS 2013) is 46 whereas the Maternal Mortality Rate (SRS 2013) is 269 in the state. The nutritional status of children under five in Chhattisgarh, as indicated in the NFHS-3, shows that more than half of children (53%) in Chhattisgarh are stunted, or too short for their age, which indicates that they have been undernourished for some time. One-fifth of children (20%) are wasted, or too thin for their height, which may result from inadequate recent food intake or a recent illness. Forty-seven percent children are underweight, which takes into account both chronic and acute under-nutrition. Prevalence of severe malnutrition among children, mothers, old and indigent people is a matter of serious concern in the State. Under-nutrition among adult women is more prevalent in Chhattisgarh than among women of all other states except Bihar and more prevalent among adult men of Chhattisgarh than among men of all other states except Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand. The proportion of overweight/obese adults in Chhattisgarh is lower than in most other states and thus lower than the national average of 13 percent. Overall, only 51 percent of women and 57 percent of men in Chhattisgarh are at a healthy weight for their height.







Thus, through the NFHS4 survey IIHMR University shall be able to achieve the goals of NFHS i.e to provide essential data on health and family welfare for policy and programmes purposes and providing information on important emerging health and family welfare issues. The NFHS4 will provide information on Peri-natal mortality, adolescent reproductive health, high-risk sexual behaviour, safe injections, tuberculosis, and malaria interventions;health and family welfare conditions among slum dwellers;non-communicable diseases;use of emergency contraception; andHIV prevalence for adult women and men at the national level and for several groups of states/union territories (UTs) including high HIV prevalence states.







Thus with all these challenges, in the state of Chhattisgarh, it is very much necessary to gauge the health indicators at regular period of time so that every issue could be addressed with management perspective.







IIHMR University is a WHO Collaborating Center for District and Primary Healthcare in the State of Rajasthan. The IIHMR University to contribute to the health sector and to fill in the gap of increasing number of healthcare management personnels provides various MBA programmes such as, MBA Hospital and Health with 5 specializations (Hospital Management, Health Management, Health Economics, Finance and Insurance, Human Resource Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management), MBA Rural Management and MBA Pharmaceutical Management. For more information please log on http://www.iihmr.edu.in/.





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For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




By Seyhmus Cakan

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Security forces killed 32 Kurdish militants in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast at the weekend, army and security sources said on Sunday, escalating the reignited conflict in the region.

It was one of the bloodiest weekends since the three-decades-old insurgency resumed last July, scuppering a peace process launched by Ankara with the jailed leader of the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in late 2012.

In the region's largest city, Diyarbakir, a soldier and a police officer were killed on Sunday when they came under explosives and rifle fire in a clash with rebels in which 14 security personnel were also wounded, security sources said.

Gunfire and blasts could be heard echoing around the heavily damaged historical district of Sur where the clash occurred. Sur has been under round-the-clock curfew since Dec. 2 as part of security operations targeting militants.

Since the PKK launched its insurgency in 1984, fighting has been largely in the countryside, but the latest violence has focused on urban areas, where the PKK youth wing has set up barricades and dug trenches to keep security forces out.

Civilians have been caught in the middle. According to figures from the pro-Kurdish HDP party, 81 civilians have been killed in Sur and two towns near the Syrian and Iraqi borders since they were placed under 24-hour curfew last month.

Thousands of people have left their homes in the towns. Residents complain of indiscriminate operations and say the curfews have even prevented the sick from getting to hospital.

On Saturday, 16 rebels were killed in the towns of Cizre and Silopi, near the Syrian and Iraqi borders, and another four were killed in Sur, the armed forces said in a statement.

It said that a total of 448 militants had been killed in those three areas since they were placed under curfew and security operations were launched last month.

Police killed a further 12 PKK members after finding them in a house in the southeastern city of Van overnight, security sources said. One police officer died and two others were wounded in the operation.

The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, says it is fighting for autonomy and greater rights for Kurds in the NATO member country.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

On Friday, security forces killed 16 militants in Cizre and two in Sur on Friday, according to a previous military statement.

President Tayyip Erdogan has said 3,100 PKK members were killed in operations inside and outside Turkey in 2015. The PKK is based in camps in the mountains of northern Iraq, which have been targeted by Turkish warplanes since the resumption of conflict.

(Reporting by Seyhmus Cakan; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
Netlinks, which is a leading Open source Afghanistan company emphasizes on the benefits of open source software solutions and aids businesses to get optimum advantage from these technologies.

By: www.netlinks.af

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Media Contact

www.Netlinks.af

***@netlinks.af

+93 77 30 20 100 www.Netlinks.af+93 77 30 20 100

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-- Netlinks is a leading provider of world-class technology solutions to businesses in Afghanistan and across the globe. It emphasizes on the adoption of the open source technology frameworks and services by businesses, as open source proffers an array of business benefits with the potential to help businesses gain a competitive edge in this cutting-edge competition driven market.Netlinks focuseson providing open source development services to its clients as it understands thatwould be the greatest boon for just about any business within this connected generation. With lots of companies operating partly or wholly on the web, and also the others depending heavily on digital media, similar to their website, to talk with their past, present and prospective clients. Some of the benefits delivered by open source technology solutions include versatility, affordability, support, freedom, apart from significant cost savings.could possibly get as much accomplished for you when in comparison to their proprietary alternatives, or even more. For instance, there's practically nothing when it comes to functionality that ASP.Net can perform and PHP cannot. On the other hand, the latter holds several benefits when compared to former. In fact, some of the most popular impressive websites on the planet happen to be built using open source, like Face book on PHP, Twitter.Mostsoftware are free and also the paid vrsions of these software ones can be found at very modest prices. This lowers the development cost substantially. All you will need to purchase may be the efforts from the website designers and developers, along with other services like SEO and social networking optimization. Even many assets like templates, styles, plug INS, along with other extensions can be found completely free of cost, which too are of very good quality.There's an enormous community support for open source around the globe. Ought to be fact, every open source technology has a unique devoted community that's accountable for regular releases from the software as well as for maintaining discussion forums which help subjects. If you ever find yourself in trouble throughout or following the development process, or if you'd like to understand the methods to create the most from your software, you can request for help. There's also lots of understanding and research data available online for each technology, including documentation, frequently asked questions and video lessons.Possibly the most crucial benefit of open source is freedom. You don't have to select a particular extension if you wish to choose another. It's not necessary to select a particular hosting simply because the organization you purchased the program from particularly insists upon buying their very own hosting. Furthermore, you can modify, add, edit or personalize the main code from the software as you desire, as it is distributed around you.As one gets all these aforementioned benefits by adopting open source, Netlinks emphasizes on its development and deployment.Netlinks, based in Afghanistan is a leading software and technology solutions firm that helps businesses to gain a competitive edge over their counterparts by aiding them to adopt open source technologies and frameworks.possesses the potential of offering a myriad benefits to businesses ranging from cost savings to greater reach.To know more about our open source technology development services, log on to http://www.netlinks.af/ odoo-consulting- services/
Stephen Murray, Nancy Nelson, R.J. Waters, Brenda Prinzavalli and Joanne Ferro also participating!

By: Linda Stiles Fox Books

Author Linda Stiles Fox, book signing benefiting the Alzheimer's Association

Media Contact

Linda Stiles Fox Books

Linda Stiles Fox

***@lindastilesfox.com

702-610-4541 Linda Stiles Fox BooksLinda Stiles Fox702-610-4541

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--will be participating in a book signing benefitting theon Saturday January 16, 2016 1pm to 4pm. Linda will be among five other local authors signing their books with a percentage of the proceeds going towards this well known organization.Linda will be signing her very well received "What happens when boy meets girl? If it's two strangers sharing a cabin in Coloradanything can happen..... Linda is very excitied to be showcasing her first romance book, the first one in paperback. She has others available on Amazon.com. Titles include her novel, "Forever Again"short storiesReflections of the HeartNever Too Late" and her holiday special "anta's Little Secret".Other noteable local authors in attendance will beThe Chapel of Eternal Love"Blue.River.Apple, An exploration of Alzheimer's through poetryThe Case That Would Not Closeand self-help selections from31 Days to an Organized Life.Sessions of a Sex Surrogate"Linda is so happy thatis kind enough to host such an awesome event.is located at 3460 East Sunset, Ste R, Las Vegas. "It's such a sweet little owner-operated bookstore", Linda raves!Linda is so proud and humbled by being involved in such a event. "We hope that we are able to generate alot of much needed funding for theLinda hopes to see everyone there...And if you can't attend please think about donating by visiting www.alz.org/dsw. Or call (702) 248-2770You can also learn more about Linda Stiles Fox by visiting www.Lindastilesfox.com
Dr Catherine Bergeret-Galley, an internationally-acclaimed board-certified female plastic surgeon from Paris

End

-- Dr Catherine Bergeret-Galley, an internationally-acclaimed board-certified female plastic surgeon from Paris will be flying in specially to Ajman for a special presentation at 'The Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair' being organized under the kind patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi and Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD). Dr Catherine has over three decades of experience in her field and is one of the most sought-after surgeons with an A-list clientele across the Middle East and Europe. An expert in Facial Rejuvenation as well as in aesthetic and reconstructive body surgery, she is a Visiting Specialist at Al Garhoud Private Hospital in Dubai.At The Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair, Dr Catherine will conduct a special session on Bridal Rejuvenation focusing on. In addition, she will be providing free consultation to five lucky women attending her session that will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2016.Dr. Catherine offers a wide range of treatments for brides-to-be, "Every bride wants to look flawless on her wedding day. Now with the advancements in cosmetic procedures, brides can truly look perfect. Each and every woman has different goals and her own unique requirements. While younger brides are more interested in facial rejuvenation, neck liposuction, arms liposuction, mesotheraphy or reshaping of lips, older brides may request tummy tucks, chemical peels, laser treatments, reshaping sagging skin, breast lifts and implants, brow lifts, eyelid lifts, neck lifts, or face lifts"."Brides-to-be need to plan these procedures well in advance in order to get the desired results", advises Dr. Catherine. Every bride tells me 'Make me look my best for my big day'. While there are some quick-fix procedures, most require time. The longer time we get to work on the skin and body the better the results for a beautiful body and glowing skin.Dr. Catherine said, Enhancing, and making patients more attractive is my goal. I take the time to listen to their deepest concerns, to evaluate the defect they are worried about and often see as a handicap... I want to enhance the lives of my patients.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
By Lizbeth Diaz and Frank Jack Daniel

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A secretive meeting that Hollywood star Sean Penn orchestrated with Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman in a jungle hideout late last year helped Mexico's government catch the world's most wanted drug lord, sources said.

Guzman, the infamous boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was arrested in northwestern Mexico on Friday morning, and sent back to the prison he broke out of in July through a mile-long tunnel that led straight into his cell.

Mexico aims to extradite Guzman to the United States as soon as possible.

Penn's rare access to the capo was assisted by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo. They were driven some of the way to the hideout by Guzman's son, who the Hollywood star says was waved on by soldiers when they apparently recognised him.

Another leg of the day-long trip through central Mexico to meet Guzman was on a light aircraft allegedly fitted with equipment to evade radar detection, Penn said in a story published in Rolling Stone magazine on Saturday.

Penn said in the article that he was sure the Mexican government and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration were tracking him.

Two senior Mexican government sources said they were indeed aware of the October meeting and monitored his movements.

That helped lead them days later to a ranch where Guzman was staying, one of the sources said. Mexican forces used helicopter gunships to attack Guzman's ranch during a siege that lasted days.

The kingpin narrowly escaped, with what he told Del Castillo was a minor leg injury, but the raid in the northern state of Durango was a major breakthrough in the manhunt.

Guzman was finally recaptured on Friday in the northern city of Los Mochis after a bloody action movie-like shootout. Mexican marines pursued the wily kingpin through storm drains before intercepting his getaway in a hijacked car.

Penn's seven-hour encounter with Guzman came about after Guzman became interested in making a movie of his life when he was inundated with requests from U.S. movie studios following his 2014 capture, the film star said.

Guzman's lawyer approached Del Castillo about the possibility of making a film, but the project was dropped in favour of a magazine interview, Penn said.

In the Sinaloan state capital of Culiacan, where many revere Guzman as a folk hero, many were surprised to hear that he was looking to have a biopic made about his life.

"Vanity kills, and more so in his case," said Exiquiel Delgado, 60, who owns a souvenir kiosk near Culiacan's cathedral. "A man with money but little culture loses his way."

INTERVIEW

Penn's encounter adds a new twist to the long and larger-than-life career of Guzman, whose nickname "Chapo" means "Shorty."

Penn unsuccessfully tried to set up a formal follow-up interview. Instead, as Mexican security forces closed in on Guzman, Penn and Del Castillo persuaded him to film a 17-minute tape answering prewritten questions, and ship them the footage.

The video clips show the drug lord in a colourful shirt and black cap at a different hideout, musing about his contribution to the narcotics trade and U.S. consumption. Rolling Stone called it the drug lord's first-ever interview outside an interrogation.

A senior Obama administration official told television news shows on Sunday morning that Guzman's boasting about his heroin empire in the interview was "maddening."

"One thing I will tell you is that this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening," White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"We see a heroin epidemic, an opioid addiction epidemic, in this country," McDonough said. "We're going to stay on top of this with our Mexican counterparts until we get that back in the box. But El Chapo's behind bars - that's where he should stay."

McDonough would not comment on any repercussions for Penn.

The meeting was made possible because Guzman struck up an unlikely friendship with Del Castillo, who herself played a Mexican drug queen in a well-known TV soap.

Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez on Friday said that the drug boss's yearning for the silver screen had helped bring him down.

"Another important aspect that helped locate him was discovering Guzman's intention to have a biographical film made. He contacted actresses and producers, which was part of one line of investigation," Gomez said.

The meeting with Penn and Del Castillo yielded insight into how Chapo may have continued to conduct business while he was incarcerated. Penn said some of Guzman's henchmen were certified as lawyers to allow them access to the boss while he was in prison.

Guzman, who has escaped prison twice, himself said he did not believe his business had been impacted by his last spell behind bars.

Penn said Guzman sent engineers to Germany for three months of training on how to avoid problems when excavating near a low-lying water table beneath the prison where he was being held in order to perfect the audacious escape plan.

Guzman also revealed to Penn that he had once met Colombian Pablo Escobar, perhaps the world's most notorious cocaine trafficker "at his house. Big house."

One Mexican government source said authorities were considering whether to investigate Penn and Del Castillo, possibly for money laundering. The source did not explain further.

(Additional reporting by Dave Graham, Anahi Rama and Jesus Bustamente in Los Mochis, Michael O'Boyle in Culiacan and Simon Gardner and Ana Isabel Martinez in Mexico City; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel and Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Kieran Murray)
Learn Airbrush Tanning in 1 Day or 1 Weekend I feel really proud and grateful that we have completed five years already. These five years have been challenging and I am thankful to every person associated with the Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy for making us what we are today. Past News Releases RSS Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy...

Retired NYC Police Detective Opens...

New Spray Tanning Business Launches...

Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy, Americas most trusted training institution for spray tanning, has just started celebrating their fifth anniversary. Started in 2011 as a small training center by Simone Emmons, the academy has experienced remarkable growth over the last five years. Simones extraordinary knowledge and experience in airbrush tanning have taken her academy to new heights within just five years. At present, Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy has the enviable credential of training over 300 students from all over the United States and also students coming from as far as South Korea and Kuwait to Denmark. To cope with the high demand, Simone also developed the first online version of her hands-on certification training program in 2012 and also developed another trainer and location in the Connecticut area.

The sharp rise of the Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy can be attributed to the hands-on approach of Simones training sessions. In these sessions, the students get the opportunity to test their own spray tanning skills in the presence of real tanning models. Most of the students of the academy are now well established in the field of spray tanning.

The New Year 2016 promises to be another busy year for the Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy as they are now accepting new students for classes on every Saturday/Sunday or Monday/Tuesday in the Los Angeles and Connecticut area. The academy will be training three new students coming from Utah, Colorado, and Los Angeles to be trained in the upcoming week. One of the new student was a referral from a previous student.

Before attending the hands-on airbrush tanning course, all students of the Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy gain access to a four-hour online video course so they can gain general knowledge about sunless tanning. After completing the basic online course and hands-on training course, they also receive an additional five-hour graduate course that includes many reminder videos, forms and marketing tips. Hollywood Airbrush Tanning is still offering a 50% discount of their normal training fee so that more individuals can join and learn the art and business of airbrush tanning.

Talking about the completion of these five years in the industry, Simone states, I feel really proud and grateful that we have completed five years already. These five years have been challenging and I am thankful to every person associated with the Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy for making us what we are today.

About Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy:

Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy is located in Los Angeles, California and offers an extensive Spray Tanning Certification program to individuals who want to start their own full or part-time airbrush tanning business. Founder and trainer, Simone Emmons is a professional spray tanning expert and teacher and has trained over 300 entrepreneurs from 27 states (and counting) including international students from Trinidad, South Korea, Kuwait and Canada. Simones airbrush tanning business has recently won the Best of Los Angeles Award 2015 for airbrush tanning in Los Angeles. The spray tanning training provided by the Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy is private and hands-on and prepares the student to start in business immediately. Prior to the hands-on training, over four hours of videos lessons are provided to students covering everything from safety and technique to marketing and Search engine optimization. Hollywood Airbrush Tanning Academy does not sell any of their own products and provides training and education on all equipment and tanning solutions in the sunless industry. The academy provides hands-on airbrush tanning training classes in Los Angeles and Connecticut area as well as online airbrush tanning certification classes.

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CHICAGO (AP)  The FBI is conducting a civil rights investigation into the fatal 2013 Chicago police shooting of a motorist whose family is challenging officers' accounts that he was armed and opened fire.

A brief mention of the case was contained in thousands of pages of emails related to police shootings that the city released on New Year's Eve, the Chicago Tribune reported (http://trib.in/1OTCtNq ) Saturday.

According to sworn depositions by the two officers pursuing him, Esau Castellanos was speeding at 80 mph and crashed on the city's northwest side. The officers say that when they approached, Castellanos opened fire. His family disputes that, and no gun was ever found. The officers fired 19 shots at Castellanos, hitting him three times.

Chicago's police department has come under intense scrutiny, including a U.S. Department of Justice Investigation, since the release in November of squad car video showing a white officer shooting a black teenager 16 times. Seventeen-year-old Laquan McDonald was carrying a small knife, but the video showed him walking away from police and contradicted officers' accounts that he posed a serious threat.

The FBI is known to be investigating that shooting and several others.

The quasi-independent local agency that investigates all police shootings in Chicago says it also referred the Castellanos case to the FBI in the weeks after the March 2013 shooting.

FBI spokesman Garrett Croon confirmed to the Tribune it has been investigating the shooting but would not comment further, and it remained unclear why the case remained open after so much time.

The officers were placed on administrative duty only when the newspaper inquired about their status Friday. Interim Police Superintendent John Escalante said he had not been aware of the FBI investigation.

"Upon learning of this, I have ordered that both officers be immediately placed on administrative duties," he said in an emailed statement.

The officers are Juan Martinez and Shawn Lawryn. Lawryn refused to comment and Martinez could not be reached, the Tribune said. Lawyers for the city, which is representing the officers in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the family, also declined to comment.

In recorded depositions with the family's attorney, the officers said they pursued Castellanos' speeding car because they thought he might have been fleeing a crime. He sideswiped a car and then crashed. Records show his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. The officers say he fired at them and they dove for cover before returning fire.

But the family's attorney, Daniel O'Connor, says the man, who worked as a pizza delivery driver, was unarmed and posed no threat. Investigators never found a gun.

"The city told his daughter that her dad was shooting at the police and that's why he's dead," O'Connor told the newspaper. "They put it all over the news about how he was a bad guy and how these cops dove for cover and valiantly returned fire. It was a lie.

"The guy just had a bad accident," O'Connor said. "He needed medical attention. He didn't need to be shot."
Overview of health care programs Jan. 20

Considering a career in health care? Not sure which program is right for you?

Come to an informational session Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 4:30-6 p.m. and learn about Black Hawk Colleges short-term health care programs such as medical receptionist, medical scribe, medical terminology, EKG technician, home health care aide, phlebotomy, physical therapy aide, pharmacy technician and veterinary assistant. Instructors will be available for a brief overview of the various programs.

Health Care Career Programs: An Overview will be in the new Health Sciences Center at the colleges Quad-Cities Campus, 6600 34th Ave., Moline.

This is a free event, but registration is required. Call 309-796-8223.

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Explore continuing ed programs Jan. 19-21

Are you interested in taking a computer class, but not sure where to start? Learning a foreign language? Making jewelry, stained glass or floral arrangements? Becoming a better photographer?

Learn more about the variety of programs and classes offered by Black Hawk College Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) at a PaCE Information Night.

Stop by from 4:30-6 p.m.:

Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Geneseo Public Library, 805 N. Chicago St., Geneseo.

Wednesday, Jan. 20 at the BHC Outreach Center, 301 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline.

Thursday, Jan. 21 at the BHC Adult Learning Center, 4610 Blackhawk Commons Drive, Rock Island.

For more information, call 309-796-8223 or visit www.bhc.edu/pace.

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BHC offering food sanitation training

Black Hawk College offers training for restaurant and food service workers. In Illinois, all food handlers must receive basic safe food handling principles training within 30 days of employment. The next Food Handler Training will be Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the colleges Outreach Center in East Moline. Cost is $20.

The Food Service Sanitation Manager course meets Illinois and Iowa state requirements and prepares students for the Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification exam. Classes will be Tuesdays, Jan. 19-26, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the colleges Outreach Center in East Moline. Cost is $137.

To register for either training, call 309-796-8223.

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Learn QuickBooks in three weeks at BHC

Take Accounting Made Easy Using QuickBooks in just three Saturdays at Black Hawk College.

Topics will include Setting Up Your Company on QuickBooks, Tracking Income and Expenses, Payroll and Sales Taxes, Tracking Inventory Management and Financial Reports.

The next class will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 23 to Feb. 6, at the colleges Quad-Cities Campus in Moline.

Cost is $250, which includes breakfast, lunch and a flash drive. For more information, call 309-796-5714.
Egide Thein comments on financial policies, financial services, offshore centers, bank secrecy, money laundering, terrorist financing, AML / CTF compliance, money transfers, tax evasion, fraud, corruption and on past and current events in Luxembourg and around the world.
SILVIS -- Firefighters spent more than three hours Saturday containing a structure fire at National Railway Equipment Co. at 900 N. 9th St., Silvis.

The Silvis Fire Department responded to the 11:53 a.m. call Saturday and requested mutual aid from other local departments, according to a media release from Silvis Police Chief Mark VanKlaveren.

He also reported the fire appeared to be contained by 2:59 p.m. Saturday. The cause of the blaze was unknown Saturday afternoon; the fire remains under investigation.

No injuries were reported, and all employees got out of the building without incident. The fire appeared to be contained in a paint-booth area of the building, according to Chief VanKlaveren.

White smoke was visible emanating from the building while firefighters battled the blaze. Access to the area was barred, and lines of anhydrous rail tanker cars blocked most of the view.

Three firefighters in a basket atop a ladder truck were seen dousing the fire.

Tim Phlypo, owner of the Let's Ride Inc. bicycle shop across the tracks from the smoking building, estimated 95 to 100 cars stopped to "rubberneck" the scene. Unfortunately, it wasn't good for business, he said. No one stepped into the store, except for media personnel.

Mr. Phlypo said he first saw smoke a little before noon and considered closing down because of the nearby anhydrous tanker cars. But he said the wind was blowing the smoke to the east, instead of toward the tanker cars and his shop.

Chief VanKlaveren also reported there did not appear to be any public safety issues resulting from the fire.

National Railway Equipment, headquartered in Mount Vernon, is an employee-owned provider of new and remanufactured locomotives, locomotive products and wheel services, according to earlier reports.

Founded in 1984 by Lawrence Beal, the company has grown to encompass 15 facilities and affiliates, such as the one in Silvis, making it the worlds largest independent supplier of new and remanufactured locomotives, new and rebuilt mechanical materials, electrical components, technical support and field services.
NBC is dropping its affiliation with Boston's local TV station WHDH when its contract ends and instead will launch a network-owned station in the city by next January.

A network memo says it will build a local news team in Boston, and already has a head start with operations of New England Cable News and Telemundo there.WHDH owner Ed Ansin has gone to his senator , Edward Markey (D-MA), with concerns about the public interest and promises a legal fight over the decision. I have a feeling a year from now we will still be the NBC affiliate," Ansin says. "Thats how serious we think the violations are.Ansin, who has sparred with NBC over the years, said the network told him it might move programming to New Hampshire station WNEU-TV. He's concerned whether it violates the public interest to move NBC programming to a station that reaches half the viewers as WHDH.
Welcome to the start of a New Year, a time when many Americans make resolutions to improve their quality of life. Invariably, one of those resolutions is being smarter when it comes to spending and saving money. One New Year's resolution that the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) has for Congress is to also be more fiscally responsible, and that means passing comprehensive tax reform.

Simplifying the tax code and a commitment from lawmakers to do so is the blueprint to ease some of American consumers and businesses' financial woes and increase economic growth. Fortunately, certain Presidential candidates, and some leaders in Congress, are starting to understand the importance of tax reform and have pledged to make this issue a priority in 2016. But all talk will be hollow unless the candidates and lawmakers put their words into action.

The Presidential campaign is now in full gear with the candidates escalating their rhetoric on proposals to generate economic growth and prosperity. They have all highlighted tax policy as a way to achieve these goals. The Economist recently analyzed each of the candidates' tax proposals. Even though TPA doesn't endorse candidates, we support any candidate's pledge to overhaul the tax system including simplifying the system for individuals and lowering America's corporate tax rate. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush proposed to "slash the corporate tax rate to 20 percent." New Jersey Governor Chris Christie similarly recognized the importance of lowering America's corporate tax rate when he called for lowering the rate 25 percent in a recent Iowa campaign stop. Carly Fiorina has suggested that the 70,000-page tax code be whittled down to just three pages. Now that's simplification.

America's competiveness is at risk because the country faces the highest corporate tax rate in the world. The National Taxpayers Union recently pointed out that "in the past 10 years alone, the worldwide average rate has fallen seven points to under 23 percent, compared to the federal and state average for the U.S. of over 39 percent." If America is to maintain a leadership position in trade, commerce, and economic prosperity, the next President needs to reduce our corporate tax rate within the first 100 days.

Congressional leaders are also raising concerns that America's tax code is woefully out of date and in need of simplification. There has been no greater champion of this cause than new House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.). In early December, Speaker Ryan delivered an agenda setting speech where he made the intellectual case for tax code simplification. Speaker Ryan pointed out that Canadians tax small businesses at 15 percent whereas the US's top tax rate on successful small businesses is over 44 percent. America will further undermine small businesses' pursuit to compete effectively if this tax rate remains exceedingly high. What's now needed is a bipartisan effort in Washington to prioritize tax code simplification to make sure small businesses can fairly compete to innovate and grow their services.

Any pursuit of tax reform in 2016 should be executed in a way so that government does not pick winners and losers in the American economy. But, picking winners and losers is exactly what the Obama Administration and Senate Democrats have done when they called for a repeal of tax deductions on traditional oil and gas companies under the misguided notion that these deductions are allegedly subsidies on the industry.

TPA corrected this obvious discrepancy, and exposed this clear case of political bias, in a recent Washington Post letter to the editor. We noted that a subsidy is defined as a direct payment from the government, while deductions are in place to ensure companies are taxed only on their real incomes. Policymakers should instead base their rationale for policy decisions under the proper definitions of subsidies and deductions. Doing so would avoid forcing the energy industry to pay punitive taxes, and will demonstrate the government's interest to treat all sectors of the economy equally.

Ultimately what's needed in 2016 is a commitment to comprehensive tax reform. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the last time the tax code was reformed. America's competitiveness languishes with comparatively high corporate and small business tax rates, and a complicated tax code that's nearly 4 million words and results in excessive compliance costs. Americans' livelihoods, and our country's prospects for prosperity, can be realized through pro-growth, industry-neutral reforms to our nation's tax code. This objective is a policy priority that candidates and lawmakers of both parties can and should support.
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By Staff Reports

Shasta's Most Wanted, featured in the Record Searchlight in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, targets people who have failed to show up in court for sentencing after being convicted of crimes.

A milestone was reached in December, when the 500th arrest was made since the program was begun in September 2013. As of Friday a total of 524 arrests have been made through the Most Wanted program.

Authorities say they have seen an increase in criminals failing to appear in court since the onset of Assembly Bill 109. Also known as prison realignment, the state program shifted certain state prison inmates to county supervision.

Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti said court appearances have been going up since the rollout of the program.

Five new people are added each week. Those caught will be held until at least their next court appearances. Shasta County Secret Witness is offering a reward of up to $250 for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 245-6540 or 243-2319.

The feature appears Sundays in the Record Searchlight's Northern California section and on Redding.com.
SHARE Isaac Lowe Brink Moore

Funeral service set for Isaac Lowe

A funeral service for prominent Redding civil rights and community activist Isaac Lowe is set for Tuesday at First Baptist Church on Eureka Way.

The service begins at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow.

Lowe, who died Dec. 30 at age 94, moved to Redding in the 1940s.

She and her late husband, Vernon, started the local chapter of the NAACP in 1950.

She long championed civil rights in the area, helping start the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and led the effort to post "No room for racism signs" around the county and have the city of Redding adopt an Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

She was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 1992 and Redding's Woman of the Year in 1993.

Sheriff: Man stole from church

Sheriff's deputies early Saturday said they arrested a 30-year-old Redding man caught with stolen property from a Redding-area church.

Deputies about 3:30 a.m. responded to a burglar alarm at the Newtown Church of the Nazarene off Lake Boulevard and south of Pine Grove Avenue, just west of the Shasta Lake city limits.

There, they found Kenneth Paul Clark outside the church alone, Sgt. Gene Randall said. They also found a broken window on the church, and Clark was carrying stolen property from the church, Randall said.

Clark admitted to deputies he'd burglarized the church, Randall said. Deputies arrested him on suspicion of burglary and booked him into the Shasta County Jail, they said.

Two men arrested in Happy Camp murder

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office arrested two men Friday in the Dec. 29 homicide of a 48-year-old Happy Camp man.

Michael Franklin Moore, 48, of Medford, Oregon, and Jerry Edward Brink, 37, of Happy Camp, were arrested in separate locations and booked into Siskiyou County Jail on suspicion of murder, the sheriff's office said.

Moore was taken into custody Friday afternoon in the Yreka area, and Brink was arrested Friday evening in the 6000 block of Salmon River Road in western Siskiyou County, deputies said.

On Dec. 29 a Siskiyou County sheriff's sergeant and deputy found Kristopher Estes Kussner McCraw dead in his Happy Camp home on Curly Jack Road. An autopsy showed McCraw died of blunt force trauma in a homicide.

"This case is far from over, and there is still a lot of work to be done," Siskiyou Sheriff Jon Lopey said.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the sheriff's office's 24-hour dispatch center in Yreka at 530-841-2900.
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By Jon Ortiz

Following a series of scandals that have washed over California's state fire department, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed spending $4.4 million to launch a new unit to investigate personnel messes and prevent them from occurring in the future.

The Professional Standards Program, according to the state budget plan the governor unveiled Thursday, would dedicate 14 employees to "addressing personnel investigations and adverse actions" statewide.

Brown's proposal follows a dark saga in the department's history that started when one of its Ione Academy instructors stabbed and strangled his mistress on May 1, 2014, in the Elk Grove house they shared. The former battalion chief, Orville "Moe" Fleming, is serving 16 years to life for second-degree murder.

Subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct at the academy prompted California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention Director Ken Pimlott to commission a California Highway Patrol probe that eventually led to resignations, dismissals or demotions of 16 employees.

Although Cal Fire and the CHP refused to release investigative records, a series of reports by The Sacramento Bee over the last year exposed allegations and admissions that Cal Fire employees drank on state time, used state property for personal business, stored and shared inappropriate pictures and sex links on their state phones, sexually harassed and assaulted women and cheated to win promotions.

One employee admitted to using state property to arrange liaisons with prostitutes.

Several incidents in recent years have demonstrated the need to strengthen Cal Fire's ability to address department-wide personnel issues.

Several of the punished firefighters are challenging their penalties. In November, a Bee investigation revealed that Cal Fire administrators were concerned that academy cadets and instructors conspired to boost students' exam averages by giving questions and answers in advance of tests, padded scores by throwing out questions and allowed some failed tests to be retaken rather than flunk a student out of the academy.

State auditors have also dinged Cal Fire for loose hiring and promotional practices. A recent report from the State Personnel Board said Cal Fire gave "inconsistent and contradictory information" during a separate probe into how two academy fire captains who cheated to gain promotions were demoted and then quickly regained their lost rank. The state's investigation launched following Bee inquiries into the promotions.

And in 2009, the state for two years took over Cal Fire's authority to administer civil service exams because of irregularities.

Brown's budget proposal references the department's troubled past as the rationale for the new program: "Several incidents in recent years have demonstrated the need to strengthen Cal Fire's ability to address department-wide personnel issues."
Rive Wenbourne, 3, (left) and Trinity Evanson (right) join others last week in making bracelets at Shingletown Medical Centers wellness center at Black Butte Elementary School.

SHARE Anabelle Evanson, daughter of Trinity Evanson, looks for toys at a wellness center that was started by Shingletown Medical Center at Black Butte Elementary School.

By Amber Sandhu of the Redding Record Searchlight

In a move to reach out to the community, Shingletown Medical Center has opened a Wellness Center at Black Butte Elementary School where it will offer support groups and programs pertaining to fitness, nutrition and socialization.

Community members already are signing up for programs fast.

The first class the center is offering is a support group that addresses isolation and depression.

"It's huge up here. A lot of people have social phobias," said Kelly Bullan, case manager at Shingletown Medical Center. "With that comes depression and isolation, especially among the elderly."

Bullan said many people in the rural region have no social outlet, especially the elderly who may have a limited Social Security income and those no transportation. She said she often hears residents complain they have nobody to talk to and are lonely.

The class, titled "Depression and Isolation  a Journey of Hope" starts at 11 a.m. Jan. 15 and will focus on helping people open up about their feelings with others, Bullan said.

So far nine people have signed up. "Their biggest thing was meeting people," Bullan said about those who signed up.

More classes will be offered in the future. Another class on yoga will begin Jan. 21 and Bullan already is working on starting a nutrition program that shows people how to cook healthy meals on a budget.

Patti Allison, development officer at the medical center, said there are also a lot of single parents in the area. And because the area is remote, people often go without meeting someone for days during the winter and it becomes especially hard on children when they're home from school.

Understanding that need, the wellness center is now home to the Shingletown Playgroup and the Raising a Reader Program where parents with children under the age of 5 come in every Thursday and participate in arts and crafts, board games, or just play with other children. It's just one part of an effort that Shingletown Medical Center has introduced to the community, where children who need socialization can thrive.

Parents like Mary Locker, 24, already are seeing results. Locker said she took her son Elijah, who is 1 years old, to the speech therapist, because he would not speak. When she brought Elijah to the playgroup, he was shy initially, but became more talkative over time.

"I didn't know what he wanted, he'd just point. And now he tells me," Locker said.

Bullan said every week they do activities with the children that allow them to express themselves and also engage in quiet, artistic activities. Bullan emphasizes there was a need for more parent involvement with children and that parents needed to socialize with other parents.

Trinity Evanson, 34, who brings her 3-year-old daughter to Anabelle to the playgroup, moved from Fortuna. She said Anabelle used to be in preschool all day, so having the playgroup helped since she was missing school and feeling lonely. She added that the playgroup has helped her develop connections with other parents and has helped her learn what expectations are appropriate for children based on age.

Bullan said socialization is key for children and their parents. "You just can't scream across the apartment complex and say "Hey, come on over,"" Bullan said referring to the relative remoteness of Shingletown.

For Monica Wetzel, 29, she brings her 11-month-old daughter, Juliet, and 3-year-old son, Rive, to the playgroup. She said her children are no longer shy and have become more social. "It just helps them with their overall happiness," Wetzel said about the playgroup.
The NSA will meet with officials of the French external intelligence agency to forge a very close counter-terrorism relationship with India, reveals Rajeev Sharma.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is headed to France for some urgent security and strategic business. He will be in Paris on Monday.

Of course, French President Francois Hollande is the chief guest for the Republic Day parade where, in a first, a strong contingent of the French army will take part in the parade. The subject will inevitably come up for discussions as Doval is expected to call on Hollande.

But this is not the real purpose of his visit to Paris as the nitty-gritty of the French presidential visit to India is being closely followed up by the ministry of external affairs.

Of course, the government-to-government deal between India and France for 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in fly-away conditions is on the anvil.

A high-level French team is already in India to give final touches to the agreement and French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected to be in India a week later to oversee the final preparations of the mega deal.

But again, this is not the real purpose of Doval's visit to Paris as the Rafale deal is being handled by the defence ministry.

The main objective of Doval's Mission Paris is two-fold.

One, to impress upon the French strategic establishment to forge a very close counter-terrorism relationship with India and share real-time intelligence on terror outfits, including Islamic State which recently wreaked mayhem in Paris.

Two, to have brainstorming sessions with French intelligence and counter-terrorism establishments, which has acquired special importance in wake of the Pathankot terror attack.

The first one is already happening, but Doval's visit will certainly galvanise intelligence and counter-terrorism cooperation between India and France.

It is the second one which constitutes the major thrust area as far as Doval is concerned.

The Modi government, particularly the NSA, has drawn severe criticism from the Opposition and some strategic experts. Comparisons have been made between Pathankot and the Paris terror attacks and the response mechanism of the two governments.

Questions have been raised as to why the Indian security forces took four days to neutralise six terrorists when the French authorities tackled multiple simultaneous terror attacks in Paris and neutralised all terrorists in two hours.

Doval would also be mindful of this fact though the terror attacks of Paris and Pathankot were drastically different, the essential difference being that while the first one was at public places, the second one was at a closely guarded airbase which is one of the biggest military facilities of India.

One of Doval's high priority tasks will be to meet with key officials of the French external intelligence agency, the General Directorate for External Security which operates alongside the DGSI (the General Directorate for Internal Security) in providing intelligence and national security by performing paramilitary and counter-intelligence operations abroad.

Given his rich experience in handling operations of the Intelligence Bureau for decades, Doval will obviously be looking minutely at the French system and the good things that the Indian security establishment needs to learn from them. The French authorities' recent laudable role in dealing with the unprecedented and audacious terror attacks in Paris will be closely studied by Doval.

There is a political message in Doval's visit to France -- that he continues to be the go-to man for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is no other person Modi trusts so much as he trusts Doval.

Doval's France visit has the PM's blessings which shows that Modi has rubbished all anti-Doval statements that started days after Pakistan-based terrorists attacked the Pathankot airbase.

Rajeev Sharma is a New Delhi-based independent journalist and strategic analyst who tweets @Kishkindha
In an effort to boost the country's cybersecurity mechanism after the Pathankot terror attack, the government is planning to tie up with international cyber surveillance experts.



According to sources, major cybersecurity firms from the United States and Israel have already had several rounds of discussions with different ministries involved -- telecom and information technology ministry and ministry of home affairs.

In the last week of December, Gulshan Rai, national cybersecurity coordinator, met an Israel-based cybersecurity company to this effect.

"The government is keen to tie up with Israel on cybersecurity as they are the leaders in the sector. The plan is to plug the holes in our cybersecurity apparatus," said a senior official from the IT ministry.

With the increased threat of cyber terrorism, the government is also planning to raise its vigil on the internet and monitor any possible communication between terror modules.

The government also wants to ensure that content meant for radicalising youths, from outfits like Islamic State, doesn't find circulation in India.

Sources also said cybersecurity would be one of the main topics of discussion during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajs visit to Israel starting January 15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also visit Israel later this year.

The government is planning to recruit, on contractual basis, cybersecurity experts and partner with top international cyber-security firms.

In December 2014, an expert group constituted by the ministry of home affairs had submitted its report on 'Roadmap for Effectively Tackling Cyber Crimes in the Country' after examining the global best practices.

The group comprised of Rai, N Balakrishnan from Indian Institute of Science, Rajat Moona, director general of Center for Development of Advanced Computing, B J Srinath, director general of Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, Manindra Aggarwal, computer science professor at Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, D Das, professor at Indian Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore, and joint secretary Kumar Alok.

While India has made enormous progress in sectors such as IT and e-commerce, cyber-security in the country is at a nascent stage. Israel, which is the biggest player in the sector after the US, exported $6 billion (about Rs 39,000 crore) worth of cyber-related products in 2014.

According to sources in information technology ministry, India and Israel are working on a mechanism to encourage start-ups from both countries to work on cybersecurity solutions. Discussions are also on to create a fund which could be used to roll out certain projects related to cybersecurity.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi returned from his trip to Europe on Sunday and will hold a meeting with Congress leaders on Monday to take stock of the developments in his absence.

Gandhi, whose foreign trips in the past have led to intense speculation, had announced his trip to Europe on Twitter on December 28.

'I will be travelling to Europe for a few days. A very Happy New Year to everyone,' he had said.

Congress sources said Gandhi returned early on Sunday morning and will meet with party leaders on Monday.

Gandhi had been out of the country during New Year on some occasions in the past as well.

His last two trips abroad were much talked about. His around two-month sabbatical after an All India Congress Committee session in February last year to reflect upon the party's debacle in Delhi elections and deliberate on a future course for the Congress had led to the Bharatiya Janata Party taking potshots at him.

There was a political controversy even over his September visit to Aspen, United States to attend a conference.

When the BJP raised questions about the Congress' claim of Gandhi attending the conference in Aspen, the Congress vice presidents office had uploaded photographs of the same on Twitter to counter the attack.
A Ram temple will come up in Ayodhya once the members of all communities are taken into confidence over the matter, Rashrtiya Swayamsevak Sanghs Muslim outreach wing Muslim Rashtriya Manch has said.

Describing Lord Ram as 'symbol of Indian-ness', the Manch, patronised by senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, said it is making efforts to make Muslims aware of the 'truth' that Lord Ram is at the centre of faith for Hindus, while the Mughal emperor Babur does not claim similar space for them.

It is believed that Babri Masjid was named after Mughal emperor Babur and built during his reign.

"Ram temple will come up, but only when we take each other into confidence. There is a need to speak to Muslims, members of other communities over this," Mohammed Afzal, national convener of the Manch, said.

"Lord Ram is at the centre of belief of the Hindus. But Babur is not at the centre of belief of the Muslims. He was an invader. We are conveying the truth to our Muslim brothers," he added.

Afzal also claimed that majority of the ulemas associated with the Manch were of the view that the temple must be built in Ayodhya.

"When the Uttar Pradesh high court decision had come (in the Ayodhya case), we had called a meeting of members of our organisation. Around 70-80 ulemas had spoken then. Of these, around 65 people had said the temple should be constructed there as it is the symbol of our Indian-ness. The discussion had taken place without any pressure on anyone," he said.

Afzal dismissed the view that 'atmosphere of intolerance' prevails in the country.

Referring to the makeshift temple at the disputed site, he said, "It is the biggest example of how tolerant India is."
Congress president Sonia Gandhi with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti at the latter's Srinagar residence on Sunday. All Photographs: Umar Ganie

In a meeting which some political observers interpret as a prelude to a possible realignment of forces in the state, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi visited the residence of Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar to offer condolences on the demise of her father and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Accompanied by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior Congress leader Ambika Soni, Gandhi drove straight to Mehboobas Gupkar residence from the airport.

Paying rich tributes to Sayeed, the Congress president his said was a huge loss for the country. She also met other members of Sayeeds family, including his wife, and expressed solidarity and support in the hour of grief.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari reached Srinagar on Sunday to offer condolences to the family of late Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

Later, Union minister Nitin Gadkari also visited Mehbooba's residence to condole the death of the former chief minister. He said the entire country stood in solidarity with the bereaved family.

Though, the PDP sources say that the party will continue its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, there may be some major changes in portfolios.

Some observers speculate that Mehbooba may not like to have a BJP deputy chief minister in the new cabinet.

Speculations are rife that Mehbooba is setting some preconditions before agreeing to form the new government.

Mehbooba has called a meeting of PDP legislators on Sunday evening, according to sources.

The government formation which was earlier stated to take effect after the four-day mourning period is now likely to take more time as the two coalition partners have to sort out issues that have come up after Sayeeds demise, the sources said.

An emotional Mehbooba Mufti, along with other family members and supporters, offers prayers at her father's grave in Bejibehara, J&K, on Sunday morning.

On Sunday, the last day of the mourning period, senior party leaders and a large number of people paid tributes to the late chief minister at his hometown Bejibehara where he was laid to rest on Thursday.

A tearful Mehbooba also visited Bejibehara on Sunday morning.
India's home-grown light combat aircraft Tejas might never fire a shot in anger at its Pakistani counterpart, the JF-17 Thunder. Yet, Tejas is already squaring off against the JF-17. When the Indian fighter performs aerobatics at the forthcoming Bahrain International Air Show, international aviation experts will directly compare it with the JF-17, which flew at the Paris Air Show in July.



The Tejas team is geared up to impress the experts in its international debut.

It is learnt that the Aeronautical Development Agency, which oversees the development of Tejas, has put together a flying routine that 'significantly surpasses any aerobatics display the fighter has presented earlier'.

"So far, we have always flown with large safety margins in hand. At Bahrain, we will show the spectators what Tejas can really do, how much energy the fighter has," says an ADA official closely associated with the preparations.



The Made-for Bahrain' display routine will test the aircraft's limits in vertical climbs, high-speed runs, tight turns and its slow flying ability.



With the flight-test programme having recently cleared the Tejas for 8G turns (which create stresses on the aircraft that are eight times the force of gravity), the performance at Bahrain will include two 8G turns in front of the display stand.

"We do not intend to return to India feeling we could have done more. Aerospace experts will scrutinise every performance, and recordings of these, over succeeding months. We hope to make it worth their while," said the ADA official.

Two Tejas fighters will fly to Bahrain for the air show on January 21-23. These fighters, along with three pilots, are already at an air base in Gujarat, practising their routine in sea level conditions akin to Bahrain. In mid-January, they will fly to Muscat, and then to Bahrain.



Air show performances serve various aims. Some displays are structured to entertain spectators with spectacular, but technically easy, flying. Others emphasise pilots skills, such as close-flying displays.

Tejas, however, will present a product demonstration, which showcases for potential customers the performance aspects that make it a good combat aircraft -- such as the ability to climb quickly and turn tightly.

"A good 'product demonstration' must translate dry capability statistics into actual flying performance that makes an impact on potential customers," explained a veteran test pilot.

As the Tejas has passed performance milestones in a flight-test programme that began in 2001, it has flown and climbed faster and turned tighter, transforming the sedate 'flying displays' of the mid-2000s into today's exhilarating aerobatics.

Tejas pilots and ADA officials are confident the fighter will bear the stress of edge-of-the-envelope flying for several weeks.

"Tejas is often criticised for being too heavy. But that also makes it a structurally strong aircraft, with plenty of reserve strength to push the performance envelope," said a veteran Tejas test pilot.

While Tejas aims to entertain the spectators, and enthuse the aerospace analysts, the primary intention of featuring it at Bahrain is for evaluation by prospective buyers, who study recordings of air show performances.

"Big aerospace corporations like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Dassault have in-house media teams, which produce high-quality, professional recordings of their aircraft's performances. ADA is handicapped in this respect," said an official.

The JF-17 Thunder, which already equips three squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force, enjoys a lead of several years over Tejas. Numerous press reports suggest that Sri Lanka has asked to buy the fighter, although Colombo denies this.



The JF-17 has also been more visible internationally. It debuted in 2010 in a static display at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom, and has flown in several air shows, most recently at Paris in July 2015.



However, the fourth-generation Tejas is technologically superior to the third-generation JF-17. Built of composite materials, the Tejas is more manoeuvrable, has better avionics and can carry more fuel and weapons.

Eventually, however, customers seek assured production and delivery, and in that the JF-17 is ahead. Pakistans Kamra factory has already delivered 66 fighters to the PAF, assembled for the most part with Chinese components. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has delivered only one Tejas to the Indian Air Force.
On Saturday morning, Raylene Deanda was a rookie and Graham Sergeant was a two-year veteran.

They were two of more than 60 high school students from Abilene High and Cooper who competed in the annual AHS-CHS Livestock Show at the AISD Ag Barn on South 22nd Street.

Students competed for prizes and awards in six categories, including market pigs, meat goats, market lambs, steers, rabbits and broiler chickens.

Kay Richards, agricultural science teacher at AHS, said she was pleased with the turnout and quality of animals at the show.

'I've been the ag teacher since 1993, and have been around this barn since I was two, and I'm always pleased with the effort these kids put into their animals and preparing for competition,' said Richards. 'We had a great show this year.'

Deanda, a sophomore at Cooper, was competing in her first stock show with four rabbits.

'I'm a little nervous,' said Deanda, who was showing three of her California rabbits, and one of her New Zealand rabbits. 'I'm still learning a lot about how this all works, but glad to be here.'

Deanda said a lot of work goes into caring for the rabbits, and getting them ready to show.

'The rabbits are evaluated on their fur, teeth, weight and grooming, so I'm constantly watching out for those areas, making sure they get adequate food and water, and I keep them clean and groomed,' she said. 'I love animals, and my mother would tell you that I'm the one who's always bringing home a stray. Caring for and showing these rabbits is a fun challenge.'

Sergeant, a junior at Abilene High School, walked away with top honors for his market lamb, 'Quinton.'

'This is my second year to be showing Quinton, and it's been great,' said Sergeant. 'Lambs are pretty unique, and that's why I chose them over pigs; there are a lot of FFA kids who show pigs.'

Sergeant said he feeds his lamb twice a day, makes sure he has adequate water, cleans his pen each day, and walks him on a halter daily.

'It's definitely different showing him with my hands on his jaws like we're supposed to in shows,' Sergeant said, who noted he was influenced to get into FFA by his grandfather. 'It takes a lot of practice for both of us to get comfortable with the show handling, but we keep improving each show.'

Sergeant and Quinton received the Grand Champion Lamb award at Saturday's show; he said he plans to compete in the Taylor County Livestock Show Jan. 20-23, and hopefully, at the larger stock show in Fort Worth in the spring.

Roy Richey, retired ag teacher from Cross Plains, served as the judge for Saturday's stock show.

'I'm very pleased with the overall quality of the animals in this show,' said Richey. 'It is evident that the students are being well taught, and are doing their part to show quality animals. It make my job as judge more challenging, because the differences are very slight.'

AISD Stock Show Results

Market Hogs

Duroc - Light

1. Maggie Sellers  AHS

2. Kaylynn Rose  AHS

3. Daniel Draper  AHS

Duroc  Heavy

1. Colin Kappel  CHS

2. Brayden Bentle  AHS

3. Dylan Logan  CHS

Champion Duroc

Maggie Sellers  AHS

Reserve Champion Duroc

Colin Kappel  CHS

Hampshire  Light

1. Brandon Shepard  AHS

2. Emily Johnson  CHS

3. Kaylynn Rose  AHS

Hampshire  Heavy

1. Ethan Gutierrez  AHS

2. Daniel Draper  AHS

3. Kristen Mitchell  CHS

Champion Hampshire

Ethan Gutierrez  AHS

Reserve Champion Hampshire

Brandon Shepard  AHS

Black OPB

1. Sierra Earley  AHS

2. Hannah Burton  AHS

Champion Black OPB

Sierra Earley  AHS

Reserve Champion Black OPB

Hannah Burton  AHS

York

1. Hannah Burton  AHS

2. Maggie Sellers  AHS

Champion York

Hannah Burton  AHS

Reserve Champion York

Maggie Sellers  AHS

Cross  Light

1. Major Hollenbeck  AHS

2. Alexis Skiles  CHS

3. Kegan Casey  CHS

Cross  Heavy

1. Ethan Gutierrez  AHS

2. Brandon Shepard  AHS

Champion Cross

Ethan Gutierrez  AHS

Reserve Champion Cross

Major Hollenbeck  AHS

Grand Champion Market Hog

Hannah Burton  AHS

Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog

Ethan Gutierrez  AHS

Market Hog Showmanship

Maggie Sellers  AHS

Meat Goats

1. Clarissa Casey  CHS

2. Autumn Bouford  CHS

Grand Champion Meat Goat

Clarissa Casey  CHS

Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat

Autumn Bouford  CHS

Meat Goat Showmanship

Clarissa Casey  CHS

Market Lambs

Medium Wool

1. Graham Sergeant  AHS

2. Autumn Bouford  CHS

Grand Champion Market Lamb

Graham Sergeant  AHS

Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb

Autumn Bouford  CHS

Market Lamb Showmanship

Graham Sergeant  AHS

Steers

English

1. Chris Martinez  AHS

European

1. Chris Martinez  AHS

Grand Champion Market Steer

Chris Martinez  AHS

Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer

Chris Martinez  AHS

Rabbits

Single Fryers  Light

1. Rebecca Clement  AHS

2. Rebecca Clement  AHS

3. Lexey Mendoza  CHS

Single Fryers  Middle

1. Lucas Pruitt  AHS

2. Noah Pruitt  AHS

3. Colin Monroe  AHS

Single Fryers  Heavy

1. Lucas Pruitt  AHS

2. Krista Owens  AHS

3. Noah Pruitt  AHS

Champion Single Rabbit

Lucas Pruitt  AHS

Reserve Champion Single Rabbit

Krista Owens  AHS

Pen of 3  Light

1. Krista Owens  AHS

2. Lexey Mendoza  CHS

3. Anthony Hiscock  AHS

Pen of 3  Heavy

1. Krista Owens  AHS

2. Lucas Pruitt  AHS

3. Noah Pruitt  AHS

Champion Pen of Three Rabbit

Krista Owens  AHS

Reserve Champion Pen of Three Rabbit

Lucas Pruitt  AHS

Grand Champion rABBIT

Krista Owens  AHS

Reserve Grand Champion Rabbit

Lucas Pruitt  AHS

Rabbit Showmanship

Krista Owens  AHS

BROILERS

Broilers  Single

1. Kristen Mitchell  CHS

2. Brianna Jones  CHS

BROILERS  Pen of 3

1. Kristen Mitchell  CHS

2. Brianna Jones  CHS

Grand Champion Broiler

Kristen Mitchell  CHS

Reserve Grand Champion Broiler

Kristen Mitchell  CHS

Broiler Showmanship

Brianna Jones  CHS
SUNDAY

Texas Gun & Knife Show

The Texas Gun & Knife Show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Admission is $5.

Chamber music

Key City Winds will present a chamber music concert at 5 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. For information, call 325-677-2091 or go to www.heavenlyrestabilene.org.

MONDAY

Overeaters Anonymous, noon, Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112.

Schizophrenia Support Group, 1-2 p.m., Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300.

Blood drive, 4-8 p.m., New Beginnings Church, 5535 Buffalo Gap Road.

Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St.

Anorexics Bulimics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Shades of Hope, 402A Mulberry St., Buffalo Gap. 800-588-4673.

Hendrick Ostomy support group, 6:30 p.m., Diabetes Center, 1742 Hickory St.

Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society of Abilene, 7 p.m., 7607 Highway 277 South. 325-692-0063.

Abilene Toastmaster's Club 1071, 7 p.m., Conference Center, Texas State Technical College, 650 E. Highway 80. 325-692-7325 or abilene.toastmastersclubs.org.

Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007.

Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304.

Memory Men (4-part a cappella singing), 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1165 Minter Lane. Park on east side, enter through kitchen. 325-676-SING.

Abilene Quilters Guild, 7 p.m., Highland Church of Christ, Room No. 112. Meet-and-greet at 6:45 p.m. 325-676-1478.

Abilene Community Band rehearsal, 7:30 p.m., Bynum Band Hall, McMurry University. 325-232-7383.

South Pioneer Al-Anon Group, 8 p.m., 3157 Russell Ave.

Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Avoca United Methodist Church. 325-773-2611.

Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Group. 325-676-1400.

TUESDAY

Immunization clinic

COMANCHE  The Texas Department of State Health Services will conduct an immunization clinic from 10-11:30 a.m. and from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Comanche Housing Authority, 404 Cedar St. Participants must be uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid only. Parents must bring a copy of their child's immunization record.

Other ...

Mission on the Move Soup Kitchen, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church, 3025 Southwest Dr.

Abilene Southwest Rotary Club, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St.

High Noon Al-Anon, noon, Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road (south end; follow the yellow signs).

Blood drive, noon to 6 p.m., Knox County Hospital.

Blood drive, noon to 6 p.m., Munday Clinic.

Comanche County Retired Employees, 12:30 p.m., Highway 6 Cafe, De Leon.

Stroke/Aphasia Recovery Program support group, 1:30-2:30 p.m., West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3535.

Dystonia Support Group, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Not Without Us, 3301 N. First St. Suite 117.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 5:30 p.m., Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis St. 325-232-7444.

Legacies Al-Anon Family Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-280-7584.

Overeaters Anonymous, 6-7 p.m., Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland Ave., Room 111.

Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous, 6-7 p.m., Highland Church of Christ, 425 Highland Ave., Room 108.

Family (of Mental Health Consumers) Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Mental Health Association in Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300.

MHAA Bipolar/Depression Peer Support Group, 6-8 p.m., Ministry of Counseling & Enrichment, 1502 N. First St. 325-673-2300.

Free certified nurturing parent class (pregnancy to toddler), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398.

Methodist Children's Home Foster Parent Orientation, 6-8 p.m., 500 Chestnut, Suite 1621. 325-672-9398.

Abilene Star Chorus, 6:15 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St. 325-829-1470.

Abilene Chapter of American Association of Professional Coders, 6:30 p.m., in the board room next to the Tom Roberts Conference Center, second floor, Hendrick Medical Center, 1900 N. Pine St. Free AAPC CEU offered at every meeting. 325-435-9059.

Women of Combat Veterans Group, 6:30 p.m., Anson Housing Authority building.

Al-Anon Parents Group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. Use Church Street entrance.

Al-Anon, 7 p.m., Doug Meinzer Activity Center, Knox City. 940-658-3926.

Heritage Parks Homeowners Association, 7 p.m., Beltway Park North, 2850 Highway 351, Room 200.

Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 7-8:30 p.m., 2043 N. Second St.

Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St.

WEDNESDAY

Catfish fundraiser

ASPERMONT  A catfish buffet fundraiser will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Stonewall County Senior Citizens Center, 536 S. Washington. The cost is $10. Takeout will be available.

Other ...

Overeaters Anonymous, 8 a.m., Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112.

Blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hamlin High School.

Abilene Cactus Lions Club, 11:45 a.m., Cotton Patch Cafe, 3302 S. Clack St.

Abilene Wednesday Rotary Club, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway. $12 for lunch. Jo Ann Wilson, 325-677-6815.

Kiwanis Club of Abilene, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd.

Clearly Speaking Toastmaster Club, noon, Westgate Church of Christ, 402 S. Pioneer Drive. 325-795-5570.

Diabetes Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Stonewall County Library.

Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St.

Veterans Peer Support Group, 6 p.m., 725 Orange St. 325-670-4818.

Mid-week Al-Anon Family Group, 6-7 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-698-4995.

Advanced Square Dancing, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wagon Wheel.

Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007.

DivorceCare support group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. 325-691-4200.
Prison bus, vehicle collide in Callahan County on Tuesday

Prisoners taken by another bus to destination, evaluated there for injuries
In a phenomenon dubbed the "sharing economy" or "peer-to-peer marketplace," Americans are traveling in ways that were virtually unheard of a decade ago. They're vacationing at the homes of strangers, driving (and being driven) around cities in other people's cars and exploring destinations with the people who live there.

Elisa Dias of Congers, N.Y., has rented apartments with Airbnb for family vacations with her husband, 20-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son in Paris, Amsterdam and London. "We appreciated having a kitchen and living room where we could unwind and spend time together," she said. "While more expensive than one hotel room, it cost less than two."

On each trip, the family hired local guides from ToursbyLocals (www.toursbylocals.com), whom Dias described as "people who loved their cities."

Launched in 2008, Airbnb (www.airbnb.com) is the largest player in the growing home-sharing niche: Anyone who hasn't already used Airbnb or been a host probably knows someone who has. The company has matched more than 60 million guests and hosts in more than 34,000 cities or towns in over 190 countries.

In 2011, 1 in 10 U.S. travelers rented all or part of someone else's private dwelling. That proportion rose to a staggering 1 in 4 by 2014, according to data from industry research firm Phocuswright.

"We've seen rapid growth not only in Airbnb but also in other home-rental businesses such as Booking.com and Homeaway (www.homeaway.com)," said Douglas Quinby, Phocuswright vice president for research.

"Internet technology and the ubiquitousness of tablets and smartphones have been game changers," said Jon Gray, chief revenue officer at Homeaway. "Someone who had a second home to rent in Destin, Florida, used to have to place an ad in the Atlanta newspaper," he said. "Now it's just as easy to rent it to someone from London."

A nationwide consumer survey conducted jointly by the Travel Technology Association and the Internet Association reported that in 2015, nearly half of all Americans participated in one or more aspects of the sharing economy.

Other examples:

Services such as Uber (www.uber.com) and Lyft (www.lyft.com) are connecting passengers with drivers, posing challenges to a struggling taxi industry. FlightCar (www.flightcar.com), Turo (www.turo.com) and Getaround (www.getaround.com) are peer-to-peer services that enable travelers to rent cars from private owners. Via (www.ridewithvia.com) and Bandwagon (www.bandwagon.io) allow travelers (and commuters) to share rides in taxis and chauffeured vehicles.

Once travelers have reached their destinations, a bevy of companies such as Context Travel (www.contexttravel.com), Viator (owned by TripAdvisor) (www.viator.com), Your Local Cousin (www.yourlocalcousin.com) and Vayable (www.vayable.com) have emerged to help tourists experience what truly makes a place unique.

"Tourists want to get off the cattle car," said Paul Bennett of Philadelphia-based Context Travel, a company he co-founded with his wife 13 years ago. "They want to break down barriers between themselves and the places they're visiting. Beyond seeing monuments, they want to share experiences with people who live there and learn about their customs and culture," he said.

Last year Context booked 10,000 individuals or small groups (fewer than six people) for walking seminars in 37 large cities across the globe. The company matches travelers with expert "docents."

Similarly, travelers who are food enthusiasts have embraced the concept of social dining. Online platforms such as PurpleDinner (www.purpledinner.com), Meal Sharing (www.mealsharing.com), Bonappetour (www.bonappetour.com) and EatWith (www.eatwith.com) enable tourists to eat home-cooked meals and simultaneously get an insider's glimpse at the homes of their hosts.

"Homes" don't always have to be houses or apartments. There are Airbnb-type businesses for boaters too. With boats sitting in marinas with only infrequent use, GetMyBoat (www.getmyboat.com) collected an inventory of more than 40,000 boats in 143 countries  from kayaks to 150-foot yachts  available for rent or charter.

Although early adopters were largely tech-savvy young people, the demographics of sharing have become more ecumenical. "Unlike other emerging technologies, the peer-to-peer economy is distributed across all ages," said Steve Shur, president of the Travel Technology Association.

Users run the gamut from budget to luxury. Couchsurfing (www.couchsurfing.com) is a community of 12 million members who sleep on other people's couches or in spare bedrooms at no charge. At the other end of the spectrum are affluent travelers who "share" multimillion-dollar homes without the risks and costs of solo ownership. They are buying into private vacation clubs such as Exclusive Resorts (www.exclusiveresorts.com), Inspirato with American Express (www.inspirato.com) and Quintess (www.quintess.com).

Summerinitaly.com ranges up and down the economic scale from affordable to virtual palaces, some of the most breathtaking being along the Amalfi Coast.

Wealthy travelers also are purchasing fractional shares and usage of jets in hourly increments from NetJets (www.netjets.com), Flexjet (www.flexjet.com), Sentient Jet (www.sentient.com) and Wheels Up (www.wheelsup.com).

With air travel, it doesn't stop there. Technology has fundamentally altered the possibilities of matching underutilized resources with demand. Data science company Boxever surveyed 500 travelers about the future of air travel and found 40 percent would consider on-demand, in-flight services from other passengers such as massages, manicures/pedicures and business training, if they were made available.

Many see the growth of the sharing economy as a win-win scenario for travelers as well as for those who own assets. It offers cost savings as well as improved access to a wider array of options. "The trend is not exclusively economic," said Chip Conley, head of global hospitality and strategy at Airbnb. "It also appeals to our need for social belonging, allowing travelers to understand and make connections with people from all over the world."
The King of Rock 'n Roll has nothing on the Queen of Wesley Court.

Friday was the birthday of Elvis Presley, who would've been 81.

It also the birth date of Jenny Lou Murphy, who was born 24 years before Elvis and just over a year before the Titanic sank.

Do the math  she's 105, and she's still with us.

"You remember Elvis," I asked her, after introducing myself at the big to-do held for her. She was elegant in a pretty steel-blue dress and a flower in her hair.

I was one of the few people there she didn't know.

"Yes," she said. "I guess that's the reason I sing so beautifully."

I laughed. Folks I talked to said that one thing about Jenny Lou they like so much is that she makes them laugh.

"Every time I come to see her, she has a big smile on her face," Jasmine Sanchez said. "She always makes me laugh."

Jasmine is 85 years Jenny Lou's junior. She used to work at Wesley Court, and her mother still does. Jasmine still makes a point to see her friend when she comes by.

"She loves kids. I bring my niece," Jasmine said.

It's hard to say what part of the party Jenny Lou enjoyed the most but when her 3-year-old great-great-great nephew Henry gave her a card that he had colored, hugged her and, later, helped her open a gift by enthusiastically pulling out all the tissue paper (and there was a lot), the guest of honor looked very pleased.

Henry, of course, would rate the cake among the finer moments of the party. As did others, judging by empty paper plates and forks licked clean.

Jennifer Donnelly, one of Jenny Lou's caregivers, echoed Jasmine's comment.

"She's funny. She's always making me laugh," said Jennifer, a CNA. "She's very appreciative" of those who care for her, Jennifer added.

Jenny Lou had assistance eating her piece of cake but she was good with handling her punch on her own.

Family members filled me in on her history. They said that only in the last year has she become confused with some facts. Always independent, Jenny Lou needed nursing care about the time she hit 102.

"You were born in Dickens, right Nen," asked great-niece Becca Hibbs, who said it was she who came up the name of endearment that stuck with Jenny Lou.

"Yes," Jenny Lou. "Under a chinaberry."

That seemed to be news to all.

"I never heard that," Becca said, laughing. "You were born outside, under a tree?"

"Yes. I'm not joking," Jenny Lou said. Well, there, family historians.

Becca said Nen and her sister, Lucy Belle, were born to a mother who had two college degrees. That was a quite a feat back in the day, considering women's right to vote came with the 19th Amendment in 1920  when Jenny Lou was 9.

"Education was very important to them," Becca said. The sisters got their degrees  Jenny Lou went to Texas Woman's University close to the time it was being renamed Texas State College for Women and later got her master's at Texas Tech  and taught school. Jenny Lou took third grade; her sister chose fifth grade.

"She taught in the same classroom in Lubbock for 35 years," Becca said of Nen. Many of her students were Hispanic and children of migrant workers. Poor and needing someone to guide and encourage them along the road of learning.

She still was a substitute teacher well into her 70s, Becca said.

Lucy lived to be 81.

Jenny Lou married and had a son, who lives in Boston but due to health was not able to travel to Texas.

While Becca was filling me in, well-wishers paraded to Jenny Lou's wheelchair, squatting to be at her level. Cards piled up on the serving table.

One visitor was Jeff Reid, associate pastor for senior adults at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, of which Jenny Lou has been a member, he said, for 23 years.

"She's a pretty special lady," Jeff said. More than just a church member, he said. "A friend."

A monthly get-together was held Tuesday at Wesley Court, and Jeff tries to attend these events. There are 12 Pioneer Drive seniors at Wesley Court.

"Jenny Lou holds court" over the entire group, he said, chuckling.

Another party guest was Gladys Henson. Gladys has a ways to go to reach 105  16 months. At 103, she's a princess to Queen Jenny Lou. Gladys said she didn't really know Jenny Lou but a party is a party. Centenarians have to stick together.

Another guest was Bill Thweatt, a Wesley Court resident with his wife, Wanda. Bill's a pretty famous guy, thanks, in part, to his son. David Thweatt made state news a few years back at the gun-toting superintendent of the Harrold ISD, a small school in a small community 30 miles west of Wichita Falls.

Bill, who often dines with Jenny Lou, said the "cutest" comment he remembers came when she was reminiscing about all those her age she had outlived.

"She said, 'They're up in heaven thinking I'm living in hell,'" he said, laughing.

We know what she meant. As fun as Friday was, there's better stuff ahead.

But it was good being Queen of Wesley Court. She got a new dressing gown  "How beautiful," she said, clutching the soft fabric.

And, just for her, the tin of Lacy Oatmeal Cookies, a flat and crispy kitchen creation that Becca's sister, Sara, said were Nen's favorite.

Jenny Lou helped herself to one and it was not small.

When I left, noticing other party guests, much younger, already were fading, I believe she was starting on another.

Twitter: @GregJaklewicz
Texas once again is poised to take action on its need for affordable and sustainable water supplies. The funding program created in 2013 by Texas legislators and capitalized by Texas voters to provide cost-effective financial assistance for state water plan projectsthe State Water Implementation Fund for Texas, or SWIFT Programis opening for its second round of applications.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) will receive applications for SWIFT assistance until Feb. 5, accepting preliminary, two-page applications. For the 2016 funding cycle, the TWDB anticipates having $650 million available for new applications.

In 2015, the TWDB approved the first round of financial assistance from the SWIFT program. The total amount of financial assistance for SWIFT projects in 2015 was approximately $900 million, exceeding our expectations by $100 million. The TWDB estimates that the 20 project sponsors in the 2015 round saved at least $106 million on 30 projects through SWIFT's low-cost financing.

The types of projects we approved were as diverse as the geography and water needs of the state. Projects included planning, design, and construction of transmission lines, wells, land acquisition, seawater desalination, brackish groundwater desalination, canal linings, reservoirs, and metering systems.

We want to make an even bigger impact with this next round of funding.

Our state water plan data tells us that by 2060, statewide water demand will increase by 22 percent. In the Brazos Regional Water Planning Area, which includes Abilene, water demand is expected to increase by 43 percent. Much of the growth in water demand is fueled by Texas' increasing population and economic development. By 2060, the state's population is projected to grow 82 percent. In the Brazos Regional Water Planning Area, the population is projected to grow by more than 76 percent.

To meet our future water demands, we need strategies that will both increase and maximize our existing water supply. Fortunately, through the state water planning process, communities already have identified projects and strategies that will do just that.

To be eligible for the 2016 SWIFT funding cycle, projects must be included in the adopted 2016 Regional Water Plans and the subsequent 2017 State Water Plan. Communities with projects in those plans can submit their applications for financial assistance.

Applying now for the funding available from the TWDB through SWIFT and our other financial assistance programs will allow Texas to meet its future water demands. Without water, we lose the ability to power our businesses, homes, and communities. With water, Texas will continue to grow and prosper.

We want all of Texas to benefit from the resources TWDB has to offer. Abilene, please join us in this effort by submitting your applications for SWIFT funding. Allow us to partner with you in ensuring that Texas is turning its planning efforts into projects.

The SWIFT program includes two funds, the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas (SWIRFT). Revenue bonds for the program are issued through the SWIRFT.

This piece was cowritten by state Sen. Charles Perry, who represents District 28 that includes a portion of Taylor County and other Big Country counties, and Bech Bruun, who as appointed chairman of the TWDB by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 10 and has served as a TWDB board member since September 2013.
Sunday is expected to have a high close to 43 and a nightly low near 29.

The daily highs this week might stay in the 40s and 50s while the nightly lows stay around the 20s and 30s. There could be a 20 percent chance for showers on Saturday.

Your seven day forecast:

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 17 and 27. North wind around 5 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south southeast after midnight.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind around 10 mph becoming west southwest after midnight.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.
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Afghan forces have recaptured a northern district bordering Tajikistan from the Taliban, two months after it was seized by the militants.

A statement from the Interior Ministry on January 10 said Afghan army, police, and special forces units launched a major offensive on January 8 to recapture the Darqad district in the northern province of Takhar.

Afghan forces defeated the Taliban after two days of intense fighting that left many militants dead or wounded, the statement said.

"The district has been entirely captured by the Afghan forces, the enemy, suffering heavy casualties, have been defeated," it said.

Some 20 militants and one Afghan soldier were killed in the two days of fighting, the statement added.

The Taliban's capture of Darqad had stoked fears that militant violence could spill over to the Central Asian states.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States, and China will begin talks on January 11 aimed at reviving the Afghan peace process.



Senior officials from the four countries will meet in Islamabad to lay the groundwork for direct talks between Kabul and the Taliban.



But the meeting, part of a peace road map, is not expected to include the militants.



Javed Faisal, spokesman for Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, told AFP on January 10 that the "meeting will discuss the mechanism for peace talks."



Faisal added that Pakistan will present a list of Taliban insurgents willing to negotiate with Kabul on ending the 15-year war.



Faisal said Pakistan had also agreed to end financial support to Taliban fighters based in Pakistani cities and to bar insurgents based in Pakistan from resettling in Afghanistan.



The agreement, he added, will include "bilateral cooperation on eliminating terrorism."



Kabul has long accused Islamabad of continuing to covertly support the Taliban in their insurgency in Afghanistan.



Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry will attend the talks in Islamabad.



U.S. officials said either the U.S. special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson, or the U.S. ambassador would attend the talks.



"It'll be an opportunity to further our partnership with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China in support of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation, which is what we've said all along we want to see," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.



The talks came as the Taliban is waging a deadly campaign of violence in Afghanistan this winter, unleashing deadly bombings in the capital, threatening to overrun a strategic southern province, and attacking a foreign consulate.



Analysts say the Taliban is trying to strengthen its negotiating hand amid a renewed international push to revive peace talks.



A previous peace process last year was stopped after the Taliban announced that its leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, had been dead for two years, throwing the militant group into disarray and factional infighting.



The Taliban remains divided over whether to participate in any future talks.



Some elements within the Taliban have signaled they may be willing to send negotiators at some point, but other factions remain opposed to any form of negotiation with Kabul.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
125 YEARS AGO

January 3, 1891: Senator D.B. Williams youngest boy, Clarence, is down with the scarlet fever in Tuscarora.



The masquerade ball given by C.H. Drebney of the Elko Cornet Band, at Freeman Hall New Years eve, was a decided success, financially and socially. There were over sixth maskers on the floor and every available seat on the stage and in the hall was occupied by interested spectators. The costumes were home-made and represented many different characters. Some were quite handsome, while others were original and well carried out. It was a jolly crowd and everyone on the floor had a good time. The disguises were excellent and many laughable mistakes were made. At half-past ten oclock masks were removed and spectators were allowed to join in the dance, which was kept until 4 oclock New Years morning.



Q.W. Hull is to be deputy under Treasurer Clark.

100 YEARS AGO

January 3, 1916: This forenoon Tax Collector Miller sent to the state treasurer the sum of $87,000, which constitutes part of the amount of the taxes due that state from the first installment which has just been collected. Added to this is several sums which Treasurer Miller has sent to the state treasurer during the few months just passed which will total up to $139,905.04. There is still being held by the Elko county official the sum of $3,000 which will be forwarded later. For collecting this sum the state is supposed to pay a part of the salaries of the revenue officers, which will amount to $1,400. The following is what some of the other counties pay towards the expenses of the state, and a comparison with Elko county will prove very interesting: Ormsby $4,565.01; Lyon $17,658.48; White Pine $42,790.63; Humboldt $67,199.64; Churchill $20,456.33; Mineral $11,473.80; Nye $26,361.58; and Washoe $81,906.87.



The Frank Cogswell residence, including five lots, were sold last Friday to Mrs. McMullen, immediate possession being given. Mr. Cogswell and Clark Parsons left yesterday for California where they will spend the remainder of the winter.

January 4, 1916: Since the first of the year the number of saloons in Elko is considerably less, eight licenses not being renewed and one new one. Those that have closed their doors are the Guldager saloon and the Mike Reno saloon on Commercial street, and the Silver Brick saloon, besides five places in the restricted district. The new license was issued to the new hotel just opposite the Western Pacific depot. Elko now has 26 saloons.

75 YEARS AGO

January 6, 1941: The Walther Brothers of Elko have recently installed Windchargers at the Ruby Valley ranches of John Murphy and Lewis Sharp.

January 7, 1941: The Carlin ice harvest, first scheduled to start tomorrow and then postponed for a short time due to a change in the weather, has now been indefinitely postponed, it was stated here today by Glendon Walther, of the local employment office, who made a trip to the rail city today for information on the harvest. The harvest will start when the weather clears and men planning to go to work there are asked to keep in touch with the employment service in Elko.

January 9, 1941: Twenty-six new residences, valued at $1,500 or over on the building permits secured from the city office, were constructed during the year 1940, according to the records kept by City Clerk Lucille Johnston. Four smaller residences were also constructed in Elko during that period, which makes a total of $107,608 worth of new residences during that period. A good percentage of the new homes constructed in Elko were very substantial, one permit being taken out for a home to cost $8,000.

50 YEARS AGO

January 3, 1966: Sale of the ShangriLa Trailer Village, near Elko airport, was announced today. The trailer village was sold by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Garteiz of Sacramento, Calif., former Elko residents, to Dr. and Mrs. Morris F. Gallagher and Mr. and Mrs. John C. Carpenter, Jr. of Elko. The trailer village was built by Garteiz seven years ago. He purchased the land from the City of Elko, leveled it and added and office and other buildings. The new owners intend to continue with the same management and also plan extensive improvements as soon as weather permits.

January 6, 1966: The A and W Root Beer Drive-In, 1495 Idaho Street, has been purchased by Noel and Helen Aranguena of Elko. The new owners plan to open the drive-in when weather permits and in the meantime will attend a school conducted by the chain operators of such stands. The stand was first put into operation in 1965.

January 7, 1966: Sale of the Dan Filippini ranch in Crescent Valley, 75 miles from Elko, at a reported price of $1,000,000, was announced today. It was purchased by the Half Circle Cattle Company, Inc. a Nevada corporation, owned by Taylor Laurence and Sherwood Johnston of Phoenix, Ariz. The ranch will be managed by Jim Hennigan, who is living in Elko. There are 50,000 deeded acres of land in the Filippini ranch, which is one of the finest in the area, and the sale included the cattle, buildings, water and range rights. Dan Filippini purchased the ranch from the Henderson Banking Company Mortgage Corporation in 1937. It was formerly known as the Dean Ranch.

25 YEARS AGO

January 3, 1991: Elko residents are wishing for stronger evidence of global warming after surviving a December that was the coldest experienced here in more than half a century. It brought the average temperature more than 11 degrees below normal, eight days with record-setting low temperatures and a minimum reading of 33 degrees below zero. Weatherman Gerald Miles reported the average temperature of 14.5 degrees posted during the month just ended made it the coldest December in Elko since 1944, when an average temperature of only 12 degrees was suffered by Elkoans.

January 5, 1991: Elko City Councilmen are slated to appoint Bob Kirby as chief of police at their meeting Tuesday. Kirby, now assistant chief, will take over when Chief Gordon Fobes retires on Jan. 15. Kirby has said he, too, plans to retire soon, so the city decided to name him chief only until a permanent replacement is named in July.

January 8, 1991: Cactus Petes casino in Jackpot has opened four of the 10 floors in the new Diamond Peak tower, helping mark a major expansion of the resorts gaming and hotel facilities. The tower is named after one of the mountain peaks south of Jackpot. When finished the tower is to have 204 rooms.
Several thousand people have gathered in the French capital to honor the almost 150 people killed in terrorist attacks last year in the Paris area.

President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled a plaque on January 10 in memory of the victims at the base of an oak tree planted at the Place de la Republique in Paris, a square that has become a symbol of French solidarity since the attacks.

French rocker Johnny Hallyday performed a song and the army's choir gave an emotional rendition of France's national anthem, the Marseillaise.

The ceremony was part of a weekend of events marking the first anniversary of deadly attacks on a Jewish market and on the offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

The event also commemorated the 130 people who were killed in coordinated attacks on a rock concert, cafes, a stadium, and elsewhere in Paris on November 13.

The attacks were claimed by extremists linked to the Islamic State militant group.

French authorities have since introduced stringent security measures, including a state of emergency.

But many questions remain about the November 13 violence, including how many people were involved and may still be at large.

At least one gunman, identified as Salah Abdeslam, is on the loose after initially crossing into Belgium one day after the rampage.

The low-key memorial event was a far cry from the massive rally that drew 4 million peoples and dozens of world leaders on January 11, 2015 -- the biggest demonstration on French soil since the end of World War II.

Following the ceremony, Hollande made an unannounced visit to the main mosque in Paris in a bid to ease anti-Muslim sentiment.

Mosques all over France opened up to the public during the weekend for what French Muslim leaders hope will highlight the differences between extremist militants and moderate Islam.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve also visited a mosque on January 9.

He called for "the engagement of all Muslims in France" and warned that "the self-proclaimed preachers of hate" in mosques would be punished severely.

With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and BBC
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused Saudi Arabia of using its escalating diplomatic row with Tehran to derail peace talks on the Syrian conflict.

"Saudi Arabia's approach is to create tension intended to negatively affect the Syrian crisis," Zarif said in a statement.

He said his country would "not allow Saudi actions to have a negative impact."

The statement coincided with an official visit to Tehran by Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations' peace envoy on Syria.

Saudi Arabia last week cut diplomatic ties with Iran in a bitter row sparked by the Sunni kingdom's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric.

The UN Security Council has unanimously agreed a resolution endorsing an international road map for peace in Syria, in a rare show of unity.

But there are now concerns that the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which both took part in the talks, could damage the peace process.

Zarif's remarks came one day after the six foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held an extraordinary meeting in Riyadh on January 9 to discuss growing tensions between Saudi Arabia and predominantly Shi'ite Iran.

The GCC groups Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

Its members expressed support for Saudi Arabia in its diplomatic row with Iran, condemning what they described as Iranian interference in Riyadh's internal affairs.

In a statement, the six countries "strongly denounced" the sacking of the Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran by demonstrators angered over its execution of the Shi'ite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr.

They stated that Tehran "carries the responsibility for these terrorist acts."

Saudi Arabia also accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and warned that the kingdom was considering new steps against Tehran.

Saudi Arabia executed Nimr on January 2 for terrorism, triggering outrage among Shi'a across the Middle East and elsewhere.

Nimr, a highly respected cleric in Saudi Arabia's Shi'ite community, was behind demonstrations calling for better treatment of the minority.

Iranian officials fiercely criticized the kingdom's authorities for the execution, and an Iranian mob stormed the Saudi Embassy and consulate in Tehran in protest.

In response to the Iran incidents, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Tehran. Kuwait and Qatar recalled their ambassadors, and the U.A.E. downgraded its ties. Meanwhile, Tehran cut all commercial ties with Riyadh.

Iran has blamed Saudi Arabia for the diplomatic crisis and accused the kingdom of "sectarian hate-mongering."

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on January 8, Zarif said Riyadh must choose between promoting extremism and fostering good relations in the Middle East.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters
An Iraqi drone strike has killed nine members of a pro-government militia force in an apparent case of so-called friendly fire.



The militiamen were part of the Hashid al-Shaabi, known as the Popular Mobilization Force, an umbrella group of mostly Iran-backed Shi'ite militias.



Ahmad al-Assadi, spokesman for the Hashid al-Shaabi, said the militiamen were responding to an Islamic State attack near the city of Tikrit.



"The initial report is that an Iraqi strike erroneously identified our forces as enemy forces and carried out a strike," he told AFP.



"The drone struck with a first missile and then two more seven minutes later," he said.



Assadi said 14 militiamen were also wounded.



The Islamic State group was defeated in Tikrit and most parts of Salaheddin Province last year but it maintains a presence in the desert regions.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has pledged to stamp out graft this year.

"2016 is the year of eliminating corruption," Abadi said in a January 9 speech at a Baghdad ceremony marking the anniversary of Iraq's police force.

The comments came a day after the countrys highest Shi'ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, renewed his calls to the government to reform the administration and combat corruption.

"A year has lapsed and nothing has been achieved on the ground," his representative, Sheikh Ahmad al-Safi, told worshipers in Karbala on January 8.

Abadi launched a reform campaign last year to tackle graft and incompetence following mass protests against corruption, poor services, and reckless government spending.

While some officials are periodically punished for corruption, more powerful politicians who have allegedly engaged in greater graft remain at large.

Abadi also expressed hope on January 9 that this year will bring the military end of the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.

IS militants seized large swaths of Iraq and neighboring Syria in a lightning offensive in June 2014.

With reporting by Reuters
The prosecutor-general of Georgia's breakaway region South Ossetia has died after being hit by a vehicle.

Local police said Merab Chigoyev died instantly after a car hit him while he was walking across a street in the regional capital, Tskhinvali.

A spokesperson for South Ossetias Interior Ministry was quoted as saying Chigoyev was returning from a wedding.

The driver of the vehicle, who was reportedly drunk, was later detained.

Chigoyev had been South Ossetia's prosecutor-general since May 2012.

Russia recognized the separatist region's independence following a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008, and has kept troops there since then.

Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
The death toll from Russian air strikes in northern Syria has climbed to 81 people, with at least 52 civilians among the dead.



The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 23 Al-Nusra Front fighters and six other rebels were killed when Russian air strikes targeted a building near a popular market in northwestern Idlib Province.



The complex, run by the Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, housed the group's religious court and a jail.



Another 52 people -- including civilians and prisoners in the complex -- were also killed.



At least one child and two women were among the civilians killed in the strikes.



Russia has been conducting air strikes in Syria since September 30 to support the embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a Kremlin ally.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
The 2016 Virginia General Assembly convenes Wednesday for a 60-day session with a newly elected legislature that will reflect a significant loss of lawmaker seniority from the Richmond region during an important budget year.

Three new local senators with no previous legislative experience  Glen Sturtevant, R-Richmond; Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield; and Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico  will occupy seats formerly held by lawmakers with key committee chairmanships who combined had more than 60 years of Senate seniority and 95 years of legislative experience.

The turnover could influence how the Richmond region fares when Gov. Terry McAuliffe and lawmakers debate and decide how and where taxpayer money is spent for the next two years under a proposed $109 billion budget.

Its going to have an impact  how could it not? said Powhatan County Supervisor David T. Williams, who was chairman of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission until his county board ousted him last week from representing Powhatan on the panel.

Retiring Sen. Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico  who is being succeeded by Dunnavant, an OB-GYN and sister to former Virginia Beach Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle and Del. Christopher P. Stolle  has represented the 12th District for 24 years and is outgoing chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Retiring Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan  who is being succeeded by Sturtevant, a lawyer and Richmond School Board member  has represented the 10th District for 18 years, was a ranking member of the Finance Committee and is outgoing chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Sen. Stephen H. Martin, R-Chesterfield, was defeated in a primary last year by Chase  a grass-roots campaign consultant  after representing the 11th District for 22 years and serving as chairman of the consequential Education and Health Committee.

We took a big hit when Walter and John decided to retire the same year, said Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, the Senate Democratic Caucus chairman and now the regions ranking member in the Senate.

You cant lose them and not feel the effect.

Richmonds incoming senators are three of seven new members in the 40-member chamber, which Republicans control with a 21-19 majority. Republicans also control the House of Delegates by a comfortable 66-34 majority, but Democrats hold every executive branch office  governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Despite the loss of key Senate seniority positions, the metro region will not be entirely on the outside, looking in, when it comes to key spending decisions.

Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, also sits on the Finance Committee and is chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus. He is likely to secure a key committee chairmanship when the chamber organizes this week. Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance, D-Petersburg, is a former House Appropriations member who could get a seat on Finance.

In the House of Delegates, were pretty well-covered, said Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, who chairs the courts subcommittee on judicial appointments and represents portions of three local jurisdictions.

House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights, and Del. John M. OBannon III, R-Henrico, both sit on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and have been conferees on the final budget. Dels. Jimmie Massie, R-Henrico; Christopher K. Peace, R-Hanover; and Betsy B. Carr, D-Richmond, also have seats on Appropriations. Del. R. Lee Ware Jr., R-Powhatan, is chairman of House Finance.

Money isnt partisan  its regional, McEachin said. Were just going to have to be a team and look after our regional interest as a whole.

Ware said turnover is the nature of an elected body. Weve got some very reasonable, thoughtful, responsible people coming along who will pick up the torch, he said last week.

But there is concern at the local level about loss of influence, especially with the upheaval in leadership on the planning district commission. In addition to Williams ouster, the panels vice chairman, Chesterfield Supervisor Daniel A. Gecker, is stepping down from the county board after two terms and an unsuccessful run for Watkins Senate seat.

Richmond City Councilwoman Kathy C. Graziano, who is secretary of the planning district commission, said the regional panel will not suffer as long as its new leaders are experienced, but she is more concerned about the loss of leadership in the Senate and how is that going to affect the region.

Regional concerns notwithstanding, the upcoming session will tackle matters of statewide impact, most notably the budget. Here is a look at some of the issues expected to occupy lawmakers during their time in Richmond:

Budget

With the budget at a record high of $109 billion, the old saying has never been more truthful  budget is policy and policy is budget.

McAuliffe, a Democrat, has linked expansion of Medicaid and $157 million in projected savings to a number of spending initiatives designed to appeal to Republicans, such as a 0.25 percent cut in the corporate tax rate and other tax relief totaling $105.7 million.

Republican leaders in the House and Senate, however, have all but declared Medicaid expansion dead on arrival this year, meaning that any tax relief will have to come from other areas of the budget.

The governor also has proposed $76 million for a 2 percent raise for state employees in the second year of the budget, if revenue is sufficient.

McAuliffe also wants to fully fund contribution rates recommended by the Virginia Retirement System for state employee and teacher pensions one to two years ahead of schedule, and key budget leaders have made clear they want to accelerate the process of reducing nearly $21 billion in unfunded, long-term liabilities.

Education

The governor has made education the centerpiece of the spending plan, proposing about $1 billion in initiatives for K-12 and higher education, which includes $430 million to update the cost of current programs in public school districts. Republican leaders have signaled interest in prioritizing education spending, which has declined in recent years, but are likely to differ on spending priorities.

McAuliffe also wants to spend $139 million to hire 2,500 new teachers and about $83 million to give educators a 2 percent salary increase, but Republicans have expressed concern about the ability of localities to match state money to cover the costs.

Transportation

Lawmakers will have to resolve several key transportation issues this session that administration officials consider critical to protecting and expanding the states economy.

A proposed $2.4 billion bond issue includes $350 million to expand Norfolk Intermediate Terminal at the Port of Virginia, which is an economic engine for the state. The governors budget includes $50 million to reduce high airline costs at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Road funding also will be an issue as ratings for allocating transportation money under a new system adopted by the legislature two years ago are expected to be released in February. House Appropriations Chairman S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, is introducing legislation to authorize the issue of $600 million in bonds as state leverage in negotiations with more than a dozen private companies competing to build an expansion of Interstate 66 in Northern Virginia.

What wont get done

Virginia is obligated to balance its budget every year. Because the governor wields a line-item veto, and Republican legislative leaders have the majorities to vote up or down on the spending plan, lawmakers and the administration will inevitably reach agreement on a series of spending priorities.

But the political division in state government  Democrats controlling the executive branch, Republicans controlling the legislative branch  could make progress on partisan priorities difficult in a presidential election year. Virginia will hold a primary March 1, and the state is considered a crucial swing state to the White House ambitions of both parties.

In that respect, the upcoming session could just as easily be defined by what is not accomplished.

Legislation from both sides on such issues as guns, same-sex marriage and voting requirements may live in one branch, only to die in the other by vote or gubernatorial veto.

Democrats have said they would again push for universal background checks on gun purchases, while Republicans are expected to try to circumvent executive branch action recently taken by Attorney General Mark R. Herring to end reciprocal concealed-carry privileges with more than two dozen states.

Democrats want to codify Virginia law on same-sex marriages, but Republicans have submitted legislation that would allow clerks a conscience clause exemption to not issue a license to a same-sex couple if doing so violates the clerks religious beliefs.

Republicans have submitted legislation to deny a ballot to a prospective voter who fails to provide a full name or indicate that he or she does not have a middle name, while Democrats will attempt to expand provisions for absentee voting and acceptable forms of identification.

Republicans opposed to abortion will back legislation saying that life begins at conception, while Democrats supportive of a womans right to access abortion services are seeking to remove the requirement of having an ultrasound before the procedure.

While neither side necessarily expects success on the more politically charged issues, raising them during the session will serve to satisfy  and perhaps energize  bases of support in both parties that will be considered crucial to success in Novembers presidential election.

Its the strategy  both political parties are going to test-drive the issues their candidates are likely to run on, said McEachin, signaling that Democrats would pursue core Democratic values in legislation to further Medicaid expansion, gun safety, civil rights and womens access to abortion services.

But McEachin said he expects both sides to find common ground on other issues, such as criminal justice reform, public education and mental health.

Criminal justice

Reform of the states juvenile justice system has become a major issue because of the high costs and poor outcomes from incarcerating youth in Virginias two remaining state juvenile correctional centers, both in the Richmond area.

McAuliffe has proposed up to $90 million in capital funding to replace the Bon Air and Beaumont centers, as well as a budget commitment to reinvest operational savings into community-based programs for most offenders as an alternative to youth prisons.

McDougle signaled late last year that, at least in the Senate, it also may be time to address the impact that minor criminal offenses have on the ability of young offenders to gain employment, saying that he would back legislation that would allow expungement of offenders convictions for simple possession of alcohol and marijuana.

McDougle, a former prosecutor now in private practice, said theres no method for expungement now.

Mental health

Opposition has already surfaced to McAuliffes proposal to close Catawba Hospital in Roanoke County, with more than 100 beds for adult and geriatric patients with mental illness. The state also faces budget demands to operate the hospital and two other state geriatric hospitals after losing federal Medicaid support.

Additionally, McAuliffe has proposed to fund 855 Medicaid waiver slots to provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to keep them out of institutions, as well as to move people from state training centers into community programs to comply with a settlement agreement between the state and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The state also is looking for ways to improve treatment for and reduce the number of mentally ill inmates in local and regional jails, and expand services for children and adolescents across the state.

Judicial jousting

Few issues are more politically charged than the selection of judges to state courts, and this session will be no exception.

A feud between the governor and Republicans over the appointment of Virginia Supreme Court Justice Jane Marum Roush also is likely to cause fireworks this session.

While the legislature was adjourned last summer, McAuliffe appointed Roush from the Fairfax Circuit Court bench to fill the vacancy left by retiring Justice LeRoy F. Millette Jr.

But Republicans  angered over being dragged back to Richmond for a special session on congressional redistricting, and miffed over the governors breach of protocol by not consulting with top legislative leadership on the appointment  vowed not to appoint Roush to a full, 12-year term when the legislature reconvenes.

Instead, Republicans are backing Court of Appeals Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. as a replacement and have said they will not approve Roush, taking the almost unprecedented step of dumping a sitting justice from the states highest court.

How the drama plays out could set the tone for bipartisan cooperation or discord between the Democratic administration and Republican legislature during the session.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The recapture of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman took a surprise, Hollywood twist when a Mexican official said security forces at one point located the world's most-wanted trafficker thanks to a secret interview with U.S. actor Sean Penn.

Penn's interview with Guzman, who has twice escaped from Mexican maximum security prisons, appeared late Saturday on the website of Rolling Stone magazine. It was purportedly held at an undisclosed hideout in northern Mexico in October, about two months before Guzman's recapture Friday in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, after six months on the run.

In the interview, Guzman defends his work at the head of the world's biggest drug trafficking organization, one blamed for thousands of killings. When asked if he is to blame for high addiction rates, he responds: "No, that is false, because the day I don't exist, it's not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? That's false."

In the article, Penn describes taking elaborate security measures ahead of the clandestine meeting. But apparently they were not enough.

A Mexican federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the issue, told the Associated Press it was the Penn interview that led authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October.

Authorities who later raided the area decided not to open fire on Guzman as he ran away because he was with two women and child.

He was able to escape, and officials once again apparently lost track of him. But they finally caught him Friday at a house in Los Mochis where Mexican marines nabbed him after a shootout that left five people dead.

The official said the meeting between Penn and Guzman was held in Tamazula, a community in Durango state that neighbors Sinaloa, home of Guzman's drug cartel.

On Friday, Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez said that Guzman's contact with actors and producers for a possible film about him helped give law enforcement a lead on tracking and capturing the world's most notorious drug kingpin.

In the Rolling Stone article, Penn wrote that Guzman was interested in having a movie filmed on his life. He said Guzman wanted Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, who facilitated the meeting between the men, involved in the project.

"He was interested in seeing the story of his life told on film, but would entrust its telling only to Kate," wrote Penn, who appears in a photo posted with the interview shaking hands with Guzman whose face is uncovered

There was no immediate response from Penn's representatives to the Mexican official's comments.

Earlier Saturday, a federal law enforcement official said that Mexico is willing to extradite Guzman to the United States, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

"Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S.," said the Mexican official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors get their hands on Guzman. "You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too."

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzman's embarrassing escape from Mexico's top maximum security prison on July 11  his second from a Mexican prison.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzman's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

"They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure," said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. "That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way."

Guzman faces drug trafficking charges in several U.S. states and American officials hoped to extradite him after he was captured in February 2014.

At the time, Mexico's government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

Then-Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in "300 or 400 years."

Then Guzman escaped through an elaborate tunnel dug into Mexico's most secure lock-up on July 11, thoroughly embarrassing Pena Nieto's administration.

He also had escaped a similar maximum-security facility in 2001 while serving a 20-year sentence. Lore says he hid in a laundry cart, though many dispute that version. He spent 13 years on the lam.

Gomez said that one of Guzman's key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis that authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the house Wednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday morning. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in.

Gomez said Guzman and his security chief, Ivan Gastelum, a.k.a "El Cholo Ivan," were able to flee via storm drains and escape through a manhole cover to the street, where they commandeered getaway cars. Marines climbed into the drains in pursuit. They closed in on the two men based on reports of stolen vehicles and they were arrested on the highway.

According to a statement from the Mexican Attorney General's office, the U.S. filed extradition requests June 25, while Guzman was in custody, and another Sep. 3, after he escaped. The Mexican government determined they were valid within the extradition treaty and sent them to a panel of federal judges, who gave orders for detention on July 29 and Sept. 8, after Guzman had escaped.

Those orders were not for extradition but just for Guzman to begin the extradition hearing process. Now that he is recaptured, Mexico has to start processing the extradition requests anew, according to the law.

The quickest he could be extradited would be six months, said a federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity, but it's not likely because lawyers can file appeals. He said that they are usually turned down, but each one means a judge has to schedule a hearing.
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  A Utah state program that pays a bounty for dead coyotes brought in about 1,000 more carcasses last year, despite criticism after the shooting death of a well-known wolf mistaken for a coyote, according to a Division of Wildlife Resources report.

Officials say the 16 percent increase is likely related to growth in the overall coyote population. Heavy summer rains meant their main prey, jackrabbits, were in steady supply, allowing more animals to survive and breed, Leslie McFarlane, the states mammals program coordinator, said.

Wildlife advocates, though, point to research indicating that coyote populations compensate for hunting with larger litters, more surviving pups and the addition of solitary animals.

A total of 8,192 coyotes were turned in to state wildlife officials between July 2014 and June 2015, the report shows. The $50-per-coyote program paid out a total of $409,600 during that period.

The number of hunters participating dropped a bit this year, but the bounty numbers increased overall because individual hunters turned in more animals  nearly half of them brought in more than five coyotes.

The program came under scrutiny after a wolf protected under the Endangered Species Act was shot and killed when a hunter in southern Utah mistook her for a coyote. The long-ranging 3-year-old female, Echo, had captured the attention of wildlife advocates across the country because she was the first wolf seen near the Grand Canyon in seven decades.

Advocates called the December 2014 death heartbreaking, and said state officials could have saved the animal if theyd suspended the coyote program after a sighting of the wolf was reported to the state.

State officials disagreed, saying the sighting report was inconclusive and that the hunter wasnt participating in the bounty program.

In November, a second apparent wolf was found dead in a coyote snare near the Idaho border, in an area where wolves have been removed from the endangered species list. Biologists are conducting DNA tests to make sure it wasnt a dog hybrid. That hunter was a participant in the coyote bounty program.

The deaths show the coyote bounty program puts wolves in the cross hairs, said Michael Robinson with the Center for Biological Diversity.

The Utah bounty program is basically encouraging thousands of people to go out and kill wildlife willy-nilly, he said.

Officials said the program has reduced the number of coyotes killed by state workers as part of control efforts, and authorities tell hunters to work primarily in the spring to stave off overbreeding.

Utah doesnt track the size of the overall coyote population, and its difficult to pinpoint all the reasons why the number of carcasses turned for a bounty increased in 2015, but the numbers appear to reflect natural wildlife cycles, McFarlane said.

Its not out of line with the historical records, she said.

The predator control program has also helped mule deer, animals popular among big-game hunters that state lawmakers wanted to protect when they increased the coyote bounty to $50 per animal in 2012.

The mule deer population hit a 20-year high in 2014, said Justin Shannon, the states big game program coordinator, though theyve also benefited from other factors like habitat restoration and mild winters.
Thirty-four years ago, I groaned through the movie Absence of Malice, in which a newspaper reporter played by Sally Field blithely betrays a confidential source who then proceeds to kill herself. No reporters I knew at five newspapers would have done such a thing.

Even the generally terrific All the Presidents Men (1976), about the Washington Post stories that brought down President Richard Nixon, struck me as a little bit glib and macho. It didnt fully capture the anxiety and humble digging of reporters as they document the wrongdoing of people at the top.

Now we have a well-told newspaper movie. Spotlight, about the Boston Globes expose of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and of the decades-long cover-up of it by the Boston Archdiocese, is the best film about investigative reporting I can recall.

The sleepless nights, the gut-churning, the boiled-weenie suppers alone at midnight, the cheap housing of people paid so little to do so much  its all there.

People dont acknowledge anymore that gouging out the truth takes time and brain-squeezing concentration. This film doesnt make light of it. The molestation story didnt fall fully formed into the reporters in-boxes. It took them a good long while to realize the magnitude of what they had. Along the way, they wrangled with each other over how to tell the story. They uncovered a failure within their own ranks to take the abuse seriously decades earlier. Reporters personal lives were strained. Hairdos werent perfect. Showers were skipped.

As investigative reporting fights for its life, maybe well all ponder what it does for us.

 Mary Bishop, a retired Roanoke Times reporter, now a reader in Roanoke
The General Assembly returns to Richmond on Wednesday to hammer out a new two-year budget, make judicial appointments and consider the slew of bills filed by its members.

The legislature will debate, among other things, charter schools, workforce development needs and the states regulation of medical services.

Gov. Terry McAuliffes more than $100 billion biennial budget proposal will be a focal point of the two-month session.

The budget earmarks money for new teachers, an employee pay raise in 2017, and more funding for Virginia Tech and other colleges.

It also proposes to move toward closing Catawba Hospital in Roanoke County, an idea that has been protested.

The spending plan once again calls for Medicaid expansion, but that issue remains a nonstarter with most Republicans.

New bills are still pouring into the legislature every day. Lawmakers have until Jan. 22 to get in all their proposals.

Heres a snapshot of some of the bills that have been filed or are expected to be in the coming days:

Same-sex marriage

Court clerks would be able to refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples under a bill carried by Sen. Bill Carrico, R-Grayson County.

Under his proposal, couples in those cases would be referred to the DMV, where licenses would be provided by the office of vital records.

Virginias court clerk system hasnt had the uproar seen in some places like Kentucky since same-sex marriage became legal.

But Carrico, who believes marriage should be between one man and one woman, said the law needs to offer options for those with deeply held religious beliefs.

He also has a bill stating marriage officiants and religious organizations cant be required to provide services, facilities or other accommodations for weddings they oppose on religious grounds.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a supporter of same-sex marriage, said through a spokesperson that Carricos bills send the wrong message to people around the globe about the climate Virginia offers businesses and families who may want to locate here.

He intends to veto the legislation if it passes.

Democrats in the General Assembly have introduced several bills to repeal the states now-defunct 2006 constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage and to add sexual orientation to hate crime laws and other measures.

Guns

Sen. Tom Garrett, R-Buckingham County, is seeking to strip the attorney general of the ability to decide which states get reciprocity for concealed handgun permits.

The move comes after Attorney General Mark Herring announced Virginia will stop recognizing permits from 25 other states after concluding their laws dont meet Virginia standards.

The announcement drew a swift backlash from Republicans. Under state law, reciprocity decisions are currently made by the superintendent of state police and the attorney generals office.

Garrett, whos seeking the Republican nomination in the 5th Congressional District race, proposes to shift the decision to the General Assembly.

This is part of a long list of gun-related measures that will be heard in the 2016 session. Bills introduced so far range from increasing oversight of private gun transfers to allowing judges to carry concealed handguns without a permit.

Pipelines

Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, plans to file a bill repealing the controversial 2004 pipeline surveying law.

The law, which landowners have tried to fight in court without success so far, allows natural gas companies to do pipeline surveying work without a property owners consent provided advance notice is given.

An effort to repeal the law was made last year by Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta County, whose district is in the path of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Hangers bill was quashed in committee.

Refugees

No bill has been filed yet, but Del. Greg Habeeb, R-Salem, said lawmakers still plan to submit legislation to temporarily withdraw state support for the admission of refugees from certain nations.

The bill  prompted by the security debate that unfolded after the Paris attacks  is expected to bar state agencies from assisting in resettling refugees from Syria and other countries classified as sponsors of terrorism.

The effectiveness of this kind of state action has been called into question as resettlement decisions fall under federal purview.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has vowed to veto any efforts to block refugee resettlement.

Del. John OBannon, R-Henrico County, has put in a resolution seeking a study of the state and local costs of refugee resettlement, including estimates for the future costs associated with Syrian refugees.

Greenways

Del. Chris Head, R-Botetourt County, is carrying two bills aimed at easing tensions sparked by efforts to extend the Roanoke River Greenway past Walker Machine and Foundry.

The foundry has objected to plans to extend the greenway through the companys property, citing in part concerns that having a public trail nearby will endanger their air quality permits.

President Glenn Muzzy also worried that greenway users would grow opposed to the foundrys presence and pointed to a New York case where residents of a newer subdivision tried to sue to shut down a long-standing foundry.

Head described his bills as preventive measures designed to assuage the companys concerns. One would protect manufacturers from lawsuits brought by greenway users provided the manufacturer was in compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.

The other prevents regulators from putting a permit under review based solely on proximity to a greenway.

The legislative fixes were requested by Roanokes government, Head said. It wasnt immediately clear if the measures would resolve the foundrys concerns.

The two sides have been meeting to discuss the issue. Muzzy said Friday the city has asked him not to publicly comment while those talks are under way.

Local taxes

Both Botetourt County and Bedford County are seeking permission to raise their lodging tax rates from 5 percent to 7 percent.

The new revenue would have to be spent on tourism-related projects, said Del. Terry Austin, wholl be carrying the proposals at the request of the local boards of supervisors.

The bills offer the counties the option of raising their tax rates, said Austin, R-Botetourt County. The supervisors would still need to hold a public hearing and cast a vote before any change could take effect.

Lodging taxes are levied on stays at hotel and other temporary accommodations.

Minimum wage

Following up on an issue he campaigned on, Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, introduced a bill to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour over the next two years.

This is at least the second time the $10.10 figure has been proposed in the Senate. Last year, it was quickly killed in committee on a party-line vote.

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, also is working on a minimum wage bill and expects to file it shortly.
Tan cowboy hat dipped over his eyes, Carter Craig let out a squeal as a bull rider shot out of a stall astride his steer at Saturdays showing of the Salem Stampede Rodeo.

Just 30 minutes earlier, the 5-year-old Upperville resident had stared in awe at dozens of bulls pacing and throwing their horns behind the scenes at the Salem Civic Center. To thunderous applause, he rode around the ring in a candy apple-red 2016 Dodge truck as announcers started up the performance.

Carters night at the rodeo  offered through Salem Stampede and nonprofit organization Dreaming of Three  was part of an effort to help Carter and his family find respite from the diagnoses and medical appointments that followed after doctors discovered in May that Carter has a tumor on his brain stem.

Kevin DeBusk, director of public and media relations at the 49-year-old show, said officials hoped to help Carter and his family create happy memories despite the struggles facing them. Carters condition is without cure, but will become treatable as he gets older.

This was truly an opportunity to show just how much of a family show we are, DeBusk said. To make him feel like king of the cowboys.

Michelle Craig, Carters mother, said her family trains horses, but mostly for English jumping or fox hunting. Prior to Saturdays show, Carter had seen rodeos only in film.

But now that hes got boots, he wants to be a cowboy, Craig said.

Jackie Harris, president of Dreaming of Three, said she offered Carter and his family a chance to participate in her organizations Rodeo Kids program after she met Carters mom through a retired race horse program. The program offers about six kids fighting serious illnesses a chance to participate per year, she said.

Right now, its just through people we know, Harris said. But weve also reached to some organizations like the Childrens Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.

Harris said she started her charity in 2011, after her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. Three months later, her father died of a heart attack. A barrel racer, Harris wanted to give families a chance to relieve stress and experience the sport she loves.

I thought memories were the best thing to give, she said.

During Saturdays show, Carter met up with steer wranglers, bull riders and a host of other stars. Ty Parkinson, an international bull rider from Australia, autographed his hat. Austin Stewart, a rodeo clown who later led show banter while performers clung to frantic broncos, showed Carter the ins and outs of applying his bovine-provoking face paint.

As Stewart spread crimson paint over the bridge of his nose, he teasingly asked Carter if he wanted a matching look. His sister, 3-year-old Ellie, took up the offer instead, sporting a red nose and white streaks across her cheeks for the rest of the night.

While Carter showed off his shiny, oversized belt-buckle  courtesy of Dreaming of Three  and blue plaid getup, his mother smiled and encouraged him to interact with rodeo entertainers. She laughed as Carter stuck his legs stubbornly against the sides of a rodeo barrel, resisting DeBusks efforts to show him a rodeo clowns favorite hiding spot.

Our life has started to revolve around doctors and hospitals, so this is a nice break, Craig said. I just want to make sure that he has a happy life  that he has a normal childhood.
Malaysia will on Monday release November numbers for industrial and manufacturing production, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

Industrial production was down 0.4 percent on month and up 4.2 percent on year in October, while manufacturing production added 0.2 percent on month and 6.2 percent on year.

Australia will see December figures for jobs advertisements; in November, job ads were up 1.3 percent on month.

Finally, the in Japan are closed on Monday in observance of Coming of Age Day, and will re-open on Tuesday.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
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Saudi military vehicles burnt in Jizan





JIZAN, Jan. 09 (Saba)  The army and popular committees bombed on Saturday a gathering of Saudi forces in Jizan region, which led to the burning of several military vehicles.



The artillery forces of the army and popular committees targeted the Saudi military vehicles group behind Maqal al-Said site, a military official explained.



He pointed out that the missile forces of the army and committees fired a number of rockets at Nahoqa military site, causing big losses to the Saudi enemy.



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[09/January/2016]
UN envoy to Yemen arrives in Sanaa





SANAA, Jan. 10 (Saba)  The envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh arrived on Sunday in Sanaa on a visit lasting several days.



In a statement to Saba, the UN envoy explained that he will meet during the visit with political parties in Sanaa in an effort to resume a new round of negotiations.



We made progress in the last month talks in Switzerland, and we want to hold a new round, Ould Cheikh said.



He greeted the Yemeni people, who - he said - are living difficult days and have suffered from a prolonged crisis that resulted in tragedies and pains, especially for civilians who suffered more than others.



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[10/January/2016]
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is once again calling for the creation of a program that would allow inmates at New York correctional facilities to participate in college courses.

Under the new proposal, the state would use $7.5 million in legal settlement money from Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's office to fund the initiative. An additional $7.5 million would be provided by private sources.

If the program is approved by the state Legislature, it would launch in the fall.

"Reentry programs are the most meaningful, cost-effective way to reduce recidivism and improve public safety," Vance said in a statement. "

Cuomo, who unveiled the revised plan Sunday at a Harlem church, recalled the first time he introduced this concept.

In 2014, he called for the creation of a state-funded program that would offer college courses at 10 New York prisons. The idea had support from a majority of voters, but not from a majority of the state Senate.

Upstate Republicans criticized the proposal and said taxpayer dollars shouldn't be used to fund college programs for convicted felons.

At the time, Cuomo responded to the criticism by saying that providing college courses for inmates would actually save the state money.

Ultimately, the program wasn't included in the 2014-15 state budget.

On Sunday, Cuomo noted that there are legislators in Albany who "don't want to pay for those programs."

"You can tell me no," he said. "I just find another way to get there that's all."

According to the governor's office, there are more than 1,000 inmates who are already participating in college-level courses in state prisons each year. With the new initiative, as many as 500 more could enroll in classes.

The City University of New York and State University of New York will establish standards for higher education programs in prisons. A third party firm will evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative, including its impact on recidivism rates and how inmates fare once they're released from prison.

Cuomo said that prisons weren't supposed to be "warehouses." The facilities were intended to provide rehabilitation to those who commit criminal offenses, he argued.

"I say when they're in prison, teach them a skill," he said. "Give them an education."
A first-of-its-kind journey along India and Pakistan border

What binds the two most talked about nations - India and Pakistan together? What makes the
Tiny house being built in Salina to help homeless people in Missouri

For the fifth year and second in Salina, a local group is partnering with Tiny House Ministries to help homeless people in Missouri.
Her Holiness Sai Maa

Friday, Feb. 12 (7:30 to 9:30pm), Enlightened Conversations with Sai Maa ($25) - During this introductory evening, Sai Maa will discuss topics suggested by the audience, ranging from practices for overcoming lifes challenges, global transformation, parenting and relationships.

- During this introductory evening, Sai Maa will discuss topics suggested by the audience, ranging from practices for overcoming lifes challenges, global transformation, parenting and relationships. Saturday, Feb. 13 (10am-3pm) Wisdom of the Soul with Sai Maa's Successors ($150) - Join Sai Maa's Successors, Lucinda Hanover and Adam Rizvi, in an expansive experience of your divine nature, your inner wisdom and your boundless joy.Experience the unconditional love of an authentic enlightened master. Gain a deeper awareness of your own divine nature.

- Join Sai Maa's Successors, Lucinda Hanover and Adam Rizvi, in an expansive experience of your divine nature, your inner wisdom and your boundless joy.Experience the unconditional love of an authentic enlightened master. Gain a deeper awareness of your own divine nature. Saturday, Feb. 13 (3-4:30pm) Vegetarian Buffet at Hilton San Diego ($25) - Nourish your body and soul with a delicious vegetarian meal prior to Darshan with Sai Maa.

- Nourish your body and soul with a delicious vegetarian meal prior to Darshan with Sai Maa. Saturday, Feb. 13 (5pm until complete) Darshan with Sai Maa (complimentary) - During Darshan, guests will receive the blessings and grace of enlightenment. A traditional practice in India, Darshan is a direct transmission of divine energy from a spiritual master, which brings one into communion with his or her divine essence. In this intimate experience, unique to each one, guests will be gifted with a healing grace intended to advance a persons spiritual awakening.

- During Darshan, guests will receive the blessings and grace of enlightenment. A traditional practice in India, Darshan is a direct transmission of divine energy from a spiritual master, which brings one into communion with his or her divine essence. In this intimate experience, unique to each one, guests will be gifted with a healing grace intended to advance a persons spiritual awakening. Sunday, Feb. 14 (10am to 3pm) Enlightened Heart with Sai Maa and Teachers ($275) - Join Sai Maa and Sai Maa's Successors, Lucinda Hanover and Adam Rizvi, as we enter the divine energetic matrix of love consciously, instantly, and expand love throughout our lives.

Spiritual master and humanitarian, Sai Maa , the first female Jagadguru (highest ranking guru) in nearly three centuries, will travel to San Diego in February for a 3-day speaking event on wisdom and enlightenment. This is a rare opportunity for San Diegans to see and meet, as this is Sai Maas only West Coast appearance scheduled for 2016 (and one of only two U.S. appearances), an event that is expected to draw crowds from around the world.Sai Maa (Sigh-Ma) will visit San Diego on February 12-14. Held at the Hilton Del Mar , Wisdom and Enlightenment: A Valentines Weekend with Sai Maa will showcase Sai Maas unique fusion of Eastern spiritual wisdom, Western therapeutic knowledge and energy mastery.Sai Maa is the first woman in the 2,700 years of the Vishnuswami lineage to be given the esteemed title of, the highest title in the Vedic tradition of India, bestowed upon Sai Maa in recognition of her humanitarian service and spiritual mastery. Her life has been dedicated to uplifting humanity, which she does in two ways - first, through the Sai Maa Vishnu Shakti Trust that provides food, clothing, clean water and medical care to children and families and support to widows and orphans, and second, by touring the world to educate thousands on a wide range of spiritual, social and psychological topics.I am so delighted to accept the invitation to come to San Diego again. With the momentum of the quickly expanding community there we can move into even deeper levels of transformational work together," said Sai Maa. My greatest desire is for people to know they are divine and to live as that divinity in daily life. Darshan and the weekends event is an opportunity to dive deeply within yourself and tap into your infinite potential which is expressed as love, wisdom and light. Attendees will receive energetic activations and teachings which will serve to create a life of profound inner fulfillment and joy.Sai Maa was born on the island of Mauritius, a country known for embracing all religions and spiritual traditions. She later moved to France and became certified in naturopathic, homeopathic and osteopathic therapies, and during this period became a devoted disciple of the highly revered spiritual leader and world teacher, Sathya Sai Baba.During Wisdom and Enlightenment: Valentines Weekend with Sai Maa she will share teachings intended to empower others to discover and cultivate the love, wisdom and radiance inherent within them. The event schedule is as follows:Guests can experience the full three-day event, including a meal on Saturday afternoon, for $425. A special rate of $299, which also includes Saturdays meal, will be extended to students. Registration for Wisdom and Enlightenment: Valentines Weekend with Sai Maa is available online at sai-maa.com/sandiego2016
Researchers monitoring the unprecedented bloom of toxic algae along the west coast of North America in 2015 found record levels of the algal toxin domoic acid in samples from a wide range of marine organisms. The toxin was also detected for the first time in the muscle tissue or filet of several commercial fish species.

Investigations led by scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, help explain the extraordinary duration and intensity of the 2015 domoic acid event, the spread of the toxin through the marine food web, and its persistence in Dungeness crab months after the algal bloom disappeared from coastal waters. Ocean scientist Raphael Kudela, the Lynn Professor of Ocean Health at UC Santa Cruz, will present the latest research findings at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in San Francisco on Friday, December 18.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin produced by a type of microscopic algae called Pseudo-nitzschia that occurs naturally in coastal waters. Blooms of the toxic algae along the California coast typically occur in the spring and fall and last just a few weeks. This year, however, unusual oceanographic conditions (unrelated to El Nino) led to the largest and longest-lasting bloom ever recorded.

"The duration of the bloom and the intensity of the toxicity were unprecedented, and that led to record levels of the toxin in species such as anchovies, razor clams, and crabs," Kudela said. "We also saw the toxin in organisms and parts of organisms where we thought it was not supposed to be, like the filets of fish."

Monitoring programs

Monitoring programs are in place to ensure the safety of seafood for human consumption, leading to the closure of several west coast fisheries and the delayed opening of the Dungeness crab season. In humans, domoic acid poisoning is also known as amnesic shellfish poisoning because it may cause permanent loss of short-term memory, as well as neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. In 1987, four people died of domoic acid poisoning in Canada after eating contaminated mussels, but such cases are rare.

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The levels of toxin detected this year in the filets of salmon, rockfish, and ling cod were well below the regulatory limits, Kudela said. But once the toxin gets into the muscle tissue, it will stay in the fish and in the food web much longer than if it is just in the intestinal track.

"Before this year, it was a big question whether it gets into the filet at all," he said. "We think what happened is the bloom lasted so long and was so toxic that the prolonged exposure allowed the toxin to perfuse into the muscle tissue, and it also worked its way into the food web to an extent that we hadn't seen before."

Prolonged bloom

The prolonged bloom probably also allowed a lot of toxin to build up in sediments on the seafloor, which would explain why Dungeness crabs are still showing high levels of toxin. Previous studies by Kudela's team showed that sediments on the seafloor can hold a reservoir of toxin that lasts for months after the algal bloom goes away. "The crabs are feeding on the seafloor, and all the things they would typically eat can hold the toxin for months," he said. "It could be another month or longer before the toxin in crabs drops below the regulatory limit everywhere in California."

The good news, Kudela said, is that scientists now have a much better understanding of the factors that lead to Pseudo-nitzschia blooms. His lab has developed a forecasting model that has performed well at predicting where and when domoic acid will be a problem.

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A combination of warm water and nutrients creates ideal conditions for a toxic bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia, Kudela said. That's a relatively uncommon combination along the west coast, where wind-driven upwelling of cold deep water is a major source of nutrients in coastal ecosystems. When there's no upwelling of cold water, the layer of warm water on the surface tends to be low in nutrients. Pseudo-nitzschia blooms typically occur during the transitional periods in the spring and fall, when upwelling is getting started or winding down and nutrients mix with warm water for a few weeks.

Warm blob

In 2015, however, the usual patterns were disrupted by a warm-water anomaly known as the "warm blob," which first appeared in the North Pacific west of Seattle in late 2013. In 2014, a second warm blob developed off of southern California, and in 2015 they spread into the coastal waters. "We had two pools of warm water hitting the coast in the Pacific Northwest and southern California and merging, so all at once there were warm waters over the whole west coast," Kudela said.

That warm water then interacted with coastal upwelling to create perfect conditions for Pseudo-nitzschia. Normally, the northerly winds that start in the spring blow the warm surface waters offshore, driving the upwelling of cold deep water and creating a regime of cold, nutrient-rich coastal waters that lasts until fall. In 2015, weak upwelling provided periodic injections of nutrients, but every time the upwelling got started the warm blob pushed back onto the coast.

The result was a record-breaking toxic algae bloom that started in April and lasted into early October. The size of the bloom was also unprecedented, extending from Santa Barbara to Alaska. Even in December, water samples were still occasionally showing up with domoic acid, Kudela said. "We think it's just moving offshore, and each time conditions are right it comes back in to the coast," he said. "Once a series of big winter storms comes through, that's when we'll see it go away until the following spring."

Now the big question is what the impact of El Nino will be in 2016, because El Nino also brings warm water conditions that can favor toxic algae blooms. Most of the warm water along the California coast in 2015 was from the warm blob, although El Nino probably began contributing to it later in the summer. Historically, El Nino periods have been associated with larger than normal blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia, Kudela said.

"The predictions are for this El Nino to be as strong as the one in 1997-98, when the warm water lasted through 1998. So we could be looking at a big bloom again next year," he said.
Astronomers with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) announced that a distant quasar ran out of gas.

Their conclusions, reported Jan. 8 at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Kissimmee, Florida, clarify why quasar SDSS J1011+5442 changed so dramatically in the handful of years between observations.

"We are used to thinking of the sky as unchanging," said University of Washington astronomy professor Scott Anderson, who is principal investigator of the SDSS's Time-Domain Spectroscopic Survey. "The SDSS gives us a great opportunity to see that change as it happens."

Quasars are the compact area at the center of large galaxies, usually surrounding a massive black hole. The black hole at the center of J1011+5442, for example, is some 50 million times more massive than our sun. As the black hole gobbles up superheated gas, it emits vast amounts of light and radio waves. When SDSS astronomers made their first observations of J1011+5442 in 2003, they measured the spectrum of the quasar, which let them understand the properties of the gas being swallowed by the black hole. In particular, the prominent "hydrogen-alpha" line in the spectrum revealed how much gas was falling into the central black hole.

The SDSS measured another spectrum for this quasar in early 2015, and noticed a huge decrease between 2003 and 2015. The team made use of additional observations by other telescopes over those 12 years to narrow down the period of change.

"The difference was stunning and unprecedented," said UW astronomy graduate student John Ruan, a member of the research team. "The hydrogen-alpha emission dropped by a factor of 50 in less than 12 years, and the quasar now looks like a normal galaxy."

The change was so great that throughout the SDSS collaboration and astronomy community, the quasar became known as a "changing-look quasar." The black hole is still there, of course, but over the past 10 years, it appears to have swallowed all the gas in its vicinity. With the gas fallen into the black hole, the SDSS team were unable to detect the spectroscopic signature of the quasar.

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"This is the first time we've seen a quasar shut off this dramatically, this quickly," said lead author Jessie Runnoe, a postdoctoral researcher at Pennsylvania State University.

Before Runnoe, Ruan and their colleagues could come to this conclusion, they had to rule out two other possibilities. A thick layer of dust could have passed through the host galaxy, obscuring their view of the black hole at its center. But, they concluded that there is no way that any dust cloud could have moved fast enough to cause a 50-fold drop in brightness in just two years. Another possibility is that the bright quasar in 2003 was just a temporary flare caused by the black hole ripping apart a nearby star. While this possibility has been invoked in similar cases, it cannot to explain the fact that the changing-look quasar had been shining for many years before it turned off.

The team's conclusion is that the quasar has used up all the glowing-hot gas in its immediate vicinity, leading to a rapid drop in brightness.

"Essentially, it has run out of food, at least for the moment," says Runnoe. "We were fortunate to catch it before and after."

The changing-look quasar is the first major discovery reported for the Time-Domain Spectroscopic Survey, one component of SDSS's fourth phase, which will continue for the next several years.

"We found this quasar because we went back to study thousands of quasars seen before," said Anderson. "This discovery was only possible because the SDSS is so deep and has continued so long."
KINGSTREE, S.C. - The Williamsburg County Public School Foundation supports the higher education aspirations of students in Williamsburg County. The Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the second semester of the 2015-2016 school year.

Graduates of the Class of 2015 of Williamsburg County Public Schools will be eligible to apply for a district scholarship to assist with higher education enrollment. This is a one-time only scholarship and will be available for reception during the first school year immediately following graduation from the high school setting. The scholarship will be available to students entering a two or four year institution of higher learning.

Students enrolling in institutions of higher learning for the first time during the second semester must submit their applications by January 31, 2016. 45 days after close of the application period, students will be notified of award status.

The scholarship application packet can be found at www.wcschoolfoundation.wix.com/wcschoolfoundation and www.wcsd.k12.sc.us/pages/WCSD/Williamsburg_County_Public_Sch.

The Williamsburg County Public School Foundation is organized exclusively for educational purposes. It's key functions are to secure donations to support the higher education aspirations of Williamsburg County School District's graduating seniors; to support the long-range facilities plan for the public schools of WCSD; to enhance the educational offerings of the public schools of WCSD by providing teacher grants; to assist in the funding of positive on-site development programs; to support educational excellence above and beyond local tax support; and to provide a mechanism for those who want to strengthen quality public education in Williamsburg County.

The Foundation operates autonomously from the Williamsburg County School District and iis an independent, self-directed organization whose mission is to ultimately provide for the educational betterment of the students of the county.

Contributions toward the Foundation are accepted on an ongoing basis at Williamsburg County Public School Foundation, P.O. Box 1067, Kingstree, 29556.
Press Release

January 10, 2016 CHIZ URGES COMELEC CHIEF TO DEFEND INTEGRITY OF POLL BODY Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero called on Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Andres Bautista to fight attempts by certain elements within the poll body to undermine the integrity of the institution and imperil the holding of a fair and credible election in May. "I implore Chairman Bautista to stand his ground and expose these people who are seeking to sabotage the electoral process. It is his duty to the Filipino people if only to reassure voters that their sacred right to vote, to choose the next leaders of this country is protected," Escudero said. The filing of the COMELEC comment with the Supreme Court on January 7 by Commissioner Rowena Guanzon without the concurrence of the full commission, however, has surprised poll officials and has prompted Bautista to issue a memorandum asking Guanzon to explain. Bautista said Guanzon's filing was "irregular and personally disrespectful" since the COMELEC was given until January 12 to file its comment in connection with the petition for certiorari against the full commission's decision to cancel the certificate of candidacy for president of leading candidate Sen. Grace Poe. The Comelec chief warned Guanzon that he will be compelled to inform the high tribunal that the filing of the 73-page comment was not authorized, should she fail to give a satisfactory explanation. But a defiant Guanzon said: "I must emphasize that as a commissioner, I am not a subordinate or employee of Chair Bautista and he has no administrative supervision or control over me." According to Escudero, he was appalled at the insubordination of Guanzon and disrespect to the COMELEC chairman and the institution that she was mandated to serve and she herself has sworn to serve. "Even assuming arguendo that she is not a subordinate of the Chairman as she claims, the COMELEC is a collegial body that always acts collectively, and not individually," Escudero pointed out. "This validates our observation that Commissioner Guanzon is threat to our democracy and the conduct of elections come May," added the frontrunner in the vice-presidential race. "I challenge her to make public the COMELEC en banc resolution that authorized her to file the comment herself on behalf of the poll body and put the names of commissioners in her submission to the Supreme Court," the veteran senator added. Escudero also urged the public to remain vigilant against these dangerous tendencies of some COMELEC officials to weaken the institution and erode the foundation of the democratic right to vote. "This bullying has got to end," he said.
Press Release

January 10, 2016 POE: USE ICT TO REMOVE PHYSICAL QUEUES IN GOV'T AGENCIES Consistent with her advocacy to improve social services, independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe is aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate physical queues in acquiring government documents and services. To achieve this, Poe said the government should work for the complete computerization of applications and administrative processes in all agencies. Doing so would not only result in faster transactions but also do away with corruption in frontline services, she noted. "The prevailing culture is that when you want something from the government, you have to be ready to line up for hours and prepare yourself for several inconveniences. That should not be the case. Every Filipino deserves a government that is compassionate and sensitive to their needs, and provides services that are efficient," Poe said. The senator is proposing the creation of a Department of Information and Communication Technology to give ICT (information and communications technology) a central role in the socio-economic development of the country. ICT is currently under the mandate of two agencies: The Information and Communication Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission. "The Philippines remains one of the few countries that still do not have a separate ICT ministry," Poe pointed out. "We don't have an integrated e-governance facility that would provide the frontline services of all government agencies." Elevating the ICT office into a separate department will equate government interaction with its ASEAN neighbors, especially in the period of integration, the senator said. Poe, who leads in presidential surveys, said she would push for an ICT industry that is responsive to the needs of Filipinos and can become the main driver of economic growth. "If we want an open and transparent government that the public trusts, computerizing services, whether for business permits or basic government documents, is a good start," Poe said. Delivering basic government service through ICT is now being done fully and partially by some government agencies such as the National Statistics Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs. However, for a more efficient system, Poe is proposing to harmonize all government ICT resources, instead of government agencies implementing different ICT programs through different private IT service providers.
Press Release

January 10, 2016 MIRIAM: AD SPLURGE RED FLAG FOR CORRUPTION Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, the leading advocate for an anti-premature campaigning law, urged voters to treat as red flags for corruption the hundreds of billions presidential candidates are spending for ads even before the campaign period. "The question we must ask is this: How will these politicians recover the scandalous amounts they spend for their campaign? The simple answer is that they will steal from public funds, or will at least be tempted to do so. An alternative would be to give favors to rich contributors, to the detriment of public interest," Santiago said. The senator was responding to reports that four of her rivals in the 2016 presidential elections spent a total of P2.3 billion for television ads from January to December 2015. Liberal Party bet Mar Roxas was the top spender, shelling out P774 million, followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, P695 million; Sen. Grace Poe, P694 million, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, P129 million. Santiago said almost all candidates have already spent beyond the expected limit for campaign expenses. By Commission on Elections (Comelec) standards, every presidential candidate may spend only P10 per voter, or a total of P545 million for the projected 54.5 million voters in 2016. "A president's salary is only P120,000 a month. He or she may thus expect to earn only P8.64 million for the six years that he or she is in office. These big spenders therefore cannot say that they will earn their money back if elected," she said. "Of course they can say they are not spending their own money, and that their campaign is fuelled by contributions. Who are their contributors? What kind of favors will they ask from the president whose candidacy they bankrolled?" Santiago asked. The senator explained that while the Supreme Court ruling on the 2009 case of Penera v. Comelec enables politicians to campaign outside the identified period, excessive ad spending contradicts the constitutional principle that "a public office is a public trust." "The provision of the Constitution is our guide: They are campaigning to occupy an office, which is a public trust. It might not express a strict legality but a matter of moral conduct on the part of the public officials," Santiago said. Santiago, the only presidential candidate who has yet to release political ads, said she will call for a Senate probe on the ad splurge, which she said adds a sense of urgency for her colleagues to finally consider her proposed Anti-Premature Campaigning Act and the related CIRPO Act. Under the Anti-Premature Campaigning Act (Senate Bill No. 2445), a person would be considered a candidate as soon as he or she files a certificate of candidacy. The bill seeks to prohibit candidates from conducting election-related activities before the campaign period. Santiago's CIRPO Act (Senate Bill No. 185), meanwhile, seeks to require politicians who intend to run for public office to file certificates of intention to run for public office (CIRPO), allowing the Comelec to monitor their election-related activities and expenses even before they file certificates of candidacy. The two bills intend to reject the Penera doctrine, which, according to Santiago, allows candidates to work around campaign spending limits imposed by the Comelec during the campaign period. "By sitting on my bill against premature campaigning, my colleagues in the Senate have missed an opportunity to address a problem before it manifested itself. Now that the problem is staring them in the face, maybe they can be convinced to act," Santiago said.
On a recent afternoon, the lights were off in the lobby of the City College of San Francisco theater building and the sky outside was full of steel-colored clouds, but even in the dark, the mural revealed itself  the rich browns of the earth and the blue-greens of the San Francisco Bay. William Maynez stood in front of the fresco, explaining, bit by bit, the significance. The piece, he said, painted by Diego Rivera in 1940, spoke to the artists hopes for Pan-American unity just as Nazi Germany crept across Europe.

Nearby, a group of three technicians from Cultural Heritage Imaging were busying themselves making the theater darker, reducing as best they could the ambient light, and setting up a camera on a motorized lift.

They were preparing to take a photograph of Pan-American Unity  not a single photograph, exactly, but many hundreds that would then be used to create one image with incredible, even three-dimensional, detail. Sub-millimeter detail, said Carla Schroer, the groups founder and director. They specialize in something called computational photography, and Maynez needs their help.

What Im trying to do is move it across the street, Maynez said. He said this as though the mural werent 22 feet high and 74 feet long, as though it werent made up of 10 panels that weigh, collectively, more than 20 tons. He also said this as though the building he wants to move it to  a new performing arts center, where it would be located in the lobby, visible from the street for anybody to view  hadnt been put on hold (and thats a generous interpretation, given the schools financial challenges) more than two years ago.

Avoiding intervention

Structural engineers and conservators have all come to examine the mural at Maynezs request. Theyve assured him a move is possible, that the steel lattice hidden behind the panels will hold up. Still, assuming a new home is built, this detailed photograph will allow Maynez and others to identify any hidden issues in advance.

Any crack  and its got some cracks, you know?  any crack that will not withstand the move needs an intervention before we move it, Maynez says. But we dont want any more intervention than is necessary. The less you touch it, the less you do anything to it, the better off it is for the mural.

Maynez has spent years staring at the piece. He fell in love with it one day 18 years ago; so many stories on one fresco. He adopted the mural, or maybe the mural adopted him, but either way hes become its self-appointed, self-anointed historian.

It was like a black hole, he said. I fell in.

He has been piecing together the murals history and the stories within ever since. Hes managed to track down a few of the subjects in the piece, people with names that arent commonly spoken, but who figured prominently in Riveras life. Mainly, the people who lived this story are all gone, so theres a certain amount of desperation in trying to save these stories. Then, Maynez pointed to a space in the upper left corner that shows members of the Yaqui, a tribe from Northern Mexico, dancing and pounding on drums. He can trace his own history to them. Its my roots, he says. Its me.

Truth be told, the mural was never meant to be where it is today. Local architect Timothy Pflueger  a man whose work included renowned theaters and skyscrapers and who chaired a group of architects consulting on the Bay Bridge project  invited Rivera to create the piece as part of a living art exhibit at the 1940 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. It took Rivera six months to complete. As he went, he painted onto fresh plaster so as the material dried, the pigment became one with the plaster.

The final result was a complex collection of scenes that celebrated indigenous arts and culture, struck out against the growing threats of communism and fascism and hailed the mechanical advances in the U.S. Frida Kahlo, Paulette Goddard, George Gershwin, Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin and Rivera himself are all depicted. My mural will picture the fusion between the great past of the Latin American lands, as it is deeply rooted in the soil, and the high mechanical developments of the United States, Rivera said at the time of the painting.

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Its about stewardship

The plan had always been to move the mural into a new library Pflueger had designed for City College. But soon, the United States found itself at war, the library was put on hold, and Pflueger died. The mural sat in storage until, in 1961, Pfluegers brother Milton, an architect himself, realized he could fit it into the colleges new theater if he bowed the wall. Thats where it has remained.

To call the mural a secret would be an overstatement, but it certainly feels that way, looking at it in that dark and silence as rain drips steadily from the sky. I started asking all my friends, Do you know this mural? Have you seen it? Schroer said. I think it is one of the most under-known, underappreciated, magnificent pieces of public art  certainly in San Francisco, if not the whole West Coast, potentially the country. Its an unbelievable thing, and its right here. You can imagine why Maynez thinks it might be better off in a home made specifically for it. But first things first.

Lets say it doesnt get moved, this thing is going to be around for 200 years, Maynez said. The information is still invaluable. Its about stewardship. This is my watch. Im trying to do as best I can by the mural.

Not long after he said this, the camera was mounted and ready to go, and a flash went off  the first of many hundred.

Ryan Kost is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: rkost@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @RyanKost

Peter Stackpole/The LIFE Picture Collection/Gett




Search crews continued Sunday to look for a missing UC Berkeley graduate student after finding her car near Point Reyes Lighthouse in Marin County and later discovering some of her belongings on a cliff above the ocean, police said.

Shuqin Zhang, 22, was reportedly depressed and failed to make a flight home to China. She was last seen about 1:30 a.m. Thursday in Berkeley and was believed to be headed to Bodega Bay two hours later. Zhang was living in an off-campus apartment.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. agreed to acquire Affymetrix Inc. of Santa Clara in a deal valued at about $1.3 billion, adding technology used by scientists and biologists to analyze specimens at the cellular and genetic level.

Thermo Fisher of Massachusetts said it will pay $14 per share in cash. That represents a premium of about 52 percent over Affymetrixs closing price Friday. The transaction, expected to be completed by the end of June, will add 10 cents per share to earnings in the first full year, the company said.
A man was found shot and killed on a BART train at the West Oakland Station on Saturday night, prompting the shutdown of the station for the investigation, transit officials said.

The 7:49 p.m. attack occurred on the train bound for San Francisco, BART police Lt. Kevin Franklin said. Officers responded and found a subject dead at the scene, he said.
1 Firefighter honored: Jon Stewart joined New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to honor a cancer-stricken Sept. 11 first responder who helped win a fight for health care. The mayor presented ex-firefighter Ray Pfeifer with a key to the city Saturday. The legislation passed by Congress last month extends health care to tens of thousands of World Trade Center first responders. Stewart and Pfeifer spent weeks in the halls of Congress challenging lawmakers to vote for the legislation that extends federal health monitoring and treatment for Sept. 11 first responders. The former Daily Show host says he was a wing man to Pfeifer and other responders.

2 Auto show VIP: President Obama plans to celebrate the resurgent U.S. auto industry by visiting the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this month. The industry was in danger of collapse when Obama took office in 2009, but reported a record sales year in 2015. Almost 17.5 million American autos were sold. Obama announced the visit in his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday. Hes expected to attend the show on Jan. 20. Obama says his much-criticized decision to bail out the industry was the right thing to do.
Authorities on Saturday afternoon were focusing their search for a missing UC Berkeley graduate to where her car was found in the morning near the Point Reyes lighthouse in Marin County.

Shuqin Zhang, 22, was reportedly despondent and failed to make a flight home to China Friday morning. She was last seen early Thursday morning in Berkeley and was believed to be headed for Bodega Bay at that time.
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When his final votes have been cast for the day, U.S. Rep. John Katko walks through the Capitol Rotunda. He'll stop, look up and find George Washington in the Dome's painting.

"I do that every day to never forget how important it is what we're doing and how much trust that people place in us," Katko, R-Camillus, said in an interview.

Last week marked the one-year anniversary since Katko took office as Cayuga County and central New York's congressional representative. In that 365-day period, he was busy, whether it was working on homeland security issues as chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security or focusing on topics of local importance, including the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn.

Before leaving Washington for the holiday break, Katko discussed his first year in office with The Citizen. In a 20-minute interview, he outlined his top achievements of 2015, how the job has impacted his family life and what he likes  and dislikes  most about serving in Congress.

Achievements

A month into his term, Katko rolled out 11 priorities for central New York. The items on his agenda ranged from ensuring there were several options considered for the Interstate 81 viaduct project to addressing the region's heroin epidemic.

One of the 11 points was focusing on national security. As chair of a key subcommittee, he challenged the Transportation Security Administration on security gaps at airports. He also was appointed chairman of a task force on foreign fighter travel. The panel issued a report in September that contained several recommendations, some of which have been included in legislation passed by the House.

"That turned out to be something that's at the forefront of what we're doing," he said of the task force.

While his work on homeland security issues generated national attention  he's made appearances on CNN and Fox News to discuss terror threats  he also touted achievements in other areas, namely passage of a long-term highway bill after nearly three dozen short-term extensions. (He was one of the few freshmen to serve on the conference committee that negotiated the final highway bill. He helped ensure cuts weren't made to Centro's federal funding in the legislation.)

Securing a multi-year budget deal and adopting education reforms were other accomplishments, he said.

At the local level, he touted his work on the Tubman park  he's had several meetings on the site  and a bill he introduced to establish Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven in Oswego County as a national park. He also introduced measures that would create a national mesothelioma patient registry and an Agent Orange task force to assist Vietnam War veterans who have been affected by exposure to the chemical.

As of late December, Katko had introduced 15 bills. Seven have been approved by the House and two were signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Only one other House freshman has had multiple bills become laws. Among the entire House membership, Katko is one 13 representatives to have at least two measures signed into law.

"Down here in Washington, we're moving things along," he said. "And we're moving things along back home, too. So, that's good."

'Independent, independent, independent'

As the representative of a swing district, Katko hears from all sides. When he voted to defund Planned Parenthood, for example, it drew criticism from Democrats and liberals. And when he voted against a bill to repeal Obamacare, the 2010 health care law, conservatives weren't happy.

Katko said he committed to being an independent voice in Congress on the campaign trail. Despite the constant pressure to vote one way or another, he feels he's been able to maintain his independence.

"At times, you're walking a tightrope being an independent," he said. "But I think it's important to do that."

He noted that he's had to break with his own party on votes. In February 2015, he joined two other Republicans in voting against a bill that would fully repeal the Affordable Care Act.

His reason for opposing the repeal measure: There wasn't a suitable replacement ready.

Being independent on issues has paid dividends. Katko said each of the bills he's introduced has a primary Democratic cosponsor. That's helped him build support for his legislation on both sides of the aisle.

"I think in the first six months, you get tagged as a hardcore conservative, you get tagged as a hardcore liberal or you get tagged as a Washington insider," he said. "I think I've been tagged as an independent. I think that's really been solidified."

Colleagues

As a member of the House majority, it would be easy for Katko to lean on fellow Republicans or work with them on a myriad of issues.

But in his first year, it's a Democrat who Katko has worked with most on legislation, particularly homeland security bills he's introduced in Congress.

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat from Long Island, is the ranking member on the Transportation Security subcommittee. Like Katko, Rice is a freshman. And they're both former prosecutors.

"We bounce a lot of things off each other," he said. "We pushed a lot of legislation through our committee. Two of those have already been passed into law, so I'm really excited about that."

Katko mentioned three other New Yorkers  all Republicans  he spends a lot of time working with on legislative issues. He said he consults daily with U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, the youngest woman elected to Congress, on various measures.

"We have similar districts and we try to work in tandem as much as we can," he said.

U.S. Reps. Chris Gibson  Katko called him a "good buddy of mine"  and Tom Reed are other members he works with on a regular basis.

Family life

Balancing one's personal life and work is a challenge for us all. For a member of Congress, it can be tougher.

When the House is in session, Katko travels to Washington for votes. While there, he will sleep on a couch in his office.

"It's not always restful," he said, noting that the night before this interview, "a guy down the hall was drilling something all night."

The decision to sleep in his office isn't one he takes lightly. He believes that it's important to go to Washington, work and then return home  to his family and his district  as soon as possible.

"That benefits my district, but more importantly to me personally, it benefits my family because I'm home at every possible moment," he said. "It's really hard, but it's worth it."

He credited his wife and two youngest children for making the experience more manageable.

"If I didn't have my wonderful wife Robin it would be much more difficult. She's been great," he said. "And my teenage boys, who can be teenagers at times, but overall they've been pretty darn cooperative through this whole thing. And I'm very proud of them for being like that."

2016

During his first year in office, Katko shied away from discussing his eventual re-election bid. He said he wanted to focus on his work in Congress, not politics.

This year, that will be more of a challenge. With Election Day less than 10 months away and three Democrats vying for their party's nomination to face him in November, it will be difficult for Katko to try and keep the more political elements of the job at arm's length.

But that doesn't mean he won't try.

"There's a lot of things that we've got to deal with (in 2016) and homeland security being one of them," he said. "I'm just going to have to balance everything. My priority is to represent my constituents. They're not paying me to run for re-election. They're paying me to get things done for them and watch out for their interests and that's what I want to continue to do. Like I've said before, everything else will take care of itself."

He's leaving it up to voters to decide whether he's worthy of a second term in Congress.

"I've got a record now," he said. "They know what my record is. They can tell me whether or not I'm an independent. They can tell me whether or not I've acted independently like I said I was going to do. Let the chips fall where they may. But my priority from the beginning has been to represent my constituents and that will never, ever change."

Republicans believe Katko deserves another term. Chris Pack, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, called the Camillus Republican "an effective member of Congress who goes to Washington to get things done."

"That is why despite being a freshman member of Congress he has been able to get two important pieces of legislation signed into law by President Obama," Pack said. "He also served as a conferee to get the first long-term highway bill passed in nearly a decade that will provide hundreds of millions of dollars for highways and infrastructure needs in central New York. These are real accomplishments that Katko can point to when he makes his case for re-election, which is something that can't be said for some of his predecessors."

Michael Backus, Oswego County's clerk and the former chairman of the county's Republican committee, said Katko's focus on the district has been impressive.

"I come down to Auburn for a lot of stuff, I go to Wayne County for a lot of stuff and certainly I'm in Oswego County every day. John Katko is at every event. He attends everything," he said. "If he can't personally be there for whatever reason  if he's in Washington voting  he has staff that's there. That attention, to me, means everything."

Democrats are less impressed with Katko's first year in office.

Bryan Lesswing, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, seemed to question Katko's independence and accused him of breaking campaign promises.

"Katko had several chances to stand up to attacks on womens health, but instead joined his House Republican colleagues four separate times to defund Planned Parenthood  a position that is squarely at odds with his pro-choice district," he said. "And despite his fanciful pledges, the reality is that Katko backed a House Republican budget bill that would have made it harder for his constituents to access affordable, quality health care.

"No matter how much he tries to spin his conservative record and broken promises in the upcoming election year, Katko has proven time and time again that he is cut from the same cloth as the rest of the House Republicans."

Ian Phillips, chairman of the Cayuga County Democratic Committee, said Katko's first year has been "disappointing."

"He has been absent in our communities, failing to hold the town halls he promised on the campaign trail and failing to protect jobs across central New York," Phillips said. "From attacking Hill-Rom/Welch Allyn to make a tired political point about Obamacare to being on the sidelines for talks to save the 600-plus jobs at the FitzPatrick nuclear plant, Katko has failed to live up to his campaign promises."

Katko's favorite part of the job

When asked what he liked most about being a member of Congress, Katko didn't hesitate.

Working with constituents, he said, is his favorite part of the job.

"When somebody calls our office with a problem and we can solve it for them, it's wonderful," he said. "When you get to call a kid and his or her family and tell them that their son or daughter is going to a military academy, that's great stuff."

So, what is his least favorite part of representing his community in Congress?

"I don't like being away from home," he said. "But that's to be expected. If I liked being away from home, I think my wife would kick my butt."
This past legislative session, the state of Texas made a serious commitment to our nations heroes and veterans and their families by allocating $20 million for a new and pioneering mental health treatment program called the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance.

There are roughly 1.7 million veterans living in Texas and more than 200,000 active-duty troops, reservists, guardsmen and civilian workers. With such a large population of service members, Texas has the unique opportunity to be a leader in offering military family support services.

We have a duty to our veterans and their families to provide them with a world-class mental health system. Mental health is one of the most significant challenges faced by our returning service members and their families.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is nothing new among our veterans; however, the rate at which it has been reported in recent years is unheard of in our nations history. Potentially as many as 30 percent of service members from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and the Vietnam War are affected by PTSD, major depressive disorder or traumatic brain injury, or TBI.

The Texas Veterans + Family Alliance grant program was authorized under Senate Bill 55, which I was proud to co-author. The goal is to provide premier mental health services for military families in their communities.

The Health and Human Services Commission will administer this grant program with assistance in the pilot phase from the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. The alliances pilot phase is funded by $1 million in state funds, with a match of $1 million in local and private funds.

The program  which will focus on community collaborations to address the nearly one-third of veterans and their families suffering from PTSD, TBI, depression or other neurological disorders  is looking for grant applicants that provide mental health services to veterans and their families. San Antonio is known as Military City, USA. I know there are many veterans support organizations that could benefit from this pool of funding.

The pilot round of grant funding for the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance is accepting proposals until Jan. 22.

All grant applicants will be selected through a competitive process through the Health and Human Services Commission. My office stands ready to assist any organization looking to participate in the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance.

Veterans and mental health organizations are encouraged to immediately apply with to the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance, and I hope many Bexar County organizations will submit an application. With such a large veteran population, our community could greatly benefit from increased mental health resources.

As the state senator representing Military City, I have a sacred and moral responsibility to serve our military families  which is why Im excited to promote this $20 million state investment to treat mental illness for our nations heroes and their families.

The Texas Veterans + Family Alliance is a bold new initiative. I highly encourage San Antonio veterans organizations to submit a grant proposal before the Jan. 22 deadline. You can learn more about the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance by visiting www.texasstateofmind.org/tvfa.

Texas has made a firm commitment to our veterans that is truly reflective of their service and sacrifice defending our great country.

Jose Menendez represents Texas Senate District 26.
PARIS  French President Francois Hollande and other dignitaries held a special ceremony Sunday to honor all those killed in Islamic extremist violence around Paris in 2015  a year when the European way of life was targeted time and again with deadly consequences.

At least one attacker is at large, and Frances top security official acknowledged Sunday that authorities dont know his whereabouts. The country is under a state of emergency after attacks in Paris on Nov. 13. Paris was again jolted Thursday when a man wearing a fake explosives vest and wielding a butchers knife ran up to a police station and was shot to death by officers standing guard.

Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled a plaque Sunday in memory of victims targeted at satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a kosher market, a rock concert, cafes, a stadium and elsewhere. The violence left some 150 victims dead, and several attackers were also killed.

The ceremony took place at Place de la Republique, a plaza that has become a symbol of Parisians solidarity since the attacks, which began Jan. 7, 2015 with the Charlie Hebdo shootings.

French rocker and national icon Johnny Hallyday joined the army choir in a special, somber musical performance.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for national unity and insisted the government is doing all it can to protect France.

Many questions remain about the Nov. 13 attacks, including how many people were involved and may still be at large.

Cazeneuve said on i-Tele television Sunday that We dont know where Salah Abdeslam is, referring to a fugitive gunman. Abdeslam crossed into Belgium Nov. 14 before moving on.

Meanwhile, acting on concrete evidence from French security authorities, German police on Saturday raided an apartment at a shelter for asylum-seekers in the western German city of Recklinghausen that they say had been occupied by the man who was killed by French police in Thursdays incident outside a Paris police station.

North Rhine-Westphalia state police chief Uwe Jacob described the suspect as a small time criminal known to authorities by several aliases, who had a record that included weapons charges, drug trafficking and causing bodily harm and had spent at least a month in jail. He said there were no indications the man was part of an extremist network, but that a self-drawn Islamic State flag was found in his room, the dpa news agency reported.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan  Afghan forces are struggling to man the front lines against a resurgent Taliban, in part because of untold numbers of ghost troops who are paid salaries but only exist on paper.

The nationwide problem has been particularly severe in the southern Helmand province, where the Taliban have seized vast tracts of territory in the 12 months since the U.S. and NATO formally ended their combat mission and switched to training and support.

At checkpoints where 20 soldiers should be present, there are only eight or 10, said Karim Atal, head of Helmands provincial council. Its because some people are getting paid a salary but not doing the job because they are related to someone important, like a local warlord.

In some cases, the ghost designation is more literal  dead soldiers and police remain on the books, with senior police or army officials pocketing their salaries without replacing them, Atal said.

He estimates that 40 percent of registered forces dont exist, and says the lack of manpower has helped the Taliban seize 65 percent of the province  Afghanistans largest  and threaten the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. The men who do serve face even greater danger because of the no-shows. In the last three months alone, some 700 police officers have been killed and 500 wounded, Atal said.

The provinces former deputy police chief, Pacha Gul Bakhtiar, said Helmand has 31,000 police officers on the registers, but in reality it is nowhere near that.

Nearly 15 years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, and despite billions of dollars in military and other aid, corruption remains rife in Afghanistan and local security forces have struggled to hold off insurgent advances across the country. Last year the Taliban seized the northern city of Kunduz for three days, marking their biggest foray into a major urban area since 2001.

The Defense Ministry declined to comment on ghost security forces. Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi acknowledged the problem and said an investigation has been launched, the results of which should be made public in about a month.

He said investigators had checked police numbers and status in 200 districts, 30 of which could only be reached last week with the help of U.S. forces due to security problems. He said 86 percent of Afghanistans 157,000 police were digitally registered and received their salaries through banks. The remaining 14 percent were in the 30 districts where there are threats, and they are paid in cash by trusted agents.

If you have a roll of 100 people, not all of them will be there 100 percent of the time  there is leave, training, and we take casualties. And it takes time to replace them, Sediqqi said.

Afghan lawmaker Ghulam Hussain Nasiri, who has been researching the problem for more than a year, said his government is ignoring the ghost soldier issue.

It is an indication of massive corruption  the reason Afghanistan is one of the most corrupt nations in the world, he added.

Cash-strapped Afghanistans security forces are entirely funded by the international community, at a cost of some $5 billion a year, most of which comes from the United States.
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MEXICO CITY  Recaptured drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans secret interview with actor Sean Penn helped authorities locate his whereabouts, a Mexican law enforcement official said late Saturday.

The worlds most wanted drug trafficker was arrested early Friday after a shootout in Los Mochis, six months after he embarrassed the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto by escaping from Mexicos most-secure prison. Five people were killed during the operation that led to the recapture of Guzman, who has twice escaped from prison.

Mexico Attorney General Arely Gomez had said on Friday that Guzmans contact with actors and producers for a possible biopic helped give law enforcement a new lead on tracking and capturing the worlds most notorious drug kingpin.

On Saturday, a Mexican official said it was the Penn interview that led authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October. The official spoke on condition of anonymity. Authorities aborted their raid at the time because he was with two women and a child. But they were able to track him to Los Mochis, in Sinaloa state, were he was captured.

The interview between Guzman and Penn, purportedly held in late 2015 in a hideout in Mexico, appeared late Saturday on the website of Rolling Stone magazine. In it, the actor describes the complicated security measures he took to meet the drug lord. The men discuss topics ranging from drug trafficking to the Middle East.

When asked about whether he is responsible for the high level of drug addiction in the world, Guzman responds: No, that is false, because the day I dont exist, its not going to decrease in any way at all. Drug trafficking? Thats false.

The magazine says the meeting was brokered by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo. Its website has a two-minute video it says is the first ever exclusive interview with Guzman. It is in Spanish, and in it Guzman sits in front of a chain link face and speaks to a camera.

Earlier Saturday, a federal law enforcement official said that Mexico is willing to extradite Guzman to the United States, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S., said the Mexican official, who spoke on condition anonymity.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman: You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too.

Top officials in the party of Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzmans embarrassing escape from Mexicos top maximum security prison on July 11  his second from a Mexican prison.

He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if its necessary, he can pay them in other places, said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nietos Institutional Revolutionary Party.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzmans attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

Guzman was apprehended after a shootout between gunmen and Mexican marines at a home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzmans home state of Sinaloa.

The operation resulted from six months of investigation by Mexican forces, said Gomez. Following his capture, the head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico Citys airport, frog-marched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison hed fled.

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman, who faes drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states. At the time, Mexicos then-attorney general, Jesus Murillo Karam, said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in 300 or 400 years.
1 Attack anniversary: Mosques all over France are taking part in a dialogue weekend, opening up to the public as a shaken country marks one year since radical Islamists attacked a satirical newspaper and a Jewish supermarket, killing 17 people. The initiative was organized by Frances main Muslim body to counter bias against Muslims and highlight the differences between jihadism and moderate Islam. Nurturing inter-religious cohesion has become a top priority among leaders in France after fresh attacks in November. Those attacks led police to conduct more than a dozen raids on Muslim places of worship and close several over fears they were radicalizing members. France has the highest Muslim population of Western Europe.

2 South Sudan fighting: The U.N. refugee agency says a rise in fighting in a once-peaceful part of South Sudan has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes since December. Rocco Nuri, a spokesman for the agency, said Saturday that 23,000 civilians have fled their homes in South Sudans Western Equatoria state. Many are hiding in forests and are beyond the reach of aid groups, he added. South Sudans two-year conflict mostly focused in the countrys northeast between government troops and rebel forces, but numerous militia have formed in Western Equatoria recently.
Jon Ramer, center, Mohan Birgurung, right

in front of the Everest Kitchen in Town Center, LFP

Photo by Anne Stadler

And that's not all. Mohan says their restaurant is about more than food, it's about community.

"I want to encourage people to open their hearts, to be part of a community of compassion and kindness."

When you walk in the door of The Everest Kitchen in the Lake Forest Park Town Center, you're welcomed into a community of kindness and service, focused on good food.Mohan Birgurung and his wife Huni, who immigrated from Nepal twenty years ago, have created a new life here in Lake Forest Park, bringing with them cooking and culture from their roots in Nepal.Enter Jon Ramer, a Lake Forest Park neighbor, founder of the Compassion Games International. He's inviting everyone to join in honoring Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday by "LIVING beloved community" from January 15--18th .... living the kind of community Mohan encourages.It's a Compassion Game that teams from all over the country are participating in. Ramer calls them "coopetitions", emphasizing cooperation and community building rather than competition.So the Everest Kitchen's staff decided to be a Team in the International Compassion Games.When you come in for a meal anytime between January 15 and 18th, you'll be served by people who are living the values of Kindness, Compassion and Respect. You'll help The Everest Kitchen Team honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And you'll be helping to create the kind of community we all want to live in.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- How many current residents of South Beach know that this East Shore location was settled over 350 years ago -- in 1661 -- by Dutch immigrants?

Back then, it was called Oude Dorp.

This translates from the Dutch as "Old Town," the first permanent Dutch settlement on Staten Island, predating arriving colonists who established homes further south, in New Dorp.

Here are some quick historic facts about South Beach, as reported in the authoritative "Encyclopedia of New York City" (Yale University Press and the New York Historical Society, 1995):

"Although no trace (of the original Dutch community) remains, reports of the Dutch West India Company mention 12 to 14 families and a blockhouse (in the first permanent settlement.)

"From the 1880s to the 1920s, the beach was a major resort, with hotels, beer gardens, bathing pavilions, shooting galleries, ferris wheels, theaters, and dance halls rivaling those of Coney Island.

"On weekends during the summer as many as 100,000 visitors would travel to the beach by boat and train.

"By 1891 there were at least 25 hotels, including the Pine Grove, set in a park with a scenic railroad, a saloon, an eating stand, a pavilion, a beer garden, bathhouses, and a photography studio; nearby was a steam carousel.

"The Bachmann Hotel had a theater that in 1906 became the Happyland Amusement Park.

"In 1917 bathing was declared unsafe and the amusement park was destroyed by fire."

This home on Robin Road in South Beach was built by Stephen Ketteltas, circa 1825. It was photographed on April 20, 1919 by his descendant, Lillian Wilbur Sherry, with her box camera. (Courtesy of Charles W. Sherry)

ANCESTRAL HOME ON ROBIN ROAD

A large home once stood on Robin Road, complete with a classic widow's walk with an ocean view.

This house was built in the 1800s by Stephen Ketteltas, one of my paternal Dutch-ancestry forebears, and was photographed by my paternal grandmother, Lillian Wilbur, with her simple box camera in 1919.

My father, Charles Wilbur Sherry, was born in this house, as was his mother, Lillian, and her younger sister, Emma.

The sprawling home served as a multi-generation family compound from the time of my dad's birth through his early childhood.

"I remember that my great-grandma was in charge of the house," Dad reported on Jan. 8, 2016, noting that his maternal grandmother was also in residence.

The historic home was demolished in the 1950s: All that remains is the family photograph from 1919.

ST. CUTHBERT'S CHAPEL

Another piece of South Beach history is St. Cuthbert's-by-the-Sea chapel, built in 1901 on the estate of Cuthbert Mills. (Mills died in February 1904, according to his obituary in the New York Times.)

St. Cuthbert's Chapel, South Beach, was built in 1901. Undated postcard. (Courtesy of New York Public Library Digital Collections)

The city Landmarks Preservation Commission provided some information about the chapel in its 2010 report that designated the Christ Church complex on Franklin Avenue in New Brighton with official landmark status:

"Aside from Christ Church, relatively few neo-Gothic churches were built on Staten Island.

"Closest in style and date to Christ Church was the small chapel, St. Cuthbert's-by-the-Sea, built by Cuthbert Mills on his estate in Arrochar in 1901.

"Like Christ Church, this small cruciform-plan chapel was simply composed and massed and featured unadorned, rusticated stone facades, and a square, spireless tower.

"Located on Sand Lane, it has been deconsecrated and altered to point that it is no longer recognizable."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Kenneth Reed, 69, of West Brighton, a licensed plumber, decorated Vietnam veteran and family patriarch, died Monday in St. Albans Veterans Affairs Hospital, Queens.

Born in Manhattan, he grew up in West Brighton and also spent time with his grandmother in Mariners Harbor. He later settled in West Brighton.

Mr. Reed graduated with honors from Port Richmond High School.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969, seeing duty in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Purple Heart and attained the rank of sergeant (E-5).

After returning to civilian life he drove a truck for the Coca-Cola company and also worked as a licensed plumber technician for the New York City Housing Authority. During this time he also attended college, studying engineering.

Mr. Reed then became a self-employed licensed plumber on the Island. He had stopped working due to illness.

Affectionately known as "Spike," he enjoyed fishing with his brother and playing pool. He loved smooth jazz and easy-listening music.

Mr. Reed was outgoing and friendly, making friends easily, and was a real people person, his family said. He enjoyed conversation and telling stories about his life.

He treasured his family of three generations and the time he spent with them.

Surviving, along with his wife of 46 years, the former Kareen Knox, are his sons, Malik and Kareem; his daughters, Lisa Brittian and Tashia Dorsey; his mother, Marjorie Tucker Reed; 14 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

The memorial service will be held Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Stradford Funeral Home, West Brighton. Arrangements include private burial in Calverton (L.I.) National Cemetery.
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Guzman agreed to be interviewed, but Penn wrote that he suspected it was mostly because the drug lord wanted to meet del Castillo. "I felt increasingly that I had arrived as a curiosity to him," the actor wrote. Mexican actress Kate del Castillo was central to Sean Penn's meeting with El Chapo. Credit:AP How did Penn travel to the jungle hideout? The trip  from a celebrity's Los Angeles home to a drug lord's jungle hide-out  was complicated and, in Penn's telling, vague. Drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera wanted Mexican actress Kate Del Castillo to help tell the story of his life. Credit:AP

Penn wrote that he, del Castillo and two associates he refers to only as El Alto and Espinoza took a charter flight from an unnamed airport in southern California to an unnamed city in Mexico. After their arrival, they drove to a hotel, where an associate of Guzman arranged for them to be picked up (while all traffic on nearby streets was stopped) and driven to a dirt airfield roughly an hour and a half outside the city. Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is made to face the press as he is escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican soldiers and marines at a federal hangar in Mexico City on Friday. Credit:AP They then met Guzman's son and boarded a small plane equipped with radar-scrambling technology that took them on a two-hour flight into a lush mountain range. Next, they drove for seven hours to a remote jungle clearing dotted with bungalows, where they met Guzman and a local family, who served them dinner.

The US is seeking the deportation of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. His escape deeply embarrassed the Mexican government and strained ties with the United States. Credit:AP Penn wrote that he saw a few dozen of the drug lord's men, although Guzman later told him more than 100 others were positioned nearby. What did El Chapo reveal? A police truck sits parked outside the house where marines engaged in a gun battle during the search for Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera, in Los Mochis, Mexico, on Sunday. Credit:AP Penn's interview with Guzman had two parts: a seven-hour face-to-face meeting in the jungle, to which Penn did not bring a pen, paper or a recording device; and a video the kingpin sent to del Castillo after Penn sent him questions via BlackBerry Messenger.

Penn described their conversation over dinner as casual and warm. He said Guzman smiled often. The drug trafficker Joaquin Guzman Loera is guarded by members of Mexico's navy following his arrest on Saturday. Credit:Bloomberg "I saw him without that smile only in brief flashes," Penn wrote. "As has been said of many notorious men, he has an indisputable charisma." Guzman expressed no interest in politics, Penn wrote, and doted on del Castillo throughout the night. He described Guzman as "entirely unapologetic" about the impact of the drug trade, and said he boasted about his success. A Mexican marine inspects a manhole where high-powered weapons were found to be abandoned, in the neighbourhood where drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera was found. Credit:AP

"I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world," Guzman was quoted as saying. "I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats." The questions Penn submitted via BlackBerry Messenger focused largely on Guzman's family and his feelings about drugs. Most of the answers are very short, in part because Penn was unable to ask follow-up questions or challenge Guzman's answers. The shower area where authorities say drug lord Guzman, slipped into a tunnel to escape from the Altiplano maximum security prison in July 2015. Credit:AP "Well, it's a reality that drugs destroy," he replied when asked about the drug trade. "Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way, and there still isn't a way, to survive; no way to work in our economy to be able to make a living." Guzman said he had not used drugs in many years and described himself as "a person who's not looking for problems in any way".

Did the interview lead to El Chapo's arrest? The short answeris, we don't know. Although Guzman insisted on a range of security precautions in his meeting with Penn and del Castillo, Penn wrote, "there is no question in my mind" Mexican and US authorities were tracking their movements. The in-person interview took place in October, and Guzman was not arrested until January 8, more than two months later. After his capture in a gun battle, however, the Mexican authorities said they had been able to find him in part because he had contacted actors and producers to discuss making a movie about his life. It was not clear if the actors and producers in question were Penn, del Castillo and their associates. But Penn wrote that once Guzman became "interested in seeing the story of his life told on film", he decided he "would entrust its telling only to Kate".

In the hours after Penn's article was published on Saturday, a Mexican official said that all actors and producers who had met with Guzman, including Penn and del Castillo, were under investigation. But it was not clear if the circumstances of the meeting were under investigation, or if the individuals themselves would face scrutiny from the Mexican government. A senior Obama administration official told television news shows on Sunday that Guzman's boasting about his heroin empire in the interview was "maddening". "One thing I will tell you is that this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening," White House chief of staff Denis McDonough said on CNN's State of the Union. "We see a heroin epidemic, an opioid addiction epidemic, in this country," Mr McDonough said. "We're going to stay on top of this with our Mexican counterparts until we get that back in the box. But El Chapo's behind bars  that's where he should stay."
Remember how the internet was going to kill music? Seriously. And before that home taping, the arrival of the radio, and the invention of the record player.

Each was going to cut the return for making music. As a result, we would be surrounded by less of it. Seriously. At home I have a copy of a 1990s CD entitled "Don't stop the Music". The Australian record industry sent it around to warn that Australian music would vanish if the government allowed the unregulated import of CDs, which it did. The record player was going to cut sales of sheet music, putting composers out of business. Radio was going to cut sales of records, putting recording artists out of business. Home taping was going to cut multiple sales of records, meaning that artists would no longer find it worth their while to record. And the internet was going to cut payments to artists altogether.

The Spotify streaming service offers access to a library of more than 20 million songs.

Now there's streaming radio. It charges two prices: nothing (backed up by advertising), and very little. It pays the recording companies just 0.7 US cents per play. The artists and composers get a fraction of it.

Yet all these years on we are still surrounded by music. It follows us throughout a day from our bedside to our commutes to our earphones at work to our drive home to settling into bed.
Bach's substantial paragraphs are challenging; the choir's preliminary strophes were followed by an orchestral discussion both engrossing and prolix.

John O'Donnell and his Ensemble Gombert, expanded by about 10 voices, provided the backbone, supported by the Accademia Arcadia period instrumentalists, and a quintet of soloists with the usual mix of abilities and insights.

This festival celebrated reaching its majority with a serious undertaking. Bach's Mass made for an impressive opening gambit but a hard act to follow next year.

The Accademia performed to fine effect from the outset. Lucinda Moon led the strings, working through the discursive lines with uniform articulation and supple phrasing. Just as impressive was the woodwind sextet: Simon Rickard and Brock Imison offered a vital, mobile pair of bassoons; Greg Dikmans' flute was a flawless delight in the Domine Deus duet, and, later, Kirsten Barry's oboe enriched alto Sally-Anne Russell's resolute account of a Qui sedes solo.

O'Donnell's speeds tended to the conservative, although the choir slowed things down in the big polyphonic meshes, like the Cum sancto spiritu finishing the Gloria and the measured affirmations that wind up the Creed. Moon and her players followed the beat with vigour while Ensemble Gombert moved with deliberation.

Matters were not helped with the tenors being recessed; one of the soprano bodies more emphatic than the other, and a bass sextet dominating the mix.

Still, Russell, bass Michael Leighton-Jones and soprano Sally Wilson gave good service. Leighton-Jones was a ringing presence in the Quoniam, partnered by an accurate baroque horn from Darryl Poulsen. The trumpet trio made fair work of their improbably high writing, enriching the performance where it mattered most, at the swirling Sanctus: pages of controlled ecstasy and grandeur.
A psychedelic space-rock band whose shows borrow heavily from '60s and '70s acid culture seemed an unlikely choice for the Sydney Festival's usually family-friendly, free Domain gig. It didn't seem to bother many people, who brought kids along to dance on shoulders and rock colourful outfits while frontman Wayne Coyne swore incessantly and celebrated drugs.

But despite the occasional M-rated moments, this was a show for the kid in everyone. "You can still be children from within your grown-up life," Coyne urged us, in one of many waffly interludes that dotted a disjointed but wonderful show.

A Flaming Lips gig is a kinda "see at least one before you die" type experience. And this one was no different.

It was an uplifting, titillating, spectacular, heart-warming, crazy hour-and-a-bit of colours, lights, blow-up dolls and confetti cannons. The tent over the stage was bathed in rippling, psychedelic light patterns all night. The stage was covered in hundreds of hanging LED light strings that jolted with colour in front of a kaleidoscopic video screens.

More than just the ridiculous visuals, there was something beautifully communal about it all.
"We're more likely to [interest] people who have done international relations, perhaps with a focus in a geographic area; we love to pick up people who have some of the difficult languages already as a basis.

"But what we're really interested in is people who have an inquiring mind, who are resourceful, who will be able to think about what's in Australia's interests and who are adaptable."

Numerous myths surround DFAT recruitment: for example, that the department hires only postgrads or people fluent in an Asian language, or who studied at an established Group of Eight university. None are true (though the Australian National University is a "useful hunting ground", Ms Mansfield says).

The culling process begins brutally: thousands of applications are cut quickly to about 500. What helps someone get past this first step is a strong academic record (not necessarily extra degrees) and some evidence of what Ms Mansfield calls "curiosity" (which need not be internships or volunteer work, though they help).

From there, an experienced officer  perhaps a retired executive  cuts the applications to about 200 or 300. These are scrutinised closely by a committee, which selects over 100 candidates to interview.
Thousands of skilled migrant women either struggle to ever join the workforce or have their careers derailed by being forced into low-level jobs, researchers say.

A new labour force study, funded by the federal government, has called migrant women Australia's "hidden assets", whose professional skills and potential value are being drastically underused.

Ying Wa Choi looked for work for four years before landing part-time work as a personal banker. Credit:Simon_O'Dwyer

Conducted by migrant agency AMES, the report concluded that a new focus on assisting skilled migrant women into work would help tap into a vast pool of talent that seems to be going to waste.

"They are hidden from view, where their role has shifted from being, in many instances, a paid, well-educated professional to being domesticated as wives, spouses and partners," the report said.
The body of a sailor who went missing from a yacht near Port Stephens last week has been found floating in the water by local sailors.

Malcolm Lennon, 62, was swept from his yacht, Amante, amid violent seas off Broughton Island on Wednesday.

Malcolm Lennon, who went missing after being swept off the yacht Amante.

About 7.30am on Sunday, police were notified of a body seen floating in waters off Port Stephens Head by nearby sailors.
Chinese Disneyland needs money, fast.

Wyong council says that a planned $500 million Chinese cultural theme park on the Central Coast, entitled "Chappypie China Time" will go ahead despite the mysterious project having been plagued by non-payment and delays.

The proposed theme park at night.

Developers had initially boasted the project would be open this year replete with plastic pandas and a replica Buddhist shrine. But it remains far from completion and plagued by setbacks.

So far developers have put down only about $100,000 in surety for a 15-hectare plot at Warnervale which can be seen from the Pacific Motorway between Sydney and Newcastle. Originally they secured the deal with only a $10,000 payment to council, documents released under freedom-of-information show.
With temperatures warming up this week to an expected peak of 34 degrees on Thursday, Surf Life Saving Sydney is urging people to enjoy the sun and sand at patrolled locations. A number of rescues have occurred over the past fortnight at NSW beaches with no lifeguard presence.

A reprieve from last week's wet weather combined with unpredictable surf conditions has already culminated in two major incidents on the NSW coast over the weekend.

A wave swamps the pool at Bondi Icebergs. Credit:Chris Lane

A fisherman died on Saturday morning after being washed off rocks at Catherine Hill Bay near Newcastle.

Three people sustained serious injuries after a large wave washed a group of people off the rock shelf at the Figure 8 Rock Pools in the Royal National Park. Help arrived at the pools after an onlooker reportedly ran to notify the Burning Palms Lifesaving Club. Lifeguards arrived in a boat and helicopters as the pools are not patrolled and are inaccessible by car.
Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property is being forcibly resumed by the NSW government to make way for major infrastructure projects such as the WestConnex motorway using a system it was warned three years ago was unfair to landowners.

Despite the report of a parliamentary committee chaired by Liberal MP Matt Kean calling for an overhaul of the compulsory acquisition system, the government has not implemented key recommendations while forging ahead with forced resumption of private homes.

Elizabeth Slakey with her children (from left) Luca, 8, Declan, 5, and Pippi, 2. They are among those affected by the WestConnex project. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The Baird government's extensive infrastructure program has seen a surge in the number of private homes that have and will be compulsorily acquired for projects including WestConnex, NorthConnex, the Sydney Metro and the CBD light rail.

But many landholders have complained they are being given compensation hundreds of thousand of dollars below market value, amid the recent Sydney property boom.
Shocking security footage of a coward's punch attack on an outback Queensland mother has been released, as she continues to recover in hospital in the state's north.

Hotel worker Melissa Abdoo was allegedly felled in a one-strike attack by a drunk man who had been refused entry to the Buffs Club in central Mount Isa early Saturday.

She was rushed to Mount Isa Hospital with critical head injuries and later flown to Townsville Hospital, where a spokeswoman said on Sunday her condition had improved to stable.

Security footage released by Queensland Police Service shows Ms Abdoo, 36, standing outside the club beside a security guard speaking to a woman.
Hannah Reardon-Smith and her mother Kathryn cling desperately to a power pole as an inland tsunami tears through Toowoomba.

They've been washed from the precarious safety of a car rooftop into the raging water after the torrent smashed another vehicle against their refuge.

Firefighter Peter McCarron works desperately to pull the women to safety but the sheer force of water is too much.
"Hero" is a word bandied about these days with the same sort of hyperbolic abandon that has neutered other once meaningful words like "awesome", "strategic" and "absolutely". It is applied to a whole range of characters, from sportsmen to celebrities and others just doing their job with a glib abandon that has made the term all but meaningless.

Nothing has changed. The myth of the "hero firefighter" persists because it suits a social narrative that only vaguely reflects reality but makes for a good story. The mainstream media  and now social media too  seem to breathe fresh life into it with every new conflagration.

John Schauble says setting up the expectation that firefighters are expected to act heroically is pretty much contrary to everything in their training. Credit:Rob Carew

Almost 20 years ago, after a small but nasty bushfire that killed three neighbours in the Dandenongs and destroyed more than 30 homes, I reflected in these pages: "People keep saying we firefighters are heroes. I wish they would stop. I don't feel like a hero. Instead, I am possessed by unutterable sorrow."

"Hero firefighters" speaks volumes about the society we have become rather than the firefighters themselves. In a world where reality television has become a surrogate for real life and backyard makeovers have supplanted genuine compassion, little wonder that people are left clutching at meaningful role models to which to aspire.

What is missing from the story is what firefighters actually do and who they really are. Ironically it devalues the very genuine contribution they make to the social good and to community while encouraging almost perverse thinking and behaviours.

If anything, setting up the expectation that firefighters are expected to act heroically is pretty much contrary to everything in their training.

Not without reason, for example, does CFA drill a "safety first" culture into its members. Firefighting is an inherently dangerous business. Firefighters get killed doing it (although, as in the US, the biggest killer of firefighters on the job in Australia is heart disease). All the more reason to insist that anyone engaged in this business takes every measure possible to preserve their own life in the process.

So we need to reset the index on heroism. Confronting the burning bush and running into burning buildings are not heroic acts, but actions in which risks are calculated and mitigated, where safety is not thrown out the window in pursuit of glory but steps are taken to help ensure everyone comes home.
Men who rape children under 12 are less likely to be jailed in Victoria, and are being jailed for less time than those convicted of raping adults.

The shocking statistics have emerged as Victoria's Sentencing Advisory Council launches an investigation into what the state's courts are taking into account when judging the seriousness of sexual offences against children.

Those who sat in on the 12-week trial have described it as the worst case of child abuse they have heard.

The council is due to report to Attorney-General Martin Pakula on the sentencing of offenders convicted of the sexual penetration of a child aged under 12 in June.

Its own data shows that between July 2009 and June 2014, 72 men were convicted in Victoria of sexually penetrating a child younger than 12 (no women were convicted of the same offence in that period).
Warrandyte locals said they were stunned and horrified at revelations Parks Victoria staff washed toxic chemical waste into the Yarra River near a popular swimming spot.

They said it was irresponsible that neither the Environment Protection Authority nor the Environment Minister were informed for up to nine months about dead trees and a health risk to swimmers.

Locals Jeremy Loftus-Hill (left), Warwick Leeson and Jill Dixon, with Yarra riverkeeper Andrew Kelly, are among those concerned over the news of chemical waste in the Yarra near a Warrandyte swimming spot. Credit:Simon_O'Dwyer

The Sunday Age revealed details of an internal incident and hazard summary report on Parks Victoria operations dated October 29, after it was released to the opposition under freedom-of-information legislation.

The report found that a cocktail of contaminated waste, including weedkillers and poison baits, had been pressure-washed off vehicles and containers at the Parks Victoria depot in Warrandyte State Park.
Devastated residents of fire-ravaged Yarloop, in Western Australia's south-west, plan to return to town together in convoy to support one another following the blaze that has killed two men.

Kate Barry, who lost her house to the fire on Thursday night, said the small community of Yarloop was strong and would stick together over the coming months.

Emergency services are dwarfed by enormous flames. Credit:West Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services

"Everyone is upset, they can't comprehend it, I can't until I stand in front of it and actually see it," Ms Barry said.

There was a small slice of good news for the town on Sunday, with police confirming a woman feared missing following the blaze had in fact been located safe and well.
Washington: President Barack Obama will make good on a promise to close the US naval prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, his chief of staff Denis McDonough said on Sunday.

Mr Obama will first present a long-awaited plan to Congress about how to close the facility, and seek its approval, Mr McDonough. If Congress fails to act, the White House will determine what steps to take, he said.

President Barack Obama has again pledged to close the US-run Guantanamo Bay prison before he leaves office. Credit:Brennan Linsley

"He feels an obligation to the next president. He will fix this so that they don't have to be confronted with the same set of challenges," Mr McDonough said.

Mr Obama pledged during the 2008 presidential election campaign that he would close the military prison, which housed foreign terrorism suspects after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Dubai: A "projectile" has struck a clinic supported by international medical group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in north Yemen killing four people, another in a series of attacks on its facilities in the war-torn country.

MSF on Sunday said it was not clear who was behind the attack that also wounded 10 other people in Shiara Hospital in the Razeh district, where the group has worked since November last year.

In a statement on its Twitter account, MSF did not identify who was killed in the attack but said three of the wounded were staff members, of whom two were in critical condition.
Berlin: The Islamist extremist who tried to attack a Paris police station last week had been living in a home for asylum seekers in Germany, police said, deepening fears militants might be infiltrating Europe disguised as migrants.

Revelations the man  fatally shot by French authorities on Thursday as he approached a police station with a butcher knife and a fake suicide vest  was trying to pass off as an asylum seeker is likely to trigger further debate about the vetting and processing of hundreds of thousands of people from war-torn Middle East seeking sanctuary in Europe. The man had used several aliases, and, at one point, claimed to be from Syria, according to German news reports.

A German flag hangs in a window at a refugee shelter in Recklinghausen, Germany, which police searched on Saturday. Credit:AP

Several assailants in the November 13 attacks on Paris that killed 130 people are thought to have used the same routes being travelled by a record number of asylum seekers and economic migrants. They include at least two attackers who entered Europe posing as Syrian asylum seekers on the Greek island of Leros.
Osan Air Base, South Korea: A powerful B-52 bomber flew over South Korea on Sunday, a clear show of force from the United States as a Cold War-style stand-off deepened between its ally, Seoul, and North Korea after Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will view the flyover of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons  seen by an Associated Press photographer at Osan Air Base near Seoul  as a threat. Any hint of America's nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the US to topple its authoritarian government.

A US Air Force B-52 bomber flies over Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Credit:AP

The B-52 flight follows a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to celebrate the country's widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test.

Mr Kim is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world and to boost his domestic political goals.
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Behind Indiana's RV boom: Punishing pace, safety issues, broken bodies

A look at the grueling conditions RV workers endured as companies saw record sales and profits during the RV boom of the pandemic.
Number of complaints filed in Cologne sex assaults now over 500

The number of cases reported to Cologne police following a night of mass sex assaults and thefts continued to rise sharply, with the latest official figures rising to 516 complaints from a previous 379.

GALLERY

German chancellor Angela Merkel has repeatedly butted heads with the Christian Social Unions leader, Horst Seehofer, over his proposal to allow a maximum of 200,000 migrants to enter Germany in 2016 - less than a fifth of the number that arrived the previous year.

Cologne, Germany (dpa) - Around 40 per cent of the complaints involve allegations of sexual assault, according to the police statement.It said that a 19-year-old Moroccan man had been arrested in connection with the New Years Eve attacks, which saw around 1,000 intoxicated men congregate in front of the western Germany citys main train station.The police are also looking into charges filed against 19 named suspects.Most of the perpetrators are reported to have been of North African or Arab appearance, sparking international debate over Germanys decision to allow over 1 million migrants into the country last year, with many concerned that some men among the arrivals may not adhere to Western values.Justice Minister Heiko Maas believes that the attacks were organized, according to comments in Sundays edition of the Bild newspaper."When such a horde meets to commit crimes, it seems to have been planned in some way. Nobody can tell me that it wasnt coordinated or pre-prepared," Maas was quoted in the popular tabloid as saying.Maas was also not prepared to rule out a connection between the Cologne attacks and those on women elsewhere in Germany.The wave of crimes in Cologne were mirrored in Hamburg on New Years Eve, where 108 complaints were filed, and to a much lesser extent in other cities.At the same time Maas warned people not to draw conclusions about how law-abiding migrants are from the attacks.But Maas warned people against drawing conclusions on crime based on race. "To infer from someones background that he is more likely to commit a crime or not I find to be risky," he said.Chancellor Angela Merkel responded to the tense debate on Saturday by promising tougher action against criminals of foreign nationality, including measures to revoke the right to claim asylum from people who break the law.The leader of the parliamentary group of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Thomas Oppermann, said on Sunday the coalition partners should not descend into an "ideological row" over the issue.He said he was "confident that the demands by the SPD for more staff and video surveillance could be decided quickly.""We will also look impartially into whether we need to change the legal position," he added, a reference to Merkels proposals.
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
Suburban schools grow slightly, or lose less than state average

Numbers from the state Department of Public Instruction show that in suburban Milwaukee, about 27 school districts grew last year, or lost fewer students than average.
Over the past few months there has been much misinformation, and much disinformation, regarding the boatyard dispute. Some of the commentary has been biased and incomplete, some of the commentary is fabricated and malicious, perhaps even libelous  not unusual for zealots on many issues.

Some supporters of reconstructing the boatyard on the original site have been less than honest about the facts, or have drifted into pure fiction. So I am compelled to clarify some of the contentions that have been raised.

False Claim No. 1: The mayor is in support of current boatyard plan

I do not support the current proposal, and have never said I support it. As proposed, the replacement plan fails to meet the standards suggested by the citys consultant according to the Request for Proposal written by the Zoning Board, Planning Board and Harbor Management Commission.

False Claim No. 2: The mayor is pressuring Zoning Board members to support the current proposal

Not true. Last month I re-appointed two members of the Planning Board who voted against the current proposal. I have spoken to several members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board about a range of issues, including the boatyard, but I have not asked any of them to vote for, or against, BLTs proposal. And, none of them have told me they plan to vote for, or against, Building and Land Technologys current application. Having said that, my intuition is that our Zoning Board members (and alternate members) would follow the recommendation of the Planning Board and vote against the application as it currently stands.

False Claim No. 3: Developers are not required to follow the rules

Yet another assertion has been made that developers in our city can do as they choose and there are no repercussions. The closing of the old boatyard occurred in 2011, more than two years before I took office. But I can assure you that there has been no precedent set which would allow a property owner to avoid the zoning regulations, and it is preposterous to claim that.

In fact, since I have taken office the City has repeatedly taken action to enforce regulations regarding development. Stop work orders have been issued when appropriate and fines imposed when allowed by law. When the Harbor Gateway garage was built differently than approved, the City imposed additional conditions that will likely cost the developer hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most recently the city required that work be stopped on the BelPointe Capital foundation when it was discovered that approved plans were not followed.

We expect and require developers to follow the rules.

However, the city must also follow the rule of law. Developers have the right to request changes, and have the right to go to court if disputes cannot be resolved. Court takes time, and the results can be unpredictable.

False Claim No. 4: The City can force BLT to reconstruct the old boatyard

There is no clear legal path to forcing BLT to reconstruct the boatyard back on the old site. I am confident that the City will win the pending appeal on the Cease and Desist order, but winning this case will not end up with the boatyard being restored on the 14-acre parcel.

It is challenging enough to enforce zoning when it restricts the use of a property, it is much harder still to enforce a condition that directs the owner to operate a private business forever. Perhaps that is part of the reason why the zoning condition, in this special case, specifically states that the owner is allowed to change the boatyard operation, if approved by the zoning board.

Put bluntly, the City cannot impose fines, Connecticut courts have not imposed significant fines for zoning cases, and it is unlikely that a judge would order the restoration of the old boatyard. Even if a judge issued such an order, the restored boatyards operation would easily get bogged down in minutia and micromanagement whenever the boatyard supporters and the property owners interest diverge (which could be all the time).

This is not to suggest that the City is powerless. I believe the legal case is strong, but there is little assurance of ever attaining the objectives that the old boatyard proponents want, even after years of endless litigation.

I could spend all of my time complaining about how this issue was created and/or mishandled by previous mayors and/or zoning boards, which has now left us in this difficult situation. Instead, as current mayor, I must focus on the future and the fiscal health of the entire city.

So what is in the best interest of Stamford?

I have heard from large boat owners (not necessarily all from Stamford) that they want low-cost boat storage. I dont see many jobs for Stamford residents in that.

There are those who want the city to buy the 14-acre property and turn it over to their set of private investors to develop their version of an ideal boatyard. That could cost upward of $50 million of taxpayer money. I dont see much benefit to taxpayers in that.

I do believe we need a good boat repair facility in our harbor with adequate boat storage. And I want this issue resolved as soon as possible. Because no one  including BLT, including the zealots, including the boaters, and including the taxpayers  is winning this ongoing battle.

I strongly encouraged BLT to significantly modify its proposal to conform to the standards suggested by the citys consultant and to reflect much of the public comments. I understand that they are preparing amendments and may present them as early as next week. Although I have not seen their proposed modifications, I am hopeful that we can find a solution that gets Stamford a boatyard and repair facility that we should have already had.

I believe the continued revitalization of the South End and an improved City of Stamford cannot be held hostage to an issue that is effectively a special interest to a few. Nor will I use city parkland or spend millions of taxpayer dollars to purchase the property in order to restore the old boatyard. To continue in a protracted fight between the developer and the boatyard zealots will result in a lose, lose, lose situation. The developer loses, boat owners lose, and taxpayers lose.

We need a boatyard solution now.
A 60-year-old man has died after being stabbed at a pub in east London.

Police were called to an assault at JJ Moons in Hornchurch, near the capitals border with Essex, at 4.30pm on Sunday.

Paramedics also attended and treated a man for head injuries and a stab wound before taking him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 7pm.

Cordons remained in place on Hornchurch High Street on Sunday evening as forensics officers combed the scene for evidence.

The Metropolitan Polices murder squad has been informed, a spokesman said.

Next of kin are in the process of being informed and no arrests have been made, he added.
A n Albanian man has been jailed after admitting a series of sexual attacks against women and at least one teenager on buses in east London.

Giorge Zhukas, 47, sexually assaulted nine females on buses in Walthamstow and Ilford between August 11 and October 16 last year, Scotland Yard said.

One of his victims was a 13-year-old girl, while the oldest was 43.

He was arrested on October 20 after police identified him from CCTV footage on one of the buses.

In four of the offences the quality of the CCTV was so high that the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charging, even though victims had not been identified.

Zhukas, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 18 months at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to nine counts of sexual assault on buses in Waltham Forest and Redbridge, the Met said.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and was told he would be deported after serving his sentence.

Detective Superintendent Adnan Qureshi commended the victims' courage in reporting the crimes.

He said: "Thanks to their selfless actions, this despicable individual has received a lengthy prison sentence and deportation upon his release, which I hope reassures others to come forward in similar circumstances with information that can assist with a conviction."

Siwan Hayward, Transport for London's deputy director of enforcement and on-street operations, added: "We care about our passengers and every journey they make on our transport network. We, alongside the police, are committed to tackling any form of unwanted sexual behaviour on our network."
A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death in an east London park after attending a birthday party last night.

Police said the teenager was pronounced dead at Whipp's Cross Hospital after the attack in Woodford at about 9.40pm.

The boy had been taken to hospital by ambulance after the incident at Ashton playing fields off Chigwell Road, according to the Met.

He is thought to have been attending an organised 16th birthday party for a female friend at a social club at the playing fields.

Police said a "confrontation" between four males and the victim, who was alone, began outside the club.

The boy was then stabbed by one of the males, all four of whom then made off towards Chigwell Road.

Partygoers battled to save the boy before paramedics were called, but he was pronounced dead in hospital at around 10.45pm

Detective Chief Inspector Ken Hughes said: "There were around 100 young people at this party and we are appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses to come forward as soon as possible.

"The victim's family are naturally devastated and in shock by what has happened and we need the help of those at the party that night to progress our investigation."

There have been no arrests.

A total of 15 teenagers were stabbed to death in London last year  the highest figure for seven years.

Police appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 020 8345 3862 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A 16-year-old boy stabbed to death after a birthday party in an east London park has been named locally as Charlie Kutuyampo.

The teenager had been celebrating a girl's 16th birthday on Saturday with around 100 other young people when he got into an argument with a gang of four male youths after leaving the venue on Ashton playing fields, Woodford.

He was stabbed outside the social club by one of the group, who then fled towards Chigwell Road, police said.

Other people at the party tried to save his life before police and paramedics arrived at around 9.40pm, but he died just over an hour later at Whipps Cross University Hospital.

Scotland Yard is yet to confirm the victim's identity but next of kin have been informed and a post mortem is scheduled to take place on Monday.

Hunt: Police and forensics officers were combing the scene for evidence on Sunday afternoon / PA

On Sunday afternoon, grieving friends of Charlie brought flowers and gathered to remember him in a vigil.

He is reported to have attended or recently left King Solomon High School on Forest Road in Ilford.

Investigation: A police officer stands at a cordon at the entrance to Ashton playing fields / PA

A former pupil there, Jodeci Joseph, who was a few years older than Charlie, told Sky News: "He was a very nice boy, very good intentions, very very good intentions. He was very extroverted, very loud, but that is normal for a child to be quite loud.

"Very loud, very energetic, a lot of energy, very happy as well. He was just a very fun guy to be around."

Woodford Murder

No arrests have been made and the killing is being investigated by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command.

DCI Ken Hughes, leading the investigation, said: "There were around 100 young people at this party and we are appealing for anyone with information or any witnesses to come forward as soon as possible.

"The victim's family are naturally devastated and in shock by what has happened and we need the help of those at the party that night to progress our investigation."

Stabbing: A knife found near the scene of the incident / PA

It is the first murder of a teenager in the capital this year, Scotland Yard said.

Nineteen teenagers were murdered in London in 2015, of whom 15 were stabbed to death. Two others were strangled, one suffered head injuries and one died from "other" causes.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8345 3862 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by PA
A n exasperated daughter has created a film to highlight how retired tenants in south London are living in rat-infested conditions.

Maureen Bryan said she brought the cameras into St Mauritius House, a sheltered housing block in Lewisham, because of the heartbreaking squalor residents face.

In comments posted below her YouTube clip, she said she felt compelled to act and wanted to give elderly residents in the home a voice.

Enlisting the help of her son Omari, a London-based filmmaker, Mrs Bryan created a seven-minute video, called Life in St Mauritius House, to document the problems after she felt her complaints to the group that manage the block had fallen on deaf ears.

The 36-flat retirement home is run by Hyde Housing Group after it was built in 1996.

She said residents had become distressed after a rodent infestation broke out six months ago.

She added residents had used their pensions to fund bait and traps with rats, mice and cockroaches a common sight in the building.

One man told her son he had killed between five to seven rats and a female resident said she had paid more than 100 in products to try and get rid of the rodents.

Mrs Bryan said Hyde had hired a pest control firm at some point to combat the infestation but that the situation had become much worse.

St Mauritius House was opened in Lewisham in 1996 / Google Street View

The infestation came among other complaints by residents unhappy with leaky roofs, blocked gutters, overflowing bins and bad lighting inside and outside the building.

In one interview, an elderly woman said it felt as though the residents didnt exist after their complaints seemed to go unnoticed.

A granddaughter of another resident said it was not fair for people who had helped to build London to what it is.

She said: It is not fair and not nice. Im sure they (Hyde) have the resources to deal with this and if not they have to find a solution.

These are people who have helped to build the city and put a lot of work into the economy.

I thought this was a pleasurable place for them to peacefully remain and live but its just causing residents to stress.

She added that while the problems are ongoing Hyde had written to residents to inform them of increased annual service charges.

Narrating the film, Mrs Bryan says: "The tenants feel abandoned and forsaken. They are encouraged to email or call to voice concerns but for too long their pleas have gone unheard.

"At St Mauritius House the level of service falls far short of what anyone at this stage of life should receive."

In a written post, Mrs Bryan said the Hyde Group had not responded to her complaint and those made by Lewisham Council and MP Heidi Alexander.

The housing firm apologised to Mrs Bryan and residents hours after the video was published on Wednesday.

In a comment posted on YouTube, The Hyde Group said: Hi Maureen, further to this video we would like to apologise to the residents of St Mauritius House and let you know what we are doing to put this right as quickly as possible.

A spokeswoman for the Hyde Grpup said most repair issues mentioned the film have already been fixed and the remaining are due for completion by Wednesday.

She said: "We are sorry to hear that residents at St Mauritius House have a number of concerns which have taken time to resolve.

The problems some residents have experienced in relation to rodent infestation are likely to have arisen due to large scale building works in the local area displacing vermin.

"Our contractors have worked to try to eradicate the problem and this week and next week are attending to lay down further bait in common areas and individual flats as necessary.

"Residents will be compensated for any reasonable costs incurred for vermin treatment in their homes during the time it has taken to resolve the current situation. We will make sure we focus effort on ridding the scheme of this problem."

"Overall the scheme is in good order but we are committed to making sure that communication with residents is improved."
H undreds of Tube passengers dropped their trousers for a day of semi-nakedness on the London Underground.

Bewildered Londoners watched on in shock as hordes of undressed revellers boarded trains across the capital on Sunday with only underwear to preserve their modesty below the waist.

The brave passengers were taking part in the annual No Pants Tube Ride, a phenomenon imported from the US, where more than a decade ago seven men threw off their trousers and rode the New York subway for a prank.

In a post on the website of Improv Everywhere, the international organisers said: The idea behind No Pants is simple: Random passengers board a subway car at separate stops in the middle of winter without pants.

The participants behave as if they do not know each other, and they all wear winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves.

"The only unusual thing is their lack of pants.

Twitter user Ben Norris posted: "There are people on the tube wearing #notrousers. I've no idea why. But it's pretty hilarious. Business torso and essentially naked legs."
T he Prime Minister was accused of destroying the welfare state in a musical protest live on The Andrew Marr Show.

The frontman of pop rock band Squeeze changed lyrics in their song Cradle to the Grave while David Cameron watched them play out the credits during the programme on Sunday.

In an apparent reference to the Government's announcement that sink council estates could be bulldozed to make way for better homes, Glenn Tilbrook changed the last verse to:

"I grew up in council houses;

"Part of what made Britain great;

"There are some here who are hell bent;

"On the destruction of the welfare state."

Later the group made reference to the intervention and posted a YouTube link on its official Facebook page.

In case you missed our performance on the Andrew Marr show on BBC1 this morning, complete with a third verse message for the studio guest David Cameron, check out this link.. the band wrote.

It was not clear whether Mr Cameron noticed the protest, as he continued to watch without reacting and applauded when the group had finished playing.

Squeeze were at the peak of their popularity during the 1980s' Thatcher years, with hits including Cool for Cats and Up the Junction.

A BBC spokeswoman said producers had not been aware of Squeeze's protest beforehand.
I talian police have launched a murder enquiry after an American artist was found dead in a flat in Florence.

Artist Ashley Olsen, 35, was found with bruising and scratches on her neck in the flat on Saturday.

She was born in Florida but is thought to have been living in the city for some time.

Officials refused to confirm whether she had been strangled to death, but said she was found with scratch marks and bruising.

Italian media reported that Ms Olsens boyfriend, an Italian artist, became worried when he didn't hear from the woman for a few days and asked the flats owner to open the door.

The body is thought to have been found on the bed in the flat in Florences historic centre.
T wo people have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a teenager from Surrey.

Dominic Bernard, 19, has not been seen since flying to Guyana in South America in October.

A manhunt was launched after he failed to board a flight on November 5 which he had been due to travel on.

Mr Bernard, from Epsom, was in Guyana to visit his godbrother Aaron Hing, 22.

Police have now said that Mr Hing was arrested on Friday night while trying to check into a hotel.

A second suspect was detained by police early on Saturday.

Officials said Mr Hing has admitted being involved in Mr Bernards disappearance.

It comes as police launched a probe into whether a young mans decomposing body found in the Berbice region of the country could be that of Mr Bernard.

In an appeal on social media earlier this month, the teenager's family said: "It would appear that no one picked him up from the airport and that he went missing before he managed to make contact with his friend.

"He didn't take any credit cards with him but was travelling with a large amount of loose cash.

"His family and friends are inevitably extremely worried.

"His father, a Jamaican, is now in Guyana trying to find him but having never been to Guyana before needs all the help he can get."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman told Sky News: "We can confirm that a British national has been reported missing in Georgetown, Guyana.

"Embassy staff are in contact with the local authorities and we are providing consular assistance to the family."


A British mine worker who was thrown out of Kyrgyzstan for a remark about a local delicacy says police warned him he could have sent the country to war with the UK.

Scotsman Michael McFeat, who is now back home in Perthshire, told the Sunday Post newspaper he has been banned from entering the former Soviet country for five years.

Mr McFeat was held by police after posting a picture on Facebook of Kyrgyz co-workers queuing for a "chuchuk" horsemeat sausage, with a caption comparing it with a horse's penis.

He says he believed the traditional dish was actually a horse's penis, but the remark offended and angered his colleagues.

He told the newspaper that he was smuggled out of the Kumtor goldmine after being told an "angry lynch mob" was coming to get him.

After a nine-hour journey, during which he says the vehicle in which he was travelling was "rammed" by two cars, Mr McFeat was arrested by police at Manas Airport in Bishkek, and held under racial hatred laws.

He said: "The police told me my act could send Kyrgyzstan to war with the UK."

Following a court appearance and an apology, Mr McFeat was driven to the airport for a flight to Edinburgh.

"I was told there was a 17-page petition demanding I be jailed and the mine went on strike after I left, so they were making an example of me," Mr McFeat told the paper.

"I've always been up for a joke but this was one time I wasn't joking and it's been blown out of proportion."
I recently read a short overview on Wikipedia of the Hoover Institute, which is a think tank established in the early 1900s by Herbert Hoover and housed on the campus of Stanford University. The Institution was set up by Hoover, one of Stanfords first graduates, who would later become the 31st president of the United States.

Hoover had been in charge of American relief efforts in Europe after World War I. His express purpose for establishing the Institute was to collect the records of contemporary history as it was happening. Hoovers helpers frequently risked their lives to rescue documents and rare printed material, especially from countries under Nazi or Communist rule.

The Hoover Institutions website says: By collecting knowledge, generating ideas, and disseminating both, the Institution seeks to. The website then lists the ideals and objectives of the Institute, which were interesting, but are not the focus of my article today. Rather, Id like to reflect on the value of collecting knowledge, generating ideas and disseminating both in todays fast-paced world. This reflection is stimulated by an experience I had during the Christmas holiday.

On the Tuesday following Christmas, I had the opportunity  rather the privilege  of spending the day with a group of 25 thought-provoking cattlemen for a day of discussion and think time. The group met in a living room of a gracious family and spent the day talking about science, ideas, production practices and questions related to the beef industry.

Although I enjoyed the topics of discussion a great deal, I appreciated the process that took place during the day even more. It was a process rich with idea sharing, appreciation for sound data, collegiality, friendship, mutual respect, admiration for others in the group, intellect, and good will among this group as the discussion took place. I came away from this experience recharged and ready for another year.

I fear that in many cases today, with the immense amount of information available at our fingertips, on our televisions, and other electronic devices, we may miss the opportunity to pause and reflect and really think. It is so easy to be bombarded with information that we miss the importance of thinking. If you will permit me to quote from words of King Solomon in the Bible, I think he expressed this point well when he wrote, With all thy getting get understanding. (Prov. 4:7.) It is certainly easy to get information today, but understanding usually requires much more effort, reflection and experience.

I began this article with a brief overview of the Hoover Institutes mission to gather information and generate ideas. As I begin another year, I have recommitted myself to making the time in my schedule to pause regularly and strive to understand, not just to get. Perhaps we could all benefit by more think time and less information overload in our lives. Have a great 2016!


After graduating from Scottsbluff High School in 2006, Nik Ingersoll used the marketing skills he learned there and at San Diego State University to co-found Candy Lab, an interactive marketing firm. While working at Candy Lab, he designed and created several brands, including the Barnana brand from scratch. He met his business partner Caue Suplicy, who told him about a special banana snack he ate as a child growing up in Brazil. Two years later, they created Barnana. Now, Ingersoll has been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

In an email, Ingersoll said being named to the list was an great honor.

This is definitely something that you hope to achieve being a young entrepreneur, he said. The overall feeling is certainly surreal.

The snacks are made from organic bananas that have been rejected for export because they are imperfect, have scuffs, are a little too ripe or arent the perfect size. Barnanas are made from these imperfect organic bananas that used to be wasted.

Growing up in western Nebraska was a benefit for Ingersoll.

It taught me how to work hard from a young age and have a deep appreciation for nature and food, he said. I grew up in the country so I got to roam around a lot, create art and music, farm and hunt  all of which developed in me both the innate desire to hustle and the unquenchable thirst to create new and different things.

Ingersoll credits his Papa Wilber, who used to own the Skyport Restaurant, and Scottsbluff High School teacher Derek Deaver with helping to foster his entrepreneurial journey in creating new things. Ingersoll described the marketing program at Scottsbluff High School as truly unique.

Most high school students never get to experience business, marketing and entrepreneurship until they get to college, he said. For me, Deaver and DECA helped solidify my path both heading into college and creating new businesses for a living.

In the past year, Ingersolls business has more than doubled. They have expanded into Costco, Canada, Japan and Australia and have introduced new snack-size products. The Barnana line will soon see a new set of products hit the shelves in Target and Kroger and expand at Costco.

Ingersoll plans to raise additional capital to fund the rapid growth rate of the company. They have new investors, including Mark Rampolla, the founder of Zico Coconut Water, who recently sold his company to The Coca-Cola Company.

While he has been busy expanding his business, Ingersoll is trying to stay grounded.

Im just focused on keeping my head to the earth and hustling as hard as possible, he said. Im also pumped to head back to western Nebraska to go bow hunting next season.
Being raised in Nebraska, when I hear the phrase good fences make good neighbors, I understand a little about both. Good neighbor means tending to your neighbors' horses when they are out of town, or knowing what the answer will be when you pull up in the yard and ask to borrow a fence post auger because yours is in the shop. Good neighbors are those who show up by the pickup load to help harvest a crop when there has been an illness or a tragedy in the family.

We also know a thing or two about good fences. Build them strong and straight. Respect whats on both sides. Those fences are there for two reasons, to keep things in and to keep things out, and for crying out loud dont forget to close the gates!

We dont have to talk about good neighbors much in Nebraska. We know one when we see one, same is true of fences, so when TransCanada, in their efforts to ram a 36-inch pipe down our gut, began their multi-million dollar advertising campaign telling us they were our good neighbors, it was enough to make one raise the brim of his hat and say, What?

I get to decide who my good neighbors are, not them! In fact the more they kept telling us they were good neighbors, while at the same time threatening farmers and ranchers with eminent domain proceedings to take some control of their land, it became obvious someone was caught halfway over a barbed wire fence. That someone turned out to be TransCanada.

TransCanada is in the business of managing risk. They put capital at risk building a project in hopes of getting back a profit. I get this. Not so much different than any business, ranch or farm. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Thats how it is. Heck, right in TransCanadas own business ethics handbook it states being a Good Neighbor recognizes that diverse thoughts, opinions and experiences contribute to better decisions and outcomes.

Well, the outcome based on diverse thoughts was that TransCanada lost. They ran into a strong straight fence in Nebraska. Up and down the proposed Keystone XL route farmers and ranchers mobilized, locked arms and took the fight to TransCanada without the help of our governor, our congressmen or senators. This group of Davids took on the Goliath with nothing but courage and conviction under those seed corn caps. Overwhelming odds said the Nebraskans would lose. We didnt, and the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline permit was denied.

So what did our self proclaimed good neighbor do then? Well, this week TransCanada decided to sue the United States asking for the denial to be reversed. And if that is not good-neighborly enough, they filed a separate case saying we violated NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and they want $15 billion dollars from the American taxpayers to cover their potential losses.

Beginning to understand the phrase Good fences make good neighbors a bit more now?

TransCanada never was our good neighbor. The fact is Nebraska was in their way. They wanted to get toxic Diluted Bitumen (DilBit) from Alberta, Canada, to Port Arthur, Texas, and they wanted to put this pipe directly over and in some cases directly through the Ogallala Aquifer. Nebraskans said the risk wasnt worth the reward. And we were right.

Just because we wanted to protect our water and the Sandhills, we stood firm and said no to a foreign corporation that wanted to take some control of our land just so their stockholders could get better dividends, knowing all the time this DilBit would be refined in Texas, then exported onto the world market. And, for that, we get sued?

TransCanada, thats mighty neighborly of you, but if you dont mind I think well just hang onto that $15 billion and stock up on more fence posts, as I am sure youll come knocking again someday. Its the least we can do considering you being a good neighbor and all. Oh!... and please dont forget to shut the gate on your way out!

Do you think we should pay TransCanada $15 billion because their project didnt go through? Let me know at Greg.awtry@starherald.com.
JEFFERSON COUNTY  Tammy Poirrier tread gingerly through what remained of her home, trying to protect a bad knee.

With each step, her foot sank into the carpet, creating a momentary pool, as she decided what could be saved:

The oak curio for sure.

Maybe the antique dresser.

Not the china cabinet, its doors now too warped to close.

Unable to afford a Dumpster, Poirrier and her relatives carried damaged items down a flight of 14 stairs to a fire on her front lawn.

A day later, the remains of a sofa, a dining room table and a plastic toy castle still smoldered, sending white smoke through the trees  a consequence not so much of risk but of faith in predictions about something proving more and more unpredictable: the probability of floods.

Poirriers two-bedroom 1,267-square-foot home on the bank of the Big River towers above her neighbors, resting on recently poured concrete walls and steel beams. After the floods of 2008, she spent roughly $230,000  a combination of insurance, retirement and grant money  rebuilding the structure.

It took three years, but when she finally returned, she felt reassured that the house was more than 10 feet off the ground, 2 feet higher than floodwater had ever risen.

They said it would never flood again, she said.

But three days of pounding rain last month exposed the dubious nature of making such promises amid changing weather patterns, urban sprawl and new levees.

Interstates were submerged. Water treatment plants overwhelmed. Records broken.

As weary homeowners rip up carpets and lug rusted appliances to the curb, new fears have emerged, prompting experts and laymen alike to question policies and guidelines established decades ago.

Maybe, some argue, they should be rewritten.

We are experiencing much larger, much faster and more frequent flooding than weve seen in a long time, said Alton Mayor Brant Walker. Theres something thats definitely different.

Decades of flood plain development have constricted the rivers to a narrow channel walled off by levees, forcing the water to rise rather than spread out. Meanwhile, major rain events are becoming flashier, dumping more water onto an ever-growing area of parking lots and pavement that cant absorb it.

This flash flood on the Mississippi River is an extraordinary wake-up call, said Bob Criss, a hydrogeologist and Washington University professor who has long argued river levees and other structures are increasing the risk of flooding.

He said last months rain made the Mississippi rise uncharacteristically fast, more like a small river responding to a local storm than a massive watershed that historically depends on snow melt and weeks of rain to reach major flood stage.

All that heavy rain had absolutely nowhere to go, so that river had to go up, Criss said. We need to quit pretending its something other than us for causing these problems.

Natures new bar

Of the 61 inches of rain that fell on the St. Louis region last year, 11.54 inches arrived in December, most of it in the final week, surpassing the annual record for rainfall set in 2008.

Thats incredible any time of the year, said Ken Kunkel, a climate scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and North Carolina State University who studies Midwest weather patterns. At the end of December, thats just almost unthinkable to get those kinds of amounts.

The heavy rain so late in the year isnt unprecedented. Before this year, the record flood on the Meramec River watershed in 1982 had a similar characteristic: a strong El Nino weather pattern that swept warmer air from the Pacific over North America.

Theres some El Ninos where we never get wet, said Mark Fuchs, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Weldon Spring. But in this year and 1982, we had very wet Decembers.

Normally, cold air keeps heavy rain storms from forming in the winter months.

Still, connecting the floods to an overriding cause  whether it be El Nino or global warming  is a near impossible task, complicated by numerous variables. But most climatologists agree the planet is warming, resulting in more water in the atmosphere.

This might be an outlier, but obviously it can happen because it happened in the past week, Kunkel said. And the likelihood that it will happen in the future will increase.

A paper published last year correlated an increased frequency of flooding in the Midwest with a larger number of heavy storms.

Its not that the largest flood peaks have been getting larger but that weve been experiencing a larger number of flood events, said Gabriele Villarini, one of the papers authors and an assistant professor of Hydroscience & Engineering at the University of Iowa. We related the observed changes in the frequency of flooding to the observed changes in heavy rainfall.

For the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, those claims are more than theoretical.

We are seeing more intense, shorter duration storms, said Executive Director Brian Hoelscher. Mother Nature is kind of setting a new bar here.

MSD is spending some $100 million on green infrastructure, mainly in the city, that can better absorb stormwater flows.

Those efforts, however, dont go far enough, said Heather Navarro, director of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. St. Louis needs a regional effort to reduce impervious surface and stormwater flows.

The amount of precipitation this region is going to be getting is going to be higher than its getting now, she said.

That increased precipitation has also reignited an old debate.

Pointing fingers

Down a gravel road next to a cornfield, a cluster of bungalows overlooks a horseshoe-shaped bend on the Big River, a 56-mile tributary to the Meramec River.

The so-called clubhouses  constructed half a century ago as vacation homes for the working class  are now mostly inhabited by a close-knit group of people well aware that their fate depends on the flood gauge at Byrnes Mill.

We always use that to see how the river is doing, said Stephen Lorts. Its always worked perfect.

Until now.

All the rain came down so fast, their computer things couldnt get it right, Lorts said, adding that he evacuated just in time.

Lorts, 57, and his brother John, 60, grew up here, and could recall the exact spots the river reached in previous floods. But they had seen nothing like the chest-high water line engraved on the walls of their two homes  the contents of which had either been fed to a fire or tossed in a Dumpster.

To them, the cause was so obvious a child could figure it out: levees.

All they do is push the water everywhere else, Stephen Lorts said. Its got to go somewhere.

The discussion surrounding the impact of levees stretches back decades, but the recent floods have provided new ammunition to arguments for the preservation of undeveloped flood plains.

I think it really points to the importance of hanging on whatever flood plain youve got left, said John Posey, research director of regional planner East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

Criss believes that some of the Meramecs flooding can be traced to a single development: the Valley Park levee, built in 2005.

Flood levels in Valley Park were almost 4.5 feet above the last big Meramec River flood in 1982. Downstream in Arnold, they were nearly 2 feet higher than 1993.

But in Pacific, upstream from Valley Park, the Meramec River didnt break its 1982 record.

Theres a few things going on, but the greatest magnification of the flood is right at Valley Park, and I think those effects spread to both Eureka and Arnold, Criss said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the Valley Park Levee, maintains theres no evidence that the structure exacerbated downstream flooding, as it only raises river levels by 4 inches for 7.5 miles upstream.

The levee was completed in 2006, and during this flood event performed as designed and has no impact on the river levels downstream (toward Arnold), said corps spokesman Rene Poche in a statement.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon seemed to agree that the flooding was more an act of God than man.

What happened on the Meramec and these areas here doesnt have a lot to do with dikes or dams in South Dakota or how the Mississippi River is managed, Nixon said. It happened because a unique weather pattern dropped over 10 inches of rain in a short period of time in hill country with thin soil, and when that happens youre going to have floods, and theres not a lot you can do about that.

In the aftermath of the 2015 deluge, some entities have hinted that they may seek the very protection others argue adds to the vulnerability.

MSD paid the price for building two sewer treatment plants in the Meramecs flood plain in Fenton and Valley Park. Both flooded.

Hoelscher said the district has little choice but to rebuild the treatment plants at their current locations, near customers and in the direction which sewage flows  downhill.

To protect the reconstructed plants, MSD is considering adding to the height of its treatment plant levee in Fenton and building a new levee around the Valley Park plant.

Relief valves

On the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, authorities must maintain and strengthen existing levees protecting heavily developed areas, Posey said. Most of the Metro East, for example, is in a flood plain.

But other areas could be ripe for relief valves, similar to the Birds Point Levee in Southeast Missouri  part of which the corps dynamited in 2011 to save the Illinois town of Cairo from flooding.

There is a strategy where you could allow some areas to be flooded under certain conditions, said Todd Strole, a St. Louis-based associate director of flood plain management for the Nature Conservancy. But when theyre not in flood, they could be used for agricultural use, or they could be used for recreational use.

And new river management techniques may offer more than flood mitigation.

One proposal suggests paying farmers for storing floodwater when river levels rise, catching nutrient-rich sediment that would fertilize crops and reduce runoff that contributes to the massive dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

Managing lots of water is a better problem than managing too little, said Derek Hoeferlin, an assistant professor of architecture at Washington University who developed water management strategies in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Its just a shame to say that it all gets shot down the river, Hoeferlin said. Were constantly battling it, and thats a 20th century Corps of Engineers mentality.

Im done

As Tammy Poirrier pulled canned goods out of a saturated pantry, an insurance adjuster made his way through her home, sizing up damaged drywall, appliances and cabinets. His calculations would be entered in a database that spits out numbers based on labor rates and material costs in a given ZIP code.

Todd Sams, who works for a private company compiling estimates for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, had been in the business for more than a decade and knew his role: to provide facts, not comfort.

Other government employees, he said, would arrive with water, hugs and false hope, telling Poirrier that everything would be OK.

But everything was not going to be OK. A long journey lay ahead.

They are changing the flood maps because of urban sprawl, Sams said. That is what is causing this. ... You talk to farmers who say, Its never flooded here. Well, you didnt have a Walmart five miles up the road. ... 100-year flood, 500-year flood, 1,000-year flood, what does that mean? Those terms, as far as Im concerned, are somewhat antiquated.

Poirrier bought the home about 15 years ago from her grandfather. She knows it was questionable to spend approximately $230,000 restoring and elevating a property probably worth half of that amount.

But construction costs have a way of ballooning, and some things are more valuable than money. She recalled swimming in the river on weekends as a child and harvesting tomatoes out of the fertile soil.

As she stood in her kitchen, her cheeks flushed, an allergic reaction to the mold spores in the air. She did her best to hold it together and brace for a familiar experience. In three or four months, she hoped, the house would again be habitable.

Only this time, instead of moving back in, she planned to stick a for sale sign in the front yard.

Im done, she said.

Editor's note: This story has been changed to reflect that MSD doesn't have an existing levee protecting its treatment plant in Valley Park.
With their own muscle and help from platoons of volunteers, victims of the recent flood spent much of last week hauling soggy debris out of their homes.

Hopes for quickly repairing their lives hinge on two questions: Did they have flood insurance, and did they have enough of it?

Joe Nelson didnt. His little wood-frame home in Eureka had 20 inches of water in the first floor. When the water went down, he called his insurance company. They said there was nothing they could do for me, he said.

Nelson rents the house from his 97-year-old grandfather. Nelson had a renters insurance policy, but standard policies dont cover flood damage. To get coverage, renters must buy a separate policy.

His grandfather had a homeowners policy, but standard policies also exclude floods. It takes a separate flood policy, bought through the National Flood Insurance Program, and his grandfather didnt have it.

As a renter, Nelson could just walk away, but he wont do that to his grandfather. So, he spent last week ripping out wet drywall and flooring.

Nelson is a tall, strapping man who works in construction. I can do all the work myself, he said. But he thinks hell spend $10,000 on materials  and untold hours of labor  repairing the mess and replacing appliances.

Neither state nor federal officials could say how many of the 7,100 buildings damaged by water have flood coverage. But the raw coverage numbers are not encouraging for flood-damaged communities.

In Eureka, there were 44 flood policies in the entire town, according to data from the National Flood Insurance Program. Arnold has 94. Hard-hit Pacific has 202 policies.

By late last week, the low-lying streets of Pacific were lined with piles of busted drywall, wrecked appliances, soggy clothing and furniture  all dragged from the modest houses of the neighborhood.

The flood surrounded Peggy and Steve Flannerys two-story house and filled the basement, just missing the first floor. But the water swamped the living quarters at two rental houses they own on the same block.

The wrecked rental homes were our retirement nest egg, she said, and they have no flood insurance on their properties. Why not? They were paid for, she said.

Mortgage lenders require flood coverage in special flood hazard areas. These are generally 100-year flood zones  places with a 1 percent chance of flooding in any year. A few lenders require coverage in 500-year zones.

But owners often drop flood coverage when their mortgages are gone, and some homeowners with mortgages manage to drop coverage without their lenders noticing.

Ive had a lot of people say they reduced their flood insurance, and then they got flooded, said Steve Parker, a Shelter Insurance agent whose own Eureka office was flooded. He has plenty of flood insurance.

Peggy Flannery decided not to get flood coverage after hearing that a neighbor was paying $6,000 a year  an amount that flood insurance experts say is indeed possible. When he told me that, I didnt even look into it, she said.

Now Flannery is wondering how shell afford to repair her houses. I cant get a loan because Id have to get flood insurance, and its sky high, she said.

The National Flood Insurance Program publishes rates for homes in low- and moderate-risk areas. Coverage would cost about $455 a year for a $150,000 house.

But rates are higher in the 100-year flood plain, where costs are set by elevation and type of house.

It can vary tremendously. It can be up to thousands of dollars, said Tim Weyerich, Midwest regional director for Aon, an insurance firm.

Premiums are going up considerably, said Patty Templeton Jones, executive vice president at Wright Flood, one of the largest writers of flood policies.

A 2012 law attempted to make premiums cover the actual cost of federal insurance. But premiums rose so sharply on some high-risk properties that Congress in 2014 capped annual hikes at 18 percent for primary homes. Premiums on rentals and second homes can rise at 25 percent a year.

Virginia Carmier, who is retired on disability, was walking with a cane outside the wreck of her small ranch home in Pacific last Wednesday. She has a mortgage, so she has flood coverage, for which she pays $900 a year.

But she was still worried. An insurance adjuster came by, Carmier said, but gave no firm answers on how much she would be paid or when.

Ive got so much going through my mind. Im afraid Ill have to fight with the flood insurance company, she said. Give me a break.

Actually, Carmier was indeed getting a break. A troop of volunteers from the Southern Baptist Convention was in her home, pumping out water and pulling out wallboard before mold could set in.

Across Pacific and Eureka, flood victims said that the first substantial help they received came from groups of volunteers, largely from churches, who helped with the cleanup.

They were an army of angels, said Diana Scheuer, a Eureka homeowner, who had her flooded basement cleaned by members of Central Baptist Church.

LIMITED FEDERAL HELP

People without flood coverage can hope that President Barack Obama will declare the flood zones a federal disaster area. That would open the door to a grant program for flood victims. But the average grant is only $2,500, said a spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and it wont replace flood insurance.

A disaster declaration would also offer-low interest loans from the Small Business Administration for homeowners, renters and businesses. The SBA will make loans of up to $200,000 on damaged homes at 2 percent interest, and loans of up to $40,000 for personal property. The only requirement is that the borrower has the ability to repay.

State and federal officials were assessing the damage last week to determine if the region qualifies as a disaster area.

In floods, the first financial help that victims receive often comes from the place theyd least expect it.

I cant tell you how many times someone has told me that the first money they actually saw was from the IRS, said Ed Thomas, a former federal disaster official who now heads the Natural Hazard Mitigation Association.

The tax code allows a deduction for disaster losses, generating a big refund check. For a middle-income person, that can be a significant chunk of change, Thomas said. It could come soon  tax filing season begins later this month.

Some homeowners may get a shock when they apply for building permits. If a home suffers damage equaling half its value, federal rules require that it be flood proofed, or elevated out of the 100-year risk level, says Thomas. Thats often done by putting the building on stilts.

Local towns must enforce those rules to stay in the National Flood Insurance Program.

The flood swamped some homes that were outside the 100-year flood hazard area. In some cases, they created a different kind of insurance claim  for sewer backup.

I was here 37 years, and I never got a drop. Then this one kicked my butt, said John Gunter. His house backs on a steep hill above a small creek. The creek climbed the hill, drowned his backyard shed and lapped against the homes foundation.

But the water actually came in through the basement sewer. Gunter and his wife tried to plug the drains, then started hauling water in five-gallon buckets up the stairs.

His neighbors along White Doe Court found sewer water welling up from both drains and overflowing toilets.

Gunter lost his battle of the buckets and found 4 feet of water in the finished basement, wrecking bedrooms, swamping a $3,000 mattress, ruining flooring, walls, the electrical system, washer and dryer.

His house isnt in a flood hazard zone, so Gunter didnt get flood insurance. His homeowners policy covers sewer backup, but only up to $5,000.

My washer and dryer and mattress cost more than that, he said.

He was luckier than other homeowners. A standard homeowners policy does not cover overflowing sewers. Homeowners must buy a special endorsement, costing about $50 a year.

The recent mess might improve business for insurance agents, who sell national flood insurance.

We got a lot of calls from people asking, How do I get flood coverage, because this one came close, said Parker, the insurance agent.
The music of Olivier Messiaen doesnt qualify as easy listening, but it is rich, dense and rewarding. On Jan. 16, St. Louisans have an opportunity to hear one of his most interesting scores, Des canyons aux etoiles... (From the Canyons to the Stars...), performed by David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

It will be accompanied by a world-premiere visual setting, and preceded by a lecture-demonstration by Robertson and the orchestra. Canyons, which was written about American national parks, is being heard in the centenary of the founding of the National Park Service. Its one of the SLSOs most important projects this season. They will play it here and on their upcoming California tour; Robertson will also take the production to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Messiaen (1908-1992) was the most important French composer of the 20th century. He followed no school of composition and founded none, but his music has been widely influential nevertheless. His scores are informed by the songs of the birds he loved, by Eastern rhythms, and by his own deep Roman Catholic faith. Messiaen had sound-color synesthesia: he saw particular colors when he heard particular sounds, and his musical palette reflects that in sometimes surprising ways.

Canyons was commissioned for the U.S. bicentennial. In 1972, Messiaen and his wife, pianist Yvonne Loriod, visited Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks and Cedar Breaks National Monument. They climbed trails from the floors of the canyons to their tops, taking in the beauty of the rock structures, then looked up to see the stars.

The problem, says Robertson, is getting audiences to connect the music with the physical beauty that Messiaen describes in his work. Too few people, in any of the countries where hes performed it, have any personal acquaintance with the parks. Robertson thinks hes solved that problem for the concert hall.

He turned to San Francisco-based photographer Deborah OGrady to photograph the sites. As a landscape photographer, its been probably the most challenging assignment of my career, she says. Its also the most satisfying. I studied music, although I dont compose myself; I live with a family of composers. (A onetime graduate student in composition, shes married to composer John Adams, and is the mother of composer Samuel Adams.)

At this point, OGrady has been living with Canyons for three years, listening to all the interpretations she could find, including an archival recording of Robertson conducting the Juilliard Orchestra, and, in Paris, talking with Claude Samuel, who interviewed Messiaen. Then she starting traveling.

I took a preliminary trip into that region, she says. I had never been to those national parks, even though I live in the West. She likes solitude, she explains, and the parks are far more crowded today than they were when Messiaen visited. I went back and forth, looking at the imagery I was slowly accruing, listening to the score.

A real event

Canyons is one of those pieces thats a real event, says Robertson, who has performed it for almost three decades. Its from the period where he hit the maximum of his connection with classic modern-sounding music. One of the things that confused people when this came out, in 1974, was this combination of his densely argued chromaticism with these incredible moments of childlike simplicity. Its this contrast which makes perfect sense once youve seen the landscape, because it is both fantastical and the result of complex geological forces, and yet incredibly innocent and beautiful. It all comes together in Messiaens use of birdsong, where the birds are a real demonstration of divinity, in a palpable way. Messiaen, Robertson says, being all-embracing in his Catholicism, in the penultimate movement, has birds from all over the world. Its as if to say, The space between these incredible canyons and the amazing stars is populated by this whole heaven of birds.

The 90-plus-minute work is divided into three main sections, with a total of 12 movements. There are major solos for piano and French horn, and a focus on a pair of keyed percussion instruments, the glockenspiel and xylorimba. Theres a great deal of percussion, and individual lines for all of the instruments.

Amazing desert

Robertson knew the parks as well as he knew the music, and hed always envisioned having the chance to do this piece with people seeing what it was talking about, OGrady notes. I really started at the beginning, with the short opening movement, Le Desert.Messiaen wrote a text prologue for each movement, in which he speaks about what has inspired him, usually biblical or in some way related to his very fervid Catholicism she says. The desert is a place where the soul opens up to the universe. Its a place of struggle  Christ going out in the desert, the Desert Fathers  so I began in the desert.

For OGrady, the desert was this amazing place at the very end of Death Valley, on the way to Utah. I stopped at a tiny town called Shoshone, in one of those cinderblock motels. In the motel was a Xeroxed flier for the Amargosa River Preserve, a bird sanctuary, in this desert town. The first thing I did was to go out the next morning very early for a walk.

An underground river flows through the desert. You know its there because the plants are there, with their roots in the river, OGrady says. Its a stunning place full of birds that you couldnt see  but you could hear their songs. It was a place that Messiaen would have loved. I think the images will be surprising to people.

Weighed, found wanting

The third movement is called Ce qui est ecrit sur les etoiles (What is written in the stars). There, Messiaen worked with the story of the hand writing on the wall, from the Book of Daniels story of Belshazzars Feast. The message translates to You have been weighed and found wanting. The composer, OGrady says, had a technique of assigning a sonority or a chord to a letter of the alphabet, and literally spelled out those words.I really felt that the writing on the wall for us at this moment is the environmental crisis that we appear to be in the middle of. Every once in a while in this piece, I bring in images from 1972, with no tourists there. Today, millions visit; its crowded and theres trash all over. Theres a lot of pressure on the environment.

She adds, I had to think that if Messiaen had been here now, he would have felt differently about seeing these things, and how theyre treated. Because Im an artist in the 21st century, I couldnt pretend I was doing a piece about places where there is no human footprint.

As free as birdsong

Its a difficult piece for the players; Robertson says hes particularly happy that Peter Henderson, a familiar presence at Powell Hall, is taking the piano part. You really need a pianist who knows how to be both a soloist and completely part of a group. Peter has unbelievable accompanying chops. Principal horn Roger Kaza will also take a leading role.

OGrady confesses that it took her a while to become comfortable with Canyons. I dont think its an easy piece on first listen, especially on a recording. I think in live performance it will be thrilling.

After spending hours on the score with him, she says, What I love about Davids interpretation is that he knows the music so intensely well, so incredibly well. It has the feeling of nature, of being in nature. He says, Its birdsong; it has to be free. Its spacious. David performed this piece with Messiaens advice; he has a sense of the spiritual and natural images that Messiaen wanted to convey, from his friendship and knowledge of the composer himself.

OGrady is not a fan of video in live performance if it doesnt help it. I think (Canyons) will be a powerful experience, she says. Rather than one of those things where you watch the movie and then realize you didnt really hear the music, all along my intention was that you would (get) both.

David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: From the Canyons to the Stars...

When  8 p.m. Jan. 16

Where  Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard

How much  $29-$109
You cant keep a good ceiling down.

When famed sculptor Isamu Noguchi was called in 1946 by architect Harris Armstrong to create a panel for the lobby of the Magic Chef offices in south St. Louis, no one knew the entire building would be turned into storage bins and a drop ceiling would hide the masters work.

But after more than 35 years of literal obscurity, Noguchis notable example of midcentury modern art will soon be accessible to the art lover, or at least to art lovers doing rental business.

Steve Langford is president of U-Haul Co. of St. Louis, which bought the then-vacant building at 1641 South Kingshighway in 1977. He said renovation work in the lobby has just begun.

Were expanding the retail space and we need to redo the heating and ventilation and take out old ductwork. And to do that, we have to take down the old (drop) ceiling. So why not expose the classic ceiling? said Langford, who said the project should be done by June.

Magic Chef traces its roots to the 1880s, when John Ringen, George Kahle and brothers Charles and Louis Stockstrom started what became American Stove Co. in 1901. (Note: It is Charles Stockstroms house on Russell Boulevard that is known as the Magic Chef Mansion.)

The company began selling its stoves under the trade name Magic Chef in 1929, but did not change the company name until 1951.

But in the 1950s, the company closed its St. Louis plants and then sold the company in 1958. When U-Haul purchased the office building, it had sat vacant for at least 10 years.

Langford said the exterior was sheathed in brick and the interior was modernized with lower ceilings and divided into storage bins.

Obviously, thats not how we would do it if that was happening today, he said. But thats how things were done in 1977.

And what better time to raise further the awareness of midcentury modern art, which has been given a tall pedestal in St. Louis with the 50th anniversary of the Gateway Arch?

Designed by Eero Saarinen, whose family was crucial in the develop of the artistic style, the Archs no-frills grandeur and stark geometric presence help define the art form that thrived from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Coincidentally, one of the finalists in the Arch design competition was Armstrong, who is arguably St. Louis most accomplished modernist architect. His Shanley Building in Clayton (1935) was awarded a silver medal in an international exposition; and the Magic Chef building received national press coverage. The Ethical Society in Ladue (1964) is his most familiar local work.

The Arch anniversary also underscores the current St. Louis Art Museum exhibition, St. Louis Modern, which pays tribute to many artists, including both Armstrong and Noguchi for their Magic Chef work and other contributions.

David Conradsen and Genevieve Cortinovis, who curated the exhibit, are pleased U-Haul will reveal Noguchis ceiling.

Its nice to have an enlightened CEO at U-Haul, to enter into this restoration, Conradsen said, noting that Armstrong also designed a home in Sunset Hills for Magic Chef chief Arthur Stockstrom in 1949.

Cortinovis said the Magic Chef ceiling is one of three panels Noguchi created as lunars, with the moonscape feel inspired in part by Noguchis time in 1942 at a Japanese internment camp in Arizona. The others were a ceiling at the Time-Life Building in New York and a wall for the S.S. Argentina ocean liner.

This is the only surviving of the three, Cortinovis said.
The Supreme Court is set to consider this month whether Congress went too far in mandating that billions of dollars in Iranian assets seized in the United States go to Americans who suffered from state-sponsored terrorism.

The beneficiaries would be 1,300 Americans who were wounded by or are survivors of those killed in terrorist attacks, kidnappings and bombings guided by the Iranian government, the plaintiff group says in court documents.

Those terrorist attacks include the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing, in which suicide bombers detonated a truck bomb and unleashed the largest non-nuclear explosion that had ever been detonated on the face of the earth, killing 241 American servicemen, and wounding dozens more, the plaintiffs told the court.

But even if the Supreme Court ultimately rules in their favor and against the central bank of Iran, not all of the terrorism victims will benefit.

Dozens of those whose names are etched into the memorial at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina honoring the peacekeeping forces who died are not represented in the lawsuits, and they will receive nothing.

Despite their equal and shared sacrifice, some injured servicemembers and families and other victims stand to receive millions of dollars in compensation, while many others are unlikely to ever receive so much as a penny, attorneys for some of the victims families wrote in an unsuccessful bid to intervene in the current case. This inequitable arrangement should not  and need not  stand.

Representatives of 173 of the 241 killed in Beirut are included in the judgment at issue in the Supreme Court case.

Some of the missing families appear to not want any part of the litigation, but R. Paul Hart and Jeremy McKenzie of Savannah, Ga., are representing 11 estates that do. Along with other lawyers, they tracked down families that were not part of the successful lawsuits in Washington and New York.

Their clients have just started the years-long process of suing the Islamic Republic of Iran. The problem is that there have already been judgments of nearly $10 billion levied against Iran, while the assets identified in the United States that could be for compensation would cover only a fraction of that amount.

If the Supreme Court rejects the Iranian banks objections, the seized funds will be distributed quickly. The money will be gone in short order, said Hart.

The justices are not deciding who should be compensated but whether anyone should.

President Barack Obama froze Iranian assets in this country in 2012. When those who had secured judgments against Iran learned of bonds held by the government in a New York bank, they went after them. And Congress passed a law in the midst of the litigation that essentially said the victims were entitled to the funds.

In Bank Markazi v. Peterson, the bank says the law violates the separation of powers doctrine: Congress cannot dictate the outcome of a federal lawsuit. But a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit disagreed, saying that the law did not intrude on the central work of the courts.

The justices may be relieved that they are being called upon to decide the constitutional issue rather than who should get the money. All of the families suffered the same numbing losses, and it would be difficult to portray those who pursued the case for more than a decade as greedy, or those who only recently filed suit as opportunistic.

Deborah Peterson of Arlington, Va., is the lead plaintiff among those who won judgments against Iran, and she said in 2003 that she intended to avenge the death of her brother, Marine Cpl. James Knipple, 20.

I want Iran to hurt, she said at the beginning of testimony before U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth. They made us hurt.

Years of litigation and work paid off when courts found that Iran played a role in the bombing and years later ruled that the identified Iranian assets could be used to partially cover the judgments the families had received. The so-called Peterson plaintiffs said it would be unfair for others to jump in when they were on the brink of success.

Those lawyers were reluctant to discuss the case but opposed the proposed intervenors in a court filing.

Over the past 13-plus years, while plaintiffs were expending many millions of dollars in attorney time and millions more in expenses in pursuit of their judgments against Iran and in connection with efforts to enforce those judgments, the proposed intervenors have sat on their rights, the lawyers said.

U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest agreed it would be manifestly unjust to the Peterson plaintiffs to allow others into the suit at such a late date.

John Relvas, the lead plaintiff among the intervenors, said that what he found unjust was that not all were represented. There are 241 names on the memorial, he said in an interview. They should all be included.

Relvas, like Peterson, also lost a brother in the attack. Rui Relvas had always wanted to be a Marine  its all he ever talked about, back from the time we played G.I. Joe together, John Relvas said  and followed his brother into service as soon as he graduated from high school.

John Relvas was stationed in California; Rui Relvas went to Beirut.

In his affidavit, John Relvas said he had identified the body: My brother came home in pieces. He knew it was Rui only because of a scar on his brothers knee from a childhood bicycle accident.

Relvas said he was never contacted to join the Peterson suit or any others, and knew nothing about the litigation. He thought it was a prank when McKenzie and Hart called him. Dont you think we would have wanted to be part of it? he asked.

The Relvas plaintiffs have dropped their appeal of Forrests decision and are in the process of seeking judgments against Iran in Lamberths courtroom. Iran has never responded or defended itself in any of the lawsuits.

Then another search for Iranian assets would commence. Or Hart and McKenzie hope that Congress, which lately has shown an interest in compensating terrorism victims, might find a solution for the new plaintiffs.
Wellesbourne Airfield

Coercive and controlling behaviour can include the abuser preventing their victim from having friendships or hobbies, refusing them access to money and determining many aspects of their everyday life, such as when they are allowed to eat and sleep.

There have been a number of laws which cover violence, stalking and harassment, but this is the first that places emphasis on actions that can dominate a victim's life.

The victim told the Herald: Looking back, I dont know how I managed as I was on constant high alert, always assessing, always planning, always appeasing  just surviving, not living. I finally left when the abuse became physical, if this law had been in place when I was being coerced and controlled it may never have become physical.

It is believed there are around 9,000 victims of domestic violence and abuse each year in Warwickshire  a figure that does not take into account children in violent relationships.

Warwickshire County Council has been carrying out an anonymous online survey to try to get a true picture of the scale and effect of domestic violence.

The findings will be published early in the new year as part of a Domestic Violence and Abuse Needs Assessment. The council said the survey, which closed on Sunday, will give it a better understanding og the needs of those affected to ensure services are as effective as possible.

Cllr John Horner, the councils portfolio holder for community safety, said: Sadly, we know the 9,000 figure is likely to be an under-estimate as many people dont come forward and some dont recognise their experiences as domestic violence and abuse.

With such grave statistics it is vital that we do all we can to understand the experiences of those living with violence and abuse in order to improve the support and protection we provide and prevent future harm.

Taranjit Chana, senior client services manager for the Home Group, Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Service, said of the new law: We hope it will support individuals to become more confident in reporting the abuse.
Wellesbourne Airfield

Our special events and themed days are especially popular and over 2016 we have even more to offer  we truly are a day-long destination with a huge amount to keep families entertained, whatever the weather.

Work on extending the line towards Broadway is pressing ahead with two platforms almost completed and a brand new signal box finished, on the site of the original Broadway station.

The station building is now being constructed while significant work has been completed on bridges, embankments, culverts, drainage and track laying.

The plan is to open Broadway station for the 2018 season providing the organisation secures the 1 million it needs to carry finish the work.
(PRWEB) January 09, 2016

In a new collection released today, Lonely Planet names 31 of the best new openings and attractions this year has to offer. New in Travel is a free ebook available at lonelyplanet.com/new-in-travel-2016 featuring 2016's most exciting travel experiences from all over the world.

The travel experts at Lonely Planet scoured the globe to discover the latest, most cutting-edge experiences to create this year's New in Travel list, now in its second year. The ebook encourages travelers to kick the year off right, providing the inspiration and information they need to choose their next vacation destination. Each attraction included has been recently opened or is due to open this year, giving ambitious travelers the opportunity to be among the first to be there and stay ahead of the travel curve.

Experiences vary from the extreme  zip-lining Cuba's Valle de Vinales, deep sea diving in Singapore, volcano climbing in Nicaragua and jetting across Japan in a new bullet train  to the artistic  exploring indoor and outdoor art installations, openings and extensions, like London's Tate Modern and the all-new Louvre Abu Dhabi. From the solemn  Albania's ghost island and Guadeloupe's slavery museum  to the silly  a Mamma Mia! restaurant in Stockholm and a Dr Seuss Museum in Massachusetts.

With attractions and adventures to appeal to every taste, New in Travel outlines where to go, when to go and why each of the 31 experiences made it on Lonely Planet's radar this year.

Lonely Planet's New in Travel Top 10:

1. Nicaragua: Climb Nicaragua's tallest active volcano  Center for Extreme Tourism, Chinandega  October 2015

2. Japan: Zoom along northern Japan's new bullet train route  Hokkaido Shinkansen  Spring 2016

3. Rwanda: Spot newly introduced lions in the Akagera National Park  Early 2016

4. St Helena, British Territories: Be among the first to fly to St Helena  Mid-2016

5. United Arab Emirates: Be awed by the brand-new Louvre Abu Dhabi  2016

6. Italy: Walk on water at The Floating Piers art installation on Lake Iseo  June 2016

7. Panama: Experience an even bigger Panama Canal with a $5 billion expansion  April 2016

8. Australia: Glow among desert flowers in Australia's spiritual heart at the Field of Light installation in Uluru  April 1 2016 - March 31 2017

9. USA: Scamper around the world's first Dr Seuss Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts  June 2016

10. Indonesia: Luxuriate on Gili Meno's island retreat, BASK  2016

For more on the latest openings and travel updates, visit http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news and follow on Twitter @lptravelnews.

To learn more about what's new in 2016, Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2016 is now available on http://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel.

About Lonely Planet:

Lonely Planet is the world's leading travel media company, providing inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, Lonely Planet has cultivated a dedicated traveler community and printed more than 130 million books in 13 different languages to most destinations on the planet. The Lonely Planet ecosystem also includes digital and mobile apps, a comprehensive ebook portfolio, 12 international magazines, an award-winning website and over 8.5 million followers on social media. Visit us at lonelyplanet.com, and join us on Facebook (facebook.com/lonelyplanet), Twitter (@lonelyplanet and #lp) and Instagram (instagram.com/lonelyplanet).

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/01/prweb13156105.htm
LONDON (Reuters) - Two Britons were jailed on Friday after being arrested in Hungary where they were suspected of heading to Syria, in breach of strict travel constraints because they had convictions for terrorism offences.

Trevor Brooks, 40, and Simon Keeler, 44, both well-known Islamists, were detained near Hungary's Romanian border in November having left Britain without informing the British authorities six days earlier.

They were extradited back to Britain and pleaded guilty the following day to breaching notification requirements under counter-terrorism laws. On Friday, they were sentenced for two years in prison at London's Old Bailey court.

"They're yet to give us any indication as to why they left the UK and were traveling across Hungary, although clearly our concern is that they may have been trying to get to Syria," said Detective Chief Superintendent Terri Nicholson.

"We will continue to investigate and if we find any evidence of further offences, then we will look to prosecute."

Brooks, also known as Abu Izzadeen, is one of Britain's most high-profile radical Islamist preachers, and rose to prominence in 2006 when he publicly heckled the then Home Secretary (interior minister), John Reid, in front of television cameras.

He and Keeler were jailed for more than four years in 2008 for raising funds for terrorism and inciting people to fight British and U.S. forces in Iraq.

Their jailing comes in a week when Britain's border checks have come in for heavy criticism over the case of a Briton, now suspected of being an Islamic State executioner, who slipped out of the country despite being on police bail after having been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Police sent a letter to Siddharta Dhar, suspected of being a masked militant who appears in the latest murder propaganda video from the Islamic State group, asking him to hand over his passport six weeks after he had left for Syria.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Stephen Addison)
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's foreign minister on Sunday summoned the German ambassador to a meeting over what his department called "anti-Polish comments by German politicians," the conservative Warsaw government's latest broadside at Berlin.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Artur Dmochowski said German envoy Rolf Nikel had received a "polite invitation" to a meeting with Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski at midday on Monday.

"It's not about one concrete comment, there are quite a few of them," he told TVN24 news channel.

Poland's relations with both Germany and the European Union (EU) have deteriorated since the Law and Justice (PiS) party won elections last October on a platform advocating conservative Catholic values and euroscepticism.

The PiS has sought to put public media under direct government control and change the makeup of the constitutional court, prompting protests and accusations from rights activists that it is undermining democratic checks and balances.

European Parliament President Martin Schulz compared the actions of the Polish government with those of Russian President Vladimir Putin in comments to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on Sunday.

"The Polish government sees their election success as giving them a mandate to put the will of the successful party, whether on policy or personnel, above that of the interest of the state. That is a type of Putin-style managed democracy, a dangerous 'Putinisation' of European politics," he said.

A week ago, Gunther Oettinger, the German EU commissioner responsible for the digital economy and society, said that Warsaw should be put under the EU's rule-of-law supervision.

On Saturday, Poland's justice minister dismissed Oettinger's call as "silly" in a confrontational letter, questioning Berlin's own record on media freedoms and alluding to Nazi Germany's occupation of Poland in World War Two.

The European Commission is to hold a "political debate" on the rule of law in Poland on Jan. 13, reflecting growing concern the PiS government is eroding democracy in the EU's largest eastern member state.

Until recently, Poland was seen as a poster child for post-communist transformation.

Last week, Poland invited the European Commission's Warsaw representative to the foreign ministry to discuss EU concerns, which the government says are groundless.

(Reporting by Adrian Krajewski and Pawel Florkiewicz in Warsaw and John O'Donnell in Frankfurt; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
By Seyhmus Cakan

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - Security forces killed 32 Kurdish militants in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast at the weekend, army and security sources said on Sunday, escalating the conflict in the region.

It was one of the bloodiest weekends since the three-decades-old Kurdish insurgency resumed last July, wrecking a peace process launched by Ankara with the jailed leader of the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in late 2012.

Weekend media reports said Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told a closed-door meeting of his ruling AK Party that security operations and curfews in the region would end within a week, but he said on Sunday there was no such timescale.

"We will pursue our anti-terror fight with great determination until...our mountains, plains and towns are cleansed of these killers," he said in a televised speech at the end of the meeting.

In the region's largest city, Diyarbakir, a soldier and a police officer were killed on Sunday when they came under explosives and rifle fire in a clash with rebels in which 14 security personnel were also wounded, security sources said.

Gunfire and blasts could be heard echoing around the heavily damaged historical district of Sur where the clash occurred.

Since the PKK launched its insurgency in 1984, fighting has been largely in the countryside, but the latest violence has focused on urban areas, where the PKK youth wing has set up barricades and dug trenches to keep security forces out.

Civilians have been caught in the middle. According to figures from the pro-Kurdish HDP party, 81 civilians have been killed in Sur and two towns near the Syrian and Iraqi borders since they were placed under 24-hour curfew last month.

Thousands of people have left their homes in the towns. Residents complain of indiscriminate operations and say the curfews have even prevented the sick from getting to hospital.

On Saturday, 16 rebels were killed in the towns of Cizre and Silopi, near the Syrian and Iraqi borders, and another four were killed in Sur, the armed forces said in a statement.

It said that a total of 448 militants had been killed in those three areas since they were placed under curfew and security operations were launched last month.

Police killed a further 12 PKK members after finding them in a house in the southeastern city of Van overnight, security sources said. One police officer died and two others were wounded in the operation.

The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, says it is fighting for autonomy and greater rights for Kurds in the NATO member country.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

President Tayyip Erdogan has said 3,100 PKK members were killed in operations inside and outside Turkey in 2015. The PKK is based in camps in the mountains of northern Iraq, which have been targeted by Turkish warplanes since the conflict resumed.

(Reporting by Seyhmus Cakan; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)




UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K





CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934





Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 7, 2016

QUIDEL CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)





Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 0-10961 (Commission File Number) 94-2573850 (IRS Employer Identification No.) 12544 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200 San Diego, California (Address of Principal Executive Offices) 92130 (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (858) 552-1100 Not Applicable (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)





Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))













Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

In connection with Quidel Corporation's participation at the 34th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, the company is providing preliminary unaudited revenue results for its fourth quarter of 2015. Based on preliminary financial information, Quidel expects revenues in the fourth quarter of 2015 to be between $52 million and $53 million.

These preliminary results are based on managements initial analysis of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. The company expects to issue full financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2015 in February.





The Company issued a press release announcing its preliminary revenue results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 on January 7, 2016. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K.





Forward Looking Statements: The financial information set forth in this Form 8-K reflects the companys current preliminary revenue estimates, is subject to the completion of its audit process, and is subject to change. The companys full fourth quarter and year 2015 results could differ materially from the preliminary estimates provided in this Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect managements analysis only as of the date of this Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision or update of the forward-looking statements, except as required by law.





Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

As referenced above, in connection with the companys participation at the 34th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 13, 2016, the company is reporting Sofia instrument placements of approximately 14,000 placements at customer sites as of January 7, 2016.





Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished with this current report on Form 8-K: Exhibit Number Description of Exhibit 99.1 Press release, dated January 7, 2016













SIGNATURES





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.





Date: January 8, 2016

QUIDEL CORPORATION By: /s/ Randall Steward Name: Randall J. Steward Its: Chief Financial Officer













Exhibit 99.1

Quidel Contact: Media and Investors Contact: Quidel Corporation Quidel Corporation Randy Steward Ruben Argueta Chief Financial Officer 858.646.8023 858.552.7931 [email protected]

QUIDEL ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY REVENUE FOR FOURTH QUARTER 2015

SAN DIEGO, January 7, 2016 (MarketWired) - Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ: QDEL), a provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, cellular-based virology assays and molecular diagnostic systems, announced today that it expects revenues in the fourth quarter of 2015 to be between $52 million and $53 million.





According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the proportion of patients presenting with Influenza-like illness (ILI) in December did not spike in the last few weeks as it has done in many years past. For example, in week 51 of 2015 ILI represented 2.6% of outpatient visits, compared with 5.5% in the same week of 2014. As a result, the sudden customer ordering that signals the beginning of an Influenza epidemic and often triggers re-ordering by our distribution partners over a two to three week period, has not yet occurred. In fact, in the last few weeks of December, Influenza orders from distribution were roughly one third of what they were in the same period of 2014, said Douglas Bryant, president and chief executive officer.





Despite the apparent delay in the onset of a potential Influenza epidemic, Sofia placements were strong in the quarter, and share gains were consistent with those that we had demonstrated earlier in the year. As we exited the year, total Sofia placements on contract for one or more assays were nearly 14,000, the result of an acceleration in placements in 2015, which were about 20% higher than they were in the prior year, added Bryant.





These preliminary results are based on managements initial analysis of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, are subject to the completion of its audit process, and are subject to change. The company expects to issue full financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2015 in February.





Quidel to Present at 34th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

Quidel will present at the 34th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference to be held at The Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, California on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.





Douglas Bryant, president and chief executive officer, and Randy Steward, chief financial officer, will present that day at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time (11:30 a.m. Pacific time) with a question and answer session scheduled immediately following the presentation. During the presentation, the company will discuss business and financial developments and trends. The company's statements may contain or constitute material information that has not been previously disclosed.





A live webcast and audio archive of the presentation will be available via the Investor Relations section of the companys Web site at http://ir.quidel.com/, or by accessing the following link:





http://jpmorgan.metameetings.com/confbook/healthcare16/directlink?p=19833 .





Participants should allow approximately five to ten minutes prior to the presentation's start time to visit the site and download any streaming media software needed to listen to the Internet webcast. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the companys Web site for 14 days.





About Quidel Corporation

Quidel Corporation serves to enhance the health and well-being of people around the globe through the development of diagnostic solutions that can lead to improved patient outcomes and provide economic benefits to the healthcare system. Marketed under the QuickVue  , D3  Direct Detection and Thyretain  leading brand names, as well as under the new Sofia  , AmpliVue  , Solana  and Lyra  brands, Quidels products aid in the detection and diagnosis of many critical diseases and conditions, including, among others, influenza , respiratory syncytial virus , Strep A, herpes, pregnancy, thyroid disease and fecal occult blood . Quidels research and development engine is also developing a continuum of diagnostic solutions from advanced lateral-flow and direct fluorescent antibody to molecular diagnostic tests to further improve the quality of healthcare in physicians offices and hospital and reference laboratories. For more information about Quidels comprehensive product portfolio, visit quidel.com.





This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that involve material risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Many possible events or factors could affect our future financial results and performance, such that our actual results and performance may differ materially from those that may be described or implied in the forward-looking statements. As such, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Differences in actual results and performance may arise as a result of a number of factors including, without limitation, fluctuations in our operating results resulting from seasonality, the timing of the onset, length and severity of cold and flu seasons, government and media attention focused on influenza and the related potential impact on humans from novel influenza viruses, adverse changes in competitive conditions in domestic and international markets, changes in sales levels as it relates to the absorption of our fixed costs, lower than anticipated market penetration of our products, the reimbursement system currently in place and future changes to that system, and changes in economic conditions in our domestic and international markets, the quantity of our product in our distributors inventory or distribution channels, changes in the buying patterns of our distributors and changes in the healthcare market and consolidation of our customer base; our development and protection of intellectual property; our development of new technologies, products and markets; our reliance on a limited number of key distributors; our reliance on sales of our influenza diagnostics tests; our ability to manage our growth strategy, including our ability to integrate companies or technologies we have acquired or may acquire; intellectual property risks, including but not limited to, infringement litigation; limitations and covenants in our senior credit facility; our need for additional funds to finance our operating needs; volatility and disruption in the global capital and credit markets; acceptance of our products among physicians and other healthcare providers; competition with other providers of diagnostic products; adverse actions or delays in new product reviews or related to currently-marketed products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA); changes in government policies; compliance with other government regulations, such as safe working conditions, manufacturing practices, environmental protection, fire hazard and disposal of hazardous substances; third-party reimbursement policies; our ability to meet demand for our products; interruptions in our supply of raw materials; product defects; business risks not covered by insurance and exposure to other litigation claims; interruption to our computer systems; competition for and loss of management and key personnel; international risks, including but not limited to, compliance with product registration requirements, exposure to currency exchange fluctuations and foreign currency exchange risk sharing arrangements, longer payment cycles, lower selling prices and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable, reduced protection of intellectual property rights, political and economic instability, taxes, and diversion of lower priced international products into U.S. markets; our significant debt service requirements; the possibility that we may incur additional indebtedness; our ability to settle conversions of our convertible senior notes in cash; the effect on our operating results from the trigger of the conditional conversion feature of our convertible senior notes; dilution resulting from future sales of our equity; volatility in our stock price; provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law and the indenture governing our convertible senior notes that might delay or impede stockholder actions with respect to business combinations or similar transactions; and our intention of not paying dividends. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as may, will, should, might, expect, anticipate, estimate, plan, intend, goal, project, strategy, future, and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. The risks described in reports and registration statements that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) from time to time should be carefully considered. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect managements analysis only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision or update of these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.




Mother of two Jo Pert was killed on Thursday, allegedly by a 24-year-old Auckland man.

Police investigating the death of Auckland woman Joanne Pert have released a photo of the yellow Mazda hatchback driven by the 24-year-old who is accused of murdering her, as they try piece together the 41-year-old mother's last moments.

They are still asking anyone who might have seen Pert running through the city or Remuera on Thursday morning to get in touch with them.

On Sunday, Detective Inspector Kevin Hooper said he'd been heartened by the number of calls police had received on a dedicated phone number set up to aid their inquiry.

SUPPLIED The yellow Mazda said to have been driven by Pert's attacker.

He said police had confirmed sightings of Pert at Auckland's Viaduct at 9am on Thursday, less than two hours before Pert was discovered lying on the lawn of a Remuera residence on Shore Rd.

READ MORE:

*Rich lister Culum Manson is father of killed jogger Jo Pert's children

*Woman killed while jogging named as Auckland mum of two Jo Pert

*Tears for Joanne Pert, jogger killed in Remuera

Given that her alleged attacker was confirmed as being somewhere else at 10.30am, police were seeking to reconstruct Pert's movements between 9am and 10.30am that day, he said.

SUPPLIED Police are seeking sightings of the car between Wednesday and midday on Thursday.

Police believed she ran from the Viaduct to Shore Rd and likely would have passed other joggers, Det Insp Hooper said.

"Jo could have taken any one of a number of routes to get to Shore Rd and because we know there would have been many other women running in that area between the times of interest to us, we'd like to hear from them so that we can eliminate sightings of them as relevant to our investigation," he said.

"Other runners may also be able to advise us of any suspicious behaviour or approaches they observed or were subjected to."

Pert was discovered dead close to 11am on Thursday morning, after allegedly being attacked by a man who police believe was a stranger to her.

The 24-year-old accused appeared in court on Friday, after handing himself in to police just an hour after Pert's body was found.

He was said by police to have arrived at the Auckland Central police station in a yellow Mazda Demio hatchback car, and anybody who had seen that car between Wednesday and midday on Thursday was urged to contact police.

Police confirmed they were examining "items of interest" inside the vehicle, but wouldn't disclose what they were.

Pert left behind two young children, the father of whom has been named as construction magnate Culum Manson.

Friends and family have remembered Pert, whom they called Jo, as an intellectual who loved her kids and enjoyed being active.

She was a close friend of MP Paula Bennett, who described her as an "absolutely devoted mum".

The dedicated phone line for what police have called Operation Solitaire is 0800 765 842. Information can also be emailed to solitaire@police.govt.nz.
AirAsia bosses have hinted that New Zealand will be on its destination board in 2016.

Bungee jumping + sheep + kiwifruit = New Zealand?

AirAsia has hinted on social media that it will reintroduce flights to New Zealand after cancelling Christchurch routes several years ago.

The Malaysian-based airline's chief executive Benyamin Ismail posted a series of suggestive tweets showing photos of sheep and bungee jumpers, which Ismail said represented the carrier's next destination.

"Millions of sheep waiting," he said.

READ MORE: AirAsia plans return to New Zealand

AirAsia's Facebook page also posted a picture of a kiwifruit decorated like an aircraft.

The airline once had a four times weekly service from Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch, but after introducing that route in 2011 it was canned a year later because it was running at a loss.

In March last year Ismail again hinted that a return to New Zealand was imminent, saying it was just a matter of time, and suggesting early 2016 would be a possibility.

"New Zealand's in my plans. I'm just deciding whether I want to do it towards the end of the year - we have the capacity for it - or whether we want to do it at the start of next year," Ismail told the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).

At the time commentators from CAPA predicted a route to Auckland would be more profitable and would rival Malaysia Airlines's popular service, which could see a drop in prices.

On Sunday social media users guessed New Zealand was next on the airline's itinerary, with the majority appearing excited at the prospect.

"PLEASE TELL ME IT IS NEW ZEALAND!!!" one Twitter user responded.

On Facebook, users said they "couldn't wait" for the service.
The popular Red Rocks track was where the bracelet was lost.

A man who appealed online for people to help find a bracelet which contained his father's ashes says it has been found - rather embarrassingly.

Following his father's sudden death in 2014, Brook Brunton 26,decided he wanted to keep his dad's memory close to him.

When someone suggested a small portion of his remains could be made into a bracelet, he went through with the idea.

Engraved with his father's initials - R J B - the small silver band was worn by Brunton whenever possible.

However, after spending some time diving off Wellington's Red Rocks track on Wednesday, the bracelet went missing.

"I didn't want to take it into the salt water, so I took it off and passed it to my partner. She put it into the side of my bag. When I came back from diving I grabbed my clothes out, that's when it must have fallen out," he said.

Brunton, who lives in Feilding, said he did not realise he had lost the bracelet until he got back home that evening.

Desperate to find it but unable to travel back to Wellington until next weekend, Brunton took to Facebook to see if anyone in the area could help out.

Since the post when up on Saturday, nearly 10,000 people had shared his status, with dozens of people offering to help with the search.

Brunton said he was inundated with offers of help from complete strangers.

So when his close mate, whose ute they had used to go diving called on Sunday evening to say he had found the bracelet in the vehicle, Brunton had mixed emotions.

"My mate rang me, he had pulled his ute apart and found it in a stupid spot. It was in a place we couldn't see.

"I am stoked, but I am embarrassed about it. I don't think it's funny. I never expected people would respond so kindly."

Earlier in the evening, Brunton commented on how moved he had been by the support he had received.

"It's been amazing, words can't describe how humbled I felt when people I didn't know came forward willing to help," he said.

"I have had people offer to take down their metal detectors and four-wheel drives, it's overwhelming."

Brunton said he was extremely thankful for the efforts to help locate the bracelet, and could not wait to get it back.
Cayuga Centers held its 163rd annual meeting in November, where it elected Miquelina "Mickey" Cuevas-Post to a three-year term on the board of trustees.

Cuevas-Post previously served on the board from 2009 to 2010 and resigned to take a post in the Peace Corps in Belize from 2011 to 2013.

Re-elected to serve until 2018 were Gilda Brower, Robert Granato, Kelli Otis and Jennifer Rampersaud. Corporation members also reviewed the agency's annual report, which highlighted program news and growth and budget and workforce.

Headquartered in Auburn, Cayuga Centers serves children and families throughout New York and southeast Florida through evidence-based programs, residential and foster care treatment, and services for people with disabilities. The 450-employee organization has a $40 million budget.

For more information, visit cayugacenters.org.
Former president of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Helen Kelly says her battle for access to medical cannabis is taking an emotional toll.

Terminally ill former trade unions boss Helen Kelly wants a referendum on whether cannabis should be legalised, and says she is talking to MPs about making it happen.

Kelly, who has lung cancer, has been taking cannabis oil sourced from the black market to relieve her pain and believes it is "absolutely ludicrous" New Zealand's laws have forced her to do so.

"If we can have a referendum on the New Zealand flag, then we can have a referendum on this issue," she said on Saturday.

REUTERS Is it time for the New Zealand public to have its say on whether medicinal cannabis should be legal?

Kelly only uses cannabis oil at night to relieve her pain and help her sleep, saying it has been "wonderful" and does not make her sick like morphine does.

She was diagnosed with cancer in February 2015 and went public with her cannabis oil use later that year.

READ MORE

* John Key says no to debate on medicinal marijuana

* Kelly says Government needs to get real about medicinal cannabis

* Union boss Helen Kelly prepares to step down

* Helen Kelly on cancer and dying



CHRIS SKELTON/FAIRFAX NZ Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has backed the idea of clinical trials for medicinal cannabis in the past.

She has also been trying to get permission from the Ministry of Health to legally access medicinal cannabis for her pain relief, but says the hoops she needs to jump through are both "absurd" and taking their toll emotionally.

Kelly would prefer the Government simply step in and fix the law to improve access to medicinal cannabis for Kiwis, which she says would put the country on par with Australia and the United States.

But given the sensitivity around the issue, it might be worthwhile to see how the public feels about medicinal cannabis once and for all by having a referendum at the next general election in 2017, she said.

"If they [the Government] are worried about public opinion then let's have one."

Kelly said she had talked with some MPs about getting something on the ballot in 2017, and they were on board with the idea.

The issue of whether or not cannabis should be decriminalised could also be addressed, she said.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said it would be inappropriate for him to comment given an application from Kelly would likely end up on his desk at some stage.

But he pointed out there was a procedure in place for access to medical cannabis in this country, which had only been used once, but that application was successful.

In June, Dunne approved the one-off use of a cannabidiol product to treat Nelson teenager Alex Renton for his "status epilepticus", a kind of prolonged seizure. He later died from the condition.

Kelly said Dunne had spent a lot of time and effort recently trying to regulate synthetic cannabis, and it was time the same level of effort was applied to improving our medicinal cannabis laws.

Since speaking out about her cannabis use, Kelly said she had been contacted many Kiwis wanting access to medicinal cannabis, including parents of children with brain tumours, people "zonked out" on morphine who want something less "brain-numbing", and elderly people suffering from arthritis who cannot cope with opiates and are in pain "constantly".

"Some of their stories are absolutely heartbreaking, especially from people with [sick] kids who are desperate," she said.

"It's quite stressful because there are a lot of families out there who are hoping I get a breakthrough."

In a recent blog post, Kelly criticised the current criteria for getting access to medicinal cannabis here, which include having to get doctors to support a treatment they are unlikely to know much about, and having to be hospitalised while the treatment is administered.

Kelly said that while she was in some pain, there was still plenty of fight left in her and she would keep pushing for change on this issue.

"It is my view that a good cannabis product will help me live the rest of my life in a better situation than I will without it. The fact I can't do that shows the absurdity of the whole regime."

* Comments on this article have now closed.
4 domestic airports to be privately managed By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):

At least four domestic airports in Sri Lanka in proximity to key tourist resorts are likely to be handed over for private management.

Civil Aviation Authority Director General H.M.C. Nimalsiri told the Business Times that they had submitted a proposal to the government to ensure that the domestic airports currently manned by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) would come under civil administration in future.

In this respect, the authorities have proposed private investment in operating four of the 16 airports at Batticaloa, Katukurunda, Ratmalana and Sigiriya, since the government cannot manage the huge cost in maintaining these airports.The Ratmalana airport is proposed to be converted to a city airport for which more space could be allocated on one side to ensure that civil operation could be further enhanced without any hindrance to operate private jets. It would also ease congestion at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and it was possible to charge a higher fee than what was currently charged at the BIA, he noted.

The Katukurunda domestic airfield was said to be ideal as a training course but since the SLAF was in control of this facility the students would have to go through a strict security control and civilians were not willing to go through such controls.In this regard, the CAA DG proposed that the SLAF occupy one side of the airfield and leave the rest for free access to students. A sum of over Rs.1 billion has been spent on refurbishment at the Batticaloa airport.
Soros presence seen boosting more foreign investment By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

Billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros is keen to invest in Sri Lanka and contemplating initially US$300 million as he has confidence in the government and several business leaders with international connections, sources close to the Hungarian-American business tycoon told the Business Times.

The Soros Fund Management (SFM) team is evaluating the pros and cons in investing in Sri Lanka in accordance with their chiefs investment philosophy built on a scientific method combined with a focus on social change.The SFM is looking at potential investments in renewable energy, especially solar power, tourism, IT education and health sectors in the island on Soros directions.

Mr. Soros, ardent supporter of strong climate action, expressed optimism on Sri Lankas solar energy potential on the sidelines of the Sri Lanka Economic Forum, these sources revealed. The Economic Forum has set the stage for an in-depth analysis and discussion of the need to develop government policy along identified areas of economic importance this week.

It will pave the way towards attracting at least US $300 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Soros funds in the first half of this year; a senior official said adding that it is a miniscule amount of Soros wealth estimated at over $27 billion.His investing acumen, vast networth and political activism has made him a power broker worldwide, he added.

Soros presence in Sri Lanka alone would attract top international investors to the country which is in urgent need to kick start the economy, he stressed. The George Soros Foundation is one of the main investors in leapfrog investments, and that is why he has suggested Sri Lanka to leapfrog from agriculture based economy to knowledge based one when he addressed the Economic Forum, the official said.
Sri Lanka needs to get fundamentals right View(s):

While there was all-round praise for the new Sri Lanka, speakers at this weeks economic forum also had words of caution in the countrys effort to speed development.Among the issues raised was the need for consistent policies and getting the fundamentals right in the economy, particularly tax revenue. Another point raised was that the crisis in China and a shift of funds to the US could result in fewer funds coming to Asia.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, economist and former Deputy Chairman of the Indian Planning Commission, said the tax revenue as per GDP was 12 per cent when it should be 20 per cent and urged Sri Lanka to get its fundamentals right.Economists said that low tax earnings means the country has no money not only for recurrent spending but also for infrastructure which then has to come from costly borrowings.

Annual tax revenue has been barely able to meet debt servicing. The gradual reduction to a policy where tax revenue fell to 12 per cent tax from 20 per cent came during the tenure of Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera, a strategy that has had grave repercussions for the country.
Sri Lanka to sign an FTA with US becoming trade gate for South Asia By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

Sri Lanka is to become the gateway to countries such as Pakistan to penetrate the US market as the island nation plans to enter into a Free Trade Agreement(FTA) or a Comprehensive Preferential Trade Agreement (CPTA) with the US.This was disclosed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with a tone of confidence after launching the Pakistan Single Country trade exhibition along with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Temple Trees in Colombo this week.

Sri Lanka will be signing FTAs with China, and Singapore while entering into Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India, he said adding that the country would be able explore the markets around the Bay of Bengal.He pointed out that strengthening trade ties with Pakistan would open doors for Sri Lanka to enter Central Asia and it paves the way towards expanding trade ties in the Middle East and the Gulf.The Prime Minister urged Sri Lankan businessmen and entrepreneurs to grab this opportunity to enter the Middle East and the Gulf markets without waiting for the governments assistance and intervention.

The private sector should initiate action taking risks, he said, adding that trade and investments would not bear fruit if you fail to act promptly at this decisive moment where the government is going to revitalise the economy. He revealed that ministerial working groups of the two countries will meet in six months to discuss and workout trade promotion.Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said they were exploring the possibility of entering into a currency swap agreement with Sri Lanka and setting up a joint investment company. He stressed the importance of developing and strengthening the FTA between the two countries.

Pakistan will turn the tide towards peace and economic development this year and is keen to develop trade with Sri Lanka, he said.

Sri Lankan and Pakistani business leaders signed eight agreements with total investments over US$ 700 million in the presence of two prime ministers at the ceremony. Pakistani companies will invest in building cement and sugar factories in Sri Lanka while two Sri Lankan companies will implement joint venture hydro power projects in Pakistan under these investment agreements.

Gharibwal Cement Ltd. of Pakistan signed a deal with Maxton Holdings of Sri Lanka to set up a cement plant in the island.

Sri Lankas Maxton Holdings and Paidar Energy of Pakistan have agreed to develop a hydro power plant in Pakistan. Sri Lankas Eagle Power and Stellar Rock also signed a deal to develop a hydro power project in Pakistan.Another agreement was between Sri Lankas Granada Suppliers and Pak Hy-Oils Ltd. for a lubricant blending plant.

Granada Suppliers signed a deal with Pakistans Paidar Shipping and Trading for cooperation in shipping while Lanka Business Consortium signed an agreement with HKH Enterprise for deep sea fishing in Pakistan.Almar Trading of Sri Lanka and Service Industries have an MOU to set up a shoe manufacturing plant.The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding with Aman Centre for Entrepreneur Development in Karachi.Meanwhile the Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2016 will be held at the BMICH in Colombo on January 15 to 17 featuring representation from Pakistani commercial establishments in 15 sectors.

These participants include leading companies such as Toyota GT Motors, Pak Star Automotive Pvt. Ltd. and International Industries Ltd (IIL).There will be 400 stalls from over 100 Pakistani companies showcasing their products including Engineering Products, Auto Parts, Agro Products, Textile and Clothing, Designer Wear, Handicraft and Traditional Textiles, Cosmetics and Herbal Products, Pharmaceuticals, Cutlery, Gems and Jewellery, Furniture, Carpets, Marble and Services.The event is organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in partnership with the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
Learning from our past constitution-making efforts View(s):

The Governments frantic rush towards finalizing a new Constitution for Sri Lanka has, in its path, several formidable obstacles. These include cautions emanating from established legal precedent in regard to the necessary formulation of valid questions at a Referendum.

The first law of the land

Marking one year following his election to office, President Maithripala Sirisena has stated that his coalition administration will place the proposed constitutional text for approval before the people. This is necessitated by the fact that the Constitution requires the precondition of a referendum for certain provisions that are protected by extraordinary safeguards. But before this stage of a referendum is arrived at, we must learn from past mistakes, recent as well as historical.

First, we appear to see a hurried public consultation process engaged in as a superficial exercise to tick off a box that the views of the public have been sought. This is not what drafting the first law of the land should mean. Rather, it follows precisely in the path of Sri Lankas past constitution-making exercises which were distinguished by political expediency. These efforts generally attracted unity in opposition among the most unlikely bedfellows as evidenced in 2001 when Buddhist monks, liberal democratic activists and nationalists of all colours competed with each other in being the first to oppose a proposed new Constitution in the Supreme Court.

True, the many objections to that proposed constitutional document were widely varied in their content and thrust. But the fact remains that these are pitfalls best avoided by genuine public consultations. Even where the intent has been genuine, the effort has been defeated in large part due to the absence of political will in actually taking the people into the equation as partners.

Being clear on the legal imperatives

Second, all effort must be made to avoid the embarrassing spectacle that took place in 2015 when laboriously drafted provisions of the new yahapalanaya government lessening the power of the Executive Presidency were struck down by the Supreme Court acting in consonance with constitutional imperatives, This did not take much grey matter to foretell. It was acutely predictable that the Court would not allow constitutional changes requiring a referendum to pass judicial review without conformity to that essential precondition. This pattern must not be repeated.

The issue that now confronts us is the manner in which the constitutional proposals will be placed before the people. The Government has gone on record in stating that the proposed constitutional text, requiring, under Article 83, not only a two-thirds majority in Parliament but also the stamp of approval at a referendum will be submitted to the people. It appears that what is contemplated is the placing of the constitutional text in its entirety. However, this exercise is attendant with several difficulties which needs sober and judicious consideration.

One matter which is beyond doubt is that the manner in which the Referendum question is formulated is not solely within the province of the Government. On the contrary, the Supreme Court has asserted the right to examine the content of that question and decide if the Referendum Proposal has been duly formulated. The notion that this would be a political question beyond the review of Court is an argument that has been dismissed with force by the Court.

Referenda is not to be taken lightly

Pivotal in this regard are the provisions of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981 which specify that the questions to be put to the people must be validly capable of being answered by a Yes or a No. In Semasinghe v Karunatilleke (2003) for example, the Court examined the question whether then President Chandrika Kumaratungas Referendum Proclamation on the need for a new Constitution issued was legally valid. An extensively reasoned judgment of MDH Fernando J (with Justices Gunesekera and Wigneswaran agreeing) concluded that the Referendum Proposal at that time was not in conformity with the law.

Extraction of core principles of the judgment discloses a typically clear and cogent rationale. At the very outset, the Court warned that a Referendum is an electoral process which attracts enormous expenditure of public funds and the disruption of day-to-day life  including danger to life and limb and damage to property. It is not to be taken lightly. An intelligible, meaningful and useful result must therefore be intended by the way that the question for answer is drafted. It must be done in such a manner that the opinion of the People is capable of being conveyed with sufficient clarity and precision as to constitute a mandate for future governmental action. Assessed on that basis, the 2001 Referendum Proposal which asked the people to answer yes or no in regard to the proposed new Constitution was found to be wanting.

For example, as the Court pointed out, the answer no given to a new Constitution in its entirety was pregnant with ambiguity. This answer could accurately have been given by three different groups of persons; those who thought that a new Constitution was not a national imperative in that other matters were more deserving of attention, those who thought that the existing one needed amendment and those who thought that neither a new Constitution nor amendments were needed. Equally, the answer Yes could have been given by several different groups of persons, agreed only upon the need for a new Constitution but holding completely divergent views as to what that Constitution should provide.

Unambiguous and participatory process needed

The signal warning administered in this case by the judges was that the Referendum Proposal should contain a series of questions formulated so that a majority Yes vote would clearly disclose the main features that a new Constitution would contain. Equally, a No vote should disclose without ambiguity why a new Constitution was not desired.

Meanwhile, cynics who scoff at a wide-based model of constitution-making may direct their attention to examples elsewhere including in South Africa. Here, a peoples participatory process resulted in a document which represented the actual will of the people as opposed to theoretical words.

Surely even at this most devastated point in our history, we should look back critically at our miserable markers of constitution-making that stand in contrast? Undeniably we need to learn from our past mistakes and tread a different path.
Qatars air tycoon offers bitter medicine for SriLankan View(s):

When Qatar Airways acquired its first A 380 superjumbo, its Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker (pronounced Bakr) saw to it that the aircraft did a few low flying sorties for those in Abu Dhabi to see.

Not to be outdone, when Abu Dhabis national carrier Etihad received its first A 380, it followed suit with a similar show. Al Baker arrived in Colombo on Thursday on a scheduled Qatar Airways flight. As a two-day seminar on investment promotion got under way, he held talks with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

At the Bandaranaike International Airport, after he was greeted, he asked one of those present why they had a US-built Chrysler waiting for him. He said he would have preferred to travel in a German BMW or a Mercedes Benz.

Oman-born Baker, a reputed businessman, also chairs a number of other companies and holds a private pilots licence. Though a few privy to the talks denied any formal talks on Mr. Bakers most successful expertise  that of running an airline  and declined comment, one source whispers that the subject (of running an airline) did figure informally.

The man who does not mince his words, this source said, prescribed some bitter medicine if the national carrier, which is fast bleeding the national coffers, was to be revived. It seems the locals are finding such medicine difficult to swallow.

Indo-Pak pencil pun

Official talks between President Maithripala Sirisena and visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were under way at the Presidential Secretariat this week.

A Pakistan delegation dignitary was to discreetly turn round to a senior Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister and hold up a pencil that had been left on the table along with notebooks. He then asked; why cant you manufacture these things in Sri Lanka? The reason  the pencil bore the stamp; Made in India. The usually vociferous Cabinet Minister, was for once, lost for words.

But it was Pakistans turn to be embarrassed, when Premier Shariff planted a pea family seedling botanically known as Pongamia pinnata but commonly known as Indian Beech. The plaque at the site said it all.

Diplomatic posting for Polonnaruwa rice mill owner

A rice mill owner who doubled up as a one-time provincial video correspondent for local television networks is one of the latest additions to Sri Lankas diplomatic service.

The man, a resident from Polonnaruwa, has been posted to one of Sri Lankas European mission as Second Secretary.

One of the pledges made by the Government during the election campaign was to ensure professionals are posted to Sri Lankas Foreign Service overseas. This is apart from sending an official once found to have submitted forged documents as a senior official to a European capital and a career officer who campaigned for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a country where East meets West.

Without blare, heres Blair

Within hours of the Sunday Times hitting the streets last week, the state press asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blairs visit to Sri Lanka and if he was to play any role in Sri Lankas reconciliation process. Not surprisingly, the state press misquoted the MFA spokesperson. This is what happens when one tries to be more loyal than the king.

Interesting indeed, it now comes to light that the subject of foreign affairs is handled by different arms of the Government and is not the sole prerogative of the MFA. One might say that is nothing new and one does not seem to be knowing what the other is doing.

Mr. Blair had a near hour long meeting on the subject of reconciliation and related issues with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader and Opposition Leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan. The meeting was arranged not by the MFA, but higher ups. They talked about the Sri Lankan case and even made comparisons to Northern Ireland, Mr. Blairs one claim to fame.

So, why this haste to feign ignorance of the controversial ex-British PMs visit. me kauda; mokada karanne (Who is this? Whats he doing) was a political slogan made famous to promote ex-President R. Premadasa once upon a time. It seems apt for the secretive Tony Blair, too, these days.

Anniversary gift: Call the President on 1919

One of the new programmes that President Maithripala Sirisena initiated to celebrate his first year in office was the launch of several methods by which the public can contact him and address their grievances directly to the Presidents Office. The President himself announced the programme via his Twitter account on Friday morning stating; Starting today you can contact me via #TellthePresident on the mobile app, by dialling 1919, tell@presidentsoffice.lk, or PO Box 123,Colombo.

A picture of the President answering the first telephone call was also posted along with this announcement. When a query was made from the Presidents Office as to who was to make the first call; it was revealed that it was none other than one of his many advisers, lawyer Shiral Lakthilaka.

A Presidents Office source said the people could call in with their grievances through these modes of communications which will be attended to by the staff of the office handling the work and prompt replies will be given. In cases where urgent attention is required, the President himself will intervene personally.

No bras, but glowing bouquets for Pearl Fishers opera

While Sri Lanka has been mired in a raging bra-flinging controversy over an Enrique Iglesias open air musical event last month, theatre critics in New York are raving over an opera set in Sri Lanka  but in the good ole days when we were called Ceylon.

Judging by the avalanche of positive reviews, the New York City metropolitan opera apparently has a sleeper hit on its hands  Georges Bizets. The Pearl Fishers (Les Pecheurs de Perles), recounting the story of two secret lovers (arent they all secret in Sri Lanka?) who are discovered and condemned to death (certainly not a Goigama- Karawa or a Sinhala-Tamil love affair of more recent vintage).

At the end of the act, a violent storm (not a tsunami) breaks out, sending the villagers (probably on the shores of a pearl-diving village in Mannar) into peals of anguished singing, according to The New York Times review (minus the parentheses).

In one scene, three actors (not Sri Lankans in amudes or loin cloth) are seen dangling on stage from unseen wires searching for oysters in the sea bed.

The New York Observer calls the opera a masterpiece  everything about it is a treasure. The Huffington Post calls it a spectacular success and it should secure the opera a place in the repertory for years to come. And The Wall Street Journal describes the opera as vocal and literal pyrotechnics on stage.

All these  with a reference to Ceylon where the ill-fated love affair takes place. The French composer is also well known for Lakme, an opera set in British India in the mid-19th century. The haunting music in the Pearl Fishers, someone once suggested, should be adopted as the theme for SriLankan Airlines. But it never did.

Coincidentally, the opera is scheduled to close on February 4  the Sri Lankan Independence Day. But its run is likely to be extended judging by the reviews.

Saatchi & Saatchi calendar: Bad massage for Police

Year 2016 does not seem to have dawned with good forebodings for the Police Department. Road accidents and murders are on the increase and a spokesperson is fighting almost daily to create a new image.

The latest instance is a calendar, which portrays the police in a rather unflattering light. The calendar, the concept and design of which is that of a leading international advertising firm Saatchi & Saatchi, is filled with colourful caricatures, to mark special days including Police Day which falls on September 3.

However the caricature for the day, instead of showing policemen standing smartly assisting the public, shows a rather flabby looking man in uniform lying on his stomach and dozing away, while a rather weary criminal is seen giving him a massage.

While it is unlikely this portrayal of the Police will go down well with those in the Department, it does portray the rather poor image that police personnel continue to have in the public eye.

As one witty retired Police officer asked; is the well-known advertising firm forecasting that criminals will get the better of the Police in 2016?
21st Century Constitution for a modern Sri Lanka: President urges Legislature By Chandani Kirinde View(s): View(s):

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday asked lawmakers to reflect on the countrys bitter past experiences and work towards enacting a new Constitution to suit 21st century modern Sri Lanka, while urging his detractors to desist from uttering falsehoods about the process.

We must not create a constitutional bogeyman in this country. Doing so will be a great sin and a tragedy.

Instead, to develop the 21st century modern Sri Lanka, we need to give birth to a beautiful constitutional baby, the President said in his address to Parliament yesterday.

On a day that marked the first anniversary of his swearing in as head of State, the President said that, while many were quick to criticise, it is time to reflect on missed opportunities to bring about reconciliation and build trust among the citizens of the country, as failure to do so in the past has led to much bloodshed and bitterness in the country, in the decades after independence.

To bring people of the north and south together, we have to reflect on the experiences of the past. The people of the South are afraid of the word federal.

The people of the North are afraid of the word unitary. And extremists in both the south and north exploit these words to their advantage, the President said.

He said that all Constitutions enacted in the country, starting with the Soulbury Constitution, were not created to build confidence and trust among the various religious and ethnic groups in the country.

We need to closely study the Constitutions of countries such as the USA, France and India. These constitutions were not drafted in a partisan manner, so that, they favour one political party or one religion. Hence, we can see that communities in these countries co-exist peacefully, he said.

The President urged his opponents not to create a volatile situation in the country over the constitution drafting process. I urge them with great respect not to spread false stories.

Some are trying to spread blatant falsehoods and create unrest in the country, and put the Government in difficulty, the President said.

He said that whenever a new Constitution is envisaged for this country, there has been unrest created by some persons. These are not the moderate, educated, intelligent and patriotic citizens of our country, but extremists, he said.

The President also said he believed that a Constitution of the country must undergo changes from time to time. I dont believe that the Constitution of a country should be like something carved in stone.

Society changes, people change, the world changes, peoples outlooks change with the advent of new technology, and hence, a countrys Constitution must be transformed to keep up with the changing times and to suit the era the people live in, he added.

He also dismissed arguments by some that it is the executive presidency that helped win the war, and hence, must be retained.

By saying so, are they implying that we should expect another war in the future?

In that case, what we should do is not retain the executive presidency, but bring about the necessary changes in attitudes of the people to prevent the recurrence of a war.
British Minister in Lanka on Wednesday By Neville de Silva in London View(s): View(s):

Britains Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire returns to Colombo next Wednesday for talks with Sri Lankan leaders as the two countries continue their fence-mending efforts begun one year ago after President Maithripala Sirisena assumed office.

Minister Swires second visit in almost a year is part of a wider western effort to engage with Sri Lanka.

Recognising that Sri Lankas new government has made progress in the areas of reconciliation and human rights, the British Government earlier announced a 6.6 million package over a 3-year period as Londons commitment to supporting stability and prosperity in Sri Lanka.

This financial commitment will be backed by accrediting a non-resident defence attache and access to armed forces training to help the Sri Lankan military to reform.

The implementation of the Geneva Resolution initiated by the US with UK backing and co-sponsored by Sri Lanka is also expected to figure in the discussions. The resolution has for called a special judicial mechanism to hear accountability trials.

It is learnt that Minister Swire is likely to visit some Brirtish-funded projects such as the Halo Trust de-mining activities in the north.

He is also expected to attend the Galle Literary Festival before flying off to the neighbouring Maldives, one of the countries in Swires Asia-Pacific remit.
School uniforms: Opposition grows over voucher system View(s):

Even a week after schools reopened in January 2016, the controversy over the school uniform vouchers continues with teachers complaining that the new system is subjecting the teachers and children to many difficulties.

The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) last week claimed that in addition to focusing their attention on the school curriculum for the new term, teachers were burdened with the task of checking bills relating to the uniform vouchers distributed to students.

Last year, the Government decided to grant uniform vouchers to students scrapping the traditional practice of distributing uniform material to them. This decision was taken following various irregularities found in the granting of tenders, purchase and distribution of the material.

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said that despite the Governments claim that the vouchers have been handed over to school authorities in December 2015 before the closure of the schools, many schools had not received the vouchers on time. The school authorities claimed that the vouchers were received late and there was not enough time to organise their distribution.

Consequently, in the first week after schools reopened, teachers had been busy handing over the vouchers to students. Mr. Stalin said that many schools have received insufficient vouchers, depriving students in some schools of material. Moreover many schools are yet to receive the vouchers.

In addition, parents come back to school to get the school seal placed on the vouchers because shops have refused to accept them without the school seals. Principals claim that the Education Ministry circular insists only on the NIC number of the recipient and two signatures of authorised issuing officers in the school. They claim that there has been no mention of a school seal having to be stamped on the voucher.

Kotahena Central College Principal Parakrama Weerasinghe said that many parents had complained that the shops were issuing substandard fabric on the vouchers and that they had to pay aRs. 50 or Rs.100 more for the 65-35 tetron cotton material.

One of the conditions the Education Ministry had required is that parents produce the bills of purchases to the relevant school authorities. However, here too, they are confronted with a glitch as some of the computerised bills issued by shops are faint and barely legible.

When some parents produced such bills to the schools, the school administrations had refused to accept them and had instead asked for hand written bills. The shop authorities had refused to comply.Ironically, while many parents who had no NICs had to be turned away it is learnt that parents of children studying in popular national schools have not come forward to claim their vouchers. These vouchers are required to be returned to the Government before January 11. The distributed vouchers are valid till January 31.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Independent Teachers Union, (SLITU) General Secretary Wasantha Handapangoda said parents in rural areas are undergoing great difficulties to collect the vouchers. She said that while many had to forgo a days work to present themselves in schools, they had to also spend almost over Rs. 100 to collect them.

Ms. Handapangoda called on the Government to consider reverting to the old system of distributing uniform material to students.
Sirisena Presidency: Finding order in chaos View(s):

One year and one day ago, against the backdrop of a twilight sky and amidst chaotic scenes at Independence Square in Colombo, Maithripala Sirisena became the sixth person to be sworn in as the Executive President of Sri Lanka.

That day, Independence Square was crowded and unruly. Various people from both major political parties were elbowing each other and jostling for a vantage point.

The hastily staged event lacked the pomp, pageantry and precision that usually accompanies such occasions, but the chaos was the price that had to be paid to ward off a greater danger  the fear that elements loyal to the vanquished President Mahinda Rajapaksa would somehow scuttle the change of guard.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as Prime Minister immediately thereafter to seal the verdict of the people.

One year later, in more ways than one, the commotion at Independence Square that day seems typical of Maithripala Sirisenas Presidency so far: ad-hoc, unruly, people jostling for places amidst general confusion and knowing that Mahinda Rajapaksa is still waiting in the wings, marking his time, to make his move.

That is not to belittle Maithripala Sirisenas achievements in winning the presidential election and restoring democratic freedoms thereafter.

As Sarath Fonseka will readily tell anyone who asks him, taking on the Rajapaksas is an inherently dangerous task. Had Sirisena lost that election, he would have been persecuted and the President himself believed he would have been six feet under.

The story of finding a challenger to Rajapaksa reads like a spy novel  clandestine meetings under the cover of darkness.

Many are the fathers  and mothers  of this exercise, each claiming credit for the induction of Sirisena, an unlikely candidate. Some say that Nimal Siripala de Silva was, in fact, the first choice, but he baulked at the prospect, fearful of the repercussions of losing. So, Sirisena it was, who stepped up to the task.

In the first eight months of his Presidency, Sirisena had to contend with a factor none of his predecessors had experienced  a minority government.

True, he had been offered the leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on a platter by Rajapaksa but that was only because Rajapaksa had, at the height of his power, changed the partys constitution to enable the countrys President, if he or she was from the party, to be its leader.

What was a cunning move to keep Chandrika Kumaratunga out of the SLFP hierarchy had boomeranged on Rajapaksa. What was more, defections to the Sirisena camp by hitherto faithful Rajapaksa acolytes followed.

Though nominally the leader of the SLFP  and the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to boot  Sirisena found his parliamentarians nevertheless playing truant.

When Rajapaksa loyalists  Dinesh Gunewardena, Wimal Weerawansa and Vasudeva Nanayakkara were running around the country organising a Bring-Back-Mahinda campaign Sirisena threatened his SLFP MPs with disciplinary action if they participated in the campaign.

They ignored the threat, but the President did nothing.

Critics will argue that this inaction is why SLFP MPs are still defying him  dozens of them voted against the budget recently defying the party whip and threats of sackings.

At the time though, Sirisena was eager to placate parliamentarians because he was keen to enact the 19th Amendment which partly diluted the powers of the Executive Presidency, an election pledge of his.

In the process, however, he slipped in the provision to continue in office till his term finished  something he didnt promise the voter.

The 19th Amendment did eventually pass muster but not before MPs loyal to Rajapaksa moved a plethora of amendments, chiefly relating to the composition of the Constitutional Council.

To his credit, Sirisena stayed in Parliament the whole day that day, liaising with an equally diligent Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, but MPs confessed that at the end no one knew what they passed in the chaotic last stages of the third reading of the bill.

But the duo did indulge in a bit of one-upmanship over the general elections. The UNP wanted early polls to consolidate the support it had mustered during the presidential poll but Sirisena wanted more time to get the entire SLFP under his wing.

As President, although still having enormous powers at his disposal, Sirisena knows that he has been elected on UNP votes.

He also knows that the UNP will not ask its voters to do so again. Hence the need to rally the SLFP behind him  but this has not happened so far because Rajapaksa continues to lurk in the shadows.

Sirisena knows, that despite winning over some MPs with ministerial posts, the bulwark of SLFP voters see him as the one who had the SLFP defeated  both in January and August last year.

The run-up to the August general election was a fiasco of sorts. At first, Sirisena declared that he would not grant nominations to Rajapaksa but then allowed that to happen.

Then he took to national television to explain his decision saying he was only trying to avoid a split in the party and announced that Rajapaksa would never be made Prime Minister. SLFPers were naturally livid because their captain was scoring an own goal!

In trying to woo Rajapaksa loyalists after the election  in which the UPFA lost but came a not too distant second  Sirisena made two blunders.

First, he appointed defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. Politically, he was killing two birds with one stone: he was ousting Rajapaksas nominees from the National List and at the same time getting his loyalists in.

However, this flew in the face of the much-hyped yahapaalanaya (good governance) that he preached during his election campaign and brought forth gasps of disbelief from the likes of Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera who assumed Sirisena would act in a more principled manner and made public his views.

Second, Sirisena was not averse to trying Rajapaksas formula of wooing MPs with cabinet portfolios. Worst still, some of them have outstanding allegations of bribery and corruption against them.

The number of ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers is now more than 90 and counting  a far cry from the pledge in Sirisenas manifesto that the number, composition and nature of the Cabinet of Ministers would be determined on a scientific basis.

This has eroded the Presidents credibility even further  that he is willing to compromise principles for expediency, and he still doesnt command absolute loyalty from SLFP MPs or supporters.

The President would of course argue that with more constitutional reforms on the cards, he needs the support of every MP that he can get at whatever price he has to pay, if he is to preside over the abolition of the Executive Presidency and restore a hybrid electoral formula that combines the merits of the first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems.

There is some validity in that argument, like in most arguments of such a nature, but it is Sirisenas integrity that takes a beating whenever pictures of two more smiling ministers take oaths before him appear in the newspapers.

Sanguine statesman

If, in the year that he has been in office, Sirisena has not been the shrewdest of politicians, he has been a more sanguine statesman than his predecessor.

Helped no doubt by his Prime Minister Wickremesinghe he has been able to tone down the anti-Sri Lanka rhetoric that was emanating from Western countries and the United Nations. Sri Lanka is no longer a rogue state mentioned in the same sentence as Syria and North Korea.

Sirisena has not been averse to having a dialogue with the Tamil Diaspora, releasing those detained at the height of the war and reducing the militarys presence in the North.

These gestures, though they will not fully douse communal tensions, have created an atmosphere of hope among the minorities and signalled that the Government in Colombo is one that wants to be engaged in reconciliation rather than retribution.

The dangers portend, however. Accusations of a sell-out are going to ring very soon among the majority, and Rajapaksa will hitch his wagon to that nationalism star for a certainty.

Foreign and domestic challenges

The real challenge will come in meeting the demands of the Western powers in the next few months with regard to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution. A war crimes tribunal even if domestic is not going to be popular and the Rajapaksas will see to that.

Sirisena might have to do what Rajapaksa did to his opponent Fonseka if he is to avoid such a scenario. That such a ghost haunts the incumbent President is borne by his repetitive comments that he will not allow conspirtors to topple his government for five years  comments clearly aimed at the still formidable Rajapaksa camp.

More challenges loom on the domestic front. As always, it is the Government that is called in to answer the difficult questions of incumbency.

Foremost among them would be the lack of tangible results in prosecuting those accused of bribery, corruption and abuse of power during the previous regime.

Avant Garde, Thajudeen, Ekneligoda and Dubai bank accounts have been words that have regularly hit the headlines in recent months but the investigative processes involved in these issues have been painfully slow. Development projects have come to a standstill and the economy is not doing too well either.

The President would counter this by saying he cannot run kangaroo courts and throw the alleged offenders in jail in much the same way that Sarath Fonseka was jailed  and that proper procedures would need to be followed which of course takes time; that the massive loans taken by the Rajapaksa regime have to be re-paid and theres no money in the kitty. While all this is true, the people are not always impressed by logic and reality.

They want action  but not action that is seen as mere revenge.

Perhaps the other lapse on the part of the Sirisena Government is in not communicating to the public what exactly is happening in respect of the allegations against the former regime.

If the Cabinet spokesman, the loquacious dentist turned Minister Rajitha Senaratne is to be believed, the arrest of the Rajapaksas is imminent every day.

On the other hand, the public is fed with a series of inspired leaks in the media which suggest that someone would be interrogated or arrested soon  but nothing sensational has ever happened. And so, the credibility of the Sirisena government takes another beating.

Beneficial for the country

On the plus side of things, President Sirisena is to be commended for leaving the day-to-day functioning of the government in the hands of his ministers, who are from the both the UNP and the SLFP. Indeed, he has maintained cordial ties with the UNP ministers and he is known to enjoy a good working relationship with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe based on mutual understanding and respect.

Critics call it a you scratch my back; I scratch yours policy each ignoring the warts of the other. Nevertheless, if the government blunders on any issue, as its leader and the Executive President, as head of Government not only as Head of State, the buck stops, not with the minister concerned, not with Wickremesinghe but with Sirisena. The recent budget is a case in point.

Despite all these handicaps, drawbacks and shortcomings most Sri Lankans would probably agree that Maithripala Sirisenas ascension to the Presidency a year ago was beneficial for the country in that it prevented a Rajapaksa oligarchy transforming itself into a virtual monarchy, where young Namal Rajapaksa would have surely taken over the reins of power in the fullness of time.

There is also a palpable sense of freedom. When an untoward incident occurs  like it did with former Minister Tilak Marapana and now with Hirunika Premachandra  the media are swarming all over it, without worrying about getting the white van treatment.

Indeed, Sirisena has also kept his promise of living a simple lifestyle though being President albeit a few excesses like the expenditure for his official bungalows (when there is a Presidents House for him already), him taking his son on the official UN delegation and some controversy over a sibling heading a cash-rich semi-government company.

It could be argued that, while not being perfect, these transgressions pale into insignificance, compared to the excesses of the previous regime.

Many may say Sirisenas performance as President has fallen short of expectations in his first year in office because his key promises  abolishing the Executive Presidency, changing the electoral system, prosecuting those responsible for bribery and corruption and fostering a culture of good governance- have only been partly fulfilled.

However, he remains a benign figure in the public perception, not being invested with a Machiavellian persona  not yet anyway. If at all, his critics would say he is not shrewd enough for the job though he may be learning on it.

Such cunning, which his rival Rajapaksa possesses in abundance, will surely be needed when he confronts his next major election- the local government polls, which he has got extended till he secures himself in the SLFP saddle more firmly.

This is where, despite their marriage of convenience, the UNP and the SLFP would have to part ways and contest each other at the grassroots level.

Ideally, this can happen while the cohabitation in Parliament goes on but in a political culture based on two-party rivalry for decades, the current tenuous camaraderie between the UNP and the SLFP will be put to the ultimate test.

Already, a minister close to Sirisena, the blabber-mouth S.B. Dissanayake is reported as saying the parting of ways is imminent; whatever he meant by that.

We have suggested in this column previously that Sirisena should have played statesman and not politician. To do so though, he should have distanced himself from the SLFP and been an apolitical President. After all, he was an SLFPer elected on UNP votes and playing this dual role was always going to be difficult.

To date, he has shown no inclination of removing himself from his party  rather, he is trying to get more control of it.

On January 9, 2015, shortly after taking his oaths amidst the bedlam that prevailed at Independence square, Sirisena promised the nation that he would not contest the Presidency any more.

Indeed, there would be no need to do so because, if he kept his promise, the Presidency would be abolished after his tenure of office. He now says he would like to continue with his political philosophy after 2020 when the Presidency lapses.

Of course, he didnt tell the country that, shortly after taking his oaths. And, what will he be telling as time goes by.

Power changes the mind-set of politicians. We saw Mahinda Rajapaksa metamorphose from an easy going, frugal, fun loving person into an omnipotent autocrat, helped of course by various hangers on who were not shy to sing his praises even when they were not warranted.

We hope the same fate does not befall President Maithripala Sirisena. That is not only because his job is only partially done. It is also because, after taking on the challenge of contesting Rajapaksa, he deserves a kind footnote in history.
A proposal for the new constitution By Chula Goonasekera View(s): View(s):

Currently the most important foundation Sri Lanka needs is unity and trust amongst her people. To promote this, we need national acceptance of equal opportunity, human rights and diversity through legislation. Therefore, the proposed new constitution for Sri Lanka should protect and uphold human rights, accept diversity and promote true democracy. It is also prudent that students be protected from exploitation until the age of 21.This is especially to safeguard education in secondary schools and universities.

This is because students have become the bait and front line of various groups, exploiting their ignorance, honesty, vulnerability and poverty through a variety of sinister and cheap means including forced physical and mental activities designed to destroy our traditional national practices and family values. Dishonouring elders and teachers, being unlawful purposefully in mass, public use of obscene language whilst intimidating others who are resistant to this change are some principles they work on. This is sadly a major hindrance for our national development. Some students are entrenched in these trends of hate and destructive attitude until late in life. These damaged personalities openly display their inability to resolve differences through civilised means of discussion, argument and propaganda. Instead they embark on threats, violence, public harassment and public property destruction. We have recently witnessed these trends on television where student leaders including student monks found it difficult to comprehend a nationally complex situation due to their self imposed tunnel vision. They seek resolution through forcing administrators by intimidation or holding them to ransom.

Politicians often call for government officers to be more disciplined and efficient. Some parliamentarians think government officers are government servants, whose duty is to serve the parliamentarians. This was made publicly known in the recent debates in the Parliament when the formulation of the constitution council was discussed. In fact all parliamentarians are also government officers and should serve under the same service and disciplinary procedures as other government servants including the leave entitlement. This is because they too are fully supported and maintained by public money. Hence, they have a moral obligation to obey disciplinary codes that apply to all government officers. The physical and verbal abuse in parliament, ignoring parliamentary rules, ethics and duties, ad hoc attendance, and use of unlawful means to publicly intimidate, force and obstruct parliamentary proceedings should come to a halt. Parliament is not a place for hooligans but a house of honour for constructive argument, sound debate and agreement on the welfare of the Sri Lankan people. It is the supreme institution of the people of Sri Lanka and anyone attempting to break these values should be debarred from attendance or removed instantly. Without such a rule we cannot bring sanity to our peoples representatives.

Today what most politicians do is spend public money allocated to their ministries in a manner that will directly or indirectly benefit them. As of today, politicians are the most unaccountable officers in our governance. They take no responsibility for any of their mistakes that costs millions to the public taxpayer. Thus, in legislation, they should be held accountable for projects that go wrong, especially if they have worked upon their wishful thinking rather than on sound feasibility analysis, justification and expert advice.

Equality

Diversity has to be tolerated, accepted and considered equal by law. Until this is done there will be polarisation due to race, religion, caste and greed. Most of our politicians are masters in propagating these divisions. The Equality law in the new constitution should class the following characteristics as protected. In other words, it should become unlawful to discriminate against people based on any of the following characteristics. These include; (a) Religion or belief, (b) Age (c) Marriage and civil partnership (d) Race (e) Disability (f) Sexual orientation (g) Gender and (h) Pregnancy and maternity. This will provide equal opportunities at every level and completely remove all quarrels that are based on any of the above.

This will help us do away with parties polarised with racial or religious instincts who deceive the voters year after year. These selfish anti-national groups have simply promised a pound of flesh for their clan to secure their posting to the parliament. This fractional representation is the biggest obstacle for unification and equalisation.

Without ensuring equal opportunities, we will never be able to resolve inter racial or inter gender or even inter cast generated conflicts and misunderstandings. We need such a ruling to ensure that everyone is given equal opportunity. This will prevent back door employment, back door entrance to educational institutions, and day-to-day tactics of dodging the rules and favouring the favourites.

Polarised politicians over religious, regional or racial issues would hate to see equality flourish. This is because equality will erase the lifeline of division that makes them thrive in power. If there is equality, our motherland can move forward with political parties promoting true principles of governance that can lead us to become a developed country. The parties currently representing fractions of the community are only interested in swinging the pendulum from left to right or right to left at elections for their own advantage and not really for the benefit of the people they represent. There is no point beating about the bush. Our politicians will continue to dodge this necessity as long as they can  unless defeated by a referendum. The simple truth is what is public friendly is not always politician friendly. Thus, a chance of winning equal rights for everyone via the constitution is not an easy task unless the President himself spearheads the whole process.

Human rights

In a similar context, the human rights legislation should offer protection from discrimination in respect to following rights and freedoms. These include (a) Right to life (b) Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment (c ) Right to liberty and security (d) Freedom from slavery and forced labour (e) Right of fair trial (f) No punishment without law (g) Respect for private and family life, home and correspondence (h) Freedom of thought, belief and religion (i) Freedom of expression (j) Freedom of assembly and association (k) Right to marry and start a family (l) Right to education and (n) the Right to participate in free elections.

Without free expression and debate, we cannot correct ourselves. This is also the only civilized instrument available today for self-correction. We need debate without hindrance for our development as a nation. Debate resolves differences of opinion through understanding. Open expression is also a healer of conflict-induced division.

Democracy

Above legislation is essential to establish a true democracy. In a true democracy common people are considered the primary source of political voice and power. The effectiveness of a true democracy depends on the degree of the citizens involvement, and their knowledge of true current events and news. That is why the free press is essential. Only the informed and involved citizens and their commitment can formulate the foundation for a true democracy. Therefore, Rules and Regulations in the Constitution should be designed and prescribed to protect and maintain the principles of social stability, human rights, and equality as above. In democratic governance, people are able to exercise their inalienable rights, to directly elect their term-limited representatives, or impeach their elected or appointed representatives through a local or national referendum. The true frontline Guardians of Democracy therefore are the local independent press, and informed, involved and alert citizens. We also need a mechanism to ensure that all government officers are made aware of this legislation and are accountable for its implementation.

Unfortunately we are far from this idealistic situation. At present at least 10% of our cabinet constitute politicians defeated in polls. Amidst a mix of racially, religiously or otherwise divided politicos, the above number is sufficient to hold the balance of power and swing the pendulum in their favour term after term. The losers are the people, every time. The value of one persons vote should be one and not anything less or more. This will have to be established in the constitution. This is not possible with any proportional representation. We had racially charged communal violence approximately 10 years after independence in 1958. We did nothing to end communal violence in legislation. Malaysia experienced communal violence in 1969 again 10 years after their independence. They took extra legislative measures to prevent it from happening again. The end result is that Malaysians grew while we did not. The Malaysian GDP today is three times above that of ours.

Public welfare

We must ensure by legislation that equitable education and health is available for all, free of charge. This means core and defined segments of education and health should be available to all citizens of the country equally. For example, if students qualifying from the advanced level examination are offered university education as a government policy, then it should be available to all such qualifiers and not a few. If the government is unable to offer a place for university education in Sri Lanka, then at least the estimated cost of such education in Sri Lanka should be made available to them to study elsewhere should they wish. Given the continuous need of this investment for future students, it is prudent this money is reclaimed during working life of its users following employment. This is the only way we can ensure that our young generation is adequately educated, in areas of their choice, without being a burden to the poor taxpayer and eventually become valuable citizens in the future. In a similar manner, the aspects of free health care declared for all citizens should be specified and available to all, equally, around the country, round the clock.

Our welfare system should prioritise children, mothers and the disabled.

Thus, a major proportion of our welfare should go to them unconditionally and not the able and not working class who does not want to work or learn to work. This will ensure that we are truly a caring nation.

Peoples approval

No legislation is perfect until tested in public. Thus, all legislation passed through the Parliament should be subject to a public consultation within the first year of its implementation allowing for a revised final reading again in the Parliament. Legislation that does not undergo a public consultation should be considered defunct. This is one way to keep legislation in check by the public opinion.

The number of politicians needed to serve this country should be reduced. While it is necessary to develop evidence-based policies, their effective implementation would depend on the efficacy of relevant institutions. In other words, the revamping of state institutions in different sectors is equally important with professional leadership and not political stooges. There are over 3,000 politicians serving in our provincial councils. We need more and more public money to maintain them including the projected 255 in the next parliament. The money has to be generated by the public and not politicians. This is why the professional bodies, which are the representatives of this money generating machinery, are at the forefront to guide politicians in the right direction without being blinded by cunning MPs.

We need a government that is stamped by the authority of the people and not by the politicians, addresses national problems in a systematic fashion, in conjunction with professionals and professional bodies taking into consideration our own research evidence, past experience, and the experience of other countries. Sans this, we have little hope of becoming a competitive independent nation in the modern world with a guaranteed, long lasting peace and prosperity.

This letter represents the views of a common man at 60 and not that of an economist or a political analyst.

- Chula Goonasekera is an academic who was attached to the University of Peradeniya. cgoonase@sltnet.lk
North Koreas defiance underlines the urgency to eradicate nuclear weapons View(s):

NEW YORK (IDN)  North Korea defied world powers, on January 6, by announcing that it had successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen nuclear device  in contravention of the international norm against nuclear testing.

The miniaturizing allows the device to be placed on a missile thereby significantly increasing its strike capabilities not only against Japan and South Korea but also against the United States.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: This test, once again, violates numerous Security Council resolutions despite the united call by the international community to cease such activities.

North Korea has been under UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions since it first tested an atomic device in 2006. As in the past, the UNSC unanimously condemned this reprehensible act, which destabilizes regional security.

North Korea said that it would not give up its nuclear program as long as the United States maintained what it called its stance of aggression. It vowed not to use its nuclear weapons unless its sovereignty was infringed.

Presidential candidates seize opportunity

Being a presidential election year, Republican presidential candidates took the opportunity to blame President Barack Obama that his foreign policy for North Koreas nuclear arms activities has failed.

Among the critics, Senator Marco Rubio said that North Korea is run by a lunatic who has been expanding his nuclear arsenal while President Obama has stood idly by, and that this is the latest example of the failed Obama-Clinton foreign policy.

Republican front-runner candidate Donald Trump urged China to rein in its ally or face repercussions on trade, and Governor Chris Christie cited a weak response from Obama and Clinton to North Koreas previous nuclear tests, and said that they have just not acted strongly at all around the world.

Do these statements imply that the Obama administration failed to bomb the hell out of North Korea?

The legitimacy to attack another country

The Republican presidential candidates unfairly criticize Obamas foreign policy forgetting the fact the United States and the United Nations have repeatedly enforced sanctions against belligerent North Korea.

Sanctions are not the panacea for all ills but they proved effective in the case of Iran. After decades of economic sanctions, Iran, the United States and five other world powers reached a landmark agreement that will prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

It is hypocritical to blame others knowing well that no world power has any right to attack and destroy another country simply because it developed its nuclear military capabilities in order to defend itself from external threats.

Any military strike by one country, based merely on its own judgment, against another sovereign country is a gross violation of international law and is certainly against the UN Charter which clearly states that the use of force is not legitimate unless authorized by the Security Council or in self-defence  that is, only after a direct attack.

Nuclear Proliferation

Nuclear weapons are the most inhumane and dangerous weapons on earth which can annihilate whole cities, potentially killing millions, and destroying the natural environment and lives of future generations through its long-term catastrophic effects.

At the creation of the UN in 1945, the United States was the only nation in the world to own and use nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In 1970, the UN Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty was signed by 190 nations, including five nations that admitted to owning nuclear weapons: China, France, the now-defunct Soviet Union (Russia), United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Despite this treaty, India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea became nuclear states. Together, they possess more than 15,000 nuclear weapons. USA and Russia maintain roughly 1,800 of their nuclear weapons on high-alert status  ready to be launched within minutes of a warning.

Since 1945, at least eight nations have detonated 2,053 nuclear test explosions around the world to proof-test new warhead designs and create increasingly sophisticated nuclear weapons.

Nuclear arms race continues

According to a report by Global Research, the United States is going to deploy 20 modernized B61-12 nuclear bombs in Germany, each 80 times more destructive than the one used on Hiroshima.

These would eventually replace the 180 B61s held in six bases in five countries  Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkey. In addition, France and the United Kingdom also maintain state-owned nuclear arsenals.

Following the United States decision to deploy these lethal nuclear weapons and NATOs expansion to Russias borders, Russia immediately began to upgrade its air defence system and its strategic nuclear arsenal as a retaliatory and a precautionary measure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia obviously retains the right if needed to deploy its nuclear weapons anywhere on its national territory, including on the Crimean Peninsula.

In December 2015, Russias Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that, in 2014, its Military received 35 new intercontinental ballistic missiles, 243 aircraft, 90 air defence systems and 1,172 tanks and other armoured vehicles as part of an ambitious arms modernization effort.

Shoigu said that its Navy received two new nuclear-powered submarines equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles, two general-purpose submarines and eight surface warships.

So, the nuclear arms race continues  preparing for mutual annihilation.

World War III: Nuclear Holocaust

A Nuclear War (the exchange of nuclear weapons between two or more states) is still possible as the power hungry war-mongers do not care about the disastrous consequences that nuclear weapons can unleash on humanity  from mutual annihilation to the freezing of this earth.

Volumes have been written about the necessity, morality and consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. Though our world today is full of geo-political conflicts that cause constant sabre rattling, it is most unlikely that any sane world leader would resort to the use of deadly nuclear weapons.

However, a nuclear war could be triggered by a pure technical accident to an intentional strike by a deranged officer, a terrorist or a cyber attack regardless of multiple mechanisms in place to avoid such a catastrophe.

The ONLY solution: a nuclear-weapon-free world

With conflicts and wars raging all over our world, all world leaders and peace loving citizens should focus on developing a new concept of international security under the auspices of the United Nations  to guide the world towards the elimination of nuclear weapons.

American Presidents have spoken about the need to abolish nuclear weapons. For example, John Kennedy said that these nuclear weapons must be abolished before they abolish us; Ronald Reagan said We must never stop at all until we see the day when nuclear arms have been banished from the face of the Earth; and in a 2009 Prague speech, Barack Obama vowed concrete steps towards a world without nuclear weapons.

Since those lofty words, the United States has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to upgrade its nuclear weapons.

The UN General Assembly voted on December 8, 2015 to set up a working group that will develop legal measures, legal provisions and norms for achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world.

At the UN, 144 states declared that in the interests of humanity, nuclear weapons are never used again under any circumstances, and 132 states described nuclear weapons as inherently immoral.

Five of the nine nuclear-armed nations  China, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and France  opposed this UN action spuriously claiming that An instrument such as a ban would undermine the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty] regime. A nonsensical excuse!

President Truman said, The responsibility of the great states is to serve and not dominate the peoples of the world.

It is time for people to act as the only guarantee against the spread and use of nuclear weapons is to eliminate them.

(Somar Wijayadasa was a UNESCO delegate to the UN General Assembly for ten consecutive years from 1985-1995, and was Representative of UNAIDS at the United Nations from 1995-2000.)
A review of alcohol bans in the Western Bay of Plenty is underway with people asked to share their views on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related crime and disorder in the District.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is reviewing its Liquor Control Bylaw following a request from Te Puke Police and Te Puke Community Board in late 2015for an alcohol ban in the towns shopping centre.

Council Group Manager Policy Planning and Regulatory Services, Rachael Davie, says the request was prompted by locals concerns about disorderly and anti-social behavior related to alcohol consumption.

Our current bylaw only enables Council to impose alcohol bans in Waihi Beach and Katikati, so a review is needed to consider a ban in Te Puke.

Because we are required to fully review our bylaw by December 2018, we decided to combine the two processes.

While the review is considering any new alcohol bans, it also looks at whether the existing bans in Katikati and Waihi Beach should continue.

An online feedback site has been created for people to share their views about alcohol consumption, alcohol-related crime and express any concerns around community safety.

Public demand for an alcohol ban will not be enough to add or retain a ban under new legislation, says Rachael.

Alcohol bans are subject to a new set of legislative requirements and these set a higher threshold that must be met for Council to retain an existing alcohol ban, or impose any new alcohol bans.

It means that bans should only be targeted to problem locations and times, where there is clear evidence of crime and disorder caused or made worse by alcohol consumption, says Rachael.

We need evidence to prove a high level of crime and disorder would occur without a ban  and thats why peoples experiences and feedback are so important.

Rachael encourages anyone who has experienced alcohol-related crime in their town to visit the online site  fill in the short survey and take part in the discussion forums. Feedback can be anonymous.

Alternatively, people can fill out the survey at any of Councils library and service centres.

Examples of alcohol-related crime include anything from littering, broken bottles and abusive language and behaviour, to incidents where you feel like your safety has been compromised or even extreme crimes such as sexual violence or murder.

The review also takes into account community safety and seeks opinions on other community safety initiatives.

The online consultation is open from today to Monday, February 1.

Following stage one, a draft bylaw will be created and released for consultation with the community in March and April 2016.

The final bylaw is expected to be adopted in August 2016.
The current police investigations involve an investment scam where victims are called from Hong Kong / China by person unknown, and are offered to purchase shares.

These are often short term investments in well-known companies offering large returns.

Another type of scam that is currently been investigated is a romance scam, where the victim has met a person through an online dating site and unknowingly transferred stolen funds into off shores bank accounts.

On each occasion, the offenders are from overseas countries and once they receive the first payment of money, they will continue to pressurise the victims to transfer larger sums of money at short notice.

These scams are sophisticated and can occur over many months, says Constable Ross Barnett.

I would like to remind the public to exercise extreme caution when buying shares overseas, transferring money on other peoples behalf and giving money to any one they have not met in person.

Ross advises the public if they receive offers like these they should either hang up or seek expert advice before any money changes hands, as if the offer appears too good to be true, if often is.

Other current scams circulating advise people they have won an overseas lottery and require money to receive the prize.

Some take the persona of a legitimate businesses but syphon the money different bank account and others pretend to be a law enforcement agency and demand money for illegal material that has been downloaded onto the victims computer, says Ross.

In each of these incidences no money should be paid.

For more advice and reporting on cybercrime contact your local Police Station, www.netsafe.org.nz

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.
WASHINGTON  In a case many believe is an assault on public employee unions nationwide, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday from 10 California teachers and a Christian education association contesting fees paid to support collective bargaining.

The case, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, involves what the petitioners contend is an unconstitutional mandatory payment for 'compelled political speech.' It seeks to end the practice under California state law of requiring teachers, including non-union members, to pay an 'agency fee'  sometimes called a 'fair share'  to underwrite the expense of collective bargaining with their employer school districts.

'I don't know whether our members are aware to the extent union leaders are,' said Vicki Rodriguez, president of the St. Lucie County Classroom Teachers Association, of the significance of the case. 'As far as implications are concerned, I think any infringement on the ability for working people to organize would weaken our profession  whether that's in California, Florida, New York, Wisconsin or wherever.'

St. Lucie County's teachers union, which represents more than 3,000 instructional personnel, teachers' aides and clerical employees, has 70 percent of covered employees as members. That's the fifth highest union density among teachers' unions in the state, Rodriguez, a 26-year high school English teacher, noted. Statewide, less than half of teachers and support personnel covered by union-negotiated agreements are union members.

FAIR SHARE

In practice in California, unions determine the annual dues and the portion of it that will be devoted to collective bargaining expenses. California law allows the amount that might be used for other union activity, like lobbying or political advocacy, to be refunded if the nonmember objects and requests it each year in writing. The agency fee is typically about 2 percent of a new teacher's salary, or about $1,000; the refund to those who object to underwriting non-bargaining expenses is typically about $350 to $400 a year.

For those who object to the mandatory payments, they are, in the words of the petitioner school teachers' brief, an 'annual tribute' that subsidizes the unions' 'quintessentially political act of extracting policy commitments from local elected officials on some of the most contested issues in education and fiscal policy.' It's a First Amendment, free speech issue, and teachers are paying for others to speak for them in ways they don't support, they say.

As a friend-of-the court brief by 18 state attorneys general, including Florida's Pamela Jo Bondi, put it: 'The basic question of how much the state will pay its employees is a public policy question unto itself.'

The attorneys general argue that a variety of issues that come up in collective bargaining involve political issues, including reproductive health care in benefits packages. They point to the municipal bankruptcies in Detroit, Michigan, and Stockton and San Bernardino, in California, and Illinois' $100 billion in unfunded liabilities to its public employee retirement systems, as examples where 'unsustainable labor commitments' have had major public policy consequences  and not just for employees.

FLORIDA IMPLICATIONS

The case has huge implications for public employees in at least 25 states where mandatory dues payments are used to underwrite union activity, and some see the case as an overt attempt to weaken public employee unions and a system for financing them the high court reviewed and upheld in a 1977 Michigan case. Others see it as another step toward privatizing the trillion-dollar education industry.

There are 48 friend-of-the court briefs in the case, ranging from the Koch-supported libertarian Cato Institute's for the petitioners to the AFL-CIO's for the unions.

A brief by the California School Employees Association, whose 740 chapters represent an estimated 225,000 non-teacher groundskeepers, food service and custodial workers, said all the employees it represents 'will be directly affected by the court's decision in this case.'

For 39-year educator Colleen Briner-Schmidt, president of the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers representing Conejo Valley Unified School District, the so-called 'fair share' payments nonmembers are required to pay for representation 'all boils down to fairness.' Twenty-nine employees of the roughly 1,000 covered by the current agreement opt out of paying non-bargaining costs, she said.

The Conejo teachers union currently is bargaining over salaries, working conditions for special education teachers, health benefits and other issues, she said, and although the relationship with the school board is not adversarial, she fears losing a voice if the high court rules with the petitioners. She said she even has 'issues' with teachers being able to opt out of underwriting the political activity of the union because of its benefits. Although she's a registered Republican and often doesn't agree with some of her union's endorsements of political candidates, she sees value in the political side.

'The fact that we have class-size reduction in California is because the union made that happen,' she said. 'Prop 30 that put our funding back in place (in 2012) happened because of the unions.

Those are the kinds of things I worry about losing in this case.'

FREE RIDERS

Briner-Schmidt, who is also on the board of the National Education Association representing California, said the lead plaintiff in the case, Rebecca Friedrichs, who has taught in the elementary schools of Orange County for 28 years, got the benefit of smaller class sizes and higher pay thanks to the union she doesn't support.

The unions call such people 'free riders,' getting the benefits of union membership without the cost.

As Amanda Hogan, president of the Simi Educators Association, put it, without Fair Share payments from everyone, 'some people would get the services for free, while others would be paying. It would create an inequity and division.'

Just four of the 765 janitors, food service and other non-teacher employees covered by an agreement with the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association opt out of paying the non-bargaining-related costs, said its president Teri Roots.

She said a ruling in the case 'will affect everyone in some way, shape or form,' but she said she didn't think it would 'take the strength away' from her organization.

'We're really a cohesive group,' she said.
Laurence Reisman Columnist SHARE Vero Beach artist Bill Gimbel was asked to remove his KnoW Lives Matter painting from the Main Street Vero Beach gallery Jan. 4, after two patrons complained. Gimbel resigned from the gallery, calling the request censorship. What do you think of the painting? Take our poll at TCPalm.com. (LAURENCE REISMAN/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS) Bill Gimbel Poll Does the painting by artist Bill Gimbel offend you? Yes No Undecided vote View Results Yes: 5% No: 94% Undecided: 1% Total Responses: 199

This column has been changed from the original. Artist Mary Bennett was asked to take down a painting in Sebastian.

"One man's vulgarity is another's lyric."

That's the rationale behind what happened the other day at a Vero Beach art gallery.

The verbiage is how John Marshall Harlan II, a U.S. Supreme Court justice, so eloquently in 1971 addressed a message  unsuitable for publication in this newspaper  emblazoned on the jacket of Paul Robert Cohen. Cohen, whose message opposed the military draft in 1968, was convicted, of offensive conduct in Los Angeles County.

Ultimately, the high court overturned the conviction, ruling the Constitution protected Cohen's message under its First Amendment.

Then there's the case of Bill Gimbel, 71, a multi-medium artist who moved to Vero Beach several months ago after spending about 17 years in Punta Gorda teaching and crafting.

Monday, Gimbel's constitutional rights weren't violated when he was asked to remove a painting from gallery space he rented in Main Street Vero Beach's office for $150 a month. Still, Gimbel was offended by what he called "censorship" of his landlord of just less than a month.

So offended he packed up his art and left the prime real estate on 14th Avenue.

Elaine Jones, executive director of Main Street Vero Beach, which promotes and advocates for downtown, said two patrons complained about the painting. The small gallery inside the Main Street office is meant to be a welcome center  not a place for what could be controversial art, she said.

The painting: Gimbel's edgy commentary on current conditions of society, fueled, he said, by "disgust and outrage." He uses the phrases "No lives matter" and "Know lives matter" to provoke a conversation on the issue.

When Gimbel showed me his painting, I told him I wouldn't buy it, but it did not offend me. I asked my wife and 21-year-old son what they saw in the image  and they saw two different meanings.

Therein lies the gift of Gimbel's work. It provokes conversation.

"Great art is something that instills emotions in you," Gimbel said, echoing my philosophy as a newspaper editor. Anyone can take a picture or write an article, but only the best works can make you cry or create conversation.

Most of the work Gimbel had on display was anything but edgy.

"I have never been censored in my more than 50 years of painting and exhibiting and find this action perplexing since it violates the very core of what art is about, not to mention my freedom of expressing myself as an artist and gentleman," Gimbel said.

"Political correctness has gone crazy," Gimbel said. "Now this ugly beast has invaded the world of art."

But art has been questioned for centuries.

Priscilla Frank, arts and culture editor of the Huffington Post, documented censorship from Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" in the 1500s to Robert Mapplethorpe's sexually explicit images of the late 1980s.

Late last year Sebastian officials had artist Mary Bennett take down a painting depicting a woman's view of a blind date with her future husband. It included one word unpublishable in this newspaper. William Finnin Jr., pastor of Sebastian United Methodist Church, was so upset with the censorship he bought painting for his office.

Ultimately, it's a gallery's right to decide what it allows.

"If the public feels it is offensive, I think it should be taken down," Jones said, noting the gallery will include in future leases verbiage citing the gallery's role in overseeing content. Given that Main Street's gallery serves as a welcome center, her caution is understandable. But guidelines ought to be communicated to artists early.

"On one hand, (Gimbel) is being censored," said Josh Wheeler, an attorney and director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression in Charlottesville, Virginia. "On the other hand, it is the gallery's right to control what goes up.

"The answer to speech you don't like is not censorship, it's more speech," Wheeler continued, citing difficulties of strict policy guidelines on what's permissible. "The value of any work of art is inherently a subjective analysis."

There's no bad guy here.

But here's my hope: That edgy art like Gimbel's finds a home.

This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry.reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-978-2223 or Twitter @LaurenceReisman.
Fastest Skylake CPU frequency 7007.85 MHz on Maximus VIII Gene and 4 world records Der8auer along with Dancop, both German overclockers achieved the fastest CPU frequency on a Skylake motherboard using a Maximus VIII Gene. They reached 7007.85 MHz for CPU frequency! To be able to reach this frequency, they first had to go a long binning process to find this golden chip. Then, once they found the most powerful ones -- reach around 4.8 GHz on air cooling -- they were able to put it on cold. -190C later, they achieved 7007.85 MHz! Asus ROG

New material can fold itself into hundreds of shapes Call it one small step for material science, one giant leap for origami. Researchers have created the first heat-reactive polymer material that can not only remember its current shape but also memorize new ones. The material -- which currently requires high temperatures to change shape and reset its memory -- could lead to a new generation of reusable self-folding materials that could be useful for everything from medical implants to shape-shifting electronics. Science

Kopin enables augmented reality glasses with breakthroughs in display, speech, and battery tech Kopin is unveiling a series of technologies today that it says will make augmented reality glasses -- heretofore clunky and awkward to wear -- as wearable as a pair of sunglasses. The Westborough, Massachusetts-based company -- previously focused on the combat wearable market -- said it has made advances with the world's smallest smart glass display, a breakthrough battery technology, and a new speech-recognition chip... VentureBeat

Will this fancy metallic glue kill soldering? If you want to piss off an electrical engineer, tell them that future electronics might be built using a room-temperature metallic glue instead of conventional soldering techniques. Despite the tedium, burns, bad joins, and dangerous lead fumes, soldering is a prized and hard-fought skill. It's also unavoidable: a technique central to absolutely everything to do with building and repairing electronics at all levels. Vice

New wearable translator aims to smash language barriers A few months ago I found myself in a small village outside Ninh Binh, Vietnam, trying to tell a local mechanic -- who didn't speak a lick of English -- that the ignition coil on my friend's motorbike was burnt out. We pointed to the gearbox and made frantic, useless gestures. When we were finally able to communicate the problem, we then had to explain that the faulty ignition coil was just a symptom of a deeper issue---an overheating engine. USA Today

Harnessing the energy of small bending motions For many applications such as biomedical, mechanical, or environmental monitoring devices, harnessing the energy of small motions could provide a small but virtually unlimited power supply. While a number of approaches have been attempted, researchers at MIT have now developed a completely new method based on electrochemical principles, which could be capable of harvesting energy from a broader range of natural motions and activities, including walking. MIT

2016 Google Tracker: Everything Google is working on for the new year It's that time of the year again -- welcome to the Google Tracker! This is a bi-annual series where we recap every ongoing project (that we know about, at least) inside of Google's sprawling empire. Though from now on, perhaps we should say, "Every ongoing project inside of Alphabet's sprawling empire." "Google" is now a mere company inside of "Alphabet," the newly formed umbrella company created by Google's founders. Ars Technica

Tesla Model S' new 'Summon' feature lets drivers park and retrieve their cars with no one inside Tesla earlier today began pushing out version 7.1 of its software to Model S and Model X owners and, suffice it to say, it's a doozy of a software update. While we'll get to the full changelog shortly, we first wanted to highlight a feature called Summon which enables users to park their cars without having to be inside it. Conversely, it also lets Tesla owners summon their cars that already happen to be parked. BGR

Building an OpenBSD router This guide will show you how to turn an ordinary OpenBSD box into a router. First, we'll define what our router (also called a gateway) will actually do in this context, since everyone has different requirements. In this example, there are three computers that need to share an internet connection. One of them is a web server that needs to be accessed remotely, but otherwise we don't want any of the local systems open to the internet. The router will be doing the following things: OpenBSD

Why Amazon's data centers are hidden in spy country Once in a while -- not quite often enough to be a crisis, but just often enough to be a trope -- people in the United States will freak out because a huge number of highly popular websites and services have suddenly gone down. For an interminable period of torture (usually about 1-3 hours, tops) there is no Instagram to browse, no Tinder to swipe, no Github to push to, no Netflix to And Chill. The Atlantic

How players revived Star Wars Galaxies and EverQuest I am standing in a place that shouldn't exist. It shouldn't exist because back in 2011 it was decided that this place and the countless others connected to it were no longer financially viable enough to warrant their own existence. Four years ago, almost to this date, thousands of players gathered where I am standing right now to witness the final moments of Star Wars Galaxies. RPS

Steam sales in 2015 The 2015 was the best year for Steam yet. It brought over 3000 new games (compared to 1900 in 2014), increased the number of concurrent users on Steam from 8M to 12M and helped over 350 million paid games find new owners. Medium

GM unveils Bolt electric car in Vegas General Motors unveiled the production version of its Chevrolet Bolt electric car, on which the US auto giant is pinning its hopes for the emerging segment. The Bolt aims to appeal to consumers looking at a more affordable price tag than the luxury, market-leading Tesla. Phys.org

'The Witcher 3' understands war It was an amazing year for video games. Sole survivors explored the wastes of the American dream in Fallout 4. A brilliant auteur tricked players into fighting nuclear proliferation in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The popular Call of Duty franchise explored the psychic toll of combat. War is Boring
Smartwatch brand Fitbit is facing a class-action lawsuit wherein customers said the PurePulse Trackers' heart rate measurements are dangerously inaccurate. One plaintiff said her Fitbit gadget measured her heart rate at 82 beats per minute (bpm). Her personal trainer manually measured her heart rate at the same time and it registered 160 bpm.

Class-action lawyer Jonathan Selbin said he is hoping to get refunds for the unhappy Fitbit customers. Selbin aims to get a partial refund, at the very least, for the customers who purchased the more expensive Fitbit smartwatches with allegedly faulty heart monitors.

Fitbit retaliated by saying the class-action lawsuit doesn't have merit. The smartwatch company is planning a vigorous defense.

Heart-Pumping Lawsuit

Fitbit claims that its smartwatches with heart monitors measures every beat. However, three Fitbit users in Wisconsin, Colorado and California filed a lawsuit saying their Surge and Charge HR smartwatches failed to accurately measure their heart rates during their workouts. They attacked by saying Fitbit falsely advertised the accuracy of its devices. The three customers demanded punitive damages and compensation.

"This failure did not keep Fitbit from heavily promoting the heart rate monitoring feature," said [pdf] the lawsuit.

In a statement, Fitbit denied the accusations and stood firm that its devices provide accurate heart rate measurements. The San Francisco-based company said its team has conducted and continues to conduct several internal experiments to back up its products' performance.

"We do not believe this case has merit. Fitbit stands behind our heart rate technology and strongly disagrees with the statements made in the complaint and plans to vigorously defend the lawsuit," said Fitbit.

This isn't Fitbit's first brush with a lawsuit. Its rival Jawbone sued Fitbit for allegedly stealing company employees and trade secrets. In 2014, Fitbit users sued the company by claiming the wearable technology causes skin rashes and promotes misleading advertisements. Regardless of back-to-back legal battles, Fitbit retains its high-profile users and impressive price tags.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
While the company has not confirmed that it is working on its own electric vehicle, rumors keep claiming that Apple is indeed developing one.

The latest report by a news website intensifies these rumors, as it has revealed that Apple registered three car-related top-level domain names.

The registered domain names according to MacRumors are: apple.car,apple.cars and apple.auto.

Whois is a public database of domain names and owners, and its records updated on Friday reveal that in December of last year, Apple registered the three domains through sponsoring registrar MarkMonitor Inc. The addresses, however, are currently inactive.

The three domains that Apple registered could very well be related to the company's CarPlay, which is a car infotainment platform that integrates iOS capabilities into the built-in display of vehicles. In addition, Apple often registers domain names, patents and trademarks, whether or not they are actually used.

However, speculation will surely once again run rampant on the possibility that the three domains have any sort of connection with the rumored electric vehicle plans of Apple, fueled by multiple reports that the company has formed a team to work on an electric car with a possible launch date of 2019 or 2020.

Rumors intensified in October 2015 when Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the automotive industry should prepare for a "massive change." While Cook did not specifically say that Apple is the company that would be bringing this change, he did give an idea on what customers can expect from a possible Apple Car.

Cook discussed how the current cars will be shaken to the very core, and that the importance of software in vehicles is growing. He also mentioned the development of self-driving vehicles and the ongoing shift from internal combustion engines into electric engines.

Cook, however, declined to talk about whether Apple is indeed working on its own electric vehicle.

Reports that the Apple Car will be hitting the streets in 2019 surfaced a month earlier from Cook's statement on September 2015, when sources revealed that Apple is now serious with the development of its electric car. The company was said to have moved workers from different departments to work on Project Titan, which is believed to be the internal codename for the electric driving car project.

For Apple to meet the ambitious launch date of 2019, sources said that Apple will be developing an electric car that will be driven by a human driver, as opposed to earlier rumors that it will be a self-driving car. Apple, however, will still be looking to develop a self-driving vehicle in the long run.

In the same month, reports revealed that workers from electric car leader Tesla Motors are moving to work on Apple's Project Titan, with Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk stating earlier in the year that Apple has been trying to lure away Tesla employees with salary bumps and cash bonuses.

Apple is also said to have also been aggressively recruiting engineers and other workers from Ford, General Motors, A123 Systems, Nvidia and Samsung to work on its electric car.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Sprint announced that it has just added 36 more countries under the coverage of the company's existing Open World and Global Roaming programs.

The Open World program offers calling, SMS and high-speed data of up to 1 GB to customers who often travel to Canada, Mexico and 15 Latin American countries.

These include the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Peru.

For other destinations, the company's Open World plan offers SMS, cheaper call rates and high-speed data at $30 for every gigabyte.

These include countries such as Australia, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Palestinian territories, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, Canary Islands, Germany, Israel, Japan, Northern Marianas, Russia and Spain.

Compared to T-Mobile, which offers the same free calling feature, but only in two countries, Sprint surpasses its rival carrier by offering free calling in more global destinations.

In contrast to this, Verizon has no free international calling feature as part of its program.

The best thing about Sprint's Open World plan is that customers can easily add it to their existing plan at no extra cost as long as they are using a smartphone with roaming capabilities.

Likewise, Sprint's Global Roaming is designed for those whose itinerary don't really include Canada, Mexico or Latin America. The company said that customers can opt for the program's free add-on service. This includes unlimited data of up to 2G speeds, unlimited SMS, and calls as low as $0.20 for every minute.

Here is a full list of the newly added 36 countries and destinations that the Open World and Global Roaming programs cover:

1. Austria 13. Hong Kong 25. Netherlands 2. Afghanistan 14. Hungary 26. Norway 3. Bangladesh 15. Iceland 27. Philippines 4. Belarus 16. Indonesia 28. Poland 5. Belgium 17. Kenya 29. Rwanda 6. Bolivia 18. Liechtenstein 30. Serbia 7. Bulgaria 19. Luxembourg 31. Singapore 8. Cambodia 20. Macau 32. Slovenia 9. Croatia 21. Macedonia 33. South Africa 10. Estonia 22. Malaysia 34. Taiwan 11. Finland 23. Republic of Malta 35. Thailand 12. Ghana 24. Montenegro 36. Turkey

Sprint said that the Open World program is a limited-time offer. Customers who want to add the program to their current plans can visit a Sprint retail store. They can also visit the company's web portal or call the customer service hotline at 1-800-SPRINT1.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Samsung has recently filed an application for a 360 degree VR camera in South Korea, proving that the company nears the manufacturing stage with the video gadget.

The application states that Samsung's new product fits into the main categories cameras and photography, supporting speculations that say the trademark applies to a 360 degree camera. It is easy to see why Samsung would want to have a 360 VR camera that can be paired with its proprietary Samsung Gear VR headset for a fully immersive experience.

Users who possess both devices could take 360 degree footage and experience it immediately using the headgear, or share it with others. In November last year, Samsung let the public know that the Gear VR was available for preorders for a competitive price of $99.

According to the South Korean regulator's website, "Gear 360" is the name Samsung has placed on the copyright protection file.

Samsung touted a virtual reality camera named Project Beyond VR in 2014. The company also found fit to showcase it once more, during CES 2016, in Las Vegas.

A while ago, the South Korean company has demonstrated the potential of Project Beyond in a video that was uploaded on the YouTube channel of the developing team. In it, viewers can observe how easy it is to set up the 360-degree-video-capturing gadget, thus assuring that you quickly record memorable moments from your travels.

Samsung says it began Project Beyond with one desire in mind: to help people obtain a rich, immersive experience. The device allows users "to truly dive into the places they always dreamed of being in." To get a glimpse of how awesome it can be having 360-degree videos instead of static photo albums, go to the page where Project Beyond showcases its potential.

Another tantalizing way to use the Samsung VR camera is for streaming live concerts.

"Project Beyond streams live events in real time in the most immersive way. Don't just watch live video, be there!" the company incentivizes its potential customers.

The OEM points out the advantages of using a Project Beyond camera versus its rivals.

"Unlike other 360 cameras, it not only captures the world around it, but does so in true stereoscopic 3D and streams in real time," Samsung says.

To make sure the eye-catching content reaches a wide audience, the company affirms that the videos work on computers, Samsung TVs, tablets and smartphones.

Tech savvy readers might want to know some technical specs about the VR camera. The manufacturer boasts that it created an "engineering marvel" which captures and processes as high as 35 megapixels per frame. That means Project Beyond VR is able to process more than a gigapixel each second.

It is still unclear whether or not the Gear 360 is the consumer variant of Project Beyond VR camera, but as soon as we find out we will relay the information to you.

What is certain, however, is that trademark applications usually appear when the end product is ready to meet its clients. Therefore, we can expect a public announcement from Samsung sometime during the beginning of 2016.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Time is running out for the comet lander Philae, which has been in hibernation since July 9 last year. For scientists, every moment without contact with the sleeping space probe means coming closer to losing it completely.

This is why the European Space Agency (ESA) is doing all its best to wake up the long-silent comet lander. European scientists will transmit a signal into space on Sunday, Jan. 10, to try to nudge Philae back to life and hopefully restore contact.

"There is a small chance. We want to leave no stone unturned," said Cinzia Fantinati, operations manager from DLR or the German Aerospace Center's Philae control team.

Last Chance To Wake Up Philae

ESA and DLR experts said there are several possibilities as to what Philae's condition on the comet is.

Philae may just be too dusty to power on, so the DLR team plans to take advantage of Philae's momentum wheel called "flywheel" and command it to spin. The flywheel is a device that stabilized the comet lander's descent to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

"At best, the spacecraft might shake dust from its solar panels and better align itself with the sun," said Koen Geurts, Philae technical manager at DLR's lander control center.

Currently, comet 67P is moving away from the sun, travelling at a speed as fast as 135,000 kilometers (83,885 miles) per hour. At the end of January, the conditions on the comet will be unsuitable for Philae.

Comet 67P will be more than 186 million miles away, making the temperature levels on the surface drop to negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The DLR team said this is too cold for Philae's equipment to operate.

Aside from the possibility that Philae might be too dusty, scientists think that one of Philae's two transmitters and one of its receivers have failed. The other transmitter and receiver apparently do not function smoothly, either.

With that, the DLR team hopes that Philae has not yet tilted over or become too dusty. Because comet 67P is active, it is ejecting dust and gas into space. Philae is not safe in its current location.

"Unfortunately, Philae's silence does not bode well," said Stephan Ulamec, DLR Philae lander manager.

If the DLR team's attempts this Sunday are unsuccessful, however, it is possible that they will have to say goodbye to the robot lab for the last time.

Philippe Gaudon, Philae project manager from the French National Space Agency, said the attempt to wake up Philae again is a desperate move.

"It is very unlikely the robot will become functional again," said Gaudon.

Philae's Journey

Dispatched by the Rosetta spacecraft, Philae touched down on comet 67P on Nov. 12, 2014. Philae bounced several times, scraping the crater rim.

Unfortunately, the comet lander entered into safe mode after its batteries ran low due to little sunlight and its landing on a different location than originally intended. Still, Philae was able to communicate magnificent results from comet 67P, scientists said.

In June, Philae woke up from its seven-month hibernation and sent a message home. Comet 67P came closer to the sun, recharging the comet lander. Philae used Rosetta as a relay and sent a "hello" that lasted for 85 seconds. In July, the comet lander fell silent once again.

In the meantime, ESA scientists said the Rosetta spacecraft is expected to remain operational until September this year. Comet 67P's movement away from the sun will affect Rosetta's solar panels, and its battery levels will drop significantly. As the power runs low, Rosetta's scientific instruments will not be functional all at the same time. The spacecraft will be put to sleep by that time.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
I really like my Martian smartwatch. It splits the difference nicely between tasteful analog and smartwatch functionality. The company's hoping to recapture some of that magic, while appealing to a new audience, by bringing some of that functionality to a new line of smart jewelry.

The Kindred Vip ties in technology in a very discreet fashion. Gone is the small LCD scroller you'll find on Martian's watches. In its place is a simple LED and vibrations that can be customized to notifier the user of things like calls from specific numbers using the new Martian Smart mVip app.

The jewelry features a built-in accelerometer for activity and sleep tracking and a battery that only needs to be recharged every two or three weeks or so. The band is also water resistant. The line includes watches and the pictured jewelry, which was developed alongside PC Jeweller Limited and features actual gold.

Told you it was intense.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Windows 1.0 to 10: The changing face of Microsofts landmark Windows operating system

Microsoft, the leader in software and operating system was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Over the years, the company has managed to become a computer software giant. In its early years, Microsoft got excellent response from the market, ever since the products and services have started to replace the extensive human labour.

Microsoft Windows has seen nine major versions since its first release in 1985. Over the last three decades, Windows looks very different but somehow familiar with elements that have survived the test of time, increases in computing power and  most recently  a shift from the keyboard and mouse to the touchscreen.

This article will provide you a brief look at the history of all Windows OS versions from Windows 1.0 to Windows 10.

Windows 1.0

The first independent version of Microsoft Windows, version 1.0, released on November 20, 1985, achieved little popularity. The project was briefly codenamed Interface Manager before the windowing system was developed. Windows 1.0 was not a complete operating system, but rather an operating environment that extended MS-DOS.

The first version of Microsoft Windows included Simple Word Processor, Appointment Calendar, Cardfile, Notepad, Clock, Terminal, and Clipboard. It also included the MS-DOS Executive and a game called Reversi. In a special introductory offer, Windows 1.0 came with Windows Write and Windows Paint and cost $99.

Utilities included RAM drive, for managing memory cards designed to beat the PCs 640KB memory limit, Clipboard and Print Spooler.

Windows 2.0

Microsoft Windows version 2 came out on December 9, 1987, and proved slightly more popular than its predecessor. Much of the popularity for Windows 2.0 came by way of its inclusion as run-time version with Microsofts new graphical applications, Excel and Word for Windows. They could be run from MS-DOS, executing Windows for the duration of their activity, and closing down Windows upon exit.

Windows version 2 introduced overlapping windows and supported 16-colour VGA graphics. It marked the debut of the Control Panel and Program Information Files, or PIFs that told Windows how to run DOS applications.

Like Windows 1.0, version 2.0 could run on a dual-floppy-drive PC without a hard disk. Since, version 2.0 used the real-mode memory model, the memory was confined to a maximum of 1MB.

Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0 released on May 22, 1990, improved capabilities given to native applications. Thanks to the introduction of virtual memory, it also allowed users to better multitask older MS-DOS based software compared to Windows/386.

Program Manager and File Manager made their first appearance here, along with a redesigned Control Panel and Solitaire  a Windows staple to this day. Thanks to Windows 3.0s support for 256-colour VGA, it brought a more modern, colourful look to the interface. Also, it was the first version to include the popular game Solitaire.

Windows 3.1

This version was released on March 18, 1992 and had features similar to its predecessor. Windows 3.1 required 1MB of RAM to run and allowed supported MS-DOS programs to be controlled with a mouse for the first time. It was a stand-alone OS, not MS-DOS based such as all previous versions.

Windows 3.1 was also the first Windows to be distributed on a CD-ROM, even though once installed on a hard drive it only took up 10 to 15MB (a CD can typically store up to 700MB). Minesweeper also made its first appearance.

Windows NT 3.1

Introduced on July 27, 1993, Windows NT was built to create a successor to Microsofts ill-fated OS/2. It was designed under the leadership of ex-DEC software engineer Dave Cutler as a fully 32-bit pre-emptive multitasking, multithreaded, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with a hybrid kernel and a hardware abstraction layer to facilitate porting between processor platforms.

It was initially developed for the Intel i860, whose N-Ten codename gave NT its name, even though later marketing-led revisionism changed this to New Technology. NT variants have appeared on many CPU architectures, including IA-32, x86-64, Alpha, MIPS, PowerPC, ARM and Itanium. Its code base still underpins the current generation of Windows operating systems.

Windows 95

As the name implies, Windows 95 arrived on August 24, 1995 that brought the first ever Start button and Start menu with an unprecedented marketing push using the Rolling Stones song Start Me Up.

Windows 95 was a consumer-oriented hybrid 32-bit/16-bit OS with a brand-new user interface. It focused on multi-tasking and saw the introduction of Task Bar. It introduced the concept of plug and play automatic device detection and configuration. MS-DOS still played an important role for Windows 95, which required it to run some programmes and elements.

Internet Explorer also made its debut on Windows 95, but was not installed by default requiring the Windows 95 Plus! pack. Later revisions of Windows 95 included IE by defau

lt, as Netscape Navigator and NCSA Mosaic were popular at the time.

Windows NT 4.0

Microsoft released Windows NT 4.0 to manufacturing on July 29, 1996. Available in Workstation and Server versions at launch, and followed by Server, Enterprise Edition in 1997 and Terminal Server in 1998, Windows NT 4.0 added the Windows 95 user interface to the fully 32-bit, business-oriented NT operating system.

NT 4.0 saw a number of architectural improvements under the surface. The Graphics Device Interface, or GDI, in particular, was moved into kernel mode, giving a important performance boost over NT 3.5x, even though this also required graphics and printer drivers to be updated. NT 4.0 was also the first Windows version to support the DirectX multimedia API.

Windows 98

Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 was even more consumer-friendly than its predecessor Windows 95. It brought with it IE 4, Outlook Express, Windows Address Book, Microsoft Chat, NetShow, Quick Launch toolbar, Active Desktop, and the ability to minimise a window by clicking its toolbar icon. Among other things, Windows 98 introduced the back and forward navigation buttons and the address bar in Windows Explorer. One of the biggest changes was the introduction of the Windows Driver Model for computer components and accessories  one driver to support all future versions of Windows.

On May 29, 1999, an improved version of Windows 98 was released, the Windows 98 SE (second edition) which fixed many issues with Windows 98, had improved USB support, which led to its widespread adoption, including USB hubs and USB mice. It also included newer versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player.

Windows 2000

Microsoft released Windows 2000 on February 17, 2000. Built on the Windows NT 4.0 code base and designed to replace both NT 4.0 and Windows 98, Windows 2000 included plug-and-play capabilities with full ACPI and WDM support, plus many features from the Windows 98/98 SE product line. There were several Windows 2000 editions for servers and one for regular computers.

New across all Windows 2000 editions were NTFS 3.0, the Encrypting File System (EFS), Logical Disk Manager, an LDAP/Active Directory-enabled Address Book and the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). Windows File Protection prevented unauthorised programs from modifying critical system files.

Microsofts automatic updating played an important role in Windows 2000 and became the first Windows to support hibernation.

Windows ME (Millennium)

On September 24, 2000, Microsoft released a successor to Windows 98 called Windows ME, short for Millennium Edition, which was regarded as one of the worst Windows versions ever released. Windows ME was conceived as a quick one-year project that served as a stopgap release between Windows 98 and Windows XP. It was the last DOS-based operating system from Microsoft.

Unlike Windows 95 and 98, it lacked real-mode DOS support. However, it include the useful System Restore feature, a recovery utility that enables the operating system to revert system files back to a prior date and time. IE 5.5, Windows Media Player 7 and Windows Movie Maker all made their appearance for the first time. Autocomplete also appeared in Windows Explorer, but Windows ME was infamous for being buggy, and crash-prone. It was quickly superseded by the far superior NT-based Windows XP.

Windows XP

Undoubtedly, one of the best Windows versions, Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001 that brought Microsofts enterprise line and consumer line of operating systems under one roof.

NT-based Windows XP came in several editions: Home, Professional, Media Center, and Tablet PC Edition. The Start menu and task bar got a visual overhaul, bringing the familiar green Start button, blue task bar and vista wallpaper, along with various shadow and other visual effects.

ClearType, which was designed to make text easier to read on LCD screens, was introduced, as were built-in CD burning, autoplay from CDs and other media, plus various automated update and recovery tools, that unlike Windows ME actually worked.

The initial release of Windows XP was met with considerable criticism, particularly in the area of security, leading to the release of three major Service Packs. Windows XP SP1 was released in September 2002, SP2 came out in August 2004 and SP3 came out in April 2008. Service Pack 2 provided significant improvements and encouraged widespread adoption of XP among both home and business users.

However, Windows XP lasted longer as Microsofts flagship operating system than any other version of Windows, from October 25, 2001 to January 30, 2007 when it was succeeded by Windows Vista.

Windows Server 2003

Released on April 24, 2003, it was meant to be the server edition of Windows XP. The server version of Windows XP came in Web, Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter editions, and succeeded the respective editions of Windows Server 2000. It introduced a new Manage Your Server wizard that simplifies configuring a machine for specific roles, and improved performance.

Other key new features included Active Directory enhancements, version 6.0 of the IIS web server, a backup and restore system, plus improved disk management, better Group Policy handling and administration, and enhanced scripting and command-line tools.

Windows Vista

Consumer versions of Windows Vista released on January 30, 2007 intended to have enhanced security by introducing a new restricted user mode called User Account Control, replacing the administrator-by-default philosophy of Windows XP. Unfortunately, Vista was the target of much criticism and negative press for not working well with programs and devices that had worked with Windows XP.

The main complaints centred on software compatibility, hardware requirements and performance, security features, and digital rights management.

Longhorn (Vistas codename) was built on Windows Server 2003 SP1 after a false start on the XP code base, having jettisoned key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period.

Features that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.

Windows Media Player 11 and IE 7 debuted, along with Windows Defender an anti-spyware programme. Vista also included speech recognition, Windows DVD Maker and Photo Gallery, as well as being the first Windows to be distributed on DVD. Later a version of Windows Vista without Windows Media Player was created in response to anti-trust investigations.

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 was the server version of Windows Vista, which released on February 27, 2008. It included important new features like Network Access Protection (NAP), Server Core, PowerShell and Read-Only Domain Controllers. Existing components such as IIS, Terminal Services and the SMB file-sharing protocol also received thorough overhauls.

NAP checks that PCs connected to the network are compliant with IT policies, and takes appropriate action if they are not. Server Core installs a minimalist GUI and a limited set of server roles, to minimise RAM and patching requirements.

Windows 7

Windows 7 is widely considered as the operating system that Vista should have been. It quickly made inroads into Vistas and XPs market share and was the best Windows OS ever. It was intended to fix all the problems and criticism faced by Vista, with slight tweaks to its appearance and a concentration on user-friendly features and less dialogue box overload. It was faster, more stable and easier to use, becoming the operating system most users and business would upgrade to from Windows XP, forgoing Vista completely.

Windows 7s most notable feature was the redesigned taskbar, featuring the translucent Aero look, thumbnail previews with live content, Jump Lists of recently-opened files and Aero Peek for minimising open application windows to view the desktop.

Other features included a windows snap option to easily maximize windows and put two side-by-side, handwriting recognition, better multi-touch support, libraries for documents, pictures, videos, etc. Homegroup feature allowed for easy sharing of files and printers between computers on a home network.

The other improvements were a revamped Windows Media Player 12 with internet streaming support, a Device Stage for managing peripherals from one convenient location, fewer User Access Control prompts, faster indexing for the native search, improved touch functionality and a virtualised XP Mode for running legacy applications.

Windows 8

Released on October 26, 2012, Windows 8 was Microsofts most essential overhaul of the Windows interface, chucking the Start button and Start menu in favour of a more touch-friendly Start screen.

Microsoft intended Windows 8 (and newer versions) to work not just on regular PCs but also on tablets. This is something they have been trying to do ever since Windows XP. Microsoft even made a tablet of its own called Surface.

Windows 8 came in three 32-bit and 64-bit x86 editions: Windows 8, W8 Pro and W8 Enterprise  plus a fourth, Windows RT for ARM-based systems. The Enterprise edition was only available to Software Assurance customers, and included the Windows To Go feature for creating secure bootable USB flash drives. Pro and Enterprise, which can join Active Directory domains, were the business-oriented editions.

Windows 8 features a redesigned user interface, designed to make it easier for touchscreen devices such as tablets and laptop/tablet hybrids to use Windows. The interface introduced an updated Start menu known as the Start screen, and a new full-screen application platform.

The Windows Store, which offers universal Windows apps that run in a full-screen mode only, was introduced. Programs could still be installed from third-parties like other iterations of Windows, but they could only access the traditional desktop interface of Windows.

Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 was released on October 17, 2013, which re-introduced the Start button that brought up the Start screen from the desktop view of Windows 8.1. You can also go straight to the desktop on login, and configure the desktop Start button or Windows key to go to the Apps page rather than the Start screen. This was more suitable for those using a desktop computer with a mouse and keyboard than the touch-focused Start screen.

Windows 8.1 is available as an update in the Windows store only for Windows 8 users and also available to download for clean installation.

Other new features in Windows 8.1 include enhanced search, more bundled Windows Store apps, the ability to display and use up to four apps side by side, deeper SkyDrive integration and a redesigned Windows Store.

Windows 10

Windows 10 is the current release of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Unveiled on September 30, 2014, it was released on July 29, 2015. A number of new features like Cortana virtual personal assistant (previously introduced with Windows Phone 8.1), the Microsoft Edge (a new default web browser), Windowed Windows Store apps, Virtual desktops/Task View, Action Center, Revamped core apps, The Xbox app, Continuum, Unified settings, and more first appeared in this latest edition.

Microsoft Edge is the new web browser of Windows 10, which is specially designed to be a lightweight web browser. Windows 10 is available in seven editions in total: Home, Mobile, Pro, Enterprise, Education, Mobile Enterprise and IoT Core. Users of qualifying Windows 7, 8.1 and Phone 8.1 devices will be able to upgrade to the appropriate Windows 10 versions for free within a year of the launch, and will receive updates and security patches as they are released, in a scheme Microsoft calls Windows as a service.

It includes improved support for biometric technologies (Windows Hello) and DirectX 12/WDDM 2.0 for improved graphics and gaming functionality.

More generally, Windows 10 is designed to be a unifying release in which universal apps, with appropriate UI behaviours, run on a wide range of platforms: embedded systems, smartphones, tablets, hybrid tablet/laptops, laptops, desktops and games consoles, as well as new hardware categories such as large-screen collaboration/presentation systems (Surface Hub) and AR/VR headsets (HoloLens).
Researchers create breakthrough material to turn carbon dioxide into clean-burning fuel

A team of materials scientists led by Shan Gao at the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences in Hefei, China have created a new material that can convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into formate, a clean fuel that can be burned with no toxic byproducts and used as a clean energy source. Made of partially oxidized cobalt layers, the material carries out the conversion with a high level of efficiency. This material can provide the global-warming-ridden humanity a slight, even though much needed, breathing room; literally believe the researchers.

Its been decades since we recognized the problems created by excess carbon emissions into the Earths atmosphere, and scientists have been struggling to come up with an energy-efficient way to transform CO2 into something useful.

This represents a fundamental scientific breakthrough, Karthish Manthiram, a chemical engineer from the California Institute of Technology who was not involved in the research, told William Herkewitz at Popular Mechanics.

Certainly it will be a years-long process before this is worked into a successful, commercial device. But at this stage of development, by all conceivable metrics, this reaction looks very positive.

Even though in recent years, we have reduced our carbon footprint by a significant amount, it has not yet been completely removed. Energy generation, manufacturing processes, transportation, etc. still release huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every day, so much that natural processes cannot keep up.

Humanity has been actively looking for these emissions to fight these emissions, and this new wonder-material could one of the most promising trump card.

The new material is a four-atom thick sandwich of cobalt metal and cobalt-oxygen molecules. Using a process called electroreduction, which involves feeding a small electric current through the material to change the molecular structure of the CO2 inside, it produces a clean-burning fuel.

As Herkewitz explains, when vibrated with electric current, the material interacts with CO2 molecules running through it. Bascially, a hydrogen atom (which has one electron and one proton) gets attached to the carbon atom of the CO2 molecule. When that happens, an extra electron is prompted into one of the oxygen atoms in the carbon dioxide. . With that, the CO2 becomes CHOO-, or formate, he says.

Gao and the team found they could quickly produce a steady stream of formate by keeping their material about 10 milliamperes per square centimeter over 40 hours, with approximately 90 percent formate selectivity at an overpotential of only 0.24 volts, they write in the journal Nature. To Manthiram, that makes the material the best weve seen by far, he says.

One barrier has been something we call overpotentialhow much extra energy you need to drive this process Manthiram says. Basically you want to keep that wasted energy as low as possible. [But] as you bring that overpotential down, youd find that the rate at which you turn CO2 into formate gets slower and slower. By contrast, Manthiram says, the new material has low overpotential but a high rate of formate production, all while remaining stable. Its very rare and difficult to find a material that satisfies all three of those constraints, he added.

This kind of never-before-seen efficiency confirms that this material could be a practical and useful solution to the carbon emission problem, even though there is no clear-cut answer for the question of where and how it can be used.

It is upto to Gaos team and other material scientists now to cultivate ways to fit the new material into commercial devices, which could cleanly reuse CO2 collected from existing power plants that is often simply stashed away in empty oil wells. But Im very optimistic, Manthiram says. Just five or ten years, ago [scientists in this field] assumed it might even be impossible to convert CO2 into formate with such a high rate and low overpotential, he says. We need fundamental breakthroughs of just this sort if we are going to earnestly tackle problems as big as global warming.
Angela Burr was initially written as a man in the book, so not only did they have to rethink the gender of the character, but also incorporate the fact that she is pregnant, said Colman, who filmed the role while expecting her third child, a daughter who was born in August.
Argentina also wishes to join the BRICS since this international forum offers a cooperation alternative that benefits all its members. | Read More
For almost 150 years, the memoir of 19th-century Auburn Prison inmate Austin Reed seemed lost to history.

Now that the memoir has been recovered and published, its editor hopes it will be found in history classes everywhere.

Austin Reed's "The Life and the Adventures of a Haunted Convict" tells the Rochester native's life story, from a middle-class childhood in 1820s Rochester to repeated larceny sentences at Auburn. He wrote the manuscript there in 1858-1859.

After that, it's not clear what happened to the memoir  until it surfaced at a Rochester estate sale years ago. It made its way to Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, where Caleb Smith and other researchers authenticated it through prison, newspaper and other records.

Smith, a professor of English and American studies at Yale, also edited the memoir for publication by Random House. The book will be released Jan. 26.

In a phone interview Thursday, Smith said a possible clue to the memoir's missing years lies in Auburn. A note in the manuscript addressed to prison chaplain Benoni I. Ives, of the Methodist Episcopal church in Auburn, said, "This is the first part of my book. Please don't lose it."

However, Smith continued, it's more likely the memoir went back to Rochester with Reed, who was released from Auburn in 1866. It's unknown when he died.

The seller of the manuscript also declined to be identified, and wouldn't answer questions, Smith said.

Nonetheless, Smith and the team at Yale almost immediately saw the significance of the memoir's discovery: It is the earliest known prison memoir written by a black inmate.

Its setting positions Reed's work to be significant in another way, Smith said.

"The deepest significance of the story for us is the way Reed had already perceived, in 1858, the continuities between slavery and the prison system that was just taking its modern shape," he said. "That's the really striking thing. I don't believe we have any document from the 19th century that makes that connection so forcefully."

Set in state-of-the-art Auburn Prison in the final years of slavery, Reed traces the machinery of a system where, today, one in three black American men spend some portion of their lives.

He describes himself as "constantly in rebellion" against that system, and suffered dungeon stays, whippings and shower-baths (a primitive form of waterboarding) as a result.

Yet his tone is inventive and lyrical, Smith said, probably due to Reed's well-read teen years at Manhattan's House of Refuge juvenile reformatory. He was sentenced there at 10 for arson on the property of the Ladd family, to whom he was indentured a year prior.

"On one page he's writing in the somber tone of a temperance sermon, a few pages later he introduces what could be a playful passage from an outlaw ballad," Smith said.

That literary quality  plus the invocation of figures from Auburn history like William H. Seward and the fellow inmate he'd later defend, William Freeman  will make Reed's memoir worthwhile to readers both local and worldwide, Smith said.

"I hope it's widely read and widely taught at the university and high school levels," he said. "I think it could become a part of the way we study both American literature and American history."
United Nations Security Council To Increase Sanctions On North Korea After It Reportedly Performed A Hydrogen Bomb Test

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned North Korea for reportedly conducting a Hydrogen bomb test Wednesday. The former plans to increase sanctions against the country for the said act.

"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned this test," the council said in a dispatch as per Korea Times Thursday. "The test is a clear violation of Security Council resolutions and a clear threat to international peace and security."

"The members of the Security Council also recalled that they have previously expressed their determination to take 'further significant measures' in the event of another DPRK nuclear test."

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The statement continued, "In line with this commitment and the gravity of this violation, the members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on such measures in a new Security Council resolution."

Added sanctions are forecasted to enforce a wider range of constraints as compared to the recent sanctions imposed on North Korea.

Meanwhile, UN Security Council Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon branded North Korea's act as "deeply troubling" and "profoundly destabilizing for regional security," as noted by ABC News Wednesday.

Ban said North Korea's act was "a grave contravention of the international norm against nuclear testing."

"I demand the DPRK [North Korea] to cease any further nuclear activities and meet its obligations for verifiable de-nuclearisation," he added.

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the act should be considered significant no matter what device was detonated.

"The fact is that a significant device was detonated, comparable to an earthquake of about five on the Richter scale," she said.

"It will have an impact if all nations impose the sanctions, and the relationship with China can't be an excuse for North Korea's behavior to continue."

She went on, "I believe that China will be a key to ensuring that the sanction is imposed... China is clearly frustrated with North Korea's behavior."

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Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings spoke with little timidity on Wednesday when he said the world was "witnessing the birth of a new global internet TV network", announcing that his streaming giant would open for business in 130 new countries, tripling the number of nations it serves overnight.

But one big country was missing: China, even though it is set to dethrone the United States next year as the largest movie market in the world. Talking up Netflix's Chinese prospects at a press event after his announcement, Hastings spoke much more cautiously: "I think we're going to be a success there, but it's going to take some time."

Reed Hastings, chairman, president and CEO of Netflix, is bullish about Netflix's plans for worldwide domination. Credit:David Paul Morris

Netflix's global debut this week showed the speed with which it could envelop the world, and highlighted how far it had expanded its creative and competitive ambitions.

Now comes the hard part: Going global will force Netflix to deal with entrenched governments, regional rivals, international quirks, even calls for censorship  stumbling blocks that the go-fast video giant has fought for years to avoid.
Increasing the cost of the cheapest alcohol could reduce consumption by nearly 12 standard drinks a week for low-income wine consumers, a new Monash University study says.

Called Are Alcohol Taxation and Pricing Policies Regressive? Product-Level Effects of a Specific Tax and a Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol, the study was conducted by Brian Vandenberg and Anurag Sharma.

Current taxation of alcohol has led to a huge difference between the amount of tax paid per standard drink on different products, the Monash study says. Credit:Peter Braig

Mr Vandenberg, who is at the Centre for Health Economics, said the study took a year to complete.

It analysed the alcohol consumption habits of 885 Victorian households, including what they spent on alcohol and how it was taxed.
The federal police association's bank accounts were frozen late last year as warring factions fought over the organisation's finances.

Conflict between the chief executive officer and national executive has gripped the Australian Federal Police Association, which represents federal and ACT police, for several months.

Police were called to intervene in the union dispute at the AFPA's Murray Crescent office in early December Credit:Rohan Thomson

Tensions began to escalate after former AFPA national president Jon Hunt-Sharman resigned during a federal court case over election processes and conflict between national executive members.

Chief executive officer Dennis Gellatly is now refusing to recognise the new national president, Senior Constable Angela Smith, and is questioning the legality of her appointment by the association's national executive in November.
Another fire season is upon us, and bushfires continue to threaten lives and property across southern Australia. In the face of this, it's tempting to call for more fuel reduction burns to contain, or even eliminate, bushfires. But how effective is fuel reduction burning in achieving this? The best and latest research suggests it has serious limitations, but there are things we can do to help that situation.

Bushfires are a natural part of the life of Victoria's forests. Our native plants and animals have evolved strategies over millennia to cope with bushfires. And people have devised various strategies, also over millennia, to manage fire.

CFA firefighters contain a bushfire. Credit:Darrian Traynor

Planned burning is a vital tool in managing the risks to people posed by bushfires. The Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, established after Black Saturday, recommended an annual burn target of 5 per cent of public land (about 390,000 hectares) across Victoria. But it also recommended monitoring of the program's effectiveness and impacts.

This scrutiny has shown that the program has been far from ideal. Former police chief Neil Comrie, the Royal Commission's independent monitor, said in three successive reports that the target was not achievable, affordable or sustainable, and had potential adverse environmental outcomes. That matched the Environment Department's most recent assessment of its efforts; Victoria's fuel reduction program on public land had failed to achieve its two main objectives: protection of life and property, and protection of the environment.
The Korean War looms small in most minds yet 18,000 Australians fought in that three-year-long battle in the early 1950s. Of the total, 340 died fighting the North Koreans and their Communist Chinese allies while only 30 were captured  and Dennis Condon was one of them. Becoming a prisoner of war of brutal Korean and Chinese captors was not what the young Englishman had expected when he decided to enlist in the Australian army from London. It was 1951 and a bombed-out Britain was still recovering from six years fighting the Germans.

Dennis had tried to join the Royal Navy as a 15-year-old in 1941 but, alerted by a recruiting officer, his mother Sally Condon dragged him home and kept the youngest of her nine children with her  three of her other sons were already in the armed services. Two years later, Dennis was a young Royal Navy sailor on an escort destroyer, the HMS Brissenden, on duty in the North Sea and assisting with the Allied landings in Normandy and the later Allied invasion in Sicily.

After the war, life in battered London made Dennis think of heading to the other side of the world  and the cheapest way was to have the Australian army pay his fare. That was how in August 1952, after some initial army training, he unexpectedly found himself a private on a ship heading to Korea with a battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment.

Soon after their arrival, Dennis was in a platoon headed by Captain Phillip Greville that went out one night inspecting minefields forward of the main Australian positions. They were over-run by the enemy and Greville and Condon were marched away to spend the rest of the war as prisoners. When the Koreans realised they had captured an Australian officer, one held a pistol to Greville's head. Dennis intervened, saying Greville was a peasant like him but that the army thought he was clever and had put him through officer school. Years later, the then Brigadier Greville wrote to thank him for saving his life.

Although Dennis endured weeks of solitary confinement in a packing case so small he could not stand up, and faced severe interrogations and beatings for 90 days before being released nearly a year later, he was not full of hate for his Chinese captors but did detest the Koreans for their cruelty.

Back in Australia in September 1953, and on leave in Melbourne, he spotted a travel agency brochure for a guesthouse in Marysville and booked in for 10 days. Soon afterwards, Colleen Maslen and another young nurse from Echuca walked in to the same agency. They noticed the brochure Dennis had left on the counter, paid the money and bought bus tickets.
Korea Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Discovers Mutation In MERS Virus

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was observed to have undergone a mutation that could possibly alter its capability to spread among humans and increase its fatality rate, the government revealed Friday.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) carried out an analysis using sputum specimens of eight patients infected with the MERS inducing coronavirus. Yonhap News Agency reported that the bodily fluids showed signs of slight genetic variation in spike glycoprotein. The findings were different from the previously documented cases.

Scientifically, spike glycoprotein is a component of the virus that attaches the viron to the cell membrane and penetrates a living human cell, initiating the infection.

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According to documentations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus was first identified in South Korea on May 20 after a traveler from the Middle East was found to have been infected. Eight months later, the respiratory disease 38 lives in the country. Health reports also indicated that a total of 186 confirmed patientsinfected with the MERS-CoV were identified, and thousands were placed under quarantine for safety measures.

"A mutation did take place, but it is doubtful that it could have meaningfully altered the capability of the virus to spread from person to person and its ability to make people sick," a KCDC official said.

A state researcher added, "All we know for certain is that a variation occurred, with more detailed analysis needed to see what effect it had on the spread."

On the other hand, a report by the National Center for Biotechnology Information indicates that there is no evidence of viral mutation that could modify the virus' mode of transmission or virulence.

Paik Soon Young, a microbiology professor at the Catholic University of Korea, said the spike glycoprotein mutation is an essential finding with regard to the MERS spread and can be used to explain more about the virus and disease. According to Park, MERS is not only infectious in the Middle East, but is widely spreading in other countries as well, including South Korea

"There is a need to focus the country's research capability on finding the reason for the change," he said.

The Korean government officially declared South Korea free of MERS on Dec. 23. It also confirmed that the virus does not impose an enormous threat to public health and safety. However, health officials are carefully monitoring any developments related to the virus as a precaution.

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For many years this newspaper has stood in support of projects that could remedy Melbourne's debilitating  and ever worsening  traffic problems. In 2013 we commented on the conflict of ideologies between then prime minister Julia Gillard and her opposing leader Tony Abbott, over whether the federal government should contribute to Ms Gillard's favoured Melbourne Metro rail plan, of which we said it was "worthwhile for all the right reasons", or Mr Abbott's preferred concept, an east-west link road-building project (written about in lower-case as a notion, rather than a bona fide entity).

Throughout the East West Link's (as it was to become) dramatic history, we welcomed it as a way to get the traffic moving on our main roads, if it was properly costed and sensibly designed. In May 2013, observing the acrimonious  and ever worsening  intransigence between the two major political parties, we told readers: "Our state needs a generational transformation in its public transport and road networks, not a bit-by-bit remake of the existing system. The east-west link is to be welcomed, but it is only one stage of a single project. It would be a shame if the enthusiasm for road solutions is not extended to rail, tram and bus networks."

Last week The Age reported that the Andrews government had begun work on several jobs to remove level crossings where road and rail services intersect, thus improving the lot of commuters and making our city a safer place in which to travel. We also reported on the government's announcements regarding the now ubiquitous Melbourne Metro rail scheme, and the multibillion-dollar Transurban Western Distributor.

This latter conception is especially noteworthy as it has been promoted as a fix for a difficult transport problem in Melbourne's west. But we also see that while it may deliver some benefits, it will also significantly worsen traffic in other areas of the system.

Thus it goes: our leaders seem to be committed to the idea that these various projects exist as mere media releases intended to give them a talking point in the news stream and a wedge to use against their opponents. As each project, or piece of a project, is announced, contradictory evidence is supplied that pokes holes in the plan. Partisan argy-bargy ensues, patches are applied, new holes discovered and the process begins anew. Little of substance is achieved.
When you think of Mexico, many things come to mind  but almost certainly morose UK popsters the Smiths won't be one of them. Oddly, though, the band's frontman, the well-coiffed master of miserablism Morrissey, has struck a real chord with Mexican people. Fan conventions and fashion appropriations came first, and now here comes the Mariachi take on the music, Mexrrissey.

"There are some similar stories, like Morrissey moving from Ireland to Manchester and Mexicans moving from Mexico to California," explains Camilo Lara, brainchild of the seven-piece live band experience, Mexrrissey: Mexico Goes Morrissey.

Mexrrissey are playing as part of the Sydney Festival.

"In the '80s and '90s it became a statement, like many Mexicans started adopting Morrissey's fashion and the songs and he became an icon. So that's why we decided to do this project and try to find the connection between Mexican music  Mariachi and Mexican rhythms  and Morrissey's music. And it has a lot in common."

The Spanish-language Mexrrissey  in Australia for the first time this month  is also somewhat of a labour of love for Lara, who discovered and fell in love with the Smiths and other UK alternative acts during the '80s.
Nothing tests your sense of humour quite like the death of a beloved parent. For comedian Adam Hills, the loss of his father to cancer made him think about what purpose comedy serves.

"At the funeral, a friend of the family said to me, 'You might not feel like going on stage and being funny for a while, but I hope you get that feeling back soon'," Hills recalls. "But the weird thing was, [dad's death] made me want to go out on stage even more. I remember his oncologist telling me, look, there's nothing more we can really do, and hearing the helplessness in his voice. It was a hard thing for him to admit. And yet I left him having made him laugh, and it made me more convinced than ever that my job is to make laughter happen as much as possible."

Adam Hills: "We should have as much fun and laughter as possible while we're here." Credit:photobat

Hills' new stand-up show, Clown Heart, which brings the comic and TV host back to Sydney for his first performances in three years, is "laughing in the face of death", he says.

"The idea came to me when I was doing Adam Hills Tonight on the ABC," he says. "There was a guy, Craig Coombes, in the audience and he had thyroid cancer. He had this thing where he would take a naked selfie every Tuesday and put it online. It was the most playful way he could think of to deal with the most serious thing ever. We met up after the show and later on we did some photos together. One was a recreation of John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the nude. I was Yoko."
A wombat in a bathroom, a blue-tongue lizard beneath the floorboards and a possum stuck in the zip of a camper trailer.

Wildcare wildlife rescue organisation attracts almost 2000 calls a year but some are more unusual than others.

Of the 2000 calls Wildcare receives in a year, a small number are to extract native animals from unusual places. This possum was found under the bonnet of a car but hid in the air filter when rescuers tried to extract him.

Wildcare species co-ordinator Helen Stevens said in 2015 volunteers were called out to a variety of wildlife related incidents. Most commonly, she said, were dog and cat attacks on native animals, motor vehicle collisions and wildlife caught in netting and fencing.

"There are also those calls that are a little bit more unusual," Ms Stevens said.
Supermarket giant Coles is under pressure to move eggs off its warm shelves in a bid to protect shoppers from salmonella, matching the practice being rolled out by its main competitor.

Woolworths has pledged to keep eggs in refrigerated cabinets as it continues a nation-wide revamp of its stores.

The Aldi threat has forced supermarkets to cut their prices. Credit:Quinn Rooney

It is understood dozens of Woolies outlets have had new cabinets installed in the past year, allowing stores to keep fresh eggs chilled below seven degrees, which helps prevent the spread of the harmful salmonella bacteria.

The rollout comes as experts have warned about egg-related salmonella cases, which are on the rise around the country, leading to serious illness and hundreds of hospital admissions each year.
The federal bureaucracy is expanding its graduate ranks after last year's intake dropped to the lowest level in a decade.

Almost all of the Australian Public Service's 10 biggest employers have hired more grads for the coming year than in 2015, when the Abbott government's tight limits on recruitment were still in place.

The turnaround is welcome news for the ACT, where the unemployment rate had grown relatively quickly in recent years and the property and retail markets have been sluggish compared with elsewhere in Australia.
A man accused of deliberately lighting fires in bushland in Sydney's south was arrested after his would-be getaway vehicle got stuck on a rock.

Firefighters with the Rural Fire Service heard shouting as they battled a number of fires on Heathcote Road at Sandy Point about 8.40pm on Saturday.

An accused arsonist was arrested after his car became stuck on a rock.

They alerted police and, with the help of the police helicopter, officers located their suspect trying to manoeuvre a Suzuki Vitara which had become wedged on a rock.

There were chemical containers outside the SUV and a petrol container inside, police allege.
Victorian employers are demanding an urgent resolution to an industrial feud that could force the shutdown of Melbourne's busy container port this week.

Tug boat engineers have voted to go on strike for 12 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday at several east coast ports as a dispute with their employer, Svitzer Australia, intensifies.

Tug boat engineers have voted to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. Credit:Jessica Hromas

In Melbourne and Geelong  where Svitzer is the sole provider of the tug boats that manouevre carriers into position at the wharf  the planned strikes will cause shutdowns and costly delays for business.

The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned that any delays will have a "ripple effect" on businesses in the state's manufacturing, retail, agriculture and food industries.
Two people are critical and one is in a serious condition after seven swimmers were rescued from the ocean in Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island on Sunday evening.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said they received a call after 7pm about four patients in their twenties who needed help after getting caught in a rip.

"Seven people were pulled from the water at Cape Woolamai," Mr Mullen said.

"We have a female in her twenties in critical condition. She has been flown to The Alfred hospital.
Mexico City: After long resisting requests from Washington, the Mexican government appears to be moving towards extraditing Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo", to the United States to face drug and murder charges, Mexican officials say.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the government had not formally announced the decision, said the process could take months as it went through the judicial system.

On Saturday, Mexico's Attorney General, Arely Gomez, said, for the first time, that the government took preliminary steps to proceed with Guzman's extradition as far back as July, shortly after his escape from prison.

Guzman's lawyers are expected to fight extradition to the US, where he faces at least seven indictments in federal courts on charges of drug trafficking and murder.
U.S. Department of State Report Shows Japan Was The Highest Arms Importer Among 170 Surveyed Countries In 2015

A U.S Department of State report ranked Japan as the top country with the highest spending on arms imports and fifth in terms of military expenditures, Korea JoongAng Daily reported Tuesday.

The World Military Expenditures and Arms Transfers (WMEAT) report from the United States government released on Dec. 31 showed that Japan landed at the top spot in terms oof arms imports among the 170 countries surveyed by the United States government. The report detailed a comprehensive and in-depth statistical analysis of military expenditures, armed forces, arms transfers, and other economic related data of 170 countries from 2002 to 2012, which includes Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and China among others.

The findings revealed that Japan spent an annual average of more than $15.0 billion on arms imports, leaving behind the United Kingdom in second place with $10.0 billion and the United States in third with $.40 billion.

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When it comes to military expenditures, Japan ranked fifth with an annual average of $52.2 billion followed by France with $58.4 billion, United Kingdom with $61.2 billion and China with $85.5 billion.

Japan ranked 24th in terms of its military's number of troops with 238,000 forces. The country placed eighth among the surveyed countries that have the highest military spending per soldier. Japan averaged with an annual expenditure of $220,000 per individual.

An article published on The Mainichi website in 2015 mentioned that the Japanese Defense Ministry announced its plan to increase its defense budget in 2016 to 47.3 billion (5.54 trillion yen), exceeding the $42.6 billion (5 trillion yen) barrier. The increase implies that the country has considered defense policy as a significant matter in the face of ongoing disputes with China and the impending missile attacks from North Korea.

"If Japan obtains the equipment it needs for the future stability of East Asia, this will send a message... I think it's necessary," Japan's former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike said.

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Washington: A man who plotted to kidnap the Obama family's pet dogs was arrested in Washington on Wednesday with a cache of weapons and ammunition in his car, the US Secret Service said.

Upon his arrest, Scott D. Stockert, 49, of Dickinson, North Dakota, made a series of outlandish claims to officers  that he was Jesus Christ, that he was the son of John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, that he planned to run for president, and that he was there to kidnap Bo or Sunny, the Obamas' dogs, the Secret Service said in a court document.

According to a filing in District of Columbia Superior Court, the Minnesota field office of the Secret Service first learned of Stockert's intention to kidnap one of the Obamas' Portuguese water dogs.

After Stockert drove his pickup truck from North Dakota to New York to Washington, Secret Service officers found him at a Hampton Inn at 901 6th Street NW, the court document said.
The American Human is written by Calvin Ross, a retired teacher who at various points in life has been a musician, woodworker, restaurateur, narrator, English teacher in Japan, novelist , technology journalist, and private tutor to Japanese children here in the U.S.Happily residing in the wine country of Sonoma County north of San Francisco, Calvin has lived in the Philippines, the Netherlands, and the aforementioned Japan, as well as in Chicago, Colorado, Georgia, and many different towns in California, including, of all places, the Mojave Desert.Calvin, you may note quickly, is a liberal progressive who doesn't think being called a socialist is all that bad, especially since he sort of would like living in Denmark if it weren't so cold. He blogs because he can.
ROME  The priests at the Regensburg, Bavaria, boarding school for boys liked to make the students take off their clothes and bend over for either a violent whipping or forcible anal sex. Sometimes the priests made them drink red wine. Sometimes the priests masturbated in front of the children. Other times they made the children masturbate for them, perform oral sex or fondle each other.

The complaint is not about just one or two isolated cases. At least 231 and more likely as many as 700 boys who attended the school between 1953 and 1992 were subjected to what has been described by the victims as ritual abuse, according to Ulrich Weber, a German lawyer commissioned by the choir who represents the alleged victims. I have here 231 reports of physical abuse, Weber told reporters at a press conference in Regensburg on Friday when he presented a report based on an eight-month investigation into the alleged abuse. The abuse ranges from sexual assault and rape to food deprivation to the boys who were less cooperative.

The bulk of the abuse, which also included canings, forced gluttony and anal penetration with foreign objects, happened in the mid-1970s to boys being groomed for the world-famous Domspatzen boys choir of Regensbergs St. Peters Cathedral when a certain Father Georg Ratzinger was the choir leader. Ratzinger, who will turn 92 next month, is the elder brother of Josef Ratzinger, better known as Pope Benedict XVI. He conducted the choir from 1964 to 1994. When asked if Ratzinger knew what was going on, Weber said, After my research, I must assume so.

In 2010, when hints of the abuse first surfaced, the elder Ratzinger publicly apologized for slapping students but denied being aware of the violent abuse that was apparently rampant at the school, though he apparently hinted that he had heard rumors of abuse taking place on choir trips. I always had a bad conscience and I was happy when in 1980 corporal punishment was banned by lawmakers, the popes elder brother said, describing the physical abuse as the normal reaction to failings or disobedience for offenses like a bad choral performance or adolescent tomfoolery.

The recent revelations of the extent of the sexual abuse at the Regensberg Catholic school trump original estimates that only a handful of young boys were abused. In 2010, just two years before Benedict retired, the Holy See insisted that the abuse was limited. Investigators then put the number of credible complaints at around 70 cases, for which they offered a settlement sum of around $2,700.

Thats when Weber was commissioned by the Domspatzen choir administrators to start collecting complaints. So far he has 231 but he told reporters that he estimates that as many as one-third of the 2,100 students who attended the school over four decades were subject to varying forms of unimaginable abuse and maltreatment.

By those estimates, around 700 boys were abused, and because the statute of limitations has long run out and most of the abusive predatory priests are dead, justice will never be served.

The prestigious choir dates back to the year 975 and grew to become one of the most famous musical training schools for boys, producing a number of successful composers and directors including Franz Wittenbrink, who came forward when the allegations of abuse first surfaced. In 2010, he told investigators that priests at the Regensburg boarding school engaged in what he described as an elaborate system of sadistic punishments combined with sexual lust.

He said that he and several other boys were often chosen to be invited by the headmaster at the time to his personal apartment where they were plied with red wine and made to perform sex acts on the headmaster and on each other. Everyone knew about it at the time, he said in 2010.

Whether the elder Ratzinger told his younger brother about the abuse remains dubious, especially given that the younger Ratzinger served as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the churchs former Inquisition office that now sees to the interpretation and enforcement of church doctrine, before being tapped as pontiff. If he had been informed, he would have been in a prime position to expose it. The recent revelations of the extent of abuse will seal Benedicts record on the greatest scandal to rock the Catholic Church as weak, at best.

The Vatican under Pope Francis has been far more transparent and apologetic about the crimes and systematic coverup of abuse than Benedict ever was, but so far even Francis has remained silent on the recent reports from Regensburg.

To his credit, the current bishop of the Regensburg diocese, Rudolf Voderholzer, did make a public apology after Fridays news conference, even publishing Webers detailed report of allegations on the dioceses website. It hurts me and my soulbehind every single case is a human being, a childs soul severely tortured and often marked for life by these acts, he wrote. I cannot undo it and can only ask the victims for forgiveness.

But the sort of mercy it would take to forgive the type of unthinkable abuse most of the boys underwent is almost as unimaginable as the actual crimes and how they could have possibly stayed covered up for so long.
In the last few years Vladimir Putin has surprised many observers of the international scene not only by his actions, but also by his words.

In the middle of the Ukraine crisis, while the Russian media was vilifying the new government in Kyiv as nothing less than a fascist junta, he repeatedly went on record claiming that Russians and Ukrainians were one and the same people. What it meant in practice was demonstrated in March 2014, when the Russian troops took over the Ukrainian Crimea, which Putin declared a historical heritage site common to the Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians and the place where his namesake, Prince Vladimir (Ukr. Volodymyr) of Kyiv, had been baptized. Russias annexation of the Crimea made this allegedly common site an exclusively Russian possession.

The view of Ukrainians as constituents of the Russian nation goes back to the founding myth of modern Russia as a nation conceived and born in Kyiv (Kiev) in the tenth and eleventh centuries during the times of St. Vladimir. It was first widely disseminated in Russia by the Synopsis of 1674, the first printed textbook of Russian history, compiled by Kyivan monks seeking the protection of the Muscovite tsars.
In ways large and small, newly minted House Speaker Paul Ryan seems to be doing his best to prevent his fellow Republicans from throwing themselves and their party into an abyss they could never climb out of.

In a cycle when the Republican presidential field has become mired in the nativist, the trivial, and the occasionally cruel, Ryan, along with Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, sat six presidential candidates down in Columbia, S.C., Saturday to talk about the struggles of poor Americans and ways to lift them people out of poverty.

Twelve hours before the Ryan event began in Columbia, Donald Trump had rallied 6,000 further north in Rock Hill, S.C. When a 56-year-old Muslim woman stood silently behind Trump in protest, he stopped his event as security threw her out, to the roar of the crowd. You have a bomb! You have a bomb! one yelled, according to CNN. Before the rally, a Trump staffer had instructed the crowd that protesters would not be tolerated.Compare that to the forum in Columbia, where Ryan and Scott quizzed Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Ben Carson, John Kasich, and Mike Huckabee about their ideas to tackle persistent poverty. When protesters stood again and again to yell undocumented and unafraid! at Rubio, Ryan kept talking anyway. Eventually those protesters were ejected, too, but the crowd remained entirely and deliberately civil.Unlike the fact-free frenzy that the Trump phenomenon has become, complete with policy proposals like Well have more of everything, the Ryan-Scott forum was an attempt to focus on a critical issue without easy answers. It will need Democrats and Republicans alike to solve the problem, the kind the Ryan has said hell make the focus of his agenda as Speaker.The event was named after the late Jack Kemp, Ryans mentor, who traveled extensively throughout inner cities during his time in the House of Representatives to meet with people in poverty, particular African Americans, and push Republicans to produce policies that could give them a way out. Scott talked about growing up poor in South Carolina. Ryan laid out the role he sees for conservatives in breaking the cycles of poverty, incarceration, addiction, and untreated mental illness. In this country, the condition of your birth does not determine your outcome in life, Ryan said. But if it is not true for everybody, then its really not true at all.Its a perspective some Democrats approach with skepticism from Ryan, pointing to the federal budget blueprint Ryan offered in 2012 as evidence that Ryan is ready to gut Medicare, Social Security, and crucial safety net programs for the poorest Americans.But Bob Woodson, a longtime poverty and civil rights activist, said Ryans approach to the issue is both genuine and evolving. In October of 2012, Ryan called Woodson to ask a favorcould he assemble a group of grassroots activists in Ohio to talk to Ryan about the war on poverty? It was an epiphany for him, Woodson said. The two continued their travels after the 2012 elections. We went once a month, every month for two years, Woodson said. High crime, low-income neighborhoods in the worst ZIP Codes in the country...seeing drug addicts being redeemed, touching the arms of people on heroin, kneeling down and praying with people in New Orleans. He learned firsthand what the journey was for them.Woodson said Ryan followed up with cards and notes to the people he met and has remained in touch with them. As time passed, Woodson said he began to see a change in Ryan. He stopped talking about cutting budgets and started talking about revising peoples behavior so that, as a consequence, it will reduce the cost of government.But Ryans epiphany is not his partys. While candidates like Ben Carson and Marco Rubio talk about their own families struggles, frontrunner Donald Trump has largely ignored the issue, aside from offering his opinion that wages are too high. Whether Ryan can bring his party along on his crusade with him is an open question, particularly in a year when Trumps rabid populism and personal insults, not civil conversations about poverty, is the fuel for the fire with the GOP base. Whether Republicans as a party can, or even want to, address the needs of poor Americans is a pivotal question for many in the GOP, and one many believe will decide the long-term viability of the party. Our leading candidate has a 80 percent disapproval rating with Hispanics, with a growth potential, Sen. Lindsey Graham told The Daily Beast. But I think Paul Ryan embracing Jack Kemp is a good thing. The party of Jack Kemp needs to reemerge, you have to have a heart and a brain.John Lettieri, the co-founder of the Economic Innovation Group, a nonpartisan think tank that co-sponsored the event, said the forum had revealed two possible paths for the GOP.There are leaders within the party who are working aggressively to reframe the way voters consider Republicans when they think about the question that really cost Mitt Romney, Who cares about people like you? Littieri said. You have those people like Ryan, Bush, Rubio, Kasichthey are not going to give up their party without a fight.Although Ryan won wide praise at the forum, hes already gotten calls for a primary challenger from grassroots conservatives who says hes just another version of former House Speaker John Boehner, a deal-maker who many derided as insufficiently conservative.But Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who worked with Ryan in the House, predicted the new Speaker would be able to work his way through the politics of the notoriously raucous caucus and help their party in the process. Theres one good thing that happened with Paul. They begged him to become Speaker, so he can set his own terms, and thats what hes done, Kasich said. Hes a policy guy and its hard for Speakers to be totally policy-oriented without understanding the politics of the caucus. That will be his challenge and his frustration, but hell manage it well.
When Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted Mision cumplida: lo tenemos (Mission accomplished, we got him), no one in Mexico had to ask who the him in question was. After fleeing what was supposedly the nations most secure prison in July 2015 for a second time, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the head of Mexicos storied Sinaloa Cartel and the worlds most well-known drug trafficker, had been re-captured after six months on the run.

With the exception of his Sinaloa Cartel colleague Ismael El Mayo Zambada, El Chapo is virtually the last of the old guard of Mexicos drug trafficking monarchy to fall. Preceding him have been the likes of the Juarez Cartels Amado Carrillo Fuentes (who moved so much cocaine into Mexico from Colombia in the hollowed-out bodies of jets that he was called El Senor de Los Cielos, or Lord of the Skies), the Tijuana Cartels Arellano Felix brothers (almost all killed or imprisoned), the Gulf Cartels Osiel Cardenas Guillen (currently held at the supermax federal prison in Florence, Colorado), the brothers who lead the Beltran Leyva Organization (dead or imprisoned) and virtually all of the original members of Los Zetas, a group that started out as Gulf Cartel enforcers but violently broke out on their own in early 2010.

Though cartel kingpins have been falling liking dominoes in recent years, the drug trade in Mexico has micronized rather than disappeared. Violence and insecurity, much of it linked to politics, continues to bedevil the country.

In the violence-plagued state of Guerrero, whose Acapulco was once a playground for the idle rich, narco gangs such as Los Ardillos and Los Rojos victimize the states indigenous communities as they do battle with one another for lucrative drug-trafficking routes. Los Ardillos are run by a pair of criminally minded brothers, Celso and Antonio Ortega Jimenez (drug trafficking in Mexico is often a family business) from a family where a third sibling, Bernardo Ortega Jimenez, served as president of the state congress in Guerrero. Los Rojos are led by Santiago El Carrete Mazari Miranda, a former soldier in the Beltran-Leyva Organization.

The Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG), which began as something of a spinoff of the Sinaloa Cartel, has since emerged as a force all its own. After a spectacular September 2011 coming outit dumped 35 corpses into rush-hour traffic in a suburb of the Gulf Coast city of Veracruz, many of them daubed with anti-Zetas slogansthe CJNG shot down a military helicopter last year. Though many of the groups chieftains have been captured in recent years, the CJNGs co-founder, Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, a native of the state of Michoacan and, like so many narcos, a former police officer, remains at large.

Along Mexicos border with the United States, after a four-year war of attrition against one another in the state of Tamaulipas that saw mass-casualty gunbattles and entire busloads of people kidnapped and killed, Los Zetas themselves and their former employers in the Gulf Cartel have seen their leadership decapitated. But their remaining cells remain active and highly lethal.

After Zetas co-founder Rogelio Gonzalez Pizana, known better as El Kelin, was released in August 2014 after serving a decade in prison, he reportedly headed back to Tamaulipas to resume his role in the drug trade, and was there murdered by current Gulf Cartel leaders when he attempted a takeover of the groups birthplace, the city of Matamoros, just across the border from Brownsville, Texas.

If true, the murder of the old hand, allegedly by forces loyal to the new Matamoros plaza boss, Odon El Cherry Azua Cruces, is highly symbolic of the earlier generation being pushed out by the new. In a further illustration of this phenomenon, in Reynosa, Tamaulipas and across the Rio Grande from the U.S. city of McAllen, Texas, splintering factions of the Gulf Cartel now do battle with legions of sicarios (assassins) barely into their teens.

There was supposed to be a changing of the political guard in Mexico, too, after the long-ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional (Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI) spent 12 years outside the presidency before returning under the younger, telegenic Pena Nieto. But during that interim, democracy, such as it is, settled rather more lightly across much of the country.

In the state of Veracruz, for example, the administrations of the PRIs Fidel Herrera Beltran and now Javier Duarte de Ochoa, which have collectively governed the state for more than a decade, have seen an ever-greater blurring of the lines between political cadres, law enforcement, and drug traffickers. A Gulf Cartel accountant even testified in a U.S. federal court that he had funneled $12 million in cartel money to Herrera Beltrans electoral campaign in exchange for moving narcotics freely through the state. And those who criticize the situation in Veracruz too strongly have a bad habit of turning up dead. Just ask the families of photojournalist Ruben Espinosa and activist Nadia Vera Perez, who were slain in a Mexico City apartment along with three others this past summer.

And in the border state of Tamaulipas, likewise, the PRIs grip on power has never been dislodged.

Two years ago, the chief bodyguard for Tamaulipas Gov. Egidio Torre Cantu was arrested for involvement in the murder of state intelligence chief Salvador Haro Munoz. Torre Cantus predecessor as governor, Eugenio Javier Hernandez Flores, saw fit to entrust his personal security to a well-known Gulf Cartel hitman, and was indicted in the United States last year on drug-related money-laundering charges. Hernandez Floress predecessor, Tomas Yarrington, was publicly praised by then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry but was eventually indicted both in Mexico and the United States for aiding the Gulf Cartel. He has since disappeared.

In the state of Guerrero, governed by the opposition Partido de la Revolucion Democratica (Party of the Democratic Revolution, or PRD) since 2005, the investigation into the September 2014 kidnapping of 43 students from a teachers colleague was bungled so badly that it served to deepen citizens suspicion of federal and state governments, rather than assuage it

And the price to be paid by those willing to speak out remains high.

The killing this month of Gisela Mota Ocampo, a former PRD national deputy one day after she took over at the mayor of the city of Temixco in the state of Morelos, was reminiscent to many of the murder of Maria Santos Gorrostieta Salazar, the former mayor of the town of Tiquicheo in the state of Michoacan.

Gorrostieta Salazar had spoken out against the corruption and violence in her state, once telling the newspaper El Pais despite my own safety and that of my family, I have a responsibility to my people, with children, women, the elderly and men who are breaking their back every day tirelessly to procure a piece of bread...It is not possible for me to cave into when I have three children whom I have to teach by example.

After three attempts on her life in as many yearsincluding one that took the life of her then-husbandGorrostieta Salazar was slain in a fourth attack in November 2012.

It is a crime, like so many in Mexico, that remains unpunished to this day.

Michael Deibert is the author of several books, the most recent In the Shadow of Saint Death: The Gulf Cartel and the Price of America's Drug War in Mexico (Lyons Press, 2014). His writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, the Miami Herald, Le Monde diplomatique, Folha de Sao Paulo, and the World Policy Journal, among other venues. He can be followed on Twitter at @michaelcdeibert.
North Korea's Hydrogen Bomb Test Sparks Calls For Increased Military Strategy, Defense In The South

The most recent nuclear threats by North Korea has once again moved the international community, particularly the United Nations and South Korea, to talk about the nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

According to Korea JoongAng Daily Friday, United States President Barack Obama and South Korea President Park Geun Hye had a 20-minute phone discussion Thursday morning on matters pertaining to the sanctions against North Korea following its recent hydrogen bomb test claim. The conversation stamped the cooperation between the United States and South Korea so that the United Nations Security Council could "swiftly adopt a stern resolution" that would subject North Korea to stiff sanctions because of its "latest reckless behavior."

"Obama especially stressed the need to push forward the strongest, comprehensive sanctions, and promised close cooperation with Seoul to this end," the Blue House said.

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Representative Won Yoo Chul, Saenuri Party's floor leader, said the right time has come for South Korea to come up with a "peaceful nuclear program" in response to the alarming nuclear weapon threats from the North. Won said the perceived United Nations' sanction against North Korea is not enough considering that it has weapons of mass destruction aimed at the South.

Similarly, Representative Kim Eul Dong, a member of the Saenur Party's Supreme Council, also suggested the need for the South to develop nuclear arms as a defensive measure against the North.

"If the international community won't allow us to do so, the United States must offer tangible resolutions for nuclear security, such as deploying tactical nuclear weapons in the South," Kim added.

In response to the issue, the Ministry of National Defense announced recently that it is likely the United States would deploy a number of its military equipment to the Korean Peninsula "as part of measures to enhance joint defense capabilities," Korea Times noted Thursday.

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News of a North Korean nuclear test earlier this week set off an explosion of finger-pointing by Republican presidential candidatesBarack Obama, they say, is to blame for the American failure to halt the hermit state's progress on developing weapons.

Normally such a rabid rush to pin a crisis on Obama could be shrugged off as partisanship, but in this case. Nuclear nonproliferation experts agree: Obama, they claim, is responsible for the failure of America to prevent North Korea from expanding its nuclear program. America's strategy on North Korea in the first years of the Obama administration, was led by the White House and National Security Council.

The Obama administration concept of 'strategic patience' emerged early on in the administration after the scathing experience of North Koreas 2009 nuclear test. The strategy essentially demanded that North Koreans recommit to concrete steps towards denuclearizationsuch as allowing inspectors and freezing fissile material productionas a precondition of any future talks.

"It meant that the administration didnt want to be driven by a DPRK-orchestrated sense of crisis, and would respond in its own time to North Korean initiatives," said Scott Synder, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"The Obama administration came into office with a healthy skepticism of North Korea's ability to follow through on its commitments., explains Daryl Kimball, publisher of Arms Control Today. Given the breakdown of the denuclearization agreement reached under Bush, the Obama administration came in with the view that before talks began again North Korea should recommit to taking steps to show that they were committed to meeting that pledge."

It is a strategy that has proven to be a failure, giventhe most recent nuclear test. North Korea has simply accepted sanctions and international isolation as the cost of a slow and steady expansion of its nuclear weapons program.

"The problem with this approach, while it is well intentioned and principled, it has not worked. The talks have not begun, the Obama administration did want those talks to happen, but they have not begun," said Kimball. Today North Korea has enough fissile material for roughly 10 to 16 nuclear bombs, Kimball added. "That's certainly up from where it was a decade ago.. it was perhaps roughly half of that in 2006, 2007, 2008."

By demanding that North Koreans take denuclearization steps before talks that would focus on denuclearization, it put the onus for talks on the authoritarian state, thereby buying them time to creep towards strengthening its nuclear arsenal.

"Given that North Korea equates its nuclear weapons with the survivability of its regime, it is extremely unlikely that Pyongyang will take steps toward denuclearization absent assurances of the states security," said Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association. "The overthrow of Qadhafi, several years after Libya gave up its nuclear program, likely increased North Koreas concerns that absent a nuclear deterrent, its regime would be at risk."

Every nuclear nonproliferation expert The Daily Beast spoke to pointed at the White House and the National Security Council as the main driver of the 'strategic patience' strategy.

"I believe the initial thinking on strategic patience came from the White House," Davenport said. Snyder added, "It is hard for me to attribute authorship for policies on foreign affairs issues like this one to anyone but the White House/NSC. If you were observing DPRK policy in 2009-2011, you would not be focused on State."

"It was the White House that was pushing it, because they felt that the North Koreans dissed them by conducting a nuclear test in 2009," said Joel Wit, who worked in the Clinton administration to resolve the North Korean nuclear weapons crisis in the 1990s.

So when presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio says that North Korea is run by a lunatic who has been expanding his nuclear arsenal while President Obama stood idly by, and Jeb Bush blamed the Obama Clinton foreign policy, theyre on the mark.

The National Security Council declined to comment on the development of the strategic patience policy. We are constantly evaluating what more we and our key allies and partners can do, NSC spokesman Myles Caggins said. Our policy has not changed. Denuclearization remains our top priority. We remain in close touch with our allies in Seoul and Tokyo as well as the other Five-Party partners on our shared goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

On the growth of North Korea's nuclear program, there is certainly some blame to spread around across administrations. Multiple strategies of engagement, then disengagement, have been helpless in halting the North Korean march to more nukes. The hermit states first nuclear weapons test, for example, happened during the Bush administration.

"You can say [strategic patience is] a failure and you can also say engagement is a failure. All of the approaches we've usedfirst to prevent, then eliminate, North Korea's nuclear weapons program have failed. When we've negotiated it's failed and when we haven't negotiated it's failed," said Gary Samore, who served for four years in the Obama administration as the White House's Coordinator for Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction. "There are some problems that can't be solved by diplomacy. This is one."

One thing is for sure: North Korea's nuclear program has dramatically expanded over the past decadeduring the course of the Obama administrationand the threat is now greater than it has ever been.

"I think that Secretary Clinton and the Obama administration had a false estimation of the behavior of the adversary, they are deluded to believe that they have the same standards and commitments that we dothey are outlaw nations," Sen. John McCain told The Daily Beast. "They now pose a greater threat now than at the beginning of the Obama administration. That is irrefutable."

To address the North Korean nuclear weapons program, more than finger-pointing will be required. The response among presidential candidates of both parties was to condemn the nuclear testsbut so far the seeming intractability of the problem has not been addressed with a viable proposal to confront it.

"When we're talking about Hillary Clinton or any other presidential candidate, one thing that is absolutely clear is that each one of them, if they want to be president, will have to develop a more effective approach to deal with North Korea. They will inherit this problem, it's not going away," Kimball warned. "It's simply not enough to say we need to get tougher if there isn't a more sophisticated approach, at the end of their first term they'll be looking at a North Korea with dozens of nuclear weapons."
Here are four words I never thought I would write: Donald Trump is right. As Trump said this week, it would be very precarious if Ted Cruz were the GOP nominee given that Cruz was undisputedly born in Canada.

Where Trump was wrong was when he made his focus on how precarious that would be for Republicans. Trump, possibly for the first time ever, was being too restrained. It would be precarious for our entire nation if Cruz were elected and then the U.S. Supreme Court deemed him ineligible to serve as president.

Think about the impact it would have to our nation as we collectively waited for the Court's decision. It would be a national crisis. Our allies would not know who is actually our president, and our enemies might use the crisis to their advantage. Plus it would cause a dramatic drop in the stock market (investors hate uncertainty.)

Now, just so its crystal clear, Im neither a Cruz birther nor am I advocating that Cruz may be ineligible to be president. What Im saying is that the Supreme Court has not addressed the specific of issue whether a person in Cruzs position is eligible to be president in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Constitution.

Specifically, Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that a person cannot be president unless he or she is a natural born Citizen. Cruz was born in Calgary, Canada in 1970 and first moved to the United States when he was four years old. At the time of Cruzs birth, his mother was a United States citizen but his Cuban-born father was not.

So is Cruz a "natural born citizen"? There are countless articles debating this issue. While some legal scholars support Cruzs eligibility, others like Fordham Law School constitutional law professor Thomas Lee informed me that the question of whether Cruz is a natural born citizen can be answered with two words: It depends.

Lee, who was an editor of the Harvard Law Review and clerked for Supreme Court Justice David Souter, explained that the issue could go either way. Lee noted there are two views of constitutional interpretations that he believes would support Cruzthe textualist and evolutionist views.

But under the originalist view, Cruz could be deemed ineligible. Constitutional orginalists interpret the Constitution by looking at the meaning of the document when it was originally written. Ironically, Cruz is a constitutional orginalist and that is part of his appeal to conservatives. As Lee noted, Cruz should actually disqualify himself from the presidency if he remained true to being an originalist.

Once again, however, while learned people have offered well-reasoned opinions, we still dont have the definitive guidance of the Supreme Court on this issue. But this is no academic exercise. There were already objections filed in New Hampshire to knock Cruz off the ballot for being ineligible.

And while the New Hampshire Ballot Commission recently ruled in Cruzs favor, its decision didnt resolve this issue at all. In fact, it added to the uncertainty. The commissions decision noted that since the question of what constitutes a natural born citizen has not been answered with certainty by the courts, the commission has no clear standard to apply. It added: this Commission is not the appropriate forum for the determination of major Constitutional questions.

Summing up the quandary well, Brad Cook, the Republican chair of the commission, told the media at the time of rendering the decision, It would be really nice if somebody would get this issue of law decided who has authority to decide constitutional issues, so every four years we dont have this come up again.

And thats where we are now. Given Cruzs ascendancy in the polls and the plausible chance he could be the GOP presidential nominee, this issue needs to be decided by the federal courts now. But this is trickier that it would seem. We the people just cant simply ask the nine Supreme Court Justices to gives us a quick answer.

Professor Lee noted that there are likely only a few parties who would have the legal standing to bring a lawsuit in federal court to challenge Cruzs eligibility. Individual voters would not have standing, Lee noted because federal courts require a concrete injury, not a more generalized grievance.

Bottom line, Lee believes it will take one of Cruzs fellow presidential candidates to bring a lawsuit. Lee doubted that Super PACs would have standing in federal court unless they could show a concrete injury.

If a GOP presidential candidate were to now file a lawsuit in the federal courts where Cruz is on the ballot, it could go a long way to resolving this issue. Waiting is precarious for all of us. What if Cruz wins the GOP nomination and the Democratic nominee or a third party presidential candidate then files a lawsuit to deem Cruz ineligible? Imagine if Cruz is deemed ineligible only a few weeks before Election Day? The Democratic nominee would likely win in a cakewalk.

However, the worst-case scenario for us all would be that such a lawsuit isnt filed until Cruz won the election and before he was sworn in as president. Talk about a national crisis. Does the Vice President elect get sworn in while we wait for the court?

Lee did caution, however, that the Supreme Court could deem this issue a political question and decline to get involved. But President Cruz would still likely be dogged by this issue his entire term, leading to a possible crisis in confidence.

Thats why its in the best interest of all Americans  regardless of political party- to resolve this issue sooner rather than later. It will give us all peace of mind. Plus it deprives Trump of another non-policy issue to distract us with, which is truly great for America.
ROME  When Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana announced their new line of hijabs and abaya and sheyla gowns, they joined a growing list of fashion houses trying to tap into the lucrative $266 billion market of Muslim shoppers, which is expected to double in the next five years.

But not everyone agrees with the business plan. Some anti-Muslim voices in Italy warn that Western companies cashing in on Islamic culture spells trouble, while many Muslim women say they feel exploited.

We are being targeted as consumers in a business world that will invest our money against us or against morality in general, says Alisha Deshmukh, in a comment on a Muslim blog asking: Would You Buy a Dolce Gabbana Abaya? Arab money: Money owned and spent by Arabs, who are known to be wealthy in many countries. Their desire is that we spend with them. My answer is no! Invest back in my country instead.

Those who share an anti-Muslim sentiment in Italy warn that catering to Islamic culture could be dangerous. Matteo Salvini, leader of Italys xenophobic anti-immigrant Northern League, has been able to push through a law that prohibits Muslim women from wearing the hjiab headscarf in hospitals, post offices, and other public places. Catering to the culture we dont agree with is like a false invitation of acceptance, he said last weekend. We shouldnt be sending that message.

Indulging Muslim fashionistas is nothing new in the design world. Fashion houses like Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Oscar de la Renta, and even Zara have been creating modest clothing for Ramadan for years, but almost exclusively online or in stores in Arab countries. H&M even hired 23-year-old Muslim model Mariah Idrissi to help boost their line of clothing aimed at Islamic women. Philistine Ayad, a Palestinian-American women, tweeted her thanks to D&G for attempting to bridge the gap between cultures. Thank you, @dolcegabbana for seeing that there is beauty in our differences. #MuslimandProud

Writing in The Muslim Girl blog, Engie Hassan applauds the Italian design house for creating a fashion line that goes beyond a specific Muslim holiday. As many designers have sought to find a connection with the Middle Eastern market on their terms, Dolce & Gabbana is one of the first major luxury labels to truly create a collection exclusively for some of the highest-spending yet underserviced female shoppers in the world, Hassan says. By understanding the nuances of the Middle Eastern culture and the specific need for traditional piecessuch as an abaya and sheyla that focus on modesty yet are still high-fashion and contemporarythey will lead the pack into this beyond emerging market and are sure to have a fashion-minded company in the UAE and its neighbors.

The go-to fashion site for Arab women, Style.com/Arabia, which first broke the D&G story, even published a makeup guide for those planning to buy the haute hijab line. Titled Luminous Makeup to Pair With Your Dolce & Gabbana Hijab, the piece warned that modest dress Muslim women adopt is not always seen as a fashion choice.

They showed a number of tweets underscoring how controversial the issue is. No thank you Dolce & Gabbana, my hijab is not a fashion statement. I cover to please Allah and Allah alone, tweeted @fahimah_uncover4what. Do we Western women need to start wearing the veil, too? tweeted someone called @Fatimapetrucci.

The site also published a response tweet by Stefano Gabbana, defending the fashion houses decision to expand its line. It is only for the Middle East; dont worry, no one will oblige you to wear a veil we dont have that culture, but we should accept the Middle Easts.

As The Daily Beast reported last month ahead of World Hijab Day, while the issue of the hijab headscarf and other modest dress may be a fashion statement for some Muslim women in the West, it is something entirely different in many Muslim countries around the world. It is simply an undeniable fact that most Muslim women attacked around the world for how they dress are attacked by other Islamist and fundamentalist Muslims, not by non-Muslims, wrote Maajid Nawaz. Muslim women wear headscarves called hijab for many different reasons. For some it is simply a religious duty, others believe it to be a sign of modesty, some do so as a badge of identity. For them wearing their hijab is like a Muslim flag. And others, still, are forced to do so by their families.

Providing a more fashionable option for those for who it is a true choice of religious expression is admirable; but for many who dont have that right to choose, a prettier hijab is simply a gilded cage.
President 13: Millard Fillmore [July 9, 1850  March 4, 1853]

The whole country is full of enterprise. Our common schools are diffusing intelligence among the people and our industry is fast accumulating the comforts and luxuries of life. 

-6 December 1862

Millard Fillmore, our last Whig President, was a scholar and a master snacker, both attributes I can truly appreciate in a man. He also had an intensely practical nature, which was reflected in both his politics and home life. Case in point: it was during his tenure that the White House was outfitted with a proper hotel-sized iron stove. The cooks had been cooking over an open flame since the Colonial era. As we know all too well, with every change comes staunch resistance and rumor has it the cooks were less than thrilled with the new system. In their defense, it had an extensive series of pulleys and drafts to monitor temperature, which did not come with the standard how to manual. After as much frustration as an attempt to construct an IKEA wardrobe, the President himself marched down to the Patent Office and requested instructions. He then gave a tutorial on how to use the damn thing. Once the cooks got used to it, it was love and they never looked back.

President Fillmore and his first wife, Abigail, were also quite the academic pair and made significant additions to the White House library. They met in their home state of New York where Abigail was his teacher. He had been training to be a clothes maker but decided he wanted to pursue law instead. This turned out to be a very long and poverty stricken road, during which Abigail continued working to make ends meet and became the first First Lady to hold a job after marriage. I am guessing it was a lot of porridge and cabbage soup during these years. Their hard work eventually paid off and Fillmores practice took off in 1832. They brought their love of books and music to Executive Mansion and, after his term and Abigails death; Millard retired to the libraries at the University of Buffalo, where he had been the Universitys first chancellor.

You would think Fillmores palate would be fitting of his Presidential salary and the brand new appliances he had installed, but alas his tastes were pretty standard. He just feasted on the practicality of it all. When it did come time to eat, he appreciated the lite bite. President Fillmores favorite snack was wait for it pickled spicy eggs. This project has been all about delving into the past, with some tasty throwbacks and some questionable creations. I think this recipe really brings us to that crossroads. Pickling has come back with vengeance, being named the food trend of last year and appearing on menus across the country. This comeback has really been centered around pickled veggies but, its 2016 so we might as well take it one step further. I guarantee these pink spicy pickled eggs will solicit a strong love or hate response from your taste buds. I fear mine was the latter though some of my human guinea pigs loved them. I will say that adding a bit of heat, with a deviled Sriracha center, does help numb the experience a bit.

Spicy Pickled Eggs- adapted from Volume 1- Famous White House Recipes

12 hard-boiled eggs

2 cups distilled white vinegar

1 cup beets , peeled and sliced

1 small onion, finely chopped

 teaspoon salt

 cup sugar

1 teaspoon mace

1 teaspoon pepper

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1/2 cup mayo

1 tsp Sriracha (or to taste)

Smoked paprika for garnish

Peels the eggs and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Place the remaining ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until beets are tender. Place the eggs into two 1-quart jars. Pour beet mixture over eggs. Cover jars tightly and place them in a cool, dark place for at least 2 days [aka the fridge].

My additions instructions:

Instead of boiling fresh beets, I used 2 cans of sliced beets and added it straight to the saucepan and brought to a boil with the remaining ingredients (except for the eggs).

After the two days in the fridge, I deviled the yolks with some Sriracha mayo. I thought it would make them spicy enough to numb my mouth. It didnt quite work but did make them more tolerable.

Tomato Marmalade- adapted from the Virginia Housewife, 1824

Gather full grown tomatoes while quite green [3 lbs- any color] ; take out the stems, and stew them till soft; run them through a sieve [optional], put the pulp on the fire [aka stove] seasoned highly with pepper, salt and pounded cloves [use two]; add some garlic [use three cloves]; and stew all together till thick: it keeps well, and it excellent for seasoning gravies, etc.

My suggestions:

Add 1 chopped onion and 2 stalks celery to the mix. It gives it a heartier feel.

I didnt stew my mixture for very long (about five minutes). I like a big of crunch but this is up to you.

Serve on slices of the toasted baguette with goat cheese and a balsamic glaze. This is great for parties and cheap as chips.
The stereotype of the doctor who doesnt know how to talk to patients and their families often holds true. Of course, no doctor would ever readily admit to this shortcomingthe truth of which usually only becomes obvious when doctors are on the flip side of the equation and see how information gets relayed when their own loved ones are in the hospital.

Case in point:

Mom: They put your grandfather on the ventilator.

Me: WHAT?!

Mom: Oh, no, wait, sorry, maybe the doctor said Ventolin.

Ventolin and ventilatornot exactly a potayto potahto type situation. One is a simple rescue inhaler while the other implies full respiratory support. But these types of miscommunications are incredibly common.

In the chaos of the hospital, sometimes physicians fail to properly convey key details about treatment plans and clinical results. Or, when doctors do make sure to keep family members updated, they talk too quickly or use overly complicated language, thus leaving room for even more confusion. At the end of the day, family members and physicians have the patients best interests at heart, so why is it so hard to keep the wires from getting crossed?

Interpersonal skills are not something easily taught or learned, and medical schools across the country are starting to realize that these skills usually matter far more than MCAT scores and academic GPAs when it comes to the future doctors of America.

Many medical schools are implementing communication improvement courses into their curriculum so as to begin establishing the importance of patient-doctor communication as early as possible. Not too surprisingly, a JAMA study in 2013 found little improvement in communication skills with simulation based training when compared to usual education.

So if interpersonal and communication skills cannot be taught, are we all doomed to suffer from doctors who do not know how to talk to patients and their families? I hope not.

Patients and their families are already overwhelmed by the fact that they (probably) know very little about how hospitals and clinics work. They dont entirely understand the key differences between triaging ER doctors, admitting medicine doctors, and consulting specialist doctors. They dont know why phlebotomists come and poke their family members in the middle of the night for bloodwork. They do not understand that imaging tests often take days because of emergent tests that bump routine ones. They dont fully understand the differences between nurses, CNAs, residents, PAs, NPs, attendings, and all the other people they see in the hospital who seem like revolving doors of providers.

And in all this confusion, the patient and their family members are most likely scared, because being sick and in the hospital is a very frightening situation.

So, to make a difficult situation slightly less upsetting, doctors need to be kind. We need to introduce ourselves, and then explain, in simple terms, our patient care role. Then we can convey all pertinent medical information in a calm and collected manner.

Because, more likely than not, these family members are the ones who are going to help take care of the patient in question when the rest of the medical team is long gone. We all know that this is how we would want to be treated if the tables were turned.
The Monmouth Battle Monument in Freehold, N.J., includes five bronze bas-relief sculptures. One of the panels depicts the Marquis de Lafayettea French aristocrat and a general in George Washingtons armyin a strategy session with Washington just before the Battle of Monmouth during the American Revolution.

When Sarah Vowell went to see the monument as part of her research for Lafayette in the Somewhat United States, she mentions to a friend there that a character on one of the panels was rumored to have been modeled on a young Thomas Edison. Hes supposedly one of the soldiers standing behind Molly Pitcher, who brought water to the soldiers and who was either an actual woman named Mary Hays or a tall tale or the composite of a lot of actual women including one named Mary Hays (or not) at different battles, Vowell writes.

After a discursion about Molly Pitcheror Mary Hays or whoeverVowell notes that none of the characters depicted in the background particularly look like Thomas Edison. Vowells friend looks up pictures of Edison on his phone. By that, I do not mean that he calls up Edisons picture from the Internet, Vowell writes. He has an Edison portrait on his phone already, in between snapshots of his kids. Which Vowell explains.

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States is not a biography of Lafayette or a history of the Battle of Monmouth or of the Revolutionary War. The underlying material of the book is closer to a history of Lafayettes two extended stays in the United Statesfirst as the Hunky Elvis of the revolutionary period and many years later as the Vegas Elvis on a valedictory tour of America in full-on nostalgia for the good old days.

The book itself is Sarah Vowells exploration of all of this material and how she found it and what she made of it and why shes writing about it. Its sort of a memoir about researching Lafayette in the Somewhat United States but only sort of. If the book sounds like an impenetrable mess, then you misunderstand whats happening here. Lafayette, like Vowells previous books, is big, sprawling, discursive, illuminating, eminently readable, and a bestseller.

We caught up with her to talk about the book, her unusual approach to history, and why she refers to antique Lafayette memorabilia as merch.

Were you looking for a topic when you found Lafayette, or did you find some other route into this material?

I wrote a short piece probably a decade ago about Lafayettes return trip to America in 1924, so he had been on my mind for a while. The thing that drew me to that story initially wasnt the Revolutionary War; it was Lafayette coming back to the United States as an old man and the way the American people embraced him with whoops and hollers. He was here for a year, and almost every night there was a party in his honor.

Lafayette was 19 years old when he volunteered in the Continental Army, so by 1824 he was the last living general from the Continental Army. It was coming up on the 50th anniversary of the American Revolution, and his presence here whipped American people into this frenzy of affection. Were not a country known for our agreement or our mutual affection, so those rosy aspects of his story appealed to me. Every other aspect of the story was good old fashioned American rancor and inability to come to any kind of consensus.

He was a lot younger than the people we consider to be his revolutionary contemporaries.

Part of Lafayettes appeal was his youth. I make an allusion in the book to young Elvis and middle-aged Elvis. Lafayette was this teenager in the American Revolution, and when he comes back here hes elderly. Theres a certain fast-forward/rewind aspect to Lafayettes story. He had trained with the French army and gone to riding school with future kings. He had more experience at 19 than most of the people who were fighting with Washington.

Lafayettes enthusiasm probably had something to do with his youth, and some of his effectiveness was bound up in a young boys quest for glory. That seems somewhat ridiculous to me, but the practical effect was thatbecause he wanted fame and glory on the battlefieldhe was tireless on the battlefield. Meanwhile, regulars in Washingtons army were deserting in droves.

You wrote a lot about how many more people came to see Lafayettes arrival in New York than when the Beatles came to New York in 1964. That was nostalgia for the founding fathers, right?

Yes. That was the first real nationwide iteration of patriotic nostalgia for the founders. I was a little kid during the bicentennial in 1976, and I remember what it was like to be caught up in that. Part of it was sentiment that Washington, the generals, the founders were mostly dead. I think it was also that 1824 was the first time that Americans were going to have to elect a president who wasnt one of the founding fathers, and it was a very fractured campaign. So some of it was sentiment, but some of it was fear of now what?

You use a lot of contemporary language and analogies in the booklike calling Lafayette memorabilia merchthat you dont see a lot in history writing. I kind of feel like Im not eating my spinach.

Im alive right now, so I write and talk like someone who is alive right now. And some of it is rhythmicmerch is just a stronger word and a stronger way to end a sentence than merchandise. Souvenirs seems too general. Merch has the connotation of crass commercialism, and it would be untrue to talk about Lafayettes return trip as a purely sentimental exercise. People made a profit off of his image.

Im writing as a member of my culture trying to understand my culture. When I mention someone live Elvis, people call that pop culture. To me, thats just American culture. Its all just culture to me. I dont really make distinctions. Im probably actually less colloquial than I used to be.

I dont think of it as colloquial as much part of the form of what youre doing. Im very aware as I read the book that most other popular historians operate from a conceit that theyre writing a cinematic novelization with real facts. Thats not what you do, which is more like a memoir of your inquiry into the material.

My books will never be turned into films probably because I dont start out from a lofty place of expertise. I dont think cinematically. My books are booky books, and a lot of the detours and analyses are something that can only happen in a book. I learn as I go, and the reader learns with me. A lot of what I do is analysis of whats happeninglike in the beginning when Im trying to set up the various themes of the book.

One of them is that American patriots could not have won the war without the help of the French government, which was the government of an absolute monarch. The founding fathers were sticklers about taxation in general, but they were open-minded about taking money from a French king who was taxing his subjects. You could see that as a humorous aside, but Im saying right up front that theres a certain hypocrisy about that, and I comment on it in a pretty blunt way. My purpose is to be very clear and truthful about the situation. Accepting money from this government thats way more punitive in the way it taxes its people than the monarch of Great Britain was really messy and doesnt lend itself to a two-hour biopic.

A lot of that nostalgia was for George Washington in particular.

The founders are treated today with a certain amount of reverence. And for good reasonwhat they accomplished was insurmountable and unprecedentedbut theyre still people. One of the things I always come back to is: This is a person. George Washington is a person. The farther back you go, people become almost like biblical figureslike someone who exists but in a mythic realm. Part of my book is about the slog of this war, which lasts nearly 20 years. There was a certain perseverance required of Washington. He threatens to quit at one point because there are conspiracies to get rid of him, and the fact that he sticks with it is one of the deciding factors of the war.

How did you figure that out that it was OK to go your own way when other popular historiansNathaniel Philbrick, Robert Caro, Doris Kearns Goodwinare writing what are essentially regarded as novels?

One thing I come back to a lot is that I had an incredibly Protestant upbringing of the old-time-religion sort. I was brought up to believe that all human beings are inherently depraved and evil, but the democratic flipside of that is growing up believing that no one is better or worse than me. Its not a particularly cheerful way to grow up, but in the long run it made me a more confident, self-contained person.

Some of the way I write about history came from when I started writing. The first time I wrote a distinct piece about an event in American history was about the Trail of Tears for a radio documentary. Some of the books in the research were not pleasurable to read, and reading has been one of the joys of my life since I was a little kid. A lot of what I read wasnt clear or was too simplistic. I never found one version of that story that was clear and sophisticated and fun to read.

Some of the way I write now comes from interacting with readers. A lot of the detours that make my writing circuitous comes from giving context. There are tangents in the book where Im trying to explain whats going on with the Revolutionary War. That comes from readers telling me that they dont read other history books. Maybe readers havent considered that it wasnt just colonists vs. kings. Sometimes it was colonists vs. colonists.

The book is funny in a lot of places. Do you write somewhat as a humorist?

I like to think Im not a total drag. My books are written by a person, and people go through various emotional states. Humor is not my purpose. Its part of who I am, but so is thinking about the management of the Continental Armys supply system. Sometimes I joke around, sometimes Im incredibly horrified, sometimes Im thinking things through, sometimes Im telling a very anecdotal story, sometimes Im making a point. Its just part of being a person.

I worked for a week once at The Daily Show. I liked those people. I like what they do and I admire it, but everything was supposed to be funnywhich is the point of a comedy show on a comedy channelbut that was just not appealing to me. Theres some pretty dark stuff in American history. Its not all dark, but a lot of it is. Some of the humor is just trying to deal with that darkness.

You had some people reading in the audiobook who are known for being funny but who dont come across as hammy or ironic. That was on purpose, right?

Being a comedic actor requires a certain intelligence. Nick Offerman is George Washington, who was not a particularly funny person. Offermanas a writer himself and as a personhas a certain gravitas. Hes punctual. Hes trustworthy. He has this authority. And hes also a wonderful actor. Having him read George Washington was a no-brainer.

John Hodgman has an unwavering intelligence like John Adams but also a hothead quality. Hes good at being miffed. Some of these people are funny in their regular work, but they have these other qualities. John Slattery is a really good actor, and hes a hilarious person. I like working on the audiobooks because you can see what people are capable of doing.

How did you put together the audiobook cast?

Mostly, its people I know from being around. I have known Fred Armisen since I was in school in Chicago and he was the drummer for some weird band. Hes a fascinating person to work with. Before he reads the part, he writes a little play in his head of what the person is talking about. He was doing Wilhelm von Steuben, the German general, and to get himself into that character, he was talking in a German accentlike a German rocker talking about his dayand then he would do the scene.

To me, the sleeper hit of the audiobook is Alexis Denisof, who was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and did just about all of the British. He did research on all the parts and would say, like, This guy is from Sussex, and this is how they speak. He came at it from this very scholarly, Shakespearean place.

What have you read this year?

Ive been on a Japanese aesthetics kick. I read a book that the architect Arata Isozaki wrote called Japan-ness in Architecture. I go on little research-reading kicks for my own enjoyment, and I happen to enjoy Japanese culture. I also read detective novels. Theres a writer named Attica Locke on the show Empire who also writes great crime novels. She wrote Pleasantville, which involves a dead girl and a political family in this traditionally black neighborhood in Houston. And I recently read The Bloody Bozeman by Dorothy M. Johnson, which is about Montana during the Civil War.

Have you started on another project?

No. I usually have kind of a mental hangover after I finish a book. They read sort of breezilyat least I hope they dobut theres a lot of information on every page. Corraling all of that into a structure really takes a lot out of me.
Every four years, CSPAN plays an unintentional, cruel trick on the journalists gathered to cover the conventions. Throughout the utterly unspontaneous, thoroughly programed rituals we attend, it runs films and kinescopes of tumultuous conventions past.

We can watch House Speaker Sam Rayburn, the Democratic chair in 1956, survey the forest of standards waving for recognition at the close of the second ballot to pick a vice president. (Presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson had asked the delegates to choose).) Sen. John Kennedy was a handful of delegates shy of winning, but Rayburnfearing that a Catholic would doom Democrats across the Southcalled on the Tennessee delegation, which changed its votes from favorite son Sen. Al Gore Sr., to his fellow Tennessee senator Estes Kefauver. A few moments later, the nomination was his.

We can watch New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller in 1964 urge a platform plank condemning extremism, as the San Francisco Cow Palace, full of Goldwater partisans, boo him mercilessly; and he pauses and says to them grimly, how hard it is to face the Truth!

We can watch security guards in Chicago, in the chaos of the 1968 convention, manhandle CBSs Dan Rather off the floor, and hear Connecticut Sen. Abe Ribicoff declaim, with George McGovern as president, we wouldnt have to have Gestapo tactics in the streets of Chicago!as Chicago Mayor Richard Daley shouts up to the podium what may or may not have been an obscenity.

These, and a stream of other images, help explain why, in a quadrennial rhythm as predictable as the return of swallows to Capistrano, news analyses, columns, and TV talking heads declare, This could be the year of the brokered convention! This cycle, which has, at least in the Republican camp, thus far taken so unfamiliar a shape, has heard the cries of brokered convention! resound louder than ever.

I have no idea whether the din will subside once voters actually begin voting. History says the campaign will begin to resemble those of recent campaigns past, but I dont think the laws of politics are as reliable as, say, the law of gravity. My goal here is not to predict, but to explain why the lure of a brokered convention is so powerful; why those of us who came to political maturity too late to witness one regard its possibility with the intensity of a Chicago Cubs fan longing for a World Series triumph.

The explanation is, I think, simple: For a generation of political enthusiastsprofessional and citizen alikethe spectacle of open, contentious, unpredictable conventions are burned onto our memories. And so is the frustration of coming to the political arena just as the importance and drama of the conventions withered before our eyes.

Imagine a boy or girl of, say 10 years old, first becoming aware of the political world. (If that seems premature, most of the political junkies I know reached political puberty a few years before biological puberty kicked in.) Those children who are now somewhere between 45 and 75 would have witnessed at lest one memorable convention. Bill Clinton remembers sitting transfixed in front of the TV watching the 1956 conventions. My baptism came four years earlier, when my mother seized the one radio in my grandfathers country cottagewe had no TVto listen to the Pier Six brawl conducted by the Republicans and the three-ballot battle it took for the Democrats to choose Adlai Stevenson.

But you dont have to have a Medicare card to remember contentious conventions. For 28 yearsfrom 1952 until 1980, at least one of the two party gatherings provided a gratifying struggle over power (and sometimes principles).

1952Ikes Eastern liberal internationalist allies vanquish conservative icon Robert Taft, as Sen. Dirksen berates the last standard-bearer. We followed you before and you took us down the road to defeat! he bellows at Tom Dewey, the GOPs 1948 nominee.

1956The last multi-ballot convention sees Kefauver snatch the vice presidential nod from John Kennedy.

1960John Kennedy wins a first-ballot victory only when the last stateWyominggives him a majority.

1964Republican conservatives finally nominate a champion of their own in Barry Goldwater, as liberal Republicans walk out. On the Democratic side, a fight over the all-white Mississippi delegation presages the racial divisions of the coming years.

1968Chicago. Daley. McCarthy. Humphrey. Enough said.

1972Opponents of Sen. McGovern stage a floor fight in an attempt to nullify Californias winner take all primary. They lose, and as an act of retribution for 1968, Chicago Mayor Richard Daleys Illinois delegation is unseated.

1976In the last genuinely contested convention, President Ford and Ronald Reagan battle over a handful of delegates that will decide the outcome. An attempt by Reagan to force Ford into announcing his running mate before the presidential balloting narrowly fails; but in the hearts of true political junkies, that rejected ruleRule 16(c) attains immortality.

1980Although the outcome of the Democratic contest is assuredPresident Carter has the delegates to turn back Ted Kennedythe convention delivers a floor fight or two, as well as the spectacle of Jimmy Carter stalking Kennedy around the podium in a failed attempt to inveigle Kennedy into the arms aloft image of party unity. On the Republican side, theres a days worth of rumors and speculation about ex-President Ford becoming Reagans running mate, before Reagan makes a surprise appearance in the hall to announce that George H.W. Bush is his choice.

What has followed is eight consecutive cycles where almost nothing of drama has transpired. Looking back over 35 years, the most significant event I can think of was Barack Obamas 2004 convention speech, which put the obscure state senator on a path to the White House four years later.

Other than that, what weve been privileged to witness is a spectacle stripped of just about every possible prospect of surprise. A generations worth of conventions where an actors monologue with an empty chair counts as a major highlight is not what a generations worth of operatives and journalists signed up for. To offer just one measure of what has happened: When ABCs Sam Donaldson got hold of the Nixon campaigns minute-by-minute schedule for the 1972, it was something of a minor scandal. A dozen years later, campaign operatives were visiting the networks every day to offer their minute-by-minute schedule.

Yes, there are good reasons why conventions have become infomercials; the shift of power to the primaries has stripped them of their original purpose. Moreover, with party officials and officeholders no longer controlling armies of delegates, the whole idea of a brokered convention runs up against the reality that there are no brokers, at least not any more.

The Ford-Reagan battle in 1976 and, to a lesser extent, the Carter-Kennedy contest in 1980 were contested conventions; so would a multi-ballot floor fight in Cleveland next summer among the surviving two or three candidates. If party elders were to meet behind closed doors and deliver the nomination to, say, House Speaker Paul Ryan, that would qualify as a brokered outcomethough who the brokers would be, and whether GOP convention rules would permit it, are questions as of now unanswerable.

Still, there are enough of us with fading memories of conventions past, and others who have seen the black-and-white film clips and videotapes, to make the lure of a brokered, or contested, or open, or disputatious convention a powerful yearning.

And you dont even have to be of a certain age to feel such longings. After all, think of how many Chicagoans yearn for a World Series flag to fly at Wrigley; a Chicago Cubs fan who was 10 years old when they last won the Series would now be 125 years old. Well, there are plenty of journalists little more than half my age who have lingered in their hotel rooms during conventions, watched the tempestuous battles of the past on their TV sets, and prepared for another night of the relentlessly predictable feeling: Please, let me witness just one convention where we actually do not know what s going to happen. 
When police found Mikhail Lesin dead in a Washington, D.C., hotel room, the most interesting question wasnt the cause of his demise, but what he was doing in the United States in the first place.

The former propaganda chief for Russian president Vladimir Putin, nicknamed the bulldozer for his history of rolling over his opposition, Lesin had been under scrutiny by the FBI and the Justice Department for potential money laundering and violation of corruption laws. Lesin was suspected of hiding ill-gotten gains in nearly $30 million worth of luxury real estate in southern California, an astounding set of assets for a man supposedly collecting a civil servants salary. Hed also been considered for sanctions that would have prevented him from obtaining a visa to enter the United States.

Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi who has spent years looking into corruption and human-rights abuses in Russia, had asked the Justice Department to investigate Lesin. In December 2014, the department confirmed it had referred Lesins case to the Criminal Division and to the FBI. While officials declined to say whether they formally opened an investigation, several close watchers of Lesins case told The Daily Beast they thought it was all but certain that he was being pursued by U.S. law enforcement. And if he wasnt under active criminal investigation, the FBI had enough evidence to consider opening a case, they said. A bureau spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

So why did Lesin, who was 57, tempt fate by entering the United States this past November?

The purpose of his visit was never made clear. But he was staying in a mid-range hotel on Washingtons DuPont Circle. While not shabby, its doesnt seem the kind of place that attracts people who buy multimillion-dollar estates. It does, though, offer a comparatively low per-night rate, perhaps more in line with U.S. government budgets, and is known to host foreign government officials and visitors on exchange programs. Its also located a short drive from FBI and Justice Department headquarters.

These are the broad strokes of Lesins case. And in some foreign policy circles in Washingtonas well as in Russian mediathey have fueled speculation that Lesin was murdered after coming to Washington to cut a deal with the FBI.

Lesin certainly would have had a lot to say about Putins inner circlehe worked with, and reportedly owed money to, some of the most powerful men in Russian media and finance. And he would have had a powerful incentive to cooperate with U.S. authorities, namely hanging onto his several mansions in Los Angeles, which potentially could have been seized. At least two of the homes are known to be occupied, respectively, by his daughter and his son, a Hollywood film producer whose star is on the rise.

Adding to the mystery, the precise cause of Lesins untimely demise hasnt been revealed. Almost immediately, the broadcasting outfit RT (Russia Today), widely seen as a Kremlin mouthpiece, reported that Lesin died of a heart attack, citing an unnamed family member.

But a spokesperson for the Washington, D.C., police department told The Daily Beast that Lesins death is still under investigation. And although a coroner performed an autopsy nearly two months ago, the police arent saying how he died. Thats an unusually long time not to publicly state a cause of death.

The conspiracy theories are arguably well-founded, because it wouldnt be the first time someone who posed a political threat to Putin wound up dead under unusual circumstances, including poisoning.

Lesin was also being squeezed by the U.S. government. Two years ago hed been nominated by human-rights groups for the so-called Magnitsky list of Russian human-rights violators, which would have allowed Washington to deny him a visa and seize his assets in this country. Lesin was not placed on the public list, which consists mainly of mid-level officials not as influential as the former propaganda chief. But U.S. officials maintain a classified annex which reportedly includes more senior Russians, including those closer to Putin. Its not known whether Lesin was on that list, but activists lobbied hard to put him there.

He would have been an ideal candidate. Not only was he one of RTs founding fathers, credited with conceiving of the network while working for Putin in order to counter what he saw as anti-Russia journalism in the West. (Its been a long time since I was scared by the word propaganda, Lesin said in 2007, according to RT. We need to promote Russia internationally. Otherwise, wed just look like roaring bears on the prowl.)

Lesin was also a longtime Putin crony, and he played a central role in an early project by the Russian strongman to gut the countrys independent television station, NTV, which had aired critical reports about government corruption, the war in Chechnya, and had become a soapbox for prominent Putin critics. While Lesin was serving as the information minister, Russia jailed NTVs founder and majority shareholder, Vladimir Gusinsky.

While he was there, the information minister made an offer: Gusinsky could have his freedom if he agreed to transfer his media holdings to Gazprom, the state-owned energy monopoly, according to Russian journalist Vladimir Kara-Muzra, who has probed Lesins financial and real estate holdings. It was a naked power play that the European Court of Human Rights found was politically motivated and amounted to state-sanctioned blackmail.

Gusinksy didn't end up going along with the deal to hand over the media company. But Gazprom took over NTV anyway--by force--and in 2013 Lesin became the head of Gazprom-Media, an actual state-run media organization. RT, which reported the cause of Lesins death before a medical examiner had even seen his body, merely receives funding from the state.

The Gazprom takeover has raised concerns among U.S. investigators that Lesin may have come by a fortune through illegal seizures of private property, and then laundered those proceeds by stashing them in American real estate, according to two sources who have followed Lesins finances and asked not to be identified.

Landing Lesin could have led investigators to other, even bigger fish. As Wicker wrote to then-Attorney General Eric Holder in 2014, Lesin may also have close business ties with individuals subject to U.S. sanctions, as well as organizations, including Bank Rossiya, which is closely linked to Gazprom, and the banks owner, Yury Kovalchuk, a billionaire who ranks among Russias richest people, is reportedly close to Putin personally, and was sanctioned by the Treasury Department after Russia invaded Crimea.

If Lesin were found to be violating U.S. money-laundering laws, it could provide a rare opportunity to snare a senior Putin aide. After Wicker pressed the issue, relying in part on public property records that clearly linked the L.A. mansions to Lesin, the Justice Department considered whether to go after him.

Following the news of his death, the Kremlin issued a statement on behalf of Putin, noting The president has a high appreciation for Mikhail Lesins massive contribution to the creation of modern Russian mass media.

But having Lesin as an informant would been a big contribution to U.S. law enforcement and intelligence. And the information that Wicker and his staff, as well as human-rights groups and journalists, dug up on Lesin may have pushed him closer to the FBIs arms.

About two weeks after the Justice Department informed Wicker that the allegations against Lesin were referred to the FBI, Lesin resigned as the head of Gazprom-Media, citing unspecified family reasons. Kara-Murza, the journalist and Putin critic, who himself fell mysteriously ill last summer, has directly linked the departments announcement to Lesins stepping down and said it showed that the threat of sanctions and prosecution could be used to bring down corrupt Russian officials.

Thats just one example of how effective this process can be if its applied properly, if its done against the right people, Kara-Murza said in remarks at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington think tank, in October. Kara-Murza declined to discuss Lesins case with The Daily Beast, citing the Latin admonition de mortuis nihil nisi bonum. Of the dead, [say] nothing, unless good. And I have nothing good to say about him.

Meanwhile, Lesins children have also kept mum. His son, Anton Lessine (the surnames are spelled differently), didnt respond to a request for comment, and his daughter couldnt be reached. Anton has been on a roll in Hollywood, helping financing high-profile movies with A-list talent. He was the executive producer of the Arnold Schwarzenegger action vehicle Sabotage, the Brad Pitt WWII tank pic Fury, 2015s Bill Murray comedy Rock the Kasbah, and 2016s transgenerational buddy flick Dirty Grandpa, starring Robert DeNiro and Zac Effron.

Times are good for the son of the ex-Putin aide, who seems to have come out of nowhere in the famously hard-to-crack world of big-budget filmmaking. He recently purchased a mansion in L.A.s Pacific Palisades for an asking price of nearly $4 million. How exactly the Lesin family came into such good fortune is a question that has piqued the interest of U.S. investigators.

As might another question: Was Lesin in debt, and ready to flee Russia for a new life? After Lesins death, The Moscow Times reported that he may have stepped down from Gazprom-Media after losing an internal power struggle. Jobless and with high-level enemies, Lesin also owed a huge amount of money to Kovalchuk, the billionaire banker, which he didnt intended to repay, the news organization reported, citing anonymous sources.

He also underestimated his rivals, The Moscow Times wrote. The heads of three of Russia's major TV channels complained to President Putin that Lesin had begun behaving as if he was their boss, as he had been while press minister.

The walls were closing in on Lesin--in Washington and in Moscow. Perhaps Lesins trip to that DuPont Circle hotel was his first step towards a new life. But if hed become an enemy of Putin and his friends, even the FBI might not have been able to save him.
Very Busy Schedule Awaits Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wutrzbach Upon Homecoming To Philippines

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is set return to the Philippines on Jan. 23 amid the suggestions that she should share the crown with runner-up, Miss Colombia.

Stella Marquez-Araneta, the chairman of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., has announced Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach's homecoming, according to Manila Times.

Reportedly, the Filipino beauty queen will be very busy when she returns home as a series of events are lined up for her.

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Per Inquirer, "On January 25, she will have a grand parade, which will start at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City and going to Manila and Makati, then back to Quezon City. On January 26, she will hold a charity event and on January 27, she will have a courtesy call at Malacanang, Senate and the House of Representatives."

By Jan. 28, Miss Universe 2015 "will have a homecoming special or a grand party at the Smart Araneta Coliseum."

Following Pia Wurtzbach's controversial win, former Miss Universe owner Donald Trump suggested that she share the crown with Miss Colombia.

'I'll tell you what I think I'd do. I think I'd make 'em a co-winner, that would be very cool," Trump told the "Today" show, as shared by ET Online.

The mogul went on to say, "Because what happened to the girl from Colombia is devastating: to give it to her for a couple of minutes and then to take it away."

But Pia Wutzbach is not so keen about sharing the crown and title of Miss Universe 2015.

During her interview for "Good Morning America," the reigning beauty queen said "it would be a little bit difficult for two girls to share a crown."

Pia Wurtzbach is the third Filipino to win the prestigious title. The two other beauties to win the Miss Universe crown are Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margie Moran (1973).

Wutzbach is currently in New York finishing up her tour and Miss Universe duties.

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Print this page Skerrit denies knowledge of UK offshore companies By TDN Wire Staff

January 10, 2016 11:45 A.M





PM Roosevelt Skerrit. Roseau, Dominica (TDN) Prime minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit has strenuously denied that he has anything to do with a number of offshore companies registered in the United Kingdom in which the mother of his first son Yvette Laurent has been listed as Director. News of the offshore companies was reported in a January 4, 2016 article appearing in the Caribbean News Now Network titled From rags to riches? in search of Roosevelt Skerrits millions in which Clint Lowe is quoted as saying that Over the years, millions of dollars have been collected from the sale of Dominica's diplomatic passports and its citizenship by the Roosevelt Skerrit government, with untold amounts having never been deposited in the National Treasury. Crooks and criminals the world over possess our passports and have paid for them but Mr. Skerrit refuses to give an accounting of all the proceeds. Pursuing leads in the United Kingdom, we've discovered that Ms Laurent, residing in Dominica, currently sits on and in some cases once sat on the boards of at least nine British companies, all of which appear to be front companies . Ms Laurent is listed as being the sole owner of all the shares while, in others, she is listed as the sole operating director and, on others, she was both the sole owner and director for certain periods of time in the life of the corresponding company. We were unable to get financial information from most, so far, but we were able to get balance sheets from the filings of a few. The balance sheets reveal vast amounts of money coming into and leaving these shell companies throughout the years they were operational for which they filed. Nowhere did any of those companies list any physical asset; all declared assets are cash, the article stated. However Skerrit was quick to deny involvement telling the local media in Dominica that I know of no such companies, I know of no such transactions, and Im no shareholder, either nominee or beneficiary of any such companies. Skerrit noted. Skerrit also said the release of the information in the public domain threatens to undermine Dominicas offshore sector. They are saying that there is no confidentiality in the offshore sector in Dominica and that an investors private information can be easily ferreted across the globe as part of politics in Dominica, he added. The prime minister also accused unknown opposition operatives to be behind the most recent report. In the report several documents revealing the signatures of the Directors of the various companies were revealed. The author noted that the documents were all obtained from publicly available sources from Her majestys Revenue Department in London.




Obama Administration Begins Sending Guantanamo Detainees To Other Countries, Al Qaeda Suspects Transfer To Ghana

On Wednesday, the United States announced the transfer of two Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Ghana after nearly 14 years of incarceration, The New York Times reported. This transfer represented the beginning of more departures from the dreaded detention camp this year.

The two identified Yemeni individuals were Khalid Mohammed Salih al-Dhuby and Mahmmoud Omar Mohammed Bin Atef. Both men were captured by Afghanistan forces in 2001 and were turned over to the custody of the United States government because of their suspected ties to Al Qaeda. Dhuby was known to be trained by Al Qaeda in Afghanistan while the Atef was an admitted member of the Taliban group.

"The United States is grateful to the Government of Ghana for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility," said Pentagon spokesperson Commander Gary Ross.

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Bin Atef's lawyer, George Clarke, said that his client is a "friendly, nice guy" who possess a positive attitude. He further said that Mr. Bin Atif is happy and appreciative of the idea that the "Ghanians are taking him."

Similarly, the United States Department of Defense also announced the transfer of Faez Mohammed Ahmed al Kandari, who was known to be the spiritual adviser of Osama Bin Laden, Yahoo News reported Saturday.

Kandari, who had been imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay for 13 years, was transferred to Kuwait on Friday.

These transfers are strong manifestations that the Obama administration is working on its pledge to close the prison despite the huge disapproval of the Republican-controlled Congress.

"I think we can all quibble on whether 13 or 12 or eight years in detention is enough to have them pay for whatever they did, but they're bad guys," said John F. Kelly, Commander General of the United States Southern Command. He added that if these individuals "go back to the fight," they would "probably kill them."

DNA India's Saturday report mentioned that the transfer of prisoners is determined by a board established by President Obama for such purpose in 2011. Should the body approve a transfer, the government will search for countries that are willing to take them and make the necessary security arrangements.

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October 10, 1952 - January 5, 2016

Jean Shaddix Baggett, 63, devoted mother, civic leader and financial executive, died January 5, 2016 in Frisco, Texas, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Saturday, January 16, at Rhoton Funeral Chapel in Carrollton, Texas, with the Rev. Cal Hoffman officiating. A pre-burial gathering of loved ones and friends will be from 2:30 to 3:50 p.m. at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church of Pittsburg, Texas, with interment services led by the Rev. Steve Packer at 4 p.m. at Rosehill Cemetery.

Jeanie was born October 10, 1952, in Pittsburg, Texas. A 1975 graduate of Sam Houston State University, she was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She earned her license as a Certified Public Accountant and enjoyed a career that included serving as CFO of May Petroleum, a Director with Basix and financial management roles for the Jack Knox group of companies and Texas A&M University.

Jeanie was married to Donnis Baggett from 1974-2000 and cherished her role as a mother to their two children as her highest calling. Joyfully she shared her faith in God, by works and example, as a devoted member of A&M United Methodist Church in College Station from 1996 until she entered Alzheimer's care in 2009. Prior to her move to College Station, Jeanie was an active member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, Texas.

Jeanie's organizational skills as a volunteer were developed early on as a Girl Scout troop leader. She also committed her time and talents to many other non-profit organizations and activities, including the 500 Inc. arts support organization and the Women's Junto discussion group in Dallas. She was a founding member and first organizational treasurer for the Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley.

Additionally, Jeanie was a distinguished member of Leadership Texas and the Woman's Club of Bryan-College Station. And as the proud mother of two Aggies, Jeanie joined the Aggie Moms Club in College Station while her children were attending the university.

Jeanie was preceded in death by her father, James Edward Shaddix; and her grandparents, Clovis Cook Shaddix, Burton Oliver Shaddix, May Bynum Lake and Charles Roy Lake.

She is survived by her mother, Nancy Lake Shaddix of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Valerie Baggett of Carrollton, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, David and Heather Baggett of Bismarck, N.D.; and sisters, Patti Shaddix Fields of Kansas City, Missouri, and Toni Shaddix Mitchell of Frisco, Texas.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 800-272-3900 (www.alz.org) or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 836-232-8484 (www.alzfdn.org).
No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

-- U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 1

It is easy to ignore the often-hateful blatherings of Donald Trump, but his questioning of Ted Cruz' eligibility to be president needs an answer. And that answer is a clear "yes."

Trump knows very well that Cruz is eligible, but in his desperation to stave off a surging Cruz candidacy The Donald will say anything.

Although he was born in Calgary, Canada in 1970, Ted Cruz is considered a "natural born" citizen of the United States because his mother was born in Delaware. His Cuban father was working in the Canadian oil fields when his son was born. Thus, the Texas senator was born a citizen of both the United States and Canada. He always has though of himself -- rightly -- as American, saying he didn't realize he had dual citizenship until it was pointed out by The Dallas Morning News in 2014. At that time, Cruz renounced his Canadian citizenship, although he could have kept it without endangering his eligibility to be America's president.

Despite claims by some Trump supporters -- who still are trying to prove that Barack Obama's birth in Hawaii of a Kenyan father and American mother makes him ineligible to be president -- Cruz does not hold a Canadian passport and, apparently, never has.

Two former Justice Department lawyers, in a Harvard Law Review article quoted in USA Today last March, said, "Despite the happenstance of a birth across the border, there is no question that Sen, Cruz has been a citizen from birth and is thus a 'natural born citizen' within the meaning of the Constitution,"

Neal Katyal, who was acting solicitor general in the Obama administration from May 2010 to June 2011, and Paul Clement, solicitor general from 2004 to 2008 in the George W. Bush administration, said, "As Congress has recognized since the Founding, a person born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent is generally a U.S. citizen from birth with no need for naturalization. And the phrase 'natural born citizen' in the Constitution encompasses all such citizens from birth.

"Thus, an individual born to a U.S. citizen parent -- whether in California or Canada or the Canal Zone -- is a U.S. citizen from birth and is fully eligible to serve as president if the people so choose."

Surely Trump knows he iss wrong about Cruz' eligibility, so why bring it up. Quite simply, Trump knows his poll numbers are ephemeral, that he has garnered just about all the supporters he is going to get. As Republican voters get serious about the election, they will settle for more serious, far more qualified canidates, including, possibly, Ted Cruz. TheTeflon Don's non-stick surface is beginning to peel.

There are many reasons to vote for Ted Cruz for president, and probably just as many not to. Like all candidates, he asks us to accept him, warts and all.

Whatever you think about Ted Cruz, he is eligible to be president of the United States -- and has been for a decade since he turned 35.
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By Erin Schmitt of The Gleaner

Nick Wimber always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Alex Wimber.

Seven years ago, Alex Wimber was elected governor at the Kentucky Youth Assembly  the highest individual honor given. Last month, Nick Wimber realized his dream when his name was announced as KYA governor.

"That's been my goal since I was really young and I started figuring out what KYA is," said the Holy Name School eighth-grader "They about ripped my suit, they were so excited for me."

His classmates were even more excited when their teacher and KYA adviser, Christina Shires, made good on her bet with Wimber. Since he won the governorship, Shires had to jump into the Louisville Executive Inn's swimming pool fully clothed.

Holy Name sent a delegation of 81 seventh- and eighth-grade students to the Kentucky Youth Assembly, which is a three-day program where students serve as part of a model state government and learn how a legislature works. The students came back with a slew of awards, including the Outstanding Delegation Award.

Shires credits Phyllis Brown, who retired last year, with creating and fostering a history of service at the school.

"She really led by example and showed our students the necessity of service," said Shires. "These students literally lead the state in service projects and hours, all because of her hard work and dedication."

Before the students leave for KYA, they undergo quite a bit of preparation. They have to research, write and present their bills.

"It helped me learn how our government works and gave me a lot of good experience," said eighth-grader Hunter Book, who successfully sponsored a bill that would require standardized testing for all home-schooled students.

The students are subject to technical questions from the audience, so they have to be knowledgeable about their topic and answer questions in a persuasive manner. The students also have to keep their composure if someone doesn't like their bill.

"Kids this age don't like rejection," said Shires. "So to stand up there for something you really believe in and have worked so hard for if you're kind of getting beaten up by the audience can be tough to take. We do so much preparation here so when they get up there they feel like they can handle pretty much anything."

Identical twins Kaylee and Kara Morris, both eighth-graders, sponsored an act to restrict the mentally ill from possessing firearms. The bill would mean people clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia, major mood disorders and narcissism would not have access to guns, Kara explained.

"It was more of a bill of compassion than it was exclusion," said Kaylee. "To help them when they couldn't have control, especially because 90 percent of suicides are mentally ill people. So we decided to face this problem with a solution."

For their efforts, the Morris twins were named outstanding speakers along with their classmates Gavin Sheffer and Preston Hazelwood.

Fraternal twins Georgia and Ashlyn Farina wanted to participate in KYA after hearing fun stories from their mom, Holy Name math teacher Holly Farina. The girls sponsored a bill that would require mobile home park owners to provide storm shelters after seeing news reports of tornadoes flattening trailers.

Eighth-graders Lauren Boze and Lauren Alexander had a different task at KYA. After successfully completing a five-hour training session, both girls were named leadership chairs. They were responsible for overseeing the committee rooms where bills were presented.

"We were in charge of conducting them and making sure that everything was in order and that all of the bills had their fair amount of time to make sure that their voices were heard," said Alexander, adding they got to keep their engraved gavels.

Seventh-grader Reagan Fulkerson said she learned a lot on her first trip to KYA. It was fun for her to see other students' bills.

"I thought it was just a great place to, like, voice your opinion and really say what you feel and actually have a chance to make a change," she said.

Fulkerson and her fellow seventh-graders, Ty Gatten and Saylor Stich, authored an act to eliminate animal fighting for game, sport, or financial gain using two- or four-legged animals.

The students were shocked to learn animal fighting has happened in their hometown. This made it more of a personal crusade for them, said Gatten.

Stich encouraged other students to try out KYA for themselves.

"Even if you don't grow up to be a lawyer or whatever you can speak how they would and experience that career at a young age," she said.
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By Gleaner Staff

The Kentucky College and Career Connection coalition has invited middle and high school students to create 30-second Public Service Announcements promoting the idea that there's more than one way to pay for college.

Challenge winners will have their work produced and broadcast on television and radio stations statewide. Entries must be received by Feb. 1.

The competition is part of the Kentucky Department of Education's Student Technology Leadership Program and its Digital Products Online Judging competition. STLP is a statewide program that helps students use technology for their school and community.

"Having a college degree or credential has never been more important, yet the cost can be a concern for Kentucky families," said Aaron Thompson, the Council on Postsecondary Education executive vice president. "The challenge is designed to engage students in sharing the message that postsecondary education is affordable because there are multiple ways to lower the out-of-pocket costs."

For their projects, students must choose one of five strategies that lower the cost of college: find your career path; fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA; get good grades to earn scholarships; get a head start on college classes; and start saving now. There will be winners in each category.

"With our focus on preparing all graduates for college and careers, an opportunity is lost when students with an aptitude and desire to attend college cannot," said Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt. "If our young people and our state are to prosper, we need to work to close that opportunity gap in whatever ways possible."

Paying for college is a big concern for many students and family, said Morehead State University's Dan Connell, who serves as Ky3C chair. Through this collaborative initiative, the goal is to give students "the opportunity to shape and share the positive message that college can be affordable if you plan early and work hard," he said.

"This student-driven approach is designed to generate more authentic and relevant messages for the targeted student audience," said Rachel Belin, senior director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence's Student Voice Team. "The strategy is a natural outgrowth of our work to integrate Kentucky's young people as full partners in education policy and advocacy work."

Submissions will be evaluated by judges from across the state, many of whom will be students. Finalists will be announced in February and offered the opportunity to work with media professionals to further develop and finalize their product for broadcast.

Winners in each category will be recognized in April at the statewide STLP awards ceremony at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Any Kentucky school can participate in the STLP program and all students in a participating school are eligible to compete. Coordinators at participating schools are available to support and advise students as they create and submit their projects.

More information, including the challenge rules and requirements, is available at stlp.education.ky.gov, and then click on DOPJ. Entries must be uploaded by the deadline to be eligible.

For more information about the Ky3C Coalition, visit http://ky3Ccoalition.blogspot.com.
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By Beth Smith of The Gleaner

Jason Batts says he is not a career politician, nor does he want to be.

The 34-year-old Hickman County resident and Republican candidate for Congressional District 1, which includes Henderson County, said those representing the people in Washington shouldn't be allowed to remain there indefinitely.

"I believe that to make a long-term change in Congress, we've got to make it where we are putting people there who are answering a calling and not looking for a career," Batts told The Gleaner during a recent visit to Henderson. "The best way to do that is to change out the people who are up there. I think a reasonable figure would be 12-year term limits. You could have staggered terms so you can maintain the experience that might be helpful on foreign affairs or national security-related committees, but at the same time you have to go back home and stay in tune with what the average person wants and not becoming a career politician by staying in Washington. I believe I'm the only candidate (for District 1) that has signed the term limit pledge."

Batts, who is the current county attorney in Hickman County, said he has experience in an area desperately needed in Washington right now  money management.

"The fiscal situation in our country is spiraling out of control," he said. "As county attorney, the first day I was elected, I did a careful audit. I sat down and went through all the books, every dollar we received and asked, 'Why is this here and what is it being used for?' If it was being used for a legitimate purpose then great, we moved on to the next. If not, I investigated it further. I'd ask people familiar with the process where money was going. Sometimes, I'd get answers such as, 'Well it's been done that way for years.' No one could tell me why it was done that way."

"After I completed going through the budget, I was able to cut the budget by more than 12 percent  eliminating thousands of dollars of useless spending," he said.

Another issue of great importance to Batts is the well-being of veterans.

"The situation with our veterans is absolutely a crisis. Unfortunately, I don't think it's getting a lot of attention," he said.

"I'm a captain, currently serving in the Army Reserves. I've been a prosecutor in the Army for 3  years and was recently named chief of military justice. People in Washington, our career politicians who have been working in politics forever, they don't seem to understand what veterans go through ... when they come back, when they put on the uniform," he said. "That's an area in which I'd really like to make a difference."

More specifically, Batts said he'd like to do away with the VA health care system and "allow members of the military to choose their own doctor (closer to home), a family care physician they believe best suits their needs, instead of having them drive to some separate but equal facility, where they have to wait months for care and then jump through hoops for that care."

"We've had more than 300,000 veterans die while awaiting VA care, and that's an absolute crisis no one seems to address," he said.

Also, "I'm a Constitutional conservative," he said. "I believe the federal government is too burdensome in our lives. I believe the Constitution was meant to be a limit on federal government, not to be a ticket to advance some political agenda. I think we've seen both sides of the aisle do that, and we've seen the Supreme Court do that with Obamacare rulings and other rulings."

"I'm a small town lawyer," Batts said. "And 95 percent of my clients are farmers. I spend a great deal of time helping them navigate the rules and regulations that Washington puts on them. It's a lot of the same problems we've seen with rules from the EPA that are being put on coal mines. These are battles we're all facing on the front lines in Kentucky, and that's some unique experience I can bring to the table and be able to stand up for, because I haven't been in politics for a generation."

Batts said the recent election of Matt Bevin as governor of Kentucky shows a change in the political climate with voters apparently giving "political outsiders" a chance.

"We're definitely the outsider in the race" for District 1, he said. "That works out well. That's what people are interested in right now. We share the same frustrations as the average person. I think that's been reflective in our support."

Running for a congressional seat wasn't initially the plan, Batts said.

"My wife, Tonia, and I go home, like most people and turn on the news. Night after night, we struggled to get through the news because of all that was happening in our country and where it's headed," he said. "We became more and more convinced that Washington isn't representing us. I come from a small town with one stop light. We aren't the typical springboard to run for a big office ... If you want someone who will stand up for our conservative values in the First District, if you want someone to represent us well, then I encourage you to take a look at our platform and who we are."
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By Glenn Hall

A new year and I have to start off with a confession.

I've checked out of the political process. I'm disgusted and repulsed by what I see and hear. I realize that for seven years the delusional wing of haters in the Republican Party has gone all in on obstructing, wasting hundreds of billions while shutting down government and sabotaging any positive political process at every level.

Not all Republicans have done this. There are still many good responsible Republicans in the GOP but they are not in control any longer. The evidence is everywhere to see. Tea Party anarchists work to destroy any effort to govern. They have consistently undercut efforts by any politician of either party to govern in a constructive way to help average working-class people to survive the eight years of lies, needless wars and endless debt provided by "W"/Cheney and we are still paying for their sins by having to dig out of the grave of debt, death and economic destruction they left behind.

But all I've heard for right-wingers the last seven years is delusional conspiracy theories about imaginary wars against gun owners, coal and Christians. There are many more pathetic lies they are consumed with but they pale in comparison to the hatred and lies relative to President Obama.

Only a paranoid lunatic would believe the garbage these clowns keep throwing out but they are encouraged and enabled by FOX news and the current crop of GOP politicians all over the country.

They ignore the rights of other citizens that disagree with them and they believe the rules don't apply to them (ex: need majority of votes pass laws). So they have obstructed, shut down the government and filibustered constantly in order to destroy any progress in Washington.

It's amazing anything gets done and the fact is the president has issued 155 fewer executive orders than their precious infallible savior Reagan and others plus he has vetoed the fewest bills since 1923 but right-wingers insist he thinks he's above the law and rules like a king. All lies all the time.

Ha! The point is Democrats want government to work for all citizens. Republicans want it to fail except for the wealthy and powerful and all they do is based on that end. They can't accept the right of women to have control of their own bodies or that all citizens deserve health care. They work constantly to deny medical coverage for children and the poor but push the concept that they represent real Christianity. Ha! Try actually reading the things Jesus said and did.

To see where their brand of governing ends up just look at most of the racist Southern states and a state like Kansas. Nothing but more poverty and debt. If that's what you want Kentucky, that's what you'll get.

Kentucky's elite political gypsies (Bevin, Paul and McConnell) move here from out of state and have taken control. They promote and use bigots like Kim Davis because extreme Republicans know that electoral success in rural uneducated areas is always much easier when you appeal to the voters prejudices, hatred and anger rather than logic and positive agendas. That is the foundation of the modern GOP and they have the perfect vehicle for it: the FOX/GOP propaganda network.

If these right-wing quacks have their way for a while maybe the voting public will wake up. Who knows; I thought eight years of disaster under "W" would do it, but racism, lies, xenophobia and hatred have won out over the last few years. I am an optimist. I think it will get better. Once the Obama-hating reign is over they will focus on reality of what they've done. Obama is a good man and a good president and has acted in a very reasonable and measured way to all that he has confronted and endured from the obstructionist haters in America.

We are living in a new McCarthy era and it's ugly but the best metal from men of character always endure the fire. The impure dross of hatred will be disposed of as it should be. In due time we will be renewed.
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Progress is sometimes described as taking place at the rate of two steps forward and one step back.

The Tri-State certainly has exemplified that recently. We took two significant economic steps forward in 2015, with I-69 finally arriving in Henderson and the formal approval of an IU medical school in Evansville.

On Thursday, we took the one step back with the announcement that Alcoa would shut its Warrick County smelter operation, at a cost of an estimated 600 jobs.

That shock is going to resonate across the entire region. As the Courier & Press' Megan Erbacher and Shannon Hall reported, 60 percent of the plant's roughly 1,900 workers call Warrick and Vanderburgh counties home.

That means the remaining 40 percent come from the surrounding Tri-State. It's a safe bet those workers represent every county within an hour's drive of the plant. So this isn't just an "Evansville" problem; it's a community loss.

As a colleague pointed out Thursday, assuming those 600 jobs pay $45,000, (which is probably conservative) the region is losing $27 million annually in pay alone.

Even if the region is able to absorb all 600 of those displaced workers elsewhere in the workforce, there's no way they can expect to land a job with pay and benefits equal to what they were making at Alcoa. And that's going to trickle down into the economy. Big ticket purchases (cars, trucks, homes, appliances, travel) are going to drop, so car dealers, real estate agents, travel agents and others will have less money to spend.

The aluminum industry is suffering under historically low prices, which leaves the Tri-State in a particularly vulnerable position, since it's been home for years to three smelting operations.

In August, Century Aluminum announced it would close it Hawesville, Ky., plant, and lay off more than 500 workers. In late September the company changed course and announced it would keep two of the facility's five potlines in operation and run at 40 percent of capacity.

Then in late October, Century warned it might shut down one of its three potlines at its Sebree, Ky., plant and lay off about 150 workers.

A week before Christmas, the company reversed that decision and has opted to keep all three lines running and all 525 workers on the job.

In making both announcements, Century blamed China, saying the nation is dumping heavily subsidized surplus aluminum on the world market, driving prices through the floor.

Alcoa also cited the weak market as the reason for the closure.

According to the infomine website (www.infomine.com), the price of aluminum has slid from about $1.25 per pound in early 2011 to 66 cents per pound on Friday.

It would be nice to say the World Trade Organization is stepping in to stop Chinese dumping into American markets. And they may do so. But that won't help the Alcoa and Century workers who are losing their jobs now.

That job falls to us.

The Tri-State hasn't suffered a blow like this since around 2010, when Whirlpool announced it was closing its Evansville plant.

More than 1,000 jobs were lost.

At the time, the community pulled together to help those displaced workers. Area schools partnered with the union and economic development groups on things such as job fairs and retraining programs.

We hope to see that same community spirit again. This closure will affect us all, and only by working together can we respond to it and prepare for our next big step forward.
Farmers in distress to get $1 billion in federal debt relief

The money will go to borrowers experiencing issues including drought and supply chain bottlenecks.
BEIJING, Jan. 8 -- China gave awards to outstanding domestic and foreign scientists Friday, amid a government campaign encouraging innovation and more sophisticated industry.

The awards were presented by state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli at the annual ceremony.

Premier Li Keqiang said innovation should be placed at the core of national development to maintain economic growth.

Li vowed to nurture new drivers of growth while upgrading traditional industries. He said China will establish more labs, "innovation centers" and other infrastructure for scientific research, nurture internationally competitive sci-tech enterprises and encourage mass entrepreneurship.

Li highlighted the need to reduce overcapacity and connect traditional industries with the Internet.

While asking governments to cut red tape, the premier talked up crowd sourcing and crowd funding as means to finance innovative projects.

The 2015 science awards were granted for 295 research achievements, including 42 "natural science" prizes, 66 "technological invention" prizes, and 187 "sci-tech progress" prizes.

However, the top accolade, the winners of which each get 5 million yuan (762,000 U.S. dollars) for groundbreaking work seen as bringing about huge economic or social benefit, has been left vacant this year.

None of the three nominees achieved the 50-percent share of the votes necessary from the voting committee for the prize to be awarded, according to the National Office for Science and Technology Awards.

This is the second time after 2004 that the top prize has gone to nobody.

Chinese pharmacologist Tu Youyou, who won the 2015 Nobel Prize, was not among the three nominees as no individuals or organizations had nominated her, said an unidentified official with the office.

"We have strictly followed the procedure of selecting prize winners," the official added.

Twenty-five scientists have received the top award in the past 15 years, including "father of hybrid rice" Yuan Longping and nuclear physicist Yu Min.

Pan Jianwei and his team from the University of Science and Technology in Hefei, Anhui Province, won the award for natural sciences for their research on quantum teleportation technology.

Of the prize winners in sci-tech progress, two won top honors. Chinese oil refiner Sinopec won for environmentally-friendly production of arene, an important chemical widely used in medicine and pesticide manufacturing. The other went to the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway.

Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli encouraged scientists to take inspiration from the award winners.

FOREIGN SCIENTISTS AWARDED

Seven foreign scientists won this year's International Cooperation Award in Science and Technology.

The recipients were Jan-Christer Janson from Sweden, Kazuki Okimura from Japan, Evgeny Velikhov from Russia, Peter J. Stang and Walter Ian Lipkin from the United States, Carlo Rubbia from Italy and Joannes E. Frencken from the Netherlands.

While meeting with the recipients, Vice Premier Liu Yandong presented certificates and thanked them for their contributions.

"The world is facing climate change, grain security, public health and other global challenges and risks that demand cooperation and joint tackling between countries," she said.

Stressing that "science has no borders," Liu urged Chinese and foreign scientists to cooperate more so as to benefit the whole human race.

She vowed that the Chinese government will create more opportunities for cooperation in science and technology, import high-caliber overseas talent and create a better environment for their career development here.

Since 1995, China has given the International Cooperation Award in Science and Technology to 101 foreign scientists and two international organizations.
When we last checked in on Sean Penn, he was accidentally taking down Mexican drug cartels and boasting about his 
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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Republican Gov. Paul LePage apologized Friday for his remark about out-of-state drug dealers impregnating "young white" girls, calling it a slip of the tongue and saying he didn't mean to inject race into discussion of Maine's heroin epidemic.

LePage blamed reporters for unfairly focusing on the slip-up in which he described the drug dealers as "guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty" and added, "Half the time they impregnate a young white girl before they leave."

"I was going impromptu, and my brain didn't catch up to my mouth. Instead of 'Maine women,' I said 'white women,'" said LePage, who's white. He noted that, according to the census, Maine is the nation's whitest state.

When asked if the nicknames for the drug dealers imply they are black, LePage replied, "I don't know where they're from. I don't know if they're white, black, Asian."

He also chastised the assembled reporters, saying, "Get your heads out of the sand, please." He added: "I probably couldn't get so many of you here without saying something foolish."

The governor's comment Wednesday evening in Bridgton drew criticism from Maine and beyond after a Republican activist called attention to it a day later.

The controversy has reached the presidential campaign, where LePage is a prominent supporter of Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and the two campaigned together as recently as last month in New Hampshire. The Democratic National Committee has called on Christie to repudiate LePage's comments. A spokeswoman for Christie's campaign did not immediately return a phone call and email seeking comment.

The Bridgton event was a town hall-style meeting in which the governor was asked about Maine's drug epidemic. He has previously talked about out-of-state drug dealers being the major supplier of heroin in Maine, but this time added the comment about drug dealers impregnating women.

Democratic state Sen. Linda Valentino said after LePage's news conference that she doesn't think LePage is racist but that the comment was.

"The fact that he wasn't thinking about what he said is more disturbing than what he said," Valentino said. "This shows how he really feels."

Juan Cofield, president of the New England Area Conference of NAACP, denounced LePage's comments.

"It's terrible and divisive, and it's not constructive to solving the problem of drug usage or drug dealing or the problem of children being born out of a family setting," Cofield said.

LePage is known for speaking his mind, and it sometimes gets him into trouble.

He's also in the midst of an unrelated drive by political opponents to punish him for his actions that led an organization to rescind a job offer to Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves. An independent report indicated LePage put pressure on a charter school operator and his education commissioner withheld a payment after learning that Eves was hired as the organization's president.

LePage has said on the campaign trail that he'd tell President Barack Obama to "go to hell," and soon after he was elected to his first term, he told the Portland chapter of the NAACP to "kiss my butt." He previously likened the IRS to the Gestapo, called protesters "idiots" and said a political foe liked to "give it to the people without Vaseline."

LePage said Friday that his "kiss my butt" remark was mischaracterized.

He said he's passionate about addressing the state's drug problem. Maine was on pace for a record year for drug overdose deaths in 2015; the final figures have not yet been tallied.

"I made a mistake and I'm not perfect, but I will not stop correcting myself and bringing the issue at hand: drugs, drugs and more drugs," he said. "We have people dying. We have families being destroyed."
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NEW YORK (AP) -- A surge in homelessness is bedeviling New York City, and dozens of homeless people made it clear in interviews that it will take more than outreach programs by the mayor and governor to bring them in from the cold.

Not one of them told The Associated Press they had been approached by outreach workers Mayor Bill de Blasio promised last month would be out on the streets, with an ambitious goal of canvassing every block, every day, in a 7-mile stretch of Manhattan, aiming to persuade street people to come indoors. A city spokeswoman told the AP on Friday the program would not be fully operational until sometime in March -- when winter is almost over.

And despite temperatures that dipped below freezing, none of the about three dozen homeless interviewed last week said they had been involuntarily taken inside following Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order instructing police statewide to forcibly remove the homeless from the street once the temperature drops that low.

All said they would rather take their chances on the street in frigid weather than turn to a shelter system they described as filthy, violent, vermin-infested, and rife with mental illness and addiction.

"I haven't talked to any cops, or social workers, or anybody," John Gallup, 30, said while collecting change outside a Trader Joe's on the Upper West Side. "And the shelters here are horrible. I feel safer on the street."

Michael Cliff, begging in Manhattan's Union Square Park, said he won't go to a city shelter due to worries about violence. But, for now, Cliff has a more immediate fear.

"I'm scared. ... I'm really scared I'm going to die out here when it's cold," said the 32-year-old, who said he was once an actor.

City officials estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 people sleep nightly on New York City's streets, while nearly 58,000 more -- including 23,000 children -- live in shelters. That's up from 42,000 in the past three years, according to the city. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has separately recorded a 37 percent increase in New York City's homeless population since 2009.

The problem has been fueled by soaring housing costs, drug addiction and mental illness. The mayor responded last month by commissioning a program called HomeStat, in which workers are tasked with making repeated daily contact with the homeless in what he billed as the country's largest outreach program.

Last week, during a bitter cold snap, city officials said outreach workers persuaded 97 homeless people to go into shelters one night and 62 the next. The city's long-running Code Blue program requires those workers to comb the streets for panhandlers when temperatures drop below 32 degrees.

But John Hamarics, 54, panhandling on Manhattan's Upper East Side, told the AP that New York City's shelters are "a ferocious pigsty." One East Side shelter, he said, was "infested with mice, burrowing in our food bags" and another was "notorious for criminals and people robbing each other's cellphones, robbing each other's clothes, robbing each other's food."

He instead opts to sleep on the steps of a Park Avenue church, fortified every few hours with a $2.18 cup of hot soup from a nearby Subway sandwich shop. Hamarics said he hadn't noticed any changes since the two outreach initiatives began.

"The exact same people are still in the exact same place," said Hamarics, who identified himself as a skilled carpenter looking for a job.

Three of the people interviewed said they had been approached by police officers in recent weeks, but only in the way long familiar to New Yorkers: ordering them off public spaces and suggesting they go to shelters, without offering any assistance or direction.

A de Blasio spokeswoman noted that the stepped-up outreach effort had begun but, due to training requirements, wouldn't be running at full capacity until March. "It takes multiple outreach efforts to build trust with individuals living on the streets," spokeswoman Ishanee Parikh said.

There are many reasons that some homeless people might choose to avoid a shelter. Drugs and drinking aren't allowed, and the facilities are sometimes full of difficult, troubled people in close quarters.

Comptroller Scott Stringer, saying he's "horrified," released an audit finding more than 18,000 health or safety violations -- including vermin infestation, busted smoke detectors and peeling lead paint -- at the city's 500 shelters. Reports of violent incidents against shelter staff and residents have also increased by 55 percent, from 504 in the fiscal year 2012 to 783 in the fiscal year 2015, according to city records.

De Blasio, whose agenda has been dominated by a need to address the city's homelessness crisis, has announced a plan to step up repairs to city shelters, acknowledging that "for decades our shelters have not been safe enough or clean enough, and that's just not acceptable." But most of the homeless people interviewed last month were skeptical that the city was following through on its plan and doubted the problem could ever be solved.

"Same problem, but it got bigger: more homeless, all over the place," said Michael Williams, 50, saying he once worked as a messenger at the World Trade Center and has been homeless for 14 years. "I haven't noticed anything different. It doesn't matter; it's the same thing, the same thing. Nothing's changed. They're not doing nothing."
NORWALK -- As one of the founding members of an organization dedicated to promoting the manufacture and sale of smart guns by gunmakers, St. Jerome Church pastor the Rev. David Blanchfield applauded what he called a step in the right direction by President Barack Obama.

Blanchfield is one of Connecticut clergy and lay leaders in CONECT (Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut) who offered praise for President Obama's inclusion in his Executive Actions on gun violence elements of the CONECT's anti-gun violence campaign called "Do Not Stand Idly By."

"This is extraordinary because the Do Not Stand Idly By group on the East Coast has been trying get President Obama to adopt our strategy," Blanchfield said. "The federal government represents the largest single buyer of guns in the world, so President Obama's action is very significant. President Obama will direct the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Justice to research smart guns and other gun-safety technologies, and to begin assessing possible procurement of appropriate gun-safety technologies for federal personnel."

Smart gun technology allows a gun to be fired only when activated by an authorized user.

Blanchfield noted that CONECT co-chair Anthony Bennett joined leaders of Metro Industrial Foundation in October of 2015 at a press conference in front of the White House to press President Obama to take Executive Action to press gun manufacturers.

"In President Obama's recent speech, he embraced one of our main goals," Blanchfield said. "In his letter to the secretaries of Justice and Homeland Security, he wants them to undertake research on smart gun technology. If the government pushes smart guns that will create a market for such technology and be a game changer. It's a good first step and a way of breaking the log jam on this issue."

Blanchfield submitted a memorandum from the White House Office of the Press Secretary to The Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, and Secretary of Homeland Security which stated in part:

"The Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security shall, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, conduct or sponsor research into gun safety technology that would reduce the frequency of accidental discharge or unauthorized use of firearms ..."

The Do Not Stand Idly By national campaign is based on two premises:

1) We can't end the plague of gun violence in America until the manufacturers of guns make safety and responsible sales among their highest priorities.

2) The companies that step up to lead in these areas will thrive. They'll tap a growing demand for safety, and expand their market share among major public-sector gun buyers.

"We believe President Obama's actions are an important start," said Bennett. "We now have the biggest gun purchaser in the world echoing our call to manufacturers for new safe gun technology. We look to work with the Administration in the coming days and weeks to follow through on this and to broaden it to include our concerns on gun distribution."

It was after a meeting at Mt. Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport in 2012 that Blanchfield was determined to join the campaign to reduce firearm deaths by lobbying gun manufacturers and municipalities to institute the use of Smart Guns, a personalized firearm designed to reduce accidental gun deaths or misuse of firearms.

"I was blown away to see such a diverse group working on issues that important to people," he said. "Gun safety affects people in all walks of life. When you look at the 2-year-old who accidentally shot his mother with her gun in Idaho --a smart gun would have prevented that. This year is the first time that more people died from gun violence than died in car accidents. This is an issue that affects everyone."

Blanchfield's advocacy included the lobbying of firearms manufacturers and cities that purchase guns to consider smart gun technology. That mission brought him to the doors of the Colt Manufacturing Company in West Hartford in 2014.

"At Colt we walked into a waiting room, an armed security guard looked us over, and we left our request," Blanchfield said.

The request for information left at Colt asked for an overview of distribution practices and criteria for dealers authorized to sell Colt firearms; and a detailed overview of the company's activities and goals with regard to gun safety technologies.

"It is an uphill battle to convince the gun manufacturers of the importance of smart guns, but we're in this for the long haul."
Photo taken on Dec. 21, 2015 shows the sign of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, capital of China. The China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a complement to existing international financial system, was formally established Friday in Beijing and expected to start operation early next year.(Xinhua/Li Xin)

BEIJING, Jan. 8 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang will attend activities marking the opening of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing on Friday.

Xi will attend and address the inaugurating ceremony in the morning of Jan. 16 while Li will address the founding conference of the AIIB council in the afternoon, Hua noted. The series of opening activities will last from Jan. 16 to 18.

The China-initiated development bank was formally established in Beijing on Dec. 25 of last year. The bank, headquartered in Beijing, now has 57 members.
NAIROBI: At least 140 people have been killed in Ethiopia over the past two months in a crackdown on anti-government protests sparked by plans to expand the capital into farmland, Human Rights Watch said. Security []
DUBAI (TIP): Irans state-run news agency IRNA says a Saudi-led air strike last night hit the Iranian embassy in Yemen. No Associated Press journalist in Yemen could immediately reach the embassy in the war-torn capital []
DAMASCUS (TIP): Syrias government gave permission on Thursday for UN aid deliveries to three besieged towns, including Madaya near Damascus where people are reportedly starving to death, the UN said. The UN welcomes todays approval []
WASHINGTON (TIP): The United States called on China to end business as usual with its ally North Korea after Pyongyang defied world powers by saying it had tested a hydrogen bomb, while South Korea prepared []
NEW DELHI (TIP): Bollywood actor Aamir Khan will no more be promoting India as an attractive tourist destination as McCann, the global advertisement agency, has not renewed his contract. It came amid perception that the []
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Linkedin Lynne O'Donnell, Mirwais Khan (The Jakarta Post) Kandahar  Sun, January 10, 2016

Afghan forces are struggling to man the front lines against a resurgent Taliban, in part because of untold numbers of "ghost" troops who are paid salaries but only exist on paper.

The nationwide problem has been particularly severe in the southern Helmand province, where the Taliban have seized vast tracts of territory in the 12 months since the U.S. and NATO formally ended their combat mission and switched to training and support.

"At checkpoints where 20 soldiers should be present, there are only eight or 10," said Karim Atal, head of Helmand's provincial council. "It's because some people are getting paid a salary but not doing the job because they are related to someone important, like a local warlord."

In some cases, the "ghost" designation is more literal -- dead soldiers and police remain on the books, with senior police or army officials pocketing their salaries without replacing them, Atal said.

He estimates that some 40 percent of registered forces don't exist, and says the lack of manpower has helped the Taliban seize 65 percent of the province -- Afghanistan's largest -- and threaten the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Those men who do serve face even greater danger because of the no-shows. In the last three months alone, some 700 police have been killed and 500 wounded, he said.

The province's former deputy police chief, Pacha Gul Bakhtiar, said Helmand has 31,000 police on the registers, "but in reality it is nowhere near that."

Nearly 15 years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, and despite billions of dollars in military and other aid, corruption remains rife in Afghanistan and local security forces have struggled to hold off insurgent advances across the country. Last year the Taliban seized the northern city of Kunduz for three days, marking their biggest foray into a major urban area since 2001.

Pakistan will host four-nation talks Monday with Afghanistan, China and the United States aimed at reviving peace talks with the Taliban, but even if those efforts succeed the insurgents are expected to stay on the offensive in order to gain land and leverage.

The Defense Ministry declined to comment on ghost security forces. Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi acknowledged the problem and said an investigation has been launched, without providing further details.

Iraq has also struggled with the ghost soldier phenomenon, a factor in the Islamic State group's rapid conquest of much of the country's north and west in the summer of 2014. In December of that year, Iraqi officials said the payment of tens of millions of dollars in salaries to nonexistent forces had been halted.

But Afghan lawmaker Ghulam Hussain Nasiri, who has been researching the problem for more than a year, said his government is ignoring it.

"When we say we have 100 soldiers on the battlefield, in reality it is just 30 or 40. And this creates the potential for huge catastrophes when the enemy attacks," he said.

"It is an indication of massive corruption ' the reason Afghanistan is one of the most corrupt nations in the world," he added. Afghanistan consistently ranks among the most corrupt countries in indices released by global watchdog Transparency International.

Nasiri said the government "doesn't seem to want to know about it," and that he received death threats after revealing the names of parliamentarians who are allegedly in on the racket. He said he handed a list of 31 names of corrupt parliamentarians to the Interior Ministry but has so far received no response.

Cash-strapped Afghanistan's security forces are entirely funded by the international community, at a cost of some $5 billion a year, most of which comes from the United States. The U.S. government's auditor of spending in Afghanistan, John Sopko, told a congressional hearing last year that Afghan government figures on security personnel and pay could not be regarded as accurate.

"No one knows the exact numbers of the Afghan National Defense Forces," an Afghan official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media on the topic. He said the best internal estimates put the number at around 120,000, less than a third of what's needed to secure the country.

The heaviest cost of the ghost soldier phenomenon is being exacted on the battlefield. Neither the government nor NATO publicizes casualty figures for local security forces, but an internal NATO tally seen by The Associated Press shows casualties are up 28 percent from 2014, when some 5,000 Afghan forces were killed.

Last month, an army base in Helmand's Sangin district was besieged by insurgents for almost a week before reinforcements were rushed in backed by U.S. airstrikes and British military advisers.

In the northern Helmand district of Kajaki, soldier Mohammad Islam said many of his comrades deserted their posts because they didn't believe their bodies would be sent back to their families if they died. In the absence of a body, the family would not be eligible for compensation payments.

"Everyone knows that we are facing this fight alongside 'ghost' soldiers, and that's the reason we don't have enough men," he said. "The Taliban know it, too. When they attack us, and we're unable to protect ourselves, the big men then ask why." (ags)
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

The government is currently preparing for the establishment of a national promotion board that will integrate all promotional activities conducted by the Trade Ministry, Tourism Ministry and Industry Ministry.

Trade Ministry director general for national export development Nus Nuzulia Ishak said that one of the primary goals of the board was to boost trade following the significant decline in exports in 2015, which dropped by more than 14 percent.

"We are now in the process [of forming the board]. Promotional activities across all government institutions must be integrated into a single board [']. The agency will facilitate the promotion of trade, tourism and investment," Nus told thejakartapost.com on Saturday.

President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has repeatedly said that some government priorities must be accelerated in 2016, including the establishment of a national export promotion board. The board's specific aim is to increase exports by 7 to 9 percent per year, as targeted in the National Mid-term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2015-2019.

"There has been meetings and discussions. The President has ordered [that the board be established] as soon as possible, hopefully this year," Nus said.

Earlier, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said that several countries had successfully carried out unique and special promotional campaigns coordinated by their respective promotion boards. Malaysia, for example, has branded itself with the slogan 'Truly Asia' and Peru has utilized a 'Hidden Treasure'.

According to the latest Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data, the cumulative value of Indonesian exports between January and November 2015 reached US$138.4 billion, a 14.3 percent decline from the same period in 2014 caused by the global slowdown and a decrease in commodity prices.

By sector, mining industry exports fell 14.98 percent, manufacturing exports were down 8.75 percent, while exports from the agricultural sector dropped 1.4 percent. (ags)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

Amid sluggish economic growth in China, a key trading partner of Indonesia, economists have again warned of the importance of finding new markets to offset the risk of trade decline with China.



Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) economist Berly Martawardaya said that there were potential alternative markets that could be developed amid China's slowdown, namely India, South Africa, South Korea, and Eastern European countries.



"Trade with India must be developed, not only limited to commodities. India is now one of the biggest markets for our coal, but we need to expand to other sectors. We have exported automotive goods to South Africa, but besides that, more non-oil and gas markets could be developed," Berly told the thejakartapost.com on Jan 8.



Bank Central Asia (BCA) chief economist David Sumual said that the new markets should become Indonesia's markets for value-added goods such as electronics.



"Africa and Latin American countries are potential markets for electronics. Indonesia must invite technologically advanced countries like South Korea and Taiwan to invest here and then export the products to Africa," David said.



On the other hand, he continued, the government should consider joining the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), as doing so would allow Indonesia to develop trade with Latin America.



Indonesian Ambassador to India Rizali Wilmar Indrakesuma said that India was a potential market for pharmaceutical products and food. India imports vaccines from Indonesia, and could potentially help Indonesia secure affordable medicine for the national health coverage scheme. India is the biggest generic medicine producer in the world.



"Aside from rice, we can also import meat from India, where water buffalo is bred well. Some Indonesian consumer good brands have entered India, such as Indomie and Mayora," Rizali said.



However, he acknowledged that problems in market expansion also lied in practice and that the government and businesspeople needed to work in tandem.



Unfortunately, many businesspeople are battling a sluggish economy. Adaro Energy president director Garibaldi Thohir said that the company was focusing on efficiency and domestic needs, rather than on expanding its export market.



"How can we expand when the global coal price is weak? Right now we are focusing on using our cash flow to invest in the local market such as through developing [coal-based] power plants," Garibaldi said. (ags)
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. | Authorities said they found a 3-year-old in a diaper driving a motorized big wheel alongside a busy Florida highway, reports say.

Citrus County Sheriff's officials told local media outlets they were alerted by motorists who feared for the child's safety. Deputies said several vehicles created a blockade around the boy to keep him from entering traffic. Authorities said the child, clad in a shirt and diaper, was in the toy vehicle's driver seat when they arrived Wednesday.

Authorities didn't release the father's name. Reports said he told deputies he was in the bathroom when his son used a small chair to unlock a door and left without his knowledge. WFTS Tampa Bay reported that the father said he immediately began searching for him.

Authorities didn't immediately return calls for further information.
U.S. B-52 bomber deployed in S. Korea in retaliation for DPRK's nuke test

SEOUL, Jan. 10 -- A U.S. B-52 bomber, capable of delivering nuclear missile, was deployed on Sunday in South Korea in retaliation for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s fourth nuclear test.

The long-range bomber, which departed from the U.S. Anderson base in Guam on Sunday morning, arrived and flied over South Korea's Osan air base at about noon, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Air forces of South Korea and the United States made the joint announcement when the nuclear missile-mounted bomber arrived, Yonhap reported.

The B-52 bomber can infiltrate at the highest altitude of 55,000 feet, or 16.8 km, carrying 35 conventional bombs and 12 cruise missiles.

It can also deliver air-to-ground nuclear missiles with a range of 200 km and air-launched cruise missiles with a range of 2,500-3,000 km.

The deployment came as part of retaliatory measures after the DPRK said Wednesday it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

If confirmed, it would mark the DPRK's first hydrogen bomb test and the fourth nuke test in total. Previous tests were conducted in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

In retaliation for the nuclear test, South Korea began blaring propaganda messages at Friday noon from speakers across the border into the DPRK, which called it an "act of declaring war."

The South Korean frontline units, near 11 sites where the set of loudspeakers restarted psychological warfare with anti-DPRK messages, have been on the highest alert.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries are reportedly considering additional retaliatory measures, which include the deployment in South Korea of the U.S. aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan currently in Yokosuka, Japan.

The retaliation also includes the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine and F-22 stealth fighter.

Xinhuanet

U.S. B-52 bomber deployed in S. Korea in retaliation for DPRK's nuke test

English.news.cn 2016-01-10 12:23:39

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. B-52 bomber, capable of delivering nuclear missile, was deployed on Sunday in South Korea in retaliation for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s fourth nuclear test.

The long-range bomber, which departed from the U.S. Anderson base in Guam on Sunday morning, arrived and flied over South Korea's Osan air base at about noon, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Air forces of South Korea and the United States made the joint announcement when the nuclear missile-mounted bomber arrived, Yonhap reported.

The B-52 bomber can infiltrate at the highest altitude of 55,000 feet, or 16.8 km, carrying 35 conventional bombs and 12 cruise missiles.

It can also deliver air-to-ground nuclear missiles with a range of 200 km and air-launched cruise missiles with a range of 2,500-3,000 km.

The deployment came as part of retaliatory measures after the DPRK said Wednesday it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

If confirmed, it would mark the DPRK's first hydrogen bomb test and the fourth nuke test in total. Previous tests were conducted in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

In retaliation for the nuclear test, South Korea began blaring propaganda messages at Friday noon from speakers across the border into the DPRK, which called it an "act of declaring war."

The South Korean frontline units, near 11 sites where the set of loudspeakers restarted psychological warfare with anti-DPRK messages, have been on the highest alert.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries are reportedly considering additional retaliatory measures, which include the deployment in South Korea of the U.S. aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan currently in Yokosuka, Japan.
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Linkedin Nethy Dharma Somba (The Jakarta Post) Jayapura  Sun, January 10, 2016

Law enforcement authorities in Papua have deployed hundreds of personnel to hunt down 13 inmates that escaped from Abepura penitentiary in the provincial capital of Jayapura on Friday.



The massive manhunt was initiated because some of the fugitives are considered extremely dangerous due to their affiliation with a local separatist group.



In a phone interview with The Jakarta Post on Saturday, Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said the manhunt involved some 200 personnel from the police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit with support from local Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel.



Preliminary reports, he said, suggested that the fugitives had not left Jayapura at least in the first 24 hours after their escape.



'We have detected their [past] whereabouts. During our search yesterday [Friday], we found traces of food and areca nuts believed to have been eaten by the fugitives,' he said.



Paulus added that police and military personnel had also increased surveillance along the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) in Skouw-Wutung, located some 40 kilometers east of Jayapura, to foil any attempt by the fugitives to enter the neighboring country.



'According to our experience, inmates escaping from Abepura tend to try and reach PNG. Should they manage to do so, this would make it difficult for us to hunt them down,' he said.



The 13 inmates escaped from the prison through the main door during visiting hours scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.



Before the escape, three inmates asked for permission to see the section head.



As they were about to enter the relevant room, however, two of them turned another way to the visitors' room.



When an officer tried to stop them, one of the inmates threatened him with a sharp weapon before calling out other inmates.



The inmates then simultaneously broke through their doors within the facility and escaped through the main door.



'They seemed to have planned the escape,' the prison's chief warden, Bagus Kurniawan, said.



Three of the fugitives ' Usmin Telenggen, Kartu Kuning and Fredy Muyak ' are members of the separatist group Free Papua Movement (OPM).



The three have been sentenced for life for their involvement in an armed attack on a police precinct in Papua's Lanny Jaya regency.



The 2012 attack left three police officers dead.



All of the remaining 10 fugitives, meanwhile, were serving prison sentences of at least 18 months for various crimes, including rape, theft, firearm possession and collective assault.



'These fugitives can kill anyone, including ordinary people, using guns or sharp weapons. They are extremely dangerous,' Paulus said.



Paulus also called on other correctional facilities in Papua that house inmates convicted for serious crimes, like murder, to step up security precautions to avoid a similar jailbreak from happening.



'We are ready to help secure [the facilities] should their management ask us to do so,' he added.



In May 2010, 18 inmates fled from Abepura prison following a protest involving prison guards. The next month, 26 other inmates also managed to get out of the facility.



Bagus, meanwhile, argued that prison management had been struggling to maintain security at the facility, which currently accommodates 405 inmates, due to a lack of staff.



'In every work shift, our security team only consists of five people, much fewer than the ideal number of 10,' he said.

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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

Critics have lambasted what they deemed as political intervention from Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly in the internal affairs of the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP) that has resulted in leadership crises in both of the parties.



A political communication expert from the University of Indonesia (UI), Effendi Ghazali, said Yasonna, a senior politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), could have an ulterior motive to create instability within parties in the Red and White Coalition.



Effendi said that Yasonna should not hold a position that gave him authority over other political parties.



'Members of political parties should not occupy such a high-level official position,' Effendi said on Saturday.



Law No. 2/2011 on political parties stipulates that the law and human rights minister has the authority to register and officiate the leadership of a political party.



Late in December last year, the Law and Human Rights Ministry revoked a decree previously recognizing the leadership of Agung Laksono, who was elected in a Golkar national meeting in Ancol, Jakarta, in December 2014. The ministry, however, did not publicly announce that the camp of Agung's rival, Aburizal Bakrie, is now in charge of the party.



Earlier this week, the ministry made a similar move by revoking a ministerial decree that recognized Muhammad Romahurmuziy as leader of the PPP, after he was elected chairman in a national party congress in October 2014. The ministry, however, failed to recognize the presence of a rival camp within the PPP led by Djan Faridz.



The revocations followed the Supreme Court's decision to reject the chairmanship of Agung's camp and Romahurmuziy's camp.



Effendi said that Yasonna could in fact implement a temporary solution to the leadership crisis faced both by the PPP and Golkar, simply by granting the Golkar chairmanship to Aburizal, who was elected at the party's 2009 national meeting in Riau, and the PPP chairmanship to Suryadharma Ali, who was reelected at the national meeting in Bandung in 2011, before the two parties hold a national congress to vote for new leadership.



Yunarto Wijaja, a political analyst from Jakarta-based think tank Charta Politika, blamed Yasonna for being too slow in responding to the Golkar and PPP leadership disputes.



'The only thing that the minister can do now is use his discretionary power to extend the term of the leadership chosen at the Riau congress [for Golkar] and recognize the PPP leadership elected at the Bandung congress,' Yunarto said.



Such a decision would give rival camps in both parties time to prepare a national congress that would elect new party leadership, which Yunarto deemed as the best possible solution.



The ministry shrugged off accusations that it was meddling in political parties' internal affairs, saying that it only had the authority to examine administrative documents of the current management structure of parties.



'We have to examine it step by step. All things require a process. People need to be patient,' said the ministry's director general of legal administration, Aidir Amin Daud.



Meanwhile, the camp of Romahurmuziy has called off its decision to nominate current Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim as PPP's interim chairman. Lukman was elected as party deputy chairman during the Bandung congress and could automatically occupy the chairman position because party chairman Suryadharma Ali is now a suspect in a graft trial.



'We will have further discussion with other party members, because we want to come up with the very best solution,' Romahurmuziy said.



Romahurmuziy said that he would also convene a national meeting later this month and that he had invited Djan's faction to join the meeting.



PPP secretary general Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah, a member of Djan's camp, claimed that the meeting was illegal, as the chairmanship legally belonged to Djan.



'The Supreme Court is the highest court and it has legally granted the chairmanship to Djan. Recognition from the Law and Human Rights Minister is just an administrative matter,' he said.

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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has reiterated his commitment to building infrastructure on the outskirts of developed areas and in villages outside Java, allocating Rp 314 trillion (US$22.5 billion) in 2016 state funds to promote equitable development, especially in remote and border areas.



At a recent Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) working meeting in Jakarta, Jokowi readdressed two crucial problems that the government must resolve through non-Javacentric development, namely inequality among regions and wide gaps in the prices of goods.



For example, Premium gasoline in Jakarta is tagged at Rp 7,000 per liter, but in Wamena, Papua, the price can soar to around Rp 60,000 per liter.



"Here [in Jakarta], each sack of cement is priced at Rp 60,000, but in the Papua highlands the price is around Rp 1 million to Rp 2.5 million per sack because of the lack of infrastructure. We must resolve this imbalance," Jokowi said.



The President described the lack of infrastructure in Papua based on his visit to Nduga regency, where roads remain unpaved. "It took four days to travel from Nduga to Wamena," he said, ordering the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry and the Army to surface the roads soon.



"If Nduga is connected by road, prices [of goods] will drop by half," he said, adding that the government not only paid attention to road infrastructure in remote and underdeveloped areas, but also in border areas.



Further, Jokowi explained that infrastructure development such as dams, reservoirs and ports would also increase the competitiveness of national products. Irrigation, he said, was key to food security in the future.



Likewise, he underlined that ports were also crucial to improving competitiveness. "Ports are key because two-thirds of our territory is water," he added.



To boost infrastructure, according to Jokowi, the government would take over projects that had faced delays for years, such as the trans-Sumatra toll road. In April 2015, Jokowi attended the groundbreaking of the 2,700-kilometer toll road that will connect Lampung with Aceh, after a 10-year tender.



Meanwhile, to develop villages, the government has increased the village fund allocation in the state budget from Rp 20.7 trillion in 2015 to Rp 46.98 trillion in 2016.



"I have ordered that large amounts of village funds be used to create as many jobs as possible, and to buy items such as sand and stones so the money will circulate in the villages," Jokowi said. (ags)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

The Muhammad Romahurmuziy-led camp of the United Development Party (PPP) has claimed that the revocation of a decree that had approved Romahurmuziy's leadership leaves the Muslim-based party without a leader.

The Ministry of Law and Human Right on Friday revoked a decree it had issued last March, which had been based on a party congress in Surabaya. The ministry's move comes after the Supreme Court declared Djan Faridz, who was elected at a party congress in Jakarta, the party's rightful leader.

In a press statement on Friday, PPP senior member Zarkasih Nur said that following the revocation, the party's leadership should normally be returned to the person elected at the Bandung congress in 2011, which was chaired by Suryadharma Ali.

'The term in office of the leaders elected at the Bandung congress already expired in 2015. The current leaders are deemed emergency party leaders,' Zarkasih, who is a supporter of Romahurmuziy's camp, said.

Zarkasih added that from the perspective of senior party members, neither the Surabaya nor the Jakarta congress constituted a valid basis for the leadership of the party.

Therefore, he urged both camps to carry out a reconciliation congress to overcome the absence of leadership. He expressed his wish for both factions to unite in vision and mission to lead the party into the future.

Senior members of the party, including Bachtiar Chamsyah, Hamzah Haz and Aisyah Amini, planned to hold a meeting to discuss the matter, said Zarkasih. (bbn)
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Linkedin Ami Taxin (The Jakarta Post) Los Angeles  Sun, January 10, 2016

The U.S. refugee program has come under fresh criticism after federal authorities revealed that two Iraqi-born men arrested on terrorism-related charges had come to America as refugees.



While there was no evidence the men intended or planned attacks in the United States, Republican lawmakers already concerned about the federal government's ability to properly vet Syrian refugees said the cases highlight weaknesses in the program that put Americans' safety at risk.



"How many ticking time bombs are we going to bring in in this refugee program without a proper vetting system in place?" Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said at a news conference Friday.



He and other Republican lawmakers urged the Senate to pass legislation to block refugees from Iraq and Syria until screening is improved. The House passed a bill in November.



The uproar comes after weeks of fervent debate in Washington and on the presidential campaign trail about tighter security screens in the wake of attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.



Immigrant advocates said they have full confidence in the vetting process and that tens of thousands of Iraqi refugees have been successfully resettled under the program.



On Thursday, federal authorities in California accused 23-year-old Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, of Sacramento, of traveling to Syria to fight and lying to U.S. officials about it. Al-Jayab had come to the United States as a refugee in October 2012, and discussed on social media how he fought against the regime in Syria as a teen, authorities said.



In Texas, 24-year-old Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan, of Houston, was indicted on charges that he tried to provide material support to the extremists. Both suspects are Palestinians born in Iraq, authorities said.



The U.S. annually accepts 70,000 refugees from around the world, including people fleeing violence, religious persecution and war, and has announced plans to increase the number to 85,000 this year.



Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, about 785,000 refugees have arrived in the country, and fewer than 20 have been arrested or removed over terrorism-related concerns, according to the State Department.

Rigorous screning



White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday the screening of refugees is rigorous and thorough. He repeated the administration's opposition to proposals that would impose a religious test or bar individuals from the U.S. based on their ethnicity.



"That doesn't represent who we are as a country and, most importantly, it's not going to keep us safe," Earnest said.



More than 127,000 Iraqi refugees have arrived in the United States since October 2006, with the largest numbers headed toward California, Michigan and Texas, according to State Department statistics. Some Iraqis go through the U.N. refugee agency, while some can apply directly to the refugee program in Jordan, Egypt and Iraq.



Melanie Nezer, vice president for policy and advocacy at the Jewish refugee agency HIAS, said she worries the recent backlash might place law-abiding refugees under suspicion. She said she has confidence in the government's screening measures and that these are continually updated by federal intelligence officials.



"The vast majority of refugees, including Iraqi refugees, have not caused any harm to our country and will not cause any harm to our country," she said.



Federal authorities said Al-Jayab promised to provide weapons training to Al Hardan and advised him on how he would be assigned to the battlefield once he arrived in Syria. While authorities say Al Jayab fought twice in Syria, including with a group eventually linked to the Islamic State, there is no indication that Al Hardan actually traveled there.



Al Hardan became a legal permanent resident of the United States in 2011 and applied in 2014 to become a U.S. citizen, authorities said. Al-Jayab was interviewed by immigration officials in 2014 for his green card granting permanent residency status and did not disclose his recent travel to Syria, authorities said.



Security screenings for immigrants and travelers have come under increased scrutiny because of recent attacks. Rules have been tightened for visa-free travel to the United States and lawmakers have vowed to look into the fiancA visa program, which was used by the husband-and-wife attackers in San Bernardino who killed 14 people last month.



On Friday, senior White House officials and members of the president's national security team traveled to Silicon Valley to seek tech industry help to stop the Islamic State and other groups from radicalizing people online. (ags)
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Ankara  Sun, January 10, 2016

A Turkish human rights group says as many as 162 civilians have died since August, caught up in the increased fighting between government forces and Kurdish rebels in urban districts.

The Turkish Human Rights Foundation said late Saturday that 32 children, 29 women and 24 elderly people were among civilians killed in districts where authorities have imposed 24-hour curfews as they battle militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The security forces have launched large-scale operations in areas where the militants have mounted barricades, dug trenches and set up explosives to keep authorities away.

Turkish authorities say 426 militants have died in ongoing operations in the towns of Cizre and Silopi and Diyarbakir's Sur neighborhood.

The conflict against the PKK resumed in July, shattering a two-year-old peace process. (ags)
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Linkedin Yuliasri Perdani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

Home to 61.4 million smokers, Indonesia is witnessing more and more of its young people enjoying cigarettes as their candy.



There is a certain moment that domestic helper Casmi dislikes every time she returns home to Brebes, Central Java.



'My son always asks me for some money to buy cigarettes,' said the woman, who works in Jakarta.



Annoyed, she always ends up giving a few thousand rupiah to her 15-year-old son.



Studies have indicated rising numbers of juvenile smokers in the country and that underprivileged families squander a significant portion of their earnings on cigarettes. The smoking trend has even reached some toddlers.



In 2010, two-year-old Ardi Rizal from South Sumatra made international headlines after being spotted chain-smoking while riding his tricycle. The controversy surrounding the toddler's 40-stick-a-day smoking habit has led the government to set a rehabilitation program for him.



Thanks to the program, Ardi has stopped smoking, but around the country, the problem is far from over.



The Tobacco Atlas found that some 2.6 million Indonesian children use tobacco in smoke and smokeless forms each day.



The Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2014, initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health Ministry, found that 19 percent of surveyed Indonesian teenagers smoked.



Almost 6,000 students in grades 7 to 9 across the archipelago took part in the survey. Over 30 percent of the participating students claimed to have tried smoking, meaning they had taken at least one or two puffs of a cigarette.



Despite a national ban on selling cigarettes to people underage, the survey found that three in five underage smokers were not declined when trying to buy tobacco products at stores or kiosks.



The young smokers, however, appear to realize the perils of smoking with four in five having tried to quit.



The survey also confirms the concerning prevalence of second-hand smoking, with 60 percent of students being exposed to tobacco smoke at home and inside enclosed public places.



'We need approach this through the family,' said Eni Gustina, the head of health promotion at the Health Ministry. 'Parents should be reminded not to introduce their children to cigarettes, as it is classified as [abuse] against minors.'



Another survey found that poor Indonesian families spent an awfully large sum of money on cigarettes.



Filtered kretek (clove cigarettes) is the second largest spending allocation of poor families in the country, after rice, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced in January last year.



Those living in cities direct 11.18 percent of their monthly spending to cigarettes, while underprivileged families in rural areas see 9.39 percent of monthly costs going toward smoking.



The Tobacco Atlas claims that a smoker in Indonesia would have to spend 14.5 percent of the national median income to purchase 10 of the cheapest cigarettes each day.



To curb the smoking prevalence among youths and poor families, the National Commission on Tobacco Control (Komnas PT) chairman Prijo Sidipratomo suggests that the government increase cigarette excise taxes. 'Our excise rate is far below neighboring Brunei Darussalam, which applies an 85 percent tax excise,' he said.



The government announced in November last year an increase in tobacco excise taxes, by an average of 11.19 percent, which started on Jan. 1, 2016. The highest tax increase, of 12.96 to 16.47 percent, is applicable to machine-rolled cigarettes and the lowest increase, of 0 to 12 percent, applies to hand-rolled cigarettes.



Prijo criticizes the cigarette industry's aversion to the excise hike and their claim that the move will adversely impact the industry and 1.6 to 2 million tobacco farmers.



Prijo and tobacco-control activists label the industry's claim misleading as data from the Agriculture Ministry and the BPS states that the country only had 853,000 tobacco farmers in 2013 ' representing 2.1 percent of all farmers in the country.



Most cigarette sales profits, he said, did not go to the farmers but to major cigarette companies, many of which are controlled by foreign investors. 'And let's not forget that 60 percent of tobacco in the industry is imported,' Prijo said.



Hasan Aoni Aziz of the Indonesian Cigarette Producers Association (Gappri) confirmed that companies are forced to import tobacco as local farmers cannot produce enough Virginia tobacco. 'It is because not all regions have the right kind of soil to cultivate Virginia tobacco,' Hasan said.
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

Amid slow economic growth in Indonesia's main export markets, the Trade Ministry has announced plans to specifically approach alternative markets, especially in the Middle East, with increased promotion events and improved export services.

The Trade Ministry's director general for national export development, Nus Nuzulia Ishak, said in 2016 the focus in the Middle East would be on countries that President Joko 'Jokowo' Widodo had visited, such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

"We will expand exports to Middle East countries by making Dubai our trade hub,' she told TheJakartaPost.com on Saturday, admitting, however, that 'the economic situation in Saudi Arabia is quite [difficult], as they have lost 70 percent of their oil revenue."

Products that could be shipped to the new destinations, Nus said, included automotive products, crude palm oil and textile goods.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the cumulative value of Indonesian exports from January to November 2015 reached US$138.42 billion, down 14 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Exports to China fell by 20.5 percent to $12 billion, while those to Japan were down 10.5 percent at $11.9 billion. This allowed the US, to which Indonesian exports fell by just 2.8 percent to $13 billion, overtake China and Japan to become Indonesia's largest export market in the first eleven months of last year.

'The economic slowdown in China has reduced demand for our products," she said, adding that Europe and the US were likely to be the main export destinations for Indonesia in 2016.

According to her, CPO, footwear, textiles and textile products, chemical products, furniture and processed woods were among the main products exported to these destinations.

The government also aims to boost the exports of value-added products, such as jewelry, and products based on cocoa and spices.

"For example, we now export spices in the form of seasoning oil. Five years ago, we had an excessive amount of [unprocessed] cocoa beans in our exports, and now we export a bigger amount of cocoa powder, bringing the processed-cocoa export to 80 percent [of the total cocoa export]," she explained.

According to BPS data, 2015 jewelry exports reached $5.2 billion in the January-to-November period, rising by 25.5 percent from to the same period in 2014. Footwear exports reached $4.1 billion, up 10.5 percent. (ags)
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Linkedin Kornelius Purba (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

I want to share with you a piece of advice a state-owned company boss imparted to his employees, who felt discouraged to work hard because some of their colleagues were in jail for corruption. He was probably genuine in warning his subordinates about the dangers of corruption, but his employees concluded that to become a graft convict was not the end of the world.



'A small prison cell accommodates six prisoners. It is very packed. If you want to have your own room it is not impossible, as long as you are still able to bribe the wardens. But it is very expensive,' the middle-aged man said, sharing his experience visiting one of his subordinates in a prison somewhere in Sulawesi.



'Dealing with prosecutors, police and judges is always scary. As your superior, I have the obligation to warn you not to repeat the mistake of our colleague, who has to spend his life in jail because he could not resist the temptation to take the people's money,' the soft-speaking boss said in his speech.



I was waiting for a friend at a food stall in front of the mosque where the office had held their New Year gathering.



Suddenly, I heard a resounding 'Amen' from the audience, when their boss said that there was always a heavenly solution to any problems. They apparently had concluded that they should not be disheartened with the intended-to-horrify prison story, as there was always ways to escape or to reduce their sentence, as long as they were strong in their faith and creative in finding loopholes.



'Let us work harder and smarter,' the office chief said to wrap up his speech.



This particular state company received a huge budget allocation this year to realize President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's infrastructure development promises.



'The man deserved to go to jail. He was very selfish. He took it all for himself. Don't even expect a pack of cigarettes from him, although we all know very well what he has done for our office,' a low-ranking employee commented after the gathering. From what I gathered, the prisoner was receiving little sympathy from his colleagues because he had been stupid enough to distribute what he had stolen.



Do you still remember the old saying 'God provides rain not only for good people, but also for sinners'? Millions of Indonesians condemned the systematic efforts by our 'supreme power' holders to eliminate the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Perhaps they also pray to God to punish those sinful politicians.



But you also need to remember that thousands of corruptors, their families and cronies, might also thank God for their success in regaining their power 'to do whatever they like in this country'. For the crooks, last year was a 'blessed' year because they succeeded in their mission to make Indonesia a safe haven for sinners too.



Corruption is a key lubricant for development. Look at the case of Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama. He has had great successes in combating corruption, but the City Budget disbursement has been very low as bureaucrats are reluctant to support his development projects because now they have little chance to receive commissions or bribes.



The boss' advice is very relevant for those that plunder state coffers.



Do not ever give up!



Last year, all factions at the House of Representatives worked hand-in-hand to eliminate all obstacles and hurdles that stood in the way of the enrichment of party bosses, political parties and their cronies.



All political parties are united in their mission ' including a political party which portrays itself as a true religious party ' to ensure that the KPK will become toothless, and that none of its teeth will be able to grow again.



The big bosses of the political parties are now confident that the newly elected KPK commissioners will 'beg' for their blessing before arresting or declaring anyone a graft suspect.



At this point, the KPK is the only institution that maintains a high level of public trust. But now, the antigraft body has practically lost its 'supreme' power.



Let me repeat again: The House has unanimously agreed to paralyze the antigraft agency.



There is no serious opposition from the leaders of Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Great Indonesia Party (Gerindra) or the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).



I hope that the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the National Police will not charge me with defamation if I share the public perception that criminals widely believe they can make deals with the two institutions.



'Perhaps you will have to surrender half of what you have stolen to them. But you can get a minimum jail term if not full freedom,' said a former senior official who had experience dealing with the two institutions.



President Jokowi made a wise political decision to not become personally embroiled in the KPK brouhaha. Now there is practically no opposition faction at the House. The Red and White opposition camp has often been more supportive of the government than the PDI-P-led ruling coalition.



Meanwhile, the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP) are preoccupied with their prolonged internal conflicts.



Perhaps this is a uniquely Indonesian phenomenon; a ruling part that acts more like the opposition while the opposition takes on the guise of the ruling party. However, PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri became aware of this new development, and her party is now much softer to Jokowi.



The sinners also have constitutional rights to be protected by the state. Last year they regained their power without having to jump any hurdles! A blessed year for the bandits!

______________________________________



The author is the senior managing editor of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta  Sun, January 10, 2016

Ietje Triwardani, 77, put her hands around the shoulders of her younger sister, Aryani Suwardi, 64, as they walked down to the main hall of the Jakarta City Hall on Saturday.



They both could hardly hide their amazement at the white-themed room, which features big crystal chandeliers, red carpets, and two man-sized figures of Jakarta's Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama.



'It's good that City Hall is now open to the public. Moreover, it is clean and tidy,' Aryani told Ietje, who was on a visit from her hometown Yogyakarta. 'It reminds me of City Hall under Governor Ali Sadikin's administration, when the place was also well-maintained, although not open for public tours.'



Ietje and Aryani, accompanied by three family members, chose City Hall as one of their weekend tour destinations as they were curious about Ahok's working place ' which was closed on that day.



In September last year, the Jakarta administration launched the free-of-charge City Hall Tour program, which allows the public to see the governor's office compound during weekends.



The administration has also provided visitors with a culinary center in the courtyard, as well as the Jakarta Handicraft Council (Dekranasda) gallery in City Hall's block G building.



The tour also includes a movie screening at the Balai Agung (Great Hall), where visitors can watch Indonesian movies starting at 1 p.m.



Ietje and Aryani hoped the administration would maintain City Hall so that it would be one of Jakarta's icons.



English teacher Wahyudi and his colleagues from the Nurul Ismi primary school in Bekasi were among the visitors on Saturday. However, they were unable to find the entrance.



'We have no idea how to get into City Hall. The main front door is closed,' Wahyudi said, adding that he and his colleagues were visiting the Hall as part of a school study tour called 'The Governmental System'. 'We are not sure why it is closed.'



From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, the entrance door of City Hall was closed without explanation. Security officers did not allow visitors to enter the Hall from the back door either.



Wahyudi complained the administration should provide visitors with directions and announcement boards, as well as receptionists, so that they were informed about the operational hours and layout of City Hall.



He also suggested that the administration install signage in front of the building so that visitors from outside Jakarta, such as himself and his colleagues, could find the site.



The administration officials, however, could not be reached for any comment regarding the complaints.



At the launch ceremony last September, Ahok said his administration would provide English-speaking tour guides who could explain the history of City Hall to local and foreign tourists. However, based on The Jakarta Post's observation, no tour guides were assigned to accompany visitors on Saturday.



The long year-end holiday had lowered the number of visitors, food sellers at the courtyard said.



Hani, a vendor of pempek (fish dumplings from South Sumatra), said that the Hall used to welcome hundreds of students undertaking field study programs. 'I hope Pak Ahok will invite more schools to come to City Hall.' (agn)
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Patong police bust Turkish man with bag of 'ganja-looking' tea before apologizing, taking smiling pic

PHUKET: Officers from Kathu Police Station were disappointed when it turned out that a 'bag of drugs' found on the person of a Turkish national at a Patong apartment, was nothing more than dried tea leaves.

policepatongdrugs

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Sunday 10 January 2016, 03:30PM

Police reported being informed by a "good citizen" at 11am on January 10 that there was a suspicious foreign tourist staying at Patong Condotel who was displaying "drug behavior".

A force of police officers were dispatched to the suspect's room and confronted a Turkish man, named only as "Mult D", and another foreign man who was also in the room.

A subsequent search of the room unconvered a "suspicious" plastic bag full of dark leaves, which police were almost certain was ganja  dried cannabis sativa flowers.

However, it was finally determined that the bag of leaves was exactly that, dried black tea leaves inported from Turkey.

Police apologised to the men for the misunderstanding and posed for a photo in good spirits.




Snake show company to compensate Chinese tourist who got bit on nose by python

PHUKET: The Chinese tourist who was bitten on her nose on January 9 by a reticulated python after a failed kiss attempt at a Phuket snake show, will be compensated for her medical bills, pain and stress in the amount of B120,000 (US$3,300), a representative of the 'snake show' has confirmed.

accidentsanimalsChinese

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Sunday 10 January 2016, 04:06PM

The compensation amount was confirmed this afternoon by a represenative of the Pa-wai Odski [transliterated] company who operates a "snake charming and venom collection show" in Chalong's Moo 2.

A video clip and selfie of the incident, which occurred midday on January 9, quickly went viral on social media, prompting mixed reactions.

Some netizens said that the woman deserved getting bit for daring to get so close and trying to kiss a wild animal, while others asserted that it is the responsibility of tourism operators to ensure safety of all of its customers.

Nonetheless, Santi Pawai of the Phuket Sport and Tourism office confirmed that all of the establishment's snakes are legal and registered, and that the woman is content with the compenstation amount and will not escalate the case any further.

UPDATE: The Compensation amount was increased to B135,000 as follows:

Pa-Wai-Odski (transliterated), the company that operates the snake charming and venom collection show in Chalong's Moo 2, paid B13,000 to cover medical expenses, B50,000 for victim's compensation, B50,000 for potential sick leave, and B22,000 in additional expenses.
Fee for repeat offenders who don't mow grass could be increased

Those who fail to keep their lawns cut are charged a $100 fee per incident for the city to cut their lawns. The council looks to increase this fee.
Few professions better reward the natural cynic than Middle East reporting, quips Katherine Zoepf in the nuanced and reflective Excellent Daughters: The Secret Lives of Young Women Who Are Transforming the Arab World. Indeed, the phrase Excellent Daughters refers to the excessive filial deference of the young upper-class women Zoepf interviews in Saudi Arabia while reporting from the Middle East for the New York Times. Yet Excellent Daughters (the Secret Lives of the subtitle is an inaccurate and somewhat prurient description of the books contents) demonstrates that, hearteningly, some Arab women have taken to sapping patriarchys strength.

Through several journalistic encounters between 2004 and 2011, the author  now a fellow at the New America Foundation  homes in on cultural shifts in Saudi, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. For example, single women from across the Arab world have flocked to the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) for lucrative work opportunities, achieving socioeconomic independence in the process. Those whove become breadwinners for their families back home are gradually redefining gender roles.

On evolving mores in Syria, Zoepf relates the harrowing yet all-too-familiar story of Zahra al-Azzo, kidnapped and raped at the age of 15. To her immediate family, Zahras consequent status as a non-virgin robs them of their honour (even though a sympathetic cousin marries her precisely to recover this phantom commodity). Zahras brother, with the connivance of their parents, murders her. This outrages a good number of ordinary Syrians, who begin building public support to condemn honor killings and repeal French colonial-era laws that exonerate the perpetrators.

Such incremental change is what Zoepf envisions as the means by which women may improve their lot. (I)f theres anything I hope to do with this book, she explains, it is to make the case for small gestures: the world changes because of wars and terrorist attacks, but it also changes because a daughter makes slightly different decisions from the ones a mother made.

Political vicissitudes have left some of Zoepfs material dated; among other developments, Syria is embroiled in civil war and a popularly backed coup in Egypt repressed the Muslim Brotherhood. One might cite the authors charitable attitude toward aspects of gender-based discrimination in Saudi as another shortcoming.

Yet, just when it looks as though Zoepf is imbibing the biases of her more conservative hosts, she registers (glancing) criticism of their world view, or offers an arresting profile of a womens rights activist. This stirs our faith  in her and in certain of her interlocutors. After all, even some Saudi women aspire to a status greater than that of excellent daughter. And, as Zoepf reveals, theyve begun to inch toward that goal, and to show their peers how its done.

Rayyan Al-Shawaf is a writer and book critic in Beirut.

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It was after midnight, Jan. 17, 1991, when Commodore Ken Summers called everyone together in the canteen at the Canadian Forces headquarters in Bahrain. The air attack on Iraq was about to begin.

Like it or not, ladies and gentlemen, were going to be involved in something in the very, very near future, he said to the crowd, some wearing the Tilley hats that had been issued to protect them from the Persian Gulf sun. His biggest fear was a pre-emptive chemical attack from Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. They had all taken pills as an early defence against the nerve agent Saddam was rumoured to have.

It was the first time since 1953 that a Canadian government had knowingly sent Canadian fighters  into a war, military historian David Bercuson says.

Inside the ships in the Persian Gulf, troops watched the computer screens as the missiles flew toward Iraq. High above, Canadian pilots in CF-18s monitored the airfields of Iraq and Kuwait for counterattacks, watching the trails of Tomahawk missiles below.

After his speech that night in Bahrain, Summers and the headquarters staff hunkered down in protective chemical suits and ordered pizza to await the attack. (Ordering in was a typical occurrence  there was no food at the compound.)

I often thought afterwards, at the outset of the war, here was some guy in a vehicle, delivering Dominos, says Lt.-Cmdr. Bill Gregory, a senior logistics officer back in Halifax, who was on the phone with an officer in Bahrain that night. I just burst out laughing.

Iraqs invasion of its tiny but wealthy neighbour Kuwait the previous summer had sparked a buildup of international forces, led by the U.S. military.

A line has been drawn in the sand, warned U.S. President George H.W. Bush as different countries steamed toward the Persian Gulf to join a naval blockade and supply air support. Five weeks after the coalition launched the air war on Jan. 17, a ground assault would quickly drive Saddams forces out.

The Canadians played a supporting role in the Persian Gulf War. There were no Canadian casualties, but the conflict marked a significant change from a peacekeeping military to a combat military.

People around the country didnt know quite what to make of it, Bercuson says.

Some protested. Some sent fruitcake.

For those back home in Canada, the war was green flashes of anti-artillery fire and exploding bombs on CNN. For the people who served, it was popsicle runs on hot days, bulky chemical suits and the surprising morale boost of a giant pumpkin flown on a Sea King. They were the small, scary, absurd moments from a Canadian war effort that some have forgotten.

For the first time in the countrys history, all the troops operated under one joint commander.

That commander, Summers, called it the darndest war  a war that was still being debated in the House of Commons the night it began, a war that was backed into after months of lapsed deadlines, a war that could have been avoided, had Saddam simply left Kuwait.

Most Canadians dont realize how good those Canadians were over there  because they were watching CNN, he says. So were we.

Canada revs up, gingerly

In the days after Saddam invaded oil-rich Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990, the United Nations Security Council ordered a worldwide embargo on trade with Iraq, hoping to cripple the economy and force his withdrawal.

President Bush ordered thousands of U.S. soldiers to Saudi Arabia. Britain agreed to send naval and air forces. French and Soviet warships were steaming toward the Persian Gulf to join the blockade, the Star reported.

The Canadian government proceeded gingerly by sending the navy first, Bercuson explains.

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced that three Canadian ships would bolster the U.S.-led embargo. Opposition politicians called it an unsettling precedent, but Mulroney maintained it was in keeping with UN resolutions.

For the next two weeks, the lights at the Halifax dockyards did not turn off. It was a six-month refit in two weeks, with new weapons and sensor systems added to ready the North Atlantic ships for the shallow waters they would soon call home.

The sailors called it the Persian excursion. Citizens lined the shores to wave them away on Aug. 24, while a pod of dolphins swam alongside. As the ships were approaching the Suez Canal three weeks later, the prime minister announced that a squadron of CF-18 fighter jets would fly cover for the navy.

Summers wanted to run the operations from one of the ships, but Ottawa persuaded him that hed need space for a bigger staff. Navy Capt. Duncan Dusty Miller took over as commander at sea. Summers and his staff found a headquarters in a neglected building in the port of Manama, Bahrain. The military-commissioned history of Canadas operation notes it was hot as hell beneath the October sun, and in the range of Scud missiles. But it would do.

Summers carved out a role for the Canadians, following the United Nations mandate, but also listening very carefully to what the U.S. saw as needing done, in the pursuit of the coalition effort, says Richard Gimblett, who served in the Gulf and co-wrote the official history.

In Ottawa, a war cabinet was created so the government could stay informed and ready for potential changes.

I could send off a message or phone call back to Ottawa and receive a reply within hours, Summers says. I know my American counterparts down there were actually stunned we could react that quickly.

After the air war began in January, Canada took the lead role in organizing naval logistics and deliveries so coalition warships could stay on station. They were in charge of a ranch on the sea, where the heavily laden supply ships, not unlike fattening cattle, were safely corralled, waiting to be driven to the carrier market, the history notes.

The air force was based in Doha, Qatar, and began to fly defensive operations. By January, it flew sweep and escort missions with coalition fighters. By late February, the Canadians were bombing military targets. The government was being very careful about gauging Canadian public opinion, Bercuson says.

Commander became Uncle Ken

The Gulf War was the most intense, high-profile operation Summers would face in his career.

Abrupt departures and long stretches at sea were common as he rose through the ranks. He had met his wife, Jody, in Halifax in 1967. She had just joined the air force as a nurse, and he was in the early days of his career, hoping to command a ship someday, just like the tanned and confident captain he remembered on deck from his cadet days. (I thought, My God. Maybe someday I will be like him, he recalls.)

When they moved to Victoria, Jody had to unpack the house by herself because Russian submarines had been detected off the Haida Gwaii islands.

I dont know if she really realized what she was signing on for, Summers, 71, says from his home in Victoria, where he retired in 2000.

In August 1990, there was little warning that a major operation was beginning. The couples oldest son, Ted, was at a family wedding in Guelph, and found out his dad was going to the Gulf when he saw Summers photo on the front page of a newspaper.

A couple of weeks later, a photo of the youngest Summers child, 10-year-old David, was snapped before the ships left Halifax. Davids face was splashed across the front page. The war seemed big and exciting. Now 35, David remembers his fathers eight-month absence and the phone calls.

I remember him saying I cant tell you (where I am), in case the phone was being traced, he says.

In Bahrain, Summers had a cot in his office and a house in the gated community of Yateem Garden, with old bungalows, palm trees and expats.

Jody credits the friends her husband made in the neighbourhood for grounding him when life was stressful.

The Abou Hamad family lived a few doors down. They were expats  Irene, originally from Germany, and Faris, from Lebanon, although most of his family had relocated to Canada. In 1990, they were working in Bahrain with twin 4-year-old daughters.

We never locked the door, Irene Abou Hamad says from her home in Ottawa, where the family moved after the Gulf War. There was a lot of people who missed their families and came to inhale some sanity and run around with the kids.

Summers was one of them. He brought his large cellphone to the family home and would phone the landline, to the amazement of the twins. He was Amoo Ken. Uncle Ken.

When he came, they came running from all corners and ran to him, Abou Hamad says.

Accustomed to roast beef and potatoes for Sunday dinner, Summers ate hummus, meat pies and spinach pies instead. He still loves Middle Eastern cuisine.

Irene Abou Hamad remembers her Canadian guest as a smart, dapper guy who lit up a room with his old-fashioned charm and presence. Full of energy, she says.

Summers was described by a Star reporter in the Gulf as an ebullient, persuasive charmer who seemed to enjoy every minute of his assignment. In one story, he beamed with pleasure at the helm of a dinghy, freed from paperwork, on his way to visit the troops. Once at the ship, he leaps for the monkey ladder and hauls himself aboard with the agility of a cat.

In those days, the sky was so dark from Kuwaiti oil fires set by the Iraqi forces that it reminded Summers of the Ottawa thunderbuster storms of his childhood. Abou Hamad had to take a gas mask to work and time her commute around expected Iraqi Scud missiles. It was scary. Her daughters couldnt play outside.

The only causeway from the tiny island of Bahrain to the Arabian Peninsula was closed to civilians; schools were shut and business was slow, Faris Abou Hamad remembers. Worried about the retaliation that might follow the allied military campaign, the family dug a foxhole in the garden that Ken made fun of later, Faris writes in an email.

Summers was a barometer on how well the preparations or allied forces are doing, says Faris. If he shows up, it means really good news, while long absence denotes some serious challenges ahead.

In hard times you really know who your friends are, Irene says. You form deeper friendships that would otherwise take years.

In 2013, Ken and Jody Summers attended the wedding of one of the little girls amazed by his cellphone.

Irene and her husband have since split up. Faris now lives in Dubai, but they all keep in touch.

We both still love Ken, Irene says.

Mail, mittens and morale

On an overseas assignment, there are few things as important as the mail. When a bag shipped from Halifax went AWOL in the fall of 1990, it was, as Summers says, a heck of a hoofarah.

Every week, Lt.-Cmdr. Bill Gregory would send two or three Hercules aircraft to the Gulf, packed with operational supplies and, if there was space, other things related to morale. The response from Canadians was overwhelming.

Hand-knitted socks

Veterans from the Second World War, Korea, even the First World War, along with their families, were watching the Gulf and wanted to help. It had been around 40 years since Canadians had fought in a war, so the conception of what soldiers might need was, for some, a little stuck in the past. Believe it or not, we received parcels and boxes of hand-knit mittens and socks for troops in the Persian Gulf, Gregory says. If you look at the reasons for it, this is what was done during the Second World War and the Korean War.

Walkmans:

Halifax business Wacky Wheatleys sent a yellow Sony Walkman to every Canadian sailor in the gulf. Families were invited to go down and put their message on a tape, Summers remembers. So you got this thing, you turn it on, and there is your son, daughter and wife talking to you at Christmastime.

Lobster:

Halifax seafood company Clearwater sent thousands of live lobsters to the Canadian troops in the Gulf for Christmas Eve. Summers says two aircraft were involved, one as a backup in case they were stuck with a thousand stinking lobsters. They all arrived alive.

Large-screen TVs:

The Veterans Association sent $120,000 worth of big-screen televisions, and video rental companies sent hundreds of movies, sporting events and TV shows on VHS, according to the official history. The videos went a long way to relieve the hours of boredom and inactivity experienced by the troops between periods of duty.

Freshly baked bread:

One sailor told an embedded reporter he missed the fresh bread from Bens Bakery in Halifax, so one of the companys managers called Gregory to see if they could co-ordinate a delivery with the supply flight. Within an hour of coming off the assembly line, (the loaves of bread) were going to the Persian Gulf.

Fruitcake:

One day, Gregory came into his office to find a large box from British Columbia. Because of the concern about parcel bombs and chemical warfare, two military police monitored as he opened it. Inside was a letter from an elderly lady. She didnt know who to send it to, but she had baked some fruitcakes and wanted to send it to the Gulf by Christmas.

Giant pumpkin:

When an officer on one of the ships said it would be nice to have pumpkins for Halloween, giant pumpkin farmer Howard Dill offered a 350-pounder from his farm in Windsor, N.S. An officer asked if he could fly the jack-o-lantern around in a Sea King on Halloween night. Dusty Miller said if he had a training flight and the pumpkin happened to be aboard, Ill make sure they all know not to shoot at you. The pumpkin flight was a highlight of Halloween. I got more messages back saying, You know you guys were crazy in the First World War, you were crazy in the Second. Were still so glad youre just as crazy as you were then, Miller says.

Remembrance, or not

On Remembrance Day 2015, Gimblett, the navy command historian and Gulf War veteran, dissuaded a group of veterans from asking for special recognition of the wars 25th anniversary. Nobody was killed, and Remembrance Day is really to honour those who gave their lives in national service, he explains.

The Canadian supporting role amounted to little more than a grain of sand in the desert, Star reporter Alan Ferguson wrote in 1991, noting that however small the part, Canada played it pretty much to perfection.

Other than a couple of CF-18 pilots, none of us really did see the enemy when you get right down to it, says Gimblett.

The official history notes that the Canadian contribution has been studiously ignored. Mainstream accounts make only passing reference to Canada. Some returning veterans were faced with the perception that they hadnt been in a real war.

There were some people saying some of you guys should have been killed; it would have legitimized the war, Dusty Miller says. Hey, there were 150 Americans who actually died, and we were lucky, but we made our own luck.

The air force was flying smart above the anti-aircraft and artillery fire that came from the rooftops of Baghdad, Summers says. The navy didnt shy away from dangerous areas of the Persian Gulf as it participated in the embargo and later co-ordinated logistics.

Each of the ships we had out there really were superb in keeping their eyes open in making sure they looked after everybody else, says Miller, who retired in 2003.

Service is service, retired chaplain Baxter Park says from his home in Newfoundland. The people who went there were prepared to die for their country.

At a welcome-back rally in Toronto in April 1991, Summers told the Star that Canada played a large part in making the peace in the Gulf.

It heralded a new era for the Canadian military.

At the University of Calgary, Bercuson teaches Canadian military history to a group of students in their late teens and early 20s.

For them, there hasnt been a time when Canadians werent involved in a shooting war somewhere, he notes.

Today, Summers reflects on the shift from the days of UN peacekeeping missions.

Nowadays when you look at things, its not really blue beret anymore, is it?

A Gulf War timeline

Aug. 2, 1990: Iraqi forces invade Kuwait and by noon, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was in control of nearly one-quarter of the worlds proven oil reserves. The UN demands immediate withdrawal. Iraq has emerged in the past several years as the Arab worlds strongest and most militant military power, the Star reports, with a vast arsenal of chemical and conventional weapons.

Aug. 10: PM Brian Mulroney announces that Canadian destroyers Athabaskan and Terra Nova, supply ship Protecteur and Sea King helicopters would head for the Gulf in mid-September.

Sept. 14: Mulroney announces Canada will also deploy a squadron of CF-18 fighter jets.

Nov. 23: Top-secret plan BROADSWORD outlines a plan to support a 12,000-person Canadian brigade in combat for 30 days. It is rejected immediately: unaffordable, risky for public consumption. There would be no ground troops in combat.

Jan. 17, 1991: With UN deadline to withdraw ignored by Iraq, at 2:50 a.m. local time the air war begins. Iraq is not able to mount substantial counterattack because of the devastating Allied air campaign.

Jan. 19: Iraq releases millions of litres of oil from sea terminals, planning to set fire to the oil on the surface of the Gulf to prevent invasion.

Feb. 24: Allied ground invasion begins in Iraq and Kuwait. Canadian CF-18s carry out bombing missions. Between Feb. 24 and Feb 28, Canadian pilots  Desert Cats  carry out 56 bombing missions.

Feb. 28: With Iraqi resistance collapsed, U.S. declares a ceasefire. War ends, but Saddam remains in power. Regional stability remains elusive.

Source: Operation Friction: The Canadian Forces in the Persian Gulf

The conflict in numbers

An estimated 205,500 Iraqis died in 1991 from the effects of the war:

56,000 military directly killed

3,500 civilians directly killed

35,000 deaths caused by effects of violence following the war

111,000 deaths caused by the delayed effects on public health.

In addition:

148 Americans were killed in action.

4,000 Canadians served in the Persian Gulf.

0 Canadians were killed or wounded.

Source: Operation Friction: The Canadian Forces in the Persian Gulf

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The gun question is at the centre of a dangerously widening civil conflict in the United States. The issue is destined to play an important role in the presidential election this year.

Millions of Americans have drawn a line in the sand in an all-out defence of the right to own and carry guns, based on the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Far more is at stake than guns. The gun rights movement is predominantly made up of whites who are small city and small town dwellers, who have risen in revolt against the emergence of a multi-racial society they claim they no longer recognize.

One arm of the movement has coalesced around Donald Trump, the front-runner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, whose campaign is noteworthy for its assaults against Mexicans, Muslims and women. Even before President Barack Obama announced last week that he would take presidential executive action to ensure that background checks are carried out on gun purchasers, Trump declared at a rally in Biloxi, Mississippi: So hes going to sign another executive order having to do with the Second Amendment, having to do with guns. I will veto. I will unsign that so fast.

In addition to its political wing, which includes all of the Republican presidential candidates, there is the more extreme direct action wing of the pro-gun movement. This wing is comprised of members of self-appointed militias who are anti-immigrant and are often white supremacists.

A few days ago, armed militia members occupied a building in a federal wilderness refuge in Oregon. Ostensibly modelled on the militias who fought the British during the American Revolution, present-day militias question the very legitimacy of the U.S. federal government. The leader of the siege in Oregon is Ammon Bundy, a registered Republican who lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

The incendiary and paranoid language used by Trump and other contenders for the Republican presidential nomination helps drive recruitment by the armed wing of the pro-gun movement, even though the presidential candidates are careful to keep their distance from illegal actions such as the occupation in Oregon.

In recent years, as rural, small town and small city white Americans have come increasingly to fear their loss of power, the right to own guns has become the assertion of what is regarded as a fundamental entitlement. The extreme wing of the pro-gun movement proclaims that, if necessary, armed citizens have the right to combat the forces of the state.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has stated that the Second Amendment is the ultimate check against government tyranny.

The gun question is seminal in driving the United States into two cultures that are implacably hostile toward one another on a wide variety of social issues. For the United States to end the massive violence that is inflicted by guns, the state would have to disarm gun owners to a very appreciable extent. And the pro-gun forces have made it abundantly clear that they will resist, violently if pushed, to keep their weapons.

President Obamas current very moderate initiative centres on closing loopholes on background checks at gun shows and on sales of guns by so-called gun hobbyists who do not conduct background checks on purchasers. Meanwhile, the National Rifle Associations Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre rails against Obamas rogue agenda to destroy our unique American freedoms.

Every time the president speaks or acts on the gun issue, the sales of guns and ammunition spike in the United States. Shortly after the massacre of students and teachers at an elementary school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut in December 2012, I visited a gun shop in Southern California. The proprietor told me that he was six months behind in meeting orders for ammunition and for the most popular handguns and high-powered rifles just at the mere hint of greater gun control.

Republicans in alliance with the NRA have moved the gun debate far beyond what kinds of weapons it is reasonable for individuals to own to the realm of basic rights. The right to bear arms, the language of the Second Amendment, has become a rallying cry. When tens of millions of citizens own firearms and are coming to understand their ownership not as a means to sport or for their own safety, but as a fundamental right, the state is in trouble. The house is divided. How far that division will drive the United States into a civil conflict that is unique in the advanced countries remains to be seen.

James Laxer is a professor of political science in the Department of Equity Studies at York University. He is the author of Stalking the Elephant: My Discovery of America.

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Last year, Star readers put unifying the GTAs transit under one authority as one of their 10 big ideas. A year later, there has been no progress. Toronto Mayor John Tory is not interested, presumably because he does not want to give up control of services and projects that are what he gets elected to deliver. The Star suggested a unified system would streamline decision making and eliminate coordination issues but also would require a source of long term dedicated revenue. A Ryerson professor says amalgamation would push up wages.

As a transit professional, born and raised in Toronto, working for 40 years mostly in Europe and Australia, I cry in despair at the uninformed level of debate.

In the 1960s, the TTC led the world; visitors came from around the globe to learn from it. Why cant Toronto now learn from other cities as they once learned from it? There are 50 cities with similar size and density and, yes, similar suburbanization and car ownership. They face similar challenges, but many have done much better than Toronto at addressing them.

Passengers want a co-ordinated service, with fares that are attractive. They dont care what name is on the bus. Taxpayers want value for money, and wont fund a bottomless pit. Politicians want to be able to take credit for progress. But calls for simplification only demonstrate ignorance. Transit is complicated  serving trips between thousands of different points, at different times of the day. The solution is not to streamline bad decision making, but to encourage good decisions and efficiency. Integration is not something that can be decreed, but with the right incentives, buses and trains will be co-ordinated where it makes sense.

Since the 1980s, every German city has had a single transport authority, responsible for strategy and fares. For example, the Rhein-Main Verkehrsverbund serves Frankfurt region. With 6 million people, its about the same size as the GTA. RMV has 27 local government members, but the bus, rail, and streetcar services are delivered by more than 40 operators. Some are private companies, some are owned by local governments. Competitive tendering has brought unit costs down by 30 per cent, while improving quality. Operators fund investment in new equipment. Passengers perceive an integrated system; fares are good for travel on any mode. The money is shared among the operators using a complex system that few politicians understand, but then how many politicians understand how a smartphone works? Municipalities can choose to fund different levels of services on local routes, so there is still plenty to keep politicians occupied.

While Germany has led the world in service integration, London leads in smarter fares. Using the Oyster card, Transport for London has shown how lower fares for off-peak trips, capping for frequent users, and higher fares for morning commuters (and for tourists!) can actually increase ridership and revenues. Free travel for children, students and seniors, and discounts for registered job-seekers, address equity concerns. Services have been doubled across the region over the past 15 years. Ridership has also doubled, generating more revenue in a virtuous circle. Fares from customers are the best form of long term dedicated revenue.

Toronto has, unfortunately, looked to U.S. cities that (with exceptions) have few relevant lessons to teach. Planners and politicians have talked about fare integration for years, but nobody seems even to have looked at the German system (the Wikipedia page is in German!). When asked if it would consider introducing zone fares, a TTC spokesman responded this would be unfair to people making longer trips. Arent high flat fares equally unfair to people making short, off-peak trips?

When new lines in Hong Kong slipped behind schedule, top managers were sacked; in Toronto, they say sorry and carry on. Of course, in the UK, Germany, and Asia, top managers are paid salaries and bonuses appropriate for companies managing budgets in the billions. In Toronto, fear of the unions make competitive tendering a no go zone, even though a growing system would actually create more jobs.

Until GTA politicians and planners figure out how to learn from the rest of the world, better transit will indeed remain a dream.

Michael Schabas is a Partner with FCP Rail Consultants. Based in London, England, he has been assisting Metrolinx develop plans for Regional Express Rail.

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A New York City police officer was shot in the ankle early Saturday during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect involved in a large fight, authorities said.

Police Commissioner William Bratton said 25-year-old Officer Sherrod Stuart was wounded on his fourth anniversary with the department. Stuart was hospitalized with injuries that are not considered life-threatening, Bratton said.

A 19-year-old suspect, Christopher Rice, was in serious condition at the same hospital, the commissioner said.

Stuart and other officers were responding to a street fight with guns, bats and knives following a large party in the Bronx at around 2 a.m., according to Bratton.

Stuart was struck in the right foot during an exchange of gunfire with Rice, Bratton said. Stuart returned fire, striking Rice four times, according to Bratton.

Five people from the melee were treated at hospitals for stab wounds, Bratton said, and four guns were recovered from the area.

Bratton said Rice had five prior arrests  including one Friday on a charge of fare beating. He said Rice was released from court at 11 p.m. Friday, just three hours before the shooting.

Bratton, who joined Mayor Bill de Blasio at a news conference at Lincoln Hospital after both men visited the wounded officer, said Stuart is the son of an NYPD detective who is currently on active duty with the U.S. Army.

De Blasio called Stuart an impressive young man who went into this very dangerous situation and handled himself so well.

Stuart was shot a day after a Philadelphia police officer was ambushed by a suspect and shot three times.

Philadelphia Officer Jesse Hartnett was in stable condition Saturday. Police said a man confessed to shooting Hartnett and told investigators he had pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State group.

(AP)
Mexico is willing to extradite drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman to the United States, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S., said the official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasnt authorized to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman, the most-wanted trafficker who was recaptured Friday after six months on the run: You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too.

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzmans embarrassing escape from Mexicos top maximum security prison on July 11  his second from a Mexican prison.

He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if its necessary, he can pay them in other places, said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nietos Institutional Revolutionary Party.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzmans attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure, said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. Thats why it can take a long time. They wont challenge everything at once  they can drip, drip, milk it that way.

Guzman, a legendary figure in Mexico who went from a farmers son to the worlds top drug lord, was apprehended after a shootout between gunmen and Mexican marines at the home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzmans home state of Sinaloa. Five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was injured.

The operation resulted from six months of investigation by Mexican forces, who located Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October but decided not to shoot because he was with two women and a child, said Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez.

Following his capture, the head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico Citys airport, frog-marched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison hed fled.

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman, who faces drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states. At the time, Mexicos government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

Then-Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said the extradition would happen only after he finished his sentence in Mexico in 300 or 400 years.

Then Guzman escaped on July 11 under the noses of guards and prison officials at Mexicos most secure lock-up, slipping out an elaborate tunnel that showed the depth of the countrys corruption while thoroughly embarrassing Pena Nietos administration.

He also escaped a different maximum-security facility in 2001 while serving a 20-year sentence. Lore says he hid in a laundry cart, though many dispute that version. He spent 13 years on the lam.

Gomez said that one of Guzmans key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis, where authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the house Wednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday morning. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in.

Gomez said Guzman and his security chief, El Cholo Ivan Gastelum, were able to flee via storm drains and escape through a manhole cover to the street, where they commandeered getaway cars. Marines climbed into the drains in pursuit. They closed in on the two men based on reports of stolen vehicles and they were arrested on the highway.

What happens now is crucial for Guzman, whose cartel smuggles multi-ton shipments of cocaine and marijuana as well as manufacturing and transporting methamphetamines and heroin, mostly to the U.S.

According to a statement from the Mexican Attorney Generals office, the U.S. filed extradition requests June 25, while Guzman was in custody, and another Sep. 3, after he escaped. The Mexican government determined they were valid within the extradition treaty and sent them to a panel of federal judges, who gave orders for detention on July 29 and Sept. 8, after Guzman had escaped.

Those orders were not for extradition but just for Guzman to begin the extradition hearing process. Now that he is recapture, Mexico has to start processing the extradition requests anew, according to the law.

The attorney generals office noted that Guzmans lawyers have already filed various appeals, some overruled and some still pending.

He shouldnt be extradited to the United States or any other foreign country, Guzmans lawyer, Badillo, said Saturday. Mexico has laws grounded in the constitution. Our country must respect national sovereignty, the sovereignty of its institutions to impart justice:

Badillo said several months ago that the extradition requests from the U.S. were the reason Guzman escaped.

His second escape last year was even more audacious. He fled down a hole in his shower stall in plain view of guards into a mile-long tunnel dug from a property outside the prison. The tunnel had ventilation, lights and a motorbike on rails. Construction noise as a digger broke through from the tunnel to his cell was obvious inside the prison, according a video of Guzman in his cell just before he escaped.

(AP)
Self-described as a policy nerd and tagged as low energy by Donald Trump, Jeb Bush is reaching deeper to show voters the man inside as he fights for his political survival ahead of New Hampshires Republican presidential primary.

Bush is speaking more passionately at campaign stops, and not just in outrage toward Trump, the bombastic billionaire leading the GOP in national polls. Hes offering a closer look inside his heart  chiefly as the father of a former drug addict  than he has over the past year in his unexpectedly difficult campaign for the presidency.

What I learned was that the pain that you feel when you have a loved one who has addiction challenges and kind of spirals out of control is something that is shared with a whole lot of people, Bush told about 300 addiction recovery advocates Tuesday at a conference near Manchester. New Hampshire has become a center of the nations renewed battle with heroin.

Bushs elaboration about the ordeal that he says put his family through hell came as the one-time front-runner showed renewed confidence campaigning in New Hampshire.

He was talking about his daughter, Noelle, who was arrested in 2002, accused of trying to fill a fraudulent prescription for Xanax, a powerful anti-anxiety medication. The arrest was a public spectacle for Bush, then a first-term governor of Florida planning to seek re-election.

He has mentioned the episode briefly during the current campaign, among the precious few personal struggles he divulges about his very public family. In May, he mentioned the difficulty of having a loved one suffering dementia, a reference to his wifes elderly mother.

With his daughters ordeal long past, Bush said he called Noelle this week to seek her permission to discuss its impact on him. Though the wonkish Bush made certain to point out the drug treatment policy enacted during his tenure as governor, he also said the public exposure enlightened him about the plight of others.

I could be at a chamber of commerce event, and someone would look at me, Bush said. I could look them in the eyes and know that, as a mom or a dad or a spouse, that they were going through the same things.

Far from unrestrained, it was simply a glimpse at Bushs inner reflection, seldom seen as his highly anticipated campaign steered into uncertainty.

Beth Myers, 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romneys campaign manager, said its a sign that Bush has found his footing.

Hes confident and comfortable talking about the serious issues that interest New Hampshire voters, even when those issues touch him personally, said Myers, who is not affiliated with any 2016 campaigns.

Bush said often last year that people knew him as the son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush, but Im going to have to show who I am, show my heart.

And yet he seldom went further than offering the story of meeting his wife-to-be while traveling in her native Mexico as an exchange student in high school.

Asked about discussing his daughters ordeal, Bush told reporters, Its not easy, no.

We went through hell.

Other candidates have compelling personal stories they tell with passion. Former tech company CEO Carly Fiorina, who also attended the addiction forum, has talked about losing her stepdaughter Lori to a drug overdose in 2009. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio talks with pride of his upbringing by Cuban-born parents.

And while Bush shares little about his life in a dynastic Republican family, he has become more passionate with the anecdotes he shares about his time as governor.

Speaking in Dover, he shook his head in frustration discussing the plight of single mothers in Florida when he became governor. Its not a pretty one, he said grimly.

In Peterborough, he held a clenched fist to his chest as he described a high school seniors struggle with basic math on a graduation test prior to education policy changes he enacted. I cannot tell you how that angered me, he said.

Voters have noticed. I think hes very sincere, said John Polychronis, who asked Bush during a campaign stop about young peoples declining faith in government. Its clear he focuses on what youre saying.

Bushs contempt for Trump bubbled over Wednesday when he was asked by New Hampshire voter Tom Emanuel to explain why he called his GOP rival a jerk last month.

Bush, who often discusses action he took improving care for Floridas disabled, lashed out at Trump for mocking a New York Times reporter who is disabled during a campaign event last year.

When anybody  anybody  disparages people with disabilities, it sets me off, Bush said. At what point do we say, enough of this!

Bushs remarks were punctuated by a spontaneous and rare, if more common this week, burst of applause.

(AP)
No one can deny that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a difficult job. The agency, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is tasked with guarding against the threat of terror in the skies while respecting the civil rights of close to 2 million passengers each day. Balancing these responsibilities has become a major focus of TSAs work and among its greatest challenges.

Toward this end, TSA has, among other things, reached out to various faith-based groups to better understand the types of problems unique to those communities that might arise at the nations airports. Within the Jewish community, Agudath Israel of Americas Washington Office has played a leading role in working with the TSA to advise and educate the agency and its security personnel as to Jewish beliefs, practices, holiday observances, and ritual items. This has helped alleviate potential problems  and avoid unfortunate mishaps and misunderstandings  involving Jewish travelers.

As a result of this fruitful partnership, TSA recently recognized Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israels Vice President for Federal Affairs and Washington Director, for exceptional contributions to the agencys work. TSA noted Rabbi Cohens role in efforts to enhance the traveler experience and ensure the traveling public is treated in a fair and lawful manner by educating the workforce about assisting the Jewish community. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Rabbi Cohen by Ms. Kimberly Walton, TSAs Assistant Administrator for Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement.

Acting as an unofficial consultant, Agudath Israels Washington Office has worked closely and cooperatively with the agency on numerous issues, including efforts to end explicit x-ray imaging of passengers, curb unnecessary or intrusive pat-downs, provide private rooms for searches, and issue notices, web-postings and field briefings during Jewish holiday travel seasons These holiday communications alert both TSA and the traveling public as to what is allowed and not allowed, and what each may expect, at security checkpoints.

We are both pleased and honored to be called upon by TSA to advise and educate, observed Rabbi Cohen. Security is of utmost concern to the Jewish community and we have worked diligently to develop reasonable accommodations that satisfy both government safety regulations and Jewish religious requirements.

The most recent Agudath Israel contribution to this effort is a webinar that Rabbi Cohen conducted covering what TSA referred to as Judaism 101. It includes a power point presentation, beautifully produced by Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, Agudath Israels Maryland/Mid-Atlantic director, on general Jewish concepts and observances. Its particular focus is on acquainting TSA personnel around the country with the Jewish calendar, as well as with the ritual practices and items that TSA personnel should be aware of at security checkpoints, airports, and other places.

There is a thorough discussion of both year-round issues (e.g., tefillin, religious garb, modesty requirements) and holiday-related issues (e.g. arba minim and Pesach/matzoh requirements). Most importantly, the Agudath Israel presentation  which TSA plans to show several times a year to security personnel nationwide  provides best practices suggestions as to how these items should be handled and how to effectively address problems should they arise.

Years ago, we would regularly receive calls from members of the community who were distraught over unfortunate incidents, Rabbi Cohen asserted, The result of greater education has been greater sensitivity on both sides and a dramatic drop in airport mishaps  ultimately resulting in an appreciative TSA and observant Jewish community.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Three weeks before Iowa kicks off the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are generating overwhelming enthusiasm among Republican voters in the state, along with concern, though not panic, among the party professionals who believe both are unelectable in November against the Democratic nominee.

Despite such fears, talk of a takedown effort aimed at either Trump or Cruz appears to have faded as the Feb. 1 caucuses in Iowa near. For now, there is nervous acceptance that two of the Republican Partys most divisive figures may stay at the top of the presidential pack well into the first month of voters getting their say.

Cruz would not only cost us the general, he would cost the GOP the future. Trump is not a Republican and he is not a conservative, said Republican strategist Alex Castellanos, who is not affiliated with a 2016 campaign. The geometry is conflicting: If you limit one, you aid the other.

At the end, Castellanos said, Republicans may face the devils bargain and have to settle for the lesser of two anti-establishment evils.

That feeling is echoed by party officials across the country, who acknowledged they have few tools to stop Cruz or Trump. Instead, there is hope that voters ultimately settle on what they consider a more viable alternative from a group of candidates that includes Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Lets see how the votes go before we panic, said Washington-based Republican operative John Feehery, who has been critical of Cruz and Trump.

There is little evidence of widespread alarm from establishment Republican leaders and their well-funded supporters. Despite their commanding presence in preference polls, Trump and Cruz have almost completely escaped paid attacks, particularly in Iowa.

A Florida billionaire spent $40,000 on newspaper ads to hit at Trump in early December. One, in Iowa, called the political novice a destroyer. A group backing Kasich put $15,000 into an online anti-Trump attack in late November and early December, but there was no special focus on Iowa.

A nonprofit group led by a political operative who has endorsed Rubio spent about $200,000 to air an ad in Des Moines that knocked Cruz for his opposition to National Security Agency surveillance, saying the Texas senator voted to weaken Americas ability to identify and hunt down terrorists. But that ad has not been on the air in at least a month, according to Kantar Medias CMAG political advertising tracker.

Republican National committeeman Ron Kaufman of Massachusetts said the partys centrist conservatives will have to be patient until what they see as a more electable alternative to Trump and Cruz emerges.

This is about whos going to be in the finals, Kaufman said. Clearly on one side its going to be Trump and/or Cruz. And for the centrist conservatives, its going to come down to one of three governors or Rubio.

That may explain why the attacks on Cruz and Trump pale in comparison to the amount spent disparaging other candidates. For example, a Rubio-boosting group recently put more than $1 million into sharp-elbowed anti-Christie attacks in New Hampshire. Rubio has been the target of close to $1 million in negative advertising, mostly in Iowa and mostly by Cruz boosters.

There is unquestioned excitement among the GOP electorate in Iowa for the two front-runners.

On Saturday, Cruz concluded a six-day, 28-stop trek across the state, drawing overflow crowds everywhere  from a pizza restaurant in Pocahontas to a small college in Sioux Center, where hundreds packed the auditorium, spilling into the stairwell and upper level.

There is no doubt that the Washington cartel is in full panic mode, said an almost giddy Cruz this past week. They are in full panic mode because they are seeing on the ground conservatives uniting.

At other stops, Cruz supporters stood outside in snow and sub-freezing temperatures, unable to get in for a seat, but still trying to listen through open doors. At a Friday morning event in Mason City, 48-year-old Robert Peterson said he was sold on Cruz, even though he said he had never before voted for a Republican presidential candidate.

Its time for a change, Peterson said, standing at the back of the room wearing a red Cruz 2016 button and holding a red, white and blue Cruz sign. The status quo has got to go.

Its much the same for Trump, who is showing no signs of slowing down after leading most national preference polls since the summer. The brash real-estate billionaire and former reality television star routinely draws thousands of people to his rallies, packing high school auditoriums, arenas, convention centers  even an airplane hangar  across the country.

Supporters began lining up at dawn for a 7 p.m. rally in Burlington, Vermont, this past week, while in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, hundreds stood outside in the bitter cold for hours waiting to get in.

Folks, we have a revolution going on, Trump said in Lowell, Massachusetts, marveling at the thousands of people who filled the arena. People are tired and theyre sick of the stupidity that were seeing coming out of Washington.

In the face of Trumps prophesied revolution, the GOP establishment is preaching patience.

I dont think theres a sense itll be time to panic if Cruz and Trump are on top in Iowa or New Hampshire, said Katie Packer, who served as deputy campaign manager to Mitt Romney in 2012 and is among Trumps biggest critics. We have to let the process play out.

(AP)
Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) questioned why Democratic leaders and Iran Deal supporters havent been more outspoken on Irans failure to comply with agreements set forth by the nuclear agreement.

Iran recently tested two medium-range ballistic missiles, a direct violation that doesnt comply with stipulations presented in the Iran Deal. The missile testing comes on the heels of Iran lauding its underground nuclear facilities on national television.

Iran is laughing in the face of the United States right now, Assemblyman Hikind said, who has been against the Iran nuclear deal since Day 1. Their continuous violations have been so predictable. Its just a horrible deal for the United States.

Hikind went on to pose the question: Where are the elected officials who were in favor of this horrendous deal, and why cant we hear them loud and clear, referring to New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Jerrold Nadler and New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker.

Nationwide, Democrats have urged stronger sanctions following Irans missile testing procedures. But Hikind suggests statewide and local Democrats should jump onboard as well, saying They should be at the forefront and fight for more sanctions. Where are they on this?

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged that the implementation of the Iran Deal is just days away. Kerry, after speaking with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, reaffirmed his belief that Iran will complete its obligations in time for the implementation of the deal.

The fact that we would put ourselves in this type of position where we sit idly by while a terrorist-ridden country mocks us, just goes to show how poorly the Obama administration has handled this, Hikind said. Where is our leadership? Elected officials are not only obligated to maintain our security, but also represent the peoples views, which are countered by the approval of this deal.

Hikind spoke recently regarding this particular matter on Fox Businesss The Cavuto Show earlier this week after Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran and demanding that all Iranian diplomats leave the country within 48 hours.

(YWN Desk  NYC)
On Thursday 26 Teves , the four detainees violently detained during a disturbance in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Jerusalem the previous day were released in court to house arrest until Sunday, 209 Teves. The court rejected the police demand to extend their remand by three days.

Three minors and one 50-year old Jerusalem resident were detained during an incident involving harsh police violence on Wednesday 25 Teves in the Givat Shaul neighborhood of Jerusalem.

The incident began when police detectives mistakenly arrived at the dormitory of a yeshiva in the Givat Shaul neighborhood in order to verify the presence of a youth whom they thought was under house arrest at the dormitory. However several days previously the court had canceled the house arrest order and the youth was not present.

Although yeshiva students at the dormitory tried to explain to the police that the youths house arrest had been canceled, the policemen insisted on entering the dormitory. The police did not present either a warrant or police badges. At the dormitory a disturbance developed. Outside of the yeshiva a group of curious bystanders gathered and blocked police vehicles for a short time.

During the disturbance on the street, three minors were detained on suspicion of disturbing a policeman in the line of duty and assaulting a policeman. One of the minors was severely beaten by the policemen.

On a street close to the yeshiva, an approximately 50-year old Jerusalem resident was violently detained by policemen. The detainee, who was shopping nearby with his wife at the time, thought that a terror attack had occurred and ran towards the site of the disturbance. He noticed policemen and police detectives running to the site and because he legally carries a weapon, followed them. The policemen roughly shoved him away, hitting him in the process, apparently thinking that he intended to interfere with their work. He asked the police detective who hit him for his personal details and the detective decided to detain him and hit him hard all over his body, as did the other policemen.

The four detainees were taken to the Moriya Police Station in Jerusalem. Honenu Attorney Rehavia Piltz arrived at the police station to provide legal counsel and described the scene:

The detainees, including the adult, were seated by the policemen on the floor of the police station, not on chairs, with their hands handcuffed behind their backs, facing the wall, as if they were terrorists. This procedure is illegal, humiliating, and unnecessarily drastic.

The detainees spent the night at the police station and were brought to court for a deliberation on Thursday, 26 Teves. At the deliberation the police claimed that one of the youths sat on the engine hood of one of the police cars and banged on it, the second shoved policemen and the third assaulted policemen. All three deny all charges. Also the representative of the police admitted that that the 50-year old detainees account of the incident was correct, but claimed that after he was detained he also assaulted policemen and insulted them. Honenu Attorney Avichai Hajbi, who represented the detainees, said in response that, If the policemen had spoken with their mouths and not their hands the superfluous remand would have been prevented.

The 50-year old detainee complained that he was severely beaten and the court allowed him to have medical examinations done despite his being under house arrest.

After the deliberation Honenu Attorney Avichai Hajbi said that, The detention of the suspects was intended only to cover up the brutal conduct of the policemen during the incident. Immediately after their release my clients presented themselves at the offices of the Police Investigation Unit in order to lodge complaints against the policemen.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Ichud Hatzalah EMS personnel on erev Shabbos, Friday 28 Teves, responded to a call for cardiac arrest in a Mikvah in the Har Nof neighborhood of Yerushalayim. When the responders arrived, the gate was locked. Baruch Hashem the responders had NIS 10 coins and they were able to enter after paying. The victim was transported to a local hospital while CPR was being performed.

Ichud Hatzalah is calling on the nations religious councils and decision-makers to install some type of bypass for emergency responders that permits opening the turn-style gates in mikvaos for calls in mikvaos do occur on a regular basis. Some draw an analogy to the emergency key switches in public elevators used by fire departments in the event of an emergency. Perhaps a similar device can be installed in mikvaos and keys would be distributed to EMS officers in the field.

Ichud Hatzalah explains in this case BH responders had NIS 10 coins and were able to enter, albeit paying from their own pockets. However, in cases when responders to not have money patient treatment is delayed and at times, like this one, seconds are critical.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
RL another child was niftar in Eretz Yisrael. Just last week YWN-ISRAEL reported many cases of young children and adults who were niftar of late due to sudden illness or accidents.

A two-year-old girl from a chareidi family was the latest to join this list as she lost consciousness in the familys Ramat Shlomo home in Yerushalayim on motzei Shabbos. The child was transported to the hospital as CPR was performed. She was pronounced dead in the emergency room. The cause of her going into cardiac arrest was not immediately known.

According to Ichud Hatzalah EMT Tal Dehman, the girl was in cardiac arrest when he arrived in the home. The family explained she was not feeling well on Shabbos and after Shabbos she passed out and then went into cardiac arrest.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Switching your current account could make life much easier if your existing bank isnt offering you a good deal or service.

Choosing a new account and moving everything may seem a daunting prospect, but the current account switching service has made it easier than ever.

Official figures say you could save an average of 70 a year by switching, and the Competition and Markets Authority reckons those with heavy overdrafts could save up to 260.

As easy as A-B-C: Switching now takes just seven days, with a guarantee to ensure the transfer is smooth

It seems customers have been rather reluctant to switch, though. The CMA found that 57 per cent of consumers have been with their account provider for more than ten years, and 37 per cent for more than 20 years.

So is it time to switch? Heres what you need to know:

3 EASY STEPS TO CHANGING BANKS 1. Select the new account you want, then fill in an application form with this bank either online or in a branch. You will need two forms of identification  usually a bill and a passport or driving licence. Youll also need to provide details of your old bank. The new bank can carry out the switch on your behalf. 2. Once your application is accepted, youll hear from the new bank and need to agree a date that all your bills will be moved across. The account must be up and running within seven days, but can take longer if you want. 3. Youll be kept updated by your bank. On the switch date you have agreed, your old account will be closed and you will receive confirmation from the new bank that your account is ready to use.

ALWAYS IN THE RED?

Consider switching to a bank with lower overdraft fees if you regularly go overdrawn.

Have a look at your statements and, if you are paying bank charges regularly, see what they total each month.

An authorised overdraft carrying a 1 daily usage fee would mean that borrowing 100 for 15 days would incur a monthly charge of 15, or 180 a year, according to calculations by Moneyfacts.

A handful of banks have good deals on overdrafts. First Direct offers the first 250 interest-free on its 1st Account, which reverts to 15.9 per cent afterwards. M&S Banks Current Account comes with a buffer of 100 at 0 per cent, reverting to 15.9 per cent. Post Office Money offers the lowest rate on authorised overdrafts, at 14.9 per cent.

BOOST YOUR SAVINGS

Lots of current accounts pay respectable interest on balances that are in credit.

TSBs Classic Plus account pays 5 per cent on balances up to 1,999.99 but you must pay in 500 a month to qualify. The Nationwide FlexDirect also pays 5 per cent on up to 2,500, but only for 12 months, and you need to pay in 1,000 a month to qualify. Tesco Bank pays 3 per cent on up to 2,999.99 with no funding requirements at all.

Halifaxs Reward Account pays 5 a month if you stay in credit, pay in 750 a month and switch over at least two direct debits.

PERKS FOR SWITCHING

Many banks offer cash incentives for signing up with them.

First Direct gives you 125 if you pay in at least 1,000 within three months. You get 100 if youre not happy, but watch out for the 10 monthly fee after a free six-month introductory period.

Halifaxs Reward Account promises new customers 100 to switch, plus a place in a draw to win 50,000. M&S Bank gives 100 in vouchers to switchers moving to its current account, which also offers reward points. Make sure youre not swayed just by the incentives, though  if you rack up hefty overdraft charges, they will quickly be cancelled out.

WHEN IT PAYS TO PAY

Does it pay to pay? Some accounts are worth the fee, but you need to see if you need the 'extras' offered

If you pay a monthly fee, ask yourself if the extras are worth it. You may not be using them, and they are often cheaper to buy as standalone products, although some accounts are worth the fee.

Nationwides Flex Plus offers worldwide annual travel insurance, comprehensive car breakdown cover, a 12-month extended warranty on electrical purchases and mobile phone protection for the family, plus 3 per cent interest on your credit balance (up to 2,500), all for 10 a month.

With the Santander 123 account, which costs 2 a month  rising to 5 a month from January 11  as long as you make more money back through its cashback scheme, youll still profit.

It pays 1 per cent cashback on Santander mortgage payments, council tax and water rates; 2 per cent on electricity and gas bills and 3 per cent on telecoms bills.

BANKING TIP Check your credit score for any blemishes before you apply for a new account or credit card. A long-forgotten bill can damage your chances of getting a mortgage or a loan

EASY SWITCHING

Switching now takes just seven days, with a guarantee to ensure the transfer is smooth.

Last year the current account switching guarantee was put in place, requiring banks to adhere to a code to help people switch.

Payments going in and out of your old account, including direct debits and standing orders, will be automatically moved when you switch, any money in your old account will be transferred on the switch day, accidental payments made to your old account will be redirected for 36 months, and the sender will be given your new details.
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By Madina Toure

A man and a female teenager were arrested in Brooklyn following a New Years crime spree in which they allegedly engaged in several carjackings using stolen cars from Brooklyn and Queens, the 109th Precinct and the NYPD said.

On Dec. 29, Stafford Berrian, 31, who police have listed as homeless due to his address being unavailable, and Jamaica resident Quiana Hodges, 17, are accused of robbing a 56-year-old woman of her 2005 Honda Pilot at the corner of Harway Avenue and Bay 41st Street in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, according to a police spokesman.

The suspects physically assaulted her, forced her back into the car and drove a short distance to Cropsey Avenue between 27th and 26th avenues, where they released her, the spokesman said.

While driving the Honda Pilot, the pair got into another accident at about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 1 with another vehicle on 20th Avenue and Petrecca Place, the spokesman continued. The suspects then abandoned the car and fled the scene, walking around the neighborhood for about an hour, the spokesman continued.

The 109th Precinct said it started a lengthy search, which included helicopters, to find the suspects, but the search did not yield any results.

At about 11 p.m., the suspects, still on foot, allegedly approached an 84-year-old man on Willets Point Boulevard, who was moving cars on his driveway, and asked him for directions, the spokesman added.

They then punched him in the face, causing the victim to suffer lacerations and bruises, and took his 2009 Chevy Cobalt and his wallet, he said.

At about 10:45 p.m. the next day, officers in the 79th Precinct in Brooklyn heard shots fired in the vicinity of Albany Avenue and Decatur Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the spokesman said.

Officers responded to the location and observed the Chevy Cobalt fleeing the area at a high speed rate and followed the car into the 73rd Precinct area, the official said.

The spokesman said the suspects lost control of the car and collided with

two parked vehicles at Howard Avenue and Bergen Street in Crown Heights, where they were arrested without further incident.

The pair was charged with kidnapping, robbery, assault, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unlawful imprisonment, petit larceny, unauthorized use of a vehicle, menacing and harassment, according to a complaint filed by Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson. Thomas Conforti, commanding officer of the 109th Precinct, said the only tie the two individuals had to the precinct was that they were driving to 20th Avenue to go shopping with stolen credit cards and the accident prevented them from doing so.
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By Madina Toure

The College Point Board of Trade and City Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) are working together on plans to create a College Point Business Improvement District.

For the past two months, Tom Palma of the College Point Board of Trade has had discussions with Vallone, as well as with the city Department of Small Business Services and small businesses in the neighborhood.

They are currently trying to determine who owns the buildings along College Point Boulevard from 14th Avenue to about 25th Avenue.

Palma said the BID will be beneficial for the neighborhood, which he said is considered to be small-town USA.

The BID gives the district the opportunity to act together in unison and to try to promote more business, he said.

There are now 72 business improvement districts in the five boroughs signed into law, with 12 of them in Queens, according to the Department of Small Business Services. A BID is a public/private partnership in which property and business owners choose to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development and promotion of their commercial district.

Supplemental services typically include sanitation and maintenance, business development, beautification, capital improvements, public safety and hospitality, among other services. Services are funded by a special assessment paid by property owners within the district.

This has to be approved by the people, the group of people who are designated in the BID, and its usually around a dozen people, whether they be our elected officials or our property owners themselves, Palma said.

The Department of Small Business Services said it had an initial meeting with Vallone and Palma in December.

Working with the Bayside Village BID to revitalize Bell Boulevard, growing and expanding the Douglaston LDC, creating the Whitestone Merchants Association and now supporting the College Point Board of Trade are all critical for the growth of our district, Vallone said in a statement. Established in 1969, the College Point Board of Trade, located at 14-15 College Point Blvd., is an action-oriented business organization whose members include manufacturing, industrial and contracting firms and retail merchants that work to foster good trade and commerce and promote growth of College Point businesses and the residential community.

When the organization started, local businesses in the area were thriving, Palma said, noting that at one time the organization had nearly 400 members, but the roster has since dropped to its current membership of 125.

He said there has been a change of demographics in the area, with more businesses owned by Asian and Hispanic individuals.

At this point of time, weve lost a lot of our retail stores, he said.
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By Bill Parry

The new year brought some relief for the boroughs straphangers, bus riders and railway riders as the new Commuter Benefits Law went into effect on Jan. 1. Under the law, signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in October, employers with 20 or more full-time, non-union employees are now required to offer a commuter benefits program to their employees, allowing them to contribute pre-tax income to purchase monthly transit passes.

As a result, more than 450,000 additional city workers will be able to save up to $800 a year in annual expenses. Last month, the federal government permanently increased the Mass Transit Commuter Benefit to allow employees to use up to $225 of their pre-tax income per month for qualified transit expenses, up from the previous $130 caphelping nearly one million New York region commuters save even more.

At a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling to stretch their hard-earned dollars, we are saving them hundreds every year and encouraging a greener way to travel, de Blasio said. Through powerful advocacy on the local and federal level to support our citys straphangers, New York City employees and employers alike will feel the benefits of this law in their pocketbooks.

De Blasio joined U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and several city leaders to greet commuters during Mondays morning rush, and hand out fliers reminding them of the new benefits.

It is rare that by filling out a simple sheet of paper you can save $800 a year, Schumer said. We worked very hard to double the mass transit deduction for commuters and now it is up to them to take advantage by asking employers how to sign up. This is easy to do and costs the employer nothing. It is getting more and more expensive to commute and this now permanent benefit provides some real relief.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has mailed information to nearly 365,000 businesses and sent an email blast to another 110,000 businesses to inform them of their responsibilities under this new law. DCA is conducting extensive outreach to educate employers about the law, and the second phase of the campaign will launch this spring.

The commuter benefit program is a win-win for both employers and employees, DCA Commissioner Julie Menin said. With the Commuter Benefits Law now in effect, we will continue working with employers across the five boroughs to ensure that its implementation is as smooth as possible and to encourage employees to sign up for this cost-saving benefit.

The pre-tax money can be used for MTA subway and bus; Long Island Rail Road; Metro-North; Amtrak; eligible ferry, water taxi, vanpool and commuter bus services; and Access-A-Ride.
Beaver County's homes rose in price

How did Beaver County's housing market do in July? The median price for a house in 2022 was higher than 2021.
CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS New Notre Dame Principal Michael Edghill works with high school students in the school library. Edghill replaced Doug Jones, who took a post as assistant superintendent of the Fort Worth Diocese. Edghill was formerly director of the social studies department at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, according to a news release.

SHARE CHRISTOPHER WALKER/TIMES RECORD NEWS Recently-named Notre Dame Principal Michael Edghill works with high school students Trevor Morath (left) and Ryanne McKay in the school library Friday morning. Edghill replaced Doug Jones, who took a post as assistant superintendent of the diocese. Edghill was formerly a department head of Fort Worth Nolan Catholic High School, according to a release.

By Claire Kowalick of the Times Record News

Call it luck or divine guidance, Notre Dame Catholic School's new principal is head of the class when it comes to embracing life's opportunities.

While the 35-year-old says he never imagined he would be in this position at this point in his life, he knows he is exactly where he is meant to be.

Michael Edghill was born in Arlington to Trinidadian parents  the first of his family born in the United States.

Growing up in Houston, he recalls he did not know exactly what he wanted to do for a living, but his father always stressed that a college degree was the key to success.

He met his wife, Shirelle, in Houston and the couple now have four children  Ethan, 12; Andrew, 10; Mary Kathryn, 3; and Thomas, 1.

Edghill's first dream was to break into the country music scene and he briefly attended Belmont University in Nashville, majoring in music business.

Soon he realized his starry-eyed dreams were not going to pay his bills, so he moved back to Texas and eventually earned his bachelor's in history from the University of North Texas.

Degree in hand, the young father began applying for jobs he felt fit in with his studies, but nothing seemed to pan out.

"I applied at places like the Texas State Historical Society and Texas Parks and Wildlife, but I did not hear back from any of them," he said.

With a second child on the way, he said he began to worry about how he was going to support his growing family.

While attending Mass one Sunday, he saw a posting for a Catholic school job fair in the church bulletin. He had done some substitute teaching previously and thought he would give full-time teaching a shot.

After one year of elementary school social studies and religion, he realized that while he did enjoy education, his skills might be better suited for the high school level.

Edghill took a chance on an opening at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth where he sprinted through the ranks and became the social studies department chair after two years.

Nine years later, Edghill found his passion teaching government while working on a master's degree in government at Texas Woman's University.

He was considering a move back to Houston after he finished his degree when he received a mysterious message.

"Doug Jones wants you to call him," read an email.

Edghill knew Jones, the previous Notre Dame principal, was in line to become the assistant superintendent of the Fort Worth Diocese and figured the man had some questions about the goings-on at Nolan.

When Edghill called, Jones asked him to apply for the Notre Dame principal position because he thought Edghill would be a good fit.

"It came out of left field. I barely knew where Notre Dame was, I could maybe find Wichita Falls on a map," he said.

Edghill had his sights set on moving back to Houston with a job offer lined up as a government teacher but figured he had nothing to lose in coming up to Wichita Falls for the interview.

He received a call the next day and was told he was the only candidate they would like to continue through the rest of the hiring process. Edghill said he was shocked, but took it as a clear sign this is what he should be doing.

"When God puts something in front of you, that's what you have to do," he said.

Edghill said he did not want to make any large changes at first and he wants to observe and see how it all works from a big-picture perspective. After nearly a decade in the classroom, he said it took some adjustment when looking to make schoolwide changes versus changes for just a few students.

Throughout this first year, Edghill said the one word he repeats to himself is "trust."

"I allow people to do their job," he said. "I do not want to micromanage. I trust that they are doing what they are supposed to be doing."

Edghill said he would like to continue Jones' goal of developing the school's Catholic identity and hired a part-time campus minister this year to help students understand and develop their faith.

"I want them to be Dominican in the classroom and Jesuit outside of it," said Edghill, meaning he wants students to gain a scholarly and religious education then put their faith into action.

Edghill's major project this year is getting the school accredited through the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department  a process each Catholic school undergoes every seven years.

While the accreditation process is a major task for a new principal, Edghill has taken a positive view saying it is a golden opportunity for him to really understand the school as they review each aspect.

"It can be as constructive as you make it," he said. "You can find out what the school is doing well and what we need to improve on."

When he first entered the role as principal, he was told to not be dismayed if enrollment declines the first year with a new principal.

"Of course I would have been upset if enrollment went down, but it did not," Edghill said. "We have had good growth."

Last year's ending enrollment of the school was 250 and it currently sits at 258. Notre Dame reached out to the Hispanic population this year with a Spanish television commercial on the Telemundo channel.

"We want them to know we are here. We had very positive feedback about it," he said.

During the next school year, Notre Dame will offer a Latin course from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The school also said it is creating a rigorous high school English curriculum that will be consistent across all four high schools in the Fort Worth Diocese.

Notre Dame Catholic School will have an open house 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 1. The public is invited to tour the schools, meet faculty and staff and meet with tuition assistance advisers. For more information about Notre Dame, visit http://notredamecatholic.org/ or visit the Notre Dame Catholic School Facebook page.
Here's what to know as the annual dove hunting season approaches
SHARE Wilson Lunns Col

Lifelong Wichita Falls resident Bob Lloyd Wilson, 89, died on Thursday, January 7, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Born in Wichita Falls on November 8, 1926, he was the youngest of four children of Lloyd Allison Wilson and Balma A. (Walker) Wilson. He graduated as valedictorian from Wichita Falls High School in 1944. He entered the Army in November 1944 and served as a Technician Fifth Grade at the 8th Army Headquarters of the United States Army in the South Pacific during World War II, receiving two bronze stars for his service. As a veteran, Wilson attended Hardin College and graduated with a B.A. from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1947. He then earned his J. D. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

He practiced law in Wichita Falls from 1950 until his retirement in 1992. A pioneer in developing structured legal settlements, he also worked on legislation passed by the Texas Legislature. Wilson served as president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association from 1979 to 1980. His interests included classical music, art, travel, politics, and finance. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother George, his older sister Dorothy, his twin sister Betty, and his son-in-law Miles O'Loughlin. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Billie Edwards Wilson, his two daughters, Leslie Wilson O'Loughlin and Aimee Wilson Martin of Amarillo, several nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and great nephews. A memorial service will be held in Wichita Falls at Floral Heights United Methodist Chapel at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2016, with Rev. Merwin Turner officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home on Sunday, January 10, 2016, from 4:00-5:00 p.m.

The family requests that any memorials be made to one of the following organizations: Hospice of Wichita Falls, PO Box 4804, Wichita Falls, TX 76308; The Humane Society of Wichita County, P. O. Box 3648, Wichita Falls, TX 76301; or Wild Bird Rescue of Wichita Falls, 4611 Lakeshore Dr, Wichita Falls, TX 76310
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Warren Moeller, Wichita Falls

The president's use of ISIL instead of ISIS reveals how his bias is underhandedly used. ISIL stands for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The Levant includes Palestine, so this is a slap at Israel, revealing his bias, if not contempt, for our ally.

Other revelations in his bias were shown when he ordered the FBI and Homeland Security to delete the word "Jihad" from counterterrorism manuals and to fire all trainees who linked terrorism to Islam.

Also, Obama invited members of Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood front groups to serve in the Homeland Security and State Department who meet regularly with the attorney general and even meet in the White House with the president and his advisers.

Remember when Obama stopped a major investigation of terror supporting Muslim Brotherhood front groups after the successful prosecution of Muslim Brotherhood charities?

These are but a few examples of the president's Muslim bias.

It is too bad that the commander-in-chief cannot be court-martialed for giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Albany

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday he will propose a $200 million investment competition for upstate airports in his upcoming State of the State and executive budget address.

Five airports north of New York City  including airports from as far south as Westchester County Airport  would win grants of roughly $40 million each through the program. The grant money could be used for projects that enhance safety, improve operations and access, reduce environmental impact, and create better passenger experiences, according to the governor's office.

Eligible Capital Region airports are Albany International Airport, Saratoga County Airport, Schenectady County Airport, South Albany Airport, Argyle Airport (Washington County), Columbia County Airport, Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport (Warren County), Freehold Airport (Greene County), Fulton County Airport and Granville Airport (Washington County).

"The Albany County Airport Authority applauds Governor Cuomo's initiative to invest in New York's upstate airports and we look forward to submitting concrete proposals designed to improve the overall operation, infrastructure and safety of the Albany International Airport," said John O'Donnell, CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority.

The authority outlined in a statement that it would consider submitting proposals to construct a second parking garage, create a statewide aircraft emergency training facility for fire departments, law enforcement and EMS teams by further developing its existing FedEx Boeing727 training site, and constructing a new storage and parts facility for maintenance of regional jets.

The governor made the announcement at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, where he helped push the plunger to implode the old grandstand. Cuomo announced in September $50 million in upgrades for the fairgrounds, including plans to remove the grandstand and motor track to make room for new facilities.

While the actual speech will take place Wednesday, Cuomo has been rolling out pieces of his overall proposal daily since last week. With the theme "Built to Lead," Cuomo has been proposing massive infrastructure and construction projects. That includes plans to spend $22 billion on upstate roads and bridges over five years, freeze Thruway tolls until 2020, increase funding for local water infrastructure projects, and overhaul Manhattan's Penn Station and the Farley Post Office next door, among other things. Cuomo also re-pitched his $15 minimum wage plan last week, announcing that SUNY employees will see their minimum pay rise in a move similar to the decision to increase state worker pay to $15 over the coming years.

mhamilton@timesunion.com  518-454-5449  @matt_hamilton10
Cologne, Germany

Women's rights activists, far-right demonstrators and left-wing counter-protesters took to the streets of Cologne on Saturday to voice their opinions in the debate that has followed a string of New Year's Eve sexual assaults and robberies blamed largely on foreigners.

Amid the heightened public pressure, Chancellor Angela Merkel's party proposed stricter laws regulating asylum-seekers in the country  some 1.1 million of whom arrived last year.

Police said that around 1,700 protesters from the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement were kept apart from 1,300 counter-demonstrators in simultaneous protests outside the city's main train station.

PEGIDA members held banners with slogans like "RAPEfugees not welcome" and "Integrate barbarity?" while the counter-protesters pushed the message "refugees welcome."

Specifics of the New Year's Eve assaults and who were behind them are still being investigated. The attackers were among about 1,000 men gathered at Cologne's central train station, some of whom broke off into small groups and surrounded women, groping them and stealing their purses, cell phones and other belongings, according to authorities and witness reports. There are also two allegations of rape.

The PEGIDA demonstration Saturday was shut down early by authorities using water cannons after protesters threw firecrackers and bottles at some of the 1,700 police on hand. Police said four people were taken into custody but no injuries were immediately reported.

Earlier, hundreds of women's rights activists gathered outside Cologne's landmark cathedral to rally against the New Year's Eve violence.

"It's about making clear that we will not stop moving around freely here in Cologne, and to protest against victim bashing and the abuse of women," said city resident Ina Wolf, 50.

In response to the incidents, Merkel said her CDU party on Saturday had approved a proposal seeking stricter laws regulating asylum seekers. She said the proposal, which will be discussed with her coalition partners and would need parliamentary approval, would help Germany deport "serial offenders" convicted of lesser crimes.

"This is in the interests of the citizens of Germany, but also in the interests of the great majority of the refugees who are here," Merkel told party members in Mainz. But she also reiterated her mantra on the refugee issue, insisting again "we will manage it."

Bonn University political scientist Tilman Mayer said he doesn't see the CDU proposal as either a change of course, nor one likely to dispel many Germans' concerns.

"This is just a building block in a chain of statements from the government and also the chancellor," he said on television.

Though Merkel has decried the assaults as "repugnant criminal acts that ... Germany will not accept," they provide fodder for those who have opposed her open-door policy and refusal to set a cap on refugee numbers.

Hamburg broadcaster NDR said in an opinion piece that such crimes threaten to push xenophobia toward the "middle of the population"  which could lead to a backlash against refugees. "And who is to blame mainly?" the editorial asked. "These young, testosterone-driven time bombs with their image of women from the Middle Ages."
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Mexico City

Mexico is willing to extradite drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday. It's a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

"Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S.," said the official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman, the most-wanted trafficker who was recaptured Friday after six months on the run: "You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements, too."

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzman's embarrassing escape from Mexico's top maximum security prison on July 11.

"He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if it's necessary, he can pay them in other places," said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzman's attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition.

"They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure," said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. "That's why it can take a long time. They won't challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way."

Guzman, a legendary figure in Mexico who went from a farmer's son to the world's top drug lord, was apprehended after a shootout between gunmen and Mexican marines at the home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzman's home state of Sinaloa.

The operation resulted from six months of investigation by Mexican forces, who located Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October but decided not to shoot because he was with two women and a child, said Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez.

After that he took a lower profile and limited his communication until he decided to move to Los Mochis in December.

Following his capture, the head of the powerful, international Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico City's airport, frog-marched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison he'd fled.

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman, who faces drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states. At the time, Mexico's government insisted it could handle the man who had already broken out of one maximum-security prison, saying he must pay his debt to Mexican society first.

Then Guzman escaped a second time on July 11 under the noses of guards and prison officials at Mexico's most secure lock-up, slipping out an elaborate tunnel that showed the country's depth of corruption while thoroughly embarrassing the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto.

In celebrating Guzman's latest capture, Mexican officials showed none of their bravado of two years ago, though they made clear that the intelligence building and investigation were carried out entirely by Mexican forces. They did not mention extradition.

"They have to extradite him," said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico. "It's almost a forced move."

Gomez said that one of Guzman's key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis, where authorities had been watching for a month. The team noticed a lot of activity at the house Wednesday and the arrival of a car early Thursday. Authorities were able to determine that Guzman was inside the house, she said.

The marines were met with gunfire as they closed in. Five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was injured.
Damascus, Syria

The Syrian government announced Saturday it is ready to attend peace talks later this month with the opposition in Geneva as a new airstrike in northern Syria killed and wounded scores of people, including many militants.

But Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Damascus also wants to see lists of the opposition groups who will attend and ensure that "terrorist" groups will not be represented.

State news agency SANA said al-Moallem made his comments Saturday while meeting in Damascus with U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura. His comments came shortly before opposition activists said an airstrike had killed at least 39 and wounded dozens of others.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 39 people were killed, including many fighters from al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, as well as detainees in the northwestern town of Maaret al-Numant.

The Nusra Front is one of the country's most powerful factions and is opposed to peace talks with the government, saying its aim is to step up an Islamic state in Syria. The group is fighting against government forces, the Islamic State group as well as some U.S.-backed rebel factions. Much like its rival, the Islamic State group, the Nusra Front imposes its own vision of Islamic Shariah law in territories it controls.

The Syrian government has been carrying out airstrikes for years, which activists say have killed thousands of people. Russia began its own air campaign on Sept. 30 saying its airstrikes are meant to weaken the Islamic State and other "terrorist" groups.
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Schenectady

In the summer of 2012, hundreds of General Electric workers gathered in Building 66 on the company's city campus to celebrate the official opening of GE's $105 million plant that would manufacture sodium metal halide batteries, a new form of power that CEO Jeff Immelt said could grow into a billion-dollar business by the end of the decade.

But in 2015, after almost a year of workers taking buyouts or transitioning to different parts of the company, production of the so-called Durathon battery was halted.

The plant was initially projected to employ at least 350 people, but four union workers are all that remain at the facility that received $22.2 million in state and local grants and tax breaks to create what county officials then called the largest economic development project in the city's history. Also, the project was slated for up to $25 million in federal tax credits to offset the opening costs.

More Information Battery plant tax breaks Recovery Act Advanced Manufacturing tax credits*$25.5 million Empire State Development grant $12.5 million Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority grant $5 million NYSERDA grant $2.5 million Local and state sales tax breaks $2.2 million Total: $47.7 million *General Electric said the IRS has not determined a final total and the credits are being reviewed Source: Times Union research See More Collapse

Still, despite what GE itself calls a failure based on the cost of the battery and other market pressures, the company says it met all of its investment and job goals  saying that more than 300 people continue to be employed by GE, with 100 salaried employees in the now-named "Energy Storage" division. GE said it "added and created" jobs, therefore meeting its commitments for the government grants and tax breaks it received.

"GE exceeded our commitment to hire 350 people, with total employment of 450 at the Energy Storage business' peak in 2014," GE spokeswoman Chris Horne said in a written statement to the Times Union. GE's detailed response last week to questions about the company's tax breaks marked the company's first public statements on the issue since November, when 34 of the remaining battery employees were given a 90-day notice that their jobs were being eliminated.

The company said 13 of those found other jobs in the company, adding: "GE's investment of $170 million also far exceeded our original commitment of $100 million."

But state Assemblyman James Tedisco, a Republican from Glenville whose district formerly included Schenectady, said it's his understanding that many of the union employees who transferred inside the company  most to the steam turbine/generator business  were filling spots that were left vacant through attrition, and that the company did not create the jobs it promised.

"If these corporations want our assistance, want our grants, our funding, they have to retain those jobs for a minimal amount of time ... or they have to give that money back," Tedisco said. "It doesn't appear to me they're living up to their obligation."

The $47.7 million in possible tax credits and grants the Schenectady battery plant received is arguably small compared to the billions in other incentives General Electric has accrued over the years for its worldwide business.

Empire State Development, the state's economic development arm, noted in its plans for the battery facility that since 2000 it has given GE, or GE-affiliated companies, five other grants totaling $28 million to create or retain jobs in New York state.

In terms of the battery plant, GE's initial technology involved a battery that could quickly produce power while storing large amounts of electricity.

It was meant at first for buses and locomotives, but GE then switched to look at it for the telecommunications industry.

It's believed the cost of producing the batteries, in tandem with the lowering price of oil and gas, contributed to Durathon's suspension.

"Durathon battery technology is well-suited for certain applications, but isn't cost effective enough compared to other battery technologies," said Horne, GE's spokesperson. "To be competitive, we sometimes have to make difficult business decisions, and unfortunately market realities required a shift in our strategy."

The Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority, which borrowed $5 million to give to GE as part of an incentive package to have the battery plant located in that city, continues to cheer the creation of the Durathon plant. Metroplex borrows the money for its grants and then uses the small percentage of Schenectady County's sales tax  less than one percent  that is dedicated to Metroplex to pay back the loan. Under that formula, it cost Metroplex about $60,000 to borrow the money for GE.

"The fact that GE held on to those employees, that those people are working today in Schenectady, is a positive, very positive outcome," said Ray Gillen, Metroplex's chairman. "It's not right to say the plant closed. The building is open."

Mike Ferrar, acting director of the New York state Authorities Budget Office, said local authorities or industrial development agencies often consider any new employment  even fleeting  a win if the company has threatened to lay off employees or move jobs elsewhere. As a result, many authorities across the state still do not include language in grant or tax-break agreements that require money to be returned if expectations aren't met.

"It's more of that relationship of: 'We're just happy that you're here,'" Ferrar said.

General Electric had been studying locations across the country for the battery plant.

As detailed in a 2011 New York Times story, General Electric is one of the most successful American companies at lobbying for changes in federal tax laws and obtaining tax credits.

Before announcing the creation of the plant with then-Gov. David Paterson in 2009, GE worked out a state and local deal that involved a complex package of $20 million in grants, and additional local and state sales tax breaks on construction materials that in the end added to $2.2 million.

GE also attempted to receive federal stimulus funding for the plant from the Department of Energy. After that failed, it was successful at being eligible for up to $25.5 million in tax credits under a Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing program announced by the White House in January 2010.

The battery plant was part of $115.5 million in tax credits GE got through that program for sites stretching from Vermont to Alabama.

The company, however, said the level of battery plant credits is still being reviewed by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS would not release details on GE's case, saying tax information relating to a specific entity or individual is private.

The battery plant's money grants were comprised of the $5 million in Metroplex money; a $2.5 million research grant from the New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and a $12.5 million grant from Empire State Development.

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The local union then had to negotiate a temporary layoff of workers in turbine and generator manufacturing with the company in order to reduce costs ahead of the plant's opening, the Times Union reported in 2010.

"The reality is GE is a tremendously profitable company, with billions and billions of dollars in profits," said Ron Deutsch, executive director of the Fiscal Policy Institute, a non-partisan think tank in New York state. "Quite honestly, they don't need our tax incentives to locate anywhere. ... It's not a good use of taxpayer dollars."

Empire State Development had a jobs agreement with what was called GEMx Technologies, the limited liability company name used by the battery plant. GE says that the entire grant has been paid. But there was a recapture stipulation in the agreement that called for certain percentages of money to be paid back if employment levels weren't met up to five years after the state's payment to the company was made.

On Saturday, ESD spokesperson Chyresse Wells sent the Times Union a statement saying GE will continue to employ nearly 300 former GEMx workers and the state's project review showed "GE far exceeded investment commitments... and, for two years, its job commitment as well."

The City of Schenectady Industrial Development Agency said at the plant's height in 2013 it employed 386 workers, according to documents filed with the state Authorities Budget Office. General Electric's spokesperson said that number was only based on a quarterly estimate, and the company maintains that at one point 450 people did work there in 2014.

In September 2014, however, union workers were put into a temporary layoff when an industrial furnace in the factory malfunctioned. Those with at least six months experience got paid 75 percent of their wages while they waited for the problem to get fixed. Then in January 2015, GE announced production would be greatly scaled back, with 50 employees remaining at the factory.

Brian Sullivan, business agent for the unionized workers at the plant, defended GE's actions concerning the battery plant and its levels of employment.

"Any employee who wanted to continue to maintain their employment had that opportunity. Anyone who wished to leave, was offered a generous exit package," Sullivan wrote the Times Union in an email. "It is unprecedented that a negotiation like this could happen. The company and the union were able to agree to relocate all our folks, without any layoffs! That is huge! OUR biggest investment are the employees! That is how we all stay in business!"

Sullivan said out of 235 unionized workers at the plant, 61 took a buyout before the plant's closure, with the remaining employees switching to the steam turbine business.

In February 2015, the Times Union reported some employees chose to leave when faced with changes in shifts and work responsibilities.

General Electric said they're actively looking for new manufacturing opportunities for Building 66.

GE is now working on customizing batteries depending on the type of system it will be used in.

"GE remains committed to its Energy Storage business," said Horne, GE's spokesperson. "To meet the needs of today's evolving global market we have transformed into a full energy storage system and solutions provider, rather than simply a battery manufacturer."

lstanforth@timesunion.com  518-454-5697
Last week a visibly emotional President Barack bama poked at the raw nerve that is America's ferociously contentious and continuing argument over gun control.

He took to the bully pulpit to announce executive actions that would clarify and tweak existing laws. The president expanded required federal licensing for some involved in private gun sales previously excluded, which means a modest expansion of background checks. He proposed more ATF and FBI agents and a modernized computer system to run the existing background checks, along with closing a loophole that allows certain corporations and entities access to weapons like machine guns and sawed-off shotguns prohibited to the rest of us.

He called for accessing more mental health information through Social Security.

On the whole, these appear to be modest adjustments and expansions, and for the most part reasonable. Yet, because he chose to do them by executive action rather than engaging the opposition  Congress  he has all but guaranteed little will ultimately come of it. Congress will block needed funding for any expansion and enhancement of background checks, and no doubt counter with more obstructionist laws wherever it can to blunt whatever it can.

So the short of it is the president's ballyhooed unilateral action on gun control will be mostly remembered for the genuine tears that fell in memory of victims of recent mass shootings, but not for getting us anywhere in resolving opposing views of how to solve gun violence.

The president chose instead an emotional argument for an already emotionally overcharged issue. That was deliberate. He wanted to give political comfort to those who agree with him and a stick in the eye to the others. He succeeded, and it was supremely unhelpful.

Hardly news, but we are a nation divided on the subject of gun control. While we here in New York have a decided slant we need to remind ourselves that as reflected by those who sit in Congress representing the entire country, the divide is closer to 50-50 than we'd like to concede. Nor is one side better looking, or with a higher IQ than the other.

For the sake of discussions, let's say roughly half the country believes the path is removing as many guns from society as we can, and tightly controlling those allowed to have them. I readily admit I don't have reliable numbers, although I'm not sure anyone does.

While the other half believes the path is a better armed and more vigilant citizenry  more guns  with a tightly scrutinized prohibition as to who can't have them.

Just look at the recent aftermath interviews with the community around the December San Bernardino shootings that left 14 dead. Individual lessons learned from the horrendous event fall into these opposite camps. As we have seen time and again across the country after mass shootings, the consequence is soaring gun sales even as many lament too many guns on the street.

The over-arching lesson is that one side can't impose a solution on the other. It just won't work. It's fair game for a politician to pick a side and abuse the other, but not for a president, at least not one we want to respect.

Is there common ground that can be worked on gun control? Of course. It all comes down to genuinely satisfying the qualms and fears of both sides, recognizing the pro-gun crowd has an abiding and not unjustified distrust of government oversight, and that tons of left wing-right wing baggage comes along for the ride. Still, universal background checks, prohibiting gun sales to those on terrorist and related lists, curtailing illegal gun trafficking, funding gun violence research and a host of others can be resolved. But like everything else in our pluralistic society, there needs to be good faith negotiations and give and take. We're too polarized for that right now, but we'll get there. We have to. It's not an option.

So how do the president's executive orders of last week affect those of us in New York? Seemingly, not a great deal. We are already one of the 18 states with additional background checks to the required federal ones. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman negotiated an agreement with gun shows even before the SAFE Act that required background checks, closing that loophole.

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"But the truth is we don't really know what the president's orders will mean for gun owners in the state," says Tom King, head of the New York State Pistol and Rifle Association. That will depend on new interpretations of the rules and regs handed down from the Justice Department, the ATF and FBI, that will trickle down to law enforcement, gun shops and ultimately gun owners. "As always, the devil is in the details," King added. There seems a confusion especially about mental health reporting via Social Security.

Mental illness has been a ping-pong ball in this debate. It's convenient for both sides to lay much of our gun problems on the mentally ill, when the evidence is not there. Only a quarter of those directly involved in high-profile mass shootings reveal mental health issues or history. Research by the New York State Bar Association shows only about 5 percent of gun violence annually is related to mental illness.

Speaking of raw, unbiased numbers, consider this: violent crime and gun deaths have been on a steep decline in this country for three decades. There were half as many gun deaths per capita in America last year as in 1993, even as gun sales have soared in this century.

Could it possibly be gun violence isn't mostly about guns?

flebrun@timesunion.com  518-454-5453
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10

Armenia doesn't want peace, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Jan.10 in an opening speech at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in 2015 and objectives for the future.

Armenia wants to maintain the status quo as long as possible, it is unwilling to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories and accepts negotiations as a process, trying to buy time, said the president.

Ilham Aliyev stressed that Armenia wants to see the negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement as a never-ending process in the future.

The president noted that Azerbaijan's position is completely different.

"We want the conflict to be resolved and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have repeatedly stated that they also want the conflict to be settled. Unfortunately, no pressure in this direction is exerted on the occupier," he said.
[January 10, 2016] Chick-fil-A Social Media Ranks #1, ahead of Amazon and Netflix

ATLANTA, Jan. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Moxie, a marketing and technology agency, formally announced today through the use of eValue data of 2015 social media performance, Engagement Labs has ranked Chick-fil-A (CFA) #1 top favorite American brand on all major social platforms: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.









Ranking Facebook Twitter Instagram 1 Chick-fil-A Inc. Chick-fil-A Inc. Chick-fil-A Inc. 2 Costco Netflix Netflix 3 Amazon Walmart Amazon 4 JetBlue Airways Amazon Target 5 Coca-Cola JetBlue Airways Walmart







Source: Engagement Labs eValue 2015 rankings of America's 10 favorite brands for 2015



"It represents the cumulative and collective effect of doing social right over time," said Michael McCathren, Director New Market Strategy at Chick-fil-A. Moxie has been Chick-fil-A's social media agency of record since 2008. Since that time, the social community for the Atlanta-based quick service restaurant (QSR) has grown to more than 8 million strong, with the fastest growing channel  Instagram  seeing both average likes and comments per post up nearly 150% since 2014. "Chick-fil-A has been a tremendous partner for us," shared Kristina Jonathan, EVP of Strategy at Moxie. "The trust we have built has enabled our social strategy and creative teams to create experiences that drive brand participation authentically across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr," she added. "One way we've continued to push the boundaries and evolve for Chick-fil-A has been by fully leveraging our agile content studio for them  Unit3C." Unit3C is Moxie's fully-equipped, on-site production studio. It is complete with multiple editing bays and hybridized staff who can direct, shoot and edit. Unit3C creates quality content inside of an innovative, rapid creation process. "Unit3C is a critical part of our evolved social media practice, which is ready to deliver meaningful, real-time messaging for progressive brands," said Erik Hostetler, VP Group Creative Director of Unit3C at Moxie. "For Chick-fil-A, we've been pushing the boundaries in the last 12 months with highly relevant and timely content created inside of our signature 24-hour cycles," he added. "Our partnership with Moxie and Unit3C took our social creative to the next level. It allowed us to be agile, nimble, strategic and really understand what our customers are looking for in the social space," said Kristen Hunter, Social & Digital Marketing Manager for Chick-fil-A. About Moxie (www.moxieusa.com) Moxie is a modern marketing solutions agency that expertly leverages the value of data, content and technology to help our clients grow. We push the boundaries of what's possible to outperform the competition in the areas of strategy, creative, social marketing, media, analytics and technology development. Founded in 2000, Moxie has nearly 500 talented employees in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Pittsburgh. Owned by global media giant Zenith  part of the Publicis Groupe. Moxie's client roster includes Verizon Wireless, Verizon FiOS, The Coca-Cola Company, 20th Century Fox, Chick-fil-A, Nike, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and Cisco Systems. Media Contact: Jessica Carruth, Senior Marketing & PR Manager, 470-225-3341, [email protected] Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/320207-Unit3C_Reel.mp4 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chick-fil-a-social-media-ranks-1-ahead-of-amazon-and-netflix-300201788.html SOURCE Moxie

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City Council discuss owner occupied home rehabilitation program

The $250,000 grant would be would be split between 15-20 city homeowners, who would be afforded up to $15,000 each for repairs to their homes.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10

Trend:

The year 2016 was declared the Year of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Jan.10.

He made the remarks at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in 2015 and objectives for the future.

This decision was made taking into account the fact that Azerbaijan brings an important contribution to the traditions of tolerance and intercultural, as well as intercivilization dialogue.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10

By Samir Ali - Trend:

Another special operation was held by law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan in Baku's Nardaran settlement.

Three people were arrested as a result of the special operation. The residents of the township Muradpur Heydar (1963), Mursal Gasimov (1959) and Rahib Guliyev (1983) were detained as suspects.

Heydar was searched and 1,120 grams of marijuana were found during the search.

During the operation, a hunting rifle was seized from Gasimov, who had no permit for it, while F-1 (hand) grenade was seized from Guliyev.

In accordance with the decision of Baku Sabunchi district court, a preventive measure in the form of arrest was chosen against Heydar and Guliyev, while administrative arrest was chosen against Gasimov.

On Nov. 26, five members of a criminal group, operating under the guise of religion, were killed during a police operation in the township of Nardaran, some 25 km northeast of Baku. Two police officers were also killed in the standoff.

Fourteen members of the criminal group were arrested along with the group's ringleader Taleh Baghirov.
Whether absorbing an art exhibition or grabbing a bite before a show, all those dollars add up to big business for Flagstaff arts and culture.

In 2012, Americans for the Arts released Economic Prosperity IV. The most comprehensive study of its kind, the low-cost tool found the non-profit arts and culture sectors to be a $135.2 billion industry nationwide.

The Flagstaff Arts Council collected data from 37 local non-profit organizations and 1,332 audience members at cultural events like Flagstaff Symphony concerts and NAU Art Museum exhibitions. AFTAs model determined these sectors to be a compelling economic driver, with a combined $73 million annual budget and $7.6 million in state and local tax revenue.

In a partnership between the Arts Council and the City of Flagstaff, another round of data collection is about to be underway. Economic Prosperity Five will survey participating non-profits and cultural event attendees now through the end of 2016 and present the results in summer of 2017.

Apples to apples

In the surveying years 2010-2011, the non-profit arts and sciences sectors proved to be a $72,938,282 industry in Flagstaff alone. Yet with an industry standard of compiling an economic impact study every five years, Arts Council Executive Director John Tannous noted its time to collect new data.

It is not the same study exactly, but it uses the foundation of the prior study, and improves on it, he said. AFTA has been doing these studies for 25 years. They have built a strong program.

Project economists with the Georgia Institute of Technology customized the analysis models for each study region offering reliable results, noted the study guidelines. But these numbers dont just look pretty on a page.

The 2012 study was incredibly helpful in that it's the first time a study was conducted that included the entire non-profit arts and sciences sector in Flagstaff, including arts programs at NAU that serve the community, Tannous said. For us, the most exciting part of doing this again five years later is that we'll have our first comparative tool to see growth for the sector. We will be able to compare apples to apples, this study to the last. That will be a first for the arts in Flagstaff.

Bolstering the BBB

Annually, the voter-approved BBB tax allocates a portion, $400,000, for the Arts Council to administer in grants to art and science programs, projects and individuals. The 2012 study found for every one of those dollars, 64 return to the local economy from tourists and residents.

With this study and other factors presenting the arts and sciences as such a driving force, Tannous said its effects surface in new initiatives like Artbox Institute or beautification programs. With the arts allocation expected to increase this year, Tannous noted other programs could be on the rise, and outlined the reasons for the study.

We the voters have approved the BBB fund, and we deserve regular reporting and assessment on the progress of the fund, Tannous said, noting this study, plus the Arts Councils regular and Annual Report to City council are parts of the sum. The BBB Revenues have been going up, and this study shows that the arts and sciences play a big part in that growth.

Secondly, he said, arts and science non-profits can use this information to draw funding support so donors can see quantifiable evidence of the arts strong support of the Flagstaff economy.

Tannous added, The biggest outcome was that funding for the arts and sciences through the City of Flagstaff remained mostly level throughout the recession, and now we're hoping its poised to begin rising.

The numbers

The $73 million figure represents direct expenses of the 37 non-profit organizations that participated in the last study  from the Museum of Northern Arizona to Northern Arizona University and smaller NPOs like the Artists Coalition of Flagstaff. It also includes attendees spending at local businesses, as 1,332 audience members reported on questionnaires at the events over the course of one year.

Karl Eberhard, the City of Flagstaffs arts liaison, Community Design and Redevelopment Manager and Historic Preservation Officer, noted the BBBs Arts & Science fund is the primary information source.

For us, there are two basic parts: One is our contract with the Flagstaff Arts Council and the other is Public Art. Sometimes within the Arts & Science fund and sometimes under other funds there are other investments that dont fit these two however,  We coordinate with the Flagstaff Arts Council on these contract portions so as not to duplicate data, Eberhard said.

In weighing the benefits of this comprehensive study, Eberhard explained the City and the Arts Council are on the same page: Understanding the economics is important for any community.

Without knowledge of a sectors contribution, any such decisions are made blind, he said. For us, the arts sector is strong  a vital part of our local economy. It is often portrayed as extra or something less than an important part of our local economy. The prior study has shown otherwise.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 9



By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:



Tehran and Riyadh took the direction towards cutting the commercial ties. However, it appears that the economic competition is going to have no winner as trade volumes between Iran and Saudi Arabia are paltry with a turnover of $146 million between March and September 2015.



Responding to a recent decision by Riyadh to halt commercial ties with Iran, Tehran banned the import of products from Saudi Arabia Jan. 7.



Over the past week, the relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have severely deteriorated following the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, on Jan. 2.



Saudi Arabia and its allies including Sudan, Djibouti, Bahrain and the UAE joined diplomatic action against Iran following the break into the embassy in Tehran, breaking off or downgrading relations with Iran over the past week.

Iran Saudi Arabia UAE Sudan Djibouti Kuwait Population (2013) 77.45m 28.83 m 9.346 m 37.96 m 0.8m 3.369 m GDP(2013)billion USD  368.9 748.4 402.3 66.57 1.456 175.8 source: World Bank

Iran exported $113.1 million worth of goods to Saudi Arabia during the first seven month of the current Iranian fiscal year (started March 21, 2015), meanwhile imports accounted for $33.1 million.



According to the Iranian customs service the Islamic Republic imported aluminum cans for beverages and their pull tabs as well as polyethylene from Saudi Arabia, last year. This is while Saudi Arabia imported products of sponge iron, iron bullions and non-alloy steel as well as saffron from Iran.

Trade turnover (March-September 2015) Iran export to saudi Arabia $113,143,382 Iran import from Saudi Arabia $33,070,284 Source: Iran Customs Administration

Tehran's only non-oil exports was estimated about $24.131 billion between March and September last year, which proves that the size of Iran's trade turnover with its rival compared to the Islamic Republic's economy is very small.



While Saudi export's amounted for $343.3 billion in 2014, Iran's export of goods and services in 2014-15 was estimated about $93.9 billion with $55.4 billion dollar of oil and gas exports, according to IMF.



Coming to a possible ban by Iran on hajj pilgrimage, which is very unlikely as it is considered as the most important religious ritual among Muslims, the Saudi income from Iranian pilgrims is estimated about $70 million which is not a huge amount compared to Saudi Arabia's estimated revenue of $8.5 billion from the ritual.



The aforementioned figures only further confirm the opinion that the latest decision to put restrictions over trade ties is unlikely to have a significant impact on the economy of the rival states.

Farhad Daneshvar is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow him on Twitter:@farhad_danesh
Head of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said that following Saudi Arabia's repeated failures before Iran, its decision to sever relations was a pre-planned move, IRNA reported.

'Te decision was made because of its heavy defeats in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon,' Alaeddin Boroujerdi said at a meeting to mark martyrdom of an Iranian diplomat during annual Hajj rituals in Saudi Arabia last year.

The senior MP criticized angry protests before Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashad and said, 'We have been following wisdom and prudence in every field from beginning to now.'

Saying that Iran reserves the right to encounter Saudi Arabia in a stronger way, he added, 'In majority of the cases, our diplomacy should be based on wisdom.'

'The first damage which entering the Saudi embassy inflicted on our diplomacy was that it showed Iran is an unsafe country,' he said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10

By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:

The US lawmakers have recently introduced several bills including the HR158 which are all aimed at killing a nuclear deal reached between Iran and the world major powers in July 2015, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani said, IRNA news agency reported Jan. 10.

Larijani has said that amendments to the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) violate the nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action/JCPOA) reached between Tehran and the world powers in July 2015 to settle out Tehran's nuclear issue.

The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of about 38 countries, mostly European, to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The amendment to the program imposes restrictions on foreigners who intend to visit the US.

Under the new bill, HR158, citizens of many EU countries as well as others, including Japan and Australia, who travel to Iran for business or other purposes, will have to obtain a visa if they wish to visit the US.

If the US government does not stop the implementation of those bills, Iranian lawmakers will propose legislation to encounter the US bills, Larijani added.

According to the July nuclear deal, financial sanctions imposed by the West against Iran, its banking system and industry over Tehran's nuclear program, are expected to be lifted in return for scaling down the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

However, many Iranians argue that the legislation contradicts the Article 29 of the nuclear deal which states "the EU and its Member States and the United States, consistent with their respective laws, will refrain from any policy specifically intended to directly and adversely affect the normalization of trade and economic relations with Iran inconsistent with their commitments not to undermine the successful implementation of this JCPOA."
Kansas City Tech Fights Crime

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Spain, in particular Tenerife, and Greece are Thomas Cook's most searched-for destinations for a summer holiday

Popular British newspaper Mirror reports that Greece is the word for 2016 based on early holiday bookings

According to its article, January bookings are a weather vane for the travel industry  early indicators of customer confidence and popular destinations.

Last year Paris topped Googles travel-related searches. This year its dropped out of the Top 10, leaving the number one spot for perennial favourite New York (which came third last year).

Greece and Tenerife are the big winners

While destinations that are consistently popular such as Australia and Italy remain, Turkey also fails to make the Top 10 this year.

The big winners are Greece and Tenerife .

Googles findings are borne out by Thomas Cook. A spokesman said: Spain, in particular Tenerife, and Greece are our most searched-for destinations for a summer holiday.

Website popular searches

Its the same picture with easyJet. When it comes to beach holidays, there is a real focus on Spain and Portugal , with the most popular searches being for Tenerife, Majorca, Lanzarote, Ibiza and the Algarve, says Mandy Round of easyJet Holidays.  Madeira is performing more strongly than we would normally expect for this time of year. Cyprus and Malta are also doing well.

On Monday, British Airways website traffic was up 10 per cent on this time last year. New York led the searches, followed by Orlando , but the biggest increase has been for Jamaica  up 335 per cent!

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Tehran, Iran, Jan. 10

By Mehdi Sepahvand -- Trend:

The Iranian Navy is going to stage a war game in less than ten days, Deputy Commander Qolamreza Khadem Bigham said.

Pointing to threats the country faces, he said the drill will be staged to the north of the Indian Ocean, Tasnim news agency reported January 10.

Bigham made the statement in a ceremony welcoming Fleet 37 of the Iranian Army back home.

Pointing to speculations that Bab el-Mandeb is going to be closed, the commander said international regulations do not allow any country to close shipping ways even during wars.

He concluded by adding that Iran's Fleet 38 is taking off to the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb in a few days.

There have been speculations that Djibouti is going to block the way on Iranian commercial ships after it severed ties with Iran. The African country did so after Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in a political skirmish.
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Bank Audi Egypt plans to invest EGP8 billion ($1 billion) in different sectors during 2016, the banks deputy chairman and managing director said.



The bank will grant part of these loans on its own, while the remainder will be granted in cooperation with other banks through the syndicated loans it will arrange, Mohamed Abbas Fayed told Daily News Egypt.



In 2015, the bank signed loans worth EGP7.7 billion, he added.



The bank is about to sign an agreement within days with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for a loan that would be directed to fund the small and medium projects, Fayed was quoted as saying.



Loans portfolio directed to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at Bank Audi Egypt currently amounts to EGP 300 million, he said, adding that a new plan aims to double the volume of loans presented to that sector several times.
Iran has secured 87-million ($95 million) finance from Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the construction of Sarney dam near the city of Minab in the southern province of Hormozgan,said a report.



The funding will be used for developing a water transmission system and a treatment plant for the supply of water to Minab, reported the Tasnim News Agency citing a top official.



The dam will boast a storage capacity of 28 million cu m per annum, of which 19 million cu m will be consumed for drinking and nine million cu m for the irrigation purposes, said Mohammad Honarbakhsh, the director of project.



The dam project will come on stream in the first quarter of 2019, he added.
A total of 22 French companies will present their products and services to airlines and maintenance centers at the upcoming Aircraft Interiors and MRO Middle East Shows next month in Dubai, UAE.



The events run on February 3 and 4 at Dubai World Trade Centre.



Business France, the national agency supporting international development of the French economy, is organizing the French Pavilion at the shows dedicated to the fitting-out and maintenance of aircraft.



Twelve of the French companies are from the Midi-Pyrenees region and will be exhibiting with the support of Madeeli, the regional development agency, and Aerospace Valley, the local competitiveness cluster.



French Pavilion is expected to once again attract the attention of the visitors as a result, in particular, of the wide diversity of its exhibitors and their expertise.  TradeArabia News Service
Yemen's former president said on Friday he would not negotiate with the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, throwing into doubt the fate of peace talks on ending the conflict in Yemen which are due to restart later this month.



Ali Abdullah Saleh, who enjoys the loyalty of the armed forces despite having stepped down from office nearly four years ago after months of protests, had joined forces with the Iran-allied Houthis in fighting a Saudi-led alliance trying to shore up Hadi.



The warring sides held the latest round of peace talks in December but failed to find a political solution that would end the conflict, which has killed nearly 6,000 people. Negotiations are set to resume on January 14.



"There will be no dialogue with the mercenaries who are seeking power ... there will only be dialogue with the Saudi regime," Saleh said in a television address on his television station, Yemen Today.



A coalition led by Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Muslim allies has been fighting the Shi'ite Houthi movement, which controls the capital, since March 2015.



The United Nations said UN Yemen envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was in Riyadh and would be travelling to Sanaa "soon".



Riyadh sees the Houthis as a proxy for bitter regional rival Iran to expand its influence. They deny this and say they are waging a revolution against a corrupt government and Gulf Arab powers beholden to the West.



A growing diplomatic dispute between Riyadh and Tehran, triggered by Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric, has damaged the outlook for any resolution to the conflict in the Arabian Peninsula nation.-Reuters
Saudi Arabia's Almarai, the largest dairy company in the Gulf, has spent $31.8 million to buy land in California to supply its business with alfalfa hay, it said on Sunday.



The 1,790 acres of land, acquired through Almarai's Fondomonte California operation and located in Blythe in the southeast corner of the US state, was financed through its own resources, the company said in a statement to the Saudi bourse.



Almarai, which already owns land in Arizona, said the purchase was part of efforts to secure high-quality hay from outside Saudi Arabia, in line with Saudi government policy.



Saudi Arabia is phasing out the growing of crops and fodder because of the strain such cultivation places on scarce water resources in the desert kingdom. The cultivation of green fodder will end in the next three years, a December cabinet statement said.



Almarai's costs will increase by SR200 million ($53 million) this year because of the ban on green fodder, with the amount rising each year until the company imports all its green fodder by 2019, it said in a separate bourse filing on Sunday.



The purchase comes at a time when California is suffering its own water shortages. The state is in its fourth year of drought conditions, forcing residents and businesses to curtail water usage.



California's drought is expected to have cost the state's economy an estimated $2.74 billion last year, with farmers having to fallow 542,000 acres of land because of dry conditions and difficulty obtaining water for irrigation, according to research from the University of California. - Reuters
Iraq has extended a ban on imports of frozen and live poultry products to cover two dozen countries, including China and South Africa, the government said on Sunday.



Baghdad last month restricted poultry imports from France, where an outbreak of avian flu has been reported.



"The import of poultry and birds of all kinds ... as well as both types of eggs (table and hatching), feathers and all products that use poultry or their products ... is prohibited," a government statement said.



The agriculture ministry could not be contacted for immediate comment, but a ministry spokesman previously said that the ban on French poultry was because of avian flu.



The affected exporters are Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Palestine, South Africa, South Korea and Vietnam.



Highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu first infected humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong. Since its re-emergence in 2003 and 2004, H5N1 has spread from Asia to Europe and Africa, causing millions of poultry infections, several hundred human cases and many human deaths.  Reuters
Iran says it will not allow Saudi Arabia's provocations to adversely affect ongoing efforts aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria, Press TV reported.

"What we are [currently] witnessing in the arena of regional developments is Saudi Arabia's agitating approach," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told the visiting United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, in Tehran on Sunday.

"Saudi Arabia intends to leave a negative impact on Syria's crisis through its escalating actions," he said, adding, "We will not allow Saudi Arabia's tension-generating approaches to leave a negative impact on [the efforts aimed at the] resolution of the Syria crisis."

Zarif's remarks come amid growing criticism of Saudi Arabia following the January 2 execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who was a vocal critic of Riyadh's policies, alongside 46 other people.

The execution has provoked widespread global backlash, including in Iran.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Iran on January 3 following demonstrations held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in the northeastern city of Mashhad by angry protesters censuring the Al Saud family for the killing of Nimr.

Some people mounted the walls of the consulate in Mashhad while incendiary devices were hurled at the embassy in Tehran. Some 60 people were detained over the transgression.
Iran is planning investment in the construction of an oil refinery in Spain with the capacity of refining 200,000 barrels of oil per day, a top official said.



The project will guarantee Iran's oil sale to Spain, Abbas Kazemi, Deputy Petroleum Minister and managing director of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC), told Irna, Irans official news agency.



Spanish companies have offered a series of proposals for the setting up of refinery in the country, using Iranian crude oil, Kazemi explained.



Iran will bear 50 per cent of the cost of development of the refinery, while the remainder will be borne by Spanish firms, he said, noting that talks were underway for the proposal.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10

By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:

Iran's Intelligence Ministry has arrested three oil officials on corruption charges, an intelligence deputy minister said.

The ministry has arrested three managers of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) who were allegedly involved in "financial crimes" committed in 2012-2013, an unnamed deputy intelligence minister in charge of anti-corruption bureau told ISNA news agency Jan. 9.

According to the deputy minister the suspects are accused of involving in financial crimes worth 200 million euros carried out through organizing "limited tenders".

He further added that four individuals who are not the government's staff have also been arrested in connection with the same corruption case.

Earlier in December 2013, Iranian judiciary officials accused Babak Zanjani, an Iranian billionaire, of massive fraud at the Oil Ministry and money laundering. He has been kept under custody and attended court hearing sessions since then.

According to its website, the IOOC is a large offshore oil producing company which shares one third of Iranian oil export, operating in Iranian side of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.

Iran's current oil production is estimated to be around 2.8 million barrels per day of which about one million barrels are exported.

By holding 157 billion barrels of recoverable crude oil reserves, Iran possesses the world's fourth largest oil reserves.
Arab foreign ministers condemned attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran and warned on Sunday that the country would face wider opposition if it continued its "interference" in the internal affairs of Arab states, Reuters reported.

Tensions between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Muslim Iran have escalated since Saudi authorities executed Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr on Jan. 2, triggering outrage among Shi'ites across the Middle East.

In response, Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, prompting Riyadh to sever relations. Tehran then cut all commercial ties with Riyadh, and banned pilgrims from traveling to Mecca.

Other Arab countries have recalled envoys to Iran and the United Arab Emirates downgraded relations in solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

"Iran has to decide what kind of neighbor it wants to be: a good neighbor or a chaotic neighbor and so far it behaves like the latter," UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said following an emergency Arab League meeting in Cairo.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said cutting commercial and diplomatic ties was a first step, and that his country would discuss potential further actions against Iran with its regional and international allies. He gave no further details.
Albanian radicals threw "Molotov cocktails" in the yard of a government building and police cars. Law enforcement dispersed a group of demonstrators from the government quarter in the side streets, Sputnik reported.



Kosovo opposition activists on Saturday showered stones and "Molotov cocktails" on to Parliament - the legislative headquarters of the self-proclaimed republic - along with police cars during a rally in Pristina. Several policemen were injured; law enforcement officers are currently trying to push the protesters out of the government quarter, according to Kosovo media.

Another action by three major opposition parties - "Self-Determination", "Alliance for the Future of Kosovo" and "Initiative for Kosovo" - began at 2 p.m. local time. Albanian radicals started setting fire to the parliament building as legislators met inside. Police put out "Molotov cocktails" thrown into the yard and police cars, but police officers were injured by thrown stones.





Over the past four months, opposition activists have been blocking any meetings of the Legislative Assembly of Kosovo. They are protesting against the agreement with Serbia on the establishment of the Community of Serb province communities (MTR). Under the agreement, the MTR should be entitled to self-government, its own flag and other attributes of autonomy. Albanian radicals also contest the summer 2015 signed an agreement with Montenegro on the determination of the state border line.

"We call on all citizens of Kosovo to join us...We are protesting against the aggrieving agreements. We demand to bring to justice to those who have violated the constitution, and we insist on their resignation," Ramush Haradinaj, the leader of the "Agliana for the future of Kosovo" party was quote by RTK media as saying.

MPs who disagree with the policies of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) led by Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led by Prime Minister Isa Mustafa have repeatedly pelted tear gas grenades at the parliament building as their supporters in the streets rioted and clashed with the police.





In November, a court based in Pristina issued orders to arrest opposition leaders. More than a dozen activists, including the leader of the "Self-Determination" party Albin Kurti and Donika Kadai-Buyupi, the head of the parliamentary group "Alliance for the Future of Kosovo," are currently in custody. Their supporters have repeatedly said that the protests would end until Prime Minister Mustafa withdraws his signature from the agreement with Belgrade and Podgorica.



In late October, the self-proclaimed republic has transferred an agreement with Serbia for review by the Constitutional Court. According to the court's decision released on December 23, some parts of the deal between Belgrade and Pristina on the formation of the MTR, signed by the parties in Brussels, did not quite correspond to the Constitution of Kosovo, but the formation of the MTR could be continued. President of the unrecognized republic Atifete Jahjaga and Prime Isa Mustafa urged Kosovo's political forces to accept the decision of the Constitutional Court, triggering a new wave of protests.


The US transferred B-52 a strategic bomber to South Korea due to the recent nuclear weapon test carried out by North Korea, Sputnik reported with the reference to the South Korean agency Yonhap.



The bomber transferred from the US military base of Guam in the Pacific Ocean and entered the South Korean airspace in the area of Osan in the Gyeonggi Province.



"This is the second retaliation of the South since North Korea announced the hydrogen bomb test," - said the agency. The first measure was the renewal of propaganda broadcasting from loudspeakers on the territory of the DPRK.



On Wednesday, Pyongyang announced it had successfully carried out the first test of a hydrogen bomb. The international community has condemned the test as provocative, and undermining stability in the region.



The UN resolutions of 1718 and 1814 urge Pyongyang to refrain from nuclear tests and reengage in talks on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.






Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 10

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

As many as 450 Turkish citizens joined the militants of the terrorist organization "Islamic State" in Syria in 2015, the Turkish Haberturk newspaper reported.

Those who joined the IS militants are residents of Ankara, according to the newspaper.

It also reported that according to the intelligence service of the country, 100 people from those who joined the IS militants in Syria received bomb-making skills.

Some of these people are now located on the territory of the Syrian cities occupied by militants, particularly in the city of Raqqa, which is considered the center of the IS, according to the newspaper.

The intelligence service has information that the citizens of the country that underwent a training in the ranks of the IS militants intend to return to Turkey for the preparation of terrorist attacks, said the newspaper.

Two suicide bombers who planned terrorist attacks during the New Year celebrations were arrested in Ankara in late December 2015.

Some 97 people were killed and more than 240 people were injured as a result of the terrorist act committed in Ankara October 10. According to the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, the IS committed this terrorist attack.

Earlier, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization warned of the possibility of committing other terrorist attacks in the country.

Some 20 more suicide bombers are preparing to commit the terrorist attacks in different cities in Turkey, the statement said.

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
There will be a new sheriff in town come November.

Coconino County Sheriff Bill Pribil is retiring, and his chief deputy, Jim Driscoll, is the first to jump officially into the race.

Driscoll, a Democrat, filed paperwork in May 2015 with the Coconino County Elections Office indicating his intention to run but did not formally announce his candidacy until today.

Driscoll has more than 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Sheriffs Office and seven years as the emergency manager for Coconino County. He moved to Flagstaff as a child in 1958 and has worked in the county for his entire professional career. He started at the Coconino County Sheriffs Office in 1974 under then-Sheriff Joe Richards and rose through the ranks alongside current Sheriff William Pribil, who is retiring this year.

Weve seen so much change within our department, as well as Coconino County, Driscoll said. I want to be able to take that history and knowledge and to move us forward. Understanding where weve been is important to understanding where we need to go.

Both of Driscolls brothers also went into law enforcement. He said he joined the profession because it was an exciting field with the potential to improve his fellow Coconino County residents quality of life.

It also provided that opportunity to learn about how things work and making a difference, he said. Thats what Ive always believed in, that I can make a difference in whatever I do and leaving it better than I found it.

Driscoll, who describes himself as a recovering fly fisherman, chose the Sheriffs Office over Flagstaff Police Department, he said, because he loves the outdoors.

I think it was the search and rescue aspect that attracted me to this business, Driscoll said. Its outdoors, its out in the remote areas and I love that.

He has worked in the Flagstaff area, as well as in Page, Williams, Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Havasupai Reservation and the Navajo Nation throughout his employment with the Sheriffs Office. The sheriff even loaned Driscoll to Sedona to be its interim police chief in 2010.

Two of the programs he is most proud of within the Sheriffs Office are the Community Emergency Response Team and the Search and Rescue Unit, with which he has been heavily involved. Both are primarily volunteer programs with more than 100 members apiece.

Were on pace to probably have the highest search and rescue activity that weve had in years, Driscoll said. We have some great people and it is all volunteers  people who go out and do this for free, day and night, rain or shine  and theyre extremely professional and proficient.

He also noted that the programs save the county tens of thousands of dollars per year by using volunteers.

In addition, Driscoll developed the Sheriffs Offices community policing program, which he cites as another big accomplishment, and was one of the founding members of the AZ Sheriffs Search and Rescue Association.

As chief deputy, his job now is mostly oversight of all the departments within the Sheriffs Office, including the jail. He has administrative duties, as well as political responsibilities, like building relationships with other agencies and working with lawmakers on pending legislation. Driscoll has also been sent to Russia twice to provide search and rescue training there and speak at international conferences.

Im very fortunate, he said. Ive just gotten to do so many cool things in life. The opportunities have been really fun and I still love what I do.

Driscoll lists the 1988 murder of 9-year-old Jennifer Wilson, the 1992 manhunt for bank robber Danny Ray Horning, the fatal 2008 medical helicopter crash over Flagstaff and the August 2015 death of a 5-year-old who went missing from a campsite south of Jacob Lake as among the benchmark cases of his career. But there is one case  a seemingly low-profile search and rescue operation  that will always stand out for him.

Ive caught murderers; Ive caught bad guys; Ive caught bank robbers and prison escapees, Driscoll said. But the best thing I ever did was give a 3-year-old daughter back to her parents when she had been lost in the woods. Bar none, that was the most rewarding. It beat all that other stuff.

Do not expect sweeping changes within the Coconino County Sheriffs Office if Driscoll wins the election this November. The chief deputy credits Richards and Pribil with setting the department on the right track. Instead, he said, he hopes to focus on staff leadership development, enhancing existing programs, and building new relationships with other agencies and neighborhoods.

One likely area of focus would be enhancing the mental health care resources available at the Coconino County Detention Facility.

I am concerned about mental health and how our jails have become a storage facility for mental health patients, Driscoll said. Thats not a good situation, so I want to focus efforts in that area.

He said he also wants to address seasonal traffic congestion on Highway 180 near Arizona Snowbowl in the winter and on State Route 89A in Oak Creek in the summer. Driscoll said he hopes to build more collaborative efforts to address the problem.

We cant do this by ourselves, he said. We need our community to help and we need other agencies. What I try to bring (to the position) is those relationships.

Driscoll is a graduate of Northern Arizona University, the FBI National Academy, Southwest Command College, Flagstaff Leadership Program, the Executive Leadership Program for the Naval Post Graduate School and the Leadership in Police Organizations program from AZ POST. Driscoll has served on a number of community boards and State commissions including the American Red Cross, Big Brother/Big Sisters, and Governors Homeland Security Commission. He was also an Arizona Daily Sun Citizen of the Year in 2003.

Driscoll has been married to his wife Laura for 28 years and has two grown children.

So far, no one else has indicated they intend to run against Driscoll in the fall and his campaign is self-funded.

I am not seeking any contributions, nor do I want to accept any, he said. I just think its so much easier for me as well as for the people of the county to do it that way. I want to do that on my own. I want to run a very above-board, clean, honest campaign.

Driscoll plans to launch his campaign website later this week.

I sincerely believe that with my knowledge of the county, experience and leadership, I can take the department to the next level, he said.
Turkish Airlines has canceled 29 flights in Istanbul ahead of expected heavy wind for Jan. 11, the company said on Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported.

The country's national flag carrier said in a statement that it canceled the domestic and international flights at Istanbul Ataturk Airport because of a strong southwesterly wind.

Bad weather also caused the cancellation of more than 200 flights and ferry services in Turkey's largest city last week.

Turkish Airlines passengers can go to www.turkishairlines.com or ring the airline's call center on +90 212 444 0 849 for latest information.
Fourth-graders from one of East Chinas Qingdao City elementary schools formed an anti-sibling alliance to convince their parents not to have a second child. (Photo : YouTube)

Some fourth-graders from one of East Chinas Qingdao City elementary schools formed an anti-sibling alliance as a move to convince their parents not to have a second child.



One teacher, surnamed Wang, found eight students holding secretive meetings to discuss the matter. Her students feared any siblings would take away their parents' exclusive love.



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The story spread on the Internet and WeChat, a popular mobile social media platform in China, triggering a feisty discussion about China's decision to abandon its conventional one-child policy on Jan. 1, according to China Daily. Most Netizens pointed out that children born after 2000 are selfish, since even those who agree to have a sibling mostly turn grumpy after a second child is born, while others blamed the problem on education.



Through an online comment, Wang Donghui said that her fellow parents should stop teasing their misbehaving children about getting a second child as a punishment.



Donghui wrote via Women of China: "If you stop joking about how having a second child is a bad thing for them and teach them about the fun of having siblings as companions, they would be happy to accept the idea."



The change in China's policy is meant to help control the population growth rate and address problems of an aging citizenry, as stated in a communique released after the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee in Oct. 2015.



Most parents cannot wait to take advantage of the policy. Besides fearing the opposition from their children, such parents are wary about meeting fiscal needs for a second child in terms of housing and education.



A 33-year-old mother, Zhang Xiaohui from Qingdao asserted that the cost of formula and post-school education programs would be too high.



Xiaohui said: "For a working class family, one child is OK, but raising two is a different story and my husband and I decided to give up at last."



On the contrary, many grandparents are enthusiastic about the policy and would be happy to support their children having a second baby.


To share with friends and brethren The Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (the Everlasting Gospel), and to prepare a people to stand when He returns to redeem His remnant. Also, to share relevant information of current events, and to show how they relate to prophecy; By means of articles, editorials, opinions, scripture readings, and poetry.

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Endrtimes does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article/video posted on this site. The information provided here is done so for personal edification; It's up to the reader to separate truth from error, and to examine everything (like the Bereans) from a Biblical perspective. Let the Holy Scriptures be you guide! - - - FAIR USE NOTICE: These pages/videos may contain copyrighted () material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, POLITICAL, HUMAN RIGHTS, economic, DEMOCRACY, scientific, MORAL, ETHICAL, and SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes.
Turkey intends to invite Egypt to the to the 13th Summit of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul next April, Turkeys foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

According to the online English version of the Turkish newspaper Hurryiet Daily News, Egypt will decide who will represent it at the summit. The official invitations have yet to be sent.

If the Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi decides to be Egypts representative at the summit, it will be the first high-level visit between Turkey and Egypt since former president Mohamed Mursis ouster in 2013.

Hurryiet also reported that according to diplomatic sources, Egypts prime minister Sherif Ismail may also represent Egypt at the summit.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry is yet to release its comments on the invitation.

According to its official website, the OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations. It has a membership of 57 states and describes itself as the collective voice of the Muslim world.

The Secretary General of the OIC, Iyad Ameen Madani, met with Sisi on Jan. 3 in the Egyptian presidential palace, where the two discussed how to promote and intensify joint Islamic action in all fields.

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Constitutional law professor Ali Abdel-Al was elected as Egypt's parliament speaker late in Sunday's procedural session, which saw the legislature convene for the first time in more than three years after MPs swore the constitutional oath.

The 68-year-old Abdel-Al, who was clearly favoured to win, is an Ain Shams University constitutional law emeritus professor who won a seat in an Upper Egypt governorate as part of the Pro-Egyptian State Coalition, which at the time was named the For the Love of Egypt list.



"We need to be wise concerning the legislations we issue, which must favour the people's interests," Abdel-Aal said in his first speech after being named speaker.

"We will employ self-criticism in the parliament so we can always have an evaluation of our performance. And bear in mind, the supporters of the 25 January and 30 June revolutions have made us responsible for their ambitions, so we need to meet their expectations."

Abdel-Al, who belongs to the Support Egypt parliamentary bloc, defeated six MPs, including independents Tawfik Okasha and Kamal Ahmed.

The election of a speaker was decided for the first time in the absence of a powerful ruling party. Under the 30-year rule of former president Hosni Mubarak, the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) had the upper hand in selecting the speaker and two deputies.

The MPs, who make up Egypts largest parliament to date, are divided into 448 independents, 120 party-based deputies and 28 presidential appointees.

Each MP read out the oath: "I swear by Almighty God to loyally uphold the republican system of Egypt, respect the constitution and the law, fully observe the interests of the people, and to safeguard the independence of the nation and integrity and unity of its land."

Lawyer Bahaaa Abu-Shoqa, 77, is the oldest parliamentarian, and thus, according to parliament's law, was the speaker of the first session until the MPs elect a speaker and two deputies.

Abu-Shoqa was appointed to the House of Representatives by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi as one of the 28 presidential appointees.

Four members, including businessman Farag Amer, apologised for not being able to attend the first parliamentary session.

The meeting is the first of its kind after the country's two previous parliaments were dissolved  the first in February 2011 and the second in June 2012  and after former president Mohamed Morsi was ousted from office in July 2013.

The meeting also represents the completion of the third stage of a political roadmap adopted since the removal of Morsi.

The other stages included the passing of a new constitution in January 2014 and the election of a president, former army chief El-Sisi, in June 2014.

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 10

In the aftermath of the terror attack at the Pathankot air base, security has been beefed up around cantonment areas and other defence establishments in the city.

Armed jawans could be seen patrolling around periphery areas while vehicles with heavily armed persons mounted on it found guarding the entrance gates of the cantonment area.

Security agencies have been on a high alert in border districts in the wake of the terrorist attack in which six armed ultras of the Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad were gunned down Indian soldiers.

With rumours of more terrorists on the prowl, security agencies have not been taking any risk. The recent upgrade of the security cover around the Army cantonment and other sensitive defence installations is being seen as a step in this regard.

Security at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee international Airport has also been enhanced with the deployment of a huge number of jawans of the CISF, the Punjab Police and other security agencies.
Ludhiana, January 10

A Shiv Sena leader opened fire and injured a man during a Lohri function at Tarsem Colony on the Jassian Road last night.

The accused, identified as Avdesh Sharma, who is the state president of Shiv Sena Yuva Morcha, along with his son Lov Sharma, is reportedly on the run following the incident which left one person seriously injured.

He has been booked in an attempt to murder case. Besides, the police have also booked Avdeshs aide Komal Sharma, Inderjeet Singh and seven others in the case.

The case was registered on the complaint of Sunil Kumar, a resident of Shivji Nagar. He said he went to Tarsem Colony to attend a function last night. He said some women demanded to dance on a particular song. Avdesh Sharma, who owned the DJ system at the function, allegedly misbehaved with the women.

This led to a heated argument and Avdesh pulled out his weapon in a fit of rage and opened fire. After this Avdeshs son and his accomplices attacked Sunils relative Deepak Kumar with a sharp-edged weapon.

Deepak was rushed to the hospital, where his condition was stated to be serious. The police have registered a case under Section 307 of the IPC and launched a manhunt to arrest the accused. TNS
Shelley Walia

Little Aylans fate was doomed the moment he was shoved atop a 15-foot dinghy to undertake a perilous journey over the rough seas from Turkey to Greece. Like hundreds of thousands of desperate refugees from a war-torn Middle East and North Africa, his Syrian father grew completely despondent at the prospect of his future as a Kurd, living in constant danger since 2011, first in Damascus and then in Kobani. Pitted between the pro-Assad military, the anti-Assad rebels and the new fast-emerging threat of the ISIS, he saw no choice but to trust his future in the hands of unscrupulous smugglers promising a safe passage to Greece. Three-year-old Aylan didn't stand a chance. He and his brother Ghalib drowned shortly along with their mother. Very soon his fragile little body was washed ashore. Face down, still in his shorts and shirt, his picture seared the collective conscience of the world, jolting it into a scathing recognition of the sheer scope and toll of the humanitarian refugee crisis.

It took the death of the most vulnerable to make us sit up and take notice. Churned by a brutal civil war since 2011, Syria's fate has been sealed. In this flammable mix, the arrival of the young militant ISIS jihadists, striving to decimate the country and establish a Caliphate of Islamist purism, is disastrous. To start with, the local Syrian population stayed entrenched in their homes, believing the war would end soon, that the West would surely intervene, or that Assad might be coerced to step down to bring about a fragile but workable calm.

But that did not happen. The war would become more intense impelling mass exodus of the local population. The sea of humanity first moved towards Turkey and Lebanon, then Jordan, but when these countries raised the red flag to becoming tent cities, the migrants began to swarm towards Europe.

Exiles have always been on the move across space through history: Jews, Gypsies, Moors, Turks, Syrians, slaves, and indentured and domestic labour. As one of the descendants of the Auschwitz survivors writes: World history and personal history collide. This my parents had warned me about when they taught me to always keep my bags packed. The refugee (from the Latin word fugere) is the one who reflees: first being forced to depart from one's homeland as a captive slave, and then having to escape from one's captor in favor of the refugium (asulon, asylum). In the 21st century, it is challenging to conceive of a boundary-ridden world in which one can restrain immigration. Today nearly 1.1 crore Syrians have been displaced. People weary of war and strife in Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq and Afghanistan have also joined this historic migration of unprecedented proportions. This year, the number of people fleeing war-torn countries would cross six crore, according to the United Nations.

The European countries are straining at the seams because the cost of keeping refugees is catastrophic both in socio-political and financial terms. The reluctance of Western nations to accommodate any further inflow is a sign of the burden the resettlement of these refugees places on their economies as much as it is an exhibition of reactionary sentiment among the territorially conscious, indicating a sense of neo-conservative chauvinism and racial intolerance. Their reformist and liberal notions of seeking the inclusion of, and of granting rights to undocumented persons stands questioned.

Clearly, refugees would rather go home, if the possibility of decent survival had not been destroyed. Bolting from the wreckage of the genocidal assault of war-torn nations, they have entered an age of uncertainty, an alarm of the unknown, a fear of strangers and of adjustment that is gnawing at the trust and interdependence on which civil society rests. Behind their odysseys lie a variety of anxieties and apprehensions, such as those of space and cultural habits that are lost, giving rise to struggle for right to reside and right to migrate. Resistance and adaptation, therefore, become the inherent problematic of the migrancy conundrum. With the continuous erosion of the nation-state based territorial sovereignty, tensions of cultural assimilation arise out of the dichotomy of relief and regret, of some composure at the idea of adjustment as opposed to overwhelming pain at the loss of age-old ties with one's native land. Turks residing in Germany, for example, consider themselves to be loyal Germans, but regard their Turkish inheritance no less significant than that of the Germans. Understandably, the dominant national culture cannot be identified with state citizenship, which would cause dangerous social and political upheavals. Although the Schengen agreement allows free movement across borders, resulting in a healthy transcultural environment of coexistence and diversity in customs and traditions, jingoism still prevails, especially towards people from non-European nations.

Currently, the number of people in Syria requiring assistance is more than the combined toll of Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake and the 2004 Tsunami. A crisis of extraordinary dimension, it requires unparalleled humanitarian outreach. The responsibility is that of the global citizen to rally around those most vulnerable in our midst, and to give them a fighting chance at a better life. Certainly, there will be some danger in that accommodation since radical Islamists will infiltrate; incidents of terrorism in Paris and more recently in California are a result of sheltering migrants. But that does not mean that the West should refuse to accommodate the productive, hardworking people who risk everything to become integral to other cultures. Borders cannot be frozen out of disproportionate fear and xenophobic paranoia..

It is, no doubt, a huge international challenge to accommodate, integrate and employ these migrants in their new countries of residence with the strain it puts on the locals and their economy. Notwithstanding, it is also the time to reject and condemn the rhetoric of the Republican candidates in the US. There is no perfect answer; some countries will do more because they can while others with more fragile economies won't. It is not a matter of equitability. It is a matter of life and death. We should make sure that Aylan Kurdi and thousands of other underprivileged, who have perished in search of a better means of survival, do not die in vain. We, as the human race, owe them that service. This could be our New Year's resolution.

The writer is a Professor of English at Panjab University, Chandigarh
Sandeep Dikshit

WHEN Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commiserate on the Pathankot air base attack, it was a deja vu moment. The same effusiveness was in full play about seven years back when the Mumbai attacks had rocked India. The then Pakistani President Asif Zardari had even offered to send the ISI chief to discuss the extent of culpability of rogue officers in the military while top Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders, including its ideologue Hafiz Saeed, were jailed and a special anti-terrorist court set for their speedy prosecution.

This was unprecedented in Indo-Pak cooperation on terrorism. The offers yielded little because the Pakistani militarys strategy of using militants in Afghanistan and India at that time kept their intelligence agencies busy from exerting a similar counter-pressure.

Three years after the Mumbai attacks, Pakistani public perception of its militarys prowess took a beating when US marines came and killed Osama bin Laden, and then, half of Pakistans maritime surveillance fleet got decimated in the Mehran air base attack that exposed the involvement of men in uniform.

There was a window of opportunity in 2011 but the Zardari-controlled Pakistan Peoples Partys was unable to deliver on its promise to swiftly prosecute the Mumbai attack masterminds. Is it different now? Can Nawaz Sharif act on his promise given to Narendra Modi? Just over a week before the Foreign Secretaries of both countries are slated to meet in Islamabad, New Delhi seems to have taken the Pakistan Prime Minister on his word and added a few conditions of its own. One of them appears to be the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar of the Kathmandu-Kandahar plane hijack notoriety who has remained unprosecuted for the crime for 16 years.

The state of play in Pakistan that encouraged Nawaz Sharif to make the assurance looks more promising than during Zardaris tenure as Pakistan President. Nawaz Sharifs third-time ascension as Prime Minister is unprecedented in the annals of leadership turnover in Pakistan. This was the only occasion when a democratic government completed its mandate of five years in office and gave way to another of the same make. The consequent ebb in the political clout of the Pakistan military has led to the democratic government getting a firmer handle on the tools of governance and policy making than its earlier predecessors.

But the Indian Government could be indulging in an over-optimistic reading of tea leaves in the Pakistani security apparatus when National Security Adviser Ajit Doval crafted a stern message of take it or leave it to Nawaz Sharif. In a signal via the media, Doval claims that India has handed over all evidence, including phone intercepts, mobile phone numbers of the handlers behind the Pathankot attack, along with their names and locations. All of this again sounds familiar. India had gone through exactly the same drill after the Mumbai attacks. The then civilian government in Pakistan, a couple of shades more secular than Nawaz Sharif and therefore less complicit with radical groups, tried hard to deliver. The other side strove equally hard to thwart this attempt. When all else failed, the lawyer prosecuting the seven masterminds of the Mumbai attacks was shot dead. His successor also died mysteriously. The rapid-fire conclusion by Indian media commentators detected the ISIs hand.

It is not as straightforward and uncomplicated. A large section of Pakistan society is radicalised and tends to subscribe to the methods and philosophy of the radicals. This is mainly due to the unwillingness of all governments, both military and democratically elected, to change the intensely feudal and crony dominated arrangement at the top and intermediate layers. This setup has rarely allowed the subaltern to join them in governance and policy making, leading them to view the radicals as some sort of a revolutionary force that could give them deliverance from perpetual political subjugation by the landlords-cum-industrialists from Raiwind (the Sharif clan), Larkana (the Bhutto family) and several like them who get co-opted in Central Cabinets.

The era of socialist and Left activism, the main drivers for resolving this structural problem and providing a solution, is over. India has continuously accommodated the less deprived by tools such as reservations and should understand this flaw better than the Europeans and the Americans who undertook other means, including domination of resource-rich nations, to keep their citizen satiated. Neither Pakistan nor India can ever resort to this technique perfected by the West for over four centuries. It is the Pakistani elites incapacity to effect changes in the system that draws its youth to the aesthetics of violence and self-destruction.

Indias security managers in New Delhis South Block could take heart from the halving of terrorist attacks in Pakistan last year as compared to the previous year. Yet the country continues to host, often against its interests, a medley of violence-addicted groups who have the ability to turn the clock back on the current spell of sociability between the two Prime Ministers. For example, Pakistan marked the end of the year with the murder of its top anti-terrorism manager in Punjab and a blast that killed 29. Both were suspected to be the handiwork of groups operating independently of Pakistani military and intelligence agencies. Much like the Mumbai attacks, they were assisted by some former military officials who had branched out after Pervez Musharrafs post 9/11 U-turn on using militant groups in Afghanistan. Some militant groups also began attacking their former mentors in the military after Musharrafs ceasefire with India in 2004 had bottled up the Kashmir channel.

If the bonhomie between the two establishments is for real, Dovals conditionalities should maintain the pressure on Islamabad-Rawalpindi to keep in check India-focussed vendors of violence. But it will be unrealistic to expect a total cessation. Instead the leaderships of India and Pakistan need to turn their attention to policies that produce economic deliverance for their people. For India that would mean shorter trade routes for its merchandise exports into Central Asia and Afghanistan.

For Pakistan, it should translate into access to energy and increase in the domestic investment rate to wean it from perpetual dependence on foreign aid which makes it susceptible to tutoring from the benefactors. Nawaz Sharif is best placed to deliver near-total peace with India. Not only is the international opinion ranged against military takeovers, Nawaz Sharif is a major beneficiary of the Zardari governments annulment of a Constitution provision authorising the President to remove the Prime Minister. But India must move on multiple fronts with Pakistan. Holding it accountable only to the metric of terror will be insufficient and impractical.
Mansour swore that he would respect the 'articles of the constitution,' but not the 'constitution'

During the first procedural session of the Egyptian parliament, controversial lawyer and MP Mortada Mansour refused to recite the oath in its proper form, provoking the ire of other parliamentarians.

Mansour swore that he would respect the articles of the constitution, not he constitution itself.

Earlier in the day, Mansour revealed to Egyptian newspaper El-Masry El-Youm his intention to change the wording of the oath while swearing in.

Mansour explained that he objected to the constitution's preface, which pays tribute to both the 25 January 2011 revolution that ousted president Hosni Mubarak, and the 30 June 2013 revolution that ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

25 January was an uprising not a revolution, Mansour stated, adding that it was "hijacked" by the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.

No other constitutions [in the world] have a preface, Mansour asserted.

Mansour was not asked to repeat the oath in its official version, although another parliamentarian was required to repeat it after making a minor error while reciting it.

Immediately after Mansour's swearing of the oath, the bailiff reminded MPs that the oath should be read said as is, without deleting or adding any words to it.

Mansour  chairman of the Zamalek Sporting Club since March 2014  has been a controversial figure in Egyptian politics since the 1990s, known for filing lawsuits against his critics.

Egypts largest legislature to date, this newly-formed parliament has ended a four-year parliamentary hiatus.

The MPs are divided into 448 independents, 120 party-based deputies and 28 presidential appointees.

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 10

Three people of a family were allegedly strangulated at their residence in central Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area on Sunday.

The victims have been identified as Sanjay (50), his wife Jyoti (48) and their son Pawan (21).

A police officer investigating the case said, "We are ascertaining the reason behind the three murders. We are also looking at the possibility that they were murdered last evening and it came to light today morning."

The officer also said the house was ransacked. The police are investigating the possibility of a property dispute as a motive. The police said their investigation suggests someone known to the family is involved in the crime.

The matter came to light at about 8.50 am when the family's domestic help entered the house on the third floor of a building and discovered the bodies of Jyoti and Pawan. She raised the alarm and the police were informed.

The police reached the spot and a case of murder was registered. The police team found Sanjay missing and it initially suspected him of murdering his parents.

Later, a crime team was sent to the spot to trace out evidence. The team inspected the apartment and found Sanjay's body shoved inside a closet.

The neighbours informed the family's relatives and the bodies were sent for postmortem.

Sanjay was a government official and also dealt in property. It is suspected that he was involved in a longstanding property dispute with someone known to the family. The police are verifying these details. They are questioning people close to the family, said a police officer.
A second terror attack in six months shows how vulnerable Punjabs preparedness is to meet any threats of militancy revival. Dinanagar and Udhampur had made it clear that terrorists wanted to shift their area of operation from Kashmir to Jammu and its neighbouring Punjab areas. An advance intelligence alert about a possible terror strike in the Gurdaspur area was available. Yet the state that had suffered so heavily due to terrorism was found wanting. Well-equipped and well trained at one time to tackle militancy, the Punjab Police seems to be taking it easy now, pandering to the whims and fancies of politicians in charge of police stations.

Reports suggest terrorists used established drug trafficking routes to infiltrate and carry out their deadly activities. Though the state political leadership keeps denying this, the Central agencies probing terrorist activities may expose political and police patronage provided to drug peddlers. The Pathankot attack should have normally prompted a security rethink. Instead of recognising and accepting the obvious lapses  delay in acting on actionable intelligence provided by the Centre and distrust of an SP-rank officers claims of being kidnapped by militants  the Punjab leadership is busy demanding a greater BSF presence in the state. The BSF failure is evident. What about the second line of defence the Punjab Police is supposed to provide?

In his meeting with the Union Home Minister the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Home portfolio, has emphasised that the Pathankot and Dinanagar attacks should be treated as acts of disguised foreign aggression. It means: fund the war against terror. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has praised the Punjab Police for its prompt inputs and zero-time coordination with the Central forces. A collective failure is being covered up with laudatory noises. Six terrorists sneaked into the state, had a free run for quite some time, killing a youth and kidnapping an SP along with two others before gunning down seven security personnel at the airbase. Tackling terror in Punjab is the primary responsibility of the state government with help from the Centre. There is a failure. And there is the blame the state and Central leadership cannot run away from.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10

In a clash-marred panchayat poll which saw supporters of candidates opening fire, coming to blows or damaging electronic voting machines (EVM) and technical glitches holding up polling at some booths, voting for the first phase of the three-phased panchayat elections was held amid tight security today.

Around 84 per cent polling was reported in an election which saw enthusiastic participation of voters who began queuing up outside booths since morning. Women, too, came out in large numbers to vote.

Residents of Rewaris Rudh village boycotted the poll in protest against the setting up of the booth across a railway line on which a forest official died after he was hit by a train on the Delhi-Jaipur line while going to cast his vote. Only 18 votes were polled in the village having 800 votes.

The fifth panchayat election in the state is being keenly watched since it is the first poll after the Haryana Government introduced the mandatory minimum education qualification for candidates, besides imposing various other conditions such as barring of defaulters of power bills and loans as also criminals.

Minor clashes were reported from various districts, but the day belonged to voters who stood in serpentine queues to vote well after the official polling time.

Repoll has been ordered in two booths of Mewats Punhana block after supporters of a candidate fled with EVMs. In Jhajjars Kasar village, repoll has been ordered after it was that a candidates name was covered with a tape. Panchkula with 91.8 per cent reported the highest poll percentage. Yamunanagar reported a polling percentage of 90.3, while Fatehabad had a poll percentage of 89. The turnout in Sonepat was the lowest at 76.6 per cent.

A man died after supporters of two candidates clashed outside a polling booth in Palwals Ratipur village soon after the polling started. This was followed by stone pelting, critically injuring a supporter of a sarpanch aspirant. He later died in hospital. A few others were injured in the clash.

In Bhiwanis Karimod and Morwala villages, supporters of candidates damaged EVMs, while opening of fire held up polling in Palwals Ratipur village, and Rohtaks Bhalauth and Shimli villages. There were no casualties. This is the first panchayat election when the BJP is in power in the state. With its vote bank concentrated in urban areas, the governments decision to impose revised eligibility criteria for candidates by insisting on minimum education qualifications was seen by the Opposition as an attempt to exclude the established grass-root leadership of the rivals.

The next phase of polling is slated for January 17.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10

One person died and several others were injured in poll-related clashes in Palwal, Rohtak and Bhiwani and other districts during the first phase of polling for the panchayat elections in Haryana today.

While supporters of candidates opened fire in Rohtak and Hodal, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were vandalised in Bhiwani and candidates were booked for allegedly trading liquor for votes in Jind in an election where nearly 77 per cent polling was reported from the state.

Technical snags in EVMs held up polling at several places while repoll was ordered for January 12 for one booth in Jhajjar where the EVM failed the voters.

Elections were held for the 416 wards of the zila parishad, 1,221 wards of panchayat samitis, 2,583 posts of sarpanches, 26,248 posts of panches.

While the results of the zila parishad and the panchayat samitis will be declared on January 28, counting of votes for the post of sarpanch and panches was held immediately after polling ended.

Tension escalated in Ratipur village of Palwal soon after polling began, with supporters of two candidates coming to blows outside a polling booth following allegations of usurping of votes. This was followed by stone-pelting in which one of the supporters was critically hurt and succumbed to his injuries in hospital later. A few others were injured in the clash.

In Bhiwanis Karimod and Morwala village, supporters of candidates damaged EVMs following a disagreement. Polling was disrupted for an hour in Ratipur village in Palwal after miscreants opened fire near a booth while a clash disrupted polling Behrola of Hodal block.

Firing by supporters was also reported from Rohtaks Bhalauth and Shimli though no casualties were reported. Hisar, too, reported a clash where the administration rushed in more force to bring the situation under control.

Residents of Rohda village in Jind blocked the Safidon-Assandh road accusing the administration of favouring a particular candidate. The police booked two Zila Parishad candidates and the husband of a sarpanch candidate for distributing liquor on election day to buy votes.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 9

A person succumbed to injuries he received in a clash between supporters of two candidates at Ratipur village in Palwal as polling was held for the first phase of the Panchayat elections in Haryana on Sunday. Panchkula registered the highest turnout among all the districts of the state.

Live updates

BHIWANI: Polling halted at Karimod and Pchgawa of district following fighting between supporters of Sarpanch candidates. EVM machine damaged.

BHIWANI: Polling halted at two booths of Hansanwas village under Badhra block after technical snag in the EVM machine. Fight erupts at Loharwada village at polling booth.

BHIWANI: EVM machine damaged by villagers in Karimod village under Badhra block at booth 88, of the district.

BHIWANI: More than 40% polling reported in three blocks of the district so far.

FARIDABAD: Forty-five per cent polling till 3 pm.

GURGAON: Peaceful voting in Gurgaon and Mewat: 22 per cent turnout in Gurgaon and 39 per cent in Mewat until noon.

Polling percentage

Gurgaon Block: 43.1 %

Sohna Block: 39.3 %

HISAR: Polling percentage

All over: 43.7%

Hisar first: 37.6%

Hisar second: 48%

Narnound: 46.2%

JHAJJAR: Supporters of a candidate for Sarpanch create ruckus in Kasaar village after EVM developed a technical snag. Police called.

JHAJJAR: Polling cancelled in booth no. 130 at Kasaar village following a technical snag in the EVM; repoll is scheduled for January 12.

JIND: Tension in Rohda village after some unidentified people tried to enter in polling booth. Forty-five per cent polling recroded until noon.

JIND: Two candidates for Zila Parishad booked for supplying liquor to voters.

KARNAL: Voters turnout 25.1 per cent in Israna block; 25.8 per cent in Panipat block; 29.7 percent polling in Assandh and 30.2 percent in Indri block until noon.

KARNAL/PANIPAT: Polling peaceful in Indri, Assandh, Israna and Panipat.

KURUKSHETRA: Thanesar and Pehowa blocks record 40 per cent and 54 per cent polling, respectively, so far.

KURUKSHETRA: A candidate found his election symbol incorrectly noted as spade instead of bucket on ballot paper.

PALWAL: Polling disrupted for an hour at Ratipur village after some gunshots were heard near a booth. Similarly, voting was also disrupted at Behrola village of Hodal block after a clash between two groups.

PANIPAT: Polling halted for more than an hour at a polling booth Binhola village due to a technical snag. Panipat registers 38.3 per cent polling until noon.

REWARI: Clash between two groups reported in Mohammadpur Jat village under Bawal block during polling

REWARI: Villagers beat up drunk poll official in Konsivaas village before handing him over to the police

REWARI: Polling halted in Kharkari village for over an hour following technical snag developed in EVM.

ROHTAK: Firing at Bhalauth village during polling, no one injured.

YAMUNANAGAR: Polling is going on peacefully at two blocks comprising Chhachhruali and Jagadhri. 80 per cent polling recorded in the district until 4.30 pm.
Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 10

Amid uncertainty over government formation in the state, the BJP has decided to wait for the PDPs response to initiate the process. The state unit has authorised the party high command to take the final call on the new dispensation.

A meeting of senior BJP leaders was held this afternoon to discuss political developments in the state. Party legislators, former ministers, office-bearers and other leaders attended the meeting, which was especially convened to seek their opinion on recent developments.

Having come to power for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, a majority of those present in the meeting were of the view that continuing the coalition was in the interest of the state and the country. There was unanimity that party leaders should initiate a step in this regard only after getting a response from the PDP.

BJP sources said after getting information about the visit of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad to Srinagar, party leaders directed the state unit to rush to Srinagar this morning.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, state BJP president Sat Paul Sharma and Rajya Sabha member Shamsher Singh Manhas rushed to Srinagar only after getting directions from the high command, said a source, adding that BJP leaders decided not to allow the Congress or other groups to isolate the saffron party at this point of time.

A meeting of the BJPs core group was held on Saturday night at the residence of the former Deputy Chief Minister. The members thoroughly discussed political developments in the state.

Sources said members of the core group were of the view that the party high command should be authorised to take the final call on starting negotiations with the PDP on government formation.

A couple of members argued that leaders must try to get some additional departments from the PDP, said a source, adding that the core group did not want to give the message that the party was dying for power.

A member of the core group strongly demanded important portfolios in exchange of giving the rest of the tenure to Mehbooba Mufti, said a source, adding that the leader wanted to be cleared to the PDP that no controversial issue would be raked up in the future.
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 9

The proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with China is giving sleepless nights to local manufacturers. Members of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association (FOPSIA) have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defer decision on it. In a letter to the PM, they have decided to go for an indefinite fast if their demand was not met.

Badish Jindal, president of the FOPSIA, said the Ministry of Commerce was about to sign the free trade agreement with China and it was against interest of the country as well as the Make in India initiative.

Indias increasing trade imbalance with china is putting a question mark on the import-export policy of the government. Besides the economic slow down, imports from China are increasing by 9 per cent whereas exports from India to China are decreasing by 25 per cent. Indias export to China, which stood at Rs 73,000 crore in 2014-15, is expected to dip to Rs 58,000 crore in the current financial year while in the same period, imports from China may increase from Rs 3,69,000 crore to 4,10,000 crore, said Jindal.

Jindal said in 2014-15 India had imported electronic items worth Rs 1.02 lakh crores, which might further shoot up to Rs 1.30 lakh crore during current financial year.

In the same time, the import of machinery may increase from Rs 62,000 crore to 70,000 crore in 2015-16. The import of chemicals and fertilisers may increase from Rs 58,000 crore to 73,000 crore. Similarly, the import of plastic products is likely to increase from Rs 10,000 crore to 11,000 crore.

India is only exporting raw material to China, which is an essential commodity for its own industries. The data clearly shows that India has exported cotton worth Rs 14,000 crore, copper Rs 12,000 crore and minerals around Rs 15,000 crore to China in 2014-15.

The negligence of the Union Government is killing the local industry. We are exporting raw material to China while importing finished products, said Jindal. The alarming trade imbalance between India and China, which was 2,96,000 crore in 2014-15 may further increase to 3,50,000 crore in 2015-16.

FOPSIA members also requested the PM to impose the anti-dumping duty on all products imported from China.
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 10

Almost 20 months into its tenure, the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government is set to change the all-important defence procurement procedure (DPP), the policy document for defence equipment purchases, local production and imports.

The amendments to the DPP-2013 are on the agenda of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) slated to meet in New Delhi on January 12, sources told The Tribune. Headed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the DAC is the apex decision making body on defence matters and its decision will need ratification from the Cabinet Committee on Security. The new DPP is likely to incorporate most recommendations made by the Dhirendra Singh-headed panel of experts, which gave its report in July. It will lay down benchmarks for selection of private strategic partners from among Indian or foreign firms.

The strategic partners are mandated to undertake design and development projects under the Make in India procedure. These firms will tie up with Indian private or public sector companies for making top-of-the-line military equipment.

The new procedure will address policy issues to attract investment, build local confidence and allow indigenous manufacturing. The DPP is likely to disallow any bans against equipment for misdeeds of company employees; will seek to appoint an ombudsman to remove subjectivity in deals and have a panel of experts on cost negotiations to prevent delays.

The DPP may set in clause to have the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to do pre-audit of deals rather than raise objections later.

It will increase the level of indigenisation and the method of calculating the local content in each defence equipment and lay down the indigenous threshold for categories buy Indian and buy & make Indian at 40 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively.

A lower local content threshold could be considered by the DAC, based on technology and its availability. Globally, India is the largest buyer of weapons and military equipment, accounting for 15 per cent of all such international imports, said a report by Sweden-based think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in March. The DPP will also address the issue of banning firms. The misdeeds of an entity or its employees may not have any bearing on the equipment or system. This will ensure that the supply of equipment is not blocked in case a bribery charge emerges.
Tribune News Service & PTI

Pathankot, January 9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited the Pathankot air base, the target of last Saturdays terror attack, and expressed satisfaction over the counter-offensive mounted by the security forces to eliminate the perpetrators.

While the PMs visit was on, security forces, including the Army, BSF, CRPF and Punjab Police, laid siege to the Tibri Government Primary School on the Gurdaspur-Tibri cantonment road, following rumours of some terrorists hiding there. The area, 2 km from the cantonments peripheral wall, was cordoned off with top police officers rushing to the scene.

Noted with satisfaction the decision-making & its execution, the considerations that went into our tactical response, PMO tweeted after his visit to the air base.

Also noted coordination among various field units. Lauded bravery & determination of our men & women on the ground. They are our pride, it said in another tweet.

The PM, accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, landed at the air base at 11.23 am. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and National Security Guard officers briefed him about the attack and counter-offensive with the help of maps, aerial pictures and operational photographs, defence sources said. Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh and chiefs of the NSG and BSF were also present.

The place where Modi and his entourage disembarked was 1 km from where the terrorists had fired the first shots on January 2.

The Prime Minister was taken around the Military Engineering Service Yard where the terrorists were first engaged by the security forces and the two-storey billet for airmen's accommodation where the last two terrorists were killed after the structure was blown up by the security forces. Modi spent about 90 minutes at the air base.

He later undertook an aerial survey of the forward positions along the border with Pakistan. Security forces had yesterday declared the air base fully sanitised after a massive combing operation spanning over three days.

The district administration and police officers were kept out of the loop about the Prime Ministers visit. No state government official or political leader was invited.
Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, January 10

Mystery shrouds the whereabouts of four Pakistani nationals, including a girl, who had illegally crossed over to India through the border last year. There has been no information on all four of them till date, which remains a matter of a major security concern.

The matter had surfaced following the accidental arrest one of the intruder identified as Sayeed Hussain Khan of Raongi village in Karachi, who was nabbed by GRP personnel on suspected grounds from the cantonment railway station on February 19 last while he was about to board the New Delhi-bound Punjab Mail.

Later, Sayeed disclosed about his fellow accomplices who had intruded to India through the border with him.

Sources said Sayeed had revealed that he had come to the cantonment railway station along with four other persons, including a girl named Zubeida, besides Khalid and an agent identified as Fazal-ur-Rehman. Though Sayeed was not able to give details of the fifth person, he had revealed that they wanted to go to New Delhi, but others left him alone at the station and escaped. Intelligence officials said during interrogation, Sayeed said he had stayed in Jeddah also.

Though, he claimed to be resident of Karachi, the seizure of Burmese identity card and jacket with Made in Bangladesh tag from his possession had further mystified the case, they added.

The erring Pakistani national along with others had reached the railway station in an Alto car and motorcycle from the border arranged by their Indian handlers, which had exposed the chinks in border security. Later, Sayeed was also taken to various locations alongside the zero line to track the place from where they had sneaked in, but the investigations remained inconclusive till date.

BSF officials had refused to buy the theory that the five intruders had crossed over from the border notwithstanding claims of the arrested intruder, said Hardeep Singh, DSP (GRP).

He said there was no information on the four accomplices till now. However, BSF officials said they had not found any footmarks or evidence of damage to the fence at the point from where the Pakistani national had claimed to have crossed over.

Ashok Agnihotri, SHO, GRP Station, said a case had been registered against Sayeed following which he was convicted on September 15.

Hardyal Singh Mann, SSP, said Sayeed was suffering from some disease due to which he died in a hospital in Amritsar in December last year and his body is still lying in the mortuary there. The Amritsar Jail authorities have already taken up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs to send information to Pakistan so that they can claim his body, the SSP said, adding that once any reply comes, further action would be taken. Meanwhile, the four other intruders still remain at bay. The SSP said there was no information on them till date.
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 9

Chain Singh Chain, the Communist leader who is considered to have played a crucial role in Netaji Subhas Chandra Boses escape from India in 1941, is no more. He passed away here today at the age of 98.

Chain was the last of the generation who laid the foundation of the Communist movement in Punjab. He started his political career in the early 1930s with the Kirti Kisan Party, which was founded in 1928 and considered an extension of Ghadar movement.

He was a close associate of prominent Communist leader Teja Singh Swatantar. Later, Chain also became a central committee member of the Lal Party, which had waged an armed peasant struggle in the erstwhile PEPSU in the late 1940s. It is known as PEPSU Mujhara movement.

Gurmeet Singh, trustee of Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall in Jalandhar, said that Chain played an important role in Indias freedom struggle. It was Kirti Partys responsibility to help Bose from India. And in Kirti Party, it was comrade Chain who was assigned the job, said Gurmeet Singh.

However, the account has recently been countered in Sugata Boses book His Majestys Opponent, that it was All India Forward Bloc that was instrumental in doing so. Chain Singh Chain will also be remembered for his work on the history of Kirti Kisan Party.

In 1942, he was arrested and was tortured at the British-run torture centre in Lahore Fort, said Kesar Singh of Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, Jalandhar.

Another popular tale about Chain is that when the Telangana peasants struggle was at its peak, he was instrumental in procuring weapons from Punjab and supplying these to the struggling peasants.

He also founded the Punjab Freedom Fighters Association and served as its general secretary for long. Even his wife Sushila Chain was a full-time member of the Communist Party of India. He was born in Danduwal village in Phillaur on August 25, 1917.
Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 9

The Punjab Government will give a written assurance to the Portugal government that suspected terrorist Paramjit Singh Pamma will neither be awarded death penalty nor incarcerated in a prison for more than 25 years, if found guilty of spreading terror in Punjab.

Sources said the assurance was mandatory as Indias extradition treaty with Portugal specifies that those extradited would not be awarded the death sentence. The assurance will be given by the states Home Department, after the file is approved by the state Home Minister and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal.

Pamma was arrested by the Portugal police last month after an Interpol red-corner notice was issued against him. Pamma, residing in the UK on political asylum, was on a visit to Portugal with his family when he was detained there. He is accused of plotting the killing of Rashtriya Sikh Sangh (a RSS offshoot) leader Rulda Singh. Also, he is a key conspirator in the Patiala and Ambala bomb blasts.

Ever since his arrest, hardline Sikh activists have stepped up efforts to block his extradition. Pammas parents in Punjab have appealed to the Portuguese court against his extradition, claiming there was a threat to his life in India.
Osan Air Base, January 10

A powerful US B-52 bomber flew low over South Korea on Sunday, a clear show of force from the United States as a Cold War-style standoff deepened between its ally Seoul and North Korea following Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will read the fly-over of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons seen by an Associated Press photographer at Osan Air Base near Seoul as a threat.

Any hint of America's nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the United States to topple its authoritarian government.

The B-52 was joined by South Korean F-15 and US F-16 fighters and returned to its base in Guam after the flight, the US military said.

"This was a demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defense of the American homeland," said Adm. Harry B Harris Jr, commander US Pacific Command, in a statement.

"North Korea's nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations."

The B-52 flight follows a victory tour by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to celebrate the country's widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test.

Kim is seeking to rally pride in an explosion viewed with outrage by much of the world and to boost his domestic political goals.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea's state media to the B-52 fly-over, which also happened after North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013.

Kim's first public comments about last week's test came in a visit to the country's military headquarters, where he called the explosion "a self-defensive step" meant to protect the region "from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists," according to a dispatch Sunday from state-run Korean Central News Agency.

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize," Kim was reported as saying during his tour of the People's Armed Forces Ministry.

The tone of Kim's comments, which sought to glorify him and justify the test, is typical of state media propaganda.

But they also provide insight into North Korea's long-running argument that it is the presence of tens of thousands of US troops in South Korea and Japan, and a "hostile" US policy that seeks to topple the government in Pyongyang, that make North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons absolutely necessary.

N Korea leader defends 'hydrogen bomb' test

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un on Sunday justified what he claimed was his country's first hydrogen bomb test as self-defence to prevent nuclear war with the US, in his first comments since the explosion.

The test was "a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists," Kim was quoted as saying.

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticise," he added, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim's comments came during a visit to the Ministry of People's Armed Forces to congratulate them on the "successful" detonation, KCNA said, without giving the date of the visit.

They echo an official commentary published late Friday, which cited toppled leaders Saddam Hussein in Iraq and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya as examples of what happens when countries forsake their nuclear ambitions.

The test has angered world powers, including the North's key ally China, and the UN Security Council has said it will roll out new measures to punish the maverick state.

South Korea has resumed high-decibel propaganda broadcasts across the border in response, which the North said were driving the divided peninsula to "the brink of war".

North Korea claimed it used a miniaturised hydrogen bomb, which is far more powerful than other nuclear devices, although experts said seismic activity suggested it was not strong enough.

The test came just two days before Kim's 33rd birthday and ahead of a rare ruling party congress scheduled to take place in May  the first such gathering for 35 years.

The North is expected to lay out a range of key policies during the congress, which Kim said will be a "historic turning point in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche (self-independence)".

"Let us defend the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea by strengthening the political and military might of the People's Army in every way", Kim said, adding that strengthening the military is a priority.

The state Korean Central TV late on Friday released video footage of a purportedly new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test.

But South Korean media suggested the footage was an edited compilation of the North's third SLBM test, conducted last month in the Sea of Japan, and a different ballistic missile test from 2014.

'US may deploy aircraft carrier to Korean peninsula next month'

The United States is considering deploying an aircraft carrier to the Korean peninsula next month, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Sunday.

US Forces in Korea however said it had no knowledge of the matter.

Yonhap said it was possible that a carrier would join a US-South Korea joint naval exercise to send a warning message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who said his country conducted a hydrogen bomb test as a self-defence step against what it said was a US threat of nuclear war.  Agencies
Washington, January 10

Putting sustained and intensified pressure on Pakistan is the only viable option for America to make it act against terror networks and co-operate on the fragile Afghan peace process, former US diplomats have said.

"At this juncture, sustained and intensified pressure on Pakistan offers the only viable path to advancing the reconciliation process in a way that does not turn Afghanistan into a launching pad for terrorism and extremism," former diplomats Zalmay Khalilzad and James Dobbins said in a joint op-ed in the Newsweek.

Khalilzad was the US Ambassadors to the UN, Afghanistan and Iran during the Bush Administration, while Dobbins was the Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan under the current Obama Administration.

The op-ed has been written in the context of the upcoming meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan, US and China to revive the Afghan peace process with the Taliban, the article by the two former American diplomats assumes significance for India in the aftermath of Pathankot terrorist attack.

"Continued US pressure is needed to induce Pakistani cooperation in reducing the violence," they wrote.

"Congress withheld nearly a third of the military assistance allocated to Pakistan for 2015 due to Islamabad's failure to take meaningful action against the Haqqani network.

An even larger proportion of the assistance should be conditioned in the coming year on Islamabad closing down the Haqqani network and Taliban military in the country," Khalilzad and Dobbins said.

Another step that would steer Pakistan in a more cooperative direction is for the US to move urgently in addressing the gaps in Afghan capabilities, they wrote.

They added that Washington should not rule out deploying some additional forces and easing rules of engagement for targeting the Taliban and Islamic State targets.

They argued that US and Afghanistan should focus less on fostering talks and more on persuading Pakistan to take action against those engaged in terrorism and violence.

"While opening peace talks could be a positive step, it will only yield fruit if Pakistani authorities also begin to close down Afghan Taliban military operations," they asserted.

They said Pakistan's interest in a negotiated settlement to the Afghan war seems real enough, but its army has never been willing to take the very steps most likely to advance the process, which are to close down Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network operations in Pakistan and imprison any of their leaders not actively negotiating peace with Afghanistan.  PTI
Washington/Seoul, Jan 10

In a display of military might, the US today flew a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber along with F-16s and South Korean F-15s close to a defiant North Korea, days after Pyongyang claimed it had successfully tested its first hydrogen bomb and ratcheted up regional tensions.

This was a demonstration of the ironclad US commitment to our allies in South Korea, in Japan, and to the defence of the American homeland, said Admiral Harry B Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command.

North Koreas nuclear test is a blatant violation of its international obligations. US joint military forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific will continue to work with all of our regional allies and partners to maintain stability and security, he said after the flyover.

The bilateral flight mission over Osan Air Base, some 100-km from the North Korean border, demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and South Korea and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula, PACOM said in a statement.

The B-52, capable of carrying nuclear weapons and part of the US Pacific Commands continuous bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, was flanked by a US F-16 and a South Korean F-15. Upon completion of the flight, it returned to Guam.

The flight demonstrates the strength and capabilities of the Alliance, said Gen Curtis M Scaparrotti, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, US Forces Korea commander.

The close military cooperation between the US and the Republic of Korea ensures we are ready to respond at any time to those who would threaten stability and security, he said.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea to the B-52 fly-over, which also took place after Pyongyangs third nuclear test in 2013.  Reuters
Ali Abdel-Al, a constitutional law professor, was elected as speaker of Egypt's newly-elected parliament on Sunday during the first procedural session.

Abdel-Al, 68, a prominent constitutional law professor at Ain Shams University, had won a seat in the parliamentary elections late last year in Upper Egypt as part of the For The Love of Egypt electoral list, which strongly supports the policies of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

In 2013, Abdel-Al made headlines when former interim president Adli Mansour selected him to the 10-member committee entrusted with handing a draft of Egypt's new constitution to a wider 50-member body for review.

In 2015, Abdel-Al headed a committee responsible for drafting three election laws; the exercise of political rights, the House of Representatives affairs, and the division of electoral constituencies.

When he visited parliament for the first time after winning a seat in the first round of the polls last October, he told reporters that the relationship between the parliament and the president of the republic should be based on "cooperation rather than confrontation".

President Sisi selected Abdel-Al as a member of the legislative reform committee that took charge of vetting important political and economic legislation.

Members of the In Support of Egypt parliamentary bloc, the parliament heir of For The Love of Egypt coalition, had maintained that if former interim president Mansour  the head of Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court  was not appointed by El-Sisi to parliament, the bloc would back the nomination of Abdel-Al for the post of speaker.

Article 117 of the new constitution states that the speaker and two deputies cannot be elected for more than two consecutive legislative seasons.

Article 160 states that if the president is temporarily not able to exercise his powers, the prime minister will act in his place. However, if the president's office becomes vacant due to resignation, death or a permanent inability to work, the constitution stipulates that the speaker of parliament shall temporarily assume the powers of the president until a new president is elected within 90 days.

The last speaker of the previous house of parliament, which was dissolved in June 2012 by a court order on constitutional grounds, is the now-imprisoned leading Muslim Brotherhood member Saad El-Katatni.

El-Katatni is appealing a death sentence over charges of damaging and setting fire to prison buildings, murder, attempted murder, looting prison weapons depots and releasing prisoners while escaping from Wadi El-Natroun prison during the January 2011 revolution.

During the Mubarak-era, law professor Ahmed Fathi Sorour served as speaker from 1990 until the January 2011 revolution.

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Who will be a big winner at Sunday nights Golden Globes?

Will it be one of the films with the most nominations, either the 1950s lesbian love story Carol or the frontier revenge story The Revenant, perhaps?

Not that many Tulsa moviegoers have had a chance to see either of these movies  both finally opened here Friday as studios continue to push their top awards-candidates each year to December or January, as the case may be.

But does it really even matter what the Hollywood Foreign Press Associations 90 or so voting members decide?

Theyve proven over the years that while they may not always know much about movies, they sure know how to throw a party.

The Golden Globes continues to make almost no sense  the group will probably award this years best actor in a comedy or musical trophy to Matt Damon for his science-fiction adventure The Martian.

Its history has been one of selecting popular winners from popular movies.

Its almost a surprise that the group didnt nominate Star Wars: The Force Awakens in a best-movie category, despite not having the opportunity to see the film before announcing nominations last month.

Bottom line: Just enjoy the party Sunday on NBC. Take the winners with a grain of salt and a swig of champagne.

Winners will be decided in not only film categories but also for TV honors, with host Ricky Gervais returning for the fourth time to preside over this evening with crude zingers, a drink in hand and a mind to skewer a Hollywood phony or two.

Denzel Washington has been chosen as this years recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement.

The list of award presenters includes Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Schumer, Kevin Hart, Michael Keaton and, in a bit of a surprise, Mel Gibson, long declared persona non grata in industry circles.

My guess is that Gibson, the original Mad Max, will be presenting a clip of best movie-drama nominee Mad Max: Fury Road, but only because that makes sense.

Not that the Golden Globes have ever been about making sense. Were here for the party, remember?

And dont forget Miss Golden Globe, helping to hand out those awards and always a second-generation member of Hollywood royalty: This year its Corinne Foxx, the 21-year-old daughter of Jamie Foxx and a student at the University of Southern California.
Six people are dead  including two children  after a car crossed a center median and struck a tractor-trailer rig head-on in Mayes County near Mazie early Saturday morning.

Just before midnight Friday, a 2015 Honda Odyssey carrying seven people was traveling south on U.S. 69 about three miles south of Chouteau when the driver lost control of the vehicle because of wet conditions and crossed into oncoming northbound traffic, according to the Department of Public Safety fatality report.

The Odyssey struck a semi head-on, and both vehicles veered off the roadway to the east, according to the report.

The victims, all from Kansas City, Missouri, and identified as Asian, include a 32-year-old man, a 34-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman, a female (age unknown), a 1-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy, the report states.

Three passengers were pinned in the vehicle ranging from an hour to almost two hours and were extracted by Chouteau Fire Department, the report states.

Two victims  including one of the juveniles  was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

Authorities have not released the victims names and are working to notify their next of kin.

A seventh person, identified as a juvenile male from Kansas City, survived the crash and was admitted in serious condition to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

The driver of the semi truck, a 39-year-old Grandview, Texas, resident, was transported to Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa, where he was treated and released, according to the report.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers closed the stretch of U.S. 69 north of County Road 620 near Mazie about midnight because of the collision, according to a Department of Public Safety report.

Seatbelts were equipped and in use in both vehicle, and child restraints were also equipped and in use in the Odyssey, according to the report.

Mayes County Sheriffs Office deputies, Chouteau Police Department, Chouteau Fire Department, Pafford Ambulance and Mesta Ambulance assisted OHP troopers with the wreck.
Candidates: State Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, said last week he will seek re-election to the state House of Representatives. Proctor considered entering the race for mayor but said he wanted to devote his attention to the growing strain on state government.

Proctor represents northeast Tulsa.

Democrat Paul Sullivan is a candidate in House District 69, a heavily Republican district now held by Chuck Strohm.

Meetings and events: State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones will speak to the Republican Womens Club of Tulsa County at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, at Ti Amo, 6024 S. Sheridan Road.

First District Rep. Jim Bridenstine will speak to the Tulsa Republican Club at 11:45 a.m. Friday at the Summit Club, 15 W. Sixth St.

One-liners: State Agriculture Secretary Jim Reese, a former legislator, endorsed Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio last week. ... The state Democratic Party tweaked Republican Attorney General Scott Pruitt for his lawsuit against Colorados marijuana laws, calling it yet another waste of Oklahoma taxpayer dollars. ... The Population Institute, which advocates for population control, gives Oklahoma an F-minus for reproductive health and rights.
Video of a South Carolina sheriffs deputy violently flipping a high school student out of her chair and tossing her onto the floor over a classroom cellphone infraction brought national attention to the role of law enforcement in school settings.

That discussion has reverberated throughout school districts in the Tulsa area, which employ a variety of school security models  ranging from campus police forces specially trained in school policing techniques to contracted off-duty officers from municipal police departments.

The South Carolina scenario, which resulted in the immediate termination of the sheriffs deputy for violation of department policy, is one that has been discussed at length by Union Public Schools 11 security officers and its coordinator and director of security.

Kids can sometimes be very, very difficult. You get where a student may be in-your-face defiant, but what youve got to remember is that isnt hurting you as long as they dont pose a physical threat to you or others, said Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Charlie Bushyhead. Our officers went through that whole scenario. That is a pretty easy fix  you let everybody else leave the room. Sometimes you just let that situation be until it can be handled better.

Quite often, what happens is a student starts making a better decision  they realize how silly their behavior has been.

In-house security force

All of Unions security staffers are certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

Additionally, the district contracts with Broken Arrow Police for one full-time school resource officer to respond to any law enforcement needs on any of the districts Broken Arrow campuses and with Tulsa Police to pay five off-duty Tulsa officers to each work one day a week, responding to any law enforcement needs at Unions Tulsa school sites.

And Union officials say their preference for an in-house security force rather than a campus police department comes from careful consideration and experience.

We want our officers to be more service-minded, Bushyhead said. They are some of the best-trained CLEET-certified officers out there. They can eliminate a threat if its needed, but the biggest advantage we have found is that our students see them more as a resource than they do as a police force.

Much of the districts best intel on potential threats has come from students feeling comfortable enough to tell a trusted adult, he added.

I think regardless of whatever delivery method you choose, its really the quality of the personnel that is going to make the difference, Bushyhead said. There are great people and maybe some that arent so good at it. We have been very intentional in hiring officers we believe get it. They understand school; they understand kids.

Nathan Pittman had worked in personal security before being hired into Unions security force on a provisional basis about two years ago. He admits he wasnt sure school security was for him, but he tried it and said he likes it.

Rarely do I go home and not feel like I havent tried to make a difference, Pittman said. Some of the situations kids come from break your heart because they dont have good role models, but that just inspires you to step up and take that role. I could either go into law enforcement and wrestle around with drug addicts and other people already in the system or I can work with kids who still have an opportunity to have a future.

District police departments

Tulsa, Jenks and Catoosa public schools have their own campus police forces.

The TPS police department, in its current form, has been in place since 2008, said Chief Information and Operations Officer Blaine Young. As an independent police force, the department has its own radio and dispatch systems.

The department also recently expanded to include campus security officers, who were previously contracted through a third party. The department employs just over 70 people.

Young said the model has worked well for the district.

A school environment is unique, he said. The emphasis has to be on the kids and creating a safe and healthy environment.

TPS Police Deputy Chief Matthias Wicks said though the department has an enforcement side, the officers focus heavily on proactive restorative justice programs, as well.

Were big on mentorship and having officers participate in a school community, Wicks said.

Officers also lead programs about resistance to drugs and gang activity, he said.

Wicks said many of the officers have built relationships with students and their families, which creates trust and leads to students or their parents stepping up and reporting and potential problems at school sites.

Young said the culture created by the department helps children learn at an early age that police are people to be befriended.

Jenks has employed a similar model to TPS, with its officers interacting with students regularly through proactive programming along with dealing with enforcement issues. Jenks campus police chief Jack Myers said the district has had its own police force since the mid 80s. The department now has nearly a dozen officers.

Myers said a school police department does everything a regular city police department does, except for the district rather than the community.

He said one of the benefits of a district having its own force is that, if a major crime or other incident happened off campus, officers would not be called away to assist with that, as they might be if they were contracted from another agency.

Our focus is to our school district, he said.

Myers said it would be unlikely for an incident like the one that happened in South Carolina to occur at Jenks because of the officers training in nonviolent crisis intervention.

Working with city police

In Broken Arrow, the district uses a combined model. The citys police department provides four school resource officers who work primarily with middle schools. For ninth through 12th grades  which includes the high school, Freshman Academy and alternative sites  the district hires five off-duty Broken Arrow police officers.

Derek Blackburn, executive director of support services, said the district has been working with the city police department for at least the past 20 years, and the model has served them well.

Broken Arrow Police Department Maj. Mark Irwin said the school resource officers are each assigned a group of schools so officers can build relationships with people at those schools. He said the officers participate in some of the same proactive activities that district police do, including mentoring.

Irwin said school resource officers receive special training and are well-versed in the area of juvenile law. They can discern whether an incident is an actual crime or simply a violation of school policy.

Blackburn said school administrators are trained to handle many school policy violation issues without involving police. For example, an incident like the one that occurred in South Carolina would likely not happen in Broken Arrow, Blackburn said, because police would not have been called in.

Our administrators are trained to address those issues with students individually, he said. An administrator probably would have asked other students to leave the classroom until the situation was resolved.

The only way we ask officers to help is in situations that the student could be harming themselves or hurting others, Blackburn said.
PHOENIX -- Gov. Doug Ducey is going to ask lawmakers today to do something that generally sends most Republicans scurrying for cover: Consider whether everyone the state is sending to prison actually belongs there.

In an interview with Capitol Media Services ahead of today's State of the State address, the governor said that many of the state's mandatory sentencing laws were put in place at a time when crime was a top priority.

Now, he said, crime rates are down. Yet the state's inmate population is burgeoning, to the point where Arizona does not have the cash to build the prisons fast enough. So the state has entered into contracts with private firms to construct and operate the facilities.

Consider: At the end of the 2006 fiscal year there were 34,797 inmates behind bars. As of this past Friday, half way through this fiscal year, that figure is 42,566, including more than 6,400 housed in private prisons at state expense.

Looking at it another way, the state's population increased 10.5 percent in the same period. Yet the number of people behind bars is up by more than double that.

Ducey suggested that trend is not sustainable.

"I think if you're serious about reversing the direction in terms of prison population, you need to look at how we're handling some of these issues,'' he said.

Ducey said he has been weighing the issue of prison reform for some time.

The governor said that when people were questioned in the 1970s about what they consider to be the top issues, crime would usually wind up at or near the top.

"So, in an effort to be tough on crime, there were a lot of decisions made,'' Ducey said. That included adoption of a new criminal code in 1978. And in 1994 lawmakers approved "truth-in-sentencing'' laws designed to both limit the discretion of judges in sentencing as well as ensure that inmates were serving at least some percentage of the terms to which they were sentenced.

Now, said Ducey, rates of murder, assault and grand larceny are at "all-time lows.''

"These are good things that provide a high-quality life for us here in Arizona,'' the governor said.

"At the same time, our prisons are expensive,'' Ducey said.

Ducey said he's thought a lot about the question of who the state locks up -- and who belongs behind bars.

"There are people that we are scared of that belong in prison,'' he said. "There are also people we are mad at that may not belong in prison.''

And that, Ducey said, requires a close look at differentiating the two groups.

"Something we want to look at is not only how we get the bad guys in terms of drug cartels and human trafficking, but then how we deal with people that have been affected by addiction and how that affects our prison population,'' he said.

Ducey said that question of whether addicts belong behind bars goes beyond who is sentenced to prison in the first place.

"What I'm talking about there is, after someone is released from prison and they go on parole, oftentimes they can find themselves back in prison due to technical violations,'' he said. "So how do we deal with those people, especially if it's a result of addiction, so that we're not taking someone we're mad at and turning them into someone we're scared of.''

Ducey said he's thought a lot about the whole issue of criminal justice.

For example, the governor said that when he's interviewing people who want to be judges he often asks them what they think is the most important part of the Constitution.

"There's no really right answer,'' Ducey said. "I just want to know if someone thought about it.''

One answer that surprised him was an applicant citing the Sixth Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights that guarantees the right to trial by jury. That left an impression.

"Here's the power of the state to arrest someone, to prosecute someone, to imprison someone, to take away their liberty and in some cases their life,'' Ducey said. "And yet we bring 12 citizens and we let them make the decision if they're guilty or not.''

Ducey's foray into the area of prison reform has political risks.

As far back as 2003, Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford worked for years to revisit the sentencing structure, saying the state could not afford the burgeoning costs of its prison system. That included reclassifying some crimes now considered felonies to be misdemeanors to a total rewrite of the sentencing code.

That incurred the wrath of fellow Republicans to the point where then-Sen. Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, used his position as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee to ensure that such measures did not even get a hearing.

Rep. Cecil Ash, R-Mesa, had no better luck with his own special legislative committee, which also looked at sentencing reform. Prosecutors successfully blocked those from becoming law.
Candidates for speaker allowed to give brief three-minute autobiography; voting underway

Egyptian MPs listened to seven parliamentarians who introduced themselves after they announced they were running for parliament speaker.

The candidates are:

Aly Abdel-Al

Abdel-Al said he is a law professor at Ain Shams University who holds a PHD in law from Paris. He served on the 10-member committee which drafted the 2013 constitution which was later finalised by a 50-member body.

Aly El-Moselhy

El-Moselhy said he studied electronic engineering and works as a teacher.

His resume includes serving as an advisor to the ministry of communications and information technology, he said.

El-Moselhy was a member of former president Hosni Mubaraks National Democratic Party and served as social solidarity minister under Mubarak.

Tawfik Okasha

A former parliamentarian, Okasha is a controversial media figure and owner of the Faraeen TV channel.

Kamal Ahmed Mohamed

Mohamed said he was a member of the Nasser's era Arab Socialist Union in his youth. He said he opposed the open-door policies of late president Anwar El-Sadat, and privatisation of the public sector.

Khaled Abu Taleb

The 32-year-old Abu Taleb is a lawyer and a member of the Lawyers Syndicate. He said he wanted to represent the youth as the parliament speaker.

Eid Heikal

Heikal, 56, said he worked in politics for over 30 years. He studied business in Ain Shams University, graduating in 1980. He also holds a law degree.

He explained his expertise allows him to navigate "law and numbers, legislation and budget."

Mohamed Mahmoud El-Etmany

El-Etmany said he became the head of the Lawyers Syndicate in Qalubiya governorate in 2012. He asserted that he participated in the 25 January 2011 revolution and the corrective revolution of 30 June 2013.

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I have been shocked, angered and dismayed by the way the government, private citizens and presidential candidates have acted concerning the refugee crisis.

The Humans of New York Facebook pages author, Brandon Stanton,profiles ordinary people on the streets of New York, and has compiled them into two books. However, his recent series of interviews with Syrian refugees who were to be resettled in America has made the biggest impact on his readers. Even though the stories he posted are horrific, I implore everyone to read them. By hearing their stories directly we can begin to understand why they are fleeing their homes.

Karl Smith ("Fight or flee," Dec. 12) asks why dont the Syrians stay and fight. Heres why: They have nothing to fight with. We cannot begin to fathom the terror of bombs dropping on our homes and threats of violence or death. Yet, through all this, the Syrians and other refugees have demonstrated incredible courage and hope for a safe and peaceful life. However, after they arrive in America, the fear remains of being in a strange place with no friends, family, etc. The refugees are well-educated people  scientists, doctors, and engineers  who had careers but have to build a new life from nothing.

One presidential candidate wants to make America great again. It can be  if we show the principles on which America was founded: compassion, kindness, dignity, and respect to those different from us, instead of the racist hatred that has been spread.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com.
When Ron Suskind began work on his most recent book, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist found himself in a most unusual position.

It was like this bright light I had for years pointed in the direction of my sources was now being aimed directly at me and my family, Suskind said. While that was at first a little unusual, maybe even uncomfortable, as my wife said, this is the book I was meant to write because this was the life we were meant to live.

Life for the Suskind family had proceeded on a more or less normal course until his younger son, Owen, was closing in on becoming 3 years old.

The normally ebullient child fell silent, no longer making eye contact with the others in the family, his vocabulary reduced to a single word  Juice.

It took some time before doctors determined that Owen Suskind had regressive autism, a form of the condition that appears suddenly between the ages of 18 and 36 months.

As Suskind writes in Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes and Autism, our son disappeared.

Suskind, his wife and their older son, Walt, ultimately discovered a way to connect with Owen  through the avenue of Disney animated movies.

Certain phrases would become mantras for Owen, which the doctors and specialists the family routinely consulted with were careful to ascribe as echolalia, mere repetition of sounds the person had just heard.

Then, when Owen was approaching the age of 7 and he witnessed his older brother getting a little weepy at his birthday party, Owen said to his parents: Walter doesnt want to grow up, like Mowgli or Peter Pan.

The Suskinds began to realize that the stories and characters from Disney movies were a way of reaching out to, and connecting with, their son, so that they became sidekicks to help the hero fulfill his destiny.

Suskind joined the Wall Street Journal in 1990, and in 1993, just before Owens regressive autism became evident, became the papers senior national affairs reporter, a post he would hold until 2000.

He earned the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 1995 for a series of articles about a boy from the inner city of Washington D.C., who aspired to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

That became the subject of Suskinds first book, A Hope in the Unseen. Other books include The Price of Loyalty, which used the story of Treasury Secretary Paul ONeill to examine the presidency of George W. Bush and the lead-up to the war with Iraq; The One Percent Doctrine, about foreign policy in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks; and Confidence Men, about the 2008 financial crisis and President Barack Obamas efforts to contain it.

Since leaving the Wall Street Journal, Suskind has written for Esquire and the New York Times Magazine and is the Senior Fellow at Harvards Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics.

While Life, Animated might seem to be a departure from Suskinds more political books, he sees it differently.

For me, the story of Owen is the story that defined us all as a family, and that egged me to do all things Ive done in my public life, Suskind said. I was always searching for the people left behind, who for one reason or another had been discarded. And the most left-behind person was living in a bedroom in my house.

My son had been deemed ineducable; he was someone people looked right through, he said. And yet, as my son Walt has said, Owen ended up being our best teacher. Its not so much about how he changed but how all of us changed. In a way, we can look back at this and say, maybe this made us better than we would have been.

A documentary about Owen Suskind is currently in the works and should be released in 2016.

Hes doing great, Suskind said. He lives in a community development  sort of like assisted living  he works a couple of jobs, he draws and paints. Hes even going to have a show of his artwork soon.

Suskind said that if people take anything away from his book, it is that he hopes they realize different doesnt mean less.

Owen does some things so much better than I ever could  and hes the one with IQ of 74, and I teach at Harvard, he said. That just shows how ridiculous it can be to apply this one standard to everyone.

For neurologically distinctive kids, for every challenge or every stress on neurology, the brain finds a way to create these compensatory pathways, so that every deficit is met with an equal strength, Suskind said. The brain finds what it needs to feed it, and they develop an affinity that becomes a passion, a pathway that reveals their best selves.
On Thursday ABC screens a on-off docu-drama Death or Liberty, about convicts sent to colonial Australia.

This is co-produced by Tasmanias Roar Films and Irelands Tile Films.

Between 1793 and 1867 the British Government banished its radicals, dissenters and rebels to harsh prison colonies at the very edge of the known world, Australia.

What was their fate? Some escaped and returned to their homeland as heroes to continue the fight for human rights and an end to transportation. But many stayed on in this alien new worldand they made a difference, while others simply faded from the record. The life stories of these rebels are full of astonishing acts of bravery and daring. In their own words they tell tales that are stirring, heart wrenching, dark, creepy, even funny.

Death or Liberty brings to life a forgotten history of these convict rebels. They were transported in shackles and chains but distance did not silence them. Their voices returned to haunt their colonial masters and their acts of protest and rebellion helped to create one of the most robust democracies of the modern age.

Death or Liberty blends song, drama and the spoken word to create a film delivered with a unique folk-punk attitude. Featuring celebrated troubadours, Englands Billy Bragg, Australias Mick Thomas and Irelands Lisa ONeill, they bring to life the stories of the forgotten radicals. It also features a revered group of historians and experts headed up by authors Thomas Keneally and Dr Tony Moore.

The dramatised documentary has an international cast of actors including Australias Kelton Pell and Russell Fletcher. Its set in the late industrial and rural landscapes of England, Ireland, Wales and Canada, we then sail across the oceans all the way to Sydney Cove, Van Diemens Land and Western Australia.
The Egyptian president discussed the latest developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) talks with the Sudanese foreign minister in Cairo

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed on the importance of reaching a solution regarding Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam during a Sunday meeting with Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour in Cairo, where they discussed the latest developments in the talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the dam.

Presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef said that the Egyptian president insisted that "reaching an understanding was critical given that the River Nile is the only source of water for Egypt".

El-Sisi also stressed on the importance of taking serious and tangible steps in implementing the Declaration of Principles signed by Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in March 2014 in Khartoum.

Sudanese FM Ghandour expressed his country's commitment not to harm Egypt's water rights and the common interests of the three countries.

In a meeting with Egyptian journalists at the Sudanese ambassador's residence on Saturday, Ghandour stated that Sudan was not playing the mediator role between Egypt and Ethiopia as the "Dam is not located in Sudan."

Ghandour also revealed that the Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir would visit Egypt in the first quarter of 2016.

Despite the Friday statement of Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry that Ethiopia was studying the Egyptian suggestion to increase the number of GERD's gates from two to four to allow more water flow to the downstream countries, Ethiopian and international news reports stated that Ethiopia had rejected the suggestion.

In statements to the BBC, Bizuneh Tolcha, public relations director at the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Irrigation, said the decision of building two openings came following intensive studies" and that Ethiopia cannot redesign the dam project.

Although Egypt has repeatedly expressed concern over the dam's possible effect on Egypt's water, Ethiopia insists it will not negatively affect Egypt's share of Nile water.

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Until now Wilfred is arguably the only Australian show that has had a longer run as a US adaptation (USA: 4 seasons, Australia: 2 seasons).

But thats about to change.

Season 2 of Secrets and Lies will outlast the original Australian production, whilst Animal Kingdom is also due this year (based on the 2010 film of the same name).

Secrets and Lies, based on the Hoodlum series which screened on TEN, retains Juliette Lewis as Det. Andrea Cornell on a new case. Thats actually the same device the Australian series was to employ had it proceeded to a a second season with Anthony Hayes.

The plot centres on an African-American man (Michael Ealy) suspected of murdering his wife (Jordana Brewster). Also starring are Terry Quinn and AnnaLynne McCord .

Its already igniting some discussion because the story wont tackle the address the recent tensions between African-Americans and police officers, a focus of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Executive producer Barbie Kligman said, I dont think that this show has to be about that. In this particular case, this is a man. He may be a black man, but hes a man and his wife is dead and hes the prime suspect because, most of the time, the husband did it.

I suppose if we had done 20 episodes, I suppose if it was a different show, I might have made it more about one thing or another, but the story I wanted to tell was mystery-thriller and its just about people.

In season two, the show also splits point of view as early as episode four as the pressure mounts on Detective Cornell to solve the case.

Meanwhile Animal Kingdom depicts a family crime drama set in a surf community of Oceanside, California, and star Ellen Barkin will not seek to replicate Jacki Weavers role as matriarch, Smurf.

The movie only scratched the surface on how far down we can drill down on these characters, and Smurf is a great example, said showrunner Jonathan Lisco. You learn that shes capable of great menace, some emotional cruelty, but also capable of great love  but it never really answers the question whether or not her capacity of cruelty or her capacity for love is the scarier component of her character, and I know thats something we want to explore in the course of the series. I think thats a rather bottomless pit when you have an actress like Ellen Barkin.

Were going to make it a more nuanced portrayal of a mother who both loves her sons but also vandalizes them and has emotionally warped them while at the same time coddled them.

We wanted to be very careful that we not try and replicate performances from the film.

Source: Hollywood Reporter
The third season of Scandi-noir series The Bridge begins on SBS this week.

It picks up 13 months after the events of the second season.

This series first aired in Denmark in September.

Saga Noren is still working at Malmo County Police, but she misses her only friend Martin Rohde who is serving a ten year prison sentence. Saga, however, is convinced that she did the only right thing by reporting him, and that she cannot be associated with a convicted murderer.

The story starts with when a famous Danish gender activist and owner of Copenhagens first gender-neutral childrens nursery is found murdered on a building site in Malmo. Saga is forced to work with a new Danish colleague, who has difficulties in accepting Saga for who she is. They quickly come to the conclusion that the murderer has been very particular about the aesthetics and wanted them to find the body. This marks the beginning of a line of spectacular murders that eventually become personal for Saga and her career looks to be at risk and the questions is raised, can she actually continue working on this case?

Sagas past catches up with her when her mother unexpectedly arrives, creating unforeseen consequences for Saga.

9.30pm Thursday, 14 January on SBS.
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
Egypt has been invited to attend the 13th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which will be held in Turkey's Istanbul next April, according to Turkish press.

The Turkish news website Sunday's Zaman quoted foreign ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic on Saturday as saying that "Egypt, the term president of the OIC, would be naturally invited to the summit, but the decision regarding the level of its representation at the summit will be taken by Egypt's own authorities."

Egypt will be attending the summit to hand over to Turkey its OIC presidency term, but some Turkish media outlets reported that an unprecedented meeting could take place between President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Both presidents have not held talks since Sisi came to power in June 2014.

Tensions between Egypt and Turkey have been on the rise since the ouster of Egypt's Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, an ally of Erdogan, following mass protests against his presidency in July 2013.

The Islamist Turkish president has repeatedly called for Morsi's release from detention, as the former president is currently standing trial in four separate cases in Egypt.

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Independent and party-based MPs in Egypt's new parliament seized its opening session Sunday to direct attacks against the revolution which forced president Hosni Mubarak to cede power in 2011

In its inaugural session held on Sunday, Egypt's new parliament saw a number of independent and party-affiliated MPs attacking the 25 January revolution that ousted president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

By contrast, MPs heaped praise on the mass protests of June 30, 2013, which led to the removal of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi from office and ended the one-year rule of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The attacks against the anti-Mubarak revolution began when independent MP Mortada Mansour said he has so far not been able to "digest" it, and as a result cannot take the national oath because the preamble of the country's new constitution praises the 18-day revolt.

"The preamble of this constitution says that it reflects the principles of the 25 January revolution and the 30 June revolution, and I only believe in the second revolution," said Mansour.

Mansour also attacked Article 104 of the new constitution on the grounds that "it obliges MPs to pledge support for a part of the constitution we do not believe in."



In his speech after being elected parliament speaker, Constitutional law professor Ali Abdel-Al called on MPs to observe a minute of silence in respect for the "martyrs of both the 25 January and 30 June revolutions, as well as those among the police, military and judiciary."



Fierce critic

After Mubarak left office on 11 February 2011, Mansour faced charges that he had hired "armed thugs" to attack pro-democracy protesters at Tahrir Square on the first of February in what came to be known as "the Battle of the Camel."



Mansour and others, mostly leading officials who were affiliated with Mubarak's now-defunct ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), were acquitted of the charges in 2013. Since then, however, Mansour has been a fierce critic of the anti-Mubarak revolution.



Although Mansour was forced by Bahaaeddin Abu-Shoqa, an appointed MP who chaired the parliament's opening procedural sitting, to read out the oath completely and verbatim, his negative remarks about the anti-Mubarak revolution struck a chord with a lot of MPs.

Tawfik Okasha, an independent MP and owner of the private TV channel Al-Faraeen, also insisted that the new parliament "represents the 30 June revolution only".

Okasha, who submitted a bid for the post of parliament's speaker, said "it is a big honour for me to be one of those who urged people to revolt on 30 June and as a result the new parliament should represent the 30 June revolution only."

"I decided to run for the speaker's post because I was one of those who were about to sacrifice their life during 30 June and because this parliament represents its principles."

Okasha was an MP in 2010's parliament, which was dissolved after Mubarak's ouster. He used his Faraeen channel to defend the ruling military junta that took over in Egypt after Mubarak was ousted and to attack president Morsi.

One MP, Mohamed El-Itmani, was silenced by his peers when he attempted to defend the 25 January revolution.

Mansour and Okasha, alongside other MPs, intervened to prevent El-Itmani, a young MP affiliated with the pro-government bloc entitled The Pro-Egyptian State Coalition, from speaking about the 25 January revolution.



El-Itmani, who was introducing himself as a nominee for the speaker's post, said "we are here to represent the two great revolutions of 25 January and 30 June." No sooner had El-Itmani uttered the words when Okasha and Mansour led a chorus of MPs in attacking him.

El-Itmani defended himself by saying, "I, as a young man, had the honour of participating in the 25 January revolution, but I admit that the 30 June revolution came to correct the mistakes of 25 January revolution."



"But nobody can forget the people who sacrificed their lives in 25 January to build a more democratic Egypt and we have to respect their souls."

Egypt's new parliament includes a large number of MPs who were members of Mubarak's ruling party and who insist that the January uprising was a conspiracy led by the United States.

Saeed Sadek, a political analyst and a professor of sociology with the American University in Cairo, told Ahram Online that "early attacks against the anti-Mubarak revolution in Egypt's new parliament come as no surprise" to him.

"This parliament includes a large number of former Mubarak ruling party MPs who have a grudge against the Muslim Brotherhood and America, taking both to task for spreading chaos in Egypt in the past four years," said Sadek.



"It is not good for Egyptian MPs to begin their work by alienating a big sector of the Egyptian society who believe in the January revolution."

The opening procedural sitting of Egypt's new parliament comes one day after the Court of Cassation  the country's highest judicial authority  upheld the conviction of Mubarak on corruption charges.

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Human Rights Watch on Sunday accused Yemen's Houthi rebels of arbitrarily detaining dozens of opponents in the capital Sanaa, where they have ruled for more than 15 months.

The Iran-backed Shia rebels detained 35 people between August 2014 and October 2015, the rights group said, adding that 27 remained in custody.

It said many of the detainees appeared to have links to the Islah Sunni Islamist party, a rival of the powerful rebels.

"Houthi arrests and forced disappearances of alleged Islah supporters have generated palpable fear in the capital," said Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director.

"Politicians, activists, lawyers, and journalists tell us they've never been more frightened of ending up 'disappeared,'" he said.

Aided by troops loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Houthis overran Sanaa unopposed in September 2014, and went on to expand their control over several regions.

A Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against the rebels in March after the insurgents advanced on the southern city of Aden, where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi took refuge before fleeing to Riyadh.

"At a time when the Houthis are fighting to remain key power brokers in Yemen, they should recognise that instilling fear in the population is no way to govern," Stork said.

"The Huthis should take the necessary steps to ensure that no one is held unlawfully and families have access to their loved ones," he said.

A fresh round of UN-sponsored talks to end the Yemen conflict is due later this month in Geneva.

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A court in Abu Dhabi on Sunday sentenced to death an Emirati convicted in absentia of having joined both the Islamic State group (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda's branch in Syria, a newspaper reported.

The Federal Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates also found Khalfan Sultan al-Suwaidi guilty of recruiting fighters for ISIS and the Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front, Gulf News reported on its website.

Suwaidi, whose current whereabouts remain unknown, would be granted a retrial if he appears in court, based on UAE law, according to the daily.

The top court in the UAE also sentenced two other Emiratis, Fares Abdulaziz and Mohammed Awad, to seven years in prison each after convicting them of having joined "terror groups in Syria".

A third defendant was handed a three-year prison sentence after being convicted on similar charges, the daily said.

In July, the UAE executed an Emirati woman for the militant-inspired murder of an American school teacher in a toilet of an Abu Dhabi shopping mall in late 2014.

Also on Sunday, the Abu Dhabi court jailed a Palestinian for three years for "insulting UAE leaders and promoting the terrorist ideology" of ISIS, Gulf News said.

The court will meanwhile announce its verdict in the trial of 41 people allegedly seeking to overthrow the government to set up an ISIS-style caliphate in the Gulf state on March 6, the daily added.

The UAE is part of the US-led coalition that has been carrying out air strikes against ISIS in Syria since September.

It stepped up security measures since the wave of Arab Spring protests that swept the region in 2011.

Authorities have enacted tougher anti-terror legislation, including harsher jail terms and even introducing the death penalty for crimes linked to religious hatred and extremist groups.

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Vietnamese fishmermen were caught in the middle of dispute between their country and China over South China Sea. China's aggresive policy in the region have endangered of the fishermen's source

In the dispute in the South China Sea, Vietnam accused China of trying to force the fishermen out of the waters in South China Sea. Vietnamese fishermen have been regularly attacked by China. The Chinese coastguard rammed the fishermen boat, broke their equipment broken and beaten the crewmen.

One fisherman, Van Giau who lives on the small island of Ly Son, says almost half of the island's boats fishing in the area have come under attack from the Chinese. He told BBC how Chinese coastguards rammed into his wooden boat and damage the boat, while he was fishing in waters near the Paracel Islands. The islands was situated at about 175 miles (280km) off the Vietnamese mainland, roughly the same distance they are from Chinese island province of Hainan.

The Vietnamese fishermen have been fishing in the areas for generations. "My father fished these waters, my grandfather and my great-grandfather. From ancient times they have belonged to Vietnam. Now China has claimed them and invaded them illegally," Van Giau said.

Vietnam Net reported in response to growing Chinese violence to Vietnamese fishermen in South China Sea, Vietnam Fisheries Society (VFS) sent official complaint. The official document was sent to the Government Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations on January 4.

In the document, VFS also quoted recent incident as reported by Quang Ngai provincial Fisheries Association. Whereas on January 4, a wooden fishing boat was rammed by a Chinese ship 70 nautical miles (130 km) off Con Co Island, threw seven of the fishermen overboard. The ship then rammed the boat again for the second time.

In 2015, Viet Nam News reported that Da Nang Border Guard Force found 264 arrivals of Chinese ships violating the Viet Nam's sea sovereignty throughout the year. Colonel Le Van Phuc, the force's commander, said on Friday, January 8. He also said Chinese military ships and coast guards patrols even blocked all Vietnamese maritime rescue ships to help Vietnamese fishing ships in the Vietnamese water.

Known as Hoang Sa in Vietnamese and Xisha in Chinese, Paracel islands is an archipelago located in northeast of Vietnam and southeast of Chinese Hainan province. China has been aggressively invested and developed a large scale construction in the islands, which Vietnam accused as violating Vietnamese sovereignty by building Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in Vietnamese territory.

Paracel islands is one of the contested islands between China and other countries in South China Sea. Other islands that are disputed are Spratly islands, Scarborough shoal, Pratas islands and Zongsha (Macclesfield) islands. Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia have also separated claim on part of the areas in South China Sea.
Imprint is a research project that examines fingerprints and palm prints of people who lived in the 12th to the 14th centuries.

The researchers will use this unique technique on prints from the wax seals in the National Library of Wales, according to a report by Wales Online. This project can solve medieval crimes and give more importance on century old documents. This forensic analysis will be used with historical research to dig up new insights from the medieval British society.

The wax seals documentations from the Library are business contracts, land transactions, and financial exchanges in the medieval days, which today could be considered as signatures and credit cards.

These wax seal documentations have the fingerprints of people who lived during those times. According to Popular Science, the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom are examining these fingerprints for modern forensics. Not all of these documents have fingerprints, but according to a previous study, 37 percent of them do.

The fingerprints that will be drawn from these documents will be put in a database to be matched among each other and compared to fingerprints of today to see the differences.

"These wax seals have the potential to give us so much information about medieval people, but they are often set aside as less important than the document itself," said lead researcher Phillippa Hoskin. "This will be the first time that the information from the handprints found on those seals will be examined, and it could really offer some historians new understanding of the period."

Culture 24 reported that the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds the research. Along with Hoskin of University of Lincoln, Aberystwyth University's Dr Elizabeth New co-leads the study.

The historical documents they will examine are from the cathedrals of Hereford, Lincoln, and Exeter. It will also examine documents from Westminster Abbey.
The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) has released on late Friday afternoon that around 1.4 million households failed to properly account their tax returns. The revealed preliminary figure is related to the households receiving financial aid against health insurance during last year under Obama's new healthcare laws.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) believes most of the affected people have health law coverage no longer. This will pose their subsidies at risk of remaining out of health aid benefit.

Obama administration has been reported to embattle with potential complication while striving to increase enrolling during 2016. Complicated Tax issues address the difficulties of the health law for the very people it's intended to serve, reports The Seattle Times.

The new Obama Care Law allows tax credits to assist people in paying premiums for private insurance roughly up to the three-fourths. Through funneling financial assistance to the income tax system, Democrats have been successful to address the largest tax cutting call from the middleclass tax payees, reports Mail Online.

The IRS estimation for 1.4 households those failed to address 2014 tax returns includes three major groups. The first group of around 316,000 households has received tax credits paid to them in advance but haven't reportedly filed any return at all last year. Before the health care law, many low-income people have been excused from filing tax returns.

The second phase involves some 976,000 households that got tax credits and filed 2014 returns, but omitted a new form that is the key to accounting for their subsidies. The Form 8962 has been introduced for the 2015 tax filing season.

However, the third strata aggregate around 147,000 households those have been requested for extensions to file their 2014 taxes, but never followed through. The consumers with tax issues represent about 30 percent of the 4.6 million households that received tax credits, reports Digital News World.

11.3 million people have reportedly so far been enrolled for 2016 coverage with three weeks still left in the health law's sign-up season. But a key independent census has showed that progress reducing the number of uninsured Americans under the law stalled last year, so every customer counts this time around.

As per the existing health law, all Americans are subject to carry insurance and the uninsured face fines if they can afford coverage. But nearly 8 million uninsured individuals and families has paid penalties averaging about $210 each.

Of them, 313,000 are from the low-income group legally exempted from coverage requirement. However, they will be able to get their money refunded by filing an amended return.

Obama Care or the new Federal Health Care law provides tax credits up to the two-thirds of total insurance premium amount. The move aims to bring all Americans under insurance coverage instructing people to submit a tax return. The law applies to all even who remain out of tax network for poor income. Some 313,000 people from low income portfolio have been reported to count fines in violation of Obama Care Law.
China will cooperate with South Korea to neutralize North Korea nuclear weapon. Beijing was angered by North Korea nuclear test during financial problem in China. North Korea said that it has successfully test first hydrogen bomb on Wednesday, January 6.

However, some analysts said China is not fully prepared to pressure North Korea because of China's security interest. Kim Hwan-suk, a senior analyst at the South Korean Institute for National Security Strategy told Yonhap News "North Korea used brinkmanship because it knows that China won't abandon North Korea, given its strategic value," Kim said in Seoul. "North Korea expects China to fully join sanctions against the North by the U.N. Security Council."

Although China strongly opposed North Korean nuclear test, China will not abandon North Korea. A commentary from Xinhua news agency criticized U.S. foreign policy for current nuclear crisis. The state-owned news agency said, "The U.S.'s combative approach has in effect deepened Pyongyang's sense of insecurity and prompted the country to go further in challenging non-proliferation restrictions."

One of U.S. combative approach as China mentioned is the over-reaction of U.S. Foreign Minister John Kerry that urged China to support a more aggressive approach with Pyongyang.

However, North Korea's defiant action to test its nuclear weapon in the midst of economic crisis showed that Pyongyang has been a serious threat to China. Zhang Liangu, professor of international strategy studies at the Central Party School in Beijing told South China Morning Post that, "Most Chinese used to believe that Washington and Pyongyang were the key players in North Korea's nuclear problem, with Beijing just the middleman. But as North Korea has developed its own nuclear weapons, China is a major victim."

The fourth North Korean nuclear testing was conducted very close to the border with China. Tremor from the detonation was felt at the Jilin province in northeast of China, prompting the evacuation of some local schools and office buildings. Some analysts in China also confirmed that Pyongyang has become so unpredictable that no one could foresee who were its friends or enemies.

Therefore, Chinese and South Korean officials have engaged in a dialogue to disarm North Korea nuclear weapon. Bloomberg reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung Se by phone on Friday to start negotiations on nuclear arms in North Korea. The start of dialogue with South Korea showed China was really agitated by North Korean's last nuclear test.

North Korea has conducted four nuclear weapon tests - in October 2006, May 2009, February 2013 and last Wednesday. North Korea depends on China as its main trading partner, so provoking China to cooperate with South Korea may not deliver a good result for Pyongyang.
An Iraqi drone strike killed nine members of the pro-government Popular Mobilisation paramilitary force near Tikrit in an apparent case of so-called "friendly fire", a spokesman said Sunday.

Ahmed al-Assadi, spokesman for the Hashed al-Shaabi umbrella group that includes mostly Tehran-backed Shiite militias, said the strike occurred on Saturday at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT).

"The initial report is that an Iraqi strike erroneously identified our forces as enemy forces and carried out a strike," he told AFP.

"The drone struck with a first missile and then two more seven minutes later," he said.

Assadi said nine members of the Ketaeb Jund al-Imam (The Battalions of the Imam's Soldiers) militia group were killed and 14 wounded.

The Islamic State (ISIS) group was defeated in Tikrit and most parts of Salaheddin province last year but it maintains positions in the desert regions west of the Tigris.

"We were under attack, we called for ground support but when it arrived, the drone struck," said Assadi.

He said the incident occurred near the sprawling Speicher military base, which lies northwest of Tikrit.

He said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had immediately opened an investigation into the incident.

The "war media cell", which provides updates on the battle against ISIS on behalf of the Hashed as well as the interior and defence ministries, also said the premier's office had launched an enquiry.

The US-led coalition which provides air support to ground forces battling ISIS said its aircraft were not active in the area at the time.

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LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR El Torito has closed its location near the Oxnard Auto Center.

SHARE LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR Booth seating and colorful walls are all that remain of El Torito in Oxnard. The restaurant closed in late December.

By Lisa McKinnon

El Torito restaurant in Oxnard has closed, leaving Simi Valley as the chain's only remaining site in Ventura County.

Located near the Oxnard Auto Center, the restaurant operated for about 10 years at what previously had been Fresh Choice.

It closed the Monday before Christmas, according to an employee at the Simi Valley location.

All identifying signs have since been removed from the exterior of the building at 1720 E. Ventura Blvd. Its interior has been emptied of tables and chairs, although some booths are still in place with the restaurant's colorfully painted walls.

On Saturday, a Realtor's lock box was seen hanging from the front door.

Calls to the Oxnard restaurant are answered by a recording that directs patrons to the Simi Valley location at 2498 Erringer Road.

Real Mex Restaurants, the Orange County-based parent company of El Torito and other chains, did not appear to publicize the closure before it happened.

El Torito closed its Ventura location in 2007. The building at 770 S. Seaward Ave. was demolished in anticipation of a hotel project that later stalled.

The Thousand Oaks El Torito closed in 2011. It was torn down two years later, after serving as a seasonal Halloween store. A Chick-fil-A stands in its place at 449 N. Moorpark Road.

El Torito closed its Santa Barbara location in November. At the time, a Real Mex spokesman told the Santa Barbara Independent that the company had failed to secure a long-term lease for the Cabrillo Boulevard address.

Real Mex officials were not immediately available during the weekend.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Tom Ashbrook, host of NPRs On Point, will discuss his show and career on Jan. 23 at California Lutheran University.

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By Staff Reports

Tom Ashbrook, host of National Public Radio's "On Point," will discuss highlights of his career as KCLU presents "Coffee and Conversation with Tom Ashbrook" at 10 a.m. Jan. 23 in Samuelson Chapel at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

Each week, nearly 2 million NPR listeners across the country hear Ashbrook solicit viewpoints and moderate discussions on current topics.

Ashbrook has spent more than 20 years as a foreign correspondent, newspaper editor and author. He joined NPR in 2001 after he was enlisted to provide special coverage following the attacks of 9/11.

During his career, Ashbrook spent 10 years in Asia, starting at the South China Morning Post and then working as a correspondent for The Boston Globe. He was based in India, Hong Kong and Japan and began his reporting career covering the refugee exodus from Vietnam and the post-Mao opening of China. He has also covered the turmoil and shifting cultural and economic trends in the United States and around the world, from Somalia and Rwanda to Russia and the Balkans.

At the Globe, where he served as deputy managing editor until 1996, Ashbrook directed coverage of the first Gulf War and the end of the Cold War.

He received the Livingstone Prize for National Reporting in 1996.

Ashbrook was serving as a fellow at Harvard's Nieman Foundation when he left the Globe and, with a college friend, launched what became homportfolio.com. He chronicled the experience in the book "The Leap: A Memoir of Love and Madness in the Internet Gold Rush."

Raised on an Illinois farm, Ashbrook studied American history at Yale and Gandhi's independence movement at Andhra University in India. Before taking up journalism, he worked as a surveyor and dynamiter in Alaska's oil fields, a teaching fellow with the Yale-China Association, a Hong Kong television personality and a producer of international editions of Chinese kung fu films.

"Coffee and Conversation" is a fundraiser for KCLU, a community service of CLU. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling KCLU at 493-3900.

KCLU, which airs "On Point" from 9 to 11 a.m. weekdays, can be heard at 88.3 FM in Ventura County, 102.3 FM and 1340 AM in Santa Barbara County and online at kclu.org.
STAR FILE PHOTO

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By Megan Diskin of the Ventura County Star

Why do we flock to buy Powerball tickets when the chances of winning are infinitesimal?

A CSU Channel Islands psychology professor said it's because it makes us feel happier as we live in a fantasy of what life could be like if we win.

Saturday's nearly $950 million Powerball jackpot  the largest prize in U.S. lottery history  drew people to stores in droves to buy a chance at the prize. Case in point: A few hours before Saturday's Powerball drawing, people lined up to buy tickets at a gas station in Camarillo where a $750,000-winning scratcher ticket had been sold in November.

CSUCI psychology professor Christy Teranishi Martinez gave insight on why so many of us were motivated to make the $2 investment for a shot at Saturday's historic prize. Martinez, who has been researching positive psychology at the Camarillo campus for about seven years, said the phenomenon can be attributed to "optimism bias."

In her work in adolescent development, the negative side of "optimism bias" is when young drivers think they won't get into a crash or be arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. They have this mentality because they know someone who has driven after drinking but faced no consequences, Martinez said.

There's another side of "optimism bias" when looked at in a positive light, she said.

"Somebody has to win it, and why can't that person be me?" Martinez said of ticket buyers' thought process.

As ticket holders wait for the winning numbers to be announced, they are envisioning "life enhancement," which in turn enhances their mood and outlook on life, she said.

"They take the risk to enhance their lives, and it makes them feel good," Martinez said.

Although the professor has bought a lottery ticket before with friends, she said she hadn't bought a Powerball ticket for a shot at the big prize. But her husband put money into the lottery pool at his work.

"I'm hoping he'll share with me if we do win," Martinez said before the drawing Saturday night revealed that no one had won the jackpot.
STAR FILE PHOTO Ventura County Medical Center

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By Kathleen Wilson of the Ventura County Star

The bottom line for the Ventura County public hospital system showed a $28 million turnaround in an auditor's report released last week.

Ventura County Medical Center reported net income of almost $20 million in the 2014-15 fiscal year compared with a net loss of $8.55 million in the previous fiscal year, says the report on county government finances.

The medical center, which encompasses two hospitals and a battery of clinics, showed the only significant loss of any county agency in the 2013-14 fiscal year. Managers said the system faced an unexpected shortfall in Medi-Cal funding for low-income patients plus extraordinary expenses, including an addition to the main hospital in Ventura and an electronic health records system that ran over budget.

Tightened management of spending and a renegotiated contract for Medi-Cal patients spelled the difference in the past fiscal year, county Auditor-Controller Jeff Burgh said.

Burgh said he is pleased with the reversal and that the outlook is promising with the opening of the new hospital wing in the fall.

"I am looking forward to even better returns in the future as long as they can manage the costs," he said Friday.

Revenues rose 15 percent and expenses by 4 percent in the system that spent a little over $372 million last fiscal year, the report said. The medical center typically shows an operating loss, which totaled $14.6 million in 2014-15 compared with $48 million the previous year.

But contributions of almost $33 million put the center over the top in the past fiscal year, leaving net income of almost $20 million. County government historically provides $15 million from general tax revenues to the hospital system. Other infusions come from a tobacco settlement and reimbursements for running a county psychiatric unit.

Record borrowing is also down, Burgh said.

The medical center reached an all-time high of $93 million in loans from internal county funds early last year. The figure stood at $76 million in the fall of 2015, but has fallen to $49 million.

Most of that was driven by the payoff of a $20 million loan from a fund that pays workers' compensation claims of county government workers. The center retired another $7 million in ensuing months, Burgh said.

He said the $49 million is a standard level for this time of the year for the health system that mainly serves low-income patients. The hospital system regularly borrows from county government's general fund to cover cash flow because payments from the state and federal governments lag years behind, officials say.

The auditor's report will be presented Tuesday to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.
ANNE KALLAS/SPECIAL TO THE STAR People line up Saturday outside Hollywood Beach Elementary School for a meeting of the Mandalay Shores Community Association. So many people showed up that they could not all fit into the room designated for the meeting.

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By Anne Kallas

With conflict running high over short-term rentals in Oxnard's Mandalay Shores neighborhood, so many people showed up at a meeting Saturday that they wouldn't all fit into the room, and the meeting was canceled.

The purpose of the meeting was to elect new board of directors for the Mandalay Shores Community Association. But the overarching issue, according to some, is a proliferation of short-term rentals in the area that includes 1,400 homes and condominiums in the Oxnard Shores area.

At the meeting, close to 400 people tried to fit in a room at Hollywood Beach Elementary School that only fits about 200. The meeting was canceled and will have to be rescheduled.

According to Mandalay Shores Board of Directors President David Laufer, the meeting was "closed," and only residents were allowed in.

There was a private security guard inside, and Oxnard police patrolled the residential neighborhood. The increased security was the result of an altercation at the association's November meeting at nearby Waterside restaurant, according to numerous residents.

Cody Hull, who has a home in Oxnard Shores, said he was at the meeting to object to what he sees as abuse of short-term rentals.

"These people need to be respectful of their neighbors," said Hull, who complained that adjacent properties were being rented to large groups of college-age people who hold parties well into the night and litter the neighborhood.

Hull said his complaints to the property owners were ignored and his quality of life was being infringed upon.

Jen Skrabak, who owns a rental property in the area, said she was running for a seat on the association board. She said she and other members of the Friends of the Shores group oppose the actions of the association.

Skrabak said the group was objecting to "not being given due process."

"I have a second home here that has been in my family for years," she said.

According to a pamphlet from the Friends of the Shores, the community association recently passed new regulations with "fines starting $500 and doubling each occurrence," and is targeting some homeowners.

Skrabak said her group was objecting to a recent raise in association dues from $20 a year to $50 a year. She said two members of the nine-member board had stepped down recently, citing a "lack of transparency."

Juli Peterson said she has taken videos of neighboring properties while parties are going on.

"The only thing we want is for people to be respectful. We don't want to tell people what to do. The Friends of the Shores say the board is overreaching, but there is no accountability for these people involved in short-term rentals," Peterson said.

The issue of short-term rentals is being debated elsewhere in Ventura County, both at the city and county level, with the increased popularity of websites devoted to short-term house rentals.

Some residents want to see more regulation or a ban on short-term rentals, while others say the income they receive from renting their property can provide welcome financial relief.

In Ventura, existing regulations on short-term rentals are being enforced, with the city collecting transient occupancy tax and posting action plans for residences that are being rented. The city of Ojai is set to start enforcing existing short-term rental rules, it was announced in December. And the Ventura County Board of Supervisors is looking to address the issue in the coming year.
Greg Schneider/Courtesy of the Center for Individual Rights In this 2013, photo provided by Center for Individual Rights, Rebecca Friedrichs, a veteran Orange County public schoolteacher, poses for a portrait. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a California case brought by a group of public school teachers who claim such mandatory fees violate the First Amendment rights of workers who disagree with the unions positions. The lead plaintiff in the case is Friedrichs.

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By Bartholomew Sullivan

WASHINGTON  In a case some believe is an assault on public employee unions, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday from 10 California teachers contesting fees paid to support collective bargaining.

The case, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, involves what the petitioners contend is an unconstitutional mandatory payment for "compelled political speech."

It seeks to end the practice under California state law requiring teachers, including nonunion members, to pay an "agency fee"  sometimes called a "fair share"  to underwrite the expense of collective bargaining with their school districts.

For Ventura Unified Education Association President Chip Fraser, the case is another attempt to undermine public education. Of the 900-plus people covered by his union's bargaining agreement with the Ventura Unified School District, "about 35" pay the agency fee, he said.

Pointing to strong lobbies promoting charter schools at the expense of public education, Fraser said the case is part of a campaign waged by people like Frederick and Charles Koch, who underwrite the Center for Individual Rights law firm that is representing the petitioners; Eli Broad, the billionaire who advocates for privatizing education; and former Washington Schools Superintendent Michelle Rhee, who supports vouchers, charter schools and limiting teacher tenure.

"It's a depressing fact because there are people out there who think, if we just educated the top 10 percent of the population and the other 90 percent would be the field servants, that would make the world go," Fraser said. "We in the public school industry feel differently."

In practice, unions determine the annual dues and the portion that will be devoted to collective bargaining expenses. California law allows the amount that might be used for other union activity, like lobbying or political advocacy, to be refunded if a nonmember objects and requests a refund each year. The agency fee is typically about 2 percent of a new teacher's salary, or about $1,000. The refund to those who object to underwriting non-bargaining expenses is typically about $350 to $400 a year.

The petitioners note that the California Teachers Association took in $173.9 million in dues in 2013.

For those who object to the mandatory payments, they are, in the words of the petitioner school teachers' brief, an "annual tribute" that subsidizes the unions' "quintessentially political act of extracting policy commitments from local elected officials on some of the most contested issues in education and fiscal policy." It's a First Amendment, free speech issue, and teachers are paying for others to speak for them in ways they don't support, they argue.

As a friend-of-the court brief by 18 state attorneys general put it: "The basic question of how much the state will pay its employees is a public policy question unto itself."

The attorneys general contend that a variety of issues that come up in collective bargaining involve political issues, including reproductive health care in benefits packages. They point to the municipal bankruptcies in Detroit and Stockton and San Bernardino in California, as well as Illinois' $100 billion in unfunded liabilities to its public employee retirement systems, as examples where "unsustainable labor commitments" have had major public policy consequences  and not just for employees.

The case has huge implications for public employees in at least 25 states where mandatory dues payments are used to underwrite union activity. Some opponents see the case as an overt attempt to weaken public employee unions and a system for financing them that the high court upheld in a 1977 Michigan case. Others see it as another step toward privatizing the trillion-dollar education industry.

There are 48 friend-of-the court briefs in the case, ranging from the Koch-backed Cato Institute's for the petitioners to the AFL-CIO's for the unions. (See all the briefs: http://tinyurl.com/ze2bdjo)

A brief by the California School Employees Association, whose 740 chapters represent an estimated 225,000 groundskeepers, food service and custodial workers in addition to teachers, said all the employees it represents "will be directly affected by the court's decision in this case."

For Colleen Briner-Schmidt, president of the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers, the fair share payments nonmembers are required to pay for representation "all boils down to fairness." Twenty-nine employees of the roughly 1,000 covered by the association's current agreement opt out of paying non-bargaining expenses, she said.

The Conejo Teachers association is currently bargaining over salaries, working conditions for special education teachers, health benefits and other issues, she said. Although the relationship with the school board is not adversarial, Briner-Schmidt fears losing a voice if the high court rules with the petitioners.

She noted that she even has issues with teachers being able to opt out of underwriting the political activity of the union because of its benefits. Although she's a registered Republican who often doesn't agree with some of her union's political endorsements, she sees value in the political side.

"The fact that we have class-size reduction in California is because the union made that happen," she said. "Prop. 30 that put our funding back in place (in 2012) happened because of the unions. Those are the kinds of things I worry about losing in this case."

Briner-Schmidt, who is also on the board of the National Education Association, said the lead plaintiff in the case, Rebecca Friedrichs, who has taught in the elementary schools of Orange County for 28 years, got the benefit of smaller class sizes and higher pay thanks to the union she doesn't support.

The unions call such people "free riders," getting the benefits of union membership without the cost.

Amanda Hogan, president of the Simi Educators Association, said without fair share payments from everyone, "some people would get the services for free, while others would be paying. It would create an inequity and division." Twenty-nine of the 790 employees covered by the union's contract with the Simi Valley Unified School District make fair share payments rather than full union dues.

Hogan, whose members work in 18 elementary, three middle and four high schools, said a membership campaign currently underway "highlights membership benefits and the effects of the loss of fair share."

Just four of the 765 janitors, food service and other non-teacher employees covered by an agreement with the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association opt out of paying the non-bargaining expenses, President Teri Roots said.

She said she likes lobbying and helping the union endorse "education-friendly candidates, ones that support public education and really have a true understanding of what it is to be a teacher."

Roots said a ruling in the case "will affect everyone in some way, shape or form," but she said she didn't think it would "take the strength away" from her organization.

"We're really a cohesive group," she said.
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WASHINGTON  Resign yourselves. It's time for POTUS to give the SOTU address. I know. I know. It seems as though it just happened yesterday. But it has been a year.

This is the constitutionally mandated occasion when the president assesses the condition of the nation for us.

It is sort of like the Oscars: You feel guilty because you don't really care (you haven't watched most, if any, of the movies); you know it is a big deal (but it is SO LONG); you know exactly what the formula is; you feel as though you must watch because something might happen. (Once, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito actually mouthed "not true" when President Barack Obama criticized the court's controversial campaign finance decision that opened the door to tons more money in political campaigns. You just don't want to miss that kind of titillation.) Obama will be making his last official SOTU speech Tuesday and you just know he is going to proclaim, "My fellow Americans. The state of the union is strong." What else can he say? "Things are not great; Donald Trump is a menace; Hillary Clinton will probably hang my portrait in the basement; I have no idea how I am going to get through the next 12 months; I have decided to spend the rest of my presidency in Hawaii." No way.

The real news, so far, is that South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was picked to rebut the president. The rebuttal (aka the GOP kick-in-the-shins response to the president) is a relatively new idea, born of cable TV and the idea that it is un-American to listen to the president of the United States without hearing his political opponents deride him for half an hour.

Bobby Jindal, Louisiana's governor, gave the rebuttal in 2009 but was widely panned for a singsong style and sophomoric ideas. But he couldn't let it go. Last year, Jindal tweeted before Obama spoke, writing, "I'll save you 45 mins. Obama will decry Republicans, beat up on private business and argue for more 'free stuff.' Your welcome." Bad grammar. Bad idea. Jindal ran for president in 2015 but got no traction and pulled out: "Not my time."

Marco Rubio's rebuttal was late-night-comics' fodder for ages after he sidled left to take a drink of water, all but disappearing from the TV screen. He is battling tooth and nail for third place in Iowa and New Hampshire, trying to tamp down ridicule from other candidates about his high-heeled boots.

So there's a curse in responding to a SOTU. But Nikki Haley! In case you haven't heard, she is going to be the GOP vice presidential candidate. Whoever the GOP presidential candidate is. Cable news has decreed it because, one, she's an attractive female; and two, she impressed everyone with her handling of the aftermath of the Charleston church shootings and her decision to remove the Confederate battle flag from statehouse grounds. Honest! A Republican did that!

We have to watch Obama's address to see who from the Cabinet is not there. That's in case a meteor falls on the Capitol; the administration must have someone to carry on.

We'll see Vice President Joe Biden applaud like crazy at Obama's finely crafted oratory and Democrats pop up like robots to signal their excitement, while House Speaker Paul Ryan, the bearded one, makes disdainful grimaces and Republicans sit on their hands.

This year, Obama will tout job growth, the expanding economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry and booming energy production. Again.

He will plead, again, for effective gun control, combating climate change, restoring the middle class, closing Guantanamo, destroying the Islamic State, bringing civility to politics, paid sick leave and maternity leave, free community college, improving health care and job training for veterans, trade pacts to sell more U.S. goods abroad, more research and development, an overhauled tax code, stronger diplomacy, a renewed commitment to justice and an end to overt racism, and fixing the broken immigration system. He will ask God to bless this great country we love.

It will be a good, if lengthy, speech. But Obama will step down from the podium as a lame duck, and the endless presidential primary games instantly will begin again.

Don't forget the popcorn.

Email Ann McFeatters, an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service, at amcfeatters@nationalpress.com.
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Would you pack up your family and risk your life savings for the chance to start a new life in another country?

In recent years, foreign investment has played a large role in the development of new projects around the United States through a decades-old initiative called the EB-5 "Immigrant Investor" program. While slow to gain traction in its early years, the Great Recession sparked renewed interest by wealthy foreign investors in putting up a minimum of $500,000 to fund projects in the U.S. in exchange for green cards for their families.

However, despite the fact that the EB-5 program generated $5.2 billion in foreign direct investment in the U.S. between 2005 and 2013, it seems that some members of Congress have concluded that it's not fulfilling one of its primary goals, which is to provide jobs to Americans through the creation of startup companies.

The program has survived two potential expiration dates in recent months. Bills had been proposed in both the House and the Senate aimed at addressing issues surrounding the program. However, recently Congress decided to extend the program, without changes, until Sept. 30.

Here in the startup world, it's pretty well understood why the EB-5 program is failing to spur new tech startups: the program has a fatal flaw that renders it useless for all but a few new businesses.

When the EB-5 program was crafted, it included a revocation provision  if the business failed during the first few years, the foreign investor and his family would lose their EB-5 visas and subsequently have to return to their country of origin.

The overwhelming majority of current EB-5 investors come from China. It's common knowledge that emigrating with your family from China has important ramifications. You cannot simply return home without risking heavy social and economic consequences.

Understandably, these investors look for the most conservative, risk-free EB-5 investments possible, which are almost invariably in real estate. And the buildings these investors are constructing? Most of them are hotels and casinos; not at all the vision of successful tech startups that was used to sell the program to lawmakers in the first place.

Clearly, the first step should be to remove the revocation provision. If a foreign investor puts money into a biotech startup, for example, and the company fails because its antibody doesn't bind to the target as expected, it should be understood that that's just the nature of biotech startups. Many fail for technical reasons. Investors shouldn't be punished any more than the cost of losing their investments. Threatening to revoke their EB-5 status prevents investors from supporting precisely the types of risky startup ventures that have the greatest potential for creating jobs. EB-5 investors should be free to fail without suffering immigration consequences.

One of the proposals making its way through Congress would raise the minimum investment to qualify for an EB-5 from $500,000 to $800,000. While this increase is too small to be effective, the idea itself is not bad. Tech startups need a lot of cash. An investment of $500,000 to $800,000 might be good enough to get started, but to really succeed a tech startup often needs more like $3 to $5 million. This level of funding will make it more likely that the company can actually bring a product to market, providing more cushion in case the original product idea doesn't pan out. This will provide greater certainty for investors.

That's a reasonable place to start  remove the EB-5 visa-revocation provision and then raise the minimum investment to, say, $5 million. With the threat of losing the family's visa status gone, more foreign investors might seriously consider investing in U.S. startups for a chance at that EB-5 visa. In exchange for that guarantee, however, investors will be expected to put up a lot more money  the $5 million  which in turn will greatly increase their startups' chances of success. These changes will help the EB-5 program achieve its original objective of promoting much-needed job growth in the U.S. tech sector.

Greg Cauchon, of Thousand Oaks, is the director of the Ventura BioCenter in Newbury Park and a former Amgen research scientist.
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With the news of North Korea testing another nuclear weapon, its leadership continues the fallacy of nuclear deterrence promoted by the nuclear powers of the world.

This action by North Korea must be condemned just as the continued possession of nuclear weapons by all of the nuclear states. This action is against the growing international consensus for a universal treaty banning all nuclear weapons and making their possession illegal just as chemical and biological weapons have been prohibited.

In a year of U.S. presidential elections, where is the voice of reason? Who among the candidates or media has spoken to the legal obligations of the United States and all nuclear powers to work in good faith for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Particularly in view of the current climate science confirming that a small regional limited nuclear war using only 1/2 percent of the global nuclear arsenals has the potential to cause the deaths of more than 2 billion people from the ensuing climate change following such a war.

Who has the courage to speak the truth and put forth a plan to eliminate these weapons?

Where is the media in its investigative obligation and engagement of dialogue on this issue in the campaign? Outlets like PBS continue to cover the arms race and modernization of our Trident submarines, each with the potential for the above scenario many times over, as though it is an acceptable outcome of global doomsday if they are activated. This is accepted without question as a fait accompli.

We must ask the candidates if they are actually aware of this science and, if so, under what circumstance they are ready to end life as we know it becoming de facto suicide bombers. For it would be only a matter of time before the global climatic effects of such a use would result in our own deaths.

There can be no doublespeak in this response. You are either in favor of the status quo with existing arsenals that drive the arms race and promote nations like North Korea to develop their own capabilities, or you work in earnest to eliminate these weapons.

Time is not on our side. Stanford professor Martin Hellman and other probability theorists place the chance of nuclear war either by accident or intention at 1 percent or greater per year. Is this the world we want for our children and grandchildren?

The candidates and the media must overcome their cowardice in addressing this issue at this critical time.

We must demand answers to these questions about the greatest imminent existential threat to our world. We cannot rely on the hope that someone else will take care of this or the notion that I cannot make a difference. In our democracy each of us has a duty and responsibility to be informed and to take action.

Robert Dodge, a family physician in Ventura, serves on the boards of Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions.
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As 2016 takes off, hope seems hard to find  the stock market diving, Shiites and Sunnis rattling sabers in the Middle East, North Korea announcing nuclear advances. By the headlines, you'd swear the world is falling apart.

Challenged by my Christian speaker buddies to pick a word focus for 2016, I chose the word "light." Jesus challenged believers, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand. ... Let your light shine before men." God's hope brings light to even the worst of times.

Need hope? Look for the light around, but you seldom find it on the 6 o'clock news.

Edith Wharton, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, observed, "There are two ways of spreading light: To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it." Allow me to reflect light of some very special people to kindle a little hope to start 2016.

A USA Today story out of Minnesota described how Domino's Pizza driver Angela Nguyen inspired a community to change the life of Lee Haase, a 76-year-old man living in extreme poverty. Lee was a regular Saturday night pizza customer, but after an extreme storm damaged his trailer and his son died in a snowmobile accident, Lee all but gave up on life. Not willing to let Haase continue to live alone in a 12-foot camper with no heat, plumbing or electricity, Angela started a Facebook and GoFundMe site for Lee. Collecting donations of more than $32,360, his supporters bought him a new trailer home, fully furnished and supplied. Over his bed, they posted five words  Joy, Love, Peace, Hope and Believe. Light came to Lee this Christmas.

Invited to get beyond the walls that divide so many modern neighborhoods, 17 percent of households in Agoura Hills created an online social network on Nextdoor.com, where neighbors can ask questions, exchange local advice and get to know one another. They joined 87,000 neighborhoods across the country who've created their own private neighborhood social networks.

When faulty wiring started a fire that took the home and possessions of the Black family before Christmas, neighbors moved into action. Using the newly established Nextdoor network, Patty Limatola-Tanenbaum notified neighbors, established a GoFundMe site, and helped collect and deliver two truckloads of clothing, furniture and other necessities.

Agoura Hills firefighters, responding to the tragedy, brought Christmas gifts to the Black family. Lori Black summed it up, "I'm speechless. We're so lucky to have such amazing neighbors and an amazing fire department." They have insurance and a caring community ready to bring light into their darkest day.

Margraretha Wells came to California with her son James looking for a new start, but even with 23 years of experience as a licensed master cosmetologist, there were challenges  inadequate savings and a higher cost of living. She had always been successful but reluctantly took public assistance.

She heard of Uplift VC program started by LSS Community Care in Thousand Oaks. The program's mission fit  "break the chain of poverty one person at a time." With the support of her allies, she started her own apprenticeship company, Dream International Beauty Academy Apprenticeship. It's more than a business; it will allow Margraretha to help apprentices live their dream as a licensed cosmetologist or barber.

"There are thousands of people who love to cut and style who are working out of their kitchens with their neighbors and friends," Margraretha told me. "I once was one of them. Apprenticeship provides a way for them to get paid while learning and earning a license. By the grace of God, I will be successful, and I'll help others do the same."

None of us may have enough light to change the country, but each may have enough to change a neighborhood or a neighbor. In total darkness, one candle sends darkness running. Let's let our lights shine. Let's be the hope we so want to see in America today.

Terry Paulson, of Agoura Hills, is a speaker and author of "The Optimism Advantage." Email him at terry@terrypaulson.com.
A missile strike on a Doctors Without Borders clinic in Yemen killed at least four people Sunday, the group said, condemning what it called a "worrying pattern" of such attacks.

The Paris-based medical humanitarian organisation said three of its staff members were among 10 people wounded in the raid, the third of its kind in four months in the war-ravaged country.

Two other members of staff were in "critical condition", the group known by its French acronym MSF said in a statement.

"The numbers of casualties could rise as there could still be people trapped in the rubble," it said, adding the missile hit the medical facility in the Razeh district of Saada province.

But all staff and patients had been evacuated, with the patients being transferred to another MSF-supported hospital in Saada, it said.

MSF could not specify whether the medical facility was hit in an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition or by a rocket fired from the ground.

Its director of operations, Raquel Ayora, denounced the strike and repeated that the organisation constantly shares the coordinates of its facilities with those fighting in Yemen.

"All warring parties are regularly informed of the GPS coordinates of the medical sites where MSF works," said Ayora.

"There is no way that anyone with the capacity to carry out an air strike or launch a rocket would not have known" that the clinic was a functioning health facility supported by MSF, Ayora said.

"We strongly condemn this incident that confirms a worrying pattern of attacks to essential medical services and express our strongest outrage as this will leave a very fragile population without healthcare for weeks," said Ayora.

"Once more it is civilians that bear the brunt of this war," she added.

Saada is the heartland of the Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels that the coalition has been bombing since March in support of Yemen's beleaguered government.

MSF last month accused the coalition of bombing its clinic in Taez, southwest Yemen, wounding nine people including two staff members.

The coalition said it would investigate that claim although it has repeatedly insisted that it does not attack civilians.

In October, air strikes hit another hospital run by MSF near Saada without causing any deaths.

More than 5,800 people have been killed in Yemen since March, about half of them civilians, according to the United Nations.

At least 27,000 people have been wounded as 80 percent of the population is in need of humanitarian aid, according to UN figures.

The UN envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, arrived Sunday in Sanaa in a bid to convince the rebels and their allies to attend a new round of peace talks.

"We are in Sanaa to exert more efforts with all parties concerned to (convince them to) hold a new round of talks," the rebel-controlled sabanews.net website quoted the envoy as saying upon his arrival in the rebel-held capital.

The UN envoy had met with Yemeni government officials temporarily based in Riyadh, before he headed to Sanaa.

Foreign Minister Abdel Malak al-Mekhlafi told AFP the talks, initially scheduled to start on January 14 had been postponed until January 20 or 23.

The government sat down with the rebels and their allies last month in Switzerland for six days of talks that ended without a major breakthrough.

Also on Sunday, Yemeni intelligence colonel Ali Saleh al-Nakhibi was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in second city Aden, a security official said.

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Country superstar Shania Twain will proudly serve as the Grand Marshal of Opportunity Villages Las Vegas Great Santa Run on Saturday, December 7, 2013. Marking the 5ks ninth year, Twain will join thousands of Kris Kringles in Downtown Las Vegas for the nonprofits largest annual fundraiser.

It is an honor to partner with Opportunity Village on this incredible event, said Twain, who currently headlines SHANIA: STILL THE ONE at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. I love getting involved with the Las Vegas community and am excited to give back to such an amazing organization this holiday season.

As part of her Grand Marshal duties, Shania will welcome more than 10,000 Santa lookalikes and kick off the race alongside Opportunity Villages OVIP clients. To encourage registration, Twain will head a Great Santa Run team for her fans to join, raising money for the wonderful, unique services provided by Opportunity Village. The following fundraising goals will lead to exclusive prizes, including:

$50  Official Team Shania T-Shirt

 Official Team Shania T-Shirt $250  Access to Team Shania VIP Tent with complimentary breakfast; Team Shania T-Shirt

 Access to Team Shania VIP Tent with complimentary breakfast; Team Shania T-Shirt $500  A pair of tickets to SHANIA:STILL THE ONE ; access to Team Shania VIP Tent with complimentary breakfast; Team Shania T-Shirt

 A pair of tickets to ; access to Team Shania VIP Tent with complimentary breakfast; Team Shania T-Shirt $1,000  A pair of VIP tickets to SHANIA:STILL THE ONE with VIP Meet and Greet after the show; access to Team Shania VIP Tent with complimentary breakfast; Team Shania T-Shirt

Sign up to be a part of Team Shania at the Great Santa Run here.

We are thrilled to have Ms. Twain involved in Las Vegas jolliest 5k, said Linda Smith, Opportunity Villages Chief Development Officer. Her participation is a testament as to how far this run has come over the years, and we couldnt be more excited to flood the streets of Downtown Las Vegas with Santas!

2013 will see the events return to Downtown Las Vegas, the original birthplace of the Great Santa Run. The race course will begin under the glowing overhead screens of Fremont Street Experience and continue throughout downtown, passing a number of landmarks and some of Las Vegas most captivating architecture. Participants can choose to run in the 5k or the one-mile Kris Kringle Jingle walk.

Additionally, this year the Great Santa Run will fight to keep its reigning title of World Santa Challenge Champion. This friendly competition takes place between festive fun runs in cities across the globe, including Liverpool, Tasmania and Osaka, to see which race can accrue the most participants. During its nine year existence, the Las Vegas Great Santa Run has won the coveted award eight times.

As in years past, the Great Santa Run will entertain with live performances, food, costume contests, celebrity appearances, and more, as local businesses join in on the fun in support of Opportunity Village.
Golden Nugget Las Vegas headliner, Gordie Brown, will honor current and retired service members surrounding our National Day of Service and Remembrance with a special local ticket price, a portion of which will be donated to U.S.VETS  Las Vegas, an organization dedicated to providing veterans with comprehensive housing and employment services in the Las Vegas Valley.

September 9 and 10, Brown will welcome current and former service members at the show and the Golden Nugget will offer Las Vegas locals an incredible deal with $20.45 (inclusive) tickets dedicating a portion of that price to U.S.VETS  Las Vegas.

On this special weekend, Im very pleased to have the opportunity to honor the men and women of the armed services, said Brown. Im looking forward to entertaining them and excited that were able to give back to an organization like U.S.VETS  Las Vegas.

With his show, Gordie Brown Live, Brown has entertained thousands of people during his time at the Golden Nugget. He began performances in the Gordie Brown Showroom, the state-of-the-art room built just for him, in 2010 after touring with Celine Dion on her North American tour in 2008 and 2009.

Were delighted to support U.S.VETS  Las Vegas at the Golden Nugget, said Tiffany Hauck, public relations manager for the hotel-casino. We are thrilled to offer the opportunity for Las Vegas locals to take advantage of an affordable ticket, while at the same time helping to make a difference in the lives of local veterans.


President Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of about 13,000 supporters at a political rally at Doolittle Park in Las Vegas on October 24, 2012. This campaign event was one stop in a two-day blitz in which President Obama will visit eight states. The Presidents complete remarks are included at the end of this post. (Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com).

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Singer Katy Perry performed at the event (click here for images). Congresswoman Shelley Berkley also spoke at the event comedian Hal Sparks was spotted in the crowd.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

hoto:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.



Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.



Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Photo:  Erik Kabik, erikkabik.com.

Full Transcript of President Obamas Speech in Las Vegas on October 24, 2012

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Nevada! (Applause.) Are you fired up? (Applause.) Are you ready to go? (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, this is an unbelievable crowd. First of all, can everybody please give a huge round of applause to Michael for his service to our country. We are proud of him. (Applause.)

Weve got here your Congresswoman and next United States Senator, Shelley Berkley in the house. (Applause.) Some outstanding Nevadans who are running for Congress: Steven Horsford  (applause)  John Oceguera  (applause)  and Dina Titus. (Applause.)

I am so grateful to Katy Perry for the unbelievable performance. (Applause.) Katy! Im getting to know Katy. Shes just a wonderful young lady, and I can tell that part of it is because of her outstanding grandma, Ann, a 50-year resident of Nevada. So give her a big round of applause. (Applause.) Thats right. The only thing I have to say is Ann got some lipstick on me when she kissed me. (Laughter.) So fortunately somebody wiped it off before Michelle saw it. (Laughter.) Im just telling you, you might get me in trouble. (Laughter.)

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Obama!

THE PRESIDENT: I love you back! (Applause.)

Now, it is great to see all of you. This is the third stop on our 24-hour [sic] campaign extravaganza fly-around of America. (Applause.) We are pulling an all-nighter. No sleep. And if youre not going to sleep, you might as well be in Vegas, right? (Applause.) Might as well be in Vegas. Weve come from Colorado. We were in Iowa. I stopped by to do Leno in L.A. Right after this, were going to fly to Florida, Virginia, Ohio. (Applause.) Im going to stop in Chicago to vote. (Applause.) I cant tell you who Im voting for because its a secret ballot. (Laughter.) But Michelle told me she voted for me. (Laughter.)

See, we can vote early in Illinois, just like you can vote early here in Nevada. And Ive come to Nevada to ask you for your vote. (Applause.) Ive come to ask you to help me keep America moving forward. (Applause.)

Now, you now have seen three debates, months of campaigning, way too many TV commercials. Youve heard Governor Romneys sales pitch.

AUDIENCE: Booo 

THE PRESIDENT: Wait, wait. Wait, dont boo  vote. Vote. (Applause.) But 

AUDIENCE: Vote! Vote! Vote!

THE PRESIDENT: Vote! Vote! Vote!

AUDIENCE: Vote! Vote! Vote!

THE PRESIDENT: This is a feisty crew behind me here. (Applause.) All right, so youve seen all the commercials. You now have seen Governor Romneys sales pitch. Hes been running around saying hes got a five-point plan for the economy, except it turns out its a one-point plan. Folks at the top play by a different set of rules than you do. They get to pay a lower tax rate. They get to outsource more jobs. They want to see Wall Street run wild again.

That was his philosophy in the boardroom. That was his philosophy as Governor. And if it sounds familiar, its because that was the philosophy that we tried in the decade before I took office, and it led to falling incomes, and the slowest job growth in half a century, and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. And weve been working for four years to clean up the mess they left behind. (Applause.)

Governor Romney knows this. He knows his plan isnt any different than the policies that led to our recession, so in the final weeks of this election, he has been counting on you to forget. Hes hoping you come down with  what?

AUDIENCE: Romnesia!

THE PRESIDENT: Hes hoping you come down with what we call Romnesia. (Laughter.) Hes hoping you wont remember that his economic plan is more likely to create jobs in China than here in America, because it rewards companies that move jobs and profits overseas. Hes hoping that you wont remember that he wants to give millionaires and billionaires a $250,000 tax cut, because the only way he can pay for it is either blowing up the deficit or asking you to pay higher taxes. Hes hoping you will come down with a severe case of Romnesia before you cast your ballot.

But, Las Vegas, I want you all to know this: If you feel any symptoms coming on  (laughter)  fever, a ringing in your ears, blurred vision, not being able to remember what you said just last week  if its coming on, the good news is we can fix you up. Obamacare covers preexisting conditions. We can make you well. (Applause.) Theres a cure, Nevada  all youve got to do is vote! (Applause.) We could cure this thing.

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: Now, listen, I want to get serious for a second. We joke about Romnesia, but the reason I bring this up is because it speaks to something serious and that is the issue of trust. When you elect a President, you dont know exactly whats going to be coming up in the future. You dont know what kind of crisis may arise. You dont know what kind of decisions the President may have to make.

But theres no more serious issue in the presidential campaign than who can you trust. Trust matters. Whos going to look out for you? And heres the thing  Nevada, you know me by now. (Applause.) You know I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.

We havent finished everything we set out to do in 2008, but you know that every single day that I set foot in that office, I am thinking about you. (Applause.) I am fighting for your families. And with your help, Ive been keeping the commitments that I made. (Applause.)

I told you Id end the war in Iraq  and I ended the war in Iraq. I said wed the end the war in Afghanistan  we are transitioning as we speak. I said wed refocus on the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11  and we have, and theres a new tower rising above the New York skyline. Al Qaeda is on the path to defeat. Osama bin Laden is dead. (Applause.) Our heroes, like Michael, are coming home. I have kept those promises.

I promised to cut taxes for middle-class families and small businesses  and I have. I promised to end taxpayer-funded Wall Street bailouts for good  and we have. I promised to repeal dont ask, dont tell, because anybody who loves this country should be able to serve in our military regardless of who they love. (Applause.)

I bet on American workers and American ingenuity, and we saved a dying auto industry thats back on top of the world. On issue after issue, we are moving forward.

After losing 9 million jobs in the Great Recession, our businesses have added more than 5 million new jobs in the past two and a half years. The unemployment rate is falling. Home values and home sales are rising. Our assembly lines are humming. Weve got a long way to go, Nevada, but weve come too far to go back now. (Applause.) We cannot afford to go backwards to the policies that got us into this mess. Weve got to go forward. And thats why Im running for a second term as President of the United States. (Applause.) Thats why I need your vote.

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: Now  hold on. Hold on a second. Hold on.

AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: All right, hold on, hold on, hold on  I got a little more on my plate here. (Laughter.) I got a little more to my agenda.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Obama!

THE PRESIDENT: I love you back. (Applause.) But this is about the future. And I have a plan that will actually create jobs and create middle-class security. And unlike Mitt Romney, Im proud to talk about whats in my plan. (Applause.)

Im not going to pretend whats in my plan is not in my plan. Im not going to conveniently forget what I said last week about my plan. And the good news is that the math in my plan actually adds up. (Applause.)

If you want to take a look, you can go to BarackObama.com/plans. You can share it with your friends and neighbors and co-workers, because there are still people out there who are trying to make up their minds. Some of you here may have just come to hear Katy Perry and still dont know who to vote for. (Laughter.) Im just saying its possible.

Some of you might have been dragged here by your girlfriend or boyfriend. They said, you know what, you have to come to the rally and you didnt feel like coming. But now that youre here, I want you to compare my plans to Governor Romneys plans. See which plan is better for you. See which plan is better for Nevada. See which plan is better for Americas future. (Applause.)

Now, the first thing I want to do  end tax breaks for companies that are shipping jobs overseas, reward small businesses and manufacturers who create jobs right here in the United States. (Applause.)

The second thing I want to do is cut our oil imports in half by 2020 so we control our own energy. And that also means making sure that we are creating cars and trucks that have higher gas mileage; making sure that were developing solar and wind and biofuels  the energy sources of the future. We are less dependent on foreign oil than at any time in the last two decades because of the steps weve taken.

But weve got more to do. I want to build on that progress. I dont want fuel-efficient cars or solar panels made in China  I want them made here in Nevada. (Applause.) I want them made here in America with American workers. And we can do it. And, by the way, it will help our environment as well as our economy and our national security. (Applause.)

Number three, were going to make it a national mission to educate our kids and train our workers better than anybody else in the world. (Applause.) I want to recruit 100,000 math and science teachers, train 2 million workers at our community colleges to get the skills they need for the jobs that are hiring right now. I want to keep college tuition low so our young people arent burdened with debt. (Applause.) We can do that.

I want us to reduce our deficit by $4 trillion, but do it in a balanced way. Well cut out spending we dont need, but Im also going to ask the wealthiest to pay a little bit more in taxes, including me  (applause)  so we can invest in research and technology, and provide young people with the support they need for their college educations. Those things will keep new jobs and businesses coming to America.

And Im not going to reduce the deficit by turning Medicare into a voucher  because no American should spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. (Applause.)

And finally, I want to use the savings from ending the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to put our people back to work doing some nation-building here at home  (applause)  building roads and bridges and schools, sending broadband lines into rural communities.

When our veterans come home, I want to serve them as well as theyve served us. (Applause.) I want to help them find jobs as police officers and firefighters and first responders. No one who fights for this country should have to fight for a job, or a roof over their heads, or the care they need when they come home. (Applause.)

So thats the plan, Nevada. Thats how you build a strong, sustainable economy that has good middle-class jobs. Thats how you encourage new businesses to stay here. Thats how you increase take-home pay  not by talking about it, but by implementing plans that do it. Thats how you build an economy where everybody who works hard has a chance to get ahead.

Thats what we can do together. And now its up to you. Nevada, right here, right now, today, you have the chance to choose the path we go from here. Its up to the young people here to choose the future that you believe in, that you want to see. Its up to you and the not-so-young people here, like me, to choose the future we want to leave for the next generation. You can choose the top-down policies that got us into this mess, or you can choose the policies that are getting us out. (Applause.)

You can choose a foreign policy thats reckless and all over the map, or you can choose one that is steady and strong. You can choose to turn the clock back 50 years for women and immigrants and gays, or in this election you can stand up for the principle that America includes everybody. Were all created equal  (applause)  Black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, abled, disabled  no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, no matter where you come from or who you love, in America you can make it if you try. (Applause.) Thats what you believe in.

Nevada, weve been through tough times before. We have been through tough times before. But the American people are always tough. We always come out on top because we pull together, because we look after one another, because we leave nobody behind  we pull folks up. We dont turn backwards. We look forward. (Applause.) We look forward. We look forward to the distant horizon  (applause)  to new possibilities, to new frontiers. Thats what we believe and thats who we are.

Our destiny is not written for us, its written by us. And we can write the next chapter, together, right now. Thats why Im asking for your vote. (Applause.) And if you give me your vote, I promise you I will always hear your voices. (Applause.) I will always fight for your families. I will spend every waking hour trying to make your lives a little bit better. (Applause.)

I believe in you. I need you to keep believing in me. (Applause.) And if youll stand with me, and work with me, and knock on some doors with me, make some calls for me, well win Clark County again. (Applause.) Well win Nevada again. (Applause.) Well win this election. Well finish what we started. Well remind the world why the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth. (Applause.)

Thank you, Nevada. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)


Populated by many more cows than people, the pastoral landscape of Uruguay is a place of kitchen hearths and kitchen tables. Most homes outside of the city feature a wood-fired parilla and the kind of kitchen table at which you could spend the entire day.

I was privileged to spend time at many such tables during my visit to Uruguay. But by far the biggest of those tables, and among the most welcoming, was the massive wooden slab that, thigh-thick and yards across, dominated the center of Reinaldo De Luccas home. It was the kind of table that Id imagine kicking my boots up on at the end of a long meal while I contentedly picked my teeth. Assuming I lived there, of course  even the congeniality that pervades Uruguayan hospitality requires at least some decorum from a visiting journalist.

But had I the temerity to get that comfortable, I can hardly imagine the big-knucked, mustachioed De Lucca would mind. This is a man whose rustic doorway bore the sign Aqui vive un Bodeguero  Here lives a winemaker, and whose patio had more space on it for antique wine processing tools than for furniture.

It would be easy, given the extremely rural, 100-year old cellar, and the fact that the table and most other elements of the bodegueros cosy home qualified for the descriptor rough-hewn to imagine that De Lucca might not have strayed much farther than the little creek at the end of the lane that gives its name to his familys vineyards, the Rio Colorado.

Indeed, De Lucca is the third generation farmer of a set of vineyards tucked into one of Uruguays oldest wine growing districts, Canelones, about 90 miles north of the capital Montevideo. And while he would most certainly classify himself as a humble farmer, he is both one of the most internationally educated of Uruguays old guard winemakers (with degrees from Penn State and from the University of Montpelier in France), and one of the most ardent advocates for Uruguays modern fine wine industry, having personally helped push the countrys level of quality to new heights.

I wear my french T-shirt under my sweater, says De Lucca. By this I am meant to understand that you can take the boy out of Uruguay but you can never take the Uruguay out of the boy.

De Luccas family, like many in Uruguay, emigrated from Italy. My mothers side of the family is Piemontese, from near Asti, and my fathers side of the family was originally from the south, but moved to Tuscany for a while before coming to Uruguay nearly at the beginning of the 20th century.

The family began commercial grape production under the De Lucca name in 1914.

Originally they planted Sangiovese, Barbera, and Grignolino, and bought this winery, which is more than 100 years old, says De Lucca. The tanks are made of bricks, not of concrete.

Near the winery the family planted Tannat in 1905 and 1906, but later dug up those vineyards when they realized it was a frost-prone site. De Lucca still lives and works at the century-old winery along with his daughter Agostina, who has recently begun to help with the commercial side of the business, but his 123 acres of vineyards are in the surrounding countryside with better soils and better slopes.

Like many of the smaller farmers pioneering the fine wine of Uruguay, De Lucca was born to it, helping out in the winery from the age of 8 to 12 because I liked it he recalls. He studied Agronomic Engineering at the University of Montevideo, and then went to Penn State for a masters in Plant Physiology and Communication.

Plant Physiology and Plant Communication? I ask, making sure I understand his meaning.

Oh yes. Plants communicate, he says. Take a walk during flower time and during harvest. It is an erotic time. The aromas of the different varieties during flowering are different. The Aroma during harvest is different. You can smell what they do.

After working for a time for the Uruguayan Ministry of Agriculture, he went to France to receive first another Masters in Viticulture and then a PhD in Viticulture.

Then I spent a few months in Israel studying irrigation and fertigation and also communication, because it is very important and useful today, says De Lucca. When you want to position an idea and transfer information, you must know how to do it. I have learned that it is not only important to have a good wine, but to know how to let people know about the wine.

It is not enough to produce a good wine, he continues. That is an obligation, not a merit. I cannot say to an importer or a consumer merely I have a good wine. Why should they adopt Uruguayan wine, why my wine? What can I offer that is different from others? Not everyone in Uruguay understands that. Our task is not to sell wine, our task is to put the Uruguayan wine industry in the eyes and minds of the people in the target market we want to reach. And that is a very complex and difficult task.

Apparently so, as De Luccas own wines proved immediately upon tasting. These are some of the highest quality, most distinctive wines made in Uruguay, and can easily stand among the top wines of South America, and yet they are virtually unheard of in the United States.

Whats the De Lucca formula for such honest and distinctive wines? It will sound familiar to anyone who has spent time around old-school, old-world winemakers.

First, we farm mechanically, explains De Lucca. I use compost, I compost the seeds, the leave,s the clusters the skins, everything. I give it back to the vineyard. Thats the only fertilizer I use. No chemicals. If you want to produce high quality wines you cant use chemical fertilizers. We dont use insecticide either. We do use fungicide because otherwise you cant produce grapes in Uruguay. For us it is a combination of copper, sulfur, and phosphorus. I use only a topical herbicide that burns weeds as they grow, not any pre-emergence herbicides that will linger in the soil.

De Luccas work in the vineyard focuses on reducing vigor, and creating balance.

A good vineyard should be in equilibrium like a person, he says with a smile. When you are in equilibrium, you give the best. Plants are the same thing. We must remember that wine is a living actor, coming from another living actor which is the plant. The plant digs in the soil to introduce the roots. For what? Taking water, only the water. The aerial parts, the chest of the plants, look into the sky to capture the C02 to clean the air and give us back the oxygen, and to capture the energy coming from the sky. This energy puts together water and CO2 and builds up the carbonate chains that are the building blocks of the plant and the production of berries. If the vineyard is in equilibrium, and you dont touch the environment and you dont disturb it, it will give you the best harvest.

If you plant a vineyard in soils for carrots, you will never obtain high quality, he continues. You will have to do a green harvest, thinning your clusters again and again. Too much production by the vine is because you have done something wrong. Youre not in good soils or you are not making good practice.

I tell you something, he says wagging his finger for emphasis, people here are scared of botrytis. I never treat against it. I never have problems. If you harvest 20 tons per hectare you will have every problem. You need to let the plant alone to do what the plants do.

De Lucca hand-harvests his grapes, and brings them to his ancient winery that sits 10 steps from his front door. I do my selection in the vineyard, he says. I dont do any triage in the winery. We only use good clusters.

My father fermented in cement, says De Lucca. When I took over in 1991, I thought to myself steel was more modern. Its good. But now I have changed back.

The wines ferment with selected neutral yeasts at naturally cool temperatures with some pumping over when necessary. When the alcohol goes up, he explains, We let maybe 10 days of maceration without doing much or touching the bust and the skins.

This, he explains, is the secret to getting Tannat to have smooth, softer tannins. With Tannat there is a huge risk of these sharp tannins, but to me the best extraction is just in those first few days but not much more.

De Lucca is the kind of winemaker you might expect to emphasize the use of so-called native yeasts in his fermentations, especially with the family history of using the same winery for nearly a century.

I started producing my wines without inoculation, of course, says De Lucca, but I found a problem with the wild yeasts. Maybe it is this climate. There are lots of types of yeasts, and some are good and some are bad. For many years I didnt inoculate, but I realized I needed to improve my quality, and so now I use neutral yeasts. I dont use those ones that produce specific aromas. Thats bullshit.

One of the things that sets De Lucca apart from many of the other winemakers in Uruguay is his insistence on cofermentation of grapes, rather than blending before bottling.

Its just the best blend you can obtain, he says by way of explanation. There is risk though. You take a risk if the maturity is not completed in the varieties you are using. It needs to be extremely clean.

After fermentation, his wines settle into tanks or old barrels. De Lucca uses very little new wood in his winemaking.

Not just any wine deserves wood, he says. You can destroy a wine with barrels if it doesnt need it.

As opposed to many producers, he also prefers to bottle age his wines for much longer before release, something else he believes contributes to the approachability of Tannat in particular.

A lot of people are selling in the same year as the vintage, he says, shaking his head. I am selling anything at a minimum of one and a half years after harvest.

One of the other things that sets De Lucca apart are the varieties of grapes that are found in his wines. You might imagine that a country filled with northern Italian immigrants would be filled with Italian grape varieties, but as the early settlers learned much to their chagrin, most Italian grape varieties are quite difficult to grow in the very wet climate of Uruguay. Consequently most people stopped trying in about the 19th century.

De Lucca is one of the few producers to blend Italian grape varieties such as Sangiovese and Nero dAvola with his Tannat with excellent results.

In addition to these, he also produces the only Marsanne in Uruguay (I liked it when I was in Montpelier he says with a shrug) and an incredibly distinctive and elegant Syrah that he produces only in years when he can get it truly ripe (I had fun visiting the Cote du Rhone! is his answer to that one).

All of De Luccas wines have something of an honesty to them. An understated quality that might be mistaken for rusticity were it not for the utterly smooth tannins and exquisite balance in the wines. The lack of wood influence lets both the fruit show, as well as the distinct flavor that De Lucca suggests is the product of the red soils that give his wine growing area its name.

These are wines that open their arms wide and smile as wide as the one under De Luccas mustache. You neednt spend much time with them before theyll invite you to sit down at the table and spend an idyllic afternoon trading stories about family and friends. And a few of them will simply leave you sitting in stunned silence, asking yourself as I did, why on Earth havent more people tasted this stuff?

Unfortunately, I could find only a single wine of De Luccas available to purchase on the Internet in the US. Keep an eye out for them, and snap them up if you find them.

TASTING NOTES:

2015 De Lucca Sauvignon Blanc, Canelones, Uruguay

Light gold in the glass, this wine smells of wet stones and ripe apples. In the mouth, apple and pear flavors mix with nice mineral undertones. Notes of citrus zest and pith linger in the finish. Excellent acidity and balance. 13.6% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9.

2015 De Lucca Reserve Marsanne, Canelones, Uruguay

Light to medium gold in the glass, this wine smells of quince and a hint of candle wax. In the mouth quince and spiced pear flavors mix with a wonderful minerality and a slight spicy kick on the finish. Excellent acidity and length. Includes about 10% Roussanne. 13% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9.

2011 De Lucca Reserve Merlot, Canelones, Uruguay

Medium to dark ruby in the glass, this wine smells of leather, cedar, and dried red fruit. In the mouth, graphite, cedar, and red fruits have a nice leathery quality and a very mature aspect to them. Fine grained tannins wrap around the core of fruit. Excellent acidity and length. Outstanding, but maturing quickly. Spends about a year in a mix of old and new French oak.14% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5.

2011 De Lucca Antonella Syrah, Canelones, Uruguay

Dark garnet in color, this wine smells of meaty and smoky blackberry. In the mouth, a wonderfully savory blackberry, cassis, and passion fruit combination possesses a smoky barnyard quality and has a nice spicy black pepper kick on the finish. Very old school in character. Nice powdery tannins and hint of mineral tone underneath. Comes from head pruned, 20-year-old vines in very shallow soils. 13.9% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5.

2014 De Lucca Agostina Pinot Noir, Canelones, Uruguay

Light ruby in the glass, this wine smells of raspberry and green herbs. In the mouth, raspberry and wet stone flavors mix with a faint green herb note. Very faint, very fine grained tannins linger in the finish. Excellent acidity. Ages in neutral oak for 18 months. 1000 bottles produced. 14.2% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9.

2013 De Lucca Reserve Tannat, Canelones, Uruguay

Very dark garnet in color, this wine smells of black cherry and blackberry. In the mouth, very stony and lean blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors have a smooth power to them along with their cool concrete stoniness. Very fine-grained tannins linger with a hint of smoky earth in the finish. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $15. click to buy.

2011 De Lucca Libero Red Blend, Canelones, Uruguay

Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of black cherry, raisins, and chocolate. In the mouth, a leathery fist of tannins closes tightly around a core of black cherry, earth, leather, and dried herbs. Good acidity keeps this wine fresh despite the dried fruit character. The tannins need some time. A blend of 95% Tannat and 5% Nero dAvola and Sangiovese. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 9.

2011 De Lucca Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Canelones, Uruguay

Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of black cherry and tobacco. In the mouth wonderfully bright and juicy cherry flavors are tinged with a distinct coconut flavor of American oak as well as a remarkable saline character that turns to a slightly olive quality in the finish. Very fine-grained tannins linger and gather strength in the finish with a bit of saltiness and the distinct character of oak. For me theres a bit too much wood in this wine, but thats true of young Ridge Montebello as well. Like that wine, this is a very excellent Cabernet. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 9.

2008 De Lucca Rio Colorado Red Blend, Canelones, Uruguay

Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of cherry and tobacco and a hint of graphite. In the mouth, wonderfully seamless flavors of cherry, tobacco, graphite and a hint of espresso mix with a darker crushed stone and earthy minerality. Phenomenally balanced with fantastic acidity and length. Regal and poised, this is one helluva wine, and easily one of the best I tasted in Uruguay. A blend of 40% Tannat, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot. This wine is made in only the best years. 13.3% alcohol. 6000 bottles made Score: around 9.5.

2002 De Lucca Syrah, Canelones, Uruguay

Medium to dark ruby in the glass, this wine smells of gamey earth, cedar, and leather. In the mouth, leather, cherry and very tight fine grained tannins have a blunt and somewhat rustic quality. 12.5% alcohol. Score: between 8 and 8.5.

2000 De Lucca Rio Colorado Red Blend, Canelones, Uruguay

Medium to dark ruby in color, this wine smells of sweet cedar, cherry, and juniper berries. In the mouth, wonderfully smooth, powdery tannins wrap around a core of fennel seeds, leather, cherry and dried herbs, all tinged with a hint of American oak. Excellent acidity and deep stony minerality round out a seamless and beautiful package. A blend of Tannat, Cabernet, and Merlot. The Tannat is aged in American oak, while the Cab and Merlot are aged in French oak. 13% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5.

2015 De Lucca Bravura Tannat, Canelones, Uruguay

Inky, opaque purple in the glass, this wine smells of rich blackberry and black cherry fruit. In the mouth, tight powdery tannins wrap around a core of smoky blackberry and black cherry fruit that has a beautiful crushed cherry minerality and juicy acidity. Very, very young yet (it wont be sold for some time) but juicy and delicious. Notes of bitter chocolate linger in the finish. 13.7% alcohol. Score: around 9.

2011 De Lucca Florencia Cosecha Noble Marsanne, Canelones, Uruguay

Dark gold in the glass in the glass, this wine smells of exotic citrus marmalade and honey. In the mouth, flavors of dark honey, dried fruit, and parchment have a very faint sweetness that turns bitter in the end. Decent acidity still, but doesnt have the depth and complexity I might like. 15% alcohol. Score: around 8.
Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski has summoned the German ambassador in Warsaw because of "anti-Polish comments by German politicians," the ministry said in a statement Sunday.

Foreign ministry spokesman Artur Dmochowski told reporters that the ambassador, Rolf Nikel, was expected for a meeting on Monday morning.

Dmochowski refused to say what comments had caused offence and which German politician had uttered them.

Relations between Berlin and Warsaw have been strained since the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) returned to power in Poland in October.

The eurosceptic party has said it will financially support EU efforts to tackle the refugee crisis, but has made it clear Poland would not take in migrants.

The stance has put it on a collision course with Germany, which took in 1.1 million asylum-seekers last year -- the largest group among them coming from Syria -- and has called on all EU members to accept their fair share.

Last month,Waszczykowski retorted sharply to accusations against Warsaw over its refusal and questioned Germany's stance on eastern Europe.

"When did Germany let Polish citizens work in Germany after we joined the EU in 2004? After seven years. Why did no one speak of a lack of solidarity then?" Waszczykowski said at the time.

"Today Germany is taking in one million Syrians, no problem, (yet they are) people from another continent," he told the Berliner Zeitung in an interview.

Warsaw was also irked in December when European Parliament President Martin Schulz, a German Social Democrat, compared the political situation in Poland to a "coup".

Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo demanded an apology.

Several German and other European politicians have also voiced concern over the Polish government's recent media and justice reforms, seeing in them an erosion of liberties.

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Pakistan is to host a key meeting of top Afghan, US and Chinese officials on Monday. Participants are tasked to set the stage and determine dates for resuming peace talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban to end years of hostilities in Afghanistan.

The expansion of the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan during the past year has fueled regional and international concerns the upcoming spring fighting season may lead to even more bloodshed and instability in the war-shattered country.

Afghan and Pakistani officials say four-nation talks in Islamabad are to determine a roadmap and define limits for reviving a peace process.

U.S. Ambassador to Islamabad David Hale says an Afghan peace process is a difficult issue.

The goal, of course, is an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process, but we all know that Pakistan, the United States, other countries, China, our partners in the Gulf, all have ways in which they can influence positively this outcome," he said. "Now the even harder part starts of actually getting going, and we are in that sort of preparatory phase now of having discussions behind the scenes on just how we get organized and develop a strategy here to bring it home.

There is widespread skepticism about whether the Taliban is ready to give up violence and reengage in a result-oriented peace dialogue with the Afghan government.

Ghani optimistic



Speaking Saturday in Kabul, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sounded optimistic about the four-nation effort.

Ghani said the internationally-monitored discussions beginning Monday will enable all sides to differentiate between insurgents who want reconciliation and those who oppose it.

Without naming Pakistan, President Ghani said this time we have received assurances that force and other means will be used against non-reconcilable Taliban militants.

Pakistani security analyst Simbal Khan has just returned from Kabul, where she says Afghans are eager to seek a truce with the Taliban before spring fighting.

The leadership of the Taliban still resides in parts of Pakistan, so it is very difficult for Pakistan to deny that anymore," she said. "But what would be expected of us would be that in the case of those who refuse to be reconciled, that Pakistan's government, Pakistan's military, will act against those, either by evicting them, either by arresting them and handing them over to the Afghan government or by eliminating them.

Bringing Taliban to the table



Khan says the Afghan government has not made it clear what political and economic incentives it wants to bring to the table as a reward for the Taliban to cease hostilities.

The Taliban right now are resurgent," she said. "They are winning more and more territory inside Afghanistan. They have shown their military power, they have attacked district centers, they have taken over district centers and they are poised now to expand that, and we have seen the performance of the Afghan government quite weak.

Pakistan hosted a preliminary round of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban last July. The process was halted after it was revealed Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, had died two years ago. Internal rifts have since plagued the Taliban because some commanders refuse to pledge allegiance to Omars successor, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor.

Taliban officials have not clearly stated the group is ready to come to the table for talks. They also dismiss suggestions pressure from Pakistan may push them to the negotiation table, insisting any such attempts will be counterproductive for the Afghan peace efforts.
Egypt held an opening session of parliament Sunday, the chamber's first session in more than three years.

The assembly has 15 days to ratify hundreds of executive decrees issued by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, or the laws will be repealed.

Egypt has not had a parliament since 2012 when a court dissolved the democratically elected legislature that had been dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood of the country's former president Mohamed Morsi.

Sissi, the former head of Egypt's armed forces, rose to power in 2014 after a military coup that toppled Morsi, led to his eventual arrest and outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood.

Turnout for last year's parliamentary elections was low and most of those elected support Sissi and his secular agenda.

The new parliament is the first elected since adoption in 2014 of a new constitution that empowers lawmakers to impeach a president or call for early elections.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the missile attack Sunday in northern Yemen that killed at least four people at a hospital supported by the aid group Doctors Without Borders.

A statement from Ban's spokesman said the U.N. chief urged a prompt, independent investigation to hold accountable those responsible for the attack on the Shiara Hospital in Saada province.

"The Secretary-General is extremely concerned about the increasingly limited access to essential healthcare services for Yemenis. He emphasizes that hospitals and medical personnel are explicitly protected under international humanitarian law and that any intentional attack against civilians and civilian infrastructure is considered a serious violation of international humanitarian law," read the statement.

Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said the shelling wounded 10 people, including three of its staff members.

"There is no way that anyone with the capacity to carry out an airstrike or launch a rocket would not have known that the Shiara Hospital was a functioning health facility," said MSF Director of Operations Raquel Ayora. "All warring parties, including the Saudi-led coalition, are regularly informed of the GPS coordinates of the medical sites where MSF works."

MSF said this is the third attack on one of its health facilities in Yemen in recent months. It said an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition destroyed Haydan hospital in October, while in December another Saudi-led airstrike struck a health center in Taiz and wounded nine people.
As joggers sprinted down nearby Canal Saint Martin, targeted by Islamist assailants last year, Antoine Karegis and his family braved a brisk wind Sunday at the Place de la Republique to pay their respects for the nearly 150 victims of last years terrorist attacks around Paris.

It would have been difficult not to be here, said Karegis who lives nearby. Weve been affected by the attacks, like everyone else.

The Karegis family joined several thousand people attending the sober morning ceremony that marked one year since a massive rally against terrorism at the iconic square, following the January shootings that targeted the offices of the Charlie Hebdo newspaper and a Jewish market.

Low turnout



But the turnout was disappointingly low compared to the 1.6 million people, including many world leaders, who packed the square and city streets in a giant march against Islamist extremism exactly one year ago.

Under slate-grey skies, French President Francois Hollande unveiled a plaque next to a newly planted oak tree in memory of the 17 victims of last Januarys attacks, along with another 130 who died during a second wave of shootings and bombings in November.

French rock star Johnny Hallyday sang a special song for the victims during the ceremony that also included extracts read from the writings of Victor Hugo.



Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo was to preside over a second ceremony later in the day that would see the tree and the squares giant statue of Marianne, the symbol of France, lit up for the first time.

Week of events

Sundays events cap a week of memorials, debates and vigils remembering a grim 2015.

On January 7 last year, brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi stormed into the offices of the satirical Charlie Hebdo weekly, shooting dead 11 people, along with a police officer outside.Another officer was slain the next day by a third assailant, Amedy Coulibaly, who later killed another four people at a Jewish market.

The year ended with a wave of shootings and bombings on November 13 that targeted bars, restaurants and a soccer stadium around the French capital. At least one top suspect remains on the loose.

Following the memorial ceremony at Republique, Hollande visited the Paris Grand Mosque which, like hundreds around the country, opened its doors over the weekend in a bid to build bridges and combat rising anti-Muslim sentiments.

Muslim, Jewish communities express concerns

Activist groups say attacks against Frances Islamic community have skyrocketed during the past year, one reason prompting Slimane Tirera to attend Sundays ceremony, where he was passing out anti-discrimination flyers.

I feel this doubly because Im Franco-Malian, Tirera said, and both my countries have been hit by terrorist attacks.

A few blocks away, Mustapha el-Madkour, draped in the nations tri-colors and selling French flags, worried about reprisal attacks against his family.Im Moroccan, but my children are French, he said. I dont want them to live in fear. Islam is a welcoming religion.

Fears are also high among Frances half-million-strong Jewish community, who have been leaving the country in record numbers in recent years.

To see more and more French Jews leave the country because they no longer feel in security, but also because they feel misunderstood, that they no longer have a place... that is an insupportable idea for all French, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said during a ceremony Saturday for the four Jews killed during last years Kosher market attack.

Terror threat remains high

While this weeks ceremonies aimed to bring some closure to a dark year, the threat of terrorism remains high, experts say. Underscoring their warnings, police shot dead on Thursday a man trying to attack a Paris police station armed with a meat cleaver and fake explosives and carrying a letter pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group. The mans identity remains uncertain, but reports say he may have spent time in a German shelter for asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, a state of emergency remains in place across France. The government is mulling whether to extend it and write it into the constitution. The French parliament is expected to debate this and other new security measures next month, including a deeply controversial proposal to strip dual-nationality terrorists of their French citizenship.

While the terror attacks have helped to burnish Hollandes stature as leader and lift his once-dismal popularity ratings, some French question whether the government could have done more to prevent them.

I heard in the media that the jihadists specifically threatened concert halls before the Bataclan attacks, said Parisian Marc Israel, who attended Sundays memorial ceremony. So Im wondering why there wasnt more police protection. Same with Charlie Hebdo.

More bread-and-butter issues may prove to be a bigger challenge for Hollande and his leftist government, however. One year before presidential elections, the French leader has failed to fulfill his promises to create jobs and turn around the countrys fitful economy.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday traveled to eastern Nangarhar province where he met with officials and tribal leaders to assess concerns Islamic State is gaining ground in the province that borders Pakistan.

Addressing the meetings in the capital Jalalabad , Ghani stressed that the government is determined to prevent Daesh (the Arabic acronym for IS) from establishing bases in Afghanistan and that the defense ministry will intensify the bombing of IS bases in the province.

He spoke after the provincial governor informed him ongoing airstrikes by the Afghan defense and national security force are effectively tackling the IS threat and urged Ghani to step up the anti-IS campaign

Islamic State, which controls large parts of Syria and Iraq, has found supporters in Afghanistan, mainly in Nangarhar's Achin, Nazyan and neighboring districts.

"Daesh does not have a place in our soil. We want them killed," Ghani said.

IS militants on Friday beheaded seven people in the Achin district. While they were carrying out the executions in front of local villagers, a suspected U.S. drone strike hit the area killing at least 17 IS fighters, according to the provincial government.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in Yemen is drawing in participants from across the Red Sea.

Eritrea last month officially announced its "readiness to support the initiative without reservations and to extend its contribution to the alliance" of Saudi Arabia and its Gulf state allies. The typically tight-lipped Eritrean government, however, has not publicly elaborated on its military involvement in the Gulf.

A report from a U.N. monitoring group on Somalia and Eritrea in October cited a former high-ranking Eritrean official who said "400 Eritrean soldiers were embedded with the United Arab Emirates contingent of the forces fighting on Yemeni soil on behalf of the Arab coalition. The report added that Eritrea was allowing the Gulf countries to use the port of Assab and its airspace to take part in the fight.

In exchange for its involvement, Eritrea is receiving money and fuel, the report said.

The monitoring group also said the engagement might violate a U.N. resolution and arms embargo enacted in 2009 and extended in October to prevent Eritrea from playing a destabilizing role in the region. The resolution and the groups mandate are subject to renewal in December 2016.

'Neighborly ties'

In a statement issued Tuesday, Eritrea reaffirmed strategic neighborly ties with Saudi Arabia and condemned attacks on the Saudi Embassy in Iran, which was set ablaze following the execution of a Shi'ite cleric and others on January 3.

In an interview with Voice of America, an Eritrean official defended the countrys right to aid its allies. While asking not to be named, he pointed out that Yemen is only 60 kilometers from Eritreas Assab port and raised the specter of a growing threat of terrorism in the region.

Eritrea will be the first country to be affected if any instability is to occur in the region," he said. "If ports are affected, the premium of insurance would increase, and so on. We have common interest in the security of the region.

The official also pointed out that Eritrea has most often been criticized for its isolation and frosty relationship with neighboring countries. Now, he noted, it is being criticized for becoming involved.

This recent move by Eritrea should be commended, not shunned, he said.

Motives for involvement

Veteran Eritrea observers arent sure exactly what to make of the move.

Theres a lot we dont know about what this cooperation looks like, what the arrangements look like, said Michael Woldemariam, an assistant professor of international relations and political science at Boston University. But from what I can tell, the main element of this cooperation is the use of Eritrea, particularly the port of Assab, as sort of a basic logistical hub from which states like Saudi Arabia and UAE are able to launch their operations into Yemen.

The use of the port appears not to be limited to naval operations, Woldemariam said, adding it appeared that fighter jets were leaving Assab runways for sorties to hit Yemeni targets. As for the U.N. monitoring groups claim that Eritrean soldiers were embedded within UAE units fighting in Yemen, Woldemariam said he had not seen proof of that.

It is also unclear what Eritrea is receiving in return, but Woldemariam said the desire by Eritrea to build alliances makes sense.

The U.N. monitoring group made some claims that Eritrea might be receiving some fuel, perhaps economic assistance, investment  theres sort of a range of things that I would imagine the Eritrean government would be eager to obtain in return for their partnership, Woldemariam said. Its quite likely that they are eager to garner diplomatic support from these countries as well. Saudi Arabia is an influential country, and one can imagine the ways in which the Eritrean government would like to get diplomatic support.

Visit with Saudi king

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki recently met with King Salman of Saudi Arabia during a three-day working visit to discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest to both countries.

A source who closely monitors the region, but who declined to be named because of professional concerns, said the partnership among Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and the UAE began as early as April after a falling out between UAE and Djibouti. The partnership raised eyebrows, since earlier allegations suggested that Eritrea was supporting the Houthi rebels and Iran on the other side of the conflict.

The source said Eritrea  which has seen thousands of young people flee and is in the process of an economic overhaul that includes the collection and reissue of its currency, the nakfa  is in survival mode. Its new alliance with Saudi Arabia and the UAE should be seen in that light.

The Afwerki regime is extremely versatile and wants to survive at all expenses, the source told VOA. It constantly switches allegiances in order to survive. Whether were talking about the [Palestine Liberation Organization] and Israel or Saudi Arabia and Iran, it is constantly navigating the waters in order to survive.
Sierra Leone has been Ebola-free for two months. While the situation has improved in some ways, many Ebola survivors say they are not getting enough help to rebuild their lives.

Ebola survivors discussed their frustrations recently at a meeting of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors in Freetown, the countrys capital.

Each survivor was entitled to a discharge package after recovery. This was to include a bag of rice, a foam mattress and some cash, equal to about $70.

However, some said they were still waiting for that package. Others said it came very late.

Massah Stevens, a nurse who caught Ebola from a patient while working in a treatment center, said she did not get her discharge package until 10 months after her release. She said she managed because her husband could help out, but not all survivors have that luxury.

They have lost their parents. They have lost their mother, father, she said.

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Gender and Children Affairs is responsible for the packages. Tina Davies, who directs Ebola survivor activities within the ministry, admitted that some discharge packages had been delayed. This was because Ebola treatment units did not inform the ministry fast enough that survivors had been discharged, she said.

Davies said most survivors had received their packages by now.

Too little, some say

Still, survivors like Yusif Koroma said the supplies weren't nearly enough compensation for what he had gone through.

The family is vulnerable. I wont eat that bag of rice alone; I have to share, Koroma said.

More help is needed, survivors said  and fast.

Davies said more help would be coming through a specific program for Ebola survivors. Now that the country is Ebola-free, she said, the ministry can focus more on issues of survivors.

The government is looking at a long-term program for survivors that gives them scholarships, skills training and startup kits for businesses.

Davies added that survivors can go to health clinics for continued treatment of medical issues.

Survivors have received psychological counseling as well as their discharge packages, so "its not like nothing is happening," she said. "I think its that cultural aspect, that people want cash in their hands, but were trying to provide services that are sustainable for survivors. You get livelihood skills [and] support them through education, to empower them.

Davies said she could understand the frustration that arises when things are not moving as quickly as survivors would like, but she insisted that Ebola survivors were a priority for Sierra Leone and that they would not be forgotten.
A newly arrived Syrian refugee and a Muslim former U.S. soldier will be among the White House invitees sitting with first lady Michelle Obama in her box Tuesday at President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address.

A first lady's choice of guests to the closely watched address often underlines the president's priorities, and this year is no different.

At Michelle Obama's side will be Naveed Shah, a Muslim and former U.S. soldier, who was a child when his parents immigrated to the country from Pakistan. Shah joined the army in 2006 and served in Iraq.

The Obama administration has also invited Refaai Hamo of Troy, Michigan, to exemplify the refugees' plight. Hamo, arrived in Detroit on December 18 with his surviving children, three daughters and a son, after spending two years in Turkey.

The White House said a missile tore through the complex Hamo designed in which his family lived in Syria. Seven family members died in the blast.

In Turkey, Hamo was diagnosed with stomach cancer. After being granted refugee status in the United States, he and his children are trying to build a new life in Troy, Michigan, a Detroit suburb.

The symbolism of these guests is unmistakable at a time when Republican lawmakers and presidential candidates have upped their criticism of accepting more Syrian refugees under the current vetting process.

Several veterans, the governor of Connecticut and Microsoft's chief executive will be among the other guests. One seat representing victims of gun violence will be vacant.
The United Nations special envoy to Syria met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran Sunday, describing the discussions as "useful" ahead of upcoming peace talks later this month.



"Like he had done when he visited Saudi Arabia on January 5, he asked and obtained the assurance of his interlocutors that current tensions in the region would not affect the engagement of their government in supporting the Vienna process and facilitating the holding of the Geneva talks,'' Staffan de Mistura's office said in a statement.



Last week, de Mistura met with Syrian opposition officials in Saudi Arabia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's opponents, and on Saturday he met officials in Damascus, which announced it was ready to attend the talks but wants to make sure that no "terrorist" groups would be represented.

De Mistura said Sunday that Iran had assured him that its diplomatic row with rival Saudi Arabia would not affect the Syrian peace talks.
Zambias ruling Patriotic Front party has warned its members that it is the prerogative of incumbent President Edgar Lungu to choose his vice presidential running mate before the August 11 presidential and legislative elections.

But the Patriotic Front says it is not against party members who aspire to higher position, including becoming the vice presidential nominee to partner with Lungu.

Some of the aspiring candidates have met with chiefs and other stakeholders, while a few threatened to quit the party if they are not chosen to be the vice presidential candidate. The Patriotic Front warned members not to engage in acts that could divide the party.



Selecting running mates



The problem we have is that some of the people nominated as a running mate are doing it in a manner that is exposing [a] notorious appetite for power. That is exposing greed and thirst for power in a manner that makes us fear that such characters would be a danger working as vice president to our beloved president. That is the main concerns that we have, said Father Frank Bwalya, deputy PF spokesman.



It is this dangerous [quest] for power that we think is wrong, and therefore anybody who is engaged in this kind of lobbying, which is unacceptable in our party is effectively disqualifying himself or herself.



Bwalya says the party is against scenarios in other countries, particularly in Africa where friction between the president and the vice president caused a rift within the party and adversely affected the smooth running of the respective nations.



Some party supporters have urged President Lungu to choose a new vice presidential candidate, while others say current Vice President Inonge Wina should be maintained as the running mate.



The president is going to choose his running mate freely without any blackmail, without any coercion from anyone. And we condemn anyone who is lobbying in a manner that we think is wrong and in a manner in fact these ambitious people are having dangerous ambitions for president, he said.



Constitutional amendments



Zambia recently adopted new laws, after President Lungu signed a constitutional amendment bill passed in parliament. Among the amendments is a provision to allow the incumbent president to choose a new running mate, if he so desires.



But opposition and civil society groups say the government cherry-picked provisions in the constitution, while those the party is against are being put to a referendum. They contend that Zambians had overwhelmingly demanded a referendum on the draft constitutional amendment bill before the president signed it.



But PF deputy spokesman Bwalya says more than 80 percent of the public approved of the adopted constitutional provisions, which he says were backed by the opposition parties. The other new provisions, Bwalya says, would have deep financial implications that could make their implementation difficult.



Civil society, the church and our development partners agree with us, and Zambians agree with us, that we have taken on board 80 percent of what Zambians wanted to see in the new constitution. It is not the PF party that sought to do that, it was done in parliament, said Bwalya.



All the 80 percent that we have taken onboard Hakainde Hichilema and his party were championing the same clauses in the new constitution. But because 20 percent had not been taken onboard and for good reasons for that matter, they want to say the whole process is a sham, and they were part of the process.
Photos of an invasive security search of musicians' instruments ahead of the speech given by president Sisi at the Opera Saturday went viral, provoking condemnation among many

Many artists expressed dismay after photos of instruments thrown all over a floor at the Cairo Opera Orchestra reportedly by Egyptian presidential security went viral on social media on Saturday.

Presidential security conducted a search of the Opera House ahead of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis scheduled speech on the National Youth Day at the Opera.

Many musicians expressed their dismay at the invasiveness exhibited in the search process, where musicians instruments and personal belongings were carelessly handled and scattered on the floor.

The photos were initially posted by the Ministry of Culture Egyptian Ultras Facebook page, which condemned the search and described it as an encroachment not only on musical instruments, but also on art, and the Ministry of Culture.

The group called on the presidency to apologise and to offer an explanation if one exists, and hold the ones behind it accountable.

According to information provided by Reda El-Wakil, the artistic director of the Cairo Opera House, the management was informed of the scheduled search well in advance of Saturdays event.

All musicians and personnel were informed to keep their rooms and lockers open before the 7 January holiday because the presidential security would enter the venue on Friday 8 January," El-Wakil wrote on his Facebook wall in response to the outcry about the circulated photos.

The only management that did not take these instructions seriously was the [Cairo Opera Orchestra] management, and most of the musicians personal lockers were shut, and comprised closed instrument cases."

For the security guards, leaving the cupboards locked despite clear instructions to keep them open only indicates the possibility of some danger" to which they responded by breaking open the lockers, he added.

However, the musicians still expressed concern about the way the search was conducted, and the obvious carelessness with which the musical instruments and personal belongings were treated.

The opera is a big venue and the security guards did not have the time to properly close the lockers, so they left them open, with [instruments lying] on the floor next to [the musicians] personal belongings, El-Wakil explained.

According to a musician from the Cairo Opera Orchestra, such searches are not new to the artists, as they were also conducted under former president Hosni Mubarak's rule. The source added, however, that this is the first time that one company failed to pass the information to its members and that the search was executed in such a chaotic manner.

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Some Zimbabwean cross border traders have criticized the governments decision to cut travelers rebate from $300 to $200 saying it will further erode their ability to purchase affordable goods across the borders.

They argue that the government is milking dry an already overburdened taxpayer instead of creating a conducive climate to attract foreign direct investment.

They expressed dismay in VOA Studio 7s Livetalk show that such moves will hurt most cross border traders, who are struggling to have a decent meal a day due to the current harsh economic conditions in the country.

Denzel Dube, who has been working in South Africa for several years, said, This is not acceptable because our families back home depend on goods that we buy here and send home.

Now, there is no way that we will use cross border transport operators to ferry our goods because the goods will be highly taxed and the operators will run out of business.

But Denford Mutashu of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers commended the government for introducing the new regulations saying the move will promote the production and selling of local commodities.

Mutashu said some exports were crippling locally-produced commodities.

The latest move comes barely a year after the government removed rebate on basic commodities bought outside the country.

Indications are that cross border transport operators commonly known as omalayitsha will be seriously affected by this move. They ferry goods collected from Zimbabweans living in South Africa, Botswana and other nations.

Statutory Instrument Number 148 of 2015 (Customs and Excise (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2015 (No. 80) issued recently by the Ministry of Finance stipulates that travelers' rebate will only be granted to pedestrians and travelers using private vehicles.

Individual travelers used to enjoy the rebate whether they used commercial transport, buses or small cross border transport operators.

Under the new regulations, all travelers using small cross border transport or buses with huge trailers and carrying goods of a commercial nature no longer qualify for rebate.
There are a couple of moments  instances, really, lasting just a second or two  when Scott Eastwood briefly becomes a dead ringer for his father Clint in the new Western Diablo. The angle has to be right, the lighting has to be right, and the glower has to be right. It doesnt happen often. The son has a much softer, less distinct face than the father; hes very good looking, but blandly so. And yet, every once in a while, something goes wrong, and theres Clint.

I mention this because Diablo, an interesting but uneven Western directed by Lawrence Roeck, tries to get at a kind of inner lunacy in Scott Eastwood  an inner Clint, lets say. And for the most part, Im not sure its there. Or at the very least its buried very, very deep  too deep for this film to access when it needs to. Eastwood plays Jackson, a man whose wife we see being kidnapped by what appears to be a Mexican gang in the films opening scene. The next day, he sets on his way to track down the kidnappers. Along the way, he finds himself running into a dapper, black-clad, vaguely demonic figure named Ezra (played by our modern cowboy everyman Walton Goggins), who playfully goads and taunts him.

For much of its running time, Diablo presents us with the surfaces of a traditional Western  beautiful vistas, a lone man riding out in search of a lost woman, occasional run-ins with other characters who inhabit this rough land, a sense of civilization having been left behind. It does so in such a predictable manner that one suspects its trying to lull us into thinking weve been transported back to an era when people still made such movies. But it also becomes clear about halfway through that something is purposefully amiss in this story. Something that happened during the Civil War haunts Jackson. Ghostly apparitions show up. Gogginss character keeps coming back in odd ways, and we realize hes either imaginary, or supernatural. By the time the film works up to its finale, what secrets it wants to reveal to us have become fairly obvious. But they still carry a dark charge; Diablos ultimate grisliness is impressive in its own way.

And it might have worked, had the film not asked entirely too much of its young lead. In the performances hes given so far, the younger Eastwood has had a pleasant but shallow aura around him. Dad was handsome, gaunt, and deadly; he seemed to have an endless inner reserve of meanness. The son is pretty, buff, and unassuming. In last years Nicholas Sparks adaptation The Longest Ride, he made for an engaging rodeo champ, the one member of the films multi-generational love quadrangle who wasnt brooding, or emotionally broken. That film, while not very good, knew what to do with him. And as evidenced in those brief, aforementioned moments in Diablo when a little evil peeks through, there may very well be something more there. Director Roeck uses Eastwoods bland likability; the plot requires that Jackson seem like an ordinary decent guy to the people he encounters. But theres a lot more to the story, and so far this young actor hasnt displayed the kind of range or inner conflict required to pull off a part like this one. And without a strong lead to hold it all together, Diablo falls apart.
Oscar bait. Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

After news broke Friday that Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, one of Mexicos most famous drug kingpins and escape artists, had been captured while trying to make a biopic about his life, you might have though that news couldnt get any stranger. But no, late yesterday, we all learned that Sean Penn had interviewed El Chapo for Rolling Stone and written a nearly 10,000 word feature on his experience. In it, Penn details the intricacies of his security measure by using burner phones and Blackberries. He explains how he first made contact with the drug lord through actress Kate del Castillo, who played a drug lordess on a Mexican soap opera  pretty sure drug lord is a genderless term, Penn  and once tweeted support for El Chapo. He even included some mild self-deprecating humor  at one point Penn writes, I expel a minor travelers flatulence (sorry); at another, he gives a full aside about cradling his penis in the jungle: I throw my satchel into the open back of one of the SUVs, and lumber over to the tree line to take a piss. Dick in hand, I do consider it among my body parts vulnerable to the knives of irrational narco types, and take a fond last look, before tucking it back into my pants. With that, the illustrious chain of New Journalism, from Mailer through Thompson and Talese, finds its new home with Penn.

But onto the real meat of the issue: Why would El Chapo agree to such a potentially risky meeting? A meeting that, according to one Mexican official, led the authorities straight to his own encampment. Fame. Yes, the same desire that makes New York high school kids dance on tables moves even the mass murderers soul. El Chapo wanted a biopic and El Chapo wanted a biopic done right. El Chapo does not want whatever the drug lord equivalent of Jennifer Lawrence plays Joy, a woman who invents a mop, but not Joy Mangano, the woman who actually invented this mop is (probably Narcos). So El Chapo tried to find someone who understands the movie business and he found Sean Penn, which is a clear sign that he doesnt understand the movie business yet (a studio head would know how to cover their trail). And Sean Penn got his junket interview. And everyone was happy, until, of course, El Chapo got caught.

But in what Alanis Morissette might call ironic and Harvey Weinstein would probably just refer to as fate, now El Chapo is definitely going to get a biopic. Because thats what happens with every story that remotely involves Hollywood, from the invention of the talkies to that time Canada Ben Affleck saved Iranian hostages. The only issue is that the guy who plays El Chapo wont be getting the Oscar  no, thatll go to Sean Penn. El Chapos the Mark Wahlberg to Christian Bale in The Fighter of this story now, the lead character who gets overshadowed by the wacky supporting turn. Everyone in the cast of Narcos is sending a selfie of themselves next to El Chapos mug shot. Everyone in Hollywood is getting a spray tan, trying on some fake facial hair, and doing their best Spicoli impression. Who will it be? We have some ideas:

Shorty: 2016 release, starring Jennifer Lawrence in a wig as Sean Penn and Bradley Cooper as El Chapo. Director David O. Russell. This film is already being made.

Penn/Chapo: 2017 release, starring Sean Penn as Sean Penn and Luis Guzman as El Chapo. Director Oliver Stone. Authentic, serious, pendantic  Penn makes an Oscar run as himself, but loses to Jesse Eisenberg, who plays his Rolling Stone editor.

Dick in Hand: 2018 release, starring Will Ferrell as Sean Penn and Will Ferrell as El Chapo. Director Will Ferrell. A passion project.

The Writer: 2019 release, starring Tom Hardy as Sean Penn and El Chapo as El Chapo. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. In his next stunt/attempt to get at the truth of art, Inarritu makes a documentary following Hardy (in character as Sean Penn) as he attempts to broker another meeting with El Chapo (now on the run again). Hardy is shot in the leg during filming, but El Chapo gets the Oscar.

The Interview 2: 2020 release, starring James Franco as Sean Penn and Oscar Isaac as El Chapo. Director Semaj Franco. Impressionistic, inspired by Terrence Malick, at one point tape from the interview plays over 10-minute shot of a white butterfly. Nobody knows why Isaac agreed to be in this film. Probably Star Wars fatigue.

Powder: 2022 release, starring Christian Bale with a spray tan as Sean Penn, Michael Pena in his first big dramatic role as El Chapo, Charlize Theron as Narrator/Ghost, Ryan Gosling as Studio Executive, and Madonna as Madonna. Director Adam McKay. The true-life account of the making of Penn/Chapo, intercut with explanations of the drug war provided by Theron and Madonna. Penn sues, unsuccessfully, to stop its production.

The Meeting: 2030 release (a remake of The Interview 2), starring Dave Franco as Sean Penn and Ryan Guzman as El Chapo. Director Dave Franco. The moment when the young Franco started to eclipse the older. Includes an reference to now-cult classic The Boy Next Door in which El Chapo hands Penn a first-edition copy of The Iliad.

Thank you, Hollywood. All that we ask is that you mention us in your awards speeches.
Drolly funny and rigorously executed, Corneliu Porumbouis The Treasure offers a fine example of the conceptual boldness that characterizes much of New Wave Romanian cinema. To anyone watching the films early scenes, boldness may seem like the very last word to use: Stylistically, most of The Treasure is characterized by a dry functionality that speaks to the bureaucratic, financial, legalistic goings-on in the film. But thats kind of the point. And its all going somewhere, trust me.

When we first see our hero, Costi (Toma Cuzin), hes late to pick up his young son from school; he tells the boy that he wasnt late but just hiding, like Robin Hood, their favorite bedtime story. That night  not coincidentally, as hes reading Robin Hood to the boy  Costis upstairs neighbor Adrian (Adrian Purcarescu) visits and asks for an 800 euro loan. A sad sack unable to pay his mortgage ever since his brochure-publishing company folded after the financial crisis, Adrian is desperate. But Costi himself has obligations, too, and cant help. (Hes no Robin Hood, as his son reminds him.) The next day, Adrian returns and reveals the real reason he needs the money: His great-grandfather supposedly buried a trove of gold coins back in their village years ago, before the communists came, and Adrian has to pay a metal detector to help him go find it. He offers to split any potential find with Costi if he will help. And theyre off!

But wait  before they can go off!, Costi has to wade through some exceedingly, hilariously dull minutiae. First, he has to figure out how hes going to find the 800 euros in the first place. Then he has to go off to negotiate a price with the metal detector guy (they have to calculate Value Added Tax, and gas, and a weekend-only schedule), and to even go there Costi has to skip out on work, and to do that he has to lie to his boss about some kind of landlord dispute, and he also has to convince his co-worker to help him out, and remind her of that other time when he helped her out. And then the metal detector guy reminds Costi of a law that says that if they find anything that could be considered part of Romanian national heritage (gold coins from before World War II would certainly qualify), they have to hand it over to the government, which would in turn give them only 30 percent. And then later Costi has to lie to his boss again, after the guy gets a wind of something. And then there are the GPS directions  oh god, the GPS directions  droning on in the background as he goes from place to place.

Porumboui, whose art lies in the way he toys with the endless drip-drip-drip of quotidian bullshit, makes sure to film every scene like some kind of drab business negotiation  static two-shots of people sitting across each other in profile, or dry alternating medium close-ups. Costi has conversations with Adrian and his wife against the same blank wall in his house. His office walls are even barer, if such a thing is possible. Standard filmmaking practice says to design and arrange and shoot spaces so theyll actually look interesting on a screen. Porumboui turns that around. He makes sure everything looks distractingly uninteresting, which actually makes it all even more fascinating.

Everything in The Treasure is so stultifying and drab that whenever someone mentions treasure, its like a momentary, surreal breach in the dreary time-space continuum of this film. One suspects theres some national allegory happening here: Romanian bureaucracy has been a prime target for Porumboui and his fellow filmmakers, who also work in an industry thats reportedly been consumed by byzantine laws and government meddling. But theres a universality to this film as well. It speaks to the real worlds capacity to beat down all our dreams.

Things get even more pointedly repetitive and dry when our heroes finally head off to the village. Here, after some more GPS directions, we get to spend quality time with dumpy, gruff Cornel (Corneliu Cozemi), the metal detector guy, as he wanders around the backyard of Adrians old abandoned family home, reading off numbers from a computer and waving his detector around; the bloooeeep blooeeeeeeeeing of the detector on the soundtrack might even drive some screaming out of the theater.

Slowly, though, something changes, and the functionality of Porumbouis style gives way to an ever-so-slight hint of wonder. The wind whispers in the trees. A character wanders amid the haze of dusk. Night settles, and little spots of light gain a mystical quality. Still, theres more negotiation and back-and-forth and talk on the way. But it all builds to one final, magical release. In the films very last shot  I wont say what actually happens in it  the camera moves and twists and lifts up, up, up, as if its finally conquered and transformed the hollow reality around us. It provides a sublime, wonderfully open-ended punctuation mark to this subtly daring little film. Dont be surprised if your eyes start to well up.
Even though Frank Garcia has spent the last 28 years in education as a teacher and administrator, the Thomas Elementary School principal originally went to college for accounting.

I always felt called back to teaching, Garcia said. I had some phenomenal teachers when I was young.

Garcia, who attended South Beaver School, Flagstaff Middle School and Flagstaff High School, is one of two winners in Flagstaff of the Rodel Exemplary Principal honor. The award honors principals in high-need schools. As a winner, Garcia will be required to mentor aspiring principals.

Garcia began his teaching career in the small town of Kearny, Ariz. He moved to the White Mountain Apache Reservation, then came to work in the Flagstaff Unified School District in 1993.

Over the course of his career, Garcia taught first, fourth and fifth grades and was also a school counselor. He became an administrator at South Beaver School in 2000.

The time I enjoyed the most was the move to Thomas, Garcia said. I came here during a difficult time for FUSD -- schools were closing. But we came here to start something new and exciting.

Garcia said there is not really a typical day as an elementary school principal, but said he likes to remain visible throughout the day, including being in the cafeteria while the students eat lunch.

Thats my only opportunity to see each kid during the day, he said.

He said much of his day is spent talking with students, including visiting with kids who need support or to correct behavior.

FUSD Superintendent Barbara Hickman, who nominated Garcia for the award, said Garcia is well-loved by the whole school community, including teachers, parents and students.

He is calm, thoughtful and experienced. He is extremely skilled in listening to stakeholders and reaching decisions that take into account all sides and opinions, Hickman said in an email. Hes welcoming and patient, two qualities that are a must for an elementary school. Frank does not get discouraged, he gets fired up. He is a very special leader and Im continually thankful that he chooses to stay with FUSD. 

Garcia said he is most proud of bringing the school community together under a common goal. Thomas is one of two FUSD schools that participate in the No Excuses University program, which focuses on teaching students to be goal-oriented about the future, including college and career options. The school earned the distinction two years ago.

Each class adopts a university and the kids do college cheers, Garcia said. They get really into it. Sometimes the parents buy them gear or clothes from the school theyre in. Its brought a really great spirit to our school.

Garcia said despite recent cuts to education spending statewide, he strives to make the school a positive place for both the students and teachers.

We take the negative things and make a positive environment for the 520 kids who show up every day, he said. We want to make a quality learning and work environment for everyone.

Garcia said some of his first students are almost 40 now, and said some of his former students have sent their own children to his school.

I love seeing former students come back to visit, Garcia said. Those connections are so important.

Garcia said part of the job of a principal is making the right decisions, which is not always easy.

Everything I do, I try to do the right thing, he said. Its not always the popular thing, but thats what you have to stand on. I try to make the right decision and tell them why.

Garcia said providing children with a good education is the most important thing a community can do.

There is no more valuable thing a society can do than help children become educated and support their hopes and dreams, he said.
According to the antiquities ministry, all the legal procedures were followed to prove that the beams belonged to Egypt

Egypt succeeded on Sunday to stop the sale of a collection of wooden decorative elements that were put on sale in Bonham's auction hall in London.

Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh Eldamaty said that the elements, which consist of eight wooden beams inscribed with verses from the Quran, had been stolen from the Abbasid caliphs dome in downtown Cairo and illegally smuggled out of the country.

Ali Ahmed, director of the antiquities recuperation department, said that the ministry took all the legal measures to prove its possession, adding that the beams would return back to Egypt within two weeks.

Ahmed explained that the dome of the Abbasid caliphs is a square structure with three entrances located behind the Al-Sayeda Nafissa shrine in downtown Cairo.

The dome was built to be the burial place for the Abbasid caliphs who died in Egypt between the 7th and 8th century, as well as for the sons of the Mamluk Bahari Sultan Al-Zahir Baybars.

The dome is very well preserved and it is decorated with distinguished inscriptions and stalactites. It has three entrances with the main one positioned in the northwest facade. It also has three free sides but the fourth one has a niche adjacent to Al-Sayeda Nafissa shrine.

All the facades are adorned with recesses and keel arches. A mihrab crowned with a keel arch exists inside the dome, while there are eight sarcophagi underneath the dome.

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The Heart O Texas Fair & Rodeo will accept applications through noon Feb. 5 for its 2016-17 HOT Fair & Rodeo Sweetheart program.

The selection of sweethearts is based on personal interviews, personality, congeniality, poise and communications skills. Eligible sweetheart contestants also can compete for the title of Miss Heart O Texas Fair & Rodeo.

Applications can be picked up from a local high school counselor, at www.hotfair.com or in the HOT Fair & Rodeo office at the Extraco Events Center, 4601 Bosque Blvd.

Genealogy lunch

The Waco-McLennan County Library will kick off its Brown Bag Lunch Sessions with a free genealogy event, Family Photos in the Digital Age, from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the West Waco Library and Genealogy Center, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

Ron Barnett, president of the Central Texas Genealogical Society, will provide tips about organizing, storing and digitizing old photos to preserve them for future generations.

Guests will need to provide their own lunch.

To register, use the calendar at www.waco library.org or call 750-5945.

Singing Seniors

The Baylor Singing Seniors, under the direction of Phillip Sitton, will conduct spring semester registration before the choirs first spring rehearsal Monday at First Baptist Church of Woodway, 101 Ritchie Road.

Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. outside the churchs Choir Suite, followed by rehearsal at 9 a.m.

Music selections for the spring semester will be favorites from American stage and films.

Choir membership is open to ages 55 and older. The semester fee is $65, which covers the cost of music.

For more information, visit www.baylorsingingseniors.org or call 210-887-5370.

Free legal advice

Mission Waco Legal Services will have a free legal advice clinic for low-income residents from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Meyer Center, 1226 Washington Ave.

Participants receive a free 20- to 30-minute consultation with a lawyer.

Appointments are not required but are strongly recommended.

To schedule an appointment, call Kent McKeever at 296-9866, ext. 212.

MLK spaghetti lunch

The Waco NAACP will have its annual Martin Luther King Birthday spaghetti lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the St. Luke AME Church Fellowship Hall, 117 E. Church St.

Cost is $5 for a meal of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and a cookie.
Applause

Glen Marecek, of Waco, won first place in the A non-irrigated division of the 2015 National Corn Growers Associations Corn Yield Contest in Texas.

Marecek won with Pioneer brand hybrid P2089AM, which yielded 228.9268 bushels per acre. Marecek earned one of the 218 state titles won by growers planting Pioneer hybrids. The NCGA awarded 407 state titles in the 2015 contest.

Class acts

Barvion Wyatt, of Teague, was named to the presidents list for the fall semester at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas. The senior is an exercise science major.

Pitching in

A scholarship fund has been established in memory of Rhett Hering, the McGregor High School freshman who was killed Dec. 28 in an ATV accident.

The Rhett Hering Revolution Scholarship will be awarded annually to a McGregor High School senior to attend the college of their choice.

Online donations may be made through Feb. 14 at gofundme.com/rhetthering. Donations may be made in person with cash or check at McGregor High School (payable to the Rhett Hering Revolution Scholarship.)

Mailed donations should be sent to: Rhett Hering Revolution Scholarship, McGregor High School, c/o Karen Tucker, P.O. Box 356, McGregor, TX 76657. For more information, contact srogers-sharer@mclennan.edu.

Send submissions to neighborplus@wacotrib.com.
It all began with a photograph. What was revealed would have the United States  and the rest of the world  collectively holding its breath for 13 critical days in 1962 when nuclear war with the Soviet Union seemed imminent.

Robinsons Larry M. Carlson, 73, remembers it well. He served during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis during his time in the U.S. Air Force, working with the type of cameras that first revealed intermediate-range ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads deployed in Cuba by the USSR.

Carlson grew up in the city of Live Oak in Suwannee County, Florida. When he graduated from high school in 1960, he was engaged to his high school sweetheart, Catherine Schneider. They had grown up together. When she was 15, he sold his 4-H cow to buy her an engagement ring; they were married on Oct. 7, 1960.

They said it would never last, but we were together for 54 years, said Carlson.

With a wife to think about, Carlson was working at the University of Florida, but he knew couldnt make a living for two on his salary, so he applied for a postal position, but there were no openings. He was also aware that he was eligible for the draft.

Rather than wait for his number to come up, Carlson decided to enlist in the service if Uncle Sam would agree to send him to electronics school. A deal was struck and in December 1960, he left for Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He wasnt quite through with basic training when he received orders to report to electronics school at Lowry AFB in Denver.

He finished training in 1961 and attended school at Lowry for photographic systems, which included everything from basic repairs to processing film. He went to Shaw AFB in South Carolina to learn the photo systems of the RF-101 reconnaissance fighter and the RB-66. He worked on the flightline as a photo system repairman.

Forced to think the unthinkable

In October 1962, a week before President John F. Kennedy addressed the public on the Cuban Missile Crisis, Carlson was notified the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing he served with was going south to MacDill AFB in Florida. Carlson and the crew worked for three frantic days around the clock with little sleep, transporting critical film to the processing center and ensuring planes were equipped and ready to go. No one but the pilots knew what was photographed, and they werent talking.

After returning from MacDill, Carlson went home to rest. But three days later, he was ordered back to his home base. He was to preflight all RF-101s, ensuring the cameras were working properly and all photographic systems were in order. His job included preflighting all bombers. Together, it was roughly 110 planes.

Sudden call to action

He was busy on his first plane when the alert whistle went off, putting everyone on notice. By late that night, the entire base had transferred from Shaw to Florida.

Upon arrival, they sat idle, but when Kennedy gave his speech to the American people regarding the Soviet missile buildup in Cuba, all hell broke loose, he said. The next day, flights began, with military pilots mapping the island. Earlier aerial photographs had shown missiles arranged in patterns resembling Soviet bases.

For its work and dedication during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the entire wing, including Carlson, received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He was later named Tactical Air Command Maintenance Man of the Month for his work during the crisis and was featured in magazines and a newspaper.

Carlson served in the Pacific during the Vietnam War, eventually landing in Kuomintang, a Chinese Nationalist base on Taiwan. No one dared move between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. because they were likely to be shot. While he was there, a Chinese infiltrator was shot and left where he fell for three days as a deterrent to other intruders.

On Sept. 15, 1965, as an airman 1C, Carlson left the service to pursue his education under the GI Bill. He went to work for Texas Instruments in Dallas and traveled throughout the U.S. He even worked for a while with the Royal Air Force in Alconbury, England.

Carlson eventually earned his bachelors degree in business management and retired when Texas Instruments was sold to Raytheon. He and his wife moved from Garland to Robinson and traveled throughout the States for 10 years. She passed away in 2014.

Carlson never saw himself as any sort of hero. We just did our jobs, he said. The guys with boots on the ground and the pilots who went into harms way are the real ones (who should be honored).

Voices of Valor, which features stories about Central Texas veterans, runs on Sundays. To suggest a story about a Central Texas veteran, please email voicesofvalor@wacotrib.com.
One year comes to an end and another begins. The year 2015 saw many upheavals and surprises in the world. It was also a year of significant commemorations including the 100-year anniversary of the horrific (and unrecognized) Armenian Genocide as well as anniversaries marking the end of the Civil War and World War II.

The year ahead  5777 if you are Jewish, 1438 if you are Muslim, 2009 if you are an Ethiopian Christian, 1465 if you are Armenian, and the Year of the Monkey if you are Chinese but 2016 for most of us  also promises to be an eventful year. We will have a new president elected in November, culminating more than a year of promises and policy statements and heated rhetoric. And many of us in July will be watching the Olympics in Rio.

And according to NASA, on the Fourth of July, a spacecraft will orbit Jupiter. And in movie theaters we will finally watch Batman face-off against Superman. And 13 states (but not Texas) and countless cities will raise the minimum wage this year. Yes, changes are coming.

The year 2016 will also have its share of significant commemorations. Ireland will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its Easter Uprising. And many will remember the fateful Battle of the Somme, one of the largest and longest campaigns of World War I and fought along the Somme River in France. The final tally included 420,000 British casualties, 200,000 French and the Germans 500,000.

This year is also the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The year marks 50 years since the first Star Trek was aired (The Man Trap), the start of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and upheavals in the American civil rights movement plus a series of tragic battles in the Vietnam War.

But for us in the city of Waco, there is one commemoration  on May 15  that some understandably wish we could avoid.

On that date 100 years ago, 17-year-old Jesse Washington was accused of killing a woman. The accused was found guilty and then dragged by 2,000 of our predecessors (and, in some instances, relatives) from the county courthouse to be beaten, tortured and set on fire. Before his charred remains were thrown into a bag to be dragged through our city before at least 25,000 Wacoans (some say many more), Washingtons fingers and toes were amputated and sold as souvenirs.

Ten years ago, a group of Wacoans tried to hold a service at the courthouse to mark this civic shame. It did not gain much traction. One of our leading citizens at the time summed up the views of many: It was an ugly part of our history that we should all forget about. I didnt have anything to do with it.

The problem with this logic is unhealed wounds do not just magically disappear when left untreated. The world admires post-war Germans for publicly admitting the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust. The world continues to demand full and honest acknowledgment by the Japanese after World War II or the Turks after the Armenian Genocide for their unanswered atrocities.

Of course, those of us living in Waco hate to be reminded of this evil mob violence a century ago, but we must face our history.

Jesus said the truth will make us free. Sometimes it first must make us miserable. I pray our city in 2016 will fully pause to mourn this brutal breach of justice. Through such civic acknowledgment, we can build firmer bridges of healing across our deep and historic racial divides, setting an example for the rest of the world. And then we can get on with the rest of 2016.

A. Christian van Gorder is an associate professor of religion at Baylor University. He taught world religions for seven years at Messiah College in Central Pennsylvania before coming to Baylor in 2004 to focus on Islamic studies. His many books include Three-Fifths Theology: American Christianity Confronts Racism.
As a newly married young man in my twenties, I belatedly discovered the pleasure of reading and began my life-long love affair with books. I had recently taken a job with a book publishing firm, which immediately led to a growing book collection in our small Houston apartment. The initial experience of receiving complimentary books from my publishing house was thrilling for both my wife and I as we buried ourselves in our favorite new novel each evening.

We found ourselves living out the old adage, So many books; so little time. That first year, we were making great progress in reading about everything that arrived at our front door. That is, till the day one of our friends dropped by with a house-warming gift which would ultimately haunt our lives for many years to come.

Our friends gift: a complete 11-volume set of Will and Ariel Durants landmark series, The Story of Civilization  all 38 pounds worth. Each of the volumes was heavy enough to be used as a dependable door stop. And to be honest, I never liked the notion of taking on the daunting task of reading a book so thick it could be used as an anchor for an ocean liner.

My teachers in grade school had commented often about my short attention span in their classrooms. In fact, in later years, I was probably the only reader in America who complained about the length of Margaret Mitchells classic, Gone With the Wind. I questioned why it took Mitchell 1,000-plus pages to finally arrive at Rhett Butlers last line, Frankly, my dear, I dont give a damn. Most of us had reached that conclusion several hundred pages earlier.

In case youre unfamiliar with the Durant series of popular history books, when lined up on the bookshelf they take up roughly the same linear space as a 1953 Oldsmobile four-door sedan and weigh approximately the same as, well  a 1953 Oldsmobile four-door sedan. As an experienced owner, I recommend storing them on one of your lower shelves (both the books and/or the automobile). But even then I advocate keeping small children at a safe distance from their daunting peril.

Although initially bewildered by the gross tonnage of this gift, I rationalized that one day I would push on through each dense volume and educate myself about the world I lived in. Just imagine that accumulated guilt as each of us tip-toed by their intimidating presence for all those years. Decades later, those books remained pristine and unopened on my bookshelves despite the many house moves I made in my lifetime.

Guilt has always been the driving force in cleaning out a home library. Nothing will help you clear the shelves faster than when a visitor in your home asks the innocent question, Have you read all these?

After my wife and I divorced, we didnt as much disagree about how we would split the inventory of our book collection but instead argued vehemently over which one of us would be forced to keep the Durant collection. I lost.

In the aftermath of the 1994 earthquake in Northridge, California, I read about the bookseller in Long Beach who had become trapped when the shelves in his store collapsed on top of him. I didnt need to ask which books fell on him. I already imagined that he had likely been trapped by the weighty volumes of The Age of Voltaire and Rousseau and Revolution. He lay on the floor so long before someone finally rescued him that Im guessing he now knows more about Voltaire than most college history professors. I think the bookseller had become what we refer to as a captive audience.

Several years ago, my longtime friend Chris was visiting my home and spotted the sagging bookshelves in my makeshift library. She blurted out, Oh, my goodness, you have the Durant history series that Ive always wanted to read!

Almost before she could complete her sentence, I asked Where is your car parked? She looked at me quizzically till I explained my intention of giving her the whole set  with door-to-door delivery included. Before she discovered that my gift represented much more than kindness and generosity, I grabbed a box and began packing the books.

As Chris thanked me profusely and drove away from the house, I waited till her car was out of sight before running back up my driveway and doing my first-ever cartwheels.

It has occurred to me that The Story of Civilization could well become the literary equivalent of the holiday fruitcake, which has famously been the most re-gifted present since Voltaire wore knickers. As I became curious about how long the books lasted on Chris shelves, I wondered what innocent bystander she had eventually foisted the books upon, while quietly whispering: OK, youre it!

Bob Vickrey is a writer whose columns appear in several newspapers including the Houston Chronicle. He is a member of the Board of Contributors for the Waco Tribune-Herald and a contributor to the Boryana Books website. He lives in Pacific Palisades, California.
As if there isnt already enough turmoil across the Middle East, fragile diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia have now been dashed. Perhaps more than anywhere else in this troubled region, these two nations represent the almost eternal divide between Shia and Sunni parts of the Muslim faith. The more relevant question here at home: How does the United States, given its past failures to understand this rift, negotiate this latest development?

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabias decision to sever diplomatic ties with Iran followed an attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. The attack on the embassy was in response to Saudi Arabias precipitous decision to execute prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr  an event that shocked many in the West and Muslim world. The 56-year-old cleric was a force behind 2011 Arab Spring anti-government protests in oil-rich eastern Saudi Arabia, where Shiites have long complained of marginalization in the Sunni-run nation.

This sudden event comes on the heels of the ongoing civil war in Syria, the Saudis disastrous military operations in neighboring Yemen, turmoil in a badly divided Iraq and anarchy in Libya. The desert kingdoms decision to execute al-Nimr along with 46 others on terrorism charges offers a hint as to the short-sightedness afflicting Saudi leadership.

It didnt take long after the execution for a very agitated Iranian crowd to storm the Saudi embassy in Tehran. In response, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced in Riyadh that Iranian diplomats had 48 hours to leave the kingdom.

This uproar is no diplomatic flash in the pan: Execution of this Shiite cleric will have tremendous religious and political consequences. Yet the execution is really but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to root causes of animosity between Shia-led Iran and Saudi Arabia. The desert kingdom has been in a political, economic and diplomatic downward spiral ever since King Salman took power following the death of his half-brother King Abdullah a year ago.

Internal rifts within the new palace regime manifest themselves through ill-conceived policies, including the war in Yemen; the decision to maintain oil supply levels on the world market that have pushed petroleum prices down for everyone; controversial trade deals with Russia and China; and anger with the United States following its agreement with Iran over the latters nuclear program.

The Yemen quagmire threatens to become for the kingdom what Vietnam represented for the United States. Lack of a decisive military victory highlights not only the difficulties the kingdom faces in the lawless country of Yemen but also exposes the lack of military and diplomatic experience of Saudi defense minister Mohammed bin Salman, the kings son. He after all advocated use of military force to oust the Iranian-backed Shia group, the Huthis, from the capital of Yemen. Now the conflict has widened to all areas of Yemen. I see no end to what has blossomed into a full-scale civil war.

The ongoing drop in oil prices is putting tremendous pressure on the kingdoms resources. To finance its social programs, Saudi Arabias reserves have plummeted by $49 billion since oil prices dropped a few months ago. My guess is prices will fall even lower this year. One prediction is that a barrel of oil may hit $32. Whats concerning for the kingdom is that it has blown through 20 percent of its reserves in one year. Thus, money used to purchase the loyalty of other countries in the region is now spent on internal security to save the new monarchy.

And where do Russia and China fit into this equation? The answer lies in whether tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran escalate into military conflict. If and when the Huthis in Yemen start using advanced weapons provided by Iran, we could well see military action between the two Middle East powers, though perhaps not full-scale warfare. Tensions between Iran and the desert kingdom could divert U.S. attention from what Russia meanwhile is doing in Crimea and Syria and what China is doing in the South China Sea.

Should military conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia erupt, the United States might have no choice but to assist its longtime ally. But given some of the kingdoms latest efforts completely contrary to U.S. interests, do we really have to?

The danger of supporting an increasingly unstable ally should not be ignored, despite campaign-trail rhetoric: My analysis suggests Saudi Arabia realizes it is stuck in Yemen, unable to change the outcome in Syria because of Russias intervention and incapable of stopping Iran from expanding its influence in the region. Add to all this internal strife at the Saudi palace. Talk about your ticking time bomb.

Given that the Saudi kingdoms political calculations likely include dragging other countries  mainly the United States  into its conflicts, we need to be extremely cautious, even as war hawks in Washington bang the drum for U.S. support of the kingdom.

The decision to execute al-Nimr looks increasingly stupid. The Saudi kingdom obviously failed to consider what the cleric meant to the rival Shia culture in Islam, even outside the Middle East. For instance, in a show of solidarity, a Shiite Muslim in front of Saudi Arabias embassy in New Delhi burned a picture of King Salman. Shiite Muslim women during a protest in Lahore, Pakistan, denounced the execution. Demonstrations in Iran have spread far beyond that country.

As Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, the worlds largest political-risk consultant, argues persuasively, the desert kingdom is in big trouble: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is much more challenged on the economic front, more isolated regionally and globally and beset with succession issues (given the kings controversial son).

Washington needs to coldly and objectively consider the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East at present. That landscape is shifting and not in our favor. And tying our future to a perplexing ally simply does not make strategic sense.

David Oualaalou is a global affairs analyst, blogger, author and professor. A former international security analyst in Washington, D.C., he is a part-time instructor at McLennan Community College.
Donald Trumps loss is your gain. Left behind on a podium in a flurry of bluster were these handwritten notes on the surprising applicants to be his vice president. Now you know what strange bedfellows his powerhouse politics have made:

Kim Davis: Too close to the pope and his little loser car.

Ryan Bundy: That family loves America as much as I do! But you know how I feel about the handicapped, so save his resume for director of the National Park Service.

Pizza Rat: Tremendous energy but can VP also be from NY?

Jeb Bush: Wouldnt even hire him to clean my gold toilets. Stupid. Weak. Horrible.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: Tough guy! But could Huckabee deliver same voters?

Supreme Leader Snoke: No way! Schlonged us as Ws VP.

Melania Trump: Wont get along with my next wife.

Bernie Sanders: No way! More ticked off than even my voters!

Chris Christie: No huge felons on my ticket!

Bill Clinton: Amazingly coercive of women. I wouldnt even treat my daughters that way!

Bill Cosby: No way! See Bill Clinton note. See Christie note. Disgusting!

Vladimir Putin: In my top three . . . wed make amazing power couple.

Ted Cruz: A stiff! Sycophant! Hmmm . . . make him an offer.

Meanwhile, constitutional scholars note with alarm that there is no express prohibition on a presidential candidate naming himself as his own running mate.

David Schleicher is an attorney with offices in Waco, Houston and D.C.
Domestic terrorists

If I am understanding correctly, the armed group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge believe they should have control over land such as this federal refuge. Hmmm . . . . The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt as a preserve and breeding ground for birds because plume hunters nearly decimated the white heron population. It is an important wildlife habitat for not only the indigenous wildlife but for migratory birds and other wildlife.

The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service established a Comprehensive Conservation Planning process for all wildlife refuge management areas to assist in maintaining the goals and objectives of each area. This planning team includes Fish and Wildlife Service employees as well as representatives of the areas state, tribal agencies and other appropriate federal agencies. The CCP does include the public in the planning process and gathering pertinent information needed to maintain each specific region.

Each wildlife refuge allows hunting and fishing along with a variety of recreational activities. If Ammon Bundys group were allowed to use the land to log, ranch and mine, the entire face of the habitat would change  and not for the good.

The armed group calls themselves a militia, but my handy-dandy Websters Dictionary defines a militia as a reserve military force that is on call for service only in an emergency. This group of armed people who disagree with the federal government can call themselves whatever they like, but in reality they are nothing more than self-serving domestic terrorists who are using intimidation and the threat of violence to take control of something they are not entitled to control.

Donna M. Myers, Waco

Heroic measures

Walking with a back brace and cane while herding a 10-pound dog who thinks she is a 110-pound guard dog is a challenge. Throw a large, snarling dog running at large at North 38th and Edmond into this mix and one has a potential for calamity. Into this scenario, introduce one knight in shining armor.

To the young man who drove up on this scene in a late-model Mustang on Monday, many thanks for distracting the menace so that we could safely get away. Thanks, too, for circling back to check on us. Being somewhat frazzled from the experience, I failed to even ask your name. Know how much I appreciated your help. Its so good to know there are those among us who will go out of their way to help someone in danger.

M.E. Stewart, Waco

Good work!

Thanks for the street repair that is being done on North 26th Street. The citys quick response to the problem has not gone unnoticed and is appreciated by those in the neighborhood.

Keep up the good work. Code enforcement, the ball is now in your court. Lets work together to Keep Waco Beautiful.

Claudia Proxter, Waco
Egypt expressed concern on Wednesday over a claim by North Korean that it successfully conducted a hydrogen bomb test, the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

A ministry spokesman, according to a press release, said that the bomb test represents a new threat to nuclear non-proliferation, and undermines efforts of solidifying the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which supports international peace and security.

He said that the continuation of such breaches instigates an arms race and increases the state of tension and instability in the Korean Peninsula.

The spokesman added that Egypt will remain adamant with its current firm stance that promotes the necessity of the NPT, and the essentiality of putting all nuclear related programs and activities under the supervision of the safeguards placed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as listed in the treaty, with no discrimination or exception.

The North Korean claim of the successful test drew global condemnation on Wednesday from both friends and foes of the country.

Several governments promised a firm response as tensions soared again in northeast Asia, with many calling for further action by the United Nations against the hermit nation, which is already subject to heavy international sanctions.

The United Nations Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday in New York following closed-door morning talks between the 15 member-nations.

"While we cannot confirm at this time that a test was carried out, we condemn any violation of UNSC resolutions and again call on North Korea to abide by its international obligations and commitments," US mission spokeswoman Hagar Chemali said.

The emergency meeting is expected to witness Egypt's second participation in the council in its two-year term as a non-permanent member after it secured the seat in October 2015.

Egypt has been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council four times: in 1949-1950, 1961-1962, 1984 and 1996-1997.

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Medical students have continued to complain about sexual harassment and bullying in Canberra hospitals, prompting student representatives to call for cultural reform and accountability.

The complaints come after a number of reports confirmed bullying, discrimination and harassment were rife in Canberra hospitals and a major concern among junior doctors.

Medical students have continued to complain about sexual harassment and bullying in Canberra hospitals. Credit:Joe Armao

Matt Lennon, vice-president of the Australian Medical Students Association, said his organisation had been contacted by many Canberra-based students alleging improper behaviour in the workplace.

We're seriously concerned," he said. "Surveys demonstrate that around half of all medical students have been bullied or sexually harassed with a much greater preponderance of women being affected.
Contract negotiations for visiting medical doctors have been delayed after months of disputes and accusations, with parties now scheduled for arbitration in early April.

There are as many as 220 specialist visiting medical officers in Canberra public hospitals with negotiations stalling due to disagreements about negotiation representatives and arbitrators.

Contract negotiations delayed again for visiting medical officers. Credit:Nic Walker

Visiting medical officers have been used in various areas of speciality in the ACT from surgery, dermatology, dentistry and paediatrics to anaesthesia, urology and ophthalmology.

Scheduled meetings between the two sides have been cancelled since August with the government insisting the ACT Visiting Medical Officers Association recognise representatives before meeting.
By Fernande Grudet's own account, the clients at her French brothel included John F. Kennedy, the Shah of Iran, Moammar Gadhafi, Moshe Dayan, Marc Chagall, Rex Harrison, Marlon Brando and King Hussein of Jordan, who, she said, once told one of her girls: "You and I are in the same business. We have to smile even when we don't feel like it." Grudet, known professionally as Madame Claude, claimed JFK came to her with a special request  he wanted a look-alike of his wife, Jacqueline, "but hot."

"Madame Claude" operated a deluxe call-girl ring in Paris in the 1960s and '70s that attracted the patronage of world leaders, business executives and playboys and made her a byword for sophisticated sex.

A woman of modest background from the Anjou region, she arrived in Paris in the 1950s and, after working a series of menial jobs, one of which may have been selling herself on the streets, she decided that the managerial side of the sex business suited her talents. "Two things in life sell," she once declared. "Food and sex. And I was not meant to be a chef."

Precisely how she built her business remains a mystery, despite two memoirs abrim with uncheckable stories. But build it she did, grooming a finishing school's worth of beautiful young women, many of them foreign, from the fringes of the film and fashion worlds, with a sprinkling of students looking for extra cash and housewives looking for adventure, in the manner of Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour.

Grudet liked to call her charges "swans", clients referred to them as "Claude girls." The term prostitute, she once said, "was revolting and denigrating." She was choosy: Only one in 20 candidates made the grade. Requirements included beauty  plastic surgery could be arranged  poise and a familiarity with history, literature and current events. Also, talent in bed. This was assessed by Grudet's testers, male acquaintances who took candidates for a trial run and reported back to her.
However local community members fear the sheer size of the "super school" development will decimate species habitats and tree canopy, in order to meet bushfire asset protection zone requirements.

The proposed and long-awaited development for the Manly Vale Public School seeks to increase the number of students by up to 1000.

More than four hectares of remnant bushland could be cleared on Sydney's northern beaches for the expansion of a local primary school, which was once designated as a centre of excellence in environmental education.

"We are very supportive of a new well-funded, well-resourced school, but it's the fact the department wants to build a super school. Just a few years ago Manly Vale didn't have enough students and suddenly this plan is tripling the size," said Malcolm Fisher, Manly Vale local resident.

"It's part of Sydney's green lung:" Manly Vale local Malcolm Fisher at the site proposed for the expansion of the Manly Vale public school. Credit:James Brickwood

He said a number of residents were concerned the massive expansion of the Sunshine Street school would destroy "the incredible beauty and biodiversity of McComb hill" and also encroach into two adjoining parks and the Manly Warringah War Memorial Park, "a living war memorial."

"This would destroy the habitats of threatened species found on site, including the eastern pygmy possum, powerful owl, eastern bent-wing bat, the grey headed flying fox, as well as numerous other native mammals, including the swamp wallaby."

The same threatened species were identified in a species impact statement commissioned by the government, which confirmed the four were "likely to be affected by the proposal," and that the proposal "would contribute to ongoing incremental loss and degradation of habitat for the species."
Canberra is tipped to get more than half its average monthly rainfall over just two days at the end of this week after a string of warmer than average days.

After a cooler than usual start to January, Weatherzone meteorologist Guy Dixon said a series of troughs converging over south eastern Australia over the next few days would likely bring warm air from inland Australia to the ACT.

Canberra can expect more rain later in the week after a string of warmer than average days. Credit:Rohan Thomson

Sunday's top of 34 degrees, Monday and Wednesday's predicted tops of 36 degrees and Tuesday and Thursday's forecasts of 35 were "well above" the January average maximum temperature of 28.1 degrees, Mr Dixon said.

Overnight temperatures were also tipped to be hotter, around 5 to 6 degrees above average, with Tuesday likely to be the warmest night with a minimum of 19 degrees.
On November 27th, a network of high-tech cameras glimpsed it falling from the sky: a shining meteorite zipping through the earth's atmosphere and landing somewhere in the Australian outback. The journey was visible for about six seconds, a long exposure for such an event.

By New Year's Eve, planetary scientist Phil Bland and his team from Western Australia's Curtin University had made their way to Lake Eyre, where they'd tracked the space rock's trajectory to a crater in the lake's solid salt crust. To reach it, Bland rode on a quad bike through the sweltering desert, navigating the damp clay until he arrived at a small cavity in the ground.

It came from between Jupiter and Mars. Credit:Curtin University

From where he was standing, Bland could just barely make out the shoreline about 7 kilometres away. "It is an almost surreal place to be," he said. With no civilisation in sight, the treasure he sought was right in front of him.

The digging took no more than five minutes by hand, and then Bland had it.
The Perth Lord Mayor has responded to calls to cancel the traditional Skyworks fireworks display on Australia Day, saying that doing so "would not result in significant savings" for bushfire victims.

The Change.org petition, also posted to Facebook, calls on Premier Colin Barnett and Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi to cancel the January 26 event and divert funds toward victims of the Waroona bushfires.

Since Saturday, the petition has gathered more than 8000 signatures.
A woman feared missing in Yarloop has been found alive and well as WA police confirm there are no more people unaccounted for as a result of bushfires in the South West.

All three people who had been reported missing have now been accounted for although this does include investigations into the discovery of human remains at two homes in Yarloop on Saturday night.

A bushfire devastated the town of Yarloop in Western Australia in January. Credit:Murray Cowper

Police earlier said the bodies could belong to two men, aged 73 and 77, who have been missing since the blaze swept across the town on Thursday night.
Florence: Police have questioned the friends of an American woman found dead in her Florence apartment as Italy's expatriate community expresses hope the case will not turn into another Amanda Knox-style, headline-grabbing legal saga.

Police opened a murder investigation on Saturday after Ashley Ann Olsen, 35, of Summer Haven, Florida, was found dead, her neck bruised and scratched.

The Telegraph of London reported news of the death sent tremors through the tight-knit expat community of foreigners in Florence, as well as the vibrant, artistic Oltrarno neighbourhood where she lived, along the left bank of the river that bisects the city.

Police have questioned Ms Olsen's boyfriend, a local artist, but say they have no suspect so far.
Best Home Fashion introduces the new blackout curtain. The grommet top adds a modern touch and provides energy-efficient comfort. Compared to the other curtains, this product is extremely silky and soft. The sophisticated designs allow you to decorate your windows with great style. Blackout curtains are perfect for late sleepers, shift workers, seniors, infants, parents, students, and computer operators. These feature innovative triple-weaved fabric construction allowing for single-layer, unlined thermal-insulated blackout curtains.

Material: Polyester

Light Filtration: Blackout

Header Type: Grommet

Pieces Included: 2 Blackout Curtain Panels

Cleaning Method: Tumble dry; Machine washable

I love the curtains - bedroom & great room . I originally bought sage & wheat colors. The photos on the website did not represent the anywhere near the color of the curtains. They were way darker! No issue with the return. I ended up with beige - again much darker than the photo but worked for me. Curtain material very nice and drapes nicely. I've seen some folks reviews - complain that these are not total blackout shades and they are not if you buy a lighter color curtains. Darker color curtains indeed block out the light. I had an issue with one panel with stain. Wayfair corrected the issue quickly. I bought 51 inch x 108. The 51 in ( 2 pairs) did not sufficiently cover my 8 foot slider doors , ended up having to buy additional pairs. I was unable to find wider curtains available on the Wayfair website - SOLD OUT. I love the grommets make for easy open / close and cleaning. I put the curtains thru a steam cycle in my dryer and took out the creases caused by tight packaging. Other folks complained they could not get the creases out. I had to hem one of pair of curtains - I did this before the dryer steam cycle and after the steam cycle the curtains where a bit too long - grrrr. The whole project cost more than I planned due to needing to buy more panels for the 8 foot sliders. When the double sliders curtains are closed it's a lot of material looks like a theatre stage. It was a lot of work - taking down the old curtains, washing, patching, painting and installing new hardware ...alone - I got a work out for sure. In the end, I am very happy and now need to upgrade more curtains in the house. Curtain will help greatly with winter cold and sun and a fresh new look! Definitely buy from Wayfair again ... a very good experience for my first purchase. First photo is 8 foot slider with 2 panels - not enough material. Hope this helps others in the buying process. PS- getting the curtains back in the package for returns is a challenge...take note how they come out of the package in the beginning.;). JoAnne. Jamesville, NY. 2021-07-29 17:01:13
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 09, 2016 | 09:53 AM | PADUCAH, KY

A single vehicle crash in McCracken County injured three people.

According to the McCracken County Sheriffs Department, the crash happened in the 4000 block of Clinton Road. Deputies say Barette Dowdy, 33 of Paducah, was driving too fast for conditions and lost control of the vehicle. Deputies say the car veered into a ditch, crossed both lanes of traffic, ran into another ditch, and struck a power pole.

Dowdy and 38-year-old Jocelyn Travis of Paducah were transported for non-incapacitating injuries to Lourdes Hospital. The other passenger, 23-year-old Angel Lynch of Paducah, was transported to Baptist Health Paducah for non-life threatening injuries.

Dowdy was cited for operating on a suspended license, driving too fast for traffic conditions, failure to wear seat belt, failure to produce insurance card and no registration receipt.
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Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/01/2016 (2474 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Canada plans to kick-start a long-stalled international effort aimed at ridding the world of the key ingredients needed for nuclear weapons, The Canadian Press has learned.

The renewed push this week by Canadas United Nations ambassador to Geneva to spearhead the creation of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty or FMCT, comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to attend U.S. President Barack Obamas Nuclear Security Summit.

Trudeaus presence at the Obama summit, March 31 and April 1, would come just three weeks after his scheduled March 10 gala state dinner at the White House.

Canadas renewed focus on nuclear non-proliferation efforts has been in the works for months, but the effort has new urgency because of North Koreas recent claim to have conducted a test of a hydrogen bomb.

I think it sent a chill through the world community and reinvigorates this discussion and this debate, Rosemary McCarney, Canadas permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, told The Canadian Press.

McCarney said shell be starting the first of a series of meetings this week at the Conference on Disarmament, the UNs main arms-control body, with the aim of re-starting negotiations this year towards creating the fissile material treaty.

McCarney may have her work cut out for her, because Trudeaus own briefing book says the UN effort towards crafting such a treaty dates back almost six decades and has been beset by deadlock.

An FMCT has been on the UNs agenda since 1957, says the memo to the prime minister, which was obtained under the Access to Information Act.

In 1995, Canada brokered an agreement on a negotiating mandate for the treaty, but in the intervening years, the effort stalled. Since 2008, Pakistan has blocked work on an FMCT, the memo states. But Canada has also worked with Germany, the Netherlands and Australia to make progress.

Canada got the ball rolling again in 2012, when it sponsored a resolution at the UN General Assembly establishing a commission of experts to push the matter forward. More meetings and reports followed.

Trudeau now plans to support another process  Obamas fourth and final nuclear security summit, an effort he launched in 2010 after a landmark speech in Prague a year earlier.

In that speech, Obama highlighted the threat posed by nuclear terrorism, as he announced an initiative aimed at securing nuclear materials and cracking down on the illicit trafficking in them.

Trudeau said last fall he wants to look for ways to work with Obama on major international issues in the presidents final year in office.

A nuclear terror attack anywhere in the world would have catastrophic human, political, economic and environmental consequences, Trudeau was told by federal officials who prepared the briefing documents. While the immediate risk of such an attack may appear to be low, states and terrorist groups are known to be actively seeking nuclear or radiological weapons capabilities.

The memo states that former prime minister Stephen Harper announced $28 million in funds aimed at nuclear security at Obamas last summit in 2014, and that Trudeau will likely bring some money of his own to the table this year.

A package of programming deliverables is already being prepared to inform the prime ministers participation in the 2016 summit, it says.

Another memo to Trudeau stresses that Canada views progress to a total ban on nuclear weapons  the yet unattainable Nuclear Weapons Convention  to be not politically feasible because some of the states that have those weapons refuse to negotiate. But it cites a successfully negotiated FMCT as one step towards that.

We want to get to a Nuclear Weapons Convention without question. Section 1 of any Nuclear Weapons Convention is going to be fissile materials because if we dont stop the production of fissile materials we cant get to a Nuclear Weapons Convention, said McCarney.

She also heralded the Iran nuclear deal, which the United States brokered with five other countries, as a major step in the right direction. The deal would prevent Tehran from developing the technology needed to build a nuclear weapon.

Its one of our success stories for 2015, said McCarney. So we can be cautiously optimistic that well be able to say in the years to come that heres a great example of a country that was certainly on a path to nuclear armament that has stepped away.

On the vexing question of North Korea, McCarney had a more sanguine view. Canada will continue to work closely with its allies, and maintain the pressure of sanctions.

Do I have an optimistic view in the immediate future on North Korea? she asked. I do not.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/01/2016 (2474 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

During Winnipegs earliest decades, the real estate business was not for the faint of heart. Known for its booms and busts, fortunes could be made or lost in a matter of days. Like most industries, it was strictly a mans world. That is, until Evelyn Bertie Gibson came on the scene in 1910.

Her parents, Henry and Fannie Gibson, were born in the Channel Islands but met and married in Cape Town, South Africa. They set off for Manitoba in the late 1880s with their first child, daughter Millicent.

It was believed the Gibsons came from a well-off background, given their extensive musical training and the fact they had a maid in tow. Evelyn Bertie, their second child, was born at Brokenhead in 1887 before the family settled on a farm at St. Ouens, near Beausejour.

JOHN FEIR COLLECTION / FLICKR Portage Avenue and Smith Street looking northeast circa 1911. Winnipeg's early real estate market was not for the faint of heart.

Henry Gibson had a varied career. He had a large cattle barn built, farmed the land and became the areas first postmaster. (He suggested naming the office St. Ouens after his wifes hometown.) He also dabbled in real estate, was an inventor and, thanks to his law degree, was appointed as the areas magistrate in 1905.

One thing the remote community could not offer the Gibsons children, eventually numbering seven, was higher education. This led the family to eventually relocate to Winnipeg, but not before Evelyn preceded them, around 1906. She enrolled in teachers college but found the coursework tedious, so she set out to find something more challenging.

With a head for business and an interest in photography, she got work as a clerk at New York Studios, a Main Street portrait shop. After a couple of years, she became a saleswoman at the studios of William A. Martel in the now-demolished Alberta Block on Portage Avenue at Garry Street.

Martel specialized in photographing urban spaces and buildings and is best remembered for his 600-image book An Illustrated Souvenir of Winnipeg, published in 1903 and republished in 2008.

In 1909, Martel created a short-lived company called Winnipeg Amateur Photography Supply Ltd. and appointed Gibson the manager. The shop appears to have lasted little more than a year, but it gave Gibson a chance to hone her business skills and decide she wanted to be her own boss.

When asked why she chose real estate, Gibson said: I dont know that there was any other reason except a certain lure, which I believe everybody here feels, to buy and sell land; and besides, I felt also that if I could successfully sell photographs, which most people consider a luxury, surely I could sell land, which many consider a necessity.

Gibsons first office was a small space located across the hall from her former employer. She advertised as Miss E.B. Gibson  Real Estate, which attracted reporters from both the Free Press and Tribune, both noting she was the only woman in the city, likely in Western Canada, to work full time in the field.

Despite starting out with just a few hundred dollars in capital, her first deal was a blockbuster. Gibson brokered the sale of a $40,000 building (she didnt mention the block by name in later interviews).

Once you have built up your business reputation, clients come of themselves  Evelyn Bertie Gibson

That put her in the league of big-time agents and provided enough capital she could put down payments on smaller properties and hold them until values increased. A couple of years later, she even financed the repurchase of that $40,000 block for herself as a rental property.

Gibsons portfolio was diverse. Her bread and butter appeared to be houses, especially in the West End, where she herself settled for a number of years. She also acted as a rental agent for apartment blocks and sold commercial land on main thoroughfares. Given her rural background, its not surprising farms and rural lots were sometimes featured in her ads. This diversity led to an international clientele, pairing up U.S. businessmen with investment properties in the Chicago of the North and families from overseas looking for farmland.

When asked by a Free Press reporter to give advice to others seeking to enter the real estate game, her answer was simple: Dont put up any fake propositions, but buy and sell good stuff. Once you have built up your business reputation, clients come of themselves.

The small office in the Alberta Block didnt last long. Within a couple of years, she moved into the Sterling Bank Building on Portage Avenue at Smith Street and to a series of larger office spaces, reaching the penultimate floor by 1920.

If Gibson faced opposition because of her gender, she didnt let on, at least publicly. She once praised her male colleagues for their acceptance: They are the best on earth. Since beginning my career they have shown me nothing but good fellowship and have assisted me in every way possible, willingly giving me information and advice whenever I asked for it.

She noted being a woman in the field had its advantages.

A man comes to me wanting to buy a house. In almost every instance, he declares that it is his wife who must be satisfied. It is very easy for me to see his wife, get her views and fit the house to the woman.

A picture of Evelyn Bertie Gibson that appeared in the Winnipeg Tribune on May 23, 1914.

Thanks to interviews published in the Tribune and Free Press, and even a December 1914 write-up in Macleans magazine, Gibson was arguably one of Winnipegs best-known businesswomen. Despite this, her personal life remains a bit of a mystery.

Unlike some prominent business people or society women, she appears not to have used her notoriety to speak up on issues of the day, and if she supported any causes or did any charitable work, it rarely got mentioned in newspapers.

One exception where she did speak out was in a letter to the editor published in the Winnipeg Tribune Jan. 4, 1912 regarding the issue of women getting the vote.

She wrote: When I look out of my office window at the man digging up the pavement who perhaps has not got a dollar in property, it seems to me unjust that that mans electoral power should be greater than mine. Further, a man in my own employ who comes to me for a weekly wage has the right to vote against my interest, while I cannot cast a vote to offset his.

In 1917, Gibson entered a business partnership with Thomas Guinon. Canadian-born and raised, Guinon went into the hotel and real estate business in North Dakota, eventually serving as a member of the North Dakota state legislature. In 1901, he relocated to Manitoba and created the Red River Loan and Land Company, specializing in bringing American settlers to the Prairies.

By this time, though, Guinon was near retirement, and Red River Loan and Land ceased advertising around 1914. For a year or two, the partnership advertised as Guinon and Gibson, and in 1919, Guinon revived the old company name, making Gibson the secretary treasurer. From their office on the eighth floor of the Sterling Bank Building, Red River sold a mix of rural land and city houses for a couple of years.

In 1920, Gibson moved from her Lipton Street home to live with her widower father in the family home on Jessie Avenue. In 1922, she married Matthew C. Ryan, a salesman, and gave up her practice to start a family. A year later, daughter Joyce was born.

ROB MCINNIS COLLECTION, WP1795 For most of her career, Gibson sold real estate from offices in the Sterling Bank Building on Portage Avenue, seen here circa 1914.

The Ryans emigrated to Los Angeles in January 1924. Her father, Henry, followed in 1929 and moved in with them.

Evelyn Bertie Gibson died in L.A. Aug. 25, 1940 after a short illness, at the age of 53. A brief obituary in the Winnipeg Tribune noted she continued to work in the real estate industry in her new country.

Christian Cassidy writes about local history on his blog, West End Dumplings.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/01/2016 (2474 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More than 50 people marched to the Manitoba Legislature Sunday, demanding the Canadian government curb aid to Ethiopias regime following escalating human rights abuses in that country.

At issue is the regimes treatment of the Oromo people, Ethiopias largest ethnic group, one facing eviction and relocation as the authoritarian government looks to expand the capitals administrative control into the Oromia region, displacing Oromo farmers. Last fall, another wave of demonstrations erupted. International human rights groups have said about 140 people have been killed by government security forces during the unrest.

Winnipeg nurse and student Muleta Hunduma said his brother, a high school teacher, was arrested in the recent wave of demonstrations. Hunduma said his family doesnt know where his brother is being held, or why.

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press Members of the Oromo community gathered at noon Sunday in front of the University of Winnipeg and headed to the Manitoba legislative building to protest last week's killings in Ethiopia.

Hunduma said Canada is one of Ethiopias largest foreign aid donors. The protesters demanded Sunday that Canada roll back aid to Ethiopia and call for an end to human rights abuses.

Were hoping Canada will reconsider and use that money as leverage to send a message to the Ethiopian government, said Hunduma.

Sundays rally, coulourful thanks to many large Ethiopian flags, began at the CBC Manitoba building on Portage Avenue and proceeded to the Manitoba Legislature, where many went inside to gather out of the cold. It was organized by the Oromo Association of Manitoba, established in 1991 to help immigrants and refugees. The association says the plan to expand Addis Ababa is little more than a move to evict 2 million Oromo farmers from their land

Its a free country and here we are protesting, said Hunduma Back home, you dont see this.
A keen eye, 20 years of study and observation, and a fascination that sometimes baffles his wife have made Scott Mehus an expert on golden eagles.

The National Eagle Center Education Director passed on some of his knowledge identifying and observing the raptors on Saturday to people interested in not only learning more about area birds but surveying them as well.

On Saturday morning Mehus, other eagle center workers and their golden eagle, Donald, made the trip to Whitewater State Park to educate people about the golden eagle and why its winter stay in the area is so interesting  and worth tracking.

Donald went back home to the eagle center in Wabasha for the noon training session, where volunteers interested in helping Mehus with the Golden Eagle Project survey on Jan. 19 learned more about how to identify golden eagles, especially as they soar feet above the bluffs that make up the Driftless Area.

The tops of bluffs and stretching valleys make perfect homes for pairs of golden eagles as they winter away from Nunavut, Canada, but Mehus said sometimes people are desensitized to the beauty of the bluffs and the wildlife it houses.

People that live in Winona, they value the beauty of the area, but sometimes, they forget to drive through the bluff country, Mehus said.

Mehus taught the volunteers how to distinguish between a golden eagle and a juvenile bald eagle, which can look very similar to a golden eagle before developing its signature white head.

These similarities are what brought Tom and Patty Prody from just south of Wabasha, Minn., to the training session.

The pair said they often misidentify the two species, and they wanted to better understand the habitat and traits of the birds in their area.

While Mehus offered tips and trick to ID the birds, he said its important for the surveyors to understand that multiple field tests are needed to conclude that an eagle is a golden eagle.

For example, bald eagles have white feathers in their wingpits  from simply applying too much deodorant, Mehus joked  while golden eagles tend to have the white feathers further out on their wing. But since no one trait is guaranteed, Mehus urged the volunteers to examine other aspects of the birds as best as they could.

Other factors like as body shape, feathered feet and a golden nape all play roles in distinguishing between the raptors, Mehus said, explaining how the bald eagles dark, big schnoz is distinctly different from the golden eagles small, tri-colored beak.

Marcella Chester of Rochester, Minn., said identifying the eagles is another way for her to practice her photography skills, and better yet, it gives her a chance to bone up on local knowledge.

I like learning things in my area, Chester said.

Once classroom lessons were finished, Chester and the other volunteers got a chance to put their new knowledge to the test.

Mehus, the volunteers and Whitewater State Park workers caravanned through the refuge in search of golden eagle pairings. Throughout the trip, Mehus pointed out spots where the golden eagles have been known to perch; as creatures of habit, they have been perching there every winter for years.

Right outside of the visitors center, volunteers surveyed an eagle through the binoculars and identified it as the golden eagle, but the rest of the trip would prove less fruitful. The group was only able to spot a couple of bald eagles, and what might have been one other golden eagle far off at the top of the ridges. Still, the volunteers excitement for the upcoming survey wasnt dampened.

This coming Saturday, volunteers will travel assigned routes with their eyes to sky in search of possible golden eagles. If they can positively identify the birds, the eagle center can more accurately able to track migration, habitat and food patterns, Mehus said.

Even if volunteers arent sure what kind of birds they see, unknown is an acceptable answer, because it helps Mehus and other experts with the Golden Eagle Project get an idea of broader population patterns.

Through its 12-year history, the Golden Eagle Project has seen changes, like as a decrease in the juvenile population, but since the project and tracking are still young, its too soon to tell what the cause or impacts are, Mehus explained.

Mehus said he has only seen one juvenile golden eagle this winter, down from the four he saw last year, which was itself a decrease since the project began.

But that doesnt mean the project itself is slowing down. Mehus explained that he continues to split routes to accommodate growing numbers of people interested in helping to identify the eagle and learning more about the bird that calls the bluffs its wintertime home.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the name of an eagle. He is Donald, not Douglas.
My uncles wanted to accompany my grandfathers body back to Iraq, but my mother refused. It was 2006, and the insurgency was at its height. Isnt it enough that I am burying my father? she said. Do I have extra brothers to lose?

We buried my grandfather in the Muslim portion of a sprawling, green-lawned cemetery about an hour from my parents Monterey, Calif., home. Because of state regulations, his shrouded body was placed inside a plain wooden box, not directly in the ground as Islamic custom requires.

His children on the East Coast and in Britain came for the funeral. His children in the United Arab Emirates mourned their father in place and held satellite memorials.

Despite the long drive, we visited my grandfathers grave site regularly, loading up our car with picnic lunches. Wed spread blankets, pray, eat and dote on his grave. Once my mother spilled a bit of coffee onto the dry soil, as if giving her father a sip of his favorite drink, and I marveled at this unexpected thing that had happened: Someone from my household was buried in America, the place that seemed like an accident, the place where my father landed after completing his medical training, the place my mother brought her parents to escape Saddam Husseins Iraq.

I was born in this country. I was raised in this country. I went to school in this country, own a home in this country and have children in this country. But only when I put a loved one in the ground did I feel as if I was putting down roots.

My mothers sister was among those who didnt attend my grandfathers funeral. But a few weeks before he died, she came to visit from the UAE. When she left, she kissed him in his wheelchair and walked backward to the car, waving and blowing him kisses, only to race back to his side. She did this three more times until we were all standing in the foyer of my mothers house laughing and crying.

Seven months ago, she died of cancer. I didnt see her once while she was in the hospital. I didnt hold her hand. I didnt kiss her goodbye. I have not seen her grave.

I didnt make the trip because Id recently taken my family of five to attend her sons wedding. It was too much for us all to go again and too difficult for me to go alone and leave my children behind. Such decisions are inevitable when your entire relationship with your extended family hinges on airfare.

When the cancer spread to my aunts brain, my mother rushed from California to her sisters bedside, where she stayed until she had no choice but to return for work. She cried the whole way back. At the airport, her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks rubbed raw with tissues.

I found out my aunt was in her final moments when my mother dashed into the hallway with a wild look in her eyes, her cellphone in hand. Shes dying, she said.

For the next 30 minutes, she watched frantic texts fly back and forth. Come now! the caregiver wrote to my aunts children, whod not yet arrived at the hospital. The last text came: No more Madame. My mother repeated this line again and again and collapsed to the floor.

After my aunt died, I made a list of all the times Id seen her. She came to California when I moved into my dorm room my second year of college, when I picked out my wedding dress, for my wedding, to meet my first and then second child. I had these stand-alone chapters, 15 of them, to be exact, that I desperately wanted to stitch together into some kind of a story, some semblance of a shared life.

I typed her name into my email search bar. There were six messages from me along with her replies. I printed out every exchange, wondering why I didnt send more, say more. I looked through my old cards and letters and found a note from her from before my wedding that I stuffed into my wallet.

I had not appreciated the particular pain of unanchored, disembodied grief that my aunt must have felt when my grandfather died until she passed away, too.

Now it was our turn to host the satellite memorials. We held two: one for the Iraqi immigrants in Northern California, and one for the Iraqi immigrants in Southern California.

We wept without a body, without a grave site to focus our attention. The women in our community, the ones I grew up calling aunty, consoled me, bemoaning the loss of the real aunt with whom I had shared blood but not place or time.

These days I listen to the clamor about refugees, and I think of my grandfathers death and my aunts death and just how far the grasp of exile extends, how many people it ensnares, how deeply it cuts. I think about the desperation that forces people to accept the vulnerability of living in a foreign land, and I cannot comprehend begrudging another human being such an unenviable lot in life.

The initial exile is just the beginning of generations of heartbreak.

Diaspora means weighing visits against airfare and daily obligations. It means missing out on births, graduations and weddings. It means hearing that a loved one has died and knowing that you spent your short time on Earth in different places.
A 2013 Columbus High School alumna is helping to preserve the memories of the elders on a Navajo Indian reservation in northern Arizona.

Reagan Johnson, a transmedia major at Winona State University, was part of a group of college students who recorded the elders stories for posterity. The students films are now being archived in the Smithsonian and in a museum on the Navajo reservation.

Im really passionate about journalism, even though Im not a journalism major, Johnson said. This definitely opened my eyes to how journalism can be more proactive and really help people tell their stories.

The Navajo Oral History Project, which has been ongoing for the past seven years, is a joint effort by Winona State University in Winona, Minn., and Dine College, which is located on the reservation.

As a transmedia major, Johnson is studying photography and audio and video production. She was mostly involved on the technical side of the project, operating the audio and video equipment and editing the film, but she said everybody got a chance to participate in the interviews, as well.

Johnson was one of 11 Winona State students involved in the project. In May and June of last year, the group spent three and a half weeks in Arizona, where they met up with their peers at Dine and were divided into small groups, with each group assigned to one of four different elders.

Interviewing Louva

Johnsons team interviewed a woman named Louva Dahozy, who is now in her 90s and was a bit of a groundbreaker back in the 1950s and 60s.

Johnson said Dahozy was the first Navajo woman on the radio, hosting a popular food and home economics show. She also created the first Navajo cookbook, and she helped implement the Womens, Infants and Childrens supplemental nutrition program on the Navajo Nation.

Dahozy told her story to the students during a series of three interviews.

It ended up being that we didnt even use any of our first-day interview because our second-day interview was just so great, Johnson said.

Part of what made the second interview so powerful was the fact that it was done entirely in Navajo, which is becoming increasingly rare on the reservation.

Its definitely a problem, Johnson said. I think every single elder we interviewed talked about that, that the language is dying and needs to be preserved.

One of the Dine College members on Johnsons team spoke fluent Navajo and was able to conduct the interview. Translating everything into English took a lot of time, though, and unfortunately some words dont have a direct translation to English, which made it difficult to get Dahozys meaning across in some instances.

It also added a layer of complexity to the editing process, when the team was trying to match up subtitles to the audio track. We had to make sure we were cutting things off at the right point, that we werent cutting off something in mid-sentence, Johnson said. It was probably one of the most frustrating thing Ive ever done, but definitely worth it when we got it all together.

Dahozy grew up on a farm where her family raised sheep and later attended a boarding school several hours away from her house, Johnson said. In order to get to school, she had to travel on horseback.

I think she did that all the way through eighth grade, and thats when World War 2 broke out, Johnson said. Her school that she was going to got turned into a Japanese internment camp, so she moved somewhere else to do high school.

Although Navajo was her native language, Dahozy used it less and less as she grew up. When she got her job on the radio as an adult, she brushed up on the language so she could use it on the air to communicate with her fellow Navajos.

She was really, really popular, Johnson said. She used to get a ton of fan mail. People just loved her little show.

A lot of the topics that she discussed on the radio and in the cookbook that she wrote had to do with food subsidies that the Navajo people were being given in the 1950s and 60s.

Because it wasnt their traditional food, they didnt know how to cook with it and how to eat healthy with it, so she played a big role in teaching people how to work with the food they were given, Johnson said.

Because a lot of Navajos at the time didnt read or write, Dahozys cookbook was illustrated, with pictures showing how many cups or teaspoons of each ingredient to add.

Telling their stories

Johnson said the subjects for their interviews were chosen in advance, by the professors at the two colleges who are the organizers of the project. They try to find people who have important or interesting stories to tell.

One of the other teams interviewed a World War 2 Code Talker. Johnson said other Code Talkers have been interviewed for the project in the past, some of whom have passed away in the years since, so theyre glad they were able to document their stories before it was too late.

The student groups tried to get as much done as possible on their documentaries during their stay on the reservation, because thats when they had access to people who spoke Navajo and when they had time to work together, but Johnsons team still had a lot to finish up once they got back to Minnesota.

We were on the wire getting everything done, she said.

The documentaries had to be completed in time for them to premeire in September, first in Winona and then just a few days later in Arizona.

The final documentary ended up being 20 minutes long, but the group also gave a longer cut of the full interview to the family and to museums. The full version is over two hours long, and Johnson personally spent a lot of time putting that together.

Nobody else sees that except for the families, but they really appreciate having that, she said.

Johnson was able to go back out to Arizona for the premiere. She sat behind Dehozy as the film played. She was giggling the whole time, Johnson said. She was sitting with her daughter, and they thought it was great.




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The praying mantis has been outfitted with tiny glasses in a strange experiment.

If you ever doubted whether a praying mantis can see in 3D, you wont have to speculate any longer. Scientists have fitted the tiny creatures with miniature 3D glasses and prove they indeed see through them.

While this may seem odd, researchers will use their findings to learn more about the evolution of 3D vision, as well as how they can develop new algorithms that could be used for 3D depth perception in computers, according to cnet.com.

The tiny creatures wore green and blue lenses that were adhered to their heads with beeswax. They were then shown a video of of what they perceived to be bugs they could easily attack and devour. Thinking it was fair game, the mantises lunged at the creatures only to be disappointed at the outcome, since there was no real physical prey on the other side.

The research team from Newcastle University in the U.K. has always suspected that despite their small brains, the praying mantis is a very intelligent creature, and their suspicion that they could see in 3D was head on, so to speak.

The mantises were shown the same videos in 2D but showed no interest. Their findings,Insect stereopsis demonstrated using a 3D insect cinema, were published this week in Scientific Reports.

Jenny Read, a professor of vision science and leader of the study in a press release said, mantises are sophisticated visual hunters which can capture prey with terrifying efficiency. We can learn a lot by studying how they perceive the world.
On Friday, scientists launched a final, last-chance effort to contact a radio-silent robot-lab which was dropped over a year ago onto the surface of a comet in our solar system.

According to Phys, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched their Philae probe as a part of their Rosetta mission. Since the mission began  with a near crash-landing onto the comet in November 2014  the probe as yielded valuable scientific results.

However, it has been six months since mission control engineers at the German Aerospace Centre in Darmstadt have had any communication with the Philae probe. At this point, the odds of reestablishing contact with probe have diminished severely.

The last clear sign of life was received from Philae on July 9, 2015, the German Space Agency said in a statement. Since then it has remained silent.

The contact made in July of last year was a command for the refrigerator-sized Philae probe to use its flywheel. This command was issued in the hope that any dust caking the solar panels which might be inhibiting communication be shaken off.

Its an admittedly desperate move, Philippe Gaudon of the French Nation Space Agency told AFP. It is very unlikely the robot will become functional again.

The window of opportunity for making contact with Philae will be closed toward the end of January, when the comet and its hardware will be around 300 million kilometers from the Sun and can no longer operate.

When it was operational, Philae was able to gather data on several organic molecules found on the comes surface, including four which were never before detected on a comet.
North Wales Police Welcomes New Domestic Abuse Law

This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jan 10th, 2016

North Wales Police have welcomed new legislation targeting those who subject spouses, partners and family members to psychological and emotional torment, but stop short of violence.

Domestic abusers who control victims via social media or spy on them online could face up to five years in prison under the new law which came into force at the end of December.

The legislation around Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate or Family Relationship paves the way for charges in cases where there is evidence of repeated controlling or coercive behaviour and follows a Home Office consultation in which 85% of participants said the existing law did not provide sufficient protection.

The type of abuse covered by the new offence could include a pattern of threats, humiliation and intimidation.

It could also involve stopping someone from socialising, controlling their finances, controlling their social media accounts, surveillance through apps and dictating what they wear.

Det Sgt Mike Robinson said: Domestic abuse is often categorised as behaviour resulting in a physical injury, this isnt the case and the new legislation allows us to prevent victims from suffering controlling behaviour such as financial and emotional abuse.

North Wales Police remains committed to ensuring justice for victims of all forms of domestic abuse and works closely with partner agencies to provide the best possible care and support to victims.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Tallahassee residents came together Saturday afternoon, honoring those who serve and protect the community.

The group Families Behind the TPD Badge hosted an appreciation rally to wrap up the second annual First Responders Appreciation Week in Florida.

Dozens came out to the the Old Capitol Building, holding signs and sharing messages paying tribute to local law enforcement, firefighters and EMS crews.

Those involved say this support helps show those who work to keep the community safe just how much their service matters.

"It's a gratifying feeling for individuals to recognize the work that you put in, the dedication you put in, and the effort you put in. Realizing we risk and hazard our lives for their protection and safety... it's just a gratifying feeling to know individuals recognize what we do on a daily basis," said Tallahassee Police Officer Cleveland Brown.

Saturday's event was also part of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

Everyone across the country is encouraged to wear blue, put a blue ribbon on your car or mailbox or use a blue light bulb outside of your home.
Is there such a thing as too much democracy?

Some raise that question when special interests make end runs around the Legislature with initiatives that ask voters to read six pages of fine print, and then vote yes or no.

Thats direct democracy with a capital D, and in Arizona it is a product of the Progressive Era, when those writing the state constitution were afraid the railroad and mining barons would buy off the Legislature.

Fast-forward a century and the special interests are still facing off at the ballot box, only recently it has been over casino gaming, payday loans and medical marijuana, among others. It takes a lot of money to run a statewide initiative campaign, but the payoff apparently is big enough to justify investing millions.

Now, thanks to Citizens United, the same big political money has entered the realm of candidate elections  corporations and political action committees are free to spend as much as they want within loose limits on express advocacy  and they do. This election cycle for U.S. president will easily top a billion dollars, and races for U.S. Senate and Congress are each costing upwards of $5 million.

In the short run, there seems little that average voters can do about the big spenders  the Supreme Court has pulled the cork from the bottle. The Court, however, did not say big money could also be dark, and voters should insist on transparency in campaign spending at every level or require very good reasons why not.

PROFESSIONAL AND NONPARTISAN

In the alternative, it might be time for Arizona voters to change the way some ministerial constitutional offices such as Secretary of State or Treasurer and quasi-judicial panels such as the Corporation Commission are filled. And in the wake of Gov. Duceys highly partisan appointment to the Supreme Court, lets throw in the state courts, too. Insisting on nonpartisan professional credentials, followed by a gubernatorial nomination with confirmation by the Legislature, would at least force the special interests as well as the governor to promote candidates with qualifications and temperaments suited for the job.

Take the case of the Corporation Commission, which sets rates and rules for regulated electric, communications and gas utilities, among other duties. Even though lobbyist Susan Bitter Smith has resigned amid conflict allegations, the underlying problem remains: This is a highly technical, quasi-judicial board that should be as free of politics and influence as possible.

Just the opposite has occurred, with the solar industry and APS, among others, fighting to elect partisan backers of their financial interests. The ideal solution is to appoint technocrats and academics  people with professional backgrounds and analytical abilities who can drive new ideas and programs amid a disruptive era that is moving away from fossil fuels and toward renewables. This is already done in other states such as California, New York and Maine, and it was the appointment philosophy of former Gov. Bruce Babbitt  his appointees drove new policies and programs, not the political parties or the regulated utilities, as is now the case.

That is not to say that regulators come without political opinions. But judging what is a fair rate of return for utilities at an affordable price for consumers should be outside politics, which is sometimes defined as the arena in which power is sorted out. The Corporation Commission, whose decisions affect billions of dollars in utility bills each year, should be leveling the playing field, not trying to tilt it according to their own politics.

POLITICIZING THE BENCH

That should also be the case for judges, and in Arizona, judges for the supreme court, appellate courts and superior courts in the largest counties do not have to campaign for office. Members of the state bar decide on candidates who meet minimum qualifications, then rate them and send their recommendations to the governor.

The process has worked to depoliticize the state judiciary until this month, when Ducey, a movement conservative who campaigned on reducing government and cutting taxes, named one of the states most conservative legal activists to the supreme court. Attorney Clint Bolick has worked as a litigator for the libertarian Goldwater Institute, and he has made it clear he took Goldwater cases not just because they were his clients but because of his legal philosophy that interprets the constitution as limiting government.

A lack of judicial experience is not a disqualification, but outspoken advocacy on so many hot-button legal issues should be. There is no faster way to undermine confidence in the courts than to appoint someone who has not only taken definitive positions on a wide range of legal disputes related to small business, health care and unions, but also litigated them. There is no high court appointee in recent memory with so partisan a resume, and even conservatives are uneasy with the precedent. Will a future liberal governor now be justified in appointing a litigator on behalf of victims rights from the ACLU?

INSIST ON NEUTRAL ARBITERS

The fact that Bolick could pass muster with the screening committee of the state bar speaks to the need to tighten the standards so that highly partisan governors cant appoint legal activists of any philosophy. When judicial and quasi-judicial panels get involved in the same political processes as the other two branches of government, then separation of powers is blurred, especially when it comes to supposedly neutral arbiters of constitutional rights and legislative actions.

If it takes a state constitutional convention to reopen these issues, so be it. The partisan meltdown at the Corporation Commission and the Bolick appointment show that elected politicians and the special interests that bankroll them are no respecters of the constitution, so once again the rank-and-file voters will have to set them straight.
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A four-year-old boy nicknamed "Jihadi Junior" after appearing in a recent Islamic State propaganda video, was discovered to be the grandson of a Nigerian man who emigrated to England in the late 1980s.

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In an interview last week with British Channel 4, the grandfather Henry Dare, 59, said that the boy in the video is Isa Dare, the son of his daughter Grace "Khadijah" who converted to Islam and fled to Syria to fight for Islamic State.

Dare said he recognized Isa when he appeared at the end of the 11-minute clip: "I can't disown him, he's my grandson. I know him very well," he stated. The claim that the boy was indeed his grandson has not received official approval.

'Jihadi Junior' in the latest Islamic State propoganda video

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The boy seen in the clip saying "We are going to kill the kaffir (non-believers) over there," while pointing towards the UK, has already appeared in ISIS propaganda. In photos that circulated on social networks last year he was seen holding a Kalashnikov rifle.

"He does not know anything, he is a little boy", claimed Dare. "They are just using him as a shield."

Asked whether he had talked to the boy on the phone the grandfather replied, "He does not like to be there."

Henry Dare, 'Jihadi Junior's grandfather

Khadija, 24, also appeared in ISIS videos of the past, in which she spoke about her new lifestyle in Syria and was shown practicing shooting. She was one of the pioneers of this type of propaganda, and she is considered to be on the most effective in mobilizing Western women to the ranks of Islamic State.

Henry Dare said he talked with his daughter a few weeks ago "but I usually ignore her calls because it is shameful to our family and herself."

Shortly before her 18th birthday, Khadija, then known as Grace and a devout Catholic, came home and told her mother, "I am a Muslim now." In Syria, she met a Swedish ISIS fighter named Abu Bakr and married him.

In one of the clips, Khadija explained that she "could not find anyone in the UK willing to sacrifice his life in this world for the afterlife. I prayed to Allah and he decided that I should come to Syria and get married to Abu Bakr."

According to several reports, since the video was shot, Abu Bakr was killed in the fighting in Syria.
Two days after terrorist Nashat Melhem was captured and killed in a firefight, police and the Shin Bet have a number of unanswered questions. One is how Nashat Melhem managed to get in Amin Shaaban's taxi. Melhem murdered Shaaban but did not keep using the vehicle.

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The Shin Bet has also been trying to understand what Melhem's route was and why he murdered Shaaban, but have yet to find answers.

Nashat Melhem

Another big mystery is how Melhem successfully fled Tel Aviv after shooting three people dead. As of Sunday, his last known location on the day of the shooting was on Namir Road, where he abandoned the taxi a few minutes after the murder. Investigators want to know how Melhem made his way to northern Israel. Was he picked up? Did he hitchhike?

Investigators have also been looking into how Melhem got into Arara, his hometown, without being discovered. They knew from the start that he would try to reach the area where he lived, which he succeeded in doing  and it has become clear that Melhem was hiding in a structure adjacent to his home for at least the final 24 hours of his hiding.

Yet another lingering question is how Melhem managed to survive in hiding. Evidence found after his death suggested that he had a large supply of food, implying that someone supplied him with food and knew he would be in hiding for a long time.

It has emerged that the substantial breakthrough in the investigation, which led police chief Roni Alsheikh to reassure Tel Aviv area residents, occurred on Tuesday, when Shin Bet investigators reached a location in Wadi Ara and found a cigarette butt.

DNA analysis of the butt revealed that Melhem had smoked it, indicating his presence. Roadblocks were immediately set up in the area and large numbers of security forces were deployed to ensure that the terrorist could not escape  with a particular concern being that he would escape to the Palestinian territories.

Relatives released

The Haifa Magistrates Court on Sunday released from police custody Mohammed Melhem, Nashat's brother, and one of Nashat's brother. The pair is to be under house arrest for ten days.

The decision followed an agreement between the family's lawyers and investigators. The father and son were arrested last week on suspicion of abetting a terrorist, causing death, and conspiracy to commit a crime. The demand of another relative was extended by a week.

"The Shin Bet's officers did their jobs," said Mohammed Melhem. "I am a law-abiding man and did not cooperate with my son. My place should not have been in jail. Every second I was in there was unfortunate. I have a family I need to be with."

The family now waits for Nashat's body and is expected to hold a small funeral.

"They shouldn't have made all the arrests," said a relative. "The father and entire family suffered from what the son did and they are having a hard time digesting everything that happened. The father did not know where his son was hiding and was not involved in the suspicions that the police and court had."

The Melhem family switched lawyers on Sunday morning. It was represented by Attorney Nahmi Feinblatt during the search for Nashat Melhem. Feinblatt announced that his role had ended because the family members had been released. They are now represented by Attorney Ali Saadi.

Suspected accessories' arrests extended

Relatives of the five people suspected of aiding Melhem are denying the allegations against them. "The police has started accusing people over nothing," they claimed Saturday.

The Haifa Magistrates' Court extended the five suspects' arrests on Saturday. They are suspected of aiding a terrorist, unpermitted congregation, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Man suspected of aiding Melhem arrested

Melhem was killed in a shootout with police anti-terrorist and Shin Bet forces on Friday. He saw them closing in on his hiding spot and came out firing his submachine gun at them (the same weapon he used in the Tel Aviv pub attack a week earlier). The forces returned fire and killed Melhem. No members of the raiding force were hurt. Residents of Arara who congregated near the spot were heard yelling "We will sacrifice our lives for the martyr."

One of the arrested suspects is the person who helped the police reach Melhem after he was seen walking around the area. At first Melhem wasn't recognized, but after a short while they managed to identify him. Before notifying police, the suspect consulted with locals, who supported him contacting authorities.

"I don't know why they arrest suspects for no reason," one of the suspects' relatives said, "It's still unclear why he was arrested. There's no basis for the allegations against him. The police need to stop with these weird arrests. They just want to abuse the residents of Arara because Melhem hid here."

He added that "this is an opportunity to send a message to all the citizens of Israel: We were victims of a terrorist. Don't treat us all as terrorists. We all live in coexistence and support peace. Unfortunately, there are bodies whose main activity is inciting people against Arab society.

Another suspect's relative also had a hard time accepting the arrest. "He had no part in any of this," he said, "We didnt even know that the terrorist was in the neighborhood. I feel like the government intends on ruining the good image of the village, but it won't succeed."

People in the neighborhood claimed that the exact information about Melhem's hiding spot was given to the police on Thursday, and that searches of the Aldharat neighborhood started the next day. "We heard many people say that they saw Melhem walking in the neighborhood and didn't feel like he was afraid. Everyone knew he was armed and were scared to inform the Police because they worried he would hurt them. Others preferred not to "tell" on him," people in the neighborhood said.
It appears that Israel's security organizations, the Shin Bet and police, have no idea what is really taking place in Israel's Arab sector in general and in Wadi Ara in particular.

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This is the main - and most concerning - security-related lesson from this affair, which began with a shooting attack on Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Street about 10 days ago.

Further Questions The mistakes made by Nashat Melhem Ron Ben-Yishai Analysis: The Tel Aviv shooter hid in Arara, where many of his family members live. It seems that he kept the mobile phone of the taxi driver he murdered, and that he received aid. Melhem is now dead, but many questions remain unanswered. The mistakes made by Nashat Melhem

If the terrorist, Nashat Melhem, felt safe enough to come home, hide there for several days and receive help without anyone reporting it, we are talking about a huge intelligence "black hole." It turns out that the police have no foothold in that area, and even more concerning is the fact that the Shin Bet did not have enough "sensors" there and had to use special investigation tools in order to gain a lead. And even if the Shin Bet did have infrastructure on the ground and did operate collaborators - they may have been the ones who actually thwarted its activities.

Security forces search for Tel Aviv terrorist in Ar'ara. If he felt safe enough to come home, hide there for several days and receive help without anyone reporting it, we are talking about a huge intelligence 'black hole' (Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

So when the prime minister announces an operation to collect the illegal weapons in the Arab sector, it's a case of almost ridiculous demagogy. The security organizations have no idea how many and what type of weapons are there, and where they are. There is not a single Israeli Arab who will voluntarily turn in a weapon. Its not just a Shin Bet project or a police task, it's a state-national task: To restore the Arab public's trust in the sovereign's ability to impose law and order on its streets.

From a professional perspective, capturing the murderer, an Israeli citizen, within seven days is a reasonable - even fast - period of time. But so many difficult questions have emerged and have been exposed over this past week, that the professional achievement seems very small compared to them.

Now starts the chapter which is as complicated as killing the murderer: Solving the case. Was there an organization behind him? Who were his collaborators? Did they know about the attack beforehand - or did they start helping him only afterwards? And if it was indeed an organization of people who took part in the planning or who knew about the attack - the intelligence failure is much bigger.

The key for understanding the events may be concealed in the words of Mohammad Melhem, the murderer's father: "I have been a member of the system for many years." His words can also point to his son's motivation to carry out an attack and shed light on a number of contradictory events: Starting from the father's announcement that he had turned his son in to his arrest along with other family members.

The license received by Mohammad Melhem to hold the lethal machine gun - which the son used to carry out the murder - and not just weapon for self-defense, strengthens the possibility that someone there had "special" relations with him. And this raises a question: What kind of normal police force allows a person to keep such a lethal weapon in such a hazardous place? The father's place within "the system," as he defined it, is an issue the police are likely deliberating these days.

The events which took place in the village of 'Ara on Tuesday raise professional questions as well: As a result of an intelligence move, the defense establishment already had at the time more than a reasonable suspicion regarding the murderer's presence in the area. Nonetheless, he managed to get away. Either someone warned him that the police were getting closer or the force was uncovered too early. That is probably not the only event in the affair which the police will draw operational conclusions from.

Nashat Melhem may have been a drug addict and he was definitely a criminal, but he was not feebleminded. A reenactment of his acts points to meticulous preparations: He collected information about the target, destroyed evidence and blurred his escape route. He didnt act like a crazy person, but rather left behind a bag with a Koran in order to indicate that it was a nationalistically-motivated attack.

The way he managed to slip away from the area uncovers another "black hole" in the Israeli internal security: Had Tel Aviv been a "safe city" like London and other modern cities, the affair would have been solved faster, as his escape route would have been documented. Tel Aviv has traffic cameras and security cameras in businesses, but it is far from becoming a "safe city" in which one can monitor real time criminal or terrorist activity through visual supervision and sophisticated computing systems.

Melhem had no problem killing the taxi driver who picked him up and enough composure to dismantle the camera in his vehicle. He knew that the taxi would be exposed very fast, so he abandoned it at the Glilot Junction and disappeared.

Even if he did act as a "lone wolf terrorist" until this stage, from this point onwards it's clear that he had partners. The supply prepared for him at the safe house he hid in, only 400 meters from where he was killed, allowed him to feel secure and wrapped by a supporting environment while the security forces patrolled the village.

The moment the intelligence marked Ar'ara as a main search area on Tuesday, the police put many efforts there, including deception tricks which included bringing in forces and taking then out alongside house-to-house searches, in an attempt to make him come out of his hideout. Yet he lasted three days before being caught.

While the outcome may point to an operational achievement, the way the public's panic was handled points to a resonating failure.
Israel Military Industries (IMI) is to launch a new type of sniper bullet next week at the Shot Show gun trade show in Las Vegas. The Razor Core 338 bullet is supposed to have improved stability from the moment of firing until it hits its target.

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IMI sources say recent tests showed the bullet has high accuracy at distances of up to 1,200 meters. The bullet tip combines elements of standard calibers like the .30-06 Springfield and the .50 Action Express. The bullet's weight, 45 grams, is closer to the Springfield, while its longer rage is more similar to the 0.5.

Simulation video of the bullet in action (:  )

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The new ammunition was developed over a year and underwent a series of live tests. It has already been sold to militaries abroad.

In addition to the new bullet tip, special gunpowder was also specially developed to help balance the speed of the tip with pressure in the chamber, as well as a tougher casing to keep it from tearing.

Over 1,000 weapons and ammunition manufacturers are set to participate in the convention.
The Tel Aviv Magistrates Court on Sunday sentenced Oz Segal, a 36 year-old man from Herzliya who stabbed a 27 year-old Arab sanitation worker in the city in April while yelling "death to Arabs," to one year and nine months in prison. The sanitation worker was lightly wounded in the attack.

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The indictment accused Segal of crimes that have a maximum sentence of three years in prison. By law, when a person is carrying a weapon, his normal sentence can be doubled, which means Segal could potentially have been given a six-year sentence.

Segal said he committed the crime while temporarily insane. When he was interrogated by police he explained that he attacked the man because he was Arab.

The scene of the crime

Judge Shamai Becker rejected the defense's claim that "ghosts and voices" urged Segal to stab the man, writing in the official record that "not only did Segal know he was committing a criminal act, but moreover  even if we accept his words, which we see as absurd, according to which he was chased by ghosts and voices and wanted to find refuge in jail, he chose committing a criminal act as a solution and tool for achieving his aim.

"The ghotsts only haunted and 'drove Segal mad.' They didn't 'tell him' to commit a criminal act, didn't order him to stab a random person, and certainly did not point specifically at an Arab victim. The only thing that led Segal's mind astray is his hatred towards Arabs. Racism and hatred are indeed a sign and signal of terrible illness, but not insanity." Judge Becker added, "this is an event that terrorizes the victim, who has no clue of why he was attacked." He pointed out the fact that the maximum sentence is six years in prison, but also mentioned some extenuating circumstances that made him reduce it, including the defendant's troubled mental health history.
The body of Tel Aviv terrorist Nashat Melhem, who murdered three Israelis on January 1, will most likely not be returned to his family on Sunday, officials in the Public Security Ministry confirmed.

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Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has asked the police to make sure Melhem's funeral procession does not turn into a rally of incitement and support of terrorism.

Family members, meanwhile, demanded to receive the terrorist's body back. "We want to get this thing over with," said a relative. "Why are they holding the body? Nashat is dead and his body does not pose a risk to the public."

Nashat Melhem's body after being shot dead.

A resident of Wadi Ara added that "as long as the family doesn't get the body, people will keep talking about Nashat Melhem. Police should be considerate of us and give the body back so we can return back to our daily lives."

Earlier Sunday, large numbers of police blocked off al-Daharat neighborhood in Arara, where terrorist Nashat Melhem hid from authorities and was ultimately captured and killed. A police helicopter was on the scene and at least one person was arrested.

The arrestee reportedly lives adjacent to the house in which the terrorist hid last week. "We didn't know he was here," said his mother of the terrorist. "We condemn his actions and oppose violence. We support peace and coexistence."



A neighborhood resident demanded: "What do you want from us? They eliminated the terrorist like they wanted, so let us live in peace. . . The police are making our lives difficult. It's like a closed military area." One family claimed police vandalized its car.

Car allegedly dismantled by police in Arara

Also on Sunday, the Haifa Magistrates Court on released Mohammed Melhem, Nashat's father, and one of Nashat's brothers to house arrest for ten days.

Mohammed Melhem being released (Photo: Ido Erez)

The decision followed an agreement between the family's lawyers and investigators. The father and son were arrested last week on suspicion of aiding and abetting a terrorist, causing death, and conspiracy to commit a crime. The remand of another relative was extended by a week.

"The Shin Bet's officers did their jobs," said Mohammed Melhem. "I am a law-abiding man and did not cooperate with my son. My place should not have been in jail. Every second I was in there was unfortunate. I have a family I need to be with."

The family now waits for Nashat's body and is expected to hold a small funeral.
Hello, S. These are not easy days, neither for you nor for me. On Friday evening, after a member of your village was killed , I thought I heard a sigh of relief in your voice. Its possible, you said, that this affair is behind us.

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I think your hope may be somewhat exaggerated. There will be other Nashat Melhems. After all, dozens have expressed solidarity with the Islamic State. Thousands in your sector support terror. They are not the majority. Far from that. Their percentage among the entire population is very small. But both you and I know that it doesnt take more than a few to turn our lives into a nightmare.

Tel Aviv Shooting Israeli Arabs fear terrorists too Ayman Sikseck Op-ed: When the prime minister says there is a 'state within a state' of lawbreakers in Israel's Arab communities, he is intensifying Jews' fear of us and dismissing every ingredient of our life in Israel. Israeli Arabs fear terrorists too

Allow me to say something you won't like to hear: Had your people not been under Israeli rule, there is a chance they would have murdered each other ceaselessly. What will happen once the West Bank gains independence, sovereignty and free elections? Will the Tunisia model be implemented there, or will it be the Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen and Libya model? You know the answer.

Ar'ara residents. It's time to stop the self-deception, and it's time for some self-responsibility

As for the fact that Hamas is linked to ISIS in Sinai through many tunnels, the answer becomes much clearer. There is no need to go very far. Take a look at your neighbor, Raed Salah. What would he do to you if it weren't for Israel? He and his likes are trying to violently impose their Sharia rule. Others would oppose them. Instead of a death toll of 13 in the September 2000 events, you would be grieving tens of thousands of casualties today.

In the past week, as you know, I defended you again and again. I believe that most Israeli Arabs, while they may not be Zionists, were and remain loyal citizens. I dont think Nashat Melhem represents you. He represents a small and marginal minority.

And allow me to add that I am angry at that right-wing journalist who scolded me and others for insistently arguing that Israel's Arabs support coexistence. He presented an impressive list of events in which Israeli Arabs were involved in hostile activity. But that's a deception. Because one can present a long list not only of right-wing people who were involved in violence, but a longer list, from Rabbi Yitzhak Ginsburgh to Daniella Weiss, who support radicalization and the Hilltop Youth, and - directly or indirectly - back violence against Arabs. And we can add the thousands of protestors against the investigation of their master and teacher, Rabbi Dov Lior, who supported the writer of the "King's Torah" lampoon.

But that doesnt mean there is no problem. Of course there is. In our society, people lash out at radicalization leaders like Ginsburgh. In your society, Salah is supported not only by thousands and tens of thousands, but also by the leadership. Why? Why is something which is condemned on the Jewish side - and rightfully so, because it is dark, anti-democratic and dangerous - turned into a flag waved upward on the Arab side? Is there any other democratic state which allows such phenomena to take place within it?

So I can argue repeatedly that most Arabs dont support terror, that the murderer is an unusual phenomenon, but the not so little support for Salah - who is in many senses a Hamas representative within Israel - raises concerns.

Your claims about an years-long deprivation are correct. The decision to invest billions is a step in the right direction. But responsibility does not just go one way. In Britain, Sweden, France and Germany there are also similar gaps between the veteran majority and members of the second and third generation of Muslim immigrants. And there are no such gaps when it comes to members of other groups, like Hindus for example.

Is it possible that the oppression of the woman and the nurture of hatred towards Jews, Christians and homosexuals are part of the problem? Perhaps you should stop claiming that everyone else is to blame, while only you eternally exempted?

There is a need for reconciliation, my dear friend. There is a need to do more, much more, for equality. But it's also time to stop the self-deception, and it's time for some self-responsibility.
Four Palestinians from Hebron were arrested in November 2015, suspected of being part of a Hamas terror cell that was planning an shooting attack on Israel's Highway 35, it was cleared for publication on Sunday. The four suspected cell members were arrested in a combined effort by the Shin Bet and IDF.

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The cell was led by Muhammad-Ali Kawasmeh, 38. He is the brother of Hossam Qawasmeh, who masterminded the kidnapping and murder of Israeli teens Gil-Ad Shaer, Naftali Frenkel, and Eyal Yifrah in June 2014.

It emerged in the Shin Bet questioning of the suspects that two of them had allegedly driven on Highway 35 a number of times in search of the best spot to commit the attack, and actually purchased weapons  an M-16 rifle and a gun  that were found during questioning.

The four suspected cell members. (Photo: Shin-Bet)

It was further revealed that Kawasmeh recruited logistical accomplices who were supposed to obtain a stolen vehicle for use in the attack and help the cell members hide.

A military court recently indicted the cell members for, among other charges, conspiracy to deliberately causing death and belonging to a terror cell connected to Hamas. The cell members are to remain under arrest until the end of legal proceedings.

On Thursday, it was cleared for publication that security forces had arrested six Hamas members who allegedly planned to kidnap and murder an Israeli, in a similar fashion to the 2014 kidnapping of the three teenagers.
CAIRO - Arab foreign ministers on Sunday accused Iran of interfering in the affairs of other Middle East states and undermining regional security, as officials met at an emergency Arab League session to discuss escalating tensions in the region.

Opening the emergency Arab League session in Cairo, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said the meeting "comes in light of a dangerous escalation".

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday after an extraordinary Gulf Cooperation Council meeting that it would take "additional measures" against Iran, but did not elaborate further.

"We strongly condemn the attacks on diplomatic missions by Iran and absolutely reject the Iranian policy of interference in the affairs of the kingdom and any other Arab state," Nahyan said.

"Iran does not hesitate to exploit sectarianism as a way to gain control of the region," he added.
CAIRO - Egypt's first legislature in more than three years, a 596-seat chamber packed with supporters of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, held its inaugural session on Sunday, signaling the completion of a political road map announced after the 2013 military overthrow of an elected Islamist president.

The assembly, elected in November and December, is the first legislature since al-Sisi, as military chief, led the 2013 ouster of President Mohammed Morsi following mass protests against the Islamist leader and his Muslim Brotherhood. The new parliament replaces one dominated by Islamists that was dissolved by a court ruling in June 2012.

The new chamber's first task will be to ratify some 300 presidential decrees issued by al-Sisi since taking office in June 2014 and Interim President Adly Mansour before him. Under the constitution, these decrees must be ratified within 15 days starting from the date of the inaugural session. Failure to do so will result in the automatic repeal of the laws.
The Knesset's Transparency Committee has received documents and testimony that indicate different government ministries have been unwittingly funding groups that undermine the State of Israel by encouraging "price tag" attacks and illegal outposts.

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"It's awful to find out that while we've been paying taxes so the state can provide us with quality of life, millions of shekels from our money are being transferred to support activities that most of the citizens of Israel would not be willing to fund, including activity against the state itself and the rule of law," said committee chairwoman MK Stav Shaffir (Zionist Union).

"The funds reached NGOs that encourage the twisted idea of 'price tag' attacks from the Agriculture, Education and Welfare Ministries, and the Authority for National-Civic Service," Shaffir continued.

MK Stav Shaffir. (Photo: George Ginsburg)

"The indirect support of Jewish terror activities against the IDF, the citizens of Israel, and Palestinians, using public funds that belong to all of us - is an outrage. Government ministers condemn the 'price tag' violence, but at the same time embrace (the perpetrators) with budgets and support. The government is simply undermining itself," she added.

For example, the documents obtained by the committee show that the Interior Ministry transferred millions of shekels of taxpayer money earmarked for the Samaria and Binyamin local councils.

The local councils in turn used these funds to establish the Samaria Settlers Committee and the Binyamin Settlers Committee.

These NGOs encourage activity meant disrupt the work of security forces coming to evacuate illegal structures and outposts.

The Binyamin Settlers Committee received some NIS 3.5 million from its local council, while the Samaria Settlers Committee received some NIS 1 million a year from its own council.
Nashat Melhem, the murderer on Dizengoff Street, has had his one week in the spotlight. He was found and shot dead. But the murders in Tel Aviv brought back up an issue that Israelis both on the left and right usually push to the back of their minds: Israel's Arab citizens. Not one issue, a million and a half issues. A million and a half people, each with his own personal story, each with his own world.

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"There's war between my people and my country," said Abd el-Aziz al-Zoabi, an MK in the Zionist party Mapam, about 50 years ago. There are miles separating Abd el-Aziz al-Zoabi, who died in 1974, from his relative Haneen Zoabi, but the dilemma remains the same.

Today, it bothers not just Arabs in Wadi Ara, but also Jews in Raanana. Channel 10 interviewed two women in Raanana this week that are leading the fight against the construction of new residential buildings in the city. Arabs work in construction, and the Arabs scare them. They refuse to send their children to a kindergarten located next to a building where Arabs work. I asked a government minister what he thought of the protest in Raanana. He told me about his child, who also goes to a kindergarten near a building under construction. "I'm scared too," he said.

The level of fear in Raanana rose following three stabbing attacks in the city, but it would be a mistake to see it as a local problem. The lone wolf terrorism - the stabbings, the vehicular attacks, and now the shootings as well  has filled the city with dormant, ancient fears.

Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem)

Fear is also the rhetorical tool Netanyahu uses to recruit public support. It was only a year ago that the biggest fear was Iran. And we weren't the only ones on the verge of annihilation: All of the countries we were supposed to run to were on the verge of annihilation. Iran was replaced by Abbas. For several months, he was the one who kept our children up at night. And then, on Election Day, Abbas was joined by Israeli Arabs. The fallacious monologue about Arabs going in droves to the polls, done with a gloomy, terrified expression, with an ominous map of the Middle East in the background, managed to swipe three or four seats from fringe right-wing parties. The goal has been achieved, above and beyond.

The Israeli Arabs issue Israeli Arabs are choosing integration over seclusion Ronni Shaked Op-ed: Studies clearly show that Israel's Arab citizens play a minimal part in terror, despite collective feelings that have a potential for radicalization and revolt; the government must encourage their adaptation processes. Israeli Arabs are choosing integration over seclusion

On the way, Netanyahu made the deep mistrust of Arab citizens towards the state even worse, and perhaps more importantly, gave free reign to comments that until that point were limited to dinner table conversation on Friday night or WhatsApp chats. Lieberman is not alone. From now on, a worried mother in Raanana, who quite obviously votes for Lapid, can now mark the entire Arab sector as the enemy. From now on, Jewish tourists on their way back from Athens can force passengers off their plane just because they are Arabs. They have the okay from the prime minister to do so.

Fear is a human quality; on a personal level, it is completely understandable. But when it is being adopted by the government, it's the beginning of apartheid.

In one of his speeches this week, Netanyahu demanded Israeli Arabs to be "loyal to the law." Not to obey the law, as is required in every democratic state, but to be loyal to it. It's easy to see where this is coming from: The pledges of loyalty Lieberman has demanded. Netanyahu saw that Lieberman was recovering in the polls. He got the messages.

It's just an act, explain government ministers. Just rhetoric. In actuality, he's not doing anything. One of them gave the example of the government decision to revoke the resident rights from East Jerusalem terrorists who were not killed by security forces. The decision made a lot of headlines - but remained on paper.

Some of Netanyahu's comments against the Arab sectors were meant to cover up, or to atone, for the government's decision to approve a five-year plan prepared by the Finance Ministry to bolster minorities. The sum that was reported - NIS 15 billion - is not real. Except for one clause, there are no sums detailed in the plan. There are mostly allocations in percentages. If, eventually, half of this sum is allocated, it would be an incredible achievement.

The execution of the plan mostly depends on the finance minister and his bureaucrats. Kahlon supports the plan. Netanyahu is also in favor, for financial reasons. That's what he told the Treasury bureaucrats. But that didn't stop him this week from appointing Ministers Elkin and Levin, the plan's biggest opposition, as supervisors over its implementation.
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THAT THERE MAY BE A FAIRER SOCIETY IN GHANA - ONE IN WHICH ALL THE PEOPLE, NOT JUST A POWERFUL AND GREEDY FEW, BENEFIT FROM THE NATION'S WEALTH!
Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh government today said it has signed 32 MoUs with various companies involving an investment of Rs 1.95 lakh crore on the inaugural day of the three-day long partnership summit here.

"We have signed 32 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would attract investments to the tune of Rs 1.95 lakh crore in the state. Out of 32, 22 MoUs are in energy sector," Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters.

He further said the total investment would create job opportunities for nearly 95,000 people. One of the examples which Naidu gave was of Anil Ambani led Reliance announcing setting up of a new ship building facility with an initial investment of Rs 5,000 crore in the state.

Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said as many as 49 MoUs in the IT sector will be signed tomorrow.
Patna: In an embarrassment to the Congress, the Bihar governments official website has called former prime minister Indira Gandhis rule worse than the British reign in India.

The Congress, which is in alliance with JD(U) and RJD in Bihar, is planning to take the matter with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, as per a report in Hindustan Times.

The Daily quoted a paragraph on modern history in the website as follows - "It was he (Jay Prakash Narayan) who steadfastly and staunchly opposed the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi and her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi. Fearing peoples reaction to his opposition, Indira Gandhi had him arrested on the eve of declaring National Emergency beginning June 26, 1975. He was put in the Tihar Jail, located near Delhi, where notorious criminals are jailed. Thus, in Free India, this septuagenarian, who had fought for Indias freedom alongside Indira Gandhis father, Jawahar Lal Nehru, received a treatment that was worse than what the British had meted out to Gandhi ji in Champaran in 1917, for his speaking out against oppression."

The movement started by JP, however, brought the Emergency to an end, led to the massive defeat of Indira Gandhi and her Congress Party at the polls, and, to the installation of a non-Congress government - the Janata Party - at Delhi, for the first time. With the blessings of JP, Morarji Desai became the fourth Prime Minister of India. JP remained the Conscience of the Janata Party and of post-Gandhi, post-Nehru India. He gave a call to all Indians to work ceaselessly towards eliminating dictatorship in favour of democracy and bringing about freedom from slavery, the website further says.

The above references have been made in the history of Bihar section under state profile.

Reacting on the issue, Congress leader Chandan Yadav said that the references to Indira Gandhi were totally unacceptable.

He added that the former PM was a very popular leader and people in Bihar remember her for empowering the downtrodden.

Meanwhile, Bihar government officials said that they were not aware about the contents on the website.

Senior bureaucrat Pratyaya Amrit told the Daily that they would get it checked.

The website was launched on February 11, 2014.

The Congress joined hands with JD(U) and Rashtriya Janata Dal to form Grand Alliance which won landslide victory in 2015 Assembly polls in Bihar and defeated the BJP.
London: The smaller size of males may not always be a big let-down for female partners, at least in the world of insects, suggests new research.

Female burying beetles are more attracted to small partners because they are less likely to get into fights, the study said.

The findings showed that when the first beetle to arrive was female, both beetles quickly settled down and bred as a pair. However, when a male turned up first, relationships got complicated and messy, when competition from other males led to fights.

"These results show that by being choosy about their males, female burying beetles might avoid complicated relationships involving male fights and extra female competitors," said lead researcher Paul Hopwood from the University of Exeter in Britain.

In experiments, the researchers observed that small males were more successful than large males at attracting a female partner than a male rival, and researchers believe that this is because they attracted less competition and potential for squabbles.

The research found that while small male beetles were more successful at attracting female mates to the breeding ground of an animal carcass than larger males, they did not make better parents.

"We found no evidence that males of any size, or from any social background, were more committed parents," Hopwood pointed out.

The research was published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology.
Pune: A prestigious annual literary meet in Maharashtra has assumed political overtones with the ruling BJP taking objection to the sammelan's newly-elected president and writer Sripal Sabnis' comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The chief state BJP spokesman Madhav Bhandari today criticised Sabnis, saying his comments on Modi were in bad taste and has lowered the dignity of the forthcoming 89th All India Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, of which he is the elected president.

In his controversial remarks made recently during his speech at a college near Pune, the writer had derided Modi's recent surprise meeting with his counterpart Nawaz Sharif at Lahore saying "a bullet could have hit him from any direction or a bomb exploded and we would have required to hold a condolence meeting for Modi instead of poet Mangesh Padgaonkar (who died recently)."

"No one should make such a statement about PM to seek publicity. While we accept political comments being made from a literary stage, this thoughtless and uncivil remark by Sabnis has lowered the dignity of the post of the Sammelan president," Bhandari told reporters here.

The BJP local unit at Pimpri near here, the venue of the proposed three-day literary event starting January 15, also organised a protest led by MP Amar Sable, in which an effigy of the writer was paraded on a donkey.

Sabnis, after his election as president of the Sammelan, had supported the "Award Vapsi" movement by writers against the Modi government on the issue of "growing intolerance".

The Marathi literary meet is going to take place in Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune from January 15.
New Delhi: Hours after Union Minister VK Singh slammed Manish Tewari for his recent claims on Army troops movement in 2012, Congress on Sunday left its former union minister to defend himself on the issue.

Distancing itself from Tewari's claims, Congress party said that reports about troops' movement were wrong.

"On behalf of Congress we want to clearly and categorically deny this report. There was no such troop movement without information of government," said Congress leader PC Chacko.

"The report which appeared in Indian Express in past, has been denied officially by authenticated sources," added Chacko.

Congress senior leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi also denied any such reports and said there is no truth in any such reports.

"I am again clarifying there is absolutely no truth in it," said Singhvi when asked about the reports and Manish Tewari's recent claims on troops movement in 2012.

Manish Tewari, a member of the Standing Committee of Defence during UPA government, has on Saturday claimed that reports about troops' movement from Hisar towards Delhi in 2012 were true.

The Indian Express had on April 4, 2012, reported that late on the night of January 16, 2012 (the day then Army Chief General VK Singh approached the Supreme Court on his date of birth issue), central intelligence agencies reported an unexpected (and non-notified) movement by a key military unit from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar (Haryana) as a part of the 33rd Armoured Division (which is a part of 1 Corps, a strike formation based in Mathura and commanded by Lt Gen A K Singh) in the direction of the capital, 150 km away.
New Delhi: A major fire broke out in New Usmanpur area in New Delhi on Saturday night killing three people of the same family. At least dozen shanties have been reported to be gutted in the fire, said police.

According to reports, three children were charred to death and another sustained severe burn injuries. Police suspect that the fire was caused due to a cylinder blast.

Senior District M of the area, IS Yadav said, "Initial reports suggest that the cause behind the fire might be a cylinder blast. There are three casualties and all of them are from the same family. The injured person has been sent to the hospital for medical treatment.

The fire, which broke on Saturday night, spread quickly and gutted dozen shanties. Six fire tenders were rushed to the spot after which it took at least an hour to control the blaze.
New Delhi: Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who has his hands deep in the Ram Temple construction issue, courted another controversy on Sunday by offering Lord Krishna's package to Muslims - 'Give us 3 temples and keep 39,997 masjids'.

"We Hindus offer Lord Krishna's package to Muslims--give us 3 temples and keep 39,997 masjids. I hope Muslim leaders don't become Duryodhans," Swamy tweeted.

Swamy had earlier said that the issue surrounding the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should not be seen as a 'political stunt'.

"Suppose we don't do it this year, the next year is the election and then we have to do it the following year which is 2018. Then you will say it is for the Lok Sabha elections. Every year there is an election. So, we can't stop our activities just because there is going to be an election," Swamy told ANI.

He also lashed out at those opposing a seminar on Ram Janmabhoomi in the Delhi University campus yesterday and dubbed the protests as 'intolerance'.

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) members on Saturday staged a protest outside the Vice Chancellor's office against the Delhi University's decision to allow a seminar on Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
Chennai: A joint sea exercise between Indian and Japanese Coast Guards will be held on January 15 here, aimed at strengthening relationship and refine the joint operating procedures between the coast guards of the two nations.

"A joint exercise between Indian and Japan Coast Guard named Sahyog-Kaijin-XV is scheduled to be held in the Bay of Bengal off Chennai on 15 January," a Coast Guard release said here on Sunday.

Japan Coast Guard ship 'Echigo' will be visiting Chennai between January 11-16 and a highlight of the exercise includes a "scenario of hijacking of a merchant vessel and subsequent rescue in a combined coast guard operation of both countries," the release said.

The exercise would be jointly witnessed by the Director General, Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Bisht, and Vice Amdiral Hideyo Hanamizu, Vice commandant of the Japanese Coast Guard besides other top officials.

The Japanese delegation would be calling on dignitaries of Tamil Nadu during its stay here, the release said.
New Delhi: A day after former Union Minister Manish Tewari's sensational revelation that news report about Army troops' movement in 2012 was true, former Army chief and a Union minister now, VK Singh on Sunday slammed Tewari for his remark.

Singh, the Minister of State of External Affairs at present, said that Tewari should read his book if he has some doubts about the incident.

"Manish Tewari ji has nothing to do these days. There is this book of mine, ask him to read it and every thing will be clear to him," said VK Singh.

Tewari, during a book launch event in New Delhi on Saturday, confirmed that the reports about troops' movement from Hisar towards Delhi in 2012 were true.

Former Army Chief General VK Singh on Manish Tewari claims Indian Express troop movement story was correct. https://t.co/SV8bETukD2 &; ANI (@ANI_news) January 10, 2016

The Indian Express had on April 4, 2012, reported that late on the night of January 16, 2012 (the day then Army Chief General VK Singh approached the Supreme Court on his date of birth issue), central intelligence agencies reported an unexpected (and non-notified) movement by a key military unit from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar (Haryana) as a part of the 33rd Armoured Division (which is a part of 1 Corps, a strike formation based in Mathura and commanded by Lt Gen A K Singh) in the direction of the capital, 150 km away.
Srinagar: Days after the demise of Jammu and Kashmir CM Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, it seems that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alliance has come under a serious strain.

On one hand PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has put some conditions in front of BJP, while the latter, in a tough move, has put some counter terms.

As per a 'Times of India' report, BJP has asked the PDP chief to agree on appointing a 'rotational chief minister ship' for Jammu and Kashmir, which has been rejected by Mehbooba.

While Mufti's daughter had already made it clear that none of the conditions of BJP will be accepted to maintain the alliance in the Valley.

Earlier Mehbooba rejected BJP's demand for the deputy chief minister's post in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, speculations are ripe that Congress is offering an olive branch to Mehbooba Mufti ahead of the oath taking ceremony of the PDP chief as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, earlier today, met Mehbooba Mufti at her residence in Srinagar and condoled the death of her father and J&K chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Gandhi was accompanied by party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, a former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and now a parliamentarian, and Ambika Soni.

However, both the parties dismissed speculation that political issues were discussed during his meeting with Mehbooba Mufti a day after Governor's rule was imposed in the state, which is without a government after Sayeed's death in New Delhi's AIIMS hospital on January 7.

However, speculations were rife that Mehbooba Mufti had proposed some conditions to Gadkari for heading the likely future PDP-BJP coalition government.

"There is no truth in those rumours. Bereavement is not the time to discuss politics or future coalition for Mehbooba ji," the PDP leader said.

Earlier in the day, congregational prayers were held at Sayeed's grave in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district.

Mehbooba Mufti also visited her father's grave on Sunday, where she was seen breaking down.
London: Britain's intelligence services had tried to recruit Indian-origin IS terror suspect Siddhartha Dhar as a double agent before he managed to flee to Syria, a media report here claimed on Sunday.

Dhar, who was dubbed the "new Jihadi John" after he emerged as the key suspect as the masked terrorist seen in a recent Islamic State (IS) video threatening an attack on Britain, was allegedly contacted twice by MI5 officers before he was arrested for terrorist offences, the 'Sunday Times' reported.

Quoting a security source the paper said that Dhar, who goes by the name of Abu Rumaysah, had earlier been tracked and stopped in the street by MI5 officers in what is known as a "bump" operation.

The 32-year-old Dhar was warned he was on MI5's "radar" and his activities were being monitored.

Dhar was contacted by MI5 for a second time and was offered the chance to work for the agency. It is not known how he responded, the newspaper claims.

Dhar, a Hindu-born Muslim convert and former bouncy castle salesman from London, was allegedly warned that he was likely to end up in jail or dead unless he agreed to become a double agent gathering intelligence on terrorist suspects for the security service.

A few days after the second contact was made, in September 2014, Dhar was arrested alongside extremist preacher Anjem Choudary on suspicion of links to the banned Al Muhajiroun.

The security source told the newspaper, "MI5 had a lot of intelligence on Dhar. He was regarded as a militant Islamist and although he was a potential threat, he was also a potential asset to MI5".

"It is a tried and tested tactic to try to recruit those who may pose a threat to the security of the state...Dhar was bumped and told he was on MI5's radar. They basically said: 'We know who you are, what you are up to, who you have been meeting with and what you are planning'.

"They are basically saying: 'We've got you. For the person on the end of that, it's quite terrifying. They think they are part of some covert conspiracy, and then someone comes up to you in the street and says we know all about you.

"Dhar was told that his life in the UK as a would-be jihadist was over. If he went to Syria, MI5 warned, he would in all likelihood be killed in battle or in a drone strike.

His only option was to become an agent," the source said.

Last week, it had emerged that Scotland Yard wrote to Dhar asking him to surrender his passport, weeks after he had already fled to Syria.

The latest revelations will raise new questions about the UK authorities' failure to prevent his escape with Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham saying "something has clearly gone very seriously wrong".
Lahore: Amid tensions over the Pathankot attack probe, Pakistan Prime Minister has asserted that the world will see Islamabad's 'sincerity and effectiveness' in reaching concrete conclusions on the terror strike.

The United States has maintained that India-Pakistan should go ahead with their upcoming talks and see it through in the interest of regional stability.

According to the Dawn, US Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned Prime Minister Sharif and discussed the probe on the attack on the Air Force base.

The Prime Minister briefed Kerry that Pakistan was swiftly carrying out investigations into Pathankot incident and very soon will reach a conclusion.

He added that the world will see Pakistan's 'effectiveness and sincerity' in the Pathankot attack probe.

Sharif also assured that Pakistan won't allow its soil to be used for terrorism.

Kerry expressed his hoped that the talks between the two hostile nations 'would continue' despite the attack which was meant to thwart the peace process.

Earlier on Thursday, US State Department spokesman John Kirby had said it was up to the Pakistan to determine how long it would take to investigate the attack on the Pathankot air base following information provided by India.

Meanwhile, India is awaiting Pakistan's response on the information provided related to the Pathankot incident which is crucial to the upcoming bilateral talks scheduled for later this month.

India's foreign ministry has said that Islamabad has been given actionable intelligence that those responsible for the planning and execution of the attack had come from Pakistan.
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released a book titled "Maru Bharat Saru Bharat" (My India Noble India) written by Jain Acharya Ratnasundersuriswarji Maharaj through video conference.

Addressing the book release function organized by Sahitya Satkar Samiti of Ratnatrayee Trust held in Mumbai, the Prime Minister lauded the works of Acharya Ratnasundersuriswarji Maharaj and said penning 300 books was not a small achievement.

Several aspects of life have found their reflection in the works of Maharaj Saheb.

The Prime Minister said that these books resonate his "divya vani" which reflects the urge to give back to the society and that 'rashtra (national) dharma' is above every dharma(religion).

The Prime Minister lauded the role of saints and said it is India's heritage that has given saints who have led the society towards Nation building.

He urged the people to strive for poverty alleviation, clean India and to harness the energy of millions of youth towards a strong nation on the move.

The Prime Minister emphasized that India has never talked about communalism but always preached spirituality for the benefit of mankind.

"We believe that every problem can be solved through Spirituality," He said

Acharya Ratnasundersuriswarji Maharaj thanked the Prime Minister for addressing through video conference from New Delhi and said that "Families have values and the countries have culture".

The function held in Mumbai was attended by Jain seers and people from all walks of life. This is Maharaj Saheb's 300th book.
New Delhi: Putting an end to all speculations, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday returned to Delhi from Europe trip.

A reshuffle of All India Congress Committee (AICC) office-bearers is likely now as the Congress leader is now returned from the foreign trip. He is likely to be elevated to the party's president post now.

Rahul Gandhi, whose foreign trips in the past have led to intense speculation, on Dec 28, had informed about his Europe trip through Twitter.

I will be traveling to Europe for a few days. A very Happy New Year to everyone, he said.

Hope the new year brings much joy and happiness to you and everyone close to you!, he wished.

I will be traveling to Europe for a few days. A very Happy New Year to everyone (1/2)  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 28, 2015

Hope the new year brings much joy and happiness to you and everyone close to you! (2/2)  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 28, 2015

This was the first time that Rahul Gandhi has tweeted to make public his plan to travel abroad.

His last two trips abroad were much talked about. His around two-month sabbatical after an AICC session in February this year to reflect upon the partys debacle in Delhi elections and deliberate on a future course for Congress had led to BJP taking potshots at him.
Mainpuri: A Samajwadi party leader was shot dead allegedly by the husband of his opponent, whom he had defeated in the recent panachayat elections in the state, sparking protests by locals in Kuraoli area here, police said on Sunday.

Newly elected zila panchayat member Ravindra Kumar alias Bhole was shot dead yesterday in Kuraoli market by Ganga Prasad whose wife Seva Kumari had contested the panchayat elections but lost, police said.

The victim was being rushed to a hospital in Agra by party MLA Raj Kumar but he succumbed to his injuries on the way, they said.

As the news of his death spread in the area, the irate mob set Ganga Prasad's house afire and torched a fire brigade tender, an official said.

Two persons have been arrested and fire arms were recovered from their possession, said Additional SP Swaminath.

Senior police officials had rushed to the spot and forces were deployed to bring the situation under control, police said, adding no untoward incident has been reported so far.
Srinagar: In a meeting that is being seen as politically significant, Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad meet Mehbooba Mufti at her residence here on Sunday to offer condolences to the family of late chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.

Over speculations that Congress is offering an olive branch to Mehbooba after the demise of her father and J&K CM, while speaking to news agency ANI, Azad said, Sonia Gandhi's visit was just to offer prayer and attend the condolence meeting, for what she had come.

She (Sonia) visited for the long association Mufti Sahib had with the family and the party, Azad added.

According to media reports, Union minister Nitin Gadkari also met Mehbooba Mufti who is all set to take oath as the next chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

After meeting Mehbooba Mufti at her residence here, Gadkari said, "I met Mehbooba Mufti ji to express grief. It was not a political meet."

"When I met Mufti sahab 1 month ago, we discussed many issues such as industrial development, infrastructure development in J&K," he added.

He further said, "I assured him (Mufti Muhammad) of all possible help from my department for the infrastructural development in J&K."

Meanwhile, as per 'Times of India' the PDP chief has set tough conditions for the BJP saying if they want to continue the alliance or not. The report further quoted sources as saying, the PDP has made it clear that it can't give the deputy chief minister's post to the BJP, it has also asked for more central assistance and and asked its alliance partner to avoid speaking on sensitive issues.

The fourth day congregational prayers of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was offered today.

The 'Fateha' prayers were offered for late chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today at the Muftis' native town Bijbehara in south Kashmir.

Around 5,000 people, including Peoples Democratic Party leaders and activists, relatives and well wishers gathered at the grave of Sayeed at the Dara Shikoh Park in Bijbehara around 11 am to offer the prayers on the fourth day of Sayeed's death.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti accepted condolences from people who called on her at her family's ancestral home in Bijbehara.

Mehbooba also went to the graveyard and offered prayers at her father's grave.

After battling for his life for 14 days, Sayeed passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on January 7.

Following refusal of Mehbooba Mufti to be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state.

"After reaching concurrence from the president of India, Governor NN Vohra issued a notification today to impose Governor's Rule in the state," a Raj Bhavan spokesman confirmed yesterday.

The Governor's Rule has been imposed retrospectively with effect from January 8.

Last time the state was brought under the Governor's Rule was on December 23, 2014, after the state assembly election results threw up a hung verdict.
New Delhi: After facing strong objections from India, Sri Lanka has dropped the plan of purchasing JF-17 fighter aircrafts from Pakistan, for now.

Sri Lanka had on Tuesday signed an agreement worth USD 400 million (Rs 2675 crore) with Pakistan to buy fighter aircrafts, with each jet priced at USD 35 million.

As per the report, concerned India opposed SLAF plans to buy the JF-17s from Pakistan on the ground that Sri Lanka government does not need the fighter aircraft at present, beside mentioning a negative technical assessment of the aircraft.

It's been six years since the Sri Lanka government's war against LTTE came to an end. Since then, Sri Lanka government has been increasing their budget on defense. In 2016 alone, the Lankan government announced a budget of USD 3 billion, i.e., Rs 200 billion, to be spent on the defense sector.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan agreed to the landmark deal for the purchase of eight JF-17 fighter jets on the second day of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to Colombo.

Reportedly, India is concerned that if that the deal between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will enable the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) to set up maintenance and training facility in Sri Lanka. This will further widen the proximity between Pakistan and Chinese security forces.
Srinagar: Nine combat teams have been placed at maximum alert in Jammu and Kashmir following terror attack at Pathankot airbase.

The teams comprise of Indias best fighting men, as per a report in Hindustan Times.

Fresh intelligence inputs have warned of strikes against high-value military targets ahead of Republic Day, the report quoted a top army official as saying.

The teams have been spread across the state with three Special Forces (SF) teams based in the Kashmir valley.

Two are based in Jammu region and three reserve teams are stationed in Udhampur so that they can response swiftly to terror strikes.

Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda was quoted by the Daily as saying that security measures had been tightened and response plans to military-style terror strikes had been worked out.

He added that if required the reserve SF teams could be flown out for any anti-terror mission on short notice.

Each team reportedly consists of close to 100 elite commandos.

Yesterday, accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Pathankot airbase and voiced satisfaction over the counter offensive mounted by the security forces to eliminate the perpetrators.

Facing criticism from Opposition and others over the counter attack taking four days to liquidate the terrorists, Modi visited the facility where he was briefed about the attack and security measures put in place in its aftermath.

He flew to the strategically important airbase where Air Force chief Air Marshal Arup Raha and National Security Guard officials briefed him about the attack and counteroffensive launched against the perpetrators with the help of of maps, aerial pictures and operational photographs, defence sources said.

Army chief Dalbir Singh and chiefs of NSG and BSF were present during the visit.

(With Agency inputs)
Thane: A 45-year-old divorcee from Dombivli in the district was allegedly duped of Rs 66.33 lakh by a 53-year-old man she came in contact with through a popular matrimonial portal, police said on Sunday.

The man, identified as Yagnesh Philipps alias Yagnesh Mohanbai Panchal, contacted the woman, who has been staying alone with her son since 1997, after she posted her profile on the website, a police official said.

Panchal had won the woman's confidence promising her that he would take care of her and her son, said inspector S A Medhe of Dombivli police station.

The woman, however, never met Panchal in person but used to be in touch with him via phone, e-mail as well as a messaging service.

Panchal, who claimed himself to be a businessman having a factory in Malaysia, told the woman that he needed loan as he has suffered financial loss.

"Believing him, the woman transferred Rs 66.33 lakh in various bank accounts on instructions of Panchal in a total of 15 transactions till July last year," Medhe said.

However, she grew suspicious after Panchal stopped answering her calls, following which she approached local police where a case was registered last night in this connection.

Police have booked a total of 15 persons, including Panchal, under various sections of IPC including cheating, and under appropriate sections of IT Act, Medhe added.

During investigation, police traced Panchal's address to Ahmedabad and is in the process of dispatching a team there to nab him.
Chandigarh: A day after a terror alert was issued in Punjab's Batala town which is in Gurdaspur district, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday apprehended a man over alleged spying charges.

The 25-year-old man was reportedly found moving suspiciously near a BSF post in the border area of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district.

BSF handed over a suspect in Batala to us who was seen near a camp there, ascertaining more details, ANI quoted Batala SSP Daljinder Singh as saying.

Meanwhile as per a report published in India Today, the apprehended man has been identified as Harpreet Singh who is said to be a Pakistani spy.

Police officials said the accused was found hiding in a bush near the army post at 3.15 pm. He belongs to Kazi Mori area of Batala district, the report added.

"We have arrested Harpreet Singh. He was wearing army fatigue and was doing recce of Khasa post. We have found photos of army tanks and army buildings on his phone. He is being interrogated," said Pradeep Malik, Superintendent of police, according to the report.

As per media reports, the suspect allegedly took photos of Army tanks and buildings. Reportedly, Singh was also wearing an Army uniform.

Security officials have seized the camera and mobile phone of the suspect for further investigation.

Gurdaspur, particularly its biggest town Batala, has been on high alert as locals have been reporting sighting of suspected terrorists over the last few days.

Army and police carried out extensive search operations for three days before calling off those on Friday as no suspect was found. Guraspur's adjoining district Pathankot last week saw a major terror attack at Air base.

Gurdaspur, particularly its biggest town Batala, has been on high alert as locals have been reporting sighting of suspected terrorists over the last few days.

Army and police carried out extensive search operations for three days before calling off those on Friday as no suspect was found. Guraspur's adjoining district Pathankot last week saw a major terror attack at Air base.

Six terrorists and seven security personnel were killed in the attack.

Security forces repulsed the attack and the terrorists, suspected from Pakistani, were unable to harm any of the IAF's critical assets, including fighter aircraft and attack helicopters.
Chandigarh: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Captain Amarinder Singh said on Sunday that the next Assembly elections in Punjab was going to be a fight between him and Arvind Kejriwal.

A week before Delhi Chief Minister is due to kickstart the Aam Aadmi Partys campaign for the Assembly polls in Punjab, the Congress leader said in an interview to The Hindu, that frustration among the youth had made the people of the state desperate in its search for an alternative.

The AAP leader is going to hold a rally at Muktasar. The Assembly polls is due in early 2017 in Punjab.

The AAP is a phenomenon that I didnt expect to do well in the general election, but I think it was a case of total frustration in the younger element, he was quoted by the Daily as saying.

He further said that the Akalis were totally out of the race and "its between us and the AAP."

However, Singh was sure that the the Congress would beat AAP because "the latter had no face or programme to offer".

Just look at what the CM (Kejriwal) is doing in Delhi, whenever he cant solve a problem, he blames the government or Arun Jaitley or Prime Minister Narendra] Modi," Singh said, as per the Daily.
Kiev: Hackers likely caused a Dec. 23 electricity outage in Ukraine by remotely switching breakers to cut power, after installing malware to prevent technicians from detecting the attack, according to a report analysing how the incident unfolded.

The report from Washington-based SANS ICS was released late on Saturday, providing the first detailed analysis of what caused a six-hour outage for some 80,000 customers of Western Ukraine`s Prykarpattyaoblenergo utility.

SANS ICS, which advises infrastructure operators on combating cyber attacks, also said the attackers crippled the utility`s customer-service center by flooding it with phone calls to prevent customers from alerting the utility that power was down.

"This was a multi-pronged attack against multiple facilities. It was highly coordinated with very professional logistics," said Robert Lee, a former U.S. Air Force cyber warfare operations officer who helped compile the report for SANS ICS.

"They sort of blinded them in every way possible." Experts widely describe the incident as the first known power outage caused by a cyber attack. Ukraine`s SBU state security service blamed Russia, and U.S. cyber firm iSight Partners identified the perpetrator as a Russian hacking group known as "Sandworm."

Ukraine`s energy ministry has said it will hold off on discussing the matter until after Jan. 18, following completion of a formal probe into the matter. The utility`s operators were able to quickly recover by switching to manual operations, essentially disconnecting infected workstations and servers from the grid, according to the report.

SANS ICS said on its blog it had "high confidence" in its findings, which were based on discussions and analysis from "multiple international community members and companies". (https://ics.sans.org/blog) The report`s authors declined to identify those sources. U.S. critical infrastructure security expert Joe Weiss said he believed the report`s findings would be validated.

"They did a phenomenal job," he said. There is strong interest in the outage because of concerns that similar techniques could be used to launch more attacks on power operators around the globe.

"What is now true is that a coordinated cyber attack consisting of multiple elements is one of the expected hazards (electric utilities) may face," SANS ICS Director Michael Assante said in a blog.

"We need to learn and prepare ourselves to detect, respond, and restore from such events in the future," said Assante, former chief security officer of the quasi-governmental North American Electric Reliability Corp.
Islamabad: The government of Pakistan-held Kashmir (PoK) has reportedly lodged a strong protest against Islamabad's attempt to accord the country's Gilgit-Baltistan region, under which the disputed territory falls, as a province.

The country's leading newspapers The Express Tribune, Dawn and The News have reported that the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has strongly opposed the provincial status for the Gilgit-Baltistan region, saying that it will dent the Kashmir cause.

According to The Tribune, the treasury members of the PoK government tabled a resolution in the Legislative Assembly against the proposed status for the Gilgit-Baltistan region on Saturday.

The assembly members are expected to debate the resolution in the Assembly on January 12.

Quoting AJK Minister for Rehabilitation Abdul Majid Khan, The Tribune said that "by making Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province of Pakistan will dent the Kashmir cause. Giving provincial status to G-B will serve the interests of the enemies of Jammu and Kashmir and will therefore be counterproductive, the newspaper quoted him as saying.

Endorsing Majid, AJK Minister for Finance, Planning and Development Chaudhry Latif Akbar said: G-B is part and parcel of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Any attempt to merge it into Pakistan will deal a fatal blow to our stance in the light of the UN resolutions envisaging the right to self-determination for the Kashmiris.

We will not allow division of Kashmir at any cost, , the report quoted him as saying at a press conference. He further said that Pakistan had been given administrative control of Gilgit-Baltistan on a temporary basis, and advised the federal government to not think beyond that.

He called on the Pakistani government to give the same rights to Gilgit-Baltistan that AJK and other provinces enjoy. He said the Pakistani government is conspiring against the nation and did not want to see it united.

Of late, there has been speculation on changing the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan region, which is historically claimed by India. This comes in the wake of Beijings concerns about building a section of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor through the disputed area, the report said.

Quoting a spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, The News said on Saturday: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the consensus reached between China and Pakistan, and has won popular support from the two peoples. The CPEC will bring development and benefits to the people of Pakistan.

Quoting AJK Minister for Information Sardar Abid Hussain Abid, Dawn said The territory of Gilgit-Baltistan is part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and any attempt to secede it from the disputed region will deal a blow to the stand of Pakistan and Kashmiris regarding the longstanding dispute.

Any prudent and visionary person cannot take this step which I believe in all fairness and honesty is bound to harm the Kashmir issue beyond retrieve, Dawn quoted Abid as saying.
Seoul: North Korea's leader has taken a victory tour of military headquarters to celebrate the country's widely disputed claim of a hydrogen bomb test.

Kim Jong Un called the nuclear test "a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the US-led imperialists," according to a dispatch today from state-run Korean Central News Agency.

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticize," Kim was reported as saying during his tour of the People's Armed Forces Ministry.

The tone of Kim's comments, which sought to glorify him and justify a test that has been viewed with outrage by much of the world, is typical of state media propaganda.

But they also provide insight into North Korea's long-maintained argument that it is the presence of tens of thousands of US troops in South Korea and Japan, and a "hostile" US policy that seeks to topple the government in Pyongyang, that make North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons absolutely necessary.

Kim posed for photos with leading military officials in front of statues of the two members of his family who had led the country previously -- Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung.

In his reported comments, he also sought to link the purported success of the nuclear test to a ruling Workers' Party convention in May, the party's first since 1980. He's expected to use the congress to announce major state policies and shake up the country's political elite to further consolidate his power.

Kim's tour came as world powers looked for ways to punish the North over a nuclear test that, even if not of a hydrogen bomb, still likely pushes Pyongyang closer to its goal of a nuclear-armed missile that can reach the US mainland.

In the wake of the test on Wednesday, the two Koreas have settled into the kind of Cold War-era standoff that has defined their relationship over the past seven decades.

Since Friday, South Korea has been blasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda from huge speakers along the border, and the North is reportedly using speakers of its own in an attempt to keep its soldiers from hearing the South Korean messages.
Washington: The Senate won't take up President Barack Obama's request for new war powers to fight the Islamic State group, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said today, to avoid tying the hands of the next president.

The Obama administration last February proposed a three-year authorization that would take the fight beyond national borders and expand it to any "closely related successor entity" to IS.

The plan did not authorise large-scale ground operations. It has languished in Congress as Republicans and Democrats have failed to coalesce around a new authorisation.

McConnell's resistance to a fresh authorization for the use of military force puts him at odds with House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said this past week that he had asked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce to conduct "listening sessions" with lawmakers on a new plan.

Obama has relied on congressional authorizations given to President George W. Bush for the fight against al-Qaida after the September 11, 2001, attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Many lawmakers are reluctant to commit, given the political fallout from the 2002 vote for the invasion of Iraq, even though the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, have resulted in a bipartisan push for new war powers.

Others are loath to grant the president new authority, seeing that step as approval for Obama's strategy in the fight against Islamic State militants.

McConnell said he could not imagine voting for Obama's draft of an authorization for the use of military force because it "restricted his activities, what he could do based upon conditions on the ground.

But I don't want to tie the hands of the next president ... who's going to have to clean up this mess, created by all of this passivity over the last eight years," he told ABC's "This Week."

To critics, the White House's use of post-Sept. 11 congressional authorizations is a legal stretch, and they note that the fight has expanded greatly.

In a statement this past week, Royce said that if Congress can get a new authorization done "that ensures our commanders have the flexibility they need to defeat ISIS, I want to move it.

But ultimately, it is going to be up to President Obama to lead. Containment has failed. The administration already has the authority it needs to take the fight to these radical Islamist terrorists, and it needs to step up."
Seoul: The United States deployed a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over its ally South Korea on Sunday, a show of force following North Korea`s nuclear test last week.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un maintained that Wednesday`s test was of a hydrogen bomb and said it was a self-defensive step against a US threat of nuclear war.

North Korea`s fourth nuclear test angered both China, its main ally, and the United States, although the US government and weapons experts doubt the North`s claim that the device was a hydrogen bomb.

The massive B-52, based in Guam and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, could be seen in a low flight over Osan Air Base at around noon (0300 GMT). It was flanked by two fighter planes, a US F-16 and a South Korean F-15, before returning to Guam, the US military said in a statement.

Osan is south of Seoul and 77 km (48 miles) from the Demilitarised Zone that separates the two Koreas. The flight was "in response to recent provocative action by North Korea", the US military said.

In Washington, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonald said on Sunday the flight underscored to South Korea "the deep and enduring alliance that we have with them."

"Last night was a step toward reassurance in that regard and that was important," McDonough said on CNN`s "State of the Union."

He said the United States would continue to work with China and Russia, as well as allies Japan and South Korea, to isolate the North until it lives up to its commitments to get rid of its nuclear weapons.

"Until they do it they`ll remain where they are, which is an outcast unable to provide for their own people," he said.

After the North`s last test, in 2013, the United States sent a pair of nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea. At the time, the North responded by threatening a nuclear attack on the United States.

The United States is also considering sending a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to waters off the Korean peninsula next month to join a naval exercise with Seoul, South Korea`s Yonhap news agency reported without identifying a source. However, US Forces Korea officials said they had no knowledge of the plan.

The two Koreas remain in a technical state of war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, and the United States has about 28,500 troops based in South Korea.

An editorial in the North`s Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Sunday called for a peace treaty with the United States, which is the North`s long-standing position. "Only when a peace treaty is concluded between the DPRK (North Korea) and the U.S. can genuine peace settle in the Korean Peninsula," state news agency KCNA quoted it as saying.

The United States and China have both dangled the prospect of better relations, including the lifting of sanctions, if North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons.

Earlier on Sunday, KCNA quoted Kim as saying no one had the right to criticise the North`s nuclear tests.

"The DPRK`s H-bomb test ... is a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the U.S.-led imperialists," it quoted Kim as saying.

The North`s official name is the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea.

"It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticise," he said.

TIMING OF TEST

Kim`s comments were in line with the North`s official rhetoric blaming the United States for deploying nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula to justify its nuclear programme but were the first by its leader since Wednesday`s blast.

The United States has said it has no nuclear weapons stationed in South Korea.

Kim noted the test was being held ahead of a rare congress of its ruling Workers` Party later this year, "which will be a historic turning point in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche," according to KCNA.

Juche is the North`s home-grown state ideology that combines Marxism and extreme nationalism established by the state founder and the current leader`s grandfather, Kim Il Sung.

KCNA said Kim made the comments on a visit to the country`s Ministry of the People`s Armed Forces.

South Korea continued to conduct high-decibel propaganda broadcasts across the border into the North on Sunday.

The broadcasts, which include "K-pop" music and statements critical of the Kim regime, began on Friday and are considered an insult by Pyongyang. A top North Korean official told a rally on Friday that the broadcasts had pushed the rival Koreas to the "brink of war."

Daily life was mostly as normal on the South Korean side of the border on Sunday. A popular ice fishing festival near the border attracted an estimated 121,300 people on Saturday and another 100,000 on Sunday, Yonhap reported.
Tegucigalpa: Gunmen have killed six people in Honduras, the first mass killing of the year in one of the world's most violent countries, police said.

Police spokesman Leonel Sauceda told local media that the attack, in a house in the town of Tejeras in central Comayagua province, took place yesterday, leaving six males dead.

Authorities said narcotics trafficking appeared to be involved. Sauceda said a relative of the victims had been jailed three years ago for selling drugs. And another local police official, Jose Luis Flores, said authorities mounted an anti-drug operation in the same house 10 days ago.

Honduras last year witnessed 96 killings of three or more people, with a total of 360 victims, though that number was down slightly from 2014.

The Violence Observatory at Honduras's respected National Autonomous University estimates that 2015 closed with about 60 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, down from 68 in 2014, although December figures are not yet final.

The government estimates the rate has fallen even further, saying Honduras no longer holds the dubious distinction of being the world's murder capital.
The latest move by the agency comes after the Singapore government has said that it will repatriate the ill gotten gains of about Rs 280 crore lying in the foreign accounts of Masood only after his final conviction. The Singapore government has also set a deadline for repatriation of funds. Masood is currently in jail.If ED fails to get a conviction in the case within three years, Singapore will lift the freeze on Masoods foreign accounts and he will be allowed to use the money, said an ED official who did not want to be named.The ED has provisionally attached the bank accounts of Masood in Singapore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).Last year, the Supreme Court had directed transfer of 132 cases pending against Masood in various courts across the country to a special court in Mumbai which deals with PMLA. This was done to expedite the trial in the City Limouzines case. Despite the apex court order, till now only 40 odd cases have been transferred to the Mumbai court so far and the trial in the case is yet to begin , said ED sources.We want the Supreme Court to fast track the case and monitor its progress, otherwise given the three year deadline, ED will lose the money it has attached in Singapore,  said another official.The ED is probing a case under PMLA against City Limouzines and Masood. It is alleged that two City Group companies  City Limouzines and City Realcom  collected over Rs 1,000 crore from thousands of investors across the country by floating car rental schemes and promising unrealistic returns of up to 48 per cent on investments. In 2009, the companies defaulted on payment to investors and more than 42,000 cheques issued by it were dishonoured, the ED said.Subsequently, several FIRs were registered against Masood and his companies in Mumbai, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi for criminal conspiracy, cheating and breach of trust.In Chennai alone at least 35,000 investors have filed claims with the Tamil Nadu Economic Offices Wing.Last year in May, Masood and his wife Chand Kauser Mohamed Masood were named in Switzerlands official gazette with regard to ongoing tax probes in India. They are among five Indian nationals with Swiss bank accounts whose names have been made public.
Ever since Keynes's seminal 1930 paper Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren predicted that technological progress would virtually eliminate work by making labor much more productive, economists have puzzled over why Americans' working hours have gotten longer and longer, until they are some of the longest in the world.

While its true that early technological progress brought shorter working days with it, until about 1973. The years since have reversed the trend, and the more technological we become, the longer we work, bringing our work home with us in pervasive, inescapable ways.

The traditional explanation for this is that Americans want more stuff, and so they'll work longer hours to get it  but that doesn't explain why working hours contracted, and then lengthened and lengthened.

Harvard economist Benjamin M Friedman has a new paper in the Journal of Evolutionary Economics (paywall)

that reinvestigates Keynes's prediction and the mystery of the longer American work-week. Friedman confirms Keynes's prediction about technological contributions to productivity: he says that by 2029, American will have octupled its labor productivity, just as Keynes predicted.

As to the longer working hours, Friedman thinks that the answer is inequality. Because all additional profits from increased productivity go to the owners of the technology (capital), labor's dividend is cheaper goods, not more leisure. Basically: Americans are too poor to stop working.

But why do bosses work longer hours, too? Friedman thinks that being a boss is a labor of love, so they pull long hours too. I don't know that this is true. I'd blame social norms: when incredibly long hours are normal, they're normal, for everyone.

This can be seen in the median worker's income over this time period, complete with a shift in 1973 that fits in precisely with when the workweek stopped shrinking. According to Friedman, "Between 1947 and 1973 the average hourly wage for nonsupervisory workers in private industries other than agriculture (restated in 2013 dollars) nearly doubled, from $12.27 to $21.23an average growth rate of 2.1 percent per annum. But by 2013 the average hourly wage was only $20.13a 5 percent fall from the 1973 level." For most people, then, the magic of increasing productivity stopped working around 1973, and they had to keep working just as much in order to maintain their standard of living. What Keynes foretold was a very optimistic version of what economists call technological unemploymentthe idea that less labor will be necessary because machines can do so much. In Keynes's vision, the resulting unemployment would be distributed more or less evenly across society in the form of increased leisure. Friedman says that reality comports more with a darker version of technological unemployment: It's not unemployment per se, but a soft labor market in which millions of people are "desperately seeking whatever low-wage work [they] can get." This is corroborated by a recent poll by Marketplace that found that for half of hourly workers, their top concern isn't that they work too much but that they work too littlenot, presumably, because they like their jobs so much, but because they need the money.

Why Do Americans Work So Much?

[Rebecca J Rosen/The Atlantic]

Work and consumption in an era of unbalanced technological advance

[Benjamin M Friedman/Journal of Evolutionary Economics]

(via /.)
bernie sanders

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) mocked Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump after a major rally in Sanders' home state.

After Trump said on Thursday that running against Sanders would be a "dream come true," the Democratic presidential candidate reminded Trump that in some hypothetical head-to-head matchups between the two candidates, Sanders comes out on top.

"Finally @realDonaldTrump and I agree on something. He and I both want to run against the other. Guess who wins?" Sanders tweeted, linking to a Quinnipiac University poll showing Sanders beating Trump by over 10% points in a general election contest.

Sanders also laid into Trump over some of his positions on climate change and inequality, which the self-styled democratic socialist has made key issues of his campaign.

The American people will not support a candidate trying to divide us up by where we came from.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 8, 2016

They will not support a candidate who does not favor raising the minimum wage and who thinks wages in the country are too high.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 8, 2016

They will not support a candidate who thinks climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 8, 2016

They will not support a candidate who wants to give huge tax breaks to billionaires like himself.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 8, 2016

Sanders capped the mini-tweet-storm with a post that also subtly dinged Democratic presidential opponent Hillary Clinton, whose campaign has argued that she has a more credible shot in a general election.

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I am confident I would win. pic.twitter.com/MFBgoCds8u  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 8, 2016

Though Sanders has criticized Trump on numerous occasions throughout the election, his jabs at Clinton have become increasingly frequent.

Sanders long maintained that he would run a positive, issues-oriented campaign without viciously attacking his Democratic rivals. But in the past week alone, he has taken shots at Clinton repeatedly over her positions on financial issues.

"My opponent, Secretary Clinton, says that Glass-Steagall would not have prevented the financial crisis because shadow banks like AIG and Lehman Brothers, not big commercial banks, were the real culprits," Sanders said in a speech on Tuesday, referencing a bill that separated commercial and investment banking. "Secretary Clinton is wrong."

"Do I think Hillary Clinton or many other senators have shown the courage that is necessary to stand up to Wall Street power? The answer is no," Sanders said Wednesday on "Morning Joe."

NOW WATCH: Watch President Obama break down during an emotional speech on gun violence





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A British tourist has died while on holiday on the island of Koh Tao in Thailand.

Luke Miller's death occurred just days after he posted a message on Facebook saying he was "living the dream" on holiday.

"Can honestly say this new year I am living the dream of to the full moon party on a speed boat drink cocktails strawberry daiquiris living life to the full yolo so let's do this," he wrote.

It is not yet clear how Mr Miller died.

Friends have paid tribute to him, describing his death as a "shock".

A fundraising page has been set up to raise money to return Mr Miller's body to the UK.

Joanne Doe wrote: "To think we were enjoying your photos seeing you live the holiday of a lifetime. This is such a shock.

"Will never forget that mental Christmas party at ours! At least you were living life to the full. Thoughts are with your family right now and Erin Laird xxxx RIP Luke Miller."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing assistance to the family of a British national who has died in Koh Tao, Thailand.

"Local authorities are investigating the death and we will remain in contact with them."

British backpackers Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were murdered on Koh Tao in September 2014.

Bar workers Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, also known as Win Zaw Htun, were found guilty of their murders.
Rumble

Introducing the recipe for seafood Chijimi (Korean pan cake) made with Nira (garlic chives) and squid. Adding carrots adds a gentle sweetness and the indescribably enchanting texture of fluffy, chewy pancake is almost addictive. Thinly cooked with the flavor of sesame oil and dipped in the authentic homemade sauce, this dish is a delicious dinner or finger food. The recipe can easily be modified for restricted diets, substituting the squid for thinly sliced pork, or even subbing all animal based products with vegetarian ones (roasted vegetables instead of meat - vegetable broth instead of chicken, etc). =============================================================  YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvC...  Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/hungrycooki... ============================================================= 00:38 Prepping Ingredients 01:25 How to Gut a Squid 03:43 How To Make Chijimi Dipping Sauce 05:28 Putting Together the Chijimi 06:43 How to Cook Chijimi  Ingredients (for one chijimi) Weak (Cake) flour... 1/3 cup Potato starch ... 2 tbsp Water... 1/3 cup Garlic chives ... 1/3 bunch Carrots ... 1/8 (about 5cm) Squid ... 1/2~1 Salt Torigara (chicken bone) soup stock base (or Hondashi)  1 tsp  Olive oil  Sesame oil Sauce Soy sauce... 2 tablespoons Vinegar... 2 tablespoons Kochijang... 2 tsp Ichimi chili pepper Sesame oil... 1 tablespoon La-Yu (chili oil) Sesame  Cooking Recipe  Slice the Garlic Chives into 3~5cm pieces and julienne the carrots.  Gut, wash, and prep the squid into about 3-5cm strips.  This is a good time to prepare the sauce, so mix the sauce ingredients together to create the dipping sauce for the pancakes.  Add cake flour and potato starch, mixing loosely. Add water, salt, and torigara (chicken bone broth concentrate) or a different stock base like Hondashi, and stir until smooth. Lastly, add prepped vegetables and squid into the bowl and mix to incorporate.  Place the a pan over high heat and when hot, pour in sesame oil and olive oil. Add the batter made in step 4 into the pan, shape, and cook for 1~1.5 minutes on one side. When solid and lightly browned, flip the pancake and cook the other side through, pressing down with a spatula as needed.  Before completely cooked through, pour sesame oil along the rim of the pan and cook for 1~1.5 minutes more until browned. Reduce heat to medium and cook until both sides are both sides are fragrant and of good color.  After removing from the pan when fully cooked, cut into bite sized pieces and serve with prepared dipping sauce.  Cooking tips Thinly sliced pork is a delicious alternative to squid. This recipe can also be made vegetarian by subbing meats with roasted eggplant or other hearty vegetables, and broth subbed with vegetable broth concentrate. If you like a sweeter dipping sauce, add a pinch sugar when putting the sauce together. If you add an egg the taste will be much richer. However, add more flour to the batter as too small of an amount will result in a heavier, less crispy pancake. A recommended ratio will be about 1 cup of flour to 1 egg. When cutting pancakes, the chives are a little hard to cut and tend to lose their shape so cut them carefully. The pancake is easier to cut if you have a pizza cutter on hand.
The Salvation Army in Clarenville is gearing up to serve hot meals in a not-so-hot economy.

The group will open a new soup kitchen located in their existing food bank location by the end of January to help deal with the growing need for hot meals in the community.

Maj. Anthony LeDrew and his wife Maj. Yvonne LeDrew have been in the area for four years.

The LeDrews said each year the numbers at the food bank seem to increase, and this was a good way to offer people a hot meal  not just the food they need to cook for themselves.

"We have many, many people coming into our food bank and we thought it would be nice  to let them have a hot meal here before they even go out the door," said Anthony LeDrew.

"Although there's growth taking place in Clarenville you still have the working medium wage, you still have the single parents and there's always the people that's living in crisis," said Yvonne LeDrew.

They agree that people in the area are quite excited about the soup kitchen and many have come on board to help with the effort to get it open as soon as possible.

Anthony LeDrew said the kitchen can serve up to 110 people and has been equipped with upright fridges and freezers, as well as electric and gas stoves.

He said the addition of gas stoves will come in handy if there is ever a power outage.

"We would be equipped for any storms or anything that might come our way," he said.

"We could cook soup for seniors and drop it off to homes, if anything like that should happen we're ready to go."

The Salvation Army received a government grant for around $20,000 to start up the kitchen, but ran into some problems during renovations which put them over budget by around $15,000.

Even with the cost overruns, he said the project was worth it, adding they now have the proper equipment to not only run the soup kitchen, but to offer others services like the seniors dinners they host each month.

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"We made it and we got it all up and running, working and we're so glad that we could do it," he said.

Yvonne LeDrew said the kitchen will offer more than just a hot meal  it will also give people a place to come and talk.

"We're also seeing where people are lonely and they're just in need of fellowship," she said.

"They can come and talk about things that are happening in their lives and what they have in common and maybe get some help fom that besides being fed physically."
By John O'Donnell FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Attacks on women in Cologne and other German cities on New Year's Eve have prompted more than 600 criminal complaints, with police suspicion resting on asylum seekers, putting pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel and her open door migrant policy. The attacks, mostly targeting women and ranging from theft to sexual molestation, have prompted a highly-charged debate in Germany about its welcoming stance for refugees and migrants, more than one million of whom arrived last year. The sudden nature of the violent attacks and the fact that they stretched from Hamburg to Frankfurt prompted Germany's justice minister Heiko Maas to speculate in a newspaper that they had been planned or coordinated. The debate on migration will be further fueled by the acknowledgement by the authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia that a man shot dead as he tried to enter a Paris police station last week was an asylum seeker with seven identities who lived in Germany. In Cologne, police said on Sunday that 516 criminal complaints had been filed by individuals or groups in relation to assaults on New Year's Eve, while police in Hamburg said 133 similar charges had been lodged with the north German city. Frankfurt also registered complaints, although far fewer. The investigation in Cologne is focused largely on asylum seekers or illegal migrants from north Africa, police said. They arrested one 19-year-old Moroccan man on Saturday evening. In Cologne, where a 100-strong force of officers continued their investigations, around 40 percent of the complaints included sexual offences, including two rapes. DWINDLING TRUST The attacks, which prompted violent far-right protests on Saturday, threatens to further erode confidence in Merkel, and could stoke support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of three key state elections in March. Merkel's popularity has dwindled as she refused to place a limit on the influx of refugees. A survey sponsored by state broadcaster ARD showed that while 75 percent of those asked were very happy with Merkel's work in April last year, only 58 percent were pleased now. Almost three quarters of those polled said migration was the most important issue for the government to deal with in 2016. The Cologne attacks also heated up the debate on immigration in neighboring Austria. "What happened in Cologne is unbelievable and unacceptable," Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, a member of the conservative People's Party that is junior coalition partner to the Social Democrats, told newspaper Oesterreich. There had been a handful of similar incidents in the border city of Salzburg. "Such offenders should be deported," she said, backing a similar suggestion by Merkel. Swiss media contained numerous stories about sexual assaults on women by foreigners, fuelling tensions ahead of a referendum next month that would trigger the automatic deportation of foreigners convicted of some crimes. In Germany, on Monday, a regional parliamentary commission will quiz police and others about the events on New Year's Eve in Cologne. The anti-Islam PEGIDA, whose supporters threw bottles and fire crackers at a march in Cologne on Saturday before being dispersed by riot police, will later hold a rally in the eastern German city of Leipzig. The far-right will likely seize on reports that the Paris attacker, who was shot last week as he wielded a meat cleaver and shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest), was known to police for drug dealing and harassing women. He had an apartment in an accommodation center for asylum seekers in Recklinghausen, north of Cologne, where he had painted the symbol of Islamic state on the wall of two rooms. (Additional reporting by Ralf Bode in Berlin and Michael Shields in Zurich; Editing by Ros Russell)
US May Boost Korea Military After H-Bomb Test

The US and South Korea are in talks about deploying more American military assets to the region after North Korea claimed it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

Seoul has also said it will resume cross-border propaganda broadcasts considered an act of war by Pyongyang.

The loudspeaker broadcasts, which question the infallibility of the North's ruling Kim family, are to start on Friday.

South Korea stopped them last August after agreeing a package of measures with Pyongyang aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.

It said that deal is no longer valid.

Experts, meanwhile, are trying to find out more about the detonation that has drawn drew worldwide scepticism and condemnation.

If confirmed, it will mark a significant step forward in North Korea's efforts to build a nuclear arsenal and pose a significant security threat.

However, many believe the H-bomb test claim is little more than posturing by North Korea and will prove to be false.

:: Why Kim's Survival Depends On Testing The Bomb

Statements from the White House said President Barack Obama had spoken to South Korean President Park Geun-Hye and to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan.

The statements said the countries had "agreed to work together to forge a united and strong international response to North Korea's latest reckless behaviour".

They added that Mr Obama reaffirmed the "unshakeable US commitment" to the security of South Korea and Japan.

On Thursday, Seoul's Defence Ministry said military leaders had also discussed the deployment of US "strategic assets" in the wake of the test.

Ministry officials refused to say what US assets were being considered, but it is thought they are likely to include B-52 bombers, F-22 stealth fighters and nuclear-powered submarines.

At an emergency session the UN Security Council pledged to impose further sanctions on North Korea, saying the H-bomb test was a "clear violation" of previous UN resolutions.

:: North Korea H-Bomb Test: China's Response Key
Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer is calling a pepper spray attack outside a welcome event for Syrian refugees a very troubling hate crime and asked the perpetrator to turn himself in.

Shortly after 10:30 p.m. PT Friday 100 people were gathered outside of the Muslim Association of Canada Centre, located at 2122 Kingsway Avenue, when an unknown man on a bicycle rode up and pepper sprayed a group of men, women and children, which included newly arrived refugees from Syria.

Paramedics and the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service treated 15 people for exposure to pepper spray.

"It's a very troubling situation and the actions of one man shed a negative light on all of the positive work that's been done to welcome the Syrian refugees into our communities," Chief Const. Adam Palmer said at the Vancouver Police Department's main headquarters.

"We're going to put the necessary resources into this investigation to identify the suspect, solve the crime and make sure we assist the victims in this troubling incident."

Palmer said Vancouver police investigate up to 50 hate crimes a year, but this one is particularly concerning because it involves so many people.

"It is a hate crime against new people who have come to Canada and that is a pretty serious thing," he said.

Meanwhile, people have taken flowers to a hotel where some of the refugees, who were caught up in the attack, are staying.

Tarek Ramadan, a volunteer who translated for some of Syrians who spoke to CBC News, said they are surprised by the incident.

"A little bit of disappointment and a little bit of anger also, because they don't know, like, why. 'What's the reason? We haven't done anything wrong,'" he said.

He added that most though are thankful to be in Vancouver and Canada despite being hit with pepper spray.

"What happened does not make us think less at all of any Canadian or the Canadian government," he said, translating for a man asked by CBC what he thought of the attack.

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"We still actually thank them for what the did for us," he added.

Political leaders speak out

This incident drew condemnation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and both opposition leaders.

"This isn't who we are," Trudeau said in a tweet. Robertson, also on Twitter, described the incident as a "disgusting display of hate."

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair called it "a despicable, violent act," while interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said it is "not reflective of an inclusive Canada."

Police are searching for the man on the bicycle, who is believed to have been wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and is described as having a slim build.

No arrests have been made. Police continue to canvass for private surveillance video and use community liaison officers, along with other resources, to reach out to the Muslim community, while Palmer appealed directly to the suspect himself.

"I would ask them to turn themselves in and explain yourself and let's get to the bottom of this," he said.
By Amarjyoti Borah DHUBRI, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Golok Das, a farmer in India's northeast Assam state, is happy with the harvest produced by his main 6-hectare farm. But he'd love to sell another 4-hectare plot, just half a kilometer away, even though it's equally fertile. Why? It sits on the other side of a barbed-wire fence marking the Bangladesh border, and that means he can't irrigate it. The fence was built in 1987 to prevent illegal migration from Bangladesh to India. It traces a line about 150 yards inside the actual border, on Indian land, since no treaty agreement allowed a fence to be built on the border itself. Large tracts of Indian land, including some villages, were left on the far side of the fence. In the Golokganj sector of Dhubri district, more than 8,000 farmers struggle with a fence between their homes and their land. They are allowed to cross though the fence each day to work their holdings, but only at set hours. Now changing climatic conditions in the region for the first time require farmers to irrigate their land frequently to get a good crop  but legal and bureaucratic obstacles make it hard to invest in irrigation on the far side of the fence, meaning harvests there are two-thirds lower than those on the Indian side. "With climate change, there has been a change in the rainfall pattern and also the flood intensity, which is making agriculture difficult in many areas in the state, said Girin Chetia of the non-profit North East Affected Areas Development Society. Those changes mean farmer Safikul Islam now wants to get rid of his 5 hectares of land on the wrong side of the fence, and next to Das plot. LESS GRAIN ACROSS THE FENCE Both farmers say their land on the Indian side of the fence yields nearly 1,500 kg of rice a year, while an equivalent area on the Bangladesh side produces no more than 500 kg. "The land on both sides is equally fertile, however we suffer as we dont have any irrigation facilities there. This takes a major toll on our land on the other side of the border, said Das. "We have been traditionally dependent on the rainwater for our cultivation (for) generations, but now as the rainfall has become unpredictable, it is not possible, said Munin Das, a 52-year-old farmer who owes 4 hectares of land on the Bangladeshi side of the fence. "We need irrigation facilities to be able to cultivate our land and get good yields, he said. By law, construction of any concrete or permanent structure is forbidden near the fence, local people say. "Even the idea of building any small irrigation project or building any project for water harvesting does not arise, said Dinesh Kumar Sarkar, a former legislator from Dhubri who also owes agricultural land on the other side of the fence. Sarkar said that even taking tractors onto the land requires a lengthy bureaucratic process. Local people worry they will have to give up farming on the Bangladeshi side of the fence as a result of the weather changes, and complain that neither the district administration nor the Indian governments Border Security Force (BSF) have been sympathetic to their problems. 8 TO 4 FARMERS Gates to cross the border are open from 8 am to 4 pm, Sarkar said, and outside these times no Indian citizen is allowed to work land on the Bangladesh side. The problem is that farming cannot be done within a fixed timeframe, Sarkar said. In particular, the fixed crossing hours create a lot of problems for the farmers, as the farmer needs to reach his field very early in the morning, he said. In addition, he said, people living on the Bangladeshi side of the border sometimes damage Indian-owned crops or harvest them, leaving Indian growers with no produce to show for their labor. Farmers and civil society groups have long urged Indias government to purchase their land on the other side of the fence. Members of Nagarik Unnayan Mancha, a civil society group, say they plan to file a petition on the issue at the Gauhati high court. "Our demands have been ignored for years, and now we are planning to send a delegation to (explain) our situation before the Assam chief minister and the countrys prime minister, said Sarkar. The state government, however, says that it cannot act alone on a matter affecting the countrys border. "This is an international issue and Bangladesh must also be involved, and this could be done only through the Ministry of External Affairs, said Bhumidhar Barman, Assams revenue minister. He said he would take up the issue with the central government. (Reporting by Amarjyoti Borah; editing by James Baer and Laurie Goering :; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, women's rights, trafficking and corruption. Visit www.trust.org/climate)
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said on Sunday she would welcome the reintroduction of military and civilian conscription, saying it could make a difference in tackling crises like the massive influx of refugees from the Middle East. "I am among those who welcome a modernised, gender-equal version of conscription, with both military and civilian components," Wallstrom told a defence conference. "Imagine if we had civilians in reserve this autumn and they could have been called on to reinforce the immigration agency," she said in a speech widely quoted in local media, adding conscripts could also help out with natural disasters. Sweden took in around 160,000 refugees last year in a country of 10 million people, the highest per capita rate in Europe. But authorities have struggled to cope with the huge numbers. Sweden abolished compulsory military service in 2010 but polls show a majority of voters would like it reinstated. The military has also said it is short of soldiers, at a time when tensions with Russia remain high after the Crimea and Ukraine crises. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven and Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila wrote in a joint article published in newspapers in both countries on Sunday that the two neighbours needed to cooperate more closely on defence in the face of security threats such as Russia. But they said membership of NATO was not on the cards. "Both Finland and Sweden are outside military alliances. We think that this policy serves us well," the two leaders wrote. Sweden and Finland, which borders its former ruler Russia, are both outside NATO but have increased cooperation with the trans-Atlantic alliance. (Reporting by Alistair Scrutton in Stockholm and; Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
To the editor:

In writing about the armed protest in Oregon, the Daily Sun has aptly described how other occupy movements have proceeded without any weapons whatsoever. I would add Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter to the 1960s student movements, and I would also point out that these nonviolent challenges to systemic government policies have been far more threatening to "the system," and have provoked more government response, than this citizens' army in Oregon with all of their military hardware.

Of course these guys are only holding a wildlife refuge, but they seem eager for weapons-based confrontation. Have no doubt, they want to use their guns. They've paid for them, they've rehearsed with them, and they know they weren't designed for hunting or resisting a home intrusion. These are military weapons of war.

How disappointing it must be to these guys that the federal government has made no move to recapture our wildlife refuge. But if it did, just whom would these guys be shooting at? Soldiers. Just like the people we send to Afghanistan.

To provoke a military response from our government, these guys are going to have to try to hold some significant ground, such as a police station or the White House lawn. Then they will learn, too, how pathetically ineffectual guns are in defending rights, including gun rights. Lethal though they be, their weapons will never hold up to U.S. military efforts to send them on their way.

Lesson learned: Whatever your reasons for owning guns, don't count standing up to government overreach among them. You will either lose, as surely as if you'd been stockpiling pea shooters, or you will be completely ineffectual, as if all you'd ever yearned for is to occupy a wildlife refuge without resistance.

RICHARD HILBERT

Flagstaff
Cairo (AFP) - Top Arab diplomats rallied behind Saudi Arabia on Sunday in a dispute with Iran that has threatened to derail efforts to resolve Middle East conflicts including the war in Syria.

Iran meanwhile said Saudi Arabia was seeking to undermine talks to end the Syrian conflict, an accusation Riyadh fiercely rejected.

The UN envoy to Syria said he believed the dispute -- which has seen tensions between the Sunni and Shiite regional rivals reach new heights -- would not hurt efforts to bring Syria's warring parties together later this month.

After meeting in Cairo for emergency talks requested by Riyadh, Arab League foreign ministers issued a joint statement denouncing the "hostile acts and provocations of Iran" in the dispute.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also rejected Tehran's claims it was using the dispute to back away from international efforts to finally end Syria's nearly five-year civil war.

Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides in the conflict, with Riyadh supporting rebel groups and Tehran behind President Bashar al-Assad.

Both countries had joined international talks launched in Vienna last year that backed an 18-month plan to end the conflict and foresees further talks on January 25.

"We have previously stated our support for the Syrian opposition and for efforts to find a peaceful solution in Syria," Jubeir said.

- Syria envoy in Iran -

"This is still the case, we believe in this and we fully support (the peace process) despite our differences with Iran," he said.

Ahead of talks with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had accused Riyadh of trying "to create tension intended to negatively affect the Syrian crisis".

But after the talks in Tehran, and with Saudi officials in the last week, de Mistura said both countries had vowed to continue to support peace efforts.

"The Saudi foreign minister assured me that there would be no impact from their point of view.... In Iran I got the same assurance," he told reporters.

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The diplomatic row erupted following Saudi Arabia's execution on January 2 of a prominent Shiite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, along with 46 others on terrorism charges.

The execution touched off anti-Saudi demonstrations in many Shiite countries including in Iran where demonstrators sacked and set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in second city Mashhad.

Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran the next day and a number of its Sunni Arab allies followed suit, including Bahrain and Sudan. Other Arab countries downgraded ties or recalled their envoys from Tehran.

On Sunday the Arab League said Iran's reaction to the executions was "flagrant interference" in Saudi affairs.

The dispute escalated, with Tehran on Thursday saying Saudi warplanes had bombed its embassy in Yemen, wounding staff, and vowing to protest to the UN Security Council.

Riyadh, which is leading an Arab military intervention against Iran-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen, denied the accusation, saying no operations were carried out near the mission.

- Yemen efforts threatened -

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have also cut air links with Iran, while Tehran has banned Saudi goods from import.

Iran, which denounced the attacks on the embassies and vowed to punish the perpetrators, has accused Saudi Arabia of using the crisis to distract attention from the execution and as a cover for anti-Iranian diplomatic efforts.

Iran's signing of a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme last year sparked deep concern in Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, that its longtime rival was emerging from international isolation.

As well as the Syria peace talks, the crisis also threatens a fragile UN-backed initiative to end the war in Yemen, where the Huthi rebels have seized control of large parts of the country including the capital Sanaa.

On Saturday officials said another round of peace talks due to take place in Geneva on January 14 had been delayed by at least a week after the Huthis refused to take part.

UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was in Sanaa on Sunday in an attempt to convince the rebels to attend.

"We are in Sanaa to exert more efforts with all parties concerned to (convince them to) hold a new round of talks," the rebel-controlled sabanews.net website quoted the envoy as saying upon his arrival in the capital.
By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, locked in a tight race with Texas Senator Ted Cruz in Iowa, on Saturday stressed the importance of winning the state that holds the first U.S. nominating contest of the 2016 election season. "We gotta win Iowa," Trump told a rally in Ottumwa, Iowa. "We gotta win it. Okay so we're going to win it, okay? Otherwise were wasting our time, folks." Trump told rally attendees in Clear Lake, Iowa that if he were to win the state, which is the first to vote in the Republican primary, it would set him up to win other states. "This would get the ball rolling," Trump said. "If we win Iowa, such a big event for me." After leading polls of Iowa Republican voters for months, Trump has fallen into second place behind Cruz in the state, which will hold its contest on Feb. 1, followed by New Hampshire on Feb. 9. An Iowa victory for the New York billionaire would be a validation of his insurgent candidacy against a host of establishment Republicans and put him in a strong position for the upcoming contest. He told voters in Clear Lake that his staff has discouraged him from setting high expectations in Iowa. But he said he is ignoring their advice and continuing to insist he can win the state. A loss in Iowa, however, would make him vulnerable in New Hampshire, where he leads in the polls, and could jeopardize his candidacy, which is all about stressing the importance of victories. "We either win or we lose, there's nothing else. There's no like, 'he did a great job,'" he said. (Reporting By Steve Holland and Ginger Gibson; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)
Berlin (AFP) - Wolfsburg players held a minute's silence at their Portuguese training camp on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of the tragic death of their team-mate Junior Malanda.

"Forever in our hearts. Rest in peace Junior!" the club wrote on their English language Twitter account while Wolfsburg players wore green hearts on their training tops with Malanda's number 19 at their winter camp in the resort of Lagos on Portugal's Algarve.

"When we look back one year, it was a very difficult time for the team and for VfL. Junior still plays a major role in all of our thoughts and that will continue to be the case," Wolfsburg's sporting director Klaus Allofs told the club's website.

The young Belgian was just 20 when he was killed in a car accident on a motorway in western Germany on January 10, 2015.

He was sitting on the back seat of the car, without a seat belt, when it crashed off the road.
Top Arab diplomats rallied behind Saudi Arabia on Sunday in a dispute with Iran that has threatened to derail efforts to resolve Middle East conflicts including the war in Syria. Iran meanwhile said Saudi Arabia was seeking to undermine talks to end the Syrian conflict, an accusation Riyadh fiercely rejected. The UN envoy to Syria said he believed the dispute -- which has seen tensions between the Sunni and Shiite regional rivals reach new heights -- would not hurt efforts to bring Syria's warring parties together later this month. After meeting in Cairo for emergency talks requested by Riyadh, Arab League foreign ministers issued a joint statement denouncing the "hostile acts and provocations of Iran" in the dispute. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also rejected Tehran's claims it was using the dispute to back away from international efforts to finally end Syria's nearly five-year civil war. Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides in the conflict, with Riyadh supporting rebel groups and Tehran behind President Bashar al-Assad. Both countries had joined international talks launched in Vienna last year that backed an 18-month plan to end the conflict and foresees further talks on January 25. "We have previously stated our support for the Syrian opposition and for efforts to find a peaceful solution in Syria," Jubeir said. - Syria envoy in Iran - "This is still the case, we believe in this and we fully support (the peace process) despite our differences with Iran," he said. Ahead of talks with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had accused Riyadh of trying "to create tension intended to negatively affect the Syrian crisis". But after the talks in Tehran, and with Saudi officials in the last week, de Mistura said both countries had vowed to continue to support peace efforts. "The Saudi foreign minister assured me that there would be no impact from their point of view.... In Iran I got the same assurance," he told reporters. The diplomatic row erupted following Saudi Arabia's execution on January 2 of a prominent Shiite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, along with 46 others on terrorism charges. The execution touched off anti-Saudi demonstrations in many Shiite countries including in Iran where demonstrators sacked and set fire to the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in second city Mashhad. Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran the next day and a number of its Sunni Arab allies followed suit, including Bahrain and Sudan. Other Arab countries downgraded ties or recalled their envoys from Tehran. On Sunday the Arab League said Iran's reaction to the executions was "flagrant interference" in Saudi affairs. The dispute escalated, with Tehran on Thursday saying Saudi warplanes had bombed its embassy in Yemen, wounding staff, and vowing to protest to the UN Security Council. Riyadh, which is leading an Arab military intervention against Iran-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen, denied the accusation, saying no operations were carried out near the mission. - Yemen efforts threatened - Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have also cut air links with Iran, while Tehran has banned Saudi goods from import. Iran, which denounced the attacks on the embassies and vowed to punish the perpetrators, has accused Saudi Arabia of using the crisis to distract attention from the execution and as a cover for anti-Iranian diplomatic efforts. Iran's signing of a deal with world powers over its nuclear programme last year sparked deep concern in Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, that its longtime rival was emerging from international isolation. As well as the Syria peace talks, the crisis also threatens a fragile UN-backed initiative to end the war in Yemen, where the Huthi rebels have seized control of large parts of the country including the capital Sanaa. On Saturday officials said another round of peace talks due to take place in Geneva on January 14 had been delayed by at least a week after the Huthis refused to take part. UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was in Sanaa on Sunday in an attempt to convince the rebels to attend. "We are in Sanaa to exert more efforts with all parties concerned to (convince them to) hold a new round of talks," the rebel-controlled sabanews.net website quoted the envoy as saying upon his arrival in the capital.
El Chapo Guzman

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the powerful leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, was recaptured on January 8 in a town not far from where he was born in Sinaloa state.

While its leader appears to be out of commission yet again, the Sinaloa cartel is still arguably the largest drug-trafficking organization in the world, and the deep ties to Colombia it uses to influence the global cocaine trade have become more apparent over the last year.

According to a summer 2015 report from Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the Sinaloa cartel controls 35% of the cocaine exported from Colombia  the largest producer of the drug in the world, which saw a 30% increase in potential-pure-cocaine production from 2013 to 2014, according to the DEA. DEA analysis also found that 90% of the cocaine consumed in the US was of Colombian origin.

Born in the mountains of Sinaloa state on Mexicos west coast, Guzman's cartel has expanded throughout the country and around the world over the last several decades.

According to Spanish newspaper El Pais, the cartels marijuana and poppy fields in Mexico cover more than 23,000 miles of land, an area larger than Costa Rica. It has operatives in at least 17 Mexican states and operations in up to 50 countries, Insight Crime reports.

Sinaloa

In addition to its reported involvement in the heroin trade in the Middle East, it is active in Europe and in the US, where, according to the DEA in 2013, it supplied "80% of the heroin, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine  with a street value of $3 billion  that floods the Chicago region each year."

The cartel is adept at sneaking the drug across borders and into the US. Cocaine has been found smuggled in frozen sharks, sprinkled on donuts, and crammed into cucumbers. The cartel is perhaps best known for the hundreds of elaborate smuggling tunnels it has built (the most recent allowing its boss to escape prison).

Story continues

Sinaloas second-in-command, Ismael El Mayo Zambada, reportedly directs the cartels Colombian business dealings through two Mexicans based in the country, Jairo Ortiz and Montiel  both aliases.

cartel drug map

'Lacoste,' 'Apple,' and 'Made in Colombia'

Documents from police and security forces seen by El Tiempo indicate the Sinaloa cartel works closely with criminal groups and guerrilla forces to run a trafficking network that exports more than one-third of the cocaine produced in Colombia.

Through an unidentified businessman, the Sinaloa cartel works with the criminal organization Los Urabenos, which was formed by remnants of right-wing paramilitaries in the mid-2000s, according to Colombia Reports.

This unidentified businessman works with Los Urabenos, its leader Dario Antonio Usuga, and the cartel to coordinate shipments of drug cargos, labeled Lacoste, Apple, and Made in Colombia, to destinations in Europe and Asia, according to El Tiempo.

Los Urabenos, aka Clan Usuga, is regarded as the most powerful of Colombia's remaining criminal organizations and is the only one with a truly national reach.

Many of the Pacific and Caribbean smuggling routes are controlled by Los Urabenos, and its influence is so extensive that, between 2014 and 2015, 600 Colombian officials had been jailed for supporting the group.

Colombia cocaine submarine

The Sinaloa cartel has also formed an alliance with the left-wing guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The FARC began peace negotiations with the government in late 2012 (negotiations that have yielded historic results) and agreed to suspend drug trafficking as a part of the talks. Sinaloa then began franchising drug operations from FARC rebels, allowing the cartel to expand its reach into the production stages of the cocaine trade.

The Mexican cartel reportedly works with two FARC leaders in southern Colombia and pays as much as $40,000 per shipment for cocaine that leaves the Pacific coast departments of Narino and Cauca.

The Sinaloa cartel also works with La Empresa, a criminal group based in the Pacific port city of Buenaventura, to direct shipments. La Empresa has, according to Colombia Reports, allied with Colombian criminal group Los Rastrojos (with whom the Sinaloa cartel has also aligned) to fight off the Pacific-coast expansion of Los Urabenos.

(La Empresa, El Tiempo notes, has been linked to the casas de pique  buildings in outlying areas of Buenaventura used to torture and dismember rival gang members.)

US border seizures of cocaine Sinaloa cartel

The Sinaloa cartel has also provided weapons and financing to the Oficina de Envigado, a Medellin-based crime syndicate that assumed much of Pablo Escobars operations after his death in 1993.

Sinaloa retained the services of La Oficina to support drug trafficking around the world, the US Treasury Department has said.

According to El Tiempo, the FARC, los Usuga, and la Empresa are keys in Sinaloa's strategy to control eight ports on the Pacific, from Mexico to Peru.

In Colombia, [the Sinaloa cartel] already directs 50% of the drugs that leave from [the ports of] Tumaco, Buenaventura, and el Uraba, which form a network with ports in Peru (El Callao and Talara), Ecuador (Esmeraldas and San Lorenzo) and Guatemala, according to intelligence documents seen by El Tiempo.

UNODC, responses to annual report questionnaire and individual drug seizure database

Drugs are shipped by fastboat from Colombia, primarily to Guatemala's Puerto Quetzal, which handles almost all of the cocaine coming out of Colombia. The Mexico/Central America corridor handles 87% of the cocaine that reaches the US, according to the DEA.

A kilo of cocaine that reaches Guatemala is worth $10,000, according to El Tiempo. The price hovers around $12,000 to $15,000 at the US border, and a kilo can sell in the low six figures once it reaches the US. (Sinaloa and other cartels typically rely on US-based gangs for most retail-level drug distribution.)

'A possible refuge'

The panoply of ties that the Sinaloa cartel has built throughout the Western Hemisphere led many to believe that Guzman could seek a possible refuge in Colombia. (Local forces also went on high alert in November, when it was reported that he may have been in Argentina, where the cartel gets precursor chemicals for synthetic drugs.)

In fact, on July 19, just eight days after Guzman rode to freedom on a motorcycle through a mile-long, air-conditioned underground tunnel in central Mexico, El Tiempo reported that officials from the DEA and FBI had requested "all available information on the movements, personnel, and contacts of the Sinaloa cartel in the country."

el chapo

In the six months prior to Guzman's escape, the Mexican army captured nearly 2,800 kilos of cocaine  a 340% increase over the same period in 2014. The increase in seizures comes despite UN reports indicating that drug cultivation and trading in Colombia had stabilized.

The hunt for Guzman also drew in several officials from Colombia itself. In late July, El Tiempo reported that three retired Colombian generals and six active police officials were headed north to assist with the search.

The Colombian generals  two former heads of the national police and the former chief of the now disbanded secret service/intelligence agency  were selected because of their roles in a similar mission: The effort to bring down the Cali cartel and Pablo Escobar's Medellin cartel  two of the Colombian drug-trafficking organizations that ran roughshod over Colombian society in 1980s and 1990s.

Colombia pablo escobar

The generals, who a Colombian police source called the most effective three musketeers the country has against the narcos, left Mexico in early August.

But, according to Michael Lohmuller at Insight Crime, whatever advice they left behind may have been of limited use in the search for Guzman. The 22 years since the controversial killing of Escobar have seen marked advancements in the operations, sophistication, and evasiveness of drug cartels.

Moreover, modern-day Colombian police have failed to catch their countrys own most wanted kingpin: Dario Antonio Usuga  the head of Los Urabenos and Guzmans ally.

NOW WATCH: Inside the dangerous life of Mexican drug lord 'El Chapo'





More From Business Insider


A Swedish tourist wounded in an attack on an Egyptian Red Sea resort hotel has been released from hospital, medical officials said Sunday. Sammie Olovsson, 27, was among three foreigners injured in the Friday attack by men carrying knives on the Bella Vista hotel in Hurghada -- the latest blow to Egypt's struggling tourism industry. "The Swedish patient left hospital late last night," hospital official Alaa Mohamed told AFP. An elderly Austrian couple wounded in the attack were still being monitored, he added. "They are stable and there is no cause for worry but they need more care," Alaa said. Hospital director Reda al-Naggar said the couple could be discharged as early as Sunday. Two men carrying knifes stormed the restaurant of the Bella Vista as tourists were having dinner on Friday night. Security forces shot the attackers, killing one and wounding another. The incident further undermined efforts to repair the country's damaged tourism industry, coming a day after a Cairo hotel hosting Israeli tourists came under attack by men who hurled fireworks and fired birdshot. The Islamic State group claimed that attack, which it said targeted "Jewish" tourists. Police said they were Arab Israelis, and that the assailants had targeted policemen guarding the hotel and not them. The jihadist group's Egyptian affiliate is waging an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula, and dealt a body blow to the country's tourism industry by claiming to have downed a Russian airliner in October, killing all those on board.
Taiwan's voters, angry at low salaries and unaffordable housing, are set to elect a new president -- but the island's flagging fortunes and a slowdown in China mean the winner will have a mountain to climb.

Tsai Ing-wen of the main opposition Beijing-sceptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is expected to win the presidential vote, polling well ahead of rival candidate Eric Chu from the embattled ruling Kuomintang (KMT).

Chu is struggling to win public support as the KMT's popularity has plummeted over its China-friendly policies and failure to deliver the prosperity promised by current President Ma Ying-jeou.

More than 20 deals with China have been signed since Ma took office in 2008 and Taiwan's tourist industry has flourished under an eight-year rapprochement with Beijing as mainland visitors flock to the island.

But many voters feel warmer ties have benefited big business over ordinary people.

"Most people around me are living harder lives," said Kelly Chang, a 23-year-old former administrative assistant in Taipei who lost her job three months ago at a land development company that went bankrupt.

"I think the new DPP government can do better. I hope it can improve the economy and raise salaries. Cross-strait ties are important, but the benefits from better ties should be shared by all."

Student-led protesters occupied parliament in 2014 to oppose a China trade pact, forcing the government to shelve the deal.

But it is not just the younger generation voicing frustration.

"Enough is enough," said one 60-year-old mechanic at a car repair shop in Taipei, who declined to give his name.

"Everyone who comes to our shop complains, saying they are suffering from the bad economy. Our business is falling too," he added.

"I think those who want a better future for Taiwan will want to change the ruling party."

- Tough hand -

Analysts say Ma was dealt a tough hand, with the 2008 financial crisis, European debt problems and a China slowdown -- all of which have been bad news for Taiwan's export-driven economy.

Story continues

The island's key technology sector has suffered from weak demand, particularly as China seeks to create its own homegrown tech industry.

There are rocketing housing prices, an ageing population and low birth-rate to deal with.

But the KMT's approach has also drawn criticism.

"For the past four years, Taiwan's GDP growth averaged around 2.3 percent annually, but people's average income rose merely one percent," said Gordon Sun, head of the Macroeconomic Forecasting Centre at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research.

"The fruits of economic growth were not shared by the general public."

Taiwan has trimmed its growth forecast for 2016 to 2.32 percent, from an earlier 2.7 percent.

One factor is a restrictive approach to outside investment, according to Sun.

"(The government) should give top priority to the lifting of restrictions on investments by foreign and mainland companies, which have deterred the development of innovation," he said.

- Business jitters -

The DPP has promised to diversify an economy it says is too dependent on China.

But KMT candidate Chu emphasises Taiwanese businesses can continue to benefit from their relations with China, despite an economic slowdown on the mainland.

Both parties are also seeking to address the domestic issues riling voters, from pension schemes to income tax.

Yet while the dominant public sentiment is that Taiwan needs a change to prosper, there are jitters in the business community that relations with China will deteriorate under the DPP.

The traditionally pro-independence party has no official channel of communication with Beijing.

Taiwan split from the mainland in 1949 after a civil war, but China still considers it part of its territory awaiting reunification.

The tourism sector is particularly nervous -- China has reportedly restricted visits to Taiwan during past political turbulence.

"Some local travel agents focused on Chinese tourists coming to Taiwan have prepared for the worst," said Ringo Lee, spokesman for the Travel Agent Association of Taiwan.

"Mainland authorities have been known to use their out-bound tourists as bargaining chips in practising diplomacy," said Lee.

Analyst Sun warns voters that overnight change is "unrealistic".

"Whoever is elected, it will be no easy task," he said.
By Tom Perry and Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - An air strike reportedly killed dozens of people in a rebel-held town in Syria on Saturday as a U.N. envoy visited Damascus to advance preparations for peace talks planned this month despite opposition misgivings. Agreement was also reached for aid to be delivered on Monday to an opposition-held town besieged by pro-government forces where United Nations says there have been credible reports of people dying of starvation, sources said. Aid will be sent simultaneously to two villages blockaded by rebels. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 57 people were killed in the air strike, which hit a court house and prison in the town of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province. It identified the jets as Russian, and said the court house was operated by the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front. Russia has been staging air strikes in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad since September. The building was struck with four missiles. The dead included 23 members of the Nusra Front, three women and at least one child, the Observatory said. Syrian officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The war has raged on since last month when the Security Council endorsed a plan for peace talks, a rare case of U.S.-Russian agreement over a conflict that has killed 250,000 people. The talks are due to begin on Jan. 25 in Geneva. The Syrian government told U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura on Saturday it was ready to participate but wants to know who would take part from the opposition, Syrian state media reported. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem also said it was important to see a list of groups that would be classified as terrorists as part of the new diplomatic process, flagging another potential complication. Damascus views all the groups fighting to topple Assad as terrorists, including rebels who support a political solution and are represented in a recently formed opposition council tasked with overseeing the negotiations. A statement from de Mistura's office described Saturday's meeting as useful and said the envoy had outlined preparations. "The Special Envoy is looking forward to the active participation of relevant parties in the Geneva talks. He will be continuing his consultations in the region," it added. Syrian rebels and opposition politicians have expressed doubts over whether the peace talks will begin as planned. Their concerns over the diplomatic bid include the absence of any mention of Assad's fate. Earlier this week, they told de Mistura that before negotiations the Syrian government must stop bombing civilian areas, release detainees and lift blockades imposed on opposition-held areas. AID DELIVERY AGREED FOR MONDAY "Can the international community achieve the implementation of this pre-negotiation stage in the few remaining days? If it can, there is no problem. But I doubt they can," Riyad Naasan Agha, a member of the opposition council, told Reuters. Another opposition official said on Friday the opposition would not name its negotiating team until the government did so. The outlook for the talks has been further clouded by increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which back opposing sides in the conflict. Tensions have risen since Saudi Arabia executed Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. The aid deal agreed on Saturday will result in humanitarian supplies being sent to the opposition-held town of Madaya at the Lebanese border, and to two villages in the northwestern province of Idlib that are blockade by rebels. Aid agencies have warned of widespread starvation in Madaya, where some 40,000 people are at risk. The United Nations said on Thursday that Damascus had agreed to allow access to all three areas, but did not say when the delivery would take place. "Both date and time have been set. Aid will go to three towns on Monday morning, all at the same time," said a source familiar with the matter. A second, pro-Syrian government source confirmed the details. (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Gareth Jones and Meredith Mazzilli)
By Tony Munroe and Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States deployed a B-52 bomber on a low-level flight over its ally South Korea on Sunday, a show of force following North Korea's nuclear test last week. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un maintained that Wednesday's test was of a hydrogen bomb and said it was a self-defensive step against a U.S. threat of nuclear war. North Korea's fourth nuclear test angered both China, its main ally, and the United States, although the U.S. government and weapons experts doubt the North's claim that the device was a hydrogen bomb. The massive B-52, based in Guam and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, could be seen in a low flight over Osan Air Base at around noon (0300 GMT). It was flanked by two fighter planes, a U.S. F-16 and a South Korean F-15, before returning to Guam, the U.S. military said in a statement. Osan is south of Seoul and 77 km (48 miles) from the Demilitarised Zone that separates the two Koreas. The flight was "in response to recent provocative action by North Korea", the U.S. military said. In Washington, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonald said on Sunday the flight underscored to South Korea "the deep and enduring alliance that we have with them." "Last night was a step toward reassurance in that regard and that was important," McDonough said on CNN's "State of the Union." He said the United States would continue to work with China and Russia, as well as allies Japan and South Korea, to isolate the North until it lives up to its commitments to get rid of its nuclear weapons. "Until they do it they'll remain where they are, which is an outcast unable to provide for their own people," he said. After the North's last test, in 2013, the United States sent a pair of nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers over South Korea. At the time, the North responded by threatening a nuclear attack on the United States. The United States is also considering sending a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to waters off the Korean peninsula next month to join a naval exercise with Seoul, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported without identifying a source. However, U.S. Forces Korea officials said they had no knowledge of the plan. The two Koreas remain in a technical state of war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, and the United States has about 28,500 troops based in South Korea. An editorial in the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper on Sunday called for a peace treaty with the United States, which is the North's long-standing position. "Only when a peace treaty is concluded between the DPRK (North Korea) and the U.S. can genuine peace settle in the Korean Peninsula," state news agency KCNA quoted it as saying. The United States and China have both dangled the prospect of better relations, including the lifting of sanctions, if North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons. Earlier on Sunday, KCNA quoted Kim as saying no one had the right to criticise the North's nuclear tests. "The DPRK's H-bomb test ... is a self-defensive step for reliably defending the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the regional security from the danger of nuclear war caused by the U.S.-led imperialists," it quoted Kim as saying. The North's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "It is the legitimate right of a sovereign state and a fair action that nobody can criticise," he said. TIMING OF TEST Kim's comments were in line with the North's official rhetoric blaming the United States for deploying nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula to justify its nuclear programme but were the first by its leader since Wednesday's blast. The United States has said it has no nuclear weapons stationed in South Korea. Kim noted the test was being held ahead of a rare congress of its ruling Workers' Party later this year, "which will be a historic turning point in accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche," according to KCNA. Juche is the North's home-grown state ideology that combines Marxism and extreme nationalism established by the state founder and the current leader's grandfather, Kim Il Sung. KCNA said Kim made the comments on a visit to the country's Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. South Korea continued to conduct high-decibel propaganda broadcasts across the border into the North on Sunday. The broadcasts, which include "K-pop" music and statements critical of the Kim regime, began on Friday and are considered an insult by Pyongyang. A top North Korean official told a rally on Friday that the broadcasts had pushed the rival Koreas to the "brink of war." Daily life was mostly as normal on the South Korean side of the border on Sunday. A popular ice fishing festival near the border attracted an estimated 121,300 people on Saturday and another 100,000 on Sunday, Yonhap reported. (Additional reporting by James Pearson, Jee Heun Kahng, Ju-min Park and Do-gyun Kim and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Raissa Kasolowsky)
(Recasts with protest) By Donny Kwok and Kalum Chen HONG KONG, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday in a reprise of anti-China protests of over a year ago, demanding to know the whereabouts of five missing people linked to a local publisher of books critical of Beijing's leadership. Other publishers and book vendors are unnerved by the mysterious disappearances, and in some cases they have pulled books critical of Beijing's leaders from their shelves. In three bookstores selling political books visited by Reuters, owners declined to be interviewed, citing the fear of mainland anger. Hong Kong, a former British colony handed back to China in 1997, is constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and autonomy from Beijing for 50 years but the series of disappearances has led to suspicions that mainland law enforcement officers were ignoring the law. Lee Bo, 65, a shareholder of Causeway Bay Books and a British passport holder, went missing from Hong Kong in late December, although his wife has withdrawn a missing persons report saying he travelled to China voluntarily to assist in an unspecified investigation. Four other associates of the publisher have previously been unaccounted for, since late last year. Dressed in yellow and holding up yellow umbrellas, the hallmark of anti-China protests that crippled parts of the city in late 2014, the protesters demanded to know the whereabouts of the missing booksellers. "Today's Lee Bo is you and me tomorrow," the protesters shouted. The demonstrators gathered outside government headquarters - the scene of pro-democracy protests in late 2014 - carrying banners that read: "Release Hong Kong Booksellers Now!" The Hong Kong government said in a statement it was "firmly committed to protecting the freedom of expression and freedom of publication". "The rule of law is the cornerstone of our society," it said, adding that police are investigating the cases and have sought assistance from mainland authorities. Protest organisers said about 6,000 people took part. "Nobody is safe in Hong Kong now," said Bao Pu, who published the secret memoirs of Zhao Ziyang, a former Communist Party general secretary who was purged after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. His father, Bao Tong, was the most senior Chinese official jailed over the protests in Beijing. As of Thursday, over 500 publishers, writers, booksellers and members of the public had signed an online petition pledging to: "Not fear the white terror and uphold the principle of publication freedom". White terror is a term used to describe periods of political persecution by authoritarian regimes. Britain and the United States have expressed concern about the disappearances. "EVIL INFLUENCE" China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi skirted a direct question on whether the men were under Chinese detention at a recent press conference. The Guangdong and Shenzhen Public Security Bureaux, and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing, have not responded to repeated Reuters' requests for comment. China's state-run Global Times tabloid, however, wrote in a recent editorial that the booksellers were exercising an "evil influence" in China through their political books. The newspaper went on to say that it was "reasonable" for law enforcement agencies to "circumvent the law when they seek cooperation from an individual for investigation." Political gossip books and exposes on Chinese leaders have been a lucrative niche market for Hong Kong booksellers catering to Chinese visitors accustomed to pervasive censorship of sensitive literature back home. But now, some stores have distanced themselves from such books. At the PageOne bookshop chain, a young sales assistant told Reuters some of these books had been pulled recently. "This is the company's decision," he said. "I'm not very clear about it. We only have history books now." A spokesperson for PageOne said the firm wouldn't comment. At the People's Book Cafe, posters of Mao Zedong - the late founder of modern China - were hanging above mainland Chinese tourists scouring the aisles to buy banned books on China's leaders, including Mao himself. Paul Tang, the owner, told Reuters, that in the event the industry for banned books collapsed in Hong Kong, he expected it to "migrate to other nearby countries" like Taiwan or Japan given the huge sustained demand from Chinese visitors. At two other small, independent bookshops visited by Reuters; Insiders Books and Best Reading Bookstores, staff refused to comment about the disappearances. The Causeway Bay Books shop, which has been linked to all five missing men, remains locked, while at the firm's warehouse in an industrial building where Lee was last seen in late December, stacks of books wrapped in brown paper were piled up outside the door. One pile of books was on Chinese President "Xi Jinping's ultimate battle with the old Communists" according to an invoice glued to the side. Lee told Reuters in November that "the only possible reason" for the disappearances of his associates was because of a new book they were going to publish, that some local media said was an expose on Xi Jinping's love life. Lee, however, declined to give specifics at the time. (Additional reporting by Rain Liang, Venus Wu and James Pomfret; Writing by Anne-Marie Roantree; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
By Diego Ore and Brian Ellsworth CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition took control of Congress for the first time in 16 years on Tuesday in a rowdy session, setting up a power struggle with President Nicolas Maduro amid a worsening economic crisis. The Democratic Unity coalition won a two-thirds majority in December's legislative election by capitalizing on anger over a shrinking economy, soaring prices and chronic product shortages reminiscent of Soviet-bloc economies. Maduro dismissed the new assembly as "right-wing" and filled with "dinosaurs" and said a cabinet change first announced a month ago would take place on Wednesday to shore up the leftist movement founded by late president Hugo Chavez. Veteran opposition legislator Henry Ramos was elected the new head of Congress in a session in which the two sides chanted slogans at one another and traded charges of corruption and betrayal. "What did we offer in our campaign? To recover the autonomy of the legislative branch," said Ramos in his opening speech to Congress. "This has been the loudspeaker of the presidential palace, the echo chamber of the executive branch." Venezuela's frustrated opposition supporters were glued to television and radio sets, delighted as they watched top Socialist Party leaders being publicly accused of corruption and mismanagement. Ramos flaunted the opposition's newfound control over the legislature by abruptly cutting off one Socialist Party deputy's diatribe against the opposition, saying he had run out of time. When heckled by another socialist deputy over a procedural complaint, Ramos brushed him aside by saying "Take it easy, congressman, things have changed here." Reporters interviewed deputies and walked freely on the floor of Congress for the first time in years, a practice that had been prohibited by the socialist leadership. A portrait of Chavez that hung in the main congressional chamber, a symbol of what critics call illegal politicization of public institutions, was removed. "We have to quickly get used to the country's new political dynamics," Maduro said in a phone call to state television on Tuesday night, urging supporters not to be demoralized. "Tomorrow, after a lot of consulting, I will announce the revolutionary government for this new stage," added Maduro, without providing details. The Dec. 6 election gave the opposition its most decisive victory since Chavez took power in 1999. His generous spending of oil revenue had made him nearly invincible at the polls during his 14-year rule. Maduro, a former bus driver and Chavez's anointed successor, has struggled since his election in 2013 to match the latter's charisma. His government has repeatedly balked at implementing broad economic reforms despite promising them. SOCIALISTS WALK OUT The Socialist Party deputies ultimately walked out of the session en masse following the election of the new assembly leadership, arguing Ramos had violated parliamentary rules by giving a speech during the opening session. "They've barely even opened the first session and they've already violated the debate regulations," said Socialist Party Deputy Diosdado Cabello, previous head of the assembly. The deputies joined a nearby demonstration where hundreds of government supporters clad in red-shirts chanted slogans and played drums. Police and National Guard troops were deployed in the area around the National Assembly to prevent violence between opposition sympathizers and Maduro supporters. No major incidents had been reported as of the early afternoon. The opposition coalition won 112 seats in the Dec. 6, for a commanding two-thirds majority. But the Supreme Court in December granted injunctions that blocked four deputies - three from the opposition and one allied with the government - from taking office after losing Socialist Party candidates filed legal challenges to the results. The opposition dubbed the ruling a "judicial coup" meant to strip it of its supermajority. It has said it will swear in the three barred lawmakers, though government allies say that would defy justice and render the assembly's decisions illegitimate. The court did not describe the underlying arguments against the election of the deputies, all of whom are from the rural and sparsely populated southwestern state of Amazonas. Disputing all the results in that state required the Socialist Party to contest the seat won by its own candidate. Although the opposition's legislative victory was driven by anger over the economy, it has few options to resolve the crisis because Maduro's government controls the most important day-to-day operations of the economy. Opposition lawmakers have instead promised to take up an amnesty law seeking the freedom of opposition activists jailed for protesting against Maduro, and a measure to grant property titles to those who received homes from the government. "We've come because Venezuela is celebrating. Today democracy returns to our country," said Milagros Hernandez, 58, a housewife who joined an opposition rally in downtown Caracas. (Additional reporting by Girish Gupta and Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Girish Gupta, Kieran Murray, Alistair Bell and Bernard Orr)
According to Negreanu, Bank of America (one of the biggest banks in the United States) will be closing all of his accounts, since he has deposited too much poker-related money in them.Well, i believe it has something to do with 'Laundry of funds'!Government believe illegal funds are flowing through sites, to wash from government tracing (following of monetry travel).Thus people can unwittingly help wash terrorist funds with game playing, and then withdrawing funds few days later...I can see both sides of argument.Banks are under strict goverment controls now, especially after they were all bailed out of the S..t, few years ago, and thus have to open 'ALL' accounts to allow goverment scrutiny.
Abolishing the Costa Hawkins Act and the Ellis Act will help to end homelessness, will stabilize our communities, and will help to protect working class families throughout California!

Rent control expansion is a prime option for renters throughout CaliforniaBy Lynda Carson - January 9, 2016Oakland - The renters of California and their supporters are struggling against the Costa Hawkins Act which restricts cities in California from implementing strong rent control measures, as a way to protect renters in housing that was built after 1995.Abolishing the Costa Hawkins Act and the Ellis Act will help to end homelessness, will stabilize our communities, and will help to protect working class families throughout California.Landlord lobbyist Greg McConnell of 696 Blue Spruce Dr., in Danville, claims that he was the diabolical mastermind behind the Costa Hawkins Act, and that he led the attack on renters so landlords would have the option to exploit renters to the maximum. The Costa Hawkins Act needs to be abolished immediately to end homelessness, stabilize communities, and stop the maximum exploitation of renters throughout California.Click on link below for more about landlord lobbyist Gregg McConnell, to see why he was disbarred for sometime in the District of Columbia, as a result of his past unlawful activitiesAs recent as January 5, Gregg McConnell was one of the leading landlord lobbyists at an Alameda City Council meeting to speak out in opposition to much needed renter protections for the renters of Alameda, being promoted by the Alameda Renters Coalition. McConnell spoke out against rent control, and just cause eviction protections that are needed to end homelessness, stabilize families, and stop no-cause evictions in Alameda.That evening on January 5, the Alameda City Council took their working orders from Gregg McConnell, landlord Donald W. Lindsey, and Joshua Howard of the California Apartment Association (CAA), and ignored the proposals of the renters, and the Alameda Renters Coalition, needed to support an ordinance that will protect the renters with rent control, and just cause eviction protections.The Alameda City Council sold out the renters after Gregg McConnell, Alameda landlord Donald W. Lindsey, and Joshua Howard of the California Apartment Association (CAA), denounced renter protections for the tenants of Alameda, including rent control and just cause eviction protections. The council is presently focused on passing weak tenant protections that are inadequate, and do not include rent control, or just cause eviction protections.Click on the link below for more about Alameda landlord Donald W. Lindsey, who opposes rent control, and just cause eviction protectionsRenters and tenant advocates throughout California have the Costa Hawkins Act and the Ellis Act on their list of some of the major unfair laws that need to be abolished during the 2016 legislative session.With the support of San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin of San Francisco, Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, Tenants Together, Causa Justa/Just Cause, the Alameda Renters Coalition and other tenant activists throughout California, the struggle to end the Costa Hawkins Act and the Ellis Act needs to continue as a way to expand renter protections against greedy landlords.Dismantling the Costa Hawkins Act and the Ellis Act, will help to end homelessness, will stabilize our communities, and will help to protect working class families during 2016, and beyond.The corrupting influence of the California Apartment Association (CAA) http://tinyurl.com/j42pqqv , and the California Association of Realtors (CAR) http://tinyurl.com/zb3pslr , are just a few of the nonprofit organizations that exist to corrupt the state legislature and city councils across the state, in the effort to protect greedy landlords throughout California, and their efforts to exploit renters to the maximum.As a direct result of the merciless greed of the landlords in California, including the corrupting influence of the CAA and CAR, a new survey of rents all across the nation reveals that California totally outpaced the nation when it comes to rent hikes during 2015, and that a housing crisis exists throughout much of California.Rent Hikes In California Have Outpaced The National AverageRent hikes in California have outpaced the national average during every month of 2015, according to AppartmentList.com - https://www.apartmentlist.com/rentonomics/california-rent-data/ Of the ten most expensive cities in California, San Francisco is at the top of the list followed by Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Palo Alto, West Hollywood, Berkeley, Pacifica, San Mateo, San Rafael, and Foster City.Rents In Oakland Have Almost Doubled Since 2011Another recent survey also reveals that the fair market rents in Oakland have almost doubled since 2011. Additionally, in the top ten cities throughout the nation with the greatest rent increases during recent years, Oakland tops the list according to Smartasset.com, surpassing San Francisco, New York City, San Jose, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Chicago.Click below for moreWithout any real rent control in town, renters are faced with a landlord friendly rent stabilization program to take their chances with. This is because the politicians in Oakland have sold them out years ago, and it is not too likely that the landlord friendly politicians are going to push for a real rent control program, any time soon.Renters and tenant activists are being urged to contact Senator Mark Leno at; http://sd11.senate.ca.gov/contact , to urge him to promote legislation to bring an end to the Costa Hawkins Act and the Ellis Act, as a way to end homelessness, stabilize our communities, and to help protect the working class families of California during 2016, and beyond, from greedy landlords.The expansion of rent control and just cause eviction protections are the only way to protect the renters of California from greedy landlords, and the corrupting influence of the California Apartment Association, and the California Realtors Association.Lynda Carson may be reached at tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com
The war of words between Saudi Arabia and Iran heats up and Muslim countries and Muslim public have started aligning themselves with one or the other side exactly along their sectarian Shia-Sunni lines. These undeniable historical fissures among Muslims are continually enlarged by those who are neither Shia nor Sunni, for their own agendas. Let's not fall for the fabricated narratives and terror of Machiavelli again and again. Inform our leaders, our generals, our rulers, our scholars, our opinion-makers, that we do not wish to be participant in their geopolitical games. That we are not sheep and that we refuse to service the mutton eaters. That we have no quarrel among Shia and Sunni.

Averting Shia-Sunni World War

Zahir Ebrahim | Project Humanbeingsfirst.org

Friday, January 08, 2016

AsSalaam-O-Alekum, to Muslims and Non-Muslims alike --- all that word means in English vernacular is Peace be with you. I like that greeting. Peace be with you. Why can't I greet all my fellow man with that greeting? I find no such restriction in the Holy Qur'an which enjoins peace as well as justice to be established among all mankind. So I like that greeting. Perhaps a more pertinent greeting might have been Justice and Peace be with you. But that is not the traditional greeting of Islam which calls itself the religion of justice and peace. The Islamic greeting is only peace be with you. I wonder why?

And I wonder why Muslim historiography suggests that AsSalaam-O-Alekum is to only be used for greeting among the Muslims themselves, not for greeting non-Muslims, despite the categorical universal teaching of the Holy Qur'an being in direct contradiction to that Jewish-like feeling of exceptionalism. And most Muslims buy it. The more religious ones actually frown when non-Muslims are greeted with AsSalaam-O-Alekum. I say frown on  for the sands of time shall soon leave you on the antediluvian shores of history you source your religion from.

Even more bizarre, what does this greeting mean when Muslims are seen to be killing each other across the planet, and the non-Muslims stare at us in befuddlement? What peace? Muslims are killers and should even be kept away from the United States of America --- that is even the charged political slogan of the newest presidential campaign for the 2016 presidential elections.

The manufactured reality that has been accorded to Islamic terror and its soldiers of heaven, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, ISIS, Daesh, good terrorists vs. bad terrorists, good rebels vs. bad rebels, the new Saudi-Iran confrontation on the brew, holy Muslim nations flying the flag of Islam seen to be vying with each other for seeking heaven with Western weapons while the Western alliance keeps bombing and/or sanctioning them to smithereens  only to record the few immediate headlines that greet the general public on a daily basis  what is this fiction of peace that Muslims imagine themselves to be the sponsors of, must surely occur to every non-Muslim spectator on planet earth.

Non-Muslims must surely wonder how civilizationally primitive we bunch of Muslims are, 1.6 billion to 2 billion in number, and none the wiser on how to live in amity in our own modernity with any degree of sophistication and wherewithal. They see us continuing to live in antiquity --- divided as we are along ancient historical lines of Shia and Sunni. What is that all about --- non-Muslims can never quite get their heads wrapped around that display of peace and harmony among Muslims themselves for their fourteen century long history of antagonism towards each other despite their common Good Book and common beloved Prophet. Just like the Muslims cannot get their heads wrapped around Catholics vs. Protestants, both sharing the same Good Book and common sweet Jesus, and still fighting each other to death through the ages in the name of the same peace-loving Jesus Christ. The last ferocious battle witnessed in my own times, in Ireland. The Catholics and Protestants seem to have as much in common with each other beyond their Good Book and their beloved Savior as the Shias and Sunnis.

I can't and don't wish to speak to the Christian diversity, let Christians solve their own problems if they deem it to be a problem without Muslims pretending to be holier than thou, but I can sure speak, and must speak, to the problem of my own heritage, for it is indeed a problem. Muslims have a common Good Book --- yet virtually all sects among Muslims understand its meaning differently. Why? Because each and every sect among Muslims lives in history. We let historical narratives penned by the hand of man inform us of our religion Islam instead of the singular common scripture of Islam, the Holy Qur'an, inform us of our understanding of Islam. This fact has been true in every single generation after the Prophet of Islam. The previous generations defined what Islam was for the succeeding generations in virtually a geometric progression instead of the Holy Qur'an determining it exclusively. Today what Islam is among Muslims and what Islam is in the Holy Qur'an can appear to someone like Mr. Spock of the Star Trek fable, to even be separate religions. For what else can explain Saudi Arabia vs. Iran today --- the custodian of the two most sacred pilgrimage sites of Islam pitted against the self-proclaimed valih-e-faqih-e-muslimeen?

War among Muslims today may be made imminent no differently than how it was made imminent between Iran and Iraq for eight long years just three decades ago. I hope I am wrong but these clouds of war have been most Machiavellianly setup to quickly mutate into an all out war between Sunnidom vs. Shiadom --- that's bringing into its blood-fold the sympathies and loyalties for one side or other all 1.6 to 2 billion Muslim peoples. Peace? What peace? And Justice, never mind that platitude --- for it hasn't been practiced among any people from time immemorial.

The real source of all these wars and fratricidal killings among Muslims is the historical bifurcation between Shia and Sunni. The Western hegemons harvest these cracks and lacunas today with as much cunning as the Muslim kingdoms did in antiquity. We can't blame the West altogether for their greedy opportunism to conquer lesser civilizations if we insist on behaving like one. And we surely can't blame them for their exercise of cunning because they learnt the fine art of fratricide and hegemony from Muslim caliphs themselves over the past fourteen centuries.

There is a profligate king in Saudi Arabia holding the Islam flag. There is a holy jurist in Iran holding the Islam flag. The king upholds some variant of Sunni Islam. The jurist upholds some variant of Shia Islam. The West supports the king. The West sanctions the jurist. And now they are about to be pitted against each other to become the cause of millions of new entrants to heaven. While neither the king of Saudis nor valih-e-faqih of Iran will die in battle, you and me will be called upon to seek heaven by taking sides. And most of us will do so along the Shia-Sunni divide. How predictable is that? It is no prediction. It is not even stochastic. It is exactly deterministic. Those Sunnis who do not like the Saudis will either still support them or stay neutral  for heaven forbid they support the Shia Iran. That is the reality of antagonism between these two macro sects of Muslims today.

See this excerpt from an ancient political treatise (presented as historical fiction) if you think the cracks and lacunas among Shia and Sunni don't exist, or are not known to the arsonists who will come galloping as the fire brigade next, just as they are today the 'harawal dasta', the Marines if you will, fueling and then prognosticating the fire in preparation for the main Army's arrival.

It was the same calculus during the eight year Iran-Iraq war in 1980s. Almost the entire Sunnidom supported Iraq even though some of the Sunni nations did not particularly like Saddaam Hussein. Even when Saddaam was the prima facie aggressor. The history is about to repeat itself, at multiple levels. And as before, the narrative in the Western world will remain under the full control of the sponsors of this war. The same narrative is simply re-echoed in the East.

You can imagine the killing of the Saudi Shia dissent scholar Sheikh Nimr by the Saudi kingdom to be virtually equivalent to the killing of Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria-Este, whose calculated assassination in Sarajevo on on 28 June 1914 precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia leading to World War I. That world war led to 50 million dead and all existent empires replaced by the rising Pax Americana. That Pax Americana is to be replaced by World Government through these upcoming manufactured world wars. That's the general blueprint. 9/11 was its first provocation for the final push to global transformation. Shia-Sunni conflagration is to be the next in the long series of creating world order out of chaos. All kinds of sophisticated propaganda craft is already being brought to bear to add fuel to the making of these new killing fields just as it was during Iran-Iraq war where brother killed brother, 8 million, an order of magnitude more than the fratricide in the American Civil War.

Can we do something about this age old antagonism which is perennially ripe for harvest? These undeniable historical fissures among Muslims are continually enlarged by those who are neither Shia nor Sunni, for their own agendas. While we can Band-Aid them or pretend we have no fundamental problems and all problems are with the West, the reality stares us in the face. As the war of words between Saudi Arabia and Iran heats up, and as Muslim countries and Muslim public start aligning with one or the other side along their sectarian lines (witness here1 , here2 , here3 , here4 , here5 , here6 ), what can ordinary peoples, you and me, often the spectators of history, and also its canon fodder, do?

I see only one rational and practical solution. Transcend the Shia-Sunni divide by approaching what is common and sacred between them both. The Holy Qur'an! It exists among us in the same pristine form that it did at the time of the Prophet of Islam --- or at least, that is the common belief among all the 1.6 to 2 billion Muslims on earth today.

Let's not fall for the fabricated narratives of Machiavelli again and again. Inform our leaders, our generals, our rulers, our scholars, our opinion-makers, that we do not wish to be participant in their geopolitical games. That we are not sheep and that we refuse to service the mutton eaters. That we have no quarrel among Shia and Sunni and that we choose to proactively gather on the Holy Qur'an to bridge our reactionary chasms of history instead of on their narratives.

But that model hasn't really worked in history --- why would it work now? You ask...

I would like to submit for your reading pleasure the following series of articles that I composed as a most ordinary student of reality (haqeeqat), on the topics that most divide Muslims along the Shia-Sunni bifurcation. Most of us fall into one of those two macro sectarian categories by virtue of birth and socialization. Whatever subsequent studies some might undertake to understand their respective inheritance, either on their own, or as seminary students en route to scholarship and ullema status, is often froth with the trappings of both data availability bias and confirmation bias. Meaning, incestuous self-reinforcement of the theology, beliefs as well as practices, we each grow up under, while remaining unconscious or at least oblivious of that fact. The self-evident fact is that religion is our inheritance, like the DNA.

But the question that often arises in the mind of the young intelligent Muslim and the young intellectual Muslim, and which he and she is not able to ask openly while living among the patriarchy and their orthodoxy, is should religion be an inheritance? The fact that one is born in a Muslim home already inclines one towards it and decides the fate outright. Whether one is born in a Shia home or Sunni home and any of its sub-sects is only a secondary issue. The question the intelligent Muslim asks, given that one is born in a Muslim civilization, and given that Muslims are so easily pit against one another, does the sectarian divide also have to be an inheritance, or can one just be a Muslim? The inquisitive mind not satisfied by status quo ventures further afield and asks, what does the Holy Qur'an itself say about matters that both the Shia and the Sunni scholars merely presuppose in their theology and which they each argue with such self-righteousness and convictions?

For such youngsters, and I mean by that term those young at heart as well as mind who are unafraid to challenge the idiocy of orthodoxy and want no part of it, here are links to six essays composed thus far based on whatever humble and limited study that this scribe has been able to undertake and deconstruct away from their respective orthodox versions. I offer these humble writings to the laity and their scholars alike, for two reasons: 1) as a means of demonstrating and understanding how we believe what we believe regarding Islamic topics, and what great distance it might sometimes be from what its singular scripture the Holy Qur'an itself conveys on the topic by both its omissions and commissions; and 2) as a means of introducing the lamentably long-dead idea of using the intellect to parse and comprehend the teaching and guidance in the Holy Qur'an directly from the Holy Qur'an itself, using its own verses as the primary source of its own 'tawil' and interpretation. This automatically leads to an informed mind that is sensibly able to compare what socialization/culture/history/home and our overemphasis on "experts" have bequeathed to us as religion, vs. what the actual unadulterated teaching is that is still easy to be found in the Holy Qur'an by anyone with an iota of intelligence and seriousness in disposition to perform their own due diligence.

The results are rather surprising, even shocking, and I share that surprise here both as a learning and teaching tool, as well as in furtherance of the pursuit of the unasked question: what the religion of Islam is for each new generation if its understanding is not to remain ossified in the narratives of antiquity. That unasked question does not imply changing the meaning of Islam or altering the Divine Guidance contained in its singular scripture the Holy Qur'an, as is the primary misdirection in the West today to suit its Western interpretation and Western narrative, but to understand Islam directly from its own unadulterated singular source using our own time and space as the reference point. Just as the people of the past had the opportunity to do the same thing in their own epoch. Why are we taking their understanding of Islam circumscribed by their own time and space, as our own?

This, even on the face of it, appears absurd. To be shackled to their understanding of Islam through our own socialization and confirmation biases, and our paying homage to our elders and deference to our scholars by using their brains in lieu of our own, is an insult to the religion of Islam which has proclaimed itself for all time and all space. The religion of Islam has proclaimed itself in the Holy Qur'an as the Divine Guidance from the Lord of the Worlds, to each and every man and each and every woman in all times with no more Prophets or Messengers to be sent. If that assertion is believed to be true, and no Muslim doubts that it is in fact not just true, but The Truth, then each generation and every people in every civilization must try to understand Islam by decoding its message contained in its own singular scripture, the Holy Qur'an, afresh for their own time and space.

That is so darn obvious that it even surprises me, one not too bright, how easily Islam has thus far been ossified and shackled in the narratives of history not just by the pulpits, but by ordinary peoples themselves. What I offer below is one tiny drop in that new ocean of revisiting the religion of Islam directly from the Holy Qur'an using our own frame of reference to decipher and understand its message. What shall we find in it?

In the interest of forging Muslim unity (what with all the emphasis worldwide to divide Muslims along sectarian lines and have them kill each other), I have taken up the topics that divide us fundamentally, often on idiotic grounds due to want of knowledge of the Holy Qur'an itself. More to come, if life and opportunity permit, and if motivation persists. Discussion is encouraged. Corrections are welcome; it will surely help cogency if corrections are offered not as expert opinions of this and that scholar, but from the same source as these analyses are themselves based upon, the Holy Qur'an.

All Articles in the series What does the Holy Qur'an Say

website: http://islam-humanbeingsfirst.blogspot.com

[1] What does the Holy Qur'an say about the Ahlul Bayt?

[2] What does the Holy Qur'an say about Inerrancy of Prophet Muhammad?

[3] What does the Holy Qur'an say about Taqlid - Blind Following the Non-Infallible?

[4] What does the Holy Qur'an say about Haq - Truth and Justice?

[5] What does the Holy Qur'an say about Vilayat-i Faqih?

[6] What does the Holy Qur'an say about Rulership?

In addition, I have been studying the subject of Imam Mahdi like many Muslims who are interested in this topic, and have realized that what the vast majority of Muslims, both Shia and Sunni, have been led to believe about eschatology appears to be entirely Indeterminate in the Holy Qur'an! Most of what we are taught is actually from books and pages outside of the Holy Qur'an. What does the Holy Qur'an itself have to say about Imam Mahdi  the Awaited Savior of humanity  if anything at all? The exploration of this question (in item [6] above) led to writing the following letter which I hope may inspire many more Muslims to dare to use their own intellect to try to decipher the message of the Holy Qur'an and to base their faith upon that decipherment in their own time and space.

[7] Letter to a fantastic young Muslim scholar in the United States: Imam Mahdi The Awaited Savior of mankind - Is it in the Holy Qur'an?

Such individual endeavors automatically plant the fundamental seeds of amity among Muslims: to gather around the Holy Qur'an for comprehending any and all issues which divide us as the primary source of seeking understanding. To understand what the Holy Qur'an itself teaches on its own topics instead of what the pen of holy man says it teaches. The endeavor dissuades from the idiotic sectarian disunity that is evidently natural to us and preventing us from becoming one people, an ummah, because of the artifacts of historiography, hagiography, and the unfortunate socialization into that orthodoxy. We are all beholden to this orthodoxy by birth such that despite our best intentions, we in fact end up following the religion of our forefathers like in the age of Jahiliya. Is our age fundamentally all that different? Without hesitation I advance the argument that our attitudes are really not all that much different despite traveling in modern airliners instead of on camels. Our civilization may have marched on outwardly, but inwardly, we are still living in the past. We still continue to draw on our past to inform us on how to interpret our present. The end result --- fratricide, Muslims killing Muslims.

Charles Taliaferro, a professor of philosophy at St. Olaf College, says in his interview to Tehran Times (January 7, 2016): [T]here is not an intensive quest in European and American university and college courses to reconstruct the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Perhaps this is partly a reflection of what many historians in the West believe about Jesus: they think it very difficult to get behind the primary sources to Jesus himself and so they focus more on the emergence and history of Christianity rather than highlight the historical Jesus. As a philosopher I believe that such skepticism about the historical Jesus and Muhammad is based on philosophical assumptions of secular naturalism which presupposes by definition that prophecy and revelation is impossible, an assumption that, in my view, is unjustified. Historically, there are Western sources that depict Islam as a dangerous threat to Western civilization. ...

Well, not just historically, but it is very much the present narrative in the West. And our own new Muslim and non-Muslim generations in both hemispheres are growing up under that universal cultural rubric. Whatever we know or believe or understand of Islam is a reaction to the mantras and presuppositions of our own time, just as it was in the past for the mantras and presuppositions of their own time. That fundamental presupposition today, as the quoted philosopher says, is secular naturalism which presupposes by definition that prophecy and revelation is impossible,. Evidently, a lot more Muslims also believe that to be true despite all our pious proclamations if one were to judge from our lack of study of the scripture itself. While it is understandable that non Muslims may have little interest in studying the Holy Qur'an, strangely, few Muslims dare to apply their own intellect to study a scripture which so boldly presupposes and continually affirms that the Holy Qur'an is indeed a revealed book. We instead go to our own elders for the source of our religious beliefs.

Well, that is precisely what the Arabs in their age of Jahiliya did too. They did not believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a Prophet of God bringing them Divine revelations as Guidance from Beyond. They instead relied on their own elders for their beliefs. It is irrelevant what their beliefs were. The source of their belief was their own socialization, their own elders, their own heritage. Shocking? What do you do when you open up your favorite hadith and history books? Or your favorite exegeses? You are using your elders, long dead, to tell you what your socialized religion is. That fact has divided us into Shia and Sunni. Not the Holy Qur'an, but the pious works of our elders. That observation is beyond doubt. It is self-evident.

The revealing term used by professor Charles Taliaferro, secular naturalism, begs a few sentences of explanation for those who may be unfamiliar with its scope and how we are all affected by it without often realizing it. It fundamentally means that the laws of nature are general, universal, and a-religious. These natural laws determine the how of nature and apply in all frames of reference to everything in existence, including to man. The rational and objectifying processes of science applied by man to understand these natural laws are the best method to discover and harness this how of nature. In the laws of nature there is no such construct as moral law. Morality is but a subjective value system, and all spiritual questions of the why of existence are immanent, i.e., philosophical, in the mind of man, entirely abstract, and not part of the laws of nature. Naturalists separate the two quests between objective and subjective: science deals with how, religion deals with why. That core presupposition of modern Jahiliya, that there is nothing beyond the laws of nature, automatically precludes all notions of divinity, and consequently, also divine revelation, prophethood, etc., thus making morality and world religions a mere utilitarian convention among their respective philosophers for inducing social harmony, or social control, among the sheep.

This materialist conception of nature stemming from the core philosophy of secular naturalism, taken to its natural conclusion leads society and civilization to the path of social Darwinianism and Nietzschean Nihilism when led by his ablest Superman. Whence, all things concerning the affairs of man become relative and arbitrary, where ends justify means, wolves appear in sheep clothing, and where might and intelligence, abilities and skills, cunning and sophistication determine the survival of the species under the natural law of the Jungle, survival of the fittest. In that existential reality of rule by force, or might disguised as moral law, the ones with more narrative power win in controlling their flock --- and this is how divide and conquer has always succeeded in the service of the most cunning power.

The narrative today emanating from all pulpits, including the geopolitical pulpits, after the militant Islam mantras and after getting Muslims to kill each other in many different guises, is eschatology, the Last Days, the arrival of Imam Mahdi, the Awaited Savior of mankind.

Is that concept of divine interventionism and eschatology which is common to both Shia and Sunni theology with minor variations, in the Holy Qur'an itself? It is important to learn this fact because as those given to the study of geopolitics can easily fear, the narrative of eschatology may well become a key source of doctrinal motivation, intellectual commitment, and patriotic gratification, for both camps in the long war being engineered between the 1.6 to 2 billion Shiadom vs. Sunnidom by those obeying the secular natural laws and its corollaries.







Thank you.







Source URL: http://islam-humanbeingsfirst.blogspot.com/2016/01/averting-shia-sunni-world-war-by-zahir.html

Print URL: http://print-humanbeingsfirst.blogspot.com/2016/01/averting-shia-sunni-world-war-by-zahir.html

Faith URL: http://faith-humanbeingsfirst.blogspot.com/2016/01/averting-shia-sunni-world-war-by-zahir.html

PDF: https://sites.google.com/site/humanbeingsfirst/download-pdf/averting-shia-sunni-world-war-by-zahir-ebrahim.pdf

First Published Friday, January 8, 2016 05:56 am | Last Updated Sunday, January 10, 201611:00 am4265






Porter Ranch, CA California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency after visiting California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency after visiting Porter Ranch , the site of an uncontrolled and ongoing methane gas leak, and has ordered increased inspections at similar facilities in the state.

I think there are going to be a number of parties that are going to be in the dock so to speak, says Giannotti.

The gas is leaking from the Aliso Canyon storage facility near Porter Ranch. A broken pipe that connects to an underground abandoned oil field that has been used to store up to 86 billion cubic feet of natural gas since the 1970s is the cause of the eruption. It began leaking on October 23, 2015.The owners of the storage facility, Southern California Gas (SoCal) has been unsuccessful at attempts to contain the situation.Concerned about potential health effects, some 2,200 people packed up and left the area in mid-December, although some people still remain in their homes there. Many of the residents have reported headaches, nosebleeds and nausea, which they believe are related to the excessive release of gas.There may be other consequences for members of the community. Veteran environmental lawyer David Giannotti, from David Giannotti, A Professional Corporation, says without a doubt that people in the community will be looking at compensation and likely a complex and long litigation against the owners of the methane gas storage facility, SoCal, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy.I would imagine in addition to SoCal, they may be looking at whoever made the equipment. There are many issues for the people in the neighborhood. What are the health effects, effects on property values? This is going to be a difficult situation.It is estimated that the Aliso Canyon storage facilitys broken pipe is allowing some 1,200 tons of methane to leak into the air every day. The gas contains a number of chemicals including mercaptan, methyl mercaptan (the rotten-egg smell) and chemical compounds such as benzene.SoCal estimates that it could take until the end of March to contain the gas. In the meantime the company is offering home air purifiers and home air-cleaning equipment free of charge for people in the area.Attorney Matthew Preusch, from the Los Angeles law firm of Keller Rohrback, is currently looking into the situation on behalf of clients, but says he cannot make further comment at this time.Meanwhile, the Environmental Defense Fund is also closely following the troubles at Porter Ranch.This leak has been a state of emergency for the Porter Ranch community and the climate since day one. Governor Brown is right to call it such and to shut down the facility until it is made safe, says Mark Brownstein, Vice President, Climate & Energy from the Environmental Defense Fund.Eyes are now open to the worlds methane problem. Leaks from the oil and gas industry occur every day, and Aliso Canyon is an extreme example of what can happen when companies dont properly monitor and maintain aging oil and gas infrastructure, he said in a press release.
The fiery preacher and general overseer of The Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has released his state of the nation address tagged ''Roadmap to successful change''.

Pastor Tunde Bakare is known for consistently contributing his opinion to topical issues

Bakare, 61, who was the running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential elections under the banner of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), called for the prosecution of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emiefiele, because of the role of the apex bank in the widely publicised ongoing arms probe deal.

Pastor Bakare is a known ally of President Muhammadu Buhari

[article_adwert]

According to The Cable, Bakare accused the CBN of contributing negatively to the Nigerian economy, adding that Emefiele should be booted out of office and prosecuted.

Is Godwin Emiefiele's job on the line?

He said: The government must examine carefully, the argument of economists, that sound monetary policy including proper management of the exchange rate regime by the CBN would eliminate the need for subsidies.

The intricate connection between monetary policy on the one hand and the fuel subsidy debate on the other, makes the management of the CBN a major concern.

To the discerning, the CBN currently contributes negatively to the Nigerian state in more ways than one. Firstly, the CBN has become a conduit for politicians to drain the nation.

Otherwise, how can a letter of barely two paragraphs addressed to the current CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, by the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), become the Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) leading to cash flow of $47 million (US dollars) and several millions of euros? In decent climes, the CBN Governor cannot continue in office while the NSA is accounting for his alleged misdeeds.

Bakare also spoke on other sundry issues like the National Assembly crisis, the minimum wage and the removal of subsidy.

Read the full statement here.

Source: Legit.ng
Thousands of lives still hang in the balance after the Ocean Outback, a ship carrying 13,000 animals to be slaughtered in distant countries, was stranded with engine troubles. Thirty sheep and three cows have already perished on the Ocean Outback while stranded.

Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Rescued Animals Melt Into This Woman's Arms When She Sings To Them

Originally destined for Israel, the ship encountered technical difficulties and sat just off the coast of Australia, in sweltering summer temperatures, since December 29 - with 13,000 live sheep and cows on board.

Once news broke, their plight sparked controversy about what to do with the weakened animals still struggling to survive.

While 7,400 sheep were allowed to disembark to a nearby feedlot, Otway Livestock Exports decided to go through with a contingency plan to ship some of the remaining animals to South Asia to be killed. It is not yet clear whether the sheep will be bound yet again for another perilous voyage, or whether they will be slaughtered in their home country. "The cattle will have been onboard the Ocean Outback for two weeks by the time they finally depart for South East Asia," the RSPCA said in a statement. "Under the power of a single engine, this is likely to be a long journey. This is a wholly unacceptable situation and again demonstrates the inherent and unavoidable risks of the live animal trade."

The Ocean Outback's massive failure brings to light the dangers of shipping live animals to their deaths, a common practice in Australia. The animals who are products of a live export business have been shown to meet especially cruel ends when they're slaughtered. Investigations conducted by Animals Australia have shown animals being bludgeoned to death and having their throats slit while fully conscious. Local animal advocates gathered by the port to speak for the animals on board. Animal advocates gather to protest the live export business in Fremantle harbor.Sheldon B. Ang

Animal advocates gather to protest the live export business in Fremantle harbor. | Sheldon B. Ang
New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg issued a press release on Thursday calling for background checks of purchasers of explosive powder (bold in original):

Current law allows an individual to purchase as much as 50 pounds of explosive black powder without a background check, and also permits an individual to purchase unlimited amounts of dangerous smokeless powder and black powder substitute without a background check. Sen. Lautenbergs proposal would change that and require a background check for any purchase of these explosive powders. These powders can be used as the explosive material in assembling pipe bombs, used in the Columbine school shooting, and pressure cooker bombs, which may have been used in the recent Boston attack.

It is outrageous that anyone, even a known terrorist, can walk into a store in America and buy explosives without any questions asked, said Senator Lautenberg. If we are serious about public safety, we must put these common-sense safeguards in place. While the police have not revealed what specific explosive materials were used in Boston, what we do know is that explosive powder is too easy to anonymously purchase across the country.

I also await the federal legislation relating to pressure cookers, ball bearings, nails and, while were at it, backpacks.

[Continue reading Norman Leahys post at Bearing Drift.]

Norman Leahy blogs at Bearing Drift. The Local Blog Network is a group of bloggers from around the D.C. region who have agreed to make regular contributions to All Opinions Are Local.
Tim Kaine took to The Posts op-ed page last week to tell us that, while he is a pro-pipeline kind of guy, hes against the Keystone XL pipeline. Why? Because it would encourage the production of Canadian tar sands, which Kaine believes will contribute little to energy security, but a great deal to global warming. He wants the president to oppose Keystone. For the children, of course:

Someday when I am long retired from the Senate and kids ask me what I did for energy and the environment, I want to tell them a story about how the United States led the way with innovative solutions that created jobs, reduced pollution and tackled our energy challenges head-on.

I hope the president gets to tell that same story long after hes out of office.

Im sure he will get quite a fee for telling such stories....

One could also look at this as Kaines way of covering his political bases. Along with Mark Warner, Kaine is backing legislation to open Virginias continental shelf to oil and gas exploration.

[Continue reading Norman Leahys Bearing Drift.]

Norman Leahy blogs at Bearing Drift. The Local Blog Network is a group of bloggers from around the D.C. region who have agreed to make regular contributions to All Opinions Are Local.
Helene Gremillon is French and lives in Paris, but she has set her new novel in Buenos Aires in the aftermath of one of the darkest periods in recent Latin American history. In 1976, a military junta seized control in Argentina. For seven years, this dictatorship tortured and killed an estimated 30,000 people. Its victims often were never seen again and became known as the desaparecidos  the disappeared. For years their mothers demonstrated in the Plaza de Mayo in front of the presidential palace, demanding justice that never came, in part because the government that followed the junta granted amnesty to the killers.

Gremillons novel, which she says is based on a true story, unfolds in 1987, after the juntas departure, but her characters remain scarred by its crimes. A beautiful young woman named Lisandra Puig plunges to her death from the sixth-floor window of her apartment. Her husband, Vittorio, a psychiatrist, is charged with murdering her and is jailed. A middle-aged neighbor, Eva Maria, offers to seek proof of his innocence. Thinking that one of his patients might have killed his wife, Vittorio gives Eva Maria access to cassette tapes of his recent sessions with them, to listen for clues. Eva Maria helps him in part to take her mind off her own all-consuming grief for her teenage daughter, who disappeared five years earlier.

[The best mysteries and thrillers of 2015]

The tapes reveal Vittorios patients to be deeply disturbed by a variety of ills. The middle-aged Alacia is embittered by her fading beauty and resents Vittorio for having a younger wife  and the wife for her beauty. Could her anger have driven her to murder?

Felipe worked for the junta. Its victims, he insists, were communists and he was defending national security. But Felipe had confessed to Vittorio that he illegally claimed a child orphaned by the junta. Could he, to protect his secret, have resolved to murder the psychiatrist and his wife?

Another of Vittorios patients, Miguel, is a talented pianist. When he was a prisoner, his captors took pleasure in abusing his hands, saying that he would never make music again. Miguel would not seem to be a murder suspect, except for rumors that he might have had an affair with Lisandra. The psychiatrist and his wife are suspected of having had affairs that might have led to her death.

For Gremillon, sexual passion, psychiatry, murder and political horror are pathways into her characters. Eva Maria endlessly agonizes about her missing daughter; she drinks excessively and denounces Vittorio for accepting Felipe, the junta functionary, as a patient, because he might have killed her daughter: By helping that butcher, you were part of their murderous system! Could she have punished Vittorio by killing his wife? There are many suspects.

The Case of Lisandra P. is fascinating but not always an easy read. Gremillon moves back and forth in time, changes perspectives and keeps secrets from us. But she is always serious, always digging deeper into the pain, anger and confusion of her characters. This is particularly true of monologues that take us into the troubled mind of Lisandra after she has become convinced that Vittorio has been unfaithful:

I took him from another woman; theres no reason why another woman shouldnt take him from me. . . . Jealousy is a mental illness, the mother of all human failings, cruelty, hatred, misanthropy, the closing of your soul, selfishness, stinginess. And the worst of it is the horrible feeling that you are going mad. Her agonized outpouring continues for many pages and anticipates the storys shattering  and entirely unexpected  ending.

Gremillons novel is one of many works inspired by the tragedy in Argentina and by the U.S.-backed Pinochet dictatorship that once ruled Chile. Perhaps the best known is Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfmans Death and the Maiden, in which a former prisoner confronts her rapist. The Case of Lisandra P. is another moving look at how evil, having seized political power, can cripple nations and crush souls.

Patrick Anderson regularly reviews mysteries and thrillers for Book World.
More new opera commissions should be for hour-long pieces.

Opera is seen as such a big art form that artists faced with creating one can stumble on their own visions of grandeur. A shorter format helps keep expectations in check. It certainly helped Better Gods, the opera by Luna Pearl Woolf and Caitlin Vincent that had its world premiere as part of the Washington National Operas American Opera Initiative on Friday night.

Better Gods has a ways to go to succeed as an opera. But it has big aims, and the shorter format helped mitigate, to some degree, what appeared to be the creators inclinations to make big, sweeping statements that can grow dramatically turgid.

It certainly has a significant historical basis. Better Gods is the story of Liliuokalani, the last queen of Hawaii, who was overthrown in 1893 by a group of rich American businessmen who were worried that her desire for a new constitution beefing up the rights of her subjects could threaten their own territorial interests. Liliuokalani was an intelligent and urbane woman who was also a composer  her well-known Aloha Oe was featured in Woolfs score  and the opera conveys her stature and her plight.

The mezzo-soprano Daryl Freedman  like the rest of the cast, a member of WNOs Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program  rose admirably to the challenge of giving a big sing of a big character, in an role that requires her to be rather saintly and not entirely human for much of the evening. Her voice has a slightly metallic edge and lacks real firmness on the bottom, but she sang a lot without a hint of tiredness. She also transformed herself from the characters she portrayed in WNOs 20-minute operas a few weeks ago into a convincing personification of the queen (whose photograph was featured in the promotional materials for the show).

Daryl Freedman as Liliuokalani. (Scott Suchman/For the Washington National Opera)

Hunter Enoch showed a firm, pleasant baritone as the journalist James Miller, who is forced to confront the untruths he has published from the American perspective, though not to emend them, and Rexford Tester was the oily businessman Thurston, leader of the coup against the queen. Wei Wu, by now a WNO stalwart, was the leader of the Hawaiian resistance. Ariana Wehr sang with a clear, beautiful soprano as the maid Kahua, who sings some traditional Hawaiian songs and attempts to render them in English, an incarnation of the cultural standoff that the opera seeks to depict.

Woolf tried, laudably, to incorporate this standoff in the score, having Liliuokalani move from melodic Western operatic statements to exegesis influenced by traditional Hawaiian music. She effectively incorporated traditional Hawaiian instruments, placing the percussionist Greg Akagi onstage, in costume, ruffling his hands through shells and striking various wooden instruments, adding emphasis and color and character to the score, and visually dominating Daniel Conways simple set.

Better Gods suffers from its good intentions. In trying to anchor the significance of its action in local color, creation mythology, and the plight of a strong but powerless woman in a Western, male-dominated society, it leans too heavily on big repetitive musical and verbal statements, when in fact some of its strongest moments are throwaway lines that let us see the queen as a human being, trying to deal with the men who surround her. The work is a valiant but flawed attempt at something quite significant  and would probably be more effective if it were even shorter.
State Del. Richard L. Anderson (R-Prince William) and his wife, Prince William County Supervisor Ruth M. Anderson (R-Occoquan), flank a bust of George Washington that was decorated for Christmas. (Jonathan Hunley/For The Washington Post)

Maybe the Andersons should consider changing the welcome mat in front of their Woodbridge home.

The current one bears a symbol of the Air Force and their last name. It quickly conveys the message that husband and wife were in the same branch of the military.

But although they are retired from that service, they recently began sharing another kind of public work: elected office. Ruth M. Anderson was sworn in last week to represent the Occoquan District on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. Her husband, Richard L. Anderson, has represented the 51st District in the House of Delegates since 2010.

The situation is not without precedent, and its one that the two Republicans think has positives. But theyre also still learning what it will all mean in terms of boundaries and their private life.

Ruth Andersons first county board meeting is Tuesday, not quite a year after she began a campaign to replace Michael C. May (R), who unsuccessfully sought the office of Prince William commonwealths attorney last year.

She said recently that she initially encouraged others to go after the GOP nomination.

I was not planning to run, she said. Definitely not planning to run.

She turned down the first few people who suggested she join the race, acknowledging that it would be awkward, considering her husbands position.

But Ruth Anderson said the push from others became overwhelming, and when she returned home from meeting with some Prince William supervisors in February, she announced, Im in!

It was a Sunday afternoon, Richard Anderson recalled, and he was brushing his teeth as he prepared to go back to Richmond for another week in the Virginia General Assemblys annual regular session.

He said he didnt have any misgivings about his wife running, but he also fully expected her to decline.

When he heard her pronouncement, he said, he spat toothpaste everywhere.

Ruth Anderson defeated Donald E. Scoggins in a firehouse primary in April, and then bested former Occoquan Mayor Earnest W. Porta Jr. (D) in November.

The notion of having two officeholders under one roof apparently didnt make much of a difference to voters. Ruth Anderson said she heard no more than five complaints about the situation, and even Prince William County Democratic Committee Chairman Harry Wiggins said that her win, 54 percent to 46 percent, was decisive.

It was an undercurrent, Wiggins said of the supervisor-

delegate argument, but I dont know that it meant anything.

Wiggins did express concern, however, that Ruth Anderson will be a puppet for her husband when it comes to policy.

But she contends that she not only might not vote the way her spouse might, she also wont necessarily be in lockstep with her fellow Republicans on the Prince William board.

The Andersons have looked to another couple of Republicans for advice. Del. John M. OBannon III of Henrico County, near Richmond, sits behind Richard Anderson on the House floor, and hes married to Henrico Supervisor Patricia S. Pat OBannon.

She was in office first, elected in 1995. Her husband took his legislative seat in 2001.

John OBannon said that family members in office at the same time need to remember to serve their constituencies, which wont necessarily be the same, depending on where political boundary lines are drawn.

As for his family, he said: It works well because we are very careful to keep firewalls up and strict rules on the individual responsibilities we have.

The Andersons said they have begun to tag-team some phone calls and constituent meetings when appropriate, but Ruth Anderson also has had at least one instance in which she had to keep county business confidential  even from her husband.

She joked that although some have said she wants to be half of a power couple, its likely to be more of a power struggle.

Instead of either officeholder deferring to the other on common matters, she said, Well probably fight over who gets to handle it.

Hunley is a freelance writer.
In conferences, debates and panel discussions about schools, I await mention of the unmentionable issue: grading. It never comes.

We discuss tests, teacher assessments, Common Core standards and school ratings, but not student report cards, the greatest source of stress and miscommunication in our education system.

I opened Richard DuFours new book, In Praise of American Educators: And How They Can Become Even Better, expecting the same report card avoidance. DuFour is a celebrated consultant with long experience at an exceptional high school  Stevenson in Lincolnshire, Ill.  but he has to deal with the usual issues because thats what hes paid for.

But in the middle of the book, he surprised me. He launched a brilliant attack on the notion that tough grading will prepare students for the real world. So many of our educators, as well as the rest of us, think Fs build character and save struggling students from lives of sloth and poverty.

DuFour recommends that schools provide students who are not learning with extra time and support. This makes educators, particularly those in secondary schools, uncomfortable.

One of their frequently expressed concerns is that giving some students additional chances to learn is not fair to the students who passed the first time, he says. If the mission of the school is to identify students who learn fast and who learn the first time we teach it, this approach makes sense. But if the mission of the school is to ensure all students learn, it does not.

Students unable to demonstrate proficiency, he says, should be required to keep working and learning until they become proficient.

School veterans often say to that: Are you kidding? DuFour says they tell him providing students with these second chances wont prepare them for the harsh realities of the real world or the sink or swim environment of higher education, where students are expected to take full responsibility for their learning; requiring students to get additional help until they become proficient simply enables students to give less than their best effort.

DuFour responds: Hows that working for you?

How does the traditional practice of allowing an irresponsible student who would rather take a zero than do the work teach that student to act responsibly? he asks. How does allowing a student to opt out of a program to provide him or her with assistance teach responsibility? If a student is truly going to enter a sink-or-swim situation in higher education, the best preparation is to teach the student to swim  to provide the student with the knowledge, skills and habits essential to success in that situation  rather than allow the student to sink first in high school.

Many of my fellow basic training draftees many years ago were not well motivated, but the Army  one of our nations most successful educational institutions  made clear we had no option other than to learn.

DuFour often hears, as I do, educators in schools with high failure rates say the students wont do the work. Often they say without support at home theres no hope. Instead, DuFour says, educators must teach the skill by creating systems that place students in an environment during the school day where their work is monitored closely until it is completed and they can demonstrate proficiency.

Sounds like good old Ft. Lewis, Wash., to me. But DuFour offers detailed descriptions of interventions that work without drill sergeants. And he makes the essential point: There is virtually no research or evidence to suggest that higher incidents of failure in school produce higher levels of responsibility, greater academic achievement in college, or a higher likelihood of success in meeting the demands of adult life.

Replacing Fs with passing grades for little work, one troubling explanation for our rising high school graduation rates, also is not good. In the new year, firm adherence to learning in our high schools would be a welcome change.
Groundbreaking ceremony for police station is Tuesday

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Central District Police Station will begin at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the construction site on Davis Ford Road. Parking will be available at Real Life Church, 5023 Davis Ford Rd., Woodbridge. The public is invited.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be in the atrium of the James J. McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge.

For information, call 703-792-6615.

Chamber scholarship applications due Feb. 15

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications through Feb. 15 for three $2,500 scholarships.

Applicants must be an employee or dependent of an employee of a chamber member company; this includes staff of all Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park public schools. Students must be a graduating high school senior with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher who demonstrates leadership skills and commitment to the community, and plans to enroll in a community college, trade school, college or university.

Winners will be notified March 23 and will be honored at a luncheon in April.

For information or an application package, contact Suzanne Lewis at 571-765-7753 or slewis@pwchamber.org.

Renovated facility will offer more shelter space

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors recently voted to spend $500,000 from year-end savings to renovate the countys Human Services Building to provide more emergency shelter space for the homeless.

The Drop-In Center provides overnight shelter between Nov. 1 and March 31 at the Bill Mehr Winter Shelter.

The renovation of the Human Services Building, which was once the Prince William County Boys Group Home, will include 15 temporary beds, bathrooms compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, kitchen upgrades, new flooring, paint and a security system. It will also provide space for counseling services.

HomeAid Northern Virginia, a nonprofit organization of builders, has offered to provide support for the project, which is expected to be complete by next winter.

Bluebird Tours schedules bus trips for area seniors

Bluebird Tours, a Prince William County Area Agency on Aging program, has planned several upcoming bus tours for residents 55 and older.

Tours include American Music Theaters Elvis Gospel Show in Lancaster, Pa. on Jan. 17; A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder at the Kennedy Center on Jan. 28; The City of Conversation at Arena Stage on Feb. 3; Annie at the National Theater on March 19; All the Way at Arena Stage on April 13; Kinky Boots at the Kennedy Center on June 18; Riverdance at Wolf Trap on June 26; and a trip to Maine from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3.

For information or reservations, call Quality Tours at 703-339-0333 or visit pwcgov.org/bluebird.

Safety officials warn residents to stay off ice

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue is warning residents to avoid outdoor recreation on frozen ponds, lakes, rivers and streams this winter. The constant temperature fluctuations across the region make icy areas unstable.

Ice that forms where water levels change frequently, or where the water is moving, such as storm water ponds, rivers and streams, is especially dangerous because its thickness will vary with the conditions and may contain cracks, officials said in a statement.

The department recommends that ice-related activities be limited to skating rinks and other areas designed for winter recreation.

Judges are needed for regional science fairs

The Prince William County public schools science office needs judges for science fairs.

The middle/senior division of the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science Fair, for students in grades 7 through 12, will be March 12 at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center, 14715 Bristow Rd., Manassas. The junior division, for students in grades 5 and 6, will be April 9 at the center.

For information about judging, call 703-791-7240.
ACTS food pantry needs volunteers to stock shelves, prepare food bags and make grocery store pickups either on a regular schedule (flexible) or on an on-call basis. To complete an online application, visit actspwc.org.

ACTS Helpline needs volunteers to answer the suicide-prevention hotline. 703-221-1144.

American Association for the Advancement of Science needs scientists, engineers, mathematicians and physicians to assist K-12 STEM teachers. Victor Crawford, 703-732-9004. vicris51@verizon.net.

American Cancer Societys Road to Recovery needs drivers to take patients to appointments. 410-781-6909. jen.burdette@cancer.org.

Beacon for Adult Literacy trains people to help adults with literacy and English-speaking skills. 703-368-7491. beaconliteracy.org.

BEAT Cancer Coalition needs drivers 55 and older to take patients to appointments. Retired and Senior Volunteer program, Colleen, 703-369-5292.

Birmingham Green needs volunteers who speak Vietnamese. 703-257-6252.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington-Manassas needs volunteers. bgcgw.org/prince-william.

Catholic Charities Hogar Immigrant Services needs teachers for its English as a Second Language and citizenship classes. Training provided. 571-208-1572. volunteer.hogar@ccda.net, hogarimmigrantservices.org.

ESL and Immigrant Ministries trains volunteers to teach English to adults. 703-841-0292. office@eslim.org, eslim.org.

Friends of Feral Cats of PWC needs volunteers and donations of cat food. Nancy, 571-719-0657.

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind needs volunteers to raise and train puppies. 866-282-8046. guidedog.org.

Habitat for Humanity needs help with projects, ReStore and providing lunch to volunteers. 703-369-6708. volunteer@ habitatpwc.org.

Historic Dumfries needs docents for the Weems-Botts Museum to help with events and research projects, gather and transcribe local oral histories and other projects. 703-221-2218.

Keep Prince William Beautiful needs help with its storm drain program and educational outreach. 571-285-3772. kpwb.org.

Literacy Volunteers of Prince William needs adults to help adult students improve their literacy skills. Training provided. 703-670-5702. www.lvapw.org.

Mutt Love Rescue needs foster homes for rescued dogs. 703-577-0106. adopt@muttloverescue.org, muttloverescue.org.

Northern Virginia Family Service is seeking foster parents. 571-748-2500.

Prince William Area Free Clinic needs volunteers for the Unified Health Center. pwafc.org .

Prince William Cooperative Extension Program needs facilitators for the Parent Education Programs Systematic Training for Effective Parenting groups. Training provided. Janice Brody, 703-792-4678. jbrody@pwcgov.org.

Prince William County Historic Preservation Division needs tour guides and assistance with special events, educational programs and gardening. 703-792-4754. historicpreservation@pwcgov.org.

Prince William Health District needs community health worker volunteers from 8 a.m.-noon Tuesdays at the Manassas Park Community Center clinic. Candidates must complete a background check and have a valid drivers license. Training provided. 703-792-6755. valda.wisdombrown@vdh.virginia.gov.

Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition needs volunteers to help build and maintain trails in the county. pwtsc.org.

Project Mend-a-House needs help for home-safety repairs. 703-792-7663. kristen@pmahweb.org.

ReSET seeks volunteers to lead elementary and preschool students in science and math learning. John Meagher, 703-250-0236. reset@resetonline.org , www.resetonline.org .

SERVE needs drivers for the food distribution center. Jan Hawkins, 571-748-2621.

St. Paul United Methodist Church needs bus drivers Thursdays to transport people to and from a community dinner. Drivers must have a class C license withP endorsement. 703-494-2445.

The Wildlife Rescue League needs hotline volunteers, wildlife transporters and rehabilitators. Training provided. 703-391-8625. volcoord@wildliferescueleague.org.

 Compiled by Sarah Lane

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E-mail: pwliving@washpost.com

Fax: 703-392-1406
Maryland State Police were trying Sunday to determine how an Upper Marlboro woman died, after her body was discovered on a busy roadway in Prince Georges County.

Just before 9:30

Saturday night, authorities found the body of a woman, lying face down on Route 301 near an overpass in Upper Marlboro. She was identified Sunday as Tiffany Storey, 33.

Authorities said the death was not being investigated as a homicide.

A State Police spokeswoman said Storey had a lot of broken bones and severe trauma to her body, which was found near the exit ramp for Route 4, a heavily traveled section of Route 301.



An autopsy revealed heavy trauma to the head and trauma to the torso, but no signs of suspicious injury, said Elena Russo, a spokeswoman with Maryland State Police. Russo said it could not be determined if the injuries resulted from a fall from the overpass or contact with a vehicle.

Russo said the Storeys identity initially could not be determined because of the extent of her injuries, and she had not been carrying identification.

The area in question is relatively quiet with the exception of vehicular travel, Russo said. Police were hoping to collect surveillance footage from businesses in the vicinity, she said.

State Police urged anyone with information on the womans death to contact the Forestville Barrack at 301-568-8101.
An apparently despondent woman was shot to death by Maryland state troopers as she sat in her living room Sunday morning, after she accused them of not being real police officers and then pointed a gun in their direction, authorities said.

The incident occurred Sunday morning in the Cecil County town of Rising Sun, just south of the Pennsylvania border. State police said they were summoned to the home by a 911 call just before 2 a.m.

Maryland State Police gave the following account of the incident.

The caller, a woman, repeatedly told a police dispatcher that an intruder had entered her home in the 600 block of Lombard Road. Then she said her phone was about to shut down, and when the dispatcher tried to call her back there was no answer.

When troopers and local police arrived at the two-story, single family home, however, there was no response when they attempted to contact someone inside.

A short time later they heard a womans scream from inside. They were able to force their way into an attached garage and make their way into the home. The house was dark, and they later learned that the electricity had been shut off months ago.

Using flashlights, two uniformed troopers and a uniformed officer from the Rising Sun Police Department made their way through the house to the living room.

They said they found Christine A. Lucas, 45, seated in a chair.

Lucas did not respond to the officers, put her hands in her lap and then picked up what appeared to be a black handgun, police said. She told them she did not believe they were real police.

The officers said they retreated from the living room, while reassuring Lucas that they were police and that there were there to help. Police said that Lucas raised the gun, pointing it at the troopers, who opened fire on her.

Police identified the troopers who fired their weapons as Trooper First Class Justin Rann, a four-year veteran assigned to the North East Barrack, and Trooper First Class Timothy Graham, a four-year veteran assigned to the Aviation Command.

Graham, a flight paramedic whose aircraft was grounded by bad weather Saturday night, provided immediate emergency care for Lucas, authorities said.

Homicide investigators talked with Lucass 15-year-old son, who told them he had been sleeping in the living room when his mother awakened him and told him to go upstairs.

Police said the teenager told them his mother handed him a duffle bag with his clothes in it and told him that she loved him. They said she also told him where to find a folder containing his birth certificate and her personal information.

Police said they found what appeared to be a suicide note written by Lucas. They said they found documents indicating that the family faced financial trouble. Investigators said they also learned that Lucas had not taken prescribed medications for the past couple of weeks.

The gun being held by Lucas was determined to be an air-soft pistol that was the size of a real handgun, police said. It had been painted black, making it appear more realistic, they said.

Police said that both troopers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in shooting incidents.
Among the many things that can (and frequently do) go wrong in the Washington areas much-maligned transit system, crime typically isnt a consuming worry for most riders. Track malfunctions, train breakdowns  the sort of daily Metro aggravations that prolong peoples commutes  normally top the list of concerns.

Then a frightful, highly publicized incident occurs, such as the vicious Dec. 21 attack on a man headed home from work on a Red Line train. Set upon by at least two youths in a possible robbery attempt, the 41-year-old victim suffered a concussion and a broken jaw and collarbone, his wife said.

And other folks realize: It could happen to them.

[Man suffers concussion and fractures in Red Line attack]

Its sad to say, but I feel like Im risking my life every day going back and forth to work, said Yolanda Proctor, 46, an office administrator as she waited for a train Thursday at the LEnfant Plaza station. Although she also worries about the potential for terrorism in the subway, Proctor, who lives in Brandywine, Md., said she has to keep riding. This is my only means of transportation.

Metro Transit Police said they were looking for a man who is shown in a surveillance video punching another man at the Eastern Market Metro station. (WMATA)

Metro trains and buses carry hundreds of thousands of passengers each weekday, and its difficult to measure the riderships overall concern about crime. On Thursday, however, a day after police announced an effort to combat robberies on D.C. streets and in the transit system, it wasnt hard to find Metro commuters who feel uneasy.

This is only my second time catching the train this year, and Im kind of scared to get on, said Tawanna Judd, 58, a deli employee from Landover, Md.

Waiting on a LEnfant Plaza platform, Judd said her granddaughter had shown her a YouTube video of a Metro rider being assaulted. This man just sitting on the train, and 14- and 15-year-old boys, about six of them, started fighting him and beating him up.

I was shocked, Judd said. I am like, Give me some pepper spray! 

In the Dec. 21 Red Line attack, which occurred while the train was between the Union Station and NoMa-Gallaudet U stops, two teenagers from a rowdy group of youths apparently wanted to steal the victims bag, according to a witness. One punched the man repeatedly before walking away, then the other youth continued the beating.

The victim, an information technology specialist from Montgomery County, was terribly concussed, said his wife, Lori Kaplan, who spoke on the condition that her husbands name not be published. She described him as an extremely private person.

My husbands jaw is healing well post-surgery, she wrote in an email Friday. He will be eating liquid and pureed foods for another 5 weeks. His concussion symptoms are abating but have not resolved. He is wearing a sling for a broken collarbone.

Calvin Lawrence, 48, and his longtime partner Joseph Cowart. (Courtesy of Calvin Lawrence)

Last week, Metro police released photos of six unidentified young people, taken from a surveillance video, and said they are persons of interest in the attack.

[See images of persons of interest police are seeking]

At a news conference Wednesday at which authorities announced the creation of an anti-robbery task force composed of District and transit police officers, Metro Police Chief Ronald A. Pavlik Jr. acknowledged the uptick in robberies and thefts in the transit system.

Things that occur on Metro . . . they start on the street and come down into the system, Pavlik said. Its something were very serious about.

Jennifer Howard, 52, a Capitol Hill resident, thinks about it, too.

I tend not to take Metro at a lot of off-hours, Howard, who works in public relations, said. Generally, I feel pretty secure, she said as she waited in the Metro Center station Thursday. But she added: I realize there was that assault on the Red Line, which is obviously very concerning. You know, its a city. I just try to be mindful.

Transit agency records show that in 2014, crime on the subway and bus systems and in Metro parking lots and garages reached its lowest point since 2010. This includes the most serious types of offenses, called Part 1 crimes, meaning aggravated assaults, arsons, vehicle thefts and attempted thefts, larcenies, rapes and robberies.

In 2014, there were 1,560 Part 1 crimes, down from 2,258 in 2010. No homicides occurred on Metro property from 2010 to 2014, the agency said. In that span, annual robberies and larcenies decreased from 1,921 to 1,337. Aggravated assaults, most of them on the subway, dropped from 132 to 108, the records show.

But 2015 was different.

In July, there were two slayings in or near a Metrorail station. On July 4, an 18-year-old who authorities said may have been high on synthetic drugs tried to grab a cellphone from a recent American University graduate. Jasper Spires punched 24-year-old Kevin Joseph Sutherland and then stabbed him until he was dead. Two weeks later, two men shot and killed Eric Alexander Melgar, 20, at a Wheaton Metro parking garage.

By the end of November, according to a Metro report, Part 1 crimes totaled 1,503 for 2015, with Decembers numbers yet to be tallied. The offenses included 111 robberies and larcenies in November, compared with 93 in November 2014. The 2015 year-to-date total for robberies and larcenies was 1,334 as of Nov. 30, the report says. At the end of November 2014, there had been 1,244 such crimes during the year.

Were very focused on crimes on Metro and we are not going to tolerate lawlessness on our public transit system, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said Wednesday as officials announced the anti-robbery task force, which has been in place since Dec. 11.

The group includes a D.C. police officer who is embedded with transit police and a prosecutor who is assigned to handle only robbery cases, authorities said.

Bowser said the task forces job is to quickly identify patterns. It will quickly identify and arrest individuals who terrorize neighborhoods and get them off the streets. She said the embedded D.C. officer will help transit police identify any crimes where suspects are moving between Metro and District streets.

[D.C. and transit police begin a crackdown on robberies]

At the news conference, D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier mentioned a recent street robbery involving a man who also turned out to be a suspect in seven or eight robberies in Metro stations.

Michael Tyger, 19, of Northeast Washington, who was charged with robbery, is accused of stealing a subway riders iPhone last month. He is under investigation in seven similar cases, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said. The robbery was typical of many that occur in the transit system.

A woman told Metro police that she was sitting in the Capitol South station on the night of Dec. 8 when a young man approached her from behind, reached over the bench, and snatched her white-and-gold iPhone 6 from her hands, according to a police affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court. The robber then fled up the escalator, jumped over a faregate, and continued out of the station, the affidavit says.

The crime was recorded by security cameras. The suspect in the video appeared to be the same person who committed a similar robbery a half-hour earlier in the Smithsonian station, also caught on camera, according to the affidavit. Metro police charged Tyger in the Capitol South robbery after D.C. police detained him Dec. 23 in connection with a robbery in the 300 block of H Street SE, the affidavit says.

Bowser said the anti-robbery task force sends a message that, as Washingtonians, we want the safest transit system in the world. For now, though, danger still lurks.

Ronald Ford, 58, a D.C. resident, was waiting for a train at Metro Center on Thursday.

Im a confident person, said Ford, who is a special police officer, meaning he is employed in the security field and is authorized to carry a gun at his workplace. Overall, I feel safe, he said. But, I would like to see more of a police presence in the transit system.

So would Calvin Lawrence.

Lawrence, 48, who lives in Gaithersburg, told The Washington Post that his longtime partner, Joseph Cowart, 43, was assaulted Nov. 22 by as many as a dozen teenagers and subjected to anti-gay slurs on the Green Line as the trains operator ignored calls for help. The attack, in which Cowart was punched and kicked, started after Cowart tried to intervene in the attempted robbery of a 14-year-old boy, the transit agency said.

One suspect has been identified but not yet arrested, police said.

[Attackers hurl punches, anti-gay slurs at rider on Metro train]

The Red Line assault and the attack on Cowart, as well as other recent incidents, prompted the D.C. Guardian Angels to announce on Twitter that they plan to patrol on the Red Line this weekend due to the rise of violent crime.

Unarmed volunteers with the nonprofit group, which has chapters around the world, began patrolling the crime-ridden New York subway in the 1970s.

I dont think well have much comment on the Guardian Angels, said Stessel, the Metro spokesman. Theyre riders just like everyone else. He added: They are welcome on Metro. But they are not law enforcement, and anyone needing assistance should contact transit police.

Meanwhile, on Monday night, passengers were evacuated from a train at the Addison Road station, on the Blue and Silver lines, after a fire was deliberately set in one of the cars, apparently by teenagers, authorities said. The next night, on a Yellow Line train between the U Street-Cardozo and Georgia Avenue-Petworth stations, a rider suffered a cut on his ear in an attempted robbery, Metro said.

And shortly after 5 p.m. on New Years Day, a 15-year-old boy and two of his friends suffered facial lacerations when they were accosted by about eight teenagers on a Yellow Line train between the LEnfant Plaza and Mount Vernon Square stations, according to Stessel, who said the assailants stole a hat and a dollar bill. On Friday, Metro released surveillance images of four suspects in the incident.

Youre sitting there, and you just get sucker punched, the mother of the 15-year-old boy said on Fox 5 TV last week. They could tell these kids were visibly older, bigger. All they could do was basically sit there. They were actually all hit in the face.

As for Lori Kaplan, whose husband is recuperating at home after the assault last month, she said Friday: I took the Metro yesterday for the first time since the attack. I took it again this morning. . . . I plan to continue using Metro. . . . I believe in public transportation and the function it serves in major metropolitan areas.

Are there bad actors in our communities? Yes, she said. Do we need to do something about it? Yes. Should we abandon Metro? No.

But she added: Will my husband want to take Metro again anytime soon? I dont know.

Peter Hermann contributed to this report.
SYRIA

Report: Dozens killed by airstrike on town

An airstrike reportedly killed dozens of people in a rebel-held town in Syria on Saturday as a U.N. envoy visited Damascus to advance preparations for peace talks planned this month despite opposition misgivings.

In addition, agreement was reached for aid to be delivered this week to a rebel-held town besieged by pro-government forces, where the United Nations says there have been credible reports of people dying of starvation, sources said. Aid will also be sent to two villages blockaded by rebels.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 39 people were killed in the airstrike, which hit a courthouse and adjoining jail in Maarat al-Numan, in Idlib province. It did not say whether the airstrike was carried out by Syrian or Russian jets. Russia has been staging airstrikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad since September.

The building was struck with four missiles, and the number of deaths could increase, the Observatory said.

 Reuters

EGYPT

Court rejects appeal by Mubarak and sons

Egypts top appeals court on Saturday rejected an appeal by former president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons over a three-year prison sentence handed down after their conviction on corruption and embezzlement charges.

They were sentenced in May for diverting public funds intended for the maintenance of state-owned presidential palaces and for using the funds to renovate personal properties.

It was revealed that they had embezzled nearly $16 million. They were sentenced to return the money and fined an additional $2.7 million.

It is unclear, however, how much time Mubarak will serve. Both his sons were released in October, having been detained since April 2011.

 Heba Habib

Egyptian police officer, soldier slain: Armed men shot dead a police officer and a soldier in their car Saturday on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypts state news agency said, a day after suspected militants armed with knives wounded three European tourists at a Red Sea resort. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Cairo attack in a statement posted on messaging service Telegram.

Protesters set fires in Kosovos capital: Demonstrators in Kosovo fought running battles with police and set fire to the governments headquarters Saturday as anger simmers in the young Balkan country over an accord with its former ruler, Serbia. The seat of government in the capital, Pristina, briefly caught fire after it was bombarded with molotov cocktails. Firefighters quickly doused the flames, and police used tear gas to drive back several thousand opposition demonstrators.

U.S. airliner diverted to Canada: Authorities in British Columbia said that a United Airlines flight was diverted to Vancouver because of a security concern and that a passenger was taken into custody. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said United Airlines Flight 1104, bound for Denver from Anchorage, landed safely at Vancouver International Airport early Saturday. The RCMP did not release details on what prompted the security concern or additional information on the person arrested.

Two Palestinians shot dead in attack on Israeli soldiers: Two Palestinians tried to stab Israeli soldiers at a West Bank checkpoint early Saturday before they were fatally shot by troops at the scene, the Israeli military said. The incident is the latest in more than three months of near-daily Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers that have killed more than 20 people.

 From news services
MARYLAND GOV. Larry Hogan was elected on promises to cut taxes and nudge the state toward a more business-friendly posture by restraining spending. Now, albeit in baby steps and with his signature lack of detail, hes pushing an agenda in line with those promises, to predictable howls of overreaction from the Democrats who control Annapolis.

In a sneak preview of the $17.1 billion budget he will propose soon, Mr. Hogan announced he will seek $400 million in tax cuts over five years  an impressive number until one considers that it amounts to half of 1 percent of annual spending. It pales even further when weighed against tax increases enacted during the two terms of Gov. Martin OMalleys (D) administration, skewered by Mr. Hogan and the GOP, which state legislative analysts valued at nearly $8 billion.

Characteristically, Mr. Hogan avoided the policy weeds, making no mention of what taxes he will trim other than to say theyll be modest. If Mr. Hogans proposed tax cuts amount to austerity, its bearable austerity. And in a solidly blue state, hes wise to push gently for his conservative agenda.

He was less reticent about claiming credit for the states rebounding economy and revenues, which provide a cushion for tax reduction. In fact, the governor, having taken office just a year ago, is no more to credit for Marylands rebounding economic outlook than he is to blame for the spike in homicides in Baltimore over the last 12 months.

Mr. Hogans potentially more consequential initiative  also offered in gauzy terms at a news conference Thursday  is a plan to roll back state formulas that dictate annual spending increases for schools, health care, public safety and other priorities long regarded as sacrosanct by liberal lawmakers, public- sector unions and other special interests.

As Mr. Hogan pointed out, those mandates account for more than 80 percent of the states annual spending, which means that governors have relatively little budgeting leeway.

There is a sensible argument to be made for trimming spending when state revenue falls or fails to meet projections. It was the absence of the flexibility to do so, in the last decade, that contributed to a massive structural deficit and, later, sharp tax increases as formulas dictated ambitious spending targets, especially on public schools. In the last election, Mr. Hogans victory was built partly on many Marylanders conviction that they are overtaxed.

Democratic lawmakers, who have used mandates as a means to protect priorities even during economic slumps, attacked Mr. Hogans proposal as a power grab. Its true that mandate relief, as he calls it, would accord him (and future governors) more discretion. Its also true that while other states mandate annual spending increases, few have gone as far as Maryland.

Tacitly, the legislature itself has acknowledged as much since 2008 with one-time annual tweaks to spending rules, which lawmakers have negotiated with the governor. While some Democrats argue that automatic spending trims in a recession are an abdication of the tough decisions lawmakers need to make, the same can be said for formulaic annual increases. The fact that 83 percent of state spending is formulaically mandated is, as Mr. Hogan pointed out, unsustainable.
WE CAN think of dozens of good reasons why Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) should not win the Iowa caucuses. Unfortunately, Mr. Cruzs opponents seem to care only about bad ones.

One such is Mr. Cruzs support for ending Washingtons ethanol mandate, which requires that increasing amounts of biofuel be blended into the national gasoline supply. Mr. Cruz wants to phase out the mandate. Iowa agricultural interests  including a pressure group led by Republican Gov. Terry Branstads son  have slammed the senator for supposedly putting Big Oil above Big Corn. Their mobilization includes anti-Cruz commercials, pamphlets and a pro-ethanol trailer following Mr. Cruz from campaign stop to campaign stop. Other candidates, such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), are rushing to claim any Iowa voters who turn away from Mr. Cruz, playing up support from the agriculture lobby.

In fact, among the only positive things about a Cruz win in Iowa would be the damage such a result would do to the ethanol interests. Since Congress handed them their ethanol mandate a decade ago, every winner of the Iowa caucuses has supported it. Iowas favored status as the first-in-the-nation caucus state has made repealing the mandate all but impossible.

But there is no doubt it should be repealed. Blending more and more ethanol into gasoline will require spending money on infrastructure that is not yet in place and selling more fuel that older and more specialized engines cannot take. It will also raise food prices, according to a 2014 Congressional Budget Office analysis.

And the supposed benefits? The countrys recent uptick in oil production eliminates the already weak argument for ethanols energy security benefits. Another major purported benefit is a claimed reduction in transportation sector greenhouse emissions. But the CBO found that replacing gasoline with corn ethanol has only limited potential for reducing emissions (and some studies indicate that it could increase emissions).

A more recent paper in the journal Science found that the models predicting emissions reductions come to that conclusion by assuming that less corn would be used for feeding people and animals. In other words, people will eat less and produce less carbon dioxide in the process. Any reduction in global food consumption is likely to disproportionately affect some groups of the poor because they can less afford higher prices, the paper noted. True, farmers can try to grow more food on the land that is already in use. But they already have to do that to feed a rising global population. Putting further strain on the global food supply is a high price to pay for any marginal benefits to greenhouse emissions.

The ethanol mandate serves little purpose beyond subsidizing the farming business, which already gets massive federal subsidies. Mr. Cruz is right to favor phasing it out, and his major opponents are nothing but ethanol opportunists.
The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court gather for a group portrait at the Supreme Court Building in Washington in 2010. (Larry Downing/Reuters)

The Supreme Court starts the new year Monday with a politically charged battle over organized labor, only one of the controversies that are putting the ideologically divided and aging justices at the center of the presidential campaign.

Already on the docket are abortion, affirmative action, the rights of religious objectors to opt out of legal obligations, and a clutch of election-law disputes that could benefit one political party over another. The court will probably soon add a review of President Obamas executive actions aiming to shield millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

The agenda provides a dramatic confluence of a Supreme Court term with a presidential election.

Its a fascinating moment, Neera Tanden, president of the liberal Center for American Progress, said in a panel discussion last week. Because we are entering 2016, and I think the court has the potential to place itself in the heart of the political debate that we are going to have in the country.

[Supreme Court case could curtail union power]

Rebecca Friedrichs is part of a group of California teachers challenging the states union. Every individual should have the right to decide which organization she supports, Friedrichs says. (Greg Schneider/AP)

The courts recent decisions upholding the Affordable Care Act and ruling that gay couples have a constitutional right to marry already have set the terms for debate in the presidential campaign. Its ruling in Citizens United v. FEC six years ago opened the door for the record-making amounts of money spent on the race and how it can be raised.

The coming decisions will probably be as closely divided as those were.

But there is a striking difference this term, compared with the last one. In its most important case, the courts liberals joined with Justice Anthony M. Kennedy to issue a landmark ruling that the Constitution does not allow states to recognize marriages only between one man and one woman.

This year, the liberals will be playing defense, trying to defend precedents and preserve the status quo.

The courts current split will be on display Monday. The justices will hear a challenge from a group of California teachers who say it violates their First Amendment rights to be forced to pay dues to the states teachers union.

[Two teachers explain why they want to take down their union]

The state is one of about 20 in which public employees are required to either join the union or pay a fee to support the unions collective-bargaining activities. The unions say this is only fair because they are required to negotiate on behalf of all workers, not just their own members.

A supporter of gay marriage waves a rainbow flag in front of the Supreme Court Building in Washington in April. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post)

The non-members are not required to subsidize the unions political activities, and the Supreme Court approved such a system in 1977, turning down a challenge that it was a violation of the fee-payers speech and association rights.

But in a 2014 case involving health-care workers from Illinois, four of the courts conservatives signed onto an opinion from Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. that called the decades-old decision, Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, questionable on several grounds.

[Supreme Court deals blow to unions and signals bigger decision ahead]

Rebecca Friedrichs and other California teachers have given the majority a clear chance to overrule the precedent. Every individual should have the right to decide which organization she supports, said Friedrichs, a third-grade teacher from Anaheim whose case is championed by conservative legal organizations.

Being excused from paying for the unions political activities is not enough, she said. Public-employee union negotiations necessarily affect public policy decisions on government spending and taxes and issues such as seniority and educational policy.

Labor leaders call the challenge a radical attack on public-employee unions, one of the strongest segments of the organized labor movement. Laura Juran, a lawyer for the California Teachers Association, said teachers who disagree with the unions views are perfectly free to speak as citizens to try to influence government decisions.

The partisan significance of the case is clear. Public-employee unions have become a major player in Democratic politics, generating campaign contributions and on-the-ground support for candidates. At the same time, disputes between the unions and Republican governors have become frequent and bitter.

The justices acknowledged the partisan stakes during oral arguments in the 2014 case. Justice Elena Kagan mentioned the tensions that flared in Wisconsin after Gov. Scott Walker (R) moved to curtail union rights and union members led an unsuccessful recall attempt. Nevertheless, she defended the current system in which it is up to states to decide whether agency shop fees are mandatory.

Alito, in the same argument, mentioned how some politicians are indebted to the unions. The Illinois case was prompted by a decision by disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich (D) to reward the Service Employees International Union by declaring its workers to be state employees for collective-bargaining purposes.

I thought the situation was that Governor Blagojevich got a huge campaign contribution from the union, and virtually as soon as he got into office, he took out his pen and signed an executive order that had the effect of putting, what was it, $3.6 million into the union coffers? Alito asked Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr.

In both that and the current case, Verrilli and the Obama administration intervened on behalf of the unions and argued against overturning the precedent.

The union case and the other controversies underline the importance of the coming presidential election in determining the courts future.

A presidents ability to build a legacy by shaping the makeup of the Supreme Court is an important consideration in every election, but especially this year. On Inauguration Day 2017, Justices Antonin Scalia and Kennedy will have joined Ruth Bader Ginsburg in their 80s, and Stephen G. Breyer will be 78.

If Ginsburgs seat is filled by someone selected by a Republican president, this could consolidate a conservative majority independent of Kennedy, who has at times been a key swing vote. A Democrat replacing either Scalia or Kennedy would create a new five-justice majority that consistently leans to the left.

That makes this a make-or-break moment  for the court and our country, Democrat Hillary Clinton wrote in an op-ed Friday in the Boston Globe.

As president (and a lawyer and former law professor), Ill appoint justices who will protect the constitutional principles of liberty and equality for all, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or political viewpoint; make sure the scales of justice arent tipped away from individuals toward corporations and special interests; and protect citizens right to vote, rather than billionaires right to buy elections.

Republican rival Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), a former Supreme Court clerk and practitioner, envisions a different court if it is a President Clinton who is making the nomination to replace, for instance, Scalia.

[Cruz is a former Supreme Court clerk but no longer a friend of the court]

In campaign ads and speeches in Iowa, Cruz has warned of a Supreme Court intolerant of religious freedom and expression.

We will see Ten Commandments monuments all over this country torn down, because a radical Supreme Court says we cannot acknowledge the Ten Commandments, Cruz said in a speech last week in Rock Rapids. If Hillary Clinton is elected president, we will see a radical Supreme Court ordering veterans memorials to be taken down all over this country. We are just steps away from the chisels coming out in Arlington, to remove crosses and stars of David from the tombstones of our fallen soldiers.

[Supreme Court takes up major challenge to abortion restrictions]

Many of the courts decisions on issues that could shape the 2016 political landscape will come just weeks before the Republican and Democratic conventions in July.

The justices hear arguments in March on a Texas abortion law. If it wins the courts approval, the decision would probably lead to restrictions on abortion that have previously been struck down by lower courts citing earlier Supreme Court precedents.

In another case argued late last year, the limited use of race by the University of Texas in the admission process has been challenged. University leaders say this use is consistent with the courts 2003 ruling on affirmative action. A decision is still pending.

And the rights of religious objectors would be enhanced if the court agrees in the coming months that they should be exempted from the requirement to provide their employees with contraceptive services under the Affordable Care Act.

With the future membership of the Supreme Court in doubt, said Walter Dellinger, a liberal Supreme Court practitioner and former Clinton administration lawyer, conservative legal activists are swinging for a home run now.

David Weigel contributed to this report.
The Joaquin El Chapo Guzman story could hardly have seemed more unbelievable, with its multiple prison breaks, endless sewers and tunnels, outlandish sums of money and feverish manhunts. And then Sean Penn entered the story.

While Guzman was the worlds most-wanted fugitive, dodging Mexican military operations and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration surveillance, he was secretly meeting with the Hollywood movie star in an undisclosed Mexican hideout and has now provided what appears to be the first public interview of his drug-running career, published Saturday by Rolling Stone.

Among the revelations in the article, Guzman, who was captured Friday morning in his home state of Sinaloa, bragged to Penn about his prowess in the drug trade.

I supply more heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana than anybody else in the world, Guzman said. I have a fleet of submarines, airplanes, trucks and boats.

The Associated Press reported that a Mexican law enforcement official said the Penn meeting helped authorities locate Guzman in Durango state in October.

1 of 8 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Actress Kate del Castillo, who introduced Sean Penn to drug lord El Chapo View Photos She once infamously tweeted that she trusted drug lord El Chapo Joaquin Guzman above the Mexican government. Thus began a correspondence between the two. Del Castillo was instrumental to getting Sean Penn an interview with him. Caption She once infamously tweeted that she trusted drug lord El Chapo Joaquin Guzman above the Mexican government. Thus began a correspondence between the two. Del Castillo was instrumental to getting Sean Penn an interview with him. Kate del Castillo is known for her work in telenovelas, but she is no stranger to Hollywood. She has worked alongside Antonio Banderas and Eva Longoria. Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

Penn provides a lengthy account of how he met the elusive criminal. Penn tried to protect his communications using burner phones and encryption and anonymous email addresses. The meeting was brokered by the Mexican actress Kate del Castillo and took place at an undisclosed location in the Mexican mountains.

Penn reportedly spent seven hours with Guzman and then did follow-up interviews by phone and video, including one posted on the Rolling Stone website of Guzman in a paisley blue shirt speaking in front of a chain-link fence.

Guzman, who in the past has denied participation in the drug trade and portrayed himself as a peasant farmer, spoke unapologetically and serenely about his lucrative trade.

Where he grew up, in the mountains of Sinaloa state, the only way to have money to buy food, to survive, is to grow poppy, marijuana, he said, and he began at a young age.

Its a reality that drugs destroy. Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isnt a way to survive, no way to work in our economy to be able to make a living.

Despite the deadly wars his Sinaloa cartel has fought with other gangs and authorities, Guzman described himself as not a violent person.

Look, all I do is defend myself, nothing more, he said. But do I start trouble? Never.

The interview with Penn may have helped authorities finally recapture Guzman, who was arrested Friday after a military raid on a house in the coastal city of Los Mochis. Guzman fled in a sewer and carjacked a getaway vehicle but was stopped on the highway.

Mexicos attorney general, Arely Gomez Gonzalez said on Friday night that authorities zeroed in on Guzman after movie producers and actresses made contact with him.

Penn met with Guzman in early October, just before a military operation targeting Guzman in a ranch in the town of Pueblo Nuevo in Durango. Mexican authorities said Guzman got away because a helicopter didnt want to fire at him because he was fleeing with two women and a girl.

Guzman wrote to Penn that eight helicopters pursued him and the marines dispersed throughout the farms. The families had to escape and abandon their homes with the fear of being killed. We still dont know how many dead in total.

Guzman said his injuries were not like they said. I only hurt my leg a little bit.

A senior Mexican official, who could not confirm whether Penns interview contributed to Guzmans arrest, described the interview with Penn as an act of propaganda that contributed to Guzmans outsized myth.

Nothing that appears in the interview changes that he is a criminal who has assassinated many people and trafficked in drugs that resulted in the deaths of many people, the official said.

The Penn interview was the latest twist in the wild El Chapo saga that included his dramatic arrest on Friday.

In the pre-dawn darkness, Mexican marines quietly surrounded a little white house in Los Mochis where the druglord was staying.

But the elusive Guzman  who had escaped twice from federal prison  did it again. He vanished down an escape hatch and into the sewer. It wasnt until he popped up four blocks away, stole a car, and sped out of town that Mexican authorities finally captured him on the highway and ended six months of national humiliation for letting the worlds top drug lord escape.

Guzman was later flown to Mexico City and returned to Altiplano prison, the facility he escaped from in July.

Guzmans capture was celebrated by law enforcement officials in Washington because Guzman runs a drug-trafficking network with vast international reach that has been dumping tons of cocaine and heroin into U.S. cities for years. But more than that, it represented a massive vindication, at least symbolically, for a Mexican government that has often seemed incapable of alleviating the brutal drug war violence that has left some 100,000 dead in the past decade.

After two prison escapes, many expect the Mexican government to extradite Guzman to the United States. The Mexican attorney generals office said in a statement Saturday that extradition procedures would begin. But that could take weeks or months, as the accusations against Guzman must be reviewed and a judge needs to recommend a course of action.

There are a series of things that could take months, one official said.

.
Amid all the year-end listicles (thats list + articles) and predictions, I neglected to include my look ahead to the year in journalism, 2016  Daily Sun-style.

Unlike the New York Times, were not going to be pushing virtual reality projects, the kind with 360-degree, immersive video. That doesnt mean VR wont eventually come to Flagstaff. But Im still trying to figure out how to assemble the cardboard viewing headset the Times sent me.

And unlike the Washington Post, we wont be posting a lot of videos and galleries to Facebooks Instant Articles platform, even though the move helped the Post surpass the Times in online readership. I will remind Daily Sun Full Access subscribers, however, that they received a free, one-years subscription to the Washington Post online  just in time for the 2016 election cycle.

So what will the Daily Sun be doing in 2016. There are plans afoot for not only an upgrade to our website that emphasizes more graphic elements and interfaces. But well also be looking at tweaking our print design, too. The latter is less complicated than the former but a lot more intimidating  print readers are known for their loyalty to a specific look and feel in their hometown paper, so well be treading carefully before tinkering too much.

The future of journalism lies not, however, on the print platform  studies show a majority of people are now getting their news from their smartphones via search engines. The Apple smartwatch is also starting to capture the breaking news niche. Just look around you at the people checking their smartphones dozens  sometimes hundreds  of times and day, and its clear that creating a mobile-friendly product that intersects with social media is the way to reach more readers.

We have to get better at integrating our storytelling -- the heart of most journalism  with those new mobile entry points, even if eventually we bring readers back to print and the homepage for the longer, more in-depth reads. The local elections will give us a chance to put the voices of more newsmakers  literally -- alongside our digital text stories. As an example, check out the audio today with Emery Cowans story on Kara Keltys humanitarian mission to Greece.

So 2016 for journalism in Flagstaff will be one of change in how you receive and experience your news. Well have a new president by the end of the year. And the Daily Sun, in all likelihood, wont be the same, either.
Saudi Arabia may take further measures against Iran after cutting ties with its regional rival last week in a major row over the kingdoms execution of a Shiite cleric, the Saudi foreign minister said Saturday.

Adel al-Jubeirs comments came at a news conference after an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), convened to discuss tensions with Iran after attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in the country.

We are looking at additional measures to be taken if it [Iran] continues with its current policies, Jubeir said, without elaborating on what the measures could be.

The crisis between Shiite power Iran and the conservative Sunni kingdom, both major oil exporters, started when Saudi Arabia executed cleric Nimr al-Nimr on Jan. 2, triggering outrage among Shiites across the Middle East. In Iran, protesters stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, prompting Riyadh to sever relations. Tehran cut all commercial ties with Riyadh and banned pilgrims from traveling to Mecca.

The escalation is coming from Iran, not from Saudi Arabia or the GCC. . . . We are evaluating Irans moves and taking steps to counter them . . . things will be clearer in the near future, Jubeir said.

Iran has said the kingdom is to blame for the diplomatic crisis.

In a letter to the U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, Irans foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, complained about Saudi Arabias provocations toward Tehran, including the execution of Nimr and what he described as persistent mistreatment of Iranian pilgrims visiting Mecca.

Zarif also portrayed Saudi Arabia as a threat to regional and global security.

Most members of al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Islamic State and Nusra Front are Saudi citizens or have been brainwashed by demagogues wielding oil money, Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted Zarifs letter as saying. They [the Saudis] can continue to support extremist terrorists and promote sectarian hatred, or choose the path of good neighborliness and play a constructive role in regional security.

Saudi Arabia has shown that it will move against extremist groups: It executed dozens of al-Qaeda members alongside Nimr, and it announced last month an Islamic coalition against terrorism. But the kingdoms ultra-conservative Wahhabi clergy, which views Shiites as heretical, is a cornerstone of Saudi ruling legitimacy.

After its meeting, the GCC  which comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates  condemned what they said was Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Saudi Arabia and the region.

Jubeir said his country had asked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, of which Iran is a member, to convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss the aggression against its embassy.

 Reuters

Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world
The Islamist extremist who staged a failed attack on a Paris police station last week had been living in a shelter for asylum seekers in western Germany, police said, deepening fears that militants may be infiltrating Europe disguised as migrants.

The revelation that the assailant had been trying to pass himself off as an asylum seeker is likely to spur further debate about the vetting and processing of hundreds of thousands of migrants from the war-torn Middle East seeking sanctuary in Europe. The man had assumed several aliases and at one point claimed to be from Syria, according to police in Germany.

French authorities fatally shot him on Thursday, the first anniversary of terrorist attacks on a satirical publication in Paris and other targets, as he approached the police station brandishing a butcher knife and wearing a fake explosives vest.

Several assailants in the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people, also are thought to have used the same routes being traveled by a record number of asylum seekers and economic migrants. They include at least two attackers who entered Europe posing as Syrian asylum seekers on the Greek island of Leros.

[Complete coverage of the attacks in Paris]

Acting on a tip from French authorities, German police searched an asylum center Saturday in Recklinghausen, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where the assailant in last weeks attempted attack is thought to have lived. The man, according to the news outlet Die Welt, had registered in Germany under four aliases but had claimed legal asylum under the name of Walid Salihi.

Officials in North-Rhine Westphalias office of criminal investigations said Sunday that the assailant had probably carried out the deed alone. They said there is no evidence that any accomplices were involved or that anyone affiliated with the man is engaged in planning attacks.

Police released a photograph of the attacker and asked members of the public to share any information they have. Authorities said that between May 2014 and November 2015, the man had been charged with arms and drug violations, theft, and slander of a sexual nature. Criminal proceedings had been launched against him for allegedly drawing flags of the Islamic State militant group  which asserted responsibility for the Paris attacks in November  and displaying them in the refugee shelter. But the proceedings were discontinued.

Christoph Tesche, the mayor of Recklinghausen, said, It is and remains our humanitarian and legal duty to give shelter to people fleeing their homes because they fear for their lives. It is also our duty  especially towards our citizens  to work very intensely together with all responsible agencies to prevent people with such intentions from hiding in our facilities.

[The Posts coverage of the global surge in migration]

French officials initially identified the assailant as a petty thief from Morocco named Sallah Ali but later said he appeared to have been misidentified.

Authorities now say he may have been a Tunisian man named Tarek Belgacem, according to Agence France-Presse. After the attempted attack Thursday, police discovered a piece of paper on his body with an Islamic State flag and a handwritten note in Arabic asserting responsibility for the act. On Friday, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said the man had a phone with a German SIM card.

The news that the man had claimed asylum in Germany comes as this nation is reeling from a spate of New Years Eve assaults and robberies targeting women in cities such as Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart. On Saturday, Chancellor Angela Merkel  who has maintained one of the most welcoming policies toward refugees in Europe  said she would back new laws aimed at quickly deporting asylum seekers and refugees who commit criminal offenses.

On Sunday, Cologne police said they arrested a 19-year-old suspected of stealing the cellphone of a 23-year-old woman on New Years Eve. The suspects name was not released, but police said he was a Moroccan citizen who had a criminal record dating to January 2013. As of Sunday, police said they have received 516 complaints related to the New Years Eve incidents, about 40 percent of them sexual offenses.

Read more:

Coordinated assault in Paris seems to mark new chapter in terrorism

A dead baby becomes the most tragic symbol yet of the Mediterranean refugee crisis
Sean Penn and then-fugitive El Chapo Guzman, on October 2, 2015. The photo was taken for verification purposes. After a long dinner and conversation, Chapo granted Penn's request for a formal interview that was published in Rolling Stone. (Courtesy of Rolling Stone) (Courtesy of Rolling Stone/Courtesy of Rolling Stone)

The Mexican government has pledged to ship Joaquin El Chapo Guzman to the United States to answer for his drug-trafficking rap sheet, but that extradition is still at least months away.

In the meantime, Guzman finds himself in the same maximum-security prison he made a mockery of six months ago when he escaped through a tunnel. The question now is: Can Federal Social Readaptation Center No. 1, otherwise known as Altiplano prison, hold him this time?

Given the police and military patrols swarming the exterior of the prison, set amid farmland west of Mexico City, it appears that Mexican authorities are taking their recaptured prisoner seriously. And experts assume that the laxness seen before his escape in July  such as prison guards playing solitaire instead of watching their monitors  will be stiffened for the time being. He may not be housed on the first floor again  the perfect spot for a tunnel master.

On Sunday morning, Mexicos national security commissioner, Renato Sales Heredia, toured Altiplano with other prison officials and said that it fully complied with international standards. His office said it had established a rigorous scheme of supervision that would limit Guzmans access to visitors. But the prison's accreditation from the American Correctional Association lapsed last year, and it has not been renewed. Mexican officials agreed to do a thorough review of staffing, procedures, and the prisons ability to monitor high-value detainees, but it is unclear where that review stands.

And other risks remain. Private property and construction projects abut the perimeter of the prison. Guzmans attorneys are likely to attempt to delay extradition as long as possible, and the billionaire drug lord still has unmatched abilities to bribe or threaten authorities into helping him escape.

1 of 8 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Actress Kate del Castillo, who introduced Sean Penn to drug lord El Chapo View Photos She once infamously tweeted that she trusted drug lord El Chapo Joaquin Guzman above the Mexican government. Thus began a correspondence between the two. Del Castillo was instrumental to getting Sean Penn an interview with him. Caption She once infamously tweeted that she trusted drug lord El Chapo Joaquin Guzman above the Mexican government. Thus began a correspondence between the two. Del Castillo was instrumental to getting Sean Penn an interview with him. Kate del Castillo is known for her work in telenovelas, but she is no stranger to Hollywood. She has worked alongside Antonio Banderas and Eva Longoria. Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

He might not escape the same way, said Alejandro Hope, a security expert and former Mexican intelligence official. He might find another way of getting out of prison. But my guess is, his strategy will be to prolong his stay at Altiplano as long as he can.

But the longer he stays there, the more likely it is he will find a way to escape.

[Mexican drug lord El Chapo recaptured months after brazen escape]

Guzman was captured Friday in his home state of Sinaloa. Mexican authorities caught up with him there  but not before Sean Penn got to him first. The actor, working for Rolling Stone magazine, arranged to interview Guzman in October, in a meeting set up by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo. Mexican officials now say that they were aware of the interview and that it ultimately helped them move in on the fugitive, beginning with an early October military operation in the remote mountains of Durango state.

Penn wrote that he secured the interview after weeks of clandestine planning and that he changed some names. He also wrote that he agreed to submit the article for Guzmans approval before publication  a step that raised eyebrows in journalism circles in the United States.

Guzman has faced charges in a number of U.S. jurisdictions of organized crime, murder and drug trafficking dating to the mid-1990s. When he was apprehended in January 2014, the United States requested his extradition, but Mexico refused. This time, Mexico has initiated the extradition process, but officials there expect it will take months to complete. Some politicians, including the prominent left-wing congressman Jesus Zambrano, have called for Guzman to be tried and sentenced in Mexico before being sent to the United States.

A Mexican law enforcement official said the extradition process cannot be accelerated just because Guzman is a notorious character. Mexico, the official said, must respect the laws, and it cannot violate his right to defend himself.

It doesnt depend on the Mexican government, nor on the United States government. Its in the hands of the judicial authorities, said Mariana Benitez, who was a deputy attorney general when Guzman was imprisoned and is now a congresswoman with the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. We are talking, in the best of scenarios, in at least four to six months.

Benitez said that despite Guzmans enormous power and his networks of corruption, the Altiplano prison can hold him this time.

I am convinced that the security institutions have taken the necessary measures so that [his escape] doesnt happen again, she said.

[Gallery: Escaped Mexican drug lord El Chapo recaptured]

To a visitor, Altiplano is imposing. People must pass through a gantlet of metal detectors, turnstiles, observation rooms and more than a dozen locked gates, some with fingerprint ID sensors, before reaching the wing where Guzman was held. And the intense scrutiny of the Mexican government will make it harder for him to pull any tricks.

I can assure you that for the moment we will not have a new escape, because all the attention of the Mexican government is on that man, said Eduardo Guerrero Gutierrez, a security analyst and former intelligence official.

Guerrero worries that in its rush to extradite, Mexico might not hold on to Guzman long enough for him to provide intelligence that might help capture corrupt government officials he has worked with  or other drug lords.

What happened with El Chapo was something extraordinary, because El Chapo is someone exceptional, and he has abilities unlike any other Mexican capo, Guerrero said.

For the year and a half he was behind bars, Guzman lived in the 60 square feet of Cell 20, the last of 10 cells at the end of a dingy hallway in the wing for the countrys most dangerous criminals. There were surveillance cameras that could see everything, except the small portion shielded by a waist-high privacy wall in his shower stall, the exact spot where he escaped. The hole descended 30 feet until it reached a mile-long tunnel that ended at a cinder-block house in the cornfields south of the prison.

But the biggest threat remains corruption. More than 10 prison guards and their superiors in the penal system were arrested following Guzmans escape last summer. Video surfaced revealing that right before he fled through a hole in the floor of his shower stall, loud banging and construction noise was audible as his accomplices cut through the concrete.

Even before that, Guzman appears to have received special treatment. His attorneys in the past filed several judicial requests, known as amparos, that allowed him extra visitors and delayed the legal proceedings against him.

Gabriela Martinez in Mexico City and Paul Farhi in Washington contributed to this report.
Photos: Rob Pegoraro/Yahoo Tech

Its getting harder to mock the electronics industrys sales pitch for ultrahigh-definition (UHD) TV as just another exercise in TV shaming.

At this years CES, two of the biggest obstacles to making the leap to UHD (also known as 4K for its almost 4,000 pixels of horizontal resolution) now look smaller than they did when the format debuted at 2012s CES.

But at the same time, potential upgraders also got another reason to wait until next year  or maybe even longer. Progress in the gadget business is like that sometimes.

HDR, by multiple monikers

The major flaw with UHD has always been the awkward reality that on many smaller screens  meaning below 50 inches  you just wont see those extra pixels from your couch. And while the industry would gladly sell all of us 60- or 70-inch screens, displays of those dimensions wont fit in many living rooms or budgets.

Last year, the industry began uniting around an addition to the UHD specification that you actually can see on smaller sets: HDR, short for high dynamic range. This expands the range of colors that a screen can display, getting much closer to the limits of human vision.

(Dont confuse HDR with OLED, the screen technology championed by LG that also touts brighter colors; both LCD and OLED can handle HDR content.)

HDR is an obvious upgrade even from typical couch distance. And now that companies like Samsung are moving to add it to their entire product line, instead of reserving it for higher-end models, it should start getting more affordable.

Finding a set with HDR can still mean puzzling over spec sheets, though. As analyst Richard Doherty of Envisioneering observed, All UHDs are not created equal, and some consumers found out the hard way the last holiday season.

A new Ultra HD Premium label, which goes on sets that pass independent testing for picture-quality metrics, may help dispel that confusion. But first manufacturers need to resist the temptation to adopt their own brand names or to concoct an even higher-end tier  Ultra Ultra HD, perhaps  as part of some future upsell attempt.

Story continues

Blu-ray support, finally

Finding something to watch in 4K resolution remains a problem, even with a growing catalog of ultrahigh-def fare from Netflix, Amazon, and other online video services. 4K streaming generally demands a good 25 Mbps of consistent bandwidth  twice the 12.6 Mbps U.S. average. (The latter stat comes from the latest State of the Internet report from content-distribution company Akamai.)

Cable and satellite providers, meanwhile, still dont seem too keen on setting aside bandwidth in their own systems for 4K content.

But years after you might have expected this to happen, Blu-ray discs are finally gaining UHD support, HDR included. Samsung not only introduced its first UHD Blu-ray player at CES but named a price  $399.99  and started taking pre-orders.

You will, of course, have to buy your favorite movies all over again. If that doesnt sound appealing, Dish Network revealed another way to enjoy UHDs higher resolution without waiting on rereleases from Hollywood or faster connections from your Internet provider: Its new Hopper 3 DVR can display four HD channels at once in four quadrants of a UHD TV.

You can think of it as re-creating the sports-bar experience  or maybe its just a cry for help.

Yet another reason to wait: Over-the-air

Broadcast TV  another way to watch video that doesnt have to wait on your ISP and has the added advantage of being free  is also due for a UHD upgrade. A revision of the ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) standard behind broadcast TV will both allow for an over-the-air 4K signal and should deliver more reliable HD reception.

Two local stations are testing UHD broadcasts with this ATSC 3.0 standard during CES, following successful tests of the technology last year that saw over-the-air reception working inside the basement of a Cleveland office building 10 miles away from a stations transmitters.

Its a much more robust technology, said Doherty, who observed last years tests. And its moving rapidly toward becoming a defined standard manufacturers can build into TVs.

The standards could be completed late spring or early summer and even voted on by the end of the summer or early fall, said Peter Fannon, Panasonics vice president for corporate and government affairs. Thats much faster progress than we saw with the original digital-TV standard.

And it means we may see sets with ATSC 3.0 tuners onboard by next years CES  which in turn would give you a solid reason to hold off on any UHD upgrade for yet another year.

That new standard will also require new tuners in TV sets, none of which are shipping yet, and it will make every existing digital-TV receiver obsolete. Fannon suggested that youd be able to keep watching over-the-air TV by plugging a small adapter into a TVs USB or HDMI port.

Its also quite possible that TV manufacturers will need a good year of shipping UHD TVs with ATSC 3.0 tuners to get them down to a reasonable price. You may want to check back with me at CES 2017.

Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro.
The chief minister made the loaded statement at the launch of C K Sreedharan's autobiography in Kanhangad on Wednesday.
Published by an old curmudgeon who came to America in 1936 as a refugee from Nazi Germany and proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He is a former law enforcement officer and a retired professor of criminal justice who, in 1970, founded the Texas Narcotic Officers Association. BarkGrowlBite refuses to be politically correct. (Copyrighted articles are reproduced in accordance with the copyright laws of the U.S. Code, Title 17, Section 107.)
#DP DP bristles at prosecution probes targeting top officials of previous administration The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) strongly protested prosecution investigations that led to arrest warrant requests for former top officials of the previous Moon Jae-in gov...
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Jaoquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, the famed drug lord who was on the run for the past six months, has now been recaptured.

Thanks, according to AP and ABC, in no small part to a secret interview conducted by Sean Penn for Rolling Stone. Yes, really. The actor conducted a lengthy interview with Sean Penn inside the drug lord's citadel in the mountains of Sinaloa.

Penn was set up with El Chapo through a Mexican TV actress, Kate Del Castillo, who has been a vocal supporter for El Chapo. In 2012, Del Castillo posted a bizarre message online, claiming that she believed in El Chapo more than the government which "hides painful truths from me, who hide the cure for cancer, AIDS, etc.. for their own benefit and wealth."

Right.

As for El Chapo, the drug lord has been angling towards a movie biopic of his own life and, after his first escape in 2014, had been on the lookout for producers to take on his story.

The two met, however now it's cost both El Chapo, Sean Penn and Kate Del Castillo. El Chapo has been recaptured by the Mexican authorities, who admitted that Sean Penn's interview helped to track the drug lord.

Not only that, Sean Penn and Kate Del Castillo are now under investigation for their part in El Chapo's interview.

#BREAKING Mexican government source tells ABC news that both Sean Penn and Kate Del Castillos are under investigation for meeting El Chapo  Matt Gutman (@mattgutmanABC) January 10, 2016

It's early days yet, but nobody knows exactly what the nature of the investigation is or what'll happen to Sean Penn because of his involvement. He's had numerous run-ins with the law in the past and courted controversy for his support of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

Via ABC / Twitter
Matthew McConaughey's clearly not happy with having just the one Oscar if this is anything to go by.

Set in during the American Civil War, McConaughey plays a poor farmer-turned-Confederacy soldier who leads an armed uprising and attempts to secede from both the Confederacy and the Union to form an independent state with freed slaves.

Based partially on the true story of Newton Knight and the Jones County rebellion, McConaughey leads a cast that includes our own Brendan Gleeson, Keri Russell, House of Cards' Mahershala Ali and Doctor Who's Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

Here's the first trailer.

So, thoughts? Well, they've basically packed all the battle sequences into one trailer and given us the entire plot - which is a shame. The film was originally slated for release around March of this year, but was pushed back to May 13th. That places it right in the middle of blockbuster territory, nestled in between X-Men: Apocalypse and Captain: America Civil War.

McConaughey's never phoned in a performance, so we can expect something big from him and the supporting cast looks strong as well. Likewise, the story's interesting and should make for some discussion on its release.

Last year's Boyhood proved you don't necessarily have to release a film at any specific time in order for it to be viable as an Oscar contender and it looks Free State of Jones is looking to do something similar here.

Free State of Jones should be released in Ireland around Summer of 2016.






















Link to Profile... NB: Unsigned comments will probably be deleted.

This is a polemical Catholic Royalist blog. It will also attempt to provide a window onto various events, situations and personalities not generally or favorably presented to the purview of the general public in the English speaking world. It also hopes to be a bridge for those who wish to cross over, unite and fight for the truth.Just remember, the Rhine still flows into the Tiber.Dedicated to the Immaculate and Sacred Hearts.
Rabbi Eliezer Berland, the head of the Shuvu Banim Breslov hasidic sect, likely now has a kind of diplomatic status, making him criminally immune" and is holed up in the sects secret compound somewhere between Midrand and Pretoria." Berland is wanted in Israel for a string of alleged sex assaults against female followers, at least one of whom was only 15 when the alleged assault took place.

Above: Rabbi Eliezer Berland

Alleged Sex Abuser Hasidic Rabbi Allegedly Given South African Citizenship, Diplomatic Immunity

Shmarya Rosenberg  FailedMessiah.com

Rabbi Eliezer Berland, the head of the Shuvu Banim Breslov hasidic sect, likely now has a kind of diplomatic status, making him criminally immune" and is holed up in the sects secret compound somewhere between Midrand and Pretoria, the South African Jewish Report reported Thursday.

Berland, who is on a near-three-year flight from justice, is wanted in Israel for the alleged sexual abuse and rape of several female followers, many of who were married at the time the alleged abuse took place. One of the complainants allegedly sexually assaulted by Berland was only 15 at the time the alleged assault took place.

Even so, and despite the fact that South African police twice tried to arrest Berland when he was hiding in South Africa in 2014, Berland allegedly obtained his SA citizenship last week. His alleged diplomatic status means Berland could not be arrested by South African police or held for deportation, Berlands Dutch lawyer Louis de Leon reportedly said.

After more than three years of persecution of the rabbi, tonight it can be said that the king is alive and well, one of Berlands supporters told Arutz Sheva on arrival in Israel last Monday night after celebrating Berlands birthday with him in South Africa on Sunday. Its just the way they persecuted King David and he continued to be joyous, sing and play to bring together the nation of Israel, so does the Tzadik of the generation, with simplicity and innocence, continue to lead more than 30,000 of his students who are spread around the world. From one day to the next our community is growing despite the exile it is enduring. We believe that very soon the Rabbi will return to lead the people of Israel and the entire world with the coming of our righteous messiah and with true peace, the follower reportedly concluded.

Berlands son Nachman, who is also a rabbi in the sect, claimed to have been in South Africa with his father to celebrate his birthday. He said he brought some of Berlands grandchildren with him and confirmed that Berland now has South African citizenship.

Berlands sect is made up almost entirely of baal teshuvas (Jews who became Orthodox as adults), many of whom have extensive criminal records.

Berlands followers likely got Berland South African citizenship  and whatever diplomatic status he has, if any  by paying large bribes to government officials.

Berland been on the run for almost three years, spending brief amounts of time in the US, Italy, Switzerland, and then Morocco, from which he was expelled in November 2013 after local media realized Berland was wanted for questioning as a sex offender.

He went to Cairo for a few hours and then to Zimbabwe, where he was arrested, placed in handcuffs and expelled.

From there he flew to Johannesburg. Police tried twice to arrest him but he escaped and flew to Holland in September 2014 just before Rosh Hashana with the intent of immediately continuing on a connecting flight to the Ukraine, where he hoped to spend the High Holidays at the grave of Breslovs founder, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.

But Dutch police arrested him in the airport on an international warrant and began proceedings to deport Berland to Israel. Berland as Berland filed a series of appeals he was allowed to stay out of jail by the Dutch courts. Wth the help of de Leon Berland falsely claimed to be a Holocaust survivor, faked several illnesses, and used other ploys to stave off deportation to Israel.

Then, when every appeal and delaying tactic had failed, Berland disappeared and dropped out of sight, surfacing months later at a mystery location in South Africa.

Related Posts:

All Rabbi Eliezer Berland Posts.
The Catholic Church issued a statement condemning the most recent vandalism. The Church statement also called on Israel Police to find the attackers and bring them to justice. But the Church noted that police had failed to do so after similar incidents.

Above: Toppled crosses at the Beit Jamal Franciscan Monastery

Catholic Cemetery In Israel Vandalized In Possible Hate Crime

Shmarya Rosenberg  FailedMessiah.com

A Catholic cemetery belonging to the Beit Jamal Franciscan Monastery near Beit Shemesh, Israel has been vandalized, Haaretz reported.

Several crosses on gravestones were broken last month.

The Catholic Church issued a statement condemning the most recent vandalism. The Church statement also called on Israel Police to find the attackers and bring them to justice. But the Church noted that police had failed to do so after similar incidents. Those incidents include:

 September 2015  the cemetery was also vandalized.

 2014  the walls of the monastery itself were spray-painted with anti-Christian slogans.

 2013  attackers threw a firebomb at the monastery.

Christian institutions in the West Bank and in Israel proper have suffered a wave of hate crime attacks over the past several years, and Christian clergy are reportedly frequently spit on and cursed as they walk the streets of Jerusalems Old City  especially in the Jewish Quarter and in the streets that immediately border it.

Police have made few arrests. Those suspects arrested are rarely prosecuted. And those who are prosecuted usually get off with a no-prison sentence of community service.

The group of Orthodox young people, loosely known as the Hilltop Youth, believed to be behind many of these attacks also sprouted the Jewish terror cell that allegedly committed the Douma (Duma) arson-murders of a West Bank Palestinian baby and his sleeping parents in July.

Israel refused to vigorously investigate these hate crimes until the US Department of State sharply criticized it for its laxness in early 2014. Even then, few arrests were made and even few prosecutions took place.

However, the shock and revulsion over the the Douma arson murders this year, which was preceded by the the shock and revulsion over the kidnapping and gruesome murder of 16-year-old Palestinian Mohammed Abu Khdeir in July 2014 by three Sefardi haredi extremists, finally spurred Israels police and security services take stronger action to stop the Jewish hate crimes.

But critics from both the left and the far right have sharply criticized Israels government and its internal security service the Shin Bet for its alleged torture and mistreatment of Jewish extremists detained without trial. To many observers, Israels behavior makes it look as if it is desperately playing catch up, trying to break Jewish terror and hate crime cells it essentially gave carte blanche to for the better part of a decade.
Israels unequal treatment of Palestinians in Jerusalem and other areas was highlighted today when an Israeli court ruled in a case aboutplaygrounds.

Above: A playground in the Jewish neighborhood of Pisgat Ze'ev. (Flash 90)

Corrected at 10:39 am CDT

Do Playgrounds Tell Israels Story Of (Dis)Integration?

Shmarya Rosenberg  FailedMessiah.com

Israels unequal treatment of Palestinians in Jerusalem and other areas was highlighted today when an Israeli court ruled in a case aboutplaygrounds.

The Jerusalem District Court ruled today that the City of Jerusalem must draft a plan to build playgrounds in two Palestinian neighborhoods, Shoafat (also spelled: Shuafat) and Beit Hanina, Haaretz reported.

The Tzahor nonprofit, described as an advocacy organization by Haaretz (and not to be confused with the similarly-named moderate Zionist Orthodox rabbinic group Tzohar), filed suit against the city nine months ago alleging the city was discriminating against Palestinians in the city by failing to equitably provide services. The suit used the playground disparity between Palestinian and Jewish neighborhoods to make its point to the court.

Representing Tzohar in the suit was Yosef Havilio, a former legal adviser to the City of Jerusalem.

The suit alleged the number of playgrounds per capita in the Palestinian neighborhoods of Jerusalem is only 1% of the national average, and that the 1% is 30 times fewer than in the citys Jewish neighborhoods.

There is one playground for every 1,000 residents in Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem while there is only one playground for every 30,000 residents in the Palestinian neighborhoods of Shoafat and Beit Hanina. 60,000 Palestinians live in those two neighborhoods combined, but there are only two city-owned public playgrounds in total.

(A third playground was recently privately built by Palestinians who purchased the land and petitioned to have it zoned for public use.)

In contrast, there are allegedly 35 playgrounds for the 48,000 residents of the Jewish neighborhood of Ramot, 28 for the 17,000 residents of the Jewish neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo, and 56 for 44,000 people in Pisgat Zeev. (The latter two neighborhoods border or are very close to Shoafat and Beit Hanina.)

The suit asked court to order the city to build at least 10 new playgrounds in Shoafat and Beit Hanina over the next two years, with another 20 added on top of that within five years.

The city argued the lack of playgrounds wasnt its fault. It argued Shoafat and Beit Hanina are unplanned neighborhoods with unregulated land ownership while the Jewish neighborhoods nearby are all regulated and pre-planned. The city argued Shoafat and Beit Hanina are comparable to densely populated haredi neighborhoods like Mea Shearim, which also lack adequate playgrounds, and gave the court documentation that it had tried  but failed  to build playgrounds in Shoafat and Beit Hanina.

The court did not buy the citys arguments.

Indeed, one cannot compare new, planned neighborhoods built on regulated land, with old neighborhoods whose process of development was not controlled or regulated, Judge Nava Ben-Or reportedly wrote in her ruling. However, the gap [in playground development] between the two types of neighborhoods is unreasonable to an extreme degree.

Ben-Or ordered the city to immediately draft a plan to close that unreasonable gap.
Ashkenazi haredi Rabbi Mendel Epstein bragged he would use an electric cattle prod on the genitals of a recalcitrant husband to force him to give his wife a Jewish bill of divorce known as a get. Now Nathan Lewin claims Epstein did no wrong  at least no wrong that deserved FBI intervention.

Above: Nathan Lewin

News Analysis: Nathan Lewin Spins For The Prodfather

Shmarya Rosenberg  FailedMessiah.com

Ashkenazi haredi Rabbi Mendel Epstein bragged he would use an electric cattle prod on the genitals of a recalcitrant husband to force him to give his wife a Jewish bill of divorce known as a get. Now Nathan Lewin claims Epstein did no wrong at least no wrong that deserved FBI intervention.

Lewin  the Orthodox appellate attorney best known around these parts for equating PETA with the Nazis and for allegedly encouraging Sholom Rubashkin of Agriprocessors infamy to accuse the government and the trial judge of anti-Semitism while giving Sholom Rubashkin other advice altogether helped put Rubashkin behind bars for 27 years  has a long column in the Jewish Press defending Rabbi Mendel Epstein and the other members of Epstein's get coercion, torture and kidnapping ring.

Lewin 'accidentally' attributed a quote to Rubashkin's trial judge that she never actually said and then used that fictitious quote in an appeal. FailedMessiah.com exposed Lewin and the appellate court later chastised him for putting words in the trial judge's mouth - a judge Lewin elsewhere equated to the biblical archenemy of the Jews, Haman.

So when Nathan Lewin writes about Jewish issues, it's prudent to take him with a large grain of salt, and that's the case with his Epstein defense, as well.

Lewin plays up government 'entrapment' and the all the good Epstein allegedly did for agunot while failing to make clear that Epstein charged large amounts of money for his kidnap-coercion-torture service, which had by Epstein's own admission at trial been going on for many years. Epstein didn't generally provide this service for poor agunot who could not pay him. Instead, Epstein ran his ring like the money-making business it was.

Lawyers defend their clients. Lawyers all too often bend the truth in doing so and, sadly, are given much too much latitude by the courts to, essentially, lie.

What makes Lewin different are his often shortsighted poor choices. Labeling a sitting federal chief judge with a well documented reputation for tough sentencing and who had no history of anti-Semitism an anti-Semite in a bid to get Rubashkin a new sentence is deplorable. So too are most of Lewin's claims with regard to Epstein and his co-conspirators.

The stiffest sentence handed down in the Epstein case was by far the sentence given Epstein  10 years in federal prison. Lewin complains about that sentence and about the far smaller sentences given Epsteins top co-conspirators, a small number of whom sere sentenced to four years in prison.

What Lewin, however, fails to tell his readers is that the baseline minimum penalty for kidnapping in federal law for first time offenders without any enhancements for extreme violence, demands of ransom against the government, and heading a conspiracy to kidnap is 10.1 to 12.6 years in prison. That means Epstein got the lowest sentence possible under law, and his co-conspirators, due to plea deals and creative charging by prosecutors, got even less because their roles were much less.

Lewin rails against the FBI for conducting the sting and makes it clear he believes the sting and similar stings in other cases are wrong because they entice people to commit crimes they otherwise would not commit.

But this is settled law. Law enforcement is allowed to use deception to catch criminals, and that deception can include stings just like this. When cops go online and pretend to be 13-year-old girls in order to catch sexual predators, they havent done anything wrong  theyve done something right.

By his own admission, this was not Epsteins first go around at coercing a get from a recalcitrant husband through threats of violence, and it clearly was not his first kidnapping. He wasnt enticed by the FBI into committing a crime and entrapped; he was apprehended by the FBI in a legitimate sting.

Lewins article is likely meant as a fundraising tool to pay for the appeals of Epstein and some of the other ring members.

But that still does not absolve Lewin from responsibility for the damage he has done to haredi understanding of US law and the legal system. People who believe judges are anti-Semites and the FBI is evil are unlikely to respect the law. And when you add to that mix the haredi communitys ingrown disdain for any legal system that isnt completely based on the Torah and rabbinic law, you get a noxious mix of scofflaw behavior and other abuses.

Lewin, a former top lay adviser to Agudath Israel of America, also fancies himself as a defender of shechita (kosher slaughter) just like his father, who wrote a fanciful propaganda book on shechita meant to combat moves in many Western countries to ban or heavily regulate it as part of cleaning up and making as humane as possible the meat slaughter industry. Those moves happened to coincide with the Nazis rise to power, and the Nazis exploited that move toward humane slaughter by taking the real problems with shechita and exaggerating them. The Nazis used those exaggerations as tools in their campaign to demonize Jews. Lewin is fond of equating PETA with the Nazis as a result, even though there is no direct line between one and the other, and he used an extension of the same logic to brand Rubashkins federal trial judge Haman.

Neither smear served his client  or the Jewish community as a whole  well, and his similar attempts now on behalf of Epstein and his co-conspirators will likely have the same deleterious results.

Related Posts:

All Rabbi Mendel Epstein Get Kidnapping And Coercion Posts.

All Nathan Lewin Posts.

[Hat Tip: Sfek-Sfeika.]
If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government get their way, twice-convicted unrepentant haredi felon Aryeh Deri will be Israel's new Interior Minister.

Above: Aryeh Deri

Netanyahu Government Unanimously Approves Twice-Convicted Unrepentant Bribe-Taking Haredi Felon As Interior Minister

Shmarya Rosenberg  FailedMessiah.com

In Israel, two felony convictions for public corruption is no bar to becoming the countrys new Interior Minister.

That was clear today as the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unanimously approved the appointment of an unrepentant twice-convicted felon, Aryeh Deri, as Israels new Interior Minister, Haaretz reported.

Deri, who now heads the Sefardi haredi Shas Party, held the position in the 1990s but was suspended following allegations  later proved in court  of bribe-taking.

Deri was convicted, sentenced to three years in prison, and after a long appeals process served two-thirds of his sentence.

He was released in July 2002 but was then charged and convicted for breech of public trust in a related case, but was only sentenced to community service.

Deri was unrepentant through the entire process and remains so to this day.

According to Israels Basic Law on the Government, which is part of Israels quasi-constitution, seven years after serving his sentence Deri was eligible to return to political life, which he did, first as the co-chairman of the Shas Party and soon after as its only chairman, Member of Knesset, and Minister for Development of the Negev and Galilee.

Deris appointment as Interior Minister will be brought to the Knesset for an approval vote in the next few days.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Deri today after the vote. Netanyahu emphasized to Deri that as Interior Minister he will have three main tasks: preventing African asylum seekers (infiltrators in Netanyahus common parlance) from entering Israel from entering Israel, deporting those African asylum seekers already in Israel (even though the vast majority qualify as refugees under international law and cannot be returned to their home countries because of extreme danger to life and limb), and changing the borders of local municipal councils in a way that will distribute municipal taxes more equitably.

Deri's Shas Party vehemently opposes African asylum seekers over fears of intermarriage with Jews and fears of violent crime. It urged the previous Netanyahu government to deport all of them, no matter what international law says.

After Deri returned to Knesset in 2015, Netanyahu openly planned on reappointing Deri as Interior Minister  the same post he was forced out of for bribe-taking.

A wave of sharp criticism followed and Deri announced that he would turn down the post he so desperately wanted "to avoid slander."

But last week, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein told Netanyahu that legally he could choose to appoint Deri as Interior Minister, but pointed out other reasons why doing that would be the wrong thing for the country, citing a High Court of Justice hearing that paved the way for Deri to be appointed Minister of Development for the Negev and Galilee.

During the High Court hearing regarding Deri, it was ruled that his appointment raises legal difficulties, and the court found it on the border of reasonability, Weinstein wrote.

After the election last Spring, Deri was also given the position of Economy Minister, which he held until two months ago when he resigned that role, thereby allowing Netanyahu to hold the position of Economy Minister himself along with the Premiership so Netanyahu could bypass the authority of Israels Anti-Trust Commissioner push through a deal on Israels natural gas reserves that favors Netanyahus cronies.

Netanyahus narrow coalition government depends on its haredi coalition partners, Shas and the Ashkenazi haredi United Torah Judaism Party (UTJ), to remain in power.
(Adds British Columbia police comments)

Jan 9 (Reuters) - A United flight en route to Denver from Anchorage, Alaska, was diverted on Saturday to Vancouver where a suspect was arrested due to "security concerns," authorities said.

United Air Lines Flight 1104 landed safely at about 4:30 a.m. (1230 GMT) in the western Canadian city, where it was met by law enforcement authorities, the airline said. There were 131 passengers and six crew members aboard the Boeing 737.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Richmond, British Columbia, said on Twitter a suspect was taken into custody but operations at Vancouver International Airport were not affected.

RCMP Corporal Dennis Hwang said a male U.S. citizen was in custody and police were "working towards laying charges".

"I would not classify it as a terror issue but certain security protocols came into play once we received the call," he said from Vancouver.

CNN reported that a "threatening message" was found on the aircraft. Hwang declined to give details.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Amran Abocar in Toronto; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and James Dalgleish)
chick-fil-a

Chick-fil-A is the top fried-chicken chain in the US, and it has been growing rapidly over the last couple years.

In 2014, the company grew by $700 million to achieve $5.8 billion in sales, making it larger than every pizza brand in the country, according to QSR magazine.

It's now the eighth-largest fast-food chain in the US by sales, and it generates more revenue per restaurant than any other chain in the country, according to QSR.

Here are a few changes Chick-fil-A has made in the past year to help spur its growth:

1. The Atlanta-based chain expanded to New York City. Manhattan's first Chick-fil-A opened on October 3 at the corner of West 37th Street and 6th Avenue in a three-story, 5,000-square-foot space. The new restaurant is one of 88 that Chick-fil-A opened across the country in 2015. The chain also opened its first restaurant in Long Island on October 7.

2. The company started rolling out table service in its restaurants.

chick fil a

When customers order at the register to dine in, they are given a plastic table marker to place on their table and an employee will then deliver their food. Chick-fil-A employees also now canvass the restaurants offering to refill customers' beverages or deliver items like napkins and condiments.

David Farmer, Chick-fil-A's vice president of menu strategy and development, told Business Insider that the service would not only benefit customers  it would also clear out the area in front of the counter where customers cluster to pick up their food.

3. Chick-fil-A revamped its coffee.

Chick-fil-A coffee

Chick-fil-A launched a premium-coffee line in August 2014 through a partnership with Thrive Farmers Coffee, which gives some of the revenues from coffee sales to a network of family farmers in Central America.

The new coffee offerings included a cold-brewed version with 2% milk and cane sugar, which is selling for $2.29 for 16 ounces.

One year after its launch, Chick-fil-A's coffee sales had doubled, the company told Fortune.

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4. Chick-fil-A got rid of cole slaw, which has been on the menu for 49 years, and is replacing it with a kale and broccolini salad.

Chick-fil-A

The new so-called superfood side features hand-chopped kale and broccolini tossed in a maple-vinaigrette dressing and topped with dried sour cherries and roasted nuts, including walnuts, almonds, and pecans.

The dish is just 140 calories for a 5-ounce portion and contains 7 grams of fat. By comparison, a medium order of the chain's waffle fries has 400 calories with 21 grams of fat.

5. The company tested new sauces including a sweet and spicy sriracha, smokehouse barbecue, garlic and herb ranch, and zesty buffalo. The sauces are being tested in in South Georgia, Florida, South Alabama, and South Mississippi.

6. The chain tested new menu items, including a smokehouse-barbecue bacon sandwich and side of a baked potato at select restaurants. Chick-fil-A also launched frosted lemonade nationwide, which is a blend of fresh-squeezed lemonade and its "icedream" ice cream.

Chick-fil-AChick-fil-A

7. Chick-fil-A expanded a service called Mom's Valet at some restaurants, in hopes of attracting more customers with young children.

The service lets parents order at the drive-thru with their children in the car with them, then go inside where a Chick-fil-A employee will have a table ready  with however many high chairs they need  and serve them.

It started organically at one restaurant four years ago and has expanded to about 100 of the chains more than 1,900 restaurants. Franchisees can choose whether to offer the program at their restaurants.

8. A Chick-fil-A franchisee announced plans to support an LGBT film festival in October. A couple months earlier, an Iowa Chick-fil-A restaurant donated 200 sandwiches to the city's gay-pride picnic. Chick-fil-A has been criticized in the past for supporting anti-gay-marriage organizations.

NOW WATCH: Famous chef David Chang has created his own Chick-Fil-A killer





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A South Korean soldier in Seoul walks past a TV news report on North Korea's nuclear test on January 6, 2016 (AFP Photo/Jung Yeon-Je) (AFP/File)

Chinese border residents were evacuated from buildings after feeling tremors from North Korea's nuclear test on Wednesday, state media reported.

People near the frontier with North Korea "clearly felt tremors" on Wednesday morning after Pyongyang said it detonated a hydrogen bomb, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said on a verified social media account.

The areas included Yanji, Hunchun and Changbai in Jilin province, it added -- some of the counties closest to the North's nuclear test site.

Residents in Yanji saw desks and chairs shake for several seconds and some companies evacuated employees from their offices, it said.

Students at a senior high school were dismissed during an examination after its recreation ground cracked, it added.

China is the North's closest diplomatic ally and main provider of trade and aid, but Beijing has become increasingly frustrated with its pursuit of its nuclear ambitions and regularly calls for calm on the Korean peninsula.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un suggested Pyongyang had already developed a hydrogen bomb, but the claim was questioned by international experts and scepticism continued over Wednesday's test announcement.
PARIS (Reuters) - Greece found an ally in France's finance minister on Sunday as Athens seeks support from its European creditors for its efforts at economic reforms that are crucial to opening talks on easing its debt burden.

Speaking after meeting in Paris with his Greek counterpart, who is on a tour of euro zone capitals, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said he was won over and that France was in favour of moving on to tackling the debt issue quickly.

"I was convinced ... that the Greek government is determined to respect its commitments on all of the subjects," Sapin told a news conference.

"The faster that we can speak about the question of Greece's debt the better it is for everyone," Sapin added.

Speaking at the joint news conference after meeting with Sapin, Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said he was "quite confident" that a first review of Athen's reform efforts under its latest bailout could be completed quickly, opening the way for discussions about Greece's debt.

"It's absolutely critical for us that since we've done so much to gain this credibility that this is acknowledged," Tsakalotos said. "I think that we will get there in the end."

Greece's European creditors are due to start the review on Jan. 18 with the aim of wrapping it up in February, euro zone officials say.

The formal review, the first since the euro zone and Greece agreed on a third bailout package in August, is to include controversial reforms like changes to Greece's pension system, a plan for which Athens sent to Brussels last week.

Tsakalotos said that Greece had found some of the 1.8 billion euros in savings from the pension system that it has been asked to make, but that it needed some leeway to ensure that further cuts did not fall this year after years of successive reductions.

(Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
Ted Cruz

Top-tier presidential candidate and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has faced another round of questions over his White House eligibility over the past week, reviving a firestorm over the issue that first erupted two years ago.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump brought the subject to the forefront this week, after he insinuated in a Washington Post interview that Cruz's birth in Canada would be a "precarious" legal issue for Republicans if they nominated him.

"Republicans are going to have to ask themselves the question: 'Do we want a candidate who could be tied up in court for two years?' That'd be a big problem," Trump said, according to The Post. "It'd be a very precarious one for Republicans because he'd be running and the courts may take a long time to make a decision. You don't want to be running and have that kind of thing over your head."

Cruz first released his birth certificate to The Dallas Morning News in 2013. The day after, he said in a late-night statement that he would renounce his Canadian citizenship. Amid the latest firestorm, his campaign released his mother's birth certificate to the conservative website Breitbart on Friday.

Back in 2013, Trump said that Cruz was "perhaps not" eligible to run for president. Trump was once one of the most prominent people questioning the birthplace of President Barack Obama, who eventually released his long-form birth certificate in 2011.

But the questions about Cruz have little, if any, comparison to the conspiracy theories about Obama's birthplace. The "birtherism" that dogged Obama stemmed from the fact that his father was born in Kenya. But Obama's mother was born in Kansas and Obama himself was born in Honolulu, according to his birth certificate, though many conspiracy theorists are skeptical about the document.

Cruz's situation is quite different, in that he was actually born outside the US. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, to a father from Cuba and a mother from Wilmington, Delaware.

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From the legal experts to who The Dallas Morning News and others have spoken in investigations over Cruz's eligibility, the US citizenship of Cruz's mother at the time should satisfy the constitutional requirement of being a "natural-born" citizen. The Constitution does not define what "natural born" means, but the expert consensus is that a person only has to be a US citizen at birth to meet that threshold.

Cruz once had dual citizenship. He said in 2013 that he would renounce his Canadian citizenship.

"Because my mother was a US citizen, born in Delaware, I was a US citizen by birth," he said in a 2013 statement. "When I was a kid, my Mom told me that I could choose to claim Canadian citizenship if I wanted. I got my US passport in high school. "

He continued:

Because I was a US citizen at birth, because I left Calgary when I was 4 and have lived my entire life since then in the US, and because I have never taken affirmative steps to claim Canadian citizenship, I assumed that was the end of the matter. Now the Dallas Morning News says that I may technically have dual citizenship. Assuming that is true, then sure, I will renounce any Canadian citizenship. Nothing against Canada, but I'm an American by birth and as a US senator, I believe I should be only an American.

ted cruz

There are a couple of high-profile precedents for presidential contenders who were born outside the US. Notably, George Romney was born in Mexico to Mormon missionary parents and ran for president in 1968.

His son, 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, defended both Cruz's and Obama's citizenship on Friday.

.@tedcruz is a "natural born citizen." Obama too. Even George Romney. This isn't the issue you're looking for.  Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) January 8, 2016

And in 2008, Sen. John McCain's (R-Arizona) "natural-born" status was also somewhat in question. McCain, the Republican Party's nominee that year, was born in the Panama Canal Zone, which was a US territory at the time but has since been turned over to Panama. McCain's parents were both born in the US.

Both then-Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Democratic candidates at the time, sponsored a resolution firmly stating that McCain met the Constitution's requirement that presidents are "natural-born" citizens.

The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service also attempted to tackle the question of who is a "natural-born citizen" in a November 2011 report.

The report suggests that someone in Cruz's situation would be indeed be eligible to become president. Here are the key paragraphs (emphasis added):

The weight of legal and historical authority indicates that the term "natural born" citizen would mean a person who is entitled to US citizenship "by birth" or "at birth," either by being born "in" the United States and under its jurisdiction, even those born to alien parents; by being born abroad to US citizen-parents; or by being born in other situations meeting legal requirements for US citizenship "at birth." Such term, however, would not include a person who was not a US citizen by birth or at birth, and who was thus born an "alien" required to go through the legal process of "naturalization" to become a US citizen. [...]

The weight of more recent federal cases, as well as the majority of scholarship on the subject, also indicates that the term "natural born citizen" would most likely include, as well as native born citizens, those born abroad to US citizen-parents, at least one of whom had previously resided in the United States, or those born abroad to one US citizen parent who, prior to the birth, had met the requirements of federal law for physical presence in the country.

Although legal experts widely believe Cruz is eligible for the Oval Office, the courts have yet to rule on the issue and could theoretically complicate the senator's plans if a legal challenge were brought before them. If history is any indication, however, a serious challenge would be unlikely.

For his part, McCain actually suggested this past week that it's "worth looking into" whether Cruz is eligible to run for president.

"I think there is a question," McCain said. "I'm not a constitutional scholar on that, but I think it's worth looking into. I don't think it's illegitimate to look into it."

Cruz responded to McCain by alleging his remarks came from his desire to support Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), one of Cruz's rivals, for president.

NOW WATCH: Business Insider's full interview with Jeb Bush





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North Korea's Nuclear Test Weighs on FEZ, the Europe-Tracking ETF

(Continued from Prior Part)

North Korea and the Eurozone

The Eurozone (EZU) is an important ally for NATO. NATO, led by the United States (SPY), has already imposed sanctions on North Korea. North Koreas claim of a hydrogen bomb test poses a direct threat to NATO and European countries. The way North Korea is ruled may not guarantee the proper use of nuclear power, which could threaten developed economies such as the Eurozone and Japan (EWJ).

It still has not been confirmed what type of bomb North Korea actually tested. Some believe it could have been an advanced nuclear weapon with high intensity of fission reactions.

Major indexes of the Eurozone

The major indexes of the Eurozone opened in the red in Wednesdays early trading and continued to trade in the negative zone. Following are the indexes and their returns as of 4:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on January 6, 2016:

The United Kingdoms FTSE 100 Index fell 0.82%.

Germanys DAX fell 0.92%.

Frances CAC 40 fell 1.1%.

Switzerlands Swiss Market Index fell 0.46%.

The major Asian indexes also fell on January 6, 2016. Japans Nikkei 225 fell 1%, and Hang Seng fell 0.99%. Major stocks of Nikkei such as Toyota Motor (TM), Honda Motor (HMC), and Sony (SNE) fell 2.0%, 0.66%, and 2.2%, respectively, that day.

North Korea said the nuclear test is a protection tool

According to KCNA (Korean Central News Agency), North Korea has successfully tested a hydrogen nuclear bomb. North Korea wants the hydrogen bomb as a protection from the ever-growing nuclear threat. However, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately said Japan absolutely cannot tolerate the bomb, which is a big threat to Japans security.

In the next part of this series, well look at FEZs various industries and how they performed on January 5, 2016.

Continue to Next Part

Browse this series on Market Realist:
BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali's chief prosecutor said on Saturday that it has evidence that jihadist group Al Mourabitoun, led by veteran leader veteran militant leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar, was behind a November attack on a luxury hotel that killed 20 people. Two Islamist militants stormed the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital Bamako on November 20, killing six Russians, three Chinese and an American among others, in their bloodiest strike in the West African country in years. Boubacar Sidiki Samake said that a scrap of paper with an Arabic inscription was found on the bodies of the two men, later killed by Malian Special Forces. The note sought the release of two prisoners who are members of Al Mourabitoun held in neighbouring Niger and Mauritania, he added. "These factors lead us to think that effectively Al Mourabitoun was at the origin of this attack," Samake said on Malian state television late on Saturday. Details of Mali's investigation have been slow to emerge and until now the prosecutor has not said which of three jihadist groups to have claimed the attack was the most likely author and security experts disagree. Al Mourabitoun together with close ally Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) jointly claimed it as did Mali's Massina Liberation Front. Sahara-based Al Mourabitoun is led by Algerian Islamist leader Belmokhtar with a long history of leading insurgencies across north Africa and the Sahara. Libya said last year that he was killed in a U.S. air strike, although fighters have repeatedly denied this. In the latest sign of worsening violence in Mali, gunmen abducted a Swiss missionary from her home in Timbuktu this week nearly four years after she was taken hostage as militants seized major urban centres with the help of Tuareg rebels. French troops pushed them back into the desert in 2013 where they continue to pursue the militants. (Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Emma Farge; Editing by Alistair Bell)
Microsoft's Growth Strategy Will Bear Fruit in 2016

(Continued from Prior Part)

2016 is expected to start on a positive note for Microsoft

So far in the series, weve covered several of Microsofts (MSFT) announcements in 2015. From the launches of Windows 10, HoloLens, and Surface devices to increase focus on the cloud, it can be safely deduced that 2015 was a transition year for Microsoft.

2015 also saw the testing and launch of Office 2016 for Apples (AAPL) Macs and PCs. Office 2016 emphasized collaboration in using shared documents and shared virtual meetings irrespective of device or operating platform. Cloud technology captured most of Microsofts focus in 2015. We already discussed that industry analysts believe Microsofts Azure will outpace Amazons (AMZN) AWS (Amazon Web Services) in 2016.

In 2015, Microsofts strategy, which included massive layoffs as well as $7.5 billion in write-downs related to its Nokia purchase in 2014, disappointed investors. The struggling PC market in 2014 forced the company to look for new revenue growth avenues. This explains its growing interest in artificial intelligence (or AI), gaming, virtual reality (or VR), and the wearables space, as we have discussed previously in the series.

Microsofts strategy and announcements in 2015 show that the company is one step closer to bringing its chief executive officer Satya Nadellas mobile-first, cloud-first vision to reality.

Microsofts 2016 strategic plan

In mid-2015, Microsofts management highlighted that cloud, security, Windows 10, and competition will be the four key components of its fiscal year 2016 strategic plan.

Investors who wish to gain exposure to Microsoft can consider investing in the iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) and the iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD). IYW and IWD have exposures of 46.7% and 3.4%, respectively, to application software. The ETFs invest ~12.5% and 2.0% of their holdings, respectively, in Microsoft.

Browse this series on Market Realist:
el chapo interview

In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone published on Saturday night, recently recaptured kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman described to American actor Sean Penn his worldview and, in a video interview, defended his role in the international drug trade.

"... From the age of 15 and on, where I'm from ... In that area, and up until today, there are no job opportunities," Guzman said in a clip of the interview posted with the story.

A video clip of what Penn describes as "the first interview El Chapo had ever granted outside an interrogation room," can be seen below, with a visibly relaxed Guzman sitting near a pickup truck on a ranch, responding to questions calmly, as roosters crow in the background.

Guzman, believed to be about 60 years old, was born in the town of La Tuna, in the Badiraguato municipality of northwest Mexico's Sinaloa state.

His hometown is the heart of a region known as the Golden Triangle for its extensive cultivation of marijuana and opium, and that has long been a stronghold of the Sinaloa cartel, which, under Guzman's leadership, has grown to be arguably the most powerful drug-trafficking organization on the planet.

"Well, its a reality, that drugs destroy. Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isnt  a way to survive," Guzman replied when the interviewer asks him about the impact drug use has on humanity.

el chapo

Guzman added that, as he sees it, there is no other way to make a living in the Mexican economy.

This viewpoint likely resonates with many of his countrymen, since, despite their country ascending to the status of second-largest economy in Latin America, many in Mexico subsist on wages so law that they violate standards set out in the constitution, according to one economist.

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Guzman also disputed the suggestion that he and his cartel are to blame for high rates of drug use and addition, arguing that, should he disappear from the scene, "its not going to decrease in any way."

Guzman's Sinaloa cartel is far from the only organization supplying narcotics to the lucrative US market. But, if DEA maps released in late 2015 are accurate, his cartel has a market share that far exceeds any other organization bringing drugs into the US.

mexican cartel map

Guzman's interview with Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo was reportedly conducted in person in October, with follow-ups by phone and messenger over the following weeks.

Guzman made it through the end of the year as a free man, but was apprehended on January 8 in the northwest corner of Sinaloa state, after a shootout between Mexican marines and several of his associates.

In the wake of his July escape, some observers doubted that Guzman would survive his next encounter with Mexican authorities, suggesting that political considerations and Guzman's own sense of self-preservation (that is, his desire to avoid a US jail) would prevent him from being captured alive.

For Guzman, the matter was much more simple: "I think that if they find me, theyll arrest me of course."

NOW WATCH: Here's footage of El Chapo being escorted on a plane after being recaptured





More From Business Insider


Iran

The latest round of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia is unsettling what little is left of the Middle East's regional order.

Saudi Arabia's execution of the country's most prominent Shi'ite cleric on January 2nd triggered the apparently state-sanctioned burning of Saudi diplomatic facilities in Tehran and Mershad, a breach of international order that in turn resulted in Saudi Arabia cutting ties with their Persian Gulf neighbor.

Luckily, in the past Saudi Arabia and Iran have demonstrated at least a limited ability to keep their animosity in check.

The countries didn't go to war when an Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US at an upscale Washington, DC restaurant was revealed in 2011. It's unclear what if any long-term impact the latest series of incidents will have.

But they're likely to have one lasting effect, a political development that could tangibly shift hte terms of the Middle East's sectarian divide.

On January 4th, Sudan announced that it was also severing diplomatic ties with Iran. This move denied Iran of its sole Sunni Arab ally, undercutting the Tehran regime's argument that Iran's Islamic revolution is capable of transcending sectarianism and uniting the world's Muslims.

More practically, the freeze in relations also closes off the Red Sea port of Port Sudan to Iranian warships and weapons shipments, takes away a staging area for Iran's regional arms pipeline, ends a partnership with a fellow revolutionary Islamist regime, and flummoxes whatever remained of Iran's efforts to win over potential supporters in the Sunni world.

Bashir hug

Story continues

The relationship between Iran and Sudan stems from the National Islamic Front's elevating to power after the 1989 military coup in Khartoum, an event that marked the first instance of a revolutionary Islamist movement taking power in an Arab country.

Over the next decade, Sudan's government sheltered Osama bin Laden, attempted to assassinate the anti-Muslim Brotherhood Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak, and tried to impose Islamic law throughout what was then the territorial ly largest country in the African continent.

Even if these measures turned Sudan into an internationally sanctioned rogue state, they created an opportunity for a partnership with a fellow revolutionary regime in Tehran, which had been the world's only revolutionary Islamist government between 1979 and 1989.

The relationship paid off: Iran provided Sudan with weaponry and expertise that allowed the country to set up a fairly extensive domestic arms industry, giving it the capability of building its own automatic weapons, rocket launchers, and even tanks.

The Sudanese regime lost many of it its Islamist trappings. The Islamic Movement changed its name to the National Congress Party (NCP) in the late 1990s and began evolving into a somewhat more conventional dictatorship in hopes of improving the country's economy and relations with the west.

But Sudan maintained close ties with Iran. International isolation over the government's conduct in wars in Darfur and South Sudan gave Sudan the added incentive to deepen ties with a fellow sanctioned regime. Iran and Sudan completed a military cooperation agreement in 2008, while the Sudanese military has deployed Iranian-built drones in both Darfur and the south of the country. The two governments were allies through 2014.

That began to change as the NCP began to faced steep financial crisis  and as Saudi Arabia began mobilizing the Sunni Arab states against Tehran.

south sudan iran

The NCP, which is still under international sanctions related to the Sudanese government's human rights abuses in Darfur, had faced a prolonged economic drought after the southern third of the country became the independent state of South Sudan in 2011. Khartoum and South Sudan failed to reach a durable compromise over the post-independence split of South Sudanese oil revenues (the oil's export is dependent on an oil transit infrastructure in the north of Sudan). Oil from the south had previously constituted nearly the entirety of Sudanese government revenue.

At the same time, the Middle East ignited. The escalating conflict in Syria sharpened the region's sectarian divisions, and events like the Yemeni civil war and the thaw in Iran-US relations heightened the competition between Riyadh and Tehran.

These tensions raised made a potentially swing state like Sudan even more important.

embassy fire

As Alberto Fernandez, current Vice President at the Middle East Media Research Institute and the Charge d'Affaires at the US embassy in Khartoum from 2007 to 2009 explained to Business Insider, amid both domestic and regional turmoil the increasingly pragmatic regime in Khartoum began to realize that its survival depended more on Saudi largess than on its relationship with Iran.

"These guys have been in power now for 26 years," Fernandez says of the NCP. "They're no longer the revolutionaries that they were. They're now a regime that wants to hold onto power. And in that sense they were fruit ripe for the plucking by the Saudis."

The thaw culminated in Sudan's March 2015 decision to join the Saudi-led anti-Houthi rebel coalition in Yemen, which is fighting to restore Yemen's internationally recognized government after an Iranian-supported Shi'ite militant movement deposed it in early 2015.

By that point, the NCP had determined that the Saudis had the unrivaled resources and willingness to secure the regime's long-term survival. "The Saudis can still outbid the Iranians," says Fernandez. "The Iranians have technical expertise and other things they can offer, but they're not swimming in cold hard cash the way the Saudis are."

saudi arabia iran proxy war

The move has strategic implications for Iran. Sudan's partnership was more than just a symbolic victory for Iran, 0r a sign that the the Islamic Republic's state ideology was capable of resonating with Sunni Arab Islamists too. It also gave Iran a strategic way-point for weapons trafficking into both the Gaza Strip and Central and East Africa.

Sudan was a frequent staging area for Iranian weapons shipments heading north, to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Sudan gave the Iranian arms industry, and the Iranian regime, access to regions of strategic and possibly commercial concern. Suspected Israeli attacks targeted Hamas weapons shipments or facilities in Sudan in 2009, 2011, and 2014. And as a 2012 study by Conflict Armaments Research detailed, Iranian munitions have been found throughout Africa, in places spanning from South Sudan to Cote D'Ivoire.

Iran also helped seed a Sudanese domestic weapons industry purported to be the third-largest in Africa, behind only Egypt and South Africa. According to a 2014 Small Arms Survey report, Iran owns a 35% stake in the Yarmouk industrial facility in Khartoum, which is believed to produce artillery, rocket launchers, and military-grade firearms.

Iran's Yamrouk investment hasn't been cost-free for the Sudanese regime: in October of 2012, the Israeli air force attacked the site, likely in order to destroy Iranian-supplied long-range rockets bound for Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Yarmouk was also cited in a 2006 US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks for its alleged connection to activities "that have the potential to contribute materially to WMD, missile, or certain other weapons programs in Iran or Syria."

As the Small Arms Survey recounts, Sudanese weapons factories produce a range of armaments, including light weaponry and small rocket launchers of Iranian design. Sudan has flown military drones of Iranian origin, and Patrick Megahan, a research associate for military affairs at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted in an email to Business Insider that Sudan's state weapons enterprises had exhibited "a copy of an Iranian remote weapons station" at an international defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi in early 2015.

Emile Lebrun, the editor of the Small Arms Survey's Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan, speculates that Iranian assistance "was already very limited before the Yemen campaign was underway."

But it's still "unclear," he wrote to Business Insider in an email, "whether the Iranian technicians working in the Sudanese arms factories (some hundreds of workers, according to reports) can be replaced with local specialists."

Saudi Arabia King Salman

Sudan's value as a strategic asset to Iran, and Iran's role in helping Sudan establish a domestic arms production capability, suggest that the relationship between the two countries may continue in some more muted, sub-official form. There might be some enduring (if informal) cooperation between officials from the two countries regarding weapons trafficking or continued Iranian involvement in the arms sector.

"My sense is that we're going to see Sudan inch away from Iran but Iran will maintain lingering assets in the country whether Sudan likes it or not," says Jonathan Schanzer, vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

But on the geopolitical level, Saudi Arabia was able to ply away Iran's only Sunni Arab ally  a country that enjoyed longstanding military and strategic ties with Tehran.

"It looks like the Saudis have outmaneuvered the Iranians," Schanzer told Business Insider. "They pulled a proxy out from under Iran's wing."

NOW WATCH: These are the biggest risks facing the world in 2016





More From Business Insider


By John O'Donnell FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Attacks on women in Cologne and other German cities on New Year's Eve have prompted more than 600 criminal complaints, with police suspicion resting on asylum seekers, putting pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel and her open door migrant policy. The attacks, mostly targeting women and ranging from theft to sexual molestation, have prompted a highly-charged debate in Germany about its welcoming stance for refugees and migrants, more than one million of whom arrived last year. The sudden nature of the violent attacks and the fact that they stretched from Hamburg to Frankfurt prompted Germany's justice minister Heiko Maas to speculate in a newspaper that they had been planned or coordinated. The debate on migration will be further fuelled by the acknowledgement by the authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia that a man shot dead as he tried to enter a Paris police station last week was an asylum seeker with seven identities who lived in Germany. In Cologne, police said on Sunday that 516 criminal complaints had been filed by individuals or groups in relation to assaults on New Year's Eve, while police in Hamburg said 133 similar charges had been lodged with the north German city. Frankfurt also registered complaints, although far fewer. The investigation in Cologne is focussed largely on asylum seekers or illegal migrants from north Africa, police said. They arrested one 19-year-old Moroccan man on Saturday evening. In Cologne, where a 100-strong force of officers continued their investigations, around 40 percent of the complaints included sexual offences, including two rapes. DWINDLING TRUST The attacks, which prompted violent far-right protests on Saturday, threatens to further erode confidence in Merkel, and could stoke support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of three key state elections in March. Merkel's popularity has dwindled as she refused to place a limit on the influx of refugees. A survey sponsored by state broadcaster ARD showed that while 75 percent of those asked were very happy with Merkel's work in April last year, only 58 percent were pleased now. Almost three quarters of those polled said migration was the most important issue for the government to deal with in 2016. The Cologne attacks also heated up the debate on immigration in neighbouring Austria. "What happened in Cologne is unbelievable and unacceptable," Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, a member of the conservative People's Party that is junior coalition partner to the Social Democrats, told newspaper Oesterreich. There had been a handful of similar incidents in the border city of Salzburg. "Such offenders should be deported," she said, backing a similar suggestion by Merkel. Swiss media contained numerous stories about sexual assaults on women by foreigners, fuelling tensions ahead of a referendum next month that would trigger the automatic deportation of foreigners convicted of some crimes. In Germany, on Monday, a regional parliamentary commission will quiz police and others about the events on New Year's Eve in Cologne. The anti-Islam PEGIDA, whose supporters threw bottles and fire crackers at a march in Cologne on Saturday before being dispersed by riot police, will later hold a rally in the eastern German city of Leipzig. The far-right will likely seize on reports that the Paris attacker, who was shot last week as he wielded a meat cleaver and shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest), was known to police for drug dealing and harassing women. He had an apartment in an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Recklinghausen, north of Cologne, where he had painted the symbol of Islamic state on the wall of two rooms. (Additional reporting by Ralf Bode in Berlin and Michael Shields in Zurich; Editing by Ros Russell)
There were some amazing, headline-inspiring scientific breakthroughs in 2015 -- some sounding like they were torn from the pages of a science fiction novel -- but not all the developments actually matched the hype they generated. Some were more conceptual and preliminary, some exaggerated, and some were spot on. Here's a review of some five the most intriguing.



Printed human organs



Researchers at the University of Florida made headlines in May with a new technique for using 3D printers with organic materials. One of the many challenges in printing organic tissue, like say, a replacement kidney, is maintaining the structure during its construction. Items printed out of metal or plastic have enough structural integrity to hold themselves up while they're only partially completed but organic tissue is too soft to stand alone.



So Professor Thomas Angelini and his team created a way to print organic materials inside of a gel structure. The acrylic acid polymer gel acts as a support, preventing the organic material from collapsing in on itself while it's being printed. That will allow printing things like a detailed model of a patient's organ that a surgeon could practice on before conducting a real surgery.

Still, there are more than a few major hurdles remaining before replaceable organs can come out of a machine. For one, the gel doesn't keep the organic tissue alive. And that means the veins, organs and other body parts produced can't actually be used in a human body just yet.



"Their work is a good first step, but they haven't come even close to printing a functional tissue -- let alone an organ," says Jennifer Lewis, an expert on bio-engineering and a professor at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.



Sunscreen pill



For years, sun worshipers have looked forward to the day when they could skip slathering themselves with messy protective creams and sprays and just take a pill. There are even items on the market today that claim to be sunscreen pills. None taken alone provide the protection of even modest sunblock creams, however.



But a breakthrough from Oregon State University could change that in just a few more years. Scientists have already isolated a natural sunblocking compound called gadusol that is produced by some fish and amphibians (including rainbow trout and alligators).

Story continues

The Verge

The OSU team managed to "grow" gadusol in the lab using yeast.



"Certainly intriguing," says Adam Friedman, an associate professor at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. But there will be "many factors to consider when translating to human intake." Clinical trials on another substance, polypodium leucotomos, found gains when taken in conjunction with sunscreen use for patients with sun sensitive diseases like lupus, he says. Some other products have been tested but "none have come to fruition due to safety concerns."



Truly wireless charging



The dream of an all-wireless future may eventually include recharging our battery-hungry mobile devices as well. Currently, "wireless" recharging refers to placing a smartphone or watch on a charging pad -- no wires required but contact between the unit and the pad must be maintained. Several startups are promising true wireless charging, via energy waves beamed through the air.



Unfortunately, most experts in the field say there's little chance the startups, which rely on converting electricity into sound waves for transmission and then back into electricity, will be able to pull off the promised feat. The problems relate to the basic physics of power transmission. The power of ultrasound broadcasts used to transmit power fade rapidly at modest distances, losing half their strength within 3 meters. And huge amounts of energy are lost converting the signals from power to ultrasound and back to power.



"My gut feeling is that a system of this sort will not be very efficient and will be practical for, at best, limited applications," David Greve, professor in Carnegie Mellon's electrical and computer engineering depratment, told the IEEE Spectrum web site last month.



Nuclear power for all



An Australian scientist and a colleague from Sweden had a radical proposal this year to replace all fossil fuels needed to produce electricity in the world within a few decades -- enough time to actually make a difference and slow down global climate change.

The catch? They wanted to follow the Swedish model of replacing coal and gas with nuclear plants. To keep costs down and speed up the transition, the pair also advocate using old-fashioned fission and water-based reactors, the kind that produce nasty waste that will have to be stored safely for thousands of years.

Tihange (Belgium), 04/05/2015. A file picture dated 04 May 2015 shows a general view of the nuclear power plant in Tihange, Belgium. (Belgica, Incendio) EFE/EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

And that's not likely to get much support around the world, especially in the United States, where nuclear plants are being phased out much faster than new plants are being built. Japan and Germany, too, seem unenthusiastic about current nuclear tech.



But there are some newer designs in the planning stages that could change the entire world's attitude toward nuclear power. Just in the U.S., 43 companies working on more advanced designs for nuclear reactors have raised $1.3 billion. One secretive startup, Tri Alpha Energy, released detailed data this year about gains for its fusion-based technique, called a colliding beam fusion reactor. Fusion reactors should be much safer than the current fission models and produce little waste.



Where's my translator?



The 1960s sci-fi show "Star Trek" imagined a technology that could translate speech from one language to another in real time, in a person's own voice. Fifty years later, the speech-to-speech translator is almost a reality, as Microsoft (MSFT) added speech-to-speech translation to its Skype Translator app.

Speak in Chinese Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian or Spanish and the person you're speaking with hears it in whichever of those langauges they choose. It's not precisely Captain Kirk-level yet. There's a slight delay and the translation is not in the speaker's own voice. But the delays are amazingly small and the speech sounds rather natural, at least for short sentences.








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Into Belize



It's been amazing so far. Of course. What else am I going to say? This wandering by bicycle through tropical America is a drag? Hardly.

I arrived in Bacalar on a hot windy afternoon. It's a small Mexican town in the south east of the Yucatan Penninsula.The main road isn't much but the ride into town toward the lake is quick and the expanding view of the lake is breathtaking. Bacalar is a big freshwater lake just inland from the Caribean. Found a great campsite right on the lake in a small family run operation. The campround sported plush green grass and shade trees. A pleasant change from dusty lots covered in dead cars and dog poo.

I cycled the distance into Chetumal, Mexico but about thirty miles. I don't really know why I went there, it's got a nice waterfront but not much else to see. I did manage to find some sun shades that fit over my eyeglasses. They have this incredible glare during daylight hours. They work great at night! I stayed in a crappy hostel that was quite dirty. Nothing wrong with old and beat up but filth just gives me the creeps. The trip into Belize was direct but not so straight forward. I followed the Highway signs that said, "Belize". Seemed simple enough. Nope. There is another route for cyclists and pedestrians as I discovered.

Due to my fabulous sunglasses and the lack of signage I was in the wrong place. In fact, I cycled right past two soldiers dressed in full combat gear carrying what looked like small cannons.

They were not obvious because they were standing in the shade of an enormous mango tree. Anybody with any sense would be doing the same thing at that time of day in the blazing sun at 90 degrees.

I stopped when a tall man in a blue uniform and reflective Ray Bans stepped out in front of me. He wanted to know why I didn't stop. I pretended to not understand Spanish. He was a little angry at first but I smiled and said "hello" in my best American twang.

Anyway, the guy realized I really didn't have any idea where the hell I was going and I was not attempting to smuggle a hundred pounds of heroin into Belize on my bicycle. We then chatted a bit, my Spanish improving at an amazing rate. He told me how much he admired cyclists who toured and how he'd like to do it himself one day. He was very warm kind with a lovely smile. He sent me back the way I came with more explicit directions. Why don't they sign things like international border crossings better?

The Mexican side was easy. There is nowhere to go except up to a window to present a passport and $30.00 US. Getting INTO Belize seemed like guesswork. No signs ANYWHERE.

I followed some other tourists and figured I'd just keep going until somebody told me to stop or I heard shots fired.

Formerly, British Honduras, Belize gained independance from Britain in 1981. Once in Belize, it was a quiet and nice ride into Corozal. The whole town was at one time a private estate. I passed a bar/restaurant run by a gentleman who happened to be polishing the bar with his elbows. As it turns out he had an AirBNB property and was a Couch-surfing host. He let me camp on his property. I'm too cheap for Air BNB. I went for the couchsurfing option.

"Marc" was was born in Jamaica, lived much of his life in in the states and settled in Belize. He is attempting to build an eco-resort. I ordered the Stew Chicken (not stewED) with rice and beans.

I rode the thirty odd miles to the village of Sarteneja the next day. A fascinating place rich with history and color. The road is a series of muddy potholes connected by islands of gravel and two free ferries. They are both operated manually by a crank that pulls the boat along a cable. The road was not completed until 1971. Until that time the only way in or out was by boat. It had been a Mayan village and subsequently abandoned. There are un-excavated ruins. It was repopulated by refugees of the caste war in Yucatan to the north in the late 19th century.

I went on a tour of the village guided by a young man who was born and raised there and told us a little about his own genetics. His ante-cedants haled from Africa, India, Yucatan and Spain. The children in the village attend school where all the curriculum is taught in English. After school they go home to parents and grandparents who for the most part only speak Spanish. It's a quiet remote village. There might be 10 motor vehicles total.

Sarteneja also hosts Wildtracks animal rehabilitation center. They work with primates rescued from the illegal pet trade. They also hosted manatees in stages of recovery from injuries caused by motor boats. Sarteneja is also home to The Shipstern Conservation, Management Area And Butterfly Breeding Center. A large swath of forest and mangroves held in protection for the sake of education and biodiversity in the region.
The previous poll on Eastern NC NOW showcased what are many of OUR Constitutional Republic's certain obstacles to remain viable, where the top encumbrance to that continuance as a functioning Republic was the Biden /Harris Wide Open Southern Border. Understanding this overwhelming concern to real America citizens: Do you believe it important to challenge the veracity of those legislated concerns of Democratic Socialists by transporting Illegal Migrants to their Sanctuary cities, counties and states for their direct care?

Yes; test the depth of their sense of well being by giving Democratic Socialists an opportunity to enact all Sanctuary provisions in their communities to test how much they truly do care.

No; the Biden /Harris Wide Open Southern Border Project is designed to only inundate "Red States" to begin their Demographic Upheaval for the benefit of we Democratic Socialists, our politics.
The Ascott Limited will make available its global network of serviced residences on Alitrip, an online travel service platform under Chinese e-commerce giant the Alibaba Group. The Ascott will be the worlds first serviced residence company to form this global partnership with Alitrip. The partnership will allow Ascott to deepen access to over 100 million Chinese travelers currently served by Alitrip.

Ascott already has 24 of its China properties with 4,300 apartment units available for booking by Alitrip users through a directly operated online flagship store. It will list its global network of more than 26,000 apartment units operating in over 60 cities on the one-stop online travel platform by June this year.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Ascotts Chief Executive Officer, said, Chinese travellers can look forward to even more travel options on our Alitrip store, when Ascott doubles our portfolio to 80,000 units globally by 2020. China is the worlds second largest economy, and rising incomes are driving domestic travel and making it the worlds biggest outbound travel market. These are potential customers for Ascott and our penetration of the Chinese market is already contributing to Ascotts business worldwide.

With 668 million citizens online, China is home to the worlds largest community of Internet users and consumers are increasingly using social channels as well as websites to review, book and pay for their holidays at home or abroad. As Chinese travellers become increasingly tech-savvy and independent, they prefer to customise their travel itineraries, with more than 70% of outbound travellers in 2014 booking trips on their own rather than joining tour groups, we foresee further growth in independent travellers. Our strategic partnerships with Alitrip and Tujia.com International reinforce Ascotts commitment to create a seamless O2O (Offline-to-Online and Online-to-Offline) experience for our guests as we reach out to these hundreds of millions of Internet and smartphone users in China, added Mr. Lee.

China is now Ascotts largest market with the most number of properties and it is also the largest international serviced residence owner-operator in China with over 14,000 apartment units across 24 Chinese cities.

The latest partnership with Alitrip comes on the back of Ascotts recent collaborations with various online and technology leaders. In August 2015, Ascott invested in Tujia.com International to harness growth opportunities in the O2O space. In April 2015, Ascott was the first global serviced residence company to embrace Internet of Things-ready smart serviced residences in collaboration with Samsung Asia Pte Ltd.
Africa Travel Association (ATA), the top global organization promoting tourism to Africa, finds its new home. ATA will become an operating element under the Corporate Council on Africa effective immediately. ATA Executive Director, Edward Bergman said, "Finding a home for the Africa Travel Association at the Council provides an opportunity for the travel industry within Africa and between the United States and the countries of Africa to reach new heights.

The Corporate Council's focus on investment and development matches the requirements of today and supplements ATA's existing cultural and historic tourism endeavors throughout Africa. It was hard to imagine a better match for both organizations," added Mr. Bergman.

CCA has been a leading advocate for US-Africa trade and investment since its founding in 1993 through a grant from then Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and the United States Agency for International Development. In the past 23 years, the council has grown to incorporate one hundred eighty corporations representing approximately eighty-five percent of all US private investment in Africa. CCA focuses on various sectors for investment including infrastructure, financing, health, energy, power, and agribusiness.

Mr. Hayes added, "Our background in working with major corporate players and investors who are looking for new opportunities in Africa is a perfect fit for the historical mission of the ATA for driving tourism growth on the African continent beyond its current global market share of this three percent of international travel."

ATA will operate in Washington, DC as a division of the Corporate Council on Africa.
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At midday on Friday 5 February, 2016 Julian Assange, John Jones QC, Melinda Taylor, Jennifer Robinson and Baltasar Garzon will be speaking at a press conference at the Frontline Club on the decision made by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the Assange case.
One-Way Trip Lower



Every rally in the Mexican peso vs the US dollar has failed since 2001. The Peso is now worth about half what it was fourteen years ago.







In April of 2001, it took 8.91 Mexican pesos to buy 1 US dollar. Now it takes 17.92. That's a decline of just over 50%.



"Perverse" Currency Wars



A slide in the price of oil and a perception the US economy is relatively strong are as much to blame for the recent slide in the peso as China.



Nonetheless, the Financial Times reports Mexico Warns of China Triggering Perverse Currency Wars



Chinese market turmoil and the renminbis fall to a four-year low against the US dollar risks the prospect of perverse currency wars, Mexico has warned.



There is real concern that, in the face of the deceleration of the Chinese economy, the public policy response will be to start a round of competitive devaluations, said Luis Videgaray, finance minister.



He called that prospect frankly perverse because copycat devaluations would leave everyone in the same position and would not really alter anything. Mexicos peso floats freely, but the central bank has been auctioning dollars in recent months to shore up the currency.

Mexico warns frankly perverse copycat devaluations won't accomplish anything.I agree.However, Mexico should take this under advisement: History shows it's equally perverse to expect currency intervention actions to work.Mike "Mish" Shedlock
DES MOINES  Gov. Terry Branstad says his 2016 education agenda calls for bold action in extending K-12 schools ability to meet their future building demands, but the short-term prospects for funding education are much more constrained.

The reality is that were facing a challenging and difficult budget, said Branstad, "but I believe we can be bold despite that and do some unique, innovative things."

The new session begins Monday.

Branstad faces heat from legislators displeased with his veto of $55.7 million in one-time money for K-12 schools last July.

But he says he plans to push the budgetary envelope by requesting 2.45 percent growth in state aid to public schools for fiscal 2017 and an innovative approach to extending a 1-cent sales tax earmarked for school infrastructure through 2049.

The caveat for extending the infrastructure funding for 20 years beyond its currently scheduled 2029 ending date would be that the revenue would be shared with water quality programs.

Under Branstad's plan, which requires legislative approval, schools would get the first $10 million of the new revenue annually with the remaining proceeds going to water quality programs. He calls it a win-win for all parties without adding new taxes.

Branstad called the plan probably the biggest and boldest proposal I've put together in all my years as governor."

Mixed reviews

The plan has drawn mixed reviews initially and he expects it will take most of the scheduled 100-day 2016 legislative session to inform and educate lawmakers, education groups and Iowans on the merits of his proposal.

Educators like Sioux City Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman have endorsed Branstads idea as a way to continue the tax that is scheduled to expire in 13 years.

School districts are seeking an extension on the tax because many infrastructure projects are tied to bonds repaid over 20 years. The infrastructure sales tax can't be used as collateral for the bonds if it won't be around for at least 20 years.

At the same time, Gausman acknowledges that the short-term budget needs of schools are of primary concern heading into a session where state resources are going to be stretched among a number of competing interests.

Theyve got a pie that has to be sliced into so many pieces and we know that, Gausman said, noting that significant commitments to property tax relief, school reform and health-care expansions in previous sessions will take up much of any expected new revenue.

We have to work with whats there, he said.

Branstad said he is formulating a fiscal 2017 state budget that he hopes can provide the 2.45 percent boost to schools that he recommended last year, but added its going to be extremely hard to get there and I see no way that we can go over that.

Majority Republicans in the Iowa House point to a 2 percent growth rate they approved last session as a viable option, although House Speaker-select Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, said she has members who would like to pare that lower and others who would do more.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said legislative Democrats believe a 4 percent increase is an appropriate number.

Rep. Brian Moore, R-Bellevue, said he will push his GOP caucus to move closer to the governors level or even more to make up for the $55.7 million in one-time school funding that Branstad vetoed last year.

I feel since we underfunded them from what the Legislature agreed upon, we kind of owe them a little bit this year, said Moore.

I would support 2.5 (percent) and then do some other policy that theyre wanting like the extension of the sales tax for school infrastructure.

He said funding suggestions among the House GOP members range down to zero, while the Democrats 4 percent boost isnt reasonable with the amount of the new dollars that are available.

Pushing for more

Lisa Bartusek, executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards, said her members sought 6 percent growth in state aid last session because that is the annual level needed to get Iowa back to the national average, but she noted this session they are advocating absolutely for as much funding as is available to support public education.

I would say the state funding picture appears to be grim, she said. The needs of public schools are greater than any of those proposals being offered at the Statehouse, Bartusek added, given that actual costs of running a school are outpacing state aid allocations and educators are landing a plane in very turbulent weather.

She said school officials are tremendously appreciative of the governors support for extending the sales tax for school infrastructure to 2049, but they hope the compromise could include more flexibility for schools to address transportation costs or other inequities  a change Branstad said was not likely to happen.

Senate President Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, said schools have indicated they need 3 percent to 4 percent just to keep their head above water, while Gronstal noted that K-12 education has gone through its worst five years of state support in history.

The governor said he plans to seek $50 million as the next yearly installment for the teacher leadership and compensation program and increased funding for early-childhood reading initiative,s along with the 2.45 percent boost in supplemental state aid.

But he noted, "Thats a big chunk of the state budget and Medicaids the other big chunk and Medicaid is competing with that for what we can do.

I want to make sure that we can deliver what we promise, he said.

If the state is unable to proceed with the planned Medicaid modernization shift to private managed care on March 1 and achieve the $130 million it is projected to save in fiscal 2017, Branstad said, it will eat up all of the growth in the state budget."

If that happens, "Theres nothing for anything  nothing for education, nothing for anything else," Branstad said.

Upmeyer said she hopes the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate cancome up with the highest responsible number that we can for education and get it to the governors desk early in the 2016 session so schools can plan their budgets and not wait such a very long time as they did last year.
RICEVILLE  For a father of four juggling farm work and a full-time maintenance job, taking a spot on the school board was not something Randy Richardson was sure he could fit into his schedule.

When Riceville school officials approached him, saying they were having trouble finding candidates in District 3 where he lived, Richardson, 42, said he felt obligated to run.

I was just trying to help the school in any way I can, he said in an interview last month.

Richardson said he told school officials before the election, his priorities of his four children would come before his obligations to the board.

Hes missed the last three meetings  one special meeting and two regular meetings  in November and December.

The absences, Richardson said, were unavoidable: working late, then helping his daughter with a broken down car in November and attending his childrens school holiday pageant in December.

Its been kind of a goofy term. I plan on serving my term and doing the best that I can. If it gets to be too much, he said, I will resign.

Although Richardson said he told officials in advance his time would likely be limited, Board President Karl Fox said Richardson was still the best choice he had to join the five-member school board.

Just because an individual isnt able to show up and sit at the table, that certainly doesnt discredit them from being part of the system, Fox said.

Fox said he would be more concerned about his own tardiness, since he is in a leadership position as board president.

When I have concerns ... its when we have conflicts and we dont have a quorum, he said

In Iowa school districts where candidates must live within the boundaries they represent, finding people willing to run for an unpaid position is a common problem, said Galen Howsare, deputy director of the Iowa Association of School Boards.

Voting in the district where Richardson was eventually appointed after receiving zero votes as a candidate has been historically sparse: 10 in 2011 and only eight in 2005, according to the Howard County Auditors office.

Officials attribute the lower voter participation to elderly residents who may not make it to the polls and folks who may not vote for religious reasons. The area includes sizable Mennonite and Amish communities near surrounding McIntire.

New school board members face a variety of responsibilities and often have a daunting task of learning some intricacies of school finance, how to evaluate and hire superintendents and advocate for students, Howsare said.

Its not a once a month for an hour or two, he said. Theres a lot more to it than that if you are going to be good at it and effective.

Besides switching meeting times, or helping busy parents arrange childcare, another option for a rural community struggling to attract more candidates would be to switch from a system that requires board members to live within smaller boundaries to town-wide elections, Howsare said.

Fox said moving to an at-large voting system was not something the board would consider. In an agricultural community, he said it was important to keep its representative boundaries.

Richardson told the Globe Gazette he hasnt made up his mind yet if hell run for a full term again. He is currently serving a two-year term, which expires in 2017.

My biggest thing, Im a pretty private person, he said. My family comes first. Thats just the way it is.
Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger taking his seat in the NC Senate: Above. photo by Stan Deatherage

The state Senate's big kahuna went in front of the biggest, most-prominent Common Core-loving, spend-more-and-more-and-more money crowd and told them a few things I am SURE they didn't want to hear Right on, right on. Okay, Mr. President pro tem. Tell us some more:He is so right on Schools of Education. Those are nothing more than leftist indoctrination centers. Rarely do you have new teachers graduating from college with some expertise in a teachable subject. Education Schools on our university campus focus on all kinds of liberal gobbledy-gook like diversity, self-esteem, and feelings. (The last time I checked exactly NONE OF THAT will get students into college or qualify them for a productive, paying career.) Want to teach math? Get a math degree.It's troubling to have folks teaching K-12 without actually specializing in the subject matter they teach. Teaching these days - after all of the red tape administrative crap is done - is a whole lot of leaning on the answers in the textbook's teachers manual.I have a friend who took an early retirement from a major international accounting firm. He wanted to teach high school math. He got turned down by the local school system. He didn't have an education degree or "certification." *Never mind his TWO masters degrees and over two decades as a leader in the world of high finance.*And teacher assistants? To listen to the media - and some of the whiners in the linked story - teacher assistants are absolutely vital to educating our kids. Listen to this - likely - education degree holder:wrote Heather Robbins.Nope. Giving hugs, drying tears and helping students with homework IS A PARENT'S JOB. Unfortunately, way too many alleged grownups have surrendered parenting duties to the local DSS, law enforcement agencies, and the public schools. In my early school years, we had parents and grandparents (and the occasional student teacher) helping out in the classroom.Albert Einstein taught us that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. Public education, for far too long, has involved pouring a lot of money into a tried-and-not-so-true process that has been steadily failing our kids. Berger is right. In business, when things aren't working well, you make adjustments to right the ship. Why not in public education?
MASON CITY | His palms resting on the long booking desk counter, Richard Johnson listened carefully as Cerro Gordo County Jail corrections officer Angela Bernhardt peppered him with questions.

Do you have seizures?

A heart condition?

Are you thinking about hurting yourself?

Johnson, who agreed to let the Globe Gazette use his name, had heard the questions before, but Bernhardt had to take him through the list again anyway while he turned himself in to serve a seven-day sentence for driving while barred.

Part of the standard booking process, the dozens of questions are designed to alert jail staff members to any medical concerns a prisoner may have.

The goal is to keep prisoners safe while they're serving time, and connect them with any medical services they may need while in jail, officials say.

The process was among those examined in the wake of the recent deaths of two Cerro Gordo County inmates, Dacota Witham and Edward Hochstatter.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, Witham was found alone in his cell at the county jail, unresponsive and unable to be revived by jail or fire paramedic personnel.

Hochstatter was found unresponsive in a common inmate area about a month later, on Jan. 2, and was also unable to be revived.

"After any serious incident in the jail we always review our policies and procedures to see if there's something that we could change to make it better or something we can learn from what took place and change our practices," said Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals.

"I think it'd be misjustice if we didn't review major incidents that happened in our setting to make us do a better job and to also hold us accountable," he said.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation found no initial signs of trauma or foul play in either death. Officials are waiting for autopsy test results to determine the cause of the deaths.

State and local officials say they do not think the deaths are related.

State regulations

Inmate deaths must be reported to the Iowa Department of Corrections. Although jails are managed locally, they are inspected annually by the state and are subject to administrative rules outlined by the state agency.

On Wednesday, a prisoner found unresponsive in the Madison County Jail in Winterset died at a hospital.

Seven inmates including Witham died at Iowa's county jails in 2015. Six died in 2014.

Complaints about jails are investigated by the Iowa Office of the Ombudsman. Often, those complaints are about medications or medical attention.

Health complaints at Iowa's jails were one-quarter of the 1,239 corrections-related complaints filed with the ombudsman's office in 2014, according to the agency's most recent annual report.

The ombudsman's corrections division handles complaints at state prisons, jails and community-based corrections institutions such as Beje Clark Residntial Center in Mason City.

Some complaints are from prisoners saying they aren't getting prompt medical attention. Often, inmates cant get the same medication in jail they get from their own doctors, said Acting Ombudsman Kristie Hirschman.

Speaking about jails in general and not Cerro Gordo County Jail specifically, Hirschman said the states jails can avoid many of those complaints by being as prompt as possible in getting inmates medical attention or medication.

For example, jails should take action right away if an inmate were to say his or her medication has expired.

I would like (a) jail not to wait a week to call the pharmacist to get it renewed, that sort of thing, Hirschman said.

Cerro Gordo County paid almost $126,000 for medical, pharmaceutical and nursing care for inmates in fiscal year 2014-15. Nursing accounted for almost $72,000, while prescriptions totaled more than $10,500.

Inmates are treated by two on-site health care workers.

Nurse Mindy Johnson has regular hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. She's on call 24-7.

She speaks with inmates about their health problems or concerns, manages prescriptions and tries to get inmates to sign medical releases to obtain their full health histories.

Nicolle Lea Medina, a family nurse practitioner, has office hours at the jail on Wednesdays and returns at least one Friday a month.

She can do many of the same functions as a doctor, such as writing prescriptions or conducting or ordering tests. She can do medical procedures, but those are often done at a hospital or medical facility.

Jail staff members do the best they can to get inmates healthy and, if necessary, get them on regular medication so they can stay healthy after they leave the facility, Medina said.

These two incidents, its tragic but its not because anyone was negligent here, Medina said, eyes welling with tears as she talked about the recent Cerro Gordo County Jail deaths.

I think thats the big thing.  As health care people here, we care more than anyone would ever know about these people. Theyre not just inmates to me.

Accurate info

Getting complete and accurate information about inmates' health is one of the biggest challenges Johnson and Medina face, they said.

All inmates are asked the health screening questions during booking, but there's nothing forcing them to answer truthfully.

Hochstatter didn't finish the booking process when he entered the jail on Jan. 1.

Its not uncommon for jail staff members to suspend the booking process if an inmate is uncooperative or unable to comply, and then bring them back when they've calmed down or sobered up, said Sheriff Pals.

That happened with Hochstatter, who was allegedly drunk when he got to jail after being arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Pals said.

Some incoming inmates simply want to keep their health information private, said Johnson, the nurse.

Sometimes they will give information to the health care staff members that they won't give to the corrections staff, she said.

Illnesses are more common than injuries.

"They come in and it's somewhere that they recently shot up, and there's an abscess or an infection starting," said Johnson. "Or, poor hygiene, poor living environment.  Scabies, that sort of stuff."

Unless an inmate indicates a health issue during booking, theyll probably wait a few days before being examined by a nurse, Mindy said.

On the intercom

Inmates can request an appointment with the nurse or nurse practitioner via a kiosk in their cells or dorms. There's also an intercom system in which they can summon jail staff members with emergencies or concerns.

Cerro Gordo County Jail inmate Bill Grouette Jr. used the intercom three times early Thursday evening while a Globe Gazette reporter and photographer observed the booking desk.

He asked to make a phone call. Then he asked if another inmate could come watch television with him.

The third time, Grouette buzzed the front desk to demonstrate how he would use the intercom to summon the guards if he was in distress or saw someone suffering an emergency.

Grouette was eager to talk about what hed learned about the inner workings of the facility, which opened in 2008. Hes currently nearing the end of a 45-day stint for driving while barred.

"I was the first person in this jail," Grouette said.

As with Grouette, many jailers knew Witham from previous incarcerations and had questioned him about his medical history. Officials won't say if Witham revealed any chronic conditions that may have caused his death.

Medina, the family nurse practitioner, knew Witham well from his regular incarcerations.

Dacota Ive known for years. Loved him dearly. And its a horrible thing, she said, tears filling her eyes. Why stuff like that happens to people? Its a loss.
MASON CITY  When Bob Mogk of Kensett returned home from Vietnam in 1968, he wasnt legally old enough to have a beer.

It was strange because over there, they rationed beer and soda to us twice a month, said Mogk, 68, an Army draftee who served exactly one year in Vietnam in 1967-1968.

They Served With Honor: North Iowa's Vietnam Veterans The Globe Gazette will publish 50 stories  starting on Veterans Day  about North Iowas Vietnam Veterans. The stories will appear on Sundays

Mogk was a combat engineer, building roads and bridges and detonating explosives as part of the job. So while he was not directly in combat, Mogk said, We werent there looking for trouble but we could deal with it if it came.

He said often he was put on a helicopter, taken somewhere to blow up a bridge and be left alone for a few days until the job was done. Then he would be picked up and be ready to go somewhere else.

One day I was on an island doing my job when I saw some F-4 Phantom jets above me. Somehow, they got their coordinates wrong and bombed my island. I crawled under a dump truck and didnt get hurt, said Mogk.

But that wasnt my most unique experience. That came the day I was working in a quarry ready to set off some explosives. I had everything ready to go. There was about a two-minute leeway before it would blow up.

I looked up and saw a helicopter headed right for the blast area. There was no way to warn it. I got in my bunker and hoped for the best.

Mogk said when the blast went off the helicopter was directly above it.

It seemed like that helicopter rose about 500 feet, but of course Im just guessing, he said.

When the huge mountain of dust settled after the explosion, the helicopter landed.

And guess who got out, said Mogk. Gen. Westmoreland. He was referring to Gen. William Westmoreland, commanding general of the troops in Vietnam.

Mogk recognized Westmoreland and was shocked to see him. He saluted and Westmoreland returned the salute, and said, What in the hell was that?

Mogk said he explained he was doing his assigned task and there was no way of warning the helicopter.

Westmoreland said, Soldier, do you know who else is in this chopper?

Mogk looked over and watched Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara emerge from the helicopter. He was white as a sheet, said Mogk.

Westmoreland concluded his conversation with the young soldier from North Iowa. You could have changed history, he said and walked away.

Mogk said the day-to-day experience in Vietnam was hard work in hot conditions.

We slept in tents just about every night for that year. My father wanted me to keep a log of the weather while I was there, and I can tell you the temperature was 127 degrees on the hottest day, he said.

Another memorable experience occurred when his tour in Vietnam was over and he was headed home.

It was about a 20-hour flight with a stop to refuel and I think there were about 268 of us on board, said Mogk. Several on board had rifles with them. I dont remember why. The plane was to land in Seattle.

He said when their plane flew over Hawaii, the pilot radioed to the soldiers that they were over American soil. It was a good feeling, but we still had several hours to go, he said.

Several minutes later, the pilot advised that the plane would have to be diverted because there were 2,000 war protesters gathered at the Seattle airport.

The captain got on the microphone and told us, Weve been gone for a year, were heading home and we will not be diverted. He ordered that the plane land in Seattle as planned.

He told all the soldiers with rifles to get off the plane first with the rest of us to follow. It wasnt exactly the kind of welcome home we expected, said Mogk.

Led by soldiers with rifles in hand, the returnees proceeded through the airport without incident.

They hadnt expected any trouble, said Mogk, and were thankful there was none.

All we wanted to do was kiss the ground, he said.
CLEAR LAKE | Donald Trump fervently struck up some familiar campaign themes Saturday, sometimes with expletives, as he spoke to about 1,700 enthusiasts packed into the Surf Ballroom.

As he usually does, he touted his poll numbers which show he is the clear national favorite for the Republican presidential nomination.

But he acknowledged he is running about even in Iowa and made a point of challenging the qualifications of his nearest GOP rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Trump has mentioned in the past that Cruz, who was born in Canada, might not be considered a natural-born American citizen  a constitutional requirement to serve as president.

Saturday, he hammered home the point. "If you're born in Canada, it's a little bit of a problem," he said. "It's not a settled matter. He needs to seek a declaratory judgment from a court."

Trump said legal experts have said there is a question as to whether Cruz can be considered a natural-born citizen.

"We can't have somebody who will be immediately sued by the Democrats," said Trump. "We can't have someone running for president with that kind of a cloud over his head."

Trump was highly critical of the Obama administration in its dealings with ISIS, what he called weakening of the military, handling of the Veterans Administration problems and with the nuclear deal with Iran.

"We're going to knock the s--- out of ISIS," he said.

Under Obama, Trump said, the U.S. has a weak military that is unprepared to deal with the risks in the world.

"When I'm president, our military will be bigger and better and stronger than ever before. No one's going to mess with us," he said.

Of the nuclear deal with Iran, Trump said, "Iran's getting $150 billion and we don't even get our prisoners back. We should have said at the beginning of negotiations we want our prisoners back. If they say no, we get up and leave. Then we double the sanctions against them."

He said in that scenario the U.S. would get the prisoners back and would return to the negotiations. "Then we tell them they're not getting the $150 billion because we don't have it," said Trump.

He defended his plan to build a wall along the southern border and his plan to temporarily ban immigrants from coming into this country. Trump said the idea that terrorists' families are not aware of the terrorist activities is "b-------."

On domestic matters, Trump said, as a businessman he donated thousands of dollars to many politicians of both parties over the years. "I give to everybody," he said, "and when I call, they kiss my ass."

Trump said in his administration, veterans will get better treatment than they are receiving now. "We have illegal immigrants who are being treated better than our vets," he said.

Trump was also highly critical of U.S. trade policies and said China's leaders are smarter than U.S. leaders and that "Mexico is going to be the next China."

He leveled his usual criticism of the media. Pointing to the press gallery in the back of the room, he said, "Those are some of the most seriously dishonest people in the world."

Regarding his campaign, Trump said, "If we win in Iowa, we get the ball rolling. What we have going is a movement. What we have used to be called a silent majority. I call it a noisy majority," he said, to which the crowd roared.

"Before this country goes to hell, we better get it away from the politicians," he said.

Spectators had mixed views on Trump's presentation.

"What about ethanol?," said Gary Zwiefel of Titonka. "I drove all the way over here and didn't hear a word about the farm economy."

But Terry Reams of Mason City, who in the past has raised concerns about the Veterans Administration, said, "Trump has my full support  he has from the beginning."

Mary Jane Porter of Mason City represented another faction of the audience. "I'm here as a die-hard observer," she said.

Although protesters have been a regular occurrence at Trump events, there were none in sight in Clear Lake Saturday, inside or outside the Surf.
Does Bill Clinton still have his political magic? How much of it can he transfer to his wife? The answers: Yes and not much.

The former president hit the campaign trail last week on behalf of his spouse, the Democratic presidential front-runner. He is the most popular public figure in America and still possesses unrivaled campaign skills.

He has learned from his miserable performance eight years ago, when he was a liability for Hillary Clinton as she battled Barack Obama for the nomination.

Still, popularity rarely transfers in American politics. Six decades ago the mantra was that President Dwight Eisenhowers jacket didnt have coattails: Few Republicans benefited from that presidents enormous popularity. Thats probably even more the case with political figures of today.

Bill Clinton probably helps his wife in some marginal ways: fundraising, appealing to some groups that distrust her, such as young voters. And in the general election he could provide a reminder of what many remember as the golden years of prosperity and peace of the 1990s.

By assailing Hillary Clinton for supposedly enabling her husbands sexual peccadilloes two decades ago, Donald Trump might gain some ground with his partys hard core, Clinton-hating base. But it certainly wont hurt Bill Clinton; it might even help Hillary with women who resent seeing her blamed for her husbands infidelities by Trump, who could also face criticism for moral failings.

In any case, Trump, who puts more stock in polls  or at least those showing him ahead  than George Gallup, would kill for Bill Clintons ratings.

The former president is the most resilient politician of this, and probably any, era. He seemed doomed when the sex scandal involving a White House intern erupted during his presidency. Republicans then foolishly tried to remove him from office for lying about sex. That backfired: Bill Clinton led his party to unusual gains in the 1998 midterm elections and left office in 2001 with a 66 percent approval rating.

A few days after he left the White House, it came to light that he had used his final hours as president to pardon Marc Rich, a shady hedge fund manager and fugitive from justice. Bill Clinton became persona non grata, especially with elites; his aspirations to join a few blue-chip corporate boards were thwarted.

It didnt take long for him to bounce back with corporations and foreign governments, which paid top dollar to hear his insights.

Then in 2008  rusty after years off the campaign trail  he seemed to implode, frustrated by Obama, a political novice who was getting the better of his wife.

Bill Clinton had a bitter feud with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was about to endorse Obama.

In a private conversation, the former president complained that he didnt understand how the Democratic Party could nominate someone who a few years earlier would have been sent out to get coffee.

Such sentiments alienated prominent black leaders, some of whom warned of a permanent rift with the former president.

That April, an unwise columnist  me  wrote a piece headlined: Bill Clinton May Be Biggest Loser of Campaign.

Fat chance. By 2012, he again was the most popular American politician. He gave the most compelling speech at the Democratic convention that year, making the case for Obamas economic performance that the president himself had been unable to make.

The weekend before the election, at a big rally in Northern Virginia, Clinton demonstrated again the skills that make him the dominant politician of the day, deriding Mitt Romney and extolling Obama  who was beside him  with sharp humor and rousing rhetoric.

He cant win the Democratic nomination for Hillary; thats her job. But its easy to imagine the anticipation as he approaches the podium at the Philadelphia convention, where Democrats are nominating a Clinton for the third time.

In the general election, Republicans will attack him at their own peril.
Resign yourselves. Its time for POTUS to give the SOTU address. I know. I know. It seems as though it just happened yesterday. But it has been a year.

This is the constitutionally mandated occasion when the president assesses the condition of the nation for us.

It is sort of like the Oscars: You feel guilty because you dont really care (you havent watched most, if any, of the movies); you know it is a big deal (but it is so long); you know exactly what the formula is; you feel as though you must watch because something might happen.

Obama will be making his last official SOTU speech Tuesday and you just know he is going to proclaim, My fellow Americans. The state of the union is strong. What else can he say? Things are not great; Donald Trump is a menace; Hillary Clinton will probably hang my portrait in the basement; I have no idea how I am going to get through the next 12 months; I have decided to spend the rest of my presidency in Hawaii. No way.

The real news, so far, is that South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was picked to rebut the president. The rebuttal is a relatively new idea, born of cable TV and the idea that it is un-American to listen to the president of the United States without hearing his political opponents deride him for half an hour.

Bobby Jindal, Louisianas governor, gave the rebuttal in 2009 but was widely panned for a sing-song style and sophomoric ideas. But he couldnt let it go.

Last year Jindal tweeted before Obama spoke, writing, Ill save you 45 mins. Obama will decry Republicans, beat up on private business and argue for more free stuff. Your welcome. Bad grammar. Bad idea. Jindal ran for president in 2015 but got no traction and pulled out: Not my time.

Marco Rubios rebuttal was late-night-comics fodder for ages after he sidled left to take a drink of water, all but disappearing from the TV screen. He is battling tooth and nail for third place in Iowa and New Hampshire, trying to tamp down ridicule from other candidates about his high-heeled boots.

So theres a curse in responding to a SOTU. But Nikki Haley! In case you havent heard, she is going to be the GOP vice presidential candidate. Whoever the GOP presidential candidate is. Cable news has decreed it because, one, shes an attractive female, and two, she impressed everyone with her handling of the aftermath of the Charleston church shootings and her decision to remove the Confederate battle flag from statehouse grounds. Honest! A Republican did that!

We have to watch Obamas address to see who from the Cabinet is not there. Thats in case a meteor falls on the Capitol; the administration must have someone to carry on.

This year Obama will tout job growth, the expanding economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry and booming energy production. Again.

He will plead, again, for effective gun control, combating climate change, restoring the middle class, closing Guantanamo, destroying the Islamic State, bringing civility to politics, paid sick leave and maternity leave, free community college, improving health care and job training for veterans, trade pacts to sell more U.S. goods abroad, more research and development, an overhauled tax code, stronger diplomacy, a renewed commitment to justice and an end to overt racism, and fixing the broken immigration system.

He will ask God to bless this great country we love.

It will be a good, if lengthy, speech. But Obama will step down from the podium as a lame duck, and the endless presidential primary games instantly will begin again.

Dont forget the popcorn.
voodoochild wrote:

Source: cat



Everyone who has graduated from TopNotch High School has an intelligence quotient (IQ) of over 120. Most students with an IQ of over 120 and all students with an IQ of over 150 who apply to one or more Ivy League universities are accepted to at least one of them.



The statements above, if true, best support which of the following conclusions?



A: Every graduate of TopNotch High School with an IQ of 150 has been accepted to at least one Ivy-League school.



This will be true only if EVERY graduate with more than 150-IQ APPLIED for at least 1 ivy-league school. If EVEN ONE of those uber intelligent 150-IQ fellows did not apply for ANY ivy-league, this statement fails.



B: If a person is a high-school graduate and has an IQ of less than 100, he or she could not have been a student at TopNotch High School.



This is tricky. He/She could have been a student at Topnotch. For sure he/she did not GRADUATE from Topnotch. He/She might have failed and later graduated from somewhere else OR might have simply transferred his/her school.





C: If a person has an IQ of 130 and is attending an Ivy-League school, it is possible for him or her to have graduated from TopNotch High School.



This is definitely possible. Because if she/he graduated from Topnotch, for sure he/she has more than 120-IQ. This person can very well be one of those graduates. Note: it is possible for him or her



D: At least one graduate from TopNotch high school who has applied to at least one Ivy-League university has been accepted to one of them.

This is tricky AND second most likely choice. Because, we don't know whether he/she has >150IQ, we can't be sure of this. If ALL graduates from TopNotch have an IQ between 119 and 150, exclusive, then it is possible that some could be accepted but there is no guarantee that he HAS been accepted. The question type is must be true and we should make sure that no way the statement can be false. If you present one case that invalidates the statement, reject it.



e.g.

If there are 1 million blue balls and 1 yellow ball in a jar.

If a man randomly picks a ball, that ball should be blue in color. NOT TRUE for this question type.

If a man randomly picks a ball, it is highly likely that ball is blue in color. COULD BE TRUE but eliminate other choices.

If a man randomly picks a ball, it cannot be red in color. 100% true. No need for elimination.



E: If a high-school graduate has an IQ of 150 and is not attending an Ivy-League school, then he or she did not apply to one of them.

We need to think a step further. Alright the student has applied and is accepted. Then she changed her mind and went for some non-ivy league school. In this case, she is not attending ivy-league but she applied and was of course accepted.





My approach for this:Don't follow the elimination process. Just tick the right choice and go ahead. I chose "C" because I knew it was correct, I didn't bother to dig into rest of the choices.
Sat, 10/15 (12pm ET): Getting into Stanford GSB with GMAT 770 - How David Made it Possible in 6 Months
Sean Bianca, aka, "GOP GIRL", is a lifelong Republican who after strongly supporting former President Donald Trump, voted for now President Joe Biden. Sean Bianca had never voted for a Democrat in her life, until... Trump. Sean Bianca at present is disenchanted with the GOP as it continues to defend and support Donald Trump. Follow Sean's political journey as she struggles with her political affiliation and shares her passion for politics and her country.
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By now, you may have already pored over Sean Penn's flatulent-ridden ode to El Chapo in Rolling Stone. Penn met with Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera in October, a few months after his elaborate escape from prison; in the process, he apparently inadvertently tipped off authorities to Guzman's location, leading to his most recent arrest this week.

Mexican federal law enforcement officials indicated this weekend that the country is now willing to extradite Guzman to the United Stated to be tried for his crimes, after his dramatic, million-dollar escape from jail there last summer humiliated authorities and brought doubt over whether he could be kept in jail there. The Daily News reports Guzman is facing a 21-count indictment in the Eastern District of New York, which includes money laundering and 12 murders.

The Times reports:

With charges brought in numerous jurisdictions in the United States, another key question is where Mr. Guzman would be tried. One possibility, officials said, would be to try him in the eastern district of New York in Brooklyn  not only because he was indicted there, but also because Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch was the United States attorney when the charges were brought. And she would be the one to ultimately decide where he would be tried. Initial charges in Brooklyn against Mr. Guzman and several associates were brought in 2009. More recently, when Ms. Lynch was in charge of the office, prosecutors in Brooklyn consolidated the charges against him with another pending case in Florida. Their joint indictment charged Mr. Guzman and another suspected leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Ismael Zambada Garcia, with distributing more than 500 tons of cocaine in the United States since the late 1980s. It also charged them with distribution of heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The Times adds that officials believe Guzman has been the biggest supplier of cocaine to the NYC area for over a decade; in his most recent indictment, prosecutors listed "163 separate counts of distribution of cocaine in the United States, ranging from 234 kilograms to as much as 23,000 kilos."

If El Chapo is brought to NYC (which probably wouldn't happen for a long time, assuming his lawyers will fight extradition) and tries to construct another mile-long tunnel to facilitate his escape, he may find it's a lot more difficult when you have to contend with millions of rats.
Grant funds workforce-development program, 3D printer lab at ECU

Left to right, Anna Humphrey of E.B. Aycock, Mark Phillips of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and E.B. Aycock student Jack Vick demonstrate their work at ECU's new lab.

Vice Chancellor Ted Morris, speaking, shows off a wall of new MakerBot 3D printers to ECU faculty member Rick Smiley, left, and ECU College of Business Dean Stan Eakins at the new ECU Innovation Design Lab.

3D printing merges art, engineering

ECU engineering students Amber Lyerly, above, and Angel Chukwu use 3-D printing as part of their education.



Enjoying the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new lab are, left to right, T.D. Goodwin employee Dan Kallweit; Tommy Goodwin; ECU Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance Rick Niswander; ECU Provost Ron Mitchelson, Wayne Godwin, ECU art professor and director of the innovation design lab; Charles Overton; Ted Morris, ECU associate vice chancellor for engagement, innovation and development; Parker Overton; David Fountain and Millie Chalk of Duke Energy.



The chess pieces shown above were printed using a MakerBot 3D printer at ECU's Innovation Design Lab, a newly opened 3D design and prototyping center that enhances workforce development in the region. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

East Carolina University today opened a new 3D design and prototyping center and announced the start of a workforce-development program that strengthens students' skills and promotes economic development.Funded in part by a $300,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation through the ECU Office of Innovation and Economic Development, the workforce-development program will offer short courses, workforce certificates and hands-on industry projects through the Integrated Innovation Workforce and Economic Development Initiative.The grant is part of the Duke Energy Foundation's $2 million investment in workforce development with six University of North Carolina-system schools. The program is aimed at pharmaceutical and other advanced manufacturing industries.Called the ECU Innovation Design Lab, the 5,600-square-foot facility is in part of the former Overton's grocery store on Jarvis Street in Greenville. The lab features a new MakerBot Innovation Center for 3D design and prototyping, one of only three in the Southeast and the first in North Carolina.said Ted Morris, associate vice chancellor for innovation and economic development at ECU.Additionally, the program lays the "last mile" of an education-to-workforce pipeline connecting eastern North Carolina middle- and high-school students to career opportunities via the Golden Leaf Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Academy.said David Fountain, Duke Energy's North Carolina president.Together, these programs increase students' awareness of regional advanced manufacturing careers while boosting their science, technology, engineering, art/design, mathematics, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership skills.ECU Provost Ron Mitchelson said the MakerBot lab will put students from business, art, science, engineering, medicine and other fields together with industry experts to turn ideas into tangible products.he said.3D printing, known in engineering circles as additive manufacturing, uses technology similar to that used in inkjet printers to build products layer-by-layer using plastic or other materials with similar properties. Industrial 3D printers can also use metals, and some are now using biological materials to create human tissue.While the machines at the lab printed novelty items such as chess pieces, their capabilities and utility go much deeper. David Baines, a project manager with MakerBot, said the technology allows users from individual inventors to major manufacturers to quickly and inexpensively create product prototypes for testing and design refinement.he said.He added that MakerBots are built in the company's factory by other MakerBot machines.There are similar MakerBot facilities at the University of Maryland and Florida Polytechnic Institute.The Innovation Design Lab also features space for ECU's advanced visualization and performance facility, a simulation-based and immersive training environment serving North Carolina's film and gaming industries as well as the military.The MakerBot center and simulation facility are separated by a design studio where students can gather to develop, share and improve ideas, projects or products.Ultimately, ECU's Innovation Design Lab is intended to increase collaboration and innovation and support the growth of the East Carolina Research and Innovation Campus.Based in New York City, MakerBot Industries was founded in 2009 to engineer and produce 3D printers. In 2013, Minnesota-based 3D printer and production-system manufacturer Stratasys acquired MakerBot.In addition to being part of the Innovation Design Lab, the project is a component of ECU's Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing Center of Excellence, which will be a premier laboratory-based education center for preparing pharmaceutical manufacturing and pharmaceutics professionals.Amber Lyerly's tablet plays a video of a water pump she designed and built submerged in a tank spewing water like any heavy-duty industrial machine would.But in her hand is the same pump, made of plastic in a few hours using a 3D printer in the Science and Technology Building at East Carolina University.the senior mechanical engineering major said of 3D printing, known more precisely as additive manufacturing. And she's taken her pump with her to interviews for internships and jobs, and landed an internship last summer at Hayward Pools.she said.The opening of a new MakerBot 3D design and prototyping facility at ECU is a tangible sign the technology is a valuable educational tool.said Ed Howard, associate professor of engineering at ECU.Ira Varney, an art teacher at South Central High School in Winterville whose classes include 3D printing and computerized machining, was at the opening of the ECU MakerBot lab. He said technologies such as 3D printing get students interested in design, manufacturing and engineering, showing them they can have a career that challenges and rewards their creativity.Varney said.ECU sophomore mechanical engineering student Angel Chukwu of Clayton, a member of the ECU Honors College, described her major the same way.she said.Lyerly also said the chance that students from various disciplines might work together on 3D-printed products  one way the new MakerBot lab is envisioned to work  is enticing.she said.
La tricolor, la de la estrella solitaria, la mas linda de todas. Distintos apelativos para hablar de la bandera nacional, la cual se oficializo en 1818. Pero, sabias que la bandera chilena actual no ha sido siempre la misma? Antes de nuestra bandera hubo dos mas. Conoce mas detalles sobre este tema. Durante la etapa de la Patria Vieja, por iniciativa de Jose Miguel Carrera, Chile tuvo su primera bandera, con tres franjas: azul, blanca y amarilla, que representaban la majestad, la ley y la fuerza, atributos del estado, segun el literato Camilo Henriquez o, segun otra teoria, el cielo, la nieve cordillerana y los campos de dorados trigales. Flameo por primera vez, el 4 de julio de 1812, bordada por Javiera Carrera, hermana de Jose Miguel, siendo ella quien inculco el ideal de la independencia, a sus hermanos menores. El 30 de septiembre fue al igual que la escarapela, oficialmente adoptada, aunque ningun decreto legalizo su uso. La vida de este simbolo se extinguio, luego
News

Husband demands wife to pay Dhs500,000 over false accusation of her jewellery theft in Abu Dhabi

The court explained that the wife used her legitimate right guaranteed to her by law when she resorted to the competent authorities to report the thef...
Tom Campbell

The U.S. Department of Justice should butt out of North Carolina's mental health problems, since it is partially responsible for getting us into the situation we now face. If you've never had family member or friend with mental illness be thankful. I can tell you first-hand that the way we treat many of those with severe mental illness today is unconscionable.It was a federal court decision that determined that the states should get out of housing the mentally ill, favoring community based care instead. North Carolina began mental health reforms in 2001, reducing or eliminating beds in state-operated mental health hospitals. The concept of caring for patients in local hospitals or community support agencies may have been good in theory but it was a train wreck in practice. Local hospitals didn't have and weren't willing to dedicate sufficient numbers of beds to mental patients. Local or regional health agencies didn't have established services; even worse, there were too few psychiatrists available in many regions.Most families are not able to deal with these patients either, no matter how much they might love them. At some point the family has exhausted so much financial and emotional capital they simply can't continue without severely affecting the rest of the family. With no place to take them many mentally ill patients end up on the streets or in jail due to their unstable conduct. The best solution available is to turn to adult care homes.The Supreme Court has said that states treat those with disabilities as if they were "incapable of or unworthy of participating in community life." Under duress, North Carolina made promises to provide community-based services wherever possible. The well-intentioned group Disability Rights correctly asserted that North Carolina wasn't living up those promises. After a yearlong investigation, in 2012 the U.S. Department of Justice forced the state, along with 19 other states, to sign a settlement agreement, setting compliance benchmarks. That agreement required our state to offer people with serious mental illnesses more housing subsidies and job training, using MCOs or managed care organizations that contracted with the state.Because the mentally ill have so few effective advocates and because of state budget problems our legislature has woefully underfunded care for them. The N. C. Department of Health and Human Services has dealt with one crisis after another, a long litany of problems including IT programs, Medicaid cost explosions and personnel turnover, rendering it ineffective. There is also evidence the mentally ill have not been a high priority at DHHS. The MCOs, often for-profit groups, have not been as effective as envisioned and have been poorly supervised.Strong-arm tactics by the feds, unachievable target goals, poor administration and insufficient funding aren't a formula that will provide the care desperately needed by our mentally ill. To be sure there are many who can live alone and hold jobs, but there are large numbers who cannot care for themselves and must live in group homes.Now is a time to stop the finger pointing and the blame game, substituting instead honest discussion, cooperation, compassion and realistic expectations. If a society is judged by how it treats those unable to care for themselves we owe the mentally ill nothing less than our best efforts.
About Me

I am a retired professor. I last taught at Ewha Womans University, mostly composition, research writing, and cultural issues, but also the occasional graduate seminar on Gnosticism and Johannine theology and the occasional undergraduate course on European history. My doctorate is in history (U.C. Berkeley), with emphasis on religion and science. My thesis is on John's gospel and Gnosticism. I'm also an award-winning writer, and I recommend my novella, The Bottomless Bottle of Beer, to anyone interested. I'm originally from the Arkansas Ozarks, but my academic career -- funded through doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships (e.g., Fulbright, Naumann, Lady Davis) -- has taken me through Texas, California, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, and Israel and has landed me in Seoul, South Korea. I've also traveled to Mexico, visited much of Europe, including Moscow, and touched down briefly in a few East Asian countries. Hence: "Gypsy Scholar."

View my complete profile
Let's hit the ground running. I begin recording my single on Monday in the esteemed company of Mark Simonsen and James Wallace. Mark (left) is a member of The Old Ceremony , one of Durham's finest bands; he also plays with me in Baron Von Rumblebuss , Tray Batson's kiddie-rock ensemble. James (right) was the drummer for Max Indian, another phenomenal band from this locale, and he's played with almost every musician worth their salt since the band's breakup. Together, I think the three of us will come up with an eminently listenable slab of vinyl for you (and yes, there'll be a download card included). I look forward to working with these phenomenal cats immensely.





one show I really wanted to see--Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham). Maybe I'll try to make it there again this fall, but for now, 30A looks to be a wonderful treat on my way back into the fray. On Friday, I fly to Panama City FL to participate in the 30A Songwriters Festival for the first time. It excites me to no end that I'll be among such amazing, inspiring songwriters as Willis Alan Ramsey, Matraca Berg, Will Kimbrough, Kim Richey and Tommy Womack. Plus I get to hang with the brothers Bush (Kristian and Brandon) a little bit. Years ago I went to the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival which is based around the Flora-Bama Bar, a trip unto itself. It was fun if daunting, to be around such a trove of great writers (and I missed theshow I really wanted to see--Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham). Maybe I'll try to make it there again this fall, but for now, 30A looks to be a wonderful treat on my way back into the fray.





From there, I come back, get the single pressed up and begin charting out weekend shows in the semi-close geographic range. I'll try to get further afield when the album comes out, but for now, I'm looking at East Coast/Southeast in the spring.




Click here to listen and here to listen to Dr. Roy Cordato discussing this Spotlight report.RALEIGH North Carolina lawmakers should take aim at the state's current system of depreciation, as they look for more ways to improve the tax code. A new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report recommends replacing state depreciation schedules with single-year "expensing."said report author Dr. Roy Cordato, John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research and Resident Scholar.In contrast, a system based on "expensing" allows businesses to deduct the full cost of a capital asset from business taxes in the year the purchase is made, Cordato said.he said.There's another benefit, Cordato adds.The switch from depreciation to expensing would fit well with the "positive" and "dramatic" restructuring of North Carolina's tax code under way since 2013, Cordato said. Lowering and flattening the personal and corporate income tax rates have "created a more efficient and fair tax code."Now lawmakers ought to focus on getting the income tax base right, Cordato said. "Going forward, the primary task of tax reform should be to eliminate the bias that exists against saving, investment, and entrepreneurship," he said. "The current tax code penalizes saving and investment by double taxing interest, dividends, and capital gains."Alongside this focus on the tax base, the state should re-examine the way it treats business investments in capital equipment and real property, Cordato said.It's universally recognized that business expenses tied to producing goods and services for sale should be deductible from taxation, Cordato said. But the federal government and most states permit deductions linked to land, office equipment, machinery, buildings, and other assets only over a period of time and at specified rates.This approach, called depreciation or amortization, is based on the presumed durability of the investment. A "longer-lived" asset has a longer depreciation period, such as 27.5 years for investment in land for an apartment complex versus five years for an office computer.Cordato said.A "deeper and more systemic problem" is the distortion of investment decisions, Cordato adds.Under a system of depreciation, the value of a tax deduction turns out to be less than the full cost of the capital asset, Cordato said.he said.Under immediate expensing, a construction company that buys a $100,000 bulldozer can write off the full $100,000 from this year's pretax income.Cordato said.he added.Scrapping depreciation for expensing would require North Carolina to break away, or "decouple," from the federal tax code. But that would not make tax filing at the state level any more complicated for N.C. businesses, Cordato said.he said.Any tax reform should pursue a goal of not interfering with business decisions, Cordato said.Dr. Roy Cordato's Spotlight report,is available at the JLF website. For more information, please contact Cordato ator. To arrange an interview, contact Mitch Kokai atorDr. Roy Cordato
Its Sunday afternoon, and already weve had an eventful day  not by world news standards, but in the world of Slow Motion. I got my weekly deep tissue massage and when I returned to the boat, we moved Slow Motion to another dockside location in the canal, with the help of our fellow boaters. It was great to hear Slow Motions engines, and at one point, all I wanted to do was cruise out to the ocean. Alas, we were headed to another tie up less than 100 yards away, closer to the dreadful Skippers Restaurant live Muzak, but with a better Wi-Fi connection. Trade offs.I also have the challenge of steps when I go to the shower and restroom. But so far, when I start lifting the rollator up the steps an angel appears out of the blue to help me. Its a different angel every time. I can do this myself, but I must look like Im struggling. At our new location, Slow Motion does not hug the dock as closely, so the Admiral has a new worry  Can Ann avoid falling in the drink when getting on and off the boat? I tell him that I will be super super careful, but of course he still worries. We have entered the Inner Sanctum of the Pelican Brotherhood, another concern, given their penchant to poop nuclear waste on boat decks. We have rubber snakes to scare them off, and the Admiral constructs a complex spider web of string across the deck on the bow. It seems to work. Time will tell whether they invade us or we evade them.
Gov. Steve Bullock said Friday night that departing Lt. Gov. Angela McLeans perceived frustrations with the role of lieutenant governor were "disruptive."

In a statement to Lee Newspapers, Bullock said: "This happens every day in businesses across the country, where the fit just isnt right. Angela is smart and ambitious, but seemed frustrated with the role of lieutenant governor, and that was disruptive to our work for Montana. But I have no doubt that she has talents that will serve the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education well."

Emails between Bullock and McLean that were released to MTN News late this week detail the rocky relationship between Bullock's administration and the departing lieutenant governor.

Those emails were also requested by, but not released to, Lee Newspapers. Attempts to reach Bullocks chief legal counsel, Andy Huff, who earlier acknowledged getting Lees request, at the Capitol on Friday were not successful, nor were attempts to work with Bullocks staff Friday to get the documents.

On Nov. 30, state officials announced McLean was leaving her job to become the director of American Indian and minority achievement and K-12 partnerships in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. She starts that job Jan. 4.

Bullock is now searching for a new lieutenant governor. Whoever he picks will be the third person to fill that role. Bullocks first lieutenant governor, John Walsh, was appointed by Bullock to fill a U.S. Senate seat vacated by Max Baucus, who became ambassador to China.

Walsh, made an incumbent, later dropped out of the subsequent Senate race when it was found he plagiarized a paper he submitted to the War College.

When it was announced McLean was leaving the lieutenant governor position, Bullock said the departure was the result of her seizing on an opportunity to work on education issues and that she wasnt being forced out so Bullock could pick a new running mate for the 2016 election. Bullock also said that Nov. 30 was the first hed heard of McLean pursuing her new job.

In a statement to Lee Newspapers on Friday, McLean said, "I loved every part of my job as lieutenant governor. I worked hard every day and in every part of the state to advocate for my fellow Montanans and earn the salary they paid me."

But according to the MTN report, emails between Bullock and McLean reveal a deteriorating relationship -- and a situation in which McLean was frozen out of Bullock's inner circle and given essentially nothing to do.

Following our meeting, I received a call from (staffer) Dave Parker whereby he asked me to imagine a workplace if I stayed in my post, but the governor took away my initiatives and my ability to serve the citizens of Montana, an Oct. 2 email from McLean to Bullock read, MTN reported.

MTN reported emails showed that shortly thereafter, McLean was locked out of her lieutenant governor Twitter account and her meetings with the governor were canceled.
A sale of Helena's Capital Hill Mall property is moving forward, although a closing date has not yet been set, said the buyer, Brett Del Valle, the managing partner of Peninsula Retail Partners, LLC of Newport Beach, California.

If the sale is completed, the mall will receive an extensive makeover and much of the existing building will be torn down. While two anchor tenants would remain, a half dozen commercial sites are proposed along the propertys perimeter.

Del Valle said on Wednesday that the mall property is in escrow, and he is continuing to seek a company for one of two anchor tenant spaces in the mall. The existing JC Penney store would remain in the other anchor space under the new plan.

Discussions are ongoing with a number of major tenants that have an interest in the property, he said, adding that they do not want their information disclosed at this time.

The anchor tenant space hes seeking to fill could involve a market or a soft-goods retailer, although he declined to elaborate. Soft goods include textile items such as clothing and linens.

The mall is located between two grocery stores, a Safeway store to the west and an Albertsons to the east.

Much of the mall would be torn down if Del Valle finds the anchor tenant needed to help attract shoppers.

A diagram of how Capital Hill Mall could be redeveloped if a sale is concluded shows a new look for the nearly 13.5 acre site.

The diagram, found on the Mountain West Retail & Investment Commercial Real Estate website, www.mtnwest.com/properties, would retain the existing JC Penney store on the malls west end.

However, the empty stores now located between JC Penney and the vacant 57,192-square-foot space for a second anchor tenant on the malls east end would be removed, leaving only the two anchor tenant sites.

The vacant tenant site is listed on the diagram as a market, while the JC Penney site is listed as retail.

The diagram helps market the property by offering potential tenants an idea of the daily traffic passing the property.

Prospect Avenue, a one-way, three-lane street leading into Helena, is listed as having daily traffic of 12,380 vehicles. Three of the six commercial sites proposed for the mall property are located along this street.

Two of these sites are proposed for drive-thru operation, and the third one is labeled as a bank.

Along 11th Avenue, a one-way, two-lane street that leads out of Helena and carries some 12,850 vehicles daily, two pad sites are proposed.

One of these sites is listed for both retail and a restaurant, while the second site is labeled for drive-thru use.

There is interest in the property, but some of those who are interested want to see a more developed site plan, said Joe Cooley with Mountain West Retail & Investment Commercial Real Estate in Salt Lake City.

More interest in leasing sites would come, he explained, when he is able to show more details about how the property will be developed.

While he has received several letters of intent from companies interested in the sites, he has not yet received signed leases, he added.

Cooley declined to say how many letters of intent he had received.

Some of the retail sites could house perhaps three businesses, such as a sandwich shop, a cellphone outlet and a nail salon, he said to illustrate what could be accommodated.

The retail spaces noted on the diagram for development of the property would be sites that businesses such as fast food stores and coffee shops would be interested in, he said.

The number of pad sites is fairly firm because of the citys requirements for parking.

However, the location of the six commercial sites could shift depending on the needs of interested businesses, he added.

And while a pad site on the diagram may currently list its size at 5,000 square feet, he continued, a business could propose to use less than that amount, which would be acceptable if the city of Helena agreed.

The businesses that lease sites could represent both new businesses to Helena as well as repositioning of existing businesses looking for a better location, Del Valle said.

Retailers want a location that is within a community and close to customers, he said, adding that parking is also valued by them.

The mall is a redevelopment opportunity, Del Valle said, explaining that Helena is a well-established market where he sees a growth opportunity.

The website for Mountain West Retail & Investment Commercial Real Estate contains a site layout for the mall property. It also includes a demographic data table that noted there are estimated to be 43,818 people living within five miles of the site and more than 9,500 people resided within one mile of the property.

The population projection for 2020 includes more than 45,000 people living within the five-mile radius.

The number of households is anticipated to rise modestly between 2015 and 2020, when slightly less than 800 new residences will push the total to 20,139.

The estimated 2015 median household income for people living within one mile of the property is $45,528, which rises to $53,870 when households up to five miles from the site are included.

According to the Peninsula Retail Partners website, Del Valle founded the company in 1999.

Del Valle has constructed, managed and sold projects ranging in size from as small as a single fast food restaurant up to regional power centers of up to 250,000 square feet, the website noted.

According to Del Valle's online biography, he has developed/leased more than 5 million square feet of properties in his career and worked with tenants such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Staples, Best Buy and Marshalls/TJ Maxx, among others.

Our hands-on approach helps to eliminate surprises and reduce our investment and development risk, the companys website said of its approach to real estate.

Once a project is acquired, we aggressively implement our development strategy. With extensive construction expertise, we are able to keep our projects on schedule and within budget, the website explained.

The mall has been in decline for years, and City National Bank foreclosed on the property in August 2013, according to a Sept. 7, 2013 Independent Record article.

Tax records with Lewis and Clark County in late December showed City National Bank was still the owner of record.

The 181,645-square-foot structure was listed for sale on the online website Loopnet, although no price was noted on the listing in August 2014.

An October 2014 listing said the mall, built in 1965, was being offered for $2.9 million.
The news from Lake Wobegon is that Garrison Keillor is planning a third visit to Missoula.

Dennison Theatre Productions and Montana Public Radio will present An Evening with Garrison Keillor on Tuesday, March 1, in the Dennison Theatre at the University of Montana.

Tickets are on sale now for the 7:30 p.m. event, which will feature Keillor, the popular radio personality, author, storyteller and humorist who is best known as the creator and host of NPRs A Prairie Home Companion. He also is a best-selling author of more than a dozen books, including Lake Wobegon Days, Love Me and Homegrown Democrat.

Following the event, Keillor will hold a book signing at 9 p.m.

Keillor has visited the University of Montana twice before.

In 2010, he gave a spoken-word performance in the Adams Center, and in 2006, he brought his entire cast of musicians, actors, foleys and producers to the arena for a live broadcast of "A Prairie Home Companion."

Tickets for the March event cost $57.75 and are available at all GrizTix locations, by calling (406) 243-4051 or online at griztix.com. All seating is reserved.

For more information call Tom Webster, Dennison Theatre director, at 406-243-2853 or email thomas.webster@umontana.edu.
Gov. Steve Bullock on Wednesday named former Montana Secretary of State Mike Cooney of Helena to be the next lieutenant governor, replacing outgoing Lt. Gov. Angela McLean.

Cooney, 61, takes over the lieutenant governor role Monday, as McLean begins her new job as director of American Indian and minority achievement and K-12 partnerships in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. Cooney will be Montanas 32nd lieutenant governor.

I am truly honored with the trust and commitment you have given to me, and in turn I commit to you and all Montanans that I will serve the state humbly each day, Cooney said during a press conference Wednesday at the state Capitol.

Bullock called Cooney an accomplished and dedicated public servant.

Cooney has worked in and around Montana politics for decades, while Bullocks previous picks for the No. 2 job had less political experience: John Walsh, who served as a U.S. Army National Guard colonel and the adjutant general of the Montana National Guard; and McLean, who was a school teacher in Anaconda and was chairwoman of the Montana Board of Regents and served on the Montana Board of Public Education.

The governor said his team reached out to dozens of people across the state for input on the selection. Cooney, he said, rose to the top of a list of people under consideration.

I think we cast a wide net, Bullock said. I did speak to other people, but from my perspective Mike rose to the top. Had I thought otherwise, he certainly wouldnt be standing here today.

Cooney said hell draw on his most recent experience as deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry to focus on workforce development and the Main Street Montana project, started by Bullock in 2013 to promote Montana business.

The work Ive done as secretary of state making doing business in Montana easier and streamlining government, looking at the way government is funded and the work I've done in the senate and in the Legislature and some of the work Ive done since Ive worked in the department of labor, I think that experience can be put to good use during the administration as were working on those things," he said.

Cooney said he expects the role of lieutenant governor to evolve.

Somebody told me once a successful lieutenant governor is a lot like a Swiss Army Knife, and they can play many roles, he said. Im assuming I will be counseling the governor, and I will be standing in for the governor when requested, but I think there are other duties that I look forward to taking on.  It will be a work in progress. I need to get my feet on the ground.

When asked about the 2016 election for governor, Cooney said Ill be ready for it.

As far as the campaign is concerned, Ive got to learn how to be lieutenant governor and well cross that bridge when we get to it, he said. But I know theres one coming down the road.

Cooney said he and Bullock work well together. We have, I think, a very good chemistry. I like the guy.

Bullock has said previously that McLeans perceived frustrations with the role of lieutenant governor were "disruptive.

Bullock called Cooney a proven leader and said Montanans trust him and said Cooney represents the values and characters that are all too often now absent in todays political environment.

Mike always holds strong in his convictions and positions yet does so without belittling or tearing down those who might disagree with him, Bullock said. Mike has demonstrated a proven ability to work with Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

Cooney echoed Bullock in citing Montanas low unemployment rate, balanced budget and rainy day fund, investment in education and mental health and outdoors heritage often during the press conference.

Cooney said he has thought about running for other offices, but will be focusing just on working in Bullock's administration during the next several months.

As far as running for any other job, lets have this conversation in maybe 2019, Cooney said.

The Secretary of State's office said Wednesday it has yet to receive McLean's resignation letter, but expects it to come in on Thursday.

Cooney was first elected in 1976 to the Montana House of Representatives and served through 1980. He then served three terms as secretary of state, from 1989 through 2000. Cooney was a state senator from 2003 to 2010, and was elected as senate president in 2007. From 2001 to 2006, Cooney served as director of Montana Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies. He also served as the interim head of the Montana Historical Society.

He currently serves as deputy director of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

He and his wife DeeAnn have three grown children, Ryan, Colin and Adan.

DeAnn Cooney was appointed First Judicial District judge by Bullock on Dec. 1 to replace Jeffrey Sherlock, who is retiring after 27 years effective Jan. 1. The couple recently celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary, Cooney said Wednesday.

Cooney and Bullock have worked extensively together. He hired Bullock for his first state job, chief legal counsel for Cooney when he was secretary of state. Cooney is also the grandson of former Gov. Frank Cooney, who served as the ninth governor of the state of Montana from 1933 to 1935.

Cooney graduated from Butte High in 1972 and the University of Montana in 1979.

David Parker, a political science professor at Montana State University, called Cooney a safe pick.

I always started from the premise that (Bullock) needed to pick who was safe, who had served in elected office, who had been vetted by the electorate, Parker said Wednesday. Mike Cooney fits the bill perfectly."

Parker said the only concern he has is that the governor picked a white male as opposed to a woman, which might be less than exciting for some folks in the party, but otherwise I think its a good pick.

Parker said Amanda Curtis, a state legislator for Butte, was talked about as a possible pick, but said she wouldnt have been a good choice.

She doesnt have a great amount of elective office experience, Parker said. I think the Cooney pick was safe, which is what he needed to do at this point.

Parker said the lieutenant governor wont play a big role in the upcoming 2016 election.

Everyone gets all excited about the lieutenant governor, but at the end of the day the lieutenant governors job is to fill in if the governor is out of state or becomes incapacitated," he said.

You dont want to pick anyone who will draw undue attention, and hes already done that twice. He just needs somebody that was going to be competent and not raise any hackles," he added.

The Montana Republican Party was quick to weigh in on the selection.

Gov. Bullocks third lieutenant governor is the definition of a Helena insider and a career bureaucrat, and once again Bullock made a decision behind closed doors without informing Montanans about the selection process, reminding us all of the Walsh debacle last year," said Shane Scanlon, communications director for the Montana GOP.

"They say the third times the charm, so hopefully Bullock found a lieutenant governor who will do as told and fulfill the more traditional role Bullock said hes looking for when he forced out Angela McLean," he added.

In a statement, Nancy Keenan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, said, "I join Montanans from across the state today to applaud Governor Bullock's decision and congratulate Mike Cooney on his selection. ... Steve and Mike will make a great team, dedicated to improving the lives of all Montanans, because they share our values and care deeply about this great state."

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester released a statement saying: "Dating back to my days working with Mike in the Montana Legislature, he has shown time and time again that he's a hardworking man of integrity. Steve and Mike will no doubt build on the successes of the past few years growing our economy and making responsible decisions on behalf of Montana families and our future."

Evan Barrett, who has worked in many roles in Montana politics, said Cooneys experience makes him a good fit for the lieutenant governor job.

Mike is a veteran of making government work for people, so from a policy perspective he knows the inner-workings of government and how to make things happen at all levels, Barrett said. All in all, it sounds like an excellent choice. Most of us have a great deal of respect for Mike. Hes really experienced and I think that means a lot.

Bill Dee, who owns Dee Motor Co. in Anaconda, praised Cooney. Hes a person of great integrity, he said. He will work very hard for the state.

Dee, who has known Cooney about 25 years, said Cooney has worked hard to help local Job Services offices and promoted grassroots efforts to help small businesses.

McLean announced Nov. 30 that she was taking a job with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, leaving Gov. Steve Bullock to find a new No. 2 for his re-election bid next year.

Emails between Bullock and McLean released this month showed a fraught relationship.

In a statement to Lee newspapers, Bullock said: "This happens every day in businesses across the country, where the fit just isnt right. Angela is smart and ambitious, but seemed frustrated with the role of lieutenant governor, and that was disruptive to our work for Montana. But I have no doubt that she has talents that will serve the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education well."

Bullock, when further pressed to explain more about McLeans decision to leave, would not say more.

McLean would only speak to the media through emailed statements, saying "I loved every part of my job as lieutenant governor. I worked hard every day and in every part of the state to advocate for my fellow Montanans and earn the salary they paid me."
BILLINGS -- More than 1 million passengers boarded and disembarked planes at Bozeman Yellowstone International in 2015, the first year a Montana airport has breached seven figures, the airport announced Friday.

The final tally of 1,021,155 passengers is a 5.6 percent jump from 2014 for Bozeman, which surpassed Billings Logan International Airport as the states largest three years ago.

Billings had a good year also, tallying 869,845 passengers for 2015, about a 1.5 percent increase from the previous year, according to preliminary numbers released by airport director Kevin Ploehn.

Ploehn added that freight planes, a big chunk of business at the city-owned airport, are about 5 percent up leaving Billings and about 15 percent up coming into town.

Last year in Bozeman, Alaska Airlines expanded its seasonal nonstop service to Portland, Oregon; Delta Air Lines added nonstop service to Seattle and Tacoma; and United Airlines and Delta both increased mainline-size aircraft to Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Bozeman airport officials said in a news release.

Total flights totaled 80,559 in Bozeman for 2015, down 0.2 percent from the previous year.

Bozeman is now the eighth-busiest airport in the Northwest Region, which includes Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Bozeman Yellowstone has increased business in recent years by subsidizing flights through guarantees. In 2012, the airport put up $1.6 million for a direct United Airlines weekend flight to Newark, New Jersey. The guarantee money was raised from Gallatin County tourism groups and businesses, then leveraged to gain a $950,000 federal air service grant for small communities.

Bozeman airport officials have said the guarantee helped them gain a direct flight to La Guardia International Airport in New York.

That flight now pays for itself and will likely remain without further subsidy, airport officials said in August.

Tourism and airport officials in Billings are exploring similar deals. Ploehn and Billings Chamber of Commerce President John Brewer traveled to Dallas and Atlanta last year to meet with representatives from American Airlines and Delta, respectively.
Joy, gratitude and generosity of spirit are some of the beautiful qualities that Helena artist Jennifer Thompson sees in the people of Nepal, even in this time of great tragedy.

Its the people shes met who keep drawing her back.

She returned from her third trip there Dec. 4.

What many in the United States dont realize is just how desperate and difficult the situation has become since the April 25, 2015, earthquake and aftershocks, which killed at least 8,583, she said.

Thompson was on a trek in Nepal in April when the earthquake hit.

The countrys dire situation has been further exacerbated by a blockade at the Indian border, she said, shutting off 90 percent of Nepals fuel supply and medical supplies.

Its a political mess, she said, adding that its not the first time blockades like this have happened.

A household where Thompson stayed when she was in Kathmandu this fall is fairly well off financially, but even it had no water, no propane and only two hours of electricity by the time she left.

There is no fuel to transport supplies to villages, she said: When I left the country there was no medicine for diabetes.

On this recent trip, which started Oct. 22, Thompson traveled with her niece, Kristin, primarily to help rebuild homes in a remote village and also to volunteer with nonprofit groups and support their work.

Thompson was trekking in Nepals Marsyangdi Canyon when the earthquake hit. One of her guides, Sune Bahadur Gurung, learned his childhood village, Singla, where his mother and sister live, had been destroyed.

This fall, when Crystal Mountain Treks, the group that had organized Thompsons April trip, set up a rebuilding trek to the remote village -- Thompson couldnt wait to take part.

It took one day by jeep and two days hiking to reach Singla, Thompson said. They worked there for a week, hauling large piles of rock up to a building platform for the guides, who are also builders, to use. About 200 homes in the village had been leveled.

Through the monsoon season and now winter, the villagers have been living in shelters made of tarps, woven rattan and corrugated metal, Thompson said.

Despite the scarcities of supplies.

Despite the hardships.

Despite losing their homes.

The people of Nepal are joyous and resilient, said Thompson, and incredibly hopeful and generous.

The things people are doing to help each other, and the country is a disaster, she said in amazement. Can my mind expand any more?

She saw a willingness of people to share what little they have.

In her recent travels, she didnt see any of the big, international NGOs showing up. Rather, it was people helping people.

She speaks of Uttam Phuyal, the owner of the Hotel Moonlight in Kathmandu, connecting contributions to people who need them.

All these foreign groups go to Hotel Moonlight, Thompson said. Hes the best resource person. He also hosts many services, including a dental clinic for youth.

Thompson, who is a poet, artist, art teacher, art therapist and a permaculture designer, also visited Hasera Agricultural Research and Training Center (a permaculture farm), east of Kathmandu, where she was eager to learn what they do and help with the farmwork.

There she met Claire Lin, a woman from Taiwan who has set up a micro business at the farm, Lovelady Products. She hires local women to sew cotton, washable, reusable sanitary pads. Lin also teaches women classes on health and the menstrual cycle.

Thompson also visited and donated money she'd collected to BVS-Nepal, or Burn Violence Survivors-Nepal, a nonprofit that works with women burn victims, providing support, services and rehabilitation.

These women were burned and disfigured intentionally by either their husband or mother-in-law, said Thompson.

Thompson also volunteered and donated money shed collected at Setu Nepal, a nonprofit that works with HIV positive women and children to provide training and transitional services.

Wherever Thompson travels, she takes art supplies, so she can hold impromptu art-making events, or do art therapy, with children and adults.

Shes already dreaming of returning to Nepal, Thompson said. Shed like to repeat her April trek and visit the people she met to see if theyre OK.

She recalled one woman she met who taught her to split and weave bamboo, even though they didnt speak the same language, saying, I want to know how shes doing.

I have no idea why Im doing this, Thompson said of her service trips. I didnt set out to be of service in any way -- its just what I do.

She goes back, she said, to deepen (her) personal connections.

What I come away with is -- oh my gosh, if we could be as happy as the Nepalese people are with nothing in a traumatic or at least hard situation, and they are so wanting to help each other, she said. How can I bring that back here? They just have this unbounded resiliency.

When Thompson was there, she did what she calls informal interviews or surveys, asking the people she met about how they see this situation ending and what vision they have for the future.

She recalled what Phuyal said at the Hotel Moonlight: We love Nepal. We love our country even in the hard situations. We are hopeful. We will do our best.

They recognize their government is corrupt, supplies are dwindling, but they are still hopeful, she said.

There was so much bright energy coming out of his eyes, said Thompson. We need their pure happiness. They can be happy in the craziest situation.
Whether for recreation or research, winter in Montana is a world far removed from the balmy days of short sleeves and bug spray.

The Montana Wilderness Association is offering 43 guided trips across the state as part of its Winter Wilderness Walks. Now in its 13th year, the free walks start this month with a mix of snowshoe expeditions to casual day hikes.

The really great thing about them is theres an array for every challenge and skill level, said Amanda Hagerty, MWA special projects coordinator. Most of them are in that moderate range, but the hike guidelines tell you whether experience is needed.

MWA and hike leaders collaborate on the yearly walks. If MWA has a particular landscape or project, such as the carnivore tracking study west of Helena, it will encourage a hike to highlight the area, she said.

While it is rare for organizers to cancel a walk, severe weather will be taken into consideration when making the final decision, Hagerty said.

The Wild Divide Chapter has an array of hikes ranging from a two-mile jaunt down the Ten Mile Environmental Trail on Feb. 13 to the 10-mile strenuous hike to Granite Butte on March 13.

The list of hikes is available at http://wildmontana.org. Winter walkers interested in participating must sign up ahead of time and the hikes are free.

The Wild Divide Chapter is holding a kickoff party for the winter walks as a chance for prospective hikers to learn more about trips. The meeting is on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Montana WILD, 2668 Broadwater Avenue.

A few hikes in the Great Falls area have already filled, but there are still plenty of spots available for other walks, Hagerty said.

Wild Divide Chapter President Bill Hallinan plans to lead several hikes this winter. Now in his sixth year, Hallinan says he likes to switch it up and try different trips depending on his interests and that of MWA.

The sighting of wolverine tracks near Canyon Creek inspired a winter walk this year, and trips into the Big Belts are a good way to promote an area that may be a little underused, he said.

Like with all this stuff, the more Im out and seeing things the more I want to go and do the next thing, Hallinan said of his trip selection. Winter can be a long time for people if you dont get out.
When we tally up the reasons we love living in Helena, the open spaces of Mount Ascension and Mount Helena are at the top of the list. Its not only the trail system, which is one of the best in the country and recognized as such, but it is also the simple pleasure of knowing these areas are ours to hike and explore and will be that way forever.

Last month the final piece of a 10-year initiative was completed as the Prickly Pear Land Trust handed over ownership of four parcels -- 153 acres in all -- of land on Mount Ascension. These were the last of 14 parcels the land trust secured for the city of Helena in what was known as the Backdrop Initiative. The project creates a linkage of public open space from the neighborhoods of south Helena to forest service land south of town. Its land that in the mid-1990s was primed for development and fragmentation, and now its forever preserved as a community and natural resource.

Many people refer to the immense trail system that crisscrosses both parks -- a trail system that has gained international fame. But take a stroll up any of the trails during your lunch break on any spring or summer day and youll find people walking their dogs, classes of kids from local schools exploring the natural world or even other lunch-breakers out for a little midday exercise.

The four parcels handed over to the city in December were the final pieces of an effort that really started in 1996 after the passage of the $5 million Helena Open Space Bond. At the time the Mount Ascension Natural Park and the maze of trails enjoyed by hikers, bikers and runners didnt really exist. Today it is, along with its counterpart Mount Helena City Park, a shining example in Montana and the West of community conservation.

We credit the Prickly Pear Land Trust with spearheading this effort. We also give a tremendous amount of credit to the city of Helena and its leaders who were able to grasp a vision early on of what a resource these areas could become for a growing mountain town like Helena.

Former PPLT director Andy Bauer deserves acknowledgement because he really led the charge during his entire tenure at the land trust. He was able to envision what this project could ultimately become and what it would mean to the community. New director Mary Hollow carried the torch across the finish line, ensuring the final pieces were put into place.

It was the discovery of gold that spurred the settlement of Helena 150 years ago, but it is the access to such great recreational assets that will spur on its rediscovery by a new generation that chooses where to live and work based as much on community amenities as on salaries.

Helenas economy has long been buoyed by government jobs, and were the better for it. Weve largely avoided the large economic swings that other communities have had to ride through. However, diversification in our local economy is an important aspiration. That diversification is currently underway, as evident by the growth in manufacturing businesses like Boeing and Pioneer Aviation.

Also, as we reported recently in the annual Montana Economic Outlook, Helena is seeing a growth in high-tech jobs with companies who come here because technology allows them to operate anywhere and Helenas amenities, including the close proximity to wild open space, makes attracting the best and brightest much easier.

A glance through the real estate listings demonstrates the asset these public lands are. Realtors promote access to Helenas trail system and public lands as amenities and selling points for many homes across the South Side of town.

When visitors come to Helena and tour the Capitol, theyll invariably look south and stare into the Mount Ascension foothills rising beyond the roofs of Helenas neighborhoods. If theyre visiting from more urban cities, theyll marvel at how close the wilderness is to our doorstep. What they wont understand is because a community, with the help of a variety of interest groups, government agencies and funding sources, made it a priority to protect the view and the resource for all generations to come.
The Trojan Horse by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

Below is the full G20 Press Conference for The Amateur.

Listen early in this 48 second segment, and you will find The Amateur claim that "ISIS is contained": Below.

Should America accept Syrian refugees right now, as prescribed by the Obama Administration, or should Congress legislate to pause the process until a more proven vetting apparatus is in place to inhibit possible ISIS infiltrators? 10.84% Yes, Obama is right, we should show the refugees compassion, and admit them as soon as is possible. 79.52% No, Congress is right, we should pause the process to be more certain that terrorists aren't among them. 9.64% It does not matter. 83 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

Considering the fact that the Democrat Mainstream media has taken a "hands-off" policy in regards to Democrat scandals for the purpose of providing cover to a Democrat Department of Justice's choices to not pursue criminal indictments on proved Democrat criminal behavior: Is there a double standard for the Democrat Mainstream media? 88.41% Yes, what is the practice for the Republicans should be proper for Democrats. 7.25% No, Democrats should be immune from serious investigation and prosecution because they care so much more. 4.35% I don't care, I prefer the low-information approach to life. 69 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

If you could vote today for one of the Republican front runners for the GOP primary nomination: Who would it be? 11.07% Donald Trump 26.64% Ben Carson 13.52% Carly Fiorina 2.87% Jeb Bush 33.61% Ted Cruz 12.3% Marco Rubio 244 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

Core Democrats, from their President to their presidential candidates seeking the 2016 nomination, intend to welcome 100,000 Syrian refugees in 2016, a byproduct of the Obama/Clinton "Leading from Behind" Middle East doctrine, and ISIS sends their thanks. As Hussein Obama mentioned in his timely press conference held at the conference for the G20 to accept them all, in all of these states united., for an Obama intellect, may well be that this Trojan Horse, as first revealed in Homer's Odyssey, would be invited by the host into its gates, fortuitously, so that host could be destroyed at a more convenient time by their Greek enemy from the belly of the wooden beast. It is a metaphor, but it perfectly reflects what has happened in France, and what could happen in America if Obama, and the Democrats get their way on this refugee issue.At the heart of abject evil enemy within the Trojan Horse is the ISIS attack in Paris , where 129 innocent people - soft targets all - were wantonly murdered at the behest of Islamist Terrorists. Remarkably the naive Amateur President had boasted, in his patent grand sophistry, this Friday the 13th, that ISIS was contained. What we also have learned is that one of the attackers came to France, hidden within the recent Syrian refugees, who are so abundant since the total failure of the delusional Obama/Clinton "Leading from Behind" Middle East doctrine.Now, France has learned well what an ISIS Trojan Horse looks like. America's amateur president pleads that he wants some of that too. Will we let him? That depends on congress, and there are still plenty of Democrats in congress, and what have we discovered about Democrats in congress. running for their party's nomination: They will not fight wars again radical Islamist Terrorist - they can't even say the words - they don't care about the truth of Benghazi , or to seek justice for the "four dead Americans" on our American soil in a foreign land.One other thing that we saw today in the G20 News Conference - 'group think' Democrats may need to pay attention here - the Democrat Mainstream Media asked some tough questions of the visibly frustrated, and completely disingenuous, Amateur President. There is no telling how long they will suspend their slavish devotion to the 'group think' goals of Liberalism, but today was a start, and that will not bode well for those who can't grasp complex thoughts while governing as Liberal.Fortunately, governors, even a few Democrats, are defying Amateur Obama , and have declared that they will not take any Syrian refugees. This could have been avoided if Hussein Obama had only acted as real president at any time earlier in his administration. I predict that the rest of we real Americans, the American patriots that act as caretakers for our nation, and our communities, will collectively and vehemently decry, NO TROJAN HORSE!
In his opinion piece on Jan. 7, Landon Hemsley severely distorted and minimized the differences between Tim DeChristopher and the protesters in Oregon by treating the fact that the Oregon protesters are armed in a far too casual manner.

The Oregon protesters are occupying the wildlife refuge through the use of armed force. Tim DeChristopher engaged in an act of civil disobedience that placed no one in harm's way.

What Mr. DeChristopher did was found to be illegal; he was convicted, fined and served prison time for his actions. What the Oregon protesters are doing is not just illegal, it is potentially lethal. Hopefully, the Oregon situation will be resolved peacefully, at which time the protesters must be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Patrick Johnson

Helena
Last evening I turned on television to watch the local channels. Since I live in a mountainous area with no cable access I have to use a satellite provider. My provider is Dish Network. I was surprised and unhappy to learn that my access to local stations, and that of thousands of other Montanans, was cut off due to a contract rate dispute between Dish and Cardillera Communications.

This morning I visited with representatives from both companies to express my displeasure. Not surprisingly, each side blames the other. I think both sides can share the blame. They are each trying to use the customer to put pressure on the other. In the end it is the customer who is getting hurt.

Dish is hurting its customers by cutting off their access to local channels, which is part of the service we subscribe to from them. Cordellia is hurting their advertisers by cutting off their paid advertisements from reaching thousands of potential customers.

Both parties need to act like reasonable people, stop hurting their customers, and restore service now.

Pat Keim

Helena
On our way to Saudi Arabia, I watched some of the Republican Debate in the Salt Lake City Airport. One candidate said WWIII had started and that Obama was too stupid to know that. I looked for signs of WWIII during our stopover in Paris.

1. I saw an older woman clad in abaya and hajab approaching a newsstand. A young woman with breasts exposed for some unseen photographer stared back at her with her paper eyes. Was the woman a "terrorist"? Would she tear the magazine to shreds, fly into a self-righteous rage while "rooting out evil"? Nothing. She just went on her way, just an ordinary Muslim curious about Western ways. "Keep looking!"

2. I saw two handsome young men with black beards. They were pushing carts loaded with suitcases and bags, not so far different from the cart I pushed. Did their suitcases contain bombs? I watched as they approached a crowd. Nothing.

3. And why were so many French-speaking black people riding the train toward the Eiffel Tower? Forty percent of the passengers were black people and 15 percent were of Arab decent. Was that part of WWIII? Foreigners polluting the gene pool, taking over France by outnumbering the white people? But they're all French, following French rules, working at the ticket counters, sweeping the floors, even wearing police uniforms, speaking French, and paying the fare. That's fair. No war here!

4. "That very young man, cocky, with kinky black hair -- look, he jumped the turnstile without paying his 'fare' share." He could be a symptom of the problem -- people who skip out on paying their fair share. Too many of them and we'll reach a tipping point. What if none of us paid the fees or the taxes? The train wouldn't run, and the government would collapse. That could lead us to WWIII, maybe ...

5. But what about that bushy bearded old security guard at the Eiffel Tower? Could he be the real problem? Just because I had a beard, he said I could get in at half price. Encouraging old peacemakers could lead more people to pay attention to Pope Francis -- "Stop selling weapons! War is primitive! We can do better!" That could be a problem for the hawks promoting WWIII. But maybe that is the real World War Three -- hawks versus doves. Is that why those debaters in Salt Lake City spent so much time promoting war and ignoring the Pope's lecture to Congress?

6. And that cartoon in the Saudi newspaper when we reached our final destination, maybe that made a worthy and related point? In the cartoon two tourists were taking pictures of a larger than life "Terrorist." They seemed to be on Safari, looking for some mythical beast, hoping to impress people back home with their bravery, or something. "I went into World War Three and have pictures to prove it." Maybe I am one such tourist, looking for something obvious in a world of complex subtleties?

Dean Grenz

Boulder
Though the buzz in Colstrip last week was over the uncertainty facing the towns coal-fired power plant posed by a federal mandate that Montana cut its carbon dioxide emissions almost in half by 2030, other forces that could shutter two of the plants units loom much larger in the near future.

An interim legislative committee meets this week to talk about the Clean Power Plan and meet the governors new council that will by July make recommendations on how Montana can comply with the new federal rules.

Some 630 miles away in Olympia, Wash., on Monday, that states Legislature kicks off a 60-day session  during which a bill is expected to be introduced that could allow a utility in that state to close Colstrips older Units 1 and 2, possibly before 2030.

The two situations involving Colstrip and the 350 jobs of the men and women who work in Units 1 and 2 are both complicated in their own right, and they are intertwined.

Washington Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, is chair of that states Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee. He said theres draft legislation that would allow Puget Sound Energy to purchase a bigger stake in Colstrips newer units, 3 and 4, something the utility is prohibited to do by Washington law.

If the utility wants to shut down Units 1 and 2  it owns 50 percent of each  it would need power from somewhere else, like Unit 3, to meet the demand of its 500,000 customers. Thats one scenario of the draft legislation passing, though Ericksen said there are other possible results like the utility continuing to run the older units and selling that electricity on the open market.

There are a lot of different options out there, he said. Its difficult to say right now. There are a lot of moving pieces.

Montana legislators have been invited to a hearing of his energy committee this session, he said.

Plans also are being made to set up a weekly conference call with Montana lawmakers and people who live in Colstrip.

There are a lot of moving pieces on down to the state level, so we are going to be looking for solutions that can protect the long-term energy future for Montana and Washington and protect jobs in both states.

Ericksen said his concern is to protect Washington ratepayers by making sure utilities have access to a reliable, cost-effective energy grid. He isnt sure what sort of outcome to expect if the legislation is heard in his committee.

In this hyper-politically charged atmosphere of 2016, I have great concerns about this, he said.

Back in Colstrip

Last week Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced his Clean Power Plan Advisory Council from Colstrip City Hall.

The meaning of that location, just blocks from the stacks of the the coal-fired power plant that cast a long shadow over town, wasnt lost on state Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip.

Ankney praised Bullock for announcing the council, which has been criticized as not having enough clean-energy advocates, in the house that coal built.

Well, someday is Ankneys response to the question of whether the older Colstrip units will be phased out. But I dont think thats in the near future.

Ankney has been in contact with Washington lawmakers to stay on top of their plans. Montana lawmakers brought four of their counterparts in Washington to tour the older units in Colstrip the week before Thanksgiving.

The information they were given out there in Washington is these plants were ready to fall apart, Ankney said. They were astounded at the condition of these plants, how clean they were.

One Washington staffer was worried about her asthma, but didnt have any trouble during the tour.

She did that whole thing and it never affected her a bit, Ankney said. For her to go back to Washington and say These things are clean.  We had a very good meeting with them, we have a very good rapport.

Ankney is on Bullocks council. He wants to see that group work to keep the plant open in both the near and more distant future.

My goal is to pursue different avenues that will keep these plants moving, he said. If theres technology, is there a way that we can get some type of help to put measures on these plants, whether its additives in the coal, whatever it is, to get them cleaner-burning.

Utility regulators investigate

In June, Washington states Utilities and Transportation Commission, which is similar to Montanas Public Service Commission, opened an investigation into the costs of retiring the Units 1 and 2, which were built in 1975 and 1976.

That commission said it was essential to understand how consumers electricity rates might change if Puget Sound Energy shuts down the older units after three bills that that would allow the utility to do so failed in the 2015 Washington Legislature.

That report is expected to come out in the next few weeks. The commission said at this point its an open investigation and what happens next will depend on whats in the report.

Anne Hedges, deputy director and lead lobbyist for the Montana Environmental Information Center, said she thinks economic forces will help shut down the older units at Colstrip.

In 2013, Talen Energy, which owns half of Units 1 and 2, cut the market value of its stake in Colstrip by 87 percent. Talen, unlike Puget Sound and the other three utilities with ownership in Colstrip, sells its power on the open market and cant pass along costs to consumers. Low natural gas prices have also delivered a hit to coal-fired power plants.

A representative for Talen Energy, a spinoff of PPL Montana, said Friday that the company cant yet speculate on what would happen with its ownership in Units 1 and 2 if Puget Sound ever moves to shut them down.

It would either need to be enacted or not enacted, and at that time we would have a basis to make a business decision, said Todd Martin, Talen media relations manager.

Martin said that Talen employees are working on the other force that could change operations at Colstrip, the Clean Power Plan Advisory Council, which includes Talen environmental and engineering compliance director Gordon Criswell.

We expect to be productive participants in the plan, Martin said. When recommendations are made, when the state of Montana comes up with an implementation plan, that is the time we would be able to make a business decision.

Bullock would not speculate on how Washington legislation could affect any work by his council or if a move by Puget Sound Energy to close the older Colstrip units would help Montana meet its emission reduction goals.

"Given the nature and complexity of the CPP, there are too many moving parts to speculate on what impact hypothetical legislation would have on Montanas plan at this point," he said through spokeswoman Ronja Abel.

The council will meet for the first time in early February, and the recommendations are due in July.

"The council does have a lot of work to do and we envision several multiday meetings with numerous opportunities for public input as we work towards providing Montanas initial submittal to the EPA by September 2016," Abel said.
The Democrats' president, Hussein Obama, is holding out a losing hope that the San Bernardino Attack would be yet another case of 'Workplace Violence'; like his wrongful assessment of the Fort Hood Massacre, but he is wrong, so far, once again. the San Bernardino shooting is an Islamist Terrorist attack, and specifically an ISIS ( Obama's "Jayvee Team" ) attack, and everyone that pays attention to real events knows it, irrespective of what Obama's low-information core electorate realizes as a their managed truth (via the 'Group Think' paradigm) at the point in time of this finished report - in the AM, December 4, 2015.All conclusive evidence points to such that I have, and remarkably this amateur president, who has far better information than I do has not admitted it tho the American people. This is the inaction of a leaderless people's leader. Those Americans, who are outside of the low-information core voting base of the Obama constituency, who would never consider this Hussein as our president ... never.At the core of my call, from all evidence obtain from current news sources: these two known terrorists, Tashfeen Malik and Syed Rizwan Farook, are of Middle Eastern descent; their home was much of a pipe bomb factory as it was nursery for their parentless infant; Tashfeen Malik swore an online allegiance to ISIS, these terrorists (Sunni Muslims as is the murderers of ISIS) were driven to die for the growing ISIS Caliphate dedicated to Allah, which they did; gunned down in a hail of San Bernardino police bullets.Normally, one would not feel so pushed to make their opinion known so accurately and so quickly; however, Democrats' President Obama has been know to lie openly and often to this American public over large issues. I wish to be on the record here before he does it again, because this is another big issue - to be attached by terrorists, on our shores, more often than ever in the past under any former administration.Now the big question: How many more of these ISIS agents (members of Obama's "Jayvee Team" ) are loose within our shores?
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Helena Outdoor Club's January public meeting will feature Jeff Van Tine's photos and stories from his 40-day trip to the Himalayan region of India last summer. The club will meet at 7 p.m. at Montana WILD on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Van Tine was the documentary photographer for Helena's Tibetan Children's Education Fund's service trip to Kashmir (formerly part of Tibet and Pakistan) and was accompanied by five other Montanans. The group provided medical screenings for students in Dharamsala and at a medical camp in Padum.

Van Tine, well-known for his outstanding professional photography, will share incredible images and stories of the cultural sites they visited in Kashmir as well as the Hemis Festival at a Buddhist monastery. Two separate teachings from the Dalai Lama were also included in the trip. The group saw indigenous wildlife such as wild monkeys, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolves and several species of birds unknown to our region.

A seven-day trek over 16,500 foot Shingo-La pass into the Zanskar region took the group through spectacular areas of the Himalayan peaks.
DECATUR  Gregory S. Stoerger, a former Mattoon-based certified public accountant, is in jail on $50,000 bond after he allegedly defrauded two Decatur seniors out of $5,600 by promising them investments in Cuba that would result in selling their condominium.

Stoerger, 34, was arrested Thursday after he admitted to investigators from the Macon County State's Attorney's Office that he received checks from the victims, which he cashed, knowing they would not be getting their money back, and he knew what he did was deceitful, said a probable cause affidavit by investigator David Cook.

On Nov. 20, Stoerger went to the residence of the two victims, a 75-year-old woman and 86-year-old man. He promised them a return on money if they invested with him in a foreign investment exchange in Cuba, Cook wrote in his statement.

The couple gave Stoerger a check for $3,600.

Stoerger returned to the couple's home Dec. 9. This time he was asking for $2,000 with a promise that he would purchase their condominium.

After he explained that he would invest the money in order to make enough of a return to purchase their condominium, they gave him a check for $2,000.

In his statement, Cook notated that Stoerger was convicted in Champaign County in a 2013 case, in which he stole about $19,000 from a church for which he was doing the accounting.

He was convicted of felony forgery in that case on Oct. 15, 2013, and sentenced to a two-year term of conditional discharge. That term expired five weeks before he contacted the Decatur victims at their home.

Stoerger, a licensed certified public accountant since January 2012, did not renew his license when it expired Sept. 30, 2015, according to records of the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation.

He is being held in the Macon County Jail on a charge of theft by deception over $5,000, victims over 60 years old. He is due in court by Friday for his arraignment.
Republican lawmakers began the new year in Washington with new ideas about how to undermine the government in which they serve.

On Wednesday, the first legislative day of the year, House conservatives gathered with reporters for their monthly "Conversations with Conservatives." When the questioning turned to the armed rebellion in Oregon against the authority of the federal government, these representatives of the United States stood with the rebels.

"You have just a frustration that they feel the federal government is not listening to them anymore, and that's what leads to what so far has been a peaceful takeover  of an abandoned building, by the way  and the media, I think, is so quick to sort of cast aspersions on that group of people," declared Rep. Raul Labrador, an Idaho Republican and leader of House conservatives.

"And I think civil disobedience has been something for the most part that the liberal media used to stand up for, but apparently there's some exceptions to that when us conservatives and pro-Second Amendment people are trying to exercise that same right of civil disobedience. So it's pretty frustrating."

No, Congressman. Civil disobedience is when people break laws they think unjust and then peacefully face the legal consequences. The takeover of a federal wildlife facility in Oregon by armed men is sedition.

Yet not one of the 10 or so Republican House members on the panel criticized the takeover, and one, Rep. Steve Pearce of New Mexico, announced his refusal to pass judgment.

"I just want to agree with Raul on this," said Kentucky Rep. Tom Massie.

"You can disagree with their methods of protesting, but we wouldn't be talking about this today if they weren't protesting, and so they've drawn attention to it."

It was an inauspicious start to this election year and to the second session of the 114th Congress. The Republican majority began the year not by governing but with an ostentatious show of its hostility toward government.

The House's first substantive piece of business for the new year: another attempt to repeal Obamacare (the 62nd, by the Democrats' tally) coupled with another stab at cutting off Planned Parenthood, one of a dozen such efforts recently to scale back abortion rights and women's health care. In this latest attempt to repeal Obamacare (it goes further than the previous 61 because Republicans used a legislative maneuver that allows it to go to President Obama for a certain veto), Republicans abandoned their "repeal and replace" mantra in favor of just abolishing the massive health care law.

"If we repeal Obamacare, the very first thing that happens is we go back to the best health care system in the world," announced Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, another participant in the conservatives' pizza-and-Coke luncheon. "We had health care six years ago, and it was the best, and that's where I want to go as a starter."

Brooks is given to exotic pronouncements (he declared in 2014 that Democrats were engaged in a "war on whites"), but his assertion that all was hunky-dory before the 2010 health care law recalls the good old days of lifetime coverage limits, coverage bans because of pre-existing conditions, discrimination against women, inability to carry health insurance between jobs, and obstacles to young adults staying on their parents' policies.

Still there was, purely as a matter of doggedness, something impressive about this Obamacare vote. North Korea is testing nukes, Saudi Arabia and Iran are plunging the Middle East deeper into conflict -- but congressional Republicans will not be distracted from their agenda.

Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a Wednesday news conference, said he would eventually come up with an alternative to Obamacare and something else resembling a legislative agenda in 2016. "We are just beginning this decision-making process," he said. "Nothing's been decided yet."

But it's hard to govern when your caucus is so hostile to government that it has sympathy for seditionists. Asked about the Oregon situation, Ryan deferred to Rep. Greg Walden, a member of GOP leadership who represents the area -- and, as The Washington Post's Mike DeBonis noted, Ryan nodded agreement as Walden spoke.

Walden made clear that "an armed takeover is not the way to go about it," but he had sympathy for the rebels. "These people just want to take care of the environment  they really do," he said. "And it is the government that all too often ignores the law."

Such as: when lawmakers sworn to uphold the Constitution applaud those who take up arms against the government.
Riverboat casino gambling started as a quaint, Mark Twain-type of experience, but quickly turned into the equivalent of an arms race between the states.

I was a reporter and editor at the Quad-City Times when riverboat gambling was proposed and passed in Iowa. It was the idea of two Davenport legislators who wanted to give a mayoral candidate friend an issue that would attract attention. They accomplished that and a lot more.

Iowa was the first state in the nation to approve legislation that legalized what were called riverboat casinos. The first riverboat casino in the U.S. opened in Bettendorf on April 1, 1991. The second casino opened 30 minutes later in neighboring Davenport.

Those first operations were required to be located on rivers and to actually take cruises up and down the Mississippi. Gamblers couldnt bet more than $5 at a time and their losses were restricted to $200 for each trip.

The cruises, while they could be pleasant, were troublesome. If you lost your allowance for gambling quickly, you were still stuck on a boat for up to two hours. Many gamblers complained of having a hot streak interrupted by the end of the cruise and a requirement to leave the boat. In my few times in the casinos, I never experienced a hot streak of any kind.

Shortly after Iowa approved riverboat gambling, Illinois began considering legislation. That legislation was shepherded by then-Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-East Moline. Jacobs, rightfully called the father of Illinois riverboat gambling, believed that if Iowa got the jump on gambling people would flock across the borders.

He also told a lot of people that the Illinois boats would be under similar restrictions as the Iowa boats. But when the legislation was approved in the middle of the night as the General Assembly was adjourning, those restrictions were either nonexistent or much more relaxed. Jacobs, who has a well-earned reputation as a legislative wheeler-dealer, chalked the omissions up to an error. No one really believed that and the omissions were never corrected. The Illinois riverboat casinos opened six months after the Iowa boats.

That began the riverboat gambling arms race. Iowa also relaxed its betting limitations and many other states approved some form of riverboat gambling. Within a few years the boats no longer had to leave the docks and the definition of river in many states was any puddle of water that would hold a structure that might resemble a boat.

Prior to the riverboat gambling surge, many states had approved lotteries and pari-mutuel wagering, such as on horse races. As it stands now, only Hawaii and Utah have no forms of legalized gambling in their states. Authorities in both states, however, admit that gambling occurs under the radar.

One can argue about the impact of the expansion of gambling. To some extent, the state-approved gambling operations replaced illegal gambling operations and allowed them to be regulated and taxed. States are generally more interested in the taxes than the regulation.

As Decatur ponders getting involved in a casino, it should be noted that such endeavors have to be a part of an overall plan to attract jobs, visitors and new residents. Some communities in the early days of riverboat gambling made an error in believing that casinos were the one and only answer and that has proven to be a mistake.
HealthTexas will celebrate the grand opening of a New Braunfels location on Thursday.
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That means no matter how much data they handle, there is a zero greenhouse gas impact on the environment from their energy use. These data centers use renewable energy sources like solar, wind, biogas fuel cells, micro-hydro power, and geothermal power from onsite and locally obtained resources. On any given day, our data centers will use renewable energy to serve tens of billions of messages, more than a billion photos, and tens of millions of FaceTime video calls. They also run services like Siri, the iTunes Store, the App Store, and Maps. So every time a song is downloaded from iTunes, an app is installed from the Mac App Store, or a book is downloaded from iBooks, the energy Apple uses is provided by nature."

Many companies such as Apple and Google claim that they get their electricity from 100 percent renewable sources. At best, this claim is misleading and deceptive. We cannot find a single instance of a large company actually going "100 percent renewable." The reality is that as long as these companies are connected to the electric grid, they still get the vast majority of their electricity from conventional sources such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear power, and are therefore not 100 percent renewable.

Drilling down on the "100 percent renewable energy" myth

California-based Apple promotes its 500,000-square-foot data center in Maiden, N.C., by saying it runs "100 percent" on renewable energy even though the facility continues to get all of its electricity from Duke Energy, a public utility that primarily generates electricity using coal, nuclear power, and natural gas.



But an Austria-based researcher who is familiar with the project called Apple's claim "a boldfaced lie"  a sentiment echoed by state House Majority Leader Mike Hager, R-Rutherford, who chairs the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy. And a former economist with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission called the claim "misleading."



Apple bases its claim on the concept that it "offsets" power purchased from Duke by generating power from renewable sources, even though Apple does not make it clear that the energy powering the Maiden facility comes from Duke Energy's traditional mix of fuels. ...

When Amazon Web Services, a division of online retailer Amazon, announced in July its involvement in North Carolina's first major wind farm, the company stated the power would be used for its data centers in Northern Virginia, but the centers will continue to purchase electricity entirely from Dominion Virginia Power, the public utility that currently supplies the Amazon data centers.



While AWS has agreed to buy all the power from the 208-megawatt wind farm being built and operated in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties by Iberdrola Renewables, the power will be connected to the grid locally and cannot be plugged into the data centers, which are 200 miles away.

The guides include a separate section for the use of renewable energy claims. According to the guides, "It is deceptive to misrepresent, directly or by implication, that a product or package is made with renewable energy or that a service uses renewable energy. A marketer should not make unqualified renewable energy claims, directly or by implication, if fossil fuel, or electricity derived from fossil fuel, is used to power any part of the advertised service, unless the marketer has matched such non-renewable energy use with renewable energy certificates."

the Apple web site boasts There would seem to be no wiggle room in that claim. Whereas "97 percent effective" implies " 3 percent completely bloody ineffective ," 100 percent renewable energy certainly seems to mean zero percent traditional energy. Apple gives no hint of any other interpretation, as it continues:Economist Travis Fisher for the Institute for Energy Research has shown, however, that " 100 percent renewable energy" claims are myths . They are simply untrue.As Fisher told Carolina Journal, Don Carrington's recent reports in Carolina Journal have drilled down on "100 percent renewable" claims and shown how the facilities are run nigh on exclusively on traditional power sources:It's not just Apple's facility. Consider Amazon's:The Federal Trade Commission warns against misrepresenting use of renewable energy in its "Green Guides" (last revised in 2012):If the facilities were truly powered exclusively "by nature," they'd have a rather interesting performance dynamic. They would suffer from cartoonishly herky-jerky spasms of brownouts. Facilities would power up and down and even out, unpredictably, as sun and wind varied.They would be completely at the mercy of nondispatchable resources . So it's easy to understand why they're opting for reliable, dispatchable traditional energy ... especially if they can use the offsets hocus-pocus to say they're not, "100 percent."
A Kurdish fighter records smoke rising over Sinjar, northern Iraq, from oil fires set by Islamic State militants as Kurdish Iraqi fighters, backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, launched a major assault in November 2015.
Bunches of bananas, cartons of eggs, jugs of milk and bags of potatoes could return to the corner of Acewood Boulevard and Cottage Grove Road.

Its unclear if beer will make the cut.

Kwik Trip is proposing a 7,000-square-foot convenience store with 20 fueling stations for the 1.9-acre site that for more than 40 years was home to a Sentry Foods store. Part of the plan, unveiled to residents of the Rolling Meadows and Elvehjem neighborhoods at an informational meeting last month, would include the sale of beer. Many of the more than 100 people who attended the meeting at Kennedy Elementary School were in favor of the project but not beer sales.

Theres some very influential folks right in the neighborhood who are against it, said Ald. Amanda Hall, who represents the area and was at the meeting. I wouldnt necessarily say Im in love with it. Aesthetically, its going to add as much to a neighborhood as a gas station possibly could. If it has to be a gas station, certainly, this is a really nice option.

Hans Zietlow, Kwik Trip director of real estate, said his company is just beginning to meet with city officials about the project, that if approved, would begin to be built in spring 2017. Zieltow said most Kwik Trips sell beer because it offers a good mix for the business but beer isnt a huge percentage of sales.

In Janesville, for example, city ordinance prevents convenience stores from selling beer unless it is sold in an area permanently separated from the main store and has its own entrance. Neither of Kwik Trips two Janesville stores sell beer.

Wed certainly like to have it, Zietlow said of beer sales at the proposed Madison location. We were aware that it was a concern out there, but Im not going to say that (not selling beer) is a deal-breaker.

Kwik Trip has 19 convenience stores in Dane County and has started to expand into the Madison market after years of not having a presence in the city. Zietlow said finding the right sites in the city is difficult. He wouldnt say how many stores the city could support but said there is room for more stores in what he described as an underserved market for Kwik Trip.

In 2014, the La Crosse-based company opened a 6,500-square-foot convenience store with a beer cave in the ground level of Varsity Quarters, a six-story, 129-bed apartment building at 1423 Monroe St. Located on the site of the former Stadium Bar and across from Camp Randall, the store does not have gas pumps or parking. Instead, it relies on foot traffic from the area that is heavily populated with students.

In December, the company opened a 7,160-square-foot convenience store at 4825 American Parkway in the American Center business park that includes five gas pump islands, a car wash and a picnic area. The $3.8 million property, which held its grand opening celebration last week, also has a beer cave jammed with Wisconsin and national brands.

The former Sentry store, located on a 1.9-acre lot, closed in July 2014 shortly after the opening of the Roundys-owned Metro Market to the east. The Sentry store had a liquor license but that doesnt guarantee that a new business on the same site would be granted approval for alcohol sales, said Mark Woulf, city food and alcohol policy director.

Historically, if a location has had a license before, theyre more likely to obtain a similar license unless there were issues at that location, Woulf said. The ALRC has the right to deny a license and a big part of that is how the neighborhood feels it would impact their neighborhood.

In 2010, Walgreens requested alcohol licenses for two stores in the area. The company withdrew its request for a license at the Walgreens at 108 Cottage Grove Road, which is adjacent to a Harleys Liquor store. Walgreens was denied a license for its store at 4518 Cottage Grove Road, across Acewood Avenue from the Sentry and across Cottage Grove Road from what is now a second Harleys Liquor location.

Andrew Stefanich, a commercial real estate agent with CBRE, the company listing the Sentry site for $1.9 million, said Kwik Trip has made an offer that has been accepted. The sale is pending city approvals, but he did not know if a lack of a license to sell beer would kill the project.

Chuck Coens has owned Harleys Liquor on Atwood Avenue for 13 years and in October 2014 purchased his store on Cottage Grove Road that has been home to a liquor store since the 1960s. Coens grew up in Reedsburg, where he frequently visited a Kwik Trip near his home. He believes the proposed Cottage Grove Road store will be a big plus to the neighborhood and give grocery shoppers another option. Coens, however, is against the plan for the store to sell beer.

It would be a detriment to my business, Coens said. It would probably cost me 25 percent of my sales.

Coens said there are nine places to buy beer within a 2-mile radius of the proposed Kwik Trip site, including two other liquor stores, a PDQ store, Woodmans Market, the Metro Market and the Citgo gas station across the street.

The neighborhood definitely doesnt want it, Coens said. Theres enough competition already.

Founded in Eau Claire in 1965, Kwik Trip has more than 450 locations, 14,000 employees and in recent years has been upgrading its stores and adding locations, including 35 stores in 2016. In-store advertising promotes wages starting at $11.20 per hour with third-shift wages at $12.70.
How to treat state job applicants with criminal records is the key question for the state Senate as it nears a vote on a bill to overhaul how state government hires and fires workers.

The office of Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, says the Senate likely will convene Jan. 20 to consider the overhaul bill, which cleared the Assembly in October.

The bill applies to the states civil service, which includes nearly all state workers except in the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin National Guard. It would replace the states use of hiring exams with a resume-based job application system, among other changes.

The bill is a top priority for 2016 by Gov. Scott Walker and legislative Republicans, who contend the states century-old civil service system is cumbersome and outdated. Democratic lawmakers oppose the bill, saying it could lead to cronyism in state hires by eliminating the civil service exam as an objective measure for job applicants.

Fitzgerald, speaking last week, said he expects the Senate will pass the Assembly version of the bill, which includes a ban the box provision barring the state from asking job applicants about past criminal convictions on their applications  unless the conviction disqualifies them for the position for which they applied. Ban the box measures have been enacted in other states, both for public and private workers, in what advocates describe as part of an effort to remove barriers to employment for those with criminal records.

But at least two Senate Republicans take a different view. Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, support an alternate version of the bill without the ban the box provision.

Republicans hold a 19-14 majority in the Senate. Since all Democrats are expected to oppose the bill, that means if one more GOP senator sides with Nass and Vukmir, they could force changes to the bill.

Nass spokesman also said this week that hes having broader concerns with the bill, following revelations discrediting at least one anecdote told by Walker and other proponents in support of it. Walker claimed that existing civil service requirements barred administrators from firing two State Railroad Commission workers caught having sex in their state workplace.

But past state human resource officials said last month that the supervisor of those workers, State Railroad Commissioner Jeff Plale, could have fired them if he wished. Plale resigned from the railroad commission earlier this week.

It was not a failure of the law or civil service in that case, Nass spokesman Mike Mikalsen said. It was a failure of an administrator.

Walker also claimed a short-order cook scored high enough on a civil service exam to be considered for a financial examiner job. But Walkers own administration couldnt produce any documents to support the claim.

Mikalsen said Senate Republicans met to discuss the civil service bill Tuesday, and Nass left the meeting without the impression that they had decided what version of the bill to take up.

Nass previously introduced his own version of the civil service bill that would keep the states current policy on criminal convictions, which allows agencies to decide whether to ask applicants about convictions on their applications. That bill passed a Senate panel that Nass chairs on labor and government reform. Nass also wants to require an audit of the civil service changes after theyre implemented to ensure theyre working as intended.

Fitzgerald spokeswoman Myranda Tanck acknowledged internal debate among Senate Republicans on the ban the box issue but predicted it wont hold back the broader civil service package. Other parts of the bill would determine layoffs from state agencies based on job performance instead of seniority, extend probationary time for new hires, outline specific offenses for which employees can be immediately terminated and centralize the hiring process within the Department of Administration.

There is still some discussion over the ban the box idea, but we do not believe that it will hinder passage of the bill, Tanck said.

Other Senate Republicans said it makes sense to ban the box. Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, said he supports the provision and said other public and private employers  he cited the state of New Jersey and Koch Industries  are adopting similar requirements. New Jerseys law goes beyond what Wisconsin is considering because it applies to private employers as well.

Theres some good people out there that have paid their debt to society, Olsen said.

The bills Assembly sponsor, Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said it makes sense to change the states current policy. Steineke noted that state job applicants still could be asked about their criminal records if his bill were made law  just not on the initial job application.

We didnt want to preclude anybody from being able to work for the state right off the bat, Steineke said. If something happened 20 years ago, it doesnt necessarily mean theyre not the right person to do the job today.
The winners of the past six state Supreme Court races have at least one thing in common: Each received the most support of independent groups, including unregulated spending on thinly veiled campaign commercials known as issue ads.

In particular, conservative groups have spent heavily  two dollars for every one spent by liberal groups  in recent years to help produce a right-of-center majority on Wisconsins highest court.

Overall, outside interest groups have spent an estimated $13.2 million on issue ads alone since 2007 on behalf of Supreme Court candidates, according to data compiled by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

Such dark money ads are contentious because their funders arent required to be identified. And while they purport to be about policy issues rather than a particular candidate, such ads rarely surface outside of an election and are intended to influence the election.

Interest groups and observers say the millions of dollars typically spent on Supreme Court candidates likely will continue this spring as Justice Rebecca Bradley, appointed to the states highest court by Gov. Scott Walker on Oct. 9, seeks to keep her seat. She is being challenged by Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Joe Donald and Court of Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg.

The three will face each other in the Feb. 16 primary, with the two prevailing candidates squaring off in the general election April 5.

The largest and most influential player in court races in recent years is the states business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. It has spent nearly $6 million on issue advertising for conservative-leaning candidates in the past six Supreme Court races and will likely spend high again.

We fully expect to be involved in the same type of issue advocacy that weve done on issues surrounding the Supreme Court and the judiciary, said WMC lobbyist Scott Manley.

He declined to provide details or expected spending amounts, though he added we do expect to be involved at the same level (as) in the past.

Manley wouldnt say which candidate WMC was leaning toward, but in a September column on the groups website promoting Bradley, WMC spokesman Jim Pugh called her a judicial traditionalist and described Kloppenburg as a Madison liberal judge and Donald as a Milwaukee County liberal judge.

The Greater Wisconsin Committee, which supports liberals, has spent around $4 million on candidates who won two of the six races. Officials with the group did not return calls seeking comment.

In 2011, the group spent $1.6 million on behalf of Kloppenburg, according to Wisconsin Democracy Campaign estimates, on ads against her opponent Justice David Prosser  who won that race. Prosser was the beneficiary of $1.1 million spent by WMC and $520,000 spent by the Wisconsin Club for Growth.

Citizens for a Strong America, an arm of Club for Growth, also spent $985,000 on advertising and other efforts to support Prosser or attack Kloppenburg.

The third-highest spending group in the past six Supreme Court races was the Wisconsin Club for Growth, dispensing $1.8 million since 2007.

Overall, conservative candidates receive more support from more groups than liberals. Since 2007, eight conservative-backing interest groups have spent $8.9 million on Supreme Court candidates, while two liberal backing groups have spent $4.3 million.

Influence on candidates

While outside spending is part of the formula for a successful candidate, those in this years race were reluctant to endorse it or address whether they could be successful without it.

Donald said his decision to run was pushed by his belief that the citizens of this state truly want an independent, nonpartisan justice but said he realizes the spending is a reality.

Thats one of the things that concerns me  if candidates are truly independent, he said. (Voters) want you to be beholden to the law and the constitution and not to politics, not to politicians, not to special interest groups.

I believe my candidacy will send a message. Its not like I was this hand-picked or created candidate. Ive been a judge for 20 years and I decided to step up and say, Look, Im going to run for our state Supreme Court. 

Bradley declined to be interviewed for this story. A campaign spokeswoman said it would be improper to comment on any spending outside groups may do in order to take part in the spring election because the campaign is not coordinating with any outside groups.

Justice Bradley intends to continue running a positive campaign focused on her experience, judicial philosophy and service to the people of Wisconsin, and she encourages all other candidates and outside groups to do the same, Bradley spokeswoman Madison Wiberg said.

Kloppenburg said theres no question that large amounts of money from unregulated special interests that dont have to disclose their donors threatens to undermine peoples confidence in the court.

She said shes running for the court a second time because Wisconsin residents want the court to act as an independent check and balance on the other branches of government.

We dont control that  we cant control that, Kloppenburg said about the prospect of ads purchased on her behalf by special interest groups. The special interests dont and cant define me.

Matt Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said spending will ramp up after the primary.

I imagine the huge spenders like WMC will be holding their fire (until then), he said.

Rothschild said you can bet Bradley will receive backing from WMC and the Wisconsin Club for Growth but wasnt sure which liberal-leaning candidate would draw the most support from groups looking to spend to promote liberal interests.

He said spending on Bradleys behalf will be substantial from groups that have seen cases go before the court.

They appreciate the return on their investment, when they are able to essentially purchase a seat on the state Supreme Court, he said. (The court has) ruled almost universally in favor of WMC and got the John Doe off their backs.

Last year, the court ruled 4-2 to end a second secret criminal probe, known as a John Doe, of coordination involving Walker and his gubernatorial campaign with independent groups. Walker was never charged.

Wisconsin Club for Growth, Citizens for a Strong America and WMC spent millions to support the candidacies of Justices David Prosser, Pat Roggensack, Annette Ziegler and Michael Gableman over the past seven years.

WMC also helped write the controversial recusal rules under which justices and other Wisconsin judges decide whether to sit on a case. Those rules, adopted on a 4-3 vote, state that judges cannot be forced off a case based solely on their acceptance of legal campaign contributions or independent efforts done on their behalf.

The court in July also ruled there is a First Amendment right to such coordination that prompted the John Doe investigation. The courts ruling cleared the way for candidates to coordinate with issue advocacy groups if they choose.

Rebecca Bradley has had the backing of such independent issue advocacy groups. Wisconsin Club for Growth, a group that supported Walker and was investigated as part of the John Doe probe, spent $167,000 in Bradleys race to retain her seat on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2013.

But Rick Esenberg, president and general counsel at the conservative legal group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, said its not just a conservative issue  groups on both sides spend in order to promote ideologies, and the major players have become the mechanism to do so.

The Greater Wisconsin Committee and WMC have become the vehicles to which a lot of this spending is done, Esenberg said. People are giving them money in order to spend money on Supreme Court races.

Scott Greytak, senior policy counsel for the judicial election-tracking group Justice At Stake, said Wisconsin is the textbook example of a court that has fallen prey to special interest influence and special interest spending.

He said Wisconsin mirrors national trends in judicial election spending in that business groups, like WMC, battle against groups representing trial attorneys or labor unions.

Greytak said the states recusal rules have contributed to a loss of trust in the integrity of the court system.

All four justices had benefitted from spending from outside groups and sided with the majority in the decision to drop the John Doe case  talk about a hit on public confidence, he said.

Esenberg said Supreme Court races became salient about 10 years ago, after the court made key decisions that set policy.
When persnickety German customs agents kept saying baloney to American artisan butchers trying to get their best cured meats to Frankfurt for a prestigious competition, event organizers answered the challenge by creating a satellite event in Madison.

The inaugural U.S. leg of the IFFA Quality Competition for Sausage and Ham, which starts Monday at UW-Madisons Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, is equal in prestige to the parent event and strictly for Americans. To make it identical to the 2016 IFFA international show in Frankfurt, organizers sent stateside the same four tough-grading German judges with encyclopedic memories of every sausage and ham product from braunschweiger to Westphalian ham.

Their stuff will be judged against what people say is the gold standard, which is how Germans have made the same products for thousands of years, said Chris Young, the executive director of the American Association of Meat Processors, which is co-sponsoring the event with the German Butchers Association.

The 35 American artisan butchers, including eight from Wisconsin, are eagerly anticipating having the judges sniff, pick at, prod and taste their jerky, brats, bacon and other ham and sausage goodies during the three-day event, which is free and open to the public. Awards from such prestigious events can be part of a marketing strategy for businesses that are already standing up to big-store Goliaths with a buy local mantra in their sling.

People come in and they see the awards on the wall and they buy the items that won the awards. They know they have been made the same way for many years, so they know they are getting quality, said Mike Clark, who co-owns Lodi Sausage Co. and Meat Market with his semi-retired father, Larry Clark. They are entering a summer sausage that the Clark family has been making for 40 years, as well as some jerky and bacon that won first place three years in a row at the Wisconsin State Fair.

The judges, who will grade more than 300 entries at the event in Madison, will look for color quality and absence of defects inside and outside each entry and grade for aroma, texture and flavor.

Each entry is judged on its own merit  rather than against its competitors  and can earn a gold, silver or bronze medal, or nothing at all, according to Jeff Sindelar, an associate professor in animal science at UW-Madison who organized the Madison competition. So its possible that every bratwurst entered in one category could win gold medals or that none could win anything. The results will be announced at the Frankfurt show.

Mike Clark called it a great challenge. Its neat to put your product up to the highest international standards, he said. Its a great test for all of Wisconsin because we have such good sausage makers and good competition.

The competition is not unlike the international cheese competitions in which Wisconsins artisans have fared well over the past 25 years. Young said that Wisconsins artisan cheesemakers and butchers share something else in common: Their industries are booming as more consumers turn to locally produced and often higher-quality foods.

This past holiday season was the busiest ever, Clark said.

Besides a growing retail business, Lodi Sausage had a big fall season processing venison brought in by hunters, and its wholesale business has taken off. The business dropped off 500 pounds of bacon at a Metcalfes grocery in a recent week, he added.

Weve grown a lot the past five years. Some of that was during a down economy. But food is important to people, and (the local-food movement) has really helped our business, Clark said. Lodi Sausage has hired three more full-time employees and a couple of part-timers, and the Clarks have remodeled the storefront, upgraded some of their equipment and added more products.

Similar scenarios are occurring across the country, Young said. The number of butchers in the country increased 2 percent in 2015, modest growth that marked the first time in 10 years that there wasnt at least a 5 percent decrease, he said.

Our guys have been crazy busy, Young said. And its going to continue that way as people continue to look for products that arent just cheaper but wholesome and higher quality.

Consumers are asking more questions about where their food is coming from and trusting the local butcher over the big grocery stores, Young said. All meat processors are making safe products, he added, but the artisans produce higher-quality meats.

And the local butcher puts a face to his customers every week. The big plants cant do that, Young said.

Louies Finer Meats in Cumberland, in northwest Wisconsin, boasts that its products have won 400 state, national and international awards since 1975, including eight golds and three other medals at the IFFA show in Frankfurt.

Louis E. Muench, co-owner of the business, said customers regularly drive 90 minutes from Minneapolis or an hour from Eau Claire and Duluth to buy his companys products that have won hundreds of awards at the state, national and international levels.

Consumers want to know whats going on so I tell them about our philosophy and how we run our business, Muench said.

His business thrives from recipes started by his grandfather, who was a sausage maker in Bavaria and immigrated to the United States in the 1920s. They were carried on by Muenchs father, Louis Sr., who is 83 and still makes sausage.

Muench said he is entering a cross section of his products in the competition: ham, bacon, snacks, precooked brats and summer sausage.

Thatll give me an opportunity in northern Wisconsin to have more products that are marketable, he said. A lot of us guys go to these events because we enjoy the ability to network with each other. The other part is the marketing potential.

Wisconsins artisan butchers should fare well in the competition because of the strong German heritage in the state, Sindelar said. Many of them stay true to meat processing standards set in Germany centuries ago.

Very few people realize that when it comes to high-quality, authentic and really great sausage products, there is no other state in the country that can hold a candle to Wisconsin , he said. Its a very unique thing and its not very well known.

Representatives from the IFFA competition in Frankfurt have been impressed with how Sindelar has set up the Madison event, which joins satellite events held previously in Japan and Russia. Young believes that should ensure that the event will be held in Madison every three years for the foreseeable future.

He said the U.S. event should help butchers forget about the frustrations with German customs agents who regularly seized everything they brought to shows in Frankfurt for petty reasons such as using improper German when filling out paperwork.

Some top butchers are sitting this one out because the announcement of the event wasnt made until September and many couldnt break away from their busy schedules, Young said.

So I think its going to be a good competition this year and its only going to get better, he added.
CHICAGO  At the end of The Special-Education Charade, a recent article in The Atlantic about why having a special child in public schools is hell, or its equivalent, readers confront a pertinent phrase: the dismal state of teacher training.

This was only one of several factors noted in Tracy Thompsons emotional  and spot-on, as I can attest as a former special education teacher  2,000-plus-word tirade about how educating special-needs kids in mainstream classrooms has become a labyrinth of pain and nonsense. But its a factor worth illuminating.

Not least because the special education trend in schools is increasingly to move away from separate special ed classrooms, catering to specific needs such as learning disabilities or emotional/behavioral disorders, in favor of putting students with sometimes-profound disabilities in general classes.

This is called putting a student in the least restrictive environment so he or she can learn in the company of students who are roughly the same age, regardless of whether they have the same capacity for being able to perform the tasks expected of them, with or without assistance.

This placement results in anything from an eighth-grader who reads at a first-grade level getting placed in a mainstream history course to a high school senior who cant readily compute simple mathematical problems but is placed in a regular biology class. Sometimes, but not always, such students are provided with a one-on-one assistant to facilitate their learning.

More often these students simply show up in the classrooms of regular teachers who have no specialized training in the instruction of children with cognitive, behavioral or emotional disabilities. The teachers are likely, but not always, privy to the students background and will have, at most, a few excerpts from a very long legal document called an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that explains what accommodations the teacher is required to provide the student.

These assistive methods usually fall within the realm of things like preferred seating, permission to leave class as needed, notes provided to the student ahead of class, the opportunity for longer times to take quizzes and tests or having them read aloud.

Many of these teachers in middle and high schools have more than 100 students spread across multiple classrooms per day. In some cases, six or seven students with IEPs wind up in a single class period.

Setting aside whether this is good policy  that is, whether both the special needs children and non-special needs students in a given classroom get the most benefit out of their educational experience  you have to consider the extra burden on teachers who are already not as well equipped for such high-stakes teaching as one would hope.

According to the National Council on Teacher Qualitys 2015 State Teacher Policy Yearbook, a scant 26 states require all middle-school teachers to pass a test in every core subject they will teach. And just five states  Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota and Tennessee  require secondary school teachers to demonstrate their knowledge of the subjects theyll teach.

And its not as though teachers who do have special education expertise are so rigorously prepared, either.

According to the council, With just a few exceptions, state licensing policies for special education teachers are abysmal. Twenty-one states still allow special education teachers to earn a generic special education license to teach any special education students in any grade, K-12. ... Only 14 states require elementary special education candidates to demonstrate content knowledge on a subject-matter test  similar to what would be expected of any other elementary school teacher. Only Missouri, New York and Wisconsin require secondary-level special education teachers to pass a test in every subject they are licensed to teach.

There are no quick and easy fixes for the many factors that lead public schools to perform poorly in educating our children  regardless of whether individual students need special help. But the low standards for training teachers who are in charge of our nations classrooms should be a no-brainer way to start remedying at least part of the problem.

Teacher training is dismal and, unfortunately, not a headline-grabbing education issue that motivates parents and other advocates to demand change.

But shouldnt it be?
The state Public Records Board needs to make one thing perfectly clear Monday to all of the politicians and bureaucrats who populate state government:

They cant use technology as an excuse for secrecy.

Thats what Gov. Scott Walkers administration tried to do last summer after the board expanded its definition of transitory electronic records, which can be discarded because of short-term interest and no documentary or evidentiary value.

The Public Records Board made the change without public notice and didnt even record its vote in meeting minutes.

Yet the Walker administration knew all about it. The very next day, an administration spokesman cited the boards decision in rejecting the State Journals request for text messages by state officials related to a failed loan to a Walker campaign contributor. The bad loan cost Wisconsin taxpayers $500,000.

No one can seriously argue that wasting public money isnt the publics business. And any records showing how it happened must be open and accessible to citizens who pay the governments bills.

The Walker administration also cited the boards expanded definition of transitory records in denying the liberal group One Wisconsin Now months of visitor logs from the governors mansion. Concealing a list of people who visit a public building, presumably to meet with the states most powerful leader, is arrogant and immediately suspect.

The Public Records Board may have intended its August decision to foster greater government efficiency. Anyone with a smartphone knows how data can clog memory on a digital device.

But the Walker administration has treated the boards decision as a license to deny text messages it doesnt want the public to see, assuming they still exist.

The Public Records Board on Monday should rescind its August decision. It also should close any wiggle room the politicians and their publicly paid staffs have for hitting the delete key on important information.

It doesnt matter how government officials communicate. When their words relate to government affairs, and those words create a paper or digital record, that information belongs to citizens.

The Public Records Board, which sets policy for how long state agencies must minimally retain public records before destroying or archiving them, meets Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Risser Justice Center on the Capitol Square in Madison.

The board invited public input on its decision, and nearly 1,900 emails and letters from the public  the vast majority insisting on openness  flooded the boards in box.

Among those urging respect for transparency was the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty.

Allowing government officials to subjectively determine whether a particular government record can be destroyed is an invitation to abuse, the groups deputy counsel, Thomas Kamenick, wrote.

Hes right. And the groups concern shows that respect for open government isnt a partisan issue. Its a broad public priority. Easy access to state documents  in all forms  must be maintained and defended regardless of which person or political party is in power.

The Records Board should redeem itself Monday by strongly promoting the publics right to know.
by Arjun Walia

Colon cancer: its one of the most common cancers among both men and women, and although a number of natural remedies have been linked to the prevention of this disease, government health authorities are quick to mention that not enough research has been done to warrant prescribing them.

This is a common theme when it comes to using food as medicine and the science behind it.

Its unfortunate that science today is dominated by the pharmaceutical industry, and that most of the research received by physicians in the Western world comes directly from pharmaceutical companies.

The medical profession is being bought by the pharmaceutical industry, not only in terms of the practice of medicine, but also in terms of teaching and research. The academic institutions of this country are allowing themselves to be the paid agents of the pharmaceutical industry. I think its disgraceful.  (source)(source) Arnold Seymour Relman (1923-2014), Harvard Professor of Medicine and Former Editor-in-Chief of the New England Medical Journal

This, however, does not mean that other research, published in reputable peer-reviewed journals, is not being conducted, or is not significant.

A great example comes from a study that shows there is an active anti-cancer component in coconut oil that constitutes 50 percent of its makeup.

Its called lauric acid, and in a study published in the journal Cancer Research, researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered this component completely exterminated more than 90 percent of colon cancer cells after just two days of treatment in a colon cancer cell line (CRC) in vitro.

The study also reports/cites studies that postulate and indeed support the position that lauric acid can induce cancer cell death both in vitro and in vivo.

For this study, the researchers used the rat small intestinal cell line as a model of normal intestinal epithelial cells, which again, demonstrated that lauric acid induced considerable cell death. Although there is still much to learn, there is obviously some potential here.

That being said, as reported by the United Nations University, experiments are being conducted with animals to find out how coconut oil can guard against cancer and have already yielded some interesting results. You can read more about that here.

Whats the difference between in vivo and in vitro studies? For in vitro studies, researchers conduct experiments using cells in a petrie dish, or perform a procedure in a controlled environment outside of a living organism.

So, when we are talking about coconut oil and cancer, the study has not been performed in vivo, where researchers will perform experiments on whole, living organism as opposed to a partial or dead organism. Animal studies and clinical trials are two forms of in vivo research.

Unfortunately, clinical trials are highly expensive, making studying the beneficial effects of lauric acid on cancer difficult for researchers who lack proper access to funding. Despite the fact that multiple studies stress the need for more rigorous research, there is simply no money available.

Why is this? Its because medical research is funded by pharmaceutical companies, and pharmaceutical grade products, like drugs, are what they test in human and animal clinical trials. Things found in nature cannot be patented.

Drugs can. It is therefore not in the best interests of a pharmaceutical company to fund this type of research, even though it is clearly in the best interests of the rest of the population.

Below is a clip of Dr. Peter Rost, a former vice president of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, Pfizer. In it he explains the monetary issue

More On Coconut Oil

Lauric acid, the colon cancer killing property within coconut oil, is typically found in breast-milk as well. Its a medium-chain fatty acid which supports the immune system and has plenty of antimicrobial properties.

Some people consider raw, organic, virgin coconut oil to be a superfood that can help heal cancer and other disease, and studies like the one above support that assertion.

According to the American Society for Nutrition, clinical studies have also shown that the fats found within coconut oil (MCFAs) may be useful in treating and preventing diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, virus-related diseases (mononucleosis, hepatitis C, herpes, etc.), gallbladder disease, Chrohns disease, and cancer. (source)

Coconut oil has even been shown to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy and improve the quality of life for cancer patients. (source)

The point is that there are too many potential health and healing properties associated with virgin coconut oil to count, and further research would be, inarguably, beneficial. If you are interested in learning more about it we encourage you to further your research.

For starters, you can check out this article by Greenmedinfo.com: The 50 Latest Coconut Oil Benefits, Backed By Science.

There are so many potential cancer healing foods and plants out there, its literally overwhelming, and at the same time heartbreaking that pharmaceutical companies do not use their funds to encourage more research, or acknowledge the research that has already been done.

As it stands now, 25 percent of the active ingredients in cancer drugs are found only in the Amazon, despite the fact that only 10 percent of its plants have been studied for their medicinal properties.

According to studies published in Life Sciences, Cancer Letters and Anticancer Drugs, artemesinin, a derivative of the wormwood plant commonly used in Chinese medicine, can kill off cancer cells and do it at a rate of 12,000 cancer cells for every healthy cell. (source)

More recently, bitter melon juice was shown to kill pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in mice in a study done by the University of Colorado.

Considering the results were seen in both in vitro and in vivo tests, the effectiveness of bitter melon juice in treating pancreatic cancer, and potentially other cancers, at a clinical level, are clearly promising. (source)

Here is a clip of a molecular biologist explaining how THC completely kills cancer cells.

The list goes on and on, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar studies that urge further examination into these potentials.
All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary.
CNN's Jake Tapper seems to have remembered a principled journalistic spine here. Remarkably, this foreign born American citizen does not understand how the 1st Amendment works, but, should he have been jailed?: Below.

Here Hillary uses tortured talk to express what should be a simple premise - even claimed in the most recent Democrat debate that, 'this is not America's fight' - while Bernie stumbles on about an issue that is well outside of his Socialist Senator pay grade, which is completely incapable of understanding: Below.

Should America accept Syrian refugees right now, as prescribed by the Obama Administration, or should Congress legislate to pause the process until a more proven vetting apparatus is in place to inhibit possible ISIS infiltrators? 10.84% Yes, Obama is right, we should show the refugees compassion, and admit them as soon as is possible. 79.52% No, Congress is right, we should pause the process to be more certain that terrorists aren't among them. 9.64% It does not matter. 83 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

Considering the fact that the Democrat Mainstream media has taken a "hands-off" policy in regards to Democrat scandals for the purpose of providing cover to a Democrat Department of Justice's choices to not pursue criminal indictments on proved Democrat criminal behavior: Is there a double standard for the Democrat Mainstream media? 88.41% Yes, what is the practice for the Republicans should be proper for Democrats. 7.25% No, Democrats should be immune from serious investigation and prosecution because they care so much more. 4.35% I don't care, I prefer the low-information approach to life. 69 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

If you could vote today for one of the Republican front runners for the GOP primary nomination: Who would it be? 11.07% Donald Trump 26.64% Ben Carson 13.52% Carly Fiorina 2.87% Jeb Bush 33.61% Ted Cruz 12.3% Marco Rubio 244 total vote(s) Voting has Ended!

Consider, second, the fact that Hussein Obama and Hillary B. Clinton cannot name our enemies for what they are, and how they will employ a tortured lexicon of code words to express that constant enemy, then one can fully understand the core of the Democrat mind . Now, that the Hillary B. Clinton campaign is heating up, as she fully reveals her candidacy to her Democrat primary electorate, simultaneously, as the full necessity to exterminate ISIS (Islamic State) remains, she is finally identifying our enemy as "Radical Jihadism". She also commented that referring America's as. I reckon that is an improvement over whatever Democrats didn't say, or and never did do in regards to defeating this ominous, unambiguous threat, but one has to question why the 'tip-toeing' around the subject of who our obvious enemy is. Even American ally King Abdulla, a Muslim of the extra-vulnerable Jordan, admitted,Understanding that the Jordanian King fully understands the basis of his nation's ever present threat, and is prepared to rally his nation to defend itself against a named foe: Why can't American Democrats do the same?While Obama is overseas on one of his may trips abroad, as he furthers his image as the Pacifist leader 'of the willing' on the World stage, he has no trouble naming Republicans, who he admonishes back here at home as if they are the real enemy, even mocks them as ironically sissies, rather than doing what a real leader would do: Rally the coalition 'of the willing' to defeat their common enemy and their evil ambitions ... To defeat ISIS where they live now, before they fulfill their promise of grand murder in America, before they continue their wanton genocide within our shores upon our people as they have upon Middle East Christians.Hussein Obama has professed that he has no real intention of defeating this threat, while he is constitutionally sworn to do otherwise, and wishes to pack off this problem, of his own making due to his many failed foreign policies, on the next president, possibly Hillary B. Clinton.The problem with Hillary is that she, too, has a skewed, undetermined view of who America's sworn murderous enemy is, or how to prosecute a defense of the people she wishes to serve as president. In the span of one week the architect of the failed Obama/Clinton Doctrine on Middle Eastern Affairs, switched from a relative ambivalence to protect, by promising to continue the failed Obama no-plan to proceed, to a passive promise to do more to combat "Radical Jihadism".As more Islamist Terrorist attacks persist worldwide, and more here in America, Ms. Clinton's passive words, her pale promise to protect our people will fail to inspire an understanding that she could ever become a creditable American president.
International Engineering Ambassadors

Insight into the life & course of international students.
John Hood

RALEIGH As the 2016 election cycle approaches, North Carolina voters will witness a spirited political debate about how best to promote economic growth. Democrats will argue for larger government and higher taxes. Republicans will argue for smaller government and lower taxes. (Libertarians will argue for smaller government and lower taxes, too, and insist that they actually mean it.)Why is there such disagreement? Each side accuses the other of being uninformed or blinded by ideology. That's not quite it, in my view. To begin to grasp the problem, one must first recognize that the ties between government and the economy are not drawn in straight lines. They are curved.That is to say, the economic effect of raising or lowering the level of government spending - and the taxing or borrowing required to finance it - depends on the starting point. Societies without organized governments are chaotic, dangerous basket cases. Societies where governments are totalitarian are corrupt, miserable basket cases.Successful, dynamic economies require the provision of law, safety, and other true public goods. Governments provide or finance them. But as they grow bigger, levying more taxes or issuing more regulations, governments reach a point at which the costs they impose are greater than the benefits their programs confer on households and businesses.The real issue, then, is whether North Carolina or the nation as a whole has reached and exceeded that point - the apex of the government/growth curve. Liberals tend to think not. Conservatives tend to think so. This is an empirical question, not an ideological one.Over the past two decades, economists have produced hundreds of academic studies on the subject. Many have confirmed that government policies have "non-linear" effects on the economy. Fiscal-policy reality is, indeed, curved. Some scholars have attempted to identify specific tipping points for taxes, expenditures, and regulations. This is a difficult task. But nearly all scholars agree that such tipping points exist.For example, a new study by two Australian economists confirmed the effect for state indebtedness . They found that while a small amount of debt, measured as a share of the economy, correlated with faster economic growth among American states - probably because it signified investment in infrastructure - the effect declines and then turns negative as the debt level rises.In the modern era, the available evidence suggests that most state governments have become too large and intrusive to justify the economic value they deliver. Last year, I began assembling a database of all studies published in academic journals since 1990 on the subject of state policy and economic growth. After issuing an initial report on the findings in 2015, I've continued to add newly issued or discovered papers to the list, which now contains some 740 studies.Most of them show that state expenditures are either a net drag on their economies or have no discernible economic effects. This is true for state spending as a whole - only 14 percent of studies find a positive association with economic performance - as well as for most specific categories of spending. Transfer programs such as cash welfare or Medicaid have clearly negative effects on the economy. Spending on education and transportation is most often a wash. There is an interesting exception: of the 36 studies that examined spending on law enforcement or the courts, 21 found positive effects on job growth, income growth, or some other economic indicator.Do these findings mean that education and infrastructure lack economic value? Of course not. In fact, studies that examine not government expenditures but actual measurements of educational attainment or road conditions confirm that they are, indeed, correlated with economic performance. The real problem is that states that spend more on these services don't get results large enough to offset the economic costs imposed by taxing more or going further into debt.So North Carolina has been making the right decisions lately - by cutting taxes, restraining the budget, and reforming state programs to get more bang for the buck. I know liberals don't agree. But their case is exceedingly weak.
How do North Carolinians feel about their schools and how their children are educated? The November Civitas Poll provided plenty of good information about those topics. So what did we learn? North Carolinians are dissatisfied their current educational options and parents want more say in where their children are educated. Five key findings emerge from a review of our November poll results:A full 78 percent of respondents agreed with the statementThe sentiment is shared by liberals (75 percent), conservatives (84 percent), and moderates (69 percent). When asked to identify reasons for these concerns, 69 percent of respondents said children are trapped because parents lack resources. Nearly a quarter of respondents (22 percent) said students continue to attend failing schools because there are no other appropriate or better education options available.. This might seem obvious from most discussions. Still, when you actually ask the question and put numbers to responses, the results are worthy of attention. Eighty-seven percent of respondents agreed with the statementStrong support for parental rights was evident across North Carolina. Support for parents' right to choose the best educational options for their children ranged from 83 percent in the Western North Carolina to a high of 92 percent in Southeast North Carolina. Self-identified liberals, moderates and conservatives agreed with the statement by healthy margins of 85, 81 and 92 percentage points respectively.When asked what option they would pick if they could choose the best education for their child, a little less than a third of parents (32 percent) said they would chose traditional public schools for their children. The percentage of parents who would choose public charter, private schools, home schools, private schools, magnet and virtual schools totaled 63 percent of respondents. These numbers have stayed pretty similar over the past three years. Currently, North Carolina public schools enroll about 85 percent of all K-12 students. Public charter schools account for about 4 percent; private and home schools account for 5 percent of enrollment respectively. These numbers suggest a disconnect between the status quo and the educational options parents want.When asked if they support or oppose the idea of providing parents control over taxpayer-funded accounts to pay for a child's education expenses, respondents supported Education Savings Accounts by a margin of 63 percent to 30 percent, a ratio of more than 2 to 1. It's also important to note that support for ESAs is strong across regions, races and political backgrounds. Support for ESAs is above 60 percent in all regions but the Piedmont, where 59 percent of respondents said they support ESAs. Also, 59 percent of whites support ESAs, and along with 72 percent of African-Americans. Equally important, support for ESAs was strong across the political spectrum: 66 percent of registered Republicans support ESAs, compared with 61 percent of registered Democrats and 60 percent of independents.When given the option of more funding for the public schools or providing children with a flexible ESA spending account, 50 percent of respondents chose ESAs over improved funding for the public schools (41 percent). The ESA option received a majority of votes in every region but the Southeast (48 percent) and Charlotte (39 percent).We at Civitas have long thought parents have wanted greater control over their child's education. Poll results show such statements to be not only true but to have strong support among those with differing political or geographical backgrounds. It's hard to look at the data and call school choice aof one political party. Such results are good news to legislators and anyone concerned about ensuring all North Carolina's families - and not just those in favorable ZIP codes - have access to quality education.
The warplane targeted the prison compound and the courthouse of the town of Maret al-Numan with four rockets, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Residents carry an injured man in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan town in Idlib province, Syria

By Indo-Asian News Service: At least 39 people were killed on Saturday when an airstrike targeted a prison in a rebel-held area in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, a monitor group reported.

The warplane targeted the prison compound and the courthouse of the town of Maret al-Numan with four rockets, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Britain-based watchdog said that civilians and inmates as well as rebels were among those killed in the air strike, adding that some of the wounded are in critical condition.

Other activists said the warplane that struck the prison of Maret al-Numan and the courthouse there was Russian, adding that the city is under the control of the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front.

The local coordination committees said the four Russian airstrikes targeted a popular marketplace and the vicinity of the courthouse in Maret al-Numan, killing 51 people. The opposition report cannot be independently verified.

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Much of Idlib fell to the Jaish al-Fateh rebel group, which consists of several rebel factions, mainly the Nusra Front.

Russian warplanes have been pounding rebel positions in Syria since last September, which is by Syrian officials as effective.

Also read:

Only some Russian strikes in Syria are against ISIS, US official says



In besieged Syrian town of Madaya, people starving to death, eating leaves to survive


An FIR was lodged against the professor and the doctor concerned after the patient had complained about the manhandling.

By India Today Web Desk: An assistant professor has been sacked by the the AIIMS administration for allegedly misbehaving and manhandling a patient. This has created quite an uproar from the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIIMS).

An FIR was lodged against the professor and the doctor concerned after the patient had complained about the manhandling.

The assistant professor had allegedly misbehaved with and manhandled a patient in September last year, after which an enquiry committee was set up under the head of the department S K Sharma.

The committee submitted its report based on which the AIIMS administration took the decision on January 6 to terminate the doctor's contract.

Terming the AIIMS administration's decision as an extreme step, FAIIMS has called a general body meeting tomorrow to discuss the issue.

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"In the last 50 years of AIIMS' history, only seven professors, who had gone abroad and did not respond to the communication by the hospital as to whether they will be coming back to join, were removed from service.

"No other faculty member was ever sacked on the basis of such allegations and proper rules were not followed. So tomorrow we have called a general body meeting to discuss the issue," said a doctor associated with FAIIMS.

According to sources, permission of Union Health Minister J P Nadda, also the President of AIIMS, was taken before the accused doctor's contract was terminated.
Dayanand was chosen for his debut work Raste Nakshatra, a collection of writing.

By India Today Web Desk: Kannada writer TK Dayanand, on Friday, shot a letter to the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi stating that he refuses to accept their award since he is miffed with no progress in the investigation of Dr MM Kalburgi, who was shot dead in August 2015.

Dayanand was chosen for his debut work Raste Nakshatra, a collection of writings.

The award function was held yesterday where Kannada writer KS Bhagwan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement.

The writer while thanking them for choosing him, has said that he condemns the attitude of the Karnataka state government and the police for not having even one concrete lead in a case where a senior writer had been shot in broad daylight.

Also read:

Sahitya Akademi releases list of 23 poets and authors for 2015 Sahitya Akademi Award

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By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India has only shown the path of spirituality to the world. Also, communalism was not given to the world by India. The Prime Minster also asserted the role played by saints and other learned men and said that they have been the messiahs of 'rashtra dharma' (duty to nation).

The Prime Minister was unveiling the 300th book authored by Acharya Ratnasundersuriji Maharaj, a prominent Jain monk through a video conference. Modi also evoked memories of former President APJ Abdul Kalam and said that he believed in India's legacy of spirituality and had said it can help mankind deal with the major challenges.

"The world has not been able to understand us the way it should have. India is a country which has never followed sectarian tendencies. India has never given communalism but spirituality to the world.

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"Sometimes, community can be a creator of problems but spirituality provides resolution to problems," he said.

Modi described the monk as a "great social reformer and spiritual leader" who has expressed his views on all concepts and objects of the universe through his various book.

Also read:

PM Modi lauds seer's community service in Mysuru


By India Today Web Desk: Three passengers who arrived from Bangkok at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport were arrested by the customs officials as they were carrying 780 gm of gold valued at Rs 20.5 lakh.



Airport officials here said the gold was recovered from the bags and wallets of the passengers.

However, the officials said, the three were released as the amount of gold each one was carrying was less than that required to take them into custody legally.



Also read:

Whistleblower alleges massive corruption at Mumbai airport customs


It is up to the government to make the decision work, if the people decide that they want to exit the European Union.

By Reuters: If Britons vote to leave the European Union at a membership referendum due by the end of 2017, the government will have to make it work, Prime Minister David Cameron said today.

The Conservative leader said he did not think that leaving the EU was the right decision if he achieves his planned reforms to Britain's relationship with the bloc.

"The British public will make their decision. We must obey that decision whatever it is," he told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. "Were that (exit) to be the answer, we would have to do everything necessary to make that work."
In an interview to Mail Today, Ramakrishnan dubbed such doctors, who try to cure homosexuality as a disease or a mental illness of modern medicine, as "unethical" and "behind times" in their approach.

By Sangeeth Sebastian: India-born Nobel laureate and president of the UK-based Royal Society Venkataraman Ramakrishnan has come down heavily on doctors who try to cure homosexuality as a disease or a mental illness.

In an interview to Mail Today, Ramakrishnan dubbed such practitioners of modern medicine as "unethical" and "behind times" in their approach. "I do think it is unethical. Such (Gay cure) doctors are behind times," said Ramakrishnan, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2009. He was in the Capital to deliver a lecture 'On Nobody's Word: Evidence and Modern Science' organised by the British Council on Friday.

However, he added that he was speaking on the issue as a "citizen of the world", as his expertise was in Molecular Biology.

Urging doctors to follow rational evidence rather than cultural prejudices, Ramakrishnan, who is also the deputy director of the Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, said there is nothing wrong or abnormal in being gay.

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In a sting operation last year, Mail Today had exposed some qualified and reputed doctors in Delhi who claimed to cure homosexuality through a series of dubious procedures such as giving electric shocks or nauseainducing drugs and prescribing testosterone to talk therapy, leading to public outrage and crackdown against the doctors by the Delhi Medical Council.

Ramakrishnan said that such procedures will only help to make homosexuals tremendously guilty and repressed. Citing the example of British code breaker Alan Turing, Ramakrishnan recalled how Gordon Brown, the former British prime minister had to issue an unequivocal apology to Turing in 2009, 55 years after his death, for the "horrifying" and "utterly unfair" treatment meted out to him by the authorities.

Regarded as the father of modern computing, Turing saved thousands of lives during the World War II by decrypting Nazi messages and shortening the war by two years, but ended up taking his own life after being convicted of homosexual activity and was forced to undergo chemical castration to suppress his homosexual urges, through a series of injections of female hormones.

Admitting that people, including doctors and scientists, are influenced by a host of factors such as family, culture, society and religion, the Royal Society president said the best way to escape cultural negativity was by developing a rational outlook.

"People are not just defined by their profession. Nobel laureates in Nazi Germany used to look down upon Jewish science as inferior," Ramakrishnan said, adding the best way to get out of biased mindset was by "looking hard at evidence, opening up mind and developing a kind of tolerance."

The Nobel laureate, who, by his own admission, is used to getting vitriolic e-mails in capital letters, which he referred to as the "internet equivalent of shouting at him angrily," by his critics for his outspoken views, said that 200 years ago, it was more dangerous to see a doctor than to see one. "Modern science based on how things work and rational evidence is just 350 years old," he said. The birth of Reformation in Europe, 350 years ago, saw a new view based on observation and experiments giving rise to predictions which others could test and distrust towards authority.

"The scientific method of testing protects us from false belief. Science is self correcting," he said. "It is not bad to be wrong, what is bad, is to deliberately falsify. "Medicine has changed dramatically in the last 250 years. Life expectancy in the early 17th and 18th century was similar to that of 2,000 years ago. In the last century, in India alone, life expectancy has trebled," said Ramakrishnan.
By Kalpana Sunder: I am looking down at an extraordinary valley in 50 shades of green, with alternating patches of light and shadow - a picture of raw nature at its best. Volcanoes, lakes, mountains and endless plains make up this valley - one of the earth's most dramatic wilderness regions. I am at the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. The valley is a huge geological fault line, first recognised by Scottish geologist Walter Gregory in the early 1890s around Lake Naivasha.

The Rift Valley spells Africa for me - gleaned from the geography lessons of long ago, with its savanna, geology, fauna and history as the cradle of human life. In Kenya, the Rift Valley's steep sides and wide plains are at their most dramatic and the best views are found about an hour outside Nairobi, when the road to Nakuru suddenly crests the valley's eastern edge and plunges thousands of feet to the floor. On a clear day you can see for hundreds of miles, right down to Tanzania. The Rift ValIAM looking down at an extraordinary valley in 50 shades of green, with alternating patches of light and shadow - a picture of raw nature at its best. Volcanoes, lakes, mountains and endless plains make up this valley - one of the earth's most dramatic wilderness regions. I am at the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. The valley is a huge geological fault line, first recognised by Scottish geologist Walter Gregory in the early 1890s around Lake Naivasha.

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Also read: 5 lesser-known wildlife destinations in India

The Rift Valley spells Africa for me - gleaned from the geography lessons of long ago, with its savanna, geology, fauna and history as the cradle of human life. In Kenya, the Rift Valley's steep sides and wide plains are at their most dramatic and the best views are found about an hour outside Nairobi, when the road to Nakuru suddenly crests the valley's eastern edge and plunges thousands of feet to the floor. On a clear day you can see for hundreds of miles, right down to Tanzania. The Rift Valley is said to have formed millions of years ago as a result of continental drift processes. Strong underground forces led to the pulling apart of the earth's crust, causing the falling of the land between parallel fault lines. This is part of the Great Rift Valley which runs for 6,400 km from Jordan to the coast of Mozambique. My guide tells us that the B3 Escarpment Road that I have been driving on was originally built by Italian prisoners-of-war during World War II. This flirts with the precipice before dropping steeply down to the Rift.

At the view-point, I am surrounded by groups of lively school children out on an excursion, who crowd around me wanting to be photographed! I look down at the wide expanse of the rift valley through candelabra trees that look like cacti and spiky agave.

There are roadside souvenir stands that sell tribal masks, malachite hippos and wooden platters alongside small sheepskins. We drive past a colonial looking church also built by Italians, and often used as a picnic site, and as a venue for weddings. There are many lakes in the Rift's floor including Lakes Bogoria, Nakuru, Elementaita, and Naivasha. Our destination today is iconic Lake Nakuru, a UNESCO Heritage site. NAKURU means 'Dusty Place' in the Maasai language and probably refers to the shoreline of this impressive lake. Lake Nakuru National Park, close to Nakuru town, was established in 1961, as a small park encompassing the famous lake and the surrounding mountainous vicinity, but has since then has been extended to protect endangered rhinos. The lake is world famous for its rich bio-diversity and its bird species like hamerkop and verraux eagles.

It is most famous as the location of the greatest bird spectacle on earth - myriad of fuchsia pink flamingos, that cast a rose tinted glow, whose images I have seen on countless postcards and in documentaries- whose numbers are legion, often more than a million. They feed on the abundant algae which thrive in the warm waters. Our guide tells us that few people know that Nakuru is also one of the main rhino refuges in Kenya, and the place where the visitor can easily find two of the five rhino species surviving in the world.

It's a day of disappointments and unexpected surprises. We wait several hours in the car park of the National Park for a permit which was forgotten by the organisers. By the time we get it, it's time for lunch and we drive to the Sarova Lion Lodge perched on a hill, overlooking the lake. We enjoy a leisurely lunch amidst natural landscaping, with tall acacia trees, winding walkways and lawns dotted with bird feeds. Post lunch we go on a game drive. Overhead, I can see African fish eagles looking for the carcass of flamingos while gliding on wings that span six to eight feet. The waters of the lake are fringed by strange cactuslike Euphorbia trees and eerie forests of tall Fever trees. Huge flocks of Pelicans sweep the water in unison.

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We see just a few patches of pink flamingos hanging around, but not the massive flocks we have seen in pictures. We are disappointed to hear that because of the rains changing the alkaline levels in the water, they have migrated to nearby Lake Bogoria! We see Thomson's gazelles, handsome impalas, and stocky waterbucks, herds of Cape buffalos and gangs of curious baboons looking for trouble, as we drive around the park. A rare Rothschild Giraffe chomps on the leaves of an acacia tree.

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There are many birds that are so cunningly camouflaged that it it's only the quiver of a reed or branch that gives their position away to the keen eyes of our guide. A few yellow-billed storks stand on one leg along the riverbank, their long yellow beaks, contrasting brightly with their white bodies and black tipped wings. Suddenly the ranger gets excited as he slows down and gestures to us to remain quiet. He points a little distance away to the hollow trunk of a tree - we spot a golden lioness taking a nap, curled up in the fetal position.

We hold our breath as we point our cameras towards the elusive predator. We park our jeep waiting for some movement. After nearly half an hour the lioness stretches, lazily posing for us - it's suddenly a perfect day, the endless waiting forgotten, the non-existent flamingoes forgiven. I remember what my favourite author Ernest Hemingway once said- "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."
Talking to Mail Today in Patna on Saturday, Jha said that the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC), headed by Pahlaj Nihalani, had objected to the use of certain words, including saala in the movie.

By Giridhar Jha: Taking exception to the directive of the Censor board to delete "abusive" language from his upcoming film Jai Gangaajal, acclaimed director Prakash Jha said he had never tried to glorify the cuss words through his movies.

Talking to Mail Today in Patna on Saturday, Jha said that the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC), headed by Pahlaj Nihalani, had objected to the use of certain words, including saala in the movie. "I have moved the tribunal after the revising committee of the board suggested multiple cuts," he said. "Let us see what happens. After the tribunal verdict, the option of moving the courts is always there."

The filmmaker, who has made socially relevant movies such as Damul, Mrityudand, Apaharan and Rajniti over the years, said his movies never glorified the use of cuss words. "The censor is now raising objections to words like saala but my previous film Gangaajal had much more abusive words that were passed without any cuts at that time," he said.

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"Actually, the characters in my movies are drawn from the real life. They speak the kind of language which suits them," he said. "If I ever try to change it, my films will not stand."

Accusing Nihalani of having his own agenda, Jha said the recent stance of the censor board was harming the cause of the creative movie makers. He said that the board first wanted to give 'A' certificate to the film and later offered U/A after suggesting multiple cuts as well as beeps to mute the so-called abusive words. "But I cannot accept such changes," he added.

Meanwhile, Jha's film, in which Priayanka Chopra plays the lead role of an upright police officer, has also offended a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Nitin Navin in Bihar. The legislator has alleged that Jha had deliberately tried to tarnish his image by portraying the villain in the film as a criminal MLA from Bankipore, an assembly constituency to which he belongs in real life.
A train runs on a particular route only to ensure that a girl can go to school. Isn't that overwhelming?

By India Today Web Desk: It is rare that government authorities are in a position to consider the emotional factor in a situation and cater to that.

But, Japan Railways has acted differently.

A train runs on a particular route only to ensure that a girl can go to school. Isn't that overwhelming?

The Kami-Shirataki train station in the northernmost island of Hokkaido, Japan was abandoned due to its remote location but one train still comes twice a day to pick this girl every day.

The Japan Railways decided to keep running the train when they found that a high school girl uses the train regularly to go to her school. The girl is the only passenger in the train and even the timings have been adjusted to her school timings.

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The services of the train are likely to continue till the girl graduates high school and after that the services will be closed.
Madarsa managers, many of whom already celebrate 26th January and 15th August, have retorted by telling the RSS that they need no lessons in patriotism from the Sangh. Some of them have even reacted by questioning the RSS on why the organisation does not hoist tricolour at its headquarters on these days?

By Amir Haque : RSS-affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch's (MRM) appeal to all madarsa across the country to celebrate Republic Day by hoisting the national flag has boomeranged.

Madarsa managers, many of whom already celebrate these national festivals, have retorted by telling the RSS that they need no lessons in patriotism from the Sangh. Some of them have even reacted by questioning the RSS on why the organisation does not hoist tricolour at its headquarters on these days?



In its advisory to madarsa across the country, the MRM has appealed to all madarsa owners and managers to ensure hoisting of the tricolour on Republic Day and Independence Day to mark the national festivals. The RSS body is of the opinion that this will inculcate the spirit of nationalism and promote a culture where madarsas become a part of such nationalistic activities apart from other educational institutions.

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Speaking on the issue, MRM convener Khursheed Agha on Sunday said, "There are allegations levelled against madarsa that they are a becoming hub of anti-national activities is common knowledge. This will put to rest all such allegations. To love our nation is a part of our faith. We are writing letters to madarsa, both run by Sunnis and Shias, so they celebrate the national festivals and prove our love towards our country. Many of the madarsa that we have spoken to have already agreed to this".

Another MRM convener Khwaja Roomi said, "I ask them, won't a Hindu college teaching Sanskrit in Pakistan celebrate Pakistan's national festival? Similarly if you are teaching Arabic... you must understand that Islam teaches one to love one's country. So there should be no problem in singing national anthem. Many of those we spoke to have agreed to our suggestion".

But many of the madarsa owners and managers believe that this is only a stunt of the RSS. Since they say that 26th January and 15th August is already celebrated with fervour in majority of madarsa. In fact, hoisting of the National Flag and singing National Anthem has been a culture since independence in most of the madarsas. They assume, the latest letter by RSS affiliate MRM is to propagate distrust regarding Muslims and madarsa among people in general. In fact, some of the clerics raise questions on RSS itself for not hoisting the tricolour at its headquarters during national festivals.

Muslim cleric Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali said, "Madarsa had a prominent role in India's independence. The sacrifice of those associated with madarsa is known to all. And 26th January and 15th August is observed in almost all of them. Be it the hoisting of tricolour or the singing of National Anthem is a part of it. On the contrary other organisations where the tricolour has never been hoisted since independence should look inwards. I have nothing much to say on this except the fact that flag hoisting takes place without fail in all the madarsas and we do not need to take directions from anyone on this".

On the other hand, political parties seem to have been divided on the issue on ideological lines. While the ones opposing the advisory want the RSS to check itself on secular parameters before making any such suggestion, the ones in favour rubbish all questions raised on RSS calling it a social organisation.

"If they want to show that they are secular, which everybody knows they aren't, they should change their mask. Since this alone can achieve their goal of making the Muslim youth a part of RSS. If not, they have no right to raise questions on others," Congress spokesperson Dwijendra Tripathi said.

However, BJP supported the MRM initiative.

"I don't think anybody should have a problem if asked to sing the National Anthem. So far as the question of RSS not hoisting the tricolour at its headquarters is concerned, it is a social organisation. And many social and political organisations have their own flags. But schools must be made a part of this so the students understand the importance of these national events and feel proud of their nation, " BJP spokesperson Harishchandra Srivastava said.



26th January is still about two weeks hence. However, it is clear with the debate that this letter from RSS has kick-started that this may actually snowball into a bigger controversy by Republic Day. Especially since many from among the madarsa owners and Muslim clerics feel that the letter from RSS' Muslim Rashtriya Manch is unwarranted and is a conspiracy to point fingers at madarsas right before the Republic Day in order to sully their image.

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The Cologne attacks also heated up debates on immigration in neighbouring Austria and Switzerland.

By Reuters: The mass attacks on women in Cologne and other German cities on New Year's Eve have prompted more than 500 criminal complaints, with Cologne investigations focused largely on asylum seekers or illegal migrants from north Africa, police have said.

The attacks, mostly targeting women and ranging from theft to sexual molestation, have prompted a highly-charged debate in Germany about its open-door policy to migrants and refugees, more than one million of whom came to the country last year.

In Cologne, police said that 379 criminal complaints had been filed by individuals or groups, while police in Hamburg said 133 similar complaints had been lodged in the north German city. Frankfurt also registered complaints, although far fewer.

The Cologne attacks also heated up debates on immigration in neighbouring Austria and Switzerland.

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"What happened in Cologne is unbelievable and unacceptable," Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, a member of the conservative People's Party that is junior coalition partner to the Social Democrats, told newspaper Oesterreich.

There had been a handful of similar incidents in the border city of Salzburg. "Such offenders should be deported," she said, backing a similar suggestion by German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Swiss media contained numerous stories about sexual assaults on women by foreigners, fuelling tensions ahead of a referendum next month that would trigger the automatic deportation for up to 15 years of foreigners convicted of some crimes.

In Cologne, around 40 percent of the complaints included sexual offences, including two rapes, police said, as a 100-strong force of officers continued their investigations. No one has yet been charged.

"There have been arrests and we will continue to make arrests," a spokeswoman for the Cologne police said on Sunday. She said police had increased the number of officers on patrol.

"It is then to be determined whether or not these people were involved on New Year's Eve."

In an earlier statement, the city's police had said the suspects in the focus of their investigation "come largely from north African countries" and the investigation "concerns largely asylum seekers and people who are staying in Germany illegally".

Gathering evidence is difficult, given the chaotic and crowded scenes on the night, when police were overwhelmed by the mass assaults.

Violent Protests

The attacks triggered demonstrations in Cologne on Saturday, one of which was organised by the anti-Islam PEGIDA movement.

The far-right has seized on the alleged involvement of migrants in the Cologne attacks as proof that German chancellor Merkel's welcoming stance to migrants is flawed.

Some in that crowd threw bottles and fire crackers at officers, and riot police used water canon to disperse the protesters.

Separately, police in North Rhine-Westphalia said that a man shot dead as he tried to enter a Paris police station last week wielding a meat cleaver and shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest) had lived in Germany.

Police said he had an apartment in an accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Recklinghausen, north of Cologne. The original information came from French security authorities.

A German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported that the man had painted the symbol of Islamic State on the wall of his flat.

Also read:

German chancellor Angela Merkel toughens tone on migrants as protesters gather

Teenage victim of German mob speaks about her ordeal


A statement issued by the Congress party said Sonia Gandhi will visit Srinagar in the afternoon to offer her condolences to Mehbooba Mufti.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union minister Nitin Gadkari will be visiting Srinagar on Sunday to offer condolences to the grieving family of late chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Gadkari will call on Mehbooba Mufti at the late chief minister's 'Fairview' residence on the Gupkar Road on Sunday. BJP state spokesperson Khalid Jahangir said, "Gadkariji will also meet state party leaders to discuss the formation of new government in the state."

A statement issued by the Congress party said Sonia Gandhi will visit Srinagar in the afternoon to offer her condolences to Mehbooba Mufti. "Sonia Gandhi will fly back to New Delhi today (Sunday) itself. She will visit Gupkar Road residence of the late chief minister in the afternoon to offer condolences to Mehbooba Mufti," a Congress party functionary said.

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The fourth day congregational prayers of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be offered on Sunday. The first congregational prayer meeting will be held at 11 a.m. at the grave of the deceased in Dara Shikoh Park in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district. At 1:30 p.m. another congregational prayer meeting will be held at the Gupkar Road residence of the Muftis in Srinagar.

After battling for his life for 14 days, Sayeed passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on January 7.

Following refusal of Mehbooba Mufti to be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor's Rule was imposed in the state. "After reaching concurrence from the president of India, Governor N.N. Vohra issued a notification today to impose Governor's Rule in the state," a Raj Bhavan spokesman said on Saturday. The Governor's Rule has been imposed retrospectively with effect from January 8.

Last time the state was brought under the Governor's Rule was on December 23, 2014, after the state assembly election results threw up a hung verdict.

Also read:



Governor's rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir

Mufti Sayeed laid to rest, daughter Mehbooba likely to be J-K CM


Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today visited the residence of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar to offer condolences on the demise of her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

By India Today Web Desk: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today visited the residence of People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar to offer condolences on the demise of her father and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Sonia visited Gupkar Road residence of the late chief minister in the afternoon. Speaking on Sonia-Mehbooba meet, Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said the Congress president visited Mufti's residence in Kashmir for the long association Mufti Sahib had with the family and the party.

"Sonia Gandhi visit was just to offer prayer and condolence meeting, for what she had come," said Congress leader GN Azad.

While Sonia will fly back to New Delhi today (Sunday) itself, Gadkari will meet state party leaders to discuss the formation of new government in Jammu and Kashmir.

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"When I met Mufti sahab one month ago, we discussed many issues such as industrial development, infrastructure development in the state," said Gadkari.

"Even today when I met Mehbooba ji, I assured her of all help and fulfillment of expectations they have with GoI", Gadkari added.

The meetings are being seen as politically significant as the state is under governor's rule. Mehbooba Mufti was supposed to take oath as Jammu And Kashmir's Chief Minister on Monday. But on Saturday, she declined to take oath at the end of 4-day mourning period after her father's death.

The delay has set off speculation of political realignment in the state. The Congress has, however, maintained that it was not a political visit.

Between 2002 and 2008, the PDP had shared power with Congress. PDP's coalition with the Congress broke on a sour note in 2008.

After battling for his life for 14 days, Sayeed died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on January 7, 2016. The fourth day congregational prayers for Sayeed was offered today at 11 am at the grave of the deceased in Dara Shikoh Park in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district. At 1:30 pm another congregational prayer meeting was held at the Gupkar Road residence of the Muftis in Srinagar.

Suspense continues over government formation in J-K

In yet another indication of likely delay that Jammu and Kashmir could see in getting a new chief minister, chief secretary BR Sharma and state police chief K Rajendra Kumar have returned to Jammu from Srinagar. The top bureaucrats reached Srinagar in the likelihood of possible swearing-in of Mehbooba Mufti.

Governor NN Vohra has also called a meeting of the administrative secretaries in civil secretariat Jammu on Monday. Separate meetings with the chief secretary and police chief will also be held.

According to reports, People's Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Mehbooba Mufti is 'not in a hurry' to form the government.

So will history repeat itself again?

When last time Assembly election results were declared on December 25, 2014 and Jammu and Kashmir governor NN Vohra declared governor's rule on January 9, 2015, Mufti Mohammad sayeed took about two months to assume office. He took oath as chief minister on March 1, 2015.

This time round again governor, NN Vohra imposed governor's rule and the date happens to be identical -- January 9, 2016.





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Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Bhat hails Mufti's J-K efforts

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BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi debate over the issue which has haunted the nation for 23 years - the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

By India Today Web Desk: The Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is back in the spotlight.

The issue reared its ugly head after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, during his address on the Ram temple at Delhi University last week, said that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had personally assured him of help for the movement.

Even, Swamy went one step ahead to say that despite Congress opposition, Gandhi had allowed the airing of the television show Ramayana, which created excitement among the public about the issue.

Will the mandir-masjid issue once again polarise public opinion in the country? Or, Will India rise like a phoenix and move beyond the dispute?

Swamy and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi debate over the controversial issue which haunts the nation for the past 23 years - after the demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992.

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When questioned why he is pre-judging the Ram temple case by saying that construction of the temple will begin by the end of the year while the case is still pending in the Supreme Court, Subramanian Swamy told Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor, India Today Television, that he is not pre-judging it, but making a forecast only.

"I am not pre-judging it, I am making a forecast. That the Supreme Court will decide in my favour. I did it when 2G scam was in the air. I said Raja will go to jail. I said it when the Natraj Temple was taken over by the government... These are my estimates on the basis of the evidence and the Allahabad High Court judgment".

Swamy said he is neither trying to build public opinion to have a temple at the end of the year nor trying his political relevance known again. He has taken up the issue because many people had asked him to do so just because he was successful in the Ram Sethu case.

Swamy clarified that the Ram temple issue is not meant for political gains.

Lashing out at Swamy, Owaisi said when the matter is in the Supreme Court, let the apex court decide it based on the evidence available in front of it. Owaisi termed the temple politics as a clear cut hypocrisy of all the Hindutva forces.

"Swamy is saying about my way or the highway," he said.

Citing an example, Owaisi said, "Beef is banned here for food but the torture of bull is allowed for sport. What is this? Is it not hypocrisy?"

"Secondly, if Ram mandir is an issue, let BJP say very clearly that we have forgotten governance..., we have forgotten revival of economy, we have forgotten stopping the entry of terrorists and killing our soldiers and let them say categorically, what Swamy is saying, that this is our new agenda which was always there and construction of Ram Mandir is the first and only priority of Modi government." Owaisi asked.

Owaisi said, whatever the Supreme Court decides he and Swamy will be bound to accept it.

"There is a division of labour in BJP between Modi and Swamy. It is the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and the political wing of BJP and Swamy is representing one arm of the Hindutva forces," he added.

Almost six months after VHP announced its nationwide drive to collect stones for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, two trucks of stones arrived in the temple city on December 20, 2015, even as police said it was monitoring the situation.

Asserting its resolve to build the Ram temple, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had in June 2015 announced a nationwide drive to collect stones for construction of the temple in Ayodhya and had also asked the Muslim community not to pose any hindrance.



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RALEIGH A recent edition of the Raleigh News and Observer featured a front-page lead story by Justin Catanoso, a Wake Forest University journalism professor. The author expressed optimism that the Paris global warming conference would produce a "Oddly enough, nowhere in the piece did Catanoso tell us how fast the Earth was heating up. (Warming has actually occurred at a pace far below what any climate models have predicted.)Nor did Catanaso explain by how much any agreement that was reached would actually ameliorate temperatures. It should be noted that, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's own models, the administration's Clean Power Plan regulations would reduce increases in temperature by an unmeasurable 1/50 of a degree by 2100.The author also omitted the fact that nothing coming out of Paris would be "binding" on anyone, since there was never going to be an enforcement mechanism and, for the United States, Congress would have something to say about all of this.The fact is that this article contains almost no real reporting or journalism. Catanoso simply repeats "facts" that are in the air without providing any sources while ignoring contradictory data. And when he does turn to an actual source, it's not a climate scientist but a law professor, who provides him not with data or scientifically based causal relationships, but anecdotes and inferences.Setting the tone and establishing the premise for the entire article is the following statement, which occurs in the third paragraph:Can this really be called "reporting"? I am not going to go into all of these claims, but suffice it to say that there are plenty of climate scientists who would dispute all of them.Not only was there no attempt to seek those scientists out, but oddly enough, no scientist was cited on either side of these claims. For example, he states that the last 14 years "were all declared the hottest on record." OK, by whom? What data sets were used?There is no question that satellite or weather balloon data do not show this . If these "declarations" are indeed factual, how does he square them with what has come to be known as the "pause" in warming, that is the flat trend in global temperatures over the last 18 - now going on 19 - years?This is according to satellite, weather balloon, and most ground-based data. It should also be noted that global warming is not about data points, which is what Catanoso refers to, but trend lines, which he makes no reference to.This has been a trick pulled by global warming alarmists over the last decade. As trend lines have flattened out, they have stopped referring to warming trends and focused on irrelevant, for the purpose of measuring warming, data points. Catanoso falls into this trap.The next claim is that there have been rapidly melting icecaps. Again, he makes no reference to the latest (or any) data, but simply repeats the standard line put out by the Sierra Club or Greenpeace (and probably the N&O's editorial page).But recent studies suggest otherwise. According to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center, sea ice extant at the South Pole has been expanding for decades , and, according to a recent study in Nature Geoscience, in the last two years the North Pole has experienced a huge comeback in sea ice such that it is now at 1980 levels.Again, journalistic reporting might at least ask why there is a discrepancy in claims; an advocacy piece doesn't need to. If the facts don't fit the narrative, ignore them.The final claim that I'd like to focus on is that, again with no citation, there have been "more frequent storms of greater intensity." This is simply false. I need only quote from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's own report on extremes:How can a statement like this be ignored unless the purpose of the article is advocacy? And if it is advocacy, why is it on the front page of the paper rather than on the opinion page?On a personal note, I became an admirer of Catanoso several years ago when he published what I consider to be a wonderful book titled My Cousin the Saint: A Story of Love, Miracles, and an Italian Family Reunited. It is the personal story of how the author, upon finding out that a family member, Padre Gaetano Catanoso, was being canonized, went to Calabria, Italy, to investigate his saintly cousin's and his family's history.I was so taken by the book that I arranged to have him come to the John Locke Foundation and give a talk on it even though it had nothing to do with policy issues of the type that we usually concern ourselves with. I just thought that it was a heartwarming family story that needed to be shared.I still cherish my autographed copy of the book, and if he writes a similar book I will most certainly buy it. If his next book is on climate change? Probably not.
The accused, who belongs to Kazi Mori area of Batala district, was found hiding in a bush near the army post.

Batala police on Saturday arrested a 25-year-old man over spying charges. The man was found clicking photos of army establishment located at Dera Baba Nanak, near Chandigarh.

Police officials said the accused was found hiding in a bush near the army post at 3.15 pm. He belongs to Kazi Mori area of Batala district, they said.

"We have arrested Harpreet Singh. He was wearing army fatigue and was doing recce of Khasa post. We have found photos of army tanks and army buildings on his phone. He is being interrogated," Pradeep Malik, Superintendent of police said.

The accused does not have any criminal record.

A case has been registered against him under various sections of IPC including Section 140 and Section 188.

Harpreet is now under police custody, and is being questioned. However after investigation it was found that the man was mentally unstable, and was thus granted bail and released.

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The auto driver and the duo were successful in showing that humanity still exists.

By India Today Web Desk: The photograph of an unknown middle-aged woman lying unconscious has been getting attention on social media.

The lady was admitted at the Lady Curzon and Bowring hospital in Bengaluru. It was because of a Facebook post, which sought to identify the woman, that her husband could reach the hospital. Yes, such was the reach of that post!

Shyam Atthangadi, husband of that lady, had registered a missing complaint at Airport Police Station. With the help of the Facebook post reached the hospital to identify his wife, Jaya Atthangadi who had gone missing since January 4.

When Shyam's wife did not return home after going for a morning walk then he decided to register a complain. Jaya had reportedly told Shyam that she was going for a walk in HAL airport, but later went to Hebbal lake as HAL seemed to be crowded.

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She is said to have lost her consciousness in the auto-rickshaw and the rickshaw driver along with two pedestrians, William and Meenakshi took her to Lady Curzon and Bowring hospital.

The duo took care of all the medical formalities, in fact took her to NIMHANS where she was declared out of danger.

The auto driver and the duo were successful in showing that humanity still exists.
By India Today Travel Plus: "Do you want to go to Tibet?" said Utpal on the phone. This was long before the Mansarovar pilgrimage became as routine an excursion for Indian tourists as Bangkok's Patpong Road of massage parlour fame. In those days in 1994, Tibet was still very much the Forbidden Land, particularly for Indians. Hadn't India had to watch the Chinese takeover of Tibet and not be able to do anything about it, other than give the Dalai Lama sanctuary in Dharamsala after he fled his invaded country in 1959? But officially, New Delhi couldn't afford to look squint-eyed at the Chinese occupation of Tibet, and the 'cultural genocide' Beijing had been accused of perpetrating there.



Twinges of the stinging slap China had delivered across India's face in 1962 lingered painfully in memory. You didn't fool around with the Red Dragon. The Dalai Lama was welcome to stay in Dharamsala, provided he kept quiet and didn't make provocative statements about Tibet from Indian soil.

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As far as the government of India was concerned, Tibet was a closed book. A closed book which I was being given the opportunity to open. "Would I like to go to Tibet?" You bet I'd like to go to Tibet," I said to Utpal on the phone. Utpal told me to fax the first three pages of Bunny's passport and my passport to Kathmandu, where he'd apply to the Chinese embassy for our Tibetan visas. I sent the faxes.

Four days later Utpal called again. "The Chinese will give Bunny a visa, but they won't give you a visa," he said. "Why not?" I said. "Because your passport says you're a journalist. No way are the Chinese going to let an Indian journalist go into Tibet," said Utpal. "So what do we do?" I said. "You'll have to get a new passport. Can you do that?" said Utpal. "I'll try," I said. I was beginning to feel like an unlikely James Bond, preparing to cross hostile frontiers with forged documents. Well, not forged documents exactly, but false pretences, nonetheless.

I went to Pavan Varma in the Ministry of External Affairs and explained my problem. Pavan puffed at his pipe and, looked both thoughtful and reassuring at the same time, which he's very good at doing. "No problem," said Pavan.

"We'll get you a new passport." "On what grounds?" I said. "Change of appearance," said Pavan. "On the application from you say that your hair's gone grey and you no longer look like your photo in your old passport." "Actually my hair's not gone grey, it's grown white," I said. "Great," said Pavan. "White hair, new passport." "But what about the journalist bit, which created all the trouble in the first place," I said. "Don't worry," said Pavan. "The new passports make no mention of occupation."

I got my new passport--which, sure enough, didn't mention my occupation--and faxed the first three pages to Utpal. A couple of days later Utpal called back. "Congratulations," he said. "You've got your Tibetan visa." Bunny and I flew to Kathmandu, where we met Utpal and his wife, Caroline. Utpal gave me serious advice. "When you're in Tibet, for God's sake, whatever you do, don't let on to anyone--and I mean anyone--that you're a journalist.

If anyone asks you, say you're a businessman. In exports and imports. Anything. But never, never, never say you're a journalist. I wouldn't like it for you to spend the next 10 years of your life in a Chinese prison." Caroline gave us a rich fruit cake wrapped in tinfoil. "A plum cake," I said. "Is it going to be Christmas while we're in Tibet?" "Zat cake will save your life," said Caroline.

Caroline, who'd led two French tourist groups in Tibet, explained that at altitudes above 10,000 feet, which most of Tibet was, you tended to lose your appetite, and didn't feel like eating.

But at the same time, being at that altitude, your body was burning up more calories than it would at sea level. It needed nourishment. So what you had to do was to eat small portions of very concentrated food. Like Chocolate. Or Cheese. Or--best of all--rich plum cake.

"You will zhank me for it," said Caroline, handing over the cake. Bunny and I boarded the China Airways flight to Lhasa, the plum cake in our cabin bag.

"I'm a businessman, I'm a businessman," I muttered to myself. "Why are you mumbling to yourself?" said Bunny. "I'm reminding myself to tell people that I'm a businessman," I said.

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"Remind yourself a little less loudly," said Bunny. The pilot announced in Chinese and then in English that we were about to land in Lhasa. I had collywobbles in my stomach. And I didn't even know what collywobbles were. Was this the way 007 felt as he embarked on each new mission? And he didn't have anyone give him any plum cake either, poor sucker.


Here are the five things that you just can't afford to miss when you travel to the Vietnamese capital.

By Divya Dugar: Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is undergoing an image makeover with an influx of young artists, expats and global Vietnamese bringing together the best of two worlds. Expect chaotic streets full of food vendors, traditional architecture peppered with French influence and great shopping.

Old quarter

Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam almost 1,000 years ago, the geography of 36 streets dotting the old quarter has changed little since then. Start from Hang Gai (Street of Hemp) then moving to streets specialising in herbs, silver jewellery, bamboo wares and headstones. When you are tired of all the walking, sip on a Vietnamese ca phe with condensed milk or enjoy a glass of Bia Hoi (local beer) sitting back on a small plastic stool munching on sunflower seeds. Not to miss is the 18th century Bach Ma temple.

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Must Visit

Spend a quiet afternoon in the 11th century temple dedicated to Confucius built by the Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, which also served as the site of the first Vietnamese university. Fine example of traditional Vietnamese architecture arranged in a series of linked courtyards dotted with beautiful bonsais. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is another place that one must visit to get a glimpse into the lifestyle of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups.

Also see: Discover Vietnam through pictures



Food

One of the first things you will see in Vietnam is people eating something or the other at every corner. When you are in Hanoi, the must-try street delicacies include pho (beef noodle soup), Banh Mi (baguette filled with pate and veggies), nem ran (spring rolls) and not to miss, the iconic Cha Cha la Vong (grilled fish with turmeric and dill) at the restaurant with the same name in Ba Dinh district. If you are looking for a fine dining restaurant, try Home, which is located inside a French colonial mansion at the Ba Dinh district. This restaurant specialises in Vietnamese food with a modern twist.

Hanoi cooking centre

One of the best thing other than eating in Hanoi is to attend a half day cooking class by chef and cookbook author, Tracey Lister. Start with a trip to the local market so that you understand all the ingredients that goes into making Vietnamese cuisine so special, then come back to the kitchen and learn to cook some fine Northern Vietnamese dishes.

Shop till you drop

The Old quarter of Hanoi is great place to pick up souvenirs including T-shirts, handicrafts made by the ethnic minorities, silk scarfs, and Vietnamese hats. Do visit the Hanoi design centre -- it sells some amazing Vietnam artefacts made with modern sensibilities. Kilomet 109 is another design label that promotes sustainable fashion, and has a great collection of jackets made of natural fabric.
Right from West Midnapore to Bankura to Purulia, the raging man-elephant conflict has wrecked havoc in the lives of the people and is becoming a major cause of concern.

By Manogya Loiwal : Fears of constant raids, rampages, deaths by wild jumbos have gripped hundreds of villagers in West Bengal and this is now having a telling result on their economy and sustenance too.

Wild elephant herds have been spreading terror across more than three hundred villages in three districts of the state. Right from West Midnapore to Bankura to Purulia, the raging man-elephant conflict has wreaked havoc in the lives of the people and is becoming a major cause of concern.

"The elephants have been causing a lot of trouble; they destroy crops and everything around them. I had a pond. They trampled on it, making it unfit for use after that," said Panchanang Mahato, a villager.

According to locals, the elephants mostly venture out in herds after sunset. They often run amok in the villages, killing people, flattening huts, compelling villagers to respond with firecrackers and bonfires.

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"The elephants have caused a lot of damage to us. I would request the authorities to help us out so that the animals won't cause further damage to the crops. If around 25-30 people come together to scare the elephants, only then we can chase them away. A few days ago, forest officials helped us scare away a herd. But later, the animals returned," said Pran Krishna Mahato, another villager.

"The elephants are destroying the crops. They come in the evening and trample over the crops. Everything is destroyed," said Rashbehari Mahato.

No doubt, the gigantic animal has inflicted heavy casualties in the villages. However, according to Anjan Guha, Divisional Forest Officer, Kharagpur, massive deforestation, poaching and encroachment on forest corridors are perhaps the possible reasons behind the elephant trouble.

They come in the evening and trample over the crops. Everything is destroyed,

"I would say the biggest issue is the damage they cause to the crops. Let's say there are about 150 elephants crossing a crop land, if they eat away the crops and demolish the grounds, it causes great loss to the farmers," Anjan said.

"Call it the lack of food and basic supply required for the largest mammal on land, that it is very difficult for the villagers to even get a hint about their (elephant's) next move," he added.

Forest officials categorise the elephants entering the region into two, migratory and residential. There are nearly 200 elephants in the area out of which 140 of them are migratory, that is, have come from the Dalma forest in the nearby state. The remaining are residential. Usually the male elephant turns into residential while the Dalma's are the roaming herd.

"We do not have the same economic situation as before. And now we do not get money as well. The government authorities have also not really extended a helping hand to us. The elephants come and damage the crops," said Samir Mondal.

Simultaneous to inflicting heavy casualties, the jumbo's crop-raiding activity is also a major threat to the economy of the village. The mammoth animals, that weigh nearly 2000 kilograms each, uproot trees and invade into farmer's fields and destroy the crops. The farmers are feeling anything but friendly towards these tuskers who were once known for sharing a socio-cultural relationship with the villagers.

People use firecrackers and bonfires to scare away the rampaging elephants. Photo courtesy: Sahajan Ali People use firecrackers and bonfires to scare away the rampaging elephants. Photo courtesy: Sahajan Ali

"The elephants have been entering our villages for many years now. They mostly come after we leave the fields in the evening. They roam around and trample over the crops. They have claimed several lives too," said Ranjit Kumar Rana.

What many are not aware of is that the marauding jumbos often guzzle the country liquor stored. The tipsy jumbos stray into the village areas, resulting in a trail of massive destruction.

"We often conduct awareness campaigns in villages regarding the elephants. They also come to a 'mast' mode during mating period. But more than that it is the scent of liquor that draws them towards the villages. So we advise the villagers to not keep liquor with them," said Anjan Guha.

On the menace in Midnapore, Srikant Mahato, an MLA from Salboni Assembly Constituency said, "With time, people have become accustomed and more cautious towards elephant trouble and along with forest officials, adopt precautionary measures."

"People are now aware of the situation, so when there is an attack, people tend to be cautious. In addition to the government, we have the forest department people to help us too," the MLA said.

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To ensure the crisis does not slip out of hand, the government has deployed mobile squads and hullah parties. The hullah party basically consists of children, who shout each time they spot an elephant, following which the mobile squad is pressed into action. The hullah party are the ones which carry inflammable material with kerosene oil. They burn the material and keep the smoke smothering for a while to ward off the elephants. The sound of the crackers also help to get rid of the tuskers.

There is another trick to warding off the jumbos. Elephants often use a defined route to escape. So it is important to keep this route clear for their immediate dispersal.

The government claims to work in the direction of controlling the menace by increasing the forest cover.

According to locals, the elephants mostly venture out in herds after sunset. Photo courtesy: Sahajan Ali

"Around five years ago, we had planned a Mayurjharna elephant reserve. The plan was to keep the elephants concentrated in the forests so that they do not stray into the villages. It is almost 450 square kilometres and it is spread across West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. The management plan is to get approved this year and it will be there for the next 5-10 years. We also have plans of habitat improvement and soil moisture conservation," said Anjan Guha.

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The State Board for Wildlife and government of India have approved the Mayurjharna elephant reserve covering the Bankura, Purulia and Midnapore districts of West Bengal. The reserve is expected to improve the quality of forest cover and also provide good food and water to the mammals in the next five years.

However, this too appears to be a mere assurance like any other promises from the past. According to the Forest Survey of India, the state forest cover has increased by 1.3 per cent Bengal. But the figure does not really reflect on the growing jumbo menace. Despite the measures that the government say to have adopted and efforts to increase forest cover, the situation remains unchanged.

In Bengal, the most affected regions under the Midnapore division are Salboni, Gadra, Vatomore, Kalsibhanga, Murakata, Gramal, Chandra, Peechak, Buripala. The Kharagpur division includes Chandrakona, Mahespur, Vagabantapur, Vairabpur, Panchhora, Chalogori while Grabeta, Raskunda, Mayrakata, Fulberia, Goaltore, Kharikasuli, Bankadaha under the Rupnarayan division also face the same issue.

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"This time, in South Bengal, there are nearly 140-150 elephants from Dalma. In total, there are roughly around 180-200 elephants. The food habits of these elephants have changed. Elephant deaths also occur during accidents. There is a conflicting situation now between the humans and the elephants here," said Anjan Guha.

Wide ditches and deep trenches at the Odisha border have further aggravated the crisis, making it impossible for the jumbos to venture into another territory.

"The elephants usually come from Jharkhand and Dalma. We have seen in the last three years that they are also moving to Odisha. One reason could be that this has become a migratory pattern for these elephants. They are getting food in our area; the forest cover is good too. So perhaps this is why they prefer to stay here. We had requested the Odisha government but there appears to be some sort of a miscommunication. We have also approached the government of India," said Anjan Guha.

"The deep forests of Jharkhand and Orissa were destroyed in the mining in that area. And here in West Bengal, our areas in Purulia, Bankura and Midnapore have got cultivated crop-lands. So it is obvious that the elephants will visit these parts more often. Forest officials have been trying to keep the animals away from the farmlands. There is a seminar that is to be organised in the districts of Odisha so that measures can be taken to keep the people and the farmlands safe and to keep the animals in the deep forests only," explained Srikant Mahato.

People have become accustomed and more cautious towards elephant menace. Photo courtesy: Sahajan Ali

The frequency of incidents has increased manifold in the recent years and most of them have become accustomed to the menace. While some have opted to flee the village, the remaining are demanding for a higher remuneration. Earlier the government would provide a remuneration of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. Now, although it has increased to Rs 2.5 lakhs, the legal and prolonged paper work has made it a cumbersome process.

"The government should investigate as to how much of economical damage the elephants have caused. The animals are entering the villages, destroying crops. You can only realise the extent of the damage after you see it with your own eyes," said Tapan Mahato.

However, the MLA has refuted all allegations about the prolonged legal process in obtaining the compensation.

"Well, about the delay in compensation, I don't think there's a lot of delay, people get it soon after the incident. It's just that the authorities will need to look at the papers, the details of everything and then only they can pay the people. But see, this is an issue which is there every year. It's not an artificially created one. The animals stray here from the forests of Jharkhand and Orissa. I have written a letter to the officials regarding this. The government is trying to make the people cautious about it," he said.

The jumbo menace continues unabated in the state. By the looks of it, the raging man-elephant conflict will only increase if the government does not adopt the requisite measures to prevent the jumbos from invading into these village areas.
Altha Cravey, a geography professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, issues a series of demands at Friday's meeting of the UNC Board of Governors before being removed by security.CHAPEL HILL - Protesters calling for the termination of UNC President-Elect Margaret Spellings disrupted today's meeting of the UNC Board of Governors, raising the prospect of disciplinary action for faculty members who - some board members suggested - may have violated North Carolina's open meetings law.The meeting, which included a farewell speech from outgoing UNC president Tom Ross, the election of board vice chairman Lou Bissette to the post of chairman, and the appointment of interim president Junius Gonzales - who will serve until March 2016, when Spellings assumes the presidency - saw several UNC professors loudly interrupt the proceedings to demand the immediate termination of Spellings' appointment. Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and current president of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, did not attend the meeting."I think she represents everything that is wrong with the direction that higher education is headed from the profiteering of student debt, to the corporatization of higher education," protester Michael Behrent, an associate professor of history at Appalachian State University, told Carolina Journal.Behrent joined several other faculty members, including Altha Cravey, an associate professor of geography at UNC-Chapel Hill, inside the meeting room to shout a list of demands before the board during the roll call. Several dozen protesters held signs and chanted slogans outside the Friday Center, where the meeting occurred.Cravey said.Following the physical - but peaceful - removal of protesters from the meeting, the board addressed the situation, saying they had no problem with protesters, but those who interrupted public proceedings could not be tolerated.said board member Steven Long.Board member Marty Kotis supported Long's proposal, noting that time spent in board meetings is paid for by students and taxpayers alike, and that every minute of disruption is costly - and less productive than discussion.Bissette said in a press conference following the meeting that he does not think disciplinary action is the best way to deal with faculty members who participated in the protest.Bissette said.Faculty members say they were not consulted during UNC's presidential search process, a strong grievance, said Behrent, Cravey, and several other faculty protesters. Their list of demands not only requires the firing of Spellings, but also calls for more collaboration and transparency in UNC governance.Bissette said that - though he has not been contacted directly by any of the protesters regarding these grievances - the demand for more transparency is very important to the board.That effort started with an educational presentation on open meetings law Dec. 10 from staff members at the UNC School of Government, which helped clarify legal terms and use for board members, Bissette added.Behrent said of the board's strategy.
Join us on our honeymoon in Japan and as we venture into married life together!
What You Can't Discuss:

This is a partial list of taboo topics within progressive-left venues around the Arab-Israel conflict. You cannot discuss this material because it undermines the "Palestinian narrative" of perpetual victimhood. This narrative is a club used by the Arab and Muslim enemies of Israel, along with their western progressive allies, to delegitimize that country in preparation for its eventual dissolution.



1) The centuries of Jewish dhimmitude under the boot of Islamic imperialism.



2) The recent construction of Palestinian identity, its connection to Soviet Cold War politics, and how this is an Arab people with a Roman name that refers to Greeks.



3) Arab and Palestinian Koranically-based racism as the fundamental source of the conflict.



4) The ways in which contemporary progressive anti-Zionism serves as a cloak for gross anti-Semitism.



5) The Palestinian theft and appropriation of Jewish history.



6) "Pallywood."



7) The historical connections between the Nazis, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Palestinian national movement.



8) The perpetual refusal of the Palestinian-Arabs to accept a state for themselves in peace next to the Jewish one.



9) The progressive portrayal of terrorists as those fighting a righteous war of "resistance."



10) The Arab-Palestinian indoctrination of children with Jew hatred.



11) Human rights violations against women, children, and Gay people in the Muslim Middle East.



12) The fact that violent Jihadis call themselves "Jihadis" and claim to love death above life.



This is only a partial list, so please let us know the many more that we are missing.
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Medio Oriente. Seguidores de Assad se burlan de la hambruna en la localidad de Madaya
Obama's full speech and Q & A in Paris, December 1, 2015: Below.

Please also feel free to contribute your own opinions here and, or here as well.Amateur Obama is in the City of Lights, smoozing with his contemporaries while "rebuking the terrorists", and planning the way forward, where America leads the world in defeating "those who would hijack a great, peaceful religion" by ending 'Climate Change/Global Warming'. Socialists, Liberals, and Co2 Nihilists are now dancing in the streets worldwide, ebullient that such great strides have been finally made, and thus enunciated on the worldwide stage For the rest of us, the Obama administration has given us an economy where the rich are getting richer, while cronyism has become a growth industry. The Amateur president, at this 'Climate Change Convocation', boasted that somehow unemployment was at a low 5%, while an American workforce is mostly underemployed at part time, low paying jobs (blame ObamaCare, listen to Maria Bartiromo here ), or have left the workforce altogether at record totals as the Labor Force Participation rate is at its lowest point in well over 30 years. To put a finer point on the struggling Obama economy, Americans are making less money per household than 10 years ago, while an "unpatriotic" Hussein Obama is on a run rate to nearly triple our national debt by: allocating large sums of public money to Democrat and RINO cronies, like Solyndra ; employing vast hordes of Liberal EPA bureaucrats to boldly brag of destroying the coal industry, which has now been ruled an unconstitutional exercise to the benefit of politics, which is how Hussein is purely motivated ... always Where Amateur Obama is not motivated is the defense of our nation against Islamist Terrorists; however, there is some improvement with the tortured Obama semantics, which was a monumental shift in the Obama administration's nearly 6 years of failing to utter the obvious, of now finally being able to freely use the word "terrorist" , without it being deemed by Liberal 'Group Think' as politically incorrect ... Imagine that.Regarding that 'Group Think', I have always wondered how the machinations of Socialist/Liberal 'Group Think' manage their amateur president. I just pray that they do not tell The Amateur to send in American troops into the Middle East, after so much Obama surrender, for their president is absolutely incapable of managing such. I think even most American Socialist Liberals get that truth, but still, ' Democrats often say the darndest things Democrats, like Amateur Obama, say things like: 'the War on (Islamic) Terror could be won if the U.S.A. could succeed in lowering its carbon footprint'; and that the very recent murder of Americans at a Planned Parenthood facility was the equivalent to the many ISIS murders at home and abroad; and, remarkably that the fish swim in the streets of Miami on days of full sun.This is the Liberals' president for the last 6 2/3 years. Does he inspire any of you other people here in America; and did he ever inspire you?These are questions that you should ask yourself, for there will be more elections, where you will have the opportunity to vote again, and, therefore, make difference. If you feel that Barack Hussein Obama has let you down, and you need someone to blame; my suggestion: Go find a mirror.
CHARLESTON -- The Coles County Board plans to vote this week on a resolution to authorize the States Attorney to file suit against the State of Illinois.

The lawsuit would be filed in order to force the state to reimburse the county for payments that it was meant to receive but has not gotten because of political gridlock in Springfield.

Because of the budget crisis since July, the state has neglected to reimburse the county for two-thirds of the states attorney's and public defenders salaries, as well as neglecting to reimburse roughly one-third of the supervisor of assessments salary.

The state takes on a portion of these salaries because the personnel are technically considered state employees.

Brian Bower, Coles County states attorney, said one by one, counties across the state have been seeking owed reimbursements from the state since November when St. Clair County sought its reimbursements. Bower said they received their money through the courts in about a month.

In other action planned Tuesday, the Coles board will vote to amend the food sanitation ordinance and the private sewage system ordinance that would increase the fees of each.

The board will also vote on a tax sale resolution that would deed property acquired by the county over to the bidders in an auction that happened previously. This would essentially put the property back on the property tax rolls.

Also on the agenda for the board, which meets at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse in Charleston, are:

the approval to extend an agreement with Good Energy for two years.

the authorization to accept a bid agreement with an energy service.
"Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush" by Jon Meacham, Random House, 836 pages

Our 41st president was a walking contradiction, as portrayed by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham in his hefty biography of George Herbert Walker Bush. Using excerpts from Bush's diary and that of his wife, Barbara, plus interviews, letters and other sources, Meacham describes a man driven by ambition but filled with insecurities and unwilling to betray the patrician reserve that guided his path to power.

His accomplishments are legion: youngest American bomber pilot in World War II, successful businessman, congressman, United Nations ambassador, chairman of the Republican National Committee, envoy to China, Central Intelligence Agency director, vice president, then president of the United States.

Still, he sometimes was described as a wimp, which he, himself, acknowledges. And he was overshadowed by the charismatic Ronald Reagan, for whom he served as vice president for eight years. Bush was defeated for re-election to the presidency by Bill Clinton, and his legacy never has reflected his triumphs: driving Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait and temporarily stabilizing the Middle East, straightening out an economy ruined by Reagan's "voodoo economics" and helping Mikhail Gorbachev dismantle the Soviet Union.

But he made mistakes, too (some of which he does not acknowledge): picking Dan Quayle as his vice president, appointing Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court and making this pledge at the 1988 Republican National Convention -- "Read my lips, no new taxes."

Meacham, who won the Pulitzer for his biography of President Andrew Jackson, traces Bush's privileged upbringing (his father was a U.S. senator from Connecticut), through his brief military service (his plane was shot down in the Pacific), his successes as a Texas oilman, his nascent, unsuccessful candidacies for office and finally, his entry onto the national political scene.

Two things stand out for me in this book: Bush's devotion to "Duty, Honor, Country" (actually Gen. Douglas MacArthur's words) and his love of family. In his diary, he lamented his defeat for re-election as president: "I think of our country, and the people that are hurting, and there is so much we didn't do. And yes, progress that we made, but the job is not finished, and that kills me."

He never got over the loss to cancer of a young daughter, Robin; he adored his wife, "Bar," and he never second-guessed (for the most part) sons George W. and Jeb, who you may remember, have gone on to their own political careers.

Not one to hold a grudge, he became friends with Kansan Bob Dole who challenged him for president in 1992 and has become close to Bill Clinton in recent years, the two traveling together on philanthropic or diplomatic missions. He usually has been the perfect gentleman, a rarity in politics these days. A notable exception: tacitly approving campaign manager Lee Atwater's infamous Willie Horton ad to help defeat Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis for the presidency in 1988.

Of the religious right that dominates today's Republican Party, Bush wrote in his diary: "They're scary. They're there for spooky, extraordinary reasons. They don't care about Party. They don't care about anything. They're the excesses. They could be Nazis, they could be Communists, they could be whatever. In this case, they're religious fanatics and they're spooky. They will destroy this party if they're permitted to take over."

Bush also has some harsh words for son George W. Bush's Vice President Dick Cheney and Cheney's wife, Lynne, calling her an "iron-ass, tough as nails, driving. He also expresses his dislike for his one-time political rival Donald Rumsfeld (also "iron-ass" and "uncompromising") who served as George W. Bush's secretary of defense.

Bush was a firm believer that the process of governing required compromise, not demagoguery or grandstanding, as is too often the case in today's Congress.

"Wouldn't be prudent," as comedian Dana Carvey used to say on TV's "Saturday Night Live" parodies of Bush.

Lots of material here, but Meacham does a tremendous job of keeping the story of an underrated but influential American president interesting and timely.
If science fiction is your cup of tea, this is a good week for you. Fox and USA will premiere new series in the genre. Here are my takes on them.

Second Chance, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Fox. The title is apropos because it may need a second chance from the viewer. I wasnt impressed.

Rob Kazinsky plays the new, improved version of a disgraced sheriff. Thanks to a couple of mad scientist twins (Dilshad Vadsaria, Adhir Kalyan), the 70-something sheriff who had met a gruesome death comes back as a hunky 30-something with superpowers.

Kazinsky is bland. As is the seen-it-before strained relationship between him and his son, an FBI agent played by Tim DeKay (White Collar). The strange dynamic between twin brother and sister, however, is the reason I will give it a second chance. Thats the best thing about the new drama. Grade: C

Colony, 9 p.m. Thursday, USA. Lost star Josh Holloway (he played Sawyer) and executive producer Carlton Cuse reteam on this drama set in future and chronicling a familys struggle to survive in an occupied Los Angeles. By whom or what is a mystery.

Holloway plays a former FBI agent coerced by the evil occupation government to hunt down the resistance movement. The cast includes Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead) as his wife, and Peter Jacobson (House) as a government puppet master.

Like Lost, youll be left with more questions than answers by pilots end. I am, of course, all in. Im a sucker for a good mystery thriller. Plus, Holloway gets to show off his action-hero skills here, as does Callies. Should be a fun ride. Grade: B.

Across the remote

* The big news -- outside of everybody watching and talking about Netflixs Making a Murderer -- was Michael Weatherlys announcing hes leaving NCIS after 13 seasons. You may know him better as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo. It was his decision, saying CBS gave me an opportunity of a lifetime.

* (Spoiler alert) Speaking of "Murderer," when I binge-watched it with my wife, I stopped it halfway through episode seven and asked: If Steven Avery didn't kill photographer Teresa Halbach, then who did and why? My two cents: I thought Avery's lawyers proved reasonable doubt, even after reading about what we didn't see in the documentary. But I'm not so sure about Avery's innocence. I feel pretty confident, though, his nephew didn't have anything to do with it.

* Omahas Gabrielle Union received a bit of good news. BET renewed her drama, Being Mary Jane, for a fourth season. Other shows getting renewed include The Royals (E!, third season), The Expanse (Syfy, second season), Younger (TV Land, third season), Broad City (Comedy Central, fourth and fifth seasons) and Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central, fifth season).

* Two fairly high-profile shows will be ending. HBO announced Lena Dunhams Girls will end after its sixth season, while TNT will not bring back Rizzoli & Isles after it concludes its seventh season.

* Hugh Laurie will return to the small screen this summer. The former House star will front the new drama series Chance, which has scored two 10-episode seasons on Hulu. Based on Kem Nunns novel of the same name, the series will feature Laurie as a forensic neuropsychiatrist who has an affair with a woman suffering from multiple personality disorder.

* Quick hits -- Hulu has the unaired episodes of Wicked, which ABC canceled after three episodes  TNT will team with M. Night Shyamalan for a two-horror block this fall anchored by a reboot of Tales From the Crypt.
Seeking "protection for our No. 1 industry," a Nebraska lawmaker is pushing to make farming and ranching guaranteed rights under the state Constitution.

If approved by the Legislature this year and enacted by voters in November, the proposed constitutional amendment would come four years after Nebraskans overwhelmingly OK'd similar protections for hunting and fishing.

State Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell introduced the measure (LR378CA) Wednesday. It would require support from 30 state senators to be placed on the November ballot.

Kuehn said the idea arose amid controversy surrounding the 33,000-acre U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay County, which is in his legislative district.

A New York Times story published last January alleged decades of abuse and neglect at the center.

Federal lawmakers responded by calling for stricter oversight, and in March, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack ordered a stop to new research projects there.

Clay County Sheriff Jeff Franklin has said he suspects animal welfare activists could be connected to a string of incidents in the county after the New York Times story was published. They include trespassing in area outbuildings, a mysterious fire and internal gates being opened at a feedlot, allowing hundreds of cattle to wander through the center.

"I would call this almost terrorist-like activity," Franklin said in November. "They are raising peoples anxiety."

Kuehn didn't say specifically what his proposed amendment is intended to prevent, but if passed, it would prohibit the Legislature from passing any law "which abridges the right of citizens and lawful residents of Nebraska to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices without a compelling state interest."

The language also declares Nebraskans' right to "engage in farming and ranching practices shall be forever guaranteed."

Kuehn said the proposed amendment wouldn't prevent measures intended to protect the state's natural resources or provide necessary infrastructure improvements.

"That certainly falls into the category of a common interest," he said.

Farm groups were still reviewing the proposal and weren't prepared to comment during the opening days of the 2016 legislative session. The Legislature's Agriculture Committee will hear public comment on the measure this spring, but an exact date hasn't been set.

Nebraska has about 50,000 farms and ranches, and one in four jobs in the state is related to agriculture, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, a member of the Legislature's Ag Committee and longtime animal rights proponent, said he will fight to block Kuehn's amendment and that he opposes "cluttering and diluting" the Constitution.

The hunting and fishing amendment, approved by 77 percent of voters in 2012, came before the Legislature at a time when Chambers was sitting out because of term limits. Lawmakers voted 41-3 to place it on the ballot.

"I don't know why they bring this stuff up," he said of the farming amendment. "I will fight that at every step of the way."
Thomas Earl Bullock, 60, passed away on December 29, 2015, at Hospital San Vicente de Paul in Ibarra, Ecuador, following a brief illness. He leaves behind many friends and family mourning his passing, but happy in having known him.

Tom was born in Borger, Texas, on April 19, 1955, to John Earl Bullock and Pearl (Slaughter) Bullock. He moved with his family to Beatrice, in 1958, and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1973. During his high school years, Tom participated in a number of musical events and drama productions. He loved playing guitar, and even memorized the entire lyrics to the famous Arlo Guthrie song "Alice's Restaurant", with which he often entertained friends and family.

He continued his education at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, then completed his B.S. in physics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He returned to Lincoln for graduate study in physics at the University of Nebraska.

Tom worked many years as an engineer for Lincoln Telephone, and later its successor, Aliant Telecommunications, in Lincoln. He was instrumental in the development and deployment of LT&T's Prairie Link, an early internet access platform.

Tom also loved to travel. He took two different hitch-hiking trips around parts of Europe, but probably the most unique of his traveling exploits was inspired by a book he'd read about "riding the rails" on freight trains. After "hopping" his first freight train in Lincoln, he eventually made it all the way to southern California. However, some harrowing experiences on that trip (as well as an adamant uncle) persuaded him to conclude that he'd prefer to take an airplane to return home.

In later years, most of his travels were by car, accompanied by his dog Winston or later Lucky. He always preferred the more leisurely pace of the back roads instead of the quicker, more "efficient", interstate highways.

In September of 2012, Tom embarked on what turned out to be his last adventure when he sold his house in Lincoln and moved to Ecuador. He lived in the mountain village of Cotacachi for the first couple years, before moving to a small acreage near the even-more-remote village of Cuellaje in northern Ecuador. In the course of adjusting to life in a "strange land", Tom met and became good friends with many other residents there, including both former Americans as well as native Ecuadorians.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and also by his beloved canine companions, Winston and Lucky. Tom is survived by his sister, Janice Kautz and husband, Craig, of Owatonna, Minn.; his brother, John Bullock and wife, Gail, of Tulsa, Okla.; nieces, Kaitie Kautz and Julie Bullock; nephews, Dan Kautz and Andrew Bullock; an aunt, Barbara Willard of Seal Beach, Calif.; and several cousins. He also leaves behind many friends in the U.S., in Ecuador, and in various other places around the world.

Following Tom's wishes, he was cremated and his ashes buried in Cotacachi, Ecuador, where a memorial gathering was held by his Ecuadorian friends. A celebration of Tom's life is planned to be held in Lincoln at a later date. In keeping with Tom's concern for others, both human and animal, the family suggests that memorials be made to your local Food Bank or Humane Society.
Although virtually no one thinks of Lincoln in terms of block numbers, Block 153 is easily one of the most visible southeast of the capitol and contains three interesting and historic houses. The Ferguson house on the northwest corner of the block and its neighbor, the Kennard house to the east, are well-known landmarks, but the Hurlbut/Yates house to the south is, in many ways, the most ornate and has a history tying it to early Lincoln, the Burlington Railroad and First National Bank.

When the first plat of Lincoln was drawn in 1867 one of the objectives was to divide the new capital into blocks and lots so that it could be sold by the state at auction to provide funds to operate the state government and build buildings. During the first session of the auction each of the three Capital Commissioners purchased lots, but no one bid on any of Block 153. The story of Block 153 unfolded in a subsequent auction and was well reported in the 1871 impeachment of Gov. David Butler.

In June 1869, Butler, along with commissioners John Gillespie and Thomas Kennard, and auctioneer Col. Patrick, were moving between auction points in a wagon. When they passed Block 151, the site of todays governors mansion, Butler asked about Block 153, where Kennard had purchased its north half and Gillespie the south half for a total of $2,000. Butler said he would give that amount for Block 151 on which he intended to build a home. Kennard told the auctioneer to cry his bid, and supposedly Butler bought the block in the wagon with no other bidders present. The question was later asked if Butler ever paid the $2,000 and if he later sold it to A.J. Cropsey.

In 1869 Gillespie and Kennard built their houses, both designed by architect John Keyes Winchell -- Kennard at 1627 H St. and Gillespie directly south at 1630 G St.

Charles Hurlbut, who was born in 1848, moved from New York to Lincoln in 1872 and began working for Horowitz & Davidsons Clothing Co. on North 10th Street while living above the store. The store later moved to O Street, about where the Terminal Building now stands, and a few years later became Hurlbut Clothing, which relocated to P Street just east of todays Journal Star building. In 1886 Hurlbut purchased the southwest portion of Block 153, removed the existing house and began planning a new structure.

The new house at 720 S. 16th St. was designed by Ferdinand Fiske and totaled 5,600 square feet. Completed in 1891, the 2-story, frame house has been described variously as late Victorian, Queen Anne, East Lake-stick style and simply gingerbread. The second floor had six bedrooms with a ballroom in the attic/third floor and a large carriage house on the north end. The house was completed in 1893, just in time for the national depression of that year.

Charles E. Yates arrived in Lincoln from Plattsmouth two years after Hurlbut, in 1874, as the superintendent of telegraphy for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, living at 1541 M St. The 1893 depression had only a limited effect on Yates, though the Capital National Bank, on whose board he served, failed and the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled the directors were liable for $100,000. Still, the same year, Yates purchased the yet-to-be-lived-in home while the Hurlbuts moved into the Yates house on M Street. Charles Yates died in 1922, and after his wife Ruths death in 1925, the house was acquired by Henry Carpenter. One of their sons married into the Burnham family, whose son was Silas Burnham Yates, later head of the First National Bank, while a Nebraska town was named for their other son, Halsey.

The Carpenter family lived in the carriage house while renting out the main house to Phi Mu Sorority. The carriage house was then turned 180 degrees and moved to the south, facing G Street. After a series of sororities and fraternities occupied the house, renovation started about 1981.

Donna Brandt Culwell acquired the house about 1998, completed restoration and in 1999 the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Purchased in 2010 by William and Myrna Wood, the extant house has again been sympathetically remodeled as a sorority/fraternity house, making Block 153 a truly historic and beautiful neighbor to the state Capitol.
Lincoln Police have confirmed that the body of a missing North Platte man Craig Baxter was found Sunday by a passerby in a car near 44th and O streets in Lincoln.

The cause of death has not been released. However, foul play is not suspected.

An investigation is underway.

Baxter had not been seen since he left his sisters Lincoln home early Monday, heading to his first optometry rotation at Omaha Eye & Laser Institute. By noon Monday, his family reported him missing.

While the Lincoln Police Department headed the search, other agencies offered their assistance, including the Nebraska State Patrol.

The North Platte native was a fourth-year student at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, and back in Nebraska for his externship.

SCO President Dr. Lewis Rich expressed his condolences on the college's Facebook page Sunday evening.

"At SCO, we pride ourselves in building a tight-knit community," Rich said, "and so Craig's passing is one that impacts us all. ... Following Craig's disappearance last week, more than 25,000 people joined a Facebook group aiding in his search. Hundreds of volunteers combed the area where he was last seen, and the concern for his safety made headlines from Nebraska to Memphis.

"During such a difficult time, it has been heartening to see so many people show compassion."

Baxter was the son of Dr. Kim and Nancy Baxter, of North Platte. His family has stated that they are grateful for the support they've received.
The inspiration for Mysterium Excelsum Unum began on a flight to California four years ago.

Ellie Piersol, a high school freshman at Southeast still grieving her dads death a year earlier, stepped into the aisle and was stopped by a flight attendant who told her to sit down. The attendant was rude and hurt Piersol's feelings.

The incident stuck with her.

Before long it began to flow out of her, words forming on lined sheets of paper and blank laptop screens, a story beginning to take form.

Three years, 23 chapters and 241 pages later Mysterium Exelsum Unum was finished: a fantasy whose opening pages start with a young heroine named Stella on an airplane with her younger brother.

The two young characters are en route from their home in Louisiana, where their father has just died, to live with their mom in Nebraska. Theres a scene in those opening pages featuring a rude flight attendant who steps on Stellas foot, but its a bit part in a much bigger story.

Stella discovers she has magical powers  just like a whole school full of students who attend Mysterium Excelsum, a high school in the fictional version of Lincoln, not far from the rail yard near Rosa Parks Way.

A mystery unfolds there, students turn up missing and Stella and her friends must figure out why before its too late.

Looking back, Piersol  now a senior at the Arts and Humanities Focus Program  says the real impetus for the story was a way to work through her loss.

Writing was not new to her: Shed been penning stories since fourth grade. But until she created Stella, Piersol had never finished any of those stories. And her heroines had been people she dreamed of being.

Stella was different, a reflection of Piersols true self, a problem-solver who helped others, who dealt with the things life threw her way, who got things done. A girl with good friends and a good life. Somebody who solved mysteries and stopped the bad guys.

And heres the thing that makes Stella particularly awesome: she became the heroine of a real novel, the kind with chapters and an illustrated cover and a publisher; a paperback for sale on Amazon and soon to be on the shelves of Indigo Bridge Books, the real-life bookstore in real-life Lincoln.

Not bad for a 17-year-old kid.

Writing a book had always been more oh I can do that after college or way, way in the future when Im actually good at it, she said. I never thought at 17 Id be picked up by a publisher to make a book, and it happened with the first publisher I sent it to.

There were things that kept her writing early on: updates on Facebook and friends who read what shed written and encouraged her to keep writing. She didnt have the whole thing planned out, but coming up with an ending kept her focused.

Then a family friend told her about a small South Carolina publishing company that was accepting submissions. That pushed her to finish the thing, to send it in.

Kindra Sowder, who with her husband started the small online publishing company called Burning Willow Press that specializes in horror, fantasy and sci-fi work, had wanted to get into the young adult literature genre.

Once she picked up Piersols manuscript, she couldnt put it down.

Her voice is fantastic and the story is really good, she said.

Piersol is the youngest author published by Burning Willow Press and she's contracted to write seven books in the series. The unam in the title means one, signifying Stellas first year at the school. And Piersols first book.

That book began as a more traditional fiction coming of age tale, but she loved the magic genre, especially seeing books like Harry Potter turned into movies. She wanted to create her own world for readers.

Obviously magic isnt real but I wanted to be able to immerse readers in to feeling like this could be a real thing, she said.

Her villains were inspired by such real-life characters as the students who opened fire in Columbine, Colorado; disenfranchised, angry students up to no good in a magical world.

I think I just get inspired by random stuff and it just snowballs from there, she said.

She also wanted her book to be set in Lincoln, a way to shatter stereotypes of the Midwest and create a place that local readers would recognize: the Haymarket, Gateway Mall, the Country Club.

Piersol grew up here, an only child. Her parents divorced when she was about 10 years old and she lived with both parents. Today, shes part of a blended family: her mom, stepdad and two step-sisters and two step-brothers.

She spent her freshman and sophomore year at Southeast before deciding to join the Arts and Humanities Focus Program as a junior. It was a great decision, she said.

Last year was one of the best years of my whole life, she said.

The atmosphere at the focus program helped keep her writing, she said.

Heres a space where you are totally allowed to create and there are people who will really support you, who will read your stuff and give you feedback.

Her cousin Roxy Piersol, also a student at the focus program, illustrated the book cover.

Ellie Piersol's mom, who works at the city library, is her book editor  and was inspired by her daughter to begin writing books. Shes learned, Piersol said, how vital editing is to the book-writing process.

Piersol, now a senior, is applying to the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Wayne State College. Shed like to get into the creative writing program at Iowa State at some point because theres no question about what shell study: creative writing.

In the meantime, shell keep writing about the adventures of Stella and her friends.

Mysterium Excelsum was published in September, and she's had two book-signings. She's sold about 100 books and will be one of the featured authors at Indigo Books' monthly author fair Jan. 30.

Her second book is finished (Hint: it takes place on a trip to South Dakota).

Stella is close to Piersols age and like the author will grow and change in future books. The same characters will be in each book, but the settings will be different.

In her third book, she wants to delve more into societal issues.

In the world of Mysterium Excelsum Unum everybody knows about the magic kids, but theyre different. Piersol compares them to the LGBT community: some people support them, others dont.

Theyre ostracized because theyre a little different, she said.

Maybe, she said, she'll touch on issues important enough to get her books banned -- a goal.

"I know that sounds awful but its like Ive questioned someone enough to get banned, she said. Maybe Ill just start spouting the truth around here."
In my long life, I never dreamed I would feel this bad about a portion of society who have allowed the Second Amendment of the Constitution to determine what could happen to thousands of innocent lives in the United States of America, our precious free land and want to do nothing about it ("Nebraska gun sellers not worried about Obama's executive order, they say," Jan. 5). Fear and losing money for corporations is at the heart of it. These people are convinced that the government or someone out there is out to rob or kill them. Some are even willing to vote in people who will make many of our current citizens leave the country. They want to cast them out as though they are not human and, in their opinion, a terrible danger to the rest of us. Every human life is precious. What a tragedy.
Omaha Public Schools' effort to revise sex education standards for the first time in 30 years has revealed deep divides over what young people should learn about issues ranging from sexual orientation to gender identity and contraception.

That debate erupted Monday night as the public comment period of a school board meeting turned into an impassioned three-hour back-and-forth, with some arguing that the school system should give students the tools they need to navigate their relationships and the world, and others claiming that the system is trying to indoctrinate children with ideas about sexual freedom.

"Your decision is not political. It's not educational. You have a moral decision to make. ... I hope you are working from a Bible that is worn out," said Kathryn Russell, who described herself as a mother, grandmother, Catholic and former OPS employee.

"But the curriculum you have, the standards you have, gives too much information," Russell said, according to the school system's video of the meeting posted online. "It rapes children of their innocence. Information is important, but this gives too much information."

Her comments were met with raucous applause, but there were plenty in the packed auditorium who disagreed.

"Comprehensive sexual education is important for every single one of my peers. It is important to have all of the information in order to make an educated decision regarding my body and how to take care of it," said Ryleigh Welsh, a sophomore at Central High School. "I have a right to this information."

Omaha's Human Growth and Development courses begin with a short series of lessons about puberty in the fourth grade, according to information posted on the school system's website. Seventh- and eighth-grade students each get nine weeks of instruction, and high school students take a one-semester course in 10th grade. The courses are not required; parents have the right to opt their children out.

The school system proposed a number of changes last year, including new lessons on social media and bullying and sexual harassment. Among the more controversial proposals were those that would introduce lessons about LGBT issues, gender identity, emergency contraception and abortion.

Middle-school students would learn about sexual orientation and gender identity, including that "All individuals are worthy and should be treated with dignity and respect," according to standards that were proposed in October and are posted on the school system's website. High school students would learn that "gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of self as male, female, both or neither."

The school system would continue to teach that abstinence is the best way to prevent pregnancy and remain free of sexually transmitted diseases. But 10th-graders would learn that a woman who has unprotected sex can take emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. They'd also learn that a person who becomes pregnant accidentally faces one of three options: having and parenting the baby, giving the baby up for adoption, or ending the pregnancy with an abortion.

A public forum on those proposals drew more than 1,000 people in October, many of them angry about changes that they said would hurt Omaha's children. School officials told local television station KETV that they were surprised by the huge turnout. They said many of those raising their voices were not parents of students in the schools and alluded to a parent survey earlier in the year that showed solid support for most changes.

"It certainly was very different than what our parent groups had said earlier," Assistant Superintendent ReNae Kehrberg told KETV.

Among the outside groups rallying against the changes is Nebraskans for Founders' Values, which launched a website -- savenebraskachildren.com -- to fight the sex ed program, claiming it would be "full of pornographic content promoting homosexual lifestyles, masturbation and sexually graphic images."

Asked about that statement, a school system spokeswoman pointed to an FAQ about the new standards posted online. That document assures parents that schools will "absolutely not" be showing pornography, nor will schools give out condoms or take students to get abortions.

The outcry seems to have had an effect, however. According to school officials, the proposal now under consideration leaves out lessons on emergency contraception and abortion.

The board of education is expected to vote on whether to adopt the new standards on Jan. 20.
Obama asked a question by the CBS News reporter regarding the ongoing shooting in San Bernardino, where the Liberal president immediately advocates for Gun Control: Above.

To make the Liberal case for extra-strict gun control, just minutes after the report of any public shooting, irrespective of any knowledge of assailant motive, is Amateur Obama's modus operandi in promoting one of the leading tenets of the Democrat Party - to disarm America. In the current Democrat tradition of ' never let a crisis to go to waste' , The Amateur makes his Liberal opinions known , via camera to a wide audience immediately after these shootings, at a quickening pace, and, more recently, makes an abject fool of himself , hitting new lows with every movement of his sophistic lips.Not unlike the Oregon community college shooting, where Islamic Terrorists shot Christians in the head, if truthful in answering their Jihadist catechism, this San Bernardino attack may prove to be yet another Islamist terrorist attack on our shores, while the Liberals' president finds it impossible to even mention Islam and terror in the same sentence.Not unlike the Obama designated "Work Place Violence" of the Fort Hood massacre, where Army Major Hassan shouted ALLAHU AKBAR as he gunned down scores of unarmed Americans (killing 13 patriots), The Amateur argues that Islamist Terrorism does not exist, and would rather apologize for America than defend her . Patriots find this notion to be unpatriotic, bordering treason , and a word to core Democrats, some Moderates and some RINOs, who support this pathetic excuse of a president and will similarly support another stupid liar equal to Hussein - Hillary B. Clinton - remember this: Your electorate votes represent your aspirations for this nation. At some point, as this mass shooting is being treated now by the FBI as a probable terrorist incident, you might want to question your true allegiance to the nation that you are charged with its protection.Patriots know where your president stands and is well proves as he continues to say the darndest things This just in: Other Democrats also " say the darndest things as well. In the wake of the San Bernardino massacre, the "brilliant" Ms. Boxer, Liberal senator from California, remarks that if the rest of the nation would emulate California's strict gun laws, gun violence could be curbed across the nation. San Bernardino, of course, is in California. You can not make these stuff up.
Hooker County's last best chance for a felony came cruising through on Highway 2 at 101 mph.

The driver didn't have a valid license but he did have drugs. And for a few days in early 2012, he faced the five years that can come with a Class IV felony. But then the Kansan pleaded down, took the misdemeanors and the case was closed.

And Hooker County law enforcement would finish 2012 without writing another felony charge. And 2013, and 2014 and now 2015 -- making it nearly 47 months of nothing but misdemeanors.

Hooker County isn't the only county to get through 2015 felony-free. Keya Paha did, too, and Sioux County came within weeks of the distinction, until a 30-year old was charged with animal cruelty. But Hooker County -- north of North Platte and south of Valentine -- has gone the longest, according to Nebraska court records.

I can't attribute that to us doing anything better, said Sheriff Wynn Wiens. But there's good people here, hard-working.

And not that many of them: Just 700 something, with most of them living in Mullen, its county seat and only village. But that can keep the crime rate down in more ways than one.

* * *

The numbers help. Fewer people, fewer crimes. But the half-dozen Nebraska counties even smaller than Hooker all charged at least one felony last year.

Also, traffic on Nebraska 2 effectively doubles Hooker County's population every day, according to state Roads Department figures.

Instead, the sparse population allows the county's two-man sheriff's office to get close to those it protects and serves.

They know when there are problems and they know where the problems are, and they can talk to people beforehand, said George Vinton, Hooker's part-time county attorney for the past 25 years, who lives and practices 70 miles away in North Platte.

They take a lot of proactive measures. Maybe it isn't a crime yet, but it can turn into a crime if people don't control themselves and start working on the problem.

Which means the sheriff and his deputy try to spend more time defusing than reacting.

It's a small population county, so we know everybody. And if there's a potential problem, we try to work on it before something happens, Wiens said.

They're not strangers to Hooker County. Wiens was a rancher before becoming a deputy six years ago, then sheriff last year. He hired his old boss -- longtime Sheriff Lynn Nichols -- to be his deputy.

We just kind of traded places, Wiens said

They work closely with the school, so they know if a student -- or a family -- is struggling with something, he said. And because the county is so small, he knows when there are newcomers.

And he soon knows something about them.

If we don't know somebody and they move into the area, I try to find out their background and potential problems that can arise from them.

But he's not naive. He knows he has drugs in his county -- mostly marijuana but also some meth. He has more and more Colorado pot driving down the highway. He has four registered sex offenders, and he heard thats the second highest number of offenders per capita, he said.

He keeps an eye on them.

And the county keeps an eye on itself. Another way a small, close-knit community can lower the crime rate.

I think a lot of problems are probably taken care of without my knowledge. If there's a problem, the town frowns upon it -- and the bad eggs move on.

* * *

In 2015, eight people were charged with misdemeanors in Hooker County. Seven were outsiders, from Kearney and Kimball and Texas and beyond, accused of speeding and drinking and carrying K2.

Just one was a local, an 18-year-old charged with criminal mischief for moving a metal reindeer from one yard to another.

Still, the sheriff and his deputy can get stretched thin, Wiens said. They're on call 95 percent of the time, and they back up the one-man sheriff's offices in neighboring Thomas, Grant and McPherson counties.

Wiens often forwards his office phone to his cell, and then to his home. And it rings at all hours. Hooker County is dispatched out of Keith County, but it didn't get 911 service until 2004.

By then, many of Hooker County's older residents got used to phoning the office in Mullen.

And that's what they still do. They can't grasp the 911 idea. A lot of those dispatchers don't know the residents and the residents don't like to deal with them.

He figures his office responds to several calls for service a day, from fishing keys out of a locked car to helping stranded motorists to trying to keep the peace in ongoing civil disputes.

Divorces, they can get ugly. And neighbors feuding over fence lines. We keep them from beating each other up.

The part-time county attorney stays busy with non-criminal duties, too. The majority of Vintons work for Hooker County, maybe 85 percent, is tied to county business -- road repair contracts, solid waste regulations, representing the commissioners.

And Im the typical county attorney for a small county. You have a private practice, too, and you do a lot of work for farmers and ranchers, so you get up there and meet with a bunch of clients.

He was first appointed county attorney in 1991, driving up from North Platte because Hooker County didnt have any attorneys living there. It still doesnt, said County Clerk Dave Sullivan.

There are 783 people, or less now, and I know almost all of them. And there isnt an attorney or a member of the bar living in the county, Sullivan said.

Every four years, the ballot has a category for county attorney but no names.

Theres a write-in line with a check box. You can write someone else in if you dont like George.

And every four years, the Hooker County Board votes to reappoint Vinton.

Sullivan also pinned the absence of serious crime on the small population. Its simply hard not to know whats going on in Hooker County, he said.

Our new sheriff would really like to find a felony. But theres just not that much going on here.
1876: Sen. Paddock of Nebraska introduced in Congress a bill to admit the proposed state of New Mexico to the Union.

1886: The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the counties must pay their back taxes to support the mental hospital.

1896: Some residents of Lincoln charged that the City Council was not attempting to protect the taxpayers in a contract with the gas company.

A fire aided by a strong wind swept almost an entire city block, resulting in a loss estimated at $19,000.

1906: Lincoln Mayor Francis W. Brown issued an order that bowling alleys must refuse to harbor young people. He charged that bowling alleys were breeding places of crime.

1916: A petition was circulated in support of moving the Madison County seat from Madison to Norfolk.

1926: Crete exceeded its goal in the Doane College endowment campaign, with more than $62,000 pledged.

1936: Gov. R. L. Cochran, in a Jackson Day speech, said permanent prosperity depended on a stable farm program.

Proceedings to oust W. O. Brown, justice of the peace of Lancaster precinct, were filed in district court under a new law that provided that the municipal court in Lincoln take the place of the justice courts.

1946: Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Co. filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to install equipment to be used for highway mobile radio telephone service on an experimental basis.

Midland College at Fremont announced it would build a $150,000 men's dormitory to be named Men's Memorial Hall in honor of Midland's 600 servicemen in World War II.

1956: The Army announced that it planned to reduce the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant at Grand Island and the Mead Ordnance Plant near Wahoo to a stand-by basis. Only small stand-by groups were to remain of the 1,650 employees.

International Business Machines Corp. announced that an office building with 10,000 square feet of floor space was to be built at 12th and J streets for about $100,000.

1966: The surgeon general's office in Washington announced approval of a federal matching grant to the University of Nebraska Medical College in Omaha to begin construction of a new 189-bed facility, add two floors to the college's clinic wing and build a new basic sciences building.

An Omaha firm, Aaron F. Ferer and Sons Co., was awarded a $122,640 government contract to salvage an estimated $61 million worth of hardware from 11 Atlas F missile sites.

1976: Omaha's Big Green lottery, the only municipally operated lottery in the country, was declared a public nuisance and closed by a court order.

The Sierra Club's attempt to block construction of the Gerald Gentleman power plant near Sutherland was defeated in court.

1986: A gasoline war between Lincoln convenience stores and gas stations dropped gas prices from $1.15 a gallon to 97 cents a gallon.

1996: Millionaire aeronaut Steve Fossett passed over Lincoln in his attempt to circumnavigate the globe in a balloon. His trip ended a few days later with a rough landing in a field in New Brunswick, Canada.

2006: City Bank & Trust Co., a Crete-based operation, will lease the old Greyhound bus depot at 10th and P streets and turn it into its second full-service Lincoln branch bank.

The first postal rate increase since 2002 will boost the cost of sending a first-class letter by two cents, to 39 cents. Another rate boost is likely next year to cover rising costs for the agency.
STURTEVANT  Three dogs were killed and a woman was injured in a house fire late Friday night, the South Shore Fire Department reports.

Fire units were dispatched at 10:52 p.m. Friday for a report of smoke filling a home at 3531 Highway H, located south of Highway 11 and north of Braun Road.

According to a press release from the Fire Department, the first firefighters arriving on scene found heavy smoke throughout the house, with an active fire burning in the kitchen. Crews had the fire under control by 11:14 p.m., according to Battalion Chief Steve Salvo.

A woman who resides at the house was home at the time of the fire, the Fire Department reported, but she exited the house on her own before firefighters arrived. South Shore paramedics transported the woman to Wheaton Franciscan Hospital in Franklin for breathing difficulties related to the fire, the release stated. There were no injuries to emergency personnel.

In the press release, Salvo indicated that the cause of the fire remained under investigation, but it did not appear to be suspicious. The homes kitchen area sustained extensive fire, heat and smoke damage; there also was smoke damage to much of the rest of the home, Salvo said.

The home is currently uninhabitable and a preliminary damage estimate is about $50,000, Salvo said.

South Shore firefighters were assisted at the scene by the Sturtevant Police Department and We Energies personnel.
KENOSHA  Gateway Technical College will honor three Racine residents with Humanitarian awards at the colleges 22nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration noon, Monday, Jan. 18.

The event, which will include a keynote speaker, will be at the Madrigrano Auditorium at the Gateway Conference Center, 3520 30th Ave., Kenosha.

Each Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Gateway honors individuals for their contributions to society in school or business, and their dedication to volunteerism or philanthropy.

This years humanitarians are:

Don and Cheryl Mueller. Among other work, the Muellers have spearheaded a resurgence of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Racine and have engaged in a prison ministry.

Alexis Aiello. A fourth-grader in the Racine Unified School District, Aiello is involved in Girl Scouts and is a peer mentor.

Thelma Sias, vice president of local affairs for Wisconsin Energy Corp. Energy Group, will speak on the events theme of personal responsibility.
SOMERS  Britney Woods apparently made an impression on U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

About three months after participating in a roundtable discussion on college affordability at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the Racine native was invited to be Baldwins guest at President Barack Obamas State of the Union address Tuesday, Jan. 12.

At the roundtable, Woods shared how she worked multiple jobs and entered college with little knowledge of financial aid. Baldwin, D-Wis., said she invited Woods to highlight the need for Congress to take action on college affordability and student debt issues.

Woods, 22, said she was taken aback by the invitation but excited to attend the address.

It doesnt feel real yet, Woods said.

Affording college a struggle

Woods, a fourth-year junior at Parkside, is a 2011 Horlick High School graduate majoring in communications.

Affording college has always been a struggle, she said, going back to her freshman year when she worked three jobs  first, second and third shift  while balancing academics.

If you were to ask me how I made it through my freshman year, I could not tell you, she said. But I did it.

Woods pays for college with some financial aid, although she had no knowledge of payment options at first, which she said speaks to a lack of financial literacy among many working-class families.

Woods also gets through school by working about 25 to 30 hours a week with the Young Leaders Academy, a program through the Racine Family YMCA. She helps kids in grades 2-5 with leadership skills, homework assistance and more.

Woods hopes to continue community work after college and has a long-term goal of starting a new community center in Racine. Working with younger generations reinforces how important it is to make sure all kids can pursue higher education, she said.

I want the generation coming behind me to have even more resources and be in a better position to be successful while pursuing a degree, she said.

Baldwin said in a statement that college affordability will be a top priority because higher education should be a path to the middle class, not a path to indebtedness.

We need to answer the call of students and families in desperate need of action to address the student loan debt crisis and make higher education more affordable, Baldwin said.

Baldwin pushed for an extension of the Perkins Loan Program before it was revived late last year and also has touted measures that would allow refinancing of student loans, make two years of community college free and provide more financial aid for students enrolled in short-duration programs.

Rewarding experience

Woods flies into Washington on Tuesday and will have dinner with other invited State of the Union guests before attending the speech.

Woods doesnt consider herself a political person; she said she doesnt identify as Republican or Democrat. But she pays attention to what the government is doing to understand the impact.

No matter if Im interested in it or not, it still affects me and it affects my community, she said.

She hopes Obama, in his final State of the Union addresses, addresses college affordability issues. Otherwise, she has no expectations for how the night will go.

Im just interested to see what he touches on and Im just grateful for being invited, she said. I think its going to be a very rewarding experience.
Public schools are the heart of the community. Wisconsin government has cut funds so drastically that we now have a weak public school system in most places in the state. In addition to that, our state government has spent extremely high amount of money on vouchers. We cannot support two school systems.

I hope we do not lose our best teachers to Minnesota. Teachers are respected there and have better benefits, higher pay and collective bargaining. I hope we do not lose our best researchers and professors at universities because of politicians' foolhardy and irresponsible legislation.

Businesses, industries and families do not move into a community that has a weak public school system. There go the jobs.

In the upcoming election, it is our responsibility to vote for candidates who will restore our state and country to its former excellence. Contact the League of Women Voters for correct information about the candidates.

Gerrie Martini

Monona
Balanced budget amendment!

Follow the constitution (FTC)!

2/3 majority for required for relection!

Campaign financing reform and run off elections until majority vote decides winner!

Fair Voter qualification and literacy test!

Reform Campaign finance!

Charter Schools and vouchers!

Eliminate tax free status for colleges and eliminate tenure. Require universities to pay corporate tax rate on all non academic income!

Simplify laws and require automatic peer non lawyer jury review for conviction of serious crimes as well as acquittal based on legal technical reason!

Work requirement or community service for welfare!

Civics education in school!

Technical and craftsman training centers!

The Fair Tax!

Replace marriage with civil unions contracts or marriage contracts sanctioned by a church. !

Follow the constitution (FTC)!

Require opinion reporting to display a disclaimer when non factual information is presented!

Self-sufficiency and skill training for welfare recipients!

Mandatory community service for all 18-21 year old citizens and institute limited draft for non combatants! Increase benefits and lifetime medical and retirement coverage for combatants.( I realize this is draconian)

Post id #18771

Here is a starting point for your consideration on my previous post of statements which provided no answers. Suggested solutions to questions in Can we agree on a few basic statements? Suggestions are in red below. Our government spending is out of control.Our Government's main job is to protect the security of the citizens.Our political system is corrupted by career politicians.The two-party system has created a self-sustaining bureaucracy that serves only itself.Our voting populace is too easily duped into believing in almost anything they hear.Our election procedures seemed geared toward what it takes to win rather than what course we should take to solve our mutual problems.Our elementary and secondary education system is a failure in educating our children in the basics of earning a living in the current environment.Our colleges no longer have a goal of educating the students but have become a business unto themselves.Our criminal justice system is fatally flawed by its reliance on minute legal points rather than overall justice.Our welfare system does not actually help the people in need and may in fact actually harm them.Our fundamental belief in the founding principles has been eroded.Our economy has evolved into a non-manufacturing consumption economy and Our workforce is ill prepared for the jobs that are available today< which require more specialized knowledge.Our tax system is overly complicated and used to punish or reward selected groups.Our family unit has been under attack from many sides including the government.The practice of religion is no longer a protected right in anything related to government property.Our media outlets no longer provide an unbiased view of the facts or at the very best hide an agenda in their coverage of the news.We have created a society more willing to blame others for their personal or financial problems.Less than 1/2% of our population is serving in the military with skin and ass at risk.Find your own solutions and discuss them with your friends.
RACINE  When married attorneys Chris and Kate Simonds look ahead at the next six months, they dont see miles of files, clients and courtrooms.

Instead, they anticipate long days of boating, snorkeling and exploring as many of the Bahamas 700 islands as they care to reach on their 37-foot power boat.

The two practicing lawyers, ages 31 and 30, are about to start practicing nothing but relaxing and luxuriating in the Bahamas on their boat for about the next six months. Over the past few months, the Racine couple have sewn up their law practices, sold nearly everything in their house, which is also on the market, and bought themselves a power boat  and a ticket to paradise.

On Saturday, they head for Miami where their Silverton 330 Silver Bridge boat awaits them. Soon, when they have a good weather pattern, they and their German shepherd will be cruising across the Gulf Stream to Bimini island in the Bahamas.

After Bimini, Chris said, There are 699 (Bahamas) islands left to explore.

Kate thinks their tropical interlude  before they move to Arizona and start a new life there  will last about six months.

I like to say when we run out of money, Chris said.

Leaving it all behind

Chris and Kate said there were several reasons they decided to leave everything behind and dive into a sublime state of existence before heading to the Phoenix area. Those include last winters polar vortexes, crushingly long hours at work, their love of summer boating and fond memories from previous family trips to the Caribbean.

Another reason was Chris fathers death after a heart attack in 2014 at age 53.

That kind of put a lot of things into perspective regarding retirement accounts and the old live-for-the-day kind of thing, Chris said.

The decision to move to Arizona preceded the Bahamas plan, Kate said.

When we realized were actually going to do that and put everything on hold, she said, we kind of had enough money saved up, and we decided that we wont have any other time in our life to just escape and do something really adventurous and important to us, and put everything on hold for six months and see what opportunities are out there in the Bahamas.

They sold their other two boats  and nearly everything else they owned  and bought the Silverton, which is in Miami, on eBay for the minimum reserve price.

As boat bums, Chris said, itll be fun to try to live off the land. He described his vision of their imminent lifestyle.

(WARNING: The next passage may cause you to quit your job, sell all your belongings and buy a boat.)

I try to think about what you do, Chris said. You wake up about sunrise, you have a coffee or a tea, you jump in after the dolphins kind of stop splashing around, and you go try to hunt for your lunch. You spear maybe a grouper, or somebodyll catch a snapper off the side of the boat, you snorkel around, you take a long time to marinate your fish, you have a nice lunch, you take your dog for a walk on the beach.

Now maybe its 3 oclock or something, maybe you pour a mojito, you take an evening snorkel, you find another fish if youve run out, maybe go to port, provision up; back on the boat by sunset; get your mooring; you have a nice little cookout, go to sleep and do it over.

It seems kind of like a dream.

Irresponsible?

Chris and Kate say all their colleagues are both envious and supportive of their adventurous decision.

Everybody says the same thing, Kate said, its the same message: Everyones jealous, everyones happy for us, and everybody is encouraging  because although this is, arguably, irresponsible in some fashion 

No, it is  I mean, it is, Chris cuts in and chuckles.

Other attorneys in town are just like: Get out of here, you can do this,  Kate said.

Chris said theyre not publicity hogs, and said they normally wouldnt have agreed to a newspaper article about what theyre about to do. But he wants to encourage others to embrace their dreams.

I think its important to do what you love and do what you want to do, he said, because you never know whatll happen tomorrow, or a week or 10 years from now.
Jane Stillwater is a freelance journalist, war correspondent, blogger, political Cassandra and author. Her latest motto is "Stop Wall Street, War Street, Big Pharma and Big Tech from destroying our world."
An Egyptian court on Saturday rejected the appeal of ousted president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons regarding their conviction of and sentence for corruption. As the three have already served their sentence, however, it is not likely [Reuters report] that they will be imprisoned again. They will be required to pay a fine of 125 million Egyptian pounds ($15.96 million), and to return 21 million pounds to the state treasury to repay the public funds that they diverted for personal use during Mubaraks time as leader. The men were sentenced in May to three years in prison without the possibility of parole, though the three have already served at least three years in jail as a result of other charges.

Mubarak and other members of his administration have been the subject of controversial judicial proceedings since the Egyptian Revolution [JURIST backgrounder]. In October an Egyptian court ordered [JURIST report] the release of former president Hosni Mubaraks sons, Gamal and Alaa Mubarak, after holding that they had completed their three-year prison sentences for embezzlement. In January a court in Egypt overturned [JURIST report] the May 2014 convictions of embezzlement for former president Mubarak and ordered a retrial. In December 2013 an Egyptian court acquitted [JURIST report] former Egyptian prime minister and presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq and Alaa and Gamal Mubarak of charges of embezzling public funds.
[JURIST] Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] on Sunday released a report [text] saying that Houthi authorities in Yemen have arbitrarily detained at least 35 people in the countrys capital, Sanaa. The rights group further states that the individuals have been in custody for over a year, and that several appear to have been held for their connections to a political party that opposes the Zaidi Shia Houthis. The Houthis have had control over the capital of Yemen since September 2014. HRW has called for the release of those who are being held arbitrarily and for the provision of lawyers and access to family for those held to prevent further human rights abuses. Abdul Basit Ghazi, a Yemeni lawyer who heads the Defense Authority of the Abductees and Prisoners, told HRW that he is working on behalf of 800 people who are being detained, many of whom are members of the Sunni political party Islah.

The rapidly deteriorating situation in Yemen has sparked significant international concern. Last month the UN World Food Programme appealed to all parties involved in the Yemen conflict to allow the safe passage of food [JURIST report] to the city of Taiz where people have been going hungry for weeks. In October Amnesty International called for an independent investigation into possible war crimes surrounding the destruction of a hospital [JURIST report] run by Doctors Without Borders in Yemen. Also in October human rights organizations criticized the UN Human Rights Council for passing a resolution on Yemen that did not call for an independent international war crimes investigation [JURIST report].
[JURIST] The government of Yemen [JURIST news archive] on Friday informed the UN [official website] that it would be rescinding its order expelling the top UN human rights representative from the country. Yemens UN Ambassador Khaled Alyemany had previously sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon [official profile] that the Yemen government had decided to continue to enforce its decision that the representative, George Abu al-Zulof, is a persona non grata. The letter stated that there were excesses in the rights exercised by the rights office that led to the government requesting al-Zulof be replaced, but due to the fuss created around the matter, the government had decided to put more time [AP report] into considering changing its decision. Prior to being informed of this change, UN rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official profile] on Friday strongly urged [UN news report] the government of Yemen to reverse its decision, stating that it was unwarranted, counter-productive and damaging to the reputation of the Government and its coalition partners.

The rapidly deteriorating situation in Yemen has sparked significant international concern. Earlier this week Ban Ki-moon warned [JURIST report] that the use of cluster bombs by a Saudi-led coalition against neighborhoods in Yemen may amount to a war crime. Also this month the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said [JURIST report] that the civilian death toll in Yemen has reached nearly 2,800 over nine months of fighting. Last month the UN World Food Programme appealed to all the parties involved in the Yemen conflict to allow the safe passage of food [JURIST report] to the city of Taiz where people have been going hungry for weeks. In October Amnesty International called for an independent investigation into possible war crimes surrounding the destruction of a hospital [JURIST report] run by Doctors Without Borders in Yemen.




3rd Saturday of the month: This is our normal monthly KaCSFFS meeting date. Setup begins at 6:00 p.m. If there's a business meeting, it'll run 6:30-7:00 p.m. Programming starts at 7:00 p.m., followed by socializing, eating, and tabletop games as available. Meetings usually last till 9:30 or so.



4th Monday of the month: Our friends the SF&F Literati meet to discuss a book selection ten months out of the year (not in December or May), at the Oak Park Barnes & Nobles Booksellers, 11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214, at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd floor.



Every Memorial Day Weekend (May): Don't miss ConQuesT, our annual SF Convention!







Please watch the blog for notices of changes to any of these!Our friends thenormally present a program on one of these two weekends (usually the 2nd Saturday), starting about 4:15 p.m. Watch the blog for program announcements, exact dates, and how to learn about the location!
Im happy to say that my art and technique has been included in this book by UK author/artist Gill Barron , the fairly famous Painter of Everything (shes well on her way to painting everything in the entire world, and doing a beautiful job of it, too).I have two step-by-step projects in the book, as well as several other finished paintings used as illustrations.The book is entitled Acrylic Secrets: 300 Tips and Techniques for Painting the Easy Way , and has been distributed worldwide by Readers Digest Books.Its now available on Amazon and you can order your copy here.












Migrant rape fears across Europe

aanirfan.blogspot.com/2014/.../rotherham-child-abuse-bigger-picture.ht...





26 Aug 2014 - Mayor of Rotherham , in Yorkshire, Shaukat Ali and Colonel Simon Newton Yorkshire in the UK, has links to the military, false flag terrorism and ...

Aangirfan: HOT SEX IN ROTHERHAM aanirfan.blogspot.com/2014/10/hot-sex-in-rotherham.html





1 Nov 2014 - An investigation has now found that, in the town of Rotherham in Yorkshire in the UK, at least 1,400 children were sexually abused over a ...

aangirfan: CHILD SEX FOR MOSLEMS aangirfan.blogspot.com/2012/09/child-sex-for-moslems.html



24 Sep 2012 - The main centres of the child abuse gangs appear to have been Sheffield and Rotherham in South Yorkshire. MacShane. Denis MacShane ...

Did undercover members of the security services, and their 'Moslem' allies, carry out the sexual attacks on women in Cologne?"There are reports of police standing around with their hands in their pockets while nightclub bouncers come to the aid of women being groped and mobbed."Thus, when police officials say this seems like an organized attack, we feel safe in looking at police as not only standing aside butas well."We expect to see more incidents like these, staged by police and carefully coordinated with the press, playing on and building hysteria against not only refugees but Islam as well."It looks as if the CIA, NATO and Mossad are destabilising Europe....There have been sexual assaults carried out in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland "amid warnings that gangs are co-ordinating the attacks."In other words, this looks like a psy-op organised by the security services.Lots of 'Moslems' are only too happy to work for the security services.Were the security services running the Pakistani pedophile rings in Rotherham?

Labels: Austria, CIA, Cologne, conspiracy, false flag, Finland, Mossad, psy-op, Rotherham, security services, sex, Sweden, Switzerland
Welcome to the sometimes confused meanderings of a busy personal and professional life.

This, my strictly personal blog, is one of a suite of blogs and web sites exploring different aspects of my personal and professional life. You will find the list on the side bar under Belshaw blogs. Please explore.

My blogs are all open blogs. I welcome civilised discussion. I can be contacted via ndarala(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au.


Beyond the trees

Forests for human security should be the theme in all practices of forest governance
Darchula in high risk of earthquake: Report

A study has revealed that the geological structure of Darchula headquarters, Khalanga, is found weak, thereby prompting it as an earthquake-prone area.
Ex-FinMin Mahat fails to submit property details

Former Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat has been listed as the minister who has not submitted property details of his assets, liabilities and business interests for the last fiscal year (2071/72).
Forget the bad parts

We should not dwell on unhappy memories but look forward to the future
Kosovo opposition protests turn violent in Pristina

Anti-government protesters in Kosovo's capital Pristina have clashed with police at a demonstration against an agreement with the Serb minority.
Misuse of reconstruction funds rampant in Kavre schools

The management of earthquake-ravaged Setidevi Primary School at Kanpur-4 in Kavre district has been accused of embezzling government funds meant for building temporary classes.
Morcha cadres take out torch rally in Saptari

The agitating Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has taken out a torch rally in Saptari district headquarters Rajbiraj on Sunday evening.
Valley municipal chiefs agree on forming a single mega city

The vision of Greater Kathmandua single autonomous metropolitan area covering the entire Valleygained momentum after chiefs of all 22 municipalities agreed to work towards that end on Saturday.
Sangam Prasain is Business Editor at The Kathmandu Post, covering tourism, agriculture, mountaineering, aviation, infrastructure and other economic affairs. He joined The Kathmandu Post in October 2009.
1. Yes. Its important to cast my votes early and avoid the lines on Election Day.

2. Yes. With nearly two weeks of early voting, its a more convenient way to take part.

3. No. Its better to wait until Election Day, in case any last-minute information surfaces.

4. No. Im not planning to vote early or on Election Day. It isnt worth my time.

5. Unsure. It depends on how the campaigns are shaping up. Ill play it by ear.

Vote

View Results
Ive been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for that. Sinc...

6 years ago
Mike Dunleavy the governor of the US state of Alaska is intending to introduce legislation that will repeal the two state boards which regu...
Welcome! You have come to the right place. Khmerization is a home to the Cambodian daily news, which is updated twice daily. Please take a tour and enjoy yourself. Thank you.

To contact Khmerization please send an email to:
Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, How I sold out to da Man. Robbie Bell again performs: Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells and Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to Dancing with the Stars, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.



Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and Big Cat Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).



Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.



Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".



In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word jackass was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.



In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.



Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.



Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!



This is definitely a Beaver production.



Note: Security provided by INS.


Michelle Bleeke of Garrett sent in this picture of a full moon for KPCs monthly photo contest. To vote for your favorite photo in the contest, go to KPCNews.com and select More > Photo Contest from the navigation menu.
NEW YORK (AP)  Inside and outside of New York Citys government, chatter is increasing about a once-unthinkable idea: shutting down the notorious Rikers Island jail complex.

A coalition of dozens of advocacy groups says it intends to pressure the mayor and other elected officials to take a stand, arguing the 400-acre island in the East River where most of the citys 10,000 inmates are held is too broken to be fixed, plagued by a culture of brutality, misconduct and corruption.

They are up against a formidable opposition that derides the effort as a fantasy that ignores political and practical realities.

Backers of the shut-it-down movement say the fundamental problem with Rikers is the very nature of the isolated and decades-old jail compound itself. They propose drastically decreasing the inmate population through changes in bail, diversion programs and other means, and then building a collection of new, better-designed jails in the citys five boroughs, where defendants are arrested and tried.

This issue is no longer fringe; its now mainstream, said Glenn Martin, founder of the nonprofit group JustLeadershipUSA, which seeks to decrease the number of Americans behind bars. This is much more political than it is policy, and it requires people spending political capital and having the courage to do it.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexico is willing to extradite drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman to the United States, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday, a sharp reversal from the official position after his last capture in 2014.

Mexico is ready. There are plans to cooperate with the U.S., said the official, who spoke on condition anonymity because he wasnt authorized to comment.

But he cautioned that there could be a lengthy wait before U.S. prosecutors can get their hands on Guzman, the most-wanted trafficker who was recaptured Friday after six months on the run: You have to go through the judicial process, and the defense has its elements too.

Top officials in the party of President Enrique Pena Nieto also floated the idea of extradition, which they had flatly ruled out before Guzmans embarrassing escape from Mexicos top maximum security prison on July 11  his second from a Mexican prison.

He has a lot of outstanding debts to pay in Mexico, but if its necessary, he can pay them in other places, said Manlio Fabio Beltrones, president of Pena Nietos Institutional Revolutionary Party.

But even if Mexican officials agree, Guzmans attorney Juan Pablo Badillo told the Milenio newspaper that the defense already has filed six motions to challenge extradition requests.

They can challenge the judge, challenge the probable cause, challenge the procedure, said Juan Masini, former U.S. Department of Justice attache at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. Thats why it can take a long time. They wont challenge everything at once ... they can drip, drip, milk it that way.

Guzman, a legendary figure in Mexico who went from a farmers son to the worlds top drug lord, was apprehended after a shootout between gunmen and Mexican marines at the home in Los Mochis, a seaside city in Guzmans home state of Sinaloa. Five suspects were killed and six others arrested. One marine was injured.

The operation resulted from six months of investigation by Mexican forces, who located Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October but decided not to shoot because he was with two women and a child, said Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez.

After his capture, the head of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel was brought to Mexico Citys airport, frog-marched to a helicopter before news media, and flown back to the same prison hed fled.

There were immediately calls for his quick extradition, just as there were after the February 2014 capture of Guzman, who faces drug-trafficking charges in several U.S. states.

Guzman escaped on July 11 under the noses of guards and prison officials at Mexicos most secure lock-up, slipping out an elaborate tunnel that showed the depth of the countrys corruption while thoroughly embarrassing Pena Nietos administration.
ROCHESTER, Minn.  A former Mayo doctor is calling it a Christmas miracle that he survived being trapped overnight Dec. 19 on a frozen North Dakota field after breaking his leg on a hunting trip.

Rochester resident Richard Olsen said the biggest lesson from his accident is people shouldnt let fear and uncertainty prevent them reaching out to see if someone is all right, something Olson said probably saved his life.

Olsen, who retired as a Mayo Clinic developmental pediatrician in 2010, is recovering at Mayo Clinic-Saint Marys Campus.

We are so grateful to my dad for fighting so hard to get back to us alive, said Sarah Brown, his daughter. Its still kind of hard to wrap our heads around what he went through.

Olsen was hunting on a cousins land near Watford City, N.D., in the sparsely populated western portion of the state. On Dec. 19, he tried a new spot and forgot to bring his cell phone, the only time on the trip. He trekked more than half a mile with two dogs to a harvested wheat field.

Eyes fixed on the horizon in anticipation of another pheasant taking flight, he stepped on a thin crust of snow clumped on blown-over brush above a drainage trench. It collapsed and dropped him four feet to the bottom.

I knew immediately I was in trouble and I was going to hurt myself, Olsen said. I was suddenly picking up a lot of speed.

His left leg hit first, taking the brunt of his weight and momentum before snapping the femur above the knee. Doctors later determined it had displaced by two inches.

After a considerable amount of cussing, he lay on his side to reach for his shotgun, unloaded it and used it as a makeshift crutch. He spent an hour and a half climbing the earthen trench backward to keep pressure off his bad leg.

When he was partly up, he slipped and slid back down, slamming into a large rock and wedging the foot of his injured leg.

I told myself that if I didnt get myself out of that ditch, I wasnt going to have a very good night, Olsen said.

He worked his foot free and climbed more slowly and cautiously out of the trench.

Olsen immediately realized the enormity of the task before him. The accident occurred about 4 p.m., and it was nearing 7 p.m. with the road far away as the sun was setting.

Olsen focused on crawling to safety. Even with his gun crutch, hopping was impractical. Instead, he sat down and pushed himself backward less than 40 inches at a time with his good leg.

Ive always been stubborn. We all face moment when we must be very persistent. Skidding across the prairie on my backside was worth it (to get back to my family), Olsen said.

Progress was exhausting and required frequent breaks. He navigated around entangling brush and more than 30 frozen puddles, to avoid getting soaked. He also made a wide detour around a pond.

Temperatures dropped to the teens overnight, and snow melted and soaked his gloves and boots, dripping water each time he pushed backward. He knew he was at risk of going into shock from hypothermia and developing frostbite. His hands and foot soon were completely numb.

There were many times during the night where I wondered if I could keep on trucking, Olsen said, wiping away some tears during the interview.

His dogs were the one humorous element in his ordeal. They had been playing in the field and eventually came up to him, trying to lay on his back and bad leg to absorb some of his body heat. The dogs also periodically howled at distant coyote sounds.

The dogs eventually ran back to the heated trailer and were rescued.

Olsen finally reached the barbed-wire fence near the road around 8 a.m. on Dec. 20, about 16 hours after the accident. His vehicle and trailer were visible on the other side, yet he was far from saved.

A steep ditch with snow and heavy brush stood between the fence and the road. He feared his exhausted and rapidly freezing body wouldnt be able to climb out of the ditch, leaving him below a drivers sight line. After not finding any access points to the road, he decided to sit by the fence and wave down a driver.

During the next half an hour, he waved wildly and shouted until his voice was hoarse, but six vehicles passed without stopping. He said he doesnt blame those drivers, who either didnt realize he needed help or were fearful for their own safety.

People get reluctant to stop from someone because of all the stuff you hear in the news, Olsen said.

Bryant Duncan, a trucker hauling wastewater for an oil drilling company, was returning from a long shift and noticed Olsens vehicle. He had seen it the night before but assumed it was a survey crew that returned early. He saw Olsen waving, but the angle made it look like he was standing in tall grass and shouting to someone else, so he kept driving.

At the last moment, he noticed two unusual things. First, the truck had a layer of frost. Second, he barely saw Olsens feet in the grass, meaning he wasnt standing.

Honesty, I felt like it was God who told me that man was in a bind, Duncan said. I believe God put me in just the right position to realize the man was hurt.

He stopped his truck, reversed it, and ran up to Olsen, who was completely white with a light blue tint and a clearly injured leg.

Duncan was able to determine Olsen, who was crying in relief, was trying to tell him about the injury and being outside all night. He wrapped Olsen in a sleeping bag and blankets after calling police.

Olsen was taken by ambulance to Trinity Health Hospital in Minot, N.D. He was stabilized and underwent extensive surgery on his leg. He later was flown to Saint Marys Hospital, where his family celebrated Christmas in his hospital room.

When they got me to the hospital in Minot, my red blood cell count had dropped to eight. I dont think I would have survived if he hadnt stopped, Olsen said. I am so grateful to him.

Olsen is undergoing physical therapy for his leg. He suffered serious frostbite on his fingers.

I expect I have quite a long time before Im going to be able to get up and move around. But the worst part is already behind me, Olsen said. In my view, it was a Christmas miracle  for my family and everyone else involved in this.

Duncan downplayed his role in saving Olsen, saying it is common for Montana residents to check on someone on the side of the road.

Im glad the man was able to get back to his family for Christmas, Duncan said. That right there was the best possible Christmas present I could have received.
Melinda Brauns dream was was fulfilled last year when her first young adult novel, Stranded, was published by Simon Pulse, an imprint of publishing giant Simon & Schuster.

Braun, a 1993 Onalaska High School graduate who now lives in the Twin Cities area with her husband and 6-year-old daughter, earned a psychology degree from the University of Minnesota in 1998. Like many twentysomethings, however, she wasnt exactly clear on what the next step might be.

But I knew I didnt want to go to grad school in psychology. I was always been around books a lot and I liked reading, but it never occurred to me that it could be an actual profession, Braun said.

Fortunately, Braun got a job working for Minitex, an information and resource sharing program associated with the universitys libraries. The job entitled her to take some free classes, so Braun signed up for some writing courses and discovered that she really enjoyed them. By 2006, shed finished up an English degree.

I tried to do a novel, but I didnt quite know how to do it, Braun said of the years after she got her second college degree. She finished the novel in 2009, but the birth of her daughter that same year kind of put things on hold for a while.

Braun eventually realized she wasnt likely to get anywhere in the publishing world without an agent working on her behalf. Finding an agent is a hurdle many prospective authors never get over, but Braun believes she got lucky.

Agent Hannah Bowman showed interest in her novel. It was kind of out of the blue, because she was just starting out and looking for new clients, Braun said. The novel was science fiction  Braun is a self-described science dork  and although it was successful in getting Bowman to work with Braun, the two were ultimately unable to get a publisher to commit to it.

That project came really close to being bought, Braun said, so I said, OK, Ill try something different.

The next step came when Bowman, whos based in New York. was having lunch with some editors from Simon & Schuster. When she learned that they were planning on launching a series of young adult novels based on survival situations, Bowman told them she knew a writer who might be what they were looking for.

Braun was asked to submit a 30-page sample of her writing before Simon & Schuster would give her a go-ahead. They said, Yeah, we love this! We want you to do two books, Braun recalled. Although the publisher provided Braun with a rough outline of what the books would be about  young adults surviving against the elements  Braun was free to choose the setting.

She decided to set it in northern Minnesotas Boundary Waters Canoe Area because she was familiar with it, she said. Id gone camping there, but never for a week out in the wilderness, so I asked relatives who had done that.

Braun spent part of 2013 and much of 2014 writing what would become Stranded. After turning in the final chapters, there were another six months or so of back and forth between Braun and her editors before the book was finally published. That was in August, although its not the first book Braun has had published  she has written one book for younger children and illustrated another  it is her first novel.

Braun recently finished the rough draft for her second Simon & Schuster book. Once that project is done, Braun and her agent will be free to negotiate other books  either with Simon & Schuster or someone else. Braun expressed a great deal of gratitude for the work of her agent throughout the process.

This would never have happened without her, Braun said.

Meanwhile, Braun still has a part-time job with Minitex. Shes aware that a very small percentage of writers make a living solely through their work, but that dream is still out there for her.

Eventually Id love to do that, Braun said. That would be great, but I want to keep practicing. I want to keep getting more opportunities so I can keep getting better. Id like to write the kind of books that would win awards.
MAYVILLE, Wis. (AP)  Fire has destroyed a barn and killed livestock on a dairy farm in southeastern Wisconsin.

The fire was reported about 10 p.m. Saturday at Twardorkus Family Farms in Dodge County.

Firefighters arrive to find the barn engulfed in flames.

No one was hurt. But Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1mOMz5w ) reports authorities say 10 livestock died from smoke inhalation.

The Iron Ridge Fire Department was assisted by 10 other surrounding fire departments, two emergency medical units and the sheriff's office. Firefighters were still on the scene as of early Sunday.
If you havent fallen down the rabbit hole of Making a Murderer, the 10-part, true-crime Netflix binge-athon that has spawned petitions for a retrial or presidential pardons as well as endless dinner party chatter, allow me to give you a gentle shove.

In 1986, a Wisconsin man named Steven Avery was sentenced to 32 years in prison for violent sexual assault. Eighteen years later, he was exonerated and released based on new DNA evidence. He filed a $36-million suit against local law enforcement. Less than two years into his freedom, however, Avery was charged with the rape and murder of 25-year-old Teresa Halbach.

With limited physical evidence, the prosecution based its case largely on the grisly testimony of Averys cognitively delayed teenage nephew, Brendan Dassey. Both were convicted. Avery received a life sentence without possibility of parole and Dassey, a life sentence with a chance of parole after 41 years.

Starting from the time of the murder charge, two filmmakers followed the case for 10 years, shooting and collecting the footage that would become Making a Murderer. It shows a judicial system making a mockery of due process and a law enforcement team that is incompetent at best and corrupt at worst.

The defenses position was that the Manitowoc, Wis., police and sheriffs departments framed Avery for the murder, maybe because he was suing them or maybe because the Avery family had its share of troublemakers and was generally disliked.

Theres much more to tell, and thats part of the problem with the rabid public response to Making a Murderer. Even in 10 hours, the filmmakers cant possibly include every relevant detail. Unsurprisingly, some on the prosecution team have derided the project as advocacy rather than journalism and said key details were omitted. (The filmmakers say they invited members of the prosecution to be interviewed but were turned down.)

Nonetheless, countless viewers are now convinced that they know, if not the whole truth, enough of it to light up the Internet with armchair sleuthing and comments on lead prosecutor Ken Kratzs Yelp page along the lines of I hope that you get an incurable STD and spend the rest of your short life in constant misery, you fat slob.

Meanwhile, Averys defense attorneys, Dean Strang and Jerome Buting, have been turned into national heroes. Fans are calling them modern-day Atticus Finches (the Atticus we thought we knew until Go Set a Watchman) and gushing over their courtroom skills and their understated charisma. A photo of the two men surrounded by hearts and girlish scribbles has been retweeted hundreds of times. (Keep in mind, these are two middle-aged guys from Wisconsin.)

All of this clamor tells us more than we want to know about wasting time on the Internet. But it tells us nothing at all about who killed Halbach or whether authorities tampered with evidence and coerced testimony. Instead, the buzz illustrates the power of a compelling narrative, along with the importance of knowing your audience.

If it seems to you that Steven Avery is suddenly a household name, its probably because youre part of that audience. Were talking about households that can afford Netflix subscriptions and are composed of people willing and able to sit through hours of relatively complicated legal proceedings. People like that  I know because Im one of them  tend to take pride in their critical thinking skills and their opinions. People like that think that whether or not Avery is guilty, there clearly wasnt enough evidence to send him, much less Dassey, to prison.

As engaged and enraged as we are, it doesnt change the fact that we watched a multipart movie, not the trial itself. Im not saying the filmmakerscut isnt trustable  the reporting looks to be solid  but its still not the whole story.

Toward the end of the film, Strang talks about the tragic lack of humility and unwarranted certitude of official investigators who devoutly believe theyre right. He might as well be talking about the massive public jury thats now deliberating the Avery case online. In a interview about Making a Murderer, Strang said that the positive attention hes getting now is no more representative of the truth than the how can you defend a killer? criticism he received when he was trying the case.

Both of those experiences are artificial and distorting, Strang said. Neither of them represent any particular reality other than whats going on in fevered social media at the moment among a self-selected portion of the population.

Thats good to keep in mind. The social media self-selected may be on to something this time, but we, too, could stand some humility. That said, the petition requesting presidential pardons hit the 100,000 signature mark Wednesday, which means the White House must respond.
There was a day when far too many people considered drunken driving something to wink at, something rather humorous. Thankfully, public attitudes have changed, for the most part.

Theres nothing funny about drunken driving (not that there ever was). Its dangerous. Its deadly.

Unfortunately, the laws of Wisconsin have done a lousy job of emphasizing the importance of curbing drunk drivers.

Were the only state that continues to consider first-offense drunken driving a civil violation. In essence, its treated like a speeding ticket in our state.

Our newspaper carries far too many stories about drunken drivers who have reached double figures in arrests.

Yet law enforcement will tell you that taking away the keys, the license, the registration  none of it matters to someone who has a buzz, a vehicle and a place to go after drinking.

Eighty-five people were killed in drunken-driving collisions in Wisconsin in 2015, according to preliminary figures from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Thats 85. Its shameful.

Just as shameful is the lax penalty for drunken driving in Wisconsin, because it sends a message thats more of a wink than a wake-up call.

A Republican initiative is moving quickly through the Legislature to toughen up some of the penalties, and its a move that deserves support.

As you would hope, the penalties should grow with the number of drunken-driving offenses. But heres the problem: As Wisconsin law stands, prosecutors cant count drunken-driving offenses that happened five years earlier.

So, if youve had three drunken-driving convictions, the fourth doesnt count as the fourth if it occurs five years and a day after the third.

Why is that important? Because the fourth offense in Wisconsin is a felony. A third offense is a misdemeanor, which is less serious when it comes to punishment.

The Assembly Judiciary committee unanimously approved a measure last week that would make the fourth offense a felony  with no exception for when it occurs. That would carry a prison sentence of up to three years. (The same committee in the Senate may take up the measure this week.)

Sadly but wisely, the measure also boosts prison time for drunken-driving offenses five and six (from three to five years) seven, eight and nine (from five to seven-and-a-half years) and 10 or more drunken-driving offenses (a maximum of 10 years, up from 7).

Were always concerned about the rising cost of corrections  especially because Wisconsin is now in the embarrassing position of spending more on corrections that it does on the University of Wisconsin System.

But, as weve said, merely winking at the problem and taking away the keys and the license wont get these dangerous, problem drinkers off our streets and highways.

Its a good sign when the Tavern League has registered its support along with the Association of State Prosecutors, Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association and the Wisconsin Medical Society.

According to The Associated Press, one of the sponsors  Rep. Jim Ott  is fighting for this legislation to honor a constituent whose pregnant daughter and 10-year-old granddaughter were the victims of a drunk driver eight years ago.

Of course, nothing will bring them back. But theres no reason to continue repeating the insanity.

The time for winking at the problem is long past.
The winners of the past six state Supreme Court races have at least one thing in common: Each received the most support of independent groups, including unregulated spending on thinly veiled campaign commercials known as issue ads.

In particular, conservative groups have spent heavily  two dollars for every one spent by liberal groups  in recent years to help produce a right-of-center majority on Wisconsins highest court.

Overall, outside interest groups have spent an estimated $13.2 million on issue ads alone since 2007 on behalf of Supreme Court candidates, according to data compiled by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

Such dark money ads are contentious because their funders arent required to be identified. And while they purport to be about policy issues rather than a particular candidate, such ads rarely surface outside of an election and are intended to influence the election.

Interest groups and observers say the millions of dollars typically spent on Supreme Court candidates likely will continue this spring as Justice Rebecca Bradley, appointed to the states highest court by Gov. Scott Walker on Oct. 9, seeks to keep her seat. She is being challenged by Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Joe Donald and Court of Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg.

The three will face each other in the Feb. 16 primary, with the two prevailing candidates squaring off in the general election April 5.

The largest and most influential player in court races in recent years is the states business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. It has spent nearly $6 million on issue advertising for conservative-leaning candidates in the past six Supreme Court races and will likely spend high again.

We fully expect to be involved in the same type of issue advocacy that weve done on issues surrounding the Supreme Court and the judiciary, said WMC lobbyist Scott Manley.

He declined to provide details or expected spending amounts, though he added we do expect to be involved at the same level (as) in the past.

Manley wouldnt say which candidate WMC was leaning toward, but in a September column on the groups website promoting Bradley, WMC spokesman Jim Pugh called her a judicial traditionalist and described Kloppenburg as a Madison liberal judge and Donald as a Milwaukee County liberal judge.

The Greater Wisconsin Committee, which supports liberals, has spent around $4 million on candidates who won two of the six races. Officials with the group did not return calls seeking comment.

In 2011, the group spent $1.6 million on behalf of Kloppenburg, according to Wisconsin Democracy Campaign estimates, on ads against her opponent Justice David Prosser  who won that race. Prosser was the beneficiary of $1.1 million spent by WMC and $520,000 spent by the Wisconsin Club for Growth.

Citizens for a Strong America, an arm of Club for Growth, also spent $985,000 on advertising and other efforts to support Prosser or attack Kloppenburg.

The third-highest spending group in the past six Supreme Court races was the Wisconsin Club for Growth, dispensing $1.8 million since 2007.

Overall, conservative candidates receive more support from more groups than liberals. Since 2007, eight conservative-backing interest groups have spent $8.9 million on Supreme Court candidates, while two liberal backing groups have spent $4.3 million.

Influence on candidates

While outside spending is part of the formula for a successful candidate, those in this years race were reluctant to endorse it or address whether they could be successful without it.

Donald said his decision to run was pushed by his belief that the citizens of this state truly want an independent, nonpartisan justice but said he realizes the spending is a reality.

Thats one of the things that concerns me  if candidates are truly independent, he said. (Voters) want you to be beholden to the law and the constitution and not to politics, not to politicians, not to special interest groups.

I believe my candidacy will send a message. Its not like I was this hand-picked or created candidate. Ive been a judge for 20 years and I decided to step up and say, Look, Im going to run for our state Supreme Court. 

Bradley declined to be interviewed for this story. A campaign spokeswoman said it would be improper to comment on any spending outside groups may do in order to take part in the spring election because the campaign is not coordinating with any outside groups.

Justice Bradley intends to continue running a positive campaign focused on her experience, judicial philosophy and service to the people of Wisconsin, and she encourages all other candidates and outside groups to do the same, Bradley spokeswoman Madison Wiberg said.

Kloppenburg said theres no question that large amounts of money from unregulated special interests that dont have to disclose their donors threatens to undermine peoples confidence in the court.

She said shes running for the court a second time because Wisconsin residents want the court to act as an independent check and balance on the other branches of government.

We dont control that  we cant control that, Kloppenburg said about the prospect of ads purchased on her behalf by special interest groups. The special interests dont and cant define me.

Matt Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said spending will ramp up after the primary.

I imagine the huge spenders like WMC will be holding their fire (until then), he said.

Rothschild said you can bet Bradley will receive backing from WMC and the Wisconsin Club for Growth but wasnt sure which liberal-leaning candidate would draw the most support from groups looking to spend to promote liberal interests.

He said spending on Bradleys behalf will be substantial from groups that have seen cases go before the court.

They appreciate the return on their investment, when they are able to essentially purchase a seat on the state Supreme Court, he said. (The court has) ruled almost universally in favor of WMC and got the John Doe off their backs.

Last year, the court ruled 4-2 to end a second secret criminal probe, known as a John Doe, of coordination involving Walker and his gubernatorial campaign with independent groups. Walker was never charged.

Wisconsin Club for Growth, Citizens for a Strong America and WMC spent millions to support the candidacies of Justices David Prosser, Pat Roggensack, Annette Ziegler and Michael Gableman over the past seven years.

WMC also helped write the controversial recusal rules under which justices and other Wisconsin judges decide whether to sit on a case. Those rules, adopted on a 4-3 vote, state that judges cannot be forced off a case based solely on their acceptance of legal campaign contributions or independent efforts done on their behalf.

The court in July also ruled there is a First Amendment right to such coordination that prompted the John Doe investigation. The courts ruling cleared the way for candidates to coordinate with issue advocacy groups if they choose.

Rebecca Bradley has had the backing of such independent issue advocacy groups. Wisconsin Club for Growth, a group that supported Walker and was investigated as part of the John Doe probe, spent $167,000 in Bradleys race to retain her seat on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2013.

But Rick Esenberg, president and general counsel at the conservative legal group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, said its not just a conservative issue  groups on both sides spend in order to promote ideologies, and the major players have become the mechanism to do so.

The Greater Wisconsin Committee and WMC have become the vehicles to which a lot of this spending is done, Esenberg said. People are giving them money in order to spend money on Supreme Court races.

Scott Greytak, senior policy counsel for the judicial election-tracking group Justice At Stake, said Wisconsin is the textbook example of a court that has fallen prey to special interest influence and special interest spending.

He said Wisconsin mirrors national trends in judicial election spending in that business groups, like WMC, battle against groups representing trial attorneys or labor unions.

Greytak said the states recusal rules have contributed to a loss of trust in the integrity of the court system.

All four justices had benefitted from spending from outside groups and sided with the majority in the decision to drop the John Doe case  talk about a hit on public confidence, he said.

Esenberg said Supreme Court races became salient about 10 years ago, after the court made key decisions that set policy.

Whether you like what they did or disliked what they did, they were significant decisions that appear to have represented a departure from past practice, Esenberg said. That had a significant policy impact, and when courts do that, people become very interested.
Minneapolis man convicted on heroin distribution charge  FARGO, N.D.  A May sentencing is scheduled for a Minneapolis man found guilty on a federal charge of distributing heroin. U. S. Attorney for North Dakota Christopher Myers says 32-year-old Michael Antwain Modisett was found guilty following a five-day trial for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin. Myers says that between 2012 and 2014, Modisette and his associates delivered large amounts of heroin  in excess of 1000 grams  to the Fargo-Moorhead area. Sentencing is scheduled for May 18 in U. S. District Court in Fargo. The case was investigated by the Fargo Police Department, the Moorhead Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force.

BNSF: ND oil trains shift route away from suburban routes  MINNEAPOLIS  BNSF Railway says most of the North Dakota crude oil trains crossing Minnesota have shifted away from the western Twin Cities and downtown Minneapolis. The railroad notified Minnesota officials last month that it has shifted oil trains back to their usual route across Minnesota. The shift had been expected. A BNSF spokeswoman tells the Star Tribune that with the construction season over, traffic is back to more traditional routes. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton was among state and local officials worried when BNSF sent oil trains through downtown Minneapolis and across Nicollet Island as the railroad worked on a $326 million system upgrade in Minnesota. BNSF reports the downtown oil train traffic tapered off in October, and now has returned to the usual level of zero to three per week.

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St. Paul charter school at center of transgender debate  ST. PAUL  A public charter school in St. Paul is at the center of a debate over how to best meet the needs of transgender students. The parents of a 5-year-old child who is gender nonconforming asked Nova Classical Academy to help make sure their student was not being bullied. Outside groups stepped in and the schools board got involved when other parents heard that faculty members were talking with children about such bullying. Now the Minnesota Family Council plans to hold a community meeting Tuesday at the school to discuss the issue. Jill Gaulding, a co-founder of the nonprofit Gender Justice who is working with the childs family, told the Star Tribune that since Nova did not have a policy to make transgender students feel protected, one family is feeling the backlash. I do think its sad and unfair to that one child. But its a wake-up call to administrators across the state, Gaulding said.
Record Powerball jackpot irresistible  DES MOINES  Lottery players, take heart. Officials say its increasingly likely that someone will win the $900 million Powerball jackpot. People across the country dreamed about what theyd do with the largest lottery prize in U.S. history  vacationing in warm climates, sharing with family members  and could still be thinking big in the coming days. If no one matches all the numbers on Saturday night, the next drawing is expected to soar to $1.3 billion. The U.S. saw sales of $277 million on Friday alone and more than $400 million are expected Saturday, according to Gary Grief, the executive director of the Texas Lottery.

Man charged with trying to kill cop  PHILADELPHIA  A man who investigators say claimed he shot and wounded a Philadelphia police officer in the name of Islam was charged Saturday with attempted murder. Edward Archer also was charged with aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer and several firearms crimes. He is being held without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25. The Defender Association of Philadelphia, listed in court documents as representing him, couldnt be reached Saturday for comment. Authorities say Archer, 30, of Yeadon, fired at least 13 shots toward the officer as he patrolled his usual west Philadelphia beat shortly before midnight Thursday. Officer Jesse Hartnett, although seriously wounded, was able to get out of his car, chase the man and return fire, wounding him in the buttocks, police said.

Invisible disaster drives people away  LOS ANGELES  Laura Gideon and her family endured the sickening stench from an out-of-control natural gas leak for about a month before they could no longer tolerate the nausea, headaches and nosebleeds. After she went to the emergency room in November vomiting and with a severe migraine, Gideon, her husband and their two children abandoned the only home theyd ever known together in the upscale Los Angeles suburb of Porter Ranch. Thousands of her neighbors have voluntarily followed suit in an exodus from an invisible threat that wafts occasionally and doesnt sicken everyone in its path, though it continues to spew enormous amounts of climate-changing methane.

Affluenza teens mom took $30,000  FORT WORTH, Texas  Weeks before affluenza teen fugitive Ethan Couch was arrested in Mexico with a cheap disguise of dyed hair and beard, his mother had pulled $30,000 from a bank account and told his father hed never see them again, according to her arrest warrant. Just how far the mother and son planned to get with the $30,000 and the pickup truck they used to drive across the border was unclear. When arrested, the pair had made it about 1,200 miles to the Pacific coast resort town of Puerto Vallarta, where a pizza delivery order led authorities to their apartment. Details of the cash withdrawal and the warning were released Friday, when a Tarrant County judge set a $1 million bond for Tonya Couch on a charge of hindering apprehension of a felon. Her son remains in custody in Mexico after winning a legal delay of his deportation back to Texas.
Three big land acquisitions highlight Montanas Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting on Thursday as commissioners consider the purchase of properties totaling 1,150 acres at a cost of $2.45 million.

The areas provide a variety of wildlife habitat in northwestern Montana.

The 320-acre ($1.4 million) addition to the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area is the most expensive. Fish Creek is a tributary to the Clark Fork River northwest of Missoula. The land acquisition is a private inholding in the 34,573-acre Fish Creek WMA, which is also bordered by state and forest land.

The area is recognized as an important forest carnivore linkage zone, supports elk, mule deer, moose, and high densities of white-tailed deer, and represents some of the best remaining habitat for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in the Middle Clark Fork, FWP wrote about the acquisition for the commissions agenda.

The purchase would be paid for with federal Pittman Robertson Act funds, a tax collected from the sale of firearms and ammunition, as well as the Habitat Montana Fund, which comes from a fee tacked onto hunting licenses.

The last Legislature banned the spending of any more Habitat Montana money for land purchases but grandfathered in existing projects, one of which was the Fish Creek purchase. Once the grandfathered projects are cleared, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will only be able to acquire conservation easements with the funds.

Another of the land acquisitions on the commissions Thursday agenda would add to two existing wildlife management areas. The purchase of 76.7 acres for $489,000  a price 25 percent below the appraised value of $625,000  would preserve a section of farmland and wetlands on the north shore of Flathead Lake, about 4.5 miles east of Somers.

The property sits on the eastern boundary of the 189-acre North Shore Wildlife Management Area that FWP acquired in 2013, which is adjacent to the 160-acre North Shore State Park/WMA that FWP acquired in 2008, the commissions agenda item states.

FWP is touting the land acquisition as a way to to restore or improve natural riparian/wetland habitat, to continue annual crop production to benefit resident and migratory waterfowl, to improve and maintain habitat for other wildlife, and to provide opportunities for seasonal public recreation.

The third land acquisition the commission will consider is about 760 acres ($562,500). The land would more than double the size of the adjoining 740-acre Nevada Lake Wildlife Management Area, located southeast of Helmville.

The land purchase would protect deer and elk wintering habitat, contribute to large-scale wildlife connectivity between the Garnet Range and Helena National Forest, and establish a shared boundary with USFS lands, improving recreational access between the public lands, FWP wrote in its proposal.

The appraised value of the 760 acres is $750,000, but FWP would pay only 75 percent of the cost utilizing a grant from the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program. The remaining 25 percent would be donated by The Nature Conservancy, which owns the property.

The acquisitions, if approved, come in the wake of Republican legislators rejection in the 2015 session of spending any Habitat Montana money on land purchases. A report on the fund prepared for the Legislature showed how popular the program has been to preserve wildlife habitat in Montana. Between 2013 and 2014, the program helped FWP secure 20,141 acres in eight land purchases and six conservation easements. Of that total, the majority  16,400 acres  were conservation easements.

The total cost for the 14 projects was more than $11 million, $2.7 million of which came from Habitat Montana funds. As of December 2014, FWP held 49 Habitat Montana conservation easements covering 238,695 acres and costing about $28.2 million. In addition, the department holds title to 117,868 acres that have cost $42.9 million in Habitat Montana funds. A portion of Habitat Montana funding also goes to management of the conservation easements.

Although the Legislature has halted land purchases, money still flows into the Habitat Montana fund along with the Upland Bird, Migratory Bird, Bighorn Sheep Habitat and Fishing Access Site programs.

In explaining the new legislation, FWP director Jeff Hagener wrote last year, Despite the fact that FWP pays property taxes and assessments ($675,000 in 2014) on acquired fishing access sites and wildlife management areas, and that these parcels are essential for fish and wildlife habitat and public access, some legislators believe that FWP owns enough land and does not need more.

Thursdays commission meeting can be streamed live online by logging on to fwp.mt.gov or can be viewed via video feed at regional FWP offices. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. To view a copy of the entire agenda, log on to: http://fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/insideFwp/commission/meetings/agenda.html?meetingId=34903119.
Saturday, January 9, 2016

What induces professors to sign letters of support for their colleagues who are under attack? I was under public attack a few years back, and although few actual faculty members attacked me (the Chancellor being an exception, while chairing a faculty senate meeting and sitting fifteen feet away from me), none publicly supported me either, and I sensed an atmosphere of fear of public opinion. A couple of recent cases provide interesting data. Roughly speaking, at Missouri faculty from the humanities supported a colleague under attack, and at Yale faculty from the sciences did, both with a few exceptions from other fields. What is interesting is that of the 116 Missouri signers, 84 were from humanities departments and just 4 were from science departments, while of the 90 Yale signers, 41 were from science departments and 6 from the humanities (all from language or music departments). I excluded psychology from science, but added math and computer science, and did the best I could for Yale to decide which professors in the medical school were scientists.

Missouri had 0 signers from economics, 0 from the business school and 1 from law. Yale had 3 from economics, 11 from the business school, and 1 from law. The Missouri professor was in communications and journalism (5 signers) and the Yale professors were in psychology and sociology (18 signers).

I need to add a caveat for Yale. I am Yale Class of 1980 and was disappointed that only 49 faculty had signed. I emailed the organizer, and he said the letter was not widely circulated--- that, for example, Anthony Kronman was the only person he knew in the law school--- although about half the signers signed after the news media report. I emailed 4 professors in economics and 12 in the law school whom I thought might sign. 1 from economics and 2 from law did. I didnt include those people in my numbers above. Five non-signers emailed back with reasons for not signing--- 2 with a policy of never signing open letters and such, 1 who was concerned about what the word racist means and about possible background context he wasnt aware of, and 1 who as a judge felt he shouldn't sign (Guido Calabresi, whom I remembered arguing with about flag-burning ordinances back in 1992). Various others emailed back with pleasantries but didn't talk about whether they'd sign or not. The 3 who signed emailed back on reading my email saying "of course". Also, at Yale, 1 math signer was prompted by an email from a geometer friend of mine at Indiana who heard my story.

69 of the Missouri signers were women (59%), including 19 of the 32 non-humanities signers (also 59%). 22 of the Yale signers were women (24%), including 11 of the 49 non-science signers (22%), so there seems to be a gender difference independent of the departments. At Missouri the professor was a woman; at Yale it was a married couple.

The question is why the two letters had such dramatically different types of signers. It may be differing ethical principles in different fields concerning what is punishable behavior in a professor--- see below for the contexts. A second possibility is social networks: that few professors sign letters unless they are personally asked to sign. A third possibility is a mix of the first two: that the signers are recruited by a few ringleaders who are motivated by principle, but those ringleaders are only found in certain kinds of departments.

A test of which forces are at work would be to ask professors who did not sign whether they did not know about the letter and if they did, whether they agreed with it but didnt want to sign for other reasons. The third possibility suggests a test. It would be supported if after the initial signers come clusters of signers from unrepresented departments.

It would of course be interesting to discover that the humanities and the sciences have such different beliefs, the first explanation. It would also be interesting, however, if the second explanation dominates, because that implies a big separation in the social networks of the humanities and the sciences. It is not surprising that professors would know people in their own department best, but this would suggest that they actually are interdisciplinary.

And what of the absence of law and of economics? These are both fields intimately connected with public policy. Law schools, moreover, are notably leftwing,

Context:

At the University of Missouri assistant professor of communications and journalism Click threatened a student journalist for trying to interview student protestors. The Daily Caller reports some of the interaction thus:

You need to get out, Click told Shierbecker in the video, which you can watch below. No, I dont, Shierbecker said, prompting Click to grab his camera and shake it. Hey, who wants to help me get this reporter out of here? Click shouted to the crowd. I need some muscle over here.

The implied threat would seem to be simple assault, since it was a threat to use unwanted illegal touching. I dont know what crime it is to grab a persons camera. In any case, there was no prosecution, and now some 120 Missouri legislators have sent a letter to the university asking that she be fired. In response, 116 professors signed a letter of support for Click (my boldface):

Click was part of a group of faculty, staff, and students who temporarily sought to block journalists access to the students who had been protesting the administrations handling of racial incidents on campus. Click subsequently issued a statement apologizing for her role in the incident, saying, I regret the language and strategies I used, and sincerely apologize to the MU campus community, and journalists at large, for my behavior, and also for the way my actions have shifted attention away from the students' campaign for justice.... Some of the coverage has focused on the issues raised by the tension between the rights of the press and those of the protesters, and we welcome discussion of these issues, believing that fostering such discussion is one of the roles of a public research university such as the University of Missouri... We believe that Click has been wronged in the media by those who have attacked her personally and have called for her dismissal. We affirm our support of her as a colleague, a teacher, and a scholar, and we call upon the University to defend her first amendment rights of protest and her freedom to act as a private citizen.

It makes for an interesting contrast with the faculty letter of support for a professor in the Christakis affair at Yale. After heavy-handed Administration advice on which kinds of Halloween costumes were appropriate, students complained to Erika Christakis, who sent students a memo saying that she thought the administrations Large protests followed against her and her husband, the Master of Silliman, a residential college (that is, a fancy dormitory in which faculty as well as students live). The President of Yale, after some time, weakly opposed calls for the removal of the Christakises in an email to Silliman students and supported the protesters in other statements. 49 professors (later rising to 90) signed a letter of support for the Christakises, saying:

One can differ with her suggestion that administrative bodies should not play such an oversight role at Yale, but the suggestion itself clearly does not constitute support for racist expressions. We are deeply troubled that this modest attempt to ask people to consider the issue of self-monitoring vs. bureaucratic supervision has been misinterpreted, and in some cases recklessly distorted, as support for racist speech; and hence as justification for demanding the resignation of our colleagues from their posts at Silliman. Note: Originally I wrote that I persuaded 3 law professors, but actually it's 2.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/law_econ/2016/01/at-missouri-humanities-professors-support-a-communications-professor-at-yale-science-professors-supp.html
LoS posts. From time to time we've talked about the destruction of past monuments to reflect changing aesthetics, political ideologies, practical urban renewal, etc. The erasure of the past for political reasons was common enough in ancient Rome and Egypt, where sometimes an emperor or pharaoh would efface inscriptions on monuments in order to diminish the achievements of a rival or to sully the name of a predecessor.



A few days ago, the Atlantic says:

This decision constitutes the most sweeping removal of Confederate iconography since the lowering of the Confederate battle flag in Columbia, South Carolina, this past summer, and offers the clearest evidence yet that the Lost Cause view of the Civil War has finally lost. Unmitigated drivel about public art, architecture and monuments make up a large percentage ofposts. From time to time we've talked about the destruction of past monuments to reflect changing aesthetics, political ideologies, practical urban renewal, etc. The erasure of the past for political reasons was common enough in ancient Rome and Egypt, where sometimes an emperor or pharaoh would efface inscriptions on monuments in order to diminish the achievements of a rival or to sully the name of a predecessor.A few days ago, the New Orleans City Council voted for an ordinance that will lead to the removal of four monuments in that city which honor Confederate heroes. Thesays:

It is in the larger historical context that we view this news. New Orleans feels confident it can remove four big monuments and in no way be culturally diminished, a definitive sign of the changing of the guard.



Louisiana's governor even stepped into the fray and tried to block their removal, not because of the history they represent, but because they represent history. In an interesting twist, however, the Governor isn't some disgruntled old white dude. He's young, conservative and of Indian heritage -- Bobby Jindal.





I have no confusion over why people want these to come down. Hard to swallow walking past some tax-supported public art erected to glorify a man who fought a war to keep your people enslaved.





The removal is said to be temporary; the goal being to put them together in some kind of park or memorial where they can be re-contextualized. I always get a bit disconcerted by attempts to alter history, something Winston Smith-y about it, but if done correctly, I suppose the monuments can be preserved in a way that doesn't insult the large black population of the city.





One thing that stood out was that the monuments were brought down for being a "public nuisance." You'd think any nuisance would be a result of the actions of people, not inert marble and bronze. Also curious is that an anonymous donor is footing the bill; what are the donor's motives? Get rid of these things ASAP....or to protect them from destruction by attaching the condition that they'll foot the bill only if they are preserved?





Until 1990! The conundrum came up recently in France for a town called Mort aux Juifs: "Death to Jews" (residents voted to retain the name). In Spain, Arabs can't be too happy in Matamoros: Kill Moors.



I'm not against periodically updating place names to reflect changing attitudes, but I do wonder where removing monuments will stop. (A question which sadly puts me in the company of some serious assholes; where it does stop will be debated for a long time to come, but taking Confederate symbols from state flags, for example, is a start about which I have no doubts whatsoever....)



A mental flash: as of 2016 the World Fantasy Award will no longer feature the likeness of H.P. Lovecraft because of his virulent racism; attitudes which even by the standards of his time were pretty harsh. This pissed off Lovecraft scholar S.T. Joshi, who said he returned his two WFAs and urged a boycott of future ceremonies. Like Jindal, Joshi is Indian, demonstrating that this issue is not just black and white.... Apparently there's a U.S. place names bureau that periodically changes official place names from time to time. This has included eliminating offensive racial epithets from creeks, mountains, towns, etc. Battle Creek, Oklahoma, for example, was known as Nigger Creek.! The conundrum came up recently in France for a town called: "Death to Jews" (residents voted to retain the name). In Spain, Arabs can't be too happy in: Kill Moors.I'm not against periodically updating place names to reflect changing attitudes, but I do wonder where removing monuments will stop. (A question which sadly puts me in the company of some serious assholes; where itstop will be debated for a long time to come, but taking Confederate symbols from state flags, for example, is a start about which I have no doubts whatsoever....)A mental flash: as of 2016 the World Fantasy Award will no longer feature the likeness of H.P. Lovecraft because of his virulent racism; attitudes which even by the standards of his time were pretty harsh. This pissed off Lovecraft scholar S.T. Joshi, who said he returned his two WFAs and urged a boycott of future ceremonies. Like Jindal, Joshi is Indian, demonstrating that this issue is not just black and white....





Nor do I oppose taking out the Confederate flag from state flags, which were only added in the 50's as a middle finger to Washington de-segregationists. By removing these Confederate flags, it's not an attack on Southern heritage or Confederate dead, but an attack on Jim Crow.



I don't have any strong feelings against removing these four monuments in New Orleans, despite the money and manpower expended on such endeavors. But I'm uncomfortable with the destruction of historical monuments and buildings in general. And I wonder....Jefferson and Washington owned slaves, so will they eventually become targets? Because that's a totally different scale altogether, as improbable as it is unfeasible. It's like the debates in literature about Celine or Ezra Pound; do we refuse to acknowledge their place in the canon because they happened to be anti-Semites or fascist sympathizers?



I would propose that the answer doesn't lie in removing these monuments, but perhaps adding context, whether in the form of interpretive signs and markers, or some kind of counterbalance, a monument to show that there is the will to spend as much time and energy on honoring another person and ideology as there is on what's currently there.





This is all part and parcel of Art History. And this subject certainly merits close attention. I'd like to see a survey of what has been destroyed and removed instead of what's been created and installed. Who and what we honor, and how, are living polemics. The struggle over symbols is in this case also a struggle over urban space. As something tangible it is easier to quantify, to actually do something on a monumental scale that will alter the city-scape. One could call it the Politics of Removal.





8/15 : The mayor, more than half of the D.C. Council, and the D.C. attorney general have joined activists in calling for the removal of a statue of a Confederate general from federal land in Judiciary Square.) I've always wondered when they'll go after that Pike statue in DC....





Removing four statues seems appropriate if you're aiming to re-orient a map -- one for each cardinal direction. The statues represent Gen. Robert E. Lee (1884), Pres. Jefferson Davis, Gen. Gustave Toutant Beauregard (also a Freemason) and the Crescent City White League (1891).





Of the four, the last is quite shocking. It doesn't honor a politician or general. It commemorates a battle in which an army of about 5000 from the White League attempted to take over the state government in September 1874. It was the culmination of series of violent events stemming from a disputed 1872 election, including the massacre of over 220 people, most of them black, at Colfax. Somewhere around 30 people were killed at Coushatta. Both of these places are between a three- or four-hour drive from New Orleans these days.



The White League was essentially an extra-legal paramilitary working on behalf of the Democratic Party to suppress the vote, harass carpetbaggers, intimidate blacks and above all regain control of the government. Unlike the KKK, the White League worked openly, without disguises. When the Democrats did regain control of the government a couple years later, the militants in the White League were re-absorbed into various state militias and the National Guard. What was essentially a terrorist militia became redistributed throughout the existing legal state and national military. The Klan was finally suppressed about this time under intense pressure from the Federal government. But in many ways it didn't really matter; the Klan had already achieved its goals by putting Democrats in power throughout the South, where they would remain firmly ensconced until the Civil Rights Era.





This could account for why an inscription was added to the monument in 1932 stating that the Yankees "recognized white supremacy in the South" by withdrawing Federal troops after the violent exploits of the White League. Note that the monument doesn't talk about recognizing "states' rights" or the "legitimate grievances of Southerners resulting from the punitive measures of Reconstruction" which is how defenders of the monument and the confederate flag frame the aftermath of the Civil War. Nope, the monument celebrates Northern recognition of white supremacy. No surprise that a city which is



To call for the removal of this inscription is not being "politically correct". This is not "college student crybaby safe space" stuff. This is about repudiating a publicly-funded tribute to the openly white supremacist paramilitaries which took control of the government that established the laws defining blacks as second-class citizens for the next hundred years. In the 20's and 30's the Klan re-appeared; it was an entirely different organization, but it had taken to mass parades and rallies as much as night riding. It was in this "2nd generation" that the Klan membership was historically at its highest, and perhaps most highly-influential.This could account for why an inscription was added to the monument in 1932 stating that the Yankees "recognized white supremacy in the South" by withdrawing Federal troops after the violent exploits of the White League. Note that the monument doesn't talk about recognizing "states' rights" or the "legitimate grievances of Southerners resulting from the punitive measures of Reconstruction" which is how defenders of the monument and the confederate flag frame the aftermath of the Civil War. Nope, the monument celebrates Northern recognition of. No surprise that a city which is 60% black would vote to bring it down.To call for the removal of this inscription is not being "politically correct". This is not "college student crybaby safe space" stuff. This is about repudiating a publicly-funded tribute to the openly white supremacist paramilitaries which took control of the government that established the laws defining blacks as second-class citizens for the next hundred years.



This flat-out racist monument graced New Orleans until 1989. At that time, it was removed in order to do work on Canal Street. City leaders probably hoped to mothball it, but some angry citizens kicked into gear and had it re-erected. In 1993 it was moved to the spot where the battle actually took place, which had the side benefit of being somewhat out of the way, silenced to some degree. The inscription added in 1932 was covered up and a more conciliatory inscription added.



Of course, what happens will not be determined by questions regarding what we honor and how, but by legalities regarding who owns the land where they are situated, the fact that two of the monuments are on the National Register of Historic Places, and various laws protecting historical monuments and veterans memorials. Laws created, in other words, exactly for this kind of situation.



----------------------------------------------------------------

Winners writing history:

US 3rd Army blowing up swastika at the zeppelin field in Nuremberg, 1945 Of course, what happens will not be determined by questions regarding what we honor and how, but by legalities regarding who owns the land where they are situated, the fact that two of the monuments are on the National Register of Historic Places, and various laws protecting historical monuments and veterans memorials. Laws created, in other words, exactly for this kind of situation.

Taliban blowing up the Buddhas of Bamiyan, 2001.

A "spontaneous event" stage-managed by a US Psyops team. Firdos Square, 2003

Where it goes now is anybody's guess. Soon after the council's vote, various plaintiffs filed suit to block further removals: the Louisiana Landmarks Society, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana, the Monumental Task Committee Inc. and Beauregard Camp No. 130, a New Orleans chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.


British lawmakers have scheduled a debate about whether to ban U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from Britain.

The lawmakers responded to a petition signed by more than a half-million people that called for banning Trump.

The British government responds to all petitions that have more than 10,000 signatures. Topics are considered for debate in parliament if a petition reaches 100,000 signatures.

In December, Trump called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States.

He asked for the ban after a December 2 mass shooting that killed 14 people in California. The alleged shooters were two Muslims whom the FBI said had been radicalized.

The debate over banning Trump from Britain is scheduled for January 18. The Associated Press reported that any conclusion from the debate by the lawmakers will not be binding.

A debate will allow a range of views to be expressed, House of Commons spokesperson Helen Jones said.

The petition was launched by longtime Trump critic Suzanne Kelly. Kelly is a Scottish-based campaigner and writer.

A ban from the U.K. could hurt Trump personally and professionally. He has business interests in Britain and personal ties to Scotland, according to the Washington Post.

A separate petition opposes the banning of Trump. That petition has been signed nearly 40,000 times.

The debate on January 18 can be viewed online.

Jim Dresbach adapted the story for Learning English with reports from VOA, the Associated Press and The Washington Post. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

Do you think Trump should be banned from Britain? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

petition  n. a written document that people sign to show that they want a person or organization to do or change something


U.S. officials are asking how a Hellfire missile used in a training mission in Europe has ended up in Cuba.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that U.S. officials have asked the Cuban government to return the Hellfire missile. The report says it marks one of the most mysterious disappearances of sensitive U.S. military technology.

U.S. officials say the dummy missile was mistakenly shipped from Europe to Cuba in 2014. They say developer Lockheed Martin sent the missile to Spain. The NATO military used it in a training exercise. The missile was then to be returned to Florida. But, it disappeared after it was sent on a long journey through Europe.

By the time officials noticed the missile was missing, it was already traveling from Paris to Havana on an Air France flight.

The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. officials are investigating whether the disappearance resulted from mistakes or whether spies or criminals were involved.

One U.S. official told the Associated Press that Lockheed Martin made a shipping error. The official said the United States is working with the company to return the missile.

The Hellfire missile did not contain explosives. But it did have sensors and targeting technology. U.S. officials say they fear the technology could be reconstructed. Officials are also concerned that Cuba would share the technology with other governments, such as North Korea.

The United States and Cuba ended diplomatic relations in 1961, but reopened relations on July 15, 2015. However, distrust remains between the two governments.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

William Gallo reported this story for VOANews.com. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

dummy - adj. looking real but not functioning or able to be used

reconstruct - v. to build something again
The U.S. made its first export of crude oil in four decades last Thursday.

The exports were banned in the mid-1970s. That ban was lifted a few weeks ago.

The Arab Oil Embargo began in 1973. Arab nations who produce oil dramatically limited their shipments to the U.S. This was done to punish the U.S. over its military support for Israel.

The Arab cartel later expanded the embargo to other countries, and oil prices soared worldwide. By 1974, the price of oil had risen from $3 per barrel to nearly $12 globally. U.S. prices were much higher.

The embargo had many short- and long-term effects on global politics and the global economy.

The skyrocketing prices led to a drop in demand for oil. Countries looked to alternative energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear energy and coal, says the Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History.

Oil-producing nations outside the Middle East increased their production and relied more on domestic supply.

The embargo set U.S. energy policy on a path that still guides us 40 years later, wrote Robert Rapier in an article on the website Oilprice.com. That website reports oil and energy news.

Every president since Nixon has made energy security a top priority, he continued. But each president has dealt with the problem in different ways.

President Barack Obama has looked for energy sources apart from imported oil, such as natural gas from wells in the U.S.

In addition, the U.S. produces 9.2 million barrels of oil per day, close to 10 percent of the world oil supply, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

Oil prices are near an 11-year low, reports the Oil Price Information Service. U.S. oil now sells for around $37 per barrel. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is currently selling its oil for about $32 per barrel.

OPEC is an organization of 12 oil-exporting nations. Its members are Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

Im Mary Gotschall.

Mary Gotschall adapted this story for Learning English from VOA News. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

Do you have an opinion about this topic? Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

cargo  n. something that is carried from one place to another by boat, airplane, etc.decade  n. a period of 10 years

embargo  n. a government order that limits trade in some way

cartel  n. a group of businesses that agree to fix prices so they all will make more money

barrel  n. a round usually wooden container with curved sides and flat ends

skyrocketing  adj. increasing quickly to a very high level or amount
I'm St. Jerome! I'm a passionate Christian, fiercely devoted to Jesus Christ and his Church. I am willing to labor long hours in the Lords vineyard, and I have little patience with those who are less willing or able to work as I do. My passions often carry me into temptation zones of wrath, lust, and pride. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!
HARTFORD, Conn. When N.A. told her three young daughters in 2010 that they were only going to New York City for a few weeks to visit their grandmother, she meant it. She left their summer clothesalong with most of their belongingsbehind in the house she planned to return to in the city she loved.

But a few months after arriving on the East Coast, A realized it would be a long time before she could call Damascus, Syria, home again. The city, where mosques keep their doors open all night long for those in constant prayer and the pious gazed at the burial sites of ancient religious figures, had become the scene of a dangerous and brutal civil war.

Uprisings against President Bashar al-Assads repressive regime turned deadly as opposing factions fought for control of the country and in the process claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Syriansincluding As cousin and her sister-in-laws husband. Millions more were displaced.

Soon after As arrival, her husband also fled Syria to join his family in the United States. He had learned authorities were looking to arrest him andhe fearedkill him for being a nonviolent protester.

While the young mom choked up at television sets blaring the violence taking place in her homeland, she sought to build a life for her family in America. She landed in Connecticut after a local lawyer there helped them get asylum. Everything from figuring out how to get immunization records so her daughters could register for school to learning English to securing asylum was a struggle, A said. I also had to find a way to live here, said the 28-year-old. I have three young girls. I need to find them a life. They dont understand that there is a war. We have lost everything. We have lost our house. They have nothing to do with it They deserve to go to school and have everything they want.

Her family did find a way to start over again in the Connecticut suburbs. As husband found work at a restaurant, and later driving for Uber, a web-based taxi service. Her daughters ages 9, 6, and 4are enrolled in public school in Connecticut. N.A. asked that only her initials be used because she fears for her safety and that of her children. While her journey to America four years ago was perilous, the fate of Syrian refugees is far more so today. Their numbers have exploded, engulfing Europe, and fear that ISIS terrorists will slip into the U.S. during the crisis prompted more than two dozen U.S. governors to bluntly refuse to accept Syrians within their states. President Obama responded that states were not free to violate federal anti-discrimination laws but As unease was only heightened when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump declared in early December that all Muslims be banned from entering the U.S.

As timing was better but so was her choice of location. Connecticut stands in contrast to other states in openly welcoming Syrians that manage to reach Governor Dannel Malloy, who has rejected his fellow governors stance. Catholic Charitieswhere A now works helping other families displaced by violence abroadand the Hartford Public Schools have joined forces to create an action plan to make sure these fragile families are finding their footing in a strange land.

Its just consistent with our values of equity and access and we wanted to say This is what we do here. This is what we stand for. We stand ready to welcome you, the Hartford Superintendent Beth Schiavino-Narvaez told The Seventy Four.

Much of the nation does not feel the same way. The country has been politically polarized over Syrian refugees in the aftermath of the November 13th terrorist attack in Paris. About 54 percent of Americans say they are opposed to taking in Syrian refugees and 52 percent are not confident that government authorities will be able to screen out possible terrorists, a recent Washington Post and ABC News poll found.

Sometimes I think if we are not welcome here, where can we go? When A hears about the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, inspired by Islamic extremism earlier this month or Trumps xenophobic rhetoric, she wonders how long her newfound life will last. I left everything behind in Syria just for my safety and my kids safety, she said. Where are we supposed to go? Can Donald Trump answer me that question? I dont think so...Sometimes I think if we are not welcome here, where can we go? I dont find the answer and thats really hard. The presidents message has been that As family and others like hers do belong here.

Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrimsmen and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families, Obama said recently in a rebuke of the anti-Syrian fervor. What makes America, America is that we offer that chance. We turn Lady Libertys light to the world, and widen our circle of concern to say that all Gods children are worthy of our compassion and care. Thats part of what makes this the greatest country on Earth.



In Connecticut, Malloy expressed faith that the U.S. could separate the dangerous from the desperate. Women were raped. Children were damaged. People have lost limbs. We have an obligation as Americans to do our part in those situations, but do it at a very high standard with a very good background system, which I think the federal government has, he told Eyewitness News The Democrat made headlines earlier this year when he personally greeted a Syrian family that had been scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis, Indiana , but was diverted to New Haven, Connecticut, after Governor Mike Pence ordered state agencies to halt resettlement activities after the Paris attacks. French authorities later found a falsified Syrian passport near the body of one of the suicide bombers. I was thankful we have a governor who was saying welcome. Happy to be in a state where we have that kind of leadership, Schiavino-Narvaez, the Hartford schools chief, said. The people who come to our door are children and we have an obligation to educate every child that comes to us in the highest quality manner as possible. Whoever comes to us, we need to give them a great education. The Myanmar-refugee community is a textbook example of the kind of support Syrian-refugee families may receive in Hartford.

The Hartford Public Schools committee formed to deal with refugee students will incorporate members of the districts policy, communications, family, and community engagement teams as well as Catholic Charities managers.

The group may work to identify a school with a higher Muslim-student population that has space for new Syrian students. Other questions facing the committee are whether the district will need to hire more teaching staff with bilingual skillsstate law requires that districts provide bilingual education whenever a school has 20 or more students whose dominant language is not English. An influx of new students could cause a ripple in busing plans for the roughly 21,200-student district. Hartford Public Schools managers are also preparing to find additional money to address students other academic needs that could arise.



Were doing everything from soup to nuts, Schiavino-Narvaez said.

But whether these swath of services will be needed remains an open question. Seventeen Syrian families have resettled in the Hartford area in the last two years, according to Catholic Charities. The nonprofit was asked earlier this year by its national office, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to expand its capacity to resettle Syrian refugees. The Hartford branch agreed to help 80 more families, but a week later more than 100 people were killed in the Paris terrorist attacks, complicating the path for Syrians entering the U.S.

Now, there is not a clear indication that families are coming right away, said Paula Mann-Agnew, the director of programs at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford. We are prepared to work with 80 more families. If they come, were ready.

The Myanmar-refugee community is a textbook example of just what kind of support Syrian-refugee students and their families may receive in Hartford. The Southeast Asian nation, also known as Burma, has been entrenched in a decades-long civil war as ethnic and religious communities fight for power and autonomy in a region fueled by rice production and a large opium trade.

As reports of murder, rape, and rioting raged on, thousands of displaced Burmese have fled to the safety of refugee camps in Thailand. Some refugees started new lives in the United States, including 52 families over the last two years in Hartford, according to Catholic Charities.

Refugees are picked up from the airport by a Catholic Charities representative who speaks their native language. Then they are taken to a furnished apartment, where they receive a stipend from the charity for rent and basic needs for 180 days.

In addition to financial support, a case manager will show them how to navigate Hartford: where to do their grocery shopping, how to find a doctor and make an appointment, and how to select the right school for their children. Hartford is a choice district, offering magnet schools with specialized curriculum in areas like STEM or the performing arts. Last school year, Hartford reported that its classrooms were about 31 percent black, 50 percent Hispanic, 12 percent, while 6 percent were not defined.

Her three girls started kindergarten in Connecticutfirst in the ESL class but then they integrated into mainstream classes.

Refugee families in Hartford are often referred to the school districts welcome center, a small office filled with toys, books, and computer stations for parents. There, the foreign students take a 20-minute written and spoken English test. A school-placement officer will work with families to assign the student to their preferred school depending on their needs such as location or curriculum. The support for refugee students doesnt stop at enrollment.



Catholic Charities secured an annual $105,000 grant from the Connecticut State Department of Education to hire a translator and tutor to help Burmese-refugee students at Bulkeley High School understand their class material. Hartfords Burmese are mainly Karen, a Southeast Asian ethnic subgroup with its own languages and culture.

In some ways, Bulkeley High School is a prime candidate for an incoming refugee population. Its one of the last of the school districts comprehensive high schools, where students can choose to specialize in a humanities or teacher preparation track during their last two years. In classrooms, decorated maps show students hailing from countries as far away as Ghana, Iraq, Pakistan, and Australia. Above one map reads, We are from all over and we are all welcome. I joke with our athletic director that we have international recruiting, English-as-a-Second-Language coach William Conroy-Longow said.

During a recent geometry class, tutor and translator Ka La Noo barely caught her breath as Karen students flagged her down for help deciphering a worksheet on different types of angles. Sometimes she translated concepts that didnt always have an exact counterpart in Karen, while other times she warned distracted students that their parents were only a phone call away.

Refugee students in the same grade can have vastly different levels of education; some were fortunate enough to attend school in their home country or in the camp while others had to work to help their families survive. On top of adjusting to a new city and language, many of their families expect these young people to help translate for them and do well in school but may not understand the difficulties their children face. They have to carry a lot on their shoulders, said Noo, herself a Burmese refugee. Eh Kaw Ku, 16, appears to have a life that would be familiar to many American students. Hes got a cool kid hair cutshort on the sides, tall on topand a stable of friends in and outside the Karen-student community. The sophomore plays on the varsity soccer and swim teams at school, while still keeping up with his classes.


Now I must wave goodbye

...so we shake hands and cry

'My boat's leaving now'

I hear myself say,

I'm trying to keep my newspaper dry

We sit and watch umbrellas fly

I'll never see your face again

Don't want to race this pain

I don't want to run away

I don't want to cry again

Don't want to say goodbye

I don't want to cry again

I don't want to cry again

You know

that my love's run dry

You see things in the dephts of my eyes

that I didn't try...

How can you say

Oh but how

We leave to their good-byes

I've come to depend on the look in their eyes

My blood's sweet for pain

The wind and the rain bring back words of a song

And they say: wave goodbye

Wave goodbye
Busy - mostly taking care of administrative work (Being online doesn't necessarily mean a quick answer). Please be patient if you want to write to me.

Name: Juan

Role: Moderator poromboessara 

Contributions: 8882 translations, 4 transliterations, 6404 songs, 12195 thanks received, 287 translation requests fulfilled for 185 members, 85 transcription requests fulfilled, added 198 idioms, explained 178 idioms, left 29420 comments
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has taken up for final hearing an appeal filed by Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja against his conviction in a rape case.

The appeal came up for hearing on 8 January before Justice Abhay Thipsay, who heard briefly the arguments of Shiney's lawyers Ashok Mundargi and Manoj Mohite.

The lawyers said that the trial court had wrongly pronounced the actor guilty.

Shiney was convicted in March 2011 by a Mumbai fast track court, which sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years term in jail for allegedly raping his maid at his home in 2009.

The actor had filed the appeal in 2012 when his lawyer sought expeditious hearing. However, the appeal came for final hearing only last week.

In his appeal, Shiney claimed that though the alleged victim had retracted her statement and denied the allegation

of rape in the court during trial, the trial judge had wrongly convicted him in the case.

The defence lawyers argued that prosecution had relied on DNA and forensic tests which were full of infirmities.

Mundergi said he would go into the details of the infirmities at a later stage of arguments.

The actor pleaded that the police had failed to seek the phone call data record of the maid, which, he said, would

prove that the allegations against him were "wrong". Also, the police did not rely on CCTV footage that supported his defence, Shiney claimed.

In his appeal, the actor argued that the extent of bias against him was evident in the cross-examination of the

investigating officer, who had deposed saying he "did not feel it necessary to investigate the CDR" or the footage.

The actor's appeal said the chain of custody of swabs, which is vital to a DNA test report in a criminal trial, was

not followed. Moreover, a witness had stated that "there was no record of taking or giving seal" for the swab vial and the report on a swab in which no DNA was found had "disappeared".

Shiney's lawyers argued that the findings of the trial court were "contradictory and inconclusive". They said the

chemical analyst had said in his deposition that "the DNA of the victim was not matched with the mixed sample as there was not enough sample to do the matching", while a doctor said "there was enough sample".

The actor was not present in the court during the arguments on 8 January.

PTI
HELENA  Though the buzz in Colstrip last week was over the uncertainty facing the towns coal-fired power plant posed by a federal mandate that Montana cut its carbon dioxide emissions almost in half by 2030, other forces that could shutter two of the plants units loom much larger in the near future.

An interim legislative committee meets this week to talk about the Clean Power Plan and meet the governors new council that will by July make recommendations on how Montana can comply with the new federal rules.

Some 630 miles away in Olympia, Wash., on Monday, that states Legislature kicks off a 60-day session  during which a bill is expected to be introduced that could allow a utility in that state to close Colstrips older Units 1 and 2, possibly before 2030.

The two situations involving Colstrip and the 350 jobs of the men and women who work in Units 1 and 2 are both complicated in their own right, and they are intertwined.

Washington Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, is chair of that states Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee. He said theres draft legislation that would allow Puget Sound Energy to purchase a bigger stake in Colstrips newer units, 3 and 4, something the utility is prohibited to do by Washington law.

If the utility wants to shut down Units 1 and 2  it owns 50 percent of each  it would need power from somewhere else, like Unit 3, to meet the demand of its 500,000 customers. Thats one scenario of the draft legislation passing, though Ericksen said there are other possible results like the utility continuing to run the older units and selling that electricity on the open market.

There are a lot of different options out there, he said. Its difficult to say right now. There are a lot of moving pieces.

Montana legislators have been invited to a hearing of his energy committee this session, he said.

Plans also are being made to set up a weekly conference call with Montana lawmakers and people who live in Colstrip.

There are a lot of moving pieces on down to the state level, so we are going to be looking for solutions that can protect the long-term energy future for Montana and Washington and protect jobs in both states.

Ericksen said his concern is to protect Washington ratepayers by making sure utilities have access to a reliable, cost-effective energy grid. He isnt sure what sort of outcome to expect if the legislation is heard in his committee.

In this hyper-politically charged atmosphere of 2016, I have great concerns about this, he said.

Back in Colstrip

Last week Montana Gov. Steve Bullock announced his Clean Power Plan Advisory Council from Colstrip City Hall.

The meaning of that location, just blocks from the stacks of the the coal-fired power plant that cast a long shadow over town, wasnt lost on state Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip.

Ankney praised Bullock for announcing the council, which has been criticized as not having enough clean-energy advocates, in the house that coal built.

Well, someday is Ankneys response to the question of whether the older Colstrip units will be phased out. But I dont think thats in the near future.

Ankney has been in contact with Washington lawmakers to stay on top of their plans. Montana lawmakers brought four of their counterparts in Washington to tour the older units in Colstrip the week before Thanksgiving.

The information they were given out there in Washington is these plants were ready to fall apart, Ankney said. They were astounded at the condition of these plants, how clean they were.

One Washington staffer was worried about her asthma, but didnt have any trouble during the tour.

She did that whole thing and it never affected her a bit, Ankney said. For her to go back to Washington and say These things are clean.  We had a very good meeting with them, we have a very good rapport.

Ankney is on Bullocks council. He wants to see that group work to keep the plant open in both the near and more distant future.

My goal is to pursue different avenues that will keep these plants moving, he said. If theres technology, is there a way that we can get some type of help to put measures on these plants, whether its additives in the coal, whatever it is, to get them cleaner-burning.

Utility regulators investigate

In June, Washington states Utilities and Transportation Commission, which is similar to Montanas Public Service Commission, opened an investigation into the costs of retiring the Units 1 and 2, which were built in 1975 and 1976.

That commission said it was essential to understand how consumers electricity rates might change if Puget Sound Energy shuts down the older units after three bills that that would allow the utility to do so failed in the 2015 Washington Legislature.

That report is expected to come out in the next few weeks. The commission said at this point its an open investigation and what happens next will depend on whats in the report.

Anne Hedges, deputy director and lead lobbyist for the Montana Environmental Information Center, said she thinks economic forces will help shut down the older units at Colstrip.

In 2013, Talen Energy, which owns half of Units 1 and 2, cut the market value of its stake in Colstrip by 87 percent. Talen, unlike Puget Sound and the other three utilities with ownership in Colstrip, sells its power on the open market and cant pass along costs to consumers. Low natural gas prices have also delivered a hit to coal-fired power plants.

A representative for Talen Energy, a spinoff of PPL Montana, said Friday that the company cant yet speculate on what would happen with its ownership in Units 1 and 2 if Puget Sound ever moves to shut them down.

It would either need to be enacted or not enacted, and at that time we would have a basis to make a business decision, said Todd Martin, Talen media relations manager.

Martin said that Talen employees are working on the other force that could change operations at Colstrip, the Clean Power Plan Advisory Council, which includes Talen environmental and engineering compliance director Gordon Criswell.

We expect to be productive participants in the plan, Martin said. When recommendations are made, when the state of Montana comes up with an implementation plan, that is the time we would be able to make a business decision.

Bullock would not speculate on how Washington legislation could affect any work by his council or if a move by Puget Sound Energy to close the older Colstrip units would help Montana meet its emission reduction goals.

"Given the nature and complexity of the CPP, there are too many moving parts to speculate on what impact hypothetical legislation would have on Montanas plan at this point," he said through spokeswoman Ronja Abel.

The council will meet for the first time in early February, and the recommendations are due in July.

"The council does have a lot of work to do and we envision several multiday meetings with numerous opportunities for public input as we work towards providing Montanas initial submittal to the EPA by September 2016," Abel said.
New Delhi: Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second prime minister, was confident of subcontinental peace, which is why he signed the Tashkent Accord with Pakistan exactly 50 years ago, on 10 January, 1965. But this collapsed due to his death hours later early 11 January, an event that should be probed even though half a century has elapsed, veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar, a long-serving aide of the Indian leader, said.

"Shastri was very sagacious. He firmly believed India could make peace with Pakistan but not with China," Nayar, who was Shastri's media advisor, reminisced in an interview with IANS, adding that it was the prime minister, who got then Pakistani President Field Marshal Ayub Khan to pencil in the words "without resorting to arms" in the first draft of the Tashkent Agreement.

Under the agreement, the two countries agreed that their armies would return to the positions they held on 5 August, 1965, the day they went to war for the second time after the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.

"Ayub Khan was inclined but (Pakistani foreign minister Zulfikar Ali) Bhutto stormed out of the negotiations, saying he would denounce the president (back) home. After Shastri died (in circumstances that are still suspect), and thanks to Bhutto, whatever had been achieved at Tashkent collapsed in Rawalpindi (then the Pakistani capital)," noted Nayar, still sharp as a razor in spite of being 93 years old, and possibly the only survivor of Tashkent.

Reinforcing this view, Nayar recalled Ayub Khan saying on the morning of Shastri's death: "Here lies the man who could have brought Pakistan and India close."

Ayub Khan, in fact was one of the two front pall-bearers (on the left) who carried Shastri's coffin to the aircraft that transported it to New Delhi.

Elaborating on Shastri's sagacity, Nayar pointed to a letter the then Shah of Iran, Mohammad Raza Pahlavi, wrote to Ayub Khan in the wake of the Chinese invasion of India in 1962, asking him to send Pakistani troops to beat back the invaders.

"A copy was marked to (India's first prime minister) Jawaharlal Nehru, who sought (home minister) Shastri's comments. Don't accept it, Shastri said because tomorrow, if Pakistan asks for Kashmir (still a sticking point between the two nations on which they have fought four wars), we'll be in a difficult situation," Nayar contended.

Shastri had assumed office soon after India's first prime minister died on 24 May, 1964 in spite of the fact that it was widely felt that Nehru wanted his daughter, Indira Gandhi to succeed him.

So how did Tashkent, now the capital of Uzbekistan but at that time part of the undivided Soviet Union, come to be chosen as the venue of the peace negotiations?

"The Americans stepped in (after the 1965 war ended) but Shastri said, 'No. They have given them (Pakistan) arms. We can't trust them. The Soviets stepped in; they said come to Tashkent, known for its kababs and good food. Shastri was a strict vegetarian, but he said, let's go."

Though military cooperation between India and the Soviet Union had begun soon after the 1962 war with China, this took a quantum leap soon after the Tashkent Accord and today, India imports almost 70 percent of its armaments from Russia, the successor state after the collapse of the Cold War superpower.

Nayar also said there was much bonhomie between the Indian and Pakistani delegations, as also between the journalists of the two countries who were reporting on the talks.

"We (the journalists) were staying in the same hotel. Bahut milna julna tha. Saath khate peete the (There was much camadaraderie. We used to eat and drink together.) After Shastri's death, all of them came to sympathise with us. The next morning, even people on the street came to sympathise with us," Nayar recalled.

As for the circumstances of Shastri's death hours after the Tashkent Accord was signed, Nayar said, "There is a general perception that he was poisoned, there should be an enquiry, even though a long time has elapsed. The government says there are certain papers; whatever papers there are, make them public."

Speaking about the future of India-Pakistan ties, Nayar saw great hope. "There are fringe elements (as evidenced in the attack on the Pathankot IAF air base soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dramatic visit to Lahore via Kabul after a state visit to Moscow), but everyone realises that peace must prevail," he said.

"Had people like Lal Bahadur Shastri been around, all this would not have happened," Nayar concluded.

IANS
New Delhi: Amid high decibel sloganeering slamming the BJP and its right wing friends, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy went ahead with a seminar on the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya where he asserted that nothing will be done forcibly or against the law but "we will not give up" until the Ram Temple is built.

Construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is mandatory for revival of our culture. We have started and we will not give up until it is made but nothing will be done forcibly and against the law. We have full faith that we will win in the court, he said in his inaugural address at the two-day seminar.

Claiming that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had promised him of support for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Swamy appealed to Congress to come forward and support the cause.

Once we get final order from the Supreme Court, the work for the construction of Ram Mandir will begin in the next three to four months. This was also the last wish of the late Ashok Singhal, Swamy said.

Swamy invokes Rajiv Gandhi's "assurance"

Rajiv Gandhi had personally told me that Ram Mandir will be built and whenever he will get an opportunity he will also help and the first help he did was that despite party opposition, he started the television serial on Ramayana which created a new excitement in public, he said.

He had said they will permit the foundation laying too. He had also said in his campaign for 1989 elections that there should be Ram Rajya in the country. I hope Congress will also come forward and support as this is not just our demand but that of the country, he said.

Swamy had earlier this week said that the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya would begin by this year-end with the cooperation of the Muslim community.

"No compromise on Ayodhya, Mathura, Kashi"

In our country , over 40,000 temples have been demolished, we never say that all those should be reconstructed...but there cannot be a compromise on three of them  Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Krishna temple in Mathura and Kashivishwanath, if Ram Temple is constructed there will be easy way for others, discussions can be done but not compromise, he said.

Ram Mandir is an aim for us. And when the Muslims leaders had committed that if it is proved that there was temple earlier, they will let us reconstruct it there, not fulfilling that commitment can be contempt of court, he added.

The two-day seminar titled Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Temple: Emerging Scenario is being organised at DUs Arts Faculty by Arundhati Vashishtha Anusandhan Peeth (AVAP), a research organisation founded by late VHP leader Ashok Singhal.

There was strong opposition from the student groups to DUs decision for allowing such a seminar alleging it would communalise the campus and push the saffron agenda.

The protesters including that from Left-affiliated student wings AISA, DSF, SFI and Congress-affiliate NSUI, staged demonstrations outside the protest venue and were detained later.

Swamy, who is the chairman of AVAP, delivered the inaugural address at the seminar which will see historians, archaeologists and law experts discussing various topics including Lord Rams character and values, and their impact on Indian culture, History of the Ram temple and related archaeological findings, Legal issues around Ram temple and Experience and future of Ram temple.

"Won't let Modi govt use academia for politics"

Roji M John, NSUI president told Firstpost, We cant let educational institutions in this country get divided on communal lines. Similar to the FTII, the Modi-government has been using universities for its own political agenda. We wont allow it to happen in DU and will protect it with all our force. Well mobilise students across the country to unmask the real face of BJP.

There are several issue like opening of new colleges, increasing the seat capacity, development, etc, but the government chose to have seminar on Ram Mandir. Its an attempt to rake up the communal issue. We wont let saffronisation happen in the campus. Ranjit, an AISA member said.

"DU hosts several types of seminars and Ram Mandir is a national issue. So, whats the harm in having a seminar on this issue? No one is constructing Ram Mandir in the DU campus and universities are meant for debates and discussions. Its the first-of-its-kind academic seminar on Ram Mandir issue, Delhi state secretary of ABVP, Saket Bahuguna told Firstpost.

Despite having so many issues before the government, the BJP has been trying to play the Ram Mandir card keeping the forthcoming UP election in mind, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said.
CAIRO Armed men shot dead a police officer and a soldier in their car on the outskirts of Cairo on Saturday, Egypt's state news agency said, a day after suspected militants armed with knives wounded three European tourists in a Red Sea resort.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Cairo attack in a statement posted on messaging service Telegram.

Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou said the government would announce additional security measures to safeguard tourists after Friday's attack, which wounded two Austrians and a Swede in the resort of Hurghada.

Tourism is critical to the Egyptian economy as a source of hard currency, but has been ravaged by years of political turmoil since the revolution that ousted veteran president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

"The welfare of the tourists visiting Egypt is of the greatest importance to us and will continue to be so. No stone will be left unturned to ensure their security," Zaazou said.

"Over the coming days we will announce even greater security measures to safeguard all tourists visiting Egypt."

Egypt is fighting a wave of Islamist militancy against security forces, which started in the remote regions of the Sinai but is increasingly spreading to the capital and to Red Sea beach targets that were previously considered safe.

Two armed assailants were involved in the attack at the beachside Bella Vista hotel in Hurghada. Security forces shot and killed at least one of the attackers, officials said.

The Interior Ministry said one of the attackers was a student from the Cairo suburb of Giza.

Security sources said the attackers had arrived by sea and also carried a gun and a suicide belt. Officials said officers had tightened checks across the area and shut off roads.

Swedish survivor Sam Eric Olovsson told reporters from his hospital bed: "He sliced me here in the neck and then he shoved his knife here and I go to the ground. At that point, I'm saying to my father I think I will bleed to death right now."

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the downing of a Russian passenger plane in October, killing all 224 people on board, most of them tourists returning home from the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, across the water from Hurghada.

The group said on Friday it had carried out an attack on Israeli tourists in Cairo a day earlier, in response to a call by its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, to target Jews "everywhere".

Security sources said the tourists were Israeli Arabs, and that there were no casualties.

(Additional reporting by Ali Abdelaty and Michael Georgy; Terje Solsvik in Oslo and Alistair Scrutton in Stockholm; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Mark Trevelyan)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
HARGEISA, Somalia Dozens of Ethiopian and Somali migrants died in the waters off the breakaway Somalia region of Somaliland when their vessel failed mechanically in the course of the voyage and drifted in the sea, a regional Somaliland official said.

Ahmed Abdi Falay, the chairman or governor of Sanag region, said the boat, which had started its journey from the port of Bossaso two weeks ago and was heading to an unidentified port in the Arabian Peninsula, was discovered by the Somaliland Coast Guard.

"They climbed into the boat and were shocked to find the dead bodies of 10 people and 72 others who were in different stages of suffering, some of them in serious condition," he said from the port city of Maydh on Friday.

The Coast Guard brought the 72 survivors and the bodies of the dead people ashore. The wounded are being treated and the dead are being buried.

Another 96 bodies, from the same vessel, were discovered ashore by locals on Friday having been washed in with the tide, Falay added.

Some three members of the crew of the stricken vessel were arrested as they tried to flee into nearby mountains and they will be questioned by authorities, the official said.

Migrants from the Horn of Africa states have for many years made the perilous sea crossing in search of better life abroad, forced out of their countries by conflict, repression and economic hardships.

(Reporting by Hussein Ali Noor; Writing by Duncan Miriri Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
BRUSSELS Only a third of Russia's air strikes in Syria are targeting Islamic State and its imprecise attacks are forcing the population to flee, fuelling Europe's refugee crisis, a senior U.S. official said on Saturday.

Of the 5,000 air strikes carried out by Russia since it began its air offensive in Syria on Sept. 30, about 70 percent hit rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, rather than supporting the efforts of the U.S-led coalition, the official told reporters in Brussels.

Rescue workers and rights groups say Russia's bombing in Syria has killed scores of civilians at busy market places and in residential areas. Russia denies this.

The Kremlin launched its air strikes saying it wanted to help Assad, its main Middle East ally, defeat Islamic State and other militant groups.

"We are not convinced of what the Russian intentions are," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"For a while, very few strikes were going against ISIL and after a lot of public condemnation they turned a number of strikes against ISIL," the official said, referring to Islamic State, the militant group that controls territory in Syria and Iraq.

The U.S. official said Russia used fewer precision-guided munitions than the United States and its allies.

"The Russian strikes that are not precise cause me great concern because I think there is an indirect correlation to the refugee flow," the official said. "It is not just the pressure it is putting on NATO and the EU, it is also the humanitarian cost," the official said.

Amnesty International said last month that Moscow's actions had violated humanitarian law. Amnesty estimates at least 200 civilians were killed by Russian air strikes between Sept. 30 and Nov. 29, which Russia denies.

Russia's Defence Ministry has repeatedly denied targeting civilians, saying it takes great care to avoid bombing residential areas.

Syria's civil war which began in 2011 has driven 4.4 million Syrians into neighbouring states from where many are trying to reach Europe.

(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
A watchdog of Billings city government said Friday hes pleased the City Council may be moving toward allowing the county attorney, rather than a five-member board, to handle ethics complaints.

But Tom Zurbuchen has a caveat tempering his enthusiasm: The person bringing the complaint could get stuck paying court costs once a decision is rendered.

Zurbuchen and a fellow watchdog, Kevin Nelson, brought ethics complaints in 2014 against council members Al Swanson and Becky Bird and City Administrator Tina Volek that were determined to be without merit by the citys Ethics Board early in 2015.

I may be a little reluctant on what I can do, Zurbuchen said. An ethics violation is an ethics violation, but I wonder how many others might be chilled or intimidated. Thats the part I dont like. It intimidates the average person, who are intimidated enough just arguing with the professionals.

During Mondays work session, the City Council by consensus directed City Attorney Brent Brooks to compose a new proposed ethics ordinance similar to one in use in Kalispell. That city relies on state ethics statutes and procedures, rather than a local ordinance, for evaluating ethics complaints.

Montana Code Annotated says that a court may assess the costs and attorney fees against the person bringing the charges if the court determines that a violation did not occur or against the officer or employee if the court determines that a violation did occur. The court may impose sanctions if the court determines that the action was frivolous or intended for harassment.

In a presentation to the City Council on Monday, Brooks identified weaknesses and deficiencies in the current method, under which complaints are brought before the five-member Ethics Board  which is two members more than the three prescribed in state law.

Among the examples cited by Brooks: Giving an advisory panel investigatory authority violates the Billings City Charter. Its unclear whether city or state ethics laws should prevail in the decision, according to Brooks. The city could also face civil liability if peoples privacy rights are violated during the process, he noted.

Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said this week that should the City Council follow Brooks recommendations  which were echoed Monday by Sandra McKee, Ethics Board chair  he and two deputies, Dan Schwarz and Kevin Gillen, will devise a simple procedure for how we will receive a complaint.

He said he envisions a system in which Schwarz, the chief civil deputy county attorney, writes a memo with findings once an investigation has been completed.

Brooks told the City Council that the experience found within the County Attorneys office makes it easier for those lawyers to investigate ethics complaints than it would be for a board of lay people. It also removes any potential conflict of interest with his office. In 2015, Brooks and other attorneys in his office could not defend Volek against ethics charges brought by Zurbuchen  and later dismissed  because Volek has ultimate supervisory responsibility for all city departments, including the City Attorneys office.

In a March 2015 letter to Nelson, Schwarz, chief deputy of the civil division, made the point that just because people disagree with decisions made by the City Council doesnt necessarily mean members are acting unethically.

A mere disagreement with the manner in which business is conducted before the City government, even if the City is wrong in the processing of that business, is not a per se (Latin for in itself) violation of the Code of Ethics to be weighed by the County Attorney, Schwarz wrote.  It is simply not the role of the County Attorney to opine on that process unless it violates the Montana Code of Ethics. Clearly, the Citys struggles with the make-up and authority of its ethics committee do not reach that standard.
Beijing: Bulldozers unexpectedly demolished part of a hospital and its adjoining morgue in central China, sending doctors, nurses and patients fleeing and burying under rubble six bodies being processed at the morgue, reports say.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported that the hospital accused the local government of ordering the demolition work after failing to get the hospital to agree to it for a road expansion project.

Rubble and debris spills into a room at the No.4 Hospital of Zhengzhou University after a demolition crew destroyed part of the facility. Credit:AP

The No.4 Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Henan province said the unexpected demolition work on Thursday morning buried six bodies stored in the morgue, caused nearly 20 million yuan ($4.3 million) worth of damage to medical equipment and injured several hospital staff, according to Xinhua.

"Burying the remains of patients is enormously disrespectful to the dead," the hospital's deputy propaganda chief, Zhang Yuan, was quoted as saying.
China has formally arrested a Guangzhou labor organizer and three other people authorities had been holding amid a crackdown on worker activism, Reuters reported, citing two lawyers.

Zeng Feiyang, director of the Panyu Migrant Workers Center, was charged with disturbing social order, Reuters said, citing his lawyer, Cheng Zhunqiang. Fellow labor activists Meng Han and Zhu Xiaomei were also arrested on the same charge, Cheng and Yan Xin, who is Mengs lawyer, told Reuters. The lawyers said prosecutors in Guangzhou informed them of the arrests Friday, without explaining why the trio was charged.

Another activist, He Xiaobo, was arrested on charges of embezzlement, according to the New York-based China Labor Watch. The lawyers for Zhu and He couldnt be reached for comment, Reuters said. Prosecutors in Guangzhous Panyu district didnt answer Reuters calls seeking comment, and the Guangdong government didnt respond to a faxed query, the report said.

The four were among several southern China labor activists detained late last year, as a broad crackdown on dissent under President Xi Jinping expands. The campaign has led to the jailing of journalists, dissidents and lawyers who defend them, with dozens of members of the so-called rights-defense movement detained last summer over allegations of manipulating public opinion and influencing rulings. Janet Ong, Bloomberg
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia, the countrys most profitable lender, has canceled the sale process for a 40 percent stake in its life insurance arm, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The state-controlled bank will try to boost the businesss value internally before any future sale, the people said, asking not to be identified as the details are private. Hong Kong billionaire Richard Lis FWD Group, South Koreas Hanwha Life Insurance Co. and BNP Paribas Cardif were vying for the holding, valued at USD400 million to $500 million, in an auction process that started nearly a year ago, the people said.

Indonesian companies were involved in $3.7 billion of acquisitions last year, down 64 percent from 2014, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Bank Rakyat unit, known as BRIngin Life, sells products through the lenders 10,000 outlets across Indonesia.

The state lender agreed to take direct ownership of BRIngin Life from its pension fund last year in preparation for the introduction of a foreign partner. It shortlisted bidders in July and initially planned to choose a winner in September, people with knowledge of the matter said previously.

Bank Rakyat told bidders it may restart the sale in the future, the people said. The life insurance unit, whose full name is PT Asuransi Jiwa Bringin Jiwa Sejahtera, increased its net income 76 percent in 2014 to 410.4 billion rupiah ($29.5 million).

We want to optimize BRIngin Lifes performance, Hari Siaga, Bank Rakyats corporate secretary, said by phone Friday. We arent thinking about a partner just now  that would be a second step.

Bank Rakyat shares rose 2.7 percent to 11,550 rupiah at 2:23 p.m. in Jakarta. A spokesman for Hanwha Life said he couldnt immediately comment, while representatives for FWD and BNP Paribas declined to comment.

Hanwha Life, South Koreas oldest insurer, operates in China, Vietnam and Indonesia. FWD, which is part-owned by Swiss Re AG, is part of Lis Pacific Century Group. It was formed when the billionaire bought ING Groep NVs insurance and pension units in Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand for 1.64 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in 2013. Jonathan Browning, Joyce Koh and Fathiya Dahrul, Bloomberg
A Taiwanese man, who was supposed to depart for Macau on Friday evening, surrendered the

equivalent of roughly USD28,000 to Taiwan Customs officers.

According to media reports, the man was booked on a TransAsia Airways flight to Macau but canceled his trip when the Custom officers at the airports Terminal 1 seized most of his cash.

The Aviation Police Bureau (APB) said that the man was carrying HKD300,000 in his coat pocket when the customs officers at Taoyuan International Airport confiscated HK$218,000 (US$27,948), in accordance with Taiwanese law.

The Customs declaration regulation requires passengers and transportation service personnel traveling in and out of the country to declare foreign currency valued at more than US$10,000, or cash in Renminbi amounting to 20,000RMB or more.

The accused said that he was very upset by the incident and was not aware of the Customs declaration law. He added that he planned to go shopping in Macau and Hong Kong but the customs left him with the equivalent of US$10,000 after seizing his money.

A similar case occurred last month when Taiwans Customs officers confiscated 6.6 million Japanese yen from a Taiwanese national traveling with 9 million Japanese Yen. He lost about two-thirds of his cash after failing to declare the amount to Customs.

The APB reminds travelers going in and out of Taiwan to observe the regulations to avoid cash being confiscated.
A creative products fair was held at Hong Kung Temple Square at 5 de Outubro Street over the weekend, which saw a number of Macau and Hong Kong artists gather to present their handcrafted designs and products to interested shoppers.

The event, entitled Art Fair @5 Outubro Street, was supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC). According to the government organizer, there were 36 booths selling handicrafts, food and beverages, textiles, and eco-friendly utensils.

One of the booths, run by local resident Helen Leung from the Living Green Project, sold tie-dyed products using all natural ingredients. She also sold green cleaning items and other handmade beauty products.

Leung told the Times that one of her favorite colors used for the tie-dying originates from the bark of the lychee tree. She favors it because it produces a deep, rich red, which is then used to create colorful patterns on the scarves and bags she sells.

Another booth offered handmade soaps by an artisan company from Hong Kong, while a third showcased calligraphy done at the stall on red paper  typically bought in anticipation of the Chinese New Year.

At the next booth sat a young man who drew caricatures of well-known celebrities and personalities in Hong Kong and Macau. Among them was a framed picture of Chief Executive Chui Sai On surrounded by green paper bills in a scene reminiscent of former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was showered with fake currency at a press conference last year.

A woman, who identified herself only as Elizabeth, showcased hand-painted glass bottles; many of them adorned with colorful flowers.

While the others are selling their products as a business, I am giving the proceeds [from my booth] to the Macau Autism Association, she told the Times.

Elizabeth added that she had invited autistic children to participate in the glass painting and other artistic creations, which she said they generally enjoyed.

The IC declared that the event was envisioned to help develop creative and cultural industries in Macau. They hope to inspire local residents to take up arts and crafts as a part of the effort to diversify the economy of the MSAR.

The fair will be returning to Hong Kung Temple Square four times over the next six months: February 13  14; March 12  13; April 9 -10; and June 11  12. Staff reporter
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd., the worlds largest listed jewelry chain, said same-store sales in Hong Kong and Macau plunged 23 percent in the final three months of 2015 as fewer mainland Chinese tourists visited the two cities.

Same-store sales, for outlets open at least a year, fell 6 percent for those in mainland China, bringing the total decline to 15 percent for the fiscal third quarter ending December, the company said in a statement Friday. The retail sales value for all of the companys outlets slumped 11 percent in the period, it added.

The operating environment in China as well as sales outlook for the Lunar New Year holidays in February remain challenging, and the company will continue to focus on cost-cutting measures in the rest of the current fiscal year ending March, Managing Director Kent Wong said on a conference call with reporters Friday.

The retail jewelry industry is now in a consolidation stage after the rapid growth in the past decade, Wong said. What we can do now is to better control cost structure on both rentals and staff costs, while expanding our high-end product lines.

Chow Tai Fook in November declared its first-ever special dividend even as it posted the steepest decline in semi-annual profit since it went public, after its shares fell to about 70 percent before its offer price since its 2011 share listing. Chinas economic slowdown, as well as campaigns against corruption and extravagant spending have hurt luxury retailers and casino companies.

The retailer of gems and watches has said it will shut outlets that do not perform well, but doesnt plan to lay off workers. Still, the number of employees may fall further after it dropped 8 percent in the first half, reducing staff costs by 13 percent, Wong said Friday.

Chow Tai Fook Chairman Henry Cheng said in November the company has shelved its overseas expansion plans and will focus on the Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China businesses.

Mainland Chinese tourists to Hong Kong, who accounted for more than 70 percent of the total in November, have dropped 16 percent in the month, according to the citys tourism board.

Chow Tai Fook may request rental reductions of 30 percent on average, for the roughly one-third of its Hong Kong stores that renew their lease agreements each year, it had said in November. Wong said the company is in talks to renew leases for three shops in the city.

The luxury chains retail network expanded to 2,317 points of sales as of end-2015, including a net opening of 28 jewelry, and 2 watch outlets in mainland China. It will open between 50 to 60 points of sales in China in the rest of the fiscal year, Wong said.

Competitor Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Ltd. said it wont cut prices even as it expects same-store sales to slide during the Lunar New Year holidays, amid a strong Hong Kong dollar that has turned mainland tourists away, the Standard newspaper reported Friday citing Lau Hak-bun, the companys general manager of Greater China retail.

Chow Tai Fooks Wong also said the company has no plan to cut product prices in the future. Daryl Loo and Foster Wong, Bloomberg
After setting attendance records around the world and completing one of the biggest comedy tours ever, global comedy star Russell Peters will be staging his first ever visit to Macau.

The Canadian-born comedian is set to perform at the Studio City Event Center on February 26, as part of his Almost Famous World Tour.

The show features all new material plus Peters lighting-fast improvisation skills.

I like to interact with the audience, said Peters, I use the interaction to take me from bit to bit. Some guys go on-stage with a script and dont deviate from it. Thats not my style.

Last years leg of the Almost Famous World Tour saw Peters travel to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and various destinations across Europe and Asia. Over 300,000 fans were estimated to have attended his shows globally.

mgm introduces students to responsible gaming program

A group of Youth and Social Services students from HKUSPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College visited MGM Macau for a presentation on MGMs responsible gaming program, followed by a tour of the resort. The program aims to inculcate the values of responsible gaming and introduce techniques for the prevention of problem gaming, as well as enhance the students understanding of social welfare services.

During the January 6 visit, Ms Eilen Ho, Director of Casino Talent Development and Responsible Gaming, introduced the MGM program. She explained different measures to raise public awareness of responsible gaming and prevent problem gaming issues.

MGM is committed to supporting the MSAR government in the promotion of responsible gaming, and provides ongoing workshops, training and talks for the Golden Lion Team members.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) is proposing an extended working schedule of some public libraries, including the Red Market Library that might soon be open 24 hours per day.

The information was presented by Ms Tang Mei Lin, chief of the new Department of Management of Public Libraries, former Director of the Macau Central Library, who stated that the final decision will be made in accordance with the findings of a University of Macau study commissioned by the IC.

Tang was speaking at the first of a newly initiated series of conference sessions between the Bureau headed by Ung Vai Meng and the press held last Friday at the Library Sir Robert Ho Tung. According to Mr Ung the purpose of the sessions was to offer a new platform of communication between the IC and the press. It is has not been decided how often these meetings will occur, but the Cultural Meetings will be held in a different cultural spaces throughout the territory.

The extended library working schedule is one of the outcomes of the recent restructuring of the IC that will integrate the libraries previously under the management of the Civic And Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM). The unified system will allow, for example, the sharing of books across all libraries.

The first meeting between the IC and the press was attended by all of the heads of the new IC Departments. The president of the bureau also explained the new structure and reorganization in addition to a debriefing of some of the activities held throughout 2015.

Ung said the ICs target is to contribute to making Macau a more sustainable city, in which they hope to be able to count on the support of the media.

The IC head also mentioned that the new structure, created according to the 2016 Policy Address guidelines, includes around 200 new staff members that will contribute in several areas to improving its service.

Chan Hou Seng, director of the Macau Museum of Art (MAM) said that the IC is keen to promote more education in the arts. We want to promote Artistic Education, said the head of the MAM, stating that only by improving the knowledge of the Macau population first, and arts and art appreciation to tourists second can we succeed in promoting art events.

public consultation on heritage sites listing

The Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) is holding a public consultation for the first group of buildings and sites proposed to be heritage listed. The consultation that began December 28 will be open until February 25 and, as is customary of public sessions, will be three in total. From the first group of buildings proposed by IC are four Foc Tac Chi Temples respectively located on Horta da Mitra, Rua do Teatro, Rua do Patane, and Rua do Almirante Sergio; Three Sections of the Old City Walls located on S. Francisco road, Visconde de S. Januario road, and next to Penha Hill Church; and buildings at 28 Rua Manuel de Arriaga, Old Chong Sai Pharmacy, Old Residence of General Ye Ting, Old Cattle Municipal stables and Kennel, and the Blue House Building at 6 Estrada do Cemiterio. The first public session was held on Saturday, January 9 and the next two sessions are scheduled for January 16 and 23.

No timeline for new Central Library

During Fridays meeting, the chief of the department of Management of Public Libraries, Tang Mei Lin said that a timeline is yet to be set for the construction of the new Central Library.

The project has been presented by the government for a long time as a way to revitalize the space of the Old Court in Praia Grande area and is in its second stage of construction, after the initial Design, advised Tang. According to her, this second stage will lead to the Conception Project work that is currently in the hands of the Public Works Bureau.

Ms Tang advanced that although there is no set deadline for the conclusion of the project it should include three different parts. Two of these are in the old court building that will see some sections of the premises demolished, maintaining the facade and the original structure, and a third part will include the Judiciary Police (PJ) building which is intended to be transformed into a museum.
The disappearance of five individuals connected with the Mighty Current publishing house has brought into question the future of Hong Kongs relationship with China.

It has been the most serious awakening for the Hong Kong community since last years Umbrella movement that opposed planned electoral reforms in the neighboring SAR.

Widely suspected, though still unproven, the central government is believed to have had some hand in the mysterious disappearances. What is most troubling however is that we still do not know how deep the scandal runs. If the central government is involved in the disappearances, then the next probable conclusion is that the Hong Kong SAR government is either aware of mainland involvement or not aware of it  both potentially worrying developments for the future of Hong Kong and indeed, Macau.

Hong Kong activists have decried the latest developments, including what they consider the inadequate response of Chief Executive Leung Chun-yings pledge to investigate further.

Nineteen-year-old student activist, Agnes Chow, whose video criticizing Beijings political suppression went viral last week, said that she was surprised by the clips reception. I didnt really expect so many people to watch my video but I think that it shows [how much] Hong Kong people [care] about this issue, Chow told the Guardian last week.

But while the outrage in Hong Kong has made headlines around the world, Macau has been noticeably mute on the subject. The Times approached a number of Macau news kiosks and bookstores that feature the controversial publications to investigate what the owners and shoppers had to say.

Studying the covers of the controversial publications for sale in some news kiosks in downtown Macau, it is easy to see why mainland officials would be uncomfortable with the material. One book, entitled Ambition, chronicles President Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign, which the book alleges to be merely a continuation of the Cultural Revolution that ravaged China in the 1960s and 70s.

Another publication details Xis purge of officials who were close to his predecessors; particularly those connected to former president Jiang Zemin, but also, to a lesser extent, those who worked closely with Hu Jintao.

A seller in one of the kiosks, who asked to remain anonymous, said that she had already sold 10 of these publications that morning, adding that this was quite normal, even though their sales had not increased since the scandal broke. Some days I sell 10 books; other days I dont sell any, she remarked.

A kiosk owner at another stall said that he regularly sells 10 to 20 of the books per day, almost exclusively to mainland tourists visiting Macau. He confirmed that there had been no increase in sales since October.

The owner declined to be attributed to his comments. He adamantly said: No! before adding [with a smile], you know, people have got caught recently  I dont want to do that [go public].

An employee at a bookstore in downtown Macau said that since Xi has come to power, freedom of expression is declining and censorship is on the increase.

But we are not really worried, she added, as we dont sell a lot of these [types of] books.

Visiting a third kiosk, the Times reviewed a magazine, entitled Zhongguo Mibao Magazine, which appears to feature much of the same controversial content. Although the inside cover stated that the magazine is published in New York, U.S., it is entirely in Chinese and includes articles by authors who overwhelmingly write under pseudonyms instead of using their real identities.

But perhaps this is not surprising. The missing five are not the authors behind the works, but the bookstore owners or employees at the publishing house, Mighty Current. It remains a topical but sensitive subject for retailers and none of those interviewed in Macau were happy to speak on the record.

The central governments main objection to the material, which is banned in the mainland, is apparently not that residents of the SARs have access to them  indeed local residents

seem largely uninterested  but that mainland tourists are taking the books back over the border.

Walking around the central tourism district on the weekend, the Times spoke to a number of mainland tourists and Macau residents to hear what they had to say. A group of eight young tourists from Shenzhen were initially excited to be talking to the media, but two of them confessed they had no knowledge of the missing bookstore owners. A third member of the group confirmed he understood but simply said: Oh this lets go, and motioned for the group to move away.

A woman who was setting up a protest banner concerning the Falun Gong movement also refused to comment on the issue. She also declined to tell reporters where she was from.

A Macau resident, who was asked if she was concerned about the recent disappearances, stated that we are not concerned but later added that, it [the case of the missing individuals] is a bit scary.

While the ramifications of the missing bookstore owners has the potential to affect many areas of public life in Hong Kong and Macau, there has been a divergence in opinion and reaction between the two territories.

Macau, one individual explained to the Times, is far more sympathetic than Hong Kong to the mainland.

The prevailing suspicion for the timing of the scandal is that it coincides with the planned publication of a book that is suspected to expose stories related to a former girlfriend of Xi. Staff reporter
At least 2,000 people are believed to have been killed after a massive avalanche of rocks and ice buried an entire mountain village and several settlements in north-west Peru.

Last night millions of tons of snow, rocks, mud and debris tumbled down the extinct volcano of Huascaran, Perus highest mountain in the Andes range.

The village of Ranrahirca and its inhabitants was totally destroyed along with eight other towns. The mayor Alfonso Caballero said only about 50 of its 500 inhabitants survived. In eight minutes Ranrahirca was wiped off the map, he said. Relief efforts are being hampered by the very storms that started the devastating landslide, but there are believed to be few survivors.

Colonel Umberto Ampuera, head of emergency services, said the disaster was like a scene from Dantes Inferno. He appealed to the Peruvian Government for aid to restore stricken communications and reach anyone who escaped the landslide.

Two Peruvian Air Force planes have carried relief supplies to the area and troops have been sent there to open up roads to Ranrahica and other areas cut off by the avalanche.

A massive wall of ice and rocks, about 12 meters high and 1km high, roared down the River Santa. The river rose by eight meters carrying with it everything in its path down the Rio Santa valley. Bodies have been found at the port of Chimbote, 60 miles from the scene of the tragedy, where the river meets the sea.

The President of the Peruvian Red Cross, Roberto Thorndike, estimated between 2,000 and 2,500 people were killed. But local authorities believe the death toll is higher  between 3,000 and 4,000 people.

The region is prone to major avalanches at this time of year when glaciers melt and break off sliding through the quebracas (deep canyons) in the valley below.

U Thant, the acting United Nations Secretary General, has offered Peru aid to alleviate the situation.

In a telegram to President Manuel Prado he said representatives of the UN technical assistance board and the UN childrens fund would be ready to give any help required of them.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

It is estimated that about 4,000 people died in the avalanche but the final figure will never be known.

The 1962 avalanche that caused so much devastation in the Rio Santa Valley was eclipsed in 1970 by another massive landslide.

On 31 May a huge earthquake 25km from the town of Chimbote, on the north coast of Peru, triggered off Latin Americas biggest recorded landslide.

A wall of ice was dislodged from Mount Huascaran and in three minutes slid down a glacier and travelled another 10km to bury the town of Yungay.

The avalanche destroyed Ranrahirca all over again  about 20,000 people died and there were just 400 survivors.
Heres a formula for fun: a frosty January day, a warm library, a bunch of kids and six friendly, tail-wagging dogs.

Thats what happened Saturday in Billings Public Librarys community room during the second annual puppy party. Dozens of adults and children showed up for a half-hour of storytelling, followed by a craft time and a meet-and-greet with six certified Reading Education Assistance Dogs and their owners.

The happy menagerie of large and small dogs, all certified through Intermountain Therapy Animals, included a miniature schnauzer, a sheltie, a golden retriever, a golden doodle, an Australian shepherd and a soft-coated Wheaten terrier.

The dogs, in their red kerchiefs, and the youngsters grinned at each other, and the dogs offered their fans soft fur to pat, paws to shake and gentle kisses. Some of the canines sat, others laid down and one, T-Rex, an Australian shepherd, rolled onto his back and looked up, eyes hopeful, inviting belly rubs.

The dogs, four returning and two new, are part of the READ to a Dog program, where children are invited to individually read aloud to one of the dogs for 15 minutes. The program takes place at the library from 10:30 to 11:30 the first and second Saturdays of the month.

The morning started with most of the children sitting in a semi-circle on the floor and the adults in chairs. The kids listened as childrens librarian Cindy Patterson and childrens assistants Allynne Ellis and Elizabeth Fellerer read books with dog themes.

Then, after the youngsters were instructed on how to approach the dogs, the six owners led them into the room and sat down in front so the children could line up and meet the pooches.

It was organized chaos as the children and their parents moved from one dog to the next, the youngsters often chatting with the dogs owners.

T-Rex is the silliest dog ever, 6-year-old Benjamin Roach said, sitting next to the dog.

Hes on his back, 7-year-old Rebecca Roach added.

Their mom, Sara Roach, said the family has a dog at home, a golden retriever.

But the kids really love animals, and so I thought it would be fun for them to get to see some other dogs and get out of the house because its a cold day, she said. We are also going to check out books. We do that every time we come.

The READ to a Dog program initially was funded through the Otto and Yvonne Mansfield Endowment at St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, Patterson said.

They loved animals, so they wanted it to go to some kind of program that had something to do with animals, she said before the start of the program. We were able to get in touch with Intermountain Therapy Animals, and they had just had several dogs go through the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program, so it was perfect.

READ to a Dog kicked off last January, starting out one Saturday a month. As more dogs were trained, it expanded to two days a month in September.

The response has been phenomenal, Patterson said. New people come in every month, and then we also had kids that return and they have their favorite dog they like to read to.

Each dog has a bag of books the children can choose to read, or they can bring their own book. The only caveat is that everyone has to be able to read.

It doesnt matter what level of reading theyre at, but the program is designed for readers reading to the dogs, Patterson said.

Deede Baker, owner of Oliver, the miniature schnauzer, said that when she watches a child reading to the dog, she sees a kind of silent engagement.

Theyre reading the book, but theyre reaching over and touching him and hes just relaxing, Baker said. And as he relaxes, they relax. Its almost palpable. You can just feel the child go this is OK. 

For a child who struggles with reading or self-confidence, reading to a dog who isn't critical can really help, she said. The child reads to a canine audience thats not going to laugh at them or make them feel uncomfortable.

And I think for children to be able to gain that confidence in themselves by sitting down and reading to a dog, theyre going to take that confidence into the classroom and I think thats going to be very beneficial to them in the long-term.

Julie Myers, who owns T-Rex, the Australian shepherd and a rescue dog, said meeting up with kids is his favorite thing.

When we get the red scarf out, he absolutely goes crazy, she said, sitting next to the dog.

In addition to visiting the library, she and T-Rex also visit various Head Start schools once a week through the READ to a Dog program. She tells about one young boy who could barely talk the first time she met him.

He had a speech problem and he was scared of (T-Rex) and he was kind of scared of me being in the room, Myers said. And by the end of 15 minutes, he touched the dog a little.

The next week, she opened the door and she and T-Rex walked into the building, and the little boy was there again.

He was way down the hall and he saw us come in the door and he said, theres Wex, theres Wex, I get to wead to Wex,  Myers said. And I started crying and I looked at the teacher and she said did you hear him? Because otherwise we couldnt understand what he was saying.

A year later, the little boy has grown in size and in his ability to speak and read.

Hes come so far, and his confidence level is just 100 percent, Myers said. I could just see him bloom through the dogs.


Al-Muslimi writes that "sectarian discourse has become more heated, reorganizing Yemeni society along sectarian lines and rearranging people's relationships to one another on a non-nationalist basis."



Saudi Arabia has real strategic concerns about Iran's influence, especially in Iraq. As Ali al Shihabi, a Saudi banker-turned-writer said to me,

"Southern Iraq is full of Iranian-backed militias. That's just a two-hour drive from Saudi Arabia's oil fields. The kingdom has to be worried." But the policy of sectarian warfare may be about more than simply geopolitics. Saudi Arabia is facing a series of challenges, from the Islamic State to domestic extremists. The country's large and active social media is dominated by radical Islamists. And as oil prices plunge, government revenues have collapsed, and generous subsidies to people will be hard to sustain. The regime needs greater legitimacy.



Add up last weekend's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, the break with Iran, the war in Yemen and Saudi policy toward Syria, and you see a more assertive, aggressive and sectarian foreign policy than Saudi Arabia has ever pursued.



The strategy is not without risks, external and internal. About 10% to 15% of Saudi Arabia is Shiite, and they live in the Eastern province, atop the kingdom's oil fields. Neighboring Bahrain and Yemen are now filled with resentful Shiites, who see Saudi Arabia as repressing them. And Iran will surely react to Saudi actions over time.



In general, the U.S. should support Saudi Arabia in resisting Iran's encroachments in the region, but it should not take sides in the broader sectarian struggle. This is someone else's civil war. After all, Washington's principal ally in the fight against the Islamic State is the Shiite dominated-government in Baghdad.



And besides, the single greatest threat to America in the Middle East comes from radical Sunni jihadists  many of whom have drawn inspiration, funding and doctrine from Saudi Arabia. There are very few good guys in this story. Al-Muslimi writes that "sectarian discourse has become more heated, reorganizing Yemeni society along sectarian lines and rearranging people's relationships to one another on a non-nationalist basis."Saudi Arabia has real strategic concerns about Iran's influence, especially in Iraq. As Ali al Shihabi, a Saudi banker-turned-writer said to me,But the policy of sectarian warfare may be about more than simply geopolitics. Saudi Arabia is facing a series of challenges, from the Islamic State to domestic extremists. The country's large and active social media is dominated by radical Islamists. And as oil prices plunge, government revenues have collapsed, and generous subsidies to people will be hard to sustain. The regime needs greater legitimacy.Add up last weekend's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric, the break with Iran, the war in Yemen and Saudi policy toward Syria, and you see a more assertive, aggressive and sectarian foreign policy than Saudi Arabia has ever pursued.The strategy is not without risks, external and internal. About 10% to 15% of Saudi Arabia is Shiite, and they live in the Eastern province, atop the kingdom's oil fields. Neighboring Bahrain and Yemen are now filled with resentful Shiites, who see Saudi Arabia as repressing them. And Iran will surely react to Saudi actions over time.In general, the U.S. should support Saudi Arabia in resisting Iran's encroachments in the region, but it should not take sides in the broader sectarian struggle. This is someone else's civil war. After all, Washington's principal ally in the fight against the Islamic State is the Shiite dominated-government in Baghdad.And besides, the single greatest threat to America in the Middle East comes from radical Sunni jihadists  many of whom have drawn inspiration, funding and doctrine from Saudi Arabia. There are very few good guys in this story.

That sectarian struggle now infects almost every aspect of the region's politics. It has confounded U.S. foreign policy in the past and will continue to limit the ability of America, or any outside power, to stabilize the region.In his prescient book, "The Shia Revival," Vali Nasr argues that the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the tipping point. The U.S. saw itself bringing democracy to Iraq, but people in the region saw something different  the upending of the balance of power.Sunnis, who make up 85% of Muslims, had long dominated the Arab world, even in Shiite-majority countries like Iraq and Bahrain. But that changed. Iraq, a major Arab state, would now be ruled by Shiites. This rattled other Arab regimes, and their anxieties have only grown since then.Though there always was tension, Sunnis and Shiites lived in peace, mostly, until recently. In the 1960s and '70s, the only Shiite power, Iran, was ruled by the shah, whose regime was neither religious nor sectarian.In fact, when the shah was overthrown, the country that first gave him safe harbor was Egypt, the region's largest Sunni power, something unimaginable in today's sectarian atmosphere.The pivotal shift took place in 1979. The Islamic Revolution in Iran brought to power an aggressively religious ruling class, determined to export its ideas and support Shiites in the region.That same year, in Saudi Arabia, radicals took over the Grand Mosque in Mecca, proclaiming opposition to the royal family and its lax ways. This scared the Saudis, pushing the regime substantially to the religious right. And Saudi Arabia's governing ideology of Wahhabi Islam was always anti-Shiite. Around the time of its founding, Saudi Arabia demolished Shiite mosques and shrines and spread its view that Shiites are heretics.As Iran has expanded its influence in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, Saudi Arabia has responded by adopting an even more sectarian edge to its policies.A decade ago, Saudi officials spoke of the need to include and empower the country's Shiite minority. Today Saudi Shiites are viewed with suspicion, seen by some as agents of Iran.In Yemen, a civil war has become a sectarian one. In a report for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Farea Al-Muslimi points out that now the two sides in Yemen refer to each other as "Persians" and "Daeshites" (an Arabic term).
March 8, 1929-December 30, 2015

SALMON | Dean "L" Walker of Salmon passed away December 30, 2015 with his daughter by his side. He was born March 8, 1929 in American Falls, Idaho to Guy L. Walker and Dena (Sherwood) Walker. He attended school in Montana, Nevada and Idaho, finishing school in the Magic Valley.

He held various farm and ranch jobs, cowboyed in northern Nevada, then joined the Marines where he served his country in the Korean war from 1947 to 1952. After his military duty, he came back to the Wood River and Magic Valley. He managed United Oil and worked at Jerome Gas and Oil.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. He is survived by his brother, Gene Walker, of St. George, Utah, son, Richard Wayne Walker, of Richfield, daughter, Dallas Ann Lewis, of Salmon, 2 granddaughters, 1 great granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Jones & Casey Funeral Home of Salmon, Idaho. www.jonesandcaseyfh.com
Terril and Colleen Howe of Twin Falls celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 8th, 2016. The couple was married in Twin Falls, Idaho in 1966. They are the parents of four children, Terry(Shawna) Howe, Stacey(Jackie) Howe, Amanda(Wes) Graf, and Ryan(Krystal) Howe, and have been blessed with eight grandchildren.
TWIN FALLS  A group seeking to get a measure on May ballots banning refugee centers in Twin Falls County is up against the clock.

Conservative activist Rick Martin and other volunteers have been gathering signatures since October. But theyre far short of what they need.

Theyve gathered about 1,500 signatures, but havent turned them all in. The Twin Falls County Clerks Office has certified only 219 so far  and a total of 3,842 are required.

But Martins group is still pushing. Were making progress every week, he said, and he plans to turn in another batch of signatures soon.

To get on the May ballot in Twin Falls County, the group needs to turn in signatures by early April.

At this point, the group will most likely be looking at a November election date instead of May, said Twin Falls County Clerk Kristina Glascock.

Martin said hes thinking about advertising where community members can go on Saturdays to sign a petition.

So far, he and his volunteers have been collecting signatures mostly at post offices and door-to-door in Twin Falls County neighborhoods. But bitterly cold temperatures have been a challenge.

The weather has really slowed us down, he said.

Theyve also held town hall meetings in the Filer and Buhl areas, and coordinated with businesses to leave petitions at some checkstands.

The ballot initiative would ban refugee centers in Twin Falls County and forbid county commissioners from trying to repeal it for a year after its enactment.

County Prosecuting Attorney Grant Loebs  who reviews proposed ballot measures before they are approved  has expressed doubts about whether some of the provisions are legal or enforceable.

Controversy over refugee resettlement erupted after an April announcement by the College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center that it expected to receive 300 refugees  possibly, some from Syria  during the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.

This summer, Martin  who lives in Buhl  formed the Committee to End the CSI Refugee Center.

But other community members have rallied in support of the Refugee Center, which has operated in Twin Falls since the 1980s.

Getting Signatures Certified

Martin told the Times-News in October his groups goal is to gather about 4,300 signatures to ensure they have enough in case some get challenged.

Typically, about 50 percent of signatures are disqualified, Glascock said.

The Twin Falls County Clerks Office frequently certifies signatures for statewide ballot initiatives, she said, but its rare to see something from a local group.

One of the most prominent statewide examples: three propositions on ballots in November 2012 to repeal Students Come First  a package of education reform laws. Voters overturned all three laws.

Another example: The pro-marijuana group New Approach Idaho submitted a citizens initiative petition in March 2015. It aims to create a medical marijuana program in Idaho and decriminalize small amounts for adults.

But they face a massive challenge. They need to gather signatures from 6 percent of the voting population in at least 18 of Idahos legislative districts by April to get on the November 2016 ballot.

The Twin Falls County Clerks Office approved the form of the petition Oct. 5 for the refugee initiative. Martins group has 180 days from that date to gather signatures.

Signatures must be from registered voters in Twin Falls County. The clerks office checks each signature to see if matches the persons signature on their voter registration card.

Plus, they make sure each signer is registered to vote and that their listed address is what the county has on file, Glascock said. It all has to match up.
BOISE  Consider the following: Idahos tight rules for public financing hinder investment. State GDP lags behind similar states, its wages are low, its schools and infrastructure underfunded. It relies mostly on taxes to fund government expenses, which puts a higher-than-necessary burden on taxpaying residents and businesses.

While these conditions are widely acknowledged, proposals that emerge from time to time to address these and other systemic weaknesses consistently lose out to political considerations. Thats often due to the absence of the kind of hard, independently-derived data that might change minds.

At least thats the way a new group of prominent Idaho business executives see it. Named Idaho 2020, its members intend to fund and promote data-driven research they hope will shape public discourse on topics such as capital investment, taxes, and economic development. Their goal is to shed light on best business practices in other states that, for one reason or another, have not won favor here, and to do so in a non-partisan manner that stresses economics over politics.

Wouldnt it be nice for our Legislature to be making decisions based on data and real hard information on what has been successful around us? the groups leader, Tommy Ahlquist, asks rhetorically. He is chief operating officer of Gardner Co. the Boise-based commercial real estate development firm that built the 8th & Main tower, bought the US Bank building and is building the adjacent City Center Plaza on The Grove.

Established in September, Idaho 2020s leading members include Simplot CEO and President Bill Whitacre; Melaleuca founder and CEO Frank VanderSloot; Oppenheimer Companies CEO Skip Oppenheimer; and Ball Ventures CEO Cortney Liddiard. The group hopes its research, data analysis and polling can drive a different kind of dialogue on Idaho taxes, economics and business development.

More than just entering the debate, they want to change its terms with data that help refocus the discussion. The motive is similar to Utah-based Zions Banks move last year to launch Idaho Politics Weekly, a news website and aggregator that conducts polling on statewide and national issues.

Political scientist Jim Weatherby said others have tried to create policy research organizations in Idaho, but those efforts failed, usually for lack of money.

The difference here is the clout and financial resources represented in the groups that are part of the 2020 organization, he said. Im delighted to see a group representing a broad spectrum of political thought in Idaho is taking on this challenge.

Think Tank Research

Ahlquist said Idaho 2020s initial research project, conducted by Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution, looks at how states fund capital improvements, an area where Idaho has few useful tools. The study compares practices in Idaho and seven other Western states  Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Montana and Wyoming were intentionally omitted because natural resources have such large effects in those states economies compared to the rest.

One public financing method comes up for frequent criticism in Idaho, especially among anti-tax groups: Tax-increment financing by urban renewal agencies. Idaho has about 60 urban renewal districts where the independent agencies, created by a local governing body, can collect a portion of taxes in a given district to finance development within that area.

Critics complain that the agencies are unelected bodies whose districts siphon away taxes that would otherwise fund schools and local services. Critics also complain the bodies live on past their original missions, looking for more ways to collect taxes and spend money. And because Idaho lacks many other financing and economic development tools, and because passing a general obligation bond requires a two-thirds vote in Idaho, agencies have sometimes backed ventures that stretch their defined scope of authority, drawing more criticism. An interim committee of state lawmakers has been reviewing urban renewal policies and procedures this year with an eye toward reform.

Ahlquist said Idaho 2020s formation was prompted in large part by seemingly perennial efforts in the state Legislature to try to kill urban renewal. After he testified before lawmakers in support of urban renewal agencies last year, I just said, Ya know, Im getting tired of just being the guy that says no. We need to really dig into this and find out what other states do, hows everyone else investing in themselves and how do we compare. We didnt really go into it with any agenda of what to do with the data and the results.

Idaho 2020 plans to use the data it collects as the basis for questions to ask in statewide polls. Though the work is not complete, the group did release some of its initial findings. Among them:

Compared to other Western states and the nation as a whole, Idaho has far fewer of the fiscal and regulatory burdens that businesses typically view as limits to economic growth potential. Right or wrong, this means Idahos economy should be doing better than it is.

The number of bond issues in Idaho for the 10 years from 2004 to 2013 was less than half that of Utah and just a quarter of Utahs volume by price. The greatest difference occurred in 2009, amid the deep recession, when states were rushing to take advantage of low interest rates to finance capital projects. In 2010, the amount borrowed in Utah for education and transportation-related projects was, respectively, three and four times what Idaho agencies borrowed.

Statewide polling conducted for Idaho 2020 by Boise-based GS Strategies in November showed that the quality of the states education system was the top concern among respondents, followed by jobs and unemployment, the economy, healthcare and insurance, and funding for education. Nearly half of respondents said the most important initiative for growing the states economy and adding jobs was improving K-12 education and increasing the number of students who pursue higher education. Just one-fifth cited tax policy as most important.

Jeffery Sayer, the newly retired director of the state Commerce Department, said the group is gathering some of the best business minds in the state to address critical issues of our future. We are fortunate to have their leadership and ideas.

Not a Lobbying Group

While business groups like the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry have turned to focus more on lobbying and political action, Ahlquist said Idaho 2020s mission was the furthest thing away from lobbying.

We dont want this to appear in any way threatening to anybody, he said. So we have tried all along the way to inform elected officials in all areas of our government.

We didnt see anyone else asking the detailed questions, whats the data, what else is happening out there, he added. Lets ask the questions. And once we get those answers, lets see what Idahoans think about the data that we got and then lets go from there.

He said the group would be releasing the full details of the public financing research and the polling results later this month, briefing lawmakers and business leaders and making the data public.

Hopefully it becomes a pattern, whatever the issue, where business can gather data, ask question that then help us formulate great policy for this great state we live in, he said.
TWIN FALLS  In darkness, the man pulled two suitcases out of the white van and the woman unloaded two children. Curtains dimmed the windows of nearby houses. Overhead, a tree shook as cold wind whipped through its leaves.

Somewhere in the darkness lay the familys new home, in an unfamiliar country.

Barely able to see the sidewalk, refugee Kanegamba Mulabwe carried his familys bags  everything he owns  toward the steps of an apartment building. Following a College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center employee, and trailed by an interpreter and a community volunteer, Mulabwe lugged his suitcases to the top of the stairs and stopped at the door marked B.

Resettlement manager Chandra Upreti unlocked the door, flipped on the lights and immediately took Mulabwe and his wife, Beatrice Bahati, to the refrigerator.

Their orientation had begun: a crash course in American living for a couple accustomed to washing their clothes in buckets in a crowded, hungry refugee camp.

Upreti pointed out the list of emergency numbers tacked to the refrigerator door: fire department, police. He identified items inside: milk, orange juice and the grapes he pulled from the bottom drawer. Interpreter Akembe Bilombele repeated the names in Swahili.

Hopefully you have something similar back home? Upreti asked.

Home was the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Bahatis family disappeared and Mulabwes parents were killed.

After three years of awaiting approval, Mulabwe, 26, Bahati, 22, and their children, Sarah, 3, and Daniel, 1, passed security checks and were approved to come to the U.S. The family left the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, a country in southeastern Africa, and arrived in Twin Falls on Nov. 16  eight hours after Gov. C.L. Butch Otter sent a letter urging President Obama to halt refugee resettlement.

That night, Mulabwe and Bahati knew nothing about the anti-refugee backlash that followed Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris which killed 130 people. Their midnight orientation took all their attention.

That night was the first act in a rapid, scripted series of lessons meant to introduce refugees to life in America and prepare them for self-sufficiency. More than 300 refugees made that transition in Twin Falls last year, but todays new arrivals build new lives in a community where opinions on refugee resettlement are deeply divided and opponents are vocal.

That night, the Times-News launched a special project: following Mulabwe and Bahati for a year. The couple silently took it all in as Upreti rattled off appliances and groceries on the kitchen counter. Now and then, Mulabwe muttered, Hmm, OK.

He recognized a package of dry beans. Other things were not completely strange. He and his wife had seen apartments with electricity and showers before, but only from afar. Those places were used by United Nations guests or other officials, not by refugees.

Now Mulabwe would learn to use a vacuum cleaner inside an apartment that was to be his new home.

As Upreti showed her parents the vacuum, Sarah squatted to take a closer look. She didnt flinch when it whirled to life, and she watched mesmerized as Upreti made a few swipes across the carpet.

When it was Mulabwes turn, he copied Upretis motions. Bahati smiled as her husband pushed the machine across the floor.

  

Mulabwe and Bahati traveled for two days to reach their new home in south-central Idaho.

They flew from Malawi to South Africa on Nov. 15, arriving in New York City the next morning. They boarded a flight to Salt Lake City and reached Twin Falls at about 10:40 p.m. Nov. 16.

Walking through the glass doors of the terminal, they recognized a smiling face: Bilombele, a fellow DR Congo refugee who lived in the Dzaleka camp and relocated to Twin Falls in August.

Bilombele didnt know Mulabwe and Bahati were the refugees scheduled to arrive in Twin Falls until that moment. Theyd been only data on a page.

Grinning, Bilombele turned to Upreti, telling him he knew the family.

They were only acquaintances in Dzaleka. But in a new country of strangers, any acquaintance matters.

  

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees established the Dzaleka camp in 1994 in response to a wave of people fleeing genocide, violence and wars in Burundi, Rwanda and the DR Congo. About 23,000 refugees live in the camp.

Living in a makeshift shelter among those thousands, Mulabwe and Bahati started the relocation process before Sarahs birth. While they waited for security screening, Daniel, too, was born. Now Bahati is about six months pregnant. Their third child will be the first U.S. citizen in the family.

The young couples priority is to provide their children a safe environment to grow up. In the refugee camp, they were given food, but never enough. They made homes with scraps of wood.

Its very difficult to live like that with a family, Mulabwe said, speaking through an interpreter.

Mulabwe was apprehensive to fly because it was his first time. However, he felt at peace as the airplane descended and he saw the twinkling lights of Twin Falls. He would finally be able to provide safety for his family.

For real, God has brought us from a place of war to a place of opportunity, he said.

Arriving in Twin Falls meant his children would not have to experience the things he saw. The things he tries to forget. The ones that still give him nightmares from which he wakes up crying.

  

The last time Mulabwe was in the DR Congo, he was running away as fast as he could.

Mulabwe grew up in the city of Uvira. Life was good before the war, he said. He lived with his mother and father and went to school.

Then rebels came to the teenage Mulabwes house and killed his parents. He ran. He saw other people being killed, and he ran faster.

His story is like that of thousands of others from the DR Congo who fled across the borders to neighboring countries.

Its a sad experience because you are not even thinking of grabbing anything, Mulabwe said in Swahili as Mary Lupumba interpreted.

Initially, he considered a long walk to South Africa to find a job. But in Malawi, after passing through Tanzania, he met others who had fled from the DR Congo. They told him about a refugee camp.

Mulabwe told the bare facts of his story in answer to a reporters questions, with Lupumba explaining the questions to him and giving short answers in English.

That Nov. 27 interview, Mulabwe said, was the first time anyone except resettlement officials and fellow refugees had asked about his painful past. He told Lupumba to say that he didnt like answering those questions. But he and his wife spoke more openly with the Times-News during later visits, and more of their story emerged.

Mulabwe lived in the Dzaleka camp for seven years. Thats where he met Bahati, a refugee from the DR Congo with a similar story  except she doesnt know where her family is. They disappeared five years ago. Does she think they are dead? She doesnt know, she answered. They just disappeared.

When Mulabwe and Bahati met, they shared their stories of tragedy. They have been married for four years.

She is beautiful. I cant explain, Mulabwe said, waiting Nov. 18 for his next orientation at the CSI Refugee Center.

Bahati smiled, bringing her hand  the one with her silver wedding ring  to her face as she laughed. The simple band matches the one on her husbands left hand.

They went to Malawi as refugees to look for where they can live in peace, interpreter Bilombele said, and by chance, they came to America.

  

The familys first-night crash course was just the beginning of a long string of orientation sessions. Theres a lot to learn.

This is laundry detergent to wash the clothes, Upreti said that night, pointing to a bottle on the kitchen counter.

This is the time, Upreti said, picking up a clock still in its box. Right now its 11:34.

In another 12 hours, in daylight, he would be back at the apartment to finish his spiel and go over any questions.

I know its a lot of information and you are tired, he said, then turned to the interpreter. Ill come tomorrow after some time and we will teach them again to use everything.

Every refugee family settled by CSI arrives to an apartment furnished simply: a couch, paid for by a federal grant. A table. A chair for each person.

On the afternoon of Nov. 16, Upreti readied the apartment for the family, with the help of his wife and father.

They unpacked boxes of new cookware  plates, bowls, silverware  and lined up the dishes on the counter. They hung blue towels, with tags still attached, on the bathroom rack. They assembled metal bed frames and covered the mattresses in sheets, pillows and comforters.

When I came here, I did not know how to make a bed, Upreti said. It depends on where they are coming from. So I make the bed just to be safe.

The apartment is furnished according to U.S. Department of State guidelines. The refrigerator and cabinets are stocked with culturally appropriate food to last for three days. A hot meal is prepared for the familys arrival  in this case, fried chicken.

Upreti was born in Bhutan and lived most of his life in a Nepalese refugee camp. His family, like many ethnic Nepalis, fled Bhutan during a government campaign of discrimination and detainment against them. In 2008, Upreti and his family were granted refugee status and relocated to Twin Falls. In 2013  five years after arriving on American soil  Upreti and other members of his family became U.S. citizens in a Boise ceremony.

Now, Upreti takes the lead on preparation for the CSI Refugee Centers new arrivals. He took pictures as he went from room to room in the apartment meant for Mulabwe and Bahati.

We take pictures because we are charging the federal grant account, he said. Its proof we give to them.

The Refugee Center buys everything in bulk and has about 200 mattresses in storage. A mattress costs $45, and the box spring is $20. Rent, also funded by the federal grant, is $600 a month, including all utilities except electricity. Upreti puts receipts in each familys folder.

For the first couple of weeks following refugees arrival, they are busy with orientations, appointments to apply for Social Security cards and food stamps and enrolling in English classes. In their newcomer orientation, they are told to watch their children at all times and to pay for things they pick up at the store.

  

The only identification documents Mulabwe and Bahati have are I-9s, forms that authorize refugees to work because of their immigration status. For now the parents carry laminated yellow cards with their address and the Refugee Centers number in case they get lost in town.

Upreti gave Mulabwe and Bahati their yellow cards on their second day in Twin Falls  the day CSIs board and administrators issued a statement saying they support Otters call for a federal review of the refugee vetting process. As soon as Upreti slid the cards across the table, Sarah took one and started off to play with her brother. Bahati grabbed her before she could get far.

That card is important. So is the mail theyll find in their mailbox, Upreti explained.

If you do not understand, bring it to the Refugee Center, Upreti said.

The day after arriving, a refugee family is allowed to make a short call back home to let friends or family know they arrived safely, and they are given their first pocket-money check. Each adult gets $200 per month and $40 per child for the first three months.

Its not a lot of money if you have to buy diapers and wipes, Upreti said.

The Refugee Center will pay the familys rent and electricity bill for the first five months. They qualify for food stamps and Medicaid at first, but Upreti said many refugees dont stay on them for long because they start working quickly.

The goal is get them to work so they dont rely on the system, Upreti said. We have people here one month and they are to work.

Within five months, refugees must be completely on their own and start paying back the cost of their airplane tickets on a 36-month payment plan. Before then, it is their responsibility to learn English as quickly and as well as they can. Its not optional. If they dont attend classes, they will lose their funding early.

English is very important in this country, so you can be self-sufficient, Upreti told the couple.

  

Two weeks after their arrival, Mulabwe and Bahati settled into a schedule: Four days a week, he rode the Refugee Center van to take English classes for two hours in the morning, then she went in the afternoon while he watched the children.

On Nov. 30, the first day of his English as a Second Language class, Mulabwe was given a packet of papers to fill out  a language evaluation. He was asked to write his name, address and date of birth. Another paper asked him to fill in missing letters from the alphabet. In the room where he sat, other refugees worked on computers, wearing headphones.

The next page asked him to choose crayons to identify colors. Mulabwe tested several shades before deciding on a crayon for the green space on his worksheet.

What color is it? ESL teacher Hawng Lum Tangbau asked, looking over his shoulder and pointing to another space.

Red, Mulabwe replied.

What do you speak? Swahili, French  and English? Tangbau asked.

Ah, Mulabwe said, putting his fingers together to convey a little.

  

On Thanksgiving Day, in a Twin Falls living room large enough to hold two long tables and a piano, only Mulabwe and Bahati sat at a table as other adults mingled in the kitchen and children ran around the living room, screaming and playing.

Sarah stood nearby watching the other children play, then started off in their direction. Bahati told her in Swahili to sit down, but Lupumba encouraged her to let the girl play.

Mulabwe and Bahati had been invited to Thanksgiving dinner by their assigned mentor, Allison Bangerter, a Twin Falls volunteer. Bangerters job is to help them acclimate to their new home. She was at the airport to greet them Nov. 16, armed with the Swahili words for welcome to America, a fruitcake wrapped in plastic and pictures that her four children drew for the family.

I just thought they needed help, and it sounded like a great opportunity, Bangerter said. I wanted to do something that involved my family, so my children could meet people from another culture and learn how to serve.

On Nov. 26  five days after 1,000 protesters and counter-protesters on opposite sides of the refugee resettlement issue demonstrated in front of the Idaho Capitol  Bangerter was in the kitchen preparing a feast as members of her extended family milled around the room.

Sarah found a kaleidoscope and held it to her face. A young woman asked her if she could see anything and showed her how to look through it out the window. Sarah disappeared down a hallway, toward childrens bedrooms, then re-emerged with a red balloon. Balloons are her favorite thing, her dad said.

The two long tables were set with paper plates decorated with fall leaves and plastic cups filled with pink punch.

Outside, snow fell softly and steadily in clumps. Before Idaho, the newcomers had never seen snow. When they touched it, it was wet, a surprise to the children.

During cultural orientation they were told when it gets cold, it snows, said Lupumba, invited to her first Thanksgiving dinner to interpret.

Lupumba and 10 relatives arrived in Twin Falls in October from Zambia, an English-speaking country in Africa. This winter was Lupumbas first snow, too.

  

Bahati never took off her heavy coat during Thanksgiving dinner.

That coat was only a week old. She and her husband arrived in Twin Falls wearing coats that werent heavy enough for the Idaho cold. Two days later, Upreti took Mulabwe and Bahati to Walmart to shop for winter coats and shoes. At first, Mulabwe unknowingly shopped in the womens section, choosing a navy blue coat with fur trim. Redirected toward the mens section, he found that many of the coats were too large. He selected a lightweight coat but put it back after Upreti told him he would need something heavier.

As Bahati looked through racks of coats, she left her shiny black purse on the floor. She picked out matching polka dot coats for her daughter and son.

The day of the shopping trip was cold and windy. Before Thanksgiving at the Bangerter house, Sarah would trade in her sandals for socks and shoes.

Bangerter had heard about the mentor program on the radio.

If I was a refugee, that is what I would like, Bangerter said. If I were going to Malawi and I didnt know Swahili, and I didnt know anything, how helpful would it be if someone there welcomed me? I think its like the Golden Rule. Thats how I would want to be welcomed.

As everyone lined up to fill their plates, Bangerter pointed out different foods on the table.

So in America, we have turkey, she said. Do you have turkey in Africa? No? Its like a big chicken.

Mulabwe added familiar items to his plate, such as corn and bread, but paused when he got to the bowl of gelatin.

Whats this? Lupumba asked.

Its Jell-O with whipped cream, Bangerter replied, as Lupumba repeated in Swahili. Mulabwe decided not to sample it and placed the spoon back in the bowl.

In Malawi, the family ate dishes made of cornmeal, beans, beef, chicken and pork. As Mulabwe described the white corn they ate, Bangerter left the table and went downstairs. She returned to hand him a huge can of hominy. It was the white corn he was talking about.

When Bangerters husband, Joel, explained that farmers in Twin Falls use irrigation to water their crops, Mulabwe seemed surprised.

Back home, Mulabwe said, people are preparing to plant their crops for the rainy season. They plant corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes and tapioca.

He feels lonely sometimes because he misses home.

  

With the holiday break approaching, the ESL classes Mulabwe and Bahati are required to take were put on hold for two weeks. There would be no orientations, either. Bangerter left town to spend the holidays with family.

Mulabwe and Bahati do not have family in the U.S., so they would spend most days inside their apartment. Mulabwe expected to be busy with the new cellphone he got at the mall  the phone he put to heavy use taking photos of his family at a Dec. 11 Christmas party for refugees organized by Lighthouse Christian Church. A woman in a Santa hat offered to take a photo of the whole family at the table. Another photo shows Daniel posing in front of a lighted Christmas tree.

I think they are doing great. They are doing OK, Upreti said earlier that week. They speak some English, and they keep their house clean. The goal of the Refugee Center is to help you adapt to your new environment. The longer you stay, the more you will feel comfortable here.

Bilombele and his wife, Zaina Kirirwa, live a couple of blocks away, and the two families quickly began visiting each other. Mulabwe and Bahati, who are Christian, got rides to Sunday church services from a church member. But during the holidays, they wouldnt have anyone to drive them to the grocery store and the mall like Bangerter did.

Bangerter took Bahati to a laundromat Dec. 8 and taught her how to insert dollars into the change machine and start the washing machines. It was their first outing without an interpreter.

Do you want to practice English? Bangerter asked Bahati. Yeah? OK.

While the clothes washed, Bangerter pointed to her hand, nose, shoulder and mouth, naming them in English. Bahati repeated the words.

Teeth, Bangerter said. Bahati pointed to her front teeth.

Ah, yes, good, Bangerter said.

Mixed with the sounds of sloshing water, the voice of a Fox News reporter drifted from a television in an attendants nearby office. The on-screen reporter talked about Obama allowing terrorists to come into the country.

On Dec. 2, Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik opened fire at a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino. The following weekend, someone spray painted the Islamic Center of Twin Falls with the words Hunt Camp?  probably a reference to the internment camp north of Eden where the U.S. government moved some 13,000 Americans of Japanese descent after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in World War II.

As Bangerter and Bahati practiced English vocabulary, both womens children snacked on bananas and oranges. Again and again, Bangerters youngest daughter redirected Daniel away from the door that led to the parking lot.

Bahati began to count: 1, 2, 3, 4 ... When she got to 21, she fumbled a little and said 23 instead.

Twenty-two, Bangerter corrected.

Ah, Bahati said, throwing back her head in embarrassment.

No, you did good, Bangerter said, leaning forward and looking into her face.

She visited the family later in December, bringing an old VCR and movies. A tiny tube television from the Refugee Center sat on plastic drawers in the corner of the living room. But without an antenna it doesnt pick up any channels. Now the children can watch the The Lion King and The Jungle Book.

After the holidays, Bangerter planned to attend mentor meetings shed just learned about and  despite the language barrier  invite Bahati and the children to library and community activities.

  

In mid-December, the pregnant Bahati was waiting on a Medicaid referral to establish a family doctor so she could start checkups, and she said she felt tired and lazy because of her pregnancy. Soon, her husband will begin searching for a job  after an orientation class that teaches the expectations and rules of employment. In April, the month they expect their baby to be born, he will have to start paying the rent and the electricity bill that comes to his house. In May, the two must start repaying their plane tickets.

Mulabwe was exhausted when he arrived home Dec. 8 after a six-hour orientation. His eyes were bloodshot and heavy as he joined his wife at the dining room table, where she peeled potatoes for their meal of fried potatoes and eggs.

That night could resemble nights to come: Mulabwe coming home late from a long day of work. His wife preparing supper as the children play. Perhaps shell be returning from work, as well. They may even keep attending ESL classes, the ones held on nights and weekends.

But that stress is tomorrows problem, and Mulabwe relaxed as Daniel found his usual spot on his fathers lap.

Soon after supper, Daniel fell asleep in his fathers arms, and the quiet man dressed the sleeping boy in pajamas.
TWIN FALLS  The College of Southern Idahos Refugee Center has resettled 79 Congolese refugees in the past two years. How are these refugees selected to come to the U.S.? And what security screenings happen before they arrive?

Those are questions of intense interest in Idaho since April, when the Refugee Center announced it could receive the largest groups of refugees this year from Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Controversy has brewed since then, with some community members fearing an influx of radical Muslims from Syria.

Those questions grew louder on the national stage in November, after terrorist attacks in Paris. Refugee opponents argue that terrorists could go through the refugee resettlement system and that security checks are inadequate, but federal officials counter that the vetting process is thorough.

People come to realize that every agency involved in security in this country is involved, CSI Refugee Center director Zeze Rwasama said.

Plus, the United Nations workers protecting refugees would discover people with terrorist ties, Rwasama said. That person isnt going to last in a refugee camp.

So far, no Syrian refugees have been resettled in Twin Falls. But 28 arrived from the DR Congo between Oct. 1  the start of the centers fiscal year  and Dec. 15.

More than 90,000 Congolese refugees in southern Africa are spread out among eight countries, a U.S. Department of State spokeswoman said. Malawi has one refugee camp, Dzaleka, on the outskirts of Lilongwe. Dzaleka  where Kanegamba Mulabwe, Beatrice Bahati and their children lived before resettling in Twin Falls in November  now hosts 23,000 refugees, of whom 11,300 are Congolese.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has an office in each country where camps host Congolese refugees. Theyve been working with the population for years, said Larry Bartlett, director of the refugee admissions office of the State Departments Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.

Bartlett came to Twin Falls in September to participate in a Times-News refugee forum, and he answered more questions from his Washington, D.C., office in December.

The crisis in the DR Congo has lasted about 20 years, and the refugee situation is protracted, Bartlett said; there isnt an opportunity for people whove been displaced to return home.

The U.S. put together a resettlement program for a significant number of Congolese refugees. Efforts will focus on a massive refugee camp in western Tanzania with about 80,000 people, Bartlett said. A goal is to resettle up to 40,000 of those refugees within the next three to five years.

The U.S. is also working to increase the number of countries taking in refugees from the DR Congo, he said. Others already accepting them include Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Some Congolese refugees have been displaced for more than 20 years and cant work or travel, said Rwasama, who came to the U.S. as a Congolese refugee in 2001 after spending six years in Rwanda.

Whats the Security Clearance Process?

Congolese refugees typically have less documentation than other groups, Bartlett said, due to the way they fled and because they left rural areas. But collecting and verifying documents is just one aspect of security clearance.

The typical steps:

1) Registration

Most refugees who flee their country and cross international borders are registered with the UNHCR. In some places, a host government takes responsibility for the initial registration.

During the registration, photos and fingerprints are taken and biographical information is gathered about families, including the name, birth date and any documentation for each family member.

2) Refugee Status

The UNHCR determines whether an individual receives refugee status. If so, he or she is referred to the U.S. Department of State.

3) Security Screening

Before Congolese refugees are eligible for resettlement, theyre typically in a refugee camp for at least five years, Rwasama said. That person has a history and is known. In refugee camps, a re-verification process happens periodically.

The U.S. security screening process is very professionally approached, Bartlett said. It includes fingerprinting and gathering biographical information about families. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducts extensive in-person interviews with each refugee family. Homeland Security officers receive intensive training on how to conduct interviews, and they study the conflicts in each country where refugees originate. Refugee fingerprints are checked against records from the U.S. governments intelligence and criminal systems.

It typically takes 1 1/2 to two years to process refugees, Bartlett said. When agencies are satisfied a refugee poses little to no risk, he or she will be resettled in the U.S.

4) Entering the U.S.

When refugees arrive at their port of entry in the U.S., a customs agent reviews their documents. Once refugees arrive at their final destination, the security clearance doesnt end, Rwasama said.

After one year, they can apply for green cards  Permanent Resident Cards, which allow noncitizens to live and work in the U.S. After five years, theyre eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. Both processes require more security checks.

How can Someone be Disqualified?

The standard reasons apply for disqualifying a Congolese refugee from coming to the U.S., Bartlett said:

 The person doesnt meet the definition of a refugee. I think thats highly unlikely for the Congolese, he said.

 The person makes a fraudulent claim. For example, the person isnt really from the DR Congo, or is trying to substitute someone into his or her family.

 The Congolese applicant was a member of an armed rebel group or played a certain role in the military.

How are Refugees Placed in the U.S.?

About 25 countries worldwide accept refugees. The U.S. resettles about 70 percent of the worlds refugees, Bartlett said.

The country has 312 resettlement organizations  including the CSI Refugee Center  in 185 cities.

Nine national agencies have networks of resettlement sites. They select which site would be a good fit for each refugee: Does the refugee already have family members in the area? Does the site have access to translation services for the persons language? If the refugee has a complex medical issue, how is the access to health care?

For Congolese refugees, mental health is a pertinent concern  particularly for those subjected to a lot of violence, including sexual violence, Bartlett said. The mental trauma that people have experienced can be quite severe.

Each summer, the nine agencies make a proposal for each resettlement organization: a cap on the number of refugees who will be accepted for the upcoming year. One of the nine agencies  the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a nongovernmental organization  oversees the CSI Refugee Center and decides how many refugees will come here; it usually makes a final decision in September.

CSIs Refugee Center has been approved to receive up to 300 refugees this fiscal year, which began in October. Officials dont know how many Congolese refugees will be among this years newcomers.
April: Zeze Rwasama, director of the College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center, tells the colleges board that the center will likely receive 300 refugees during the federal fiscal year starting Oct. 1. He expects the biggest populations of newcomers to be from Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

April: The next morning, readers begin posting anti-refugee comments on Magicvalley.coms news story. The Refugee Center receives phone calls, and letters to the editor pour in to the Times-News.

May-June: Spurred by constituent inquiries, at least four Magic Valley legislators write to CSI about its Refugee Center, asking for information.

June: Deborah Silver  a Twin Falls accountant who ran for state treasurer in 2014  starts a group to support the Refugee Center.

June: The U.S. Houses Homeland Security committee voices concerns about incoming Syrian refugees, saying security checks are inadequate.

June: Conservative activist Rick Martin forms The Committee to End the CSI Refugee Center. This month, it has about 100 members in a closed Facebook group.

June: CSIs Refugee Center holds its sixth annual Magic Valley Refugee Days with food and performances. Despite fears of protests, the event is peaceful. CSI security officers monitor the event, and yellow caution tape surrounds the area.

July: A federal trial starts for Fazliddin Kurbanov, a refugee from Uzbekistan living in Boise, accused of instructing people how to create bombs to target transportation systems and other public places.

July: For a third month, community members show up in droves to CSIs board meeting to express opinions about the Refugee Center. The board sets a time cap of 30 minutes for the public forum due to a tremendous amount of new business, chairman Karl Kleinkopf says.

July: Iranian-American pastor Shahram Hadian  who preaches against what he calls the threat of Islam  gives two public talks at Baptist churches in Filer and Twin Falls.

August: Some Idaho residents receive recorded phone messages from the American Freedom Party, a white supremacist group, calling for support of their 2016 presidential candidate. The message also expresses anger over thousands of Muslim refugees headed to Idaho, the Associated Press reports.

August: A jury convicts Kurbanov of three terrorism-related charges.

August: At CSIs board meeting, Kleinkopf speaks about what he calls misinformation about the refugee program. The college doesnt know or track the religions of resettled refugees, he says.

August: A statewide poll by Dan Jones and Associates shows only 20 percent of Idahoans surveyed had heard of CSIs Refugee Center, but the majority of those who had wanted the college to keep it.

August: The Refugee Center undergoes a regular yearly audit by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a nongovernmental organization. Auditors take the opportunity to speak to Silvers group, Magic Valley Refugee Advocates.

August-September: About 10 members of the Islamic Center of Twin Falls  and their non-Muslim neighbors  receive letters mailed without return addresses containing passages from the Quran and Bible. A center spokesman calls the letters harassment.

September: Refugee Center opponents file a revised version of a ballot initiative to ban refugee centers in Twin Falls County; County Prosecutor Grant Loebs said the first version was likely unconstitutional. The petition proposes it be a misdemeanor for county commissioners to try to repeal the measure for a year after its enactment.

September: About 725 people attend the Times-News community forum about refugee resettlement. A panel speaks, including local leaders and refugee officials from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Refugee supporters and opponents turn out in large numbers. Opponents pass out materials to attendees.

September: Unfazed by the controversy, students at Lighthouse Christian School in Twin Falls launch their fifth annual project to adopt local refugee families. Theyll clean refugees homes and provide donated items during a service day in October.

September: Boise mayor Dave Bieter and other groups express frustration about a decision by owners of a Boise apartment complex  with 400 residents, mostly refugees  to evict tenants. The owners plan to renovate apartments and raise the rent.

September: An Idaho Politics Weekly poll shows 47 percent of those polled oppose taking in Syrian refugees, 46 percent support it and 7 percent are undecided.

October: Supporters of a ballot measure to ban refugee centers in Twin Falls County start to gather signatures at the U.S. Post Office downtown. The Twin Falls County Clerks office approves the form of the petition. Supporters will have until early April to gather the 3,842 signatures needed.

October: The III Percent of Idaho holds a march in Twin Falls to call for an end to the refugee program.

November: State Rep. Heather Scott calls for a special legislative session to address refugee resettlement.

November: The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints writes a letter urging church members to help refugees.

November: Magic Valley legislators visit Lincoln Elementary Schools Newcomer Center for refugee students during a legislative preview event, held by the Twin Falls School District. Rep. Stephen Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, asks refugee students their response to recent controversy. Theres some problems going on right now, but I still feel welcome here, high school senior Safia Ali responds.

November: Following terrorist attacks in Paris, Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter calls on the president to halt refugee resettlement until the vetting process and state concerns are addressed. Hes among 23 governors taking steps in response to the attacks.

November: The CSI board and administrators say they support Otters call for a federal review of the refugee vetting process.

November: The U.S. House of Representatives passes a measure 289-137 for stricter requirements for refugees from Syria and Iraq before theyre allowed to enter the U.S.

November: About 1,000 people attend a refugee rally at the Idaho Capitol in Boise  police officers estimate about 700 supporters and 300 opponents.

November: Motivated by the controversy, CSIs Diversity Council organizes a Thanksgiving meal for several dozen newly arrived refugees  most from Africa.

December: Calls for better security checks for newcomers to the U.S. intensify following a shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, open fire at a holiday party, killing 14 people. Farook was born in the U.S., and Malik came to the U.S. using a spousal visa.

December: Neighboring Utah announces plans to launch a refugee monitoring system, led by two police agents who would help refugees assimilate and watch for signs of radicalization.

December: Diana Whiting and friend Andrea Rule launch a Sun Valley-Twin Falls pipeline, prompting volunteers from the Wood River Valleys Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center to take several carloads of winter coats, gloves, boots and blankets to the CSI Refugee Center.

December: Evangelical leaders  from the Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God, World Relief and others  urge Christians to welcome Syrian refugees. The groups statement: Christian Declaration on Caring for Refugees: An Evangelical Response.

December: An Idaho Politics Weekly poll shows 60 percent of Idahoans are against taking in refugees from Syria. About 36 percent favor taking in Syrian refugees, and 3 percent dont know.

December: Magic Valley legislators say refugee resettlement likely will be debated during the 2016 session. But many doubt the state has the authority to pass anything meaningful.

Julie Wootton
1960: The Belgian colony of Congo gains independence. President Joseph Kasavubu and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba are the new leaders.

1965: Joseph Mobutu leads a coup to oust leaders and takes over.

1971: The country is renamed Zaire.

1993: Rival pro- and anti-Mobutu governments are formed. The country holds a parliamentary election, which is disputed; it leads to fighting and an eventual ceasefire. The government includes some members of the opposition as leaders.

1994: Refugees pour into the country from Rwanda and Burundi due to civil war.

1996-97: Tutsi rebels take control of land in the eastern part of the country. The rebels  with aid from Rwanda  overtake Kinshasa, the capital city.

1997: A civil war launches, lasting until 2003; warlords are motivated partly to gain control of offshore oil. The country is renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Laurent-Desire Kabila becomes president.

1999: Six countries  including the DR Congo  come up with a peace agreement.

2000: United Nations Security Council keeps an eye on enforcing the ceasefire, but fighting continues.

2001: Kabila is assassinated. His son, Joseph Kabila, becomes the countrys new leader. In total, 2.5 million people have been killed since 1998 in the war, a refugee agency in the U.S. announces. Rebels and several countries agree to pull back troops.

2002: Warring nations sign a series of peace deals.

2003: French troops lead a rapid-reaction force, required by the U.N. A transitional government is formed, and an interim parliament starts. Fighting continues in the eastern DR Congo.

2005: A new constitution is approved.

2006: Thomas Lubanga, a warlord, faces international criminal charges of forcing children to join the military. He is sentenced to 14 years in jail in 2012.

2006: First free elections are held in 40 years with two candidates: incumbent Kabila and challenger Jean-Pierre Bemba. Its unclear who wins, and tensions rise at the capital. After a runoff election, Kabila is named the winner.

2007: DR Congo and Uganda have a border dispute. A large Ebola outbreak hits the DR Congo. The U.N. looks into accusations that peacekeepers are trafficking weapons and gold.

2008: Thousands of people flee to escape violence in the east, causing a wave of new refugees.

2009: The government signs a law aiming to stop fighting.

2009: Former vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba faces international criminal charges for allegedly allowing soldiers to rape and kill civilians. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits the DR Congo and pledges millions of dollars to help sexual abuse victims.

2010: International Monetary Fund and World Bank approve billions of dollars in debt relief.

2011: Lt. Col. Kibibi Mutware is sentenced to 20 years in jail for mass rapes in eastern DR Congo. After a disputed election, Kabila is re-elected president.

2013: An agreement signed by 11 countries is designed to end fighting. The M23 rebel group signs a peace agreement.

2014: About 60,000 citizens are deported in a crackdown on illegal immigration.

Sources: BBC News and the Central Intelligence Agencys The World Fact Book. Compiled by Julie Wootton.